[1. Opening Prayer: Pastor Les Bramlett, Cleft of the Rock Church]
[00:00:03]
>> ALL RIGHT. THIS IS GOOD MORNING.
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING FOR MARCH 21 TO 2023.
I NOTE THAT THE QUORUM IS PRESENT.
COMMISSIONER CALVERT IS ON HIS WAY AND HAS GIVEN ME PERMISSION TO START THE MEETING AND HE'LL JOIN US VERY SHORTLY.
THIS TIME, I WILL ASK COMMISSIONER REBECCA CLAY-FLORES TO PLEASE INTRODUCE PASTOR LES BRAMLETT FOR THE OPENING PRAYER.
COMMISSIONER YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU. HI, PASTOR LES YOU CAN COME FORWARD.
PASTOR LES BRAMLETT, PASTORS CLEFT OF THE ROCK CHURCH IN THE FAR WESTERN PART OF BEXAR COUNTY AND MY PRECINCT I.
HIS CHURCH ALSO STARTED A NON-PROFIT CLEFT OF THE ROCK AND COMMUNITIES.
PASTOR LES IS A AIR FORCE VETERAN AND WAS THE CHIEF OF CORPORATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT THE PENTAGON.
HIS CHURCH IS NON-PROFIT, OPENED A MULTI-USE OUTREACH SPACE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH FOOD DISTRIBUTION, COVID VACCINATIONS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FORUMS, SMALL BUSINESS SEMINARS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH EDUCATION, COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS, TUTORING, AND FOSTER SYSTEM OUTREACH SUPPORT AMONGST OTHER THINGS.
PASTOR LES HOLDS A BACHELOR'S IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FROM SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, AN MBA FROM COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, AND PROBABLY BEST OF ALL, A MASTERS OF MINISTRY FROM UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND IS CURRENTLY A DOCTORAL CANDIDATE.
PASTOR LESS THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO PRECINCT I. THE TIME IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WON'T YOU PRAY WITH ME? OH GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR TODAY.
THOUGH IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE, WE THANK YOU FOR THE RISING SUN AND FOR THE AIR THAT WE BREATHE.
GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR GIFTING US WITH ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY AND EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF LIFE.
WE DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
WE WILL NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
AS THE LATE HONORABLE SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, CONGRESSPERSON FROM NEW YORK IS CREDITED WITH SAYING, SERVICE IS THE RENT WE PAY FOR OUR ROOM ON EARTH.
IT IS A REMINDER, OH GOD, TO EACH OF US THAT WE DON'T JUST COME FROM SEPARATE COMMUNITIES, BUT WE ARE KEEPERS OF EVERY COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE ARE REALLY ONE COMMUNITY.
THEN IN A SYMBIOTIC MANNER, REGARDLESS OF SEX, AGE, RACE, COLOR, OR CREED, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, OR PORT OF ORIGIN, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND ACCOUNTABLE TO ONE ANOTHER.
SO LORD, I THANK YOU FOR THE DISTINGUISHED AND SELFLESS PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT OCCUPY THIS DYESS AND FOR THE COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO SERVE WITHOUT FANFARE TO MAKE BEXAR COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORK WELL FOR THE PEOPLE.
CROWN THEM WITH HONOR AND FILL THEIR HEARTS WITH YOUR LOVING COMPLIMENT THAT WE ALL LONG TO HEAR.
FINALLY, GOD, HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT SOMEONE WISHED US WELL, POURED INTO US, SUPPORTED US, IS STILL PRAYING FOR US TO STAND WHERE WE STAND TODAY.
SO THAT EACH OF US, WE'RE REMINDED THAT WE ARE HERE ON PURPOSE, FOR A PURPOSE AND WITH A PURPOSE.
SO MAKE US KIND AND UNIFIED AND HELP US TO DO GOOD BECAUSE ANY POWER IN OUR HANDS IS POWER ON LOAN FOR YOU, FOR THE GOOD OF SERVING OTHERS.
IN CLOSING, BLESS BEXAR COUNTY, BLESS ITS LEADERS AND RESIDENTS INDIVIDUALLY OH GOD.
WE PRAY IN THE NAME AND WAY THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US.
JUST AS PERSONALLY, I PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN.
>> AMEN. THANK YOU, PASTOR, PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
THANK YOU, PASTOR LES BRAMLETT.
WE'LL OPEN WITH OUR CEREMONIAL ITEMS IN THREE.
[3. CEREMONIAL ITEM(S):]
OUR FIRST IS THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH.AT THIS TIME, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE OF MY CIRCUMSTANCES, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COME TO THE FLOOR TO TAKE A PICTURE.
SO OUR PIOS HERE TO TELL US HOW TO DO THIS.
>> YEAH. WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE CAN ALL STAY HERE ON THE ROW AND BEING IN UNIFORM, SO.
>> I'LL LET THE PO COMMISSIONER CALVERT, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE PROCLAMATION?
>> THANK YOU JUDGE. WE WANT TO INVITE OUR FRIENDS FROM THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS TO COME TO THE DYESS PLEASE.
[00:05:02]
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF BEXAR COUNTY, AND IT READS, WHEREAS, DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2023, THE TEXAS THESPIAN CHAPTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY WILL OBSERVE THE THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH TO EDUCATE ON THE BENEFITS OF THEATER AND WHEREAS THE INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION, AS WELL AS A HIGH SCHOOL HONORS SOCIETY THAT RECOGNIZES STUDENTS IN THE THEATER.
WHEREAS PARTICIPATING IN A THEATER CONTRIBUTES TO STUDENT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HEIGHTENED SKILLS IN LISTENING, COMMUNICATING, READING, CREATIVITY, AND SELF-EXPRESSION.
WHEREAS STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ARTS EDUCATION COURSES BENEFIT FROM THE SKILLS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPED THROUGH THE PROGRAMS AND CAN APPLY THOSE TALENTS NO MATTER THEIR INTENDED CAREER PATH.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS THEATER IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICE THIS 21ST DAY OF MARCH 2023, SIGNED BY A JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONER REBECCA CLAY-FLORES, COMMISSIONER JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER GRANT MOODY, AND MYSELF.
TOMMY CALVERT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A FEW WORDS?
I'M A JUNIOR AT THE EDGE-WOOD OF FINE ARTS ACADEMY AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS THESPIANS ADVOCACY NETWORK.
ON BEHALF OF TEXAS THESPIANS, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BEXAR COUNTY IN THEIR ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT OF THEATER EDUCATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IF YOU WANT TO COME UP TO THE DYESS, WE'LL GET SOME PHOTOS.
YOU HAVE ANY OTHER GUESTS THAT ARE HERE WITH YOU THAT WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH US? JUST YOU? COME ON THROUGH.
>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT, CAN YOU SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> YOUNG MAN. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND HOPE THAT THIS IS A RECOGNITION OF THE TALENT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEN YOU ALL HIT THE BIG TIME, EITHER A BROADWAY OR HOLLYWOOD, PLEASE REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM.
>> COME ON. YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
>> TOM. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
>> COME ON DOWN, AND THEN I'LL BE RIGHT HERE.
>> OH, YOU'RE WELCOME. HOW ARE YOU? OH, YOU'RE WELCOME, THERE WE GO. [LAUGHTER].
>> I WANT TO GIVE THIS TO JUSTIN.
WELL, LET ME WAIT FOR MY COMMISSIONERS.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE THE PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING THE 27TH ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL ASK COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ TO MAKE THE PROCLAMATION READ THE PROCLAMATION AND ANY COMMISSIONER WISH TO MAKE A COMMENT MAY DO SO.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING.
ERNEST, IF YOU WOULD COME UP AND WHOEVER IS HERE WITH YOU ON BEHALF OF THE CESAR CHAVEZ FOUNDATION.
FRIEND AUGIE, GOOD MORNING. GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.
LET ME JUST READ THE PROCLAMATION AND THEN WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU THIS MORNING.
THIS IS A PROCLAMATION AND IT READS, WHEREAS CESAR E. CHAVEZ WAS A MAN OF HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO HELPING THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE.
THE FARM ORDERS, ACHIEVE JUSTICE IN THE FIELDS.
AS FOUNDER OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS IN 1962, HIS ORGANIZATION AND YEARS OF STRUGGLE.
HOWEVER, IN 1970 UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, THE ORGANIZATION VICTORIOUSLY SIGNED IT'S FIRST UNION CONTRACT.
WHEREAS HIS PERSEVERANCE ASSURED THAT FARM WORKERS RECEIVE BENEFITS THAT HERE TO FOR HAD BEEN UNAVAILABLE TO THEM AND THAT LAWS WERE ENACTED TO PROTECT THEM BEFORE THE COURTS.
WHEREAS HIS INFLUENCE EXTENDED FAR BEYOND AGRICULTURE AND HE SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION TO THOSE WHO WORKED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR RIGHTS.
[00:10:02]
WHEREAS OUR COMMUNITY JOINS IN THIS OBSERVANCE BY PAUSING TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CESAR E.CHAVEZ WHO BATTLED FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE TO ASSURE THAT NO ONE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE OR WORK UNDER UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS.
WHEREAS THE 27TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CESAR E. CHAVEZ LEGACY AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS, MATCH FOR JUSTICE WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH 2023 STARTING AT 10:00 AM IN THE HEART OF THE WESTSIDE BODY OR AT THE INTERSECTION OF GUADALUPE AND BRAZOS STREET.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND PROCLAIMS SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH 2023 AS THE 27TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF LIFE, CESAR E. CHAVEZ LEGACY AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS MARCH FOR JUSTICE.
WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OFFICE, 21ST DAY OF MARCH 2023 SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT, JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, MYSELF, COMMISSIONER GRANT MOODY, AND COMMISSIONER TOMMY CALVERT.
CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU, ERNEST FOR BEING HERE AND [APPLAUSE] WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
JUDGE, MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR.
WE ARE READY FOR THIS SATURDAY.
BY THE WAY I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR BOARD COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
HALF OF OUR BOARD, OUR EDUCATORS THEY'RE IN THE CLASSROOM RIGHT NOW. THEY COULDN'T BREAK OUT.
WE HAVE ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER THAT LIVES IN HOUSTON, BUT IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT THE BARBECUE GUY IS DOING WITH ME TODAY.
AUGIE CORTEZ, MANY WHO DON T KNOW IN THE COMMUNITY, AUGIE ACTUALLY INTERNED WITH MY FATHER BACK IN 1997.
HE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO BE A UNION ORGANIZER, THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT.
HE FOUND SOMETHING ELSE, AND HE WAS ACTUALLY A COORDINATOR FOR THE STUDENT.
IT'S OUT AT UTSA AND ALL THE LOCAL COLLEGES BACK IN THE DAY.
WE SHOWED SOME FOOTAGE EARLIER THIS WEEK OF THE STUDENTS WITH THE SIGNS.
THAT WAS AUGIE WHO WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE STUDENTS SO HE'S WITH US TODAY.
BUT YES, IT'S THE 27TH ANNUAL.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, CESAR CHAVEZ LOVED THIS CITY.
I WAS HONORED TO HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT TO THIS MOVEMENT AS A YOUNG MAN.
CESAR WAS A MENTOR AND FRIEND TO MY FATHER.
WHEN HE PASSED AWAY IN 1993, MY FATHER SAID WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING FOR CESAR CHAVEZ HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
OUT OF THAT WAS BORN AN IDEA TO HAVE A MARCH HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, WHICH WAS MET WITH MUCH RESISTANCE IN THE EARLY YEARS.
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHY AND THE PURPOSE BUT FAST FORWARD TO TODAY IN 2023 AND THOUSANDS COME TOGETHER, NOT JUST THE WESTSIDE MARCH, NOT JUST A MARCH FOR HISPANICS OR LATINOS BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THAT THE SCHOOLS FROM K THROUGH 12 TO UNIVERSITIES, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THEY'RE ALL ALREADY FOR THIS YEAR.
AS WE ALL KNEW LAST YEAR, COVID WAS STILL LINGERING, WE COULDN'T MARCH, BUT IT WAS A GOOD CROWD LAST YEAR.
IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG CROWD THIS YEAR.
BY THE WAY, THIS YEAR'S THEME INSPIRED FROM THE FARM WORKER PRAYER, IS FINDING TRUE LIFE THROUGH SERVICE TO OTHERS.
I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE HERE THAT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE HAD TO LEAN ON EACH OTHER BEING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS AND ONTO EACH OTHER TO GET THROUGH THESE TOUGH TIMES WE'VE BEEN FACED WITH THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
THIS YEAR'S THEME AGAIN, FUNDING TRUE LIFE THROUGH SERVICE TO OTHERS.
NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO GIVE BACK.
THE YES WE CAN CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS A FOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGN WITH THE THOUSANDS THAT WE'RE EXPECTING ON SATURDAY.
THOSE CANNED GOODS, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET YOUR CANNED GOODS.
THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK WILL STAGE THEIR BINS RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE WALLOPED THEATER MARQUEE WHERE PEOPLE CAN DROP OFF THEIR CANNED GOODS AND HELP THE FOOD BANK.
AFTER ALL, FARM WORKERS FEED A NATION, LET'S FEED SAN ANTONIO.
THIS YEAR TO MAKE THINGS EASIER, TRANSPORTATION WISE I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT VIA IS GOING TO PROVIDE FREE TRANSPORTATION FROM THE ALAMO DOME FROM LOTS B AND C STARTING AT 8:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THEY'LL DROP YOU OFF RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF THE MARCH.
SO IT'S GOING TO HELP WITH TRANSPORTATION.
SPECIAL GUEST. FIRST I WANT TO ANNOUNCE OUR GRAND MARSHALS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TRIO GRAND MARSHAL.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NONE OTHER AND IN A TOTALLY CEASE UP WITH HIS SPIRIT STORY IN THE CASTRO FAMILY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NOW COUNCILWOMAN ROSIE CASTRO AND FORMER MAYOR AND HUD SECRETARY JULIAN CASTRO AND CONGRESSMAN JOAQUIN CASTRO JOINING US AS OUR GRAND MARSHALS FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH FOR JUSTICE.
NOW I DID GET WORD RECENTLY KNOW THE TRADITION.
MY DAD STARTED MANY YEARS AGO.
WE HAVE A MEMBER OF THE CHAVEZ FAMILY JOIN US FOR THE MARCH.
IN THE EARLY YEARS IT WAS DOLORES HUERTA, RICHARD CHAVEZ, ARTURO RODRIGUEZ WITH THE FARM WORKERS.
[00:15:03]
WELL, THIS YEAR, WE'RE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT JOINING US IN THIS YEAR'S MARCH IS THE HIGHEST RANKING LATINA IN THE WHITE HOUSE.IT IS THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF CESAR CHAVEZ AND HER NAME IS JULIE CHAVEZ RODRIGUEZ.
SHE'S A SENIOR ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER JOINING US THIS SATURDAY FOR THE MARCH.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
THANK YOU BECAUSE THIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS GROWING.
WE AWARDED $50,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS LAST YEAR WHICH WAS UP FROM 25,000. WE HAVE MOMENTUM.
OF COURSE, LOOKING AT THE DICE HERE, JUDGE YOU'RE NO STRANGER TO THE MARCH.
YOU WERE THERE IN THE VERY BEGINNING WHEN THIS STARTED.
JUSTIN YOU'RE ON THE DIETS AT CITY COUNCIL AND MY DAD USED TO GO THERE AND WAS FIGHTING FOR THE STREET.
TOMMY WAS A GRAND MARSHAL IN 2017 RIGHT BEFORE MY DAD PASSED SO LONG HISTORY IN OUR CITY.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TRADITION IN SAN ANTONIO.
JUST HAPPY TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HERE TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ERNEST. AUGIE DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THIS MARCH FOR A LONG TIME AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING.
>> WELL, IT WAS ALWAYS AN HONOR AND PLEASURE WORKING WITH JAIME MARTINEZ.
I MEAN, JUST WORKING WITH HIM FOR A YEAR AND A HALF WAS JUST NOTHING BUT A BLESSING FOR ME AND MY LIFE.
BUT WORKING WITH JAIME, I'LL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST MARCH ASKING TO HELP GET PROPS AND GET THINGS PREPARED FOR THE MARCH.
I LOOK AT JAIME. JAIME, SO HOW DO WE PLAN ON PUTTING THIS TOGETHER AND IT'S NOT.
I'M LOOKING TO GET FUNDS TO HELP GET THINGS UP AND RUNNING AND HE PULLS A $20 BILL OUT OF HIS POCKET AND HE'S LIKE AUGIE, THIS IS WHAT YOU GOT BUT GOOD LUCK.
I LEARNED HOW TO STRETCH A $20 BILL WORKING WITH JAIME, TRUST ME.
BUT LIKE I SAID, IT WAS PART OF THE GROWING PROCESS WITH JAIME.
WORKING WITH HIM IN CALIFORNIA AND IN THE VALLEY ALWAYS OPENED MY MIND AND HEART TO THE REALITY OF WHAT ASSISTANT CHAVEZ MOVEMENT IS ALL ABOUT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE NET-NET IS REALLY TO HELP AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE THAT PROVIDE THE FOOD THAT WE EAT DAILY AND TO THINK ABOUT THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY WORK IN EVERYDAY LIFE FOR THEM.
IT REALLY OPENED UP ALL OF OUR HEARTS TO REALLY TRULY GIVE BACK WITH A SINCERE OPEN HEARTS.
WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE HELP THAT YOU GUYS DO THROUGH THE YEARS ASSISTING JAIME.
WE ALL KNOW WORKING WITH JAIME WAS HARD TO HEAR A NO FROM JAIME.
IF YOU TOLD JAIME NO, THAT MEANT TEN YESES.
I'M PROUD TO KNOW YOU GUYS AND THAT YOU GUYS WERE A PART OF IT.
THANK YOU ANDREW FOR CONTINUOUSLY CALLING, AND KEEPING ME INVOLVED WITH HELPING OUT WITH THIS GREAT, BEAUTIFUL MARCH.
WE WANT TO REMIND THE COMMUNITY AGAIN.
PROGRAM BEGINS AT NINE, THE MARCH AT 10:00 AM SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL OUT THERE.
I KNOW FOR A LONG TIME WE'VE PRESSED AND YOU HAVE ERNEST TO TRY AND MAKE THIS THE LARGEST MARCH IN THE COUNTRY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE FOR MLK.
I THINK WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY, SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU JUDGE FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS.
ERNEST, YOU AND YOUR DAD, ESPECIALLY YOUR DAD WAS VERY CLOSE.
WE ALWAYS COMMENTED HOW IN GOD'S NAME DID A JAPANESE GUY FOR THE VALLEY HOOKUP WITH A WESTSIDE MEXICANO IN COMMON CAUSE? [LAUGHTER].
IT'S ONE OF THOSE, I BELIEVE, JUST TRULY PROVIDENTIAL BY GOD'S HAND, THAT OUR PATHS CROSSED.
I WANT HISTORY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS, THE COMMITMENT, THE FIRE THAT YOUR FATHER BROUGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW IT'S HELPED US BECOME A BETTER PLACE TO WORK, TO LIVE, TO PRAY.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILY AND ESPECIALLY IN THE MEMORY OF YOUR DAD [INAUDIBLE] MARTINEZ.
>> JUDGE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LET ME THANK ERNEST AND AUGIE FOR BEING HERE AND THE WHOLE COMMITTEE THAT HELPS PUT THIS TOGETHER YEAR-ROUND, IT'S A LOT OF WORK.
I TREASURE THE COMMENTS THAT JUDGE SAKAI JUST MADE.
I THINK THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF YOUR GREAT FATHER.
I THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE WAS THE INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNION OF ELECTRICIANS.
[LAUGHTER] HE HAD ENERGY AND HE UNDERSTOOD POWER.
HE USED HIS PEOPLE POWER TO BRING US CLOSER TOGETHER.
AS THE LAST GRAND MARSHAL THAT HE CHOSE WHILE HE WAS LIVING,
[00:20:05]
HE WAS SENDING A MESSAGE TO WORK TOGETHER, BLACK, BROWN, WHITE, YELLOW.EVERYBODY NEEDS TO WORK TOGETHER AND BE MORE HARMONIOUS AND GIVE DIGNITY TO EVERYBODY.
AUGIE, I WANT TO JUST SAY THAT YOU DID THAT AS WELL AS THE [INAUDIBLE] WHERE ERNEST AND I BOTH SERVED ON YOUR COURT.
WE WERE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND THERE HAVE BEEN SO MUCH DIVISION IN AMERICA.
YOU MADE IT A POINT OF HAVING A DIVERSITY.
YOU HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE SPECIAL NEEDS, YOU HAD EVERY WALK OF LIFE, YOU HAD ALL THE POLITICAL FOLKS.
I'VE NEVER BEEN ON A COURT WHERE A REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT AND A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT, WE GOT ALONG SO WELL.
BUT YOU DID THAT WITH GREAT LOVE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND HUMANITY.
IT'S A REAL THING THAT SPEAKS TO YOUR HEART OF WHO YOU ARE.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO REMEMBER CESAR CHAVEZ AND JAIME AND SUPPORTING ERNEST.
ERNEST, YOU'VE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
NOT EVERY SON HAS TO TAKE THE BATON OF HIS FATHER.
BUT YOU HAVE, AND YOU'VE CONTINUED TO ELEVATE THIS AND THAT, WE THANK YOU AS A COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS A BURDEN TO DO THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, TO PUT UP WITH PEOPLE [LAUGHTER] AND OUR STUFF, AND TO GET THESE THINGS DONE.
AS I CLOSE, WE JUST NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERYBODY IN AMERICA IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY ON THE JOB.
CESAR CHAVEZ JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO BE TREATED TO THE BEST OF THEIR HUMANITY.
WE THINK ABOUT THE FARMERS WHO DIDN'T HAVE A BATHROOM BREAK IN MANY CASES, WHO WERE SPRAYED WITH PESTICIDES, WHO WERE PAID PIONS FOR BACK-BREAKING, LIFE-CHANGING, THEIR BODIES WERE MAIMED IN SO MANY WAYS BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT REPETITION OF WHAT THEY DID.
CESAR CHAVEZ SAID THAT WE ARE ALL PEOPLE, THAT WE ALL DESERVE TO BE TREATED ON THE JOB WITH DIGNITY.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS MADE THIS COUNTRY SO MUCH BETTER.
WE'RE BETTER FOR CESAR CHAVEZ.
NO MATTER WHAT POLITICAL PERSUASION YOU COME ON, IF YOU'VE EVER WANTED TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT ON THE JOB, YOU SHOULD BE MARCHING.
IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD TREAT PEOPLE WITH EQUALITY, YOU SHOULD BE MATCHING THIS SATURDAY.
IF YOU THINK THAT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY IN UNITY, YOU SHOULD JOIN US AT THE MATCH THIS SATURDAY.
IT REALLY IS, THERE IS NO BLACK, NO BROWN, NO YELLOW, WE'RE ALL ONE RACE.
WE'RE ALL THE HUMAN RACE, AND WE ALL ARE HERE TO LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER IN A MUCH BETTER WAY.
THANK YOU OF REMINDING US OF THAT.
WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE JULIE CHAVEZ RODRIGUEZ, THE CASTROS, WE'RE PRAYING AGAIN FOR CONGRESSMAN CASTRO'S HEALTH.
HE'S GOING THROUGH SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE A LEGACY FOR ROSY CASTRO, THE GRANDMAMA.
SHE'S FINALLY GETTING A LITTLE RESPECT FROM THOSE DAYS OF RUNNING.
I KNOW SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB.
JULION HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH, SO HATS OFF TO YOU, YOUR TEAM.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO MORE IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
WE KNOW THAT WITH THOSE BRAINS THAT WE HELP COME FROM OUR COMMUNITY, THEY GIVE BACK AND IT MAKES DREAMS BECOME A REALITY.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING DREAMS BECOME A REALITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> [SPANISH] [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND].
>> IT'S OKAY. THAT'S WHY I GOT TO STAND HERE.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T.
>> [SPANISH]. [LAUGHTER] GET EVERYBODY UP HERE.
[BACKGROUND] THE MAN'S IN CHARGE.
[00:25:12]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR. NICE SEEING YOU, SIR.
>> MY NIECE KEEPING ME. [BACKGROUND] I'LL READ THE AGENDA.
AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, RECOGNIZING MARCH 21, 2023 AS BEXAR COUNTY WOMEN'S DAY TO COMMEMORATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL THEME OF CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO TELL OUR STORIES IN SUPPORT OF THE BEXAR COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT, EFFORTS TO ACCELERATE WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.
THE COURT WILL ALSO PRESENT THE 2023 BEXAR COUNTY PIONEER AWARD TO LUCY ADAME-CLARK FOR SERVING AS BEXAR COUNTY'S FIRST LATINA, AND FIRST WOMAN ELECTED IN HISTORY AS THE BEXAR COUNTY CLERK, I'LL CALL UPON COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES TO INTRODUCE AND READ THE PROCLAMATION INTO THE RECORD.
>> HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER] I HAVE THE HONOR OF READING THIS PROCLAMATION.
IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, I'M THE ONLY WOMAN ON THE COURT.
WHEREAS CONGRESS DESIGNATED THE MONTH OF MARCH AS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN 1987, RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN WOMAN OF EVERY ETHNIC BACKGROUND, CULTURE AND CLASS HAVE MADE HISTORIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GROWTH AND STRENGTH OF OUR NATION.
WHEREAS BEXAR COUNTY WILL HOST A WOMAN'S DAY CELEBRATION SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL THEME OF CELEBRATING WOMAN WHO TELL OUR STORIES, AND SUPPORT THE BEXAR COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS TO ACCELERATE WOMAN BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.
I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU TO RENEE WATSON FOR STARTING THIS AWARD.
YOU-ALL CAN CLAP FOR THAT TOO, BECAUSE RENEE DESERVES A LOT OF APPLAUSE.
[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] WHEREAS THE CELEBRATION INCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2023 BEXAR COUNTY PIONEER AWARD TO LUCY ADAME-CLARK, A SOUTHSIDER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, FOR SERVING AS BEXAR COUNTY'S FIRST LATINA, FIRST WOMAN ELECTED IN HISTORY OF BEXAR COUNTY AS THE BEXAR COUNTY CLERK.
WHEREAS BEXAR COUNTY COMMENCE AND CONTINUES TO RECOGNIZE THE PREVIOUS PIONEER AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR SERVICE.
TRACY WOLFF, SUSAN REED, SYLVIA ROMO, ALMA LOPEZ, MARGARET MONTEMAYOR, CARMEN KELSEY, CINDY GABRIEL, SHARON MACRAE, MADONNA MINARICH, DONNA MCKINNEY, SUSAN PAMERLEAU, RENEE GREEN, FRANCINE WILSON, JACKIE CALLANEN, KAREN POZZA, SUSAN YEATTS, ROSIE SPEEDLIN GONZALEZ, STEPHANIE BOYD, YOLANDA HUFF, GRACE UZOMBA, REBECA CLAY-FLORES IS YOUR BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE], TRISH DEBERRY, AND KATHRYN BROWN.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AS APRIL CLAIMS MARCH 21ST AS BEXAR COUNTY WOMEN'S DAY, SIGNED BY [INAUDIBLE] [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS.
I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
WE STARTED THIS AWARD BECAUSE THERE WERE NO WOMEN SERVING ON THE COURT.
WE'VE RECOGNIZED 23 WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN APPOINTED OR ELECTED OR REPRESENT A FUNDED ENTITY FOR BEXAR COUNTY BECAUSE WHEN WE PARTNERED WITH THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH ORGANIZATION AND ALLIANCE, THEY ALWAYS COME UP WITH A THEME OF WHY WE CELEBRATE IN THE UNITED STATES AS THE RED PROCLAMATION AND COMMISSIONER, SO ELOQUENTLY STATED, BECAUSE FOR YEARS THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF WOMEN IN THE K-12 AND EDUCATION SYSTEM.
BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE DEVOTED AND WE HONOR AND WE TRY TO SELECT A OUTSTANDING BEXAR COUNTY WOMAN EVERY YEAR TO RECOGNIZE.
THIS YEAR, THE THEME IS TELLING OUR STORIES.
WE CAN THINK OF NO ONE MORE QUALIFIED THAN THE RECORD KEEPER OF EVERYONE'S STORY IN THIS COUNTY.
THE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE HAVE A DUAL ROLE IN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR GREAT COUNTY CLERK.
[00:30:09]
WE SAY BEXAR COUNTY COUNTY CLERK.SOME FOLKS SAY, WELL, WHY DO YOU SAY COUNTY TWICE? BECAUSE HER OFFICIAL TITLE IS COUNTY CLERK.
SHE IS THE BEXAR COUNTY COUNTY CLERK. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WHEN WE WRITE THE HISTORY OF LUCY ADAME-CLARK IN THE RECORD BOOKS, WE WANT IT TO BE ACCURATELY REFLECTED THAT SHE IS BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY WOMEN WHO START BUSINESSES THAT COME IN HER OFFICE TO FILE A DBA.
IF YOU KNOW THE HISTORY OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS, THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.
THEIR HUSBANDS HAD TO FILE ON THEIR BEHALF TO START THEIR BUSINESS.
TODAY IN HER OFFICE, HER STAFF IS OUTSTANDING AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO WOMEN WHO AS THEY COME IN, YOUNG WOMEN, ALL WOMEN, ALL TYPES OF WOMEN AND THEIR HUSBANDS, OF COURSE, BECAUSE WE WANT ALL BUSINESSES IN BEXAR COUNTY.
BUT LUCY ADAME-CLARK IS THE FIRST LATINA AND FIRST WOMAN ELECTED IN THE HISTORY AS BEXAR COUNTY COUNTY CLERK.
SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO AND AS THE MOTHER OF TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND THE WIFE OF A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY.
SHE SPENT SOME TIME IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND I'M PRETTY SURE SHE HAD BRAGGED ABOUT THAT MANY, MANY YEARS AFTER SERVING 21 YEARS IN THAT DEPARTMENT.
SHE IS ALSO THE COUNTY TREASURER AND A MEMBER OF THE BEXAR COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD.
SHE SERVES AS THE CLERKS DIVISION DIRECTOR AND A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
SHE IS THE PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE URBAN RECORDERS ALLIANCE AND THE BEXAR COUNTY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.
SHE IS THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
HER DUTIES AS THE COUNTY CLERK INCLUDE MAINTAINING THE RECORDS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, TO PROBATE COURTS, THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT, THE AUXILIARY JAIL COURT, 15 COUNTY COURTS OF LAW, AND SEVERAL OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
SHE IS IN CHARGE OF RECORDING ALL PUBLIC RECORDS, INCLUDING LAND RECORDS, REAL PROPERTY, VITAL STATISTICS RECORDS SUCH AS MARRIAGE LICENSE, CATTLE BRANDS, AND DBA ASSUMED NAMES.
SHE ALSO MAINTAINS THE SPANISH ARCHIVES RECORDS FROM THE 1700 REPRESENTING BEXAR COUNTY'S FOUNDATION WITHIN HER FIRST YEAR OF OFFICE.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE HER LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING THE RECORDS ON THE RUN INITIATIVE, WHICH GOES OUT TO ALL OF THE PRESETS AND THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY TO SERVICE ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY WITH THE SERVICES OF THE BEXAR COUNTY COUNTY CLERK.
TODAY IT IS MY HONOR TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE HER AND WE HAVE ANOTHER HISTORY MAKING WOMAN TO PRESENT HER.
FIRST LADY OF BEXAR COUNTY, MS. SAKAI, TO PRESENT THE FLOWERS TO HER, AND WE HAVE A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION AS WELL TO PRESENT TO HER.
STANDING WITH US IS ALL OF THE WOMEN OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT IS AS OF TODAY, WE ARE THE MAJORITY IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE].
>> [APPLAUSE] GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
IT'S AN HONOR TO RECEIVE AN AWARD LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY AFTER 26 YEARS, ESPECIALLY TODAY WHEN CEASAR CHAVEZ WAS HERE IN THE COURTROOM.
I'M A DAUGHTER OF MIGRANT PARENTS, A DEDICATED COMMUNITY LEADER, JAMIE HADAMI, A MARINE FATHER, MANUEL HADAMI.
I COULD NOT HAVE DONE ALL OF THIS WITHOUT THE VOTERS VOTED ME IN 2018 TO BECOME THE FIRST OF THE FIRST.
THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU RENEE WATSON FOR THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP.
MOST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK MY TWO CHIEF DEPUTIES, PRISCILLA HERNANDEZ, RAQUEL MONTALVO, AND ALL MY STAFF WHO STEPPED FORWARD WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING WHO I WAS, NOT EVEN KNOWING IF THEY WERE GOING TO STAY IN THEIR OFFICE WHEN I GOT ELECTED.
AFTER PROMOTING THEM INTO THE POSITIONS THEY HOLD, WE'RE ABLE TO INNOVATE, IMPROVE, AND DIGITIZE, AND RECORD ALL RECORDS OF BEAR COUNTY IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT, AND PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
THE PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
>> MS. LUCY [INAUDIBLE], LET ME JUST IF I COULD JUST SAY A FEW WORDS.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, CONGRATULATIONS AND OBVIOUSLY A RECOGNITION OF WHERE YOU COME FROM AND WHERE YOU'VE BEEN.
I KNEW YOUR MAMA, JAMIE HADAMI MANY YEARS AGO FROM THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND SHE IS ONE OF A KIND [LAUGHTER] AND YOU ARE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK.
BUT I THINK WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TODAY IS YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR TEAM'S COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I HOPE TO LOOK AT YOUR DEPARTMENTS AS A MODEL FOR HOW BEAR COUNTY SHOULD RUN ITS GOVERNMENT.
[00:35:04]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK RENEE AND CONGRATULATE LUCY ON THIS DISTINGUISHED AWARD.
IT'S BEEN A LONG PATHWAY FOR YOU TO BECOME THE FIRST LATINA COUNTY CLERK IN THE HISTORY OF BEAR COUNTY.
OUR FAMILIES, LIKE JUDGE CHI SAID, GO A LONG WAY BACK BECAUSE YOUR STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF A STRONG WOMAN, YOUR MOTHER, WHO WAS IN THE TRENCHES.
FOR THE SAKE OF HISTORY RECORDING, WHEN MY FATHER WAS THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR JESSE JACKSON IN THE SOUTH, HE STAYED WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, YOUR MOM OVERNIGHT IN THE ARIZONA APACHE COURTS SO FROM THOSE COURTS TO THIS COURT.
[LAUGHTER] YOU COME A LONG WAY AND WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE AT BEAR COUNTY.
>> WE'LL GET TO PICTURES. LET'S GO.
[59. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval of a Professional Services Agreement between Bexar County an HKS, INC. for the Adaptive Reuse Study of the former San Antonio State Hospital Grounds and potential Masterplan Development for an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act Fund, including the appropriate budgetary transfer.]
COMMISSIONERS, I'VE BEEN ASKED FOR AN ACCOMMODATION WHICH I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO.I'D LIKE TO BRING UP ITEM 59 AT THIS TIME.
I'LL READ INTO THE RECORD DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEAR COUNTY AND HKS FOR THE ADAPTED REUSE STUDY OF THE FORMER SAN ANTONIO STATE HOSPITAL GROUNDS AND POTENTIAL MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT FOR AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND, INCLUDING THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER. MR. KUHRT?
>> JUDGE SAKAI, MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THIS ITEM EARLY FOR US.
WE'RE HERE TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS.
EXECUTE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HKS TO ENABLE THE STUDY TO START AND THEN GIVE YOU GUYS A LITTLE BIT BACKGROUND ABOUT WHAT THAT STUDY IS GOING TO RESULT IN.
HERE'S JUST SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
THE PROJECT SITE, AS YOU GUYS KNOW, IS COLLOQUIALLY CALLED SASH, WHICH IS THE SAN ANTONIO STATE HOSPITAL.
IT'S IT'S 67 11 SOUTH YOU BROTHELS AVENUE AND PRECINCT FOUR.
THERE IS A NEW FACILITY BEING BUILT JUST NEXT TO THIS ONE BY THE STATE AND THEY WILL CURRENTLY VACATE THIS EXISTING FACILITY.
UNIVERSITY HEALTH DID A CONSULTATION ASSESSMENT CALLED THE PHASE 1, WHERE WE COLLABORATE WITH THEM AND DISCOVERED MULTIPLE LOCATIONS OR MULTIPLE AVENUES TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AS WELL AS FUTURE DEMAND OF
[00:40:02]
THOSE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND THEN COSTS AN OPERATION TO REBUILD IT.THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT INCLUDES A PROJECT TEAM OF LOCALLY CHESNEY MORALES, WHICH IS A LOCAL MINORITY ARCHITECTURE FIRM HERE, MOOSE ENGINEERS, HUMAN EXPERIENCE, WHICH IS A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PLANNING CONSULTANTS NOTATION FIRM.
US COSTED ALONG WITH THEIR PRIME CONSULTANT HKS, WHICH IS A LARGE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM HEADQUARTERED OUT OF DALLAS.
THE SCOPE OF IT INCLUDES A MASTER PLANNING FOR THE EXISTING SASH FACILITY SITE, WHICH YOU CAN INCLUDE HIGH LEVEL REHABILITATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS, BUT POTENTIALLY ADDING TRADITIONAL HOUSING RATHER SERVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES ON A PARTICULAR CAMPUS.
MIKE CAN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT HERE SHORTLY.
HIGH LEVEL ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT BUILDINGS, WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD INDICATION OF WHAT THE CONDITION OF SOME OF THOSE BUILDINGS ARE FROM A PREVIOUS REPORT.
BUT WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE COST OF REHAB DIALED IN SO YOU GUYS CAN MAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION ON WHAT PATH TO TAKE FORWARD.
A HIGHER LEVEL MASTER PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING.
AGAIN, IF WE'RE ADDING ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS TO THIS CAMPUS, WHETHER IT BE ADDITIONAL HOUSING OR THEIR SERVICES, THEY ARE LOCATED ON THE SITE.
THEN OF COURSE, FINAL PRICING OF THAT MENU OF OPTIONS, WHETHER IT'S REHABILITATION, NEW ADDITIONS, OR ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
AGAIN, THE DELIVERABLES WILL BE THAT A PROGRAM MIX OF RECOMMENDATION PROGRAMMING FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS, SPACE PROGRAMMING, SITE PLANS, AND THE MASTER PLAN COST ANALYSIS.
NOW, THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE DIALED INTO THE DOLLAR.
THIS WILL BE A HIGH LEVEL ESTIMATE OF WHAT IT COSTS.
IF YOU GUYS DIRECT US TO GO DEEPER DIVE ON THOSE PARTICULAR COMPONENTS, WE CAN ACTUALLY DO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP.
HERE'S THE TIMELINE. AGAIN, MARCH 2022, BEAR COUNTY HAD INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS AS DIRECTED BY THE COURT.
STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED IN JUNE, JULY, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BEGAN DISCUSSIONS AND MIKE AND MELISSA CAN TALK ABOUT THOSE ON THE STATE LEVEL.
SEPTEMBER 13TH, THE APPROVED US AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE.
WE WENT THROUGH THE NEGOTIATION AND DRAFTING THAT AGREEMENT PROCESS.
MARCH 13TH, LISTS COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET WRITER.
AGAIN, WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR STATE FUNDING.
I KNOW AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT TODAY WE'LL EXECUTE THAT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT SO WE CAN GET THE FORMAL STUDY UNDERWAY.
I'LL HAVE MIKE COME UP AND MELISSA, GIVE YOU A LITTLE MORE BACKGROUND UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE ACTUAL CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.
THIS IS INCREASING AND THE CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOR THE COMMUNITY PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST.
OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE WE'RE DEALING WITH A VERY SENSITIVE COMMUNITY.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO JUST EMPHASIZE THAT TO THE PLANNERS THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING VERY CLOSELY AT THE SAFEGUARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR THE OPERATION OF THIS FACILITY.
I THINK THAT BY ENLARGE, THE STATE HOSPITAL HAD A PRETTY GOOD TRACK RECORD OVER THE DECADES.
WE NEED TO CONFER A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE STOP GAPS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE TO HELP PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF SPACE THAT IS LEFT, HUNDREDS OF ACRES, BUT I WILL AT LEAST 100 ACRES OF OPEN LAND THAT COULD PROVIDE MORE SERVICES, MORE BEDS.
THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR THE COUNTY AND THE JAIL OVERCROWDING TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE HUNDREDS OF FOLKS WHO ARE IN OUR BEAR COUNTY JAIL WHO DON'T BELONG THERE AND NEED LONGER-TERM FORENSIC HELP.
I THINK THIS IS A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION USING AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN ACT FUNDS TO DO THINGS THAT ARE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH.
SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH IS A VERY IMPORTANT INITIATIVES.
I JUST SAY THAT, YOU'RE BACK, JUDGE.
>> HEY, DAN, REAL QUICK, LET ME ASK YOU, YOU REFERRED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PRESENTATION TO AN ASSESSMENT THAT'S BEEN DONE IN OR IT'S IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DONE.
IS THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMPLETED? IF SO, WAS IT UNIVERSITY HEALTH THAT DID THE ASSESSMENT, OR WHO DID THAT?
>> YES, I'M GOING TO LET MIKE TAKE THAT ANSWER.
>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL ZERO, WITH THE OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
ON THE SITE PLANNING, SO THIS IS ACTUALLY IN THE TIMELINE.
IT GOES BACK ALMOST BACK TO 2018, 2019, WHEN WE FIRST HAD THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE BUILDING OF THE NEW STATE HOSPITAL FACILITY.
THEY ASKED BEXAR COUNTY TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL PROCESSING.
WE WERE INVOLVED IN PICKING THE ARCHITECT FOR THE NEW STATE FACILITY AND ALSO FOR THE BUILDERS ON THE CONSTRUCTION.
WE'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH THE STATE ON THIS WHOLE PROCESS BUT INITIALLY, IN THE BEGINNING,
[00:45:03]
WE HAD METHODIST HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES THAT WAS WORKING WITH US AND THEY FUNDED A STUDY THROUGH MEADOWS AND MEADOWS, DID AN ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF THE AREA AND THEY BASICALLY SAID THIS IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT FACILITIES THAT ARE THERE.THEY ALSO DID SOME PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS THROUGH STRACK ON NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR HOUSING.
THE STUDIES SHOW THERE WERE ABOUT 1,000 TO 2,000 HOUSING UNITS THAT WERE NEEDED FOR THESE POPULATIONS.
AS YOU KNOW, HOUSING IS ONE OF THE MAJOR BREAK FOR OUR JUSTICE-INVOLVED POPULATION TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A STRUCTURE, THAT'S POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE DEALING WITH DRUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THE BEST THING IS TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT MECHANISM AROUND OR WHAT THEY CALL IT AS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
IT HAS THE ABILITY OF NOT ONLY HAVING THE HOUSING BUT ALSO HAVING THE SERVICES WRAPPED AROUND IT.
AS YOU SAY ON THE COMMISSIONER FOR THAT PERSON TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
ALL THE STUDIES EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE HAS SHOWN THE SAME THING.
WE'VE HAD THAT. THEN YOU ALSO COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, YOU MENTIONED UNIVERSITY HEALTH.
THEY'RE BEEN DOING AN ANALYSIS OF PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE WAS TO LOOK AT THE JAIL, THE POPULATION THAT WAS IN THE JAIL, AND ARE THERE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE COULD GET OUT OF THERE.
BASICALLY, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE STUDY SAID THAT WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY IN RECOGNIZING TO GET INDIVIDUALS OUT THAT DIDN'T NEED MORE STRUCTURED SERVICES.
BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO DIG DEEPER INTO THE JAIL POPULATION, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE STRUCTURED TYPE PLACES FOR THEM TO LIVE, FOR THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
>> I GUESS WHERE I WAS HEADED WITH THE QUESTION IS IT'S ONE THING TO DO AN ASSESSMENT BASED ON CURRENT NEEDS.
I'M ASSUMING THAT'S WHERE THE 300-BED NUMBER CAME FROM.
BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO BE SOMEWHAT PREDICTIVE IN FUTURE NEEDS.
WE DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK YET WHAT THE IMPACT OF COVID HAD ON MENTAL HEALTH.
DO YOU KNOW MIKE, IF THEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT ANY OF, I GUESS, THE VISIONARY-TYPE NEEDS?
>> YES, SO ON THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH STUDY THROUGH MEADOWS, THEY WERE LOOKING ALL THE WAY THROUGH 2030.
IN THE NUMBERS, SO THE CAPACITY THAT WAS NEEDED, I THINK IT WAS 87 PSYCHIATRIC BEDS FOR CHILDREN ON THERE, AND THEN ABOUT 220 SOME ODD BEDS, I THINK IT WAS FOR ADULTS THAT WERE NEEDED FUTURE-WISE SO IT CAME OUT TO AROUND A LITTLE OVER 300 NUMBER OF BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE AND OUR CAPACITY.
>> OKAY. THEN MY LAST QUESTION IS ABOUT THE COST.
I KNOW THE ITEM TODAY IS REALLY JUST FOR A MASTER PLAN.
>> DO WE KNOW THE OVERALL TOTAL COST OF CONSTRUCTION? WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE, MAYBE FROM LOCAL COPPERS, WHAT WE'RE GETTING OR ASKING IT FROM THE STATE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A DONE DEAL EITHER.
>> ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE, WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS TELL US THE CONDITIONS OF THE BUILDING AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO KNOW LIKE WHAT'S OUR NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCESS AND TO BRING THAT BACK TO YOU OR TO LOOK FOR OTHER AVENUES TO FUND REHAB OF THE BUILDING.
SOME OF THE BUILDINGS ARE ALMOST LIKE 80% TO 90% WHERE THEY'VE INVESTED ALREADY AND NEW ROOFS, THEY PUT NEW HVAC SYSTEMS IN THERE.
THEY'VE DONE SOME OF THOSE THINGS, BUT SOME OF THEM ARE IN VARIED SHAPES.
THAT'S WHY WE WANTED THIS STUDY, SO WE WOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT.
THEN WE'RE ALSO ASKING FOR THEM TO TELL US WHAT CAN WE USE IT FOR? COULD THIS JUST BE USED AS AN OFFICE, MAYBE A NON-PROFIT, OR SOMEBODY COULD GO IN THERE AND UTILIZE THE SPACE OR CAN IT BE USED FOR HOUSING OR ALL THREE? THEN THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK REALLY IN THE VISIONARY ASPECT IF THEY HAVE THE WAREHOUSES THERE, IS THAT SOMETHING WHERE WE CAN BRING IN EMPLOYMENT? LIKE MANUFACTURING.
I KNOW WE'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY AN INDIVIDUAL FROM MINNESOTA THAT HAS THESE FACTORIES THAT REDO THE MATTRESSES ON THERE, AND THEY HIRE BASICALLY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND THAT'S THEIR MAIN FOCUS.
THEY START THEM OFF LIKE $18 AN HOUR.
THEY JUST NEED A PLACE TO DO THESE THINGS.
I THINK THERE'S ALL KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES HERE TO PROVIDE.
>> MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR MELISSA, THE BUDGET WRITER THAT I GUESS GOT APPROVED BY APPROPRIATIONS,
[00:50:03]
WAS IT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE REUSE STUDY? NO DOLLARS IN YET FOR ACTUAL REHAB OR CONSTRUCTION?>> CORRECT. YOU'RE 100% CORRECT.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM HHSC, IN CASE YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS BECAUSE IT'S HHSC THAT REQUESTED THE RIDER AND IT'S REPRESENTATIVE GARVIN HAWKINS THAT PUT IN THE RIDER ON THEIR BEHALF.
BUT FOR THIS WHOLE COMMUNITY PROJECT.
>> IS IT FOR A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT?
>> NO, SIR. THERE'S NO DOLLAR AMOUNT TIED TO THAT.
BECAUSE FOR THE FUNDING OF THE REUSE STUDY, THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR THAT OUT OF OUR ARPA DOLLARS.
MY ASSUMPTION IS, THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE STUDY TO COME BACK.
>> BUT THE TIMING OF THAT NECESSARILY WON'T BE THIS SESSION, SOMETIMES THESE THINGS TAKE SESSIONS.
I THINK WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE DOING IS GEARING UP FOR POTENTIALLY A BIGGER ASK IN THE 2025.
>> IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS COMMISSIONER, I WISH THERE WAS SOME FUNDING, BUT IT'S HARD TO GUESSTIMATE.
I MEAN, WHAT ARE WE SAYING? 30 MILLION, 70 MILLION UNTIL WE KNOW HOW WE WILL USE THE PROPOSED USAGE.
>> YEAH, AND I GET THAT. I JUST HATE TO MISS ON AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN THERE'S A $33 BILLION SURPLUS.
>> WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THE HOUSE IS SUPPOSED TO VOTE ON THE BUDGET NEXT THURSDAY.
MAYBE WE CAN MAKE SOME ASK TO HAVE SOME FLOOR AMENDMENTS.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU, JUDGE. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
>> I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT THIS IS FINALLY COMING BACK TO COURT.
I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR MORE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.
WE PASS BACK IN SEPTEMBER TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH HKS.
MY QUESTION IS, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG? WE'RE IN MARCH NOW, WHY DID THOSE CONTRACT TAKES SO LONG?
>> EVERY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WE HAD GOES THROUGH A PROCESS WHERE WE GET A PROPOSAL FROM THE CONSULTANT, NEGOTIATE THOSE TERMS AT THE VERY FIRST, I WOULD SAY HKS HAD A MUCH LARGER VISION OF WHAT THIS STUDY WAS, AND THEY GAVE US A PROPOSAL AS WELL OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, SO WE NEGOTIATED WITH THEM AND BROUGHT IT DOWN TO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS AN APPROPRIATE NUMBER.
WE HAD $200,000 ORIGINALLY BUDGETED FOR THIS EFFORT, AND IT'S ACTUALLY $250,000 NOW.
WE THOUGHT WE'D GOT IT, IT'S A REALLY GOOD PLACE.
THEN ONCE THAT'S KIND OF NEGOTIATION IS DONE, WE RELY ON OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO HELP US DRAFT THOSE AGREEMENTS.
SOMETIMES THAT JUST TAKES TIME.
UNFORTUNATELY, COMMISSIONER, I DON'T HAVE A GREAT ANSWER FOR YOU.
IT TOOK LONGER THAN WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO GET THIS ACTUAL AGREEMENT TO YOU, TO COURT. YES.
>> OKAY. WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR THIS CONTRACT TO BE COMPLETED?
>> THE STUDY IS NOT GOING TO BE VERY LONG, IT'S PROBABLY AN 8-10 WEEK PROCESS.
>> FOR THEM TO COME IN AND DO A DEEP DIVE ON SOME OF THESE LOCATIONS.
I WOULD THINK THAT IN PROBABLY THREE MONTHS WE'D HAVE A REPORT TO PRESENT TO THE COURT.
>> THIS SUMMER WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH, WORK TO THAT TIMELINE.
>> OKAY. YOU SAID SOMEONE IS HERE FROM THE STATE, DO YOU WANT TO BRING THEM FORWARD? HI.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CHRISTY CAR.
I'M THE ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER OF THE STATE HOSPITALS WITH HHSC.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THIS OR JUST MORE KNOWLEDGE FOR WHAT'S GOING ON?
>> NO. JUST IN TERMS OF AN OVERARCHING PRESENCE OF HHSC, WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE ONGOING AND CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH BOTH THE COUNTY AND CITY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
WE, LIKE YOU, FEEL THIS IS A DIRE NEED AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITHIN THE SAN ANTONIO AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN WAYS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES IN THE AREA.
>> WELL, YOU DEFINITELY HAVE THE COMMITMENT FROM BEXAR COUNTY.
WE HAVE PUSHED MILLIONS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM RPA FUNDING AND GENERAL FUND AS WELL FOR MENTAL HEALTH, INCLUDING WHAT THE SCHOOL IS SOMETHING THAT I ADVOCATED FOR TO HAVE MORE THERAPISTS IN SCHOOLS WITH [INAUDIBLE] ALSO GOING TO PASS A LITTLE BIT LATER TODAY FOR MORE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO OR TELL US WHAT YOU NEED FROM US, IF YOU SAY JUMP, WE WILL JUMP BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY REALLY NEED. THANK YOU.
>> WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> WELL, AND LET ME JUST SAY, FIRST OF ALL TO OUR STATE PARTNERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS AND YOUR FLEXIBILITY AS WE TRY TO WORK THROUGH THIS.
OBVIOUSLY IT'S A MOVING TARGET AND WITH THESE OLDER FACILITIES.
I DID JUST WANT TO THANK MIKE AND MELISSA FOR PUSHING FORWARD THIS RIDER.
I THINK THAT'S A BIG WIN ON MARCH 13TH, THE HOUSE INCLUDING IT,
[00:55:02]
THAT FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THOSE BEDS AVAILABLE.WHAT MY CONCERN IS SIMPLY ABOUT HOW THAT PLAYS OUT WITH THIS MASTER PLAN AGREEMENT.
MAKING SURE THAT WITH THIS CONTRACT, WE'RE KEEPING ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE AND MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY.
WHEN WE COME UP TO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, OR WE HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO ASK FOR FUNDING AND SUPPORT, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COSTS WOULD BE ACROSS A WIDE SET OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY. THE COUNTY IS DRIVING THE BUS ON WITH THIS CONTRACT.
AGAIN, WE'LL ENGAGE OUR STATE PARTNERS AND MIKE AS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND MELISSA AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE LIKE A SUITE OF OPTIONS FOR YOU GUYS.
A MENU OF OPTIONS THAT SAYS, OKAY, THIS IS HEAVY TRANSITIONAL, THIS IS HEAVY INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH, THEN THE COURT CAN MAKE A DECISION ON WHICH PATH FORWARD THEY THINK IS APPROPRIATE, AND THEN DOLLAR AMOUNT ASSOCIATED THAT.
OUR GOAL WITH THIS STUDY IS TO GIVE YOU ALL THE OPTIONS, LAY THEM OUT FOR YOU, AND THEN THE COURT GIVES US DIRECTION ON HOW THEY WANT TO PROCEED.
>> PERFECT. I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO IN WITH ANY PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS AND THAT WAS THE ONLY THING WE'RE LOOKING AT.
JUST WANT TO KEEP EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE, ESPECIALLY AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND TRYING TO KEEP AS MANY BEDS AVAILABLE AS POSSIBLE.
>> I GOT A FEW WORDS BEFORE WE GET TO A MOTION.
LET ME HAVE EVERYBODY BACK UP.
>> SORRY. I WAS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE DEAL BACK THEN.
>> NO. [LAUGHTER] YOU ALL NEED TO LISTEN TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
I WANT TO GIVE SOME FEEDBACK BECAUSE I THINK COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND HIS TWO QUESTIONS REALLY STRUCK ME AS TO WHERE I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING NOW AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN THE FUTURE.
HE'S HIT ON THE NEEDS OF THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEN HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE GOING TO SPEND? QUITE FRANKLY, I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW WE GOT NEARLY 2-300 PEOPLE IN OUR JAIL THAT WE COULD MOVE INTO THIS FACILITY, WHICH MEANS THAT THING IS FULL.
THAT THING WILL BE FULL WHEN WE HAVEN'T UNLESS SOMETHING NOW HAPPENS TO DIVERT.
OR WE FIGURE OUT A DIFFERENT WAY.
HE ALSO SAID, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE NEEDS? THE PATH WILL BE DUE.
WE JUST CREATE BIGGER BUILDINGS.
DO WE CREATE BIGGER HOSPITALS? BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO MOVE THE JAIL POPULATION, NOW WHAT IT IS, MIKE?
>> FORENSIC BEDS ARE LESS THAN 300.
>> THE REALITY IT'S AN EXTENSION OF JAIL.
WE'RE JUST BUILDING BIGGER JAILS FOR THAT PARTICULAR POPULATION.
WHAT I'M GOING TO PUSH YOU AND THE COUNTY, ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS, IS TO LOOK AT INNOVATIVE WAYS, DIVERSION PROGRAMS THAT YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY CREATED WITH THE COURTS TO DIVERT PEOPLE AWAY FROM JAIL.
I THINK WE NEED DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR THIS POPULATION.
IF WE'RE TRULY GOING TO INTERVENE AND PROVIDE SERVICES AND TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE CYCLE OF MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL ILLNESS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT THAT I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE DON'T CHANGE THE COURSE OF WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH, BECAUSE MY PROJECTION IS THAT OUR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THOSE THAT NEED SERVICES IS GOING TO GROW EXPONENTIALLY.
WE SEE THAT IN THE VIOLENCE THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS AND IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I DON'T WANT TO BE IN WHENEVER THIS THING GETS DONE, OH, WE SHOULD HAVE PLANNED FOR BIGGER FACILITY OR WE'VE GOT PROGRAMS NOW OR IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE THAT CAN HELP DIVERT THAT POPULATION AND GET THEM OUT.
IF WE CAN PROVIDE THOSE WRAPAROUND SERVICES, WE MAY WELL NOT NEED AS BIG OF A FACILITY BECAUSE WE ARE DIRECTLY INTERVENING INTO THE LIVES OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST IN NEED.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING MIKE?
>> YES. WE'VE DONE THAT THROUGH A LOT OF THE RPA PLANNING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TASKFORCE ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE LOOKING EXACTLY.
>> WELL, DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC IDEAS NOW SO THAT I CAN SAY, OH, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA?
>> WELL, SO THE FUNDING WERE TOWARD ONE OF THE SCHOOL FUNDING, THE 20 MILLION THAT'S GOING TOWARD THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR HELP ON THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TO DIVERT ON THAT END OF IT.
[01:00:05]
THE OTHER IS, WE'VE INVESTED IN A PRE-CRISIS SYSTEM.RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CLINIC CALLED THE NOWCLINIC, THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL AN URGENT CARE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE TO GO THERE.
YOU CAN GET HELP AND WE PLAN ON ADDING ADDITIONAL CLINICS.
THEN WE'RE GOING PRE-CRISIS TO REALLY LOOK AT THE SYSTEM TO SEE WHETHER THOSE INTERVENTION POINTS BEFORE THEY GET INTO TROUBLE.
>> I'LL LIKE TO SEE SOME METRICS, ANALYTICS WITH THOSE PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT I'M WANTING TO SEE A REDUCTION OF VIOLENCE AND THREATS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
>> YES. THEN THE RPA FUNDING GAVE US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY LOOK AT THAT AND TO INVEST IN THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO I THINK $8 MILLION WENT TOWARD HIGH ACUITY BEDS.
TO PURCHASE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT TWO OR THREE DAYS IN A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY OR NOT ENOUGH.
THEY NEED LONGER TERMS. WHERE THAT CONTRACT SHOULD BE COMING TO YOU PRETTY QUICKLY HERE.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME GOOD INVESTMENTS, BUT IT'S NOT THE TOTAL ANSWER TO EVERYTHING THAT'S OUT THERE.
ONE OF THE OTHER ONE IS TRAINING, INVESTMENT TO WORK WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS.
>> MIKE YOU'RE MISSING MY POINT.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR ARE METRICS, ANALYTICS, AND DATA.
WE'RE MAKING HUGE INVESTMENTS OF MONEY.
WE'VE GOT TO GET A RETURN OF THAT MONEY IN ORDER SO THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS FAITH IN US.
THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. I KNOW WE GOT GREAT IDEAS, BUT CAN WE EXECUTE? I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE NOW.
ANDRE CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> THAT'S A LATER DISCUSSION. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND ALL THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE ON THE DAIS.
I THINK THAT FROM THE CONSULTANT STANDPOINT, DAN, WHAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE COURT IS PERHAPS A LOOK AT A GREATER SCOPE AND SIZE POTENTIALLY.
IT MAY BE A PHASED APPROACH AT THIS POINT DEPENDING ON WHAT FINANCES WE GET BEHIND THE BUILDING OR THE STRATEGY, MIKE. I WANT MIKE JUST TO BORE DOWN FOR THE PUBLIC JUST ONETIME AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COURT, WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF CRIMES THAT FOLKS WHO WOULD BE IN THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY HAVE COMMITTED? WHAT ARE THE RANGE OF THE KINDS OF CRIMES? THESE ARE SOME VERY SEVERE CRIMES, CORRECT?
>> SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PENDING FOR FORENSIC BEDS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN THE JAIL, YEAH, THERE ARE SOME MORE SERIOUS.
BUT THE ONES THAT WERE FROM THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH STUDY IN MEADOWS WAS TRYING TO LOOK AT MAYBE LOWER LEVEL OF INDIVIDUALS, THAT THERE ARE MORE PROPERTY CRIMES, NON-ASSAULTIVE TYPE OFFENSES.
BUT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN IN THE COMMUNITY OR WITH THEIR FAMILY, THEY NEED THESE EXTRA LAYERS OF SERVICES TO BE SUCCESSFUL. [OVERLAPPING].
>> OKAY. I HAD A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE INTENT.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THAT THIS FACILITY ARE NON-ASSAULTIVE SO WE WOULD PROVIDE THE MORE VIOLENT TO THE STATE HOSPITAL?
>> YES, THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT.
>> OKAY. SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.
WHO WERE THESE FOLKS? WHAT THINGS [OVERLAPPING] THAT COULD HAPPEN?
>> THE ONES WE'RE LOOKING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE OVER INTO COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TYPE BEDS WOULD BE THOSE LOWER LEVEL TYPE OFFENSES THAT THEY'RE STILL WAITING FOR A STATE BED ON THAT END OF IT, BUT WE COULD MOVE THEM TO THESE OTHER TYPES OF FACILITIES IN THE INTERIM TO TRY AND DO COMPETENCY RESTORATION.
WHAT THEY IDENTIFIED ON THERE WAS YOU HAVE THESE INDIVIDUALS AND WE DO A LOT OF THIS, WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND WE HAVE AN OUTPATIENT COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM.
BUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE RELEASED ON A PERSONAL RECOGNIZANCE BOND TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THEN THEY'D GO TO OUTPATIENT RESTORATION.
BUT THEY FOUND THAT THERE'S GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WAITING TO GO THAT ARE NON-VIOLENT, BUT THEY JUST NEED MORE CARE. [OVERLAPPING].
>> YES. IT COULD BE ALL THE VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE AND THIS GIVES US THAT OTHER OPTION TO LOOK AT THAT, BUT WE'VE NEVER HAD THAT IN THERE BECAUSE IT'S COSTLY.
BUT IN THE LONG TERM IF YOU'RE WAITING OVER A YEAR SO IT MAY BE CHEAPER TO LOOK AT THOSE TYPES OF OPTIONS.
[01:05:01]
>> TO THE JUDGE'S POINT, THE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ'S POINT, ANY DATA THAT'S RELATED TO LONG-TERM RECOVERY OR JUST SELF-SUFFICIENCY OR SOME RESTORATION WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THE PLANNING PROCESS TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH SPACE WE NEED.
I THINK THAT'S THE DATA THAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT IN THIS.
ANYWAY, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY.
YOU HAD ANOTHER THING THAT YOU WANT TO DISCUSS?
>> THERE'S A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND AND THEY'LL [OVERLAPPING] CLARIFY?
>> SECOND, AND I HAVE A COMMENT AS WELL.
>> GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
>> GOING BACK TO THE TIMELINE, IT SAYS IN AUGUST OF 2022, DISCUSSIONS BEGAN WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
IT SAYS DISCUSSIONS, IS THERE ANY COMMITMENT FROM THE CITY, HAS ANYTHING BEEN PASSED?
>> WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY RIGHT NOW IN WORKING ON OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
>> MIKE, IF I CAN INTERRUPT YOU.
>> IN THE COURT OF LAW, I'D SAY PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION, THAT WAS A [LAUGHTER] YES OR NO.
>> [LAUGHTER] YES, WE'RE WORKING WITH IT.
>> BUT THEY HAVEN'T COMMITTED TO ANYTHING, THEY HAVEN'T PASSED ANYTHING?
>> ON THEIR END, THEY HAVE DESIGNATED DOLLARS ON THEIR END.
>> BUT FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT?
>> FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS.
>> WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO PUSH THEM TO SPECIFY IT FOR THIS, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE STATE IS WORKING FASTER THAN THE CITY.
I THINK THAT SAYS A LOT, THE STATE'S ACTUALLY WORKING FASTER NOW.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE COMMENT, I'M HAPPY TO SECOND. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO CIRCLE BACK ON THE OPTIONS AFTER WHAT YOU SAID, MIKE.
I THINK AGAIN, KEEPING ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, THE MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS, THE FORENSIC BEDS, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE MOST CHALLENGING TO FIND ANOTHER LOCATION AND BUILD FOR.
AS MUCH AS WE MAY THINK, WELL, THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE THE FORENSIC BEDS AND WE CAN HAVE LOWER-LEVEL BEDS IF WE REHAB THE EXISTING FACILITY.
BUT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE OPTIONS.
WE MAY NEED ALL THOSE FORENSIC BEDS AND WE MAY HAVE OTHER SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE LOWER-LEVEL OFFENSES ELSEWHERE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO FIND ANOTHER MAXIMUM SECURITY FORENSIC BED LOCATION ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTY.
>> LET ME ASK A QUESTION TO COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES BECAUSE SHE RAISED A GREAT POINT AND I HEARD YOU MIKE SAY THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WHICH IS PART OF THE HOUSING BOND THAT I HELPED CREATE WITH MAYOR TAYLOR.
DID WE DO AN APPLICATION BECAUSE THE APPLICATIONS CAME UP IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER FOR THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SECTION? THEY MAY STILL BE OPEN OR STILL HAVE ANOTHER ROUND, BUT ARE WE PLANNING TO MAKE AN APPLICATION BECAUSE COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, WE CAN'T GET FUNDING OUT OF THE POT THAT MIKE SPOKE ABOUT UNLESS WE MAKE AN APPLICATION? DO WE HAVE AN APPLICATION GOING FROM BEXAR COUNTY FOR THEM TO FUND THESE PARTICULAR BEDS?
>> NO, WE DON'T HAVE AN ACTUAL APPLICATION, BUT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY ON THERE WHERE THEY HAVE DESIGNATED FUNDS FOR THIS TYPE OF A PROGRAM.
>> WELL, IF IT'S OUT OF THE BOND PROCESS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY HAVE A RFP OR APPLICATION PROCESS, SO WE NEED TO DOUBLE-CHECK HAVE WE MISSED THE WINDOW? COULD THEY REOPEN THE WINDOW, THAT KIND OF THING? [OVERLAPPING]
>> MY UNDERSTANDING, WE HAVEN'T MISSED THE WINDOW.
>> FOR THESE DESIGNATED DOLLARS.
>> OKAY. CAN YOU TELL US WHEN THAT MIGHT BE THAT WE NEED TO APPLY?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE WAITING FOR THE HKS APPROVAL OF THIS CONTRACT.
WE'RE STARTING TO WORK ON THAT END OF IT AND WORK WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS, WHICH INCLUDES THE CITY [OVERLAPPING] TO DEVELOP WHAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE VACANT PROPERTY OUT THERE THAT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY ALSO.
I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
>> WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU, WE'LL DO A WORK SESSION ON JUST MAYBE BRINGING IN OUR CITY COUNTERPARTS JUST TO GAUGE WHAT IS THEIR TEMPERATURE AND WHERE ARE THE FUNDS THEY'VE ALLOCATED THIS FAR.
THEY MAY HAVE GENERAL FUND MONEY AS WELL AS THEIR BOND MONEY.
THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE MOVED AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT WAS SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, I'LL ASK FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING EITHER AYE.
>> AYE, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
>> JUST LET ME MAKE A COMMENT.
I REALLY APPRECIATED THAT DISCUSSION AND THE QUESTIONS ASKED.
THIS TIME LET'S GO BACK TO THE DOCKET OR
[Items 4A - 4C]
AGENDA OR TIME CERTAIN WE'RE RUNNING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND.DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER TO LEAD AN ORGANIZATION REVIEW OF BEXAR COUNTY POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PROCESSES IN ORDER TO ASSESS OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
THAT IS MY AGENDA ITEM, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THESE COMMENTS AT THIS TIME WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
IN THE LAST HANDFUL OF YEARS, BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS SEEN
[01:10:01]
MORE COMMISSIONERS TURNOVER THAN THE LAST FEW DECADES.AS THE NEW COUNTY JUDGE PRESIDING OVER NEWLY COMPOSED COMMISSIONERS COURT, I BELIEVE IT IS CRITICAL TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD SO TO SPEAK OF EACH DEPARTMENT AND BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THE ENGINE IS WORKING, WHERE IT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT, AND ULTIMATELY PROVIDE STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS THE INSIGHTS NEEDED TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND BETTER STEWARD TAXPAYER RESOURCES.
A PRIORITY FOR MY FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE HAS BEEN TO MEET WITH KEY DEPARTMENT LEADERS TO GET A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF NOT ONLY HOW THEIR STAFFS OPERATE, BUT HOW THEY PROVIDE SERVICES FOR CONSTITUENTS.
AS MY ADMINISTRATION GAINS TRACTION, I AM COMMITTED TO BRINGING A NEW STYLE OF MANAGEMENT TO THE COUNTY THAT HAS ITS HALLMARKS IN OPENNESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
I'M HEARING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, FROM DIRECTORS AND MANAGERS TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES AS THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT AND NEED MORE DIRECTION, MORE CONSISTENCY, AND CLEAR PROCESSES TO GUIDE ACTION.
WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT DIRECTION FOR STAFF.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF BEXAR COUNTY AND TO OUR OWN EMPLOYEES, AND WE OWE IT TO THEM TO GET IT RIGHT.
THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING FOR A BROAD ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW BY ANALYZING EACH DEPARTMENT AND DIVISIONS, PROCESSES, POLICIES, AND PROTOCOLS, WE WILL SEE THE GAPS AND AREAS OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT TO ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS AND DELIVERABLES TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
BETTER POLICIES WILL MAKE FOR IMPROVED COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THE FOLLOWING FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE, WORKING IN COORDINATION WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AGENDA COORDINATION PROCESS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT WORK SESSIONS, THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR EACH DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION, THE PROCESS TO ADOPT TECHNOLOGY TO STREAMLINE IMPROVED SERVICES AT EACH DEPARTMENT.
THE COUNTY PROCESSES FOR HANDLING RPA FUNDS, TRANSITION PLAN FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR CONTINUITY AND GOVERNMENT, AND SUCCESSION PLANS FOR SENIOR STAFF.
TO START THE REVIEW PROCESS, I'M LOOKING FOR A BI-WEEKLY STAFF'S REPORT FROM THE MANAGER'S OFFICE STARTING WITH THE APRIL 4TH COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.
THIS IS INTENDED TO CULMINATE WITH A FINAL REPORT ON MAY 31ST THAT WE WILL REVIEW, PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON, AND SUGGEST STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
MY GOAL IS THAT WHEN THIS PROCESS CONCLUDES, WE WILL HAVE A SHARPER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE PROCESS ARE BEING MANAGED NOW AND A HOST OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE OUR OPERATIONS AND PROCESSES MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.
I BELIEVE IT IS INCUMBENT ON ALL OF US TODAY TO PUSH FOR BETTER SERVICES FOR ALL BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS AND TO EMPOWER STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH THE KEY INFORMATION TO HELP US PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR OUR 5,000 PERSONS STRONG COUNTY WORKFORCE.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL YIELD THE FLOOR. COMMISSIONER MOODY
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK COMMENTS.
I DO THINK THAT [NOISE] THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TURNOVER AND AS A NEW MEMBER OF THE COURT MYSELF, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND OUR PROCESSES, AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE REPRESENTATION FOR OUR CITIZENS AND FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF FRESH IDEAS HERE ON THE COURT.
COMING FROM A BUSINESS BACKGROUND, THIS IS JUST ABOUT CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR ME.
IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO WORK BETTER TOGETHER AS A COURT, AS ACCOUNTING STAFF WITH THIRD PARTIES, HOW DO WE IMPROVE THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE AND, HOW DO WE IMPROVE THE WAY WE INTERACT TOGETHER AS ACCOUNTING TEAM.
HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD.
I KNOW SOME OF THOSE HAVE COME UP THROUGH DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS, BOTH HERE ON THE DAIS AND ALSO WITH COUNTY STAFF AND OUR OFFICES.
THIS WILL BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PUSH SOME OF THOSE FORWARD, HIGHLIGHT THEM, FIGURE OUT WHERE THERE'S CONSENSUS THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS.
SOME WILL PASS MUSTER AND SOME WON'T.
BUT IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THEM AND MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE COURT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.
[01:15:03]
IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO FLUSH THOSE THINGS OUT.I SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO IMPROVE HOW WE SERVE BEXAR COUNTY AND HOW WE WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM GOING FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. LET ME JUST ADD AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS WITH COMMISSIONER MOODY.
WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE AT SOME POINT WE WERE ALL THE NEW PERSON.
I THINK THESE ARE HEALTHY DISCUSSIONS.
I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT IN MY FOUR YEARS.
WE ALSO SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT THE COUNTY DOES VERY WELL AND HAS BEEN DOING WELL FOR MANY YEARS.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS NECESSARILY THROWING THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER.
YOU MENTIONED, JUDGE, THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER, UNLIKE THERE HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST FEW DECADES.
WE HAVE FOLKS HERE WITH NEW IDEAS.
IT'S AGAIN, PART OF IT BEING A HEALTHY ORGANIZATION THAT WE BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT WE'RE DOING WELL, BUT ALSO IDENTIFY ANY SHORTCOMINGS WHERE WE CAN BE DOING BETTER.
I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD GREAT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR COUNTY MANAGER.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO AND HIS TEAM WERE HAVING SOME TURNOVER NOW WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR SOME TIME.
IT'S PROBABLY TIMELY THAT WE DO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE INTERACT, NOT JUST WITH EACH OTHER, BUT ALSO WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS.
I KNOW I'M SEEING AND PROBABLY ALL OF US AS THE COMMUNITY GROWS, THAT GROWTH IS HAPPENING IN AN UNINCORPORATED AREAS.
WE'RE GETTING PROBABLY A LOT MORE CONSTITUENT CALLS THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.
PUTTING THAT BEST FOOT FORWARD WHEN IT COMES TO INTERACTING WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS, BEING CUSTOMER SERVICE FRIENDLY.
IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL DO AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT ALSO SHOULD TRANSFER, FROM THE COUNTY STAFF AS WELL.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, DAVID AND YOUR TEAM, TINA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TWEAK IT, MAKE IT BETTER, BUT ALSO BUILD ON WHAT WE'VE HAD FOR OUR SUCCESSES FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS 30,000 FOOT LOOK UP IN THE AIR AT WHERE WE ARE.
I THINK COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IS CORRECT.
I'VE SAID BEFORE, BEXAR COUNTY IS GOING TO BE THE EPICENTER OF A LOT OF THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL ISSUES COMING AT US.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT OUR OPERATIONS AND HOW WE IMPROVE THOSE OPERATIONS WHERE WE HAVE 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE MOVING HERE, THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE.
THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.
IN SECTION 2.2C OF THE COUNTY MANAGER'S CONTRACT, IT READS THAT THE COUNTY MANAGER SHOULD DEVELOP AND ESTABLISH OPERATIONAL INTERNAL REGULATIONS, RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES WHICH THE MANAGER DEEMS NECESSARY FOR THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND STAFF REPORTING TO THE MANAGER.
ALL POLICIES PROPOSED BY THE MANAGER, WHETHER THE POLICIES CONSTITUTE REVISIONS OR DELETIONS TO CURRENT POLICIES OR CONSTITUTE NEW POLICIES, MUST BE APPROVED BY THE COURT.
THIS COURT HAS NOT FORMALLY APPROVED ANY OF THE POLICIES WE ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING UNDER.
THEREFORE, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COURT TO LOOK AT ALL THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND DETERMINE WHETHER WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THOSE OR WHETHER WE WANT TO CHANGE THOSE.
THAT WORK SESSIONS AS WELL ARE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO AND USE MORE EFFECTIVELY.
I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY COLLEAGUES AROUND THE STATE OF THE USE OF THE WORK SESSIONS.
IT REALLY HELPS US AVOID OPEN MEETINGS ACT ISSUES, OF QUORUM AND WALKING QUORUM.
IT ALLOWS US TO GET OUR CONCERNS TO STAFF EARLIER.
IT DOESN'T SILO THE INFORMATION AMONGST COMMISSIONERS AND ALLOW THAT PROCESS TO PROVIDE PERHAPS A MORE ANTAGONISTIC RELATIONSHIP.
THIS BRINGS US CLOSER TOGETHER IN PROCESS.
WE HAVEN'T USED WORK SESSIONS AS MUCH AS OTHER COMMISSIONERS COURTS OF LARGE COUNTIES.
THAT WILL BE EXTREMELY HEALTHY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIRECTION THAT THE STAFF MAY WANT.
THE COURT CERTAINLY DOES WANT.
FOR SOME TIME, OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE HAD LOOKED AT THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS,
[01:20:05]
45 DEPARTMENTS, WHATEVER NUMBER IT IS, THAT WE HAVE, HAD DIFFERENT POLICIES ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS.SOME OF THAT'S BEEN CHANGED AND MORE CONSOLIDATED.
BUT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK BECAUSE THOSE BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE ALWAYS A CONCERN.
WE HEAR FROM BUSINESS PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR CONCERN WITH DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY.
CERTAINLY, WE HAVE A MAJOR OBLIGATION AHEAD OF US WITH ARPA, WITH FEDERAL FUNDS TO ENSURE THAT THE OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES THAT TRULY REST WITH THE COMMISSIONERS DON'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL CALLBACK, DO NOT CAUSE ADDITIONAL CUTS TO OTHER BUDGETARY ISSUES BECAUSE OF ANY FISCAL MALFEASANCE OR FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES.
A CLARITY ABOUT SENIOR STAFF POSITIONS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGE IN THE WAY ISSUES ARE WORKING TODAY FROM THE WAY THEY DID EVEN FOUR YEARS AGO.
2018 SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME AGO AND THE RELATIVE SCHEME OF THE WAY THAT THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.
SOMETIMES I MAY SAY ON THIS COURT WHEN THERE'S OLD THINKING THAT SO 2018, BECAUSE THE WORLD CHANGED IN 2020 AND A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE WITH THAT.
I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE REVIEW BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW COURT AND IT GIVES THIS COURT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF COOPERATION WITH OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND OUR COMMUNITY THAT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HAD TO DATE.
THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR YOUR PROPOSAL AND I'M PREPARED IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE QUESTIONS. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT WE'RE PASSING TODAY.
THIS IS JUST A REVIEW OF PROCEDURES BECAUSE YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A REPORT IN APRIL. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING FOR [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M JUST ASKING FOR REVIEW.
>> IF WE COULD, I'D ASK FOR A MOTION SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING TO DISCUSS. IS THERE A MOTION.
>> A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER TO LEAD AN ORGANIZATION REVIEW BEXAR COUNTY POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PROCESSES IN ORDER TO ASSESS OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC RESOURCES FOLLOWING THE TIMELINE THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE HAS ASKED FOR.
>> THERE'S A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
>> I'M STILL NOT CLEAR. WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR THAT YOU WANT IN APRIL? THE ENTIRE REVIEW DONE IN APRIL.
>> WE WANT SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE IN REGARDS TO THE DIRECTIONS THAT THE COURT HAS MADE A MOTION TO DO TODAY SUBJECT TO THIS MOTION PASSING.
>> OKAY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO COMMENT THAT WHEN I CAME IN TWO YEARS AGO, I MET WITH EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT ELECTED OFFICIAL AND DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND I ASKED TO MEET WITH FIVE MEMBERS FROM EACH DEPARTMENT, FROM LOWER STAFF ALL THE WAY UP.
THERE ISN'T A SINGLE DEPARTMENT HERE THAT CAN'T SAY THAT I DID NOT MEET WITH THEM.
IT WAS A FRANTIC FIRST THREE MONTHS, BUT WAS A COMMITMENT THAT I HAD MADE TO MY CONSTITUENTS TO MAKE SURE I MET WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT.
THAT TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT THE PROCESSES OF EACH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE EVERY DEPARTMENT IS DIFFERENT AND THAT'S WHY THE COUNTY WORKS SO WELL.
WE'RE ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE QUICKER THAN OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT.
I LEARNED A LOT FROM THE COUNTY, I STILL CONTINUE TO LEARN A LOT FROM DAVID SMITH AS OUR COUNTY MANAGER AND THE COUNTY MANAGER'S TEAM, THOMAS INCLUDED.
I JUST THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MEET WITH ME.
I KNOW SOME PEOPLE RAISE THEIR EYEBROWS AND HAD SEPARATE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY I WAS DOING THAT, BUT IT WAS REALLY TO UNDERSTAND AND SO I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
I WAS REALLY HAPPY THAT I WAS ABLE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES, THE TWO YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE, I THINK LEO CAN ATTEST TO THAT.
I RECENTLY TALKED TO HIM ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE ARE WORKING ON.
I'M JUST HAPPY THAT I WORK AT BEXAR COUNTY, BUT I'VE ELECTED TO SERVE BEXAR COUNTY A PLACE THAT WE CAN PUSH THINGS FORWARD FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE CONSTITUENTS AND MAKE CHANGE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER MOODY?
>> NO. I'D JUST LIKE TO REITERATE WHAT SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL.
I THINK THIS IS, AGAIN, THERE'S THINGS THAT TEAMS DO WELL AND THERE'S THINGS THAT ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE.
JUST STRIVING FOR CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL OF OUR PROCESSES ARE BAD OR THAT OUR TEAM IS NOT STRONG, AND I THINK THAT THIS JUST GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DIVE INTO THAT.
I WOULD JUST RECOMMEND AS WE GO FORWARD, IF THIS MOTION IS APPROVED THAT UPFRONT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SOME MORE DIRECTION,
[01:25:04]
MAYBE WE HAVE AN INITIAL SESSION WHERE WE CAN VOICE SOME OF THE IDEAS AND THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP IN INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSIONS OVER TIME.THAT PROVIDES STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPECIFICALLY LOOK INTO THOSE ITEMS FIRST AND A STARTING PLACE AS WE GO FORWARD.
>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? HEARING NONE, I'LL ASK FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.
THE NEXT TIME CERTAIN ITEM IS APPROVAL AND EXECUTION ON AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY IN THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE ANY BUDGET TRANSFER.
ONE, COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING AUGUST 16TH, 2022 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN AMOUNT OF $246,000.
JUDSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING AUGUST 16TH, 2022, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,075,800 AND NORTHEAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING AUGUST 16TH, 2022, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,631,904.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
TODAY WE WILL CONCLUDE THE FUNDING FOR ARPA, SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND BEFORE I SAY THAT, I WANT TO THANK SUE JANE OVER THE DA CIVIL OFFICE, SHE'S DONE ALL 13 OF THESE AGREEMENTS AND SHE'S DONE A GREAT JOB.
TODAY WE HAVE THE FINAL THREE, 10 HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
THE COURT ITSELF APPROVED OVER $20 MILLION FOR THIS PROJECT.
TODAY WE HAVE NORTHEAST, JUDSON, AND COMAL.
THEY ARE THE FINAL AND ALL 13 OF 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NOW IN RECEIPT OF AGREEMENTS PROVIDING ARPA FUNDING FOR SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH.
I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM JUDSON, WE HAVE MONICA GARCIA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.
SAMANTHA WALLER, WHO USED TO BE WITH THE COUNTY, WONDERFUL LADY, GRANT SPECIALIST.
NORTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE HAVE ANTHONY JARRETT, CHIEF INSTRUCTIONAL OFFICER, AND WE HAVE DEB CALDWELL AS WELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND GRANTS.
COMAL, I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM. THEY ARE HERE?
>> GOOD. DIANE QUIROGA STUDENTS SUPPORT COORDINATOR AND STEPHANIE BARTH, ESSER FUNDING COORDINATOR.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE THE PROFESSIONALS HERE.
>> LET ME ASK EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IF THEY WISH TO MAKE A STATEMENT, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF.
ANTHONY JARRETT, CHIEF INSTRUCTIONAL OFFICER FOR NORTHEAST.
I JUST REALLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE CONSIDERATION FOR THIS GRANT.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH CHILDREN THAT'S COMING TO US EVERY DAY WITH AN INVISIBLE BACKPACK.
THAT BACKPACK IS FILLED WITH THINGS THAT SOMETIMES WE CAN'T SEE, BUT OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SOME UPSTREAM THINKING AND DO THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAT IS MORE PROACTIVE VERSUS REACTIVE SO THAT WE CAN INTERVENE BEFORE THE PROBLEM BECOMES SO BIG THAT WE CAN'T HANDLE IT.
I JUST APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERATION FOR US IN THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY.
>> ANTHONY, I APPRECIATE THE FRAME IN WHICH YOU PUT YOUR PROPOSAL.
CAN YOU JUST TALK TO US AS A COURT ABOUT THE PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE PUTTING TOGETHER AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO MEASURE SUCCESS.
>> SURE. PART OF WHAT THE DELAY IS REALLY TRYING TO RETHINK WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE AND APPROACH IT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOKED AT IS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE TAKEN TO HEARINGS FOR DISCIPLINARY REASONS AND SENT TO ALTERNATIVE CAMPUSES AND HOW OFTEN THOSE SAME STUDENTS ARE REPEATING COMING BACK FOR SIMILAR ISSUES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
REALLY WHAT WE START TALKING ABOUT IS WHAT'S REALLY THE IMPETUS FOR THESE ISSUES THAT'S CAUSING THESE KIDS TO MAKE POOR DECISIONS, WHETHER IT'S DRUGS, WHETHER IT'S VIOLENCE OR WHATEVER THE CASE IS.
OUR EFFORT IS REALLY TO WANT TO IDENTIFY KIDS EARLY BY LOOKING AT DATA.
IF THE KID IS HAVING TROUBLE EARLY STAGES IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, WHAT CAN WE DO AND WHO CAN WE GET THEM CONNECTED WITH EARLY BEFORE THEY CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH? THAT WAS THE FIRST STEP IN OUR EFFORT.
THE OTHER PIECE THAT WE LOOKED AT IS, IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD, SO HOW DO WE START TO BUILD STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FAMILIES AND GET OUR FAMILIES CONNECTED WITH APPROPRIATE RESOURCES? SOMETIMES THE RESOURCES ARE RINSE AND REPEAT, BUT WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE DILIGENT TO SEND
[01:30:02]
OUT SURVEYS AND FIND OUT WHAT IS IT THAT PARENTS REALLY NEED VERSUS WHAT WE THINK THEY NEED.GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE US SOME FEEDBACK, AND SO USING SOME TYPE OF DATABASE THAT'S GOING TO TRACK THAT AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
THE LAST PIECE IS GETTING SOCIAL WORKERS AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AVAILABLE TO OUR SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITIES SO THAT WAY WE DON'T GET LOST IN THIS JOURNEY TO HELP ALL OF OUR KIDS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT CLARITY.
JUST SO THAT WE'RE CLEAR, THIS COURT HAS PROVIDED THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THE INTENT TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.
NOT JUST TO STUDY THE ISSUE, BUT TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES WITH RESOURCES THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I THANK YOU FOR NOT JUST GETTING INTO THE PARALYSIS OF ANALYSIS, BUT HAVING A MULTI-PRONG AND A WIDE COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE TO INCLUDE SOCIAL WORK, PARENTS, COMMUNITY, COUNSELORS, ALL OF THAT, I THINK WILL BODE WELL FOR YOUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU FOR THE VISION THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED TO THE COURT TODAY.
>> ANTHONY, WHAT YOU SAID THERE I REALLY APPRECIATE AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE IT.
THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN MORE, THEY SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR CHILD THAN ANY TEACHER DOES.
HOW WE THINK ABOUT LEVERAGING THESE DOLLARS TO EMPOWER PARENTS, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED IN ORDER TO HELP AT HOME AND THAT PARTNERSHIP, I THINK IS CRITICAL GOING FORWARD.
I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING IT AND YOUR TEAM WORKING ON THAT GOING FORWARD.
>> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
WELL, I'LL GIVE YOU A PAUSE THERE.
LET ME JUST ASK THEM QUESTIONS I'LL BE ASKING OF YOU IN EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ONE IS IF YOU WERE HERE EARLIER IN OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COMMITMENT TO COUNTY'S MAKING SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH BEDS HERE AND I SAID, WE CAN BUILD OUT AS MANY BEDS AS IF WE COULD GET THE MONEY TO DO IT.
BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S AN EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.
MY COMMENT WAS, I THINK WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE THAT FACILITY FULL AS WE BUILD IT.
THAT WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE AN INCREASING DEMAND ON OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN REGARDS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH AND REALLY TREATMENT IS NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING AND FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COUNTY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP BUILDING OUT BIGGER JAILS.
>> DO YOU AGREE WITH MY STATEMENT THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AMONG OUR STUDENTS AND THAT IT IS INCREASING?
>> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THE SOCIALIZATION THAT KIDS WERE LIMITED TO HAVE ACCESS TO DURING THE PANDEMIC INCREASED THAT NEED AND CHALLENGE WITH MENTAL HEALTH.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK HAVING A MORE FORWARD OR PROACTIVE APPROACH CAN HOPEFULLY PREVENT SOME OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM FACING BEING PLACED IN A FACILITY IF WE TRY TO DO THIS WORK THE RIGHT WAY. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND FEEDBACK, IT VALIDATE SOME OF MY THOUGHTS AT THIS POINT.
LET ME PUSH YOU IN REGARDS AND IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO ANSWER IT, BUT YOU UNDERSTAND IT UNLESS WE DEVELOP REALLY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICES, THEN WE WILL UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUE TO PERPETRATE THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DOES YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE A COMMITMENT TO BREAK THAT PIPELINE, TO DIVERT THESE STUDENTS AT AN EARLIEST STAGE POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE DON'T BASICALLY END UP PUTTING THEM IN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH SOMETIMES DOESN'T BEAT THEIR NEEDS?
>> I THINK OUR DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO SEE EVERY CHILD EVERY DAY AND ACTUALLY LOOK THEM IN THE EYES AND KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM AND PUT THEM IN THE BEST POSITION POSSIBLE.
I HAVE NO CRYSTAL BALL TO GIVE YOU CERTAINTY THAT WE CAN FIX THE PROBLEM ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT I CAN SAY THAT WE HAVE A COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT FROM THE FOLKS IN OUR DISTRICT THAT ARE GOING TO PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGE KIDS ON ACADEMIC AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL LEVEL.
>> IF YOU HEARD MY EARLIER COMMENTS, THE FINAL COMMENT I'LL MAKE IS THAT I WANT TO SEE COLLABORATION COORDINATION AMONG ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.
YOU MAY NOT NECESSARILY AND PROBABLY WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE CREATION OF THESE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS, BUT YOUR INPUT TODAY AND YOUR CONTINUAL INPUT, AT LEAST FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, IS VALUABLE TO KNOWING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT USE OF OUR TAXPAYER MONEY.
I'M ASKING THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND AS A RECIPIENT OF THESE MONIES THAT THEY REMEMBER, IT'S NOT JUST OKAY, WE'RE GOING BACK AND PROVIDE COUNSEL.
NO. YOU NEED TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION, IT'S HOW WE MAKE A BETTER COMMUNITY, AND I WOULD ASK FOR THAT COMMITMENT FROM YOU AND YOU CAN GO BACK TO YOUR BOARD.
>> JUDGE. I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR COUNTY STAFF FOR WORKING ON ALL THE DIFFERENT CONTACTS.
[01:35:08]
MY BACKGROUND IS IN EDUCATION, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO DO THINGS COUNTY WIDE BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY ISDS.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WORKING ON THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW, THIS STARTED AS A PILOT PROGRAM IN MY PRECINCT THAT I PUSHED FOR, AND SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SAW FIT TO INCREASE THE FUNDING SO THAT WE CAN REACH OUT AND HAVE COUNTYWIDE, INCLUDING IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF BEXAR COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING EVERY DAY SERVING OUR CHILDREN. THANKS.
>> JUDGE, I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM JUDSON.
IF I COULD, JUDSON, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR HOW YOU'RE USING, IS IT ONE MILLION DOLLARS, SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU?
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.
I'M EXCITED TO BE TODAY IN HERE AND HOW Y'ALL ARE SPEAKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.
WE HAVE A WRAPAROUND SERVICE CENTER THAT WE RECENTLY OPENED, SO WE'VE BEEN VERY PREVENTATIVE IN JUDSON.
OUR PLAN IS TO REDUCE SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL IDEATION THAT WE SEE FROM ELEMENTARY UP TO HIGH SCHOOL IN OUR SCHOOLS TODAY.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON A PLAN TO BE PREVENTATIVE AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS AND WORKED WITH THE WRAPAROUND SERVICE CENTER.
WE'LL HELP OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES, AND WE'RE CONSULTING OUT WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAY TODAY IS EXACTLY CORRECT, MENTAL HEALTH HAS CHANGED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
PRIOR TO COVID, WE ALREADY SAW THE CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF SOCIAL INTERACTION.
NOW AFTER COVID, WE SEE THAT WE'VE MOVED TO 110% INTO A DIFFERENT TIME-FRAME THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE WHAT WE DO IN SCHOOLS.
PREVENTION IS THE KEY IN JUDSON ISD, AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO BE ABLE TO PUT A PLAN IN PLACE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS.
>> COULD YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL INTO HOW YOU WANT TO STOP SUICIDAL IDEATION AND SUICIDE? CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE HOW, HOW WILL YOU DO THAT?
>> WE USE A MONITORING SYSTEMS. WE MONITOR DAILY HOW STUDENTS ARE INTERACTING ON THE COMPUTER, SO WE HAVE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS TO PICK UP KEYWORDS.
WE REFLECT ON EVERYTHING THAT WE DO WITH STUDENTS DAILY.
IF THERE'S AN OUTCRY, WE HAVE A PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE CONTINUALLY PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE STUDENTS.
WE JUST HAVE BEEN ONE-STEP AHEAD OF EVERYTHING IN BEING THERE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND TRYING TO REACH OUR GOALS AND FINDING OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THEM SO THAT WE CAN BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AND CONNECT THEM WITH SERVICES.
THE WRAPAROUND SERVICE CENTER IS ONE OF THE KEYS BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO FIND SERVICES OUTSIDE, SO WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN ANTONIO MOBILE ILLNESS COLLABORATIVE.
WE HAVE BEREAVEMENT CENTER SERVICES AND CLARITY, THEY WE'RE BRINGING THE SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE WAY THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO REDUCE SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL IDEATION IS JUST BY MONITORING AND FOLLOWING UP, AFTER.
IN SCHOOLS WE CAN GET VERY BUSY WHEN COUNSELORS HAVE TO WORK WITH STUDENTS, SO HAVING THIS PREVENTION SERVICES AND SERVICES AFTER TO BE ABLE TO REFLECT AND HELP STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS AND FOLLOWING UP WITH US.
>> DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR VIOLENCE AND DEPRESSION?
>> YES. WE SEE A LOT OF VIOLENCE AND DEPRESSION AND ANGER IN OUR STUDENTS COMING BACK.
THERE'S JUST SO MANY THINGS CHANGING IN THE WORLD, SO THAT'S ONE OTHER THING THAT WE DO TOO, IS JUST PUTTING THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS TOGETHER AND BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TOGETHER TO COLLABORATE AND FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP THE STUDENTS AND GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.
WE BROUGHT IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ENTIRE DISTRICT TOO USING A WREATH RESTORATIVE PRACTICES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR AND TEACH THE BEHAVIOR INSTEAD OF JUST THE DISCIPLINE MEASURE THAT WE WERE USED TO WHEN WE WERE PROBABLY IN SCHOOL, SUSPENSION.
THEY WANT TO BE HOME, SO WE'VE TRIED TO CHANGE THAT BEHAVIOR WITH OUR RJ PRACTICES IN JUDSON ISD.
>> YOU HAVE THAT IN THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PARTICULAR SPECIFIC PROPOSAL THAT'S IN CONTRACTUAL LANGUAGE.
I'M TALKING TO STAFF IN THIS TOO.
IS THAT WHAT YOU PROPOSED TO THE COUNTY, PART OF SUPPORTING THAT?
>> WELL, WE'RE PROPOSING THE ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, BRINGING IN MORE CONSULTANTS AND COUNSELORS TO HELP US WITH THIS.
>> THAT'S GOOD. EXPLAIN TO ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT MORE CONSULTANTS AND COUNSELORS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? HOW MANY, AND WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO BE WORKING ON?
>> RIGHT NOW LIKE I SAID, WE WORK WITH CLARITY AND A BEREAVEMENT CENTER.
WE'RE LOOKING AT OUTSIDE AGENCIES.
WE HAVE OTHER AGENCIES THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THAT BRING ON LPC AND LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR TO TAKE THAT ONE STEP.
IT'S CHANGING THE WAY THAT WE DO THINGS IN THE SCHOOLS INSTEAD OF JUST THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR WITH THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.
WE HAVE FOLLOW-UP WITH THE STUDENTS, SO THE OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS WILL HELP US WITH THAT FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH THE STUDENTS EITHER ON-CAMPUS OR AT THE WRAPAROUND SERVICE CENTER.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE VERY ABLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER JOSE MACIAS AND I, WE TALK A LOT, AND WE TALK A LOT ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN.
I'VE DONE A LOT TO ASSEMBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS TO COME INTO YOUR AREA IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR FOUNDATIONS DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT JUDSON AND THE KIDS IN THE NORTHEAST.
[01:40:01]
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A 10% INCREASE IN POVERTY IN YOUR POPULATION AT JUDSON, A LOT OF THE OUTBURST ARE AS A RESULT OF STRAINS IN THE FAMILY BECAUSE OF POVERTY.IS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION FOR HOW YOUR PLAN WHETHER IT'S SUPPORTED BY THIS MILLION DOLLARS OR MAYBE YOU'RE MOVING ANOTHER SET OF MONIES FROM THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET OF YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ADDRESS POVERTY, BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG POINT OF TENSION WITHIN HOMES?
>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. FIRST, I'VE BEEN ADJUSTING FOR SIX YEARS WHEN I FIRST GOT TO JUDSON.
WE'VE INCREASED FOOD BANKS AND TRYING TO HAVING RESOURCES FOR OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS.
WE HAVE THE SOUTH AND THE NORTH END, SO YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR SOUTH AND THE NORTH IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE'VE HAD TO ALIGN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE THOSE BASIC BARRIERS SO THAT OUR STUDENTS COULD BE SUCCESSFUL.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD WITH A LOT OF OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND RESOURCES.
WE HAVE LIKE I SAID FOOD BANK MONTHLY, SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE SOME OF THOSE RESOURCES FOR OUR PARENTS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION JUST IN SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY IS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
I WANT YOU AND YOUR COUNSELORS, ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE BEXAR COUNTY TO KNOW THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SUBURBAN CITIES LIKE CONVERSE AND OTHERS IN THE JUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT AND UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY IN THE JUDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I HAVE BEEN CRESTFALLEN IF YOU WILL.
I'VE BEEN SADDENED THAT FAMILIES DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE COUNTY HAD THAT HELP BECAUSE IT CAN BE TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT TO PREVENTING A FAMILY FROM BACKSLIDING INTO A REALLY BAD SPIRAL.
ARE YOU CONNECTING ANY DOTS WITH RESPECT TO THINGS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE BECAUSE IN THIS NORTHEAST AREA OUR CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES IS IDENTIFIED AT PRECINCT 4 AS HAVING ONE OF THE GREATEST SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, THE GREATEST IN THE COUNTY.
IT MAY BE A PRECIPITOUS THING THAT EXPOSES FAMILIES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO ALL KINDS OF OTHER PITFALLS THAT HAPPEN AROUND THOSE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES? ARE YOU AWARE OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES FOR FOLKS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM ANY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS?
>> WE USE RISE RECOVERY, SO I'M NOT AWARE OF ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT THE COUNTY HAS.
I'M SURE MY SOCIAL WORKERS ARE.
I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING THOSE DETAILS, BUT WE DO A LOT OF PREVENTATIVE WORK ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN JUDSON ISD BECAUSE WE DO SEE THAT IN OUR DIFFERENT SIDES OF OUR DISTRICT AS WELL TOO.
WE HAVE PARENT EDUCATION TRAINING AS WELL.
WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THE PARENTS, SO WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO BRING IN AS MANY RESOURCES AS POSSIBLE.
THE KEY IS GETTING THE PARENTS TO THE MEETING AND GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT THERE.
I WILL LOOK INTO IT, BUT I CAN CALL UP EVERY SOCIAL WORKER AND I'M SURE THAT THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH IT BECAUSE WE REFER OUT A LOT TO PUT THAT.
>> WELL, LET ME JUST SAY COMMISSIONER MOODY AND I HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT CONNECTING DOTS LAST NIGHT AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO WORK WITH YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE A MILLION DOLLARS BACK OF TAXPAYER MONIES TO YOUR PROGRAM, AND THIS GOES FOR ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ME SAYING THIS.
WE'VE GOT A PRINT SHOP HERE, YOU PROBABLY HAVE A PRINT SHOP IN JUDSON AND WE OUGHT TO COLLABORATE ON A RESOURCE GUIDE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR COUNSELORS.
I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME THAT YOUR COUNSELORS IN THE COMMUNITY KNOW ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY FUNDS THAT CAN BE HELPFUL FOR FAMILIES, BUT ONE THING I KNOW IS THAT AS YOU GET OUT INTO THESE FAR AREAS LIKE JUDSON THE MESSAGING IS NOT NECESSARILY GETTING OUT THERE.
I COMMIT MYSELF TO HOLDING FORUMS WITH YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND YOUR PARENTS AT PTA AND MY STAFF AT THE COUNTY AND THE VARIOUS AGENCIES THAT WE OVERSEE TO DEEPEN THAT KNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDE A RESOURCE BOOKLET THAT WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN FAMILIES ARE FALLING IN THE CRACKS AND THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC THERE'S MUCH MONEY IN MARKETING AS WE PUT INTO, WE HAVE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
WE STILL CAME ACROSS PEOPLE WHO HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS ANY HELP FOR THEM IN MY NORTHEAST AND JUDSON AREAS.
I SAY WE ARE PARTNERS IN THIS, YOU UNDERSTAND OUR COMMITMENT IS REAL AND WE WANT TO BE OF SERVICE TO ALL YOUR FAMILIES, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I LOVE THAT COLLABORATION.
>> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL.
I THINK IT WAS MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET THIS IS THE LAST OF THE CONTRACTS COMING FORWARD WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP, AND JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE WORK IS JUST BEGINNING AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN DAY IN AND DAY OUT ON YOUR CAMPUSES.
WE KNOW THAT YOU'LL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH THESE RESOURCES, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING SOME OF THE FEEDBACK IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN IMPROVE.
BUT AGAIN AS THE LEGISLATURE DEBATES TAKING MONEY FROM SCHOOLS AND SHIFTING IT OVER,
[01:45:04]
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO BE PARTNERS WITH YOU ALL AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, NOT JUST IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT WHAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE YOU HAVE THOSE KIDS FOR EIGHT HOUR DAYS, SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES LONGER, AND SO MUCH CAN BE DONE IN TERMS OF BOLSTERING NOT JUST THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, BUT I THINK THERE ARE SOCIAL AND MENTAL STRENGTH AS WELL.THANK YOU AGAIN FOR WHAT YOU DO.
ALL RIGHT WHAT ABOUT THE COMA COUNTY I BELIEVE I DON'T WANT TO EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE FROM SISTER COUNTY.
>> BUT WE HAVE SCHOOLS AT BEXAR COUNTY.
HI, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DIANE [INAUDIBLE] I'M THE STUDENTS WORK COORDINATOR AT KAMALA AST.
WE DO WE SERVE FIVE COUNTIES ACTUALLY SO WE'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT PLACES, AND SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOLS HERE AND FOR THE STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE.
OUR GOAL IS TO USE THE MONEY TO TRAIN OUR LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO ALREADY HAVE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ALL OF OUR SECONDARY CAMPUSES ALREADY HAVE LPC IS MSW, LCSW, THOSE PEOPLE ON THEIR CAMPUSES, AND SO WE'RE JUST WORKING TO BOLSTER THE PROGRAM THAT WE'VE ALREADY GOT.
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE TRAIN THE TRAINER, TRAINING FOR THOSE PEOPLE IN FOR OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, SO WE'RE LOOKING TO TRAIN UP A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CAN THEN GO OUT AND TRAIN OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
ULTIMATELY HOPING OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO HAVE TEACHERS WHO ARE ALSO TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN SITUATIONS WHERE WE NEED TO STEP IN AND THEN EVEN LONGER-TERM GOAL IS TO HAVE STUDENTS WHO CAN DO THE SAME.
WE ARE NON-LINEAR AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID, BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID DOWN THE LINE AS WELL, AND SO WE'LL HAVE JUNIORS AND SENIORS WHO ARE HELPING US TO BE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, SO TO SPEAK.
OUR GOAL IS TO USE THE MONEY THAT YOU PROVIDE TO US TO MULTIPLY IT 1,000 FOLD.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. QUESTIONS?
>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? LET ME JUST ASK ARE THE STUDENTS IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE THEY, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT LIVE IN YOUR COMB OUT COUNTY, ARE THEIR NEEDS DIFFERENT FROM THE NEEDS OF THOSE STUDENTS THAT LIVE IN THE BEAR COUNTY SIDE OF THE LINE.
>> I THINK STUDENTS ARE STUDENTS ACROSS THE BOARD AND SO DEFINITELY A LOT OF SIMILARITIES, BUT WE SERVICE THE BRONCHIOLES AREA, CANYON, LAKE, COMO, AST ARE NOW BEAR, BULLVERDE, AND SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY DIFFERENT POPULATIONS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE BOARD, AND CERTAINLY THERE ARE ISSUES THAT ARISE MORE FREQUENTLY IN SOME SCHOOLS THAN OTHERS, AND SO, LIKE I SAID, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT WE CAN SEND OUT TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND TRAIN PEOPLE UP AND THE WAY THAT THEY NEED FOR THAT PART OF THE DISTRICT AS WELL SO WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> I MIGHT UNDERSTAND FROM THAT STATEMENT THAT THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN LIVE ON THE COMO SIDE ARE THE SAME AS THE CHILDREN LIVE ON THE BEARSIDE.
>> STUDENTS ARE STUDENTS DEFINITELY.
THEY ARE IN FAMILIES OR FAMILIES AND SO WE CERTAINLY.
>> COMO COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE ANY SECRET SAUCE ON THE STUDENTS.
>> THESE ARE THE LAST ISD CONTRACTS.
THE REASON I INITIATED THIS IS VERY SIMPLE.
I'VE SAID IT BEFORE WHEN I WAS A STUDENT AT BRECKENRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, I WISH I HAD A THERAPIST THAT I HAD ACCESS TO AND I DID NOT AND SO OUR HOPE WITH THIS AND PUSHING $20 MILLION IN BEAR COUNTY TO OUR SCHOOLS IS THAT KIDS HAVE ACCESS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS, AND THAT OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND THERAPISTS AREN'T OVERBURDEN AND DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THEIR KIDS PROBLEMS WITH THEM TO HOME SO THAT WE CAN SPREAD OUT THE WORK SPREAD OUT IN THE WEALTH, AND DO BETTER BY OUR STUDENTS, AND HOPEFULLY AS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN TO DEAL WITH THEIR ISSUES IN A BETTER WAY AND HEAL FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, WE WON'T CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DIRE NEED WE HAVE FOR MENTAL HEALTH BEDS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
I'M HAPPY THAT THE CONTRACTS OF OUR ISDS ARE NOW DONE WITH YOU GUYS CONGRATULATIONS, AND WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER ROGER, IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS. GOOD LUCK.
[APPLAUSE] I KNOW WE'RE A LITTLE BEHIND HERE WE GO.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE BEAR COUNTY ALMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT,
[01:50:02]
ACCD AND ALAMO COLLEGES STUDENT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, ACSE, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PUBLIC SECTOR STUDENTS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN ACCD AND BEAR COUNTY TO INCLUDE ANY APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER AS REQUESTED BY THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT, SBED.>> GOOD MORNING AGAIN, RENEE WATSON.
I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT FOR BURKE COUNTY.
OPPORTUNITY IS BEING BROUGHT TODAY, BUT FOR PRESENTATION TO A COURT, WE ENTERED INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALAMO COLLEGES WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM AND HELPING THEM TO FIND SMALL BUSINESSES AND ALL YOUR EMPLOYERS TO TAKE ON INTERNS, AND THEN WE STARTED ENTERING DISCUSSION.
SINCE BEAR COUNTY AS AN EMPLOYER, WHY WOULD WE OPEN UP OUR OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS TO THE SAME PROGRAM AGAIN, ALSO IN DEPARTMENTS AND OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE INTERNS HERE AT BEAR COUNTY.
WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE CHANCELLOR DR. MIKE FLORES WITH US, AND THEN HE WILL INTRODUCE HIS TEAM FOR THE PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE [INAUDIBLE].
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY ALAMO ON THE JOB SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS, WE HAVE OVER 66,000 STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE FROM EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN BEAR COUNTY, 76 PERCENT ARE STUDENTS OF COLOR, SO THEY RESEMBLE BEAR COUNTY.
FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS.
WE KNOW FOR THEM WHAT THEY NEED IS A CONNECTION TO THE WORKPLACE, IN PARTICULAR TO A PROFESSIONAL WORKPLACE IN THE PUBLIC OR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
ALAMO ON THE JOB AND ALAMO COLLEGES OVERALL IS PARTNERING WITH OVER 100 PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR ENTITIES AND PLACING SEVERAL HUNDRED AND SOON SEVERAL THOUSAND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT BEAR COUNTY.
IT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE WE WANT TO CONNECT THEM TO THE SOCIAL CAPITAL, TO PROFESSIONAL MENTORS, ALSO TO LEARNING THE MORES AND NORMS OF THE WORLD OF WORK IN PARTICULAR, AND BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT FOR MANY THEIR FIRST JOB CLOSE TO HALF OF INDIVIDUALS OUR FIRST JOB COULD COME FROM AN INTERNSHIP.
WE VALUE THE PARTNERSHIP TO BE ABLE TO PLACE UP TO 80 STUDENTS, IN PARTICULAR AT BEAR COUNTY WITHIN FIVE SPECIFIC AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE PRESENTATION.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THINK THIS IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE PREPARED FOR THE WORLD OF WORK, AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SET THEM UP FOR THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS PROPOSAL FORWARD.
>> HEY, GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH JUDGE SAKAI AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.
>> WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
>> I'M TRACY CROSS WITH ALAMO ON THE JOB.
I AM GOING TO BE VERY RESPECTFUL OF YOUR TIME AND GET THROUGH THIS POWERPOINT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE ARE THE SAME ALAMO COLLEGES THAT YOU ALL KNOW AND LOVE, STILL STRIVING TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY THROUGH EDUCATION.
OUR PROGRAM, ALAMO ON THE JOB IS A PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHERE WE COMPENSATE OUR STUDENTS 14.37 PER HOUR TO COME OUT AND WORK FOR YOU, HOPEFULLY IN BEXAR COUNTY OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS.
WE WILL HAVE TO REQUEST THAT YOU CONTRIBUTE $2.17 PER HOUR TO MEET YOUR MINIMUM WAGE OF 16.54.
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR STAFF TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP, COACHING INDUSTRY EXPOSURE THAT WE JUST CAN'T PROVIDE IN A CLASSROOM SETTING.
WE WILL MATCH THEM TO THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOUR TEAMS HAVE TO OFFER.
THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF OUR PROGRAM.
YOUR DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES GET TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR INTERN DOING.
THIS IS THE BREAKDOWN AND THE PRICE POINTS THAT WE WILL BE REQUESTING YOUR SUPPORT FOR US. HEY, THERE'S ME.
MY PARTNER, AND I STRIVE TO CREATE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND 300 PLUS PROGRAMS OFFERED ACROSS ALL FIVE ALAMO COLLEGES.
WE HOST EMPLOYER ORIENTATIONS AND WE MATCH STUDENTS TO THE ROLES THAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.
OUR RECRUITMENT TEAM ARE JD AND RAY BEHIND ME AND THEY ARE RECRUITING THE STUDENTS.
THEY'RE COLLABORATING WITH OUR FACULTY AND STAFF TO GET THOSE STUDENT REFERRALS FOR THE ROLES THAT ARE GENERATED BY THE COMMUNITY.
THEY DO ALL OF OUR ON-BOARDING AND STUDENT PRE-SCREENING, AS WELL AS OUR STUDENT ORIENTATIONS.
THE REST OF THE ALAMO ON THE JOB TEAM DO EVERYTHING ELSE;
[01:55:05]
ALL THE BEHIND THE SCENES WORK THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE, PAYROLL PROCESSING, MANAGING THE REQUISITIONS, AND OF COURSE, PROVIDING ALL OF THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.THIS IS OUR PROCESS IN THE NUTSHELL.
A STUDENT WILL APPLY TO A GENERIC REQUISITION AND THEY WILL BE MATCHED TO A ROLE WITH ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS FOR THEIR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE.
WE DO THE PRE-SCREENING BASED ON CRITERIA THAT ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE RESPECTIVE SUPERVISORS AND THEN WE REFER THEM TO MAKE MONEY AND LAUNCH THEIR CAREERS.
THIS IS AGAIN OUR STUDENT'S APPLICATION PROCESS.
THEY'LL BE MATCHED AFTER THEY APPLY TO THE ALAMO ON THE JOB INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE AND GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THEIR ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL IS AND TELL US WHAT THEIR MAJOR IS.
OUR STUDENT ELIGIBILITY IS DESIGNED TO BE INCLUSIVE AND SERVE ALL STUDENTS, WHETHER THEY'RE IN THEIR FIRST COLLEGE CLASS AT ALAMO COLLEGES OR IF THEY'RE A CAREER SWITCHER.
THESE ARE OUR STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
[BACKGROUND] YOU MUST POSSESS A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED.
YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO BE ASSIGNED TO A BEXAR COUNTY SITE.
YOU MUST BE ACTIVELY ENROLLED IN ONE OR MORE CREDITED COURSES AT ALAMO COLLEGES DISTRICT.
YOU MUST COMPLETE A BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG SCREEN WITH SATISFACTION AND YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES.
WE ARE PROPOSING PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE GOING TO SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY.
WE WANT TO TRAIN UP THE FUTURE LEADERS IN THIS INDUSTRY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION AND OUR STUDENTS ARE PRIMED FOR THE WORKFORCE.
IF YOU ARE READY TO HOST INTERNS, PLEASE SAY YES.
[LAUGHTER] WE WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH YOUR SUPERVISORS, DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES AND SEND YOU SOME FANTASTIC NEW RECRUITS.
OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE GOING TO BE THAT WE OFFER OUR STUDENTS ORIENTATION FOR HOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BEHAVE IN THE WORKFORCE AND REPRESENT ALAMO COLLEGES.
WE WILL HAVE THE EXPECTATION THAT YOUR ON-SITE SUPERVISORS WILL PROVIDE ORIENTATION TO THEIR INDUSTRY AND TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES.
THE INTERNS ALONG WITH THE SUPERVISORS, WILL BE AFFORDED INTERVIEWS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A QUALITY MATCH AND WE ARE ASKING THAT INTERNS WORK FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE THEY ARE TRANSITIONED INTO ANY OTHER ROLES THAT BEXAR COUNTY HAS TO OFFER.
THESE ARE OUR SUPERVISOR ORIENTATION TOPICS.
THERE ARE MANY IN CASE THERE ANY TYPE OF INCIDENTS ON THE JOB.
TECHNICALLY, THE STUDENTS ARE ALAMO COLLEGES DISTRICT PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, SO THEY ARE COVERED UNDER OUR INSURANCE AND THEY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO BEXAR COUNTY OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS AS A SATELLITE LOCATION.
ALL OF THE INCIDENT AND REPORTING WILL COME THROUGH ALAMO COLLEGES.
WE WANT TO SET A GOAL OF BETWEEN 30 AND 90 DAY BENCHMARK BEFORE THEY TRANSITION INTO ANY FULL-TIME ROLES.
YOUR SUPERVISORS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING IF THE STUDENT HAS A FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THEM FROM SUPERVISING THEM.
SEPARATION NOTIFICATIONS, WE FALL ON OUR OWN SORT, AND IT'S A MISMATCH IF A STUDENT IS NOT PERFORMING WELL ON THEIR SITE.
WE TRY TO GO BY WHETHER THE SUPERVISOR IS LOOKING FOR A NOVICE, INTERMEDIATE, OR ADVANCED WORKER, AND OUTLINE THE SKILL SETS THAT THEY WILL BE DEVELOPING ONSITE BEFORE REFERRING THEM OVER.
IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, THAT WILL BE REPORTED TO THE INDUSTRY LIAISONS AND WE TAKE IT FROM THERE.
THE INTERNS ARE OF COURSE GOING TO BE ORIENTED TO WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE, ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS, HOW TO SUBMIT THEIR TIME SHEETS, HOW TO REPORT AN INCIDENT, WHO TO REPORT AN INCIDENT TO.
OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF COMPUTER SECURITY AGREEMENTS, ETHICS, I-9 DOCUMENTS, ALL OF THE NORMAL HR HIRING PROCESS.
[02:00:04]
OF COURSE OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING DRESS CODE, ATTENDANCE, DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE WORKPLACES, NOTIFICATIONS OF ARRESTS.OUR ATTENDANCE POLICY, WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A NO CALL, NO SHOW, TAKING TIMELY BREAKS AND SHOWING UP TO WORK ON TIME IS ALL A PART OF OUR ORIENTATION.
WE DID THE NOTICE OF CHARGE OR ARREST AND TIMESHEETS.
TIMESHEETS ARE ENTERED BY STUDENTS WHEN THEY REPORT TO THEIR WORKSITE THROUGH MOBILE APP THAT IS CONNECTED TO THEIR STUDENT ACCOUNT, CALLED ACES.
THEY WILL CLOCK IN AND CLOCK OUT AS THEY'RE ON THEIR JOB SITES.
WE DO HAVE A HOST OF CAREER AND SUPPORT SERVICES ACROSS ALL FIVE CAMPUSES AND THE STUDENTS WILL BE AFFORDED THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THOSE CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVES.
INCIDENT REPORTING WILL GO TO OUR RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM.
IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THAT WE CAN TROUBLESHOOT INTERNALLY WITHIN THE ALAMO ON THE JOB TEAM, THAT WILL BE COORDINATED BY THEIR RECRUITER, EITHER RAYMOND KING OR J.D.
HERNANDEZ. THIS IS ALL OF OUR CONTACT INFORMATION IN CASE THEY NEED TO GET IN CONTACT WITH US.
>> QUESTIONS. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
VERY THOROUGH. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
THIS LOOKS LIKE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.
RENEE, JUST A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.
ARE ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATING? DO WE HAVE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF INTERNS WE CAN TAKE? CAN YOU ANSWER ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS? YOU SHOOK YOUR HEAD ABOUT EVERY DEPARTMENT.
>> AS SOON AS WE GET THE APPROVAL, THE PORTAL AND THE DATE FOR ORIENTATION, ALL OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.
WE ANTICIPATE ROLLING OUT ORIENTATION BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION.
SO EVERYBODY DIDN'T HAVE TO COME DOWNTOWN.
>> ONCE THEY START. THERE'S AN APPLICATION PROCESS IN THE PORTAL THAT ALAMO COLLEGES WILL WORK WITH TO DEVELOP A JOB DESCRIPTION FROM THE SUPERVISOR ON WHAT THAT INTERN WILL BE DOING.
THE DIFFERENTIAL IN PAY IS WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE WANT TO PAY THE WAGE.
DEPENDING ON THE DEMAND FROM THE OFFICE AND DEPARTMENTS, WE MAY HAVE TO COME BACK FOR ANOTHER BUDGET TRANSFER IF WE HAVE MORE REQUESTS FOR PLACEMENTS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 50 AS THE FIRST CUTOFF AND THEN MAYBE 80 TO SEE WHAT RESPONSE WE GET FROM OFFICE AND DEPARTMENTS.
>> WE HAD, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, PRE-COVID AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
IS THIS SUPPLEMENTING THAT OR IS THIS REPLACING THAT?
>> WE MET WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMMANUEL COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
GONZALEZ, HE HAS ANOTHER TRAINING BECAUSE THAT'S AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ASSIGNED BY THE BUDGET TO THE DEPARTMENTS.
THIS IS AN ADDITION TO. THIS SUPPLEMENTS THAT.
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER CALVERT REMINDED ME THAT OTHER PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THIS ONE IS SPECIFICALLY FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES?
>> THIS ONE IS SPECIFICALLY FOR ALAMO COLLEGES STUDENTS.
>> FOR ANY OF THE CAMPUSES FROM ALAMO COLLEGES AND THEN THEY WILL BE RECRUITING.
OUR DEPARTMENT IS HELPING WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA TO PUT IT OUT AND TO RECRUIT THE OFFICE OR DEPARTMENTS TO PARTICIPATE AND BE A SOUNDING BOARD FOR ME AND MY TEAM TO HELP TO DO THAT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT. DR. FLORES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
ALWAYS INNOVATING AND DOING GREAT THINGS THERE.
MY COLLEAGUES MAY HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS, BUT I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS. JUDGE.
>> THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, RENEE, FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.
THIS IS ALSO CRIME PREVENTION, THIS IS ALSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT INITIATIVE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, RENEE, FOR BRINGING IT TO US. THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM.
WE'VE USED IT BEFORE IN MY RADIO STATION AND OTHER BUSINESSES.
CHANCELLOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND GIVING US YOUR WISDOM.
YOU'RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB AND THERE'S SO MANY THINGS AT ALAMO COLLEGES THAT STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN AND JUST STUDY AND BE SUCCESSFUL.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE LYNCH PINS THAT HELPS US, PARTICULARLY AS WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAD INTO A POTENTIAL RECESSION THIS YEAR.
FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRESSED OUT MORE AND MORE BY ECONOMIC ISSUES, LAYOFFS HAPPENING.
LET ME JUST SAY THIS ON A HIGH LEVEL.
THE COUNTY WE BEGAN OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN ABOUT 2015.
DAVID MARQUEZ AND I WERE SITTING AT THE PEARL AT A LUNCHEON, AT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AT YOUR LUNCHEON TO BE HONEST FOR THE ALAMO COLLEGES, TALKING ABOUT INTERNSHIPS.
I LEANED OVER TO DAVID AND I SAID, DOES ACCOUNTING HAVE AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM? HE SAID, NO. AND I SAID, WELL, LET'S START ONE.
WE DID AND WE OPENED IT UP FOR HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS.
FOR ME, THAT WAS, AS A YOUNG PERSON AT 12 YEARS OLD, I BEGAN MY FIRST INTERNSHIP AT SAN ANTONIO FIGHTING BACK,
[02:05:03]
WHICH IS AN ALCOHOL SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION INTERVENTION PROGRAM.I WAS IN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.
THEY PAID ME 100 BUCKS A MONTH, WHICH WAS LIKE SLAVE LABOR, JUDGE.
[LAUGHTER] BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT.
WE'RE PAST THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, BUT IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
THAT INTERNSHIP CHANGED MY LIFE BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO GET SUMMER JOBS EVERY YEAR FROM THAT POINT.
I KEPT GETTING BETTER JOBS TO THE POINT THAT BY THE TIME I WAS IN COLLEGE, I STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS.
BY THE TIME I WAS 21 AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY, I WAS STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS BECAUSE OF AN INTERNSHIP ALLOWING ME TO GET EXPERIENCE IN THE WORKPLACE AND PURSUE MY PASSIONS.
HIGH LEVEL, AGAIN, SAN ANTONIO AND BEAR COUNTY HAS THE MOST UNINVOLVED YOUTH OF ANY MAJOR COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL RESERVE.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE PUTS OUR REPORTS AND SAYS, THAT THE STUDENTS IN SAN ANTONIO ARE NOT IN SPORTS.
THEY'RE NOT IN ARTS. THEY'RE NOT HAVING A JOB.
THEY'RE NOT DOING EXTRA CURRICULARS.
WE HAVE THE MOST IN THE STATE.
THAT DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR US IN OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY IF WE DON'T GET YOUNG PEOPLE EXPOSED THROUGH WORK OR OTHER THINGS, EXTRA CURRICULARS IN THEIR PASSIONS.
IT'S WHAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT MAKES WORK NEVER REALLY WORKING A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COUNCILMAN WORK A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, SET ASIDE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR INTERNSHIPS, FOR SUMMER JOBS.
WE DON'T DO ENOUGH IN THE SUMMER JOBS WORLD AT ALL.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE 80 STUDENTS THAT ARE THE TWO OPTIONS.
RENEE, WHERE ARE WE FINDING THE BUDGET? WHAT BUDGET LINE ITEM ARE WE PULLING OR DAVID, I'M NOT SURE, TEEN OR SOMEBODY?
>> IS THIS ON? WE CAN PULL THE EXTRA MONEY OUT OF NON DEPARTMENTAL SPAN TO 80 IF YOU WANTED TO, COMMISSIONER.
WHATEVER THE RECOMMENDATION IS, I THINK THAT'S FINE.
I THINK WE SHOULD DO THE MAXIMUM.
I'M CERTAINLY WANT ONE IN MY OFFICE, MAYBE FIVE.
I COULD USE A LOT. AMY IS LIKE, FIVE.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COURT KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE THAT WE CAN DO EVEN IN BUDGET TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE ACCOUNTING IS SO BIG.
FRANKLY, YOUR GRADUATES THEY ARE MAJORING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
YOU HAVE A GREAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM.
THEY'RE MAJORING IN THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY DOES.
NURSING AND HEALTH CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, PSYCHOLOGY, BUSINESS, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY DOES.
THIS IS A GREAT PIPELINE FOR US TO GET TALENT AND TO GET MORE EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES DOWN THE ROAD.
I SUPPORT THIS WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
I WANT TO SAY, LET'S GO FOR 80.
>> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, RENEE THOUGH.
THIS IS A LONGER THAN A SUMMER INTERNSHIP.
>> YEAH. SO THIS IS A LONGER COMMITMENT.
BASED ON THE POWERPOINT, I'M NOT TOO SURE WE CAN HELP YOU WITH MARINE BIOLOGY, BUT I WILL. [LAUGHTER]
I DO THINK THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT BROUGHT UP A GREAT POINT WHEN IT COMES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
CLEARLY, WE HAVE A DEFICIT, WE HAVE HIRING AND STAFFING ISSUES, BOTH ON THE CORRECTION SIDE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE.
I THINK THAT'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR US AND THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN INCLUDE THAT IN THIS PROGRAM.
I DID NOT SEE IT LISTED, BUT I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IF WE CAN WORK THAT OUT WITH THE SHERIFF.
>> I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT UNDER THE BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BUSINESS OFFICE AND THAT'S WHAT THEY STARTED AS INTERNS WITH SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE BUSINESS OFFICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIDES BECAUSE THE SLATS AS BUSINESS, THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD CAPTURE THEM ON THE DAY.
>> HOW MANY STUDENTS DO YOU GUYS HAVE COUNTYWIDE AND OTHER ENTITIES?
>> HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE PLACED IN THIS PROGRAM?
>> NOT NECESSARILY, JUST BEXAR COUNTY, BUT COUNTYWIDE, HOW MANY STUDENTS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
>> THIS PROGRAM HAS SEVERAL HUNDRED, BUT WE'RE PLACING ABOUT 5,000 STUDENTS COUNTYWIDE.
THAT INCLUDES NURSING STUDENTS, WHETHER FOR THE TWO-YEAR OR NOW THE BSN FOR THEIR CLINICALS, ANY OF THE ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AS WELL AS IN SERVICE LEARNING AND OTHER PROGRAMS. THIS IS ONE SPOKE OF A LARGER WHEEL.
>> HOW DID THE STUDENTS FIND OUT ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH BEXAR COUNTY? HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO ADVERTISE TO YOUR STUDENTS ON CAMPUSES?
>> WHAT IS THE MARKETING LOOK LIKE?
>> WE COLLABORATE WITH FACULTY AND STAFF,
[02:10:01]
WE'RE AT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS, WE'RE POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.ALL OF THE AVENUES THAT THE SCHOOL USES TO PROMOTE AND CONNECT WITH STUDENTS, WE HAVE A HANDSHAKE AND ALAMO EXPERIENCE.
>> I GUESS I WANT TO KNOW, STUDENTS WHO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY WILL KNOW ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY, IT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM?
>> YEAH, THEY WILL. COMMISSIONER, ON SLIDE, LET'S SEE, THERE'S WHAT WE CALL ALAMO EXPERIENCE.
EACH OF THE COLLEGE CAMPUSES HAS AN ALAMO EXPERIENCED TEAM, TRACY SHOWED THAT IN THE DECK.
OUR GOAL IS FOR EACH OF OUR 66,000 TO HAVE ONE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, HOPEFULLY SOMETHING AS SIGNIFICANT AS AN INTERNSHIP.
>> RANDOM FACT, I DID A MARINE BIOLOGY PROGRAM [LAUGHTER] AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI DURING MY SUMMER BETWEEN SOPHOMORE YEAR AND JUNIOR AT BRECKENRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM, SO I DIDN'T DO THOSE ACTIVITIES, BUT I DID SEVERAL PROGRAMS, THEY HELPED GET INTO COLLEGES SCHOLARSHIPS, SO THAT WAS MY GOAL, HELPED ME GET INTO PRINCETON, SO YEAH, MARINE BIOLOGY IN SAN ANTONIO EXISTS.
>> YOU KNOW WHO TO CONTACT FOR THAT PARTICULAR.
>> BUT NOT FOR SWIMMING LESSON.
>> CHANCELLOR FLORES, LET ME JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE AT THE ALAMO COLLEGE DISTRICT.
YOU AND I MET BEFORE I TOOK OFFICE.
>> WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER THAT WE WOULD ENHANCE AND WORK HARD ON OUR COLLABORATION COORDINATION, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COLLEGE DISTRICTS STEPPING UP ON THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU, RENEE, TAKING LEADERSHIP AND BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.
I'M ASKING THAT ALL STAKEHOLDERS, IN OTHER WORDS, I KNOW YOU AND I, MIKE, WILL TALK AT ANY TIME AND WE WILL WORK ANY ISSUES OUT AND AGREE TO DISAGREE IF WE HAVE TO, BUT I WANT STAFF TO BE ABLE TO SAY THE SAME THING, I WANT IT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE PEOPLE THAT PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES.
ALSO TOO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE GOING OFF COMMISSIONER MOODY, SO RENEE, WE DID OUR BIGGEST BUREAUCRACY, SO TO SPEAK, IS OUR JAIL AND OUR COURTS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE INCLUDED.
MS. LUCY, HOW MANY INTERNS DO YOU WANT?
[INAUDIBLE] HOW MANY DO YOU WANT?
>> COMMISSIONERS, YOU BETTER GET IN LINE AND GRAB THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE A HOT COMMODITY.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WANT THIS CONVERSATION IS THAT UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN'T JUST SAY COUNTY WE'RE THE JOBS, YOU ALL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PROBABLY APPROACH EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL AND SEE HOW WE CAN OPEN THE DOOR.
I KNOW FROM WORKING IN THE COURT SYSTEM, HIGH-SCHOOL KIDS ESPECIALLY REALLY ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COURT.
THEY LIKE TO SEE THE LAW AND ORDER SIDE OF HOW THINGS GO.
I JUST HAVE TO REMIND THEM THAT OUR DECISIONS AND PROCESSES ARE DONE IN ONE HOUR, BUT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU, THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY HERE.
THERE'S A MOTION BY RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY CALVERT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.
[5. Request of Commissioners Court ]
ITEM 5, REQUEST OF COMISSION COURT TO IDENTIFY ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT ITEMS AGENDA FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION AND TO PROVE REMAINING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS,.CALVERT, COMMISSIONER MOODY, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.
>> MOTION APPROVED THE CONSENT, JUDGE.
[Consent Items 9 - 52]
>> THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE, AYE.
[6. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary:]
FILING FOR THE RECORD THE FOLLOWING LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS AND DIRECTING THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY FOR ITEMS A, B, C, D, AND E AS LISTED ON OUR WRITTEN AGENDA.THE COURT WILL TAKE JUDICIAL NOTICE AND MOVE TO ITEM 7,
[7. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, March 7, 2023.]
COMISSION COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023.MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
[8. Communications from citizens who signed the register to speak.]
YOU ALL ARE NEXT. THE FIRST ONE WILL BE MISS AUDREY FISHER.[02:15:02]
I HAPPEN TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS SILVER-HARED LEGISLATURE, WHICH ALLOWS ME TO GO TO PLACES LIKE THE VERY SENIOR ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE, WHICH IS PART OF ACOG, THE ALAMO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT.
AT A RECENT MEETING WITH VSAC, THE CEO, MR. MCKNIGHT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT RESIDENTS OF BEXAR COUNTY ARE UNINFORMED ABOUT THE UPCOMING CHANGES TO THEIR MEDICAID AND SNAP PROGRAMMING FUND.
THE NATIONAL COVID-19 HEALTH EMERGENCY INCLUDED A CONTINUOUS COVERAGE PROVISION THAT KEPT PEOPLE ON MEDICAID ROLLS WITHOUT HAVING TO REAPPLY.
THAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY HAS ENDED.
AS SUCH, IT ENDED THE CONTINUOUS ELIGIBILITY PROCESS WHICH WILL EXPIRE MARCH 31ST OF 2023.
IF PEOPLE DO NOT REAPPLY FOR THEIR BENEFIT, THEY WILL LOSE IT UNTIL THEY RE-QUALIFY, THEY RESUBMIT ALL THEIR PAPERWORK.
ON APRIL 1ST, THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOT REAPPLIED WILL RECEIVE LETTERS AT SOME POINT IN TIME I'M NOT SURE WHEN, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DIS-ENROLLED AND THOSE LIFE-SAVING BENEFIT PROGRAMS, THAT THEY WILL BE WITHOUT HEALTH CARE INSURANCE AND SNAP.
THE STATE OF TEXAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE OR WILL SEND OUT RENEWAL NOTICE IN A BIG YELLOW ENVELOPE, I GUESS SORT OF LIKE APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOT BY MALE TYPE SITUATION.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION IS INCLUDING ONLINE, WHICH IS WWW.YOURTEXASBENEFITS.COM, OPTION 2, OR CALLING 211.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE LOSS OF SNAP FUNDING IN BEXAR COUNTY WILL EXCEED $27 MILLION AND MORE THAN 400,000 INDIVIDUALS IN BEXAR COUNTY MAY LOSE SOME FORM OF THEIR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE.
THESE LOSSES WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT THE INDIVIDUALS THEMSELVES AND WILL INDIRECTLY IMPACT THE ENTIRE ECONOMY OF BEXAR COUNTY.
MANY OF THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP HERE ON THE DIETS ARE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES OF ACOG, SO THEY SHOULD ALREADY BE AWARE OF THIS PROCESS.
I AM HERE TO IMPLORE YOU TO REACH OUT TO ANY CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU CAN USING YOUR RADIO STATION OR ANY OTHER SUCH INFORMATION TO SHARE THIS WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS IN THEIR AREA TO TELL THEM ALL THE DEADLINES AND HOW TO UPDATE THAT.
I HAPPENED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS SILVER-HAIRED LEGISLATURES, WHICH IS A NONPARTISAN GROUP, WHICH IS HOW IT GETS ME TO WHERE I WAS.
AGAIN, THE MESSAGE TO UPDATE THE QUALIFICATIONS IS CALL 211, UPDATE THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE, YOURTEXASBENEFITS.COM, OR COMPLETE THE FORM THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY SENT OUT IN THE BIG YELLOW ENVELOPE. THANK YOU.
>> POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, JUDGE, WE DON'T NORMALLY COMMENT ON CITIZENS TO BE HEARD, BUT FOR THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE DEAL IN HEALTH CARE, THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR EVERY COMMISSIONER AND OUR UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM THAT 400,000 PEOPLE MAY LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.
THAT IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT COULD FALL, SO I HOPE EVERYONE, LISTEN VERY CLOSELY, I JUST GOT THIS BRIEFING YESTERDAY FROM RAMON CHOPRA AND MY STAFF AND WE'RE GOING TO DO A VIDEO BEFORE I LEAVE COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND BEGIN TO PUSH IT OUT.
BUT I THINK ANYTHING THAT THE COUNTY COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CAN DO TO LET PEOPLE KNOW OUR CARE LINK OR UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO THE BIG YELLOW ENVELOPE THAT IS COMING, AND OUR PRESS, QUITE FRANKLY, WE HAVE TO APPEAL TO THE PRESS THAT ARE HERE THAT FOR THE NEXT, WHAT DO WE HAVE, THE 21ST, SO ABOUT THE NEXT 10 DAYS, WE NEED A FULL COURT PRESS, ALMOST LIKE WE'RE IN A TELEPHONE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU FILL THAT OUT AND SOME SENIORS WILL NEED SOME HELP FILLING OUT.
I DO BECAUSE OF TEXAS SILVER-HAIRED, BUT YES, THE SNAP PROGRAM GOES ON WHOLE LONG WAYS AND I TALKED TO SOMEBODY, THEY SAID, WELL, THE FOOD BANK IS GEARING UP AND I SAID THAT WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHORT-TERM.
>> THIS IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GOT HERE, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL THE SILVER-HAIRED LEGISLATURES TOURS, I'VE KNOWN A NUMBER OF THEM OVER THE YEARS.
YOU ALL ARE IMPORTANT RESOURCE, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND REMINDING US OF THIS IMPORTANT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, AUDREY. SHE ASKED OR MAKE NOTE WHICH COMMISSIONERS SERVE ON OUR ACOG BOARD? COMMISSIONER MOODY, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, AND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, THOSE ARE THE THREE GO TALK TO.
[02:20:12]
>> GOOD MORNING. AMY SMITH IS AN ORGANIZER WHO HAS TAKEN OVER ORGANIZING THE EDUCATIONAL FORUM, THIRD ANNUAL ADVOCATES MARCH, HONORING THE HOUSES COMMUNITY.
SHE ASKED ME TO COME TODAY TO GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION BECAUSE BETTY WITH YOUR OFFICE, REBECCA CLAY-FORES, HAS RESPONDED TO RECENTLY DELIVERED BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITES FOR ALL OF YOU TO ATTEND THE CHRISTIAN ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES WHO HELP ALL THE HOUSES COMMUNITY THAT HAD GROWN FROM CITY TO NOW CALL COUNTY AREAS.
I HAVE LEFT THESE WITH PRISCILLA, I THINK THAT'S HER NAME, AT THE DESK OUTSIDE WHO SAYS THAT SHE WILL AFFORD THEM TO ALL OF YOU.
I HAVE A COUPLE HERE IF YOU WANT ME TO GIVE THEM.
AWESOME. IT HAS A Q-CODE THAT LEADS DIRECTLY TO THE EVENT ON THE LOWER LEFT-HAND CORNER.
PRISCILLA SAID ALL OF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE A Q-CODE.
THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE EDUCATIONAL FORUM AND HOUSES COMMUNITY MARCH AND EVENT HAS CHANGED THE LOCATION TO BEXAR COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
I DO HOPE THAT TOMMY CALVERT, YOU RETURNED TO THE FORUM AND SPEAK.
I HOPE THAT REBECCA FLORES YOU DECIDE TO COME AS WELL AS PETER, THE REST OF YOU AS WELL.
I'M ALSO PART OF THE BEXAR COMMUNITY CARE COALITION.
OUR LEADING ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS YANA, ONE THE BELAVIA HAS EMAILED YOUR OFFICE TOMMY, WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND HOPE FOR ASSISTANCE IN HELPING WITH GREATER HOUSES COMMUNITY THAT TENDS TO BE IN THE EAST SIDE.
AS I UNDERSTAND, WE SEEK A PLACE TO CALL HOME AND OPERATE TO CENTRALIZED AND MOBILIZE OUTREACH IN THE EAST SIDE, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.
I HOPE AND PRAY THAT ALL OF YOU CAN ASSIST THE COALITION TO BRING A RESOLVE AND POSITIVE RESOLUTIONS YET TO COME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE IRENE VALDEZ.
>> YES. IRENE VALDEZ, CONCERNED CITIZEN, MOM.
MY FIRST STATEMENT IS, I DO NOT CONSENT TO THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC MACHINES FOR THE MAY 2023 ELECTIONS.
I WANTED TO GO AND OFFICIALLY MAKE THAT STATEMENT.
THE ELECTION MACHINES, AGAIN, ARE NOT LEGALLY CERTIFIED.
THE TEXAS SOS, SECRETARY OF STATE, IS SHOWING SIGN CERTIFICATES.
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE CERTIFIED EVERY TWO YEARS.
THEY STOPPED SHOWING THE EXPIRATION DATE ON THE CERTIFICATION FORUMS THAT THEY SHOW.
THEY'RE BEING SIGNED, BUT THEY'RE NOT BEING SIGNED BY THE CORRECT DIRECTOR.
THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATION CODE 81.61 SAYS THAT THE VOTING SYSTEM SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TEST LABORATORY AND A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED VOTING SYSTEM TEST LABORATORY THAT IS ACCREDITED BY THE EAC.
IF YOU GO TO THE EAC.GOV SITE, GO TO THE VOTING EQUIPMENT, CLICK ON THE VOTING SYSTEM LAB, OPEN UP THIS SECTION, OPEN UP THE MANUAL, GO TO SECTION 3, GO OVER THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION.
IT SAYS THAT IN ORDER FOR THE CERTIFICATE TO BE VALID, IT HAS TO BE SIGNED BY THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION AND IT HAS TO HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE THAT CANNOT EXCEED MORE THAN TWO YEARS.
THAT IS IN SECTION 3 OF THE EAC.GOV MANUAL.
BEXAR COUNTY'S WAS NOT SIGNED AND AGAIN, IT DOES NOT HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON IT.
SECTION 123 SAYS THAT BEFORE VOTING SYSTEM MAY BE USED IN ELECTIONS, THE AUTHORITY MUST ADOPT THE SYSTEM FOR USE IN ELECTIONS.
THE AUTHORITY IS YOU GUYS, COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
YOU GUYS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADOPTING ELECTION SYSTEM.
YOU WILL BE HELD LIABLE AFTER THE MAY ELECTIONS AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER.
JUST MAKING YOU AWARE THAT YOU WILL BE HELD LIABLE FOR THAT.
PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND COMPLY WITH THE LAW. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. CHARLES FUENTES.
>> I COME HERE TO SPEAK WEARING A COUPLE OF HATS.
I'M A UNION WORKER, I'M ALSO EMPLOYED BY TELECOM COMMUNICATION COMPANY.
[02:25:01]
I'M PLEASED TO HEAR THAT WE'RE STARTING TO GET THE BALL ROLLING ON, BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN BEXAR COUNTY AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE CONSTITUENTS HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES WITH HAVING INTERNET ACCESS.HOWEVER, WITH THAT, I AM A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED THAT AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE WORKERS AND THE COMMUNITY IN THIS PROJECT.
WE SAW A SIMILAR ISSUES COME UP IN THE CITY'S EFFORTS IN CITY'S PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.
EARLY ON, MY ORGANIZATION, COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA, HAS GONE TO EVERY LEGISLATOR, EVERY POLICYMAKER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKERS CONCERNS ARE HEARD, THAT THEIR VOICE IS HEARD, NOT JUST IN THE WORKPLACE, BUT ALSO WHEN THE POLICY IS BEING DRAFTED.
IT'S NOW THAT NEGOTIATIONS ARE POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE ON THE COUNTY'S PLAN FOR THE DIGITAL DIVIDE THAT WE YOU REALLY URGE YOU TO CONSIDER WHAT THE WORKERS NEED, THE WORKERS' VOICE.
THIS ISN'T JUST GOING TO SERVE THOSE THAT WORK IN THIS PROJECT, BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GETTING THIS INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT OUT.
WHEN WE ENSURE THAT THERE ARE DIRECT HIRES IN THIS WORK, WE ENSURE THAT THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY THAT THE BUCK IS GOING TO BE PASSED FROM SUBCONTRACTOR A TO B TO C UNTIL SOMETHING IS ACTUALLY GETTING DONE.
TODAY WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT LABOR AND LABOR MOVEMENT.
WE CELEBRATED CESAR CHAVEZ AND HIS STRUGGLES AND HIS SUCCESSES.
WE ALSO HEARD FROM MANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
WELL, WHAT I'M TALKING TO YOU ABOUT RIGHT NOW REALLY BRINGS THOSE TWO TOGETHER, THE WORKERS' STRUGGLE, AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY.
WHEN WE ENSURE THAT BOTH, WE CAN ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITIES GETTING THESE PROJECTS HAVE A HIGH-QUALITY NETWORK THAT IS WORTHY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
THAT CONCLUDES THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
WAS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO SIGNED UP THAT I FAILED TO CALL YOUR NAME? LET'S GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WELL, I DON'T THINK WE PASSED CONSENT.
DID WE PASS CONSENT? WE PASS CONSENT.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
LET US NOW GO TO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. WHAT NUMBER IS IT?
>> THREE? WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM 53,
[53. Permission to negotiate a contract with Spectrum Gulf Coast, LLC, ("Spectrum") to design, build-out and provide broadband infrastructure/service in underserved communities throughout eleven (11) census tracts in Bexar County.]
PERMISSION TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH SPECTRUM GULF COAST, TO DESIGN, BUILD-OUT, AND PROVIDE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT 11 CENSUS TRACKS IN BEAR COUNTY.>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
SOME OF THE AGENDA ITEMS, WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RFP PROCESS, THE PURPOSE OF THE RFP.
TALK THROUGH SOME OF THE RESPONDENTS AS WELL AS STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE RFP WAS TO DETERMINE A PATH THAT WOULD ALLOW BEAR COUNTY, AS WELL AS CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND POTENTIALLY OTHER PARTNERS TO ENTER INTO FUNDING AGREEMENTS WITH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS OR OTHER RESPONDENTS TO THE RFP TO BUILD OUT AND PROVIDE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE TO THOSE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
NEITHER BEAR COUNTY NOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL OWN OR WOULD OWN ANY PART OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, NOR WOULD WE SERVE AS A PASS-THROUGH TO ANY OF THE CUSTOMERS AS AN ISP.
ANOTHER PURPOSE OF THE RFP OR AN INTENT WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THROUGH THOSE ISPS OR THOSE RESPONDENTS THAT WE IDENTIFIED, THE CITY COULD GO THROUGH THEIR OWN CONTRACTING PROCESS, THE CONTRACT WITH THOSE ISPS THAT THEY DEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR CENSUS TRACKS, ARE THERE AREAS AND BEAR COUNTY COULD DO THE SAME FOR OUR AREAS.
JUST A REMINDER TO THE COURT, THIS WAS TO SERVE AS A PILOT PROGRAM.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP FOR US GOING OUT TO HELP BRIDGE THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE AND START TO DEVELOP OUT SOME OF THIS CONNECTIVITY.
AS WE FIRST STARTED THIS PROCESS, WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD IDEA WHO WE WOULD GET TO RESPOND, WHAT THE COST WOULD BE OR ANY OF THAT, THIS WAS REALLY TO SERVE AS A PROOF OF CONCEPT FOR US TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD.
THE TIMELINE AND RESPONSES, THE PROJECT WAS OPEN FOR SOME MISSION ON JULY 6,
[02:30:01]
2022, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TOOK THE LEAD ON THE RFP PROCESS.WE WERE INVOLVED WITH THEM AS PARTNERS IN THAT PROCESS.
THE PROJECT CLOSED FOR SUBMISSION ON OCTOBER 5TH, 72 VENDORS WERE NOTIFIED, FIVE VENDORS WERE AT THE PRE-SUBMITTED CONFERENCE, FOUR RESPONSES WERE RECEIVED.
THE FINAL EVALUATION MEETING WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 19TH AND THE PROJECT IS CLOSED FOR EVALUATION ON DECEMBER 31ST.
SOME OF THE COMPONENTS THAT WERE IMPORTANT IN THE RFP, AND THESE ARE REALLY THE TWO BIG ONES HERE.
THE FIRST TWO WERE THAT WE WANT EQUALITY SPEEDS OF 100 BY 20, SO THAT'S 100 MBPS DOWNLOAD SPEEDS AND 20 MBPS UPLOAD SPEEDS.
WE ALSO WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS AFFORDABLE, SO THAT AFFORDABLE RATES WERE IN PLACE THAT COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, ESSENTIALLY SUBSIDIZING $30 TO END USERS OR TO CONSUMERS.
EACH OF THE RESPONDENTS OR THE ISPS, WE WANTED THEM TO HAVE A PROGRAM IN PLACE THAT WOULD ALLOW THAT SUBSIDY TO RESULT IN ZERO COST TO THE END-USERS.
WE FOCUSED ON 37 CENSUS TRACKS IN THE RFP, 26 OF THEM WERE CITY CENSUS TRACTS, 11 OF THEM WERE COUNTY OR UNINCORPORATED BEAR COUNTY CENSUS TRACKS.
THOSE WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE DIGITAL INCLUSION SURVEY AS WELL AS THE EQUITY ATLAS AND THOSE WERE RECOMMENDED BY SAA DIGITAL CONNECTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.
THIS IS A MAP OF THE CENSUS TRACKS, THOSE IN ORANGE AND THE ONE THAT'S HIGHLIGHTED IN DIAGONALS TO THE LEFT, THOSE ARE THE 11 COUNTY CENSUS TRACKS OR THE CENSUS TRACKS AND UNINCORPORATED BEAR COUNTY THAT WERE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RFP, THOSE IN YELLOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAP, THERE ARE THE 26 TRACKS THAT WERE INCLUDED FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THE REVIEW COMMITTEE CONSISTED OF NINE INDIVIDUALS.
THE FIRST TWO YOU CAN SEE MYSELF AND LAURA COALE.
WE REPRESENTED THE COUNTY AND THERE WERE SEVEN OTHER INDIVIDUALS, ONE OF WHICH WAS REPRESENTING THE SAN ANTONIO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
WE HAD MARINA FROM SA DIGITAL CONNECTS ON THE COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS A RESIDENT OF SAN ANTONIO, EVERYBODY ELSE WORKED FOR THE CITY.
LET ME JUST PAUSE HERE AND SAY, IF YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE QUESTIONS FURTHER ON, I SHOULD'VE DONE THIS AT THE BEGINNING.
WE DO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY HERE, FROM SPECTRUM, AT&T AND LOCALS HERE TODAY TOO.
>> HERE'S THE SCORING MATRIX. I DO HAVE A FEW MORE SLIDES.
THE SCORING CRITERIA WAS 80 POINTS WAITED, 30 INEXPERIENCED BACKGROUND QUALIFICATIONS, 50 ON PROPOSED PLAN, AND THEN 20 ON PRICE.
ONE POINT, I GUESS TO POINT OUT HERE IS WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY EVALUATE PRICE.
THE CITY PROCUREMENT FOLKS I GUESS RECOMMENDED TO US THAT WE EVALUATE ON THOSE FIRST TWO CRITERIA.
PRICE WAS A FLAT, 20 POINTS WERE GIVEN TO ALL RESPONDENTS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEIR PRICE GAME AND WE DIDN'T SEE PRICE UNTIL AFTER WE SCORED.
YOU ALSO SEE HIGHLIGHTED IN HERE THE TWO YELLOW, WHICH IS AT&T AND SPECTRUM.
THIS WASN'T AN RFP TO PICK ONE VENDOR AND EXCLUDE ALL OF THE OTHERS.
IT WAS TO PICK A POOL OF VENDORS THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY DO BUSINESS WITH.
THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO BRIDGE THAT GAP FROM A DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY STANDPOINT.
I THINK IN THE CAPTION TODAY YOU SAW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING SPECTRUM.
HERE'S SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT IMPACT OUR RECOMMENDATION TODAY.
SPECTRUMS PROPOSAL WAS THE BEST AS FAR AS ALIGNMENT WITH THE WHAT THE COUNTY CENSUS TRACKS IDENTIFIED IN THE RFP.. WHAT THAT MEANS IS SPECTRUM ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH CENSUS TRACK BY CENSUS TRACK AND PROVIDED US A PROPOSAL.
WE DIDN'T GET THAT SAME EXACT PROPOSAL FROM OTHER VENDORS.
THE SPECTRUM PROPOSAL IS THE ONLY SOLUTION OUT OF ALL OF THE RESPONDENTS THAT ACTUALLY CAME IN UNDER THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT YOU ALL ALLOCATED, WHICH WAS $25 MILLION OF RPA FUNDING FOR THIS INITIATIVE.
ALL OTHER RESPONSES, WE'RE WELL ABOVE THAT.
SPECTRUM AND AT&T BOTH PROVIDED COMPARABLE SOLUTIONS WITH REGARD TO INTERNET SPEED AND QUALITY AS WELL AS AFFORDABILITY.
THEY BOTH OFFERED THE QUALITY SPEEDS OF 100 DOWN, 20 UP AND THEY BOTH OFFERED THE AFFORDABILITY RATES AT $30 A MONTH, WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR A ZERO COST TO THE END-USERS.
THEN SPECTRUM ALSO COMMITTED OR SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A COMMITMENT AND I GUESS WE WOULD NEGOTIATE THAT.
BUT FOR A 36 MONTH BUILD-OUT OR EVEN LESS THAN THAT, THEY WOULD AGREE TO COMMIT TO A
[02:35:02]
BUILD-OUT WITHIN THE TIMELINE THAT WE NEED TO SPEND OUR UPPER DOLLARS, WHICH IS BY THE END OF 2026. FROM AN RFP RESPONSES STANDPOINT, WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COST SHARING SPECTRUM PROPOSED 10 OF THE 11 CENSUS TRACKS.THE ESTIMATOR BUILD-OUT FOR THOSE 10 CENSUS TRACKS, AND THIS IS IN THE COUNTY IS $31.6 MILLION.
THE COMMITTED AMOUNT FOR SPECTRUM TO CONTRIBUTE WAS $26.2 MILLION OR 83% OF THAT 31.6 WITH 5.4 MILLION ARE 17% COMING FROM THE COUNTY.
FROM AT&T STANDPOINT, THE CITY CHOSE AT&T.
SPECTRUM DIDN'T PROPOSE ON THE CITY CENSUS TRACKS. ONLY AT&T DID.
THEY CHOSE AT&T 26 OF 26 CENSUS TRACKS.
AN ESTIMATED BUILD-OUT OF $22 MILLION, WITH AT&T CONTRIBUTING 13 MILLION OR 60%, AND THE CITY CONTRIBUTED $8.9 MILLION OR 40%.
SOME SPECTRUM PROVISIONS, AND I TOUCHED ON SOME OF THESE ALREADY, 36 MONTH BUILD-OUT.
ACTUALLY THE ONE THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS THE LAST BUILD-OUT, WHICH IS CONTRADICTORY, BUT IT'S AN ANTICIPATED BUILD-OUT BY THE END OF 2026 SO THAT WE CAN LEVERAGE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR ARPA FUNDS.
THEY WOULD ROLL OUT THE BUILD-OUT PLAN WOULD INCLUDE MULTIPLE CENSUS TRACKS AT ONE TIME.
IT WON'T BE CENSUS TRACK 1, THEN 2, THEN 3, IT WOULD BE AS IT MADE THE MOST SENSE FOR THE PROJECT BUILD OUT.
THEN THEY WOULD CONSIDER THAT 11 CENSUS TRACKS 1720.02, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO IT MORE, BUT THEY SAID IN THEIR INITIAL REVIEW OF THAT CENSUS TRACK THAT A LOT OF THE DATA SHOWED THAT ABOUT 98% OF THAT CENSUS TRACK WAS ALREADY BUILT OUT OR HAD SOME CONNECTIVITY.
THAT BEING SAID, THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WOULD REEVALUATE THAT AND IF THEY NEED TO COVER SOME OF THOSE AREAS, WE CAN LOOK AT NEGOTIATING THAT TO PUT IT IN AS PART OF THIS CONTRACT.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION, WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH SPECTRUM GULF COAST, LLC OR SPECTRUM TO DESIGN, BUILD OUT, AND PROVIDE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE/SERVICE, AND UNSERVED/UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT 11 CENSUS TRACKS IN BEXAR COUNTY.
>> HOLD ON. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. MARK, THANK YOU FOR THE OVERVIEW.
I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS.
I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PRETTY DIVERSE COMMITTEE THAT LOOKED AT THIS.
THERE WERE SOME SPECIFIC INTRICACIES RELATED TO THE BEXAR COUNTY NEEDS, I GUESS.
I THINK THAT WAS ON SLIDE NUMBER 9.
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THIS AT THE OUTSET.
THIS IS, AS YOU MENTIONED, A PILOT PROGRAM.
THERE ARE FAR BIGGER NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAN WHAT WE'RE ADDRESSING TODAY.
IN FACT, I HOPE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AT SOME POINT TO ADDRESS THE OTHER AREAS OF UNINCORPORATED BEXAR COUNTY, BUT ALSO THE ONES THAT MAYBE THE CITY HASN'T HIT WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO LIMITS, PARTICULARLY THOSE ON THE WEST AND EAST SIDE AND THE SOUTH SIDE.
BUT I KNOW WE'RE JUST FOCUSING ON THIS PILOT PROGRAM TODAY.
I GUESS THE FIRST QUESTION I HAVE AND MAYBE IT'S MORE APPROPRIATE FOR IS THERE SOMEONE FROM SPECTRUM HERE?
>> YES. THOMAS IS HERE WITH SPECTRUM.
>> THOMAS, CAN YOU COME UP? I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK WITH RESPECT TO SPECTRUM IS WE HEARD EARLIER FROM MR. FUENTE ABOUT LABOR AND WORKFORCE.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT SPECTRUM COMMITMENT IS IN TERMS OF UTILIZING LOCAL WORKFORCE.
MAYBE WHAT YOU PAY IF YOU HAVE THE CONTRACT, SOME OF IT OUT, WHAT THEY PAY.
CAN YOU MAYBE ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES FOR US?
>> YES, DEFINITELY, COMMISSIONER, JUDGE THOMAS HAGELIN, I'M DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS SPECTRUM.
JUSTIN, WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES HERE WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY, SAN ANTONIO.
WE UTILIZE MOST OF OUR IN-HOUSE EMPLOYEES TO DO A LOT OF THIS WORK, BUT WE ALSO USE CONTRACTORS.
CONTRACTORS THAT I'LL SAY THAT OTHER PROVIDERS IN THE CITY ALSO USE SO THEY'RE BONDED, THEY'RE LICENSED, THEY'RE TRAINED, AND AS NEEDED SOME OF THE IN-HOUSE FOLKS WILL BE HIRED.
WE'LL HIRE SOME IN-HOUSE FOLKS.
I KNOW SOME OF THE CONTRACTORS ARE ALSO STAFFING UP TO MAKE SURE WE CAN MAKE THOSE BILL TIMELINE COMMITMENTS.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE SPECTRUM HOURLY WAGES?
>> WE START OUR HOURLY WAGES AT $20.
IS THE MINIMUM WAGE STARTING AND OBVIOUSLY INCREASE UP AFTER THAT.
BUT WE HAVE ALSO A COMMITMENT TO INCREASE OUR HOURLY WAGE,
[02:40:03]
I THINK IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO $22.WE'VE MADE THAT COMMITMENT AS A WHOLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WE'RE TRYING TO ADHERE TO IT.
>> GREAT. MY OTHER COLLEAGUES MAY HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, THOMAS.
BUT MARK, CAN I GET BACK TO YOU REAL QUICK ON THE PROPOSAL.
ONE OF THE SLIDES ALSO SAYS THAT THEY'RE ADDRESSING 10 OF THE 11 COUNTY CENSUS TRACKS.
WHAT IS THE ONE I GUESS THEY GOT LEFT OUT THERE?
>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, I HAVE IT PULLED UP HERE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE JUST TO THE NORTHEAST OF WHERE CASTROVILLE IS LOCATED THERE.
I THINK IT BRIGGS RANCH AREA WHERE IT'S DIAGONAL.
THAT'S THE CENSUS TRACK THAT THEY DIDN'T RESPOND TO.
THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO ADD BACK IN HERE.
>> WE WOULD WANT TO NEGOTIATE.
THAT'S THE RECOMMENDED MOTION WAS FOR THE 11 CENSUS TRACKS.
WE DIDN'T JUST WANT TO NEGOTIATE ON THE 10 WE WANT TO STILL NEGOTIATE ON THE 11.
>> WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS, AGAIN, THERE'S FAR BIGGER NEED THAN WHAT WE'RE ADDRESSING.
BUT IN TERMS OF THE ONES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED FOR THIS PILOT PROGRAM, THERE WAS A PROCESS TO SPECIFICALLY HONE IN ON THE AREAS OF MOST CRITICAL NEED.
>> YES. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING AND SI DIGITAL CONNECTS WAS A BIG CONTRIBUTOR AT THAT RECOMMENDATION.
IT WAS BASED ON THE MOST HIGHLY CRITICAL AREAS.
NOW IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THESE 11 ARE THE MOST HIGHLY CRITICAL.
THERE'S A GROUP OF 60 SOMEHOW THAT ARE THE MOST HIGHLY CRITICAL, BUT ALSO A CONTIGUOUS KIND OF CENSUS TRACK HERE TO FACILITATE A BUILD-OUT THAT MADE THE MOST SENSE.
THEY ARE DETERMINED, HIGHLY CRITICAL AS WELL AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY'RE ALL IN ALIGNMENT THERE FROM A CONTIGUOUS STANDPOINT.
AGAIN, BACK TO THE PILOT PROGRAM, WE WEREN'T SURE WHAT PROPOSALS WE'RE GOING TO GET BACK, IF THAT WAS GOING TO IMPACT PRICING, SO WE LOOKED AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACTORS WITH HOW WE SELECTED THESE CENSUS TRACKS.
>> THE OTHER PIECE I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT, I THINK IT'S ON SLIDE 10, IS THE COST-SHARING.
WHERE UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, SPECTRUM IS PICKING UP 83% OF THE COST, THE COUNTY IS PICKING UP 17% OF THE COST.
FOR US, THAT'S A LITTLE OVER FIVE MILLION.
THE REASON I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT IS NOT NECESSARILY JUST FOR THAT, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE LEVERAGING THOSE PRIVATE SECTOR DOLLARS.
BUT IF YOU RECALL LAST YEAR THE COURT SET ASIDE 25 MILLION FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITY SO WE STILL HAVE SOMEWHERE NORTH OF 19 MILLION TO DEPLOY POTENTIALLY WHEN THERE'S OTHER CRITICAL NEED AREAS, AS I MENTIONED, EITHER IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OR WITHIN GAPS, MAYBE IN SOME OF THE POORER CENSUS TRACKS IN THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE, NOT NECESSARILY JUST UNINCORPORATED.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S A PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR US BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD COME IN AS.
I THINK GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESENTATION WHERE I WAS SAYING, THIS SETS UP THE MECHANISM FOR US TO ENTER INTO THESE FUNDING AGREEMENTS.
THE IDEA COMING OUT OF THIS IS WE WOULD AT LEAST HAVE ONE CONTRACT WITH SPECTRUM.
THOSE CENSUS TRACKS IF WE WANTED TO ADD OTHER CENSUS TRACKS OR TACKLE OTHER AREAS WITH THOSE LEFTOVER DOLLARS AT THE COURT'S DIRECTION, WE CAN START WORKING ON THAT WHENEVER YOU GUYS DIRECT US TO.
>> WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO HAVE SOME IDEAS AND SOME THOUGHTS ON THAT.
I'M SURE MY COLLEAGUES DO TODAY.
WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE MOVE THIS FORWARD TODAY IS THE NEEDS NOT GOING AWAY.
ON THE ONE HAND, IT'S BEING EXACERBATED, SO TO SPEAK, BUT IT'S ALSO CRITICAL THAT WE DEPLOY THESE DOLLARS UNDER THE ARPA GUIDELINES.
THAT WE'VE GOT TO GET IT DEPLOYED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
>> I SEE THOMAS SHAKING YOUR HEAD.
THERE'S A COMMITMENT TO GET THAT DONE FROM SPECTRUM AS A YES.
I KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME OTHER DISCUSSION, BUT I DO THINK THIS IS A STARTING POINT FOR US.
IT'S GETTING THE BALL ROLLING.
JUDGE, SO I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TODAY.
>> SECONDED. I HAD SOME QUESTIONS.
>> HOLD ON. THERE'S A MOTION TO SECOND.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU GUYS PULL UP RFP, YOU WENT WITH SPECTRUM BECAUSE THEY RESPONDED OR THEY GAVE ESTIMATES, WHATEVER THE WORDING IS FOR MORE OF THE CENSUS TRACKS, IS THAT CORRECT? AS OPPOSED TO AT&T.
>> A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FACTORS.
THEY DID RESPOND TO THE RFP AS WE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M SORRY. CAN YOU JUST BE CLEAR FOR THE RECORD.
>> THEY RESPONDED TO THOSE CENSUS TRACKS THAT WE PUT OUT IN THE RFP.
AT&T DID NOT RESPOND CENSUS TRACK BY CENSUS TRACK.
AT&T RESPONDED TO SOME AREAS IN THE COUNTY, BUT THEY'VE RESPONDED TO WHAT THEY CALL THE AREAS.
THOSE AREAS COULD HAVE INCLUDED ONE OR MORE CENSUS TRACKS.
[02:45:02]
IT WASN'T CLEAR WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS ALL OF THE 10 OR 11 THAT WE HAD IN THERE.>> WHAT'S THE ONES THAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON?
>> RIGHT. IT HAD SOME BLEED OVER IN SOME NON-BEXAR COUNTY AREAS AS WELL.
>> THEN GOING BACK TO THE MAP, SO THE PART THAT SPECTRUM DID NOT RESPOND TO 10 OF 11 IS THE SOUTHWEST PART, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY MY PRECINCT OF WHERE THE NUMBER 1 IS, CORRECT?
>> DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T RESPOND TO THAT?
>> YEAH, COMMISSIONER. JUST TO EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT OF HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE, WE TOOK ALL THE TEN CENSUS TRACKS, 11 CENSUS TRACTS, AND WE BROKE THEM DOWN SO WE CAN BEAR TO GET AN IDEA OR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE COST WAS PER PASSING PER MILE.
THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GO INTO THIS, AND ACTUALLY TO GIVE YOU A BETTER JUST COST AND PRICE, THAT CENSUS TRACT ACTUALLY HAS A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSING COMMUNITIES SERVED.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POCKETS, AND MARK AND I HAD A CONVERSATION TODAY.
WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT IT.
WE'RE COMING BACK WITH A NUMBER FOR SOME OF THESE SMALLER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT AREN'T SERVED IN THERE, BUT SOME OF THAT STUFF ALREADY IS BEING BUILT AS BAU FOR US BUT WE'LL HAPPY TO SHOW YOU A MAP OF WHAT THAT IS BECAUSE WE CAN BE VERY SPECIFIC.
THE MAPPING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUT OUT, THAT THE STATE HAS PUT OUT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL FOR ALL OF US AND INCLUDING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'RE ABLE TO IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHERE THOSE HOUSES ARE THAT DON'T HAVE SERVICE.
WE CAN SHARE THAT WITH YOU, SO YOU CAN SEE EXACTLY WHY WE CHOSE NOT TO, AND MOST OF IT IS BEING BUILT AS BAU AS WE'RE ALREADY.
>> NOT TO RESPOND, BUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO PASS TODAY IS FOR YOU GUYS TOO.
IF YOU GUYS GET THE CONTRACT FOR YOU GUYS TO RESPOND TO DO ALL 11? CORRECT. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK TO NEGOTIATE, SO YOU GUYS HAVE THE IF THAT'S FEASIBLE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, WE CHOSE THIS IN PRECINCT FOREIGN PRECINCT ONE AND THE FAR RURAL PARTS OF BEAR COUNTY BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST NEED.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO RIGHT BY OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M HAPPY TO SECOND.
>> YEAH. IF I MAY COMMISSIONER, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU, AND I KNOW MARK SAID IT, BUT IN LOOKING, WHAT WE DID BEFORE THIS ACTUALLY PROCESS STARTED IS WE DID A COMPLETE WHAT WE CALL A WHITESPACE ANALYSIS OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS AREA THAT THEY'VE CHOSEN WAS NOT BY CHANCE.
THEY CHOSE IT BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST NEED UNDER-SERVED AREAS, AND SO I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO GO BACK AND IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT CENSUS TRACKS, WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL PRETTY QUICKLY BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT CENSUS DATA AND ANALYSIS OF THE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY ALREADY PRETTY MUCH IN PLACE.
>> I KNOW COMMISSIONER CALVERT IS GOING TO MENTION THIS, BUT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH SOUTHSIDE ISD SINCE I CAME TO OFFICE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S SOMETHING THAT AS EDUCATORS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND TALKING ABOUT, AND WITH COVID, NO ONE ELSE CAN DENY IT, THAT THERE'S A REAL NEED AND OUR BILL LACK, SO THAT'S WHY WE PUT SO MUCH MONEY FOR DIGITAL DIVIDE.
I KNOW COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAD SOME FURTHER COMMENTS ON SOUTHSIDE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AND JUDGE SAKAI, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE COURT WE'RE RUNNING UP AGAINST AN ISSUE, WE HAVE THREE YEARS TO SPEND THESE DOLLARS, AND MARK AND THOMAS.
GOOD TO SEE YOU THOMAS, OUR KING, RAPHAEL, BY THE WAY [LAUGHTER] GOOD TO SEE.
WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO SPINNING THIS IN THREE YEARS WHERE WE LOSE IT.
THE RFP AND THE PILOT PROGRAM IT'S GOING TO CONTRACTUALLY SAY THAT SPECTRUM YOU'LL NEED THIS THREE YEARS.
IS THAT BASICALLY RIGHT? IT'S GOING TO TAKE ABOUT THREE YEARS TO GET THIS BILL THAT MAYBE SOONER, BUT JUST OVERALL, IT'S BASICALLY GOING TO TAKE THREE YEARS.
>> YEAH. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY'LL MAKE A CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENT TO BUILD THIS OUT BY THE END OF 2026 [OVERLAPPING].
>> THOMAS I SEE YOU WANTING TO SAY A FEW MORE WORDS, GO AHEAD, THOMAS.
>> COMMISSIONER, WE WERE DOING THIS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WE UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT TAKES, IF WE MADE A COMMITMENT FOR THREE YEARS, WE ARE HOPING TO DO THAT MUCH SOONER, BUT OBVIOUSLY CREATING A COMMITTEE TO THAT THREE YEARS IS VERY OKAY.
>> HERE'S MY ISSUE, WE'VE GOT $19.6 MILLION THE COUNTY IS LEAVING ON THE TABLE THAT WE COULD LOSE FOR THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS OBVIOUSLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME THINGS THAT WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO.
IT'S ONCE IN A LIFETIME WILL NEVER COME AGAIN.
I HAVE A MAP HERE, THIS REPRESENTS A BLUE DOTS ON THIS, I KNOW YOU PROBABLY CAN'T SEE THIS.
IN MY LAST EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED AND WE DON'T HAVE SERVICES IN THIS PILOT AT THIS MOMENT.
THEN I'VE GOT A BLUE LINE THAT REPRESENTS THE SOUTHSIDE ISD SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES WITHIN THE PILOT PROGRAM, AND THERE'S AN AREA OF WHITE THAT IS NOT COVERED.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS, BECAUSE WE YOU'RE SAYING, WE THINK WE CAN DO IT FASTER, AND I'M SURE YOU PROBABLY WILL, BUT IT MAY TAKE US THE FULL THREE YEARS, BECAUSE THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS GOING TO BE DOING THIS.
[02:50:03]
THERE COULD BE SHORTAGES, THIS MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKFORCE WITH ALAMO COLLEGES EVEN TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THIS FIELD TO DO THIS WORK.LET'S THINK ABOUT WHETHER THE 19-6 COULD BE USED FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AS PART OF GETTING THIS DONE FAST WITH THE MAXIMUM NEED, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE STAFF COME BACK TO US IN THE NEXT MEETING, THE NEXT WORK SESSION THAT WE DO WITH A PLAN TO COMPLETE THE AREAS OF THE COUNTY THAT DON'T HAVE BROADBAND, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANY OF THIS ON THE TABLE, SO COME BACK TO US, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, I HAD TOLD HER, I SAID, WELL, LET'S PUT IT BACK OUT TO BID, AND SHE SAID, WELL, I DON'T WANT TO PUT IT OUT TO BID BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE TOO LONG AND SHE'S RIGHT.
WE DO HAVE SOME OFFERS WHERE IT MAY BE THAT WE HAVE TO MODIFY A LITTLE BIT OF THE CRITERIA, BUT WHATEVER WAY THE STAFF CAN COME BACK TO US AND SAY, WE HAVE A PLAN FOR GETTING THESE AREAS THAT WERE NOT COVERED IN THE PILOT, AND THIS IS HOW WE CAN SEE IT COMING BACK TO THE COURT TO GET IT DONE, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS DONE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE ASK STAFF TO COME BACK IN THE NEXT MEETING TO GIVE US A PLAN FOR HOW WE COMPLETE THE REMAINING AREAS OF THE COUNTY THAT ARE NOT SERVICED.
>> YEAH. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ENOUGH TIME, BUT I THINK, I'M IN AGREEMENT, COMMISSIONER, THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME, WHETHER IT'S A STREAMLINED PLAN ON HOW WE CAN DEPLOY THESE OTHER DOLLARS, LET'S SAY, SOME RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS.
>> YEAH, 30 DAYS. THAT'S GREAT. I'M GOOD WITH 30 DAYS.
LET'S DO IT 30 DAYS. [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> BUT NOT TO SLOW DOWN THIS PART OF THE PROCESS.
>> NO, DOESN'T SLOW DOWN THIS AT ALL.
>> HOW THAT LOOKS, I KNOW SAA DIGITAL CONNECT HAS ALREADY DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH, AND LIKE I SAID, THEY'VE PRIORITIZED A LOT OF THESE INTO SEVERE OR HIGHLY CRITICAL VERSUS THE MEDIUM AND A LOW CRITICALITY.
THEY'VE ALREADY DONE A LOT OF THAT ANALYSIS.
THEY'D PROBABLY BE BEST TO SHARE WHAT THOSE POTENTIAL DOLLAR IMPACTS ARE, AGAIN, OR SURFACE EVERYTHING, IT'S IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
EVEN THE ADDITIONAL 19 WILL GET US A STEP CLOSER.
THERE'LL NEED TO BE SOME PRIORITIZATION DONE, SO WE CAN COME BACK WITH A PLAN.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED WORK SESSIONS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THE WORK SESSION WILL BE ACCURATE FOR PRIORITIZATION BECAUSE THE OFFICES MAY HAVE INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINTS.
PART OF MY IMPETUS IN THIS IS I'VE BEEN HERE FOR EIGHT YEARS NOT ABLE TO PUT ANY DOLLARS BEHIND THIS.
NOW WE HAVE DOLLARS BEHIND THIS, AND I FEEL SO BAD FOR THESE PEOPLE IN SHIRTS AND CIVIL LAW.
WE DO NEED TO HAVE SOME WORK SESSION WHERE WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, LIKE WHEN SOUTHSIDE ISD COMES TO US AND THEY'RE SAYING WE WANT OUR AREA OR FOLKS IN CIVIL AND SHIRTS OR OTHER AREAS ON THE WEST SIDE, LIKE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ SAID, THAT WE'RE NOT COVERED BY THE CITY'S THING.
LET ME JUST ACKNOWLEDGE BRIAN DILLARD HERE FROM THE CITY'S OFFICE OF INNOVATION.
I THINK I HAVE YOUR TITLE, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF INNOVATION IN THE CITY, THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH US, WE APPRECIATE THIS HARD WORK.
THIS IS REALLY HISTORIC STUFF.
WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO MOVE THIS COMMUNITY FORWARD IN REALLY WAYS THAT I COULDN'T HAVE IMAGINED YEARS AGO.
IN ANY EVENT, WE'VE GOT A MOTION.
I THINK WE'VE GOT CONSENSUS ON THE FRIENDLY, AND I THINK WE CAN VOTE.
>> WELL, I APPRECIATE ALL THE COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES HERE, AND I DO WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF BRIDGING THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE, BUT I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
FIRST, IN REGARDS TO OUR GO FORWARD HERE, IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE HELPFUL TO BRING SOME MORE OF THAT DATA TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A GREAT SENSE FOR HOW MANY HOMES, HOW MANY TRACTS ARE IN THESE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT YOU MENTIONED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
IN ORDER TO BETTER ASSESS WHAT THAT NEED ACTUALLY IS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
I THINK AS YOU GO AS SPECTRUM OR YOUR TEAM GOES AND TRYING TO ASSESS WHAT THOSE COSTS WOULD BE ON DIFFERENT TRACTS.
CLEARLY AT SOME POINT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND $5 MILLION TO CONNECT FIVE HOUSES THAT ARE IN SOME RURAL TRACT IN UNINCORPORATED BEXAR COUNTY.
BUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THOSE TRADE-OFFS ARE AND WHAT THE COST AND THE NUMBER OF HOMES THAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO CONNECT WOULD BE, I THINK WOULD BE HELPFUL IN HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.
THE OTHER POINT I'LL JUST MAKE IS THESE DOLLARS WERE ALLOCATED BY THE PREVIOUS COURT SPECIFICALLY FOR BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.
BUT AGAIN, WHEN IT COMES TO TRADE-OFFS, AT SOME POINT WE SAY, WELL WE'VE SOLVED 90% OF THE PROBLEM HERE.
BUT THIS REMAINING FIVE MILLION, 10 MILLION COULD STILL BE USED FOR OTHER ARPA PROJECTS.
IS THAT CORRECT, DAVID? THAT'LL BE A DECISION WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE ABOUT WHETHER THE
[02:55:02]
19 MILLION ALL GOES INTO ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HERE, OR WHETHER AT SOME POINT WE DRAW THE LINE AND WE SAY, HEY, WE COULD USE THIS MONEY THAT WOULD PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS SOMEWHERE ELSE.JUST ONE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT PROCESS.
THE $30, IS THAT IN PERPETUITY, IS THAT UPFRONT, IS THAT FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS? CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THE ACTUAL COST?
>> I MAY NEED SOME HELP EXPLAINING IT.
THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S $42 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR THAT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING.
YOU CAN APPLY FOR THAT PROGRAM.
THEN EACH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER HAS THEIR OWN PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THAT ACP.
IF YOU QUALIFY FOR ACP, IT'S LOWER-INCOME.
THERE'S SOME OTHER QUALIFIERS LIKE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FREE LUNCH AT SCHOOL AND THAT STUFF, THEN YOU ALSO QUALIFY AUTOMATICALLY FOR THE ACP PROGRAM.
BUT IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE ACP PROGRAM, THE ISPS HAVE A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS YOU TO APPLY THAT $30 TO THOSE HIGHER-QUALITY INTERNET SPEEDS, WHICH IS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEFINES EVEN AS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, WHICH IS 100 DOWN, 20 UP.
THAT'S HOW THAT WORKS. AT SOME POINT, AND IT'S REALLY NOT KNOWN, THOSE DOLLARS MAY RUN OUT, THEY MAY REPLENISH THEM.
I DON'T THINK IT'S IN PERPETUITY.
BUT AT SOME POINT BASED ON HOW THE PROGRAM IS SET UP NOW THERE IS A DEFINED DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR ALLOCATING THAT.
SOME OF THE ISPS, AND THOMAS MAY WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS, HAVE INDICATED THEY MAY HAVE THEIR OWN PROGRAM.
IF THAT WERE TO EVER GO AWAY, THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN PROGRAM THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE FOR THOSE SAME QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF IT.
>> BASED ON THOSE PROGRAMS THAT EXIST TODAY, IF YOU ARE WITHIN ONE OF THESE TRACTS AND THIS IS FUNDED THEN, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY AT ALL FOR INTERNET SERVICE?
>> YES. THAT $30 CAN BE USED TOWARD ANY TIER ON THE SPECTRUM PRICING SCHEDULE.
THEY HAVE A PRICE POINT THAT IS 29.99 A MONTH.
IF YOU WANTED FASTER INTERNET SPEED AND YOU WANTED TO TAKE YOUR $30 AND APPLY IT TO THE 59.99 TIER, YOU COULD DO THAT AND JUST PAY THE DIFFERENCE.
YOUR NEXT LINE IS FREE. I'M SORRY.
>> THOMAS COME BACK UP HERE, PLEASE.
LET ME JUST MAKE SOME COMMENTS AND THEN I'LL PREPARE TO VOTE.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS WAS AN ISSUE THAT I RAN ON, BUT I ALSO WANT TO REFLECT THAT THIS OBVIOUSLY WERE DONE BY THE PREDECESSOR COURT, JUDGE WOLF AND THOSE COMMISSIONERS THAT WERE SITTING ON THE DAIS AT THAT TIME.
I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND TO START IN THIS PROCESS.
I GUESS I COULD TAKE ALL THE CREDIT.
[LAUGHTER] BUT NO, THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M SAYING THIS.
I WANT THE RECOGNITION OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS COURT AND SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE AND THIS POSSIBLE GAME CHANGER IN REGARDS TO ACCESS TO WI-FI AND TO DEAL WITH THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.
MINE IS PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH ALL MY PRIOR COMMENTS.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG PROCESS AND THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS COMING.
THOMAS, TELL ME, IS THERE A PROCESS THAT SPECTRUM IS GOING TO HAVE THAT WHEN WE GET THOSE INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINTS, WHETHER IT'S A PROPERTY OWNER, SOMEBODY'S DRIVEWAY HAS BEEN RESTRICTED OR HIGHWAYS BEEN BLOCKED? I DON'T WANT THE SITUATION TO BE LIKE THINGS ARE DOWNTOWN.
I WANT TO SAY THAT VARY BECAUSE I KNOW THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS IN THE ROOM.
>> SORRY TO YOU TO SAY THAT. [LAUGHTER]
>> I WANT SOMEBODY TO CALL AND I WANT TO HAVE A CHAIN OF COMMAND SO THAT WE KNOW AND MARK.
MY QUESTION IS, I WANT THE SAME QUESTION.
WHO'S GOING TO OVERSEE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY? IF WE NEED QUESTIONS OR ANSWERS OR WE GOT TO DEAL WITH THESE COMPLAINTS, I WANT SOMEBODY TO TALK TO.
THOMAS, ANSWER THAT QUESTION, THEN MARK, YOU CAN ANSWER THAT.
>> JUDGE, I HANDLE MOST OF THOSE COMPLAINTS TODAY.
>> YES, SIR. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE AREAS THAT WE'LL BE BUILDING IN ARE A LOT DIFFERENT THAN DOWNTOWN, IS THAT THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE SPREAD OUT IN RURAL.
THERE'S A LOT OF ALSO PULL ATTACHMENTS.
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF DIGGING FOR SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS THAT YOU'VE SEE.
I'M PRETTY SURE WE CAN ADDRESS THAT PRETTY QUICKLY.
BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THIS IS AN AERIAL BUILD ON POLES THAT ARE EXISTING.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TOO MANY DISRUPTION IN TERMS OF DIGGING IN AND GETTING INTO PEOPLE'S YARDS.
BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT COMES UP,
[03:00:02]
YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY REACH OUT TO ME AND WE'LL ADDRESS IT IMMEDIATELY.>> DOES THAT ALSO INCLUDE ALSO ASSUME YOU'VE INDICATED THAT THERE WILL BE WORKED BY SUBCONTRACTORS, WHICH WILL NOT BE SPECTRUM EMPLOYEES.
IS THERE GOING TO BE A CHAIN OF COMMAND AND COMMUNICATION TO THOSE ENTITIES? I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE RESPONSE, WELL WE'RE NOT SPECTRUM.
>> [LAUGHTER] NO, SIR. MOST OF OUR CONTRACTORS WE'LL HAVE, DOING WORK FOR US AT THE TIME IF THEY'VE GOT IT ON THE TRUCK, SIR.
BUT OUR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS WILL BE OVERSEEING A LOT OF THAT DEPLOYMENT.
WE HAVE REPORTS ON DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAPPEN.
IF SOMETHING'S COMING IN AND I LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS, WE'LL ADDRESS THEM PRETTY QUICKLY.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE QUALITY OF WORK IS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL THAT WE CAN MAKE IT.
ALSO TOO, LET'S ENSURE THAT ALL THOSE THAT ARE PROVIDING THE LABOR ARE FOLLOWING FAIR LABOR STANDARDS.
THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I'LL BE MONITORING.
>> MARK WHO'S GOING TO BE MONITORING FROM THE COUNTY?
>> WELL, THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK AND JUST MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GOOD PROCESS IN PLACE TO HANDLE THAT USING SPECTRUM.
WE'LL MAKE SURE WE PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE.
>> BUT THEN I WANT YOU ALL TO REPORT BACK AND TELL ME WHO'S GOING TO TAKE WHAT?
>> WHO'S GOING TO HANDLE SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS?
>> MARK, THANKS FOR NOT SAYING, WE NEED TO HIRE MORE STAFF.
[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR NOT SAYING THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT MY PRECINCT.
OBVIOUSLY MY BACKGROUND'S IN EDUCATION AND I TALK A LOT ABOUT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
BUT THIS IS ALSO ABOUT VISIONARY GROWTH FOR PARTS OF THE COUNTY THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY OVERLOOKED.
AS THE NORTH SIDE CONTINUES TO GET MORE AND MORE CONGESTED AND THERE'S MORE DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHICH WE NEED IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR.
THIS IS ALSO FOR MORE BUSINESSES TO COME AND MORE SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT AND MORE GAS STATIONS AND MORE ENTERTAINMENT, AND MORE CHURCHES.
THAT'S JUST REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE VISIONARY FUTURE GROWTH THE BEXAR COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THAT 11TH PRECINCT, THE AREA THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS JUST TO THE RIGHT OF WHERE CASTROVILLE IS, YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE MAP WHERE IT'S DIAGONALLY SHADED.
>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. YES. BUT ALSO DOWN SOUTHWEST WILL BE NUMBER 1.
WHAT ABOUT THAT [INAUDIBLE]? IS THAT NOT PART OF?
>> THAT WAS A PART OF THE ORIGINAL WHEN YOU GUYS WERE [INAUDIBLE].
HOPEFULLY WE WON'T DO THAT [INAUDIBLE]
>> I WANT TO ASK OUR FRIEND FROM CWA IF YOU COULD JUST COME TO THE DAIS FOR A SECOND.
I WAS NOT CLEAR ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE ISSUES YOU BROUGHT FORWARD TODAY IS A CONCERN THAT SPECTRUM, I DON'T KNOW IF SPECTRUM IS A UNION CWA OR BECAUSE AT&T, I BELIEVE IS A CWA.
CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LABOR ISSUES YOU REFER TO.
>> CURRENTLY IN TEXAS THE ONLY UNION REPRESENTED COMPANY IS AT&T.
NOW, THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT THERE HAVEN'T BEEN WEEKLY CALLS FROM SPECTRUM EMPLOYEES TO OUR PRESIDENT JOHN MEGARA ASKING HOW CAN WE GO ABOUT GETTING REPRESENTATION.
BUT AT THIS TIME WE ARE REPRESENTING THE EMPLOYEES OF AT&T.
WITH THAT, WE BRING THAT REPRESENTATION, THEIR PROTECTIONS, AND THE ADVANCEMENT FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES.
>> I SEE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MARKET TO RESPOND TO THE RFP, ESPECIALLY FOR THE THING THAT WE WANT TO BRING BACK IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS.
IN THE INTEREST OF FULL DISCLOSURE I'VE BEEN A LOBBYIST FOR AT&T MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN WE DEREGULATED THE CABLE INDUSTRY AND ALLOWED THEM IN FOR THE U-VERSE SB-5 WAS A BILL THAT I HELPED WORK ON.
BUT IF THEY'RE NOT RESPONSIVE AND YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF THE DETAIL THAT THEY GAVE US THE CENSUS TRACTS THEY WANTED TO DO, AND IT'S HARD TO MAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE.
WE JUST SEND THE MESSAGE FOR OUR FRIENDS AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES THAT WE WANT TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE DEMAND OF THE NEED, AND WE'RE OPEN TO WORK WITH ANYONE.
WE WISH YOU A LOT OF SUCCESS IN YOUR EFFORTS, BUT THAT'S WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW JUST THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING.
>> OUR POSITION IS NOT WHETHER ONE COMPANY OR THE OTHER SHOULD BE FAVORED.
IT'S MORE SO THAT NO MATTER WHO GETS THIS WORK, THE WORKERS THAT ARE INVOLVED HAVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS ACROSS THE BOARD.
[03:05:01]
>> FAIR ENOUGH. WE'LL ASK MARK AND CMO TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF DETAIL ABOUT THAT.
THE JUDGE ADDRESSED SOME OF THAT IN HIS COMMENTS AND WE'LL DEFINITELY WANT TO PROTECT WORKERS, WE'RE WITH YOU ON THAT.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> DOES THAT CONCLUDE DISCUSSION? THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
THERE'S A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AS AMENDED BY COMMISSIONER CONRAD, AND I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND CLAY-FLORES HAVE APPROVED OF THE AMENDED MOTION THAT STANDS ON THE FLOOR.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.
>> I'VE ASKED THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER REQUEST.
[56. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval and execution of an Interlocal Agreement for General Funds between Bexar County and City of Helotes, Dispatch Center Project, for a one-year period beginning October 1, 2022, and ending on September 30, 2023, in the amount of $350,000.]
I'M GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM 56, DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF INNER LOCAL AGREEMENT FOR GENERAL FUNDS BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND CITY OF HELOTES DISPATCH CENTER PROJECT FOR ONE YEAR PERIOD BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2022, AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023, AND THE AMOUNT OF $350,000. MR. GUEVARA?>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE RECORD, THOMAS GUEVARA, OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER.
THIS ITEM WAS INCLUDED IN THE SEPTEMBER 13 LIST OF OUTSIDE AGENCIES TO BE AWARDED AT THE REQUEST OF THEN COMMISSIONER BARNARD.
THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT IS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR, BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2022, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023.
AGAIN, THE PURPOSE IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SAFETY AND QUALITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW FOR THE CITY OF HELOTES TO CONTINUE FUNDING EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SERVICES FOR THEIR DISPATCH CENTER.
WE DO HAVE MAYOR WHITEHEAD AND I BELIEVE HIS CITY ADMINISTRATOR HERE TO ANSWER ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, BUT I'LL OPEN IT UP JUDGE FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> WE WANT TO INVITE THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO PLEASE COME FORWARD, WELCOME TO BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
>> THANK YOU JUDGE. MAYOR WHITEHEAD IN MY CITY ADMINISTRATOR, MARY MENDOZA.
CONGRATULATIONS FIRST TIME WE GOT TO SPEAK WITH YOU ON YOUR ELECTION.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY HELLO FROM OUR CHIEF ONLY.
>> THANK YOU. DID Y'ALL WANT TO MAKE ANY COMMENT IN REGARDS TO THIS AGENDA ITEM?
>> WE'RE JUST VERY THANKFUL FOR THE WAY COMMISSIONER CORTEZ ADDRESSED THIS TOPIC.
WE ARE IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION.
WE HAVE A SINCERE DESIRE TO WORK WITH BEXAR COUNTY PROVIDING 911 SERVICES AND WE DO HAVE EXCESS CAPACITY AND I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING TO WORK WITH BEXAR COUNTY, 911, WHETHER IT'S A COMBINED EFFORT WHERE WE BECOME ONE, 911 SYSTEM OR IF WE UTILIZE THE EXCESS CAPACITY WE HAVE TO SERVICE THE ACCESS NEEDS THAT BEXAR COUNTY HAS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN FINDING LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, MAYOR WHITEHEAD AND THOMAS FOR TEEING THAT UP.
I THINK THOSE ARE SOME GOOD POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS.
I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHERIFF IS HERE TODAY, BUT WE CLEARLY NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND UNDERSTAND WHETHER WE CAN PULL THOSE RESOURCES IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVE ALL THE BEXAR COUNTY, BUT FULLY UTILIZE THOSE RESOURCES YOU HAVE.
OR WHETHER THAT'S PARTNERING WITH OTHER SUBURBAN CITIES.
WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY TALKS ABOUT THIS.
THIS WAS A PREVIOUS COMMITMENT BY THE COURT THAT I'M WILLING TO HONOR AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THOSE RESOURCES.
HOWEVER, ULTIMATELY, WE NEED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
I KNOW YOU UNDERSTAND THAT FROM OUR CONVERSATIONS AND SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN UTILIZE THAT CAPACITY IN SOME WAY IN THE FUTURE.
IT'S NOT A CONTINUED BUDGETARY ITEM BECAUSE THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A ONETIME TO BRIDGE THE GAP AND THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT.
>> THIS ONE JUST FOR ONE YEAR.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FIRST YEAR? DO YOU NO LONGER HAVE FUNDING OR WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> THE WHOLE DISPATCH CENTER HAS BEEN OPENED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND IT HAS CERTAINLY PROVIDED RELIEF IN THE FACT THAT WE'RE NO LONGER BEING DISPATCHED BY BEXAR COUNTY 911.
WE WERE PREVIOUSLY DISPATCHED BY ANOTHER CITY,
[03:10:01]
BUT WHEN EVERYTHING WENT DIGITAL, CITIES WERE FORCED TO DIGITALIZE OR BE ABSORBED BY ANOTHER DISPATCH CENTER.HELOTES DID DEVELOP THEIR OWN AND THE IDEA WAS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES, WHICH WE DID A ONE BY ONE THOSE COMMUNITIES WERE ABSORBED AT A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT BY BEXAR COUNTY DISPATCH SERVICES.
WE CAN NOT COMPETE WITH FREE OR LIMITED COST.
WE LOST ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS, IF YOU WILL.
IT BECAME A VERY UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION AND BE PAYING THREE TIMES THE COST BECAUSE WE HAD A THIRD OF THE CUSTOMERS ANYMORE.
WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING TO BE A PART OF BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FAR AS THE 911 SERVICES.
BUT I KNOW THERE'S A LONG-TERM PROBLEM WITH RETAINING ENOUGH EMPLOYEES OUT OF DISPATCH SERVICES.
WE HAVE EXCESS CAPACITY AND I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES THAT BEXAR COUNTY IS LOOKING TO SERVICE.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS SUCH AS UTILIZING OUR EXCESS CAPACITY TO SERVICE SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT BEXAR COUNTY HAS ON THEIR WAITING LIST TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE'RE TALKING WITH COMMISSIONER MOODY ON BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT.
I KNOW IN OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SHERIFF, HE'S VERY OPEN TO WHATEVER COURT HAS DECIDED IS A REASONABLE SOLUTION.
WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONER TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH LONG-TERM SOLUTION THAT IS NOT ONLY AMICABLE BUT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.
>> THEN BASICALLY THIS FUNDING IS FOR ONE YEAR TIME TO BUY TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROCEED IN THE FUTURE?
>> CORRECT. WHEN WORKING WITH BEXAR COUNTY DISPATCH, THEY WERE ANTICIPATING HAVING ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR HELOTES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT A COST-EFFECTIVE MEASURES.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RETAIN ENOUGH ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES.
I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A STUDY DONE IN LOOKING FOR INCREASING WAGES.
THAT WAS AN EFFORT WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONERS COURT LAST YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW THEY ARE CONTINUING TO ADD EMPLOYEES, BUT AT THIS POINT THEY STILL DON'T HAVE QUITE ENOUGH POINTS.
THE IDEA OF THIS GRANT WAS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A TIMEFRAME FOR BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO ADD ADDITIONAL DISPATCHERS TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE SERVICES FOR HELOTES.
>> HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM BEXAR METRO 911?
>> BEXAR METRO 911 ACTUALLY PROVIDES REALLY SOFTWARE AND CONNECTIVITY, BUT THEY DON'T PROVIDE THE ACTUAL DISPATCHERS.
>> I JUST HAD QUESTIONS, BUT THIS IS IN COMMISSIONER MOODY'S PRECINCTS, SO IF HE SUPPORTS IT, THEN I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IT.
>> ANY UP FOR A COMMENT? IS THERE A MOTION?
>> MAYOR, THANKS FIRST OF ALL, FOR PROCEEDING THROUGH THE MORNING.
WE HOPE IT WAS INTERESTING, [LAUGHTER] BUT I'M GOING BE SUPPORTIVE OF COMMISSIONER MOODY'S ITEM HERE.
I KNOW THAT I STILL REPRESENTED AND STILL HAVE A LITTLE PORTION OF HOLLOWNESS, AND THIS IS I THINK A GOOD MODEL OF COLLABORATION.
YOUR LOTUS IS, I KNOW ITS OWN CITY, BUT YOU'RE ALSO PART OF BEXAR COUNTY.
I KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON AN ISSUE, WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT YET, UNRELATED TO THIS.
BUT ON THE INCREASED TRAFFIC OUT ON BEVERLY HILLS DRIVE AND HOW IT'S IMPACTING SOME OF THE CONSTITUENTS AND PRECINCT TOO.
I HOPE WE CAN HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON A SOLUTION THAT IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL OUT THERE TO BOTH COUNTY AND CITY RESIDENTS.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A MEETING COMING UP.
IS THAT NEXT WEEK OR THE WEEK AFTER?
ONE, IT'S A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH THE BEVERLY HILLS PEOPLE. LOST MICROPHONE THERE.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER ONE SCHEDULED THAT I'M HOSTING AT CITY HALL ON APRIL 5TH FOR THE RESONANCE OF DAVIS RANCH.
WE MET ON-SITE WITH COMMISSIONER MOODY AS WELL AS WITH RENEE GREEN ON-SITE AND WE HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA OF A ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION.
IT'D BE OUT OF ORDER TO SPEAK OF THAT PUBLICLY AT THIS POINT, BUT WE DO ACTUALLY HAVE A MEETING WITH A DEVELOPER THIS WEEK.
WE HOPE TO HAVE SOME POSITIVE NEWS ON THAT.
BUT WE ARE AGGRESSIVELY LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL BE AMICABLE FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF HELOTES BUT I HAVE A CONCERN FOR THE GREATER HELOTES COMMUNITY AS WELL.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I TAKE LIGHTLY.
THERE ARE COMPLEX ISSUES IN THERE, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE AS WELL.
>> YEAH, AND I THINK THAT'S ALL WE'RE LOOKING FOR, MAYOR, IS JUST A PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO TRY AND COLLABORATE AND
[03:15:01]
COME UP WITH SOMETHING AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THAT AS WELL, YOUR STAFF.BUT I'M HAPPY TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF COMMISSIONER MOODY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE MADE A MOTION.
>> LAST COMMENT AND THEN I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT MOTION.
BUT PLEASE ENGAGE WITH ME AND MY TEAM.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE COLLABORATE ON THIS AND FIND A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE SOLUTION.
WELL, BOTH WITH REGARD TO DISPATCH SERVICES, BUT ALSO WITH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ WHEN IT INVOLVES THE ROADWAYS AND TRAFFIC THERE WITHIN HELOTES.
BUT I WILL MOVE APPROVAL THIS ITEM.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
MAYOR TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SITTING THROUGH OUR MEETING HERE.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AND MY TEAM WANT TO COME VISIT Y'ALL, AND I HAVE MY CHIEF OF STAFF, I BELIEVE OVER THERE.
IF Y'ALL WOULD TALK AND AT SOME POINT, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GET MY KNEE REHABILITATED A BIT, SO IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ANYTIME SOON.
BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO COME OUT THERE AND HAVE A DISCUSSION AS TO WHAT BEST SERVES YOU AND HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE AS BEXAR COUNTY AND THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE I WANT TO PUT ON RECORD THESE ARE ISSUES I EXPECT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JUST TAKE GO.
WHEN YOU CALL TO COMPLAIN, CALL YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
WE TRY TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND COME TO THE TABLE WITH A WILLING ATTITUDE.
>> IS THERE NO FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNAL BY SAYING AYE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> WE'LL GO BACK UP AND GO IN REGULAR ORDER.
[54. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a Master Interlocal Agreement and resolution with 791 Purchasing Cooperative, LLC and Bexar County for the purpose of allowing purchases of goods and/or services through the 791 Purchasing Cooperative contracts with Texas Region 15 Education Service District and the Central Texas Council of Governments serving as lead government agencies; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file appropriate award documents for record.]
BACK TO 54.DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A MASTER INNER LOCAL AGREEMENT, A RESOLUTION WITH 791 PURCHASING COOPERATIVE LLC IN [NOISE] BEXAR COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING PURCHASES OF GOODS AND OR SERVICES THROUGH THE 791 PURCHASING COOPERATIVE CONTRACTS WITH THE TEXAS REGION 15 EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT AND THE CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, SERVING AS LEAD GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENT FOR RECORD MS. TORRES.
>> GOOD MORNING. PATRICIA TORRES PURCHASING AGENT. THANK YOU.
WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS THE PARTICIPATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE MASTER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH 781 PURCHASING COOPERATIVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE PURCHASES OF GOODS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY SUPPLIERS WITH COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENTS AND PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR PURCHASING POWER AND AGGREGATE MEMBER INSIGHTS GENERATING MOST COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS.
WE HAVE MEMBERS OF 781 CORPORATE HERE TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M JEFF SHOKRIAN, CEO OF 791 PURCHASING COOPERATIVE AND I HAVE WITH ME MR. DIETRICH VON BIEDENFELD, OUR CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER.
WE'RE HERE TODAY WE'RE ASKING THE COUNTY TO JOIN 791 PURCHASING COOPERATIVE [NOISE] TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFITS OF COOPERATIVE PURCHASING.
THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 89,004 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES TO ACT ON THEIR OWN BEHALF IS QUITE INEFFICIENT AND INEFFECTIVE.
SO HERE IN TEXAS, WE HAVE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 791 THAT'S WHERE WE DERIVE OUR NAME.
THE INNER LOCAL COOPERATION ACT.
IT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS AND COLLABORATION AMONGST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THROUGH OUR TWO LEAD GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, REGION 15 EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER AND THE CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
WE CONDUCT THE COMPETITIVE AND COMPLIANT SOLICITATION PROCESS, DO EVALUATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION FOR REWARD TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
WITH THE DELEGATED AUTHORITY BY THEIR BOARDS, THEY APPROVE THOSE CONTRACTS AND THOSE ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR MEMBERS' USE.
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS CONFERENCE AT BEXAR COUNTY, WHO'S A GREAT PARTNER OF BEXAR COUNTY.
WE DO COLLECT A FEE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, 1-2% ON OUR CONTRACTS AS MANDATED BY LAW IN TEXAS.
WE HAVE A REVENUE SHARE AGREEMENT BACK TO THE CUC TO SUPPORT THE MEMBERS' EFFORTS FOR THE 34 LARGEST COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WITH THAT, WE ASKED FOR THE COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION AND MEMBERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
WE ARE LOCATED HERE LOCALLY IN BEXAR COUNTY, IN ADDITIONALLY SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO DO MORE BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. NO QUESTION FOR YOU, AT LEAST NOT YET, BUT [LAUGHTER] PATRICIA,
[03:20:01]
COULD YOU COME BACK TO THE THIS?>> WE ALREADY UTILIZED SOME OTHER PURCHASING CO-OPS. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> HOW MANY OTHER PURCHASING CO-OPS DO WE USE?
>> THIS IS ADDING ESSENTIALLY ANOTHER CO-OP TO OUR POOL.
>> WE PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE A LONGER DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW YOU UTILIZE THE CO-OPS WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRACTING.
I GUESS THE ARGUMENT SOMETIMES OR OFTEN IS, IT'S CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENT, BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW WE QUANTIFY THAT IF WE DON'T GO OUT FOR BID.
TO BE SUCCINCT, I GUESS MY MORE DIRECT QUESTION IS, I KNOW SOME OF THIS IS MAYBE GOVERNED BY STATUTE, BUT HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH CO-OPS TO USE, IS THERE A ROTATION? THEN HOW DO YOU EVEN DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO USE A CO-OP AS OPPOSED TO DOING AN RFP?
>> EACH REQUEST IS REVIEWED AND WE EVALUATE.
WE DO HAVE VARIOUS SELECTIONS TO GO THROUGH.
WE DO HAVE THE TEXAS STATE TERM CONTRACTS, WE DO HAVE ILAS WITH OTHER AGENCIES.
IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPES OF GOODS AND SERVICES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, AT THE MOMENT.
WHATEVER PROJECT IT IS, IT'S EVALUATED.
IF IT'S NOT ON A CO-OP OR IF IT'S SOMETHING LARGER OR PROJECT, THAT WE DO SOLICIT, SO EITHER THROUGH AN RFP OR AN RFP PROCESS, OR REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS.
>> YOU HAVE AN INTERNAL DEPARTMENTAL, LACK OF A BETTER TERM, FLOWCHART IN TERMS OF HOW YOU DETERMINE WHETHER TO GET IT THROUGH THE CO-OP OR DO AN RFP, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> I PROBABLY JUST NEED A REFRESHER ON THAT, NOT TODAY AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE EVERYBODY'S TIME, BUT I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH ADDING ANOTHER CO-OP TODAY.
I JUST THINK IN TERMS OF POLICY AND HOW WE GO ABOUT OR YOU GO ABOUT MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT, MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS LATER OFFLINE, BUT MAYBE JUDGE, IT MAY BE GOOD FOR THE WHOLE COURT TO GET A REFRESHER ON THAT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE, BUT I'M OKAY WITH ADDING ANOTHER RESOURCE, SO TO SPEAK, FOR THE COUNTY, BUT MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT FOR FUTURE OF WORK [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHAT'S THE BENEFIT TO THE CO-OP FOR US JOINING?
>> IN PARTICULAR, AT 781? ALL CO-OPS AGENCIES THAT WE PARTICIPATE WITH SATISFY ANY STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.
THEY DO OFFER A LARGER COMPETITIVE PROCESS.
WHEN WE ISSUE A SOLICITATION, IT'S IN A LOCAL PER SE STATUS, AND THEY HAVE A LARGER AUDIENCE.
WHAT'S THE HOUSE BENEFIT FOR US JOINING? IS THERE A BENEFIT TO YOU GUYS, TO THE CO-OP? [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THERE'S ONE OTHER BENEFIT I WANT TO ELABORATE ON, AND THAT'S THE REVENUE SHARING.
>> LET COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FINISH.
>> THE BENEFIT 2791 AND 2 ARE MEMBERSHIP AT LARGE IS ADDED MEMBERSHIP.
WE ARE A GROUP PURCHASING ORGANIZATION.
THE MORE SCALE, MORE AGENCIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN OUR PURCHASING POOL, DRIVES COST DOWN, DRIVES EFFICIENCY, WHICH ADDS BENEFIT TO THE MEMBERS AND ADDS BENEFIT TO OUR LEAD GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
WE DO, AS MANDATED BY LAW, GENERATE A FEE, USUALLY 1-2%.
>> NO, THE COUNTY, THE MEMBERS NEVER PAY A FEE.
THAT IS GENERATED BY CONTRACT UTILIZATION THROUGH A VENDOR CONTRACT.
>> YOU SAID EXPANDS THE POOL, BUT MS. TORRES, YOU'RE SAYING IF THEY SAY, HEY, WE HAVE THIS, IF WE BECOME A MEMBER, WE CAN CHOOSE TO DO THAT SPECIFIC WHATEVER IT IS OR WE CAN PUT OUT AN RFP, CORRECT?
>> IT MAY OR MAY NOT DRAW A LARGER POOL, BUT THE NOTION IS THAT IT WILL?
>> THE MORE PARTICIPANTS THAT THEY OBTAIN WILL BENEFIT THEIR VENDORS.
>> THE MORE PARTICIPATION THAT THEY RECEIVE FROM THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES GIVE VALUE TO THEIR VENDORS.
>> RIGHT. BUT THEN LET'S SAY BEXAR COUNTY WE JOIN, SO IT MAKES IT A BIGGER POOL, BUT LET'S SAY THE NEXT GO AROUND, WE DECIDE THAT WE WANT TO GO WITH SOMEONE ELSE, SO IT MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE IT A BIGGER POOL DEPENDING ON WHAT? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M ASKING?
>> YES. THERE'S NO MANDATE TO JOIN ANY INDIVIDUAL SOLICITATION.
IT'S AN ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR THE COUNTY.
FOR INSTANCE, YESTERDAY WE ISSUED A SOLICITATION VERDICT FOR TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.
[03:25:04]
WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 10,000 PARTICIPANTS THAT UTILIZE OUR CONTRACTS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.WE ISSUED AN RFP FOR TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND EQUIPMENT YESTERDAY.
WE HAD A POOL OF 641 VENDORS THAT WE ADVERTISE THAT TO.
THAT'S A MUCH LARGER POOL THAN JUST HERE IN BAXER COUNTY.
>> SO THE POOL IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHICH OF YOUR MEMBERS DECIDE TO JOIN IN?
>> CORRECT. YES. THERE'S A MUCH TOTAL NON-FEDERAL PUBLIC SPENDING IN THE UNITED STATES FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, APPROXIMATELY $800 BILLION ANNUALLY.
THAT BY FAR ECLIPSES ANY SINGLE GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
WE'RE JUST CAPTURING LARGE AGGREGATE PURCHASING AND DRIVING VALUE TO LOCAL AGENCIES.
BEXAR COUNTY BENEFITS BY THE DISCOUNTS ASSOCIATED WITH A LARGER PURCHASING POOL, AND EFFICIENCIES AND PROCESS AND TIME.
>> YOUR MEMBERS ARE OUTSIDE OF TEXAS AS WELL?
>> THERE'S MEMBERS INSIDE TEXAS AND OUTSIDE OF TEXAS, WE DO BUSINESS IN ALL 50 STATES, CORRECT.
>> BUT YOU ARE HOUSE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, SO YOU ARE COGNIZANT OF SUPPORTING LOCAL?
>> YES, VERY MUCH SO. OUR OFFICE IS JUST OFF BROADWAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF POOLS, WE'VE GOT 14.
IN MY TIME, I HAVEN'T SEEN THE REVENUE SHARING, SO I THINK THAT'S A BENEFIT TO THIS PARTICULAR COOPERATIVE THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN FROM ANY OTHERS THAT WE ACTUALLY CAN PUT SOMETHING BACK IN OUR GENERAL FUND, AND THEN THE NATIONAL LEVERAGE THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH SUCH A LARGE POTENTIAL POOL.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, IT'S A GREAT WORK SESSION CONVERSATION.
THERE'S ALWAYS A GIVE AND TAKE.
SOMETIMES THERE MAY BE A PROPOSAL FROM THE STAFF ABOUT HOW TO GO ABOUT A PROCESS AND THE CO-OP MAY SAY, WE WANT A DIFFERENT PROCESS, AND THAT'S OKAY, THAT'S WITHIN OUR PURVIEW.
WITH THAT, I'M GOOD WITH MOVING FORWARD.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, JUDGE.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[55. Discussion and appropriate action regarding awarding a contract to the lowest and most responsive bid submitted by Texas Sterling Construction to provide for the purchase of roadway construction services of the Boerne Stage Road Phase II project, in Precinct 3, in the total base bid amount of $9,629,192.77, as requested by the Public Works Department; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file the appropriate award documents for record and approval of the appropriate budget transfer.]
>> DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING AWARDING THE CONTRACT TO THE LOWEST AND MOST RESPONSIVE BID SUBMITTED BY THE TEXAS STERLING CONSTRUCTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURCHASE OF ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES OR THE BOERNE STAGE ROAD PHASE II PROJECT AND PRECINCT 3, AND THE TOTAL BASE BID AMOUNT OF $9,629,192.77 AS REQUESTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE PATSON AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FOLLOW THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER. PROCEED.
GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO THE LOWEST MOST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, TEXAS STERLING, AND THIS IS FOR THE BOERNE STAGE ROAD PHASE II PROJECT IN PRECINCT 3.
THIS SHOWS YOU THE LIMITS OF THE PROJECT.
IT PICKS UP WHERE BOERNE STAGE ROAD PHASE I LEFT OFF AT CROSS MOUNTAIN AND GOES NORTHWEST TO JUST PASSED RIVER RANCH.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU NOTICE, THIS IS A VERY INTRICATE ROADWAY IN THAT IT PARALLELS LEON CREEK, AND SO WE'RE ALWAYS DEALING WITH FLOOD CONTROL ISSUES RELATED TO THAT.
LIKE I SAID, IT WILL GO FROM CROSS MOUNTAIN TO 1,200 FEET OF RIVER RANCH.
IT WILL CONSTRUCT TWO 12-FOOT LANES IN EACH DIRECTION, FIVE FOOT SHOULDERS, AND THE NECESSARY DRAINAGE ALONG WITH CENTER TURN LANES WHERE NEEDED.
IT PROVIDES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CULVERTS AND CHANNEL EXCAVATION WORK.
THE TOTAL PROJECT IS JUST A LITTLE LESS THAN ONE MILE, AND IT WILL ALSO INVOLVE A QUARTER MILE OF CHANNEL WORK REMOVING THE ROADWAY FROM THE EXISTING FLOODPLAIN.
WE BELIEVE THIS CONSTRUCTION WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
THIS IS THE EXISTING TYPICAL SECTION.
YOU CAN SEE THERE'S NO SHOULDERS OR THERE'S VARIOUS SHOULDERS AND THERE'S NO CENTER TURN LANE.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE EXPANDING IT TO, BASICALLY A THREE LANE ROAD WAY THROUGHOUT.
IT IS A $9.6 MILLION PROJECT, 8.3 OF THAT IS THE ROADWAY.
WE DID JOINT BID THIS WITH SAWS AND CPS AND GREY FOREST UTILITIES.
THOSE UPGRADED UTILITIES WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROADWAY.
UNLESS THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, THE REQUESTED ACTION IS A MOTION TO AWARD THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE BIDDER, TEXAS STERLING, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOERNE STAGE ROAD PHASE II PROJECT LOCATED IN PRECINCT 3, IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,629,192.77 AS REQUESTED BY PUBLIC WORKS,
[03:30:07]
AND THE ASSOCIATED BUDGETARY TRANSFER AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE THE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD.>> WELL, THANK YOU, RENEE FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, AND I KNOW WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE INCREASE IN COST.
>> JUST WITH INFLATION, CONSTRUCTION COST ACROSS THE BOARD HAVE HAVE INCREASED.
BUT AS HE ASSURED ME, THESE ADDITIONAL FUNDS WERE COMING FROM WITHIN PRECINCT 3, WE'RE JUST PULLING THEM FORWARD INTO THIS PROJECT SO WE CAN GET IT EXECUTED AND COMPLETED ON TIMELINE.
I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU MOVING FORWARD.
ACTUALLY, COULD YOU JUST GIVE US A QUICK TIMELINE ON STARTED THE PROCESS AND WHEN COMPLETION WILL BE BY?
>> TYPICALLY, AND COMMISSIONER, I KNOW THAT THAT NAOKO, THE PROJECT MANAGER ON MY STAFF THAT'S WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE, SHE LIKES TO SET UP A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING ONCE THE COURT AWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO THE VENDOR, THAT WILL INVOLVE TEXAS STERLING AND WE'LL HAVE SOME INFORMATION FOR THE COMMUNITY OUT THERE.
I KNOW THAT SHE'S WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE TO DO THAT.
TYPICALLY, IT TAKES ABOUT 90 DAYS FOR US. THAT WOULD BE THE QUICKEST.
WE WOULD ACTUALLY START TURNING DIRT AND THAT ASSUMES WE CAN GET A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING SET UP WITH THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE.
>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP ABOUT NAOKO.
OUR OFFICE'S HAPPY TO WORK WITH HER TO HELP HIM SET UP THOSE PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE AREA AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER AND YOUR TEAM ON THIS.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
ARE WE PAYING FOR THE SAWS AND CPS?
>> I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE-CHECK.
>> THAT'S WHY WE'VE BROKEN IT OUT LIKE THAT.
THE ONLY TIME WHERE RESPONSIBLE COMMISSIONER FOR THE RELOCATION OF UTILITIES FOR PAYING FOR THAT IS IF THEY'RE IN A DEDICATED EASEMENT, THERE IN OUR RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THEIR OWN PERIL, SO TO SPEAK AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN WE GET TO RECONSTRUCT, THEY HAVE TO RELOCATE IF THEY'RE IN CONFLICT.
SOMETIMES, HONESTLY, CPS AND SAWS UTILIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO UPGRADE THOSE FACILITIES BECAUSE YOU'D ONLY WANT TO DIG ONCE AND WE DON'T WANT THEM COMING IN AFTER THE FACT.
>> IN TEXAS STERLING, THEY'RE NOT DOING SAWS AND CPSS?
>> YES, THEY'RE DOING ALL THAT WORK.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE AWARDING THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.
NOW, WHEN THE INVOICES COME IN, [NOISE] THE INVOICE IS SEGREGATED BY WHAT IS ROADWAY THAT WE PAY, WHAT IS SAWS WORK THAT THEY PAY IN WHAT IS CPS WORK.
I THINK THAT FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS, SMALL BUSINESSES COULD HAVE HAD.
I LIKE TEXAS EARLY ON THAT I'VE WORKED WITH THEM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF 1604281 INTERCHANGE, BUT SOME OF THOSE COULD HAVE GONE TO A SMALLER BREAKOUT.
I'M GOING TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ON THAT.
>> COMMISSIONER I UNDERSTAND AND WE'VE LOOKED INTO THAT BEFORE, BUT IF YOU RECALL, ONE OF THE ISSUES IS THE GENERAL LIABILITY.
IT'S A TURNKEY PROJECT FOR THE ROAD, SO WE'RE COVERED UNDER TEXAS STERLING'S GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE.
IT'S NOT OUR ROAD UNTIL WE ACCEPT IT AND IF YOU START LOOKING AT TRYING TO GET TO CONTRACTORS OUT THERE AT THE SAME TIME, IT BECOMES A LEGAL NIGHTMARE IN TERMS OF WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IF THERE'S AN INJURY OR AN INSURANCE CLAIM, WHOSE INSURANCE DOES IT GO THROUGH? WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT.
BUT IT'S JUST NEVER A SMART CONSTRUCTION IDEA TO HAVE TWO CONTRACTORS OUT ON THE SAME ROAD PROJECT LIKE THAT.
WE CAN LOOK AT IT AGAIN, BUT THAT'S WHY WE DO THESE.
IT RUN SMOOTHER, IT RUNS FASTER AND IT'S CHEAPER FOR THE COUNTY IN THE LONG RUN.
>> I UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE, MAYBE NOT BE SMOOTHER, DEPENDS ON WHO THE CONTRACT WELL.
>> I KNOW IT'S VERY MUCH SMOOTHER. TRUST ME.
>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHO THE CONTRACTOR IS.
I THINK THAT FOR EXAMPLE, WITH SENATE DOWNTOWN WITH OUR SAN PEDRO CREEK PROJECT.
I THINK THEY'RE DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS FOR US, AREN'T THEY?
>> WELL, AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, TOO AND AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SAN PEDRO CREEK.
THAT'S A QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO GO TO ATTORNEY [INAUDIBLE].
BUT BOTH CPS AND SAWS HAVE APPROVED LIST OF VENDORS THAT CAN DO THEIR WORK AND FIRMS LIKE TEXAS STERLING OR CAPITAL EXCAVATION, WHICH WAS THE SECOND LOWEST BIDDER, THEY'RE ALL APPROVED TO DO THAT WORK.
BUT IF THEY'RE NOT APPROVED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GETTING ON THAT LIST.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK THE COURT CAN LOOK AT IS
[03:35:02]
OUR POTENTIAL BONDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HOW THOSE SYNERGIES CAN BE ACHIEVED AND HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN OTHER CITIES AND COUNTIES.WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THAT PROBLEM CAN BE ADDRESSED AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COURTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED A SECOND.
>> COMMISSIONER MOODY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR THE MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> WE NOW DROPPED DOWN TO ITEM 57,
[57. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Bexar County's Legislative Program for the 118th United States Congress.]
DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING BEAR COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE 118TH UNITED STATES CONGRESS. MICHELLE.>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE OR COMMISSIONERS, MELISSA SHANNON, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.
WHAT THOMAS IS HANDING OUT TO YOU NOW IS THE COMPLETE PACKET, MY ACF PACKET THAT WAS SUBMITTED FOR THIS ITEM.
THE PROPOSED AGENDA, AS WELL AS RIGHT AFTER THAT, IS THE SAME DOCUMENT, BUT IN A RED LINE FORMAT.
YOU CAN SEE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE BASED ON OFFICES OR BASED ON COMMISSIONERS OFFICES CONTACTING ME TO MAKE CHANGES.
HOW THESE ITEMS OR EVEN BROUGHT FORTH THESE ARE ITEMS THAT I AM PROPOSING TO YOU.
THESE ARE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO ME BY OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS.
THESE ARE ITEMS THAT YOU OR YOUR STAFF HAVE BROUGHT TO ME.
THIS IS A CONGLOMERATION LACK OF A BETTER TERM.
LAST CONGRESSIONAL CYCLE AGENDA AND THEN NEW ITEMS THAT MAY HAVE CAME UP OR EDITS THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE.
>> JUDGE, REAL QUICK. MELISSA. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, I ASSUME YOU ALSO GET FEEDBACK FROM OUR FEDERAL TEAM.
>> YES. THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT TOO.
THERE ARE SOME EDITS HERE FROM THE FEDERAL TEAM. THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
>> THE DRAFT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR ACTION ON TODAY, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> THEY'RE BOTH THE SAME DOCUMENT, SO ONE'S JUST TO CLEAN VERSION AND THEN I WANTED YOU ALL TO BE, YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO BE ABLE BECAUSE THIS IS THE DOCUMENT THAT I HAD BEEN EMAILING OUT.
THE RED LINE IS THE EXACT SAME DOCUMENT JUST IN A RED LINE VERSION SO YOU COULD SEE WHERE THE CHANGES WE'RE MODIFYING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE ARE SAYING A LOT AND ALMOST SAYING NOTHING AT THE SAME TIME AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS MORE SPECIFICITY AS TO THE EARMARK.
WE CAN'T ALWAYS GET AN EARMARK. THAT'S JUST MY OPENING SALVO.
THERE'S A LOT HERE, BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW IT'S ACTIONABLE BY A CONGRESSPERSON.
>> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. I THINK IT'S MORE OF THE COURT EXPRESSING OUR PRIORITIES AND WHAT WE VALUE IN A SENSE, BUT IT'S THE SAME THING WE DO AT THE STATE.
MAYBE THE STATE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC.
I KNOW COMMISSIONER, YOU MENTIONED EARMARKS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH MELISSA AND HER TEAM AS WELL.
THIS PROGRAM IT'S GIVEN TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS, THEY LIKE TO SEE WHERE WE STAND ON CERTAIN ISSUES.
I THINK IT'S MORE OF, I'D HATE TO SAY SYMBOLIC BECAUSE THERE'S NOT SPECIFIC ACTS IN HERE.
>> IT'S AN OPENING DIALOGUE I WOULD SAY, AND IT ALLOWS STAFF THEN TO HAVE THOSE MEETINGS.
WE KNOW WHAT YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ARE, AND THEN IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE FEEL IS OUT OF OUR SCOPE OR OUT OF THE CONSULTANTS OR CONTRACT LOBBYISTS' SCOPE, THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD COME BACK TO YOU ALL AND ASK YOU TO ACT ON A SPECIFIC ITEM.
>> THIS IS PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE [OVERLAPPING] THE LAST FEW YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON THIS, MELISSA.
THERE MAY BE SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION, BUT I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THIS.
>> THERE'S A MOTION TO SECOND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
>> JUDGE, I THINK IT DOES NEED A WORK SESSION TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
THE WORK SESSION IS REALLY AROUND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES.
[03:40:01]
WE HAVE HUGE AMOUNTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS AND OTHER THINGS THROUGH DEPARTMENTS.WE NEED TO REALLY HAVE OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL IDENTIFY THOSE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES ALONG WITH OUR CONGRESSPEOPLE.
THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT SCOURING THE.GOV WEBSITE AND DETERMINING THAT THIS DEPARTMENT HAS DOLLARS FOR THIS AND THE OTHERS.
I THINK IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO ADVANCE LEVERAGE FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
ACTUALLY BORE INTO THE DEPARTMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND REALLY INITIATE THE PROCESS WITH THE CONGRESSPEOPLE ON AS SPECIFIC AS OBJECTIVE AS WE CAN GET.
I KNOW IT SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT PIE IN THE SKY AND THERE MAY BE A PRIORITIZATION THERE, BUT I DON'T FEEL AS IF WE'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF THE TRILLIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED IN THESE ACTS OUT OF THE PANDEMIC UNLESS WE REALLY GO AFTER SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
THIS IS MY OVERALL THOUGHT GOING FORWARD.
>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY AND I AGREE IN PART, COMMISSIONER, BUT I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN VISITING WITH OUR FEDERAL TEAM BECAUSE, I THINK COMMISSIONER MOODY YOU'RE GOING AS WELL.
I THINK THE JUDGE WAS GOING TO GO BEFORE HIS INJURY NEXT WEEK TO [INAUDIBLE] DC.
THERE ARE SOME VERY SPECIFIC ASKS THAT I THINK COMMISSIONER MOODY AND I HAVE MEETINGS ON NEXT WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
I'M HAPPY TO VISIT ABOUT SOME OF THOSE MEETINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP AND PERHAPS MELISSA, YOU CAN CIRCULATE WHERE SOME OF THOSE SPECIFIC ASKS ARE, WHAT DEPARTMENTS WE'RE MEETING IN? I THINK COMMISSIONER MOODY IS GOING TO THE PENTAGON IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, BUT I DO THINK THERE HAS BEEN SOME VERY FOCUSED ASKS THAT WE'RE HOPING TO FOLLOW UP ON NEXT WEEK WHEN WE'RE IN WASHINGTON FOR THE [INAUDIBLE] IN DC.
>> MAYBE WE CAN ELABORATE NOW ON WHAT THOSE PROJECTS ARE.
>> I'M GOING TO ASK THOMAS TO COME UP BECAUSE SINCE I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN, THOMAS HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON THE SPECIFIC TRIP NEXT WEEK.
>> POINT OF ORDER. MR. ROBINSON, ARE WE'RE GOING PASSED THE ITEMIZED ON 57 WITH THIS DISCUSSION OR NOT?
>> WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC DISCUSSION YOU WANTED? JUDGE, THE STANDARD IS WHETHER IT'S GERMANE TO THE ITEM, AND IT'S PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, IT MAY FIT WITHIN THAT AS LONG AS THERE'S NO ACTION.
>> IF I MAY, JUDGE, I THINK THAT THEY CAN GIVE US A QUICK UPDATE.
WE'RE NOT TAKING ACTION ON ANYTHING BUT WHAT IS ON THE TABLE ALREADY.
LARRY, I THINK THEY CAN GIVE US SOME QUICK UPDATE NO ACTION ON SPECIFIC EARMARKS FOR NEXT WEEK.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO BRIEF US ON.
>> JUDGE, I THINK THAT'S WITHIN THE SCOPE OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY DISCUSSION.
>> [INAUDIBLE], AND THEN I CAN ADVISE THE COUNCIL.
>> YES, WORKING WITH THE STAFF OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS TO TRY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE COULD GO UP AND ASK FOR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS.
WE'VE IDENTIFIED A FEW PROJECTS HERE, SPECIFIC PROJECTS, THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH.
ONE, AS YOU RECALL, BIBLIOTECH [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE JUST SHOWED Y'ALL MAYBE TWO, THREE COURT MEETINGS AGO.
THERE'S A NEED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT ON THAT PROJECT, INCLUDING PARKING FOR THE USERS OF THAT FACILITY.
WE HAVE AN EARMARK IN PARTICULAR FOR THAT PROJECT.
WE ALSO IDENTIFIED THROUGH OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, AND THIS WOULD BE IN PRECINCT 1, COMMISSIONER, THE SOUTH SAN CIVIC CENTER, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADA IMPROVEMENTS OUT OF THAT FACILITY.
IF YOU RECALL, FIVE DAYS OUT OF THE WEEK THAT IS USED AS THE NUTRITION CENTER FOR OUR SENIORS.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AND ASK FOR 750K TO HELP WITH SOME OF THOSE ADA IMPROVEMENTS AS IDENTIFIED BY STAFF.
WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR TWO SPECIFIC REQUESTS.
ONE IS THE LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.7MILL THAT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING TO ADVOCATE FOR AGAIN, AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH URBAN AND HOUSING NEEDS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER.
THAT'S FOR THE LAND BAKING COUNTYWIDE?
>> CORRECT. I KNOW STAFF HAS IDENTIFIED PARTNERS INCLUDING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
I DON'T KNOW IF ROBERT'S STILL AROUND OR DAVID'S HERE.
LASTLY, ONE OF THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE WANT TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF IS OUR TEXAS FEDERATION OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, TEXAS FAME AS YOU ALL KNOW IT,
[03:45:01]
AS WELL AS THE TEXAS EDUCATION ACCELERATED SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM.AGAIN, WE'RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY TWO MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ASK TO CONTINUE TO HELP THAT BOOTCAMP-STYLE PROGRAM.
AGAIN, THE PURPOSE OF THAT PROJECT [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M SORRY I COULDN'T HEAR. TO CONTINUE TO HELP WHAT PROGRAM?
>> THE TEXAS FAME AND TEXAS FAST PROGRAMS THAT DAVID MARQUEZ'S TEAM HELPS OPERATE.
THE PROJECT IS TO SCALE THAT UP, COMMISSIONERS, FOR ADDITIONAL MECHATRONICS POSITIONS IN 2023 IN ORDER TO SERVE THEIR CURRENT DEMAND AND SKILLS TRAINING.
I KNOW THAT WE HAD ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE WERE TRYING TO WORK WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND THROUGH OUR CONSULTANTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, SOME OF THOSE REQUESTS UNDER LABOR AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR US TO ADVOCATE FOR.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HEARD WHEN WORKING WITH YOUR STAFF WAS HOMELESSNESS ISSUES AS WELL AS HOMELESS VETERANS ISSUES, JUDGE.
WE HAD TRIED TO WORK WITH OUR MILITARY SERVICE OFFICE TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES.
WE WORKED WITH PRECINCT 2 ON A HAVEN FOR HOPE EARMARK REQUEST, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT GOT KICKED BACK, COMMISSIONER.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SPECIFIC REQUESTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO, AGAIN, HUSTLE TO TRY TO IDENTIFY SOME PROJECTS.
THAT PROCESS STARTED BACK IN NOVEMBER, COMMUNICATED WITH DEPARTMENTS AND YOUR OFFICES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES MIGHT HAVE.
AGAIN, WE'VE TRIED TO HUSTLE HERE THE LAST FEW WEEKS TO IDENTIFY SOME PROJECTS AND WORK WITH OUR TEAMS TO SIEVE THROUGH THOSE.
>> THOMAS, I HEARD THROUGH A BIRDIE THAT BROOKS WAS PART OF THIS.
WAS THAT THROUGH THE TEXAS FAME AND FAST?
>> I'M GOING TO ASK WALTER TO COME UP.
HE HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.
>> COMMISSIONER, GOOD MORNING. THIS IS [INAUDIBLE].
FOR THE RECORD, I REPRESENT YOU ALL IN THE FEDERAL LOBBYING SIDE ALONG WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] GROUP.
AS WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, IT WAS A DIFFICULT PROCESS BECAUSE WE HAD A CHANGE IN HOUSE LEADERSHIP, AS YOU KNOW, AND CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS WERE WAITING FOR THE NEW RULES TO COME OUT.
FIRST, THERE WAS TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY-FUNDED PROJECTS LAST YEAR EARMARKS GOING AWAY COMPLETELY.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS GOT TOGETHER AND DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO IT.
BUT THEN THEY DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO DO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IN MILLIKAN. THEY WERE GOING TO CUT IT BACK.
THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE THOSE TWO APPROPRIATION BILLS BACK AND NOT ALLOW US TO PUT THOSE INTO PLAY.
WE HAD TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS QUICKLY BECAUSE WE HAD A TWO-WEEK WINDOW.
I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER MOODY SUBMITTED A VETERANS' EARMARK.
HE WAS TRYING TO GET A COMMUNITY-FUNDED PROJECT THAT HAD TO DO WITH TRANSPORTATION, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE MILITARY APPROPRIATIONS BILL, WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SERVE THAT.
WE CHANGED GEARS PRETTY QUICKLY.
WE WERE ABLE TO FIND FOUR WITH THE HELP OF DAVID MARQUEZ FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME INVESTED ALREADY.
I BELIEVE IT'S IN YOUR DISTRICT, COMMISSIONER.
ON THE BROOKS CAMPUS, WE HAVE THIS TEX FAME FACILITY THAT YOU'VE PARTNERED WITH BROOKS BY BUYING A PIECE OF LAND OUT THERE AND DOING SOME MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. WE DECIDED [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M SORRY. YOU'RE SAYING THE EXPANSION OF TWO MILLION IS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND?
>> NO. WELL, WHAT IT IS YOU HAVE A PARTNERSHIP THAT YOU'RE DEVELOPING.
THE COUNTIES WENT AHEAD AND PUT IN PURCHASE THE LAND.
THIS IS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM.
THIS WAS DAVE [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE I HAVE DAVE [INAUDIBLE] COME UP.
BUT I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE AS WELL TOO THAT THESE ARE APPROPRIATION REQUEST THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO EACH OFFICE.
WE'VE PUT ONE INTO QSR, WE PUT ONE INTO CONGRESS ENQUIRER BECAUSE THAT'S IN HIS DISTRICT.
WE PUT TWO INTO CASTRO AND THESE AREN'T DONE DEALS YET BECAUSE ACROSS THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, THERE'S OTHER AGENCIES PUTTING IN THESE APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS.
IF YOU HAVE A MOMENT AND WE SEND YOU THE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE COMMUNITY FUNDED PROJECTS, WE'D ASK THAT YOU CONTACT THE CONGRESSWOMEN AND SAY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR DISTRICT.
I KNOW ABOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL HAVE ONE IN YOUR DISTRICT, THE EXCEPTION OF COMMISSION MOODY BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PUT THAT THE VETERANS ARE REQUESTING.
BUT THIS IS PART OF THE PROCESS.
IT'S NOT GUARANTEED THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST.
THEY STILL HAVE TO GO TO SOME OF THEIR REQUESTS AND DECIDE WHICH ONE.
THEY ONLY GET 15 EACH PER OFFICE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO WITH THAT PROCESS.
BUT I'LL LET I THINK DAVID'S HERE.
HERE'S DAVID, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEKING.
[03:50:01]
OUR TEXAS FAME PROGRAM HAS BEEN IDENTIFYING, WORKING WITH A VARIETY OF PARTNERS, BUT MOSTLY WITH OUR MEMBER COMPANIES.OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WE NEED TO PRODUCE ABOUT 455 NEW MECHATRONICS SKILLED PEOPLE INTO THE WORKFORCE IN ORDER TO MEET THE CURRENT AND PROJECTED DEMAND.
WITH OUR PROGRAM AND THE PROGRAM AT ST.
PHILLIPS WILL BE FALLING SHORT PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.
THEY'RE ADDING ADDITIONAL CAPACITY AT PALO ALTO, I APOLOGIZE.
I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME.
I CAN CERTAINLY GET THOSE TO YOU.
BUT OUR FIRST PROGRAM IS THE MECHATRONICS PROGRAM THAT IS A 10-WEEK BOOT CAMP STYLE PROGRAM THAT WE CURRENTLY RUN AT BROOKS.
I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE BEEN AT THEIR CURRENT COMMISSIONER MOODY YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE AS WELL.
IT'S VERY EFFICIENT, VERY LEAN FOR OUR POPULATIONS THAT WE SERVE.
WE'RE ABLE TO SERVE A LOT OF RE-ENTRY POPULATION.
WE SERVE SOME OF THE INCUMBENT UPSKILLING POPULATION.
IT'S VERY EFFECTIVE PROGRAM FOR US.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SCALE THAT BY PUTTING A LOCATION IN THE EAST SIDE AND ON THE WEST SIDE AND IN THE FUTURE, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE AREAS IN PRECINCT 3 THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS, THAT WOULD HELP US TO OVERCOME ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS WE HAVE WORKING AT BROOKS WHICH IS NOT CENTRAL TO MANY OF OUR POPULATION THAT WE WANT TO SERVE.
THE REQUESTS FOR 1.6 MILLION INITIALLY WAS TO SCALE THAT UP BY ADDING TWO NEW FACILITIES.
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BROOKS FACILITY. WE'VE OUTGROWN IT.
IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT AT SOME POINT, THEN I'M TALKING ABOUT THE EXISTING FACILITY THAT WE'RE LEASING.
WE DO HAVE ON THE BOOKS CAPITAL TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY FOR TEXAS PAYMENT BROOKS, AGAIN, WORKING WITH OUR FAME LEADERSHIP, WE'RE LOOKING TO PROBABLY DEFER THAT FOR A YEAR OR TWO.
THAT'S NOT BEEN WIDELY REPORTED YET, BUT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THOSE NUMBERS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST OPTION FORWARD.
OUR SINGULAR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET ENOUGH WORKERS INTO THIS SPACE SO THAT WE DON'T STUNT THE GROWTH OF OUR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
IT WOULDN'T HURT TO COMPANIES THAT ARE HERE ALREADY FOR BOTH OUR COMPANIES.
>> BUT WHAT'S THE SQUARE FOOTAGE FOOTPRINT FOR THIS FUNDING?
>> THREE TO 5,000 LEASE ON THE LEASE SPACE FOR OUR FAST PROGRAM.
>> WELL, I MEAN [OVERLAPPING].
>> FOR THE 2 MILLION FOR THE EAST AND WEST SIDE?
>> EACH OF THOSE WOULD BE COMPARABLE TO WHAT WE HAVE AT BROOKS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN TO OUR BROOKS FACILITY YET, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO REPLICATE THAT TWO MORE TIMES AND POSSIBLY THREE MORE TIME.
>> WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE $17 MILLION FACILITY.
REMEMBER THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT SMALLER [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHICH IS HOW MUCH SQUARE FOOTAGE ROUGHLY?
>> THIRTY THOUSAND SQUARE FEET.
>> THIRTY THOUSAND, NOW IT INCLUDES TWO OTHER MAJOR PROGRAMS PLUS A PLACE FOR ADDITIONAL GROWTH IN THE FUTURE.
THAT INCLUDES A TOOL TECHNICIAN PROGRAM, WHICH IS A FULL-BLOWN MACHINE SHOP MACHINIST PROGRAM, AS WELL AS A FULL WELDING PROGRAM FOR MANUFACTURING STYLE WELDING, AS WELL AS THAT'S ALSO A SUBSET OF A MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT ABLE TO APPLY.
>> I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO'S WORKING OUT OF THE ETSY, THE E SITE TRAINING.
THEY'RE LARGELY UNUTILIZED IN THAT OLD ELEMENTARY, OUT OF FIVE ELEMENTARY.
I DON'T KNOW, I BELIEVE I VISITED [INAUDIBLE] AS A MEMBER OF LA PRENSA BOARD.
WE WERE BASED IN THE WESTSIDE TRAINING INFORMATION CENTER, SO THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE THERE.
BUT MY CONCERN IS JUST LEVERAGE.
DO WE REALLY NEED TO BUY A NEW BUILDING WHEN WE'VE GOT POTENTIALLY A SPACE AT ETSY OR [INAUDIBLE], I GUESS THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT.
WE DID LOOK AT ETSY ON THE SOUTH SIDE AS ONE OF THOSE THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE A FACILITY WILL BE LOOKING AT AS WELL [OVERLAPPING].
FOR THE MECHATRONICS PROGRAM, FOR THE BOOTCAMP PROGRAM, YES, IT CAN GO INTO THOSE.
FOR MACHINE SHOP AND THE OTHERS IN THOSE FACILITIES OR NOT, WE WOULD WIND UP DOING SO MUCH RETROFITTING, IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT TO BUILD.
>> WELL, LET'S GO INTO FURTHER DETAIL.
THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS AT THAT INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS HAVE PROPOSED AND I DON'T KNOW.
DO WE HAVE MELISSA THE SAME POLICY ON FEDERAL THAT WE ALL VOTE ON? WE HAVE TO ALL AGREE IN ORDER FOR OUR LOBBYISTS AND OUR TEAM TO LOBBY AS WE DO ON THE STAGE.
>> THAT WAS ALWAYS MELISSA SHANNON POLICY, MY PERSONAL POLICY THAT I LIKED TO HAVE A 5-0, SO THEN I WAS ABLE TO SAY WHATEVER IT WAS I WAS WORKING ON STATE AND/OR FEDERAL THAT I HAD BUY-IN FROM THE FULL COMMISSIONERS COURT.
>> ON THE STATE PROGRAM, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THERE'S SEVERAL ITEMS THAT IT'S NOT A 5-0.
THAT WAS ALWAYS MY PERSONAL POLICY.
>> THAT'S NOT REALLY WRITTEN. FAIR ENOUGH.
WELL, IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SMORGASBORD OF MESS, BUT A LOT OF GOOD WORK, A LOT OF GOOD PROJECTS.
[03:55:01]
BUT I THINK THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THE POLICY THAT YOU PUT FORWARD EARLIER ON THE TIME CERTAIN HELPS CLARIFY. THANK YOU.>> LET ME HAVE COMMISSIONER MOONEY AND THEN I HAVE SOME COMMENTS.
>> I DID HAVE A COMMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE ESSAY TO DC IN ADVOCATING SPECIFICALLY ON THESE ISSUES.
I'VE BEEN OUT-OF-POCKET FOR A FEW DAYS HERE, COMING BACK AND CATCHING UP WITH MY TEAM.
BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A FULL LIST OF THE ITEMS YOU JUST LAID OUT, BUT AS WE'RE GETTING READY TO HEAD UP TO DC, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BRIEFING ON THAT AND BETTER UNDERSTAND ALL THOSE ISSUES, WHICH MEETINGS WE'RE GOING TO PLAY IN AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
>> NOW THAT'S A PERFECT SEGUE, COMMISSIONER.
IN FACT, WHERE WE HAVE A MEETING THIS AFTERNOON WITH YOUR STAFF AND STAFF OF COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND [INAUDIBLE] SO WE COULD GO THROUGH THAT ITINERARY, MAKING SURE WE TIGHTEN IT UP SO THAT WE NEED TO START PRODUCING OUR DOCUMENTS AND OUR HANDOUTS FOR LEAD BEHIND.
WE HAVE THAT SCHEDULED AND WE'RE HOPING TO NARROW DOWN YOUR ITINERARY HERE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, TODAY OR TOMORROW, AS WELL AS YOUR ITINERARY FOR ESSAY TO DC, BUT THE CHAMBER MEETINGS.
>> LET ME MAKE SOME COMMENTS. FIRST, I WANT TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER MOODY WITH HIS INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS THE MILITARY NEEDS OF OUR VETERANS, ESPECIALLY THE HOMELESS ISSUE.
THAT'S PROBABLY NUMBER 1, ON MY LIST.
I'M NOW HEARING A PROJECT THAT DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO THAT.
THAT GOES TO THE ISSUE THAT I RAISED WHEN I OPENED THIS MEETING.
WHY WAS IT WHERE'S THE OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY? WHY AM I BEING TOLD RIGHT NOW, JUDGE, WE GOT A REALLY GREAT PROJECT, WHICH I'M SURE IT IS.
THE OTHER THING I'LL MAKE A COMMENT IS THIS IS THE JUDGE IN ME, THIS IS THE LAWYER IN ME.
YOU'VE LISTED EVERYTHING THAT INITIATIVE COMMISSIONER MOODY, REALLY, I'VE LOOKED AT EVERY ITEM.
IT COULD FIT IN THERE, BUT DOESN'T GIVE IT ANY POROSITY.
YES, NOTHING TO DO WITH VETERANS AND NOT TO DEAL WITH THEIR SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH.
I REALLY WANT A REAL DISCUSSION.
I PREPARED TO VOTE NO ON THIS MOTION.
NOW, IF YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME THERE'S A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND WE'RE GOING TO, IT'S GOING TO CREATE SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE PERHAPS I NEED TO HEAR RIGHT NOW.
BUT I AM NOT PREPARED TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS NOW.
WE NEED AN EMERGENCY HEARING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF THIS IS THE WAY THINGS HAVE OPERATED, WHY DO WE NEED THIS? WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO OUR LOBBYISTS THAT ARE CARRYING THE BALL, I GET IT, I AM NOT TAKING ANY SHOTS AT THE LOBBYISTS.
BUT I WANT THIS DOCUMENT TO SPEAK FOR ME, AND IT JUST DOES IT.
I STARTED THIS PROCESS ON JANUARY 20TH, AND HERE I AM, MARCH 21ST TRYING TO GET IT SETTLED SO THAT'S WHAT I WILL SAY IN MY DEFENSE AND MY TEAM'S DEFENSE.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING AND I CAN'T GET TO A PLACE TO TIE IT IN A BOAT, SO THAT'S WHAT I WILL SAY ABOUT THAT.
BUT I DO KNOW THAT WALTER HAS SOME ADD-ONS FOR THE WHY WE DO THE LANGUAGE THE WAY WE DO SO.
JUDGMENT, POLICE COURTS SO WHAT I WILL TELL YOU, JUDGES, THAT MOST FEDERAL AGENDAS ARE NOT SPECIFIC IN NATURE.
BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATE AND YOU LOOK AT THE FEDERAL AGENDAS, THE STATE HAS SIX MONTHS TO DO THEIR WORK.
EVERY OTHER YEAR THEY GET TOGETHER IT'S VERY SPECIFIC, THE GOVERNMENT COMES AND SAYS, HERE ARE MY PRIORITIES.
HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND GET PAST, BUT TO PUT A BILL ON THE FLOOR THAT SAYS THIS, WOULD YOU-ALL CAN TAKE POSITIONS ON THOSE THINGS.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES YEARS TO GET THEIR WORK DONE AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T GET MUCH DONE, WE KNOW THAT.
WHEN YOU HAVE A FEDERAL AGENDA IT'S A HIGH LEVEL FEDERAL AGENDA.
IT'S UP TO US TO BRING YOU A GRANT THAT HAS TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS AND SAY, HEY, DO YOU ALL WANT TO BID ON THIS OR DO YOU ALL WANT TO SUBMIT THIS GRANT? THERE'S A BILL THAT MAY AFFECT THE COUNTY AND THEIR FUNDING.
THEY MAY TAKE AWAY SOME OF THEIR FUNDING.
WE BRING IT TO YOU AND WE BRING IT BEFORE YOU AND SAY, WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON THIS BILL? THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
THIS IS A HIGH-LEVEL POINT WHERE WE START AND THEN AS CONGRESS BEGINS TO EVOLVE OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS, WE BRING YOU BACK THOSE ITEMS AND WE SAY, JUDGE, CAN YOU TAKE A POSITION ON THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT CAN YOU TAKE A POSITION ON THIS? THE SAME THING YOU CAN COME BACK TO US AND SAY,
[04:00:01]
WALTER AND THE TEAM AND MELISSA AND THOMAS, GO FIND ME SOME GRANTS ON HOMELESSNESS.AS PART OF THIS TRIP TO DC, WE'RE GOING TO GO VISIT WITH THE VETERANS AFFAIR TO TALK ABOUT HOMELESS IS WE'RE GOING TO GO TALK WITH THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE WHEN IT COMES TO MAYBE FORENSIC BEDS AND WHAT GRANTS CAN WE GET OUT THAT IT'S A FACT-FINDING MISSION? THIS DOCUMENT IS MORE OF A HIGH-LEVEL GUIDELINE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GO THERE.
I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT JUST TALKED ABOUT WELL, MAYBE THIS POSSIBLE WORK SESSION.
I THINK IT'D BE GOOD TO PASS THE AGENDA TODAY.
WE CAN STILL HAVE THAT WORK SESSION, THE FUTURE JUDGE, TO DRILL DOWN ON WHAT GRANTS PROGRAMS DO YOU WANT TO GO CHASE NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY THEY'LL STILL BE YOUR REMARKS.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE BIGGER MARKS YOU WANT TO GO CHASE.
UNFORTUNATELY, YOU TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY.
THESE THINGS MOVE PRETTY FAST IN THE CONGRESSIONAL CYCLE FOR EARMARKS BECAUSE THE CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS HAVE DEADLINES TO ON THESE EARMARKS.
BY MARCH 31ST, MOST OF THEM HAVE TO TURN ALL THEIR PAPERWORK INTO APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES ARE THERE OUT.
WE HAD CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS CALLING US AND SAYING, WHERE'S YOUR EARMARK, WHAT IS YOUR APPROPRIATION REQUEST.
THIS WAS AFTER THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
BUT LET ME [INAUDIBLE] I'VE GOT TO THOSE COSTS FROM THE CONGRESS I'M SURE EVERYBODY ELSE MIGHT GET THOSE CALLS.
I'VE GIVEN THEM FEEDBACK, AND MY FEEDBACK IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THIS.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY I STAND ON MY POSITION.
IN MY DEFENSE SO I'M THE COUNTIES REPRESENTATIVE.
ULTIMATELY, IT'S MY NECK THAT'S ON THE LINE FOR STATE AND FEDERAL INITIATIVES.
THAT'S I NEED TO KNOW WHERE ALL THE COMMISSIONERS STAND AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW YOU ALL STAND AS A GROUP BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I'M GOING IN ADVOCATING ON THE COURTS BEHALF, THE COUNTIES BEHALF.
BUT I ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHERE YOU, AS INDIVIDUAL, STAND BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO STEP ON ANY LAND LINES.
IF I SEE I'M ABOUT TO STEP, I'M NOT GOING TO STEP ON IT KNOWINGLY, I'M GOING TO COME BACK AND SAY, JUDGE, THIS, I'M BEING ASKED TO DO THIS, AND I'M GOING TO DO ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY BECAUSE THAT'S THE MAJORITY VOTE, BUT IT MAY NOT LOOK TOO FAVORABLY.
THAT'S MY FRUSTRATION, I'M THE ONE THAT'S ON THE LINE FOR THIS, SO I NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOUR DIRECTION IS.
NOT WALTER, NOT THOMAS SO I'M FRUSTRATED AS AN EMPLOYEE BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW.
I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE INFORMED, MELISSA, IT IS REPRESENTING TO OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON THAT WE HAVE A PROGRAM AND THESE ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR OUR COUNTY.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT IN LIGHT OF THIS TRIP NEXT WEEK, WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST, JUDGE, IS THAT I KNOW THIS IS A FRAMEWORK AND WE CAN ALWAYS ADD SOMETHING LATER.
PERHAPS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE ADD SOME LANGUAGE-RELATED TO VETERANS, HOMELESSNESS.
IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN WORK UP AND ADD IT TO THIS.
I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE GO NOT JUST FOR THE EARMARK REQUESTS, BUT THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST A PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK FOR A LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHOW THAT AS WE HAVE THESE MEETINGS, THOMAS [INAUDIBLE] IN ADDITION TO THAT COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE, HERE YOU WORKING WITH MATTHEW.
WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL CONSULTANTS TO GET THOSE MEETINGS AS WALTER MENTIONED.
MATTHEW HAD MENTIONED TO ME, FEW OF YOUR PRIORITY AREAS.
WE'VE ALREADY TURNED THAT INTO OUR FEDERAL TEAMS SO THAT THEY COULD WORK WITH THOSE DEPARTMENTS, FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS, HOMELESSNESS WAS HIGH ON THAT PRIORITY AS WELL AS THE EPA MATTERS.
WE HAVE RECEIVED THAT FEEDBACK FROM MATTHEW AND WE ARE WORKING ON THOSE TWO ADDRESS SOME OF YOUR PRIORITY TO JUDGE SO THOSE WOULD BE SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK THAT AS STAFF, MATTHEW AND MYSELF WILL BE GOING AND HAVING THOSE MEETINGS TO COMMUNICATE SOME OF YOUR INITIATIVES.
>> YEAH. I DO WANT TO JUST SAY SOMETHING.
MORE OF THE FEDERAL LEVERAGE THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, IT NEEDS TO BE REPRESENTED IN THE SPECIFICS WE NEED TO ARRANGE IF WE NEED TO GO AND LOBBY AS WELL.
I FIND THE SA TO DC A WASTE OF TIME BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY PEOPLE THERE AND IT'S JUST LIKE PARTIES.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT IS TO HOLD OUR LOBBYING TEAM AND OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS TEAM ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY ONE OF THESE SECTORS.
IF WE'RE GOING TO NAME THESE THINGS, WHICH ARE LIKE GOBLET GOO RIGHT NOW,
[04:05:02]
IT'S LIKE THE JUDGE SAID, WE SAY A BUNCH OF WORDS, BUT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.THEN WE NEED TO HAVE THE WORK SESSIONS TO SAY ON AIR QUALITY, WE KNOW THAT EPA, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ETC., ETC., HAS THESE GRANTS AND WE'RE GOING TO APPLY FOR THESE THINGS AND WE HOLD THE TEAM ACCOUNTABLE FOR DELIVERING ON THOSE PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS AND THOSE PARTICULAR THINGS.
I THINK THE ENVIRONMENT IS A VERY HUGE ISSUE.
THE FORBES MAGAZINE, I WAS JUST READING A REPORT ABOUT A GLOBAL REPORT THAT WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO HITTING THE 1.5 DEGREE POINT OF NO RETURN.
HOW WE TALK ABOUT THAT THROUGH HEALTH CARE, THROUGH CREEKS, THROUGH PARKS, THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS I THINK IS IMPORTANT.
WE NEED TO WORK TO GET DOWN TO THE MEAT POTATOES, BECAUSE OPPORTUNITY IS SO GREAT, BUT THE RETURN IS VERY SMALL FROM WHAT I CAN SEE.
YES, WE HAVE TO SAY WE CAN'T NECESSARILY GET GET EVERYTHING, BUT IT'S A BACK-AND-FORTH WITH THE CONGRESSPEOPLE TO GET THEM TO GET THEIR INPUT TO BECAUSE I THINK THEIR STAFFS ARE IMPORTANT TO TELL US.
WE HAVE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AMONGST THE DELEGATION AND MAYBE WE NEED TO RIDE WITH THE COMMITTEES AND WHO HAS THE GREATEST SENIORITY AND ALL THAT THING AMONGST THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO GET THE EARMARK OR WHATEVER WAY WE CALL IT.
BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT I LEARNED ABOUT EVERYONE'S EARMARKS BECAUSE I ASKED AND THEY'RE GREAT.
I'M NOT GOING TO SAY I'M AGAINST THEM.
I'M NOT GOING TO BLOCK ANY COMMISSIONER FROM GETTING THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, BUT THAT'S NOT REPRESENTED IN THE DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US.
>> GO AHEAD. YOU CAN RESPOND. I HAVE QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS.
>> COMMISSIONER, AGAIN, AND I'LL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.
WE'RE MOVING AT THE REQUESTS OF OUR DELEGATION TO TRY TO GET THESE EARMARKS.
IN FACT, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE GOTTEN EARMARKS THROUGH AT THIS TIME.
WITH THAT FOUR OR FIVE EARMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, WITH THE HELP OF STAFF.
>> BUT YOU-ALL DIDN'T KNOW THAT AMY AND CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR, WE HAD GIVEN A BUNCH OF EARMARKS.
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT WE'VE ALSO PROVIDED SOME OF EARMARKS.
I DON'T HAVE THE FULL LIST HERE.
>> THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU-ALL COULD COMMUNICATE THAT WITH US BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY WOULD NEED THAT AND IT WOULD HELP US.
>> BECAUSE THEN MY TEAM IS IN LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF THE EARMARKS AND MY COURT DOESN'T KNOW, AND ANYWAY, IT'S JUST MESSY.
>> THAT FEEDBACK WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TOO.
>> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER. IT'S A TWO-WAY STREET.
I GET THE SAME CALLS FROM CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR AND CASAR AND I JUST TRY TO FUNNEL THOSE BACK THROUGH OUR GR FUNCTION BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S HOW WE SHOW A UNITED FRONT.
BUT AGAIN, EARMARKS WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE. THEY'RE BACK.
THIS IS A PROCESS THAT'S ONGOING AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE TRIED TO GET THESE CONSOLIDATED, BUT WE ALSO CAN'T ASK FOR 20 DIFFERENT THINGS.
AS YOU MENTIONED, WE ASKED FOR SOME THINGS DIDN'T QUALIFY BECAUSE WE WERE ALSO GETTING CALLS FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND I THINK, JUDGE, HAVEN FOR HOPE PROBABLY CALLED YOU. THEY CALLED ME.
WE TRY TO GET SOMETHING IN FOR THEM, JUST DIDN'T QUALIFY.
I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO IMPROVE THAT PROCESS, EARMARKS SEPARATELY.
BUT I DO THINK THIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WHICH IS AGAIN, I THINK JUST A FRAMEWORK, IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> WELL, AND ONE MORE THING I'D LIKE TO ADD TOO FOR THE RECORD IS THE EARMARK CONVERSATION STARTED IN NOVEMBER.
I KNOW THAT WAS BEFORE JUDGE SAKAI WAS HERE AND BEFORE COMMISSIONER MOODY WERE HERE, BUT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET EARMARK DIRECTION.
IN STAFF'S DEFENSE, THERE'S ONLY SO MANY TIMES AND ONLY SO MANY WAYS YOU CAN ASK AND YOU JUST HAVE TO MOVE.
NOW THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT, IS THOMAS IS IN THE PREDICAMENT OF HAVING TO PULL UP MY SLACK BECAUSE I'M IN AUSTIN AND HE'S SCRAMBLING TO TRY AND GET SOMETHING TOGETHER.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY A FEW THINGS.
I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO AHEAD AND PASS THIS BECAUSE WE CAN ADD THINGS LATER, CORRECT?
>> THEN IS THERE A DEADLINE FOR APPROPRIATIONS OR ANYTHING? THERE'S NOT A DEADLINE, IS THERE?
>> IT WAS FRIDAY. THAT'S WHY WE WERE MOVING AS FAST AS WE'RE MOVING.
WE HAD TWO WEEKS NOTICE TO GET ALL THIS PAPERWORK IN BECAUSE THE RULES CHANGED.
WE DIDN'T KNOW HUMAN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WAS GOING TO BE OUT.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF EARMARKS THAT WE WERE GOING TO DO ON THAT.
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS, WE HAVE BEEN SENDING FORMS AND REQUESTS THROUGH MELISSA TO ALL OFFICES ALONG WITH THOMAS BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THIS WAS
[04:10:04]
GOING TO DROP PRETTY QUICKLY AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF TIME.WE WANTED TO DEVELOP A LIST OF PROBABLY EARMARKS BECAUSE IT IS GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER.
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBER MAY SAY, I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK I TALKED TO COMMISSIONER CALVERT PROBABLY IN DECEMBER ABOUT A $20 MILLION ASK AND I TOLD HIM THAT THAT MIGHT BE TOO MUCH BECAUSE MOST OF THESE EARMARKS ARE IN THE 2-5 MILLION DOLLAR RANGE, IS USUALLY THE SWEET SPOT BECAUSE THEY ONLY GET 15 OF THEM.
THEY TRY AND SPREAD IT OUT AMONGST HER DISTRICT.
BOTH ALCAZAR, CUELLAR, AND GONZALEZ, I'LL HAVE A TOUGH TASK BECAUSE THEY HAVE VERY LARGE DISTRICT AND THEY'VE GOT TO SPREAD IT OUT AMONGST HER DISTRICTS.
WERE GOING TO BE LUCKY IF WE GET TWO OR THREE FROM CUELLAR.
SAME THING WITH GONZALEZ AND CASAR.
CONGRESSMAN CASTRO IS THE SAN ANTONIO CONGRESSMAN.
ALWAYS 15 REQUESTS WILL BE IN HIS DISTRICT.
I BELIEVE THE SOUTH SAN CIVIC CENTER MIGHT BE IN YOUR DISTRICT AS WELL TOO.
ANY NUDGE YOU CAN GIVE HIM TO INCLUDE THAT BECAUSE HE'S GOT THE TASK OF GETTING 30 EARMARKS REQUESTS AND PARENT THEM DOWN TO 15.
>> I THINK WE'RE MEETING WITH HIM NEXT WEEK.
>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT, I KNOW YOUR REAL TIGHT WITH COUNCILMAN [OVERLAPPING].
IF WE PASS THIS TODAY, WE CAN ALSO ADD THINGS [OVERLAPPING]?
>> YOUR FEDERAL AGENDA IS A LIVING DOCUMENT AS THINGS POP UP BECAUSE THERE'S POLICY CHANGE ALL TIME DURING THE YEAR IN CONGRESS.
YOU CAN COME BACK AND SAY WE WANT TO TAKE A POSITION ON THIS, AS YOU-ALL HAVE DONE IN THE STATE.
TODAY., JUDGE, YOU COULD ADD THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING ON THAT DOCUMENT.
YOU CAN ADD IT AS AN AMENDMENT TODAY TO THAT DOCUMENT.
>> THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THERE'S GRANT PROPOSALS ALREADY MOVING AHEAD OF THIS. I GET IT.
BUT THERE'S A GRANT OUT THERE THAT I JUST FOUND OUT BECAUSE A BUDDY TOLD COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
>> BUT JUDGE, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THERE'S GRANTS EVERY SINGLE WEEK.
>> I'VE BEEN FORWARDING THOSE REQUESTS, JUDGE, BUT YOU GET THEM EVERY SINGLE WEEK.
>> IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE FROM ME THAT COMES DIRECTLY FROM ME, THERE'S ONE E-MAIL A WEEK THAT COMES FROM ME.
I USUALLY TRY AND SIT IT ON FRIDAY.
SOMETIMES I DON'T DO IT UNTIL SUNDAY DEPENDING ON HOW BUSY I AM.
BUT THAT IS THE ONE E-MAIL WHERE I TELL YOU EVERYTHING THAT AFFECTS YOU-ALL AND THE COUNTY.
THAT HAPPENS AT THE STATE, FEDERAL, AND COUNTY LEVEL.
I LAY OUT GRANTS, BILLS THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON.
IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE FOR ME, I'D LIKE THAT ONE E-MAIL.
>> SURE. JUDGE, LET ME SEE IF I CAN MAKE A MAKE A SUGGESTION BECAUSE I THINK I MADE THE MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL.
I THINK WHAT'S WORSE THAN NOT HAVING SOMETHING APPROVED NEXT WEEK IS HAVING A DIVIDED COURT.
I THINK WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS WITHDRAW THE MOTION AND JUST ASK THAT WE KEEP WORKING ON THE PROGRAM.
BECAUSE I DON'T, AGAIN, I'M GOING TO HAVE YOUR BACK ON THIS, MELISSA, BECAUSE I KNOW I'VE BEEN GETTING EMAILS- FROM WALTER AND THOMAS AND OTHERS.
I ASSUMED IT WAS GOING TO EVERYBODY, BUT AGAIN, I JUST DON'T THINK IT SENDS A GOOD MESSAGE GOING UP THERE NEXT WEEK TO HAVE A DIVISIVE COURT.
I WOULD MUCH PREFER TO GO AND SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'RE STILL DEVELOPING OUR FRAMEWORK AND IT WILL SEND IT TO YOU AS SOON AS IT'S COMPLETE."
>> THERE WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
HE'S ASKED TO BE WITHDRAWN. WHO'S SECOND?
>> WELL, I THINK IF IT'S WITHDRAWING, IT'S JUST WITHDRAWING, RIGHT?
>> I'LL SECOND THAT HE WITHDRAWS IT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] FOR THE RECORD, DID SOMEBODY SECOND?
>> MOTION WITHDRAWN. I THINK WE'VE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION.
I THINK WE'VE BEEN OPEN AND HONEST AND I THINK WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS AND MOVE FORWARD. YES.
YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO SADC NEXT WEEK.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO PASS IT? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR APPROPRIATION IF YOU SET THE DEADLINE WAS FRIDAY?
>> I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF [NOISE] CONFUSION ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.
>> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION
>> ONE WAS A REQUEST FOR EARMARKS AND THAT IS THE ONE THAT HAS THE HARD DEADLINE.
[NOISE] THE DOCUMENT THE JUDGE WAS TALKING ABOUT IS JUST OUR GENERAL SUPPORT PROGRAM, SOME OF WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FUNDING WHATSOEVER.
>> OKAY. THE DEADLINE WE ALREADY SUBMITTED THINGS, RIGHT?
>> YES, WE SUBMITTED ON FRIDAY. THERE'S A COUPLE OF LETTERS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WAS THAT THE DEADLINE?
>> WAS THAT LETTER I WAS RUSHING TO SIGN?
>> THERE WAS A DEADLINE FRIDAY?
>> THAT WAS THE DEADLINE, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF COMMERCIAL MEMBERS THAT HAVE SOFT DEADLINES,
[04:15:03]
BUT YOU'D PROBABLY HAVE TO GET IT IN TODAY COMMISSIONER IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU SAW THAT YOU'D LIKE.>> THE MOTION IS WITHDRAWN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
SORRY, COMMISSIONER MOODY. I'M SORRY.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES AT PLAY HERE.
I THINK ONE IS, ARE WE TRYING TO GET TO CONSENSUS OR ARE WE JUST TRYING TO GET TO A MAJORITY? I HAD WORKED PREVIOUSLY ON SOMETHING THAT I COULD SUPPORT.
THERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION HERE AROUND, IS IT AT THE RIGHT LEVEL? SHOULD THIS BE STRATEGIC OR SHOULD THIS BE TACTICAL? OR DO YOU NEED SOMETHING STRATEGIC BUT ALSO SOMETHING TACTICAL? THAT GETS INTO A WORKING SESSION AND TALKING ABOUT SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND I CAN ACTUALLY GO INTO OFFICES AND TALK ABOUT NEXT WEEK.
I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY MORE VALUE IN THE TACTICAL THAN THE HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC.
>> BECAUSE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE CLARITY ON WHAT WE CAN SUPPORT AND WHERE WE'RE AT.
THE STRATEGIC HIGH-LEVEL VIEW, I THINK LOTS OF TIMES WE JUST STEP INTO NATIONAL POLITICAL ISSUES THAT ARE JUST GOING TO DIVIDE US.
BUT THIS IS CLEARLY GOING BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED TODAY, A WHILE AGO.
WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT PROCESSES.
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ONES THAT WE CAN WORK ON.
THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE IT AND UNDERSTAND, IS THIS STRATEGIC? IS IT TACTICAL? IS IT BOTH? HOW DO WE DO THIS GOING FORWARD SO EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE UNDERSTAND THE EARMARK PROCESS WITH STAFF AND EVERYTHING? THOSE ARE JUST MY COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGES ON THIS ISSUE.
TO ME, THE BIGGEST STRATEGY CHANGE THAT THIS COURT NEEDS TO DO IS INVEST IN GRANT WRITING.
BECAUSE A LOT MORE MONEY IS GOING TO COME TO THE COUNTY IF WE'RE WRITING THE GRANTS FOR THE THINGS WE NEED THAN AN EARMARK.
IT IS GOT TO BE DONE QUICK, THEN THE CONGRESS PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW THAT THE CITY IS IN AGREEMENT AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE NOT [LAUGHTER] AND WE CAN'T MOVE THE CITY TO BE IN AGREEMENT.
TO ME, WE NEED TO BEEF UP OUR GRANT DEPARTMENT TO WRITE THESE THINGS FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS TO GET TO OUR PROJECTS.
THAT WOULD BE THE LESS, [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE HAVE A GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE IN PLACE, SO WE'VE STARTED, SO, YES.
>> JUDGE, ON ITEM 58, ARE WE GOING TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> ARE WE CONCLUDED WITH ITEM 57?
>> I'M SORRY, WE'RE ON 57. I'M SORRY, [OVERLAPPING].
[58. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Bexar County's Legislative Program and the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature, to include resolutions regarding:]
DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING BEXAR COUNTY LEGISLATOR PROGRAM AND THE ADA SESSION TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE INCLUDE RESOLUTIONS REGARDING, A, OPPOSING EFFORTS TO FURTHER DIMINISH HEALTH CARE SAFETY NET, B, SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF PROBATE COURT NUMBER 3, AND C, OPPOSING EFFORTS TO CLOSE POLLING LOCATIONS.>> WE WILL GO FIRST THROUGH THE RESOLUTIONS THAT JUDGE ZAKAYA JUST READ, AND THEN I HAVE MY GENERAL UPDATE THAT I'LL GIVE YOU.
WHAT THOMAS WILL PASS OUT AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN EMAILED TO YOUR OFFICES.
BUT WHAT THOMAS WILL PASS OUT IS THE ACTUAL RESOLUTIONS IN THEIR DRAFT FORMAT OF LANGUAGE THAT IS BEING PROPOSED BASED ON THE DIRECTION I BELIEVE WE WANT TO TAKE.
[NOISE] THE FIRST ITEM IS [NOISE] OPPOSING EFFORTS TO FURTHER DIMINISH HEALTH CARE SAFETY NETS.
THIS IS THE ITEM THAT I BRIEFED YOU ON LAST COURT MEETINGS, SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SEVENTH.
LET ME GET MY NOTES AND I'LL TELL YOU THE EXACT BILLS THAT ARE AFFECTING THIS, THAT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS CURRENTLY.
THIS IS SENATE BILL 651 BY SENATOR PERRY, AND THE CAPTION FOR BOTH BILLS, BECAUSE THERE'S BOTH A HOUSE AND A SENATE VERSION, THEY ARE EXACT.
THE CAPTION IS RELATING TO THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE MEDICAID MANAGED CARE DELIVERY MODEL.
SO 651 BY SENATOR PERRY, THAT BILL HAS BEEN REFERRED TO COMMITTEE TO SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THAT WAS REFERRED ON 2, 17, SO ON FEBRUARY 17TH.
WHAT THIS MEANS IS IT'S READY TO BE HEARD IN COMMITTEE.
IT'S READY TO BE PUT ON THE COMMITTEE'S AGENDA, IT JUST HAS NOT BEEN PUT ON THEIR AGENDA YET.
SHB-2401 BY REPRESENTATIVE OLIVER SAND IS THE HOUSE VERSION THAT WAS REFERRED TO THE HOUSE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE ON 313.
SAME THING, IT IS ALSO SITTING AND WAITING TO BE PUT OUT FOR A COMMITTEE HEARING.
[04:20:01]
BOTH OF THESE BILLS ARE PENDING IN COMMITTEE.THIS IS THE ITEM THAT WOULD AFFECT UNIVERSITY HEALTH, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND IT WOULD AFFECT UNIVERSITIES' HEALTH'S COMMUNITY FIRST PLAN.
WHAT I AM TOLD IS THAT IF THESE BILLS WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, THE COMMUNITY FIRST WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING MEDICAID MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS, STATE CONTRACTS, FEDERAL CONTRACTS THAT COVER OVER 200,000 MEMBERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FIRST PLAN.
THAT IS NOT JUST FOR BEXAR COUNTY, THAT COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN ALSO COVERS, I BELIEVE SEVEN OTHER COUNTIES WITHIN UNIVERSITY HEALTH'S SERVICE AREA.
>> THAT WAS THE FIRST ONE, MELISSA?
>> YES, SIR. THAT IS THE FIRST ONE.
I KNOW THAT YOUR STAFF HAD ASKED THE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IF UNIVERSITY HEALTH PROVIDED LANGUAGE AND THEY DID.
THE MAJORITY OF THIS LANGUAGE, I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 90% OF THE LANGUAGE IS FROM UNIVERSITY HEALTH.
I JUST HAD TO EXTRACT SOME AND DELETE SOME JUST TO MAKE IT FIT AND NOT BE TOO ONEROUS.
>> SO ARE WE PASSING THESE INDIVIDUALLY?
>> YES, THEY'RE AN A, B, AND C. YES, MA'AM.
>> LET'S HAVE A CONTINUED CONVERSATION OF A THEN.
>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE A BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF HEALTH CARE IN BEXAR COUNTY, AND SO I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> THERE'S A MOTION BY CLAY FLORES SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. MR. MOODY.
>> THANK YOU, MELISSA, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST 24 HOURS REGARDING THIS.
I DON'T TAKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS' LEADERSHIP AND THEIR COMMENTS LIGHTLY.
HOWEVER, I DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS ISSUE YET, AND I'VE TRIED TO READ EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SENT TO ME.
IT'S COMPLICATED. I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN A COGENT ARGUMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE FOR WHY THESE BILLS ARE BEING INTRODUCED.
TO ME, I FEEL LIKE IT'S A LITTLE RUSHED FOR MY TASTE AND WOULD LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT BEFORE I MADE A DECISION ON THAT.
FOR THAT REASON, I WOULD MOVE TO TABLE THIS FOR TWO WEEKS AND ALLOW SOME MORE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND GET MAYBE A BRIEFING AT A HIGHER LEVEL ON BOTH SIDES OF IT TO UNDERSTAND IT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I JUST NEED TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I MOVE TO APPROVE AND GOT A SECOND.
WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT FIRST, COMMISSIONER MOODY, I THINK, BEFORE ANOTHER MOTION CAN BE MADE.
>> THERE IS DISCUSSION AND THEN BECAUSE A MOTION TO TABLE THAT WE CALL A PRIVILEGED MOTION, IF WE'RE USING ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, IT SUPERSEDES THE MOTION.
WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION ON TABLING BECAUSE I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT TABLING.
>> DO WE HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON A?
>> IT'S ALL GERMANE BECAUSE THERE'S THIS TABLING MAY TABLE A.
THE TABLING SUPERSEDES UNDER ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.
>> I WILL RECOGNIZE THE MOTION TO TABLE.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE CLARITY.
MELISSA, YOU BELIEVE THAT AND WE'VE HAD IT PRESENTED TO US THAT THE LEGISLATURE THIS BILL WOULD AFFECT COMMUNICARE, THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEMS, COMMUNICARE.
>> COMMUNITY FIRST, PARDON ME, AND COMMISSIONER MOODY IS STILL NOT ASCERTAINING THE FACTS OF HOW THAT DOES AFFECT COMMUNITY FIRST HEALTH CARE PLAN.
IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TO THE COURT WITH RESPECT TO CLARIFYING HOW THIS DOES AFFECT THE COMMUNITY?
>> I'M GOING TO READ FROM A DOCUMENT AND I DON'T WANT TO PARAPHRASE, SO LET ME READ.
[04:25:01]
THIS IS SOME FEEDBACK THAT I'VE RECEIVED FROM OTHER COUNTIES.THIS IS FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT WE USE.
THIS IS GOING TO TAKE YOU BACK A LITTLE BIT.
IN THE MID TO LATE 1990S, TEXAS BEGAN TRANSITIONING ITS MEDICAID PROGRAM FROM A FEE-FOR-SERVICE PROGRAM TO A MANAGED CARE MODEL.
IN RESPONSE, MANY PUBLICLY OWNED HOSPITAL DISTRICT PROACTIVELY CREATED THEIR OWN FULLY LICENSED MCO TO CONTINUE PROVIDING CARE TO MEDICAID PATIENTS, TO CONTINUE RECEIVING CRITICAL MEDICAID FUNDING, AND TO COMPETE IN THE NEW MEDICAID BUSINESS MODEL.
IN TRADITIONAL MEDICAID FEE-FOR-SERVICE, ALL MEDICAID PROVIDERS MAY PARTICIPATE, PROVIDE CARE, AND RECEIVE MEDICAID PAYMENTS FROM THE STATE.
IN MEDICAID MANAGED CARE, HOWEVER, ONLY CONTRACTED MCOS AND THEIR CONTRACTOR PROVIDERS ARE ALLOWED TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO MEDICAID PATIENTS.
THESE CONTRACTED MCOS ARE THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH COMMUNITY FIRST TYPE.
AS A RESULT, UNIVERSITY HEALTH CREATED AND HOLY OWNS COMMUNITY FIRST HEALTH PLANS INC.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE VALUABLE, UNIQUE SERVICES AND ACCESS TO CARE THAT HOSPITAL DISTRICT OWNED, MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE TO A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF MEDICAID AND UNINSURED PATIENTS.
THE 75TH LEGISLATURE, AND THAT WAS IN 1997, PASSED A LAW MANDATING AN MCO CONTRACTS TO A HOSPITAL DISTRICT MCO IN EACH OF HHS SEES PROCUREMENTS FOR MEDICAID MANAGED CARE.
I AM BY NO MEANS A MANAGED CARE EXPERT.
I HAVE TO KNOW JUST ENOUGH ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THE COUNTY DOES.
PLEASE SHOW ME SOME GRACE THERE.
BUT THIS IS COMING TO ME FROM PUBLICLY OWNED HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, HOSPITAL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT ARE IN OPPOSITION TO THESE TWO BILLS AND THEY ARE SEEKING OUR SUPPORT TO OPPOSE THOSE BILLS.
NOW, THERE IS AN ARGUMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE, BUT I HAVE THOSE ARGUMENTS, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO NAME THE COMPANY IN PUBLIC WHO I BELIEVE, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW 1,000 PERCENT IF IT IS THAT COMPANY THAT'S PUSHED BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND A LOT OF WHAT I WORK ON IS INFORMATION THAT 1,000 DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE GIVING ME.
I TRY AND PARSE THROUGH IT AND FIND OUT WHAT'S THE TRUTH.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WAS A PARTICULAR PRIVATE HEALTHCARE COMPANY THAT WAS PUSHING THIS, WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS THE TRUTH, I DON'T KNOW AND I'D RATHER NOT SAY IT IN PUBLIC BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DISPARAGE ACCOMPANY.
BUT IF THERE'S FURTHER INFORMATION THAT'S NEEDED, I WOULD DEFINITELY ASK THAT WE TALKED TO OUR HEALTH HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
>> LET ME CLARIFY, I GUESS A POINT OF ORDER FIRST, LARRY OR COUNSEL PARDON ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I KNOW COMMISSIONER MOODY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAD A SECOND.
>> I DID NOT HEAR A SECOND AND YOU WOULD NEED.
>> I DIDN'T EITHER. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THERE WAS NO A SECOND, [INAUDIBLE].
>> THERE NOW IS A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.
I UNDERSTAND AND I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS STUFF EITHER, BUT I UNDERSTAND FROM OUR BEAR COUNTY HOSPITAL FOLKS THAT THIS COULD HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO OFFER HEALTH CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON OPPOSING THIS AND INCLUDING THIS IN OUR PRIORITIES.
I KNOW TOO AND, MELISSA, WE'VE HAD A CONVERSATION, THERE'S A BUNCH OF BAD THINGS GOING ON IN AUSTIN.
[LAUGHTER] I KNOW THAT WE CAN'T DO A RESOLUTION AGAINST EVERY SINGLE BILL.
WE HAVE TO USE SOME DISCRETION.
BUT I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH WITH OUR PARTNERS AT UNIVERSITY HEALTH THAT WE TAKE A POSITION ON WHAT WILL CONCEIVABLY, IF IT PASSES, IMPACT THOUSANDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NO MEANS OF ACCESSING HEALTH CARE.
>> I WILL WHOLEHEARTEDLY SAY THAT I 100 PERCENT ON THIS ISSUE, TRUST MY UNIVERSITY HEALTH COLLEAGUES IN THEIR GUIDANCE AND THEIR DIRECTION.
AND SO I BELIEVE THEY'RE STEERING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, WHETHER OR NOT POLITICALLY, YOU ALL FEEL THAT I TAKE YOUR DIRECTION.
>> I JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD.
[04:30:03]
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT I CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ COMMENTS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION PROVING 58A, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTION?
>> I'D LIKE TO ABSTAIN FOR THE RECORD,.
>> COMMISSIONER LUNA ABSTAINS.
>> LET'S TAKE UP 58B SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF PROBATE COURT NUMBER 3
>> 58B IS WHAT I WOULD CALL A BELT AND SUSPENDERS.
IF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, THIS IS JUST AN ADDITIONAL TYING A BOW ON IT AND CROSSING ALL YOUR T'S AND DOTTING YOUR I'S.
IN YOUR PROGRAM THAT YOUR STATE PROGRAM THAT JOE GAVE ME DIRECTION ON WAS TO SEEK A NEW PROBATE COURT FOR BEAR COUNTY.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON HAS FILED THAT BILL FOR US.
IT IS 2567, I BELIEVE, YES, HB2567.
CHAIRMAN LEACH HAS NOW COME TO REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON AND OTHER MEMBERS AND ASK IF YOU WANT SOMETHING INCLUDED IN THE STATES OMNIBUS COURTS BILL.
I NEED YOUR DOCUMENTS TURNED IN BY XYZ DATE, AND I NEED A RESOLUTION FROM THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ASKING FOR THAT NEW COURT.
I SAID WE'VE GOT THE PROGRAM AND REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON SAYS, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD BACKUP, BUT LET'S ALSO HAVE A SEPARATE RESOLUTION.
THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, IS JUST REITERATING THE FACT THAT YOU-ALL ARE SEEKING A NEW PROBATE COURT.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> MOVE BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.
58C, OPPOSING EFFORTS TO CLOSE POLLING LOCATIONS.
>> IN THE PACKET THAT THOMAS HANDED OUT, THERE IS MY DRAFT.
BUT THEN I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE ANOTHER DOCUMENT THAT YOU-ALL WANT TO DISCUSS.
>> CAN I SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK?
>> THIS IS REALLY FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES.
THERE WAS A DRAFT THAT COUNTY STAFF PUT TOGETHER THAT WAS BROAD AND A LITTLE BIT GENERAL WITH RESPECT TO OPPOSING ANY BILLS THAT WOULD RESTRICT OUR ABILITY TO DECIDE WHERE POLLING LOCATIONS WERE.
IT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC RELATED TO, AS YOU ALL RECALL, THERE WERE CONSTITUENTS HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT A SPECIFIC BILL THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM USING COLLEGE CAMPUSES AS POLLING SITES.
I PROVIDE SOME FEEDBACK TO MELISSA AND HER TEAM THAT I THINK WE SHOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC.
THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE SECOND DRAFT, WHICH TALKS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HOUSE BILL 2390, AND HOW WE SHOULD TAKE A POSITION AGAINST IT.
SO THAT'S WHAT THE DISCUSSION POINT IS.
>> THAT'S THIS DOCUMENT. I READ IT.
IT'S GOOD. IF YOU'RE MOVING THIS RESOLUTION. YOU MOVE IT?
>> I'D MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE DRAFT THAT HAS SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO HB2390.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KELLER'S.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER MOODY?
>> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF FEEDBACK ON THIS AND FOR THE RECORD THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN THE DOCUMENT YOU PROVIDED, I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH, THE FURTHER WE GET INTO THE DETAILS AND MAKE, IN MY OPINION POLITICIZE THIS ISSUE THE MORE UNCOMFORTABLE I BECOME.
I DON'T SUPPORT HEAVY HANDED MEASURES OR THE WHOLESALE BANNING OF ANY POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR POLLING SITE.
BUT THERE'S OTHER ISSUES AT PLAY HERE TOO WHEN IT COMES TO STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT CONSTRAINTS WITHIN OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT, WE ALL, I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR THE COURT, WHOLESALE 100 PERCENT SUPPORT EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN BEXAR COUNTY,
[04:35:06]
THAT IS NOT IN QUESTION HERE WHATSOEVER.WE COULD HAVE 15,000 POLLING LOCATIONS AND THAT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I THINK THERE WAS A DEBATE LAST FALL BEFORE I JOINED THIS COURT ABOUT HOW MANY POLLING SITES WE SHOULD HAVE, AND THEY HAD ACTUALLY PROVIDED MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH FEWER POLLING SITES BY ALLOWING FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN ANY EARLY SITE THAT WAS AVAILABLE.
I THINK THAT WAS A GREAT MOVE.
BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, I THINK THESE ELECTIONS, WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM POLITICIZING THE BALLOT BOX AND GET BACK TO NONPARTISAN OR BIPARTISAN ELECTIONS THAT ARE RUN PROFESSIONALLY THAT EVERYONE HAS CONFIDENCE IN AND THAT WE TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF EVERY SINGLE POLLING LOCATION INSIDE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PUSH FOR, PUSHBACK AGAINST, AND THAT'S JUST WHERE I COME OUT ON THIS ISSUE.
THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL IF WE COULD.
>> I KNOW IT'S NOT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN RIGHT NOW.
BUT FOR THAT REASON I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TRYING TO GO FURTHER DOWN THIS ROAD.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT IN ENSURING THAT EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO VOTE AND THAT NO SITES ARE BANNED.
BUT ULTIMATELY, I CAN'T SUPPORT THE SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE HERE.
THERE WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> JUDGE, BEFORE WE MOVE ON FROM THIS AGENDA ITEM.
>> I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT, IN OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS BILL BROUGHT BEFORE US.
IS THERE A COMMISSIONER THAT ASKED FOR THAT ISSUE NOT TO COME ONTO THIS AGENDA OR WAS IT A STAFF ISSUE? BECAUSE IT WAS ON THE DRAFT AGENDA AND I HAPPEN TO BE ON A PLANE AND I GUESS I MISSED.
>> COMMISSIONER I CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
I DID REQUEST THAT WE HOLD OFF FROM THAT PRIMARILY BECAUSE I HAD AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH SOMEONE FROM DSABC ABOUT A PATH FORWARD THAT WE COULD COME TOGETHER ON.
I WANTED TO KEEP THOSE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.
BUT BY ALL MEANS, IF WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING, MAYBE AT THE NEXT MEETING, I'M SURE WE CAN.
I DON T THINK THAT THOSE MOVED, I DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN REFERRED.
I THINK WE HAVE TIME AND I WAS JUST EXPRESSING TO STAFF THAT I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THEM AND THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT.
>> WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO WORK WITH THE DSABC.
I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE GIVEN OUR NEW COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TIME TO WORK [LAUGHTER] THIS COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU MAY BE AT 100 DAYS.
I'M NOT SURE. YOU MAYBE A LITTLE OVER 100 DAYS, BUT IT'S NOT A LOT OF TIME THAT THEY'VE GIVEN THIS NEW COURT TO WORK.
I DO WANT TO SAY SOME THINGS FOR HISTORY AND FOR THE RECORD THAT ARE IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION THAT THE COURT NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT AND HOW WE GOT TO A SITUATION WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE NECESSARILY ENOUGH SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND HOW DID WE GET TO THE LOWER WAGES? I SAY THIS OUT OF LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE UNION.
BUT THE UNION IS PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THAT ISSUE, AND I'M GOING TO BE VERY SPECIFIC.
THIRTY YEARS AGO, THERE WERE TWO UNIONS THAT REPRESENTED OUR SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES; THERE WAS THE DSABC AND THERE WAS LEO.
COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER WAS UP FOR RE-ELECTION AND THEY PUT OUT A DIRECT MAIL PIECE THAT SHOWED A PICTURE OF HIM WHEN HE ENTERED COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THAT RE-ELECTION YEAR AS GAINING WEIGHT.
IT OFFENDED HIM, AND IT WAS OFFENSIVE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF ANTAGONISM THAT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF THAT DIRECT MAIL PIECE.
THE BUDGETS WERE STIFLED, I WOULD SAY, THEY WERE GIVEN JUST THE BARE MINIMUM TO MAKE THINGS GO, CUTS HAPPENED OVER THE YEARS.
I SUBMIT TO THE UNION THAT THE POLITICS OF EXTREMISM NEVER EVER GET US IN A GOOD PLACE IN POLITICS.
NONE OF US CAN GET EVERYTHING WE WANT IN POLITICS. WE JUST CAN'T.
BUT THE BILL PROPOSED IS AN EXTREME BILL, AND IT'S EXTREME BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT THIS COURT HAS TO CONSIDER LAYOFFS, POTENTIALLY, CUTS TO OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM,
[04:40:01]
CUTS TO SERVICES FOR VOTERS AND HERE'S THE NUMBERS.I ASK THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO POOL FOR US THE LAST THREE YEARS OF TAX COLLECTION AND WHAT WE HAVE GAINED AND WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN.
LET ME JUST FOR THE COURT IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN THIS INFORMATION.
TINA, WILL YOU JUST CLARIFY FOR US AGAIN, HOW MANY OFFICERS YOU BELIEVE WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED? I THINK IT WAS 420 OR 440.
>> FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO.
>> FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO OFFICERS, AND THE COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $49.2 MILLION.
IF WE LOOK AT THE VARIANCE IN REVENUE FROM THE COUNTY FOR 2020, 2021, AND 2022.
IN 2020, WE SAW A $22 MILLION INCREASE, SO WE WOULD HAVE A $26.8 MILLION DEFICIT IN REVENUE WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE CUTS TO SERVICES, TO EMPLOYEES, TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
IN 2021, IT WAS 14 MILLION MORE, SO THAT WE WENT TO $35 MILLION DEFICIT WITH THE $49.562 MILLION OBLIGATION.
IN 2022-2023, WE ONLY GOT ANOTHER 23 MILLION WITH THAT $49 MILLION OBLIGATION, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A $26.1 BILLION DEFICIT IN OUR BUDGET.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE START CUTTING.
DO WE START CUTTING FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADDITIONS THAT WE HAVE JUST ADDED? DO WE START CUTTING FROM THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT? DO WE START CUTTING FROM OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET? THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS BILL AND IT'S WALKING US DOWN A PATHWAY OFF OF THE CLIFF.
THAT I BELIEVE IN OUR ABILITY AS A NEW COURT TO INCREASE THE NUMBERS.
WE INCREASE PAY BY 41 PERCENT OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AT LEAST.
WE'VE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS BY 136.
THIS PROBLEM TOOK PLACE OVER DECADES, OVER 30 PLUS YEARS AFTER IT OFFENDED MEMBERS OF THIS COURT.
THE UNIVERSE DOES HAVE A WAY OF COMING BACK TO US IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND ALL I'M SAYING IS, LET'S NOT USE THE POLITICS JUST BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN IT HAPPEN THAT THINGS DON'T HAPPEN.
THIS COURT HAS MADE MANY REFORMS, IN JUSTICE THIS COURT HAS MADE MANY STRIDES TOWARDS INCREASING PAY AND INCREASING PERSONNEL.
GIVE THIS COURT A CHANCE, PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS BILL RUIN WHAT WE BEGAN AS A VERY POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP, AND I KNOW IT REMAINS THAT WAY WITH ME.
I'M GOING TO JUST SAY THAT THIS WAS AN UNINTENDED MAJOR MISTAKE BUT BEING HARD LINE AND SAYING BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT EVER DONE, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T MAKE PROGRESS, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS, WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS.
I THINK THAT BILLS LIKE THAT AND EXTREMISM ARE NOT GOOD FOR OUR POLITICS. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? YES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
>> JUST REAL BRIEFLY, AND I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT MENTIONED.
I THINK WE'RE NOT ABSOLUTELY SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE A POSITION ON IT, I THINK THAT WE SEE THAT IT'S GETTING SOME MOVEMENT, WE OUGHT TO.
ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IN MY DIALOGUE WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE PEOPLE AT THE DSABC WAS, THERE MAY BE SOME CONFUSION IN TERMS OF, AGAIN, WHAT THE AIM WAS RELATED TO THE FORMULA BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREA, BEXAR COUNTY POPULATION, WHICH IN THAT INSTANCE WOULD NOT BE FAR OFF FROM WHERE I THINK WE ARE.
IF I REMEMBER, DAVID, IN TERMS OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT, IT WAS A LESSER AMOUNT, I SHOULD SAY.
THEN IF YOU TOOK THAT FORMULA AND APPLY IT TO THE ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTY.
AT ANY RATE, I AGREE WITH A LOT OF THE HISTORY THAT YOU MENTIONED.
IN FACT, I REMEMBER NOT JUST MAILERS BUT THERE WERE BILLBOARDS BACK THEN, AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING BACK THERE BUT I THINK THAT WE JUST NEED TO STAY ON TOP OF THIS AND I WAS AS UPSET AS YOU WERE COMMISSIONER CALVERT WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT IT.
I DIDN'T HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THEM BEFORE THAT.
I THINK LET'S JUST IF YOU WOULD KEEP US POSTED, IF THAT GETS REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE.
>> IT HAS BEEN I MISSPOKE IN YOUR LAST QUESTION ON THAT.
ON THE 13TH OF THIS MONTH IT WAS REFERRED TO COUNTY AFFAIRS.
NOW, WHAT I NEED TO FIND OUT IS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] DSABC PUSHING IT STILL, AND I'LL TALK TO THEM.
THEN ALSO, IF IT WILL REQUEST A COMMITTEE HEARING.
[04:45:05]
BECAUSE HE HAS TO FILL OUT SOME DOCUMENT CORRECT TO TURN THAT IN.>> I THINK IT'S REPRESENTATIVE [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S NOW CHAIR OF COUNTY AFFAIRS.
>> WHO I SERVE WITH. I CAN TOUCH BASE WITH HER AS WELL.
>> BUT ALL GOOD POINTS. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS SINCE YOU BROUGHT THIS UP.
BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SAME HISTORY UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED OVER THE PAST DECADE.
BUT IN THE DEPUTIES DEFENSE LAST YEAR, WE HAD A PROPOSAL THAT MY UNDERSTANDING HAD INITIALLY HAD NO NEW DEPUTIES.
ULTIMATELY, THERE WAS COMPROMISED THAT ADDED 12TH.
TWELVE DOESN'T EVEN KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY IN TERMS OF THAT RATIO.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT WITH RISING CRIME, WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED WHEN IT COMES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE'RE NOT EVEN KEEPING UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.
NOW I THINK WITH REGARDS TO THIS BILL, I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION.
I THINK THEY CAN SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, BUT I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT'S A REALISTIC TRAJECTORY FOR TURNING THAT RATIO AROUND, MOVING IT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OVER THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE IN STRENGTH WOULD BE BUT WE GOT TO START MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THAT'S THE POINT.
THIS PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR OVERNIGHT, BUT WE NEED TO TURN IT AROUND AND MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT OUR DISCUSSIONS AND COMMITMENTS IN ORDER TO DO THAT AND PUBLIC COMMITMENTS TO THAT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO AVERT THIS SITUATION WITH THIS BILL AND AT THE SAME TIME, CONTINUING TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.
>> WELL, JUST BY POINTING CLARIFICATION ON THE NUMBER OF DEPUTIES.
WELL IS THAT CORRECT [BACKGROUND] THAT WE ADDED? IT WAS 16. I THOUGHT IT WAS 24.
THESE ISSUES ACTUALLY HAPPEN 30 YEARS AGO.
IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO THAT THIS BILLBOARD MAIL PIECE THING HAPPENS.
IN ANY EVENT I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A MOTION DEPENDING ON THIS CORRECT WHICH IS FOR DISCUSSION.
THAT CONCLUDES ITEM NUMBER 58. YOU HAVE SOMETHING? > I NEED TO GIVE MY BRIEFING IF I CAN REALLY QUICK.
JUST ON THE INITIATIVES THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WATCHING CLOSELY, THE ESD BILL, THE ESD $20,000 DEBT LIMIT BILL, HB 2633.
YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT BEING FILED BY REPRESENTATIVE CORTEZ.
IT HAS NOW BEEN FILED IN THE SENATE, SB 1794 BY SENATOR MENENDEZ SO THAT NOW HAS BOTH A HOUSE AND A SENATE SPONSOR.
NO, I TAKE THAT BACK. HOUSE BILL HAS BEEN REFERRED TO COUNTY AFFAIRS.
AS OF YESTERDAY WHEN I RAN THIS REPORT, SENATE HASN'T BEEN REFERRED YET.
THAT BILL HAS NOT BUT SENATE, I BELIEVE, THEY ARE STILL MEETING BECAUSE I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A TEXT WHILE I WAS UP HERE SO THAT COULD BE REFERRED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
ALSO ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT THOMAS HANDED OUT, IT'S GOT THE HEADING 88 TEXAS LEGISLATURE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST.
YOU SHOULD ALL HAVE THAT ONE PAGE OR IN FRONT OF YOU.
THIS IS A CLARIFYING DOCUMENT, I THINK FOR US, FOR THE COUNTY, THERE'S SEVERAL ITEMS ARE SEVERAL BUDGET RIDERS APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST THAT ARE MOVING THROUGH AND YOU'LL HEAR THEM SAY IT'S BEXAR COUNTY.
I WAS GETTING CONFUSED MYSELF.
THIS IS THE DOCUMENT, THIS IS THE OFFICIAL BEXAR COUNTY DOCUMENT OF ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT AFFECT BEXAR COUNTY THAT ARE IN THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST.
THESE ARE ALL THE BUDGET WRITERS BY NUMBER THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE PROPOSED BECAUSE THIS WAS PUT TOGETHER TWO DAYS AGO, WHETHER THEY WERE ACTUALLY GOING TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE HOUSE FLOOR IF THEY WERE
[04:50:04]
ACTUALLY IN THE ADOPTED LANGUAGE.IF THEY WERE IN ARTICLE 11, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE WISHLIST, AND THEN THOSE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE IN THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS IN THAT BUDGET.
ONE GOOD NEWS STORY IS NUMBER 142, THAT'S THE HHSC ITEM THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER WITH DAN CURRY AND MIKE PLACIDO.
THERE IS ACTUALLY LANGUAGE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE SAAS LAND USE, FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM PLANNING.
BUT AS MENTIONED, THERE'S NO FUNDING SET ASIDE FOR THAT.
>> MELISSA, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY ON THE NUMBER, THIS IS 300 MILLION. AM I READING THAT CORRECT?
>> THERE'S A 300 MILLION REQUEST, YES.
>> THAT IS FOR THE SAAS GROUND?
>> ITEM NUMBER 142 IS THE ONLY ITEM FOR THE SASH REUSE.
YOU WANT ME TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE THIS IT'S CONFUSING.
>> THE 300 MILLION IS THE NUMBER THAT THE SAAS WAS GETTING FROM THE LEGISLATURE.
IN THE PREVIOUS BIENNIUM, THEY RECEIVED 150 MILLION.
THEY NEEDED ANOTHER 150 MILLION IN THIS BIENNIUM.
I GUESS MY CONCERN IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU'VE SEEN IT IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE THE 300 BILLION TOTAL FOR THE RECORD?
>> I THOUGHT AND I COULD BE MISTAKEN THAT I'VE SLEPT A LOT SINCE LAST SESSION BUT I THOUGHT LAST SESSION WAS THE MAKEUP WERE THEY MADE UP THAT FUNDING.
>> YOU COULD BE RIGHT. THE 300 MILLION IS FOR FIELD NOW
WHAT THIS ITEM NUMBER 26 UNDER NOT ADOPTED IS BEXAR HEALTH COALITION, WHICH THAT IS A GROUP OF BEXAR COUNTY METHODIST HEALTHCARE MINISTRY, CHCS, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I DON'T KNOW ALL THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT ARE IN THAT.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR $300 MILLION REQUEST FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PSYCHIATRIC CENTER IN BEXAR COUNTY.
>> WHERE WOULD THIS BE LOCATED?
THAT'S BEXAR HEALTH COALITION AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY COLLEAGUES ON THE SPOT.
I DON'T KNOW IF MIKE AND OR GILBERT MAY KNOW THAT THAT WAS MY FRUSTRATION WITH ALL OF THESE REQUESTS.
>> WELL [INAUDIBLE] MARK. I KNOW IT'LL BE AN ALLISON'S DISTRICT. GO AHEAD.
>> THERE HAS BEEN NO DECISION ON THAT WHERE THAT LOCATION COULD BE FOR THAT PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY.
ON THE DOCUMENT IN FRONT OF YOU, THERE'S A NUMBER 68 AND A NUMBER 88.
THOSE ARE FOR OUR FORENSIC BED REQUEST FILED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON.
YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE DOWN UNDER 85 AND 96, THERE WERE DUPLICATE REQUESTS THAT REPRESENTATIVE TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER ALSO SUBMITTED ON OUR BEHALF.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON'S GOT INTO THE WISHLIST.
NOW WE'VE GOT TO MAKE A PUSH AND PUSH AND GET THIS INCLUDED WHEN THE HOUSE DEBATES THIS ITEM AND WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THIS WILL BE NEXT THURSDAY.
I WILL PUSH IT, OUR CONSULTANTS, OUR CONTRACT LOBBYISTS WILL PUSH IT BUT I'M ASKING EACH OF YOU TO ALSO PUSH WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES, AND THE LEGISLATURE YOUR CONTACTS.
BEXAR COUNTY DELEGATION KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO US.
WE'VE SHARED THIS INFORMATION WITH THEM BUT I DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HURT TO GET AS MANY VOICES TO PUSH.
>> JUST A QUESTION ABOUT STAFFING.
WE'RE PUTTING A HELL OF A LOT OF MONEY OR LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO PUT HELL LOT OF MONEY INTO BUILDINGS BUT THE STATE HOSPITAL WAS CLOSED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET ENOUGH PSYCHIATRIC NURSES.
MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THE COMMITMENT ON THE LEGISLATURE JURORS PART ABOUT PAYING FOLKS WHO OPERATE.
SOME OF THESE ARE GOING TO BE A NON-PROFIT COALITION, SOME THESE CAN BE BEXAR COUNTY BUT JUST IN TERMS OF REVENUE FOR OPERATIONS ON TERM.
>> SIXTY EIGHT AND 88 WILL BE STRICTLY BEXAR COUNTY.
THAT WILL BE FOR BEXAR COUNTY STAFF TO DETERMINE IF THAT'S AN RFP THAT GOES OUT.
BUT THOSE TWO ITEMS ARE OURS AND WE WILL CONTROL THAT.
>> THAT'S AT LEAST ON OUR PART BUT ANYWAY.
[04:55:01]
>> YES. THE HINTS WHY I HAD TO PUT THIS DOCUMENT TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS OUT THERE.
IF YOU NOTICE NUMBER 76 FOR INSTANCE, IT IS LISTED AS BEXAR COUNTY CENTER FOR IMAGING AND INNOVATION.
I HAD NO EARTHLY IDEA WHAT THAT WAS.
COME TO FIND OUT IT'S A REQUEST FROM TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
IT'S NOT BEXAR COUNTY PROPER ASKING FOR THAT BUT SOMEHOW IT WAS WRITTEN UP AS A BEXAR COUNTY REQUEST.
HOUSE VERSION SUPPOSEDLY WILL BE ON THE FLOOR ON THURSDAY AND WE'LL PUSH FOR OUR TWO FORENSIC BED REQUEST.
LET ME QUICKLY GO THROUGH MY NOTES AND I APOLOGIZE.
MAKE SURE I'VE NOT LEFT ANYTHING.
ONE INTERESTING THING THAT I FOUND INTERESTING THAT JOHN MIGHT FIND INTERESTING AS WELL, HB 64 RELATING TO THE REPEAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THE AUTHOR OF THAT BILL, REPRESENTATIVE BRISK COCAINE.
GOD BLESS HIM, AND I HOPE IT GETS PAST, BUT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ JUST MADE THE FACE THAT I CANNOT MAKE.
>> IT TOTALLY REPEALS THOSE TWO SECTIONS IN STATUTE THAT REQUIRES YOU ALL TO EITHER DO ALL OF YOUR CONTINUING ED AND THEN THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER SECTION IN, SO THERE'S SECTION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 81.0025 THAT COVERS YOUR CONTINUING ED.
THERE'S ALSO ONE IN GOVERNMENT CODE 418.005 ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING.
IT REPEALS BOTH OF THOSE SECTIONS.
YOU WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO HAVE CONTINUING EDUCATION.
I THOUGHT YOU ALL WOULD FIND THAT INTERESTING.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP ANY MORE OF YOUR TIME.
I'LL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU ALL HAVE ANYTHING.
>> I KNOW WE COVERED THIS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER WITH THE DISCUSSION ON THE REUSE STUDY.
IS THERE ANYTHING WITHIN THAT THAT WE DO HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT THE COST WOULD BE TO RENOVATE, WHETHER IT'S A SINGLE BUILDING OR ROAD OR ANYTHING THAT WE COULD TRY TO PULL FORWARD RIGHT NOW AND TRY TO INSERT INTO THAT BILL ONCE THIS TRAIN LEAVES THE STATION?
>> NOT THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD. NO, SIR.
>> CAN WE JUST TRY TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING WITHIN THAT THAT WE DO HAVE A CLEAR NUMBER ON? I KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A COMPLETE PICTURE, BUT IF THERE'S ONE OR TWO ITEMS THAT WE CAN PULL FORWARD AND GO AHEAD AND MAKE AN ASK?
>> YES. I WILL ASK DAN AND MIKE. YES, SIR.
>> I HAVE A COMMENT BEFORE MELISSA LEAVES.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS HAS BEEN A LITTLE MESSY, BUT I JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
IS WALTER STILL HERE? DON'T KNOW IF WALTER STILL HERE.
>> BUT JUST THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN WALTER, I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE WE PASS WHAT WE NEED HERE AT BEXAR COUNTY.
WHEN I WENT UP TO THE CAPITAL ON COMMISSIONER RUDY YOGI IN DC NEXT WEEK.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO AND YOU'RE CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR US AND TRANSLATE ALL THESE THINGS THAT KEEP A HANDLE ON ALL THINGS THAT OTHERWISE WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO. I'LL JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU, MS. SHANNON.
WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF ITEM 59.
[60. Presentation, discussion, and appropriate action to open application window for the SBIR/STTR matching grant program, starting on March 31, 2023, with aggregate funding not to exceed $250,000.]
LET US MOVE ON TO ITEM 60.[BACKGROUND] THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME OF THE TIME, COMMISSIONER.
PRESENTATION DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION TO OPEN APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE SDI OR STTR MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM STARTING MARCH 31, 2023, THROUGH APRIL 28, 2023, WITH AGGREGATE FUNDING NOT TO EXCEED $250,000.
>> I LISTENED TO A PODCAST SO YOU CAN PUT IT ON 1.25 OVER 1.5 IS SPEED UP.
I'M GOING TO TALK REALLY FAST BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ALL OF THIS BEFORE.
THIS IS OUR BACKGROUND ON DECEMBER 30TH BROUGHT YOU THE INNOVATION FUND POLICY, A POLICY YOU HAVE APPROVED.
[05:00:02]
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH GRANTS AND THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER GRANT.THOSE TWO ARE FEDERAL PROGRAMS. THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO US QUITE A FEW YEARS AGO.
IT HAS BEEN FALLOW FOR A WHILE WE'VE NOT BARELY BEEN PUSHING IT.
WE DID HAVE TWO COMPANIES THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED SBIR GRANTS.
ONE OF THEM DIDN'T GROUP WENT ON TO AN EXIT PRETTY LUCRATIVE FOR THEIR OWNERSHIP.
THEY DID KEEP THE JOBS HERE,100 JOBS OR SO.
JOHN DICKSON SENT ME AN EMAIL AND ABSOLUTELY ATTRIBUTES OUR DOLLARS TO HELPING THEM DEVELOP THEIR THREAD FIXED PRODUCT THAT MADE THEM ATTRACTIVE TO THE COMPANY THAT ULTIMATELY BOUGHT THEM.
HE'S NOW OF COURSE, STILL WORKING ON AIRPORT ISSUES AND OTHER THINGS, BUT IT'S BEEN A REAL SUCCESS FOR THEM.
THE OTHER PROGRAM DID NOT GO SO WELL, BUT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
CENTRAL FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE [BACKGROUND] STTR WILL BE THE FIRST TIME WE'VE REALLY PUSHED THAT.
THAT ONE REQUIRES A UNIVERSITY PARTNER.
COMPANIES THAT HAVE STTR FUNDING GRANTS ARE ALSO WORKING WITH ONE OF OUR LOCAL UNIVERSITIES.
THEY MAY APPLY FOR A GRANT OF UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $50,000 PER POLICY.
TO BE ELIGIBLE THEY HAVE TO BE NON-PUBLICLY TRADED, HEADQUARTERED OR PRIMARY BUSINESS OPERATION FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS IN BEXAR COUNTY, MINIMUM ANNUAL REVENUE OF A MILLION DOLLARS, MINIMUM NUMBER OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES AT FIVE.
THE WAGES WE LOOK FOR 70% TO BE AT THE HIGH INNOVATION IN WAYS SO THAT'S A WAGE WE WORK WITH ON THIS PROGRAM, SPECIFICALLY $32.50 AN HOUR FOR THIS INDUSTRY, THAT'S APPROPRIATE.
OF COURSE, WE ALWAYS HAVE THE LIVING WAGES, THE FLOOR NO ONE CAN EARN LESS THAN A LIVING WAGE AND THEY HAVE TO BE CURRENT ON ANY PROPERTY TAX OBLIGATIONS THEY HAVE.
THIS IS TO OPEN THE WINDOW OF APPLICATION FOR COMPANIES.
WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED INQUIRIES, WE HAVE FOUR OR FIVE COMPANIES THAT HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT IT.
WE ANTICIPATE GETTING MORE, BUT WE WILL EVALUATE THOSE WITH A BUCKET OF $250,000 MAXIMUM AND A MAXIMUM PER OF $50,000.
WILL BRING YOU BACK WHAT STAFF RECOMMENDS AS THE BEST AMOUNT OF DOLLARS TO ALLOCATE TO EACH OF THEM FOR THEIR PURPOSES AND TRYING TO CONTINUE TO GROW THEIR COMPANIES IN THIS TECHNOLOGY SPACE.
> ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER CLIFF [INAUDIBLE]
>> I THINK HE MET WITH ALL OF US, SO I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE IN MIGHT OF THE TIME.
>> MOTION BY COMER'S FLOOR IS SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
>> I JUST WANT TO TELL THE COURT THAT A LOT OF THESE BUSINESSES ARE DOD, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RELATED.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SUPPORT THOSE INITIATIVES.
SOME OF THEM WERE IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, IN MEDICAL INDUSTRY AND ALSO JUST THE PROTOTYPING AND INNOVATION SECTORS.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT CATEGORY OF OUR ECONOMY TO SUPPORT.
I THINK THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IS AT TIMES FELT THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MAYBE THEY WANTED A LITTLE BIT MORE LOVE AND SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOW THAT AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND THAT WORD OF MOUTH GOING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE WE ARE OFTEN THE QUEUE ALL YOU DID THE TAX ABATEMENT SO YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT COMPANIES WHO COME FROM OUT OF TOWN.
THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO THAT, AND I THINK IT'S BEEN HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.
AS THE TECH FUEL AND THE BEXAR BILE ALSO SEEMS TO BE GOING VERY WELL.
>> JUST TWO QUICK QUESTION OR COMMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, I'M SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH THESE PROGRAMS FROM MY TIME AT BOLERO AND UNDERSTANDING ALL THE DIFFERENT FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED OUT THERE.
BEYOND THE SBIR STTR, WE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
THERE'S CONTINUOUS, THEY'RE PUT ON THE WEBSITE THAT OFFER DIFFERENT GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPANIES TO QUALIFY WITHIN SPECIFIC AREAS WITH TECHNOLOGY OR NEW INNOVATIVE APPROACHES.
WE LOOKED AT ANY OF THOSE OTHER ONES AS WELL.
>> AS I SAID, THIS CAME TO US FROM JOHN DICKSON.
HE PREVIOUSLY HEADED ORGANIZATION YOUR CALLS TO TIE.
WE WERE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH THE SBIR.
BUT IF THERE ARE OTHERS, WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT THOSE AND SEE WHICH COMPANIES IN SAN ANTONIO ARE RECEIVING THEM AND THEN EITHER CREATING AN ADJUNCT TO THIS PROGRAM OR BRINGING YOU BACK WITH A PROPOSAL FOR ANOTHER PROGRAM FOR THOSE.
BUT THIS IS JUST A STARTING POINT WHEN WE BEGAN THE INNOVATION FUND SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
>> THAT MAKES SENSE. AND WHETHER IT'S THROUGH DOE CONTACTS OR SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MAYBE ANOTHER GOOD RESOURCE TO EXPLORE THOSE OPTIONS.
>> WELL, WE KNOW ALL THOSE FOLKS OUT THERE, ADAM AND THE WHOLE TEAM, [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? THERE IS A MOTION ON FLOOR AND NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU. SIXTY ONE DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING ADOPTION OF POLICY WHERE
[61. Discussion and appropriate action regarding adoption of a policy for the disbursement of opioid settlement funds within the framework addressing early identification, access to care and continuity of care, to include the following categories of Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, Evaluation and Administration.]
[05:05:01]
THE DISBURSEMENT OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK ADDRESSING EARLY IDENTIFICATION, ACCESS TO CARE, AND CONTINUITY OF CARE.TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, EVALUATION, ADMINISTRATION. MR. LOZITO.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
MIKE LOZITO WITH THE OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
TODAY WE'RE DOING A OPIOID LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT FOREIGN POLICY ON DISBURSEMENT OF OPIOIDS SETTLEMENT FUNDS.
THEN DR. GUAJARDO IS ALSO GOING TO BE WORKING WITH ME ON THIS PRESENTATION AS THIS IS A JOINT PRESENTATION FROM BOTH OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
WE HAD THE JOINT OPIOID TASKFORCE WAS A CITY-COUNTY COLLABORATIVE CREATED IN 2017 BY MAYOR RON NIRENBERG AND COUNTY JUDGE NELSON WOLFF TO ADDRESS THE NUMBER OF OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS IN BEXAR COUNTY.
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE BACK IN 2021 REPORTED 246 OPIOID DEATHS IN OUR COUNTY.
WE HAD A PRESENTATION IN 2020 WITH THE TASKFORCE YEAR IN REVIEW, WHAT THEY LOOKED AT IN THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES THAT WE HAD IN THE COMMUNITY.
BEXAR COUNTY DECIDED TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN 2018 AND SO THAT LAWSUIT HAS BEEN MOVING ALONG IN THE SYSTEM.
NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE SETTLEMENT OFFERS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH AND ACTUALLY BEEN PAID.
YOU HAVE DIFFERENT ONES THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LAWSUIT THAT'S PENDING ON THE PHARMACIES.
BUT THE ONES TODAY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN SETTLED BY WATTS GEAR ON THERE.
WE HAD RECEIVED BACK IN 2022, IF YOU RECALL, 2.2 MILLION, ALMOST 2.3 MILLION IN FUNDS.
THEN JUST RECENTLY, WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE RECEIVED $9,983,357 FROM THE WATTS GEAR FUND.
THEN WE RECEIVED FROM ESTATE SETTLEMENT $2,199,693.
NOW ON THIS ONE, MY UNDERSTANDING WILL GET A CHECK FOR THE NEXT 18 YEARS, ONCE A YEAR, I THINK AROUND THE FOURTH QUARTER.
I DON'T KNOW THE FULL AMOUNT ON THAT YET, BUT WE'LL KNOW ONCE THAT CHECK COMES IN, THEN WE'LL KNOW THAT THAT'LL BE A YEARLY AMOUNT.
THEN ALSO FOUND OUT THERE'S ALSO AN INTERNATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING.
THAT'S GOING TO WORK THROUGH THERE.
THERE'LL BE DIFFERENT FUNDING STREAMS THAT WILL COME DOWN.
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE GETTING FROM THAT?
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE GETTING FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ONE?
>> NO, AS THEY SETTLE THEM, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF RIGHT NOW THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FINALIZED YET IN THE COURT.
THEN THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS FUNDING IS IS THAT THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS.
IT'S NOT LIKE THE RPA FUNDS THAT YOU HAVE TO SPEND IT WITHIN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT.
TOTAL RECEIVED WAS $14,477,716.
WE HAVE DISPERSED $1,615,518, AND WE HAVE NOW A REMAINING BALANCE AROUND $12,862,198.
IN THOSE FUNDS DISBURSED ON THERE WERE, I KNOW IF YOU RECALL LAST YEAR WE PUT 1.5 MILLION TO CROSS POINT FOR THE WOMAN'S WELLNESS PROGRAM.
THAT WAS BASICALLY TO INCREASE BEDS FOR WOMEN FROM 20-40 AND IT'S ON TARGET FOR COMPLETION IN SPRING OF 2024.
THEY'LL HAVE A WOMAN'S WELLNESS CAMPUS AND WORK WITH LADIES THAT THEY'RE EITHER PREGNANT OR THEY HAVE CHILDREN UP TO FIVE YEARS OLD THAT CAN LIVE THERE AT THE FACILITY WITH THEM AND THEY'RE GETTING FULL SERVICES FOR ADDICTION AND TREATMENT SERVICES AND THEN HELPING THEM TO GET TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT AND FOR THEM TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT ON THEIR OWN WITH THE CHILDREN.
THEN DR. GUAJARDO IS GOING TO PRESENT SOME STATS THAT WILL SHOW YOU SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE TRANSPIRED SINCE THEN.
THEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER PROGRAM COORDINATOR, SO 68,208 AND THIS IS THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE HAVE THAT WORKS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
[05:10:01]
MELISSA LUCIO SHE BACK HERE.SHE DOES THE ASSESSMENTS AT THE JAIL FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GETS THEM INTO OUR PROGRAMS LIKE LIFETIME RECOVERY AND ALPHA HOME FOR THEIR ADDICTION NEEDS.
THEN WE HAVE THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE DID A NARCAN PURCHASE FOR $47,310.
THAT'S REALLY BEEN A GOOD PROGRAM FOR US IN SAVING LIVES.
I'M GOING TO HAVE DR. GUAJARDO COME UP AND DISCUSS.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, DR. ANDREA GUERRERO-GUAJARDO, THE DIRECTOR PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
TO CONTINUE MIKE'S PRESENTATION ON OUR PRESENTATION, WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHAT ACTUALLY TRANSPIRED THROUGH THE DISBURSEMENT OF THOSE FUNDS.
YOU'VE GOTTEN THE BRIEF ON EXACTLY WHAT WAS RELEASED.
BUT BECAUSE OF THOSE DOLLARS THAT WERE INVESTED, WE'VE BROKEN THIS DOWN INTO SOME CATEGORIES HAVING TO DO WITH POLICY AND OPERATIONS, HARM REDUCTION, WHICH IS CONSIDERED INTERVENTION, AND THEN TREATMENT.
WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO WORK TOWARD A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, WHICH WE'LL SEE LATER IN THIS PRESENTATION SO THAT WE ARE BEING VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT HOW THESE DOLLARS HAVE BEEN INVESTED AND HOW WE'RE PROPOSING TO INVEST THEM IN THE FUTURE.
UNDER THE TOPIC OF POLICY AND OPERATIONS, THERE WAS THE RELEASE OF THE STUDY OF BEXAR COUNTY OPIOID RESPONSE SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND SO THAT WAS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE 2017 TASKFORCE REPORT THAT WAS CREATED TO DO A COMPLETE SYSTEMS OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF BASICALLY WHAT EXISTED IN TERMS OF OPIOID RESPONSE IN THE COUNTY.
DOLLARS ALSO HAVE GONE TO BASICALLY THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE THAT PROVIDED ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE LEGAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE OPIOID LAWSUIT AND THEN THE OVERSIGHT OF THESE SETTLEMENT DOLLARS.
ALL OF THE ADMIN WORK AND ALL THE BACK-END WORK THAT GOES INTO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF THIS RESOURCE.
WE'VE ALSO HIRED SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PROGRAM COORDINATOR.
OUR STAFF MEMBER RIGHT HERE, MELISSA LUCIO.
SHE HAS SO FAR, IN 2022, CONDUCTED 899 SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENINGS FROM THE JAIL AND CREATED 224 DIVERSIONS FOR LAST YEAR.
UNDER THE TOPIC OF HARM REDUCTION, WHICH IS NARCAN, NALOXONE, USE OF NALOXONE, PARTNERING WITH THE UT SCHOOL OF NURSING AND PRIMARILY WITH GORDASON MINISTRIES BECAUSE THEY ARE A VERY IMPORTANT HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM IN BEXAR COUNTY.
THERE HAVE BEEN 7,294 UNITS OF NARCAN DISTRIBUTED, 1,530 REVERSALS, 1,907 TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THE NUMBER 5,695 NEEDLE EXCHANGES.
FURTHER, THE BEXAR COUNTY HARM REDUCTION COALITION SO THESE ARE UNDUPLICATED NUMBERS HAVE DISTRIBUTED ADDITIONAL 2,323 UNITS OF NARCAN WITH 454 REVERSALS AND THEN AGAIN, BEAR COUNTY SHERIFF, THEY RECEIVED THAT $47,000 INVESTMENT, 1,968 DOSES DISTRIBUTED AND HAVE 14 REVERSALS JUST SINCE THIS JANUARY.
I'LL PAUSE HERE JUST FOR A SECOND BECAUSE AND YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY FROM THIS MICROPHONE BEFORE THAT EACH OF THESE NUMBERS, WHETHER IT'S A CHILD RECEIVING MENTAL WELLNESS SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OR IF IT'S A PERSON WHO'S BEING ADMINISTERED NARCAN, EACH ONE OF THOSE REVERSALS REPRESENTS A LIFE THAT WAS SAVED, AND THAT LIFE THAT'S SAVED AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT PERSON TO THEN ENTER RECOVERY OR WHATEVER THE NEXT STEP IS IN THEIR PROCESS.
ALTHOUGH WE LOVE THE DATA, BUT THERE'S PEOPLE BEHIND THIS AND SO THAT'S VERY ENCOURAGING THAT WE HAVE THIS MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT OF THESE DOLLARS.
FURTHERMORE, IN TERMS OF TREATMENT, THESE ARE DIRECT SERVICES.
THAT INVESTMENT FOR CASA MIA WOMEN'S TREATMENT FACILITY REACHED 53 WOMEN, THERE WERE 10 REUNIFICATION WITH CHILDREN AND THREE CHILDREN WERE REMOVED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S JUST PART OF THE PROCESS AND THAT HAS TO HAPPEN SOMETIME. NEXT SLIDE.
[LAUGHTER] AGAIN, WANTING TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THIS RESOURCE, WANTING TO PUT A FRAMEWORK, WE DID SOME INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT ARE SOME NATIONAL FRAMEWORKS, WHAT ARE SOME BEST PRACTICES, AND WHAT ARE SOME EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES FOR DOING THIS? WE LOOKED AT THE JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, LOOKING AT THEIR PRINCIPLES FOR THE USE OF FUNDS, USING MONEY TO SAVE LIVES, USING EVIDENCE TO GUIDE OUR SPENDING INVESTING IN YOUTH.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT OUR YOUTH TODAY FOCUSING ON RACIAL EQUITY BECAUSE WE OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THE HISTORICAL NATURE OF THAT AND HOW IT CREATES INEQUITIES IN THIS CITY AND WE DIDN'T PUSH IT ENOUGH.
THEN DEVELOPING A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS FOR DECIDING WHERE TO SPEND THE FUNDING TO YOUR POINT, JUDGE, ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.
COME UP WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THIS IS, LIKE I SAID,
[05:15:04]
BASED ON THE HHS FRAMEWORK FOR THE PREVENTION OF OPIOID OVERDOSES.IT'S A FEDERAL STRATEGY AND WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN APPLY THIS DIRECTLY TO OUR LOCAL PRIORITIES ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD THROUGH THE OPIOID TASK FORCE AND THEN THROUGH THE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS.
THE FIVE BUCKETS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, OPERATE ON A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THE TREATMENT OF OPIOID USE, PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, EVIDENCE-BASED RECOVERY, AND THEN ADMINISTRATION.
WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS OUR PROPOSAL TO PUT GUARDRAILS AROUND THE TYPES OF SPENDING, BUT ALSO LEAVE ENOUGH LEEWAY SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AS THEY COME UP.
THIS IS OUR RECOMMENDED MOTION.
I HOPE YOU'LL INDULGE ME AND I KNOW WE'RE TAKING TIME, BUT FORTUNATELY, MY NORMAL SPEAKING VOICE IS ONE-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE SPEED UNLIKE MR. MARQUEZ.
I'D LIKE TO READ SOME OF THE INCIDENT IS IN THE POLICY THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING, BUT READING INTO THE RECORD THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT WOULD QUALIFY UNDER ALL OF THESE AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LONG LIST, SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME.
UNDER PREVENTION, WE'RE LOOKING AT PRIMARY PREVENTION PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES EDUCATION, THEN ALSO ADDRESSING OPIOID USE AND MISUSE AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. UNDER TRAINING, OPIOID 101 TRAINING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, TRAINING PRESCRIBERS ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING PROGRAMS, SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING, MEDICAID ASSISTORY RECOVERY SERVICES, ALSO KNOWN AS MARS.
OXFORD HOUSE TRAINING, AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AND LOCAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRAINING.
RECOVERY FORUMS AND COLLABORATIVE MEETINGS.
RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES SUMMIT FOCUSED ON TARGET POPULATION TO INCLUDE BUILDING RECOVERY COMMUNITIES THAT OFFER SOBER ACTIVITIES.
WE'RE USED DISORDER RE-ENTRY TRAINING AND INTENTIONAL PEER SUPPORT TRAINING FOCUSED ON OUR TARGET POPULATION.
COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID OVERDOSE TRAINING, BOTH ONSITE ONLINE MATERIALS, AND MEDICAID-ASSISTED TREATMENT ADVOCACY TRAINING.
INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, VETERANS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS, FAITH-BASED NON-PROFITS SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE AWARENESS AND REDUCE STIGMA.
UNDER INTERVENTION. WE'RE PROPOSING TO FUND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXPANDING OUTREACH, SCREENING, AND REFERRAL ACTIVITIES FOR TARGETED POPULATIONS IN LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND LOCAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND ALSO HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS. UNDER EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT OPERATIONAL PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES ANNUAL SPENDING WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE FUNDING.
MEDICAID ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAMS, EXPANDED RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ADDRESS TARGETED POPULATIONS, EXPANDING GROUP HOUSING, WORKFORCE, INCREASED SOBER LIVING HOUSING OPTIONS, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, HOUSING FIRST, AND HOMELESS PROGRAMS. EXPANDING PEER RE-ENTRY PROGRAM TO TARGET POPULATION, ADDING JOB DEVELOPERS AND RECOVERY COACHES TO STAFF.
ADDING SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING INCLUDING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
INVEST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF EXISTING PROGRAMS TO INCREASE BED CAPACITY OR EXPAND OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AND COACHING SERVICES, RELAPSE PREVENTION, FAMILY EDUCATION, AND TREATMENT ACCESS AS NEEDED, FACILITATION, INCLUSION, COORDINATION OF LOCAL TREATMENT ENTITIES, INCLUDING GRASSROOTS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
CLEAN SLATE EXPUNGEMENTS PROGRAMS, CLEARING THE RECORD FOR DRUG OFFENSES TO IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND OTHER CREDIT-RELATED OPPORTUNITIES.
VETERANS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS THAT EXPAND THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMUNITY BEDS TO INCLUDE HOSPITAL BEDS AND UNDER ADMINISTRATION.
WE ARE PROPOSING EXPANDING EVALUATION ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF AND CONSULTING, AND ALSO RESEARCH AND EVALUATION.
>> [OVERLAPPING] HOW DO YOU BREATHE AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME? [LAUGHTER]
>> COMMISSIONER, CLAY FLORES YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HEARD IT IN THE LIST, IN THE LONG LIST THAT YOU READ.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALSO HAVE ROOM FOR MENTAL HEALTH BEDS, SO I KNOW THAT WAS INCLUDED.
I'M JUST GLAD THAT WE'RE GETTING MORE MONEY.
SAD SITUATION WHERE WE'RE GETTING MORE MONEY TO PUSH FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADULT BED, SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOTION BY CLAY FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS?
>> DR. GUAJARDO, THE LONG LISTS THAT YOU JUST READ, DOES THAT DIFFER FROM THE RECOMMENDED MOTION?
IT IS INCLUSIVE OF AND JUST EXPANDING THESE ARE EXAMPLES, BUT THEY'RE NOT EXCLUSIVE OF SOMETHING ELSE.
LIKE I SAID, WE'RE INTENDING IT TO BE INCLUSIVE ENOUGH TO WHERE IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE ON THIS LIST, BUT THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE TYPES OF FUNDING THAT CAN COME BEFORE ITS POLICY.
>> THE RECOMMENDED MOTION COVERS ALL THE THINGS THAT WERE SPECIFIC.
>> YEAH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ THE LIST.
>> I JUST WANTED TO DOUBLE-CHECK.
THANK YOU. I'M PREPARED TO START.
>> JUST TO CONFIRM, WE'RE DEVELOPING A PROPOSED POLICY THAT WILL COME BACK TO COURT TO BE ADOPTED, RIGHT? BECAUSE I SEE THESE CATEGORIES, BUT AS FAR AS THE NEXT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THIS IS INTENDED TO BE THE POLICY, BUT THEN EACH OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD
[05:20:02]
BE PROPOSED WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO COURT FOR APPROVAL RIGHT? YES.>> [OVERLAPPING] RECOMMENDED POLICY FROM STAFF AS TO BUCKETS THAT TO SPEND IT ON AND THEN WE WOULD COME BACK TO YOU AS WE FURTHER DEVELOP LIKE WHAT PROGRAMS AND SO FORTH WE WOULD ACTUALLY FUND.
THIS IS JUST THE START OF THE PROCESS.
>> I WOULD SEE THIS JUST THE START OF A FRAMEWORK, AND THEN ONCE YOU COME BACK WITH THE ACTUAL SPIN MIX BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AND WHAT THOSE ENTITIES ARE, THEN THAT WOULD BE CLOSER TO A FULL-BLOWN POLICY. THANK YOU.
>> NO, I THINK I'M A GOOD JUDGE.
I DID WANT TO MENTION SINCE WE'RE UTILIZING THESE SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR ALL OF THESE IMPORTANT ITEMS THAT I DID SPEND PART OF MY SPRING BREAK LAST WEEK AT THE CAPITAL.
THERE IS AND I KNOW MELISSA WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT WE GOT CAUGHT UP.
THERE WAS A HOUSE BILL THAT IS ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO PREVENT US FROM TAKING A CAUSE OF ACTION UNDER THIS PUBLIC NUISANCE AND I WENT UP AND TESTIFY COMMISSIONER CALVERT SUBMITTED SOME WRITTEN TESTIMONY AND COMMUNICATION WITH YOU JUDGE.
I THINK IT WAS JUST IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT OBVIOUSLY, THERE HAS BEEN DAMAGE DONE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND WE ARE DOING OUR BEST WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE'RE GETTING BACK TO WRITE THAT WRONG, SO TO SPEAK.
LEVERAGE, AGAIN, BASICALLY, NOT USING TAX DOLLARS, BUT USING SETTLEMENT DOLLARS TO ENHANCE THESE PROGRAMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS MIC AND DR. RICARDO, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU GUYS BRINGING BACK SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
>> ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? LET ME JUST SAY THIS DR. GUAJARDO AND MIKE LOZITO.
I APPRECIATE THIS PRESENTATION.
YOU'VE SHOWN ME WHERE YOU'VE BEEN, YOU SHOW ME NOW WE'RE GOING AND I APPRECIATE THE SPECIFICITY AND THE STRUCTURE AND THE BOUNDARIES THAT YOU'VE PUT IN THERE.
ONE LAST QUESTION, DIDN'T WE GIVE LIFETIME 1.9 MILLION? AND IF WE DID, HOW COME WE'RE NOT TAKING CREDIT OR IS THAT FROM A DIFFERENT BUSINESS?
>> THAT WAS FROM THE RPA BUCKET AND WE ACTUALLY GAVE THEM 8.1 MILLION, SO FOUR MILLION WENT TOWARD 50-BED MEN'S FACILITY.
I THINK THEY HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE COMING UP THIS WEEK. IT'S MATTER OF FACT.
THURSDAY. THEN FOR WOMEN, 60-BED FACILITY WHICH WILL OPEN SPRING OF NEXT YEAR.
>> ONLY COMMENT IS I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE OF THE BUCKETS THAT WE HAVE WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM BUT THAT'S STILL IN YOUR PROGRAMS, CORRECT, DR. GUAJARDO?
>> I'D LIKE TO ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALWAYS BRING US THE AGGREGATE ON SOME TYPE OF WHEN WE DO THESE PRESENTATIONS.
ALL OF US CAN SAY, WELL IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT IF YOU'D LIKE. IS THAT ALL? NO, THE COUNTY HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHABILITATION AND MENTAL HEALTH.
AT ALL PRESENTATIONS AND COMMISSIONERS, I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO TELL THIS COMMUNITY HOW MUCH WE ARE COMMITTED TO DEAL WITH THOSE SPECIFIC ISSUES AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE OVERALL.
THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTION? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION (DISCUSSION ONLY: CLOSED TO PUBLIC)]
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO LET ME GIVE THE HEADS UP.THE COURT WILL NOW CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS MAY BE DISCUSSED AND ACT UPON IF APPROPRIATE, AND OPEN SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COURTS' ATTORNEY FOR ADVICE REGARDING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS.
A, A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY OF THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
STATE BAR TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH CHAPTER 551, THE GOVERNMENT CODES SPECIFICALLY SUBSECTION 1, LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO AGREEMENT FILED BY THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION OF BEXAR COUNTY PURSUANT TO THE EXISTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH BEXAR COUNTY.
B, PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFER IN THE FOLLOWING MATTER.
SUBSECTION I, WISER VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, SUBJECTION 2, GARCIA VERSUS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 4.
THIS TIME, THE COURT GOES INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> ALL RIGHT WE'RE BACK INTO SESSION, AFTER COMPLETION OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS THE MOTION.
[62. Discussion and appropriate action related to pending or contemplated litigation or a settlement offers in the matters of:]
[05:25:02]
>> JUDGE, JUST NEED TO READ THIS ONE INTO THE RECORD.
THANK YOU, JUDGE, SO DURING EXECUTIVE, THE COURT CONSIDERED SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER OF MICHELLE GARCIA VERSUS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 4 AND CIVIL SERVICE APPEAL CASE NUMBER 22-BCCS-002 AND APPROVED SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 29,000 AND SUBJECT TO ANY APPROPRIATE WITHHOLDING AND THAT REPRESENTS BACK PAY.
>> MOVE APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DA'S OFFICE.
>> MOTION MOVES BY COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE] MOTION IN DISCUSSION ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF A LONG-TIME COUNTY EMPLOYEE AND A NAVY VETERAN, JEFF ROONEY, AND ALSO GUADALUPE LUPE SANCHEZ.
>> JUDGE, I WOULD MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE NAME OF THE FOLLOWING PRECINCT TO CONSTITUENTS JOSEPH OSCAR MUNIZ, JOSEPHINE ELAINE, WOOLSLEY TOLARSKI, ANTHONY RAMIREZ JR. WILLE LEE THOMAS, ARTHUR GLENN, SINGLETARY ELIA FUENTES, AND JOSEPHINE K. DENSER.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF MARY ALICE HURD A FORMER CONGRESSMAN WILL HURD'S MOTHER.
SCOTT EDWARD HAYES, SISTER ESTELLA FLYNN, AND EUGENE A. FLORES.
>> JUDGE I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN HONOR OF RAYMOND LAMBERT JR, GLORIA CAMPOS RODRIGUEZ, [INAUDIBLE] RODRIGUEZ, ANNA MARIE, SCHAFER LOPEZ RETIRED BEXAR COUNTY DEPUTY.
>> ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION [INAUDIBLE] SAY AYE.
>> THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.