[00:00:05]
>> [BACKGROUND] GOOD MORNING. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO
[Items 1 & 2]
THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2023.AT THIS TIME, I'LL ASK COMMISSIONER TOMMY CALVERT TO PLEASE INTRODUCE PASTOR BROWN AND DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE.
I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE PASTOR MICHAEL STEVEN BROWN TO DELIVER THE INVOCATION FOR TODAY'S MEETING.
PASTOR BROWN, KNOWN AT TRUE VISION CHURCH HAS PASSED WILL BE CELEBRATING HIS 26 YEAR AS SENIOR PASTOR OF TRUE VISION CHURCH, A TRUE CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP LOCATED IN KIRBY AND SAN ANTONIO.
HE SERVES AS THE CHIEF SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER.
PASTOR BROWN'S MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO COMMUNICATE GOD'S WORD, PROVIDE BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP TO THE TRUE VISION CHURCH AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
MINISTER TO SPIRITUAL NEEDS AND CAST VISION.
PASTOR BROWN PREACHES THREE WORSHIP SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY AND TEACHES TWO BIBLE STUDIES WEEKLY, SHARES ONCE MONTHLY AT TRUE VISION, WEDNESDAY LUNCH WORSHIP SERVICE, HE IS ALSO A FREQUENTLY SOUGHT AFTER GUEST SPEAKER WHO RARELY TURNS DOWN AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPART THE WORD OF GOD.
PASTOR BROWN SERVED FAITHFULLY FOR FIVE YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE BAPTIST MINISTER'S UNION OF SAN ANTONIO AND VICINITY.
CURRENTLY HE SERVES THIS ORGANIZATION AS A CITYWIDE REVIVAL CHAIR, HE'S GIVEN LEADERSHIP OVER AND RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE SAN ANTONIO UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND FAITH INITIATIVE, PARTNERED WITH BUCKNER INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES PUTTING SHOES ON THE FEET OF 5,000 CHILDREN IN OVER 80 COUNTRIES AND HAS LED TRUE VISION IN PREPARING AND PACKING OVER 20,000 MEALS FOR HAITI.
PASTOR BROWN HAS INITIATED AND CONTINUES TO LEAD THE COPS AND CLERGY BASKETBALL GAME THAT SERVES TO BRING UNITY IN THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY.
PASTOR BROWN IS A 1994 GRADUATE WITH HONORS OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST COLLEGE OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
HE RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION.
HE IS ALSO LISTED IN WHO'S WHO OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS PASTOR BROWN IS MARRIED TO JOY DENISE CYRUS OF CHARLES IN WEST VIRGINIA.
THEY HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TWO CHILDREN, A DAUGHTER MICHAEL AND SON ANGELO.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PASTOR BROWN FOR JOINING US TODAY.
I'LL ASK HIM TO COME TO THE DIAS HERE AND LEAD US IN PRAYER.
IF YOU ALL WOULD PLEASE STAND AND BOW YOUR HEADS.
LORD, THIS IS THE DAY THAT YOU'VE MADE, AND WE REJOICE AND WE ARE GLAD IN IT.
A DAY LORD, THAT YOU DID NOT PROMISE TO US, BUT YET AFFORDED TO US BY YOUR GRACE AND YOUR MERCY.
LORD, WHAT AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE IT IS TO BE ABLE TO PRAY.
THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF PRAYER.
ALSO TO BE ABLE TO PRAY PUBLICLY, AND THEN TO BE ABLE TO PRAY IN THIS PLACE AND PRAY IN THIS COURT.
LORD, I PRAY FOR OUR COUNTY JUDGE.
I PRAY FOR THESE COMMISSIONERS.
I PRAY FOR THE CABINET AND STAFF.
FIRST OF ALL, LORD TO HAVE THE LOVE THAT YOU WANT US ALL TO HAVE THIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, THIS LOVE THAT HAS LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, REGARDLESS OF COLOR, CLASS, OR CULTURE.
I PRAY LORD FOR THEIR INTEGRITY.
I PRAY FOR THEIR MORAL CHARACTER.
I PRAY LORD FOR THEIR PEACE AND THEIR JOY TO DO THE JOB THAT THEY'VE BEEN ELECTED TO DO.
SOME WHO HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO DO, I PRAY LORD FOR THEIR SENSITIVITY TO THE EARS AND HEARTS OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES.
LORD, AS WE HAVE COME TOGETHER TODAY, I PRAY YOUR PRESENCE IN THE HOUSE.
WE KNOW YOU'RE HERE. MANIFEST YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS PLACE.
I PRAY THAT THIS SESSION TODAY WILL HONOR YOU AND HONOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
WE BLESS YOU LORD, AND I PRAY IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD CHRIST. AMEN.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT PRAYER. IF YOU'LL FACE THE FLAG AND JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
>> THANK YOU, PASTOR BROWN. WE'LL OPEN WITH CEREMONIAL ITEMS 3A PRESENTATION OR PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS,
[Item 3]
COURT RECOGNIZES, CELEBRATING THE AVA AMERICA'S WALKING CLUB[00:05:03]
HOSTING TWO INTERNATIONAL WALKING FESTIVALS OF BEXAR COUNTY, COULD I ASK THE AMERICA'S WALKING CLUB TO PLEASE COME FORWARD? IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.YOU'VE GOT A PROCLAMATION COMMERCIAL [BACKGROUND]
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO'S COME TODAY.
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION AND IT READS, WHEREAS WALKING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE US SURGEON GENERAL AS THE MOST BENEFICIAL FORM OF EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ATHLETIC ABILITIES.
WHEREAS THE AMERICAN VOLKSSPORT ACADEMY, AVA, AMERICA'S WALKING CLUB, A NATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERED IN SAN ANTONIO, ADMINISTERS ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST HEALTHY LIVING SPORTS PROGRAMS THROUGH IT'S 188 LOCAL WALKING CLUBS NATIONWIDE.
WHEREAS THE AVA, AMERICA'S WALKING CLUB WILL HOST TWO INTERNATIONAL WALKING FESTIVALS, THE IVV OLYMPIAD AND THE IML TEXAS RICK TRAIL ROUNDUP, FEBRUARY 19TH THROUGH THE 26TH, 2023.
WHEREAS BOTH THE OLYMPIAD AND THE TEXAS TRAIL ROUNDUP WELCOME PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, ACROSS THE NATION AND LOCALLY TO PARTICIPATE IN A SCHEDULE OF NONCOMPETITIVE WALKS, SWIMMING AND BIKING EVENTS.
WHEREAS THESE EVENTS WILL SHOWCASE BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO'S TRAILS AND PARKWAYS, INCLUDING SAN ANTONIO'S WORLD-FAMOUS RIVER WALK AND HISTORIC SPANISH MISSIONS, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS IVV OLYMPIAD AND IML TEXAS TRAIL ROUNDUP WEEK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, FEBRUARY 19TH THROUGH 26TH, 2023.
WE CALL UPON THE PEOPLE OF BEXAR COUNTY TO JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE ACTIVITIES AND MISSION OF THE AMERICAN VOLKSSPORT ASSOCIATION, AMERICA'S WALKING CLUB, AS A NATIONAL NON-PROFIT BASED IN SAN ANTONIO TO PROMOTE AND ORGANIZED NON-COMPETITIVE FITNESS ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE LIFELONG FUN FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICES, 21ST DAY OF FEBRUARY, SIGNED BY JUDGE SAKAI, SIGNED BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SIGNED BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SIGNED BY COMMISSIONER MOODY AND MYSELF.
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR A FEW WORDS FROM YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR, AND THE REST OF YOU, COMMISSIONERS, WE ARE SO VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE AND TO EXPERIENCE YOUR BEAUTIFUL CITY, YOUR FRIENDLY CITY AND THE CULTURE AND WARMTH OF ITS PEOPLE.
WE COME A THOUSAND OF US FROM 27 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD FROM 41 OF THESE UNITED STATES AND WE ARE HERE TO HAVE FUN AND TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AND TO MAKE FRIENDS BECAUSE THIS IS A PERSON-TO-PERSON EVENT.
MAY I INTRODUCE THE INTERNATIONAL VOLKSSPORT ASSOCIATIONS OFFICERS.
I CAN'T SEE THE [LAUGHTER] DR. [INAUDIBLE] ANTONIO IS HERE IS THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT.
SECRETARY ENAIL MARK IS HERE AND TREASURE VAULTER MONCE IS HERE.
>> ARE THEY FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES?
SENIOR COLON ANTONIO IS FROM ITALY.
TANYA MULLER FORMS THE TRANSLATION FOR EVERYONE.
OUR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS ARE DONE IN BOTH GERMAN AND ENGLISH, SO WE NEED OUR TRANSLATOR.
I WANT TO ALSO THANK COMMISSIONER SENORA FLORES FOR COMING TO OUR CLOSING CEREMONY ON THURSDAY.
[00:10:03]
WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO COME.THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE].
>> IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN US HERE FOR A PHOTO.
YES, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
>> COME A LONG WAY. YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE [LAUGHTER].
>> DISTINGUISHED MR. BEXAR COUNTY, GEORGIA, PETER SAKAI AS PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF POPULAR SPORT TOGETHER WITH ALL THE PRAESIDIUM.
WE ARE HONORED AND PROUD TO BE RECEIVED BY YOU FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.
OUR INTERNATIONAL AND LARGER COMMUNITY OF WORKERS GREATLY APPRECIATE THE CHOICE OF SAN ANTONIO AND THESE PARTICIPATING IN THE IVD OLYMPIAD WITH GRATITUDE.
TODAY'S RECOGNITION HEADS ENTHUSIASM TO ENTHUSIAST.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE].
>> EVERYBODY A LITTLE TOGETHER.
THAT WAS SUSANA WORKING DRUNKER?
I APPRECIATE THAT. [BACKGROUND]
>> WE HAVE PRESENTATIONS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS.
>> FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE APWA SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER EQUIPMENT RODEO.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THIS CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT TO ROBERTO SOLARA, ONE OF OUR SENIOR EQUIPMENT OPERATORS.
BUT I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T MET THEM YET.
TONY VASQUEZ IS OUR OPERATIONS DIVISION CHIEF, SO BOOTS ON THE GROUND.
HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE THREE SERVICE CENTERS AND THAT WORK IN THE TRAFFIC SIGN SHOP AND EVERYTHING.
THIS IS SOMEBODY YOU OBVIOUSLY WANT TO HAVE IS MOBILE NUMBER.
WE HAVE ERIN MARTINEZ, WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OUR JETSON SERVICE CENTER.
WE HAVE CARLOS SANDOVAL, WHO IS A SUPERINTENDENT OF OUR SOUTH AND SERVICE CENTER, AND THEN ROBERTO SOLARA, WHO IS THE HONOREE TODAY.
I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EVENT THAT OCCURRED.
IT WAS ON JANUARY 17, 2023, AND IT'S THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION OR A PWA, THE SOUTH CENTRAL BRANCH.
IT WAS OUR SECOND ANNUAL EQUIPMENT RODEO, AND THE PURPOSE WAS TO SELECT THE BEST TWO CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATED THE MOST ACCURATE SKILLS WITHIN THE GIVEN TIME AND THE OPERATION OF BACKHOES.
THIS EVENT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CONTESTANTS THAT WERE COMPETING TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE.
WE HAD EXPERIENCED EQUIPMENT OPERATORS EMPLOYED BY VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS AGENCIES, AND IT WAS COMPRISED OF TWO EVENTS.
IT ATTRACTED OVER 30 EQUIPMENT OPERATORS FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, FLARE-UPS, CITY OF LOTUS, CML COUNTY, AND THEN OF COURSE,
[00:15:01]
OUR OWN BEXAR COUNTY OPERATORS.THE TOP TWO OPERATORS FROM THIS EVENT WERE SENT TO TEXAS, THE STATEWIDE APA W WORKSHOP IN GEORGETOWN ON FEBRUARY 7TH.
AND ROBERTO WHO WON THE EVENT HERE, PLACE 21ST IN THE TOP CENTRAL BRANCH.
I WILL TELL YOU THEY HAD PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR GUYS WITH THEIR OWN LITTLE UNIFORMS ON IN THEIR OWN LITTLE PATCHES.
SO HE DIDN'T REALLY, REALLY WELL ON THAT.
TONY IS GOING TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ROBERTO.
>> THANK YOU. ROBERT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO.
HE HAS ENJOYED RAISING HIS FAMILY AND HIS WIFE OF 16 YEARS, LAURA CLR, AND TWO BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS, SIERRA AND JULIE.
WHEN MR. SOLARA IS NOT SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF BEXAR COUNTY, HE ENJOYS HUNTING AND FISHING.
MR. SOLARA HAS SERVED THE RESIDENTS OF BEXAR COUNTY FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.
WHILE EMPLOYED AT PUBLIC WORKS, HE HAS SHOWN GREAT LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND THEN THE DESIRE TO ADVANCE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
MR. SOLARA HAS ADVANCED TO THE HIGHEST OPERATOR POSITION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
HE IS CURRENTLY A SENIOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR AT THE SOUTH AND SERVICE CENTER, WHERE HE'S ALSO A CREW LEADER AND MANAGES ONE OF SEVEN ROAD CREWS.
MR. SOLARA PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN OUR COUNTYWIDE PAYMENT PRESERVATION PROGRAM AND AS AN ASSET TO BEXAR COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS.
WITH THAT, I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR NUMBER 1 OPERATOR IN THE COUNTY [APPLAUSE].
>> JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND].
>> OKAY. AT THIS TIME, I'LL CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
[Items 4A & 4B]
THE COMMISSIONERS COURT INVITES PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING A MASS GATHERING PERMIT APPLICATION BY THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN [OVERLAPPING] TO HOLD THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT STARTING SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD, 2023 AT 7:00 AM AND RUNNING THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2023, AT 8:00 PM AT THE JW MARRIOTT HILL COUNTRY RESORT AND SPA LOCATED AT 23808 RESORT PARKWAY, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78261.IS CHRIS LOPEZ HERE? THERE YOU ARE, MR. LOPEZ?
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DID HAVE ANYBODY HERE WHO MIGHT BE IN OPPOSITION.
THE PERIOD THAT WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION TO MAKE AN OPINION ON IT.
IT MAY APPEAR THAT WE HAVE ANY OPPOSITION.
THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE DO ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S ANNUALLY.
WHAT IT IS, IT'S OUR MASS GATHERING PERMIT THAT IS ISSUED FOR THE EVENT.
WE HAVE THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN.
WE HAVE THE GENTLEMAN WILL COME UP AND TALK TO YOU, TED AND LARSON, AND THEY'LL INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO YOU.
BUT BASICALLY, WE JUST NEED A VOTE FROM YOU GUYS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.
WE'VE ALREADY PARTNERED WITH OBVIOUSLY ENVIRONMENTAL WHO THEY TAKE CARE OF ALL THE INSPECTIONS FOR ALL THE FOOD SERVICES AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THAT IS SAFE AND WITHIN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE REGULATIONS.
OUR FOLKS HAVE BEEN OUT THERE.
THEY'VE DONE ALL THE INSPECTIONS OF ALL OF THE STRUCTURES, ALL THE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES THAT ARE THERE, THE GENERATORS, AND EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS SAFE, AND THEN OF COURSE, OUR PARTNERS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEY HANDLED ALL THE TRAFFIC AND SECURITY FOR THE EVENT AND THEN WE HAVE ONE OF OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS WILL GO OUT AND THEY PROVIDE ALL THE MEDICAL.
THIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER AND I WANT TO HAVE TED AND LARSON COME UP AND HAVE SAY A FEW WORDS TO YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS. JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU.
I WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, LARSON SEGERDAHL,.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN,
[00:20:02]
AND WITH ME IS TED KNEALE, THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN.NEXT MONTH, WE WILL BE KICKING OFF THE NEXT CENTURY OF THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN.
LAST YEAR, WE CELEBRATED OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS INCREDIBLE HISTORIC EVENT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND WE COULDN'T BE PROUDER TO CARRY THE MOMENTUM FROM LAST YEAR'S MILESTONE CELEBRATION INTO THIS YEAR'S 101ST [LAUGHTER] ANNIVERSARY EVENT.
AS HAS BEEN THE CASE SINCE THE EVENT'S INCEPTION, THE PRIMARY MISSION OF THIS EVENT IS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITIES.
LAST YEAR WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF RAISING $22 MILLION FOR CHARITY, WHICH ELEVATED OUR CUMULATIVE CHARITABLE TOTAL TO $209 MILLION OVER THE 100 YEARS OF THE TOURNAMENT'S EXISTENCE AND SO WE LOOK TO CARRY THAT MISSION FORWARD AGAIN THIS YEAR AND CONTINUE GIVING BACK TO LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT BENEFIT FROM THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO CARRYING THAT MISSION FORWARD.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S EVENT.
>> NOT A QUESTION, JUST A COMMENT.
I WAS FORTUNATE TO WORK FOR VALERO FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND VOLUNTEER AT THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN AND IT'S REALLY A TREMENDOUS EVENT, SO WELL ORGANIZED, WELL-RUN, AND ULTIMATELY THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT VALERO AND THE COMMUNITY GIVE BACK, IT'S JUST REALLY OUTSTANDING, AND SO I'M GLAD TO SEE WE'RE STARTING A NEW CENTURY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I JUST WANT TO ADD TO WHAT COMMISSIONER MOODY'S HIS SENTIMENTS.
I'VE BEEN OUT THERE AS WELL AND IT'S A TREMENDOUSLY WELL-ATTENDED EVENT AND I WONDERED IF YOU COULD TOUCH ON HOW MANY FOLKS WILL BE THERE FOR THE DURATION OF THE FOUR DAYS.
I KNOW IT'S GOT A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.
CAN YOU MAYBE TOUCH ON A FEW OF THOSE NUMBERS AS WELL?
>> HAPPY TO. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
ANNUALLY, THE TOURNAMENT WILL RECEIVE OVER THE FOUR DAYS OF THE EVENT, THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, ANYWHERE BETWEEN 50-60,000 PEOPLE THAT WILL ATTEND THE EVENT, AND BEYOND THAT, THIS EVENT SHINES A GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT ON THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY THROUGH OUR INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION BROADCASTS.
WE'RE BROADCAST DOMESTICALLY ON NBC NETWORK TELEVISION AND THEN GLOBALLY INTO MORE THAN ONE BILLION HOMES WORLDWIDE SO IT IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FROM A VIEWERSHIP AND FAN STANDPOINT.
LAST YEAR, OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THIS COMMUNITY WAS NEARLY $30 MILLION JUST FOR THE ONE WEEK OF THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN'S EVENTS.
THAT IS A STAT THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AND AGAIN, WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT IMPACT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
>> THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND AS A WANT TO BE GOLFER AND A BIG GOLF FAN, DO WE HAVE YET ANY COMMITMENTS FROM ANY OF THE BIG NAMES? I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT EARLY.
>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT EARLY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A STELLAR FIELD THIS YEAR, AND CERTAINLY IN THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW, WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING MANY OF THOSE PLAYERS AS THEY COMMIT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE PGA TOUR SEASON IS OFF TO A GREAT START AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING THE WORLD'S BEST OUT THERE ON OUR STAGE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER MOODY AND COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAVE SPOKEN IN MY BEHALF TOO, SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. GOOD LUCK. [OVERLAPPING]
>> DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZENS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING? HEARING NONE, I WILL.
>> NO. WE'RE GOING TO GET CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
THIS IS ONLY REGARDS TO THIS PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO THE VALERO APPLICATION.
HEARING NONE. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DO WE NEED A MOTION?
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE] WE GOT TO GO TO ITEM 4B, DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A MASS GATHERING PERMANENT APPLICATION.
>> THAT WE DID. WE GO TO 4C, APPROVAL EXECUTION, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE ANY APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFERS.
ALAMO HEIGHTS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING AUGUST 16, 2022 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN AMOUNT OF $246,000, AND TWO, SOUTHWEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING AUGUST 16, 2022, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN AMOUNT OF $1,314,423.
[00:25:06]
>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS A TIME-CERTAIN ITEM AT 9:45, AND I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE ALL MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS HERE FOR THIS ITEM.
WE ARE TRYING TO COORDINATE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENTS.[OVERLAPPING].
>> WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE MINUTES.
>> I'LL WITHDRAW THEN THAT ITEM AND WAIT UNTIL THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
ITEM 5, REQUEST TO IDENTIFY ITEMS FOR
[Item 5]
THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION AND TO PROVE REMAINING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.>> I'D LIKE TO PULL NUMBER 41.
>> FORTY-ONE BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. COMMISSIONER MOODY.
>> I'D LIKE TO PULL 38 AND 40.
[Consent Items 9-37 & 42]
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ONE POOL?>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ONE'S POOL.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVORITES SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES, WE HAVE NOW DONE THE CONSENT.
NOW LET'S DEAL WITH THE ITEMS THAT WERE ASKED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONCERN.
[Items 38 & 40]
COMMISSIONER MOODY, I BELIEVE, APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY, SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC FOR A ONE YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2022, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023, AND THE AMOUNT OF $325,000 TO INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY TRANSFER. COMMISSIONER MOODY.>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND THESE COMMENTS WILL ACTUALLY BE FOR BOTH 38 AND 40.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ITEM 38, THAT'S A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH CMI, CLASSICAL MUSIC INSTITUTE.
>> IS THE MICROPHONE ON? [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THAT'S ALSO PART OF IDEOLOGIES.
IF YOU RECALL, BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2022, THE COURT AUTHORIZES THE MANAGER'S OFFICE TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 225,000 AND FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY JUDGES CONTRIBUTION TO OTHER AGENCIES.
THIS ITEM BRINGS BACK THAT AGREEMENT.
IN THAT AMOUNT, THIS IS FOR ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES ADDED TO THEIR CONCERT SERIES.
THIS WILL FUND THEIR SUMMER EDUCATION PROGRAM AT EDGE WOOD FINE ARTS ACADEMY, THAT JUST SERVE ABOUT 60-80 STUDENTS IN JUNE.
THIS WILL ALSO COVER SEVERAL OTHER CONCERTS, INCLUDING THEIR FACULTY ARTISTS CONCERTS IN JUNE AND JULY, AS WELL AS THEIR FELLOWS CONCERT IN LATE JUNE.
THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER I CAN TRY TO COVER THOSE.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC POINTS OBVIOUSLY, I'M JUST LOOKING AT SOME OF THIS DATA AND BUDGETARY NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.
BUT I THINK FOR ME THIS IS JUST PART OF A LARGER CONVERSATION AROUND THE FACT THAT WE HAD ONE, AND NOW WE HAVE TWO COMPETING ORCHESTRAS AND WE'RE HAVING TO SUPPORT BOTH OF THOSE ENTITIES GOING FORWARD.
I THINK THAT WHEN THOSE ENTITIES ARE COMING ASKING FOR SUPPORT FROM BEXAR COUNTY, THAT ULTIMATELY IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME ON DUE DILIGENCE AND TRYING TO ASCERTAIN WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR ECONOMICS GOING FORWARD.
IS THE NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES, THE CORRECT AMOUNT.
IF THE PART OF THIS BUDGETARY ELEMENT IS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CONCERTS THAT THE BOTH ARE PROVIDING AS THEY'RE DOING MORE CONCERTS, IS THE ATTENDANCE IS ACTUALLY GOING DOWN NOW THAT WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES AND THEY'RE DOING THE SAME NUMBER OF CONCERTS.
ARE WE ACTUALLY SEEING MORE PEOPLE ATTEND OR FEWER PEOPLE ATTEND? BUT ULTIMATELY, THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND I'M WILLING TO SUPPORT IT.
BUT I THINK AS A LARGER POINT OF DISCUSSION, THINKING ABOUT GOING FORWARD, HOW WE LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS AND WE LOOK AT THESE TWO ENTITIES, AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM GET TO FINANCIAL FOOTING WHERE THEY CAN SUPPORT THEMSELVES.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER CALVERT?
>> JUDGE, LET ME JUST SAY THAT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A WISE CONVERSATION
[00:30:04]
FROM COMMISSIONER MOODY AND I APPRECIATE THAT TABLE THAT HE'S SET.WE DO KNOW THAT THE SAN ANTONIO PHILHARMONIC, WHICH WAS A SYMPHONY, IS THE SYMPHONY THE COMMUNITY HAS TRADITIONALLY SUPPORTED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY.
CMI AS A GROUP THAT HAS TRADITIONALLY SERVED YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY ARE EXPANDING FOR THE FIRST TIME INTO A MORE PROMINENT ATTEMPTED ROLE.
NOW, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ECONOMIC DATA ABOUT THE TOURISM THAT HAS DRIVEN BY THE PHILHARMONIC AND WHAT THEY BRING IN TERMS OF HOTELS AND ALL THOSE THINGS, AND THAT FOR ME, HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHERE OUR INVESTMENT, I THINK, SHOULD BE MADE, BECAUSE YOU BRING IN TOURISM BECAUSE OF THE CALIBER OF PERFORMANCE.
THERE COULD BE SOME COMPETITIVE ISSUES THAT ARISE BECAUSE OF THE MUSICIANS UNION.
I THINK THERE IS AN ORDER NATIONWIDE WHERE THOSE IN THE MUSICIANS UNIONS NATIONWIDE MAY NOT PERFORM FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN THE PHILHARMONIC, SO THAT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE CALIBER OF MUSICIANS FROM THE OTHER GROUP.
IN TERMS OF WHERE SUPPORT WILL BE IN THE FUTURE, THEY'RE DEVELOPING PROGRAMS IN THE NEW ORGANIZATION, AND THE PHILHARMONIC IS CONTINUING WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN THE PAST SO I THINK I THANK THE COMMISSIONER FOR BRINGING UP THIS, AND I'D LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL.
CAN WE MOVE APPROVAL OF 38 AND 40?
>> YEAH. I'D JUST LIKE TO COMMENT BEFORE.
I DON'T SEE THESE AS COMPETING ORGANIZATIONS.
THEY ARE DIFFERENT AND SEPARATE, AND WE ARE A COUNTY OF OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE, SO WE'RE BIG ENOUGH AND WE NEED TO HAVE MORE MUSICAL AND ARTS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE METRO AREA.
IT'S EVEN BIGGER THAN THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR RURAL COUNTIES WHO COME IN FOR THOSE THINGS.
THAT WAS JUST MY COMMENT. I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT.
COMMISSIONER CALVERT, DID YOU EVER MAKE THE MOTION? SECOND?
>> TILL 38 AND 40 I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR FOR THE RECORD.
WE ARE NOW TAKEN UP ITEM 38 AND 40, WHICH IS BOTH FOR THE SANTO AND PHILHARMONIC, AND THE CLASSICAL MUSIC IS DOING AND ONE MOTION, IS THAT CORRECT COMMISSIONERS?
>> YES. THAT'S A MOTIONS TO ADDRESS.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
WE HAVE NOW TAKEN CARE OF I'M 38 AND 40.
COMMISSION MOODY WAS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM 40? ITEM 41. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES [OVERLAPPING]
[Item 41]
>> YES, MA'AM. ALL PROFOUNDING. YES, MA'AM.
>> THE REASON I PUT THIS IS THAT I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK THAT THE TEXAS KIDNEY FOUNDATION HAS DONE.
UNFORTUNATELY IN OUR COMMUNITY WE KNOW THAT DIABETES IS RAMPING AND WE HAVE A REALLY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF AMPUTEES AND BLINDNESS BECAUSE OF THAT.
KIDNEY FAILURE IS A SECONDARY EFFECT THAT WE JUST DON'T REALIZE.
I WAS HAPPY THAT THE INTERNATIONAL WALKING CLUB WAS HERE.
NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS BETTER, [LAUGHTER] I TRY WALK 45 MINUTES EVERY DAY.
PUBLIC HEALTH, OUR NEW PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR IS HERE IS JUST REALLY IMPORTANT AND TIFFANY HAS JUST BEEN A CHAMPION OF THIS.
I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AND FOR EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DRINKING LOTS OF WATER TO PROTECT THEIR KIDNEYS AND EXERCISING.
TIFFANY, CAN YOU JUST TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THIS HALF MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE COUNTY IS SUPPORTING IS GOING TO BE DOING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
>> WELL, FIRST, LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE AND FOR SUPPORTING TEXAS KIDNEY FOUNDATION AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO YOU COMMISSIONER REBECCA CLAY-FLORES FOR CHAMPIONING THIS AND FOR ALL OF YOU COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES.
TEXAS KIDNEY FOUNDATION, WHAT WE DO IS EARLY DETECTION OF KIDNEY DISEASE AND THEN WE COORDINATE CARE.
WE HELP THE LEAST OF THESE RECEIVE THE BEST OF THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THIS $500,000, YOU ALL JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WITH $500,000 BUT YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE [LAUGHTER].
BECAUSE WHAT WE DID WITH THE ORIGINAL $50,000 THAT COMMISSIONER TOMMY CALVERT GAVE US WAS WE WENT OUT AND WE BROUGHT THE BEST TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD TO TEXAS
[00:35:06]
AND TO THE STATE AND TO THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THE FDA HADN'T APPROVED IT YET.WE DID THAT, GOT FDA APPROVAL DURING THE SUMMER AT WHICH IT BROUGHT SMART TECHNOLOGY AND TURNED YOUR PHONE INTO A CLINICAL GRADE TESTING DEVICE.
WITH THIS MONEY THAT YOU HAVE SPEARHEADED FOR US COMMISSIONER REBECCA CLAY-FLORES, WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE TESTS FOR FREE TO OUR COMMUNITY AGAIN, HIRE A DOCTOR TO ACTUALLY OVERSEE THAT, AND REALLY DIG DOWN AND PROVIDE SERVICES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED PREVIOUSLY IN THIS COUNTY OR ANY OTHER, WE'RE SPEARHEADING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ACTUALLY SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE PHENOMENAL FOR US AND WE'RE VERY, VERY THANKFUL TO YOU FOR THAT.
>> WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
ELIZABETH, YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?
>> I JUST WANT TO AFTER YOU JOHN [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE WORK OF THE TEXAS KIDNEY FOUNDATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AGAIN.
I WANTED TO JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME NEW CORP MEMBERS WHO WEREN'T HERE WHEN WE INITIATED A PROGRAM IN EVERY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT FOR SCREENING.
CAN YOU JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TWO THINGS.
ONE, THE PROGRAM AND THE PLAN THAT IS GOING FORWARD BOTH WITH THE FUNDS WE'VE HAD ALLOCATED BEFORE AND THESE FUNDS, AND TWO, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COVID AND THE EFFECTS OF KIDNEYS FOR THOSE WHO'VE HAD COVID, THAT CORRELATION?
>> INITIALLY WHEN THE COUNTY FUNDED US, WE WERE LOOKING AT COVID-19, IT WAS IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC.
WE WERE LOOKING AT, WHAT IS THE CONNECTION TO COVID-19? WHAT IS IT DOING TO KIDNEYS? BECAUSE WE SAW THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL CORRELATION THERE.
THAT WAS WHAT THE FUNDING WAS FOR.
WHEN WE TESTED WE FOUND KIDNEY DISEASE IN 38 PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION AND WE DRILLED DOWN IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES BECAUSE WE WANTED TO PROVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE, THAT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE TOOK TESTS, THAT WE CARE ABOUT OUR HEALTH, THAT WERE JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY.
THEN TWO, THAT THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH YOUNGER PEOPLE AND COVID-19.
WE FOUND THAT IN THE YOUNGER POPULATION THAT 34 PERCENT OF THOSE FOLKS HAD KIDNEY DISEASE THAT WE WERE TESTING.
>> AFTER DIAGNOSE WITH COVID, THEY DEVELOPED THE KIDNEY DISEASE.
>> YES, BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AND THAT'S THE GROUP THAT WE WERE FOLLOWING.
WE'RE FOLLOWING THEM, THAT THIS FUNDING IS ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THOSE PARTICIPANTS AND TO IDENTIFY MORE AS THIS UNFOLDS.
THERE'S LOTS MORE WE CAN TALK ABOUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHY CAN MOVE APPROVAL OF MOTION.
>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] COMMISSIONER JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ.
>> I WOULD SAY NOT EVERYBODY ELSE.
>> WERE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT WE PULL? I THINK THAT'S IT.
[Item 6]
FOR THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS, DIRECT AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY A THROUGH G, TAKE NOTE.ITEM 7, COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY,
[Item 7]
FEBRUARY 7, 2023.>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
WE HIT THE 9:45 YET MR. THOMAS.
WE'RE STILL A FEW MORE MINUTES.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE HERE FOR THE 9:45 WE'LL GET TO YOU.
WE NOW GO TO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD AND THE FIRST-PERSON,
[Item 8]
I'LL JUST REMIND YOU THAT WE HAVE A TIMER I BELIEVE, MR. THOMAS, HE'S OUR TIMEKEEPER.I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
MS. VALERIE RAYFORD OR RAYFIN? RAYFORD. WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD?
I WAS JUST WANTING TO COMMENT ON MY NAME IS VALERIE RAYFORD,
[00:40:01]
I AM A CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR AN ORGANIZATION CALLED RADICAL REGISTRARS.WE DO VOTER REGISTRATION AND CIVIC EDUCATION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE ARE WANTING TO HAVE POLLING LOCATIONS ON EVERY COLLEGE CAMPUS.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WERE WANTING TO BRING TO YOU GUYS BEFORE.
THAT BILL CAME UP IN A STATE LEGISLATURE TO KEEP POLLING LOCATIONS OFF OF COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE KID'S VOICES MATTER AND ESPECIALLY DURING THIS MUNICIPAL ELECTION THAT'S COMING UP, EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION IS DURING FINALS.
HAVING A POLLING LOCATION ON CAMPUS SO THESE STUDENTS CAN JUST GO AND EASILY VOTE AND PARTICIPATE WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING A RIDE OR ANYTHING IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
I KNOW THAT, AND I'M SPEAKING FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF INCARNATE WORD, WHICH IS AN AMAZING UNIVERSITY THAT WE WORK WITH VERY CLOSELY AND DO VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES THERE.
THEY DO HAVE A POLLING LOCATION THAT IS CLOSE BY BEING LYONS FIELD.
HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO GO VOTE AT LYONS FIELD, THEY CATER TO THE OLDER GENERATION WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE THE OLDER GENERATION DESERVES AND NEEDS TO BE CATERED TO.
BUT THEY WOULD, THEY WOULD COME AND BRING A BUS FULL OF PEOPLE FROM THE NURSING HOMES AND IT WOULD MAKE THE LINE LONGER AND I KNOW FOR MYSELF THIS IS MY FULL-TIME JOB, I DON'T MIND STANDING IN LINE AND WAITING TO GO AND VOTE.
BUT COLLEGE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING FINALS, THEY NEED A POLLING LOCATION THAT CATERS TO THEM WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO GET IN AND GET OUT QUICKLY AND BE ABLE TO GO AND VOTE.
I AM HOPING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY INTO CONSIDERATION, HAVING POLLING LOCATIONS ON EVERY COLLEGE CAMPUS HERE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.
I HOPE YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL.
I LIVE IN PRECINCT 31, 62, AND I RESIDE IN COMMISSIONER MOODY'S PRECINCT.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.
I WANTED TO TAKE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT MORE ABOUT THAT AVAILABILITY OF EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY POLLING SITES, ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS.
AS MS. RAYFORD MENTIONED, THERE'S LEGISLATION GOING ON RIGHT NOW WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO BLOCK DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS FROM HAVING POLLING PLACES AT THOSE INSTITUTIONS.
AS AN ELECTION JUDGE MYSELF FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, I FIND THIS REALLY DISHEARTENING.
THERE'S NEVER BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO REALLY RECRUIT YOUNGER FOLKS TO EVEN GET INVOLVED WITH THE ELECTION PROCESS, BECOMING CLERKS, BECOMING JUDGES.
THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD PERSONALLY GO OUT OF MY WAY OUT OF MY DAY JOB TO MAKE SURE OTHER FOLKS ARE TRAINED AND KNOW THAT, HEY, THIS IS AN ADDED BENEFIT.
YOU PICK YOUR HOURS, YOU GET PAID $15 AN HOUR PLUS, AND YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW OUR ELECTION SYSTEM WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
THE LESS PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE GETTING INVOLVED, WE NOTICED THAT THIS PAST ELECTION IN 2022 WE ONLY HAD FOUR EARLY VOTING SITES THAT WERE AT COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
ON ELECTION DAY WE HAD ABOUT EIGHT.
I REALLY WOULD URGE THIS COURT, URGE OUR COMMISSIONERS AND OUR JUDGE OF COURSE TO REALLY MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO OUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT HAVING AND INCREASING OUR POLLING LOCATIONS ALL AROUND COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.
AS I'D LIKE TO MENTION AGAIN, I AM AN ELECTION JUDGE AND I'VE HAD AMAZING MENTORS THAT HELPED ME THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS LEARN THE ROPES ABOUT ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION AND JUST ALSO GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES THAT YOU ALSO PROVIDE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I REALLY WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WANTING TO VOTE IN THESE UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL TAKE THE TIME AND PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS 18 TO EVEN 35 MYSELF, I'M IN GRAD SCHOOL AT ST. MARY'S RIGHT NOW.
MAKING SURE THAT THESE FOLKS REALLY DO HAVE ACCESS TO POLLING LOCATIONS DURING EARLY VOTING ON ELECTION DAY IS PARAMOUNT TO OUR SUCCESSES AS YOUNG PEOPLE.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
GERALD BOWIE. MR. BOWIE, HOW ARE YOU?
>> I'M GOOD, JUDGE. HOW ARE YOU?
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GERALD BOWIE.
I'M A GRADUATE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD IN AUSTIN.
TILT A LITTLE BIT? YOU ALL HEAR ME? I AM ALSO A RESIDENT OF COMMISSIONER GRANT MOODY.
IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU AND SEE YOU, SIR.
BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE ME THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY ON THE AVAILABILITY OF EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY POLLING SITES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
[00:45:02]
SAN ANTONIO IS ACROSS RACE, DISTRICTS, AND BACKGROUNDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE, INCLUDING STUDENTS LIKE ME.MANY TEXAS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE FORCED TO GO OFF-CAMPUS FOR POLLING LOCATIONS TO CAST THEIR BALLOT.
THE COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT HAS MISSED OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRIORITIZE THE VOTING EXPERIENCE FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LIKE MYSELF.
IT'S A SIMPLE FIX REPLACING VOTING SITES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES ACROSS BEXAR COUNTY.
EACH OF US CARRY MORE THAN ONE IDENTITY, WERE MORE THAN STUDENTS WITH A FUTURE.
STUDENT-ATHLETES WERE [NOISE] MOTHERS AND FATHERS WERE FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD DESPERATELY LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR 15TH AMENDMENT RIGHT EASILY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL BARRIERS.
I'M ASKING FOR OUR SCHOOL, BEING THE UNIVERSITY OF INCARNATE WORD, TO BE A POLLING LOCATION THROUGHOUT EARLY VOTING AND ON ELECTION DAY FOR EVERY ELECTION STARTING WITH THIS UPCOMING MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
I BELIEVE THIS WILL ALLOW FOR MY FELLOW STUDENTS AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY LIVE ON CAMPUS OR HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION.
IN BEXAR COUNTY, THEIR STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR VOICE AND VOTE, BUT OTHERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THAT STRENGTH.
BUT HOWEVER, COLLEGES HOLD THE FORMULA TO TRANSFORM LIVES.
THE COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT EXPOSES YOU TO DIFFERENT DIVERSE GROUPS, HIGHER LEVEL LEARNING CURRICULUM, AND THE X FACTOR WHILE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYBODY TO TRANSFORM YOU INTO THE ENLIGHTENED INDIVIDUAL AND LEADER THAT YOU'RE CALLED TO BE.
IT ULTIMATELY ALLOWS EACH INDIVIDUAL TO COLLECT THEIR THOUGHTS AND VALUES AND BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD THROUGH THEIR OWN LENS.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MAJORS AND MINORS, BUT IT'S ABOUT USING THAT KNOWLEDGE TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND OTHER BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURES, ULTIMATELY MOVING US FORWARD TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
WHAT OTHER BETTER WAY TO DO THAT THAN GETTING OUT AND VOTE FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT'LL WALK FORWARD WITH YOU? I'M AWARE THAT THERE'S A POLLING LOCATION NEARBY.
HOWEVER, MAKING UIW SPECIFICALLY WOULD ALLOW FOR THE SCHOOL TO HAVE LARGER AND MORE ENGAGING VOTING DRIVES, WOULD ALSO BE AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS TO REGISTER AND VOTE IN THE SAME LOCATION.
>> JUDGE, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.
>> GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP, MR. BOWIE. I'LL LET YOU WRAP UP.
>> I APOLOGIZE. YOU'RE ABLE TO PERFORM YOUR CIVIC DUTY AMONGST YOUR PEERS AND THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO ELIMINATE FACTORS AND SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS THAN MAKING COLLEGE CAMPUSES A POLLING LOCATION FOR THOSE SAME REASONS.
AS STUDENTS, WE WANT TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY AND LEAVE A LEGACY OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND INGRAIN THAT IN COLLEGE CAMPUS CULTURE.
HUMBLY ASK YOU TO SUPPORT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND INCREASE POLLING LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY ON OUR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. BOWIE. ONCE YOU'RE A STUDENT-ATHLETE OVER THERE IN INCARNATE WORD?
>> YES SIR, I WAS. I'M A THREE-TIME SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE CHAMPION.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE GOT [APPLAUSE] A CHAMPION IN THE ROOM.
I GAVE HIM A LITTLE EXTRA TIME.
[LAUGHTER] DIDN'T WANT TO UPSET MR. BOWIE. LET'S SEE.
>> GOOD MORNING. YES, IRENE VALDEZ, CONCERNED MOM.
CASE NUMBER 22 CI00636 WAS FILED IN 2020 AGAINST BEXAR COUNTY REGARDING ELECTIONS.
I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ELECTIONS IN TEXAS.
THAT CASE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
THE LAST TIME THAT THE MACHINES WERE CERTIFIED IN TEXAS WAS PRIOR TO THE 2020 ELECTIONS.
THE ELECTION MACHINES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CERTIFIED BY THE STATE EVERY TWO YEARS.
VERY CONCERNED THAT ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP IN MAY AND WE HAVE NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE.
I AM TOTALLY AGAINST MACHINES BEING USED FOR THE ELECTION THAT ARE COMING UP.
WE SHOULD GO TO PAPER BALLOTS, VOTE BY PRECINCT TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE, AND SOMETHING GOT TO BE DONE.
OUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IS NOT TAKING CARE OF YOU GUYS.
SHE'S NOT GIVING YOU THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.
[00:50:01]
VERY CONCERNED THIS ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WITH THIS LAWSUIT THAT'S COMING UP.PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ELECTION MACHINES IN BEXAR COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY OTHER CITIZENS TO BE HEARD? THAT'S ALL THE SLIPS I HAVE THAT SIGNED UP.
>> A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GATWICK.
>> JUDGE, WE DON'T NORMALLY COMMENT ON FOLKS WHO HAVE MADE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
I WAS SPEAKING AT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE YESTERDAY AND A PROFESSOR BROUGHT UP TO ME THAT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE WAS GETTING READY TO RESTRICT VOTING LOCATIONS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
[NOISE] I HAD NOT HEARD AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO CAME TODAY.
I WANT TO COMMEND THIS COURT WHO, DURING THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE, ADDED LOCATIONS AT EVERY COLLEGE THAT WE POSSIBLY COULD THROUGH SOME RESISTANCE FROM OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT, FROM SOME OTHERS, BUT WE FINALLY GOT IT DONE.
I THINK THAT THIS MOVE WILL BACKFIRE TREMENDOUSLY ON THOSE WHO ARE PROPOSING IT.
I THINK IF YOU ARE SINGLING OUT COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO STAND BY AND NOT HAVE THIS RIGHT THAT HAS BEEN WORKING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS, NOT HAVE A HUGE POLITICAL BACKLASH, THEY'RE MAKING A VERY BAD MISTAKE.
IN THE SAME WAY THAT WHEN AFRICAN-AMERICANS SEE OUR VOTING RIGHTS ATTEMPTED TO BE STRIPPED AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN ARE THE NUMBER 1 DEMOGRAPHIC VOTER IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE TREMENDOUS POLITICAL WAVE GOING FORWARD AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WILL BE POURED INTO GETTING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO THE POLLS IF THEY ARE DENIED THE RIGHT TO VOTE, I GUARANTEE YOU.
WE MAY NEED TO COME BACK AS A COURT BECAUSE THIS IS COMING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TO ADD THIS AGENDA ITEM TO OUR LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AS BEING AN OPPOSITION TO RESTRICTING THE RIGHT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO HAVE VOTING LOCATIONS WHERE THEY WANT.
THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT [NOISE] ARE SOMETIMES AFRAID TO HAVE VOTING LOCATIONS BECAUSE OF EITHER THE TERRORISTIC THREATS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY DOMESTIC TERRORISTS TOWARDS OUR ELECTIONS OFFICIALS OR BECAUSE OF COVID, WHERE SCHOOLS HAVE REDUCED, SOMETIMES THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THEY ALLOW AS ELECTION VOTING LOCATIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE WHO MAY EXPOSE THEIR TEACHERS AND FACULTY AND THEIR STUDENTS TO COVID.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES NEED ALL OF THE LOCATIONS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN HAVE FOR VOTING AND COLLEGES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CHOICES, SO LET FREEDOM REIGN AND LET OUR STUDENTS VOTE. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> THAT CONCLUDES CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
DO WE GO BACK TO THE TIME, MR. THOMAS?
[Item 4C]
WE'RE GOING BACK TO ITEM 4 SUBSECTION C: APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE ANY APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER.ONE, ALAMO HEIGHTS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING AUGUST 16, 2022 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026 FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN AMOUNT OF $246,000.
SOUTHWEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT [LAUGHTER] FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING IN AUGUST 16 2022, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026 FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE MILLION $314,423. MR. BLAIR.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE ISD RPA ALLOCATION OF 20 MILLION PLUS DOLLAR FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT LAST YEAR.
SO FAR EIGHT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND WE HAVE TWO BEHIND US THAT ARE GOING TO GO TODAY.
WE'LL HAVE THE FINAL THREE HOPEFULLY MARCH 21ST JUST FYI.
BUT TODAY WE HAVE ALAMO HEIGHTS DR. FRANK ALFARO, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
WE HAVE DR. KRISTIN ASENSIACO, CO-ORDINATOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES FROM ALAMO HEIGHTS AS WELL.
WITH SOUTHWEST WE HAVE DAISY NIENTO, THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR.
AGAIN, THESE ARE 246,000 FOR ALAMO HEIGHTS AND 1.31 MILLION FOR SOUTHWEST AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS IF YOU'D LIKE.
>> SURE. LET'S GET EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AND YOUR STAFF.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS DAISY NIENTO, I'M THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR FOR SOUTHWEST ISD.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FOR ALLOWING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH THIS MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
[00:55:03]
AS YOU KNOW, SOUTHWEST ISD IN THE AREA SOUTHWEST, WE'VE GONE WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR A VERY LONG TIME.THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES TO RECEIVE THOSE MUCH NEEDED SERVICES.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT SUPPORT, WE WON'T LET YOU DOWN.
WE WILL DELIVER THOSE SERVICES AND I CAN SPEAK AS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR MANY YEARS IN THE DISTRICT.
I KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE FACED A LOT OF BARRIERS, AND THE FACT THAT THIS MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC WILL BE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY IS MAJOR.
ON BEHALF OF OUR SUPERINTENDENT, OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND ALSO OUR SENIOR STAFF THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'M DR. CHRISTINA SHINZO FROM ALAMO HEIGHTS ISD.
I'M THE COORDINATOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT TESTING COORDINATOR.
WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE FUNDS THAT YOU ALL HAVE ALLOCATED TO ALAMO HEIGHTS TO ISD FOR PROJECT RESTORE, IMPACTING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADERS IN OUR DISTRICT.
>> I'M FRANK ALFARO, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND I HELPED TO SUPPORT CHRISTINE AND I WANT TO SECOND WHAT SHE SAID.
A POINT OF CONTEXT AS WELL, ALAMO HEIGHTS IS THE SMALLEST GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICT IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA, WE'VE GOT 18 DISTRICTS.
OTHER THAN THE MILITARY BASES, WE'RE THE SMALLEST ONE.
WE APPRECIATE ANY SUPPORT WE GET FROM FROM ANYONE TO SUPPORT OUR MENTAL HEALTH FOR OUR STUDENTS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
THIS IS A PROJECT THAT I ADVOCATED FOR WHEN WE STARTED AS A PILOT PROGRAM IN PRECINCT 1 WHERE LIES SOUTHWEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT WE ARE PUSHING THIS FORWARD AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING STUDENTS SUCCESS STORIES, SO PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US IN MY OFFICE.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY STUDENTS SUCCESS STORIES YET THAT YOU CAN SHARE ABOUT HOW THE FUNDING IS IMPACTING HAVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ON-CAMPUS?
>> FOR OUR DISTRICT WITH THESE FUNDS WE ARE GOING TO ALLOCATE TWO MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS AND ALSO A SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR TO HELP WITH OUR VAPING ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING NATIONWIDE.
STUDENTS SUCCESS STORIES, I KNOW CURRENTLY JUST INTRODUCING THAT THE MENTAL CLINIC IS COMING.
THE LOCATION OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC IS RIGHT ACROSS FROM OUR ALTERNATIVE CENTER, AND SO A LOT OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE SERVICES WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO WALK OVER TO OUR CLINIC AND RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES.
THEY'RE ANTICIPATING THIS HUGE INITIATIVE TO START.
THANK YOU AGAIN AND WE HOPE THAT WE CAN BRING BACK A LOT OF STORIES SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR THOSE.
>> IN REGARDS TO ALAMO HEIGHTS, WE'RE USING THESE FUNDS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADERS THROUGH PROJECT RESTORE.
THOSE PARTICULAR STUDENTS WHERE WE FEEL MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY COVID, THOSE WERE STUDENTS THAT DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE IN SCHOOL NECESSARILY IN PRE-KK1 ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AND LACK SOME OF THE SOCIALIZATION SKILLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM.
WE'RE PARTNERING WITH FAMILY SERVICE.
FAMILY SERVICE IS COMING INTO OUR DISTRICT WITH THEIR SOCIAL WORKERS AND THEIR LPC STAFF TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH OUR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADERS TO DO CONSULTATIONS, TO WORK WITH FAMILIES, DIRECT COUNSELING SERVICES, AS WELL AS GIVING TEACHERS SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM THAT HAVE HAD TRAUMA IN THEIR BACKGROUND.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT I JUST THINK IT'S GOOD TO REITERATE.
WE CAN INVEST IN THESE PROGRAMS AND THEY'RE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER LEVERAGE THOSE FUNDS TO EMPOWER PARENTS AND PARTNER WITH PARENTS BECAUSE WE CAN'T REPLACE THOSE PARENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR JUDGE. LET ME THANK COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FOR PIONEERING THESE PROGRAMS. LET ME JUST SAY THAT I REPRESENT A VERY SMALL PORTION OF ALAMO HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT AROUND THE MCKINELY MUSEUM IN SUNSET RIDGE AND IN SAN ANTONIO AREA.
I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ BY THE NORTH STAR IF THAT SOME OF YOUR AREA AS WELL WHICH EXTENDS INTO YOUR BOUNDARIES.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COURT REALLY WANTS AS AN OBJECTIVE IS TO REALLY EXPAND ACCESS TO THE SERVICES OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.
NOT GETTING CAUGHT UP IN PARALYSIS OF ANALYSIS OF WHAT WE DON'T HAVE, BUT IMPLEMENTING COUNSELING.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THESE DOLLARS WE WANT TO BE FOR AND PICKING UP THE BATON FROM WHERE COMMISSIONER MOODY JUST LEFT OFF, SUSTAINABILITY AND EXPANDED ACCESS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
I WENT TO ST. MARY'S HALL AND SO I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS IN ALAMO HEIGHTS STILL DO AND ACTUALLY DID SUMMER SCHOOL AT ALAMO HEIGHTS FOR GEOMETRY MANY YEARS AGO.
[01:00:02]
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES IN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ALL KINDS OF THREATS, AND THAT WAS WHEN I WAS THERE DECADES AGO.MY ONLY CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT IS TO TRY TO EXPAND IT TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL AGE AS WELL BECAUSE THERE'S SOME REAL NEEDS THERE.
I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. WE KNOW ABOUT THE DAVID'S LAW, WE KNOW ABOUT BULLYING.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT AS YOUNG PEOPLE DEAL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT REALLY IMPACT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL JUST THINK AGAIN ABOUT MAKING SURE IT'S FULLY ACCESSIBLE TO YOUR WHOLE POPULATION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH JUDGE. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU JUDGE [NOISE]. JUST VERY BRIEFLY, I WANTED TO ALSO SHARE MY THANKS FOR THE WORK YOU'RE DOING.
QUICK QUESTION, I GUESS FOR EITHER DISTRICT BECAUSE I THINK YOU MENTIONED PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILY SERVICE.
I GUESS MOST OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN, I KNOW YOU'RE ALREADY DOING SOME MENTAL HEALTH WORK BEFORE THAT BUT IS IT TO SUPPLEMENT AN EXISTING PROGRAM OR IS IT TO START A NEW PROGRAM?
>> I'LL ADDRESS COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S COMMENTS AS WELL BECAUSE THEY SEGUE TOGETHER.
THE FIRST IS TO POINT OUT THAT WHAT DR.
ASHINZO MENTIONED WITH REGARD TO OUR K THROUGH 3, THAT'S THE NEW PART.
THAT IS A NEW PROGRAM WE'RE HAVING.
WE ARE USING SOME OF THE FUNDS TO CONTINUE OUR TIER 2 SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AT ALL AGE LEVELS.
IN ALAMO HEIGHTS THROUGH OUR ALAMO HEIGHTS FOUNDATION, WE ESTABLISHED YEARS AGO A DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELOR TO HELP SUPPORT STUDENTS ESPECIALLY AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL WHERE THEY EXPERIENCED THOSE NEEDS.
WE STARTED THROUGH SOME ESA FUNDS TO LAYER ON TOP OF THE SUPPORT SERVICES.
WE ALREADY GIVE SOME TIER 2 SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INTENSIVE NEEDS, WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THOSE COUNSELORS ON THE OUTSIDE FOR THEMSELVES.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT AND WE INTEND TO USE THE REMAINDER OF THESE FUNDS IN ADDITION TO THE K3 STUDENTS TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE STUDENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL IN THOSE TIER 2 SUPPORTS FOR ANOTHER YEAR NEXT YEAR.
I THINK FOR US THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS GOING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.
I ALSO COMMEND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FOR WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE FUNDS IN PARTICULAR WERE USED FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
WE HAVE A BIG RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH FROM BEXAR COUNTY AND I THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE FORGET PUBLIC HEALTH ALSO INCLUDES BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, MAKING AN IMPACT WITH THE STUDENTS IN YOUR DISTRICT.
CERTAINLY I WANT TO HEAR STORIES OF SUCCESS NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S A "RETURN ON INVESTMENT" BUT IT'S A RETURN ON IMPROVING LIVES.
I THINK THAT IS THE THINGS THAT WE'D LIKE TO HEAR PARTICULARLY WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S OTHER WAYS WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS PARTICULARLY IN A TIME WHERE OUR PUBLIC ISDS ARE UNDER ATTACK BY FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP, PLEASE CALL US AS PARTNERS. THANK YOU.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF: DR. HARTWELL, GILBERT, EMMANUEL.
COME ON BACK UP HERE. ALL MY STAFF. DR. GUARANA, WANT YOU INTRODUCE YOUR ENTIRE STAFF AND THEN DR. GRO HARLEM, I THINK WE HAD A SIMILAR ACTION ITEM AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH I THINK WAS SOUTHSIDE ISD AND THE NORTH SIDE ISD.
NOW WE HAVE ALAMO HEIGHTS TO SOUTHWEST.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS LAST TIME?
>> WELL, I'LL HELP YOU. I WANT.
[OVERLAPPING] TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE COLLABORATING, COMMUNICATING, AND COORDINATING WITH THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY ENTITIES.
I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM, BUT I THINK IT ONLY WORKS WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO REALLY NEED THESE SERVICES.
I REALLY WANT YOU, AS THE POLLOCK HEALTH ENTITY DIRECTOR TO PUT ON RECORD.
IF YOUR STAFF IS HERE, WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE AT BEXAR COUNTY AS WE GIVE THE ALLOCATION OF MONEY, WHAT ARE WE GETTING IN RETURN AND WHAT ARE OUR EXPECTATIONS? DOES THAT HELP YOU?
>> YES. SORRY. IT'S BEEN A LONG MORNING FROM EACH EDGE.
[01:05:01]
I DID TAKE SOME TIME TO REFLECT ON OUR LAST CONVERSATION WHEN WE DID HAVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HERE LAST TIME AND WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER ITEM FOR OUR REMAINING THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AT A FUTURE DATE FOR THOSE CONTRACTS THAT ARE YET TO BE APPROVED.BUT I THINK WE HAD SOME CONVERSATION AROUND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
HOW CAN WE BEST SUPPORT FAMILIES? BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ARE NOT THE ONLY THING THAT ARE FACING MANY OF THESE FAMILIES SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR STAFF WORK WITH THESE FAMILIES EVERY DAY.
THEY'RE VERY WELL AWARE OF ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT THESE FAMILIES ARE FACING, LIKE FOOD AND INSECURITY AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND ALL OF COVID AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE MOST CHALLENGING, TRANSPORTATION AND CHILDCARE AND EMPLOYMENT AND EVICTIONS.
ALL OF THESE THINGS AFFECT FAMILIES ALL OF THE TIME.
WHAT WE'VE HEARD, THE FEEDBACK FROM A LOT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS, BUT FOR THESE DOLLARS, THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS OFTEN THE THING THAT AGITATES EVERYTHING ELSE.
IT'S AN UNDERLYING FOUNDATIONAL ISSUE.
I DO THINK THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE AMPLIFYING AND LEVERAGING DOLLARS AGAINST A LOTS OF OTHER PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT SOCIAL DETERMINANTS WHILE WE ALSO ADDRESSED THE CHALLENGE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
BUT YEAH, I'M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE STAFF BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DO THE LION'S SHARE OF THE WORK.
GILBERT GONZALEZ IS OUR DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND THEIR COUNTY.
LETIZIA DOMINGUEZ IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND VICTORIA GOMEZ IS OUR PROGRAM MANAGER SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS GRANT.
>> BECAUSE TALKING TO EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM, THE CHILDREN WILL BE SERVING IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM OR JUSTICE SYSTEM.
ESPECIALLY [OVERLAPPING] THOSE THAT ARE MOST PROBLEMATIC.
THE CHILDREN THAT WE NEED TO REALLY HELP ARE THE ONES THAT ARE MOST IN NEED.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INCUMBENT ON THE SYSTEMS TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND MAKING SURE WE'RE INTEGRATED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICES THAT WE CAN, CORRECT?
>> I THINK THAT THE STUDENTS PROBABLY ARE SPECTRUM.
THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS THAT HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF ACUITY WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
BUT THEN THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS THAT HAVE CHALLENGES LIKE DEPRESSION AND THINGS THAT GO UNDIAGNOSED THAT MAYBE HAVEN'T REACHED THE LEVEL OF BEING NOTICED BY THEIR TEACHERS.
BUT I THINK AS WE ZOOM IN ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF THESE DOLLARS, I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A LOT OF THOSE STUDENTS AS WELL.
>> CAN I ASK STAFF TO ADDRESS HOW WE'RE GOING TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
>> YES. GOOD MORNING, JESSICA.
COMMISSIONERS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE A VERY STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
WE DO HAVE A PLAN THAT WE MEET WITH THEM.
WE REVIEWED THE CONTRACT AS THEY CAN ASK ANY QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAVE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE ON THEIR TEAM, THAT WE ARE WORKING AS A GROUP TO REALLY HOPEFULLY SUSTAIN ALL OF THIS FUNDING FOR FUTURE.
WE DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S OUTCOMES, THERE'S METRICS THAT THEY HAVE TO REPORT TO US.
ONE THING THAT WE REALLY LOVE ABOUT THIS IS THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT GETS TO SELECT WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN SEE WHAT IS THE BEST PRACTICE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SEE WHAT ARE THE SUCCESSES AND I LOVE THIS ALAMO HEIGHTS WHERE THEY'RE STARTING WITH THE VERY EARLY CHILDHOOD GROUPS.
THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO FOR THE FUTURE.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS AND WORK WITH THEM VERY CLOSELY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD NOW.
>> THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY I ADVOCATED FOR THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT WHEN I WAS AT BRECKENRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, I WISH THAT I HAD ACCESS TO SERVICES INSTEAD OF GETTING COUNSELING IN MY 20S WOULD'VE BEEN GREAT IF I COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN MY TEENS.
I'M SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER EVEN GOTTEN SPEEDING TICKET.
WE'RE HOPING THAT THESE SOURCES WORK WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE THEY EVEN GET INTO ANY LEGAL ISSUES.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL FOR BOTH SOUTHWEST IST AS WELL AS ALDEHYDES.
>> I'LL SECOND IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE MORE MACRO-LEVEL POINT.
YOUR ASSOCIATIONS IN SCHOOLS, I'M SPEAKING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
IT WOULD BE WISE TO BEGIN LOBBYING THE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS LONG TERM NOW, YOU MAY BE I'M NOT SURE, BUT JUDGES [NOISE] PICKING UP ON WHERE HE LEFT OFF ON THE COLLABORATION.
WE'RE VERY BLESSED AND BEXAR COUNTY TO HAVE HIS LEADERSHIP AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF HIS SERVICE FOR DECADES, HELPING CHILDREN WHO ARE REALLY TARGET NUMBER 1, I THINK IN THE COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF WHO REALLY NEEDS HELP RIGHT NOW.
BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS REALLY A RECONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATION BY INCORPORATING MENTAL HEALTH.
IT'S A NECESSARY THING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES ARE OUT CRYING FOR.
[01:10:01]
WHEN YOU RECONSTRUCT, THAT MEANS THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS PRIMARILY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE FUNDING AND A MAJOR ROLE IN HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS CONNECTED TO MENTAL HEALTH, THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.THAT HAS TO BE A REALLY NEW FOUNDATION FOR LEGISLATORS TO HEAR.
MOST FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE ARE NOT GOING TO BE PRIVY TO THIS CONVERSATION ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
IT MAY NEVER CROSS THEIR MIND THAT THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION DEPENDS UPON THE INCORPORATION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDRESSING THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH TO DEAL WITH THE DROPOUT RATE INCREASING, TO DEAL WITH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT DECREASING.
THEY NEED TO HEAR YOUR VOICES NOW AND IN THE NEXT SESSION, BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU DON'T GET IT THE FIRST TIME YOU COME, BUT YOU PROBABLY GOING TO GET IT THE SECOND TIME THAT YOU COUNT BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO USE THESE DOLLARS.
BUT THIS IS JUST A COUPLE OF YEAR WINDOW.
YOU STILL HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEEDS AND MAYBE THEIR FAMILIES.
YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT, THAT THE SERVICE MAY BE EXPANDED TO FAMILIES WHO REALLY NEED MORE COUNSELING.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DO AND SPREAD THIS WORD TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE LEGISLATURE. THANK YOU, JASON.
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KLIRKOFF, THE SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, I CAN'T MAKE THAT SAME REPRESENTATION THAT I NEVER GOTTEN ANY TICKETS WHEN I WAS YOUNG.
WE'RE BACK TO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS.
[Item 43]
I BELIEVE THOMAS HELP ME OUT WE'RE AT 43.PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION, PERMISSION TO NEGOTIATE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION GRANTED AMOUNT OF $175,000 TO GEEKDOM IN SUPPORT OF 10 STARTUP BOOTCAMP EVENTS IN BEXAR COUNTY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.
>> I'M DEBORAH CARTER, THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WITH BEXAR COUNTY.
TODAY WE ARE BRINGING YOU THE BEXAR COUNTY INNOVATION FUND.
THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
THE BEXAR COUNTY INNOVATION FUND WAS CREATED TO ENTICE SMALL INNOVATIVE COMPANIES TO MOVE THEIR OPERATIONS TO BEXAR COUNTY.
ALSO TO ASSIST LOCAL INNOVATORS TO TAKE THEIR IDEAS TO MARKET AND THEN SCALE THEM IN BEXAR COUNTY, AND TO FUND TALENT DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIONS, PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL TRAINING AND BRAND BUILDING.
WITH ME TODAY, I HAVE CHARLES WOODIN AND PHILIP HERNANDEZ WITH GEEKDOM.
THEY ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE THREE-DAY STARTUP BOOTCAMPS, THAT THEY HAVE FILLED OUT IN INNOVATION APPLICATION FUND FOR.
>> MORNING JUDGE, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME TODAY.
I'M ALSO JOINED TODAY WITH MY COO, PHILIP HERNANDEZ, JUST IN CASE WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I'M GOING TO JUMP RIGHT INTO A PRESENTATION.
WE HEAR AT GEEKDOM, OUR WHOLE GOAL IS TO BUILD SAN ANTONIO ONE STARTUP AT A TIME WITH A GOAL OF A 10 YEARS TO LAUNCH 500 STARTUPS WITH 75% OF THEM CALLING SAN ANTONIO HOME.
HOW WE DO THIS IS BY EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURS TO CULTIVATE, SHAPE, AND GROW THEIR IDEAS INTO VIABLE BUSINESSES THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND COLLABORATIVE STARTUP COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT HELP SUPPORT THIS PROGRESS, BUT ONE OF THE MAIN ONES IS OUR STARTUP BOOTCAMP, WHICH I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TODAY.
BUT WHY DOES THIS ALL MATTER? IT MATTERS BECAUSE STARTUPS ARE A KEY SOURCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR PROSPEROUS CITIES.
THE WAY THAT THEY DO THIS IS BY SUPPORTING STARTUPS, WE PROPEL JOB CREATION, INNOVATION, AND A MORE RESILIENT AND DIVERSE ECONOMY FOR THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO AREA.
FOR SOME QUICK STATS, OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS GEEKDOM HAS HELPED CREATE 2,500 NEW JOBS.
HELPED OUR COMPANIES THAT HAVE COME FROM OUR SPACE, RAISE OVER $422 MILLION IN FUNDING, AND WE ARE CURRENTLY TRACKING 130 STARTUPS, WITH 79 OF THEM BEING WOMEN OR MINORITY LED.
I WANT TO TELL YOU SOME REAL QUICK SUCCESS STORIES.
ONE OF WHICH IS A COMPANY CALLED FLOATME, WHICH PITCH THEIR IDEA BACK IN 2017 DURING A SIMILAR PROGRAM JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM HERE.
THAT IDEA HAS SINCE TAKEN OFF AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY HAVE RAISED OVER $50 MILLION AND EMPLOY OVER 60 EMPLOYEES HERE LOCALLY, AND THEY ARE CONTINUING TO GROW AND ARE ABOUT TO RELOCATE INTO THE BRAND BUILDING JUST TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM HERE.
ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS BETTY'S CO.
JENNIFER NEWELL AND HER HUSBAND FOUNDED THE COMPANY BACK IN 2020,
[01:15:04]
AND HAVE GROWN IT SINCE IN A VERY INTEGRAL PIECE TO THE GEEKDOM COMMUNITY, AND WAS ABLE TO RAISE ENOUGH FUNDING TO PITCH FOR THE LAST TECHFUEL COMPETITION BACK IN 2021, AND SHE WON THAT COMPETITION WITH $50,000 OF NON-DILUTIVE CASH, HELPING HER BUILD OUT HER MOBILE CLINIC WHERE NOW SHE'S ABLE TO MEET HER PATIENTS WHERE THEY ARE.NOW, TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
OUR STARTUP BOOTCAMP IS A ONE SIGNATURE PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS IN THE IDEATION STAGE.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, WE ARE CURRENTLY TRACKING 130 OF THESE STARTUPS.
WITH THE GOAL OF THIS, ANY PARTICIPANT THAT WALKS IN WITH AN IDEA, WE'LL LEAVE THE THREE-DAY WEEKEND.
THEY'LL COME IN ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND THEY LEAVE SUNDAY EVENING WITH AN MVP, A MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT THAT THEY CAN SHOWCASE ON WHAT THAT PRODUCT IS.
THEY'LL ALSO LEAVE WITH A LEAN CANVAS BUSINESS MODEL, AN ELEVATOR PITCH, AND THE BONES OF A START-UP PITCH THAT THEY CAN PRESENT TO OTHERS.
WE DO HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAMS THAT I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON REAL QUICK.
OUR INCUBATOR PROGRAM WHICH HELPS SUPPORT 15 CURRENT STARTUPS GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
NOW, IF YOU MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARCH 22, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A STARTUP SHOWCASE TO BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE THOSE 15 COMPANIES THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE INCUBATOR PROGRAM, AND OUR GOAL IS TO RUN THREE OF THOSE THIS YEAR.
WE ALSO HAVE A PRE-ACCELERATOR PROGRAM WHICH WILL BE RUN TWICE THIS YEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO HOST THOSE WHERE SIX COMPANIES GO THROUGH A SIX-WEEK PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO BUILD AND GO TO MARKET AND GET THAT PLAN READY TO GO TO GO TO MARKET.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY FUND WHERE WE INVEST $25,000 IN THE FORM OF A SAFE NOTE INTO ONE COMPANY PER QUARTER.
NOW, THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN.
WITH THE FUNDING THAT WE'RE REQUESTING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE STARTUP BOOTCAMP, WHICH IS FREE FOR ANYBODY TO ATTEND.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE IT OUT INTO THE BEXAR COUNTY AREA AND ENTER INTO EACH ONE OF YOUR PRECINCTS.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON DIFFERENT VERTICALS.
AS YOU SEE HERE LISTED, SOME OF THE VERTICALS THAT WE PLAN ON FOCUSING ON WOMEN LEAD VENTURES, SUSTAINABILITY, MILITARY, UNIVERSITY, ALL DIFFERENT ONES THAT WE PLAN ON HOSTING THIS YEAR.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT FOR $175,000, WE'LL BE ABLE TO HOST 10 OF THESE ACROSS THE COUNTY, WITH ONE IN EACH PRECINCT IS OUR GOAL. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOUR PROPOSAL.
I WILL SAY I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE ACCELERATOR PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE'VE FALLEN SHORT.
BUT I THINK THERE'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF INVESTORS, VENTURE CAPITALISTS.
HAVING RUN SEVERAL BUSINESSES MYSELF, AND KNOWING HOW COSTS ARE RISING SO MUCH IN BUSINESS TODAY, A $25,000 INVESTMENT DOESN'T GO THAT FAR TO KEEP SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES GOING.
THAT'S WHERE THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE INVESTMENT COMMUNITY, AND I KNOW IT DOES HAPPEN AND MAY NOT JUST BE PART OF THIS POWERPOINT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT GROWTH NOT ONLY FOR LOCAL, BUT REACHING OUT TO NATIONAL AND OTHER INVESTORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO BE A PART OF THE FUNDING STREAMS FOR THE BUSINESSES HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS THIS IS A ROBUST PROGRAM, AND WE'VE HAD SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES, SOME OF THESE ENTREPRENEURS, PEOPLE WHO'RE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FEELING LIKE THE COUNTY AND JUST THE COMMUNITY IN SAN ANTONIO DROPPED THE BALL IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND HELPING SOME OF THESE BUSINESS PEOPLE.
WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THAT, AND WE'VE GOT TO REALLY HAVE A LOOK ON QUALITY CONTROL AND MAKING SURE THAT WE REALLY CREATE A BRAND IMAGE THAT SAN ANTONIO, BOTH OF THE COUNTY AND WITH GEEKDOM AND THESE OTHER THINGS, ARE GOING TO BE NURTURED AND HAVE SUCCESS.
WE'LL WORK WITH YOU AND WILL WORK IMPROVE OUR OWN DEPARTMENT'S FUNCTIONALITY IN THAT WORLD.
BUT I DO WANT TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE THAT CHATTER IS OUT THERE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE'RE HAVING BUSINESSES FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS, THAT PROMISES THAT WERE MADE WERE UNCAPPED, THAT WE'RE LOSING COMPANIES TO AUSTIN, ETC.
WE WANT TO BE HERE TO HELP SURE THAT DAM THAT'S BREAKING UP.
BUT WE'VE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER AND JUST HAVE SOME FRANK CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE ALL OF OUR THINGS.
I APPRECIATE THIS INITIATIVE AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT TO US. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING AT GEEKDOM.
I APPRECIATE THE TOUR I HAD A FEW WEEKS AGO.
THAT WAS GREAT TO SEE SOME OF THOSE COMPANIES FIRSTHAND
[01:20:02]
UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO THERE AT GEEKDOM, AND THE IMPORTANCE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.I HAVEN'T HEARD AS MANY OF THE RUMORS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT.
IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE ARE MISSING, LIKE AT THE COUNTY, WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF IT, SO WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAN ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.
PLEASE BE A PARTNER WITH US IN THAT AS WE GO FORWARD, IF YOU SEE AND IDENTIFY SOME OF THESE NEEDS THAT WE CAN HELP WITH.
I DO JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE SLIDE WITH THE 2,500 JOBS AND THE 422 MILLION.
EVEN IF HALF OF THAT, OR 20% OF THAT WAS IN SAN ANTONIO, THESE PROGRAMS WOULD PAY FOR THEMSELVES 10 TIMES OVER.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD INVESTMENT, IT'S A GREAT INVESTMENT.
THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD PREVIOUSLY WITH STAFF WAS AROUND THE NUMBER BEING 10.
I TRUST YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO DECIDE WHAT THE RIGHT NUMBER IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE'RE PUTTING THOSE TOGETHER THEY'RE FULLY ATTENDED, AND IF THE RIGHT NUMBER IS EIGHT OR IF THE RIGHT NUMBER IS 15, AND WE NEED TO GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT WE'LL FIGURE OUT WHATEVER THE RIGHT NUMBER IS. YOU JUST LET US KNOW.
>> I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A POINT TO PEOPLE COME TO PRESENT TO US BECAUSE WE GOT A REALLY BIG PACKET THAT THOMAS JUST GAVE US AND I WAS LIKE, OH, NO.
I THANK YOU FOR KEEPING IT SHORT INTO THE POINT.
[LAUGHTER] I WANT TO COMMEND THE SPECIFIC BOOTCAMPS THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT ARE BEING SPECIFICALLY AIMED TOWARDS WOMEN, MILITARY, COLLEGE KIDS, CYBERSECURITY, ETC.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. I LIKE TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS
>> THANK YOU, MS. GARNER. ITEM 44, PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS,
[Item 44]
SOME PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR BIBLIOTECH LERMA'S TO BE LOCATED AT THE HISTORIC LERMA'S NIGHTCLUB.>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TONY KANYE.
I'M WITH THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT.
I'M THE DIVISION CHIEF FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
INCLUDED AS PART OF THE 10 YEARS $690 MILLION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM, BEXAR COUNTY WILL BUILD THE NEXT BIBLIOTECH DIGITAL LIBRARY WITHIN THE HISTORIC LERMA'S NIGHTCLUB, WHICH IS THE BUILDING THAT IS LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
THE 1940S ERA CINDER BLOCK BUILDING FEATURES ART DECO DETAILS, INCLUDING OCTAGONAL WINDOWS AND ROUNDED OUTER CORNERS, AND IT CONSISTS OF FIVE BAYS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE HOME TO MANY DIFFERENT BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, INCLUDING A DOUGHNUT SHOP, A TIRE SHOP, A LAUNDRY, A DRY CLEANERS, A GROCERY STORE, A MEAT MARKET, AND A RESTAURANT.
ALSO, THE LARGEST SECTION OF THE BUILDING WAS HOME TO NORTENO MEXICO CONJUNTO THE LIVE MUSIC VENUE CALLED EL SOMBRERO, AND IT WAS LATER TURNED INTO LERMA'S NIGHTCLUB, A LIVE MUSIC VENUE BY PABLO LERMA IN 1951.
IT WAS EXCLUSIVELY FOR CONJUNTO MUSIC, AND THEY OPERATED FOR MANY YEARS UNTIL THEY CLOSED IN 2010.
THE BUILDING IS OWNED BY THE ESPERANZA PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER AND THE COUNTY IS LEASING APPROXIMATELY 4,000 SQUARE FEET OF THIS NEW LIBRARY.
WE'LL HAVE LAURA COLE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE VISION FOR THE PROGRAM OF THIS NEW FACILITY.
THEN WE HAVE ROB RIDER AND JEFF EDWARDS WITH US TODAY FROM ALTER ARCHITECTS WHO WILL BE DESIGNING THE NEW FACILITY.
THEY WILL SHOW US SOME PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS FOR THE FLOOR PLAN THAT WE HOPE WILL HELP YOU PROVIDE US FEEDBACK ON HOW THIS NEW ASSET TO THE WEST SIDE AND ALL OF BEXAR COUNTY WILL BE DEVELOPED.
>> IS MS. GRACIELA SANCHEZ HERE TOO? FROM ESPERANZA?
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, LAURA COLE, BIBLIOTECH DIRECTOR.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU VERY BRIEFLY TODAY HOW I SEE BIBLIOTECH LERMA'S FEATURING WITHIN THE BIBLIOTECH SYSTEM AS WELL AS IN THE WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AGAIN, THESE ARE VERY PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL PRESENTATION SUBJECT TO CHANGES AND FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL.
BIBLIOTECH LERMA'S IS LOCATED AT 1602 NORTH ZARZAMORA, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 2.7 MILES AWAY FROM THE EXISTING BIBLIOTECH WEST LIBRARY, WHICH IS CO-LOCATED IN THE GARDENS AT THE SAN JUAN, WHICH IS OPPORTUNITY HOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE LOTS OF TECHNOLOGY IN THAT BRANCH.
[01:25:01]
WE HAVE 48 DESKTOP COMPUTERS IN A VERY SMALL SPACE.I AM EXCITED ABOUT BIBLIOTECH LERMA'S BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO OFFER US THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN TANDEM WITH THAT LIBRARY, AS THE COMPLIMENTARY VERSION.
BIBLIOTECH IS FOUNDED ON THREE FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS: RESOURCES, ACCESS, EDUCATION.
WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE COME TO OUR BRANCHES FOR EDUCATION AND ACCESS.
BIBLIOTECH WEST DOESN'T HAVE THE SPACE TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATION PIECE.
WE LOOK TO BIBLIOTECH LERMA'S IS TO REALLY FILL THAT GAP IN THAT AREA SO THAT PEOPLE CAN COME TO THIS FACILITY.
THEY CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, THEY CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THE TECHNOLOGY, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ROOM TO LEARN AND TO GROW.
WORKING WITH THE ESPERANZA PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER, WE ANTICIPATE THAT THIS IS GOING TO ATTRACT A NUMBER OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHO REALLY NEED THAT ELEMENT IN ORDER TO BE FULLY ENGAGED AND TO HAVE ADOPTION.
YOU'LL SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE RENDERINGS THAT JEFF EDWARDS AND ROB RIDER ARE GOING TO PRESENT TO YOU.
YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF TECHNOLOGY IN THIS SPACE, BUT IT'S FOCUSED ON THE EDUCATION PIECE.
I'D LIKE TO BRING THEM UP AND WALK YOU THROUGH THESE RENDERINGS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR YOU AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU NEED.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. LAURA, WHY DON'T WE HAVE THE ARCHITECTS COME UP FIRST, DO THE PRESENTATION? I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE VERY BRIEF, AND THEN I'LL SAVE MY QUESTIONS FOR THEM.
>> WE GOT THE BRIEF MESSAGE LOUD CLEAR, SO WE'LL KEEP IT REALLY SHORT.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY AGAIN, MY NAME IS JEFF EDWARDS.
I'M A PRINCIPAL WITH ALTER ARCHITECTS.
>> ROB RIDER, ALSO A PRINCIPAL WITH ALTER.
>> I GUESS THE FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO DO JUST VERY QUICKLY IS THANK YOU GUYS FOR CONCEPTUALIZING AND SUPPORTING THE BIBLIOTECH PROGRAM.
IT'S BEEN AMAZING AND EXCITING JUST TO SEE HOW OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR IT IS, BOTH HEREIN BEXAR COUNTY AND FRANKLY AROUND THE WORLD.
I KNOW LAURA HAS TRAVELED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND PLACES ABROAD TO ACTUALLY SPEAK ABOUT THIS.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADVANCE THIS.
WE'RE HERE TODAY WITH JUST A COUPLE OF VERY PRELIMINARY IMAGES OF WHAT WE THINK THE NEW BIBLIOTECH AT LERMA'S CAN LOOK LIKE.
THIS IS A FLOOR PLAN AND IF YOU'VE BEEN TO ANY OF THE BIBLIOTECH BEFORE, YOU'LL SEE [NOISE] SOME OF THE SIMILAR PATTERNS HERE.
WE'VE GOT A BIG OPEN AREA IN THE CENTER WITH COMPUTER STATIONS.
THIS PARTICULAR BRANCH IS GOING TO TRY AND AGAIN COMPLEMENT THE OTHER WESTSIDE BRANCH BY ADDING ADDITIONAL STUDY ROOMS. THERE'S A CHILDREN'S ROOM.
WE'VE GOT A RECORDING STUDIO AND A MAKER SPACE IN THIS FACILITY.
THEY'LL ALSO BE A COMMUNITY ROOM THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO OPERATE AT HOURS THAT DIFFER FROM THE BIBLIOTECH ITSELF.
IT CAN BE USED FOR OTHER KINDS OF COMMUNITY EVENTS.
EACH OF THE BIBLIOTECH S HAS ITS OWN WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES.
THIS ONE AT LERMA'S IS GOING TO BE FANTASTIC BECAUSE WE GET TO GO INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC BUILDING THAT JUST GOT SAVED.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING TO WORK WITH GRACIELA SANCHEZ AND SUSANA SEGURA AND THEIR TEAM TO HELP CONCEPTUALIZE WHAT'S GOING TO BEST SUIT THE COMMUNITY IN THIS AREA.
YOU CAN SEE WE'RE SHOWING SOME PAINTED SIGNAGE ON THIS PARTICULAR BIBLIOTECH THAT'S IN KEEPING WITH THE HISTORIC FABRIC OF THE BUILDING, THE WAY THAT THE LERMA'S SIGN WAS PAINTED ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING.
HERE YOU'LL NOTE THE GREAT HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS LIKE THE OCTAGONAL WINDOWS THAT LAURA POINTED OUT.
INSIDE YOU'LL RECOGNIZE THIS FAMILIAR PALETTE OF MATERIALS THAT'S IN KEEPING WITH THE OTHER BIBLIOTECH FACILITY.
THIS IS AT THE FRONT, LOOKING AT THE CIRCULATION DESK AND THEN LOOKING AT THE OPEN STATIONS, IN THE CENTER OF THE COMPUTER STATIONS THERE.
IN THE FAR BETWEEN THE CIRCULATION DESK AND THE COMPUTER STATIONS, YOU'LL SEE THE OFFICES, AND THE SERIES OF STUDY ROOMS, AND CHILDREN'S ROOM.
HERE'S ONE LAST IMAGE, LOOKING FROM THE DESK BACK ACROSS.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING THOSE FUN OCTAGONAL WINDOWS INTO THE BUILDING HERE AS WELL.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK IT'S A BALANCING ACT OF USING SOME OF THE GREAT HISTORIC DETAILS.
THEN ALSO CARRYING THROUGH WITH THE THEME THAT EVERYBODY HAS COME TO KNOW FOR THE BIBLIOTECH.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. WE APPRECIATE.
>> GREAT. YEAH. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
JEFF, THANK YOU FOR BEING BRIEF, FIRST OF ALL.
BUT LET ME ALSO SAY, I KNOW THIS IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM, THIS IS JUST AN UPDATE.
I WANT TO THANK LAURA AND HER TEAM FOR WORKING WITH NOT JUST THE ESPERANZA GROUP,
[01:30:07]
BUT I KNOW WE WERE BOTH OUT AT THE WEST END HOPE IN ACTION NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.THEY'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
JUST FOR BACKGROUND, THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS THE SEATS WERE LAID BEFORE I GOT HERE, FRANKLY, COMMISSIONER ELIZONDO WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING SURE THE COUNTY WAS A PARTNER IN THE RESTORATION OF THE LERMA BUILDING, COMMITTED TO ONE DAY HAVING THE BIBLIOTECH THERE.
I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THAT COMMITMENT.
THE ACCESS PIECE, YOU MENTIONED LAURA, RIGHT AT [INAUDIBLE] BUS LINE ACCESSIBLE.
THERE'S ALSO, I THINK SOME DISCUSSION WE'RE HAVING WITH JOE NEWTON ABOUT POTENTIALLY GETTING SOME REAL ESTATE NEARBY FOR SOME PARKING SPACES.
JEFF, I'M NOT AN ARCHITECT AND I KNOW THESE ARE JUST RENDERINGS, [NOISE] BUT A LITTLE BIT OF CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK.
>> I THINK THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.
I MEAN, THEY JUST DID SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB WITH THE RESTORATION.
I'M THINKING MAYBE A LITTLE MORE SUBTLE WITH THE SIGNAGE.
JUST SO IT DOESN'T DETRACT FROM THE RESTORATION PIECE OF OF THE BUILDING.
>> NO, ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL WORK WITH YOU.
AGAIN, THE IDEA OF THE PAINTED SIGNAGE ACTUALLY CAME FROM SUSANA AND GRACIELA WHEN WE MET WITH THEM THE FIRST-TIME, MAYBE IT NEEDS TO BE TONED DOWN A LITTLE BIT, HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> NO. ITS OKAY. GOOD COMMENT. THANK YOU.
>> JUST SOME FEEDBACK BECAUSE THEY DID DO A WONDERFUL JOB WITH THE RESTORATION.
>> I JUST THINK WE OUGHT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT FOR SURE.
>> BUT AGAIN WHAT'S THE TIMELINE NOW FOR THE COMPLETION OF THIS? DO WE KNOW?
>> I GUESS WE'RE IN DESIGN PHASE NOW, SO THAT'S ROUGHLY 4-6 MONTHS, CORRECT? AFTER THAT, I THINK BIDS CAN GO OUT.
>> YEAH. WE JUST STARTED, WE ACTUALLY RUSHED TO GET SOME PRELIMINARY IMAGES IN HERE TODAY.
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THE SCHEDULE A LITTLE BIT, ROB?
>> I THINK, WELL, WE TALKED ABOUT IT WITH LAURA, THE 4-6 MONTH TIME FRAME IS [OVERLAPPING] RIGHT ON TRACK AND WE WERE HERE TWO WEEKS AGO TO KICK THIS OFF.
>> YEAH. I KNOW IT WAS A FAST TURNAROUND.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATE DOWN THE ROAD AND HOPEFULLY THE RIBBON CUTTING IN A FEW MONTHS. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE RENDERINGS AND IT LOOKS GOOD.
MY QUESTIONS ARE MAINLY FOR LAURA AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE PROGRAM.
I KNOW YOU'VE COME AND BRIEFED ME AND MY STAFF AND I'M STILL LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM AND WHERE WE'RE AT.
I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU PLAN TO WORK ON A LONG-TERM STRATEGY DOCUMENT. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. COMMISSIONER, BIBLIOTECH IS GOING TO BE 10 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.
I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT IF WE ARE DELIVERING SERVICE EXACTLY THE SAME WAY TEN YEARS FROM NOW, WE'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.
OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME, THE NEEDS REMAIN THE SAME, BUT HOW WE DELIVER THOSE SERVICES, I THINK NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED.
I THINK A LOT HAS CHANGED IN 10 YEARS.
WE NEED TO BE PREPARED TO RESPOND TO THEM MORE EFFECTIVELY.
>> NO. I COMPLETELY AGREE AND I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.
BECAUSE I THINK ULTIMATELY, WE CAN'T JUST LET INERTIA TAKE US IN ONE DIRECTION.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE GOING AND WHAT'S THE RIGHT FOOTPRINT, WHAT SERVICES ARE WE TRYING TO PROVIDE IN WHAT LOCATIONS? I KNOW YOU MENTIONED YOU'RE ABOUT 2.5 MILES AWAY FROM ONE OF THE OTHER LOCATIONS.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT DISTANCE GEOGRAPHICALLY THAT THESE SHOULD BE SPACED OUT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE JUST NOT CANNIBALIZING OTHER BIBLIOTECH?
>> WELL, I THINK FIRST OF ALL, WHEN WE LOOK AT BIBLIOTECH LOCATIONS, WE REALLY HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT EACH OF THEM HAS THEIR OWN CHARACTER BASED ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY SERVE.
FOR EXAMPLE GARDENS AT SAN JUAN SERVES PREDOMINATELY THE POPULATION IN THAT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS GREAT, WHICH IS WHY WE ENTERED INTO THAT PARTNERSHIP.
BUT AS I MENTIONED, IT IS A VERY SMALL, TIGHT BRANCH.
IT'S ONLY 2,800 SQUARE FEET, SO WE CAN'T PERFORM ALL THE FUNCTIONS THAT WE NEED TO DO IN THAT BRANCH EASILY, BECAUSE THIS WAS A BRANCH THAT WAS ENVISIONED BY COMMISSIONER ALESSANDRO MANY YEARS AGO.
IT REALLY DOES PROVIDE US A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE SERVICE TO THE WEST SIDE, PERIOD.
>> I JUST THINK THIS IS A GREAT TIME IN THE STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT WILL BE A GREAT TIME TO
[01:35:04]
RETHINK TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND THEIR LIBRARY SYSTEM.I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T LIVE THROUGH THIS.
I KNOW THERE'S A HISTORY HERE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY WORTH REVISITING AND UNDERSTAND BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TWO PRIVATE COMPETING COMPANIES TRYING TO WIN OVER BEXAR COUNTY.
HOW DO WE COMPLEMENT ONE ANOTHER? HOW CAN WE FILL IN THE GAPS? BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ANOTHER PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE CITY IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT BUILDING REDUNDANT SERVICES FOR OUR COUNTY.
>> I AGREE WITH SHANNON AND WE HAVE UP UNTIL PROBABLY COVID HIT, WE WERE MEETING REGULARLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LIBRARY TO REALLY DISCUSS THE FACT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO DUPLICATE SERVICES, WE DON'T WANT TO DUPLICATE PROGRAMS OR RESOURCES.
WE'VE BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT THOSE COMMUNICATIONS AS WELL.
>> THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR. I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING INVOLVED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY AND JUST UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
THIS IS A VERY EXCITING THING TO HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY IT NEEDS IT THAT HAS A DIGITAL DIVIDE AND I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE DISTANCE.
IN THIS CASE, I THINK WE'RE BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND SO THE PROXIMITY AND AREAS WITH THE GREATEST DIGITAL DIVIDE MIGHT NEED MORE LOCATIONS.
WE HAVE SEEN SPATIAL MAPS OF THE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN HOMES IN SAN ANTONIO, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ALL WERE ON THE COURT WHEN I FIRST BROUGHT THIS UP, BUT I LOOKED AT ABOUT 40 DIFFERENT CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OUR INTERNET USAGE WAS THE LOWEST THAT I SAW IN HOUSEHOLDS IN THESE 40 CITIES I LOOKED AT.
THERE SPATIAL MAPS AND COMPARE THEM TO OURS AND OF COURSE, THE EAST, WEST, AND SOUTH SIDES, THEY HAD 25-40 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.
THE NORTH SIDE HAD 80, 90,100 PERCENT AND THEIR CENSUS TRACKS HUGE DIFFERENCE.
BUT THERE WAS NO OTHER CITY THAT I SAW THAT HAD ANYWHERE NEAR THAT DISPARITY.
BIBLIOTECH IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE TO THE CURRENT, NOT THE FUTURE TO THEM NOW.
IT'S WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME AND KIDS THAT NEEDS TO STUDY AND FAMILIES THAT NEED TO DO RESEARCH AND ALL THOSE THINGS.
I REMEMBER WHEN GRACIELA AND ESPERANZA BROUGHT THIS LAMAZE PROJECT AND I REMEMBER COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER SAYING, "WE DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE GOING TO RAISE SOME MONEY, GET THE MONEY FOR THIS." WE WERE ALL TOO HAPPY AS A COURT TO VOTE FOR THE 500,000 THAT WE ALL I THINK IT WAS 500,000 THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ALLOCATED FOR MATCHING THE FUNDS THAT WERE RAISED BY ESPERANZA.
HATS OFF TO ESPERANZA, HATS OFF TO YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING AT INNOVATING AND KEEPING BIBLIOTECH NOT STATIC BUT EVOLVING WHERE THE TECHNOLOGY AND WHERE THE MOVEMENT AND LITERACY NEEDS TO EVOLVE.
AND THOSE ARE GREAT THOUGHTS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING THINK THROUGH THAT WITH YOU.
THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO PRECINCT TOO. THIS IS GREAT.
>> ITEM 46, DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATED TO PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFERS IN THE MATTER OF.
LET'S GO BACK TO DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION
[Item 45]
REGARDING BEXAR COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, THE ADA SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO INCLUDE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PASSIONATE OR RAIL SERVICE IN TEXAS, AND B, LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICTS AND THEIR ABILITY TO INCUR DEBT.>> JUDGE, I'M GOING TO TABLE THE ITEM A FOR THE RAIL TO ANOTHER DATE SO THAT WE CAN GET ON TO THE ESD'S.
I'M GOING TO TABLE THAT IF I COULD GET A SECOND.
>> THERE'S A MOTION BY MR. CALVERT? IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
LET'S NOW GO TO 45 B, LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICTS AND THEIR ABILITY TO INCUR DEBTS. MISS. SHANNON.
>> THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
REALLY QUICK, LET ME JUST GIVE YOU AN UPDATE AND THEN I'LL GET TO ITEM B.
WE'RE UP TO 3,710 BILLS FILED.
WE'RE TRACKING 375 OF THOSE OF OUR INITIATIVES, INDIGENT DEFENSE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS WILL TAKE UP ARTICLE 4 OF THE BUDGET ON THURSDAY OCA RESIDES IN ARTICLE 4, AND THAT'S WHERE THE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION RESIDES.
I WILL EITHER SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND/OR SPEAK THAT DAY.
[01:40:04]
THE REST OF OUR ITEMS ARE MOVING FORTH.THE GOVERNOR, I THINK WE ALL AWARE OF THE GOVERNOR DELIVERING HIS STATE OF THE STATE WITH HIS EMERGENCY ITEMS, WHICH NOW ALLOWS THE LEGISLATURE TO MEET ON THOSE ITEMS AND ALSO, A FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RELEASED HIS 30 PRIORITIES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I'VE PROVIDED ALL OF THOSE UPDATES TO YOU IN YOUR WEEKLY EMAIL, AS WELL AS THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FINALLY CAME OUT.
THE ESD RESOLUTION, THIS IS AN ITEM THAT YOU GAVE ME DIRECTION ON AT YOUR LAST MEETING AND THOMAS WILL HAND THAT OUT TO YOU BASED ON INFORMATION THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE ESD'S THEIR LEGAL COUNSEL AND THEIR LOBBYISTS.
I DRAFTED THE DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT WAS ALSO SHARED TO YOU VIA EMAIL, BUT THOMAS HAS THE DOCUMENTS THAT HE'S PASSING OUT NOW.
I'M HERE TO DISCUSS ANY ITEMS WITH THAT PARTICULAR ESD RESOLUTION OR WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL ESD'S HERE AS WELL AS THEIR LOBBYISTS, RUDY RODRIGUEZ.
>> I DON'T KNOW, I THINK CHIEF HOGAN, I'M SORRY, IT'S A LITTLE HARD FOR ME TO SEE ALL THE WAY BACK THERE, CHIEF, COME ON UP.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AND ALL THE FIRST RESPONDERS, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY IN KEEPING OUR FAMILIES SAFE AND SAVING LIVES.
CHIEF GO AHEAD IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> YES. I'M A BOARD SECRETARY FOR BEXAR COUNTY SD5 FIRE AND RESCUE.
I'M ALSO CHAPLIN WITH BEXAR COUNTY ESD5 AND BEXAR COUNTY ESD2 AND ROBERT PIERCE IS MY NAME.
WE'RE HERE ABOUT THE $20,000 CAP ON SPENDING ON THE ESD'S IN BEXAR COUNTY.
BEXAR COUNTY IS THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT HAS THIS RESTRICTIVE CAP.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS HINDERING ESD5 AND ALL THE OTHER ESD'S IN BEXAR COUNTY PRESENT HERE TODAY.
FROM BUILDING FIRE STATIONS, MAKING LARGE EQUIPMENT PURCHASES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE.
WE BEGAN THE PROCESS OF SECURING LAND AND BUILDING A STATION ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND AT THAT TIME, THE ORIGINAL COST WAS ABOUT $1.5 MILLION OF WHAT IT WOULD HAVE COST US TO DO IT.
THE CITY IS UNFAIRLY HINDERING US FROM GETTING A STATION BUILT DUE TO THIS CAP.
WE'RE GOING THROUGH ALL KINDS OF HOOPS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
BECAUSE OF THIS, WE'RE NOW LOOKING AT A COST OF ABOUT LITTLE OVER $3 MILLION AND WE STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD.
THIS IS AFFIRMING ESDS IN BEXAR COUNTY.
THE REASON THAT WE'RE REPRESENTED HERE TODAY AS WELL.
WE ALSO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU SUGGESTED EARLIER AT THE LEGISLATURE ON OUR BEHALF ALSO AT ALL THE ESDS JUST REPRESENTING BEXAR COUNTY.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT AND HELPING US TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITIES DEARLY NEED. THANK YOU.
>> JUST A QUICK COMMENT CHEAP PIERCE.
YOU 100 PERCENT HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE ACCOUNTING MANAGER ON THAT FACILITY.
>> ONE OF THE ESDS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, THERE HAVE BEEN HAVING TO JUMP THROUGH LOOPS.
THAT'S THE ONE IN MY PRECINCT THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?
>> I WANT TO THANK DAVID SMITH FOR WORKING IN-BETWEEN YOU GUYS AND MY OFFICE AND GOING BACK AND FORTH AND TRYING TO SELL THINGS BACK AND FORTH.
LIKE HE'S SAYING, LITERALLY JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF THE LARGEST GROWING AREA OF BEXAR COUNTY, AND SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY NEEDED, AND SO IT'S JUST REALLY RIDICULOUS WHEN WE THEN HAVE TO PLAY THESE POLITICAL GAMES.
>> ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOU ALL.
WHILE I HAVE THE FLOOR, I ALSO JUST WANT TO THANK THE FIRST RESPONDERS, PEOPLE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND OUR ESDS, WHO RESPONDED TO A REALLY TRAGIC FIRE ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO, WHERE A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD PASSED AWAY AT MY PRECINCT.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO AND YOUR FAMILIES AND ALL THE SACRIFICE IS REALLY APPRECIATED.
>> YEAH. I WANT TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT, MELISSA, ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY BEHIND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RESTRICTION.
MY EYES ALMOST POPPED OUT WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT WE ARE THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, I THOUGHT THIS WAS TRUE FOR EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
IT'S GOING TO ASK THE DIRECT QUESTION.
WHY DID THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DO THIS TO OUR COMMUNITY?
[01:45:01]
BUT THE REASONING THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO IS THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, THE NON ANNEXATION AGREEMENTS THAT THEY HAVE ENTERED INTO WITH THE ESD.WHEN THE ESDS WENT BEFORE THE VOTERS TO ALLOW THE ESDS TO RECEIVE SALES TAX OR TO RECEIVE TAXES FROM THE HOMEOWNERS, PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN THEIR DISTRICTS, IT WAS ALL PART OF THAT.
ALL PART OF THE LEGAL EASE THAT SET THOSE ESDS UP.
I'VE HEARD THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THOUGHT ABOUT CANCELING THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS MEETINGS AND THINGS, BUT WE NEED TO KEEP THOSE GOING.
I MEAN, WE VERY MUCH NEED TO KEEP THAT COMMUNICATION GOING.
WE NEED TO WORK BETTER TOGETHER.
I THINK I HAVE RECALLED THE REASON THAT THIS RESTRICTION WAS PLACE JUST UPON BEXAR COUNTY.
I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS JUST FOR BEXAR COUNTY.
WHAT I RECALL IS THAT THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY ANNEX THE FIRE STATION FACILITIES WOULD BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
IN MY PRECINCT WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY LOBBIED THE FIRE CHIEF AND THE CITY COUNCIL TO BUILD MAYBE THREE NEW FIRE POUR.
I THINK AT LEAST FOUR NEW FIRE STATIONS IN MY PRECINCT.
SINCE I'VE BECOME COMMISSIONER, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY'RE NOT HELPING IN THESE OTHER AREAS OF THE PRECINCT IN THE COUNTY, WHAT WE SIMPLY DID WAS PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION THAT SAID THIS FIRE STATION, IF YOU ANNEX WILL BE JUST AS GOOD AS ANYTHING THAT YOU'VE GOT.
SO MAYBE THEIR CONCERN WAS THAT THESE ESDS WERE BUILD TO PULL DOWN FIRE STATION THAT HAS NOT COME TO FRUITION.
THEY ARE BUILDING QUALITY FIRE STATIONS AT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COULD EASILY MARRY INTO.
WE KNOW WHEN SENATOR CAMPBELL PASS THE LEGISLATION REGARDING ANNEXATION VOTES OF CITIZENS, THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS NOT GOING TO BE ACQUIRING THESE ESD TERRITORY'S ANYTIME SOON.
I MEAN, THERE'S NO WAY THAT AN ALAMO RANCH OR WHEREVER IS GOING TO VOTE TO BE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO OR IN THESE OTHER AREAS THAT I REPRESENT.
SO IT REALLY SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE COOPERATING ON.
I THINK DO AN MOU AND MAYBE THIS IS THE AMENDMENT TO THE LEGISLATION THAT WE COULD WORK ON LEGISLATIVELY IS THAT THERE'S A CONSULTATION PROCESS WITH THE CITY.
I MEAN, JUST BY CHANCE THAT IT MIGHT BE ANNEX, BUT INSTEAD OF A $20,000 STOP, THERE'S JUST A CONVERSATION AND CONSULTATION SO THAT, LIKE WE DO WITH PERMITTING, WE HAVE A JOINT PERMITTING PROCESS IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND BOTH ENTITIES LOOK AT IT, BUT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT CONSTRUCTION FOR THOSE PERMITS.
SO I THINK THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO RESET.
LAURA COLE JUST CAME IN AND SAID AT HER LIBRARY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT HOW DO WE LOOK AT THE REALITY OF TODAY? WE DIDN'T LOOK AT THE REALITY OF TODAY WITH THE ANNEXATION CONVERSATION IN THIS RESTRICTION ON $20,000, AND SIMPLY GET RID OF IT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY STIFLING PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THIS IS NOT THE TIME WHEN WE HAVE 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE MOVING INTO BEXAR COUNTY.
SO I HOPE THAT MAY BE A LEGISLATIVE TACTIC.
I SAW RUDY, YOU'RE THINKING SOMETHING. GO AHEAD.
>> EXCUSE ME NOW. THANK MELISSA AS WELL.
THERE IS ESD 12 THAT'S BUILDING A FIRE STATION THAT CURRENTLY IS BEING HELD UP AT CITY SAN ANTONIO, WHICH WILL NEVER ANNEX.
IT'S JUST BEEN A PROCESS OF CREATING A BUREAUCRACY.
I'D SAY GOING THROUGH ALL THESE COMMITTEES REALLY, AND I THINK WHILE THERE IS LEGISLATION BEING PUSHED, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NINE OUT OF THE 12 ASSOCIATIONS IS FORMED BECAUSE EVERY TIME THERE'S A CONFERENCE IN AUSTIN OR ROUND ROCKER AROUND THE STATE TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUES.
THIS APPLIES TO EVERYBODY EXCEPT BEXAR COUNTY.
THAT $20,000 CAP WAS SOMEBODY IS THINKING AHEAD, NOBODY WAS ON THAT INNER LOCAL AGREEMENT ON THE COUNTY SIDE BACK THEN ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO.
I THINK TO YOUR POINT COMMISSIONER OF MAYBE SITTING DOWN WITH THE CITY, MAYBE JUDGE, THE MAYOR, I THINK WE'VE TALKED AS WELL THAT WE CAN GET PAST THAT COMPONENT BECAUSE SENATOR CAMPBELL WILL ALSO TRYING TO CLEAN UP THAT BILL ON THAT ANNEXATION COMPONENT.
>> YOU ARE MOVING [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] LET'S MAKE SOME [OVERLAPPING] WEATHER THE FUNDING CAME FROM OR WHERE THE $20,000 CAME FROM.
>> WHY DON'T YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF, JUST FOR THE RECORD.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CHIEF HOGAN WITH BEXAR COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT 10 BEEN
[01:50:02]
WORKING WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT FOR QUITE AWHILE NOW.THE REASON THAT THE $20,000 WAS PUT INTO PLACE HAS TO DO WITH WHAT THE LIABILITY THAT THE CITY WOULD INCUR HAD THEY ANNEXED OUR AREA.
IF WE WERE TO INCUR, LET'S JUST SAY $1 MILLION AND THE CITY ANNEX 10 PERCENT, THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 10 PERCENT OF OUR DEBT.
SO WHEN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICTS IN BEXAR COUNTY CAME ABOUT, THE CITY SAID, WELL, WE NEED A WAY TO SECURE HOW WE MANAGED DEBT IN THE COUNTY THAT WE MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
SO THEY ACTUALLY WENT TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND MODIFIED 775 JUST FOR BEXAR COUNTY BY THE POPULATIONS.
THAT IS WHY IT ONLY APPLIES TO BEXAR COUNTY.
SO IN ADDITION, COMMISSIONER, TO WHAT WE WERE DISCUSSING ABOUT THE NOT ANNEXING ANYTIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS ANNEXING CURRENTLY TODAY OUTSIDE OF SENATE BILL 6, THEY ARE ANNEXING THROUGH DEVELOPMENT LAND AGREEMENTS AND SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS.
THAT'S WHAT RUDY WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT SENATOR CAMPBELL IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO CLEAN UP.
THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE.
>> CHIEF CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT SENATOR CAMPBELL IS CLEANING UP?
>> SO SENATE BILL 6 CREATED A COUPLE OF LOOPHOLES ON ANNEXATION.
REALLY THE INTENTION OF SENATE BILL 6 WAS TO ALLOW THE VOTERS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WANT IT TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
PRIOR TO SENATE BILL 6, THERE WAS NO REGULATION.
IT'S JUST THE CITY PUT THE PLAN TOGETHER AND SAID, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT AND DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME ESD STILL MAINTAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT SERVICE UNTIL THEY COULD GET THEIR SERVICES IN PLACE.
THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT RUDY CAN FILL YOU IN ON THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT THIS YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT POTENTIALLY MAKING A SHARE SALES TAX WITH THEM IF WE'RE WITHIN THEIR ETJ, BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE ANY SERVICE.
SO REALLY WHERE THIS COMES DOWN TO IS REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THE ANNEXATION PLAN, IT WAS CREATED 15 YEARS AGO WHEN THE ESD 1 WAS FIRST CREATED, IS WHERE THE DRIVER OF THIS IS AT.
EVERY ESD IS HAVING PROBLEMS GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO COVER YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU ARE THE ONLY REPRESENTATION FOR UNINCORPORATED BEXAR COUNTY.
>> CHIEF I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY DETAILED ANALYSIS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ADDING NEW FIRE SERVICE FROM ELMAN DORF TO JUST OUTSIDE OF WINDCREST AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO STANDING WITH YOU IN THE LEGISLATURE IN WHATEVER WAY WE CAN TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE IMPACT THESE RESTRICTIONS HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY.
>> YEAH, WE NEED TO BUILD THREE MORE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT.
>> YEAH. I WANT TO READ ONE OF THE STATEMENTS ON THIS DRAFT RESOLUTION WE JUST GOT THIS IS REALLY GOOD.
WHO WROTE THIS? MELISSA YOU WROTE THIS?
>> GOOD FOR COPYING AND EDITING, BUT I WANT TO MAKE A POINT HERE.
WHERE AS THE ACTIONS OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS JEOPARDIZING THE HEALTH, WELFARE AND SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS SERVED BY ESDS IN BEXAR COUNTY.
GUESS WHAT TIME AT THE CITY? ELECTION TIME AT THE CITY.
SO NOW'S THE TIME TO NEGOTIATE THIS.
SO I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS REALLY PUSH FOR THIS.
YOU HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT THAT YOU NEED.
THEY KNOW THAT I WILL SUPPORT YOU ALL.
SO LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BRING THIS TO THE FOREFRONT, BECAUSE NOW IS THE TIME BEFORE MAY TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE IT'S ELECTION TIME AT THE CITY.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU. I WANT TO JUST SHARE IN THANKING THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE WHO SERVE OUR CITIZENS OUT IN THE ESD TERRITORIES.
I KNOW I WAS OUT AT ESD 7 WHEN THEY DID THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE NEW STATION OUT THERE.
AN AMAZING FACILITY WHICH I THINK BETTER REPRESENTS THE GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITY IN OUR COUNTY.
AS RELATING TO COMMISSIONER CALVERT MADE A GOOD POINT ABOUT TRYING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CITY.
I KNOW DURING COVID WE DID HAVE A JOINT INNER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MEETING THAT'S BEEN DISCONTINUED BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COORDINATE WITH JUDGE SAKAI AND THE MAYOR TO JUST HAVE SOME REGULAR DIALOGUE THROUGHOUT THE 140 DAYS.
EVEN IF IT'S JUST A PHONE CALL OR A ZOOM MEETING, I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO SCHEDULE THAT.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET ON THE SAME PAGE BUT I KNOW IN THE MEANTIME YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT AND REALLY WHATEVER YOU NEED FROM BEXAR COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ESDS ARE PROTECTED, THAT THEY CAN PROSPER, THAT THEY CAN GROW.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A CORE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL KNOW WE HAVE YOUR BACKS AND SO KEEP US POSTED ON THAT.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE'LL TRY TO PLAY NICE, WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THE CITY.
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED FOR A VERY GROWING COMMUNITY.
IT'S JUST PROSPERING OUT THERE AND THE RESOURCES,
[01:55:02]
NOT JUST THE STATIONS BUT THE RESOURCES YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOB EFFECTIVELY.WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING YOU, SO WE'LL KEEP TRYING JUDGE TO GET THOSE CALLS GOING AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET ON THE SAME PAGE. THANK YOU
>> FOR THE RECORD, I STAND TOTALLY BEHIND OUR ESDS, YOU COUNT ON MY SUPPORT.
>> DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THIS?
>> YES, THIS IS AN APPROVAL, YES. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
>> NOT A DISCUSSION BUT A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE SINCE ALL YOU ALL DRESSED UP AND CAME HERE AND YOU'VE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR ALMOST THREE HOURS.
IF THEY CAN COME FORWARD TO GET A PICTURE SO WE CAN START PUSHING THIS IN SOCIAL MEDIA.
I CAN JUST COME IN FRONT AND WE'LL STAND UP AND BACK.
>> HOLD ON. LET ME GET THE VOTE IN.
ANYTHING ELSE? [LAUGHTER] NO, I HAVEN'T.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE MELISSA.
WE HAVE ANOTHER DOCUMENT HERE RELATED TO APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT NEXT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE AND THEN TAKE A PICTURE.
>> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT ALL MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE STARK COMMUNITY.
ESDS ARE SO IMPORTANT, SO THANK YOU.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO STAY UP HERE.
>> THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THOMAS, DO WE NEED A MOTION ON 45A? I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER CALVERT [NOISE].
>> YOU MAKE THE MOTION ON ITEM 45B AND THEN I BELIEVE MELISSA HAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU TOOK THE MOTION ON 45B.
>> THAT WAS DIFFERENT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO. WE ALREADY [OVERLAPPING]
>> I BROKE IT UP TODAY TO GET THEIR ITEM DONE.
THE NEXT STAPLED PACKET THAT THOMAS HANDED OUT TO YOU IS TWO APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST FOR BEXAR COUNTY AND THEN THERE'S A THIRD DOCUMENT THAT IS THERE FROM THE COMMUNITY SEEKING FUNDING.
THESE ARE DOCUMENTS THAT I SHARED WITH YOU LAST WEEK.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIKE LUZDO AND OR GILBERT AND HIS TEAM HAVE BRIEFED YOU ON OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
BUT THE COUNTY ITSELF, WE WILL BE SEEKING STATE FUNDING FOR NON-MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS, SO FORENSIC BEDS AND THEN MAXIMUM SECURITY FORENSIC BEDS.
THE THIRD ITEM IS THE COMMUNITY BEDS FOR CIVIL BEDS.
[02:00:04]
SO THE FIRST ITEM, THE NON-MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS, THE COUNTY WILL BE SEEKING A ONETIME GENERAL REVENUE REQUEST FOR $4.5 MILLION TO HAVE COMMUNITY BEDS IN OUR AREA THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE STRAIN THAT'S ON THE SAN ANTONIO STATE HOSPITAL.THE SECOND ITEM ON THE MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS WILL BE A 25 MILLION ONGOING REQUEST PER BIENNIUM, SO ABOUT 12.5 MILLION PER YEAR ANNUALLY TO LEASE AND REUSE THE CURRENT SAN ANTONIO STATE HOSPITAL ALAMO HALL FACILITY.
THAT FACILITY IS A 44-BED FACILITY THAT WAS JUST RECENTLY REMODELED AND NOW WITH THE NEW SASH FACILITY COMING ONLINE, THIS FACILITY THAT JUST WAS RECENTLY REMODELED WILL BE VACATED.
WE WOULD LIKE TO LEASE AND REUSE THAT FACILITY TO LOCATE MAXIMUM SECURITY INDIVIDUALS OUT OF OUR JAIL.
>> MELISSA, LET ME JUST ASK TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FIRST GRANT, THAT'S THE NON-MAXIMUM SECURITY, WILL THAT BE LOCATED AT THE SAME FACILITY OF THE OLD STATE HOSPITAL [OVERLAPPING].
TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR 44 BEDS IS A HELL OF A LOT OF MONEY.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE THAT MAKES SENSE IN MY HEAD.
>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE PROBABLY AROUND 250 INDIVIDUALS OUT OF THAT 288 THAT ARE HIGH-LEVEL MAX TYPED CASES.
A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE TYPES OF OFFENSES THEY ARE IN THERE FOR WAITING.
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR QUITE AWHILE.
THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS RIGHT NOW I THINK IT'S ABOUT $650 A DAY FOR SOMEBODY TO STAY IN A STATE HOSPITAL BED.
ON THIS ONE WE'RE ASKING A LITTLE MORE BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SECURITY AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED TO HELP US.
THEN THE OTHER THING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS FOR THE STATE, THEIR SOLUTIONS ARE GOING TO BE LONG TERM.
IT'S GOING TO BE 5, 6 YEARS BEFORE THEIRS ACTUALLY KICKS IN TO BE ABLE TO HELP US WITH OUR WAITING LIST ON THERE.
IF WE WAIT AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES WITH AN INTERIM SOLUTION, THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS IS.
>> THIS 12.5 MILLION A YEAR, IS THAT FOR OPERATIONS OR IS THAT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE OR THE FIXING?
>> NO. THAT'S FOR OPERATION BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY INVESTED IN IT.
THERE WILL BE SOME MINOR THINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE TO MAKE IT A MAX SECURITY UNIT.
>> COMMISSIONER, IF YOU DO THE MATH THAT COMES UP, SO IT CAN TAKE UP TO 90 DAYS, I THINK TO GET SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WERE STORED.
IT'S A WORST-CASE SPIT BALL, 600 BUCKS A DAY PER 250 PEOPLE FOR 90 DAYS EACH.
CORRECT, MIKE, THAT WE WOULD PUT OUT AN RFP FOR SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO MANAGE THIS FOR US.
>> THEN WHAT DEFICITS DO WE HAVE IN THOSE FORENSIC BEDS AFTER WE FINISH THIS?
>> WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT IS SOMEWHERE WE COULD TAKE PROBABLY ABOUT 130 INDIVIDUALS PER YEAR THROUGH THERE.
IT WOULD HELP US BRING OUR AT LEAST OUR NUMBERS DOWN TO HALF TO HAVE THIS INTERIM SOLUTION.
IF WE DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION, THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 288.
A YEAR FROM NOW WE COULD HAVE 388 OR 400.
>> BUT ESTIMATED COMPLETION WOULD BE WHEN? WHEN WILL YOU ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO PUT PEOPLE IN THERE?
>> THEY'RE VACATING THOSE GROUNDS PROBABLY AT THE BEGINNING OF 2024.
>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO THANK MIKE AND MELISSA FOR BRINGING THIS UP SO QUICKLY.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO EXPLORE A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL.
WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT WE HAVE A GROWING POPULATION THERE AND THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF THOSE ARE STATE INMATES AND A LARGE PORTION OF THOSE ARE THESE INDIVIDUALS FOUND IN COMPETENT.
I WENT BACK, LOOKED AT THE DATA THAT WE SHARED WITH BRANDON WOOD FROM THE JAIL COMMISSION LAST WEEK THAT KICKED OFF SOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS.
BUT WE WENT FROM 53, FOUR YEARS AGO TO 291, A 450% INCREASE IN THE JAIL FOUND INCOMPETENT.
THE STATE ONLY HAS 1,700 FORENSIC BEDS AVAILABLE TODAY, AND THERE'S 2,500 ON THE WAITING LIST, IT'S A TWO-YEAR WAIT.
THE STATE HAS ITS WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM IN TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS.
[02:05:05]
BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR BEXAR COUNTY TO CHIP AWAY AT THAT BY USING THE FACILITIES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE AVAILABLE.WE JUST REQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO MAINTAIN THEM AND BE ABLE TO PULL SOME OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS OUT OF THE JAIL THAT REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL, AND TIME AND SPACE TO HOUSE THEM IN THE JAIL.
I THINK THIS IS ONE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT.
AT THE SAME TIME, HELPING THE STATE BECAUSE TRYING TO BUILD A NEW CONSTRUCTION AND A NEW STATE HOSPITAL, RATHER THAN REUSING AN EXISTING ONE, WOULD BE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE AND COSTLY.
>> ALSO COMMISSIONER, TO ADD TO THAT, THE STATE DOES HAVE BEDS.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE EMPLOYEES TO MAN THE BEDS.
IF WE TAKE IT INTO OUR CONTROL, WE CAN CONTROL THAT.
IT'S CONTROLLING THOSE, GETTING THOSE INDIVIDUALS OUT OF OUR JAIL AND CONTROLLING THE CONTRACT, WHOEVER WE CONTRACT WITH TO RUN THIS, THAT WE WILL PAY THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL MAN THE FACILITY ENOUGH TO GET INDIVIDUALS TO COME WORK HERE.
THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES AT THE STATE IS THEY'RE NOT PAYING THE PROFESSIONALS ENOUGH TO MAN THE FACILITIES.
THEY'VE GOT BED SITTING THERE AND THEY CAN'T HOUSE INDIVIDUALS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I'LL JUST SAY FROM MY COLLEAGUES, SPEAKING FOR MYSELF.
I'VE FLOATED THIS WHILE I WAS UP IN AUSTIN LAST WEEK WITH SEVERAL LEGISLATORS.
THEY SEEM SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA.
OBVIOUSLY, I WASN'T SPEAKING FOR THIS BODY.
THAT'LL BE A DECISION THAT WE MAKE HERE, BUT IT LOOKS THERE IS SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU JUDGE. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST IS MAYBE THROUGH THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE IS LOOKING AT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
I KNOW THAT 33 OR 35 BILLION, WHATEVER THEY HAVE IN SURPLUS, SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY AND EVERYBODY'S GOING TO HAVE A WISHLIST.
BUT, I JUST DON'T WANT TO MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST ASK.
AS AN EXAMPLE, THESE ARE HIGH PRIORITIES, BUT WE KNOW TOO THAT THERE'S NEW FLOOD MAPS OUT.
ARE WE GOING TO NEED ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS.
AGAIN, IT MAY BE A HAIL MARY PASS, BUT MAYBE WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN GET MONEY OUT OF THE STATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND ENHANCING THAT PROGRAM AS MAYBE A MATCH OF LOCAL DOLLARS.
I KNOW MELISSA, YOU'RE COORDINATING WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE, BUT I THINK MAYBE YOU LOOK AT THOSE BIG PICTURE ITEMS, THOSE THAT ARE REALLY HIGH TICKET ITEMS, BUT ONES THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE SOME OF THE STATE MONEY TO COORDINATE PUTTING MORE RESOURCES IN LOCALLY.
JUST A THOUGHT AND I KNOW THAT WAS SOMETHING JUDGE, WE'RE GOING TO VISIT WITH THE MAYOR ABOUT TOO IS MAYBE COORDINATING SOME OF THOSE ASKS.
BUT IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT THE CITY HAS IN THEIR PIPELINE, I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST, WE SHOULD LOOK WHAT THE COUNTIES CORE FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE AND HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO AT LEAST MAKE A SIGNIFICANT ASK FOR AN APPROPRIATION THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
AGAIN, I STILL THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LONG SHOT, [OVERLAPPING] BUT IT'S WORTH ASKING.
>> ONE OTHER ITEM THAT I DID WANT TO MENTION WHILE WE'RE STILL GOING BACK TO THE FORENSIC BEDS.
THE THIRD DOCUMENT THAT IT'S IN THAT PACKET FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY HOSPITALS REQUEST, I HAVE TO BRING UP BOTH SIDES SO WE'RE ALL AWARE.
THIS IS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THIS IS FROM THE BEXAR HEALTH COALITION WHO BEXAR COUNTY IS A MEMBER OF THIS COALITION.
I STARTED RECEIVING CALLS ON OUR REQUEST AND THEIR REQUESTS.
BECAUSE THEIR REQUEST IS [NOISE] JUST FOR CIVIL BEDS, OURS IS FOR FORENSIC BEDS.
THERE ARE SOME IN THE COMMUNITY THAT FEEL LIKE THESE TWO ARE TO REQUEST AND THEIR REQUESTS FOR CIVIL BEDS WILL BE IN COMPETITION.
FROM WHAT MY COLLEAGUES, FROM WHAT BEXAR COUNTY STAFF HAS SAID, WE DON'T VIEW IT THAT WAY.
BUT THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE COURT MEMBERS WERE ON BOARD WITH OUR REQUESTS BEFORE WE GO FORWARD.
WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THOSE IN THAT COALITION FEEL AS IF THEY WILL HAVE MORE CIVIL BEDS.
[02:10:03]
THEY CAN GET TWO INDIVIDUALS BEFORE THEY END UP IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.I HAVE NOT SEEN THE DATA, WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS TRUE, I DON'T KNOW.
LIKE I TOLD THEM, I'M HERE FOR MY CLIENT, WHICH IS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE COUNTY.
FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM EVERYONE IS WE WANT TO SEEK THIS FUNDING AND TRY AND WORK TOGETHER.
>> YOU GUYS KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING I TALK ABOUT A LOT.
THE NEED FOR MARMOTS HEALTH BEDS, AND I DON'T SEE IT IN COMPETITION EITHER BECAUSE WE NEED BOTH.
WHAT JUDGE ZACHAI WAS SAYING EARLIER ABOUT THE ISD NEEDS FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO MIGHT NEED SOMETHING AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE LEGAL SERVICES OR IN JAIL, WE ABSOLUTELY NEED BOTH.
THIS IS STILL NOT ENOUGH, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE.
I KEEP LOOKING AT THE CHAIRS. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OVER THERE.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE, SO WE ABSOLUTELY NEED BOTH, SO I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT IT'S ON HERE.
I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT IT'S MOVING FORWARD.
AS USUAL, LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING MY OFFICE CAN DO BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST REALLY NEEDS TO GET DONE.
PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IT UNTIL IT HITS THEIR FAMILIES.
>> WELL, AND THE SHERIFF WILL ACTUALLY BE AT THE CAPITOL TOMORROW, SO HE AND I MAY GO BY AND VISIT WITH SOME APPROPRIATE MEMBERS WHILE WE'RE OVER THERE AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
>> NOW, I'LL JUST AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER FLORES.
I DON'T SEE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO, AND I DO THINK THERE'S A NEED FOR BOTH.
I MEAN, ULTIMATELY, WHAT IF THE COMMUNITY REQUESTS ISN'T FUNDED? THEN WE DIDN'T MAKE AN ASK ON THE FORENSIC BEDSIDE.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ASK FOR WHAT WE NEED AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN GET.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. MARK ZEROS BEFORE.
LET ME GO WITH HIM MY WHEELHOUSE OF HOW I UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM AND LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE APPLES-TO-APPLES.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FORENSIC BEDS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SITTING IN BEXAR COUNTY JAIL WHO'VE BEEN DECLARED MENTALLY INCOMPETENT.
THEREFORE, THEY CANNOT PROCEED FURTHER THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEY NEED TO BE DIVERTED TO WHAT WE'RE NOW CALLING FORENSIC BEDS.
>> RIGHT. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CIVIL BEDS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE COMMITMENTS THROUGH THE PROBATE COURT OR SOME TYPE OF MAGISTRATE IN WHICH A PERSON IS A DANGER TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS AND THE COURTS ARE COMMITTING PEOPLE AND RESTRAINING THEIR LIBERTIES.
>> EXACTLY. IT'S NOT THROUGH A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH THERE TO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT.
THEY'RE JUST TWO DIFFERENT POPULATIONS.
HOW MANY OF THOSE IN THE JAIL WOULD YOU SAY AND SHERIFF NEEDS TO COME UP HERE, HOW MANY OF THOSE THAT ARE FOR WEDDING FORENSIC BEDS FOR MENTALLY INCOMPETENCY OR WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER DANGEROUS, VIOLENT, SEX OFFENDER TYPE OF DEFENDANTS.
THEN TWO, WHAT IMPACT, IF ANY, DO THOSE PRISONERS INMATES HAVE IN THE BEXAR COUNTY JAIL? CAN YOU ANSWER THAT OR DO I NEED TO GET TO THE SHERIFF?
I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED TO PARSE THIS OUT.
I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO BE VERY SPECIFIC AS TO HOW WE DEAL WITH THIS AND THEN GIVE BACK THE MATCHING ORDERS TO OUR LOBBYING TEAM IN AUSTIN.
OTHER WORDS, WE'RE KIND OF GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES, IN MY OPINION.
>> YES, SIR. ABSOLUTELY. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT PROBABLY ABOUT 85% OF OUR POPULATION IS FIXED EXACTLY THERE.
THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
THEY CAN'T PROCEED FURTHER INTO THE SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF WHAT THEY'RE ACCUSED OF, WE CAN'T JUST OPEN UP THE DOOR AND LET THEM BACK OUT INTO SPACE.
>> BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THAT AUTHORITY. DON'T WE? WE COULD PUT THEM ON A MONITOR AND SEND THEM SOMEWHERE.
>> WE COULD. BUT THEN THERE ARE GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK AFTER POSSIBLY HURTING SOMEONE [OVERLAPPING].
>> CERTAINLY GETTING ON AN UPROAR IF WE'RE DOING THAT.
>> WE NEED THEM TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY FOR BOTH THE FORENSIC BEDS AND CIVIL COMMITMENT BEDS.
>> WE NEED THE STATE TO STEP UP A BIT MORE WITH REGARDS TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> TELL ME HOW MUCH THE DEPUTIES OR DEPUTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT HAS CONTACT WITH CIVIL COMMITMENTS.
I MEAN, YOU ALL ARE NOW REPORTING TO MENTAL HEALTH CALLS.
ARE Y'ALL GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH COURTS OR IS THAT THAT'S NOT IN YOUR WHEELHOUSE?
>> WELL, OUR MENTAL HEALTH UNIT MAY BE DEALING WITH THEM ON THE FRONT END, JUST RECEIVING THE CALL FOR SERVICE AS A STANDBY.
BUT LONG-TERM, THAT'S NOT WHAT'S CONTRIBUTING TO OUR JAIL POPULATION. IT'S NOT.
[02:15:01]
>> BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT THOSE CALLS WHERE SOMEBODY'S THREATENED TO KILL THEMSELVES, THREATENED TO KILL OTHER PEOPLE [LAUGHTER] AND PERHAPS THEY HAVEN'T VIOLATED THE LAW EXCEPT JUST BE IN A VERY DIRE SITUATION.
>> WE ARE DEALING WITH THOSE FOLKS ON PATROL.
OUR MENTAL HEALTH UNIT AND THEN OUR SMART TEAM AS WELL WOULD BE DEALING WITH THEM.
I WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO GIVE YOU A PERCENTAGE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS.
WE ARE DEALING WITH THAT POPULATION.
>> WHAT DO WE USUALLY DO WITH THOSE SITUATION? DO WE ARREST THEM, THROW THEM IN JAIL, OR JUST A BAIT TO SITUATION AND MOVE ON?
>> WELL, IF IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH WARRANT THAT NEEDS TO BE SERVED, OBVIOUSLY WILL SERVE THOSE.
BUT WITH REGARD TO THE CALLS FOR SERVICE, THE NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO DIVERT THEM TO SERVICES VERSUS HAVING THEM END UP IN THE JAIL.
BECAUSE WE KNOW ONCE THEY END UP IN THAT JAIL, IT'S A CYCLE THAT WON'T STOP.
THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO GET THEM TO THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.
>> BECAUSE IF THE STATE DOESN'T FOLLOW THROUGH AND PROVIDE SUPPORT OR PASS THESE TYPE OF APPROPRIATIONS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS LIKE CREATING A SEPARATE FACILITY FOR THAT POPULATION?
>> I MEAN, I'D LOVE TO SEE A SEPARATE FACILITY IF WE CAN.
I MEAN, LOOK, WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THERE'S A PORTION OF FOLKS THAT WOULD QUALIFY TO GO TO SASHA IF THERE WAS A SPOT FOR THEM OVER THERE.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED AND REAFFIRMED BY THE COURTS THAT THESE PEOPLE DON'T NEED GUNS AND BADGES WATCHING THEM.
THEY NEED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WATCHING THEM AND SO THE TRAGEDY FOR THEM IS THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLACE TO SEND THEM WITH MENTAL HEALTH BEDS, THEN THEY'RE STUCK WITH US.
IT CERTAINLY DOES CREATE A WHOLE SET OF PROBLEMS. YES, ABSOLUTELY. I PROPOSED IT SOME TIME AGO.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT THE MEADOWS CONDUCTING A STUDY RIGHT NOW ON HOW SIZABLE THAT POPULATION WOULD BE.
BUT ABSOLUTELY. A PERFECT WORLD, IF WE HAD THAT FACILITY THAT EXISTED SOMEWHERE, WE'D LOVE TO SEND SOMETHING.
>> BECAUSE WE HAVE, AS I HEARD, ABOUT 300 INMATES AND BEXAR COUNTY JAIL THAT FALL IN THAT CATEGORY.
>> I PRESUME THEY PUT THE MOST PRESSURE ON YOUR STAFF?
>> ABSOLUTELY, THEY'RE VERY TIME-CONSUMING AND IN SOME CASES, WE'VE GOT AREAS THAT ARE BUILT TO HOLD A CERTAIN NUMBER AND WE'VE GOT TO CUT IT DOWN TO HOLD HALF THAT NUMBER.
IT'S MORE LABOR-INTENSIVE FOR US BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY'RE ACCUSED OF.
BECAUSE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR AND DEMEANOR.
WE HAVE TO HOUSE THEM IN SINGLE CELLS.
WE CAN'T PUT THEM TOGETHER BECAUSE BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN IN THAT INSTANCE AS WELL.
>> I'LL CLOSE WITH THIS ULTIMATELY IN ORDER IF WE DON'T GET THE HELP FROM THE STATE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH A LOCAL SOLUTION AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET NOT ONLY A YEAR, THE SHARES, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE JUDGES ALL TO COMMIT TO TRY TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS FOR THIS POPULATION.
>> ABSOLUTELY, AND I'LL DO MY PART.
BUT IT CERTAINLY WOULD BE BETTER IF THE STATE JUST STEPPED UP AND DID IT ON THEIR OWN.
>> YOU CAN'T FIX IT BY YOURSELF?
>> I JUST WANTED TO COME ON. [OVERLAPPING] THIS IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT THE SHERIFF AND I CONTINUOUSLY TALK ABOUT.
SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK AT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FACILITIES AND I GO LOOK AT IT AND FOR WHATEVER REASON DOESN'T WORK.
BECAUSE IT ALSO PLAYS INTO WHAT DO YOU COME FORWARD TO AS THIS WHERE MONEY ALL THE TIME.
>>OVERTIME. [LAUGHTER] IT ALSO PLAYS INTO THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE PUT INTO OVERTIME PAY.
THAT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY PUTTING INTO MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD, MR. COMMISSIONER MODI.
>> SORRY. I JUST BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THINK CHIEF [INAUDIBLE] MAKE FOR ALSO GONE UP TO AUSTIN AS WELL WITH YOUR SERGEANT.
I THINK THAT WAS INSTRUMENTAL AND HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH BRANDON.
SHERIFF, APPRECIATE HER SUPPORT AND MIKE, OBVIOUSLY THE SHORT NOTICE TRYING TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. THERE WOULD BE AN ACTION ITEM ON THESE?
>> NO, SIR. YOUR STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT WAS APPROVED AT THE END OF LAST CALENDAR YEAR ALLOWS ME TO SUPPORT PER CAPITA FUNDING AND INNOVATIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES.
I WANTED TO MAINLY BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION SO YOU COULD HEAR DIRECTLY FROM MIKE AND THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE THAT WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT.
THAT THERE'S A SUPPOSE THAT COMPETITION FOR THE FUNDING.
I JUST WANTED THAT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.
>> MARK SORRY. THAT'S REASON WHY SENATE BILL ONE AND THE $62,000,000 APPROPRIATION AND A $300,000,000 APPROPRIATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO GO IN TANDEM WITH WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THESE FORENSIC BEDS, CORRECT?
[02:20:03]
BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO INCREASE CAPACITY.>> YES. THEN THE OTHER THING TOO, IS WE'RE OFFERING A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE OUT THERE, AND I THINK THE STATE WILL BE RECEPTIVE TO THAT.
>> I'M GOING TO PUT ON OUR LOBBYING TEAM AND OUR GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS TO GET THAT LEGISLATION PASSED PLEASE.
ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT.
OKAY. BASED ON COUNCIL, I AM CALLING FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 47 WILL COME BACK OUT AND PICK UP ITEM 46.
[Executive Session]
THE CORE WILL MOUNT CONVENIENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS MAY BE DISCUSSED AND ACTED UPON IF APPROPRIATE, AND OPEN SESSION PURSUANT TO 551071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY FOR ADVICE REGARDING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS.
PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFERS AND THE FOLLOWING MATTERS.
TREVINO VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, BORROW VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, GOMEZ VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, BUOY SHAW VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY VERSUS THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WE WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
OKAY. THE COURT MET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I BELIEVE WE WILL BE TAKING SOME ACTION AND WE'LL GO BACK TO ITEM 46.
[Item 46]
MR. ROBERTSON, YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THE COURT? [INAUDIBLE] MOTION BUCK COMMERCIAL CALVERT.>> SECOND. BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED, THE MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
I DO BELIEVE DOES THAT CONCLUDE OUR AGENDA.
THEN WE'D GO FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF ANDREW FLORA SENIOR UPON ARMY, THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD WHO PASSED AWAY.
>> JUDGE, I WOULD MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE NAME OF RON HOWARD COBB.
WE ALSO LOST JESSE TREVINO LATE LAST WEEK, THE WELL-KNOWN ARTIST HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND THEN OF COURSE, I'M SURE SEVERAL OF US HAVE RED MCCOMBS WE'VE LOST RECENTLY AS WELL.
>> YES. I JUST WANTED TO ALSO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF RED MCCOMBS WHO WAS ICONIC HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AREA AND HAS A LONG HISTORY OF INVOLVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ALSO JAN GILES, WHO PASSED FROM ALS HERE IN THE LAST WEEK, WHO WAS A DEAR FRIEND AND HAS WIFE TO MY FRIEND DAVID GILES FROM BORROW, LONGTIME EXECUTIVE THERE.
>> I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IT ON OR OF A FONT TO ROSCOE JUNIOR, BARBARA [INAUDIBLE], JERRY LAGGY, CHRISTOPHER HILL, [INAUDIBLE] AND WHITNEY CLAIBORNE, WHO IS MELISSA SHANNON'S NIECE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN WITH THE RECOGNITION OF JESSE TREVINO AND RED MCCOMBS.
I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IN REGARDS TO MOTION TO ADJOURN AND BARBERSHOP, WHO ALSO WAS A PUBLIC LEADER ALONG WITH HER HUSBAND SAM, WHO WAS VERY INVOLVED WITH SAN ANTONIO JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, UTSA, UNIVERSITY OF CARNOT WORD, AND TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND NUMEROUS OTHER POLLOCK AND PRIVATE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BENEFITED THE COMMUNITY AND OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO HER CHILDREN, BRUCE AND JAMIE, GRANDCHILDREN AND HER GREAT GRANDCHILDREN.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.