Mar 12, 2024 Commissioners Court

[00:00:02]

GET A LIGHT, MIKE. THERE WE GO.

ALRIGHT. OKAY.

GOOD MORNING.

I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING FOR MARCH THE 12TH, 2024.

WE'LL OPEN HERE WITH A PRAYER AND ALLEGIANCE BY COMMISSIONER REBECA CLAY-FLORES.

BEFORE THAT, LET ME MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE COURT AND TO ANYBODY IN ATTENDANCE TODAY.

WE ANTICIPATE HAVING A LONGER HEARING, A LONGER MEETING THAT WILL GO IN THE AFTERNOON.

THEREFORE I HAVE SET A LUNCH BREAK.

ALTHOUGH WE WE USUALLY POWER THROUGH AND GET THROUGH THE MEETING AND THE AGENDA, EVEN THOUGH WE WORK THROUGH LUNCH.

AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT WE USUALLY DO THAT AS A MATTER OF COURSE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE MOST HEALTHIEST PRACTICE, BUT TODAY IN ANTICIPATION OF OUR LONGER AGENDA, WE WILL BE TAKING A LUNCH BREAK APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 1245.

SO ABOUT A 45 MINUTE BREAK.

I'LL BE TRYING TO TIME IT SO THAT IF WE CAN GET ALL THE MORNING MATTERS TAKEN CARE OF THEN OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TIME.

CERTAIN. LET ME ALERT EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM SO THAT THEY CAN NOT BE IMPOSED UPON.

WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN AT 10:30 A.M.

FOR THE ARPA ISSUES ON THE EXECUTIVE TRAILS PROJECT.

SO WE MAY HAVE PEOPLE HERE THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON THAT.

IT'S A IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 1030 OR WHENEVER WE GET TO IT.

AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON WE HAVE A 1:30 P.M.

TIME CERTAIN WITH AGAIN AN ARPA ISSUE IN REGARDS TO THE GUN SAFETY ISSUE.

SO IF YOU'RE HERE FOR THOSE ITEMS, I'M ALERTING YOU.

YOU'RE FREE TO SIT THROUGH THE ENTIRE MEETING.

BUT IF YOU ARE HERE FOR THOSE MATTERS ALSO TOO, IF YOU'VE SIGNED UP FOR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD AND YOU CAN'T COME PLEASE ALLOW US OR ALERT US, PRISCILLA OR STAFF HERE SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE YOU AND PUT IT ON.

OTHERWISE, I ANTICIPATE THOSE THAT WANT TO SIGN UP FOR A SPECIFIC LINE ITEM.

I WILL CALL YOU AT THE TIME THE AGENDA MATTER IS BROUGHT UP.

ALSO TWO IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE AGAIN AN ARPA DISCUSSION IN REGARDS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES PREVENTIVE HEALTH.

AND ALSO THE OPIOID FUND ISSUE IS ALSO SET AT A TIME CERTAIN IN THE AFTERNOON AFTER THE 130 ISSUE OF GUN SAFETY. I BELIEVE THOSE ARE THE TIME CERTAIN ISSUES.

SO I JUST WANT TO ALERT THAT AS A COURTESY TO ALL OF YOU, ESPECIALLY ANYBODY WHO CAME HERE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.

WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO FEEL THAT WE DID NOT HEAR YOU OR THAT YOU WEREN'T TOLD ABOUT THE TIMING AND INCONVENIENCE YOU.

SO HAVING SAID THAT, LET ME ASK THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONER REBECA CLAY-FLORES TO INTRODUCE THE SENIOR PASTOR AND DO THE PLEDGE

[1. Opening Prayer: Senior Pastor Eliseo Garza, My Redeemer Lives Baptist Church (Rebeca Clay-Flores)]

GOOD MORNING.

PASTOR ELISEO GARZA SERVES AS A SENIOR PASTOR OF MY REDEEMER LIVES BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF BEXAR COUNTY.

HE'S A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO AND IS A BI VOCATIONAL PASTOR WITH A FULL TIME JOB WORKING AT THE VALERO CORPORATE OFFICE.

HIS WIFE, BLANCA OF 19 YEARS, WEARS BLANCA.

OKAY. SHOUT OUT TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

SHE'S A COUNTY EMPLOYEE IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THEIR DAUGHTER ANDREA IS ON SPRING BREAK, SO SHE'S JOINING US AS WELL.

AND SHE'S A JUNIOR AT STEVENS HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS ALSO IN MY PRECINCT.

MUCHISIMAS. GRACIAS POR ESTAR AQUI CON NOSOTROS EL TIEMPO SUYO.

AMEN. GOOD MORNING. HOW IS EVERYBODY DOING TODAY? GOOD. BLESSINGS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AS WE STAND AND GIVE REVERENCE TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY.

LET US BOW OUR HEADS AND CLOSE OUR EYES.

FATHER GOD, WE COME TO YOU TODAY THANKFUL FATHER GOD, FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING.

AND WE KNOW, FATHER GOD, THAT THERE'S A LOT GOING ON TODAY, HERE TODAY.

AND WE LIFT IT UP UNTO YOUR HANDS.

FATHER GOD, KNOWING THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL, WE PRAY, FATHER GOD, THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MOVE GREATLY AMONGST THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE PRAY, FATHER GOD, THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE, LORD, IS DONE TO HONOR AND GLORIFY YOU.

LORD. AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSING AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY.

LORD, WE ASK YOU, FATHER GOD, TO CONTINUE TO MOVE IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR LIVES, ESPECIALLY THESE COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE DECISIONS, FATHER GOD AND THOSE THAT ARE BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING DECISIONS AS WELL FOR OUR OUR COUNTY LORD.

WE THANK YOU, FATHER GOD, FOR THOSE THAT SERVE WILLINGLY.

FATHER GOD WITH A HEART TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR US.

AND WE LIFT UP BEXAR COUNTY UNTO YOU.

FATHER GOD, WE LIFT UP ALL THE CONSTITUENTS, LORD, AND WE LIFT UP EVERYBODY FROM THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THIS GREAT COUNTY THAT WE LIVE IN.

[00:05:06]

WE ALSO PRAY, LORD, FOR THE ELECTION YEAR, FATHER GOD FOR EVERYONE THAT IS GOING TO BE RUNNING THIS YEAR, LORD, THAT YOUR HAND IS IN THE MIX AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR ELECTIONS, FATHER GOD, THAT IS THAT YOU WILL PLACE THOSE THAT NEED TO BE IN OFFICE, FATHER GOD IN OFFICE, LORD, THAT IT BE YOUR WILL, FATHER GOD AND NOBODY ELSE'S. AS WE SURRENDER THIS TIME UNTO YOU, LORD, WE PRAY THAT IT WOULD GLORIFY YOU, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS TIME, FATHER GOD, THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US.

AND WE ALLOW FATHER GOD THAT YOUR SPIRIT COME AND TOUCH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US, THAT WE WORK AS YOUR AS THE WORD OF GOD SAYS, LORD, THAT THROUGH LOVE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

LORD. AND WE PRAY AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD JUST MOVE GREATLY THIS MORNING.

ALL THESE THINGS WE ASK IN THAT NAME THAT IS ABOVE OUR NAMES, OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN, AMEN. THANK YOU PASTOR.

PLEASE JOIN ME FOR THE PLEDGE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, PASTOR GARCIA.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

WE WILL START WITH CEREMONIAL ITEMS.

[3. CEREMONIAL ITEM(S)]

WELL, LET'S GO AHEAD AND STEP DOWN.

WE'RE FIRST GOING TO DO THE PRESENTATION OF SERVICE PINS, RECOGNIZING EMPLOYEES FOR 25 PLUS YEARS OF SERVICE.

SO I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE ALBERTO ORTIZ FROM THE JUVENILE PROBATION, MELISSA TREVINO, COUNTY CLERK EDUARDO EDDIE PICHARDO, THE ONE AND ONLY FROM THE COUNTY CLERK.

SO COURT, IF WE COULD STEP DOWN, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, I'D ASK THAT YOU POST THE PRESENTATION OF THE SERVICE PENSION.

AND THEN WE'LL DO THE PROCLAMATIONS IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JILL.

JUVENILE PROBATION, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WONDERFUL SERVICE OF ALBERTO ORTIZ, WHO HAS HAD A LONG AND SIGNIFICANT CAREER WITH OUR DEPARTMENT.

SHE'S HERE WITH FAMILY MEMBER TODAY.

AND ALBERTO WAS HIRED NOVEMBER 17TH, 1998, AND SHE RETIRED JUST RECENTLY, JANUARY 31ST OF THIS YEAR.

WE WERE SCHEDULED TO COME BEFORE THE COURT BEFORE HER RETIREMENT, BUT THAT GOT DELAYED.

SO SHE'S GRACED US WITH HER PRESENCE TODAY.

WE'RE SO HAPPY FOR THAT.

SHE HAS GIVEN SO MUCH OF HERSELF TO THIS WORK, AND HAS HAD SUCH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON MANY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SHE WAS ONE YOU COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON TO GIVE YOU AN HONEST OPINION ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH FAMILIES AND ABOUT OUR WORK, AND THAT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I'VE KNOWN HER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WILLING TO ASSIST HER COWORKERS AND THOSE WHO WERE NEW AND LEARNING THE PRACTICE.

SHE STARTED HER CAREER IN THE DETENTION CENTER, WORKED HER WAY THROUGH PROBATION, BECAME A PROBATION OFFICER, SERVING IN MANY UNITS, AND THE LAST TEN YEARS OR SO, SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND FAMILY ENRICHMENT UNIT THAT WE CALL THE SAFE UNIT, AND HAS BEEN GIVING HER EXPERTISE TO THOSE FAMILIES WITH TO OVERCOME MISUSE AND ADDICTION ISSUES. SO SHE'S AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT, WORKED AT THE CAREER CENTER WITH THE EPIPHANY CELEBRATION HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE, ALBERTO.

WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HAD YOU, AND WE'RE EXCITED THAT YOU NOW GET TO ENJOY RETIREMENT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE THINGS YOU DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO DO WHEN YOU WERE WORKING SO HARD FOR US. SO THANK YOU.

LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

JILL. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALBERTO.

WHY DON'T YOU COME UP? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS AT THE MIC? NO, YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT IT.

DON'T PUT ME AT THE MIC. WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

GREATLY APPRECIATED.

AND WE SEND OUR SINCERE THANKS ON BEHALF OF THE BEXAR COUNTY FAMILY.

SO COME ON UP AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH US.

IS THERE ANY OTHER JUVENILE? COURT TODAY. I'M SO SORRY.

COME ON UP HERE. THANK YOU FOR.

HERE YOU GO.

[00:10:01]

ON. OUR NEXT HONOREE IS FROM THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WILL DO THE HONORS, THIS IS FOR MELISSA TREVINO FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I'VE YI'NAN. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

HI. GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS CEREMONY.

I AM LUCIA ADAME-CLARK.

I AM THE COUNTY CLERK OF BEXAR COUNTY.

MELISSA TREVINO WAS ACTUALLY HERE WHEN I BECAME THE COUNTY CLERK IN 2019.

SHE WAS A SUPERVISOR AT THAT POINT WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE.

THERE'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I SAW AS SOON AS I CAME INTO OFFICE.

MELISSA BRINGS 25 YEARS OF DEDICATION, SERVICE AND HONOR TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE SINCE 1998 UNDER MR. RIECKHOFF. MY PREDECESSOR STARTED OUT IN INDEXING.

CLERK WORKED IN BOOKKEEPING, TREASURY, CRIMINAL COURTS, CRIMINAL FILING, MARRIAGE LICENSE, AND RECORDINGS UNDER DEPUTY RAQUEL MONTALVO, WHO IS NOW MY CHIEF DEPUTY. AT THIS TIME, SHE WAS A SUPERVISOR AND THE MANAGER OF MELISSA TREVINO.

MELISSA DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP AND GAINED KNOWLEDGE OF STATUES THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE CODES, CORE AND VALUES OF WORKING WITH EXPERIENCED SUPERVISORS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AFTER 40 YEARS THAT THEY RETIRED.

SHE'S A LEAD CLERK FOR MARRIAGE, WAS A LEAD CLERK FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE, LEE CLERK FOR RECORDINGS FOR SEVEN YEARS.

SHE WAS PROGRESSIVE AS A SUPERVISOR DURING COVID, THE PANDEMIC.

SHE LED THAT OFFICE VERY RESPECTFULLY.

AND WE HAD 2 TO 4 HOUR WAITS IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, PROBATE DEPARTMENT.

SHE ACTUALLY HAS SOME WORDS TO SAY, SO I'M GOING TO BRING HER FORWARD.

MELISSA TREVINO, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

I FORGOT MY GLASSES. MELISSA, YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY HERE? YES, ACTUALLY I DO.

MY SISTERS ARE HERE.

OKAY. YEAH. HAVE HAVE THEM COME UP.

BUT BUT GO AHEAD MELISSA, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE MIC AND AND HAVE YOU SAY A FEW WORDS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I JUST HAVE A FEW THINGS TO SAY AS I MOVE ALONG TOWARDS MY ROAD TO RETIREMENT, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

I THINK THAT I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT AS I WAS WORKING TO GET HERE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND I'M VERY, VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

AND ALONG WITH MY FAMILY, THAT'S VERY SUPPORTIVE.

WHICH IS WHY I SUPPORT THE CLERKS AND THE MANAGEMENT TEAM THAT I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH TO REASSURE HIM THAT HARD WORK AND DEDICATION DOES PAY OFF.

SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT.

AND I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE, AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT AND A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY ADMINISTRATION TEAM.

THEY'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. WE HAVE A FLAG WITH YOU.

THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, LAUREN.

AND THESE ARE MY TWO SISTERS.

THIS IS MONICA AND SASHA AND MY NEPHEW, JORDAN.

WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.

MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY NOW.

25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

PLEASE COME UP. WE DO HAVE A FLAG THAT WAS FLOWN OVER THE ALAMO.

AND WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE.

SO, PRISCILLA AND RAQUEL, CAN YOU COME FORWARD? OH, THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

AND. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SPEECH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS.

FEROCITY. YEAH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN, MELISSA, FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

I THINK OUR NEXT HONOREE IS ALSO IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND THAT IS EDUARDO PICHARDO.

WE HAVE OUR STAFF UPSTAIRS, SO THEY'VE ACTUALLY MOVED ON TO COURT NUMBER, PROBATE COURT NUMBER TWO AND PROBATE COURT NUMBER THREE.

THEY USED TO WORK IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S PROBATE OFFICE.

NOW WE ALSO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT ACTUALLY HAS ALSO BEEN HERE 25 YEARS.

HE STARTED NOVEMBER THE 7TH OF 1998.

EDDIE PICHARDO HAS ACTUALLY BEEN WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE A LITTLE OVER 25 YEARS.

HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE UNDER THE INTERIM DISTRICT CLERK.

MARY WHITE ALSO WORKED FOR MISS MARGARET MONTEMAYOR, MISS DONNA MCKINNEY, MISS MARY ANGIE GARCIA, AND WE STOLE HIM FROM THERE AFTER THAT.

DURING HIS TIME, HE SERVED FIVE YEARS IN ADMINISTRATION.

HE CLERKED FOR THREE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, AND THEN HE FINALLY BECAME THE DIVISION CHIEF OF FOUR DEPARTMENTS BEFORE COMING TO MY OFFICE AS OUR PROJECT COORDINATOR.

[00:15:06]

EDDIE IS CURRENTLY WORKING AS OUR SPECIAL PROJECT COORDINATOR, WHO HAS BEEN VERY VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THE RECORDS, ON THE RUN, ALL THE MARKETING THAT GOES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. HE IS OUR COMMUNITY LIAISON PERSON.

HE IS THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WORKS WITH THE LEADERSHIP TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS GET EVERYTHING THEY NEED.

EDDIE HAS REALLY BUILT A PLATFORM COMING WITH ALL THE EXPERIENCE.

HE COMES FROM THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE AND HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS TO CONTINUE THEIR SERVICE WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE FOR AT LEAST 10 TO 15 YEARS.

EDDIE. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING US HERE.

EDDIE, A FEW WORDS.

THANK YOU, JUDGE SAKAI. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT, FOR HAVING ME HERE.

IT TRULY IS AN HONOR.

AS SHE STATED, I'VE WORKED FOR FIVE DISTRICT CLERK ADMINISTRATIONS.

I CLERKED FOR THREE JUDGES MANY OF WHO WERE YOUR COLLEAGUES.

JUDGE SAKAI. I EVEN CLERKED FOR YOU FROM TIME TO TIME WHENEVER YOUR CLERK WAS OUT.

I'VE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS, A LOT OF COLLEAGUES HERE.

BUT PROBABLY THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF THIS WAS MEETING THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, MY WIFE, VALERIE.

SHE'S ALSO A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, SO WE'RE BOTH VERY HONORED TO BE HERE.

I JUST WANT TO THANK LUCY ADAME-CLARK, THE COUNTY CLERK, FOR BRINGING ME ON ON THIS WELL-OILED MACHINE THAT IS THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

AND I AM TRULY HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO WORK FOR YOU, FOR THE COUNTY AND FOR THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY.

JUDGE SEKAI COMMISSIONERS COURT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HONOR.

ANDY, I GOT A QUESTION.

DID THE HONORABLE THE LATE HONORABLE SAUL KASSAM JUNIOR BLESS US? MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

DID HE NICKNAME YOU FAST EDDIE PICHARDO? KEN? OH, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER.

I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU'RE FAST, EDDIE.

I KNEW THAT WAS GOING TO COME UP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN.

ANY. ANYTHING ELSE? OH, YOU GOT A FLAG AS WELL? WE HAVE CERTIFICATES AS WELL.

I THINK THEY WERE HERE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS, JUDGE.

BECAUSE IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, WE HAVE CLOSE TO 300 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ACTUALLY STAYED WITH ME IN THE OFFICE.

AND WE HAD AN INDIVIDUAL WHO RETIRED WITH 40 YEARS, AND THE OLDEST COUNTY CLERK STAFF MEMBER I HAVE RIGHT NOW IS 37 YEARS.

AND MY CHIEF DEPUTY, WHO'S GOING ON 34 YEARS.

SO IT'S AMAZING.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

EDDIE, CONGRATULATIONS. COME ON UP FOR A PICTURE.

YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 25 YEARS.

THAT'S BECAUSE HE WORKS FOR THE COUNTY.

THAT'S WHY HE LOOKS SO YOUNG, RIGHT? ALRIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO DO PRESENTATION A PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZING CONGRATULATION, CONGRATULATING LEAH LOLLY MIYOSHI FOR HER INCREDIBLE 22 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY, AND THANKING HER FOR HER CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO SERVING VETERANS WITH COMPASSION, INTEGRITY AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION. COMMISSIONER TOMMY CALVERT, DO THE PRESENTATION, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. COME ON. OUR FRIENDS FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

COME ON. CLOSER. WE WON'T BITE.

WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION AND IT READS, WHEREAS IT IS WITH IMMENSE PLEASURE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE 22 YEAR TENURE OF LELIA LOLLY BIANCHI, THE LONGEST SERVING EMPLOYEE AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY, WHOSE UNWAVERING COMMITMENT HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THE ORGANIZATION.

AND WHEREAS LILA BIANCHI, IN HER CAPACITY AS A CASE MANAGER SPECIALIZING IN VETERANS AFFAIRS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, VASH CLIENTS HAS CONSISTENTLY EXEMPLIFIED A BEACON OF EXCELLENCE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND AND PROVIDING VITAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS TRANSITIONING INTO STABLE HOUSING SITUATIONS.

AND WHEREAS, LILA'S 22 YEAR JOURNEY WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY SYMBOLIZES HER PROFOUND DEDICATION TO THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE ORGANIZATION, HIGHLIGHTING HER LOYALTY, RELIABILITY AND PASSION FOR MAKING A LASTING IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS BEYOND HER PROFESSIONAL DUTIES, LILA HER LILA'S MILESTONE SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION TO HER COLLEAGUES AND PEERS, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE

[00:20:10]

AND WHEREAS LILA BIANCHI'S UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE HAVE CREATED A LASTING LEGACY WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE COMMUNITY, SETTING A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE LILA LOLLY BIANCHI FOR HER 22 INCREDIBLE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY, AND THANK HER FOR HER CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO SERVING VETERANS WITH COMPASSION, INTEGRITY AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION.

SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

THANK YOU. WELL, I'VE NEVER WORKED FOR JUDGE SAKAI, THAT'S FOR SURE.

ALTHOUGH YOU DID PRESIDE OVER MY DAUGHTER'S ADOPTION 24 YEARS AGO, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO TO SERVE OUR, OUR HOMELESS POPULATION AND THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.

I GET I GET TO DO GOD'S WORK.

THAT'S HOW I FEEL.

AND I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 22 YEARS, AND I WILL CONTINUE DOING IT FOR AS LONG AS GOD ALLOWS ME TO.

SO IT'S AN HONOR.

THANK YOU. OH, I HAVE MY PARTNER HERE AND MY TWO CHILDREN.

THANK YOU. CAN WE TAKE A PICTURE? YES. ARE YOU? PICK YOUR. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU GET THE NEXT ONE. WE'RE WILLING TO INVITE OUR LISTENERS.

THERE WE GO. WE'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR FRIENDS FROM LULAC, THE LEAGUE OF LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS, TO COME TO THE DAIS.

WE'VE GOT A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

GABRIEL ROSALES IN THE HOUSE AND MANY FRIENDS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THE PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS LYNDON B JOHNSON, DURING HIS TENURE IN THE AS A 36TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DESIGNATED A WEEK FEBRUARY TO BE LULAC WEEK IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS LULAC, THE NATION'S LARGEST MEMBERSHIP BASED LATINO VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS AND FULL ACCESS TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS, AS WELL AS EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND WHEREAS LULAC DISTRICT 15, WHICH INCLUDES SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY, IS RECOGNIZED AS THE LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO AND IS HOME TO MANY LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP COUNCILS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COUNCILS.

AND WHEREAS LULAC NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTERS LSC WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1973.

THEIR MISSION IS TO CREATE LIFELONG LEARNERS AND LEADERS WITHIN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

LSC STRIVES TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE, AND SEEKS TO DEVELOP AMERICA'S FUTURE WORKFORCE BY EFFECTIVELY PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE JOBS OF THE NEW ECONOMY.

AND WHEREAS, NSC HAS SERVED 607,000 STUDENTS, SENT 159,000 STUDENTS TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, PROVIDED 14,000 STUDENTS WITH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, AWARDED OVER $30 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, AND PROVIDED TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO OVER 550 STUDENTS THROUGH THE WASHINGTON YOUTH LEADERSHIP SEMINAR.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DISTRICT 15 OF THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS FOR THEIR WORK WITH STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS ACROSS BEXAR COUNTY.

WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES AND SEAL OF OFFICES.

12TH DAY OF MARCH, 2024, SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

GREAT JOB. GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HONORING US AND OUR 95 YEARS OF EXISTENCE HERE WE ARE, THE LARGEST DISTRICT OUT OF ALL OF LULAC.

SO HERE I HAVE I AM THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR, AND I HAVE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, AND WE HAVE SOME NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES.

SO I WOULD LIKE THEM TO SAY HELLO ALSO.

[00:25:03]

SORRY ABOUT THAT WORD.

COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW YOU WORK HARD AT YOUR JOB, JUST LIKE WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE MANY COUNCILS UNDER DISTRICT 15.

WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND ALSO PROBABLY IN THE NATION.

SO YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF US AS WE ARE PROUD OF OUR COUNTY.

AND WE OUR DISTRICT 15, WE OVERSEE MANY VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

ALL OF US ARE VOLUNTEERS.

THERE'S ONLY ONE PAID, ONE AND A HALF PROUDLY PAID EMPLOYEE IN THE IN LULAC DISTRICT 15.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE NLC.

A LOT OF ACRONYMS FOR NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING CENTER, EDUCATIONAL CENTER.

SO WE DO HAVE A A BOARD THAT WORKS WITH THE NLC.

AND OUR GOAL NEXT YEAR, THIS COMING YEAR, IS TO GO REALLY HARD ON BUILDING A CENTER FOR OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN THE WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, AND HOPEFULLY THAT WE HAVE YOU BACK IN IN THAT ONE OF OUR MAJOR GOAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU.

THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

I'M KIND OF NERVOUS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOT OF CAMPAIGNS.

A LOT OF YOU KNOW ME, BUT I'VE NEVER COME BEFORE.

YOU ALL ASKING FOR NOTHING BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS WORKING BY Y'ALL WITH Y'ALL.

SO I'M LOOKING AS A NEW MEMBER.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD THAT WE CAN MOVE ON AND Y'ALL CAN SUPPORT US TO GET THAT BUILDING THAT WE THAT'S OUR OUR DREAM COME TRUE IN SAN ANTONIO TO HAVE A LITTLE LIKE BUILDING.

AND I HOPE THAT Y'ALL, Y'ALL CAN HELP US AND SUPPORT US IN THAT.

SO WE CAN DO A LOT MORE THINGS AND CONTINUE THE COMMUNICATION WITH LILAC.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO KEEP IT SHORT.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO.

LEWELLEN HAS BEEN IN THIS FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND FOR WORKERS.

JUST TEACHING PEOPLE HOW IT IS THIS DEMOCRACY WORK AND HOW IT IS WE CAN PUSH A A PROGRESSIVE AGENDA BY USING IT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO GET OUT THERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE.

YOU CAN GET OUT THERE.

YOU CAN TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUT CRITICAL INFORMATION.

THAT'S WHAT LULAC IS ALL ABOUT.

I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, ESPECIALLY MR. CALVERT. MRS. CLAY, MR. RODRIGUEZ LUCY IS A PROUD LEWELLEN MEMBER AS WELL.

AND MANY OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN A MAJOR INFLUENCE AND HAVE SEEN THE WORK THAT LULAC HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO AS VOLUNTEERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GREAT WOMEN WE HAVE HERE.

AND YOUR MOTHER, OF COURSE, GABRIEL, WHO PRESIDED AS PRESIDENT OVER LULAC.

WE'RE IN WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, AND WE SEE THE WOMEN TAKING THE LEAD IN LULAC AND GETTING IT DONE.

SO THANKS TO THE WOMEN FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK THEY DO.

AND THANK YOU FOR RAISING OUR CHANCELLOR AT THE ALAMO COLLEGE DISTRICT, THE NUMBER ONE COLLEGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO YOU DID A GREAT JOB, MAMA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COME ON UP.

LET'S TAKE A PHOTO. LET ME ALSO SAY FOR THE RECORD THAT I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT LULAC AND ALL THE COUNCILS, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COUNCILS.

BUT WHAT REALLY IS SIGNIFICANT AND WHAT I REALLY APPRECIATE IS THEIR COMMITMENT TO YOUTH AND CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

AND I'M PROUD TO BE A SPONSOR AND SPONSORING ALL THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS YOU HAVE FOR THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND ASK FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU.

YES, YES. UNDERSTOOD.

THEN. OKAY.

I GOT IT. ALL RIGHT.

OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION IS IN RECOGNITION OF THE UPCOMING CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH.

[00:30:02]

IF YOU WOULD PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE DAIS.

WE GOT OUR GREAT POSTERS THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ERNEST.

AS YOU MAKE YOUR WAY UP, LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE YOU SAY A FEW WORDS.

IT READS. WHEREAS CESAR CHAVEZ WAS A MAN OF HUMBLE BEGINNINGS WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO HELPING THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE, THE FARMWORKERS ACHIEVE JUSTICE IN THE FIELDS.

AS FOUNDER OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS IN 1962, HIS ORGANIZATION ENDURED YEARS OF STRUGGLE.

HOWEVER, IN 1970, UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, THE ORGANIZATION VICTORIOUSLY SIGNED ITS FIRST UNION CONTRACT, AND WHEREAS HIS PERSEVERANCE ENSURED THAT FARM WORKERS RECEIVED BENEFITS THAT PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN UNAVAILABLE TO THEM AND THAT LAWS WERE ENACTED TO PROTECT THEM BEFORE THE COURTS, HIS INFLUENCE EXTENDED FAR BEYOND AGRICULTURE, AND HE SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION TO THOSE WHO WORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR RIGHTS.

AND WHEREAS ALTHOUGH CESAR CHAVEZ LEFT THIS EARTH ON APRIL 23RD, 1993, HE LEFT US A GIFT OF INCREDIBLE TEACHINGS AND PRINCIPLES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.

AND WHEREAS OUR COMMUNITY JOINS IN THIS OBSERVANCE BY PAUSING TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CESAR CHAVEZ, WHO BATTLED FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE OR WORK UNDER UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND PROCLAIMS SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD, 2024, AS THE 28TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACCESSORY CHAVEZ LEGACY AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION'S MARCH FOR JUSTICE SIGNED ON THIS DAY, THE 12TH OF MARCH, 2024, BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT.

LET'S GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

ERNEST, I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A FEW WORDS TO SAY.

THIS IS A PASSION PROJECT.

NOT JUST TO REMEMBER THE WORK OF YOUR FATHER WHO DID SO MUCH FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO TO CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF CESAR CHAVEZ.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

PLEASE HAVE A FEW WORDS FOR US, PLEASE.

WELL, THANK YOU.

JUDGE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE 28 YEARS.

HERE WE COME. RIGHT. THE 28TH ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH FOR JUSTICE STARTED BY MY FATHER, THE LATE JAIME P MARTINEZ.

WE MISS HIM GREATLY.

IT'S BEEN SEVEN YEARS ALREADY, BUT THE TRADITIONS CONTINUE.

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS VERY SPECIAL.

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS LET THE SPIRIT FLOURISH AND GROW.

THAT LINE, THAT THEME, EXCUSE ME, WAS INSPIRED BY A LINE TAKEN FROM THE FARM WORKER PRAYER WRITTEN BY CESAR CHAVEZ.

AND, YOU KNOW, ON THAT DAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, 28 YEARS WE'VE BEEN COMING TOGETHER ORGANIZATIONS.

WE'VE GOT K THROUGH 12 COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, NONPROFITS, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER.

BY THE WAY, LAST YEAR WE HAD 30,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.

THAT WAS A RECORD YEAR FOR US.

LAST YEAR. WE'RE EXPECTING A RECORD YEAR THIS YEAR.

AND BEFORE I BEFORE I MAKE SOME SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON SPECIAL GUESTS COMING, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE JUST TO KIND OF SHOW YOU THE WIDE RANGE OF, OF INTEREST, A RENEWED INTEREST.

IT HAS BEEN AN INFUSION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE'VE GOT FROM MY ALMA MATER, JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL.

ANTHONY GONZALES WITH ME HERE TODAY WITH STUDENTS THAT ARE PART OF THE THE ORGANIZATION VOLUNTEERING.

AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SPECTRUM, WE'VE GOT INDIO, ESMERALDA PRUNEDA, 32 YEARS OUT OF THE FREDERICK SEVEN LOCAL 780 PLANT.

THAT WAS RIGHT THERE WITH MY FATHER THROUGH ALL THOSE YEARS.

SO IT'S IT'S A COLLECTIVE OF OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER FOR ONE COMMON PURPOSE, ONE COMMON GOAL THAT IS TO CELEBRATE CESAR.

WE ALSO HAVE TO ALSO REMEMBER DOLORES HUERTA, AND ALSO TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A DAY OF SERVICE.

AND ON THAT NOTE, WE WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY TO BRING OUT THEIR CANNED GOODS TO THE MARCH OUR GOOD FRIEND MARIO ROBLEDO, WHO IS GOING TO BE HERE THIS MORNING ACTUALLY ASKED ME TO SHARE SOMETHING BRIEF.

THEY'RE THEY'RE ACTUALLY ASSISTING FAMILIES THIS MORNING FOR THIS FOOD STAMP APPLICATIONS FOR AN EVENT THEY'RE HAVING NOW MORE THAN EVER.

THEIR MISSION OF FIGHTING HUNGER AND FEEDING HOPE IS CRITICAL TO FAMILY FAMILIES.

AND THAT IS WHY YOU CAN DO YOUR PART TO NOURISH OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE YES WE CAN FOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGN AT THE CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH, BRING YOUR NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS TO DONATE OR LOG IN.

LOG ON TO SA FOODBANK.ORG TO GET INVOLVED.

THANK YOU MARIO OBLEDO.

EVERYBODY AT THE FOOD BANK, AS YOU KNOW THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE MARCH.

THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF FOOD CAN BE RAISED IN ONE DAY.

SO WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE TO BRING THEIR CANNED GOODS.

I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER.

EXCUSE ME. BEFORE I TURN IT OVER, I WANT TO MENTION THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON THAT TRADITION OF THE GRAND MARSHAL.

LAST YEAR, WE HAD THE FAMILY GRAND MARSHAL AND THE FAMILIA CASTRO.

AND THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO HONOR THE WILLIE VELASQUEZ FAMILY.

WE ALL KNOW WHO WILLIE VELASQUEZ WAS.

HE LEFT US WAY TOO EARLY, BUT LEFT US.

[00:35:01]

SO THE FAMILY WILL BE JOINING US ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENT, THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CESAR CHAVEZ FOUNDATION, MANUEL BERNAL, WILL BE COMING TO SAN ANTONIO FOR THIS EVENT. LET ME TURN IT OVER TO ANTHONY GONZALEZ, WHO SHARED JUST SOME BRIEF REMARKS ON WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING TO MOBILIZE FOR THE MARCH.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANTHONY GONZALEZ AND TEACH MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES AT JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

TWO OF MY STUDENTS ARE HERE TODAY.

WE HAVE MARCELLA. AND WE HAVE TRACY.

BOTH OF THESE STUDENTS HAVE BECOME LEADERS OF OUR STUDENT ORGANIZATION AT MARSHALL, WHICH IS THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES STUDENT ASSOCIATION.

AND TOGETHER WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, ALAMO COLLEGES, TO GET AS MANY STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH THE MARCH AS POSSIBLE.

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AT MARSHALL, WE'VE PARTICIPATED IN C CLEF EVENTS SUCH AS THANKSGIVING AND THE RODEO AND THE MARCH ITSELF.

BUT OUR GOAL IS TO GET AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE AS POSSIBLE.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT TEACHING MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES IS THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE MY STUDENTS TO SPACES LIKE THIS, SPACES THAT THEY BELONG IN, SPACES WHERE THEIR VOICE MATTERS.

AND MARCELLA AND TRACY HAVE BOTH DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB IN INSPIRING THEIR CLASSMATES.

AND ALSO RECENTLY, MARCELLA LED A GET OUT THE VOTE CAMPAIGN AND LOCAL PRECINCTS AROUND OUR SCHOOL, REMINDING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, OUR STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD, THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS AT THE BALLOT BOX.

SO I'M VERY PROUD OF BOTH OF THEM.

VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THEM.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A RECORD YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AT THIS YEAR'S MARCH.

THANK YOU. IN IN CLOSING, I JUST WANT TO, YOU KNOW, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I WAS IN LA PAZ.

THIS IS THE HOME BASE FOR THE CHAVEZ FOUNDATION IN CALIFORNIA.

AND I WAS THERE AT THE GRAVE SITE OF CÉSAR AND HIS WIFE, HELEN CHAVEZ.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. IT'S A IT'S NOW A US NATIONAL PARK THAT WAS DEDICATED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IN 2012.

AND I WAS THERE AT THE GRAVE SITE, AND I COULD HEAR IT WAS A WINDY DAY AND I COULD HEAR THE FLAG REALLY FLAPPING IN THE WIND, VERY STRONG.

AND I TURNED AROUND AND THERE WAS THE BEAUTIFUL AGUILAR, THE FARMWORKER EAGLE.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE THE AGUILAR AWARDS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE HONORING JESSIE DEGOLLADO FROM CHANNEL 12 WITH A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, ALONG WITH DOCTOR ABEL CHAVEZ, PRESIDENT OF OUR UNIVERSITY, FOR OUR GALA.

SO I WANT TO GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION.

THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR YOUR FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP FOR THAT EVENT.

COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, THANK YOU.

I'VE ENJOYED OUR CONVERSATION THE OTHER DAY.

AND THANK YOU FOR COMING IN FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT.

AND WE HAVE A FORMER GRAND MARSHAL WITH US AND TOMMY CALVERT BACK IN 2017.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EVENT.

IT'S NOW A BEAUTIFUL TRADITION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

AND SO IT'S A MOVEMENT.

IT'S RENEWED. THERE'S RENEWED INTEREST.

WE HAVE A HOLIDAY AT THE CITY PAID HOLIDAY FOR CESAR CHAVEZ.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WAS PASSED TWO YEARS AGO.

LAST SUMMER, ALAMO COLLEGES PAID HOLIDAY FOR ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF.

WE'D LOVE TO SEE A BEXAR COUNTY HOLIDAY FOR SACHSE AND CHAVEZ HERE ONE DAY.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT MARCH, A GREAT GALA, GREAT YEAR, ESPECIALLY FOR THE STUDENTS FOR OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERNEST.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ONE MORE TIME.

THE MARCH IS THE 23RD, WHICH IS A SATURDAY.

YEAH. NEXT SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD.

EXCUSE ME, I'M BIG.

YES, FROM THE WEST SIDE.

BEAUTIFUL WEST SIDE THEATER, 2.1 MILE TREK TO HEMISFAIR CIVIC PARK.

WE TAKE OFF AT 10:00, GET THERE FOR THE 9:00 PROGRAM NEXT SATURDAY.

WONDERFUL. WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME OUT.

WE'LL DEFINITELY SEE YOU THERE.

BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

IT'S INSPIRING TO SEE MR. GONZALES THE IMPACT YOU'VE HAD ON ON SOME OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THAT THAT WORK IS PLANTING SEEDS FOR GENERATIONS.

SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

ALL IN THE NAME OF CESAR CHAVEZ AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

OH, REBECCA, YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? YEAH, YEAH.

SO IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES IN A HIGH SCHOOL.

HERE LOCALLY, MY BACKGROUND IS IN EDUCATION, AND I ALSO HELPED TO ORGANIZE A SIT IN AT PRINCETON IN DEMAND FOR LATINO STUDIES.

SO IT'S SO GOOD THAT THE WORK OF ORGANIZERS IS SHOWING THE FRUIT FOR THIS GENERATION.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. WHY DON'T Y'ALL COME UP, PLEASE, FOR A PICTURE.

I WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS.

YEAH, WE WANT TO. SIR.

YES, SIR.

[00:40:14]

YES. YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH CESAR CHAVEZ.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ERNEST.

AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR TEAM.

OUR NEXT PRESENTATION FOR A PROCLAMATION IS TO RECOGNIZE CLARENCE EARL GIDEON DAY.

I KNOW JIM BETHKE AND YOUR FOLKS FROM OUR INDIGENT DEFENSE TEAM ARE HERE.

JIM, AS YOU COME UP, LET ME READ THIS PROCLAMATION.

IT READS, WHEREAS CLARENCE EARL GIDEON, WHO WAS CHARGED AND SENTENCE WITHOUT PROPER REPRESENTATION OF AN ATTORNEY, SUBMITTED A PETITION 61 YEARS AGO TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ARGUING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION BARS THE STATES FROM SENDING POOR PEOPLE TO PRISON WITHOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

AND WHEREAS ON MARCH 18TH, 1963, THE SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY RULED THAT GIDEON'S CONVICTION AND FIVE YEAR PRISON SENTENCE VIOLATED THE SIXTH AND 14TH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION BECAUSE HE WAS NOT PROVIDED A LAWYER, AND WHEREAS AS A RESULT OF THE GIDEON DECISION, ALL STATES NOW PROVIDE COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL TO PEOPLE FACING CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS AND IMPRISONMENT WHO CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER.

AND WHEREAS BEXAR COUNTY ESTABLISHED FUNDS AND MAINTAINS A MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL OFFICE TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS AND PROFESSIONALISM BY PROMOTING QUALITY REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT ADULTS AND CHILDREN FACING A LOSS OF LIBERTY.

AND WHEREAS, THE 61ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUPREME COURT GIDEON DECISION AND 57TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUPREME COURT, DECISIONS REPRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE VALUE OF EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAWS.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES CLARENCE EARL GIDEON DAY, THIS 12TH DAY OF MARCH, 2024, SIGNED BY YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT.

BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR WHAT YOU DO.

JIM, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COURT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING THIS SIGNIFICANT DAY IN THE HISTORY 61 YEARS AGO.

HOW TIME FLIES.

THE SUPREME COURT RECOGNIZED THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL AND THAT IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE COUNSEL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL.

SO, AS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ SAID, IT'S ABSOLUTELY INDISPENSABLE FOR EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW.

AND WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE IT'S BETTER TO BE RICH AND GUILTY THAN POOR AND INNOCENT.

I AM REALLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE MY TEAM SURROUNDING ME.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR BEXAR COUNTY LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, JUDGE VALDES HERE.

WE HAVE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

LENORA WALKER WITH TEXAS FREED.

I HAVE ONE OF MY BOARD MEMBERS, LAQUITA GARCIA, TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT, OUR OFFICE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I DON'T KNOW IF LAQUITA IF YOU WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE WORDS.

COME ON UP. LAQUITA.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU TODAY. SO I'M LAQUITA GARCIA.

I'M CURRENTLY THE STATEWIDE POLICY COORDINATOR AT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT, AND I PROUDLY SERVE ON THE OVERSIGHT BOARD OF THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM.

I JUST WANT TO SAY ON TOP, ON BEHALF OF TOP, THE MAC OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION TODAY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I SPEAK FOR ALL OF US WHEN I SAY THAT EVERYONE DESERVES A FAIR TRIAL AND EQUAL JUSTICE WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND SO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THIS TODAY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU NOT ONLY NOW, BUT IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JUDGE, DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? I KNOW YOU CAME ALL THE WAY FROM JUVENILE COURT.

JUST GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU JUDGE.

ANYBODY ELSE KNOW LAURA? HELLO. I'M JUST REALLY HAPPY TODAY BECAUSE TODAY IS SUCH A GREAT DAY TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THE FINANCES AND FUNDS OR SOMETIMES THE EDUCATION TO KNOW HOW TO BE REPRESENTED.

SO I'M VERY BLESSED THAT Y'ALL HAVE PUT THIS TEAM TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER ON THE OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER SO WE CAN ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE MET AND THEY'RE MET AT EVERY PLACE AND TIME THAT THEY NEED.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INVESTMENT AND INVESTMENT IN THE MAC TEAM AND ON THE OVERSIGHT BOARD.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LEONORA.

JIM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IF YOU GUYS WANT TO COME UP FOR A PICTURE, WE APPRECIATE IT.

ANOTHER BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[00:45:13]

YOU OR JIM OR SOMEBODY? YEAH. I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS. I'M SORRY.

BEAUTIFUL SMILES, EVERYBODY.

THERE WE GO. THANK YOU.

BIG. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THANK MY HEAD.

THANKS AGAIN. YEAH.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

DO THEY WANT? HAVE THEY INDICATED WHERE THEY WANT, WHERE THEY WANT TO SPEAK OR WHERE THEY WANT TO BE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD OR.

WELL, LET'S MOVE ON WITH THE AGENDA.

WE ARE NOT YET UP ON A TIME CERTAIN, SO LET US GO TO AGENDA ITEM FIVE.

[5. Request of Commissioners Court to identify items from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion and to approve remaining Consent Agenda items]

NOTHING TO PULL. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, ITEM 62, PLEASE.

JUDGE 62.

COMMISSIONER MOODY.

ITEM 1834.

HOLD ON, 1834 AND 102 AND 102.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ITEM 36, PLEASE.

36. ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER? NO, SIR. ALL RIGHT.

I'LL JOIN WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT TO PULL ITEM 36.

AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON 36.

AND SO WHEN WE CALL AGENDA ITEM 36, I WILL CALL UP THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD BEFORE WE HAVE A DISCUSSION.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. SO AT THIS TIME, LET US TAKE UP THE INDIVIDUALS ITEMS. COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU ASKED FOR ITEM AGENDA ITEM 18.

[18. Awarding a contract to the lowest and best qualified bid submitted by Saeco Electric Utility, Ltd. (SBE), to provide for the purchase of construction services for the Borgfeld Dr. at Blanco Rd. Traffic Signal Project in Precinct 3, in the amount of $304,363.65, as requested by the Public Works Department; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file the appropriate award documents for record.]

MISTER REINHART, WHY DON'T YOU COME UP? COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANKS, JUDGE.

AND WE CAN MAKE THIS BRIEF.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM.

I THINK THIS IS GREAT.

ITEM FOR THE COMMUNITY.

OUR COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS EXPEDITED THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF THE NEED AND THE BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY PART OF PHASE THREE OF THIS ROAD PROJECT, AND WAITING UNTIL THEN WOULD HAVE DELAYED THIS TRAFFIC SIGNAL SEVERAL YEARS.

BUT BY RECOGNIZING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND OUR CONSTITUENT SERVICES TEAM, WE WERE ABLE TO TO PULL THIS FORWARD AND GET IT ON THE AGENDA HERE TODAY.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED FOR RECOGNIZING THE CONCERNS OF CITIZENS, RECOGNIZING THAT THIS WAS A A NEED FOR THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING IT

[00:50:10]

SO I MOVE APPROVAL SECOND.

ALL RIGHT, THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

ANY FURTHER COMMENT QUESTIONS? MR. REINHARDT, DID YOU NEED TO ADD ANYTHING, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION INDICATE BY SAYING I.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

[34. Approval of the Interlocal Agreement between Bexar County and City of San Antonio (COSA) in the amount of $90,000 to be paid by (COSA) funding for the installation of the advance warning flashing beacons at Lady Bird Johnson High School.]

APPROVAL OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, IN THE AMOUNT OF $90,000 TO BE PAID BY KOSA.

FUNDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE ADVANCED WARNING FLASHING BEACONS AT LADY BIRD JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL.

MR.. MISTER REINFELD, ARE YOU HERE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER? MONEY ON THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU. JUDGE.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WE JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THE RECORD HERE TODAY, THE INSTALLATION OF THE ADVANCED WARNING FLASHING BEACONS AT LADY BIRD JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL.

IS ANOTHER BIG WIN FOR PRECINCT THREE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE HIGH SCHOOL WAS OPENED BACK IN 2008.

IT HAS OVER 3000 STUDENTS.

IT'S LOCATED IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT NINE AND NEXT TO ISD THREE, NEAR ONE OF THE BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN BEXAR COUNTY.

AND IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS FROM CONSTITUENTS, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT STUDENTS REQUIRED ADDITIONAL PROTECTION WHEN TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

THERE WAS A TRAFFIC STUDY CONDUCTED BACK IN MAY OF 22, AND ONE OF THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THAT THESE FLASHERS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TWO ON BULVERDE ROAD AND ONE ON TPC PARKWAY.

THE FLASHES WERE LONG OVERDUE.

AS THIS INTERSECTION HAS BECOME A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN THE AREA, WITH COMPLETION OF THE 281 EXPANSION AND INCREASE IN POPULATION IN THE AREA.

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DISTRICT NINE COUNCILMAN KERSH'S OFFICE.

WE WORKED ON AN AGREEMENT WHEREIN THE COUNTY WOULD ORDER AND INSTALL A FLASHERS TO BE REIMBURSED BY THE CITY, BUT MAINTAINED BY THE COUNTY ALONG THE SHARED ROADWAYS.

THE MAJOR PURPOSE WAS TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF DRIVERS ALONG BULVERDE ROAD AND TPC PARKWAY, AND TO ALERT DRIVERS OF THE UPCOMING SCHOOL ZONE.

I JUST WANT TO THANK AGAIN, PUBLIC WORKS AND MY STAFF, MISTY SPEARS AND JENNY LEE FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

IN TAKING THESE CONCERNS TO HEART AND MOVING THIS FORWARD.

GLAD TO SUPPORTED HERE TODAY AND I MOVE APPROVAL SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS OR QUESTIONS? MISTER REINFELD, ANYTHING TO ADD? HEARING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

WE WILL NOW TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 36.

[36. Approval of discretionary exemption to the competitive bidding requirements set forth in the Texas County Purchasing Act for the purpose of awarding a contract on a sole source basis to High Sierra Electronics to provide for the construction/installation at a cost of $137,378.43 for improvements to two HALT (Highwater Alert Lifesaving Technology) Systems Sites and the approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Saint Hedwig. The improvements will be at the Abbott Rd @ Graytown Rd Intersection and at Aztec Lane @ FM 1518 Intersection both located in Precinct 4. The improvements will require a budgetary transfer.]

THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE AT THE ABBOTT ROAD, AT AT GRAYTOWN ROAD INTERSECTION AND AT AZTEC LANE AT FM 1518 INTERSECTION, BOTH LOCATED IN PRECINCT FOUR.

THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL REQUIRE A BUDGETARY TRANSFER.

MR. REINHART WILL HEAR THAT WE MAY HAVE A CITIZEN HERE TO SPEAK.

OKAY. THE CITY MANAGER OF SAINT HEDWIG.

OKAY. I DO BELIEVE SO.

LET ME. LET ME GIVE THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

MARIA HERNANDEZ, I WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS BEFORE WE HAVE DISCUSSION ON THE DAIS.

GO AHEAD. MISS. GOOD MORNING.

THE CITY OF SAINT HEDWIG.

I'M GOING TO READ A STATEMENT JUST SO I WON'T FORGET EVERYTHING THAT I HAD PLANNED TO SAY.

THE CITY OF SAINT HEDWIG HAS SOME UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS.

IT IS THE SECOND LARGEST CITY GEOGRAPHICALLY, IN BEXAR COUNTY, AFTER THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

WE HAVE ALMOST 32MI² OF PRIME PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND.

WE'RE SMALL IN NUMBERS.

WE HAVE 2400 RESIDENTS.

AS A RESULT, WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MAINTAINING OUR ROADS WITH VERY LITTLE FUNDS, AS MOST MOST OF OUR REVENUE IS DERIVED FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE EXPERIENCING AN EXPLOSION OF GROWTH AROUND OUR BORDERS AND THROUGH OUR ETJ, RESULTING IN ADDED STRESS TO OUR ROADWAYS AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE PASS THROUGH OUR CITY.

[00:55:01]

THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THOSE DANGER AREAS THAT ARE PRONE TO FLOODING DURING OUR TEXAS RAIN EVENTS.

BALANCING FUNDING TO REPAIR ROADS AND PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN COSTLY BARRIER CROSSING SYSTEMS, SUCH AS AUTOMATED ARMS AND WARNING SYSTEMS, HAVE BEEN UNAFFORDABLE IN THE PAST.

GIVEN THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL FLOODING AREAS WE HAVE, UNFORTUNATELY WE EXPERIENCED TWO TRAGIC, TRAGIC DROWNINGS AT ONE OF OUR LOW WATER CROSSING THAT'S ON GRAYTOWN AND ABBOTT TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN A FLASH FLOOD DROPPED ALMOST SEVEN INCHES OF RAIN IN A FEW HOURS DURING THE PREDAWN HOURS.

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US AS THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.

WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN IN THIS AREA WHEN IT COMES TO FLOODING.

BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN THAT AREA, WE HAVE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY DUMPING THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF WATER A DAY IN THROUGH THE MARTINEZ CREEK.

AND IT'S THIS IS THE LOCATION WHERE THE DROWNING.

DROWNING HAPPENED.

WE HAVE ADDED CONCERNS BECAUSE A SECOND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WAS HAS BEEN APPROVED.

THAT WILL DUMP ADDITIONAL 600,000 GALLONS INTO THE SAME CREEK RUNNING THROUGH OUR CITY.

THE ULTIMATE INSULT IS THAT NEITHER OF THESE TREATMENT PLANTS SERVES THE SAINT HEDWIG AREA.

RATHER, THEY SERVE AS NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND HOMES OUTSIDE OUR CITY.

ALL THESE CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE COMBINED TO CREATE AN URGENT NEED FOR THE CITY TO LOOK FOR AVENUES TO HELP US WITH PROVIDING THE SAFETY MECHANISMS ON OUR ROADS.

USING MANUAL BARRIER SYSTEMS ARE LESS EFFECTIVE.

AS YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES AND REMOVE THEM ALL TOGETHER.

AND WITH A NUMBER OF ROADS WE HAVE, WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER TO MANUALLY PLACE BARRIERS EVERY TIME THERE'S A STORM.

AND AS YOU KNOW, BARRICADES TEND TO BE STOLEN.

THE CITY LOSES SEVERAL BARRICADES ON EVERY RAINSTORM.

THIS IS WHY WE WERE VERY EXCITED.

EXCITED TO LEARN THAT BEXAR COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS HAS OFFERED TO ASSIST US WITH THE INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC ARMS. WE LOOK TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH BEXAR COUNTY TO HELP US IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF OUR ROADS AND PROTECT THOSE WHO TRAVEL ON ON THEM.

IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAS LISTENED TO OUR CONCERNS AND HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WE HAVE, AND GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR CONCERNS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

TODAY. WE ASK THAT WE BE ALLOCATED THE FUNDING WE NEED TO WORK WITH BEXAR COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS TO PUT IN PLACE A HIGH WATER ALERT LIFESAVING TECHNOLOGY ARM.

JUDGE SAKAI. YOUR TIME.

CAN YOU GO IN AND WRAP IT UP, MR. HERNANDEZ? OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. MR. REINFELD. REINHARDT.

ROSENFELD. REINHARDT.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

ART REINHARDT, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.

SO THIS ITEM IS THE APPROVAL OF THE INSTALLATION OF ADVANCED WARNING GATES AT TWO LOCATIONS, ONE NEAR THE CITY OF SAINT HEDWIG, AS WELL AS ONE IN NEAR THE CITY OF SCHERTZ.

ALONG WITH THAT IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT WITH THE CITY OF SAINT HEDWIG.

SO THIS WILL BE APPROVING THE INSTALLATION OF ADVANCED AUTOMATIC GATES AT FOUR LOCATIONS NEAR THE SAINT HEDWIG SITE, AND AN ADDITIONAL GATE AND FLASHING BEACONS NEAR THE CITY OF SCHERTZ SITE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. JEFF. MR..

CALVERT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK ART FOR COMING IN AND COMING IN FAST WITH SOME IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THAT WE COULD HAVE, WE COULD AFFORD.

AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU TOOK A TOUR AND SAW WE WENT RIGHT AFTER A RAIN AND WERE ABLE TO SEE THE WATERS WERE JUST BARELY SUBSIDING.

BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH IMAGINATION TO SEE THAT THIS WAS A REAL FLOODING AREA.

I THINK THE POINT THAT THE SAINT HEDWIG REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BROUGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.

AND AS WE LOOK AT OUR WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, WE HAVE DUMPING INTO MARTINEZ CREEK NEW SEWAGE FACILITIES BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH IN THE AREA, 600,000 NEW GALLONS COMING TO MARTINEZ CREEK IS GOING TO CHANGE THE PROJECTIONS THAT OUR ENGINEERS LOOK AT IN TERMS OF THE PERMITS.

IMPERVIOUS COVER IN THE AREA IS IS RAPIDLY CHANGING.

THE WATER FLOWS AND THE DRAINAGES THAT WE HAVE.

THIS NOT ONLY IMPACTS LIFE, THIS ALSO IMPACTS THE ECONOMY.

SO IN THIS AREA OF FARMLANDS, I HAVE FARMERS WHO HAVE LOST ACRES OF THEIR LAND BECAUSE THE WATER FLOWS FROM THE ROAD NEARBY ONTO THEIR PROPERTY, AND THEY SOMETIMES LOSE COWS BECAUSE THOSE COWS GET STUCK IN THE MUD THAT WAS NEVER THERE BEFORE THIS GROWTH.

[01:00:09]

AND SO THESE ISSUES ARE GOING TO IMPACT THE ECONOMY LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.

SO I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU, ART, FOR HAVING A SPIRIT OF SERVICE.

THESE FUNDS WERE IDENTIFIED FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS CONTINGENCY FUNDS.

AS I MENTIONED IN COURT, THIS IS REALLY IN SEPTEMBER.

THIS IS REALLY PAR FOR THE COURSE OF HOW WE'VE OPERATED IN THE PAST.

AND SO I THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US BACK TO REGULAR ORDER WHERE IT THE MONEYS DIDN'T HAVE TO COME FROM A SINGLE COMMISSIONER'S $10.5 MILLION, BUT INSTEAD CAME FROM THE ENTIRE $3 BILLION BUDGET. AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES SUPPORT FOR THESE LIFE SAVING, IMPORTANT NEEDS.

THIS THIS INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT DONE.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE FLOODING THAT'S HAPPENING AT THE DOWNTOWN WHERE ALL THE WATER FLOWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STREET.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT OUR PLANS FOR CULVERTS AND OTHER DETENTION AND RETENTION BECAUSE IT'S NOT WORKING AS WE THOUGHT IT WOULD.

SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET AN ENGINEERING STUDY AND JUST REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THERE AREN'T MORE LIVES LOST.

I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED BECAUSE A MIDDLE SCHOOL IS BEING BUILT ALONG THIS SAME STREET WHERE THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS LOCATED.

SO THIS IS VERY TIMELY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING DAYS OF GREAT RAIN AND GREAT DROUGHT.

BUT I'M PROUD TO FIGHT FOR THE THE FARM LANDS JUST AS HARD AS I FIGHT FOR THE INNER CITY.

AND I THANK SAINT HEDWIG FOR MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD TODAY.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO COURT AND HIGHLIGHTING THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER MOODY? COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

I ALSO ASK THIS MATTER BE PULLED.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

COMMISSIONER. I BELIEVE SINCE I'VE TAKEN OVER AS COUNTY JUDGE, YOU HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THE COURT'S ATTENTION.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE PRIOR EFFORTS BY PERHAPS THE PRIOR PREDECESSOR COURT TO INSTALL THESE TYPE OF ALERT SYSTEMS THERE IN SAINT HEDWIG AND MR. AHART, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST KIND OF PUT ON THE RECORD, AS COMMISSIONER COW HAS PUT ON, WE POINTED YOU YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AS OF THE END OF FEBRUARY, I BELIEVE, AND SO OR END OF JANUARY.

SO WHAT HAVE YOU PUT A MONTH IN YET? HAVE YOU PUT A MONTH IN AND YOU BROUGHT AND GOT THIS MATTER DONE? AS I UNDERSTOOD IT FROM PRIOR EXPLANATIONS FROM PRIOR STAFF, THERE WAS AN ISSUE PERHAPS OF COMMUNICATION OR COLLABORATION. HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW YOU AND YOUR OFFICE GOT THIS MATTER RESOLVED.

AND WE AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY.

IN FACT, IT WAS ON CONSENT.

BUT I THINK THIS DISCUSSION IS IMPORTANT SO THAT THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO COMMUNICATE IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY WITH THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY STAFF. BECAUSE, AGAIN, I AM I, AM I MISSING THIS? IS THIS A SITUATION WHERE THIS THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS, SO TO SPEAK, FOR A LONG TIME? GO AHEAD. YEAH.

SO FIRST OFF, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THERE'S A THERE'S A TEAM BEHIND ME HELPING.

GET EVERYTHING ACROSS. RIGHT? SO SOME OF THE FUNDS WERE PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED, AND THEN IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF WORKING WITH OUR BUDGET OFFICE AS WELL TO FIND THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO REALLY BRING THIS FORWARD.

SO IT'S A GREAT SYSTEM COUNTYWIDE.

WE HAVE OVER 80 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WITH THE HIGH WATER ALERT, LIKE LIFE SAVING TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT FOR WHAT WE KNOW AS FLASH FLOOD ALLEY.

SO IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF GETTING IT MOVING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE WHAT WERE THE ISSUES BEFORE, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THIS TO COME TO BE. AND SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, SO THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE TYPE OF ISSUES UNDERSTAND, WE CAN WE CAN MOVE QUICKLY, BUT IT DOES REQUIRE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.

WAS THERE OR AM I IS THIS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT I'M GETTING CONFUSED ON? SO I THINK REALLY THE HANG UP ON ON BRINGING THIS TO THE FINISH LINE, THE LAST GO ROUND WAS FINDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

SO AS THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED, $70,000 WAS ALLOCATED THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND THEN BRINGING THAT FORWARD FOR THE ADDITIONAL 60 OR SO THOUSAND DOLLARS TO INSTALL THESE LOCATIONS. ALL RIGHT.

LET ME LET ME MAKE A POINT OF THERE.

SO, JUDGE, THERE WERE IN THE MAYBE I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S A 27.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS AFTER THE 27, 2017, $500 MILLION FLOOD CONTROL.

[01:05:02]

BUT AT THE, YOU KNOW, SO BEXAR COUNTY.

YEAH, THAT WAS THE ISSUE THAT THAT HAD IT REMOVED.

SO WE ACTUALLY HAD AN ARM THERE AND THEN WE REMOVED IT.

NOW SAINT HEDWIG ONLY HAD ONE EMPLOYEE AND HAD NO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND NO STAFF AT THE TIME.

SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE COUNTY WHEN KNOWING IT'S A, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE TEN ACRES ON AVERAGE PER, PER LOT. SO THERE'S VERY FEW PEOPLE, VERY FEW TAX REVENUE.

AND IT'S EASY FOR OUR JUDSON ROAD SERVICE CENTER TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE MOU AND THE SPIRIT OF INTERLOCAL COOPERATION, BECAUSE THESE AREAS ARE BECOMING SO DENSELY POPULATED.

AND WE'RE UNINCORPORATED RIGHT NEXT TO SAINT HEDWIG, RIGHT.

SECOND LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC CITY BEHIND SAN ANTONIO.

HUGE AMOUNT OF TERRITORY.

SO WE HAVE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY EVEN IF WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT.

NOW FOR A STAFF PERSON AT SAINT HEDWIG, WHAT'S TO SAY THAT THEY WILL KEEP THAT STAFFING IN PLACE? SO WE MUST HAVE CONTINGENCIES.

I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND ONE THING.

ART IS THIS FUNDING.

THIS FUNDING IS TAKING 67,000 FROM THE CANDLEWOOD PHASE TWO, WHICH IS COMPLETED, I BELIEVE.

IS THAT RIGHT? I BELIEVE SO.

OKAY. SAVINGS. SO? SO IT'S A SAVINGS AMOUNT THAT'S BEING REALLOCATED.

SO IT'S NOT COMING OUT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS CONTINGENCIES COMING OUT OF ANOTHER PRECINCT FOUR PROJECT.

SO LET ME ASK YOU, IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL COST IS PART OF IS THIS TOTAL COST COMING OUT OF PUBLIC WORKS CONTINGENCY AND THIS PRECINCT FOUR SAVINGS? OR IS IT COMING OUT OF THE MONEY THAT I SET ASIDE IN THE BUDGET FROM PRECINCT FOUR? AND THIS CANDLE WOULD FOR IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE MONEY YOU HAD SET ASIDE, COMMISSIONER, AND THEN THE SAVINGS FROM THE OTHER.

OKAY, THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH.

THERE'S STILL MONEY IN THE IN THE, IN THE DISCRETIONARY FUND OF THE PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP US AT LEAST GET STUDIES FOR THE FLOODING THAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS AREA. I HAD BROUGHT LAY IN ENGINEERS TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE PARTICULAR EXPERTISE IN FLOODING.

AND THEY HAD SOME INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS.

SO I'D LIKE TO SET UP A MEETING WHERE THEY CAN GO OVER WHAT THEY ORIGINALLY FOUND IN TERMS OF THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, AND THEY ALSO OFFERED SOME TOOLS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE FARMERS CAN DO TO HELP WITH UPSTREAM FLOODING, AS WELL AS LETTING THEM KNOW ABOUT TEXAS STATE'S FARMING SOIL CONSERVATION GROUP AND HOW THEY USE PLANTS AND OTHER WILDLIFE.

BUT YOU KNOW, THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR RAISING THAT ISSUE OF THE COLLABORATION, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T LIVE IN A PERFECT WORLD AND WE DON'T HAVE BIG CITIES EVERYWHERE WITH A LOT OF STAFF, AND WE CAN BE COLLABORATIVE WITH A VERY SMALL CITY OF 2400 PEOPLE TO GET THINGS DONE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SAINT HEDWIG.

AND THANK YOU, ART, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

TODAY I MOVE APPROVAL MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

LET ME CLOSE WITH THIS.

SO THANK YOU, MR. ART, IN BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN QUITE OFTEN, I BRING TO THE COUNTY'S ATTENTION ABOUT WHY THINGS DON'T MOVE VERY QUICKLY AND PERHAPS TOO SLOWLY, AND PERHAPS THINGS DON'T MOVE AT ALL.

BUT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A HOPE, THE NEW WAY THAT WE CAN MOVE VERY FAST AND NIMBLE, AND THAT REQUIRES ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WORKING TOGETHER. SO THE COLLABORATION IS NOT ONLY THE CITY COUNTY, BUT IT'S INTERNAL WITH THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, ESPECIALLY TO, I WOULD ASSUME IF IT WAS ABOUT MONEY, THEN.

SO THANK YOU TO THE BUDGET OFFICE FOR IDENTIFYING THOSE FUNDS SO THAT WE COULD MOVE FORWARD.

MR. REINHARDT, LET'S GET THE JOB DONE OVER IN THE COMMUNITY.

ALL RIGHT. THAT'S YOUR JOB NOW.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

CONGRATULATIONS, SAINT HEDWIG.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL CONTINUE WITH INDIVIDUAL, I BELIEVE, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, WE ARE NOW ON ITEM 62.

[62. Approval and execution of a Professional Services Agreement between Bexar County and San Antonio Lifetime Recovery to provide inpatient/outpatient substance abuse services for adults participating in the Alternatives to Incarceration Program (Diversion Program), beginning October 1, 2024, to September 31, 2025 in the amount not to exceed $1,900,150. The provider has been selected and awarded under Texas Local Government Code Section 2254.003.]

LIFETIME RECOVERY TO PROVIDE INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES FOR ADULTS PARTICIPATING IN THE ALTERNATIVES INCARCERATION PROGRAM DIVERSION PROGRAM BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 TO SEPTEMBER 2031, 2025, IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,900,150.

THE PROVIDER HAS BEEN SELECTED AND AWARDED UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 2252254.003.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE RODRIGUEZ.

[01:10:01]

WHAT I WANTED TO JUST POINT OUT AND HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE THIS IS ALMOST A $2 MILLION CONTRACT, BUT IT'S AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH LIFETIME. AND I THINK THEY DO GREAT WORK.

WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN, I THINK BIGGER PICTURE IS, YOU KNOW, WE TALK QUITE A BIT ABOUT DIVERSION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE HERE IN THIS ROOM AND THROUGHOUT THIS COURTHOUSE. SO I'D LIKE TO SEE AT SOME POINT WHAT KIND OF AN IMPACT WE'RE MAKING ON THAT.

RIGHT. ARE WE ABLE TO TURN PEOPLE'S LIVES AROUND? I KNOW SOME OF THAT IS ANECDOTAL, BUT IF THERE IS SOME DATA THAT LIFETIME CAN PROVIDE OR YOUR OFFICE COLLECTS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THESE PROGRAMS LOOK AT THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM.

ARE THEY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY? ARE WE ABLE TO LOOK AT OUR JAIL POPULATION AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THERE WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, BUT WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

SO IF YOU COULD IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COLLECTED, IF YOU CAN GET THAT TO US AT SOME POINT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO INFORM OUR DECISION MAKING ON BIG CONTRACTS LIKE THIS.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THE MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE.

IT'S MORE ABOUT IS IT BEING IMPACTFUL IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT BRIEFLY? YES. OUR OFFICE DOES COLLECT SOME.

HOWEVER LAST YEAR THEY DID LIFETIME DID COME TO US AND TELL US THAT THEY, THEY HAD INVESTED IN A NEW SYSTEM TO KEEP BETTER DATA ON THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ENTER LIFETIME, AND.

FOLLOW THEM THROUGH.

SO THEY WERE WORKING WITH MY STAFF TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.

AND THAT WAS LAST YEAR.

SO WE HOPE THIS YEAR TO HAVE THAT AND THAT WILL BE BETTER AND MORE PRECISE INFORMATION FOR YOU OR ANY OF THE COURT MEMBERS OR MR. SMITH. THAT WOULD BE GREAT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

I THINK HOPEFULLY WHEN WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION NEXT YEAR AT THIS TIME, WE CAN HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

AGAIN, NOTHING AGAINST LIFETIME.

I THINK THEY DO GREAT WORK.

AND I THINK WE'RE COMMITTED TO THAT PARTNERSHIP, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

BUT HAVING THAT DATA WOULD BE HELPFUL TO MAYBE MAYBE IT'S A TWEAKING SOMETHING, RIGHT? I DON'T KNOW. EXACTLY.

I'M NOT THE EXPERT YOU GUYS ARE, BUT THAT WOULD HELP.

AND SO I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU COLLECTING THAT, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THAT INFORMATION FROM THEM AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

SO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

THANK YOU. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SAYS COMMISSIONER MOODY, I'LL JUST ECHO MY MY COLLEAGUES COMMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO DATA.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS TODAY, BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR COMMISSIONERS AND FOR THE JUDGE TO ULTIMATELY MAKE DECISIONS, THE MORE INFORMATION THAT WE CAN HAVE FROM COUNTY STAFF, THE BETTER.

AND SO, AGAIN, I WOULD JUST ECHO THOSE COMMENTS GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, I BELIEVE WE'RE NEXT.

[102. Approval of a request to re-appoint the individual listed below to the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Board for a 2-year term to begin upon appointment and expire December 31, 2026.]

COMMISSIONER MOODY. I'M GUESSING WE DON'T HAVE EITHER THE APPOINTEES HERE TODAY.

NO, NO. I'LL JUST MAKE A COUPLE BRIEF COMMENTS HERE.

YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, I'M THANKFUL FOR FOR THEM, FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.

V.A. IS AN IMPORTANT BOARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE BOARD, AND I'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH WITH THOSE BOARD MEMBERS AND WITH OTHERS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THE THE VISION FOR FOR VA GOING FORWARD.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD BE CLEAR, THERE'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC TRANSIT AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, WHAT THE VISION LOOKS LIKE FOR FOR SAN ANTONIO. BUT I DID JUST WANT TO BRING A COUPLE POINTS FORWARD FROM FROM MY VANTAGE POINT THAT I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO, TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

THE FIRST OF ALL IS HOW DO WE MAKE V.A.

CONTINUE TO RUN MORE LIKE A BUSINESS? AND, YOU KNOW, THAT REQUIRES TRYING TO REDUCE THE THE SUBSIDIES THAT ARE REQUIRED.

AND AND HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO DECREASE THE OPERATING LOSSES THAT THE V.A.

[01:15:01]

I KNOW WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS, AND I KNOW THAT PROGRESS IS IS BEING MADE ON THAT FRONT, BUT THAT IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT WE CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT V.A.

AS A PUBLIC ENTITY, BUT THINK ABOUT IT AS A BUSINESS.

AND HOW CAN WE OPERATE A MORE EFFICIENTLY GOING FORWARD? TWO OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO TO COMMENT ON.

YOU KNOW, V.A.

HAS BUILT OUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CAPACITY, BUT HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT UTILIZING THAT EXISTING CAPACITY BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY BEFORE WE BUILD ADDITIONAL NEW CAPACITY? SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT YOU KNOW, BOARD MEMBERS AND, AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD TAKE ON BOARD AND THINK ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT COULD REQUIRE, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL MARKETING OR OTHER CREATIVE WAYS, BUT THERE'S AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF CAPACITY THAT IS UNDERUTILIZED TODAY.

AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT.

SO HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT THAT DIFFERENTLY GOING FORWARD? AND THEN WHEN WE DO BUILD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY, AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF TALKING ABOUT ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK TO DE-RISK ANY KIND OF SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT, WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT DOING THAT IN A PHASED APPROACH.

I BELIEVE THERE'S DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TRYING TO DO BOTH LINES, BOTH NORTH SOUTH AND EAST WEST.

YOU KNOW, MY RECOMMENDATION FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE AND FROM A REDUCTION IN RISK PERSPECTIVE WOULD BE THAT YOU WOULD FOCUS ON ONE AND NOT TRYING TO EXECUTE ON BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THOSE THOSE COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD FOR, FOR OUR FRIENDS AT V.A.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS A MEMBER OF THE MPO, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH, WITH V.A.

AND THE REST OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS WE MAKE SOME OF THESE DECISIONS GOING FORWARD.

BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS FOR THE RECORD.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION APPROVED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION. ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES THE INDIVIDUAL.

CAN I CAN I TAKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE BEFORE WE VOTE ON CONSENT?

[CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]

JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOU AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING FROM CONSENT? BECAUSE I DIDN'T PULL ANY OF OUR ITEMS FROM THE PRECINCT.

MAY I CALL HER FORWARD, JUDGE? YEAH. YEAH, SURE.

DID YOU SAY? GOOD MORNING? THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 88, I BELIEVE, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SO. I'M HERE.

AND GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE SOMERSET SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER INCORPORATED.

IT'S A NON PROFIT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN PRECINCT ONE, WHICH IS SERVED BY REBECA CLAY-FLORES COMMISSIONER REBECA CLAY-FLORES.

OUR SERVICE AREA INCLUDES THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF SOUTHERN BEXAR COUNTY INCLUDING SOMERSET, BON AMI AND SANDY OAKS.

WE DO SERVE A VERY SPECIAL POPULATION OF PEOPLE, WHICH IS OUR 62 YEAR OLD, 62 YEARS AND OLDER, AND OUR FOCUS IS ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIVES IN OUR MEMBERS AT THE SENIOR CENTER BY PROVIDING THEM NUTRITION, TRANSPORTATION, SOCIAL SERVICES IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

SO AS OF THE YEAR 2024, OUR MEMBERSHIP IS AT 60 PEOPLE.

APPROXIMATELY 45 OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE CDBG ELIGIBLE, ELIGIBLE CLIENTS.

WE DO OFFER A LIGHT BREAKFAST DAILY.

FOR THEM, 1650 MEALS HAVE BEEN SERVED, 1100 RIDE TRANSPORTATION UNITS AND RIDES HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

650 FAMILIES ARE SERVED DURING OUR MONTHLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, WHICH WE PARTNER WITH THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK AND THE CITY OF SOMERSET AND SOMERSET ISD.

398 COMMODITY SUPPLEMENT FOOD PROGRAM BOXES ARE SERVED TO ELIGIBLE SENIOR CLIENTS AS WELL, AND 385 CLIENTS SERVED WITH SEMIMONTHLY RETAIL ROUTE PROGRAM, WHICH IS BREAD, MEATS AND PRODUCE.

WE ALSO ASSIST BEXAR COUNTY WITH THE UTILITY ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCESS BY GATHERING AND SUBMITTING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR FINAL DETERMINATION.

WE ALSO PARTNER WITH ACOG BY PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR APPLIANCE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMS, WHICH HAS BEEN MAGNIFICENT TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL.

AND THE SOMERSET SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER INCORPORATED PROGRAM WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE AREA OF

[01:20:04]

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ESPECIALLY TO OUR COMMISSIONER, REBECA CLAY-FLORES.

YOU'VE BEEN OUTSTANDING TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.

I KNOW THEY LOVE YOU OUT THERE WHEN YOU VISIT.

SO MISS CUELLAR AND JESSE COULD NOT BE HERE.

THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM, BUT THEY HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT GOING ON TODAY.

SO AS THE MAYOR, I OFFERED TO COME AND THANK YOU ALL PERSONALLY.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS SO MUCH. I MEAN, I DIDN'T PULL ANY OF THIS.

THE STUFF. BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING TO TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

AND THEN WE'LL BE OUT THERE, I THINK.

THURSDAY NIGHT. YES.

THURSDAY NIGHT. FOR THE PRECINCT ONE COMMUNITY INPUT FOR THE CDBG FUNDS FOR THE NEXT ROUND FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S GOOD TO SEE HOW THESE DOLLARS REALLY ARE IN WORK OUT IN SOME OF OUR RURAL AREAS.

SO APPRECIATE IT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU JUDGE.

LET ME THANK COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

OTHERWISE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE ALL MORNING LONG.

I WAS ON A MATTER THAT JUST GOT PASSED.

SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, FOR ACCOMMODATING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR MENDES. Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.

BEST WISHES TO THE CITY OF SOMERSET.

I LOVE Y'ALL'S PARADES.

ALRIGHT. HOMECOMING.

HOMECOMING. NO ONE DOES HOMECOMING LIKE SOMERSET.

THAT'S RIGHT. DON'T MESS WITH SOMERSET.

LET ME BEFORE I KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO APPROVE THE CONSENT.

BUT WE HAVE.

THAT JUST ALERTED ME.

WE HAVE ATHENA FORD FROM UNIVERSAL CITY.

ARE YOU HERE ON A CONSENT AGENDA? ITEM TWO.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH AGENDA ITEM YOU WANTED TO SPEAK ON? ATHENA FORD, WHY DON'T YOU JUST COME UP HERE IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK? WE'RE GOING TO.

I'M SURE NOBODY PULLED IT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO. THAT MATTER IS GOING TO BE APPROVED REAL SHORTLY, BUT.

OH, IS THAT WHAT DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE HALT ISSUE OR WHAT IT WAS REGARDING CDBG? CDBG? WHICH DO YOU KNOW WHICH AGENDA ITEM NUMBER? I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ONE.

OH, SO YOU'RE NOT ON THE AGENDA? I DON'T THINK SO. NO, I WAS INVITED TO THANK Y'ALL.

OKAY. OH, WELL, YOU WANT TO PUT I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE CLOCK EVERY TEN MINUTES OR.

THE OTHERS ARE GOING TO ASK FOR TEN, COMMISSIONER.

SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND GIVE MISS ATHENA FORD.

IF THERE'S NO OBJECTIONS, I'M GOING TO LET HER.

MAKE HER PRESENTATION OR CITIZEN ROBERT, IF YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH HER, STAND THERE NEXT TO HER.

ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD, MISS FORD.

OKAY. MY NAME IS ATHENA FORD, AND I'M REPRESENTING THE CITY OF UNIVERSAL CITY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

I'M HONORED TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT FOR THEIR STEADFAST SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECT FOR HILLVIEW DRIVE IN UNIVERSAL CITY.

YOUR DEDICATION TO ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES THROUGH STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IS COMMENDABLE.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, UNIVERSAL CITY CAN NOW UNDERTAKE ESSENTIAL REPAIRS TO THE STREET INFRASTRUCTURE, MITIGATING FLOODING RISKS AND ELEVATING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

YOUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SETS A REMARKABLE STANDARD OF LEADERSHIP AND COMPASSION.

TOGETHER, WE ARE AFFECTING TANGIBLE CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE MOST IN NEED.

ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, I EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR INVALUABLE SUPPORT.

LET US CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE TO FOSTER POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ALSO HAVE CHRIS CRANE, ARE YOU HERE OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA? RESTORE EDUCATION CHRIS CRAIG.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH AGENDA ITEM YOU WERE WANTING TO SPEAK ON? YES, SIR. 93.

93. ALL RIGHT.

LET ME FIND MY WORDS.

LET'S SEE. 93.

YES IT WAS.

THIS IS ON CONSENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE APPROVED RIGHT SHORTLY.

BUT LET ME GO AHEAD AND GIVE YOU YOUR THREE MINUTES TO BE HEARD.

GO AHEAD. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COURT THIS MORNING ON BEHALF OF RESTORE EDUCATION.

I AM CHRIS CRANE, THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT THERE.

WE WANTED TO SHARE OUR GRATITUDE TO THE BE SELECTED AS A RECIPIENT OF CDBG, CDBG FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY PROGRAM. CDBG FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP US SERVE INDIVIDUALS IN RURAL AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS THROUGH ACCESS TO BASIC LITERACY, GED AND ESL CLASSES, PLUS WORKFORCE TRAINING AND COLLEGE PREPARATION.

THIS WILL ALLOW FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING WAGE AND AND MORE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, MR. CRANE.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? MR. CALVERT? I THINK THIS IS IN YOUR PRECINCT.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT, I THINK I BELIEVE WE WE AND FOR THE OTHERS, I JUST UNDERSTAND WE'RE GOING TO GO TO CITIZENS BE HEARD.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE THAT WERE IN CONSENT, I BELIEVE.

NOW, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? CONSENT AGENDA? MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

[01:25:05]

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT. WE NOW HAVE.

1030. ALMOST.

LET'S WE'LL DO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS THE FOLLOWING.

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

AND DIRECTING THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION.

IF NECESSARY.

WE'LL TAKE UP AND TAKE JUDICIAL NOTICE A, B C D E.

AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO COMMISSION.

[7. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, February 20, 2024.]

THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2024.

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

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

ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

I BELIEVE WE'RE NOW ON THE.

WE'RE RIGHT ON THE 1030.

WE'RE ALMOST SO I CAN JUST KIND OF WE'RE GOING TO CALL UP AGENDA ITEM TIME.

[4.a. 10:30 a.m.: Discussion and appropriate action authorizing bond counsel to develop a $3,912,842 agreement, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), for The Commons at Acequia Trails project, a permanent supportive housing initiative managed by San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry, Inc. (dba SAMMinistries), and authorizing the County Judge to execute the agreement.]

AND THE TIME ON MY CLOCK IS 1030 ON THE SPOT.

SO WE WILL TAKE UP THIS TIME CERTAIN ITEM.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE DO HAVE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

SO LET'S LET ME WAIT FOR THE PRESENTATION, AS I WILL NOW CALL ALL THOSE THAT HAVE ASKED TO BE HEARD FIRST.

ALSO NOTE THAT.

WE HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE YIELDING THEIR TIME.

SO AS I CALL YOU UP, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU'RE YIELDING TIME.

THE FIRST PERSON HAS SIGNED UP IS DOMINIQUE YANEZ.

DOMINIQUE. ROWE DOMINIC.

SO. DOMINIC. DOMINIC.

DOMINIC. MY NAME IS DOMINIC JOHNS.

I SERVE ON THE LIVED EXPERTISE ADVISORY BOARD AT CLOSE TO HOME.

TO SERVE ON THAT ADVISORY BOARD, ONE NEEDS TO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.

IN ADDITION THAT I BRING MY PERSPECTIVE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND HOMELESSNESS.

I WANT TO JUST START BY SAYING THIS.

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY IS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

KEY WORD PERMANENT IN HOMELESS SERVICES.

WE KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SEE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS, SHELTERS THAT ARE ALWAYS AT CAPACITY.

HOUSING THAT'S A REVOLVING DOOR WHEN TEMPORARY FUNDING RUNS OUT.

I'VE NEVER MET A TAXPAYER WHO LIKED A BAND-AID.

PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS THE PERMANENT SOLUTION.

IT HEALS POVERTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

IT IS THE NEW VOCABULARY FOR A MORAL IMAGINATION.

TO REACH OUT TO OUR NEIGHBORS, THE ONES WHERE I CAN TAKE YOU A MILE IN ANY DIRECTION OF THIS COURTHOUSE, AND YOU CAN SEE THEM IN THE STREET TODAY.

THE PEOPLE WHO SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS OF WHAT WE HAVE.

BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DON'T.

PEOPLE LIKE MY FRIEND PAUL, WHO HAS LIVED AT THE SAME BENCH FOR YEARS BECAUSE OF A STROKE.

WHO'S TOO TRAUMATIZED TO GO BACK TO A HOSPITAL.

PEOPLE LIKE KAY, WHO CARRIES HER OSTOMY BAG IN A PLASTIC GROCERY SACK WHO'S HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT WAS RAISED AT THIS MORNING.

WHOSE HUSBAND MOWS THE LAWNS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEARBY.

I CAN TELL YOU FROM WORKING IN THESE SERVICES AND EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

HOW EASY IT IS TO FILL UP OUR STREETS WITH THINGS LIKE LIQUOR STORES, VAPE STORES, CBD STORES, STORES THAT APPEAL TO THE PRURIENT INTEREST WITH NO WINDOW TINTING OR BLINDS.

BUT HOW HARD IT IS TO PUT A NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD.

I ASKED THE COMMISSIONERS TODAY AND I THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT.

APPROVE OF THIS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND LET'S MOVE FORWARD AND FORGE OUR FUTURE TOGETHER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

DOMINIC. THE NEXT PERSON IS OLGA MARTINEZ.

[01:30:09]

I NEED TO GO UP THERE. YES, PLEASE.

IF I'M GIVING MY TIME.

OH, YOU'RE YIELDING YOUR TIME.

TO WHO? MARTINEZ AND PRESIDENT OF VILLA CORONADO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS HOUSING, BUT WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY YOU NEED TO COME.

PLEASE. OKAY, BECAUSE.

BUT I'M GIVING MY TIME, OKAY? I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I'M OLGA MARTINEZ, PRESIDENT OF VILLA CORONADO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND.

WE YIELD YOUR TIME TO.

YEAH, I'M GIVING MY TIME TO BRADY ALEXANDER JUST BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE WITH THE WITH THE PROCESS.

THANK YOU. RIGHT.

AND HE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOTWELLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

I'LL TRY TO ORGANIZE AS BEST I CAN.

THE NEXT PERSON I HAVE IS KEVIN SEKULA.

ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME? TO WHO? BRADY.

ALEXANDER. THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE YIELDING TIME TO BRADY ALEXANDER? ANYBODY ELSE YIELDING TIME.

SO, MR. ALEXANDER, I'M JUST GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL YOU UP, ALTHOUGH YOU'RE NOT NEXT, I'M CALLING YOU UP BECAUSE OF THE.

PEOPLE THAT HAVE YIELD THEIR TIME.

YOU'RE USING THEIR SLOTS.

SO MR. YOU HAVE NINE MINUTES.

GO AHEAD. MY NAME IS BRADY ALEXANDER.

I REPRESENT THE HOTWELLS MISSION REACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I RESIDE AT 1839 EAST PIER IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

78223I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER CALVERT FOR INFORMING THIS OF THIS PROJECT OR WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

HE HAS GIVEN US A SEAT AT THE TABLE ON THIS SUBJECT.

WHEN IT CAME UP AT A PREVIOUS LAST YEAR'S MEETING FOR THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT THE APPLICANT BLATANTLY LIED THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WAS FOR THIS AND HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN ANY CONVERSATION.

MR. CALVERT RECOGNIZED THIS.

ASK THEM FOR DOCUMENTATION TO THEIR ASSERTIONS OF THIS AND THEY COULD PROVIDE NONE.

WE HEARD FROM HIM IN LATE NOVEMBER.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER BEEN CONTACTED BY ANY ENTITY, CITY LOBBYIST FOR SAM MINISTRIES OR OTHER REGARDING THIS PROJECT.

WE HAD A A PHONE MEETING AND THEN WE REQUESTED THAT THEY PRESENT AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS PART OF THEIR PLAN.

IT WAS NOT TILL JANUARY THEY CHOSE TO GO AHEAD THROUGH THE ZONING COMMISSION, AT CITY COUNCIL, ETC.

I WON'T GET INTO ALL OF THIS SEMANTICS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE, BUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAS NOT OCCURRED IN A MEANINGFUL, SUBSTANTIVE WAY ON THIS PROJECT DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THERE IS NO LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR THIS FROM NEIGHBORING ASSOCIATIONS.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS SECRETARY HOUSING.

THE T SHIRT MAKER GOT IT WRONG.

IT AIN'T PERMANENT.

YOU CANNOT CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND NOT REINTEGRATE THOSE INTO SOCIETY TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL PLACE.

IT IS JUST KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND A PERMANENT VERSION OF HAVEN FOR HOPE.

THIS IS NOT A NOT IN OUR BACKYARD ISSUE.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND SURROUNDING AREAS OF THE SOUTH SIDE IS ALREADY PERMEATED WITH SEGREGATION, ECONOMIC, RACIAL, ALL DIFFERENT KINDS.

I MEAN, WE HAVE IT ALL.

AND IT IS REALLY SAD TO TO SEE THAT OUR AREA HAS SUCH WONDERFUL POTENTIAL.

WITH THE WORLD HERITAGE DESIGNATION.

IT IS THE HEART, THE START OF SAN ANTONIO.

EVEN THOUGH NOW THE CENTER OF TOWN IS NORTH OF 410, DUE TO THE PEOPLE LEAVING TOWN FOR VARIOUS REASONS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS A SECRETARY POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S AVERAGE PER CAPITA INCOME IS 22,000 A YEAR.

WE ARE AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE.

WE WERE HOPING THAT THIS WOULD RESULT IN A FURTHER INTEGRATION, NOT A FURTHER SEGREGATION OF THIS AREA.

[01:35:05]

IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA, YOU WILL NOTICE THIS AS YOU DRIVE AROUND.

ALL, WITHOUT EXCEPTION OF THE APARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN THE LAST 30 YEARS WITHIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND ON THE STATE HOSPITAL ARE INCOME DETERMINED.

SECRETARY. HOUSING PROJECTS BASED.

ON INCOME ALONE.

THAT IS VERY DISTURBING.

WE HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR ANOTHER ONE ON THE STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY.

IT ALSO IS A CELEBRATORY HOUSING PROJECT.

WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DISINVESTMENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WANT TO LIVE IN AN INTEGRATED, VERDANT COMMUNITY.

BUT WITH THE CITY'S SHIP PLAN, WHICH SHOULD BE THE SECRETARY HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

IT IS ENCOURAGING AND INCENTIVIZING THESE KIND OF DEVELOPMENTS.

IF YOU GO DOWN MILITARY.

BASICALLY, SOUTHEAST MILITARY IS THE LINE OF DEMARCATION BETWEEN MARKET RATE AND SUBSIDIZED.

THE BROOKS PLAN IS BASICALLY TO CREATE A WINDCREST TYPE ENVIRONMENT ON THE SOUTH SIDE, WHERE ON BROOKS THEY DISCOURAGE ANY INCOME DETERMINED TYPE OF HOUSING.

OUTSIDE OF THAT.

ON THE STATE HOSPITAL WE HAVE THAT KIND OF HOUSING ALSO CENTRAL MED PRE-K FOR.

IT'S A IT'S VERY CONCERNING WHEN YOU SEE THIS KIND OF SEGREGATION.

AND WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY OR OUR WORLD IN GENERAL.

WHEN ECONOMIC SEGREGATION HAPPENS BECAUSE PEOPLE WITH MONEY WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS TOWN, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A POPULAR THING TO DO THESE DAYS. THERE'S NO WAY TO STOP THAT.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE LEFT BEHIND? DON'T THEY DESERVE TO LIVE IN A DECENT, INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENT? DON'T THOSE ONES THAT ARE MARGINALIZED, THAT ARE VULNERABLE? DESERVE TO LIVE, AMONGST OTHERS, POSITIVE ROLE MODELS, BEING CLOSE TO THE AMENITIES THEY NEED TO REINTEGRATE BACK INTO SOCIETY. GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT NOT JUST A JOB BUT A CAREER.

IT GIVES PEOPLE A STIGMA WHEN YOU PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE AND IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THEIR MENTAL, PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

AND THESE ENCLAVES THAT ARE BEING MADE DO NOT SERVICE THOSE THAT THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO SERVICE AS WELL AS THEY COULD.

THE RESOURCES ON BROOKS NEEDED FOR THIS INTEGRATION ARE OVER A MILE AWAY FROM THE CURRENT PROPOSAL.

THE VIA TRANSIT CENTER, A GROCERY STORE WHERE YOU CAN GET FOOD AT A DECENT PRICE, AND CAREERS, NOT JUST JOBS.

YET. THE CLOSEST THINGS TO THIS ARE A VAPE SHOP, LIQUOR STORE, STRIPES, WHICH THEY HAVE FOOD THERE, BUT IT'S REALLY NOT A GOOD VALUE AND NOT HEALTHY.

AND ALSO HAVING TO CROSS MILITARY DRIVE IS TAKING YOUR LIFE IN YOUR OWN HANDS.

THE LOSS OF TAX DOLLARS FOR OUR SCHOOLS IS ALSO VERY CONCERNING.

THIS PROJECT WOULD GIVE NOTHING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF SCHOOL TAXES.

BASICALLY EVERYTHING ON BROOKS.

DOES THE SAME.

IT HAS CREATED A DISCONNECT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND REALLY CAUSED A BIG PROBLEM.

AMONGST ATTRACTING NEW PEOPLE TO THE AREA AND ALSO RETAINING THOSE WHO INHERIT PROPERTIES IN THE HOTWELLS AREA, AND THEY HAVE NO REASON TO STAY.

THERE ARE NO AMENITIES.

THE SCHOOLS ARE VERY PROBLEMATIC.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT THERE.

IT IS ALL BEING SIPHONED AWAY ONTO THE BROOKS CAMPUS.

YOU DO NOT SEE THE SAME KIND OF INVESTMENT IN OPPORTUNITY ZONE AREAS OUTSIDE OF BROOKS, ALONG ROOSEVELT ALONG.

IT'S JUST NOT HAPPENING.

AND THE ONLY INVESTMENTS YOU SEE ALONG NEW BRAUNFELS IS OVER 2000 INCOME DETERMINED APARTMENTS, WITH OVER 70% OF THEM NOT PAYING ANY TAXES.

[01:40:03]

AND WE CANNOT ATTRACT.

PEOPLE IN THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO LIVE, TO ENJOY SOME OF THE AMENITIES THAT EXIST THERE.

SO WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE SEEMS TO BE THEY WANT TO GET THIS DONE SOON, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WELL, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. I'M ASKING, MISS IBANEZ, ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME? NO YOU'RE NOT.

I'M NOT ASKING. BUT ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME OR YOU'RE SPEAKING IN YOUR BEHALF? OKAY, Y'ALL GET TO YOU.

ALL RIGHT, THE NEXT SPEAKER I'M GOING TO ASK FOR HER DIRECTION IS NIKKI SHIP BAKER.

NOW, MISS BAKER, I NOTE THAT YOU HAVE NAOMI NUSSBAUM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PRESENT.

NAOMI, ARE YOU PRESENT? WHERE ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME TO NAKISHA? YES. OKAY.

IS GAELEN SHANER PRESENT? ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME TO NIKISHA BAKER? ROSALINDA. WE.

ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME? OKAY. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE YIELDING THEIR TIME TO NIKISHA BAKER? NIKISHA BAKER.

YOU'RE NEXT.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, 12 MINUTES.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING JUDGE.

MANY THANKS TO YOU AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THIS MORNING.

IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU ON BEHALF OF SAM MINISTRIES, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ADVISORY COUNCIL, OUR DEDICATED STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, SAM MINISTRIES HAS WORKED IN SERVICE TO OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING OR FACING HOMELESSNESS.

OUR ORGANIZATION STARTED ON THE STEPS OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WHEN, IN 1981, THE REVEREND DOCTOR LEWIS ABINGDON JUNIOR FOUND A HOMELESS PERSON WHO HAD PASSED AWAY ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CHURCH.

HIS COMPASSION, THEN, WAS A CATALYST FOR SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN MINISTRY AND REMAINS THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR WORK TODAY.

THIS PAST DECEMBER, OUR ORGANIZATION AND PARTNERS FROM ACROSS THE COMMUNITY CELEBRATED THE LIVES OF 322 INDIVIDUALS WHO PASSED AWAY WHILE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

LAST YEAR, OUR UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS PASSED AWAY AT AN ALARMING RATE SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

NEARLY 50% OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE JUST ONE PAYCHECK AWAY, AND SUPPLY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

THE CITY AND THE COUNTY COMMITTED RESOURCES TO MAKE $42.5 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

SAM MINISTRIES PRESENTED THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS AS A PART OF THAT COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION PROCESS, AND WAS SELECTED FOR FUNDING TO DEVELOP A PROJECT THAT INCLUDES HOUSING AND WRAPAROUND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR 200 INDIVIDUALS.

THIS INVESTMENT PROVIDES A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE, AND IT WILL HELP SAVE THE LIVES OF MOTHERS, FATHERS, AUNTS, UNCLES, SENIORS, VETERANS, AND FRIENDS.

WE HAVE HEARD THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE TRANSPARENCY OF THIS PROJECT, AND FOR THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO AGAIN OFFER MY APOLOGIES FOR NOT REACHING OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT.

EARLIER, WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CONCERN, OUR TEAM ATTENDED FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, OFFERED TOURS OF OUR HUDSON APARTMENT PROJECTS AND TOWN TWIN VILLAGE, AND HOSTED A NUMBER OF ZOOM MEETINGS FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

OUR ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS SINCE NOVEMBER HAVE BEEN THOUGHTFUL AND CONSISTENT, AND INCLUDE A DELAY AT BOTH ZONING COMMISSION AND AT CITY COUNCIL TO ENSURE TIME FOR ADEQUATE FEEDBACK.

WE HAVE HEARD THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND NOT HAVING THE SITE FULLY MASTER PLANNED, AND WE HAVE AMENDED OUR SITE PLAN TO A 12 ACRE TRACT RATHER THAN THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED 55 ACRES.

WE HAVE HEARD CONCERNS AROUND PARKING AND ACCESS TO TRANSIT.

FEWER THAN 25% OF CLIENTS LIVING IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HAVE VEHICLES OF THEIR OWN, LIMITING THE TRAFFIC IMPACT, AND VILLA IS IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT, AND A TRANSIT LINE IN FRONT OF OR ADJACENT TO THE SITE IS IN THE WORKS.

WE HAVE HEARD THE CONCERNS ABOUT ECONOMIC SEGREGATION, WHICH IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT AND THE WORK OF SAM MINISTRIES TO UPLIFT INDIVIDUALS FACING OR

[01:45:04]

SAM MINISTRIES HAS OPERATED SCATTERED SITE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY SINCE 2010, AND LAUNCHED ITS FIRST SITE BASED PROGRAM IN 2021. AND OUR CLIENTS CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A 96% HOUSING STABILITY RATE.

OUR HUDSON APARTMENTS IS IN COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ'S PRECINCT.

THE COMMONS IS PROPOSED FOR COMMISSIONER CALVERT PRECINCT, AND OUR NEXT TARGET IS THE NORTHWEST SIDE COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES PRECINCT.

OUR COMMUNITY HAS ASKED FOR SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.

THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS, A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

TODAY, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN MAKING THIS DEVELOPMENT A REALITY.

AND WOULD THOSE WHO AGREE AND ARE HERE IN SUPPORT OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS, PLEASE STAND.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. ALRIGHT AGAIN IN ORDER TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE MISS VIRGINIA RUTLEDGE, I HAVE YOU AND IS PRISCILIANO CABRAL IN THE ROOM? ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME TO MISS RUTLEDGE? YES. OKAY.

ALL. GOT IT.

JOANNE. FITZ, ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME TO MISS RUTLEDGE? JO ANN FITZ, ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME? ALL RIGHT, MISS VIRGINIA RUTLEDGE, I'LL CALL YOU.

AND YOU HAVE NINE MINUTES.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

CITIZENS. I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS, SO I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE IF I SPEAK TOO RAPIDLY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS FORUM AND GIVING US THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

I PERSONALLY LIVE, WORK, OWN AND RENT PROPERTY, AS DOES MY FAMILY IN THE AREA IN QUESTION, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ON THE COMPLETELY ARBITRARY PRECINCT BOUNDARY BETWEEN PRECINCT FOUR, REPRESENTED BY TOMMY CALVERT, AND PRECINCT ONE REPRESENTED BY REBECA CLAY-FLORES.

I'LL TRY TO CONDENSE.

I AM NOT HERE TO OPPOSE THE IDEA OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

IN FACT, I AM HERE REPRESENTING NOT JUST MYSELF AND MY FAMILY, BUT A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY GROUP, THE OLD RIVER HERITAGE GROUP.

I'M WHOSE TWO? TWO OF WHOSE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS YIELDED THEIR TIME TO ME.

WE'RE KNOWN TO SOME OF YOU ON THE COMMISSION FOR OTHER PROJECTS WE DO IN THE AREA, BUT I'M ALSO HERE ON BEHALF OF MANY NEIGHBORS WHO COULDN'T COME HERE EITHER.

THEY DON'T RUN THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND CAN'T ARRANGE THEIR OWN SCHEDULE, OR EVEN IF THEY'RE RETIRED, THEIR CAREGIVING.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

WE ARE GLAD THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE COUNTY OF AYR ARE LOOKING AT THIS AS A SOLUTION FOR A DEEP, DEEP WOUND IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND HAVING WATCHED THIS PROCESS AS CLOSELY AS WE CAN AS CITIZENS AND VOLUNTEERS, AND DESPITE A RECORD OF HAVING ASKED FOR A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT FRANKLY, REALLY STILL HASN'T BEEN SHARED UP UNTIL THIS MOMENT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE SURPRISED IF YOU DON'T.

IF YOU DO NOT DELAY A VOTE ON THIS TO ALLOW MORE CITIZEN ABSORPTION AND FEEDBACK.

WE WON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL.

AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT ON THE ISSUE OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WE CAN SINCERELY THINK MISS BAKER, WHO I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH BRIEFLY BEFORE THE MEETING, AND HER STAFF ON DOING THIS WORK, THIS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK THAT'S NEEDED HERE.

SO WE WON'T BE SURPRISED IF THIS GOES FORWARD TODAY.

AND WE THINK AT SOME POINT IT SHOULD GO FORWARD.

WE DON'T THINK IT SHOULD GO FORWARD TODAY FOR ONE SIMPLE REASON.

AND EVEN IF YOU DISAGREE, YOU KNOW IN YOUR POSITION, I HOPE YOU'LL HEAR.

THIS POINT, WHICH HAS TO DO ABOUT THE PROCESS.

IF YOU GO FORWARD TODAY.

YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE.

ACROSS BEXAR COUNTY AND IN PRECINCT FOUR AND PRECINCT ONE WHO ARE FEELING REALLY WEARY, WEARY, AND

[01:50:05]

ABOUT WHAT IS PERCEIVED AS A REAL LACK OF A PROTOCOL, A PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

INSTEAD, SOMETHING THAT HAS COME TO RESEMBLE MORE OF A CHECKING OFF THE BOX FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

MISS BAKER, I RESPECTFULLY HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU.

WHEN YOU HAVE A PROPOSAL THAT IS PUT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER BY A REZONING CONSULTANT.

RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND WHEN EVEN DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF.

THE HOTWELLS MISSION REACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESENT WHO ORGANIZED THE TWO PUBLIC COMMUNITY MEETINGS THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAPPENED.

IT WAS BARELY TWO MONTHS IN THERE FROM THE NOTICE THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT, AND WE REALLY THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING US ON THIS.

LET US KNOW THAT SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT WAS HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY MENTION BROOKS YET.

I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT.

IF MR. GOMEZ IS IN THE ROOM OR ANY REPRESENTATIVES OF BROOKS ARE IN THE ROOM, I'VE LIVED IN WHAT IS NOW PART OF THE BROOKS CAMPUS BEFORE, I HAVE SOUGHT MARKET RATE HOUSING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I WAS WORKING TO RENOVATE MY OWN FAMILY HOME.

A GOOD NEIGHBOR DOESN'T BUILD A HOUSE RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

WITHOUT LETTING YOU KNOW IN ADVANCE.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS GOOD NEIGHBORS TALK TO YOU IN ADVANCE IS BECAUSE SOME OF US HINES ESSER GOMEZ, I RECOGNIZED YOU.

ALTHOUGH WE'VE NEVER MET, SOME OF US WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY TO BRING OVER A CASSEROLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS GONE TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS PROCESS IS THAT PEOPLE WHO, EVEN THOUGH THEIR VOICE IS TREMBLING, DO FEEL COMPELLED TO STAND UP AND SPEAK. WHEN WE SEE OUR NEIGHBORS BEING DEMONIZED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, OR IN PRESS OR IN PRIVATE MEETINGS ABOUT AREA RESIDENTS WHO ARE HAVING A WHAT'S IT CALLED NIMBY ATTITUDE? NOT IN MY BACKYARD ATTITUDE REALLY, REALLY DISCREDITS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ENGAGED CITIZEN, TO HAVE THE.

TO STAND UP AND SPEAK AND TO SAY THAT WE REALLY ARE OWED THIS INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WHAT'S HAPPENING.

AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU GAVE IT TO US ON A TIMELINE THAT PEOPLE COULD WORKING PEOPLE, FAMILIES COULD REALLY COULD REALLY ABSORB.

THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED HERE.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH EXPOSURE THAT NOW IT WOULD REALLY BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION.

AND I THINK WHAT MIGHT COME OUT OF IT WOULD BE GREAT.

I THINK YOU WOULD LEARN THAT THERE IS SUPPORT FOR A MORE THOUGHTFUL INTEGRATION OF THIS KIND OF HOUSING INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT REQUESTS TO TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER THERE MIGHT BE MARKET RATE HOUSING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD ADDRESS CONCERNS, I THINK, LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THAT MANY AREA RESIDENTS HAVE.

INSTEAD OF DELAYING THIS VOTE OR THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE, THE PROPOSAL WAS JUST CHANGED.

OKAY. ONE COULD SAY THAT'S IN RESPONSE TO NEIGHBORS RAISING THESE QUESTIONS, BUT WE ACTUALLY WEREN'T DIRECTLY INFORMED OF IT AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

IT HASN'T BEEN PRESENTED.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY UNITS REALLY ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT ON THE 12 ACRES.

IS IT 200? IS IT 400? WHAT'S NEXT? IS THERE A BUDGET FOR PLANNING ANY TREES? AND THIS STERILE REALLY QUITE AWFUL STRETCH IF YOU'VE DRIVEN IT RECENTLY.

WELL GOOD LUCK BECAUSE IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

BUT IT'S, IT'S THESE ARE NOT TRIVIAL CONCERNS.

NO MATTER WHO OR HOW THEY ARE RAISED, THEY ARE SHARED BY VERY MANY PEOPLE.

SO I GUESS I WOULD JUST LIKE TO END BY SAYING THAT BY DELAYING THIS VOTE TO ALLOW THE KIND OF HEALING, IF I MAY USE THAT WORD, COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, THERE MIGHT BE A BETTER OUTCOME FOR EVERYONE HERE.

I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A DELAY OF, SAY, 30 DAYS WOULD MAKE THIS PROJECT UNFEASIBLE.

I THINK IT WOULD FEEL GREAT IF WE COULD ALL MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AS NEIGHBORS, KNOWING THAT WE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS TRULY HAVE OUR BACKS ABOUT OUR CONCERNS. AND IT'S BECAUSE DESPITE THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE SPECIFIC LOCATION, WHICH I PERSONALLY DON'T SHARE, I DO DO SPEAK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY ARE CONVINCED THAT PERMITTED SUPPORTING HOUSING IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL LIVE IN THE UNITS, BUT FOR ALL OF US, BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE A HEALTHY SOCIETY.

IF ANY MEMBER OF OURS IS AT RISK.

[01:55:01]

WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER TO BE BETTER NEIGHBORS.

AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

THANK YOU, MR. ELLEDGE.

ALRIGHT. I NEED TO HELP HERE.

KATIE WILSON.

HELP ME. THERE'S A GROUP HERE CLOSE TO HOME.

ARE YOU ALL YIELDING TIME TO CERTAIN SPEAKERS? IF YOU ARE, PLEASE TELL ME WHO YOU'RE DESIGNATING TO SPEAK.

I YIELD MY TIME TO JANE.

OKAY. HOLD ON.

VIRGINIA. WOODARD, YOU'RE.

OKAY. YOU'RE YIELDING TO WHO? KATIE WILSON. KATIE WILSON.

ALL RIGHT, HOW ABOUT DAISY WERBER? YOU YIELDING? I'M THINKING. OH, YOU'RE KEEPING YOUR TIME.

OKAY. HOW ABOUT ALFONSO GALVAN? GOT IT. LAWANNA.

CHAMBERS. LAWSON.

IS SHE KEEPING HER TIME? ALSO, HE'S NOT GOING TO. OKAY, OKAY.

KATIE WILSON, YOU ARE NEXT.

AND. AS I HEARD, VIRGINIA WOODARD HAS YIELDED HER TIME TO YOU.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CLOSE TO HOME, AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING CLOSE TO HOME AS THE COC LEAD AGENCY FOR HOMELESSNESS IN SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY, AS WELL AS OVER 20 PARTNERS WHO SIGNED OUR LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE ALLIANCE TO HOUSE EVERYONE.

WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT AND URGENCY TO APPROVE THE SAM MINISTRIES COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS DEVELOPMENT THAT, IF APPROVED, WILL PROVIDE OVER 200 HOUSEHOLDS WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES AND A STABLE, SAFE AND SECURE PLACE THAT THEY CAN CALL HOME.

BEXAR COUNTY RECENTLY MADE AN INVESTMENT IN EXPANDING STREET OUTREACH, BUT WITHOUT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OPTIONS, OUR OUTREACH TEAMS AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH THE CONCERNS THAT COME FROM A GROWING UNSHELTERED POPULATION, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY STRUGGLING TO IDENTIFY HOUSING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE IN OUR SHELTERS. IN 2023, OVER 322 LIVES WERE LOST WHILE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO HELP NOW, AND THIS IS NOT A PROJECT OF SEGREGATION, AND THE MERE COMPARISON IS INCREDIBLY OFFENSIVE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES WITH SERVICES AND A PERMANENT PLACE THAT THEY CAN CALL HOME.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PROVIDING PERMANENT, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE THAN RELYING ON EMERGENCY SERVICES SUCH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOSPITALS AND JAILS, AND WITHOUT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OPTIONS, OUR ENCAMPMENT ABATEMENTS ARE NOT AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.

FURTHERMORE, THE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CALLS FOR 1000 UNITS OF PSH, AND THAT'S FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS TODAY. AND THIS WOULD PUT US AT 20% TOWARDS THAT GOAL.

THIS DEVELOPMENT IS ALREADY SUPPORTED BY THE CITY'S HOUSING BOND FUNDING FROM HUD AND THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST.

IT RECEIVED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FOR ZONING LAST WEEK BY CITY COUNCIL, AND WE URGE THE COURT TO APPROVE THE COUNTY'S SHERIFF FUNDING TOWARD THIS DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION AND ALIGNMENT OF PLANS BETWEEN THE CITY, COUNTY AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

THIS IS HOW WE SOLVE HUGE SYSTEMIC AND SOCIETAL PROBLEMS. SAM MINISTRIES HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER IN OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR DECADES, AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY INCREASED THEIR FUNDING TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PSH.

IN ADDITION, AS YOU HEARD, THEY HAVE A 96% SUCCESS RATE FOR HOUSING RETENTION.

THIS WILL MAKE A MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE AND ENSURING PEOPLE HAVE THE ON SITE TREATMENT AND SERVICES THEY NEED WILL MAKE OUR STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER TOO.

AS WE KNOW, THE MERIT OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS NOT AT ISSUE.

THIS IS A WELL DEVELOPED PROPOSAL WITH ONE OF OUR TOP PERFORMING PARTNERS HAS CROSS-SYSTEM SUPPORT, INCLUDING OURS, TO ENSURE ITS SUCCESS LONG TERM.

WE URGE THE COUNTY AS A KEY PARTNER IN ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS, TO APPROVE THIS PROPOSAL FOR THE SAKE OF THE 200 LIVES IT WILL SAVE, AND FOR THE RESIDENTS ACROSS BEXAR COUNTY WHO WANT US TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND ACT NOW.

PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

THANK YOU. DAISY WERBER.

HELLO, MY NAME IS DAISY WERBA.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT AND EQUITY AT CLOSE TO HOME.

I SUPPORT THE SAM MINISTRIES COMMONS PROJECT TO PROVIDE OVER 200 MULTIFAMILY UNITS FOR SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY.

THIS PROJECT IS PIVOTAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEET NOT JUST THE CITY'S HOMELESS STRATEGIC PLAN, BUT THE COUNTY'S FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN THAT ENDS IN A YEAR.

[02:00:03]

WE HAVE A DUTY TO OUR COMMUNITY TO UPLIFT THE VOICES OF THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, TO CREATE EQUITABLE CHANGE IN OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

THIS PROJECT WILL SAVE THE LIVES OF OVER 200 PEOPLE AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES OUR COMMUNITY SO DESPERATELY NEEDS.

I WILL LEAVE WITH THIS SENTIMENT TODAY.

OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS ARE STILL OUR NEIGHBORS, EVEN IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.

THANK YOU. ALFONSO GALVAN.

MORNING, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS ALFONSO GALVAN.

I'M REPRESENTING CLOSE TO HOME.

I ACT AS THE DATA AND PERFORMANCE ANALYST FOR THEM.

I ALSO SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

AND I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE A COUPLE REASONS WHY.

Y'ALL HAVE ALREADY HEARD A COUPLE OF THE REASONS, BUT ONE BEING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A AN INTERVENTION THAT IS A LOT MORE INTENSE THAN THE OTHER INTERVENTIONS THAT WE HAVE AND OFFER THAT, YOU KNOW A FIFTH OF OUR.

A HOMELESS POPULATION THAT WE'RE SERVING MONTH OVER MONTH IS ELIGIBLE FOR, MEANING THAT THEY'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR OVER A YEAR AND THEY DO HAVE A DISABILITY. SO LIKE I SAID, THE OTHER INTERVENTIONS THAT WE OFFER, LIKE RAPID REHOUSING AND VOUCHERS, WOULD NOT BE NECESSARILY ENOUGH TO HELP THEM STABILIZE.

SO THIS PROJECT WILL GREATLY BENEFIT THEM.

AND THEN NUMBER TWO AS IT WAS MENTIONED BEFORE THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO HELP OUR OTHER INVESTMENTS IN SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE STREET OUTREACH BY, YOU KNOW, BRINGING EASE TO SOME OF THE FRONT END PROJECTS ON THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

AND THEN LASTLY, JUST PERSONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY AND INVEST IN THESE KIND OF PROJECTS BECAUSE IT'S VERY COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, LIKE IT WAS MENTIONED, ANYBODY CAN FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS.

AND I WANT TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS PUTTING THESE KIND OF INVESTMENTS INTO THE CITIZENS.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. DID.

DID I HEAR THE LAWANNA CHAMBERS? LAWSON HAS LEFT LAWANNA.

CHAMBERS. LAWSON.

ONCE, TWICE.

ALL RIGHT. LET ME HAVE THERESA IBANEZ AND THEN MR. RENO. BE READY TO GO.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAKAI AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS TERESA EVANS.

I LIVE IN THE MISSION SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AREA.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE SAM MINISTRIES PROJECT, THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS.

PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

I CHAIRED A TIER ONE NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION'S HOMELESS ISSUES COMMITTEE FROM 2021 TO 2023.

THE COMMITTEE USED MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO IDENTIFY PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS ON THE ISSUE OF HOMELESS, UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS, AND WE LOOKED AT WHAT CITY AND COUNTY RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE FOR MY NEIGHBORS AND UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS. ONE OF THE PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS THAT WE NURTURED WAS BUILDING COMMUNICATION LINES BETWEEN OUR SAFE OFFICERS, HOMELESS OUTREACH SPECIALISTS, NATIONAL PARK POLICE AND THE BEXAR COUNTY POLICE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH SINCE IT DID NOT HELP SOLVE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

THE COMMITTEE READ ARTICLES AND LOOKED AT DATA ABOUT WHAT OTHER CITIES WERE IMPLEMENTING TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS, UNSHELTERED PEOPLE. THE NUMBER ONE SOLUTION THAT WE FOUND.

WAS UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS IS IMPLEMENTING BOTH.

SAM MINISTRIES HAS A HISTORY OF SUPPORTING THE HOMELESS AND SHELTERED PEOPLE WITH SERVICES LIKE CLOTHING, FOOD AND

[02:05:03]

THIS PROJECT WILL HOUSE THE UNSHELTERED AND HAVE ON CAMPUS SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND GUIDANCE SO THAT THEY MAY SUCCEED.

IT IS NOT A PROJECT LIKE HAVEN FOR HOPE.

I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AS ONE STRONG SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, AND TO MEET THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S AND BEXAR COUNTY'S GOALS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING PROBLEM THAT IS IN OUR CITY.

THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, MR. REINA, COME FORWARD. BUT AS YOU PREPARE, IS THERE ANYBODY THAT SIGNED UP FOR THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM THAT I DID NOT CALL THEIR NAME? IS THERE ANYBODY HERE? ALL RIGHT, LET ME ALLOW MISS SERENA TO MAKE THE STAFF PRESENTATION, AND THEN I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE COURT FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

MR. REINA, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS ROBERT REINA WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

CAN YOU SPEAK UP A LITTLE LOUDER? AND THIS MORNING, I PLAN TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF A PROPOSED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CALLED THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS.

ON AUGUST 9TH, 2022, BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT UNANIMOUSLY ALLOCATED $20 MILLION IN CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF A POWERPOINT. YES, SIR.

WE DO HAVE A POWERPOINT.

WHERE'S WHERE IS IT? THERE WE GO. SO AGAIN ON AUGUST 9TH.

THIS IS NOT THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, NOT THE POWERPOINT.

LET'S SEE. I'LL GO ON AND WE'LL GET CAUGHT UP.

SO ON AUGUST 9TH, 2022, BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ALLOCATED $20 MILLION IN CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES. TO DATE, 16 MILLION HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO AFFORDABLE, SINGLE FAMILY, MULTIFAMILY AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS.

THE REMAINING 3.9 MILLION HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING INITIATIVE.

NOW LET'S EXAMINE THE DATA ON HOMELESSNESS IN OUR SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO THIS ESCALATING CHALLENGE.

ACCORDING TO THE 2023 POINT IN TIME COUNT, APPROXIMATELY 3155 PEOPLE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS IN BEXAR COUNTY, WHICH REPRESENTS A 5.3% INCREASE FROM 2022.

MOREOVER, ALMOST 75% OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS HAVE A CO-OCCURRING DISABILITY, SUCH AS A PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY OR A MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

TRAGICALLY, IN 2023, OVER 322 LIVES WERE LOST WHILE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, NEARLY DOUBLING THE NUMBER RECORDED REPORTED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND UNDERSCORING A PRESSING CONCERN FOR BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

WITH RESPECT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BEXAR COUNTY HAS STRATEGICALLY INVESTED ITS FEDERAL RESOURCES INTO A RANGE OF HOUSING OPTIONS TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS WITH A DISABLING CONDITION, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING EMERGES AS THE ONLY VIABLE EVIDENCE BASED OPTION. SO COLLABORATION IS ESSENTIAL TO ADDRESSING THE COMPLEX ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN BEXAR COUNTY.

WITH THAT IN MIND, BEXAR COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COLLABORATED ON A JOINT RFP FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS THAT ALLOWED US TO COORDINATE OUR EFFORTS, LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES, AND MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF OUR INVESTMENTS.

WITH RESPECT TO THE RFP, ALL APPLICATIONS WERE REVIEWED BY A SCORING PANEL COMPRISED OF CITY AND COUNTY STAFF, ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM CLOSE TO HOME VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S CITIZEN BOND COMMITTEE, AND AN INDIVIDUAL WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH HOMELESSNESS.

BASED ON THIS EVALUATION, THE COMMON SET OF TRAILS WAS RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING.

THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS IS A 200 UNIT, APARTMENT STYLE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AIMED TO ASSIST PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS WITH A CO-OCCURRING DISABILITY.

THE PROJECT IS ADJACENT TO THE SAN ANTONIO STATE HOSPITAL CAMPUS IN PRECINCT FOUR.

IT'S A TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT LOCATED LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM MAJOR BUS ROUTES AND COMMERCIAL CENTERS.

[02:10:02]

THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION IS $11 MILLION, AND THE REQUESTED COUNTY ALLOCATION IS $3.91 MILLION.

THE SUCCESS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS OFTENTIMES HINGES ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT, WHICH PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN REDUCING STIGMAS AROUND HOMELESSNESS AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF INCLUSIVITY FOR RESIDENTS.

THAT SAID, THE COMMONS AT ACEQUIA TRAILS FACED RESISTANCE UPON ITS ANNOUNCEMENT, WITH SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPRESSING CONCERNS OVER POTENTIAL IMPACTS.

THIS RESISTANCE HIGHLIGHTS THE DIFFICULTIES OF INTEGRATING NEW DEVELOPMENTS INTO ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS AND EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

SO AT THE DIRECTION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WAS TASKED WITH CONDUCTING A FURTHER EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT, A PROCESS WHICH INVOLVED ACTIVELY SEEKING INPUT FROM RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS WERE HELD ON JANUARY 13TH, 23RD, AND 30TH AT THE MISSION LIBRARY.

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 95 ATTENDEES IN TOTAL.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM BEXAR COUNTY, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, SAM MINISTRIES, AND THE BROOKS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WAS ON HAND TO EXPLAIN THE PROJECT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS.

BASED ON PUBLIC INPUT.

RESIDENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF THE INITIAL OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.

IN RESPONSE, THE CITY, COUNTY, AND SAM MINISTRIES COORDINATED MEETINGS AND FACILITATED NUMEROUS TOURS OF OTHER PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS.

THESE INITIATIVES UNDERSCORE A DEDICATED EFFORT TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENSURE RESIDENTS HAD SUFFICIENT OPPORTUNITIES TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS AND OR SEEK CLARIFICATION. OTHER RESIDENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING INCREASED TRAFFIC.

IN RESPONSE, SAM MINISTRIES EXPLAINED THAT RESIDENTS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HAVE A LOW CAR OWNERSHIP RATE OF APPROXIMATELY 25%.

MOREOVER, THE SITE'S CLOSE PROXIMITY TO PUBLIC TRANSIT FURTHER REDUCES RELIANCE ON PERSONAL VEHICLES.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT RESIDENT SCREENING PROTOCOLS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE SAM MINISTRIES REQUIRES ALL RESIDENTS TO UNDERGO A BACKGROUND CHECK AND SIGN A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH STANDARD VIOLATION AND EVICTION PROTOCOLS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ON SITE SECURITY GUARD TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS.

LASTLY, THE COMMUNITY EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT BEYOND THE PROJECT'S INITIAL PHASE.

IN RESPONSE, SAND MINISTRIES MODIFIED ITS ZONING APPLICATION, WHICH WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 7TH TO LIMIT REZONING TO PARCELS ONE, TWO AND THREE, COLLECTIVELY COVERING 12 OF THE PROPERTY'S 55 TOTAL ACRES.

THIS SIGNIFIES A SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSION, WHICH REFLECTS THE AGENCY'S RESPONSIVENESS TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS REGARDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER CALVERT AND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO KEEPING THE COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY THE HOTWELLS NEIGHBORHOOD, INFORMED ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT.

THEIR COMMITMENT TO BALANCING THE NEEDS OF THE PROJECT WITH THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

THE COUNTY ACKNOWLEDGES THE VALIDITY OF RESIDENT CONCERNS WHICH WERE FACTORED INTO THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION.

STAFF RECOMMENDS THE ALLOCATION OF 3.91 MILLION IN CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS TO SAM INDUSTRIES FOR THE COMMONS AT A SECURE TRAILS AND AUTHORIZATION FOR OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL TO DRAFT AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AGENCY TO BE EXECUTED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE.

THIS RECOMMENDATION COMPLEMENTS OTHER COUNTY INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING THE STREET OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM, AND IT ALSO ALIGNS WITH THE COUNTY'S HOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK DEVELOPED BY LISC SAN ANTONIO.

MY DEPARTMENT'S FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN CLOSE TO HOME STRATEGIC PLAN TO RESPOND TO HOMELESSNESS, AND THE CITY'S STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 1000 UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING BY 2032.

AT THIS TIME, I'M HAPPY TO FIELD ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT JUDGE.

THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO HAS COME TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.

I WANT TO ASK NAKISHA IF I COULD ASK YOU A QUESTION HERE AT THE DAIS.

I'M GOING TO GIVE SOME HISTORY IN A SECOND.

SO I DIDN'T ASK THAT THIS THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BE PUT ON THIS AGENDA.

I WAS WAITING FOR BROOKS TO MEET WITH THE RESIDENTS AS THEY ASKED, AND WE'RE CLOSE TO IT.

CAN YOU TELL ME, IS THERE A REASON WHY IT HAD TO BE HERE ON THIS MARCH 12TH DATE? SO I CANNOT SPEAK TO I DON'T FORMULATE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S AGENDA, BUT THE TIMING OF THIS INVESTMENT IS IMPACTFUL FOR OUR ABILITY

[02:15:06]

AND THE MORE WE DELAY THIS, THIS INVESTMENT AND THIS PROJECT, THE LESS LIKELY WE ARE ABLE TO CONVERT THIS DEVELOPMENT INTO THE IMPACT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.

I DO UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT.

AND I AND I WANT YOU TO I HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION AND I WANT AND I WANT TO GET INTO THAT BECAUSE IT'S RELEVANT.

SO BASED UPON THE, THE STATE, YOU SAID THE STATE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT THAT IS ONLY POTENTIALLY GERMANE REASON BECAUSE THE CITY'S INVESTMENT IS IS THERE THROUGH THE PERIOD OF THE BOND, ALBEIT WE'RE GETTING LATE IN THE GAME.

BUT THAT'S SO TO BE CLEAR, WE HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THAT ENSURES THAT WE WILL BREAK GROUND BY NOVEMBER 30TH OF THIS YEAR.

UNDERSTOOD. I DON'T THINK THERE'LL BE ANY, YOU KNOW, ISSUE IF THE RESIDENTS ARE TALK TO ME A LITTLE ABOUT THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT ISSUE.

IS THERE A REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A 4% TAX CREDIT? ARE YOU SAYING THAT THERE THEY PUT A REQUIREMENT IN THE MONTH OF MARCH THAT YOU HAVE DOLLARS? NO, THEY HAVE NOT PUT A REQUIREMENT IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.

WE HAVE SUBMITTED OUR APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD FOR A PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND RESERVATION.

AT SUCH TIME AS WE RECEIVE THAT RESERVATION, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUBMIT OUR PROJECT WITH FULL CAPITAL STACK.

AND THAT PROJECT IS FLUID.

I'M SORRY THAT RESERVATION IS FLUID AND FLEXIBLE.

UNDERSTOOD. THAT RESERVATION COULD COME NEXT MONTH.

IT COULD COME IN THREE MONTHS.

BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FULL CAPITAL STACK IDENTIFIED AND AVAILABLE TO DRAW FROM, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP.

LET ME LET ME GET CLARITY THERE, MISS BAKER.

IS I NEED TO KNOW, IS THERE A TIME DEADLINE IN ORDER FOR THE COUNTY, THE CITY, THE TAX CREDITS TO GET THIS THING DONE? SO THAT'S A COMPLEX.

THERE'S A COMPLEX ANSWER TO THAT, JUDGE SAKAI.

THERE ARE A NUMBER I NEED, I NEED, I NEED CLEAR ANSWERS.

IS THERE SOMEBODY HERE? WHO? YOU. HI, JESSICA.

HI. THIS IS IAN BENAVIDES.

I'M THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR WITH THE CITY'S NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THERE IS A TIME CERTAIN, AS COMMISSIONER CALVERT AND ACACIA BAKER WERE ABLE TO KIND OF TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT, SPECIFICALLY THE 4%.

THOSE ARE NONCOMPETITIVE.

BUT YOU DO HAVE TO APPLY.

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR BOND RESERVATION, AND YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR FINANCING SECURE IN ORDER TO MEET YOUR DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE.

IN THE CASE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, THERE IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND SAN MINISTRIES TO BREAK GROUND WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME FRAME IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO MEET THAT TIME FRAME, WHICH THOSE BOND RESERVATIONS COULD COME AS EARLY AS THE END OF THE MONTH, THEY NEED TO HAVE ALL OF THAT FINANCING SECURE, SO THAT NEEDS TO BE SO BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE THEIR WHOLE CAPITAL STACK ALLOCATED, WHICH MEANS ALL FUNDING SECURED.

SO THERE ARE DEADLINES.

THERE ARE DEADLINES. NOW IT IS NONCOMPETITIVE.

SO THAT DOES MEAN THAT THEY COULD REAPPLY.

BUT THAT WOULD MEAN THAT THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR CITY FINANCING.

SO THEN THE DEAL WOULD NOT BE VIABLE.

THEY WOULD ALSO POTENTIALLY LOSE OUT ON OTHER PRICING THAT IS SET.

EACH TIME THAT YOU GO TO DO A PROJECT, YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR PRICING FINALIZED FOR CONSTRUCTION, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ALL OF THOSE TIMELINES.

EVERYTHING IS COMING TOGETHER WITH THE TIMELINE THAT WAS ALREADY AGREED UPON WITH THE CITY, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE COUNTY FUNDING TO BE APPROVED THIS MONTH.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY. THANK YOU.

YOU MAY BE SEATED. LET ME LET ME JUST.

AND I'M JUST DOUBLE CHECKING SOME OF THE THE DEADLINES.

I'LL ASK MY STAFF JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK.

CAN YOU DOUBLE CHECK THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING? 4% TAX CREDIT DEADLINE.

I RECEIVE WHAT HAS BEEN SAID, BUT I WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK BECAUSE IT WASN'T GIVEN TO ME BEFORE I GOT TO COURT.

LET ME JUST KIND OF TALK THROUGH A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY.

THIS IS WHERE LEADERSHIP REALLY MATTERS.

ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC MATTERS.

AS I SAID A MOMENT AGO, I DID NOT PLAN TO PUT THIS ON THE MARCH 12TH AGENDA.

I WAS TRYING TO GIVE THE RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THE DIALOG WITH BROOKS.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE SAM SHELTER.

IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS WHERE LEADERSHIP FAILED BECAUSE WE HAD SOME NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, THREE NEIGHBORHOOD PRESIDENTS LISTS THAT WERE ON AND NOTIFIED. AND THEN WE HAD ABOUT HALF THAT WERE NOT.

IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE HALF THAT WERE NOT WERE THE NEIGHBORHOODS CLOSEST TO THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT.

SO I HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT THAT ANY TIME THE COUNTY DOES A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN MY PRECINCT, IT MUST HAVE THE SUPPORT

[02:20:08]

I'LL GET TO YOU IN A SECOND.

IAN. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT IS FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN ORDER FOR US TO CONTINUE TO GET FUNDS PASSED IN FUTURE CITY BONDS, WE HAVE TO TREAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS RIGHT, BECAUSE THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ARE THE HEAVY LIFTERS FOR OUR CITY BONDS PASSING.

I CREATED THE CITY HOUSING BOND IN 2017 WITH MAYOR IVY TAYLOR, LEILA POWELL AND CITY MANAGER MICHELLE SCULLY.

IT PUT IN PLACE $22 MILLION.

12 HOUSING PROJECTS WERE DONE AROUND THE CITY.

I, I WAS THE ONLY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO CAMPAIGNED FOR THE HOUSING BOND IN 2017.

AT THAT TIME, THE MAYOR WAS PRETTY CONSERVATIVE AND NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

I ACTUALLY TRAVELED IN COMMISSIONER MOODY'S PRECINCT.

I TOLD COMMISSIONER WOLFF AT THE TIME.

I SAID, I'M COMING INTO YOUR DISTRICT NINE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE TO CAMPAIGN ON THE HOUSING BOND.

DON'T MIND ME. I'M JUST GOING TO MEET WITH COLONEL DOWNEY, MY FRIEND ART DOWNEY, WHO'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT NINE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE, WHO I SERVED ON THE REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY BOARD. AND COLONEL DOWNEY ALLOWED ME TO COME.

AND I TRAVELED ACROSS THE CITY IN THIS COUNTY AS THE FIRST ELECTED OFFICIAL TO TALK ABOUT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

AND SO AT THAT TIME, WHAT I TOLD THE NEIGHBORHOODS IS THE THE BOND THAT IVY TAYLOR HAS IS NOT PERFECT.

IT'S NOT ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE I WOULD LIKE IT.

BUT LET'S WORK IN FIVE YEARS TO CHANGE IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID WITH MAYOR NIRENBERG.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE HAD THE FIRST PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING MONIES IN THE CITY BOND.

NOW, THOSE POLICIES WERE DEVELOPED AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AT 10 A.M.

WE HAD 80 CITIZENS FROM NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, ENGINEERING COMPANIES, BANKERS, REAL ESTATE.

WE HAD THE WHOLE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THOSE PLANS THAT THE CITY WOULD ADOPT.

AND THAT LED TO THIS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

IT WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE THINGS PASSED, YOU DON'T WANT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS TO SAY THAT YOU KNOW, THEY RAN OVER US AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AGAIN.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS REALLY CRITICAL IS TO STOP STAKEHOLDER ABUSE.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WE DON'T NEED TO COME TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AT THE LAST MINUTE AND EXPECT A RUBBER STAMP.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE TALKED ABOUT AND WORK THROUGH.

SO THE THE DILIGENCE THAT I HAVE DONE, I WILL SAY I AM IN FAVOR OF SAM SHELTER.

AND THIS PROJECT, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I WENT THROUGH IN GREAT DETAIL THEIR PROTOCOLS, THEIR CHECKS AND BALANCES.

AND I HAVE SEEN IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HAS MAINTAINED ITS INTEGRITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS NEXT TO MARKET RATE HOUSING.

BUT WHAT CONCERNED THE COMMUNITY IS THAT YOU HAD A PLAN FOR 55 ACRES OF DEVELOPMENT, AND I GUESS WHATEVER POWERS THAT BE HAD DECIDED THAT, YOU KNOW, SINCE COMMISSIONER CALVERT WAS SO MUCH IN FAVOR OF.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. WE'LL JUST PUT ALL 55 ACRES OF IT IN HIS PRECINCT.

WELL, THAT WAS THE INITIAL THOUGHT.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES WHEN WE VISIT SOME OF THE VERY LARGEST PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NATION, WHICH I HAVE.

THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT WHEN YOU PUT TWO MORE THAN 250 UNITS THE CARETAKERS WILL TELL YOU IT'S JUST TOO BIG.

AND SO I WAS GLAD THAT WE REDUCED THE ZONING DOWN TO 12 ACRES.

BUT 12 ACRES IS REALLY MORE THAN YOU NEED FOR 200 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING LOCATIONS.

SO WE'VE ASKED FOR A MASTER PLAN, AND IT HAS BEEN TOLD TO US ON THE RECORD THAT IT WILL JUST BE THOSE 200 UNITS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THOSE OF US WHO KNOW LAND PLANNING KNOW THAT YOU CAN PUT MORE THAN 200 THERE.

SO WE HAVE TO TAKE YOU AT YOUR WORD.

NOW, COMING INTO THIS, I HAD TOLD AND BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT WITH BROOKS, THAT WHAT I REQUIRE IN ORDER TO HAVE MY SUPPORT IS THAT AT LEAST ONE THIRD OF THE REMAINING ACREAGE HAVE MARKET RATE HOUSING.

BRADY ALEXANDER IS RIGHT.

[02:25:02]

HOUSING SECRETARY HENRY CISNEROS CREATED THE BEST PRACTICE FOR THE COUNTRY, A THIRD MARKET RATE, A THIRD SUBSIDIZED, AND A THIRD HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED, AS HE HAS MADE IT, THE MASTER PLAN FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THAT WAS DONE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WORKED WITH BROOKS TO CREATE A MASTER PLAN THAT TALKED ABOUT MIXED USE AND MARKET AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

SO YOU HAVE 24 ACRES, BASICALLY, I THINK, 20 SOME ODD ACRES OF FLOODPLAIN HERE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE REMAINING BALANCE OUTSIDE OF THE 12 ACRES THAT ARE HERE FOR POTENTIAL MARKET RATE.

SO TO THAT END, LEADERSHIP MATTERS.

AND I AM SORRY, LEO, TAKING OVER THIS PROJECT A LITTLE BIT.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS I WANT A COMMITMENT FOR ONE THIRD MARKET RATE.

AND WE'VE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY BEFORE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.

IS THIS THE BROOKS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS COMMITTED TO A MARKET RATE SUMMIT FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING, AS WELL AS FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING, ON APRIL 25TH.

I BELIEVE I HAVE THE DATE, RIGHT.

WE HAD A WE HAD A DIFFERENT DATE SET, BUT WE I THINK YESTERDAY SETTLED ON APRIL 25TH.

SO I WANT TO ASK LEO GOMEZ, CAN YOU COME TO THE DAIS RIGHT NOW? BECAUSE MY VOTE, I WAS PREPARED TO ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE BECAUSE I DID NOT PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA.

I WAS PREPARED TO ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE.

BUT WHAT I NEED TO GET ON THE RECORD NOW IS WILL BROOKS WORK WITH ME TO GET A THIRD OF THE REMAINING PROPERTY MARKET RATE AND HOST A DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT AT BROOKS? COMMISSIONER, WE MET LAST WEEK AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MET.

I SHARED WITH YOU THEN THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO MEETING THE GOALS OF THE SAN ANTONIO TOMORROW PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR MIXED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE 55 ACRES, INCLUDING RETAIL.

AND I CAN ASSURE YOU, AND I HAVE ALREADY ASSURED YOU IN WRITING, THAT WE WOULD NOT PROCEED WITH 100% FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ON THAT 55 ACRES.

COMMISSIONER, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKE INCOME HOUSING.

THE REASON WE ARE SUPPORTING THE TRANSFER OF THIS PROPERTY TO SAM MINISTRIES IS BECAUSE THEY'VE COMMITTED TO A METHODOLOGY OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT IS WITHIN A MIXED INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE AT BROOKS, CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU'VE HEARD HERE THIS MORNING, HAVE COMMITTED TO AN INDEPENDENT SENIOR AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT OF 200 OR SO UNITS, LITERALLY ON THE BROOKS CAMPUS.

WE'VE COMMITTED TO A MULTI-FAMILY, AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY OF ABOUT 300 UNITS, LITERALLY ON THE BROOKS CAMPUS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST.

SO WE'RE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AS WELL.

ON THE MAIN CAMPUS, THE 55 ACRES, THERE'S STILL 20 TO 25 ACRES THAT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT.

WE DID UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S APPROVAL OR SUPPORT AT ZONING FOR THE REST OF THAT PROPERTY.

SO WE MODIFIED OUR REQUEST AND IT ONLY APPLIED TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY HERE FOR SAM MINISTRIES, THE BALANCE OF THAT PROPERTY IS NOT MASTER PLANNED.

THERE IS A COMMITMENT FROM THE SAN ANTONIO TOMORROW PLAN TO GENERALLY DEVELOP IT IN A WAY THAT INCLUDES MIXED INCOME HOUSING AND.

IN RETAIL AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO.

AND LET ME TELL YOU, THE BETTER THE MIX, THE BETTER IT'S GOING TO BE.

I CANNOT COMMIT TO AN ARBITRARY NUMBER OF 33%.

IT MAY BE 50%, IT MAY BE 32%.

BUT OUR COMMITMENT IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A HEALTHY, VIBRANT, MIXED USE COMMUNITY THAT HELPS CREATE PROSPERITY IN THIS CORNER OF SAN ANTONIO.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES FOR THE BROOKS REGIONAL CENTER, WHICH IS THE TARGET AREA OF THE SAN ANTONIO TOMORROW PLAN. IN THIS RESPECT, POVERTY RATES HAVE GONE DOWN BY 7%.

HOUSEHOLD INCOMES HAVE GONE UP BY 24%.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES HAVE GONE UP BY 8%.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD SAY OUR RECORD STANDS.

AND IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE PRACTICED LEADERSHIP.

COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.

ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.

WE SPEAK ABOUT OUR PLANS AT OUR TOWN HALL MEETINGS, AND WE INVITE ALL OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.

[02:30:04]

WE PROVIDE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, WE BELIEVE SAM MINISTRIES IS A SOLID ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A VISION FOR DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING THEIR CLIENTS IN A MIXED USE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE ODDS OF BEING ABLE TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THEIR LIVES.

WE'RE HERE AND I'M HERE.

THE BROOKS BOARD IS SUPPORTING SAM MINISTRIES IN ITS IN ITS EFFORT, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PROUD TO DEVELOP THESE 55 ACRES.

AND IN A WAY THAT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THEN THE SAN ANTONIO OR TOMORROW PLANS, BROOKS REGIONAL CENTER IN PARTICULAR.

SO THANK YOU, LEO, I JUST WANT TO SAY WE DID HAVE A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION.

AND, YOU KNOW, MY WORD IS VERY IMPORTANT AND SO IS MINE.

COMMISSIONER. YEAH I UNDERSTAND.

AND SO I LEFT THAT MEETING FEELING THAT WE HAD AN AGREEMENT FOR THE ONE THIRD COMMISSIONER.

I WAS VERY CLEAR AND SAID I COULD NOT SUPPORT ONE THIRD.

OKAY. WELL I WAS VERY CLEAR.

WHAT WHAT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS CONTINUE TO WORK WITH BROOKS ON THE MARKET RATE SUMMIT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE WE'VE DONE IN THE EAST CENTRAL AREA TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY WIDE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE AREA.

IT'S GOT A LOT OF GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND SO IT'S IT REALLY IS AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THE MARKET WILL PAN OUT IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW, THE INTERESTED ENTITIES.

SO I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT YOU ALL IN A, A TIGHT SPOT, BUT WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU FOR AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL THAT PROVIDES SOME SORT OF BENCHMARK FOR THE COMMUNITY TO LOOK AT.

IS, IS THERE IS THERE A IS THERE A THOUGHT IN YOUR EXPERIENCE HAVING SURVEYED THE MARKET ABOUT WHAT MAY BE REALISTIC FOR MARKET RATE WITH THE REMAINING ACREAGE THAT WE HAVE? WELL, I'M, I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE ALREADY SHOWN CAN BE DONE IN TERMS OF MARKET RATE, NOT ONLY AT BROOKS, BUT IN THE AREA AROUND IT.

THERE'S SIGNIFICANT MARKET RATE HOUSING COMING TO THIS CORNER OF SAN ANTONIO.

I CAN RATTLE OFF A NUMBER OF DEVELOPERS THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING ON PROJECTS TO DO.

SO. THOSE ARE COMING.

AND I, YOU KNOW, SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO SHOULD BE PROUD AND IS PROUD OF THAT.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT MORE MARKET RATE.

DOING THE RIGHT MIX IS WHAT MATTERS.

AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE IT'S THE RIGHT MIX.

AND SO WE WILL DO THAT NOT ONLY WITH THE BALANCE OF THIS ACREAGE, BUT WITH THE BALANCE OF OUR CAMPUS AND THE PROPERTY THAT WE INFLUENCE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.

IS THE RIGHT MIX BASED UPON SOME DATA, ECONOMIC DATA, OR IS IT BASED UPON SOMETHING ELSE? WELL, IT'S BASED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE DATA.

SO IT DOES INCLUDE AND SHOULD INCLUDE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS IMMEDIATELY AROUND IT.

IT SHOULD. AND THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO, WHICH IS WHY WE WITHDREW OR MODIFIED OUR ZONING APPLICATION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE PROPERTY.

NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE ON THE BALANCE OF THAT PROPERTY WITHOUT SUBMITTING AGAIN THROUGH ZONING WITH AN ACTUAL PLAN, AND THAT'S WHERE WE WILL DO IN THE FUTURE.

I WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH A ZONING REQUEST FOR THAT BALANCE WITHOUT HAVING AN ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE BOARD THAT IS COMMITTED TO DOING SOMETHING WITH THAT PROPERTY AND SEEKING THE ZONING.

OKAY, SO YESTERDAY WE GOT BACK FROM YOUR OFFICE THAT YOU COULDN'T DO A PARTICULAR DATE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THE THE DATE CORRECT.

BUT WE CAN DO A DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT TOGETHER THERE AT BROOKS.

I THINK IT WAS A 20, 25TH OF APRIL.

AND YOU'RE STILL GOOD WITH THAT? COMMISSIONER, TODAY IS THE FIRST I HEAR OF IT.

IF MY OFFICE HEARD ABOUT IT YESTERDAY, IT'S NOT BEEN CONVEYED TO ME YET.

I WILL SAY THIS.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO WORK WITH YOU OR ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT OR ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL ON ANY INITIATIVE.

I CAN'T RESPOND TO THAT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS.

BUT COMMISSIONER, I'M AS WILLING TO WORK WITH THAT AS I WAS TO MEET WITH YOU WHEN YOU CALLED TO MEET.

YEAH. THAT'S THAT'S HOW WE WORK.

OKAY. I'M FEELING A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T THINK THE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT WAS REALLY A POINT OF NEBULOUSNESS.

YOU KNOW, LOOK I THINK COURT THAT THE DEADLINE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD TODAY IS, IS BASICALLY THE END OF MARCH.

WE HAVE ONE MORE MEETING.

THE RESIDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN REFLEXIVELY AGAINST THIS.

THEY JUST HAVE A FEW MORE THINGS THEY'D LIKE TO HAVE DISCUSSED.

[02:35:02]

BECAUSE IF WE WAIT 30.

DAYS. I WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE 30 DAYS IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING TAX CREDIT, BUT BRING THIS BACK BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING SO THAT THE BROOKS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CAN MEET AGAIN WITH THE RESIDENTS AND UNDERSTAND I, I HAVE GONE THROUGH A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLIST WITH SAM MINISTRIES, AND I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT.

THE CONCERN IS KIND OF THE NEXT PHASE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO MASTER PLAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE BROOKS AUTHORITY AND THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, AS WE DO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, THAT WE HAVE NOT A WHISPER CAMPAIGN AMONGST THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS THAT IF WE VOTE FOR THAT IN THE BOND, THEY'LL JUST RUN RIGHT OVER US.

AND YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS IS GOING, I'VE WORKED TOO HARD.

I WAS THE ONLY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO REALLY WORKED TO GET THAT THAT PASS.

SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO OFFER A MOTION TO BRING THIS BACK IN THE MARCH, THE NEXT MARCH MEETING AND WORK TO HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT.

SO I MOVED TO MOVE THIS TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

IS THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A SECOND? MOTION FAILS.

WE'LL CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.

I'D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.

ROBERT. IAN! COME BACK. I THINK THE COUNTY OWES THE RESIDENTS CLARITY.

THAT'S. I'LL BE.

I'LL BE REAL BLUNT.

I WAS ADVISED THAT WE HAVE A TIME DEADLINE.

DO WE OR DO WE NOT HAVE TIME DEADLINES IN ORDER TO GET THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT OF ALL THE LEVERAGE? WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.

AND I CAN'T COMMIT MONEY IF I KNOW THAT WE MISSED A DEADLINE, BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS.

SO I WANT CLARITY.

DO WE HAVE A TIME DEADLINE OR AS COMMISSIONER KHOURY SAYS, ARE WE ABLE TO BRING THIS THING BACK IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE DISCUSSION POINTS TODAY? AND THEN I'VE GOT TO MAKE I WANT TO PUT SOME COMMENTS ON THE RECORD AS TO WHAT I BELIEVE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WILL HAVE TO THIS BODY WILL HAVE TO MAKE.

SO WHO WANTS TO ANSWER MY CALL? I WANT CLARITY, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE SITUATION AS FAR AS TIMELINE BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS TIME ISSUE CREATES MISUNDERSTANDING. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS OF THE CITIZENS SAYING THIS THING IS BEING RUSHED, IT'S BEING PUT THROUGH.

SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY IAN DEAL WITH THE DEADLINE AND THEN MR. REINA, GO BACK AND MAKE IT REAL CLEAR.

AND ESPECIALLY WITH THAT POWERPOINT NOT UP AT WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING.

LET US BE CLEAR AS TO WHAT EFFORTS THAT COUNTY MADE.

CITY MIGHT HAVE MADE A PROCESS THAT PERHAPS.

PEOPLE HAVE ISSUE WITH.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE COUNTY DID AND WHAT THEY DID TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE INVOLVED AND ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.

ROBERT. YOU'RE NEXT.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

SO YES, FOR THE TIMELINE BASED OFF OF THE MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES THAT ARE GOING INTO THIS PROJECT, THERE IS A DEADLINE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE CITY'S BOND COMMITMENT THAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED.

IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MEET THAT TIMELINE, THEY NEED TO HAVE ALL OF THEIR FUNDING SECURED, INCLUDING THE COUNTY FUNDING, BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

BECAUSE THAT MONTH, THIS MONTH, BECAUSE THAT BOND RESERVATION COULD COME THAT EARLY.

DOES THAT MEAN EXECUTED CONTRACTS? THAT MEANS AT LEAST APPROVAL OF COMMISSIONERS COURT HAVING THAT APPROVED IDEALLY IT WOULD BE EXECUTED.

THEY MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME FOR UNDERWRITING AT THE STATE, BUT NOT MUCH.

SO AT LEAST APPROVAL SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD SHOW TDCA THAT THE FUNDING IS APPROVED.

THEY'RE JUST EXECUTING THE CONTRACTS.

SO ARE THOSE CONTRACTS I WOULD PRESUME THOSE CONTRACTS AREN'T DRAFTED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN NO AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.

SO WE GOT TO GIVE THE LAWYERS TIME IN ORDER TO GET THE CONTRACTS AND NEGOTIATED BETWEEN WHAT CITY, COUNTY AND WHO ELSE COULD BE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND IT WOULD BE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND SAM MINISTRIES AND SAM MINISTRIES, AND THOSE ARE GOING TO BE NEGOTIATED.

RIGHT? THEY ARE SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATION.

YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT, THEN, WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT MATTER BROUGHT BACK TO THE COURT FOR FORMAL APPROVAL.

CORRECT. THAT IS CORRECT.

ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON THE.

WHEN'S THE NEXT MEETING? 26. 26.

BUT JUDGE, HE JUST SAID YOU HAVE TO HOLD ON.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT, I GOT THE FLOOR.

WELL, I WANT STAFF TO BE VERY CLEAR AS TO WHAT THE TIMELINE IS.

[02:40:04]

AND IN ORDER TO GET THIS DONE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE FUNDS WOULD HAVE TO BE COMMITTED TODAY OR AUTHORIZATION TO DRAFT AN AGREEMENT WITH BOND COUNSEL TO BE EXECUTED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE. THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM HAVING TO COME BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION PUT THAT BACK UP ON THE PUT THE POWERPOINT, PUT YOUR POWERPOINT BACK ON, GO TO THE RECOMMENDED MOTION, BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY HAD ONE MOTION. AND I WANT CLARITY OF WHAT MOTION.

AND I WILL AT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION.

SO. YOU'RE ASKING THE COURT FOR APPROVAL FOR THIS SUM OF MONEY FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE THAT IN ORDER FOR ME TO SIGN OFF WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION OF THE COURT.

THAT IS CORRECT, JUDGE.

ALL RIGHT. AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT HAS TO BE DONE BY THE END OF THE MONTH, WHICH MEANS AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE IF WE PASS THIS MOTION ON THE 26TH.

WE'D HAVE HOW MANY DAYS IN ORDER TO GET A CONTRACT BRIEFED, NEGOTIATED AND EXECUTED? HOW MANY DAYS ARE IN MARCH? OF. THERE'S 31 DAYS.

HOW MANY? 31.

KNOW HOW MANY DAYS BETWEEN THE MEETING AND THE END OF MONTH? WHEN IS I THINK IT'S MAYBE 5 OR 6 DAYS.

CAN YOU HAVE, WELL, FIVE DAYS BE ADEQUATE ENOUGH FOR YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT, GET IT DONE.

4 MILLION BUCK CONTRACT AND BRING ME FOR READY TO SIGN.

NO, SIR. KNOWING AS A LAWYER, I'M GOING TO WANT TO READ IT.

AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT Y'ALL AGREED TO.

NO, SIR. IS THAT GOING TO BE ARE YOU GOING TO ENOUGH TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME IN THAT TIME PERIOD? NO, SIR. ALL RIGHT.

HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COUNTY DID IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT OBVIOUSLY INVOLVE BROOKS AND THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BROOKS, WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND WITH THE COURT STAFF.

I PRESUME THAT WAS YOU AND THE CITY STAFF THAT WAS ALSO INVOLVED.

SO JUDGE FOR THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO DEFER TO ORTIZ MCKNIGHT AND ANISSA SNELL.

LET'S GO. I WANT THIS ON THE RECORD.

IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

I'M ANISSA CHELLE.

I'M A PROJECT MANAGER WITH ORTIZ MCKNIGHT.

FOR WHO? ORTIZ MCKNIGHT.

OKAY, SO CAN YOU ANSWER MY QUESTION? CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT EFFORTS WERE MADE IN REGARDS TO THE OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THERE I WHAT I'M HEARING THE RESIDENTS SAY THAT THEY WEREN'T GIVEN ENOUGH INFORMATION.

THERE WAS IT'S TOO RUSHED.

I'M TRYING TO WE GOT SO BASICALLY, AS I HEAR WE GOT WE GOT ONE SIDE SAYING ONE THING AND THE OTHER SIDE SAYING THE OTHER SO CLEARED UP.

SO THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO CLEAR IT UP.

FOR THE RECORD, WE REACHED OUT TO THE HOT WELLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER BEFORE WE FILED THE REZONING APPLICATION.

WE'VE SENT DOZENS OF EMAILS TO BRADY AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE MISSION SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AS WELL.

WE'VE MET WITH INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS.

WE'VE HELD FOUR PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT WERE WELL ATTENDED.

BETWEEN 20 AND 50 RESIDENTS WERE AT EACH MEETING.

AND WERE THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TODAY WERE CAN YOU VERIFY WHETHER THEY WERE THERE? THEY WERE THERE. WE HAVE PHOTOS OF THE MEETINGS, AS WELL AS SIGN IN SHEETS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE.

WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE EMAIL RECORDS.

WE WORKED WITH THE DISTRICT THREE COUNCIL OFFICE TO CONTACT BOTH ASSOCIATIONS, AND DISTRICT THREE STAFF WAS COPIED ON ALL OF THAT.

THERE WERE STAFF FROM THE COUNCIL OFFICE IN ATTENDANCE AT THOSE MEETINGS.

THERE WERE COMMISSIONER STAFF AT THOSE MEETINGS.

WE ALSO HELD TWO VIRTUAL MEETINGS WE HOST.

WE HAD THREE TOURS THAT WE DID OF OTHER PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SITES WHERE THESE SAME PEOPLE ALL INVOLVED, MANY OF THE SAME PEOPLE WERE ALL THERE.

WE HAD TEN LETTERS OF SUPPORT SUBMITTED AHEAD OF THE CITY COUNCIL HEARING FOR THE REZONING.

WE HAD SO ARE THOSE LETTERS INCLUDED FOR TODAY'S.

MEETING ARE THE LETTERS OF SUPPORT OR LETTERS OF OPPOSITION.

HAVE THEY BEEN INCLUDED FOR TODAY'S INCLUSION? WE CAN ADD THEM TO THE RECORD.

JUDGE. ALL RIGHT.

SO SO FOR THE RECORD, LET'S GET ALL LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND LETTERS OF OPPOSITION.

AND MR. REINA, IF YOU CAN KIND OF GO OVER THAT SO THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHO'S HAD A VOICE IN THIS PROCESS.

CONTINUE. AS TO YOU WHAT DUE DILIGENCE YOU DID IN ORDER THAT THE RESIDENTS GOT NOTICE.

SO WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE COUNCIL OFFICE AND NEIGHBORS TO NOTIFY PEOPLE OF THE MEETING.

THE MEETING? WE ANNOUNCED THE MEETING AT THE MISSION SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING ON JANUARY 9TH.

[02:45:05]

THERE WAS PLENTY OF NOTICE.

AND LIKE I SAID, ALL OF THOSE MEETINGS WERE WELL ATTENDED.

WE ALSO ORGANIZED SEVERAL TOURS.

WHEN WE HAD ZONING COMMISSION.

I SPOKE TO NEIGHBORS DIRECTLY.

I FOLLOWED UP WITH THEM VIA EMAIL AND AD ZONING COMMISSION.

ONLY ONE PERSON SPOKE IN OPPOSITION.

THERE WERE FOUR VOICE MAILS IN OPPOSITION.

AND THEN THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE THERE IN SUPPORT, INCLUDING RESIDENTS OF THE MISSION SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, YOU HAD A QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE.

SORRY, WE'RE HAVING SOME. SOME HAVE ISSUES, SO I LOOK LIKE I'M GOING TO PERFORM HERE.

CLARIFICATION MAY BE EITHER FOR IAN OR FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS THE BACKGROUND INFO ON.

I GUESS THERE WAS JUST NEED A CLARIFICATION ON THOSE THAT TESTIFIED AT CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE I HAD UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS SUPPORT. BUT I THINK SOMETHING SOMEONE MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS 88 FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AGAINST THAT.

CAN CAN EITHER ONE OF YOU CLARIFY THAT? BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR ON HOW THAT TESTIMONY PLAYED OUT.

AT THE CITY COUNCIL HEARING, ONLY MR. ALEXANDER SPOKE IN OPPOSITION.

AS WELL AS JACK FINGER, WHO COMES TO MANY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

WE ARE AWARE THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A PETITION, BUT IT IS NOT SOMETHING OUR OFFICE HAS SEEN.

EVERYONE ELSE WHO SPOKE THAT DAY WAS IN SUPPORT.

WE HAD TEN PEOPLE SIGNED UP.

AND MANY PEOPLE WHO CAME SIMILAR TO TODAY, WHO STOOD IN SUPPORT WHEN THE SPEAKER SPOKE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFICATION ON THAT, ROBERT.

GO AHEAD. ALL RIGHT.

ROBERT, COME BACK.

YES, SIR. SO FOR THE RECORD, AND IN YOUR PACKETS, THERE ARE I THINK SIX DIFFERENT LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND TWO LETTERS OF OPPOSITION.

THE LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT ARE FROM CLOSE TO HOME, AND IT'S SIGNED BY, I THINK, 21 DIFFERENT EXECUTIVES IN THE HOMELESS SYSTEM.

WE ALSO RECEIVED A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY OPPORTUNITY HOME.

THE BROOKS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AS WELL AS SOME RESIDENTS OF THE HOTWELLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

AND THEN THE LETTERS OF OPPOSITION WERE FROM MR. ALEXANDER AND ONE OTHER RESIDENT.

BUT THOSE ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKETS.

OKAY. COMMISSIONER CALVERT, YOU HAVE RAISED THE ISSUE THAT I THINK IS GERMANE FOR TODAY AND FOR ALL OF US ON THE DAIS. THAT'S ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

AND SO AS A COUNTY JUDGE, LET ME WEIGH IN.

I TYPICALLY AS PEOPLE WHO WATCH THE SHOW, SO TO SPEAK, I USUALLY WAIT TILL THE VERY END AND MAKE CLOSING COMMENTS.

USUALLY WE ALL HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE DAIS.

OBVIOUSLY, WE MAY NOT HAVE CONSENSUS ON THE DAIS TODAY, SO I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHERE I STAND AND HOW I CAME TO THAT DECISION. I THINK MOST OF YOU ALL KNOW THAT FOR 26 YEARS, I SAT AS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, HEARING CASES MUCH LIKE THIS, SWEARING MATCHES OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE VERY PASSIONATE, COMMITTED, SINCERE BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS TO COME TO COURT TO TELL ME THE TRUTH.

AND EVEN AFTER THAT, IT'S TWO SIDES OF A TWO SIDES OF THE FACTS THAT COME TO ME.

BUT I HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT THE FACTS ARE AND WHAT THE LAW.

SO TODAY I'M STILL UTILIZING THAT SAME SKILL SET.

WHAT HAVE I HEARD TODAY? THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'VE ASKED SOME VERY, PERHAPS TOUGH QUESTIONS TO STAFF AND THE PEOPLE THAT DID THIS, AND ALSO PATIENTLY LISTENED TO THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR ISSUES.

SO LET ME TELL YOU WHAT MY TAKEAWAY IS AT THIS TIME.

EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM IS IN CONSENSUS THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE HOMELESS ISSUE AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST.

NEED OF SUPPORT SERVICES.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY DISAGREES THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUCH AS THIS IS NECESSARY FOR US TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS. IN AND IN REGARDS TO THE COMMUNITY AND BRINGING SOME HISTORY.

AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT, YOU BRING HISTORY AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE DO.

OBVIOUSLY. NOBODY WANTS THIS KIND OF PROJECT IN THEIR BACKYARD.

AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S THERE'S A WORD FOR IT.

I'M NOT GOING THERE.

BUT WHAT I DO RESPECT IS, HEY, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, WE DID IT WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND WE HEARD EACH OTHER, AND THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT, AS A MATTER OF HISTORY, I REMEMBER THE CROSSROADS PROJECT, THE MAMMA MIA PROJECT WITH CROSSROADS ON THE EAST SIDE THAT HAD

[02:50:08]

AND YOU TOOK LEADERSHIP, AND THAT PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING.

AND IT IS A PROGRAM THAT PUTS MOTHER, MOTHERS AND CHILDREN'S BACK TOGETHER.

CORRECT. CASIMIR.

AND ALSO MAMMA MIA IS A SHOW.

YEAH, A MOVIE. ALSO TOO, I WASN'T I WAS INVOLVED IN THE BACKGROUND AS A DISTRICT JUDGE.

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.

WHEN CROSSROADS ASKED THAT THE CONVENT ON YUCCA BY THE SISTERS OF HOLY SPIRIT, MARY IMMACULATE.

VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED PUTTING A DRUG TREATMENT CENTER AT THAT PLACE.

AND THAT TOOK LEADERSHIP TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO PUT A DRUG TREATMENT THAT'S NEEDED FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

WE HAD TREMENDOUS.

I WAS HERE AS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE WHEN SAM SHELTER WANTED TO TAKE THE OBLATE CONVENT ON BLANCO AND OBLATE AND CONVERT IT TO THE EMERGENCY SHELTER, WHICH THEY HAVE DONE FOR DECADES.

AND THERE WAS TREMENDOUS PUSHBACK BY THE COMMUNITY THERE SAYING, DON'T PUT IT HERE, PLEASE.

BUT THE LEADERSHIP DID.

AND I HAVE TO APPLAUD THAT.

SAM MINISTRIES IN THAT PROGRAM HAS REALLY EXCELLED IN PROVIDING WRAPAROUND SERVICES, PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP, WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY COULD WORK TOGETHER.

AND WE JUST RECENTLY PASSED ANOTHER BIG.

REVENUE SUPPORT OF THE HUDSON APARTMENTS DOWN THE STREET, WHICH WOULD EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT IN THAT AREA, AND I BELIEVE WAS NO OPPOSITION, AS I RECALL.

AND THAT WAS YOUR PRECINCT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

AGAIN, LEADERSHIP TO PROTECT THE LEAST OF US.

AND SO IN REGARDS TODAY, I CERTAINLY HAVE HEARD THE ISSUES.

AND I THINK THE ISSUES ARE HAS THIS COUNTY, THE CITY HAS MADE ITS DECISION AS I ON IT FROM A ZONING PERSPECTIVE.

BUT TODAY, BECAUSE OF THE TIME CONCERNS, THE COUNTY HAS TO MAKE A DECISION.

SO THE DECISION IS TODAY NOT TO POSTPONE.

THE DECISION IS VOTED UP OR VOTED DOWN.

THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TODAY.

AND SO I WANT TO GO ON RECORD TODAY THAT I WILL SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL.

NOW, HAVING SAID THAT, I YIELD THE FLOOR TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND ASK IF THERE'S A MOTION, IF NOT A MOTION, TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AND THEN DECIDE HOW WE'RE GOING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS RESOLUTION AND I WANT RESOLUTION TODAY.

JUDGE, CAN I ASK QUESTIONS? YES, SIR. GREAT. THANK YOU.

ROBERT, THIS MAY BE PARTIALLY FOR YOU, BUT ALSO FOR NAKISHA AND THE SAM FOLKS AND JUDGE YOU, YOU REFERRED TO THIS? I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THAT WE COMMITTED A LITTLE OVER $4 MILLION TO THE HUDSON PROJECT IN MY PRECINCT.

AND I KNOW IT WAS A MIX OF ARPA AND SOME OTHER FUNDING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF US STRUGGLE WITH THIS BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE ISSUES WITH OUR HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS IN BEXAR COUNTY.

IT'S NOT JUST PRECINCT TWO.

IN THIS CASE, IT'S NOT JUST PRECINCT ONE AND THREE.

BUT. YOU KNOW, WE'RE ASKED ALL THE TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY, I GET I'M SURE WE ALL GET CALLS.

I GOT ONE LAST WEEK ABOUT SOME IN THE MEDICAL CENTER AREA WHERE THERE IS SOME ISSUES.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF WE CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING, THEN THAT'S ALSO A DECISION THAT IS AND WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES. AND SO I KNOW THE HUDSON IN MY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THERE FOR SOME TIME.

IT'S BEEN A IT'S A REHAB.

NIKISHA. CAN YOU COME UP AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? BECAUSE WHEN WE DID THAT, ORDINARILY YOU WOULD THINK AS THIS IS TODAY, YOU'D HAVE FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES COMING.

BUT WE HAD, I THINK, GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND I WONDERED IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT PROJECT, BUT.

BUT HOW IT I KNOW WE'RE KIND OF LOOKING FORWARD, BUT HOW THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT COMPARES TO WHAT IS GOING ON AT HUDSON.

SURE. SO THE HUDSON, OF COURSE, WAS ACQUIRED BY SAM MINISTRIES IN NOVEMBER OF 2021.

IT SITS ADJACENT TO OUR TRANSITIONAL LIVING AND LEARNING CENTER, WHICH SERVES FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

AND IT REALLY WAS THE VISION OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT SOMETHING SO CLOSE COULD CREATE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SAM MINISTRIES CURRENTLY HAS SOME 28 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CLIENTS WHO ARE LIVING AT THE HUDSON.

[02:55:03]

UNTIL 7 A.M.

EACH EACH EVENING.

IT IS AN OPEN AIR MULTIFAMILY COMMUNITY THAT'S 60 UNITS, SO THERE IS NO FENCE TO CLOSE OFF THE PROPERTY, WHICH IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT HAS TAKEN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND, AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

AND WE HEAR FROM COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO STILL OCCUPY THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE WE DID NOT DISPLACE ANYONE WHEN WE ACQUIRED THAT FACILITY THAT THEY LOVE.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE THERE IS MORE BETTER MAINTENANCE, THERE IS BETTER LIGHTING.

WE HAVE LISTENED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS AND ADDRESSED THOSE CONCERNS BY BRINGING THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY UP AND HOPEFULLY THE THE VALUE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL. WE HAD A SIMILAR BATTLE AS JUDGE SAKAI MENTIONED, WHEN SAM MINISTRIES ACQUIRED THE THE CONVENT FROM THE SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART ON THE ADJACENT FOOTPRINT.

WE CREATED A RESIDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE AND CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THAT RESIDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MET FOR A SINGLE YEAR AFTER THE PROJECT WAS OPERATIONAL, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LONGER A NEED.

THEY WERE NOT BRINGING COMPLAINTS OR CONCERNS AROUND WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON THE SITE.

GO AHEAD. YEAH. LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

AND BECAUSE I'M ALSO EMPATHETIC WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S POSITION AND IN PARTICULAR THE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE FROM THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD, RIGHT BEFORE I WAS AN ELECTED OFFICE MANY, MANY YEARS AGO I STARTED AS A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, JEFFERSON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

SO I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THE VOICES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, THE COMMUNITY SURROUNDING PROJECTS, WHETHER IT'S THIS KIND OF DEVELOPMENT OR YOU NAME IT, RIGHT? A LIQUOR STORE, A CHURCH.

I MEAN, THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A NEED FOR ONGOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, RATHER THAN FRET ON HOW THIS PROCESS PLAYED OUT AND WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

I WANT TO FOCUS A LITTLE BIT ON IF WE DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD TODAY, THE COMMITMENT FROM YOU AND YOUR TEAM ON ONGOING INVOLVEMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, YOU HAVE A RESIDENTS COUNCIL.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HEAR FROM YOU.

THERE'S A COMMITMENT. AND THIS IS, AGAIN, NOT JUST FROM MEMBERS OF THE SAM MINISTRIES TEAM OR YOUR BOARD, BUT ALSO FOLKS FROM THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY WHO ARE ON THAT RESIDENTS COUNCIL WHO REMAIN A PART OF PROVIDING THAT ONGOING INPUT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? YES, SIR. WE HAVE PROPOSED A RESIDENTS COUNCIL THAT WOULD INCLUDE SAM MINISTRIES, BOARD MEMBERS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR STAFF WHO ARE THE PROFESSIONALS RELATIVE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THIS PROJECT AND ANY PROJECTS THAT WE DO IN THE FUTURE RELATIVE TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

AGAIN, WE'VE SEEN THAT MODEL WORK.

WE OFTEN SEE IT BECOME DEFUNCT BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ONGOING ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED.

BUT WE HAVE PROPOSED THAT AND WILL HONOR THAT COMMITMENT IN THIS PROJECT AND OTHERS GOING FORWARD.

OKAY. WELL, WE APPRECIATE THAT PUBLIC COMMITMENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'M, I THINK ALIGNED WITH THE JUDGE ON THIS.

THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

I KNOW THESE PROPERTIES HAPPEN TO BE IN CERTAIN PRECINCTS OF THE COUNTY, BUT SOLVING THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE, GETTING PEOPLE HELP, LIFTING THEM UP IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY.

AND I'M CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE.

I LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE QUESTIONS AND DIALOG.

BUT AGAIN, I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER CALVERT TRYING TO GIVE FOLKS TIME TO GET THIS RESOLVED, BUT I KNOW WE'RE ALSO HAVING WE SAW A LITTLE RUSH TO THE HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, BECAUSE FOLKS HAVE TO GET IN LINE FOR THAT FUNDING, AND THIS IS PART OF THAT AS WELL.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND WE APPRECIATE NAKISHA YOUR TEAM AND YOUR PUBLIC COMMITMENT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. SO LET ME ASK KEISHA TO DO ONE THING FOR ME.

YES, SIR. OBVIOUSLY.

YOU'RE ASKING THAT WE GIVE YOU.

A PRETTY BIG SUM OF MONEY, OBVIOUSLY.

AND THE CITY. IF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS THE ROOM THEY'RE GIVING YOU MORE.

I'LL RECOGNIZE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO HOUSING.

AND WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS AS TO HOW WE CAN COLLABORATIVELY WORK CITY, COUNTY, NONPROFIT, FEDERAL FUNDS, STATE FUNDS, ANY FUND WE CAN DO TO DEAL WITH THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE.

I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, I BELIEVE IS IN THAT AREA, AND PROMISE THEM THAT YOU, AS THE CEO OF SAM MINISTRIES, WILL MAKE THE SAME COMMITMENT THAT YOU'VE DONE IN ALL YOUR PRIOR PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOICE IS HEARD.

THEIR CONCERNS ARE AND IF THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS, YOU WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

[03:00:05]

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY MY COMMITMENT.

I'VE SAID THAT AT EACH NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING THAT I HAVE ATTENDED, AND WILL MAINTAIN THAT AS LONG AS I REPRESENT SAM MINISTRIES, WE WILL BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR.

WE WILL LISTEN, WE WILL HEAR, AND WE WILL WORK TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT ARISE.

THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

COMMISSIONER MOODY.

THANKS, JUDGE.

I HAD SOME SOME QUESTIONS HERE.

AND GOING DOWN A DIFFERENT ROAD, MAYBE, THAN WHERE MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN, I MEAN.

WE TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION PIECE AND ADDRESSING CONCERNS AND TIMING.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT TO ME IT'S MORE OF A LITTLE BIT OF FEEDBACK AND AFTER ACTION IN TERMS OF.

HOW DO WE DO BETTER NEXT TIME? HOW DO WE START EARLIER? HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE MORE? AND I THINK THAT HOPEFULLY FROM THIS DISCUSSION, WE TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM IT IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF THAT IN THE FUTURE.

BUT I WANT TO GO A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TACK HERE AND TALK ABOUT KIND OF COMMUNICATION WITH, WITH US YOU KNOW, AS, AS COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SO JUST HAD SOME QUESTIONS.

I'M LOOKING AT THE PRO FORMA AND STUFF THAT I RECEIVED THIS MORNING.

AND I APOLOGIZE IF SOME OF THESE MEETINGS TOOK PLACE WHILE I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE OFFICE AND EVERYTHING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WITH THE BUSINESS BACKGROUND, I WOULD LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND SOME OF THIS.

SO IF YOU COULD HELP ME, YOU KNOW, MUCH HAS BEEN MADE OF THE CAPITAL STACK HERE.

SO WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS THERE'S ALSO TWO, $2 MILLION GRANTS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN IN THIS.

HAVE THOSE BEEN APPLIED FOR.

HAVE THEY ALREADY BEEN GRANTED.

SO I KNOW THAT THERE ARE $4.5 MILLION IN COMPETITIVE FUNDING IN THE CAPITAL STACK THAT ARE NOT GUARANTEED, BUT I WILL DEFER TO HOLLY TILLMAN OF ADIS URBAN TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT THE PRO FORMA.

PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

HOLLY THOMAN WITH ADA SERBIN.

I'M A CONSULTANT TO SAM MINISTRIES.

ALL RIGHT. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THOSE GRANTS? HAVE THEY BEEN APPLIED FOR, OR ARE THEY ALREADY HAVE THEY BEEN GRANTED TO THE PROJECT OR ARE THEY STILL OUTSTANDING? SO I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME AT THE CURRENT MOMENT IN MY LAPTOP DIED.

I WAS LITERALLY TRYING TO PULL IT UP, AS YOU WERE SAYING, THAT I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE REFERENCING APPROXIMATELY 2.4 MILLION FROM THE MULTIFAMILY DIRECT LOAN.

IS THAT ONE OF THE FOUR? SO I'M LOOKING AT AN FLEEB FOR 2 MILLION BANK OF DALLAS AND HUD, PSH, RFP 2 MILLION.

SO THE THE HUD PSH FUNDING THAT IS A HUD RFP FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT IS DUE THIS MONTH IS DUE THIS MONTH.

SO IT WILL BE SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE TAX CREDIT APPLICATION.

WE'LL HAVE TO TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ALL OF THESE SOURCES, WHAT'S COMMITTED AND WHAT WE'RE COMPETING FOR.

AND THAT WILL BE PART OF THAT APPLICATION IS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED ON THIS DATE.

WE'RE ANTICIPATING AWARD ON THIS DATE.

THIS IS HOW MUCH WE REQUESTED.

SO ON AND SO FORTH.

SO THAT WOULD BE THE INSTANCE WITH THE FHLB MONEY.

AND THEN THE MULTIFAMILY DIRECT LOAN MONEY, THAT IS A PROGRAM THROUGH TDHCA.

SO WHEN WE SUBMIT OUR TAX CREDIT APPLICATION, IF THAT FUNDING IS STILL AVAILABLE, WE WOULD BE SUBMITTING FOR THAT AT THE SAME TIME.

THAT'S ALL THROUGH TDHCA.

OKAY. SO WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR THOSE GRANTS AND ACTUALLY RECEIVING THE FUNDING.

YES. SO THE PROJECT WOULD STILL BE CONTINGENT ON THOSE AS WELL.

YES. OKAY.

THE SO THERE IS A CONSTRUCTION LOAN OF APPROXIMATELY 16 MILLION.

SO AT THE COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION, WILL THAT BE ROLLED INTO A PERMANENT LOAN? SINCE THIS IS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PROJECT BASED VOUCHERS PERMITTED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PLACE PERMANENT DEBT ON THE PROJECT.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE 25% OF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE 25% OF THE UNITS SUPPORTED BY PROJECT BASED VOUCHERS, IN ORDER TO PLACE PERMANENT DEBT ON THE PROJECT.

THAT'S IN ACCORDANCE WITH TDC'S QUALIFIED ALLOCATION PLAN.

OKAY. SO THEN WHAT WHAT IS THE POST CONSTRUCTION?

[03:05:02]

SO LIKE AS TYPICALLY WITH EQUITY, IT GETS ITS BACK LOADED AND EQUITY MAKES UP A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THIS CAPITAL STACK.

SO THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN WOULD BE WOULD BE PAID OFF AS EQUITY.

AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER SOURCES KIND OF COME IN TOWARDS THE END.

OKAY. AND SO THAT ALSO COMES TO THE NET CASH FLOW ON THE PRO FORMA.

SO APPROXIMATELY $600,000 A YEAR, WILL THAT BE PAYING BACK SOME OF THAT CONSTRUCTION LOAN AND OTHER COSTS, OR WILL THAT BE GOING INTO SAM MINISTRIES AND OTHER SERVICES AND, AND PROJECTS GOING FORWARD.

SO THE THE 15 YEAR PROFORMA WOULD BE STARTING BASICALLY AT STABILIZATION.

SO THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN SHOULD ALREADY BE PAID OFF.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON THE PROFORMA IS A MODEL OF HOW THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO OPERATE OVER REALLY A 15 YEAR PERIOD.

THE CASH FLOW THAT WOULD BE GENERATED WOULD BE USED TO PAY BACK MOSTLY THE SURPLUS CASH LOAN FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

THAT $1,112 MILLION THAT THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING IS IN THE FORM OF A SURPLUS CASH LOAN.

SO ANYTHING THAT'S LEFT OVER HAS TO BE CONTRIBUTED TO THAT.

OKAY. SO I WANT TO COME BACK TO THAT.

BUT AGAIN THEN THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN, HOW IS THAT REPAID? ITS REPAID FROM THOSE OTHER SOURCES.

SO I, I CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE WHENEVER I CAN GET MY LAPTOP FIRED BACK UP, I CAN SEND YOU GUYS THE EXCEL AND YOU GUYS CAN I HAVE A FUN FLOW TAB THAT MODELS EXACTLY HOW EVERY SOURCE COMES IN AND HOW EVERY SOURCE GETS REPAID.

BUT IT GETS OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, THOUGH.

I MEAN, DO YOU KNOW WHAT FUNDING SOURCES ARE ARE REPLENISHING THAT? WHAT ARE PAYING THAT OFF? YOU'RE YOU GET A BIG TRANCHE OF EQUITY TOWARDS THE END AND THAT EQUITY IS GOING TO HELP REPAY THAT ANSWERS QUESTION.

THE. IF YOU DON'T KNOW, TELL US.

YOU DON'T KNOW. LET'S MOVE ON.

IT'S THE EQUITY THAT DOES THE HEAVY LIFTING AND REPAYING THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN.

OKAY, I'LL DEFER UNTIL I CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT.

YEAH. ON THAT.

YES, SIR. SO THE TO THE POINT ABOUT THE SURPLUS CASH LOAN IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, I SEE THAT ALSO LISTED AS SURPLUS CASH LOAN ON HERE FOR BEXAR COUNTY AS WELL, AND SHOWING A 0% INTEREST RATE ON BOTH THESE CONTRIBUTIONS.

MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THIS WAS ARPA FUNDING FROM BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY.

IS THIS A CASH LOAN THAT USING THAT CASH FLOW WILL BE PAID BACK TO THE CITY OR COUNTY OR.

NO. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IN IN MODELING THIS, I, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE TERMS ARE.

AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT'S SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATION.

THAT THE DOCUMENT HAS TO BE NEGOTIATED.

YEAH, AND MAYBE THIS ISN'T.

YOU MAY BE THE WRONG PERSON TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, BUT I'M ASKING TO THE COURT.

I'M GOING TO BE DIRECT.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER, THEN GIVE ME THE PERSON WHO'S GOT THE ANSWER.

IAN. COMMISSIONER MOODY, I JUST WANTED TO ANSWER OR PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION ON YOU ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

SO THE CITY'S FUNDING IS A MIX OF HOME ARP, ABOUT SEVEN AND A HALF.

THE REMAINDER OF THAT IS HOUSING BOND FUNDING.

SO IT'S A MIXTURE OF FUNDING SOURCES.

OUR FUNDING IS USUALLY PROVIDED AS A 0% INTEREST LOAN THAT IS REPAID UP TO CASH FLOW.

SO DEPENDING ON WHO THE FIRST LIEN HOLDER IS YOU KNOW, THEY'RE USUALLY PAID BACK FIRST AND THEN WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO GET PAID BACK FURTHER DOWN THE LINE.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS PARTICULAR PROFORMA WHERE WE ARE IN THE WATERFALL, BUT WE ARE USUALLY PAID BACK.

SECOND, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT 3 TO 4 MILLION WOULD BE PAID BACK TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

ULTIMATELY, YES, IT WOULD REVOLVE BACK INTO THE HOUSING BOND FUND AND THEN GO BACK OUT TO OTHER PROJECTS.

OKAY. BUT THAT WOULD NOT BE THE CASE FOR THE COUNTY.

IS THAT CORRECT, ROBERT? OURS WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A OF A LOAN TO BE NEGOTIATED BY OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL.

SAY AGAIN PLEASE.

OURS WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A LOAN.

OUR ALLOCATION WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A LOAN TO BE NEGOTIATED.

THE INTEREST RATE WOULD BE NEGOTIATED BY OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL.

SACHSE. SO YOU'RE SAYING OUR 3.9 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO DATE IS A LOAN TO THIS PROJECT, AND THERE WILL BE NEGOTIATIONS ON WHAT THE INTEREST AND PAYBACK TERMS LOOK LIKE. YES, SIR.

OKAY. I'M WAS COMPLETELY NOT AWARE OF THAT BASED ON THE PRESENTATION.

I'M GLAD I ASKED THAT QUESTION.

ONE LAST QUESTION UNDER DEVELOPER FEES.

I SAW THE PATREON LEAFY.

COULD SOMEBODY SPEAK TO THAT? IT'S 1.4 MILLION.

AND THEN THE PROFIT FEE FOR THE DEVELOPER, 2.9 MILLION.

[03:10:02]

IS IS TYPICALLY STANDARD FOR TDCA.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE TOTAL OF THOSE TWO AMOUNTS IS.

PATRONELLI IS CURRENTLY OUR DEVELOPMENT PARTNER ON THE PROJECT.

THERE WERE A GROUP BASED OUT OF HOUSTON AND THE REMAINING THE 2.9% THE 2.9 MILLION DEVELOPER FEE WOULD BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SAM MINISTRIES.

AS WE AGAIN INVEST IN THE PROJECT, INCLUDING STAFF TIME AND ADDITIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT AND ONGOING INVESTMENT IN THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

YES. OKAY. SORRY, COMMISSIONER, I JUST LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THING ON THAT DEVELOPER FEE, BECAUSE THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SAM MINISTRIES AND THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST.

THEY ACTUALLY DO GET A SPLIT OF THAT DEVELOPER FEE.

I THINK IT'S 10%.

AND THAT MONEY THAT'S GENERATED THROUGH THE HOUSING TRUST IS REVOLVED INTO ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS. OKAY. SO I'LL, I'LL YIELD BACK HERE, BUT THE THE ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO JUST HIGHLIGHT THAT CAME OUT OF THAT THOSE QUESTIONS WAS THAT THIS IS, IN FACT, A LOAN USING ARPA FUNDS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR REPAYMENT WITH THOSE TERMS TO BE NEGOTIATED. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOES QUALIFY UNDERNEATH ARPA, BECAUSE I'M NOT FAMILIAR OF ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE WE'VE DONE THAT. I'M NOT SURE IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COURT HAVE ANY THIS SITUATION USING ARPA FUNDS IN A LOAN SITUATION WHERE WE COULD GET REPAID.

OBVIOUSLY, I'M THINKING ABOUT THE SITUATION WHERE WE WOULD GET REPAID AFTER THE 26 DEADLINE.

AND SO DOES THAT HAVE ANY ISSUES OR CONSEQUENCES WITH THE THE FUNDING PROGRAM? DAVID, I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU COULD GET REPAID AND NOT OWE THAT MONEY BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THIS IS HOW OUR PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS WERE ALSO STRUCTURED WITH NRP GROUP.

BUT WE PROBABLY NEED TO DEFER TO LEGAL OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL.

ROBERT, TO THE QUESTION, BECAUSE I WAS BECAUSE IT'S FEDERAL FUNDS, I WAS THINKING IT WOULD JUST BE A GRANT.

AND IF IT IF IT HAS TO BE WRITTEN FOR BOND COUNSEL REASONS AS A FORGIVABLE LOAN, BUT I BUT IT'S AND IT COULD BE A 0% INTEREST BUT IT HAS TO BE STRUCTURED AS A LOAN.

TECHNICALLY. YEAH. IT DIDN'T APPEAR QUITE I DON'T KNOW IF BOND COUNSEL IS IN THE ROOM, BUT THAT'S A THAT STRUCK ME AS A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT FOR THIS, BECAUSE IF IT'S A FEDERAL DESIGNATED FUND, THEN I WOULD THINK IT'S A GRANT, BUT IT'S BEING STRUCTURED AS A LOAN.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN STRUCTURED AS A LOAN.

YES, SIR. THAT IS FORGIVABLE.

FORGIVABLE OR WITH INTEREST OR.

I THINK IT'S 0% INTEREST IN FORGIVABLE.

YEAH. YES.

OKAY. I WOULD JUST ADD FOR OURS, OURS IS THE SAME 0% INTEREST FORGIVABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS THAT CAN'T CARRY DEBT.

RIGHT? I WILL I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE ON THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR THIS PARTICULAR FUNDING SOURCE, BUT AT THE CITY, WE DO PROVIDE HOME AND CDBG FUNDS AS LOANS AS WELL THAT ARE REPAID. SO I THINK IT CAN VARY BY I THINK IT WOULD BE FORGIVABLE BY 2026, IN ORDER TO KIND OF PAPER UP WITH THE TREASURY GUIDANCE.

IS THAT THAT THAT MAY MAKE SENSE.

THAT'S NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.

SO I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, BUT.

ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IS THERE A MOTION, JUDGE? YES. COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR.

I, YOU KNOW, THIS PROCESS IS IT SHOULD BE A PROCESS FOR HEALING.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T I REALLY DON'T THINK THE COMMUNITY IS IS IS THAT FAR APART? IF THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN THE NEAR FUTURE ABOUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT REMAIN ON THE TABLE.

AND SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I JUST WANT TO I WANT TO FIRST, IN THAT REGARD APOLOGIZE TO LEO.

LEO, COME ON UP.

WE'RE GOING TO INVITE YOU BACK UP.

YOU KNOW, I DO A 100,000 MEETINGS.

SO I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN SOME OF OUR DISCUSSION, AND SO I WANT TO PUBLICLY APOLOGIZE.

APOLOGIZE TO YOU? I DIDN'T I DON'T HAVE NOTES.

AND LOOKING BACK AT ALL THE DETAILS.

AND SO YOU KNOW, FOR ME, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT, YOU KNOW THAT I APOLOGIZE IF I MADE A MISTAKE IN CHARACTERIZING THINGS THAT YOU SAID AND WHAT WE AGREED TO IN TERMS OF THE ONE THIRD COMPONENT.

I DO NOW RECALL THAT CONVERSATION WHERE YOU SAID YOU'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, SURE, YOU CAN COMMIT TO THAT.

BUT WHAT YOU COMMIT TO IS A MASTER PLAN.

AND SO I THINK THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS SUMMIT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT.

I'M QUITE CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT.

AND IN TERMS OF WHAT THE AGENDA IS WE DID ONE VERY SIMILAR WITH YOU KNOW, ORTIZ CF, I INVITE, YOU KNOW, DAVE DAWSON, THEY'VE BEEN ON THIS PARTICULAR

[03:15:08]

AND THE OTHER MARKET RATE THAT IS, THAT IS THERE NEARBY.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, HOT WELLS DID APPROVE A NEARBY SINGLE FAMILY MARKET RATE DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST YEAR.

THEY DIDN'T OPPOSE THAT.

SO THAT'S REALLY THE AGENDA.

AND I RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR STAFF MAY NOT HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE DATE.

THEY SAW A CONFLICT ON APRIL 30TH.

WE SAID APRIL 25TH.

SO YOU MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT THEY WERE TALKING AND WORKING WITH YOUR SCHEDULE.

SO I JUST WANT TO APOLOGIZE AND SAY THAT I DIDN'T DO THAT IN ANY KIND OF WITH ANY KIND OF MALINTENT.

BUT YOU KNOW, I'M HUMAN SOMETIMES WITH ALL THE THINGS I GOT GOING ON, I MAY MAKE A MISTAKE.

SO I ALWAYS WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

SO ONE OF THE REASONS I JUST WANTED TO CALL YOU UP IS, IS TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, CAN WE WORK TOGETHER ON THIS MARKET RATE HOUSING SUMMIT AT BROOKS? ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER.

AND I APPRECIATE THE APOLOGY.

AND SINCE YOU DID, I'M GOING TO APOLOGIZE FOR MY IMPASSIONED RESPONSE TO IT.

BUT, COMMISSIONER, I'M GLAD TO WORK WITH YOU.

I'M GLAD TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU KNOW, I'VE REACHED OUT TO MR. BRADY ALEXANDER, AND I'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT I'M PREPARED TO MEET WITH HIM WHENEVER HE THINKS HE'S PREPARED TO MEET WITH ME.

AND I UNDERSTAND WHY HE'S NOT READY TO DO SO TODAY.

BUT I AM, AND AND I'LL MEET WITH HIM WHENEVER HE WANTS TO.

I'LL MEET WITH YOU WHENEVER YOU WANT TO.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE SUMMIT.

AND I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, I LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING A FEW THINGS, INCLUDING THE FACT THAT BROOKS OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.

ONE OF THEM IS A 100% MARKET RATE MULTIFAMILY OFF OUR CAMPUS DOWN GOLIAD ROAD, WHICH I THINK YOU'VE REFERRED TO HERE, TO HERE.

SO WE WE UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR ALL THAT MIX, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND I'M COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.

COMMISSIONER. SO WILL YOU MAKE THE SAME COMMITMENT TO MR. ALEXANDER AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION? MR.. ALEXANDER, I REACHED OUT TO YOU.

I'M GLAD TO VISIT WITH YOU ANYTIME YOU WANT.

YOU TELL ME WHEN YOU'RE COMFORTABLE AND READY TO DO SO.

I'M LEO GOMEZ AND SALAZAR.

YOU'VE NEVER MET WITH US? YEAH. OKAY. WELL, YOU'VE NEVER COME TO OUR TOWN HALL MEETINGS EITHER.

WELL, OKAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE HEALING TRAIN GOING.

YOU KNOW, LOOK YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH ALL KINDS OF SCENARIOS AND POLITICS.

I'VE WATCHED SOME AS A LOBBYIST, AS AN ACTIVIST, AND AS AN ELECTED.

SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS THAT CAN HAPPEN FROM TODAY.

SINCE THE MOTION THAT I MADE WITH RESPECT TO JUST BRINGING.

SO LET ME JUST BE CLEAR, JUDGE, IT IS CLEAR TO ME, BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND BASED UPON WHAT IAN SAID FROM NBN, NBN, EVIDENCE FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THAT IF THE COURT VOTES ON THE 26TH, THAT WILL SUFFICE FOR TEXAS DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THEIR DOCUMENTATION OF SUPPORT THAT WILL BE IN THEIR CAPITAL STACK, IT WILL NOT THE WORLD WILL NOT THE THERE WILL BE NO CRISIS IF WE DON'T ACT TODAY.

IF WE HAD TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY MEETING.

YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ME SAY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS I HAVE NO BETTER PLACE TO BE THAN IN COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SO I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY MEETING.

IF. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING SAID NEEDED WAS NEEDED BEFORE THE 26.

SO SOMEONE ELSE COULD MAKE A MOTION.

IN TERMS OF THE THIS TIME I'M ASKING FOR A MOTION.

WELL, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

IN ANY EVENT. I WOULD LIKE AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE INPUT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE BETWEEN LEO'S COMMITMENT, SAM.

MINISTRY'S COMMITMENT.

I THINK WE CAN GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

AND SO I'M GOING TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO DRAFT AN AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000,912, $842. EXCUSE ME.

IN CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS FOR THE COMMONS OF THE SEQUOYAH TRAILS, TO BE MANAGED BY SAM MINISTRIES AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT. IS THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A SECOND? I'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS BEFORE.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT IN MY PRECINCT.

SO AS IS THE CUSTOM WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT STAFF WORKS WITH THE COMMISSIONER WHOSE PRECINCT IT'S IN FIRST, AS SHOULD BE THE

[03:20:02]

WHEN BRADY REACHED OUT TO ME BECAUSE THOUGH IT'S NOT IN MY PRECINCT, IT IS NEAR MY PRECINCT ON THE BORDER, AND BRADY'S NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION STRADDLES HALF IN MY PRECINCT AND HALF IN COMMISSIONER CALVERT PRECINCT.

SINCE THEN, MY OFFICE HAS BEEN INVOLVED AND WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS VOICES ARE BEING HEARD.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK MY CONSTITUENTS FOR BEING HERE.

BRADY. I DON'T KNOW IF KEVIN.

HERE. BRADY. DID HE LEAVE? YEAH, BUT THANK YOU.

KEVIN. VIRGINIA IS HERE.

TERRY IBANEZ IS HERE.

OTHERS. SO I WANT TO THANK MY CONSTITUENTS FOR BEING HERE AND CONTINUOUSLY BEING ACTIVE IN A VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO, BRADY, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOURSELF.

KEVIN. SOME OTHERS.

WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE PROCESS.

AND SO I, AS YOU KNOW, I WAS HAPPY TO WRITE A LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL TO ASK FOR THE DELAY IN ZONING, WHICH THEY DID.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK RUBEN FOR BEING HERE ON BEHALF OF COUNCILWOMAN VILLAGRAN OFFICE.

AND IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO DELAY THIS SO THAT.

MORE CONSTITUENTS CAN HAVE THEIR VOICE, SINCE SOME OF THEM FEEL THAT IT WASN'T ADEQUATE TIME.

HOWEVER, BASED ON ALL OF THIS DISCUSSIONS, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE FOR FINANCING REASONS.

SO. MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT SEVERAL.

THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS OF MY CHILDHOOD, MY FAMILY AND I WERE UNHOUSED.

AND SO I WOULD BE A HYPOCRITE TO NOT VOTE FOR THIS.

THOUGH MY FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE QUALIFIED BECAUSE ROBERT, I UNDERSTAND THIS IS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, MEANING THEY HAVE TO HAVE A DISABILITY OR A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS.

NONETHELESS THERE IS A.

GREAT ISSUE WITH HOUSING AT ALL LEVELS IN BEXAR COUNTY.

AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

MY CONSTITUENTS, PRECINCT ONE NO LONGER ACCEPTS BAND-AIDS.

AND THIS IS NOT A BAND-AID.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL SECOND THE MOTION FOR THIS.

AND AGAIN BRADY, IF.

YOU WANT SOMEONE ELSE AT THIS MEETING WITH LEO, WHO'S ALSO A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT ONE? I'M HAPPY TO BE THERE.

YOU KNOW THAT. MY OFFICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIVE TO YOU ALL.

SO I APPRECIATE SO MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS BEING HERE, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS IN PRECINCT FOUR.

THANK YOU. THERE'S A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER MOODY? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, FOR THE RECORD MY CONCERNS HERE, I THINK I VOICED THEM AS AS WE WENT THROUGH. I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED BY WHAT I FOUND OUT DURING THE Q&A HERE.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IF I ACTUALLY KNEW WHAT THAT NEGOTIATION, WHAT THOSE PROPOSED TERMS WERE GOING TO BE FOR THAT LOAN FROM BEXAR COUNTY. YOU KNOW, I FOR THAT REASON, I INTEND TO ABSTAIN ON THIS ITEM.

I THINK THE THE PROJECT.

IS IS ADMIRABLE.

BUT AGAIN, THE, THE PROCESS YOU KNOW, MATTERS.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, I NEEDED TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION EARLIER IN THIS PROCESS.

ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? YES, JUDGE. THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING.

I DID THE BEST I COULD TO TRY AND CREATE ADDITIONAL DIALOG.

IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT WE COULD HAVE GONE TO THE NEXT MEETING.

AND SO THAT'S NOT REALLY UP FOR DEBATE WITH ME.

AND YOU KNOW, I, I CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT AND THE THE PROTECTIONS THAT SAM SHELTER HAVE SATISFIED ME.

BUT WHAT HASN'T SATISFIED ME IS THIS PROCESS OF OF NOT DOING THIS THE RIGHT WAY WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS.

AND WE DO, AS COMMISSIONER MOODY SAID, NEED TO LEARN FROM THIS.

SO I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SUPPORTED THIS WITH SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY.

BUT IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, NOR THE FAULT OF THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND SAM MINISTRIES THAT WE'RE IN THIS POSITION.

[03:25:04]

AND HOPE THAT WE HAVE LEARNED A LESSON FROM HOW WE PROCEEDED.

AND I AM I'M SORRY THAT MANY VOICES WERE WERE NOT HEARD IN THE PROCESS.

I THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER.

BUT THE POWERS THAT BE ARE AT WORK.

THANK YOU. WELL, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

THE VOICES WERE HEARD TODAY, AND I'M.

I FIND BY THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE THAT THIS PROCESS, ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T IN A DELIBERATIVE FORM, AND I THINK THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED TO THE STAFF.

TO REALLY PREPARE FOR THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS AND PROPOSALS AND PUT IN THE PROCESS AND NOT COME IN ESSENCE, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN AT THE LAST MINUTE, IS I RECALL THE CONVERSATION STARTED IN NOVEMBER AND SO I'LL CUT OFF IN MY HEAD NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH.

AND OBVIOUSLY, I HOPE THAT THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS BEFORE THAT THERE WERE EXTENSIVE HEARINGS HELD.

THERE WERE HEARINGS AND NOTICES AT CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND SO I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE THAT THERE WASN'T DUE DILIGENCE GIVEN.

PERHAPS, AGAIN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE APPEARANCE.

AND SO ROBERT AND STAFF, SAM MINISTRIES, EVERYBODY WHO SUPPORTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND AGAIN, NOBODY'S OPPOSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HOW HAVE WE DONE IT TODAY? AND THAT'S WHY I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

I THINK WE'VE DONE IT, BUT WE COULD DO IT BETTER, AND I EXPECT IT TO BE DONE BETTER.

AND I DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE PEOPLE COME UP AND TALK TO THE COMMUNITY TODAY, AS I'VE HAD.

SO HAVE NAKISHA MAKE PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY AND LEO, FOR WHICH I APPRECIATE Y'ALL HAVE DONE, AND I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL FULFILL THE COMMITMENT BOTH Y'ALL HAVE MADE TO THE COMMUNITY, TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND WILL FOLLOW THROUGH.

AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY I SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL TODAY, BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

WE WILL STILL HAVE TO COME BACK ON THE 26TH TO APPROVE THE FINAL CONTRACT.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, COMMISSIONER CALVERT TO VOTE THIS DOWN IF THE CONTRACT ISN'T IN FORM.

AND I THINK COMMISSIONER MOODY BROUGHT OUT SOME REALLY GREAT QUESTIONS.

AND AGAIN, THAT IS A LESSON TO LEARN.

PLEASE ANTICIPATE THE QUESTION, ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN EXPERTISE.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

AND I'M NOT REAL SATISFIED WITH WHAT I HEARD.

SO THE NEGOTIATION OF THE CONTRACT STILL IS YET TO BE DONE.

SO I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL BRING THIS MATTER BACK.

CORRECT, MR. DAVID SMITH IF THAT.

SO THE MOTION THAT WAS PUT ON THE TABLE AUTHORIZES YOU TO EXECUTE.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD PRECLUDE YOU FROM REQUESTING THAT IT COME BACK TO THE FULL COURT.

WHAT'S THE. JUST TO CLARIFY.

JUST TO CLARIFY, IT WOULD COME BACK JUST FOR AN UPDATE, BUT NO ACTION TAKEN BECAUSE TODAY WE'RE TAKING THE ACTION.

CORRECT? THE MOTION THAT WAS PUT ON THE TABLE APPROVES AND AUTHORIZES THE JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, WHICH MEANS TECHNICALLY, IT WOULD NOT NEED TO COME BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

HOWEVER, IF THE COURT WANTS TO CHANGE THAT PROCESS, WE WILL OBVIOUSLY ADHERE TO WHAT THE COURT.

IT'S NOT A CHANGE OF PROCESS.

I'M GOING TO ORDER THAT THIS BE BROUGHT BACK FOR DISCUSSION.

SO THAT. CAN THEY CAN THEY MEET WITH INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS INSTEAD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT? SINCE WE'RE ALREADY VOTING ON IT, I'M ASKING THE COURT FOR FEEDBACK.

ALL I'M TRYING TO DO IS BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.

AND SO I'M PREPARED.

AS I INDICATED, TO DO WHAT I SAID I'D DO, I'M TRYING TO CONTINUE THE TRANSPARENCY AND THE GREAT CONVERSATION AND COMMUNICATION THAT WE'VE HAD TODAY.

SO I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CONTRACT.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CONTRACT AND JUST BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT WITH IT.

WELL, I'D FULLY SUPPORT THAT JUDGE BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT'S NEGOTIATED IN THE FINAL TERMS. SO I WE'RE APPROVING THE PROCESS TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT.

IT'LL BE MY CALL AS COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE.

ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT IT.

OF COURSE WE WANT TO HAVE OVERSIGHT OVER THE CONTRACT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FACTS ARE LOOKED AT.

AND THERE WERE A LOT OF FACTS THAT WERE NOT HEARD TODAY.

UNDERSTOOD. LET'S CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNIFY FOR SAYING I, I.

[03:30:05]

ABSTENTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

MOTION CARRIES.

THAT CONCLUDES THE DISCUSSION AND ACTION FOR TODAY.

WE WILL HAVE THIS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY AT THE NEXT MEETING, MR. SMITH. I WILL TAKE A RECESS.

AS I INDICATED EARLIER, WE'RE RUNNING A BIT LATE.

WE'LL HAVE ABOUT A 45 MINUTE LUNCH PERIOD, I BELIEVE.

COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE LUNCH PROVIDED FOR ALL OF US.

SO WE WILL TAKE A BREAK AND RESUME IN ONE 115 115 OR 1 115 ISH.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S RESUME COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD. SINCE WE'RE WE'RE SHORT.

WE'RE NOT AT 130.

LET'S TAKE UP THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL ITEM 108, DISCUSSION.

[108. Discussion and appropriate action regarding awarding a purchase order to the lowest and best bid submitted by SpawGlass Contractors, Inc., to excavate approximately 5,000 cubic yards of soil, and provide improvements to the crawl space below portions of the Bexar County Adult Detention Center to provide access for maintenance, for a base bid amount of $1,788,062 as requested by the Facilities Management Department; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file appropriate award documents for record.]

DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD.

HELLO, MR.. TONY. HELLO.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS TONY CANEZ.

I'M WITH THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, AND I'M PRESENTING AS THE JUDGE READ AN ITEM RELATED TO THE TO A PROJECT AT THE ADULT DETENTION CENTER.

WE ADVANCE THE SLIDE, PLEASE? OH, WAIT. YEAH. THERE WE GO.

OKAY, SO THE DETENTION CENTER IS AN ENORMOUS STRUCTURE MADE UP OF THREE TOWERS, AND IT'S BUILT ON A PIER AND PIER AND BEAM FOUNDATION THAT LEAVES AN AREA UNDERNEATH THE SLAB.

THAT'S CALLED A CRAWL SPACE.

SO IN THIS AREA, THE MAINTENANCE STAFF AND CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO CRAWL UNDER THE SLAB TO ACCESS PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO PERFORM, INVESTIGATE, TO INVESTIGATE ISSUES, AND TO PERFORM REPAIRS.

IN THIS AREA. THE KITCHEN HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF MANY WORK ORDERS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMATIC PIPING AND DRAINS IN THIS AREA, AND THERE'S ALSO PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL FOR THE LAUNDRY OPERATION, AND THE MAIN POWER DISTRIBUTION CONDUITS ARE ACCESSED FROM THE CRAWL SPACE.

SO CURRENTLY THERE'S ABOUT 2 OR 3FT UNDERNEATH THE SLAB TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE CRAWL SPACE TO PERFORM THE WORK.

SO THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT WOULD BE TO EXCAVATE SEVERAL THOUSAND CUBIC YARDS OF SOIL FROM BENEATH THE DETENTION CENTER, AND IT WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS FOR MAINTENANCE.

SO THE CONTRACTOR WILL ALSO GRADE THE EARTH UNDER THE JAIL TO ENSURE PROPER DRAINAGE.

AND THEY WILL INSTALL TASK LIGHTING AND STAIRS FOR ACCESS.

PROVIDING PROVIDING THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL GREATLY IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE REPAIRS AND TO INVESTIGATE ONGOING ISSUES THAT ARE EXPERIENCED AT THE JAIL AND THE AREA WILL BE ABLE TO DRY OUT IN THE EVENT OF WATER INTRUSION, AND THIS IMPROVEMENT WILL MAKE IT MORE PRACTICAL TO PERFORM WORK THAT IS NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.

AND I'LL JUST STOP FOR QUESTIONS AND ANY QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER MOODY. WHY THE SEVEN FEET? CAN YOU JUST HELP US WITH WITH THAT? VERSUS, YOU KNOW, JUST GETTING TO A 4 OR 5 OR SIX FEET.

WELL, WE ASKED ABOUT THAT, ABOUT HOW WE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BRING A MACHINE IN TO DO THE WORK.

AND BECAUSE DOING IT ANY OTHER WAY, IT'S IT'S IMPRACTICAL TO DO IT BY HAND.

SO THE MACHINE IS, YOU KNOW, GETS YOU ABOUT SEVEN FOOT CLEARANCE REGARDLESS.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF THE, THE, THE NUMBER THAT IT LANDED ON.

YOU KNOW, IF WE COULD HAVE GOT IT LOWER TO GET LESS FOR LESS MONEY, IT WOULD, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE THAT WAY.

BUT THE SEVEN FEET IS WHAT THEY SAID WAS WAS PRACTICAL FOR.

SO IS THAT ABOUT THE ACTUAL CLEARANCE JOB, THE REMOVAL OF THE DIRT OR IS IT ABOUT SEVEN FEET FOR FUTURE MAINTENANCE? WELL, IT'S IT'S BOTH. IT'S THE HEAD HEIGHT CLEARANCE.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY HAD TO STOOP DOWN IN THERE, IT WOULDN'T BE SO BAD.

IT'S BETTER THAN HAVING TO CRAWL, YOU KNOW? BUT AGAIN, IT'S JUST ABOUT GETTING A DO THE WORK EFFICIENTLY.

IT WOULD BE TO GET A BOBCAT IN THERE TO DO THE WORK.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE THE SEVEN FEET BECOMES THE, THE RIGHT NUMBER.

YEAH. WE'VE ASKED THAT QUESTION.

AND DO WE ANTICIPATE THIS WILL SAVE MONEY ON FUTURE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS BY ALLOWING FOR EASIER ACCESS.

THAT'S PRECISELY THE POINT.

YEAH. WE CERTAINLY HAVE ONGOING ISSUES WITH, WITH WITH PLUMBING DOWN THERE.

THAT WOULD BE EASILY, MORE EASILY ADDRESSED, HAVING THE ABILITY TO, TO GO DOWN THERE AND THEN HAVING A CONTRACTOR HAVE TO PRICE THE WORK SEEING KIND OF THE

[03:35:04]

AND SO THIS WOULD DEFINITELY IMPROVE THAT.

OKAY. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION? ADVANCE.

THE NEXT SLIDE HAS THE MOTION.

WHAT'S THAT? I WAS ASKING.

OH, YOU STILL. OH. YOU STILL.

OH. GO AHEAD TONY.

WE'RE DONE WITH THE I JUST THE LAST SLIDE WAS THE MOTION.

SO SO MOTION THE MOTION UP AND ASK.

ASK US WHAT YOU WANT.

THERE IS. ALL RIGHT.

SO THE RECOMMENDED MOTION WOULD BE TO AWARD THE PURCHASE ORDER TO THE LOWEST AND BEST SUBMITTED BY SPYGLASS CONSTRUCTION, AS WRITTEN IN THE SLIDE DECK.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS, GUYS.

THIS THIS IS THIS ONE OF THOSE DAYS? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER MOODY? ONE OTHER QUESTION.

AND YOU KNOW, I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SECURITY SITUATION WITH WITHIN THERE.

I KNOW WE USE INMATE LABOR FOR FOR SOME PROJECTS WITHIN THE JAIL.

IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO MINIMIZE THE ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS BY UTILIZING ANY OF THE INMATE LABOR? YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE A COMPLICATED ANSWER, I THINK BECAUSE OF LIABILITY AND AND THE HAVING A CONTRACTOR DO SOME WORK AND THEN MAYBE US TAKE ON SOME WORK.

CERTAINLY. I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF REDRESS THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN OUT IN THE COURTYARD AREA.

THAT COULD BE DONE BY TRUSTEES IN THE LIKE WHEN THE WORK IS COMPLETED.

BUT I KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS A OPPORTUNITY TO A DESIRE TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO, TO SAVE.

BUT YEAH, THAT WOULD BE A, I GUESS, A QUESTION TO A LOT OF PEOPLE TO SEE IF THAT WAS POSSIBLE.

OH THANK YOU. YEAH.

JUST PROBABLY A TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE SHERIFF AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT THERE.

SURE. ALL RIGHT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING I, I ANY OPPOSED, ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU TONY.

THANK YOU. LET'S GO AHEAD.

[109. Discussion and appropriate action related to hearing of a post award appeal of Item #92 on the January 23, 2024, agenda regarding Invitation for Bid (IFB) 2024-001 for the Frost Center (formerly AT&T Center) Drainage & Stabilization Project.]

109. IT'S A DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATED TO THE HEARING ON A POST AWARD APPEAL FROM ITEM 92 ON THE JANUARY 23RD, 2024 AGENDA REGARDING INVITATION FOR BID TO 2020 4-001 FOR THE FROST CENTER, FORMERLY AT&T CENTER DRAINAGE AND STABILIZATION PROGRAM PROJECT.

BEFORE WE OPEN UP FOR DISCUSSION, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A CITIZEN TO BE HEARD.

BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT WHO ARE YOU? JONATHAN PRYCE SENIOR CONTRACT SPECIALIST WITH THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.

OKAY, ROWE. HOLD ON.

JONATHAN, LET'S YOU STAND RIGHT THERE.

JUST WANT TO REFRESH THE COURT'S MEMORY.

AT A RECENT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDED TO AWARD A VENDOR FOR THE FROST CENTER DRAINAGE AND STABILIZATION PROJECT.

WHO WAS THE LOWEST BID? THIS CAME AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY STAFF.

A FIRM WAS REQUESTED A POST AWARD APPEAL FOR THIS, GIVEN THEY WERE THE LOWEST BIDDER.

AS SUCH, I WANT TO GIVE THEM TEN MINUTES TO PRESENT THEIR CASE TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

LET ME HAVE THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COMPANY.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK UNDER CITIZENS TO BE HEARD, BUT I WILL ALLOW THEM TEN MINUTES UNDER THIS APPEAL.

AND THAT'S LANDON HACKER.

BILL. YEAH.

LANDON, COME ON UP.

THIS IS AN APPEAL OF A DECISION THAT WAS MADE ON THE JANUARY 23RD, 2024.

SO WITH THAT, LET ME LET MR. HACKER. BILL, YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES.

YES, SIR. APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. AND JUDGE JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR.

WE WERE THE LOW BIDDER.

IT WAS THE SECOND LOW BIDDER THAT WAS PROPOSED TO BE AWARD TO.

SO WHAT WE WERE BRINGING UP TODAY IS AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT IN JANUARY I BELIEVE IT WAS SAID THAT AND PRESENTED TO YOU GUYS THAT TEN PROJECTS AND HRINKO WAS BEHIND ON 6 OR 7 OF THEM WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LIST OF THE PROJECTS THAT THEY WERE REFERENCING.

SIX OF THE TEN PROJECTS WERE DATED PRIOR TO 2009, ONE OF THEM DATING BACK TO 2001.

SO I THINK THAT PAINTS A LITTLE DIFFERENT PICTURE.

OUR WHOLE POINT THE LAST TIME WAS WHEN WE BID THOSE ORIGINAL PROJECTS WITH YOU GUYS AND DID THOSE BACK IN 2011 AND 12.

OUR BONDING CAPACITY WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE $28 MILLION RANGE, AND NOW IT'S UPWARDS OF $120 MILLION.

AND SO WE HAVE GROWN AS A COMPANY.

WE'VE HANDLED OUR OWN INTERNAL WORK DUE TO SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAT AROSE AT OUR PREVIOUS PROJECTS.

[03:40:04]

WE FINISHED THOSE PROJECTS AND IN Y'ALL'S CONTRACTS, NOWHERE DOES IT SAY IF YOU EVER PAY LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, YOU'LL NEVER BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BID AGAIN WITH BEXAR COUNTY.

IT'S BEEN.

ALMOST 12 YEARS NOW, YOUR HONOR, SINCE WE'VE WORKED WITH YOU GUYS.

AND WE WANT AT SOME POINT THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR YOU GUYS AGAIN.

AND WE ALL OF OUR CREWS LIVE HERE.

WE'RE A PART OF THIS COUNTY.

AND AT WHAT POINT DO YOU.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY HAS DISAGREEMENTS.

I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE SINCE THIS MORNING.

YOU AGREE TO DISAGREE? RESPECTFULLY, RIGHT? WE HAD ISSUES.

WE AGREED TO DISAGREE.

WE FINISHED THE PROJECT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE ANYBODY TAKE OVER FOR US.

WE GOT THE JOB DONE, WE PAID OUR PENALTIES, AND Y'ALL TOOK MONEY FROM US.

YOU KNOW, FOR THOSE PENALTIES.

Y'ALL TOOK MONEY FROM US, AND WE STILL FINISHED THE JOB.

AND WE'RE STILL HERE TODAY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO OUT TO THE BONDING COMPANY.

Y'ALL DIDN'T HAVE TO GO HIRE ANOTHER CONTRACTOR TO FINISH THOSE PROJECTS.

WE WE DID IT.

WE BIT THE BULLET AND DID THAT.

AND I THINK THE THE LOW BID PROCESS IS I MEAN IT IT'S Y'ALL.

Y'ALL DO A LOT OF TEXTILE RELATED ITEMS. ALL THE BID ITEMS ARE TEXTILE RELATED WORK.

SO WHEN WE'RE BIDDING THESE JOBS AT PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETINGS, YOU SIGN A PARTNERING PLEDGE AND IT SAYS IF YOU AGREE TO DISAGREE AND MOVE ON, THERE'S GOING TO BE DISAGREEMENTS EVERY DAY IN THIS INDUSTRY.

WE ALL KNOW THAT IN EVERY INDUSTRY, NOT JUST CONSTRUCTION.

AND WE THINK THE LOW BID PROCESS IS THE FAIR PROCESS TO GO WITH THIS.

IS TAX DOLLARS BEING USED.

AND WE DID THAT.

WE CAME TO THE PRE BID.

THERE WAS A MANDATORY PRE BID ON THIS JOB.

WE SHOWED UP AT THE PRE BID.

WE SIGNED OUR NAMES IN AT THE PRE BID AND WE TURNED IN A BID WHERE THE BONDING COMPANY SAID HRINKO YOU WE FEEL COMFORTABLE YOU'RE GOING TO PERFORM THIS WORK. AT NO POINT PRIOR TO US TURNING IN OUR BID DID SOMEBODY SAY HEY WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT YOUR BID ANYWAYS, SO DON'T TURN IT IN.

I MEAN, IF OUR BONDING COMPANY, OUR INSURANCE COMPANY BACKS US AND FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT IT, THEY WOULDN'T GIVE US THESE OPPORTUNITIES IF THEY DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME WAY.

AND I GUESS I ASK AT WHAT POINT I MEAN, I'M.

WHEN I WORKED FOR YOU BEFORE I WAS OUT OF COLLEGE FOR ONE YEAR.

I'VE BEEN OUT NOW FOR 15 YEARS.

AT WHAT POINT? I MEAN, I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD.

AT WHAT POINT AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO BID FOR THE ACCOUNTING AGAIN AND THEN ACCEPT A PROPOSAL FROM US? WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO PROVE IT? THAT'S ACTUALLY WHY WE BID THIS JOB, IS BECAUSE THIS IS OUR SPECIALTY.

IT WAS CONCRETE AND SOIL NAIL WORK.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT SOIL NAIL WORK, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIALIZED YOU HAVE TO HAVE CERTIFICATIONS, EVERYTHING.

ALL PERFORMED IN-HOUSE BY REMCO.

AND AT WHAT POINT DO WE GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO BID WITH YOU GUYS? I WOULD WOULD BE MY QUESTION BECAUSE I OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY SAID THAT THAT WAS THEIR JUSTIFICATION WAS PAST EXPERIENCE.

OKAY. 12 YEARS AGO.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM WAS SITTING IN THEIR POSITIONS.

THEY ARE NOW 12 YEARS AGO.

SO WE'VE ALL GROWN.

WE ALL DO. I'M NOT THE SAME PERSON I WAS AT I'M 36.

AT 24 YEARS OLD, I WAS.

YEAH, I WAS A HOT, FIERY, YOU KNOW, GUY.

I MEAN, THAT'S ALL OF US WERE.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHY YOU'RE IN THE POSITIONS YOU ARE NOW IS BECAUSE ALL OF Y'ALL WERE THAT AT ONE POINT.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY LAUGHS, BUT IT'S THE TRUTH.

I MEAN, FROM FROM BACK THEN TILL NOW, I MEAN, I WAS A YOU DISAGREE WITH ME.

I'M. I DON'T LIKE YOU TODAY.

I'M NOT THAT IT'S OKAY.

I, I WORK FOR MY DAD.

I DISAGREE WITH HIM MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

OKAY, I DO, BUT THAT'S OKAY AT THE END OF THE DAY.

WE STILL RESPECT EACH OTHER AND WORK WITH EACH OTHER.

AND MY COMMITMENT TO YOU GUYS WOULD BE, I KNOW THIS PROJECT WANTED TO BE LET OR TO BE DONE IN JANUARY, WHICH Y'ALL VOTED TO, TO LET THEM HAVE THE PROJECT. MY COMMITMENT TO Y'ALL WOULD BE THAT.

AND WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS IT WANTED TO START AFTER RODEO AND FINISH BEFORE THE RODEO.

I COULD STILL GET THIS JOB DONE BEFORE THE RODEO.

I FEEL THAT CONFIDENT.

THIS IS ALL INTERNAL.

WE HANDLE EVERY SINGLE THING ON THIS PROJECT.

AND ARE YOU EVER GOING TO FIND THE SECOND PLACE BIDDER? I CAN GO TO THE TEXTILE WEBSITE RIGHT NOW AND FIND JOBS THAT THEY'RE BEHIND ON.

YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO FIND A CONTRACTOR THAT ISN'T THAT'S DONE EVERY JOB WITHOUT BEING IN PENALTIES.

AND I AGREE COMPLETELY.

WE GOT INTO PENALTIES WITH YOU GUYS.

WE BOUGHT WE GOT THREE JOBS IN A ROW.

IT WAS IT WAS TOO MUCH TO BITE OFF AT ONE TIME.

BUT WE FINISHED EVERY ONE OF THEM AND WE'RE STILL HERE TODAY.

WE'VE GROWN FOURFOLD.

AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT, THIS IS IN YOUR PRECINCT.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN.

WHEN AM I GOING TO GET TO PROVE THAT I CAN WORK FOR THE COUNTY AGAIN?

[03:45:05]

I'VE PROVEN IT TO TEXDOT BY ALLOWING THEM.

AND I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER COPY OF THE LETTERS THAT I BROUGHT LAST TIME, BUT I BELIEVE YOU ALL REMEMBER THE THE BONDING CAPACITY LETTERS THAT WERE SUBMITTED THE LAST TIME. AND THOSE AREN'T SOMETHING I'M MAKING UP.

THAT'S REAL.

TRUTH, AND AT SOME POINT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR YOU GUYS AGAIN.

AND I FELT LIKE THIS WAS THE PERFECT PROJECT TO PROVE MYSELF.

AND I GUESS I'M ASKING WHEN I WANT TO.

I WANT TO PROVE MYSELF TO YOU GUYS.

I MEAN, WE CAN START NEXT WEEK, YOU KNOW, AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE BID THIS THINKING.

WE PASSED ON SOME OTHER PROJECTS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO DEDICATE CREWS TO THIS JOB.

AND THEN WE GET THAT LETTER AFTER CHRISTMAS.

GUESS AT LEAST IT WASN'T BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

KIND OF LIKE, HERE'S A CHRISTMAS CARD, BUT IT WAS.

AT LEAST AFTER CHRISTMAS, IT SAID, WE WE FEEL WE'RE GOING TO AWARD IT TO THE SECOND PLACE BIDDER.

I MEAN, YOU HAD SO MANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY THAT THAT DIFFERENCE IN PRICING COULD HAVE GONE AND PAID FOR.

AND I JUST ASKED YOU TO GIVE US ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

AND WE DID MESS UP.

NOT GOING TO HIDE THAT FACT.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S TEN MINUTES, BUT THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO GET ACROSS.

I THINK THE LOW BID PROCESS IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK THAT'S HOW YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO USE TAX DOLLARS IS A LOW BID PROCESS.

IT'S A FAIR WAY TO DO IT.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL CONTINUE TO USE THAT PROCESS GOING FORWARD.

JUDGE, I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU. TELL ME AGAIN, WHERE IS YOUR BUSINESS HEADQUARTERED? IT'S HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

OR. NO, OUR HOME OFFICE IS IN HONDO AND HONDO.

HONDO, JUST WEST OF SAN ANTONIO.

YES. OKAY. GOT IT. OKAY, SO THERE'S NO HOME OFFICE OR ANY OFFICE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

IT'S A HONDO OFFICE.

CORRECT. BUT YOU WERE MENTIONING SOME OTHERS THAT GOT IT.

THEY DON'T HAVE OFFICES HERE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? AND THE SECOND PLACE BIDDER IS A LARGE FIRM OUT OF HOUSTON.

HOUSTON. OKAY. SO IN TERMS OF THE THE PRICE DISCREPANCY, REMIND ME, WHAT WAS THE PRICE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN YOUR BID AND THE SECOND BID? I THINK IT'S AROUND 350.

BETWEEN 350 AND $400,000.

OKAY, LET ME JUST ASK THE PUBLIC WORKS STAFF IF YOU COULD COME FOR A SECOND, PLEASE.

DOES THAT CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS, MR. HACKER? YEAH.

YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS WHILE THERE? IF YOU WOULD JUST KIND OF STEP ASIDE.

STEP BACK.

MR. REINHARDT, DOES YOUR STAFF.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE I LOOKED AT THE PAPERS, BUT I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK THE BONDING CAPACITY.

IS THAT AT 128, ACCORDING TO THE SURETY AND INSURANCE BONDING PEOPLE? YES. SO, AS MR. HARKER MENTIONED, THEY DID SUBMIT BONDING CAPACITY.

SO AGAIN, JUST TO TALK ABOUT THE SITUATION.

SO AS STAFF, OUR JOB ISN'T TO COME IN AND WRITE PEOPLE OFF.

RIGHT. WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION IN THE IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE CAN DO.

AND IN THE CASE BACK IN JANUARY, WE RECOMMENDED THE MOST RESPONSIVE BIDDER.

AND THAT WAS REALLY FROM A HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE.

IT HAD BEEN A WHILE, AS MR. HATCH HAS MENTIONED, SINCE THE COUNTY HAD DONE WORK.

IT'S BEEN OVER A DECADE.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE PULLED AVAILABLE YOU KNOW, RESPONSES AND DID DID FIND THAT OVER THE 20 YEAR HISTORY OF DATA, WE, WE PULLED FROM TEXDOT APPROXIMATELY 12 PROJECTS, I THINK TEN WERE COMPLETED. SEVEN OF THOSE DID GO THROUGH AN EXTENSION OF TIME.

AND THAT'S CRITICAL FOR THIS PROJECT.

AS YOU KNOW, IT'S, YOU KNOW, SITUATED RIGHT BETWEEN FROST CENTER AS WELL AS THE RODEO.

AND WE ONLY HAVE A FINITE DURATION.

IT'S ALSO A VERY LARGE $9 MILLION PROJECT.

THE PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED FOR THE COUNTY THE LAST THREE AVERAGED ABOUT 3 MILLION.

I THINK ONE OF THOSE WAS AROUND 5 MILLION, THE OTHER TWO WERE SLIGHTLY OVER A MILLION.

AND THEN ALSO THE OF THE 20 YEAR HISTORY WITH TXDOT, THE PROJECTS AVERAGED ABOUT 1.2 MILLION.

SO THIS IS A VERY LARGE PROJECT COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS ONES.

SO THAT'S THAT'S NOT TO SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PERFORM IT, BUT WHEN WE'RE JUMPING BACK INTO WITH THE CONTRACTOR REESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS, WE WANT TO TRY TO FIND WHAT WE THINK IS THE RIGHT PROJECT WITHIN THE CONFINES.

LET ME JUST MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THIS PROJECT IS A $9 MILLION CONTRACT, CORRECT.

AND THEY'RE CURRENTLY DOING PROJECTS THAT ARE LIKE 1 MILLION.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? THE THE PROJECTS THAT MR. HARKER BILL MENTIONED THAT WE CITED, WHICH WERE OBTAINED FROM TEX DOT.

SO OF THOSE 12 PROJECTS, THE AVERAGE BID PRICE WAS AROUND 1.2 1.3 MILLION.

AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR TIMELINE, THOSE PROJECTS DATED BACK, SOME OF THEM DATED 9 TO 2001.

IS THAT THE RANGE 2001 THROUGH 2022, I THINK IS THE MOST RECENTLY LED PROJECT THE HISTORY OF PROJECTS WITH BEXAR COUNTY, THE LAST THREE THAT WERE COMPLETED WERE COMPLETED IN 2012.

AND SO THOSE WERE THE ONES THAT MR. HARKER REFERRED TO.

OKAY. SO ARE YOU SAYING TO THE COURT THAT THERE WAS A TRACK RECORD OF INABILITY TO COMPLETE? WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT LIKE, IT'S A, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A COMPARABLE SIZE PROJECT.

[03:50:07]

BUT THE LAST THREE PROJECTS THAT BEXAR COUNTY COMPLETED WITH THEM WERE BRIDGE PROJECTS.

AND THEY ENDED WITH RANGING FROM 50 DAYS OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, UP TO 200 DAYS OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, WHICH THEY DID PAY, AND THEY DID COMPLETE THE PROJECTS AS MENTIONED.

BUT THAT'S THAT WAS WHAT GAVE US PAUSE.

AND THEN CONSIDERING ALL OF THE BIDS AND WHAT I WOULD MENTION MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO MEET WITH WITH LANDON AND TALK ABOUT UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT WE COULD FORECAST AND SEE. I KNOW HE'S EAGER TO GET BACK IN BUSINESS WITH BEXAR COUNTY, AND WE WANT TO HAVE EVERYONE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING WHO WE THINK IS THE MOST RESPONSIVE BIDDER FOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS THAT HAVE VERY SPECIFIC CONSTRAINTS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE PROCUREMENT LANGUAGE WAS SO IT WASN'T A BEST VALUE.

IT WAS A LOW BID.

SO IS IT LOWEST AND MOST RESPONSIVE.

THAT'S CORRECT. YEAH. SO AND THE SCORING MATRIX WHAT'S THE PERCENTAGE OF HISTORY APPROACH TEAM.

HOW DO YOU BREAK PRICE.

HOW DOES THAT BREAK DOWN IN THE SCORING.

WELL SO IT'S LOW BID OKAY.

SO IT'S JUST WHOEVER'S LOW BID RIGHT.

AS AS ENGINEERS AND STAFF WE EVALUATE THE BIDS AND THEN WE MAKE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS THROUGH LOW BID AND THEN ALSO RESPONSIVENESS INCLUDING PAST PERFORMANCE.

OKAY. AND IF IF I MISSPEAK JONATHAN OR DAVE, FEEL FREE TO.

OKAY. SO YOUR SECOND BIDDER, DID YOU LOOK UP THE SAME KIND OF DELAYS? HOW MANY DID THEY HAVE? IN THEIR HISTORY IN THE LAST, I GUESS, FROM 2001 TO 2022.

SO WE DO HAVE ONGOING PROJECTS WITH THE SECOND BIDDER.

AND WHO IS IT AGAIN? IT'S HARPER BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION.

OKAY. NONE OF THOSE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HAVE RUN INTO LIQUIDATED DAMAGES WITH BEXAR COUNTY BECAUSE OF THAT RELATIONSHIP.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE PULLED ANY, ANY SORT OF OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL BECAUSE THEY'RE A CURRENT CONTRACTOR COMPLETING CURRENT PROJECTS FOR US.

SO. SO WE DON'T ACTUALLY WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW IF THEY HAD ANY TXDOT THINGS OR CORRECT.

BUT AGAIN, THAT'S RELEVANT BECAUSE WE HAVE ONGOING PROJECTS.

WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

IN THIS CASE, WE HADN'T WORKED WITH SOMEONE FOR A DECADE AND WANTED TO PULL THE OTHER AGENCY HISTORY.

WELL, IT'S IT'S A VERY TOUGH CALL BECAUSE YOU KNOW HE'S RIGHT YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GROWN QUITE A BIT.

AND, YOU KNOW, 128 MILLION IN BONDING CAPACITY IS NOT AN INSIGNIFICANT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY ANYMORE.

IT'S A IT'S A LOT OF WORK THAT WAS DONE TO GET TO THAT SIZE OF BONDING CAPACITY.

AND YOU KNOW, WE DON'T KNOW ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE HARPER BROTHERS, IF.

IF WE WERE TO HAVE ANOTHER INDEPENDENT, YOU KNOW, A DISTRICT COURT, FOR EXAMPLE, TO LOOK AT IT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WOULD THEY THEY CALL, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY HAD SIMILAR ISSUES.

SO IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY DIFFICULT DECISION QUITE FRANKLY.

SO I'LL JUST THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS FOR NOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE ON THE COURT HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER MOODY.

REALLY TRIES TO MAKE ONE COMMENT THAT COME ON UP THE SOIL NOW ANCHORS, THEY CAN SPEAK FOR IT.

IT'S THE AT&T CENTER.

ALL OF Y'ALL HAVE BEEN OVER THERE. THAT DRAINAGE DITCH, WHEN YOU WALK FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE THE SLOPES ARE FAILING.

THESE SOIL NAIL ANCHORS ARE IS WHAT'S GOING TO HOLD BACK THE NEW CONCRETE CHANNEL.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE THAT ISSUE ANYMORE.

WE DO THAT INTERNALLY.

HARPER BROTHERS DOES NOT.

SO JUST FYI.

SO AS FAR AS COMPARATIVE PROJECTS IF YOU WANTED TO ASK TXDOT, RIGHT SOUTH OF THE ALAMODOME ON I-37 AND I-10, THE BIG SLOPE FAILURE THAT HAPPENED WE DID ABOUT 5000 LINEAL FEET, ALMOST A MILE OF THE TRYING TO REMEMBER THE EXIT SOUTHBOUND.

WE REPAIRED THE ENTIRE SLOPE BY USING SOIL NAILS, SO HARPER WOULD HAVE TO GET A SUBCONTRACTOR.

SO DO WE HAVE THE SUBCONTRACTOR LISTED? AND WHO IS THE SUBCONTRACTOR? THE. THE SUBCONTRACTOR ON THE HARPER BROTHERS TEAM IS OSCAR ORDUNO, INC..

THEY'RE OUT OF NORTH TEXAS.

YEAH. OSCAR. WHICH ONE? OR OSCAR ORDUNO INC.

THEY DO A LOT OF SAUCE WORK, DON'T THEY? I'M NOT SURE THERE'S GEOTECHNICAL SPECIALISTS.

OKAY. DIFFERENT COMPANY THAN I'M THINKING OF.

SO. YEAH.

THE CONTRACTOR.

YEAH. OSCAR. THERE IS ANOTHER OSCAR.

THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT. OKAY, SO.

SO WHY COULDN'T.

I MEAN, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT HARPER BROTHERS IS PRETTY MUCH GETTING THE 3000 $400,000 FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT OF THE SUBCONTRACTOR.

COULDN'T YOU PARTNER HARPER WITH THIS COMPANY TO DO TO TO BE THE SUB? SO WE WOULD HAVE TO REEVALUATE ALL THE BIDS, GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AGAIN TO REBID IT OUT, WHICH AGAIN THE THE THRESHOLD HERE IS THE TIME FRAME.

UNDERSTOOD. OKAY.

[03:55:03]

MORE RECENTLY, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE GROWTH IN THE COMPANY, THE INCREASED BONDING CAPACITY.

LIKE, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS WITH TXDOT AND, AND OR, YOU KNOW, ART FROM THE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE.

WERE THERE ANY OTHER PROJECTS THAT YOU POLLED THAT THE COMPANY WAS STILL, YOU KNOW, BEHIND ON? NOT WITH BEXAR COUNTY, BUT IN THE RECENT HISTORY? MAYBE YOU FIRST.

SO WE STILL DO A WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS.

WE STILL DO. WE HAVE A $40,000 PROJECT WITH ATASCOSA COUNTY RIGHT NOW, AND WE HAVE A $12 MILLION PROJECT WITH PRESIDIO COUNTY.

JUST LAST MONTH, WE ACTUALLY WERE THE LOW BID IN THE TEXAS HIGHWAY LETTING OF A $27 MILLION PROJECT IN PRESIDIO.

SO WE WE DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO SIZE WISE.

SO WE HAVE SMALL CREWS.

WE HAVE BIG CREWS. SO CAN YOU SPEAK TO ANY DELAYS ON ANY OF THE THOSE OTHER PROJECTS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS? MATERIAL SUPPLIERS, WE DO A LOT OF WORK OUTSIDE OF TOWN AND THEN EVEN IN TOWN, TRUCKING IS IS AN ISSUE, BUT EVERYBODY IS KIND OF AWARE OF THAT.

AND WE KIND OF AS FAR AS THE SOIL NAIL GROUT FOR THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS PART OF THE SOIL NAILS, WE ACTUALLY MAKE IT OURSELVES SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON INGRAM, VULCAN, MARTIN MARIETTA TO SUPPLY US THIS.

SO THERE'S NO DELAY THERE.

WHICH WHICH IS A BIG, BIG HELP TO THE PROJECT.

THE LOCAL TRUCKING COMPANY WE USE WAS ON BOARD FOR THE CONTAMINATED SOILS WE NEEDED TO REMOVE.

WE VERY MUCH STUDIED THIS PROJECT, AND WE FELT LIKE WE COULD VERY MUCH PERFORM, AND WE STILL CAN.

WE'RE READY TO.

YOU SAY GO. WE'LL WE'LL JUMP TOMORROW BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS.

AND WE WANT THE NEXT TIME WE HAVE JOBS HERE THAT THERE'S NO QUESTIONS.

IT'S REMCOS LOW BID.

REMCO GOT THE JOB BECAUSE WE DID A GOOD JOB FOR YOU GUYS, UNDERSTAND? AND I KNOW WE HAD ISSUES.

WE WE ALL. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

ADMIT THAT. SO ART, CAN YOU MAYBE RESPOND FROM COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE ON RECENT PROJECTS BECAUSE I, YOU KNOW, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, GOING BACK 12 YEARS ISN'T REALLY A FAIR COMPARISON ANYMORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S MORE RECENT STRUGGLES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED WHEN YOU GUYS WENT AND PULLED IT, THEN OBVIOUSLY THAT'S THAT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

YEAH. SO THE INFORMATION WE OBTAINED FROM TXDOT PRIMARILY THEY THEY LOOK LIKE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECTS.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME LEVEL OF SOIL NAIL WALL AS PART OF THE ABUTMENTS AND RETAINING WALLS, BUT THE FOCUS WAS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.

AND AGAIN, THE MAGNITUDE OF THOSE PROJECTS AVERAGED ABOUT 11.2 1.3 MILLION IN BIDS.

SO THEY WERE A MUCH SMALLER PROJECT.

AND AGAIN, UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HISTORY THAT'S TEN YEARS OLD.

SO IT IS DATED.

BUT WE'RE ALSO IT'S A VERY SPECIFIC PROJECT TIME FRAME CONSTRAINTS.

AND SO WE'D LOVE TO WORK WITH HRINKO AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

BUT I WAS THAT STEEL RELATED.

WAS IT THE BRIDGES? WAS IT A STEEL BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME STEEL DELAYS? I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL.

WELL ACTUALLY, DID Y'ALL GET THE HANDOUT? DID IT COME WITH YOU GUYS? I HANDED IT TO THE LADY I SIGNED.

SORRY, I CAN'T SEE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

OH, HERE IT IS. IT'S COMING RIGHT NOW.

OKAY, SO THE.

YEAH. SORRY, I THOUGHT IT WAS HANDED OUT TO YOU GUYS, BUT THANK YOU.

WELL, AND ANOTHER QUESTION THEN, JUST AGAIN, COMPARING THE TWO PIECES OF INFORMATION HERE, THE, THE PROJECTS YOU JUST MENTIONED, SOME OF WHICH WERE WITH SURROUNDING COUNTIES THAT WERE MUCH BIGGER PROJECTS, WERE WE ABLE TO PULL THAT INFORMATION, OR ARE THOSE SO RECENT THAT THERE'S NO KIND OF HISTORY OF COMPLETION? THROUGH THE BID EVALUATION, WE DID NOT PULL THAT DATA.

WE REACHED OUT TO TEXDOT AND PROVIDED THAT HISTORY.

OKAY. THE FIRST PAGE IS HARD TO SEE.

THE VERY LAST PAGE IS THAT SAME CHART.

OKAY. AND THAT VERY LAST PAGE IS THE PROJECT THAT BEXAR COUNTY BROUGHT UP AT THE JANUARY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.

AND YOU CAN SEE OUT OF THE TEN, THE LAST TWO PROJECTS ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING.

YOU CAN SEE THAT'S A SECOND TO THE LAST IS A $3.1 MILLION PROJECT.

AND THEN THE THIRD TWO ARE THE VERY LAST ONES, A $4.5 MILLION.

WE'RE WORKING ON THOSE RIGHT NOW.

THE SECOND ONE TO THE BOTTOM IS ACTUALLY FINISHED.

THE ROADWAY IS OPEN.

THE OTHER TEN PROJECTS ARE THE ONES THAT WE REFER TO IN THAT LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.

THE FIRST SIX ON THAT LIST WERE 2009 AND BEFORE.

THE NEXT ONES ARE STILL PRIOR TO THEY STARTED IN 1617 AND 19.

AND WE AVERAGED 20, 20 TO 22 PROJECTS A YEAR.

[04:00:04]

WE HAVE ISSUES WITH TIME, DETERMINATION, SCHEDULES RUNNING INTO ONE OF THE PROJECTS WITH YOU GUYS, WE FOUND AN OLD LANDFILL, ROLLING ROAD, FOUND AN OLD LANDFILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JOB. SO I'M HERE TO SAY WE ARE COMMITTED.

WE THINK THAT WE ARE THE BEST COMPANY TO DO THIS PROJECT.

WE WERE THE LOW BIDDER, AND WE WANT YOU ALL TO USE YOUR TAX DOLLARS SOMEWHERE ELSE AND GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU GUYS, AND I AM COMMITTED.

WE WILL GET THIS JOB DONE ON TIME.

LET ME ASK YOU THE SPREADSHEET YOU PROVIDED US WITH THE, YOU KNOW, PRICING OF THE PROJECTS.

YES. IS RANGING UP TO 2.6, 2.8, ABOUT $3 MILLION.

THE VERY LAST ONE IS A44, $4.5 MILLION.

OKAY. I MAY HAVE MISSED THAT.

SO BUT THEN THE SECOND PAGE OF YOUR STUFF SAYS THAT YOU DID ATASCOSA, PAGE 35 AND AND THEN PAGE 35 OF THE RAILROAD AND THE LOOP 410 HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY AND I-10 IN BEXAR COUNTY AND SOME SIGNIFICANT, YOU KNOW, HIGHWAY 181 OUT, CANEZ, ETC..

SO ARE THOSE PROJECTS ANYWHERE AROUND THE $9 MILLION RANGE? THE BIGGEST ONE ON THAT LIST IS PROBABLY $4.5 MILLION.

ON THAT LIST, I JUST GAVE YOU A LIST OF PROJECTS THAT HAD JUST RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED.

SO WE'RE THE OTHER $10 MILLION JOB WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS LEFT.

DO YOU HAVE A $10 MILLION JOB RIGHT NOW? YES, SIR. AND WHAT IS THAT WORK? IT'S BRIDGE WORK. IT'S BRIDGE RELATED WORK.

YEAH, BRIDGE RELATED WORK.

IT'S WAY OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHERE ALPINE PRESIDIO IS.

YEAH, UNLESS YOU GO BIG BEND PARK.

YEAH, IT'S IT'S OUT THERE.

AND THEN WE JUST GO OUT AND VISIT THE ALIENS OUT THERE.

THERE YOU GO. JUST KIDDING. YEAH. MARFA.

YEAH. MARFA. LIGHTS.

YES. BUT WE ACTUALLY JUST LAST MONTH WERE AWARDED A $27 MILLION JOB WITH TXDOT IN PRESIDIO COUNTY.

HOW MUCH? 27 MILLION.

WE WERE AWARDED BY TXDOT LAST MONTH IN PRESIDIO COUNTY.

YES, 27 MILLION. OKAY.

IT IS A RAIL FACILITY WITH BRIDGE WORK AND CONCRETE WORK.

SO WE'RE WE ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE.

WHEN WHEN DAVE USED TO GET MAD AT ME, AND JIM USED TO GET MAD AT ME ALL THE TIME, WE ARE A DIFFERENT GROUP OF PEOPLE, I ASSURE YOU.

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR, IS THAT WE WE ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE.

I THINK NOT ONLY OUR BONDING CAPACITY SHOWS THAT, BUT I HEAR WHAT THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT.

THAT'S WHY WE BID THIS JOB IS BECAUSE WE WANTED.

I WENT TO THE PRE BID CDS.

MURRAY WAS THE ENGINEER. I'M VERY.

YOU ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THIS JOB.

I KNOW WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS JOB.

AND WE KNEW WHAT THE.

LET ME ASK YOU LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

YES. SO IF WE WERE, IF I WERE TO ASK YOU WHAT IS THE MOST WORK IN TERMS OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS YOU'VE HAD AT ONE TIME HAPPENING? BECAUSE IF YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU HAVE A $23 MILLION JOB COMING UP, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAMP UP A LOT OF MOBILIZATION THERE.

SO CAN YOU HANDLE A $23 MILLION JOB AND A $9 MILLION JOB AT THE SAME TIME? THAT'S WHY I'M HERE RIGHT NOW.

WE ABSOLUTELY CAN.

I HAVE CREWS RIGHT NOW THAT IF YOU SAID JUMP TO MONDAY, WE'D BE SETTING BARRICADES ON THIS JOB.

AND MY COMMITMENT IS I.

WELL, LET ME ASK YOU, HAVE YOU DONE HAVE YOU DONE THERE'LL BE 34 MILLION.

HAVE YOU DONE $34 MILLION OF WORK AT ONE TIME? YES, SIR. YES, SIR.

YEAH. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CURRENT BACKLOG, WE TYPICALLY, ON A YEARLY BASIS, WORK OFF 25 TO $30 MILLION A YEAR.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 34.

SO YOU'RE READY TO STRETCH YOUR TEAM A LITTLE BIT.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? YEAH I WILL TELL YOU THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROCESS.

SO JUST THE MATERIALS ON SOIL NAILS ARE A LITTLE HIGHER THAN, THAN OKAY.

SO THAT SIDE OF THINGS YOU HAVE MORE COST THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD.

RIGHT? JUST LIKE A BRIDGE BEAM IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ITEM, RIGHT? THIS JOB HAS SOME VERY EXPENSIVE SOIL NAILS THAT KIND OF ADD TO TO THE COST AND THEN THE REMOVAL OF THE HAZARD.

HAZARDOUS WASTE.

I CAN REMOVE A YARD OF DIRT FOR $10 A YARD.

YOU MAKE IT HAZARDOUS OR CALL IT HAZARDOUS IF IT'S TESTED, THAT MAKES IT ABOUT $200 A YARD.

SO JUST THERE'S SOME SMALL THINGS ON THIS PROJECT THAT MAKE THE COST GO UP EXTREMELY THAT WELL, IT'S A COMPLICATED PROJECT.

IT IS. IT BASICALLY IS THAT'S OUR SPECIALTY IS A RUN OF MINGO CREEK THAT HAS ERODED SOME OF THE SOIL.

AND THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A LANDFILL, I THINK, ON THIS PROPERTY IN THE PAST.

SO IT MAKES A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED.

OKAY. THAT WAS MY LAST QUESTION.

THANK YOU. LET ME GO TO COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

AND I BELIEVE, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

THANK THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I'LL BE BRIEF. I CAN SENSE YOUR EARNESTNESS AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TRY AND MAKE THIS WORK.

[04:05:02]

AND THAT WAS TO GO WITH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.

I'M PREPARED TO STAND BY THAT.

BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU YOU OUGHT TO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE.

AND I AND I GET THAT. I THINK THIS THIS PROJECT'S ALREADY MOVING, BUT LET'S.

AND I KNOW ART, YOU'RE RELATIVELY NEW, DAVE.

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND.

LET'S MAKE SURE OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY.

AND I'M NOT SAYING WE CAN PROMISE YOU ANYTHING, BUT I THINK THAT THEY CERTAINLY WILL BE, I THINK, COMMITTED.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THEM TO MAKING SURE BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS, BASED ON IF IT'S A LOW BID, THAT YOU'LL HAVE A FUTURE OPPORTUNITY AT THE COUNTY.

I JUST THINK WE MADE A DECISION IN JANUARY BASED ON THE INFORMATION.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR ME AT LEAST TO CHANGE THAT.

SO I'M PREPARED JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, TO STAND BY THAT DECISION AND MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

JUST CIRCLING BACK ON ON ONE QUESTION FOR COUNTY STAFF WHEN WE WRITE THESE CONTRACTS, WE DO INCLUDE, LIKE A LIQUIDATED DAMAGES PROVISION IN CASE SOMEBODY IS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE ON TIME.

CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.

SO HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT THAT IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, HAVING THAT PROTECTION VERSUS TAKING ON THE RISK OF SOMEBODY POTENTIALLY BEING DELAYED? SO EVEN THE PAST CONTRACTS THAT WERE REFERENCED HAD LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.

AND THE VALUES THAT THEY HAD TO PAY BACK RANGED FROM CLOSE TO $40,000 TO NEARLY $250,000.

SO THERE THERE IS THAT CLAUSE.

IT'S NOT JUST THE MONETARY IMPACT, IT'S ALSO THE TIME IMPACT, RIGHT? WHEN OUR, YOU KNOW, COUNTYWIDE, OUR PROJECTS ARE PRIMARILY ABOUT SAFETY AND MOBILITY.

AND WHEN WE DELAY PROJECTS, THERE'S NOT JUST THE RISK OF CONSTRUCTION BUT ALSO THE DELAY TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE REALLY STRESS ON THE TIME.

AND I JUST WANT TO ALSO MENTION YOU KNOW, SUBSEQUENT TO THE COURT ACTION AT THE END OF JANUARY, YOU KNOW, PROCESS STARTED MOVING, RIGHT? SO CONTRACT WAS ISSUED.

WE HAD OUR SELECTED CONTRACTOR IN THEY STARTED SUBMITTING SUBMITTALS.

SO IT'S NOT JUST A START MONDAY TYPE THING.

THERE'S THERE'S SEVERAL WEEKS THAT GOES INTO GEARING UP AND STARTING AND AGAIN GETTING BACK INTO THAT TIME FRAME.

THAT'S A CONCERN AS WELL.

UNDERSTOOD. SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE YOU KNOW, WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION A MONTH AGO AND I WAS OPEN TO, TO HAVING THAT DISCUSSION IF YOU REMEMBER HOW THAT THAT WENT AND MY COMMENTS AT THE TIME.

BUT I THINK AT SOME POINT WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO RELITIGATE OVER AND OVER THE DECISION THAT'S, THAT'S BEEN MADE.

THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD JUST AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN WE WE MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO THE LOW BID, THEN OBVIOUSLY IT NEEDS TO BE AN EXCEPTION, RARE CASE AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S BASED ON ON DATA AND PERFORMANCE.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW, YOU'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO COMPETE FOR PROJECTS HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY IN THE FUTURE.

AND, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE THE BEST STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT WE CAN BE HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

BUT I THINK THAT'S MY POINT IS THAT I, I BROUGHT THIS BECAUSE I WAS THROWING THAT INFORMATION STANDING HERE THAT, HEY, HE LOOKED AT TEN PROJECTS.

I THINK HAD WE PRESENTED THIS TABLE OF WHEN THOSE TEN PROJECTS, Y'ALL WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, SIX OF THE TEN WERE PRIOR TO WHEN THE LAST PROJECTS WE WORKED FOR YOU GUYS.

I MEAN, DATING BACK 23 YEARS, THAT'S THAT'S A LONG TIME TO THAT'S ALMOST LIKE PICKING AND CHOOSING JUST TO TRY TO FIND PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT DONE ON TIME. RIGHT.

AND THAT'S THAT'S COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. THE PROCESS HAS STARTED.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD TO YOU THAT, HEY, WE LOOKED BACK AT TEN PROJECTS AND THEY WEREN'T ON TIME ON SEVEN OF THEM, IF THAT WAS RECENT.

IT'S LIKE, WHOA, RED FLAGS.

WELL, WHEN YOU GO BACK AND SAY THAT'S FROM 2001, THAT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT STORY, RIGHT? AND THAT THAT WAS OUR THAT WAS MY MAIN POINT TO IT.

I STILL THINK WE DO A GREAT JOB FOR YOU GUYS.

AND AGAIN, WE COULD START RIGHT AWAY, BUT YEAH, I UNDERSTAND THE CASE YOU MADE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DATA AS YOU PRESENTED IT.

AND I HOPE YOU'LL CONTINUE TO TO COMPETE FOR PROJECTS HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

YEAH. I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT OUR COUNTY STAFF CONTINUE TO DO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE PUBLIC WORKS.

I'M SURE DAVID WEGMANN CAN SPEAK TO IT, THAT YOU.

IT TAKES A LOT TO GO THROUGH ALL THE APPLICATIONS AND SCORE AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

THIS WAS, OF COURSE, WAS THE LOWEST BID.

BUT TO EVALUATE AND SEE IF THAT'S THE BEST THING FOR OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

SO I TRUST THE EXPERTS, TRUST THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR COUNTY STAFF.

[04:10:06]

OKAY, I HAVE A QUESTION, BUT IT.

IT'S GOING TO GO DOWN ANOTHER PATH.

LET ME GO TO MR. SMITH OR MR. ROBERSON. LET ME GO TO YOU.

IT'S GONE. IT'S REALLY IN REGARDS TO THE LAW THAT AFFECTS THE RFP AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS TYPE OF ISSUE HAS COME BEFORE THE COURT AS I'VE COUNTY JUDGE.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.

AN RFP HAS BEEN ISSUED.

IT WAS A LOW BID.

THE STAFF RECOMMENDED THAT WE NOT GO WITH THE LOW BID, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN REMCO.

SO WE WENT WITH HUDSON HARPER.

HARPER. AND SO NOW REMCO IS APPEALED.

SO ONE.

THE DECISIONS THAT WE CAN MAKE TODAY IS TAKE NO ACTION, WHICH WOULD AFFIRM THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, OR WE HAVE TO REJECT THE RFP AND SEND IT BACK.

OR BECAUSE WHAT WHAT I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR SO THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND WE JUST ONCE THESE AWARDS GO OUT, WE CAN'T BE CHANGING THEM AROUND.

OTHERWISE WE HAVE THE OTHER PARTY WHO HAS THE CONTRACT, HAS A RIGHT TO COME BACK IN HERE AND SAY, YOU DIDN'T GIVE US OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK EITHER.

SO, LARRY, YOU WANT TO TAKE A STAB AT IT OR DAVE.

WELL, THIS THIS APPEAL IS PURSUANT TO THE POST AWARD PROTEST.

AND SO THE COURT CAN MAKE NO DECISION WHICH WOULD AFFIRM THE WHICH WOULD AFFIRM A DECISION, AS THE COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ POINTED OUT, AFFIRMS THE DECISION THE COURT MADE IN JANUARY.

OR IT CAN CHANGE THAT DECISION.

IT'S UP TO THE COURT.

IN WHAT WAY? WELL, IF WE IF WE WERE IF THE MAJORITY WANTED A CHANGE, IT IT CAN AND IN ITS AGENDA IT CAN'T IT CAN IT CHANGE THAT DECISION.

BUT THAT OF COURSE, LARRY, I THINK THE QUESTION MAY BE WHAT'S THE MECHANISM TO CHANGE THE MECHANISM? DO THEY HAVE TO REJECT ALL BIDS AND GO BACK OUT, OR CAN THEY SIMPLY CHANGE THE AWARD TO BECAUSE THERE'S A PARTY MISSING, THERE'S A PARTY THAT HAS BEEN A DULY AWARDED BACK ON JANUARY 23RD, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED WORK.

WELL. AND SO THAT WAS.

WHOA WHOA WHOA. NO NO NO, I'M TALKING TO LAWYERS OR THE CITY COUNTY MANAGER.

THIS IS A LAW QUESTION.

I'M THE LAWYER, TOO.

THAT'S WHY I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS.

AND I WANT TO BE BRIEFED ON IT.

SO WHAT IS THE MECHANISM? I THINK, MR. SMITH, YOU HIT IT.

WHAT'S THE MECHANISM AS TO HOW WE DO THIS? SO FOR THIS AND ANY OTHER PERSON WHO WANTS TO CHALLENGE THE RFP AWARD, DO YOU GUYS GET IT? SO IF THEY WANT TO CHALLENGE AN RFP AWARD, IT'S THE POLICY.

NOW THE COURT VOTED ON THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

THAT WAS IT.

THE COURT MADE A DECISION BASED ON THAT RECOMMENDATION.

THEY COULD CHANGE THAT DECISION.

THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE PROCESS.

THEY JUST CHANGES THE RECOMMENDATION, THEIR DECISION.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO THROW OUT ALL THE.

NO, BUT DON'T WE HAVE AN AWARD THAT'S BEEN SIGNED AND EXECUTED AND WE HAVE A CONTRACT.

THERE'S A CONTRACT THAT EXISTS.

SO WHAT? WE SET IT ASIDE.

YEAH. THERE ARE. AND DOES THAT PARTY GET A RIGHT TO APPEAL? YEAH. SO THERE'S A YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING CONVERSATION THAT I WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE WITH THE COURT ON THE RECORD BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE LAWSUITS COME.

YES. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO AVOID.

I'M TRYING TO AVOID A LAWSUIT HERE.

YEAH. SO PROBABLY AT THIS POINT WE WOULD NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ON THE RECORD IF YOU BUT IF THE COURT WERE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENT DECISION, WHICH IT COULD.

BUT THIS IS THIS PART OF IT IS BASED ON THE POST AWARD POLICY PURCHASING POLICY.

SO, MR. SMITH, WHAT DO YOU WHAT'S YOUR.

POSITION AS COUNTY MANAGER.

MY CONCERN IS MORE WE'RE IN MARCH AND THIS.

WE HAVE TO BE DONE WITH THE PROJECT BY NEXT RODEO.

SO SWITCHING VENDORS AT THIS POINT, ALTHOUGH I'M SYMPATHETIC TO THE ARGUMENT THAT GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE, AND IT CERTAINLY SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO AS A COUNTY, BUT MY CONCERN IS GETTING MOBILIZED.

I DON'T KNOW ALL THE WORK THAT HAS TO GO IN JUST TO START PUTTING BOOTS ON THE GROUND, ALL THE PRE WORK THAT HAS TO HAPPEN, BUT WE'VE GOT TO BE OUT OF THERE IN TIME FOR RODEO. SO TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AS WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION WITH A PRIOR AGENDA ITEM.

CORRECT, CORRECT.

AND SO YOU'RE YOU'RE SETTING ASIDE AT LEAST SIX WEEKS OF WORK THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED.

SO LET ME GET MR. REINFELD BACK UP.

REINHART WHY I CALL YOU REINFELD? SEINFELD. NO.

REINHART. MY ALTER EGO.

[04:15:02]

SO YOU WEREN'T HERE WHEN THE AWARD.

SO. BUT YOU ARE HERE NOW.

SO DO YOU AFFIRM THE DECISION THAT STAFF MADE AND THE COURT APPROVED? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND AND AGAIN, I'LL IN THE SPIRIT OF COMMITMENT FURTHER, AS YOU MENTIONED ON OUR PREVIOUS COURT ITEM, HAPPY TO TO MEET WITH MR. HACKER IN THE FUTURE. WE FORECAST OUR UPCOMING BIDS.

IT'S THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE.

SO THAT ITEM HAD BEEN UP ONLINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

IN HINDSIGHT, WE COULD HAVE HAD THAT CONVERSATION.

BUT MOVING FORWARD, WE CAN DEFINITELY MEET WITH HIM TO TALK ABOUT UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES, ONES THAT MIGHT BE MORE MANAGEABLE TO GET BACK INTO BUSINESS WITH BEXAR COUNTY.

IS THERE A MECHANISM WITH YOU, AS THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS COUNTY ENGINEER, TO WORK WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS SUCH AS REMCO, MR. HACKER BILL HERE SO THAT HE GETS TO CLEAR THE AIR? HE GETS TO HOPEFULLY HAVE A CLEAN SLATE SO THAT HE CAN EITHER ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT OR FUTURE PROJECTS, BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY BID AS HE WAS THE LOW BID IN THIS SITUATION, BUT WAS NOT MADE THE AWARD BY COMMISSIONERS COURT ACTION.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. MY QUESTION ANNUALLY WE TALK TO AGC.

THAT'S THE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS.

SO I KNOW THAT THEY'RE PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

BUT LIKE I MENTIONED, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM COME IN NEXT WEEK IF YOU WANT.

AND WE CAN TALK THROUGH UPCOMING FORECASTS, TALK THROUGH CHALLENGES.

HE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THEIR THEIR ABILITIES AND THEN CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE.

SO YOU MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO MR. HACKER. ABSOLUTELY.

ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOTION? IT'S ONE OF THESE DAYS WHERE I JUST PUT A LITTLE PAUSE HERE.

IS THERE A MOTION? I DON'T KNOW, I KNOW, YEAH, I THINK WE'RE HEARING NO MOTION.

THANK YOU. MR.. HACKER.

BILL, I WISH YOU WELL.

YEAH. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I, I WISH THAT COMMITMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN BEFORE, LIKE, HEY, YOU WERE THE LOW BID EXPLAINED TO US HOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS.

I THINK PART OF THAT LEADERSHIP.

RIGHT. YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, A PHONE CALL, RIGHT? COME TO MY OFFICE AND TALK TO ME AND.

RIGHT. MR..

HART, YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

CORRECT. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

THAT CONCLUDES ITEM NUMBER 109.

LET'S GO TO TIME CERTAIN 130.

[4.b. 1:30 p.m.: Presentation, discussion, and appropriate action regarding an American Rescue Plan Act Agreement between Bexar County and TXC Texas Creative, LLC (ESBE, SBE) to provide Countywide outreach and education on responsible ownership and safety, and the adoption of proactive steps to reduce the prevalence of gun violence in our community; beginning February 20, 2024 and ending December 31, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $900,000 to include any budget transfer necessary and providing for a renewal through September 30, 2026, as requested by the Office of the County Manager; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute and file the appropriate award documents for record and approval of the appropriate budget transfer.]

TO INCLUDE ANY BUDGET TRANSFER NECESSARY AND PROVIDING FOR RENEWAL THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026, AS REQUESTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY MANAGER AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE AND FILE THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD AND APPROVAL OF THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER.

BEFORE WE DO THAT, WE HAVE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

AND AS I DID MY VERY BEST THIS MORNING WITH A PRIOR AGENDA ITEM, I WILL TRY TO ORGANIZE THOSE GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE WITH CERTAIN GROUPS AND ASK IF THEY'RE YIELDING THEIR TIME.

AND SO I SEE THAT MISTER BENNY PRICE, YOU'RE HERE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PERSON THAT IS YIELDING YOUR TIME? BENNY. OKAY.

ALSO, I.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO USE SOME OF THE TIME.

BUT THEN WHO'S HERE WITH YOU? THAT'S YIELDING TIME.

I CAN'T HEAR MISS BEVERLY HALL.

BEVERLY HALL.

OKAY. GOT IT.

SO IS BEVERLY HALL.

ARE YOU. ARE YOU HERE IN THE ROOM? ARE YOU YIELDING YOUR TIME TO MR. BENNY PRICE? YES.

NO. EITHER YOU TAKE YOUR TIME OR YOU YIELD WHICH ONE YOU WANT, YOU'LL TAKE YOUR TIME.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

SEAN. OLIVER.

LEFANU, ARE YOU HERE WITH A GROUP? CHRISTINA DELGADO.

ARE YOU HERE WITH A GROUP? I'M HERE. ARE YOU HERE WITH A GROUP? OKAY. HAYDEN YATES, ARE YOU HERE WITH A GROUP? ARE YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE GROUP YIELDING TO YOU? I DON'T THINK SO. JUST.

OKAY. JENNY OLSEN.

MOM. DEMAND ACTION.

DO YOU HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE? OKAY. I ALSO SEE ANGIE.

[04:20:02]

GOT IT. LENORE WALKER WITH FREE TEXAS.

I'M HERE. ALL RIGHT.

DO YOU HAVE A GROUP? NO.

JUST ME, MYSELF. OKIE DOKIE, CHARLES SATTERWHITE.

WHERE ARE YOU? HERE. BY YOURSELF? YES, SIR.

OKAY. JANIE.

GONZALES? YES, SIR.

DO YOU HAVE ANYBODY HERE? OH, YOU DO HAVE SOMEBODY, IS IT JOSEPH? YES. GARRETT. GARRETT.

GARRETT. GARCIA.

GARCIA. GARCIA.

AND HE'S YIELDING. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

TIA GIBSON, ANYBODY HERE WITH YOU? ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, SO WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD TODAY.

SO YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

AND CAN WE HEAR THE PROPOSAL FROM THE PIO? NO, I'M CALLING FOR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD AT THIS TIME.

SO LET ME HAVE MR. BENNY PRICE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. PRICE. GOOD AFTERNOON.

GLAD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK.

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY, I'M BENNY PRICE THE CEO OF BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE.

AND THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION TEAM.

IT'S CALLED THE GREAT TEAM.

AND THE GREAT STANDS FOR GANG REHABILITATION.

ENDING AFFILIATION TIES.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY.

ON THIS MATTER FOR THEIR INVESTMENT TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE THROUGH SAFE STORAGE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP.

WE SUPPORT THIS EFFORT AS WE KNOW THAT SAFE STORAGE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP EDUCATION IS NEEDED AND VERY IMPORTANT PART OF REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE.

AND WE ALSO ASK THE COURT TO GIVE ATTENTION TO ANOTHER SOLUTION THAT REDUCES GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT SOLUTION IS COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION.

THE KVI MODEL IS USED TO INTERVENE, PREVENT AND MEDIATE CONFLICT CONFLICTS THAT NORMALLY LEAD TO GUN VIOLENCE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. PRICE. BEVERLY HALL.

HELLO. THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME TO TODAY.

SO I'M HERE TODAY.

MY NAME IS BEVERLEY.

I'M CEO OF MOTHERLESS CHILD.

I ASSIST FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST THEIR CHILDREN DUE TO DEATH AND INCARCERATION.

MY ORGANIZATION, MY ORGANIZATION HAVE A BEREAVEMENT RESOURCE CENTER.

AND I JUST WANT TO COME OUT HERE AND JUST.

I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FUNDS BEING ALLOCATED THAT WOULD HELP MY ORGANIZATION.

IT WOULD HELP MY ORGANIZATION TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY VERSUS HAVING I'M SORRY I GET NERVOUS VERSUS HAVING THE COMMUNITY TO COME INTO MY RESOURCE CENTER.

AND THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY.

THANK YOU. SEAN OLIVER.

SEAN OLIVER.

CAN YOU CALL HIS NAME IN THE HALLWAY? MAKE SURE HE'S NOT SEAN OLIVER.

OH, HE HAD TO LEAVE. OKAY.

NO. NO PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

CHRISTINA DELGADO.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE SAKAI.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF BEXAR COUNTY, WHICH MY CTO AND COUSINS WHO ARE LIKELY WATCHING RIGHT NOW HAVE LIVED FOR 50 YEARS.

FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

MY NAME IS CHRISTINA DELGADO, AND I SERVE AS THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ADVOCACY ASSOCIATE FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION LED BY AND FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR DEDICATED TO ELEVATING THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMING IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

AS WE TALK ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, LIKE ROSIE STONE, A FELLOW RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER, KNOW ALL TOO WELL HOW IMPORTANT SAFE STORAGE AND GUN SAFETY

[04:25:01]

ROSIE'S SON, CHRIS, FOUGHT WITH A 17 YEAR OLD SHOOTER WHO HAD ACCESS TO HIS FATHER'S FIREARMS AND SHOT CHRIS THROUGH THE DOOR, KILLING HIM ALONGSIDE NINE OTHERS AT SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2018.

WHILE WE SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GUN SAFETY, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE ISSUE THAT REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, OR CVI, ADDRESSES A BROADER SPECTRUM OF ISSUES BEYOND JUST FIREARM SAFETY.

CVI ENCOMPASSES COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE, INCLUDING POVERTY, TRAUMA, AND SOCIAL INEQUITY.

JUST LAST WEEK, THE WHITE HOUSE ADDRESSED THE NATION WITH A CONTINUED CALL TO ACTION TO FUND CVI PROGRAMING AS A KEY MOVE FORWARD IN INTERRUPTING AND REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

THESE INVESTMENTS CREATE NOT JUST A CAMPAIGN, BUT A COMPREHENSIVE MOVE FOR CHANGE IN COMMUNITIES WHO NEED AWARENESS, HOWEVER, ARE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE BEING AFFECTED BY EVERYDAY ACTS OF GUN VIOLENCE.

WE STAND HERE TODAY GRATEFUL AND GIVE GREAT THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A NORTH STAR OF THE KVI MODEL IN TEXAS.

THESE COALITION PARTNERS ARE WORKING IN COLLABORATION EVERY DAY, INCLUDING GUN SAFETY ADVOCATES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATES, SURVIVORS SERVICES, AND OTHER KVI ORGANIZATIONS WHO HELP TO CREATE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE COMPLEX NATURE OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND IT TAKES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND THESE SURVIVORS TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN CHANGE AND SAFETY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WITH THAT COMES THE NEED FOR FUNDING.

THESE INVESTMENTS CREATE NOT JUST A CAMPAIGN AGAIN, BUT A COMPREHENSIVE MOVE CHANGE IN COMMUNITIES WHO NEED AWARENESS.

AND NEED TO HAVE THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE FORWARD.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS, AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THESE ADVOCATES HAVE EVEN BEEN ABLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND BE INVOLVED IN.

BE INVOLVED WITH FOLKS FROM ACROSS THIS NATION WHO HAVE WHO HAVE SEEN SUCCESSES IN.

WRAP IT UP. GO AHEAD.

OKAY. THANK YOU. WHO HAVE SEEN SUCCESSES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN WEBINARS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, WHICH IS HELPING US TO NAVIGATE HOW TO GET THE FUNDING OUT AND HOW TO CREATE THESE, THESE SAFETY CAMPAIGNS.

SO WE AT COMMUNITY JUSTICE, THOUGH WE AGAIN, WE DO SUPPORT AND WE WE WE DO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, GUN SAFETY AWARENESS.

BUT THERE IS A VERY, VERY GRAVE NEED FOR US TO BE ABLE TO FUND THESE ORGANIZATIONS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE DOING THIS LIFESAVING WORK IN COMMUNITIES HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

HAYDEN YATES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR THANK YOU FOR THIS.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS HAYDEN YATES, AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF SEA TO ACT.

EXCUSE ME, AND I'M HERE TODAY.

RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE SUPPORT AND FUNDING FROM THE BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR OUR VITAL INITIATIVES AIMED AT TO ENSURE THAT THESE YOUNG EMPOWERING, AT RISK AND SOCIOECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED YOUTH IN BEXAR AND BEXAR COUNTY.

OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT THESE YOUNG INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

NOT ONLY DO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, BUT ALSO TO ACCESS DIVERSE RANGE OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THEY RIGHTLY DESERVE.

OUR PROGRAMS NOT ONLY BENEFIT THE YOUTH OF BEXAR COUNTY, BUT ALSO DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF MAJOR LOCAL COMPANIES REGARDING THE SKILL GAPS OF COLLEGE GRADUATES. 65% OF ALL JOBS REQUIRE A CREDENTIAL ABOVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

IN SAN ANTONIO, ONLY 33% OF ALL ADULTS HAVE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR HIGHER.

MISSING OUT ON ROUGHLY $9,000 IN WAGES PER PERSON.

IN ADDITION TO COMMUNICATION SKILLS, OUR TEACH TO EMPOWER PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FOSTERING THE ABILITY OF YOUNG INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE INFORMED AND RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS. THROUGH OUR CURRICULUM, STUDENTS ARE EQUIPPED WITH CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, DECISION MAKING SKILLS, AS WELL AS COLLABORATIVE DISCOVERY PROCESS NECESSARY FOR NAVIGATING VARIOUS CHALLENGES THEY WOULD ENCOUNTER IN LIFE.

[04:30:07]

WE EMPOWER THEM TO MAKE THOUGHTFUL AND POSITIVE CHOICES IN THEIR PERSONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES.

THIS EMPHASIS ON DECISION MAKING NOT ONLY ENHANCES THEIR INDIVIDUAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BUT ALSO CULTIVATES A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND AGENCY, ENABLING THEM TO BECOME PROACTIVE AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

EVERY YEAR, 10,000 BEXAR COUNTY GRADUATES DO NOT CONTINUE THEIR TRAINING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL THAT CAN BOOST THEIR EARNING POTENTIAL.

SEA TO ACT, WHICH IS AN ACRONYM FOR STORYTELLING, EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION TO TO TO SORRY TO FOR TO PRESERVE AUTONOMY.

CULTURE AND TRADITION IS COMMITTED TO AND ALIGNED WITH FUTURE READY BEXAR COUNTY TO INCREASE POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES BY 2030.

TO INCREASE POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT IN A DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL PROGRAM TO 70%.

JUDGE SAKAI. THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

CAN YOU WRAP IT UP, SIR? I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WE'RE PARTNERING UP WITH BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE, AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE THESE KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES.

WE DO NOT WANT TO REPEAT WHAT HAPPENED TO IN UVALDE.

AT ROBB ELEMENTARY.

SO WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. JENNY OLSON.

HI, MY NAME IS JENNY OLSEN AND I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA.

I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE COURT FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN GRASSROOTS VIOLENCE INTERVENTION ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT GUN VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC THAT REQUIRES A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH.

IT REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THE SHOOTINGS, THE DEATHS AND TRAUMA THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SUFFERING.

IT REQUIRES AN APPROACH THAT ALSO ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSES OF GUN VIOLENCE, INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA, FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY, LACK OF EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, AMONG OTHERS.

AND OUR WORK AT MOMS DEMAND ACTION.

WE OFTEN USE THE SWISS CHEESE ANALOGY TO EXPLAIN THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO CURBING GUN VIOLENCE.

WITH ONE PIECE OF SWISS CHEESE, THERE ARE MANY HOLES MAKING IT EASY FOR A BULLET TO PASS THROUGH.

BUT AS WE BEGIN TO LAYER ONE PIECE OVER THE OTHER, THE HOLES GET COVERED AND BECOME SMALLER AND SMALLER.

THE SMALLER THE HOLE, THE MORE DIFFICULT THE BULLET TO PASS THROUGH.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY, STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND ORGANIZATIONS, EACH OF WHICH REPRESENTS A LAYER OF SWISS CHEESE AND THE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION SOLUTION IN THE MOST IMPACTED NEIGHBORHOODS IN BEXAR COUNTY.

THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE INVALUABLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE BECAUSE THEY ARE THE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE FROM THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE WITH SIMILAR LIVED EXPERIENCES AS THOSE WHOM THEY SERVE.

AND BECAUSE OF THIS, THEY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE AT BUILDING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT RISK OF EITHER BEING SHOT OR OF PERPETRATING A SHOOTING.

INDIVIDUALS WHO OFTEN CANNOT BE REACHED THROUGH OTHER AVENUES.

THEY PROVIDE EVERYTHING FROM TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND COUNSELING SERVICES, TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, TO MEDIATING CONFLICTS AND INTERRUPTING RETALIATORY SHOOTINGS. THEY PROVIDE MEALS AND HYGIENE SUPPLIES AND OFTEN JUST A SAFE HAVEN FROM VIOLENCE.

THIS THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS THEY DO AND JUST SO MUCH MORE.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE ATTENTION TO THIS CRISIS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH ALL OF YOU ON FUTURE GUN SAFETY INITIATIVES.

THANK YOU. THANKS. ANGIE.

JEN.

HI THERE. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS ANGIE YANG AND I AM THE VOLUNTEER CO-LEAD FOR OUR LOCAL BEXAR COUNTY GROUP, MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA.

WE FIERCELY ADVOCATE FOR A SECURE FIREARM STORAGE STORAGE INITIATIVE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SECURING A FIREARM IN HOMES AND VEHICLES SAVES LIVES.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THE COUNTY IS INVESTING IN A SECURE STORAGE CAMPAIGN AND RAISING AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GUN STORAGE.

[04:35:01]

VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER PROGRAMS IN PARTICULAR, DEPLOY TRUSTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS AT THE HIGHEST RISK AND WORK TO REDUCE VIOLENT BEHAVIOR THROUGH TARGETED INTERVENTIONS.

WE ALL REALIZE THAT GUN VIOLENCE IS A MULTIFACETED ISSUE AND REQUIRES AN OVERLAPPING APPROACH OF SOLUTIONS.

MY ASK TODAY IS THAT THE COUNTY INCLUDE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON GUN VIOLENCE.

MY ASK TODAY IS THAT THE COUNTY FUND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. MY ASK TODAY.

IS THAT THE COUNTY INVESTS IN INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CONSISTENTLY PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE.

DEFUZING CONFLICTS AND CONFRONTATIONS INVOLVING GUNS.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN IMPORTANT SECURE FIREARM STORAGE EDUCATION.

PLEASE ALSO TAKE ACTION TO INVEST IN COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS MOST IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, MISS LENORE WALKER.

SORRY. ARE WE MISSING SOMEONE? OH, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HE.

HE LEFT. HELLO, COMMISSIONERS.

AND. HELLO. JUDGE, I'M JUST HERE AGAIN TODAY BECAUSE, AS I HAVE STATED FROM THE BEGINNING, THAT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS MONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED BACK TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

I DON'T CHANGE MY STANCE ON THAT.

I KNOW IT'S $900,000.

THAT COULD HAVE REALLY BEEN DEDICATED TO HELP NONPROFITS BUILD THEIR CAPACITY.

OR LIKE FREE TEXAS, THAT IS STARTING A YOUTH PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BE HELPING WITH THE ARTS AND SUCH.

WE JUST GOT OUR SECOND LOCATION ACTUALLY TWO WEEKS AGO, SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK WE'RE DOING.

ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I WAS HAVING, TOO, IS A PROPOSAL THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING UP VERY SHORTLY AFTER MY OWN AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS PUTS ME IN PLACE.

BELIEVE ME, I'VE TAKEN THIS INITIATIVE AND TAKEN THIS INITIATIVE.

I THOUGHT ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH COUNTY, HOW I WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT.

BUT I WILL ALWAYS AND ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THE POWERPOINT THAT'S COMING IN PLACE, I KNOW THEY HAD PUT FREE TEXAS NAME ON THERE.

I HAD A DISCUSSION TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW FREE TEXAS NAME GOT ON THERE, AND FOR MY UNDERSTANDING, IT WAS FROM A 15 MINUTE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD BACK IN SEPTEMBER. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT I WAS GOING TO BE PUT IN THIS PROPOSAL.

FOR THIS, I WOULD GREATLY SUPPORT ANY FUNDING THAT WOULD GO TOWARDS FREE TEXAS FROM THIS PROPOSAL.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I JUST WANT TO BRING THAT NARRATION INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT TALKING TO THE COMMUNITY AND GATHERING INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNITY OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I WISH I WAS ALLOTTED MORE THAN 15 TIMES 15 MINUTES HAVING A CONVERSATION THAT I WAS NOT AWARE THAT WAS GOING TO BE PUT INTO A PROPOSAL.

THIS HAPPENS A LOT TO A SMALL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WE SOMETIMES HAVE, AND I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO MYSELF, AND I'VE BEEN VERY GRATEFUL TO TO GOD AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT HE CONSTANTLY PROTECTS ME AND THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE IT IS A VISION FROM GOD THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN.

ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ME, KNOWS THIS IS A VISION FROM GOD.

BUT THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO BRING IN THE FOREFRONT, IS THAT I AM TIRED OF BEING THE LAST PERSON THAT KNOWS.

I'M TIRED OF BEING THE LAST PERSON THAT GETS INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSATION.

WHEN THESE HUGE PROPOSALS ARE BEING BROUGHT UP WITH A LOT OF MONEY, THAT'S GOING TO BE ALLOCATED OVER IDEAS AND THOUGHTS THAT I HAVE AND VISIONS THAT I HAVE TOWARDS MY COMMUNITY, AND YET I AM NOT BEING UTILIZED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, LIKE THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, TO ACTUALLY GET THE FULL FINANCIAL INCOME THAT'S COMING FROM THIS PROPOSAL.

SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT EITHER WAY, I KNOW I'M TAKING A RISK COMING HERE.

I'VE HAD A FOUR YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OF Y'ALL IN THIS COUNTY, AND BEFORE THAT YOU HAVE COME ABOVE.

AND EVERY YEAR I HAVE STAND FIRM AND EVERY YEAR I'VE GROWN BECAUSE IT ONLY STARTED WITH 50,000 THAT YOU GAVE ME IN THE BEGINNING.

AND WE JUST LEAR WANT A MULTI YEAR.

GRANT. SO I JUST WANT TO KEEP ADDING THAT TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT I'M LOOKING AT, AND I APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU PUTTING THIS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK RIGHT IN THE FOREFRONT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

THANK YOU, MISS WALKER. CHARLES SATTERWHITE.

[04:40:11]

MY NAME IS CHARLES SATTERWHITE.

I'M THE FOUNDER OF SAN ANTONIO RISING STARS NONPROFIT.

I WORK ON CRIME PREVENTION IN MY COMMUNITY.

TODAY I WANT TO ASK TWO QUESTIONS TODAY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF CRIMES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THAT'S DIFFERENT WAYS WE SEE THINGS IN LIFE.

SO THE FIRST QUESTION I WANT TO ASK IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.

FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND BRIDGE THAT GAP TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN WE DO AS A COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE NUMEROUS PROGRAMS FROM MY ICE PROGRAM WHERE I'M HELPING KIDS, YOU KNOW, ANGER MANAGEMENT, VICTIM EMPATHY.

ROWE PLAYS A REAL LIFE EVENT.

IT'S AND OTHER OTHER PROGRAMS. BUT I WANT TO KNOW, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR US TO SIT AT A ROUND TABLE, TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS ON HOW WE COULD WORK TOGETHER TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE HAD A LOSS. THERE'S A WAR GOING ON OUTSIDE OF THESE WALLS.

YOU KNOW I TOLD Y'ALL BEFORE MY SON WAS MURDERED.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF WE WAS, YOU KNOW, BRIDGING THIS GAP.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS I WANT TO KNOW.

HOW CAN WE COME TOGETHER TO BRIDGE THAT GAP? I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT A ROUND TABLE AND AND HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH EVERYBODY.

THAT WAY WE COULD, YOU KNOW, FORM AN IDEA AND PLAN.

SECONDLY, I'M STARTING THE MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL LEAGUE UP AND APRIL MARCHES OF TRIALS.

AND WE STARTED BACK UP IN APRIL AND WE IN NEED OF, YOU KNOW, SOME ASSISTANCE.

I'M PUTTING $50,000 UP MYSELF, BUT WE'RE STILL SHORT, YOU KNOW SO I'D LIKE TO SEE MAYBE IF WE COULD ALL COME TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE ON HELPING US.

THE AGES ARE 17 TO 30.

I RAISED IT UP BECAUSE MORE, MORE KIDS OR YOUNG MEN ARE WANTING TO BE A PART, WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE IT KEEPS THEM OFF THE STREETS.

SO I WANT TO KNOW, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE OF US COMING TOGETHER TO HELP ME, YOU KNOW, IN THE COMMUNITY TO BRIDGE THAT GAP AND, AND THE BASKETBALL WORLD AS WELL. THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS ARE INVOLVED, SAN ANTONIO AREA FOUNDATION, THE YMCA SAN ANTONIO AFRICAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

BUT IT'S A BIGGER PICTURE THAN US.

THE VISION IS BIGGER THAN US.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO BRING US I NEVER REALLY DEALT WITH BEXAR COUNTY.

I DEALT WITH THE CITY.

BUT I LIKE TO BRING BEXAR COUNTY PART IN IT AS WELL, AND THEN BRIDGE THAT GAP WHERE WE COULD GROW TOGETHER.

SO I WOULD LIKE Y'ALL TO GIVE ME, YOU KNOW, Y'ALL Y'ALL COULD BUY THE STAKES, BUT Y'ALL COULD LET ME KNOW HOW IT GO.

GOT IT. JANIE GONZALEZ, I BELIEVE JOSEPH GARCIA, YOU ARE YIELDING YOUR TIME.

CORRECT. ALL RIGHT, SO, JANIE, WHY DON'T YOU COME UP AND YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES? GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE SAKAI AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT REPRESENTATIVES, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU AGAIN.

MY NAME IS JANIE MARTINEZ GONZALEZ, AND I STAND BEFORE YOU AS THE OWNER OF WEBHEAD, A BUSINESS BORN OUT OF BOTH NECESSITY AND PASSION.

HOWEVER, TODAY MY ROLE EXTENDS BEYOND THAT OF A BUSINESS OWNER.

I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE OF A UNIFIED APPROACH TO TACKLING GUN VIOLENCE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

I WISH TO ADDRESS TWO CRITICAL ISSUES THE MISCONCEPTION, FIRST, THAT PRIVATE FIRMS LIKE OURS LACK AN UNDERSTANDING OF GUN VIOLENCE AND THE COMPLEXITY THAT IT BRINGS TO THE TABLE.

AS MENTIONED EARLIER, IT STEMS FROM POVERTY, INEQUITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABUSE OF ALCOHOL, AND MANY OTHER COMPLEXITIES.

AND SECOND, THE CONCERNING A BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY REGARDING THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR THIS RFP.

CONTRARY TO THE BELIEF THAT COMPANIES LIKE WEBHEAD ARE DISCONNECTED FROM THE REALITY IS NOT FAIR.

MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE PAINTS A DIFFERENT PICTURE.

NOT ONLY DO I LIVE IN 78207, WHICH EVERY DAY WE HEAR GUN, WE HEAR GUNSHOTS THAT OFTEN TIMES I HAVE TO REMOVE MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER FROM MY COUCH IS A REALITY.

I BRING A BRING A DEEP, PERSONAL AND DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THESE ISSUES.

I CAN LIVE WHEREVER I WANT, BUT I CHOSE TO STAY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THAT IS BECAUSE THESE ARE NOT JUST BACKSTORIES.

THEY'RE THE VERY REASON WHY WEBHEAD WAS FOUNDED.

FACING THE HARDSHIPS OF BREAKING OUT OF POVERTY AND FINDING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, I CREATED WEBHEAD 30 YEARS AGO.

IT IS MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS.

IT IS A PLATFORM FOR EMPATHY, RESILIENCY, AND HOPE.

I MUST EXPRESS MY PROFOUND DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE CURRENT PROCESS FOR AWARDING CONTRACTS, WHICH SEEMS TO OVERLOOK THE INVALUABLE INSIGHTS AND CONTRIBUTION OF BUSINESSES DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN THE VERY ISSUES THAT AIM TO ADDRESS AT WEBHEAD.

OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH EMPLOYEE WELLBEING IS NOT JUST A POLICY, IT IS A LIVED REALITY, DEEPLY PERSONAL AND INTEGRAL TO WHO WEBHEAD IS.

THESE ARE NOT MERELY WE'RE NOT JUST MERELY PROFESSIONALS.

[04:45:04]

SEEING IN THAT STEADFAST SUPPORT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING VETERANS WITH PTSD AND OTHERS FACING SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES LIKE SCHIZOPHRENIA, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LACKING COPING SKILLS, ALCOHOL ABUSE AND GUN VIOLENCE.

THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS, BUT A STARK ILLUSTRATION OF THE BROADER SOCIETAL NEED FOR HOLISTIC SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH CARE, FINANCIAL LITERACY, MARRIAGE COUNSELING, PARENTAL SUPPORT, AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SAFETY.

IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO WITNESS A PROCESS THAT POTENTIALLY SIDELINES BUSINESSES LIKE OURS, THOSE THAT ARE NOT ONLY NOT ONLY UNDERSTAND, BUT LIVE THE DAILY REALITY OF THESE CHALLENGES.

THIS SITUATION UNDERSCORES A PRESSING NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT NETWORK, ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMPLEX ISSUES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT FACE OUR COMPLEX ISSUES OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FACE.

THIS OVERSIGHT IN THE SELECTION PROCESS DOES A DISSERVICE NOT ONLY TO QUALIFY BUSINESSES, BUT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, DEPRIVING OF ITS SOLUTIONS BORN FROM GENUINE UNDERSTANDING AND EMPATHY, THESE CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE MIRRORED ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS.

DESPITE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS, WE SEE A PERSISTENT DECLINE IN WELL-BEING INDICATORS, A TESTAMENT TO A DECISION PROCESS.

THIS APPROACH NOT ONLY NEGLECTS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO PLACES AN UNDUE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESS, STRIVING TO CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY.

THE LEAK OF RESPONDENTS PROPOSALS, WHILE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING, HIGHLIGHTS A LARGER ISSUE OF TRUST AND INTEGRITY IN OUR PROCESS.

HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT DETRACT FROM THE CORE OF OUR MISSION AS AN EMPLOYER TO FOSTER A COMMUNITY DEFINED BY EMPATHY AND UNITY AND TACKLING SOCIETAL SOCIETAL ISSUES.

IN CONTEXT, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE THE POTENTIAL FOR COLLABORATION WITH NONPROFITS AND COMPANIES LIKE WEBHEAD.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE MOVE BEYOND SEEING EACH OTHER AS COMPETITORS.

NONPROFITS AND PRIVATE FIRMS HAVE A UNIQUE STRENGTH AND RESOURCES.

BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE A MORE PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR COMMUNITY.

IT SHOULD NOT BE A MATTER OF CHOOSING ONE OVER THE OTHER, BUT RECOGNIZING THAT OUR COMBINED EFFORTS CAN LEAD TO A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION IN WRAPPING, I WANT TO IMPLORE COUNTY COURT TO CRITICALLY REASSESS THE CRITERIA USED FOR CONTRACTING AWARDS, PLACING A SIGNIFICANT EMPHASIS ON BOTH THE LIVED EXPERIENCES AND THE PROFOUND DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY WELFARE.

IN ADDITION TO PRE-REQUISITE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, ADDRESSING THE MULTIFACETED ISSUES IN OUR SOCIETY DEMANDS A CONCERTED EFFORT, ONE THAT BREAKS DOWN EXISTING BARRIERS AND CHAMPIONS COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS ACROSS ALL FRONTS.

YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, A CRUCIAL CHANCE TO SHOWCASE A TRANSPARENT AND EQUITABLE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

WITH THAT, I CLOSE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, MR. GONZALEZ.

TIA GIBSON, YOU'RE NEXT.

AND MISS RAMOS, BE READY.

YOU'RE AFTER THAT.

COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

THIS TIME, I'M NOT GOING TO GO OFF OF MY HEART.

I'M GOING TO READ. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M THANKFUL FOR TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE AND EXPLAIN TO YOU ABOUT OUR MODEL AS FAR AS COMMUNITY AND HOW WE WORK TOGETHER TO AVOID THE VIOLENCE IS TO INSPIRE WOMEN AND FAMILIES AND AT RISK CHILDREN TO EMPOWER THEM WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO HEAL. TRAUMA GOT INTO SAFE HAVEN WITH CHILDREN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BUILDING A CAREER, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SELF PRESERVATION. I WEAR THIS COLOR RED BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS MY FAMILIES.

IT REPRESENTS THE BLOOD OF THE FAMILIES THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY JUST GUN VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALL TONS OF VIOLENCE, INCLUDING DATING VIOLENCE. WE HAVE CHILDREN ALL THE WAY TO 12 FROM 12 YEARS OLD THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP.

THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONS THAT IT TAKES TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP.

AND INSTEAD OF THEM COMMUNICATING, THEY ACT IN VIOLENCE.

AND THESE THINGS DON'T ONLY HAPPEN WITH GUNS, YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WHEN IT DOES COME TO THAT, IT WILL BE A GUN AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT AREA WE'RE IN. YOU KNOW, WE PREDOMINANTLY IN THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WITH ME, WE WORK ON THE EAST SIDE, BUT IT HAPPENS ON THE WEST SIDE.

IT HAPPENS ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE IS THAT Y'ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMMUNITY THAT WORKS WITH THE CORE OF OUR COMMUNITIES, WE ALSO WORK WITH THE HEART TO CREATE CHANGE.

AND THIS IS THE THING THAT I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES GETS LOOKED OVER IT GETS LOOKED OVER BECAUSE THEY SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT'S A BIGGER COMPANY.

[04:50:05]

WHERE IS THE ACCESS? WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS.

SO EVEN IF WE ARE DOING THE WORK AND WE'RE PUTTING OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES IN JEOPARDY, YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING AND NOT ONLY JUST SUPPORTING ACTUALLY CHANGING LIVES, BUT WHERE'S THE ACCESS? DO WE CONTINUE TO KEEP UTILIZING OUR OWN FUNDING SO THAT WE CAN SAVE LIVES? WE'RE WALKING THESE BLOCKS.

WE'RE TALKING TO THESE CHILDREN, WE'RE BUILDING THESE RAPPORTS WITH THESE ADULTS.

WE ARE CHANGING THE WAY LIFE IS FOR THEM SINCE THEY'VE BEEN BORN.

THEY'RE USED TO A CERTAIN WAY OF BEING.

BUT WHEN YOU COME IN AND YOU GIVE THEM THESE TOOLS, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT ENVIRONMENT THEY'RE IN, GUESS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO? THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE WHEN THEY SEE A CHANGE IN US.

BUT IF WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE SIMPLE THINGS LIKE MONEY, WE HAVE THE TOOLS, WE HAVE THE MIND, WE HAVE THE MINDSET.

WE CAN GET THEM TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE FINANCES.

THAT'S A PROBLEM. FUNDING IS IMPORTANT.

FUNDING IS IMPORTANT.

THAT'S THE KEY. I WANT TO SAY TO YOU THAT WITH YOU YOU HAVE SAVED A LOT OF CHILDREN.

CHILDREN THAT YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZE.

KNOW YOUR NAME. AND I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE TIMES THAT YOU HAVE DONE THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE, WE HAVE DONE THE SAME THING ON THE GROUND.

I WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH US, AND WE NEED A COMMITMENT TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU.

WE NEED A COMMITMENT. YOU ALL HAVE HAD SO MUCH FUN THAT COMES IN AND OUT OF THIS OFFICE.

I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE TWICE, JUDGE SACCHI, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

BUT WE NEED TO WRAP UP.

I'LL LET YOU WRAP UP. YES.

WE JUST NEED A COMMITMENT.

TELL US THAT YOU CAN HELP US DO SOMETHING BETTER THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING.

TELL US THAT YOU CAN HELP US TO STAND UP TO TIMES JUST LIKE THE OTHER CITIES IN TEXAS.

SHOW US THAT THESE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE THAT WE WORK WITH ARE IMPORTANT.

THERE ARE BIGGER COMPANIES THAT YOU CAN INVEST IN.

IT REALLY IS. BUT I PROMISE YOU, THE ONES THAT ARE RIGHT HERE TODAY ARE THE ONES THAT YOU WANT TO INVEST IN BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES THAT WORK FRONT LINE.

JUST LIKE I SAID THE LAST TIME, NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE.

WE'LL NEVER FORGET YOUR NAMES AND WE DON'T WANT YOU TO EVER FORGET US.

AND THAT'S MOMS ON DEMAND.

THAT'S BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE.

THAT'S MONSTER MOMS THAT'S FREED.

THAT IS MOTHERS LOST CHILD.

I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE SMALL NONPROFITS DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NOT DOING BIG WORK.

AND I NEED YOU TO HEAR US OUT.

WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE LINE THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY HELP US WITH, EVEN IF IT'S FOOD WE'RE FEEDING THESE FAMILIES ON THE WEEKEND WHEN THEY CAN'T GET FOOD AT SCHOOL, THEY'RE NOT IN SCHOOL.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE.

AND YOU'RE YOU'RE HELPFUL IN INVESTING IN US.

WE NEED A COMMITMENT.

WHAT CAN Y'ALL SAY? YOU CAN HELP US.

DO YOU KNOW, EVEN IF YOU SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, NEXT WEEK YOU HAVE AN EVENT.

LET'S ALL COME TOGETHER. THIS IS WHAT WE CAN HELP YOU.

WE NEED A COMMITMENT. MISS GIBSON.

YOU NEED TO WRAP IT UP.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

ALL RIGHT, MISS RAMOS, DO YOU HAVE YOUR POWERPOINT? IS THE POWERPOINT READY? THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

LET ME MAKE SURE.

OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON.

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS MONICA RAMOS.

I AM THE BEXAR COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER.

BEHIND ME, I DO HAVE ASHLEY LANDERS, AND I HAVE REBECCA ZURAWSKI WITH TEXAS CREATIVE.

WHAT I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON IN MY PRESENTATION.

I PROMISE I WILL NOT READ IT ALL IS TO GIVE YOU AN OUTLINE OF WHERE WE'VE COME BACK FROM 2022 TO WHERE WE ARE NOW, AND TO WHAT WE ARE COMING TO COURT TODAY FOR.

SO IF I CAN REFRESH YOUR MEMORY FOR JUST A BIT.

IN THE SUMMER OF 2022, THIS COURT UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED $1.1 MILLION WORTH OF ARPA FUNDING TO ESTABLISH A COUNTYWIDE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION GUN SAFETY PROGRAM.

NOW, THE GOAL OF THIS SAFETY OF THESE SAFETY OUTREACH EFFORTS WERE TO REDUCE ACCESS TO FIREARMS FROM CHILDREN.

THAT WAS VERY, VERY CLEAR AND THAT WAS THE SCOPE THAT WAS GIVEN.

ALLOCATIONS WERE, AS FOLLOWED, 100,000 IN FUNDING FOR PURCHASE OF GUN LOCKS AND GUN SAFES, AND 1 MILLION IN FUNDING TO SUPPORT COUNTYWIDE OUTREACH THROUGH EDUCATION EFFORTS FOR SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP, INCLUDING REDUCING ACCESS TO FIREARMS BY CHILDREN. SO FAR, WE HAVE SPENT 10,000 FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PAID ADVERTISING FOR A PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO RUN ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB STREAMING SITES TARGETING TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS.

AND THEN IN MAY, 45,000 WAS USED TO PROMOTE COUNTYWIDE GUN CASE AND GUN LOCK DISTRIBUTION EVENTS.

AND ALSO TO DEVELOP INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS AND SAFETY CARD INFORMATION.

THAT WAS A KEY COMPONENT TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE PROPER USE OF THESE STORAGE DEVICES AND THESE GUN LOCKS.

[04:55:03]

THIS WEBSITE IS ACTUALLY HOSTED BY OUR PARTNER OVER AT UNIVERSITY HEALTH.

THIS WEBSITE IS WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN DOWNLOAD THAT SAFETY INFORMATION AND WHEN WE HAVE EVENTS, GUN CASE AND GUN LOG DISTRIBUTION EVENTS, THEY CAN ALSO GO ONLINE AND GET ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THEY WOULD LIKE.

SO NOW, AS I MENTIONED, THIS FUNDING, THE FIRST PHASE THAT WENT TO THIS FUNDING IS FOR GUN CASES AND GUN LOCKS DISTRIBUTION. WE ACTUALLY DID THOSE DURING THE SUMMER AND THE FALL OF 2023.

WE HAD FIVE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY, AND WE ALSO GAVE OUT INFORMATIONAL CARDS ON EACH OF THEM.

WHAT YOU SEE IN THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION IS ONE OF THE DISTRIBUTION EVENTS THAT WE HAD OVER AT BULLIS COUNTY PARK, AND WE ALSO HAVE A SCREENSHOT OF ONE OF THE SAFETY CARDS THAT WE GAVE. I DO WANT TO THANK THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE THEY DID HELP US IN FACILITATE ALL OF THESE THINGS AND HELP US WITH THE TENTS AND CONES AND TRAFFIC CONTROL.

NOW DURING THESE SUMMER AND FALL EVENTS, WE DID HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY GROUP INPUT.

I HAD A LOT OF COMMUNITY GROUPS COME UP TO ME, REACH OUT TO ME DIRECTLY.

WE ALSO TALKED WITH A LOT OF THE GROUPS AT DIFFERENT EVENTS AS WE WERE OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THESE FOLKS. I WON'T READ THE ENTIRE LIST, BUT WE CONDUCTED ALL OF THIS THROUGH THE SUMMER AND THE FALL OF 2023.

NEXT YOU'LL SEE SOME PICTURES FROM SOME OF OUR EVENTS.

WE DO HAVE ROSE WILLIAMS WITH BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE ON THERE WITH OUR UNIVERSITY HEALTH TEAM THAT HELPED US OUT AT OUR EVENT THAT WE DID OVER IN PLATTS PARK.

AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER SHOT OF ANOTHER EVENT THAT WE DID ON PADRE PARK WITH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES AND ALSO WITH OUR CONSTABLE ONE STAFF, AND THEY WERE EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE.

WE ALSO HAD SOME SUPPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT THAT HELPED US.

NOW, I SPOKE ABOUT PHASE ONE AND THAT WAS THE GUN CASES AND THE GUN LOCKS IN THOSE DISTRIBUTION EVENTS.

NOW WE MOVE INTO PHASE TWO, AND THAT'S WHERE WE PUT TOGETHER AN RFP THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BUILD ON THESE EVENTS.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE EVENTS.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAND OUT GUN CASES AND GUN LOCKS.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP.

BUT NOW WE WANT TO ADD ANOTHER ELEMENT, AND IT'S TAKING THAT INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY BY PARTNERING WITH THOSE TRUSTED, COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

THE SCOPE OF THIS WORK FOR THIS RFP WAS ON OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND MARKETING.

AND AGAIN, THAT IS TOWARDS RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP AND REDUCING ACCESS OF FIREARMS BY CHILDREN.

OUR EVALUATION COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS.

I WON'T READ ALL OF THOSE FOR YOU.

AND THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE.

AFTER TAKING A LOOK AT ALL THE THE PROPOSALS DID GO AHEAD AND SELECT TEXAS CREATIVE FOR THEIR THREE PRONGED APPROACH.

THAT INCLUDED RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND THE IMPACT.

NOW THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

THEY WERE ABLE TO MEET ALL OF THE COMPONENTS IN THAT RFP, AND THAT WAS REALLY THE TIPPING POINT FOR THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, ESPECIALLY THEIR PROPOSAL WHEN IT CAME TO THE COMMUNITY BASED INVOLVEMENT COMPONENT.

AND SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO ASHLEY LANDERS FROM TEXAS CREATIVE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THEIR APPROACH AND THEIR PROPOSAL.

WE HAVE THE OTHER. OKAY.

POWERPOINT. DO YOU HAVE THE POWERPOINT SLIDE TO DISPLAY? YEAH. THEY'RE BRINGING IT UP.

DO WE NEED NEW TECHNOLOGY, MISS ROSS? AND WE GOT. OUR MICS ARE OUT.

OKAY, THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.

[05:00:05]

WE ARE A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS COMPRISED OF 26 DIVERSE EMPLOYEES WITH DIVERSE SKILL SETS.

WE ARE A COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, NOT AN AD AGENCY, NOT A MEDIA AGENCY.

OUR CLIENTS INCLUDE NONPROFITS, LARGE CORPORATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, LARGE MUNICIPALITIES, AS WELL AS SMALL BUSINESSES.

WHILE WE HANDLE MEDIA.

FOR SOME OF THEM, THAT IS NOT WHO WE ARE, NOR SINGULARLY WHAT WE DO.

AND I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT.

I KNOW THERE WAS SOME PRIOR DISCUSSION AROUND THAT.

SIMPLY PUT, WE USE DATA AND RESEARCH TO INFORM OUR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLANS, TO ENABLE GRASSROOTS OUTREACH TO HELP OUR CLIENTS SOLVE WHATEVER THEIR UNIQUE CHALLENGES OR GOALS ARE.

AND IN FACT, WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE, SPECIFICALLY WITH BEXAR COUNTY.

SIMILAR TO THIS RFP PROCESS.

WE WERE SELECTED TO BE YOUR PARTNER IN DEVELOPING THIS BEXAR COUNTY STRONG PROGRAM, WHICH I BELIEVE HALF OF THE COURT WAS A PART OF AND HALF IS NEW TO.

WE DEFINED OUTREACH STRATEGIES AND TACTICS WITH A VISION FOR THE DIGITAL INEQUALITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AT THE TIME. WE BLOCK WALKED DOOR TO DOOR AT KEY ZIP CODES AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES PROMOTING TRAM AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

WE PARTNERED WITH ISDS TO HELP DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AS WELL AS SUBURBAN CITIES MAYORS USING THEIR COMMUNICATION CHANNELS.

BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF OUR GRASSROOTS EFFORTS AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE SEVERITY OF THE NEED AT THAT TIME.

YOU APPROVED A SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING AND SUPPORT BECAUSE THE PROGRAM WAS WORKING IN THE WAY THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO.

NOW, IN ADDITION TO OUR PROVEN TRACK RECORD WITH BEXAR COUNTY ON A PROPOSAL SUCH AS THIS, AND SPECIFIC TO THIS CONTRACT IN QUESTION, WE WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN OUR EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES PASS THROUGH FUNDING TO COMMUNITY BASED AND DIRECT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH A GRANT PROGRAM. THAT WAS OUR ORIGINAL SUBMISSION IN THE RFP RESPONSE, AND ALSO PART OF OUR PITCH IN THE PRESENTATION ROUND TO THE SELECTION COMMITTEE.

AND WE BELIEVE A KEY COMPONENT AS TO WHY WE WERE THE SELECTION AND ARE HERE TODAY.

OUR PROPRIETARY APPROACH WAS INFORMED BY THE KIRWAN INSTITUTE AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY'S SIX PRINCIPLES OF EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

THE BEST WAY TO ILLUSTRATE THIS FOR THE COURT AND AND THE AUDIENCE THAT I'M SURE IS, IS VERY CURIOUS AS WELL, IS TO TO SHARE A RECENT EXAMPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE A CITI EXAMPLE, NOT A COUNTY EXAMPLE.

BUT IF YOU'LL BEAR WITH ME AS I TAKE YOU THROUGH IT.

WE CHOSE THIS ONE BECAUSE CLIMATE EQUITY AND HEALTH EQUITY ARE DIRECTLY RELATED, AND THIS IS ABOUT HEALTH OUTCOMES RELATED TO GUN VIOLENCE AND GUN SAFETY.

AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, ONE OF THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IS THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR PHYSICAL SURROUNDINGS.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE PARALLELS HERE USING THE SAME EVIDENCE BASED MODEL FROM THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, WE BUILT A RESEARCH PHASE THAT CONSISTED OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION VIA QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE MEASURES.

OUR YEAR OF MULTI METHODOLOGY RESEARCH SHOWED US THAT THERE WERE CLEAR SEGMENTATIONS OF WHAT WE DEFINED AS CHANGE MAKERS WITH POINTS OF CONVERGENCE USING SHARED INTERESTS RELATED TO CLIMATE IMPLICATIONS.

THIS LAID THE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN AS WELL AS OUR MESSAGING STRATEGY.

NOW MUCH DISCUSSION LEADING UP TODAY.

OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND MUCH OF WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE CITIZENS HAS BEEN ON THE IMPORTANCE THAT COMMUNITY BASED AND DIRECT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS PLAY IN SUPPORTING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND DRIVING MEANINGFUL AND LONG LASTING CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND TEXAS CREATIVE COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

THAT IS WHY WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH CONTRACT FUNDING SUCH AS THIS THAT'S DRIVEN THROUGH COMMUNICATION PLANS TO DEFINE A GRANT PROGRAM, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND THROUGH THE CITY EXAMPLE.

AND NOW TO SEE THE NEED AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SAME AND BRING THE SAME MODEL FORWARD HERE TO YOU TODAY FOR THIS PROGRAM.

WHAT YOU SEE ON SCREEN ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW THE NOTICE FOR GRANT PARTICIPATION WAS PUSHED OUT.

WE PARTNERED WITH THE OFFICE OF EQUITY TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD A COMPREHENSIVE LIST TO REACH THE INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS DIRECTLY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WASN'T AN HIDDEN EFFORT, BUT THAT EVERYONE KNEW THAT THERE WAS OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNDING AND THAT WE WANTED TO CALL FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE.

THE TWO LONG BARS ON THE RIGHT WERE DIRECT EMAILS THAT THE OFFICE OF EQUITY PROVIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH US IN THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY.

IT WAS ALSO PUSHED OUT AND MADE PUBLIC THROUGH THE CITY'S SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, AMONG OTHER EFFORTS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE BEING INCLUSIVE OF ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ADDRESS THE PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND THE PROGRAM NEEDS.

[05:05:05]

IN THE FIRST YEAR WE AWARDED FOUR GRANTS.

THIS WAS OUR RESEARCH PHASE.

THIS IS WHERE WE WERE FOCUSING ON HAVING THESE ORGANIZATIONS HELP US THROUGH A LISTENING PLAN TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF SOMETIMES THE HARDEST TO REACH AND THOSE THAT ARE NEGLECTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IN YEAR TWO, IT GREW TO THE 12 THAT YOU SEE ON SCREEN, WITH THAT BEING OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PHASE.

AND THERE ARE PLANS FOR THIS TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

IN FACT, IT IS HELD UP AS A BEST IN CLASS EXAMPLE OF EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND IS PROVEN TO NOT ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL AT GRASSROOTS OUTREACH, BUT SORT OF AN ANCILLARY BENEFIT TO THIS PROGRAM IS THAT IT IMPROVES RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILDS TRUST WITH POLICYMAKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

NOW I'VE EXPLAINED HOW THIS IS DONE.

BUT MANY IN THE ROOM MIGHT BE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT DID IT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? WHAT WERE THE TANGIBLE PRODUCTS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS PROGRAM? SO BEYOND THE RESEARCH PHASE, WE SIMPLY EMPOWERED THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO BEST.

THEY KNOW HOW BEST TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR ASSOCIATIONS, WITH THEIR MEMBERS, WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, WITH THEIR FOLLOWERS, WITH THE FAMILIES THAT DEPEND ON THEM.

SO WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS BE A CONDUIT.

WE WANTED TO BE A RESOURCE TO THEM.

WE WORKED WITH EACH OF THEM IN DIFFERENT WAYS BECAUSE THEY EACH HAD DIFFERENT GAPS OF NEED ON HOW WE COULD PROVIDE SUPPORT TO, AGAIN, ENABLE THEM TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THERE WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WAS PASSED OUT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT MANY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THE WAY THAT THEY COMMUNICATED WAS ALSO IN PASHTO AND ARABIC AND ASL.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES THAT YOU SEE ON SCREEN AS WELL.

WE EVEN DID A COMMUNITY INFORMED AND COMMUNITY PAINTED MURAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CBO, BECAUSE THROUGH OUR RESEARCH PHASE ON THE SLIDE THAT YOU SAW EARLIER, THOSE SHARED INTEREST, WHAT WE DID NOT EXPECT, BUT WHAT WE LEARNED THROUGH THAT WAS THAT PUBLIC ART IS A VERY STRONG WAY THAT THIS SPECIFIC COMMUNITY FEELS CALLED AND CONNECTED TO GALVANIZING AND TO DRIVING CHANGE AND EDUCATION AROUND, AROUND A SUBJECT MATTER IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO WE TRULY LET THE RESEARCH BE OUR GUIDE.

NOW BACK TO THIS CONTRACTING QUESTION.

THAT IS WHAT WE PLAN TO DO.

OUR PHASE ONE IS ALL ABOUT THE BEST PRACTICE OF LETTING RESEARCH BE OUR GUIDE, JUST AS OUR PROPOSAL RECOMMENDED.

WE DO HAVE ACCESS ALREADY TO SECONDARY DATA.

I DON'T HAVE THE EXHAUSTIVE PIECE HERE BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN TEN MINUTES TO SPEAK, BUT JUST TO COVER A FEW.

WE KNOW THAT SECONDARY RESEARCH THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO SHOWS US THAT THERE ARE MANY MISPERCEPTIONS AROUND GUN VIOLENCE AND GUN DEATHS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AS YOU SEE, ON SCREEN SUICIDE AND OTHER COMBINED ALMOST DOUBLE THAT OF HOMICIDE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

SO WHAT THIS TELLS US IS THAT RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP AND SAFETY MESSAGING IS CRITICAL FOR EVERYONE THAT MIGHT HAVE ACCESS OR COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE GUN.

WHAT'S WORSE, FIREARMS HAVE BECOME THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AND TEENS IN THE UNITED STATES.

DURING THE BRIEFING FOR THIS RFP, WERE ALL THAT WERE PLANNING TO RESPOND TO IT.

WE'RE INVITED. WE WERE BRIEFED BY MEMBERS OF UNIVERSITY HEALTH, AND WHAT THEY TOLD US WAS THAT SPECIFICALLY IN BEXAR COUNTY, MANY OF THE FIREARM INJURIES THAT THEY SEE ARE BECAUSE GUNS ARE NOT SAFELY STORED.

SO THE RESULT GUN RELATED SUICIDES, UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGES, FIREARM THEFT, ALL OF THESE LEADING TO THE NUMBERS THAT YOU SEE HERE FOR BEXAR COUNTY.

SO YOU CAN SEE THAT SECONDARY RESOURCES LIKE I'VE JUST WALKED THROUGH AND THAT YOU SEE ON THIS SLIDE AS WELL, BEGIN TO INFORM OUR STRATEGIES.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A LISTENING PLAN BASED ON PRIMARY RESEARCH AND PRIMARY DATA, WHEN WE CAN TRULY LISTEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON THEIR NEEDS AND WHAT THEY NEED AND HOW WE CAN BEST SUPPORT THEM, THAT IS THE GOLD STANDARD.

SO IF APPROVED TODAY TO MOVE FORWARD, WE'LL BEGIN BY FLESHING OUT THE DETAILED PHASE ONE PLAN THAT INCLUDES OUR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION GRANT COMPONENT AS PART OF OUR LISTENING METHODOLOGY.

BUT BEGINNING WITH THE END IN MIND, I'LL WRAP UP BY SAYING IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE ALL ALIGNED ON WHAT IMPACT WE SHOULD BE MEASURING AGAINST.

I GO BACK TO WHAT MONICA MENTIONED AS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THIS RFP EDUCATING ON GUN SAFETY IN ORDER TO PROTECT BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM GUN RELATED INJURY AND DEATH, SPECIFICALLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR CHILDREN.

WE'VE OUTLINED IMMEDIATE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS THAT WE CAN MEASURE AGAINST, AS WELL AS YEAR OVER YEAR BASELINE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE THE DATA FOR AGAINST OUR ULTIMATE GOAL.

THAT IS WHAT OUR PLAN IS INTENDED TO DO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EACH OF YOU AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

I HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT THAT IS NEEDED.

WE COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

WE ARE ONLY ONE PIECE IN THAT SLICE OF SWISS CHEESE THAT MOMS DEMAND ACTION MENTIONED, AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO BE CONSIDERED AND I'LL YIELD MY TIME AT THIS POINT.

[05:10:10]

CLAY-FLORES. I KNOW THIS IS NOT WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR, BUT SINCE YOU ARE SHOWING THESE SLIDES, CAN WE GO TO THE SECOND SLIDE? WHAT YEAR WAS THIS? THE COVID OUTREACH FOR BEXAR COUNTY STRONG.

THIS WAS 2020 2021 I THINK IT WAS 2021.

YES 2021.

CAN CAN WE VERIFY WAS IT 2020 OR 2021.

BECAUSE I DON'T RECALL THIS AND I CAME INTO OFFICE IN 2021.

AND SO WHAT ARE THESE ALL THESE YELLOW STARS.

SO THOSE ARE THE THOSE ARE THE AREAS THAT WE HIT THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES IN NEIGHBORHOODS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE TRAM AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE MESSAGE. SO HARDLY ANYTHING IN INNER CITY, HARDLY ANYTHING IN MY PRECINCT.

SO WE STAYED AWAY FROM THE OVERLAP OF ANY KOSA AREA BECAUSE THEY HAD THEIR OWN SEPARATE PROGRAM AND FUNDING.

WE TRIED TO FOCUS ON UNINCORPORATED BEXAR SPECIFICALLY.

SO THEN YOU CHOPPED OFF THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF UNINCORPORATED BEXAR.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING, TOO, WAS THIS WAS ALL DRIVEN BASED ON ZIP CODE DATA THAT BEXAR COUNTY PROVIDED US ON AREAS THAT WE NEEDED TO SPECIFICALLY REACH TO TARGET WITH THE TRAM AND THE UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

OKAY. DID YOU CONFIRM THE YEAR YET? REBECA I REMEMBER YOUR NAME BECAUSE THEY SAID YOUR NAME IS REBECA.

SO SHE'S LOOKING ALL RIGHT.

I'M. I'M THINKING THIS HAPPENED BEFORE ME, OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE CALLED THAT OUT.

SO YOU TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE HISTORY AND HOW YOU'VE WORKED WITH SMALLER GRANTEES.

I DON'T SEE THAT UNLESS I MISS SOMETHING ON HOW YOU'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THE NONPROFITS WHO ARE HERE TODAY AND THE NONPROFITS WHO HAVE BEEN COMING FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

SO SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING THEIR TIME.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT TIMELINE? YES. THE AMOUNT THAT'S GOING TO GO TO THE SMALLER NONPROFITS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SUBCONTRACT WITH AND WITH AND WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE SO THEY CAN BE AWARE AND APPLY OR HOWEVER THAT PROCESS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

YES. SO IT'LL BE VERY SIMILAR TO THE EXAMPLE WITH THE CITY.

SO WHAT WE WOULD ENVISION IS AS WE BUILD OUT OUR PHASE ONE RESEARCH PLAN, THERE WILL BE A COMPONENT OF WHAT WE WILL CONSIDER FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES.

AND WE WOULD WORK WITH YOUR OFFICES AND YOUR STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A LIST SO THAT WE DON'T ASSUME THAT WE KNOW ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK. I WILL ADMIT, I KNOW OF MOST OF THEM THAT SPOKE TODAY, BUT THERE WERE A FEW THAT I HAD NOT HEARD OF.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING INCLUSIVE.

WE IN THE BUDGET ITSELF IN OUR FIRST ROUND RFP PROCESS, THERE WAS JUST SHY OF A THIRD OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT FUNDING THAT WAS LINE ITEM FOR GRASSROOTS OUTREACH. NOW, NOT 100% OF THAT WILL GO DIRECT.

AS THE COMPLETE SET ASIDE, WE'LL AGREE TO WHAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT WOULD BE IN YEAR ONE, YEAR TWO, AND YEAR THREE.

AND WHAT THE ASK WOULD BE DURING THIS PROCESS IS IN THE WE WORK REALLY HARD.

HERE'S WHAT HERE'S WHAT WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT ABOUT CBOS IS THAT ALL TOO OFTEN THEY GET THE CREDIT FOR WHAT THEY JUST DESCRIBED TODAY OF HAVING THE RELATIONSHIPS AND HAVING THE TRUST AND DOING THE HARD WORK.

AND THEY ARE ASKED BY LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM WITH RELATIONSHIPS WITHOUT FUNDING TO BACK IT UP.

CORRECT. THAT'S WHY WE BUILT THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE WE SAW THAT NEED, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE CAN'T DO WHAT WE DO TO BE EFFECTIVE WITHOUT THEM.

SO WHAT WE WILL ASK IN THIS PROCESS IS WE MAKE IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE TO APPLY, BECAUSE WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THEY ARE THEIR STAFFING IS THIN, SO WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE A LABORIOUS RFP PROCESS LIKE THE ONES THAT WE ENDURE BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW HARD THAT IS ON ON LABOR.

SO IT'LL BE A VERY SIMPLE DOCUMENT THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO, TO APPLY.

AND WHAT WE WILL ASK OF THEM IS WE'LL GIVE THEM KIND OF THE KEY CRITERIA BASED ON ALL THE GOALS OF THE CONTRACT.

WE'LL SAY, HOW COULD YOU HOW COULD YOUR ORGANIZATION HELP US IN ACHIEVING THESE GOALS? WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS? WHAT ARE THE DOLLARS THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS? SO AS YOU SEE HERE IN THE EXAMPLE THAT WE DID, WE PUT A CAP OF LIKE WHAT THE TOTAL GRANT PER ORGANIZATION COULD BE SO THAT THEY KNOW THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATION COULD BE.

RIGHT. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ALL IN THERE IN ONE GROUP, AND WE CAN'T SHARE THE WEALTH WITH EVERYONE.

SO WHEN WILL THAT BE COMING OUT.

SO THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING OUT FOR IT OR REACH OUT TO YOU ALL? WHAT'S THE TIMELINE? DO WE HAVE ONE YET? NO, IT DEPENDS ON HOW QUICKLY THE CONTRACT IS AWARDED AND WE CAN PUT OUR CONTRACT IN PLACE BECAUSE WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE A.

SO HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE NOTIFIED.

SO IT'LL BE IT'LL BE EMAIL.

IT'LL BE PUBLICIZED THROUGH BEXAR COUNTY AND ALL OF YOUR COMMUNICATION EFFORTS.

AND HONESTLY, WE'LL MAKE SURE AND SPEAK WITH EACH OF YOU TO SAY IF THERE ARE SOME THAT MAYBE EMAIL ISN'T THE BEST WAY BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE, YOU KNOW, CONSIDERATE OF DIGITAL

[05:15:04]

OKAY. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NONPROFITS.

CAN YOU GUYS RAISE YOUR HANDS? THE NONPROFITS WHO ARE HERE REPRESENTED THAT SOMEHOW YOU GET THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE IN COMMUNICATION BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

AND A LOT OF TIME, SOME MAY THINK A WASTE OF TIME.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NOW THIS IS COMING TO COURT TO PROVIDE IT.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN, I THINK BETTER IF YOU I UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT IS NOT DONE.

IF WE HAD HAD THAT FOR, FOR THEM AS OPPOSED TO PAST EXAMPLES.

BUT SO IF YOU CAN JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS CONNECT BEFORE YOU ALL LEAVE TODAY.

AND I THINK THAT'LL HELP A LOT.

BECAUSE, YEAH, YOU'LL SET UP MEETINGS WITH OUR OFFICES, BUT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

AND A LOT OF THESE NONPROFITS ARE NOT IN MY PRECINCT, SO I DON'T HAVE I'VE MET WITH SOME OF THEM SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE, BUT THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY IN MY PRECINCT.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT WITH THEM BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

YES, I'VE ACTUALLY TRADED CARDS WITH SOME OF THEM ALREADY BEFORE.

OKAY, GREAT. JUST TODAY.

AND WE'LL DO THAT, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

I DIDN'T HEAR AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.

SHE ASKED YOU? COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES ASKED YOU, WHAT IS THE AMOUNT THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE GROUPS? YES. SO IN THE RFP RESPONSE, IT WAS JUST SHY.

SO WE HAVE LINE ITEM FOR GRASSROOTS OUTREACH 270,000 FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT.

IT'S A THREE YEAR CONTRACT.

THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY WILL NOT 100% BE THE PASS THROUGH.

BASICALLY, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE WERE GOING TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICES TO SAY, THIS IS AT LEAST HOW IT WORKED WITH THE CITY.

YOU MAY RECOMMEND THAT IT'S DONE DIFFERENTLY, BUT BASED ON BEST IN CLASS EXAMPLE OF A OF A PAST EXAMPLE, WE WOULD WORK WITH YOU TO SAY, HERE'S WHAT WE BELIEVE BASED ON THE LIST AND THE SIZE OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT THE NEED IS, HERE'S WHAT WE BELIEVE PHASE ONE SHOULD BE, WHICH IS THE RESEARCH PHASE.

HERE'S THE TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL GRANT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT WILL COME DOWN TO.

IF WE THINK WE WANT TO DO FIVE GRANTS AT 10,000, THEN THAT GETS US TO 50,000, RIGHT? IF WE THINK WE WANT, WE CAN MANAGE 20 GRANTS AT 10,000.

SO THE MATH WILL WORK OUT BASED ON US PARTNERING WITH YOU TO DETERMINE HOW MANY ORGANIZATIONS ARE HERE THAT ARE DOING THIS WORK AND CAN REALLY HELP US ACHIEVE THESE GOALS. RODRIGUEZ, YOU GOT THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU. JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR THE THE OVERVIEW.

APPRECIATE THAT. I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT OF WORK OBVIOUSLY INTO THIS.

AND I GUESS I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND MAYBE FOR MONICA, MAYBE FOR YOU, A COMBINATION.

BUT AS WE KNOW, THE ARPA DOLLARS REQUIRE A LOT OF PAPERWORK OVERSIGHT.

SO FOR THESE NONPROFITS YOU GUYS WILL BE THE PASS THROUGH.

DOES THAT MEAN YOU'RE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DOLLARS? AND DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AUDITS, REPORTING THINGS LIKE THAT? CORRECT. SO THE WAY THAT WE WILL TREAT THIS IS ON PAPER, IN THE CONTRACT, ALL 100% OF THE FUNDING IS WITH TEXAS CREATIVE, AND WE WILL BE THE ONES THAT WILL BE BILLING FOR THE GRANT FUNDING.

BUT THEN THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WILL BILL US AND THAT PASS THROUGH THAT IT WILL COME FROM US TO THEM.

SO WE WILL BE THE ONE THAT'S PAYING THEM, VERY SIMILAR TO ANY VENDOR THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT WOULD DO ANY TYPE OF ADDITIONAL SERVICE.

SO WE WILL BE THE ONES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FUNDING ONCE WE HAVE BEEN PAID BY BEXAR COUNTY FOR THAT FUNDING.

OKAY. AND THEN I GUESS THE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION, I'M GOING TO GET MY, MY CRYSTAL BALL OUT HERE AND PREDICT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OVERSUBSCRIBED.

THERE'S A LOT OF NEED OUT THERE.

$270,000 DOES NOT GO A LONG WAY.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT START, AND I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FUTURE DISCUSSION.

THIS COURT WILL ON REPROGRAM ARPA DOLLARS.

I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF ONLY.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY HERE FOR THESE NONPROFITS TO DO THE KIND OF WORK.

I HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS.

ALL OF THEM ARE HERE.

BENNY NORA AND OTHERS MY FRIENDS FROM MOMS DEMAND.

AND LOOK, YOU LEARN SOMETHING FROM ALL OF THESE MEETINGS.

IT INFORMS OUR DECISIONS.

YOU KNOW, I LEARNED SOME THINGS FROM FROM THAT MEETING.

WHAT I LEARNED AND KIND OF UNDERSCORES IS THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO COME UP WITH A LIST.

THESE ARE THE EXPERTS.

THEY'RE THE ONES GRASSROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY DOING THE WORK.

SO I THINK WE CERTAINLY NEED TO LEAN ON THEM.

BUT I ALSO THINK, AGAIN, JUST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF THERE'S A COMMITMENT THAT WHEN THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, WE LOOK AT PUBLIC SAFETY, GUN INTERVENTION, THE WORK THEY'RE DOING AS A CATEGORY FOR PUTTING MORE RESOURCES IN.

[05:20:07]

I'M JUST SAYING FROM MY OWN PERSPECTIVE IT WAS INFORMATIVE, AND I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF DOING THAT DOWN THE ROAD.

PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF, YOU KNOW, I WAS REVIEWING AND GOT A FEW MESSAGES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOU KNOW, HOUSE BILL THREE THAT WAS PASSED THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HUGE PUBLIC SAFETY IN SCHOOL REFORM BILL HAS A LOT OF UNFUNDED MANDATES, RIGHT? IT'S REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DO QUITE A BIT WITHOUT THE FUNDING ATTACHED.

AND SO THERE'S GOING TO BE, I THINK, OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORK AND INTERFACE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HELP WITH SOME OF THAT WORK AS WELL.

AND SO I KNOW WE CAN'T CONTEMPLATE ALL OF THE SCENARIOS TODAY.

AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD BEGINNING, BUT I THINK, AGAIN, DOWN THE ROAD, AS AND IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY COME PRETTY QUICKLY, RIGHT, BECAUSE ARPA DOLLARS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SPENT. I HOPE THAT THIS COURT TAKES THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, AND WE LOOK AT PUTTING SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS IN FOR THESE NONPROFITS DOING THIS WORK, AND THAT'S THE COMMITMENT I DID MAKE TO THEM.

BUT BUT AGAIN, I KNOW THERE'S PLENTY OF DISCUSSION TODAY ON THIS.

I DO WANT TO MAKE A MOTION.

WE MOVE THIS FORWARD, JUDGE.

AND AND CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND, AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, MY STAFF CONFIRMED THAT SECOND MAP THAT WAS DONE IN 2020, WHICH I KNEW COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN I WAS HERE, BECAUSE THE WHOLE OVERLOOK OF THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF BEXAR COUNTY IS JUST RIDICULOUS.

SO, ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES COMMISSIONER MOODY.

FOR MONICA WHEN IT COMES TO THE PHASE ONE, THE GUN LOCKS AND CASES.

I KNOW YOU KIND OF COVERED THE THE DEMAND, AND I BELIEVE YOU'VE WORKED THROUGH THE ENTIRE INVENTORY OF WHAT YOU HAD.

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE'S ADDITIONAL DEMAND ON THAT FRONT? ABSOLUTELY, SIR.

THERE IS ADDITIONAL DEMAND.

MY OFFICE HAS RECEIVED EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS RESIDENTS ALL THROUGHOUT AND OTHER GROUPS ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL GUN LOCKS AND GUN CASES. I'M COMPLETELY OUT OF GUN LOCKS.

AND IN PARTICULAR, I'VE HAD A REQUEST FOR TRIGGER GUN LOCKS.

SO WE'LL BE LOOKING INTO THAT AS WELL AND PURCHASING SOME ADDITIONAL TYPES OF GUN LOCKS THAT WE CAN AGAIN, PARTNER UP AND HAVE A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL EVENTS TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I DO HAVE A FEW GUN CASES LEFT.

WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH DIFFERENT PARTNER GROUPS TO GET THOSE OUT.

WE JUST RECENTLY HAD A LARGE EVENT, ACTUALLY, THIS WEEKEND OVER AT BASS PRO SHOPS, WHERE WE DID DISTRIBUTE GUN CASES.

I DO HAVE SOME MORE OF THOSE LEFT, BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY BE LOOKING AT ORDERING MORE BECAUSE THE NEED IS THERE.

OKAY, GREAT.

AND WILL THAT BE COMING THEN FROM THIS 900,000? OR DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT COMING FROM A SEPARATE BUCKET OF MONEY, WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE GUN LOCKS AND GUN CASES.

BUT WE DO HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN THIS.

OKAY. SO GOING THROUGH THE THE PRESENTATION HERE WITH PHASE TWO AND TEXAS CREATIVE, SO YOU MENTIONED THE 270,000 THAT YOU KIND OF HAVE EARMARKED FOR THESE COMMUNITY GROUPS.

SO THE BALANCE OVER $600,000, THAT'S GOING TO GO TO DIGITAL ADS TO MEDIA.

WE DIDN'T REALLY GET INTO IT.

SURE. SO SOME SOME OF IT WILL INCLUDE OUTREACH.

THAT'S WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED PAID MEDIA OUTREACH ADDRESSABLE.

SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR, HYPER HYPER PLANNED AND AUDIENCE BASED, BASED ON BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDINAL INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE THROUGH DATA.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE A BLANKETED WE'RE TRYING TO CAST A WIDE NET AND REACH EVERYBODY OUT THERE WITHOUT ANY STRATEGY BEHIND IT.

IT'LL ALSO INCLUDE OUR FEES AS WELL AS WHAT AM I FORGETTING? YEAH. SO CREATIVE ASSET DEVELOPMENT ON OUR SIDE AND THE RESEARCH.

SO THAT WAS THE OTHER PIECE I WAS FORGETTING.

SO ANY OF THE PRIMARY METHODOLOGIES THAT WE USE OUTSIDE OF THE LISTENING PLAN, WE WILL QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE MEASURES.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SOME RESEARCHES WHERE IN THERE AND THERE ARE HARD COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

OKAY. SO YOU JUST HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE FULL 900,000 AS FAR AS HOW IT WILL BE ALLOCATED.

YES. IT'S BROKEN DOWN IN THREE PARTS AT THIS POINT.

IT'S VERY BROAD TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE BASED ON THE WAY THAT THE RFP WAS QUESTIONED.

THANK YOU. SO BASICALLY WHAT WE'VE DONE IS LUMPED THEM INTO THREE TASK CATEGORIES.

[05:25:01]

AND THEN WE'VE BROKEN THOSE THAT PRICING OUT PROJECTED FOR YEAR ONE, YEAR TWO AND YEAR THREE.

DO ME TO WALK YOU THROUGH EACH OF THOSE IF YOU WOULD.

SURE. OKAY.

SO THE PAID MEDIA FOR YEAR ONE 150,000 GRASSROOTS OUTREACH FOR YEAR ONE, 135,000 AGENCY FEES, STRATEGY AND CREATIVE 108,000 YEAR TWO PAID MEDIA GOES UP TO 240,000.

GRASSROOTS TO GRASSROOTS 280 1000.

FEES TO 36,000.

YEAR THREE 60,000 PAID MEDIA, 54,000 GRASSROOTS AND SIX 36,000 FEES.

AND I WILL SAY THAT THOSE ARE PROJECTIONS AND CAN BE ALLOCATED OR SHIFTED AT ANY POINT IN TIME BASED ON WHAT WE LEARN IN THE RESEARCH PHASE.

SO IT'S IT'S WE HAVE TO BUCKET THEM OUT TO GET TO THE TOTAL AMOUNT.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT YEAR ONE, IN OUR RESEARCH, WE LET THAT DRIVE WHAT OUR OUR PLAN OF OUTREACH STRATEGIES ARE.

OKAY. AND I JUST WANTED TO TO HIGHLIGHT TO YOU, AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT PAID MEDIA AND WE'RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT PHASE ONE, YOU KNOW, THESE CAN WORK TOGETHER IN TERMS OF CREATIVE THAT IS HIGHLIGHTING THE, THE RISK FROM, YOU KNOW, NOT HAVING SAFE STORAGE.

RIGHT. AND POTENTIALLY DRIVING ADDITIONAL USAGE IN LOCKS AND CASES.

ABSOLUTELY. SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'VE CONSIDERED, BUT I'D SUGGEST IT.

I THINK THAT CAN PROVIDE SOME SYNERGIES THERE BETWEEN THE THE TWO PHASES.

YES. YEAH. THE PLAN WAS FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER ON THAT.

OKAY. AND LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS JUST FOR OUR MOTION HERE TODAY.

JUST CONFIRMING THIS, THIS 900,000, THEN ARE YOU STILL GOING TO COME BACK WITH A LIST OF SUBRECIPIENTS? TO THIS COURT, OR WILL THIS BE TURNING IT OVER THOSE DECISIONS TO YOUR TEAM GOING FORWARD? NO. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT IT WOULD BE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT THE SELECTION PROCESS TO REVIEW THE RESPONSES OF ALL OF THE CBOS THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRANT PROGRAM, THAT SELECTION WOULD NOT BE ON TEXAS CREATIVE ALONE.

IT WOULD INCLUDE MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF OR YOUR OFFICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US.

THAT'S HOW WE'VE DONE IT IN THE PAST.

AND WE FOUND THAT TO BE THE BEST PRACTICE.

SO YOU WILL CERTAINLY HAVE INPUT IN THAT DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

MR. CALVERT. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. DAVID, I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THESE ARE FEDERAL MONIES, AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN ACT MONIES FOR THIS.

CORRECT. DAVID, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT IS THE INTERNAL CONTROL THAT THE COUNTY IS SETTING UP FOR TEXAS CREATIVE'S CONTRACT WITH RESPECT TO THE SUB RECIPIENTS? IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY HAS A REQUIREMENT OF ANY RECIPIENT OF ARPA FUNDS MUST HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS.

AND THAT BEXAR COUNTY IN PARTICULAR, IN PARTICULAR, WOULD BE ON THE HOOK SHOULD ANY ORGANIZATION ABSCOND OR NOT USE THE MONIES PROPERLY.

SO DO YOU HAVE THE INTERNAL CONTROLS SET UP FOR THIS? MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT TEXAS CREATIVE WOULD BE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THOSE PARTIES ACTUALLY DELIVERED THE SERVICES AND GOODS THAT WERE CONTRACTED FOR AS A SUBCONTRACTOR FOR THEM.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU'RE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TREASURY RULES, BECAUSE THE SIMPLE FORM THAT TEXAS CREATIVE IS TALKING ABOUT IS PROBABLY VERY SIMILAR TO THE SIMPLE FORM WE HAD WITH THE ASIAN CHAMBER, WHERE 50,000 WAS ABSCONDED WITH.

WE HAVE TO HAVE, ACCORDING TO FEDERAL TREASURY, WE HAVE TO HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS AT BEXAR COUNTY.

AND THIS TREASURY AT BEXAR COUNTY IS ON THE HOOK FOR ANY OF THESE FUNDS THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY USED.

I SUGGEST WE REVIEW THAT, COMMISSIONER, AS FAR AS THE AGREEMENT, IT IS ARPA COMPLIANT.

EVERY AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE PROVISIONS.

EACH CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE USING ARPA DOLLARS, IT HAS SPECIFIC WHETHER OR NOT THEY COMPLY WITH THOSE CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS.

WE CAN MONITOR THOSE. BUT THOSE CONTRACTS EACH CONTAIN THOSE EACH EACH ONE THAT WE'VE ISSUED.

SO WHAT I RECALL WHEN WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE, LARRY, IS THAT THE RECIPIENTS, THE SUBRECIPIENTS, BECAUSE I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTY, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT THE AWARDEES THAT THEY SIGN.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE SUBRECIPIENT OR THE VENDORS OF THE.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE PROPER TERM BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S A PROPER TERM I'M TALKING ABOUT.

[05:30:01]

SO THEY WOULD BE A SUBRECIPIENT AND THE VENDORS OF THE SUBRECIPIENT IN IN THIS CASE, WHOEVER THEY CONTRACT WITH WOULD BE THE VENDORS.

SO WE AS MY UNDERSTANDING, WE HAVE BEEN GIVING A DOCUMENT CONTRACT DOCUMENT THAT SAYS THAT YOU MUST COMPLY WITH ALL THE ARPA TREASURY GUIDANCE AND YOU ARE LIABLE SHOULD THAT GO IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

IS THAT IT'S QUITE EXTENSIVE.

YES. RIGHT.

BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TREASURY REQUIRES THE COUNTY TO HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS.

AND I'M NOT SURE THAT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING OF ACCOUNTING THAT JUST A LEGAL DECLARATION THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE IS AN INTERNAL CONTROL.

NOW, COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE COUNTY'S INTERNAL CONTROLS, OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE SUBRECIPIENTS INTERNAL CONTROLS? IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN THE WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES US MONEY, ARPA MONEY, THAT WHEN WE ARE GRANTING THOSE FUNDS TO A SUBRECIPIENT THAT THAT THE COUNTY MUST HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS.

PERIOD. THE COUNTY DOES.

WE HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS NOW.

I'LL LET THE AUDITOR. WELL, WHAT I KNOW WE HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS AS THE COUNTY FOR THE THINGS THAT WE RECEIVE.

CORRECT. BUT FOR THE SUB RECIPIENTS, YES, WE ARE TO HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS FOR THEM WITH, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE COUNTY, IN OTHER WORDS, SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE FUNDS RUNNING OUT LIKE THEY DID AT, AT THE ASIAN CHAMBER AND MAYBE SOME OTHERS, PERHAPS.

I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING YOUR QUESTION, BUT THE CONTRACT IS ARPA COMPLIANT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE I THINK THE ISSUE IS WHETHER THE COUNTY IS INTERNAL CONTROL COMPLIANT WITH THE ARPA TREASURY GUIDANCE.

THAT'S THAT'S MY THAT'S MY QUESTION.

HERE'S THE DEAL.

WHAT TREASURY IS TRYING TO AVOID IS WELL, LET ME ASK YOU, MONICA.

MONICA DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SOME OF THE GROUPS THAT WOULDN'T NORMALLY BE ABLE TO APPLY TO THE COUNTY FOR FUNDING WOULD BE ELIGIBLE THROUGH TEXAS CREATIVE? ARE YOU ASKING ME IF SOME OF THE GROUPS, SUCH AS THOSE THAT ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, WOULD BE OF, WOULD BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING THROUGH TEXAS CREATIVE? IN ESSENCE, BUT I WILL BROADEN THE QUESTION FOR CLARITY ARE THE STATEMENT THAT'S A QUESTION.

ARE YOU UNDER THE BELIEF THAT THE GRANT MECHANISM THAT WILL BE SET UP THROUGH TEXAS CREATIVE WOULD ALLOW NONPROFITS THAT WOULDN'T NORMALLY ABLE TO BE ABLE TO ABIDE BY ARPA RULES, WILL BE ABLE TO GET FUNDING FROM TEXAS CREATIVE.

I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GATHER SOME TO GET SOME FUNDING THROUGH THAT.

AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT THEY SUBMIT, WHAT ARE THEIR PROPOSALS.

AND THEN TAKING A LOOK AT THAT AND HAVING THAT DIALOG, I THINK THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

WHEN I MET WITH A LOT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THEY DID EXPRESS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ARPA FUNDING.

GOING THROUGH THIS MECHANISM ALLOWS US, BEXAR COUNTY, TO GO AHEAD AND SUPPORT THEM IN THESE EFFORTS.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TREASURY WOULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU IN TERMS OF THESE GROUPS BEING ABLE TO GET ARPA MONEY AND NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ARPA TREASURY GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS.

THAT'S A BIG CONCERN.

IN LIGHT OF THE VERY FIRST TIP OF THE ICEBERG WE'VE HAD WITH RESPECT TO THE 50,000 AT THE ASIAN CHAMBER GOING IN, HAVING A FINANCIAL SCANDAL THERE.

SO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CLEAN THAT UP BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT AND ARE SURE OF WHAT THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE IS.

THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT OF SLUSH HERE IN TERMS OF THERE'S NOT HARD LINE ITEM BUDGETS.

THERE ARE ROUGH ESTIMATES BASED UPON, YOU KNOW, I GUESS A NEGOTIATION AND CONSULTATION.

TYPICALLY WE GET LINE ITEMS ON THESE KINDS OF PROPOSALS.

SO I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE A LINE ITEM OF, OF HOW IT'S BEING USED.

SO LET ME ASK WITH RESPECT TO THIS, THIS SPENDING.

COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY, I MADE A MISTAKE.

[05:35:03]

THIS IS ACTUALLY A VENDOR AGREEMENT.

IT WAS A WET AGREEMENT.

IT WAS A VENDOR AGREEMENT.

IT'S STILL ARPA COMPLIANT, BUT IT WAS NOT A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT, WHICH CHANGES THINGS A LITTLE BIT.

IT WASN'T ACTUALLY AN RFP PROCESS.

SO IT WAS A VENDOR AGREEMENT.

SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. MY MISTAKE.

BUT THANKS FOR THE CLARITY.

YEAH, I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I'M NOT SURE IF IT IF IT CHANGES ANYTHING ABOUT THE FEDERAL REGULATION.

IT'S STILL SUBJECT TO THE SAME REGULATIONS.

IT'S STILL FEDERAL DOLLARS.

SAME REGULATIONS APPLY.

SUBRECIPIENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM BEXAR COUNTY.

IT MEANS WE DON'T DO THE RFP PROCESS.

BUT WHEN IT GOES THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS, THAT'S A VERY STRICT PROCESS.

STILL HAVE ALL OF THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES THAT APPLY.

IT JUST MEANS THAT THEY ARE A DIRECT VENDOR OF BEXAR COUNTY AND THAT WE ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIVITIES.

OKAY. AND I WANT TO ASK COMMISSIONER CALVERT, IF I MAY, IF YOU WOULD ALLOW ME, LET ME SEE IF I CAN CLARIFY THIS, BECAUSE I THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.

AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M NOT.

YOU'RE ASKING FOR AN ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE MONEY THAT IS BEING ASKED TO BE AWARDED TO TEXAS CREATIVE.

YOU'RE ASKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU'RE ASKING WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING.

I, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT.

AND SO MY MY QUESTION TO THE MANAGER BUDGET OFFICE IS I BELIEVE THE WAY TO.

HELP COMMISSIONER CALVERT THE OFFICE COUNTY STAFF CAN ADDRESS IS WHO'S GOING TO BE THE STAFF PERSON THAT'S GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE A MISAPPROPRIATION OF MONEY? THAT'S HE SPOT ON.

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TAKING MONEY, ESPECIALLY EVEN ANY COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION THAT DOESN'T.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE THEIR PAPERWORK.

THEY CAN THEY HAVE THEY CAN'T HAVE LIENS OR OR ANYTHING THAT COULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS FUNDING.

SO I TOTALLY GET IT.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE I'M ASKING STAFF, IS THERE A STAFF PERSON THAT CAN BE DESIGNATED NOW? I ALSO HEARD THAT TEXAS CREATIVE IS INVITING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THROUGH THEIR STAFF, SO I ASSUME WE MAY. THEY COULD HAVE FIVE STAFF MEMBERS IN THIS PROCESS.

SO I WOULD ASSUME OUR STAFF WILL ALSO DO DUE DILIGENCE.

AND I'M LOOKING AT THE STAFF IN THE ROOM THAT THEY WILL MAKE SURE THAT OUR COUNTY MONEY IS BEING APPROPRIATED IN THE RIGHT WAY.

DOES THAT ANSWER THE ADDRESS? OKAY, NO, BECAUSE FAIR ENOUGH.

THE GAO, THE GAO STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTING WITH RESPECT TO INTERNAL CONTROLS ARE SPECIFIC THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE ADOPTED BY A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, AND THEY'RE NOT DEPENDENT UPON JUST THE STAFF PERSON.

SO WE KNOW MELISSA SHANNON AND SOME AND YOU, THOMAS, AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS, AND THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL ARE PART OF THAT AS WHO IS.

SO I'LL LET YOU ANSWER THAT HALF OF THE QUESTION, BUT IT'S IT'S THE INTERNAL CONTROLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADOPTED BY THE COUNTY.

I'M CONCERNED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, THOMAS GUEVARA, CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE COUNTY MANAGER THE ARPA OFFICE WILL BE INVOLVED THE WAY THIS CONTRACT IS DRAFTED UP.

AND IF YOU APPROVE IT, ANY CBOS HAVE TO GO BEFORE MONICA RAMOS AS THE PIO.

THAT'S THE WAY IT'S DRAFTED IN THAT PROCESS.

SO AGAIN, I THINK WHAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM TEXAS CREATIVE IS WE'LL IDENTIFY THOSE CBOS ALONG WITH YOUR OFFICES TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A BROAD YOU KNOW OUTREACH TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

TEXAS CREATIVE WILL START THAT PROCESS TO RECEIVE REQUESTS FROM THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AGAIN, WITH THEIR PROPOSED OUTREACH.

THAT WILL INCLUDE YOUR OFFICES.

WHEN THOSE CBOS ARE RECOMMENDED FROM TEXAS CREATIVE, THEY WILL GO THROUGH MONICA.

HOWEVER, MONICA WILL WORK WITH YOUR ARPA CORE TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE COUNTY AUDITOR, YOUR CIVIL SECTION, AND AND THE ARPA OFFICE.

SO WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT JUST TO ENSURE THAT THOSE VENDOR SUB AGREEMENTS OR SUB CONTRACTS ARE IN PLACE.

YOU ALREADY HAVE YOUR INTERNAL CONTROLS THAT ARE ADOPTED BY YOUR COUNTY AUDITOR THAT ARE A PART OF OUR PROCESS.

SO I HOPE THAT IS CLEAR AND TO THE POINT, JUDGE.

OKAY, I HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR TEXAS CREATIVE.

SO IN THE CAMPAIGN OF COVID 19 THAT YOU CONDUCTED FOR THE COUNTY, CAN YOU TELL ME THE BROADCAST ENTITIES THAT WERE GIVEN PAID MEDIA? SURE. I'M GOING TO LOOK TO MY FRIEND REBECA OVER HERE TO HELP ME RECALL, DID THE.

HEY, ARE YOU EITHER COME TO THE MIC OR SOMEBODY SPEAK IN THE MIC SO I CAN HEAR, PLEASE.

[05:40:04]

WE DID DIGITAL. WE DIDN'T DO ANY KIND OF LIKE BROADCAST TELEVISION.

AND THEN WE DID THE OUTREACH.

THE DOOR, THE BLOCK WALKING LIKE ASHLEY MENTIONED.

CAN YOU PROVIDE ME A LIST OF YOUR RADIO BROADCAST BUYS? NOT. NOT NOW.

I DON'T NEED IT NOW. ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT ABOUT FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, ANY BROADCAST BUYS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN? WE HAVEN'T DEFINED THEM YET, BUT WE DO HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO DO TO DO SOME LOCAL VENDOR OUTREACH AS WELL.

OKAY. APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH? WELL, I DON'T MEAN, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW, DO YOU? YOU DON'T MEAN OUTREACH.

YOU MEAN I'M TALKING ABOUT PAID MEDIA? CORRECT? YES. OKAY. SO SO YOU DON'T YOU DON'T HAVE A CONCEPT FOR WHAT AMOUNT YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND ON FLIGHTS OR.

WELL, THE THE REASON BEING IS WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET.

RIGHT. AND SO WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE THE GRASSROOTS AND THE CBOS.

WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE NEED IS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE'VE LINE-ITEM THE 270.

WE'RE NOT SAYING THAT IT HAS TO BE LIMITED TO THAT.

THAT COULD INCREASE, THAT COULD DECREASE, WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE REST OF OUR BUDGET WHERE THE PAID MEDIA SITS AS WELL.

SO WE WANT TO LOOK AT IT FROM A COMPREHENSIVE SIDE OF THINGS.

NOW, AS FAR AS PROJECTED, WHAT WE HAVE IS EXACTLY WHAT I READ OFF TO COMMISSIONER MOODY.

IN YEAR ONE, WE HAVE 150,000 LINE ITEMS TOTAL COLLECTED FOR PAID MEDIA, 150,000.

YES, IN YEAR ONE.

SO OUT OF 900,000, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE 150,000 FOR PAID MEDIA, WHICH INCLUDES DIGITAL.

CORRECT. SO BUT THAT'S NOT OUT OF 900,000.

AGAIN THIS IS A THREE YEAR EFFORT.

SO THAT'S JUST YEAR ONE.

SO TO ADD UP THE MATH ACROSS THE THREE I JUST WANT TO DEAL WITH YEAR ONE RIGHT NOW.

SURE. BECAUSE IT'S NOT A GIVEN THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A THREE YEAR PROGRAM.

SO 150 FOR PAID MEDIA AND THAT INCLUDES DIGITAL.

SO IF WE WERE TO GO TO GOOGLE COULD WE GET RECEIPTS FROM GOOGLE ON YOUR PREVIOUS COVID 19 CAMPAIGNS AS THE COUNTY? I MEAN, I'M NOT ASKING FROM YOU.

I'M ASKING FROM GOOGLE.

YOU WANT. IT'S NOT A PUBLIC FILE LIKE IT IS WITH BROADCAST, IS IT? YEAH. I THINK YOU WANT. YOU WANT PROOF OF PERFORMANCE FROM OUR DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS.

I DON'T WANT IT FROM THE AGENCY.

I WANT IT FROM THE END USER.

SO I'M NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THERE'S NO PUBLIC FILE WITH RESPECT TO GOOGLE ADS OR TO YOUTUBE ADS, IS THERE? ARE YOU ASKING FOR ANALYTICS, SIR? NO, I AM NOT ASKING FOR ANALYTICS.

I'M ASKING, CAN I GET FROM A DIGITAL COMPANY LIKE YOUTUBE, GOOGLE WHERE THEY PURCHASE DIGITAL ADS? CAN I GET FROM THEM LIKE I CAN FROM KSAT, KENS NEWS FOUR WOAI KTSA I CAN GET FROM THEM THEIR PUBLIC FILE, BUT I CAN'T GET THAT ON THE DIGITAL SIDE WITH THIS GROUP.

YOU CAN. OKAY, SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THOSE THOSE DIGITAL AGENCY, THOSE DIGITAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE AGREED TO A PUBLIC FILE.

SO THE THE FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN THAT WE RAN FOR STRONG WAS IN YOUR FACEBOOK PLATFORM.

SO YOUR TEAM HAS ACCESS TO THAT.

THEY GAVE US ACCESS BUT IT ALL IS IN THAT PLATFORM.

SO OKAY, SO WE HAVE A DIGITAL RECORD FROM THE BEXAR COUNTY FACEBOOK PLATFORM OF THE BUDGET THAT WAS SPENT.

CORRECT. AND THERE'S NO OTHER DIGITAL.

FOR BEXAR COUNTY STRONG OR THIS ONE GOING FORWARD? THERE COULD BE. YES, THAT'S PART OF OUR SO WITH LETTING RESEARCH BE OUR GUIDE, PART OF OUR RESEARCH PHASE WILL BE COLLECTING ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION THAT UNIVERSITY HEALTH PROVIDES US, THAT THE CBOS PROVIDE US, THAT BEXAR COUNTY PROVIDES US ON ZIP CODES WHERE WE SEE THE MOST VIOLENCE PREVENTION OPPORTUNITY, WHERE GUN PURCHASING AND GUN HOUSEHOLDS, WE CAN GET DOWN TO THAT LEVEL OF DATA.

SO ONCE WE HAVE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, THAT'S WHEN WE START TO FORM THE PLAN.

THAT'S WHY I SAID THE LINE ITEM BUDGETING IS PROJECTED AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE WE WANT TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO SAY WE MAY NEED MORE FOR GRASSROOTS FUNDING, OR WE MAY NEED MORE FOR PAID MEDIA, DEPENDING ON WHERE WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THAT RESEARCH.

ALL RIGHT. I HAVE SOME MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

I JUST HAVE A PARENTHETICAL STATEMENT BEFORE I FORGET, TO THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU BE VERY CAREFUL BEFORE YOU ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT THROUGH THE MECHANISM.

IF THE INTERNAL CONTROLS ARE NOT PREPARED AS THEY SHOULD BE, BECAUSE IT COULD WIND UP, THERE COULD BE ISSUES.

[05:45:08]

AND I MEAN, WITH THE FEDS.

ALL RIGHT. SO LET ME GO INTO THE QUESTION WITH RESPECT TO YOUR AGENCY.

SO WHO IS THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON GUN VIOLENCE IN TEXAS? CREATIVE. WELL, I THINK THERE'S A NUMBER OF US THAT ARE RESEARCH EXPERTS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO. SO I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THERE'S A SINGULAR PERSON THAT IS THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT IN GUN VIOLENCE.

WE RELY ON OUR PARTNERS TO INFORM THAT THAT'S WHY WE USE DATA AND RESEARCH TO HELP US LEARN.

WE DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S ONLY A SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS ALL OF THAT KNOWLEDGE FOR US.

AND WHO ARE THE PARTNERS FOR THIS PROPOSAL? SO WHO ARE THE RESEARCH PARTNERS THAT WE USE? YES, FOR SECONDARY DATA.

WELL I HAD A COUPLE ON THE PRESENTATION.

LET ME CALL THOSE OUT REALLY QUICKLY.