[1. Opening Prayer: Leonora Walker, FREED Texas ] [00:00:05] >> MORNING, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING FOR MAY 2ND, 2023. AT THIS TIME, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, CAN YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE AND DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH JUDGE. I WANT TO ASK LEONORA WALKER TO COME TO THE DAIS. I'M HONORED TO INTRODUCE HER TO DELIVER THE INVOCATION FOR TODAY'S MEETING. MS. WALKER WAS ONCE FORMERLY INCARCERATED, BUT THROUGH HER YEARS OF OVERCOMING SO MANY PRISON SYSTEM BARRIERS, PERSONAL HEALING THROUGH EDUCATION AND HER STRONG FAITH IN GOD. LEONORA WALKER BELIEVED HER PAST DID NOT NEED TO DICTATE HER FUTURE IN A NEGATIVE WAY. LEONORA REALIZED THAT HER LIVED EXPERIENCES CAN HELP MANY PEOPLE OVERCOME HOPELESSNESS THROUGH COMPASSION, AND HER EXPERTISE AND SUPPORTING JUSTICE INVOLVE PEOPLE. IN 2019, SHE BECAME THE FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF FREED TEXAS, A HOLISTIC EDUCATIONAL 501C3. FREED STANDS FOR FINISHING, RECIDIVISM THROUGH EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DIVINITY. LEONORA IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DESIGNATED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WORKING WITH AGENCIES SUCH AS THE SAN ANTONIO, ALCOHOL AND AWARENESS, THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AND SHE WAS ALSO VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO CHAPTER FOR THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF LEADERSHIP AND SUCCESS, AND HOLDS A DEGREE IN HUMAN SERVICES, ADDICTION STUDIES FROM SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE. SHE FORMED MANY STRONG PARTNERSHIPS TO SERVE THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED, PARTICULARLY WITH BEXAR COUNTY. I'D LIKE TO THANK LEONORA FOR JOINING US TODAY, AND I NOW ASK EVERYONE TO RISE AND SHE WILL LEAD US IN PRAYER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER, AND THANK YOU AS WELL EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. IT IS DEFINITELY A HUMBLE BLESSING. LET US BOW OUR HEADS AND REVERENCE OF GOD. HEAVENLY FATHER, LORD JESUS, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. YOU HAVE GIVEN US THE BREADTH OF LIFE LORD. WE THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING IN THIS MOMENT, IN THIS TIME. YOU HAVE GIVEN US A DAY IN A MONTH, A WHOLE MONTH LORD OF PREVENTION THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING OF IN THIS TIME LORD. IT IS TIME FOR US FOR OUR HEALING LORD, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH DIVISION, SO MUCH HATRED, SO MUCH ONGOING, SO MUCH BACKSTABBING, SO MANY THINGS LORD, THAT ARE UNLIKE YOU. WE JUST ASKED YOU IN THIS MOMENT LORD, TO HEAL EACH AND EVERYBODY'S HEART LORD. HEAL THEIR MIND, HEAL THEIR BODY, LET THEM SEE THE TRUTH LORD, THROUGH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. I ASK YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, JUST TO GUIDE. GUIDE EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT'S HERE, LORD. THAT REPRESENTS OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS OUR COUNTY LORD, THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY. THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE HURTING MORE THAN THEY'VE EVER HURT BEFORE. WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE GREATER THAN EVERY HURT, YOU OR GREATER THAN EVERY PAIN, AND YOU'RE NAME JESUS IS GREATER THAN EVERY NAME. WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, TO GIVE YOU ALL THE GLORY, TO GIVE YOU ALL THE BLESSINGS, BECAUSE IT IS FOR YOU GOD THAT WE DO WHAT WE DO. IT IS FOR YOU GOD THAT WE LEVERAGE YOU. IT IS FOR YOU GOD THAT WE STAND HERE RIGHT NOW WITH THE BREADTH OF LIFE, WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE, TO HELP MORE, TO HEAL MORE. I JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE DOING GREAT THINGS IN THE MIDST. THROUGH IT ALL WE WILL PRESS THROUGH, WE WILL GET UP AND WE WILL CONTINUE LORD, TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT LOWER BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE THE VICTORY IN YOU. WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE VICTORIOUS, THAT YOU ARE THE ROSE OF SHARON LORD, THAT YOU EITHER PRINCE OF PIECE, THAT YOU ARE THE OMEGA, YOU ARE THE ALMIGHTY, AND WE JUST TAKE YOU RIGHT NOW FOR YOUR PRESENCE. EACH PERSON HEAL, TOUCH HIDDEN HEARTS, LORD. EACH PERSON HEAL TOUCH, LORD, OPEN HEARTS LORD. EACH PERSON THAT'S COMING TODAY WITH A PROCLAMATION THAT'S COMING WITH A NEED AND DESIRE TO HEAL OUR COMMUNITY, LORD, BLESSED THEM AND BLESS THEM IN ABUNDANCE. BECAUSE IT'S FOR YOUR GLORY THAT WE HAVE ALL THINGS TODAY AND THAT WE ARE STANDING HERE TODAY, AND WE GIVE YOU ALL THE PRAISE AND ALL THE GLORY AND YOUR PRECIOUS NAME, JESUS, THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, WE PRAY, AMEN. >> AMEN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> THANK YOU, MS. LEONORA WALKER. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I APPOINTED HER TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMITTEE AND SHE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT COMMITTEE THAT HOPE OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO BETTER THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE INDIGENT IN OUR CRIMINAL COURTS. THANK YOU MS. WALKER FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. WE'RE GOING DO THE FIRST PRESENTATION. [3. CEREMONIAL ITEM(S): ] WE GOT QUITE A FEW. I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU ALL TRY TO LIMIT [00:05:03] YOUR COMMENTS OR WHOEVER IS GOING TO COME FORWARD. AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO DO THE FIRST ONE IS PRESENTATION OR PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING MAY 13TH AS FOOD DRIVE TO STAMP OUT HUNGER ON BEHALF OF THE ALAMO CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS. WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE COME FORWARD? EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE, COME ALL LETTER CARRIES. LET'S GET YOU UP HERE AND I'M GOING TO READ OUT THE PROCLAMATION AT THIS TIME. WHEREAS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS ASSOCIATION, SAN ANTONIO ALAMO BRANCH 421 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US POSTAL SERVICE, UNITED WAY OF SAN ANTONIO IN BEXAR COUNTY, AND THE SAN ANTONIO AFL-CIO WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE 31ST ANNUAL STAMP OUT HUNGER FOOD DRIVE ON MAY 13TH, 2023, AND WHEREAS THE LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE STAMP OUT HUNGER IS A NATIONWIDE FUND DRIVE WITH EVENTS AND BEXAR COUNTY AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. SINCE THE PILOT DRIVE WAS HELD IN 1991, MORE THAN £1.82 BILLION OF FOOD HAVE BEEN COLLECTED. THE SAN ANTONIO ALAMO BRANCH, 421 WAS ONE OF THE PILOT CITIES WHERE THE FOOD DRIVE BEGAN. WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE ALL LETTER CARRIERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK, AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. ALL THE FOOD COLLECTED IN OUR COMMUNITY STAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE SUPPORT CARRIERS EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS SATURDAY, MAY 13TH, 2023 AS LETTER CARRIERS FOOD DRIVE DAY TO STAMP OUT HUNGER. WE CALL UPON THE PEOPLE OF BEXAR COUNTY TO LEAVE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD DONATIONS BY THEIR MAILBOXES. WHEN YOU GO GET YOUR MAIL, YOU CAN DROP THE FOOD THERE. WHICH WILL BE PICKED UP BY LETTER CARRIERS WHILE ON THE ROUTES AND DELIVERED TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS AND CHARITY PANTRIES. WITNESSES SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICE, THIS 2ND OF MAY 2023, SIGNED BY MYSELF AND THE FOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. LET'S GIVE THEM A WARM WELCOME. [APPLAUSE] >> WOULD YOU PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND INTRODUCE ALL THE MEMBERS? >> ERIC RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT POSTMASTER HERE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. >> LOUISE JORDAN, PRESIDENT ALAMO BRANCH 421. >> J. DAVIS, LETTER CARRIER. >> [INAUDIBLE], VICE PRESIDENT OF NCLC BRANCH 41. >> DID YOU ALL WANT TO MAKE ANY STATEMENT, ANYTHING? YOU'RE ACTUALLY ON TV SO NOW YOU CAN TELL THE PUBLIC. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, SIR. YOU'VE BEEN OVER AT OUR UNION HALL AND WE REALLY WELCOMED YOU. THIS IS THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOOD DRIVE. THIS YEAR WE DO HAVE 800,000 BAGS TO GIVE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY SO THEY CAN FILL THEM FOR THEIR MAILBOXES. FOR THAT, WE NEED JUST THANK CPS ENERGY THAT DONATED THOSE BOXES. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO PUT ON THE RECORD, I LOVE LETTER CARRIERS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH WHATEVER WEATHER OR TRIALS OR TRIBULATIONS YOU GET THE MAIL THERE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> CAN Y'ALL STEP FORWARD FOR A PICTURE. COMMISSIONERS, I'M GOING TO STAY BEHIND AND YOU ALL CAN GET IN FRONT THERE. JUST LEAVE A LITTLE SPACE SO I CAN GET IN THERE. TOM CORE GRAPHIC. [BACKGROUND] >> THERE WE GO. CONGRATULATIONS GUYS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL. GOD BLESS YOU. [BACKGROUND] >> COMMISSIONER CALVERT I'M GOING TO LET YOU READ THAT. AT THIS TIME, AS THE COMMISSIONERS MAKE THEIR WAY BACK, PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZED IN [00:10:05] MAY 2ND THROUGH MAY 5TH AS BEXAR COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, AND RECOGNIZING THE PARTNERSHIP AND EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, SBA, SAN ANTONIO DISTRICT OFFICE, SOUTHWEST SBDC NETWORK, UTSA, SBDC, AND BEXAR COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT. I'LL ASK COMMISSIONER CALVERT TO READ THE PROCLAMATION AND ASKS WHOEVER'S GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP. YOU ALL ARE FREE TO DO THAT AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF, COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> THANK YOU ALL THIS MORNING FOR JOINING US. WE'VE GOT A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU, AND IT READS, [NOISE] >> PARDON ME. WHEREAS AMERICA'S STRONGEST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ALMOST 40 YEARS HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY THE RESILIENCE OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WHO DESPITE A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, CONTINUE TO PIONEER INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO OUR COUNTRY'S GREATEST CHALLENGES AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES AND WORKERS. WHEREAS SMALL BUSINESSES REMAIN THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, EMPLOYING MORE THAN HALF OF OUR NATION'S WORKERS, INVENTING AND INNOVATING TO LAUNCH NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND CREATE NEW AMERICAN-LED INDUSTRIES. ENRICHING OUR MAIN STREETS, MAKING PARTS AND PRODUCTS IN AMERICA TO FUEL OUR SUPPLY CHAINS, AND BUILDING OUR NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE. WHEREAS HISTORIC INVESTMENTS MADE THROUGH THE PRESIDENT'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, INFRASTRUCTURE, INVESTMENT, AND JOBS ACT, CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT, AND INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WILL ENSURE SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE ACCESS TO FEDERAL CAPITAL SUPPORT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP LEAD THE WAY AS WE REBUILD AMERICA'S ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND BUILD THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY FOR THE FUTURE. WHEREAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS PROCLAIMED NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK EVERY YEAR SINCE 1963 TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH THE US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WHEREAS BEXAR COUNTY SUPPORTS AND JOINS IN THIS NATIONAL EFFORT TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES TO THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, AND WILL HOST A FREE BEXAR COUNTY MEET THE BUYERS EVENT ON FRIDAY, MAY 5TH, AT THE AT&T CENTER. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS A WEEK OF MAY 2ND THROUGH THE 5TH, 2023. AS BEXAR COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OFFICES THE SECOND DAY OF MAY 2023, SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A WORD? [APPLAUSE] >> PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION. >> MY NAME IS CINDY SERRANO, I'M WITH THE SBA DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THIS WEEK WE WILL BE HONORING 12 SMALL BUSINESSES ON MAY 4TH AT THE NORRIS CONFERENCE CENTER. ALONG WITH YOU TO SAY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER. OF COURSE, THIS WEEK IS A GREAT WEEK FOR HONORING, EMPOWERING THE SMALL BUSINESSES AS LONG AS THEY THRIVE AND PROMOTED JOBS CREATION THROUGHOUT THE US. WE APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS RICHARD SIFUENTES. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE UTSA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, I'M CHRIS FABRIC. I'M CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES HERE FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. >> GRACE GONZALEZ ON THE SWING BEAT BOARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JASON BURGOS, DATA AND CONTRACT COMPLIANCE MANAGER WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT. >> HEY, GOOD MORNING, RENE WATSON. I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND NOT JUST TODAY, BUT ALL YEAR, AS WE SUPPORT AND WORK TO ENHANCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THERE'S A LOT OF EVENTS THIS WEEK, WE'LL BE THERE WITH COMMISSIONER MOODY TOMORROW, I BELIEVE, AT THE HISPANIC CHAMBER, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT ONE, AS WELL AS THE MEET THE BUYER EVENT WE'RE HAVING ON FRIDAY. WE CURRENTLY HAVE AROUND 400 SMALL BUSINESSES REGISTERED FOR THE AT&T CENTER EVENT. THE LUNCHEON FOR UTSA AND SBA IS ON THURSDAY WHERE THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZING THE AWARD WINNERS. WE HAVE A FEW INVITATIONS TO A COUPLE OF YOUR OFFICES AND WE'RE SAYING IF YOU'LL BE ABLE TO JOIN US. THIS MORNING, UNIVERSITY HEALTH IS DOING AN OUTREACH EVENT AT THE NORRIS CONFERENCE CENTER. IF ANYONE IS LISTENING OR INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH UNIVERSITY HEALTH FROM 09:00 AM TO NOON, THIS MORNING, THEY ARE OUT THERE, SO GET OUT THERE AND GO OUT AND SEE HOW YOU CAN DO BUSINESS WITH OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, RENE. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I'M ALL IN FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. LET US CONTINUE THAT SUPPORT. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> OH, YES. COMMISSIONER, LET'S GET A PICTURE. YOU ALL COME FORWARD. PLEASE FORGIVE ME, BUT I STILL HAVE A LITTLE INJURY, SO I'M GOING TO SIT. JUST DON'T BLOCK ME OUT. >> WE WON'T DO THAT. [BACKGROUND] >> THERE YOU GO. [00:15:06] COME HERE, COMMISSIONER. COME ON. [BACKGROUND]. >> THREE, TWO, ONE. [NOISE] >> THANK YOU. GOD BLESS. WHAT'S UP TO YOU-ALL? I'LL READ THE NEXT PART, YOU HAVE THE FOURTH ONE AND YOU HAVE THE FIFTH ONE. THERE'S TWO PROCLAMATION GELB HAVE TO READ. WHO'S THAT WITH THE PROCLAMATIONS? >> TOMMY, DOES. >> TOMMY? I HAVE THE THIRD ONE, I JUST NEED THE FOURTH AND FIFTH FOR REBECCA AND JUSTIN. LET'S DO THE PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES, INC, AND THE MONTH OF MAY BE ANNUALLY RECOGNIZED IN BEXAR COUNTY AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION MONTH. WOULD YOU PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF? OBVIOUSLY, THIS ISSUE AND THIS MONTH IS A VERY SPECIAL MONTH FOR ME, AND THE COMMITMENT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE TODAY. MS. MARTHA, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND EVERYBODY HERE IN YOUR BEHALF? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, VERY MUCH. ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. UNSCRIPTED TODAY BECAUSE THIS IS EMOTIONAL FOR ME. IT'S AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RECOGNITION OF A TRAJECTORY OF COMPASSION, PASSION, REVISION, REINSTATING PROGRAMS, GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, LEARNING FROM THE VICTIMS, FROM THE SURVIVORS, MAKING SURE THAT WE'D LINK WITH ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ALL ARE IMPORTANT. THE SHELTER IS NOT FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES SHELTER, IT'S THE COMMUNITY'S SHELTER. IT IS UP TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SHELTER ONE DAY CLOSES ITS DOORS AND IT'S CONVERTED INTO MY DREAM, AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE, TWO-YEAR COLLEGE FOR WOMEN. I STILL HAVE THAT DREAM. I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT DREAM UNTIL WE SEE ITS DOORS CLOSED BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT OUR STAMP ON THE COMMUNITY SAYING NO MORE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PROCLAMATION IN THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS INVIGORATING TO US. I DEDICATED, ALTHOUGH IT HASN'T BEEN READ BUT I KNOW WHAT IT SAYS, IT'S OF COURSE FOR THE VICTIMS, FOR THE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. BUT AS I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, ONE PERSON AND ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND ME, THERE ARE 100 OTHERS THAT STARVE, THAT ON A DAILY BASIS WIPE THE TEARS, CONSOLE THE CHILDREN, AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE. FORTY SIX YEARS, CLOSE TO 300,000 LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN SAVED. WE CONTINUE RAZOR-SHARP FOCUSED ON SAVING LIVES. BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THAT WHEN THEY COME TO US IS BECAUSE SOMETHING DRAMATIC HAS HAPPENED. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO THOSE LIVES YEARS AND DAYS, MONTHS BEFORE. AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US WHO WORK DAILY TO LINK WITH EVERYBODY, AND LET ME JUST SAY THERE ARE INSTITUTIONS LIKE THIS INSTITUTION HERE BEXAR COUNTY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, ALL OF THEM ARE IN SUPPORT OF STAMPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MS. MARTHA, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR GUEST? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> OR THEY ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES? >> YES. I'M GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. SOME OF THEM ARE BOARD MEMBERS. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS. COME FORWARD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS. >> SUSAN PETERSON, BOARD MEMBER. >> SANDRA BONNET, BOARD MEMBER. >> ELLEN PLIGHT, BOARD MEMBER. >> MARK JIMENEZ, BOARD MEMBER. >> GOOD MORNING. MILLIE POWERS, BOARD MEMBER. >> HECTOR SILOS, DEPUTY CHIEF FOR SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION DIVISION. [00:20:01] >> THANK YOU. MR. GONZALEZ, IS THIS THE ONE? >> CAPTAIN [INAUDIBLE], YOUR SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. >> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT, IF I MAY, TO JUST RECOGNIZE THE HARD WORK THAT THIS ORGANIZATION DOES. I WANTED TO THANK THE ENTIRE BOARD AND MULTIPLE LIVES ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO BE A SCOURGE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE MADE THAT A NUMBER 1 PRIORITY IN OUR OFFICE AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT BY OURSELVES. IT TAKES PARTNERS LIKE THIS GROUP TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE SCOURGE. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT, JUDGE, TO RECOGNIZE THE HARD WORK THAT ALL YOU, BOARD MEMBERS DO. MARTHA, EVERYBODY, AND AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OF BEXAR COUNTY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR UNDYING DEDICATION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. [NOISE] >> THANK YOU, JOE. I THINK I FAILED TO READ THE PROCLAMATION, [LAUGHTER] >> SO MY BAD. PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS ADULTS AND CHILDREN TO THIS AND EVERY COMMUNITY HAVE THE INALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE, FREE OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE, AND WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AFFECTS ONE OUT OF THREE WOMEN IN TEXAS, AND WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PROBLEM OF GREAT CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY AS IT INTERSECTS WITH CHILD ABUSE, HOMELESSNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS, TEEN VIOLENCE, AND THE OVERALL WELLNESS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEREAS, FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES, INC, IS DEDICATED TO INCREASING AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GENERATIONAL TRAUMA, AND WHEREAS BEXAR COUNTY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES, INC, HAVE A COMMON VISION OF A COMMUNITY WITHOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND ITS NEGATIVE AND DANGEROUS EFFECTS, AND WHEREAS FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES, INC COMMEMORATES 46 YEARS OF PREVENTIVE, RESTORATIVE, AND LIFESAVING SERVICES TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN BEXAR COUNTY AND BEYOND, NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED IN THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZED AS THE CONTRIBUTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES, INC, PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION MONTH IN BEXAR COUNTY AND URGES ALL RESIDENTS, FAMILIES TO PROMOTE EDUCATION OF THE DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WHEREAS SIGNED BY MYSELF AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, LET'S GIVE THIS GROUP A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THEIR SACRIFICE. [APPLAUSE]. >> JOE, COME FORWARD. IT'S TIME TO TAKE A PICTURE. [BACKGROUND] >> COME ON UP. [NOISE]. >> THANK YOU, MS. MARTHA. >> YOU'RE MY FRIEND, THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, JUDGE. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. CAN YOU MAKE A LITTLE ROOM FOR ME, PLEASE? THERE YOU GO. >> RIGHT HERE, THREE, TWO, ONE. [NOISE] >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME [BACKGROUND]. >> YOU HAVE THE NEXT ONE. YOU WANT TO READ IT FROM THERE OR YOU WANT TO READ FROM [BACKGROUND]. >> PRESENTATION OR A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF COMMERCIAL COURT WERE CIRCLES OF SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY COALITION PROCLAIMS MAY 7TH, 13, 2023 AS NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK AND URGES RESONANCE TO JOIN THE CIRCLES OF SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY COALITION AND RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, PREVENTION AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH. COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK, A CELEBRATION OF POSSIBILITY IS A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE WORK OF COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION, AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE THE POWER OF PREVENTION AND THE SMALL DAILY ACTIONS DONE BY INDIVIDUALS, COMBINED WITH THE ACTIONS OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THAT COME TOGETHER TO MAKE UP THE LARGER, BOLD MOVEMENT OF PREVENTION AND WHEREAS THE CIRCLES OF SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY COALITION WORKS DAILY WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ALL THEIR PARTNERS TO PROMOTE THE AWARENESS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH, IMPLEMENTING PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND SHOWCASING EFFECTIVENESS OF EVIDENCE-BASED PREVENTION RESOURCES. WHEREAS SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION BEYOND NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK AND [00:25:04] WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE YOUR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON WHY PREVENTION IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY PROCLAIMS MAY 7TH THROUGH THE 13TH, 2023 AS NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK AND URGES RESIDENTS TO JOIN THE CIRCLES OF SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY COALITION IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH. WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICES SECOND DAY OF MAY 2023, SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. MY NAME IS ABIGAIL MOORE. I'M THE CEO FOR THE SAN ANTONIO COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS, AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ACKNOWLEDGING NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK. OF COURSE, SAMHSA PROMOTES THIS ACROSS OUR WHOLE COUNTRY AND WE ARE COMMITTED NOT JUST THIS WEEK, BUT EVERY DAY TO BRING PREVENTION TO OUR COMMUNITIES. IT'S ABOUT RESILIENCY AND BUILDING HOPE. WE KNOW THAT IF INDIVIDUALS FEEL CONNECTED, THAT THEY BELONG, THAT THEY HAVE MEANING AND PURPOSE, AND THAT THEY FEEL SAFE IN THE COMMUNITY, PREVENTION HAPPENS SO WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT AND WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE EFFORTS OF OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUING TO PROMOTE PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE USE AND PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS. WE WANT TO THANK YOU. THESE ARE COALITION MEMBERS AND THANK YOU. >> DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE YOUR MEMBERS? >> WELL, LET THEM INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. >> GO RIGHT AHEAD. DON'T BE SHY. >> LEONORA WALKER. [LAUGHTER]. >> MS. WALKER. >> VICKI THOMAS, COALITION COORDINATOR. >> TERRY MABURITO AT [INAUDIBLE] AS WELL. >> DEREK CHROMS AND BEXAR COUNTY COALITION COORDINATOR. >> THOMAS EVANS SLEEP PREVENTION SPECIALISTS WEST CARE. >> JOHN GILMOUR. BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST. >> ZOEY ORTIZ, DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION OUTREACH. >> CARLA O'NEILL WITH MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING. >> JACQUELINE PINA, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. >> GOOD MORNING. MELISSA SCOTT, YOUTH PREVENTION DIRECTOR FOR THE SAN ANTONIO COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS. >> SASHA GUZMAN, YOUTH PREVENTION SACADA. >> LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] >> I'M SORRY. >> [INAUDIBLE] YOUTH PREVENTION SPECIALIST. >> I APOLOGIZE. LET'S GIVE THEM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THEIR WORK [APPLAUSE] >> AND WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. LET'S GET PICK YOUR TIME. HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS EVENING? >> GOOD TO SEE YOU >> YOU REMEMBER THE ADOPTION. >> HOW OLD IS SHE? >> SHE'S 26. >> MS. ILLINOIS, YOU'RE BLOCKING ME. [LAUGHTER]. >> I'M SO SORRY. >> THERE YOU GO. IT'S OKAY. MR. TOM, ARE YOU READY TO GO. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION OR PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING DR. ALMARAZ AS THE KEY SCHOLARLY LEADER WHO DEDICATED 48 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE BEXAR COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. SO YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT PRESENTATION. >> I WILL, JUDGE. EVEN THOUGH I'VE GOT A POST FIESTA VOICE. IT'S COMING BACK THOUGH. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THOSE THAT ARE HERE FOR HONORING DR. ALMARAZ COME TO THE PODIUM, PLEASE. I'M GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION. IT READS, WHEREAS DR. FELIX ALMARAZ JUNIOR WAS THE KEY SCHOLARLY LEADER OF THE BEXAR COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION SINCE ITS INCEPTION, DR. ALMARAZ WAS AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR HIS 48 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMISSION AND WHEREAS DR. ALMARAZ WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SCHOLAR, MENTOR TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND INSPIRATION TO DOZENS OF COLLEAGUES AS A RESPECTED AUTHORITY ON THE HISTORY OF SAN ANTONIO AND SOUTH TEXAS BORDER LANDS. AND WHEREAS DR. ALMARAZ A RENOWNED PROFESSOR AND SCHOLAR WAS COMMITTED TO ENCOURAGING STUDENTS OF ALL AGES TO BE INSPIRED BY HISTORY HAVE A BETTER FUTURE. HE ONCE STATED HISTORY IF IT STAYS THE SAME, THEN IT'S NOT HISTORY. AND SO WE HOPE THAT WE MAKE CHANGES. AND WE'RE ASKED FOR OVER 50 YEARS, DR. ALMARAZ CONTRIBUTED TO THE EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION OF [00:30:03] BEXAR COUNTY AND BECAME KNOWN AS EVERYBODY'S PROFESSOR IN MANY WAYS. AND WHEREAS DR. ALMARAZ BROUGHT AN OLD WORLD COSTLINESS TO HIS FORMAL SPEECHES AND DAILY INTERACTIONS, WHICH WILL BE MISSED BY THE GREATER COMMUNITY. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY HONORS THE LEGACY OF DR. FELIX D. ALMARAZ JUNIOR WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND CIELO OFFICE ON THE SECOND DAY OF MAY 2023, SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M TIM DRIVES. I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BEXAR COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. ACROSS TEXAS, 195 COUNTIES AND THEIR COMMISSIONERS COURT HAVE ESTABLISHED A COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. WITHOUT A DOUBT, THIS ONE ARE A GROUP THAT WORKS FOR YOU TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN THE STATE OUT OF 195 AND THAT'S THE REASON THAT SOMEONE AS ESTEEMED AS FELIX ALMARAZ COULD DEDICATE 50 YEARS TO THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OUR HISTORY IS SO FASCINATING, SO DIVERSE, AND SO CRITICAL, NOT ONLY TO THE HISTORY OF TEXAS, BUT TO THE HISTORY THAT THE LEARNING THAT THE STUDENTS SHOULD BE DOING IN OUR SCHOOLS. I WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION, ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY, AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THIS RECOGNITION TODAY. >> WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF. THANKS VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> SCOTT BAIRD, I'M PROFESSOR EMERITI FROM TRINITY UNIVERSITY AND I'M IN CHARGE OF, ARE YOU READY FOR THIS, CEMETERIES. >> I'M JOSE HEMENES AND I WAS A COLLEAGUE OF PROFESSOR COLLEAGUE AND DR. ALMARAZ FOR 40 YEARS AND A MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC COMMISSION. >> JULIE, COME ON. >> KEN MCLEMORE THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION THE HERITAGE CENTER AND THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION IS UNDER OUR PURVIEW. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS MARTINEZ. >> GOOD MORNING, COURT. I'M JULIET MOKE AND I'M THE MANAGER OF THE HERITAGE CENTER AND I WAS HONORED TO SERVE IN STAFF THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION WHEN DR. ALMARAZ WAS THE CHAIR AS WELL AS VIRGINIA NICHOLAS. >> LET'S GIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] >> I'M SORRY. [OVERLAPPING] >> I'M LISA DENA CLARK FROM THE COUNTY CLERK OF BEXAR COUNTY. I MET DR. ALMARAZ WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE AND DR. CHICANO AND HAD THE HONOR TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM AND SEE THE PLAN FOR THE HISTORICAL COLLECTION OF BEXAR COUNTY. HE WANTED SO MANY THINGS DONE AND I TOLD HIM TO GIVE ME TWO YEARS. AND WE COMPLETED ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE PROJECT OF A FULL INVENTORY THAT HE DID OF THE WHOLE COLLECTION OF BEXAR COUNTY. SO IT'S AN HONOR TO SAY THAT I HAVE SAT DOWN MANY TIMES FOR BREAKFAST AND IN MY OFFICE WITH DR. ALMARAZ AND DR. CHICAGO. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. LET'S COME FORWARD AND TAKE A PICTURE. [APPLAUSE] [OVERLAPPING]. >> WHAT'S GOING ON? [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] >> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] >> COMMISSIONER, BUT THAT WAS A SOFT BALL. [BACKGROUND] >> THERE WE GO. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANK YOU, MS. JULIE. THANK YOU, MS. LUCY. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU, MS. MARTY. THANK YOU, MR. KENNEDY. [BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] [00:35:10] >> WE'LL DO THE FINAL PRESENTATION OR PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT DESIGNATED MAY 23 AS AN ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS API HERITAGE MONTH. COMMISSIONER CALVERT MAKE THE PRESENTATION, PLEASE. >> WELL, WE WANT TO INVITE OUR FRIENDS TO COME UP HERE TO THE DIOCESE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION THAT READS, WHEREAS DURING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023, BEXAR COUNTY WILL CELEBRATE ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH TO RECOGNIZE THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER DESCENT HAVE HAD ON THE UNITED STATES. WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S THEME SELECTED BY THE FEDERAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN COUNCIL IS ADVANCING LEADERS THROUGH OPPORTUNITY, ENCOURAGING LOCAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO PRIORITIZE OPPORTUNITY. IT HAS BEEN THE FOUNDATION OF OUR GREAT NATION. THUS AMERICA IS KNOWN TO BE THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY. EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COME TO THE UNITED STATES TO GAIN ACCESS TO THESE OPPORTUNITIES. WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S THEME IS ESPECIALLY PARAMOUNT NOW AS THE PUBLIC SECTOR HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY BE AGILE AND PIVOT WORKPLACE PROCESSES TO ACHIEVE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC. WHEREAS CITIZENS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER ANCESTRY HAVE HELPED MAKE AMERICA A VIBRANT AND FREE SOCIETY THROUGH THEIR STRONG VALUES, LOVE OF FAMILY, AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY. ASIAN-AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS BRING CULTURAL TRADITIONS, NATIVE LANGUAGES, AND RICH, UNIQUE, AND HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES FROM THE DIVERSE ETHNIC REGIONS THAT MAKE UP THE ASIAN CONTINENT AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS, WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE VITALITY OF OUR SOCIETY. WHEREAS HISTORICALLY, ASIAN-AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND OUR NATION AND PROTECT THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY AND CONTINUE TO SERVE PROUDLY AS THEY CARRY ON OUR NATION'S NOBLE TRADITION OF ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD. WELL, I THINK YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO READ THIS ONE, BUT I'M JUST GOING TO READ THE CAPTION. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT PETERSON TIE THE FIRST BEXAR COUNTY JUDGE OF ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESCENT, ALONG WITH A BEER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, HEREBY DESIGNATE MAY 2023 AS ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICES, SECOND DAY OF MAY 2023, SIGNED BY YOUR COUNTY JUDGE PETER SAKAI AND YOUR COMMISSIONERS BOARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REST OF YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MRS. NICOLETTE, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF? >> SURE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M NICOLETTE ORIENTE WITH ASIAN TEXANS FOR JUSTICE. I'D ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE A COUPLE OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT JOINED US THIS MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS KEN DIN, AND I'M WITH THE ASIAN-AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR SAN ANTONIO. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AND A RICH HERITAGE THAT WE BRING TO THE DIVERSITY THAT IS SMEAR COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING AND GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE, JUDGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE. MY NAME IS CAMILLE DE LOS REYES. I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. I OWN A FILIPINO RESTAURANT CALLED SARI-SARI, FILIPINO RESTAURANT MARKET AND BAKERY, AND ALSO ONE CALLED SARI-SARI SEPARATE CLUB, AS WELL AS A MARKET IN SONO CALLED SARI-SARI STORE, AND JIMMY STEWART EATS FOOD TRUCK. WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR ACKNOWLEDGING ALL OF THE HARD WORK THE API COMMUNITY HAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE AND TO HAVE THIS PLATFORM. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> BEFORE YOU GO, CAN YOU JUST TELL US WHERE THE LOCATION IS? WE'VE GOT LUNCH COMING. I KNOW IT'S IN SONO BUT GIVE US SOME STREETS. >> SURE. OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR ORIGINAL LOCATION THAT WAS OPENED BY MY IMMIGRANT PARENTS. OVER 20 YEARS AGO ON WHERE'S BUCK AND BANDERA, MY HUSBAND AND I OPENED OUR NEWEST LOCATION AT 151 IN MILITARY, WHERE WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HOLD A FUNDRAISER FOR JUDGE SAKAI DURING HIS CAMPAIGNS. WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU FOR BEING HERE AND REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NICOLETTE, ARE THERE EVENTS COMING UP SO THAT YOU CAN LET THE PUBLIC KNOW? >> ABSOLUTELY, JUDGE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING US HERE. I DID WANT TO SPEAK SOMEONE REMARKS, AND I'LL ALSO TOUCH ON UPCOMING EVENTS. I'M HONORED TO BE IN FRONT OF ALL OF YOU ALL TODAY ON BEHALF OF ASIAN TEXANS FOR JUSTICE AND THE GREATER API COMMUNITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY. ASIAN TEXANS FOR JUSTICE AS A 501C3 STATE-WIDE NON-PROFIT AND NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION, COMMITTED TO UPLIFTING AND CONNECTING THE ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY, [00:40:03] TAXING COMMUNITY THROUGH CIVIC ACTION AND EMPOWERING PERSONAL AND POLITICAL POWER. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE VAST UNIQUENESS AND DIVERSITY OF THE API COMMUNITY, WE'RE TALKING MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES, MORE THAN 100 OF LANGUAGES, DIALECTS, RELIGIONS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE RICH CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR ANCESTORS, THE MOMENTS OF HISTORY THAT BUILT THIS STRONG NATION, AND EVEN MORE NOTABLY, THE DYNAMIC CUISINES THAT INVIGORATES TODAY'S SOCIETY. THE API TEXTS AND COMMUNITY MAKES UP OVER 1.9 MILLION FOLKS ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS WHO WORK, LIVE, AND THRIVE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY, WHERE THE FASTEST-GROWING ETHNIC RACIAL GROUP IN THE NATION, AND THIS API HERITAGE MONTH, RECOGNITION FROM BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BEGINS THE BUDDING COMMITMENT BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE API COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE API COMMUNITY TOP OF MIND. OUR POLICY IS ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER POLICY. OUR POLICY IS BLACK POLICY. OUR POLICY IS LATINO POLICY. OUR POLICY AFFECTS EVERYONE. WE ALSO ASKED THAT THE ONGOING PANDEMIC AND IT'S UNPRECEDENTED SPUR OF ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES THROUGHOUT THE NATION. WE LOOK TO YOU ALL FOR SAFETY, FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND FOR OUR FAMILIES. WHILE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS HAS NOT STOPPED, NEITHER HAS OUR RESILIENCE NOR A BELIEF IN THE POWER OF OUR COLLECTIVE ACTION. WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO INVEST ON OUR COMMUNITIES. IT WOULDN'T BE A PAM WITHOUT THE CELEBRATIONS OF OUR DIVERSE HERITAGE. MOST NOTABLY, THE UPCOMING ASIAN FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, MAY 27TH, THIS JOYOUS OCCASION IS BACK BIGGER THAN EVER SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAS STARTED, AND IT'S HOSTED DOWNTOWN AT UTSA CAMPUS. WE INVITE YOU ALL AND EVERYBODY HERE IN THE ROOM TO PLEASE JOIN US, LEARN FROM US, LEARN WITH US, AND CELEBRATE THE VIBRANCY AND JOY THAT IS OUR SAN ANTONIO API COMMUNITY TO THRIVE FOREVER. I ALSO WANT TO INTRODUCE BACK CAMILLE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE SATX API PASSPORT PROGRAM, WHICH IS REALLY ANOTHER WAY TO AMPLIFY ALL THE API BUSINESSES WHO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY AND WANT TO CONTINUE SERVING THIS COMMUNITY WITH A GREAT PROGRAM. >> THANK YOU AGAIN. THANKS FOR HAVING ME BACK. I JUST WANTED TO SHOW EVERYBODY THE PASSPORT THAT WE CREATED. IT STARTED LAST YEAR AS A PASSION PROJECT THAT PEOPLE WERE ASKING WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO CELEBRATE API. I ASKED MAYBE 30 OF MY CLOSEST RESTAURANT FRIENDS, API OWNERS, IF THEY WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT WOULD UNIFY US AS A COMMUNITY, DEMONSTRATE SOLIDARITY AND OUR API COMMUNITY, SO WE INVITE YOU ALL TO PICK UP A PASSPORT. YOU CAN GRAB THAT AT ANY API RESTAURANT THAT'S LISTED ON HERE, OR YOU CAN ALSO GO TO THE WEBSITE, IT'S SAAAPIRESTAURANTMONTH.COM. EACH OF THESE RESTAURANTS ARE OFFERING A 10 PERCENT DISCOUNT TO ANYONE THAT BRINGS IN A PASSPORT. WE INVITE YOU TO COME IN AND LISTEN TO OUR STORIES, SHARE OUR CULTURE, DELIGHT OVER OUR FOOD, AND REALLY GET TO KNOW US AND ALL THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURE THAT WE HAVE TO BRING AND SHARE IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH FOR HAVING US PICK UP YOUR COPY AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT ONE OF OUR RESTAURANTS REALLY SOON. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> COME FORWARD. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [BACKGROUND] >> OH, WE CAN ALSO EMAIL IT OVER TO YOU LATER TODAY. >> AT THIS TIME, [5. Request of Commissioners Court to identify items from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion and to approve remaining Consent Agenda items. ] I WILL TAKE UP ITEM 5. ITEM 5, REQUESTS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO IDENTIFY ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION AND APPROVE REMAINING CONSENT AGENDA ITEM MR. CLAY-FLORES, ANY MATTERS? >> IS THIS THE POOL FOR CONSENT? I'D LIKE TO PULL NUMBER 42. >> FORTY-TWO. [00:45:05] ANYTHING ELSE? COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> I LIKE THE POOL 22. [NOISE] >> I'M GOOD, JUDGE. >> JUDGE, IF STAFF CAN DEFER ITEM 10 JOKES TO DEFER. >> WE'RE PULLING THAT AND WE'RE GOING TO RESET THAT TO LATER DATE. >> TO A LATER DATE. YES, SIR. ITEM 10 IS PULLED, BUT WILL NOT BE BROUGHT BACK. AS I UNDERSTAND IT FOR PURPOSES OF THE RECORD, COMMISSIONERS, ITEM 10 HAS BEEN PULLED AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED TODAY. ITEM 26 WILL BE PULLED FOR INDIVIDUALS CONSIDERATION. >> I THINK IT'S ITEM 22, JUDGE. NOT 26. >> TWENTY-TWO. SORRY. >> YOU PULL 26 AS WELL. >> IT'S NOT 26 IS 22. GOT IT. THEN ITEM 34? >> NO, 42. >> OH, 42. >> DID ANYBODY SAY 34? NO. I KNOW WHAT IT IS. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT I WILL BE ABSTAINING ON ITEMS 30 AND 34. [CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: ] >> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF CONSENT, JUDGE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 6, FILING FOR RECORD OF THE FOLLOWING LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS OF DIRECTIVE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. TO TAKE ACTION. >> JUST A POINT OF ORDER. I THINK BEFORE WE MOVE ON, [OVERLAPPING] >> WE WANT TO HEAR THOSE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED. I THINK COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES PULLED THE FIRST ONE. >> ALRIGHT. LET'S GO BACK AND CONSIDER THOSE. [22. Awarding a purchase order to the lowest, most responsive bid submitted by Sanava, LLC to provide for the purchase often (10) Electric Vehicle Charging Stations throughout various Bexar County properties in the Base Bid in the amount of $36,000 plus Alternate 1 in the amount of $13,450 plus Alternate 2 in the amount of $15,150 plus Alternate 3 in the amount of $16,300 plus Alternate 4 in the amount of $25,615 plus Alternate 5 in the amount of $22,625 and Owner's Contingencies in the amount of $30,000 for a combined total of $159,140 as requested by the Facilities Management Department; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file appropriate award documents for record. ] FIRST WAS [OVERLAPPING] >> I BELIEVE IT WAS 22, JUDGE. >> ITEM 22. AWARDING A PURCHASE ORDER TO THE LOWEST MOST RESPONSIVE BID SUBMITTED BY SAVANNAH LLC TO PROVIDE FOR THE PURCHASE OF 10 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE VARIOUS COUNTY PROPERTIES AND THE BASE BID OF THE AMOUNT OF $36,000, PLUS ALTERNATE ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF 13,450, PLUS ALTERNATE TO AN AMOUNT OF $15,150, PLUS ALTERNATE THREE, IN THE AMOUNT OF 16,300, PLUS ALTERNATE FOUR AND THE AMOUNT OF 25,615, PLUS ALTERNATE FIVE IN THE AMOUNT OF 22,625. AN OWNER'S CONTINGENCY AND AMOUNT OF $30,000 FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF $159,140 AS REQUESTED BY THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, AND AUTHORIZING THE PERSON NATURE TO EXECUTE AND FILE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR THE RECORD. I OPEN THE FLOOR, MR. CURRY? >> THANK YOU. AGAIN, THIS ITEM IS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH SAVANNAH, LLC TO PROVIDE EV CAR CHARGING STATIONS IN FIVE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AS PART OF THE EV PILOT PROGRAM. WE HAVE 15 VEHICLES THAT ARE APPROVED BY THE COURT AND I KNOW BRINET CAN SPEAK TO HOW MANY VEHICLES WE HAVE DELIVERED ALREADY. WE EVALUATED THOSE CARS BY DUTY LOCATIONS SO THEY ARE PARKS VEHICLES, WE PUT CHARGING STATIONS AT THE PARKS. IF THERE'S DA VEHICLES, WE PUT A CHARGING STATION FOR THE DA VEHICLES ARE FIVE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, 10 TOTAL CHARGING PEDESTALS. BOTH ALL OF THOSE PEDESTALS HAVE TO CHARGING CABLES ON THEM. WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CHARGE 20 VEHICLES AT A TIME. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC YET. IT IS REALLY ONLY TO SERVE THE EV PILOT PROGRAM AT THIS POINT. WE DID A PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IFP PROCESS TO PURCHASING WENT UP THROUGH THE PORTAL AND THROUGH THE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS, AND THIS WAS THE LOWEST QUALIFIED BIDDER. >> I MISSED. I COULDN'T HEAR ALL THOSE. I HEARD PARKS AND THEN I DIDN'T HEAR THE SECOND ONE WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED. >> THE PARKS; COMANCHE PARK, SOUTH FLORIDA GARAGE. I HAVE THE EXACT LIST. FORGIVE ME, I'LL FIND IT HERE IN A SECOND. >> SOUTH FLORIDA PARK AND THE PUBLIC WORKS. >> THE PUBLIC WORKS, JUVENILE CAMPUS AND THE [BACKGROUND] >> FLEET FACILITIES AS WELL, ENDORSING PARK. A COUPLE OF PARKS, ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES AS WELL AS FLEET. >> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ? >>JUDGE, JUST JUST TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT, [00:50:02] I THINK THIS GOES BACK TO SUMMER 2021, ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO WHERE WE DID AN ASSESSMENT OF OUR FLEET, WE EMBARKED ON A PILOT PROGRAM. IT WAS PART OF A DISCUSSION AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAS BEEN PART OF THESE DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR FRIENDS IN TRAVIS COUNTY ON HOW WE REDUCE ADMISSIONS, HOW WE LOOK AT WAYS WE CAN CREATE MORE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT. WE SETTLED ON ESSENTIALLY A PILOT PROGRAM. I THINK IT'S 16 VEHICLES, IF YOU RESEARCH RIGHT 15 VEHICLES AS PART OF OUR FLEET TO LOOK AT. AGAIN, WE'RE NOT DOING A WHOLESALE CHANGING OF OUR FLEET, BUT I THINK IT WAS A VERY DELIBERATE AND CONSCIENTIOUS WAY OF LOOKING AT WAYS WE CAN BE GOOD PARTNERS AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT. OBVIOUSLY, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 15 ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WE NEED TO HAVE PLACES FOR THEM TO RECHARGE. MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS JUST A LOW BID. IT'S TO PUT IN THOSE STATIONS STRATEGICALLY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF BULLDOZE THAT PILOT PROGRAM WAS 15 VEHICLES. I KNOW COMMISSIONER MOODY PULLED IT FOR MAYBE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT BUT I WOULD ASK THE COURT TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER MOODY? >> THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING A LITTLE BIT ON THE PILOT PROGRAM, DAN. I WANT TO SPEAK TO MY COLLEAGUES AND SAY I DO APPRECIATE THE PROCESS. IF WE'RE GOING TO STEP OUT AND TRY NEW THINGS, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A PILOT PROCESS. I DO RESPECT THE IDEA THAT THIS IS A PILOT. WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE RESULTS AND SEE WHAT ARE THOSE STICKING POINTS, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION. HOWEVER, MY BACKGROUND, HAVING LOOKED AT ELECTRIFICATION IN GREAT DETAIL, I JUST HAVE TOO MANY CONCERNS AROUND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY HERE IS, THE CHALLENGES IN GOING FORWARD. I'VE SPOKEN TO THOSE BEFORE FROM THE DAIS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE MINING OF ALL THE RARE EARTH ELEMENTS TO MAKE ALL THE BATTERIES IN ORDER TO HAVE ELECTRIFICATION ON A LARGE SCALE IS JUST UNREALISTIC AND UNSUSTAINABLE TODAY, IT WOULD TAKE ORES OF MAGNITUDE INCREASES IN MINING, AND THAT MINING IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND IS VERY DAMAGING IN THE PLACES WHERE THAT TAKES PLACE, MOST OF ALL IN AFRICA. YOU ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH ELECTRICITY. YOU'RE, YOU'RE NOT USING GASOLINE OR DIESEL ANYMORE, BUT NOW YOU'RE USING ELECTRICITY. THE PREMISE OF THOSE ELECTRIFICATION AND HAVING ZERO EMISSIONS IS ENTIRELY BASED ON THE FACT THAT YOUR ELECTRICITY IS ZERO-CARBON, WHICH IT'S NOT, AND WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM GETTING TO THAT POINT. IT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED THAT BATTERIES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. YOU CAN'T DRIVE AN EV FOR 20 YEARS. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THOSE ARE EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS, JUST LIKE REPLACING AN ENGINE IN A GASOLINE COMBUSTION ENGINE. THE IMPACT ON OPERATIONS WHICH WILL BE PART OF THE STUDY, I'M SURE. BUT THERE'S CHALLENGES. HOW MANY MILES CAN YOU GET OUT OF A CHARGE? HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU TO IMPLEMENT A FULL CHARGE? THAT'S SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO EV OWNERS AND GOING OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. YOU DON'T WANT TO STOP FOR AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF OR TWO HOURS TO GET A CHARGE, AND IF THERE'S ONLY TWO CHARGING STATIONS AND THERE'S FOUR VEHICLES WAITING, YOU MAY BE SITTING THERE HALF THE DAY WAITING ON ON GETTING YOUR YOUR CHARGE COMPLETE. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THIS. I RESPECT THE PROCESS AND THE PILOT PROGRAM. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND LOOKING AT ELECTRIFICATION, I'M JUST UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION HERE. >> JUDGE, I JUST HAD A THOUGHT. [NOISE] >> EXCUSE ME. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER MOODY FOR BRINGING UP THE MINING OF THE EARTH ELEMENTS. I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO GET INTO THE BUSINESS AND THE PRACTICE OF RECYCLING THOSE THOSE ELEMENTS BECAUSE THAT IS A HUGE FUTURE THAT THE WORLD WILL BE TAKING PART IN, AND IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN WORK WITH SOUTHWEST RESEARCH AND OTHERS WHO ARE BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF RECYCLING THOSE VARIOUS ELEMENTS. I THINK WE WILL STAND READY FOR THE FUTURE. IT'S NOT FOR ME AT THIS POINT A REASON TO WITHDRAW FROM OUR CLEANER BURNING EFFORTS. IT'S A VERY SMALL CONSERVATIVE EFFORT TO TRY AND MOVE FORWARD, SOME POTENTIAL FLEET IMPROVEMENTS OVER PROBABLY MANY YEARS AS THE TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVE. [00:55:01] I'M SUPPORTIVE OF COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ'S MOTION BECAUSE WE ARE HEADING INTO NON ATTAINMENT. IT WILL HAVE HEALTH CARE IMPACTS ON UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM IN TERMS OF THE AIR IMPACTS. OVERALL, I THINK THAT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO LOOK AT, WE OFTEN HEAR KIND OF A [FOREIGN] OF, WE ARE DOING THESE THINGS, BUT IT HAS A 0.00001 PERCENT DECREASE IN AIR EMISSIONS. I THINK THE PROCESS WE NEED TO FOLLOW IN THE FUTURE IS, WHAT IS THE GOAL WE WANT? IF WE WANT THIS MANY PARTS PER BILLION REDUCED, THEN LET'S SAY THE MARKER AND SAY, 60 PERCENT OF THE COMMUNITY, IF YOU ADOPT THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, YOU'LL GET US TO THAT REDUCTION FOR THE OVERALL AIR QUALITY IN THE COMMUNITY. I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THESE MEASURES, THAT KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT KIND OF GOAL SETTING WILL BE IMPORTANT TO HAVING A THERMOMETER THAT WE ALL GO AND ABIDE BY, OR WE ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO ABIDE BY. I THINK THAT IN TERMS OF AIR EMISSIONS ARE THINGS THAT ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL FOR COMMUNITIES, WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS ARE ACTUALLY TAKING USE THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, GETTING THEM AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE SO THAT THE WORKING CLASS AND THE POOR CAN BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM. THIS IS A CONSERVATIVE EFFORT. I AM OPEN TO WHAT WE SHOULD DO ABOUT OUR AIR QUALITY AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OR CLIMATE CHANGE. I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SUGGESTIONS ON THAT IN FUTURE MEETINGS. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? >> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE STATEMENT THAT I'M SORRY. I WILL FORWARD YOUR OFFICE, AND COMMISSIONER MOODY'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE COURT, THE PRESENTATION THAT WE DID ON THE PILOT FOR THE SOUL PURPOSES OF LOOKING AT THE METRICS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED. I KNOW, COMMISSIONER, YOU MENTIONED STUFF THAT YOU MIGHT WANT US TO TAKE A LOOK AT IN TERMS OF TRACKING THE PROGRESS OF THESE. THAT WAY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE PUT THESE VEHICLES AND SERVICE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE THINGS YOU WANT US TO LOOK AT GOING FORWARD. THAT WAS IT. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. I'LL JUST TIE IN WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT ON ONE OTHER THING. AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT, BUT AS THERE'S MORE DISCUSSIONS AROUND ELECTRIFICATION, WE CAN'T SEPARATE THAT FROM THE DISCUSSION AROUND THE GRID AND STABILITY OF THE GRID. THAT MEANS MORE BASE LOAD POWER SOURCES. WE CAN HAVE CLEAN BASELOAD POWER. GAS, NUCLEAR WOULD BE A GREAT SOLUTION THERE. GEOTHERMAL, POTENTIALLY HYDROELECTRIC. BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE STABILITY IN THE GRID GOING FORWARD, AS THERE'S MORE AND MORE ELECTRICAL NEEDS ON THE GRID. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. >> DID I MAKE AN ERROR HERE? >> YES. >> FORTY-TWO NOT 26, CORRECT? TWENTY-SIX WAS [OVERLAPPING] [42. Approval of a resolution approving the financing by the New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation of a retirement community to be located in Bexar County west of the Interstate 10 Frontage Road and north of La Cantera Bend and La Cantera Terrace. ] >> FORTY-TWO. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE BARCELONE IN ATTENDANCE AND CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> ON 42? >> YES, MA'AM. >> HI. >> GOOD MORNING. >> THE NEW HOPE CULTURAL EDUCATION FACILITIES FINANCE CORPORATION, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS NOT LOCATED HERE. >> CORRECT. IT'S LOCATED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE STATE AND THEY ARE FINANCING PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE. THE CULTURAL EDUCATION FACILITIES CORPORATIONS ALLOW THE FINANCE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITH THE CONSENT OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE PROJECT IS LOCATED. >> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING TO BE BUILT IN LA CANTERA AREA? >> IT'S A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY AND IT'LL HAVE INDIVIDUAL LIVING. IT HAS ASSISTED LIVING AND SKILLED NURSING LIVING. >> HOW IS THE TAX BASE GOING TO WORK ONCE THIS IS PASSED? >> IF THE COURT APPROVES IT, THE CULTURAL CORPORATION WILL FINANCE TAX EXEMPT BONDS, WHICH MEANS THE PURCHASERS OF THE BONDS DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAX ON THE INTEREST THEY RECEIVE ON THE BONDS. THEY WILL LOAN THE PROCEEDS TO THE BORROWER WHO WILL CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT. THE BORROWER IS A 501(C)(3) COOPERATION CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION ON THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. >> ONCE IT'S BUILT, [01:00:01] IS BEXAR COUNTY GOING TO GET PROPERTY TAXES FROM THE RESIDENTS THERE OR FROM THE PROPERTY? >> WE ANTICIPATE THE BORROWER WILL APPLY FOR CHARITABLE EXEMPTION UNDER THE STATE TAX CODE AND UNDER THE STATE TAX CODE, CERTAIN TYPES OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS CAN RECEIVE AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS AND WITH RESPECT TO SENIOR LIVING, BUT CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THOSE REVENUES THAT IT EARNS HAS TO GO FOR PHILANTHROPY TO THE RESIDENTS. IT'S EXPECTED THAT THEY'LL DO THAT. >> SO WE'RE NOT SURE YET? >> I'M SORRY? >> SO WE'RE NOT SURE YET? IT'S GOING TO DEPEND AFTER THEY APPLY. >> YES. IT'S AN ANNUAL REVIEW THAT'S DONE TO MAKE SURE THEY MEET THE THRESHOLDS. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO ASK A QUESTION TO COMMISSIONER MOODY. IS THIS IN YOUR PRESSING? >> YES. >> ARE YOU PROVING THIS? >> YES. >> YOU HAVE A FLOOR. >> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTIONS FROM COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. I THINK WE JUST WANTED TO GET CLARITY, AND I BELIEVE I GOT THAT YESTERDAY. BUT THIS IN NO WAY TAKES THE PROPERTY OFF THE TAX ROLLS TODAY. THIS IS JUST ALLOWING YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT. BUT ULTIMATELY IF THE DECISION IS MADE TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR ANY SPECIAL TAX TREATMENT YOU CAN DO THAT. BUT NOTHING WE'RE DOING TODAY IS GOING TO REMOVE THAT PROPERTY FROM THE TAX ROLLS. JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT FOR THE RECORD. >> CORRECT? >> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU. I MOVE APPROVAL. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> ALL THOSE OPPOSED. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ITEM 10, MR. GUEVARA WAS PULLED TO BE RESETTLED LATER DATE, AND I HAVE ABSTAINED ON ITEMS 30 AND 34. ALL OTHER MATTERS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED. THANK YOU-ALL VERY MUCH. I BELIEVE WE'RE NOW READY FOR TIME CERTAIN. [4a. TIME CERTAIN ITEM(S): 10:00 a.m. - Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti and his Office has received the Silver Level Performance Quality Recognition Program Award from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. ] MR. URESTI, OUR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. BEXAR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR ALBERT URESTI AND HIS OFFICE HAS RECEIVED THE SILVER LEVEL PERFORMANCE QUALITY RECOGNITION PROGRAM AWARD FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. MR. URESTI. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. >> GOOD MORNING. >> I GOT TO TELL YOU IT WAS A NICE CAR YOU WERE IN THE OTHER NIGHT. >> YEAH, IT WAS. [LAUGHTER] >> I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR THE HELP THAT THEY GAVE US IN APPLYING FOR THIS AWARD, AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THEIR HELP IN APPLYING FOR THIS AWARD. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT WE DO OVER TWO MILLION VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION TRANSACTIONS PER YEAR, SO IT'S A BIG PART OF OUR OPERATION. WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR FOR OUR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALSO FOR OUR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY IN PROCESSING TITLE AND REGISTRATION TRANSACTIONS, INCLUDING THE COMBATING A VEHICLE TITLE FRAUD. OUR OFFICE, INCLUDING THE STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT, STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE TO ALL OUR CITIZENS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ADHERING TO A MYRIAD OF STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS. TO BE RECOGNIZED WITH A SILVER PERFORMANCE AWARD FROM THE TEXAS DMV AND TO BE THE ONLY COUNTY TO RECEIVE A PERFORMANCE AWARD FOR THE LAST TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS IS AN HONOR AND A REFLECTION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE POSSIBLE, INCLUDING PROTECTING THEM FROM VEHICLE TITLE FRAUD. WE'RE ALSO PREPARING AN EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE GOLD AWARD NEXT YEAR. I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FIRST, THEY'RE ALL BEHIND ME AND ESPECIALLY OUR MOTOR VEHICLE PEOPLE AND OF COURSE, CHIEF DEPUTY IS MICHAEL CUELLAR AND LISA ANDERSON AND OUR MOTOR VEHICLE [OVERLAPPING] >> DIRECTOR MARILYN WAS RIGHT HERE. >> LET THEM COME FORWARD AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. >> IF OUR STAFF WILL COME FORWARD AND JUST SAY, HELLO REAL QUICK. >> DON'T BE SHY. [LAUGHTER] >> BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE FOR THOSE OTHER MATTER. >> MICHAEL CUELLAR CHIEF DEPUTY OF OPERATIONS,. >> THANK YOU. >> LISA ANDERSON, CHIEF DEPUTY ADMINISTRATION. >> STEPHEN MARTINEZ, DOWNTOWN STATION MANAGER. >> MORNING, ANDREW MEADOR, SOUTHSIDE SUBSTATION MANAGER. >> [INAUDIBLE] SUBSTATION MANAGER. >> FELICIA CORTICERUS SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER. >> HI EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CRYSTAL WETHER. I'M THE NORTHWEST SUBSTATION MANAGER. >> WE HAVE ONE MORE HERE. [01:05:02] >> ONE MORE. >> I'M JERRY RESPONDIC, I'M MS YOURS' AID. >> CAN WE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDE FOR THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY. [APPLAUSE] >> JUDGE I GOT TO TELL YOU, THIS IS A BIG THING FOR US, BUT ALSO FOR THE COUNTY WHEN AUSTIN SEND OUR TOP DMV PEOPLE DOWN HERE, IT'S A BIG THING BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER PLACES THEY COULD BE. I'M HONORED THAT ROLAND LUNA AND HIS PEOPLE WOULD COME DOWN HERE FROM AUSTIN WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MR. LUNA. >> MR. LUNA. [APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ROLAND D. LUNAR SENIOR, I'M THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE QUALITY RECOGNITION PROGRAM AND RECOGNIZE MR. ALBERT URESTI AS ONE OF THE TOP TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. I FIRST MET MR. URESTI APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO, AND THERE WERE A FEW THINGS THAT WERE EVIDENT TO ME. ONE, HIS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE. THAT WAS OBVIOUS. WE MET AT THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE AND AT THE TIME, I WAS THE VEHICLE TITLES AND REGISTRATION DIVISION DIRECTOR PRIOR TO ASCENDING INTO MY CURRENT CAPACITY AS THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE NEXT THING THAT WAS OBVIOUS WITH MY ASSESSMENT OF MR. URESTI IS THAT HE WAS ALL IN ON ALL THINGS VEHICLE TITLES AND REGISTRATION. WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING 25.7 MILLION REGISTERED VEHICLES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND MORE THAN 10 MILLION TITLED TRANSACTIONS, MUCH OF WHICH ARE COMPLETED BY MR. URESTI IN HIS OFFICE AND HIS STAFF. THE LAST THING THAT I RECOGNIZE IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS IS HIS COLLABORATION WITH INITIATIVES THAT OVERLAP WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND BEXAR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS OFFICE. HE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PARTNER. HE'S BEEN SUPPORTIVE, HE'S BEEN TRANSPARENT. HE'S BEEN SOMEONE THAT WE CAN RELY ON AND I APPRECIATE HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. LAST YEAR, I PRESENTED THE BRONZE LEVEL RECOGNITION TO MR. URESTI, AND THIS YEAR HE HAS ACHIEVED THE NEXT LEVEL. OUR NEW VEHICLE TITLES AND REGISTRATION DIVISION DIRECTOR, ANNETTE QUINTERO, SHE'S GOING TO DISCUSS THE PARTICULARS OF THE SILVER LEVEL RECOGNITION, AND I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO MS. QUINTERO. [APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ANNETTE QUINTERO. I'M THE DIVISION DIRECTOR FOR THE VEHICLES TITTLES AND REGISTRATION DIVISION AT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. THE PERFORMANCE QUALITY RECOGNITION PROGRAM IS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM OFFERED TO EVERY ELECTED TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR BY THE TAXES DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. THE AWARD RECOGNIZES TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS WHO PROVIDE EXEMPLARY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND IN PROVIDING VEHICLE TITLE AND REGISTRATION SERVICES. THE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS AT THREE LEVELS: GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE, FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY AND PROCESSING TITLE AND REGISTRATION TRANSACTIONS. THIS RECOGNITION FOCUSES ON A VARIETY OF ITEMS BASED ON INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES INCLUDING REMITTING FEES ON TIME, CONSISTENTLY APPLYING STATUTES RULES AND POLICIES GOVERNING MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSACTIONS, MAINTAINING BONDS REQUIRED BY STATUTE OR RULE, PERFORMING EFFICIENTLY AND WITH LOW ERROR RATES, PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS IN A TIMELY FASHION, HAVING A FRAUD WASTE AND ABUSE AWARENESS PROGRAM, FOCUSING ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, AND IMPLEMENTING COST-SAVING MEASURES. ONLY FIVE RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE ONE OF THESE AWARDS ACROSS THE STATE. THE TAXES DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ALBERT URESTI, BEXAR COUNTY, TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR WITH THE SILVER LEVEL PERFORMANCE, QUALITY RECOGNITION AWARD AND THANK HIM FOR HIS CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND PREVIOUS BRONZE LEVEL AWARD. HIS DEDICATION TO PREMIER CUSTOMER SERVICE DEMONSTRATED BY HIS OFFICES INITIATIVE TO RETAKE ALL TRAINING COURSES ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THEIR LOW-RISK RATING FOR EACH COMPLIANCE REVIEW COMPLETED, AMONG MANY OTHER ITEMS, THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SUPPORT NOT ONLY BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS, BUT OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIZENS OF TEXAS. THESE TRAITS ARE A CLEAR INDICATOR OF THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE, HARD WORK, AND DEDICATION POSSESSED IN THE BEXAR COUNTY TAXES COLLECTOR OFFICE. THANK YOU. WE ARE PROUD TO HONOR MR. URESTI ON HIS SILVER LEVEL PERFORMANCE QUALITY RECOGNITION AWARD. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MR. RODRIGUEZ. [APPLAUSE] >> JUDGE, JUST BRIEFLY, I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE ALBERT. [01:10:02] FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME TO COME UP HERE IN THE TAIL END OF SESSION. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE BUSY, SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME, BUT I THINK IT SIGNIFIES THE IMPORTANCE AND UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS RECOGNITION. ALBERT, I KNOW WE'VE WORKED FOR YEARS TOGETHER. YOU ALWAYS DO A GREAT JOB, YOU'RE CUSTOMER SERVICE FIRST. I KNOW THAT YOU ALWAYS DEFLECT THE PLACE TO YOUR STAFF AND YOUR TEAM AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB. THE ONLY ISSUE WITH GETTING SILVER IS THERE'S AN EXPECTATION NOW, BRONZE, SILVER. WHAT COMES NEXT? THERE'S GOLD AND PLATINUM. GOLD IS THE HIGHEST. >> GOLD IS THE HIGHEST. >> YOU'VE RAISED THE BAR, ALBERT, AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK, BUT ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE YOUR TEAM. I KNOW ANYTIME I SEND A CONSTITUENT OVER OR HAVING EVEN PERSONAL DEALINGS WITH YOUR OFFICE, IT IS ALWAYS TOP-NOTCH IN GRADE A AND BETTER THAN SILVER LEVEL, I'LL SAY THAT SO BUT THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR TAKING TIME TO BE HERE TO RECOGNIZE THAT DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> JUDGE. >> MR. CLAY-FLORES. >> I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE ALBERT, I CALL HIM THE BEST TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR IN AMERICA AND [NOISE] HIS TEAM. I THINK THE RECOGNITIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH YOUR DEPARTMENT ALBERT ARE RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC SERVICE AT ITS FINEST, HEART FOR HELPING PEOPLE, AND THAT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ALL TRY TO NOT MAKE THE GOVERNMENT INTERACTION A CUMBERSOME ONE OR A WORRY SOMEONE, BUT YOU HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE, PUBLIC SERVANT ATTITUDE. A SERVANT'S HEART IS SEEN THROUGHOUT YOUR EMPLOYEES EVERY DAY AND WE THANK YOU FOR STARTING AT THE TOP AND MAKING THAT COME ALL THE WAY THROUGH YOUR SYSTEM. I WANT TO THANK OUR FRIENDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION OF A FINE TEAM OF BEXAR COUNTY THAT MAKES THESE RECOGNITIONS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> I'LL JUST SAY CONGRATULATIONS AS WELL. YOU WALKED US THROUGH ALL YOUR WORK OVER AT YOUR OFFICE. I DON'T KNOW, IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS AGO. I STILL HAVE THE CHEAT SHEET, THE ONE-PAGE LAMINATED WITH ALL THE TAXING ENTITIES AND BEXAR COUNTY. LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK AND LEARN MORE, BUT CONGRATULATIONS. >> ALL RIGHT. I GOT ONE REQUEST. MR. LUNA, WOULD YOU TELL THE LEGISLATURE THAT BEXAR COUNTY DOES IT RIGHT. >> I'LL DO MY BEST SIR. [LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU ALL. LET'S GIVE MR. URESTI AND HIS STAFF. [APPLAUSE] >> I THINK MR. URESTI WOULD LIKE A PICTURE COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONERS, I THINK PICTURE TIME. >> HOW ARE YOU? >> HI, I'M [INAUDIBLE]. NICE TO MEET YOU. >> NICE TO MEET YOU. >> HEY GUYS. HURRY UP, WE GOT TO BEAT THAT TRAFFIC BACK [LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> HAVE A SAFE TRIP BACK. [NOISE] [6. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary: ] >> I'LL GO BACK TO THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, ITEM NUMBER 6, FILING FOR THE RECORD OF THE FOLLOWING LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS, DIRECTING CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY, AND THERE'S A, B AND C. THE COURT WILL TAKE JUDICIAL NOTICE OF THOSE MATTERS. [7. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, April 18, 2023. ] SEVEN COMMISSIONER, COURT MEN IS FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SALUTE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR CORRECTIONS? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE COMMUNICATION FOR CITIZENS WHO SIGNED TO SPEAK. [8. Communications from citizens who signed the register to speak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resentation and discussion regarding the Organizational Review of Bexar County policies, procedures and processes to include: ] THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST AND I WILL TAKE UP ITEM 56. I'M ALERTING EVERYBODY ITEM 56, PRESENTATION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION REVIEW OF BEXAR COUNTY POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PROCESSES TO INCLUDE A, PURCHASING, B, ONBOARDING, AND SUCCESSION PLANNING. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE FROM THE SWIMBY AND SO I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT ALERTING. I SHOULD HAVE ALERTED STAFF EARLIER. WHO IS GOING TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION? >> THE PURCHASING AGENT WILL LEAD THE DISCUSSION ON PROCUREMENT. >> PROCUREMENT. [BACKGROUND] >> IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. I'M JUST ALERTED THE COURT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE AWARE THAT THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST THAT WE TAKE THIS UP AT A LATER DATE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL ARE AWARE THAT. [BACKGROUND] >> I WAS ALERTED THIS MORNING THAT THERE WAS A REQUEST TO TABLE THE PURCHASING PRESENTATION FOR LATER DATE. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY WAS ALERTED TO THAT. IF NOT THEN LET'S MOVE FORWARD, MS. DOORS. >> GOOD MORNING. PATRICIA THOUGHT IS PURCHASING AGENT. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT. FOR THE PROCUREMENT CYCLE, WE ARE GOING TO REVIEW THE PROCUREMENT PLANNING, PROCUREMENT LEAD TIME, COOPERATIVE PURCHASING THRESHOLDS, AND SPEAK ABOUT THE PURCHASING MANUAL UNDER DISPARITY STUDY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. DO I DO IT? THANK YOU, WHEN YOU LOOK AT PROCUREMENT PLANNING, WE MUST DEFINE THE BUSINESS NEEDS AND ESTABLISH THEIR PROCUREMENT OBJECTIVES. PROCUREMENT PLANNING CONSISTS OF METHODS OR PROCUREMENT WHEN TO USE THEM. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. ALWAYS FOLLOWING THE TEXAS STATE LAWS. THIS SLIDE WILL SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENT PROCUREMENT METHODS. RFP, IFP, RFIS, REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. PROCUREMENT LEAD TIME. SUGGESTED LEAD TIME IS 180 DAYS FROM START TO COMPLETION DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROCUREMENT. AND THIS WILL LIST THE SOLICITATION ADVERTISEMENTS, THE VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WHEN YOU SPEAK OF COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENTS OF YOUR KIDNEY PARTICIPATES IN 15 COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAMS AND HAS NUMEROUS INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT. COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAMS PROMOTE SPEEDIER CONTRACT CREATION AND PRODUCT DELIVERY, REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, NEGOTIATE LOWER PRICES, AND IN SUBCASES IMPROVED SOCIAL OUTCOMES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROCUREMENT, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER YOUR THRESHOLDS. SO WE HAVE THE THRESHOLD OF OPEN MARKET MICROSOFT PURCHASES BETWEEN I'M SORRY, LESS THAN 49, 99 SO WE ASKED FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TO DO OUTREACH AND SELECT VENDORS THROUGH THE CDMS OUTREACH AND OR LOST IT IN FOUR TO OBTAIN SUPPLIER BID LISTS BETWEEN 5000 TO 49 OR JUST UNDER 50,000, OBTAIN MULTIPLE QUOTES AS AN INFORMAL PROCESS USING CDMA AS OUTREACH AND OR INFORMAL SOLICITATIONS AS IFBS OR REQUESTS FOR QUOTES, OR COOPERATIVE PURCHASING USING PUNCH OUT, DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTIONS, PURCHASES FOR COMPETITIVE PURCHASES OVER 50,000. WE LOOK AT RFP, A REQUEST FOR OFFERS, REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS OR RFQS, EITHER ARE COOPERATIVE OR INTERNAL GOAL OR CONTRACTS. DISCRETIONARY EXCEPTION PURCHASES. WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, WE ADVERTISE AS EITHER AN RFQ OR RFP. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. [01:45:01] >> YES. THANK YOU. TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASING MANUAL, WE HAD LOOKED AT THE PURCHASING MANUAL REVISIONS AND STARTED REDLINING BEFORE GRIFFIN & STRONG WAS WORKING WITH PURCHASING TO LOOK AT THE FORMATTING AND TO UPDATE THE ENTIRE PURCHASING MANUAL. WITH GRIFFIN & STRONG REVIEWED SECTION 3 FOR THE SMALL, MINORITY, OWNED, WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SECTION, AND THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW BY KEITH M. WEINER, OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL. AT THIS TIME, I DO NOT HAVE A TIMELINE FOR HIS COMPLETION. THE PURCHASING MANUAL ONCE RECEIVED BY THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL WILL HAVE THAT FULL REVIEW OF ALL DEPARTMENT AND OFFICES, AND THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO COURT FOR THEIR ACCEPTANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS. >> LARRY, JUDGE, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HOLLAND & KNIGHT AND THE REVIEW OF THE DISPARITY STUDY IS SLATED TO BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER OF 2023 UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OR THE SUPREME COURT. THE DATA HAS TO BE UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD. WE STARTED THE DISPARITY STUDY IN 2019, AND IF IT GOES INTO 2024, ALL THE DATA HAVE TO BE THROWN OUT AND RESTARTED THE DISPARITY PROCESS AGAIN. THE MARCH 7TH ITEM WAS FOR $30,000 FOR LEGAL REVIEW. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE STRONG GROUP THAT DID OUR DISPARITY STUDY ALSO ARE LAWYERS. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD TAKE TILL DECEMBER FOR A RELATIVELY SMALL CIVIL REVIEW THAT'S REALLY BEING DOUBLY REVIEWED BY LAWYERS? >> MR. SMITH. >> I WAS ASKING LARRY. >> OKAY. [OVERLAPPING] >> SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE TIMELINE. THE COURT APPROVED THE FUNDING ON MARCH THE 7TH, AS YOU MENTIONED. I HAVEN'T COMMUNICATED WITH KEITH WEINER IS THE NAME OF THE ATTORNEY WHO'S REVIEWING THE MATTER. HE DID NOT INDICATE IT WOULD TAKE TILL DECEMBER. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT DATE OR WHERE THAT DATE CAME FROM. THERE WAS ALSO ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR GRIFFIN & STRONG THAT WAS APPROVED ON THAT DATE AS WELL SO THERE WERE TWO COMPONENTS TO THAT APPROVAL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO REACH OUT TO HIM AND GET A MORE DEFINITIVE TIMELINE COMMISSIONER. IS THAT YOUR QUESTION? >> THIS IS WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY FOR THE RECORD FOR THE COURT. JUDGE, AS YOU KNOW, BETTER THAN ANY OF US BEING A JUDGE WHEN YOU HAVE A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, YOU'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH THAT STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN A WAY THAT'S FAIR TO ALL PARTIES. THERE WAS A SLIDE PRESENTATION THAT I SAW, A DECEMBER FINISH COMPLETION FOR THE DATA THAT WOULD MAKE ALL OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THE COUNTY HAS PUT INTO THE DISPARITY STUDY OVER THE TIMELINE THAT THE COURTS ALLOW FOR SUCH AN ACTION. I THINK WHAT THIS COURT MUST BOW DOWN ON IS TO GET HOLLAND & KNIGHT, TO FINISH THEIR REVIEW FRANKLY, IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. THEY'VE GOT 1,600 LAWYERS IN 30 STATES. AS YOU KNOW, IN THESE KINDS OF LARGE FIRMS, $30,000 CAN GO IN TWO WEEKS [LAUGHTER] CERTAINLY WITHIN A MONTH'S TIME, BUT THEY HAVE HAD CONTRACT AWARD SINCE MARCH, AND I WOULD SAY THAT WE, AS A COURT, NEED TO HAVE TIME TO GO OVER THOSE LEGAL FINDINGS WITH HOLLAND & KNIGHT, AND THE STRONG GROUP THAT DID THE STUDY AND MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS, THEREFORE, ACTIONABLE BECAUSE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS OF FIVE YEARS WOULD BE EXCEEDED IN THE YEAR 2024. THIS COURT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TIME TO DELIBERATE AND NOT HAVE IT RUSHED AND PUT INTO 2024. I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO THE COURT'S ATTENTION THIS MORNING. >> MR. SMITH? >> YES. I SAW THAT SAME POWERPOINT WITH THAT DECEMBER DEADLINE, AND I BELIEVE THAT DECEMBER WAS TALKING ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION. I AGREE WE CAN'T WAIT TILL DECEMBER TO IMPLEMENT THE FINDINGS OF THE DISPARITY STUDY. IN FACT, AS SOON AS IT'S AVAILABLE IN MY OPINION, WE NEED TO START IMPLEMENTING SO THAT DEPARTMENTS CAN GET USED TO THE NEW PROCESSES THAT WOULD BE INVOLVED SO THAT BY OCTOBER 1ST, WE CAN START COLLECTING WHAT WILL BE A FULL FISCAL YEAR OF DISPARITY AND DIVERSITY PURCHASING DATA. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARITY. WE'RE OBVIOUSLY IN MAY 2ND. WE'RE PART OF THE LOOKING AT THE DEPARTMENTS BY MAY 31ST, SO CERTAINLY BY JUNE'S MEETING, [01:50:03] WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE AN UPDATE FROM HOLLAND & KNIGHT, I BELIEVE, FOR THE DISPARITY STUDY AND COME BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SO THAT THE STAFF CAN BEGIN TO MULL IT THROUGH. >> I HAVE A POINT OF ORDER. MR. ROBERTSON. >> YES, SIR. >> I'M LOOKING AT THE AGENDA THAT SAYS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION, WHICH I BELIEVE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO IN REGARDS TO PURCHASING. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE HEARING FROM THE COURT, SPECIFICALLY, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, ALONG WITH MYSELF, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME DEADLINES, AND I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THAT ON A RECORD WITH A MOTION, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN DO THAT. >> THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS JUST A DISCUSSION, BUT I THINK STAFF IS AWARE OF YOUR DIRECTION. >> WELL, I THINK YOU'RE ASKING FOR DIRECTION AND MAKE IT A MOTION. >> WELL, CERTAINLY BECAUSE OF THE CAPTION, IT LOCKS US UP A BIT. BUT IF WE CAN CERTAINLY REPORT BACK STAFF, THEY UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION AND THERE IS RATIONALE, IF THEY CAN'T FULFILL IT, THEN WE COULD TAKE AN ACTION AT THE NEXT MEETING. >> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER, I'LL REACH OUT TO THE LEGAL COUNSEL THIS AFTERNOON TO TRY TO GET A MORE FIRMER TIMELINE AND COMMUNICATE THAT TO YOUR OFFICE JUST TO SEE WHERE HE'S AT. I HAVE NOT TALKED TO HIM, BUT I WILL DO SO TODAY. >> THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT'S BEEN PUT INTO THIS OVER THE YEARS. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE TIME THAT WE NEED TO GET THINGS MOVING, AND I THINK SINCE MARCH SINCE THEY'VE BEEN ACTIVATED, THIS IS ENOUGH TIME TO GET THIS THING DONE BY JUNE. >> AGAIN, THIS IS A MATTER OF PROCESS WHICH YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP THAT WE NEED TO DO. WHAT I HEAR TODAY IS MS. TORRES, YOU'RE BEING INSTRUCTED, UNLESS THERE ARE OBJECTIONS FROM THE DAIS, THAT YOU'RE TO PROVIDE A TIMELINE IN LIGHT OF THE COMMENTS THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAS, AND WE NEED TO SEE IT EITHER IN WRITING REPORTING BACK TO THE COURT, OR I PRESUME COMMISSIONER CALVERT OR ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS MAY WANT TO BRING THIS MATTER BACK. >> LET ME JUST CLARIFY ON THE DIRECTION. I THINK TRADITIONALLY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN THE PRIMARY ENTITY IN THE COUNTY DEALING WITH OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL SO I THINK LARRY WILL GO AND PRESENT THAT. OBVIOUSLY A PURCHASING AGENT HAS HEARD THAT CONSENSUS ON THE COURT THAT WE'D LIKE TO HAVE SO NOW EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE, I THINK. >> CORRECT. >> BUT BECAUSE IT'S A MULTIPART PROCESS, I WANT A DEADLINE. >> TO CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT, I WANT A DEADLINE. THIS HAS BEEN MR. SMITH, COUNTY MANAGER SECONDS THAT. CORRECT, MR. SMITH, THAT WE JUST NEED TO GET THIS THING GOING? >> YES, SIR. >> JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE DECEMBER. YOU PROBABLY HAVE NOW. LET'S GET THIS THING DONE. MR. ROBERTSON, MS. TORRES, MS. SMITH, LET'S GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. PUT IT IN WRITING SO THAT WE KNOW IT'S MOVING FORWARD ON A TIMELINE. IF NOT, IT'LL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COURT'S ATTENTION FOR ACTION. COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING ON THIS. I PREVIOUSLY HAVE LAID OUT SOME OF MY CONCERNS AROUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE DISPARITY STUDY. I THINK IT WOULD BE PREMATURE WITHOUT ACTUALLY SEEING WHAT THOSE CHANGES ARE TO SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR YOUR FEEDBACK AND THOUGHTS ON THOSE. HOWEVER, AS WE'RE GOING FORWARD, IF THERE'S ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU ABOUT HOW THOSE CHANGES WILL POTENTIALLY COMPLICATE THE PROCESS OF PROCUREMENT, POTENTIALLY ADD COST IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOUR STAFF AND DEPARTMENT IS STRAINED FOR RESOURCES AND BEING ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE TIMELINE OF PROCURING THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE TODAY, AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT IF WE'RE ADDING MORE THROUGH THIS PROCESS. >> OKAY SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY FURTHER COMMENT? >> YEAH. JUST ONE THING. I THINK IN THE DISCUSSION OF THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE ALL PARTIES INVOLVED WITH THE DISPARITY STUDY THERE. OF COURSE, GRIFFIN & STRONG SHOULD BE ON THE UPDATE ALONG WITH HOLLAND & KNIGHT, AND THE PURCHASING AGENT, THE SMALL BUSINESS DEPARTMENT, ALL OF THOSE ENTITIES, SMWBE COMMITTEE HAS WORKED A LOT ON THE ISSUE. ALL OF THOSE ENTITIES BROUGHT TO THE COURT AT THE SAME TIME AS THOSE THINGS ARE DISCUSSED. QUITE A FEW OF THE DISPARITY STUDY ITEMS ARE REALLY IMPROVEMENT ON BUSINESS PRACTICE. THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY RACIAL, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY GENDER-BASED, THEY ARE ACTUALLY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT APPLY TO ALL SMALL BUSINESS OR ANY BUSINESS PERSON DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY THAT CAN BE HELPFUL TO A MORE TRANSPARENT AND BETTER OPERATIONS. SO I WANT TO BEAR THAT IN MIND THAT OVERALL, [01:55:04] I THINK HAVING READ THE RECOMMENDATIONS, MANY OF THEM ARE THINGS THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO PEOPLE TRYING TO COMPETE FOR BUSINESS WITH US. THAT'S THE LAST POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE. THANK YOU. >> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, YOU WANT ALL THOSE NAMED IN YOUR PRIOR COMMENT TO BE AT THE TABLE WITH PURCHASING AND LEGAL. >> YEAH. THE NEXT 30 DAYS WHEN WE HAVE THIS BROUGHT BACK TO COURT, THEY ALL SHOULD BE HERE TO DO THE PROPER PRESENTATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A NEW COURT WHO MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD FROM GRIFFIN & STRONG OR HOLLAND & KNIGHT OR WHAT HAVE YOU, YEAH. >> SO I EXPECT AN AGREEMENT TO BE BROUGHT TO THE COURT'S ATTENTION FOR ACTION. IF NOT, WE'LL BRING YOU UP TO SPEED IN HERE AND WE'LL FIX IT FOR YOU. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE. >> YES. MR. SMITH. >> MAY I ASK THE PURCHASING AGENT TO CLARIFY ONE THING? >> GO AHEAD. >> I'VE BEEN ASKED A NUMBER OF TIMES BY A NUMBER OF YOU AND SOME OF MY DEPARTMENT HEADS ABOUT WHAT THE GUIDELINES ARE AROUND THE USE OF COOPERATIVE PURCHASING, WHEN DO WE USE CO-OPS? HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE A LOWER PRICE THAN WE WOULD'VE GOTTEN IN THE OPEN MARKET? I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW. I WAS ASKING IF YOU COULD CLARIFY THAT FOR ME. >> COOPERATIVE PURCHASING IS A LARGER CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE STATE OR NATIONWIDE, SO YOU'RE ASKING WHEN WE SELECT IT? >> WHEN DO WE USE THEM? >> WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE. USUALLY, THE DIR IS THROUGH IT ITEMS IF AN ITEM OR SERVICE IS AVAILABLE THROUGH EITHER BY BOARD OR ANY ONE OF THESE LISTED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, SO IT'S EITHER ITEMS OR SERVICES. [OVERLAPPING] >> CAN I HELP CLARIFY THE QUESTION BECAUSE I'M ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO'VE ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT WHEN IT'S BEEN ON THE AGENDA? IF WE AGREE TO GO INTO A CO-OP AND THEN SOMETHING COMES AND WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS CO-OP, HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE CO-OP AND WHATEVER THEY'RE SAYING THE PRICE IS, HOW DO WE KNOW THAT'S THE BEST USE OF OUR FUNDS? WE PUT OUT A BIT, OR HOW DO YOU DO IT? IS IT BETTER? HOW DO WE KNOW? DO WE AUTOMATICALLY GO TO THE CO-OP REGARDLESS OR HOW DO WE KNOW? >> IT DEPENDS ON THE PROJECT. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE PURCHASING, WHAT YOU ARE PROCURING. THE PROCUREMENT METHOD IS SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND MYSELF. WE LOOK AT THE REQUEST AND IF IT'S IN THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT. WE HAVE CHALLENGED THOSE PRICES IN THE PAST, SO WE'LL ISSUE OUR OWN SOLICITATION AND COMPARE IT TO COOPERATIVE PURCHASES. >> JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE A CO-OP THAT HAS WHATEVER MATERIALS OR WHATEVER WE'RE GOING TO DO, DOES IT MEAN THAT WE ARE AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO THE CO-OP EACH TIME YOU GUYS STILL CHECK OTHER PRICES BEFORE AUTOMATICALLY GOING INTO THE CO-OP? THE CO-OP JUST MEANS WE'RE A MEMBER, BUT DOESN'T MEAN THAT EACH TIME WE HAVE TO USE THEM. IS THAT CORRECT? >> CORRECT. THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY. BEFORE WE USE CO-OPS, YOU ARE OBTAINING OTHER QUOTES. >> WHEN A REQUEST COMES IN, WE LOOK AT THE REQUESTS. >> IN MY CASE, I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT, WE DIDN'T ASK TO USE THE CO-OP. YOU JUST DID IT. >> NO, BUT IT'S A COMBINATION. NOT NECESSARILY. IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND MYSELF. >> I CAN TELL YOU THE DEPARTMENT UNLESS THEY'RE LYING TO ME, SEND IT OVER FOR AN IFB AND IT ENDED UP BEING A CO-OP. >> NOW, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT TIMELINE AND THEY'RE EXPECTING A TURNAROUND OF 30 DAYS FOR AN IFB. [OVERLAPPING] >> YOU'RE NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION, MS. TORRES, ANSWER HIS QUESTION. >> I DO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENTS. I DON'T CHANGE THE PROCUREMENT METHOD REQUEST. >> ARE THESE POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN WRITING SO THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT YOUR POLICIES ARE? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MR. SMITH IS ASKING AND I THINK HE'S ON POINT OR ARE YOU AS PURCHASE AND MAKE IT AS THEY ALL COME IN? >> EACH PURCHASE IS LOOKED AT. I DO NOT SELECT IT ON MY OWN, I WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS. I DO TELL THE DEPARTMENT OR WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE SELECTED PROCUREMENT METHOD. >> DO YOU EXPLAIN IT TO THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS SO THEY UNDERSTAND? BECAUSE APPARENTLY WHAT I HEAR MR. SMITH SAY IS THAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND. IF THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND, THEN THINGS DON'T MOVE AND IF THINGS DON'T MOVE, THINGS COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WE HAVE TO INDIVIDUALLY START UNPACKING ISSUES. THIS IS A PROCESS QUESTION, IS THERE A WRITTEN POLICY AND PRACTICE? IF NOT, THE QUESTION THEN IS WELL, LET'S QUIT ASKING MS. TORRES CO-OP, WE NEED TO GIVE HER CLEAR DIRECTION TO PUT IT IN WRITING, THE PRACTICES AND POLICIES SO THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS UNDERSTAND. I BELIEVE THAT'S THE PROCESS WE SHOULD GO THROUGH. NOW, WE'RE NOT AGAIN, WE'RE NOT HERE TO TAKE ACTION. BUT I THINK THIS IS A MATTER MS.TORRES, YOU'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE RESPONDED TO, [02:00:02] AND YOU'VE GOT A TIMELINE THAT YOU'VE BEEN RESPONDED TO. UNLESS THERE'S ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN, I WANT TO DO SOME WORK SESSIONS SO WE CAN KEEP ASKING THE QUESTIONS AND DRILLING DOWN SO THAT WE CAN THEN GET OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT. MR. CARL, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR? >> WELL, I THINK THAT A LOT OF BUSINESS PEOPLE HAVE FELT THAT IT WAS AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, MANY TIMES IT'S PUBLIC WORKS OR THE FACILITIES OR OTHER PARKS OR OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHERE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE HARD-TO-FIND. EVEN REALLY BIG COMPANIES, HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING SO THERE HAS BEEN A NEED TO GET IT INVOLVED. THERE HAS BEEN A NEED TO GET DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED OR THE COURT HAS TO FIGURE OUT A MANDATED WAY. THE COURT TRADITIONALLY HAS GIVEN A LOT OF FREEDOM TO CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS TO DO THEIR PROCUREMENT THE WAY THEY WANT IT. BUT IT COULD BE MODIFIED. IT'S SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE TO REALLY HAVE A DEEP DIVE TO SEE. YOU HAVE TO TALK TO SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, THE SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU THAT THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS. THANK YOU. >> I'VE HEARD THOSE CRITICISMS. OUT OF FAIRNESS TO YOU, MS. TORRES, THIS IS NOT A PURCHASING ISSUE, IT'S A PROCUREMENT ISSUE FROM A SYSTEMIC ISSUE TO A PROCESS ISSUE. COMMISSIONERS COURT, I'M ASKING THAT MS. TORRES AND ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, MR. SMITH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE CAN DO A DEEP DIVE IN AND I WOULD ASK THE COUNTY MANAGER TO TAKE THE LEAD TO GET ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT TOUCH A PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND JUST HAVE IT OUT. IF YOU NEED FURTHER DIRECTION, I WOULD ASSUME YOU ALL WOULD BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES IF NOT, BRING IT BACK TO THE COURT, WE'LL DO IT FOR YOU. MS. TORRES OTHERWISE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE DISCUSSIONS. >> YES, SIR. >> ONBOARDING, SUCCESSION PLANNING. MS. TINA? >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. TINA SMITH DEAN WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE, GOING TO GO OVER ONBOARDING AT THE COUNTY AND SUCCESSION PLANNING. THERE ARE A LOT OF OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE ONBOARDING PROCESS. IT ALL KICKS OFF WITH THE HIRING OF A NEW EMPLOYEE. THE OFFICER DEPARTMENT PREPARES A STATUS FORM WHICH IS A FORM THAT GOES TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE THAT HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE, ABOUT THE POSITION THEY'RE GOING TO FILL, ABOUT THEIR PAY AND THEIR TABLE, AND THEIR GRADE. THEN ONCE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE RECEIVES THAT, ON THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT SIDE, WE START SETTING UP THE ONBOARDING PROCESS, WHICH INVOLVES PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS. ALL NEW HIRES HAVE TO GO GET A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. SOME OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS REQUIRED DRUG SCREENING, SO WE SET THOSE UP, AND AGAIN, THAT DEPENDS ON THE OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT. ALSO, SOME OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS, SO WE PROCESS THOSE. SOMETIMES TYPING TESTS ARE NEEDED AND SO WE ASSIST WITH THAT. THEN WE HELP EMPLOYEES FILL OUT ALL OF THE PAPERWORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW HIRE, WHICH IS THE I-9, THE W-4, WE PROVIDE THEM WITH THEIR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE AND A FORM THAT SAYS THAT WE'VE POINTED THEM TO THE SITE WHERE THEY CAN ACCESS ALL OF THE COUNTY POLICIES. WE SEND ALL THAT PAPERWORK OVER TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WHERE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE CREATES AN EMPLOYEE ID, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET THAT EMPLOYEE ID, YOU CAN GET YOUR IT STUFF SET UP SO YOUR EMPLOYEE USER ACCOUNT. THE IT HELPS WITH GETTING NEW COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS, TELEPHONES, CELL PHONES. THEN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT COMES IN AND HELPS GET THE KEYS AND PARKING PASSES AND ANY FURNITURE THAT'S NEEDED, AND AN EMPLOYEE BADGE, WHICH IS HOW EMPLOYEES ACCESS DIFFERENT OFFICES IN THE COUNTY. ONE AREA THAT WE THINK WE CAN MAKE AN IMPROVEMENT ON IS IMPLEMENTING A ONE-STOP SHOP SO THAT AN EMPLOYEE CAN GO TO ONE PLACE, ONE TIME, ONE DAY, AND GET ALL OF THIS TAKEN CARE OF ALL AT ONCE. THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS AN EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION. IT'S ABOUT 2-3 HOURS. WE GO OVER THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR ROLE IS AND THE GOVERNANCE AND WE POINT OUT THE BARE SIDEKICK, WHICH IS THE INTRANET SITE FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHERE THEY CAN FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, WELLNESS INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE GOING ON. [02:05:01] THERE'S A COUNTY CONNECTION NEWSLETTER, SO WE GO OVER THAT IN DETAIL AND THEN WE TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO GO OVER ALL OF THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INFORMATION. >> THAT'S JUST THE GENERAL PROCESS, BUT THE PROCESS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PRETTY MUCH IN NOVEMBER WHEN WE FIND OUT WHO THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS WILL BE, THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE HAS A TEAM, IT'S MADE UP OF MYSELF, THOMAS GUEVARA, WE HAVE AN IT REPRESENTATIVE, FACILITIES REPRESENTATIVE, AND HR. THOMAS HANDLES ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIAL PAPERWORK SUCH AS THE BOND, FILES THE EXECUTED STATEMENT OF THE OFFICER, FILES THE OATH OF OFFICE. IT COMES IN AND TRIES TO GET AS MUCH OF THE IT INFORMATION SETUP AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING NEW COMPUTERS, USER ACCOUNTS. THEN FACILITIES WILL ASSIST WITH GETTING CHANGES IN SIGNAGE, BADGES, AND PARKING ACCESS. IT'S A TEAM THAT WE MEET REGULARLY. WE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIAL, TRY TO GET AN IDEA OF WHO THEIR NEW HIRES WILL BE, SO WE CAN REACH OUT TO THEM, GET INFORMATION TO THEM. WE ALSO PROVIDE ACCOUNTING ORGANIZATIONAL CHART. ALL OF DAVID'S DEPARTMENTS, PROVIDE A SUMMARY OF WHAT THEY DO, SO THE FACILITIES HAS A POWERPOINT THAT GOES OVER WHAT THE FUNCTIONS ARE. BUDGET DOES THE SAME THING. WE ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE STAFFING THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS WITHIN THE OFFICE THAT THEY'D BEEN ELECTED TO. WE WILL CONSULT WITH THEM ON THE BUDGET AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT ANY CHANGES THEY MIGHT WANT TO MAKE IN THE STAFFING AND TRY TO GET AS MUCH DONE AS POSSIBLE PRIOR TO JANUARY 1ST. ONE OF THE CHANGES WE THINK WOULD MAKE AN IMPROVEMENT IS PROVIDING FRONT END TRAINING ON THE OPERATIONS AND THE BUDGETS FOR THE OFFICES. THAT'S THE ONBOARDING PROCESS. >> LET ME SEE IF I COULD JUST STOP WITH SOMETHING, ONBOARDING. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I THINK THE DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE MENTIONED TO ME. THAT'S THE ABILITY TO BE NIMBLE WITH SALARY. AS WHEN I CAME IN I HAD A MIDPOINT AND THE RANGE WAS THERE AND BECAUSE OF THE VERY COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT MARKET, IT MAY BE WORTH LOOKING AT COMING BACK WITH SOME FLEXIBILITY FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS BECAUSE THOSE CORPORATE ENTITIES OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WE MAY BE IN COMPETITION WITH MAY HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE PAY RANGE SO LONG AS, AGAIN, SUPERVISOR, CHIEF, OR ELECTED IS OVERSEEING AND SIGNING OFF ON IT AND BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT. THAT FLEXIBILITY MAY BE IMPORTANT. I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT IN THE COMPETITIVE NATURE, THE PARKING AND THE COST OF OUR EMPLOYEES FOR UNIFORMS OR ALL THOSE THINGS, HOW THAT IMPACTS THE NET INCOME. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL BENEFITS PACKAGE, SHOULD HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY AND CERTIFICATIONS, WE CURRENTLY REIMBURSE A BELIEVE AT THE UTSA RATE. THAT'S ONE OF THE LOWEST RATES OUT THERE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. I THINK THAT IT MAY BE THAT WE LOOK AT HOW DO WE STAY IN THE MOST ADVANCED FORM OF CONTINUING EDUCATION? WHAT DO THEY CAUSE?WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT. YOU HAVE PROGRAMS FROM IVY LEAGUES NOW WITH THE ONLINE SYSTEMS THAT ARE GOING ON THAT OPEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR EMPLOYEE BASE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND BRING REALLY GOOD WORLDWIDE CUTTING-EDGE IDEAS TO BEXAR COUNTY. I THINK THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT, NOT JUST AT THE UTSA LEVEL, BUT AT WHAT'S OUT THERE LEVEL. MY MOTHER WORKED FOR IBM, FOR EXAMPLE, SO IBM PAID FOR A LADY TO LAKE UNIVERSITY WHICH IS A PRIVATE COLLEGE. SHE MAY HAVE NOT HAD THE PROGRAM EQUIVALENCY AT UTSA. THOSE KINDS OF THINGS I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER JUST AS WE HAVE A CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT THAT WOULD COMPETE WITH EMPLOYEES. I DON'T KNOW THE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. THAT'S MY POINT ON ONBOARDING. >> YES, SIR. TO YOUR POINT, ANOTHER PART OF THE BAKER TILLY PROJECT THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON AND WE PLAN ON PRESENTING THAT PORTION OF IT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO SET UP THE BUDGET AT A WORK SESSION ON EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, [02:10:03] THEY HAVE DONE A SURVEY OF THE SAME ENTITIES THAT THEY SURVEYED AS PART OF THE PAY STUDY AND THEY HAVE A REPORT THAT THEY'LL PREPARE FOR US AND WE'LL PRESENT IT TO THE COURT AND YOU'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE WHATEVER CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS BECAUSE THAT'S HOW IT HAS WORKED. ONTO SUCCESSION PLANNING. SUCCESSION PLANNING, MAKING SURE THAT YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE PREPARED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AS NEW ROLES BECOME AVAILABLE. THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFITS TO DOING THIS. EMPLOYEES ARE ENGAGED. THEY SEE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT, SO IT IMPROVES RETENTION. ONCE A VACANCY OCCURS, IF WE'VE PROPERLY PREPARED OUR EMPLOYEES, WE'LL HAVE LESS DISRUPTION UPON A VACANCY. THERE'S KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER THAT'S GAINED AND THEN IT ALSO MITIGATES GAPS IN LEADERSHIP SO WE CAN KEEP THINGS MOVING. IN BEXAR COUNTY, WE DON'T HAVE A FORMAL SUCCESSION PLAN, THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN FORMALIZE. I THINK SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE DID AN RFP AT THE REQUEST OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO DO SUCCESSION PLANNING. IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. IT WAS OVER A MILLION DOLLARS AND THAT WAS JUST FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THAT'S JUST ONE POINT I WANTED TO MAKE THERE. BUT WE ALL KNOW HOW TO DO IT. YOU IDENTIFY THE KEY POSITIONS, DOCUMENT THE SKILL SETS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR THAT POSITION. YOU GET A FEEL FOR THE EXISTING EMPLOYEES WHO YOU THINK MIGHT FIT INTO THOSE ROLES GET AND THEN HELP THEM PREPARE THEM TO MOVE IN. WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES HERE AT THE COUNTY FOR EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT. WE OFFER A LOT OF TRAINING. THERE'S MENTORSHIP GOING ON IN DIFFERENT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS. THERE'S JOB SHADOWING. THEN RIGHT NOW, AGAIN WITH BAKER TILLY, WE ARE WORKING ON AN EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. BAKER TILLY IS GOING TO HELP US ASSESS THE CURRENT PROCESSES FOR EMPLOYEE EVALUATION, HELP US MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT. SO FAR THEY'VE MET WITH ALL OF THE OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS AND GOTTEN FEEDBACK ON HOW OUR CURRENT SYSTEM WORKS AND WHERE THEY THINK THERE CAN BE IMPROVEMENT. THEY'RE GETTING READY TO SEND OUT AN EMPLOYEES SURVEY TO ASK FOR THE EMPLOYEE'S INPUT ON EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT AND THINGS THEY'D LIKE TO SEE. THEN WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. I SHOULDN'T SAY IMPLEMENTATION, WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS WITH THAT AND THAT'S AIMED ON HELPING US TRACK OUR EMPLOYEES THROUGH THEIR LIFE AT THE COUNTY. WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE ON THOSE TWO ITEMS. >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE A COMMENT. I JUST WANT TO SAY SINCE WHEN I CAME TWO YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS AGO, I RECOGNIZED YOU GOT USED HAVING NEW COMMISSIONERS COME IN AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I NOTICED THAT HADN'T GOTTEN DONE. SINCE THEN WITH THE NEW REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE COME IN EVERY YEAR, I NOTICE THOSE THINGS WERE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY. I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOUR TEAM AND DAN CURREY JUST AN IT FACILITIES, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED QUICKLY, SO JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IN THE TWO PLUS YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, I ALREADY SEE THE IMPROVEMENT OF MAKING SURE THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE HANDLED. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. >> YES JUDGE. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY? >> I'LL JUST MAKE TWO QUICK COMMENTS. I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP STAFF AS GIVEN MY STAFF AND MY TEAM AS WE'VE GOTTEN WORK THROUGH ONBOARDING AND GETTING UP TO SPEED. BUT I'LL JUST MAKE TWO COMMENTS. FIRST OF ALL, AS IT COMES TO TURNOVER WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT, I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT I HOPE WE CAN DISCUSS AS A TEAM ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OFFICE BUDGETS AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT FUNDS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE WITHIN OUR PRECINCT. THAT WE THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS IN TERMS OF A PRORATED PORTION FOR WHEN THERE IS TURNOVER IN THE COMMISSIONER ROLE, SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT GOING FORWARD. IN TERMS OF THE INFORMAL VERSUS FORMAL EYES, I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THIS PROCESS. MY COLLEAGUES MAY HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS, BUT I DO THINK JUST SOME SENSE OF COMMUNICATION UPFRONT AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DEPARTMENT HEADS AND FOLKS LEADING THE ORGANIZATION. IF WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS UPFRONT AND WHEN THEY INEVITABLY DO OCCUR BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE TURNOVER, [02:15:04] THEN WE CAN JUST NOT START FROM A STOP AND WE'RE PREPARED TO MAKE THOSE NEXT STEPS AND MOVE FORWARD. PERSONALLY, I'M MORE OKAY WITH AN INFORMAL PROCESS AS LONG AS IT'S LAID OUT AND THERE'S THAT COMMUNICATION PIECE. I THINK THE COMMUNICATION PIECE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER KELLER. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> ALL RIGHT. >> TINA, THE ONLY COMMENTS I HAVE REALLY PIGGYBACKED OFF WHAT MR. SMITH SAID IN REGARDS TO PROCUREMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MORE FORMALIZED PROCESS TO THIS ONBOARDING SUCCESSION ISSUE. I GUESS MY EXPERIENCE WAS, THE FIRST DAY I WAS GETTING BOMBARDED MOSTLY BY ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAD THEIR BASICALLY INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS EITHER HAVEN'T HAD DEALT WITH OR THEY FELT THEY HADN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE, OR THEY'RE JUST MAKING ANOTHER PLEA FOR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALIZE THAT. THERE'S A PROCESS TO DO THAT. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS FOR MATTERS LIKE THAT TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, BUT BASICALLY, AS A BRAND NEW PERSON, I'M BLINDSIDED. I WAS SAYING WE NEED THESE BUDGET TRANSFERS AND WE NEED THESE RECLASSIFICATIONS OR CAN WE CHANGE THE POSITIONS? I'M STILL LEARNING AND I'M STILL LEARNING EVEN NOW. SO I'D ASK THE COURT TO CONSIDER THAT IN REGARDS TO AS WE TRY TO LOOK AT THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, WE LOOK AT THE ONBOARDING SUCCESSION PLANNING, THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING IN WRITING THAT WE CAN GIVE PEOPLE. AT THE VERY LEAST, NOBODY IS OFFENDED. IF I SAY GO SEE THE COUNTY MANAGER. OKAY? >> YES, SIR. >> AM NOT BEING RUDE, I JUST THINK THAT'S THE APPROPRIATE WAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THAT CONCLUDES ITEM 56. LET ME ALERT EVERYBODY, STAFF ESPECIALLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BREAK FOR LUNCH. WE WILL HAVE A LUNCH BREAK. >> NO, NOT NOW. >> I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW JUST SO THAT YOUR STAFF IS AWARE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYER. WE GO BACK, I THINK ITEM 51. [51. Discussion and appropriate action authorizing the execution of a hosted solution and services agreement to eCIFM Solutions, Inc. to provide Facilities Management Department an Enterprise Asset Management Software Platform for an initial term beginning April 18, 2023 and ending April 30, 2025, in the estimated amount of $2,155,565.92, and providing for three (3) one-year renewal options, as requested by the Facilities Management Department; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute a contract renewal in accordance with the terms of the original contract if provided for in each fiscal year appropriated budget; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file the appropriate award documents for record and approval of the appropriate budget transfer. ] THIS IS THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL ITEM TO TAKE UP DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A HOSTED SOLUTION AND SERVICES AGREEMENT TO ECIFM SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE FACILITY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PLATFORM FOR INITIAL TERM BEGINNING APRIL 18, 2023, AND ENDING APRIL 30TH, 2025, AND THE AMOUNT OF $2,155,565.92 AND PROVIDING FOR A THREE ONE-YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS AS REQUESTED BY THE FACILITY'S MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT RENEWAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT, IF PROVIDED FOR IN EACH FISCAL YEAR APPROPRIATED BUDGET, AND AUTHORIZING THE PERSON AND AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD AND APPROVAL OF THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAKAI AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SAUNA AMANULLAH AND I'M A SENIOR CONTRACT SPECIALIST IN PURCHASING, AND I ISSUE THIS EVENT, RFP EVENT 893. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE HAD AN EVALUATION COMMITTEE THAT CONSISTED OF MEMBERS FROM FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, OUR AUDITOR'S OFFICE, AND BUDGET. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THESE ARE THE SPECIFICS OF THE SOLICITATION. THE OPEN DATE WAS FEBRUARY 4, 2022, SENT OUT TO 473 SUPPLIERS, AND IT CLOSED ON MARCH 25TH, 2022. WE HAD TWO RESPONDENTS, ECIFM SOLUTIONS INC AND CLANGO, INC. (NO BID). AND THE SCOPE OF WORK, AS YOU MENTIONED THERE, PROVIDE AN ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND SUPPORT OF THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. THE SCOPE INCLUDES PROVIDING FIELD STAFF WITH DIRECT ACCESS FOR WORK ORDER SUBMISSION AND MANAGEMENT. THIS WAS THE EVALUATION CRITERIA THAT THE COMMITTEE USED TO GO THROUGH THE PROPOSAL. THIS IS THE FINAL COMPOSITE EVALUATION FORM AND THE FINAL GRADING. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS AWARDING A CONTRACT TO ECIFM SOLUTIONS INC, TO PROVIDE AN ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND SUPPORT OF THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM ECIFM [INAUDIBLE] ALSO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND IT. THANK YOU. [02:20:04] >> I JUST HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THE PROGRAM. IS THIS FOR RESERVATIONS AND BOOKINGS AND ANALYSIS OF CONDITIONS OR SOFTWARES? >> NO. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS DENKER, DIRECTOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT. IT IS ACTUALLY A HOLISTIC FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SUITE. THEY'RE DELIVERING A PRODUCT CALLED IBM TRIRIGA, WHICH IS ENTERPRISE'S ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH WILL HELP US WITH MAINTENANCE WORK ORDERS, PREVENTATIVE WOMEN'S WORK ORDERS, MOVE MANAGEMENT, SPACE MANAGEMENT, MANAGING CAPITAL PROJECTS. I KNOW IT'S OKAY, ONE OF THE VERY FIRST MEANS YOU HAD HERE WAS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT KPIS, KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, AND WHAT THE ROI IN SOME OF THESE INVESTMENTS, THIS SUITE WILL ALLOW US TO CAPTURE ALL THAT DATA THAT WE'RE NOT CURRENTLY CAPTURING NOW. IT'S REALLY ACROSS MY ENTIRE DIVISION AND GIVING YOU GUYS THOSE METRICS SO WE CAN LEAN INTO IT. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PROGRAM. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION? >> [INAUDIBLE] >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE WHO FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. [52. Presentation, discussion, and appropriate action regarding Workforce Solutions Alamo's Local Plan for Program Year 2021-2024 modification. ] >> THANK YOU. >> ITEM 52. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS. OUR MOST LOCAL PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2021-2024 MODIFICATION. MS. DIANA? >> YES. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I HAVE ADRIAN LOPEZ HERE, WHO IS THE CEO OF WSA. HE WILL BE PRESENTING THE LOCAL PLAN PER OUR PARTNERSHIP AND INNER LOCAL AGREEMENTS, THE COMMISSIONERS COURTS, CITY COUNCIL, AND AREA JUDGES MUST APPROVE THIS PLAN BEFORE IT GOES TO THE STATE. COMMITTEE OF SIX DID HERE THIS PLAN WITH REPRESENTATIVE COMMISSIONER CLICK FLORES AND COMMISSIONER MOODY, AND THIS IS AN UPDATE AND THE FINAL PLANS. SO ADRIAN. >> I GREET YOU, DIANA. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE THIS MORNING ABOUT THE LOCAL PLAN. WE DO HAVE A STANDING FOUR-YEAR PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED BY ALL THE BODIES THAT GIORDANO MENTIONED. BUT IN THE MID PART OF THE FOUR-YEAR PLAN, WE DO ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK AT MODIFICATIONS POTENTIALLY TO SEE WHAT'S ACTUALLY TRANSPIRED. OF COURSE, OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS, GIVEN THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC TONS OF CHANGES HAVE HAPPENED, WE'VE FACED TWO BASIC CRISIS DURING THAT TIME-FRAME. ONE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH OBVIOUSLY THE PANDEMIC AND THE EFFECTS OF THAT. BUT ALSO WE HAD AN OIL CRISIS AND SO THOUSANDS OF JOBS THAT ACTUALLY WERE HOSTED IN THIS PARTICULAR REGION WERE GONE OVER TIME. SOME OF THAT HAS BEEN BUILT BACK, BUT NOWHERE NEAR WHERE WE WERE. SO THE INTENT OF THE PLAN IS TO ACTUALLY GO THROUGH BASICALLY THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION, DO SOME ANALYSIS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LOCAL ECONOMIES THROUGHOUT THE 13-COUNTY REGION TO DO SOME ANALYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH WAGES. YOU ALL HAVE WITNESSED THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC, WAGES HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AND THAT'S GOING TO RESULT IN A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE'RE MAKING A CHANGE TO THE LOCAL PLAN. JUST SOME SUMMARY ABOUT WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL MODIFICATIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING. FOR THE TWO-YEAR UPDATE, WE ACTUALLY ARE INCREASING OUR $15 WAGE TO $17 TARGET WAGE. THAT IS TO, AGAIN, KEEP UP WITH THE MARKET, TO ALSO HOPEFULLY ADDRESS THE DEMAND ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH INFLATION AND INCREASED COSTS FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. WE ALSO ARE REORGANIZING OUR SIX CLUSTERS, REDUCING OUR NUMBER OF INDUSTRY SECTORS FROM 11 TO NINE, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF IN-DEMAND INDUSTRIES FROM 23 TO 17, AND INCREASING THEIR TARGET OCCUPATIONS FROM 62 TO 72. THIS SLIDE GIVES YOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE ANALYSIS THAT WE'D LOOK AT AND WHY WE LANDED ON THE $17 AN HOUR PER WAGE. THE REASON THAT THE PLAN IS PUT IN PLACE IS TO BASICALLY LOOK AT WHERE ARE THE OCCUPATIONS IN THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE GROWING, WHAT TYPES OF JOBS ARE NEEDED, AND WHAT GOOD PAY DOES EXIST. IT'S HIGH-DEMAND, HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-GROWTH. WE LANDED ON THE $17- [NOISE] >> -AN HOUR. I GOT SOMETHING IN MY THROAT. SORRY ABOUT THAT. THE PLAN ALSO LAYS OUT OUR CAREER PATHWAYS FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY SUPPORTING. THIS GIVES YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER CONSTRUCTION SITES. ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS FOR ROOFERS, THEN MOVE ON TO CARPENTERS THAT MOVE ON TO LINE WORKERS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, AND EVENTUALLY PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS LIKE ARCHITECTS. THESE ARE THE 17 IN-DEMAND INDUSTRIES. WE DID REMOVE SOME OF THEM AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, BUT THEY ARE SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH THE LOCAL ECONOMIC PRIORITIES OF OUR COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING AEROSPACE, MANUFACTURING, [02:25:01] HEALTH CARE, IT AND CYBERSECURITY, CONSTRUCTION, AND OTHERS. THIS IS AN IN-DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTORS. AGAIN, THESE ARE BASED ON CODES THAT WE WORKED THROUGH WITH THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. ONE OF THE MAJOR ADDITIONS IS THE ADDITION OF NUMBER 72, ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES THAT WAS REQUESTED BY COMMUNITY INPUT THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US THROUGHOUT THE LAST FIVE MONTHS OR SO. JUST REAL QUICK, BEFORE I GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE DO HAVE SOMEBODY IN TWO OCCUPATIONS THAT SUPPORT THESE PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES. TO GIVE YOU A REAL PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS MEANS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO BEXAR COUNTY AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, TONY VASQUEZ. THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP, WE'RE ACTUALLY TAKING FOLKS WHO ARE IN ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS AND GETTING THEM INTO CDL TRAINING, AND THEN GETTING THEM ADVANCEMENT AND INTO POSITIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING DIFFICULTY HIRING AT THE MOMENT. THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT A $5,000 INVESTMENT FOR ABOUT 20 PEOPLE OR SO THAT ARE CURRENTLY GETTING ENROLLED INTO THAT. WE'RE USING READY-TO-WORK DOLLARS ACTUALLY TO MAKE ABOUT $100,000 INVESTMENT TO HELP BEXAR COUNTY IN REGARDS TO THAT. ANOTHER PRACTICAL EXAMPLE IS ABOUT A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH SHERIFF SALAZAR. HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF OUR PROGRAMS AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND HAD ABOUT 60 CADETS THAT WERE RECRUITED INTO THE ACADEMY. TWO PERFECT EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE DO. I KNOW THIS PLAN SOMETIMES IS CONFUSING TO FOLKS, BUT THE PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION AS THAT IS EXACTLY THAT WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS AND WITH JOB SEEKERS TO UP-SKILL, TO RE-SKILL THEM, TO FIND THEM JOBS, TO WORK WITH EMPLOYERS, TO MEET THEIR HIRING NEEDS. THE NEXT STEP FOR THE LOCAL PLAN IS TO PRESENT, WE'VE ALREADY PRESENTED TO THE AREA JUDGES, PRESENTED, OF COURSE, HERE TODAY AND WILL PRESENT LATER THIS WEEK TO THE CITY SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. THE PLAN HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR CONCURRENT REVIEW TO TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION. WE WILL FINALIZE THE SUBMISSION ACTUALLY LATER THIS MONTH. WITH THAT, I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION. WHEN WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED THIS COMMITTEE OF SIX, I BELIEVE WE TALKED ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DETENTION OFFICERS, AND OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S A BIG NEED IN THE COUNTY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THE REQUIRED TRAINING AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS FEEL VALUED SO WE CAN FILL THOSE POSITIONS FOR OUR COUNTY. CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON WHY THAT WAS ULTIMATELY REMOVED? [OVERLAPPING] >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS EVER ACTUALLY INCLUDED, BUT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE TO TRY TO INCLUDE IT SO. >> YES, THEY ARE INCLUDED. THEY'RE PART OF OCCUPATION NUMBER 71. IT'S NOT REFLECTED ON THAT POWERPOINT BECAUSE THERE ARE 72 OCCUPATIONS WITH PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION THAT WE COULD PUT ON THE SLIDES. BUT IT'S SOC CODE 33, 30, 51, WHICH IS POLICEMAN, SHERIFF PATROL OFFICERS. IT IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PLAN. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> MR. KELLER. >> MR. LOPEZ. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> I KNOW WE'RE ON SCHEDULE TO MEET WITH YOU AND GET INTO DEEPER DIVE. BUT FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE INTERSECTION OF YOUR PLAN WITH THE WORKFORCE PROGRAMS THAT ARE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE IN. HOW DOES THIS SYNC UP OR ARE THESE APPLES AND ORANGES? >> THEY DEFINITELY DO SYNC UP. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS READY TO WORK PROGRAM, LARGELY USE WHAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE PLAN IN TERMS OF THE OCCUPATIONS AND THE INFORMATION THAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE PLAN. BECAUSE WE DO DATA ANALYSIS TO SAY AEROSPACE IN MANUFACTURING ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW. WE DO ANALYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH HERE THE NUMBER OF JOBS ARE GOING TO BE ADDED IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS OR SO, WHAT THE WAGES ARE GOING TO BE. THE CITY IS READY TO WORK PROGRAM TOOK THAT ANALYSIS AND SAID AS A STARTING POINT, WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THOSE INDUSTRIES AND THOSE OCCUPATIONS. THEY'VE SINCE ADDED SOME ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONS THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTING BUT THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THERE IS THIS SINCING BETWEEN WHAT WE DO AT THE WORKFORCE BOARD AND WHAT A WORKFORCE PROGRAM LIKE TO THE CITY RUNS. >> I KNOW IT'S OFF TRACK, BUT WHAT'S THE BIGGEST DIFFICULTIES FROM A WORKFORCE AS TO RECRUITING AND FINDING POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES? YOU'RE RAISING THE RATES AND WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE LIVING WAGES. HOW COME WE CAN'T FIND PEOPLE WILLING TO UPGRADE THEIR SKILLS TO GO INTO THESE LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE REALLY GOT SOME OUTSTANDING JOBS THERE FOR THEM. WHAT'S THE BIG PROBLEM? >> WELL, TODAY WE SET AT 3.9 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT. [02:30:04] ACTUALLY, WE'RE BAD AT APPROXIMATE ABOUT 130,000 PEOPLE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST THREE YEARS. IF WE LOOK AT PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, THE LABOR FORCE WAS ABOUT 1,230,000. TODAY IT'S 1,360,000. WE'VE ADDED ABOUT 130,000 FOLKS. WE'RE BACK TO BASICALLY HISTORIC LOWS OF UNEMPLOYMENT. THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 52,000 OR SO PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT THAT ARE IN THE LABOR FORCE THAT ARE NOT WORKING. THAT ARE LOOKING FOR WORK. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE ARE STILL OTHER FOLKS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT OPPORTUNITY YOUTH, THOSE ARE OUR 16-24-YEAR-OLDS THAT ARE NOT IN SCHOOL. THEY'RE NOT WORKING, THEY'RE NOT DOING BASICALLY ANYTHING. THAT'S A TARGET POPULATION THAT WE COULD FOCUS ON TO BE ABLE TO BRING INTO THE LABOR FORCE. DURING THE PANDEMIC CITIES ESTIMATES FOR CITY OF SAN ANTONIO SHOWS THAT, THAT POPULATION ACTUALLY DOUBLED FROM ABOUT 35,000 TO ABOUT 70,000, BUT THAT'S ONE PORTION OF THE POPULATION. YOU ALSO HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXISTING POPULATION. ACCESS TO CHILDCARE IS A HUGE ISSUE. EVERY DAY WE MAKE A $90,000,000 INVESTMENT AND SO WE HAVE ABOUT 10-12,000 KIDS IN CHILDCARE DAY THAT ALLOWS ABOUT 7,508,000 FAMILIES TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL TO GET TRAINED OR WORK. THOSE OF THEM THAT ARE WORKING ARE ACTUALLY EARNING ABOUT $18 MILLION OF EARNINGS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THAT'S ONE WAY THAT WE TRIED TO ADDRESS BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AS TO PROVIDE THINGS LIKE CHILDCARE AND SUBSIDIES. BUT THE OTHER IS LACK OF SKILLS AND EDUCATION. WE STILL HAVE MAJOR STRIDES TO MAKE IN REGARDS TO THAT THROUGHOUT THE REGION. >> ARE WE ON THE RIGHT PATH OR DO WE NEED TO RECALIBRATE LIKE, AS YOU SAY, PUT MORE RESOURCES ON DAYCARE, CHILDCARE? >> YEAH. TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN LOOK AT VERY CLOSELY AT THOSE TYPES OF BARRIERS AND MAKE INVESTMENTS THERE. WE MAKE THAT $90,000,000 INVESTMENT INTO CHILDCARE. ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH MAKING INVESTMENTS INTO CHILDCARE, I THINK COMMISSIONER CALVERT, LAST TIME WE SPOKE HERE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR ADULT LITERACY AND ADULT EDUCATION. THOSE ARE REAL ISSUES. RECENTLY, THE PROVIDER THAT WAS PROVIDING ADULT LITERACY THROUGH THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION DOLLAR WAS REGION 20 THAT'S SINCE BEEN TRANSFERRED OVER TO RESTORE EDUCATION. THEY'RE BUILDING THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE OUT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES. LOOKING AT ISSUES LIKE THAT AND MAKING STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS COULD BE KEY. THE OTHER IS THIS PARTNERSHIP AND I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP WHERE YOU HAVE A WILLING EMPLOYER TO SAY, I'M WILLING TO TAKE MY INCUMBENT ENTRY-LEVEL WORKERS AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY ADVANCE. WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT AND THEN THEY GET ANOTHER SKILL, THEREBY INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE MORE MONEY, HAVE A SKILL SET THAT'S MARKETABLE WITH THE EXISTING EMPLOYER OR FOR THAT MATTER AND ANOTHER EMPLOYER. BUT IT'S DOING THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT ARE INNOVATIVE. >> THANK YOU. MR. DAN, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU NEED TO CLOSE WITH? WHAT'S THE REQUEST? >> DO YOU APPROVE THE LOCAL PLAN, PLEASE? >> JUDGE. I JUST DID GET A QUESTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. BROTHER LOPEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE THERE. BECAUSE OF THE JUDGES QUESTIONS AND YOUR RESPONSES, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT DID COME UP IN MY MIND. WE'VE GOT ABOUT A 3.9 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE LABOR MARKET SEEMS TO HAVE COME BACK. I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY IS ABOUT 130,000 I'VE COME BACK AND THAT HAD FALLEN OUT. >> WELL, ACTUALLY WE LOST 300,000 JOBS DURING THE PANDEMIC, SO WE'VE RECOVERED THAT 300,000 PLUS ADDED ANOTHER 130,000. >> OKAY. >> MAY NOT BE THE EXACT SAME PEOPLE. BECAUSE FOLKS WHO ARE 65 AND OLDER PROBABLY TAPPED OUT. >> DID WE GET ANY INDICATION WHETHER THAT WAS INTERNAL, THAT INCREASE OR WAS THAT PEOPLE MIGRATING TO SAN ANTONIO? >> ITS A COMBINATION OF BOTH. >> IS IT 60, 40, OR 70, 30? >> YEAH. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I'M NOT SURE I HAVE THOSE NUMBERS TO PROVIDE YOU ACCURATE ANSWER, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY A COMBINATION OF BOTH. >> WELL, I THINK THAT NUMBER IS ACTUALLY VERY TELLING IN TERMS OF THE LOCAL FLAVOR ON OUR ECONOMY. THE MESSAGE I'M TRYING TO IMPART TO PEOPLE NOW IS THAT SAN ANTONIO IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR SAN ANTONIOANS. I MEAN, YOU TALK ABOUT A 300,000 AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE THAT IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE, FOR THE AVERAGE WORKER IN SAN ANTONIO. WHEN LOOKING AT WHO'S FALLEN OUT AND WHY, [02:35:01] THEN YOU BORE DOWN INTO SOME SURVEY ON THE WHY. I STILL THINK THE ADULT LITERACY IS A HUGE REASON AND IT'S CERTAINLY, I THINK, THE PREEMINENT REASON THAT THE CITY'S WORKFORCE PROGRAMS HAVE FALLEN SHORT ON ENROLLMENT. DO YOU KNOW ARE THE CITIES PROGRAMS RETOOLING TO FOCUS ON ADULT LITERACY AND THE WAY THAT PROJECT QUEST HAS WITH QUEST ACADEMY? >> YEAH, ONE OF THE MAJOR PARTNERS IS RESTORE EDUCATION. IT'S PART OF THE PRIME CONTRACTORS FURTHER READY-TO-WORK. YES, THERE'S SOME DISCUSSIONS IN REGARDS TO THAT. ONE OF THE INTERESTING DATA POINTS. >> LET ME JUST ASK YOU WHY NOT FUND ALL THE GROUPS? THERE'S EACH ONE TEACH ONE. THERE'S FREE, THERE'S NOT THAT MANY IN THE ADULT LITERACY. >> SURE. >> BUT TO ME, IT WOULD HELP THE ENROLLMENT THE MOST. >> YEAH. >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I THINK I CAN PASS ON THAT INFORMATION UNDER THE CITY FOLKS REGARDING ONE OF THE INTERESTING SORT OF DATA POINTS. WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR THOUSAND ENROLLEES LAST WEEK FOR THE READY TO WORK. 42 PERCENT OF THOSE FOLKS ARE ACTUALLY WORKING. THAT'S A REALLY INTERESTING FACT BECAUSE THOSE FOLKS ARE CONTINUING TO WORK, BUT THEY'RE DECIDING TO ACTUALLY GET THEM EDUCATED OR TRAINED. IT'S INTERESTING, BUT I THINK IT PROBABLY DOES SPEAK TO SOME OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN REGARDS TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE LITERACY SKILLS, AND SO WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT DATA A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOSELY. >> I THINK THAT'S THE BIG THING THAT SAN ANTONIO'S POVERTY IS SUBSISTING IN. IT'S THE FOLKS WHO MAY BE DYSLEXIC. THE FOLKS WHO SCHOOL WAS TRAUMATIZING EXPERIENCE FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER DIAGNOSIS DYSLEXIC OR THEY HAVE SOME OTHER LEARNING DISABILITY OR JUST DIDN'T GET TO READING AND THE WAVES THAT WE WOULD EXPECT. I THINK THAT IT'S NOT ONLY GROUPS LIKE RESTORE EDUCATION, EACH ONE TEACH ONE, FREED, BUT IT'S ALSO SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS AND GROWING THOSE THAT HELPED WITH DYSLEXIA, HOW TO TEACH TO IT. BECAUSE THERE'S, I THINK ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS TODAY HAS DYSLEXIA. I DON'T REMEMBER THE STATISTICS REALLY BEEN KEPT WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL. THEY PROBABLY WERE, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER IT BEING AS PROFOUND NOW, I WENT TO PRIVATE SCHOOL WHERE YOU HAD TO YOU HAD TO TAKE A TEST TO GET INTO THE SCHOOL. IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT THAN A PUBLIC SCHOOL. BUT I THINK THAT THOSE PATHWAYS TO WORK ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT, ESPECIALLY IN TRYING TO KEEP WAGES FROM OVER INFLATING. BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT LABOR MARKET, WE SEE A CORRECTION AND WAGES AND SOME OF US, JUST BECAUSE THE LABOR MARKET IS SO TIGHT THAT EMPLOYERS HAVE TO THROW MORE MONEY AT IT. BUT IF WE CAN GET THESE FOLKS WHO ARE JUST DISPOSSESSED OF WORK BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE THROUGH THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY. BECAUSE I THINK THE ENROLLMENT NUMBERS OR SOMETHING LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE 5,000. I THINK WE'RE ONLY AT 1,000. I DON T KNOW THAT ALL 4,000 WOULD BE FOLKS WHO ARE DYSLEXIC OR YOU NEED ADULT LITERACY. BUT I BET YOU'D GET ANOTHER COUPLE OF THOUSAND IF THEY FOUND THAT PATHWAY. IT'S A DIFFICULT MARKET BECAUSE PEOPLE JUST CHECK OUT. BUT I THINK IT'S A MARKETING THING, AND IT'S A PROGRAMMATIC THING. I DON'T SEE THESE ORGANIZATIONS GETTING THE RESOURCES THEY NEED FROM THIS PROGRAM AND I DON'T THINK IT WILL GET RE-APPROVED BY THE VOTERS IF THE NUMBERS AREN'T CLOSER TO WHAT THEY PROMISED. THAT'S JUST MY UNSOLICITED ADVICE. [LAUGHTER] >> JUST TAKE A QUICK POINT TO ADDRESS I THINK YOUR COMMENTS AND ALSO WHAT JUDGE ASKED EARLIER, ONE OF THE STRATEGIES THAT WE ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED AS PART OF THE CITY IS READY TO WORK PROGRAM AS WE BOUGHT IT, WE CREATED THE ALAMO WORKFORCE CONSORTIUM. IT'S ACTUALLY A COMBINATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAVE OUR FIVE CAREER CENTERS. BUT OUT OF THE 19TH ENTRY POINTS FOR THE READY TO WORK, WE ACTUALLY WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR 15 OF THEM BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING IN FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF ONSET, YWCA, SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. IT'S SUB-COMBINATION OF BRINGING THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER UNDER OUR UMBRELLA TO BUILD CAPACITY AMONGST THEM. TO ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU REFLECTED, WHETHER IT'S LITERACY OR WHETHER IT'S OTHER BARRIERS ASSOCIATED WITH EMPLOYMENT, THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING REALLY GREAT WORK. OUR STRATEGY AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS ACTUALLY WAS TO, LET'S BRING THESE ORGANIZATIONS UNDER OUR UMBRELLA. WE'LL BE THEIR GO-BETWEEN, BETWEEN THEM AND THE CITY, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE BUREAUCRACY. WE WILL TEACH THEM SORT OF WORKFORCE STRATEGIES AND BUILD CAPACITY THERE. THAT'S ONE WAY. I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY TAKE YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND TAKE A LOOK AT MAYBE THERE'S SOME MORE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAYBE WE CAN BRING UNDER THAT FOLDER TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THOSE. [02:40:02] BUT DEFINITELY WE'RE DOING A [LAUGHTER] >> LOT MORE WORK THAN WE WOULD OTHERWISE BE DOING BECAUSE I COULD BE DIRECTLY CONTRACTING WITH THE CITY AND NOT BE HELPING ANY OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. BUT WE FELT THAT THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IN A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE ECOSYSTEM BETTER. >> YOUR APPROACH AND YOUR LEADERSHIP IS MUCH APPRECIATED. I'M SURE THAT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT QUITE A BIT. THE LAST POINT I'LL MAKE ON THE WHOLE LITERACY AND NON-PROFIT STRENGTHENING IS THAT ALMOST 15, 20 YEARS AGO, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S BOND INCLUDED ADULT LITERACY CENTERS THAT WERE CLOSED DOWN BY CITY MANAGER SCHOLARLY. >> REMEMBER THAT. >> THOSE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN USED FOR THE WETSY AND OTHERS. BUT THEY SHOULD BE THOUGHT AGAIN ABOUT THE INTENDED USE OF THE VOTERS BACK THEN, I STILL THINK THAT WISDOM CARRIES FORWARD IN LIGHT OF THE STATISTICS. IT'S AN ASSET THAT MAY HOUSE COMMUNITY POINTS FOR ACCESS TO THESE ADULT LITERACY, DYSLEXIA, ETC. LEARNING DISABILITY PROGRAMS VERY IMPORTANT FOR GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR WORK FOR SOLUTION ALAMOS LOCAL PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEAR '21-2024, MODIFICATION FOR APPROVAL. >> MOTION BY CLAY-FLORES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OBJECTIONS? MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY MUCH. >> I HAVE A SPECIAL REQUESTS WE'RE GOING TO ADVANCE TO ITEM 58. [58. Discussion regarding a process for hiring a County Engineer/Public Works Director to be developed and presented for Commissioners Court consideration at a work session proposed for May 9, 2023. ] DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROCESS OF HIRING A COUNTY ENGINEER, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. WE DEVELOPED AND PRESENTED FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT AND CONSIDERATION AT A WORK SESSION PROPOSED FOR MAY 9, 2023. I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT FROM OUR LAST MEETING, COMMISSIONER CALVERT COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, YOU ALL WERE COMING HOPEFULLY COMING TOGETHER FOR AN AGREEMENT, IS THERE? >> YES. COMMISSIONER CALVERT AND I HAVE HAD A FEW DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS. WHAT WE'VE COMPROMISED AND COME TO AGREEMENT ON, THAT, WE WOULD COME UP WITH A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF DAVID SMITH AS THE COUNTY MANAGER, TWO COMMISSIONERS, AND TWO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THEY WOULD BRING THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE COMMISSIONERS TO THEN DECIDE. IS THAT CORRECT, COMMISSIONER CALVERT? >> THAT'S RIGHT. FOR POINTED DISCUSSION. I JUST WANT TO RAISE A POINT ON HOW WE GOT THERE. IN THE DISCUSSIONS, I THINK COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FELT FOR HER SUPPORT, WE HAD TO EITHER DROP THE HEADHUNTER OR DO THE HEADHUNTER OR NOT THE COMMITTEE. I STILL BELIEVE IN THE WISDOM OF A HEADHUNTER. SOMEONE TO DO A PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THE BENEFIT FOR TOP TALENT. I BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE LOCAL TALENT. THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. WE HAVE INCREDIBLE LOCAL TALENT. BUT I KNOW AS SOMEONE WHO'S COLLEAGUES IN COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE HAVE OFTEN SOME OF THE BEST MINDS. THEY'RE NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB, THEY'RE ALREADY IN A JOB. THEY DON'T KNOW THAT IT MAY BE OPEN BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT LOOKING THERE IN DEMAND, SO A HEADHUNTER WILL CALL THEM AND SAY, HEY, ARE YOU INTERESTED IN COMING TO SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY? I STILL BELIEVE AT THIS LEVEL, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO OVERSEE PROBABLY THE MOST FUNDING THAT THE COUNTY PUTS OUT. IT'S WORTH A LOOK. BUT THIS IS PART OF THE DISCUSSION WHILE WE'RE BRINGING IT HERE. I THINK A LOT OF CORPORATIONS DO THIS FOR BEST PRACTICE, REALLY FOR THE REASON THAT A LOT OF TOP TALENT THAT WE MAY WANT WOULD'VE NEVER SEE IT. I ALSO THINK THAT THE CONVERSATION FOR THE COMMITTEE AND THE COURT TO HEAR THE BEST IDEAS NATIONWIDE, MAYBE EVEN WORLDWIDE, I DON'T KNOW. BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NATIONWIDE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE IN A COMPLETE REVIEW OF COUNTING RIGHT NOW. IN A COMPLETE REVIEW, THEN, BEST PRACTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT TOP TIER BENCHMARK ENTITIES ARE DOING IS IMPORTANT. WE ONLY LEARN THAT THROUGH A WIDE NET. YES, WE HAVE THIS COMPROMISE, BUT THAT'S IN THE INTEREST OF MOVING IT FORWARD. THE OTHER THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS PROCESS MOVING SO LATENT, SO SLOWLY, IS THAT IT'S GOING TO PUT UP WITH RENEE GREEN RETIRING IN MAY 31ST. IT'S GOING TO PUT A BURDEN ON THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO TAKE UP THE WORK THAT SHE WOULD NORMALLY DO. THAT'S ANOTHER REASON FOR A HEADHUNTER BECAUSE THEY CAN SHARP SHOOT A LOT OF TALENT QUICKLY INTO OUR CONVERSATION AT THE LEVEL OF TALENT THAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEED. [02:45:04] I WORRY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF THE SYNDICATE. IT COULD BALLS THE SAME PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO. I THINK THAT FOR A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESET AND HAVE MAYBE A FRESH FACE COULD BE A GOOD THING FOR RESETTING THE CULTURE OF CRONYISM THAT PEOPLE FEEL IS OVER THE COUNTY'S PURCHASING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THOSE ARE THE DISCUSSION POINTS THAT I WANTED TO LAY OUT FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION, BUT YES, WE HAVE A COMPROMISE. WHAT I WOULD RATHER DO THE ORIGINAL? YES, I WOULD. JUST BECAUSE OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS ON OUR STAFF AND OUR TALENT OUTREACH THAT WE WOULD DO. >> IS THERE A MOTION? >> I THINK WE CAN TAKE A MOTION BECAUSE IT SAYS ONLY A DISCUSSION. IT DOESN'T SAY APPROPRIATE ACTION. WE CAN'T TAKE A MOTION. >> DO WE NEED A MOTION THOUGH? WE DON'T REALLY NEED A MOTION TO DO THE COMMITTEE. I ALSO WANT TO RECOMMEND WHICHEVER TWO COMMISSIONERS ARE ON IT THEN THE OTHER TWO COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE THE ONES WHO APPOINTS THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS. WE CAN HAVE A BALANCE OF REPRESENTATION. >> TO MOVE FORWARD, I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE. >> YES. >> YES. WE CAN TALK ABOUT. >> LET ME JUST GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE COMMUNITY SIDE, I THINK THE COMMISSIONERS SIDE IS QUITE RESOLVED. THERE WAS A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO I HAD ASKED WHO DOES HAVE BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY. BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT NO CONTRACTS WITH THE COUNTY FOR ONE YEAR, THEY SAID, I WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE I DON'T GET THAT MUCH BUSINESS, SO I DON'T WANT TO LOSE A LITTLE BUSINESS THAT I HAVE. IT IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COURT AS TO WHETHER THE COURT WANTS TO HAVE THAT RESTRICTION. WE DO ALREADY HAVE A PRECEDENCE FOR THAT IN TERMS OF HAVING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY, I'LL BE SPECIFIC. SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE, EVERYBODY HAS A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY PRECISELY FOR THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE GOOD OR BAD WITH DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY, THEY KNOW. PART OF THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING IS TO SAY, THAT PERSON FROM THE COMMUNITY CAN COMMENT QUESTION ABOUT HOW THE APPLICANTS WOULD DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AMONGST SMALL BUSINESSPEOPLE. IF YOU HAVE EVERYONE WITH NO EXPERIENCE DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY, THEN THEY CAN ASK THE QUESTIONS ABOUT NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES TO BE HONEST. OR THEY HAVE TO BE RETIRED. ANYWAY, IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE FOR THIS COMMITTEE TO INCORPORATE COMMUNITY PEOPLE WITH ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS EXPERIENCE IF WE PUT THAT RESTRICTION BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SAY, I WANT TO KEEP MY BUSINESS AT THE COUNTY. I WANT THE OPPORTUNITY SO ANOTHER CONSIDERATION. >> JUST A THOUGHT, JUDGE. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A COMPROMISE WHICH I THINK IS REASONABLE. YOU'VE PREVIOUSLY HAD ASKED COMMISSIONER CALVERT AND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES TO WORK THIS OUT, SO IT MAKES SENSE, I THINK TO KEEP THEM AS PART OF THE COMMITTEE. I THINK THAT WE COULD PROBABLY JUST AGREE THAT YOU APPOINT THE COMMITTEE, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WITH THE INPUT FROM THE REST OF THE COURT. I'M OKAY WITH GIVEN YOU THE AUTHORITY AND MOVING FORWARD WITH I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION FOR THAT. I THINK WE CAN JUST MOVE FORWARD. THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION IS THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT, THE COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AS THE COMMISSIONER COURT REPRESENTATIVES AND THEN, JUDGE, IF YOU JUST AGREE THAT YOU GET THE INPUT FROM THE REST OF US ON THE OTHER TWO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I'M OKAY WITH MOVING FORWARD TODAY. >> DID WE COME TO CONSENSUS? BUT I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. THIS IS MY SUGGESTION, I REALLY APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER CALVERT AND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES IN COMING TO COMPROMISE. I THINK IT FOLLOWS THE REQUESTS AS CIVILITY AND DIGNITY AND Y'ALL IT WAS IT WAS A DIFFICULT ISSUE AND Y'ALL HAMMERED IT OUT AND YOU BROUGHT AN AGREEMENT. I AM WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO FACILITATE DISAGREEMENT. I THINK WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IS IF IT'S ACCEPTED AND NOT TODAY, I FOLLOW THROUGH ON WHAT TO MR. RODRIGUEZ IS SAYING AND IF THERE'S NO AGREEMENT AS TO HOW I DO IT, THEN I'M BRINGING IT BACK. I'M BASICALLY NOT GOING TO LET TWO SIDES NOT COME TO AN AGREEMENT. WE'LL BRING IT BACK SO THAT COMMISSIONER MOODY AND COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAVE INPUT AS TO THIS COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE. DOES THAT WORK? >> THAT'S FINE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE OTHER LAST POINT ABOUT, IF I FEEL AS IF [02:50:02] THE COUNTY TAXPAYERS ARE BEING UNDERSERVED BY THE TALENT POOL THAT WE HAVE PUT OUT, I'M GOING TO LET THE COURT KNOW THAT I'M CONCERNED WE'RE NOT GETTING THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE SHOULD FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT POSITION. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT WE DO THE BEST BY THE TAXPAYERS. THAT'S MY INTENT WITH A PERSON LIKE A HEADHUNTER AND SO IF I JUST HEAR THE SAME OLD I'M GOING TO LET THE COURT KNOW. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> SORRY, JUST TWO QUICK COMMENTS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S A FEW APPLICANTS THAT HAVE ALREADY APPLIED, BUT THERE WAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POSTING. I THINK THROUGH THE PROCESS, I ASSUME THAT POOL OF CANDIDATES WILL GROW. I'M HOPEFUL THAT THAT'S THE CASE. THEN JUDGE, I'LL GET WITH YOU OFFLINE AND WE CAN TALK, BUT I DO THINK THERE'S SOME GOOD INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THAT HAVE SERVED IN PREVIOUS BOARDS RELATED TO PUBLIC WORKS IN THE COUNTY THAT I THINK WOULD BE PERFECT FOR THIS POSITION. >> YEAH, I AGREE. I THINK JUST TO CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC, THERE WERE SOME APPLICANTS I UNDERSTAND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR THAT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT PROCESS, DOES IT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM SPEAK TO THE QUALITY OF THOSE FOLKS. THEY ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERED, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS COURT HAS TAKEN UP SOMETHING LIKE. >> TO YOUR POINT, I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANY OF THE NAMES. >> YES. [OVERLAPPING] >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS WHO APPLIED KNOW, THIS DOESN'T MEAN BECAUSE YOU APPLIED AND SOMEHOW YOU WERE NOT UP TO PAR THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT ALL. THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED THIS IS JUST TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CASTING AS WIDE A NET AS POSSIBLE. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> YEAH. JUST FOR THE RECORD, COMPLETELY CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO HAS APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A BROAD POOL OR DIVERSE POOL OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS THAT WE CAN SELECT FROM. >> YEAH, I WANT TO MAKE THAT FOR THE RECORD. I HAVE NO IDEA WHO HAS APPLIED. THIS COMMENT IS NO REFLECTION ON ANYONE WHO HAS APPLIED. THEY WILL BE TREATED WITH ATMOSPHERIC. WE WON'T EVEN KNOW WHO DID IT AND DIDN'T WE ARE GOING TO GET THOSE APPLICATIONS LATER. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'VE ALL COME TOGETHER AND WITH THAT, I'M CALLING IT A RECESS AND THEN WE [BACKGROUND]. >> I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM. THEREFORE, WE DON'T NEED A DATE OF MAY 9 CORRECT? BECAUSE THAT WASN'T CHECKED WITH, OKAY GREAT. >> WE WILL HAMMER THE WORK SESSION IS OUR FIRST ONE IF THIS NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION, NOW I'M INVOLVED. WE'LL WORK THROUGH IT IF WE NEED TO PUT IT ON THE WORK SESSION, THEY WILL DO IT. IF NOT AND IF THERE'S NO AGREEMENT OR SOMETHING COMES TO WHERE WE NEED ACTION ITEM, THOMAS, I'LL BRING IT BACK ON THE NEXT AGENDA. >> I JUST HAVE TO SAY, ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH THIS WORK SESSION OF MAY 9TH, MY STAFF WAS NOT ASKED ABOUT MY SCHEDULE. I DON'T THINK I'M AVAILABLE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS. >> I WOULD JUST SAY, IT'S THE 9TH OR ANOTHER DATE, JUDGE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR OFFICE COORDINATING THAT OR THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE, IF OUT COURTESY THEY CAN REACH OUT TO OUR OFFICES TO MAKE SURE. I KNOW IT'S HARD TO GET EVERYBODY'S SCHEDULE ON, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT UNTIL THE AGENDA GOT POSTED LATE THURSDAY. YOU COULD JUST MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME COMMUNICATION ON POTENTIAL DATES THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> SO NOTED. I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE I HAVE CREATED. I WANT LUNCH, COURTS IN RECESS. THIRTY MINUTES. [02:59:32] [BACKGROUND] >> THE COURT IS GOING TO CALL THE [INAUDIBLE]. THERE HE IS. WE'RE JUST CALLING THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER CALVERT IS EXCUSED AND COMMISSIONER MOODY HAS RETURNED. SO LET US TAKE UP ITEM 53, DISCUSSION, [53. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Task Order No. 06 of the Cooperative Agreement between Bexar County, the San Antonio River Authority, and the City of San Antonio for the completion of the Creeks and Trails Capital Improvements Program for the Leon Creek Trail Extension; the limits being from 1-35 to Hwy 16 with a connection to Spicewood Park, in an amount not to exceed $14,933,304. ] APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING TASK ORDER NUMBER SIX OF THE CORPORATE OF [03:00:04] AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CREEKS AND TRAILS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR THE LEON CREEK TRAIL EXTENSION, THE LIMITS BEING I35 TO HIGHWAY 16 WITH A CONNECTION TO SPICEWOOD PARK AND AMOUNT NOT EXCEED $14,933,304. MR. GUYES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, [INAUDIBLE] MY NAME IS TONY GUYES, I AM THE [INAUDIBLE] CAPITAL FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT. AND I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT ON ITEM 53 AND 54. ACTUALLY, I'M HERE TO INTRODUCE OUR PRESENTER. IT'S COLLEN BROWNLOW WITH THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY. HE'S THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE CREEKS AND TRAILS PROGRAM. ALSO IN THE AUDIENCE, MELISSA BRYANT AND DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES HERE WITH SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY AND KINDLE HAYES WHO'S WITH GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. SO ITEM 53 IS ONE OF EIGHT TRAILS THAT ARE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, THIS WILL BE ONE THAT THEY WILL OPERATE AND OWN AS PART OF THE HOWARD PEAK GREENWAYS TRAILS. AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MR. BROWNLOW. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> SO AS TONY MENTIONED, THIS IS TASK ORDER NUMBER SIX. IT IS A FIVE-MILE TRAIL ALONG THE LEON CREEK FROM I35 TO HIGHWAY 16 THAT CONNECTS TO SPICEWOOD PARK. THE DESIGN COSTS MENTIONED IS $14,933,304. WE'RE LOOKING AT A THREE-YEAR COMPLETION TIME. THAT'S INCLUDES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. AND THIS IS INCREASING ONE. SO AGAIN, AS TONY MENTIONED, THIS IS THE SECOND OF THE LEON CREEK GREENWAY TRAILS, THE PARK SYSTEM AND ONCE WE FINISHED THE TRAIL WE OPERATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE COSA PARKS SYSTEM. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >> QUESTIONS. MR. CLAY-FLORES? >> NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER MOODY? >> WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND SPEAKING TO THIS. I'VE SPOKEN ON SOME TRAIL PROJECTS BEFORE AND REALLY MY CONCERNS REVOLVE AROUND TWO THINGS. THE PRIORITY LEVEL OF THE ITEM AND THEN THE COSTS. AS FAR AS THE PRIORITIES, THIS OBVIOUSLY PART OF A LARGER PROJECT THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE AND BEEN ON A TEN-YEAR PLAN. SO I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO THAT AND WHAT THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN TERMS OF THAT PLAN BUT I DO STILL HAVE CONCERNS AROUND ALL THE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT ARE COMPETING FOR OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS HERE IN THE COUNTY, WHETHER IT'S THE JAIL, WHETHER IT'S OUR COURT SYSTEM AND OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE VERY PRESSING. BUT ON THE COST FRONT, I WAS HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP ME BETTER UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE COST STRUCTURES BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND SARA, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? AND ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPACT THE COST POSITIVELY HERE ON THESE PROJECTS GOING FORWARD? BECAUSE WE ALL LIKE CREEKS AND TRAILS AND WE LIKE GOING OUT THERE WITH OUR FAMILIES AND RIDING BIKES AND GOING FOR WALKS. THESE ARE UTILIZED BY OUR CONSTITUENTS AND EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT HOW CAN WE DO THIS IN A WAY THAT'S FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE AND MANAGEABLE FOR THE COUNTY AT THIS TIME AND GOING FORWARD? >> SOMEBODY'S GOT TO ANSWER. >> YEAH. I MEAN, AS FAR AS THE PRICE, THIS IS BASED ON SIMILAR PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE CONSTRUCTED. SO THAT'S HOW THE ESTIMATE IS ESTABLISHED. SO THESE ARE GREAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT PROJECTS THAT WE'VE SEEN. GET THE COMMUNITIES OUT, ENJOY THE OUTDOORS. SO WE'VE SEEN WITH THE TRAIL COUNTERS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF PARTICIPATION ON THESE TRAILS. AND CONNECTING THESE WILL ONLY INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC. >> SO THIS HASN'T BEEN SUBMITTED FOR DESIGN OR FOR CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE AT THIS POINT. YOU'RE MAKING AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST BASED ON PREVIOUS PROJECTS? >> YES, SIR. THIS IS AN ESTIMATE FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE COST OF THIS PROJECT. [03:05:04] >> WHEN YOU GO FORWARD WILL THOSE BE RFQS, OR RFPS. WHAT DOES THAT TIMELINE LOOK LIKE? >> WE HAVE SELECTED CONSULTANTS FROM A PRE-QUALIFICATION LIST AND ONCE OUR TASK ORDER IS APPROVED, WE WILL WORK WITH THE CONSULTANT TO GET THE DESIGN UNDERWAY FAIRLY QUICK. >> FOR THAT PRE-APPROVED LIST, HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES YOU HAVE ON THAT LIST? >> IT'S A FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE LIST. THEY'RE CATEGORIZED BY DIFFERENT PROJECT TYPES, TRAILS AND CREEK ASPECT TO BUILD TRAILS ALONG THESE CREEKS WHERE THERE'S UPWARDS OF 30 FIRMS THAT HAD BEEN SOLICITED SMALL BUSINESS MEET ALL THE CITY AND COUNTY REQUIREMENTS. >> OKAY. >> YES, SIR. >> AND GOING BACK TO OUR PREVIOUS CONVERSATION WITH MS. TORRES, WHERE'S THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE RFP VERSUS THE RFQ AND BEING ABLE TO BRING COST INTO THE SOLICITATION PROCESS. >> LET ME CLARIFY ONE THING, COMMISSIONER. BECAUSE THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT'S MANAGED THROUGH THE RIVER AUTHORITY, RIVER AUTHORITY HOLDS ALL THE CONTRACTS. AND SO WHEN WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT'S ON THE SCHEDULE FOR PROCEEDING TO TASK ORDER, WE DO VISIT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE ON THE PRE-QUALIFIED LIST THE PROJECT WILL SELECT A VENDOR. AND THEN IN A SITUATION LIKE THE SPIRIT REACH, WHICH I'LL BRING IT UP BECAUSE THAT ONE WE PRESENTED THAT WE WOULD GO OUT FOR REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS. THESE PROJECTS ARE FAIRLY SIMILAR IN HOW THEY'RE DESIGNED AND HOW THEY DEVELOP. AND SO WHEN THE SARA WENT OUT FOR SOLICITATION FOR A LIST OF QUALIFIED VENDORS FOR CONSULTING, THEY EVALUATED THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT AND SO WHEN THEY SELECTED THEIR LIST, THEY WERE ABLE TO MATCH UP THE PROJECTS WITH THE CORRECT CONSULTANT. AND SO AS WE GO INTO CONSTRUCTION, THOSE WILL ALL BE PUT OUT AS A COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS. SO THOSE WILL ALL BE BID PUBLICLY FOR CONSTRUCTION. >> JUST TO CONFIRM, TONY. >> YES. >> THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE DONE BY SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY. SO PATTY DOESN'T LOOK ON [OVERLAPPING] >> BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE COUNTY, WE JUST APPROVE THE FUNDING BECAUSE BEFORE I CAME LIKE I TOLD YOU, TOOK THIS PROJECT OVER FROM THE CITY, CORRECT? >> THE CITY HAD BEEN DOING THE TRAILS UP TO THIS POINT AND THEN WE STEPPED IN AND SAID WE WOULD. [OVERLAPPING] >> AND AS USUAL, THE CITY STARTED PROJECTS ON THE NORTHERN PART OF BEXAR COUNTY. SO WE DEFINITELY ARE GOING TO SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CONNECTED IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF BEXAR COUNTY UNTIL WE STOP ALWAYS STARTING THINGS ON THE NORTH SIDE. >> COMMISSIONER, RODRIGUEZ. >> JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT POINT TOO. >> TONY, AND I KNOW THIS HAPPENED A FEW YEARS AGO. THE CITY HAD A DEDICATED SOURCE OF REVENUE INITIALLY FOR THE CREEK WAYS, IT WAS THROUGH A SALES TAX. WE HAD DISCUSSIONS BACK THEN ABOUT, THEY WERE GOING TO TRY AND SHIFT THE SALES TAX FROM EDWARDS AQUIFER PROTECTION SLASH CREEK WAYS TO WORKFORCE AND MOBILITY. BOTH ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT I THINK WE ALL ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF. I THINK AND I DON'T REMEMBER IF THERE WAS AN MOU OR JUST A HANDSHAKE THAT WE SAID, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOOD REGIONAL PARTNERS BECAUSE THIS IS PART OF THE BETTERMENT OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. YOU GUYS GO TO VOTERS, THAT WAS APPROVED TO MAKE THAT SALES TAX GO AGAIN TO WORKFORCE AND MOBILITY. WE AGREED TO CONTINUE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RIVER AUTHORITY FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CREEK WAY PROJECTS. IS THAT ALL ACCURATE? >> YES. PERFECTLY SAID. >> I KNOW WE'RE ON 53, BUT THERE'S ONE, PRECINCT TWO, THAT'S NEXT. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT WE CONTINUE OUR COMMITMENT NOT JUST TO THE SPIRIT OF THAT PARTNERSHIP, BUT ALSO TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY, WHO, AGAIN, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER MOODY, THESE ARE THESE ARE GREAT AND THEY'RE UTILIZED, BUT ALSO IN SOME ASPECTS, WE'RE TRYING TO ENHANCE THEM WITH FLOOD CONTROL AMENITIES AS WELL. BUT I AGREE IN THE SAME BREATH WITH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES THAT NOW THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE SOUTH AND THE WEST SIDE IS NOT THE TIME TO SHORTCHANGE [03:10:01] OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR RESPECTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THOSE AREAS. THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS. I WAS GOING TO SAVE IT FOR THE PRECINCT TWO ITEMS, BUT I THINK IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHY WE ARE WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY IN TERMS OF FUNDING THESE IS BECAUSE OF THAT COMMITMENT WE MADE TO BE COLLABORATIVE WITH THE CITY. BECAUSE OUR CITIZENS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT TOO FROM WORKFORCE INITIATIVES AND VIA AND THE MOBILITY ISSUES WHEN THAT TRANSFER IS OVER IN A FEW YEARS TO THAT ISSUE. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER YOU PROBABLY ARE AWARE OF THAT ALREADY, BUT THAT DISCUSSION AND JUDGE DID HAPPEN BEFORE IN FAIRNESS TO BEFORE YOU GUYS WERE HERE. BUT THAT WAS HOW THIS CAME ABOUT AND WHY WE'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THAT COMMITMENT. >> IT HAPPENED BEFORE I WAS HERE TOO. JUST TO CONFIRM, WE'RE FUNDING SO IT CAN BE COMPLETED AGAIN TO CONNECT IT WITH THE SOUTH SIDE. BUT AFTER THAT, THE CITY IS GOING TO MAINTAIN EVERYTHING FOR THE NEXT TILL INFINITY, CORRECT? >> THAT'S RIGHT. THEY'LL OWN AND OPERATE. I'LL JUST MENTION. >> THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE COMING BACK TO ASK HER MONEY AFTER IT'S COMPLETED? >> NO. THIS WILL BE PART OF THEIR LINEAR GREENWAYS TRAIL THAT THE CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT WILL MANAGE. I'LL JUST MENTION ALSO COMMISSIONER, THAT TO YOUR POINT, WE'RE HAVING CONSTANT COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY ON EACH TASK ORDER AS WE GO AND AS WE'RE DOING THESE WHERE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT MORE THINGS. THEY'VE ACTUALLY ASKED US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MODIFY THE TASK ORDERS TO MENTION THAT THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO IF THEY REQUESTED A WIDER TRAILS. IN SOME SITUATIONS WHERE THEY NEED WIDER TRAILS AND THIS ONE ACTUALLY IS ONE OF THE 12 FOOT TRAILS THAT THEY WOULD CONTRIBUTE FUNDING AND ALSO THEY WOULD FROM THEIR TREE MITIGATION FUNDING WOULD ADD PLANTINGS. >> YOU ARE DOING THAT? > IT'S INCLUDED IN THE LANGUAGE SO THAT IF IT BECOMES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, THEN WE WILL DO THAT. YES ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU. >> I'LL JUST FINISH WITH A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. I'LL KEEP IT ALL ON THIS SIDE AND SO THE NEXT ONE WILL BE FUN [NOISE] [LAUGHTER] >> TO MY COLLEAGUES, I IN NO WAY WANT TO SHORTCHANGE OTHER PRECINCTS. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THEY STARTED AND WHAT PRECINCTS AND WHAT THE PIECEMEAL DEVELOPMENT PHASES OF THE PROJECT HAVE BEEN. I'LL ALSO JUST CONFIRM THAT BECAUSE I ALSO VOTED AGAINST ONE OF THESE PROJECTS IN MY OWN PRECINCT GOING BACK TO DECEMBER. THIS IS NOT PURELY ABOUT SOUTHSIDE, NORTHSIDE, WESTSIDE, EASTSIDE. SPEAKING TO THE PROCESS, I THINK THAT, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES BROUGHT UP THE POINT, THIS IS NOT COUNTY MANAGED PROCUREMENT PROCESS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY AND OUR STAFF WORKS WITH SARAH AND OTHERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT JUST WRITING A BLANK CHECK THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET WHAT WE WANT FOR THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO GET IT AT BEST VALUE AT THE SAME TIME. THAT WOULD BE MY DIRECTION TO YOU, TONY AND TO DAVID AND THE REST OF THE TEAM IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PARTNERING AND TRYING TO KEEP THOSE COSTS IN CHECK AS BEST AS WE CAN AS WE GO FORWARD. BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THESE THESE TRAIL PROJECTS, THE COSTS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND IT'S A BIG PART OF OUR BUDGET. I WANT TO TRY TO CONTROL IT AS BEST WE CAN. >> UNDERSTOOD. I'LL JUST SAY THAT THE PURPOSE OF HAVING THE THE PRE-QUALIFIED LIST IS ALSO TO SAVE RESOURCES. BECAUSE EVERY TIME WE PUT OUT A SOLICITATION, IF A FIRM IS INTERESTED IN DOING IT, THEY HAVE TO COMPILE A LARGE PACKET OF INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO A PROJECT AND IT'S COST US A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. BY DOING IT THE WAY THAT THE RIVER AUTHORITY DID IT, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE ABILITY TO GET A NUMBER OF SOLICITATIONS DONE AT ONE TIME, SAVING A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME, AT LEAST THREE MONTHS. MAYBE TO JUMP INTO DESIGN AND THEN THE COST OF HAVING A FIRM HAVE TO RESUBMIT EACH TIME TO TRY TO GET THE PROJECT. AGAIN, THAT'S JUST THE THINKING, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND WE ACTUALLY WILL MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE IS A MUCH MUCH MORE TRANSPARENCY TO THAT. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. ONE LAST QUESTION. I THINK I READ IN HERE SOMEWHERE THAT THERE WAS A 10 FOOT PROJECT COST AND THAT THE CITY WOULD PAY THE ADDITIONAL TWO FEET. NOW, IS THAT ADDITIONAL TWO FEET INCLUDED IN THE 14 MILLION AND THE 9.6 MILLION OR IS THAT ADDITIONAL COST ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT? [03:15:02] >> THE ESTIMATES THAT WE HAVE ARE BASED ON THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH WAS BEFORE A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS WERE CONTEMPLATED. WE WOULD GO BACK TO HOW WE ESTIMATED THE PROJECT AND THAT'S HOW WE WOULD BASE THE COST ON. I BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING WE HAVE ESTIMATED IS THE 10 FOOT COST. >> THOSE WOULD BE ABOVE AND BEYOND COST, BUT THEY WOULD BE BORNE BY THE CITY. >> BY THE CITY. THAT'S RIGHT. >> THANK YOU. >> TO COMMISSIONER MOODY'S POINT. FOR YOU'RE PRE-QUALIFIED PEOPLE, DID YOU ALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SMALL, MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND LOCAL? >> YES, WE DID. >> CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT? >> THEY DO MEET THE CITY AND THE COUNTY GOALS FOR THIS SMWB, SMALL MINORITY BUSINESS GOALS. ALL THESE THESE CONSULTANTS DO MEET THAT LIST AND THEY WILL MEET THE CURRENT COUNTY REQUIREMENTS. >> TO BE CLEAR, MANY OF THE PRIME FIRMS ARE NOT SWIMMING, BUT THEY WOULD BE HELD TO THE SAME PROGRAM GOALS OF THE COUNTY. THEY WOULD HAVE SUB-CONSULTANTS THAT WOULD ALSO BE COUNTED TOWARDS THAT AS WELL. BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THE PRIME FIRMS THAT ARE DESIGNATED AS SMWB, AND WE CAN CERTAINLY GET YOU THAT LIST TO REMIND YOU WHAT THOSE ARE. >> THIS IS ALSO ABOUT PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FOR ME. PEOPLE NEED TO EXERCISE MORE IN BEXAR COUNTY, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF DIABETES AND OBESITY. THIS IS ALSO ABOUT GETTING FRESH AIR AND HAVING A SAFE PLACE TO WALK, ESPECIALLY ON THE SOUTHSIDE, THERE ARE SO MANY STRAY DOGS. >> THERE'S A MOTION BY CLAY-FLORES, SECOND, BY RODRIGUEZ, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 54, DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING [54. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Task Order No. 07 of the Cooperative Agreement between-Bexar- County, the San Antonio River Authority, and the City of San Antonio for the completion of the Creeks and Trails Capital Improvements Program for the Leon Creek Trail Connection to Rodriguez Park; the limits being from Dora Jordan Trailhead at Military Drive to Rodriguez Park, in an amount not to exceed $9,599,035. ] TASK ORDER NUMBER 7 OF THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY, THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY, AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CREEKS AND TRAILS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR THE LEIGH CREEK TRAIL CONNECTION TO RODRIGUEZ PARK. THE LIMITS BEING FROM DORA JORDAN TRAILHEAD AT MILITARY DRIVE TO RODRIGUEZ PARK IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $900,599,035. >> IS THERE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> A COUPLE OF SLIDES. YES. THE DISTANCE, IS THIS A THREE MILE TRAIL. AS YOU MENTIONED, THE FINISH AND ENDS. AGAIN, IT'LL BE OPERATED BY COAST AFTER THE SHALE IS CONSTRUCTED. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT. >> YES, SIR. >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION. I SEE KEN SITTING THERE. KEN I KNOW THIS IS A CONNECTION TO RODRIGUEZ PARK AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE EMBARKING ALSO ON A MASTER PLAN FOR RODRIGUEZ PARK. I ASSUME YOU GUYS ARE COLLABORATING SO THAT CONNECTION BECOMES PART OF THAT OVERALL MASTER PLAN. >> YES, SIR WE ARE. WHERE THE CONNECTION IS COMING IN IS ACTUALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK. BUT WE'RE GOING TO INCORPORATE WHEN OUR NEW MASTER PLAN TO CONNECT BACK TO THAT AND DO A LOOP WITHIN THE PARK. >> GREAT. WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I THINK WE EXHAUSTED DISCUSSION ON THIS, SO I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I HAVE A QUESTION. >> SURE. >> BECAUSE I'M THE NEW PERSON HERE. GIVE ME JUST REAL SHORT, WHAT DESCRIBED A MASTER PLAN AND THE COMPLETION OF IT? IT'S REALLY FOLLOWS WHAT COMMISSIONER MOODY IS. I JUST WANT TO GET A SENSE FOR THE PUBLIC AND MYSELF. WE KNOW, AND I WAS GOING TO SAY WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CRITIQUE TO THE NORTHEAST. ALL CIRCLES OVER AND THEN WHAT? DOES IT CONNECT TO LEON CREEK ON THE NORTHWEST? NOW WE'RE MOVING DOWN TO THE SOUTH. >> TO LEON CREEK. >> TELL ME I GUESS WHERE THE GAPS, WHERE DO WE STILL HAVE TO FINISH THIS THING OUT TO CONNECT IT OR IS THAT NOT PART OF THE MASTER PLAN. >> THE CITY IS DOING A LOT OF THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THESE POINTS. >> IF YOU DON'T KNOW, TELL ME I DON'T KNOW. >> SOME OF THE GAPS THAT WE HAVE INCLUDE THE SALADO TO THE SAN ANTONIO AND THAT'S BEING CONNECTED. >> WHERE AT THE SALADO? ON THE SOUTHEAST? >> ON THE SOUTH SIDE. >> PRESSING FORWARD? >> I'M SORRY. >> ON PRESSING FORWARD? >> YES. >> YOU'RE LUCK COMMISSIONER GOWER IS GONE. >> THEN ONCE THIS LEON IS COMPLETED, THEN THAT LEON WILL ALSO BE CONNECTED TO MEDINA TRIALS. THEN MEDINA IS ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE SAN ANTONIO. >> WILL THERE BE A COMPLETE LOOP OR THEY'RE GOING TO BE A LITTLE GAPS? >> THAT'S THE GOAL. >> WHEN WE GO TO CONNECT WITH AUSTIN? I DON'T WANT TO OPEN THAT UP. >> YOU'RE GOING TO GET PHONE CALLS. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY IS IN CHARGE THAT ONE. WE'VE GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. [03:20:01] >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. >> CAN I JUST MAKE A COMMENT SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRAILS AND GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO KEN'S TEAM IN PARKS BECAUSE THEY DID IN-HOUSE AND EXTENDED A TRAIL IN ONE OF MY PARTS AND PRECINCT 1, MICHIGAN COUNTY PARK. THEY SAVED LIKE $0.5 MILLION. IS THAT CORRECT KEN? >> THIS YEAR WE SAVED APPROXIMATELY 490 SOMETHING THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE IN-HOUSE. >> BECAUSE I WAS IN-HOUSE WITH OUR PARK STAFF. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU GUYS A SHOUT OUT AND JUST CONTINUE TO DO THAT SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SAVE US MONEY. >> THANK YOU. >> THEN MAKE SURE, LET ME KNOW ABOUT AND COMMISSIONER MOODY? >> YES, MA'AM. >> IN REGARDS TO THE QUESTION COMMISSIONER FLORES BROUGHT UP, WHEN WE GET THESE COMPLETION ON THESE PROJECTS, I WANT TO REPORT AS TO THE FINAL COST AND WHO GOT THE PROJECTS AND HOW THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GOALS OF SOON BE. THANK YOU. FIFTY FIVE POLLOCK HEARING, PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, [55. Public hearing, presentation, discussion and appropriate action regarding the Boerne Stage Road Special Improvement District. ] APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING TO BERNIE STAGE ROAD AND SPECIAL IMPROVEMENTS. I AM AT THIS TIME CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING WHICH ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO ON THE RECORD. AT THIS TIME, IS IT MR. MCLIAM? GO AHEAD. >> THIS ITEM IS BERNIE STAGE ROAD, SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ITEM. TODAY WE HAVE BROWN AND ORTIZ HERE. WE ALSO HAVE CHESS SMART HOMES REPRESENTED BY BARKS WIDER AND CARSON TRAINER. QUICKLY, I'LL GO OVER THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT STATUTE. IT'S PETITIONED BY LANDOWNERS TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, AND IT CREATES A SEPARATE GOVERNMENT ENTITY. IT'S GOVERNED UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 382. TAXATION POWERS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH ELECTION, THAT'S AD VALOREM HOTEL SALES. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE PID IS ASKING FOR AD VALOREM AND SALES ONLY. THE REVENUE GENERATED BY THAT IS DONE AND USED FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS ROADS FACILITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. WE HAVE 17 EXISTING PITS CURRENTLY IN BEXAR COUNTY. LOCATION IS PRECINCT 3, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, ETJ. IT'S OUTSIDE LOOP 1604 BY BERNIE AIR FIELD. IT'S A THREE-YEAR TERM. IT'S 167.7 ACRES, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR SMALLEST. CURRENTLY WE REALIZE $1,500 AND GENERAL FUND REVENUE. THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO MUST, BY STATUTE PROVIDE CONSENT, WHICH IT DID ON APRIL 20TH, WHICH WAS LAST THURSDAY. THEY HAVE A 30-YEAR NON-ANNEXATION AGREEMENT WITH THE DEVELOPER. LAND-USE WILL GO OVER IS 131 SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS STARTING AT 800,000. THIS IS ONE OF OUR MORE ELITE PEDS ALONG WITH CIVIL CANYONS, WHICH IS NOT FAR AWAY, COMMERCIAL ACRES OR TBD, THAT'LL SORT OUT ALONG THAT MAJOR ROAD THERE AS DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSES. THERE WILL BE TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE. INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE DEVELOPED. WILL BE THE STREETS, SIDEWALKS, DECELERATION LANE, AND THE TURN LANE AND WATER OFFSITE TO CONNECT TO THE PROPERTY. DEVELOPMENT IS $9.7 MILLION OF INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS. TAXABLE VALUE WILL REACH 105 MILLION. REVENUES GENERATED OVER 30 YEARS ARE RIGHT THERE. MOST IMPORTANTLY IS $8 MILLION. THE BEXAR COUNTY GENERAL FUND. THE RECOMMENDED MOTION IS APPROVAL OF AN ORDER CREATING THE BERNIE STAGE ROAD SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND WE DO HAVE THOSE REPRESENTATIVES IF YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS. >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING HERE. I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THIS INFORMATION AND STAFF AND DANIEL HAVEN'T BRIEFED ME PREVIOUSLY ON SOME OF THIS AS WELL. I THINK THE ONE THING TO HIGHLIGHT HERE THAT'S A POSITIVE IN MY OPINION, IS JUST THERE'S 130 SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS, BUT IT'S ON 170 ACRES. WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT LESS THAN ONE UNIT PER ACRE. IT'S NOT THE REALLY DENSE DEVELOPMENT THAT SOMETIMES WE SEE. I THINK THERE'S SOME GREEN SPACE, THERE'S SOME OPEN AREAS, WALKING TRAIL AND OTHER THINGS THAT WILL BE A BENEFIT TO THOSE RESIDENTS IN THE FUTURE. I'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> THERE'S MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND. THERE WAS NO ONE THAT SIGNED UP. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE DOES THERE ANYBODY HERE WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS PARTICULAR MOTION THAT WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MOODY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. HEARING NONE. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? [03:25:01] I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [57. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Bexar County's Legislative Program and the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature. ] >> ITEM 57. DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDED BEXAR COUNTY LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, THE ADA SESSION IN TEXAS LEGISLATURE. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, MELISSA SHANNON IS STUCK IN AUSTIN TESTIFYING ON THE BILL, SO WE DON'T HAVE A REPORT, BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING, WE CAN FOLLOW UP. WE CAN DO THAT AFTER REPORT. >> WE WILL PASS AND TAKE IT UP AT A LATER DATE. FIFTY-NINE. >> JUDGE, THOSE ITEMS WILL BE HANDLED AFTER EXECUTIVE. >> SO 59, 60, 61, AND 62? >> CORRECT. >> AT THIS TIME, IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS THE COURT HAS NOT TAKEN UP? COMMISSIONERS, HAVE WE GOT ALL THE AGENDA? COURT WILL NOW CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. [EXECUTIVE SESSION ] EXECUTIVE SESSION SIDE OF MAYBE DISCUSS AND ACT UPON, IF APPROPRIATE IN OPEN SESSION. PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.072 THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOR DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, SPECIFICALLY, A 10.705 ACRES OF LAND WITHIN THE COUNTY BLOCK 4005 BEING MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 10975 APPLEWHITE ROAD. PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S FOR ADVICE REGARDING A, A MATTER AND WHAT'S THE DUTY AND THE ATTORNEY AND THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY OR THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND THE STATE BAR, TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH CHAPTER 551 OR THE GOVERNMENT CODE SPECIFICALLY. I, LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPUTY SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION ENTERED INTO PURSUANT CHAPTER 174 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. B, PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFER IN THE MATTER OF DU SAN DEL PILLAGE VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY. THE COURT IS BACK INTO SESSION OF COURT MET AND EXECUTIVE SESSION. [59. Discussion and appropriate action related to a memorandum of understanding related to Article 7, Association Business, Section 3(B) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Bexar County entered into pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Local Government Code. ] AND I BELIEVE WE WILL NOW TAKE UP ITEMS 59, 60, 61. MR. ROBERTSON. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. ITEM 59 IS AN ITEM RELATED TO AN MOU TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN THE ARTICLE 7 SECTION 3B RELATED TO ASSOCIATION ACCESS TO TEMPORARY JAILERS. >> PICK A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 59, JUDGE. >> SECOND. >> THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 60. [60. Discussion and appropriate action related to a memorandum of understanding related to Article 14, Operational Issues, Section 4 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Bexar County entered into pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Local Government Code. ] >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AGAIN, THIS IS RELATED TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND IT'S A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT DEALS WITH ARTICLE 14 SECTION 4 ON SOME OPERATIONAL ISSUES FOR LEAVES SUBMISSION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 60, JUDGE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. [OVERLAPPING] >> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 61. [61. ..Discussion and_ appropriate action related to a memorandum of understanding related to Article 18, Hiring, Section 1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Bexar County entered into pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Local Government Code. ] >> JUDGE, ANOTHER A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING RELATED TO THE ARTICLE 18 SECTION 1 OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, AND THIS ONE DEALS WITH THE HIRING OF 18-YEAR-OLDS. >> MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 61. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. [62. Alicia Dussan Del Pilar v. Bexar County; Claim No. 21G62J916025 ] ITEM 62. MR. ROBERTSON. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. ITEM 62 IS DURING THE EXECUTIVE THE COURT DISCUSSED SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER OF ALICIA DU SAN DEL PILLAGE VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, CLAIM NUMBER 21G62J916025, AND CONSIDERED SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> HAVE WE COMPLETED THE AGENDA STAFF? COMMISSIONERS? HAVE I SKIPPED ANYTHING? WE HAVE MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> I MOVE TO ADJOURN A MEMORY OF LUCY OMIVOUS. >> JUDGE, I WOULD MOVE TO ADJOURN AND THE NAME OF BENJAMIN GONZALEZ JUNIOR, SYLVIA O'SUNER, FORMER COUNTY EMPLOYEE MARCUS JOHNS, I THINK MAYBE BUDGET OFFICE WORKED WITH HIM. ALSO OUR LOCAL DAVILA, FOUNDER OF DAVILA PHARMACY, RENEE MARIO GARCIA, ALITA GONZALEZ, [03:30:01] PALMYRA SANCHEZ RAMIREZ MALANCE, AND ALFRED JEANETTE. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER CALVERT, I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF DR. DOLORES LOT, A FORMER DISTRICT TO COUNCILWOMAN IMELDA MACHEKA, GUY SMOTHERS, BRUCE HOVNNER, SUSAN WENROW, RUDOLF CASPER, CELESTINE SHIRLEY, ALICE BENNETT, AND RENEE GARCIA. >> MR. SMITH, I UNDERSTAND YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE A SPECIAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE FOR MR. MARCUS JOHNS, PLEASE DO SO. >> THANK YOU. MARCUS MEANT A WHOLE LOT TO THIS COUNTY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T KNOW HIM, HE WAS THE COUNTY'S VERY FIRST BUDGET OFFICER THAT REPORTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. PRIOR TO THAT, YOU DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL OF THE BUDGET PROCESS? HE JUST HAPPENED TO HIRE ME. HE ALSO PROVIDED ERIC WALSH HIS FIRST JOB OUT OF SCHOOL BEFORE HE WENT TO WORK AT THE CITY. HE ALSO HIRED SUZANNE SCOTT, WHO WENT ON TO BECOME THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY AND MANY OTHERS. I THINK HE WAS 70 IF I REMEMBER? >> SEVENTY-SEVEN. >> SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD. >> IT SOUNDS MR. SMITH LIKE YOU'RE SAYING HE WAS THE GREGG POPOVICH OF FINANCE. [OVERLAPPING] >> HE WAS THE OG OF BUDGET OFFICERS. >> EXACTLY. [LAUGHTER] >> YOU ALL ARE ALL HIS PROTEGES. I ALSO ECHO MARCUS JOHNS. I KNEW HIM WHEN I WAS STARTING AS AN ATTORNEY AND BECAME AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE. HE WAS TRULY AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, AND I HAVE THE ULTIMATE RESPECT FOR HIM. I LIKE TO ADJOURN ON BEHALF OF DR. PEDRO PABLO, TERINA MENCIUS, MARIA DEL CARMINE GUZMAN, AND OUR DEAR FRIEND THAT WAS THE CHIEF OF THE JUVENILE DETENTION, MR. BRUCE BUSS. I'LL GET THAT INFORMATION OVER TO MS. SMALL AS TO THE ADDRESS TO SEND OUR LETTERS. >> IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION GRANTED. THE MEETING'S ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.