Good morning, everyone did it a 9:04 and I would like to call this meeting of the commissioners court order.
commissioner, baucom. So I will let commissioner rose
introduced piers. >> it is my honor to introduce
reverend eleanor l. Colvin, the senior pass there of westbury united methodist church. She made history as being
appointed as senior pass there of westbury and she is a fourth-generation methodist and she is a houston native, a
graduate of texas a&m and a masters in fine arts at the
university of houston and a masters at the seminary in dc
she lives out her faith in action and inspires actions those others to do the same. It is so moving that your churc
is celebrating the 70th anniversary or last year celebrated its 70th anniversary and is our privileg
to partner with you. The proclamation and during pride month and throughout the year, westberry umc continues t
model what it means to show compassion and peace and love. So thank you for joining us today at commissioners court an
for your service to the residents of harris county so
thanks for being history maker and it is more loving and
compassionate and just. Thank you for the invitation to
be here today. Let us pray.
god of love, we give you thanks for the gift of a new day give
you thanks for the joy of being your children and for the
privilege to partner with you s that your kingdom might come on
earth as it is in heaven and fo the privilege of serving you so
that others might come to know love of god and love of neighbor
. We seek you this day.
kronos with the wisdom for the work of the day.
give us the insight to know whe to speak and to know when to be silent and help us to listen well, advocate well, give us
your wisdom from on high god of justice, have your way in this
court, this day boot your words teaches us to seek the welfare
of the city for it in its welfare we will find our own prosperity. Help us to seek what is best fo
the county. Help us to seek what is best fo
all residents of the county and those with great means and thos
pressed into the margins and al residents in between, lord god.
god of justice, remind us that we are inextricably tied
together in a web of mutuality and what impacts one, impacts
another so help us to bear one another's burden this day.
we have an agenda for the day but we are open to your agenda.
may it be so respectful of the many names by which people pray
to you all over the world and I pray in the name of jesus the
christ, amen. >> thank you. >> thank you so much and welcome .
we will not recite the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flg
of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the texas flag.
I pledge allegiance o thee, texas, one state under god, one and indivisible. >> before we get started I want
to take a moment to recognize the start of the fifa world cup
. That is very exciting.
I have one at the fan fest so I is a big deal and we are all wearing our fifa pins. Hits a one on lifetime
experience. Billions of people around the
world would dream to be in the position we are to be hosting world cup. Commissioner ellis will be
joining virtually. We will have a lunch recess
between 1-130 since we have thi tight overlapping timeline and
I've requested a break between 3 -4 because people lose court
during that time. It is a privilege to honor the
dean of the rice school of business and has taken it to
incredible heights in terms of enrollment and prestige and he'
he so good these been recruited to be its next president and
sole if you would join us here at the microphone, I will reach
your resolution and that I know you have a proclamation as well.
so thank you for accommodating this personal privilege and you
can imagine he is very busy managing his current roll in th
future point so. Were as he's been named the 15
th president university, a distinguished institution of higher learning. He's a respected economist and
scholar and academic leader, jones graduate school of
business and has led significan growth in business throughout his career he expands access to quality education and leadershi
in the program and fostering students to lead in the global
economy. During his leadership, price
business expanded enrollment an increased faculty strengthen th development of new student success and opportunity.
his appointment as president of wake forest university reflects
his exceptional record, visionary leadership and
dedication to institutional excellence and brings us great pride even though we lose you, brings us great pride to see yo
as the president of wake forest and they are so lucky to have you. We are going to miss you here
two that end, I do hereby designate june 11, 2026, being
today, as dr. . Rodriguez today in harris county
, texas. Congratulating him on his appointment as the 15th president of wake forest
university and extend can see I congratulations.
>> I can't thank you enough. We had wonderful years here in
texas. I can tell you there's no bette place in the country to raise a family and I certainly have bee
proud of that so it is with great pride that I received thi incredible honor and is the honorable life time.
I will just say from my family, my great-grandparents moved to
houston in 1915 and then left o navigation boulevards boulevard
said to be back here, it's been a great privilege for me so I
keep the county in the city nea and dear to my heart. Thank you very much for all tha you've given us.
we got the appreciate at. >> congratulations bit it makes
us so proud to act out that. Thank you for everything you have done for the future leadership of our nation.
wake forest is blessed to have your vision and commitment and look forward to many more decades of seeing what you have
across the country and speaking of students, I know we have many in the audience today so I you could raise your hands.
and to so many. All think it to our students an everyone else whose lives you have touched.
>> thank you. Thank you. So if you -- I am so sorry.
>> thank you for all thieves done and I really want to take
special attention to your trajectory to now becoming a
national leader and thank you for making rice the diversity
that it is, but in its capacity. So you also are among giants
most recently and acknowledged him so very, very proud of you.
I will just tell you what my da just told me. Congratulations. >> thank you very much.
thank you. >> dean come if you have a moment, I'm hoping we can take pictures with both of the
honorees. Go ahead, commissioner. >> the resolution is about -- do you want to call him up?
county attorney, would you please join us.
>> I say we take pictures with dean rodriguez and we both
recognize him later. He's probably hard at work. Dry need to take a little break for this?
>> excuse me. Take pictures. So if you will just humor is us here for a minute.
we will now take the speakers. Yes, commissioner ramsey.
recognizing the complexities of keeping everybody into corm
today, I think there's been a couple of items we would like t look at first and I think it ha been mentioned 125 and 418 woul
be executive session and 483 executive session items so I
what ask that we take 125 and 418 and 483 and hear the
speakers of those first and the take those items and obviously
125 well be the presentation by flood control and 418 and 43
will be executive session and take those before we take the remaining speakers in today's -- commissioner ellis is on virtua
and I want to make sure we don' lose him in the process.
>> so we have a motion and a second to take only the speaker
for 125, 418, and 483. Would have to take 419 also be
diving there speakers on that. That should be brief is there a
second, all in favor. Any opposed.
all in favor and it carries unanimously. If you wouldn't mind please calling any speakers for item
125 and 418 or 419 and 483. >> speaking on item for hundred
83, you have one minute. >> depending on the articles
I've been reading. At my name is mary. -- speck.
and the articles are saying ite 12, only one is completed, you
fire the person that was in charge when you took over and I took 18 months to hire a new person.
did you not take that into account what all these things are due and not article two day ago you said you're going to
reclassify it and put it under something dated 2028. These are 2027 february. Your succession ends every 21 o
the person you hired is febrile and you gave her an $80,000
raise last year for not doing her job.
you are feeling failing the citizens. Seven years and one project done .
thank you. 14 sessions you missed.
14 sessions you missed and he missed it. >> thank you comic your time is of.
>> you need to be accountable. >> thank you, ma'am.
any other speakers? >> that is all, judge. >> so it is 9:21. Will go to executive session on
125, 418 and 419 and 483. >> 125 should be done now.
>> I thought I said 125. >> but not two executive session
. It should be done now for presentation. So we will do 125, the public
presentation. They are on their way.
good morning, judge. We do have a presentation that
has been submitted. >> dr. Peterson, I don't have
the presentation. >> give us just a moment. We will get that over to you. In the meantime we will go ahea
and start and really well we ar getting the presentation, I wil
just start with the bottom line up front, so we are making
progress and are delivering projects in this work is keepin our communities safe and we are here today to talk about a
solution that will deliver the resolution of the cdbgr funding.
it requires a full court press and the team is here with me today to demonstrate the commitment to get this work don
so so I will go ahead and help everyone decides to go along
with that but I will just be to the issues that we want to cover . So one of the things that we
have included in the transmitta that we submitted in court is a map and an outline of the different funding sources that
are associated with these dollars and certainly the
program is a very complex program and a lot of different rules and regulations and it is administered and administered
locally. There's two different funding
sources, dr and mitigation. It's very important to know
these dollars have some of the most complex regulations.
and we need to make sure that w meet all the income requirements
. There are a total of 20 project in both programs we are going t focus today cdgr.
progress is happening. We're making progress.
projects are under construction and this light shows you some o the work there are a total of seven out of the 11 projects
that are under construction. Three more are moving to
construction by the end of this month that we have one project
that is still awaiting environmental clearance we have
had two additional projects. And the goal of what we're goin
talking about today is to keep that momentum going and make
sure that these projects are protected.
let's go to the next slide and let's talk about the plan that
we have been executing. In late 2025, the district, the
gl low, we sat down and agreed to a strategy for how we needed
to move forward. We knew the most critical stuff
in the process was getting thes under construction so we set a goal. We set a goal to make sure that
we got all of the projects out by the end of the first quarter
of this year and we set a goal to get all of the projects that
were environmentally cleared ou to construction by the end of june and that required celebration and moving faster
than the schedules showed and the projects moved and we are o
track to get this done the othe thing that this included was an
acknowledgment that we would be gathering data as a result of
the information that we gained from the bids to fully understand the extent of what the opportunities were in this
program and what were the constraints. Difficult of the next slide, we can talk a little bad about that
. So we knew from beginning this program had constraints in term of very strict timeline so we
knew that there were environmental regulations that had to be followed in the exten of the changes in those
regulations could not have been anticipated and yet we have continued to stay focused on delivering this one.
we did realize as part of putting these projects out of I that there was an opportunity. We had an opportunity because
the market was coming in lower than our engineers thought it would. That is a good thing.
that means we can deliver more for the residents of harris county with the information tha we were able to gather for all
of the work that we have been doing, we have been able to
leverage joel's strong relationship we have with the
glo to problem solve to come up with a solution that was not on
the table previously but based on the information we have, we
were able to find a way to afford and achieve multiple
goals so if we could go to the next slide the approach that we
have laid out is one that involves different steps.
we know we have to preserve the projects and we know who want t
make sure to deliver more for the residents of harris county as a result of our project coming in lower than expected
and it is critical that we also address the point where we are
at. In involves three different steps. Phrasing the projects to addres
the challenges and moving certain projects into dr to leverage all the dollars we can for the benefit of the resident
of harris county and actively manage the capacity to ensure w are using as much of those dollars as possible to deliver
fair and so scott is going to walk us through very quickly th
details of this plan. >> thank you county judge and
commissioners. We are still honoring the
promise to the constituents of harris county. This is where the strategy becomes simple.
were not changing the promise t the communities. For changing the delivery of th program the program are going t
lay out during this coordinated program, cost agency funding
alignment to protect funding dollars and maximize community benefits. For a longer duration projects,
the plan is to define the paperwork they could be
substantially completed with in the cdbg-dr deadline with remaining to be delivered by th cdbg-mit program.
the key point is that the projects remain single projects under the current contract and with the funding source, clearl
defined portions for each of those projects. Next slide. The most tangible example is th
transfer of some projects, seve projects currently managed and operated by hcb and those can b moved and still maintained and
operated by funding them out of the dr program, we can maximize
the dr spending and get up but 125 million in additional
projects eligible for harris county through the hcd program.
next, please. We also have strategies to
manage the remaining funds and we have spoken with glo from th
very beginning of the program using construction incentives,
those types of incentives have federal doubt, however, we are allowed to use acceleration strategy.
for example, paying for additional crews to speed up projects on additional projects of looking at other celebration
methods. One of those that we have already implemented is the use of competitive sealed proposals
in the bidding process where we can take in time of completion
in the award criteria. From looking at the possibility
of upgrading our flood warning system and this would benefit all the residents of harris county by making them more
reliable and more up-to-date in the system. We have a possibility of additional draining projects an
the possibility of moving additional projects from the harris county flood control program and the dr program and
recently a possibility of additional planning studies tha can be included in this program. So how does this all book when
it comes to funding sources? If we go to the next slide --
>> I think we need to have a motion to extend discussion.
>> motion by kurt commissioner garcia and second by
commissioner williams ep are carried unanimously.
>> $322 million. So what we are looking at is about 105 of the existing projects that would be funded
out of the dr program paid abou 23 million are existing under
construction and that would be partial fully funded out of the dr program. The full scope of all the dr
projects would be completed, were just looking at two source of funding and we would be completing these contracts unde
the same contractors that are currently working there would b
no stopping work and rebidding the contracts. About $127 million in harris county flood control funding th
highline community development, seven projects, which with that
open up that space for additional projects on the hcd
program. About 40 million in acceleratio
strategies on construction and then $27 million that were looking at on transferring either additional mid-projects
or additional planning studies on the flood upgrades.
>> so we will go to the next slide, please.
sought this proposal to conside is one that does really focus o
things that have to change. This a lot that won't have to
change. We discussed the funding strategy of this program and changing the commitment of the
community to get these projects done will not change not changing benefit and the accountability we have within
these projects. Importantly this program that w are approaching and proposing a solution for is going to delive
higher benefits and we have the opportunity for additional
funding to benefit our most vulnerable communities pairs so the path we are on, we will go to the next slide, please.
of the action we need today in court is related to really four
motions and one is we do need a provost of the list so we can
work -- and we need to be authorized an
negotiate agreements both with hcd as well as yellow to implement these programs were talking about ever asking for
double and triple assurance, approval that implements this approach. This approach I have to stress
was developed in collaboration with the office but repented
deep communication with them an freely extensively over the las
several years of this program, specifically on this plan.
we have been inviting their commitment that this plan will address the cdgr guidelines. Their artwork into the
operational steps to get this done so time is of the essence
and we appreciate the court's consideration of these moments
that I believe we will end with a reminder of --
we will go to the next slide please. We have a copy of the dr list additions on the next list is
the mit list additions I would like to close with a reiteratio
of exactly what this plan provides for the court's consideration. The proposal will meet the dr
deadline and preserve the scope of the work of the benefits and they will protect the federal investment creekmore
opportunities to deliver more for the residence.
and we are delivering the projects and this plan will continue to help keep our communities community safe from
flooding. >> I imagine, commissioner ellis
, -- >> thank you for thank you for
your presentation and congratulations on working to get us this particular plan. On that point, we always had
issues with how this bond program came to be picked they
had mixed failures and inefficiencies and it was not
put together and was stopped together in a meaningful way,
yet you have figured out how to unravel that big ball of yarn.
and we just had some torrential rains this week and you do how
many of water we got? >> I do not.
what really mattered was the intensity and the amount of rai and you have very intense periods of rainfall.
your. >> that is correct.
any structures reporting flooding that you are aware of? >> not that we are aware of his. >> I am the balustrade
balustrade of five counties and I have gotten zero reports of any structural -- don't work the flight control I
doing is absolutely working. The prime example was after working, it is most comparable event in terms of water was a
2015 memorial day flood we had more than 3,000 structures that
flooded and I think it around 12 .
so the work that has been done is absolutely working.
also I want to thank you and your team for her collaboration
with the team this plan is not just an idea that you have and
it is a plan that has been coordinated with and they are I
agreement that this is a path forward and appalls with that all of the guidelines, all of the rules and ultimately it
helps get to the timelines and they have long been absolutely
concerned about. The recent conversations in these projects, they've gone from communication to projects
that get under construction and whether projects will be delivered but the presentation you just made shows that what w
should be most concerned about is whether things get done.
and there is no perfection when you're bracing to a finish line
so I appreciate all the work that you done to help us get
there as quickly as possible an a meaningful way in which the
office supports but I want to thank dr. Bellingham because of
her. G --
we need shovels we don't need scapegoat speed we need to communicate in unison so there' no confusion in the public.
these recent conversations have had many of those calls come to me with what's happening but th project and I've communicated
with them and nothing is happening in an adverse way.
moving forward the plug control district is working and people at the helm, I again want to thank you for all the work you
are doing now on this particula plan, are you confident the pla
will meet that deadline. >> commissioner, based on the
work we have done this far, just . We will have to break sure that we get our phasing why do we
absolutely believe this is the path forward. >> and so these challenges that you face a going to be real
careful. They were outside largely
outside of the control of the flood district. As I mentioned from the very beginning, all of these plans,
spoke to someone who led the campaign on this line and I ask
them the question early on when I got here. I wanted to make more sense of the funding and investments.
>> motion carried unanimously. >> I wanted to move to open up
the bond program at least in th precinct that is $150 million
that is currently going to be used just for the right-of-way
acquisition. Not a project. I think there is some 50 odd houses that remain in benefit.
I wanted to move that over to places that will support more
structures and keep more families out of harms way. I lost that vote because there was a thought that there was --
there were compliments made on these specific points. According to the campaign manager on this bond program,
that was not true so they had a opportunity to make better sens
of this. We have since found that there
is at least, at least for me, some projects that were not
feasible as they were recently because there is no separation of work the vilardi been done and as a result, community led
project demonstrated of retention capacity made the bon
program or project in my precinct unfeasible.
so all of these things and they were largely outside the purvie
so and for the residence you ha been asking what does all this
plan mean and ultimately just t confirm it's going to mean that
it creates the opportunity for approximately 125 million in
additional litigation work and there is no protection work fro
real neighborhoods. >> --
and what would your message be going into those that feel frustrated to that. There's also been conversations
about not following the framework.
has any of that been accurate t anything. >> commissioner but I would say is I think an answer to the
conditions that you were just talking about, I would say we
haven't focused on solving problems. They've been long-standing problems but are sis no certain
projects -- we also reprioritize the bond
program based on the framework. >> so we followed it.
we followed the framework. My role here is to be bullish o
getting the projects done and his folks have heard me say, I
don't care how you get there as long as we get there and we get there within the rules that wer provided.
and so I applaud you for the work that you and your team hav done and unless week I want to just say to the public that all
of this conversation has create an incredible amount of anxiety
at the wrong time. We are in hurricane season and
so folks are concerned and at the end of the day we should be
getting out of your way so you can get the job done and I hope
that we will understand the logic in that as we continue to move forward a lot of think the director of the land office for
her support. Let's get the money spent so none of it has to go back and the plan that you have going
forward gives us a pathway to accomplishing that.
that is what she wants and that is the conversation we've had with her and that is what we want and ultimately that is wha
the residence of my precinct I believe harris county wants to
see. And they'll allow them to take
that pathway forward. Thank you for your leadership.
and I hope that we will be focused on results versus
backroom deals are any politics but it is the residents that ar at risk and money, real money our make sure there were not
doing anything -- >> commissioner ramsey and ellis
. >> think you and your team for coming forward with this solution and thank you for your
tireless efforts over these years.
to mr. Williams and all your team, we appreciate you so very much and I am so grateful for commissioner dr. Buckingham
pitch she has been fair collaborative partner and all
her team prints I have deep gratitude. The reason this matters, for everyone listing, so in 1937
harris county flood control district was created. Harris county, we all know we have a problem with flooding.
harris county, we have 23 watersheds.
harris county we have 2,500 miles of channels that we
are responsible for taking care of in harris county would have billions of dollars in capital projects, new projects.
and things to the harris county community, we have approximatel
100 million now invested to maintain the 2500 miles of
channel. >> so today what you are asking the court to improve is a bold solution to make sure we meet
that deadline and deliver the projects within the community and make sure we don't send the money back to the federal
government so I call this the swap solution plan.
for sake of ease I will refer t it as such periods of this plan
is a solution and if we don't get any extensions, we will not
get an extension, but this is a forkball, aggressive plan that
we executed with urgency so tha we hit that deadline, which, by
the way, the deadline for the deer projects is peppered 28,
2027. Is that what we are trying to
achieve by swapping some projects in accordance with all
rules and all regulations and w deliver to the people of harris
county what we said we would. >> we are focused on the dr
program and making sure we can spend those dollars within that program on that timeline. >> thank you.
again, commissioner buckingham, those partners we have talked t
before her letter and after her letter and I'm grateful for her leadership and I am 100% sure w need shovels and not scapegoats.
this can be done as a team to protect texas.
but just for sake of being crystal-clear, and I've gotten in my communications also, the clarity, but for everybody sake
could you please going to more detail about the recent
collaboration in terms of the swap solution plan that we are
discussing today. >> there has been collaboration
since the beginning and they've worked with someone closely coming on board to get these dollars.
they were a tremendous partner in terms of having --
to make sure we work together t drive this program. Over the last several months we have been in close communicatio
laying out goals, accountability , in terms of what we deliver and targeting this time to be coming back to the
table with a solution and a strategy for how we are going t
complete this work and what we have been able to achieve is
something that is greater than the sum of its parties.
that's a very specific way of thinking of things. In we will put the entirety of the solution on the table based
on the parts we were able to come up with something that neither of us probably would've come to the table but we were
able to identify it going forward and it is really, reall
fulfilling to me come in exampl love we can deliver this allow
also just have to say -- >> can we motion to suspend the
ten minute rule period. >> all in favor.
aye. >> motion carries. >> I know you did not ask that specifically but I think that
has been key to making sure we are thinking through the holistic solution, which I thin that is what we are able to
achieve in partnership is not holistic solution.
so but I am hearing and please correct me if I'm wrong, based
on what you said today, I have read e-mails on the conversation
. The glo has cocreated this swap
solution and has every confidence if we continue meeting all the requirements, this will be --
>> is that correct? >> yes. >> the other thing I wanted to talk about is what you just
alluded to. Every courts patience is not a virtue, especially when we know that when hurricane season and
we know that our families have waited for these projects, so m question as I know the court ha taken and approved several
actions to help accelerate and speed up the work. For example the delegation of authority and for example,
allowing alternative procuremen methods that have sealed bid
proposals which you referenced and now the projects will be in construction and I know in term off delegation of authority to
certain amount of change orders. So my question to you is would
you please recap what we have already done to reduce
bureaucracy and what other idea and how can this court support
you because we want to support result want to interfere bid what else can we do to maximize success.
>> I would say we have done a lot within the flood control district to advance this progra and we have stood up and focuse
the team to deliver the program and deliver all of those with
deliberate resources. We really embedded them altogether so that they can mak decisions quickly and if not ge
caught up in decision paralysis. We have also made sure that we
have a broad delegation of authority but the delegation of authority also fits within with the county attorney thinks is
appropriate at terms of being able to move forward. That was the same thing as far as the purchasing.
that was properly bounded periods of the sessions and the information that is coming to court are what should be coming
to court and other things don't have to sew to your point about change orders, do you believe there is something to be workin
on with the county attorney in terms of making sure that we ca
properly train. The clarity that we have is we need to be clear about what the delegation is but I will also
say there are other conversations we are having wit other county departments in terms of doing a similar thing
about we have done with our tea and certainly purchasing in one
area where we had a lot of activity early in our. Agreement stuff slowed during the execution because of change
orders and lots of data and information that we are changin between the teams, and also at that close also also we are in
conversation to bring to court plan to embed additional purchasing support and that is something I think will
potentially make a big difference for us and we have t have a great partner in william and I think this will extend an
improve our ability to work together. >> so I am hearing is we will both continue to meet every rul
and regulation and be aggressiv and innovation.
so that is why the engagement I so critical because we need a
strong oasis that we meet that document because we know there
are roles or requirements that we have to meet with those dollars as well and that is not negotiable I am smiling.
miss abernethy has been shaping her head because I know how deeply you've been collaborating .
up at the end of the day honestly, it goes back to needing a mom and I was super pregnant when harvey hit my
whole neighborhood was flooded and I thought I was so grateful
my home didn't flood but there were homes were flooded I was worried I was going to have to have my youngest daughter in a
bathtub by the grace of god she stayed inside bn was born in a
hospital but this weighs on me every day and not have the
opportunity to represent wester harris county, which we have to
a.m. You remember what happened afte harvey. And every day it waves on me.
there is no room and you and your team are stepping on the
gas. Think thank you as well.
so in conclusion, we will get this project done for the peopl
of harris county. That is the plan that we will
accomplish. This is but were calling those
swap solution. This is what we put told the
people of harris county, is tha correct? >> that is what we are proposin at this point.
under don't want to speak for m colleagues.
we want to support in away that doesn't create more red tape.
we want to be one of your partners in this action compare
I appreciate you tremendously, dr. Peterson.
god bless you. She keeps sneezing.
we have to get this done. Commissioner buckingham and her
team -- with that I have motions to rea
and I will absolutely be supporting the solutions and I
appreciate the solutions oriented commitment to protect the people of harris county. What we're about to enter into
is the most difficult phase of the projects. In what would dennis sounds ver complicated.
so I know a bit about getting the job done.
preceding 3 is really the gateway to water coming into harris county for properties 75 plus the water comes in and is
strikes first before it goes in other areas.
I don't have questions but I do have remarks based on the plan will tell you that the framewor of this plan is put together
four months ago. And to have it come this late I
that discouragement to me is a concern to me so the framework
was put together four months ag wanted took this long to get
here and we can have those conversations and again the partnership of mr. Buckingham has been extraordinary as she
issued a very timely manner, a letter to judge hidalgo
expressing her concerns, I think .
with munication medication from mr. Buckingham this week and
here mr. Buckingham's concern related to harris county, flood
control district and completing projects. And I quote, despite the extensive support, harris count
missed deadlines and we prioritize projects repeatedly
and that is a communication submitted incomplete and
inaccurate documentation that failed to grant regulations.
failed to respond to requests for correcting petrol processes but if you remember I came to court on april 16 asking for
certain data related to these projects which was provided to
kent on april 30. I didn't make up that data. That is what the glo was asking for that they could not get so
it took a action to get down that the glo was asking for.
commissioner buckingham and her office pointed out the
experience significant employee turnover in terms of who is working with the glo, loss experience.
in the last item that's referenced has failed to achiev timely design, environmental clearance, procurement, vendor
contracting, and construction start. It is absolutely critical that we maintain our relationship
with our significant funding partner, the glo. This is what they're saying about their concerns but in the
context, were going into the most complicated things --
the most complicated phase of the project. We better be on our toes and we better be able to not do six
things that commissioner buckingham mentioned in her
letter on monday. This plan come again, should
have started this concept in this discussion and it should'v
started months ago and I'm goin to go through a summary of
engineering details. Here is the details, 87 million
from the dr program to the mit program I know this sounds
complicated and it is probably not as complicated as it sounds
but these are details related t what we are going to have to do
to add to the mit program of 52 million. A projects coming under budget, which has struck in the last fe
months, that is what has been happening. Were going to have to figure ou how to spend that money and
identify more projects. And let me give a shout out.
raised your hand, thank you. Because of the seven projects
you kept on schedule, forfeit those subprojects seven projects , we would not have a solution here because we are
transferring those projects ove to even make this possible so
thank you for keeping on schedule and making that part
happened. Of the 325 million that they
prepare to spend, that is less than a third.
so we are working out all those details and is holding
67,000,040,000,000 are change orders. How do I do that math, the typical change order is roughly
25% that this is going to be roughly 27 million bits of
recording have to work through that change order issue again.
these are all issues we can wor on.
we are going to need to come up with projects that we are going
to again turn over and she's going to be packed tasks with doing the difficult thing of taking projects and being sure
that they can meet hurt that plan, which is a year after
these, so my point in reading through that, we have got to
have leadership and we've got t have leadership that you can
trust I'm glad it is here now. I'm going to agree with mr.
briones and I noticed she's got a couple of motions spared
know motion 1 I'm going to be obliged to. So I support the motion on the planet we've got to move overpa
or I continue to have concern about the building with a plan that is on the table. >> thank you, commissioner.
behalf commissioner ellis. >> then going support both
motions. This what a particular thing that is almost a political cause , the county engineering
particularly this will impact some of the projects pretty can
be done but it is not the easiest thing to do.
it is always a challenge. Is generally a line of strings
and I think I made reference a couple of times when I was on city council that we would have come in and explain and it was
always a big challenge. I appreciate the patience but I
do want to make a couple of comments.
I happen to be the only person come out will we put that on th
agenda. It was a big deal. And any of the to zero to 54 counties in texas, harris count
stepped up, the board. And they put $2.5 billion and I
was a leap of faith. Evan I was still into texas,
2016 I had been sworn in. Your predecessor came in to tal
about the cost-benefit analysis in saying that they thought tha
because I been in the legislature, but it would be th
one to get the message to washington. You should have talked to me some time ago to try to change
that language. Everybody was agreeing on
commissioners court what areas you represented and taking care
of the wealthier neighborhoods first. It just makes sense so one of m staffers really crafted a littl
bit of language but a staffer I particular, you ended up taking
what you've got there. And then you crafted that
language that we came up with s our framework was part of the
process when the package was pu on in my judgment it was not
followed until we really dug into it.
we had asked the auditor go in and look at it. It is because of what we are being told was not happening.
the first big change I remember making.
and we get it. And we did it.
I've argued against it but we kept moving forward.
we had a presentations that at everybody says this is as good
as the slice of bread. I do believe in this plan.
I do think it could've been don along time ago.
it is going to be a challenge t get it done.
just added to the mix of that discussion was.
and that has to go to voters countywide.
they tried to come up with the process which is more inclusive and they have tried to track them.
but that is behind us now. And they wanted to do direct
allocations to every city and county because of you have to
have a call back and you want t be put 50 states in the hundred or thousands around the country. And that is generally not the
norm. I do think that we've got to move decisively and I do think decisively the issues would
provide accurate data even to this body and I will close on this comment. This issue with flood control
and I coined the phrase I have healthy distrust of the progres but normally those if that is something I want to say, I will
say it in private. I don't think that is my nature but but I don't think that they have been transparent.
I hope it does not happen again. If I don't have the three votes
on the commissioners court, I have to live with that and I
have stressed this to all department heads but if somebod
does just say you've got some good points, rodney, but you don't have three votes and if you're in doubt about it, just
put it on the agenda. Just make it clear.
and I think going forward we would all be better served if w
take that same approach. >> thank you.
let me make my comments here before we circle back around.
my verses for commissioner ramsey. You mentioned the change order. The project scopes bullet chain
I want to understand what you'r referring to.
>> part of the plan here, which I agree with plan.
one a project comes in under bid , that lays some room for
some change orders and this pla involves 40 million of change order so you need to define within scope of that project,
other things you can do and deliver with the glo and others.
but again can, you've got to have someone that is able to
process that come, execute that make that happen.
this is going to be a complicated plan to execute.
so forgive me if I'm being dens but I'm trying to understand
this so the funds, if the costs come under the estimates, that
would go to making the project even better or over to go to
some projects are portico to some of the projects that are
paused. >> I think in general but I understand more trying to find as many areas as fast as
possible within the guidelines within the own guidelines and
requirements. It is investments, $40 million worth of investments on flood mitigation.
that is the good news. We will pick exactly work goes.
>> be affordably and dedicated to acceleration strategies as
well as making sure that we hav enough money to complete this because as you know, construction is complicated and
when we are accelerating and getting to construction quickly there are potential risks and s change orders help us make sure
that we have the dollars to be able to manage any potential
issues that come up in construction. Okay. Okay. It sounds like dynamic circle back because I would think that
this means that things came under budget. I will circle back. Other questions.
what I spoke to commissioner buckingham, moving the funds is possible in legal and it's stil a huge lift and so I want to
understand from you and from purchasing folks, why is that a
huge lift and can we speed that up and what can we do to make I
less huge. >> that is a great question.
the challenge with these dollar is there are a number of rules
and regulations and processes, audits that will be required in
terms of spending these dollars but it is a very complex progra
and the glo has very tight controls over how they operate so we have to follow the processes they have laid out
that are in alignment with hud, so we have steps that we have t
taken they have steps they have to take it we have to be sure
that all the documentation is I place that if and when an audit occurs we are solid. The complexity is something tha
can be done. And I think the shift in our
understanding in the pools that are made available was really being able to phase that projec or that was really a key so tha
will take some effort to make sure we have discreetly defined
the phase of work that will be completed because frankly we
need to be accountable for what we deliver and so we have to be able to put on the table and this is what we delivered for
these dollars and so that will take some engineering work and we have to make sure that our contracting mechanisms are able
to accommodate the additional funding sources and we have one
construction contract and that will reduce the paperwork tremendously for us we only hav to have one contract that finds
two different funding sources for two different programs.
>> I am not sure. And trying to get to more specific questions and that is when we switch the sources of
funding, we switch these source of funding.
what bureaucratic processes do we have to go through
specifically. >> I could start and I will let
you fill in. So basically there are dollars
entered into our system and there is journal entries and
different pieces, different processes that have to be done
on the backside to facilitate those changes. That is my question. So you've got the dollars from
the other part of the money, is that what you are saying?
>> so every project has a project code in our accounting system along with the funded number that corresponds whether
it is dr, a bond funding and essentially it creates a new
project code with new funding code so it's a two-step process
and one is moving it in existin expenses.
the second part of it is moving all purchase orders or futures
purchase orders into that new project. So on the who does the, creatin a project code and moving
expenses and moving purchase order so who is responsible for those three steps. Though it's between the auditor
and my office. So I guess this is a question
for you guys. How quickly can you do this and
if it is not fast, why, what is the obstacle.
>> it is generally not timely and it is not a huge left.
days and weeks. >> a week. >> okay. That is for step one.
is that the funding codes. >> I would assume there are
other layers of approval. >> so auditor post but thanks
for joining us for so we are talking about as we look to mov
the main sources for these projects to meet the deadlines coming trying to understand if this is going to cause a delay
and so because of my -- it sounds like this is
complicated. And so the steps that we just came up with, you create a new project code and then you move
things to a new account number and then you move all purchase
orders. Does your office have a roll in any of this and if so which one and how long does it take to
ensure that. >> yes.
we have a role in what you just laid out. So you are going to create, those can be created and once w
have once we have that request signed and approved, it doesn't take that long once the documents get to us but would b
responsible to take the requested action to create the
new accounts and actually make that happen in our current
system again if the forms the paperwork gets done with the
approvals, there is approval by the departments budgets that ar affected, the actual mechanics of doing those transfers is
quick and it is like a day. So to play a role, it does not
take as long to do our part, bu it does require everything to b
documented and requested in a proper way. That is hopeful. Salt flood control, is that
purchasing, who does that. That would be primarily flood
control. If there is some part of this that is in another department, howdy those housing the
community development. We will work with the departmen
and when they get us the proper requests with the proper
approvals, the auditor can move very quickly to make those
things happen. >> it sounds like legal but hav that as well. So just between the three of yo
guys, how long do you think tha would have to halfstep proper
workforce with the proper approval. I would tell you that we have started working on this and we
had a call and you are not on the call but your staff are on the call with my finance team. >> I'm sorry to keep you.
my colleagues have a certain amount of time.
can you give me an answer, how long. A day, week, months. >> via working on it right now.
and we are actively as of today putting a comprehensive list
together to send over took them to maintain alignment. >> so there's not a number they are.
I believe there is somebody here , perhaps they are not here to speak but is there any chance , would you be able to
answer that question? So first of all, thank you so
much for your support we are going over the main issue here
that has been the ladies. And so right now there is this idea of switching the funding code so that we can meet that
that line so we are on the same playing sure they are.
and it is not as easy as switching a number on the computer putative is still a huge left.
so it's a concern that we will find no delays in that huge lef
so I'm asking the different parties what exactly other
bureaucratic steps that we have to do that switch.
so if I'm understanding correctly of the auditor's
office can do that peacefully but the bulk of the work needs
to be done within flood control county attorney and our housing
office but so how long would this take. As she said it depends on the glo so that's what I want to
know if you have an estimate of how long it takes to put
together a proper request with the proper approvals to that send to the auditor in the budget office.
does that make sense? >> I'm sorry.
if you could at them speak directly into the microphone.
>> I'm so society pages because we have to be on the record, would you mind joining us at th microphone.
>> and just stating your name for the record, please.
>> my name is georgina with the general land office.
I'm not the grant administration .
this is a very complex program. >> I will have my team check with you to see if they have an estimate at all by the end of
today that I can sort of wrap m head around and the reason I'm
trying to understand is to set expectations for the community
because I think the way this is presented is it is good but I
don't want to have any more surprises for the community.
is there an extent that you guy can do to help us put in the brown it and then the next step from I'm doing.
how can we speed up. Obviously we cannot speed this
up that it's in their purview but how can we speed up the
flood control, community, the county attorney piece because that seems to be worth the bulk the wait would be.
>> I cannot speak for the count attorney but they are putting all their staff time and will b laser focused on their role jus
to get to this point. Thank you.
are there any other steps after that, director peterson.
we have moved all the purchase orders. Really I think there are keys I terms of making sure we have
proper contracting in place and that actually has to happen in
some cases before we had fundin switches.
in the good news is were alread working on it and coordinating with the g yellow and this change, the strategy and proces
in the approach that has been laid out does not going to be
dependent, the execution of the project is going to happen.
that is happening now pay or projects are under construction I just want to be clear the projects are under construction
and we are moving as fast as possible to get these administrative pieces in place so after the proper contracting
is there anything else. >> and then when you talk about
the projects are not dependent come is what you are saying, this huge left of switching the codes, you are saying that has
no bearing on how long the project takes to deliver.
I am thinking through your question to make sure going to answer it fully, judge. The intent here I can jump in
there appear to think what she' saying is we are continuing
based on the construction. Is that a one time, the expenses
, we can always go back to the auditor so that the bill
continue to get paid regardless. >> or just be more specific,
there's 11 projects here, six that are really at risk of missing the deadline so if you pick one of them in that projec
come if everything stayed the same, that the project was goin to be finished now that we are switching the codes, will it be
done still in one year or a yea and six months.
>> I can tell you the account codes does not have any bearing
because of that point it is moving the expense to the
appropriate place. >> so basically you would have to do it before the deadline, s before february.
all the accounts are tied up by then. >> so I guess that is the question is can we make sure we
can get that done. >> thank you for giving us a
chance to ask those questions and that is all I've got.
>> commissioners ellis, garcia, and briones.
ellis just spoke so garcia and briones.
>> thank you, director, for you response and the answers to the
questions that are being provided. I'm going to begin with one question.
this should have been done alon time ago by now.
what is your response to that. >> we've been working on a plan
and we have been working a lockstep with the intent to get
these under construction. This information that we gained in terms of that we put not hav had until this moment.
we have projects that are split between both programs.
finding ways and that option an that was on the table.
this comprehensive solution als is a comprehensive solution.
thank you for that response. Just a bit of reflection.
I was applying for money and grants and the consistent
question I would get is are you sure you want to go after this.
there are strings attached and requirements.
a lot of times we didn't get to have fun with program because w had so much to do administratively.
and right now aside from gettin to that construction, there is lot of digital threes and there's the administrative
report. >> if I could clarify, I did just get some communication fro our funding partners and I do
want to clarify on that point some of the things we do need t make sure. And I know I did articulate thi
just to be super clear. Good deal, thank you.
and, yes, it is a huge left and I appreciate you being willing
to even make the effort. So it is the huge left so we do
nothing and doing nothing is absolutely unacceptable soy do
appreciate the effort to take o the task and that is what we
expected to do so thank you. So there has been some points about missing data lines about the incomplete and inaccurate
documentation then the failed response the glo requests and
the environmental clearance, what is your response to those.
>> but of things I would say, commissioner, is some of these
issues like the missed deadlines , those have been solved for with this approach. We have to pray toward ties the
project but with this approach that will not be necessary.
the staffing certainly come we have a dedicated team for our
program. And that she has been multiple
levels of staff and certainly want to make sure that we have
robust team and we also need to have the --
this team turnover reflects turnover that is overall pretty
the other thing and just the program.
we have individual projects happening at a project level.
conversations happening at the program level for projects we have regulatory conversations happy we have clients in
purchasing an auditor's. So are not aware of any specifi
issues that we can pinpoint we take pin --
feedback like this seriously an we make sure there are no gaps
but we have a dedicated compliance team who has focused
on these issues. >> good deal.
>> lastly I just want to reiterate this was a poorly
constructed bond program from the very beginning.
in those studies, no environmental impact or very
little and probably we should say their little understanding.
there is -- but because of the federal
regulations, it took another year, year and a half.
the federal strings attached to these points are very different
from what we could do at the local level. And then right away we didn't know how much right-of-way
position we were going to acquire enemy just say you don'
always -- and that takes time, generally
what I hear, the first thing we do at the beginning of projects.
so you've got two major time-consuming steps to take
before any other meaningful work .
and then cost estimates. We didn't know real cost
estimates for any of these projects.
thankfully renegotiations have been able to have some impact o those. But again things we did not kno
fully when we engaged so, we started with a two-year hiccup.
and we got everything we needed to give that confidence and
things that don't happen easily. I would just say that I would g
back to the lines in dr. Buckingham's letter.
we need shovels, we don't need scapegoats and this is not --
this is about people and we are going to make a decision.
but don't really -- we just care about protecting
people. I agree wholeheartedly.
we could be sitting here making excuses with ears on the clock.
we could be talking about relitigating years of challenge
and problems but the end of the day this is highly complicated
and incredibly complex and this is hard. But what I appreciate about you dr. Peterson come as you are no
sitting here making excuses and relitigating this past. You are here today saying we ar taking decisive action.
we owe it to the people of harris county to get it done an
I respect that tremendously and I think you for how
collaborative they have been paid so think you.
I have two motions that I would like to lead --
read. Motion 1, I move the
commissioners court approve the additions to the cdbg-dr and
cdbg-mit project list, authoriz the harris county flood control
district and housing and community development to negotiate any agreements necessary to advance projects.
to authorize the two department to coordinate with the texas
general land office on contract amendments, program updates, an
related approvals. And direct the flood control
district to implement the phasing facing and funding realignment strategy. >> do you want to vote on them
separately quick. >> I thought we would just vote on both of them. >> thank you, colleagues.
moved to direct a flood control district to work with county
attorney's office and other relevant departments to compile
a list of vetted recommendation on what commissioners court can do to help expedite projects under the cdbg-dr and cdbg-mit
programs a return to commissioners court with recommendations for consideration and possible
approval. >> so we have two motions and a
second by commissioner garcia. Any oppose?
motion carried unanimously. Thank you.
an ipo say on the point about the glo, I've got to give credi
where credit is due but commissioner ellis and I went
and sat with secretary marcia fudge and got a $750 million investment for harris county so that is saying the funds did no
arrive until later is the alternative fax and obviously w
worked with commissioner busch to hold back the 300 million
because of community projects were not moving fast enough so that came back later as flood control as promised so I think
obviously people work a lot better but commissioner buckingham and we would've had to do that but it is one of my
proudest achievements to bring 750 million here and really 350
more that we had held back for flood control, which did end up
arriving thanks to commissioner buckingham. Commissioner ellis -- commissioner ellis.
>> they did a tremendous gift t all of us.
>> 100%. It was a shared effort and unanimous bipartisan outreach. It helped us well on
commissioners court. >> we will go to executive session. >> yes, commissioner garcia.
>> I just want to make one fina point paper with all of the complexities of what it has taken to manage this particular
program, all of the things that are outside of the flood contro
purview, all of the unknowns that we know now and I didn't
know then at the very beginning of this, the structure of how
this bond was put together, the idea of how many changes this
particular court has made, to not forgetting that aside from
glo, you have received both additional state earmarks, whic
brings all whole other level of complexity in addition to the
complexity of the existing cdbg dollars.
all of those do not have dr. Peterson's name on and they have nothing to do with the performance of your
administration and the flood control district. They have everything to do with the bureaucracy of what is
typical between federal and state and local governments and it is frustration by example of the frustration by people say
why can't you just get it done. It is not that easy.
so I just want to make sure to make the point, you have
delivered and put together a plan, hard, heavy left, whatever
. It makes no sense because we as for a plan you've been working on this plan for months and if
things were copacetic, as they say months ago, this would've
been approved and was set because there compromises and
what was originally been as the that could not be done so I jus
want to say this is not about performance. This is about governmental bureaucracy and absolutely
better reform. Thank you. >> I actually do have one more thing, which is commissioner
buckingham's. One of the main points here is
that regardless, compelling to repeatedly address the court fo
every minor change, and there I chance of success and that is I the first paragraph and in the second of the last paragraph, m
vices simple, get it out of the way.
I know this is based on conversations that the glo had
with flood control and flood control must be end of the impression that we are requesting they come to meeting
to address the court for every minor change. I am not aware of that so I would like to know what that is
about so that we can indeed get out of the way.
>> that is not any information that the flood can dress -- flood control district would've shared and our job is to bring
information and when we need court action, we work with county attorney to make sure th court actions made and we bring
it at the appropriate time. >> but are we delaying your ability to take action question. >> be followed the process.
>> is the answer yes, no. See, this is the issue I have
come a director, will you pleas just answer my questions that there are no delays. There are no delays.
16 gets to court, are you waiting for it to get the court.
by can't you just say there are no delays because I'm not aware of them anything that needs com in a time sensitive manner has
improved at business court and I'm not aware of the items on contracts, on changes that have been flagged for regular court,
so I know there are very professional office or they wer not a put this in there if they'd not gotten it from
somewhere. I'm not saying it is you but I just want to set the record straight that we are not asking
every little thing, certainly I'm not everything that happens
purchasing, whatever it is, tha gets addressed at a consistent
path in a copacetic manner so I am not sure of examples from
this letter. >> so if you are okay, can be
adjourned to executive session. Didn't we vote already?
thank you, director and dean. Didn't leave vote already? So can we go to executive session now.
all right. So we are going to executive
session on 125, 418, 419, and 483 to consult with attorneys a
well as personnel matters. It is 10:52 a.m.
>> you are not going on 125, ar you?
it already passed >> it's 12:04, we are back from
executive session. We will go over the items we
took to executive session, we will go over them in order. The first one that is item 418 -- I did not receive the
language for that. I'll go grab --
we asked to codify what commissioner ellis had pres
presented. >> it should be option b -- I
don't know what level of specificity want to get the working group or steering committee.
>> I said I would do that but then you said you were going to draft something, do we need to wait or do you guys want me to
read it? >> I have it.
>> I know you have it, I'm just asking about the motion, we all have it. Thank you.
I have it, the question is you guys said you were going to give
me a particular motion, what do you want me to say -- >> you can read the whole thing or you can just read the first
part. >> the chair: motion to establish a reliant parking negotiations governance
structure that includes the steering committee and the working group. The reliant park steering committee should be responsible for developing recommendations
and elevating key issues related to reliant park for
consideration. The steering committee should be
composed of court members, chief of staff, of precinct one of the county administrator as a nonvoting member pick up a chair
shall work with the steering committee and reliant park working group to develop key county goals and positions to be
approved by commissioners court for all negotiation matters and
serve as lead negotiators and set the negotiation strategy based on the direction provided by commissioners court.
the lead negotiators reps at the county in negotiations between the tenants and serve as the main point of county staff
contact for the executives of rodeo.
escalation to commissioner court matters for requiring policy direction for my financial commitments are material changes
negotiation strategy will be elevated to commissioners court to the scheduled briefings or formal agenda items.
the reliant park working group will be established by the steering committee and it shall be composed of relevant county
departments and consultants responsible for conducting research, providing relevant information, and evaluating a
developing recommendations related to reliant park under
the guidance of the steering committee at commissioners co court. >> I'll make the motion and
stress that I think it's a good process and we should use that
on projects in all commissioners precincts. As the commission happens to represent reliant park and proud
to make a motion. >> second.
>> the >> I was just going to ask is
there anything -- >> I think this looks fine.
>> thank you commissioner ellis. >> the chair: we have a motion
and a second, all in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Item 419, we need a motion to
approve that settlement as presented.
motion by commissioner briones. Any opposed?
motion carried unanimously. 483, commissioner ramsey.
>> no action? >> I think that was the understanding. >> the chair: no action on
that item? >> correct.
>> the chair: all right, that is 483.
let's move on -- okay. Let me move on to -- we should
move out of the speakers, right? If that's okay? Let's keep going with the speakers, tiffany, please.
>> items to 29 at 2:30 for, christopher rivera items to 20 died in 2:30 four, you each have one minute.
>> thank you, my name is christopher rivera I work with the texas civil rights project and I'm here opposed to
contracts for forensic logic contracts, items 229 into 34.
we already had a contentious debate a couple weeks ago in regards to this, it's very disappointing to see the county
continue to invest in these software, to give you information about vigilant solutions they have already been
partnering with ice since 2018 to facilitate over 1.5 billion
data points for them to facilitate their deportation efforts. There is over 9,200
I.c.e. Agents who have access to vigilant solutions database. If you continue to partner with them you're effectively building
out the database for them to facilitate these deportations. Instead of funding this, you should support item 481 to
support lgbtq community and at 4:30 three -- >> thank you your time is up. >> the chair: thank you.
>> oh one rock on item 140, maximilian diaz.
jasmine gonzales, item 229 and jake implemented should item
328. >> good afternoon, I'm from
precinct one. I'm an intersex organizer, I
want y'all to vote yes to all of the first, fourth and 14th
amendment rights of every resident of harris county and the world cup visitors and the way you do that is by saying no
to 229, noted 2:30 four and yes to 433 to support all residents
of harris county. >> my name is jasmine gonzales I
work on the policy team, we are a legal and social services
organization that serves survivors of gender-based violence. Al p.r. Cameras do not prevent
violence but what we see in the do was enable and perpetuate
violence against survivors, immigrants and against all of us. The price for safety cannot be
contingent on the separation of families and the oppression of another group of innocent people.
vigilant solutions allows for data collected for one purpose to be exploited for a completely unrelated unaccountable and
immoral purpose. Does harris county give bikes access to the solutions database, if anyone from dhs
asks a constable or sheriff access for a database or to run the license plate will harris county comply?
we deserve to know how our data is being used? I'm a resident of precinct 4 to urge the court to vote no to
renew the contract with vigilant solutions. Please don't contribute to mass surveillance dragnet the targets
our families. Thank you.
>> good afternoon, on tuesday I was set the convention port and
there I ran into a publisher. I have this thing to give to --
today is -- the month is june, also known as black history
music month. It's party time.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
[laughter] >> thank you, your time is up.
>> let's celebrate. >> thank you, your time is up.
♪ ♪ >> we could keep it on if it
brings down the temperature a little bit. [laughter] thank you, that was really nice.
>> next is julia on item 383, item 4:30 three.
you each have one minute. >> I live in precinct two and
I'm here to speak on agenda item for 33.
as a kid who had to quickly learn how to interpret and translate important documents for my parents I was 25 years
ago support like what the language access coordinator
positions provide two key departments and harris county had existed to. When language barriers exist
residents miss out on important information, expense delays and services and are unable to fully access programs funded by their
tax dollars. I ask for a "yes" vote on item
4:30 three but I also ask on agenda items 221 and 234.
>> I am the houston policy manager with the justice center
I'm here to speak in support of ongoing funding for the language access office and the vital work they do in the community.
language access is critical for survivors safety and healing from being able to understand what is happening in court to
getting information about public services to being informed of
disaster operations and even including the ability to make your voice heard on the issues you care about.
all of these things help a survivor heal and to build a life of dignity. We have made good progress in
insuring interpretation is available that staff know how to access it and limited english proficient committee members
know it exists. There is still work to do
ensuring the language access office remains staffed and is able to continue working towards its goals means we can continue
to close gaps. Language access isn't optional, its baseline to make sure our our county programs function
efficiently and effectively. >> thank you, your time is up.
>> julia or dona on item 383. Brandon mack on item 481, you
each have one minute. >> good afternoon, commis
commissioners. I'm the founder of we the people organize, I'm speaking about the river oaks district constable
contract for 48. This is not anti-police.
this is pro-taxpayer, pro-transparency and pro-public
safety. Before harris county creates nine dedicated law enforcement positions for a private luxury
district, please table this item today and give the public more time to review the contract to full costs and legal risks.
county deputies are not mall cops. They carry public authority. If something goes wrong,
harris county may be pulled into a lawsuit two county lawyers and
public resources may be used to defend the case and a sworn officers may raise legal defenses that private security
guards do not have. This is a much bigger than the posted contracted price. >> thank you, your time is up.
>> I live in precinct one and I previously interned at the travis county public defender's office where I saw firsthand how
critical language access is. I worked with clients for the
moments of registration through investigation of the cases. I remember one client who spoke only spanish she was always
grateful our team could communicate with him in his native language and help them understand what was happening at
every stage of his case. Many times he told us how much it meant to be informed and heard showing how important
language access is to making sure the system treats all people with dignity. Being able to understand and
communicate in the language you feel most comfortable in is essential especially in situations that can affect your
freedom, safety, and future. I hope the stories and experiences of this community stay with you as you consider
continued investment in language access services. Thank you for your time. >> thank you.
>> my name is brandon mack, I'm speaking as chair of the harris county alta b to ia commission.
president of the political caucus to urge an update to the
facilities design manual requiring at least one single occupancy restroom and all new constructed county facilities.
this is a practical low cost steps that strengthens access,
safety, dignity and public buildings. For many transgendered and nonbinary residents, restroom
access can determine whether a public space is usable at all. Single occupancy restrooms also support broader community needs.
parents with young children, caregivers assisting someone of a different gender, older adults and people with disabilities all
benefit from flexible, private facilities.
national accessible guidance increasingly recognizes single-user restrooms as a commonplace inclusion measure,
not a specialized accommodation. On behalf of the commission I
respectfully ask the harris county commissioners court to adopt the standard for all.
>> thank you and welcome. >> thank you.
>> item 481, maria gonzales. You each have one minute.
>> I maria gonzales, I am here to speak on behalf of the single
occupancy restrooms at the university of houston, it's had such a proposal for many years now that all new constructions
and renovated buildings now have single occupancy restrooms.
this is really valuable. Of the easiest, quickest example I can give you is our security personnel can now have some
privacy when they need it and can take their equipment off
their bodies when using the facilities.
I encourage you all to consider the rolling effects, ripple
effects of such a solid plan, and to update the design manual
to acquire this in all new buildings and if possible
rebuild buildings, thank you. >> thank you.
>> I am intersex and nonbinary and I don't know which restroom the state wants me to use anymore.
I'm here to speak in favor of item 481.
last session house bill 229 defined male and female and state law it said intersex texans may receive disability
accommodations under state and federal law. The biggest federal accommodation lobbying the
american with disabilities act. During the same session, senate
bill 8 past regulate and shared restrooms by states defined by but it does not outlaw single occupancy gender-neutral
restrooms and recognized the disability accommodations still must be made to pick out at a gender-neutral restrooms
and county facilities is an accessibility issue and it keeps the county on the right side of both laws.
I'm tired, y'all I'm tired of not feeling safe in a restroom I'm tired of not knowing was restroom the state wants me in.
adding this restrooms going forward protects the county and it makes gender diverse restaurant mike residents safe
at home. >> thank you so much and wel
welcome. >> my name is jake markell and I'm just a dad in precinct 2. Thank you commissioners for the
opportunity to support item 481 which is not only needed, it's
such a simple, inexpensive way of having a great, positive impact on our community in the face of bizarre, cruel, and
capricious state bathrooms laws this will not only help ensure our transgender and intersex community's have safe base
accommodations in harris county supported buildings which is paramount, it will also benefit a wide diversity of people
including parents and caregivers, elders, and people with disabilities. I'm here as a cisgendered man
and a father of us is gender child to voice the safety and
well-being of transgender and intersex committees is central to all of our safety and well-being.
I'm grateful and proud to have a commissioners court that advances pragmatic, easy and hugely impactful initiatives
like this, thank you. >> thank you.
>> I'm speaking on behalf of the harris county ltb to q ia
commission, urging the court to update the blueprint require at least one single occupancy restroom in every new county
facility. This is a safety and dignity measure for transgender or nonbinary restaurant though mike
residents restroom access can determine whether a public building is usable. Anointed aptitudes between civic
participation and personal privacy. Restrooms serve parents with young children, caregivers
assisting someone of different gender, older adults and people with disabilities. As a father of a 6-year-old I
know what the value of a private option to help families feel
safe, comfortable and respected. I will no longer have to say baby girl close your eyes. I respectfully ask the
harris county commissioners court to adopt and ensure every new county facility reflects safety, dignity and equal access
for all, thank you. >> thank you.
>> I am here to speak in support of this agenda item. It is a great agenda item that has a low financial lift, it
helps everyone -- one senate bill 8 came out it was a
horrible bill and we can't change that here but we can make sure there is somewhere safe to use the restroom in as many
county buildings as possible and I would urge you to go further than just new construction but also major renovation.
any certificate changes that will affect things like layout and plumbing that we still include adding a single
occupancy restroom because this does help everyone. The bill was unspecific and asks that you enforce this bathroom
bill but realistically the only way to check people's internal sex organs is with an ultrasound machine outside of every
restroom, that sounds expensive and invasive. I would encourage you to take this step instead and hopefully we can feel safe or go to the restroom and all of our county
buildings because there's a lot of them and we use them, thank you. >> nonagenda speaker michelle
blackwell, you each have 1 minutes.
>> I am here asking for the court to respectfully consider
an adjustment to the nonconsent towing fee. We are facing drastic times in our community.
our operators are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are in inclement weather, out there in dangerous traffic
situations. We invest in specialized equipment, we spend money on training and we ensure we have
the most professional drivers and employees on the roadways.
it becomes a gruesomely difficult to continue to absorb the rising operational cost while delivering the same level
of services that's expected by the county. Our industry is facing the pain and rising costs but all
consumers and businesses are facing come everyone of us in this room have felt the price the gas pump.
businesses are telling the increase in wages that are necessary. Not to mention equipment.
>> can you state your name for the record?
>> amy milstead. >> the chair: which item is
this on again? >> 482. >> the chair: the issue is to update the fines and fees?
you're concerned that fees for your industry will change? >> I did get my point but we have not had a rate increase in
15 years for the nonconsent towing and all the other costs have gone up drastically. >> the chair: what would you
like to see? >> we would like to see a rate, review and increase that reflects today's economy and
reality that we are operating in.
>> the chair: this is still under negotiation, we aren't voting on an actual rate today? It's a study to come up with the
rates and right now -- >> I'm asking you all to
consider and please review. >> the chair: perfect I need to inform myself more, than thank you.
>> my name is ms. Blackwell I live in precinct 2, I'm a
stakeholder on the advisory committee for the early learning coley network. I did get permission to use the
slogan what we did matter. It was community driven, we are
giving people a seat at the table. We address child care deserts. A lot of resources benefit of
the families, the children, also the children of special needs,
day care facilities and anyone benefited with the resources, thank you. >> the chair: can you share a
little bit more of exactly what you did and when the program will expire and what that will mean for your community?
>> what I did was for instance I thought a lot of volunteer work
within the schools from elementary, middle school, high school, I even got chance to work in a special education
classroom from pre-k to mac fifth grade to. I got to use although experiences helping to make
decisions when they have different breakout groups. The group I was in dealt with a lot of difficult tasks, trying
to make sure those resources that would benefit the families.
you were mentioning about when this program will end and the
impact -- we have two people here that can speak more on that if you would like for them to come up, I don't -- I'm always
taught if you're not going to say something -- if you're going to say something if it's incorrect you don't know if it's
whatever, bring somebody to the podium that will help you.
if I can look back and call on them to come forth they can explain more about this. >> I would appreciate that,
because there are some discussions about early childhood -- end of the greater houston partnership has those
discussions as well. That's fine and good but the
fact is that programs for tens of thousands of kids and
families and parents are ending. To me, it is necessary that we
shine a light on what is ending rather than get distracted on a
discussion of this idea frankly overlaps with what we had to.
>> I'm sorry the reason why you came here today I was reflecting
on -- I was giving some reflections on what I felt during the time I was on the program, I was giving comments
on a reflection of what I felt. I was happy to be here. I know I scheduled three months in advance to come here and talk
on it. That is what I was coming here to reflect on. If there's anything else any
further, I know there's someone here that represents it, they can speak more on this. >> the chair: would you mind
if state your name for your record, however you would like to join you. The reason I ask this I was
visiting with a community leader just yesterday maybe two days
ago. He's part of one of the programs
that is taking place and he told me the moms are crying when they
found out the program would end. I need that to be front and
center. The story shouldn't be where their kids here or not -- the story needs to be you're taking
education away from those kids. If you wouldn't mind speaking to
the program -- she's behind you. >> I'm going to let her come up
here. I'm sorry, I'm also stating the
reason why I came here today was just to reflect on what I
thought about the program. I came here to mention about the
positive things, what we have done and what we have accomplished. I'm just reiterating and making
it straight that this is why I came here today, I'm reflecting
on the positivity. Reflecting on the hard work that was done during the time I was on here.
this is not something positive. >> the chair: it was hard
work, it's positive. My disappointment is that
something positive is being allowed to just end and we can still save it. The positivity can continue.
>> I'm the program -- with a local organization for
precinct 2. We are in charge on the child care deserts in that area which is -- I didn't prepare
anything I came here for moral support for ms. Blackwell.
we did create an advisor committee that is consistent from the committee members from the communities that we are
trying to serve to inform the decisions and initiatives that were created through the program.
one of them being emergency and temporary care which is coming to an end this summer. There are parents who are
panicking at the fact that the program funding is running out in the program is coming to an end.
it is set to end later this year, november 2026 and parents
and family members, stakeholders come everybody's asking what's
the plan, what's going to happen once funding is running out. It's very hard for us to see -- not having an answer prepared
for these families need this early childhood care and not
just that but quality childhood care and like I mentioned they
are in child care deserts. There is not enough child care providers available for the number of children that are in
desperate need. >> the chair: would you share
a bit about what the program is about, how does it work?
>> we did take out a number of children out of the wait-list
and we were able to provide months -- we paid off their
child care for a period of time for the emergency, whether
families are going through a time of crisis we were able to cover child care for them. If a loved one died or unplanned
unemployment. >> thank don't act on my can.
>> the chair: the answer is values can only take you so far. The values to say we care about the children, we are parents,
therefore we care about the children, that's a value.
but you need money behind the value.
what happened at the city -- they have spent all this money they couldn't afford and now they are having to charge
residence a trash fee -- what happened at the county is some members here spent all this money we can't afford and now
they are forcing and refused to put this question on the
ballots, that's really the biggest sin here, refused to let the voters decide whether or not they wanted early childhood
programs to continue and instead they are ending the programs. What's the answer? I know folks don't like feeling
uncomfortable when members of the community came, but that's
it. You can try to change the story
into -- what they call it? A censure or something but the
fact the matter is -- had you and I talked before, had asked
her to come here and speak? This is not prepared to. If you are hearing from a real member of the community who is
agonizing trying to answer why are these successful programs
ending? There is this proposal here. Let's talk to the community, talk to the organizations, we
already talked to the community, that was the whole program. We talked to the community at organizations years ago,
literally years ago. Look: I think just like those
kids that came, I said to your parents work, all of them raised
their hands. Up one of those parents supposed to do? You can focus on I didn't want the kids here but that's not it. I invite you to help me shine a
light on the fact that in every country, early childhood is
obvious. What's not something we even debate whether it's good, bad, we studied this, it could still
go on the ballot. We can still ask people whether
they want to continue these programs instead of just pulling the rug from under these people. It costs more money, you can
look this up and I did it cost more money to send a kid to
early childhood education that it does to put them through the university of houston. You know the folks that voted
against asking the voters, they put their kids in early childhood education. But they are cutting other
people's early childhood education would only need to do is ask the boaters. The programs are going to end
because we didn't ask the voters last year, inconceivable to me, irrational. How hard can it be to just let
the people vote yes or no? People want it, we did a poll.
you can still do it this year it may then you will talk to the children next time they come -- less time they didn't even dare
agree to them. I'm sorry, hearing you speak, it
is beautiful and that's what breaks my heart for it to end and even more for there to be a conversation about our shiny new
object over here about a new program when all of this is
collapsing. Thanks and I hope folks here I see a lot of folks and nodding please help us draw attention to
this. It's totally irrational, thank you. >> item 433, nonagenda
speakers -- go to have one minute. >> I'm president of the wingate forest view homeowners
association a community up over thousand homes in the west side of the county. Our main road is the north-south
road that runs between westpark and westheimer used by many people to shortcut cut from one to the other and holds two's
topsides. Nonresident street this road like a racetrack often driving more than 50 miles per hour and ignoring our stop signs. One stop sign is next to our
playground and pool. On numerous occasions we called hcf so to get some relief, they sent out a cop, the patrol for a
half an hour and they leave. I understand speed bumps are no
longer approved -- allowed in the county. The argument is they slow emergency vehicles but the
speeders are going to strike another vehicle or worse, a
child's. I'm asking to consider an exception to this rule and install speed bumps to the
stop signs in open areas to help control traffic in our neighborhood. Thank you for your time.
>> I want to point out the county now has a speed bump
program it's a matter of reaching out to your respective commissioner's office if you live in the unincorporated area
of the county -- we do not have a program. I worked on that for almost two years but we now have it.
>> thank you commissioner garcia and commissioner briones, this is yours. >> I'm a resident in precinct
one here to support item 433 funding like which excess office. As a language researcher working
with many multilingual students and communities, and immigrants myself I know how accessing basic rights is a daily str
struggle. My family and other language minority has committees often express miscommunication play
feeling misheard or disrespected and overall ineffective to
medication services. Every semester of a class that I teach I have students who have to miss the class to translate
or interpret for their family members because there isn't a
reliable or trustworthy interpretation or translation available or know ai can do this job precisely with full cultural
nuances. Students should have to commit
their time and effective care and services. Please continue funding and expanding language access in
harris county. >> the chair: thank you.
>> good afternoon emmett district 3. I have questions regarding texas regulation 822 and
harris county's variation of that.
there's been laws that make it illegal to have dangerous and wild animals as they are quoted but I can't find any of the
commissioners records showing that any of this was elected,
voted on but animal control seems to think they can change
the rules to fit their directive and not allow people to have
permits but the state texas allows. Let's all I have. >> we'll have someone follow up
with you. >> unincorporated precinct
three. I'm writing to ask if you will explain in detail where my property tax dollars are being
allocated to. They are not visibly being put back in the community to which I pay.
I own property in a neighborhood whose sewers and streets are not maintained at all by the county to which I pay taxes.
the sewers do not drain, the leaf standing water for many
days. Even after a moderate rain, the water will block access to residents leaving them to trek
through a cesspool to reach their door.
the health hazard there is a real concern. I've put in a call to the health department, no reply.
the streets also are not maintained. Many filled with potholes that will very soon become
undrivable. There's no parking restrictions on the streets, parking on both sides of the streets --
>> the chair: go ahead if you would like to conclude.
speak of this parking on both sides of the streets makes not only driving between impossible for large vehicles but it's an
accident waiting to happen as kids play and pets play between the cars and run into the streets.
I believe routine sewer maintenance, street repaving and
strategically placed no parking signs will alleviate these
issues. I'm asking why are these issues not being addressed? Taxes are designed to sustain a
community, not neglect it. That's it.
>> the chair: thank you, we'll visit with you.
>> nonagenda speakers quincy collins, eric sanchez, ramesh
kapur, and richard hyde. >> my name is eric sanchez.
in november of 2025 detective john patrick morello rated my
home with a dozen officers after tracking my vehicle using flock for 30 days in regards to false allegations of aggravated
assault with a deadly weapon from 2023. They broke my door down and pointed rifles at me and my
family including children. I was arrested and interrogated but he wasn't interested in the alleged crime he was interested
in my facebook posts regarding attorneys rusty harding and a
murder connected to a funeral home and a dozen other cases I
wrote articles on being murderers falsely ruled as suicides by the chief medical examiner.
I was no build on the charge but detective marella needs to be
investigated and the cover-up of all this footage and records needs to end of the citizens are expected to put their trust in
the public. And the police. Please show the public if you have nothing to hide.
thank you. >> the chair: thank you, we'll visit with you. >> my name is quincy collins, I
am the founder of families helping families. For 13 years families helping families has been dedicated to
ensuring hardworking families have food on their tables during the thanksgiving season. What began with helping just one
family has grown into a community-wide movement. Today every family we serve receives a full week of
groceries including a complete thanksgiving dinner. Including 35 grocery items such as 5 pounds of ground beef,
10 pounds of chicken leg quarters, 9-pound turkey breast,
32-ounce bag of frozen fish, pantry staples like canned goods, bread, pasta, pasta sauce.
all of our food comes directly from the distributor allowing us
to maximize every donated dollar. Last year we served 1700 families across eight locations
distributing nearly 80 tons of food.
three of those locations were and commissioner briones' precinct, one was in commissioner ellis' precinct.
>> your time is up. >> the chair: go ahead and close out your cap. >> along the way we have an
honor to receive proclamations from the city of missouri city.
this year we have raised emma we are looking to serve 5,000
families in 16 locations including four and
commissioner -- four in the commissioner briones commissioner briones' precinct, one of commissioner garcia, ls,
and ramsey. We are able to accomplish this through partnerships with 12 local law enforcement agencies,
five school districts, one church all working together to serve the community. Threesome I'm coming here today
is because we are raising awareness about what we are doing and the impact we have of the community but also
soliciting the help of the commissioners that we have in
our speech to help us with raising funding to continue our growth. Thank you so much.
>> thank you for your work. >> richard hyde northeast corner
bear creek village, the 100 year floodplain against the floodway to go on rest of the neighborhood -- placed at drive
measuring 16 feet wide, exiting into a 30-foot wide swell.
despite major storms including a july 20th storm, elder 2019,
bear creek drainage project has no mention of floodgates in the
50-year-old neighborhood resulting in plans to -- and
causing permanent increase in noise from clay road.
I asked the engineering department cease department cease and desist plans behind mill holland drive until this
matter can be properly -- >> the chair: go ahead.
>> I am for flood control I'm definitely for dr. Tina
peterson's work that she wants to do over in the golf course,
about 400 feet away. This particular project is
unnecessary in this area because we already have the floodgate if they want to build the canal and connected the floodgate and take
it up that way, because we don't flood.
harvey got us -- I have 6 feet of water in my house.
I am pro-flood control. I lost everything. I took everything out of the house, everything.
sheet rock, plumbing, wire, air-conditioning, lamps.
all my photographs from the amazon and from new guinea, all
lost. I'm pro flood control, but this isn't it. There's a better way to do this.
>> the chair: thank you, we'll visit with you.
>> thank you. >> nonagenda speakers ruby
garza, christopher mcki mckinney, --
>> good afternoon, honorable commissioners and honorable
judge. My name is dr. Kapur I'm here to
report a critical breakdown in judicial integrity keeping with the public rest or act electronic record-keeping.
in our digital court system, litigants can no longer see a
judge's physical signature, we rely entirely on the clerks
electronic -- this has created a dangerous point of -- emesis and
designer, I will help no charge. The case number is 20201294 in
district court. >> the chair: go ahead to.
>> as documented in the file the honorable judge granted my
motion to reinstate my case -- instead of recording this
accurately, and it that completely falsified records
dating the motion was denied. >> the chair: we'll visit with you. Thank you.
speak of this is a very important points. An electronic document directly contradicts a judge's actual
ruling the public record is compromised. I brought this special evidence to the district clerk but no
corrective action or investigation.
it's very important in the digital world.
I'm asking the court what safeguards are being implemented
to order these entries? And how will we ensure clear --
>> the chair: I get people to slow bit of time to wrap up but will make visit with you. I'm afraid I need to ask you to
to go and visit with my staff right now so they can get the rest of the details. Thank you.
>> they'll find you in just a second. Director. They are right there.
>> I'm the texas chapter president and we are here today
because we are tied up used in workers being left behind, houston being the fourth largest city in the country over the
years we've seen our city transform into a world-class tourist destination with more and more major events coming
here but the workers across the city that make these events
possible or living check to check working multiple jobs to get by. We know the companies can have
more than enough to pay the workers what they deserve, we seen workers, members of our union fight over last year and
go on strike and win races like they never have before across
the airport, setting a new standard for the hospitality
industry. The reality is different for stadium workers, stadium workers are falling further and further
behind us by the pricing of the food and drinks going up at the
stadium, workers do not see an increase in their check. Many of them continue to make $12 or less in 2026, how can you
survive and provide for your family? Used in workers deserve better and we will continue to take
action and call attention to this issue, thank you. >> the chair: thank you so much.
>> my name is ruby garza on a vendor at some of the stadiums. I've been working at the stadiums for over 20 years
already. 11 and $12 does not help me out at all. I have a grandson that she is
autistic and I help my son out a lot.
there is times, there's events in one place, an event in
another place and we can't make our ends meet because there's a
lot of medical bills with my grandson.
I'm there to help making 11-$12 is not making it to help them
with their medical bills. I would like a lot of respect
and dignity for us to get more than 11-$12 an hour.
thank you. >> thank you all for coming down
I appreciate y'all speaking up. >> the chair: I want to make a
comment on this or is is one of the ones I can't? Is is nonagenda? I had brought this up before I'm
a little confused. Any other speakers?
>> christopher mckinney. >> good afternoon, my name is
chris for mckinney, that's my wife, we are residents here in
harris county, we are business owners and true believers and potential of the astrodome, we believe the astrodome deserves a
future where the of its history. I am currently with that understanding now developing a privately funded concept that
focuses the preservation and structure at whole scale while creating long-term economic value for harris county.
I know the future of the astrodome is greatly complex and talked about for many years. I'm here to simply introduce
myself and let you know there are citizens here that are
currently working towards private solutions, thank you for your time. >> the chair: thank you so
good afternoon. I am from precinct 2.
I'm ed teacher in the houston chapter and we has an organization bring awareness to two teenage deprivation.
school starts at the summer clock hour. In texas the houston area has the largest cluster of early
start times in the 7:00 hour. Now it is summertime.
students stay up late and rathe wake up late the arno terrace
night foul's. Many have activities in the
mornings that their parents wan them to attend like swim practice. I'm here to request
commissioners and judge hidalgo to provide awareness through
education for communities than public service announcements to the importance of sleep for our teenagers for them to sleep
adequately rather than pop and energy drink. Now there's too many available of those energy drinks and to
bring awareness and to bring awareness to instructors to
start no earlier than 8:30 for the physical and mental health and academics and safety of our children.
thank you for starting court at 9:00 a.m. And not at 7:15 am.
thank you. >> thank you for your work.
thank you to all the speakers purely continue here. Specter would please do the resolution he's back.
okay, commission or ellis. >> we are honored to be honorin
the county attorney. I'm going to read the resolutio
that was read by the officer teams because it is powerful
with everything you have accomplished in the way you advance just as for harris county bird this is resolution.
during the attorney's office an generally 2020. He dedicated himself to the pursuit of justice on behalf of
of the more than 5 million residents of harris county.
and whereas during his tenure h served as both the deputy count attorney and assistant assistan over former county attorney now
congressman he led legal strategy ends elected officials
and department heads and high-profile litigation from
public law, challenges to complex, corporate and
environmental places, whereas o january 8 matt, 2026, he was
appointed county attorney any unanimous vote by commissioners
paid as county attorney he manage the office of over 300 attorneys and staff who represent the county and its 60
elected officials and more than 18,000 employees in all matters
while maintaining the highest standards the office has known. And, whereas, as county attorney , he committed himself
to advancing environmental justice, protecting workers rights and fighting for opportunities.
and whereas he secured a settlement that brought two
concrete plans into compliance, recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars of penalties during states and counties and cities
challenging the us environmenta protection agency's attempt to
we said that 2009 engagement line which serves as the legal
foundation for regulating greenhouse gases, seeking to
extend community petitions and permit. And whereas, county attorney bonbon achieves significant wind
's, depending harris county 's contractor safety record policy to protect the rights and safety of harris
county workers and fighting to restart texas is historically
underutilized business program, reversing changes that remove many minority women need for eligibility for state
contracting opportunities and challenging the attorney general
's attempts to force local district attorneys to tur
over sweeping prosecutorial those prosecutorial data and wears a strong defender of immigrant communities my he
successfully had efforts to end of the services had enjoyed the
national coalition proposing us customs operation metro search
and whereas harris county commends him for his service,
dedication, and leadership and recognizes the profound and
lasting contributions he has made during his tenure as harri
county attorney. Now there for be it resolved that the harris county commissioners court hereby
respectfully honors jonathan bonbon and this was a joint
resolution between the -- and commissioners office and my
office I will say you are lawyer 's lawyer, one of the most
brilliant lawyers I've ever met and you have justice in your
veins and, by the way, he is always a renaissance man paid h plays music and is a chef and speaks french fluently.
soccer, band, you can go on and on preview are really an ambassador. Thank you for making harris
county in the state of texas an the united states a better plac
because of your brilliance and putting that into action for
people. For that we honor you. [applause] we will hear from commissioner
garcia and commissioner ellis. >> thank you for that resolutio
I'm going to make an amendment. We just learned that he plays
french music so what is that famous song.
there you go, you knew that one. Lesson.
all it that was said is absolutely true and I will
reflect back, congratulations for having become the county
attorney but I understand you guys were partners or colleague
with the firm and I want to thank you for your willingness
to take a leap of faith and to join him in this endeavor. You could've stayed there and made a ton more money but you
chose public service and we are absolutely grateful.
I just want to thank you for about whether you are with your
kids are on the road you been traveling somewhere, he and you
number happens to be the fun thing thinking about calling to be always trim up and return th call and you did your very best
to help answer the question I can't thank you enough on behal
of our constituents and our staff because of those
respective issues sometimes do have a sense of urgency. John, thank you very much. I know everyone of our offices
sometimes has our hair on fire and undoubtably the county
attorney it's office probably has an ongoing sprinkler in their because there's always a fire going on but you've never
been out of sorts without time to answer question or have a
conversation. You've always been willing to meet and talk and you have just click the easy.
and let me say this, coming fro the private sector, I would
venture to say maybe more often than not.
you may have had more ability t plan your life for especially I
times of disaster in times of emergencies. Issues that come up and were in litigation with any anyone of
our respective entities, your family has suffered so I just
want to say your family think you for their support of you an
I want to thank you for your willingness to sacrifice becaus it is a big ask that you have accepted when christian invited
you over. I can tell you how much better
we are because of your presence here.
and I'm going to do my best to keep you here.
commissioner ramsey. >> thank you again produces a
common a common thing. That's important you do address
things in a very bipartisan don't misunderstand that.
I was hoping you would certainl be end-of-the-year.
thank you for being that calm source of direction when we
needed from time to time. >> commissioner lesley briones.
>> I'm so glad you decided to walk away from making all that money to do something I think was rewarding for you.
this has been a pleasure to wor with.
commissioner briones, thank you john, to your family and your amazing team so I think your phenomenal team paid can you
also stand up, please. We appreciate you tremendously.
[applause] and we look forward to what is
to become I know there's variou folks who think you.
I want to say something. Were you going to say something.
please go ahead. What if I learn something important. Go-ahead you all, go ahead.
>> I'm trying to figure that ou right now.
>> my name is jamie mcmahon. Of course there are somebody
tremendous accomplishments externally we are down here
today about the joys of living. Is an incredible leader and
builder of teams and builder systems on the office and the
plans that have been built over the last five years and establishing the culture that I based on integrity and service
and community and justice. You see that played out in the office but that lives and breathes inside the office.
and we had our staff acknowledging him yesterday and
we were all inspired by reflecting on a folktale and my
colleagues drew beautiful metaphors to the story about
friendship and curiosity in cultivating love and empathy fo
each other and for what is right .
was secret at the end the story in the secret that was revealed to all of us and it is a very simple secret and is only with
heart that can see rightly and what is essential is invisible
to the eye. People's hearts are one on thei
sleeve. Thank you.
[applause] good afternoon.
I had the pleasure of working with john when he started in a different capacity in my role a division director.
there's two things that stand out for me.
what is his support for the staff and unparalleled support
getting us a new building, resources to modernize the office, creating an office that was supportive of staff when
they had significant events in their lives such as having children and bereavement. It gave us a wonderful morale
and a place that we were proud to come to work.
on the also created a structure to meet critically and creatively and wasn't afraid to take a chance often leading fro
the front. Those are things that will be I place long beyond john is gone with thank you for your
leadership and the staff. Many of us are better off
because of your time. >> thank you. [applause] good afternoon, commissioners o
the court, and the managing counsel for the harris county attorney's office and I've had the pleasure to serve underneat
the county attorney as my count attorney and his assistant.
he let the office during a time of transition and change but understood the importance of public service on the commitmen
required to serve the people of harris county. What I remember most is his passion for public service
throughout his time. He brought energy, passion, dedication, and a strong committed serving county and it
residents been his news he had them for work was evident and helped move the office forward. We are especially grateful for
the collaborative soirit. Your collaboration has set a
positive tone in the county attorney's office.
thank you and good luck that's about 110 people in the office.
I will repeat what everybody else said it I will just say it is a pleasure to be able to com to work and actually smile and
so some people say tiffany smells of the time but I don't
really like this morning I passed john out of the state ba
meeting and it's a good feeling to book for people you like.
and I like you. And I like that you just like
christian and gene foster an environment for us to be innovative and for us to come u with trainings that are
different and you never tell me know and you listen and I
appreciate it and I think you and I know you will go on to do great things. [applause]
>> good afternoon, commissioners , judge.
john has truly been as betty trusted partner but especially
for iga. He was deputy county attorney
and county attorney. He has always been there for iga
. The broad range of issues that come across my-sometimes are scary but I know that john is
always a phone call or a text o an e-mail away and I appreciate
that of most support and the partnership or you are going to
be missed and I do know that you're going to do great things and I hope you stay in contact but I don't think that any of
the successes at iga has accomplished would've been possible without that partnership so thank you.
>> now we will hear from our budget director.
>> thank you. John, thank you for everything. I can't tell you the amount -- pretty much everybody I work
with when they knew you were leaving. I still remember I came here four years ago knowing
absolutely anybody in texas beauty don't know who you can
trust and who you can rely on. And I remember meeting you on day one and I don't know if you remember but I remember being o
the phone with you and all I could think about was thank god
there is a letter that understands bath.
we almost got the budget passed. Thank you for everything for
natalie being my attorney but m friend and confidant.
>> I just wanted to know whethe I could still say if there is something that was going to com up.
thank you. I love what everybody said.
you've got something special going. People felt like you and you ar smart and easy to talk to.
to be able to explain things a human and not get bogged down I
the legal language. Whenever I have a question, I
know I can call you and you're going to have a clear response yes, no, I don't know, this is the answer.
or that matters a lot just the attitude and obviously the
values that you carry it means lot and I'm going to go watch
the piano playing before I agre with the renaissance comment.
thank you so much. Expect everyone is hungry so I
will go real quick if I can fin this on my phone.
thank you so much. Thank you for this resolution.
it means a great deal. I understood the assignment.
and make sure the office kept running.
I think we did that but honestl this county has had my heart fo
a lot longer than that it I had the privilege of helping build something, you heard from our folks who were instrumental in
doing that when christian asked me to come overcome a few thing attracted me and one is I -- I had a lot more in private
practice owed to be able to begin a place what I could actually spend more time with m family, which I had been,
although I didn't say it was less stressful. That was one piece of that on the other was to help
professionalize this office. There are incredible people in the office but I think they nee at the rate structure and I
think that is what we were able to boring and looking back took
what we are now and I think we have really achieved that and w can hear from some of those folks at the day.
and that is the biggest thing w wanted to achieve.
so I am really proud of that. I've been really lucky to work
along some of the most dedicate public servants.
some people do things we don't talk about much for you can't put it in a press release because it's not something that
people want to talk about. Some of our protective work is heart heart-wrenching but incredibly important.
our job is to collect money for the county that helps the count
run. Knowing the things you see in the media but things that are important to the county.
so I leave knowing that this office is well prepared with
this group of folks to continue leading the way unwell staff an well-positioned. In the county attorney is going
to have a great staff in her hand. On the last thing, I was thinking something of a less
generic to say and I want to talk about something that is going to sound weird coming fro me, talking about diversity.
we talk a lot about how day versus county is.
one of the most diverse places in the country. What makes our diversity work I our openness page you can be a
tenth generation texan here or you can be a guy who was dragge from new york to texas against their will because their wife
got a job at rice university. And you will come here and
you're willing to work hard and people will help you and suppor you and you will achieve great things.
so I think we were only able to do what we were able to do --
I don't think I could've done this in dallas, for example. I'm really grateful here. You are all incredible public
servants. You can call me anytime. Those conversations may not be privileged anymore so be carefu
what you tell me. Out really stay in touch.
it's been an honor to work with you. [applause] why don't we take a picture rea
quick, if that is okay. We do need to go through the
consent before we break for lunch. Or should we do that and then d a picture?
>> so just very quickly here, colleagues, any corrections,
item 12 request no action. Item 137 no action and 176 no
action. 219, performance versus versus
detailed in number 25 through april 27, 2026.
can retrace six through december .
this moved. Through december 31, 2026.
justification for 0% participation goal exempt in th local cooperative agreement. 345, no action.
373 no action. 383 no action.
420 remove precinct rule number three met. So now it reads a request for commissioners precinct 1 and 2
and 4 and then for hundred 36, so it now reads two requests
budget for approval and paper finding for county engineer et
cetera et cetera. 437 request no action and then
the public hearings, let's begi with 367.
consider approval of the subdivision plat and tighter bedford creek section 5 bid the commissioners court hold a
public hearing for the proposed plot precinct 4 pitt is there
anyone here to speak for or against this item? Since there are no speakers or discussion, I now close this
public hearing it is their motion on this item?
>> motion. >> motion by commissioner brion z. All in favor good any oppose
opposed. Motion carried unanimously approval of the subdivision plo entitled creek section 6 to
proceed at commissioners court in the public plat three --
this is for item 368 pitt is there anyone to speak forget
this item. Its rainy discussion? To close this public hearing. Is their emotion?
>> make a motion. >> motion by commissioner ramse
and second by commissioner briones. All in favor. Any opposed.
motion carried unanimously. Vinyl final 1369.
consider approval of the subdivision plat of eagles cove
and hold a public hearing for the proposed plat 232 points 009
c-1. As anyone to speak on this, any
discussion. I close this public hearing and
is there discussion on this item . Motion by economic commissioner garcia.
second by commissioner ramsey. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. So were going to be talking
about the discussion items so item 1 remains discussion and
item two -- item 5?
>> 6? >> yes.
>> 7. >> yes mac. >> forty? >> 125 we already discussed and
we chatted about it, so that is done. 140. That is commissioner ellis'.
145. >> yes. >> 151. Healthy in harris county.
with you like to just vote on those? >> yes. We can just vote.
motion on both. All in favor.
any opposed? All in favor, motion carries.
>> we can do 152 as well. >> motion by commissioner garcia
. Any opposed? >> motion carries 4-1 on 152. 198.
commissioner ramsey. >> we just need a vote.
I think that we can -- all in favor.
any opposed. Motion carries 4-1. That is item 196. So if there motion for item 189?
>> yes. >> motion by commissioner garcia . Second by commissioner ellis.
all in favor. Any opposed. I thank you for that one. It is without row 24.
you've got it. >> yes pierce out that carries unanimously. Is their motion for 124?
>> yes. >> motion by commissioner garci and second by commissioner ellis .
all in favor. Any opposed. Motion carries 4-1 pete is ther a motion for item 200.
motion by commissioner ellis, second by commissioner briones. All in favor. Any opposed.
motion carries unanimously. As their motion for row 74?
>> you don't want this one. >> are you sure.
>> you want it? >> precinct 2 pulled at. You just want to discuss it? >> no.
I want to vote against it. >> commissioner by mc and secon
by commissioner ellis. All in favor. Motion carries 4-1. And then 215.
259. Precinct 3.
284, precinct 2. 322.
yes. 330. >> yes. >> 322.
>> yes. >> 322 or 3?
>> excuse me, 332. >> 344.
370. >> yes. >> 408. >> yes.
>> 418. >> yes. >> 435. >> 449.
481. Do you want to just vote on tha one? No.
>> 482. That was commissioner ellis and
gracie. And then these items were not
added to the special list. For 28 and 424.
434. Those are approved as presented.
so I will say I still am runnin down some questions on 229 and
234. Those of the ones at the speake was concerned about. I will get those back if that's
okay. So let me discuss and go over the list one final time. No executive session items, 1
and 2 and 5. >> can you add 4.
>> 4? Okay. Alright, I've 4 is on mw b disparity study.
4 is now in there. So we are looking at items 1, 2
, 4, 5, 6, 7, 40, 140, 215, 229, 234, 259, 284, 322.
330, 332, 344, 370, 408, 415, 435, 449, 481, 482, and 484.
>> and one other, 421. >> okay, 421.
that is a joint resolution on national immigrant heritage month. Okay, 421.
all right, anything else before we take a look at the consent
agenda? >> motion. Motion by commissioner garcia, second by commissioner ramsey.
all in favor, motion carries unanimously.
second by commissioner ramsey. So, okay, so we were going to take a 30 minute lunch since time is tight.
dq one to be back at like 2:15? So we will take a picture with
john and we will be back.
we had two football players las year and as simple winner and
very meaningful to help these big strong guys.
in fact my friends ex-husband just died and he was depressed
and whatnot seek help. This happens, which is why it I
important if your work and your feeling anxious, whatever those
mental health related, just continuing on and powering
through is not going to make it better. Eventually it's going to come out and so the idea is if there
is an employee, they're having really hard day, this may be,
there was just something that happened in their life that is making them sad. Maybe there have been in this
issue that is causing them anxiety, whatever it is, they can say to their colleagues, hey , I'm feeling really anxious
about this project and the colleague could say you know what, here's what I think and here's how I'm handling it just
like today, I am so stuffy and somebody said it is allergies,
why don't you take this. Like that.
instead of suffering in silence. So let's say the solution, so
you're not having to take a health day.
not two go into a facility, but to reset and make sure that I
can power through, so to speak and we don't have that that wil
be really mean, you know, other people, people that are not
performing and more likely than not come all the idea is to do,
so the panelists had a professo from rice university.
and that would've been top psychiatry, moore over at menta
health and then we had differen people so they all said the way
to do this is to have around three mental health days each
year and I found out the public health does this end we have
proof of concept in many departments deal with trauma, whether you're working with foster kids or whether you're
working with victims of domesti violence, with the elderly
veterans. That stuff is heavy. You might need a day just to clear your mind.
so I think we ought to people. So that is this.
and the proposal is not to pass anything, it is just to ask
county attorney, et cetera to draft a policy and this is goin
to come out during budget. Bottom line, doing nothing
because more than those doing something means more than doing
nothing. And this takes away the stigma as well. I am not doing right people end
up dying when they don't take care of this stuff. I would appreciate it just a couple of questions.
are we doing a financial impact. >> we will do a financial impact . The cause will largely depend o
throws or are we designating tw existing days.
in terms of our overall lead. Its new.
and that is the difference between nsp flick at the option
right now, we are pursuing options.
so that they fully understand what their options are so if
you're asking to take a mental health day, how is that different than being sick leave. Is there a pool somewhere?
there is a lot of different parts to our benefit problems
and I think it needs good context for our complete packag
and how it compares to others t some degree.
I think we are probably on the top of the list as benefits. Just how are we dealing with it now in terms of people being
able to take time off so the action today is simply if we ha
august 6 and we could discuss I in july 15 and then it would be
ready. I would respectfully ask for
august 6. >> sure. Or change the date to august 6. I propose we change it to augus.
and then coming back in their recommendations. And that would be a good approach.
thank you. And this is an item that I care
about. And there is still a stigma in
types of this. Employees only had I think it
was two paid opportunities in insurance.
in the conversation I had my staff at the time was and
they're afraid it will get back to the sheriff.
and so and do they turn it into paid time off description.
maybe that would help folks mak better decisions about how to
use those that time that way people cannot have to think
about it as well. This is I feel differently
versus ill. So maybe I would just ask you t think about that or just change the description of the sick
leave may be may be more supportive and more helpful.
>> we will definitely look into that. That there is another thing tha actually made me think of, whic
is just looking at other jurisdictions than our own. So here they have mental health leave and their utilization of
the mental health leave has -- from 2068 in 2023 to 10,038 in
2025 so I think that is something about the need, which
is totally logical but also I think about the fact that this can reduce the stigma, which I think is a goal in and of itsel
and then also, so there is more normalization of the policy in
dallas has a mental health leav and then they had sick leave fo
wellness days in cook county's sick leave for mental health, think that just taking a look a them and seeing why did you
create a separate docket is tha helping and is that helping wit
the stigma. >> I agree if things aren't going to make a difference, that's one thing.
I think it will appear at obviously we need to look at th
data. Commissioner ellis?
>> I was going to raise a concern.
>> I would like to make a motion , commissioner.
all in favor. Any opposed? Motion carries. 4-0.
>> that is correct. And just to be clear for the
record, presented with the change to august 6. Thanks for clarifying. Cell thanks for that.
and then let me, so we did not want to discuss item one yet.
do dupont to discuss item two? >> did I hear that?
>> that was part of it. >> I think were doing it when she comes back I think. When she comes back, I'm
probably going to be calling. Let's move to item to make a
list he would like to do anothe item.
>> so who is presenting that one .
thank you. >> I got slides but I would hav
to go through all of them. I can just do highlights. This proposal, of course is tha come on board, not only
statutory, each of you cares deeply about ensuring all of ou
departments could so we have fo to develop a performance
committee and this would help -- in 2025 through over 680
projects led by our infrastructure department. Next slide. Sorry.
which included the county of engineering.
>> I just want to make sure we are on the same page.
it is to create that? >> this is to create a committee
. There is a separate number 6 on a designation. >> so 2 goes along with 6 and
they can be taken separately. >> I just want to make sure we are on the right item. We are item two.
thank you. Harris county flood control
district. Next slide.
so considering all those projects in 2025 and left for
billion dollars it was spent on infrastructure and our project
totals are much, much more, thi committee, make sure we stay
laser focused and we would try to have more consistent protocols and we want to make sure constant budgeting
schedules had reduced bureaucracy and red tape and we
put look at our delivery speed and of course an overall rating
of excellence. Next slide. These would be the primary functions.
I'm not going to go through all of them but I want to highlight
getting a better form and operational challenges. Each department has a lot of areas where they excel and have
ideas in a strategic form in place for that.
and there's a different infrastructure department.
a little bit more consistent. We have course want to keep
focused on the fire roles. And that would be the departmen
heads and the three infrastructures that we are
reporting. And then sending your
infrastructure league. At the other thing after that
slide that I want to point out is that there are a lot of infrastructure transportation related communities and
workgroups and there's no clear way to receive questions from
each each of you. When is the updated one is that coming. By this I think they would allo
a clear place to point out a making sure it is properly
elevated to the court as needed and the decision-making, so thi
would not be a decision-making body, just to have more clarity
together because sometimes ther are topics that are actually related. Thank you.
that was my last slide. Thank you. >> thank you. >> thank you, administrator for
your presentation and thank you for giving this some thought. This is something you have been talking about for quite some
time and I do believe by having them work together that we will
be able to improve on standardization I don't want to
bother them right now but I do want to have conversation to ensure it is not create more bureaucracy and it is absolutel
to affect the efficiency and more timeliness so that we can
get more things done sooner rather than later. So thank you for the presentation.
I'm going to be making a motion on this item.
>> commissioner ellis and commissioner ramsey.
>> any others? >> those are the members of tha
committee. >> and two questions.
does any other county do it. And have any of them had any
concerns about slowing down? >> I would say not in this exac
format. Our infrastructure is not set up
. And that will slow down work.
that is not like and every step of the way approval committee.
I like the concept. I might beyond vacation.
on the commissioners on the webex.
so are they familiar with that? Loosely.
I would say on my check-in and my conversation, no one asked
especially but all the various workers and committees, they also have a lack of coordinatio between that committee.
>> I have been talking about this for quite some time.
and there is obviously a question because this is something new. But what I get from them is as
long as it is the process, things move along faster and
previously was about how many they could generate over
something that others were trying to figure out so I think
you're going to have a lot better coordination.
>> I'll put like to hold this one until I hear from somebody
in engineering. There he is there he is.
sorry, my camera is not working. >> you are in pretty good shape.
this committee will hinder our speed of the project. I have not seen the proposal myself.
to make it smooth that way paid. >> I just want to know what I
want to make sure we get on record. I don't want us to go do wood and then I hear from people
later. I think it is a good
administrative card. I see you doing that more perks
we need to slow down a little bit so the left hand knows what the right hand is doing. >> thank you.
so are we moving on that one? >> sorry, commissioner ramsey.
>> anytime we get the broome to talk about infrastructure, the committee that needs to have representatives from the three
major infrastructure groups, an then you have folks in core offices, just come up the infrastructure.
>> one official person. And what we don't want is peopl
waiting for the next infrastructure committee meetin to meet before we make a decision.
as long as the committee is as long as I haven't been agenda
and are providing feedback were not waiting for them to make a decision, those sorts of things I find our core offices, the
court offices are working well together on infrastructure
issues so there is I will call it an ad hoc group, if you will.
it could be county engineering related. It could be and as we taught before I met interested in doin
a lot of committee meetings and our people spending a lot of time doing that. I think there is great benefit
and when they leave the meeting they should say we solved three problems today, not I can't believe we just met for two and
have hours and I'm not sure what's happening.
you are monitoring that making sure. The other thing is we've got items 6 and so we as we conside
the infrastructure, it seems like this would be a complement
of that. These should not be two separat ideas, and nation it be two separate functions and the chie
infrastructure officer should b weighing in on this as well we
would like to see that input from that side of it once we ge
that set up and probably need a little bit more information on that before I'm ready to move forward with that.
I get the concept but I just want to know who is going to be
on that I see a listing general just my concern in general abou
committees, if they are a great resource committee, great.
it is a great source. Our folks, I think I speak for
our court offices in that department or maybe we are just
weaning out and we haven't even started the budget process. So just a good idea, would like to know how this compliments
items 6 and you'll probably kno before I.
>> I think that is fine. >> did you want me to comment o
that? >> originally I had those together because I did think if it as a pair designation.
we had multiple meetings with your staff and there was a lot of questions and comments so I chose to do this separately.
and at least my feedback, there was a lot of concern from the
people that were part of that call.
so is the thought to bring it back now I think by virtue of
the boy it's been laid out as the administrator, I don't want
that committee run like this committee.
an the principles meet and ther is some refinement and there's
two other entities. And I think I think having that
would absolutely speed along those projects. And making sure will help resolve a lot of issues is all.
and he will try to find his little hand on that thing. What makes sense to ask the administrator with some plan
that does both. And they have some consensus to
it and select when it brought back a reminder, I just want to hear it. You just have to have some hot
old heartburn about it. And in the administrator would
meet with them and hear them out , including the two
departments and then bring it back to them.
and you can bring in that business court.
so for now, no action. That is the direction and that
is what we heard the three of them say.
and obviously it would not be delayed.
I understand. And looking to item 3, excuse me
, item 4. >> that is not one that I pulled
. I just want to be, accent polic
to continue the program through june 20, june 30, 2027.
it looks like we are putting an aunt -- and end date on there. >> since that time you will hav
been doing various extensions and understanding the middle
right now. And so far the motion and and
then you could decide to have another kind of a date in there.
just make sure you get that taken care of that would be
defensible in court. >> okay.
I know that this is not a goal. It is a mandate because we are
currently turning contracts dow and they are determined that they don't meet. So I guess there are still
questions related to how we are implementing the program in general and I've only worked on projects for the last four year
so I get it and I am supportive of it.
and so we are making decisions on the policy.
so I could see going through june 30, 2027, mainly for the
disparity study. My support is going to be with concerns related to how we are currently managing that because
there is judgment and discernment in that and I
questioned the judgment discernment and what we are doing. >> may be some days it is
impaired. >> all I would move for an make
sure they are be repaired for discernment sticks.
>> of that is all in favor?
any opposed? Motion carries 4-0, that is item
four. Colleagues, I have to go to my commitment. >> that was presented?
>> so I have to go to my commitment. So commissioner, we are on item five.
>> commissioner, I may try to do it from over here. I'm having trouble trying to get the thing to raise the hand.
so lead us through it. >> so commissioner, one, two,
three, for, five, six, seven items are being held for when she is back. I'm requesting to hold four.
number 1 -- I will request three.
so if you guys would please do the courtesy -- >> just as a reminder, if there is not three people in the room,
we are just going to take -- we're going to lose coram.
so I think -- what I understood, commissioner, we will be back at four? >> she said she will be back at
four but then his living at five which seems odd. >> if we take a break --
>> I thought there was an hour break. >> that's what I'm saying we need to get moving on this
stuff. I didn't know that she was going to leave for two different things.
so everybody knows about that. >> just if you would all make
sure somebody calls me to let me know and I will hop back on when
she comes back. You want to set a timer you want
to try for a time and if it doesn't work --
>> we are effectively out of coram. So you are being censored, commissioner.
[laughter] >> unfortunately the meeting is now -- >> just call me.
obviously we knew this was going to happen.
>> the meeting is called at 3:01. >> at 3:01 the meeting is adjourned.
we are >> it is for 29:00, it is back
in session. Commissioner garcia, where did we leave off? >> I think item one, judge.
>> we will go to item one. That is -- go ahead.
>> good afternoon, judge, commissioners, justice innovation and the officer county administration.
do we have the presentation? Next slide, please.
next slide. Next slide.
we will go through some of this, go ahead. So as of 63, the popular asian was thousand 800 and 84.
of note on the slide, there individuals in custody or 65
years old and they really good point is that there were only
167 people with stays over 1000 days which is down 52 from
december 2025. So we are still having meaningful impact on some of the backlog.
next slide, please. Here we are looking at the
average daily population comparing 25 -- fiscal year 25 to fiscal year '26. And at the bottom we have the
average stay with the same comparisons. As we all have been noting and enjoying throughout this year,
we have continued to enjoy the decreases from 25 and had an
incredibly stable jail population so far in 2026.
that is by way of a significant decrease in the custody average length of stay. Through june third, we were at
141 days in custody with the average length of stay in jail which is outstanding. Back in september of last year,
as we are implementing sb nine, that my team had done some analysis to understand what we would need to stabilize the jail
population. And with sb nine being in effect and having an average length of stale was what we needed to help
us stabilize the jail population we have been able to manage
that, that has been good. Next slide, please.
here we are looking at the felony case backlog. It continues to decrease, it is down 28% from december, down to
600. It is about a 29 person decrease. There are 128 people with
undisclosed charges in custody over 1000 days.
that is down 57 from 10085 in december report.
still really good work by all the courts, there are a few courts that you see at the top end of the scale that really
need to try to focus on some of those 1000 day cases in the backlog cases. Next slide, please.
so intakes have been the thing we have been watching a little bit this year. And then the next slide I will
expand on why it is concerning. But right now we are projecting
to see a 4% increase in bookings in fy26 over fy27.
it is an increase in intakes. You can see we spent most of 26
over bookings over 2025. The bottom part of your screen,
you are looking at releases compared to last year. Releases have been higher in some months then last year,
which has been good. But one of the things you have heard me say, probably every single jail update I give is
that in order for us to have a meaningful impact on managing
the jail population and reducing the jail population, releases must outpace bookings. And we have a net of releases
over bookings of only seven so far this year or through this point this year. So it is getting dangerously
close as the intakes go up. The releases are not keeping pace with the increase in intakes so we will want to
monitor that pretty closely. Next slide, please.
so here is a new slide. I'm calling this emerging trends to monitor. The capacity at the gpc is 300.
so when we start seeing months like may or april and may over
300 for the monthly average, it kind of becomes concerning.
so I have added at the bottom, a 30 day running average or you can see we had days at 399. What happens when we are flying
that close to the sun is we run the risk of creating some
operational impact to the jail and the jp c. Where in order to maintain capacity, they are likely moving
inmates to housing areas to turn around and move them back very
shortly thereafter. So it is creating a lot of unnecessary movement. If this trend continues, it will
be imperative that all of the stakeholder processes like probable cause hearings, determinations and all of the
other stakeholder engagements of the jp c run like clockwork. We cannot have probable cause hearings being three or four or
five hours behind. It will cause capacity issues at the jp c. Next slide, please.
this has been one of my favorite slides.
the green represents the jail case backlog and you see the steady decrease that really took a steep turn down since
january 2025. That has been incredibly helpful to controlling the adp -- the reason this is been one of my
favorite slides is the period between about january 20252
really october of 2025. Maybe a little after was the separation between dispositions, total felony dispositions and
new filings. That separation is why we have enjoyed the dramatic decreases we have seen in the jail
population. And that separation is starting to narrow or thin, again with the increase is coming up,
particularly those that are felony intakes that have potential staying power. We will want to monitor pretty
closely, that we are keeping dispositions and releases over
intakes. Next slide, please.
I won't spend a whole lot of time here, other than this is your look at -- this court made substantial investments in
reducing the jail backlog, it predates my tenure with
harris county. There was a substantial increase made in both felony bond cases and felony jail cases.
across that time period. The orange line is representing the bond cases. You can see that it fell
dramatically faster than it did the jail cases. The piece -- and again, looking at beginning in january 2025, we
can see a marked decrease in jail cases. That is where we started enjoying the relief of the jail
and we will want to see that trend continue. Next slide, please. So to wrap up, this may be my
shortest general update ever. Overall, things are working like
we wanted them to work in the jail. We have had tremendous collaboration and good-faith
partners throughout the justice system that has also dug in and rolled up their sleeves and try to find ways to help us have an
impact on the jail population so that we can have reducing
outsourcing and reduce cost of the system and that has worked.
we had great partnerships with the district attorney's office, courts back public defender office.
and so all of this has been possible as a result of that
collaboration and partnership. The things to watch going forward are going to be the intake increases in both the
jail and criminal court cases. And again, keeping and I on things being as efficient as they can with the gpc for that
capacity. But also, the dispositions have
a cadence. There is a finite resource and district courts. So those cases have a cadence
and as intakes go out, we can't necessarily expect that the dispositions are going to follow.
what we will want to watch for will be the converse of what we saw with the decrease. We saw the income city average
of the state come down, which pulled the average daily jail population down. Going forward, we want to watch
the adp leading. So we want to watch for the average daily jail population to start creeping up on us.
it will be followed by an increase in the average length of stay because we're seeing so many new entrants into the
system that some are felony level cases. Next slide, please. Judge, you had asked in february
that we bring back mental health initiatives that we expected to
see whether they were from the sea jcc. We added some that will be included in the budget this
year. Some of things being worked on related to mental health is hard expansion.
this will be a budget submission through public health. It is a budgets mission through public health this year.
there's a mental health public defender pilot that has been spearheaded out of the system processing improvement committee
that is a low-cost no-cost pilot being done, there is not a budget solution for it, it is being done internally.
this pilot is mimicking on the district court side, what has been effective in in the county courts with ensuring
appointments to the pdo. It is automated and there is an algorithm that helps identify cases that should be appointed
and it will prioritize mental health cases. And then the civil commitment pathways, the d.a.'s office has
been working very astutely on that.
we are seeing a large increase in the number of folks who are getting a civil commitment rather than staying in jail.
on the sheriff's office side, there are three programs that they have submitted in the budget this year, connect and
protect, attention crisis response unit, this is additional clinicians to expand on the sheriff's office
receiving a grant to start this program, they have seen successes with it. This ensures that clinicians are
going and responding to calls in the jay so that a clinician is there to try to talk folks down, see if they are decompensated
and, see if we need additional resources. It has been highly effective and they are asking for resources to
expand that. They mental health care coordination, they are asking for case management support.
I don't know if anybody has ever court watched, but there is a guy from the sheriff's office that runs from courtroom to
courtroom answering questions for judges and finding resources when they need to get somebody out, but they need resources
when they want to have somebody out in bond and they need resources. He is connecting,'s name is gary
, he is a legend in the courthouse. He is getting them connected. This is to expand on that and
provide some support and expand the reach.
in the last is an idd identification program that they are asking one clinician and one case manager.
>> is there a motion to continue discussion?
>> almost done. >> questioned by the commissioner. Is there a second?
second. All in favor? And a? Motion carried unanimously.
rodney, are you on there? Commissioner ellis? I guess it is 4-0. He is there, yes.
go ahead. >> so these programs in the
sheriff office submission, as they got put into the budget software, they were rolled up in one case management reentry
program. So it is a little hard to distinguish these. But if at any point, and if you
would like the specifics on the costs for the individual or to break them out, we can do that with the budget.
>> commissioner ellis, did you have your hand up or is this from before? >> must be an old hand.
>> okay, commissioner briones and then ramsey. >> thank you for these updates. A few quick questions.
first, can you talk about some of the key factors we see in the
bookings we are seeing? And then the sb nine impact specifically, if any? >> let me pull up the dashboard
real quick. >> and then my next question is for you, chief, if you were on. >> commissioner, I think the
intakes -- sb-9 would necessarily have an intake
impact, right? I think the impact would have
more people coming to jalon moore people being arrested and brought to jail. Where sb-9 is having an impact
is we have watch pretty closely, the number of people who are
released in less than three days. So almost my entire time here prior to sb-9, it has been right
around 61% of everybody booked into jail was released in less than three days. That percentage has gone down
to, as of today, 55.2%. So what we're seeing is the fast
releases, those people being released at the last bonding opportunity has declined after sb-9.
now we are seeing that some of it is just a slowed process.
we're seeing it pick up and some of the other days, three and 30 days, that has been an increase. It is just taking a little
longer to get it out. We have seen a modest increase in the number that were ultimately detained.
so I don't know that sb-9 has a direct impact on people coming into the system, but it has changed how quickly people are
released. >> thank you. One other quick question for you.
my understanding is that even though we approved additional hearing officers so that we could be having the hearings on
parallel tracks to be more efficient and deliberate, my understanding is that we haven't been able to hire and/or keep
the folks that we hire. So essentially right now we are not having the hearings, is that correct?
>> that is correct. >> what are we doing to fix it? Because we are burning so much time on the clock.
>> I know that the county courts expect to have a request -- a
budget request expected to raise the salary of the officers so
that we can convert the staff attorneys that were hired to
hearing officers that would allow us to run both of those courtrooms at the jp see. That would be a game changer for
capacity issues. I understand, and the county
court since probably speak better to this, but we are having issues hiring existing officer positions.
so I think that some of that has to get -- my understanding is
there a pretty big disparities between what the hearing officers make and even what an attorney in the d.a.'s office
that has similar experience to what is required to be a hearing
officer. And then the hearing officers have to work 24/7 in jail. So I think there is going to
have to be some work on the hearing officer salaries. >> and please work together, know you were talking to
mr. Wells but we need to solve for this because this was improved a long time ago. I have many other questions but
I will save them for next time, I'm especially interested in the emerging issues dockets and the progress we are having there.
but very quickly, in terms, could you please provide a quick
update on outsourcing and when we can expect to see the next
set of reductions? Thank you.
>> if chief is not on, I can answer those.
so the plan for this year is a total of 250.
their jails in the process negotiating the first 100 to come back, that was the amendment that was put on the
contract very recently to account for the number of
individuals we expect to bring back in and this year it will be a total of 250 this fiscal year. 100 in around june and about 150
in december. There is a staff request submitted in the sheriff's office budget to accommodate for
the 150 in december. Then in calendar year 2027 there will be another 400 coming back. It will be into buckets.
it will be from spring to summer, 200, and then again late in the calendar year, another 200.
that will close the contract in louisiana and have our
outsourcing cut in half. We will then be in a holding pattern and believer -- either need the variance back or the
construction beds back online to continue to reduce outsourcing.
>> thank you for the update and I look forward to hearing about it, especially on the improvements construction and
how that interplay is. So thank you.
>> commissioner ramsey? >> , commissioner briones asked
most of my questions. You are monitoring many different parameters related to our jail population.
could be related to the d.a., could be related to the courts, it could be many other factors. So you gave the numbers that you
are looking for, that you should be able to accomplish.
and even if we get through 2020, you say seven, you bring in 400
back in 2027. That will leave how many outsourced? >> it would cut it almost in
half. It would be just under 600 still up. >> so as we look at -- and some
of that is related to continued pushes in terms of a lot of
these other issues. You really haven't gotten to the point to say in 2028, I think that we can be done.
>> I think we will. If the construction is back online, I think we will be there.
>> so it leads to being realistic, working and trying to get as much done as you can. There are other factors that
could help or hurt it. But 2028 would be a number --
that is the first year we have had a number to work for. That is good. >> commissioner, one of the
things we are working on collaboratively with the jail and director mills office is kind of a cash flow.
so what it looks like when we are bringing on staff, where we are bringing back the inmates so we have a very clear picture on
how much outsourcing is going to cost us over the next two years.
>> one issue I continue to focus on is this step forward. We've got a date of july, and we will talk again in july and the
talk again in august. But I think that us being aware
that the renovations are going, that is the first floor redo and then I think there are four or five more force that we do.
and I think just stay on top of those details in terms of what is being done. And the last thing, I want to
really acknowledge, chief, he has done a great job.
he has created a geriatrics group, and mental health group.
so what I like about that, he has taken the circumstances he is in, he is making it better for the people that are there.
so even though we have resources and there are other things going on, he is making improvements just by the separation by age
and by mental health. Just a great job. Just can't say enough good things about the chief.
thank you. >> thank you. >> quick question. In terms of the courts that have
the significant number of more than thousand day backlog, what
is the conversation with those particular judges?
>> so we have actually worked with the administrative judge
and she is starting to bring more data to all of the judges.
we have had some judges that have reached out individually and work with us. But I think she is working with
the felony board and the judges to continue to highlight and leverage things that are happening in some of the courts
that are managing their dockets pretty well. And seeing what can be implemented in the courts that
are -- that still have pretty significant backlogs.
one of the things that I think the system process improvement committee will bring up -- and the judges talked about it, is
starting to set targets on what we think will be appropriate as
active cases pending in any court, that number is about 150.
if we can get all courts with their active pending showcases to be a 150 or less. >> all in favor?
and imposed? Motion carries. Go ahead. >> if we could get all courts to
have 150 or fewer active pending jail cases, that would really go a long way to help manage the jail population and really keep
us out of being back in a position where we are backlog.
>> so what is the -- is there hope that the judge can get them
in line? >> absolutely. She will be a part of the system process improvement committee to
leverage that work. And I think she is the right person for the job. There's a lot of judges that are
trying to impact change across the courts.
>> I will be looking for a very specific conversation on your
next report. Additionally, of those -- redo
the capital cases sit? Do they sit in those particular courts were there somewhere else , more spread out?
>> shameless plug on the jail population dashboard, I can tell you right now we have 207 capital cases.
and they stretch along many of the courts, but the ones you would expect, some of the courts at the higher end have the
higher number of pending capital cases. >> and I'm glad I asked that question.
so in fairness, I would suggest a different way to see that.
because it is not fair to those judges to have 1000 plus days
listed on their dockets and not know that they are capital
cases. I think that is important to understand. >> we can highlight within the
1000 day pending, the number of capital. >> thank you. >> I agree.
very briefly, I agree. It will be so helpful and agree
with commissioner ramsey on his comments. Very quickly, director mills, you have just been one of the
mvps of harris county. I understand this is your last term before you transition to work at the sheriff's office, is
that correct? >> yes, ma'am,. >> I'm happier staying in the harris county family.
and to this next report that I know we are all eager to hear about, all of these different metrics.
administrator, can you please share with us will be providing the next update? >> it might be a outstanding
data team that helps feed into this report with a lot of
expertise, we will have the data, will have the conversations and some managers under her that help.
it is a team effort, even though she has been the face. So as long as I get your questions, over you can give me
seven days and we will have answers. >> thank you for staying with the harris county family.
thank you. >> thank you. What is the next item? >> house show no item on action
one. >> may I please cast my vote for the items when I was gone at the state bar of texas conference?
for items four and 322, I vote yes. Thank you. >> item five, commissioner?
>> item five was pulled by judge and commissioner ramsey.
this is the request for approval to establish a purchasing optimization procurement speed and service project led by the
county administration and purchasing stakeholder committee
from each office and the department of economic equity and health services at county engineer, the tax office and
county attorney's office to provide input and support for
project findings, recommendations and the rest. >> county administrator and I had a good conversation on this
earlier in the week. I will not go into a lot of
details. I was good little nervous we are about to hire consultants, what they're going to be and if
they're going to come in and fix everything.
so one, I think the very diligent on who we picked to
come in to quote, unquote help us. Obviously, center if that director, as gauld go through
the process of evaluating what you want to do, who you want to help you, just be sure it is helpful and doesn't end up
creating more confusion than we had. So I'm assuming you are on board with this?
>> yes commissioner, we are on board. And we appreciate the partnership with the county
administration's office to facilitate.
it is signed to be a sprint, using lean six sigma processes
and techniques. So we don't anticipate that this is going to be an expensive endeavor and we will have a very
focused consultant helping us with that. >> the hour or so you came to our office to give us on update
on where you're headed was quite impressive. Thank you for what you are doing.
hopefully this will help, in terms of moving forward with it.
in an efficient speed. >> appreciate it, thank you. >> thank you miss williams. Next item is?
>> of where we vote? I don't know if we were waiting for the judge or not. >> we can reconsider it.
do you want to make a motion? >> I make a motion.
>> all in favor? All oppose? The motion carried unanimously. >> marker absent until she comes
back. >> item six, this is the infrastructure officer. >> I think we had that
conversation, commissioner, we want to have more conversation.
so no action on that one. And next is item seven.
item seven has been called by commissioner briones. Looking for action on the county contract control program.
>> yes, I pulled item seven to essentially say thank you for
the cross county departmental collaboration in the collaboration with our law enforcement partners, are
constables as well as our sheriff's office. As you may recall, and house bill 26, passed in 2025, it
allows our law enforcement agencies to enter directly into any contracts. So I really appreciate the
collaboration that balances ever desire to make sure we are
enhancing public safety across harris county, making sure we are implementing the pay parity that we passed, as well as
access to contract patrol services that is affordable.
so what this essentially does, this is based on months of collaboration and agreed-upon floor rate rate of 60 5:30 five
and for underserved neighborhoods, then there could
be a hardship exemption. And I have two motions that
essentially -- and I'm happy to read them now, unless my colleagues have any feedback. But the bottom line is that I
appreciate that it gives quite a bit of poetic license.
and I appreciate everybody working as a team. So we have the collaboration, the foresight, the planning and
coming up with processes together. So the two motions are a motion amended the counties policy
allowing for 65% contractor and 35% county split contracts, the
motion requesting that the county attorney's office and the office of the county administration, and consultation
with the and consultation with the office of management and budget and county law enforcement agencies returned to court with a proposed process and eligibility
criteria, allowing -- this is the hardship exemption, the six
de40 contract patrol agreement in cases where neighborhoods are significantly economically disadvantaged.
so those are the two motions, and an ecosystem that there was
still be the 70 have been 30, a-20 and the 30%.
that will and it oessentially other adopts
the floor of 650, 35, as well as helping to create a exception
forunder served neighborhoods. Thank you to all of the stakeholders who helped us reach the solution.
>> two motions is there a second? >> the second has been made. Discussion.
I in tend to vote for your first item, commissioner.
I do have concerns about the second motion. My only concern is that we do want to help underserved areas.
however,iun served areas may not be able to afford the 60-40.
I would just ask for a friendly amendment to look at other and
include other strategies in addressing thoseunder served areas outside of a contract program.
>> yes, absolutely accepted. >> thank you, commissioner. >> commissioner. >> yes, sir.
>> if I might. I'm going to vote no at this-point on both motion. Until something comes back to
benefit the low income communities. I just vote no. At this time.
>> james d you vote for the amendment? >> no, that a additional strategy be concerned for
underserved areas, outside of the contract program. >> okay, I will allow that to the end of the second motion.
>> alright, motion on both second by commissioner ramsey. All in favor? >> aye.
all opposed? >> commissioner ellis is opposed I would assume judge hidgo would oppose, it would be, 3-2.
>> vote, until she comes back. That motion was by commissioner
brownis. >> made by me. Seconded by commissioner ramsey. >> voted by the three of us, 3-
1 until amends our votes. Thank you. >> all right, next item is item 40, is that correct?
>> that is correct, sir. This is pulled by commissioner
brownis. Request to purchase a certain track of neighborhood price for the harris flood control
district for public project known as keegan storm water detention basis phase three. I won't read the rest of the
numbers, which is 250,000 over the appraised value.
>> yes, I just, flagged this item to community my gratitude
to flood control, and the community. This keegan storm water detention basin is in the heart
of a leaf. So, in this keegan bay ow over
1000 structures flooded during harvey. And the first basin is in progress.
this will help implement the second and the third basin compartments. This is really amazing.
just to drive home the point, this project consists of three
base thanes will be spread over 63 acres
just how in tense and complicated and vast these projects are. Each of the three basin also
hold 400 acre feet of water to put it in a lay person's term,
each basin will hold 200 olympic-sized pools worth of
batter. Think about the protection that will offer our community and beyond.
construction is underway and allow us to build the two additional contention basin. In sum this keegan project will
reduce the flooding risk for over 23,000 residents and over
500 structures I'm very grateful to harris flood district, for
their work driving this progress protecting our families from
flooding is our top priority. And will be laser focused. As such I proudly and thank youfully move item 40, as
presented. >> second. >> second. All in favor, aye. >> motion carries. All right.
next item, I have 140, is that correct, jake?
I this has been pulled by commissioner ellis request for approval of the selected census track for nomination of
opportunity zone 2.0 for the sd tracks. Either support dynamic areas of investment or seek to attract
investment to economically depressed communities. And authorization to submit the nomination packet to the texas
governor's office of economic development and tourism for potentials designation by the u.s. Treasury.
commissioner ellis you've got a motion? >> yeah, a quick motion. I think I sent around to direct
iga to work with deeo to assure alignment between opportunities
zone 2.0 for potentials submission of harris census track to be considered. At the 625 business court.
I move it with that friendly miami. Yeah. >> I'll second.
the motion. All in favor? >> aye? >> opposed? >> the motion passes unanimously.
>> just to be clear for the record. The the motion that was spoken what was approved?
>> correct. >> that's what what is approved I'm sorry. >> thank you.
>> okay. So next item 215.
that is the arpa general fund. And this has been pulled by
commissioner brunis and I. So commissioner, this is request
by the office county administration to approve request to reallocate the total up to five,624,299.21 in funds
to support the fiscal year 2027 general fund budget.
>> yes, I second that. >> okay. Motion has been made. And, let me check here.
I also have a motion to direct omb to include in the proposal
fiscal year 2027 budget a proposal to increase funding for the domestic violence assistant fund by $900,few for 2027 and an
additional $9 20,000 for 2028, using 1.8 million.
>> I second that. >> two mission advise been made. Second have been made. All in favor?
>> aye. >> all 70 posed? >> motion is carried unanimous. >> need to get clarification.
the item itself was approved? >> yes, and the second motion to the item. >> so it was gasser yaw.
you made the second by the commissioner brownis. >> all right. Thank you.
next item is 229. This is pulled by the judge.
we'll hold that one. 234 has also been held.
we'll pull that for the judge. 259 is pulled by commissioner
ramsey. Request for approval for a renewal option and the order permitting the assignment of a
contract with horn llp a signer to be bdo government llc a
signee for compliance services for the texas solar for alogical
lition for harris county for the period of june ten, 2026,
through june nine, 2027 at cost of $694,000.
n wbe is 14 spoken 3%. Commissioner ramsey.
>> it is still, some of this is related to grant. I know it is no budget impact. But we're still getting a
commercial pieper. We just need to vote. >> commissioner, thank you. I just want to say that on this,
particular item t represents for me, another important step in building out the access to health program in precinct 2 as
a hub for community-based care and support. At the newly launched channel complex, the gustava, it is 284,
I'm sorry. You should have caught me on that one. Commissioner ramsey it needs a
vote. Is there a second? >> 259, I will move 259, as presented and happy we're moving
the solar for all work forward. It is critical to help our
underserved communities and critical to community the energy
transition so, we can continue dominating and make sure we're protecting and preserving the environment I move as presented.
>> second, all in favor? >> aye. Opposed? >> no.
>> which item is it 259. >> yeah, that's fine. So, I will say, I requested kindly of my colleagues that we
hold 250, 240, and 344. >> I did?
>> it doesn't sound like it. >> yeah. >> so let's go to 215, then. >> all right, 215--
real quickly, judge. For your clarification. James there's a couple of votes that we took.
I indicated that judge would likely vote against one.
and would vote and support another. Could you give her that information. >> but see, you didn't hold it is the point.
so I want to go back to item 215. >> no these are prior to 215. >> I'm concerned about 215 right
now. >> all right so, 215 the
shifting of arpa funds. Is that a ramos thing?
>> yes, judge. This was a directive, a court motion that the oca do the arpa work with each of your offices.
the initial effort was to try to find up to $10 million of
reallocation that would have minimal or almost no programattic impact. As arpa winds down each month
they check with each program to understand how well they're spending in each category. Working each of your offices
they found $5.6 million, that would have minimal or almost no
impact that received consensus. That is what the proposal was
from the court for consideration.
>> okay. Commissioner elis? >> so, just to make sure, I think we did vote on this one.
so you came up with a consensus that you would have $5.6 million
to put towards the deficit? >> yes, put back in the general
fund. >> and so, what we just did a
second ago, so we agree to the $5.6, but took $1.6 out of it?
we earmarked $1.6 million to go somewhere else?
>> yes. >> so, so that means you really
end up with $5.6 towards the deficit minus the 1.8.
>> I'm sorry commissioner, it is $900,000 for next year.
>> yes, so my preference would be we just decide, when we go through the budget process. The domestic violence is a major
issue. I'm for it, my preference would
be, I don't think I caught it. It is a little late where I am. My preference would be, we just decide that in the budget
process. Because if we had a consensus on $5.6 million towards the deficit, that we know we have to
live with. I would be for the $900,000py
but my preamps would be when we get to it in the budget.
my preference would be when we get to it in the budget. >> so has 215 been voted on yes, or no?
>> but I just heard we didn't go over it. So just for the record. >> no, I said I wanted 2 15 I
said 215. So, but the commissioner ellis I'm not catching you. Are you saying you want to
change your vote? >> yeah, I would like to vote to bring the item back up and prefer when we go through the
budget process. I think that's how we ended up sort of the in the position that we're at.
just go through the budget process. I'm pretty sure I would be for the $900,000 on domestic
violence. But we want to see what elsewhere want to apply some of it toward.
instead of now. If not, why don't we divey it all up? I would make a motion to send
the rest of it somewhere, if we will do it without going through the budget process. But the motion I'm making is to
bring that back up. >> mr. Ramos, this goes through
a committee process, correct? >> the arpa reallocating.
that's correct. >> this has been an ongoing process? >> correct, since our committee
was formed. Then, this, particular was a direct from court in april, I believe.
>> and we've already taken other votes on reallocating arpa
correct? >> yes,. >> I stand behind my initial vote.
>> I will stay with my vote. >> I just want to understand the initial vote. You know I did assume that you
would have the colleagues would have the courtesy to wait for me, as requested. I'm just catching up here.
and my understanding is that there was a motion--
there's basically a motion to take funds from certain arpa
projects and then give them to the budget?
>> essentially close the deficit. >> to close the deficit. >> right.
>> that was the initial motion, commissioner gasser yaw made and commissioner made the subsequent motion.
>> yeah, so okay. So I see here. Harris public health said we could release up to $35,000
without effecting performance. Cool. I'm for that. Led screening advertising and
conference-related costs. No impacts to services. Fine. Abaitment to travel and medical
supplies. Fine. Frankly I still think it is important and the people should
have been allowed to decide, whether they wanted to cut medical supplies and better train personnel, but fine.
reproductive access fun. No impact expected food and nutrition surplus remaining after a vendor close out. Early
reach I'm just kind of really puzzled by that I'll come back to it. Then, so the people were not in
favor elqn disparity. Allocated to lone star college.
lone star has declined okay. Harris hub expected surplus,
okay. Rapid ec survey, expected surplus okay. Women empowerment center, no
impact. Detention officers no impact. That's fine. Pre-trial analytics no impact.
so fine. Voter outreach inform impact surplus from a closed program. Fine.
affordable housing administration. Equivalent to two positions in admin and compliance.
confident we can maintain service levels all right. So I have concern on two of these.
domestic, taking money from domestic violence and taking
money from children education slots.
so I think on the domestic violence my motion would be to
allocate the entirety of these funds to domestic violence.
to initiatives around domestic violence no matter where it is.
>> you said, the whole. >> second motion. Can you walk through the court asked to find $10 million.
the arpa committee met and came back with $5.6.
it is approving $5.6 to move to general. The history, and please add to this.
that the short version of the history is the the houston area
women center was not able to spend is the arpa grant funds. So they returned them what the second motion gasser yaw read is
taking the grant funs never used and putting them in the harris
domestic violence occurred fating council because they can deploy them and put them to work in our community.
that is what was achieved by the second part of the motion.
houston area women center came on they working closely with our
arpa team pmo and their spending was not able to get off the
ground at the speed neated to make the strict deadlines. They presented about that. They apologized perfusely that's
why the $3.8 million is available. >> that's correct. >> okay.
what was it reallocated to? That would be the motion.
clerk do you want to read the motion? >> so the first motion was to approve the item, as presented
for the $5.6. >> I'm sorry, what you mean
$5.6. I need complete sentences james, because I'm catching up here. >> sorry, the motion I have was
to basically approve item 215 as presented on the agenda.
>> approve item 215 as presented. Well what is as presented? >> as presented was to
reallocate $5,625,299 in funds to support the f y general 27
budget. >> right that sort of general, but specifically there's darrenriesy 3.8 million for
domestic violence supports. So, I get it. Hawk was not able to work on that.
so all of the $3.8 million are going to what, exactly?
>> with that motion it would just be money that you all could then make particular. But that is just going into a
broad bucket for f y27. That was the first motion.
>> if I might. >> commissioner, I'm sorry, I'm trying to catch up here, too you'll let me.
then what was the second motion? >> the second motion was motion
to direct omb to include in the proposed physical year 2027
budget a proposal to increase funding for the domestic violence assistance fund by $900,000 for fiscal year 2027
and additional $900,000. For 2028. Using up to $1.8 million in allocated funds.
>> no, I'm not okay with that. Basically you're saying you will take $3.8 million from domestic violence.
then you're going to give less than $2 million over two years,
instead of having this as a reoccurring expense for domestic
violence. I believe that's a really, big issue. And the fact that one
organization for whatever reason wasn't able to see it through. I mean there's so many worthy organizations in harris county
that work to support mostly women, who are victims of
domestic violence. Harris county, fox 26,
october 20, 2025. Harris county shows disturbing rise in murders tied to domestic violence.
from a public safety standpoint, from a just basic human at this
standpoint. No way. I'm a no on that one. And then, so the other one is
take what is this-- I would like to vote on these
individually. I'm for some and I'm against some. I don't think we can just vote
on them in bulk. So can I please take each of
them? So I can express my vote?
>> so I think we will need a motion to reconsider the item, since it has already been approved.
and. >> but if they don't want to reconsider it, then I don't get to vote the way I vote.
I requested it is on the record. I requested that this be held. >> I understand that judge. >> so I would like to record my
vote and my vote is not for or against all of them. It is for some, and against some.
so how do I do that? >> I think unfortunately the way the motion was voted on was, essentially in totem.
so it is either yes, or no to that can be added. Or we need to reconsider the whole item some that needs to be
a motion to reconsider it. >> but they're not going to reconsider it. I do appreciate all of you guys
are, you know going on with this clearly. It is an important issue. Not only are we taking money
away from domestic violence and early childhood but not allowing
me to be in the room when we do that and enheard my request. So is there a motion to allow me to vote no on two of these?
and yes, on the rest? >> you can make the motion.
you just need a second. >> there's an a motion. There's not a second. >> you can make the motion,
judge. >> I'm making the motion. >> I'll second it. >> okay. >> all right, so I'm trying to be able to vote no on taking
money from domestic violence and from early childhood education.
I would like to be able to record my vote per my duty and
responsibility, as an elected official, that represents all of
the residents of harrisco county. So all in favor? >> aye.
>> any opposed? >> part of the money is being reallocated to domestic violence?
>> it is the little part. >> but I want to vote. >> if you could be more specific that would be easier to vote.
>> I would like to be able to vote the way I would like to vote. >> I'll vote, so you can vote
and we will move on. And with-- and you can vote. >> motion carries for me to be
able to vote, yes,. >> thank you. >> it is agreed to. >> so then, let's move to, so
access harris is there a motion to take 246 from access harris
without impacting program performance? Just to be clear though, it is not just some of them.
some of them the work hasn't been done. Can you give the reasons? I know the committee spent
countless hours. >> but my representative voted no. So, everyone can vote their own
way, but some of the programs, unfortunately haven't begun so, with the arpa deadline, know we having until the end of the year
what is viable and not viable. Could you police give us
actually facts to make actually decisions. >> I'm okay, with access harris, they don't need it fine,
reallocate it. I'm opposed to reallocating funds that go to children, and go to battered women.
that's all. Irrespective the majority of the
committee representatives might have thought it wise to
reallocate, to take funds from domestic violence and early childhood programs. My staff and I do not.
that's it. If you want him to go every, single one we can. If you would like to express.
>> just, in the interests of san at this. >> like ■me, I votea lot. I'm the only one voting no.
and I'm recorded. I support every one of the ones
listed here I think we have a majority supporting it.
>> we can record your vote to officially be on record.
but all of these have been approved already.
so you can record your vote, much like I do every meeting on
there's some of these I don't agree with and record the vote. Which one are you no. We don't have to talk about it.
>> no, but I think I have a right to talk about it. It is a really, really important item.
I mean, representatives from all of our offices voted to give
over $140 million to initiatives supporting early childhood
education. So I think that was--
when we made that promise and we made the promise to then figure
out a way to continue them, we reneged on that promise last year. When we decided that we didn't
want to trust the voters. At the may be the majority
didn't trust the voters as much as I did. To see if they were willing to pay a penny more to keep these
successful programs going. You know-- I for one happyilly live with the verdict of the voters of
harris county. But certainly if we're going to default on the promise we made, when we decided to support these
programs. Let us now accelerate the damage by ending programs, once earlier than was originally planned.
so that is my statement for that reason, I vote no on ending the
early childhood program earlier, national teamed to not letting it go to the voters. Motion to extend discussion?
>> nope. >> ah, I'll make a motion to be
able to extend discussion? >> so people, so how am I going
to record the vote, if I can't have discussion. >> look I'll second to extend the motion.
I want to say on some of these funds the issue is, we couldn't spend it to meet the deadline. >> right, that's not this
though. That's not this. >> yes, it is. >> I think it is.
>> it is. >> that's why I said. >> commissioner ellis, on this one --
>> I think this is money that our staff members got together. The money has to be reallocated because we couldn't meet the
deadline. We would apply it towards the deficit what we did, then what we did early
year was go and say, okay, but we're not going to put it all towards the deficit. That was a motion to say, carve
out x amount to go to domestic violence. When you were not in the the room, I said, I think I'm for
that, but I prefer we do it, when we get to the budget process. Because we do have a deficit,
that we have to deal with. And this $500 million is only a
drop in the bucket for the deficit we have to deal with. Look, the houston area women center is my neighborhood.
so I'm going to be supportive, but I think it would be better for all of us f we just did it when we go through the budget
process. >> but you already voted yes, on all of this. And didn't give me a chance to
vote. I thought james, you said that the people voted for this entire reassignment?
>> yes, mam. >> how am I to believe what comes out of here f it is literally, we just heard that it
was voted. I'm hearing no, we didn't. I said, you guys didn't wait for me.
you said yes, we did. So yes, we voted for it. Commissioner if you would like to wait, until the budget, we
would have to vote again. And the majority would have to vote no. Maybe I'm just really not.
>> to get us off the here this evening. Colleagues, I would successful goaling, I think the votes will
be there to put into domestic violence. I was asking earlier and didn't have the votes.
I said let's do it when we get to the budget process. What's the budget mr. Ramos, what is the shortfall.
>> $129 million, commissioner. >> out of $129 million, I know that's a leap to say where we get something today.
trust me, that's $129 million we will have to cut. The question is, do you want to cut that down to $124 right now
and figure it out later or cut it to $120, you want to leave,
$800,000 off of the table right now? That's really the crux am I right mr. Ramos or not?
>> yes, sir. >> james for the record so everyone is level setting could you please read the votes for
the first motion on 215, and the second? Then if anyone wants to vote differently they can.
>> I show. >> they record their own vote. >> the first motion was 4-0. Judge you were absent.
>> right, that's why I'm saying let's go through each of them. That's what I've been asking for.
>> and the second motion was also 4-0. >> but going over it doesn't do anything, if I'm not allowed to
record my vote, james. >> I need to go every each one. >> point of order, we have, we have not voted on the motion to
extend the time. >> okay make a motion to extend the time. >> all right.
second. >> all in favor of tensioning the time to allow discussion? Any opposed?
>> no. >> yeah. I just, you know. So judge, I think at this stage,
what probably needs to happen as you said. Go through those individual items and the body can vote on
each, individual item. Then following those individual items, the motion that commissioner garcia made that
commissioner brinoa related to the $900,000. >> I'm not okay. Want to go item by item.
>> you can start on each individual item. >> that's what I'm trying to do. On public health this does not
impact current performance? >> are we? We didn't vote. We voted no to extend the time.
>> I know this is a vote. I think we're actually taking the vote now as I understand it? >> it is just so fiduciary not
to allow the county executive that represents 5 million people
to speak. It is fiduciary. It is not the first time, you guys.
you know. Just putting that out there. >> all right. You realize all of this is
recorded. >> okay, so then screen nog
impacts to services. So I'm for that one. Let abaitment it says, reduction to travel and training.
some medical supplies. I'm not for that. I don't want to reduce travel and training and medical
supplies it. Seems pretty important. Then, reproductive health fund. No expected impact.
not expected to impact program performance. I'm for that one. Food and nutrition surplus
remaining, after vendor close out. I'm for reallocated those
funds. Early reach on, this impact to
childcare providers. Staff layoff, as I said, I think it would really be adding injury to insult to not only put this
to the voters, but end it earlier than it is means to.
so I would call attention to this later. Then, elqn. >> judge is that a yes, or no?
>> it is a, it is absolutely a no.
you'll see this isn't going to go away. >> elqn. Minimal impact on but would
reduce check in conducted by children. I mean I think children at risk, as someone abused as a child, I
think that's pretty important. I don't want to reallocate check
in with children, who have been sexually abused.
disparity fund emphasis on funds that lonestar college has design
loined yes, we reallocate. Harris hub an expected surplus, so yes, I'm okay to reallocate that.
rapid e survey. There is a surplus.
so yes, lie reallocate that. Women empowerment center. No impact to performance, sure. We'll reallocate that.
the detention officer no impact. Yes, to reallocating pre-trial
analytics no impact surplus. Yes, to reallocating voter
outreach from a closed program. Agree reallocating affordable
housing, confident can maintain service levels equivalent to two positions in administration and compliance.
okay. We'll reallocate that I think compliance is pretty important. And another sort of adding
injury to insult no, pun in tended to battered women, the
program this program, in particular has not been successful. But it can be $3.8 million
reallocated to domestic violence. Only $1.8 is reallocated and only over the course of several
years. So, to cut $3.8 to $900,000 for
domestic violence, absolutely no way. Absolutely no way. Those are my votes.
commissioner ellis you had your hand up. >> judge, just to clarify. I just want to make sure.
those were individuals motions on each item.
so, it really should be motion to this allocation, because the
rest of the court members we did a motion considering everyone
needs to revote effectively. >> so motion to reallocate?
>> no, if you can read what you just said on each one.
>> I am voting for each one of those. And she voted against some of those it is our recorded vote.
>> it is hard to tell. What do you want me to read for each one? What would you say for the
access harris one. >> motion to approve. >> okay. >> all of them, except for the
specific ones you're voting against. >> motion to approve all of the reallocations, except for elqn,
check ins on sexually abused children.
and domestic violence supports funding for domestic violence
initiatives severely reducing that. And then the early reach curting children's education programs
earlier than everybody was expecting. Is there a motion to approve all of them, except for those three?
>> executive motion. >> sure that, can be my motion. >> I'll second it. >> make a motion seconded by
commissioner ellis? All in favor? >> aye. >> no. Because again, these dollars are parts of programs that otherwise
are not going to meet the spending deadlines and our arpa
committee be spent countless hours reviewing each program I stand behind the initial 215, motion one and two.
>> no. I think we're voting to
reconsider. So you've deleted what we already did. But that's gone.
>> we're voting. >> so your not approving all of the other reallocations? You just voted nonon reproductive
health, nutrition. >> point of order, judge. We have already considered the item.
the vote has been taken. Can we please take another item. >> commissioner garcia I think what's happened is there a vote
to reconsider all of the votes, in order to do the individual some the motion was, that's now on the table.
that the specific items that two past things that I believe that
the judge would vote for some then those items that are left are the ones she would not vote for.
so, baited on the way we have done it in the past. You could all approve those. And then, and then go back.
>> and the remainer could be voted on in which she could record a no vote, if that makes sense.
>> if you want to do the same before, you needed to vote yes. Otherwise you're saying you don't want to reallocate
anything. I'm fine, thatz what commissioner ellis and I want to do it in the budget.
okay, I'm a no. She's a no, he's a no. So we do not want to reallocate anything so, that motion
carries. >> was the motion to reconsider. >> it was the motion to reconsider the whole item n
which it was 4-1 vote some the motion come back. So she's now, we're now taking them individually.
she's identified the three that she would support and the two she would not. >> the three, the three that I
would not support and the nine. >> and back on the docket but it
is the way you want to structures it. The way you have done it in the the past.
>> and I made that clear earlier. That her vote would be recorded. So, do we have her listed as a
vote earlier, james? >> which because I put her down
voting the way rodny would vote. >> no, we made it clear, that at
the time that she was absent, she would have to come back and voice her vote. >> I mean you can't vote for me,
commissioner, as much as you wish I weren't here. I'm afraid I was elected twice and don't get to vote for me.
right so, we both, our votes weigh the same. And I have a right to vote on behalf of my constituents.
so I was making a motion for all of these, but to reallocate the
funding for all of these. Except for the visits to
sexually children sexually abused children. The cutting of the earlier childhood programs, earlier, and
the reduction in money for battered women. So, if people would like to have those reallocations to the
general fund, they should vote yes. I would like for it all to go to budget.
I would vote no. If you guys want to agree with
me. That's fine. I feel very, I commit to letting you guys vote.
>> yes, commissioner. >> I think commissioner ramsey. >> again, there are, when we vote on instead of voting on
every, one of these, historically what we've done is pulled one or two out. >> that's what I'm trying to do.
>> and voted what I'm saying is I support the reallocation as
state I'd should be recorded as a yes, on all of these. That's what I would be. Yes, on all of these.
>> yes, so commissioner ramsey. >> my recorded vote. >> do I have a second. I made any motion already
before. Do I need a second again? Or does commissioner ellis second?
>> I seconded it before. So we're fine. So all in favor we're doing what you've said.
we're smart people. It is not complicated. >> commissioner ramsey. >> doing exactly what you're
asking. So right now we're voting for all of them, but the ones that I'm concerned about.
and you are voting yes, to reallocate all of them, but the
ones I'm concerned about. And presumably once those three I'm concern beside you will vote yes, and I will vote nos.
so right now I've made the commission, commissioner ellis. >> just to be clear, judge this is a motion for all of the items
except for the led abaitment. >> no. Except for, except for elqn that check in conducted by children
at risk. On sexually assaulted children.
and then, early reach, judge, can you please refer to them
under the rca. >> it just says early reach. My table says, the name of the program.
>> yes, what am I supposed to be looking at? >> what I have right now it is called for the kids with the
sexual assault. That one is called elqn.
that's what I have written here. What am I supposed to call it?
>> answering that, can I ask a legal question, please. If this motion by motion, if it fails, then we can just reurge
the motions as originally presented and just vote for clarity so, that the record is clear.
>> sure, you can. I understood that the, this was going to be on the way we normally do for example travel
and training. We vote on the ones that, and
just in order for her to record a no vote. >> if she wants to record a no vote.
it is not just a value proposition. These were programs that cannot meet the spending deadline and
the money will be lost e virusus repurposing it proactively to
put it to work for the people of harris county.
so it doesn't to quote unquote save is it lose it because they
are identified as not able to be completed so let's be superclear
I would rather be clear and just vote on the original motions to make it straightforward. >> understood.
you can do it either way you want to do it take it the way we do travel or training or as you successful goalinged.
it is your choice. >> so, if I might.
I've been real quiet. If we vote the way the judge is troying to have a vote. We can let her record her vote.
when we go back and vote are we at risk of losing any of this
money. I'm not going to vote to lose any money. So I think we get there, but we
can move on. >> so do the texas two-step
commissioner. >> I see the confusion we have with james. The table he has nowhere on the
table does it say elqn. So what, where is that one on
his table? >> that was not, when the
steering committee came to their final recommendations elqn was
not on there. >> I'm only opposed to two. That was the confusion. Let's then, making a motion to
approve all of these reallocations, except for the
reallocation called early reach, which would end early, children,
babies education early. And, the one called domestic violence supports, which would reduce the money going to women,
who have been beaten. All in favor of all of these
other ones? >> I second that.
I think we're going to get to the same place everyone is trying to get. >> we are.
we are doing what we always do. >> look. I'm not making the motion. I'm actually opposed I think it
should be done through the budget, commissioner ellis I'm with you. I don't think it has to be done
today. >> that would get the work. I'll make that motion you just stated to get-going.
>> commissioner ellis makes the motion to approve all of but those two. >> all but two?
is that what the motion is? >> yes. >> yes. >> so commissioner ramsey, can I
put you down as a second? >> second. All in favor. >> aye.
>> aye. Any opposed?
so garcia and brunis are you in favor?
>> passed unanimously, I think. >> they're not. >> the thing it is highly contradictory.
if you were to carve out the $3.8 million, so it is not to
reallocate it. But then, at the end of the day, we know the $3.8 we're really allocating because the grant tee
could not do the work. It is contradict arery and does not make sense. I'm vote no, because I want to
vote on clear, sensible motions to reallocate the money not used per the countless hours of analysis by the arpa steering
committee and I am prepared to vote as before with regard to
domestic violence, because that we can put to work immediately with the domestic violence coordinating council, which
works with over 15 mon profits and keep doing that work, because the initial grant tee could not.
in sum, I don't think it makes sense the way she's doing it. I'm sorry, it is not like travel and training it is not that
straightforward. >> I just don't know we're on
the same page commissioner. We're not talking about domestic violence. We're talking about everything
but domestic violence. And childcare.
>> the motion. >> the arpa money is moving to the general fund. We don't want to reallocate
domestic violence. The arpa grant tee could not use the money. So we will lose it.
we're making a motion. >> see, we can be smarter than that. Because my motion on domestic
violence would to be allocate all of the $3.9 million.
I don't believe we should only keep $900,000 one year and
$900,000 the whole year. I believe we should keep $3.8 million in domestic violence. >> so judge there was a vote.
it is 3-2, is that correct? Passes 3-2 is there a motion.
>> to approve everything but those two. >> is there a motion for the other two items?
>> yes, please. >> I think we should take them separately, because I have a motion. Okay, fine. >> could you read out the two?
>> so the first, so the first item is early reach on my table and james' table. So it is the motion to take out
money that they will spend to have the childcare programs end
early. Is there a motion. >> that's too ambiguous of a motion.
>> to end the programs early. >> motion dies for lack of
second. >> and then, there is, is there
a motion to take the $3.8 million from hawk, and only
reallocate $900 million this year and next year to domestic violence? $900,000.
that means that domestic violence. >> that was the original motion made.
I will second that. Correct, james that was the
original motion? >> I'm unclear what this motion is at this moment. >> so am I.
judge, just so I'm clear in the original motion or the, what the
arpa steering committee and oca presented are lists. You have identified all, but two that you are in favor of.
>> correct. >> so we need a motion for those two. >> right. >> we did. >> we did, right.
so there was no, there was no second to the motion for the
first one fine. For the second one I'm trying to figure out if there is a motion.
I believe one of my colleagues made the motion, if you don't mind saying it again. >> if I can read the motion, as
it was presented earlier. The motion is to direct omb to include in the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget a proposal to
increase funding for the domestic violence assistance fund by $900,000 for fiscal year 2027, and an additional $900,000
for fiscal year 2028, using up to $1.8 million in the
reallocated funds. >> I will second that. >> that was the original motion. >> okay.
so, I have, I have a really important voice on the phone. It is alicia newsy with the coordinating council.
my question is can you use all $3.8 million on domestic
violence funding or only capable of using $900,000 this year and
next year, full stop. So $2 million divided over two years? Is there a reason why you will
giveaway $1.8 million in domestic violence funding to other programs? I've got you on speaker here at
court. Miss newsy.
>> jay, I think we're way out-of-bounds. >> well, she. >> judge, there's a motion and a
second on this item. >> and the discussion is that
alicia newsy can you hear me. >> yes, I can. She has been asked whether she could use $3.8 million in
domestic violence funding towards domestic violence. Or does it have to be kept at $2 million.
in other words is there a reason you want only nine00,000 this
year and next year and surrender the opportunity to have $3.8
million this year and possibly future years. Is there not enough need? Is there not enough capacity?
>> I think there is judge, first we would be grateful for any
kind of allocation, whatsoever. I know what you're asking is a large sum of money. Our system, our dv system, in
general is very much in need for whatever can be allocated to the
system overall. And to our providers and obviously to survivors. So your question of the $3.8, is
that something that we can insure that we build
partnerships and use. We will definitely do our best to be able to do that, for sure. It is desperately needed.
for many of our, for many of our partners and in the system of
law. >> thank you. Okay we're just making a motion whether to keep the $3 spoken 8
million on domestic violence projects or only keep $2 million spread across two fiscal years I dib want to fight for the $3.8
if I was going to hear from the leaders in the field. You know we don't have the ability to use $3.8.
we don't have the need or capacity. >> jay, are speakers supposed to be on the video?
>> no, unless she's not employee, she doesn't have to be on. It can be a call in.
but there's a motion on the floor right now that made by commissioner garcia and second by bryanis on the $900,000
allocation. >> all right. We're cutting money that these domestic violence organizations
can use some there's a motion and a second. All in favor to cut their allocation by $1.8 million.
>> aye. >> aye. Aye. >> so the motion that will be
recorded in the minutes is the motion that commissioner garcia read, because we have to finish voting on that points of order.
then subsequent motions can be taken, correct. By the way alicia newsy and barbie, thank you and taliyah
morris and team. I know they talked extensively with my team and other members of the arpa steering committee.
they committed to us for the capacity support grant that, the $1 spoken 2, to $1.9 is what they could confidently execute
on. >> we just heard from the woman herself, I'm sorry. Please vote on reducing the
fund. >> we already did. Thank you. >> we have a motion, a second to in favor. Commissioner ramsey aresy are
you in favor? >> okay I am opposed to
reducing domestic funding commissioner ellis? >> I will vote no. Because I prefer we do it in the
budget process. We should not look at $127 million shortfall I prefer, as I said earlier I didn't vote that
way. Just do it in the budget process, I vote no. >> thank you for all of the
ammunition guys. All right let's that. Let's go on the next item. >> we still need to do the two
items removed. >> we just did that. >> no, we did not do the two. You did the motion to
reallocate, you. The two remaining. >> the motion to define the two. >> early reach.
>> you've allocated the $900,000. You have passed on. You've done it for the three or
four of the items you voted yes. This is the ones that remain.
>> domestic violence. >> to reallocate. Second. >> I thought that's what we just
voted? >> what did we vote on? We voted on reallocating to the general fund it was no on one
and yes, on the other. If it was not that, then what were we voting on administer? >> it is not this hard.
>> the one you went three is all of them and removed two.
>> now the next one was a motion. >> no, no if you go back to james we did all of them and
removed two. One was early reach. One was domestic violence supports.
we got to early reach. We took a vote on that did we not? >> so the the first vote is all
of them, except for early reach and domestic violence.
>> we took another vote, and another vote. We have three votes. >> the early, the early reach
died for lack of a second. >> and then what about the domestic violence supports? >> the next motion I have is
commissioner garcia making his motion, second by commissioner bryanis and it passed 3-2 with us, guys, I know commissioner I
know, you went to stanford. But come on. >> not like that. I think we're done with this
item. >> thank you so much
miss brasher and newsy for your partnership. We appreciate you taking baton and execute only this investment
for the protection of those being victimized thank you.
>> all right. We have a few more items to vote on. >> yes.
>> let's move on to the next item. >> judge, 229 is the next item. >> all right, 229.
so 229 is competitive bid for vigilant solutions.
is there a motion on 229? Who pulled that one?
>> I did commissioner, because the community was against it. I didn't have the chance to explore it.
motion by commissioner garcia. >> second. >> second by commissioner ramsey all in favor, aye.
>> any opposed the same thing I will abstain. The motion carries, 4-0. All right.
and then so he said 4-1. What is the final vote?
>> the final will be 4 yes,s, zero no, one abstention.
>> okay, got it. 234.
>> 234. >> alright, 234.
commissioner garcia makes a motion. Second by commissioner ramsey. All in favor.
>> aye. >> any opposed? >> I am abstain for the same reasons.
motion carries, 4-0,-1. Thank you.
all right, 259. Okay, 284.
that is flagged by precinct 2. >> okay this item represents
another important step in building out the capacity at access to health program in precinct 2 as a hub for
community-based care and support at the newly launched channel pod complex. Gust afterra pearl women
outreach will provide support for individuals impacted by domestic violence. With a particular focus on
survivorship. These are critical services that can have a lasting impact on health, safety and wellbeing of
our residents. By greating into the wellness pod complex. We creating a stronger cont um
of care where residents can access support and a trusted and
community-base based setting and be connected to additional resources when needed this partnership also compliments the
deployment of heart, from the channel view campus. The collocation of these services creates a natural
referral pathway. Insuring individuals, who come into contact with heart, can be checked with specialized
support, while clients receiving services through gustaffa pearl
can be linked to other county row sources as appropriate our goal is to continue building a model that brings behavioral
health and support services together in one place. Making care more accessible better coordinated for the
communities we serve and also like to give a shoutout to director barton and the entire harris public health team.
as this vendor was a previous partnant their capacity
strengthening program. This item makes it evident that when communities are invested the return is greater for all.
I move on this item as presented.
>> second by commissioner brownis all in favor? >> any opposed? >> no.
motion carries, 4-1 in favor. Congratulations, commissioner. Moving on to item 330. Have we gone through that one
already? Precinct 4 asked for us to wait for her. April 16 direct us to reduce
strengthen support for early childhood providers for families in harris county. >> so that one, commissioner
garcia is the 330 and 344. Do you want to go first.
>> sure. Thank you. This is item follows up on the april 16 action this court took
to strengthen the harris county early childhood system.
we now have initial reports back on childcare provider navigation, family outreach and provider business support.
the report shows the same, basic issue from different angles harris county has resources but family and providers still have
to navigate too many disconnected systems. On the provider side, the process map gives us a practice
tool to help childcare providers understand childhood county
committing. Inspections and common delays. On family outreach oca identified clear next steps a
centralized early childhood resource hub. Ber use of 211, and 311 employee those services.
as well as employee outreach through hr it, and a standing
internal coordination work group on provider support deo has
owled a business accelerator model and stay open.
my ask that we keep moving on the next steps I have the
following motions to keep this momentum going.
I want to say thank you to oca and deo for their collaboration
and their insight to help this program move forward. Especially on the business accelerator side.
I also want to think commissioner for the work being
done everyone is spending many hours to come one these viable solutions to help us really move forward and bring things to the
community in a very structured, planned studied and program
matic way to have maximum impact and maximum success. So my first motion is to direct deo to work with precincts 2 and
4 to monitor and evaluate the u of h, ure to identify best
practices and components to a childhood business accessrator
with providing quarterly updates with the draft recommendation by
december 17. Thank you again. That's my first motion. Coordinate across departments
and transmit a status update to court by september 17.
and on this let me just add this administer.
a lot of times when we make in relative departments it is never
expressed that purchasing being thought of as we say all relevant departments that purchasing always be included
based on conversation with miss williams it is a critical
conversation we have I want to say that those are my two motions to help us move forward.
I second your motions and have two, additional ones to add. Thank you, again. First of all commissioner you
ask your team are phenomenal to work with. I appreciate your leadership. I think all of the court
members, as you all may recall in unanimously we have by part
salju san support for a package of items aimed at reducing barriers for family and providessers.
by finding ways to already use as we he local progress as we
prepare for this next legislative session. So we launched the harris coalition with public-private
and philanthropic and community partners in january. They have been regularly and making marked progress in
identifying actions. Specifically in april with the court unanimously approved I'm so thankful to administrator
carter a phenomenal quarterback working and coordinating with all of the departments really looking for challenges in the
permitting and inspection process. We have so many entry points for family and providers how can we
harness to provide clear, concise information to navigate current resources? As well as precinct 2, and
precinct 4, we're using our own dollars. We already do business accelerators.
now partsnerring with u of h we will do business accelerators
focused on on the providers and working iga and all of our
community and harris county partners to develop a bipartisan
pathway and asks for this state. So, I have a few, quick
questions. So I'll read my motions and then I will ask administer carter some questions, because there's
some really exciting progress. Again I appreciate you and all of the departments. At the end of the day we know
there's over 90,000 kids in texas on the waiting list we
need to be accessible and affordable and high quale. We're taking local solutions, as we continue to work up the plan.
so my motions to compliment the two that I second of
commissioner garcia is move that oca finalize and post the oca
drafted provider guide that explains county permitting. Fire review inspections and common delays so it is clear
when navigating the approval process. And two, move that oca coordinate communications across
departments to better connect families with availablable early childhood education and care resources using existing county
touch points. >> second. And so administer carter could you please give a brief update
on the initial findings you have worked on in coordination with
all of our fabulous departments? >> sure, thank you again to the court for your unanimous support of this effort and departments
took that very seriously. On the entry points to potentially new or expanding childcare permitting I want to
thank engineering and fire marshal office, chief
christensen and public health, for really developing a template to lead to your guidebook. There are various licensing fees
ranging from $300 to, $800. We will have that listed out in
kind of a job-aid format with visuals to help those smaller
businesses that don't have the time or capacity. We were able to do a survey. We had 16 departments that
responded, ranging from, of course, the fire marshal. Veteran services and of course our great library, our sheriff,
public health. You things you wouldn't think of and pre-trial community service those individuals may have among
children. We touch over 300,000 not touch
them, but have interactions with those families with over 300,000
children zero to five. Whether it is actually coming into the library, or engaging with their parents.
but they spoke a lot of the silos. So, I think this efforts, which you all understand will help us
to continue continue to break it down. You have a long report some may read and can share with
stakeholders ideas anddition to the motions include repository, a website to insure we're cataloguing areas that families
can access of county programs. Of course, a quarterly meeting,
to make sure and create a space optional. Commissioner ramsey, but want to get our departments together.
and some have already started. What they put in the packets, how they community. Just that spark that you all
gave. They already started to execute. >> thank you so much for your lead sheri administer carter and
all of the departments harnessing current resources to make it easier, clearer and help navigate.
thank you. As such I second commissioner garcia. Thank you for seconding mine.
>> okay, so do you guys want to vote for them all at the same
time? >> yes. >> okay since you guys, who would you guys want to have made
all of the motions? And the second?
in that case, I think we need to take them separately. How would you like to do it? >> would you like us to reread
them? >> okay. Commissioner would you like to to go please.
>> my two motions are, direct the eo to work with precinct 2
and 4 to monitor and evaluate u of h and sure and sure plus
pilot programs to identify best practices and components to inform a county-led childcare business accelerator. Deo
providing quarterly updates with oc, and court offices with a draft recommendation to commissioners court by
december 17. That's the first motion. >> second. >> the second motion is, move that oca coordinate across all departmentses and transmit a
status update to court by september 17. >> second. >> all right so, we have a
motion and second on those two. Any discussion?
I would like to add that this early childhood proposal is
innocuous, if repetitive addition to harris county early education work it does no harm but proposes initiatives that
already exist and does not allocate any significant funding to continue those initiatives. To be clear, the proposal last
august was to let the public decide, up or down, whether they, the public would support a penny tax to continue early
childhood programs. I have records here from talking transition in 2019. The partners we worked with back
eight years ago, so you know we already did that. Have been doing that have spent money on that
in fact we're at a deficit. I don't think it makes sense to repeat work we have already done.
we have catholic charity classic center for unit urbanism and
houston, good government support first three years texts anyway, what you have and more. We did that in 2019.
so created early childhood business early outreach include
acquellen development for providers and conduct, review and identify opportunities to stream line requirements and
reduce delays and potentially lower cost. The coalition on early childhood education and care leaves out
respective community partners interested in leading similar efforts then better connect families with childcare by
identifying gaps in outreach in awareness of childcare. The fact is harris county outreach program identified gaps
and developed a plan years ago it directly connects families to care by offering additional childcare slots to the
community. Early learning quality network does that too. Number four, create a plan to
advocate at the state level I'll defer to my colleague at the legislature for decades. But state currently does not
include any representative from harris county on the governor tax force on early childhood education and care.
any investments have been min mull with only $100 million to the whole state. That's why years the ago the
court decided to allocate $150 million to early childhood
program with the taking the proposal to the voters we have been waiting on colleagues to the state would give us money
and harris county 16 zip codes are considered deserts and three times gater than the supply of working families according to
the 2023 for airlinely education research I will support this.
frankly I think it is not a good use of resources and we should focus on revisiting the conversation we had last year.
and letting people decide whether a penny is too much for early childhood programs to continue.
anyway commissioner ellis how do you vote? >> yes. >> okay
I'm in favor. So motion carries unanimously I guess we have two more motions. >> we have two more motions.
motion that oca finallyize and post the oca drafted simple
provider guide. That explains county permitting fire review inspections and common delays.
>> the fourth and final motion move that oca coordinate
communications across departments to better connect to families with available early childhood education care
resources. Using existing county touch points. >> second.
>> all right. Two motions by commissioner bryanes all in favor. >> any in favor in opposed
motion carries unanimously. All right let's move on to 332. My comments on the first and the second one too.
>> take we're taking an important stop bring more investment and resources to communities by entering into
four, new agreement was the city of houston to participate.
>> to regrowth and reinvest back into the neighborhoods where
they're generated for residents means improvements they can see and use every day. Better roads, sidewalks,
drainage, parks, and other public infrastructure that supports safer and more connected communities.
these agreements also help attract private investment, support local businesses create jobs.
while insuring public improvements keep pace with growth. By working together with the
city of houston, we can stretch taxpayer dollars during and
deliver projects that improve quality of life for families across precinct 2. I want to thank the county
attorney office and omb for the hard work on these agreements
and our partners at the city of houston for their commitment in
making strategic investments that will create lasting benefits for residents for years to come.
I move on these items, as presented. >> second. >> motion by commissioner garcia
and bryan necessary all in brioness. The motion carries unanimously. Congratulations, commissioner.
now we're moving to 370 flagged by commissioner ramsey.
am I making a mistake here? >> it is 370. Just looking at this is a transmittal by the office of the
county administer on changes in pre-trial outcomes under reform
and pandemic conditions. I think there's been recent
incidents, including the realed to anchor monitoring. And just a comment. We don't have time to deal with
it tonight. But can administer if you could get an update on that whole program of our ankle monitoring
program. I know that we had funding issues before. And I would just like to know
where we are, on the number of ankle monitors out there.
are they being monitored? What are the issue there's? >> I don't want to portray something to the public that
we're actually doing something, when in fact no one is
monitoring those issues. Just transmittal reminded me
that issue is out there. If you could look at that and
give us a bit or just update me at some-point. >> understand, thank you. >> is there a motion on that
one? >> transmittal note. >> all right h08, commissioner garcia.
>> yes, I'm excited to announce upcoming street improvements
within the beaumont place subdivision. This project is part of the precinct 2 better streets and
neighborhoods which is focused on improving drivability and creating a safer driving environment for our residents.
through this effort, we will repair approximately 13 miles of
the deteriorated roadway across 25 streets.
representing a $5 spoken 5 million investment in the community. Construction is set to begin in
august and is expected to be completed within one year. Safe, reliable roads should be a given in every community.
residents shouldn't have to worry about impassable streets or damage to their vehicles. Just to get where they need to
go. I'm especially excited to see the repair move forward as part of the revive to thrive. Reinvesting in our
infrastructure. It is one of the most important ways we can strengthen neighborhoods.
it improves quality of life and insure our communities continue moving forward in a positive manner.
I want to thank my engineering team, faultino byron and
everyone in the public works department, as well. Thank you guys for all of the incredible work that you do.
this item will justep us do even more. So thank you very much. It is transmittal.
no action. >> so we accept the transmittal.
>> now we're going to 415 by commissioner ramsey. >> just a quick comment. I notice this on the agenda.
I'm not sure why it is on the agenda. But it is a public hearing. Notice of a public hearing by
the board of directors at the harris galveston district at
10:00 am on wednesday, june ten, yesterday. So I don't know what the reason for putting a notice the day
after. Is there some legal reason why they send that to the commissioner court?
and we postit on our agenda? >> I'm not sure.
I would assume that sounds right. >> just look at that. >> absolutely.
>> their expectation, in terms of satisfying some rule, in
terms of them having to post it. >> understood, thank you, sir.
>> so, no action on that, correct? >> no action. >> all right, thank you
commissioner. 421 flagged by commissioner ramsey. >> just need to vote.
>> so moved. >> motion by commissioner brioness. Second by commissioner garcia.
all in favor aye. >> any opposed? No. Motion carries, 4-1. >> 435, commission ramsey.
>> we just need to extend the vote. >> so moved. >> motion by commissioner
brioness and second by commissioner garcia all in favor? Any opposed? No, the motion
carries, 4-1, 449 commissioner garcia. >> yes, on this item, you know I have supported our constables
and respective work. That support was based on the understanding that in return, we would pursue operational
efficiencies and cost-saving measures that would benefit harris county taxpayers. Two, key areas were identified
as opportunities to achieve those efficiencies. The consolidation of property room operation and consolidation
of dispatch services I want to commend the constables for their work on the property room initiative.
most officer advise already enter into agreements with the sheriff's office. And the remaining offices have
made significant progress towards that goal. I appreciate, I really do appreciate the collaboration.
and commitment shown by everyone involved. Unfortunately we have not achieved the same progress with
the dispatch consolidation initiative side of things. Many of the constable advise toured the sheriff's office
state-of-the art dispatch center and have seen firsthand, the
technology, staff and capable and operational efficiencies it provides and can provide. The fast analysis was designed
with the capacity to accommodate additional dispatch operations and has the infrastructure necessary to support a
consolidated model. Given the significant investment
already made by harris taxpayers I believe we have an obligation to dont maximize its use, before investing in additional public
dollars and coupe katetive services and systems and facilities at a time when we're asking tax payers to support
critical county service infrastructure needs it is
difficult to just funding a separate dispatch request when a
viable existing alternative is already available. So for those reasons, while I appreciate their work on this,
particular item, because of conversations I've had. I am unable to support this item at this time.
>> is there a motion for 449? >> yes, I would move as presented I too, commissioner garcia I look forward to our
coordinated, centralized emergency dispatch system. And we know realistically that could be potentially several
years of continuing working group to get there I really hope
everyone collaboration continues. In the meantime, so constable herman is one of my constable
partners. His office and team is the largest constable office in the country. And they answer over 600,000 calls, 9-1-1 calls directly and
rolled over from the sheriff's office. This work basically it is construction work has already
started. And so this is their first time coming to court for cip funding to the dest of my knowledge
director confirm that. >> I can only confirm for while I have been here. >> so, he is constable herman
has already made investments this work is ongoing it is a very cramped room. Basically this would breakdown a
wall and create a larger space so, they can answer more calls
and hopefully more rollover from the sheriff. I will support it and hopefully we have the votes.
I will move item 449, as presented. >> I'm going to second. Thank you commissioner for going
out to the site. Sometimes these 400 items we
don't really get to put our eyes on it. Thank you I'll be happy to support is.
>> motion by commissioner brioness. Second by ramsey. All in favor.
oppose? I'm in favor the motion carries 4- 1. 481 commissioner garcia. This is the lgpq commission.
you know our own commission on lg lgbtq+ brought this this item
in particular. I was proud to put it on the court agenda. They brought it because there's
been a lot of fear of transgender people using public
restrooms. There's no one the fear has impacted more than transgender people. The simple act of using a public restroom can be dangerous for a
transgender person. Or at the very least induce extreme anxiety. A single occupancy restroom can
relieve that anxiety it. Isn't just a good change for transgender people. These restrooms are good for
parents of small children. They are good for people with certain disabilities by adopting this today, we are working
towards a harris county that will be more welcoming to all
people. So, I'm excited to move on this item. This item motion is to direct
the office of county engineering to include in the next update to
the facility design guidelines and standards, a specification that all new harris county facility also include one,
single occupancy restroom and that in family outreaches with a
public-facing aspect, the single occupancy restroom will be in a public area. And, motion to direct the office
of the county engineer to make best efforts to include the
above specification in new construction. That is developed prior to the completion of the next update of
the fast analysis design guidelines and standards. >> second. >> those are my two motions and
want to thank our commission for their incredible work and my commission, in particular. >> yes.
I proudly second it commissioner. I too thank our lgbtq+ commission.
we were proud to start the first harris lgbtq+ commission three
years ago and thank you for bringing forward actionable recommendations to make harris county a more fair, inclusive
respectful place. Not only will the single occupancy restrooms remember minutes of our lgbtq+ community
and as commissioner garcia said. It will help, I know as a parent
of three, sometimes when you're trying to change diapers or having some interesting moments with sick kids, it is really
helpful, caregivers existing family members. People with disabilities I know I'm having trouble sometimes
with the walker. So I just think again it continues to advance our commitment to justice and
fairness and inclusion. And again, thank you to our commission. And thank you to dr. Roman I see
you here. You seem excited is there anything you wanted to say? If not we're happy to vote.
>> thank you commissioner. We will implement as directed.
>> thank you. >> thank you so much. >> drug users for your work. >> so we have two motions by
commissioner garcia second by commissioner brioness, all in
favor any opposed no. >> motion carries 4- 1 thank
you colleagues dr. Roman and your team everyone and involved. >> moving on to 484. Commissioner ramsey.
>> 482 was also on the list. >> I thought it was 482.
>> 482 is over the past, several months I received numerous concerns from towing operateos, regarding harris county
non-consent towing fees. Upon review I learned these fees
have not been updated in approximately 16 years. During that time, the towing industry has experienced
significantly increases in operating costs, including fuel prices, equipment expenses and insurance costs, and labor, and
broader inflationary pressures. While commissioner court recent
lived a county wide fee review policy in february. Noncontent towing fees were not included in that process,
because these fees are not directly collected by the county. Given the length of time since
the lasted justment and the importance of maintaining a fair and sustainable fee structures, I believe these fees should be
evaluate ad long side other county established fees and finds. Therefore, I've got the
following motion. The motion is to direct omb to
return to the july nine court with an updated fee policy that
includes all fees, and finds set by harris county commissioners
court and the july nine give you enough run way? >> we can come back with the policy.
it will take us a little bit to actually do the work of update
coming with recommendations on this in particular, my staff from hso has already coordinated and ready to make a
recommendation on that much faster than some of the other
ones. >> thank you for that. And I, I also want to thank the sheriff's office and my team
roberto villa franka in particular, for catching this and I want to thank the towing industry.
look, whenever you have a crash on a freeway, you want a tow
truck there as fast as possible. And this has me reflecting on my
time on city council when we created the safe clear program. A program that has actually reduced significantly the
secondary crashes. Making our roadways safer for everyone involved. And then, you know the sheriff's
office has the motor assistance program. I want to thank those deputies. They're out there in all weather
conditions. When it is freezing, when it is hot, and sizzling, and when it is raining.
those guys are out there helping people get a gallon of gas to
help them get moving or changing a flat tire. You know they're just out there doing some very, very important,
but also very dangerous work. So, I want to commend them for
their dedication and keeping our roadways safe. But overall I just want to say that this is not raising of the
fees. But rather the creation of a policy. I move on the item.
as presented. >> second. Thank you, commissioner garcia. >> motion by commissioner garcia
and second by commissioner brioness. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed carries unanimously. >> final commissioner ramsey.
>> the work site policy is scheduled to go into effect
july one. I know that it is phased. I know that we've got a lot of different departments involved
with it. I see some our folks here at the
deo and others. We don't need to go into a lot
of discussion tonight related to it. But I would like to know the status of the implementation
plan. This effects a lot of training from harris flood control district to dr. Ramman's group
as well. Is july one still a realistic
date for implementation? Should we consider a more phase ad approach? So just an update on the
program, without a lot of detail. And you may need to take time to really, see where we are, but it
is scheduled to go into effect july one. So something is going to happen on july one.
it would be nice to know what the deaf next of that something is. >> thank you, commissioner.
>> I'm going to turn it over to mark pearla leading that effort to give you a brief summary. >> yes, just for an update for
july one we will have everything ready time implement work site
safety policy we're working on a long-term solution in
procurement. Short-term solution we already have that in place already. And that is not going to cost
the county any money, because that's already in place. We have ongoing meetings with all infrastructure leadership.
we have ongoing implementation meetings that are still ongoing. We also using our consultant. We're right now in the final
phases of completing the work blows the sops and the safety
monitor forms. And the safety inspection forms. Those are been completed. Those have been reviewed by
infrastructure leadership. They are align and in agreement regarding those process as to. >> if you could provide our
offices just a brief summary in writing of where we, what is being implemented on july one? And I suspect there will be a
few other thing we have to do on july 1 but putting that helps
us understand where we're coming from. >> sure I'll give you the full run down for july one the
implement of the work safety policy that the operation begins. The recommendations will be
submitted to commissioners court for there will be four
recommendations slighted in july court. Those will be done in the annual review that happens august six.
those are the pending contingencies we have. >> thank you for your work. Appreciate you all.
>> thank you. >> I too just wanted to say thank you. We wanted best support so your
best position for success in implementation. We know it is another harris county team effort between the
key engineering group. Your group and beyond please
clearly community the updates and progress and what we can do to support. The safety of our residents,
workers ask team members and contractors is of paramount importance. Thank you for being on the front
leans. We appreciate it. >> thank you. >> thank you.
all right I believe that was the last item. >> no action. >> no action.
all right, anything else? All right, it is 6:33
commissions court is now