Jul 11, 2023 Commissioners Court

>> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 6 FALLING FOR THE RECORD,

[6. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary:]

THE FOLLOWING LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS AND DIRECTING THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY.

THOSE SPECIFIC ITEMS LISTED FROM A THROUGH H AND SUBSECTION OF H. AGENDA ITEM 7 COMMISSIONERS,

[7. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday June 20, 2023.]

COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 2023 PLEASE REVIEW.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY?

>> SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>>AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

LET US NOW GO TO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

[8. Communications from citizens who signed the register to speak.]

[00:45:05]

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM INTERPRETING THESE REQUESTS PROPERLY, I BELIEVE MR. JEFF CLAY, YOU'VE ASKED TO SPEAK BUT I'M ALSO NOTING THAT MELINDA ROBERTS AND JACK FINGER HAVE ALSO ASKED TO SPEAK, BUT THOSE TWO ARE YIELDING TO JEFF CLAY THAT I GET THAT RIGHT? SO MR. CLAY WHY DON'T YOU COME FORWARD.

>> HE IS COMING.

>> IF MR. CLAY'S NOT AVAIL, I'LL CALL HIM BACK.

HOW ABOUT DOUG HOPLITE.

MR. HOPLITE. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DOUG HOPLITE, I'M ADDRESSING THE COURT AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE VOTING IN THE MAY 6 ELECTION RECENTLY, I WENT TO THE LUCKY RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO VOTE EARLY VOTING.

WHEN I GAVE HIM MY DRIVER'S LICENSE, THEY TOLD ME, WELL, YOU CAN'T VOTE, I SAID, WELL, WHY NOT? WELL, BECAUSE THIS IS A COUNTY ELECTION AND I THINK, WELL, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE AND I WENT AND GOT THE SAMPLE BALLOT AND I SHOWED HIM THAT THE MEDINA VALET INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD A BOND ISSUE AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS.

I WAS ABLE TO VOTE AND JUST BEFORE IT GOT READY TO PUSH, HEY, THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE AND THIS IS HOW I VOTED.

I NOTICED A DISTRICT 5 FOR MEDINA VALLEY WAS KNOWN THERE, I TOLD THAT TO THE ELECTION JUDGE AND BASICALLY I ASKED HER TO SPOIL MY BALLOT BECAUSE I WANTED TO INVESTIGATE, TRYING TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE JOHNSON LIBRARY AND THIS TIME I TOOK MY REGISTRATION CARD AND THE CLERK SAID, WELL, YOU CAN'T VOTE, THIS IS A CITY ELECTION.

THEN I WENT TO THE SAME THING, I SAID, SURE, I CAN VOTE WHERE YOU GOT THE YELLOW SAMPLE BALLOT AND THE MEDINA VALLEY BOND ISSUE AND FIVE, SCHOOL BOARD WAS ON THE BALLOT.

THEN I WENT UP AND BEFORE I PUSHED THE FINAL SELECTIONS, I NOTICED THAT MEDINA VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5 WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT, SO I WENT AND GOT TO ELECTION JUDGE WAVED MY PRIVACY RIGHTS AND THAT SAYS, I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THIS TO SEE THAT DISTRICT 5 SCHOOL BOARD IS NOT ON THIS.

SHE DID AND SO WE SPOILED BALLOT AND TWO HOURS LATER, THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT GOT IT FIXED, WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS AND I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY VOTE.

MY QUESTION IS, HOW MANY OTHER VOTERS LIVING IN BEAR COUNTY THAT OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I DID WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T VOTE, BUT THEY DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THEY MAYBE SHOULD HAVE QUESTIONNAIRE? SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, MR. HOPLITE.

DID MR. CLAY RETURN? MR. JEFF CLAY?

>> GOOD MORNING.

M Y NAME IS JEFF CLAY.

I'M A COMPUTER ENGINEER, I WORKED FOR THE AIR FORCE FOR 20 YEARS, RETIRED HERE AT LACHLAN.

I HAVE A BS IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND A MASTER'S IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND I DID COMPUTER NETWORK DEFENSE FOR THE AIR FORCE AT LACHLAN IS ONE OF MY LAST JOB.

SO WHEN I SAW THE ELECTION TURMOIL, THE BEST WORD I CAN COME UP WITH AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION,

[00:50:01]

I SAID, WELL, I'M GOING TO GO LOOK AT THESE MACHINES AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A LOT OF MISTRUST AND ALLEGATIONS MADE ABOUT THE ELECTRIC MACHINES, THE MACHINES WE USE TO VOTE ON.

WELL, NORMALLY WHEN SOMEONE SAYS YOUR MACHINES WERE NOT VALID, YOU WILL OPEN THEM UP AND SAY, HEY, COME LOOK AT IT AND WE'LL SHOW YOU THAT THIS MACHINE IS WORKING THE WAY WE FADE IT.

IT'S SIMPLE PROCESS, WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND INSPECT IT AND WE CAN ALL SAY YES, IT'S WORKING THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT HAPPENED IS WE CLOSED OFF THE MACHINES AND SAID YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO LOOK AT IT, NOBODY CAN INSPECT IT AND YOU HAVE TO TRUST US, ASSUME THAT IT'S WORKING.

SO AS A COMPUTER NETWORK GOD, THE DEFENSE, I STARTED LOOKING AT THAT AND I SAID, WELL, HOW DO WE VERIFY THAT THESE MACHINES ARE REALLY DOING WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE DOING? I DON'T LIKE TAKING SOMEONE'S WORD WHEN IT'S A SIMPLE PROCESS TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT.

SO TO RESTORE TRUST IN OUR ELECTIONS, WE NEED OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT AND SAY, YES, THAT MACHINE IS DOING WHAT IT SAYS IT'S DOING AND WE CAN'T DO THAT IN BEAR COUNTY.

THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY WE CAN'T DO THAT, I'LL START OFF WITH A VOTER ROLLS.

WE CAN'T GET COPIES OF THE VOTER ROLLS TO VERIFY, WE HAVE TO PAY WHEN WE WANT TO GET A COPY OF THE VOTER ROLLS.

MOST OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS GET THEM FOR FREE AND THEY GET THEM WHENEVER THEY ASKED FOR THEM, WE ONLY GET LIMITED ACCESS TO THE VOTER ROLLS HERE.

WE HAVE HAD INSTANCES IN THE LAST ELECTION WHERE A VOTER WOULD COME UP AND GIVE YOU THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND MORE THAN ONE NAME WOULD SHOW UP ON THE ROLE.

WELL, HOW DO WE HAVE THAT? SOMEONE'S NOT CHECKING THE VOTER ROLLS AND THE DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER USED FOR PHOTO VERIFICATION AGAINST THE DPS RECORDS OR WE WOULD ONLY HAVE ONE NAME FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SO SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THAT VOTER ROLLS AGAINST THAT AND WHAT DIDN'T MAKE THOSE OPEN, FREE AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR VERIFICATION.

I KNOW WHO LIVES ON MY STREET, PRECINCT CHAIR, SO I CAN GO LOOK AT THE VOTER ROLLS ON MY STREET AND SEE WHO'S REGISTERED.

SAY 15 PEOPLE REGISTER FOR HOUSE AND I KNOW ONLY HAS TWO PEOPLE, BUT I CAN'T DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE ALSO NEED TO VERIFY THAT ON ELECTION DAY, THE POLL BOOKS ARE USING THE SAME DATABASE, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE PULLING THEIR DATA FROM, NOBODY CAN VERIFY THAT THEY WON'T LET US LOOK AT IT.

TO REALLY HAVE FAIR ELECTIONS, WE NEED TO GO TO ONE DAY VOTING ON ELECTION DAY IN PRECINCT ONLY, NOT COUNTYWIDE AND WITH PAPER BALLOTS AND THOSE PAPER BALLOTS SHOULD BE COUNTED THAT NIGHT AT THE ELECTION SITE, THAT ELIMINATES NEARLY ANY FRAUD OR ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD AND WOULD RESTORE TRUST.

THERE ARE A LOT OF COUNTIES THAT ARE DOING THAT, IT'S LEGAL ENDO TEXAS ELECTRON CODE, SECTION 65 AND THERE'S COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA THAT ARE DOING THAT TO GO INTO PAPER BALLOTS, THERE'S COUNTIES EVERYWHERE, I KNOW THAT'S A LONG PROCESS AND WE PROBABLY CAN'T DO THAT QUICKLY, BUT THAT SHOULD BE OUR GOAL.

THE CURRENT PROCESSES WE HAVE CANNOT BE AUDITED BECAUSE WE HAVE NO CHAIN OF CUSTODY, TEXAS ELECTION LAW REQUIRES THAT PAPER BALLOTS BE SEALED, THAT MEANS YOU PUT A NUMBERED STEEL, JUST LIKE ON YOUR ELECTRIC METER.

IF I BREAK THAT SEAL AND THE ELECTRIC COMPANY COMES OUT, CPS COMES OUT AND LOOKS, THEY'LL SAY, "HEY, YOU BROKE THE SEAL AND THAT ELECTRICITY METER." WHO DID THAT? BUT WE DON'T DO THAT FOR ELECTRIC MACHINES AS REQUIRED BY TEXAS LAW, WE PUT A LOCK ON THERE THAT YOU COULD PROBABLY BE PICKED, IT'S A LITTLE LIKE A LITTLE LUGGAGE LOCK YOU BUY AT WALMART.

SO WE CAN'T VERIFY THAT THE BALLOTS THAT COME BACK TWO OR THREE DAYS LATER AFTER THE ELECTION ARE OVER FROM EARLY VOTING OR ELECTION DAY ARE THE SAME ONES THAT WERE PUT IN THERE.

THERE'S NO CHAIN OF CUSTODY, WE'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE VOTING SITE WITHIN A SCHOOL.

THE NEXT MORNING, PEOPLE SHOWED UP, THE VOTING MACHINE WITHIN THE HALLWAY, UNLOCKED, OPEN, AND ANYBODY COULD WENT IN AND PULLED THE BALANCE OUT AND CHANGED IT AND NOBODY WOULD HAVE EVER KNOW, I DON T THINK THAT'S ACCEPTABLE.

SO WE NEED TO SEE ALL THE DS 200S WITH CHAIN OF CUSTODY SIGNATURES, THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION HAS A VERY GOOD BOOK ON CHAIN OF CUSTODY, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT, YOU CAN FIND IT ON THEIR WEBSITE.

IT TELLS YOU HOW TO DO CHAIN OF CUSTODY AND THAT MEANS WHEN WE'RE PUTTING THE BALLOTS TOGETHER, I WOULD PUT A SEAL ON THERE, I SIGN IT AND YOU SIGN IT WITH THEIR SIGNATURE, WE WITNESSED THAT WE PUT THAT SEAL ON THERE.

IF THAT SEAL IS EVER BROKEN, YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY SIGN, HEY, WE BROKE IT AT THIS POINT AND YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE PERSON, SO YOU HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, WE DON'T DO THAT HERE.

THE SOFTWARE THAT'S PUT ON THE MACHINES, THERE IS A HASH, IT'S BASICALLY A SIGNATURE FOR THAT SOFTWARE, THE ELECTRON ASSISTANCE COMMISSION, WHEN THEY VERIFY THESE SYSTEMS,

[00:55:02]

COMES OUT AND SAYS HERE'S THE ONLY SOFTWARE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE ON THAT MACHINE.

WELL, WHEN WE DO THAT HERE, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT IN PUBLIC WHEN THEY DO THE INITIAL LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST.

BEAR COUNTY DOESN'T DO THAT IN PUBLIC, THEY TOLD US THEY DID THAT A WEEK AGO AND THERE'S NO PAPERWORK, THEIR PAPERWORK HAS A CHECKMARK ON IT THAT SAYS YEAH, WE DID IT, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO EVEN THE HASH THAT CAME OUT OF THE MACHINE TO COMPARE WITH THE REAL ONES AND SO NOBODY REALLY KNOWS.

I'M NOT ACCUSING ANYBODY, I'M JUST SAYING THERE'S NO VERIFICATION, NO AUDITABILITY, YOU CAN'T GO BACK AND AUDIT IT BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING TO AUDIT, CHECK MARK, YEAH, IT'S THERE.

ONCE THE MACHINES ARE LOADED, AGAIN, THERE'S NO CHAIN OF CUSTODY.

THE MACHINES ARE ALL LOADED WITH SOFTWARE AND THEN THEY'RE TAKEN AWAY AND THEN THEY SHOW UP AT THE VOTING LOCATIONS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT, THERE'S NO FIELD ON THEM WITH OUR FIELDS ON THE SOFTWARE PARTS OF IT, BUT NOT ON THE WHOLE MACHINE.

ALSO, THE TEXAS ELECTION LAW SAYS WE CAN'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE INTERNET ACCESS ON OUR MACHINES.

ESNS PROVIDES DS 200S THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, THEY HAVE PUBLICLY STATED THERE ARE 14,000 DS 200S THAT HAVE BUILT-IN MODEMS ON THE MOTHERBOARD, THESE ARE NOT WI-FI MODEMS, THEY ARE SELLING YOUR MOTORS.

THEY GO JUST LIKE YOUR CELL PHONE AND THEY CAN CONNECT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

WE DON'T KNOW THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT IF THEY'RE TAKING MACHINE APART AND INSPECT IT, BUT WE KNOW 14,000 OF THEM ARE ACTIVE IN THE US, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THOSE OR NOT.

WE ALSO DON'T KNOW IF THE MACHINES DOWNTOWN AT THE BALLOT ELECTION CENTRAL COUNT ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

I WAS A POLL WATCHER DURING THE LAST ELECTION AND TRIED TO GO INTO THE ROUTER ROOM TO LOOK AT THE CONNECTIONS TO THE RSS, THE REGIONAL FUNDING SITES THAT SEND THE VOTES IN TO THE CENTRAL COUNT AND THEY SAID, "NO, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO IN THERE AND LOOK AT THAT SERVER AND THE ROUTER." WHY NOT? I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS CONNECTED TO.

I COULDN'T VERIFY THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY NOT CONNECTED, SO WHEREVER IT SHOULDN'T BE.

ALSO THE USB STICKS THAT WE GET THAT COME OUT OF THE MACHINES, THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANYTHING ON THEM IN MY OPINION, EXCEPT VOTE COUNTS, A NUMBER.

I NOTICED WHEN THEY STUCK THEM IN THE MACHINE TO COUNT THEM, A LITTLE POP-UP SHOWED UP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MONITOR AND I SAID AUTORUN NOT ALLOWED TO RUN.

WELL, IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT COMPUTERS, AUTORUN, WHEN YOU GET A CD AND YOU PUT IT IN,IT AUTOMATICALLY STARTS PLAYING SOMETHING THAT'S AN AUTO RUN FILE, WHEN YOU PUT IT IN WINDOWS LOOK FOR THE AUTORUN SAYS, WHATEVER PROGRAM YOU WANT ME TO RUN, I'M GOING TO RUN IT.

SO WHY DO WE HAVE AUTORUN ON THOSE USB STICKS? THEY'RE ENCRYPTED, WHICH MEANS NOBODY ELSE CAN READ THEM, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE SAFE, SO THAT USB STICKS ARE THE VERY ENEMY OF COMPUTER SECURITY.

IN CONCLUSION, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE AND PLAN IN THE FUTURE TO GET TO PAPER BALLOTS THAT ARE ON ELECTION DAY.

PAPER BALLOTS COUNTED AT THE PRECINCT WHERE EITHER VOTED.

THAT WAY YOU HAVE MULTIPLE WITNESSES THAT CAN VERIFY IT, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT TEXAS RIGHT NOW GOING AROUND DEMONSTRATING SYSTEMS AND HOW YOU CAN COUNT THOSE, AND WE CAN DO IT IN A VERY QUICK, ACCURATE, AND TRANSPARENT WAY.

YOU CAN PUT A CAMERA ON IT.

YOU PULL THE THING UP AND I CALL OUT WHO THEY VOTED FOR, AND THREE PEOPLE HAVE COUNTERS AND THEY CHECK THE VOTE.

WE NEED TO MOVE TO THAT IN THE FUTURE, BUT IF WE DON'T, WE NEED TO AT LEAST PUT FIELDS ON THE DS200S AND HAVE CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR THE PAPER BALLOTS.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE PAPER BALLOTS WHERE I VERIFY THAT'S WHO I VOTED FOR.

>> PLEASE WRAP IT UP, MR. CLAY. WRAP IT UP.

>> WE NEED TO GET THE LAWS FOLLOWED AND WE NEED TRANSPARENCY THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING FOR.

THIS IS THE COURT THAT HAS THE POWER TO DO THAT, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU-ALL DO TO HELP MAKE BEXAR COUNTY BETTER.

IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CLAY.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> I HAVE DIANA FLORES URIEGAS.

ALSO, I HAVE ANTONIO DIAZ, BOTH I BELIEVE, FROM TEXAS INDIGENOUS COUNCIL.

DO YOU-ALL WANT TO SPEAK TOGETHER, YIELD, OR YOU'LL SEPARATE? TEXAS INDIGENOUS, EXCUSE ME.

MISS FLORES URIEGAS.

>> YES, I AM DIANA FLORES URIEGAS.

HERE WE HAVE MR. ANTONIO DIAZ.

[01:00:01]

I WILL GIVE HIM MY TIME, AND IF HE DOESN'T USE ALL OF IT, CAN I SAY LITTLE WORDS AFTER THAT?

>> WE'LL SEE IF HE DOESN'T USE OFF HIS TIME.

>> LET'S SEE, NOTE THE TIME, 20 SECONDS, SO MR DIAZ, YOU HAVE YOUR TIME AND MISS URIEGAS' TIME, BUT SHE WANTS SOME TIME BACK.

>> [FOREIGN]. THIS MEANS GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> I'M HERE BASICALLY AGAIN, TO CONTINUE REQUESTING THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURTS SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, WHICH WE RECOGNIZE ON OCTOBER 12TH, AND WE BEGIN GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE ENTITY AND THE FUNCTIONARIES HERE.

I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH, AND ALONG WITH OUR COMMUNITIES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE.

I AM [FOREIGN] FROM THIS AREA.

ONE OF OUR CONCERNS CURRENTLY HAS BEEN THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY, BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT ERASES OUR KNOWLEDGE, AND OUR HISTORY, AND THE PARTICIPATION OF OUR CHILDREN.

THEY ARE NO LONGER CREDITED FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR EVENTS TO RECOGNIZE WHO THEY ARE, BECAUSE THE MISSION STATEMENT FOR TEXAS INDIGENOUS COUNCIL IS INDIGENOUS IDENTITY, AND INDIGENOUS HUMAN RIGHTS.

IF OUR CHILDREN NO LONGER RECEIVE ANY CREDIT FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR EVENTS, IT NEGATES THEM PARTICIPATING AND LEARNING THEIR HISTORY THEMSELVES, AND BASICALLY THE THEFT OF THEIR IDENTITY ALONG WITH THEIR LANDS.

HOPEFULLY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO GET SOME SUPPORT AS THIS TEXAS POLICY IS ENACTED, AND THAT IS WHY I'M HERE TO ASK FOR [FOREIGN].

DIANA, I'LL GIVE YOU THE REST OF THE TIME.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

ALSO CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN.

>> THANK YOU, GOD. A NEW CHANGE, NEW PEOPLE, AND A LITTLE OLD ONES TOO.

>> WHO'S A LITTLE OLD?

>> BE HERE FOR THE PEOPLE.

[LAUGHTER] DO IT FOR THE PEOPLE, PLEASE.

WE'VE ALL SUFFERED SO MUCH OF ALL THESE DIFFERENT CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON, BUT LITTLE LESS HELP FOR OUR PEOPLE HERE.

WE NEED A LOT OF HELP.

OUR HOMELESS PEOPLE, I MEAN, YOU-ALL CREATE THE SYSTEM, BUT YOU DON'T ENDORSE IT, LIKE IN HELPING PEOPLE THE WAY YOU SHOULD.

HELP US HEAL.

I HAVE A PRAYER THAT I'VE BEEN SAYING EVERYWHERE.

IT'S BEEN A LONG, VERY OLD PRAYER TOO, BUT I STILL SAY IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY [INAUDIBLE], BUT I LOVE THIS ONE MORE.

OH GREAT SPIRIT WHOSE VOICE I HEAR IN THE WIND, AND WHOSE BREATH GAVE LIFE TO ALL THE WORLD, HEAR ME.

I'M SMALL AND WEAK.

I SEEK YOUR STRENGTH AND WISDOM, HELP ME WALK IN BEAUTY AND MY EYES EVER [INAUDIBLE].

MAY MY HANDS RESPECT THE THINGS YOU HAVE MADE, AND MY EARS CHART TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.

MAKE ME WISE SO THAT I MAY UNDERSTAND THE THINGS YOU HAVE TAUGHT YOUR PEOPLE.

TEACH ME THAT LESSONS YOU HAVE HIDDEN IN EVERY [INAUDIBLE], FOR I SEEK STRENGTH NOT TO BE GREATER THAN MY BROTHER, BUT TO FIGHT THE GREATEST ENEMY MYSELF, AND EACH ONE OF US ARE OUR GREATEST ENEMIES.

YOU'RE YOUR ENEMY.

FOR WHEN LIGHT FACES AS A FADING SUNSET, I MAY COME TO YOU WITH STRAIGHT EYES, CLEAN HANDS, AND A CLEAN SPIRIT.

[01:05:01]

THAT'S A VERY OLD PRAYER, COMES FROM MY ANCESTORS.

WE SHOULD LEARN THAT PRAYER ALONG WITH OUR FATHER.

HE UNDERSTANDS IT TOO.

EACH ONE OF US HAVE OUR OWN PRAYERS THAT WE SAY.

EVEN IF COMES FROM YOUR HEART, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT ONE OR THIS ONE OR WHATEVER.

WHEN IT COMES FROM THE HEART TO THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD.

>> JUDGE, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> GOD BLESS YOU-ALL.

>> WRAP IT UP. THANK YOU, MISS URIEGAS. GOD BLESS YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE WILL BE REQUESTING SUPPORT AGAIN, FOR OUR UPCOMING EVENT IN OCTOBER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MR. DIAZ.

>> THE LAST CITIZEN TO BE HEARD.

I WILL GIVE YOU, WITH THE COURT'S PERMISSION, IS PATRICIA VARGAS WITH THE SAN ANTONIO BAR ASSOCIATE.

PATRICIA, IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK AT THE TIME THAT THE AGENDA ITEM YOU'VE NOTED, I BELIEVE IT'S 79, UNLESS THERE'S AN OBJECTION, I WILL ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK AT THAT TIME.

IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK NOW, YOU ARE FREE TO DO SO.

WHERE IS MISS PATTY.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> SHE'S BEEN IN [INAUDIBLE].

>> SHE'LL WAIT.

>> SHE'LL WAIT. I WILL HOLD MISS VARGAS, ALLOW TO SPEAK AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

THAT COMPLETES THE CITIZEN TO BE HEARD.

THAT COMPLETES THE [INAUDIBLE] ITEMS. WE WILL NOW PROCEED DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUAL.

IT APPEARS 76,

[76. Request approval for 68,100 hours of paid overtime for uniformed officers who worked mandatory overtime hours (MOT) in the Adult Detention Center between June 10, 2023 and September 30, 2023 for the total amount of $3,169,059 (including salary and benefits).]

REQUEST APPROVAL FOR 68,100 HOURS OF PAID OVERTIME FOR UNIFORMED OFFICERS WHO WORKED MANDATORY OVERTIME HOURS, MOT, IN THE ADULT DETENTION CENTER BETWEEN JUNE 10, 2023, AND SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2023, FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,169,059, INCLUDING SALARY AND BENEFITS.

SHERIFF OR ANY OF HIS REPRESENTATIVES.

GOOD MORNING?

>> MORNING JUDGE? MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I'M SORRY [LAUGHTER]

>> WE'RE ON ITEM 76. YOU'RE OVERTIME.

>> YES, SIR. WELL, DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS TO MITIGATE AND HANDLE OUR OVERTIME SITUATION, WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE ENVIABLE SITUATION THAT WE'RE BACK ASKING TO REALLOCATE FUNDS TO COVER NOT JUST OVERTIME IN THE JAIL, BUT ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE.

I MEAN, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, YOU NEED ONLY WATCH THE NEWS FOR ABOUT THREE MINUTES TO REALIZE THAT WE'VE GOT A RISING RATE OF CRIME IN BEXAR COUNTY REGARDING GUNS, REGARDING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH GUNS, STOLEN GUNS AND STOLEN CARS.

AND SO WE'RE ASKING TO REALLOCATE FUNDS TO HELP US WITH THAT COVERAGE.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COURT? COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES?

>> SO STAFF ANALYSIS, WHAT'S THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION? IS THAT THE SAME AMOUNT AS IT PRINTED ON THE AGENDA.

>> BEFORE TINA GETS TO IT.

YOU MAY NOTICE THE NEXT ITEM, ITEM 77 IS NORMALLY A CONSENT ITEM.

THAT'S THE FLSA ITEM.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. I'M SORRY.

>> SO FOR THE ITEM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE QUARTERLY JAIL OVERTIME, BUT ITEM 77, I ASKED BE MOVED TO INDIVIDUAL THIS TIME BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE NOTICED IS A CHANGING TREND IN THE FLSA PAYMENTS.

WHAT WAS NORMALLY PRIMARILY A LAW ENFORCEMENT PAYOUT, HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DETENTION ORIENTED.

AND SO IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT BOTH THOSE TOGETHER FOR DETENTION OVERTIME PURPOSES.

>> SO WITH REGARD TO THE DETENTION OVERTIME, JUDGE, I JUST THIS MORNING SENT YOU AN EMAIL REGARDING A LIST OF INMATES THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OFFLINE REGARDING ABOUT OVER 500 FOLKS THAT ARE MENTALLY HAVE BEEN FOUND IN COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, AND YET WE'RE WAITING ON ANOTHER CHARGE THAT THEY MAY HAVE PICKED UP WHILE THEY'RE IN A HOLDING PATTERN AND STUCK IN A JAIL SETTING, THEY'RE PICKING UP ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR ASSAULTING OTHER INMATES, FOR ASSAULTING DEPUTIES.

I GAVE YOU A PRETTY COLORFUL EXAMPLE OVER LUNCH LAST WEEK OF ONE INMATE IN PARTICULAR, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE MINUTE WE TURN AWAY, HE'S LITERALLY TRYING TO PLUCK HIS OWN EYEBALL OUT,

[01:10:01]

AND I'M NOT EXAGGERATING THAT POINT.

CONSEQUENTLY, WE'VE GOT ONE DEPUTY PER SHIFT WATCHING THAT INMATE ONE-ON-ONE AND IT'S THAT THING THAT IS CONTINUING TO DRIVE UP OR OVERTIME WHERE WE'RE STILL HOLDING ONTO INMATES THAT DUE TO SHORTFALLS IN THE SYSTEM BE THAT THE STATE SYSTEM, THE STATE PRISONS, THE STATE MENTAL SYSTEM.

WE'RE STILL BEING SADDLED WITH THAT, AND IT DOES SHOW IN OUR OVERTIME FOR CERTAIN.

>> OBJECTION.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SHERIFF, JUST TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BREAKDOWN ON THOSE 500 INMATES WHO ARE BEING HELD IN BEXAR COUNTY ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY ARE AWAITING TRIAL? HOW MANY ARE WAITING TDCJ TO ACCEPT THEM.

HOW DOES THAT BREAK DOWN SHERIFF?

>> SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE ABOUT 250 THAT'D BEEN FOUND INCOMPETENT OR WAITING FOR STATE HOSPITALS.

AND THEN OUT OF THAT, YOU'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY ABOUT ANOTHER 250 THAT THE ONES THE SHERIFF JUST MENTIONED THAT THESE ARE IN VISUALS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN COMPETENT, BUT THEY ARE ALSO WAITING TO SATISFY ANOTHER CHARGE.

SO NOT THEY ARE EVEN ON THAT LIST TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE STATE HOSPITAL AND WHATNOT.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE ASKING THE COURT TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT THOSE, AND RESOLVE THOSE CASES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO PROCESS THEM OUT.

>> TWO THOUGHTS ON THOSE 500 CASES.

ON THE 250, A WAITING STATE HOSPITAL, WE KNOW OURS IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT AT THE MOMENT.

IS THERE ANY RECIPROCITY FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE THAT HAVE STATE HOSPITALS WITH A LARGER CAPACITY TO TRANSFER THEM TO ANOTHER COUNTY?

>> TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I MEAN, I KNOW WE DID BRING OUT THAT.

I BROUGHT UP DURING THAT CONVERSATION WITH UH, AND THEY SAID THERE ARE PRIVATE FACILITIES, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT FARTHER DOWN THE ROAD.

>> WELL, BEYOND THE STATE FACILITIES OUTSIDE OF THE ONE IN MY PRECINCT THAT'S BEING REDEVELOPED, MAYBE LOOKING AT, SIMILAR TO IF OUR JAIL WERE TO BE OVERCROWDED, WE WOULD LOOK TO OTHER COUNTIES TO TRANSPORT THEM.

AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE COULD BE SOME LEGAL CHALLENGE WHERE BECAUSE OF DUE PROCESS AND ALL THAT THING.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, I KNOW THEY DECIDE WHO CAN SUE THEM, BUT JUST IN TERMS OF THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE JUSTICE MOVED.

IF THERE'S ANY ABILITY TO PUT THEM INTO ANOTHER STATE FACILITY IN ANOTHER COUNTY OR THE STATE HOSPITAL IN ANOTHER COUNTY.

I MEAN, IS THAT WITHIN THE REALM OF POSSIBILITIES?

>> WELL, COMMISSIONER, WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THOSE OTHER COUNTIES ARE DEALING WITH, I'D VENTURE TO SAY THEY'RE PROBABLY IN THE SAME BOAT AS US.

I HAVE KNOW AT LEAST MY FELLOW SHERIFFS IN THE URBAN COUNTY SHERIFFS COMMITTEE THAT I SERVE ON, THE MAJOR COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, TOP 12.

EVERYBODY'S IN THE SAME BOAT NATIONALLY, HAVING JUST COME FROM THE NATIONAL SHERIFFS CONFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA.

ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES FOR SHERIFFS IN TALKING TO THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE OF THINGS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY IS GET US OUT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH BUSINESS.

WE NEED TO BE OUT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH BUSINESS.

I THINK EVERYBODY'S IN THE SAME BOAT WITH REGARD TO THOSE 250 THOUGH WE STILL TO EVEN GET THEM ON THAT LIST FOR PLACEMENT IN A STATE HOSPITAL, WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THESE CRIMINAL CHARGES.

SO IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE COURT SIDE I KNOW THE COURTS ARE OVERWORKED.

I KNOW THEY'RE NOT JUST SITTING THERE WATCHING THIS HAPPEN.

BUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO AMP THINGS UP IN A COURT PROCESS, GET THESE 250 PLUS PEOPLE THEIR CURRENT CHARGE DEALT WITH AND THEN PUT THEM ON THE LIST.

AND THEN THAT WAY IT WILL JUST BE ATTACKING IT ON ONE FRONT VERSUS TWO.

>> I THINK THE OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBABLY HAS TO DISSECT THAT COURT MOVEMENT AND WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD HAVE A RECOMMENDATION ABOUT A ROCKET DOCKET OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE FOR THOSE MENTAL HEALTH, IT MAY BE A WISE THING TO LOOK AT.

THE 250 WHO HAVE A SECOND CHARGE EITHER AS A RESULT OF ASSAULTING AN OFFICER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I THINK POLICY WISE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THAT EXTRA CHARGE THAT MAY EXTEND THEIR STAY IS WORTH THAT PROCESS TIME THAT YOU HAVE TO WAIT IN TERMS OF THEIR ADJUDICATION.

I KNOW THOSE ARE CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

I MEAN, SOME OF THEM YOU JUST CAN'T TOLERATE.

MAYBE THERE'S OTHER PENALTIES THAT CAN BE INFLICTED WITHIN THE SYSTEM OR OTHER TREATMENT.

BECAUSE AGAIN, THEY ARE MENTAL HEALTH AND SO IT MAY NEED TO

[01:15:03]

BE SOME OTHER MEDICAL RESPONSE.

I IT'S A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THAT COULD BE DELAYING THE MOVEMENT.

>> AND COMMISSIONER, TO ANSWER THAT, WE DO RESERVE IT FOR THE MOST EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THROWING BODILY FLUIDS ON A DEPUTY AND EXPOSING THEM TO ANY ANY NUMBER OF PATHOGENS.

INFLICTING SERIOUS BODILY INJURY ON A DEPUTY, OF COURSE, WHILE WE UNDERSTAND FULLY THAT SOMEBODY HAS GOT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THAT THAT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR CANNOT GO UNADDRESSED.

SO I GET YOU, AND WE'RE CERTAINLY SELECTIVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SELECTIVE AND ONLY LIMITED TO THOSE THAT ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. THE MOST EGREGIOUS.

>> THIRD LINE OF OFFENSE IN TERMS OF REDUCTION.

I SEE YOU, DAVID, AND I'LL GET BACK TO YOU IS A POTENTIAL LOOK AT AN OPERATIONAL PLAN WITH RESPECT TO OUR FUNDS THAT ARE BEING PUT INTO PLAY FOR OUR FORENSIC BED PROGRAM AT THE COUNTY LOCAL LEVEL, AS WELL AS REALLY STAYING ON TOP OF THE STATE IN TERMS OF THEIR TIMELINE OF CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE.

SO I THINK ALL OF THOSE FACTORS, WE JUST REALLY NEED TO PROBABLY INVITE THE STATE IN SOME TASK FORCE TO SEE IF THEY'LL WORK WITH US ON MOVING THESE FOLKS THAT ARE REALLY THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

I MEAN, GETTING THE STATE REPS, STATE SENATORS INVOLVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

ALL OF THOSE ENTITIES, SPEAKERS' OFFICER ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT, THEN SOME PENALTY IN THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE ENACTED WHERE WE'RE PROPERLY COMPENSATED AND THE STATE HAS AN AWFUL WAY OF PUTTING COSTS BACK ONTO LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS ANOTHER UNFUNDED MANDATE THAT WE ARE TAKING.

AND THEY'RE SITTING ON, I THINK, 18 PLUS BILLION DOLLARS OF UNSPENT SURPLUS MONEY.

I'M SORRY, DAVID. GO AHEAD.

>> NOW, JUST TWO QUICK THINGS.

I REALIZE I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY, BUT IF 250 PEOPLE INMATES WHO COULD HAVE COMMITTED AN ADDITIONAL CRIME IN THE JAIL, BUT THEY'RE AWAITING COMPETENCY RESTORATION, THEN HOW WILL THIS EVER GET RESOLVED? BECAUSE UNLESS THE CHARGES JUST DISMISSED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE TAKEN TO TRIAL UNTIL THEY'RE RESTORED.

>> WELL, AND THAT'S UP TO SOMEBODY OTHER THAN US.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE JUDGE, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT UP TO ME TO TO DO THAT, BUT WE JUST NEED SOME HELP GETTING THAT.

I GUESS, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, BACKLOG CLEARED UP AND LET'S GET THESE FOLKS MOVING ALONG.

>> BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS THEY CAN'T GO TO TRIAL FOR THAT UNTIL THEY'VE HAD THEIR COMPETENCY RESTORED.

WELL, ANYWAY, THAT'S ONE THING.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT COLLABORATION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN TERMS OF WHAT THE SHERIFF JUST SAID.

WE NEED A TASK-FORCE TO BORE INTO THAT BECAUSE SOME OF THESE THINGS SHOULD BE ADMINISTRATIVELY HELPED.

AND SO MAYBE JESSICA BEING IN THE JUDICIARY, MAYBE YOU COULD HELP US PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE TO FIGURE OUT A COMBINATION OF THINGS WITH THE SHERIFF SAID ROCKET DOCKET, ETC. THANK YOU.

>> I GOT SOME IDEAS, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> I'M SORRY JUDGE. I JUST HAVE ONE OTHER POINT, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, LARRY, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP.

AT SOME POINT, I BELIEVE DALLAS COUNTY WAS AT LEAST TAKING STEPS THAT APPEAR TO BE MOVING TOWARD A LAWSUIT OF THE STATE FOR NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH BEDS FOR COUNTY JAILS.

AND I JUST I'VE LOST TRACK OF WHERE THAT ENDED UP.

>> SORRY, DALLAS COUNTY HAS FILED SUIT AGAINST HHSC FOR THEIR INMATES THAT THEY'VE NOT TAKING.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S BEEN ANY MOVEMENT ON IT.

I'VE NOT HEARD FROM DALLAS COUNTY THAT THERE HAS BEEN MOVEMENT, BUT I ALSO DID HERE RECENTLY THAT TRAVIS COUNTY, I BELIEVE THEIR COURT, JUST LIKE A MONTH AGO, DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SUE ALSO.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT SUIT HAS BEEN FILED YET BECAUSE I'VE NOT HEARD THAT.

BUT SOME OF THE BIG COUNTIES ARE STARTING TO PUSH THE STATE TO STEP UP.

>> JUDGE, JUST BRIEFLY.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU SHERIFF OR BUDGET.

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, I GUESS THE OVERTIME BUDGET NUMBERS ARE ABOUT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SPENT LAST YEAR, IS THAT OR THEY'RE A LITTLE HIGHER.

>> THEY'RE HIGHER BECAUSE AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE TELLING YOU THAT'S NEW TO YOU, THIS MEETING IS WE'RE GOING TO START LOOKING AT THE TENSION FLSA PAYOUT.

>> AS WELL AS WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO,

[01:20:03]

WE'RE ESTIMATING $18 MILLION FOR THE YEAR.

YOU BUDGETED 11.

>> GOT IT. WELL, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES THIS YEAR TO LAST YEAR I THINK THE NUMBER I SAW THIS MORNING WAS YOU'RE ABOUT 4,200 POPULATION-WISE.

>> I THINK LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME IT WAS HIGHER.

IT WAS, I THINK 4,700, YOU'RE COMING DOWN.

BUT OUR OVERTIME NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.

SO LOGICALLY YOU'RE LIKE, WHAT WAS THE LAWSUIT?

>> SO WE ARE STILL LOSING DEPUTIES.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY JUST GAVE ME A REPORT ON OUR RETENTION.

WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT NOW OUR CURRENT ATTRITION RATE IS APPROXIMATELY 7.8 PERCENT FOR THE YEAR MONTHLY.

WHILE THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING WE'RE HAPPY ABOUT NATIONALLY THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF TURNOVER IS 40 PERCENT AMONG DETENTION OFFICERS NATIONALLY.

SO AGAIN, IT'S A NATIONAL TREND.

I KNOW THAT DOESN'T HELP US HERE.

IT'S A BIT LIKE WHEN I USED TO TELL MY DAD AT REPORT CARD TIME, BUT EVERYBODY FAILED THAT TEST.

DAD, HE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE WHO CARED ABOUT ME AND SO I CERTAINLY GET THAT.

BUT IT'S A TREND THAT WE'RE SEEING, NOT JUST ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE HOPING TO KEEP THAT IN CHECK WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO, PAY RAISES, BENEFITS.

WE'RE CERTAINLY RECRUITING.

OUR RECRUITERS ARE SUCCESSFULLY BRINGING IN PROCESSING OVER 300 APPLICANTS A YEAR, SUCCESSFUL HIRES.

BUT OUR ATTRITION IS STILL WHAT'S GETTING US NOW THERE'S SOME THINGS IN THE WORKS THAT WE'RE HOPING ARE GOING TO HELP US OUT WITH REGARD TO THAT.

BUT AGAIN, IT CONTINUES TO BE SENDING US THE WRONG WAY.

>> I KNOW EVERY TIME YOU COME SHERIFF, WE TALK ABOUT THE PLAN FOR GETTING THIS UNDER CONTROL.

>> SURE.

>> I KNOW I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY A FEW WEEKS AGO TO GO OUT AND APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM WALKING ME THROUGH THE JAIL AGAIN FOR THAT VISIT AND SEEING SOME OF THE THINGS THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT.

>> SURE.

>> CERTAINLY FROM A CAPITAL STANDPOINT, BUT ALSO MORE IMPORTANTLY, JUST HAVING THE HUMAN RESOURCES TO GET THINGS DONE.

I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB AND IT'S HARD TO GET FOLKS TO COME IN AND THEN RETAIN THEM.

>> SURE.

>> BUT I THINK TO COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S POINT, I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT.

I THINK FROM A BIGGER PERSPECTIVE ON HOW WE CAN HELP YOU AND HOW WE CAN GET THESE NUMBERS DOWN BECAUSE WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE SOME REALLY TOUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BUDGET AND THE NUMBERS THAT YOU'RE SHOWING, DAVID.

I GUESS THE ESTIMATE SOMEWHERE OVER NORTH OF 18 MILLION.

THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT JUMP FROM YEAR OVER YEAR.

SO IT'S NOT AN EASY DEAL.

I KNOW YOU SAY THAT ALL THE TIME, BUT I THINK WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND AT LEAST PLAN FOR BEYOND GOING YEAR-TO-YEAR, MAYBE YOU PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OR SEVEN YEARS OUT, SO WE HAVE SOME EXPECTATION, BUT I APPRECIATE IT SHERIFF. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> MR. MODI.

>> WELL, THANKS, JUDGE. I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK FIRST TO THE MENTAL HEALTH NUMBERS THAT SHE QUOTED.

SO I HAD LOOKED AT THIS, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THIS WE WENT UP TO AUSTIN AND HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS.

BUT THE NUMBER THAT LITERALLY THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AGO THAT WE HAD BEEN QUOTED WAS 292.

IT WAS THE 300 NUMBER, THE 500 NUMBERS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THAT, SOME TRYING TO UNDERSTAND LIKE WHAT THAT ADDITIONAL 200 OR 250 ACTUALLY IS AND WHETHER THOSE ARE IN THE SAME CATEGORY THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE.

>> SO FOR CLARIFICATION, SO THE EXTRA THE INMATES THAT WERE REFERRING TO OUR VISUALS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN COMPETENT, BUT THEY'RE NOT YET ON THAT LIST TO BE ABLE TO SEND TO THE STATE.

SO WHAT THEY'RE DOING, THERE'S THIS BASICALLY CITY IN THE JAIL AND WAITING FOR MAYBE ONE CASE LIKE WE'RE REFERRING TO.

IT MAY VARY HOURS OR ONE THE SHERIFF WAS REFERRING TO, WE HAD TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE.

HE'S BASICALLY JUST WAITING FOR ONE CASE TO BE RESOLVED.

I BELIEVE IT'S JUST A SIMPLE ASSAULT PROBABLY OFFICER IN THE JAIL TO GET THAT RESULT, TO BE ABLE TO PLACE THEM ON THE LIST, TO BE ABLE TO SEND OUT.

>> MAYBE THIS GOES BACK TO THE COMMENT DAVID WAS MAKING.

BUT IF YOU'RE INCOMPETENT YOU'RE INCOMPETENT AND THEN YOU'RE NO LONGER GOING TO STAND TRIAL UNTIL YOUR COMPETENCY IS RESTORED.

SO ARE THESE QUESTIONS OF WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMPETENT AND THEY STILL NEED TO BE EVALUATED, OR THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN FOUND INCOMPETENT AND THEY CAN NO LONGER STAND TRIAL?

>> THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN FOUND INCOMPETENT.

THEY'RE JUST WAITING FOR THAT ONE LAST CASE FOR RESOLVED AND OTHERWISE, THE JUDGE BASICALLY SAY YOU'RE INCOMPETENT ON THIS CASE TOO.

>> OKAY. I'LL HAVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT.

MAYBE YOUR TEAM CAN JUST PUT THAT INTO A MEMO OR A ONE-PAGE SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THOSE NUMBERS AND

[01:25:01]

THE BREAKDOWN TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH GOING FORWARD.

>> YES. IT'S IN THE E-MAIL THAT WE SENT, JUDGE.

>> I'LL SEND YOU THAT SAME E-MAIL THAT HAS COME TO JUDGE THIS MORNING, COMMISSIONER.

WE HAVE JUST STARTED IN THE LAST MONTH OR TWO, A PROGRAM WITH CHCS TO TRY AND PILOT AND IN JAIL COMPETENCY RESTORATION.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S NOT INTENDED TO TREAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

BUT IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL, THEN AT LEAST PROVIDE A MODEL FOR TO ADDRESS THESE INMATES THAT WE CAN'T GET TO A BED OTHERWISE.

SO WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THAT.

>> NOW I REMEMBER THAT PROGRAM AND I THINK IT HAS POTENTIAL.

IT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE ENTIRE PROBLEM, BUT AT LEAST IT HELPS.

I'D LIKE TO CIRCLE BACK NOW TO COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ'S POINT.

AND I HEARD YOUR ANSWER TO EXPLAIN THE INCREASE IN OVERTIME COSTS, EVEN THOUGH THE POPULATION THAT THE GELS DECREASING, THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE FEWER DETENTION OFFICERS AND THAT'S, PAYING MORE IN OVERTIME.

BUT THAT'S ALSO A SCARY THOUGHT BECAUSE AT SOME POINT AS WE CONTINUE TO PAY MORE OVERTIME AND HAVE FEWER DETENTION OFFICERS, THAT THIS CAN'T CONTINUE FOREVER [OVERLAPPING] AND IF IT BREAKS, THE COUNTY IS GOING TO BE IN A REALLY BAD SITUATION.

I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY A QUESTION.

IT'S JUST IT'S VERY CONCERNING TO ME THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REVERSE THIS TREND.

WHETHER IT'S THROUGH RECRUITMENT, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH RETENTION.

BUT THE CURRENT TRAJECTORY IS CONCERNING AND WE GOT TO REVERSE IT.

I DID WANT TO CIRCLE BACK REALLY QUICK TO SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD PREVIOUSLY AROUND SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LAST YEAR THAT HOPEFULLY WOULD REDUCE SOME OF THE STRAIN ON THOSE DETENTION OFFICERS.

THERE WERE TWO ITEMS JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, AS WELL AS THE TRANSITIONING OF DUTIES FROM UNIFORM DEPUTIES TO CIVILIANS IN THE JAIL. CAN YOU SPEAK TO BOTH?

>> I'LL LET YOU HAVE JENSEN ADDRESS THOSE FOR YOU.

WHAT THE CLASSIFICATION WE JUST GOT APPROVED TENDS TO BILLION SPOTS.

SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF HIRING THOSE.

AS FAR AS THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP, THE RECHARGE ROOMS ARE ON-POINT TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN 10-12 WEEKS AND ANOTHER ITEM THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WAS TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

TO BE HONEST, THE FEEDBACK WE GOT ON THAT STAFF WAS JUST LOOKING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR RACIST.

>> CLASSIFICATION.

>> THE CLASSIFICATION AS PART WAS ALSO ADDRESSED WITH THE 10 CIVILIANS.

>> THOSE TWO ARE COMBINED.

I THOUGHT THE CLASSIFICATION WAS MORE AROUND THE PROCESSING AND TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS.

THEN SEPARATE FROM THAT, THERE WAS A CONVERSATION AROUND THE CIVILIANS SERVING IN THOSE ROLES.

>> THE DECISION TREE IS STILL IN THE WORKS.

WE'RE WORKING WITH BCIT TO BE ABLE TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS AND TO BE ABLE TO CONSOLIDATE THE INMATES MORE INTO BASICALLY A HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW SYSTEM.

BUT TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT, BECAUSE OF THOSE MENTAL INMATES THAT WE CONTINUOUSLY KEEP HAVING, WE'RE HAVING TO SEPARATE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE UNITS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF I HAVE A UNIT THAT HAS A CAPACITY OF 70, I'M PROBABLY ONLY USING HALF OF THAT BECAUSE I'M HAVING TO KEEP THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN SEPARATE CELLS.

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS IS BECAUSE OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND NOT BEING ABLE TO HOUSE THEM IN MULTIPLE CELLS.

>> WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ATTRITION, SHERIFF, I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THESE CORRECTION OFFICER COURSE STATES THAT ARE PROPOSED.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S ONE COURSE, 23 ECHO, THAT'S CURRENTLY IN THE CLASS IN FOXTROT STARTING SHORTLY HERE.

I GUESS WITH THOSE COURSES AND THOSE CLASSES, WITH THE CURRENT ATTRITION, ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS IF THESE FOLKS ALL GRADUATE OR ARE WE STILL CONTINUING TO TURN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION?

>> AT TIMES WE'RE CHANGING POSITIVELY AND AT TIMES WE'RE CHANGING NEGATIVELY.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE STILL FIGHTING AGAINST IS THE RETIREMENT TSUNAMI THAT'S STILL, WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF IT.

AT ANY GIVEN TIME, 40% OF OUR EMPLOYEE POPULATION IS ELIGIBLE TO WALK IN AND TURN IN THEIR PAPERWORK AND LEAVE.

WE'RE CERTAINLY TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THAT, NOT TO MENTION THE GENERATIONAL TREND TOWARD RESIGNATIONS.

WE JUST HAD A DEPUTY THAT THE CHIEF WAS TELLING ME ABOUT, A NEW DEPUTY THAT CAME IN AND RESIGNED BECAUSE

[01:30:04]

HER LIVESTOCK IS DYING AT HOME AND SHE NEEDED TO GO HOME AND ATTEND TO HER LIVESTOCK, AND SO SHE QUIT HER JOB.

THAT'S THE THING THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

THESE NEW GENERATION IS MORE THAN WILLING TO WALK AWAY FROM A CAREER FOR A REASON THAT YOU AND I COULDN'T HAVE EVEN FATHOMED BACK IN OUR DAY.

WE'RE CERTAINLY STILL FIGHTING AGAINST GENERATIONAL ISSUES WITH REGARD TO THAT ON TOP OF THE RETIREMENT TSUNAMI THAT WE'RE SEEING.

TO TELL YOU, IT'S MONTH-TO-MONTH.

SOME MONTHS WE TREND UPWARD, SOME MONTHS WE TREND DOWNWARD.

WITH REGARD TO OUR CADET CLASSES, WE'RE STARTING SMALLER CLASSES MORE FREQUENTLY.

BASICALLY, EVERY TWO WEEKS I'M BRINGING IN ANOTHER GROUP OF ANYWHERE FROM 10-20 NEW CADETS IN.

THE REASON THAT WE START THEM MORE FREQUENTLY LIKE THAT IS BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY NEED TO GIVE TWO WEEKS NOTICE TO THEIR EMPLOYER, AND SOMETIMES THEY SAY, LOOK, I NEED A JOB TODAY OR ELSE I'M GOING TO GO FIND EMPLOYMENT ELSEWHERE, SO WE BRING THEM IN AND GET THEM STARTED TO TRY TO HANG ON TO THEM.

AT PRESENT, WE SEEM TO BE MOVING THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IT'S HIT OR MISS ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS.

>> WELL, I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE'S ANY ISSUES THAT THE COURT CAN FACILITATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE COURSES.

IF YOU NEED TO HAVE MORE OF THOSE COURSES MORE FREQUENTLY OR WHETHER IT'S SIMPLY ABOUT THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WILLING TO SIGN UP FOR A COURSE AND FILL THOSE COURSES.

>> I THINK THE NUMBER OF COURSES, WE'RE DOING JUST FINE WITH IT, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK TO US, IT'D BE JUST AS EASY TO TRAIN 10 AS IT IS TO TRAIN 30. IT'S FINE.

I'D RATHER HAVE CLOSER TO THE 30.

BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO WITH REGARD TO PAY RAISES OR INCENTIVES TO TRY TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH, NOT JUST THE OTHER MAJOR COUNTIES.

I'M TRYING TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH THE NEXT COUNTY OVER THE SMALLER COUNTIES THAT CAN SAY, HEY, WE'LL PAY YOU MORE FOR LESS WORK.

THAT'S THE THING THAT WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST.

IT'S REALLY JUST ANYTHING THAT YOU ALL CAN DO TO HELP US OUT WITH REGARD TO THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED?

>> NO. I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT UP.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK ABOUT RETENTION AND JUST WHAT A RISK THAT WOULD BE WITH THE 40% THAT ARE ABLE TO RETIRE AT THIS POINT.

JUST LAST POINT I'LL MAKE IN THIS, MAY BE A QUESTION FOR MELISSA.

BUT I DO KNOW WITH ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING THAT WAS PRIORITIZED TO I BELIEF 15 MILLION.

DO WE HAVE ANY PATHWAY TO ASK FOR ANY OF THOSE BEDS FOR THOSE WITHIN OUR JAIL OR DO THEY HAVE TO BE PRIORITIZED THROUGH THE STATE?

>> THEY'RE PRIORITIZED THROUGH THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

I WAS JUST TALKING TO JUDGE CARSON ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT THEY GO THROUGH, THE INDIVIDUALS INMATES GO THROUGH, AND IT'S BASICALLY FIRST-IN, FIRST-OUT.

WHOEVER'S NEXT ON THE LIST GETS A BED WHEREVER THAT BED IS IN THE STATE.

EVEN IF THE STATE HOSPITAL ADDS 40 MAXIMUM SECURITY FORENSIC BEDS HERE AT THE STATE HOSPITAL, WHICH THEY WILL DO, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO TAKE 40 IMMEDIATELY OUT OF OUR JAIL.

IT'S WHOEVER'S NEXT ON THE LIST.

>> THAT GETS AT THE POINT OF MY QUESTION.

IS THERE ANY WAY THAT WE CAN HAVE FRONT OF THE LINE PRIVILEGES BASED ON GEOGRAPHY IT'S JUST ENTIRELY, WE HAVE A LIST THAT GOES TO THE STATE AND THEY'RE PRIORITIZED THERE AND WE HAD NO SAY IN BEING ABLE TO PUSH INDIVIDUALS OVER THERE?

>> IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK.

WE CAN ALL WORK TO IT.

>> IF WE CAN DO THAT, LET'S TRY TO DO THAT.

>> JUDGE, I HAVE AN OPERATIONAL THOUGHT.

>>MR. CALVIN.

NUMBER 1, CAN WE GET FROM THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE DISTRICT CLERK AND DCIT, A LIST OF THE COURT DOCKETS THAT ARE BEHIND ON THE MENTAL HEALTH AND HAVE A WAITING ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO THESE MENTAL HEALTH FOLKS.

THEY ARE THE FREQUENT FLIERS, FREQUENT USERS OF A LOT OF RESOURCED MANPOWER.

I THINK DAVID, FOR OUR PURPOSES ON THE COURT, WHEN WE GET THESE LISTS, WE NEED TO BRING A POWERPOINT TO COURT WITH THESE 500 AWAITING COURT ACTIONS SO THAT WE KNOW IN COURT NUMBER WHATEVER THERE'S 40 CASES, IN COURT NUMBER WHATEVER THERE'S 10 CASES, IN COURT NUMBER WHATEVER THERE'S 100 CASES.

LET'S KEEP SOME SPOTLIGHT ON THESE HEAVY MANPOWER USE UNIT, THE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT.

I ALSO THINK, FOR MELISSA, I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT, JUDGE, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO INVITE OUR STATE REPS AND STATE SENATORS, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO COME INTO THE JAIL AND UNDERSTAND THE REAL CRISIS.

WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE A HEARING PER SE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR LEGISLATORS NOW IN CRISIS OF 500 FOLKS TO COME AND WALK THROUGH THOSE UNITS WITH THE SHERIFF,

[01:35:03]

AND I'M HAPPY TO COME.

BECAUSE THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE STATE CLOCK HAS A HUGE RAMIFICATION ON THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE HEALTH.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE THE UNION TO EXPRESS THOSE TO LEGISLATORS, WHAT IS THE EFFECT UPON THE MANPOWER.

I KNOW THE SHERIFF CAN DO THAT AS WELL AND CHIEF JANSEN CAN DO THAT.

I THINK THE LIGHT ON THIS THING, WHEN IT COMES TO COURT, WE REALLY FOCUS ON THE 500 AND FIGURE OUT IN THE FUNDING GRANT MECHANISM.

I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE A BIG ENOUGH.

I KNOW THAT DR. CASTRO DOES A FANTASTIC JOB WRITING GRANTS FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OR THROUGH THE OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE RATHER.

BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

NUMBER 1, THE GRANTS IN THE STATE THAT ARE AVAILABLE THAT COMMISSIONER MOODY WORKED FOR AND WE'RE PASSED.

WE PROBABLY NEED TO RATCHET UP THE GRANT WRITING, AND TWO, I SEEK JOSH ANDERS HERE FROM HARRIS COUNTY IN HOUSTON.

I WAS TALKING WITH SOME OF THE LEADERSHIP IN HARRIS COUNTY YESTERDAY ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE GONE AND GOT BILLS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

WHEN THEY EXPLAIN HOW THE STATE IS MESSING OVER LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THEY GET CUTOUTS, SO THE MONEY FROM THE, EXCUSE ME, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN COME STRAIGHT TO THE COUNTIES.

IF THAT MEANS THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH GROUP, WE CAN GET THE FORENSIC BEDS EXPANDED OR A PRIVATE SECTOR PROVIDER TO EXPAND A PLACE THAT JUDGES CAN PUT FOLKS IN, AND WE CAN MAYBE GET A FEDERAL APPROPRIATION THROUGH A GRANT.

WE NEED TO WORK ON THOSE KINDS OF CUTOUTS.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE ENOUGH OF THAT IN TERMS OF CHECKING ON THAT, BUT GET WITH THEIR HARRIS COUNTY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS RECORD AND BYPASSING.

IT DOESN'T EVEN GO TO THE STATE.

THE STATE DOESN'T GET THE MONEY FROM THE FEDS.

IT COMES STRAIGHT EARMARK TOWARDS COUNTIES. WE NEED SOME HELP.

IF WE COULD GET THOSE 500 OFF OF THE BACKS OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH IN TERMS OF OVER TIME REDUCTION.

I THINK THAT'S A HUGE DRAW DOWN ON YOUR TIME.

I'M GOING TO ASK MY STAFF TO PLAYBACK THIS TAPE AT MY SUGGESTIONS.

LET'S REALLY GET TO WORK ON KNOCKING THIS OUT.

>> JUDGE CARSON REMINDED ME OF AN ISSUE AS WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL, THAT THE STATE HAS BEDS; THEY DON'T HAVE INDIVIDUALS TO MAN THOSE BEDS.

THEY'VE GOT A FACILITY IN CARVILLE.

THE LAST I READ ON THAT IS IT'S JUST SITTING IDLE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAN IT.

THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROFESSIONALS TO MAN IT.

THEN IN ADDITION TO GETTING HELP FROM OUR STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS, TIMING IS PERFECT BECAUSE SENATOR MENENDEZ HAD REACHED OUT TO ME AND ASKED HE WANTS TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE.

I HAD REACHED BACK OUT TO HIM, TOLD HIM I'M HERE TO HELP HIM; HOWEVER, WHATEVER HE NEEDS FROM ME TO HELP SET THAT UP.

>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN DO THAT TOUR IN THE NEXT MONTH WITH HIS SCHEDULE AND THE OTHER LEGISLATURE.

>> HE HE ALSO WANTED TO, AND NOW HIS NAME ESCAPES ME, HAVE ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL HELP.

BUT YES, I WILL REACH BACK OUT TO HIM AND THAT WILL BE MY NEXT TASK IS TO GET A WORK WITH THE SHERIFF AND OTHERS TO GET THAT SCHEDULED.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER RUDY.

>> TWO QUICK COMMENTS, I JUST MENTIONED.

FIRST OF ALL, IT MAY BE WORTH THINKING ABOUT THE ABILITY IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL ARPA DOLLARS THAT COULD BE PRIORITIZED TOWARDS LOWER LEVEL CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.

THAT MAY BE SOMETHING WE WANT TO EXPLORE AS A COURT.

THE OTHER THING I WAS JUST GOING TO MENTION AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, BUT I'M GUESSING THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE YOUR TOP 10, TOP 20 OF THAT 500.

THE INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT ARE ON A ONE TO ONE WITH YOUR DEPUTIES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY WAY FOR US WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAXIMUM SECURITY BEDS THAT WE CAN INDIVIDUALLY PRIORITIZE BEYOND SAYING THERE IN THIS CATEGORY.

BUT SAY, HEY, THESE ARE OUR TOP 10 THAT WE NEED OUT OF THE JAIL IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE AND MOVE FORWARD.

BUT IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO, I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY VALUABLE TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND TRY TO PRIORITIZE THEM.

>> I'LL GO ONE STEP FURTHER, COMMISSIONER, I THINK WE CAN ABSOLUTELY DO THAT.

THOSE THAT ARE MORE LABOR-INTENSIVE.

BUT ADDITIONALLY, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE INFORMATION I'LL BE SENDING YOU THAT RIGHT AFTER THIS MEETING IS THERE'S SOME FOLKS THAT THEIR DAYS IN THE JAIL HAVE ALREADY SURPASSED WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO ANYWAY, HAD THEY JUST BEEN ABLE TO BE SENTENCED, THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN OUT OF JAIL ANYWAY.

WE CAN CERTAINLY PRIORITIZE THOSE AS WELL.

[01:40:01]

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> LET ME LET ME WAY IN.

SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO WANT ME TO SAY THIS, BUT I WILL.

SHERIFF YOU AND I HAVE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS AND WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF THE NECESSITY FOR FORENSIC BEDS AND THE LACK THEREOF, CORRECT?

>> I AS A FORMER JUDGE, I'VE DRILL DOWN AND SAID, OKAY, WHO ARE WE HOLDING IN THERE? YOU HAVE POINTED OUT THAT YOU HAVE MENTALLY INCOMPETENT OR HAD BEEN RULED MENTALLY INCOMPETENT, BUT ARE BEING HELD ON A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE AND THEY'RE STILL SITTING THERE.

NOW, I'M FULLY AWARE AND I THINK JUDGE CASES IS IN A ROOM.

THE REALITY IS THE ONLY WAY THAT PARTICULAR POPULATION WHO PERHAPS IS SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL, YOU'VE ALREADY SAID YOU NEED TO PUT ONE-ON-ONE SUPERVISION FOR SOME OF THESE DEFENDANTS, CORRECT?

>> WHICH MEANS THEY'RE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR A DANGEROUS COMMUNITY?

>> ARE WE NOT HOLDING PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE NO PLACE TO PUT THEM.

I CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT, COMMISSIONER MOODY, AND THE FELLOW COMMISSIONERS THAT YEAH, IT'S A STATE ISSUE AND WE NEED SOME HELP.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH CONFIDENCE THAT ANY HELP IS COMING FROM THEM.

WHAT I DO SEE IS THAT WE CAN DO THINGS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

I WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THE JAIL POPULATION COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAS BEEN GOING DOWN.

THAT'S BECAUSE OUR CRIMINAL COURTS ARE WORKING FULL SPEED AND I WANT TO GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR MOVING CASES.

THE PROJECTIONS WAS THAT WE SHOULD BE ON AN UPWARD CLIMB AND WE'RE NOT.

WE'RE ON A STEADY, WHICH I THINK IS A VERY GOOD SIGN THAT OUR SYSTEM IS WORKING WELL.

MY QUESTION FOR THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONERS COURT, ESPECIALLY STAFF, IS, FOLLOWING COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S SUGGESTION THAT WE LOOK AT THESE PARTICULAR POPULATION WITH SPECIFICITY.

YOU AND I HAVE DISCUSSED THAT.

IS THERE A MECHANISM RIGHT NOW THAT THE COUNTY CAN LOOK AT THESE INDIVIDUAL CASES SO THAT WE CAN THEN EITHER CONFER WITH THE JUDGE OR CONFER WITH THE DA OR COMBINATION? IS IT THROUGH THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE? IS IT THROUGH DR. GREENFIELD ABOARD OFFICE? WE HAVE THIS BUREAUCRACY THAT SOMETIMES DOESN'T ALWAYS TALK TO EACH OTHER.

CAN YOU TELL ME IF I SAY SHERRIFF, HOW WE MOVE THESE PEOPLE OUT AND CAN WE DO IT AT A LOCAL LEVEL? I THINK WE CAN.

NOW, UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'VE GOT A TOUGH DECISION.

WE LET SOME OF THESE MISDEMEANOR OFFENDERS THAT ARE MENTALLY ILL LOOSE, SO TO SPEAK, PUT THEM OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO GET PUSHED BACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

HAVING SAID THAT, SHERIFF, IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE.

>> IT IS.

>> VERY COMPLEX. WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THESE MENTALLY ILL HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT NOT TO BE INCARCERATED.

IT'S A BALANCING TEST.

WE CAN'T BE HOUSING MENTALLY ILL AND OUR JAIL SYSTEM, YET THE PUBLIC DEMANDS PUBLIC SAFETY.

HELP ME AS THE LEADING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT, SHERIFF?

>> WELL JUDGE YOUR CORRECT.

THESE FOLKS ARE NOT ONLY BEING PUT INTO A SITUATION THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

WE CAN'T JUST CONTINUE TO PUT THESE PEOPLE BEHIND BARS WHEN IN REALITY THEY SHOULD BE IN A HOSPITAL BED SOMEWHERE.

WE DO THAT AND THEN EXPECT THAT THINGS TO NOT HAPPEN.

NOT TO MENTION AND YOU AND I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS AS WELL.

THIS IS AN ALSO A PHYSICALLY MORE SICK POPULATION.

ON A DAILY BASIS I'M HAVING INMATES TRANSPORTED OUT OF THE JAIL FOR SUFFERING A STROKE WHILE IN OUR CUSTODY.

MOST OF THEM MENTALLY ILL SUFFERING FROM SOMETHING ELSE AND THEY'RE NON-COMPLIANT WITH THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS, FOR EXAMPLE.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE TRANSPORTED OUT FOR LOW WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT WE'RE SEEING A MORE SICK INMATE POPULATION, WHICH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, THAT'S ALSO ONE OF THE BIG REASONS THAT OUR OVERTIME IS CONTINUING TO GO UP DESPITE A LOWER POPULATION BECAUSE IT'S A SICKER POPULATION.

MORE HOSPITAL RUNS.

ON SOME SHIFTS I'VE GOT 10, 15 DEPUTIES ON OVERTIME SITTING AT THE HOSPITAL ONE-ON-ONE WITH A SICK INMATE GOING THROUGH ANY NUMBER OF MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY MECHANISM CURRENTLY EXISTS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO AMP THINGS UP.

HOWEVER, IF YOU ALL ARE THE ONES WITH THE ABILITY TO PUT THAT COMMITTEE TOGETHER, ABSOLUTELY I WANTED A SEAT AT THAT TABLE.

I WILL DO EVERYTHING FROM MY POWER AND FROM THE POWER OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO FACILITATE THAT BECAUSE THE FACT IS THAT SOME OF THESE PEOPLE CAN'T JUST BE TURNED OUT.

WE DO HAVE ON THIS LIST OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED, MENTALLY INCOMPETENT.

[01:45:03]

PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE FOR SOME SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN.

THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU CAN JUST OPEN UP THE DOOR AND LET THEM GO.

THEY NEED TO BE SOMEWHERE.

I'M JUST QUESTIONING ON WHETHER A JAIL IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR THAT PERSON BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET FIXED.

THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING ON? ARE WE LITERALLY JUST WAITING ON THAT PERSON TO DIE AT SOME POINT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS.

I'D CERTAINLY WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THAT TEAM, JUDGE, THAT GETS THE SYSTEM.

>> DAVID, DO WE HAVE A MECHANISM TO REVIEW IT?

>> NO.

>> I THINK SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT WE DO THAT.

>> YES. IF YOU WILL GET US THE NAMES OF THOSE INMATES AND WHATEVER NUMBER YOU GOT ATTACHED TO EACH ONE OF THEM WE CAN BEGIN TO REVIEW THEM FOR THE LEVEL OF THE OFFENSE AND THE LENGTH OF STAY, AND TO GIVE MR. CALVERT POINT WHAT COURT THEY'VE DOCKETED IN TO SOME EXTENT, WE CAN HELP JUST LIKE WE NORMALLY WOULD WITH ANY PR BOND.

IF IT GETS DENIED IT FIRST, WE CAN GO BACK TO THE JUDGE.

COULD YOU PLEASE PRIORITIZE THIS AND SEE IF THEY'LL WORK WITH US.

BUT THAT JUST GETS THEM CLEARED OF PENDING CHARGES, THAT DOESN'T GET THEM COMPENSATED.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK A COMMITTEE APPROACH EVEN BIGGER THAN.

>> I'LL CHAIR THE COMMITTEE, DAVID, HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> GREAT. BECAUSE IT'S YOU RELEASED THEM TO WHAT? IT SHOULD BE TO SOME TREATMENT.

THAT IS WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A GROUP.

>> CAN I JUST SAY SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS HERE ON BEAR COUNTY FOR OUR OWN RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE CARRY THE WEIGHT OF A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORING RURAL COUNTIES.

AS ARPA DOLLARS COME BACK, I WOULD LOVE FOR THIS COURT TO MAKE A DECISION THAT EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR GOES INTO PUTTING MORE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS AS OPPOSED TO STARTING TO DEAL OUT BAND AIDS FOR ALL THE MILLION REQUESTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN.

THAT ARPA DOLLARS COULD HELP, BUT IF WE CONCENTRATE IT AND HELP TO PUT IT IN STILL WON'T BE ENOUGH.

BUT I WOULD LOVE FOR THIS COURT TO MAKE A DECISION TO PUT IT ALL OR MORE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.

>> IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IS THERE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR?

>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE $3,169,159.

>> HERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

LET'S GO TO WORK, CHAIR.

>> YES, SIR. WE'LL DO JUDGE. THANK YOU.

>> SEVENTY SEVEN DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF

[77. Discussion and appropriate action regarding acceptance of an FLSA summary report regarding non-exempt County personnel that have accrued FLSA hours in excess of 199 but less than 240, and law enforcement personnel FLSA hours in excess of 439 but less than 480 as of the month ending June 2023. Notification of payment to those employees who have accumulated hours in excess of the FLSA maximum level for an estimated amount of $780,087 and approval of the appropriate budget transfers in the amount of $381,734. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes)]

AN FLSA SUMMARY REPORT REGARDING NON-EXEMPT COUNTY PERSONNEL THAT HAVE RECRUIT FLSA HOURS IN THE EXCESS OF 199 BUT LESS THAN 240 AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, FLSA HOURS THEN EXCESS OF 439, BUT LESS THAN 480 AS OF THE MONTH OF ENDING JUNE 2023, NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENTS TO THESE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ACCUMULATED HOURS IN EXCESS OF THE FLSA MAXIMUM LEVEL FOR AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT IS $780,087, AND APPROVAL OF THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER AND THE AMOUNT OF $381,734.

>> JUDGE, WE'VE GROUPED THESE TOGETHER.

YOU JUST ESSENTIALLY DISCUSSED IT ALREADY.

>> SO IS THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, THE SECOND, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, APPLIED TO BOTH 76 AND 77.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO DO THEM SEPARATELY, BUT WE DID COVER PART OF THIS IN THAT DISCUSSION, SO I'D MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL, JUDGE.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, CHAIR.

>> ITEM 78. MS. CARLIN, DISCUSSION,

[78. Discussion and appropriate action on the bi-annual appointment of election judges for the period of August 1, 2023 thru July 31, 2025 as presented with the approval of additions and subtractions made to the list during the appointment term. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes)]

APPROPRIATE ACTION OF BI-ANNUAL APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION JUDGES OF THE PERIOD OF AUGUST 1, 2023 THROUGH JULY 31, 2025, AS PRESENTED WITH THE APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS MADE TO THE LIST DURING THE APPOINTMENT TERM. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

THIS IS A STANDARD ORDER.

WE ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT WE APPOINT OUR JUDGES FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD AND WE DO IT ON THE OFF YEAR.

WE DO IT SO THAT THEY HAVE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WHICH IS USUALLY SMALLER, SO IT CAN BE THEIR TRAINING ELECTION.

THEY'LL COME THROUGH, WE TRAIN THEM FOR EIGHT HOURS.

OUR JUDGES MUST COME THROUGH AN EIGHT HOUR TRAINING FOR CERTIFICATION.

AFTER THAT, THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE A TEST AND THEY

[01:50:01]

MUST PASS THAT TEST WITH 70 TO GO FORWARD.

THERE IS ALSO THE SECRETARY STATE HAS A TRAINING TEST ONLINE.

WE WILL ACCEPT THAT FROM OUR JUDGES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN CERTIFIED AND HAVE WORKED FOR US.

AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS LIST, WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF NEW APPLICANTS COME IN AND WE'RE VERY PLEASED WITH THAT.

HOWEVER, FIRST OUT OF THE GATE, A LOT OF THE NEW APPLICANTS DID NOT GET ANY OF THEIR SCHEDULES IN OR IF THEY HAD BEEN WORKING AND CERTIFIED AS A CLERK.

WE SENT THEM A TEST TO TAKE AND WE HAD A JUNE 30TH DEADLINE SO THAT WE COULD PREPARE A LIST FOR YOU FOR THIS DATE.

THIS IS A STATUTORY DATE THAT THE COURT MUST APPOINT THE ELECTION OFFICIALS, AND AS I ALWAYS SAY, THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT.

PEOPLE WILL MOVE IN AND MOVE OUT AS IN THAT TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

SO FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, YOU HAVE A LIST OF APPROVED PEOPLE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND A LIST FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO A POINT TODAY.

>> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> YEAH, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

SO HOW ARE THEY RECRUITED?

>> THROUGH THE PARTIES. THE PARTIES, I THINK DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE HERE AND THEY CAN ANSWER THAT.

BUT NORMALLY THEY DEAL WITH THEIR PRECINCT CHAIRS, AND THEIR PRECINCT CHAIRS KNOW PEOPLE OR WE ALSO SEE THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH THE RANKS.

THEY WERE RECRUITED TO BE A CLERK AND SO THEY WORKED AT THE POLES, GOT THAT EXPERIENCE.

AFTER A COUPLE OF TIMES SAID, I CAN DO THIS AND THEN THEY COME IN THROUGH CERTIFICATION.

>> OKAY. SO I KNOW THE LIST SAY, LIST THE DEMOCRATIC JUDGES, LIST THE REPUBLICAN JUDGES.

BUT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ELECTIONS THEN THEY SHOULD BE BI-PARTISAN, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT, AND THE WAY IT'S SET UP, COMMISSIONER, IS WHEN WE GET TO THE PRIMARY AND THE GENERAL ELECTION, THE PRECINCT OR SINCE WE HAVE BOTH CENTERS, THE VOTE CENTER THAT'S IN THE AREA THAT HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTERS IN THE LAST GOVERNOR'S RACE, IF IT'S MORE REPUBLICAN VOTES IN THAT AREA THEN IT WOULD BE A REPUBLICAN PRESIDING JUDGE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATE JUDGE, SO THE PARODY IS THERE AND LIKEWISE, IT'S REVERSED.

IF WE HAVE A MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC VOTES THEN THE PRESIDING JUDGE COMES FROM THE DEMOCRATIC LIST, AND THE ALTERNATE JUDGE COMES FROM REPUBLICAN LIST.

>> HOW DO WE DO THAT WHEN THE LIST OF REPUBLICAN JUDGES IS SO MUCH MORE THAN LIST OF DEMOCRATIC JUDGES?

>> PARDON ME?

>> HOW DO WE FIND THAT BALANCE WHEN THE LIST OF REPUBLICAN JUDGES IS LIKE A PAGE LONGER THAN THE LIST OF DEMOCRATIC JUDGES?

>> RIGHT, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT FACT.

BUT AGAIN, PLEASE UNDERSTAND, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME JUDGES AT THE SAME POLL SITES ALL THE TIME.

AS YOU HEARD ME SAY, IT'S A LIVING DOCUMENT.

SO WE MAY HAVE A DEMOCRATIC JUDGE HERE, BUT FOR THAT NEXT ELECTION THEY ARE UNAVAILABLE.

SOMEONE'S GOTTEN SICK, THEIR CHILD GET A GRAND BABY AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE THERE.

SO WE ALWAYS HAVE THIS ALTERNATE LIST SO THAT WE CAN OPEN EVERY POLL SITE.

>> HOW ARE WE DOING WHAT NUMBERS? BECAUSE I KNOW LAST TIME WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF THE JUDGES ARE OLDER AND THEY'RE RETIRING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SCARE OF COVID.

SO YOU SAID THAT THE BOTH PARTIES ARE HERE, COULD THEY TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND IF THEY'RE TRYING TO RECRUIT YOUNGER PEOPLE COMING IN SO THAT WE DON'T FIND OURSELVES WITH SOME ISSUES LATER? [BACKGROUND]

>> YES. WHAT WE DO IS WE SEND OURSELVES.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> PLEASE LET US KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT PARTY YOU'RE REPRESENTING.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

>> MY NAME IS ROSEMARY [INAUDIBLE] WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I HANDLE THE PRIMARY FOR THEM.

WHAT WE DO AND AT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS WE SEND OUT LETTERS AND WE DO CALLS, WE RECRUIT PEOPLE, WE'RE CONSTANTLY DOING THIS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR BECAUSE WE REALIZED THE NECESSITY TO HAVE A REPRESENTATION AT EACH OF THE POLLING SITES, AND IT'S DONE BY, WE HAVE A MATRIX THAT TELLS THE JUDGES WHAT THEY GET PAID AND WHAT THEIR DUTIES WOULD BE.

[01:55:06]

THE WAY WE RECRUIT THEM IS BY MORE WORD OF MOUTH, BUT WE ALSO ACTIVELY TALK TO ALL THE DIFFERENT CLUBS THAT WE HAVE.

WE TALK TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PLEASE HELP US IN RECRUITING SOME OF THESE JUDGES TO WORK AND WE ALSO DEPEND ON OUR PRECINCT CHAIRS TO SPREAD OUT THE WORD.

WE DO THIS CONSTANTLY.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE DO DURING ELECTIONS.

JACKIE PROVIDES A TRAINING FOR THEM AND THAT'S HOW WE DO IT.

>> HAS THERE BEEN AN EFFORT TO GET YOUNGER PEOPLE INVOLVED AS SOME OF THE OLDER PEOPLE ARE NOT WANTING TO DO IT ANYMORE?

>> WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR, I BELIEVE WITH ALL THE LEGISLATION THAT CAME OUT, WHEN WE SPOKE TO A LOT OF THE JUDGES TRYING TO GET THEM TO GET RECERTIFIED THEY JUST HAD NO DESIRE TO COME BACK.

>> THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING SOME YOUNGER PEOPLE. THANK YOU.

>> YES. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> JACKIE, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

FOR THE TIME THAT YOU'VE SPENT SHARING INFORMATION AND WORKING WITH MY STAFF, I APPRECIATE IT.

I DID JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES SAID.

I DO THINK THAT THERE'S A QUESTION WHEN WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF POLLING SITES, AND I WASN'T PART OF THIS DISCUSSION LAST CYCLE.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BUT THERE'S A TRADE-OFF HERE THAT I THINK WE'RE GETTING TO YOU WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ELECTION JUDGES AND ALSO THE NUMBER OF ELECTION PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPORT ALL THOSE LOCATIONS.

>> AT SOME POINT THERE'S A TRADE-OFF AND WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT AS WE TRY TO CONTINUE TO ADD POLLING SITES THAT ALSO STRAINS THE NUMBER OF ELECTION JUDGES WE HAVE, THAT WE CAN'T HAVE THE SAME REPRESENTATION AT THOSE POLLING SITES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AND SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT AS A COURT GOING FORWARD.

I KNOW THAT FROM WHAT YOU'VE SHARED AT HEADQUARTERS, YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT SIDE-BY-SIDE LOOKING AT PROVISIONAL BALLOTS AND MAKING THOSE ASSESSMENTS.

BUT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AT EVERY POLLING SITE, TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S MORE AND MORE CONFIDENCE THAT'S DEVELOPED THERE BY HAVING A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BOTH PARTIES MAKE THOSE DECISIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOAL BUT AGAIN, THAT COMES AT THE DECISION AROUND HOW MANY POLLING SITES THAT WE HAVE AND HOW MANY ELECTION JUDGES THAT WE CAN TRAIN AND WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING THAT.

AGAIN, HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY, AS WE ENTER THE PRIMARY SEASON, BOTH PARTIES FOR YEARS HAVE COME TO A CONSENSUS THAT IF WE GET TO CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTY, FOR INSTANCE, THAT WE WOULD NEED IF WE'RE IN A REPUBLICAN AREA AND WE WOULD NEED A DEMOCRATIC JUDGE, AND THERE WOULD BE NO DEMOCRATIC JUDGE IN THAT AREA, THAT THEY WOULD PUT ANOTHER REPUBLICAN AND THEY WOULD OPEN IT WITH TWO REPUBLICANS.

ALSO, IN PARTS OF THE COUNTY, WE WOULD HAVE TWO DEMOCRATS.

WHY I SAY THAT PARTIES AGREED TO THIS IS IT WAS MUCH MORE DOABLE AND PERMISSIVE FOR THEM TO HAVE A PLACE FOR THEIR VOTERS TO VOTE, TO HAVE IT OPEN INSTEAD OF CLOSING IT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE TWO FOR PARODY.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD FOR THE POLLS SITES, THAT'S PART OF THE DISCUSSION THAT HAPPENS.

>> OBJECT THIS VERY QUICKLY.

I WANT TO THANK THE TWO PARTIES FOR COMING TODAY AND PROVIDING THESE LISTS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE YEAR ROUND.

I HAVE A REQUEST IF WE CAN GET TOGETHER IN THE NEXT MONTH HERE.

WE DO HAVE SOME YOUNGER FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN COLLEGE AND THINGS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SERVE AS ELECTION JUDGES AND WE'D LOVE TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS AND SO IF WE CAN GET TOGETHER IN THE NEXT MONTH HERE, I KNOW THE PARTY WILL RECOMMEND THEM AND DO SOME OF THE INITIAL WORK THERE.

IF WE COULD JUST GET TOGETHER AND FOLLOW UP.

I THINK OUR OFFICE IN A LETTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND WE JUST WANT TO GET THAT MOVING AND HELP OUR ROLES AND OUR LISTS.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES YEAH, IT'D BE GOOD TO GET SOME YOUNGER FOLKS INVOLVED.

[02:00:01]

>> THANK YOU. WE WOULD APPRECIATE THAT, BUT JUST MAKE ME UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAS TO COME THROUGH THE PARTIES [OVERLAPPING].

>> I AGREE. WILL HAPPEN.

>> MY CONCERN IS JUST THAT WE KNOW WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE, WE WANT TO OPEN MORE AND MORE VOTING SITES AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING MORE PEOPLE IN.

IF YOU CAN REACH OUT TO FRANKIE, I'M SURE YOU KNOW HER, MY STAFF SO THAT WE CAN ALSO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT ONCE ELECTION SEASON WE'RE NOT SCRAMBLING AND WE'RE NOT HAVING TO CLOSE SITES BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE OPEN SITES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR JUDGES HAVE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING THEY NEED SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GO OUT AND VOTE AND OPEN MORE SITES. THANK YOU.

>> JACQUELINE, LET ME TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OVER TO YOUR DEPARTMENT AND TALK TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE STAFF, CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

>> FOR THE RECORD. [OVERLAPPING] I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE YOUR OFFICE AND ALL THE ELECTION JUDGES WHO DO A THANKLESS JOB AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE LIVE IN A VERY TOUGH TIMES.

THERE ARE THREATS TO YOUR OFFICE AND TO THE JUDGES AND I APPRECIATE THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO STEP UP TO SERVE, ESPECIALLY TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

REGARDS TO THE POLITICAL PARTIES.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING RECRUIT THE ELECTION JUDGES.

I WOULD HOPE THAT IN BEXAR COUNTY, WE WOULD ALL LEARN TO TRY TO WORK TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR ELECTION JUDGES, AND I HOPE YOU WILL EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO THEM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. MUCH APPRECIATED.

>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION JUDGES FOR AUGUST 1ST THROUGH JULY 31ST AS PRESENTED AND ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS TO BE MADE DURING THE APPOINTMENT TERM.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVIN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>> ACTION ITEM NUMBER 79,

[79. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the creation of Probate Court Judge Selection Committee to evaluate candidates for the newly created statutory Probate Court No. 3 and make recommendations to the Bexar County Commissioners Court for consideration, to be composed of the following: • One representative from the San Antonio Bar Association • One representative from the Mexican American Bar Association San Antonio • One representative from the San Antonio Black Lawyers Association • One representative from the Bexar County Women's Bar Association • Fidel Rodriguez, Jr- an appointee of Bexar County Judge to act as Chairman of the Probate Court Judge Selection Committee (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes)]

DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE CREATION OF PROBATE COURT JUDGE SELECTION COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE CANDIDATES FOR THE NEWLY CREATED STATUTORY PROBATE COURT NUMBER 3, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR CONSIDERING TO BE COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES.

THAT IS THE PROPOSAL THAT I'VE PUT FORWARD AND I WOULD LIKE TO HELP THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE PUBLIC AND THOSE PRESENT UNDERSTAND THE PLANET I'VE PUT TOGETHER.

IT IS MY EFFORT TO BE MORE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.

THIS IS A SELECTION COMMITTEE THAT WILL NOT BE MAKING THE FINAL SELECTION, THAT IS TOTALLY WITHIN THE AUTHORITY AND APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EVERY COMMISSIONER AND THE COUNTY JUDGE WILL BE INVOLVED WITH THE FINAL SELECTION.

THIS PROCESS IS TO BASICALLY PRESENT TO THE COURT ALL THOSE THAT ARE QUALIFIED.

I WOULD EXPECT TO HAVE CONFERRED WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE THAT WE WILL QUICKLY PUT OUT AN APPLICATION FORM THAT WE WILL FORMALLY OPEN UP, WE'LL GIVE NOTICE, AND THAT WE WILL THEN HAVE THIS COMMITTEE KICK INTO GEAR.

IF YOU'VE NOTICE ON THE AGENDA, I WANT A VAST REPRESENTATIVES, THE PRESIDENT OF FOLLOWING BAR ASSOCIATION, SAN ANTONIO BAR ASSOCIATION, MAX AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, SAN ANTONIO BLACK LAWYER ASSOCIATION, BEXAR COUNTY WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATION AND I'VE ASKED THAT I BE ALLOWED TO APPOINT MR. FIDEL RODRIGUEZ AS CHAIR THIS COURT.

ONE OF THE STIPULATIONS I'VE ASKED OF EACH REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS THAT THEY'D NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE PROBATE PRACTICE SO THAT IT WOULD AVOID IT ANY APPEARANCE AND I WOULD PREFER THAT.

I HAVE CONFERRED WITH EACH BAR ASSOCIATION, THEY HAVE AGREED TO STEP UP AND SERVE AND SO I AM ASKING PERMISSION AND APPROVAL FROM THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE ON A TIMELINE AND SO THIS COMMITTEE NEEDS TO GET GOING AND NEEDS TO BE VERY FLUID AND GET TO WORK AND THEN IT'S SAME TIME THE COURT AND THAT COURT, WE CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION AS TO HOW WE WILL END UP MAKING THE FINAL SELECTION.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL AT LEAST SUBMIT AND I'LL ALLOW THE COMMITTEE TO APPROVE WHATEVER NAMES THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR AT LEAST THE MINIMUM OF THREE AND THEN NO MAXIMUM MARK IF THEY FEEL THAT WE HAVE A SOLID GROUP OF APPLICANTS.

I WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW EACH APPLICANT'S CV AND RESUME AND MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE FOR PROBATE COURT.

THAT'S MY HOPE AND DESIRE.

I HOPE MY COMMISSIONERS WILL SUPPORT ME ON THIS MOTION, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU, JUDGE. I KNOW THERE'S SOMEONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS.

[02:05:03]

I JUST WANT TO CHIME IN AND VOICE MY SUPPORT.

I KNOW THESE THINGS ARE NEVER EASY, BUT I HAVE CONFIDENCE THE FOLKS THAT YOU'VE ASKED TO APPOINT WILL REPRESENT A GOOD CROSS-SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY.

NO RELATION, BUT FIDEL RODRIGUEZ IS A LONG TIME, REALLY HIGHLY RESPECTED LAWYER HERE IN TOWN SO I THINK HE'S GOING TO DO A GOOD JOB CHAIRING THIS COMMITTEE.

WHAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT IS I KNOW THERE'S A PRETTY CERTAIN TIMELINE WITH RESPECT TO GETTING THIS FILLED, BUT ALTHOUGH THE BILLS EFFECTIVE THAT IT CREATED THE NEW COURT, I THINK SEPTEMBER 1, WE DO HAVE SOME DISCRETION IN TERMS OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE COURT UNDER THE LAW.

IF IT DOESN'T TURN OUT THAT WE CAN'T GET IT DONE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WE COULD MAKE THIS COURT EFFECTIVE IN JANUARY IF WE WANTED TO.

BUT IT MAKES SENSE WE DO IT IN PARALLEL TERMS WITH THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE NEW COURT GOES AND WHAT FUNDING THEY'LL NEED.

AGAIN, JUDGE, I KNOW YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT IT'S SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, BUT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER CALVERT?

>> YEAH. I THINK THE JUDGE I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT.

I DO THINK THAT EXPERTISE IN THE AREA OF PROBATE IS IMPORTANT.

I DO THINK THAT LOGICALLY, ANY MEMBER OF THE BAR COULD FIND THEMSELVES ACCEPTING A CASE BEFORE THE PROBATE COURT.

I MEAN, IF THEY CHOOSE TO TAKE ON A CASE, BUT I DO THINK THAT PROBATE EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF THE VAST VARIETY OF PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE IN THAT WORLD.

THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE TO BE ASKED ABOUT PRACTICING IN OUR PROBATE COURTS SHOULD BE TAILORED, I THINK.

I'M SURE MEMBERS OF THE BAR CAN ASK SOME VERY GOOD QUESTIONS BUT WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY IN THE COUNTY HAD COMMITTEES WHERE FOLKS WITH PARTICULAR EXPERTISE WERE A PART OF IT.

IF IT'S A KT WHITED OR ANY NUMBER OF PROBATE LAWYERS OUT THERE, I DO THINK THAT THERE IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR PEOPLE WHO PRACTICE IN THE PROBATE COURT TO HAVE IT.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY THAT A MEMBER OF THE BAR WOULDN'T ACCEPT A CASE IN A PROBATE COURT.

THEY MAY NOT BE LICENSED TO DO IT, BUT THEY CAN.

IN ANY EVENT, IT IS GOOD TO HAVE THIS TRANSPARENCY.

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE REPRESENTATION.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE A THIRD COURT TO HELP THE BAR MOVE CASES ALONG.

I KNOW PATTY IS HERE, VARGAS OUR SAN ANTONIO BAR PRESIDENT, MY FORMER CLASSMATE, WHO'S SISTER HELPED MAKE ME A CHAMPION DEBATER BECAUSE SHE WAS A CHAMPION DEBATER BUT GOOD TO SEE YOU AND WE'VE OPENED THE FLOOR UP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MS. VARGAS. I'LL GAVE IT THREE MINUTES.

>> GREAT.

>> CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

>> AS COMMISSIONER CALVERT MENTIONED, I'M PATTY VARGAS.

I'M THE CHAIR OF THE PROBATE COURTS COMMITTEE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO BAR ASSOCIATION AND NOT QUITE PRESIDENT YET, BUT PRESIDENT ELECT, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I KNOW THAT WE ALL HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO GET A THIRD COURT CREATED AND IT'S VERY EXCITING TO BE AT THIS POINT.

OUR PRESIDENT, DONALD OROIAN IS OUT OF STATE TODAY, BUT SHE'S VERY PLEASED TO SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE ALONG WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY IDENTIFIED TO HELP WITH THIS PROCESS.

SAN ANTONIO BAR ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN OF ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS BY PROVIDING DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, DATA, RESEARCH, AND SUPPORT.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CALVERT REALLY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WHEN HE SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS SOMEBODY WITH SOME PROBATE EXPERIENCE BE PERMITTED TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEE, PERHAPS AS AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THAT COMMITTEE.

SOMETHING THAT COMES TO MIND IMMEDIATELY IS PERHAPS ONE OF OUR FORMER STATUTORY PROBATE JUDGES HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

BUT SEPARATELY, THE PROBATE COURTS COMMITTEE HAS COME UP WITH A CHECKLIST OF SORTS THAT WILL HELP IDENTIFY THOSE KEY QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS IS A VERY SPECIALIZED COURT AND IF I MAY GIVE IT JUST ONE EXAMPLE, IN ORDER TO TAKE A GUARDIANSHIP CASE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE TAKEN A SPECIAL TEST AND NOT ABOUT A TEST, BUT A SPECIAL COURSE AND RECEIVED ADDITIONAL HOURS OF TRAINING IN ORDER TO HEAR THOSE CASES.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME VERY GOOD REASONS TO PERMIT EITHER ONE, HAVING SOMEONE SIT ON THE COURT AS IN A CONSULTING ROLE OR SEPARATELY IF THE COURT WOULD PERMIT US TO

[02:10:01]

PROVIDE THE PANEL OR THE COMMITTEE TO ACCEPT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO DIFFERENT QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS.

WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT AND WE WOULD HOPE THAT THAT WOULD HELP THOSE MEMBERS SITTING ON THE COMMITTEE MAKE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU ALL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>>IT'S NOT REALLY A QUESTION, BUT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

I DO THINK IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE PART OF THE MOTION, BUT FROM MY STANDPOINT ADVANTAGE POINT ON THE COURT, I WOULD PREFER THE 3-5, 4-6 RECOMMENDATION.

AS YOU COMPLETE YOUR WORK, I DON T KNOW WHAT THAT REPORT BACK TO THE COURT LOOKS LIKE, BUT OBVIOUSLY, SOME SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE AND STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THOSE CANDIDATES WILL BE VERY HELPFUL, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF LEGAL BACKGROUND TO ASSESS WHO WOULD BE THE BEST MOST SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB.

>> DEFINITELY. I UNDERSTAND AND CERTAINLY WILL WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE MADE.

>> PATTY, THE [OVERLAPPING] I'M SORRY.

GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER.

>> WHAT DOES RECRUITING LOOK LIKE? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S FOR YOU OR THERE'S ANY OTHER PEOPLE HERE.

HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO RECRUIT BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING] WHAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE HAPPEN, IT'S THAT IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE IN THE SAME CIRCLES WHO APPLY AND GET APPOINTED.

IF BY AND OBVIOUSLY MY BACKGROUND IS NOT IN LAW, SO I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYONE'S A MEMBER OF SOME ASSOCIATION, BUT IF BY CHANCE THERE'S A GOOD PRACTICING PROBATE ATTORNEY OUT THERE WHO'S NOT IN SOME OF THESE ASSOCIATIONS, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT? HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO RECRUIT? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO KNOW TO APPLY?

>> I THINK THAT IT'S OPEN TO ANYONE TO APPLY.

>> BUT HOW ARE THEY GOING TO HEAR ABOUT IT? HOW THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW? HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO ADVERTISE?

>> HOWEVER, THE COUNTY NORMALLY ADVERTISES OPEN POSITIONS.

I THINK THE SAN ANTONIO BAR ASSOCIATION, THE OTHER BAR ASSOCIATIONS CAN BE VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO ITS MEMBERS, WHICH I APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR CONCERN IS AS FAR AS WHO'S GOING TO KNOW.

BUT IT WOULD BE MUCH LIKE ANY OTHER POSITION THAT'S AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY AS FAR AS HOW SOMEONE MIGHT HEAR ABOUT IT.

MY SENSE IS THAT THIS IS A VERY BIG STEP IN BEXAR COUNTY AND THOSE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED WITHIN THIS COURT ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE SOME PROBATE EXPERIENCE WILL BE THE ONES WHO WILL BE APPLYING, BUT IT'S OPEN TO ANYONE TO APPLY.

>>I'D LIKE TO SEE SOMEONE DIFFERENT THAN HOW THE COUNTY NORMALLY BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST SOMEONE APPLIES FOR A JOB AND THEY GET A JOB.

IT'S AN APPOINTMENT, SO IT IS VERY DIFFERENT.

THESE ASSOCIATIONS OF PEOPLE ARE HERE REPRESENTED FROM THESE ASSOCIATIONS.

I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU GUYS ADVERTISE IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, HOWEVER THAT'S DONE. [OVERLAPPING]

>> I DIDN'T MEAN TO.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY.

>> WE ALL HAVE OUR DIFFERENT METHODS OF COMMUNICATING WITH OUR MEMBERS.

WE ARE LIMITED IN THE SENSE THAT OUR COMMUNICATIONS ARE JUST WITHIN OUR MEMBERSHIP, BUT THERE IS OVERLAP BETWEEN DIFFERENT MEMBERSHIPS.

BUT EACH OF THESE SEPARATE BAR ASSOCIATIONS DO HAVE A WAY IN WHICH TO REACH OUT TO DIFFERENT PRACTITIONERS WHO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS FROM ONE ANOTHER.

I DO THINK AT LEAST WITHIN THE BEXAR COUNTY LEGAL COMMUNITY, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES BEING ABLE TO APPLY FOR THAT POSITION.

WHAT MY CONCERN WOULD BE IS JUST THAT WHOEVER IS EVENTUALLY SUBMITTED AS A RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE TO THE COMMISSIONERS IS THAT THEY DO HAVE THAT PROBATE EXPERIENCE.

I JUST MAYBE NOT SOMEBODY WHO HAS ALWAYS FOCUSED IN THIS AREA OR THAT AREA, BUT IT REALLY IS SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE NUANCES.

>> SOMEONE WHO LIVES AND BREATH THERE.

>> YES, EXACTLY.

>> THEN I WOULD IMAGINE THERE'S MORE ASSOCIATIONS THAN JUST THE ONES THAT JUDGE ZACCHAEUS IS RECOMMENDING TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD.

I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WOULD REACH OUT TO ALL THE LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AREA.

>> I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE, BUT MY BEST GUESS WOULD BE THAT THIS IS THE LARGEST OF THE ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY, BEXAR COUNTY WOMEN'S, MEXICAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, SAN ANTONIO BLACK PLAYER LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, OF COURSE, THE SAN ANTONIO BAR ASSOCIATION.

FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF LAWYERS IN BEXAR COUNTY WHO ARE WILLING TO JOIN AN ORGANIZATION.

>> PATTY, LET ME ASK JUNE MONAHAN TO PLEASE STEP FORWARD THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SENT TO YOU BAR.

WOULD YOU PLEASE ANSWER COMMISSIONER CLAY FLOORS'S A QUESTION ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET NOTICE? YOU'RE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE YOUR CHARGE TO GETTING NOTICED TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE BAR AND

[02:15:01]

DO ALL LAWYERS THAT LOCKED THAT PRACTICE HERE, BEXAR COUNTY.

CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW IN CONJUNCTION WITH THESE LEGACY BAR ASSOCIATION, HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET NOTICED SO THAT WE GET THE BEST QUALIFIED PEOPLE?

>> WE COMMUNICATE WITH OUR MEMBERS, MOSTLY THROUGH EMAIL AND SO WE HAVE A LIST OF ALL THE ATTORNEYS THAT ARE IN BEXAR COUNTY, ABOUT 6,800.

WE DON'T HAVE EMAILS FOR ALL OF THEM BUT WE HAVE EMAILS FOR MOST OF THEM.

WE MOSTLY SEND TO OUR MEMBERS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A LIST OF NON-MEMBER EMAILS.

AS TO THE OTHER LEGACY BAR ASSOCIATIONS THAT YOU MENTIONED, I WANTED TO SAY ONE OTHER THING YOU MENTIONED ABOUT WHAT OTHER AFFINITY BARS ARE THERE, SAYING ABOUT 13 OTHER AFFINITY BARS, BUT THEY TEND TO BE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS BY PRACTICE AREA BANKRUPTCY BAR.

WE COULD SEND IT TO THOSE FOLKS, BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE PROBABLY FIRST PICK FOR THIS COURSE.

>> GREAT. BUT THEY MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE, [OVERLAPPING] THEY WOULD PROBABLY BE AWARE OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> JUDGE, I THINK WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I KNOW WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT HERE.

YOU'RE OPEN TO A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT OF AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE PROBATE SECTION TO BE A PART AS PATTY ALSO RECOMMENDED.

SO WE CAN JUST MAKE THAT A FRIENDLY IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT.

>> I'LL ACCEPT THAT.

>> IT'S ACCEPTED. WHO WANTS A SECOND?

>> I SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>> YEAH. AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY WELL REPRESENTED NOW WITH THAT INPUT OF THE VERY SPECIALIZED PROBATE SECTION OF THE BAR.

SO EXCITED TO MOVE FORWARD FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

NOW, EVERY MEMBER OF THE COURT HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERVIEW WHOEVER THEY WANT.

THAT'S TRADITIONALLY WHAT THE COURT HAS DONE.

AND PEOPLE COME INTO OUR OFFICES AND EVEN IT MAY BE THAT THEY'RE SIMULTANEOUS.

I'M NOT TELLING THAT COMMISSIONERS HOW TO RUN THEIR TIME, BUT THEY COULD BEGIN TO INTERVIEW APPLICANTS PRIOR TO ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THEIR PARTICULAR QUALIFICATIONS THAT STAND OUT TO THEM.

AND SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS SO THAT WE CAN GET THE OCTOBER 1 FISCAL YEAR STARTED AND THE COURT DOCKET MOVING.

SO JUST WANTED TO EMPOWER THE COURT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES ON THIS APPOINTMENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE, FOR YOUR HELP.

>> COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

>> SO JUST TO BE CLEAR SO THERE'S NO CONFUSION IN DISCUSSION AGAIN NEXT TIME, WHO'S APPOINTING THE EX OFFICIO PROBATE? JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE CLEAR.

>> LET ME JUST GIVE A POINT OFF COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

I WILL NOT BE TALKING TO ANYBODY UNTIL THE FINAL APPROVAL LIST BY THIS COMMITTEE.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I JUST WANTED TO COMMIT FELLOW COMMISSIONERS THEN TRYING TO TAKE OTHERWISE, YOU PROBABLY WILL HAVE EVERY APPLICANT COME IN EVERY DAY.

AND IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, THAT IS YOUR PRIVILEGE AND AUTHORITY AS A COMMISSIONER.

BUT I'M GOING TO WAIT TILL THIS FINE COMMITTEE GIVES ME A SHORTLIST.

AND WITH THAT SHORTLIST, I WILL THEN INTERVIEW EVERYONE AND MAKE MY DECISION AS TO WHO THE BEST QUALIFIED IS.

SO WITH THAT, LET ME ALSO ASK THAT WE NEED STAFF SUPPORT.

MR. SMITH, I WANT A DESIGNATED PERSON AND WE'LL PUT THIS ALL IN WRITING FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND I WANT A DESIGNATED REP FROM THE HR AND PLEASE CONFIRM WITH ME.

SO COMMISSIONERS I WANT COMMISSIONERS COURT STAFF TO BE INVOLVED.

OBVIOUSLY TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, I GUESS YOU ALL CAN PUT SOME SUPPORT STAFF IN THERE TOO.

BUT FOR THAT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS COMMITTEE HAS SUPPORT STAFF.

SO WE'VE GOT A MOTION THAT'S BEEN AMENDED BY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

>> I KNOW. I'M SO EXCITED.

>> WE'RE ON OUR WAY.

REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU, PATTY. JUDGE KAIZEN, NICE SEEING YOU.

>> THANK YOU, GOOD JOB.

>> DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING, OSCAR? HE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.

>> [INAUDIBLE] THE LESS I SAY THE BETTER. [LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE]

>> I WILL DO THAT FOR YOU.

ITEM 80 DISCUSSION,

[80. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the Bexar County American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery program; identifying Water & Sewer as a priority area for reprogram funding; and authorizing County staff to publish solicitations and project proposals per Treasury Final Rule requirements. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes)]

APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE BEXAR COUNTY AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, CORONA VIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY PROGRAM, IDENTIFY WATER AND SEWER AS A PRIORITY AREA FOR REPROGRAM FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING COUNTY STAFF TO PUBLISH SOLICITATIONS AND PROJECT PROPOSALS PER TREASURY FINAL RULE REQUIREMENTS.

[02:20:04]

COMMISSIONER MOODY IS THIS YOURS.

>> IT IS JUDGE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF STAFF WERE.

YOU GOING TO PRESENT ANYTHING UPFRONT OR? I CAN DO THIS UP.

SO THIS CONVERSATION AROUND RPA REPROGRAMMING, WE CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILLION I BELIEVE THAT'S COME BACK.

>> IT'S ABOUT 10.1 MILLION THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPROGRAM THAT.

THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT HAVE CLOSED OUT.

THEY'RE RETURNING THEIR MONEY BACK TO COURT.

SORRY, FOR THE RECORD, THOMAS KUBOTA, COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE.

THAT 10.1 MILLION IS AFTER WE PULL OUT ABOUT 1.2 MILLION FOR THE FELONY IMPACT COURTS.

SO WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 10.1 MILLION TO REPROGRAM THIS FIRST GO ROUND.

>> SO WE'RE NOT SAYING ALL 10.1 MILLION IS GOING INTO IT.

>> NO, MA'AM I'M JUST TELLING YOU WHAT'S CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

>> YOU'RE JUST SAYING THAT'S THE BALANCE RIGHT NOW.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> CORRECT. SO WE HAD A SPECIFIC WATER AND SEWER PROJECT THAT WE HAD SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS BROUGHT FORWARD AND I'LL SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT.

BUT ULTIMATELY, THE PROPER PROCESS AS COUNTY STAFF HAS INDICATED TO OUR TEAM IS THAT WE SHOULD BRING THIS FORWARD AS A SOLICITATION FOR PROJECTS, EXPEDITE THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN QUICKLY MAKE A SOLICITATION, GET SOME PROJECTS AND PROPOSALS RETURN, AND THEN MAKE SOME ASSESSMENTS ABOUT WHICH IF ANY, PROJECTS ARE FUNDED WITH THAT REPROGRAM DOLLARS.

JUST FOR THE COURT'S PERSPECTIVE, THE WATER AND SEWER IS PART OF ARPA.

IT'S A CRITICAL PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS PRIORITIZED WITHIN THIS PIECE OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION.

AND WE HAD A SITUATION UP IN VILLAS AT TIMBERWOOD.

AND I'D LIKE TO JUST READ THIS LETTER FROM OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SITUATION THERE AND WHY THIS IS A PRIORITY, I THINK FOR A PRECINCT, BUT ALSO FOR THE COUNTY.

IN MY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT MET WITH THREE RESIDENTS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON APRIL 2023.

THE OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING WERE TWO SEPTIC INSTALLERS, ONE DESIGNER AND COMMISSIONER GRANT MOODY STAFF, FIVE ESD STAFF MEMBERS ALSO ATTENDED.

AFTER EVALUATING THE LOCATION, IT WAS DETERMINED BY ENGINEERS, SEPTIC INSTALLERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEM AND DRIP LINES WERE FAILING AND WE'RE PRODUCING A FOUL ODOR.

LOCATION WHERE THE DRIP LINES WERE LOCATED WE'RE SATURATED, CREATING A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY NUISANCE.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM TIMBERWOODS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN THE DRIP LINES AND MUSTANG CREEK.

IF THIS CONCERN CONTINUES, IT COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT TO THE WATER SOURCE.

FOR THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS OF TIMBERWOOD AND THE PUBLIC, IT IS CRITICAL THAT THIS SYSTEM BE DISCONTINUED AND RESIDENTS BE CONNECTED TO CITY SEWER.

SAN JAVIER FLORES, DIRECTOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT JUST A FEW CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED AND WANT TO BE CONNECTED TO THE SEWER.

THIS IS OUR OWN COUNTY STAFF SAYING THIS IS A SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE FOR OUR COUNTY AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

SO I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AND BRING THAT FORWARD.

THOMAS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE ON THE PROCESS THAT YOU'RE RECOMMENDING?

>> EARLIER WHEN STAFF AND GUIDE HOUSE PRESENTED WE DID HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO OBLIGATE BY 2024 CAPITAL PROJECTS IF YOU-ALL CHOOSE TO DO ANYTHING VIA CAPITAL THAT MAYBE WE TRY TO EXPEDITE THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE WOULD RECOMMEND IF THE COURT WERE TO PRIORITIZE WATER AND SEWER THAT MAYBE YOU-ALL SHOULD CONSIDER THOSE ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.

BE SHOVEL-READY FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, ALREADY HAVE GONE THROUGH DESIGN AND ARE JUST WAITING FOR US TO SOLICIT THE CONSTRUCTION, EXPEDITE THAT TIMEFRAME BECAUSE WE HAVE TO NOT ONLY OBLIGATE BY 2024 BUT SPEND EVERY NICKEL BY 2026.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT, THOMAS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SOLICITATION AND RESPONSES COME BACK IN AUGUST SO WE CAN MOVE THIS CONVERSATION FORWARD AND MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER WE WANT TO REPROGRAM DOLLARS.

>> JUDGE, THE ONLY THING I WOULD SUGGEST

[02:25:01]

IS AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER MOODY BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP SETTING ASIDE FOR THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BUT IT COULD BE THAT AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE STILL HERE BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER PARTS OF BEXAR COUNTY HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES.

I KNOW THIS WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT BECAUSE OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

MY CONCERN IS IF IT'S A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE THEN IT GET DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NUMBER 1, BUT NUMBER 2, WHAT OTHER HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES WE HAVE OUT THERE AND THE ARPA THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF RED TAPE AND THEN NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PROCESS WHERE IT COULD BE THROUGH THIS PROCESS WE IDENTIFY IN COMMISSIONER PLAY PHOTOS'IS PRECINCT OR COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S PRECINCT SIMILAR ISSUES AND THEN ARPA ALSO HAS AN EQUITY LENS, YOU'VE GOT TO PUT THIS THROUGH AND IT MAY BE THAT YOUR PROJECT COMMISSIONER MOODY ISN'T RANKED NUMBER 1 IN OTHER WORDS AND SO OUT OF CONCERN FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND I KNOW YOU AND I HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT MAYBE YOU'VE JUST PUTTING THIS THROUGH THE CAPITAL BUDGET THAT WAY, YOU KNOW IT GETS DONE AND IT DOESN'T FALL NUMBER 4 IN THE PRIORITY LIST AND THEN WE'RE OUT OF FUNDING.

I KNOW THAT'S A CONVERSATION AND REALLY A DECISION YOU HAVE TO MAKE WITH YOUR TEAM BUT AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW JAVIER IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY WITH RESPECT TO WHAT OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY YOU'VE DONE SIMILAR ANALYSIS.

>> I HAVEN'T AT THIS TIME BUT IT'S WHEN OUR INVESTIGATORS GO OUT OR THE PUBLIC CALLS US THEN WE'RE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

IN THIS CASE WE WERE CONTACTED AND THAT'S WHY WE WERE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.

>> AGAIN, JUST REALLY A COMMENTARY AND I KNOW THOMAS, IF WE MOVE THIS FORWARD WHICH I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER MOODY ON IT IS A PROCESS THAT COULD TAKE MONTHS.

AGAIN, IT MAY BE FASTER THAT WE JUST PUT THIS IN CAPITAL, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY.

BUT AGAIN, I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO YOU TO FIGURE OUT THAT PROCESS.

WE ARE GOING TO IN FAIRNESS HAVE TO FIGURE OUT IN THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS WHERE THERE'S OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO USE SOME OF THESE FUNDING AND BECAUSE OF THOSE CENSUS TRACKS AND THE EQUITY LENS THEY COULD BE HIGHER PRIORITIES BASED ON THAT ARPA CRITERIA.

I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT BUT AGAIN, I'M HAPPY TO BE SUPPORTIVE IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION THE COURT WANTS TO GO IN WITH THE PROCESS.

>> IF THE COURT DOES GO IN THAT DIRECTION WHAT WE'VE STARTED TO DO COMMISSIONER, IS WE'VE STARTED TO PUT THE FRAMEWORK TOGETHER, WE'LL REVIEW THAT WITH YOUR CHIEFS AS PART OF OUR ARPA CHIEFS MEETING SO WE CAN GET THEIR FEEDBACK, GET YOUR FEEDBACK THROUGH THAT VEHICLE AND THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN EXPEDITE IF THE COURT CHOOSES SO THAT WE'RE PREPARED IN AUGUST TO HAVE A MORE ROBUST DISCUSSION WHERE WE'RE AT.

>> I DON'T KNOW ALL THE OTHER CRITERIA OR LENSES THE PLAN TO BE USED OR WHETHER THAT'S STILL YET TO BE DECIDED.

BUT OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD HOPE THAT NECESSITY AND THE SITUATION WOULD ALSO PLAY A HEAVY ROLE IN THE SCORING.

COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ BRINGS UP A GREAT POINT.

I THINK TO THAT POINT IT'S PROBABLY IMPORTANT TO AGAIN, TRY TO EXPEDITE THIS INITIAL SOLICITATION IN ORDER TO SEE WHETHER THESE PROJECTS WOULD GO FORWARD OR NOT THROUGH THE ARPA PROCESS OR WHETHER THERE'S OTHER PIECES OF RED TAPE OR ISSUES THAT COME UP THAT MAKE US DECIDE TO PIVOT AND GO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAT HE SUGGESTED.

I'M AGNOSTIC AROUND THE PROCESS BUT I'M JUST THE BUSINESSMAN LOOKING AT A PROBLEM THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO US AND IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG ONE AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO ADDRESS IT AS BEST WE CAN.

[OVERLAPPING].

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> IF I COULD JUST ASK A FEW THINGS.

THOMAS, CAN YOU TELL US SPECIFICALLY WHICH GROUPS ARE LOSING THE FUNDING IN THE $10 MILLION AS YOU SAID GIVEN IT BACK.

I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW THEY GAVE IT BACK BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO THAT.

>> THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE COMPLETED AND SOME OF THEM ARE NICKEL AND DIMES.

COMMISSIONER WE HAD ABOUT 7,000 AFTER WE PURCHASE ALL OUR GUN LOCKS AND GUNS SAVES WE HAD ABOUT 7,000 RETURNS SO WE CLOSE THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT OUT SO THAT WAS THE RETURN.

WE HAD ABOUT 8.3 MILLION FROM THE LEFT FUND AID TO

[02:30:02]

NON-PROFIT PROGRAM THAT CAME BACK TO THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE SOME ARTS ORGANIZATION REMAINING FUNDS THAT HAVE COME BACK TO AS WELL.

>> FROM WHO?

>> I CAN GET YOU THAT SPECIFIC LIST.

I DON'T HAVE THE FULL DETAILS BUT I CAN GET YOU, IT WAS A HANDFUL COMMISSIONER.

NOW WE HAVE SOME ONETIME PAYMENTS AS PART OF OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

I'M ONETIME PAYMENT FOR DSABC BECAUSE WE HAVE VACANCIES.

WE DIDN'T NEED ALL THAT FUNDING SO THAT MONEY HAS COME BACK TO US AS WELL.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANTICIPATED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE THAT ARE CAPITAL INTENSIVE FOR CONSTRUCTION?

>> AT THIS MOMENT, NO, COMMISSIONER.

IF YOU RECALL, WE JUST COMPLETED MAJORITY OF THOSE AGREEMENTS SO NOW WE'RE GETTING INTO THAT REALM SO WE PROBABLY WON'T HAVE THAT LIST PROBABLY UNTIL MAYBE END OF THE YEAR WHERE WE'RE PUTTING ON ANALYSIS ON THOSE CAPITAL PROGRAMS. ARE THEY SPENDING DOWN AT THE RATE THAT WE THINK THEY SHOULD BE SPENDING DOWN?

>> LET ME MAKE A SUGGESTION FOR PROCESS, I'M NOT AGNOSTIC TO PROCESS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

PARODY AND FUNDING IS VERY IMPORTANT ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

IT'S IMPORTANT ON EVERY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

WHEN THE BOND I WAS JUST MEETING WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEN THEY PUT TOGETHER THE BOND PROGRAM, EVERY COMMISSIONER HAD AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT KEEPS THE PEACE ON THE COURTS.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERY COMMISSIONER HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE THE PROJECTS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT IN THEIR PRECINCT.

IF WE WERE TO DIVIDE THE $10 MILLION BY 5, WE BASICALLY HAVE ABOUT 2 MILLION PER PRECINCT.

YES, YOU CAN CONSULT WITH STAFF ABOUT VETTING AND WHATEVER YOU NEED, BUT YOU WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY, I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE NEEDED, I WILL GIVE THAT MONEY DIRECTLY TO OR I'LL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE THAT.

I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY MOVE SOME OF THOSE THINGS FAST BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE MOVED FAST TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BECAUSE EVEN THE PROJECTS THAT WE MAY RECOMMEND COULD END UP HAVING DELAYS, BUT THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAVE A GOOD LAY OF THE LAND IN TERMS OF IT.

I'M NOT SAYING A LOT OF THE REQUESTS THAT WE HAD PUT IN DIDN'T GET FUNDED.

THIS MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE COURT TO ASSIGN SOME OF THAT.

THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE PROCESS.

THE PROCESS OF STAFF VETTING WAS UNDERWHELMING, WE'VE GOT ALL THINGS THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WITH THE LIFT FUND GRANT STUFF THAT JUST HAPPENED.

BUT IN ANY EVENT, I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE WAY TO KEEP THE PEACE AND MAKE SURE THAT EACH AREA GETS SOMETHING AND THAT IT'S NOT JUST NEBULOUS.

I THINK IF WE PUT IT INTO CATEGORIES, I THINK IT'S FAR TO NEBULOUS RIGHT NOW AND THE TIMELINE REQUIRES THAT WILL BE MOVING THESE DOLLARS FOR IT.

THAT'S MY SUGGESTION COURT.

>> COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES

>> OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH SEWER AND WATER IN MY PRECINCT THAN RURAL AREAS THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS.

I'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT, BUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO DECIDE HOW MUCH IS ALLOCATED FOR THIS?BECAUSE WE JUST HAD ALMOST 45-MINUTE CONVERSATION ABOUT OVERCROWDING AND JAILS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND TALKED ABOUT WHY NOT PUTTING, NO, DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT WE TALKED ABOUT WHY NOT PUTTING ALL LEFTOVER ARPA DOLLARS INTO MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.

HOW ARE WE AS A COURT GOING TO MAKE A DECISION AS TO HOW MUCH OF THIS IS GOING BE ALLOCATED.

BECAUSE LIKE I SAID IN THAT DISCUSSION, THERE'S A LOT OF NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AS THINGS START COMING FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO BE DISHING OUT SMALLER AMOUNTS HERE AND THERE, INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON ONE MAIN THING LIKE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.

>> ONE THING I WOULD RECOMMEND, COMMISSIONER, AND WE DON'T NEED TO PUT A DOLLAR AMOUNT ON THIS JUST YET.

I THINK ONE THING WE SHOULD DO IS PUT OUT THE CALL, THAT'S THE ROLE OF THE COURT.

LET US GET THAT MAGNITUDE BACK, REVIEW THAT, AND THEN BASED ON THE NEED THAT COMES BACK, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE FULL AMOUNT GOES, OR PORTION OF THAT AMOUNT GOES.

I THINK ONCE YOU RECEIVE THE PROPOSALS, I THINK THAT SHOULD PROBABLY BE AT THE TIME THAT YOU MAKE THAT DECISION BASED ON PROPORTIONALITY.

[02:35:01]

>> HOW ARE YOU ALL, ARE WE GOING TO ADVERTISE FOR THESE PROPOSALS?

>> WE'LL WORK OBVIOUSLY THROUGH THE ARPA LENS WITH GUIDE HOUSE, THE DA'S OFFICE, AND PURCHASING TO PUT TOGETHER UP A PROPOSED DOCUMENT OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.

WE WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY ISSUE THAT THROUGH PATRICIA'S SHOP WORKING IN COORDINATION THROUGH OUR CORE TEAM.

BUT I THINK THE KEY ELEMENT FOR US TO GET BACK TO YOU ALL IMMEDIATELY IS WHAT THOSE CORE REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE BEFORE WE ISSUE THE RFP.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE ENGAGED, WE WILL DO THAT THROUGH YOUR CHIEFS ONCE WE WORKED THROUGH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION ON WHAT THOSE QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD BE IN THE RFP.

THAT'S HOW I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE DO THAT, LET THE CORE TEAM WORK THAT THROUGH.

SURE, THAT WHAT YOUR OFFICES, MAKE SURE YOU ALL ARE OKAY WITH THAT BEFORE ANY RFP GOES OUT SO AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS WE'RE LOOKING AT AN UNDER WHAT LENS.

WHAT WE DON'T WANT IS TO ISSUE OUT AN RFP, HAVE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS THEN THAT WASN'T THE ROLE OF THE COURTS.

WE WILL NEED TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO YOU ALL AND I THINK THE FASTEST WAY IS TO WORK THROUGH YOUR CHIEF'S STAFF.

>> THANK YOU. DAVID, DO YOU HAD SOMETHING, DAVID?

>> THE TRADE-OFF HERE IS CREATING DEMAND, THE $10 MILLION WON'T, BE ABLE TO.

FOR INSTANCE, WE WOULD PROBABLY WANT TO KNOW WHO EACH OF YOUR OFFICES WOULD LIKE THE SOLICITATION OR WHATEVER WE'RE CALLING THIS DOCUMENT TO BE SENT TO HOA OR WHO IS IT? NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, BUT YOU'RE CREATING POTENTIALLY AN OVERWHELMING DEMAND THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY THOUGH.

>> THE OTHER PART 2, THAT WE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IS ENOUGH SOLICITATION, AS WE WOULD PROBABLY WANT TO NARROW THAT DOWN TO.

AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE A SUB-RECIPIENTS MORE THAN LIKELY, WHICH WE'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT ARPA AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS SO MORE THAN LIKELY WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THOSE APPLICATIONS COME THROUGH CITIES, YOU'RE SUB-URBAN CITIES OR RURAL WATER DISTRICTS, ETC.

WE'LL NEED TO WORK THROUGH THAT.

>> THOMAS, IF I COULD RESPOND A LITTLE BIT TO SOME OF THE COMMENTARY THERE.

I THINK THERE WERE PROJECTS, THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY ONE OF THE CATEGORIES THAT WAS ADDRESSED IN PREVIOUS ARPA FUNDING.

TO YOUR POINT ABOUT SHOVEL-READY, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THERE ARE THAT MANY WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS OUT THERE THAT ARE READY TO GO THIS FALL THAT NOBODY HERE IN THE ROOM KNOWS ABOUT.

IF IT'S NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION AT THIS POINT, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOMEWHAT LIMITED, I WOULD THINK.

BUT JUST TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $10 MILLION COMING BACK RIGHT NOW, THE ESTIMATE, AND THIS IS A COST SHARE WITH DEVELOPERS AND OTHERS THAT ARE INVOLVED.

WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION FOR THIS PROJECT AND FIXING THIS ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION.

>> JUDGE, LET ME JUST SAY THAT [LAUGHTER] THIS AREA 99% SURE IS IN OUR EDWARDS AQUIFER RECHARGE ZONE.

THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ACTUALLY WILL IMPACT EVERYBODY, WE HAVE TO BEAR THAT IN MIND.

AGAIN, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF APPLICATIONS THAT WERE ALREADY RECEIVED.

THE COURT CAN PULL THOSE BACK.

IF THE COURT DESIRES FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO APPLY, THAT DIDN'T APPLY, THAT CAN BE OPEN.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT WE'RE ALREADY GETTING LOBBIED FOR THE WORLD FOR THESE DOLLARS.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE WISEST THING FOR THE COURT TO DO IS TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAD ALREADY APPLIED AND THOSE FOLKS THAT DIDN'T GET ANY FUNDING, THEY COULD BE A RECOMMENDATION FROM MEMBERS OF THE CHORD AND STAFF ABOUT WHICH ORGANIZATIONS MAY GET SOME.

BUT YOU CAN HAVE AN OPENNESS LIKE IF SOMEONE NEW WANTS TO APPLY, FINE, THEY CAN APPLY AND THE COURT MEMBERS CAN CONSIDER THAT, BUT I WOULDN'T PUT THE STAFF TIME BECAUSE TOOK YOU ALL A YEAR-AND-A-HALF TO GO THROUGH THE PREVIOUS.

>> [OVERLAPPING] ONE THING ON THOSE APPLICATIONS.

I JUST WANT TO BE FAIR TO MY STAFF.

THOSE APPLICATIONS WEREN'T PUT OUT WITH THE LENS OF ARPA.

THOSE APPLICATIONS WERE NOT PREMATURELY, WHICH HAS CAUSED A LOT OF THE BACKLOG, BUT THAT HAS CAUSED SOME CONSTERNATION FROM SOME OF THE MEMBERS.

THAT'S WHY I'M MOVING FORWARD, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REPROGRAMMING, WE WANT IT TO WORK THROUGH A PROCESS WHICH AS COMMISSIONER MOODY HAS MENTIONED, THIS WOULD START THAT PROCESS WHERE WE COULD PUT THAT PROPOSAL, THAT SOLICITATION OUT WITH THE NECESSARY ARPA REQUIREMENTS SO THAT WE CAN EVALUATE THOSE, GET THAT OUT FASTER, TEACH YOU-ALL.

>> I'M SORRY, COUNSEL. I DON T THINK I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY.

YOU SAID THAT OUR PREVIOUS ARPA PROCESS WAS NOT FOR ARPA FUNDING?

>> THE APPLICATIONS.

I'M GOING TO CALL THEM THE NOFAS AS YOU'RE ALL AWARE OF.

[02:40:01]

[OVERLAPPING] THAT WAS DONE PRIOR TO THE FINAL RULE.

THAT APPLICATION AND NOW IT'S PRIOR TO THE ARPA [OVERLAPPING] OSCARS BEING CREATED.

I JUST WANT TO CAUTION YOU ALL.

>> CAN WE BE SPECIFIC FOR A SECOND? WE CREATED AN OPEN PORTAL AROUND OCTOBER OF 2021. WAS THAT ABOUT RIGHT?

>> I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATE.

>> MIGHT'VE BEEN AUGUST. YEAH.

>> [INAUDIBLE] DIDN'T CREATE THE ARPA OFFICE UNTIL AUGUST, AND NOFAS WERE SENT OUT LIKE IN SPRING, SUMMER WAY BEFORE.

>> CORRECT. LIKE OF WHAT YEAR?

>> '21.

>> RIGHT. '21. YOU'RE SAYING IT IS A BIT CLEAR.

SAY THAT IN A FULL SENTENCE BECAUSE I COULDN'T HEAR YOU ON THE MIC. I'M SORRY.

>> AGAIN, THOSE APPLICATIONS WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE FINAL RULE COMING OUT.

A LOT OF THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, ONE, WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE, AS WE STARTED WORKING THROUGH THEM, REALIZE, HEY, THOSE PROJECTS HAD ALREADY STARTED.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

A CAPITAL PROJECT MAY HAVE STARTED.

WE WENT THROUGH, WE FIND OUT THEY DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE PROPER FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS, ETC.

AGAIN, THAT'S WHY MOVING FORWARD, WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT.

>> BUT THOMAS, WE STILL FUNDED A WHOLE BUNCH OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAD APPLIED BEFORE THE ARPA OFFICE WAS SET UP [OVERLAPPING] AND THEY DIDN'T CHANGE THEIR APPLICATION.

IT'S A MATTER OF THE STAFF [OVERLAPPING] RETOOLING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CONTRACT.

>> BUT THAT OF TIME.

>> [OVERLAPPING] STILL WE'LL PICK TIME.

>> IT TOOK TIME AND EFFORT.

>> THE COUNTY IS FAMOUS FOR CONTRACTS.

>> NO, BUT IT WAS A MESS BECAUSE I REMEMBER TALKING TO LARRY IF YOU WANT TO CHIME IN, LARRY, AND THEN IT HAD TO GO BACK.

LOOK AT THAT SMILE HERE BECAUSE LIKE WE HAVE PASSED THIS STUFF BEFORE THE FINAL RULINGS CAME OUT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THEN WE HAD TO GO BACK BECAUSE WE HAD TO READ PASSED THINGS WITHOUT HAVING THINGS QUALIFY OR WHATEVER.

THEN LARRY'S TEAM HAD PLAY CATCH UP AND FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE MAKE THIS QUALIFIER IF IT DOESN'T QUALIFY.

I'M I RIGHT, DOES MY MEMORY SERVE ME CORRECTLY?

>> YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. JUST TO BE CLEAR THAT THE INITIAL GUIDANCE WAS MAYBE 50 PAGES.

THE FINAL GUIDANCE ENDED UP BEING LIKE 500 PAGES WORTH OF FEDERAL REGULATION.

>> IN LIKE SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS LATER IT CAME OUT?

>> YES. IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IT REALLY WAS DIFFICULT TO WADE THROUGH ALL OF THAT FOR MY TEAM, FOR THE ARPA OFFICE.

PROCEDURALLY, THERE WERE SOME ISSUES THAT THE LAW JUST REQUIRED, SO WE HAD TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING, LEGALLY AND ADMINISTRATIVELY TO RESTART THAT WHOLE PROCESS ON MANY OF THE APPLICATIONS AND A LOT OF THE PROJECTS JUST DIDN'T QUALIFY ONCE WE RECEIVE CLARIFICATION BECAUSE WE WENT FROM CARES ACT, WHICH WAS VERY BROAD AND WE STARTED OFF MODELING ASSUMING THAT, HEY, LOOK, IT'S GONNA BE JUST LIKE CARES ACT.

IT'S AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGED THE RULES MIDSTREAM.

>> BUT LET'S JUST CUT TO THE CHASE.

I'VE BEEN A MULTI-TIME NON-PROFIT DIRECTOR.

MOST NON-PROFITS, THEY RETOOL THE GRANT APPLICATION BASED UPON WHATEVER YOU PUT OUT ON A PARTICULAR PAGE.

BUT THERE'S STILL FUNDING PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING.

THEY'RE JUST PUTTING THE WORDS IN PLACE TO MATCH WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE.

JUST BEING HONEST, THEY'RE NOT DRAMATICALLY CHANGING THIS NEED THAT THEY HAVE FOR FUNDING BASED UPON MUCH OF ANYTHING, THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO COMPLY WITH THE OVERSIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING.

>> WELL, WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY IS THAT SOME OF THE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUIRE THESE NON-PROFITS NOT TO EITHER QUALIFY OR TO CHANGE THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THAT'S FINE AND GOOD. WE'VE NOW GONE THROUGH THE TEMPLATE IN ANY EVENT.

>> COMMISSIONER, BE CLEAR.

IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT WE CREATE A PROCESS.

THERE'S A SUBMISSION PROCESS MUCH LIKE A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

.>> THAT'S FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, SO WHEN WE RETOOL OR RECREATE A CATEGORY THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WANT TO PRIORITIZE, WE HAVE TO CREATE THAT PROCESS SO THAT IT'S OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND COMPETITIVE TO ALL INCOMPLETION TO THE REGULAR FEDERAL.

>> I READ THE REGULATIONS. THAT IS TRUE.

I GUESS THE BEST THING TO DO IS PROBABLY HAVE A WORK SESSION ON WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE, AND THEN WE CAN BE AWARE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT TO THE COURT'S DISCRETION.

>> I DON'T KNOW ALL THE HISTORY.

SOME OF THIS IS ALL WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE AT THIS POINT.

WHAT I BELIEVE IS THAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE FACED, THE MISTAKES WE'VE MADE ALONG THE ROAD, AND THAT WE CAN EXPEDITE AND MOVE THIS QUICKLY OVER THE COMING TWO MONTHS.

IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, THEN MAYBE WE DECIDE TO GO A DIFFERENT PATH WITH OTHER OPTIONS.

[02:45:03]

I WOULD STILL BE SURPRISED IF THERE'S MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF PROPOSALS FOR THIS GOING FORWARD.

FOR THAT REASON, I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT WE HAVE TODAY AND MOVE APPROVAL FOR THIS ITEM AS WRITTEN.

>> THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE DOING ON TIME.

>> KEEP GOOD. ITEM 81 DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION

[81. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Task Order No. 08 of the Cooperative Agreement between Bexar County, the San Antonio River Authority, and the City of San Antonio for the completion of the Creeks and Trails Capital Improvements Program; for the Culebra Creek Trail Extension; the limits being from Grissom Road Trailhead to the Culebra Road Trailhead, in an amount not to exceed $7,301,852. (Estimated Presentation Time: 5 minutes)]

REGARDING TASK ORDERED NUMBER 8 OR THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE CREEKS AND TRAILS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CUREBRA CREEK TRAIL EXTENSION THE LIMITS BEING FROM GRISSOM ROAD TRAILHEAD TO THE CUREBRA ROAD TRAILHEAD IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $7,301,852. MR. CARNES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

TONY CARNES WITH FACILITIES MANAGEMENT HERE TO PRESENT WITH THE RIVER AUTHORITY ON TESCO ORDER TO NUMBER 8.

THIS IS THE FOURTH OF NINE TRAIL EXTENSIONS THAT WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE CITY AS PART OF THE HOWARD PEAK GREENWAY TRAILS.

I HAVE COLIN BROWN LAW HERE WHO IS A PROGRAM MANAGER WITH RIVER AUTHORITY, AND STEVE GRAHAM, THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. TO BEGIN WITH, THIS IS A 1.7-MILE TRAIL CONNECTING THE GRISSOM TRAILHEAD TO CULEBRA ROAD TRAILHEAD WITH A BUDGET OF 7.3 MILLION.

FIRST STAGE IS GET THE DESIGN FIRM ON STAFF.

THAT WILL BE FROM OUR SARA PRE-QUALIFIED CONSULTANT LIST.

THE EXHIBIT HERE SHOWS A PRE-QUALIFIED LIST OF PREVIOUS TASK ORDERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

WE USE IT FOR COASTAL BOND PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE COUNTY PROJECTS AND MAJORITY THE FIRMS ARE SWIMB IN HUB CERTIFIED.

AFTER DESIGN CONSTRUCTION WILL COMMENCE AND THOSE WILL BE SOLICITED THROUGH COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS.

THIS TRAIL PROJECT COULD BE THE FOURTH OF NINE TRAIL EXTENSIONS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S GREENWAY LINEAR PARK SYSTEM.

AS TONY MENTIONED BEFORE, UPON COMPLETION, THIS WILL MAINTAIN AND OPERATE THE TRAIL SYSTEM.

>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ROGER.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE VERY BRIEF OVERVIEW. THAT WAS GREAT.

CAN YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE NUMBER 2 HARD TO SEE THE MAP? I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT RED PORTION.

>> YEAH, RED SECTION. YES, SIR.

>> THEN DESCRIBE FOR ME AGAIN, FROM WEST TO EAST, YOU'RE CONNECTING.

>> GRISSOM TRAILHEAD TO CULEBRA TRAILHEAD.

IT'S A GAP THERE ABOUT 1.7 MILE A GAP.

THIS IS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CITY ON THE LEON CREEK GREENWAY SYSTEM.

>> GREAT. THIS IS JUST A PART OF AGAIN, THE BIGGER COMMITMENT OF CONNECTING THE COUNTY FROM EAST TO WEST, NORTH TO THE SOUTH, THE COMMITMENT THAT THE COUNTY MADE TO PICK UP WHERE THE CITY WAS STARTED SOME OF THE TRAIL PROJECTS IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT AND THIS TRAIL, IT'S UNIQUE.

IT CONNECTS A COUPLE OF CATHEDRAL PARK AND CRAVE CREEK PARK, TO BRING UP THE MORE ACCESS TO FAMILIES IN THOSE AREAS, CONNECT THEM TO THE OVERALL BIGGER LOOP OF TRAIL PROJECTS.

>> OKAY. IT'S BEEN BUDGETED.

THIS HAS BEEN PART OF THE OVERALL PLAN. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> OKAY. THAT'S RIGHT. THEN I THINK YOU SAID THAT THE CONSTRUCTION WOULD BEGIN. WHEN WAS THAT?

>> THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE PROBABLY 18 MONTHS FROM NOW.

WE'LL GO THROUGH THE DESIGN PHASE OF A YEAR, A YEAR-LONG DESIGN PHASE, AND THEN WE'LL BID THAT OUT FOR CONSTRUCTION.

TWENTY-FOUR LATE WOULD BE WHEN IT WOULD START CONSTRUCTION.

>> OKAY. GREAT. I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES MAY HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, BUT I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.

>> I'LL SECOND. WHEN YOU BRING THINGS TO PRESENT TEST, CAN YOU ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU TELL US WHAT PRECINCT IT'S IN? BECAUSE CULEBRA ROAD IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF MY PRECINCT IS OUR BORDER WITH COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

DO YOU KNOW EXACTLY?

[02:50:02]

>> THIS IS PRECINCT 1? YES.

>> OKAY. IT'S NORTHERN PART OF IT.

>> YES.

>> BUT IT TOUCHES. IT'S ON THE BORDER LITERALLY, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> MOSTLY PRECINCT ONE BUT.

THANK YOU.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> WELL, APPRECIATE YOU. MAKING THAT BRIEF AND SHARING WITH US THE DETAILS.

I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

FIRST OF ALL, WITH THE PRE-QUALIFIED CONSULTANT'S LIST.

IT'S FAIRLY SHORT.

HOW DO WE DETERMINE THOSE LIST AND IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER INDIVIDUALS GET ON THAT? HOW OFTEN IS IT REFRESHED? BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S COMPETITION FOR THESE CONTRACTS AS WE GO FORWARD.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THIS LIST IS REFRESHED I THINK IT'S EVERY THREE YEARS.

WE JUST FINISHED THIS YEAR AND A HALF AGO, SO IT'S FRESH OFF THE PRESS.

WE'VE BEEN USING BOND PROJECTS ON THIS AS WELL, AND OTHER PROJECTS AS WELL.

WE SELECT CONSULTANTS OFF THIS LIST.

>> CAN YOU SAY HOW MANY TOTAL APPLICANTS YOU HAVE FOR THE LIST WHEN STARTING?

>> THE TOTAL PRE-CALL LIST IS PROBABLY A CLOSE TO 40.

WE BREAK THE, BREAK THE LIST INTO CATEGORIES.

IF YOU CAN SEE CATEGORY B IS WE LIST HERE, THESE ARE CONSULTANTS THAT HAVE SPECIFIC DESIGN QUALITIES FOR TRAILS, LOW-CROSSINGS, AD ACCESSIBILITY, LANDSCAPE FEATURES, LID FEATURES INTO THESE TRAILS.

>> OKAY. IS IT THE SAME LIST FOR THE COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR THAT'S A SEPARATE?

>> NO, SORRY. THAT WOULD BE A SEPARATE BID. IT'D BE A PUBLIC BID.

WE'D ADVERTISE THAT IN DIFFERENT WEBSITES, NEWSPAPERS.

>> I JUST THINK FOR THE RECORD, OBVIOUSLY, I WASN'T PART OF THE ORIGINAL DEAL THAT WAS MADE WITH THE CITY ON I BELIEVE IT'S $140 MILLION.

>> CORRECT. I DID CHECK MY NUMBERS AND WE TALKED THIS MORNING.

THE EIGHT OR NINE TRAILS THAT ARE A PART OF THE CITIES, IS IT TOTAL $83.3 MILLION.

>> BUT, SORRY. LEFT THAT NUMBER OUT WITHOUT CHECKING.

>> SO 84 MILLION.

ULTIMATELY, I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THAT AS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS OVER THE CITY AND THINKING ABOUT THE BALANCE OF FUNDING FOR SHARED RESOURCES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THAT.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION FOR THE RECORD, I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT THIS MORNING, BUT THESE POTENTIAL PROJECTS COULD QUALIFY FOR GRANT FUNDING.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S TALKED ABOUT GRANT WRITING SEVERAL TIMES EVEN TODAY.

WE SHOULD LOOK AT WHAT, IF ANY, OF THOSE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF FUNDING, CMAC, TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES, AND OTHERS THAT WE COULD QUALIFY FOR.

AS WE BRING THESE THINGS FORWARD, I WOULD WANT TO SEE THAT IT MAKES SURE THAT WE'VE TRIED TO ASK FOR THAT FUNDING.

IF IT DOESN'T QUALIFY, IT DOESN'T QUALIFY.

BUT NO ONE TO DATE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR ME.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A HUGE MISS IF WE PASSED ON TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND POTENTIAL FUNDING JUST BECAUSE WE DIDN'T ASK THE QUESTION.

I'D JUST LIKE TO MAKE THAT POINT.

>> COMMISSIONER, I THINK THAT THE ISSUE IS ACCOUNTING IS NOT SET UP WITH GRANTS FOR ANYTHING REALLY OUTSIDE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

I THINK THAT'S ALL WE'RE REALLY WRITING GRANTS FOR IT, RIGHT?

>> VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS PEOPLE WHO SERVE AS THEIR GRANT PERSON.

THAT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM MONITORING GRANTS TO ACTUALLY SOLICIT AND GRANTS.

BUT FORMALLY, DR. CASTRO WORKS PRIMARILY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> RIGHT. THAT'S WHY THE QUESTION IS NOT GETTING ANSWERED BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NOBODY TASKED WITH IT OTHER THAN IF A DEPARTMENT DECIDES TO FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS THAT TALENT, I SUBMIT FOR THE COURT'S BUDGET COMING UP THAT WE REALLY OUGHT TO LOOK AT THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I AM LEARNING ABOUT OTHER COUNTIES IS THEY ARE GETTING NOT JUST GOVERNMENTAL GRANTS, BUT, PRIVATE FOUNDATION GRANTS TO HELP THEIR PRECINCTS.

WE'RE LEAVING A LOT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE AS A BIG COUNTY.

BY NOT HAVING THAT, IT WOULD BE WISE, I THINK IN THE BUDGET DISCUSSION TO PUT THAT POTENTIALLY UNDER THE COMMISSIONERS DIRECTLY AS A STAFF PERSON WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WRITE GRANTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT IDEA KNOWN ON THE TABLE.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE NEVER GETTING ANSWERS ON THAT IN ANY EVENT.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT POINT AND I WOULD ASK STAFF TO PROVIDE A RESPONSE ONCE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO ASK THAT QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER YOU QUALIFY FOR ONE OR MORE OF THOSE BUCKETS OF MONEY.

AT NPO, WE ACTUALLY HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT THAT SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE

[02:55:04]

AND OBVIOUSLY COULD RALLY SUPPORT FOR BEAR COUNTY PROJECTS, BUT WE CAN IF IT'S NOT A PROJECT.

>> I HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR AND WE ABSOLUTELY ARE DIGGING INTO THAT. WE'LL GET YOU AN ANSWER.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY QUICKLY.

TONY, YOU MAY WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS BRIEFLY, BUT IT MAY NOT BE GRANT MONEY, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE LEVERAGE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CREEK WAY.

>> WESTSIDE CREEKS.

>> WESTSIDE CREEKS, MISSION REACH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I THINK THERE'S A PERCEPTION THAT THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR ALL OF THIS.

I KNOW IT'S SIGNIFICANT, BUT WE ARE LEVERAGING SOME OF THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS AS WELL FOR THESE PROJECTS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, SIR.

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD QUALIFY FOR MPO EITHER.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE UNDER INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION.

>> WELL, I'VE HADN'T AND I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, BUT I'VE HAD MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT NPO AND WITH PUBLIC WORKS, AND I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET CLARITY ON THAT ITEM AS FAR AS WHETHER QUALIFY AND THERE'S MULTIPLE BUCKETS OF MONEY THAT SOLICIT CALLS FOR PROJECTS.

COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD JUST OR TONY COULD SPEAK TO THOSE FUNDING SOURCES BECAUSE I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW FROM MY OWN AWARENESS WHERE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SOLICIT FEDERAL DOLLARS BEFORE BECAUSE I'M NOT AWARE OF COURTROOMS HERE.

>> I WOULD PROBABLY BE A BETTER MAYBE STEVE MIGHT BE BETTER AT IT.

BUT UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME PROJECTS ARE QUALIFIED BECAUSE THEY IMPACT THE CHANNEL AND THE ECOSYSTEM.

THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN STUDIED.

WESTSIDE CREEKS WAS A RESULT OF YEARS OF PRE-STUDY AND IT HAD WORKED THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT APPROVALS THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET TO WHERE IT IS NOW.

BUT I KNOW STEVE, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THAT.

>> THERE ARE CERTAINLY GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR TRIALS.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO APPLIES FOR THEM.

BRENDON ROSS WORKS FOR THE CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND WE CAN TALK TO HIM ABOUT WHAT GRANTS THEY'VE APPLIED TO.

I KNOW THE CITY JUST APPLIED FOR ONE ON ZAMORA CREEK TRAILS, THAT AREA.

I DON'T KNOW THE CONDITIONS OR THE CRITERIA.

WE CAN CERTAINLY WORK WITH TONY TO SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

MY THOUGHTS SO IS USUALLY TAKE QUITE A BIT OF TIME.

YOU'VE GOT TO QUEUE THOSE UP AND THERE'S A SOLICITATION.

I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON TRAILS GRANTS BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY WORK WITH TONY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

>> THE POINT IS WELL-TAKEN BUT WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY GET STARTED AND WHETHER THAT'S HAVING SOMEBODY WHO CAN WRITE GRANTS BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE THERE'S ANOTHER FIVE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE SIGNED UP FOR, IN THE FUTURE WE COULD POTENTIALLY SOLICIT THOSE DOLLARS.

>> I WOULD SUBMIT TO THE COURT THAT FOR THE MONEY WE'VE SPENT ON LOBBYISTS AND THE LOBBYING PROCESS OF OUR FUNDS FOR WESTSIDE CREEKS, AND BY THE WAY, THAT LOBBYING HAS LED TO AN IMBALANCE.

MY PRECINCT HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE LOBBYING PROCESS.

THE TAXPAYERS WOULD GET A HIGHER RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM THE GRANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY, A MUCH HIGHER NUMBER, POTENTIALLY $100 MILLION MORE IF IT'S REALLY ROBUST.

THAT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION.

BASED UPON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS AND HEALTH CARE THINGS, WE ARE RIPE TO HAVE IT.

THEN WE COULD USE SOME OF THESE MONIES IN OTHER WAYS AS I THINK IS WHERE THE COMMISSIONER IS GOING AND SAVING THE COUNTY SOME FUNDS.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A LOBBYIST WHO'S GOTTEN US HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I JUST THINK THAT IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR EIGHT YEARS REALLY BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL LEVERAGE THE DREAMS THAT EVERY COMMISSIONER HAS FOR THEIR PRECINCT AND THEIR PROJECTS.

I'LL TRY TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER WITH DR. CASTRO AND SOME OTHERS.

IN MY PRECINCT, FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE A FIVE-YEAR FEDERAL GRANT THAT WAS EARMARKED TOWARDS MY PRECINCT, AND GUESS WHAT, THE COUNTY HAS MADE, I THINK IT'S ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE WE TOOK AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I HAD AN OUTSIDE GRANT WRITER DO FOR CRIME IN MY PRECINCT, AND WE ADDED 800 MILLION INTO THE GENERAL FUND WHICH I SHOULD REALLY GET BACK INTO MY PRECINCT, BUT IT'S GONE TO THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE WE MADE IT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OUT OF JUDICIAL SERVICES ANYWAY. JUST FOR THE RECORD.

[03:00:06]

>> ALL RIGHT. THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM 82, DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING

[82. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a request for the approval of a budgetary transfer in the amount of $209,266 to replenish the Court Appointed Attorney Fee funding for the County Courts at Law for the month of July. (Estimated Presentation Time: 5 minutes)]

A REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF A BUDGETARY TRANSFER IN THE AMOUNT OF $209,266 TO REPLENISH THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEE FUNDING FOR THE COUNTY COURTS OF LAW FOR THE MONTH OF JULY.

>> YES, SIR. WE ARE REQUESTING COURT'S APPROVAL OF A BUDGET TRANSFER FROM CONTINGENCIES TO EACH OF THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW BUDGETS THAT HEAR CRIMINAL CASES.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS MONTH BY MONTH THROUGH THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND SO IT'S ABOUT $209,000.

>> WHAT'S THE PROJECTION FOR THE FINAL BUDGET YEAR? WE'RE IN OUR LAST QUARTER, CORRECT?

>> IN TOTAL, WE'RE PROJECTING COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY COSTS TO BE $18 MILLION THIS YEAR.

THAT'S ACROSS ALL OF THE COURTS.

>> FOR THE COUNTY COURTS, WE HAD BUDGETED $2 MILLION BASED ON LAST YEAR'S ESTIMATES.

BUDGET IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATING UNDER THE NEW FEE SCHEDULE THAT'LL BE 4.8 MILLION FOR THIS YEAR AND THEN IF CASELOAD REMAINS THE SAME NEXT YEAR, THEN THAT AMOUNT WOULD GO UP AGAIN BECAUSE THE FEES WERE CHANGED IN APRIL?

>> MAY 1ST.

>> MAY 1ST. SO YOU WOULD HAVE A FULL YEAR OF THE NEW FEES.

AGAIN, IF CASELOAD REMAINS THE SAME, YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT 5 OR 6 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION?

>> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY. IS THERE A SECOND? [BACKGROUND] SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS?

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

HOW ARE THESE FEES AFFECTING THE NEW FEES THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED?

>> MAYBE THAT'S A QUESTION FOR DIANNE FROM THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE RADHA.

>> HELLO EVERYONE.

>> GOOD MORNING, MS. DEDE.

>> COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES IS REALLY THE ANSWER IS WE ARE NOT SEEING THE FISCAL IMPACT YET OF THE NEW FEE SCHEDULES.

OUT OF ROUGHLY 3,269 VOUCHERS THAT HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DATE, ONLY 112 OF THOSE ARE OVER A $300 AMOUNT.

SO OUR FEE SCHEDULE WENT INTO EFFECT MAY 1, BUT WE AREN'T REALLY SEEING THE FISCAL IMPACTS OF THAT BECAUSE CRIMINAL CASES NORMALLY DON'T GET RESOLVED IN TWO MONTHS.

SOME OF THE FEES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT ARE OVER THE $300 AMOUNT COULD BE JURY TRIAL FEES.

I THINK WE HAD MAYBE 10 CASES OF THOSE VOUCHERS THAT WERE AT THE $750 RATE WHICH IS THE SAME RATE THAT WAS FROM BEFORE.

I CAN'T REALLY GIVE YOU A CLEAR BREAKDOWN OF EXACTLY WHAT ALL OF THOSE 112 VOUCHERS WERE.

JUST THAT THERE WERE ONLY 112 THAT WERE OVER THE $300 AMOUNT, SO ASSUMING OBVIOUSLY THE REMAINING VOUCHERS ARE STILL BEING PROCESSED AT THE OLD RATE.

WE ARE TRACKING NUMBERS NOW LIKE WE WERE PRE-PANDEMIC, OBVIOUSLY 2020-2021 WE SAW A DECREASE.

JURY TRIALS WERE SUSPENDED.

PROCEEDINGS WERE BEING DONE REMOTELY.

THAT'S NO LONGER THE CASE.

PREDOMINANTLY ALL THE COUNTY COURTS ARE BACK IN-PERSON.

SOME ARE STILL DOING A HYBRID BUT FOR THE MOST PART, WE ARE SEEING THAT THE NUMBERS ARE BACK IN LINE WITH PRE-PANDEMIC, MEANING, OBVIOUSLY THE EXPENDITURES ARE GOING TO BE TRACKING 2019 WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

THE OTHER THING IS AS FAR AS WHAT MR. SMITH HAD MENTIONED REGARDING THE DISPOSITIONS.

WHEN THE IMPACT COURTS WERE CREATED IN 2022 TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BACKLOG, WE DID SEE ROUGHLY 4,000 CASES THAT WERE, GIVE ME A SECOND HERE, 4,800 CASES THAT WERE DISPOSED OF.

OBVIOUSLY, WHILE ARPA DID FUND THE COURTS AND THE STAFF, ARPA WAS NOT FUNDING THE VOUCHERS THAT WERE BEING PAID OUT.

THAT'S WHY WE DO SEE AN INCREASE IN 2022 WITH THE IMPACT COURTS CLEARING OUT SO MANY OF THOSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BACKLOG.

THE NUMBERS AREN'T GOING TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THOSE TYPES OF DISPOSITIONS.

AT THE CURRENT RATE, WE HAVE ABOUT 11,000 CASES FOR ALL 13 CRIMINAL COURTS.

IN 2021, WE HAD 21,000 ROUGHLY.

WE HAVE 10,000 CASES LESS NOW THAT WERE DISPOSED OF, SO I DON'T FORESEE THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE AS FAR AS DISPOSITIONS GOES SURELY BY NATURE OF THE FACT THAT OUR NUMBERS ARE DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY.

>> THEN THE REQUEST TODAY FOR $209,000 IS THAT THROUGH THE REST OF THE QUARTER TO TAKE US TO THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR BECAUSE IT SAYS JULY OR IS THAT JUST JULY?

[03:05:03]

>> JUST ONE MONTH.

>> IT'S JUST JULY.

>> THEN PROBABLY WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK TO FINISH OUT THE FISCAL YEAR AGAIN.

WAS THIS PART OF THE BUDGET OR?

>> NO, THAT'S WHY [NOISE] YOU HAVE TO APPROVE A TRANSFER.

>> BECAUSE IT WASN'T PART OF THE BUDGET. OKAY.

>> AND ALSO, JUST TO KNOW COMMISSIONER, CLAY-FLORES, BACK IN JULY OF 2019 OUR EXPENDITURES WERE $278,401.

AGAIN, THAT'S THE OLD FEE SCHEDULE.

JUST TO REITERATE, THIS ISN'T THE RESULT YET OF THE NEW FEE SCHEDULE.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT WILL HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE FISCAL IMPACT OR FISCAL NOTE FOR THE FEE INCREASE IS GOING TO BE?

>> OUR PROJECTIONS, DO YOU HAVE KEVIN'S DATA?

>> IT WAS ABOUT 4.4.

>> MS. DEDE, YOU GOT TO GET TO THIS.

>> WE HAD MADE AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 4.4 MILLION.

>> 4.4 ADDITIONAL?

>> THAT WOULD BE THE TOTAL.

>> TOTAL?

>> RIGHT, IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS ALREADY BUDGETED WHICH WAS 2 MILLION.

>> WHICH IS 2 MILLION, SO LITTLE OVER DOUBLE.

>> RIGHT. THE TOTAL WOULD BE 4.4.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, JUDGE VADA, THAT THE IMPACT COURT THAT WAS CREATED BY ARPA DEALT WITH THE FILING VIOLENCE BACKLOG BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE ALL THE COURTS HAVE WORKED HARD AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BACKLOG HAS BEEN MANAGED AND WE'RE CATCHING UP SO TO SPEAK, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THERE HAS BEEN A REQUEST FOR AN OUT OF BUDGET TRANSFER MONEY; IS THAT CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

[NOISE] IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS?

>> THIS IS NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE, SO I DEFER TO THOSE WHO HAVE JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE ON THIS COURT.

BUT THIS SHOULD BE FAIRLY SIMPLE WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK TO JUST BUSINESS TERMS. BEYOND OUR BUDGET, WE BREAK OUR BUDGET HERE IT'S EITHER THE NUMBER OF CASES WHICH THE JUDGE JUST ALLUDED TO, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR HERE OR IT'S THE DOLLARS PER HOUR THAT WE'RE PAYING THOSE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS, WHICH FROM WHAT I'M HEARING FROM YOU IS THAT HASN'T CHANGED YET, BUT IT WILL IN THE FUTURE AND HAVE AN IMPACT, OR IT'S THE NUMBER OF HOURS PER CASE.

IT CAN ONLY BE ONE OF THOSE THREE THINGS OR A COMBINATION OF THOSE THREE.

I WOULD JUST PREFER TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE CLARITY AROUND WHAT THE HOURS PER CASE LOOKS LIKE AND THE RATE STRUCTURE AND HOW IT'S CHANGED OVER TIME AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE CASES THAT THE JUDGE ALLUDED TO.

>> WE DO HAVE SOME PRINTOUTS FOR YOU HAVE THAT?

>> I HAVE THESE. THE ONES THAT WE HAVE DONE?

>> THERE ARE SOME GRAPHS ON THERE, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

THE AVERAGE PAYMENT PER VOUCHER PER MONTH WE'RE LOOKING AT, LET'S SAY MARCH 2023 WE'RE AT 140.128 APRIL 2023, WE'RE AT 150.53, MAY WE'RE AT 149.82, AND JUNE WE'RE AT 140.823.

THE AVERAGE PAYMENT PER VOUCHER PER MONTH ISN'T REALLY CHANGING VERY MUCH AT THIS CURRENT RATE.

NOW, OF COURSE, IT WILL ULTIMATELY CHANGE, BUT AS OF NOW, WE AREN'T SEEING THAT IMPACT ACROSS THE BOARD WITH RESPECT TO THE COST PER VOUCHERS.

>> COMMISSIONER, THAT COULD BE BECAUSE THE BILLINGS LAGGED.

HISTORICALLY, IT HASN'T BEEN AN INSTANTANEOUS PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY UPON ADJUDICATION.

>> SOMETIMES THE ATTORNEYS THEY DON'T SUBMIT THE VOUCHERS RIGHT AWAY.

SOMETIMES IT CAN BE WEEKS TO MONTHS THAT THEY ACTUALLY END UP SUBMITTING IT, SO THAT IS TRUE WHAT MR. SMITH IS REFERENCING.

WELL, THE MAC IS NOW AS OF JULY 1, COMPLETELY HANDLING THE VOUCHERS AND THE APPROVAL OF THOSE VOUCHERS BUT WE HAVE SEEN THE TREND THAT THE VOUCHERS ARE JUST CONTINUING TO GO UP.

2021 THERE WAS 1882 VOUCHERS PROCESSED, 2020, THERE WAS 2697 VOUCHERS PROCESSED, AND TODAY 2023, WE'RE AT 3269.

AGAIN, THAT'S ALL ATTRIBUTED TO THE PANDEMIC AND THE DELAY THAT CREATED WITH THE COURTS AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE OBVIOUSLY CONTINUING TO GO BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC NUMBERS.

PRE-PANDEMIC VOUCHER IS BEING FILED, THINGS TO THAT EFFECT.

ONE THING I WANTED TO KNOW AS FAR AS BUDGET GOES, DD DID SUBMIT A REQUEST TO BUDGET FOR 2.265 MILLION ROUGHLY AND WE'RE ONLY BUDGETED 2.087, SO LAST YEAR WE WERE WE WERE AT THAT TARGET ROUGHLY SO THE PROJECTION WOULD BE THAT THIS YEAR EITHER WE'RE GOING TO BE IN LINE WITH THAT OR HIGHER, BUT THE APPROVAL WENT DOWN.

[03:10:01]

THAT WAS ALSO AN ISSUE.

>> JUDGE, I HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE WERE YOU HERE WITH SHERIFF SALAZAR WHO SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT THE FORENSIC BEDS?

>> I STEPPED OUT. I WASN'T HERE THE WHOLE TIME, BUT I HEARD THE GIST OF IT.

>> WELL, I'LL GIVE YOU THE CLIFF NOTE VERSION.

HE HAS NEARLY 500 PRISONERS IN THE BEAR COUNTY JAIL.

HALF OF THOSE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING AND ARE SUBJECT TO BEING JUDGED MENTALLY INCOMPETENT AND HE ALSO HAS A POLL ABOUT HALF OF THAT, WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED MENTALLY INCOMPETENT AND OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A BACKLOG ON GETTING THOSE TO THE STATE HOSPITAL FORENSIC BEDS.

THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP HE'S IDENTIFIED AND HE HAS HAD PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH ME SAYING THAT HE HAS HAD A DEATH IN THE JAIL IN REGARDS TO SOMEBODY THAT WAS BEING HELD ON MENTAL INCOMPETENCY BUT THE HOLE WAS BECAUSE OF MISDEMEANOR.

MY QUESTION AND WHAT WE WILL CREATE IS A COMMITTEE WHICH I WILL CHAIR AFTER REVIEW THAT LIST.

DOES THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW JUDGES DO A REVIEW OF EVERYBODY IN THAT JAIL? I'LL ASK THIS HARD QUESTION ARE WE HOUSING MISDEMEANOR OFFENDERS THAT PERHAPS ARE MENTALLY INCOMPETENT, BUT THEY COULD PERHAPS BE IN A LESSER RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT? OTHERWISE, WE'RE HOUSING THE MENTALLY ILL, SO MY QUESTION IS, DOES THE COURTS HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE OR DOES IS THERE ANYBODY ON THE COURT SYSTEM SIDE? BECAUSE I WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT AND LOOKING AT EVERY LIST AND I'M GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS SPECIFIC PERSON IS STILL SITTING ON JAIL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE BEING HELD ON MISDEMEANOR CHARGES.

WHY AREN'T THOSE CASES MOVING? DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY QUESTION?

>> YES. I'LL HAVE DD WITH RESPECT TO ADMIN AND THE NUMBERS AND THE DATA THAT THEY PULL.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU AND OF COURSE, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT EACH INDIVIDUAL JUDGE DOES IN THEIR OWN CAPACITY, BUT EVERY DAY WE GET THOSE JAIL TRACK REPORTS AND MY COORDINATOR LOOKS AT THOSE NUMBERS TO SEE WHY EACH INDIVIDUAL IS IN JAIL.

SOMETIMES THERE'S A FELONY ATTACHED, SO EVEN IF WE WERE TO GRANT A PR BOND, THE FELONY IS THE BIGGER FISH THAT'S GOING TO KEEP THEM INCARCERATED AND SOMETIMES WE'RE DEALING WITH MURDER CHARGES, WE'RE DEALING WITH RAPE CHARGES, WHICH OBVIOUSLY THE COURTS ARE NOT GOING TO PR BOND THEM.

WHILE IT MAY LOOK LIKE OH, THEY'RE ALSO BEING HELD ON A MISDEMEANOR, EVEN IF THEY WERE PRED ON A MISDEMEANOR, LET'S SAY CRIMINAL TRESPASS, BUT THEY HAVE AN ASSOCIATED FELONY THAT'S A LOT MORE SEVERE THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THAT YOU HAVE THEM IN THERE.

OTHER NUMBERS THAT FACTOR IN IS IF SOMEONE'S ON GPS MONITORING, GPS HOUSE ARREST, THAT THE COURTS HAVE ALLOWED THEM IN LIEU OF SPENDING THEIR TIME IN JAIL TO SERVE THEIR HOUSE SENTENCE IN SOME FORM OF HOUSE ARREST WHETHER THAT'D BE FULL OR PARTIAL, THOSE NUMBERS ARE STILL REFLECTED AS IF THEY WERE HOUSED IN THE BEAR COUNTY JAIL.

THE NUMBERS OVERALL ARE NOT VERY HIGH.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS ACROSS THE BOARD, IT'S NORMALLY UNDER 30 INMATES EACH DAY AND THAT WILL OBVIOUSLY FLUCTUATE DOWN TO LESS THAN 10.

IT'S NOT REALLY THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS WHERE YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED.

>> BUT AT THIS POINT, WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE EVERY PERSON OUT OF THAT JAIL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE IS I THINK A CURRENT POLICY THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE HOUSING MENTALLY ILL.

>> THERE ARE SOME INSTANCES WHERE-

>> ESPECIALLY AND THE PERSON THAT DIED WAS BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL ILLNESS, SO WE ALSO HAVE DEATHS BECAUSE WE HAVE SICK DEFENDANTS.

MY QUESTION IS, WHY ARE THEY STILL BEING HELD? IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE SHERIFF BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, I ASKED HIM TO RESEARCH IT, AND IT WAS ONLY ON A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE THAT THIS PARTICULAR DEFENDANT WAS BEING HELD ON.

I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS.

HOW CAN YOU ASSURE ME THAT ALL YOUR JUDGES ARE DOING THE SAME?

>> WE CAN ADDRESS IT AT OUR MEETINGS.

I TRUST THAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE LOOKING AT ALL THE SAME THINGS.

WHILE TO THE PUBLIC, IT MAY SEEM LIKE, IT'S JUST A MISDEMEANOR WHEN YOU LOOK AT CRIMINAL HISTORY AND YOU SEE THAT THERE'S EXTENSIVE FELONY HISTORY, YOU SEE THERE'S EXTENSIVE MISDEMEANOR HISTORY, IT'S OBVIOUSLY CONCERNING TO A JUDGE BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID EARLIER, YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO WEIGH OBVIOUSLY THE DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATED WITH WHETHER OR NOT THIS PERSON IS ELIGIBLE FOR A PR BOND.

THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FACTORED IN AS CRIMINAL HISTORY.

IF IT'S FAR REMOVED, LET'S SAY IT'S 10,20 YEARS IT'S DIFFERENT VERSUS THEY JUST COMMITTED THREE FELONIES LAST YEAR AND NOW THE REQUEST IS ON MY DESK FOR A PR BOND THIS YEAR.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S WEIGHING THAT AS WELL AND THEN THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOME OFFENSES LIKE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHERE PR BOND IS NOT EVEN A POSSIBILITY.

A JUDGE CAN SET THE BOND AS LOW AS $50, AND IF THE INMATE CAN'T MAKE IT AND UNDER THE LETTER OF THE LAW, THEY'RE NOT ENTITLED TO A PR BOND OBVIOUSLY,

[03:15:02]

THAT CREATES ISSUES THERE.

>> IS THIS POPULATION BEING LOOKED UPON BY OUR DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM? WE'VE GOT SO MANY DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS. IS A COURT SYSTEM SEEING WHETHER OR NOT THIS POPULATION CAN BE DIVERTED OUT OF OUR BEAR COUNTY JAIL? I'M JUST ASKING THAT WE THINK OUT OF THE BOX.

I'M THINKING THAT WE GOT A BIG CROWDED JAIL OVER THERE AND WE JUST APPROVE OF MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR OVERTIME BILL, DIDN'T WE? THREE MILLION.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NUMBER OF CASES COULD BE VERY SMALL, BUT I AM OF THE BELIEF WE MOVE EVERY PERSON OUT OF THAT JAIL THAT DOESN'T BELONG THERE AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO AS COUNTY JUDGE.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION WE DO GET THE REPORTS OF ANYONE WHO HAS ATTAINED COMPETENCY AND I HAVE REALLY GOOD STAFF PEOPLE IN COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION THAT LOOK AT THOSE LISTS AND THEY NOTIFY THOSE COORDINATORS, HEY THIS PERSON HAS REGAINED COMPETENCY YOU NEED TO GO AHEAD AND SET THIS ON YOUR DOCKET.

WE ALSO HAVE THE LISTS OF THOSE AWAITING PSYCHE EVALS AND THEN THERE'S BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS WHO CAN SEE THEM AT THE JAIL.

WE CAN SEE HOW MANY DAYS THEY'VE BEEN IN THERE AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT A MAJORITY OF THOSE PEOPLE DO HAVE FELONIES ATTACHED, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY SHARE THAT DATA AND COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF SOLUTIONS.

BUT I DO HAVE PEOPLE IN COURT ADMINISTRATION THAT DO LOOK AT THOSE LISTS AND DO TRY TO KEEP ON TOP OF IT.

>> THANK YOU, DD.

>> ALSO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN JAIL, WHO FILES WITH NO INFORMATION THEY TRY TO STAY ON TOP OF THOSE AS WELL.

>> THANKS, JUDGE. SMITH.

>> THE ONE THING YOU COULD DO IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY AND I THINK IT WOULD BE YOUR OFFICE PROBABLY DD IS LOOK AND SEE OF YOUR PENDING CASES WHO'S INCARCERATED AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY OF PRIORITIZING GETTING THOSE PEOPLE ADJUDICATED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

>> YES, THAT'S ALREADY BEING DONE, MR. SMITH.

JUST IN REFERENCE TO LET'S SAY THERE'S AN INMATE WHO WANTS A JURY TRIAL VERSUS SOMEONE WHO'S OUT ON BOND, THAT JURY TRIAL IS GOING TO TAKE PREFERENCE WITH THE INMATE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THEY ARE INCARCERATED.

THERE'S DEFINITELY A VETTING PROCESS AND A HIERARCHY THAT'S PLACED ON INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INCARCERATED

>> WE DO HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH CASES THAT ARE OVER A YEAR OLD IN THE JAIL AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFENSES AND THAT'S 294 DEFENDANTS THAT ARE CASES THAT WE CONSIDER PANDEMIC BACKLOG.

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE FINAL COMMENT.

FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR SHARING THIS.

THIS IS GREAT INFORMATION THAT HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM AND REALLY HAVE GOOD DATA AND ANALYSIS AROUND WHAT THOSE FACTORS ARE.

MY ONLY REQUEST WOULD BE TO TRY TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION SO WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO DIGEST IT AND FOR THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD EARLIER ABOUT OVERTIME, THIS WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL, I THINK IN SEEING A REAL BREAKDOWN BY MONTH AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM SO WE CAN SPEAK TO IT AND ADDRESS IT THE WAY WE NEED TO.

>> THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? HEARING NONE.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT, GO AHEAD.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE A CRIMINOLOGIST GIVE US A FORECAST.

THE COURT IS DEALING WITH THESE BUDGETARY ISSUES AND IT'S LIKE THE FAUCET IS BROKEN, AND THERE'S JUST FLOWING WATER AND IF YOU HAD A PLUMBER DOWN THE ROAD TELLING US, WELL, THE PROBLEM'S DOWN THE ROAD SO THAT WE CAN BETTER PLAN, ESPECIALLY AROUND BUDGET TIME, WHAT THESE PROJECTIONS LOOK LIKE.

I REMEMBER DR. MICHAEL, WHAT'S HIS NAME OVER AT UTSA? RETIRED CRIMINOLOGIST.

WE USED TO USE HIM, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO REPLACED HIM, BUT WITH THESE JUSTICE ISSUES OUR OFFICER CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAN DO SOME OF THAT, BUT ALSO THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN HELP US WITH SOME OF THESE PROJECTIONS BECAUSE WE'RE KIND OF SHOOTING BLIND AND WE'RE MISSING THE BIG PICTURE.

I WAS EXPLAINING TO COMMISSIONER MOODY, IF THE INSURANCE BUSINESS YOU'RE LOOKING AT DEATH RATES, YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHO'S DOING WHAT CLAIMS YOU'RE LOOKING AT WEATHER PATTERNS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALL THESE THINGS TO TELL YOU THAT THESE ARE GOING TO BE LOSSES AND PROFITS AND WHAT HAVE YOU THAT ARE COMING DOWN.

IF WE KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT A DROPOUT RATE THAT'S DOING SOMETHING THERE'S A CORRELATION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WE NEED TO SEE THAT AS COMMISSIONERS AT SOME POINT, SO THAT WE CAN RETOOL AND STABILIZE AND ALSO HELP OUR, FRANKLY, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE JAIL AND OUR COURT SYSTEMS NOT HAVE AS MUCH OF A BIG CASELOAD AS WE'RE SEEING, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT.

>> ALL RIGHT. MS. SHANNON, ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET REAL QUICK ON 83 DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING BEXAR COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM ADA SESSION TO TAKE SLIGHTLY BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME, I MAY ASK THAT WE GO TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM, SO.

[03:20:01]

>> LET'S DO THAT PLEASE [OVERLAPPING] I HAVE GOT SLIDES TO GO THROUGH ACTUALLY TODAY.

>> YEAH. WE'VE GOT TO SHOW. ALL RIGHT.

AT THIS TIME, WITH PERMISSION OF THE COMMISSIONED CORPS,

[EXECUTIVE SESSION (DISCUSSION ONLY: CLOSED TO PUBLIC)]

I WILL ASK AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 87, BEFORE CONVENIENT EXECUTIVE UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I WILL ADMONISH THAT THE COURT MUST VOTE UNANIMOUSLY THAT DELIBERATION AND OPEN MEETING WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE POSITION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT DELIBERATE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION OF BEXAR COUNTY UNDER CHAPTER 174, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.

AT THIS TIME THE COURT WILL NOW CONVENE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS MAYBE DISCUSSED AND ACTED UPON IF APPROPRIATE IN OPEN SESSION.

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. YOU NEED TO TAKE A VOTE.

IT HAS TO BE UNANIMOUS VOTE.

>> RIGHT, OKAY. WE NEED A MOTION.

>> IN OPEN. YOU VOTE IN OPEN AND THEN CONVENE IF THE COURT MEMBERS AGREE ON THAT ITEM.

>> IS THERE A MOTION TO CONVENE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO AT THIS TIME, PURSUANT TO 551071 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COURTS ATTORNEY FOR ADVICE REGARDING PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFERS IN THE FOLLOWING MATTERS.

USA CASUALTY INSURANCE VERSUS BURKE COUNTY.

ALLEC SHORT VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, COUNTY OF BEXAR COUNTY VERSUS PURDUE PHARMA.

PURSUANT TO 155-10-7725 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOR DELIBERATIONS REGARDING A CONTRACT BEING NEGOTIATED.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION BEXAR COUNTY UNDER CHAPTER 1, STANDING FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.

COURT WILL NOTE THAT WE HAVE UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE ARE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THE COURT IS BACK IN OPEN SESSION.

MR. ROBESON, OR WHO WISHES TO DICTATE FOR THE RECORD?

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE FIRST ITEM WAS

[84. Discussion and appropriate action regarding settlement offers from Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart in the matter of County of Bexar v. Purdue Pharma, L.P., et al, MDL PRETRIAL CAUSE NO. 2018-63587, in the 152d District Court of Harris County, Texas, to include authorization for the Bexar County Judge or other authorized official to execute settlement participation and release forms if approved. (Estimated Presentation Time: 5 minutes)]

84 AND I'LL LET MS. SANFORD HANDLE THAT ONE.

THE OPIOID LITIGATION.

>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

SHELLY SANFORD WITH WATTS GARA LAW FIRM AND I'M HERE TO RECOMMEND AS OUTSIDE COUNSEL, THREE SETTLEMENTS IN THE COUNTY'S OPIOID LITIGATION PENDING IN THE NRA, TEXAS OPIOID MDL, AND HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENTS ARE WITH WALGREENS, CVS, AND WALMART.

COUNSEL RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNTY APPROVE THE SETTLEMENTS AND AUTHORIZE JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] TO SIGN THE RELEASES, WHICH I WILL HOLD UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE SETTLEMENTS.

>> I MOVE.

>> MOVE APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT.

>> OKAY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES.

>> THANK YOU, [OVERLAPPING] COMMISSIONER.

>> AND I KNOW HE'S NOT HERE, BUT THANK YOU TO YOUR COUNTY MANAGER, DAVID SMITH FOR ALL HIS HELP IN THE LITIGATION.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID SMITH.

>> DAVID SMITH THE PUBLIC. THANKS YOU. [INAUDIBLE]

>> ALL RIGHT, MR. ROBESON.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. ON ITEM 85, DURING EXECUTIVE,

[85. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a settlement offer for property damage only resulting from an automobile accident in the matter of USAA Casualty Insurance as subrogee of its Insured Felix Cuevas v. Bexar County, Claim # 22G62K705466 (Estimated Presentation Time: 5 minutes)]

THE COURT CONSIDERED A SETTLEMENT OFFER FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE ONLY RESULTING FROM AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT IN THE MATTER OF USAA CASUALTY INSURANCE AS SUBREGY OF IT'S INSURED FELIX QUAVERS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,601.28.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVER.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.