[A. CALL TO ORDER ]
[00:00:05]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING OUT THIS MORNING, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. THIS MORNING'S INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY PASTOR DARIUS TODD.
IF YOU'LL PLEASE ALL RISE. >> LET US BOW.
FATHER, IN JESUS' NAME, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS MOMENT.
FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AS YOUR PEOPLE.
AND TO HEAR YOUR WORD AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE CITY, THE COUNTY AND THIS AREA, LORD.
I PRAY, FATHER, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THESE WHO ARE MAKING DECISIONS. WE PRAY, LORD GOD FOR WISDOM, FOR STRENGTH, FOR BOLDNESS, LORD.
WE THANK YOU, THAT ALL THE NEEDS THAT ARE HERE, ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE TO BE DISCUSSED, FATHER, WE LIFT THEM UP TO YOU AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD COVER THEM AND CAUSE THERE TO BE STRENGTH LORD GOD TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS NECESSARY.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE GRACE TO BE ABLE TO WALK IN THIS MOMENT. IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, PASTOR
>> 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 AND INDIVISIBLE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I WANT YOU TO KNOW, OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK WILL BE TOGGLING BACK AND FORTH, TO THE BEST OF THEIR ACTS, TECHNOLOGY IS NOT AS QUICK
SHE IS PRESENT REMOTELY. >> SHE JUST ACKNOWLEDGED.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: HERE. THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A PUBLIC PARTICIPATES WITH FORM WILL NOW HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK. UNFORTUNATELY NO ACTION MAYBE TAKEN BY THE COURT DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS AS WE'RE EXPECTED NOT TO RESPOND.
NOT TO RESPOND. ANY QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AS RHETORICAL. ALL COMMENTS ARE THE OPINION OF THE SPEAKER AND ARE NOT MEANT TO BE NECESSARILY CONSTRUED AS TRUE. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS AND LANGUAGE CIVIL OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REMINDER OF YOUR TIME. IN THE SPIRIT OF RESPECT PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES.
I DON'T SEE ENOUGH MOMENT. I'M GOING TO SAY IT ONE MORE TIME. EVERYONE PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK. PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. OKAY.
AS I'VE ALREADY STATED COMMISSIONER INGALSBE IS PRESENT AND IS PRESENT REMOTELY.
BASED ON THE WAY THINGS ARE STACKING UP IN COURT AND FOR THE ATTENDANCE EFFORTS, I TEND TO MORE THINGS AROUND IN THE AGENDA TO KEEP PEOPLE MOVING AND TO KEEP COURT AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE IN TRAFFIC.
I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ELECTIONS WILL BE PUSHED FORWARD AFTER WE GET PAST PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WE'LL GO STRAIGHT INTO THE ELECTIONS ITEMS WHICH ARE K.
1, 2, 3, AND ULTIMATELY 11. >> WE'VE ONE QUESTION ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO DO PROCLAMATIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS? >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE ARE GOING TO DO PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS, YES, ALSO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TWO STYLES, TWO WAYS TO GET YOU AT THE PODIUM.
THE FIRST ONE IS PUBLIC COMMENTS.
YOU COULD HAVE SIGNED UP A FORM WHEN YOU SIGNED IN FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. THIS IS GENERIC, NOT TIED TO AN ITEM OR YOU COULD HAVE SIGNED UP SPECIFICALLY FOR AN AGENDA ITEM. I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET CONFUSED. WHEN AM I GOING TO BE CALLED? IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO DO KNOW THAT.
IT'S MINE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU.
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE ITEM FORWARD, RIGHT AFTER PRESENTATIONS WE'RE GOING TO GO RIGHT TO IT THERE'S ONLY ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT, GENERIC PUBLIC COMMENTS WHICH IS DAN LYON. NOT YET, THEN THE REST, THE REST ARE GOING TO COME UP WHEN I OPEN THAT AGENDA ITEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS. THERE ARE 11 INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP ELECTRONICALLY TO SPEAK.
THEY SENT ME AN E-MAIL. I ASKED THAT THEY BE READ.
YOU TAKE THE TIME TO COMMUNICATE TO THIS COURT.
IT IS MY DUTY TO MAKE SURE WE HEAR YOU.
[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS ]
OKAY. FIRST PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS AND ONLY PERSON TO SPEAK UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS THIS MORNING IS MR. DAN LYON.[00:05:04]
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN THIS ARTICLE FOR THE SAN MARCOS DAILY RECORD, IT'S ENTITLED F.B.I. RAIDS RETIRED SAN MARCOS' COUPLE'S HOME.
I DELETED THE NAMES AND SOME OF THE-- IT'S FEDERAL AGENTS RAIDED THE HOME IN CONNECTION WITH THE VIOLENT PROTEST ON THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021.
THE COUPLE WERE STARTLED WHEN F.B.I. AGENTS DURING PRE-DAWN HOURS ON JUNE 2 2 22 BROKE THROUGH THEIR GATE LEADING UP TO THEIR HOMES WHICH SITS ON 7 ACRES IN RURAL HAYS COUNTY. THE WOMAN, SHE THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A DEER THAT TRIPPED THE ALARM ON THE GATE AS SHE AROSE TO CHECK, WHAT SHE SAW WAS A WHITE UNMARKED VEHICLE SPEEDING UP TO THEIR HOUSE WITH HEADLIGHTS ON BUT NO FLASHING LIGHTS AND NO SIREN SOUNDING. THE MAN CONCERNED SPRUNG OUT OF BED, GRABBED HIS A. R. 15 AND STEPPED ON TO THE PORCH WEARING ONLY HIS BRIEFS. THE COUPLE WATCHED AS SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES ESTIMATED BETWEEN 20-30 POURED ON TO THE PROPERTY INCLUDING ONE ARMORED VEHICLE WITH A BATTERING RAM.
F.B.I. AGENTS DEMANDED THE MAN DROP HIS RIFLE AS THEY EXITED THE APPROACHING VEHICLE.
THE MAN RESPONDED ASKING IF OFFICIALS HAD A WARRANT AND TO SHOW HIM. AGENTS BEGAN TOSSING A SERIES OF FLASH BANG GRENADES AT THE 67-YEAR-OLD AFTER WHICH THE MAN REALIZED A GROUP TARGETING LASER ON HIM THAT FORCED HIM TO LAY DOWN HIS WEAPON.
THE COUPING WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR HOUSE AND QUESTIONED WHILE THEIR HOME WAS BEING SEARCHED.
THE MAN SAID IT WASN'T ONLY MEMBERS OF THE F.B.I.
PRESENT BUT A. T. F. AND SWAT ALSO.
ALL PRESENT I WOULD SAY UPWARDS OF 100 AGENTS AT AN ASTRONOMICAL COSTS TO TAXPAYERS ON SITE.
THE WARRANT WASN'T EVEN NO KNOCK WARRANT.
COULD HAVE BEEN SERVED WITH A SIMPLE KNOCK ON THE DOOR DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS, DURING THIS TIME A PLANE WAS CIRCLING THE PROPERTY AS WELL AS DRONES.
THEY DIDN'T -- LET ME SKIP ON HERE.
THE COUPLE WAS EVEN, WAS EVENTUALLY RELEASED WROUGHT BEING ARRESTED. AGENTS LATER PRODUCED A SEARCH WARRANT SAYING THE MAN WAS SUSPECTED OF ASSAULTING RE, RESISTING OR IMPEDING OFFICERS AND LET ME SKIP ON DOWN TO MY CLOSING PARAGRAPH.
THE SHERIFF IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE COUNTY AND AS SUCH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL ITS CITIZENS. THE F.B.I. AND A. T. F.
CANNOT LAWFULLY ENTER THE COUNTY TO EXECUTE A WARRANT WITHOUT THE SHERIFF'S PERMISSION.
IF THE SHERIFF DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE F.B.I. AND THE A.
T. F. WERE HERE HE SHOULD STEP DOWN IMMEDIATELY.
IF HE DID KNOW HE SHOULD STEP DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND IF NOT HE HUB RECALLED. THEY WERE LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILLED OR INJURED BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: -- CARD CARD, BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANT TO YOU KNOW WE RAN OUT OF TIME.
WE'LL BE ABLING AGENDA ITEM NUMBER F. 2 FOR ANOTHER
[F1. Adopt a Proclamation declaring July 2022 as Parks and Recreation Month in Hays County. SHELL/T.CRUMLEY ]
TIME. PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM F.>> A DOESN'T A PROPROCLAMMATION DECLARING JULY 22 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, A
SECOND, LET'S READ IT. >> PROCLAMATION DECLARING JULY 22 AS PARKS AND RERELATION MONTH.
WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY, INCLUDING HAYS COUNTY, AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOMENT HEALTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS IMPROVING MEANTAM AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR PARKS AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOTE TIME SPENT IN NATURE WHICH POSITIVELILY INCREASES COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND WELLBEING AND ALLEVIATING ILLNESSES SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ATTEND DEFICIT DISORDERS AND ALZHEIMER'S AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES BY PROVIDING HIKING TRAILS, SWIMMING, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND SPACING FOR PLAY TO PROMOTE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION INCREASE A COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES, EXPANSION OF THE LOCAL TAX BASE, INCREASE TOURISM, THE ATTRACTION AND RETENTION OF BUSINESSES AND CRIME REDUCTION AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND WHEREAS PARKS AND NATIONAL
[00:10:04]
RECREATION AREAS IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT GROUNDWATER, PREVENT FLOODING, IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WE -ÚBE BUFFERS TO DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE, AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE ESSENTIAL AND ADAPTABLE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE. AND WHEREAS OUR PARKS AND NATURAL RECREATION AREAS INSURE THE ECOLOGICAL BEAUTY OF THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULT TO CONNECT WITH NATURE AND RECREATE OUTDOORS AND WHEREAS THE U.S. HAWS OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS DESIGNATED JULY AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH AND WHEREAS HAYS COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM PARKS AND RECREATION RESOURCES NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN HAYS COUNTY. ADOPTED THIS THE 19TH DAYOF JULY, 2022. >> JUDGE BECERRA: HOW BEAUTIFULLY STATED. WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND. WE COULD VOTE NOW OR HAVE THE SPEAKER. WE'LL HAVE -- WHY DON'T WE HAVE A VOTE THEN A SPEAKER? PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
THE FUTURE HAVE HER BE LAST I'LL GIVE YOU TIME TO TOGGLE%
AND YOU DON'T HAVE -- >> BUT AFTER YOU?
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NO, BEFORE ME.
>> ROTATION EVERY TIME CHANGES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: TO GIVE THEM TIME.
>> PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE. WOULD YOU SWITCH THE CAMERA AROUND TO FACE THE PODIUM? [PAUSE]
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS KATHERINE AND I'M THE COORDINATOR FOR THE HOW MANY TIMESY PARKS DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE TODAY AS WE ONCE AGAIN PROCLAIM IT PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.
THE SERVICES THAT PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE ARE VITAL TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
FROM PROTECTING OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORTING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
THIS HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY TRUE THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THAT'S WHY THIS YEAR'S THEME IS WE RISE UP FOR PARKS AND RECREATION. THIS YEAR, PARK AND RECREATION MONTH ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REFLECT ON THE VALUE THAT PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSIONALS BRING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN HONOR OF THE THEME I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW FACTS ABOUT OUR OWN HAYS COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT WITH YOU TODAY.
THERE ARE A TOTAL MUCH 7 FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS IN THE HOSPITALE PARKS DEPARTMENT INCLUDING MYSELF.
WE'RE VERY CLOSE GROUP AND WE OFTEN SPEND TIME TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF WORK. AS PARKS SPECIALISTS WE DO EVERYTHING. INCLUDING GENERAL OFFICE DUTIES, TRAIL MAINTENANCE, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT S. WE RANGE IN AGE FROM 25 TO 61. MOST OF US HAVE AT LEAST A BACHELORS DEGREE BUT OUR BACKGROUNDS INCLUDE SPECIALIZATIONS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, THEATER AND AGRICULTURE. MY OWN DEGREE IS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. WE ALL SHARE A LOVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR OUTDOOR HOBBIES.
WE SPEND OUR DAY OFF VISITING OTHER PARKS, HIKING, PADDLE BOARDING, ONE WHEELING, EXPLORING HISTORIC CEMETERIES AND DOING KAYAK TRASH PADDLE CLEANUPS.
-- LOVE OUR JOBS, WE BRING PASSION TO WORK EVERYDAY AND WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY P. THE WORK WE DO IS EXTREMELY SATISFYING IN PART BECAUSE WE GET TO SEE THE IMMEDIATE RESULT OF OUR WORK, WHETHER IT BE A LOOK OF NEW UNDERSTANDING ON A VISITOR'S FACE OR A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED TRAIL. WE LOVER TO SEE THE POSITIVE IMPACTS OF OUR HARD WORK. HOWEVER, WHEN VISITORS COME OUT TO THE PARKS THEY DO NOT ALWAYS REALIZE THEY'RE MEMORABLE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCES ARE THE DIRECT FULT OF PARK PROFESSIONALS. FURTHERMORE OUR PASSION ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE PAIR WE RECEIVE.
I ASK YOU THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC PARK TAKE A LOOK AROUND PLEASE AND CONSIDER THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.
KEEPING THE TRAILS CLEAN, MAKING EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE, PLANTING NATIVE PLANTS, AND MONITORING OUR DELICATE WATERWAYS AND RISE UP FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU, YOU DO A GREAT JOB.
I KNOW THE JOB Y'ALL DO AT DOLLSTAM TELLING PEOPLE MADE JACOBS WELL A TOP 10 SPOT TO GO TO NOW.
ONLY SUGGESTION I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO OUT
[00:15:03]
FOR THIS PROCLAMATION PICK A DIFFERENT MONTH BESIDES JULY. [LAUGHTER]>> I REALLY WISH I COULD. [LAUGHTER]
>> JUST TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW ON THE TEAM WE APPRECIATE -- WE KNOW IT'S HARD WORK AND THERE IS ONLY A FEW OF YOU AND ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW IT'S HOT.
THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON BUT IT MEANS A LOT
TO US. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I WANT TO SAY IN CLOSING THAT I ALWAYS SAY AND COVID AS YOU POINTED OUT BROUGHT THIS OUT MORE THAN EVER. WE SHOULD TREAT OURSELVES LIKE PLANTS. HOW, SUNLIGHT, FRESH AIR.
CLEAN WATER AND GOOD NUTRIENTS AND WHAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING IS ABSOLUTELY A KEY PART OF THAT IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. SO THE FACT THAT IT WAS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO ME TO HELP MAKE HAYS COUNTY THE CENTRL PARK EVER CENTRAL TEXAS PURCHASE YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.
SO FOR THAT I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO.
AND IT'S CUSTOMARY FOR YOU TO COME UP FOR A PICTURE SO COME ON UP. TAMMY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US -- OH, SURE, ABSOLUTELY.
>> DIRECTOR OF COUNTY WIDE OPERATIONS.
I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO.
THEY'RE VERY EDUCATED GROUP OF FOLKS AND THEY DON'T JUST GET OUT AND SHOW PEOPLE A TRAIL OR A COUPLE OF FLOWERS. THEY EDUCATE THEM ON EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, PROVIDE AN IN DEPTH STORY ABOUT EVERYTHING, KATHERINE DOES AN AMAZING JOB WITH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH. PROGRAMS SHE PUTS TOGETHERS, THE PAMPHLETS SHE DOES, THEY MAKE ALL THE SIGNAGE THEMSELVES. IT DOESN'T -- IT'S NOT OUTSOURCED. IT'S ALL DONE IN HOUSE.
I DON'T THINK WE COULD FIND THAT ANYWHERE ELSE.
IT'S AMAZING. SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO. ALL THE HARD WORK THEY DO.
PARKS ARE OPEN 7 DAY AS WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR.
THAT'S, I THINK THAT MEANS A LOT TO HAYS COUNTY AND I
GREATLY APPRECIATE THEM. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. DON'T FORGET SENTINEL PEAK IS COMING ON-LINE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT WITH YOUR PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PARK BOND THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WE PASSED. WE'VE LOTS MORE ON THE HOOSHSTON ON THAT FRONT. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FULLY SUPPORT THAT DEPARTMENT SO THAT WE DO THE JOB THE COMMUNITY COMES TO EXPECT.
THANK YOU FOR SURE. >> WHEN SHE SAYS THEY DO EVERYTHING, THEY LITERALLY DO EVERYTHING, THEY BUILD STUFF. MAINTAIN THE TRAILS, NOTHING
IS OUTSOURCED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP FOR A FICK PIC?
>> I THINK I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE PARKS COMMITTEES IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AND JOIN YOU, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME ON UP.
[K1. Discussion and possible action to approve Early Voting schedule and locations for the November 2022 General Election. INGALSBE/DOINOFF ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: AS PROMISED WOULD YOU LEAP FROG
TO K. 1? >> K. 1 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVAL EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 GENERAL ELECTION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: SO MOVED. >> SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL MISS ANDERSON TO THE PODIUM TO
TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE. >> OKAY.
SO I HAVE PRESENTED SOME BACKUP DOCUMENTATION TO YOU, EACH OF YOU HAD IT IN YOUR PLATES WHEN YOU ARRIVED THIS MORNING. AT THE TOP OF THAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR EARLY VOTING THAT WE'RE PROPOSING FOR THE STARTING THE 24TH. THAT 24TH THROUGH THE 28TH WOULD BE 8:00 A. M.TO 6:00 P.M. THEN THAT SAT WOULD BE 7:00 AM TO 7:00 M. M.
SUNDAY WOULD BE 12:00 P. M. TO 6:00 P. M.
THE SECOND WEEKS WOULD BE 7:00 A. M.TO 7:00 P. M.
THAT. WOULD BE THE EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE. THE REST OF --
>> I WANT TO -- >> THE REST OF THAT IS STATUTORY. WE DECIDED TO STAY OPEN AN HOUR LATER IN THE EVENING TO ALLOW PEOPLE MORE TIME TO
GET TO THE VOTING LOCATION. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ON THAT FRONT COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M SORRY, BUT TELL US YOUR NAME AND
[00:20:04]
HAYS COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. WE'RE GOOD ON THAT FRONT.
WHAT ELSE? >> THE SECOND PART OF THAT WOULD BE THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS WHICH ARE LISTED BELOW. YOU'VE 2 DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW THAT WE PUT THE PRECINCT NUMBERS BESIDE THEM. SO THAT EVERYBODY WOULD KNOW THAT BALANCE. AND WE HAVE LISTED HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER AS THE MAIN EARLY VOTING SITE.
LIVE OAK HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON BROADWAY, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY L. B. J. STUDENT CENTER, HAYS C. I. S. D.
ARNOLD TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, LIVE OAK ACADEMY WHICH IS THE C. N. I. CONFERENCE CENTER THERE AT HAYS HIGH SCHOOL, HAYS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT YARRINGTON, BUDA CITY HALL IN THE MULTIPURPOSE ROOM. SUBFILLED STATION, KYLE CITY HALL, TEXAN ACADEMY, THE FORMER SCUDDER CAMPUS, WEMBLEY COMMUNITY CENTER, PATRIOTS HALL THEN THE HAYS
COUNTY PRECINCT 4 OFFICE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BASED ON YESTERDAY'S CONVERSATION WE HAD A MEETING AND IT WAS SUGGESTED TO INCLUDE ULAND. HOW DID THAT WORK OUT?
>> THAT WOULD BE A DISCUSSION THIS MORNING FOR THE COURT. THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS IN THE MEETING TO ADD THAT. SINCE IT'S A NEW SIGHT IT'S
HERE FOR Y'ALL TO LOOK AT. >> ONE CORRECTION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. >> ON THE LIST THAT YOU GAVE US, I KNOW THAT YOU MENTIONED DRIPPING SPRINGS PRECINCT 4 OFFICE AS EARLY VOTING LOCATION.
ON THE CHART THAT YOU GAVE US IT ACTUALLY HAS THE RANCH
PARK INSTEAD OF PRECINCT 4. >> YES, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT ADDING RANCH PARK, I HADN'T CHANGE THAT HAD ONE ON THE ORDER. IT'S CORRECT.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ON THIS PART ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? OKAY. IF YOU DON'T MIND YIELDING THE PODIUM FOR A MINUTE I'M GOING TO CALL PUBLIC
>> JUDGE BECERRA: OUR FIRST PERSON TO SPEAK WILL BE SHANNON FITZPATRICK ON PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS SHANNON FITZPATRICK. EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING PLACES IN AMERICA. THE BULK OF THAT GROWTH IS IN EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
BUT WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE DOING TO MAKE HAYS COUNTY WELCOMING? ROADS? INFRASTRUCTURE? SURE.
BUT HOW DO WE GROW COMMUNITIES? AN ANCHOR FOR MANY OF US HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PLACE FOR EXERCISING OUR MOST CRITICAL RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY, I'VE VOTED AT CROCKETT ELEMENTARY AS DID MY MOTHER BEFORE ME AND EVEN WITH VOTING CENTERS CROCKETT HAS BEEN A BED ROCK. PLACES LIKE ULAND AND WEIDER WALL ARE SMALL BUT GROWING. SITE FOR PLACES LIKE THESE- ENCOURAGES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
CHANGING THE LOCATION ON A FREQUENT BASIS IS A KNEE JERK RESPONSE TO THE LATEST WHIMS OF DEVELOPERS IS NOT EFFECTIVE AND HAS NO LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE.
VOTING DESERVES MORE. I'VE ALSO HEARD THOSE WHO SAY VOTE BY MAIL BUT CLEARLY OUR STATE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING THAT MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT AND THIS DOESN'T HELP TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAN CONSISTENTLY, PHYSICALLY AND SAFELY VOTE SO THEY WILL NOT BE DENIED THIS MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT.
THE COMMUNITY OF UHLAND WAS ONCE THOUGHT TO BE DYING BUT IS COMING BACK. I WOULD URGE THE COURT TO ESTABLISH A CONSISTENT VOTING LOCATION THERE SO THAT THESE RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOW THE ANCHORS CAN WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND GUIDE THEM TO THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACE A DEMOCRACY CAN OFFER, A CONSISTENT PLACE TO VOTE AND PARTICIPATE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.
THANK YOU S. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DR. MARK
TRAHAN. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.
THANK YOU FOR AYOU LOOING ME TO SPEAK.
I WAS A PART OF THE ELECTIONS BOARD MEETING YESTERDAY. THAT MEETING CONSISTED OF JUDGE BECERRA, SHERIFF GARY CUTLER, BOB PARKS AND I AS THE CHAIRS AS WELL AS PUBLIC MEMBERS THAT WANTED TO ATTEND THAT MEETING. IN THAT MEETING THERE WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT VOTING LOCATIONS, AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP AND HAS COME UP ABOUT SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WHETHER OR NOT TO CONTINUE THAT LOCATION AS AN EARLY VOTE LOCATION.
THE SITE HAS BEEN MOVED FROM THE CLOSED CLOSEST WHICH IS
[00:25:01]
NEXT DOOR TO THE SCHOOL AS A DAY.THE QUESTION WAS HOW TO INSURE WE ALLOW FOLKS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY TO HAVE ACCESS TO A VOTING LOCATION THAT IS EASY AND CONVENIENT FOR THEIR ACCESSIBILITY TO VOTE. AND IN THE MEETING IT WAS BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF TURNING THE HAYS C. I. S. D.% TRANSPORTATION BUILDING INTO AN EARLY VOTE LOCATION.
AND THE CONVERSATION AROUND THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING, I THOUGHT. I HEARD THE REPUBLICAN CHAIR PARKS AND SHERIFF GARY CUTLER STATE THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH VOTE THERE, AND THAT IT WASN'T THAT IMPORTANT. THAT'S WHAT I HEARD.
AND SO I WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT BECAUSE I TOOK A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, AND I LOOKED AT THE PRIMARY ELECTION, THE LAST ELECTION AND I FOUND ACTUALLY FOR THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION THERE WERE 422 VOTES ON ELECTION DAY.
THAT WAS 3.23% OF THE COUNTY WIDE PERCENTAGE OF VOTES.
THAT WAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF VOTES AS THE ARNOLD TRANSPORTATION BUILDING ON I-35.
IT WAS ALSO MORE VOTES THAN YARRINGTON, LIVE OAK AND BROAD WAY WHICH ARE ALL EARLY VOTE LOCATIONS STIPULATED IN THIS COMING ELECTION.
SO THE IDEA THAT IT DOESN'T CAST ENOUGH VOTES IS JUST FACTUALLY INCORRECT. BUT I ALSO WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO THE PEOPLE OF METERWALLED AND ISLAND AND THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY. ACCESS IS IMPORTANT.
THE ROADS AND THE OPENING OF THE ROADS IN THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE SIGNAGE MATTERS IN TERMS OF VOTING LOCATIONS AND THE ACCESSIBILITY ON 21 HAS OFTEN BEEN SHUT DOWN SO THAT THE ONLY ENTRANCE IS FROM HIGH ROAD.
INCREASING ACCESS OF BOTH 21 AND HIGH ROAD WOULD NOT ONLY ADD TO THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THAT LOCATION, IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE RESIDENTS FROM BOTH SIDES TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT LOCATION INCREASING THE CONVENIENCE OF IT.
NOW I THINK THIS IS NOT ABOUT RED OR BLUE.
IT'S ABOUT YOU. IT'S ABOUT YOU, THE CITIZEN.
IT'S ABOUT YOU THE CITIZEN NEED. IT'S ABOUT CITIZENS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO VOTING. WE KNOW THERE IS ENOUGH VOTE IT'S IMPORTANT WE GIVE THEM ACCESS TO VOTING IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO SUPPRESS VOTING BY NOT GIVING ACCESS.
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS
MR. NICOLAS HOOFER. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. COUNTY JUDGE.
I HAVE BEEN, I'M NICHOLAS HOOVER, I LIVE AT 811 WEST HOP KINGS IN SARK OH, I'VE BEEN AN ELECTION WORKER OR JUDGE SINCE 2010 AND HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH, HAVE WORKED CLOSELY, TALKED TO, TALK ABOUT AND WORKING WITH PEOPLE GAINING ACCESS TO VOTING IN THIS COUNTY.
I THINK IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT VOTING LOCATIONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS COUNTY. I THINK LOSING SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AS AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION IS GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY SOMETHING IN THAT AREA. ACCESS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND ACCESS TO VOTING PLACES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS COUNTY IS VERY IMPORTANT. I JUST HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE SUFFICIENT VOTING PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS THEIR VOICE. SO I ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S SUFFICIENT VOTING PLACES, EARLY VOTING PLACES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. HOOVER. NEXT UP, MR. AUSTIN KESSLER.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS AUSTIN KESSLER. I'M A RESIDENT OF WIMBERLY VALLEY. THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRAT REPUBLIC.
I UNDERSTAND VERY FEW PEOPLE VOTED AT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION IN EAST HAYS COUNTY AND IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR ELIMINATION BUT THOSE FEW VOTES ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT. POLLING SITES AND LOCATIONS KEEP CHANGING AND CLOSING IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, IT HAS
[00:30:03]
BEEN POINTED OUT ALREADY THAT SOME KIND OF CONSISTENCY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.MAYBE SOME OF THE NUMBERS ARE LOW AT THOSE LOCATIONS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WORKING. THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SHOW UP TO VOTE. I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH PLACES TO VOTE.
I'M A, AS I SAID I'M A RESIDENT OF THE WEMBLEY VALLEY. THE POPULATION THERE IS ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE, AND WE'VE FOUR VOTING LOCATIONS.
I WAS A POLL WORKER ON ELECTION DAY AT CYPRUS CREEK CHURCH IN 2021. THERE WERE' 5 OR 6 OF US WORKING THERE AND ABOUT 60 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO VOTE ON THAT DAY. CYPRUS CREEK HAS BEEN A POLLING LOCATION FOR AT LEAST 4 YEARS.
WE STILL HAD A VERY LOW TURNOUT.
THERE ARE -- I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF VOTING MACHINES AVAILABLE BUT THEY SHOULD BE LOCATED WHERE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF POPULATION PEOPLE RESIDE.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL THE WEMBLEY BUT I THINK WEMBLEY WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE UP ONE OF OUR POLLING PLACES AND PUT IT TO WHERE IT'S MOST NEEDED.
IN 2018, THE CORNING SCHOOL HAD VERY LONG LINES ON ELECTION DAY AT 7:00 IN THE EVENING THERE WERE STILL VAST NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WAITING TO VOTE.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD USE THE EXCUSE OF LIMITED RESOURCES TO DENY ACCESS TO VOTING.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT HAYS COUNTY HAS NOW THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF POLLING LOCATIONS REQUIRED.
IF ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE EXPANDING, NOT LIMITING POLLING LOCATIONS AND PUTTING THEM WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR.
NEXT UP MISS MARY PHRASER. -- FRASIER.
[PAUSE] >> THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE, I'M MARY HELEN FRASIER AND I'M A RESIDENT IN THE ULAND NEDER WALL AREA.
I WAS A JUDGE OVER AT SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE CLOTHES CLOSSEST BEFORE THAT.
I WAS ASKED TO SPEAK ABOUT A SCHOOL AND I'VE HEARD SIMON MENTIONED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. I'M CONSTANT CONTACT WITH JENNIFER. SO I'M ASKING IF THEY'RE GOING TO CLOSE SIMON, I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE SHOOTING AT THIS SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE A LOT OF PROTECTION FOR SIMON.
I WON'T WANT THE SAME THING IN OUR AREA TO COME ABOUT.
SO IF THE ELECTION PEOPLE AND JENNIFER DECIDE TO MOVE FROM SIMON TO A TRANSPORTATION AREA AND I AGREE WITH THE MAN ABOUT COMING IN ON 21, AND ON HIGH ROAD, BOTH PLACES NEED TO BE AVAILABLE IF WE'RE GOING TO USE TRANSPORTATION. SO I SPEAK TO MAKE IT CONVENIENT FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE EAST SIDE TO VOTE.
MAKING SURE WE GET THEM REGISTERED AND GET THEM TO VOTE. AND SO I'M HERE TO SAY I SUPPORT MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR EARLY AND FOR VOTING DAY, AND IF IT MEANS LEAVING SIMON BUT GOING TO TRANSPORTATION, THEN I'M FOR THAT, TOO, BECAUSE ALL I WANT, I'M HERE FOR IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO A VOTING PLACE ON THE
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, BEFORE YOU GO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, I'M TAKING NOTES OF THE COMMENTS.% YOU ARE FROM ULAND AND YOU SUPPORT THE ULAND LOCATION TO GO BACK, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> GO BACK -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAD A ULAND LOCATION AND YESTERDAY'S MEETING WE'RE TOLDED IT HE SOMETHING VOTES, YOU ARE SUPPORTING A
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET IT RIGHT. NEXT UP WE'VE MR. BOB PARKS.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M BOB PARKS, I LIV AT 890 MOSS ROADS LANE WHICH IS BASICALLY IN THE DEAD CENTER OF THE COUNTY.
I WAS IN THE ELECTION BOARD MEETING YESTERDAY, AND DID HEAR THE DISCUSSIONS THAT PREVAILED.
SO I WENT HOME AND, JUDGE, YOUR COMMENT THIS MORNING ABOUT OUR HIGH TECH TECHNOLOGY BEING ABLE TO TOGGLE AND SO FORTH, I GOT OUT MY BOX OF HIGH-TECH
[00:35:03]
CHEERIOS AND I LAID A MAP OF THE COUNTY DOWN AND I PUT A CHEERIO ON ALL OF THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS.EVEN THOUGH JENNIFER ANDERSON HAS SEPARATED THIS BY PRECINCT, IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTICE OF THE 13 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, TWO OF THEM ARE LOCATED IN WIMBERLY, TWO OF THEM ARE LOCATED IN DRIPPING SPRINGS, AND 9 OF THEM ARE LOCATED IMMEDIATELY ON THE I-35 CORRIDOR WHICH GEOGRAPHICALLY SITS TO THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY. THE PEOPLE IN THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY TRAVEL TRAILLE DAILY TO THE H. E. B. STORE AND THE WAL-MART STORE AND THE GATS STATION AND MEDICAL FACILITIES ALONG THE I-35 CORRIDOR TO DO THEIR DAILY LIVES, NINE OF THE EARLY VOTING STATIONS ARE IMMEDIATELY ON THE I-35 CORRIDOR.
SO WE HAVE, OF COURSE, EXTENDED THE VOTING TIMES, THE VOTING DAYS. WE VOTE ON THE WEEKENDS.
WE VOTE 12 HOURS A DAY. THOSE THAT WANT TO DO MAIL IN BALLOTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE REQUEST ON JANUARY THE 1ST OF THIS YEAR, JANUARY 1ST.
THEY COULD HAVE REQUESTED A MAIL IN BALLOT.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING AN ADDITIONAL LOCATION WHERE WE ALREADY HAVE 9 LOCATIONS AND IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT PHILOSOPHY TO BE FAIR TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WHICH EACH OF YOU REPRESENT, I SUGGEST THAT WE PUT EARLY VOTING STATIONS OUT ON 32, CLOSE TO DEVIL'S BACKBONE, MAYBE ON 1826 BY THE TRAVIS COUNTY LINE, OUT IN HENLY, OUT ON MOUNT SHARP ROAD, PUMP STATION ROAD, FISHER STORE ROAD, BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL FURTHER TO GET TO A VOTING STATION RIGHT NOW THAN ANYBODY DOES IN ULAND.
SO I SUGGEST WE LET THE CHEERIO TECHNOLOGY.
LOOK AT THE MAP. SEE WHERE THE VOTING STATIONS ARE RIGHT NOW. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO ADD ANY MORE. THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR.
NEXT UP, MR. WILLIAM BURNS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND COURT. MY NAME IS WILLIAMS BURNS.
I LIVE IN BUDA, I'VE LIVED THERE SINCE 1986.
EARLIER A LONG TIME TIME AGO I WAS PRECINCT CHAIR, WHAT IS NEW 426. AND BACK THEN, IS WHEN I BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE HAVE ON THE EAST SIDE OF I-35 VOTING. CONSTANTLY CHANGING LOCATIONS, WHICH CAUSES JUST CONFUSION.
AS CHAIR OVER IN BUDA WHICH WAS THEN 226, I ALWAYS HAD PEOPLE ASK ME WHERE DO WE VOTE? AND WE VOTED OVER IN HEYS HILLS FOR LONGER THAN I'VE LIVED HERE AND LIKE I SAY I MOVED HERE IN 86. IT REALLY ANGERS ME THAT HERE WE ARE NOW IN 2022, AND STILL THERE'S A BIG CONTROVERSY ABOUT VOTING EAST OF 35.
AND WE ALL KNOW THAT NATIONWIDE, THERE IS AN EFFORT TO DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAYS COUNTY RISE ABOVE THAT AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.
IT'S MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT THAT WE HAVE.
AND THE SCHOOL, SIMON SCHOOL I THINK SHOULD CONTINUE AND I ALSO THINK IT'S GREAT THERE'S A NEW LOCATION PROBABLY COMING UP IN ULAND. AND THAT'S GOOD.
AND AS I SAY I JUST LIKE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE.
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. AND NEXT WE HAVE MISS MARY
EARLS. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE BECERRA.
MY NAME IS MARY EARLIES, MARY PETERSON EARLS AND I'M YOUR HAYS COUNTY LEAGUE EVER WOMEN VOTERS PRESIDENT.
I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN ABOUT A RIGHT THAT EVERY CITIZEN IN THIS COUNTY HAS.
THERE ARE LAWS. I'M GOING TO -- THERE IS A LAW NOW THAT GIVES ME THE RIGHT TO WEAR MY HAIR ANY WAY I WANT TO WEAR IT? ISN'T THAT SOMETHING? WE HAD TO CREATE A LAW FOR THAT, BUT I'M HERE THIS MORNING BECAUSE I WANT TO GET THIS OUT EARLY.
AND I KNOW THIS DOES NOT GO ON IN HAYS COUNTY, BUT WE CANNOT HAVE VOTER SUPPRESSION, WE JUST CAN'T
[00:40:03]
DO IT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. THAT'S NOT THE HAYS COUNTY WAY. I'M GOING TO READ YOU A DEFINITION OF VOTER SUPPRESSION.IT'S A STRATEGY USED TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION BY DISCOURAGING AND OR PREVENTING SPECIFIC GROUPS OF PEOPLE FROM VOTING WE CANNOT DO THIS.
CREATING POLLING PLACE CONFUSION, AND POLLING PLACE REDUCTION. NOW I KNOW IT'S A HARD JOB, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE EVERYTHING OUT, BUT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO JUST DO THE RIGHT THING.
IT'S ALWAYS BETTER AND BEST TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH PEOPLES' RIGHTS.
THE FOLKS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THIS COUNTY HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE. SO I'M ASKING YOU THIS MORNING TO DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO BECAUSE IT WILL BE ON YOUR CONSCIOUS. YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE CALLING YOUR OFFICE SAYING, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY POLLING PLACE? I WENT THERE. AND I WAS NOT -- THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. I COULDN'T VOTE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU JUST TRY TO DO THE BEST THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAYS COUNTY. I KNOW THAT Y'ALL CAN DO IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
NEXT UP, MR. RICHARD J. VALDEZ.
>> GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR AND COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS RICHARD VALDEZ. I LIVE IN THE NEW COMMUNITY OF WHISPER. I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE OFF THE I-35 CORRIDOR. I'M NEW TO THE AREA.
I VOTED SINCE 1960. THAT IS HOW OLD I AM, 82 YEARS OLD PURCHASE I NEVER MISSED AN ELECTION, IT'S A RIGHT. IT'S NOT A PRIVILEGE.
THAT INCLUDES TIME IN THE MILITARY.
SO I'M GOING TO ECHO EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY SAID HERE ABOUT EARLY VOTING AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
IT'S SO BASIC TO OUR COUNTRY, IT'S PART OF OUR CONSTITUTION. I KNOW, JUDGE, AS A JUDGE, YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT RIGHTS ARE.
THIS IS A RIGHT. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE AND I DON'T WANT TO BE REDUNDANT BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS SADIE MUCH THE SAME THING THAT -- SAME THING THAT IS FOR EARLY VOTING AND MORE SITES. A AREA LIKE THE AUSTIN -- A GROWING AREA LIKE THE AUSTIN AREA BECAUSE WE'RE PART OF THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA, I VOTED THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE I'M NEW TO TEXAS. AT THE CITY HALL IN KYLE.
I VOTED IN MARCH. I WAS ONE EVER THE EARLY VOTERS. I THINK THAT RIGHT SHOULD CONTINUE ALL OVER THIS ENTIRE COUNTY.
I HOPE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS.
SO MY -- I GUESS MY CLOSING MESSAGE IS IT IS A RIGHT.
IT'S NOT A PRIVILEGE. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THAT RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR.
NEXT UP MR. ROBERT RIZZO. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK THIS MORNING. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE HISTORY REAL QUICK. MY FIRST -- WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED ABOUT 500 VOTES TO GET ELECTED.
AT FIRST WEEK OF EARLY VOTING WE REACHED THAT BY OVER 1,000 VOTES. THAT SHOWS THE GROWTHS OF KYLE. WE'RE THE FASTEST GROWING SITE IN HAYS COUNTY. WE'RE OVER 50,000 RESIDENTS AND WHEN YESTERDAY MY PHONE STARTED BLOWING UP ABOUT US EARLY HAVING ONE EARLY VOTING LOCATION, IT CONCERNED ME A LOT. OVER 50,000 RESIDENTS.
ONE EARLY VOTING LOCATION IN THE MIDDLE OF CONSTRUCTION.
I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR PUTTING BACK THE CITY HALL ON THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS BUT REALLY I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN HAYS COUNTY, AND 2 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS ISN'T SUFFICIENT FOR THE AMOUNT OF VOTERS THAT WE HAVE HERE.
SO I'M GOING TO SIT HEIR AND PLEAD THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADD VOTING LOCATIONS TO THE CITY OF KYLE.
ONE REASON IS THAT WE'RE A LARGE CITY NOW, AND TRAVELLING THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF KYLE IS VERY DIFFICULT. I KNOW THERE WAS A A DISCUSSION ABOUT PEOPLE COMING FROM ULAND TOWARDS KYLE. IF YOU WORK IN THE AUSTIN AREA THAT IS A 40-45 MINUTES TO ULAND AND IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET TO VOTING IT'S ANOTHER 30-35 MINUTES FROM ULAND TO KYLE, THAT IS HOW CONGESTED WE ARE.
WE'RE WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES TRYING TO ALLEVIATE YATE BUT UNTIL THEN ANY HELP WE CAN GET TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO VOTE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING MORE
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VOTING LOCATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. RIZZO, NEXT UP LINDA
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, WE'RE BACK HERE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING AGAIN, AREN'T WE? I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR, I BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY AND TODAY, I'M SPEAKING FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF WHAT THE VISION IS THAT WE HAVE FOR DEMOCRACY.
THE VISION IS THAT EVERY PERSON WOULD HAVE THE DESIRE, THE RIGHT, THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE CONFIDENCE TO PARTICIPATE. WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING, THE CONSTITUTION AND EVERYTHING WE TALK ABOUT SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
ALL THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS. I GREW UP IN THE DEEP SOUTH AND I DO MEAN IN THE DEEP SOUTH.
AND I CAN TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE VALUE OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
NOW THIS ISN'T FASHIONABLE IN TEXAS, RIGHT NOW, IT'S VERY UNFASHIONABLE. WE SEEM TO HAVE REGRESSED TREMENDOUSLY HERE. AND SO IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE TO REGISTER. THEY GET DROPPED OFF, YOU KNOW, FOR NOT PUTTING THE EXACT RIGHT SOMETHING OR OTHER ON THEIR REGISTRATION FORMS AND WE END UP REALLY MAKING IT EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE. SO TODAY I'M TALKING ABOUT VOTING LOCATIONS. AND I APPRECIATE THE GUY THAT JUST SPEAK. ULAND IS NOT ON 35.
SO WE TALK ABOUT ULAND WHETHER THEY SHOULD HAVE EASY ACCESS TO VOTE. KYLE CITY HALL GET DROPPED OFF THE EARLY VOTING, WEMBLEY DOESN'T EVER GET REMOVED, DROPPED OFF. WE'VE FOUR VOTING LOCATIONS.
ONE APPARENTLY A LOW VOTER TURNOUT "IS THE EXCUSE APPARENTLY FOR REMOVING VOTER LOCATIONS.
SO ONE OF THE OBJECTIONS THAT I HAVE IS THAT SOMEHOW WE DO THIS BUSINESS ON AN AD HOC BASIC.
WE LOOK AT THIS LOCATION OR WE LOOK AT THAT LOCATION, AND WE SAY, OH, WE NEED TO GET RID OF THAT ONE.
INTERESTINGLY MOST OF THEM ON THE EAST SIDE OF 35 ARE COMING UP TO 35 CORRIDOR, REDISTRICTING INFORMATION THAT THE LEAGUE USED SHOWING THE CENSUS DATA WITH THE ACTUAL GROWTH ALONG 35 UP IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE COUNTY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE DRIVEN UP THERE. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
THE GROWTH, THE APARTMENT BUILDINGS AND I CAN BELIEVE THAT THE CONGESTION IS TERRIBLE.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF CONGESTION IN WIMBERLY.
KIND OF EASY TO GET TO THOSE FOUR LOCATION THAT IS WE HAVE. SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RIGHT TO VOTE. THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
STICK WITH IT, MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND VOTING IS EASY. ENCOURAGE VOTING.
MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO.
THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU
I WANTED TO ASK ARE THERE FOUR EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
IN WIMBERLY? >> YES, I WAS SURPRISED TO
HEAR -- [INAUDIBLE] >> I THINK --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE IT ON THE LIST, FOUR IN WEMBLEY. THAT'S CORRECT.
OKAY. >> FOUR -- SHE ASKED ABOUT
EARLY VOTING. >> EARLY VOTING JUST HAS 2.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NEXT UP MR. LARRY CALVERT.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
I LIVE IN WEMBLEY AND USE ONE OF THOSE FOUR VOTING LOCATIONS. I'M AN ACTIVE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEMBER AND I'M NOT SPIKING FOR THE LEAGUE -- SPEAKING FOR THE LEAGUE. I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF BUT IT'S IN SUPPORT OF THE WORK. THE MODEL FOR THE LEAGUE IS EMPOWERING VOTERS AND DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPRTANCE OF VOTING AND THAT IS THE BUILDING BLOCK FOR DEMOCRACY S. IN MY MIND, THE DEMOCRACY IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE AROUND HERE.
I'M HELPING EMPOWERING VOTERS ANYWAY WE CAN.
[00:50:04]
WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.VOTER SUPPRESSION IS RAMPANT AND GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY.
TEXAS IS THE HARDEST PLACE TO VOTE AND THERE ARE THOSE THAT ARE SEEKING WAYS TO REDUCTION THE NUMBER OF VOTERS. OTHER STATES ARE FOLLOWING OUR LEAD TO THE BOTTOM. YOU CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO REVERSE THE TREND BY YOUR ACTIONS LOCALLY AND YOUR INFLUENCE STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF ATTENTION NATIONWIDE BECAUSE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN TEXAS, WHETHER THEY'RE GOOD OR BAD. PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT US.
YOU KNOW ONLY TOO WELL WE'RE AMONG THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY. SO DON'T LOOK BACK TO SEE HOW -- TO ENABLE VOTERS. LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
LOOK WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE. NOT NECESSARILY JUST WHERE THE VOTING LOCATIONS ARE. ADDING POLLS ENABLES EASIER VOTING BY MORE PEOPLE, REDUCING THE NUMBER IS A KEY CONTRIBUTION TO VOTER SUPPRESSION.
MAKING THEM ACCESSIBLE EASILY AND KEEP THEM IN THE SAME LOCATION SO PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEY CAN VOTE.
GO PUBLIC, ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD EVERY TIME YOU MEET WITH PEOPLE IN PUBLIC OR BY OTHER MEANS. MAKE SURE THEY KNOW YOU WANT THEM TO VOTE. ALL OF THEM.
MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE TO VOTE BY MAIL AND SUPPORT MAIL VOTING BY HAVING DROP BOXES IN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS, ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE IT CONVENIENT FOR EVERYONE. WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET VOTERS REGISTERED.
PLEASE ELIMINATE ANY ROAD BLOCKS TO THIS EFFORT COUNTY WIDE. HELP MAKE HAYS COUNTY A MODEL FOR EASY ACCESS TO VOTING, MEASURED BY OUR PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS THAT ACTUALLY VOTE.
IN FACT, MAKE HAYS COUNTY NUMBER ONE VOTER TURNOUT.
FIND WAYS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE YOUR PUBLIC HEARD AND KNOW WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF YOU.
ENCOURAGE VOTERS, DEFEND DEMOCRACY.
KEEP IT FROM CRUMBLING. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. AND NOW THAT CONCLUDES THE IN PERSON COMMENTS. SO NOW WE'LL GO TO, IF YOU HAVE E-MAILED COMMENTS THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO COME AND AFTER THAT, DR. CARD NASS, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE
WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> OUR FIRST COMMENT IS FROM DAN DELLA MANGAS. I DO NOT SUPPORT REMOVING SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AS AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION FOR THE RESIDENTS IN EAST KYLE. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OVER SECURITY, HOWEVER, LIVE OAK ACADEMY IS A LESS SECURE FACILITY THAN SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL.
EARLY VOTING PERIODS ARE VERY SECURE EVENTS.
THE POLLING LOCATION AT SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL IS IN A DETACHED BUILD WILLING AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL.
TAKING AWAY SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AS AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION ALSO REMOVES THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO SEE DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE YOUNGER CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THE HIGHER THE LIKELIHOOD THEY'LL TURN INTO REGULAR VOTERS IN ADULTHOOD. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND LEAVE SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AS AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION JUST LIKE LIVE OAK ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE.
FROM HIKO STANG IN WEMBLEY. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY COMMENTS. AS A RESIDENTS OF HAYS COUNTY FOR 8 YEARS I'M HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAIRNESS OF ELECTIONS IN OUR COUNTY.
WHILE AREAS LIKE MY HOME TOWN OF WIMBERLY HAVE PLENTY OF VOTING LOCATIONS WHICH DO NOT CHANGE FROM ELECTION TO ELECTION, AND THERE ARE VERY SHORT WAITING TIMES, OTHERS AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY LESS LUCKY CHANGING LOCATIONS AND MORE ELIGIBLE VOTERS FOR VOLING LOCATIONS PUTS CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS AT A DISADVANTAGE BY MAKING IT HARDER AND MORE COMPLICATED TO VOTE AND RISK THAT NOT ALL VOTERS ARE HEARD. TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO VOTING LOCATIONS. THERE SHOULD BE ONE VOTING LOCATION PER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS THROUGHOUT ALL NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE COUNTY.
PRIMARY TURNOUT OR PAST ELECTION TURNOUTS ARE A VERY INAPPROPRIATE GUIDE TO DECIDE WHERE VOTING LOCATIONS NEED TO BE. IN FACT, THIS WOULD CONTINUE AND FURTHER ENTRENCH THE DISENFRANCISMENT OF ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS. ANYTHING ELSE IS
[00:55:04]
UNACCEPTABLE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY THAT GUARANTEES EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE. FROM RENT YEE MOUSY, PLEASE MODIFY THE KYLE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS TO INCLUDE SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL OR SOME OTHER LOCATION EAST OF INTERSTATE 35 SO THAT HAYS RESIDENTS EAST OF THE INTERSTATE HAVE EASY ACCESS TO VOTE. I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME DIMINISHERS MAY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT USING A SCHOOL AS A VOTING SITE DUE TO SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES BUT IF THAT IS THE ISSUE CONSISTENCY ARGUES FOR ALL SCHOOLS TO BE EXCLUDED NOT JUST THOSE EAST OF THE INTERSTATE. FOR INSTANCE, IF SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL IS NOT USED, LIVE OAK ACADEMY SHOULDN'T BE USED EITHER. A SAFETY CONCERN -- [INAUDIBLE] PERHAPS THE TRANSPORTATION CENTER IN ULAND -- [INAUDIBLE] PLEASE INCLUDE EARLY AND DAY VOTING AT EACH CITY HALL INCLUDING KYLE CITY HALL. VOTERS GET CONFUSED AND SOME GIVE UP WHEN THEY SHOW UP AT THE VOTING SITE THEY ADVOCATED AT THE ELECTION BEFORE TO FIND THAT IT IS NOT BEING USED FOR THE CURRENT ELECTION.CITY HALL SHOULD CONSISTENTLY BE OPEN FOR EARLY VOTING AND DAY OF THE ELECTION VOTING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUESTED MODIFICATIONS TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER K. 1.
NANCY STEVENS WRITES I'M SURPRISED AND DISHEARTENED TO SEE THE SMALL NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS PLANNED FOR KYLE. KYLE IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING CITIES IN TEXAS. THE POPULATION INCREASED BY 60% OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, AND IS NOW ALMOST 10 TIMES THAT OF DRIPPING SPRINGS AND 16 TIMES OF THAT OF WEMBLEY.
THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING SITES IN KYLE IS AT ODDS WITH THE DEMOGRAPHICS. AS A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF THE EAST SIDE OF KYLE I'M PARTICULARLY DISMAYED THAT THE H. C. I. S. D. TRANSPORTATION OFFICE LOCATION IS NOT GOING TO BE OPEN FOR EARLY VOTING.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD BETWEEN I-35 AND HIGHWAY 20 ARE GROWING ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTY BUT THERE ARE NO EARLY VOTING CENTERS IN NORTHEAST HAYS COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS.
I HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER INCREASING THE NUMBER OF VOTING CENTERS AVAILABLE FOR EARLY VOTING IN KYLE AND AT LEAST OPEN THE H. C. I. S. D. TRANSPORTATION OFFICE FOR EARLY VOTING. LEE MARTIN SAYS I'M THE NEWLY APPOINTED HAYS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S PRECINCT CHAIR PRECINCT 204. THE PURPOSE OF THIS E-MAIL IS TO CALL FOR MORE POLLING LOCATIONS EAST OF I-35 IN HAYS COUNTY. WHICH IS DISPROPORTIONATELY LOW ON POLLS. I SUPPORT MORE POLLING LOCATIONS IN HAYS COUNTY AS A WHOLE AS WELL AND DO NOT SUPPORT REMOVING EXISTING LOCATIONS, ESPECIALLY EAST OF I-35. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. MELISSA HUCKABEE WRITES EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS KEEP THEM THE SAME AND THE NUMBER OF LOCATIONS THE SAME. ANDREA LEVINE WRITES I'M STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY EARLY VOTING SITES. MAURA ZIN SAYS I'M FOR ADDING H. C. I. S. D. TRANSPORTATION LOCATION IN ULAND AS AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION.
THERE ISN'T ANOTHER LOCATION THAT FAR ON THE EAST SIDE OF HAYS COUNTY FOR EARLY VOTING.
THE RESIDENTS THERE DESERVE AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION AS WELL. SUSAN METCALFE SAYS HAVING ACCESSIBLE PLACES AND TIMES TO VOTE IS A VITAL PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL CITIZENS IN HAYS COUNTY CAN VOTE BY HAVING POLLING LOCATIONS THAT INCLUDE THE AREAS EAST OF I-35.
LINDA KAPRAL SAYS AS A VOTER RESIDING IN NORTHEASTERN HAYS COUNTY I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND OTHER VOTERS WHO HAVE HAD TO TRAVEL MORE THAN 10 OR 15 MILES TO VOTE IN THE CLOSEST VOTE CENTERS IN DRIPPING SPRINGS IN THE TWO MOST RECENT ELECTIONS. VOTERS IN PRECINCT 442 AND 446 AND ESPECIALLY 438 WHERE THEY MUST TRAVEL EAST INTO TRAVESIS COUNTY TO THEN TRAVEL WEST TO GET BACK INTO HAYS COUNTY DO NOT HAVE CLOSE AND CONVENIENT VOTE CENTERS NEAR OUR ELSE HOMES AWARE AWARE THAT THE DRIFTWOOD FIRE STATION HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE EARLY VOTING BUT VOTERS IN MY AREA ARE USED TO BEING ABLE TO VOTE AT LEAST ON ELECTION DAY.
THE LAST TIME I WORKED AN ELECTION AT THE DRIFTWOOD
[01:00:02]
FIRE STATION THEY STATED THEY WOULD BE DOING RENOVATION THERE IS BUT I NOT NOTICED THAT ACTIVITY THERE WHEN I DRIVE BY. MANDY WRITHE SAYS WE NEED MORE POLLING LOCATIONS IN HAYS COUNTY, NOT LESS.HAYS COUNTY HAS THE MINIMU AMOUNT OF POLLING LOCATIONS.
WE SHOULD BE EXPANDING POLLING LOCATIONS MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE, NOT HARDER.
WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE, NOT DISCOURAGING. PLEASE EXPAND THE AMOUNT OF POLLING LOCATIONS, NOT DECREASE.
DIANE MCCABE SAYS I WRITE IN SUPPORT OF TURNING THE NEW H. C. I. S. D. TRANSPORTATION BUILDING AT 2385 HIGH ROAD ULAND, CONTINUATION, INTO AN EARLY VOTING SITE TO REPLACE THE EARLY VOTING LOCATION THAT WAS REMOVED AT SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ATTENDED A MEETING MONDAY VERBALIZED THEIR SUPPORT FOR ADDING THIS LOCATION AS AN EARLY VOTING CENTER CITING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF HAYS COUNTY.
THIS VOTING LOCATION WOULD SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF EASTERN HAYS COUNTY INCLUDING THE ULAND AND NEEDER WALL COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU.
THE FINAL COMMENT IS FROM JEFF COUGHMAN.
I'M WRITING TO SUPPORT KEEPING CONSISTENCY IN VOTING SITES WHILE MAKING VOTING ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE IN HAYS COUNTY. I SUPPORT KEEPING ALL HAYS COUNTY CITY HALLS INCLUDING KYLE CITY HALL AS EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY VOTING SITES.
I'VE HEARD SOME ON THE COMMISSIONER COURT WILL TRY TO REMOVE SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AND PERHAPS ALL SCHOOLS FROM THE LIST OF EARLY VOTING SITES FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION. WHILE NOT OFFERING OTHER SITES TO TAKE THEIR PLACES, PARTICULARLY IN THE EASTERN PART OF KYLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME COMMISSIONERS HAD OPPOSED TO USING SCHOOLS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY REASONS BUT I BELIEVE THE SIMON SITE DOES NOT HAVE STUDENTS AND WOULD NOT POSE SUCH A SECURITY RISK. I OPPOSE REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SITES FOR EARLY EARLY VOTING OR FOR ELECTION DAY VOTING, IF SIMON GETS REMOVED AS A ET VOLUNTEERING SITE I SUPPORT USING THE NEW H. C. I. S. D.
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING AT 2385 HIGH ROAD AS BE EARLY VOTING SIDE. THIS WOULD CORRECT THE LOSS OF SIMON AND GIVE THE VOTERS EAST OF I-35 AN ACCESSIBLE LOCATION AT WHICH TO CAST THEIR VOTES.
PLEASE DO NOT REDUCE THE NEW MEXICO OF VOTING SITES EARLY FOR EARLY VOTING FOR OR ELECTION DAY VOTING.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT CONCLUSION THAT PORTION OF OUR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE WE'LL GIVE THE NEXT MOMENT TOO. YOU ARE ON THE FULL SCREEN SO YOU KNOW. THE WHOLE WORLD IS STARING RIGHT INTO YOUR EYES. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, PARDON MY EYES, I HAD SURGERY.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PERFECTLY. >> OKAY.
SO I THINK THIS QUESTION FOR JENNIFER.
I WANTED TO ASK, I BELIEVE WE STILL HAVE SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL AS ELECTION DAY SITE, BUT ARE THEY WILLING, JENNIFER, TO HAVE US FOR THE EARLY VOTING? ARE THEY WILLING TO ACCOMMODATE US FOR EARLY VOTING?
>> YES, COMMISSIONER, WE'RE USING THEM FOR ELECTION DAY AND NO, THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO USE OUR, TO ALLOW US TO HAVE A POLLING LOCATION THIS FOR EARLY VOTING.
>> OKAY. SO I'VE HEARD SEVERAL TIMES THE H. C. I. S. D. TRANSPORTATION CENTER IN ULAND. I KNOW THE MEETING WAS A LITTLE LATE LAST NIGHT. CAN WE CONTACT THEM TO SEE IF WE'RE ABLE TO USE THEM AS AN EARLY VOTING SITE?
>> SURE. WE CAN CONTACT THEM IF
THAT'S THE COURT'S DESIRE. >> JENNIFER, AND DEBBY, I TALKED WITH THEM YESTERDAY AND THEY'RE WILLING.
>> OKAY. IF THEY'RE WILLING, I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND ASK THAT LOCATION AS AN EARLY
VOTING SITE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ELECTION
DAY, RIGHT, COMMISSIONER? >> SURE, AND ELECTION DAY AND, SO IF THAT NEEDS TO BE IN THE FORM OF A MOTION I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO INCLUDE THAT SITE AS AN EARLY VOTING
SITE AND -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: TO KEEP THINGS ORDERLY I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY APPRISED OF WHAT IS GOING ON.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADD ULAND TRANSPORTATION BUILDING FOR EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY VOTING.
I SECONDED THAT MOTION, COMMENTS.
>> ONE QUICK COMMENT. JENNIFER, YOU CAN PROBABLY ANSWER THIS. I KNOW WE HAVE TO STAY WITHIN A CERTAIN PERCENT FOR EACH PRECINCT 23.
WE WE ADD AN EARLY POLLING LOCATION IN PRECINCT 1, WILL THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON 4 OR 3? I WANT TO MAKE SURE
WE'RE -- >> SO, I PUT THE BALANCE ON THE VERY COLORFUL LISTS THAT I GAVE YOU.
SO WE CURRENTLY HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THAT.
[01:05:02]
SO IF WE ADDED ONE IN PRECINCT 1, WE'LL STILL BEI'M GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF ADDING THIS LOCATION, I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT BUT I DID WANT TO ADDRESS BEFORE WE MOVED ON A COUPLE OF COMMENTS RELATIVE
TO THIS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY.
BECAUSE THIS IS MULTIFACETED WE HAVE THIS MOTION AND A SECOND SO LET'S VOTE ON THIS --
>> OKAY. >> I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS,
JUDGE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SPECIFIC
>> I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED A DISCUSSION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I DON'T WANT TO GET LOST WITH THE
MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR. >> JUST I HEARD A LOT OF THINGS SAID THAT WERE VERY CONFUSING TO ME AND I THIS I TO OTHERS. SAN MARCOS HAS 3 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS. SAN MARCOS THE BROADWAY LOCATION, HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, L. B. J. STUDENT CENTER, 3 LOCATIONS IN SAN MARCOS FOR EARLY VOTING. KYLE HAS 3 LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING RIGHT NOW. THAT IS --
>> FOUR IN KYLE. >> YARRINGTON I COUNT HALF, SAN MARCOS HALF, SO MORAL 3 SAN MARCOS, 3 KYLE, ONE ON THE LINE BETWEEN THE TWO. IS THAT CORRECT? I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THERE IS FOUR IN WEMBLEY AND THERE IS ONE IN
KYLE -- >> WHAT YOU HEARD WAS A LOT OF CONFLATING -- (ALL TALKING AT ONCE.)
>> THERE IS THREE EARLY VOTING SITES IN SAN MARCOS.
BROAD WAY W IS OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER.
L. B. J. STUDENT CENTER. THREE IN KYLE PROPER I'M GOING TO SAY. ADMIN. BUILDING FOR A. C. I.
S. D. KYLE CITY HALL, LIVE OAK ACADEMY, WHICH IS HAYS HIGH SCHOOL AND YARRINGTON EAST OF 35. BUDA HAS ONE, 2 -- PLUS OKAY. SUN FILLED SO 2 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS IN BUDA, TWO EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS IN WEMBLEY AND 2 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS IN DRIPPING SPRINGS.
I HEARD PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT WEMBLEY HAVING FOUR.
I THINK I HAVE TAKEN SOME ELECTION DAY SITES OFF OF
>> WE DO KNOW TURNOUT IN WEMBLEY IS HIGH.
A LOT OF PEOPLE VOTE FROM A VERY LARGE AREA.
I DO NOT THINK HAVING TWO EARLY VOTING SITES IN
WEMBLEY IS TOO MUCH. >> IF WE WENT DOWN TO ONE WE'D HAVE TO DECREASE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
>> IT'S, IT WOULD NOT BE REASONABLE TO TAKE AN EARLY VOTNG LOCATION FROM WEMBLEY, FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS, FROM SAN MARCOS OR FROM KYLE BECAUSE THAT WAS' MENTIONED. I DON'T THINK THAT'S REASONABLE AND I DON'T THINK THAT GOES ALONGWOMAN OF THE COMMENTS SAID ABOUT INCREASING OR TRYING TO INCREASE VOTING LOCATIONS, THEN WE TALKED ABOUT REMOVING VOTING LOCATIONS DON'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS A -- JUST LOOKING AT IT IS A FAIRLY DECENT BALANCE. WE HEARD KYLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY COMPARED TO SAN MARCOS, THEY HAVE THE SAME.
WHETHER THEY COULD HAVE MORE, I KNOW IT'S A CHALLENGE TO FIND LOCATIONS. IT'S MORE TO THIS THAN JUST PICKING A POINT BE A A P MA AND SAYING LET'S VOTE THERE.
YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION, YOU HAVE TO HAVE EQUIPMENT.
I THINK THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD SPREAD FOR VOTING ACROSS THE COUNTY. DO YOU KNOW IN THE PAST HOW MANY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS WE TYPICALLY HAVE?
>> I DID, WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN -- WELL, STARTED MAINLY IN 2017 WE HAD 7 SO WE HAVE ALMOST DOUBLED OUR EARLY VOTING LOCATIOS. WE'VE ADDED AT LEAST 2 TO 3 OF THOSE ON THE EAST SIDE AS WE CAN.
>> IT'S ONE OTHER THING. I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY WE'VE BEEN REDUCING VOTING LOCATIONS WHICH I BELIEVE IS COMPLETELY INACCURATE. IN FACT WHEN THE COUNTY CHOOSE TO GO TO VOTE CENTERS, MANY TIMES COUNTIES HAD REDUCED VOTING LOCATIONS WHEN THEY GO TO A VOTE CENTER. THAT WAS' ONE OF OF THE ARGUMENTS MADE WHEN VOTE CENTERS WERE FIRST TALKED ABOUT WAS CONSOLIDATING -- I DO NOT BELIEVE THE COUNTY HAS DONE THAT. I DON'T BELIEVE IF YOU LOOK IN THE PAST OF ALL OF OUR LOCATIONS WE'VE MORE LOCATIONS THAN WE DID BEFORE WE A.
DOD VOTE CENTERS. WE ALSO HAVE MORE EARLY VOTING SITES. SO I THINK ANY COMMENT REGARDING WE'RE REDUCING AND HAVE REDUCED VOTING LOCATIONS WOULD BE CONSIDERED INACCURATE.
THEN ALSO I DO AGREE THAT HAVING SOMETHING THAT COVERS MORE OF THAT EASTERN, FAR EASTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY ON THE 21 CORRIDOR WOULD BE SOMETHING DOOD TO HAVE. THERE ARE COMMENTS MADE THAT I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND ABOUT HAVING SITES THAT BECOME TRADITIONAL VOTING SITES.
IT'S ONE OF MY REQUESTS, IF WE CHOOSE THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT HAS BEEN, THAT IS THE MOTION THERE, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THEY WILL ALLOW US TO
USE NOT JUST ONE TIME -- >> IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, THAT WOULD BE -- THEY WOULD BE WILLING -- THE DEAL IS WITH THE SCHOOLS THEY CAN'T SHUT DOWN LIBRARIES
[01:10:04]
AND GYMS FOR A WHOLE WEEK AND IT'S A LOT OF SAFETYCONCERNS ALSO. >> THAT WOULD BE MY REASON FOR SUPPORTING THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE BEFORE A SCHOOL IS IF IT'S EASIER FOR THE DISTRICT TO MAKE THAT AVAILABLE, NOT JUST THIS YEAR BUT IN THE FUTURE, THAT WOULD BE BETTER THAN CHOOSING A SCHOOL THAT IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY OTHER YEAR THAT WE HAVE A SCHOOL SAYING
WE DON'T WANT EARLY VOTING. >> EARLY VOTING.
>> EARLY VOTING. >> I DO WANT TO THANK HAYS H. C. I. S. D. THEY ARE YOU A ONE OF THE DISTRICTS, THE FACILITIES OUT THERE ARE JUST NOT THERE FOR POLLING PLACES. SO THEY WORK WITH US VERY WELL. WE HAVE MAINTAINED A SITE OUT THERE IN ULAND FOR ELECTION DAY FOR SOME YEARS NOW. IT MOVED FROM GO FORTH WATER WHEN THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HOST ELECTIONS OVER THERE ANY MORE TO THE YEAR OF COVID WE WERE AT ULAND ELEMENTARY BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T HAVING STUDENTS THERE AT THAT TIME AND THEN EVERY SINCE THAT TRANSPORTATION OFFICE HAS BEEN COMPLETED WE'VE BEEN IN THAT OFFICE FOR ELECTION DAY.
SO IT HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT SITE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: ANYTHING ELSE?LE.
>> JUDGE, YOU MENTIONED EARLY HISD HAS BEEN THE ONLY DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY THAT HAS LED US AND -- LET US AND I TALKED TO THEIR LEADERSHIP.
THEY WERE' UPSET THEY HAD BEEN GETTING A LOT OF NEGATIVITY TO THEM SAYING THEY'RE TRYING TO SUPPRESS VOTES WHEN THEY'RE DOING THEIR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS TO THE STUDENTS. THEY'VE BEEN A GOOD PARTNER LETTING US USE THAT. YOU KNOW.
WE TALK ABOUT THIS EVERY ELECTION TRYING TO GET VOTING LOCATIONS EAST OF 35, AND FOR THE WHOLE 12 YEARS I'VE BEEN ON THIS COURT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO THAT. WE ENGAGED ELECTED OFFICIAL FROM THE CITY OF KYLE. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS HAVE TRIED -- IT'S REALLY HARD TO FIND LOCATIONS.
IT WON'T HELP US THIS YEAR. THIS VOTING BUT EACH OF US WERE GIVEN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS AND PART OF MINE ARE DEDICATED TO TWO FIRE STATIONS EAST OF 35 AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE HELPING WITH THAT EFFORT, TOO, BUT TO GET THE FUNDS THEY AGREED TO HAVE VOTING LOCATIONS DESIGNED INTO BOTH OF THOSE LOCATIONS, SHE AND I ARE WORKING WITH THE KYLE SENIORS ZONE AND WE'VE CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR NEW FACILITY WHICH IS BEHIND SIMON ELEMENTARY AS THEY'VE VOTING LOCATIONS THERE.
WE'RE TRYING VERY HARD TO GET VOTING LOCATIONS OVER THERE. IT'S JUST NOT EASY AND IT TAKES TIME. WE ONLY HAVE ONE COUNTY BUILDING FACILITIES EAST OF 35.
THERE'S NOT THE INFRASTRUCTURE EAST OF 35 THAT WE HAVE WEST OF 35. THIS COURT IS TRYING VERY HARD TO FIND THOSE LOCATIONS, AND AGAIN, I'LL SEND OUT THE CHALLENGE AGAIN.
ANYBODY THAT HAS A LOCATION EAST OF 35 THAT WORKS WITH WHAT IS REQUIRED AS FAR AS INTERNET AND PARKING WE WOULD BE GLAD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: AT THIS MOMENT THE CONVERSATION IS NOT OVER, BUT WE HAVE A MOTION FOR ULAND TRANSPORTATION TO BE EARLY VOTING AN ELECTION DAY SITE AND A SECOND PLEASE CALLED ROLL.
NOW ON TO THE REST OF THE LIST.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?
>> JUDGE, I HAD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
MORE SO I'VE LOOKED AT THE LIST.
I THINK THERE MAYBE SOME -- WE'VE HEARD CONSTERNATION THIS MORNING ON SOME OF THE LOCATIONS AND SOME OF WHAT FOLKS WOULD CALL A TRADITIONAL LOCATION.
ONE OF THE LOCATIONS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT VERY SPECIFICALLY WAS SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND I WANTED TO -- IF WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FORCE SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION, WHICH WAS NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR WE USED THEM AS AN EARLY POLLING LOCATION. SO JENNIFER, HOW MANY PEOPLE TO RUN AN EARLY POLLING LOCATION, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE GENERALLY HAVE THERE? IT'S FOUR OR FIVE?
>> YES, AT SIMON DURING EARLY VOTING IT WOULD TYPICALLY BE ABOUT 4 AT A TIME.
I MEAN THEY MAY SHIFT IN AND OUT BUT --
>> RIGHT. AND I WANT TO PUT IN PERSPECTIVE SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL DURING EARLY VOTING THE NUMBERS THAT WE SAW. ON DAY ONE, WE SAW 4 PEOPLE ALL DAY. ON DAY 2 WE SAW 2 PEOPLE ALL DAY. DAY 3, 2 PEOPLE ALL DAY.
DAY 4, 2 PEOPLE ALL DAY. YOU'VE SEEING A PATTERN HERE. SO FOR THE EARLY POLLING LOCATION, I THINK IT'S -- IT WOULD BE VERY DISENBEGIN WOWS TO SAY THIS WAS A WELL USED OR A FUNCTIONAL LOCATION. IF WE'RE HAVING TWO PEOPLE A DAY USE THAT LOCATION WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER -- TO SAY THAT THAT LOCATION WAS FUNCTIONING WELL AND WE NEED TO SAY THAT BECAUSE OF HOW WELL IT WAS BEING USED I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT. TWO VOTERS A DAY DOES NOT A
[01:15:01]
POLLING LOCATION MAKE. THAT'S MY TWO CENTS WORTH ON THAT. IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE EAST SIDE, I WOULD AGREE WE NEED SOMETHING THAT IS MORE ACCESSIBLE OR THAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT AND IF WEEK HAVE A TRADITIONAL LOCATION AS WE JUST DISCUSSED I WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.I WILL SAY THAT LOOKING AT THE OVERALL POPULATION THERE WAS A COMMENT THAT IT'S -- A COMMENT FROM A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER THERE WAS ONLY 2 LOCATIONS IN KYLE.
THERE IS FOUR LOCATIONS IN KYLE.
TRADITIONAL LOCATIONS INCLUDED.
THAT IS DISHEARTENING TO HEAR THOSE COMMENTS WHEN WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT TRUE. WE HEARD THAT HAYS COUNTY IS RUNNING THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF LOCATIONS THEY CAN BY STATUTE. IS THAT TRUE?
>> NO. I CAN SAY TEXAS ELECTION CODE ONLY REQUIRES ONE LOCATION FOR EARLY VOTING
PER COMMISSIONERS' PRECINCT. >> I JUST PULLED UP THE STATUTE. I'M LOOKING AT IT.
AGAIN, MOST COUNTIES OUT THERE AS COMMISSIONER SHELL SAID ARE VERY ADAMANT THAT WHEN THEY GO TO COUNTY WIDE ELECTIONS, WHEN THEY GO TO CONSOLIDATED ELECTIONS WHERE YOU CAN VOTE AT ANY LOCATION YOU WANT, THEY DO THAT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF POLLING LOCATIONS THEY HAVE. BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL IT'S MANAGEABLE. I WAS SITTING ON THE COURT.
IT WAS THE SAME MEMBERS OF THE QUOTER WHEN SHE WE CHOOSE TO GO TO CONSOLIDATED LOBBIES.
WE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WASN'T THE PURPOSE THAT WE WANTED TO DO. WE ACTUALLY WANTED TO EXPAND PEOPLES' OPPORTUNITY. SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO THAT VERY SPECIFIC PRECINCT TO VOTE WHENEVER THAT OCCURRED. SO WE'VE ACTUALLY EXPANDED THOSE LOCATIONS -- I MEAN EXPONENTIALLY ABOVE WHAT THE STATUTE REQUIRES. SAYING THAT WE'RE AT THE MINIMUM IS JUST NOT TRUE. AGAIN I THINK WHAT BOTHERS ME MOST ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION IS I KNOW OUR STAFF HAS WORKED EXCEEDINGLY HARD, EXCEEDINGLY HARD TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS WITH THOSE I. S. D.'S, WITH CHURCHES, WITH OTHER ENTITIES OUT THERE THAT HAVE OFFERED TO DO THIS IN THE PAST.
TO INSURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH LOCATIONS IN THE CORRECT PLACES THAT ARE DICTATED BY STATUTE, NOT BY US, BUT BY STATUTE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, TO SOMEHOW DISPARAGE THE WORK THEY DID OR MORE IMPORTANTLY OUR PARTNERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO OFFER THESE LOCATIONS, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE US, THAT'S A PROBLEM TO ME. I JUST -- I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT. THESE PEOPLE WORKED VERY HARD, AND THEY DO IT DIRECTLY RELATED TO WHAT IS NOT ONLY, YOU KNOW ASKED FOR BUT IS REQUIRED IN STATUTE.
AND THEY ATTEMPT TO DO THAT IN A VERY DIFFICULT DISCUSSION. I CAN TELL YOU WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DRIVE TIME AND THE LOCATIONS ON 35, YOU KNOW, I REPRESENT IN BUDA FROM I-35 WEST TO WEST OF DRIP DRIPPING SPRINGS: EVERY ELECTION SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS COURT THE AVERAGE PERSON IN MY PRECINCT HAS HAD TO DRIVE, THIS IS BECAUSE I JUST PICKED UP BUDA, WHENEVER I HAD MY PREVIOUS PRECINCT THE AVERAGE PERSON HAD TO DRIVE 15-20 MINUTES TO GET TO A LOCATION. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AVAILABILITY, IF WE JUST LOOK AT THE TRADITIONAL LOCATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD ON THE 35 CORRIDOR AND ULAND WE'VE ONE EIGHT MINUTES AWAY.
KYLE CITY HALL IS 8 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN ULAND.
THE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING IS 12 MINIMUMS FROM DOWNTOWN ULAND. IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE, WE'VE -- THE WEST SIDE OF THIS COUNTY, WHENEVER I HEAR THE COMMENTS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S GROWING, THAT, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN AREA OF OUR COUNTY IS GROWING FASTER THAN ANY OTHER OTHER AND IT'S JUST NOT TRUE, THAT IS UPSETTING TO ME BECAUSE WE SEE -- I MEAN WE TOOK A VERY HARD LOOK AT IT DURING RESTRICTING EXACTLY WHERE THE POPULATION IS. IT'S NOT ALL ON THE EAST SIDE. IT'S NOT ALL ON THE NORTH SIDE. THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING TO THE WEST SIDE AS WELL.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS THERE BUT IDENTIFYING THEM AND GETTING THEM, GETTING FOLKS TO AGREE TO LET US USE THEM HASN'T BEEN EASY.
AGAIN I APPLAUD OUR STAFF FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND I'M SUPPORTIVE MUCH THE LIFT THAT WE HAVE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
>> I WANT TO SAY, ELECTION OFFICE WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT THESE LOCATIONS THEY'RE TRYING TO BALANCE THE NUMBER OF EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE AND THE AMOUNT OF WORKERS, WHEN WE ADD ANOTHER EQUIPMENT -- THERE WILL BE LONGER WAITS IN SOME OF THESE LOCATIONS.
BUT AGAIN I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THESE BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WE ARE, THERE MAY BE LONGER WAITS IN SOME OF THE MORE BUSIER LOCATIONS BECAUSE WE'RE USING
EQUIPMENT IN ANOTHER SPOT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU.
I'LL CLOSE THIS PART OF THE COMMENTS IF COMMISSIONER
[01:20:04]
INGALSBE. WITH THIS WEEKEND I HEARD SOME VERY ENCOURAGING MOTIVATING -- I CALL IT PATRIOTIC STATEMENTS, ILLUSION OF INCLUSION.I LOVE WHAT DOCTOR TRAYHAN SAID.
IT'S NOT ABOUT RED OR BLUE, IT IS ABOUT YOU.
THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS MOST UNIVERSAL.
I TRY AS BEST I CAN TO SAY I WANT TO BE AS USEFUL AS WATER. I DON'T CARE TO IN MY JOB AS COUNTY JUDGE, BECAUSE I'M THE ONLY COUNTY WIDE PERSON UP HERE. SO TO ME, IT'S SIX OF ONE, HALF DOZEN OF THE OTHER. IF YOU DIVIDE BY PRECINCT BY CHEERIOINGS AND CRACKER JACKS, IF YOU DIVIDE IT BY WHATEVER YOU DIVIDE IT BY. POPULATION CENTERS, GIVING PEOPLE ACCESS, DEFENDING DEMOCRACY BECAUSE IT'S LEGAL DON'T MAKE IT RIGHT. FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, I'M JUST -- I'M GRATEFUL. I THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR SUPPORTING THE TRANSPORTATION SITE.
CLEARLY WE ARE. IT'S A FACT, FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE NATION. CLEARLY IT'S A FACT, THE CORRIDOR CAPTURES THE LION'S SHARE OF THAT GROAT.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT ANY MAP.
THAT'S WHERE THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION IS DRIPPING SPRINGS BOOMING? ABSOLUTELY.
THE WHOLE COUNTY IS. BUT WITHIN THAT, WE'RE TIERED INTO THE CORRIDOR. 35 DON'T SPOT US SPECIFICALLY GEOGRAPHICALLY SMACK-DAB IN THE MIDDLE.
THE LINES WERE DRAWN WELL BEFORE ANY OF US WERE EVEN WOR. LET'S BE HONEST.
NEVERTHELESS AS THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO POPULATION, AS WELL AS OTHER THINGS GOING ON NOT UNDER OUR CONTROL I CONTINUE TO APPLAUD THE LAST MOTION AND THAT IT PASSED TO PROVIDE ACCESS.
I KNOW THERE'S PEOPLE THAT DON'T SUPPORT ME AND ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DO.
IT'S NOT ABOUT DIVIDING AND GERRYMANDERING AND PICKING AND CHOOSING MY VOTERS, IT'S ABOUT PROVIDING THEM ACCESS AND LOT THE WORK SHOW WHO COMES OUT FOR ME.
SO I'M JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE THAT COME OUT. TAKE TIME FROM THEIR BUSY DAY TO COME OUT HERE. BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR ENGAGEMENT, IT'S BECAUSE YOU CARE. IT'S BECAUSE YOU WROTE A LETTER. IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE CALLING YOU OUT THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO SOME OF US MORE FOOT DRAGGING THAN OTHERS, I'M NOT TALKINGS ABOUT COURT MEMBERS, I'M TALKING ABOUT IN GENERAL, ELECTED OFFICIAL, IT'S BECAUSE OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT, YOUR EFFORT, YOUR UNGAGEMENT WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE IN THE WAY WE KNOW IS MOST PATRIOTIC.
FOR THERE A I THANK YOU. KNOW THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT. KNOW THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH -- I MEAN MY HOMETOWN IS THE COUNTY SEAT.
MY, I RAISED MY FAMILY IS PRECINCT 3.
IT'S TRUE. I HAVE ALWAYS, IT HAS BEEN, IT HAS NEVER BEEN A CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY WHERE TO VOTE. IT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD THOSE BED ROCK VOTING LOCATIONS.
NEVER EVER SHIFTED. ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, COMMISSIONER, WHEN YOU LIVE IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY, TO SAY THAT NUMBERS SPECIFICALLY BLACK AND WHITE SPREADSHEET MENTALITY THAT IT'S ALL GOOD AND FAIR AND EVEN AND THERE IS DISINGENUOUS IN THE THOUGHT PROCESS, I WOULD ADD A CONTRIBUTION, NOT CALLING YOU RIGHT OR WRONG BUT A SHIFT IN THOUGHT AS WELL. WHEN YOU ARE IN A FERRIS WHEEL OF LOCATION SITES, IF YOU LIVE ALONG 21, ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY, IF YOU ARE ALWAYS WONDERING WHERE TO VOTE, IF THERE IS AN CONSISTENCY OF WHERE TO VOTE, IT'S AS IF AND YOU KNOW PERCEPTION IS KEY, IT IS AS IF THIS SITE DOESN'T EXIST.
DOES IT EXIST NOW? YOU DRIVE, I'VE 20 MINUTES BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT, THE LION'S SHARE OF OUR COUNTY IS WORKING FULL-TIME AT A MINIMUM.
THEY HAVE VERY SMALL WINDOWS OF TIME.
I HEAR THIS IDEA OF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EQUIPMENT.
ALLUSION OF INCLUSION IS AN ADDITIONAL PIECE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DRIVE HOME. WE CAN'T LIVE OFF OF THIS ALLUSION EVER INCLUSION, WE MUST REALIZE THAT WE BURN, THOSE ARE THE WORDS THAT I USE PERSONALLY MY PERSPECTIVE, WE BURN MONEY TO THE TUNE OF AN AVERAGE OF $2550 PER PERSON PER MONTH TO KEEP THEM IN A COUNTY JAIL RIGHT NEXT DOOR. DON'T TELL ME WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO BUY MORE MACHINES. THAT'S A COP OUT.
THE DAY I'M GONE I STILL SUPPORT IT.
WE NEED MORE MACHINES. VOTE FOR ME, VOTE AGAINST ME, BUT YOU NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO VOTING.
THAT'S ALL THERE'S TO T. WHOEVER YOU SUPPORT, WHOEVER YOU DON'T SUPPORT, WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL BOARD, WHETHER
[01:25:01]
IT'S CITY COUNCIL, WHETHER IT'S COUNTY, WHETHER IT'S STATE OR FEDERAL, JUST GIVE THEM THE ACCESS TO VOTE AND LET'S STOP ACTING AS IF WE HAVE A CRISIS OF EQUIPMENT.IT'S A NATIONALLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES THESE MACHINES, AND IF WE ORDERED A DOZEN MORE MACHINES TOMORROW, THEY WOULD DELIVER THEM GLADLY.
THAT'S THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT WORK.
SO LET'S JUST NOT DILUTE OURSELVES WITH THE IDEA THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR ANOTHER MACHINE.
>> JUDGE, I EVER A COUPLE OF COMMENTS -- I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. I WILL TELL YOU WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ROTATING ELECTION LOCATIONS, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED DRIPPING SPRINGS SPECIFICALLY.
WE'VE TWO LOCATIONS THERE THAT AT MOST IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY HAVE EVER BEEN USED ONE TIME.
SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ROTATING LOCATIONS, I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS THAT I HAVE HAD WITH OUR ELECTIONS OFFICE AND THE INDIVIDUAL LOCATIONS THAT I'VE WALKED INTO IN THE DRIPPING SPRINGS AREA ASKING THEM IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HOST AN ELECTION.
BECAUSE THEY MET A. D. A.-- THEN' A. D. A. COMPLIANT AND THEY HAD A ROOM THAT WE COULD USE AND HOW MANY TIMES I WAS TOLD, NO. THAT'S THE REASON ON PATRIOTS HALL WHENEVER WE DID OUR POSAC AND TALKED ABOUT ASSISTING THEM WITH THAT FACILITY WE ASKED THEY HOST AN ELECTION AND BE WILLING TO HOST AN ELECTION IN PERT TUTTI. THEY -- PERPETUITY.
THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT.
VERY CLOSE TO COMMISSIONER JONES WE'RE HAVING TO FIND THE LOCATIONS AND FIND INDIVIDUAL ENTITIES THAT ARE WILLING TO LET US USE T. I MEAN, WE'VE GOT E.S.D.'S BUILDING FIRE STATIONS AND E. M. S. STATIONS IN THE AREA. IT'S EASY TO TRY TO LOCATE THEM IN FIRE AND E. M. S. STATIONS BECAUSE GUESS WHERE THEY PUT 9 STATIONS? WHERE THEY HAVE THE MOST POPULATION, WHERE THEY CAN HAVE THE QUICKEST RESPONSE TIME. THEY WANT TO BE NO MORE THAN 4 TO 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM EVERYONE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEIR JOB. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE E. S.
D.'S TO IDENTIFY LOBBIES WHERE WE CAN HOSTTHINK WHEN WE T DISINGENUOUS, BEFORE WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WHEN STATEMENTS ARE MADE, THEY PUBLICLY THAT THE REASON THESE LOCATIONS WERE SELECTED WERE SOME GOOD OL' BOY NETWORK PAT ON THE BAY SYSTEM THESE WERE SELECTED BY AND WE GOT THESE ON FRIDAY LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE WITH THE AGENDA AND I'VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.
I WOULD GUESS THAT MOST OF OUR MEMBERS, OF THE COURT, HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. TO SOMEHOW SUGGEST THAT IS -- IT'S NOT ONLY DISINGENUOUS IT'S, IT'S POLITICAL. IT'S MEAN BEFORE SPIRITED AND MAKING AN ISSUE OUT OF SOMETHING THAT TRULY NOT ONLY WAS IT NOT AN ISSUE, BUT WE AS A COURT, AS A WHOLE, PARTY BE DAMNED HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS.
AT A CERTAIN POINT WE HAVE TO DO OUR WORK, AND WE HAVE TO DO OUR WORK IN A WAY THAT IS THE BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS AND FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND IT'S JUST VERY SAD THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DOING THEIR JOB.
THEY'RE REALLY TRYING TO WORK HARD.
WE'VE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT WHO ARE WORKING VERY HARD ON A DAILY BASIS TO TRY TO REACH OUT, FIND THOSE LOCATIONS AND DO IT IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE POPULATION BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S NEEDED, AND TO HEAR THAT THERE IS SOME, YOU KNOW, SOME STATEMENTS MADE LIKE THAT, IT'S NOT ONLY DISHEARTENING IT'S MEAN SPIRIT AND POLITICAL. IT'S JUST SAD.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS? BECAUSE I WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR MR. KENNEDY AND JENNIFER THAT WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT THIS LIST AND SO I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE LIST.
OF COURSE WITH OUR ULANDERTIES.
>> THAT IS JUST EARLY VOTING WE'RE DOING TODAY?
>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S EXCLUDING THE ULAND ADDITION, WE HAVE A MOTION, AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE LIST PRESENTED BY JENNIFER. AND ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? GOOD. OKAY.
>> IF I MAY JUST RESPOND TO ONE THING.
I HEARD OVER AND OVER AGAIN ABOUT CONSISTENCY AND LOCATIONS. ANYBODY THAT HAS EVER WORKED WITH ME FROM AS FAR BACK AS THE VOLT CENTER COMMITTEE THAT WE HAD TOGETHER WHERE WE BROUGHT EVERYBODY FROM JURISDICTIONS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER TO SELECT LOCATIONS KNOWS THAT IS ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS EVERY TIME WE ADD A LOCATION IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE FOR THE LONG-TERM. I'VE HAD THAT CONVERSATION
[01:30:03]
RECENTLY ON SOME LOCATIONS THAT WE ADDED.AND IT WAS A CONCERN THEN WITH SIMON, I BELIEVE I STOOD RIGHT HERE AND SAID I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF ADDING THAT LOCATION.
SO I DEFINITELY DO THINK THAT THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IS PROBABLY A MORE PERMANENT AND LONG-TERM SOLUTION. IT HAS BEEN THERE.
IT'S IN THE A NEW LOCATION. IT HASN'T MOVED.
SO -- >> BUT IT'S STILL NOT UP TO US. THE ONLY ONES WE CONTROL FOREVER ARE THE COUNTY OWNED PROPERTIES, OTHER THAN THAT WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON OUR PARTNERS TO ALLOW US TO USE
THOSE LOCATIONS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IS THAT
TRUE, JENNIFER WHAT HE SAID? >> FOR EARLY VOTING, YES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: FOR EARLY VOTING BUT NOT FOR ELECTION
DAY. >> FOR ELECTION DAY PUBLIC
BUILDINGS WE CAN USE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE ACCESS TO. SO MY HOPE IS TO STAY GENUINE AND ALL THESE WONDERFUL THOUGHTS PROCESSES MY HOPE IS WE'RE NOT HAVING TO FIGHT FOR A LOCATION, SHIFTS AND MOVEMENTS NEXT TIME.
>> RIGHT. >> I DON'T THINK IT WAS A FIGHT TO MOVE ANYTHING MYSELF.
I SAW NOTHING BUT A FIGHT UP HERE.
WE LISTENED. WHAT COMMISSION COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONED,' DRIVEN AROUND.
I DON'T REPRESENT A SINGLE SQUARE FEET EAST OF 35 TRYING TO FIND VOTING LOCATIONS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: GOOD. COMMISSIONER, ANYTHING ELSE? NO. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND A FEW ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND I THINK WE'RE GOOD. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K2. Discussion and possible action to order an election to be held on November 8, 2022. BECERRA/DOINOFF ]
NOW IF THAT CONCLUSION K. 1 GO TO K. 2.>> K. 2 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ORDER AN ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 8, 2022.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND,
JENNIFER. >> THIS ITEM IS TO ORDER THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 2022 OF WHICH WE WILL ELECT A DISTRICT ATTORNEY, COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER ONE, COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER 2, NUMBER 3.
COUNTY JUDGE POSITION, COUNTY TREASURER, COUNTY PRECINCT 2. COMMISSIONER COUNTY PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1 PLACE 2. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 2. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 3 AND 4 AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WITH THE TYPO PRECINCT 5. SO WITH THAT WE WOULD NEED TO AMEND THE BOTTOM PORTION STATING EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION? >> MAKE A MOTION TO INCLUDE THE EARLY VOTING LOCATION AT THE H. C. I. S. D.
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING. >> SECOND.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K3. Discussion and possible action to approve the appointment of Judges, Alternate Judges and Central Count Tabulation Supervisor and Manager (Secs. 32.002, 127.002, and 127.003) from the list presented by the Party Chairs and approved by the Hays County Election Board to a term of two years beginning on August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2024. BECERRA/DOINOFF ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN K. 3.
>> K. 3, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES, ALTERNATE JUDGES AND CENTRAL COUNT TABULATION SUPERVISE AND MANAGER SECTIONS 32.002, 127.002 AND 127.003 FROM THE LIST PRESENTED BY THE PARTY CHAIRS AND APPROVED BY THE HAYS COUNTY ELECTION BOARD TO A TERM OF 2 YEARS BEGINNING ON AUGUST 1, 2022
THROUGH JULY 31,2024. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: JENNIFER.
>> SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE I CAN GO AHEAD AND BY PARTY
LIST THESE APPOINTEES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT CAN
BE PROVIDED IN THE REPORT. >> OKAY -- RECORD.
>> I WAS PART OF THE MEETING YESTERDAY WHERE IT WAS ALL DISCUSSED IN FRONT OF BOTH PARTY CHAIRS.
AND SO EVERYONE IS IN AGREEMENT WITH IT SO THANK YOU, JENNIFER, FOR OFFERING COMMISSIONERS, ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> I JUST LOOKING AT THE LIST. I WOULD REITERATE THAT ALL THESE ARE GOING TO BE ADOPTED AS A WHOLE.
THERE ARE SOME OPEN POSITIONS THERE THAT THE PARTY CHAIRS WILL BE ABLE TO TRY TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS,
>> AND THEN THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS JUST A REMINDER THAT ANYBODY WHO IS A PRESIDING JUDGE OR ALTERNATE JUDGE CANNOT BE CONNECTED TO ANY OF THE CAMPAIGNS THAT ARE UP FOR ELECTION IN THE CYCLE?
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K11. Discussion and possible action regarding additional School Resource Officers (SRO) at various campuses in Hays County. SMITH/JONES ]
THAT WAS K. 3, CONNECT. NOW LET'S GO TO K. 11.>> K. 11 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING
[01:35:02]
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AT VARIOUS CAMPUSES>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. COMMISSION COMMISSIONER SMITH, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECAP FOR THE VIEWING
PUBLIC? >> SURE, WE HAD A CONVERSATION THAT, AT OUR LAST SESSION I GUESS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND SPECIFICALLY AT WHAT THEIR NEEDS WOULD BE RELATIVE TO THINK DISH SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. AND -- ADDITIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, IN DOING THAT WE WAITED TO HEAR FROM THOSE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT AS FAR AS HOW MANY OFFICERS THEY MIGHT NEED, WHAT THEIR PLAN WOULD BE AND WE'VE HAD SOME INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW THAT WOULD BE PAID FOR. WITH THAT I'LL TURN IT OVER
TO -- >> WE MET LIKE I SAID LAST TIME WE MET WITH ALL THE DISTRICTS, THAT IS WHAT H.
S. C. I.D. CAME UP WITH. I THINK IT'S A GOOD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT AND KEEPING OUR -- I THINKS IT'S KEEPING OUR REPUTATION AS BEING THE LEADERS IN SCHOOL SAFETY
MOVING FORWARD. >> JUDGE BECERRA: TO THE VIEWING PUBLIC, COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU LIKE
TO SPEAK OF THOSE -- EDITS. >> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK TOO MUCH TO THE PLAN BECAUSE OF THE -- WE REALLY -- SOME OF THE SAFETY MEASURES YOU DON'T WANT SOMEBODY TO --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: SURE. >> YOU DON'T WANT THOSE
PUBLIC IN SOME OF THE AREAS. >> I'VE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM WEMBLEY H. S. C. I.D. WEMBLEY REQUESTED 2 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, I'VE NOT HEARD FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS, COMMISSIONER SMITH MAY KNOW, IT MAY BE SOMETHING THEY'RE STILL CONSIDERING BUT I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER JONES AND SMITH BRINGING THIS BECAUSE THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO START. JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
WE DO HAVE VACANCIES IN OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO I KNOW THE SHERIFF AND HIS STAFF WOULD LIKE TO GIVE, BE GIVEN AS MUCH NOTICE AS THEY CAN AND THEY TRY TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS ALT OUR SCHOOLS.
SO FOR ME, I THINK THAT THE COURT IF WE COULD GIVE SOME DIRECTION TO THOSE I.D. S. D.'S TO LET THEM KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON ADDITIONAL OFFICERS AND ALSO ON THE FUNDING OF THOSE OFFICERS, ONE THING WEMBLEY DID REQUEST OF ME WAS WOULD THE COUNTY CONSIDER AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEW OFFICERS ONLY, NOT TO ANY OF THE EXISTING OFFICERS, CURRENTLY IT'S A 70/30 SPLIT BASED UPON THE SCHOOL YEAR BEING ABOUT 70% OF THE FULL CALENDAR YEAR. IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP OUR SCHOOLS ADD THESE OFFICERS FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR, I THINK IT WOULD BE WELL RECEIVED AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED KNOWING THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF US IN THEIR BUDGET AND THEY DO HAVE CONSTRAINTS AS FAR AS FUNDING GOES FOR SCHOOLS.
SO IF THERE IS A WAY WE COULD CONSIDER THAT AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME, WE COULD POTENTIALLY USE ARPA FUNDS.
WE COULD ALSO INSTRUCT OUR AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND VICKY TO INCLUDE THAT IN BUDGETING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.
BUT IF WE WANTED TO GET SOME OFFICERS IN THE SCHOOLS FOR THE START OF SCHOOL THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY MID AUGUST WHEN WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE THE TIME
DETERMINATION. >> THE, I THINK, I THANK YOU FOR THAT INPUT. WE'RE WAITING TO HEAR FROM A COUPLE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT AS WE LOOK AT THESE, I MEAN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TODAY, BUT OR MENTIONING IT BUT ONE EVER THE MAIN GOALS THAT I HAD OUT OF THE AGENDA ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER JONES AND I BROUGHT FORTH LAST TIME AND THIS ONE IS ALSO JUST A REMINDER WITHIN THE CONVERSATIONS WE'RE HAVING WITH THESE I. S. D.'S WE ALSO PART AND PARCEL TO THE INCLUSION OF ANY ADDITIONAL S. R. O.'S OR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS WOULD BE AT LEAST SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH MEASURES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.
I KNOW THAT AT LEAST DRIPPING SPRINGS I'S S. D.
HAS AN ESTABLISHED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THERE WITH PROFESSIONALS IN THE I. S. D.
I KNOW HAY ITSELF I. S. D. HAS NOW BEGUN A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THAT. SAN MARCOS HAS ONE, WEMBLEY IS BEGINNING ONE AS WELL. AND SO, PROVIDING SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH FOR THESE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IS GOING TO BE A KEY PART OF THAT.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS AS WE, YOU KNOW, IF AND WHEN WE ADD THOSE S. R. O.'S, WHICH I WOULD ANTICIPATE WE WOULD HAVE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE COURT TO DO, THE ONE THING THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER IS FOR EVERY FOUR TO SIX OFFICERS I GUESS WE NEED A, IS IT A CORPORAL POSITION FOR THAT, I BELIEVE.
SO AS WE'RE LOOKING IN THOSE POSITIONS ARE 100 PERCENT PAID BY THE COUNTY. THE SCHOOL PAYS NOTHING FOR THAT. AND SO WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK
[01:40:01]
AT, ON OUR EMPLOYMENT SIDE WHERE THAT IS AT.AND TO THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER SHELL MADE, I'M, YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF OPENINGS IN OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: WHENEVER WE CREATE THE S. R. O. POSITIONS WE KNOW WE WANT THE BEST PEOPLE IN THEM AND I THINK WE'RE, YOU KNOW WE'RE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL ON THOSE POSITIONS.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE STEALING SOME VERY GREAT DEPUTIES FROM OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
OF COURSE THEY'LL STILL BE DEPUTIES BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM FROM OTHER THINGS SO THEY CAN WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS. I THINK THAT IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION BUT WE JUST HAVE TO KNOW WE HAVE TO BACK FILL THOSE POSITIONS AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
WITH THAT, LIKE I SAID I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WAS STILL FRONT OF MIND FOR THE REST OF OUR MEMBERS OF THE COURT, AND BUT COMMISSIONER JONES.
>> I WANT TO THANK THE I. S. D.'S, THEY CAME FORWARD AND HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY WELL TOGETHER.
I WAS TOLD THIS WEEK DRIPPING SPRINGS, THEIR DIRECTOR IS FROM OUR SHERIFF 'S DEPARTMENT SO THERE WILL BE CONTINUITY THERE.
A VERY GOOD HIRE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WE'VE FOUR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SAN MARCOS, HAYS, DRIPPING SPRINGS AND WEMBLEY. THE REASON WIMBERLY, STRIPPING SPRINGS AND HAYS ARE IN CONVERSATION AND NOT SAN MARCOS IS BECAUSE THEY USE S. M. P. D.
I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL THERE ARE RIFTS WITH THE COUNTY SEATS I. S. D. THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE LUCKILY FROM MY VANTAGE POINT UNIVERSALLY SUPPORTED AND THERE'S COULDN'T TUTTI AS -- CONTINUITY AS WE ALSO -- HAY THE CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS HAS RETIRED SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LEADING THAT SECURITY FRONT AS WELL. THERE IS STRONG CONTINUITY COUNTYWIDE ON THIS FRONT, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING INTO IT WHEN YOU SEE SAN MARCOS OUT OF THE EQUATION BECAUSE THEY'RE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION. AM I RIGHT, COMMISSIONER
>> JUDGE BECERRA: A HUGE PART OF YOUR PRECINCT.
>> YES. I KNOW CLEAN DAVENPORT IS HERE, WE MIGHT WANT TO ASK HIM A FEW QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE UNDERSTAND ABOUT HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL S. R. O.'S ARE GOING TO BE REQUESTED BECAUSE WE DO HAVE VACANCIES IN THE DEPUTY RANKS AND I THINK EVERY S. R. O. WE HAD WAS SELECTED FROM WITHIN IN THE PAST.
IT COULD BE THAT SOMEONE HAS TO BE FIRED FROM THE OUTSIDE DEPENDING ON HOW WE FILL VACANCIES, CHIEF, WOULD YOU MIND GIVING US AN UPDATE OF HOW MANY S. R. O.'S, WE HAVE, HOW MANY VACANCIES YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU THINK A TIME FRAME WOULD BE TO PROVIDE THE S. R. O.'S IF THE SCHOOLS ENTER INTO A NEW CONTRACT WITH US?
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NAME AND TITLE.
>> MIKE DAVENPORT, CURRENTLY WE'VE 17 S. R. O. DEPUTY POSITIONS. THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE SUPERVISORS AS COMMISSIONER SMITH WAS REFERRING TO.
I DID TALK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DRIPPING SPRINGS LATE YESTERDAY EVENING.
THEY'RE GOING TO ASK FOR ONE ADDITIONAL.
SO THAT WILL BRING THE TOTAL TO 6.
THAT THE -- THAT WILL MAKE 23 TOTAL S. R. O. DEPUTY POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WE SUPPLY THAT SERVICE TO. WE PUT OUT, WE'RE ASKING FOR DEPUTIES, CURRENT DEPUTIES TO SUBMIT THEIR LETTER OF INTEREST IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN DOING THE S.
R. O. JOB. AND IN ANTICIPATION OF ADDING THE 6. SO FAR WE'VE FOUR PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED. IF THOSE NUMBERS HOLD TRUE, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO HIRE FROM THE OUTSIDE FOR 2 OF THE POSITIONS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS ONCE WE HIRE THEM THERE IS ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS OF TRAINING THEY FLEED TO GO TO -- NEED TO GO TO BEFORE THEY'RE READY TO BE STATIONED AT THE SCHOOLS. SO YOU ARE LOOKING AT FEBRUARY IF WE WERE TO HIRE THEM IN AUGUST OR, YOU KNOW LATER, APRIL IF WE DON'T GET THE FUNDING UNTIL OCTOBER.
SO THAT IS WHAT WE'D BE LOOKING AT FOR TWO OF THE SIX. NOW WHEN I SAY WE'VE FOUR PEOPLE, THAT NUMBER IS ALWAYS FLUID.
WE COULD GET MORE, SOME COULD WITHDRAW THEIR LETTER.
THAT IS JUST AS OF TODAY WHERE WE ARE.
COMMISSIONER SMITH ALSO MENTIONED AGAIN SUPERVISION, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. TYPICALLY WE HAVE ONE SUPERVISOR FOR EVERY FOUR TO SEVEN DEPUTIES DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR JOB FUNCTION IS. SO THE AT 23 WE DEFINITELY
[01:45:03]
NEED THE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION FOR THEM.I'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH VICKY ABOUT THAT, AND I THINK WE'VE GOT THAT COVERED.
>> SO IN OUR BUDGET PLAN FOR 23, IF WE WERE TO KIND OF ASSUME THESE SIX NEW S. R. O.'S INTO THE BUDGET, WHAT WOULD THAT DO FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET REQUEST ON DEPUTIES? WOULD WE BE CREATING 6 NEW S. R.
O. DEPUTIES THEN WE'D BE LEFT IN VACANCIES IN THEIR
POSITIONS? >> AND THE SUPERVISOR ROLE.
WE'D BE CREATING 7 POSITIONS FOR --
>> SIX DEPUTIES AND 3 SUPERVISORS TO HANDLE 23
TOTAL PEOPLE. >> DO WE -- FOR THE ONES THA WE'VE NOW, WE'VE SUPERVISORS.
>> WE DO, BUT IF YOU WANT TO GET INTO THE RANK STRUCTURE AND STUFF, AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO IF YOU WANT TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD, JUST MAKES MORE SENSE TO HAVE CORPOREALS AS THEIR FIRST LINE OF SUPERVISORSORS.
RIGHT NOW WE'VE SARGENTS SO WE'LL ELIMINATE ONE OF THE SARGENTS. I SAY ELIMINATE, WE'LL MOVE HIM ELSEWHERE. THOSE 3 CORPOREALS WILL
REPORT TO A SARG SARGENT. >> OKAY.
THAT MAKES SENSE, WE'RE ADDING 6 AND YOU SAID IT'S 4-7 SO I -- IT MADE SENSE FOR ONE BUT IF YOU ARE RESTRUCTURING THAT, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET PLANNING PROCESS WHEN WE GO THROUGH PERSONNEL.
ONE THING I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY, IF WE HAD FOUR DEPUTIES THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO STEP INTO THESE POSITIONS, FOR THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, I WOULD LIKE US TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT DIRECTION TO THE SCHOOLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THEY CAN START MAKING PLANS FOR THAT AND WE CAN GET A FINAL ANSWER FROM THEM ON THEIR BUDGET.
THAT WOULD ALLOW Y'ALL TO START THE PROCESS OF TRAINING GETTING PEOPLE READY TO GO.
HOPEFULLY WE COULD MAYBE GET A FEW PUT IN PLACE BY THE
START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. >> YES, I, AGAIN RIGHT NOW, IT'S, IT'S FLUID. BUT I FEEL CONFIDENT WE CAN
GET FOUR STARTING IN AUGUST. >> WHAT WOULD WE NEED TO DO, VICKY, TO TAKE CARE OF THAT HOW THAT WE GIVE THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO THE THREE SCHOOLS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN ADDING, UNDERSTANDING THEY MAY NOT, WE MAY NOT HAVE AN OFFICER FOR THEM ORB IT MAY TAKE A WHILE FOR THEM TO GET AN OFFICER, ASSUME TOMORROW WE'VE 6 INTERESTED.
I WOULD LIKE TO BE -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: AS SOON AS
SO WE'D ACTUALLY NEED TO BRING AN ENTERAL AGREEMENT BACK FOR EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ADD 6 POSITIONS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 19ST OR WHENEVER -- 1ST OR WHENEVER YOU WANTED TO MAKE THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE POSITIONS THAT ARE INTERESTED WOULD NOT BE CONVERTED. THEY'D STAY WHOLE AS DEPUTIES THEN WE WOULD BE ADDING 6 NEW S. R. O.
POSITIONS TO THE BUDGET. >> THEY WOULD LEAVE THEIR CURRENT POSITION AS A DEPUTY SPOT THEN MOVE INTO --
>> THE NEWLY CREATED SLOTS, YES.
>> OKAY. >> THEN MY SECOND QUESTION, SO WE COULD BRING THAT AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING, WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE FINAL INFORMATION FROM THE SCHOOLS. WOULD THE COURT CONSIDER ONE-TIME FUNDING AT A HIGHER PERCENTAGE THAN OUR CURRENT 30-70 SPLIT FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR OF JUST THE NEW
S. R. O. DEPUTIES? >> I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AS LONG IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE I. L. A. AND THE LOCAL AGREEMENT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE, THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE, OF THE FUNDING FOR THAT AFTER, YOU KNOW, YEAR 1 OR 2 WE CONVERT BACK TO THE TRADITIONAL SPLIT THAT WE HAD. I THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE.
I MEAN. >> WOULD THAT BE FOR THE
NEWLY CREATED POSITIONS -- >> CORRECT.
>> JUST THE NEWLY -- THE NEW SIX IF THAT IS THE FINAL ONE FOR DRIPPING SPRINGS, FOR WEMBLEY, 3 FOR HAY THAT IS WE WOULD, IN THE INTERLOCAL WHEN WE AMEND THAT TO ADD THOSE OFFICERS THEN ADD THOSE OFFICERS TO OUR CURRENT BUDGET THEN THEY WILL BE BUDGETED FOR NEXT YEAR AUTOMATICALLY. THAT FOR JUST THOSE 6 WE'D CARRY A HIGHER PERCENTAGE FOR THEM KNOWING THIS IS LATE IN THEIR PLANNING PROCESS AS WELL.
I WAS PROPOSING MAYBE 50%, 50/50 SPLIT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WHY THAT IS GOOD IS BECAUSE WE'VE FEDERAL FUNDS AT OUR DISPOSAL RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD FIT THAT PERFECTLY. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
THAT WOULD FIT PERFECTLY ON THE FRONT.
>> THAT WE COULD IDENTIFY THAT WHEN WE BRING THIS ITEM BACK WITH THE I. L. A.'S OF THE FUNDING BUT AT LEAST IT GIVES FEED BACKTO THEM THE COURT WOULD CONSIDER INCREASING THAT SPLIT TO, FROM 70/30 TO 50/50.
[01:50:06]
THAT MAYBE ABLE TO MAKE THEM MOVE FORWARD -->> JUDGE BECERRA: MR. KENNEDY.
>> FOR CLARIFICATION, 50/50 SPLIT YEAR ONE DROPPING BACK
TO 70/3 YEAR TWO. >> JUDGE BECERRA: NO, YEAR 3. GOOD?
>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD START.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: BRING THAT AGENDA I ITEM FOR THE NEXT
TIME. >> AGAIN WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ACTION ITIME TODAY BUT WE WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WE'VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THE I. 1 S. D.'S AND IT'S VERY MUCH A FRONT OF MIND ISSUE FOR US AND ONE WE WANT TO HAVE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT WE ALSO KNOW THESE I. S. D.'S INTERNALLY SOME VERY -- I WOULD SAY STRUCTURALLY MASSIVE CHANGES TOE TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THEY HAVE CONCERN OVER.
YOU KNOW, HIRING INTERNAL SECURITY STAFF, THINGS LIKES THAT. SO WE WANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT AND COGNIZANT NOT BEING THE FOLKS WHO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A DEPUTY FOR EVERY PLACE THAT YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO WANT SOMEONE. I DON'T THINK THAT IS PRODUCTIVE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO DO IT RIGHT NOW NECESSARILY, AND WE WOULD GUT OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT THIS POINT.
I MEAN, WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY AND ADDING THESE POSITION ALSO HELP THAT BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT AT A PRICE TO THE REST OF OUR DEPARTMENT. I WANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF
THAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: JUST TO RECAP JUST MORE BODIES WITH GUNS IS NOT THE ANSWER.
WE HAD MORE THAN 17 75 LAW ENFORCEMENT -- 175 LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT I'VE HIGH HOPES AND FAITH WHAT THE I.
S. D.'S ARE ASKING FOR AND HOW WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM.
I'M GLAD THIS COURT IS WORKING WITH THE I. S. D.'S ASKING FOR SUPPORT WITHIN THEIR, OF COURSE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND WITHIN THEIR SPACE THEY CAN OPERATE.
SO THEY'RE GETTING THE SUPPORT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.
AND I THANK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE STEPPING UP LEANING IN ON THAT KNOWING THE DIFFICULTIES IN STAFFING THEY'RE DEALING WITH AT THIS TIME.
I'M GRATEFUL THIS COURT IS WILLING TO PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS. THANK YOU FOR THAT CONTRIBUTION. NO ACTION AT THIS TIME?
>> NO, JUST ONE ADDITION BECAUSE YOU DID KIND OF BRING TUP. I THINK WE'VE ALL HAD THOSE TYPES OF DISCUSSIONS WITH ITSELF SCHOOLS.
THEY REACHED OUT TO COUNTY PRETTY EARLY ON.
THIS IS, YOU KNOW THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TOPIC AND SCHOOL SAFETY HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO US FOR A LONG TIME. THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE HOLISTICALLY, THEY'RE LOOKING AT EVERY SINGLE THING THEY CAN DO TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
THEY TAKE THAT EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY, I THINK WE'RE FORTUNATE WE'VE EXPERIENCED FOLKS --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I DID THINK WE'VE 4 I. S. D.'S BUT I WANT TO INCLUDE WE ALSO HAVE THE ACADEMY ON 12 THAT'S AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT ALSO, I'VE SEEN IT. I'VE HEARD IT.
I'VE HAD THE PRESENTATION THEY'RE FRONT AND CENTER ON ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE A LOOKED DOOR THAT YOU THINK IS LOCKED IS NOT SOMETHING I'VE SEEP OR HEARD OR HAD ANYTHING THAT ANYONE IN OUR FOUR I. S. D.'S ARE FALLING ASLEEP ON THE WHEEL ON THAT FRONT.
THEY'RE VERY COGNIZANT PAYING ATTENTION TO ALL
THOSE THINGS -- >> JUDGE, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT, YOU KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THECY -- I. S. D.'S BUT THE FACT THAT A ROCK IN A DOOR ABOUT NEGATE EVERY DISCOUNT MEASURE THAT YOU TAKE.
WE SEE THAT EVERYDAY IN OUR BUILDINGS, WE HAVE HAD AN EFFORT IN OUR PRECINCT OFFICES IF YOU ARE RUNNING -- I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A STAFFER EARLIER THIS WEEK, IF YOU YOU ARE RUNNING TO YOUR CAR, JUST GO THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR. DON'T GO OUT THE SIDE DOOR, PUT A ROCK IN IT. THERE'S A REASON WE HAVE THE
SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S
RIGHT. >> I THINK THERE'S AT LEAST I HOPE JUST IN GENERAL IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT'S SAD WE HAVE TO HAVE IT BUT IN GENERAL IN OUR COMMUNITY I THINK THERE'S MORE OF A REALIZATION THAT WE HAVE TO DO THOSE THINGS. WE HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT.
>> PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE, THEY HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S RIGHT.
I'VE CONFIDENCE IN OUR TEAM THAT IT WILL BE FOLLOWED.
I'LL SAY AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME THERE IS NO ACTION ON THE ITEM. IT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT IN AUGUST BUT WE'LL TAKE A TEN MINUTE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: A LITTLE LOUDER FOR THE CAMERAS,.
I LOVE DOING IT, I DON'T WANT TO SOUND DECEPTIVE.
A TREAT TO DO THIS. >> TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT JUST ADJOURNED.
[01:55:02]
[LAUGHTER] >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU CAN HEAR UP UP AND DOWN THE CORRIDOR.
[Items G1 - G14 ]
[LAUGHTER] OKAY.WE'RE BACK FROM OUR RECESS, IF YOU'LL PLEASE GOING TO GO THROUGH CONSENT: PLEASE OPEN G. 1-14 EXCLUDEING SH.
>> >> GO 1, APPROVE APPOINTMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES, G. 2 APPROVE THE PAVEMENT OF JURY CHECKS. G. 3 APPROVE THE PAVEMENT OF UNITED HACK CLAIMS, G. 4 APPROVE COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 2022, APRIL 26, 2022, MAY 10, 2022, MAY 17, 2022, AND MAY 24, 2022.
5 APPROVE THE PAVEMENT OF THE JULY 31, 2022 PAY REPORT DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,586,000 EFFECTIVE JULY 31, 2022, AND POST TOTALS FOR WAGES, WITHHOLDBLES, DEDUCTIONS AND BENEFITS ON THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. 6 APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF I.
F. B. 2018 B. 07 REGULATORY ROAD SIGNS WITH PATH MARK TRAFFIC EQUIPMENT L. L. C. AND VULCAN, INC. FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR AS STATED IN ORIGINAL BID.
7, AUTHORIZE BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO ENTER INTO A SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH CONFERENCE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
FOR THE SERVICE, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF THE AUDIO/VISUAL SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING IN THE AMOUNT OF 29,323 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 8, APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS.
9, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION, VETERANS COUNTY SERVICE OFFICE PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF 150,000 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 10, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION, VETERANS TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000. 11, AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES HAZ-MAT DIVISION TO PURCHASE 4 SKULL MICROPHONES WITH BODY P. P. T. T. VALUED AT DOLLAR 2,359.50 FOR THE X. L. 200 P. LATERIOS AUTHORIZE A DECISIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUIT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.024 A. 7 D. AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 12 APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR R. F. P. 2022-P. 10 COUNTY CLERK RECORD INDEXING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO VISCID FOR PROPOSES AND ADVERTISE. 13 APPROVE RENEWAL OF R. F.
P. 2019 P. 05 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WITH DEER OAKS E. A. P. SERVICES L. L. C. FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR AS STATED IN THE ORIGINAL ACCOUNT.
14, AUTHORIZE THE SUBMISSION OF A RENEWAL AWARD FOR THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, F. Y. 23 TUBERCULOSIS FEDERAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,300.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMENTS? IF.
>> ONE COMMENT. >> LOOKING AT THE -- GOING THROUGH THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS, WHEN WE ADOPTED THIS NEW SYSTEM, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT HOW IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO GET THE MINUTES OUT.
AND WE'RE LOOKING AT MINUTES FROM ALL THE WAY BACK IN APRIL TO ADOPT TODAY. IF WE COULD TRY TO GET THEM WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO, MAYBE, I THINK IT WOULD PROBABLY BE HELPFUL FOR FOLKS --
>> THAT IS ANOTHER QUESTION OF BEING SHORT STAFFED FRANKLY BUT WE'LL DO OUR BEST.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[Items G15 - G20 ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN 15-20.
>> G. 15, AUTHORIZE THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE TO REGRADE THE COMBINED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR POSITION TO A GRADE 120 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
G. 16 WAY PROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR R. F. P.
2022-P. 11 COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO SOLICIT FOR BIDS AND ADVERTISE.
G. 17 AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A SERVICE AGREEMENT PROGRAM WITH SOUTHWEST SOLUTIONS GROUP TOTALING $3,064 PER YEAR FOR EVIDENCE STORAGE LOCKERS LOCATED AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING.
G. 18, ESTABLISH AN OPERATING BUDGET WITHIN THE
[02:00:02]
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS FOR THE PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION OFFICE AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.G. 19AR PROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR I. F. B. 2022-B. 18 CULVERTS AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO SOLICIT FOR BIDS AND ADVERTISE. G-20 APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR I. F. B. 2022-B. 19 MOTAL BEAM GUARD FENCE MATERIALS AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO SLUICE SOLICIT
FOR BIDS AND ADVERTISING. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> CAN I MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. ONE ON 15 REMIND THE COURT THE POSITION IS FUNDED JOINTLY BY THE PART FIRST OF THE C. E. C. C. SO THE CITY OF KYLE, CITY OF BUDA, STATE AND HAYS COUNTY AND IN OUR LAST EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING WE AGREED THAT RECOMMEND THE INCREASE TO THE GRADE 120 TO GET A BETTER POOL OF APPLICANTS.
NUMBER 18 THE COURT HAD, HAD ALLOCATED THE ARPA FUNDS FOR THE PRE-TRIAL SERVICES OFFICE.
THIS IS GOING TO GO AHEAD AND FINALIZE THAT IN OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR. THERE'S A MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE TO FORMALLY ESTABLISH THAT AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HIRE THE DIRECTOR OF THAT DEPARTMENT HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, AT LEAST THAT'S THE PLAN TO GET THAT OFFICE ROLLING BY OCTOBER 1.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WELL DONE, BRAVO.
COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, TO CHECK ANY COMMENTS? I DON'T WANT TO SKATE THROUGH THE LIST.
WHAT IS THAT? >> I'M GOOD, JUDGE.
>> SHE SAID SHE IS GOOD. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU.
[I1. Discussion and possible action to call for a public hearing on August 2, 2022 to establish 3-way stop locations on Flaming Cliff Road: at the intersection with Whisper Valley Drive (west end); at the intersection with Round Bluff Circle (private road); at the intersection with Whisper Valley Drive (east end). SHELL/BORCHERDING ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. LEASE OPEN I. 1.
>> I. 1, DISCUSSION AND IMPORTANTLY ACTION TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 2, 2022, TO ESTABLISH A 3-WAY STOP LOCATIONS ON FLAMING CLIFF ROAD, AT THE INTERSECTION WITH WHISPER VALLEY DRIVE, WEST END, AT THE INTERSECTION WITH ROUND BLUFF CIRCLE, PRIEF ROAD, AND AT THE INTERSECTION OF WHISPERVALE DRIVE EAST END.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I2. Discussion and possible action to consider the acceptance of road construction & surface drainage improvements, release of the performance bond #SUR0070209 in the amount of $1,111,890.25 for Trails at Windy Hill subd., Phase 6, release of the performance bond #SUR0070208 in the amount of $572,129.75 for Trails at Windy Hill subd., Phase 7, and acceptance of the 2-year maintenance bond #204920Y in the amount of $186,217.91 for both Trails at Windy Hill subd., Phase 6 & Phase 7. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING ]
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE ACCEPTANCE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, RELEASE OF THE PERFORMANCE BOND S. U. R. 0070209 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,111,890.25 FOR TRAILS AT WINDY HILL SUBDIVISION, PHASE 6, RELEASE OF THE PERFORMANCE BOND S. U. R. 0070208 IN THE AMOUNT OF $572,129.75 FOR THE TRAILS AT WINDY HILL SUBDIVISION PHASE 7, AND ACCEPT APPEARS OF THE 2-YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER 204920 Y. IN THE AMOUNT OF $186,217.91 FOR BOTH TRAILS AT WINDY HILL SUBDIVISION,
PHASE 6 AND PHASE 7. >> SO MOVED.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: VERY WELL WRITTEN, VERY COMPLETE.
[I3. Discussion and possible action to accept the Irrevocable Letter of Credit No. 20224128 for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $576,000.49 for 6 Creeks Phase 1 Section 5B Subdivision. SHELL/BORCHERDING ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN I. 3.
>> I. 3, DISCUSS AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE IRREVOCABLABLE LETTER OF CREDIT NUMBER 20224128 FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $576,000 .49 FOR 6 CREEKS PHASE 1 SECTION 5 B.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: CALL THE ROLL.
[I4. Discussion and possible action to accept Subdivision Bond No. 30166330 for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $1,035,391.42 for 6 Creeks Phase 1 Section 13B Subdivision. SHELL/BORCHERDING ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN I. 4.
>> I. 4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT SUBDIVISION BOND NUMBER 30166330 FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE EDGE PROMPTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,035,39 91 .42 FOR 6 CREEKS PHASE ONE SECTION 13
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I5. Discussion and possible action to accept Subdivision Bond #SU1180136 for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $646,815.41 for 6 Creeks Phase 1 Section 13A Subdivision. SHELL/BORCHERDING ]
[02:05:02]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN I. 5.
>> I. 5, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT SUBDIVISION BOND S. U. 1180136 FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $646,815.
41 FOR 6 CREEKS PHASE 1 SECTION 13 A. SUBDIVISION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I6. Discussion and possible action to accept the Performance Bond #CMS0348837 for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $609,482.61 for 6 Creeks Phase 1 Section 8B Subdivision. SHELL/BORCHERDING ]
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE PERFORMANCE BOND NUMBER C. M. S. 0348837 FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $609,482 .61 FOR 6 CREEKS PHASE 1 SECTION 8 B. SUBDIVISION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I7. Discussion and possible action to accept the Irrevocable Letter of Credit No. 20224122 for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $424,008.25 for 6 Creeks Phase 1 Section 6A Subdivision. SHELL/BORCHERDING ]
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT NUMBER 20224122 FOR STREET DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF 424,008.25 FOR 6
[I8. Discussion and possible action to award a contract for IFB 2022-B13 Elder Hill Road - Remove and Replace Hot Mix with Clark Construction of Texas, Inc. in the amount of $2,142,200.00. SMITH/BORCHERDING ]
I. 8 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR I. F. B. 2022 B. 13 ELDER HILL ROAD REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX WITH CLARK CONSTRUCTION OF TEXAS INC.
IN THE AMOUNT OF 2,142,200. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: HOW LONG IS THAT GOING TO BE THERE, THAT WORK? HOW LONG DO YOU
THINK THAT WILL TAKE? >> PROBABLY 6 MONTHS --
>> IT'S PRETTY BIG JOB. >> ELDER HILL IS BECOMING A VERY SIGNIFICANT CUT THROUGH AND TRAFFIC IS PRETTY, I MEAN -- IT'S PRETTY EXTREME SO THERE'S -- THIS IS A VERY GOOD THING. I KNOW IT WILL BE VERY WELL
RECEIVED OUT THERE. >> I THINK THE OTHER PROBLEM IS JUST THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ROADWAY WAS NEVER MEANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE TRAFFIC THAT IS THIS SO THAT'S GOING
TO HELP TREMENDOUSLY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I9. Discussion and possible action to award a contract for IFB 2022-B12 Belterra Drive - Remove & Replace Hot Mix with Asphalt Inc. LLC, dba Lone Star Paving Company in the amount of $346,750.00. SMITH/BORCHERDING ]
>> I-9, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR I. F. B. 2022-B. 12 BELT ERA DRIVE, REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX WITH ASPHALT INC. L. L. C.
D/B/A LOAN STAR PAVING COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANT TO MAKE ONE COMMENT. MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO IT THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL THIS YEAR?
>> MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO ANYTHING THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL. >> WE NEED TO GIVE OUR GUYS AND OUR CONTRACTORS A DAY OFF.
THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IS PROBABLY A GOOD DAY
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I10. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute Contract Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $20,000.00 to the Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Binkley & Barfield, Inc. for utility coordination services on the FM 621 Safety Improvements project in Precinct 1, as part of the Hays County Road Bond Program. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING ]
PLEASE OPEN I-10. >> I-10, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BINGLY AND BARFIELD INC. FOR UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES ON THE F.M. 621 SAFE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN PRECINCT 1 AS PART OF THE HAYS COUNTY ROAD
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I11. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute Contract Amendment No. 5 in the amount of $50,000.00 to the Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and LJA Engineering, Inc. for professional design services on the FM 110 North project in Precinct 1, as part of the TxDOT/Hays County Partnership Program; and authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024(a)(4). INGALSBE/BORCHERDING ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN I. 11 AND TO SIMPLIFY IT I'LL MOTION IT WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
>> SHE IS DOING IT ON -- SHE IS SEEING HER.
>> I. 11 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER 5 IN THE AMOUNT OF DOLLAR 50 NOU TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND L. J. A.
ENGINEERING INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES ON THE F.M. 110 NORTH PROJECT IN PRECINCT 1 AS PART OF THE TEXAS DOT HAYS COUNTY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
[02:10:04]
AND AUTHORIZE THE DISCRETIONARY EXEDGES PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262>> >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION ALTHOUGH YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD IT.
COMMISSIONER INGALSBE MOTIONED AND WE HAVE A SECOND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
OPEN I. 12. >> I. 12 DISCUSSION AND IMPORTANTLY ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HOW MANY TIMESY AND K. FREESE AND ASSOCIATES INC.
TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE F.M.
110 SOUTH GRADING PROJECT IN PRECINCT 1 AND AMEND THE
BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: GOT IT.
[J1. PLN-1726-NP; Gragg Subdivision. Discussion and possible action to consider a variance from section 721.5.05 (B) of the Hays County Development Regulations and approval of final plat. SMITH/PACHECO ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN J. 1.
>> J. 1, P. L. N. 1726 N. P. GAG SUBDIVISION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER A VARIANCE FROM THE SECTION 721 .0 .05 B. OF THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND APPROVAL OF THE FINAL PLATT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
FOR THE PUBLIC -- >> I'LL BE REAL BRIEF WITH THIS ONE. THE REQUEST TO THE VARIANCE MARKS -- JUM, THE QUESTION IS A 3 LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS 37 ACRES THAT STRADDLES THE HAYS COUNTY AND TRAVIS COUNTY BOARDER. OUT OF THE LOTS THERE ARE 2 LOTS IN HUNT THAT HE COULD BE CONSIDERED FLAG LOT CONFIGURATIONS. THE REASON FOR THAT IS AS A REQUIREMENT BY, THROUGH THE CITY OF TRAVIS COUNTY FOR DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS AND ALSO FOR WATER QUALITY STANDARDS, THEY WILL NOT BE USED AS MEANS FOR ACCESS AND IN ANY SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION.
AS A MATTER OF FACT THE ACCESS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY JOINT USE DRIVEWAYS WHICH WILL BE PERMANENT THROUGH -- PERMITTED THROUGH TEXAS DOT SINCE ALL LOTS ARE ACCESS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> I WOULD POINT OUT AGAIN THAT, I KNOW HE JUST SAID THIS BUT GLOSSED OVER IT, WE'RE HAPPY TO MAKE SOME OF THE CHANGES, THIS IS THE SECONDS ONE OF THESE VARIANCES I'VE HAD TO DO BECAUSE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO WE MAY SEE MORE OF THESE AS WE SEE MORE DEVELOPMENT THERE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[J2. PLN-1946-NP - Flat Creek Reserve, Final Plat (8 Lots). Discussion and possible action to approve the final plat; accept Performance Bond No. EACX4024679 for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $226,186.00. SHELL/PACHECO ]
P. L. N.-1946-N. P. H. FINAL CREEK -- FLAT CREEK RESERVE FINAL PLAT DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL PLAT ACCEPT A.ANCE BOND NUMBER. A. C. X. 4024.
FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE, THE FLAT CREEK RESERVE IS A PROPOSED EIGHT LOCALITY SUBDIVISION ACROSS APPROXIMATELY 53 ACRES OFF OF LEDGE ROARK ROAD IN PRECINCT 3. WATER FOR THE SUBDIVISION IS GOING TO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS, WASTE WATER WILL BE THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ONSITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. ONE NOTES ALL LOTS IN THE SUBDIVISION ARE RESTRICTED TO ONE SINGLE FAMILY RES STEPS FER LOT AND REGULATED INVESTMENT IS PROHIBITED.
ET DEVELOPMENT HAS PROVISIONS BUILT IN.
AND THERE ARE NO VARIANCES REQUESTED AND IT HAS FULL
STAFF REMITS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, ANYTHING ELSE? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K4. Discuss and possible action to authorize the submission of a Community Development Block Grant - Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Program Application to the General Land Office; and authorizing the County Judge to act as the County's Executive Officer and Authorized representative in all manners pertaining to the County's participation in the Community Development Block Grant -Mitigation Program. BECERRA/T.CRUMLEY/MIKE JONES ]
DISCUSS AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SUBMISSION OF A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLANS PROGRAM APPLICATION TO THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACT AS THE COUNTY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN ALL MANNERS PERTAINING TO THE COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT MITIGATION PROGRAM.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K5. Discussion and possible action authorizing the County Judge to execute two Texas Workforce Commission Information Release Contracts for the Hays County Criminal District Attorney's Office and the Hays County Sheriff's Office. INGALSBE/MAU/CUTLER ]
[02:15:03]
NUMBER 5 PLEASE. K. 5.>> K. 5, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE TWO TEXAS WORK FORK COMMISSION INFORMATION RELEASE CONTRACTS FOR THE HAYS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an agreement with HDR Architecture, Inc. related to a long-term master plan for the Hays County Government Center located at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail and authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024(a)(4). SHELL/T.CRUMLEY ]
I HAVE' BEEN ASKED TO PULL K. 6.GO TO K. 7. >> K7 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH H. D. R. ARCHITECTURE INC. RELATED TO A LONG-TERM MASTER PLAN FOR THE HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER LOCATED AT 712 SOUTH STAGECOACH TRAIL AND AUTHORIZE A DECISIONARY EXEDGES PURSUIT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 262.024A4.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC IF YOU WOULD.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, THOSE, THIS IS HARD FOR ME TO SAY BECAUSE I WAS AROUND WHEN IT WAS BUILT AND I COULD HAVE PROBABLY PLAYED A FOOTBALL GAME IN SOME OF THE OFFICES IS REALLY BUFFETING AT THE SEAMS RIGHT -- BUSTING AT THE SEEMS. WE NEED TO BE CREATIVE WITH THE USE OF THE SPACE THERE.
WE HAVE A NEW DISTRICT JUDGE THAT WILL BE COMING ON-LINE SOMETIME AFTER SEPTEMBER 1ST.
PROBABLY BETWEEN THEN AND THE END OF THE YEAR.
WE'VE OUR ELECTIONS OFFICE AND I. T.
WE'RE ANOTHER ITEM POINTING TO RELOCATE TO THE NEW FILT THERE IN THE SAME REGION. DICK'S CLASSIC CAR GARAGE SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME IF NOT PROBABLY A LITTLE LATE TO HAVE H. D. R. WHICH WAS THE ARCHITECT THAT DESIGNED THE BUILDING TO TAKE A LOOK, MEET WITH ALL OF THE STAFF, ALL OF THE OFFICES AND PUT TOGETHER SOME PLANS FOR THE USE OF THE FACILITY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HANDLE OUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND ALSO PLAN FOR FUTURE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: GOOD. MR. KENNEDY.
>> JUDGE, I'M JUST NOTE THAT THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT ITSELF WAS NOT IN BACKUP BUT I DID PRY THAT TO THE -- PROVIDE THAT TO THE COURT MEMBERS BY E-MAIL.
APOLOGIES FOR THAT. IT -- WE'RE STILL GETTING USED TO THE AGENDA SOFTWARE AND IT DIDN'T ROUTE THROUGH MY OFFICE FOR REVIEW AND IN ADVANCE WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT BUT IT'S A STANDARD PROFESSION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS.
THE SCOPE AND FEE WAS IN BACKUP AND I'VE PROVIDE THAT HAD TO YOU UNDER SEPARATE COVER.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, IT CAN BE REVIEWED LATER AT A FUTURE DATE WHEN IT'S SUBMITTED AS PART OF OUR COURT RECORDS, AM I RIGHT? IT WILL BE THERE FOR THE FUTURE.
>> IT WILL BE PART -- WE CAN MAKE IT PART OF THE COURT RECORD. NORMALLY WE'LL HAVE THAT IN
BACKUP. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EASY FIX, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K8. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Vista Planning and Design, related to landscape design and planning, on an as-needed basis and authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024(a)(4). SHELL ]
PLEASE OPEN K. 8. >> K. 8, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND VISTA PLANNING AND DESIGN, RELATED TO LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND PLANNING ON AN AS KNEADED BASIS AND AUTHORIZE A DECISIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262
COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, VISTA PLANNING AND DESIGN HAS DONE WORK FOR THE COUNTY IN THE PAST. I THINK MOST RECENTLY THEY'VE DONE SOME WORK ON OUR SENTINEL PEAK PRESERVE, MAYBE SOME OTHER PROJECTS MR. KENNY MIGHT BE WEAR OF.
THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF THINGS, ONE, A PROJECT OF MINE IN THE TARN NORTHERN PART OF PRECINCT 3 THAT I COULD USE SOME PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. I THOUGHT ALSO IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING FOR THE COURTHOUSE GROUNDS, WE HAD HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT COURTHOUSE GROUNDS ACCOMMODATING THE FESTIVALS, PUBLIC ACCESS TO THIS BEAUTIFUL SPOT IN SAN MARCOS. I THINK WE'VE ALL GOT SOME IDEAS OF MAYBE SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
2 COULD BE AN OPTION FOR THE COURT TO -- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AN OPTION, I'M SURE THERE MIGHT BE SOME OTHER THINGS ESPECIALLY WITH OUR PARKS, SOMS OF OUR PARKS BONDS EVEN FROM ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER PROJECTS COMING ON-LINE. WE MIGHT FROM TIME TO TIME NEED A FEW HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL TO LOOK FOR US AND I'VE HAD VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH VISTA ON THE WORK THEY'VE DONE AND HAVE AT LEAST ONE PROJECT IN PRECINCT 3 I WOULD LIKE TO ENGAME THEM ON.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL. MR. KENNEDY.
>> JUST A NOTE, I DID HAVE VISTA ADD DRAINAGE AND
[02:20:05]
IRRIGATION TO THEIR SCOPE WHICH IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE SCOPE THAT YOU SEE IN BACKUP.AND I DID CONFIRM THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP US WITH PERMITTING SHOULD THAT BE NEEDED AS WELL WHICH IS
OFTEN PART OF A PROJECT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S GREAT. I'LL ASK, ALL TOO OFTEN, THIS ISN'T ROCK THROWING AT ANY ORGANIZATION OR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, BUT ALL TOO OFTEN WE'RE FACED WITH NICELY DECORATED MEDIANS AND LANDSCAPINGS THAT WE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH AS A MUNICIPALITY OR AS AN I. S.
D. OR AS A GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE.
I WOULD JUST USE THIS OPPORTUNITY AS A JUMPING OFF POINT TO SUGGEST AND ENCOURAGE WHEN WE BUILD THINGS, DESIGN THINGS AND IMPROVE THINGS TO THINK OF JULY AND AUGUST. YOU KNOW, THAT WE, THE LESS DRAGS WE PLANT, THE LESS VEGETATION THAT REQUIRES WATERING, THE MORE INDIGENOUS, THE MORE ZERO SCAPING, THE MORE OF THAT THE BETTER WE'LL BE SERVED BECAUSE OUR FOOTPRINTS WILL BE LONG LASTING CLEAN AND TIDY LOOKING WITHOUT ALL THE EXTRA RESOURCES.
JUST MY SUGGESTION. >> I COMPLETESLY AGREE.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO OUR BEST TO MAKE IT AS MAINTENANCE-FREE AS IMPORTANTLY.
>> THAT'S CORRECT, CRUSHED ASPHALT AND CACTUS NEEDS LITTLE MAINTENANCE,. [LAUGHTER]
[K9. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an Interior Design Proposal with Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK) related to the interior design of the new Elections and Information Technology Building located at 120 Stagecoach Trail; authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 262.024 (a) (4) and amend the budget accordingly . SHELL/DOINOFF ]
PLEASE OPEN K. 9. >> K. 9 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERIOR DESIGN PROPOSAL WITH HELMUTH OBATA AND CASA BALM INC.
RELATED TO THE INTERIOR OF THE NEW ELECTIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUILDING LOCATED AT 120 STAGE COUNSELLING TRAIL, AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXPELS PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.024 A. H. AND AMEND THE BUDGET
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND
A SECOND, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
THIS IS THE NEW COUNTY FACILITY TO THE CORNER AT STAGECOACH TRAIL AND HUNTER ROAD FORMALLY DICK'S CLASSIC CAR GARAGE HAND IN HAND WITH THE PREVIOUS ITEM ON THE GOVERNMENT CENTER LOOKING AT BOTH SPACES AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF THEM FOR THE LONG-TERM.
THIS BUILDING IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.
I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERIOR WALLS INFRASTRUCTURE, WIRING, PLUMBING, THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT I DO BELIEVE HAVING SOMEBODY GET STARTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO TRY TO GET THOSE IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED, BUDGETED AND MADE SO WE CAN UTILIZE THE FACILITY KNOWING THAT WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF SPACE AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT ELECTIONS EARLIER AND ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT AND THINGS THAT COMES ALONG WITH ELECTIONS AND THE ELECTION PROCESS ITSELF AND ALWAYS THE NEW LAWS AND RULES ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTIONS THE SPACE IS GOING TO BE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE BEST ELECTIONS WE CAN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S RIGHT.
ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS POINTS BROUGHT UP TO ME WAS TRYING TO RUSH TO RUN IN THERE FOR A NOVEMBER ELECTION, I WANT TO ASSURE THE VIEWING PUBLIC THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. JENNIFER WILL BE FUELINGY SUPPORTED BY THE COURT TO RUN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND MOST EXPEDITIOUS ELECTION BUT THERE WILL BE NO DISRUPTIONS IN THE PROTOCOL IN THE ROAD MAPP AND THE NOVEMBER ELECTION WILL BE LEFT ALONE ON SITE.
CURRENT LOCATION, THIS EFFORT IS FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS. JUST AS A REMINDER AS A TOUCH YOUR FOOTPRINTPRINT, I ENDURING ITENSE AND ZERO SCAPING. ITEMS THAT DON'T REQUIRE WATERING, IF YOU COULD DO THAT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
[K10. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a Participating Addendum with Cradlepoint, Inc. utilizing the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint Master Agreement and authorize the renewal of Hays County's Cradlepoint licenses. BECERRA/MCGILL ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN K. 10.
>> K. 10 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A PARTICIPATING ADDENDUM WITH THE CRADLE-POINT INC. UTILIZING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PROCUREMENT OFFICIALS VALUE POINT MASTER AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE RENEWAL OF HAYS COUNTY CRADLE-POINT'S LICENSES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE SOMEONE IN THE PODIUM.
MAYBE YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
>> BETH MCGAIL. I. T. DIRECTOR FOR HAYS COUNTY. THESE DEVICES THAT WE'RE REVIEWING THE LICENSE ON ARE ALL THE IN CAR COMMUNICATIONS AS FAR AS ALL THE DATA WITH CONNECTION WITH MOBILE CAD AS WELL AS THE GPS AND THE IN CAR CAMERAS. SO TO MAINTAIN THE ANNUAL LICENSE AGREEMENT ON THIS SO IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO MANAGE DEVICES, DO SECURITY UPGRADES AND FIRMWARE
[02:25:02]
UPDATES AS WELL AS KEEPING THEM INVENTORIED AND I CAN TELL WHEN THEY COME IN AND OUT OF SERVICE.THIS IS, WE KEEP THESE UP TO DATE.
WE'RE JUST USING THE PROTOCOL WE'RE FOLLOWING
CORRECT PURCHASING POLICIES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: GOOD.
THANK YOU. I WANT TO ASK YOU THIS: NOTHING WORSE THAN WASTE. DO WE HAVE ANY CRADLE POINTS SITTING ON A SHELF WE'RE PAYING FOR A LICENSE ON?
>> WE DO NOT. WE JUST RECENTL INVENTORIED EVERY SINGLE DEVICE THAT WE HAVE IN PREPARATION FOR THIS, AND EVERY ONE THAT WE HAVE IS IN USE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: INURE TIDY, ACCOUNTED FOR, PERFECTLY DONE, WELL DONE, JEFF, I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF WORK. IT SEEMS LIKE A ONE LINER BUT I UNDERSTAND IT'S A LOT OF WORK WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, COMMISSIONERS, COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K12. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an Agreement for HVAC - Maintenance and Repair Services related to RFP 2022-P08 HVAC - Maintenance & Repair Services, Jail between Hays County and SI Mechanical, LLC. INGALSBE/CUTLER ]
WE'VE ALREADY DONE K. 11 PLEASE OPEN K. 12.>> K. 12, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR H. V. A. A.
C. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES RELATED TO R. F. P.
2022-P. 08 H. V. A. C. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES JAIL BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND S. I. MECHANICAL
>> SO MOVED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
ON TO A COOL JAIL, CHIEF. THANK YOU.
[K13. Discussion and possible action to approve the naming of a private driveway in Precinct 3, Rustic Ridge Trl. SHELL/PACHECO ]
OPEN K. 13. >> K. 13, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE NAMING OF A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY IN PRECINCT 3 RUSTIC RIDGE TRAIL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE% CALL THE ROLL.
[K14. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Parks Department to issue refunds to reservations holders due to Jacob's Well closures and authorize the Director of Countywide Operations to approve all refunds for the Parks Department moving forward. SHELL /T.CRUMLEY ]
>> K. 14, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE REFUNDS TO RESERVATIONS HOLDERS DUE TO JACOB'S WELL CLOSURES AND AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS TO APPROVE ALL REFUNDS FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT MOVING
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THE LAST LEG OF THE CONVERSATION IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME TO COURT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORDING.
>> I WANT TO GIVE THE, OUR DIRECTOR OF COUNTY WIDE OPERATIONS TAMMY THE ABILITY TO MAKE THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS WHEN WE CLOSE PARKS.
AS MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE WE CAN CLOSE JACOB'S WELL TO SWIMMING, PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO GO TO THE GROUNDS, HIKE TRAILS BUT SWIMMING WHICH WE TAKE RESERVATIONS FOR I BELIEVE IT'S $9 IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, TO SWIM THERE. WE'VE CLOSED THE WELL SWIMMING AND UNFORTUNATELY IT IS VERY OBVIOUS IF YOU WERE TO SEE THE WELL RIGHT NOW.
IT'S PROBABLY IS IN AS BAD SHAPE AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.
NO SWIMMING BUT I DID WANT TO ALLOW OUR DIRECTOR OF COUNTY WIDE OPERATIONS TO MAKE DECISIONS WHEN WE CLOSE A PARK TO OFFER REFUNDS IF IT'S APPROPRIATE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC WHEN YOU SAY IN BAD SHAPE CAN YOU HELP US?
>> NO FLOW. THE WELL IS FOR THE MOST PART STAG NABET. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY OUTFLOW COMING OUT OF IT. IF YOU --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO SAY IT MEANS
BEER CANS AND TRASH. >> I THINK, YOU KNOW WE HADDEST -- WE STARTED DOING TESTING.
WE'VE SOME GREAT PARTNERS THAT WERE MONITORING THE WELL AS THE DROUGHT STARTED TO HAPPEN SO WE NEVER GOT INTO ANYTHING THAT WAS' DANGEROUS FROM A HEALTH STAND-POINT. WE MADE THE DECISION BEFORE WE GOT TO THAT POINT BUT EVEN AT THAT TIME I WENT OUT THERE AND FOOK A LOOK AND SAID IT WAS PROBABLY GOING TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE WEEK. THERE WERE PEOPLE SWIMMING BUT MOST OF THEM WERE COMMENTING THIS ISN'T WHAT I EXPECTED. YOU CAN SEE TO -- USUALLY YOU CAN SEE STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.
IT WAS VERY MURKY AND FOR THE MOST PART I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TOAD REALLY SWIM AT THAT POINT EVEN THOUGH IT
WAS STILL SAFE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S RIGHT. CAN YOU, COULD YOU CHANGE THE SCREEN FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC? OKAY.
>> TAMMY CRUMLEY DIRECTOR OF COUNTY WIDE OPERATIONS.
AS OF YESTERDAY, THE FLOW RATE WAS AT .09 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND SO IT'S BASICALLY NOT FLOWING.
THE WATER WAS, AT THE TIME WE CLOSED IT WAS NOT SAVE
[02:30:02]
DUE TO VISIBILITY. THERE WAS A SCUM ON TOP OF IT THAT WASN'T SAFE AT ALL. SO THE THE DECISION WAS MADE TO GO AHEAD AND CLOSE IT TO THE PUBLIC FOR SWIMMING.SO, IT'S, IT'S PRETTY SAD CONDITIONS RIGHT NOW.
WATER IS CLEAR BUT IT'S DRYING UP AROUND THE WELL.
SO -- IF WE DOESN'T GET RAINFALL SOON IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN WORSE. THE FLOW RATE IS DECREASING
DAILY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: RIGHT ON.
>> THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THE ITEM BUT I KNOW WHEN THE BLANCO IS NOT RUNNING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS
-- JANEOCK'S -- >> THERE IS A LOT FOLK DOING ANY, DOING ANY WORK THEY THINK THEY CAN GET DONE WHILE IT'S DRIED OUT. I KNOW THAT THE WATERSHED FOLKS, THEY'VE INVITED SELF FOLKS DOWN TO COME AND DO
SOME -- >> HOPEFULLY WE NEVER GET
THIS LOW GIVEN. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU KNOW IT WILL, THAT'S WHY I'M TALKING ABOUT ZERO SCAPING, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K15. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an LCRA Transmission Services Corporation Hays County Conservation Provider Agreement, which identifies Hays County as LCRA's Conservation Provider to implement mitigation of endangered species on designated projects within Hays County and amend the budget accordingly. SHELL ]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN K. 159.
>> K. 15 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE L. C. R. A. TRANSMISSION SERVICES CORPORATION HAYS COUNTY CONSERVATION PROVIDER AGREEMENT, WHICH IDENTIFIES HAYS COUNTY AS L. C. R. A.'S CONSERVATION PROVIDER TO IMPLEMENT MITIGATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES ON DESIGNATED PROJECT WITHIN HAYS COUNTY AND AMEND THE BUT THE ACCORDINGLY.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: A FEW WORDS.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, I'LL LET MR. KENNEDY TAKE OVER BUT MANY OF YOU PROBABLY NOTICED L. C. R. A. MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PAST PROBABLY 6 MONTHS NOW STARTING SOUTHWEST OF THE COUNTY AND HEADED NORTH FOR THE MOST PART. THEY DID APPROACH THE COUNTY ABOUT UTILIZING THE CREDITS THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED THROUGH OUR HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN AND MR. KENNEDY AND ALEXANDER THOMSON HAVE WORKED WITH L.
C. R. A. AND U.S. FISH TO COME THIS -- TO THIS
AGREEMENT. >> THE, IS THE ACREAGE THAT L. C. R. A. ED NEEDED TO MITIGATE IS 18.4 ACRES, FISH WORKED WITH US TO OPEN UP THE OPPORTUNITY ON THE COMELE COUNTY SIDE OF SENTINEL PEAK PRESERVE WHICH WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MARK UNDER OUR PLAN.
SO THAT IS AN ADVANTAGE FOR US AND IT ALSO HELPED L. C.
R. A. IDENTIFY ACREAGE FOR MET GAUGES SO IT WAS A -- MITIGATION, IT WAS' A WIN/WIN.
WE HAD TO NEGOTIATE PRICE. THE PRICE IS $460,000 FOR THAT 18.4 ACRES, IT'S MORE THAN THE USUALLY 7500 PER ACRE THAT WE'D CHARGE UNDER OUR PLAN, BUT THIS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MANAGE THIS GOING FORWARD AND FOR ALL TIME ON THEIR BEHALF. SO WHAT WE DID WAS WE TAKE THE LAND VALUE OF ACREAGE OUT THERE UNDER CURRENT APPRAISALS AND WE SPLIT IT IN HALF, AND SAID, ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE THAT ON.
THEY AGREED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SO FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC L. C. R. A-LINES WILL BE RUNNING
THROUGH SENTINEL PEAK -- >> NO.
>> FOR THE MOST PART IN SAN MARCOS, IT CAME THROUGH KIND OF THERE AT THE SOUTHWESTERN CORNER.
IT CROSSED MCCARDY LANE, CROSS RANCHO 12.
THAT'S SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE, IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT TO RANCHO 12, RIGHT AFTER YOU GO PAST LA SIMA THE INTERSECTION THAT TRANSMISSION LINE.
YOU CAN SEE ALL THE TO YOU PERCENT AND LINES OUT THERE.
FROM THAT POINT ON, KIND OF NORTH THROUGH THE COUNTY AND SO THE PORTION THAT THEY HAD TO MITIGATE STARTED AT MCCARD CARDY LANE THEN WENT PAST RANCHO 12 WHERE THE MAIN HABITAT WAS WITHIN THEIR EASEMENT.
SO WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE IS TO USE CREDITS AT SENTINEL PEAK THAT OTHERWISE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO USE BECAUSE PART OF OUR TRACT OF SHRINE IN COMELE COUNTY. NOW THAT ACREAGE THAT WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO OFFER TO ANYONE, U.S. FISH HAS ALLOWED US IN THIS CONTRACT WITH L. C. R. A. TO OFFER THOSE CREDITS TO THEM. WE'LL NOW BE MANAGING THOSE CREDITS. WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T DAMAGE THE ACRES WHICH WE WOULDN'T EVER HAVE
PLANNED FOR ANYWAY. >> CORRECT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU FOR REITERATING --
>> A GREAT DEAL, THANK YOU TO L. C. R. A. VERY MUCH FOR
[02:35:06]
THE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS PROGRAM.IT'S IMPORTANT, BUT THAT IS A SIZEABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: RIGHT ON. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[M1. Discussion and possible action related to the burn ban. BECERRA ]
PLEASE OPEN M. 1. >> M. 1 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE BURCH BAN.
>> I WOULD -- BURN BAN. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. MIKE JONES TO THE PODIUM AND GIVE US ANY UPDATES THAT I KNOW OUR FIRE MARSHALL HAS CONVEYED.
>> MICRONS DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES HAYS COUNTY. FIRE MARSHAL PUT OUT -- [INAUDIBLE] BUT JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON WE ARE ATE EXPECTING SOME SEVERE TEMPERATURES, NOT NEWS TOE ANYBODY IN THE ROOM.
THE K. D. B. I. IS AT 684. SURROUNDING COUNTIES ARE HIGHER THAN THAT AS A MATTER OF FACT, AND WE'RE RECOMMENDING WE MAINTAIN A BURN BAN IN PLACE.
ADDITIONALLY TO THAT BOTH EXPECTING WINDS IN THE AREA THAT ARE GOING TO EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED WINDS FOR BURNING. GUSTS UP TO 25 MILES PER HOUR FOR THIS WEEK. ADDITIONALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT VERY LOW HUMIDITY RATE THAT'S BETWEEN 15-25%.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: MR. KENNEDY, OUR BURN BAN, I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO HAVE ALL THIS IN YOUR HEAD BUT EXPIRATION TIME, DO WE HAVE TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS TIME?
>> WE DO NOT. THE STATUTORY STANDARD FOR THAT IS 90 TAKES ON EXPIRE AIR, -- 90 DAYS ON
[M2. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA ]
EXPIRATION. >> PLEASE OPEN M. 2.
>> M. 2 DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS
AND COSTS. >> EACH WEEK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PROVIDES MY OFFICE A REPORT OF OUR INMATE POPULATION. OUR CURRENT MAXIMUM JAIL CAPACITY IS 410 INMATES. JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOLDING APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THAT CAPACITY OPEN WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 368. THE JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS 681 AND PEAK WAS 692 ON JULY 13TH.
THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK IS $111,277. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES IS 177. FEMALES ARE 46.
THIS WEEK'S INMATES HAVE HOUSED IN BLANCO, BUSHETTE, COMELE, FORT BEND, LEE, MAVERICK AND RED RIVER.
I WAS TAPPED ON THIS LANE, I WAS TAPPED BY THE CONTRACT FOR OKLAHOMA BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.
BUT I COULD HAVE MISSPOKE AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A CONTRACT TO OUTSOURCE TO OUTSIDE OUR STATE BUT IT'S A CONVERSATION THAT IS BEING HAT BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE STAFFING AND THE POPULATION IN THE
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
JAILS. SO THIS LEAVES US EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, PLEASE OPEN L. 1, 2, AND 3.>> L. 1 EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.087. OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. CONSULTATION WITH -- COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT SHAM RACK.
POSSIBLE ACTION MAY MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.
L. 2, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL RELATED TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF THE LA SIMA SUBDIVISION. POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L. 3, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE POKEAK RECOMMENDED 2020 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE BOND PROJECTS. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: SOUNDS GOOD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL BEGIN WITH L. 2.
IF YOU ARE NOT DIRECTLY TIED TO L. 2 PLEASE CLEAR THE COURTROOM. (EXECUTIVE
GOOD. I'LL HAVE A COPY TO GIVE TO
YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE'RE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND DO -- I DON'T KNOW HOW
[02:40:04]
QUICK IT WILL BE TO LOOP COMMISSIONER INGALSBE IN BUT>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER, FIRST MOTION
FOR YOU. >> YEAH, CAN YOU HEAR ME,
>> OKAY. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY 130 ACRES OF PROPERTY NEAR STATE HIGHWAY 21 IN PRECINCT 1 TO BE UTILIZED FOR PARKLAND PURPOSES AS DISCUSSED AND PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> SECOND DOCTOR. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE
CALL THE ROLE. >> I DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS,
JUDGE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YES, MA'AM, SORRY. IT'S L. 1.
>> YES, THE -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: SORRY IT'S
L'S 3. >> THE FORMER QUILL CREEK GOLF COURSE, THE PLAN IS FOR SAN MARCOS TO PROVIDE THE PROJECT. THE CITY'S MATCHING FUNDS WILL BE MADE OVER TIME AS THE PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE AND THE CITY BEGINS OPERATION OF THE PROJECT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: VERY GOOD DETAIL TO ADD, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
COMMISSIONER JONES. >> JUDGE, THANK YOU.
A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE FUNDING OF 3 PARK PROJECTS AS DISCUSSED AND PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THEY'RE ALL UNDER -- THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE UNDER
>> JUDGE, ON THE PROJECTS ARE THE SPORTS COMPLEX NEAR 1626 AND JACK C. HEYS TRAIL, PLUM CREEK TRAIL PLANS AND GREG PARK NEAR VETERANS DRIVE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, THE LAST COMMISSIONER FROM COMMISSIONER SHELL WILL BE POSAC.
>> YES,LY ONLY L. 3, MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE GENERAL EXECUTE TO EXECUTE A CO-HOLDER AGREEMENT WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE KNOWN AS N. R. C. S. AS A POSSIBLE RECIPIENTS OF FUNDS UNDER THE N. R. C. S.' A. C. E. P. DASH A.L. E. PROGRAM WHICH IS THE AGRICULTURES ROLE CONSERVATION EASEMENT PRORAM AGRICULTURAL LANDS EASEMENTS PROGRAM FOR THE JOHN KNOX RANCH AND OLD GORY RANCH CONSERVATION PROJECTS.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION, SECOND, ANYTHING ELSE.
>> JUST THESE WERE BOTH ROUND 1 PROJECTS AND THE POSAC PROCESS, HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY WOULD CO-HOLD THE'SMENTS WITH HAYS COUNTY AND R. C. S.
BOTH PROJECTS ARE WATER QUALITY ORIENTED PROJECTS THAT WILL SUPPLEMENT THE WORK WE'RE DOING AT THE
SENTINEL CREEK PRESERVE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. >> MAKE A MOTION WE ADJOURN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE'RE ADJOURNED.
ENJOY THE REST OF
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.