[00:00:05] >> JUDGE BECERRA: A VERY GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL. [CALL TO ORDER] THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO SPEND THIS MORNING WITH US HERE IN OUR HAYS COUNTY. WE ARE, I KNOW THAT I CAN SPEAK AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COURT, WE'RE TRULY GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE ALL TAKEN THE TIME TO BE HERE AND PARTICIPATE IN YOUR GOVERNMENT. IT IS THE MOST POWERFUL THING YOU CAN DO. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. OH, BY THE WAY TODAY IS ELECTION DAY. HOW ABOUT THAT? SO I'VE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THIS MORNING'S INVOCATION WE'VE ASKED SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE AND WE'VE INTERFAITH ALLIANZ COMING TO GUIDE US AND LEAD US ON THIS FRONT. PLEASE ALL RISE. >> WE ASK OUR CREATOR'S BLESSINGS ON THIS GATHERING TODAY. GRACIOUS LORD, MIGHTY GOD, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU IN SO MANY AND VARIED WAYS. WE ASK YOU TO BE WITH ALL THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS COURT TODAY. THOSE SPEAKING AND THOSE DELIBERATING. ESPECIALLY ASK YOU TO BE WITH JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS, THAT THEY MAY DO SO WITH WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE US ALL SO THAT WE MIGHT GO OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND BLESS THEM WITH ALL OF OUR EFFORTS. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO SERVE YOU IN THIS SPECIAL WAY TODAY AND YOUR HOLY NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. >> AMEN. >> THANK YOU >> 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. >> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> WE HAVE A ROBUST AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT, WE HAVE A ROBUST LIST OF FOLKS SIGNED [PUBLIC COMMENTS] UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. SO I'LL FILL THIS FORM OUT BECAUSE I SEE SOME NEW FACES AND I SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES. BUT SO WE UNDERSTAND THE GOALS HERE TO BE TIDY AND RESPECTFUL, I'LL READ THIS NOW. THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE SUBMITTED A PUBLIC BARS PASSION WITNESS FORM WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK, UNFORTUNATELY NO ACTION MAYBE TAKEN BY THE COURT AS WE ARE EXPECTED NOT TO RESPOND. ANY QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AS RHETORICAL. ALL COMMENTS ARE THE OPINIONS OF THE SPEAKERS AND ARE NOT MEANT TO BE NECESSARILY CONSTRUED AS TRUTH. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS AND LANGUAGE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REMAINDER OF YOUR TIMING. IN THE SPIRIT OF RESPECT PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. YES, YOU WILL STILL HEAR A PHONE RINGING SO I'LL DO IT AGAIN. PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU WHO DOESN'T REMEMBER THEY HAVE A PHONE IN THEIR POCKET AND IT'S GOING TO RING WHILE SOMEONE IS TALKING, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR FELLOW RESIDENTS. SO THE TIMER IS GOING TO BE SET BY THE CLERK. IT WILL BE A 3 MINUTE TIMER. BECAUSE WE HAVE A ROBUST LIST OF PEOPLE, WE USUALLY LET YOU GO A FEW SENTENCES AFTER BUT I'LL ASK THAT YOU PLEASE PROMPTLY CONCLUDE WHEN THE TIMER GOES OFF SO WE CAN BE MOST EFFICIENT AND RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE'S TIME. FIRST SIGNED UP TO SPEAK PASTOR JEFF THOMSON. 3 MINUTES FOR PASTOR THOMSON. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, I'M JEFF THOMSON, A LEADER WITH INTERFAITH ALLIANCE FOR FAMILIES WHICH IS A PART OF CENTRAL TEXAS INTERFAITH. THAT ORGANIZATION ENCOMPASSES 10 COUNTIES HERE IN CENTRAL TEXAS. I WAS AT A C.T. I. RETREAT THIS PAST WEEKEND WHERE WE SPENT SOMETIME LOOKING AT THE PRESSURES ON FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY PRESSURES. THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURES ON ALL OF OUR FAMILIES, AND WE HAVE TO KNOW HOW WE CAN HANDLE THOSE PRESSURES, ESPECIALLY AS WE'RE RECOVERING FROM THE [00:05:01] PANDEMIC. WHAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TO YOU TODAY, IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT HAVING SOMEONE IN A FAMILY ENDURING A LENGTHY INCARCERATION SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT MAKE BAIL OR MAYBE HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED CONSISTENT REPRESENTATION GREATLY INCREASES THE PRESSURES ON THEIR FAMILY. ESPECIALLY THE ACCUSED, IF THE ACCUSED PERSON IS THE MAIN BREAD WINNER, THAT MAY WELL MEAN THEIR FAMILY MAY SINK INTO POVERTY AND IN TURN PUT MORE PRESSURE ON AN ALREADY OVERWORKED SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM. THAT IS WHY TODAY I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE ON A VENDOR TO START THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED. ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE IN COMMUNITY IMPACT FROM OCTOBER 2020 TO OCTOBER 2021, MORE THAN 80% OF INMATES IN THE COUNTY'S CORRECTION SYSTEM WERE HELD PRE-TRIAL. THAT DATA FROM THE COUNTY WAS COMPILED BY THE VATA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE. IF THE CURRENT RATE OF TRANSFERS CONTINUES, HAYS COUNTY COULD SPEND UP TO $5.8 MILLION TO HOUSE INMATES OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY. THOSE EXTRA COSTS ARE EXTRA PRESSURES IN THE SYSTEM. AT . 8 MILLION COULD BE SPEND ON A LOT BETTER WAYS INCLUDING COMMUNITY, HELPING THE COMMUNITY TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC. WHICHEVER VENDOR YOU PICK TODAY, SHOULD HAVE A HOLISTIC APPROACH WITH ALL MUCH THE RESOURCES TO INSURE PRESSURES CAN BE RELIEVED FOR EVERYONE WITH A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING YOU TODAY TO MOVE THIS PROCESS FORWARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PASTOR THOMSON. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARILYN ENDRES. I HOPE I SAID THAT RIGHT. >> YOU DID. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> I'VE LIVED IN COMMUNITY FOR OVER 45 YEARS IN A LITTLE SUBDIVISION CALLING ROLLING NOTES AND I AM TERRIFIED RIGHT NOW WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING WORSE DROUGHT. WE'VE NEVER HAD WINDS LIKE THIS. WE SEE NEW MEXICO IS BURNING UP. LOTS OF ARIZONA. CALIFORNIA. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. SINCE I LIVED IN ROLLING OAKS DURING THOSE 45 YEARS ALMOST TWICE I'VE LOST MY HOME TO PEOPLE BURNING TRASH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DROUGHT ON A WINDY DAY. AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LAST 6 WEEKS, WE JUST RECENTLY HAD RAIN WHERE IT WAS COMPLETELY BONE DRY READY FOR DISASTER, BUT IT RAINED AND IN SAN MARCOS SO THE BAN BURN WAS LIFTED. IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR SITUATION OUT IN ROLLING OAKS OR A LOT AROUND WIMBERLY. I'M BEGGING WITH -- I DON'T WANT US TO END ARE END UP LIKE NEW MEXICO OR BAST ROCK. IF WE COULD HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE INTELLIGENT WAY TO DEAL WITH THE BURN BAN. ONE SIZE DOES NOT PHYTOLS. IF IT RAINS IN SAN MARCOS IT HAS NO BEARING ON OTHER AREAS. IF WE COULD DIVIDE THE COUNTY UP INTO MANY AREAS, YOU KNOW, THIS WOULD TAKE A STUDY, AND IT WOULD BE COMPREHENSIVE AND WE COULD, WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE DID IT RAIN. WE CAN HAVE A NETWORK OF PEOPLE, A NETWORK OF RAIN GAGES. AND HAVE IT COMPUTERIZED WHERE PEOPLE CAN CALL UP TO GET A PERMIT AND GIVE THE ADDRESS AND BE TOLD IT WILL ALL BE ON THERE WHETHER IT'S SAFE FOR THEM TO BURN OR NOT. YOU CAN'T -- UNFORTUNATELY IT'S LIKE OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM. WE'VE GOT IT DUMBED DOWN TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR AND WE'RE LOOKING AT LOSING WHOLE COUNTIES TO FIRE -- COMMUNITIES TO FIRE. THAT CAN HAPPEN SO EASILY WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE. I TAUGHT EVERY NEIGHBOR I'VE TALKED TO FEELS THE SAME WAY. WE'RE JUST IN AWE. I'VE, I WAS, I COULDN'T SLEEP SOME NIGHTS BECAUSE I WOULD SEE SOME IDIOT BURNING WHAT I KNOW IS SAFE WHEN I BURN. I TAKE MY MOWER, I MOE ALL AROUND. I WAIT TILL AFTER WE'VE HAD A HEAVY RAIN AND I NEVER LEAVE. [00:10:04] WELL, I'M SORRY, YOU CAN'T -- WE'RE DEALING WITH A GENERAL PUBLIC. AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE EVERYTHING THAT I'VE WORKED FOR AND NEITHER DO MY NEIGHBORS BY SOMEBODY BEING GIVEN THE CHOICE TO USE THEIR OWN DISCRETION. THERE HAS TO BE TIGHT LAWS, ESPECIALLY -- I THINK THIS TREND WE'RE ON IS JUST THE BEGINNING. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE DROUGHTS, MORE AND MORE FIRES, THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. FORTUNATELY FOR ALL OF US, OUR NEWLY MINTED BUT YET VERY EXPERIENCED FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE COUNTY IS IN THE AUDIENCE. HE HEARD EVERY WORD YOU SAID. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GENERALLY A GREAT IDEA. NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. RODRIGO AMAYA. >> JUDGE, COURT, FIRE MARSHAL IS IN THE AUDIENCE, HE HEARD THE WORDS BUT THAT IS NOT A FUNCTION, GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY SAID. THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM OUT OF HAYS COUNTY IS, YOU KNOW, JUST SHOWING OFF SOME MATH SKILLS PEOPLE ARE EVERY WHERE TAKEN NOTICE OF SO THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE LAST SPEAKER FROM WHAT I HEARD AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING BUT I'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE. THIS IS NOT THE FUNCTION, YOU KNOW, FOLKS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE COUNTY WERE NOT IN ATTENDANCE. MR. MIKE JONES, SHERIFF CUTLER, CITIZENS UP THERE WERE ASKING ABOUT WHICH ISSUES WITH THE TRAFFIC. CONSTABLE HOOD WAS IN ATTENDANCE, HE IS GOING TO PUT SEVERAL FOLKS THAT WERE THERE, COMMISSIONERS ON THE SPOT AND ASK FOR MORE PERSONNEL. YOU KNOW, I WENT TO EAGLE PASS A COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK. THERE WAS A TROOPER SITTING OUT THERE FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS. ON HORSES AND EATING COTTON CANDY MAKING $90 ,000 A YEAR SITTING THERE WASTING OUR TAX $. THE OTHER DAY IN AUSTIN TROOPERS WERE CLEANING UP WITH WITH ALL THE HOMELESS PROBLEMS AND STUFF. MY RECOMMENDATION IS WHY DON'T YOU ASK THE GOVERNOR FOR ASSISTANCE? EVERYBODY ELSE IS. WHY NOT -- PATROL ALL 9 ROADS THAT ARE OF CONCERN. I'VE SEEN AND WORKED MANY FATAL AND ACCIDENTS AS A TROOPER. YOU KNOW THERE, IS A THING CALLED A DIRECTED PATROL. THAT'S THE WAY YOU HANDLE AND TAKE CARE OF PROBLEMS THAT THE PUBLIC COMES UP. THIS IS AN OFFICIAL THAT HAS LEADERSHIP SKILLS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I'M IN LOCKHART I HAVE A CONSTABLE AT 9:30 IN THE MORNING RUNNING AROUND. RESOURCES ARE THERE. THEY'RE JUST NOT BEING PUT WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY? I DON'T KNOW WHERE PRECINCT 1 CONSTABLE IS AT. I COMPLAIN ABOUT HIS ILLEGAL MARKINGS ON HIS CARMENT I LOST TRACK OF THE GUY. MADE IT HARDER FOR ME TO CATCH T. THE LAW DOES REQUIRE FOR HIM TO BE PROPERLY MARKED. THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE LIGHTS OFF FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE COURTHOUSE. YOU NEED A PERMIT TO DRILL IN THE LIMESTONE. THAT IS ILLEGAL. I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING FROM THAT BUT I'M ASHAMED FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT HANDLED THAT BECAUSE IT TOOK THEM A MONTH TO GET BACK TO ME ON SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS AN ILLEGAL LIGHT SETUP. SO, YOU KNOW, FOLKS, HERE WE ARE AGAIN TALKING ABOUT THE SAME STUFF THAT I TALKED FOR THE LAST PART OF 6, 7 YEARS, LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY. IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT OUR CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR 7 YEARS HAS NOT BEEN TO TRIAL. KEN PAXTON. THAT'S WHY ATTORNEYS LIKE MARK KENNEDY CONTINUE TO PERFORM OUTSIDE THE RULES THAT OVERSEE THEIR OFFICE WITH NO CONSEQUENCES. AND Y'ALL UP HERE AS COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, ENABLE FOLKS LIKE HIM TO COME OUT HERE AND FAIL REPEATEDLY WITH NO CONS. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. ERIC MARTINEZ. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'M REPRESENTING HERE POLICY DIRECTOR WITH. (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE). WE'RE ASKING Y'ALL TO FIGHT FOR THE RESPONDENT TODAY FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, THAT BEST EMBRACES HOLISTIC DEFENSE. A HOLISTIC PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE P. D. O. IS MORE THAN JUST HAVING SOCIAL WORKERS TO HELP WITH COMPETENCY EVALUATIONS. A HOLISTIC P. D. O. ENTAILS HAVING AN ENTIRE TEAM FIGHT FOR A CLIENT. A HOLISTIC P. D. O. SHOULD INCLUDE, ONE, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE TRADITIONAL INDIGENT DEFENSE, 2, CIVIL ATTORNEYS TO ADDRESS CIVIL ISSUES SUCH AS FAMILY LAW, HOUSING, [00:15:01] SCHOOLING, IMMIGRATION AND EMPLOYMENT, AND, 3, SUPPORT STAFF SUCH AS SOCIAL WORKERS, INVESTIGATORS AND PARALEGALS, ETC. TO BE TRULY HOLISTIC, WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SPICEOVER EFFECTS THAT RESULT FROM SOMEBODY'S INVOLVE WITH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND ITS IMPACT ON FAMILY, HOUSING, SCHOOLING AND MORE. IF SOMEBODY CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY UNDER THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM, THEN THEY LIKELY CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY TO ADDRESS THOSE CIVIL SPILLOVER ISSUES MUCH LIKE THE WEALTHY CAN. TO BE INNOVATIVE AND TO ADDRESS THIS INCARCERATION CRISIS LOCALLY WE NEED A HOLISTIC PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. OTHER FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED HERE VERBA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, YOU'VE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB CREATING THE JAIL POPULATION DASHED WHICH HAS BEEN UPDATED WITHIN RECENT WEEKS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE MEDIUM LENGTH OF STAY FOR THE PRE-TRIAL POPULATION WAS ROUGHLY 108 DAYS. 108 DAYS WHERE LEGALLY INNOCENT INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE ONLY THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE CHARGED BUT NOT FOUND GUILTY OF A CRIME ARE BEING HELD BECAUSE THEY REQUEST NOT AFFORD FREEDOM. WE LIVE IN A SYSTEM WHERE YOU CAN HAVE TWO PEOPLE ACCUSED OF THE SAME CRIME, BUT BECAUSE ONE PERSON HAS ACCESS TO WEALTH THEY GET TO AWAIT THEIR COURT DATE IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR OPEN HOME WHILE THE WEALTHY -- WHILE THE UNFORTUNATE REMAIN DETAINED PRE-TRIAL. A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE THAT EMBRACES HOLISTIC DEFENSE AND HAS A HISTORY OF EMBRACING HOLISTIC DEFENSE WHERE THEIR CLIENTS RECEIVE THOSE CIVIL REFERRALS WHILE ALSO RECEIVING TRADITIONAL PUBLIC DEFENSE IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE SEVERE CASE BACKLOG THAT WE HAD PRE-PANDEMIC AND THAT WAS EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. MARTINEZ. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MS. SAM BENEVIDAS. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONESSERS, I COME BEFORE YOU WITH REGARDS TO AGENDA ITEM 43 WHICH DISCUSSES AWARDING AN R. F. P. TO ONE OF TWO DEFENDERS TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE IN HAYS COUNTY. MY AMIGA SPENT OVER 3 YEARS ADVOCATING FOR THE CREATION OF THIS OFFICE AND WE'RE SO THRILLED THAT EACH OF YOU SEES THE BENEFITS AND NOT ONLY FUNDING THIS OFFICE BUT IN BEING INTENTIONAL WITH THE DECISION AND INSURING THAT OUR COUNTY GETS AS MUCH OUT OF THIS OFFICE AS POSSIBLE. I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER SHELL AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND JUDGE BECERRA FOR RECOGNIZING THE NECESSITY FOR THE OFFICE BEFORE IT WAS POPULAR. SO MUCH GOOD IS GOING TO COME FROM THIS DECISION AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR EACH OF YOU FOR DECIDING TO BRING US A SUPERIOR FORM OF INDIGENT DEFENSE TO OUR COUNTY. CURRENTLY MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED IN OUR COUNTY JAIL ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THEIR FREEDOM. THE VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE RECENTLY UPDATED THE HAYS COUNTY DASHBOARD AND IT SHOWS OVER 3/4 OF THOSE CURRENTLY DETAINED IN THE COUNTY JAIL ARE BEING HELD PRE-TRIAL. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF WEALTH BASED ATTENTION AS WELL AS OUR CURRENT SYSTEM OF INDIGENT DEFENSE. THE DECISION THAT YOU MAKE TODAY WILL BRING OUR COMMUNITY A STEP CLOSER TO DECREASING THIS ABSURD NUMBER OF PRE-TRIAL DETAINEES AND I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO ALL OF YOU FOR GETTING US TO THIS POINT. I'VE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT YOU ALL WILL BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SELECTING THE VENDOR THAT WILL BRING THE MOST HOLISTIC FORM OF DEFENSE TO OUR COUNTY. ONE WILL AN TEAR FIGHTING FOR THEIR CLIENT INCLUDING TRADITIONAL INDIGENT DEFENSE, SOCIAL WORKERS AND INVESTIGATORS. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT ON -- THIS IS A REALLY BIG WEEK FOR BOTH THE CANNABIS DEKIMM CAMPAIGN AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOVEMENT FOR EVERYONE IN THE CROWD, EVERYONE IN THE ROOM TODAY LET YOU KNOW WE'RE IN THE FINAL WEEK OF SELECTING SIGNATURES TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN SAN MARCOS, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. DAN LYON. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS, AS JUDGE BECERRA SAID, TODAY IS ELECTION DAY. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VOTE FOR THE GRIFTERS -- I'M SORRY, I MEAN THE GIFTED POLITICIANS OF THEIR CHOICE. I WANT TO TAKE A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE AND GO INTO THE DISBURSEMENTS. I KNOW I HAVEN'T DONE THAT IN A LONG TIME. THERE WAS AN ITEM IN THERE FEDERAL DISCRETIONARY FUND MUMPITY DUMPTY S. S. [00:20:01] M. FISCAL YEAR LIMITED 2022. THAT'S WHAT IT SAID. $112,060.62. WE'VE GOT ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, BRAKES, PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE SHERIFF, $554.31. I'VE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS REPLACE A ROTOR THAT IS SO BADLY SCORED THAT IT COULDN'T BE TURNED. BUT YET EVERY TIME THE SHERIFF REPLACES BRAKE PADS HE HAS TO REPLACE ROTORS, TOO. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT APRIL 2022 INMATE HOUSING, $47,500 BLANCO COUNTY INMATE HOUSING $16,952. BLUE BONNET MOTORS INCORPORATED REALTORS AND KITS FOR THE SHERIFF AGAIN, $895 . 04. COUNTY TREASURE MAR 2022 INMATE HOUSING 233,580. LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, APRIL 2022 INMATE HOUSING, $25,875; RED HEAD AUTO PARTS ROTOFOR THE SHERIFF, 903.60. AND LET'S SEE, WE GOT FOUR WAY AUTO REPAIR. OIL AND FILTER CHANGE FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2, $75 TO CHANGE OIL. J. M. ENGINEERING, THEY DID A NUMBER OF SERVICE CALLS, SOME ON THE COURTHOUSE, SOME ON THE GOVERNMENT CENTER. EVERY TIME THEY DO A SERVICE CALL THEY CHARGE US $75 FOR A CALLOUT FEE. WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY THERE WORKING ON VARIOUS THINGS, H. V. A. C. AND WHATEVER, THEY CHARGE US $75 ON EVERYTHING THEY DO BEFORE THEY EVEN START WORK ANYWAY. WE GOT O'BRIEN REFRIGERATION REPAIRS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, $176.20. WHEN DO WE REPLACE A REFRIGERATOR? WHEN IS IT CHEAPER? TEXAS WILD LIVE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT FUND $3200, JUNE 2022, MONTHLY TRAP FREE AGREEMENT OF THE I'M SORRY, HUNTERS ARE TAKING OUT MOST OF HOGS AND THEY GET $5. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. JORDAN BUCKLY. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS, WE'VE BEEN AT 9 LECTERN SINCE 2019 ADVOCATING FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE AND I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FIRST TO THE JUDGE WHO HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE SINCE DAY ONE AND A LOT OF GRATITUDE TO LON SHELL AND DEBBIE INGALSBE WHO HAVE' SPENT MONTHS DOING RESEARCH, DOING HARD WORK TO LEARN THIS SYSTEM AND OR NOT TO PLACE WHERE THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE. SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THREE OF YOU. THERE WAS A COVER STORY IN COMMUNITY IMPACT THAT PAST MONTH THAT I THINK HAD THE GENERAL PREMISE WRONG TALKING ABOUT THE RISE OF THE INMATE POPULATION. I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF A PIECE FROM THE STATESMEN THAT SAID BETWEEN 2010-2018 THE INMATE POPULATION IN HAYS COUNTY GREW 74% WHEN THE COUNTY'S POPULATION ROSE 42%. THE COMMUNITY IMPACT IMPLIED THE RISE OF THE JAIL POPULATION HAS TO DO WITH THE GENERAL GROWTH OF THE COUNTY POPULATION, THAT'S NOT THE CASE. PEOPLE THAT ARE STUDYING THIS KNOW FULL WELL THAT IS NOT THE CASE. THE DRAMATIC RISE OF THE PEOPLE LOCKED UP IN CAGES IN HAYS COUNTY AND IN OTHER COUNTY CAGES ON OUR BILL IS NOT PROPORTIONAL TO THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY. THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTORS THAT HAVE OVERSEEN THE PROCESS THAT ARE CULPABLE FOR THIS DRAMATIC RISE IN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE LOCK UP. MOST OF WHOM HAVEN'T BEEN FOUND GUILTY AND YET WE'RE PAYING TO LEAVE THEM IN CAGES. I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO BE BOLD IN YOUR DECISION MAKING TODAY. YOU DON'T NEED TO CONSULT THE FOXES FOR OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HEN HOUSE, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM THAT HAVE OVERSEEN AND SHEPHERDED THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF MASS INCARCERATION. YOU DON'T NEED THEIR BLESSING. WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR THEIR BLESSING. THOSE PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE BE BOLD. HOLISTIC IS OFTEN A BUZZWORD IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE CIRCLES BUT YOU KNOW WHAT IS TRULY HOLISTIC AT LEAST COMMISSIONERS GONZALES, SHELL, JUDGE BECERRA BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN STUDYING THIS, IT MEANS CIVIL ATTORNEYS LOOKING AT FAMILY, HOUSING, MANY I GRADUATION, EMPLOYMENT LAW. TALKING ABOUT PARALEGALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD CHOICE, WE HAVE A GREAT CHOICE. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE CHOICE TODAY. [00:25:04] THE LAST THING FILM FESTIVAL GOING TO BE IN ITS 60A YEAR IN OCTOBER. WE'RE BRINGING A DOCUMENTARY CALLED RICOCHET. WE'RE GOING TO FLY OUT THE CHIEF ATTORNEY FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE BASED IN SAN FRANCISCO IN OCTOBER AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL. SO I WANT TO LET EDGE KNOW IT WILL BE ANOTHER GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE CAN PLAY KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE BOLD. GET THE BEST POSSIBLE PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR US, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, OUR FINAL SPEAKER UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS, THERE ARE STILL SPEAKERS FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL AGENDA ITEMS, BUT OUR FINAL SPEAKNER THIS PORTION IS MISOVICY ARTEN. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO SPEAK -- ACTUALLY I WANT TO AGREE WITH THE MANY SPEAKERS WHO SPOKE ALREADY ABOUT THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE. THIS IS NOT JUST A HAYS COUNTY ISSUE. THIS COUNTRY HAS THE HIGHEST PRISON RATES IN THE WORLD. AND WE DIDN'T PRIOR TO 1970. WE HAD CAPABLE RATES TO THE REST OF THE INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD. THIS IS A NATION WIDE PROBLEM. TEXAS HAS HIGHER RATES THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY SO IT'S NOT JUST A HAYS COUNTY PROBLEM. I REALIZE I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DIDN'T CREATE THIS PROBLEM. AND I APPRECIATE -- I WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE YOU ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS T. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFICIENCY. OKAY. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS. I'M ALL ABOUT EFFICIENCY. JUST THE WAY IT IS, IT'S MOST USEFUL TO ALL OF US. EVERYONE WAS A GREAT SPEAKER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. SO WE'LL NOW GO ON TO PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS. JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC SO YOU CAN GET A PINE POST, AFTER PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS I'M GOING TO GO 48, 50, 52 ON THE AGENDA ITEMS SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEFORE YOU THEN WE'LL CONTINUE BACK TO CONSENT. NUMBER ONE. >> ADOPT A PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF MAY 22-28, 2022, AS SEARCH AND [1. Adopt a Proclamation declaring the week of May 22-28, 2022 as Search and Rescue Week in Hays County. SHELL] RESCUE WEEK IN HAYS COUNTY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WILL YOU PLEASE READ THE PROCLAMATION. >> PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE WEEK OF MAY 22-28, 2022, AS SEARCH AND RESCUE WEEK IN HAYS COUNTY. WHEREAS IN 2021 THERE WERE' 46,581 MISSING PERSONS REPORTS IN TEXAS WITH 12,807 OF THEM BEING ADULTS AND 33,774 BEING CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS COMMUNITIES ACROSS HAYS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS ARE IMPACTED BY MISSING PERSONS, LOST LOVED ONES AND DECREASED FAMILY MEMBERS DUE TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, MEDICAL ISSUES OR NATURAL CAUSES AND WHEREAS SEARCH AND RESCUE RESOURCES BRING CLOSURE AND AID IN THE REUNIFICATION OF FAMILIES AND WHEREAS SEARCH AND RESCUE IS NOTRE SINGLE AGENCY ISSUE BUT RATHER TEAM EFFORTS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, E. M. S. AND SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TOGETHER TO FIND MISSING AND PROVIDE CLOSURE, AND WHEREAS HAYS COUNTY WITNESSED ITS MOST LARGE SCALE SEARCH AND RESCUE RECOVERY OPERATION DURING THE 2015 MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD EVENT THAT IMPACTED COUNTRIES UP AND DOWN THE BLANCO RIVER AND REQUIRED A NUMBER OF AGENCIES INCLUDING LOCAL HOSPITALE ASSETS, STATE WIDE, FEDERAL AND VOLUNTEER SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP FIND THE MISSING, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 22-28, 2022, AS SEARCH AND RESCUE WEEK. AND OFFERS ITS NATIONAL TO ALL THE FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES AND SEARCH AND RESCUE AGENCY THAT IS SUPPORT AND WORK TIRELESSLY ON FINDING THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND BRINGING CLOSURE TO THE FAMILIES OF THE MISSING. ADOPTED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF MAY, 2022. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I MAY HAVE MISSED IT, I THINK SIRTE WAS LIFT OUT ON ACCIDENT. I KNOW IT'S ON ACCIDENT. I'M PART OF THE SIRTE NETWORK HERE AND IT'S A MAGNIFICENT GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS. I WOULD-- I'M NOT TRYING TO SLOW THIS DOWN, BUT I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF AS WE MOVE THROUGH THESE THINGS MOVING FORWARD THAT WE INCLUDE SIRTE. I'M, I GOT A TEXT -- BEFORE 6:00 AM ON THAT SPRINGS THING. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IT'S A MAGNIFICENT REMINDER, THANK YOU, MIKE JONES -- FOR [00:30:06] INCLUDING ME IN THE GROUP. IT IS A MAGNIFICENT REMINDER HOW MUCH SO MANY OF US HAVE TO TOUCH THINGS TO BE IMPACTFUL IN OUR COMMUNITIES -- HERE YOU GO -- WITHOUT ANYBODY KNOWING IT HAPPENED WHILE YOU ARE STILL SLEEPING. I'M SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE HERE AND EVERYONE ELSE AND ALSO, I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT IT BUT I OFTEN GET CALLS FROM COUNTYJUDGES AND OTHER COUNTIES ASKING FOR HELP IN HAYS COUNTY. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOVED ONE MISSING. THEY WERE IN ANOTHER COUNTY. WE HAVE BODIES OF WATER WHERE PEOPLE GO MISSING ALL THE TIME. AND THE LAST ONE I RECEIVED WAS THEY WERE REACHING OUT TO ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH ME FOR HELP AND TRAVIS COUNT WE A LOVED ONE. IT TURNS OUT, YES, LATER THEY FOUND THE BODY. IT'S JUST SO, SO SAD AND SO IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US. NONE OF US KNOW IT UNTIL IT TOUCHES OUR HOMES AND IN THIS POSITION THAT I SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT I'VE THE DISTINCT PRIVILEGE OF NEVER, I'M NEVER GOING TO FORGET THE HONOR IT HAS BEEN TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY AND TO LEARN WHAT ALL OF YOU DO EVER MORE CLOSELY AND HOW EVER SO IMPORTANT YOU ARE, ESPECIALLY AS A WOVEN TEAM. I'M JUST -- I SEE ALL THESE FACES OUT THERE THAT I KNOW. I'M JUST SO FREAKING THANKFUL. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT IT. COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> THANKS, WE'VE REPRESENTATIVES FROM TEXAS SEARCH AND RESCUE AND I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE THIS MAY 24, 7 YEARS AGO WE WOKE UP GETTING OUR EYES FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE DEVASTATION THAT HAPPENED ALONG THE BLANCO RIVER IN HAYS COUNTY. SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REFLECT ON THAT AND UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THESE FOLKS ARE. WE WERE LEARNING PROBABLY ABOUT THIS TIME THAT DAY 7 YEARS AGO THOSE WHO WERE MISSING, AND WE HAD MANY FOLKS MANY OF THEM IN THE ROOM TODAY THAT SPENT WEEKS LOOKING AND MANY ARE STILL LOOKING. SO JUST WANT US TO KEEP OUR THOUGHTS ON THOSE FAMILIES THAT LOST LOVED ONES THAT WE NEVER FOUND. MISS MANAGE GUINNESS WOULD YOU MIND COMING UP. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, COURT, JUSTICE MCGUINNESS, PRESENT C.E.O. OF TEXAS SEARCH AND RESCUE. I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENDANCE ON THIS PUSHING THIS FORWARD. THIS IS VERY EXPERIENCE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM FROM TRANSPORTATION TO CONSTABLES' OFFICE TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, LEGAL, THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ALL BEEN INVOLVED, ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2015 EVENT. IT IMPACTED US ALL. SO JUST WANT TO REITERATE THE APPRECIATION NOT JUST TO SEVEN AND RESCUE BUT ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT IT TAKES FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND CORPORATIONINGS LIKE MCCOYS HERE, YOUR HEADQUARTERED IN HAYS COUNTY WHO ARE HERE TO SUPPORT SEARCH AND RESCUE AND THE MISSION THAT GOES ON WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES A FANTASTIC JOB. EVEN WITH BUDGETS CUT AND CONTINUAL GRIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT DO AS FANTASTIC JOB WITH THEIR C. I.D. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. FIRE AND E. M. S. PROVIDING THEM THE BUDGETS THEY NEED IN ORDER TO UPHOLD THEIR MISSION OF BRINGING HOME THE LOST. SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS MOST OF THEM ARE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS. SO WE'RE SUPPORTED BY DONORS LIKE MCCOYS OR INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THE MISSION MOVE FORWARD. THESE ARE INTERESTING TIMES, AND WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND MISSING PEOPLE, THERE ARE AGENCIES OUT THERE TO SUPPORT AND HELP BRING THOSE LOST ONES. WE NEVER WANT TO BE CALLED OUT IF WE CAN SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. THAT'S A GOOD DAY FOR EVERYBODY BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WILL NEVER BE SOLVED SO WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT Y'ALL AND SUPPORT THE MISSING. , MIKE, DO YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT? >> JUDGE BECERRA: TITLE PLEASE. >> MIKE JONES, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES HAYS COUNTY. TEXTAR SEARCH AND RESCUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE WE'D MUCH RATHER HAVE RESCUE THAN SEARCH AND RECOVERY. WE BRING IN TEXAS R. THEY'VE BEEN GRACIOUS PARTNERS SINCE THE MEMORIAL DAY FLOODS AS WELL AS THEY'VE BEEN VENDORS EVERY YEAR THAT WE HAVE IN SEPTEMBER FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR THE COUNTY. AND THEY'VE BEEN GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO COME WHENEVER WE CALL THEM FOR ANY EVENT. WE HAD AN EVENT IN WEMBLEY FOR A LOST PERSON AND SHE WAS STAYING AT A HOUSE OF SOMEBODY, SO THAT WAS AN EASY DAY FOR US. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS ORGANIZATION, REASON IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US IS WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO, AMATEURS DO IT WHEN THEY GET IT RIGHT. PROFESSIONALS DO IT AND THEY DON'T GET IT WRONG. [00:35:02] THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE PROFESSIONALS. THIS ORGANIZATION EXPANDS BANDWIDTH AND CAPACITY OF THIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU NOR THIS PROCLAMATION FOR THIS ORGANIZATION AND HOPE WE HAVE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIPS WITH THESE FOLKS AND CONTINUED SUCCESS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS -- >> I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU, AGAIN, TO TEXAS ARE AND TO OUR FOLKS. WE'VE MENTIONED TODAY 2015 FLOODS, SOON AFTER I WAS AELECTEDDED YOU DID A GREAT JOB IN DRIPPING WITH THE FLOODING, SAME TYPE OF INFORMATION AND WE LOST ONE OF OUR CITIZENS THERE. I KNOW IT WAS A COMFORT THAT Y'ALL WERE THERE AND Y'ALL DID THE WORK YOU DID. AND I, I CAN'T REITERATE ENOUGH THE COMMENTS OF COMMISSION COMMISSIONER SHELL. THE THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS AS -- THIS IS A RESOLUTION WE DO EVERY YEAR RIGHT RIGHT? WE DO A LOT OF THESE BUT FEW OF THEM HAVE AN IMPACT LIKE Y'ALL DO ON ON A DAILY BASIS. ONE OF THE PRIVILEGES WE HAVE IS THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OUR E. S. D. COMMISSION. OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT. AND AFTER THAT 2019 FLOOD AND IN DRIPPING I MADE IT A POINT WHENEVER WE HAD THOSE POSITIONS COME UP TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT DO YOU HAVE EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE A COMMISSIONER SITTING ON THIS YOU ARE NOT IN THE -- YOU ARE NOT AN AMBULANCE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS OR YOU ARE NOT IN A, NOT RIDING ON THE BACK OF A FIRE TRUCK. DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE THAT YOU CAN BRING TO BEAR IN FLOODING SITUATIONS AND SEARCH AND RESCUE SITUATIONS? AND THAT'S ONE OF THE LINES OF QUESTIONING THAT I HAVE FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE PROSPECTIVE COMMISSIONERS. FORTUNATELY WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GRAB AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM AUSTIN FIRE AND RESCUE WHO SERVES ON THE E. S. D. 1 BOARD AND HE JUST REACHED HIS RETIREMENT. SO GIVEN THAT, HE DOESN'T KNOW IT YET BUT I'VE ALREADY DRAFTED SOME DOCUMENTATION TO SEND TO HIM TO ASK HIM IF HE WOULD BE WILLING TO EXPAND HIS SERVICE TO THE COUNTY IF THE HE WOULD BE WILLING, BUT LIKE 20-YEAR SERVICE PROVIDER THERE. IN SWIFT WATER RESCUE AND I LOVE CONNECTING WITH Y'ALL AFTER THIS AS WELL. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONERS? >> JUDGE, I WANT TO AGAIN Y'ALL ALL. I'M GLAD YOU ARE BEING ABLE TO TAKE STATEWIDE WHAT YOU DID FOR HAYS COUNTY FOR. YEARS. SINCE I BEEN ON THIS COMMISSION COURT WE'VE HAD 3 ONCE IN A LIFE TIME FLOODS. I DON'T SLEEP GOOD ON MEMORIAL DAY OR HALLOWEEN BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU. YOU'VE DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB ON YOUR REACTION BUT I NEVER WANT TO LET THIS -- WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MEMORIAL DAY FLOODS. WE RESCUED A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE TOLD HOURS BEFORE TO EVACUATE BUT THE WORD WAS IT HAS NEVER GOTTEN THIS HIGH. I HOPE WE NEVER HEAR THE WATER HAS NEVER GOTTEN THIS HIGH AND WE HAVE TO RISK OUR PEOPLE. PLEASE WHEN YOU ARE TOLD TO EVACUATE PLEASE EVACUATE. >> JUDGE, I WANT TO OFFER MY THANKS AND GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. I KNOW THERE'S MORE THAN THE ORGANIZATION. THERE ARE SO MANY AS WAS MENTION THAT HAD PLAY A PART IN THESE EFFORTS AND I KNOW IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT JOB MANY TIMES, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF REWARD ALSO IN BRINGING SOMEONE HOME. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS. DR. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. NOW PLEASE COME ON UP FOR A PIC? [2. Presentation by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1919. Possible action may follow, including acceptance of Hays County’s designation as a Purple Heart County and instructions to staff. SMITH] [00:40:50] [PAUSE] >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2. >> NUMBER 2, PRESENTATION BY THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART CHAPTER 1919. POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW, INCLUDING ACCEPTANCE OF HAYS COUNTY'S DESIGNATION AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY AND INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, IF YOU WILL RECALL BACK IN LATE JANUARY, EARLY FEBRUARY, WE ACTUALLY PASSED THE RESOLUTION SIGNIFYING HAYS COUNTY AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY. IN THAT RESOLUTION WHICH THE GENTLEMAN BROUGHT WITH HIM TODAY, IT OUTLINES PARAMETERS AND EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS. PART OF THAT DESIGNATION ALLOWS US TO ESTABLISH PRIVILEGED PARKING AT OUR FACILITIES, DESIGNATIONS ENTERING AND EXITING THE COUNTY SIGNAGE DESIGNATIONS. SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE ACTUALLY HAD THE OR THE OF THE PURPLE HEART COME IN, TALK TO US ABOUT HOW SOME OF OUR COUNTY NEIGHBORS HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE PROCESSION AND THEN IT'LL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO STAFF ABOUT WHAT PHYSICALLY WOULD BE NEEDED TO DO THAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PERFECT. IF YOU'LL APPROACH THE PODIUM. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE BECERRA, I'M JIM BRACKIN, I'M A FORMER COMMANDER OF CHAPTER 1919 HERE IN THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA. HAVE BEEN THE STATE INSPECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS FOR A FEW YEARS. I'M ACCOMPANIED TODAY BY MR. ERNIE BANASO WHO IS ALSO A LONG-TIME I THINK PLANK OWNER, MEMBER OF CHAPTER 1919 WHETHER IT WAS FORMED IN THE EARLY 90S. AND HE HAS A PREPARATION THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO THE COURT ONCE I'M FINISHED. SO AGAIN FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS THE PROCLAMATION THAT THE COMMISSIONER COURT SIGNED ON FEBRUARY 1. DESIGNATING HAYS COUNTY AS A PURPLE -- HAYS COUNTY AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY. AS COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONED THAT BRING WITH IT THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE RECOGNITION OF HAYS COUNTY ON THE HIGHWAYS COMING IN AND OUT OF THE COUNTY AND OTHER SPECIAL DESIGNATED PARKING OPPORTUNITIES. BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE COURT AND THE PUBLIC UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE A PURPLE HEART COUNTY? SO WHAT? MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES AS WELL AS MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FIRST RESPONDER AND THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, THEY RESPOND TO CRITICAL INCIDENTS OR THEY'RE IN COMBAT SITUATIONS ALL THE TIME, AND THEY PROVIDE OF THEMSELVES SOMETHINGS THAT ARE IMMEASURABLE, WHETHER IT'S A PHYSICAL INJURY, A MORAL INJURY, A, WHAT WE CALL A CLOSED INJURY, A BRAIN INJURY, BUT THEY RESPOND AND THEY GIVE OF THEMSELVES AND THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY, OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. SO ALLOW EVERYONE TO COME UP HERE AND TALK TO THE COURT AND PRESENT THEIR IDEAS AND THEIR OPINIONS. THIS IS WHAT FREEDOM IS. AND SO THE POINT OF BEING A PURPLE HEART COUNTY AND PLACING SIGN DESIGNATIONS -- PLACING SIGN DESIGNATIONS SUCH AS THIS COMING AND GOING IN AND OUT OF HAYS COUNTY, THE IDEA IS IS THAT FOR A MOMENT, FOR TEN SECONDS, IN THE CONSCIOUS OR UNCONSCIOUS MIND OF THAT DRIVER OR THAT PASSENGER WHO SEES THIS, THEY REMEMBER ALL OF THOSE WHO GAVE EVERYTHING OR A LOT OF THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEIR WAY OF LIFE. THAT'S THE POINT. SO WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO THIS MORNING IS PRESENT THIS SIGN AS A TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR HAYS COUNTY JOINING THE CLUB. WE HAVE A LOT OF NEIGHBORS COUNTIES AND CITIES THAT HAVE BECOME PURPLE HEART [00:45:05] COUNTIES, PURPLE HEART CITIES. WE HAVE BUSINESSES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BECOME PURPLE HEART ENTITIES IN ORDER TO SHARE AND SHOW PROUDLY THEIR SUPPORT OF VETERANS. SO THAT'S THE ONE THING I WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR FOR THE COURT AND THANK YOU FOR THE INDULGENCE OF ALLOWING ME TO SPELL THAT OUT. BUT BEFORE I HAND IT OVER TO ERNIE FOR ANOTHER PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE'RE APPROACHING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKENDS. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN THE UNITED STATES IS NOT ABOUT A MATTRESS SALE. OR AN INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE OR A $10,000 REBATE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP FOR A NEW CAR. IT'S ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DIED IN SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT. SO I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE IN HAYS COUNTY, ESPECIALLY THE COURT, AND THE PUBLIC THAT'S VIEWING TODAY, TO REMEMBER ON MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN CEMENT GRAVEYARDS AND LADEN WITH THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN OUR FREEDOM, IN OUR WAY OF LIFE. SO LET'S HONOR THEM ON MONDAY. SO ERNIE, WOULD YOU PLEASE MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION? >> YES, MY NAME IS ERNIE BAND SAW. I'M FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS AND I'M THE FORMER CHAPTER 1919 COMMANDER. I WAS ALSO A NATIONAL OFFICER DEALING AS A REGION FIVE COMMANDER WITH 5 PURPLE HEART STATES UNDER MY WING THAT I COMMANDED. WHAT WE JUST SAID HERE IS EXACTLY TRUE. ONE THING ABOUT COMBAT GUYS AND THOSE OF US WITH OUR PURPLE HEART IS THE FACT THAT FOR ME AND I'M SURE THE MAJORITY OF MY GUYS, EVERYDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY. MY BEST BUD GOT CALLED THE NEXT DAY AFTER I GOT WOUNDED. AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU NEVER FORGET. IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO FORGET. QUICK STORY, I WENT AND SAW HIS FAMILY YEARS BACK. THE THING THAT WAS BAD. THEY DIDN'T KNOW -- THEY WOULDN'T LET THEM OPEN THE CASKET AND THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE JEFF, JAMES NEEDED TO BE CARRIED INTO THE FIELD FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD GET HIM CHOPPERED OUT SO HE DID NOT LOOK LIKE HE DID WHEN HE LEFT HOME. AND AS I TOLD THEM, I SAID YOU NEED TO REMEMBER JAMES THE WAY HE LOOKED, NOT THE WAY HE CAME HOME. AGAIN, EVERYDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS GIVE YOU, THE COURT, THIS WALGREENS SPECIAL CANVASS OF MY PURPLE HEART. AND JUST THAT YOU CAN HAVE HERE PUS IT IN YOUR CHAMBERS BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET YOU ADDED TO THE PURPLE HEART COUNTY REGISTER. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WHAT A BLESSING. I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORDS AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER SMITH FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR COURT. WE ALL FEEL THIS WAY AND WE'VE ALL BEEN TOUCHED BY MILITARY. MY FATHER-IN-LAW SERVED IN VIETNAM FOR THE U.S. S. LEXINGTON. I LOST MY FIRST COUSIN. MY ADMIN. IS A NAVY VOTE. WE'RE ALL TOUCHED BY MILITARY, SUCKERS ARE THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW IT. COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO -- I WANT TO THANK BOTH THESE GUYS. THEY WORKED VERY HARD OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS WORKING WITH US TRYING TO GET THINGS SCHEDULED AND GET IT ON THE AGENDA AND MOVE FORWARD. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ERNIE. HE HAS BEEN A STALWART AND TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD. NOT JUST WITH US IN OUR COUNTY BUT THE CHAPTER ITSELF FOR ALL OF OUR SECURE ROUNDING COUNT -- SURROUNDING DISCOUNT ARE COUNTIES, I WOULD ENCOURAGE COMMUNITIES TO LOOK AT THE PROGRAM. TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION AND REALLY THINK ABOUT JOINING THE PURPLE HEART PROGRAM OR THE PURPLE HEART DESIGNATION RATHER. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY WHEN ERNIE APPROACHED ME ABOUT THE PRESENTATION JUST BEFORE COURT, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO TALK TO THE, TO THE HISTORIC COMMISSION AND WITH YOUR PRESENTATION, I KNOW THEY HAVE ROTATING DISPLAYS DOWNSTAIRS IN THE HISTORIC COMMISSION SPACE. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT DISPLAYING THAT DOWN. THERE IT MAY BE NOT ON A PERMANENT BASIS BUT HOWEVER THEY CAN GET IT IN. WE APPRECIATE IT. TODAY THE ONE THING THAT I DID WANT TO DO NOW THAT WE HAVE THE DESIGNATION THAT [00:50:04] WAS ADOPTED BACK EARLIER THIS YEAR IS TO GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF BOTH OUR COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS STAFF BECAUSE THE SIGN PRESENTED TODAY, THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE -- THAT IS A HIGHWAY SIGN THAT WOULD BE DESIGNATE COME INTO THE COUNTY. BUT EACH ONE OF OUR COUNTY FACILITIES THERE ARE ACTUAL SIGNS THAT ARE AVAILABLE PRODUCED HERE IN HAYS COUNTY BY THE WAY, TO, THAT WOULD DESIGNATE A SPECIFIED PARKING SPOT AT EACH ONE OF OUR COUNTY FACILITIES. FOR WOUNDED VETERAN AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO GET US A LISTING OF EACH ONE OF THE FACILITIES. THAT WILL GIVE US A KNOWN ENTITY AS FAR AS HOW MANY SIGNS WE WOULD BE ABLE TO OR WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THOSE PARKING SPACES AT EACH OF THE FACILITIES ALONG WITH OR GIFT DIRECTION TO OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO TRY TO DESIGNATE, FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT COUNTY AND STATE ROADWAYS ENTERING THE COUNTY WOULD NEED THE SIGNAGE PRESENTED HERE TODAY AND ASK THEM TO BRING THAT BACK TO US, AND IT'S AT THAT POINT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND TRY TO FIND THE FUNDING FOR THAT SIGNAGE AND ESTABLISH THE DESIGNATIONS. >> WE'LL NEED TO WORK WITH TEXT DOT FOR THE STATE. THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO INSTALL. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> I WANT TO THANK JIM AND ERNIE FOR BEING HERE AND SHARING YOUR STORIES WITH US. THAT'S VERY KIND OF Y'ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT, YOUR SERVICE AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. >> I WANT TO THANK ALL. YOU MENTIONED MEMORIAL DAY. I KNOW THERE IS EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTY BUT KYLE V. F. S. HAVING BE A EVENT ON MONDAY 10:00. IT WAS' NICE TO MEET YOU AT THE PATRIOT HALL RIBBON HALL. I HOPE IT WORKS OUT WELL FOR Y'ALL. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WOULD YOU MIND COMING UP QUICK FOR A PICTURE? WITH THOSE SIGNS? [3. Presentation by representatives of Cox Commercial Construction, LLC regarding work zone and construction area awareness and safety. SHELL/BORCHERDING] [PAUSE] >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> NUMBER 3. >> PRESENTATION BY REPRESENTATIVES OF COX COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, L. L. C., REGARDING WORK ZONE AND CONSTRUCTION AREA AWARENESS AND SAFETY. >> I THINK, THANK YOU, JUDGE, WE'VE REPRESENTATIVES HERE TO MAKE A PRESENTATION. ANYBODY DRIVING AROUND HAYS COUNTY THESE DAYS NOTICES A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION. ALL OVER THE PLACE, THESE GUYS OUT THERE WORKING ARE AT RISK LIKE OUR TRANSPORTATION WORKERS ARE EVERY SINGLE DAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD TIME FOR THIS PRESENTATION, VICTOR, DO YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SHELL. MY NAME IS VICTOR VARGAS, I'M A PART OF YOUR G. E. C. [00:55:01] GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT AND I WANT TO THANK HAYS COUNTY FOR TAKING SUCH AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE REGION'S ROADWAY SAFETY. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER SHELL AND COUNTY ENGINEER JERRY BORCHERDING, WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY. THE 3 LEGS ARE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, ROADWAY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT WHICH HAYS COUNTY HAS DONE OVER THE YEARS. THE 2016 BOND PROGRAM IS A GREAT EXAMPLE. IN THE LAST LEG OF THE STOOL IS DRIVER EDUCATION. DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY. IT'S UP TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT DRIVES UP AND DOWN THE ROADWAY TO TAKE AN ACTIVE, RESPONSIBLE ROLE TO PUT DOWN THEIR CELL PHONE, TO BUCKLE UP, TO DRIVE THE CONDITIONS, SLOW DOWN IN THE RAIN, THE FOG, ALL THOSE DIFFERENT ITEMS, THAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US AS A DRIVER. TODAY, ONE FATALITY ON A ROADWAY IS ONE FATALITY TOO MANY. DARREN IS GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WORK ZONE SAFETY AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STATISTICS OF THE FATALITIES THAT OCCUR EVERY YEAR IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ON COUNTY ROADS, CITY ROADS AND STATE ROADS. DARREN OREK IS A MEMBER OF, HE IS VICE PRESIDENT OF COX CONSTRUCTION, COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR PARTNER HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. DARREN, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, VICTOR, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I DO HAVE A SHORT PRESENTATION, POWER POINT. GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE NEXT -- THANK YOU. JUST SOME BACKGROUND. THE CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THEIR PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER EACH YEAR TO HAVE A FEW EVENTS A FEW WEEKS WE SET ASIDE. SO LAST MONTH APRIL 11-15 WAS NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK. EARLY THIS MONTH THE SECOND TO THE 6TH WAS CONSTRUCTION SAFETY WEEK. TEXAS DOT HAS THE @PAGE. I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE BUT IF YOU ARE NOT, THERE HAS BEEN A DEATH ON TEXAS ROADWAYS EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR GOING ON ALMOST 22 YEARS. SO @INDUSTRY TEXAS IS THEIR CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO FIGHT THAT. SO REALLY IF YOU COULD THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU GUYS WERE NOVEMBER, EARLY NOVEMBER OF THE YEAR 2000 A LONG TIME AGO BUT THAT WAS THE LAST TIME A PUBLIC ROAD WENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS WITHOUT HAVING A FATALITY. SO IT'S FAR LONG, TOO LONG BUT IT'S A LONG TIME AND WITH ADVOCACY AND ATTENTION TO IT, IT CAN COME TO AN END. LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE FACTS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 3100 ACTIVE WORK ZONES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. I'M SURE ANYWHERE YOU TURN, WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU SEE A MESSAGE BOARD OR ORANGE BARREL, CONE, WHAT HAVE YOU. IN 2021 ALONE, STATE WIDE WE HAD OVER 26,000 WORK ZONE CRASHES. OF THAT THERE WERE' 246 DEATHS AND 875 WHAT THEY CONSIDER SERIOUS INJURIES. HERE LOCALLY IN HAYS COUNTY IN 2021 ALONE THERE WERE 229 WORK ZONE CRASHES, 3 DEATHS AND 9 SERIOUS INJURIES. IN 2022, TO DATE CURRENTLY YEAR TO DATE WE'VE HAD 74 CRASHES, 2 FATALITIES AND 4 SERIOUS INJURIES. SO AS YOU CAN SEE, JUST BASED ON BARE STATISTICS, WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. GO AHEAD. NEXT SLIDE. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY. I KNOW WORK ZONE MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR MOTORISTS BUT LET'S NAIL DOWN WHY AND WHAT WE CAN DO PERHAPS. WORK ZONES PRESENT CHALLENGES. WE ALL KNOW THAT. ANY TIME YOU ARE IN A WORK ZONE THERE ARE SUDDEN STOPS. LANES NARROW, SHIFT. THERE IS NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS. YOU MIGHT LEAVE HOME ONE DAY AND BE ON ONE SIDE MUCH THE ROAD. WHEN YOU COME BACK, FROM WORK YOU ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS DIFFERENT SIGNAGES LEADING YOU IN AND OUT OF WORK ZONES. STATISTICS SHOW THERE ARE 2 LEADING CAUSES OF WORK ZONE CRASHES. SPEEDING AND DRIVER INATTENTION. WE'LL COME BACK TO DRIVER INATTENTION ON A LATER SLIDE THAT I HAVE. WHAT CAN YOU AND I DO AS DRIVERS? WE ALL ARE EITHER IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OR SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BUT WE'RE ALL DRIVERS, WE ALL DRIVE HOME TO AND FROM WHEREVER WE'RE [01:00:04] GOING. AVOID DISTRACTIONS PUT PHONES DOWN. SLOW DOWN. WORK OUR BEST TO ADJUST TO THE DRIVING CONDITIONS EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY NOT BE FAVORABLE BUT WE NEED TO LEARN TO ADJUST. ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR DRIVING OR PERHAPS FIND A DIFFERENTRUPT THE DIFFERENT ROUTE MATE MIGHT SAVE YOU SOMETIME AND WE CAN WATCH OUT FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. I TEND TO THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE AS THEY DRIVE THROUGH CONSTRUCTION ZONES MAY NOT EVEN THINK OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND THE BARRELS WORKING. AT THE ENDS OF THE DAY LIKE YOU GUYS THEY ALSO WANT TO MAKE IT HOME TOO, AND WE CAN BE PATIENT. THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS BUT SPECIFICALLY IN THIS INSTANCE. SO ARE WE COMMUNICATING WELL? SO JUST THAT IS NOT ONE OF OUR CONSTRUCTION SITES BUT IF YOU LOOK, IT'S CONVOLUTED. THE WORD I CHOOSE WAS "BUSY." SO THERE IS A MESSAGE BOARD THAT ULTIMATELY HAS MESSAGES THAT -- IT SAYS DAILY LANE CLOSURES NOW BUT I'M SURE THE NEXT ONE SAYS DRIVE SAFE OR LANE CLOSED AHEAD. IT HAS A SIGN. DRIFTWOOD X. AMOUNT OF MILES, IT HAS 2 OR 3 ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION WORK ZONE MESSAGES, PASS WITH CARE. WORK ZONE AHEAD. ETC., IT HAS FOUR BARRELS. IF YOU ARE MOTORIST COMING UPON THIS, IT COULD BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO TRY TO KNAVE GAIT YOUR ROAD AS WELL AS -- NAVIGATE YOUR ROAD AS WELL AS PAY ATTENTION. ARE WE AS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMMUNITY ARE WE COMMUNICATING WELL? SO I TALKED ABOUT DRIVER INATTENTION. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. I FIRST WANT TO POINT OUT THE DRIVER OF THIS WAS NOT INJURED, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE, THE DRIVER WAS HEADING NORTHBOUND ON 150. WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRIED TO COMPENSATE. OVERCOMPENSATED AND ENDED UP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENDED UP RIGHT UNDERNEATH ONE OF OUR MESSAGE BOARDS. IRONICALLY THIS HAPPENED DURING CONSTRUCTION SAFETY WEEK. SO IT WAS EARLIER THIS MONTH THIS HAPPENED. WHEN I READ THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S REPORT OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TRYING TO GET INFORMATION TO PASS ON TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE BOTTOM IT HAS ROOT CAUSE, IT HAD ITEM 20 AND 19. I GOOGLE WHAT HAD IS THAT ON A PEACE OFFICERS CRASH REPORT. 20 IS DRIVER INATTENTION. 19 WAS DISTRACTION VEHICLE. NOT SURE WHAT THAT WAS BUT AGAIN THOSE LEADING CAUSES ARE RIGHT THERE. PLANNING FOR SUCCESS. SO THIS IS A SPECIFIC PLAN SHEET OUT OF THE PLANS FOR THE 32, 37, 150 ROUNDABOUT NEAR THE HAZE CITY STORE. THAT IS 9 PERMANENT SIGNAGE CONFIGURATION OF WHAT YOU WILL SEE. YOU CAN SEE A LOT GOES INTO NOTIFYING THE DRIVERS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH HERE OF A DIFFERING TRAFFIC CONDITION AND PERMANENTLY TRYING TO GET THEM IN THE ROUNDABOUT AND WHERE THEY WANT TO GO. IF YOU DON'T PLAN FOR SUCCESS IT'S HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE AS THE END RESULT, BUT A LOT GOES INTO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SAFELY MOVING PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF WORK ZONES. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THIS IS PART OF THE BE SAFE DRIVE SMART INITIATIVE THAT TEX DOT PUTS FORWARD THIS. IS SOME OF THEIR PLACARDS. I DO THOROUGHLY ENJOY SOME OF THE SHORT BUT SWEET MESSAGES THEY PUT OUT BECAUSE THEY HIT HOME. THEY HAVE A MULTITUDE OF THESE BUT THESE ARE 3 THAT I CHOSE. WITH THAT I CLOSE, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> I WANT TO THANK THESE GUYS FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. IT IS, IT'S DANGEROUS OUT THERE. SOMETIMES WE'RE IN A HURRY, WE DON'T REALIZE THERE IS PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE DAY AND IT IS AS HARD ON THEM AS IT IS, I WENT THROUGH THE REASONABLE DOUBT -- ROUNDABOUT THE OTHER DAY. WE CAN BE A LITTLE PATIENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT THESE PROJECTS WILL GET DONE AND WE'LL GET BACK TO NORMAL BUT WHILE THEY'RE WORKING BE MINDFUL OF ALL OF THOSE MEMBERSHIP AND WOMEN THAT ARE WORKING FOR US. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S A GREAT COMMENT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT PICTURE THAT YOU SHARED THAT WAS NOT YOUR SITE IS A VERY GOOD POINT AS TO HOW SOMETIMES WE GET DESENSITIZED TO THOSE ORANGE MARKERS AND WARNINGS AND DIRECTIONAL PIECES BECAUSE IT MAY LOOK LIKE A JUNK ON THE SHOULDER ERR BUT IT'S SOMETHING YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW. SO JUST AS A DRIVER AND OF COURSE I DRIVE THROUGH THE AREA AS WELL. [01:05:06] I WOULD SUGGEST MAYBE ENCOURAGING YOUR FELLOW CONTRACTORS TO FIND A WAY TO PUT THEM IN A TIDY MANNER MAYBE EVEN WITH A SCREEN IN FRONT OF THEM SO WE DON'T SEE THE COLOR UNTIL WE NEED TO SEE THE COLOR AS A SUGGESTION SO THAT WE CAN HELP YOU AS DRIVERS KNOW THAT WHEN WE SEE THAT COLOR, WE HAVE TO ACT ON IT. KIND OF LIKE THE RED LIGHTS AND THE RED SIGNS. IF WE SEE THAT ORANGE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO ACT. IT'S NOT AN ABANDONED CONSTRUCTION ZONE. THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURE. VERY TELLING. >> I WANT TO THANK THEM, JUDGE, FOR ALL THEY DO. IT'S AN IMPORTANT JOB, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE NATION, FOR THAT WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. [4. Presentation by Lee McCormick regarding the Lone Star PACE 2021 annual report. SHELL] >> NUMBER 4, PRESENTATION BY LEE MCCORMICK REGARDING THE LONE STAR PACE 2021 ANNUAL REPORT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IF YOU'LL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> LEE MCCORMICK, I'M PRESIDENT OF LONE STAR PACE. WE'RE ONE OF THE TWO PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE COUNTRIES CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM. ALSO JOINING ME IS GLENN SILVA. THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THE 2021ALL REPORT. I DO HAVE HARD COPIES TO HAND OUT TO YOU AND THE CLERK. WE'LL GO THROUGH A BRIEF PRESENTATION SUMMARIZING THE RESULTS OF LAST YEAR. WE'LL, WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: GIVE THEM TO ANYONE HERE, WE CALL THIS THE SAND PIT. PERFECT. THANK YOU. >> PASS THEM DOWN. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. I DID HAVE A POWER POINT PRESENTATION THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO PULL UP. THANK YOU. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE FIRST OFF I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021 FOR LONE STAR PACE. DURING LAST YEAR WE ADDED 3 JURISDICTIONS TO OUR STATEWIDE FOOTPRINT. WE ADDED HASKELL COUNTY AND THE CITIES OF CLYBURN AND THORNY. THIS BRING OUR TOTAL NUMBER OF JURISDICTIONS UP TO 13 WHICH IS 4 CITIES AND 9 COUNTIES STATEWIDE. HAYS COUNTY WAGS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTIES THAT ADDED US AS A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR BACK IN 2018 SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR CONFIDENCE IN OUR PROGRAM. WE'VE TAKEN THE MEASURED APPROACH TO YOU ARE PENSION ADDING NEW CITIES AND COUNTIES WHERE WE'VE POTENTIAL PROJECTS VERSUS TRY TO BLANKET THE STATE. OUR INTENT IS TO FOCUS ON SERVING OUR EXISTING CLIENTS WITHOUT SPREADING YOURSELVES TOO THIN AS WE GROW ON A LARGER FOOTPRINT. A GOOD EXAMPLE IS OUR ABILITY TO DO IN PERSON LOCAL TRAINING IN ADDITION TO ON-LINE TRAINING WHICH WE'LL DISCUSS MORE LATER ON N. 2021, LONE STAR PACE COMPLETED 5 PROJECTS COMPARED TO ONE DURING THE 2020 COVID PANDEMIC. WE WERE' NICE TO SEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IN A STRONG WAY. TWO OF THE PROJECTS WERE IN WICHITA COUNTY MULTIFAMILY REHABILITATION PROJECTS. THERE WERE' 2 PROJECTS INDEN COUNTY INCLUDING A HOTEL SOLAR PROJECT AND INDUSTRIAL UPGRADE TO A OLD INDUSTRIAL FACILITY AND ONE CITY MULTIFAMILY PROJECT SO MOST OF THOSE RELATE TO MULTIFAMILY BECAUSE THEY ARE A VERY GOOD TARGET MARKET FOR ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY UPGRADES WHICH IS THE GOAL. ON A SIDE NOTE WE'RE CURRENT WORKING ON TWO PROJECTS IN HAYS COUNTY. WORKING ON A FEW MONTHS. ONE IS A MULTIFAMILY PROJECT IN SAN MARCOS AND WE HAVE A SENIOR LIVING PROJECT IN SAN MARCOS AS WELL, HOPEFULLY WE'LL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE AS WE GET THOSE THROUGH THE QUALIFICATION PROCESS. LONE STAR PACE IS ONE OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS TO MAKE PACE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS IN HAYS COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE. ONE IS A LIST OF LENDERS WHICH HAS GROWN FROM 2 TO CURRENTLY 16. WE'VE DONE A JOB EXPANDING THE AMOUNT OF LENDERS OUT THERE PROVIDING TAX ADVANTAGED FINANCING TO PROPERTY OWNERS. JUST A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN YOU WENT TO ANY CONFERENCE OR EVENT AND YOU MENTIONED PROPER ASSESS CLEAN ENERGY, NOW A DAYS WHEN YOU GO TO EVENTS OR REAL ESTATE CONVENTIONS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE THEY KNOW ABOUT IT AND WE'RE SEEING THE ITEMS BEING PLACED ON AGENDAS FOR THESE LARGER CONFERENCES. [01:10:07] THESE ARE THE FOUR KEY AREAS WE'RE FOCUSING ON. FIRST OFF MAKING SURE WE'RE ADMINISTERING TO EXISTING CLIENTS LIKE HAYS COUNTY. GOING OUT DOING OUTREACH TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES MEETING WITH E. D. C.'S, CHAMBERS, PROPERTY OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE AVAILABILITY OF PACE AND THE FACT THERE'S A TERRIFIC WAY TO UPGRADE WITH ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS THAT TYPICALLY PAY FOR THEMSELVES OVER THE LIFE OF IMPROVEMENTS SO IT'S A WIN WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY AND PROPERTY OWNERS. A BIG PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IS THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING. IN PERSON, ON-LINE. DIRECT E-MAIL, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET THE WORD OUT BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS SO NEW, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT. WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND OUR GOAL WHEN SOMEBODY IS LOOKING TO UPGRADE THEIR FACILITY TO GET THEM TO GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF FIRSTY VERSUS JUST DOING BARE MINIMUM TO MEET CODE. BY HAVING PACE FINANCING ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS IT INCENTIVIZES TO GO THE EXTRA MILE. ONCE THE PROJECTS COME ON BOARD LIKE THE TWO I MENTIONED EARLIER IN HAYS COUNTY THERE ARE STATE REQUIREMENTS TO GO THROUGH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH OTHER PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS LIKE WORKING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO GET MORTGAGE LENDER CONSENT IF THERE IS A FIRST LIEN PROJECT ON THE PROPERTY. NEXT SLIDE. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE. THIS IS THE MAVERICK SEYMOUR WICHITA COUNTY 120 UNIT COMPLEX THAT WAS 40 OR 50 YEARS OLDS. Y IN ACTUALLY UPGRADED THEIR FACILITY WITH HIGH INITIALSY H. V. A. C. SYSTEMS, L. E. D. LIGHTINGS, COOL ROOFS, OTHER INSULATION PROJECTS TO GET IT MORE FISHES. THEY'RE GOING TO SEE A 29% ANNUAL ENERGY SAVINGS, PUTTING THIS IN PRACTICAL TERMS THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT TO WHAT 41 HOMES IN TEXAS WOULD USE OF ELECTRICITY IN A YEAR OR A LITTLE BIT OF AN ODD EXAMPLE BUT IT'S THE EQUIVALENT TO TAKING THE CARBON OUT OF 7,000 SEEDLINGS WOULD TAKE OUT AFTER TEN YEARS OF GROAT. WE SAVED 7,000 WORTH OF TREES IN CARBON CAPTURE. SECOND ONE, I ONLY HAVE TWO, THAT IS THE BEAUS SUITE HOTEL IN -- EMBASSY SUITE HOTEL. 100% SOLAR PROJECT. IT WILL SAFE ROUGHLY 98,000 KILOWATTS HOURS A YEAR AND IS GOING TO OFFSET 21% OF THE HOTEL'S ELECTRIC USAGE. AGAIN NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS 102 HOMES WORTH OF ENERGY SAVINGS AND 17,000 WORTH OF TREES. SO FOR THE TOTAL FIVE PROJECTS WE DID LAST YEAR THE GRAND TOTAL IS 2.4 MILLION KILOWATT HOURS OF ELECTRICITY. 1.8 MILLION POUNDS OF COAL AVOIDED BEING BURNED AND A MILLION GALLONS OF WATER OR 8 MILLION 16 OUNCE BOTTLES. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST COMPONENTS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR THE COUNTY HERE. AND HERE IN HAYS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY WE'VE DONE PRESENTATIONS AND HOSTED LUNCHEONS FOR THE BUDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO EDUCATE THEIR MEMBERS ON PROPERTY ASSIST CLEAN ENERGY, WE'VE DONE DINNER MEETINGS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR A NUMBER -- THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS JUST MAR. WE HAD A PRESENTATION TO THE SAN MARCOS CHAMBER. THE KYLE E. D. C., THE GREATER SAN MARCOS PARTNERSHIP, BUDA CHAMBER AND THE DRIPPING SPRINGS CHAMBER SHOWED UP FOR A PRESENTATION. IN ADDITION IN 2021 WE HAD 75 FACE-TO-FACE WIGS, TWO WEBINARS, 13 GROUP MEETINGS, 3,000 MILES ON THE ROAD TO MEET PEOPLE AND EDUCATE THEM ON PACE, 16,000 E-MAILS, 9 WEBSITE VISITS, 5 PRESENTATIONS AND THIS LAST ONE I'M NOT SURE HOW -- 2500 SOCIAL MEDIUM PRESSIONS. NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS BUT APPARENTLY WE DID IT. TEXAS IS COMMITTED SO ALTHOUGH PACE HAS TAKEN LONGER THAN WE EXPECTED, THAN ANYBODY EXPECTED WHAT IT WAS ENACTED IN 2013 TO GAIN TRACTION WE'VE SEEN THINGS ACCELERATE IN 2021 AND 2022. PACE IS A FANTASTIC TOOL FOR TEXAS TO USE TO MEET SUSTAINABILITY GOALS, PROVIDE JOB GROWTH AND INCENTIVIZING PROPERTY OWNERS TO MAKE CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENTS ON THEIR FACILITIES UTILIZING ATTRACTIVE FINANCING ALL AT NO COST TO TAXPAYERS. SO E. S. G. IS THE BUZZWORD. WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF IT. IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM. ACCORDING TO NAS DA ONE OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR 3 UNDER MANAGEMENT IS COMPANIES [01:15:05] FOCUSING ON E. S. G. PACE HELPS THEM MEET SOME OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS OF E. S. G. WITH LITTLE OR NO COST TO THOSE COMPANIES. THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WE'VE SEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF IMPROVEMENT IN. BEFORE THE SMALLER PROJECTS WE'RE SKIING LARGER COMPANIES AND LARGER PROJECTS TAKING A LOOK AT PACE. PACE IS MORE THAN ECONOMIC TOOL. IT'S SUSTAINABILITY. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT'S JOB CREATION, ALL OF THOSE THINGS WRAPPED INTO ONE AND A NICE PACKAGE THAT WORKS VERY WELL FOR BOTH THE MUNICIPALITIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AGAIN I'VE HARPED ON T. THE KEY IS EDUCATION. LAST SLIDE. KEY IS EDUCATION. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO GET OUT THERE AND LET BEAM KNOW PACE IS AVAILABLE. THE KEY IS MAKING SURE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT-FACE AT THE RIGHT TIME WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT THEIR FINANCING OPTIONS FOR THEIR PROJECTS SO WE CAN INCENTIVIZE THEM TO GO FOR THE HIGHER EFFICIENCY TYPES OF IMPROVEMENTS VERSUS THE BASICS SO THEY GET, MAXIMIZING THE PROGRAM, MAXIMIZING SUSTAINABILITY. SO WITH THAT WE DO APPRECIATE THE COUNTY'S SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COUNTY AS A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE LEIGH BEING HERE. THIS IS A PANDEMIC SET THIS BACK A LITTLE BIT BUT THEY'RE GETTING RAMPED BACK UP. GLAD TO HAVE YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SORRY, YOU KNOW THIS IS A BIG DEAL AS THINGS GET TIGHTER AND TIGHTNER RESOURCES LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, PRODUCTION, A LOT FOLKS DON'T O KNOW THIS BUT TEXAS' PORTFOLIO OF RENEWAL ENERGY BIG AND GETTING BIGGER. WE'RE ONE OF THE BIGGEST WIND GENERATORS IN THE NATION. THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD GOING ON IN THE SPACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND WHAT YOU DO IN HAYS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. PLEASE OPEN ITEM NUMBER 48. [48. Discussion and possible action to execute a contract between Hays County and H203, LLC, dba Harvest Rain in the amount of $32,790.00 related to a water storage tank located at Hays County property 125 Camino De Rancho in Precinct 3. SHELL/BORCHERDING] >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND H. 203, L'S L. C., DOING BUSINESS AS HARVEST RAIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,790 RELATED TO A WATER STORAGE TANK LONED AT HAYS COUNTY PROPERTY 125 CAMINO DE RANCHO IN PRECINCT 3. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION, AND A SEX SECOND -- SECOND. I HAVE ERIC AT THE PODIUM. >> AARON JONES. I AM ATE ROAD MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT FOR HAYS COUNTY. THE ITEM IS ACTUALLY A, IT'S A STORAGE TANK FACILITY FOR OUR WELL SITE THERE. IT'S A 55,000 GALLON TANK THAT IS GOING TO SUPPLY BOTH OUR CONSTRUCTION WATER AND ALSO WILL SUPPLY FIRE PROTECTION FOR THAT AREA OF HAYS COUNTY. I KNOW I HEARD FROM ONE OF THE, EARLIER RESIDENTS THEY HAD CONCERNS. THIS IS IS ABOUT, I THINK IT'S ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MYLES AWAY FROM ROLLING OAKS SO IT WILL GIVE A VITAL AREA FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE WATER ALONG WITH OUR CONSTRUCTION. THE AGENDA ITEM IS IS FOR THE,ED TANK AND, I BELIEVE THEY REQUIRE 50% DOWNPAYMENT TO LOCK IN THE PRICES OF MATERIALS ON THE TANK ITSELF. SO IT'S PLANNED FOR LATE JULY FOR CONSTRUCTION IF APPROVED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WELL DONE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTION, COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU FOR GETTING THIS DONE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WELL DONE, THANK YOU, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. PLEASE OPEN NUMBER 50. [50. Discussion and possible action to award RFP 2022-P04 Public Defenders Office to one of the two respondents and authorize the evaluation committee and General Counsel to enter into discussions with the selected respondent for contract development which will be brought back to court for consideration. SHELL/INGALSBE] >> 50, DISCUSS AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AREGARD R. F. P. 2022-P. 04 PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE TO ONE OF THE TWO RESPONDENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE AND GENERAL COUNSEL TO ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SELECTED RESPONDENT FOR CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT FOR CONSIDERATION ITSELF. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. A BRIEF UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS. IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I WOULD SAY IT STARTED, PROBABLY GIVE IT TWO YEARS, WE WANTED TO SAY IN EARNEST DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE. REALLY TURNING THIS LAST TWO YEARS DEVELOPED MORE DETAILS. STATE STATUTE ALLOWS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CREATE A PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE. IT DOES REQUIRE THE SUPPORT OF A JUDGE OF EITHER THE DISTRICT COURTS OR COUNTY COURTS AT LAW IN ORDER FOR A COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CREATE THE OFFICE. [01:20:03] THE STATUTE ALLOWS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CREATE THE OFFICE IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS. ONE OF THE WAYS IS TO CONTRACT WITH AN ENTITY TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. THAT IS WHAT THIS COURT HAS, THAT'S THE PATH THIS COURT HAS CHOSEN TO FOLLOW. FOLLOWING THAT PATH THIS COURT ISSUED THE R. F. P. WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY. THERE WERE TWO RESPONDENTS TO THAT R. F. P. ONE WAS NEIGHBOR DEFENDER SERVICE AND THE OTHER WAS TEXAS RIO GRANDE LEGAL SERVICE, BOTH OF THOSE RESPONDED TO THE R. F. P. AND BOTH HAVE PROVIDED INFORMATION ON HOW THEY BELIEVE THEY COULD BEST BUILD AN OFFICE IN HAYS COUNTY TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF HAYS COUNTY. THE COMMITTEE AS YOU, AS THE COURT KNOWS IN MOST CASES WHEN WE DO AN R. F. P. THERE IS A SELECTION COMMITTEE IDENTIFIED BID COMMISSIONERS COURT. THEY BRING BACK A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT. COURT EITHER VOTES TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDS OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. ONCE A RECOMMENDATION IS APPROVED BY THE COURT, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN. IF THIS CASE THE SELECTION COMMITTEE WAS MYSELF, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND MARK KENNEDY. WE HAD ONE ROUND OF INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH RESPONDENTS. THAT WAS LED BY OUR PURCHASING OFFICE. STEFANIE PUT TOGETHER QUESTIONS. WE ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS. WE TOOK DOWN ALL OF THE ANSWERS OF BOWS RESPONDENTS THEN PRESENTED THAT TO THEM AFTERWARDS TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS ACCURATE IN HER, IN HOW SHE INTERPRETED THEIR ANSWERS. THOSE HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH ALL COURT MEMBERS. YOU'VE GOTTEN TO SEE BOTH OF THEIR RESPONSES. THEIR FULL RESPONSES THEN ALSO THE QUESTIONS AND THOSE ANSWERS. IN ADDITION TO THAT WE ALSO THEN INVITED ANYONE WITHIN OUR JUDICIAL COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERVIEWS AS WELL IF WE'D LIKE TO. STEFANIE IN PURCHASING SET UP TIMINGS WHEN THOSE COULD HAPPEN. WE DID HAVE SOME JUDGES TAKE PART IN INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH OF THE RESPONDENTS, REPRESENTATIVES. ALL THAT WAS DONE IN PERSON. SO THAT LEADS TO US WHERE WE ARE. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE AND I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO COMMISSIONER INGALSBE TO CONTINUE FROM THERE THAT I THINK IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR TO US MAKE A SELECTION. INSTEAD OF HAVING THE COMMITTEE MAKE A RECOMMENDATION, WE BELIEVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS BEST TO BE HASHED OUT HERE IN PUBLIC ABOUT PROS AND CONS AND WHAT WE BELIEVE THE RIGHT DIRECTION S. I WILL SAY THAT I BELIEVE BOTH RESPONDENTS ARE MORE THAN QUALIFIED. WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH BOTH OF THE RESPONSES BOTH IN WRITING AND IN INTERVIEW. AND I KNOW THAT EITHER ONE OF THEM WILL BE WILLING TO PUT TOGETHER A PROGRAM THAT BEST FITS THE NEEDS OF HAYS COUNTY. THAT'S ONE THING THAT HAS COME OUT OF THE PROCESS OF OUR INTERVIEWS IS THEY'VE OFFERED A RESPONSE BUT IN THE END DETAILS GET WORKED OUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND BETWEEN THAT PARTY. WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT WILL REQUIRE INPUT FROM MAKE STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING THIS COURT CAN STAND BEHIND WILL BE ABLE TO BE USED BY ALL OF THOSE WHO NEED TO USE IT. I'LL SAY WE'VE HAD FOLKS TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES. COURT BACKLOGS, JAIL OVERCROWDING, ALL OF THOSE THINGS. WE LIVE IN A FAST GROWING AREA. I LIKE TO SAY TO TRY TO FIND A COUNTY TO COMPARE TO HAYS COUNTY IS VERY HARD. THE SIZE, THE LOCATION, TYPE OF STRESSES, BRAZAS COUNTY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A COUNT THAT HE IS VERY SIMILAR. AND FITS CERTAIN THINGS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE TWO COUNTIES, JUST BY NUMBERS YOU WOULD SAY THEY ARE VERY SIMILAR. THE DIFFERENCE I WOULD SAY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTIES IS NO ONE DRIVES THROUGH BRAZAS COUNTY. YOU DRIVE TO AND YOU LEAVE BRAZAS USUALLY BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO A. AND M. HERE IN HAYS COUNTY WE HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL CORRIDOR WE'VE INDIVIDUALS IN THIS COUNTY THAT ARE PASSING THROUGH, THAT ARE VISITING, THAT DON'T LIVE HERE. TO THE POINT THAT LOOKING AT OUR EVERYDAY, WE ALL GET SENT A COPY OF ALL OF THE ARRESTS MADE BY EVERY AGENCY IN THE COUNTY THE DAY BEFORE. I TRACK THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHARGES, ALSO WHERE THE INDIVIDUALS ARE FROM AND THE PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HAYS COUNTY, THE PERCENTAGE OF THEM FROM OUT OF COUNTY IS INCREASING. THAT I THINK, THINK WE CAN SEE THAT ON 35 AND IN OUR COMMUNITY AS PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING THROUGH. THAT PUTS AN EVEN LARGER BURDEN ON OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WHEN YOU COMPARE BRAZAS TO HAYS COUNTY AND YOU SAY WE'RE NOT JUST DEALING WITH WHAT HAPPENS WITH HAYS COUNTY RESIDENTS BUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH FOLKS FROM ALL OVER. THAT HAS PUT A GREAT BURDEN ON OUR COURT SYSTEM. IT PUT A GREAT BURDEN ON OUR JAIL. OUR COURTS AS WAS MENTIONED DURING THE PANDEMIC JURY TRIALS WERE SUSPENDED. [01:25:04] WE ALREADY HAD A BACKLOG. THAT CREATED AN EVEN MUCH GREATER BACKLOG IN CASES. EVERYBODY IS WORKING. ANYBODY THAT GOES TO THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, GOES TO THE SECOND OR THIRD FLOOR. I MEAN IT IS -- THERE A IS A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE VISITING JUDGES. IT'S PACKED BUT WE'RE STILL WAY BEHIND. CAN A PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE SOLVE THAT PROBLEM? CAN IT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF OUTSOURCING INMATES? I DON'T ANY ONE THING. I THINK OUR TASK IS TO PUT EVERYTHING IN PLACE THAT HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU PUT IT ALL TOGETHER WE HAVE ADDRESSED THESE ISSUES IN THE BEST WAY WE CAN. S WITH' ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO OR SAY WHEN I'M NO LONGER IN THIS CHAIR REPRESENTING THIS COUNTY THAT I DID EVERYTHING I COULD DO TO TRY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A PROBLEM. IS IT ANYONE'S FAULT? I DON'T THINK SO. IT'S A PROBLEM OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WE HAVE I THINK AS OF TODAY ALMOST 700 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CUSTODY. 200 AND SOMETHING OF THOSE ARE NOT BEING HELD IN HAYS COUNTY. THEY ARE AS FAR AWAY AS THE RED RIVER WHICH MANY OF YOU KNOW IS THE BORDER BETWEEN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA. THERE ARE AS FAR AWAY AS MAVERICK COUNTY WHICH SITS ON THE BORDER BETWEEN TEXAS AND MEXICO AND EVERY WHERE IN BETWEEN. THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE. WE CAN ALL UNDERSTAND THAT. TRYING TO REPRESENT AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS NOT EVEN ANYWHERE NEAR YOU AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY IS VERY CHALLENGING. THAT CAUSES DELAYS IN OUR COURTS. THAT CAUSES MORE TIME SPENT IN OUR JAILS BEFORE WE CAN GET THESE CASES HEARD. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS THAT I THINK WE SHOULD TRY EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PUT WHAT RESOURCES WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US INTO THIS SYSTEM TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE RELY ON THE PRIVATE DEFENSE BAR FOR THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF DEFENSE WORK IN THIS COUNTRY FOR INDIGENTS AND WE ALWAYS WILL. THEY WILL BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO MANY OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE BEEN IN HAYS COUNTY PRACTICING INDIGENT DEFENSE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. MANY OF THEM DOING IT AS A SMALL PART OF THEIR PRACTICE. SOME OF THEM DOING IT AS A LARGE PART OF THEIR PRACTICE. WE HAVE, I BELIEVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT AND NOWADAYS I WHEN I WAS A KID I NOBLE KNEW MOST OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THEY DID THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK. TODAY THIS COUNTY IS MUCH DIFFERENT. THE, WE HAVE TO GET ATTORNEYS FROM THE REGION. THEY'RE PRACTICING NOT JUST IN HAYS COUNTY BUT IN HAYS, TRAVIS I BEAR, CALDWELL, IT'S PUTTING A GREAT STRESS ON THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE CLIENTS THEY NEED TO COVER IN ALL OF THE COUNTIES WHICH IS WHY I BELIEVE US PUTTING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INTO THE SYSTEM COULD POTENTIALLY BENEFIT US. AGAIN THAT, THE JAIL OVERCROWDING ISSUE IS, IS THIS GOING TO MAKE INSTEAD OF HAVING 690 OR WHATEVER IT WAS TODAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 390 A YEAR AFTER THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE WERE TO BE IN OPERATION, I DON'T BELIEVE SO. I DON'T THINK THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAPPEN BUT I CAN TELL YOU IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. WE'RE TRENDING TOWARD IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE NORMAL JAIL POPULATION LOOK LIKE, IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF WE HIT 750 THIS SUMMER. WINDOW WHEN -- WHEN I FIRST GOT TO THE COUNTY 11 YEARS AGO NOW, I BELIEVE OUR JAIL POPULATION WAS AROUND 300. WE HAD TO OUTSOURCE IN THE PAST. THAT HAPPENED MAINLY BECAUSE OF AN OLDER JAIL NEEDED REMODELING, WE HAD INSPECTION ISSUES BACK THEN BEFORE THAT TIMEFRAME THAT WERE BEING ADDRESSED BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET EVERYBODY BACK IN THE COUNTY FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS. WE'RE MAKING USE OF EVERY SQUARE FEET. THE COURT DECIDED, WELL, WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN. WE NEED TO PLAN ON JAIL EXPANSION. THAT WAS' DONE QUITE SOMETIME AGO, YOU THINK ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKES TO DO THAT AND THE MONEY THE COUNTY SPEND TO DO THAT IS LARGE. WE'RE ABOUT THE AT END OF THE EXPANSION PROJECT. NEW PART OF THE JAIL IS OPEN. WE'RE REMODELING OTHER SEGMENTS THAT WILL FINISH OUT THE SPACE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO HOUSE ABOUT 600 INMATES IN HAYS COUNTY AT THE COMPLETION OF THAT VERY EXPENSIVE PROJECT. RIGHT NOW WE'VE 690 IN OUR CUSTODY. WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. ALL OF THAT WORK, ALL OF THE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO GET US TO WHERE WE HAVE EVERY INMATE BACK IN HAYS COUNTY WHICH I THINK IS WHAT WE ALL BELIEVE IS BEST FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE FOR EFFICIENCY FOR COST. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT COST IS TO OUR CITIZENS BECAUSE WE GET A REPORT THAT SAYS WHAT WE SPEND ON OUTSOURCING. THIS YEAR WE'LL SPEND SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 5 AND $10 MILLION ON OUTSOURCING BY THE TIME THE YEAR IS OVER. NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY ON HOUSING INMATES IN THE [01:30:02] COUNTY. IT DOESN'T MEEHAN WE'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND MONEY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BUT IT SHOWS YOU WHY WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING SINGLE THIN WE CAN TO FIND WAYS TO GET PEOPLE THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM EFFICIENTLY. I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND IN 24 COUNTRY THAT IS ONE -- THIS COUNTRY, THIS ONE OF THE REASON THIS IS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED WE HAD FREEDOMS AND TO GUARANTEE THE FREEDOMS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FAIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE IF WE CONTINUE TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE'RE, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK AT A THE YEARS AND SAY WE DID EVERYTHING WE CAN. WILL THIS BE SUCCESSFUL OR NOT? THAT'S FOR EVERYONE TO WORK ON TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO GET FROM US THIS STAGE TO THE NEXT STAGE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTICIPATION SO WE'RE ABLE TO BRING AN AGREEMENT THAT BUILDS A PROGRAM THAT IS BEST SUITED TO DEAL WITH THE NEEDS THAT ARE GOING ON IN HAYS COUNTY TODAY AND PREPARE US TO DEAL WITH THOSE NEEDS IN THE FUTURE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFULLY SAID, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. HE COVERED QUITE THE LIST OF THINGS. ON MY MIND IS CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECKS. WHAT DID HE LEAVE TO YOU SAY? >> WELL, HE, COMMISSIONER SHELL LAID IT OUT VERY WELL. THE PROCESS THAT WE TOOK TO GET US TO THIS POINT. I WANT TO REMIND THE COURT AND OTHERS THAT THE WORK THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COMMISSION DID AND WE HIRED AN ADDITIONAL BOND OFFICER. WE DID THE IMAGINE STATION OFFICE. WE -- IMAGINEIS STATION OFFICE, WE HIRED AN INDIGENT DEFENSE COORDINATOR, IMPLEMENTED PADILLA SERVICES, VERA INSTITUTE WERE WELL UNDER WAY WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT. WE PURCHASED PRE-FILING SOFTWARE. SO THERE HAS BEEN MANY THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO GET US TO THIS POINT. AS COMMISSIONER SHELL STATED, THERE'S NOR DO. I'M HAPPY WE'RE AT THIS POINT TODAY TO HELP, TO BRING TO US A CONCLUSION AND MAKING A DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE. I HOPE THAT THE COURT HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE INFORMATION SUBMITTED. I CERTAINLY HAVE A PREFERENCE BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AS COMMISSIONER SHELL STATED THAT WE ALL LOOK AT THIS TOGETHERS. WE ALL VOICE OUR CONCERNS, OUR SUPPORT, OUR SUGGESTIONS ONS HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AND SO I'M READY TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION IN COURT AND MAKE A DECISION TO GET THE BALL ROLLING ON THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: HOW ABOUT IF WE MOVE FORWARD OF THE IDEA TO HAVE YOU RECOMMEND A PERSON, I MEAN AN ORGANIZATION AND THE SECOND THEN WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION? >> SURE, I'LL, AS Y'ALL IN THE PACT THERE WAS A HEAVY FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR R. F. P. AND BOTH RESPONSES. BOTH RESPONDENTS DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF IDENTIFYING HOW THEY WOULD ADDRESS THAT MENTAL HEALTH NEED. WE PUT A BALLPARK OF ABOUT 50% OF THE WORK THAT WOULD BE DONE BY THE P. D. O. WOULD BE ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE DEFENDANTS. IF YOU TALKED TO JAIL STAFF AND THOSE THAT SERVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, FOR INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS YOU'LL FIND IT'S AN EVER GROWING CONCERN. IT SHOWS UP IN OUR JAIL VERY REGULARLY. THAT'S A, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO, WE GOT A LONG AGENDA, PROBABLY GOING TO BEAR WITH ME TODAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THIS IS WORTH IT. COMMISSIONER. >> THE, YOU KNOW THE STATE, A FEW YEARS AGO BUT THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO STATE MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS. IT WAS MUCH NEEDED. I MEAN WE WERE BLIND THE TIMES. I APPRECIATE -- BEHIND THE TIMES. I APPRECIATE THE INVESTMENT MADE TO UPGRADE THOSE FACILITIES. IT DIDN'T NECESSARILY ADD BED SPACE, IT REALLY WAS TO TRY TO GET US UP TO BE ABLE TO PROPERLY HAM THOSE THAT WE WERE CURRENTLY ABLE TO SERVE. THAT IS, THAT THE GROWTH OF THE STATE, THE GROWTH UNFORTUNATELY OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN OUR COUNTRY HAS PUT NEWS A STATE WHERE THERE'S NOT THE PROBLEM PLACES TO TREAT INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE THEY'RE BEING HELD IN COUNTY JAMES ACROSS THE STATE. YOU'LL FIND A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THEM ARE WAITING TO GO WHERE THEY CAN BE TREAT SOD THEY CAN RESTORE THEIR COMPETENCY AND GET BACKS TO THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PROCESS. UNFORTUNATELY WITHOUT THOSE BEDS WE'RE THEN HOUSING THEM IN OUR COUNTY JAIL. WE CAN IMAGINE THAT'S NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION, IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORST PLACES YOU WOULD WANT TO TRY TO DO IT. IT'S A VERY STRESSFUL SITUATION FOR THE STAFF, FOR ALL TRYING TO HANDLE THE PROBLEMS THAT COME AROUND THAT. AND INDIVIDUALS ARE AWAITING A LONG LONG TIME. MONTHS AND SOMETIMES YEARS TO DO THAT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT'S A PROBLEM. THAT'S WHY WE PUT THE FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH. WE BELIEVE HAVING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS EXPERIENCED IN [01:35:01] DEALING WITH THE DEFENDANTS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS CAN HELP US TRY TO GET AHEAD OF THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THOSE ADDITIONAL BEDS AREN'T GOING TO POP UP OVERNIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION, IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH LOCALLY. WE'VE ANOTHER ITEM ON TODAY ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, TOO. >> JUDGE BECERRA: RIGHT AFTER. >> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE RADAR AND HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE. IT'S UNFORTUNATELY A GROWING AND GROWING AND GROWING WITHIN OUR COUNTY JAIL AND OWL COUNTY JAILS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE SEE THE SITUATION WE'RE IN WITH HIRING PEOPLE, CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE EXTREMERY HARD TO HIRE. VACANCIES NEVER SEEN BEFORE. IT PUTS ADDITIONAL STRESSES ON THE SYSTEM AND ON THE STAFF THAT IS ASKED TO HANDLE THESE INDIVIDUALS AND HANDLE THEM IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS THEM AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS IN THE FACILITY AS WELL. THAT IS WHERE THE FOCUS CAME FROM. I BELIEVE THAT TYPE OF PROFESSIONAL FOCUS IS MUCH NEEDED. WE HAVE SOME, WE'VE LAWYERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT DO PRACTICE, THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH ALTHOUGH I DO NOT KNOW WE HAVE THE NUMBER NECESSARY TO HANDLE THE VOLUME THAT WE HAVE. THAT'S WHY I THINK AN OFFICE LIKE THIS CAN GO A LONG WAY INTO FINDING WAYS TO GET THEIR COMPETENCY RESTORED SO THEY CAN GET IN AND OUT OF THE SYSTEM AS FAST AS POSSIBLE WHICH IS GOOD FOR THEM, GOOD FOR US US AND FOR THE TAXPAYERS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: REMEMBER THE NUMBERS SAID EARLIER 108 DAYS, I HAVE BEEN DIRT POOR BROKE WITH YOUNG KIDS AT HOME WHERE I COULDN'T AFFORD A GALLON OF MILK. NO WAY COULD I REMOVE MYSELF FROM THAT POSSIBILITY OR YOU FROM HAVING A SIBLING OR RELATIVE IN SOME KIND OF WAY OR BEST FRIEND THAT COULD ACCIDENTALLY LAND THEMSELVES IN JAIL NOT JET FOUND GUILTY AND SIT THERE FOR 108 DAYS. OUCH! >> YES, JUDGE, I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT IS A REALLY GOOD POINT. I REALLY BELIEVE, MY HOPE IS AND I BELIEVE THAT WITH THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE, WE WILL LESSEN THAT IMPACT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. >> SO EVEN THOUGH -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: DO YOU WANT TO PICK -- >> SORRY,. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S OKAY. YOU ARE DOING MAGNIFICENTLY THERE. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMENTS. >> LIKE I SAID BOTH ENTITIES TEXAS RIO GRANDS HAS BEEN OPERATING IN THE STATE OF TEXAS A LONG TIME. WE'VE OFFICES IN A LOT OF RURAL COUNTIES WHERE THERE IS GREAT NEED FOR ADDITIONAL HELP ON THE DEFENSE SIDE. THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AND TEXAS RIO GRANDE LEGAL AID HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ADDRESSING THOSE IN FISHES WAY, VERY EXPERIENCED LAWYERS AND HAS A VERY GOOD REPUTATION ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS FROM EVERYONE THAT I'VE TALKED TO. NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE RECENTLY OPENED THEIR FIRST OFFICE IN TEXAS. THAT WAS' IN SAN ANTONIO. PREVIOUSLY THEY HAD BEEN IN NEW YORK AND DETROIT. THEY PROBABLY HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE IN LARGER URBAN POPULATED AREAS WHEREAS TEXAS RIO GRANDE LEGAL AID NOT ONLY SERVES THE AREAS BUT SERVES SOME MORE OF THE RURAL AREAS. BOTH OF THEM HAD THE FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH AS YOU WILL SEE FROM THEIR RESPONSES. BOTH OF THEM HAD SIMILAR WAYS TO BUILD THE OFFICE. OBVIOUSLY BOTH OF THEM HAVE TEMPTED TO STAFF THE OFFICE ON PAPER TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, TEXAS DEFENSE COMMISSION FOR CASE LOADS SO THERE ARE CAPS TO CASE LOADS. BOTH OF THEM HAVE DONE THAT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY GUESS WORK ON WHAT THE CASE LOADS WILL BE AND HOW LONG IT'LL TAKE FOR THEM TO RAMP UP TO WHERE THEY'RE AT FULL CAPACITY. SO YOU WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR STAFFING LEVELS. BOTH OF THEIR ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE ARE THAT SHOULD COME OUT OF THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS OF EXACTLY HOW WE WOULD WANT TO BUILD THE OFFICE, HOW MANY ATTORNEYS HANDLING FELONIES VERSUS MISDEMEANOR, HOW MANY CASE WORKERS, HOW MANY INVESTIGATORS, HOW MUCH ADMINISTRATIVE HELP, ETC. WHEN THE COUNTY SITS DOWN AND SAYS HERE ARE THE FUNDS WE'RE ABLE TO SPEND. HOW BEST CAN WE SPEND THEM, THAT'S WHERE I BELIEVE WE'LL GET INTO THE DETAILS. BOTH OF THE RESPONDENTS MADE IT CLEAR THAT WOULD BE THEIR PREFERENCE HOW DO WE MAKE THE DECISIONS WHERE DO WE WANT THEM TO FOCUS, HOW DO WE DETERMINE A CLIENT THAT WILL FALL INTO THAT MENTAL HEALTH PIECE OF THIS. JUDGE O'BRYON IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT GOING NOW, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE MENTIONED THAT,WE'RE LEARNING A LOT AND THE THINK JUDGE O'BRYON IS LEARNING A LOT. SOME OF THAT INFORMATION IS GOING TO HELP US. WE ALSO HAVE THE -- WHAT CAGE OUT OF THE SANDRA BLAND ACT WHICH MANY OF YOU REMEMBER THAT, THAT SITUATION IN TEXAS. LEGISLATURE RESPONDED TO THAT SOON IN THE NEXT SESSION AND PUT REQUIREMENTS FOR SCREENING AND BASIC LEVEL SCREENING. SO WE CAN IDENTIFY THOSE THAT MAY BE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL HEALTH OR HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION TO OBVIOUSLY TAKE CARE OF THE SITUATION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL'S SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE IN THE FACILITY. [01:40:04] WE'RE GAINING INFORMATION ON THAT BECAUSE EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT COMES INTO THE FACILITY IS BEING ASKED QUESTIONS. IF DEEMED TO BE SCREEN THAT HAD IS ORDERED BY THE PRACTICING STRAIGHT IN A PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE THEN TAKES THAT PERSON AND GOES THROUGH THEIR ISSUES THAT WE MAKE SURE WE IDENTIFY THEM. THAT'S GOING TO HELP US WHEN WE START TRYING TO BUILD HOW MANY LAWYERS THAT WILL NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT. WHETHER THEY'LL BE ALL FELONIES OR MISDEMEANORS, THAT IS WHERE DETAILS COME. IN SHORT BOTH ARE VERY QUALIFIED. I LEND MYSELF TOWARDS THE ENTITY IN A HAS MORE EXPERIENCE IN MORE OF AN URBAN SETTING. 15 YEARS AGO I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THE RURAL SETTING WOULD BE WHAT I WOULD PREFER FOR HAYS COUNTY, NOT TO SAY THAT PART OF ME PROBABLY DON'T WISH THAT IT STILL WAS THE RURAL -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: REAL SETS IN. >> BUT IT'S NOT. IN MY OPINION IT IS NOT. I REPRESENT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE RURAL PART OF HAYS COUNTY AS WE KNOW FROM REDISTRICTING. THIS COUNTY IS -- WE KNOW BUT IT'S DRAWING IN A VERY URBAN WAY. OBVIOUSLY THIS CORRIDOR IS A BIG DRIVER OF THAT. SO MY PREFERENCE TO START WITH THE ENTITY THAT HAS A BIT MORE EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAPPENED IN BIG CITIES. AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO TAILOR TO THE NEEDS OF HAYS COUNTY. THAT WOULD BE MY GOAL IF I WERE MAKING THE DECISION, IF WE WERE AT NOBLE TO MAKE THAT WE'D MOVE ON AND SEE IF WE COULD FIND A WAY FOR THE OTHER ORGANIZATION TO DO THAT. THAT IS THE PROCESS I SEE. THE COURT MAKES A SELECTION. WE SIT AT THE TABLE. TRY TO BUILD THE OFFICE. BRING IT BACK, SHARE IT WITH STAKEHOLDERS, IF WE CAN AGREE THAT IS WHAT IS BEST FOR HAYS COUNTY WINDOW OF MOVE FORWARD. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IS YOUR MOTION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENSE SERVICES? >> I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES. I MEAN, WE SPEND A FEW YEARS DOING THIS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YES, SIR. >> I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE END. BUT IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT STEP. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR INPUTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OF THE PROS AND CONS THEY SAY. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, START WITH YOU. >> OKAY, PROS AND CONS ABOUT WHICH TWO OPTION. I LIKE THE WAY YOU PARSE THOSE OUT COMMISSIONER BECAUSE I SEE IT THE WAY YOU DO. WHY, WHY NOT HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS WORKING WITH BIGGER FOOTPRINTS, BIGGER POPULATIONS, COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE, OF COURSE I FEEL THE SAME WAY AND I WILL SAY THAT I LEAN TOWARDS N. D. S. I'LL MENTION THAT. LOOKING AT OF COURSE WE WERE INVOLVED, OR I WAS INVOLVED IN THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS BUT IN GOING BACK OVER AND REREADING THE RESPONSES THEY BOTH SUBMITTED, THERE WERE JUST SOME THINGS THAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. I AGREE THAT BOTH WOULD DO A GREAT JOB, HOWEVER, READING THE RESPONSES FROM THEM CLIENT-CERTAINTIED RESPONSE FROM ALONG WITH MEETING THE NEEDS OF HAYS COUNTY I THINK THEY WRITE IN HERE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT GOT THEM INTO THIS SYSTEM SO THEY CAN KEEP THEM FROM COMING BACK. WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE OTHER FIRM WOULD NOT DO THAT, BUT THE WAY THEY RESPONDED, IT WAS SUCH A WAY THAT REALLY HIT HOME FOR ME. ALSO THE ATTORNEYS WOULD HAVE BLENDED CASE LOADS BOTH FELONY AND MISDEMEANORS. THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE JUDGES, COORDINATORS AND PROSECUTORS NEED TO KNOW THE TEAMS EXTREMELY WELL AND THAT WOULD GET BOTH SIDES, BOTH MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY ATTORNEYS TO GET TO KNOW ALL THE PLAYERS EXTREMELY WELL. THEIR APPROACH TO CONTINUING EDUCATION WAS IMPORTANT TO ME. THEY GAVE A VERY COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE TO THAT, AND IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT N. D. S. IS WORKING TOWARDS BECOMING AN ACCREDITED C. L. E. PROVIDER WITH THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS. WHICH IS A CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION -- THEY BOTH I BELIEVE ANSWERED THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS MUCH OUR COUNTY AND AS COMMISSIONER SHELL STATED EARLIER, THAT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT. BUT THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS, JUDGE, THAT I SAW IN THE R. F. P.'S OR THE RESPONSES THEY SUBMITTED THAT CAUGHT MY EYE AND I FELT WAS IMPORTANT TO OUTLINE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. I REALLY APPRECIATE BOTH YOU AND COMMISSIONER SHELL'S DEDICATION AND TIME TO THIS [01:45:01] EFFORT. CLEARLY WE ALL AGREE THAT AS COMMISSIONER SHELL SAID IT'S NOT ANY ONE'S FAULT WE'RE HERE. IT'S JUST OKAY WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT NOW. THANK YOU BOTH FOR ALL -- >> I WANT TO THANK THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT MY TWO COLLEAGUES PUT INTO THIS AND THE PASSION THAT YOU'VE HAD FOR THE WHOLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. I WANT TO THANK YOU. MY PREFERENCE IS N. D. S. ALSO. >> JUDGE BECERRA: NICE, LAST ONE TO HEAR FROM IS COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT AFTER DIFFERENT VIEW. -- OF A DIFFERENT VIEW. I READ THE PROPOSALS AND I THINK BOTH ARE EMINENTLY QUALIFIED. I DO LIKE THE WORK THAT THE OTHER ORGANIZATION HAS DONE IN TEXAS AND THE EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE THERE WITHIN THE TEXAS SYSTEM. THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALL MADE A COMMITMENT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ONLY FUNCTIONAL WHICH IS I THINK THE BASIC THING WE NEED, BUT SOMETHING THAT WILL ACTUALLY DO A GOOD JOB AND CREATE SOMETHING NOT JUST FOR RIGHT NOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TODAY, BUT TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE. AND AS PART OF THE SYSTEM, COUNTY SYSTEM, I, WHILE WE TALKED ABOUT THE WORKING WITH JUDGES, WORKING WITH MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME IS THEM AND THEIR SUPPORT IN THE PAST OF WORKING DIRECTLY WITH ALL THOSE ENTITIES WITHIN A COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH TEXAS WHERE IT'S NOT THE EASIEST -- THOSE COMMUNITIES WHILE WE MAY BE A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY HERE IN HAYS COUNTY, BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION AND GROWTH WE'VE HAD, WE'RE NOTHING LIKE SOME OF THE SMALLER COUNTIES AND SOMS OF THE OTHER COUNTIES WHERE IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK, THEY HAVE TO HAVE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF EACH STEP IN THE PROCESS AND WHO THE PLAYERS ARE AND HOW THEY WORK AND HOW -- I THINK WHAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE IMPORTANT HERE IS -- WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT BUT IN THOSE P. D. O. ATTORNEYS WHOM EVER THEY ARE THEY NEED TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING NOT JUST A LEGAL UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE STATE WORKS, BUT TRULY AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE COUNTIES WORK. AND IT WAS MENTIONED TODAY THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN THE PROCESS AND LORD KNOWS WE'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF THEM OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS. I MEAN IF IT'S THE DECISION OF THE COURT TO SUPPORT N. D. S., I DO THAT AND I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT, BUT I DO HAVE THOSE RESERVATIONS. AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I WOULD WANT TO SEE OUT OF ANY FUTURE NEGOTIATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD, SOME TYPE OF REALIZATION OR RECOGNITION THAT IT'S NOT JUST -- THIS IS HOW WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT IN A LARGE URBAN SETTING, WE ANY THAT YOU ARE PROGRESSING TOWARDS THAT AND THIS IS HOW WE THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE IN THE FUTURE. I THINK THERE HAS TO BE MAYBE NOT A MIX BUT A GOOD UNCTIONING OF -- UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH SIDES OF THAT COIN AND HOW FUNCTIONALLY IT'LL WORK IN OUR COUNTY. XX BEFORE WE MOVE ON, THERE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMMENTS TODAY. THE AVERAGE INCARCERATION RATES IN THE U.S. IS 358 INDIVIDUALS PER 100,000. IF YOU LOOK AT THAT IN TERMS OF HAYS COUNTY, YOU KNOW OUR CURRENT NUMBERS ARE CENSUS NUMBERS THAT WERE 18 MONTHS OLD WHEN WE GOT THEM, THEY'RE TWO YEARS OLD NOW HAD US AT 2 HE ,000. I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY WE'RE PROBABLY OVER 250,000. WE WERE PROBABLY OVER 250,000 WHEN WE GOT THE NUMBERS. AT THAT RATE WE'RE LOOKING AT IF WE WERE TRULY DEAD ON AVERAGE FOR THE STATE STATE OF TEXAS, WELL FOR THE NATION WE'D HAVE JUST UNDER 900 INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COUNTY. 895. RIGHT NOW, OUR AVERAGE DAILY IS 606. WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE INCARCERATION RATES, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT TWO THINGS OR THE TWO THINGS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO ME ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN OUR COUNTY JAIL, ARE THEY THERE BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT BE SOMEWHERE ELSE? OR WOULD IT BE A DETRIMENT TO THE SOCIETY OR ARE THEY THERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD, IF THEY ARE THERE ON A MISDEMEANOR OF NOT SHOWING UP OR NOT COMING TO COURT OR NOT PERFORMING THE ACTIONS AND DUTIES THEY NEED TO DO WITHIN THE SYSTEM TO MOVE FORWARD? I THINK ONE OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS, WE HAD, WE HAD SOME HARD NUMBERS AND OF [01:50:01] THOSE I THINK IT WAS 5 -- I THINK WE HAD ABOUT 540 A.D.P.AT THIS POINT. OF THOSE LESS THAN 50 WERE THERE ON MISDEMEANORS. THOSE 50 OR IT WAS LESS THAN THAT. THEY WERE ALL THERE FOR EITHER MULTIPLE FAILURES TO APPEAR OR MULTIPLE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES NOT JUST A SINGLE CHARGE. AND THERE WERE, THERE WERE' CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ONE THOSE INDIVIDUALS. SO I THINK IT'S -- IT IS PURSUANT TO SAY, THE WORK THAT COMMISSIONER SHELL AND THAT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE HAS DONE IN THE PAST RELATED TO MAGISTRATION, RELATED SO ONLY OF THE OTHER THINGS IN PROCESSES THAT THEY AIDED AND ASSISTED IN PUTTING IN PLACE, THEY'RE HAVING AN IMPACT. I SAID THIS ONE TIME BEFORE. I, ONE THE OTHER THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IS PRE-TRIAL. IF WE'RE 80% PRE-TRIAL, I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD THING. I WISH WE WERE AT 95% PRE-TRIAL BECAUSE THOSE ONCE THEY GO TO TRIAL AND ONCE THEY'RE SENTENCING THOSE ARE STATE PRISONERS. THE JUDGE POINTS OUT EVERY WEEK HOW MANY PRISONERS WE HAVE THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS NOT COME AND PICKED UP. SO WHEN WE USE THOSE NUMBERS, I THINK IT'S DISINBEGIN -- DISINGENUOUS TO SAY 80% IS PRE-TRIAL. I WOULD LOVE IT TO BE 98%. THE PUMP OF A COUNTY FACILITY IS TO HOUSE THOSE INDIVIDUALS AWAITING TRIAL AND SENTENCING SO THAT IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS IS SOMETHING WE MAY WANT TO TRY TO PROMOTE. AS WE LOOK AT THESE THINGS, THIS IS THE LAST THING I'LL SAY BEFORE WE -- I'M DONE, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS ALWAYS SO DISHEARTENING TO ME IS WE SPEND -- WE'RE LOOKING TO SPEND LITERALLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THIS P. D. O. RIGHTFULLY SO I DO BELIEVE THAT A P. D. O. IS NEEDED. WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE. STRUCTURE, WE CAN DISAGREE ON, AND WE CAN TRY TO WORK THROUGH THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE PUTTING AN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF PRISONERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF AT SOMETIMES VERY VIOLENT CRIMES, AND WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT DOING THOSE ANCILLARY SERVICES FOR THEM, IT WAS MENTIONED TODAY, THERE NEEDS TO BE A, YOU KNOW, A HOUSING ATTORNEY. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY. THERE NEEDS TO BE -- AS WE LOOK AT THOSE THINGS, THOSE OTHER ANCILLARY SERVICES THAT WE'RE PUTTING FORTH TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF A CRIME, I'M NOT SAYING THEY'RE GUILTY, I'M JUST SAYING THEY'VE BEEN ACCUSED AFTER CRIME. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO PREVENT THEM COMING BACK INTO THE SYSTEM SHOULD THEY BE CONNECT -- CONVICTED. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED OF A DEFENSE ATTORNEY NEEDING TO KNOW WHAT GOT THEM INTO THE SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. ONCE THING WE HAVEN'T BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE, I WISH WE HAD THE SAME FOCUS ON THOSE SERVICES FOR THE VICTIMS OF THOSE SAME PRISONERS WHO WERE SITTING THERE. WE HAVE A DISJOINTED -- I MEAN WE'RE, OUR VICTIM SERVICES OFFICERS AND VICTIM SERVICES PERSONNEL IN THE D. A.'S OFFICE DO A GREAT JOB WITH WHAT THEY HAVE AND WHAT THEY DO BUT WE HAVE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS HAD IN MY VIEW A, A VERY BIASED VIEW OF THE OUTCOMES OF WHAT SHOULD COME OUT OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM HERE. IT HAS BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE COMMITTED THESE CRIMES, AND IT HASN'T BEEN RIGHTFULLY FOCUSED ON THE VICTIMS THAT TOOK WHATEVER ACTION WAS TAKEN AGAINST THEM IN AN ILLEGAL MANNER. I'LL GET OFF MY SOAP BOX BUT IT'S VERY UPSETTING TO ME. THAT'S THE REASON THAT I, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO RUN ON THIS P. D. O. OR WE HAVE TO WALK BEFORE WE CAN RUN. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED CERTAIN ASPECTS AND CERTAIN, YOU KNOW FUNCTIONALITY WITHIN THE OFFICE, BUT I WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE THE CORNER STORE UP AND OPERATIONAL BEFORE WE BUILD A WAL-MART. THAT IS WHERE I STAND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER, VERY THOUGHTFUL. >> CAN I ADDRESS -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: ABSOLUTELY, YES. >> I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER SMITH'S POINT. THE -- THE CREATION OF A P. D. O. IS THAT NO WAY INTENDED TO CAUSE NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY. [01:55:05] IN FACT I THINK IT'S, IT'S THE OPPOSITE, BE BUT, YEAH, THAT IS DEFINITELY EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT UNFORTUNATELILY CAN'T BE OUT IN SOCIETY BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL GET HURT. THAT, COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONS INCARCERATION RATES AND CRIME RATES AND IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IS LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND HUNTY IS LOWER THAN THE STATE OF TEXAS AVERAGE ON ALL OF THESE. WE HAVE A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF PUBLIC SAFETY. WE HAVE AMAZING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT OPERATE TO PROTECT US AND WE'VE A VERY, I BELIEVE, WELL STAFFED AND FUNDED DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT REPRESENTS THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE PROSECUTION OF CRIMES IN HAYS COUNTY SO I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT. I'M GLAD COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONED THAT THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE TO THAT. WHAT I BELIEVE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WHEN I SAY CRIMINAL JUSTICE I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL ACCUSED BUT TALKING ABOUT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WHETHER IT'S A VICTIM, OR COMMUNITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT ARE INVOLVED, AND TO ME IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT IS BEING ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER CHILD, FOR INSTANCE AND THAT PERSON'S DAY IN COURT IS 3 YEARS AFTER THE POTENTIAL CRIME WAS COMMITTED YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE. IF THERE'S A VICTIM AND THE VICTIM IS A MINOR, THREE YEARS IS A HUGE TIME TO GO, ESPECIALLY IN YOU GO BEFORE A JURY. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THERE AND WITNESSED ARE NO LONGER THERE. THEY ARE AT A DIFFERENT AGENCY. RETIRED. THE VICTIM HAS MOVED ON. THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND WE'RE LETTING VICTIMS DOWN JUST AS MUCH AS WE'RE LETTING ANY OTHER PART OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DOWN IF WE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO DO THAT. THERE ARE DEFINITELY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A CASE REQUIRES A LONG PERIOD OF TIME FOR BOTH SIDES, PUBLIC SAFETY AND FOR THE INDIVIDUALS' RIGHTS. WE KNOW THAT AND WE'VE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR JAIL THAT ARE GOING TO SPEND SOMETIME THERE BECAUSE OF THE CRIMES THEY ARE ACCUSED OF BEFORE THEY FIND THEIR DAY IN COURT BUT WITH THE BACKLOG AND OUR GROWTH, THAT WE'RE, THAT TIME BEFORE GETTING SOMEONE THROUGH THE SYSTEM IS SO GREAT THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT -- I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BELIEVE THIS IS -- THIS IS ABOUT EVERYBODY. ULTIMATELY PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE END BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE THE RIGHT PUBLIC SAFETY IF WE DON'T HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART TO THAT. SOMETHINGS THAT YOU HAVE THAT I HAD SIMILAR CONCERNS. WE DID ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPERIENCE. WHO WOULD BE HIRED IN THESE FIRMS? OBVIOUSLY RIO GRANDE LEGAL AID WE ARE MORE KNOWLEDGE OF THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE OPERATING IN TEXAS AND I PERSONALLY NOTE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR TEXAS RIO GRANDE LEGAL AID. WE DID ASK QUESTION BOSTON THAT AND I, BOTH COMMITTED TO HIRE FOR THE MOST PART WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER LOCAL ATTORNEYS, TEXAS ATTORNEYS AND I BELIEVE N. D. S. DID EVEN PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERCENTAGE OF THEIR STAFF THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE IN TEXAS AND I MAY BE WRONG BUT I WANT TO SAY 20 OUT OF 25 OF THEIR STAFF MEMBERS THAT SPEND ALL OR PART OF THEIR TIME AS A PROFESSIONAL IN TEXAS. SO MOST, I THINK BOTH RESPONDENTS SAID THEY'D BUILD THE OFFICE AND HIRE SOMEONE TO RUN THE OFFICE AND LIKELY THE PEOPLE THEY'LL HIRE WILL BE THOSE THAT ARE LOCALLY BECAUSE THAT IS HOW PEOPLE FIND JOBS IN GENERAL. BUT THEY DEFINITELY WANT TO BUILD BOTH DEFINITELY WOULD WANT TO BUILD OFFICES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS IN TEXAS IF NOT EVEN TRYING CASES OR DEFENDING DEFENDANTS HERE LOCALLY IN HAYS COUNTY, EXPERIENCE DOING THAT AS WELL. I BELIEVE BOTH COMMITTED TO THAT. THAT HAS BEEN A CONCERN AND IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, A CONCERN OF MINE AS WELL. I THINK THAT YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THESE OTHER SERVICES, I UNDERSTAND THAT AS WELL, TOO, ONE OF THE REASONS I LIKE N. D. S. IS PART OF WHAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO IS TO FUND SOME OF THOSE SERVICES WITH OUTSIDE MONEY. SO SINCE THEY ARE A NATIONAL ENTITY, THEY'VE MADE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND THEY HAVE GRANT FUNDS THEY USE TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE SERVICES LOCALLY SO THAT THE TAXPAYER IS NOT THE ONE PAYING FOR SOME OF THE SERVICES. THAT WAS APPEAR IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR PRESENTATION TO US IS THEIR ABILITY TO [02:00:03] RAISE MONEY TO DO THINGS THEY CAN PLUG INTO THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE ALL DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT AND HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE, WHAT THEY SHOULD FOCUS ON. THEY CAN ALSO PLUG IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE, -- I USED TO SAY THAT WHEN I WAS A KID HERE I PROBABLY COULD HAVE WALKED THROUGH THE JAIL AND KNOWN, YOU KNOW, EVERY PERSON IN THERE OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBER. YOU KNOW. IT WAS A SMALL PLACE. MOST OF THEM WEREN'T IN THERE FOR ANYTHING TOO SERIOUS. OBVIOUSLY THAT DAY HAS CHANGED BUT I CAN TELL YOU MOST OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE THERE JUST LOOKING AT THE CHARGES, LET'S ASSUME EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THERE IS CONVICTED OR INVOLVES AT LEAST THE TIME THEY SPENT, SAY 40% OR HALF OF THEM ARE FROM OUT OF COUNTY. THE OTHER HALF ARE RESIDENTS OF HAYS COUNTY, THEIR FAMILIES ARE HERE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IF WE HAVE A WAY TO LEVERAGE WHAT IS FUNDED THREE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO PROVIDE INDIGENT DEFENSE, IF AN ENTITY CAN BACK THAT UP WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT GIVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING TO BE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY A WAY TO NOT BE BACK IN OUR JAIL AT SOME POINT OR BEFORE A JUDGE, I THINK THAT IS A WIN, WIN. I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO ALLOW AGENCIES AND ENTITIES TO TRY TO DO THAT TO LEVERAGE WHAT THE PUBLIC IS DOING WHICH THE PUBLIC FUNDS INDIGENT DEFENSE. IN TEXAS, WE'VE HEARD IN SOME STATES IT'S ALL PUBLIC DEFENSE. IT OTHER STATES IT'S HYBRIDS KINDS OF LIKE TEXAS AND WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TODAY ON INDIGENT DEFENSE. I WANT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SPEND IT IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND THAT WE ARE INVESTING THOSE DOLLARS IN WAYS THAT PROVIDE FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME FOR EVERYONE INCLUDING THE VICTIMS, INCLUDING THE RESIDENTS AND INCLUDING DEFENDANTS IN OUR JAIL STAFF AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THE STREETS. >> JUDGE, I WANTED TO ADD SOMETHING ALSO BECAUSE -- COMMISSIONER SMITH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS BUT I HOPE THAT NO ONE ON THIS COURT OR IN THIS ROOM WOULD EVER THINK THAT WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE VICTIMS. I'M SORRY THAT I'M GETTING A LITTLE EMOTIONAL, BUT I MEAN THAT IS JUST INSANE THAT WE WOULDN'T CONSIDER THEM IN EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING HERE. >> I CAN CLARIFY SOME. I -- >> LET ME FINISH. COMMISSIONER SHELL MENTIONED THIS ALSO. I DID BRING UP THE FACTS THAT N. D. S. PROVIDED, N. D. S. TEXAS IS TEXAS. 60% OF THEIR TEAM OF THE 23 WERE BORN HERE AND RAISED IN TEXAS. FROM CHILDHOOD. 18 OF THE 23 TEAM MEMBERS HAVE LIVED IN TEXAS FOR AT LEAST FIVEEE, 82% OF THE TEAM ATTENDED TEXAS UNIVERSITIES, 20 OF 23 OF TEAM SPENT ALL OR A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IN TEXAS. AND 96% OF THE TEAM HAS FAMILY IN TEXAS. SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, PLATING SOMETHING HERE -- OPERATING SOMETHING HERE OR IN NEW YORK OR DETROIT OR WHEREVER IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT. I TRULY BELIEVE THERE ARE GOING TO BE, DO THE RIGHT THING HERE AND HIRE THOSE THAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH. SO I WANTED TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS SEE IF WE CAN MOVE THIS ALONG AND JACKPOT TO GIVE THE HONOR TO COMMISSIONER SHELL OR INGALSBE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICES THEN GO TO CONVERSATION TO EXED. FURTHER. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE AWARD R. F. P. 2022-P. O. 4 TO NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE AND THIN AUTHORIZE THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE GENERAL COUNSEL AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HUNT TOE ENTER DISCUSSIONS WITH N. D. S. FOR CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT FOR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE DATE. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND, COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I THINK YOU MAY HAVE TAKEN WHAT I SAID A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN HOW I MEANT. I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE TALKEAD NAUSEAM OVER THE LAST 34 YEARS ABOUT THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH P. D. O. I DON'T DOUBT THOSE COSTS ARE NEEDED. OVER TIME, HOW THEY'RE PAID FOR, THOSE ANCILLARY SERVICES THINGS LIKE THAT, I [02:05:02] UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THAT. MY CONCERN IS IS THAT WE AS A COURT AND WE AS A COUNTY AND I'M NOT JUST SAYING HAYS COUNTY, I'M SAYING OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EVERYONE ELSE HERE, WHILE WE'VE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN OUR COUNTY HAVE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS, NOT ONCE HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE COULD EXPAND OR HOW WE COULD BETTER USE THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY FOR VICTIMS. IF WE'RE MAKING A COMMITMENT TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR ON A P. D. O. SPECIFICALLY ON ONE SIDE OF THE TABLE, WE HEAR EVERYDAY FROM THOSE ADVOCATES WHO COME IN HERE FOR P. D. O. ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEM IS STACKED AGAINST THESE INDIVIDUALS AND HOW THOSE SCALES OF JUSTICE ARE WEIGHTED AGAINST THEM. WHAT I'M SAYING IS AS A COUNTY, AND AND THESE INDIVIDUAL MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN OUR COUNTY, AT A CERTAIN POINT, WE HAVE TO BE VERY COGNIZANT THOSE SCALES HAVE TO BE BALANCED. SO IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON A P. D. O., WHAT DO WE HAVE IN LINE OR WHAT ARE WE CONSIDERING, WHAT SHOULD WE CONSIDER TO INSURE THAT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION, FOR OUR VICTIM SERVICES OFFICES, FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS WHO RESPOND TO SCENES TO TRY TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS, WHAT ARE WE DOING ON THAT SIDE TO TRY TO BETTER ASSESS THOSE SITUATIONS? I MEAN WE HAVE SERVICES RIGHT NOW. I USE THIS EXAMPLE IN A MEETING THAT COMMISSIONER JONES AND HI WITH A NUMBER OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS HERE IN OUR COUNTY. WITHIN OUR COUNTY FUNCTIONALLY WE PROBABLY HAVE 8 TO 9 DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT OFFER SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE CONNECTED TO THE COUNTY THAT THE COUNTY EITHER PAYS A PORTION OF OR IS, ADVICES ON SPECIFICALLY FOR SITUATIONS INVOLVE MENTAL HEALTH FROM THE TIME THE INDIVIDUAL CALLS 911, WE HAVE DISPATCHERS WHO ARE TRAINED IN MENTAL HEALTH TO TALK TO THOSE FOLKS ON THE PHONE. AN OFFICER GETS THERE. MAYBE IT'S A VETERAN. IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. WE HAVE A VETERANS COURT WITH, WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING AS WELL AS NOW WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT MAYBE THAT CASE GETS REFERRED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT. WE'VE INDIVIDUAL VICTIM SERVICES WHO HELP COORDINATE WITH THE FAMILY TO MAYBE REFER THE WIFE IN THE SITUATION WHO WAS THE VICTIM TO THE HAYS CALDWELL WOMEN'S SHELTER. WE'VE VETERANS SERVICES OR VETERANS SERVICES WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT MAY BE ABLE TO TRY TO HELP FIND BED SPACE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL IF HE IS ARRESTED OR ONCE HE IS OUT OF INCARCERATION TO TRY TO HELP FIND BED SPACE IF HE NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH STABILITY DURING THAT TIME. BUT NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE COORDINATED IN A WAY WHERE IT'S TRULY FUNCTIONAL. I THINK WE NEED TO PUT AS MUCH EFFORT ON THAT SIDE OF THE EQUATION AS WE'RE ON THIS SIDE OF THE EQUATION. I SAY THIS ISN'T A NEW CONCEPT. I MEAN, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE MEETING WE HELD, THIS HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTH AGO THERE WAS AN OFFICER FROM A LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO SAID, WE HAVE, WE'VE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VETERANS WHO WE PICKED UP AND WE WANT TO GET THEM AN EVALUATION AND THE CLOSEST BED SPACE IS TEMPLE. SOMEONE FROM THE VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAYS WE HAVE 24 BEDS UNDER CONTRACT IN HAYS COUNTY AND SEVEN OF THEM ARE FULL. THAT, THAT TELLS ME THAT THAT COORDINATION HASN'T BEEN GOING ON. EVERY ONE OF THEM IS DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE. THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN. BUT HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT? I JUST -- AGAIN IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T SUPPORT A P. D. O. I IN NO WAY, I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF HOURS AND CONVERSATIONS AND LOGISTICS WORKING THROUGH WHAT THE NEED AND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THIS OFFICE NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE I WASN'T IN THOSE. YOU KNOW, I, I THINK COMMISSIONER JONES AND I HAVE BEEN FAIRLY BLESSED IN KNOWING THAT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS. AND JUDGE A, TO SOME EXTENT AS HALE HASN'T BEEN -- HE HASN'T BEEN IN THE DAY-TO-DAY NEGOTIATION ONS THIS BUT WE'RE BLESSED THAT YOU'VE HAD THE TIME AND DEDICATION TO PUTS TOWARDS T. AND I, I TRUSTALL'S JUDGMENT. THESE ARE THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE. BY NO MEANS DO I THINK THAT YOU DIDN'T THINK OF THE VICTIMS BUT WE AS A COURT AND WE AS A COUNTY HAVE TO DO BETTER IN TRYING TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS THAT ARE OUT THERE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, I TOOK NOTES. EVERYONE HAS BEEN HAVING A GOOD CONVERSATION, COUPLE OF THINGS YOU SAID, [02:10:07] COMMISSIONER SMITH, SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCING THE SCALES OF JUSTICE AND SOMETHING THE COMMISSIONER SHELL SAID THAT NOT ONLY -- HE SAID A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE NOTEWORTHY BUT ONE OF THE ITEMS I TOOK NOTE OF VASS VERBATIM WE HAVE A WELL STAFFED AND FUNDED DEPARTMENT OF A.'S OFFERS, WE HAVE A VERY WELL STAFFED AND FUNDED -- D. A.'S OFFICE. WE HAVE A WELL STAFFED -- PROTECTING AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS YOU JUST STATED COMMISSION COMMISSIONER SMITH. THE SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCING. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO INVEST INSTEAD OF WASTEFULLY. THE SHERIFF IS IN THE COURTROOM AND IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT YOU, SHERIFF. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. I DON'T POINT THIS AT YOU BUT THE JAIL IS RIDICULOUSLY OVERCROWDED. IT'S NOT THE SHERIFF'S FAULT. NEVERTHELESS, IT DOESN'T STOP US FROM BURNING $15,000 A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK OF HARD EARNED TAXPAYER DOLLARS. SO IF WE REINVEST IN DIFFERENT WAYS, TO HELP THE PROCESS ALONG, TO OIL THE WHEELS OF OUR JUSTICE AND HELP BALANCE THE SCALES, AS COMMISSIONER SHELL HAS ALSO SAID, HALF THOSE FOLKS ARE COMING BACK TO YOUR LOCAL -- HOW DARE WE HOLD THEM IN JAIL FOR SO, SO, SO EVER SO LONG WITHOUT PUTTING THEM BEFORE A JUDGE? LET'S HURRY THE PROCESS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY, WE'RE NOT, ANYONE ON THIS COURT, NONE OF US ARE SAYING SOFT ON CRIME. ABSOLUTELY NOT. WHAT WE WANT IS ACCESS. I THINK THERE'S A CLICHE JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED. DO I GET THAT RIGHT? SO THE POINT IS THIS IS A MACHINE TO HELP OUR SYSTEM THAT IS REALLY OVERLOADED. EVERYONE CAN AGREE NO MATTER WHERE YOU STAND. EVERYONE NEEDS HELP. EVERYONE NEEDS SUPPORT. I THINK THAT WE ARE DOING A GOOD THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE BURNING, I'M SORRY BUT I'M A MAJOR CHEAP SKATE. BURNING $15,000 A DAY AND HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT JUST IS A REAL HARD WASTE OF MONEY. WE'RE GOING TO USE A WHOLE LOT LESS TO CREATE A PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR. TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR EITHER BECOME A STATE INMATE OR GO BACK TO WORK. SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK -- I'LL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT EVERYONE ON THIS COMMISSION AND IN THIS COURT AND IN THIS COMMUNITY HAS DONE TO BRING THIS TO TODAY. BECAUSE HEAVEN FORBID ONE DAY ONE OF US OR ONE OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ENDS UP IN THIS LOOP WITHOUT THE PROPER FUNDING AND WE WILL BE HATING LIFE IN WAYS WE COULD NEVER IMAGINE. I'M SORRY. I LOVE THE SUNLIGHT. I LOVE TO TOUCH THE GRASS WITH MY BARE HANDS AND FEET. TO THINK I WOULD BE IN THE CELL THAT THE SHERIFF HAS AN IMPECCABLE JAIL. THANK YOU, SHERIFF BUT STILL, I DON'T WANT TO BE IN YOUR IMPECCABLE JAIL. I MEAN COME ON. THAT PLACE IS NOTHING BUT CINDER BLOCKS AND EMOTIONAL DEATH TO ME. WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE OUT. LET THEM GET IN FRONT OF A JUDGE AND MOVE ALONG, WHICHEVER PATH THAT MAY BE. FOR THIS COMMISSIONER SHELL, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, I'LL FOREVER THANK YOU AND I THANK THE LORD FOR GUIDING ME AND NOT BEING A HOW LONG IN ANY WAY -- HOGG IN ANY WAY. I KNOW THE KNOTS YOU HAVE YOUR ON YOUR HEARD. I KNOW THE COMMUNITY HAS NO IDEA WHAT A BEATING YOU'VE TAKEN TO GET TO TODAY. I MEAN IT. YOU COULD TELL THEM THAT STORY. THAT IS YOUR STORY TO TELL BUT ABSOLUTELY, THOSE FOLKS PUSHING FOR THIS, HAVE BEEN RAKED OVER COALS, TO BRING SOMETHING THAT IS SO UNIVERSAL AND FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. FREEDOM AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. WE PRAY ABOUT IT. WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO IT. AND NOW WE CAN WALK AWAY SAYING WE DID OUR PART SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, I WOULD ASK FOR THE VOTE. THANK YOU COLLIN POWELL. PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 52. >> AFTER THIS CAN YOU DO 51. WE DO HAVE SOME INDIVIDUALS -- >> THAT'S HOW I HAVE IT. 52 THEN 51 THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK. >> 52. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A [52. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a Professional Services Agreement related to RFP 2022-P03 Hays County Mental Health Needs Assessment between Hays County and The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas ("MMHPI") and amend the budget accordingly. ] [02:15:06] PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT RELATED TO R. F. P. 2022--3. 03 HAYS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE FOR TEXAS. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER INGALSBE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD? >> SURE, WELL, JUDGE, YOU KNOW AS WE'VE TALKED JUST PREVIOUSLY MENTAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND SERVICES HAVE REALLY INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY IN OUR COUNTY HAS IT HAS EVERY WHERE ELSE AND I THINK THE ASSESSMENT WILL HELP GUIDE THE COUNTY ON HOW TO BEST PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT THOSE IN, THAT THOSE IN NEED AND SO I'M GRATEFUL WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS AND LOOK AT OUR PROGRAMS AND FACILITY NEEDS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR OUR COUNTY. SO I'M HAPPY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AGENDA ITEM. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. VERY GRATEFUL. COMMISSIONER, COMMENT? >> YEAH, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER INGALSBE FOR SERVING ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE AS WELL. I KNOW I MENTIONED THIS WHEN WE BROUGHT THIS FORTH INITIALLY WITH THE SELECTION, BUT WE HAD SOME REALLY AMAZING, I THOUGHT REALLY AMAZING SUBMISSIONS FOR THIS AND DOING THROUGH THE EVALUATIONS PROCESS THE MEADOW CENTER ROSE TO THE TOP. ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR LOCAL INVOLVEMENT AND THE UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM, I THINK THEM DOING THE ASSESSMENT IS, IT'S NOT ONLY NEEDED, I THINK BY AGREE ON THAT BUT I THINK WE COULDN'T HAVE SELECTED A BETTER GROUP TO DO IT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU,. I AGREE. I'M SO GRATEFUL WE'RE MOVING ON THIS BECAUSE AS HAS BEEN SAID AS WELL, I AGREE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, ALREADY, WE HAVE A HUGE NEED. MENTAL WELLNESS EFFECTS US ALL IN WAYS MOST DON'T REALIZE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. PLEASE OPEN 51. >> 51, HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 293.101 OF THE THE IT, [51. Hold a public hearing in accordance with section 293.101 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, to discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on the proposed amended mandatory payment rate to be assessed on institutional healthcare providers in fiscal year (FY) 2022 pursuant to the County Health Care Provider Participation Program.] HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE TO DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE PROPOSED AMENDED MANDATORY PAYMENT RATE TO BE ASSESSED ON INSTITUTIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 PURSUANT TO THE COUNTY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM. >> >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M GOING TO OPEN FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, IF THERE IS ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. IF YOU'LL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE IF YOU HAVE ONE. >> ABSOLUTELY. GOOD MORNING,. I'M EMILIYA ROMERA, I'M HERE WITH ASCENSION TEXAS, I'M GOING TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT FORWARD. I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LONG HEARING. BUT WE WANTED TO VOICE OUR SUPPORT FOR AGENDA I ITEM 51. INCREASE FOR THE MANDATORY PAYMENT RATE TO 6%, WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP OVER THE YEARS. WE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT CONTINUE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY WITHOUT YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER? >> JUDGE, OH, THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENTS, YOU BET. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, THOMAS MCCRISTY. ANOTHER HEALTH SYSTEM SERVING OUR COUNTERCOUNTY ARCHED OUR COMMUNITY AT HOME. I WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' COMMENTS. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF THE COURT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. WE KNOW THAT WHAT WE'RE CALLED TO DO EVERYDAY IS VITAL TO THE HEALTHCARE OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU TAKE CARE OF EACH AND EVERYDAY AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT YOU GIVE US. OUR POPULATION IS GROWING. WITH THAT, OUR UNFUNDED PARENTS, MEDICAID BURDEN CONTINUES TO GROW. WE DON'T WANT TO FAIL TO MEET A CORE PIECE OF OUR MISSION WHICH IS TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE INCLUDING THE VULNERABLE IN THIS POPULATION, APPRECIATE THIS SUPPORT THAT THE COURT HAS GIVEN US AND CONTINUES TO GIVE US. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFULLY SAID. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM? STATE YOUR NAME. >> DAN LYON. I'M NOT REALLY FAMILIAR WITH THIS, BUT IN GENERAL, THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS GROSSLY OVERPAID AND I NOTICE A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES HERE, IT SEEMS, THERE SEEMS TO BE IN PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT, EXERCISE PROGRAM MAYBE. I NOTICE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE, THEY TAKE THE ELEVATOR, I'M 65 YEARS OLD. [02:20:05] I'M NOT IN PERFECT HEALTH BUT I CAN STAKE THE STAIRS UP HERE NOW. WHAT THE IS ALL THE DEAL WITH ALL THE PEOPLE IN SUCH BAD HEALTH? SOMEWHERE WE HAVE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT WE'RE PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE AND I KNOW THESE TWO PEOPLE THAT SPOKE BEFORE WE THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT DEAL AND I'M NOT SURE IT IS, BUT ANYWAY, I THINK WE'RE OVERPAYING FOR HEALTHCARE BUT THAT IS MY PERSONAL OPINION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. LYON. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM? I'LL BE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. YOU HAD SOMETHING TO SAY? I WASN'T SURE. >> YEAH. I'LL LET COMMISSIONER SHELL ADDRESS THIS JUDGE THEN I'LL HAVE A COMMENT. >> BRIEF OVERVIEW L. P. P. F. LOCAL PRAYER PARTICIPATION FUND WE'RE ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTIES, I THINK THAT HAVE BEEN A COUPLE THAT HAVE HAD AN L. P. P. F. BEFORE US SO THAT WAS' BACK IN 2015 WE CREATED THIS. SORT OF THE EVOLUTION OF WHAT USED TO BE THE UPPER PAYMENT LIMIT PROGRAM BECAME THE 1115 WAIVER PROGRAM WHICH IS A WAIVER TO 1115 SOCIAL SECURITY ACT UNCOMPENSATED CARE. MISS CRUMLEY WORKS WITH THE HOSPITALS AND OUR -- EACH YEAR WE SET A RATE THAT EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE COUNT HAS TO PAY TO THE L. P. P. F. THOSE FUNDS ARE USED TO MAKE UP SOME OF THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE THAT THE HOSPITALS PROVIDE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HAYS COUNTY WHICH ULTIMATELY AS WE ALL KNOW THE COUNTY IS MANDATED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS TO COVER INDIGENT CARE FOR ITS POPULATION UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT. WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT AND APPRECIATE BOTH OF THE HOSPITALS BEING REPRESENTED. THEY DO AMAZING WORK WITH VERY LITTLE. IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING TIME. THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE AND THEY'RE BOTH IN FAVOR OF AMENDING THE RATE TO THE MANDATORY RATE WHICH IS 6%. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ANYTHING ELSE? >> I WANT TO THANK OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS ALSO, JUDGE. SETON AND CRISTA SANTA ROSA, THEY DO AN AMAZING JOB AS COMMISSIONER SHELL STATED. WE'VE BEEN IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR PARTICIPATION. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT HAYS COUNTY DOES PROVIDE PREVENTIVE CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND I KNOW THAT IS PART AND SEPARATE FROM THIS DISCUSSION BUT IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO HELP PREVENT EVEN MORE SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS DOWN THE ROAD. SO -- THANKS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. DR. CARDENAS PLEASE CALL THE ROLE -- >> CAN I MAKE A FORMAL MOTION ON THAT TO COVER IT UP. I WOULD MOVE HAYS COUNTY AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 TO L. P. P. F. MANDATORY RIGHT TO 6%. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, A SECOND PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. [47. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Sheriff's Office to convert an existing Corrections Officer, slot 0605-167, to a Multimedia Specialist position (Grade 112) effective June 1, 2022.INGALSBE/SHELL/CUTLER] >> 47, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO CONVERT AN EXISTING CORRECTIONS OFFICERS SLOT 0605-167 TO A MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST POSITION. GRADE 112 EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2022. >> SO MOVED. >> SECONDS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OUR -- WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> SHERIFF, THANK YOU, THIS WON'T TAKE BUT A MINUTE. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN COVERING FOR THE LAST HOUR OR TWO. OURS HAS TO DO WITH HIRING AND STAFF ISSUE, WE'RE DON'T OVER 7 70 OFFICERS IN THE JAIL. WE WANT TO TRY TO DO IS TAKE ONE OF THE POSITIONS AND PURPOSE IT INTO A MULTIMEDIA POSITION, EXPERT IN IT TO GO OUT AND ACTUALLY USE THE TERM "SELL OUR AGENCY TO PEOPLE TO COME TO WORK FOR US. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. WE WANT THEM TO BE VERSED IN EVERY AREA OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO TOUCH ON EVERYTHING AND WORK WITH OUR REUTING AND H. R. OFFICE TO TA I THIS ONE POSITION. I JUST FIND OUT 2 MINUTES AGO FROM TALKING TO THE SHERIFF NORTH OF US UP HERE THEIR COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED A $250,000 MARKETING COURT -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU YOU ARE SAVING US MONEY, I LOVE T. I LOVE IT. >> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. [02:25:02] >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, ANY COMMENTS. >> IT'S NEEDED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY ARE THERE ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEMS THAT WILL BE READ? YOU ARE GOOD. >> OTHER THAN CONSENT ITEMS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU BOTH FOR ATTENDANCE, ANY FINAL QUESTIONS FOR THE SHERIFF -- >> I APPRECIATE THE SHERIFF AND CHIEF, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO GET THOSE VACANCIES FILLED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IF IT WASN'T PAST YOU THE SHERIFF SAID THERE ARE MORE THAN 70 VACANCIES AND THAT IS IN PART ONE THING WE NEED TO ADDRESS WITH THIS MOTION. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. DR. CARDENAS PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. THANK YOU. NOW I WAS TOLD THAT WE WERE HOPING FOR A BREAK. WHAT TIME WAS THAT? >> 11:30 TO 1. >> WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LUNCH AND COME BACK AT 1:00 THIS IS TOTALLY NOT MY STYLE. BUT I WAS ASKED TO DO IT AND I WANT TO BE MINDFUL AND RESPECTFUL. IF EVERYONE IS OKAY WITH THAT, WE'LL DO IT. OTHERWISE WE'LL KEEP GOING. WE HAVE A QUORUM. I'M MERELY THE CHAIR BUT I'M HAPPY TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. TAKE A TEN MINUTE RECESS. >> I'M GOING TO THE RESTROOM. >> OKAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: TEN MINUTE RECESS AND WE'LL KEEP GOING. (10 MINUTE RECESS.) >> JUDGE BECERRA: I WAS ASKED TO DO 45 AND 46 AT THE SAME TIME SO LET'S HOPE 45 AND 46 PLEASE. [Items 45 & 46] >> 45, P. L. M. 1833 N. H. INDICATENCE COUNTRY RANCH SUBDIVISION DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 721.5.50 B. OF THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND APPROVAL OF FINAL PLATT. 46, DISCUSSION AND PROMISE ACTION TO CONSIDER GRANTING A VARIANCE FROM SECTIONS 721 HADN'T 3.01 AND 721.5.05 B. OF THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR THE DRIFTWOOD RANCH SUBROGATION. >> SO MOVED. >> SECONDS. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, -- [INAUDIBLE] FIVE -- >> PRECINCT 4. WATER WILL BE SERVED BY AQUA TEXAS AND WASTEWATER WILL BE ACHIEVED BY INDIVIDUAL ONSITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. THIS SUBDIVISION IS PROPOSING 4 OUT OF 5 LOTS TO CREATE WHAT WE CALL FLAG LOT CONFIGURATION, OUTLINES THE PARAMETERS FOR AND THE COURT APPROVAL OF THESE LOT CONFIGURATIONS. THE APPLICANT IS ASKING OR THE OWNER IS REQUESTING THE LOTS BE CONFIGURED AS SUCH AS A REQUIREMENT PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN REQUIRING LOTS HOW FEE SIMPLE TO A MUST BE OR PRIVATE STREET. A COMMON JOINT USE ACCESS EASEMENT OR SHARE EASEMENT WILL BE INCLUDED WITH THE FLAG LOTS. AS A RESULT OUR, THE COUNT LE REQUIRE THE BE RESTRICTED TO ONE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE FOR EACH ONE OF THE FIVE LOTS. T. C. Q. REGULATED DEVELOPMENT AND NO FURTHER SUBDIVISION OF THE LOTS. THE WHAT THE INTEND DIVISION IS TRYING TO DO IS A LOW RESIDENTIAL 5 LOT DEVELOPMENT. >> WHAT IS THE OVERALL ACREAGE? >> OF, I KNOW PROBABLY OVER 200 ACRES. >> EXACTLY. IT'S OVER 200 ACRES, AND BY CITY OF AUSTIN REGULATION THEY'RE REQUIRINGED FLAG LOT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THEY'RE REQUIRING A FLAG LOT? >> THEY'RE REQUIRING ALL LOTS HAVE DIRECT FRONTAGE TO AN EXISTING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STREET WHICH YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LAYOUT OF THE CURRENT CONFIGURATION IT'S ONE OF THE SCENARIOS WHERE IT CONSTITUTES A FLAG LOT INSTEAD OF ONE FLAIL FLAG LOT WE'RE TALKING FOUR FLAG LOTS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WHEN YOU HAVE TWO AGENCIES AS THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE COUNTY OF HIGHWAYS IS THE MORE -- HEYS THE MORE RESTRICTIVE THE ONE THAT WOULD PREVAIL? >> IN OUR 1445 AGREEMENTS INDICATED THAT THE MORE STRINGENT RULE WOULD PREVAIL BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES SOME DISCUSSION TO DETERMINE WHAT THAT IS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> MORE FURTHER BACKGROUND THE DEVELOPMENT HAS ALREADY MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN ON THE TERMS OF THIS FLAG LOTS AND A JOINT USE'SMENT PROCESS AND HAVE GOT APPROVALS FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN MOVING FORWARD. THE COUNTY IS FIGURING OUT TO WAY TO ACCOMMODATE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REQUESTS WHICH IS WHY WE QUESTION NO FURTHER SUBDIVIDING FOR THE LOTS. >> THAT WAS THE POINT I WAS GOING TO MAKE, THIS IS A PARCEL THAT IS OVER 200 [02:30:04] ACRES AND THE OWNERS WERE MORE THAN WILLING AS PART OF THE VARIANCE TO ADD A PLAT NOTE STATING THERE WOULD BE NO FURTHER SUBDIVISION AND IT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR ONE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON EACH ONE. I THINK IT'S A WIN/WIN IF WE CAN FAVORABLE SENSE TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE COUNTY LIMIT DEVELOPMENT FOR FURTHER DIVISION THERE AND KEEP SOME OF THE OPEN SPACE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFULLY DONE, THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. PLEASE OPEN 55 -- 46. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M SORRY, SAY AGAIN. >> 46 WAS STILL OPEN. WE DIDN'T -- >> BY OPENED BOTHMENT. >> I'LL BE QUICK, 46 IS FOR DRIFTWOOD SUBDIVISION RANCH SUBDIVISION PHASE 3, 11 LOTS WILL BE SINGLE FAMILY LOTS. WATER ANDWATERWATER WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM, ONE OF THE REQUESTS FROM THE APPLICANT IS FOR A FLAG LOT CONFIGURES. I'LL NOTE THAT THE LOT PROPOSING THE FLAG LOT CONFIGURATION IS A NON-SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOT. IT'S GOING TO BE A NATURAL STATE, A LOT REMAIN WITH NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES, NO RESIDENTIAL OR STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT TO BE PROPOSED ON THAT LOT. IT'S A WAY THEY CONFIGURED THEIR PLAN RESULTING IN THIS LOT HAVING A FLAG LOT CONFIGURATION. THEY'RE REQUESTING A VARIANCE FROM 721505 TO ALLOW -- THE SECOND QUESTION IS FROM CHAPTER, 721401 OF THE REGULATIONS RELATING TO ROAD CONFIGURATIONS AND STANDARDS. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING UTILITIES FOR THIS SEGMENT OF ROAD THAT'S GOING TO BE BUILT BE PLACED UNDER THE PAVEMENT. REGULATIONS REQUIRE YOU TO BE PLACED OUTSIDE OF PAVEMENT HOWEVER THE REQUEST IS BEING MADE TO LINE UP WITH 9 FURTHER, THE PREVIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE PUT IN PLACE WITH THE ADJACENT INVESTMENT WHICH HAD A SIMILAR REQUEST APPROVED FOR THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO HAVE UTILITIES PLACED UNDER THE PAVEMENT. THAT REQUEST IS WHAT IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD. >> ONE NOTE ON THE, AGAIN, I'M NOT A PROPONENT OF FLAG LOTS. TALK TO THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES THEY'LL TELL YOU THEY -- I'M PROBABLY REJECT MORE THAN ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER. BUT THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY IS FOR NONDEVELOPMENT. IT WILL BE MINETAINED AS GREEN SPACE AND STAY IN ITS CURRENT CONSERVATION CONFIGURATION THAT SOPHS' IMPORTANT TO ME. I'M HAPPY TO SPONSOR IT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. PLEASE OPEN 55. [55. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an Interlocal Funding Agreement between Hays County and San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD) regarding the purchase of a Gerling Fast Vac Mobile Vaccine Facility to provide immunization/vaccine services to the public and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/T.CRUMLEY] >> 55, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A GIRLING FAST VAC MOBILE VACCINES FACILITY TO PROVIDE IMMUNIZATIONS VACCINE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND AMEND THE BUTTS ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION, SECOND. IF YOU'LL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> GOOD MORNING, TAMMY CRUMLEY, DIRECTOR OF COUNTY WIDE OPERATIONS, WE HAVE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT IN COLLABORATING WITH THEM FOR OUR VACCINE VAN FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE PART OF THE FUNDS COMING FROM A GRANT WE RECEIVED THEN THE CONTRIBUTION OR, WITH THEM FOR $115,000 TO WORK WITH THEIR PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THEIR SUMMER -- SORRY, I DON'T HAVE THE AGREEMENT IN FRONT OF ME, THEIR SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM THAT GOES OUT INTO THEIR DISTRICT AREAS FOR THEIR STUDENTS THEN ALSO PROGRAMS AT THE SCHOOL AND ANY OTHER PROGRAMS WE CAN WORK WITH THEM TO GET THEIR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN VACCINATED. THIS DOES COME THROUGH OUR TEXAS VACCINE FOR CHILDREN. SO THEY MUST QUALIFY THROUGH THE REQUIREMENTS. IN ADDITION WE WANT TO TAKE OUR PART OF THE SERVICES OUT TO OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY AND REACH THOSE UNDERSERVED CHILDREN. ANY QUESTIONS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A BIT TO GET THE VAN, IT'S GOING TO BE MADE [02:35:02] THROUGH US THROUGH THE COMPANY SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT TO GET THAT GOING. BUT IT'LL ALSO GIVE US TIME TO GET OUR PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING AND GET ALL THE POLICIES AND STUFF LINED UP. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU CALLED ME WITH THIS MAGNIFICENT NEWS. SHE CALLED ME SO EXCITED AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS SUCH A TREAT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING SO PASSIONATE AND CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. AND HELPING USHER THIS THROUGH HERE. SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL. COMMISSIONER INS GALLONSBY. >> I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL PROGRAM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PHYSICALLY GO OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. >> AND PROVIDE IMMUNIZATIONS AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES. I WANT TO THANK SAN MARCOS C. I. S. D. AND OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MIGUEL IS HERE, I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT. AND THEIR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION. THIS IS GOING TO SERVE A LOT OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND I, TOO, WANT TO THANK TAMMY. SHE STAYED VERY LATE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. THINK IT WILL 10:00 P.M.OR SO BUT REAL DEA GREAT JOB REPRESENTING THE COUNTY AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU, TAMMY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL PROGRAM. >> IT'S SOMETHING AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WE'VE WANTED FOR A LONG TIME. WE CURRENTLY ONLY ARE ABLE TO OFFER VACCINES IN ONE WEEK IN AUGUST, IT'S NOT ENOUGH. NOT EVERYONE CAN COME TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND FIT INTO THE WINDOW. SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MUCH MORE, MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES TOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO BE VACCINATED DURING THAT TIME AND FOR SCHOOL. >> JUDGE BECERRA: FINER GRAN LATED APPROACH. REACHING THOSE HARD TO REACH, MUSIC TO OUR EARS, COMMISSIONERS. >> I WANT TO THANK THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WELL FOR PARTNERING WITH THIS. IT'S A GREAT IDEA. SUPEREXCITED TO GET THIS GOING. >> WE'RE WORKING STILL ON THE INTERLOCAL FUNDING AGREEMENT SO WE DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW. WE'RE WORKING WITH LISA PAUL WHO IS WITH THE DISTRICT'S ATTORNEYS AND SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ATTORNEY SO WE'LL HAVE THAT SHORTLY FOR SIGNATURE. >> I CAN PROVIDE SOME COMMENTARY IF YOU'D LIKE ABOUT THE EDITS THEY PROVIDED IN ADDITIONED TO WHAT IS IN BACKUP. THE SCHOOL WOULD LIKE THE VEHICLE TO ALSO BE USED FOR THE SUMMER NUTRITION PROGRAM WHEN AVAILABLE, AND THEY'VE ADDED TERMS IN THERE REGARDING THAT. GENERALLY THE TERMS THEY INCLUDED IN THEIR EDITS WERE ACCEPTABLE TO ME INCLUDING SOME EMPHASIS ON OUR MAINTENANCE THE VEHICLE AND OUR INSURANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THEY DID PROVIDE ONE EDIT THAT INDICATED IF WE WERE SOMEHOW IN BREACH OF THE CONTRACT THEY COULD EITHER REQUIRE TRANSFER OF THE OWNERSHIP TO THE I. S. D. OR REQUIRE WE REPAY ON A DEPRECIATED SCALE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARD THE VEHICLE. I REMOVED THE IDEA OF TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE BUT LEFT THE PROVISION FOR REPAYMENT ON DEPRECIATED SCALE WHICH I BELIEVE IS APPROPRIATE IF WE WERE TO BE IN BREECH WHICH WE'LL THE NO BE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OF COURSE NOT. TAMMY IS GOING TO RIDE THAT TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF. I LOVE IT. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR COMMUNITY GETS TOGETHER AND IN THIS CASE TAXING AGENCIES, THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE, WHATEVER HAT YOU WEAR, COMES TOTS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, I KNOW TRUSTEE ARE A DONNEDO IS HERE. I DON'T KNOW -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: HE NODDED NO. >> GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMETHING. I LIKE TO THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION. IT MEANS A LOT. IT HAS BEEN A DREAM. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU POKED HIM OUT. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE. >> JUDGE BECERRA I'M MIGUEL ARE A DONDA AND I SERVE AS THE DISTRICT ONE TRUSTEE ON THE KOLL SOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES. I WANT TO THANK TAMMY FOR APPROACHING THE I. S. D. AND INITIATING THIS CONVERSATION AND WHERE WE ARE THIS EVENING. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN SOME BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN OUR VARIOUS LEGAL COUNSELS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COURT AND TAMMY FOR CONSIDERING AND LOOKING INTO PROVIDING VACCINE OUTREACH AND HEALTH SERVICES TO THE TWO COUNTY AREA OUTSIDE OF HAYS COUNTY THAT IS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE I. [02:40:03] S. D. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LIVE AND RESIDE IN CALDWELL AND GUADALUPEY COUNTY AND BETWEEN ME, YOU AND THE VIEWERS AT HOME IT'S LIKE LIVING ON THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON OUT THERE FOR SOME OF THOSE FOLKS. SO Y'ALL'S WILLINGNESS AND FLEXIBILITY IN LOOKING AT PROVIDING SERVICES TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. AS THE REFUSE TIP ON -- REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD FOR THOSE AREAS IN, I THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS PARTNERSHIP. GROWING AND CONTINUING. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL, WELL DONE. WELL SAID. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. [43. Discussion and possible action to accept fiscal surety for the construction of roadway and drainage improvements in the amount of $1,465,590.88 for Hymeadow, Section 3, Phase 3 Subdivision (Subdivision Bond # SUR0074087). INGALSBE/BORCHERDING] >> 43, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT FISCAL SECURITY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,465.590 . 88 FOR HI MEADOW SECTION 3 PHASE 3 SUBDIVISION S. U. R. 0074087. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALLED ROLE. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS HOP OVER TO PUBLIC COMMENT SECTIONS. PLEASE OPEN ITHEM NUMBER 18 -- ITEM NUMBER 18. [18. Authorize Building Maintenance to replace the existing 2.5-Ton Carrier AC system (unit #2) located at the Precinct 5 Office with a new 2.5-Ton American Standard heat pump system in the amount of $9,631.81 and amend the budget accordingly. SMITH/T.CRUMLEY] >> 18, AUTHORIZE BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING 2.5 TON CARRIER A. C. SYSTEM UNIT 2 LOCATED AT ET PRECINCT 5 OFFICE WITH A NEW 2.5 TON AMERICAN STANDARD HEAT PUMP IN THE SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF 9631. 81 AND AMENDMENT THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> WE'VE DAN LYON LINED UP TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE BECERRA. IN THE BACKUP IT SAYS THAT THE FIRM THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET TO DO THIS IS J. M. ENGINEERING L. L. C. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT SEEM TO BE ANOMALIES HERE. ONE OF THEM, ONCE AGAIN, THEY HAVE A TRIP CHARGE FOR REPAIR ON CALLS/EMERGENCY CALLS AND NEW INSTALLATIONS. DOLLAR 75 THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE US FOR THAT. ALSO I NOTICED THEY'VE 44 HOURS AT $86 AND SOMETHING FOR THE H. V. A. C. TECHNICIAN AND HIS HELPER IS AT $67. 49 PER HOUR. THAT IS ANOTHER 13 HOURS. TOTAL MAN HOURS 57. AND THAT COMES TO,4,680.73 CENTS FOR LABOR. AND THE TOTAL FOR THE AIR-CONDITIONER IS $4,951.08. ALMOST AS MUCH FOR LABOR AS IT IS FOR THE UNIT ITSELF PLUS I NOTICE THAT THE UNIT PRICE LISTED IS $4,063.40. BUT THE EXTENDED PRICE IS $4875.08. LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT J. M. ENGINEERING IS MARKING UP THIS UNIT AND FROM MUST BE A DOZEN H. V. A. C. FIRMS IN THIS TOWN. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP DEALING WITH J. M. ENGINEERING. THEY'RE CHARGING US $75 JUST TO SHOW UP AT THE JOB AND EVERY JOB I'VE EVER HAD IN CONSTRUCTION OR WHATEVER IT WAS, THEY NEVER PAID ME A SINGLE CENT FOR DRIVING INTO THE JOB NOR DID THEY PAY ME ANYTHING FOR MY TIME DRIVING INTO THE JOB. I DON'T SEE WHY WE CAN'T GET A FIRM THAT WON'T ELIMINATE THAT $75 CALL OUT FEE. IT'S NOT EVEN A CALLOUT BECAUSE THIS IS SCHEDULED. SO IT'S NEW INSTALLATION. THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE US $75 FOR THAT? I MEAN COME ON, FOLKS. WE'VE TO LEARN TO SAVE MONEY SOMEWHERE. LET'S START HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MR. DAN LYON, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'LL SAY THAT I KNOW I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE PUT OUT BIDS FOR COMPANIES TO COME AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS. IF YOU FIND WAYS TO GET THESE COMPANIES TO DO THOSE THINGS YOU ARE DESCRIBING, I WOULD BE INDEBTED IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE AND ULTIMATELY IMPRESSED. [02:45:06] COMMISSIONERS. >> I WOULD SAY, THANK YOU, JUDGE. IF Y'ALL REMEMBER WE ACTUALLY WENT OUT, YOU MAY, LAST FISCAL YEAR FOR THE R. F. P. FOR SERVICES ON H. V. A. C. AND A. C. S. THAT -- IS THAT CORRECT, WAS IT LAST FISCAL YEAR? >> THAT'S CORRECT, WE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT A. S. I. MECHANICAL. >> THROUGH THE SELECTION PROCESS IT WAS BID BASED SO WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO FOR AN OVERALL CONTRACT FOR THE COUNTY CHARGES US LESS BECAUSE BY MANDATE WE WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THEM. IF YOU REMEMBER THAT PROCESS IT WAS A VERY QUICK SELECTION PROCESS DUE TO THE RESPONSES WE GOT. THIS IS A UNIT THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. IT'S UNDER OUR CONTRACT. >> EK DISCUSS ME, THE HOURS HERE ARE ESTIMATED. IF THEY END UP BEING LESS OBVIOUSLY THOSE ARE BILLED AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN ESTIMATEDMENT. >> MARK YUN IS PER -- MARKUP IS PER -- >> PER THE CONTRACT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 19. [19. Authorize Building Maintenance to replace the existing 5-Ton Carrier AC system (unit #3) located at the Precinct 5 Office with a new 5-Ton American Standard heat pump system in the amount of $12,926.84 and amend the budget accordingly.] AUTHORIZE BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE EXISTING 5 TON CARRIER A. C. SYSTEM UNIT NUMBER 3 LOCATED AT THE PREDICT 5 OFFICE WITH A NEW 5 TON AMERICAN STANDARD HEAT PUMP SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,26.84 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MR. DAN LYON YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE SAME TYPE. ALL YEARS. >> THANK YOU, I NOTICE THAT COMMISSIONER SHELL JUST SAID THAT AS PER CONTRACT, YOU'VE GOT TO MARKUP THE PRICE OF THE UNIT OR THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MARK UP THE PRICE OF THE UNIT. THE QUESTION, THE OBVIOUS QUESTION IS WHY DID YOU NEGOTIATE SUCH A CONTRACT WITH THEM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO MARK UP THE PRICE OF THE UNIT? WHEN THEY'RE GETTING ONCE AGAIN -- THIS TIME THEY SAY THEY NEED 5 HOURS FOR -- 55 HOURS FOR THE H. V. A. C. TECH AND 20 HOURS FOR THE HELPER, A TOTAL OF 75 HOURS OPPOSED TO 57 FOR THE TWO AND A HALF TON UNIT? I KNOW THIS IS A BIGGER UNIT BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PHYSICALLY GET THIS THERE AND LIFT THAT UNIT. THEY'VE GOT CRANES TO DO THIS STUFF WITH. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S GOING TO COST MORE LABOR TIME, 18 HOURS MORE, TO PUT IN A BIGGER UNIT? I WISH THEY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM J. M. ENGINEERING WOULD COME DOWN HERE AND EXPLAIN THIS TO US BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL ARE CAPABLE OF EXPLAINING IT TO ME. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. AND I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC REALLY UNDERSTANDS IT. ALSO THERE'S LITTLE QUESTION ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO GET THE RECYCLING MONEY FROM THESE OLD UNITS? ALUMINUM, COPPER THEY'RE THROUGH THE ROOF RIGHT NOW. AND YOU CAN GET GOOD MONEY FOR THOSE THINGS. NOW IF Y'ALL WANT TO GIVE ME PERMISSION TO GO DOWN THERE AND TAKE THINGS APART, MAYBE I COULD HELP YOU ON THAT. I WON'T CHARGE A SINGLE PENNY. BUT ANYWAY ONCE AGAIN, I THINK WE'RE BEING SOLD A BILL OF GOODS. I DON'T KNOW HOW Y'ALL DEALT WITH OTHER H. V. A. C. COMPANIES IN THE PAST THAT DISCOURAGES THEM FROM PUTTING IN BIDS, BUT I SUSPECT THAT ALL COMPANIES ARE NOT CREATED -- TREATED EQUALLY AND ANYWAY SOMEBODY GLASSES ARE UP HERE ON THE PODIUM. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. LYON. >> MARKUP IS INDUSTRY STANDARDS. >> I ACTUALLY WORKED FOR AN H. V. A. C. COMPANY APPEAR MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. EVERY SINGLE CONTRACTOR I'VE EVER KNOWN THAT INSTALLS A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT MARKS UP THE COST OF THE EQUIPMENT. THAT'S PART OF ALL INDUSTRY THAT I'VE EVER BEEN ASSOCIATED W. I DON'T KNOW WE'RE EVER GOING TO GET BIDS WHERE A CONTRACTOR IS GOING TO GO BUY EQUIPMENT AT A WHOLE SALE PLIES AND CHARGE US THE PRICE HE GOT IT FROM A DISTRIBUTOR. I DON'T KNOW THERE IS ANYBODY IN THE WORLD THAT'S GOING TO DO THAT. IF THEY DID THAT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO HUSBAND MORE SOMEWHERE ELSE IF THEY SAID WE'LL THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE NO MARKUP ON THE MATERIALS -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: CHANGE ORDER. >> THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE US MORE PER HOUR OR HAVE ANOTHER DEGREE. I UNDERSTAND MR. LYON'S POINTS BUT WE'VE BEEN PUTTING BIDS OUT. [02:50:05] WE'VE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT VENDORS BID ON THIS. WE TRIED TO REARRANGE OUR BIDS TO GET SOMETHING THAT IS THE BEST PLIES WE POSSIBLY CAN. BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN INDUSTRY STANDARDS THAT I BELIEVE EVERY CONTRACTOR IS GOING TO REQUIRE FOR THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BID AND WE'RE GOING TO BE LEFT WITH NONCOMPETITIVE BIDDING WHICH WILL COST US MORE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH IS THE KLEE SEE THAT COMES TO MINDS. HI A A. C. JOB IN THE SUMMER IN PALM SPRINGS, 120 DEGREES SUMMERS CRAWLING IN THE ATTIC. I WAS A YOUNG LIMPER GUY THAT JUMPED IN THE ATTACKS -- >> I LOVED THE JOB. BUT I THOUGHT I'M GOING TO WORK ON AIR-CONDITIONERS, WHEREVER YOU ARE -- THERE IS NO AIR-CONDITIONING. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S RIGHT. SOMETHING YOU FORGET ABOUT. EVERYONE WHERE YOU GO THERE WILL BE NO A. C. WHEN YOU ARE DONE AND IT COOLS, YOU BETTER LEAVE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 20, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN APPLICATION BY THE HAYS [20. Authorize the County Judge to execute an application by the Hays County Sheriff's Office for participation in the Texas 1033 Surplus Property Program. SHELL/R. STRAIN] COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE TEXAS 1033 SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE MR. DAN LYON TELL US FOR 3 MINUTES. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE BECERRA. I'M HOPING I CAN GET A BILL BETTER OF AN EXPLANATION ON THIS THAN THE EXPLANATION I JUST GOT WHICH WAS ONLY HALF OF WHAT I ASKED YOU BUT ANYWAY, LET'S TRY, YOU KNOW, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL. PLUS THESE GLASSES ARE STILL UP HERE. BUT ANYWAY -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: THEY'LL PROBABLY BE THERE UNTIL COURT IS OVER. >> ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WHICH Y'ALL APPROVED EARLIER AND I'M VERY CURIOUS AS TO WHAT EQUIPMENT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEEDS FROM THE TEXAS SURPLUS 1033 SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS INCLUDES MILITARY GRADE HARDWARE OR WHATEVER. I AM A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASED MILITARIZATION OF CIVILIAN PEACE OFFICERS. THE REASON I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT IS THAT CAPTAIN CUMBERLAND, HE WAS UP HERE, HE WOULD NEVER ADMIT TO BEING A CIVILIAN. AND LIKE I SAID, I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SEEKING SO I'M TAKING A SHOT IN THE DARK HERE. NO PUN INTENDED. JACKPOT -- I WANT TO LET THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NOW THAT POSSE KOMITADIA IS A RESPONSE TO THE SO-CALLED RECONSTRUCTION AFTER THE CIVIL WAR OR THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. ANYWAY, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION NOT TO MILITARIZE OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND Y'ALL CAN ELUCIDATE ME AS TO WHAT EQUIPMENT THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEEDS, AND IS IT GOING TO COST US MONEY TO MAINTAIN THAT EQUIPMENT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS GONE. DO ANY OF YOU HAVE COMMENTS OR IS THIS A GENERAL RENEWAL. >> GENERAL RENEWAL BUT I WOULD SAY, I MEAN, WE DO THESE, THE 1033 PROGRAM WE VIEW AS THE COUNTYWIDE REALLY. I MEAN, ONE OF THE FIRST REASONS WE USED IT OR THAT WE LOOKED AT USING IT I REMEMBER WHEN I CAME HERE, THAT WAS WHEN CAITLYN WAS DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. WE LOOKED AT AT THAT TIME THE LARGE-SCALE MAP FILING CABINETS IN SURPLUS FOR THE STATE. WE LOOKED AT THE 1033 PROGRAM TO TRY TO GET THOSE IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. THE PROGRAM ITSELF IS KIND OF -- IS TRULY STATEWIDE AS FAR AS WHAT'S IN THE PROGRAM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SPECIFICS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR BUT I THINK IT'S JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THOSE THINGS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IN GENERAL. >> FIRST AID KITS WAS SOMETHING ALSO THEY UTILIZED. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE -- >> I THINK COMMISSIONER SMITH BROUGHT A LIST ONE COURT MEETING OF ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT -- MAY HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE STATE'S PROGRAM AND NOT THIS PROGRAM BUT IT WAS I THINK 99% EMERGENCY RELATED. [02:55:01] >> THAT WAS ACTUAL MILITARY PROGRAM. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THROUGH THE PROGRAM, I BROUGHT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT PRECINCT 4 HAD RECEIVED IN THE PAST. AND OF THOSE THERE WAS 218 ITEMS I THINK, ALL OF THEM WERE EITHER, EVERYTHING FROM BATTERIES TO FIRST AIDS, TURN KITTS, GAUZE PACKS, THERE WERE TWO THAT WERE, TWO ITEMS THAT WERE CONSIDERED MILITARIZED IN ANY WAY AND IT WAS MAYBE A CONEX AND AN EXTRA MAGAZINES FOR FIREARMS THEY ALREADY HAD. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MAYBE THE A. R. 15'S -- >> MAYBE THEY GOT AIR-CONDITIONERS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ALL RIGHT PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. [Items 5 - 15] >> 5, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. 6, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF JURY CHECKS. 7, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE CLAIMS. 8, APPROVE COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF MARCH 29, 2022. 9, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF MAY 31, 2022 PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOD TO EXCEED $4,100,000 EFFECTIVE MAY 31, 2022, AND POST TOTALS FOR WAGES, WITHHOLDINGS, DEDUCTIONS AND BENEFITS ON THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. 10, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR HOMELAND SECURITY GRAND DIVISION FOR THE HAYS COUNTY HAZ-MAT TEAM CAPABILITIES UNTIL THE AMOUNT OF $73,327.10. 11 RATIFY THE ACCEPTANCE OF A $500,000 DONATION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CRIME VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM AND MEND BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 12, AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ADD A 45 MONTHLY TELEPHONE ALLOWANCE FOR THE SARGENT SLOT 0475-006 EFFECTIVE JUNE 212022. 13, APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR SARGENT MATT WASKO AND CORPORAL STEVE LUCIO TO ATTEND A NATIONAL TACTICAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 25-30, 2022, IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. 14, APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR CRIMINALIST MOLL DE JARAMIO TO ATTEND THE SLAINS ADVANCED FORENSIC TECHNIQUES IN CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS 2 COURSE IN GLYNCO, GEORGIA ON SEPTEMBER 12-23, 2022. 15, AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S JAIL DIVISION TO UTILIZE EXISTING FUND FOR ELECTRICAL REPAIRS TOTALING $8,395,000 REMITTED TO THE DOMESTIC WATERLINE PROJECT AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> JUDGE BECERRA: DID I LEAVE OUT 16. [Items 16 - 32] 16-32. >> 16, AUTHORIZE THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO ADD A 45 MONTHLY TELEPHONE ALLOWANCE FOR THE ROAD MAINTENANCE LEAD SLOT NUMBER 1055-04 EFFECTIVE MAY 24, 2022 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. ,17,AUTHORIZE BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING 2 TON A. C. SYSTEM LOCATED ON THE KYLE W. I. C. OFFICE WITH A NEW 2 TON AMERICAN STANDARD HEAT PUMP SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF 9,213.38 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 21, APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS. 22, ESTABLISH AN OPERATING BUDGET AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURCHASES FOR THE NEWLY CREATED BUDGET OFFICE AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 23, AUTHORIZE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE NETWORK EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEW ELECTIONS I. T.ED BYING AT 120 STATEMENT COACH CENTRAL SAN MARCOS IN PRECINCT 3. 24, ACCEPT A $5,000 CONTRIBUTION ON BEHALF OF THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD FROM THE CAPITAL AREA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 25, ACCEPT A GRANT AND CONTRIBUTION TOTALING $3500 ON BEHALF OF THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 26, APPROVE RENEWAL OF I. F. B. 2020 B. 06 ROADWAY STRIPING WITH D. I. J. CONSTRUCTION, INC. 27, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE 7TH AMENDED AND RESTATED [03:00:03] DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, HAYS COUNTY AND LAZY OAKS RANCH L. P. IN CONNECTION WITH LA CIMA DEVELOPMENT, EXTENDING SUCH DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT REGULATIONS TO AN ADDITIONAL APPROXIMALLY 1,295 ACRES. 28, AUTHORIZE THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THE HAZARD MET GAUGES GRANT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $153,600. 29, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SUPPORT THE SAN MARCOS CHESS CLUB UTILIZING 250 OF THE COUNTY JUDGE'S AVAILABLE COMMUNITY PROGRAM FUNDS. 30. RATIFY THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE FOR THE F. Y. 21 FUNDING UNDER THE STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, 31, APPROVE EXTENSION OF THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOND UNDERWRITING SERVICES POOL RELATED TO R. F. Q. 2019 P. 04 BOND UNDERWRITING SERVICES FOR A YEAR JUNE 1, 202 22 THROUGH MAY 31, 2023. 32, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH TEXAS MATERIALS GROUP INC. RELATED TO THE ROAD BUILDING MATERIALS HOT MIX PURR OPPORTUNITY TO I. F. B. 2019-B. 03. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 33, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT A PERFORMANCE BOND 800054920 [33. Discussion and possible action to accept the Performance Bond No. 800054920 in the amount of $1,064,632.25 for road pavement improvements in the Trails at Windy Hill Subdivision, Phase 8. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING] IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,064,632.25 FOR THE ROAD PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRAILS AT WINDY HILL SUBDIVISION PHASE 8. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION, SECOND, ANY COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> 34, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON JUNE 7, [34. Discussion and possible action to call for a public hearing on June 7, 2022 to establish a 3-way stop location on Goforth Rd at the intersection with Foster Place, per a recent traffic study. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING] 2022, TO ESTABLISH A 3-WAY STOP LOCATION AT GO FORTH ROAD AT THE INTERSECTION SER WITH FOSTER PLACE PER RECENT TRAFFIC STUDY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLIES OPEN 35. >> (READING 35.) >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. [35. Discussion and possible action to accept the revegetation Letter of Credit extension for El Dorado subdivision until October 12, 2022: LOC #SBPTX303415 in the amount of $15,938.03. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING] >> 36, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF A 2-YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND 1072263663 IN THE AMOUNT OF $633,171 AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROADS INTO COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR 6 CREEKS SUBDIVISION PHASE 1 SECTION 2. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 37 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF THE TWO YEAR [36. Discussion and possible action to consider the release of the 2-year maintenance bond #107226363 in the amount of $633,171.00, and the acceptance of roads into the county road maintenance system for 6 Creeks subdivision, Phase 1, Section 2. SHELL/BORCHERDING] MAINTENANCE BOND 70187170 IN THE AMOUNT OF 163,290.16 AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF ROADS INTO THE COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR THE HEADWATERS AT BARTON CREEK SUBDIVISION PHASE 2, PHASE 4 SECTION 1. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 38 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CALL FOR A HUB ARE PUBLIC HEARING ON [37. Discussion and possible action to consider the release of the 2-year maintenance bond #70187170 in the amount of $163,290.16, and the acceptance of roads into the county road maintenance system for the Headwaters at Barton Creek subdivision, Phase 2 and Phase 4, Section 1. SMITH/BORCHERDING] JUNE 7, 2022 TO REDUCE THE CURRENT SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MIASMS H MILES PER HOUR ON ELDER HILL ROAD PER A RECENT TRAFFIC STUDY TO 30 MILES PER HOUR FROM F.M. 150 TO APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET EAST OF LA VENN TENA PARKWAY THEN 35 MILES PER HOUR TO APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET WEST OF PANTHER CREEK ROAD THEN 30 MILES PER HOUR TO R. R. 12. RANCH ROAD 12. >> SO MOVED. >> THANKS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT MAKING A SPEED TRAP. >> BEFORE WE MOVE OFF OF THIS, I WANT TO THANK THE DRIFTWOOD HISTORIC [38. Discussion and possible action to call for a public hearing on June 7, 2022 to reduce the current speed limit of 40 MPH on Elder Hill Road, per a recent traffic study, to: 1) 30 MPH from FM 150 to approximately 800 feet east of La Ventana Parkway, then 2) 35 MPH to approximately 500 feet west of Panther Creek Road, then 3) 30 MPH to RR 12. SMITH/BORCHERDING] CONSERVATION, SOCIETY IN THEIR INPUT ON THIS AND THEIR CONTINUED DILIGENCE ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUINGS AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER SHELL AND OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT FOR HAVING A LOOK AT THIS. [03:05:01] ELDERHILL IS THE DIVIDING LINE. >> IT'S MAJOR CUT THREW FOR TRAFFIC AND IT'S KIND OF A UNIQUE ROAD THAT HAS AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE MAP THAT HAS RIGHT ANGELS AND IT'S THE REASON FOR THIS SEGMENTED APPROACH FOR SPEED LIMITS BUT TRYING TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON A ROAD THAT IS A LOT MORE TRAVELED THAN IT WAS DESIGNED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I DO APPRECIATE IT AND I WAS JOKING AND I REALLY DO LIKE THE SIGNAGE AND HOW WELL WE HAVE THAT SECTION EVER THE COUNT SO WELL WITH THE ARROWS AS YOU ARE MOVING THROUGH TO SHOW BENDS IN THE ROAD. I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO APPLAUD THE EFFORT. >> TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT DOES AN AMAZING JOB. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I WAS LOOKING AT EVERYONE. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT WORK AND PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. COUNTY WIDE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. [39. Discussion and possible action to accept Letter of Credit No. SBP702766 for street and drainage improvements for Parten Ranch, Phase 4, Final Plat in the amount of $1,042,313.95. SMITH/BORCHERDING] SORRY. >> 39, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO SEPTUPLETTER OF CREDIT NUMBER S. B. P. 702766 FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PARTEN RANCH PHASE 4 FINAL PLAT IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,042,313.95. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 40, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO THE ADVANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION [40. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute Amendment #1 to the Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) For Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Project between Hays County and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the Center Street Rail Siding Project. JONES/BORCHERDING] BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM PROJECT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CENTER STREET RAIL SIDING PROJECT. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 41, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE [41. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution requesting the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to initiate the process to remove a segment of existing FM 2770 from the State Highway System and convey to Hays County for future ownership of the right-of-way and maintenance; add existing Robert S. Light Boulevard and future Robert S. Light Boulevard to the State Highway System for State future ownership of the right-of-way and maintenance and designate those segments as RM 967; and add a joint designation for RM 967 to a segment of FM 1626. SMITH/BORCHERDING] TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE THE PROCESS TO REMOVE A SEGMENT OF EXISTING F.M. 2770 FROM THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND CONVEY TO HAYS COUNTY FOR FUTURE OWNERSHIP OF THE RIGHT OF WAY AND MAINTENANCE AND ADD EXISTING ROBERT S. LIGHT BOULEVARD AND FUTURE ROBERT S. LIGHT BOULEVARD TO THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM FOR STATE FUTURE OWNERSHIP OF THE RIGHT OF WAY AND MAINTENANCE AND DESIGNATE THOSE SEGMENTS AS R. M. 967 AND ADD A JOINT DESIGNATION TO A SEGMENT OF F.M. 1626. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> 42, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE [42. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute Change Order No. 10 in the amount of $50,909.60 to the Construction Contract between Hays County and Cox Commercial Construction for the RM 3237 at RM 150 Roundabout (IFB-2021-B06) project as part of the Hays County Road Bond Program in Precinct 3. SHELL/BORCHERDING] CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 10 IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,909.60 TO THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND COX COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION FOR THE R. M. 3237 AT R. M. 150 RUB PROJECT AS PART OF THE HAYS COUNTY ROAD BOND PROGRAM IN PRECINCT 3. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT, SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. TO COMPLETE THE SESSION I THINK ALL WE HAVE LEFT IS 44. >> 44, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE [44. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an Interlocal Agreement between Hays County and the City of Kyle related to illumination and a shared use path on Dacy Lane between Bebee Road and Amberwood Loop in Precinct 1. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING] AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF KYLE REMITTED TO THE ILLUMINATION AND A SHARED USE PATH ON DAISY LANE BETWEEN BEEBE READAM BERWOOD LOOP IN PRECINCT 1. >> AAMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY, SO MOVED SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SHE SAID AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY AS PART OF THE MOTION, MOTION AND A SECOND, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE THESE EFFORTS. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN WE'LL GO DOWN TO WHAT IS NEXT ONE -- >> 53. >> JUDGE BECERRA: 49 AND -- >> I THINK IT'S -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: 49 PLEASE OPEN 49. >> 49. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLION TO AUTHORIZE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO HIRE THE [49. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Auditor's Office to hire the Accounting Manager, slot 0013-001 at the 50th percentile, effective 06/01/2022. INGALSBE/VILLARREAL-ALONZO] ACCOUNTING MANAGER SLOT 0013-001 AT THE 50TH PERT ISLE EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2022. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> 53, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD CONTRACT FOR R. [53. Discussion and possible action to award contract for RFP 2022-P09 Comprehensive Classification and Compensation Study to Management Advisory Group International, Inc.; and authorize staff and General Counsel to negotiate a contract to be brought back to court for approval and final contract award. BECERRA/MILLER] F. P. 2022 P. 09 COMPREHENSIVE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY TO MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP INTERNATIONAL INC. [03:10:03] AND AUTHORIZE STAFF AND GENERAL COUNSEL TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT FOR APPROVAL AND FINAL CONTRACT AWARD. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND, MISS MILLER I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE SPOT IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT. ALL RIGHT. SHE IS MOVING, IF YOU'LL STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE. >> TURNS COURT. SHERRY MILLER HAYS COUNTY H. R. DIRECTOR. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR THIS SUCH NEEDED SERVICE. WE DID RECEIVE 3 BIDS, ALL FROM 3 KNOWN SALARY COMPENSATION ENTITIES. THE BIDS WERE ANALYZED INDEPENDENTLY BY MYSELF, VICK ODORS THE. OUR -- DOORS THE AND BRITTANY RICHEY. WE'VE NOT EVEN HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK AMONG OURSELVES BUT I THINK IN ALL OF OUR ANALYSIS WE REALIZED THE COMPANY THAT IS BID COULD DO THIS WORK. SO KNOWING WE HAVE A VERY SHORT DEADLINE, I THINK THAT OUR INDEPENDENT RATINGS CAME OUT WITH A COMPANY THAT CAN SERVE US WELL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING AND ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH THEM SO YOU SO APPROVE. COME BACK IN A FEW MINUTES WITH WHAT THEY'VE DISCOVERED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL, QUESTION, COMMENTS? LONG OVERDUE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOU BEING THE TIP OF THE SPEAR ON THIS FRONT. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> I DIDN'T SEE YOU SNEAK IN. >> JUDGE BECERRA: 54, PLEASE. >> 54, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LA CIMA PUBLIC [54. Discussion and possible action to consider approval of a La Cima Public Improvement District Deposit Agreement for Proposed Bond Issuance for Neighborhood Improvement Area #3, a Deposit Agreement for the Proposed La Cima North Public Improvement District, and a Deposit Agreement for the Proposed La Cima South Public Improvement District and amend the budget accordingly. SHELL] IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT DEPOSIT AGREEMENT FOR PROPOSED BOND ISSUANCE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT AREA NUMBER 3, A DEPOSIT AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED LA CIMA NORTH PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND A DEPOSIT AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPOSED LA CIMA SOUTH PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SHELL ANY COMMENTS? >> NO, THIS, THIS ACTION IS REQUIRED, IT MENTIONS THE ADDITIONAL PUBLICKISM PROVEMENT DISTRICTS SO THAT WOULD COME TO US AT A LATER DATE BUT THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND THE FUNDS ARE NOT TAX FUNDS. THEY'RE PIT FUNDS BY THE DEVELOPER. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO TAKE THIS TIME TO HIGHLIGHT SOME TOUCH QUICK POINTS ABOUT HOW, WHAT IS IT PITT. MIGHT FOAL IS TO SPIT OUT THE ACK RIMS, IT'S A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BUT THE GOAL IN THIS MOMENT IS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT VERY MANY THINGS AND WE'RE SO QUICKLY TO AS A PEOPLE, POLARIZE AND I THINK IT WOULD BE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS FOR US TO EDUCATION BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND THE MORE WE LEARN THE BETTER WE ARE AS A PEOPLE AND AS A COMMUNITY SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SHELL FOR CARRYING THIS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION, SECOND, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. WILL YOU PLEASE OPEN 66. >> 66. >> 66 DISCUSSION REMITTED TO THE HOW MUCHY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS. >> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SENDS THE INMATE CAPACITY. OUR CAPACITY IS 410. WE'RE ASKED TO KEEP 10% OF THAT OPEN WHICH LOWERS OUR ACTUAL CAPACITY TO 368. OUR PEAK WAS WAS 691 FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 21. AND OUR AVERAGE COST OF OUTSOURCING INMATES WAS 119,897. , 222 MALES WERE OUTSOURCED. 34 FEMALES WERE OUTSOURCED MEANING OUR JAIL WAS FULL AND THEY WERE SENT TO OTHER LOCATIONS. THIS WEEK'S INMATES WHO HOUSED IN BLANCO, COMELE, FORT BEND, GRIMES, LEE, [66. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA] MAVERICK AND RED RIVER. WHAT WAS MISSING FROM MY REPORT. THAT IS OKAY. IT HATCHES WERE THE PAPER READY INMATES WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE SEEN THEIR DAY IN COURT AND THEY'RE NOW STATE INMATES, THAT'S NOT ON MY REPORT THIS TIME, BUT I'LL REPORT IT NEXT TIME. WE HAVE BROUGHT UP THE -- ONE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS WAS THE BURN BAN, CAN YOU OPEN 65 TO HAVE A QUICK CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. [65. Discussion and possible action related to the burn ban. BECERRA] >> 65, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE BURN BAN. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SO I WANT TO OPEN THIS UP SO WE CAN HAVE THE TOUCH OF CONVERSATION BECAUSE I KNOW WE WILL BE BRINGING SOMETHING BACK TO TALK ABOUT [03:15:04] FIREWORKS AMONG OTHER THINGS. IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR WE'RE A LARGE GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT AS A COUNTY. NOT ONLY ARE WE CLOSE TO 300,000 POPULATION BUT WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF DIVERSITY IN GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW WE ADDRESS THESE MOVING FORWARD WITH MAYBE NOT A BUSH BAN IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY BUT MAYBE IN QUADRANTS OR IN SOME CONVERSATIONAL PIECE. I WANTED TO SEE WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT THAT WOULD BE MOST USEFUL. >> WE'VE LOOKED AT THAT BEFORE. ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL BUT UNDER STATE LEGISLATURE WE IT'S A ONE SIZE FITS ALL IS WHAT THEY'VE GIVEN US. >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> GOVERNMENT MAKING SENSE NEVER -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: GOVERNMENT MAKING SENSE, I KNOW, RIGHT. >> IS THAT A TOUGH ONE FOR OUR FIRE MARSHAL AND THE FIRE CHIEFS ESPECIALLY WHICH ARE PART OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ALL CONSULTS WITH THE FIRE CHIEFS, GETS THEIR INPUT AND THEY'RE SEEING WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUPED. ARE THERE PEOPLE BURNING AS, IS IT GETTING OUT OF CONTROL? WEATHER CONDITIONS AND OUR FIRE MARSHAL DOES SUBMIT WEEKLY FOR THE MOST PART A REPORT ON THOSE CONDITIONS. DROUGHT INDEX, WHAT IS HAPPENING OUTS THERE AND MAKES A DECISIONS ONS WHETHER TO PLACE A BURN BAN AND PLANTE WANTING TO GET THE LOAD REMOVED. WE DON'T WANT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO BURN AND HAVE A BUNCH OF FUEL LYING AROUND. IT'S HARD TO ADDRESS THE AREA OF THE COUNTY WHERE YOU GET RAIN VERSUS AN AREA THAT YOU DON'T. USUALLY THEY SIDE ON CAUTION. >> SIDE THAT DIDN'T GET THE RAIN. >> A LOT OF TIMES IT'S NORTHERN OR WESTERN PART OF THE COUNT THAT HE DIDN'T GET RIGHT WHERE WE GOT RAIN ALONG THE CORRIDOR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RECOMMENDS ARE LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE. WE'VE HAD RAIN FORECAST. WE GOT VERY LITTLE COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAD BUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE SO WE COULD LET FOLKS KNOW WHERE WE'RE LEADED. THEN -- HEADED THEN ALSO TO REMIND FOLKS LIKE COMMISSIONER JONES MENTIONED IT'S EITHER ON OR OFF. AND EVEN IF IT'S ON AND SOMEONE, EVEN IF THE BURN BAN IS OFF AN SOMEONE IS RECKLESSLY BURNING OUR FIRE MARSHAL IS GOING TO RESPOND AND MAKE SURE IF THEY WERE DOING SOMETHING RECKLESS, THAT THEY FACE CONSEQUENCE FORCE DOING THAT. >> EVEN WITH THE BURN BANS -- [INAUDIBLE] >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUN. GIVE US A FEW KIND WORDS. >> HAYS COUNTY NEAR MARSHAL. I DIDN'T HEAR THE LAST COMMENT FROM -- >> THEY COULD BE SITED EVEN IF THE BURN IS ON -- >> THERE IS STILL THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO BE CITED. THAT WOULD FALL UNDER RECKLESS DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION IF THEY FAIL TO WATCH OVER THE FIRE, HAVE ADEQUATE MEANS TO PUT IT OUT F. IT DID GET OUT OF HAND BURNING MATERIALS THAT WOULD HAVE, IF THE WIND CAUGHT IT BLEW OUT AND AWAY ON TO THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY IF IT GOT COULD HAVE OF OFF OF THEIR PROPERTY. THERE ARE SEVERAL AFFECTERS TO LOOK AT IF A CITIZATION TO BE ISSUED AT THAT POINT. >> MY HOPE -- THANK YOU FOR NOT WALKING ON WITH, I USE THIS PHRASE, GOT YOU GOVERNMENT. I DON'T LIKE GOT YOU GOVERNMENT. I LIKE THAT YOU ALLUDED TO MOO MY MIND, THAT'S WHAT I'M REACHING FOR EDUCATION BEFORE THE CITATION, IT'S KEY AND SO I'M WONDERING IF YOU WON'T MIND REACHING OUT TO P. D. O. KIM AND DO A P. S. BAT. WHAT GOING ON WITH HER IN THIS SENSITIVE SPACE AND TIME ABOUT BURNING AND WHAT CONDITIONS ARE. A SHORT VIDEO TO PUT OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP PEOPLE AND HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WE DO WANT TO CLEAR FIRES AND CLEAR BRUSH AND WE ALSO HAVE TO BE SMART. >> YES, SIR, KIM AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS. SOME OF HER FACEBOOK POSTS I THINK HAVE BEEN A LITTLE, HAVE BEEN SPOT ON AFTER CONVERSATIONS WITH HER AND MYSELF. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT EDUCATION. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PREPAREDNESS FAIR UP IN WEMBLEY THERE PAST WEEKEND, HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOME FOLKS ABOUT THE BURN BAN. AND OF COURSE, TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY HERE, BURN BAN IS A TOOL. YOU KNOW. IT MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT TOOL ALL THE TIME. WE ALSO HAVE A BURN PERMIT PROCESS HERE IN THE COUNTY. SO WITH THAT AS I ALLUDED LAST WEEK IN AN E-MAIL TO THE COURT, IF IF CONDITIONS ARE NOT RIGHT OR WE PEAK AT THAT POINT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THEN AN E-MAIL GOES OUT TO THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE PERMITS ABOUT NOT BURNING OR WE DO NOT AUTHORIZE ANY NEW BURNING FOR NEW PERMITS THAT PARTICULAR DAY. LAST WEEK THERE WERE TWO WILD LAND FIRES, ONE RELATED AS -- RESULTED AS THE STRUCTURE OF A STRUCTURE FIRE AND ONE WAS THE RESULT OF SOMEBODY THAT WAS BURNING [03:20:01] AND IT DID ESCAPE. I'LL BE VISITING WITH THAT GENTLEMAN LATER THIS WEEK. BUT THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS BURNING DIDN'T EVEN APPLY FOR A BURN PERMIT. SO BURN BAN, NO BURN BAN, BURN PERMIT PROCESS, NO BURN PERMIT PROCESS, THE GENTLEMAN WAS STILL OUTSIDE THE LAW ON THAT. SO WE'LL HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL MOMENT WITH HIM AND GO FORWARD THERE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. >> WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK OR A BURN BAN? I MEAN, I, MY PRECINCT PROBABLY THE ONE THAT GOT THE LEAST AMOUNT OF RAIN SO MY RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED. WHAT THE DO YOU THINK IT LOOKS LIKE? >> THIS PREVIOUSLY E. MATES SPRING TIME IS A VERY HARD TIME TO TRY TO GET SOMETHING FOCUSED IN. IN SPEAKING WITH STATE RESPONSE FOLKS, SUMMER TIME THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR US. SO THE RAIN FALL THAT WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THIS WEEKEND, IF IT EVER HAPPENS, WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL THAT WE SEE FOR THE SUMMER TIME. I KNOW I HELD OFF. I HAD SOME CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF THE COURT LAST WEEK ABOUT THE MOBILITY OF A -- POSSIBILITY OF A BURN BAN THEN THE CHANCES OF RAIN CREPT UP. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE RAINING RIGHT NOW. >> AS WE WOKE UP THIS MORNING IT'S WELL MAYBE TONIGHT. TOMORROW IS BETTER BUT MAYBE TONIGHT. LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS PUT A BURN BAN IN, TAKES IF OFF. PUT IT IN. THAT CREATES CONFUSION ESPECIALLY IF WE POST IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. SOMEBODY LOOKS AT AN OLD POST AND IT CREATES THAT CONFUSION THERE. SO WE'RE NOT, WE'RE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE BURN PERMITS THAT ARE BEING ISSUED RIGHT NOW. MYSELF AND STAFF HAVE A CONVERSATION EVERY MORNING WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW BURNING FOR THE DAY. OF COURSE IF WE REACH THAT 23 MILE PER HOUR THRESHOLD, WE SEND OUT A WARNING TO STOP BURNING THE BEST YOU CAN. OR NOT ADDING ANYTHING TO IT. BUT THIS SUM SER GOING TO BE A BAD SUMMER FROM ALL PREDICTIONS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ANYTHING ELSE? >> I'M GUESSING IF WE NEED TO LET RESIDENTS KNOW, IF YOU HAVE FUEL THAT NEEDS TO BE BURNED UP WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE. >> MY, MY WORDS RIGHT NOW IS TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS WEEKEND AFTER THIS, THAT WILL PROBABLYING THE LAST CHANCE. JUDGE MENTIONED FIREWORKS COMING UP. WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT AT THE JUNE 7TH COURT. WE HAVE TO HAVE A DECISION IN PLACE BY JUNE 15TH FOR FIREWORKS SALES. AT THAT POINT WE HAVE TO REACH AN AVERAGES OF 575 ACROSS THE COUNTY. IF WE DO GET THE RAIN THAT WILL KNOCK US BACK FROM THAT NUMBER. CURRENTLY OUR K. I. B. I. SITS AT 560. THAT THE IS ABOUT A 4 POINT INCREASE FROM YESTERDAY. AS I NOTED IN THE E-MAIL THAT WENT OUT YESTERDAY PRIOR TO, WE RECEIVED, WE'RE LOOKING AT A 7 TO ABOUT AN 8, 9 POINT DAIL WHEN HE WE WERE IN HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HIGH WINDS. THE SMALL GAIN FROM YESTERDAY IS A BLESSING SO TO SPEAK. BUT WE'RE HOPING FOR THE RAIN. HOPE WE GET IT. >> I THINK WE'VE DONE THE FIREWORKS BAN ONCE IN 12 YEARS, DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? ALMOST PUT EVERY FIREWORKS PERSON OUT OF BUSINESS THAT ONE YEAR, IT'S SOMETHING WE DON'T DO -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: IT'S A VERY BIG DEAL. >> THE OTHER THING I KNOW THAT THE E-MAIL PROCESS NOW, IF YOU GET THE PERMITS GOOD FOR HOW LONG? >> RIGHT NOW THE PERMITS ARE GOOD FOR 14 DAYS. >> ON THAT 14 DAY, I KNOW THAT THE CURRENT E-MAIL SYSTEM CAME OUT OF A PUBLIC MEETING THAT WE DID WITH THE -- I HAD WITH THE INTERIM FIRE MARSHAL AND ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES TO INSURE ANYBODY WHO PULLED ONE OF THE PERMISSION ON THE HIGH WIND DAYS GOT AN E-MAIL. >> YES, SIR. >> MY OTHER QUESTION AND REQUEST WOULD BE AS WE PROGRESS TOWARDS A POSSIBLE BURN BAN, ONCE WE PUT THAT BURN BAN IN PLACE, ANYONE WHO HAS AN EXISTING PERMIT THAT IS STILL VALID, JUST CAN WE MAKE SURE AND SEND AN E-MAIL TO THOSE FOLKS BECAUSE IF THEY'VE GOT THE PERMIT IT'S GOOD FOR 14 DAYS. I WANT TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION IF ON DAY 3 OF THEIR PERMIT, WE INSTITUTE A BURN BAN. I KNOW THEY'RE EDUCATED WHAT THEY GET THAT THAT THE BURN BAN MAY BE PUT INTO PLACE BUT JUST THE EXTRA STEP OF OUTREACH IF WE DO INSTITUTE A BURN BAN. >> THE PROGRAM HAS A PLACE IN IT IF YOU PICTURE A LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF. WE HAVE THAT ABILITY TO GO IN AND FLIP THE SWITCH AND SAY ALL BURN PERMANENTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING -- PERMITS ARE CURRENTLY BEING SUSPENDED. >> MAY BE A GOOD TIME TO EXPLAIN WHAT NEEDS A BURN BAN PERMIT AND WHO DOESN'T? >> ANYBODY THAT IS WANTING TO BURN OUTSIDE. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTION ABOUT BURNING HOUSEHOLD TRASH. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A SLIPPERY SLOPE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ITEMS THAT COME OUT OF HOUSEHOLD TRASH YOU SHOULDN'T BE [03:25:04] BURNING THOSE THINGS. IT'S CONSTANTLY BEING SAID IF YOU HAVE TRASH SERVICE YOU SHOULDN'T BE BURNING THOSE THINGS WHICH TECHNICALLY IT IS. ONLY THINGS THAT ARE ALLOWED ON, TO BE BURNED ON THE PROPERTY ARE ITEMS THAT ARE GENERATED WITH OWN YOUR PROPERTY THAT. REFERING BACK BACK TO NATURAL ITEMS, GRASS CLIPPINGS, LEAVES, LIMBS, ANYBODY THAT IS PLANNING TO BURN OUTSIDE SHOULD HAVE A BURP PERMIT. >> CAN THAT BE DONE ON-LINE? >> YES, SIR. >> I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE FIRE MARSHALL ABOUT THIS. BUT IT'S ON MY AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING. I'VE ALWAYS CONSIDERED IT TO BE OPTIONAL TO GET A PERMIT. WE ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO GET ON MAIN MAINLY FOR THE ISSUES THE COMMISSIONER JUST MENTIONED IF WE GET A HIGH-WIND DAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET A NOTICE THAT SAYS YOU SHOULDN'T BE BURNING, CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE UNFAVORABLABLE. MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS WILL CALL THE NONEMERGENCY DISPATCH LINE AND LET THEM KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BURN. THAT IS HOW I'VE DONE IT MYSELF IS SAY IN CASE SOMEONE CALLS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT I'M OVER HERE AT THIS ADDRESS BURNING. LET THEM KNOW THAT I'VE REPORTED THAT I'M BURNING. YOU STILL SHOW UP TO CHECK ON IT BUT IT GIVES THE FIRE DEPARTMENT A LITTLE BIT OF A HEADS-UP. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT, TOO, TO HAVE DISPATCH ABARE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DO IT. IF WE'RE IMPLEMENTING A BURN BAN WE NEED TO LET THEM KNOW IMMEDIATELY. THEY CAN TELL CONSTITUENTS AS THEY CALL IN AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE JUST PUT IT ON TODAY OR THERE IS A HIGH-WIND DAY. YOU SHOULDN'T BE BURNING TODAY ANY WAY. IT CAUSED A LOT OF CONFUSION BOSTON WHETHER THAT IS A MANDATORY PERMIT OR SOMETHING WE ARE ANSWER COURAGING THEM TOE DO BECAUSE IT HELPS US AND IT HELPS US COMMUNICATE WITH THEM WHENEVER THEY INTEND TO BURN. >> LET ME CLARIFY THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE PERMIT. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> IT'S FREE. IT'S FOR KNOWLEDGE FOR US AND FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC, I KNOW WHEN WE FIRST INSTITUTED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF CONSTERNATION AMONGST MANY WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY AS AN INDIVIDUAL THEY'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A BURN PERMIT. IT'S A FREE PERMIT. IT IS TAKE BOSTON MAYBE 5 MINUTES TO FILL IT OUT ON-LINE AND IT'S USER FRIENDLY. >> YES, FIVE MINUTES IS ABOUT THE STANDARD TIME IF THEY PUT IN THE CORRECTS INFORMATION. OUTSIDE THAT HAVE IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CONFIRM ADDRESSES. SO IF THEY ARE ONE DIGIT OFF IN THE ADDRESS THAT CREATES A PHONE CALL FROM US BACK TO THEM OR E-MAIL FROM US BACK TO THEM. 5 MINUTES OF THE TIME CAN GO A LONG WAY. IF I COULD REAL QUICK IN CONVERSATIONS WITH KIM, IT SEEMS THE POPULATION OF HAYS COUNTY REALLY HASN'T LIKED THE HAYS COUNTYIFIESBOOK PAGE. I SAY -- FACEBOOK AS IN LIKED TO FOLLOW. THE NUMBERS THERE ARE DOWN. I WOULD ASK THE COURT IF WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT AS A MEDIUM TO PASS INFORMATION FROM US TO THEM, PLEASE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO LIKE AND FOLLOW THE HAYS COUNTY FACEBOOK PAGE. THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR US FOR PUSHING OUT THE INFORMATION, THANK YOU, SIR. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 56 THROUGH 464 -- 64. [EXECUTIVE SESSION] >> 56, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 55.071 AND 551. 072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE LEASE AND OR VALUE OF RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED AT OR NEAR WINDY HILL ROAD IN PRECINCT 1. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. 57 EXECUTIVE -- CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE USE OF COUNTIES POWER DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE FROM IN 11.60 ACRES AND ELECTRIC WATER AND TELECOMMUNICATION EASEMENTS RIGHTS FROM 2.829 ACRES FROM PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF DARDEN HILL ROAD AND SAWYER RANCH ROAD OPENED BY O. C. RANCH LIMITED IN WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED DARDEN HILLS RANCH@SAWYER ROAD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND TAKE OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION. 58, EXECUTIVE PUGS CONSTITUTION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 51.072 OF THE CONTINUATION GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE COUNTY'S POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN . 09262 ACRE, AND . 4724 ACRE AND A . [03:30:01] 2813 ACRE IN FEE SIMPLE FROM PROPERTIES LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF DARDEN HILL ROAD AND SAWYER RANCH ROAD OWNED BY JOHN THOMAS DEANGELO AND SHARON LOUISE BURBA AND WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED DARDEN HILL RANCH@SAWYER RANCH ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND TAKE OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTIONS BARS CELLS 2 A.-C. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. EXECUTIVE SESSION SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DELIBERATION REGARDING EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THE HAYS COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. 60, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 5 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL RELATED TO ROAD PROJECTS FUNDED OR POTENTIALLY FUNDED BY CAPITAL AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION, POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. 61, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE DELIBERATION REGARDING EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THE HAYS COUNTY RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. 62, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 51.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY HAYS COUNTY LOCATED AT 11 11 EAST SAN ANTONIO STREET SAN MARCOS IN PRECINCT 1, POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. READING 63 AND 64 DELIBERATION REGARDING EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THE HAYS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION. >> SO MOVED. >> >> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SO IF YOU ARE NOT TIED DIRECTLY TO THESE AGENDA ITEMS WE'LL START WITH -- WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT TO START WITH, MR. KENNEDY? >> BASED ON ATTENDANCE WE HAVE THE TREASURER HERE AND WE'LL START WITH THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, IF YOU ARE NOT DIRECTLY DIED TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, NUMBER -- PLEASE CLEAR THE COURTROOM. (EXECUTIVE SESSION.) * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.