[1. Opening Prayer: Pastor Scott Kitayama, Christ Episcopal Church] [00:00:06] >> READY? I WANT TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. GOOD MORNING. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, MAY 16TH, 2023. IT'S MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE PASTOR SCOTT KITAYAMA FROM CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO. SCOTT, WHY DON'T YOU COME FORWARD, I WAS GOING TO SAY THE PULPIT. [OVERLAPPING] >> I GET TO PREACH FOR A LONG TIME. >> THAT'S TRUE. WELL, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU. I'M EXCITED TO WELCOME DEAR FRIEND PASTOR SCOTT KITAYAMA, WHO SERVES AS THE ASSOCIATE RECTOR AND CHIEF OF PASTORAL STAFF AT CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SAN ANTONIO. I KNOW THEY'RE THE HEART OF MONA VISTA. PASTOR SCOTT RECEIVED HIS BBA IN FINANCE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY BEFORE PURSUING HIS MASTERS OF DIVINITY AT THE FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. HE HAS BEEN A FAITH LEADER AT CHRIST'S EPISCOPAL FOR 15 YEARS. BUT BEFORE THAT, AND WHY HE IS SUCH A DEAR FRIEND, HE GREW UP IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY ALONG WITH ME, AND HE AND HIS SIBLINGS AND ME AND MY SIBLINGS USED TO HANG OUT TOGETHER AND I THINK PLAY FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, WHATEVER SPORT WAS ON THE SEASON. WE HUNG OUT. OUR FAMILIES ACTUALLY WERE VERY DIFFERENT, OUR PARENTS WERE VERY DIFFERENT TO EACH OTHER. IT'S MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE FOR SCOTT TO OPEN WITH PRAYER. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU CAN SAY A FEW WORDS IF YOU WISH. >> I BROUGHT A LITTLE PROP HERE. THIS IS A PICTURE FROM ABOUT THE 1950S. THEY WERE JAPANESE FARMERS THAT HAD COME IN THE EARLY 1900S TO THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY TO FARM. SOME OF THESE FAMILIES HAD BEEN INTERNED ALSO ON THE WEST COAST IN A PRISON CAMP. PETER'S FAMILY TOO WAS PART OF THAT. BUT HERE THEY WERE ALL CELEBRATING THEIR NATURALIZED CITIZENSHIP. THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO BE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WERE FINALLY ALLOWED TO DO THAT. THEY HAD A MANTRA, IT WAS [FOREIGN], WHICH MEANT FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN. THEY ALWAYS HAD THAT IDEA THAT THEY WOULD SACRIFICE FOR THE SAKE OF THE GENERATIONS THAT WERE TO COME. LORD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THIS BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, FOR COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER MOODY, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, AND OUR BEXAR COUNTY JUDGE PETER SAKAI AND FOR ALL THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS BEXAR COUNTY. MAY WE BE GOOD STEWARDS OF ALL THAT HAS COME BEFORE US AND ALL THOSE WHO WILL COME AFTER US. MAY WE SACRIFICE FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE GENERATIONS THAT WILL COME AND BE GOOD STEWARDS OF ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US AS A GIFT. BLESS THIS TIME, THIS AGENDA, AND THESE EVENTS IN JESUS NAME. AMEN. >> [OVERLAPPING] AMEN >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER TOM WILL DO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> THANK YOU, SCOTT. >> WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE CEREMONIAL ITEMS. [3. CEREMONIAL ITEM(S)] I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS HERE, SO PLEASE EVERYBODY, PLEASE BEAR WITH US. THEY'RE GOING TO GO FIRST BECAUSE THEY ARE FIRST IN LINE FOR EVERYTHING AS PASTOR KITAYAMA POINTED OUT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN. AT THIS TIME, PRESENTATION OF AWARD WINNERS OF THE 2023 SAN ANTONIO 90-SECOND NEWBERY FILM FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY BIBLIOTECH AND H-E-B READ 3. COMMISSIONER CALVERT, WHERE ARE THE PROCLAMATIONS? >> THERE'S NO PROCLAMATION. IT'S JUST A VIDEO. >> ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, MS. COLE, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. [OVERLAPPING] >> DO WE HAVE ALL OUR GUESTS HERE? >> WE DO. I'M GOING TO BRING THEM UP IN JUST A MINUTE. >> OKAY. >> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US, 90-SECOND NEWBERY FILM FESTIVAL IS WHERE KIDS CREATE MOVIES THAT TELL THE ENTIRE STORY OF NEWBERY-WINNING BOOKS IN ABOUT 90 SECONDS. WITH THE HELP OF OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND FRIENDS, H-E-B READ 3, WE'RE ABLE TO AWARD CASH PRIZES TO THE LIBRARIES OR SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS OF THOSE WINNERS. WE BEGAN THIS ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO VERY HUMBLY. [00:05:02] WE CREATED ONE VIDEO AND PUT IT UP ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. IT'S SINCE GROWN EVERY SINGLE YEAR. WE RECEIVED 113 ENTRIES THIS YEAR AND SCREENED THE FESTIVAL TO OVER 500 PEOPLE AT THE RIVERWALK PLAZA, AND WE WERE HONORED TO HAVE YOU AS OUR GUEST, JUDGE SAKAI. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAKE IT, I'M JUST GOING TO SHOW A BRIEF RECAP VIDEO SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THE FESTIVAL IS. PLEASE ROLL THE VIDEO. [MUSIC] >> HERE YOU GO, FOR YOU THE FILMMAKER. INTERESTING. WHAT'S THE NAME OF YOUR FILM? [MUSIC] >> I'M LAURA COLE, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF BIBLIOTECH. WE BROUGHT 90-SECOND NEWBERY SCREENING TO SAN ANTONIO ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO. >> KIDS CREATE SHORT MOVIES THAT TELL THE ENTIRE STORY OF NEWBERY-WINNING BOOKS IN ABOUT 90 SECONDS. OFTEN THEY DO IT WITH A WEIRD TWIST. IN MAKING THESE MOVIES, THE KIDS, TRANSFORM THE STORIES AND MAKE THEM THEIR OWN. [MUSIC] >> IT'S ABOUT PARENTS WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN AND GET INVOLVED WITH THEM. ALL I GOT TO SAY KIDS IS THIS, WHEN YOU MAKE IT TO EITHER BROADWAY OR HOLLYWOOD, WOULD YOU PLEASE REMEMBER ME, AND REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM? [BACKGROUND] >> I'VE NEVER WORKED ON A MOVIE BEFORE. IT WAS MY FIRST TIME. IT WAS REALLY EXCITING BUT ALSO NERVE-WRACKING. >> WE KNOW AT H-E-B THAT THESE EVENTS HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR TALENT, THEIR CREATIVITY, THEIR PROBLEM-SOLVING. WE KNEW WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA. WE ALSO GIVE A CASH PRIZE, AND THAT CASH PRIZE GOES DIRECTLY TO THEIR SCHOOL LIBRARY. >> WE GO TO YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. WE WON BEST COSTUME. [INAUDIBLE] IS THE BEST FILM. WE ADAPTED INTO A HORROR STORY WITH A BUNCH OF MURDERERS. [OVERLAPPING] >> WORD HAS GOTTEN OUT, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING. WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A STRONG OFFERING FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY. BUT THIS YEAR WE ALSO HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF ENTRIES FROM FORT BEND ISD, FROM LULING, FROM UVALDE, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING. >> I'M CHRISTINA CLARKE. I'M THE PRINCIPAL AT SHANKLIN ELEMENTARY IN LULING ISD. WE HAD OUR GT STUDENTS, OUR GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS, PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT. IT IS THEIR VERY FIRST YEAR. THEY WERE REALLY EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE. WE REALLY WANTED TO INCORPORATE FILMMAKING AND THEIR LOVE OF READING INTO THEIR WORK THIS YEAR, AND THEY'VE BEEN SUPER EXCITED. >> I'VE BEEN DOING NEWBERY SINCE WHEN I WAS IN SEVENTH GRADE, AND THIS IS MY END OF FOURTH-YEAR. I LOOK FORWARD TO IS SEEING OTHER PEOPLE'S FILMS. I THINK THE QUALITY GOING UP EVERY YEAR. THAT JUST MAKES ME REALLY EXCITED. [MUSIC] >> WE STARTED JUST IN NEW YORK CITY, CHICAGO, AND PORTLAND, AND IT BALLOONED UP TO ABOUT OVER A DOZEN CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. I LOVE SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS THE BIGGEST SHOW EVERY YEAR. [MUSIC] >> SEEING WHAT KIDS PULL OUT OF THESE AMAZING BOOKS AND ALSO KNOWING THAT THEY'RE STILL READING FABULOUS BOOKS ON THEIR OWN AND SO DECIDED BY THEM THAT THEY'RE MAKING THESE FILMS. [MUSIC] >> ONE FACET OF NEWBERY TEXT MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE READING AS RECREATION. I THINK WHEN KIDS CAN ENGAGE IN REALLY GOOD QUALITY LITERATURE LIKE NEWBERY BOOKS, IT GETS THEM EXCITED ABOUT READING. [MUSIC] >> THIS IS CHRISTA ALDRICH. SHE'S THE LITERACY PROGRAM MANAGER FOR H-E-B READ 3, COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM, AND THEY'VE BEEN WITH US SINCE THE BEGINNING. THANK YOU TO CHRISTA AND H-E-B READ 3. NOW WE HAVE REPRESENTATION FROM FIVE OF OUR TOP SIX WINNERS THIS YEAR FOR BEST FILM. IN SECOND PLACE FROM THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT SALADO ELEMENTARY AND WINNERS OF $1,000 PRIZE FOR THEIR LIBRARY WAS HATCHET. DR. JOANIE BRILLANT IS HERE. [APPLAUSE] >> BRANDON, CHRISTIAN, MAXIMUS, ISAAC AND RODOLFO. >> ISAAC AND RODOLFO. [NOISE] >> WELL, LET ME ASK YOU, WHICH ONE'S CHRISTIAN? HEY, CHRISTIAN, HOW ARE YOU? >> GOOD. >> WELL, YOUR AUNT SENT ME A TEXT, FATIMA, [LAUGHTER] THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE AND THAT'S YOUR MOM I THINK IS GOING TO BE HERE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOUR FAMILY AND YOU'RE OVER THERE. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. [00:10:02] CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE AT THE SCHOOL. JUST WANTED TO SAY GOOD MORNING BECAUSE YOUR AUNT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TEXANS IN THE WORLD. SHE'S A GREAT LAWYER AT THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND. BEST OF LUCK TO YOUR WHOLE TEAM. TAKE CARE, FRIENDS. [APPLAUSE] >> IN FIRST PLACE WE HAVE THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON, FROM MISSION ACADEMY, JOLENE JIMENEZ, AND [INAUDIBLE] JACKIE RODRIGUEZ, CATALINA GUTIERREZ, KEVIN VAN, MRS. MARTINEZ, AND MRS. BARRERA ARE HERE AS WELL. >> LAURA, [APPLAUSE] ARE WE GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE? WHY DON'T YOU HAVE THE GROUP COME? WHERE IS MONICA? WHY DON'T YOU START COORDINATING HERE THE PICTURE? TOM, HELP THESE STUDENTS, THE ONES THAT JUST ANNOUNCED, HAVE THEM START SETTING UP SO WE DON'T HAVE A TRAFFIC JAM. >> TOM. >> YEAH, CAN YOU MOVE THEM UP HERE? FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION, THE HOUSE OF SCORPION, FROM YWLA, ALICIA AURORA, ANNA MAGLIONI, JULIA MAGALONI, LUIS NORIEGA LULA SHU, KIRA MCCASSEY, AND ALANI MYERS. REGINA ARZAMENDI IS THEIR PRINCIPAL, CHRISTINA MARTINEZ, HANNAH WURZBURG, AND TED GUERRA ARE HERE AS WELL. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] WE'VE GOTTEN TWO MORE. IN SECOND PLACE, A BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA FROM JOEL C HARRIS MIDDLE-SCHOOL. MICHAEL HAGIA, SOPHIA GARZA ARE THE FILMMAKERS EDUARDO RAVAS AND SHARON MALIK BARNS [APPLAUSE]. [BACKGROUND] FINALLY, OUR FIRST-PLACE WINNER IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION, WHERE IS ELISA ALICE'S AND KATHY BEZER HIS PRINCIPLE. [APPLAUSE] >> DO ME A FAVOR, JUST COME IN THE MIDDLE A LITTLE BIT EVERYBODY AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE TALLER FOLKS AT THE BACK [OVERLAPPING] [BACKGROUND] >> I'M GOING TO KEEP SEEING THEM OR I CAN STAND UP [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND] >> LAURA, AREN'T YOU GOING TO GET IN? COME ON LAURA. CHRISTINA LET'S GO. >> VERY GOOD. COMMENTS. COMMENTS. COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> ANY COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. >> THAT'S OUR BIGGEST PROGRAMMING EVENT OF THE YEAR AND OUR WHOLE STAFF GETS INVOLVED IN IT. OUR OUTREACH STAFF IN PARTICULAR, CARLOS HAS SAID IN HIS TEAM, WE OWE A BIG THANKS TO THEM. >> DID WE DO THE PRESENTATION OF BIBLIOTECH STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL? >> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. >> OKAY. >> LET'S WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER. >> WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT BEFORE THE STUDENTS ON FILM GO OUT, JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY A QUICK WORD OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE SETTING FILM IN BOOKS. I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT YOU ALL HAVE THE WHOLE WORLD AHEAD OF YOU. THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT BOOKS AND MEDIA CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE. I'M A LIVING TESTAMENT TO IT BECAUSE THROUGH ACTUALLY IT WAS MR. ARVIND VIDEO CLASS IN SEVENTH GRADE AT ST. MARY'S HALL, WHERE WE BEGAN TO DO ANIMATION AND VIDEO WORK. I ENDED UP MAKING A CAREER IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS AND HAD EVERYBODY FROM THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES [00:15:02] AS A CLIENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. I DID CONSULTING FOR TELEVISION SHOWS LIKE CSI MIAMI AND LAW AND ORDER. AS A CONSULTANT WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES COUNCIL. ALSO USE MEDIA FOR EVERYTHING FROM SPORTS AND THE BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE TO START A RADIO STATION. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT KEEP EXPLORING YOUR TALENTS. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THE TEACHERS AND ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE PUT THIS FESTIVAL TOGETHER. THEY'RE TALKING TODAY ABOUT IS TEXAS THE NEW HOLLYWOOD. IN FACT, SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY, WAS THE FIRST HOLLYWOOD, STARTED OUT ON HOT WELLS PARAMOUNT STUDIOS ACTUALLY HAS ITS ORIGINAL OFFICE LOCATION ON MAIN STREET HERE IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO. WE LOST IT TO HOLLYWOOD STAR. FILM WAS THE VERY FIRST MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION COMPANY FOUNDED AND THEY ENDED UP MOVING TO HOLLYWOOD. I HOPE THAT ONE DAY YOU ALL WILL HELP US BRING BACK HOLLYWOOD, IF YOU WILL, TO SAN ANTONIO HOLLYWOOD OR WHATEVER WE CALL IT. BUT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANK YOU, LAURA. JUST WANT TO MAKE FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]. >> I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE MISSION ACADEMY WHICH IS MY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL ON PRESSES STREETS. GO LADIES, AND JUST CONGRATULATIONS. AS AN EDUCATOR, I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK IT'S INVOLVED WORKING WITH STUDENTS TO GET SOMETHING THAT'S DONE. ALSO THANK YOU TO LAURA AND YOUR TEAM AT BIBLIOTECH AND FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU GUYS DO EVERY YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY. >> THANKS COMMISSIONER. >> ALL RIGHT [APPLAUSE]. >> THIS TIME WE'LL DO A PRESENTATION OF BIBLIOTECH STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL, MS.COLE,. >> BIBLIOTECH LIBRARY HAS LONG SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH A STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS VOICE PERSPECTIVE SUGGESTIONS AND CREATIVE IDEAS TO HELP INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR LIBRARY. OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE FOR THE BSAC IS FOR STUDENTS TO GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS, LEARN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND SHARE NEW AND INSPIRING IDEAS WITH THE BIBLIOTECH TEAM BIBLIOTECH STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL IS COMPRISED OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ACROSS BEXAR COUNTY TO SERVE A TWO-YEAR TERM, AND OUR PROGRAMMING LIBRARIAN PROBABLY A CODIO, HAS STEPPED UP TO TAKE THE LEADERSHIP ON THIS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO BRING HER UP TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU, AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE ALL OF YOU HERE THIS MORNING. ON JANUARY 23, 2023, WE SENT AN INFORMATIONAL LETTER OUT TO SUPERINTENDENTS OF ALL BEXAR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING THE RECOMMENDATION AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR INTERESTED CANDIDATES. WE WERE DELIGHTED AND WE RECEIVED 20 APPLICANTS FROM FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EIGHT SCHOOLS. ALL APPLICANTS WERE INTERVIEWED BY BIBLIOTECH SENIOR STAFF, AND NINE STUDENTS WERE SELECTED AND TODAY I'M VERY PROUD TO INTRODUCE ADRIAN AGUILAR FROM HARLAND EL HIGH SCHOOL. GESEL PUENTE FROM YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY [APPLAUSE]. DANICA MADDOX FROM FOX TECH LAW HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE]. ISAIAH DHABI LAW FROM HARLAN DALE HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE]. AUDREY SIMMONA FROM YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY [APPLAUSE]. RAMIRO LOPEZ FROM FOX TECH HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE]. AUDREY TORRES FROM CASS MET HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE]. ALFIE BARCINERS FROM HARLAN DALE HIGH SCHOOL, [APPLAUSE] AND SANTIAGO REBATE FROM JOHN PAUL STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL [APPLAUSE]. WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS GROUP OF STUDENTS. THE BCAC MEETINGS WILL BE HELD MONTHLY BEGINNING JUNE 10TH OF 2023. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> ANY COMMENTS? COMMISSIONERS? ONCE YOU GOT TO INTRODUCE, IS THERE ANY OF THE STUDENTS WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS? IT'S YOUR TIME TO SPEAK. [LAUGHTER] YOU MAY NOT SPEAK A LOT AT HOME, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK IF YOU WANT TO. INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> MY NAME IS RAMIRO LOPEZ. I'M WITH FOX TECH HIGH SCHOOL. I KNEW THIS IS THE ONE OF THE FIRST EVER, AT LEAST TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ADVISORY BOARDS THAT TIBIAL TECH AND I THINK IT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR ALL DIFFERENT EXECUTIVE LEADERS WITHIN DIFFERENT POSITIONS TO SEEK STUDENT PERSPECTIVE. I ALSO SERVE ON THE CISD STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE LEADERS LIKE YOURSELF, CONTINUE TO SEEK STUDENT PERSPECTIVE AND ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT US AND ESPECIALLY INTEGRATING REALLY NICE LIBRARIES LIKE BIBLIOTECH INTO OUR SCHOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE FOX TECH, WE HAVE OUR OWN BIBLIOTECH. YEAH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> HI. I'M [INAUDIBLE] FROM [00:20:02] THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AND I JUST ALSO WANT TO SAY, I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ON THIS COUNCIL BECAUSE I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THE COMMUNITY'S VOICE AND GET PEOPLE INVOLVED. I LOVE WHAT BIBLIO-TECH IS DOING THAT. THEY'RE TRYING TO, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT REACHED OUT TO US AND THEY'RE TRYING TO BE THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY. I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> JUDGE, JUST WANTED TO, I THINK THE THIS MORNING STARTING OFF WITH THESE YOUNG OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION. FIRST OF ALL, THOSE THAT WERE HERE A MINUTE AGO, BUT ALSO YOU AS YOUNG LEADERS, I WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE STEPPING UP INTO ROLES THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR NOT JUST YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY, BUT FOR ALL OF THEIR COUNTY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING YOU GROW AS LEADERS AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND SHOWING YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS AND YOUR CAMPUS WHAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS AND WE HOPE THAT YOU GROW INTO BIGGER LEADERS HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. I ALSO WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE REALLY QUICKLY, JUDGE, MS. [INAUDIBLE] FROM YWLA, [INAUDIBLE] THE PRINCIPAL, AND THEY HAVE DONE SUCH AN AMAZING JOB CULTIVATING YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I REMEMBER, GOSH, WHEN WAS YWLA ESTABLISHED IN? >> 2008. >> IT WAS 2008. SO IT WAS BACK WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AT THE OLD HORACE MANN MIDDLE-SCHOOL CAMPUS IN PRECINCT 2, I KNOW IT'S IN PRECINCT 2, BUT YOU HAVE YOUNG WOMEN FROM ALL OVER BEAR COUNTY AND REALLY JUST CULTIVATING YOUNG WOMEN INTO LEADERS, INTO NOT JUST IN COMMUNITY, BUT IN BUSINESS AND IN LAW. JUST AN AMAZING CAMPUS. ONE, THE BLUE RIBBON AWARD A COUPLE OF YEARS, TWO YEARS. I REMEMBER THAT AS WELL WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, SO BUT REALLY TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR FAMILY ARE PROUD, BUT YOUR LEADERS AT YOUR RESPECTIVE CAMPUSES ARE ALSO VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> I WANT TO INVITE ANY OTHER ADMINISTRATORS OR PARENTS COME UP HERE WITH YOUR KIDS. >> YEAH. I JUST, YOU SAID THIS IS THE INAUGURAL ADVISORY COUNCIL? >> I'M SORRY. >> YOU SAID THIS IS THE INAUGURAL ADVISORY COUNCIL? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> GUYS, THIS HELPS YOU GET INTO COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIPS, SO THANK YOU FOR [INAUDIBLE] PART OF THE INAUGURAL TEAM. I'M GLAD FOR ALL OF YOU, BUT I'M VERY PARTICULAR TO PRECINCT 1. I'M REALLY PSYCHED THAT WE HAVE ABOUT HALF THE REPRESENTATION FROM [INAUDIBLE] STEVENS REPRESENTING PRECINCT 1. AFTERWARDS, THE KIDS FROM [INAUDIBLE] STEVENS, IF YOU CAN STAY BACK AND GET A PICTURE WITH ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SENDING PEACE AND GOING TO THIS WAY. >> APPRECIATE HER. [APPLAUSE] >> LET ME JUST MAKE THIS FINAL COMMENT. I WANT Y'ALL TO RUN FOR COUNTY JUDGE, BUT WAIT TILL I FINISH. [LAUGHTER] THANK Y'ALL. LET'S TAKE A PIC, READY TO TAKE A PICTURE TOM? YOU'LL GET DIRECTED. [BACKGROUND] PAT, COME ON, LET'S GO ADMINISTRATIVE. THEY WANT TO TAKE PICTURES. [BACKGROUND] THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> WHERE'S THE PROCLAMATION? YEAH. LET ME HAVE ALL WELL AND GOOD. [NOISE] THIS YOU TAKE THE NEXT TWO. THEN COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAS THE ONE AFTER THAT. >> WILL DO THE PRESENTATION OR A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING AND PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH. IT'S MY HONOR TO READ THE PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS THE OLDER AMERICAN ACT 0AA, ENACTED IN 1965 SUPPORTS A RANGE OF HOME AND [00:25:04] COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT KEEP OLDER ADULTS HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT. WHEREAS BEAR COUNTY AND THE NATION RECOGNIZE MAY AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH TO HONOR OUR OLDER AMERICANS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE NATION AND TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUES FACING OLDER AMERICANS. WHEREAS BEAR COUNTY HELPED CREATE A CITY COUNTY JOINT COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AS SENIORS IN SAN ANTONIO AND BEAR COUNTY THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF SENIOR SERVICES RESOURCES, ADVOCACY, AND OUTREACH. WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN THEME IS AGING UNBOUND, WHICH ENCOURAGES US TO EXPLORE AGING EXPERIENCES WITHOUT BEING BOX IN BY EXPECTATION AND STEREOTYPE. WHEREAS WE APPRECIATE THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF GROWING OLDER. HOW WE ALL HAVE A ROLE IN COMBATING AGEISM AND HOW WE BENEFIT WHEN OLDER ADULTS REMAIN ENGAGED, INDEPENDENT, AND INCLUDED IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS THE COUNTY ENCOURAGES THE CONTRIBUTION TO SENIORS AS THEY PLAY INTEGRAL ROLE IN A VITALITY OF BEAR COUNTY. FURTHER, BEAR COUNTY SUPPORTS AND DEPENDS ON THE CITY COUNTY JOINT COMMISSION ON LA AFFAIRS AND IS PROUD, ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WE ARE AGING UNBOUND. NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE THIS AND PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 TO BE OLDER AMERICANS MONTH AND BEAR COUNTY URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO TAKE THIS MONTH TO ACKNOWLEDGE OLDER ADULTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE THEM AS POWERFUL AND VITAL INDIVIDUALS WHO GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND CLO OFFICE THE 16TH DAY OF MAY 2023, WITH THE SIGNATURES OF IOWA'S COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONER REBECA CLAY-FLORES, COMMISSIONER GRANT MOODY, COMMISSIONER JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, AND COMMISSIONER TOMMY CALVERT. LET ME ALLOW OUR GUESTS TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE CHAN, TO THE COMMISSIONERS, WE WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BESTOWING THIS PROCLAMATION UPON US. BEFORE I GET ANY FURTHER, I WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST INTRODUCE TO YOU AND TO OTHERS. SOME OF THE REPRESENTATIVES, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE JOINT COMMISSION IS A JOINT COMMISSION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. WHAT I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE TODAY ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY. NUMBER 1, WE HAVE, WHERE IS JAY? JAY VENEZUELA. FOR NUMBER 2 WE HAVE JERRY. NUMBER 3, WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE. NUMBER 4, I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY BETTY HACKER, BETTY HACKER IS ONE OF OUR ORIGINALS. THIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS AND BETTY IS THE ORIGINAL AND HAS BEEN ON THAT COMMITTEE ON OUR JOINT COMMISSION SINCE THAT TIME. PLEASE GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] THAT ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE STANDING WITH US, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY AND THEY WANT IT TO BE HERE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SEEING THE PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING. >> I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMISSIONS THAT ANY COMMISSION COULD HAVE. IN 2035 WILL HAVE OVER 300,000,000 SHARES OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND WE WILL HAVE LESS CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18. GET READY FOR 2035. WE MUST GET READY. WITHOUT OTHER I WANT TO RECORD AS BOB ROSS, TOMMY CALVERT, AND THE MANY THAT HELP PUT THIS COMMISSION TOGETHER. BOB ROSS HAD AN IDEA. HE SAID ON CITY COUNCIL, CALLED ME ON A SUNDAY. CAN WE DO IT? WE DID IT. I'M VERY PROUD. I'M VERY PROUD OF SERVICE COMMISSION. I WILL CONTINUE DOING THIS AS LONG AS I AM PERMITTED TO AND APPOINTED. I WANT TO THANK TOMMY CALVERT FOR ALL THAT HE DOES FOR OUR SENIORS. TRULY APPRECIATE. THANK YOU AND JESSICA I FEEL NICE TO BE HERE IN YOUR QUARTERS AND SEE YOU. [00:30:03] WE WANT TO THANK YOU. WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF BEAR COUNTY. MY OWN COMMISSIONER, A FRIEND SITTING ON COMMISSIONERS COURT. ALL OF YOU AND THE NEW COMMISSIONERS I DON'T KNOW TOO WELL, BUT I'M READY TO KNOW YOU ANYTIME YOU NEED ANYTHING IN YOUR AREA, WE'RE READY. ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS ARE READY FROM BEAR COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> JUDGE, I WANTED TO SAY THE LAST FOR YOU. I AM APPOINTED BY YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WELL, HEY CHRIS, THIS IS OUR LITTLE SECRET. I'M PART OF YOUR GANG. [LAUGHTER] I'M PART OF THE OLDER AMERICANS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> DAVID DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, PLEASE? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR GIVING US THIS AMAZING GROUP. I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF WHO PROVIDES VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE STAFF SUPPORT. ASHLEY ABRAMS, DOES A FANTASTIC JOB SUPPORTING THESE FINE FOLKS. YOU WOULD BE SUPER PROUD TO HAVE SEEN HOW THIS GROUP PIVOTED TO ONLINE MEETINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC. THIS IS OF COURSE A VULNERABLE POPULATION, BUT THEY DIDN'T LET THAT STOP THEM. THIS IS A VERY DRIVEN AND COMMITTED GROUP TO DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND PARTICULARLY THE OLDER PORTION OF OUR POPULATION. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO SUPPORT THEM. >> JUDGE KIM. >> YES, COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS COMMITTEE AND THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN DAWKINS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE FOR YOUR LONG SERVICE TO THIS JOINT COMMISSION, WHICH I THINK IS THE RIGHT WAY FOR US TO DO A LOT OF THINGS TO WORK IN TANDEM WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER WHEN WE DO THAT. I WAS WONDERING HOW MANY YEARS YOU'VE SERVED ON THIS BOARD, BETTY. BUT TO KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN THERE FROM THE BEGINNING AND YOU ARE STILL OFFERING US VISION INTO THE FUTURE. I APPRECIATE THAT LONG SERVICE. NOT ONLY ON THIS COMMISSION, BUT YOU DO IT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS IN YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU'RE TO BE COMMENDED AND HELD UP AS A EXEMPLAR OF WHAT SERVICE TO COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT. I THINK YOU RAISE A VERY IMPORTANT VISIONARY POINT FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER AND TO LOOK TO THAT 2035. IT'LL BE HERE IN ABOUT A DOZEN YEARS. IT'S GOING TO BE HERE FASTER THAN WE THINK. I THINK THAT THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN PREPARATION ARE ONE, TO HERE FROM THIS COMMISSION, SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT ARE ON ANNUAL BASIS AND ALLOW US TO TRACK LIKE A THERMOMETER OF GOALS THAT THE COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND. MY TOP OF THE HEAD THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT THOSE ISSUES MIGHT BE INCLUDE THINGS LIKE AGING IN PLACE AND HELPING FAMILIES TO RETROFIT THEIR HOMES WITH SAFETY AND OTHER MEASURES THAT MAY BE NEEDED FOR BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS AND ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. LOOKING TO HOME HEALTH CARE AND THOSE NEEDS THAT ARE SOMETIMES NEEDED WHEN FAMILIES ARE WORKING AND NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE AN EYE DURING THE DAY. NUTRITION AND EXPANDING THE ABILITY OF MEALS TO GET TO SENIORS WHO ARE NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO GET OUT AND TO GET FOOD. PREVENTING SOCIAL ISOLATION IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT THING JUST FOR THE SPIRIT. I LIKE WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE SENIORS IN PLAY PROGRAM DURING THE PANDEMIC, PROVIDE IPADS AND COMPUTERS SO THAT SENIORS COULD STAY CONNECTED TO FOLKS DURING THE PANDEMIC. THE LAST ONE, PROTECTING SENIORS FROM FRAUD. I'M VERY PROUD TO HAVE INTRODUCED THE ELDER FRAUD INITIATIVE THANKS TO LISTENING TO YOU ALL. BECAUSE OF AN EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD WHERE WE REWARDS FOR A SENIOR WHO WAS DEFRAUDED OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF THEIR RETIREMENT. I'M PROUD THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT NOW HAVE INVESTIGATORS AND PROSECUTORS WHO CAN CRACK DOWN ON THAT. I AM ALSO ENCOURAGED BY THE FEDERAL WORK THAT'S BEING DONE TO TRACE BACK INTERNATIONAL CALLS FROM NIGERIA OR WHEREVER THEY MAY COME FROM TO PREVENT US FROM HAVING SENIORS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. I THINK IT'S MAYBE HALF A DOZEN THINGS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT ARE COMING AT OUR SENIORS AND THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU. I HOPE, DAVID, WE CAN MAYBE PUT ON THE AGENDA AN ANNUAL UPDATE IN COMMISSIONERS COURTS SO THAT WE CAN ADJUST OUR BUDGET MAYBE BEFORE THIS BUDGET THAT WE DO IN SEPTEMBER, WE CAN HEAR SOME SUGGESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN [00:35:01] PREPARE FOR THIS SILVER TSUNAMI THAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT IN 2035 WHERE WE'LL HAVE MORE SENIORS THAN WE DO YOUNGER PEOPLE. AN IMPORTANT VIEW INTO THE FUTURE, BETTY. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. KEEP IT UP. [APPLAUSE] >> IF YOU ALL WOULD COME FORWARD. WE CAN TAKE A NICE PICTURE. CHRIS, LET ME GIVE YOU, AND WE ALL TO STAND. MS TERRY. GOOD MORNING. CHRIS, HOLD THAT UP. [OVERLAPPING] THEY CAN STAND WHEREVER THEY WANT. [LAUGHTER]. >> READY? 1, 2, 3 SMILE. PERFECT. ONE MORE. >> ONE SECOND ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] GOD BLESS YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [NOISE] WE'LL GO TO THE PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, RECOGNIZING BEXAR COUNTY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN LINE OF DUTY FOR THE SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF OTHERS. THIS PROCLAMATION COVERS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND RECOGNIZES MAY 15TH AS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY. COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> A PROCLAMATION. WE DO A LOT OF THESE AND THEY'RE ALL IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY BUT THIS ONE HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART IN TERMS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1962 WHEN PRESIDENT JOHN F KENNEDY SIGNED A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING MAY 15TH AS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY, AND THE WEEK IN WHICH THAT DATE FALLS AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK. WHEREAS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IS OBSERVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COURAGEOUS PEOPLE WHO SERVE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROVIDE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION FOR THE DAILY SACRIFICES THEY MAKE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS DURING THIS WEEK WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE OFFICERS UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND COURAGE, AS WELL AS PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE OFFICERS WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE TO OTHERS. TO INCLUDE, BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SHERIFF JOSEPH L. HOOD, SHERIFF EDWARD A. STEVENS, DEPUTY DANIEL MCCLUSKY, DEPUTY JOHN T. HOLLOWAY, DEPUTY GEORGE L. MANGOLD. DEPUTY FRANK ACKERMAN. DEPUTY GEORGE PETROGALLO, DEPUTY WINFORD MICKY PATTILLO, DEPUTY VINCENT L. WALKER, DEPUTY JOSHUA B. RODRIGUEZ JUNIOR. DEPUTY ELWOOD GROFF, DEPUTY GEORGE GARZA, DEPUTY ARTURO RODRIGUEZ, DEPUTY ADRIAN AGUILAR, DEPUTY DAVID CASTILLO, [00:40:01] DEPUTY NATALIE SORIANO, DEPUTY JESUS GARZA, SERGEANT KEVIN VAN SENIOR. DEPUTY TIMOTHY DE LA FUENTE, DEPUTY RONALD BUTLER, AND K9 CHUCKY, BEXAR COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE. SERGEANT MARK LUIS SAYANA, AND BEXAR COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE DIRECTOR IN KYLE COLEMAN. WHEREAS BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ACKNOWLEDGES THE CHALLENGES INHERENT IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION AND APPRECIATES THE VITAL ROLE THAT OFFICERS PLAY IN OUR COUNTY TO INCLUDE THEIR CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. WHEREAS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2023 WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MAY 14TH TO THE 20TH IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE DEDICATION AND SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO SERVE AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE THIS AND PROCLAIMS MAY 14TH THROUGH MAY 20TH, NATIONAL POLICE WEEK, AND MAY 15TH AS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY. WE CALL UPON THE PEOPLE AT BEXAR COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL POLICE WEEK BY ATTENDING LOCAL EVENTS AND CEREMONIES, INCLUDING VISUALS, MEMORIAL SERVICES, OR OTHER GATHERINGS DESIGNATED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO FALLEN OFFICERS AND SHOW SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE. WITNESSES ARE SIGNATURES. JUDGE PETER SAKAI, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER MOODY, AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> GOOD MORNING, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU ALL HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO US FROM THE COURT, HOW MUCH YOU SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT. EVERYBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS. THIS IS VERY TOUCHING TO ME BECAUSE I'VE GOT SOME FRIENDS UP THERE. I'VE BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR 33 YEARS. I WAS A NEW COMMANDER A LITTLE BIT OVER TWO YEARS WHEN I GOT A CALL THAT MY SERGEANT WAS GUNNED DOWN AT AN INTERSECTION KEVIN VAN, THAT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC FOR ME BUT SURREAL AT THE SAME TIME. YOU DON'T EVER REALLY GET OVER THAT. YOU JUST COMPARTMENTALIZE THAT AND USE THAT TO MOTIVATE YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US. ALSO, I'D LIKE TO BRING PAULINE DEL FUENTE UP HERE. SHE'S A WIDOW OF TIMOTHY DEL FUENTE. AND THIS WOULD BE TIM'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR WITH THE DEPARTMENT. HE PASSED AWAY FROM COVID IN THE JAIL AND I'D LIKE FOR HER TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> I WASN'T PREPARED, BUT APRIL 30TH OF THIS PAST YEAR WAS THREE YEARS THAT MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY. HE DIED ON APRIL 30TH, 2020 FIRST DEPUTY, I BELIEVE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO DIE FROM COVID AND IT'S STILL SO REAL TO ME. I STILL LISTEN FOR THOSE KEYS. I STILL LISTEN FOR HIM TO TAKE OFF HIS BELT AND THAT SOUND OF THE KEYS. TAKING OFF EVERYTHING THAT'S ON YOUR BELT. BUT I KNOW HE'S NEVER GOING TO WALK THROUGH MY DOOR AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR DOING THIS HONOR, AND THE PROCLAMATION, AND FOR RONALD TUK SHERIFF SALESA FOR ALWAYS BEING SO SUPPORTIVE. THANK YOU. FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE WHO WEAR THE BLUE UNIFORM, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE, AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER MOONEY, JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. >> I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH HER A LOT. IT MEANS A LOT FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE THAT GAVE THEIR LIFE TO BEXAR COUNTY AND THE SHERIFF FOR SUPPORTING US ALL THE WAY. IT'S BEEN TOUGH AND IT NEVER GETS EASY. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, IT REALLY MEANS A LOT. IT GOES A LONG WAY WITH US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SURE. >> SHERIFF. >> GOOD MORNING, THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS BLESSED TO HAVE JUST RECENTLY IN MARCH, CELEBRATE 292 YEARS OF PROTECTING AND SERVING THIS COMMUNITY. FROM OUR FIRST DAYS, OUR VERY FIRST BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF [INAUDIBLE], PATROLLING THE COUNTY ON HORSEBACK TO PRESENT DAY DEPUTY IS STILL PATROLLING ON HORSEBACK, ON MOUNTAIN BIKES, PATROL CARS, HELICOPTERS, DRONES, YOU NAME IT. [00:45:01] WE'RE STILL OUT HERE PROTECTING AND SERVING. BUT ALONG THE WAY, WE'VE LOST VALUED MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND IT'S ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THE HONORABLE THING TO DO TO PAUSE AND REMEMBER THEIR MEMORY, NOT FOR THE WAY THAT THEY DIED, BUT FOR THE WAY THAT THEY LIVED IN SERVICE OF THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS HONOR. COMMISSIONER MOONEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING US THIS ITEM UP. I WILL ADD THAT MAY 31ST, RIGHT OUT HERE ON THE STEPS BY THE FOUNTAIN. WE WILL BE DOING OUR OWN BCSO MEMORIAL. ALL OF YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY INVITED TO ATTEND AS OUR HONORED GUESTS. WE'D LIKE TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND HELP US TO PAY HOMAGE TO OUR FALLEN HEROES ON THAT DAY, MAY 31ST AT 9:00 A.M. OUT HERE BY THE FOUNTAIN. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH SO VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU MS. DEL FUENTE FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HUSBAND'S SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE COUNTY AND SEE IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND PRESENT THIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. SHERIFF, TO ALL THE DEPUTIES, TO THE DEPUTIES WHO HAVE PASSED. THIS IS MY FIRST COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO RECOGNIZE YOU AND TO RECOGNIZE THOSE THAT HAVE PASSED ON. AND SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I PROMISE TO GIVE YOU DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE GIVEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND PERFORMING THEIR SACRIFICE TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY. I SAY THIS WITH IRONY I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER MOONEY, PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZED IN THE WEEK OF MAY 21, 2023 THROUGH MAY 27, 2023 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. ALL THOSE WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. I THINK MS. GREEN COME UP. [APPLAUSE]. >> RENEE, BRING THEM ALL UP. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THE GENTLEMAN BEHIND ME. THE GENTLEMEN AND LADIES BEHIND ME. THEY ARE THE REAL PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. I JUST GET TO STAND UP HERE EVERY WEEK AND TAKE CREDIT FOR WHAT THEY DID. >> THEY WANT TO STAND ON THAT BACK WALL, RENEE. COME ON UP, GUYS. >> COME ON UP GUYS. >> THIS IS YOUR DAY. >> YES. >> THERE WE GO. >> I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO. LIKE I SAID, WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULDN'T HAVE A DEPARTMENT. IN MY 28 YEARS HERE AT THE COUNTY, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO COUNT ON THESE GUYS. THESE LADIES, THEY'VE ALWAYS WORKED HARD AND I FOR ONE, THANK THEM FOR MAKING MY JOB 10 TIMES EASIER. I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THEY'VE DONE. I WANT TO TURN AROUND AND SAY AS MY LAST COURT HERE, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE GUYS BEHIND ME AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> DOES ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK OR ARE YOU SPEAKING ON THEIR BEHALF, RENEE? IS THERE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR THE TROOPS? >> I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO DO IT. I DO THINK WE HAVE A VIDEO TO SHOW YOU REALLY QUICKLY. >> ALL RIGHT. >> THEN WE'LL LET THEM SPEAK. THEY CAN START IT. [MUSIC] [00:50:27] [APPLAUSE] >> RENEE LET'S READ THE PROCLAMATION AND THEN WE'LL LET THE EMPLOYEES. >> PROCLAMATION, NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IS A CELEBRATION TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN IN NORTH AMERICA WHO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS PUBLIC WORKS. WHEREAS PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR CITIZENS' LIVES AND WHEREAS THE SUPPORT OF AN UNDERSTANDING AND INFORMED CITIZENRY IS VITAL TO THE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC WORKS SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS STREETS, HIGHWAYS, FLOOD CONTROL, AND LAND DEVELOPMENT AND WHEREAS THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND COMFORT OF THIS COMMUNITY GREATLY DEPENDS ON THESE SERVICES AND WHEREAS THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE SERVICES, AS WELL AS THEIR PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION, ARE VITALLY DEPENDENT ON THE EFFORTS AND SKILLS OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICIALS AND WHEREAS 2023 MARKS THE 63RD ANNUAL NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK WITH A THEME CONNECTING THE WORLD THROUGH PUBLIC WORKS. HIGHLIGHTING THE ABILITY OF THESE PROFESSIONALS TO PERFORM REGULAR PUBLIC WORKS DUTIES AND BE READY AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE TO REACT AS FIRST RESPONDERS DURING NATURAL DISASTERS AND OVERCOME TRIALS SEEN IN THE FIELD AND WHEREAS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK CALLS ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY LIFE SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE PRESTIGE OF THE OFTEN UNSUNG HEROES OF OUR SOCIETY, THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE THE PUBLIC EVERY DAY WITH QUIET DEDICATION. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS MAY 21ST THROUGH MAY 27TH TO BE NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO JESSICA AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING US. I LOVE MY JOB. I KNOW IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT, BUT I'VE BEEN DOING MY JOB FOR 31 YEARS. I STARTED OFF WHEN YOU GUYS UP BACK HERE, WE'RE BEHIND THE YEARS, I STARTED OUT AT THE BOTTOM. I'VE BEEN OPERATING THREE RIGHT NOW AND IT'S A PEST CONTROL. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR RECOGNIZING US. THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY. [APPLAUSE] >> MR. KELVIN. HOLD ON A MINUTE. >> I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR LONG SERVICE OF THE COUNTY, RENEE AND WE APPRECIATE THE MANY HARD YEARS THAT YOU'VE PUT IN. NOT ALWAYS EASY TO BE WITH ALL OF OUR PERSONALITIES HERE ON COMMISSIONERS COURT. OF COURSE, YOU HAVE PUT THE BANNER FORWARD FOR A LOT OF TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS. IS IT YOUR 26 YEARS, IS THAT RIGHT? >> TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS AND COUNTING. >> TWENTY-EIGHT. I WILL NOT CUT IT SHORT. >> SEVENTEEN IN THIS POSITION. >> I THINK THAT WE CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF OUR ROADS, IN TERMS OF OUR FLOOD CONTROL. LET'S JUST TAKE A MOMENT FOR THAT BECAUSE THE FLOOD OF '98 CAUSED US TO LOSE LIVES. THE COUNTY PUT TOGETHER A FLOOD CONTROL PROGRAM, A 10-YEAR PROGRAM OF $500 MILLION. SINCE THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE LOSS OF LIFE IN THE 51-54 PROJECTS THAT THE COUNTY DID. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HALT PROGRAM FOR THE BARS THAT COME ACROSS THESE LOW-WATER CROSSINGS. BUT ALSO IN EMERGENCIES, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT DON'T GET DECLARED A DISASTER ARE STILL DISASTROUS FOR AREAS THAT YOU ALL SERVE. YOUR TEAM HAS TO DO THE VERY HARD WORK OF BEING THERE IN A TIMELY WAY AND KEEPING ROADWAYS OPEN AND SAVING LIVES. I KNOW OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THOSE EMERGENCIES WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH PUBLIC WORKS. BUT THERE ARE SO MANY FOLKS WHO DEPEND EVERY DAY UPON THE GOOD FUNCTIONING OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. FROM OUR ROADS TO OUR DRAINAGE, TO OUR FACILITIES AND SO MUCH MORE THAT YOU TOUCH. WE THANK YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR BEING GREAT STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS OVER THESE DECADES THAT YOU'VE BEEN IN SERVICE. MANY OF YOU JOINED WITH THIS GREAT TEAM WHICH HAS BEEN HERALDED STATEWIDE AND LOCALLY FOR GREAT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. HATS OFF TO YOU RENEE AND WE WERE GOING TO MISS YOU. AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WON'T BE A STRANGER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. AGAIN, I CAN'T TAKE CREDIT. [00:55:01] I HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF MANAGERS AND A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE, MEN AND WOMEN, WHO STEP UP TO THE TABLE EVERY TIME THEY NEED TO. FOR THAT, I'M VERY THANKFUL. >> I'M SORRY. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, RENEE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BRING YOU BACK FOR A SPECIAL RECOGNITION BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GO ON AND ON ABOUT STORIES, ABOUT YOUR GREATNESS. >> LET ME WRITE OFF INTO THIS AS YOU SAID. [LAUGHTER] >> WE'RE GOING TO BRING YOU BACK, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND YOU FOR THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE. I RECOGNIZED ON THE VIDEO PRECINCT TO YOU, I THINK IT WAS GONE ROAD. I RECOGNIZE THE POTHOLES. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP. YOU'RE ALWAYS VERY RESPONSIVE AND OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK MANY YEARS, YOUR COMMITMENT TO BEXAR COUNTY AND TO THE CITY. AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO SAVE THE KUDOS FOR RENEE LATER. BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK THOSE THAT STAND BEHIND YOU AND MAKE THE DEPARTMENT GO. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> RENEE, YOU'RE OUR FIRST FEMALE COUNTY ENGINEER, CORRECT? >> THE EXPRESS NEWS IS I WAS THE FIRST ONE IN TEXAS. YES. >> I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU SPECIFICALLY AS A WOMAN, BEING THE FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR, COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND THE ONLY WOMAN ON THE COURT. I DEFINITELY FEEL IT OFTEN BEING IN A MAN'S WORLD AND YOU'VE BEEN IN THAT MAN'S WORLD MUCH LONGER THAN I HAVE BEEN. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR OPENING THE DOORS FOR MANY OF THE YOUNG WOMAN THAT WE HONORED THIS MORNING. A LOT OF THE STUDENTS. THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE'RE GOING TO POINT YOU TO SOMETHING. SHE ALREADY SAID SHE WANTS TO BE CONSIDERED TO BE APPOINTED ON A COMMITTEE Y'ALL. WE'LL GET YOU ON SOMETHING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> IN THE MEANTIME, ENJOY YOUR TRAVELING. TO YOUR TEAM BEHIND YOU, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK FOR PRECINCT ONE THAT I HAVE THE LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC AREA. A BIG REASON IS THAT BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH OF THE RURAL AREA AND THEREFORE MORE COUNTY ROADS. I KNOW THAT MY TEAM COMMUNICATES WITH YOU GUYS AT A REGULAR BASIS. YOU GUYS JUST REALLY STEP UP AND I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO MAKE PRECINCT ONE IN OUR CONSTITUENTS SAFE CELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND 31 YEARS, TELL YOU THE SECRET BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE TWO YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS THEN I'LL KNOW. TELL ME SOME OF YOUR SECRETS LATER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD AND TAKE A PICTURE? >> THANK YOU, GUYS. PUT RENEE IN THE MIDDLE THERE, PLEASE. THERE WE GO. >> RENEE? >> WHAT? >> THANK YOU. >> [BACKGROUND] GUYS, KEEP IT UP. >> THANK YOU. >> MS. RENEE, IF YOU COULD GET BACK TO THE PODIUM. MS. RENEE? >> YES, SIR. >> SINCE YOU'RE STILL AN EMPLOYEE, I'M ORDERING YOU BACK TO THE PODIUM. >> YES, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> THIS IS SUCH A SURPRISE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT UNTIL I OPEN THIS UP. BUT HIDALGO, A NOBLE MAN OR WOMAN, A PERSON OF NOBLE DESCENT, ONE WHO IS HONORED, THE TITLE OR STYLE OF HIDALGO WAS CONFIRMED BY DECREE OF THE SPANISH KING ON THE SETTLERS FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS WHO RESPONDED TO THE CROWNS APPEAL FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO THE PROVINCE OF THE NEW PHILIPPINES, WHICH IS TEXAS IN 1718. TODAY, BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF THE COUNTY OF BEXAR IS CONFERRED ON THOSE DEEMED WORTHY, SO HISTORIC AND EXALTED A TITLE AND THE NAME OF AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BEXAR, WE CONFER ON YOU THE NOBLE TITLE OF HIDALGO. TO ALL OF WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, KNOW YOU THAT RENEE GREEN IS HEREBY APPOINTED HIDALGO, THE SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR, UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COUNTY OF BEXAR WITH ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, APPERTAINING TO SET OFFICE, SIGN YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT. >> OH, MY GOSH! THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] WHAT LAND DO I GET WITH THAT? THE LAND GRANT WHERE IS IT? [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU SO MUCH. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT MY TIME AT BEXAR COUNTY HAS MEANT TO ME. I MADE A JOKE. SOMEONE ASKED ME TODAY IF I WAS GOING [01:00:01] TO CRY AND I SAID I'VE NEVER CRIED AT COURT. WELL, THIS MIGHT BE WHERE I BREAK THAT TRADITION, BUT IT IS ALLOWED ME TO RAISE TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE AND A CHANCE TO SERVE THAT COMMUNITY. I HAVE MET WONDERFUL PEOPLE BOTH IN PUBLIC WORKS AND OUT OF PUBLIC WORKS. IN ALL HONESTY, THAT IS WHAT I'M GOING TO MISS THE MOST, IS SEEING THOSE PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY. I HAVE ALWAYS APPRECIATED THE WAY THE ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE WORKED WITH PUBLIC WORKS, HAVE SUPPORTED PUBLIC WORKS. I WILL GREATLY MISS THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITY THAT I GET TO DO WITH FEW PEOPLE. I WILL GREATLY MISS ALL THE MANAGERS AT PUBLIC WORKS AND THE STAFF THAT MADE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HIDALGO, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. [APPLAUSE] >> JUDGE, JUST REAL QUICKLY, I DIDN'T SEE THIS ON THE AGENDA, SO I'M GOING TO RAISE A POINT OF ORDER. THIS IS NOT EFFECTIVE. I'M JUST KIDDING. [LAUGHTER]. >> LOOK AT YOU. >> I ALWAYS HAVE TO MESS WITH YOU BECAUSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP. BUT THANK YOU, RENEE, JUST BRIEFLY FOR YOUR WORK. THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING A MINUTE AGO. I HAVE BEEN A REALLY STELLAR PUBLIC SERVANT. I KNOW SOMETIMES WE HAD SOME GOOD HEATED DISCUSSIONS WHICH IS ALWAYS HEALTHY. BUT I THINK THERE'S NO QUESTION THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM IS IN A BETTER POSITION AND THE COUNTY IS BECAUSE OF YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND GODSPEED TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. >> THANK YOU. >> LET'S COME TAKE A PICTURE. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU. >> MS. LUCY WHY DON'T YOU COME ON THE PODIUM. MS. GREEN I THINK THERE'S ONE MORE GIFT, I THINK. DON'T GO AWAY MISS LUCY ADAME-CLARKE, OUR COUNTY CLERK. >> LUCY ADAME-CLARKE, BEXAR COUNTY CLERK. RENEE GREEN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR DEDICATION AND THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE BUILT TOGETHER AS WE PRESERVE THE HISTORY FROM YOUR OFFICE AS YOU GO AWAY. WE HAVE A FLAG THAT HAS BEEN FLOWN OVER THE ALAMO AND IT'S BEING DELIVERED RIGHT NOW. IT'S GOING TO BE A FLAG THAT'S BEEN FLOWN OVER THE ALAMO TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK, YOUR DEDICATION AND FOR BEING THE FIRST WOMAN IN TEXAS. I COULDN'T GET YOU THE CAPITAL FLAG, BUT I GOT YOU THE ALAMO FLAG. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND PLEASE ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT. THANK YOU. >> OH, MY GOSH THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AM I DONE? >> I THINK SO. I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING. >> I HAVEN'T CRIED YET BUT IF ANYBODY ELSE SAYS ANYTHING ELSE I MIGHT. >> THANK YOU, RENEE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU GUYS, VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER CALVERT PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZED AND EXTENDING TO THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA, INC. AN EXPRESSION OF SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS ON THEIR CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR THE SORORITY. COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE. I WANT TO INVITE THE LADIES FROM PHI DELTA KAPPA TO COME TO THE DIAS IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL RED. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING IN COMMISSIONERS COURT THIS MORNING AND YOUR LONG COMMUNITY SERVICE. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF BEXAR COUNTY. THAT PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA INCORPORATED IS A NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL SORORITY FOUNDED BY EIGHT AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN ON MAY 23RD, 1923 WHO DESIRE TO ESTABLISH A SISTERHOOD AMONG [01:05:02] TEACHERS AND TO PROMOTE THE HIGHEST IDEALS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION. WHEREAS, PHI DELTA KAPPA INCORPORATORS CAN POSE OF WELL-TRAINED AND EFFECTIVE EDUCATORS IN ALL COMPONENTS OF THE LEARNING SPECTRUM WHO ARE ENGAGED IN TRAINING YOUTH AND ADULTS TO DEVELOP AND ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND ETHICS THAT WILL PREPARE THEM TO FUNCTION SUCCESSFULLY IN OUR DIVERSE SOCIETY. WHEREAS NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA INCORPORATED GAMMA TAU CHAPTER WORKS DILIGENTLY IN THIS COMMUNITY WITH OUR YOUTH, PARENTS AND VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO FULFILL THEIR MISSION AND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. WHEREAS A 3,500 MEMBERS AND 1,200 AFFILIATE MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES WILL CELEBRATE THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY THROUGHOUT THE 2022/2023 SCHOOL YEAR AND ACCUMULATE AT THE CENTENNIAL CONCLAVE HELD IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA IN JULY OF 2023. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA INCORPORATED AND EXTENDS THE EXPRESSION OF OUR SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS ON THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, A HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR THE SORORITY. WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICES 16TH DAY OF MAY 2023 SIGNED BY JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER MOODY AND MYSELF, TOMMY CALVERT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A FEW WORDS? >> TO THE COMMISSIONERS, JUDGES AND ALL ASSEMBLED WE ARE THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA INCORPORATED, GAMMA TAU CHAPTER. WE ARE A GROUP OF EDUCATORS, WHO FOCUSES ON OUR Y.E.S PROGRAM. Y IS FOR YOUTH, E IS EDUCATION, S IS FOR SERVICE. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TOMMY CALVERT. >> YOU BET. COME ON UP. WE'LL DO A PICTURE TOGETHER. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ONE OF THE OLDEST SORORITIES SO THANK YOU DELTAS FOR BEING HERE. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. I APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> GOD BLESS YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> I WILL DO A PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS THE COURT RECOGNIZED AND IN PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2023 AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH. ALL THOSE HERE FOR THAT PRESENTATION PLEASE COME FORWARD. YEAH, I GOT IT. >> I LIKE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION WHEREAS OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF THIS CITY BY WORKING, CAREGIVING, VOLUNTARILY, ACTIVELY PRESERVING CUSTOMS, RITUALS AND TRADITIONS. WHEREAS, AS WE AGE WE BUILD MOMENTUM BY ACCUMULATING KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, INSIGHT, AND WISDOM THAT CAN BE SHARED TO ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY. WHEREAS, ABUSE OF OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY IS A COMMUNITY CONCERN AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS TEXAS AND WHEREAS ABUSE AFFECTED MORE THAN 119, 448 OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN TEXAS IN 2022. WHEREAS, MALTREATMENT AND INJUSTICE AGAINST OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS GROSSLY UNDER-REPORTED BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL STIGMA, EMBARRASSMENT, AND FEAR. WHEREAS, ADULT ABUSE AFFECTS MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL INCOME AND ABILITY LEVELS ALL CULTURAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS IN ALL COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS, ELDER ABUSE SHOULD CONCERN EVERYONE AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO STRENGTHEN OUR EFFORTS TO PREVENT, REPORT, AND ADDRESS ELDER ABUSE. NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JUNE, [01:10:02] 2023 TO BE ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH AND BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS AND URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICE THE 16TH DAY OF MAY 2023 SIGNED BY JUDGE SAKAI, SIGNED BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SIGNED BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SIGNED BY COMMISSIONER MOODY AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT. THANK YOU FOR COMING. PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> GOOD MORNING YOUR HONOR AND COMMISSIONERS. WE ARE ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES. MY NAME IS DESERAE WILLIAMS. I AM AN ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE SUPERVISOR. THIS IS THE LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH ME. WE HAVE APS SUPERVISORS, SPECIALISTS, OUR PROGRAM DIRECTORS, AND OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. LET ME FIRST THANK YOU FOR PROCLAIMING JUNE 2023 AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH. ELDER ABUSE HAPPENS IN EVERY STATE, CITY, AND COUNTY. IN 2022, BEXAR COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE STAFF RECEIVED 10,404 INTAKE REPORTS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT AND/OR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. BEXAR COUNTY CONTINUES TO RECEIVE THE SECOND HIGHEST NUMBER OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION REPORTS IN THE STATE. WHILE THIS COUNTY REMAINS THE SECOND HIGHEST IN THE STATE, WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THIS CAN ALSO BE VIEWED AS A POSITIVE STEP AND THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS LOOKING OUT FOR OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IN A SOCIETY THAT VALUES THE JUST TREATMENT OF ALL PEOPLE, ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH REMINDS US THAT ELDER ABUSE HAS IMPLICATIONS OF ALL OF US SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO FIND THE RIGHT SOLUTIONS TO IT. THEREFORE, IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT ELDER ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUE AND WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY SUSPECT ABUSE, NEGLECT OR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS CRITICAL. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND THE SOUTH TEXAS APS COMMUNITY BOARD WILL REMAIN FOCUSED ON RAISING AWARENESS. ON BEHALF OF THE APS PROGRAM AND THE SOUTH TEXAS APS COMMUNITY BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK BEXAR COUNTY, THE CITY COUNTY JOINT COMMISSION OF ELDER AFFAIRS, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, PROBATE COURTS, AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN HELPING APS CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION WHICH IS TO PROTECT OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IT IS THROUGH THESE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT WE ARE FORMING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO IDENTIFY WHERE STRONGER SUPPORTS ARE NEEDED AND WHERE EXISTING CONNECTIONS MUST BE REINFORCED AS AN ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARD DEFENDING OUR COMMUNITY AGAINST ELDER ABUSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN HELPING US WORK TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE UNDER-REPORTED ISSUE OF ELDER ABUSE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOUR TEAM? >> YES, OF COURSE. WE HAVE OUR TWO PROGRAM DIRECTORS, JESUS GONZALEZ, DON WASHINGTON. WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, MISS LISA CENTENO AND WE HAVE OUR WORKER FIVE THOSE ARE OUR SPECIALISTS CASEWORKERS. WE HAVE JENNY STEPHONIC, JACQUELINE, MARTHA AND WE HAVE ANTHONY CASTILLO. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU. >> YES. >> DO YOU WANT TO COME ON FORWARD? [BACKGROUND]. >> ONE MORE. ONE, TWO, THREE. PERFECT. >> THANK YOU. >> GOD BLESS Y'ALL. [BACKGROUND] COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES CELEBRATING JULY 5TH AS TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS DAY. COMMISSIONER. >> YES. THANK YOU, JUDGE. FOR THOSE THAT ARE HERE FOR THE TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, IF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM. AS YOU DO THAT, I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS THE TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS IS A COLLABORATIVE MODEL THAT WAS CREATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF INCARNATE WORD SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES TO PROVIDE A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN UNDERSTANDING AND MASTERING GLOBAL LEADERSHIP. WHEREAS EACH PILLAR OF THE TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS MODEL, ACADEMICS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY CREATING NEW KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGY, [01:15:01] PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES. WHEREAS THE MODEL WILL DESCRIBE HOW ACADEMIA, GOVERNMENT, AND INDUSTRY WORK TOGETHER TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES IN A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL WAY AND FIND INNOVATIVE WORKS TO WORK MORE CLOSELY. WHEREAS STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE TAUGHT KEY SKILLS REQUIRED FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT, ALONG WITH THE THEORY BEHIND CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION. WHEREAS WE MUST DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS, CREATE MORE FULFILLING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS, WHERE STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO A WORK ENVIRONMENT WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO GAIN THE REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE FOR THE JOB. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS JULY 5TH ANNUALLY BE RECOGNIZED IN BEXAR COUNTY AS TRIPLE HELIX EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS DAY TO A MOUTHFUL, AND WE CALL UPON THE PEOPLE AT BEXAR COUNTY TO JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE UIW SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICE THE 16TH DAY OF MAY 2023, SIGNED BY JUDGE SAKAI AND YOUR COMMISSIONER'S COURT. CONGRATULATIONS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? >> THANK YOU. DEAR HONORABLE JUDGE SAKAI AND THE ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS DR. OSTERGARD AND WITH ME. >> DR. EMBASADAM MARIA. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. FOR US WE STARTED THIS PARTNERSHIP VISION WITH THE PREMISE THAT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS NOT FOR THE SAKE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUT TO ELEVATE COMMUNITIES [NOISE] AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES. WHEN WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES WHILE STRENGTHENING SKILLED WORKFORCE, WE GIVE THESE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO DREAM. TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR HOUSES, FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY. THIS PARTNERSHIP VISION IS ESTABLISHED IN 2012 TO BRING TOGETHER MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS TO INVOLVE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFITS, UNIVERSITIES, AND INDUSTRY LEADERS. SO THAT THROUGH THIS ENGAGED AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP, WE WILL ELEVATE THESE COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE THE WEALTH AND HAPPENINGS OF THESE COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS, AND THANK YOU FOR LEADERSHIP IN THIS AS WELL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GREAT. [APPLAUSE] >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP FOR A PICTURE? [APPLAUSE] >> JUDGE I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT DR. OSTERGARD WAS MY DISSERTATION CHAIR AND HAS BEEN MY MENTOR FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW SO YOU HAVE HIM TO THANK FOR ME SO. [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND] >> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, AS A POINT OF PRIVILEGE, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. JUST VERY BRIEFLY, I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF MY MAYORS, SUZANNE DE LEON, WHO'S HERE FROM BALCONES HEIGHTS. MAYOR, I KNOW YOU'RE HERE ON AN ITEM THAT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 52, WHERE WE'RE PARTNERING WITH CDBG DOLLARS TO ASSIST THE CITY OF BALCONES HEIGHTS WITH SOME INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. WE KNOW THAT BALCONES IS REALLY THE CROSSROADS OF BEXAR COUNTY. MAYOR JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I KNOW YOU'VE GOT TO RUN, BUT DID YOU WANT TO JUST SAY SOMETHING BRIEFLY BEFORE WE MOVED ON WITH THE REST OF THE AGENDA? >> YES, SIR, I WOULD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME UP. HELLO, JUDGE. HELLO TO JUDGE PETER SAKAI AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO. IT'S AMAZING ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT YOU CAN MAKE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITIZENS. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT. I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE TOO FOR THE CDBG GRANT FOR OUR CITY, AS YOU KNOW, AS YOU SAID, WE'RE THE CROSSROADS. WE'RE A VERY SMALL COMMUNITY RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY. WE MAY BE A VERY SMALL CITY WITH ABOUT 3,000 IN POPULATION, BUT WE HAVE BIG CITY ISSUES BECAUSE THERE MAY BE 40,000 CARS THAT DRIVE THROUGH OUR CITY ANY GIVEN DAY. WE HAVE VERY AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. OUR CITY WAS INCORPORATED IN 1948. YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. WITH CDBG FUNDING OVER THE LAST 12, 13 YEARS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR MANY OF OUR STREETS, WE HAVE MORE TO COME. [01:20:01] CRESTVIEW IS GOING TO BE IN TWO PHASES. I WILL HOPEFULLY COME SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR. BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF BALCONES HEIGHTS, YOU'RE IMPROVING NOT ONLY THE WAY THE CITY LOOKS NOW BUT ALSO THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR DE LEON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. HOW MANY TERMS OF MAYOR HAVE YOU BEEN OUT THERE MAYOR? >> I'M IN MY EIGHTH TERM, SIR. >> EIGHTH TERM, IS THAT A RECORD? >> I BELIEVE IT IS. [LAUGHTER] >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> WELL DESERVED. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE WILL NOW TAKE UP THE ITEM 4, [4. Request of Commissioners Court to identify items from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion and to approve remaining Consent Agenda items.] REQUESTS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT DID IDENTIFY ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION AND TO PROVE REMAINING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. I'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. ANYTHING TO PULL COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ? >> ITEM 45, JUDGE. >> FORTY-FIVE. COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> FORTY-SIX. >> FORTY-SIX. COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> ITEM 57, PLEASE. >> ITEM 57. I LIKED THE RECORD REFLECT THAT IN ITEM 39. PLEASE NOTE MY ABSTENTION, PLEASE. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL TAKE UP THE INDIVIDUAL, [CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS] BUT LET ME ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REST OF THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> SO MOVED JUDGE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATED BY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES. >> JUDGE, DAN, CAN YOU CHECK WHAT THAT BANGING IS, AND [LAUGHTER] CAN THEY STOP, PLEASE? >> [INAUDIBLE] >> THANKS. >> THE FIRST MATTER TO TAKE UP IS, I BELIEVE ITEM 45, [45. Approval of request to modify the existing recruitment and retention program for the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office to add testimony incentive payment and edit the wording related to caseload to read "in a 12-month period" rather than "in a calendar year." No additional funding is being requested, as these payments can be absorbed by the budget previously approved for the program] APPROVAL OF REQUESTS TO MODIFY THE EXISTING RECRUITMENT RETENTION PROGRAM FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE TO ADD TESTIMONY, INCENTIVE PAYMENT, EDIT THE WORDING RELATED TO CASELOAD TO READ IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD RATHER THAN IN A CALENDAR YEAR. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS BEING REQUESTED AS EXPERIMENTS CAN BE ABSORBED BY THE BUDGET PREVIOUSLY PROOF FOR THE PROGRAM [OVERLAPPING] FOR [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANTED TO HAVE DR. MOLINA COME UP SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM. I DIDN'T PULL IT REALLY TO DISCUSS THE SPECIFICS, BUT I WANTED DR. MOLINA TO BE HERE BECAUSE I KNOW DOC IT'S BEEN A ROUGH FEW YEARS. WE APPOINTED YOU BACK IN WAS IT '20? >> 2020 >> 2020 >> IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC, YES. >> I KNOW THAT YOUR STAFF HAS DEALT WITH COVID, UVALDE MIGRANT TRAGEDY, AND THIS IS SOMETHING I'M SUPPORTIVE OF, BUT I WANTED TO JUST GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STATUS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY WITH RECRUITMENT IN GENERAL AND BEING ABLE TO RETAIN PEOPLE BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST A PROBLEM HERE. WHEN I TALKED TO SOME OF OUR CONTEMPORARIES ACROSS THE STATE AND OTHER COUNTIES, THEY ARE ALSO HAVING AN ISSUE WITH BRINGING FOLKS IN. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE WITH THAT? >> I APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER. I APPRECIATE THE TIME. I REALIZED THAT SOME OF YOU ARE NEW TO THE COURT, SO YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE DIRE SITUATION AT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. JUST IN BRIEF, OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE SEEN UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH IN OUR CASELOAD, BOTH IN THE NUMBER OF DEATHS INVESTIGATED, AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF DEATHS CERTIFIED BY OUR OFFICE, HAVE INCREASED BY OVER 30%. TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE, WE USUALLY SEE ABOUT 5% OF GROWTH PER YEAR, AND SO OUR CASELOAD ESSENTIALLY DOUBLED IN THAT TIME PERIOD. THE REASONS FOR THIS GROWTH ARE MULTI-FACTORIAL. OUR WORKLOAD IS TIED CLOSELY TO POPULATION, AND SO BEXAR COUNTY HAS GROWN RAPIDLY DURING THAT TIME. WE ALSO HAVE SEEN THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF THE COVID PANDEMIC, THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, AS WELL AS THE CIVIL UNREST THAT'S BEEN THROUGHOUT THE NATION, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTING OUR CASELOAD. I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT THIS COURT HAS ACTUALLY LISTENED TO OUR STRUGGLES AND THEY HAVE WATCHED AS WE NOT ONLY STRUGGLED WITH THIS CASELOAD, BUT AS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED, NOT ONE BUT TWO MASS FATALITY EVENTS LAST YEAR. THEY HAVE OFFERED ASSISTANCE AND THEY HAVE APPROVED THREE ADDITIONAL ME POSITIONS FOR OUR OFFICE, OF WHICH WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE. [01:25:02] UNFORTUNATELY, HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN UNABLE TO FILL THESE POSITIONS. IN ADDITION, WE'VE ACTUALLY LOST A POSITION. WE'RE NOW AT THE LEVEL OF STAFFING FROM 2015 BEFORE THESE UNPRECEDENTED CASELOADS EVEN OCCURRED. TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE NATIONALLY, BEXAR COUNTY IS NOT UNLIKE OTHER COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES ALL STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME FACTORS. COVID, OPIOID EPIDEMIC, AND JUST LIKE BEXAR COUNTY, THEY HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS THEY NEED. UNFORTUNATELY, HOWEVER, FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS, THOSE ARE THE DOCTORS THAT ARE MEDICAL EXAMINERS, ARE A VERY SPECIALIZED TYPE OF PHYSICIAN AND THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 500 OF US PRACTICING IN THE NATION WHEN WE NEED AT LEAST DOUBLE THAT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, JUST LIKE IN ALL FIELDS OF MEDICINE DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, A GREAT MAJORITY OF OUR FIELD LEFT DUE TO THE INCREASING CASELOADS AND WORKLOADS THAT WERE UPON US, LEAVING AN ALREADY STRUGGLING FIELD DECIMATED. ADDITIONALLY, WE ONLY TRAIN ABOUT 40 FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS A YEAR TO ENTER THE FIELD SO IT'S ESTIMATED IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE US AT LEAST THREE TO FIVE YEARS JUST TO RECOVER THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS WE'VE LOST BEFORE WE CAN EVEN GROW TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS THAT WE NEED. THUS, THE MARKET RIGHT NOW FOR QUALIFIED FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE. THIS USED TO BE A REGIONAL ISSUE, MEANING THAT WE COULD EITHER HIRE OUR FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST THAT WE TRAINED OR THOSE THAT ARE TRAINED IN TEXAS. HOWEVER, THIS HAS BECOME A NATIONAL ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH BUDGET AND HR OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO ATTRACT QUALIFIED FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST TO OUR CITY. WE'VE INCREASED ANCILLARY SUPPORT, ALTHOUGH NOT TO THE LEVELS COMMENSURATE WITH OUR WORKLOAD OR WITH OTHER OFFICES. WE'VE HIRED LOCAL TENANT PHYSICIANS TO ASSIST. THESE ARE ESSENTIALLY PART-TIME FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS TO ASSIST OFFICE, AND WE'VE PUT INTO PLACE AN INCENTIVE STRUCTURE TO PAY THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS FOR THE ADDITIONAL CASES THAT THEY'RE DOING, WHICH IS ACTUALLY THE AGENDA ITEM THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY, PART OF THAT STRUCTURE. HOWEVER, NONE OF THESE ARE PERMANENT MEASURES. OUR OFFICE IS ESSENTIALLY ONE FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST AWAY FROM COLLAPSE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OTHER ME OFFICES IN TEXAS OR IN THE SAME POSITION, HARRIS, TARRANT, DALLAS. WE NOW HAVE REGIONAL COMPETITORS AS WELL AS NATIONAL COMPETITORS AND IF ANY ONE OF THESE OFFICES CHOOSES TO INCREASE SALARIES OR INCREASED BENEFITS AND RECRUITS ONE FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST AWAY FROM OUR OFFICE, OUR OFFICE WILL COLLAPSE. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THREE OF OUR MEDICAL EXAMINERS ARE VERY CLOSE TO RETIREMENT, MYSELF INCLUDED. IF ANY OF US CHOOSE TO RETIRE, AGAIN, IT WILL BE AN UNTENABLE SITUATION WITH OFFICE. I BRING THIS TO YOU JUST SO THAT THE COURT CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S IMPERATIVE FOR BEXAR COUNTY TO DECIDE IF THE OFFICE IS GOING TO BE A PRIORITY. OUR STATUTORY OFFICE HAS BEEN A LEADER IN FORENSIC PATHOLOGY SINCE IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1956. DUE TO ALL THESE ISSUES DISCUSSED, WE ARE CURRENTLY ON PROBATION WITH OUR ACCREDITING AGENCY, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS. IF WE DO NOT SHOW PROGRESS TOWARD RECRUITMENT, WE ARE AT RISK FOR LOSING THAT ACCREDITATION ENTIRELY. QUITE SIMPLY PUT, THE COUNTY CAN DECIDE TO INVEST IN OUR OFFICE NOW A LITTLE BIT, OR CAN INVEST A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT MORE TO TRY TO SAVE AN OFFICE AFTER IT COLLAPSES. I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE ANSWERED ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ONE. >> YOU DID DR. MOLINA, ACTUALLY MORE INFORMATION THAN I WAS ASKING FOR BUT IT WAS APPRECIATED. I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO IS AS WE GET READY FOR THE BUDGET, I KNOW IT'S ALREADY STARTED, BUT IF YOU COULD GET TO THE BUDGET OFFICE, WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU REMAIN COMPETITIVE. I KNOW THIS COURT HAS BEEN SUPPORTED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IN TRYING TO BE INNOVATIVE AND HELP WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED. BUT OBVIOUSLY, YOU ALL DO THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AND PLEASE KNOW THAT WE RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR OFFICE BUT WE DO NEED YOUR HELP IN HELPING US GET THERE WHERE WE CAN BE COMPETITIVE. I'M CURIOUS THE FOLKS THAT YOU SAID WHO RECENTLY TURNED DOWN POSITIONS OR YOU COULDN'T FILL, WAS THAT BECAUSE OF A PAY DISPARITY OR WAS IT SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITY? >> THERE'S BASICALLY THREE FACTORS INVOLVED. FACTOR ONE OF COURSE IS PAY, AND SO IT'S SALARIES. OUR SALARIES, I WILL BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU, OUR COMPETITIVE, [01:30:04] MEANING WE ARE BASICALLY, I DON'T WANT TO SAY EQUIVALENT, BUT WE'RE COMPETITIVE WITH THE OTHER OFFICES IN TEXAS AND NATIONWIDE. HOWEVER, FOR A PHYSICIAN TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT OFFICE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE FOR THE SAME SALARY THEY'RE MAKING. YOU HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING ELSE IN THE TABLE SO US BEING COMPETITIVE OR EQUIVALENT TO OTHER OFFICES IS NOT ENOUGH. SALARIES IS POINT ONE. THE OTHER ONE IS WORKLOAD. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT WORKLOAD, IF SALARIES ARE EQUAL, YOU START LOOKING AT THINGS BESIDES SALARIES. IF YOU CAN GO TO AN OFFICE AND SAY DO 250 CASES A YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT THE NAME LIMIT IS, FOR THAT SALARY, YOU'RE GOING TO GO, HEY, THAT'S GREAT. I'M GOING TO DO THE NAME LIMIT AND MAKE THE SALARY. OR YOU CAN COME TO AN OFFICE LIKE OURS WHERE I'M GOING TO PAY THE SAME SALARY AND YOU'RE GOING TO DO 450 CASES A YEAR, WHICH IS WELL ABOVE THE LIMITS THAT YOU'RE ALLOWED TO DO. THAT HURTS US A LOT BECAUSE IT'S A WORKLOAD ISSUE. NOW IF WE HAD ALL TEN PHYSICIANS, WE WOULD BE IN GROUP ONE, BUT WE DON'T AND GETTING NEAR IS HARD. THE OTHER ISSUE IS ANCILLARY SUPPORT, AND THESE ARE WHAT WE CALL THOSE SOFT TARGETS. FOR INSTANCE, WE DON'T HAVE A FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST. FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGISTS ASSIST MEDICAL EXAMINERS IN SKELETAL CASES, AS WELL AS TRAUMA CASES. WE DON'T HAVE ONE. EVERY OTHER OFFICE IN TEXAS DOES SO IF YOUR SALARY IS THE SAME, DO YOU WANT TO GO WHERE YOU HAVE HIGHER CASELOAD AND NO ANCILLARY SUPPORT. ALSO LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE OUR BUILDING. WE DON'T HAVE ROOM. I DON'T HAVE OFFICES. YOU GUYS WERE NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE US POSITIONS I DON'T HAVE OFFICES FOR SO IN RECRUITING SOMEONE INTO LIKE, I'LL FIND YOU IN OFFICE, BUT I DON'T HAVE ONE. THESE ARE THOSE SOFT THINGS THAT THEN PLAY A ROLE, AND THAT'S WHERE ANCILLARY STAFF COMES INTO PLAY. THAT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HR AND BUDGET TO TRY TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS OF IF WE CAN'T CHANGE SALARIES, CAN WE DO THINGS. OTHER STATES ARE OFFERING LOAN PAYOFFS. MEDICAL, DOCTORS COME OUT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL WITH A GREAT DEAL OF DEBT. IS THERE A WAY WE CAN HELP WITH THAT DEBT SOMEHOW? IS THERE SOME INCENTIVE PAY THAT WE CAN PAY FOR A BONUS TYPE THING. IF YOU COME HERE AND DECIDE TO WORK WITH US FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF YEARS IT'S LIKE A LIMITED SALARY INCREASE OR SOMETHING. SOMETHING THAT MAKES US ABOVE THE OTHER OFFICES TO RECRUIT. >> WELL CONTINUE, PLEASE, DR. MOLINA, TO GIVE US THAT FEEDBACK, WORK WITH BUDGET. JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, I DIDN'T PLAN FOR THIS, BUT IT UNDERSCORES AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BUDGET HOW MANY DIFFERENT PRIORITIES THERE ARE OUT THERE AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS. WE'VE GOT NEEDS IN INFRASTRUCTURE, WE'VE GOT NEEDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH A GROWING COMMUNITY, BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL DOZEN DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE PRIORITIES HERE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE VERY PRUDENT WITH INVESTING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND THIS IS A HIGH PRIORITY. WE APPRECIATE THAT AND GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES MAY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 45. >> THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAREY. COMMISSIONER CAREY, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ FOR BRINGING THIS ISSUE OFF OF CONSENT FOR US TO HEAR FROM THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU TOOK SOME OF THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, I WAS GOING TO RECOMMEND BEFORE YOU SAID IT THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT LOOKED AT OUR TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, PARTICULARLY FOR THESE KINDS OF PROFESSIONS. I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT SUCH A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO DO THIS SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS. ONE IS, IF WE LOOK AT OUR TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM TODAY, IT IS NOT COMPETITIVE BECAUSE IT ONLY REIMBURSES TO UTSA LEVEL REIMBURSEMENT. IT'S MOST MEDICAL SCHOOL, WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF MOST BUT A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF PRIVATE. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS DO WE REIMBURSE FOR OTHER PRIVATE PROGRAMS, OTHER ONGOING CONTINUING EDUCATION THAT IN YOUR PROFESSION MAY WANT TO INVOLVE YOURSELF IN. THAT DEMOCRATIZATION OF INFORMATION IS WHERE THE EDUCATIONAL MARKET IS BECAUSE OF THE ONLINE WORLD HAS OPENED UP, AND WE'RE A LITTLE BIT IN THE DARK AGES WITH RESPECT TO THE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRIVATE COLLEGE WHEN WE JUST ANCHOR OUR TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AT THE UTSA TUITION LEVELS SO I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT TO MY COLLEAGUES. THE OTHER THING IS FLEXIBILITY IN MOVING FUNDS. IN THE CORPORATE SECTOR, IT'S VERY COMMON FOR THERE TO BE REIMBURSEMENT FOR YOUR MOVING EXPENSES OR THE CORPORATE ENTITY WILL PAY FOR THAT, [01:35:04] YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT. I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS POACHING OF THIS PROFESSION THAT WE MAY HAVE TO GET NIMBLE AND THINK ABOUT. THE FINAL ONE IS WE'VE BEEN GIVING A LOT OF MONEY TO THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AND FOR THE STAND-UP OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH BUILDINGS. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONLY ABOUT THREE MILLION OF THAT IS BEING UTILIZED BY THE UNIVERSITY. I THINK SOME OF THAT CONVERSATION SHOULD BE TOWARDS INCENTIVIZING AT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL THESE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE COUNTY AND FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS' OFFICE AT EITHER A STANDALONE SCHOLARSHIP FOR THOSE WHO GO INTO THIS CAREER OR SOME HYBRID OF TUITION REIMBURSEMENT SHOULD BE EARMARKED TO HELP THE COUNTY. IT WORRIES ME THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE SKELETAL EXPERIENCE THAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT BECAUSE OF SOLVING CRIMES AND OTHER NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE UNDERSTOOD IN A VERY GROWING COMMUNITY. ALL OF THAT CONNECTIVITY WE NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT IN OUR BUDGET PROCESS, AND I REALLY THANK COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND YOURSELF FOR AWAKENING ME TO THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> IF I MAY JUST ADD TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, IF YOU HAVE SWAY WITH THE MEDICAL SCHOOL, THE OTHER REQUEST I WOULD HAVE IS TO ALLOW US TO RETURN, SO 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I STARTED WITH BEXAR COUNTY, I ACTUALLY GAVE LECTURES IN THE MEDICAL SCHOOL ABOUT FRIENDS PATHOLOGY, AND WE HAD A VERY STRONG RECRUITMENT. WE WOULD RECRUIT EVERY YEAR FROM THE MEDICAL SCHOOL TO HAVE, WE TALKED ABOUT SUCCESSION PLANNING, WE WOULD RECRUIT PEOPLE INTO FRIENDS ANTHOLOGY ABOUT PRIOR TO 10 YEARS AGO, LET'S SAY 10 YEARS AGO, THE MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T AWARE DID A REORGANIZATION LIKE A LOT OF EDUCATION DID, AND AT THAT TIME, WE NO LONGER GIVE LECTURES, AND WE HAVE NO INTERACTION WITH MEDICAL STUDENTS AT ALL UNLESS THEY CHOOSE TO COME TO US. WE HAVE AN ELECTIVE ROTATION, BUT THEY HAVE TO SEEK US OUT, WE DON'T EVER GET TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM AND PRESENT OUR TOPIC. IF THE COURT HAS WAY, I DON'T KNOW. YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE. >> WE ABSOLUTELY DO. >> IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD HAVE AN HOUR WITH MEDICAL STUDENTS, JUST PRESENTS. >> THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATE THE SCHOOL TO WHEN WE'RE GIVING THESE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT CAN BE PART OF THE DELIVERABLES IN OUR CONTRACTS. THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR AND THANK YOU FOR INFORMING US ON THIS AND BRINGING US TO POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. I DO THINK WE CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW THIS RELATES TO UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND UT HEALTH AND OUR PARTNERSHIPS THERE. I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP ONE POTENTIAL SOLUTION IN MY MIND AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEEN EXPLORED, BUT IN TERMS OF INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL CASELOAD BEYOND A CERTAIN POINT, AND WHETHER IN RECRUITING THAT COULD HELP DEAL WITH THE SITUATION WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT WORKLOAD. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT OR CONSIDERED BEFORE? >> THE INCENTIVE PLAN YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY WHERE WE'VE REQUESTED TO CHANGE IS ACTUALLY WHERE THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS ARE GETTING PAID TO DO ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR WORKLOADS. ONCE WE HIT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WORKLOAD, THAT'S THE NAME REQUIRED, WHICH SLIGHTLY ABOVE MEAN IS 250. ONCE WE HIT 300, THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS ARE BEING PAID. THE TWO CHANGES THAT WE REQUESTED TO THAT ARE NUMBER 1, THAT PROGRAM WAS INTERPRETED BY CALENDAR YEAR, SO WE HAVE THREE MES WHO DIDN'T START IN THE CALENDAR YEAR THEY ARE NEW, SO BASICALLY WE'RE GOING TO SAY YOUR FIRST EIGHT MONTHS YOU WERE HERE DON'T COUNT, WHICH I DIDN'T THINK WAS FAIR SO WE'RE ASKING TO CHANGE IT TO 12 MONTHS SO THAT WE CAN COUNT FROM THE DAY THEY START, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FROM JANUARY. THE OTHER CHANGE TO IT IS ACTUALLY A CHANGE REQUESTED PARTIALLY BY THE DA'S OFFICE IN THAT BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SO MANY MES LEAVE AND WE'RE SO SHORTHANDED. THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH TESTIMONY THAT PEOPLE DON'T ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT. SOMEONE HAS TO TESTIFY TO THESE CASES. WHEN THESE MES HAVE LEFT, HISTORICALLY, ONE OF US WOULD TESTIFY IN THEIR ABSENCE. WE HAVE MES NOW WHO WE HAVE ONE WHO'S DONE IN CORPUS RATHER THAN BRINGING HIM BACK, ONE OF US WOULD TESTIFY. HOWEVER, OUR CASELOAD IS SUCH THAT WE CAN'T DO THAT WE'RE DOING CASES. BUT THE DA IS ALSO HAVING ISSUES BRINGING THESE MES BACK. THE OTHER TEAMS THAT WE'VE REQUESTED IS TO INCENTIVIZE DOCTORS SO THAT IF YOU TESTIFY IN A CASE THAT'S NOT YOURS, YOU COULD ALSO BE COMPENSATED FOR THAT, SO MAYBE OUR DOCTORS WOULD VOLUNTARILY START TO DO THESE CASES FOR THE DA'S OFFICE. >> THAT'S VERY HELPFUL AND THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE BACKGROUND, AND I JUST ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER [01:40:01] WITH THIS COURT AS WE TRIED TO FIND SOLUTIONS HERE. THANK YOU. >> DR. MOLINA, A FEW COMMENTS FIRST BUT FOREMOST, LET ME JUST SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF AT THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS' OFFICE. I HAD A MEETING WITH COUNCIL GENERAL REUBEN SONATA FROM THE COUNCIL GENERAL HERE IN TOWN FROM MEXICO, AND HE WAS VERY APPRECIATIVE AND INDEBTED TO YOUR OFFICE AS TO HOW YOU HELP THEM ON THESE TRAGIC SITUATION WITH MIGRANTS, AND SO I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF, AND YOU WERE VERY COMPLEMENTED WITH THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE COOPERATION AND THE GRACIOUSNESS THAT YOU EXTEND IT IN THAT SITUATION, SO IT GOES ALONG WAY. TWO, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ FOR BRINGING THIS MATTER TO MY ATTENTION. I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY GONE OVER IT AND DEALT WITH ALL GOOD, INTENSE, I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU'RE HAVING AT YOUR OFFICE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IS A GOOD MOVE FOR US TO HAVE A DISCUSSION. THREE, DR. MOLINA, YOU ARE BRINGING SOME SPECIFIC ISSUES TO THE COURT, AND WITHIN MY AUTHORITY, I WOULD LIKE TO DESIGNATE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER MOODY, I WANT YOU TO BE WORKING SO THAT DR. MOLINA KNOWS THAT SHE CAN COME TO YOU TWO. I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO DO A DEEP DIVE, ASKING YOU TO PUT EYES ON HER OFFICE AS TO WHAT HER NEEDS ARE. ONE OF THE THINGS DR. MOLINA I SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT BEING A FORMER DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, BUT YOU'RE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. CASES DON'T MOVE UNLESS YOU MOVE AND I WOULD ASSUME THERE ARE TIMES WHEN CASES GET DELAYED BECAUSE OF EITHER THE AUTOPSY, THE TOXICOLOGY REPORTS, OR ANY OTHER MEDICAL REPORT YOU ALL HAVE TO ISSUE PLUS YOUR AVAILABILITY AND YOUR UNAVAILABILITY WOULD CAUSE RESETS OF CASES. YOU ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF GETTING PEOPLE TO TRIAL, WHICH MEANS GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF THE JAIL ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WANT A DISCUSSION AND REVIEW WITH CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND LET'S SEE WHAT YOU NEED. THEN AS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAS PUT IT, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE AS TO WHAT WE CAN DO, AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAS LOOKED AT SOME OF THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES. WE CAN'T JUST PAY WHAT YOU WANT, BUT WE CAN PROVIDE THE INCENTIVES OR PROVIDE THE WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND THEN FINALLY, THE CONVERSATION WITH UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER I'M IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH DR. WILLIAM HENDRICKS OVER THERE I WILL MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT IN ORDER FOR HIM TO GET FURTHER ASSISTANCE FROM THE COUNTY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT ONE HOUR WITH THE MEDICAL SCHOOL. I HOPE THAT DOESN'T CAUSE YOU ANY PROBLEMS. >> FOR RECRUITMENT, WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. >> [LAUGHTER] PLEASE KEEP IN CONTACT WITH MY OFFICE. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE. >> AYE. >> AN OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, DR. MOLINA. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> I BELIEVE THE ITEM 46 WAS PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION, RATIFICATION, [46. Ratification of approval to submit an electronic grant application to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under the solicitation FY 2023 Texas Traffic Safety eGrants for the Bexar County Constable's Office Precinct 3 "Operation Slowdown" initiative program in the amount of $4,827 and $1,207, required in County matching funds for a total project cost of $6,033; and authority to apply the digital signature of the County Judge on the application and acceptance of funds upon award. The grant period would begin July 11, 2023, through August 2, 2023.] OR APPROVAL TO SUBMIT ELECTRONIC GRANT APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TEXT OUT UNDER THE SOLICITATION FY2023, THE TEXAS TRAFFIC SAFETY E-GRANTS FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE PRECINCT THREE, OPERATIONS SLOWDOWN. INITIATIVE PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,827 AND $1,207 REQUIRED IN COUNTY MATCHING FUNDS FOR TOTAL PROJECT COST, $6,033, AND AUTHORITY TO APPLY THE DIGITAL SIGNATURE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE ON THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUND UPON AWARD. THE GRANT PERIOD WOULD BEGIN JULY 11, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 2ND, 2023. WHO BROUGHT THIS UP? >> I DID. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> WELL, THANK YOU, JUDGE. I FULLY SUPPORT THIS ITEM AND ALSO ITS SECOND ITEM, AGENDA ITEM 47, WHICH WAS NOT PULLED. BUT THESE ARE BOTH SHORT-TERM GRANTS THAT ARE CONSTABLE FOR PRECINCT THREE. MARK BARVIC PULLED AND ASKED FOR OR REQUESTED. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THAT OFFICE IS DOING IN TERMS OF SHOWING INITIATIVE AND ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO OVERALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY. AS WE SPOKE THIS MORNING ABOUT THE SACRIFICE OF SOME OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, [01:45:04] THERE WAS A CONSTABLE ON THAT LIST AS WELL WHO PASSED THE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT OUR CONSTABLES PLAY IN THIS BROADER CONVERSATION ABOUT BEXAR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE. ALSO AS WE GO FORWARD AND TALK ABOUT COMPETITIVE PAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN RETAIN THE CONSTABLES THAT THEY HAVE. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THEY'VE LOST A COUPLE OF CONSTABLES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. THAT'S OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS GOING FORWARD. BUT I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT, I APPRECIATE MARK'S INITIATIVE ON THIS EFFORT AND ALSO THE FACT THAT HIS TEAM IS MEANINGFULLY CONTRIBUTING TO PUBLIC SAFETY HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY, AND I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE. >> YES. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER MOODY FOR TAKING SOME TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF CONSTABLES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WORK, AND PARTICULARLY IN OUR UNINCORPORATED, MORE RURAL AREAS AS A GROWTH GOES IN THERE. SOME OF THE STREETS OR STATE ROADS ARE NOT NECESSARILY COUNTY ROADS, BUT SOME ARE COUNTY ROADS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN EXPANDED. THE CONSTABLES ARE BEING CALLED UPON FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL BECAUSE INTERSECTIONS ARE BEING BLOCKED AND WHEN INTERSECTIONS OR BLOCK COMMERCE IS NOT MOVING AND PEOPLE ARE IDLING AND ALL THINGS ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD. I KNOW IN PRECINCT FOUR THE LAST WEEK, A CONSTABLE WAS SHOT AT TRYING TO SERVE A EVICTION NOTICE. THOSE ARE VERY TOUCHY SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET VERY UPSET AND VIOLENCE CAN BE, IF IT'S NOT A BULLET, COULD BE A FIGHT AND A LOT OF TENSE MOMENTS. WE WANT TO COMMEND CONSTABLE [INAUDIBLE] FOR THE OPERATIONS SLOW DOWN. SOMETIMES I MIGHT BE A VICTIM IN PRECINCT THREE OF HAVING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I SEE THOSE PRECINCT THREE VEHICLES. THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT THE TRAFFIC CONTROL. BUT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE GROWTH IN THE COUNTY AND THE WORLD THAT THE CONSTABLES ARE FULFILLING IN TERMS OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT WHEN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ISN'T ALWAYS ABLE TO ATTEND. THEY MAY HAVE TO ATTEND TO A HIGHER LEVEL CRIME. THAT'S PART OF THEIR MANDATE AS ITS DENSITY HAPPENS. THAT INNER PARTNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT AND THE PROPER COMPENSATION IS IMPORTANT. I WANT TO ECHO THAT AND JUST SAY THAT A LOT OF COMMUNITIES ARE CALLING US IN OUR OFFICE ABOUT THE GROWTH AND THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY BOTH THE NEED FOR ROAD EXPANSION AS WELL AS FOR CONSTABLES TO HELP MOVE TRAFFIC ALONG. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> IS THERE A MOTION? >> I'LL MOVE. >> MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. I BELIEVED THE FINAL ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION IS ITEM 57. [57. Approval and Execution of the American Rescue Plan Act Grant Agreement between Bexar County and Southwest Community Development Corporation for a five-year period beginning October 25th, 2022, and ending July 31, 2026, in the amount of $711,000 to include any appropriate budget transfer necessary.] APPROVAL EXECUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD BEGAN OCTOBER 25TH, 2022, AND ENDING JULY 31, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT OF $711,000 TO INCLUDE ANY APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER NECESSARY. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER CARMEN, YOU HAVE A FLOOR. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FOR FILLING THIS VOID OF MEDICAL SERVICE AND UNDERSERVED AREAS WITH DENTAL AND VISION. WE HAD A GREAT TALK LAST NIGHT AND THERE ARE JUST A FEW QUESTIONS FOR STAFF. I THINK SO MANUEL, WAS THIS UNDER YOUR OR WHO WAS REVIEWING THESE? >> YES, I HANDLED THAT CONTRACT FORMALLY. >> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE GO BACK TO, I THINK NOVEMBER OR OCTOBER COMMISSIONER MARIE LYNN BERNARD, WHO WAS A FORMER US ATTORNEY, TALKED ABOUT CLUB BACK AND HER CONCERN OVER SOME OF THOSE ISSUES. I JUST WANT TO RAISE A FEW THINGS IN TERMS OF THE BOARD. DID YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE BOARD OF THE SOUTHWEST ORGANIZATION? >> YES, THEY SUBMITTED THE BOARD. >> I'M SORRY. >> THEY SUBMITTED BOARD MEETINGS AND INDIVIDUALS. [OVERLAPPING] >> GOOD. >> I HAVE THAT ON FILE IF YOU'D LIKE. >> YES, I WOULD. THANK YOU FOR THAT. IS DALEN SPACE NON-PROFIT BUT SAN ANTONIO OPERATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO HERE IS THAT WHAT. [OVERLAPPING] >> THAT IS CORRECT. THEY WILL BE OPERATING IN SAN ANTONIO AND THEY ARE LOCATED SOMEWHERE NEAR DALLAS. >> IN TERMS OF THE BOARD, ARE THERE LOCAL FOLKS, OR IS IT ALL DALLAS FOLKS? >> I'LL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT SPECIFICALLY. I DON'T REMEMBER. >> NO PROBLEM. >> I SAW THAT IN THE INITIAL APPLICATION PHASE. >> WHAT ABOUT PAST WORK IN DALLAS OR SAN ANTONIO? DID ANY OF THAT BACKGROUND? [OVERLAPPING] >> I'M SURE I HAVE IT ON FILE AND I CAN GET THAT TO YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> TODAY IMMEDIATELY. >> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT JUST TO DELVE INTO JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M VERY COMFORTABLE, [01:50:03] BASED UPON MY CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES ABOUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS. SHE HAS LONG HISTORY AND THAT'S GREAT. IT'S A SIZABLE AMOUNT. THE OTHER CONSIDERATION IS REALLY IN TERMS OF OUR ANALYSIS OF THE COST PER CLIENT TELL OR IF YOU WILL. IT'S ABOUT $800 IN THIS CASE. A LOT OF THAT IS GOING TO BE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE I UNDERSTAND FOR MOBILE. BUT ONE THING THAT I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT IS WHETHER OR NOT IN THE PLAN BECAUSE I'VE READ THE RPA APPLICATION AND I'VE READ THE BACKGROUND ON THE WEBSITE ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW, $590,000 IS GOING INTO YEAR 1, AND THEN $69,000 IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS. >> CORRECT. >> DO WE HAVE ANY INDICATION AS TO WHETHER THE ORGANIZATION HAS EVER HANDLED THAT MUCH FUNDING BEFORE? I DON'T KNOW, I COULDN'T FIND EXACTLY HOW MUCH IN FUNDING. >> THIS IS ONE OF THEIR LARGER PROJECTS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO INITIATE. I CAN'T SAY THAT THEY'VE HAD A PROJECT THIS LARGE IN THEIR HISTORY, BUT WE'VE SCORED IT AND WE FELT WITH ALL THE DOCUMENTATION THEY SUBMITTED IN THE PLAN AND THE EFFECT THAT IT'S GOING TO IMPACT DISPROPORTIONATE COMMUNITIES, THAT WE FELT VERY CONFIDENT IT WAS A GOOD PROJECT. >> THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT FOR BACKGROUND. >> CORRECT. >> I THINK THAT, IF YOU COULD GOING FORWARD FOR THESE RPA APPLICATIONS, I DON'T MEAN TO PULL ASIDE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR. IT JUST CAME BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE ORGANIZATION, SO I DECIDED TO JUST LOOK THEM UP ONLINE. WHEN I LOOK THEM UP ONLINE, I JUST SAID WELL, I CAN'T FIND THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND THAT'S WHY I ASK THESE QUESTIONS. I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANY CLOUD OVER ANYONE HERE TODAY. THAT'S JUST NORMAL DUE DILIGENCE. FOR THE COMMISSIONERS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT STAFF LOOK AT THE BUDGETS IN THE PAST THAT HAD BEEN HELD BECAUSE I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE APPLICATION. >> YEAH, IS PART OF THE APPLICATION, YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT FINANCIALS AND ALL. >> YEAH. >> THERE WAS NOTHING THAT INDICATED THAT THEY WEREN'T CAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS PROJECT. >> JUST ONE OTHER POINT IN THE VERY LAST PARAGRAPH OF THE APPLICATION THEY MENTIONED AN ORGANIZATION CALLED GRANT HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE LOS ANGELES AREA WAS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THEIR ACTIVITIES, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND ALSO ALLOWING THE FUNDRAISING CAPACITY TO GROW, WHICH IS GREAT. ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WAS I WENT ON TO GUIDESTAR. GUIDESTAR IS A NON-PROFIT RESEARCH WEBSITE AND THEY ALSO DIDN'T HAVE A BOARD LISTED. I JUST WAS LOOKING AT THEY'VE DONE ABOUT 92 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN LOS ANGELES, BUT THEY'D ONLY RAISE ABOUT $200,000 FROM WHAT WE COULD SEE NOW, THERE MAY BE OTHER RESOURCES THAT THE STAFF USES, BUT THESE ARE THE KINDS OF QUESTIONS I THINK I'VE ASKED A COUPLE OF TIMES ON DIFFERENT THINGS. I REALLY THINK THAT BACKGROUND IS VERY IMPORTANT SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY CALLBACK SITUATION. FINANCIAL CAPACITY, THE ABILITY TO HANDLE STAFFING CAPACITY, BOARD LEADERSHIP, AND OVERSIGHT, AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. THIS IS REALLY A STAFF CONVERSATION BECAUSE COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES HAS DONE HER JOB IN TERMS OF ADVOCATING FOR UNDERSERVED. THEN IT'S THE STAFF'S JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FLUSHING OUT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT COMMISSIONERS ASK IS MET IN OUR BACKGROUND. I WANT TO SEE THAT STUFF COME TO BACKGROUND, SO I DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS. >> OKAY. >> I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER'S GOOD WORK ON FILLING THIS NICHE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> COMMISSIONER RAY. >> SORRY, JUST ONE FURTHER QUESTION THAT CAME TO MIND, AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AGAIN AND ADVOCATING FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. IN TERMS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE INVESTMENT IN THE VEHICLE, SO AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE UPPER TERM AND CONTRACT, WILL THAT VEHICLE STAY IN BEXAR COUNTY OR CAN WE ENSURE THAT THAT'S PART OF THE CONTRACT AS WE MAKE THIS INVESTMENT? >> WELL, THE VEHICLE WILL BE OWNED BY THE NON-PROFIT. I BELIEVE THERE'LL BE FEDERAL INTEREST IN ANY CAPITAL EQUIPMENT. IT IS THEIR INTENTION, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THAT THEY WILL KEEP IT WITHIN THE COUNTY WITHIN SAN ANTONIO, AND THAT'S NOT TO SAY THEY MAY DRIVE IT TO DALLAS AND DO A WEEKEND OVER THERE. I'M SURE THEIR ULTIMATE GOAL WILL BE TO TARGET AS MANY AREAS AS THEY CAN TO HELP ANYBODY WHO NEEDS THESE KINDS OF SERVICES. BUT I CAN GET THAT ANSWER IMMEDIATELY. >> YOU'RE SAYING WHO WILL OWN IT? [01:55:02] LATER, THE ORGANIZATION WILL. I MEAN, WE HELP NON-PROFITS ALL THE TIME WITH WAY MORE MONEY THAN $711,000. WE GIVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO NON-PROFITS ALL THE TIME AND IT BELONGS TO THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IT NEVER COMES BACK TO THE COUNTY. >> NO. NO, I'M NOT SAYING THE VEHICLE WOULD COME BACK TO US, BUT JUST THAT IF THEY'RE BASED IN DALLAS, THAT ULTIMATELY IT WOULD STAY HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY PROVIDING SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS. >> OH YEAH, I THINK THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO STAY HERE BECAUSE THE DENTIST IS HERE. >> CORRECT. >> YEAH THEY'RE JUST PARTNERING WITH REGIONAL NON-PROFIT, BUT THE DENTIST WHO'S DOING THE WORK IS HERE IN YOUR PRECINCT WHO LIVES IN STONE OAK. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFICATION. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT, SO WE WILL NOW GO BACK. COURT WILL NOTE ITEM FIVE FOR FILING OF THE RECORD FOR FOLLOWING [5. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary] LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS AND DIRECTING THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND TAKE ACTIONS NECESSARY FOR A, B, C, AND D, SO NOTED. APPROVAL FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023. [6. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, May 2, 2023.] >> MOTION APPROVE MINUTES. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE ON FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO THEN BECOME COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS WHO SIGNED TO RAISE SPEAK. [7. Communications from citizens who signed the register to speak.] I'LL REMIND THE CITIZENS YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND MR. COLE IS GOING TO BE OUR TIMEKEEPER. THE FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE CONSTABLE RUBEN C. TEJEDA. CONSTABLE, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO HAND, DID YOU GIVE US THE HANDOUTS? WAS THERE HANDOUT? >> YES, JUDGE. >> DOES EVERYBODY HAVE COMMISSIONER TEJEDA'S HANDOUTS? I WAS JUST SENDING NOTIFICATION THAT THE FOUR CONSTABLES, INCLUDING MYSELF, WANT TO MEET WITH THE COMMISSIONERS INDIVIDUALLY IF WE CAN. ALSO, I WANTED TO THANK TINA SMITH FOR HAVING THE ZOOM MEETING THAT WE HAD. WHAT WE'RE REALLY ASKING IS TO HAVE A PAY SCALE THAT'S DONE FOR THE CONSTABLES AND THEIR DEPUTIES. WE'D LIKE TO MAYBE ASK THE DA'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY GOT A PAY SCALE FOR THEMSELVES AND STUFF IN THAT MANNER. I DON'T KNOW WHO PUT IT TOGETHER. I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT INDIVIDUAL IF THEY CAN HELP US TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER. THAT'S ALL I WAS COMING OVER HERE FOR. I WANT TO JUST THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. WHO PUT THAT TOGETHER? >> BAKER TILLY, YOUR CONSULTANT. >> CAN THEY SET UP A MEETING WITH CONSTABLE TEJEDA AND HIS STAFF? CONSTABLE, ARE YOU ASKING TO MEET WITH THEM? >> NO. WHAT IT IS IS, WHOEVER PUT THE PAY SCALE, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S TWO. I THINK THE DA'S OFFICE. >> THE BAKER TILLY CREATED A NEW PAY PLAN FOR THE ATTORNEYS AND SO IN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CONSTABLES, WHAT WE'VE SAID IS THAT WE WILL WORK WITH THEM. BAKER TILLY IS DONE, THE CONTRACT IS DONE. BUT WE WILL WORK WITH THEM TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. >> THANK YOU. >> I THINK THERE'S A MR. GONZALEZ THAT WAS INVOLVED. I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES OR WHO, THEY CAN HELP. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BUT IT SEEMS LIKE TINA'S WORKING WITH THE YOU, RIGHT? >> YES. YES, SHE IS. >> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. >> THANK YOU. YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> LET ME JUST MAKE THIS COMMENT, TINA, SO THAT IT'S CLEAR FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND MYSELF. THERE HAD BEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAVE BROUGHT ISSUES WITH THE PAY STUDY THAT ADJUSTED TO PAY. OBVIOUSLY NO ONE HAD THEIR PAY LOWERED, BUT THEY HAD JOB CLASSIFICATIONS THAT PERHAPS WERE LOWERED, AND SO THAT HAS CREATED SOME ANGST. WE HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT THERE IS SOME COMPRESSION ISSUES OF THE SUPERVISORS AND THE PEOPLE THEY SUE. WE ARE GOING TO CORRECT THAT, CORRECT? >> CORRECT. WHERE THERE ARE SUPERVISORS THAT ARE RATED ON THE NEW PAY PLAN THE SAME AS THE PEOPLE THEY SUPERVISE, WE WILL CORRECT. THOSE ARE BEING CORRECTED. [02:00:01] >> OBVIOUSLY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH CONSTABLE. IS HIS CONCERN SIMILAR OR DOES HE HAVE A SITUATION UNIQUE TO THE CONSTABLES OFFICE? >> IT IS UNIQUE TO THE CONSTABLES AND ACTUALLY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY. OTHER THAN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> CONSTABLE MY PLEDGE TO YOU IS LET STAFF GIVE US RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE JUST NEED TO HAVE THAT ISSUE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE. >> YOU ARE WELCOME, CONSTABLE. >> THANK YOU. >> IRENE VALDEZ. GOOD MORNING, MISS VALDEZ. >> GOOD MORNING. AGAIN AS USUAL, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY. I HAD PLANNED WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IN REFERENCE TO ELECTION INTEGRITY. BUT INSTEAD, I WANT TO PRAY. I WANT TO PRAY OVER YOU GUYS. FATHER GOD IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I ASK THAT YOU JUST SEND YOUR HOLY SPIRIT UPON THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED TO BE APPOINTED TO THESE POSITIONS. FATHER I ASK YOU TO GIVE THEM CLARITY OF MIND. I ASK THAT YOU EMPOWER THEM WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. FATHER, I ASK THAT YOU GIVE THEM COMPASSION, AND GIVE THEM WISDOM OUR GOD. LET THEM GO BY THE LAW, AND LET THEM DO WHAT IS RIGHT. FATHER I REBUKE ALL EVIL THAT WOULD COME IN TO TRY TO TAKE CONTROL. I REBUKE THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS. I PRAY AND DECLARE THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE IN SECRET WILL BE BROUGHT OUT TO LIGHT AND THAT YOU WILL WRITE ALL THINGS IN JESUS NAME, I PRAY. AMEN. >> AMEN. THANK YOU, MS. VALDEZ. TRYING TO READ THE WRITING HERE. IS IT COLUMBA WILSON? MS. WILSON. DO YOU HAVE PAPER? CAN YOU GIVE IT TO THE BAILIFFS, PLEASE? >> YEAH. GOOD MORNING IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH A NEW JUDGE. MR. RODRIGUEZ, HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS COLUMBA WILSON AND I HAVE A CHILD THAT HAS AUTISM, ADD, ADHD, AND PTSD. IN APRIL 10, HE WAS WEARING A BASEBALL CAP IN THE CHURCH AND THEN USHER TOLD HIM HE WAS GOING TO KICK HIS ASS OUT OF THE CHURCH. THEN HE GRABBED HIM BY THE ARM. AFTER THAT, I PRESSED ALL CHARGES ON HIM THAT THE DETECTIVE CRAIG RODRIGUEZ SAID THAT WHICH HE HAS IT IN RECORD, THAT HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THINGS LIKE THAT DON'T HAPPEN IN CHURCH. I DIDN'T STOP. I'VE BEEN PROTESTING AND DOING ALL KINDS OF THINGS. THEY DECIDE START TO CLOSE MY MOUTH SO THE ATTORNEY FOR THE DIOCESES CALLED MR. RODRIGUEZ AND TOLD HIM THAT WE WERE LIARS. THAT NOTHING HAPPENED, THAT THE KID WAS MAKING OTHER STORIES. I BELIEVE HE GOT SOME PAPERS FROM THE USHER, WHATEVER YOU CALLED IT, NOTORIOUS PAPERS THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. THERE WERE A LOT OF WITNESSES AND THEY LIE. THE BOTTOM LINE IN THE STORY. ONCE THE ATTORNEY GOT INVOLVED, I WAS GIVEN NO CHOICE BUT TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY MYSELF THAT CHARGE ME $10,000 TO GET ALL OF IT. I WAS ASKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEY LITERALLY TOLD ME, EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE, TO GO TO HELL. MY GRANDSON IS NOT ALLOWED. WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND CATHOLIC CHURCH, WHICH I DON'T CARE BECAUSE I'M NOT CATHOLIC ANYWAY, BUT MY GRANDSON, WITH HIS AUTISM, IT'S HORRIBLE. NOW I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT POLICE BRUTALITY. THE ONE WITH THE CHURCH IT WAS IN 2002. THIS YEAR, IN 2013, IN MARCH THE 11, I CALLED A POLICE BECAUSE MY GRANDSON HAD A VERY BAD MELTDOWN. I CALLED THE POLICE. I HAVE CALLED THEM BEFORE, BUT I CALLED THEM ON EMERGENCY AND WHAT THEY DO, THEY COME AND CALM HIM DOWN. BECAUSE I'M 75 YEARS OLD AND I'VE BEEN RAISING HIM SINCE HE WAS TWO YEARS OLD. THE CASE IS HE'S VERY AGGRESSIVE AND WE HAVE NOBODY TO HELP ME. MY GRANDSON HAS CRUSHED THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY ARM, BOTH OF MY ARMS, HE HIT ME IN THE HEAD, AND HE'S 200 POUNDS AND I'M ABOUT 5'7 AND I'M ONLY 5 FEET TALL. TWO POLICE CAME AND THE POLICE DECIDED THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE HIM TO JAIL, BUT AT THE TIME THEY SHOWED UP, MY GRANDSON WAS IN HIS BED ASLEEP. WELL, ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICER, I SAID, NO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE HIM UP WITH MY HANDS LIKE THAT. COME ON, I'M A 75 YEARS OLD AND LOOK AT MY SIZE. HE JUST THREW ME AGAINST THAT WALL. HE GRABBED MY ARM THAT WAS BLEEDING WITH [02:05:03] ONE HAND AND WITH THE OTHER ONE HE PUSHED ME LIKE THAT, PULLED MY ARM ALL THE WAY, AND THEN ANOTHER POLICE GRABBED ME MY LEFT ARM. LIKE THAT. THEY KEPT ME IN HANDCUFFS FOR ALMOST AN HOUR. THEY SAID THAT THE CHILD CAN BREAK, IT WAS THE FAMILY VIOLENCE. >> JUST FINISH. TIME HAS EXPIRED. >> MISS WILSON, YOU NEED TO WRAP IT UP. I'LL LET YOU WRAP IT UP. >> MY GRANDSON WAS TAKEN TO JAIL. HE'S A MINOR WITH A THREE-YEAR-OLD. THEY HANDCUFFED HIM, THEY COVERED HIS MOUTH, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. THEY COVERED HIS MOUTH, THEY TOOK HIM TO JAIL AND THERE WAS NO NEED FOR HIM TO GO TO JAIL BECAUSE HE'S AUTISTIC AND INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED. THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE BECAUSE WE'VE GOT NOTHING. INSTEAD HE GETS INTO MELTDOWNS, I HAVE NOBODY TO CALL. >> THANK YOU, MISS WILSON. >> THE POLICE TOLD ME YOU CALLED US, WE DIDN'T CALL YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I GAVE YOU SOME PAPERWORK. ONE OF YOU. >> YES [OVERLAPPING]. IT'S GOT TWO PAGES. WE'VE GOT IT. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU SIR AND I APPRECIATE IT. >> MAY I JUST SAY MA'AM, THIS MAY BE A VERY GOOD CASE FOR OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS ESPECIALLY BEEN SET UP WITH WELL FIRST MANDATE ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE CONTACTED YOU YET, BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THESE ISSUES. OF COURSE, THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S OVER THE CITY COUNCIL. WE HAVE SHERIFF'S OVERSIGHT. HE IS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO DROP CHARGES. OF COURSE, THERE'S A TRAINING ISSUE THAT SAPD NEEDS TO ADDRESS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. WE'RE SAD TO HEAR THESE THINGS HAPPEN. I THINK I HEARD YOU LIVE IN PRECINCT 2. >> NO. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3. >> IN 3? I'M SORRY. [OVERLAPPING] >> I\M SORRY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE IS A MAN OF A THREE-YEAR-OLD. >> [OVERLAPPING] GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LET ME HAVE DEREK ANDERSON. IS IT DEREK ANDERSON? >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> I'M SORRY. >> HE'S PART OF OUR TEAM ON ITEM 62. >> I THINK HE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. I THINKING THAT HE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON OUR ITEM. HE DOESN'T NEED TO SPEAK. >> HE'LL SPEAK WHEN WE GET TO THE ITEM. >> YES, SIR. >> HE WILL COME UP >> REMIND ME. >> YES SIR. WE'LL DO. >> THAT CONCLUDES THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD. WE NOW GO TO INDIVIDUAL ITEM 61, [61. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval and execution of the First Amendment to the FY 2021-2022 Management Agreement between Bexar County and The Health Collaborative, to extend the term to begin October 1,2022 and ending on September 30,2023, for a new total amount not to exceed $1,000,000 from the General Fund.] DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING AN APPROVAL EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE FY 2021/22 MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE TO EXTEND THE TERM TO OCTOBER 1 2022 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023, FOR A NEW TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND. MR. MARK JUST BRING YOUR TEAM UP. >> THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS OUR ANNUAL RENEWAL OF OUR CONTRACT. ITEMS 61 AND 62 GO TOGETHER, OUR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CONTRACT AS WELL. THESE ARE FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THE YEAR IN WHICH WE'RE OPERATING. THESE FUNDS WERE OF COURSE, BUDGETED INAPPROPRIATE AND IN OCTOBER AND WE'RE BRINGING YOU THESE CONTRACTS TODAY. THESE PRESENTATIONS THAT WE'LL BE PROVIDING TODAY ARE FOR THE PROGRAM IN RESULTS IN METRICS BASED ON THE CURRENT YEAR THAT WE'RE OPERATING IN. WE BEGAN THIS BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM AS AN ADJUNCT TO OUR LONGSTANDING CONTRACT WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN 2019 BUT WITH THE IDEA OF HELPING THESE FAMILIES WHO HAVE CLOSED OUT THERE FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES CASE AT CPS WITH ADDITIONAL TARGETED SERVICES THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY THAT OCCURS WHEN CPS CLOSES OUT THOSE CASES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN. WE CHOSE THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE TO USE THEIR PATHWAYS MODEL, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT APPROACH FOR THESE UNITS THAT WE FUND AT CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THE 21 CASEWORKERS THAT WE HAVE IN CPS IN THREE UNITS OF SEVEN ARE [02:10:01] ABLE TO REFER THEIR FAMILIES OVER TO THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM IN ORDER TO RECEIVE, AGAIN, ONGOING COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT STABILITY. THAT IT PROVIDES THEM WITH A PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT AND SO THEY KNOW WHEN THINGS THAT OCCUR THAT MAY BE DESTABILIZING AGAIN IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD THAT THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO TO. THAT'S THE ROLE OF THE BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM IN RELATION TO OUR CPS CONTRACT. OVER THE YEARS IN THE PARTIAL YEAR, YOU COULD SEE THE FUNDING THAT WE SPENT OVER THE YEARS. ONE THING ABOUT THIS CONTRACT THAT WE REALLY THINK IS VERY POSITIVE IS THAT WE PAY FOR SERVICES AS THEY'RE DELIVERED. THIS IS NOT A GRANT OUTRIGHT, BUT AS SERVICES ARE REQUIRED FROM FAMILIES THEN THEY'RE ABLE TO BILL US AND WE PAY THOSE AS WE GO THROUGH. YOU CAN SEE THE METRICS THEY'RE SO FAR IN THE PROGRAM SINCE INCEPTION, 520 FOR A HOUSEHOLD REFERRALS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,600 FOLKS. FORTY-FIVE PEOPLE HAVE FINISHED THEIR OVERALL PLAN THAT WAS DEVELOPED FOR THEM, THEIR PATHWAYS PLAN. THE CLIENT INSIGHTS OF THOSE THAT ARE SERVED ARE WHAT YOU'D EXPECT. THESE ARE FOLKS AT THE LOWER END OF OUR SOCIOECONOMIC SPECTRUM, PREDOMINANTLY FEMALE WITH RELATIVELY LARGE HOUSEHOLD SIZES AND LOW EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. THEY TEND TO BE FAMILIES WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN, SO THE PARENTS THEMSELVES ARE ALSO YOUNGER BUT KEEP IN MIND THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO THE HOUSEHOLDS SO THERE MAY BE OLDER PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS EVEN OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS LIVING THAT ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR IN OUR APPROACH. THE PATHWAY INSIGHTS THAT YOU CAN SEE AND I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THAT I'VE GOT [INAUDIBLE] HERE BEHIND ME WHO IS THE EXPERT IN THIS AREA. SHE'S THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALONG WITH DEREK ANDERSON, THEIR HUB COORDINATOR FOR THE BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM. FORGIVE ME FOR STEPPING INTO THEIR PLACE HERE. BUT THESE ARE THE PATHWAY INSIGHTS AND I GUESS I WILL TURN IT OVER TO LIZ AND ASKED HER TO PRESENT THESE IN A BIT MORE DETAIL. >> JESSICA, I APOLOGIZE THAT DR. ANDERSON ACTUALLY SIGNED INTO SHOWED THAT HE WAS PRESENT AND WAS NOT ACTUALLY SPEAKING, BUT WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND BRING THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. DAVID, WE CAN CONTINUE TO THE INFORMATION. >> MOST OF THE REFERRALS ARE IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE AREA, ALTHOUGH THEY'RE ALL MEDICAL AS WELL AND WHEN YOU SEE EDUCATION, THOSE ARE MORE TRAINING FOR SPECIFIC LIFE SKILLS. THE IDEA OF SOMEONE GETTING INTO AN EDUCATION TO GET SOME CREDENTIAL OR A DEGREE IS IN THE ADULT LEARNING. MOST OF THE TIME WHERE THEY'RE HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH JUST BASIC SKILLS OF FINANCE OR HEALTH CARE OR HYGIENE ESPECIALLY DEALING WITH YOUNG MOTHERS, YOUNG CHILDREN, ETC. THEN THE SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRAL, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST CATEGORY BROKEN DOWN BELOW, THEN STILL REVOLVES AROUND MAJOR HOUSEHOLD NEEDS OF UTILITIES, HOUSING, ETC, DIAPERS OR A FACTOR OR CLOTHING, ETC. WHAT WE INTEND TO DO IS TAKE THIS DATA AND BRING TO YOU BETTER INSIGHTS THAT YOU ALL CAN MAKE INVESTMENT DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE THAT ARE INFORMED BY THE DATA. I'M EXTREMELY PLEASED TO REPORT TO YOU THAT MY DATA ANALYST POSITION IS FILLED AFTER A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. LUIS CHAVEZ HERE AND HAS JUST JOINED MY TEAM SO I'VE GO TO GIVE THEM AT LEAST 24 HOURS OR SO TO GET UP TO SPEED. I'M KIDDING, BUT HE WILL DO A FANTASTIC JOB AND HELPING US TO DELVE INTO WHAT WE'RE LEARNING THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS. WE'VE KEPT THEM RUNNING EVEN IN SPITE OF NOT HAVING THE DATA ANALYSTS, BUT WE'VE BEEN BUILDING OUR BODY OF KNOWLEDGE AND WE INTEND TO BRING THAT TO BEXAR IN TERMS OF HELPING TO GIVE YOU MUCH MORE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS. THESE STATS ARE HOW THE PROGRAM IS WORKING, BUT WE WANT YOU TO SEE HOW THE SYSTEM OVERALL IS WORKING TO PREVENT SUBSEQUENT CASES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT. FOR THIS ITEM, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE CONTINUATION OF OUR CONTRACT, THE APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE FOR AGAIN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, OCTOBER 1 2022 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH AT 23 PAID-FOR LISTED OUT OF THE GENERAL. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER DOING US ANY FURTHER. >> QUESTIONS? >> THE LAST SLIDE IT SAID IT'S UNTIL THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, CORRECT? THEN WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT? IS THERE ANOTHER RENEWAL? SORRY. >> WE ARE ASKING FOR FUNDING COMING BUDGET YEAR AS WELL TO CONTINUE FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM? YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY ON A MACRO LEVEL, WE'VE GOT ABOUT 264,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE IN POVERTY IN BEXAR COUNTY AND WHEN LOOKING AT [02:15:01] THE CLIENT INSIGHTS ABOUT THE INCOME OF THE LARGEST GROUP OF 136 OF THEM MAKING NO MORE THAN $10,000. WE ARE MEETING YOUR INSIGHT ABOUT BUDGETARY DECISIONS THAT CAN HELP LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY. ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU'VE SEEN DO A GOOD JOB. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS. ALL THAT IT MEANS WHEN THEY GRADUATE, WHEN THEY'RE GRADUATED. THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT NECESSARILY A DEGREE OF MATRICULATION AND IT'S PART OF YOUR PROGRAM. BUT 66% OF THEM HIGH-SCHOOL SO 44%, NONE, OR MAYBE LOWER, I SHOULD SAY A DROPOUT OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. THE PATHWAY TOWARDS LITERACY AND TOWARDS FINANCIAL STRENGTH IN WHO DOES THAT WELL, WE COULD USE YOUR INSIGHT LIKE YESTERDAY IN TERMS OF THOSE ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY TO SERVE MORE BECAUSE THE LONGER WE KEEP THESE PEOPLE IN POVERTY, THE MORE THAT IT IS A BURDEN UPON THE BEXAR COUNTY BUDGET AND JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE MACRO LEVEL GET THAT QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE OR MORE ON THE RIGHT FOOTING BECAUSE THAT POVERTY IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU MEET THEM IN. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT OBSERVATION SHORT. THANK YOU. >> DAVID, I KNOW WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK THROUGH THIS THE OTHER DAY. JUST JUST TO CONFIRM THIS PARTNERSHIP, I BELIEVE ACTUALLY, THE PROGRAMS REIMBURSED FOR THE PEOPLE THEY ACTUALLY SERVE AND OUTCOMES-BASED. IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN? >> YES, COMMISSIONER MOODY, THAT'S CORRECT. WE REQUEST AN ESTIMATED BUDGET OF THE AMOUNT THAT WE EXPECT TO SERVE, BUT WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY AND WITH THE CPS CASEWORKERS IN ORDER TO SEND THE FAMILIES TO BE REFERRED TO US. WE DON'T ACTUALLY CHARGE THE COUNTY UNTIL WE ACTUALLY SEE THAT AN OBJECTIVE IS MADE. WHILE WE CAN DO AN INTAKE, WE DO AN ASSESSMENT, WE IDENTIFY WHERE THEY HAVE BARRIERS AND THEN WE WORK WITH THE INDIVIDUAL IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THOSE BARRIERS. WE LOOK FOR THE RESOURCES, WE GET THEM CONNECTED TO THE RESOURCES AND WE DO THE FOLLOW-UP TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY UTILIZING THE RESOURCES. ONCE WE CAN ESTABLISH THAT, WE CLOSE THE ITEM AS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND THEN THAT, IN TURN, GETS BILLED TO THE COUNTY. OTHER THAN THAT, IF FOR SOME REASON WE'RE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT PARTNER, THE RESOURCE DOESN'T EXIST, THE INDIVIDUAL DOESN'T CONTINUE THROUGH THAT PROCESS WORK IN ORDER TO GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED, THEN THAT BECOMES AN ITEM THAT IS NOT CHARGED TO THE COUNTY. THAT IS HOW OUR AGREEMENT HAS WORKED AND IT IS BASED ON FULL OUTCOMES. COMMISSIONER CALVERT, TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THE DEFINITION OF GRADUATION MEANS, FOR US, GRADUATION IS WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFIES IN THEMSELVES THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY, THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN THE RIGHT INFORMATION, THEY'VE GOTTEN CONNECTED TO RESOURCES, THEY FEEL EMPOWERED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THEIR OWN. TO US, THAT'S GRADUATION BECAUSE WE'VE ALLOWED THEM TO BASICALLY FULFILL IN THEMSELVES THEIR NEW HOPE, THEIR RECONNECTION. GRADUATION ALSO MEANS THAT IT COULD BE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT LITERALLY THEY HAD 12, 15 CHALLENGES AND WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS FOR ALL OF THOSE CHALLENGES AND THE INDIVIDUAL FEELS, AGAIN, ASSURED, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY CAN'T COME BACK. LIFE HAPPENS. TO YOUR POINT ABOUT HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE IDENTIFYING OR ARE RECEIVING RESOURCES AROUND FINANCIAL LITERACY OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, THOSE ARE ALL STEPS, THOSE ARE ALL PATHWAYS THAT WE ALSO TRACK, BUT THE ENCOURAGEMENT IS WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS ABLE TO SAY TO US, AND OF COURSE, THEIR CPS CASEWORKER, I FEEL EMPOWERED, I CAN MOVE FORWARD. THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF GRADUATION FOR US. >> JUST ONE OTHER COMMENT, AND WE ALSO DISCUSSED THIS THE OTHER DAY, BUT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE STATS ON YOUR CLIENTS IN THE 50 PERCENT BELOW $10,000 PER YEAR AND THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE OF SIX, I'M STILL JUST STRUGGLING IN TERMS OF THE USE OF THOSE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. YOU WOULD THINK THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE HOMES WOULD QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID, FOR FOOD STAMPS, FOR WIC, FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE. HOW DO WE CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY IN NEED AND THESE PROGRAMS WERE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT? HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB OF THAT AS A COUNTY? I GUESS THAT'S A QUESTION. >> I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WE'RE SERVING AND THE FAMILY THAT'S BEEN REFERRED TO US, MOST OF THEM HAVE HAD BROKEN CONFIDENCE IN SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMMING SERVICES, SO OUR JOB IS REALLY, AGAIN, TO RE-ESTABLISH TRUST AND MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS ALSO BEING REFERRED OVER TO US, OFTENTIMES, MAYBE IN A CASEWORKER, THEY MAY SAY THAT THEY ONLY HAVE TWO PEOPLE LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD, BUT ONCE WE DO OUR HOME VISITS, [02:20:01] ONCE WE START ENGAGING IN CONVERSATIONS AND CREATING TRUST, WE IDENTIFY THAT THERE'S POSSIBLY OTHERS THAT MAY BE COHABITATING. THEY MAY ALSO HAVE EXTENDED FAMILIES THAT THEY USE AS A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, SO WHEN WE CREATE HOUSEHOLDS, THIS IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAYBE IT WAS MOM THAT HAS AN ACTIVE CASE OR IS WORKING WITH OUR FPSS UNITS, BUT GRANDMOTHER IS VERY INVOLVED IN THE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN. WE EXTEND THE SUPPORT TO THEM AS WELL AND COUNT THEM AS A FAMILY UNIT. AGAIN, IT IS ABOUT RE-ESTABLISHING TRUST WITH NETWORKS THAT MAYBE HAVE BEEN BROKEN. OUR JOB IS NOT TO REPLACE THOSE VALUABLE RESOURCES THAT ARE IN COMMUNITY, THOSE RIGHT PROGRAMS AND THOSE RIGHT PARTNERS. IT'S OUR JOB TO ENSURE THAT WE RECONNECT AND THEN WE INTRODUCE THEM BACK INTO THAT SYSTEM OF CARE WHEN THE TIME IS APPROPRIATE AND THAT THEY ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN FULLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LEARNING AND ALSO THE RESOURCE FOR THEIR OWN SUSTAINABILITY. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT IF THERE'S ISSUES WITH THIS COURT, WITH THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT'S IMPLEMENTED THAT WE CAN BRING CHANGE TO THAT PROGRAM TO MAKE IT MORE FUNCTIONAL AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES BETTER, THEN PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION SO WE CAN DRESS IT. >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THE MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE WITH THE BRIGHTER JOURNEYS HAS ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO VOICE THAT AND THEY'VE ALSO GIVEN US FEEDBACK ON HOW WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE CONNECT FAMILIES IN A BETTER WAY. >> THANK YOU. >> I KNOW LIZ IS OBVIOUSLY WITH THE HELP CLARA'S. DID YOU INTRODUCE WHO THE OTHER PEOPLE WERE, WHO THEY'RE WITH? >> THAT'S TO BE ON THE NEXT ITEM, COMMISSIONER, BUT THEY'RE RELATED. I HAVE WITH ME LETTIE LOZANO. SHE IS THE NEW REGION 8 DIRECTOR FOR THE LOCAL FAMILY PROTECTIVE SERVICES, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES THAT WE WORK WITH, ALONG WITH STACY CASE, HER FPSS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR. THEY'RE HERE FOR BOTH ITEMS. AGAIN, THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP AND IT'S ONE OF THE MORE PRODUCTIVE ONES WE HAVE, BUT THEY'RE HERE FOR THAT ITEM, COMMISSIONER. >> OKAY. >> DEVIN, [NOISE] LOOKING AT 61 THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT 62, THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN LONGSTANDING THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH BEING OVER IN THE CHILDREN'S COURT AND WORK WITH CPS. IT ORIGINATED WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD. ULTIMATELY, THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD BECAME A PASS THROUGH FOR THESE PARTICULAR APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CPS WORKERS, CORRECT? >> YES, SIR. THE PROGRAM WE HAVE WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME. YOU MAY KNOW BETTER THAN I DO, BUT I THINK IT'S BEEN EITHER AT OR APPROACHING 20 YEARS OR SO, BUT CERTAINLY OVER 10. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT STARTED FROM THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD, BUT I WASN'T INVOLVED WITH THAT PROGRAM AT THE TIME. >> WHAT'S THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ITEMS 61 AND 62, THE AGREEMENT WITH THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE? I WANT TO GET THAT DISTINCTION CLEAR IN MY MIND. >> YES, SIR. WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER THE COMMUNITY AND INITIATIVES DEPARTMENT AND WE EVALUATED THE CAUSES CONTINUE TO BE NEGLECTED CHILDREN. WE REALLY FOCUSED ON THE IDEA OF RECIDIVISM AS A PRIMARY CAUSE. IF THERE'S A SEVERE CASE THAT OCCURS AND THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE REMOVED BECAUSE THERE'S NO REAL ATTEMPT OR HOPE, THESE ARE THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE JUST UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THEN THERE'S NO ATTEMPT TO TRY TO MITIGATE THAT BECAUSE WHAT HAS TO BE DONE IS DONE BY [OVERLAPPING] >> THE FOCAL POINT OF ONE OF ALL THE CASES IS A REFERRAL OR AN INCIDENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, CORRECT? >> I MISSED THE FIRST PART. >> WHAT'S THAT? >> I MISSED THE FIRST PART OF YOUR STATEMENT. >> I SAID THE FOCAL POINT OF THESE TWO ACTION ITEMS IS THE FACT THEY'RE REFERRALS FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. >> YES, SIR. THESE ARE FAMILIES THAT HAVE WOUND UP IN CASES OF CHILD MALTREATMENT. THEY ARE REFERRED TO THE FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES UNIT THAT STACY OPERATES, AND THEY ARE PART OF THE THREE UNITS THAT THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY FUNDING. IN THE INITIAL PROGRAM DESIGN, WE WERE GOING TO HAVE FAMILIES, THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES. >> THIS IS WAY AHEAD OF THIS, BUT I THINK, FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO DESIGNATE MYSELF AS THE CONTACT PERSON ON THESE ISSUES SINCE I'VE GOT A DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND HISTORY, BUT ALSO TOO I WANT IN THIS DISCUSSION, SHOULD THIS PROCESS ULTIMATELY GO ON TO OUR NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ENTITY WITH DR. GERHARDO DOES THAT BEST-FIT HERS AS OPPOSED TO THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT? THOSE ARE ALL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION. >> WELL, OF COURSE, YOU MAY KNOW, JUDGE THAT THE DR. GERHARDO WAS ON THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD FOR QUITE A PERIOD OF TIME. SHE ALSO REPRESENTS US ON THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE BOARD AS WELL. [02:25:03] THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT. >> [OVERLAPPING] BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS, DO WE EXPAND, BUT THROUGH A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE, OR DO WE MAINTAIN STATUS QUO AND LOOK AT IT FROM A COMMUNITY SERVICE PERSPECTIVE? I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER MOODY, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES IS. WHAT'S THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM AND WHERE DOES THE BEST FIT AND HOW DO WE SUPPORT IT OR REDIRECT THE FUNDS AT A LATER DATE? LOZANO, I KNOW YOU'RE HERE FOR THE NEXT ONE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE YOU. YOU'RE THE NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR. IF YOU'D JUST LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON THIS ACTION ITEM. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I AM THE NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR. I ACTUALLY STARTED IN A COUNTY POSITION. I STARTED AS FAMILY BASED SAFETY SERVICES WORKER IN A ACCOUNTING UNIT. AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT JUDGE SAKAI TOOK THE SEAT IN THE TWO 25TH, SO I'VE HAD A LONGSTANDING WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH JUDGE SAKAI AND BEEN COMMITTED TO THE WORK. FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES IS DEFINITELY THE PREVENTION STAGE OF THE WORK THAT WE DO WITH FAMILIES. IT'S DEFINITELY WHERE WE WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE'VE BEEN PARTNERING WITH BEXAR COUNTY FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S ALL I'VE KNOWN, AND IT'S REALLY WORKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. WE KNOW THAT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES GIVE US HEALTHY FAMILIES AND WE'RE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH BRIGHTER JOURNEYS, ONCE WE LEAVE THE CASE, FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT AFTERWARDS. I REALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT. I'M HERE FOR THE LONG RUN. >> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? THERE WAS A MOTION BY MR. CALVERT. WHOSE SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 62: DISCUSSION OF APPROPRIATE ACTION [62. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval and execution of the First Amendment to the FY 2021-2022 Interlocal Agreement between Bexar County and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, to extend the term to begin October 1, 2022 and end on September 30, 2023, for a new total amount not to exceed $2,276,118 from the General Fund.] REGARDING APPROVAL EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO FY 2021 AND 2022 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY PROTECTION SERVICES TO EXTEND THE TERM FOR OCTOBER 1, 2022 AND THEN ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2022 FOR NEW TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,276,118 FROM THE GENERAL FUND. MR. MARQUEZ. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING, THIS ITEM IS THE COUNTY'S FUNDING OF WORKERS THAT SERVE THE FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES PROGRAM AT OUR LOCAL REGION 8. HOWEVER, THE FAMILIES THEY SERVE ARE ONLY BEXAR COUNTY FAMILIES, SO THESE ARE CASEWORKERS THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO HELP THE FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT NEED THEIR SUPPORT. OVER THE YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS HAD FUNDING OF AS HIGH AS 2.6 MILLION, BUT WAS REDUCED IN FY '16/'17 TO 878,000, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING AT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF APPROXIMATELY 1.13 MILLION PER YEAR TO FUND FOR THE 21 CASEWORKERS. I MENTIONED, AGAIN, THAT THEY ARE INTEGRAL TO OUR BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE RECEIVE THE DIRECT REFERRALS FROM. THEY'VE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE, VERY GRATEFUL TO LETI AND HER TEAM AND FOR STACY AND HER TEAM FOR WORKING WITH US COLLABORATIVELY. I THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT THESE FAMILIES ARE FRAGILE AND THE GOOD WORK THAT CPS DOES IN STABILIZING THEM NEEDS HELP TO CONTINUE ON AND TO THE EXTENT WE CAN DO IT IN A MORE FORMAL STRUCTURED WAY, WE BELIEVE THE OUTCOMES WILL BE BETTER AND WE INTEND TO BRING YOU BACK DATA TO SHOW WHETHER THAT'S CORRECT OR NOT. THERE IS, AS LETICIA MENTIONED AS WELL, MONTHLY MEETINGS BETWEEN THE BRIGHTER JOURNEY COORDINATION COUNCIL AND OUR TEAM WHERE WE'RE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AND MAKING SURE WE UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE. THIS HAS BEEN THE METRIC THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT FOR MANY YEARS. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST METRIC, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY ONE THAT IS TELLING ABOUT THE INCIDENTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN BEXAR COUNTY. THIS IS SHOWING REMOVAL RATES IN TEXAS COUNTIES, OUR PEER COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE IN TERMS OF REMOVALS PER THOUSAND. BEXAR COUNTY IS THE RED LINE, IT SHOWS THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HIGHER THAN OUR OTHER PEERS, IN SOME CASES, SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER. HOWEVER, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE TREND IS DOWNWARD, DEFINITELY TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND APPROACHING OUR PEERS, THEY ARE ALSO TRENDING DOWN. THERE'S A NUMBER OF FACTORS INVOLVED WITH THAT THAT RELATE TO POLICY CHANGES AND CHANGES IN THE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER FACTORS THAT GO INTO THAT. JUDGE, AGAIN, I'M SPEAKING TO THE EXPERT HERE, SO YOU CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT CIRCUMSTANCES MUCH BETTER THAN I DO. BUT WE'RE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE TREND IS GOING DOWNWARD IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WE REMOVED. WHEN THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED, THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED. BUT WHEN WE'RE REMOVING THEM AND WE REALLY WANT TO KEEP THEM REUNIFIED BECAUSE OTHERWISE, [02:30:02] WE'RE TRADING ONE TRAUMA FOR ANOTHER, WE'RE NOT EVEN DISCUSSING TODAY THE OTHER ISSUE OF OUR CHILDREN WITHOUT PLACEMENT, WHICH IS WHERE THESE KIDS COME FROM. THAT'S ANOTHER SYSTEM THAT IS INTEGRAL WITH THIS AND NEEDS A LOT OF ATTENTION AS WELL. THIS IS THE ACTIVITY IN BEXAR COUNTY INCLUDING YEAR-TO-DATE THAT SHOWS THE INTAKES ARE INCREASING, WHICH IS CONCERNING. HOWEVER, THE GOOD NEWS IS THE REMOVAL RATE, AGAIN, DECLINING AS IS THE INVESTIGATION RATES. THERE'S A LOT GOING ON WITH THIS DATA, BUT JUST TO SHOW YOU THE LEVEL OF ACTIVITY THAT CPS AND CPI ARE INVOLVED IN, IN BEXAR COUNTY. THIS IS THE AVERAGE CASELOAD PER CASEWORKER BY UNIT. THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD NEWS STORY. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE ACCOUNTING GOT INVOLVED IN FUNDING FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES AT ALL WAS THE IDEA THAT THE OTHER CASEWORKERS HAD VERY HIGH CASELOADS, WHICH MEANS IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO PROVIDE PROPER SERVICES TO THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE THE NEED AND THAT PUTS THE CHILDREN AT GREATER RISK. THE COUNTY UNITS WERE LIMITED TO 25 OR LESS CASES PER CASEWORKER. YOU CAN SEE IN THE YELLOW LINE THAT OURS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BELOW, THEY'VE ALWAYS MET THAT METRIC, THEY'VE ALWAYS HAD BELOW 25. BUT CURRENTLY, IT'S REALLY A DECLINE, AND SO THE AVERAGE CASELOAD PER CASEWORKER NOW IS IN THE 5, 6, 7, 8 RANGE, SO DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT. CPS HAS MADE A LOT OF CHANGES AND OFFERED A LOT OF OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES. AGAIN, THAT ALLOWS THESE CASEWORKERS MORE TIME TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES TO THESE FAMILIES AND WE EXPECT BETTER OUTCOMES AS A RESULT. OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE FY '21/'22 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2022, AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023 IN THE AMOUNTS LISTED FROM THE GENERAL FUND. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, WE ARE EVALUATING WITH THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD WHAT WE WILL DO IN THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, BUT IT'S OUR INTENTION AT THE MOMENT TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THIS CONTRACT AT THIS OR SOME LEVEL. >> IS IT THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD, THEY NORMALLY COME WITH YOU GUYS AND PRESENT, IS NO ONE HERE TODAY? >> THEY DO. THOSE WHO ARE NORMALLY HERE, AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE BUSY, COMMISSIONER, THEY JUST WERE NOT AVAILABLE TODAY AND THEY, I'M SURE, WOULD SEND THEIR REGRETS IF THEY WERE HERE. >> IS THERE ANY EVALUATION OR NUMBERS WE HAVE ABOUT THE FUNDING THAT WE GIVE TO CPS AND HOW THAT'S AFFECTED, OR HELPED, OR NOT? WHO ARE THE PEOPLE FROM CPS? CAN YOU GUESS? WHO ARE YOU WITH, MEL? >> SHE'S A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICE PROGRAM. >> DO WE HAVE ANY EVALUATIONS, OR STATISTICS ON THE MONEY THAT WE GIVE, AND HOW THAT HELPS? >> THE OUTCOMES. AS MR. MARQUEZ MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO LOWER OUR WORKLOADS THROUGH POLICY CHANGES, LIKE CONCURRENT STAGES. WE HAVE A VERY TENURED WORKFORCE, SO WE'RE ABLE TO ASSESS THE FAMILIES SOONER NOW AND UNABLE TO BRING THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE NEEDING THE SERVICES INTO OUR PROGRAM. OUR CASELOADS ARE LOWER, SO WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE QUALITY SERVICES. WE'VE HAD BETTER OUTCOMES, I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT 5% OF OUR REMOVAL RATE FROM OUR FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES, ABOUT 5-6%. WE'RE WORKING MORE ON THE PREVENTION SIDE WITH THESE FAMILIES AND KEEPING CHILDREN OUT OF THE SYSTEM. >> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> NO. >> I'M JUST TALKING TO THE CPS STAFF RIGHT NOW. >> LIKE MR. MARQUEZ SAYS, THERE IS A PERFORMANCE REPORT THAT WAS TURNED INTO THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD. >> CAN YOU SPEAK INTO THE MIC? >> I'M SORRY. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? THERE IS A PERFORMANCE REPORT THAT OUR DEPARTMENT PRESENTS TO THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD, I THINK IT'S MONTHLY, BUT WE MEET QUARTERLY. IT GOES OVER STATS IN TERMS OF RETENTION, IN TERMS OF THE CHILDREN. WE TALK ABOUT 5-7, 8 CASES, BUT YOU KNOW OUR DEMOGRAPHICS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO HAVE LARGE FAMILIES, SO THAT COULD EQUAL 35 CHILDREN VERY EASILY. IT TALKS ABOUT EACH CHILD AND HOW MANY CHILDREN EACH WORKER IS SERVING, WHAT THE OUTCOMES ARE, WHAT THE REMOVAL RATES ARE. I CAN'T THINK OF TOP MY HEAD WHO ELSE WAS THERE. >> YOU'RE SAYING YOU PRESENT THAT TO THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD FOUR TIMES A YEAR? >> I'M SORRY. >> DID YOU SAY YOU PRESENT THAT TO THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD FOUR TIMES A YEAR? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? YOU SAY QUARTERLY? >> YES, IT'S PART OF THE CONTRACT TO TURN IN A PERFORMANCE REPORT. YES, THERE IS ONE MONTHLY, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S TURNED IN QUARTERLY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> I KNOW THIS ISN'T WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. BUT CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CHILDREN WITHOUT PLACEMENT BECAUSE [02:35:01] SEVERAL STAFF FROM CPS REQUESTED A MEETING WITH ME LAST YEAR AND THEY HAD A LOT OF CONCERNS. WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT? >> WE HAVE LOWERED NUMBERS. AGAIN, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO BUILD CAPACITY FROM THE STATE OFFICE LEVEL. HERE LOCALLY, I'M TRYING TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS AS ANY REGIONAL DIRECTOR PARTNERING WITH MY SSCC PARTNER [INAUDIBLE] AND BELONG TO TRY TO MAXIMIZE THE CAPACITY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN BEXAR COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. WE HAD HIGH NUMBERS ABOUT LAST YEAR OR TWO YEARS AGO, WE WOULD HOVER IN THE 30S, INTO THE MID-20S. NOW, AS OF LAST NIGHT, I BELIEVE, THERE WAS ABOUT 14, AND WE'RE TYPICALLY BETWEEN >> FOURTEEN WHERE? HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY? >> FOURTEEN CHILDREN, YES. WE'RE BETWEEN 9-14 ANY GIVEN DAY. BUT WE DEFINITELY STRIVE TO HAVE NONE. >> WHERE THOSE 14 CHILDREN SLEEPING? >> THEY'RE STAYING IN HOTELS IN OUR SAN ANTONIO AREA. >> OKAY. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. >> YES COMMISSIONER KELLER. >> A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS. I'D LIKE TO SEE IF THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CAN MAKE A CALENDAR OF ALL THE COUNTY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. THINGS LIKE THE FILM FESTIVAL, AND PROVIDE THOSE TO THE YOUTH AND THE FAMILIES AS PARTICIPANTS AND MAKE ROOM FOR THEM AT SOME OF THESE, AT ALL OF THESE PARTICULAR PROGRAMS THAT BEXAR COUNTY HAS. I THINK THIS COHORT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES NEEDS EXPOSURE AND SUPPORT. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO THINK ABOUT GOING FORWARD, IS HOW CAN WE AT THE AGE OF 14, GET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN JOB POTENTIAL PROGRAMS? I KNOW THAT LOUIS BARRIOS HAS MENTIONED TO ME THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS HAS A LOT OF TEENAGERS AS WELL AS FOSTER CHILDREN THAT ARE SUPPORTED AND IT MAY BE A WISE MOVE FOR THE COUNTY TO HELP SUPPORT INTERNSHIPS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES, PARTICULARLY FOR THESE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. BECAUSE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY, THE POVERTY, IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING. WHAT WE HAVE IN BEXAR COUNTY ARE THE MOST UNINVOLVED YOUTH IN THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS. THEY'RE NOT IN SPORTS, ARTS, JOBS, ANYTHING. SO IF WE CAN EXPOSE THIS COHORT OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT BEXAR COUNTY IS DOING. I WANT US TO THINK DEEPLY ABOUT THIS. FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE OUR AGEXTENSION SERVICE AND WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING, WELL WE ARE ABOUT A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AWAY FROM THE URBAN FARM. THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE THERE WITH OUR TEXAS AGRILIFE CURRICULUM AND MAYBE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT SETTING ASIDE SOME CLASS MONIES FOR PARTICULAR CLASSES FOR THIS COHORT OF CHILDREN AS WELL. I KNOW THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD HAS SOME FUNDS THAT WE HELP GIVE THAT ARE DISCRETIONARY FOR THESE KINDS OF THINGS. BUT I THINK THOSE ARE IMPORTANT DOT CONNECTORS. SOMETIMES WE'RE DOING A LOT AND IN SILOS. I WANT TO OFFER THAT AS A WAY TO CONNECT SOME DOTS AND HOPEFULLY INSPIRE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEE MORE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND GIVE FAMILIES A LITTLE HOPE THAT THEIR KID, A LOT OF FAMILIES JUST FEEL LIKE THE CAN'T AFFORD. OH, IT'S TRUE THEY CAN'T AFFORD A LOT OF, I MEAN IT'S EXPENSIVE TO HAVE A CHILD TODAY, AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE. A LOT OF THINGS THE COUNTY DOES ARE FREE OF CHARGE. IF THEY'RE NOT, THEN WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT MAKING THAT HAPPEN. OKAY. JUST A THOUGHT. >> WE'RE COMING UP ON THE GRADUATION FOR THOSE KIDS THAT ARE EXITING FOSTER AND GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEY GO THROUGH THE PREPARATION FOR ADULT LIVING PROGRAM. BUT MY STAFF HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH THAT FOR THE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN THERE AND THEN BEFORE THAT AS WELL AS CHILD WELFARE BOARD. IT'S MY HOPE COMMISSIONER, TO REALLY RECRUIT FROM THAT COHORT. THAT'S A LOT OF IT'S FOCUSED ON COLLEGE AND CERTAINLY COLLEGES FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND FOR WHOM THEIR CAREER PATHWAY INVOLVES COLLEGE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. BUT WE SEE THEM ALSO AS A GREAT RECRUITING GROUND FOR THE TRADES AND THESE ARE AMAZING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PAL PROGRAM. IT'S A REAL TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT THE PAL TEAM DOES THAT WORKS FOR LEDI AS WELL. THERE ARE THINGS WE WANT TO DO, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE WILL EVER BE ENOUGH THAT WE CAN DO TO BETTER INTEGRATE THE SERVICES WE'RE ALREADY PAYING FOR WITH THOSE AREAS IN THOSE SPECIAL POPULATIONS. THAT'S BEEN ONE OF MY OBJECTIVES FROM THE BEGINNING. YES, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY >> DAVID, JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT DATA IN THIS PRESENTATION. BUT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ACTUAL CONTRACT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS FY AND NOT TO EXCEED THE 2.2 MILLION. [02:40:02] WHAT DID WE SPEND LAST FY ON THE PROGRAM? JUST TRYING TO LOOK AT YEAR OVER YEAR. [BACKGROUND] >> I DON'T KNOW THE, LET ME LOOK NOT SURE. FORGIVE ME. >> SORRY. I WAS JUST LOOKING AT SLIDES 2 YOU AND I WAS LOOKING AT THE YEARS, BUT THAT WAS LOOKING BACK AT THE CONTRACT BACKGROUND AND EVERYTHING SO I DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS AMENDMENT WAS CONSISTENT. >> I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF 2.2 IS THE RIGHT NUMBER. [OVERLAPPING] >> ITS 1.1 >> YEAH. I THINK IT'S ONE POINT. >> YOU YOU CAN SPEAK TOO. >> I'M SORRY. DAVID, WHAT'S HER NAME? >> I'M SORRY. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> ASHLEY. >> ASHLEY YOU CAN SPEAK TOO IF YOU HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE ON THE QUESTION. >> HI, I'M SORRY. I DON'T USUALLY LIKE TO DO THE CONTRACT SPEAKING. WE EXTENDED AN AMENDED THE CONTRACT TO INCLUDE TWO CONTRACT YEARS, SO IN TOTAL, IT'S AMENDED TO EXTEND BOTH THE TIME PERIOD AND INCLUDE TWO CONTRACT TERMS, WHICH IS DOLLAR AMOUNTS. THE CONTRACT IS FUNDED AT A LEVEL AMOUNT WHICH WOULD BE THE 1.138, WHICH IS TO DO CONTRACT TERMS AND THEY USUALLY DO A FULL 100% DRAWDOWN. LAST CONTRACT YEAR WAS 1.138. THIS CONTRACT YEAR WOULD BE 1.138 AND THEY TYPICALLY DO 100% DRAWDOWN. WHEN WE DO THE CONTRACT DOLLAR AMOUNT, THE GUIDANCE WE GET FROM THE DA'S OFFICE IS ADD LAST YEAR'S CONTRACT AMOUNT TO THIS CONTRACT AMOUNT AND THE TOTAL OF THE FY21-22 AMENDED CONTRACT AMOUNT TO INCLUDE THIS CONTRACT AMOUNT WOULD BE THE TWO POINT. >> OKAY. >> IT'S A CUMULATIVE CONTRACT AMOUNT. >> THIS FY, THE AMENDMENT IS TO HAVE THE SAME SPENT THIS FY AS WE HAD LAST FY. >> CORRECT. >> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING AT THE YEARS HERE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A TYPO, BUT IT WAS FY18-19. BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING FOR LAST FY, SO I APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION. REALLY QUICKLY THE INVESTIGATION CASELOAD VERSUS THE FBSS CASELOAD AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT. BUT HELPED ME THINK ABOUT, ARE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTING BOTH OF THOSE? THE INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CASES WITHIN FBSS ARE THOSE SEPARATE GROUPS OF STAFFING? >> THEY ARE STAFFING. >> WHAT NUMBER SHOULD WE SHOULD BE SHOOTING FOR IN TERMS OF LIKE A CASELOAD THAT'S MANAGEABLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING THE SUPPORT THAT NEEDED? >> THEY ARE SEPARATE. WERE TWO SEPARATE DIVISION, CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATION AND CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES HAS THE ONGOING STAGES WHICH IS FAMILY-BASED IN YOUR CONSERVATORSHIP. THE LVV HAS WE WENT FROM NINE TO 11. THAT'S THE CASE SIZES FOR FAMILY-BASED SAFETY SERVICES. AS STACY MENTIONED EARLIER. THAT IS WE COUNT PER FAMILY VERSUS AND CONSERVATORSHIP WE COUNT PER CHILD. ANY GIVEN TIME, SIX FAMILIES CAN EQUAL 20, 30 KIDS THAT WE'RE SERVING. WE HAVE LARGE SIBLING GROUPS IN BEXAR COUNTY. >> WHAT IN YOUR MIND IS THE RIGHT CASELOAD FOR THE INVESTIGATIONS PERSONNEL AND ALSO FOR THE FPSS? >> FOR INVESTIGATION I DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE ON THE INVESTIGATIVE PIECE OF IT, THAT ONE MY COLLEAGUE MICHELLE CAN HANDLE BUT FOR FPSS, I WOULD SAY BETWEEN NINE AND 11. >> WE'RE ACTUALLY BELOW THAT RIGHT NOW? >> WE ARE. >> JUST SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PROPERLY STAFF, BUT WE'RE NOT OVERSTAFFING EITHER FOR THE CASELOAD THAT WE HAVE. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. >> WELL, LET ME SAY I HAVE HOPEFULLY THE FINAL WORD BEFORE WE TAKE UP THE VOTE. OBVIOUSLY, MR. LOZANO AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, I DON'T KNOW IF THE POLLOK IS AWARE NOR COMMISSIONERS THAT WE WILL PROBABLY GO BACK INTO AS THE LEGISLATURE HAS DICTATED TO COMMUNITY-BASED CARE, CBC, WHICH HAS BEEN TRIED AND HAS FAILED. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IT COULD BE COMING IMMINENTLY WITH NEW PROVIDERS. I THINK MR. MARQUEZ AND THE DEPARTMENT, WE NEED TO HAVE JUST A HEART-TO-HEART TALK, AS TO WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. BECAUSE IN ESSENCE SO THAT THE COMMISSIONERS UNDERSTAND, I'LL USE THE WORD THAT PERHAPS NOBODY WANTS TO USE, THAT'S THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. MUCH OF THE FUNCTIONS, AND I THINK THERE WAS DISCUSSION OF WHERE FAMILY-BASED WAS GOING TO BE PLACED IN. WHETHER IT WAS GOING TO MOVE OVER TO [02:45:03] THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR WHETHER IT REMAINED WITH THE DEPARTMENTS. MR. LOZANO, I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR TABLE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, THE DEPARTMENT, AND OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AS TO HOW WE CAN MOST EFFECTIVELY USE THE COUNTY MONEY TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NEAR AND DEAR TO WHAT I'VE DONE IN MY ENTIRE CAREER. MR. MARQUEZ, DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING CLOSING? >> NO JUDGE. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, AND AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO HAVE OUR CHILD WELFARE BOARD MEMBER HERE. BUT LIKE THE JOINT COMMISSION, I ALWAYS WANT TO EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL I AM THAT YOU ALL HAVE REALLY GIVEN US GREAT BOARD MEMBERS TO WORK WITH. IT'S NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE, BUT IT IS THE CASE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND IT MAKES A GIGANTIC DIFFERENCE. ASHLEY, LORIENA, AND NICOLE ARE MY TEAM ARE THE ONES THAT PROVIDE THAT STAFF SUPPORT AS WELL. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD. >> IS THERE A MOTION? >> I HAVE ONE LAST POINT, JUDGE. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES ISN'T HERE, BUT THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD SEES THE REPORT BI-MONTHLY, EVERY OTHER MONTH. WE'RE MEETING NOW, IT WAS QUARTERLY, BUT BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD, THEY MOVED TO A MEETING EVERY OTHER MONTH AND THEY LOOK AT THAT REPORT AND I'LL BE GLAD TO GET EACH OF YOUR OFFICES A COPY OF THE CURRENT ONE. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION MOVED. >> MOTION BY MR. RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. LET ME ALERT EVERYBODY. I HAVE GET SOME COMMISSIONERS SAYING THAT WE CAN MAYBE PUSH THROUGH, AND I'M JUST GOING TO WARN THEM. AT SOME POINT, IF WE'RE NOT PUSHING THROUGH, I WILL BE TAKING A BREAK. BUT RIGHT NOW, WE ARE PUSHING THROUGH. I'VE BEEN ASSURED THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE OUR AGENDA AND WOULD DO TIMES. LET US GO WITH ITEMS 63. [63. Ratification of seven (7) delivery order purchase orders to SAT Radio Communications, LTD dba Industrial Communications (SBE) for the purchase of installation and removal of vehicle decals and equipment in the combined amount of $87,074.52, as requested by County Offices and Departments; allowing for future purchase orders in FY23, through the use of BuyBoard contract #696-23; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file the appropriate award documents for record.] RATIFICATION OF SEVEN DELIVERY ORDER PURCHASE ORDERS TO SAT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, LTD DBA INDUSTRIAL COMMUNICATIONS, SBE, FOR THE PURCHASE OF INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF VEHICLE DECALS AND EQUIPMENT, IN THE COMBINED AMOUNT OF $87,074.52 AS REQUESTED BY COUNTY OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS, ALLOWING FOR FUTURE PURCHASE ORDERS IN FISCAL YEAR 23. THROUGH THE USE OF THE BUYBOARD CONTRACT NUMBER 696-23, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD. MS. TORRES? >> GOOD MORNING. PATRICIA TORRES, PURCHASING AGENT. YES. ACTION IS REQUIRED ON ITEMS 63 AND 64 REQUESTING FORMAL CONSENT PER ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY A0.1. RATIFICATION AGENDA SERVES TWO PURPOSES. ONE, TO INFORM COURT OF WHEN AGGREGATE SPENT WITH A SINGLE VENDOR MEETS OR EXCEEDS 50,000. TWO, TO OBTAIN COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PURCHASE THAT MEETS AND EXCEEDS 50,000. >> ANY DISCUSSION COMMISSIONER CALVERT? >> NO. I JUST WANTED TO THE FOLKS UP IN THE BOOTH. IF YOU COULD TURN UP THE VOLUME JUST A LITTLE BIT. COMMISSIONER MOODY AND I WOULD JUST COMMENT, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HARD TIME HEARING TODAY. JUST A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU. >> ANY DISCUSSIONS ON ITEM 63? IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION MOVED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 64, RATIFICATION OF FIVE DELIVERY ORDER PURCHASE ORDERS TO DAYBREAK LED, [64. Ratification of five (5) delivery order purchase orders to Daybreak LED, LLC for the LED lighting retrofitting, repair, installation, and upgrade project at various County facilities, in the combined amount of $118,714.85; allowing for future purchase orders throughout FY23, as requested by the Facilities Management Department; through the use of Buyboard Cooperative Contract #677-22; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file the appropriate award documents for record.] LLC FOR THE LED LIGHTING, RETROFITTING, REPAIR, INSTALLATION, AND UPGRADE PROJECT AT VARIOUS COUNTY FACILITIES IN THE COMBINED AMOUNT OF $118,714.85 CENTS ALLOWING FOR FUTURE PURCHASE ORDERS THROUGHOUT FY23 AS REQUESTED BY THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE USE OF BUYBOARD COOPERATIVE CONTRACT NUMBER 677-22, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD. MS.TORRES >> THANK YOU. THE SAME FOR ITEM 64 IS RATIFICATION OF AGENDA SERVES THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING TO THE COURT EXCEEDED 50,000 AND OBTAIN REQUEST FOR FORMAL CONSENT PER ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY A0.1. >> WHY IS IT RATIFICATION? >> THAT'S ALREADY BEEN SPENT? YES. PER POLICY A0.1, I MUST BRING ITEMS. EACH ORDER IS BROUGHT TO US INDIVIDUALLY. FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE PREVIOUS OTHER PURCHASE ORDERS [02:50:01] WERE ISSUED UNDER THE 5,000 THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT TO US, WE FOUND IT THROUGH BUYBOARD AND DUE TO THE URGENT NEED FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE PARKING GARAGE, WE ISSUED THE PURCHASE ORDER BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL DUE TO THE NEED. SINCE IT WENT THROUGH BUYBOARD, THAT WAS ALLOWED. NOW I MUST BRING IT TO COURT. >> I'M JUST WONDERING WHY IT'S NOT BROUGHT BEFORE AND HAS TO BE A RATIFICATION. BUT YOU'RE SAYING BECAUSE OF THE TIME-SENSITIVE ALL THESE ARE TAKEN CARE OF. >> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE. FOR COMMISSIONER. >> WHAT I WAS ALSO ASKED WHEN I WAS BRIEFING THE COURT ON THESE ITEMS. WHAT'S THE POINT OF LETTER OF APPLICATION? >> WE'VE SOMEBODY. >> IF THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN PURCHASED? >> YES. IT'S PER ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 8.1 AND IT WENT OVER THE 50. >> THAT'S WHERE INDIVIDUAL PURCHASES. >> IN AGGREGATE. IT'S BOTH ACTUALLY. >> DAVID, I ASKED FOR A MEETING WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. >> OKAY. >> THIS IS WHAT MS. TORRES EXPLAINED TO ME. MS. TORRES NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHETHER WHAT I SAID IS CORRECT. APPARENTLY BECAUSE THERE'S, AND COMMISSIONER [INAUDIBLE] YOU ARE CORRECT. THERE'S PRIOR COURT APPROVAL FOR THE SPECIFIC CONTRACTS. APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF THE WAY DEPARTMENTS PRESSURE THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. SHE BASICALLY GETS THE CONTRACTS, GET THEM THROUGH, AND THEY GET PAID. THEN SHE IS THIS BRINGING BACK THESE ITEMS BACK. I QUESTION WHETHER WE HAD TO DO IT. ONE OF THE CONTRACTS IS OVER 100,000, I BELIEVE. >> YES. >> WE MAY HAVE TO DO THAT IN LIGHT OF THE OPEN BIDDING PROCESS. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING, AND I THINK IN MY REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS, WHETHER WE NEED TO HAVE AND DO THAT AND LET THE PURCHASING AGENT BASICALLY DO WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO AND NOT ADD ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO THE AGENDA. I THINK SHE HAS EXPLAINED THAT AS A PRACTICE AND CUSTOM THAT SHE'S ALWAYS DONE. THAT'S WHAT SHE'S USED TO. IS THAT A CORRECT STATEMENT, MS. TORRES? >> CORRECT. >> LET ME DEFER A LITTLE BIT, JUDGE. LET ME JUST SEE IF I CAN UNDERSTAND. FACILITIES WHICH JUST GO TO THE MALL STREET PARKING, FACILITIES NEEDED LIGHTING. CORRECT AND THE CANAL STREET PARKING GARAGE? >> YES. >> YOU DIDN'T ASK FOR AN EXPEDITING OF THE LIGHTING FACILITIES TO IT. RIGHT?. >> RIGHT. THE REQUEST CAME IN THROUGH THE REQUISITION. AS WE EVALUATED OR REQUESTS AT THE SCOPE OF WORK AND AS IN CONVERSATIONS AND WAITING FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK, IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR DEPARTMENT THAT THE NEED OF THE LIGHTS WAS URGENT. THEN I REALIZED THAT DAYBREAK WAS ON A BI-BOARD OR A CO-OPS. WE DISCUSSED IT WITH THE FACILITIES TEAM. >> DAN, I SEE YOU COMING FORWARD. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE URGENT NATURE OF THE LIGHTING AT THE PARKING DIRECTIONS? WE'VE HAD THAT BUILDING VOTE FOR FOUR YEARS OR SO. >> FORGIVE ME. I DON'T WANT TO DIFFER FROM PATTY'S DESCRIPTION. HER JOB IS VERY DIFFICULT AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. WE SEND AN ORIGINAL REQUEST FOR HER TO RELEASE A SCOPE OF WORK FOR AN AFB FOR THE PARTICULAR GARAGE LIGHTING BECAUSE IT WAS A FUNDED PROJECT FOR US IN OCTOBER. >> WHEN IT'S AN ISP, THAT MEANS IT CAN BE PART OF A CO-OPERATIVE, CORRECT? >> WELL, SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER CO-OPS CAN BID ON OPEN MARKET BIDS, BUT AN IFP IS AN IMITATION FORBID, WHICH IS A. >> I'M SORRY, YEAH, THEN. >> BUT THE INFORMATION OUT TO THE STREET GET THE LOWEST PRICE WINS. THAT WAS [OVERLAPPING]. >> IT WAS A LOW BID, THAT WE [OVERLAPPING]. >> THAT WAS OUR APPROACH [OVERLAPPING]. IN DECEMBER WE REQUESTED THAT. BUT BECAUSE OF DELAYS AND CONSTRAINTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, I KNOW SHE'S OVERLOADED WITH WORK. IN FEBRUARY, WE FINALLY GOT A RESPONSE THAT SAID, HEY, WHERE'S THE SCOPE OF WORK WE'VE PROVIDED? AGAIN, WE DIDN'T CHOOSE A CO-OP ROUTE. I THINK THE PERSON, THE AGENT THOUGHT, SINCE IT WAS TOLD AID SO MUCH THAT IT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR US TO EXPEDITE THOSE THROUGH THE URGENT ISSUES OF CO-OP. I BELIEVE ORIGINALLY REQUESTED IT'D BE AN IFP. >> AT SOME POINT IT WAS FELT TO BE URGENT, LIKE YOU NEEDED TO GET THOSE LIGHTS. RIGHT? >> THOSE PROJECTS ARE FUNDED ANNUALLY. >> CORRECT. >> IF I DON'T SPEND THE MONEY IT'S LIKE A PUMPKIN. IT'S LIKE CINDERELLA, IT DISAPPEARS. IF IT TAKES SIX MONTHS TO BID SOMETHING, AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, WE HAVE TO GET THAT ON THE STREET SO I CAN AWARD AND DO THE WORK AND PAY THE BILL BEFORE SEPTEMBER. OUR CONSTRAINT WAS IN FEBRUARY WE WERE LIKE, HEY, WE NEED SIX MONTHS TO AWARD THIS CONTRACT FOR THIS LIGHTING PROJECT. WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THERE AND ACCOMPLISH THE WORK BY YEAR-END. WE ASKED FOR IT IN DECEMBER ORIGINALLY. AGAIN, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF MONTH DELAY IN THAT RELEASE OF THAT IFP. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HER, BUT THEY PIVOTED TO A CO-OP DELIVERY. AGAIN THE PO IS ISSUED, [02:55:02] THE LIGHTS HAVE ARRIVED, THE CONTRACTORS ALREADY DOING THE WORK. IT EXPEDITED PROCESS QUITE QUICKLY FOR US. BUT OUR SITUATIONS, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN TO USE A CO-OP AND WHEN NOT TO USE A CO-OP. >> WELL, LOOKING AT THE TIMELINE OF SIX-MONTH TIMELINE FROM FEBRUARY PUTS YOU AT AUGUST. YOU'RE IN A FISCAL YEAR SEPTEMBER 30TH. WAS THAT IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT? >> IT IS A TEAM PROJECT WHICH MEANS IT'S THE CASHMAN PROJECT THAT DOESN'T NEED TO GO OVER IN MULTIPLE FISCAL YEARS. IF I DON'T SPEND IT ON ONE YEAR, IT GETS GOBBLED UP IN THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE BUDGET. >> I'M ASKING AN OPERATIONAL QUESTION ABOUT WE HAVE LIGHTS AND THINGS THAT ARE COMMON. I WOULD THINK IN THE FACILITIES DEPARTMENT. DOES A TEMPLATE EXISTS THAT COULD FIT AND BE IN TO SAY, HEY. >> WE'VE ATTEMPTED TO DO BULKY LUMPING BEFORE. WE GO INTO A BUILDING AND CONVERT ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE. WE'VE TRIED THAT STRATEGY BEFORE. SOMETIMES IT'S A MORE CAPITAL OUTLAY THEN THAT'S REALLY NECESSARY. RIGHT NOW WE DO IT BY ATTRITION. EVERY TIME WE REPLACE BULBS, WE ACTUALLY REPLACE THEM WITH LED DRIVERS. EVERY NEW LIGHT WE DO SWITCHES TO LED. THESE LIGHT FIXTURES IN THE CANAL GARAGE HAD BEEN ON JUST FOR THE USE OF THE GARAGES 24/7 FACILITIES. THEY GET A LOT OF EXTRA WEAR AND TEAR ON THEM. SOME OF THEM HAD BEEN BURNT-OUT. WE WENT TO A HIGHER AND HIGHER EFFICIENCY LED FIXTURE. FOR THOSE PARTICULAR FIXTURES, AGAIN, WE'VE REQUESTED THAT PROJECT IN THE BUDGET. LAST FISCAL YEAR IT WAS FUNDED INSIDE OF OUR PARKING OPERATIONS BUDGET AND WE WERE EXECUTING THE CONTRACT THROUGH THAT GENERAL FUND. >> I WANT TO SAY THERE, BUT PATTY, I WANT TO ASK YOU TO SET UP LOGISTICAL QUESTION BECAUSE I'M PUTTING BACK MY ROLE AS A PURCHASING BOARD MEMBER AND I KNOW YOU PROPOSE A BUDGET TO US FOR STAFF. I THINK WE APPROVED SOME POSITIONS, BUT NOT ALL POSITIONS. >> RIGHT. >> YOU ALSO HAVE A STAFF ISSUE, I'M SURE IN TERMS OF THE CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH 30-SOME OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. >> CORRECT. >> HOW DOES THAT PLAY IN HOW WE STAFF YOUR DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF GETTING THESE THINGS FASTER? >> YES. IN THE CURRENT BUDGET THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, WHERE WE'RE WORKING ON ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL POSITIONS AS WELL SO WE COULD ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. BUT I DON'T WANT TO AIR OUT OUR DIRTY LAUNDRY TOO MUCH, BUT I DON'T AGREE WITH MR. CORY'S RESPONSE. I WAS PENDING THE SCOPE OF WORK FROM HIS DEPARTMENT. WHEN I FOLLOWED UP IN JANUARY AND ALSO IN FEBRUARY, I STILL DID NOT RECEIVE THE SCOPE OF WORK. THAT'S WHEN IT WAS COMMUNICATED TO ME THAT IT WAS URGENT NEED. THEY NEVER SENT ME THE SCOPE OF WORK. >> THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ABOUT THE FACTS ON THAT PARTICULAR CASE. IN MY OPINION, JUDGE, WHEN IT COMES TO EXPENDITURES AND OVERSIGHT IN THE COURT, THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE COURT TO CONTINUE TO OVERSEE, AND I THINK SOME OF IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE STATUTORY. MAYBE SOME OF US ARE DISCRETIONARY BASED UPON POLICIES, BUT MY RECOLLECTION OF PROCUREMENT LAWS, THE STATE OF TEXAS REQUIRES A LOT OF THIS OVERSIGHT. THESE KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS CAN HELP US IN THE BUDGETING AND THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION. IT DOES RAISE RED FLAGS FOR ME WHEN I SEE A SIX-FIGURE RATIFICATION OF BUDGETARY ITEM, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF IT. BUT I THINK THAT SYSTEM MANAGEMENT, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, CONTRACT MANAGEMENT IS A PROBLEM ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS. IF I WERE WAVING AN IMAGINARY WANT, FOR EXAMPLE OF NEEDS FOR MOVING PROCUREMENT FORWARD, FRANKLY I WOULD GIVE EACH MEMBER OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT A CIVIL ATTORNEY TO ASSIST THE CIVIL DIVISION WITH SO MANY OF THE CONTRACTS THAT GO OUT WITH PARTICULAR NEEDS WITH THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING AND THE OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING BECAUSE WE FIND COMPLAINTS FROM OUTSIDE AGENCIES ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THEIR CONTRACT DONE AND IT'S HELD UP. USUALLY, DA'S OFFICE COULD BE THE DEPARTMENT. BUT THAT STAFFING LEVEL MAY HELP EXPEDITE SOME THINGS BECAUSE THEY'RE CLOGGED. THERE ARE MANY AREAS THAT ARE CLOGGED IN TERMS OF PROCUREMENT AND PURCHASING. >> CORRECT. >> I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT SOME OF THESE THINGS. THEY DID HAVE RARE. THIS IS REALLY RARE FOR US TO HAVE A RATIFICATION. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT MY INSIGHT ON THIS, BUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, IT IS WHAT IT IS. WE'LL JUST MOVE ON. WE'VE GOT TO PROVE IT. >> LET ME MAKE SOME COMMENTS, PATRICIA. >> YES SIR. >> THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH ME AND MY TEAM. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S BEEN INSTRUCTION OVER TO THE COUNTY MANAGER [03:00:01] FOR BUDGET OFFICE TO EVALUATE ALL THE OPERATIONS. I THINK DAVID, YOU HAVE INDICATED THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND JUST SEEING HOW THESE PURCHASE ORDERS AND PROCESSES. THE DEEPER DIVE COMMISSIONER COVERED AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP IN OUR CONVERSATION WAS THE MANDATE WE HAVE TO HELP SMALL WOMEN, MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY LOCAL. I WANT TO SEE THAT INCORPORATED. IT'S NOT THAT WE NEED TO PROVE EVERY CONTRACT. LAW GIVES US UP TO 50,000, GIVES IT TO. BUT I THINK AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, WE NEED AN ANALYSIS OF WHERE THESE CONTRACTS ARE GOING AND HOW THEY'RE AWARDED. BASICALLY IT'S A GRADING OF THE PURCHASING AGENT. I ALSO REMIND THAT WE HAVE TWO COMMISSIONERS ALONG WITH THREE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES THAT CONSIST OF PURCHASING BOARD THAT HIRE OR FIRE THE PURCHASING AGENT. COMMISSIONER CALVERT, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, I BELIEVE, AND I'M GOING TO DESIGNATE Y'ALL TO PLEASE WORK WITH OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE, SEE WHERE THE OBSTACLES ARE, THE CLOCK SO TO SPEAK. LET'S GET THIS PROCESS MOVING AND LET'S ALSO SEE THAT WE'RE COMMITTING TO THE MANDATES THAT WE HAVE, ESPECIALLY TO SWIM BE AND ALL THOSE ISSUES. I THINK IT'S UNFAIR RIGHT NOW TO ASK MS. TORRES TO FIX IT. SHE NEEDS HELP AND WE ALSO NEED THE DEPARTMENTS TO UNDERSTAND. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BECOME ALERT. WE DON'T NEED TO DO THINGS AT THE LAST MINUTE SO THAT EVERYBODY HAS TO GO INTO A CRISIS MANAGEMENT TO MOVE THINGS. LET'S BE MORE METHODICAL, MORE DELIBERATE, AND LET US MAKE THE PROCESS MORE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. THAT'S MY WISH AND DIRECTIVE TO EVERYONE IN THE ROOM. >> TO HELP YOU WITH THAT MANDATE, I THINK FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE AWARD A SEPTEMBER 15TH, WE PROVE OUR BUDGET. I THINK THE COUNTY MANAGER, DAVID, I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DO SOME ANALYSIS OF HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE COUNTY TO DEVELOP CONTRACTS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES NINE MONTHS. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE BUDGETING, I THINK THAT 45-60 DAYS SHOULD BE A PRETTY GOOD CONCENTRATED TIME TO GET THE CONTRACTS AND BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY NOT NECESSARILY BEING FAIR TO THE AWARDEES IF WE GET THEIR CONTRACT SIGN 6-9 MONTHS LATER, AND THEN THEY'VE GOT TO DO WHAT THE COURT EXPECTED AS A YEAR OF WORK IN THREE MONTHS OR SIX MONTHS. WE NEED TO LOOK AT AN EFFICIENCY OF MAYBE THERE'S MANPOWER NEEDS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS THAT WE COULD HAVE RECOMMENDED TO US IN THIS BUDGET SO THAT THE AWARD IS ACTUALLY WE CAN FULFILL THE FULL YEAR AND THE WORKING. SOMETIMES IT SURPRISES ME. I'M LIKE, OH MY GOD, YOU DIDN'T HAVE YOUR CONTRACT DONE? I HAD NO IDEA AND THEN WE HAVE TO COME IN AND TRY TO GET EVERYBODY CONVENED. BUT THAT IS PROBABLY A STAFFING ISSUE ACROSS MULTIPLE PARTS AND SOME CONTRACT ASSISTANCE WOULD I THINK HELP FOR A VARIETY OF DEPARTMENTS. JUST A THOUGHT. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. SECOND BY QUESTION CALVERT, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING, AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, MS. DORIS. ITEM 65, [65. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Bexar County's Legislative Program and the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature.] DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE BEXAR COUNTY LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, THE NEA SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, MS. SHANNON. IS IT GOOD MORNING OR GOOD AFTERNOON NOW? >> IT IS AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. YOU WANT THE GREAT NEWS, THE GOOD NEWS, I'M JUST SO EXCITED TO BRING GOOD NEWS. THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET HAS BEEN MEETING AND THEY FINALLY RELEASED SOME DOCUMENTS YESTERDAY. THERE IS $15 MILLION INCLUDED IN THE HHSC BUDGET THEY'RE NOT DIRECTING [NOISE] IT TO BEXAR COUNTY, BUT $15 MILLION TO REUSE THE ALAMO FACILITY AT THE STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS. IT'S BASICALLY OUR IDEA AND THEY'RE PROVIDING $15 MILLION FOR IT. I KNOW THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE HOPING FOR, THE MONEY IS NOT COMING DIRECTLY TO US FOR THOSE MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS BUT I THINK HHSC REALIZED THAT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA, AND THEY HAVE LOBBIED FOR FUNDING AND THAT IS STILL IN THE BUDGET AS OF NOW. [03:05:05] >> DO WE KNOW WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING? >> IT'S BEING ALLOCATED TOWARDS THE ALAMO FACILITY FOR THE MAXIMUM SECURITY BED. >> OUR FACILITY, WHERE'S THAT? >> THAT'S THE FACILITY AT THE STATE HOSPITAL THAT WE HAD SUGGESTED THAT WE WOULD RELEASE. >> IS IT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IN BEXAR COUNTY? >> YES, MA'AM. YES. I'M SORRY. >> WE ARE GETTING IT THEN. >> THERE IS $15 MILLION ALLOCATED OF THE $25 MILLION THAT WE HAD ASKED FOR TO COME TO BEXAR COUNTY. >> BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET 15? >> THE HHSC IS GETTING 15. >> THAT'S GREAT. WONDERFUL. ABSOLUTELY. >> THAT'S A HUGE WIN. >> IT IS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THAT'S SOME GREAT NEWS SO THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THAT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU MOST RECENTLY WROTE SOME LETTERS TO, I THINK THE SENATE SIDE. EVERY BIT OF THAT HAS HELPED SO THANK YOU ALL. IT'S NOT OVER YET SO DON'T COUNT THAT MONEY BUT IT'S A GOOD ONE. SOME OF THE OTHER BILLS THAT I AM MONITORING FOR THE COUNTY, HB2 IS STILL IN PLAY. THAT'S THE ONE WITH THE 5% APPRAISAL CAP, IT STALLED OUT. IT'S A HOUSE BILL THAT HAS GONE OVER TO THE SENATE. IT STALLED OUT NOW IN THE SENATE, THE COMMITTEE THAT IT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO ACTUALLY MET YESTERDAY OR TODAY. I FORGET. THERE HAS BEEN A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THAT COMMITTEE AND THAT BILL WASN'T ON THAT COMMITTEE SO THAT'S VERY TELLING ON THAT ONE. SP3 IS THE SENATE SIDE OF THE FIGHT BETWEEN THOSE TWO FIGHTS. THAT'S A BETANCOURT BILL AND THAT IS THE ONE WHERE THEY WANTED INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. THAT ONE SAME BOAT. IT CAME OVER TO THE HOUSE, IT'S A SENATE BILL, CAME OVER TO THE HOUSE. HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS MET YESTERDAY, AND THAT BILL WAS NOT HEARD YESTERDAY, SO THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME ON THAT ONE. >> LET ME JUST PASS THIS PROLOGUE, THIS REMINDS ME OF THE PROBABLY 2017 IMPASSE THAT HAPPENED AROUND SCHOOL FUNDING AND PROPERTY TAXES. DOES THAT MEAN THIS ISSUE MAY BE BROUGHT FOR A SPECIAL SESSION? >> IT COULD, YES, SIR, DEPENDS ON HOW STRONGLY THE REPUBLICANS FEEL ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IT'S ULTIMATELY GOVERNOR ABBOTT CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION. NOW THE LATEST NEWS OUT IS THE BIG PUSH FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN THE SCHOOL VOUCHER AND RECENTLY, WE HADN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION AND JUST YESTERDAY BECAUSE WE'D HEARD SPECIAL SESSION EARLY ON FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. BUT THEN JUST YESTERDAY, THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED THAT HE MIGHT CALL A SPECIAL SESSION FOR VOUCHERS IF THEY DON'T PUSH TO TRY AND GET SOMETHING DONE THIS SESSION. THAT'S THE ONLY THING I'VE HEARD ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION IS IN RELATION TO VOUCHERS AT THE MOMENT. THEN GETTING TO THE BILLS THAT WE HAD DIRECTLY BEEN PUSHING FOR ONE OF OUR BILLS WAS THE ADDITIONAL $10 REGISTRATION FEE, SO WE COULD RAISE MONEY FOR THE RMA TO PUT AN ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE. OUR BILL THAT WE HAD ASKED TO BE FILED DIDN'T MAKE IT, BUT THE EL PASO BILL WAS MOVING SO I ASKED FOR AMENDMENT. I ASKED THAT REPRESENTATIVE IF WE COULD AMEND ONTO HER BILL AND REPRESENTATIVE LU HAN FILED AN AMENDMENT FOR US. THAT BILL HAS NOW MOVED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND IT'S OVER IN THE SENATE AND I THINK IT'S PROBABLY AS FAR AS WE CAN GO. THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DOES NOT LIKE ANY OF THOSE VEHICLE REGISTRATION BILLS. I DON'T KNOW WHY HE DOESN'T. THE ONLY THING I CAN GATHER IS IT GOES BACK TO MOST OF THE RMAS DO TOLLS AND THERE'S A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT DO NOT LIKE TOLLING AUTHORITY SO THEY ALWAYS WRAP OUR RMA INTO THAT GROUP AND IT'S A CONSTANT EDUCATION THAT WE'RE, THIS IS NOT TOLLING, IT'S STRICTLY TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE VOTERS. >> MELISSA, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. MY RECOLLECTION WHEN WE DID THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE AGENDA WAS THAT BECAUSE I'M AGAINST AN INCREASE IN THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION. I AM PROUD TO SAY I STAND WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON THAT AND SO [LAUGHTER] ANY EVENT, MAYBE THE LAST TIME, BUT ANYWAY. BUT DIDN'T WE HAVE A SPLIT VOTE ON THAT? I'M WONDERING WHY ARE WE TRYING TO GET AMENDMENTS WHEN WE WEREN'T UNANIMOUS ON THAT? >> BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DIRECTION THIS COURT GAVE ME. [03:10:01] THAT WAS ALWAYS MY STANCE, WAS I WOULDN'T PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA IF WE DIDN'T HAVE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AND Y'ALL OVERRULE THAT. >> NO, BECAUSE IF IT PASS, IT HAS TO GO TO THE CONSTITUENTS TO VOTE ON IN ANY WAY SO THAT'S WHY WE APPROVED IT. BECAUSE THE CONSTITUENTS VOTE ON. >> THERE WERE TWO OR THREE ITEMS WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE 5, 0 AND THEY'RE STILL ON THE PROGRAM. YES, SIR. >> I DON'T REMEMBER THAT, BUT I BELIEVE YOU. SORRY. >> NEXT IS THE PROBATE COURT. OUR NEW PROBATE COURT, THAT'S PROBABLY I'D BET $1,000 ON THE RECORD RIGHT NOW IT'S A DONE DEAL. THAT ONE IS IN THE OMNIBUS COURTS BILL AND IT IS MOVING ALONG JUST FINE, SO THAT'S A BILL THAT WILL MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE IT AFFECTS COURTS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE STATE. PROBATE COURT NUMBER 3 WILL MORE 99.9% SURE IT WILL BE CREATED. >> WHEN WILL IT BECOME EFFECTIVE? >> THAT GENERALLY IS SEPTEMBER 1. THAT THEN IS SOMETHING FOR THE COURT TO THINK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET CYCLE, THEN THAT'S WHAT I KEPT EXPLAINING TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT PROBATE COURT ON THE COURT SIDE, THAT IT'S THEN UP TO THE COURT TO FUND IT. THIS JUST ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO CREATE THE COURT, BUT THEN THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS TO ACTUALLY FUND. >> I THINK, JUDGE, THAT'S NOT A MANDATE NECESSARILY. WE DON'T HAVE TO START AT SEPTEMBER 1. >> NO. >> WAIT TILL JANUARY OR NEXT FISCAL YEAR IF WE WANTED TO DO. >> THAT JUST ALLOWS US TO DO IT AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, BUT IT'S UP TO THE COURT TO DECIDE WHEN YOU FUND IT AND ALLOW IT TO BE. >> I'LL REMIND THE COURT THAT WE HAVE TO FIND SPACE IN ADDITION. >> YES. >> WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES TO TALK. >> YES, SIR. I'VE GOT TWO MORE. HOUSE BILL 4333. REPRESENTATIVE JOSIE GARCIA FILED THIS AND THIS IS FOR JUDGE ROSIE'S COURT. ROSIE SPEEDLIN GONZALEZ. GONZALEZ SPEEDLIN, I ALWAYS CALL HER JUDGE ROSIE. HER BILL IS MOVING TO EXTEND THE TIMELINE FOR HER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PILOT PROGRAM AND THAT WENT SHOOTING OUT. IT WILL GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK BEFORE TOO LONG. IT JUST SHOT THROUGH THE SENATE. IT WAS REPORTED TODAY FROM COMMITTEE, SO IT'S ON A ROCKET SHIP TO MOVE. >> IS IT ALSO UNFUNDED MANDATE. WE'RE PAYING FOR IT. >> THAT I CANNOT ANSWER BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT JUDGE ROSIE'S CURRENTLY DOING. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT Y'ALL ARE ALREADY FUNDING THAT PROGRAM. >> I DIDN'T GET BRIEFED ON THAT. DID YOU? >> DR. NORMA? >> [INAUDIBLE] LEVEL COURT. WE ALREADY HAVE THAT COURT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SHE SAYS PROBABLY JUST CONTINUE. >> IT EXTENDS THE TIMELINE. >> WE ALREADY HAVE THE COURT. THIS IS JUST RATIFYING OUR COURT. >> IT EXTENDS THE TIME. IT WAS A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WAS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE STATE'S FISCAL YEAR, AND SO IT EXTENDS IT TO 2027, I BELIEVE. >> ISN'T IT A LOCAL COURT OR IS IT A STATE COURT UNDER THIS STATUTE? >> I BELIEVE THE STATUTE GIVES PREFERENCE TO FAMILY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES, AND ALLOWS THAT COURT TO HAVE PREFERENCE FOR THAT, BUT I'D HAVE TO LOOK THAT UP. >> WELL, WHAT'S CORRECT, LARRY? YEAH. I'M PLAYING MY JUDGE HAT NOW. IT'S NOT A STATUTORY COURT, IT'S A SPECIALTY COURT. >> IT'S A SPECIALTY COURT. >> THAT WAS CREATED BY THE COUNTY, FUNDED BY THE COUNTY. IT NOW APPEARS TO BE A STATE COURT BUT APPARENTLY WITH NO FUNDING. >> IT'S NEVER RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE STATE. THE COUNTY HAS ALWAYS FUNDED IT. >> BUT NOW WE CAN'T DISSOLVE THAT COURT UNLESS WE GO TO THE LEGISLATURE. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW WHAT MY OPINION IS. >> JUDGE, I THINK THE COUNTY COURT WAS CREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE, MELISSA IS TALKING ABOUT THE [INAUDIBLE] PROGRAM [OVERLAPPING] IS A LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM. >> IT'S A SPECIALTY COURT WITHIN THAT STATUTORY COURT. >> YES. >> A SPECIALTY PROGRAM WITHIN THE COUNTY COURT? >> I THINK THE COUNTY MANAGER, I'M JUST LETTING YOU ALL KNOW, HE'S ALWAYS HELD ALL THESE SPECIALTY COURTS ACCOUNTABLE AND SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND SUBJECT TO MODIFICATIONS. IT SOUNDS LIKE NOW WE'RE MANDATED TO KEEP THIS SPECIALTY COURT TILL THE END. >> TILL 2027, [03:15:01] I BELIEVE IS THE DATE THAT IT'S EXTENDING IT TO. I WOULD BET MONEY TODAY AS WELL THAT IT WILL MOVE OUT OF THE SENATE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO AND HEAD TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK. >> I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE COURT. I THINK JUDGE ROSIE SPEEDLIN GONZALEZ, IS DOING A WONDERFUL JOB OVER THERE. WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS IN REGARD TO STAFFING AND COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, YOU AND I WERE VERY INVOLVED WITH THAT. IT'S ANOTHER ISSUE THAT COMES UPON A COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN FUNDING, AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY OF ALL. SINCE IT WAS DONE TO ME, I'M GOING TO WANT AND MAKE SURE ALL THE SPECIALTY COURTS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU ALL HAVE SPECIAL WITH ASSOCIATE JUDGES. YOU ALL HAVE DETERMINED THAT THERE'S NOT A NEED FOR THEM, AND THEY HAVE GONE AWAY. ALL I'M TRYING TO ALERT IS THAT IT'S AN UNFUNDED MANDATE. I WISH THAT I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS BILL MUCH EARLIER. >> JUDGE, I DON'T REMEMBER THIS [OVERLAPPING] BEING PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. I THINK [OVERLAPPING] WE GOT IT STRAIGHT TO A LEGISLATOR AND GOT IT FILED. THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT IT. >> YES. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ASKED ME TO WORK ON, BUT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT GOT FILED OUTSIDE. >> I THINK WITH PROTOCOL, THIS COURT SHOULD HAVE HAD AN OPINION WHETHER WE SUPPORT IT OR NOT >> YES. >> THEN YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK. >> YES, SIR. EXACTLY. >> NOW YOU ARE TELLING ME IT'S A DONE DEAL, SO I'M GOING OKAY. IT'S AGAIN, A MATTER OF PROCESS. YES COMMISSIONER. >> I'VE GOT ONE MORE. >> WHAT'S THAT? >> JUDGE, I THINK THE ISSUE AND MELISSA, YOU CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. WE HAVE OUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE SESSION THAT WE START ON AND YOU GET FEEDBACK. BUT THEN THERE ARE TIMES AND NOT JUST TO ISOLATE THIS INCIDENT, BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WHETHER IT'S CHASING A GRANT OR SOME LEGISLATION, DEPARTMENTS WILL DO THAT AND THEN [OVERLAPPING] LET US KNOW AFTER. THAT'S PART OF THE ISSUE. LEADING UP TO NEXT TIME, WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HARNESS THAT, AND THAT WAY WE'RE NOT SURPRISED BY ANYTHING. ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL CAN GO AND LOBBY FOR SOMETHING, BUT I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE ISSUE JUDGE HAS SAID. WE FIND OUT AFTER THE FACT THAT SOMEONE'S CHASING A GRANT, OR A PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING NECESSARILY THAT WAS PART OF OUR PROGRAM, BUT WE FIND OUT ABOUT IT LATER, AND SO I THINK WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN COLLECTIVELY GET THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE ORGANIZED SO THAT WE'RE NOT SURPRISED BY ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> YEAH. I APOLOGIZE IF YOU ALL FEEL SURPRISED, BUT I'VE SHARED THIS INFORMATION, SO YEAH. >> MR. MOODY. >> DID YOU SAY ONE MORE? >> I'VE GOT ONE MORE BILL TO TELL YOU ALL ABOUT. >> ONE MORE. >> THE LAST ITEM IS THE ESD $20,000 DEBT LIMIT BILL. NOW WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SENATE BILL. THE SENATE BILL HAS COME OVER TO THE HOUSE, IT'S MADE ITS WAY THROUGH COMMITTEE, AND IT'S SET TO BE DISCUSSED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY. >> DOES THAT MEAN IT WOULD LIFT THE RESTRICTION OR KEEP THE RESTRICTION? >> IT WOULD WIPE THE RESTRICTION OUT. IT WOULD BASICALLY ERASE THAT PART OF STATUE. YES, SIR. I SENT OUT, IF YOU REMEMBER, BACK IN APRIL, I THINK IT WAS YOU ALL APPROVED RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THOSE BILLS, THAT EFFORT AND I REMINDED OUR HOUSE DELEGATION TODAY THAT YOU ALL ARE IN SUPPORT OF THAT SO THEY WOULD BE REMINDED WHEN THAT BILL COMES UP ON THE FLOOR TODAY OR TOMORROW, WHENEVER IT DOES. SORRY, COMMISSIONER MOODY, I CUT YOU OFF SO [OVERLAPPING]. >> NO, YOU'RE FINE. NOW, THANKS FOR THAT UPDATE AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH THE FORENSIC BED FUNDING. LISTEN, WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED 29.5 MILLION BUT WE'LL TAKE 15 MILLION. >> YES, IT'S A WIN. >> HOPEFULLY THAT'S 30-40 HIGH SECURITY BEDS. >> FORTY BEDS. >> FORTY? >> YES, SIR. >> THAT'S A HUGE WIN FOR THE JAIL AND FOR OUR DEPUTIES THAT ARE SERVING AS DETENTION OFFICERS IN THE JAIL. >> HERE'S WHAT I DON'T KNOW THAT I NEED TO FIND OUT FROM HHSC. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM WORKS AS FAR AS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FIRST. THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT TO FIND OUT NEXT IS, ARE THOSE 40 BEDS WE CAN COUNT ON GETTING 40 INDIVIDUALS OUT OF [03:20:03] OUR FACILITY OR ARE WE FIGHTING WITH THE REST OF THE STATE? >> THE REST OF THEIR FORENSIC BEDS WE'RE FIGHTING, IT'S A REGIONAL FACILITY. >> YEAH. THAT'S WHAT I'M AFRAID OF. >> WELL, LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP ON THAT ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME SENSE OF FRONT OF THE LINE PRIORITY GIVEN THE LOCATION. >> WE HELP THEM WITH THE IDEA SO WE CAN PARTNER. [LAUGHTER] >> YES, WE DID. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE EFFECT OF HB 21-27, PARTICULARLY ON OUR BORROWING CAPACITY. CAN YOU GIVE US [OVERLAPPING]. >> 21-27. >> HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE ESD. >> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ESDS? >> NO, TOTALLY DIFFERENT. GO AHEAD. >> PREEMPTION ROOMS THAT ARE PRESENT. >> I DON'T KNOW, BUT SOUNDS RIGHT. >> YES. THAT WAS YESTERDAY. >> RIGHT. >> YEAH. THAT WAS A BIG FIGHT YESTERDAY. I DON'T REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> THIS IS ONE OF THE HEADLINE TURNERS FOR CITIES AND COUNTIES. THIS IS A BILL THAT RESTRICTS CITIES AND COUNTIES ABILITY ON A WIDE RANGE OF THINGS FROM NATURAL RESOURCES, LIKE WATER RESTRICTIONS DURING DROUGHTS, AND I THINK THERE'S AN ECONOMIC IMPACT WITH RESPECT TO OUR ABILITY TO BORROW. I COULD BE WRONG. HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT? >> NO. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT BORROWING, BUT I KNOW A PREEMPT SOME. I REMEMBER IT NOW. THAT WAS DISCUSSED ON THE SENATE FLOOR YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT'S MADE ITS WAY TO THE SENATE SO THAT BILL IS MOVING. WE FEEL AS IF WE HAVE GOT AS MUCH CHANGE IN THE POSITIVE FOR OUR EFFORTS THAT WE CAN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A FIGHT WITH THE CITIES AND WE'RE CAUGHT UP IN IT, THE COUNTIES. >> WELL, THE FINANCE PORTION IS REALLY WHAT MY CONCERN IS. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT RESTRICTIONS IN FINANCE BECAUSE IT'S GOT SOME? >> NO. NOT IF IT'S THE PRE-EMPTION BILL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOING ON IN THAT BILL SPECIFICALLY, I THINK THERE WAS A SEPARATE BILL RELATED TO CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S 40-82, I THINK, AND THAT'S MOVING AS WELL. BUT I THINK THE ONE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REALLY MORE, AS MELISSA SAID, IMPACTS CITIES' ABILITY TO ENACT LOCAL CODES ENFORCEMENT. THE COUNTY IS NOT AS IMPACTED BECAUSE WE ARE AN ARM OF THE STATE AND WE PRETTY MUCH CAN ONLY DO WHAT THE STATE ALLOWS US TO DO, BUT I THINK 21-27 WAS REALLY AN ISSUE FOR THIS SERIES. I THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS. SO BASICALLY, IT SAID IF THERE IS A STATE STATUTE CODE THAT SPEAKS TO SOME REGULATION, THE CITIES CANNOT ADOPT ANYTHING CONTRARY TO THAT. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO PASS. I KNOW IT IMPACTS US A LITTLE BIT, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE CITIES, I THINK. >> YES. >> I UNDERSTAND ON THE FINANCE, AND IT MAY BE THAT IT NEED CAPS THE ONGOING LEGAL BATTLE BY CITIES LIKE HOUSTON, AUSTIN, AND DALLAS TO RECOUP MONEY THEY SAY THEY'RE OWED BY STREAMING ENTITIES LIKE DISNEY, HULU, AND NETFLIX. I KNOW THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY APPLY PER SE TO US, BUT I DON'T KNOW IN THE WHOLE EXPANSION OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, IF THAT MIGHT TOUCH US IN ANY WAY, WHAT WE JUST DID. SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO IF YOU CAN, MELISSA. I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW IF WE HAVE A CLAIM IN THAT, BUT IT MAY. I THINK IT WAS GOING TO TRY TO RESTRICT PURCHASES OF GAS-POWERED LAWN EQUIPMENT. IT'S MORE OF THIS MUNICIPAL THING. >> THERE WERE SOME CRAZY. >> TALK ABOUT CUTTING IT BY I GUESS A BLADE. BUT I THINK YOU NEED TO JUST LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER INTO WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S OTHER CONSTRAINTS ON COUNTIES, BECAUSE THERE'S OFTEN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. >> I'M ASSUMING THERE WILL BE, NOT AS HARD A HIT ON US AS THERE WILL BE TO CITIES, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE'VE DONE THE BEST WE CAN DO TO HAVE AMENDMENTS AND LANGUAGE CHANGED TO THAT, THAT IT WILL MOVE OUT OF THE SENATE TODAY OR TOMORROW, AND IT WILL GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK. SO IT'S COMING. >> JUDGE, QUICK QUESTION. >> YES. >> MELISSA, EARLY ON, I KNOW I WENT UP AND I THINK MR. CALVERT OFFERED TESTIMONY AS WELL ON THE PUBLIC NUISANCE. >> THEY'RE DEAD. >> IS THAT GOING ANYWHERE? >> DEAD. >> THOSE ARE DEAD, OKAY. >> YEAH, 13-72 WAS THE ONE ON THE HOUSE SIDE. IT NEVER MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE ON THE HOUSE SIDE. THEN THE SENATE SIDE, SAME THING, [03:25:04] IT NEVER MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE SO BOTH OF THOSE ARE DEAD. GOOD WORK. >> THE CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT SAYING ANYTHING'S DEAD IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS IS, THEY CAN GET TUCKED ON SOMEWHERE, IF IT'S GERMANE AS AN AMENDMENT. >> THOSE BILLS ARE DEAD, BUT YES, THE LANGUAGE COULD STILL POP UP. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT MIDNIGHT FREAKING OUT, BECAUSE SOMETHING JUST GOT ADDED AND I'M MAKING CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO HELP AND YES. THIS IS THE POINT THAT WE'RE AT IN SESSION WHERE BILLS HAVE DIED AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR AVENUES FOR THEIR BILLS. WE'RE IN THE SAME BOAT, WE'RE LOOKING FOR PLACES WE MAY WANT TO ADD LANGUAGE FOR CERTAIN ITEMS, SO YEAH. >> THANK YOU, MELISSA. >> YES, SIR. THANK YOU. >> LET'S TAKE UP 66 DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING [66. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the selection and approval of an Interim Public Works/County Engineer] THE SELECTION APPROVAL OF THE INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS COUNTY ENGINEER. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW YOUR NEXT ITEM IS CONTINUATION OF THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE INTERVIEW COMMITTEE TO REPLACE RENEE GREEN PERMANENTLY. BUT IN THE INTERIM, I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND TO THE COURT THAT YOU APPOINT MR. DAVID WEGMAN WHO CURRENTLY BASICALLY SERVES AS RENEE'S NUMBER 2 AND I BELIEVE YOU-ALL HAVE COPIES OF HIS BACKGROUND AND RESUME. DAVE HAS BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR QUITE A WHILE, KNOWS THAT DEPARTMENT VERY WELL. IN FACT, I THINK HE'S SPEARHEADING THEIR BUDGET REQUEST PROCESS RIGHT NOW. FOR CONTINUITY SAKE, THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES. [67. Discussion and appropriate action regarding appointing two community members, Paul Basaldua and Adam Blanchard, to the Public Works/County Engineer search committee.] SIXTY-SEVEN DISCUSSION PROBABLY [OVERLAPPING] >> IT WAS DAVE. >> WHAT'S THAT? [BACKGROUND] DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTING TWO COMMUNITY MEMBERS PAUL BOSTON DO AND ADAM BLANCHARD TO THE PUBLIC WORKS COUNTY ENGINEERS SEARCH COMMITTEE. >> JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] JUST MAKE A QUICK COMMENT AND THIS AS WE DISCUSSED, I THINK AT THE LAST MEETING, YOU HAD APPOINTED COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT FROM THE COURT. THESE ARE THE TWO CITIZEN COMMITTEES AND THEN DAVID SMITH WOULD BE THE FIFTH COMMITTEE MEMBER TO CONDUCT A SEARCH SO I WOULD JUST MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL JUDGE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MARIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF DISCUSSION POINTS. LET ME SAY ONE THING FOR PAUL. I'VE KNOWN PAUL SINCE WE WERE IN OUR EARLY 20S. WE SERVED ON A BOARD TOGETHER. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S BEEN ADVISED OF THE RESTRICTION THE COURT HAS ON ANY CONTRACTS WITH THE COUNTY BECAUSE HE DOES, FOR EXAMPLE, COME TO US SOMETIME FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRICT POTENTIALLY PUT PITS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S OKAY WITH THAT. YOU MAY WANT TO TALK TO HIM, HE'D ALSO HAD A QUASI-CONTRACT ON THE NON-PROFIT SIDE WITH RESPECT TO THE TESTING, WHICH IS OVER NOW, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT HE HAS BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNTY WITH. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'S GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW THAT. >> I HAD DISCUSSION WITH HIM ABOUT THAT DOESN'T DO ANY BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY, NOR SEEKING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY. SI THINK HE'S VOLUNTEEREED TO DO THIS COMMISSIONER JUST SO YOU KNOW, WITHOUT ANY CONFLICT. >> GREAT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE HE'D HAD THAT SHARE. THE OTHER THING, I ALSO KNOW ADAM BLANCHARD WHO I THINK IS A RECOMMENDATION FROM COMMISSIONER MOODY, GOOD GUY AND GREAT SUPPORT. I WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS THAT DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THESE TWO. I THINK THAT THE PURPOSE OF A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN A PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE IS TO TRY AND SHOW UP DEFICITS THAT THE COMMUNITY SEES. BUT I THINK THE DEFICITS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS CALLED AT LEAST INTO MY OFFICE, SOMETIMES REVOLVE AROUND THE RESPONSE TIMES OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL THINGS. THEY MAY HAVE OVERGROWN STUFF IN A DRAINAGE DITCH, THEY MAY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CONTRACTOR XYZ. I WANT TO LAY THAT AS ONE ISSUE THAT MAY BE IN DEFICIT ON THE COMMITTEE. [03:30:04] THE SECOND THING IS IN TERMS OF THE FACT THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES EXCLUDED FROM BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY, I DON'T SEE THEM HAVING THEIR OWN VOICE THERE. SURE COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AND I REPRESENT THOSE ISSUES, BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ON THIS COURT HAVE THE DEPTH OF DAY-TO-DAY WORK EXPERIENCE AND BID-MAKING EXPERIENCE WITH RESPECT TO DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY AND MAYBE FEELING THAT THERE'S SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE TO THAT PROCESS THAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY MAY HAVE. AND I POINT THAT OUT FOR CONSIDERATION. I KNOW WE HAVE THIS RULE THAT WE'VE CREATED, WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY UTILIZE FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR COUNTY FOR THE EXACT PURPOSE OF BEING ABLE TO IMPROVE BUSINESS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COUNTY. I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT VERY CLEAR THAT THERE IS THAT DEFICIT. THE LAST POINT I BRING TO THE COURT IS VERY IMPORTANT. THE PORT AUTHORITY, WHEN GENERAL ROBERTSON PASSED AWAY AND THEY HAD TO FILL THE PORT AUTHORITY POSITION, I HAD A SIMILAR DEBATE THAT WE'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW. PAST IS PROLOGUE, HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF ALL THE TIME. AT THAT TIME, THE PORT AUTHORITY SAID, LET'S JUST GO TO USAA AND PICK OUT A SOMEBODY RETIRED FROM USAA. THERE WAS A DIVIDE IN THE BOARD BETWEEN THOSE WHO SAID, LET'S DO A NATIONAL SEARCH AND LET'S JUST PICK SOMEBODY FROM USAA. IN THE END, THE PORT AUTHORITY WENT ON A NATIONAL SEARCH. I THINK THAT FOR ANYBODY WHO'S RECENTLY SEEN THAT EXPRESS AND WHOSE ARTICLE WITH A COOL BUILDING AND THEY'RE LIKE, WOW, THAT'S A REALLY COOL BUILDING. ALL OF THIS MOVEMENT THAT'S HAPPENED AT THE PORT AUTHORITY IS BECAUSE THEY SEARCHED FAR AND WIDE ACROSS THE NATION TO GET THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST. NOW THE PORT AUTHORITY IS, I THINK 2,000 ACRES AND BEXAR COUNTY HAS 804,000 ACRES. I WOULD TELL THE COURT WE ARE GOING TO BE AN EPICENTER OF A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE AND A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT PUBLIC WORKS IS GOING TO HAVE TO RESPOND TO. FROM CLIMATE CHANGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T JUST FALL BACK ON AN INSIDER. YEARS AGO, I WAS AN ADVISER TO THE BEXAR COUNTY WATER DISTRICT AND THEIR CEO HAD TO TELL ME THE FAIRMOUNT WATER DISTRICT HAD A HISTORY OF JUST GOING AND GETTING FOLKS WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE AND THERE'S NOTHING. I'M NOT TRYING TO CAST ASPERSIONS ON IT, BUT THIS COUNTY HAS HAD SOMETIMES AN ASPERSION TO SEARCHING FAR AND WIDE. I STILL BELIEVE THAT WE OUGHT TO INCLUDE A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR THIS PARTICULAR POSITION BECAUSE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS WILL GO OUT, BILLIONS AND BILLIONS HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT THE AID OF A LOT OF OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES. FOR ALL THE TALK OF LOCAL, WE CERTAINLY HAVE TREMENDOUS LOCAL TALENT. ALL OF US HERE ARE PRETTY MUCH BORN AND RAISED HERE, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT, BUT I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM AS MUCH NATIONAL EXPOSURE FOR THIS POSITION BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES WE DO NOT YET SEE. WHAT I WOULD SAY TODAY IS THAT I'D LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO ALSO HAVE THE NATIONAL SEARCH FIRM ASSIST THIS COMMITTEE. I PUT THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION. >> WAS THAT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT MOTION BECAUSE WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS CURRENT MOTION. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, ACCEPTED OR NOT? >> I GUESS I'M A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR. >> I JUST HAVE TO COMMENT BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WASTING OF TIME WHERE TWO COMMISSIONERS COURT AGO JUDGE SAKAI ASKED MYSELF AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT TO GET TOGETHER WE GOT TOGETHER AND WE NEGOTIATED AND WE SAID, EITHER A LOCAL SEARCH COMMITTEE, WHICH IS NOW ON THE AGENDA AND WE'RE ABOUT TO VOTE ON, OR A NATIONAL SEARCH FIRM, AND YOU AGREED TO THIS. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE GOING BACK AND FORTH. WE SPEND OUR TIME, WE TALK ABOUT IT. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT PER JUDGE SAKAI THAT I WAS GOING TO BE ON IT, COMMISSIONER CALVERT WAS GOING TO BE ON IT. THEN THE LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT, I MADE THE RECOMMENDATION AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED AND ACCEPTED THAT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS COULD APPOINT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A VOICE THAT BEFORE AND THEN DAVID SMITH, WE AGREED ON THAT. [03:35:02] I DON'T UNDERSTAND, WE TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND PROCESS. WE GO OVER THESE THINGS AND WE AGREE ON IT. BUT THEN WE CONTINUOUSLY WANT TO CHANGE. I JUST HAD TO SAY THAT FOR THE RECORD, MY MIND IS HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING AND PROCESSING WHAT WE CALL PROCESS AND TRANSPARENCY YET WE'RE NOT DOING THAT. >> COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS BUT I THINK IF YOU PLAY THE TAPE BACK, YOU WILL HEAR EVERY SINGLE MEETING THAT WE'VE HAD THIS UP FOR DISCUSSION. I HAVE SAID I'M IN SUPPORT OF A NATIONAL SEARCH COMMITTEE. >> YOU HAD SAID THAT BUT WHAT WE AGREED TO AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> I UNDERSTAND. >> WAS NOT THAT. >> IT IS MY RIGHT WITHIN MY OBLIGATION TO DO THE BEST BY THE COUNTY TO EXPRESS A MOTION ON MY OPINION. I THINK I PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WHY, INCLUDING A RECENT CASE STUDY WHERE IT SERVED OUR COMMUNITY WEALTH TO HAVE A NATIONAL SEARCH COMPANY. I THINK AS WE HAVE GATHERED EACH TIME TO HEAR THESE DELIBERATIONS, I HAVE TRIED TO EXPRESS THE WHY IN DIFFERENT WAYS. I NEVER REALLY FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THE COMPROMISE THAT WE MADE, BUT THE ITEM IS HERE FOR DISCUSSION. IT'S NOT A WASTE OF TIME AND PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS, AND THAT'S WHY I OFFER IT AS AN AMENDMENT TODAY. >> CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION, JUDGE? I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT MAY BE RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW. THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR SOME NATIONAL SEARCH BUT WE DO HAVE BEFORE US THIS COMMITTEE THAT I THOUGHT WAS THE COMPROMISE. I'D SUGGEST WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT MODEL AND IF THEY GET TO A POINT IN THEIR SEARCH PROCESS THAT THEY FEEL LIKE A NATIONAL SEARCH FIRM WOULD BE HELPFUL, IN OTHER WORDS, MAYBE THE APPLICANT POOL ISN'T DIVERSE ENOUGH, MAYBE IT'S NOT THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE COUNTY THEN WE CAN GO DOWN THAT ROAD. I JUST THINK WE SHOULDN'T DELAY THE PROCESS AT ALL POSSIBLE, JUST TO GET IT DONE STARTED AND THEN MAYBE WE GET TO THAT PIVOTAL POINT. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> YOU JUMPED ON MY THOUGHT THERE, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. MAYBE IT'S PLANNING A LITTLE BIT, BUT I DO THINK IF WE HAD THIS COMMITTEE AND THAT COMMITTEE BELIEVES THAT IT WOULD BE IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO GO FORWARD WITH THE SEARCH, THEN I WOULD BE OPEN TO HEARING THAT BUT THAT'S WHERE I WOULD STAND TODAY. I ALSO JUST WANT TO RESPOND ON THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER FRONT, ADAM BLANCHARD WHO I PUT FORWARD AS MY NOMINEE, IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. HE STARTED MULTIPLE SMALL BUSINESSES AND AS MUCH AS HE IS NOT DONE BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY, AND SO HE'S PROBABLY NOT VERSED IN THAT PROCUREMENT PROCESS, HE DEFINITELY BRINGS THAT SMALL BUSINESS MINDSET TO THE TABLE AND I THINK HE WILL BE A GREAT REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE COURT. >> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ POINT OF ORDER BY ME IN CREATING THIS COMMITTEE. I DIDN'T INCLUDE MYSELF TO HAVE A VOICE AND SO ONE WAY WOULD BE FOR ME TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE EX OFFICIO, WHICH WOULD NOT GIVE ME A VOTING BUT AT LEAST HAVE A SAY. BUT THAT WOULD PROBABLY CAUSE CORE MISUSE AND SO I AM ASKING AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT I DESIGNATE A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE END MAKE IT NON-VOTING EX OFFICIO AND I WOULD PUT THE NAME AND NANCY BIWORTH, WHO IS A RETIRED ENGINEER FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. WOULD YOU ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT? >> YES, JUDGE. I'D ACCEPT THAT. >> IS THERE A MOTION? I DON'T KNOW. DO WE [OVERLAPPING] >> WELL, THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND A SECOND BY CLAY-FLORES. A MOTION TO PROVE THE ACTION ITEM. I'VE ASKED FOR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAS ACCEPTED. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES? >> DO I HAVE TO ACCEPT IT? >> NO. YOU SECOND AND I'M GIVING YOU COURTESY OF THAT. >> THAT'LL PROBABLY PASS, SO I'LL GO ALONG WITH IT. BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE DO ALL THESE THINGS, COMMISSIONERS COURT AFTER COMMISSIONER COURT, AND THEN WE TRY TO CHANGE IT. APPARENTLY, I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT MINDSET WHO THINKS THAT WE SHOULD MAKE DECISIONS AND PUSH FORWARD AND STICK TO IT. I CAN ACCEPT THAT YOU SAID IT'S GOING TO BE A NON-VOTING. >> NON-VOTING. >> THANK YOU. >> THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I'LL ASK FOR A VOTE. NO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT BY THE JUDGE, [03:40:03] ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE. ALL THOSE WHO OPPOSE? >> NO. >> NO. NOTED, MOTION CARRIES. [EXECUTIVE SESSION] LARRY, THIS IS GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, THE COURT WITHOUT CONVENIENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, EXECUTIVE SESSION SIDE, OR MAYBE DISCUSS AND ACT UPON IF APPROPRIATE AN OPEN SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT COURT FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS FOR ADVICE REGARDING A, MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY OR THE TEXAS DISPLAY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT INSTEAD OF TEXAS. CLAY CONFLICTS WITH CHAPTER 551 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE SPECIFICALLY LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPUTY SHERIFF ASSOCIATE BEXAR COUNTY, ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 174 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. PENDING OR CONTEMPLATE LITIGATION OR A SETTLEMENT OFFER IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY OF BEXAR VERSUS PURDUE PHARMA INC COURSE NUMBER OUT OF DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY. COURT WILL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. [BACKGROUND]. DO I NEED TO START OVER? >> YEAH. [68. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a potential settlement offer with Allergan defendants in the matter of Texas opioid multi-district litigation for the County in the matter of County of Bexar v. Purdue Pharma, Inc., et al, MDL PRETIRAL CAUSE NO. 2018-63587, in the 152nd District Court of Harris County, Texas.] >> COURT CALLED ITEM 68, DISCUSSION OF APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A POTENTIAL SETTLEMENT OFFER WITH ALLERGEN DEFENDANTS IN THE MATTER OF TEXAS OPIOID MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION FOR THE COUNTY AND THE MANNER OF COUNTY OF BEXAR VERSUS PURDUE PHARMA INC AT OUR MDL PRETRIAL COURSE NUMBER 2018-63587 AND THE 152ND DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. MR. ROBERTSON, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE MOTION REQUEST IS TO APPROVE A SETTLEMENT WITH THE ALLERGEN DEFENDANTS IN THE OPIOID LITIGATION YOU REFERENCED FOR APPROXIMATELY 845,000 INDIRECT FUNDS TO BEXAR COUNTY OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS AND AN ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING IN REGION 6 OF APPROXIMATELY SIX MILLION DOLLARS. THE MOTION TO APPROVE WOULD ALSO INCLUDE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE'S SIGNATURE ON THE RELEASE AND THE PARTICIPATION FORM. >> I WOULDN'T MAKE THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE? >> YEAH. I JUST WANT TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. I DON'T KNOW IF LEANNA FLORES IS WATCHING BUT I THINK TOMORROW IS OUR LAST DAY AND I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK HER. I KNOW WHEN I FIRST CAME ON, SHE HELPED TREMENDOUSLY WITH MY ONBOARDING AND MY STAFF AND ANYTIME I NEEDED ANYTHING. WITH HER, SHE'S JUST BEEN REALLY GREAT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE'S MOVING ON FROM THE COUNTY BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK HER FOR HER WORK WITH FACILITIES AND I JUST WISH HER REALLY WELL. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY. >> I WOULD JOIN THAT POINT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN BEFORE THAT? [OVERLAPPING] >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF RAMON VASQUEZ C SANCHEZ. MANY OF YOU KNOW HE IS THE FATHER OF RAMON VASQUEZ. HE DOES A LOT OF WORK WITH NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE. HE WAS ALSO A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, WORKED A LOT ON THE HISTORY IN THE COUNTY ARCHIVES FOR A LONG TIME SO THANK YOU FOR HIS SERVICES. >> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN IN THE NAME OF PABLO PEREZ DEGAS, DAVID B LOUIS, ANITA N PEREZ, JOVITA CALVANEZ. CERTAINLY WOULD JOIN COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES IN HER SENTIMENT AND ALSO WOULD ADD, I'M SURE WE ALL HAVE ON OUR LIST ADAM BROWNHILL, WHO IS THE FATHER OF JUDGE BROWNHILL. >> COMMISSIONER MOODY. >> I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF TIMO HERNANDEZ III. >> COMMISSIONER CALVERT. >> I WANT TO JOIN COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IN ACKNOWLEDGING ADAM BROWNHILL. I WAS JUDGE BROWNHILL'S CAMPAIGN MANAGER MANY YEARS AGO AND GOT A CHANCE TO KNOW HIS FATHER. HIS FATHER GREW UP VERY POOR, IN FACT, DIDN'T HAVE SHOES TO GO TO SCHOOL AND BECAUSE OF THAT EXPERIENCE AND HIS SUCCESS IN BUSINESS, HE WAS ABLE TO GIVE AWAY THOUSANDS OF PAIRS OF SHOES AND HELP THE CATHOLIC CHURCH QUITE A BIT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS. I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BROTHER BROWNHILL. ADAM BROWNHILL, WE CALL EACH OTHER BROTHERS AND I WILL MISS HIM. ALSO, I WANT TO ADJOURN IN HONOR OF OFELIA ZAPATA, JEANETTE, HERNANDEZ'S MOTHER. MANY OF YOU KNOW JEANETTE HERNANDEZ, [03:45:02] A POLITICALLY ACTIVE WOMAN. BRUCE BURRIS, VIRGINIA CHERYL, LOUIS R RIVERA, FLORE FECHTER, IRIS ROBINSON, AND MY AUNT CHARLOTTE BACHER, WHO PASSED AWAY IN DENVER. >> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO ADJOURN IN WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ ON ADAM BROWNHILL. HE WAS ALSO A DEAR FRIEND AND SUPPORTER AND ALSO THE FATHER OF JUDGE BROWNHILL AND HIS FAMILY. THE BROWNHILL FAMILY HAS MUCH TO BE PROUD FOR BY THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE LEGACY THAT ADAM BROWNHILL HAS LEFT. I JOIN IN WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT, ON OFELIA ZAPATA, JEANETTE, HERNANDEZ'S MOTHER, ALSO TOO VERY CLOSE FRIEND AND SUPPORTER. I ALSO JOIN IN WITH BRUCE BURRIS, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, HE WAS A LONGTIME JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER WORKING AT THE DETENTION CENTER. I THINK HE ACTUALLY WAS THE HEAD CHIEF THERE FOR MANY YEARS AND I ALWAYS HAD THE PRIVILEGE BY WORKING WITH HIM. HE WAS A FINE MAN AND GENTLEMAN. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO ADJOURN, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES, MEETING ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.