[A. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:27]
GRACIOUS FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE. WE THANK YOU FOR THE SUN THAT IS SHINING AND THE LAND AND ALSO THE SUN THAT IS SHINING IN OUR HEARTS. LORD, WE ARE HERE ON PURPOSE, WITH PURPOSE TO COME AND TO VET AND TO SPEND TIME WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH YOU. I PRAY, LORD, THAT YOU WOULD LEAD US, THAT YOU WOULD TEACH US, THAT YOU WOULD OPEN THE DOORS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE.
I THANK YOU, FATHER, EVEN AS THIS WORLD IS EXPERIENCING SO MANY CHALLENGES AND STRUGGLES. IN NEW YORK THERE WERE SHOOTINGS AND PLACES ABROAD THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES. WE PRAY NOW THAT YOU WOULD USE THIS SPACE AS A SHINING LIGHT OF YOUR GRACE, YOUR PURPOSE AND YOUR POWER.
HELP US TO FOLLOW YOU. HELP US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, THAT YOU MAY GET GLORY. IN JESUS NAME I
YOU. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND
INDIVISIBLE. >> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
>> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER INGLESBY.
[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
HAMMER.>> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
>> HERE. SO IN THE PUBLIC COMMENTS I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HEARD YOU RIGHT. THERE'S NOTHING IN THE
BEGINNING, JUST -- >> CORRECT.
>> -- SPECIFIC TO AGENDA ITEMS?
THANK YOU. >> WE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE PUBLIC. IF WE CHECK THE BOX FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PART.
>> WE ARE SPEAKING OF A SPECIFIC
ITEM THOUGH. >> SO LET ME CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC. I HAM TO KNOW HIM, ERIC MARTINEZ.
WHAT HE JUST CLARIFIED WAS THAT THEY'RE SPEAKING ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM, BUT THERE'S TWO SPACES WHERE YOU COULD SPEAK.
I ALWAYS TRY TO CLARIFY WHEN THERE'S A FULL COURTROOM, ALTHOUGH I KNOW IT IS MORE FOR AWARDS.
YOU COULD SPEAK AT THE BEGINNING OF COURT RIGHT NOW GENERICALLY OR WHEN WE OPEN AN AGENDA ITEM YOU COULD SPEAK AT THAT POINT. NEVER AS LONG AS I'M THE CHAIR NEVER WILL YOU BE SHUT OUT OF A CONVERSATION. MY AIM IS TO JUST NAVIGATE YOU THROUGH WHEN YOU MAY HAVE SIGNED UP AND MAKING SURE IT ALIGNS WITH WHAT YOU WERE AFTER. SO YOU SPEAK NOW IN BULK OR YOU SPEAK WHEN I OPEN THE AGENDA ITEM.
SIGNED UP? >> YES, I'M OKAY WITH IT, WHICH IS PUBLIC COMMENT RIGHT NOW.
>> OKAY. LET'S LOOK BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS TOLD. SO LET ME FIX
>> SIR? >> I WAS WANTING TO DO THE SAME THING AS WELL.
>> OKAY. YOU GUYS HAVE TO GIVE ME A SECOND. I TELL YOU WHAT IT LET ME HAND IT BACK TO YOU GUYS.
YOU'RE QUICKER. JEFF LOTUS, ERIC MARTINEZ.
PULL THEM TO NOW SO THEY CAN HAVE THEIR THREE
MYLES MARTIN. >> AND MYLES MARTIN.
THEY WANT TO SPEAK NOW INSTEAD OF AT THE AGENDA ITEM OPENING. THANK YOU.
YOU SEE YOU'RE SO MUCH FASTER THAN ME ON THAT.
SO WE'LL START WITH HOWEVER MY SHEET WAS HANDED TO ME.
IT LOOKS LIKE -- DOES THAT SAY TROOP, TROY? 1909 OLD RANCH ROAD. WHO
>> SORRY. IT IS JUST A LITTLE -- I CAN READ IT. IT IS JUST A LITTLE TIGHT ON THE FONT. COME ON UP AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. SO IF YOU DON'T MIND TELLING US YOUR NAME WHEN YOU REACH THE PODIUM SO WE CAN GET IT RIGHT ON THE RECORD.
>> MY NAME IS JEFFREY FLORES. SAN MARCOS, TEXAS.
I WAS SPEAKING AGAINST THE AGENDA K- 12 THAT IS BEING PROPOSED TODAY OR THE DISCUSSION.
THE PAST FEW YEARS THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE CRESTWOOD
[00:05:02]
CENTER, AND THEY'RE APPLYING FOR A VARIANCE. WITH THAT VARIANCE WHAT THEY'RE WANTING TO DO IS BE ABLE TO USE INCINERATOR INSTEAD OF A NORMAL SEPTIC TANK. I AM THE CLOSEST NEIGHBOR TO THAT LOCATION, AND MY CONCERN IS WITH THEM TRYING TO USE AN INCINERATOR, IF THERE'S ANY FALL- OUT, ANY SMELL, THAT WILL BE AFFECTING US AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. 666 BARBECUE IS LOCATED AT CRESTWOOD CENTER AS WELL. DAILY I CAN SMELL BARBECUE. AGAIN, MY CONCERN IS BY THEM USING THIS INCINERATOR, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THERE HAS NEVER BEEN USED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IT COULD PRODUCE A FOUL SMELL.SO I COME BEFORE Y'ALL HOPING THAT Y'ALL WON'T GRANT THAT VARIANCE. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS.
SO, AGAIN, I HOPE THAT Y'ALL WILL NOT ALLOW THAT.
THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VERY GOOD STEWARDS, OUR NEIGHBORS.
THEY'VE RECEIVED MULTIPLE FINES FOR THE THINGS THEY TRIED DOING THERE AT THAT LOCATION. SO, AGAIN, I HOPE THAT Y'ALL WOULD NOT ALLOW THAT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. AND I WILL ADD ONE MORE PIECE, JUST GENERAL INFORMATION. YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY THERE.
ONE MORE GENERAL PIECE OF INFORMATION.
THIS IS A ONE- WAY COMMUNICATION TIME AS WELL.
WHEN WE OPEN THE AGENDA ITEM WE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A DISCUSSION, AND SO WE'LL BE ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS WHEN WE OPEN THE AGENDA ITEM. THAT'S THE GOOD AND THE BAD AS TO SPEAKING NOW VERSUS SPEAKING WHEN WE OPEN THE AGENDA ITEM. OKAY.
NEXT UP WE HAVE -- IT LOOKS LIKE M-G-L-E-S. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU GUYS A TYPEWRITER. I'M JUST KIDDING. SO IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. I'M JUST TEASING ABOUT YOUR
PENMANSHIP. >> MY HANDWRITING MUST BE REALLY
>> MY NAME IS -- IT IS. IT IS OKAY.
MY NAME IS MYLES MARTIN. I'M WITH -- SORRY, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL TODAY. I WANT TO SPEAK TODAY NOT JUST ABOUT POLICY BUT ABOUT THE KIND OF COMMUNITY THAT WE WANT TO BE. I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE "NO" ON THE EXPANSION OF THE FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE ISSUE HERE ISN'T WHETHER WE CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, BECAUSE WE ALL DO.
THE ISSUE IS WHETHER THIS TECHNOLOGY ACTUALLY MAKES US SAFER OR IF IT SIMPLY CREATES A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY WHILE DRAINING RESOURCES THAT COULD GO TO REAL SOLUTIONS. FLOCK CAMERAS DON'T STOP CRIME AS IT HAPPENS. THEY DON'T ADDRESS THE REASONS CRIME HAPPENS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WHAT THEY DO IS COLLECT MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION ORDINARY PEOPLE GOING ABOUT THEIR -- ON ORDINARY PEOPLE GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES.
ONCE COLLECTED, THAT DATA CAN BE SHARED, STORED OR USED IN WAYS THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE OR CONSENT TO.
TECHNOLOGY LIKE THIS TENDS TO GROW.
TODAY IT IS LICENSE PLATE READERS.
TOMORROW IT MIGHT BE FACIAL RECOGNITION OR CONSTANT VEHICLE TRACKING. DO WE REALLY WANT TO NORMALIZE BEING MONITORED EVERY TIME WE LEAVE OUR DRIVEWAYS? TECHNOLOGY LIKE THIS -- SORRY.
I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THE BUDGET TRADE-OFF.
INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING THESE SYSTEMS ISN'T FREE.
THAT MONEY COULD GO INSTEAD TOWARDS SUPPORTING THINGS PROVEN TO REDUCE CRIME LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS, YOUTH MENTORSHIP, BETTER MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES OR JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
THOSE ARE THE INVESTMENTS THAT ACTUALLY PREVENT PEOPLE FROM BEING IN DESPERATE SITUATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO CRIME. COMMISSIONERS, OUR COUNTY HAS A CHOICE. INVEST IN THE PEOPLE OR INVEST IN SURVEILLANCE.
I BELIEVE OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES POLICIES THAT STRENGTHEN TRUST, NOT SUSPICION.
SO I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO REJECT THIS PROPOSAL AND TO LEAD US TOWARD A SAFER, FREER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE HAYS COUNTY. THANK
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. AS MENTIONED MY NAME IS ERIC MARTINEZ AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY THAT WORKS WITH THOSE IMPACTED BY CRIMINALIZATION AND IMMIGRATION. WE HAVE AN INTEREST IN COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL- BEING FOR ALL. I'M ASKING YOU TO REJECT THE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND AND FUND THE FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT A FEW CAMERAS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SYSTEM THAT QUIETLY TRACKS WHERE WE DRIVE, WHEN AND HOW OFTEN, AUTOMATICALLY EVERY DAY.
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL, COMMISSIONERS, IF YOUR
[00:10:03]
MOVEMENT WAS TRACKED, WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO WORK, CHURCH, A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT OR JUST VISITING VISITING YOUR FAMILY? YOUR VEHICLE BECOMES PART OF A GROWING DATABASE WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND WITHOUT A WARRANT.AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT DATA? WHO CONTROLS IT? WHO CAN REQUEST IT? THAT'S NOT ALWAYS CLEAR. IN A MOMENT WHERE TECHNOLOGY MOVES FASTER THAN POLICY, WE NEED TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN IN TEXAS THAT FLOCK DATA HAS BEEN USED TO SUPPORT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.
THAT'S NOT SPECULATION. THAT'S DOCUMENTED.
IT RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THIS SYSTEM COULD BE USED RIGHT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.
AT THE SAME TIME I WANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR BUDGET PRIORITIES. EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON SURVEILLANCE IS A DOLLAR THAT COULD HAVE GONE TOWARDS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.
THESE ARE THE INVESTMENTS THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, STABLE AND CONNECTED TO OPPORTUNITY.
BUT IT IS ALSO ABOUT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
SHOULD WE BE FREE OF SURVEILLANCE, UNWARRANTED AND WITHOUT CAUSE? LET'S PUT OUR RESOURCES TOWARD WHAT BUILDS UP, PEOPLE UP AND NOT WHAT WATCHES THEM FROM A DISTANCE. I'M NOT SAYING WE IGNORE SAFETY CONCERNS. I'M SAYING WE RESPOND TO THEM WITH STRATEGIES THAT ARE PROVEN TO WORK.
PLEASE PULL THIS ITEM FROM CONSENT AGENDA, TABLE IT, HAVE A CONVERSATION. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE PART.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. AND I BELIEVE THIS CONCLUDES THIS PORTION OF COMMENTS.
THE REST WILL BE CALLED WHEN WE OPEN THE AGENDA
[F.1. Presentation of July 2025 Service and Retirement Awards. B E C E R R A /GR A N JE N O]
ITEM. SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME, PLEASE OPEN F1.>> F1. PRESENTATION OF JULY 2025 SERVICE AND RETIREMENT AWARDS.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.
MY NAME IS MARIAH PACHECKO, THE HR ASSISTANT.
THIS MORNING WE ARE HONORED TO RECOGNIZE THE EMPLOYEES THAT REACHED SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COUNTY.
WE ARE GOING TO START OFF WITH
ONE YEARS. >> YOU ARE DOING GOOD.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE FIRST WE HAVE JARED TILLMAN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> OKAY. THAT WILL BE CALLING THEM UP ONE BY ONE. JUST COME ON UP.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THIS BEFORE, AND WE WILL BE UP HERE WAITING FOR THEM. SAVE YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE END.
>> OKAY. JARED TILLMAN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> HE'S NOT HERE. CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. MIRANDA ALLMAN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. DALTON POWELL WITH THE TAX OFFICE. CONNER JOHNSON WITH THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE.
LINDSEY HENRY WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AUTUMN GALVAN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. JUSTIN CORRAL WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THAT MIGHT BE HERE, MAYBE NOT.
PATRICIA MOODY WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
CODY MITCHELL WITH CONSTABLE PRECINCT TWO.
KEARSTYN BANDY WITH THE JUVENILE PROTECTION. MIRIAM RIPPLINGER. COME ON UP.
WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. TANIA ELDERS WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
NYDIA SALDIVAR. ANTHONY VALENTIN. GREGORY RAMIREZ. CASSANDRA POLEN.
JACOB GORDILLO. WILLIAM GLASGOW WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND MARCIAL CASTILLO AGUILAR CASTILLO WITH THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OFFICE.
>> GREAT. LOOK RIGHT OVER HERE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
[00:15:02]
THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU. FOR FIVE YEARS WE HAVE MICHELLE GARDNER WITH COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS.
CEDRIC GAMBRELL WITH JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.
EDGAR BASALDUA WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
AND RONDEN ARANAYDO WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>> FOR TEN YEARS WEWE BRIAN CARPENTER WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND RON STANLEY WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> GREAT. LOOKING RIGHT OVER HERE.
I SWITCHED IT UP. ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> REAL QUICK. ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE WE HAVE ANDREA ESPINOZA WITH JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT FIVE.
>> ALL RIGHT. ALL YOURS RIGHT HERE.
>> WHICH ONE ARE YOU LOOKING AT
FIRST? >> SO ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE WITH HER, PLEASE COME ON UP WITH THE PICTURE. DO YOU WANT TO DO
>> OKAY. ONE ALONE AND THEN WE WILL DO A SECOND ONE WITH EVERYONE ELSE. LET'S TAKE THIS ONE.
>> LOOKING RIGHT OVER HERE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> WELL DESERVED. AND THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF YOU THAT WAY. JUST TO BALANCE IT OUT.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW IT LOOKS, LOOK AT THAT SCREEN RIGHT HERE. HOW ARE YOU, SIR? NICE TO SEE YOU.
>> OKAY. >> LOOKING RIGHT OVER HERE.
>> BEAUTIFUL. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WITH 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, WE HAVE LAURA NAV AWE FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
>> TOGETHER. THAT'S SO MUCH EASIER.
>> ONE, TWO, THREE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
A RETIREE. OUR RETIREE IS GOING TO BE CYNTHIA CARTER WITH 37 YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THE DISTRICT COURT'S OFFICE.
[00:20:08]
>> JUDGE, SHE IS RECEIVING LUGGAGE.
>> LOOKING RIGHT HERE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> I WANT TWO PICTURES, ONE WITH MY PERSONAL FAMILY AND ONE WITH MY WORK FAMILY.
FAMILY. >> WE'RE GIVING HER BACK
HER. >> THAT'S RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> SO NICE TO SEE YOU. IS THIS OKAY?
>> WE STARTED TOGETHER BACK AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WAY BACK
COURSE. >> YOU CAN SIT THEM ON THE CHAIR RIGHT THERE. THERE YOU GO.
>> LOOKING RIGHT HERE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT.
>> HEY, JUDGE. CAN YOU SIGN THOSE? WE'RE ABOUT TO DO THE AWARDS.
>> THAT'S AN ETERNITY NOW FOR ME. TWO SECONDS.
[F.2. Recognition of the winners of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative's "Government in Action Youth Tour" contest. C OH E N /H A MME R]
>> F2. RECOGNITION OF THE WINNERS OF THE PEDEMALES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE'S GOVERNMENT IN ACTION YOUTH TOUR CONTEST.
YOU WANT TO COME CLOSER? THERE YOU ARE.
FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE STUDENTS TO SEE THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION.
MY NAME IS MACHAELA HERRON, A COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST AND SERVE AS THE YOUTH TOUR COORDINATOR FOR PEDEMALES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE. I'M HERE TO RECOGNIZE SOME HAYS COUNTY STUDENTS FOR SERVING AS PEC DELEGATES.
NOT ONLY DID THEY REPRESENT HAYS COUNTY BUT ALSO TEXAS AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT IN ACTION YOUTH TOUR EXPERIENCE THAT TOOK PLACE JUNE 15TH THROUGH THE 22ND.
AT PEC WE ARE ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CENTRAL TEXAS YOUTH. FOR MORE THAN 57 YEARS PEC HAS PROUDLY PARTICIPATED IN YOUTH TOUR, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY FORMER PRESIDENT AND PEC FOUNDER LYNDON B. JOHNSON.
HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT U.S. GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
[00:25:02]
THUS, YOUTH TOUR SENDS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON AN ALL-EXPENSES-PAID TRIP TO OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.THIS YEAR PEC SELECTED TEN STUDENTS WHO REPRESENT US AND TEXAS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHERE THEY MET WITH LAWMAKERS, VISITED HISTORICAL SITES AND LEARNED MORE ABOUT U.S. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT. SERVING AS ONE OF OUR DELEGATES IS NOT AN EASY FEAT. WE RECEIVED A RECORD NUMBER OF NEARLY 100 APPLICATIONS FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, THEN CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS WITH THE TOP 25 TO NARROW IT DOWN TO OUR SELECTED TEN. AMONG THOSE WERE THESE FOUR HAYS COUNTY STUDENTS. SO WITH ME TODAY I HAVE GAIGE TRUDO AND SOPHIA VITELLA, GRADUATES FROM WIMBERLEY HIGH SCHOOL.
I HAVE GAMM RE- ELLA CORREA WHO WILL BE A SENIOR AT LAYMAN AND AVERY AUDITOR, A SENIOR AT HAYES HIGH SCHOOL. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THEM FOR A SECOND TO SHARE ABOUT THEIR
MY NAME IS SOPHIA VITELLA. I APPLIED AS A SENIOR AND I EVENTUALLY GOT CHOSEN, AND THIS TRIP MEANT SO MUCH TO ME BECAUSE WHENEVER WE WENT UP I WASN'T -- I KNEW IT WAS A BIG DEAL BUT I DIDN'T IMAGINE THE EXTENT OF THE MEMORIES I WOULD MAKE AND HOW MUCH I WOULD ACTUALLY LEARN.
WE WERE DOING STUFF EVERY SINGLE DAY AND LEARNING ABOUT SO MUCH, AND MY FAVORITE PART WAS DEFINITELY GOING TO CAPITOL HILL THAT ONE DAY AND BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY SEE HOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKED. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS A CONGRESSIONAL RECESS, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO MEET A LOT OF THE INTERNS, AND IT REALLY TAUGHT ME ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY ACTUALLY PLAY A ROLE IN THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT BEING ABLE TO FUNCTION IN THE FIRST PLACE.
BUT I THINK THAT IT IS DEFINITELY PREPARED ME AS I NOW GO TO UT IN THE FALL.
I THINK THAT THESE LIFELONG FRIENDS THAT I HAVE MADE AND THE EXPERIENCES GETTING ABLE TO HAVE FIRSTHAND THANKS TO PEC AND THE COMMUNITY FROM FUNDING THIS DEFINITELY HELPED. SO I'M SUPER
MY NAME IS GAGE SHUDOW. I WILL BE ATTENDING UT AUSTIN IN THE FALL. VERY EXCITING.
THIS TRIP REALLY MEANT A LOT TO ME BECAUSE I WILL BE MAJORING IN GOVERNMENT. SO BEING ABLE TO GO ON A TRIP TO DC WHERE WE LEARN ALL ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. IT PREPARED ME A LOT FOR WHAT I WANT TO DO IN LIFE. SO SOME OF MY FAVORITE PARTS JUST INCLUDED WALKING AROUND DC, SEEING THE WHITE HOUSE, SEEING THE CAPITOL. ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PLACES THAT YOU CAN SEE LIKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PIECES COMING TOGETHER TO FORM OUR UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE.
IT WAS VERY, VERY EDUCATIONAL. IT WAS PERFECT FOR ME STEPPING INTO UT AUSTIN GOING INTO GOVERNMENT, ALLOWING ME TO LEARN MORE AND TO BE PREPARED FOR WHAT I WANT TO DO IN LIFE. ANOTHER FAVORITE OF MINE WAS ALSO THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.
THAT PLACE WAS AWESOME. BUT ALL IN ALL, IT WAS VERY EDUCATIONAL AND I'M VERY GLAD I WENT.
MY NAME IS GABRIELLA CORREA. I'M ABOUT TO BE A SENIOR AT LAYMAN HIGH SCHOOL. MY BROTHER WAS A PART OF THE YOUTH TOUR LAST YEAR, SO THAT KIND OF MOTIVATED ME TO APPLY THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS LIKE EVERYONE SAID, TRULY SUCH AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. LIKE THY SAID, I MEAN THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE MY FRIENDS FOR LIFE, AND WE ALSO MET A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES.
I MET A LOT OF COOL PEOPLE FROM PENNSYLVANIA, AND MY FAVORITE PART WAS ALSO THE CONGRESSIONAL VISITS. LIKE SOPHIA SAID, WE WERE IN A RECESS BUT WE GOT TO TALK TO THE INTERN, ONE OF THE INTERNS FOR OUR REPRESENTATIVE, AND HE TOOK US ON A TOUR THROUGH THE CAPITOL. WE GOT TO SEE THE HOUSE FLOOR, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY COOL BECAUSE WE WERE GETTING TO SEE LIKE WHERE ALL OF THE BIG DECISIONS ARE MADE, EVEN THOUGH NOTHING WAS HAPPENING AT THE TIME. BUT, YEAH, IT WAS TRULY THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME AND, YEAH, I COULDN'T BE MORE GRATEFUL THAT I GOT TO EXPERIENCE
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AVERY AUDITOR AND I WILL BE A SENIOR AT HAYES HIGH SCHOOL. I APPLIED AT A JUNIOR AS A PART OF MY ASSIGNMENT FOR SCHOOL, AND I NEVER -- I NEVER ASSUMED THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE SOMETHING THAT I WAS REALLY INTERESTED IN GOING TO.
UM, I REALLY LIKED MEETING ALL OF THE NEW PEOPLE, SUCH AS THESE THREE.
AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE TOUR WAS DEFINITELY TOURING THE U.S. CAPITOL. I JUST REALLY LIKED, YOU KNOW, TOURING THE DIFFERENT HALLS, THE DIFFERENT CHAMBERS AND STUFF, AND KIND OF LEARNING FACTS THAT I DIDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW OR GOING PLACES THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF.
BUT, YEAH, I THINK IT WAS A REALLY GREAT TRIP AND I WOULD, YOU KNOW, IF I COULD DO IT AGAIN, I WOULD. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY FUN.
>> WOW. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[00:30:04]
>> ABOUT TO ADD REALLY QUICK AND ALSO GIVE THE COMMISSIONERS A CHANCE AND WE WILL COME UP FOR A PICK.
I'VE TAKEN THAT TOUR OF THE CAPITOL AND IT IS A MAGNIFICENT PLACE WITH MUCH HISTORY, AND I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT GOVERNMENT OR POLITICS UNTIL I GOT INTO IT.
AND PEOPLE SAY, OH, THE PRESIDENTIAL, IT IS THE ELECTION THAT WILL TURN OUT THE MOST PEOPLE. IT IS THE, YOU KNOW, TIP OF THE SPEAR KIND OF RACE THAT EVERYONE LOOKS AT, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE SAID ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ALTHOUGH FEDERAL IS SO IMPORTANT, ABSOLUTELY, WE CAN SEE AND FEEL THE EFFECTS OF A FEDERAL TONE, TEMPERATURE AND EVERYTHING, OF COURSE.
UNDISPUTABLE. BUT LOCAL ELECTIONS, OFTEN OVERLOOKED, HAVE THE MOST IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S DAY-TO- DAY LIFE.
LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW. AND SO THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT, ALTHOUGH NOT AS BEAUTIFUL AS DC, HAS A LOT OF COOL THINGS THAT WE DO THROUGH HERE AS WELL. SO I INVITE YOU AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO EITHER SHOW UP ON TUESDAYS OR ONLINE. WE HAVE IT AVAILABLE ONLINE.
JUST TO TAKE A PEEK AT WHAT WE DO BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST PICKS AND SMILING FACES BUT REAL ROAD WORK AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. ALL OF THOSE DAY-TO- DAY, A-TO- B IN YOUR SHORT COMMUTE OF LIFE, IN THIS VICINITY AND PROXIMITY HAPPENS HERE IN THIS COURT ALONG WITH CITY COUNCILS.
I JUST WANTED TO NOT ONLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, BUT DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE LOCAL.
COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I THINK I MAY BE THE ONLY OTHER ALUMNI OF THE GOVERNMENT IN ACTION YOUTH TOUR HERE. I REPRESENTED HILCO WHICH IS AN ELECTRIC CO- OP IN HILL COUNTY IN 1993. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IMPRESSED ME MOST WAS MY CAPITOL TOUR, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
BUT THEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK AND I WAS ONE OF THOSE INTERNS AND I WORKED IN CONGRESS FOR OVER A DECADE. AND BY THE TIME IT WAS OVER WITH, I HAD GIVEN OVER 650 TOURS IN MY TIME IN CONGRESS.
SO I CAN WALK YOU THROUGH STATUTORY HALL ANY TIME YOU WANT OR SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHERE TO STAND TO GET THE ECHO OFF OF THE CEILING IN THE ROTUNDA.
SO IT REALLY IS IMPRESSIVE TO ME THAT Y'ALL TOOK THE TIME AND APPLIED AND WERE SELECTED. IT IS NOT AN EASY PROCESS, I KNOW, BUT I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT. I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP THAT INTEREST THAT IT SPARKED IN YOU.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT FOR ME IT REALLY DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND I WENT BACK TO DC AS AN INTERN IN MY FIRST YEAR AT GRAD SCHOOL AND STAYED THERE FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS WORKING IN CONGRESS AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION. AND THEN I TOOK THAT KNOWLEDGE AND WANTED TO COME BACK HERE AND SERVE MY LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND ALL OF THAT INPUT THAT YOU CAN GET FROM INTERACTING WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, YOU REALLY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HOMETOWN.
AND MY FAVORITE THING TO DO WAS TO HAVE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS COME IN AND SAY, YEAH, I CAME HERE ON A 4H TRIP WHEN I WAS IN EIGHTH GRADE AND I GOT TO COME BACK WITH GOVERNMENT IN ACTION YOUTH TOUR. IT REALLY SPARKED MY INTEREST IN IT. SO I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO FAN THAT FLAME AND KEEP GOING WITH IT.
COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> IT REALLY PUMPS ME UP TO SEE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED AND GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK AND HAVE A DRIVE AND A PASSION FOR IT.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PERSONALLY KNOW GAGE A LITTLE BIT AND HE IS JUST -- I MEAN Y'ALL ARE ALL IN THE SAME GROUP OF JUST LEADERS THAT ARE STEPPING UP IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE -- Y'ALL ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE LEADERS.
I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THAT AND I HOPE THAT YOU GO INTO GOVERNMENT POTENTIALLY.
WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE IN GOVERNMNT FOR SURE, BUT JUST CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT DRIVE, AND YOU OBVIOUSLY WERE ONE OF THE FEW SELECTED IN 100 APPLICANTS.
THAT'S SO IMPRESSIVE. SO TO THE TWO THAT ARE GOING INTO COLLEGE, GOOD LUCK TO Y'ALL. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO AMAZING THINGS. I WILL KEEP UP WITH BOTH OF Y'ALL, MY WIMBERLEY GRADUATES. THE OTHER TWO, YOU ARE GOING INTO SENIOR YEAR? THAT IS CORRECT? YOU GUYS HAVE ONE MORE YEAR BEFORE YOU GET OUT INTO THE BIG WORLD, SO I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU DO.
>> WONDERFUL. COMMISSIONER COHEN.
>> THANK YOU, PEC, FOR ALLOWING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
I MEAN I WISH WE COULD SEND EVERY YOUNG PERSON TO DC ONCE BECAUSE IT IS LIFE CHANGING.
YOU KNOW, IT DOES EXPOSE YOU TO SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULDN'T NORMALLY BE EXPOSED TO AND IT PIQUES YOUR INTEREST AND YOU START THINKING, OH, THIS IS SOMETHING MAYBE THAT I'M REALLY MAYBE REALLY INTERESTED IN AND I WANT TO PURSUE LATER, BECAUSE IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT Y'ALL ENGAGE CIVICALLY IN WHAT
[00:35:01]
IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD. COMMISSIONER HAMMER IS RIGHT, WE NEED YOU AS LEADERS TO COME FORWARD AND STEP IN OUR SHOES WHEN WE ALL LEAVE, RIGHT.WE NEED THAT NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS, AND JUST CONGRATULATIONS. I'M GLAD Y'ALL GOT TO EXPERIENCE THAT, AND I WILL BE AT LEHMAN A LOT THIS YEAR. I HAVE A FRESHMAN GOING INTO LEHMAN SCHOOL SO I PROBABLY WILL BE SEEING YOU MORE IN THAT AREA. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THAT EXPERIENCE AND THANK YOU, PEC, FOR THAT.
>> I ALSO WANT TO THANK P ECHL C. DIANA, I SEE YOU THERE. SHE HAS BEEN WITH PEC FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF ALL OF Y'ALL.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT.
YOU ARE OUR FUTURE, AND WE HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE WITH YOU FOUR LEADING THE WAY.
SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND, YEAH, FOR BEING HERE AND WANTING TO LEARN MORE. SO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH.
>> JUDGE, COULD I ADD ONE THING? I WOULD JUST SAY I WENT THROUGH THE INTERN SELECTION PROCESS FOR TEN YEARS. I CHOSE INTERNS FOR CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES. AND IF Y'ALL HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE FUTURE, IF Y'ALL TRULY WANT TO GO BACK THERE AND BE AN INTERN, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU ANDAND TO YOU ABOUT WHAT TO LOOK FOR, WHEN THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARISE, AND WORK WITH Y'ALL TO TRY TO GET LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS IF Y'ALL TRULY WANT TO DO IT.
IF IT IS OF INTEREST TO YOU, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP.
>> ON A FINAL NOTE, IF YOU TRULY WANT TO TAKE UP MY ASK AND CHALLENGE TO SEE AND STEP INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, I AM SURE WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU GUYS TO CREATE A VARIATION OF THIS AND CREATE A MOCK COMMISSIONERS' COURT WITH MOCK ITEMS TO GIVE YOU GUYS A FEEL AND AN UNDERSTANDING, AND MAYBE MORE PEOPLE EXPOSED TO WHAT GOES ON IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW. I THINK THAT WOULD BE COOL, TOO.
SO NOW IT IS TIME FOR A PICK. COME ON UP.
>> LOOK OVER HERE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO ASK WE -- ROUND OF APPLAUSE, GUYS.
>> ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE FUN AND AWESOME
[F.3. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing July 29, 2025 as Ramona Rodriguez Day. IN GA LS B E]
PART OF COURT, NO LIE. WE HAVE TO KEEP MOVING.>> F3, ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 29TH, 2025 AS RAMONA
AND IF YOU WILL PLEASE READ IT.
>> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 29TH, 2025 AS RAMONA RODRIGUEZ DAY. WHEREAS, RAMONA RODRIGUEZ, WHO'S PASSING ON JUNE 3RD, 2025 IS DEEPLY FELT BY ALL WHO KNEW HER, SPENT HER ENTIRE LIFE IN
[00:40:01]
THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA. AND, WHEREAS, RAMONA RODRIGUEZ SPENT HER ENTIRE LIFE IN THE CENTRAL TEXAS AREA, SETTLING IN SAN MARCOS WHERE SHE BECAME A BELOVED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, TOUCHING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WHO KNEW HER. AND, WHEREAS, AS A DEDICATED WORKER, MS. RODRIGUEZ WAS PROUD TO HAVE WORKED FOR STANLEY HOME PRODUCTS FOR 56 YEARS. WHEREAS, RAMONA'S HARD WORK EXTENDED TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL WHERE SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS OF THE VICTORY GARDENS THAT BEGAN WITH HER ROLE AS ACTIVIST FOR BETTER STREET CONDITIONS IN THE VICTORY GARDENS NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEREAS, RAMONA WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE VICTORY GARDENS ASSOCIATION AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE URBAN RENEWAL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, A NEIGHBORHOOD SHE LIVED IN FOR OVER 50 YEARS.AND, WHEREAS, RAMONA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY LED TO HER INCLUSION AS AN ORIGINAL INDUCTEE INTO THE SAN MARCOS WOMENS ALL OF FAMILIAR ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, 1984.
WHEREAS HER COMMUNITY ACTIVISM NEVER CEASED AND SHE WAS RECOGNIZED IN NOVEMBER 1998 WITH A COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD FOR HER WORK DURING THE OCTOBER 1998 FLOODS, AND IN SEPTEMBER 2002 WITH A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT FOR HER WORK WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD OF SAN MARCOS. AND, WHEREAS, RAMONA'S COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTINUED HER ENTIRE LIFE. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF -- A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES NEW SHOES TO CHILDREN IN NEED, AND SHE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF -- AND, WHEREAS, SHE ALSO SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WORKING CLOSELY WITH RUBIN GARZA. WHEREAS, RAMONA TREATED THOSE CLOSE TO HER LIKE FAMILY AND WELCOMED COUNTLESS PEOPLE INTO HER HOME AND HER HEART, WHO REMAINED CLOSE TO HER THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF HAYS COUNTY DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY 29TH, 2025 AS RAMONA RODRIGUEZ DAY, AND CALL UPON ALL PERSONS OF HAYS COUNTY TO REMEMBER RAMONA RODRIGUEZ AS A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMUNITY. ADOPTED THIS, THE 29TH DAY OF JULY, 2025.
>> YOU READ THAT SO WELL, AND SHE HAD NO PROBLEM OF SAYING MIJOS AND MIJAS. GOOD JOB.
IF THERE ARE NO EDITS OR SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> YES. COMMISSIONER INGLESBY, YOU DID A MAGNIFICENT JOB BRINGING THIS UP.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T KNOW IF A MEMBER OF HER FAMILY IS HERE OR NOT. I WAS HOPING THAT HER SON OR SONS WOULD BE HERE, BUT, JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY THAT -- I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT IS REALLY AN HONOR TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT RAMONA DID AND HER LEGACY.
AND AS THE PROCLAMATION STATED, SHE WAS A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND VERY WELL RESPECTED THROUGHOUT SAN MARCOS, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE VICTORY GARDENS NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE SHE LED A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. SO I JUST WANTED TO -- FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER HER AND, YEAH, WE'LL PASS THIS PROCLAMATION ON TO HER SON.
>> BEAUTIFUL. AND THIS WILL ABSOLUTELY AS A COURT OF RECORD MEMORIALIZE THAT SENTIMENT, COMMISSIONER.
[F.4. Adopt a Proclamation declaring August 2025 as CAPCOG Emergency Management Awareness & Appreciation Month. S MIT H]
THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? WE'RE GOOD. OKAY. PLEASE OPEN F4.>> F4. ADOPT A PROCLAMATION DECLARING AUGUST 2025 AS CAPCOG EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH. A PROCLAMATION --
>> SORRY. >> LET US GO SLOWER. MOTION?
>> A PROCLAMATION DECLARING AUGUST 2025 AS CAPCOG EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH. WHEREAS, THE CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, CAPCOG, IS A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, SERVING BURNETTE, CALDWELL, HAYES, LEE, TRAVIS AND WILLIAMSON COUNTY. AND, WHEREAS, THE STATE OF TEXAS LEADS THE COUNTRY IN NATURAL DISASTERS.
AND, WHEREAS LOCAL AGENCY, SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND PRIVATE SECTOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS DEDICATE COUNTLESS HOURS TO DEVELOPING PREPAREDNESS RESPONSE, RECOVERY, MITIGATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO PROTECT THE LIVES, BUSINESSES, PROPERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. AND, WHEREAS, LOCAL AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITY, TDEM AND PRIVATE SECTOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING THE CAPABILITIES NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY DIRECT, COORDINATE AND SUPPORT EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND, WHEREAS, THE EFFORTS OF THE REGION'S EMERGENCY MANAGERS
[00:45:04]
HAVE ASSISTED COMMUNITIES IN THE TEN COUNTY CAPCOG REGION TO REPAIR, RECOVER, REBUILD AND BECOME MORE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF CONTINUING THREAT, EMERGENCES AND DISASTERS.AND, WHEREAS, THE REGIONS' LOCAL AGENCY, SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY, TDEM AND PRIVATE SECTOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. AND, WHEREAS, THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MISSIONARIES OF PREVENTION, PROTECTION, MITIGATION, RESPONSE, RECOVERY, PREPAREDNESS ARE A NATIONAL PRIORITY AND ALIGN WITH THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS GOAL. NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY DELAYS THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2025 AS CAPCOG EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION MONTH, AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERVICE, COMMITMENT, DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM OF LOCAL AGENCY, SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY, TDEM AND PRIVATE SECTOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS IN THE CAPCOG REGION. ADOPTED THIS, THE 29TH DAY OF JULY, 2025.
>> WELL READ. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
AND I WILL SAY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO COURT, COMMISSIONER. I WILL ADD IN CASE SOME OF YOU MISSED IT CAP CAPCOG STANDS FOR CAPITAL AREA COALITION OF GOVERNMENTS. IT IS AN OVERLAY OF SEVERAL COUNTIES. IT IS ONE OF THE WAYS BECAUSE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT A FAILURE IS A LIFE.
AND SO WE CREATE THESE LAYERS IN GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO DIMINISH AND PREVENT AS MANY OF THOSE AS POSSIBLE. SO, COMMISSIONER, I WAS GOING TO ASK MIKE JONES, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THIS AND OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE MECHANISM
FIRST. >> GOOD MORNING, COURT.
MIKE JONES. DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, HAYS÷÷HAYS COUNTY. COG AS WE AFFECTIONATELY CALL IT IS -- HAS BEEN A FANTASTIC ORGANIZATION FOR OUR COUNTY, THE TEN- COUNTY REGION.
WITHOUT THEM I DON'T THINK WE WOULD BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY BECAUSE OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE EASILY SAVE A LIFE IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO AN ALERT THAT WE SEND OUT.
BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A MAGNIFICENT EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM IN HAYS COUNTY, THAT ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS IF YOU KNOW THERE'S BAD WEATHER ON THE HORIZON, LEAVE YOUR PHONE ON. LEAVE YOUR RINGER MAXED OUT. WHATEVER -- BLESS YOU, SIR.
WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, BECAUSE IF OVERNIGHT BAD WEATHER CREEPS IN WE HAVE THE MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO ALERT YOU.
WE HAVE THE HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS ON THE GROUND TO SUPPORT YOU. BUT IF YOU HAVE THE ALERTS OFF YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO KNOW ABOUT IT.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP, MIKE.
COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I SIT ON THE CAPCOG EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR THE HAYS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN SO BLESSED AND OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN SO BLESSED WITH OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IS WHILE WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY MORE
[00:50:04]
UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS IN OUR COUNTY THAN MOST OF THE COUNTIES IN OUR TEN- COUNTY REGION, WE'VE GOT GREAT PARTNERS OUT THERE, BOTH AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS HERE WITHIN THE COUNTY, BUT SO MANY GREAT PARTNERS THAT HAVE SHOWN UP. I CAN TELL YOU JUST IN MY PRECINCT WITH THE MAJOR FREEZE THAT WE HAD TWO YEARS AGO, WITH THE MAJOR FREEZE ALL OF US HAD IN 2020, WITH THE FLOODING IN 2019 WHERE WE LOST A LIFE IN MY PRECINCT, IN ALL OF THOSE SITUATIONS IT HAS BEEN OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW EXCITING IT WAS AND HOW I FELT BENEFICIAL IT WAS TO GO TO THE WILDFIRE RESILIENCE CONFERENCE LAST YEAR AND REALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW OUR COUNTIES WORK TOGETHER AND REALLY SUPPORT EACH OTHER.I CAN TELL YOU THAT IN MY PRECINCT I PROBABLY HAD 5,000 ACRES BURN UP IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, FIVE YEARS. AND THOSE OTHER PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE THROUGH THE NETWORK THAT CAPCOG AND TDEM HAS PUT TOGETHER ALONG WITH THE FOREST SERVICE HERE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE MY PRECINCT WOULD BE WITHOUT THEM. AND SO WHENEVER CAPCOG, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ASKED EACH OF OUR PARTICIPATING ENTITIES TO ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION, I WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO BRING IT FORTH BECAUSE IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO -- THOSE FOLKS WHO SHOW UP WHENEVER, YOU KNOW, THAT EMERGENCY HAPPENS AND THERE'S AN EXPECTATION THAT THEY SHOW UP AND NOBODY SAYS THANK YOU FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE THE TIME AND SAY THANK YOU. BECAUSE WHENEVER YOU HAVE A FAILURE TO PREPARE, YOU'RE PREPARING TO FAIL, AND THEY PREPARE EVERY DAY FOR US WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR
NOT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
IT WAS A GREAT CLICHE TO CLOSE WITH.
COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> NO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
COMMISSIONERS? >> JUST THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SMITH, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
IT IS APPROPRIATE, ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME WITH THE -- AND WE ALSO HAVE AN EMERGENCY PREPAREDESS FAIR COMING UP, RIGHT, IN SEPTEMBER? SO DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS÷÷RESIDENTS TAKE PART IN THAT AND BE MORE PROACTIVE.
>> THANKS, COMMISSIONER, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS.
YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE GREAT COLLABORATION THAT WE HAVE WITH ALL OF THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT ARE IN THE CAPCOG REGION AND THE SHARING OF RESOURCES IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.
THEY'RE ALL WILLING TO DO SO. YEAH, IT IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION
SO WE'LL JUST TAKE A QUICK PIC, MIKE. ANYONE ELSE TIED TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE, COME ON UP FOR A PIC. WE WILL TAKE A QUICK PIC.
>> ONE, TWO, THREE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MOVING THROUGH BEAUTIFULLY. I'VE BEEN ASKED TO PULL F6,
[F.5. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing August 2025 as National Immunization Awareness Month. IN GA LS B E /GON Z A LE S]
BUT PLEASE OPEN F5.>> F5. ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AUGUST 2025 AS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH.
>> SECOND. >> IF YOU WILL PLEASE READ IT. > PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AUGUST 2025 AS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH. WHEREAS, NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH IS OBSERVED EVERY AUGUST TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND TO PROMOTE THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC AND ANIMAL HEALTH THROUGH IMMUNIZATION. AND, WHEREAS, VACCINES ARE A SAFE, COST- EFFECTIVE AND PROVEN TOOL FOR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF CONTAGIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY DISEASES, SAVING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HEALTH CARE COSTS EACH YEAR.
AND, WHEREAS, VACCINES HELP PROTECT EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE, INCLUDE INNER ING, INFANTS, CHILDREN, ELDER AND THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED. AND, WHEREAS, IT PREVENTS OUTBREAKS OF PREVENTABLE DISEASES SUCH AS MEASLES, MUCHES, DIPTHERIA, TETANUS AND COVID-19. AND, WHEREAS, ADHERENCE TO THE RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE OVER THE COURSE OF A LIFETIME PREVENTED COUNTLESS CASES OF ILLNESS,
[00:55:02]
HOSPITALIZATIONS, LONG- TERM DISABILITY AND DEATH.AND, WHEREAS, VACCINES ARE RIGOROUSLY TESTED, LICENSED AND CONTINUALLY MONITORED FOR SAFETY AND EFFICACY BY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES.
AND, WHEREAS, VETERINARIAN IMMUNIZATIONS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY'S ANIMALS, PREVENTING SPREAD OF DISEASES SUCH AS RABIES, DISS TEMPER AND PARVO IN DOGS AND CATS. WHEREAS, HAYS COUNTY RECOGNIZES LOCAL PROVIDERS, SCHOOLS, PHARMACIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES IN ENSURING ACCESS TO IMMUNIZATIONS AND PROMOTING VACCINE EDUCATION. WHEREAS, FROM OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH THE PRESENT THE HAYS COUNTY LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS ADMINISTERED OVER 1,226 VACCINES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAFF, CONTRIBUTING TO THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF OUR COUNTY.
AND, WHEREAS, AS WE PREPARE FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR AND CONTINUE TO SAFEGUARD OUR COMMUNITY AGAINST PREVENTABLE DISEASES, IT IS CRITICAL FOR RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THEY AND THEIR LOVED ONES ARE UP TO DATE ON RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2025 AS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH IN HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO CONTACT THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR VETERINARIAN TO ENSURE THEIR IMMUNIZATIONS AND THOSETHOSE THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND PETS ARE CURRENT AND COMPLETE.
JULY, 2025. >> IF YOU WILL PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
MATTHEW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO THE PODIUM.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT.
I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR APPROVING THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH. BEFORE I GO FORWARD I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER INGLESBY FOR SPONSORING THIS AGENDA.
YOUR SUPPORT HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS TOWARDS THIS EFFORT IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THE ENTIRE COURT. Y'ALL HAVE HISTORICALLY SHOWN YOUR POSITIVE SUPPORT FOR IMMUNIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. I CAN THINK OF COMMISSIONER COHEN BACK TO COVID AND THE FLU, TRYING TO HAVE CLINICS.
JUDGE, IN YOUR STATEMENTS EVERY YEAR TALKING ABOUT IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL MATTER, WE NEED TO EDUCATE EVERYBODY.
AND COMMISSIONER SMITH TALKING ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTERS AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE PROTECTED FROM DISEASES THAT EXIST AND A TOOL WE HAVE TO PREVENT IT. YOUR HISTORICAL PART SPEAKS A LOT OF VOLUME AND TESTIMONY TO WHERE WE ARE AS A COUNTY AND WHERE WE ARE PROGRESSING AS A HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND I APPRECIATE IT.
COMMISSIONER HAMMER, I KNOW YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO.
AFTER THAT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF WHO PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE SUCH AS IN TRACK, WHICH IS THE STATEWIDE IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY AS WELL AS THE TEXAS VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM, THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST STAFF AS WELL AS OUR NEW ANIMAL WELFARE COORDINATOR.
IF Y'ALL DON'T MIND STANDING UP, OUR IN- TRACK TEAM.
THIS WILL BE JOSHUA AND JOSIE WHO IS NOT WITH US RIGHT NOW. OH.
>> PERFECT. CAN'T SEE BOTH SIDES. TBS STAFF WILL BE EMILIA WHO IS OUR COORDINATOR. AND THEN WE HAVE OUR ANIMAL WELFARE COORDINATOR WILL BE KATELYN -- OH, MY GOODNESS.
WE HAVE SO MANY LS IN OUR DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S ALSO KATE WHO HELPS WITH THE OUTREACH TEAM.
I WANT TO GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THEM WHO DO A WONDERFUL JOB.
>> BEFORE I GOT UP HERE I WAS ACTUALLY TALKING WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF OFFICEOFFICE EMERGENCY SERVICES, THAT OUR COUNTY HAS THE SMALLEST PERCENTAGE CHANGE WITHIN OUR AREA OF IMMUNIZATIONS DECREASING. SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THERE'S A YEAR-TO-YEAR TREND THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING LESS AND LESS IMMUNIZATIONS. THANKS TO THE WORK OF THESE TEAM MEMBERS, THEY'RE HELPINGHELPING ENSURE WE HAVE A SMALLER IMPACT FROM PEOPLE NOT GETTING VACCINES. WE HAVE ONE OF THE SMALLEST NEGATIVE CHANGES ACROSS TEXAS. WE WILL KEEP WORKING UNTIL WE HAVE A POSITIVE TREND, WHICH MEANS WE ARE GETTING MORE PEOPLE YEAR TO YEAR- END ROLLED IN VACCINES.
ONE OF THE EFFORTS IS THE VACCINATION UNIT YOU APPROVED TWO YEARS AGO WHICH REALLY HELPED OUR VACCINATION EFFORTS, NOT ONLY FOR CHILD'S BUT ALSO OUR AGING CITIZENS.
I THINK TO DATE WE HAVE PROBABLY DONE FOUR EVENTS AT THE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER IN TURPIN SPRINGS.
WE HAVE DONE VARIOUS CLINICS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN SAN MARKOS, KYLE AND BHUTA. THOSE NUMBERS ARE PART OF THE NUMBERS OF IMMUNIZATIONS WE DID LAST YEAR.
KEEP IN MIND THE SCHOOL YEAR IS JUST RETURNING.
PART OF THE 1,200 NUMBER, WE EXPECT TO SEE AT LEAST 1,600, 1,800, POTENTIALLY 2,000, SO WE'RE EXCITED TO THE NUMBERS
[01:00:03]
INCREASING. ALSO TO THE WORK OF THE EPI STAFF WHO INVESTIGATED CASES OF VACCINE- RELATED DISEASES AND MITIGATE IT IN OUR COMMUNITY.NEXT PART I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS COVID.
IT IS NOT ON THE IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE BUT A ROUTINE DISCUSSION PEOPLE WANT TO REMIND INDIVIDUALS IF YOU ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED OR IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY SUFFER FROM COVID, IT IS A REMINDER TO GET YOUR COVID- 19 VACCINE. AT THE MOMENT WE ARE EXPERIENCING OUR YEARLY WAVE. SO AFTER 2022 WE KIND OF DECIDED WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING A WAVE OR PEAK ON A ROUTINE SCHEDULE EVERY YEAR. AT THAT MOMENT, THIS IS IT.
WE ARE EXPERIENCING HIGH NUMBERS WITHIN OUR WASTEWATER SHEDDING VOLUMES IN THE CITY OF BHUTA AND CITY OF SAN MARKOS. IT IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH DHS THAT ALLOWS US TO MONITOR DISEASES IN THE WASTEWATER, WHICH PEOPLE MAY NOT THINK OF. IT ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE KEY MESSAGING TO CONSTITUENTS.
HEY, LET'S GET READY, MASK UP IF WE CAN, KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING AND/OR GET VACCINATED. NEXT THING ON THE AGENDA IS ANIMALS. THAT'S A NEW CONCEPT AT THE COURT ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES. ONE THING WE ARE WORKING ON IS DOING A VACCINE KLINING CLINIC WITH OUR PARTNERS AT PAL. IT IS A KEY ROLE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE THE DISEASES LISTED IN OUR COMMUNITY. LASTLY, I WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY TO OUR BACK-TO- SCHOOL HEALTH FAIR WHICH IS ON AUGUST 8TH -- AUGUST 2ND. AUGUST 2ND FROM 9:00 A.M.
TO 2:00 P.M. AT THE ELECTIONS BUILDING.
EVERY YEAR THIS FAIR BECOMES BIGGER AND BIGGER, AND EVERY YEAR WE OFFER MORE AND MORE SERVICES.
I WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY AND OUR PARTNERS WHO ALLOW US TO DO THAT, TO MAKE IT SOMETHING FAR MORE THAN JUST IMMUNIZATIONS.
AS WE KNOW HEALTH IS HOLISTIC. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO IMPROVE IT AND BY THE SERVICES WE OFFER THERE AND THROUGH OUR PARTNERS IT ALLOWS THEM TO REACH A GREAT LEVEL.
I WANT TO ALSO THANKS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES WHO WILL BE THERE, PARKS WHO WILL BE THERE, AND ALSO THE HAYS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WHO WILL BE THERE.
THEY WILL BE OFFERING EDUCATION ABOUT DIFFERENT MOSQUITO VIRUSES.
PARKS WILL BE OFFERING THINGS ABOUT RECREATIONAL HEALTH. AND THEN OUR COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WILL BE OFFERING VITAL RECORDS THERE AT THE FAIR. SO IT IS REALLY A HUGE, TREMENDOUS EFFORT FROM EVERYBODY INCLUDED. THAT BEING SAID, I THANK Y'ALL FOR THE TIME. I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY
COMMISSIONER INGLESBY. >> JUDGE, THIS TYPE OF PROCLAMATION IS SO MEANINGFUL BECAUSE IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE OUR GREAT EMPLOYEES AND THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT THEY DO AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERY ONE OF YOU.
>> YES. THANK YOU, HAYES HEALTH DEPARTMENT, FOR ALL OF THE WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING.
I SEE Y'ALL KICKING BUTT EVERY DAY AND ON THE WEEKENDS AND IN THE EVENINGS.
AND SO IT IS JUST SO APPRECIATED AND IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO WATCH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GROW THE WAY IT HAS AND, YOU KNOW, VACCINES ARE IMPORTANT.
IT IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR US TO USE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHY AND SAFE, RIGHT? AND KEEP EVERYONE WORKING AND GOING ON ABOUT THEIR LIVES. SO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE DOING.
>> AGAIN, ECHOING MY COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST SUPERPOWERS THAT Y'ALL HAVE IS EDUCATING THE PEOPLE ON THINGS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW. IT IS HARD TO WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WILL KEEP US HEALTHY, SO THAT IS YOUR JOB, AND WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T DO THIS FOR A LIVING AND CAN JUST GET A LITTLE INSIGHT ON ALL OF THE KNOWLEDGE THAT Y'ALL POSSESS. SO THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> IT IS DAYS LIKE THIS WE GET TO SHINE A LIGHT ON SOME THINGS THAT Y'ALL DON'T NECESSARILY GET TO TALK ABOUT OUTSIDE OF YOUR WORLD, WHETHER IT IS TB OR ANY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR, IS THE USE OF THAT MOBILE VACCINE UNIT AT THE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
THEY LOVE TO SEE -- THEY TALK TO ME CONSTANTLY, ASKING WHEN Y'ALL ARE GOING TO COME BACK NEXT.
IT IS VERY APPRECIATED, AND I AM REALLY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WITH PALS AND HOW YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT. I THINK ALL OF US WOULD SAY IT IS LONG OVERDUE AND WE'RE GLAD IT IS MOVING FORWARD. SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING THERE.
>> SINCE YOU BROUGHT UP, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, YOU BROUGHT UP EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND YOU BROUGHT UP COVID, AND AS WE ALL KNOW COVID SHOOK UP OUR ENTIRE WORLD, AND EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IS WHY I WILL SAY THIS.
ALL OF THE WORK YOU DO, NONE OF US IN THE COUNTY, NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS, ARE FORCING ANYONE TO HAVE A VACCINE. WE'RE NOT FORCING ANYONE TO HAVE A MASK. WE MAY SPEAK FORCEFULLY,
[01:05:02]
BUT WE'RE NOT DEMANDING ANYONE DO IT. WHAT IS MORE IS WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT ANYONE IN JAIL, AND WE HAVE NOT PUT ANYONE IN JAIL IF THEY DON'T, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE -- EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, IT IS IMPORTANT.TO PEOPLE TO THIS DAY BELIEVE IT IS A POSSIBILITY.
I JUST WANT TO PUT PEOPLE AT EASE.
WE HAVE ENOUGH TURMOIL IN IN PEOPLE'S LIVES, AND SO I WANT TO COMFORT THE COMMUNITY AND LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR SHERIFF ISN'T COMING TO YOUR HOUSE IF YOU DON'T GET A VACCINE OR DON'T WEAR A MASK OR ANY OF THAT STUFF. IT IS JUST PUBLIC EDUCATION.
SO THANK YOU. NOW IT IS TIME FOR A PICTURE FOR ALL OF THOSE INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF IT.
[F.7. Presentation from the Hays County Clerk's office regarding the Vitals Division - Birth Records. B E C E R R A /C A R D E N A S]
>> F7, PRESENTATION FROM THE HAYS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE REGARDING THE VITALS DIVISION- BIRTH
RECORDS. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CYNTHIA MELANTE, THE DEPUTY HAYS COUNTY CLERK. WE WANTED TO TAKE THIS MORNING TO PRESENT JUST A BRIEF OVERVIEW ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES.
THERE IS A LOT OF TALK RIGHT NOW WITH PENDING LEGISLATION, WHAT SOME OF THOSE THINGS COULD MEAN IN THE ELECTIONS REALM.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, IT IS BACK TO SCHOOL TIME, AND THAT'S WHEN WE SEE THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN REQUESTS FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATES. SO THE TEAM IS READY TO BRIEF YOU TODAY. I AM PROUD TO HAVE HERE ROXANNE RODRIGUEZ, OUR DIVISION DIRECTOR OF THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, WHICH INCLUDES THE VITAL RECORDS SECTION.
AND THE VITAL RECORDS, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, ARE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, MARRIAGE LICENSES, DEATH CERTIFICATES, AND WE ARE THE KEEPER OF THOSE RECORDS FOR THE COUNTY. SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO ROXANNE.
SHE WILL INTRODUCE THE TEAM AND WE WILL GET RIGHT INTO THE PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO PRESENTATION THIS MORNINGS. AS CYNTHIA MENTIONED WE WILL BE TALKING A LITTLE ABOUT BIRTH CERTIFICATES. THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT I'M SURE THE COMMON PERSON DOES NOT KNOW, WHERE TO GET THEM, WHAT THEY NEED, HOW MUCH THEY COST, ET CETERA. BEFORE WE START, I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO INTRODUCE ANNE MEDINA. SHE IS OVER THE VITALS SECTION AS THE SUPERVISOR, AND SHE IS THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR OVER THE VITALS DIVISION.
THEN I HAVE COREY THORNTON. HE IS THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR OVER THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS, WHICH IS PRIMARILY LAND RECORDS, DEEDS, ET CETERA.
AND THEN BREANNA RAMIREZ VARGA IS SITTING THERE WITH HER COMMISSIONERS COURT TEAM. SHE IS THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR OVER THE ARCHIVE SECTION WHO OVERSEES THE COMMISSIONERS COURTS TEAM. TODAY WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND WHERE YOU CAN FIND THOSE. NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW BUT HAYS COUNTY HAS ONLY TWO BIRTH REGISTRARS. SOME COUNTIES MAY HAVE UP TO THREE, FOUR, FIVE, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO.
FOR HAYS COUNTY WE OVERSEE AND WE RECORD ALL BIRTHS THAT OCCUR IN HAYS COUNTY FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE CITY LIMITS OF SAN MARKOS. THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS HAS THEIR OWN BIRTH REGISTRAR AND OVERSEE
[01:10:03]
AND MANAGE THOSE RECORDS. IF YOU ARE BORN IN WIMBERLEY, KYLE, AT THE SETON HAYES HOSPITAL IN KYLE, WE WOULD HOLD THE LONG- FORM RECORD. WE ALSO DO HOME BIRTH REGISTRATIONS. SO IF SOMEBODY HAS A HOME BIRTH AND WHETHER IT IS INTENDED OR UNINTENDED AND THERE IS NO MIDWIFE THERE TO PERFORM THE BIRTH, AT THAT POINT THEY WOULD COME TO US. THEY WOULD BRING FOUR PROOFS, WHICH WE REQUIRE BY STATUTE, AND WE WOULD RECORD THAT BIRTH AND THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE OR THE CLERK REGISTERINGREGISTERING WOULD BE LISTED AS THE PERSON THAT ATTENDED OR -- YES, THAT ATTENDED THE BIRTH -- I'M SORRY, THAT CERTIFIED THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE. THAT'S PRETTY NEAT AS WELL.NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW THAT. ALSO A DISCLAIMER.
THIS IS AN OVERVIEW OF SITUATIONS AND THE SCENARIOS THAT WE ENCOUNTER DAILY.
OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN BE COMPLICATED AT TIMES, WHETHER IT IS THE IDS SOMEONE HAS OR THE PLACE WHERE THEY THEY BORN OR THE YEAR THAT THEY WERE BORN.
THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS THAT COME INTO PLAY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
SO THE TYPES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES THAT WE ISSUE, THIS IS STATEWIDE, ARE THE SHORT- FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND THE LONG-FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATES. BASICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE SHORT FORM, ALSO KNOWN AS AN ABSTRACT, THAT CONTAINS THE MOST BASIC INFORMATION. IT IS ABOUT EIGHT LINES OF INFORMATION, OR EIGHT PIECES OF INFORMATION, I'M SORRY, ON THE CERTIFICATE INCLUDING JUST, YOU KNOW, THE DATE OF BIRTH, THE PLACE OF BIRTH AND YOUR PARENTS' NAMES, THE DAY IT WAS FILED, AND, OF COURSE, YOUR NAME. NOW, THIS CERTIFICATE YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH USE FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT A PASSPORT.
SO A PASSPORT OFFICE SOMETIMES DO NOT ACCEPT THIS AS A PROOF OF YOUR BIRTH.
HOWEVER, IF IT DOES PRINT WITH THE LETTER "I," WHICH MEANS YOU WERE BORN IN AN INSTITUTION, NOT A MENTAL INSTITUTION BUT A HOSPITAL INSTITUTION --
>> YES. THEN IT CAN BE USED FOR PASSPORT OFFICES, BUT THE CATCH IS WE DON'T SEE THE "I" UNTIL THE CERTIFICATE IS PRINTED.
WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TELL YOU UNTIL THAT IS PRINTED AND PAID FOR. AND THEN THE LONG- FORM CERTIFICATE, THAT IS WHAT WE HOUSE FOR ANYBODY THAT IS BORN IN HAYS COUNTY. THAT CONTAINS A LOT MORE INFORMATION. YOU'RE LOOKING AT YOUR BIRTH INFORMATION, YOUR WEIGHT, THE TIME, THE HOSPITAL INFORMATION.
IT IS JUST REALLY NEAT TO SEE, AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE IT IS -- I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO HAVE ONE BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT NOT ONLY, YOU KNOW, IT IS USED FOR EVERYTHING, BUT YOU ALSO GET TO TAKE A LOOK BACK AT HISTORY. AND IF YOU FIND YOURS OR YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS, YOU CAN SEE THAT INFORMATION AND WHAT THEY DID. I THINK IT HAS THEIR JOBS INCLUDED ON SOME OF THE OLDER ONES. IT IS PRETTY NEAT TO HAVE. SO THIS IS JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT WE ISSUED LAST YEAR. TOGETHER WE ISSUED ABOUT 3,700 BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO INDIVIDUALS HERE IN HAYS COUNTY, AND THAT WAS ALSO THE SAME FOR 2023. SO WE'VE BEEN STEADILY ISSUING THESE CERTIFICATES DAILY. LET'S SEE HERE.
I'M GOING TO SWITCH OVER TO THE NEXT SLIDE. JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT DEEPER OF A LOOK INTO THE CERTIFICATES THAT WE ISSUE, THERE ARE THREE CERTIFICATES THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED BY LEGISLATURE, BY CHANGES THAT WE'VE ADOPTED. SO THE EIC, THE ELECTION IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE, THAT IS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE THAT SOMEONE CAN PURCHASE FOR FREE IF THEY WANT TO USE IT FOR ELECTION PURPOSES ONLY. SO THIS IS A CERTIFICATE THAT SOMEONE CAN OBTAIN ONCE IN A LIFETIME ONLY. THEY STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENT IDS THAT WE NEED, BUT THE CERTIFICATE CAN BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING AT THIS TIME. AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE HOUSE BILL 123, WHICH IS FOR FOSTER, HOMELESS CHILDREN OR YOUTH.
THEY CAN PURCHASE A CERTIFICATE -- I'M SORRY.
NOT PURCHASE, BUT THEY CAN OBTAIN A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FREE OF CHARGE AS WELL. AND THEN SENATE BILL 798 WHICH IS THE VICTIM AND CHILDREN OF VICTIMS OF DATING AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. THEY ALSO CAN OBTAIN A BIRTH CERTIFICATE FREE OF CHARGE. SO THESE ARE GOING TO BE SHORT FORM OR POTENTIALLY LONG- FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATES WE CAN ISSUE WITHOUT THE CUSTOMERS HAVING TO PAY FEES. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN NEED.
AND THEN OFF TO THE RIGHT YOU WILL SEE A LITTLE SNIP OF THE CERTIFICATES THAT WE REQUIRE.
BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL GO AHEAD AND HAND THIS OVER TO ANNE MEDINA.
SHE IS GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO PURCHASE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
LET ME SEE. THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
SO A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THERE'S LIKE A FEDERAL DATABASEDATABASE FOR CERTIFICATES.
THERE IS NOT. SO WHERE YOU ARE BORN DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR WHETHER IT IS THE SHORT FORM OR THE LONG FORM. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE ON OUR WEBSITE, AND IT IS KIND OF JUST LIKE A CHART WHERE YOU CAN
[01:15:02]
KIND OF SEE WHERE YOU GO AND WHERE -- WE ALSO PUT LIKE THE LINKS IF YOU WEREN'T BORN IN TEXAS, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU CAN FIND YOUR STATE'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE REGISTRAR. ALSO, IF YOU ARE BORN OUT OF STATE ON A MILITARY BASE, ALL KINDS OF WEIRD SCENARIOS, BUT THAT WILL BE LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.AND THEN WE HAVE THE COST. THE COST IS $23 PER CERTIFICATE.
WHEN PERFORMING A STATE SEARCH, THE FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE. MOST OF THE TIME WE DO FIND THE RECORD. I ALWAYS LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE THAT WHEN THEY COME IN BECAUSE WE ALWAYS HAVE TO LET THEM THEM IT IS NON- REFUNDABLE, BUT USUALLY WE DO FIND IT. TYPICALLY IF WE DON'T, IT IS BECAUSE THERE'S A MISSPELLING, IF THERE'S TWO LAST NAMES OR IFIF DATE OF BIRTH IS GIVEN TO US WRONG. SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE MULTIPLE CHILDREN AND KIND OF GET CONFUSED WHICH ONE IS WHICH.
SO I ALWAYS WOULD LIKE TO SAY JUST LET US KNOW IF THERE'S BEEN ANY ADOPTIONS, BEEN ANY NAME CHANGES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT SO THAT WE CAN TAILOR OUR SEARCH SO WE CAN BETTER FIND IT AND ASSIST YOU, BECAUSE IT HURTS US WHEN WE HAVE TO TELL YOU KNOW AND YOU LEAVE AND YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND THEN IT BRINGS ME TO THE NEXT SLIDE WHICH IS IN ORDER TO GET A CERTIFICATE YOU HAVE TO BE A QUALIFIED APPLICANT. THIS MEANS YOU CAN REQUEST A CERTIFICATE FOR YOURSELF, BUT IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO DO SO IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER CAN REQUEST ON YOUR BEHALF.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT THE STATE VITALS SAYS STEPPARENTS CANNOT GET STEPCHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE, ESPECIALLY WITH SCHOOL COMING.
I THINK THAT IS KIND OF IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW.
SO, YEAH. AND THEN YOU CAN FIND THIS LIST AS WELL ON OUR WEBSITE ALONG WITH A LIST OF OUR ACCEPTABLE IDS, WHICH WILL BE ON THE NEXT
CHILDREN WEREN'T LISTED ON THERE. CAN A CHILD GET --
>> YEAH. IT GETS CONFUSING, BUT A CHILD CAN GET THEIR PARENT'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND GRANDPARENTS CAN GET THEIR GRANDCHILDREN'S, BUT GRANDCHILDREN CAN'T GET THEIR GRANDPARENTS.
SO IT IS A WHOLE THING. IT GETS VERY COMPLICATED.
SO WHEN YOU COME TO OUR OFFICE, WE WILL RUN IT DOWN WITH YOU AND WE'LL GO THROUGH EVERYTHING TAKE WE CAN POSSIBLY
GO THROUGH. >> WHAT IS VERY HELPFUL IS HOW YOU HAD THAT "BORN IN TEXAS" AND THAT
WHOLE FOLLOW THE PATTERN. >> THE FLOW CHART.
>> THE FLOW CHART, THANK YOU. THAT IS SO EASY.
I'M LUCKY. ALL OF MY FAMILY WAS BORN IN TEXAS SO IT IS EASY TO FOLLOW THAT.
>> YEAH. >> IT IS GOOD TO HAVE THOSE TYPES OF VISUALS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I HAVE A FRIEND, MY BEST FRIEND IS A MILITARY WIFE. SO HER KIDS ARE LITERALLY EVERYWHERE. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN GET CONFUSING.
>> BUT FOR YOUR PROPER ID, THIS IS JUST A GROUP OF OUR "A" LIST. THERE'S ADDITIONAL LIST, GROUP B AND C IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE OF THESE.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IS IN A DIFFERENT STAGE OF LIFE. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY DEFINITELY LOOK THERE. COME TO OUR OFFICE, IT AGAIN IS ON OUR WEBSITE. IT GIVES YOU A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING EVERYTHING YOU NEED QUICKLY, BUT WE STRESS WE TRY TO HELP YOU AS BEST WE CAN. WE DO HAVE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES, YOU KNOW, STATE GUIDELINES, BUT WE ALWAYS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
>> OH, I'M SORRY. IT IS COREY.
>> COREY. >> THREE- MINUTE TIMER HAS ALREADY EXPIRED, SO WRAP IT UP. NO, I'M JUST KIDDING. YOU ARE DOING GREAT.
>> APPRECIATE IT. ONCE WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WHERE YOU WERE BORN AND YOUR IDS, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE. FOR THOSE APPLICATIONS YOU CAN COME INTO OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN MAIL ONE IN.
IF YOU DECIDE TO MAIL IN, IT IS A SPECIAL APPLICATION THAT SAYS "MAIL IN ONLY" ON IT.
YOU CAN FIND THAT ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE ONLINE REQUESTS THAT YOU CAN DO.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THESE ARE TWO QR CODES FOR OUR ONLINE REQUEST, ONE IN SPANISH, ONE IN ENGLISH. OKAY. AND AS CYNTHIA SAID EARLIER, ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE CERTAIN LEGISLATION THAT COULD PASS SUCH AS THE SAVE ACT, WOULD REQUIRE MORE PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE. IF YOU WANT TO VOTE YOU WOULD HAVE TO PROVE YOUR CITIZENSHIP IF THIS ACT IS PASSED, AND YOUR ID DOES NOT NECESSARILY PROVE YOUR CITIZENSHIP.
SO YOU WOULD NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR ID WITH A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
>> AND WHEN YOU SAY ID, CAN YOU ELABORATE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC? STATE-
ISSUED ID? >> YES, LIKE A DRIVER'S LICENSE.
>> IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO VOTE?
[01:20:01]
>> YES. THAT ALSO WOULD INCLUDE MILITARY ID, WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO VOTE.
>> YES. SO WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT TODAY AND JUST SHARE SOME OF THE IMPLICATIONS IF THIS WERE TO PASS.
MORE PEOPLE WOULD NEED THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.
THERE ARE ALSO QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MARRIED AND CHANGED THEIR NAMES BECAUSE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE NAME WOULD NOT MATCH THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE NAME. WHILE THIS IS KIND OF UP IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED, IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
AND NOW BREANNA IS GOING TO COME UP AND CLOSE US OUT.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. WE ACTUALLY WILL BE WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THIS COMING WEEKEND TO ISSUE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, TO HELP ANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS OUT, HELPING THEM GET THE PROPER IDS IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROPER IDS, WORK WITH THEM, GET THEM SET UP THROUGH OUR ONLINE SYSTEM IF THEY NEED TO, AND ISSUE BIRTH CERTIFICATES THE DAY, ON AUGUST 2ND. WE WILL BE THERE.
THE WHOLE TEAM WILL BE THERE. WE WILL HAVE SPANISH- SPEAKING CLERKS TO HELP OUT OUR SPANISH- SPEAKING COMMUNITY.
SO WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYBODY OUT
I WANT TO REPEAT WHAT YOU SAID FOR EMPHASIS.
YOU WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PRINT BIRTH CERTIFICATES ON LOCATION.
>> AND THEN, OF COURSE, OUR TEAM AGAIN.
>> AND DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> YES. LET'S FIND OUT. LET'S FIND OUT. COMMISSIONER INGLESBY?
>> JUDGE, I'M GOOD BUT I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INFORMATION BECAUSE I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE AREN'T AWARE OF ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT Y'ALL PROVIDE. THIS HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, A GOOD RECAP OF THE THINGS THAT Y'ALL DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> WONDERFUL. ECONOMICS ESH COHEN.
>> DEFINITELY THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
JUST KEEPING EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW, IN THE KNOW OF WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR OFFICE.
>> LIKE COMMISSIONER HAMMER SAYS, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC. COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
>> I MEAN THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND GETTING THE WORD OUT.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT SO PEOPLE ARE NOT LAST MINUTE TRYING TO CRAM AND GET EVERYTHING DECIDED ON, IF THEY HAVE AMPLE TIME TO KNOW THAT THE PROCESSES MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME THEN IT IS
COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> SINCE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PRINT ON SITE, IT WOULD BE INTERESTING PRIOR TO NEXT SCHOOL YEAR TO TALK ABOUT DOING AN EVENT AND TRYING TO SCHEDULE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS WITH EACH ONE OF OUR ISDS, MAYBE IN JUNE, JULY, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> YEAH. >> SPECIFICALLY TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT FOR THOSE
REGISTRATION NEEDS. >> WHILE WE WERE PUTTING THE PRESENTATION TOGETHER WE ACTUALLY DISCUSSED NEXT MAY, JUNE AND JULY HAVING AN EVENT IN EACH PRECINCT. A SCHOOL DISTRICT ALSO WOULD WORK, BUT TO ALLOW, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED ON A WEEKEND IN CASE THEY CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE OFFICE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, YOU KNOW, 8:00 TO 5:00.
>> RED SOX AN, I BELIEVE THAT THE IDEA OF GOING THROUGH THE ISD, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, IS ACTUALLY MORE POWERFUL, USING THEM AS A PARTNER BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE STRONGEST LEVERS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE THAT NEED IT.
>> I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL. WELL
DONE, GUYS. >> I BELIEVE CYNTHIA HAD ONE MORE COMMENT TO MAKE.
>> ALSO AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE PLAN TO REACH OUT TO THEM WITH OUR QR CODES TO PUT IT IN LITTLE PACKETS FOR THE LITTLE ROUNDUPS THEY DO FOR KINDERGARTEN AND STUFF. SO WE'RE ALREADY ON THAT PROCESS.
GO AHEAD. >> I WOULD SAY LET ME KNOW.
I KNOW THAT WE DO -- I KNOW AT LEAST TWO OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO WELCOME PACKS FOR NEW RESIDENTS, AND THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ACTUALLY HELPED PUT IT TOGETHER WITH THE EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS IN THOSE DISTRICTS.
SO I THINK THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE HELPFUL AND A GREAT FLYER TO PUT IN THERE AND I'M HAPPY TO HELP COORDINATE.
>> AND LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE QR CODE LEADS TO FIRST A POSITIVE MESSAGE ABOUT HAYS COUNTY.
>> YES. WELL, YOU HEARD THE TEAM REFERENCE SEVERAL TIMES THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL BE ON OUR WEBSITE, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF THE WEBSITE BEFORE. BUT I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT AT LEAST FROM WHAT I CAN SEE OUR HAYS COUNTY CLERK WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING.
THINGS ARE ORGANIZED. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND WHAT YOU NEED, AND ALL OF THIS UPDATED INFORMATION WILL BE HERE. IT HAS BEEN WITH THE SUPPORT OF NATALIE AND JEFF IN THE I.T.
DEPARTMENT. SO WE FEEL REAL CONFIDENT ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET WITH THE WEBSITE. THE OTHER THING IS WE ARE DOING A SERIES OF HANDOUTS, AND HAVING DONE THIS PRESENTATION, THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST HANDOUT FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATES. WE WILL BE CREATING THOSE FOR MARRIAGE LICENSES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES AND THEY WILL
[01:25:01]
BE AVAILABLE IN OUR OFFERS AND IN ANY PACKETS WE CAN GET IN THE COMMUNITY.>> TWO THINGS. I BELIEVE IT IS HIGHLY VALUABLE ABOUT WHAT YOUR TEAM JUST SAID ABOUT HAVING QR CODES. EVERYTHING YOU PRINT MOVING FORWARD SHOULD HAVE A QR CODE.
I'M GRATEFUL YOU THANKED NATALIE. BECAUSE AS YOU WERE SAYING IT I WAS POINTING TO HER AND MAKING EYE CONTACT OF ACKNOWLEDGING IT IS SO MUCH WORK AND IT WAS IN GREAT PART -- OF COURSE, JEFF MCGILL, OUR TECHNOLOGY PERSON, BUT ALSO NATALIE FOR DOING THE LEG WORK, HELPING TO REACH WITH EACH DEPARTMENT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THIS IS A USEFUL, CONCISE MESSAGE TO PUT ON THE WEB.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HIGHLIGHTING NATALIE AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP JEFF, AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING QR CODES ON EVERYTHING
MOVING FORWARD. >> WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE PREPARED, IF YOU WOULD -- I'M SURE EVERY ONE OF US WOULD PUT THEM IN OUR FRONT OFFICE.
I HAVE A QUEUE UP THERE IN THE PRECINCT FOUR OFFICE.
I KNOW ALL OF THE OTHER OFFICES DO TOO, OF ANY AND ALL PAMPHLETS FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE THOSE AND SET THEM OUT FOR ANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS
[42. Authorize the execution of Amendment #2 Order Form between Hays County and Flock Group, Inc. related to Flock Safety equipment approved by the Commissioners Court on February 11, 2025. S MIT H /H IP OLIT O]
THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL GO NOW TO G42.
>> G42. AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO ORDER FORM BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND FLOCK GROUP INC. RELATED TO FLOCK SAFETY EQUIPMENT APPROVED BY THE COMMISSONERS COURT ON FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025.
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ME TO NOT ONLY BRING UP ITEMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND DEPARTMENT HEADS OR ELECTED OFFICIALS ASKED ME TO BRING UP, A COMBINATION, EVEN EXACERBATES THAT FURTHER.
BUT ALSO WHEN PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. SO PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M SAM BENAVIDES AND I COME BEFORE YOU TO URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST AGENDA ITEM 42 AND EXPAND EXPANSION OF LICENSE PLATE READERS THAT MAKE THE DATA AVAILABLE TO OVER 600 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR 30 DAYS. I UNDERSTAND THIS WAS INITIALLY APPROVED IN FEBRUARY WHEN VERY LITTLE WAS KNOWN ABOUT FLOCK SAFETY AND AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS.
HOWEVER, SINCE THEN EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SOUND THE ALARM ON THESE TOOLS, AND WE ARE JUST NOW BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION. THERE'S A REASON JUST LAST MONTH THE SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL I WHICH IS ARGUABLY LESS PROGRESSIVE THAN THIS DAIS BEFORE ME, VOTED AGAINST THE EXPANSION OF FLOCK SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
IT IS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THE ISSUE IS BIGGER THAN SAN MARCOS AND ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT, JUST AS IT IS BIGGER THAN HAYS COUNTY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ONE GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW YOU DOZENS OF ARTICLES REVEALING THE WAYS IN WHICH THIS COMPANY'S TOOLS DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETED AND HARMED OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IMMIGRANTS. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE WORKED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST WITH OUR OWN SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND ITS DEPUTIES, IT IS IMPERATIVE WE UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THIS AGENCY. IT IS ABOUT MAKING A COLLECTIVE EFFORT WITH OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS IN MIND TO PUMP THE BRAKES ON A NATIONWIDE DATABASE BOASTING 10 BILLION PLATE READS PER MONTH, QUOTING DIRECTLY FROM THE CONTRACT BEING SIGNED TODAY.
10 BILLION PLATE READS PER MONTH. ACCORDING TO THE EFF IN CITIES WITH AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS THE RATIO OF LICENSE PLATE HITS TO INVESTIGATIVE LEADS WAS BETWEEN 0. 2 AND 0.5%. THIS AMOUNT OF READS IS COMPLETE OVERREACH. IT IS NOT ABOUT SAFETY.
IT IS ABOUT SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL.
AS YOU KNOW, I.C.E. IS ALREADY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TOOLS LIKE THIS WILL SERVE TO FURTHER AID THEIR DEPORTATION EFFORTS.
I FIND THE WAYS THAT OUTSIDE AGENCIES ARE POLICING OUR COMMUNITY DEEPLY TROUBLING. WE HAVE YET TO HEAR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT MEANINGFULLY JUSTIFY AIDING THE VIOLENT APRIL 1ST RAID IN TURPIN SPRINGS. AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE COUNTY YOU SHOULD BE THE ONES TO DICTATE HOW THE COMMUNITY IS POLICED.
WE KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT THE RAID AND THE LITTLE WE KNOW IS CONCERNING. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT THIS RAID AND IT IS ESPECIALLY NOT RIGHT FOR EACH OF YOU AS OUR LEADERS TO BE LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT HOW THESE AGENCIES ARE MOVING IN YOUR JURISDICTION.
THE WAY LAW ENFORCEMENT HANDLED THAT RAID IS A PROBLEM IN ITS OWN, BUT MY POINT IS EXPANDING THE TOOLS OF MASS SURVEILLANCE WILL FURTHER AID THE POLICE IN EFFORTS OF OUTSIDE AGENCIES THAT ARE NOT ACCOUNTABILITY TO HAYS COUNTY, NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS CONSTITUENTS AND NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU.
WHETHER IT IS THROUGH THESE CAMERAS OR THEM BEING DIRECTLY IN OUR COMMUNITY OR BOTH, I'M ASKING YOU TO TAKE A STAND BEYOND SYMBOLIC RESOLUTIONS.
IF YOU STAND WITH OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS, YOU SHOULD STAND NOT ONLY AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM BUT AGAINST ALL EFFORTS THAT SEEK TO EXPAND THE TOOLS OFOF SURVEILLANCE AND MASS DEPORTATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE, IF I'M NOT
[01:30:02]
MISTAKEN, ONLY ONE ANOTHER. IT IS E-MAILED -->> JUDGE, WE HAVE TWO ORIGINALS AND TWO GROUPS OF FORM LETTERS.
>> OKAY. SO IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ME TO ASK IN THE SAKE OF EFFICIENCY OFOF TIME, WHEN YOU SEE A COPY/PASTE OF A MESSAGE, I REALLY -- I REALLY AS A PERSON THAT'S NOT ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD WRITER, I REALLY APPRECIATE THOSE PEOPLE LENDING THEIR NAME AND THEIR EFFORT TO WHATEVER THEY'RE SAYING. BUT WE DON'T NEED TO HEAR A COPY/PASTE REPEAT EVERY TIME. WHAT I ASK THAT YOU DO IS AT LEAST STATE THEIR NAMES SO THAT WE KNOW THEY WANT TO BE COUNTED ON WHATEVER MESSAGE THEY'RE ABOUT TO GIVE. BUT DON'T READ
EACH ONE. >> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ THE FORM LETTER AND THEN --
>> OF COURSE. READ THE WHOLE THING ONCE FOR SURE.
ORIGINALS FIRST. >> THIS IS HENRY HALL FROM WIMBERLEY, TEXAS. DEAR COMMISSIONERS, I'M HENRY HALL FROM WIMBERLEY AND I'M WRITING TO OPPOSE THE CONTRACT WITH FLOCK SAFETY.
I UNDERSTAND HOW SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE FLOCK'S CAN BE QUIETLY EXPANDED, MISUSED OR INTEGRATED WITH LARGER DATABASES WITHOUT PUBLIC OVERSIGHT. THESE TOOLS OFTEN AFFECT AND TARGET IMMIGRANT AND WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE AND DO MORE TO INTIMIDATE THAN PROTECT. PLEASE VOTE NO ON AGENDA ITEM 42 AND PRIORITIZE TRANSPARENT COMMUNITY- DRIVEN SAFETY INVESTMENTS INSTEAD.
>> THE NEXT IS FROM RANDALL TERRELL. WILLOW CREEK CIRCLE IN SAN MARCOS. TO THE COMMISSIONERS. I STRONGLY OPPOSE AGENDA ITEM 42, THE PROPOSED CONTRACT WITH FLOCK CAMERAS.
I BELIEVE YOU ARE OVERSTEPPING YOUR POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS COMMISSIONERS WHEN YOU ACT TO IMPOSE A SURVEILLANCE STATE ON THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY. TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS, ESPECIALLY LICENSE PLATE READERS, HAVE LIMITED UTILITY IN PROTECTING THE PUBLIC.
THEY ARE SLOW, UNTIMELY, UNPROTECTED, AND THE VERY NATURE OF THE CONTRACT WITH FLOCK REQUIRES THE INVASION OF WHAT SHOULD BE A PROTECTED DATABASE.
INSTEAD, IT MONETIZES PERSONAL INFORMATION, LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT CAUSE, SUPERVISION, OVERSIGHT OR WARRANTS. THERE IS LITERALLY NO PROTECTION THAT THE INFORMATION GATHERED BY THESE CAMERAS WILL NOT BE ABUSED, AND THE AVERAGE DRIVER'S PRIVACY WILL BE INVADED AND THEIR PERSONAL DATA SHARED WITHOUT PERMISSION. WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING TO CREATE AS A SURVEILLANCE STATE THAT MAKES US LESS SAFE. WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING? RANDALL TERRELL.
THANK YOU. SIR, DO YOU MIND IN FIRST ROW LOWERING÷÷LOWERING VOICE OR TAKING IT OUTSIDE? YOU DECIDE.
>> THE FIRST GROUPGROUP FORM LETTER IS, DEAR COMMISSIONERS, I'M WRITING TO STRONGLY OPPOSE THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH FLOCK SAFETY, AGENDA ITEM 42. THESE CAMERAS CONTRIBUTE TO MASS SURVEILLANCE, VIOLATE COMMUNITY TRUST AND PUT IMMIGRANT, WORKING CLASS AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AT RISK.
PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THE CONTRACT AND INSTEAD INVEST IN REAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COLLUSION SOLUTIONS THAT ARE COMMUNITY INFORMED AND TRANSPARENT. THIS CAME FROM HE IS SELENA STANSEL IN SAN MARCOS. TERRY BALDERAC IN SAN MARCOS.
GRACE -- SPRING CREEK ROAD, SAN MARCOS.
SAN MARCOS. CHRIS LEADORA, SAN MARCOS.
THERE ARE TEN MORE THAT ARE A DIFFERENT FORM LETTER.
>> OKAY. >> DEAR COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM WRITING TO STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH FLOCK SAFETY, AGENDA ITEM 42.
RESEARCH REGARDING THESE CAMERAS INDICATES MANY AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDING THEIR USE IN MASS SURVEILLANCE, POTENTIAL FOR VIOLATING THE RIGHTS TO PRIVACY, USE OF THE DATA BY PRIVATE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS, AND USE BY I.C.E.
AGAINST IMMIGRANTS. THE SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY VOTED 5- 2 TO OPPOSE THE EXPANSION OF FLOCK CAMERAS, AND THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO END THEIR CONTRACT WITH LICENSE PLATE READERS. THESE CAMERAS HAVE BEEN USED TO STALK OR HARASS INDIVIDUALS AND RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THEY DO NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE CRIME.
PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THE CONTRACT AND USE THE COUNTY'S LIMITED FUNDS TO INVEST IN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND OTHER STRATEGIES THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO REDUCE CRIME.
THIS LETTER CAME FROM ANNA JUAREZ IN SAN MARCOS.
CHRISTINE TERRELL, IN SAN MARCOS.
LAURA HEY GOOD IN WIMBERLEY. DAVID FILLAPELLI IN SAN MARCOS.
ART MILLICAM IN SAN MARCOS. PAIGE JORDYO
[01:35:04]
IN KYLE. JACOB MOLINA IN KYLE. ELIZABETH DE LAROSALAROSA SAN MARCOS.AMY CAMP IN SAN MARCOS. KATHERINE T. ARENA IN SAN MARCOS.
>> BEAUTIFUL. ANY OTHER MESSAGES SENT TO US?
>> I THINK I HAVE EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN HANDED IN.
>> OKAY. >> JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK, ANYBODY TURN IN A PAPER I MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED, THEY WANTED TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NO? OKAY. NOT YET. VERY GOOD.
SO NOW WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND THE CHIEF WAS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS ASKING ME TO BRING THIS ITEM UP. SIR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ON THE STANDBY OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE
A STATEMENT? >> I BELIEVE THE SHERIFF --
>> OKAY. WE WILL LET THE SHERIFF HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS. NO TIMER FOR THIS BECAUSE THIS SITUATION WHEN A COURT MEMBER INVITES SOMEONE, THAT IS NO LONGER A TIMER- SENSITIVE ITEM JUST SO YOU KNOW.
ANTHONY HYPOLITO, HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF.
A COUPLE OF POINTS I WANT TO BRING UP.
JOE JORDAN, IF I SAY ANYTHING INCORRECT, PLEASE CORRECT ME.
AS EACH OF YOU KNOW, THE COURT APPROVED THIS PURCHASE ALREADY.
THE ONLY REASON THAT IT IS HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE THE ORDER FORM WAS INCORRECT AND THE SIGNATURE PAGE WAS MISSING. SO WE HAD TO BRING THIS ITEM BACK TO COURT. ANOTHER POINT I WANT TO BRING UP IS THIS WAS THE MONEY THAT WAS USED TO EXECUTE THIS CONTRACT IS FROM OUR FY25 RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT. WHILE I -- WHILE I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S OPINION AND I LOOK AT MYSELF AS BEING SOMEONE WHO IS OPEN MINDED AND LIKES TO LOOK AT EVERYBODY'S POINT OF VIEW, I DON'T LOOK AT FLOCK CAMERASCAMERAS MASS SURVEILLANCE. THIS IS 100% ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS 100% ABOUT KEEPING OUR CONSTITUENTS OF HAYS COUNTY AS SAFE AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN BE.
WE ARE ALL BEING TRACKED EVERY SINGLE DAY.
IF YOU PULL OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY, EVERY OTHER HOUSE HAS A RING CAMERA ON IT. I KNOW THIS.
COMMISSIONER HAMMER CAN ATTEST I WALKED SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN THIS COUNTY TO MEET OUR VOTERS, AND I TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF RING CAMERAS.
WE ALL CARRY A CELLPHONE. YOU ARE BEING TRACKED EVERY SINGLE DAY BY MERELY CARRYING YOUR CELLPHONE.
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MANY CRIMES WE HAVE SOLVED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT BY USING CELLPHONE DATA. THE DOUBLE HOMICIDE WE HAD A COUPLE OF BLOCKS AWAY FROM HERE THE OTHER DAY WAS CAPTURED ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERA.
THERE ARE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHETHER ON RESIDENCES OR ON BUSINESSES. THEY ARE THERE.
AND WE RELY ON THOSE ITEMS VERY HEAVILY. WE RELY ON TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE OUR CRIMES. SO TO ME THIS IS NOT ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT -- A DATABASE THAT'S GATHERING. IF YOU DRIVE YOUR CAR, WE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE'RE ABLE TO SEE THAT DATA.
WE ARE ABLE TO SEE YOUR LICENSE PLATE.
IT IS NOT ABOUT FACIAL RECOGNITION. I BELIEVE THAT THE NUMBER IS SEVEN OUT OF TEN CRIMES ARE COMMITTED WITH A VEHICLE. WE RELY HEAVILY ON TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS FLOCK TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE.
I JUST CAMPAIGNED FOR THREE YEARS, AND MY NUMBER ONE MESSAGE AND MY NUMBER ONE MESSAGE THAT RESONATED WITH OUR COMMUNITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY. I DIDN'T USE THOSE TERMS JUST BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO SAY.
I HAVE LIVED IN HAYS COUNTY SINCE 1985.
AGAIN, I HAVE SAID THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE I WOULD PUT MY NAME ON A BALLOT, BECAUSE AS YOU ALL KNOW WHEN YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON A BALLOT YOU DEAL WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH, AND SO DOES YOUR FAMILY, AND IT IS NOT OKAY.
I CHOSE TO RUN HERE IN HAYS COUNTY BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP, AND, AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE TO EACH OF YOU. IT IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I CHOSE TO RAISE MY FAMILY HERE.
I CHOSE TO MOVE TO PLUM CREEK IN KYLE IN 2005 WITH MY FAMILY
[01:40:02]
AND MY 18- MONTH- OLD DAUGHTER BECAUSE IT IS A SPECIAL PLACE.TO ME IT IS NOT ABOUT MASS SURVEILLANCE.
WHILE I UNDERSTAND AND I APPRECIATE DIFFERENT ACTIVIST GROUPS, THEIR POINT OF VIEW, WE AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT SOME POINT HAVE TO STOP LETTING SMALL BUT LOUD ACTIVIST GROUPS RUN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I SPENT 23- PLUS YEARS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN WORKING AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CITY OF AUSTIN TODAY IS IS A SAFER PLACE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO LET TEN PEOPLE RUN THE CITY OF AUSTIN. MY ASK OF THIS COURT IS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT BY THE MAJORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DEMAND PUBLIC SAFETY AND WHO EXPECT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO KEEP US SAFE. THIS ISN'T A DIG AT MONO AMIGA OR ANY OTHER ACTIVIST GROUPS BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THEIR WORK. I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MULTIPLE FOLKS IN THAT ORGANIZATION, AND IT IS ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER. SO AT SOME POINT THERE'S GOT TO BE A COMPROMISE. I SAY YOU SHOULDN'T COMPROMISE PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT CONVERSATIONS REALLY NEED TO BE HAD ON A SERIOUS LEVEL.
I HAVE SEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN CRUMBLE.
I DON'T WANT THAT FOR HAYS COUNTY.
THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS IS WHAT AUSTIN WAS FIVE, SEVEN YEARS AGO.
IT IS NOT GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO MY ASK OF YOU IS TO CONTINUE WHAT YOU ALREADY DID AND SUPPORT THIS AGENDA ITEM. WE NEED TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE CRIMES.
PICTURE THIS. PICTURE ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONES, WHOEVER YOU LOVE THE MOST, GETS IN A WORK TRUCK AND IS DRIVING NORTH TO GO TO WORK IN AUSTIN.
AND HE OR SHE NOTICES THAT THEY NEED TO GET GAS, SO THEY PULL -- THEY EXIT, THEY TAKE THE EXIT IN BHUTA. THEY PULL INTO A GAS STATION, AND HE OR SHE STARTS PUMPING AND A STRANGER IN A PICKUP TRUCK DRIVES INTO THE PARKING LOT, PULLS OUT A GUN AND MURDERS YOUR LOVED ONE AND SPEEDS AWAY. LAW ENFORCEMENT GETS THERE.
NO ONE KNOWS WHO DID IT OR WHY THEY DID IT. THIS IS A STRANGER-ON- STRANGER CRIME, WHICH LUCKILY WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. DEPUTIES GET TO THE SCENE AND START WORKING WITH INVESTIGATORS, AND ALL WE HAVE BECAUSE OF SURVEILLANCE VIDEO IS A DESCRIPTION OF A TRUCK.
NO LICENSE PLATE, NO PICTURE OF THE GUY, NO NOTHING BECAUSE HE JUST ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW AND MURDERED YOUR LOVED ONE.
BUT LUCKILY WE HAD FLOCK AT THE TIME, AND ALL OUR INVESTIGATORS DID WAS ENTER A DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUCK.
A DARK CHEVY TRUCK. THAT TRUCK HIT A FLOCK CAMERA JUST SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY FROM THAT HOMICIDE.
WE HAD A LICENSE PLATE AND WE HAD A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT COULD BE THE TRUCK.
THAT SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED IN PROBABLY LESS THAN 24 HOURS IN THE LEANDER CEDAR PARK AREA, AND THEY JUST KILLED YOUR LOVED ONE. THE ONLY REASON THAT CRIME HAS BEEN SOLVED TODAY IS BECAUSE OF A FLOCK CAMERA.
THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT MAN'S FAMILY OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER RECEIVED JUSTICE. THAT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE USE OF FLOCK CAMERAS THAT HAVE SOLVED HEINOUS, VIOLENT CRIMES.
ARE WE GOING TO GET RID OF IT BECAUSE WE THINK IT IS UNDER MASS SURVEILLANCE? WE HAVE TO BE BETTER AS A COUNTY. WE HAVE TO BE BETTER AND NOT LET ONE ORGANIZATION OR TWO ORGANIZATIONS DICTATE POLICY.
THAT'S A SLAP IN THE FACE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO VICTIMS OF CRIME.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
I THINK CAPTAIN SMITH HAS VITAL INFORMATION, SOME FACTS IN REGARDS TO FLOCK CAMERAS. IF YOU GUYS ANY QUESTIONS AFTER THAT, I WOULD BE GLAD TO
ANSWER. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
[01:45:03]
ABOUT THE CAMERA OR STATISTICS LOCALLY. I WILL SAY THAT OF EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE HEARD TODAY THE FIRST SPEAKER HAD SOME ACTUAL FACTS AND THEY WERE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. THE REST IS OPINION.SO I HAVE TECHNICAL STUFF. I HAVE FACTS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, I'M HERE TO ANSWER THEM.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO NEXT IS ASK COUNCILMEMBER TO THE PODIUM. YOU'RE COUNCIL AT THE COUNTY SEAT HAS TAKEN SOME ACTION ON THIS VERY THING AND I WANTED THE HEAR YOUR TAKE ON THIS.
>> SO AMANDA RODRIGUEZ, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS.
A LOT HAS BEEN SAID, BUT, HONESTLY, WE WORKED ON OUR FLOCK STUFF SINCE FEBRUARY.
WE WERE FIGHTING IT SINCE FEBRUARY.
THANKFULLY, OUR COUNCIL, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF TWO ACTIVIST GROUPS, HAD SOME SENSE TO SEE WHERE WE ARE NATIONALLY, WHERE WE ARE STATEWIDE, WHERE OUR GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO HARM PEOPLE, AND SAW THE BIGGER PICTURE.
AND SO I DO WANT TO SAY, JUDGE, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME, YOU KNOW, THE WAS SOMETHING MENTIONED, THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER BEFORE THE LAST ABOUT OUR CITY AND THE STATE OF OUR CITY. I TAKE ISSUE WITH IT.
OUR CITY ACTUALLY, SIMILAR TO AUSTIN -- I KNOW IT WAS ANOTHER CITY MENTIONED -- CONTINUES TO SEE, DESPITE WHAT WE SAW, THE UNFORTUNATE EVENT ADJACENT TO THIS COURTHOUSE, OUR CITY CONTINUES TO SEE CRIME DROP.
IT IS NOT THE SENSATIONALIZED NATURE THAT WE ARE SEEING HERE. SO THIS ASSERTION THAT THE CITY IS DOING SOMETHING TO HARM OUR RESIDENTS INADVERTENTLY IS QUITE WILD, AND I DO TAKE SERIOUS, SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THAT.
WHEN IT COMES TO FLOCK CAMERAS, LET'S JUST BE REAL CLEAR. SO IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS -- AND, GRANTED, Y'ALL'S AGENDA ITEM DID NOT HAVE A TON OF INFORMATION FOR ME TO COME WELL PREPARED, AND SO I JUST WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS LAST NIGHT.
SO FORGIVE ME FOR NOT HAVING PREVIOUS REMARKS.
BUT THE MENTION OF GRANT FUNDING ALREADY APPROVED.
THE CITY WAS IN THE SAME POSITION.
WE HAD GRANT FUNDING APPROVED. OUR CITY AS A BODY PRIOR TO ME BEING ON THE BODY AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GRANT PROCESS. THAT GRANT PROCESS, YOU KNOW, I KNOW COMMISSIONER SMITH TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, YOUR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY. YOU WOULD KNOW AS WELL THAT WHEN YOU ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT IT DOES SOUND GREAT, RIGHT, IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS.
IT IS NOT COSTING THE TAXPAYERS LOCALLY.
THE STATE IS PAYING FOR IT AND Y'ALL GET SOMETHING IN RETURN. HOWEVER, THAT'S A REDUCTION.
WHEN THE CITY QUICKLY LEARNED WHEN WE ENTER INTO GRANT AGREEMENTS, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS STATE, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THOUGH, YOU ARE BOUND BY THE STIPULATIONS WITHIN THAT GRANT AGREEMENT.
I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. WHEN IT COMES TO FLOCK CAMERAS AND THE USAGE, THE WAY WE DID IT WAS A MOTOR VEHICLE CRIMES VICTIMS GRANT.
THERE WERE OTHER STIPULATIONS IN THAT GRANT THAT WE ARE VEHEMENTLY AGAINST AS A COUNCIL. I LOOKED AT THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER'S WEBSITE, Y'ALL STILL HAVE THE ABILITY ACCORDING TO THAT WEBSITE TO DENY.
IT IS STILL Y'ALL'S BUDGET. YOU STILL HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.
IT IS NOT JUST, HEY, MY HANDS ARE TIED TO THE COMMUNITY.
YOU STILL HAVE THAT AUTHORITY. BUT AS FLOCK AS A COMPANY AS A WHOLE, I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.
WE HAD PRIOR TO THE CANCELLATION OF EXPANDING OUR CAMERAS, WE HAD LOOKED AT THE POLICY ITSELF.
I FOUND VERY QUICKLY THAT OUR CITY DID NOT REALLY DO A PROACTIVE JOB AT REALLY ADDRESSING THE POLICY AND WHAT ALL OF THESE CAMERAS COULD BE USED FOR. AND SO WE WENT AND DID A DEEP DIVE INTO OUR POLICY AND, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOME -- IT WAS MENTIONED HYPOTHETICALS ABOUT IMMIGRAION.
IT IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL. WHEN WE ACTUALLY GOT THE DATA AS A CITY WITHIN THIS LAST YEAR FROM THE TIME WE LOOKED AT THE DATA, THERE WERE 15 MILLION SEARCHES OF OUR CAMERAS. NOT JUST IN THE STATE.
NOT JUST IN THE COUNTY, BUT THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
15 MILLION. THERE WAS STATEMENTS MADE, WELL, I.C.E. ISN'T LOOKING AT OUR CAMERAS BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOWN FOR AS A CITY.
THEY WERE LOOKING AT OUR CAMERAS. THEY WERE LOOKING AT OUR CAMERAS.
AND SO EVEN IF WE AS A BODY MAY HAVE FELT INDIFFERENT TO THE HYPER CRIMINALIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS, IT DIDN'T MATTER.
[01:50:01]
THEY WERE STILL GETTING BACKDOOR ACCESS.THE COMPANY AS A WHOLE THRIVES OFF OF ITS SOCIAL NETWORK STYLE. YOU ENTER INTO THESE CONTRACTS, AND WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU ARE AGREEING TO SHARE -- THAT'S HOW THE MAKE THE PROFIT. SO THE 254 COUNTIES THAT EXIST IN THIS STATE, YOU ARE LIKELY SHARING WITH ALL OF THOSE ALREADY. AND WHILE THEY MAY HAVE WITH SB8 AND THE NEW -- Y'ALL FIT THE POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS OF THAT BILL. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE -- OR TO GIVE OVER THIS DATA. THAT IS REQUIRED NOW.
AND SO WE CAN TELL OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE CARE ABOUT IMMIGRANTS, THAT WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING ABORTIONS, THAT WE CARE ABOUT ALL OF THESE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, BUT I PROMISE YOU THAT YOUR WORDS MEAN NOTHING WHEN YOU VOTE TO EXPAND THESE CAMERAS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SHARE YOUR DATA. SO IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE EXAMPLE EARLIER OF THAT SCENARIO, WHILE UNFORTUNATE, A MURDER IS ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE. I THINK THERE'S THIS -- I THINK THERE'S THIS AUTOMATIC ASSUMPTION THOSE OF US WHO PUSH BACK ON SOME OF THESE TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS OF POLICING, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS ACTUALLY THE OPPOSITE.
WE DON'T WANT THE SEE THOSE TO SIT HERE AND FRAME THESE CAMERAS AS IF THEY'RE A CRIME PREVENTION TOOL, WHICH WAS TOLD TO US AS A COUNCIL AS WELL, BASED ON THAT EXAMPLE JUST GIVEN IT SHOWS THE EVIDENTIARY NATURE OF THESE CAMERAS. THEY DON'T PREVENT CRIME.
SO I'M NOT HERE TO BELABOR THE POINTS. VERY WELL MADE PRIOR TO WHEN I GOT HERE OF Y'ALL AS A BODY REALLY DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY SIMILAR TO OUR COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY, TO SHOW PEOPLE WHERE YOU PUT YOUR MONEY, WHERE YOU PUT YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME.
I'M TELLING YOU, WHILE I WANT SAFETY AS MUCH AS THE NEXT PERSON, WE CAN'T JUST SIT HERE AND TAKE WHAT IS PRESENTED TO US EVERY TIME AS POLICYMAKERS AND GO AND TELL OUR PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY CREATES SAFETY, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T. REAL SAFETY GETS AT THE ROOT. WHILE I'M INTERESTED IN, YEAH, MAYBE CATCHING SOMEBODY WHO COMMITTED A MURDER, I'M MORE INTERESTED IN PREVENTING THAT MURDER IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO THIS IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS TWO LONE ACTIVIST GROUPS, IT REALLY GETS AT ME BECAUSE SINCE FEBRUARY WE AS A COUNCIL -- WE HEARD FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER OUR CITY. THIS WAS THE ONE ISSUE THAT I'VEI'VE EVER A PART OF TO SIT HERE AND BE -- I'M SO HONEST WITH YOU AND I'M SO AMAZED BY IT.
THIS WAS THE ONE ISSUE WHERE PEOPLE ACROSS EVERY AISLE CAME OUT AND SAID, I DON'T WANT THIS.
THEY DIDN'T WANT IT. YOU HAVE PEOPLE NOW IN OUR CITY ACTUALLY ASKING TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT ALL TOGETHER.
SO I JUST -- I URGE Y'ALL TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. I URGE Y'ALL TO FIGHT FOR REAL, REAL SOLUTIONS TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT HITS THE EASIEST, MOST QUICKEST OPTION. AND SO IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONSQUESTIONS SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE AS A CITY, IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW OUR CAMERAS WE FOUND OUT WERE BEING USED, I JUST FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO COME HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS CITY.
I'M GLAD I DID GIVEN SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE JUST MADE. TO SIT HERE AND FIGHT AND CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST THESE CAMERAS. THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ.
I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND THEY ARE HIGHLY VALUED BY ME FOR SURE.
I WON'T SPEAK FOR THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
>> JUDGE, THIS IS MY AGENDA ITEM IF YOU
DON'T MIND. >> SIR, IT IS GREAT, BUT I JUST TAKE A SEQUENCE. YOU KNOW THE PATTERN, BUT YOU CAN GO FIRST IF YOU FEEL LIKE
IT. >> WELL, I THINK EVERY AGENDA ITEM I EVER SAT THROUGH HERE YOU ALWAYS RECOGNIZED THE AUTHOR
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT A COUPLE OF THINGS. NUMBER ONE, WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT UP AND I WAS ASKED TO
SPONSOR IT -- >> COUNCILMEMBER, YOU CAN HAVE A SEAT. THANK
WHENEVER THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT UP AND I WAS ASKED TO SPONSOR IT BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE I WAS HAPPY TO DO SO, AND I SAY THAT SIMPLY BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE GOOD THAT IT HAS DONE IN SEVERAL CASES THAT ARE VERY WELL- KNOWN IN OUR COUNTY.
I KNOW THAT THOSE CASES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLVED.
I THINK THAT WHENEVER WE LOOK AT JUSTICE OR OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, I THINK SOME GOOD POINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TODAY, BUT I DON'T KNOW OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT OR A SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR A CONSTABLE'S OFFICE IN THE ENTIRE U.S. THAT HAS A 100% PREVENTION RATE. WHENEVER YOU LOOK AT THE SCALES OF JUSTICE, JUSTICE IS -- JUSTICE IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT ON THE FRONT END. REMOVING A TOOL LIKE THIS THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE USED AND HAVE PROVEN THAT
[01:55:02]
THEY'VE USED AND CONTINUE TO USE IN A JUDICIAL MANNER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF -- AND PROSECUTION OF THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES IN OUR AREA. THE LAST THING WE TALK ABOUT, WHAT WE TALK ABOUT AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT IN THE NEXT MONTH, IS OUR AVAILABILITY AND OUR ABILITY TO MAXIMIZE THE FORCE THAT WE HAVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND WHEN I SAY MAXIMIZE THE FORCE, GET THE MOST GOOD OUT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH THE LEAST PERSONNEL AND THE LEAST AMOUNT OF FUNDING. THE WORK ON THE INVESTIGATIVE SIDE THAT THESE CAMERAS PROVIDE, I JUST CANNOT SEE REMOVING A TOOL FROM THAT TOOL BOX THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS USE EVERY DAY, AND THEY'VE PROVEN THAT IT WORKS IN OUR COUNTY.AGAIN, THIS CONTRACT WAS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY.
THERE WAS A PAGE MISSING FROM THE CONTRACT.
THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT WE ARE BACK HERE TODAY.
AND IN FEBRUARY I BELIEVE THE COURT WAS UNANIMOUS IN SUPPORT OF THIS TECHNOLOGY. SO WITH THAT I WOULD LEAVE IT TO THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR
COMMENT. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER INGLESBY.
>> SO LET ME JUST FIRST SAY TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT I'M NOT TRYING TO LIMIT ANY TOOL THAT WILL HELP US PREVENT CRIME OR÷÷OR SAFETY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.
I BELIEVE IT WAS ERIC MARTINEZ THAT ASKED AND, YOU KNOW, I HAD THOUGHT THE SAME.
IF WE COULD TAKE MORE TIME AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON IT.
SHERIFF, YOU GAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION, BUT MAYBE WE NEED TO INVITE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I THINK YOU SAID THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO DO THAT AND JUST TAKE ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO TO JUST TRY TO BRING SOME FOLKS TOGETHER AND DISCUSS AND, YOU KNOW, JUST LAYOUT WHAT -- HOW WE USE THIS TOOL. I MEAN, AGAIN, I KNOW YOU DESCRIBED IT, BUT I JUST FEEL THAT WE COULD USE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO JUST HAVE OTHERS INVOLVED AND COME BACK AND TAKE A LOOKLOOK IT AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I THINK ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS HAD MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WE DID APPROVE THIS BACK IN FEBRUARY, BUT BACK THEN WE MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN EVERYTHING THAT WE KNOW NOW. IT DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, CHANGES MY MIND ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD. I FEEL THE COUNTY THE STRUGGLE IN OVERSIGHT HOLISTICALLY IN A LOT OF AREAS, AND SO I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERSIGHT PIECE OF IT.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
I MYSELF WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT, AND WHAT POLICIES ARE WE WORKING ON TO -- IF ANY AGENCY IS ASKING FOR DATA, WHAT IS OUR POLICY AROUND THAT IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND HOW WE'RE HANDLING THAT? I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN IGNORE THE FEEDBACK THAT WAS GIVEN IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND OVER E-MAIL.
AND SO I THINK FOR MYSELF I REALLY NEED TO DIG DOWN INTO THE DATA AND SEE WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND THE CONCERNS ARE AND BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO HAVE THOSE
HAMMER. >> SO IT WAS MENTIONED BY SOMEONE THAT WE ARE OVERSTEPPING OUR AUTHORITY BY APPROVING THESE CAMERAS. I JUST WANT TO SAY NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COUNTY, WE LISTEN TO OUR DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS US LISTENING TO OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICEOFFICE AND MAKING THE DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING.
WE'RE NOT OVERSTEPPING OUR AUTHORITY. I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.
I WANT TO ALSO SAY IN MS. RODRIGUEZ'S POINT, SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW SOMETIMES ACTIVIST GROUPS GET CORNERED AND SAID THAT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. I DO THINK THE SAME IS ON THE OTHER SIDE, TOO, THAT WE DON'T CARE ABOUT TREATING PEOPLE WITH HUMANITY AND RESPECT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY EVERYBODY WANTS OUR COMMUNITY TO BE AS SAFE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. WE HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF LOOKING ABOUT IT, BUT I ALWAYS THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY WE CARE A LOT ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND WE CARE ABOUT EVERYONE REMAINING SAFE.
NOW, THE WAY THAT WE DO IT IS DIFFERENT AND IT TAKES CONVERSATION. I GOT TO KNOW OUR SHERIFF FOR THE YEAR AND A HALF THAT I WAS CAMPAIGNING WITH HIM, AND I KNOW HIM AS SOMEONE THAT IS EXTREMELY REASONABLE, WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THE SIDES AND WILL TALK TO HIS BIGGEST ENEMY, AND COMPLETELY COMPASSIONATE. SO TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST, IF SHERIFF HIPOLITO IS SITTING HERE AND TELLING ME AND DESCRIBING THE FACTS WHICH IN MY OPINION, YES, IF MY 3-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER IS PICKED UP I WANT YOU TO USE EVERYTHING IN YOU POWER TO FIND WHERE SHE IS AT.
I WILL ALWAYS SAY THAT. I DON'T NOT THINK YOU
[02:00:03]
SHOULD COMPROMISE THAT IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM. I WILL THREE TO OUR SHERIFF AND TRUST HIM TO GO WHERE WE NEED TO GO BECAUSE I TRUST HIM.I WANT TO SAY IT IS A CONTRACT THAT IS ALREADY AGREED AGREED SO IT IS JUST A ONE PAGER TO CHANGE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH ASKING JORDAN -- THERE YOU ARE. MAKING SURE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO CHANGE GEARS.
>> I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL MULTI- TASKING AS DEPARTMENT HEADS, ET CETERA. I DON'T WANT TO CATCH YOUR FLAT FOOTED.
I WANT YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING IT.
WHAT AS A COURT CAN TAKE PLACE PLACE RIGHT NOW TO ENSURE A BONA FIDE STOP RIGHT NOW TO THIS CONTRACT? ALTHOUGH JUST THE SIGNATURE PAGE IS MISSING, I UNDERSTAND, WHAT CAN WE DO AS A COURT AT THIS MOMENT TO ENSURE IT IS STOPPED AT THIS MOMENT?
>> SO JORDAN POWELL, FIRST ASSISTANT.
TO BE CLEAR, JUDGE, THIS ISN'T A NEW CONTRACT.
THIS IS ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO AN EXISTING CONTRACT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THAT. YES. SO IF -- WHETHER IT IS TABLED OR NOT SUPPORTED, I'LL WALK THROUGH EACH OPTION.
IF IT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE COURT FOR THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT, THEN THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WOULDN'T BE ORDERED AND ADDED. IF THE COURT WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT, THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BE ORDERED AND ADDED. IF YOU TABLE IT, WE'LL CHAT MORE ABOUT
IT AGAIN. >> AND WE HAVE -- I REALLY LIKE THE WAY COMMISSIONER COHEN HAD PRESENTED IT, BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. THOSE ARE MY VIEWS EXACTLY.
THIS WORLD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WHEN WE APPROVED THIS TO WHAT WE'VE SEEN TODAY IS A DIFFERENT WORLD, AND ITS USES. I'M OF THE WORLD -- AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. I'M OF THE WORLD WHERE I ALSO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER HAMMER WHERE I SAY, HEY, MAN, WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG. WE ALL GOT CELLPHONES.
WE ARE ALL BEING TRACKED. WE ALL HAVE CAMERAS IT YOU GO INTO A 7- ELEVEN -- THAT SHOWS MY AGE.
ALL I THINK IS 7-ELEVEN. THERE ARE PROBABLY 12 DIFFERENT NAMES FOR CONVENIENCE STORES. WE ALL GO IN THE STORES AND ARE BEING RECORDED AND WE ALL BENEFIT FROM THAT ULTIMATELY. UNLESS YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THAT'S THE SAD PLACE I CONNECT WITH YOU 100%. I SAY SAD BECAUSE IT IS A BURDEN TO SEE MORE PERSPECTIVES SOMETIMES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO THREAD THE NEEDLE. BUT THE COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN IN WAYS THAT ARE ALARMING, AND NOT JUST -- I HAVE TO AGREE, SHERIFF.
NOT JUST ACTIVIST -- WAS THAT THE WORD USED? NOT JUST ACTIVISTS SPEAKING BUT COMMUNITY.
I MEAN THERE WAS A LIST OF PEOPLE COUNTYWIDE THAT ARE ABSOLUTE THE MOST PEACEFUL PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN SAYING, HEY, HOLD ON.
AND SO LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS AS WELL ON MY RIGHT, WE CAN'T IGNORE THAT. SO IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING GOING ON, PLEASE EXPLAIN THE POSSIBLE MISTAKE WE HAVE MADE BY TALKING ABOUT AN EXPANSION OF FLOCK.
WHAT DO WE HAVE CURRENTLY ON A COUNTY?
>> I DON'T HAVE A LIST OF ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT IN FRONT
>> THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR THE SHERIFF'S
OFFICE. >> OR, SHERIFF, HERE WE ARE. SMITH. IF YOU DON'T MIND, PLEASE, ELUCIDATING, SHARE WITH US WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE? BECAUSE IN LIGHT OF, LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS AND I AGREE, HAVE SAID, THIS WHOLE FLOCK CONVERSATION HAS MOVED INTO A DIFFERENT LENS FOR US. TELL US WHAT WE ARE DOING, PLEASE.
>> SURE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE FIVE CAMERAS THAT ARE INSTALLED, A SIXTH WAITING ON PERMITTING, AND THEN THE ADDITIONAL FOUR THAT WE'RE HERE
FOR TODAY. >> SO CAN YOU TELL US US LOCATION OF THOSE?
>> I CAN. THERE'S ONE AT 150 EASTBOUND AND HAYES CITY STORY. 21 AND 2001.
290 AT NUTTY BROWN. 290 AT 12.
AND EASTBOUND OVERPASS AT FIRE
MAIN SPACES, MAIN THOROUGHFARES.
>> ARTERIALS FOR WHERE OUR CRIME
IS HAPPENING. >> YOU ARE DESCRIBING A GOOD USE OF THE TECHNOLOGY, AND YOU ALSO HEAR, BECAUSE MY PHONE HAS BEEN BLOWING UP AS WELL, YOU ARE ALSO DESCRIBING -- ALTHOUGH RESPONSIBLE USE AS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS YOU'RE MY CO-WORKER AND I BELIEVE IN
[02:05:01]
VALUE, WHAT COMMISSIONER HAMMER HAS SAID, THAT WE BELIEVE IN RESPECT AND APPRECIATE AND SUPPORT WHAT YOU ARE DOING.BUT THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT COIN IS IT IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE DOING, IT IS THE OTHER SIDE OF WHAT WE HEARD, THE MILLIONS OF OTHER SEARCHES THAT WE ARE OPENING UP UP REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU'RE USING IT, BUT SOME POTENTIALLY NEFARIOUS APPROACHES THAT OTHERS MAY BE FINDING. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO DO THAT.
BUT LET ME SEE IF THE COMMISSIONERS WHILE WE HAVE YOU AT THE PODIUM STARTING ON THIS SIDE -- JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, I WILL SWING LEFT TO RIGHT, RIGHT TO LEFT.
THAT'S JUST MY STYLE. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR HIM AT THIS TIME?
>> I GUESS I REALLY DON'T. I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK -- YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY TALKED ABOUT FACE RECOGNITION, IT IS NOT USED FOR THAT.
IT IS SPECIFICALLY USED JUST TO CAPTURE THE LICENSE PLATE.
>> IT IS VERY ACCURATE. SO WHEN ALL OF US GO REGISTER OUR VEHICLES OR GET OUR DRIVER'S LICENSE, THE PRIVILEGE THAT THE STATE ALLOWS YOU TO DO, YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING THAT INFORMATION, RIGHT. FLOCK DOESN'T CATCH FACES.
IT DOESN'T CATCH WHO IS DRIVING A VEHICLE. IT IS STRICTLY CATCHING LICENSE PLATE. IT STORES THAT DATA FOR 30 DAYS.
IT MAKES IT SEARCHABLE. WHEN I SAY SEARCHABLE, IT ENTERS A HOT LIST. SOMEBODY HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR POLICIES AND OUR PROCEDURES AND HOW WE'RE PROCEDURES IT.
>> DOT HOT STAND FOR ANYTHING? IS THAT AN
>> IT IS A TERM WE USE TO DESCRIBE A LIST FOR CRIMINAL OFFENSES WE'RE INTERESTED IN, PEOPLE WITH WARRANTS ET CETERA THAT ARE LINKED TO A VEHICLE VIA DRIVER'S LICENSE AND
REGISTRATION. >> AND IS IT ALSO CORRECT AS SOMEBODY STATED, IS THAT IT IS SHARED WITH THE 254 COUNTIES OF THE STATE?
>> WE SHARE IT WITH PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR US TO SHARE IT, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WISE. I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE ALL 254 COUNTIES SHARING OUR DATA.
I.C.E.? >> I'M NOT SURE. I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AND CHECK WITH OUR ANALYST, BUT LIKELY IF THEY HAVE REQUESTED IT THEN WE HAVE
NOT DENIED IT. >> THAT'S A GOOD ANSWER.
>> WITH A THING LIKE FLOCK WHAT ÷÷MAKES IT SUCCESSFUL IS THE NETWORKING CAPABILITIES. ALL OF THE DATA IS COMING FROM THE÷÷ SAME PLACE I JUST TALKED ABOUT, WHERE WE REGISTERED OUR VEHICLES, IT IS BOUNCING OR TCIC, NC IC, AND YOU ARE GETTING THE HITS FROM A NATIONAL DATA BAIT AND STATE LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS.
SO WHAT WE'RE SHARING IS THE ABILITY÷÷ FOR AND OTHER AGENCY TO SAY, HEY, IS THIS RAPE SUSPECT'S VEHICLE DRIVING THROUGH YOUR COUNTY BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANT.
SO THEY CAN ESTABLISH THOSE LISTS AND LOOK FOR THOSE SPECIFIC VEHICLES. THERE IS NO PERSON AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT IS LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR HITS FOR THE MONTH AT RANDOM LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS AND SAYING, MAN, I'M GOING TO DO WITH THIS DATA.
>> THAT'S NOT HAPPENING. >> AND WE BELIEVE YOU.
I AGREE, RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, WE ALL AGREE WITH THAT. WE BELIEVE YOU ARE NOT DOING THAT. THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION AT ALL HERE IN THE CONVERSATION FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. YOU DOING SOMETHING NEFARIOUS IS ZERO IN OUR MINDS.
>> SURE. I JUST WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS COLLECTING, AND THAT IS LICENSE
>> THERE'S NO COMPANY THAT WE'RE SELLING THE INFORMATION TO OR THAT FLOCK IS SELLING THE INFORMATION TO. CITIZENS OR COMMUNITIES HAVE PURCHASED FLOCK CAMERAS. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTY THAT HAVE THEIR OWN, AND THEY CHOOSE TO SHARE THAT WITH US SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES THEY ONLY CHOOSE TO SHARE IT IN THE INSTANCE OF A CRIME. BUT THAT DATA THAT THEY ARE COLLECTING÷÷COLLECTING PRIVATE CITIZENS IS THEIR DATA. THEY OWN IT.
>> SURE. >> I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO IT UNLESS THEY GIVE ME ACCESS TO IT.
>> >> SO IS THERE A POLICY THAT Y'ALL FOLLOW WHEN SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REQUESTS THE INFORMATION?
>> WHEN WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO ESTABLISH A LIST -- I HAVE TO SCROLL THROUGH THIS A LITTLE. I HAD A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO PREPARE.
ALL RIGHT. ALL OF OUR USERS MUST REVIEW IN-HOUSE TRAINING, THAT'S OURS. OUR SOPS, ONCE THAT'S COMPLETE,COMPLETE, TAKE A QUIZ. THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PASSING SCORE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE DATA TYPE AND INCIDENT CASE AND NUMBER WHICH I BELIEVE PD DOES THE SAME THING.
WE DO AUDITS QUARTERLY TOTO THAT THE SEARCHES ARE BEING DONE CORRECTLY. SO IF THEY'RE NOT, THAT'S THAT NOT AN INCIDENT OR SOME TYPE OF CRIMINAL ASSOCIATION WITH THIS. THEN THE ACCESS IS PULLED.
[02:10:01]
AND THEN, YEAH, WE'VE -- I GUESS THAT'S IT AS FAR AS I KNOW.>> HAVE Y'ALL EVER HAD TO PULL SOMEONE'S
ACCESS AWAY? >> NOT THAT I KNOW OF.
I DON'T -- AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHY ANYONE WOULD SEARCH FOR A SPECIFIC LICENSE PLATE NEFARIOUSLY UNLESS IT WAS SOMETHING PERSONAL, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSONAL GAIN SOMEBODY IN FORT WORTH WOULD GET FROM GETTING HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS'S LICENSE PLATE ÷÷INFORMATION. BUT I DO KNOW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TIE THAT BACK TO A NUMBER.
>> SURE. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> I TRULY DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF QUESTIONS. I THINK MY COLLEAGUES ASKED MOST OF THEM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, LIKE I SAID, I JUST THINK ABOUT MY DAUGHTER, AND SO THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH THAT. I WOULD WANT YOU TO FIND THAT CAR EVEN IF IT IS IN FORT WORTH, IMMEDIATELY.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. PARTING COMMENTS?
>> THE SIX LOCATIONS WE CURRENTLY HAVE, WHERE ARE THEY AT AGAIN.
HAYES CITY STORE. WHAT ARE THE OTHER.
>> 290, NUTTY BROWN. 290 AT 12.
OVERPASS AT FIRE CRACKER AND ONE PENDING AT 157 AND
GOFORTH. >> HOW MANY OF THOSE WOULD FALL WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS? ANY OF THEM?
>> SO IF WE LOOK AT THE COMMENTS TODAY, OF ALL OF THE COMMENTS, HALF OF THESE CAMERAS ARE IN MY PRECINCT. THERE'S NOT ONE COMMENT FROM MY PRECINCT. ONLY TWO COMMENTS FROM THE CITY OF KYLE, TWO COMMENTS FROM THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY AND THE REST ARE SAN MARCOS RESIDENTS.
I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE IS AN INFLUX OF INFLUENCE FROM ONE COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY -- AND THEY'VE ESTABLISHED THEY MAY NOT WANT THIS. THE FACT IS THAT MY CONSTITUENTS IN PRECINCT FOUR HAVE SEEN TRUE BENEFIT FROM IT, AND I'LL TELL YOU THAT I SUPPORT THAT.
AGAIN, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT -- AND THOSE ARE THE ESTABLISHED CAMERAS.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WOULD GO.
I WOULD LEAVE THAT UP TO Y'ALL. I THINK WE HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE TO PREVENT -- TO TRULY PREVENT THE CONCERNS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE. I MEAN I THINK OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF ADDRESSING THOSE COMMENTS, NUMBER ONE, AND GIVING ME ASSURANCES THAT AT LEAST I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT INFORMATION IS BEING USED IN THE CORRECT WAY.
I THINK THE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF WHY WOULD SOMEONE LOOK FOR A SPECIFIC LICENSE PLATE, THE ONLY REASON A SPECIFIC LICENSE PLATE HITS IS IF IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS AN ACTIVE WARRANT OR HAS SOME CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING TRACKED AT THAT GIVEN MOMENT.
I THINK THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE THAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO LOOK AT BECAUSE THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE RHETORIC WE'VE HEARD TODAY THAT EVERYBODY IS ACCESSING THIS INFORMATION AND THEY'RE USING IT TO ACTIVELY TRACK FOLKS WHEN WE CAN'T EVEN TELL WHO IS DRIVING THE CAR WHENEVER IT PINGS THAT LICENSE ÷÷PLATE.
I JUST THINK IT IS -- I HAVE A CONCERN THE RATIONAL BEHIND THE OPPOSITION TO THIS IS NOT WELL-FOUNDED. I SAY THAT BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS RETICENT. I AM ALWAYS RETICENT TO PULL A TOOL OUT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL BOX, ESPECIALLY ONE WE HAVE÷÷USED TO ACTIVELY FIX THE MOTOR WE ARE LOOKING AT.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ÷÷SMITH.
I PRESENT TWO OPTIONS. YOU WANT TO TEST THE VOTE OR ARE YOU WILLING TO TABLE? I GIVE YOU THE DIRECTION
CHOICE. >> IF WE WERE TO TABLE THIS, WE WOULD MEET NEXT WEEK. IF WE WERE TO TABLE IT UNTIL NEXT WEEK IT WOULD JUST HAVE THE IMPACT OF NOT -- OF NOT PURCHASING THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. I WOULD BE OKAY WITH THAT IF THAT GAVE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THE TIME AND ABILITY TO SIT DOWN WITH MY COLLEAGUES INDIVIDUALLY ON THE COURT AND WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT THEY USE AROUND HOW THE TECHNOLOGY IS CURRENTLY BEING USED, OR WHERE THE LOCATION OF THE ANTICIPATED NEW UNITS WOULD
BE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TABLE. COMMISSIONERS ON THIS SIDE, ARE ÷÷YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT SHORT FUSE OF TIME TO DO AS YOU WANTED, WHICH WAS TO TALK TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS? IS THAT ENOUGH TIME FOR YOU?
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT A WEEK IS ÷÷ENOUGH.
I WOULD SAY AT LEAST A COUPLE OF
[K.12. Discussion and possible action to consider granting a variance to Hays County On-Site Sewage Facility Rules of 1986-1997 Section 8.03(b)(3) for the property located at 1904 Old Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas 78666. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]
[02:15:02]
>> OKAY. SO WE WILL TABLE THIS AGENDA ITEM. WE WILL GO TO K12 AND TAKE A 10- MINUTE RECESS.
>> K12, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER GRANTING A VARIANCE TO HAYS COUNTY ON- SITE SEWAGE FACILITY, RULES OF 1986 TO 1997, SECTION 8. 03B3 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1904 OLD RANCH ROAD 12, SAN MARCOS,
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR K12.
COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START THE CONVERSATION?
WE HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT. I ALWAYS GIVE THOSE FIRST.
SO WE HAVE ANDY GODSEND I THINK IS WHAT IT SAYS. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEM. BECAUSE OF THE LATE STAGE, IT WILL HAVE TO BE TIED TO THIS AGENDA
ITEM. >> SO IT IS NOT REALLY PUBLIC COMMENT. IT IS JUST AS THE APPLICANT I'M HERE TO ANSWER AND ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THE COURT MAY HAVE OR ANY OTHER PERSON.
SO, YEAH. I AM IN FAVOR OF THE VARIANCE JUST FOR THAT SIMPLE MATTER.
>> FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC I WANT TO ARTICULATE THAT A LITTLE FURTHER. WE WILL STOP THE TIMER ON HIM SINCE HE IS JUST HERE TO SHOW IS HERE.
IF SOMEONE CALLS YOU UP, THERE'S NO TIMER.
IF YOU ARE HERE TO SPEAK, THEN THERE'S A THREE-
MINUTE TIMER. >> YEAH, WE'RE GOOD.
>> BUT MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, FIND A GRANULATED ANSWER I'M SEEKING, APPLICANT AS IN THE PROPERTY OWNER OR AS THE --
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ARTICULATE. SO IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS TIED TO DESIGN OR I KNOW EARLIER WE HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT SMELLS AND ALL OF THOSE VARIABLES. THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WE WILL ASK BECAUSE IT IS HIS SYSTEM THAT HE HAS DESIGNED.
OKAY. COMMISSIONER HAMMER, IT IS YOUR
SO WHERE THIS IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IS CLOSE TO THE EDWARDS AQUIFER WHICH I HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM WITH. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO SPEAK.
YOU ARE GOOD TO SIT DOWN IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
SO IT IS NEXT TO THE EDWARDS AQUIFER, ONE.
I THINK IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE.
I ALSO THINK THAT YOU GRANT VARIANCES TO PEOPLE THAT ARE SHOWING THAT THEY HAVE HARDSHIPS OR THEY'LL SHOW GOOD FAITH. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE THEY'VE BEEN GOOD STEWARDS.
SO THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT TO BE DISCUSSED. IT IS IN MY PRECINCT SO I WILL MOVE TO CALL A VOTE. I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.
>> OKAY. YOU ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF IT.
OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ITEM?
>> NOT REALLY. I MEAN WE DISCUSSED THIS IN LENGTHY GUESS IN THE PAST AND I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SOME BIG ISSUES WITH IT AND I SUPPORT THE COMMISSIONER.
>> OKAY. >> JUST ONE QUESTION FOR THE APPLICANT. AM I INCORRECT THAT THERE IS A CITY÷÷CITY LINE RUNNING IN FRONT OF THE
PROPERTY? >> THERE IS A NEARBY SEWER LINE, YES.
>> OKAY. >> BUT CAN I KIND OF SPEAK TO -- SO JUST TO ALLOW SOME DISCUSSION.
SO WE HAVE A STATE APPROVED TECHNOLOGY, STATE- APPROVED AIR PERMITS. TECHNICAL REVIEW IS COMPLETELY HAYS COUNTY STAFF PENDING THIS VARIANCE. THIS VARIANCE IS JUST A LOCAL AMENDMENT TO THE STATE RULES AS FAR AS GALLONS PER DAY.
THIS IS HISTORIC DATA. THE CENTER HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1968. SOME OF THE SAFEGUARDS THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS THAT OTHER SEPTIC SYSTEMS DO NOT, WE HAVE 24- HOUR MONITORING.
SO IF ANYTHING FAILS, PUMPS, WATER LEVELS RISE, INCINERATORS DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY, WE KNOW ABOUT IT ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY, WHICH DOES NOT EXIST WITH ANY OTHER SYSTEM ON THE PLANET.
WITH REGARD TO THE EDWARDS AQUIFER, WE DID CONTACT THEM.
WE ARE APPROVED, NO NEED TO FILE ANY PERMITS OR APPLICATIONS. THE EDWARDS AQUIFER GROUP WAS OKAY WITH WHAT WE WERE DOING. OUR SYSTEM PROVIDES EXTRA CAPACITY, TREATMENT CAPACITY BEYOND THE AVERAGE DAILY FLOWS. THIS SYSTEM HAS EPA APPROVAL, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION APPROVAL. IT IS USED IN MULTIPLE STATES.
IT IS USED BY THE U.S. NAVY. AND SO THE END RESULTRESULT OUTSIDE OF THE ADJACENT SEWER LINE AND THE IMPLICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS THAT COME FROM CONNECTING TO THAT SYSTEM THAT THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS
[02:20:03]
PLACES ON THOSE PEOPLE.SO OUR ALTERNATIVE IS CONNECT TO THE SEWER LINE AND FACE THE IMPLICATION÷÷IMPLICATION -- COST IMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, TO TEAR DOWN 50% OF THE CENTER TO COME INTO÷÷INTO COMPLIANCE, WHICH SO NOW YOU ARE SUPPORTING REMOVING TAX- BASED JOBS AND SALES TAX INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT PLACES, OR THE OWNER WOULD BE FORCED TO PUREE DECISIONAL PROPERTY, WHICH CURRENTLY NONE IS AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO THE CENTER.
SO THOSE ARE THE THREE, FOUR POSSIBLE OUTCOMES. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'RE LEFT WITH. SO WITH REGARD TO ODORS, WE HAVE AN AIR PERMIT APPROVED BY THE STATE.
WE DIDN'T EVEN MEET -- WE DIDN'T EVEN COME WITHIN 2. 5% OF THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS FOR ANYTHING THAT WOULD EVEN TRIGGER A FULL- BLOWN PERMIT. SINCE THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION AND THE APPROVAL OF THE AIR PERMIT, WE NOW HAVE BLANKET AIR PERMIT APPROVAL FROM THE STATE FOR EVERY SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED. SO IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE, I MEAN Y'ALL ARE MAKING A DECISION WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSION WHATSOEVER, BUT JUST THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
>> WELL, THIS PART IS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.
SO MY HOPE IS BY GOING INTO IT THIS WAY AND ASKING OUR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SOME COMMUNICATION PIECES AS WELL, IS FOR YOU TO WALK AWAY WITH KNOWING THAT THERE WAS DISCUSSION.
SO I HOPE YOU WALK AWAY WITH A DIFFERENT IMPRESSION.
WHETHER IT IS FAVORABLE OR NOT WILL BE DETERMINED.
>> SURE. >> MY HOPE IS THAT YOU DON'T WALK AWAY WITH THAT IMPRESSION.
>> JUDGE, CAN I SAY SOMETHING REALLY QUICK?
>> THERE'S BEEN A TON OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.
I UNDERSTAND WE CAN'T HAVE -- WE HAVEN'T GONE TO COURT AND HAD DISCUSSION, BUT BETWEEN YOU, ME AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND ALL OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED, THERE HAS BEEN SINCE THE DAY I STARTED AS A COMMISSIONER THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION
YOU STARTED. >> BEFORE I STARTED, YEAH.
>> THAT'S WHY I'M TAKING THIS TIME TO LEAN IN AND, IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME FOR JUST A HALF A SECOND, COMMISSIONER, AND NOT CALL THE VOTE AS YOU WERE ASKING SO QUICKLY, ONLY SO THAT WE CAN SHARE THESE MOMENTS OF INFORMATION THAT THIS WAS A CONVERSATION I WAS HAVING WITH COMMISSIONER SHELL AS WELL. SO IT IS THE EVER-SO- SLIGHT ASK OF ME, RESPECTFUL ASK TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO ARTICULAE ALL OF THE WAYS IT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND UNFOLDED SO SOMEONE DOESN'T FEEL
IT IS NOT IN THAT SETTING AND I'M SORRY.
I WANT TO ASK MR. PECHECO TO WEIGH IN.
TELL US SOME 30,000- FOOT CONVERSATION POINTS.
>> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR OF -- SERVICES.
AS BOTH THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER HAMMER HAS DISCUSSED, IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE, NOT AN ISSUE BUT AN ITEM WE HAVE BEEN DIGGING BACK WITH THE OWNER BACK TO MY BEGINNING DAYS WITH THE DEPARTMENT, NOT GOING TO DATE MYSELF BUT GOING ON FOUR PLUS YEARS. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF THINGS, THE APPROVAL BY THE STATE BEING ACCOMPLISHED. THAT'S RIGHT.
THERE'S APPROVAL BY THE STATE, AIR QUALITY PERMIT BY THE STATE AS NEEDED. ONLY THE VARIANCE IS WHAT IS HERE. I DON'T THINK IT IS MR. DODDSON'S ATTEMPT BUT I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE THE REQUEST AS A WHOLE BECAUSE IT IS A VARIANCE REQUEST FROM THE ALLOWABLE GALLONS PER DAY FROM THE SEPTIC TANK RULES, WHICH WE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE ANY TRACK RECORD OF GRANTING THIS VARIANCE IN THIS SPECIFIC CAPACITY.
I KNOW THE INSIN VATING PORTION IS A BIG TOPIC AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I DON'T FROM 30,000 VIEW I DON'T WANT TO GET THERE UNLESS WE HAVE TO GET THERE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT CENTERED AROUND THE FACTS IT IS A REQUEST EXCEEDING EXCEEDING ALLOWABLE GALLONS PER DAY ON THE PROPERTY. INCINERATOR OR NOT, IF IT WAS A STANDARD SYSTEM, WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR YOU GUYS IS CONSIDER WAIVING THAT RULE REQUIREMENT WHICH IS THERE FROM AN EQUAL PROTECTION STANDPOIN OF NOT ALLOWING, YOU KNOW, MORE USE ON THE PROPERTY THAN IS PERMITTED OR ALLOWED. SO I'LL KIND OF PUT THAT THERE AND THEN IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE ELABORATE. I ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL STAFF AND OTHER RESOURCE HERE TO GET INTO THE PARTICULARS OF RULE INTERPRETATION IF WE NEED TO OR SPECIFIC DESIGN PARAMETERS IF WE NEED TO, BUT I'M TRYING TO BE CONSCIENTIOUS OF YOUR TIME AND THE PUBLIC'S TIME AS WELL.
>> YOU BET. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PEOPLE FOLLOWING THIS UNDERSTAND THE EVOLUTION OF THOUGHT AND THE INEVITABLE CONCLUSION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE. THAT'S WHY I AM NOT GOING TO HIDE IT. I AM A PRO BUSINESSBUSINESS DEMOCRAT. SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT I AM. SO ALTHOUGH I FULLY SUPPORT
[02:25:02]
EVERY COMMISSIONER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY BECAUSE THEY'RE MY CO- WORKERS, I STILL HAVE AN INDEPENDENT VOTE AND VOICE.SO I WANT TO SHARE MY INTEREST IN DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESS WITHOUT HARMING PUBLIC HEALTH OR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND SO CAN YOU ARTICULATE THE ASK IN LAYMAN'S TERMS?
>> YEAH. SO ESSENTIALLY WHAT IS BEING ASKED, JUDGE AND COURT, IS THEY'RE ASKING FOR A VARIANCE FROM OUR SEPTIC RULES FROM THE 1986 SEPTIC RULES -- PARDON ME, IN WHICH WE ALLOWED 400 GALLONS PER DAY PER ACRE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF WASTEWATER ONSITE, WHICH WOULD EQUATE WHAT IS IN THE BACKUP IS APPROXIMATELY -- I DON'T WANT TO MISSPEAK.
>> IT IS 579. 6 GALLONS PER DAY. BASED ON THE DESIGN MATERIALS PROVIDED BY MR. DODDSON, THE AVERAGE RATE THAT SYSTEM WILL DISPOSE OF IS 725 GALLONS PER DAY. THAT'S AN AVERAGE NUMBER.
WE CAN GET SPECIFICS ON HOW IT IS A VARIABLE RATE BECAUSE IT ISIS WHAT IS BEING DESIGNED, BUT ALSO WHAT IS CURRENTLY ON SITE AT THE PROPERTY.
>> AND I WANT TO PAUSE YOU FOR A SECOND THERE.
JUST FOR LAYMAN'S PERSPECTIVES, ALMOST DOUBLE IS WHAT IS BEING ASKED IS WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE?
>> 200 GALLONS A DAY MORE, GOOD.
>> AVERAGE CAPACITY. I WILL ALSO ADD THAT.
>> OF AVERAGE CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR THAT ARTICULATION.
AND SO I'M NOT A PROFESSIONAL IN THIS CAPACITY, NOWHERE NEAR, BUT IF I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF AN INCINERATOR THERE SHOULD BE DIMINISHED CAPACITY. WHY IF YOU ARE NOT ADDING DENSITY TO THE FOOTPRINT ARE YOU CONSIDERING THE REQUESTREQUEST MORE CAPACITY? THAT'S FOR YOU.
SORRY. >> THAT'S BECAUSE OF JUST THE PURE HAYS COUNTY AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE RULES WHERE Y'ALL RESTRICT THE DAILY GALLONS. I MEAN TRAVIS COUNTY IS 600 GALLONS A DAY. IF WE WERE IN TRAVIS COUNTY WE WOULDN'T BE ASKING FOR A VARIANCE. OTHER COUNTIES DON'T HAVE A LIMITS PER DAY. IF YOU CAN DISPOSE OF IT, YOU CAN DISPOSE OF IT. THERE MAY BE A FEW EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE.
>> SURE. >> REGIONALLY SPEAKING OTHER COUNTIES DON'T HAVE LIMITS, ONLY HAYS COUNTY HAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE DAILY FLOW FLOW RATES PER ACRE PER DAY IN THE REGION.
SO I MEAN THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR.
IT IS HISTORIC DATA. IT IS NOT LIKE WE'RE A BRAND- NEW PLACE AND WE CAME IN AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
THIS IS AN EXISTING CENTER THAT IS -- YES, IT HAS HAD ITS ISSUES BUT IT WAS PART OF A BIGGER PICTURE, MULTIPLE PROPERTIES AND ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF, WHICH MARCUS CAN ATTEST TO.
>> THIS IS YOUR ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE
LONGSTANDING PROBLEM. >> AND WE ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THESE RULES WERE WRITTEN WHEN IT IS WATER IN, WATER OUT. THIS SYSTEM IS WATER IN, INCINERATED AND EVAPORATED AND WE ARE DONE. SO THERE'S NO DISCHARGE.
SO, YOU KNOW, ANY FAILING OF THE SYSTEM, AGAIN, WE HAVE THE 24- HOUR MONITORING WHICH IS FAR MORE ADVANCED THAN A TRADITIONAL SYSTEM.
IF THEY FAILED, THEY WOULD LEAK ALL OVER THE GROUND AND GO INTO THE GROUND. THE LIQUID IS BEING DISCHARGED INTO THE EDWARDS AQUIFER.
WE HAVE ZERO DISCHARGE. NO LIQUID IS LEAVING THIS SITE.
>> THAT'S WHY I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE VARIANCE REQUEST. COMMISSIONER HAMMER, I HAVE A CON FUGS TO CONFESSION TO MAKE TO YOU. I REALLY LEARNED ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY WITH THIS PROJECT WITH COMMISSIONER SHELL AND I WAS EXCITED ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE DETAILS BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO LEARN MORE BUT I WAS EXCITED TO SEE IT COME TO LIGHT BECAUSE I AM ABOUT NOT HAVING DISCHARE GOING DOWN OUR CREEKS AND ALL OF THE OTHER PLACES SOME PEOPLE TAKE IT.
>> EXACTLY. >> I SAW THIS AS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIENTIOUS ALTERNATIVE IN PLACES WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.
>> YES. >> AND SO I WAS JUST HOPING TO ASK COMMISSIONER HAMMER IF THERE IS A BRIDGE TO SOLUTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHAT IS THE HARD NO ABOUT?
>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RULES YOU WANT TO USE. YOU WANT TO USE RULES FROM THE '80S. THIS THOSE RULES IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS IF YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO A CITY LINE THAT YOU HAVE TO TIE INTO THE CITY.
SO, ONE, THAT'S ALREADY GONE. SECOND, YOU ARE ASKING FOR A VARIANCE REQUEST THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NEVER BEEN APPROVED, BUT ALSO YOU LOWERED THAT FROM YOUR PREVIOUS VARIANCE REQUEST.
NOW YOU ARE ASKING FOR LESS BECAUSE YOU THINK I GUESS IT WILL GET APPROVED IF YOU ASK FOR LESS INSTEAD OF YOU COMING IN
HOLD ON. ANOTHER THING IS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN DISHONEST AND COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY TERRIBLE ACTORS OF WHAT Y'ALL HAVE PROVIDED TO THE COURT, PROVIDED TO ME IN PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS, AND AS WELL AS MY STAFF.
I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS MEETINGS WITH MY STAFF.
[02:30:01]
I HAVE UNDERSTOOD THIS FROM START TO FINISH THAT, HEY, YOU ARE USING RULES THAT ARE EVEN HIGHER THAN OUR CURRENT TERMS O SO WE SAID, OKAY, YOU ARE GOING TO USE THOSE RULES.THEN THE RULES IN THERE AS WELL SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO CONNECT TO THE CITY. SO I'M SORRY, THAT IS THE BEST OPTION, CONNECTING TO THE CITY IS THE BEST OPTION FOR OUR AQUIFER AND IT IS THE BEST OPTION FOR MY PRECINCT AND THE CONSTITUENTS THAT LIVE IN THE TWO NEIGHBORING NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO FOR HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY, FROM GRANTING A VARIANCE, WHICH IS ALL ABOUT GOOD FAITH AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE HELPING OUR CITIZENS WITH HARDSHIPS AND OVERCOMING THOSE THINGS, YOU DON'T FIT THAT CRITERIA. SO, AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL FOR A VOTE AND I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF
>> CAN I, PLEASE -- WHAT DID WE SAY THAT
WAS DISHONEST? >> SO HERE IS THE SAD PART ABOUT THIS.
>> I'M GOING TO END THIS CONVERSATION AND I APPRECIATE IT, AND I HOPE THAT YOU CAN PULL THIS THROUGH IN ANOTHER WAY WITHOUT A VARIANCE BECAUSE NOW THAT IS OFF AND THIS CONVERSATION IS OVER.
THANK YOU. >> CAN I -- YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT WHY THE VARIANCE IS EVEN REQUIRED RELATED TO THE GALLONS PER DAY, THE AVERAGE GALLONS PER
SHORT ANSWER. >> SHORT ANSWER, RULES ARE -- THE OLD RULES THAT THE STATE USES ARE BASED ON PRODUCTION, NOT DISPOSAL. BUT, AGAIN, IT WAS AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS WATER IN, WATER OUT.
IF IT WAS DISCHARGE, NO VARIANCE WOULD BE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND TAKING THE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> NO. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
AND I THANK YOU FOR THE TIME, AND WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND÷÷AND ABOUT K4, IS THAT
>>> MICS ARE ON. WE ARE BACK FROM A SHORT RECESS. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
ALL OF THE NICE, PRETTY, FUN STUFF IS BEHIND US.
[K.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Constable Pct. 1 Office to purchase additional Law Enforcement equipment and amend the budget accordingly. IN GA LS B E /P E T E R S ON]
NOW IT IS MORE OPERATIONAL. SO WE WILL BEGIN WITHK1. >> K1, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE OFFICE TO PUREE DECISIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT AND AMENDMENT THE BUDGET
>> ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE THE CON TABL STABLE HERE FROM PRECINCT ONE. TELL US YOUR NAME AND INTEREST IN THE ITEM.
>> DAVID PETERSON, PRECINCT ONE, SAN MARCOS, TEXAS.
JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU AGAIN. OF COURSE, TALKING ABOUT SAFETY.
WE NEED SOME EQUIPMENT. IT IS A NEED TO KEEP CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE GOING. I WILL LET THE CHIEF GO OVER SOME OF THE ITEMS WE ASKED FOR.
I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER INGALSBE FOR SPONSORING THIS AND HOPEFULLY THE COURTS WILL APPROVE IT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. CHIEF, IF YOU DON'T MIND STATING THE DETAILS AND NAME
AND TITLE. >> CHIEF DEPUTY MIKE VARELA WITH PRECINCT ONE CONSTABLE OFFICE.
THIS IS EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO OPERATE SOME CAMERAS FROM THE FLEET THAT WERE PURCHASED EARLIER IN THE YEAR, AND IN ORDER TO EQUIP THE VEHICLES WITH THE CAMERAS WE NEED EQUIPMENT TO OPERATE THEM SUCH AS COMPUTERS, COMPUTER STANDS AND CRADLE POINTS. SO WE WERE ASKING FOR THAT IN THIS AGENDA ITEM TO GET THOSE CAMERAS
OPERATIONAL. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
>> JUDGE, I WILL REITERATE. THEY'VE HAD SOME CAMERAS FOR A WHILE. THEY'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FULLY UTILIZE THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T DON'T THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR THEM, SO THEY'RE ASKING FOR US TO APPROVE THE ADDITIONAL -- OR THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR THEM TO USE THOSE
STEPHANIE FROM PURCHASING, CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON? I WANTED TO ASK YOU, NOT A CALL-OUT BUT A CLARIFICATION.
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN WHERE THEY GET PARTIAL
SETUPS? >> STEPHANIE HUNT, PURCHASING AGENT. I BELIEVE WHEN WE ORIGINALLY BROUGHT THE ITEM TO COURT THEY HAD 15 POSITIONS, AUTHORIZED POSITION IN THEIR OFFICE. I THINK AT THE TIME THEY ONLY HAD 11 FILLED, AND SO NOW THEY HAVE THOSE OTHER -- SO TYPICALLY WHEN WE DO A REFRESH THROUGH AXON, WE ONLY DO IT FOR THE FIELD POSITIONS.
WE DON'T DO IT FOR THE UNFILLED BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING FOR EQUIPMENT AND STUFF WE ARE NOT USING. SO THEY HAVE NOW SINCE FILLED THOSE POSITIONS AND THIS IS THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS NEEDED TO GET THEM UP AND RUNNING TO WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY USE THE EQUIPMENT LIKE THE OTHER OFFICERS IN
THE OFFICE. >> REPORTER: PERFECTLY REASONABLE EXPLANATION. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND,
[02:35:01]
OF COURSE, STEPHANIE IN PURCHASING.IF NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS CALL THE ROLL.
[G.13. Authorize the acceptance of insurance proceeds from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool in the amount of $416.94 for the Constable Pct. 1 Office related to vehicle damages to a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe and amend the budget accordingly. IN GA LS B E /P E T E R S ON]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
AND G13. >> G13, AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF PROCEEDS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $416. 94 FOR THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE OFFICE RELATED TO VEHICLE DAMAGES TO A 2023 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND AMEND THE
BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.
SO -- >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, OF COURSE YOU KNOW WE HAD HAIL DAMAGE ON OUR VEHICLES A WHILE BACK.
APPARENTLY, I DON'T KNOW, WE'VE WORKED WITH STEPHANIE ON IT AND THE COMMISSIONER HAS SEEN OUR VEHICLE. OF COURSE, IT WASN'T ANYTHING WE DID. IT WAS JUST WEATHER, NATURE. SO WE ARE ASKING THE COURTS TO GET OUR VEHICLES TO THE BODY SHOP AND GET THE HAIL DAMAGE TAKEN CARE OF.
THANK YOU, SIR. IF NOTHING ELSE, CALL
THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
[G.17. Authorize additional expenditures and correct budgeted items for the Constable Precinct 1 Office related to the new Motor Officer approved on May 20, 2025 and amend the budget accordingly. IN GA LS B E /P E T E R S ON]
>> G16. >> IF YOU WILL KNOCK OUT
G17. >> G17, AUTHORIZE ADDITION ALEX PEND TOURS AND CORRECTED BUDGET ITEMS FOR THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE OFFICE RELATED TO THE NEW MOTOR OFFICER APPROVED ON MAY 20TH, 2025, AND AMEND THE BUDGET
>> IF SOMEONE CLICKS THIS IN 25 YEARS IT IS A STANDALONE ITEM AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO
INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> CHIEF DEPUTY MIKE VARELA WITH HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE.
>> THANK YOU. >> IT WAS AN ITEM ON AN EARLIER AGENDA, APPARENTLY ON THERE INCORRECTLY.
SO WE WERE COMING BACK TO GET IT BLESSED AND APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS IS SOME EQUIPMENT WE NEED FOR THE NEW MOTOR OFFICER, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT -- WHAT WAS IT? OF COURSE, SOME OF THE SAME EQUIPMENT, A VEST, COMPUTER, AND CRADLE POINT AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
>> BEAUTIFUL. >> SO IT IS JUST --
>> AND LICENSES THAT GO WITH IT.
>> CORRECT, AND THE LICENSE THAT GO
STEPHANIE, ANYTHING ELSE? NO. SHE IS NODDING NO ON THE SIDELINE, WHICH IS STEPHANIE FROM PURCHASING.
>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
IF NOTHING ELSE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. WHAT WAS THE LAST NUMBER WE JUST OPENED?
>> G17. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY NOTES ARE PROPERLY ANNOTATED. WE ARE GOING K4, K10 AND THEN
[K.4. Discussion and possible action to adopt a Resolution Supporting One Water Strategies & Directing Staff to Explore Such Strategies in Public and Private Development Projects. H A MME R]
DO BOND STUFF.DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ONE WATER STRATEGIES AND DIRECTING STAFF TO EXPLORE SUCH STRATEGIES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
>> SECOND. >> I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS, COMMISSIONER. I WENT THROUGH THAT SAME TRAINING AND I MENTIONED IT TO OTHERS IN DEVELOPMENT TO BRING THIS VERY THING TO LIGHT. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT.
I HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. ZAIN PORTERFIELD. IF YOU WOULD APPROACH THE PODIUM WE WILL START A THREE- MINUTE TIMER FOR YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERERS. I'M HEAR REPRESENTING THE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION. WE ARE HERE TODAY TO STRONGLY SUPPORT A ONE WATER RESOLUTION IN HAYS COUNTY.
WE COMMEND THE COURT'S LEADERSHIP FOR RECOGNIZING THAT EVERY DROP OF WATER IS PRECIOUS IN THIS COMMUNITY. A ONE WATER RESOLUTION IS TIMELY. IT IS SCIENCE- BASED AND IT IS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP. AS YOU KNOW, JACOB'S WELL, THE BLANCO RIVER, CYPRUS CREEK AND THE AQUIFERS BENEATH US ARE UNDER IMMENSE STRAIN. THE TRINITY AQUIFER IS OVER ALLOCATED AND HAYS COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO GROW 190% BY 2070. THE RECENT REPORT IS CLEAR.
WE FACE LONGER DROUGHTS. IT IS TIME TO ADAPT TO WHAT IS AND MAKE WAY FOR WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF RESILIENCE. WE SHOULD USE EVERY TOOL IN THE TOOL KIT. ONE÷÷ONE GIVES US THE TOOLS TO TURN THE TIDE. IT CALLS US TO VIEW DRINKING WATER, WASTEWATER, STORMWATER, GRAY WATER AND EVEN AC CONDENSATE NOT AS SEPARATE PROBLEMS TO HANDLE BUT AS IMPORTANT PARTS OF A CONNECTED SYSTEM. BY INCENTIVIZING RAIN WATER HARVESTING, WATER SINKING
[02:40:04]
RAIN GARDENS AND MULTI- TIER ONSITE WATER REUSE WE CAN BUILD IN A WAY THAT RECHARGES THE AQUIFER INSTEAD OF DRAINING IT. IMAGINE A PUBLIC FACILITY THAT NEARS NET ZERO WATER USE. THIS TECH IS NOT ONLY AVAILABLE, WE HAVE THE TALENT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY TO EXECUTE THIS. I'LL REMIND YOU THAT RAIN WATER COLLECTION IS TIME TESTED. IT IS A PRACTICE AS OLD AS TEXAS AT LEAS, BUT IF YOU ASK ARCHEOLOGISTS THEY THINK IT IS A LOT OLDER.YET IT IS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR OUR MODERN PROBLEMS. FROM THE ICONIC HILL COUNTRY CISTERNS OF EARLY SETTLERS TO TODAY'S ELABORATE SYSTEMS, CAPTURING RAIN HAS BEEN A HALLMARK OF TEXAN RESILIENCE. THE ONE WATER CONCEPT EXTENDS THE LEGEND OF INGENUITY INTO THE CENTURY. WE ARE GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED AS A LEADER IN THE PRACTICE WITH OUR OWN ECONOMY OF PLATS TICK, STEEL AND LUMINUM TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO FLEX CREATIVE THINKING TO USE EVERY DROP ON A CASE BY CASE WATER. WE ARE INVESTING IN TEXAS KNOW HOW AND LONG- TERM JOBS, BUILDING THE ECONOMY IN HAYS COUNTY. WE SEE THESE STRATEGIES SHINING.
IN WIMBERLEY, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IT SAVES THE ISD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS IN WATER AND WASTEWATER AND TEACHES GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN HOW TO SHARE A RESOURCE TOGETHER. IT IS A HIGHLY INTERACTIVE SPACE. IF YOU HAVEN'T TAKE A TOUR THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU. I WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE 2023 CASE STUDY PUT TOGETHER ON OUR WEBSITE. S WE ARE UPDATING THE STUDY WITH THE MEADOW CENTER AND IT APPEARS TO BE WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.
DARELL, THE FACILITIES DIRECTOR, IS SO PROUD OF THE KNOWLEDGE HE BUILT WITH HIS OWN TEAM BUT IT DID NOT COME WITH A HANDBOOK.
WHEN YOU ASK HIM ABOUT THE ROI OR RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF THE SYSTEM HE SHIRKS THE QUESTION EVERY TIME.
HE SAYS IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT. IT IS ABOUT DOING OUR PART FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN. THAT PRIDE IS
INFECTIOUS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROCESS. NOW THERE SHOULD BE A RESOLUTION IN THE HOPPER. DO YOU HAVE ONE?
>> I HAVE A COPY IF YOU NEED IT.
>> THERE IT IS. IF YOU WILL PLEAD REASE LEASE READ THE RESOLUTION.
I'M SORRY. >> HAYS COUNTY RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ONE WATER STRATEGIES AND DIRECTING STAFF TO EXPLORE SUCH STRATEGIES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. WHEREAS, RESIDENTS IN HAYS COUNTY RELY GREATLY ON SHARED WATER RESOURCES INCLUDING GROUND WATER FROM THE TRINITY AND EDWARDS AQUIFERS FOR THEIR WATER SUPPLY, AND, WHEREAS, HAYS COUNTY'S WATER SOURCES ARE VULNERABLE TO CONDITIONS THAT COULD LIMIT AVAILABILITY INCLUDING DROUGHT, REDUCED RECHARGE, HEIGHTENED DEMAND ON REGIONAL SUPPLIES AND WATER QUALITY IMPAIRMENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE CAUSED BY FLOODING. AND, WHEREAS, THE MODELLED AVAILABLE GROUND WATER FOR THE TRINITY AQUIFER IS OVER 80% ALLOCATED. AND, WHEREAS, THE 2022 STATE WATER PLAN SHOWS THAT MUNICIPAL WATER DEMAND IN HAYS COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 189% BETWEEN 2020 AND 2070. AND, WHEREAS, THE 2024 ASSESSMENT OF HISTORIC AND FUTURE TRENDS OF EXTREME WEATHER IN TEXAS, 1900 TO 2036 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE CLIMATE TOLL GIST, PREDICTS DROUGHT WILL INCREASE OVER THE NEXT DECADES.
WHEREAS, WITHOUT A RENEWED APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT AND WATER SUPPLY MANAGEMENT HAYS COUNTY COULD FACE WATER SHORTAGES IN THE FUTURE AS WELL AS EXACERBATED FLOODS.
AND, WHEREAS, HAYS COUNTY HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS COMMITMENT TO WATER CONSERVATION AND RESILIENCE BY CONSERVING LAND OVER THE RECHARGE ZONE, INCLUDING 385- ACRE TRACT AND ADJACENT TO THE JACOB'S WELL NATURAL AREA, CARST CANYON RESERVE, WHICH PROTECTS WATER SUPPLY, AND WATER QUALITY BY MITIGATING STORMWATER RUN-OFF.
WHEREAS THE COUNTY HAS DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO PROTECT SENSITIVE WATER BODY BY CREATING THE WATERSHED POSITION THAT WORKS ALONGSIDE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION AND THE MEADOWS CENTER FOR WATER IN THE ENVIRONMENT, TO ADDRESS SURFACE WATER QUALITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPERLY MANAGING SOURCE AND GROUND WATER BY IMPLEMENTING THE BLANCO CYPRUS WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN. WHEREAS, HAYS COUNTY HAS INSTALLED RAIN WATER COLLECTION INFRASTRUCTURE AND OFFERS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN HAYS COUNTY PARKS TO THE PUBLIC ON USING NATIVE DROUGHT-
[02:45:02]
TOLERANT PLANTS WHEN LANDSCAPING.AND, WHEREAS, IN 2022 THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED A NEW CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINE WHICH PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR THE COUNTY TO FOLLOW TO INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPERS AND LANDOWNERS TO DEFERRAL THE HILL COUNTRY AND THE BLACKLAND PRAIRIE IS A MORE CONSERVATION ORIENTED SUSTAINABLE MANNER TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC CULTURE OF THE COUNTY. WHEREAS, CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO WATER CONSERVATION IS NECESSARY TO WATER SECURITY AND RESILIENCY IN THE FUTURE. AND, WHEREAS, HAYS COUNTY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE WATER SUPPLIES IN THE FUTURE CAN MEET DEMAND AND TO EMPLOY INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES TO THESE ENDS. AND, WHEREAS, EVEN WHEN WATER SUPPLIES ARE ABUNDANT FLOODING POSES A SERIOUS RISK TO THE QUALITY OF OUR WATER SUPPLIES AS WELL AS SERIOUS RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. WHEREAS, HAYS COUNTY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT STORMWATER IS MANAGED IN A WAY THAT MITIGATES FLOOD DAMAGE AND TO EMPLOY INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES TO THAT END.
WHEREAS, THERE IS A GROWING SUITE OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES KNOWN AS ONE WATER THAT IS PROVING ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN SEVERAL TEXAS COMMUNITIES AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AND, WHEREAS, ONE WATER IS DEFINED AS AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO WATER MANAGEMENT THAT VIEWS ALL WATER IN OUR COMMUNITY, DRINKING WATER, WASTEWATER, STORMWATER, GRAY WATER, AS A SINGLE RESOURCE TO BE MANAGED WHOLISTICALLY AND SUSTAINABLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF STRONG ECONOMIES, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES AND HELLIE ENVIRONMENTS. WHEREAS, ONE WATER STRATEGIES CAN INCLUDE RECYCLING WASTEWATER TO OFFSET POTABLE WATER DEMAND, INVESTING IN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE STORMWATER SOAK INTO THE GROUND, CAPTURING WATER AT THE BUILDING SCALE THROUGH ONSITE RAIN WATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS OR AC CONDENSATE COLLECTION, AND OPTIMIZING POTABLE WATER SUPPLIES THROUGH EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION. WHEREAS, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS IN OUR REGION WHO ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE ON ONE WATER STRATEGIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE, THE MEADOW CENTER FOR WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT AT THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, THE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION AND TEXAS WATER TRADE AS WELL AS GROWING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY OF ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS, FIRST IN ONE WATER DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION.
NOW, THEREFORE, BY THE ACTION OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AT A DULY NOTICED AND HELD PUBLIC MEETING AND AS REFLECTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY STAFF SHALL STUDY OPPORTUNITIES TO DEPLOY ONE WATER STRATEGIES IN THE COUNTY WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COSTS AND BENEFIT IT ASSOCIATED WITH DOING SO. THESE SHALL INCLUDE CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES AS WELL AS PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS AND BUILDINGS. ADOPTED THIS 29TH DAY OF JULY, 2025.
>> SO BEAUTIFULLY DONE. I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT ALL OF THOSE WORDS WITH THE LIST OF CIP PROJECTS WE HAVE, THAT THESE ONE WATER CONCEPT GETS LAID OVER ON EVERYTHING NEW WE ARE BUILDING BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT, BECAUSE IT IS NECESSARY, AND BECAUSE WE KNOW WE NEED IT. SO HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE WITH OUR NEW ADMINISTRATOR ON THE TABLE NOW THAT ALL OF THESE CIP PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD AS THE BOTTOM OF THE RESOLUTION STATED, THAT WE MAKE SURE EVERYTHING NEW FROM THIS DAY FORWARD BEING BUILT AND DESIGNED CLUDS THE INCLUDES THE ONE WATER CONCEPT? IS IT WORDED OUT COMPLETELY ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE
IN THERE? >> I THINK IT IS A GREAT RESOLUTION.
WHAT? >> I THINK, YES, IN GENERAL, BUT, NO, BECAUSE IF THERE IS -- WE JUST HAD A VERY LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF WASTEWATER AND HOW WE WANT TO HOOK INTO WASTEWATER IN CERTAIN SCENARIOS.
THAT WILL BE THE ONE EXCEPTION IF WE HAVE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER FACILITIES.
>> RIGHT. I'M REFERRING TO THE WATER CONSUMPTION PRODUCTION.
>> LOOPING. >> YEAH, WHAT I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY IS THIS RESOLUTION PRETTY MUCH JUST SAYS OUR FOCUS AS A COUNTY AND OUR BASIC GOALS AND OUR VISION IS TO LOOK FOR AND TO DO CONSERVATION MORE ON THE WATER MANAGEMENT SIDE, AND THIS ONE WATER APPROACH IS SUCH A GREAT APPROACH. YOU LOOK AT BLUE HOLE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND IT IS JUST ONE OF THE MOST TOPNOTCH WAYS WE CAN CONSERVE WATER AND REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR FUTURE IN HAYS GREAT JOB AS A COURT KIND OF BANDING TOGETHER AND SAYING HOW MUCH WE DO CARE ABOUT OUR WATER, AND THIS IS JUST A GREAT STEP TO SAY
IT IS OUR VISION. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
I LOVE IT AND I THANK YOU. I HAD THE SAME TOUR THAT YOU HAVE HAD AND IT IS MAGNIFICENT. MY HOPE IS OUR NEW PROJECTS INCORPORATE IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY BECAUSE WE SHOULD NOT ONLY USE CONDENSATION TO WATER WHATEVER WE'RE USING, BUT I ALSO LOVE THAT IN THERE WAS INCLUDED
[02:50:01]
NATIVE PLANTS AND, YOU KNOW, THE CRUSH GRANITE ZERO ESCAPING IDEA WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A THIRSTY LAWN AND ALL OF THIS OTHER CONSUMPTION OF WATER, WHICH IS HUGE. SO IT WAS WELL WRITTEN, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL WE CAN OFFICIALLY FORMALIZE THIS DIRECTION THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT. MR. PACHECO KNOWS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS DIRECTION FOR A LONG TIME AND THIS WILL FORMALIZE IT. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?>> I WOULD SAY, JUDGE, WE HAVE LONG TALKED ABOUT CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY, AND WHAT TOOLS WE COULD DO TO IMPLEMENT TO HELP IN THESE AREAS.
THIS IS WONDERFUL. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT FORWARD, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU
SO MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
>> OKAY. >> I WOULD JUST SAY AS OFTEN IS THE CASE, AND WE'VE WORKED ON A NUMBER OF THESE PROJECTS IN MY PRECINCT, WE OFTEN HAVE INGENUITY WELL OUT IN FRONT OF STATE REGULATION.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE RUN INTO IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS THAT REALLY WOULD FALL -- THEY'RE INVENTIVE PROJECTS, AND ONE SPECIFIC SEPTIC DESIGN AND RAIN WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM THAT POPS TO MIND IS ONE WEWE DID A VARIANCE FOR TO MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK HERE, AND THAT'S THE CORNER OF 150 AT 3237. THAT PROJECT, LITERALLY THEY WORKED THROUGH THE STATE FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS TRYING TO GET THEM TO APPROVE A ONE WATER CONCEPT ON THAT PROJECT, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, THE STATE DOESN'T -- BECAUSE THE REGULATIONS HAVEN'T BEEN REWRITTEN SINCE THE '90S, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO RECOGNIZE THAT SYSTEM.
WE HAVE SUCH -- THERE IS SO MUCH INGENUITY IN THAT AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SINCE THE LAST TIME THE STATE DID THESE REGULATIONS, WE ARE GOING TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THEM ON SOME. I THINK IT IS AMAZING THAT WE'RE DOING IT. I CAN OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD NAME FIVE SYSTEMS THAT WE TRIED TO DO THIS WITH IN MY PRECINCT. IT IS JUST SOMETIMES TCEQ IS -- THEY'RE SLOW TO ACT AND WE'REWE'RE MORE DYNAMIC AS A COUNTY. SO THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO PROVE UP SOME OF THOSE CONCEPTS, AND HOPEFULLY NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE CAN GO AND GET SOME THINGS CHANGED AND THROUGH THE RULE- MAKING PROCESS SHOW THEM GOOD EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MR. PACHECO A TINY OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON A
CONTRIBUTION. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
THANK YOU. MARCUS PACHECO, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS AND STATEMENTS HERE. ONE THING TO IMPORTANT FOR CONSIDERATION IS AS WE CURRENTLY ARE HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IMPACT AND MAKE LOCAL CHANGES TO OUR COUNTY REGULATIONS, WHICH WE HAVE COMPLETE BUY- IN FROM EVERY MEMBER OF THE COURT, THE UNANIMOUS MESSAGE AS WAS POINTED OUT IS FIGURE OUT WAYS TO CODIFY AND HAVE MORE BLACK AND WHITE EMPHASIS ON CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND ONE WATER SPECIFICALLY.
TO POINT OUT COMMISSIONER SMITH'S EFFORTS ABOUT TCEQ AND THAT ALWAYS BEING AN ONGOING EFFORT, MAKING IMPACT IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE COUNTY. LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS SOMETHING I'M EXCITED FOR AND HAVING Y'ALL'S BUY- IN TO DO THAT IS REFRESHING.
>> WE'VE HAD JUST SUCH A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MEADOW CENTER AND ALSO THE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION AND WE HAVE JONAS WHO WE HAVE BROUGHT ON BOARD FROM -- WITH ALL OF THAT HELP.
I WANT HIM TO COME UP AND SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION AND WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW HE CAN SEE IT MOVING FORWARD IN THE COUNTY.
>> OKAY. IF YOU WILL APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE VIEWING
PUBLIC. >> IT IS JONAS ROSENTHAL, THE WATERSHED COORDINATOR HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.
I APPLAUD ALL OF YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS.
I DID REACH OUT TO COMMISSIONERERS HAMMER AND COHEN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO ABOUT THIS WHEN WIMBERLEY AND WOOD CREEK, WHICH ARE TWO MUNICIPALITIES HERE IN WESTERN HAYSHAYS ADOPTED SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS. I'M 100% FOR IT.
I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB EXPLAINING IT AND I THINK AMY DID AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO -- YOU KNOW, I WANT TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT WATER AND WATER AVAILABILITY. YOU KNOW, I WORKED AT HAYS COUNTY WHEN I STARTED IN 2007, I WENT TO TRAVIS COUNTY, I WENT TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY AFTER THAT, AND IN THAT TIME I DID A LOT OF DISASTER RESPONSE. AND WHEN YOU GO TO THESE -- PUERTO RICO, BAHAMAS DURING HURRICANE DORIAN, AND THEN HURRICANE HARVEY AS WELL AS MULTIPLE HURRICANESHURRICANES WORKED OUT OF THE COUNTRY, YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE RUN OUT OF WATER AND IT IS REALLY QUITE TERRIFYING. SO I THINK GETTING AHEAD OF THE WATER AVAILABILITY ISSUE IS ONE SIDE OF IT.
I THINK THE ONE WATER RESOLUTION IS A FIRST STEP FOR THE COUNTY. ERIC AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN TRY TO SIMPLIFY, CLARIFY,
[02:55:01]
ELUCIDATE SOME OF OUR COUNTY RULES FOR INCORPORATING ONE WATER TECHNOLOGIES INTO EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. OFTEN WHEN ONE WATER IS DISCUSSED IT IS TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT, BUT I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RETROFITTING EXISTING, YOU KNOW, EXISTING STRUCTURES AS WELL.AND, YOU KNOW, WE HEARD AN EARLIER INTERACTION WITH AN ENGINEER WHO HIS PLAN WAS TO DO THE OPPOSITE QUITE HONESTLY, WHICH IS VAPORIZE WATER AND WASTEWATER.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION.
YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW IT IS TRUE THERE IS A SEWER LINE THAT GOES RIGHT IN FRONT OF THAT PROPERTY.
ALL OF THE WATER AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT --
>> LET'S STAY IN THIS ITEM THOUGH.
>> I WILL SAY RIGHT NOW THE CITY IS LOOKING INTO HOW TO RECYCLE AND REUSE WASTEWATER RIGHT NOW.
IT ALL GOES INTO THE SAN MARCOS RIVER AND GOES DOWNSTREAM, AND OUR DOWNSTREAM USERS THAT USE THAT. BUT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE NEAT THINGS ABOUT ONE WATER IS AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHY WE DON'T WANT TO INCINERATE OUR WASTEWATER. WE WANT TO CAPTURE AS MUCH OF THAT AND REUSE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE? I ASKED AND SHE SAID NO.
COURT -- >> THAT WINDOW IS CLOSED.
JUST KIDDING. >> I'M GOING TO OPEN IT BACK UP. JONAS'S POSITION --
>> TAMMY CRUMBLY, DIRECTOR OF COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS. WE HAVE JONAS'S POSITION WITH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY AND WOOD CREEK, AND WATERSHED ASSOCIATION AND THE MEADOWS CENTER, AS A PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE THE BLANCO RIVER -- WATER PROTECTION PLAN. SO WE'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE THAT POSITION CREATED JUST FOR OUR WATERSHED COORDINATOR. HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT PILOT PROGRAM OR BRING ON THAT
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
COMMISSIONERS ANY OTHER ITEM BEFORE WE GO? I'M GOING TO DO THE SLATE OF CONSENT
OTHERWISE. >> DID WE DO -- NO, WE HAVEN'T.
>> K10. >> TUCKER, YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE WORRIED ABOUT THAT, BROTHER.
[K.10. Discussion and possible action to execute a contract with Revive Recovery Sober Living and contract amendments to the County Court at Law Mental Health Specialty Court Program contracts with Hiatus Wellness; C. Nichole Mueller-McMorris; Moonstone Counseling, PLLC; Lisa Hinson, LCDC; Nova Recovery Center; and Horton House 501c3. C OH E N /IN GA LS B E /B R OWN]
GOOD JOB, MS. PORTERFIELD.>> K10. >> LET'S CHECK ON K10.
>> K10. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH REVIVE RECOVERY SOBER LIVING AND CONTRACT AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAM CONTRACTS WITH HIATUS WELLNESS.
C. NICOLE MUELLER- MCMORRIS, MOONSTONE COUNSELING, PLLC, LISA HINSON, LCDC, NOVA RECOVERY CENTER AND HORTON HOUSE 501(C)(3).
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH THE PODIUM?
>> SURE. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
ADMINISTRATOR. >> WHAT SAY YOU?
>> WE ARE NEARING END OF FISCAL YEAR AND WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CONTRACTS AND NEEDING TO MOVE AROUND SOME OF THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COURT PARTICIPANTS. SO WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING. IT IS JUST RE- ALLOCATING FUNDS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE TO OUR ALREADY EXISTING CONTRACTS.
>> AND WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER THAT'S PROMPTING THE SHIFT REQUEST?
>> SO REALLY IT IS JUST THE NEEDS OF THE COURT PARTICIPANTS.
WE ARE SEEING A LOT MORE PEOPLE NEEDING SOBER LIVING, AND MORE PEOPLE NEEDING LIKE PRIVATE COUNSELING, WHICH WE DO HAVE CONTRACTS FOR BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE CAPS.
AND SO WE'RE PULLING FROM A DIFFERENT CONTRACT THAT'S LESS
WHICH ONE? >> THE HORTON HOUSE CONTRACT.
>> WE'RE PULLING FUNDS FROM THERE TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS TO THE OTHER CONTRACTS THAT WE
WE HAVE A BRAND- NEW SYSTEM WE'VE SET UP AND YOU'RE BEING DYNAMIC AND ADJUSTING TO THE ACTUAL NEEDS THAT YOU ARE DISCOVERING.
COMMISSIONERS, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD TO IT?
>> NO. I MEAN I WILL JUST -- I WANT TO THANK JUDGE BROWN, CAMIE AND OTHERS THAT BROUGHT THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. YOU KNOW, THE NEED FOR SOBER LIVING OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.
YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO GIVE OUR CLIENTS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY, JUDGE, TO SUCCEED, AND THIS IS ONE PLACE WHERE WE'RE FALLING A LITTLE SHORT, AND BY THEM HAVING A PLACE TO STAY, THEN THEY CAN BETTER COMPLETE -- FULLY COMPLETE THE PROGRAM THAT THEY'RE IN. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO PROVIDE
THAT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
[03:00:02]
ON THAT COMMENT, CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHAT SOBER LIVING IS FOR THE VIEWINGPUBLIC? >> SO IT IS TRANSITIONAL LIVING FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR LIKE A RECOVERY COMMUNITY. SO OFTENTIES THERE'S A HOUSE MANAGER, WHO IS USUALLY IN RECOVERY LIKE AS A PEER.
THEY ALSO LIVE WITH OTHER PEERS IN RECOVERY.
THEY USUALLY ATTEND MEETINGS, LIKE RECOVERY FOCUS MEETINGS, AA, THOSE SORT OF MEETINGS.
BUT IT IS REALLY JUST COMMUNITY BASED. SO OFTENTIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY, THEY FEEL VERY ISOLATED, AND SO WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST NEEDING MORE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM STAY ON THAT TRACK OF SOBRIETY AND NOT FALLING INTO
COMMISSIONERS, ANYTHING ON THIS
[Consent Items]
I'M GOING TO HIT THE SLATE OF WHAT IS LEFT OF CONSENT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD NOT TO OPEN BOND THINGS UNTIL AFTER EXEC. I'M TRYING FOR YOU TWO BUT I'M TOLD TO WAIT.
THAT'S HOW WE DO IT. OPEN THE REST OF CONSENT.
>> G1, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. G2, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF JURY DISBURSEMENTS. G3, APPROVE THE PAYMENTS OF UNITEDHEALTHCARE AND TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HEALTH CARE CLAIMS AND AUTHORIZE AN ADDITIONAL DISBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT TOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO THE HEALTH CARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT. G4. APPROVE COMMISSIONER COURTS MINUTES OF JUNE 10T H, 2025 AND JUNE 24TH, 2025.
G5. APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE JULY 31ST PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,500,000, EFFECTIVE JULY 31ST, 2025, AND POST TOTALS OF WAGES, WITHHOLDINGS AND DEDUCTIONS AND BENEFITS ON THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. G6, ACCEPT THE DELIVERY OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE QUARTERLY INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS REPORT AND THE SHERIFF'S EXIT AUDIT REPORT. G7, ACCEPT THE DELIVERY OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S MONTHLY REPORT FROM MAY 2025 PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 114. 023 AND 114.025. G8, ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 HAYS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NUMBER TWO AUDIT REPORT PER TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 775.082. G9, ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 HAYS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT 8 AUDIT REPORT PER TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 775.082.
G10, APPROVE THE APRIL 2025 AND MAY 2025 TREASURER'S REPORTS. G11, ACCEPT DONATIONS TOTALING $4,200 ON BEHALF OF THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD, AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G12, AUTHORIZE THE HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT $1,000 DONATION FROM ST.
DAVID'S FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH ITEMS AND CONSUMABLES AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G14, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS FROM PROGRESS INSURANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,030. 48 FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT RELATED TO A TOTALED 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G15, AUTHORIZE THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR FUNDS TO THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE FOR UNCLAIMED CAPITAL CREDITS PURSUANT TO TEXAS PROPERTY CODE, SECTION 74.672. G16, AUTHORIZE THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE TO UTILIZE EXISTING FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL TRAVEL NEEDS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G18, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $488 FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELATED TO VEHICLE DAMAGES TO A 2022 FORD ESCAPE AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G19, AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DRUG FOR FITTURE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF TEN DELL PRO LAPTOPS TO BE UTILIZED FOR TRAINING PURCHASES ON THE TECH SHARE CASE MANAGEMENT SIS TOMORROW. G20, AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO COMPLETE PLUMBING RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS TO THE SPORTS COMPLEX LOCATED AT 2880 GULF PORT ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF $215.618. 10 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
G21 -- FOR THE RENOVATIONS OF THE SPORTS COMPLEX LOCATED AT
[03:05:05]
2880 GOFORTH ROAD. G22 -- TO COMPLETE ELECTRICAL RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS TO SPORTS COMPLEX LOCATED AT 2880 GOFORTH ROAD IN AMOUNT OF $206,689.14 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G23, AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO INSTALL A MINI MATE FIVE- TON HVAC UNIT AT THE SPORTS COMPLECTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,877. 13 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G24, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A SERVICE RENEWAL AGREEMENT WITH SMITH'S DETECTION INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,329. 84 FOR THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE, INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS OF THE INDUSTRIAL X-RAY SECURITY SCANNERS LOCATED AT THE HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, AND AUTHORIZE DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.024A7D. G25, APPROVE PAYMENT TO LOWE'S IN THE AMOUNT OF $515. 04 RELATED TO BUILDING MATERIALS PURCHASED IN WHICH NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS ISSUED ASAS PER THE HAYS COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY. G26, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION -- VETERANS TREATMENT COURT GRANT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $350,000.G27, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR '26 DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT. G28, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT -- AMENDED INFORMATION RELEASE CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR. G29, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDED INFORMATION RELEASE CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HAYS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT FOR ONE YEAR. G30, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT AMEND ONE, BE ONE INCORPORATED RELATING TO ELECTRONIC MONITORING SERVICE AGREEMENT, REMOVING THE COST OF THE SL3 ACCESSORIES.
G31, APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF RFP2024- P01, DELINQUENT F1 JUSTICECOURT FINES AND FEES COLLECTION SERVICES WITH MCCLARY, BRAGG AND ALLEN FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR. G32, APPROVE RENEWAL OF RFP, DELINQUENT DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURT FINES AND FEES COLLECTION SERVICES WITH -- FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR. G33. AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO CARD SERVICE CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $700 FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS RELATED TO PAYMENT FOR TWO CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS WHERE NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS OBTAINED AS PER THE HAYS COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY. G34, AUTHORIZE REIMBURSEMENT OF UP TO $200 FOR CONSUMABLE ITEMS PURCHASED FOR THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE OFFICE MEET AND GREET FOR THE NEW COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 28TH, AT THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE. G35, APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR IFP2025- B11, CEMETERY MAINTENANCE AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO ADVERTISE AND SOLICIT BIDS.
G36. AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT ONE BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE UNITED SITE SERVICES OF TEXAS INC. , RELATED TO IFB 2025- B05, COUNTYWIDE PORTABLE TOILETS AND HAND WASHING STATIONS, RENTAL SERVICES, ADDING THE TRANSPORTATION IN YARD PRECINCT THREE, PRECINCT FOUR AND SENTINEL PEEK PARK, TOTALING $140 MONTHLY FOR EACH LOCATION. G37, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO CLYDE'S PEST CONTROL IN THE AMOUNT OF $525 FOR PEST CONTROL SERVICES AT THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER WHERE NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS OBTAINED AS PER -- AS REQUIRED PER THE HAYS COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY. G38, APPROVE THE EXTENSION OFFICE TO ALLOW AN EMPLOYEE TO ATTEND THE 2025 TCAAA STATE CONFERENCE AND WAIVE THE TRAVEL POLICY TO ALLOW HIM TO CHECK IN A DAY EARLIER. G39, AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ACCEPT A PROPOSAL FROM SI MECHANICAL RELATED TO PLUMBING REPAIRS AT THE JAIL TOTALING $9,933. 33, AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G40, AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND FOR $500, RATIFY THE APPROVAL TO PURCHASE CONSUMABLES AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G41, AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PURCHASE TWO PROTECTIVE SUITS TOTALING $1,320 FROM RAD SYSTEMS, AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASE POLICY OF
[03:10:02]
OBTAINING THREE QUOTES AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.G43, APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR EPIDEMIOLOGIST TO ATTEND THE MAYO CENTER FOR TB MCCT MINI FELLOWSHIP BEGINNING TUESDAY, AUGUST 5TH, THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA. G44. AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE A PREVENT A LITTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS PALS FOR MICROCHIP AND VACCINE CLINICS AND PET FOOD PANTRY AND AMEND BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G45, AUTHORIZE TO ACCEPT A DONATION OF TWO BALLISTIC VESTS FROM ST. MICHAEL'S VESTS FOR LIFE PROJECT AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
>> SECOND. >> AND WE'LL START WITH
PURCHASING. >> STEPHANIE HUNT, PURCHASING AGENT. ON G34 WE NEED TO ADJUST THE TOTAL UP TO 265, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. JUST BRIEFLY ON ITEM 11, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK THE CITY OF BHUTA COASTAL AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY, K.T. FENCES AND ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOR THEIR DONATIONS TO THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD. AND THEN ALSO ITEMS 20, 21, 22 AND 23, THIS IS FOR THE PARK FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE NORTH HAYES OPTIMUS CLUB. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS THAT WE ARE DOING THERE, AND THEN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YOUTH SPORTS FOUNDATION TO BRING THAT PARK INTO FRUITION, TO ALLOW THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO UTILIZE THAT.
SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'RE, YOU KNOW, GETTING GOING ON THAT PARK AND REALLY EXCITED TO PUT THAT INTO
USE. >> THAT SOUNDS WONDERFUL.
I SAW THOSE AND I THOUGHT IT WAS PERFECT AND GREAT AND EXCITED AS WELL.
>> YES. COMMISSIONERS, ANYTHING ELSE?
>> NO. >> TAMMY, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THE PARK CONVERSATION? THOSE
ITEMS? >> TAMMY CRUMBLY, DIRECTOR DIRECTOR COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS. THE FUNDS BEING USED THERE ARE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> I'M SO SORRY. I WANT TO THANK STEPHANIE, TAMMY, TUCKER FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK ON THOSE ITEMS. I MEAN THEY REALLY HAVE KEPT THAT PROJECT GOING AND HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK TO HELP MOVE IT ALONG.
SO I'M REALLY THANKFUL TO ALL OF THEM.
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM.
[I.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Contract Amendment No. 2 between Hays County and Freese and Nichols, Inc. for the Jacobs Well Curve Project in Precinct 3 to increase the compensation cap from $850,000 to $880,313.38. H A MME R /MOC Z Y GE MB A]
SAFE TO GO TO I1? DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND FREES AND NICHOLS INK FOR THE JACOB'S WELL CURB PROJECT IN PRECINCT THREE TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION FROM $850,000 TO $880,313.38.>> COMMISSIONER. >> IT IS JUST CHANGING THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT. JENNIFER, DO YOU WANT TO CHIME IN REALLY QUICK?
>> DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION. YEAH, THIS IS JUST TO ADJUST THE RATES TO THE CURRENT RATE STRUCTURE. RESUBMITTING THE 90% SUBMITTAL AFTER ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND ADDING CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES FOR THE PROJECT.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
[J.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Development Agreement for the Farrell Lane Condominiums between Hays County and 3F Properties, LLC. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]
>> YES. WE WILL SAVE I2 UNTIL AFTER EXECUTIVE SELECTION.
>> J- 1, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A DEFERRALMENT AGREEMENT FROM FARRELL LANE CONDOMINIUMS BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND 3F
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT. ITEM J- 1 IS REQUEST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
IT IS A PROPOSED CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF NINE BUILDINGS WITH MAX MUNICIPAL OF 12 CONDO UNITS.
IT IS PRETTY STRAYED FORWARD. A REQUEST TO PROVIDE A FLEXIBLE WAY OF DEVELOPING THE PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF OUR STANDARD REGULATIONS. THERE'S NO VARIANCES REQUESTED. THE ONLY MAIN REQUEST THAT THE DEVELOPER IS SEEKING IS AN EXEMPTION FROM OUR PLATTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR PROJECT.
[03:15:01]
WATER IS GOING TO BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH RAIN WATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND WASTEWATER THROUGH SEPTIC.-- FOR ACCESS FOR THEIR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
SO, AGAIN, THE AGREEMENT JUST OUTLINES THE PROVISION OF REQUESTING THE EXEMPTION FROM OUR PLATTING REQUIREMENTS.
STRAIGHTFORWARD -- >> VERY GOOD. I GUESS WE WILL CALL THE
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
[J.2. PLN-2669-NP; Discussion and possible action regarding Wayside Estates, Final Plat. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> PLN-2669-NP. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE AGO REGARDING WAYSIDE ESTATES FINAL PLAT.
>> THE WAYSIDE ESTATES FINAL PLAT, A PROPOSED TWO LOTS, DIVISION ACROSS 5. 25 ACRES OFF WAYSIDE DRIVE IN PRECINCT THREE. FOR THE SUBDIVISION WATER WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELL AND WASTEWATER ACCOMPLISHED BY INDIVIDUAL ONSITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. THIS ITEM BROUGHT TO YOU TODAY, NO VARIANCES REQUESTED AND FULL STAFF RECOMMEND EIGHTHS FOR APPROVAL.
[J.3. PLN-2462-NP; Discussion and possible action regarding the Worldwide Swank Subdivision, Lot 1, final plat. S MIT H /P A C H E C O]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
>> PLN-2462-NP. REGARDING THE WORLDWIDE SWANK SUBDIVISION, LOT ONE, FINAL
PLAT. >> SO MOVED FOR POSSIBLY THE WORST NAMED PLAT EVER.
THE WORLDWIDE SWANK SUBDIVISION IS A PROPOSED ONE- LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS APPROXIMATELY 1. 355 ACRES. THIS IS LOCATED ALONG FITZHUGH ROAD IN PRECINCT FOUR. FOR THIS ONE LAST SUBDIVISION WATER WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH RAIN WATER COLLECTION SITS TELLS AND WASTEWATER WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ADVANCED ON- SITE SEWAGE FACILITY.
NO VARIANCE IS REQUESTED. STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. COMMISSIONER COHEN.
[J.4. PLN-2731-NP; Ratify approval of the 600 Windy Hills Final Plat. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.
RATIFY APPROVAL OF THE 600 WINDY HILLS
>> MR. PACHECO. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
THIS ITEM BROUGHT BEFORE YOU FOR THE 600 WINDY HILLS FINAL PLAT SEEKING RATIFICATION OF THE WINDY HILLS PLAT APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVELY. IT IS A ONE- LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS÷÷ACROSS ACRE OFF WINDY HILLS ROAD IN PRECINCT THREE. RAIN WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM IS THE PRIMARY WATER SOURCE AND INDIVIDUAL ONSITE SEWAGE FACILITY IS WASTEWATER SOURCE. AGAIN, SEEKING RATIFICATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAT.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
[J.5. PLN-2734-NP; Ratify approval for the 2 Town Center, Final Plat. S MIT H /P A C H E C O]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMIGS.
>> BLN-2734-NP. RATIFY APPROVAL FOR TWO TOWN CENTER FINAL PLAT.
AGAIN SIMILAR TO THE ITEM BEFOREHAND IT IS A REQUEST TO SEEK RATIFICATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAT FOR TWO TOWN CENTER. IT IS A ONE SUBDIVISION ACROSS 8. 7 ACRES. THIS IS IN PRECINCT FOUR.
FOR THIS PLAT WATER SERVICE WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH RAIN WATER COLLECTION, AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ONSITE SEWAGE FACILITY. AGAIN SEEKING RATIFICATION FOR APPROVAL OF
>> THANK YOU. YOU ARE DOING A PERFECT JOB BEING INFORMATIVE AN PRECISE AND I APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE THE VIEWING PUBLIC GETS A QUICK SNAPSHOT.
[J.6. PLN-2781-PC; Call for a Public Hearing on August 19, 2025 regarding the Polo Business Park West, Plat Cancellation. S MIT H /MA C H A C E K]
IF THEY WANT TO DIG IN FURTHER THEY CAN.>> J6. PLN-2781-PC. CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 19TH, 2025 REGARDING THE POLO BUSINESS PARK WEST,
[J.7. PLN-2782-PC; Call for a Public Hearing on August 19, 2025 regarding the Polo Business Park East, Plat Cancellation. S MIT H /MA C H A C E K]
PLAT CANCELLATION.>> PLN-2782-PC. CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 19TH REGARDING THE POLO BUSINESS PARK EAST PLAT CANCELLATION.
[K.2. Discussion and possible action authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Cooperation Contract between the Texas Department of Public Safety and Hays County regarding expedited analysis of seized drug evidence. IN GA LS B E /H IGGIN S]
>> YES. THANK YOU. PLEASE OPEN
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL COOPERATION CONTRACT BETWEEN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HAYS COUNTY REGARDING EXPEDITED ANALYSIS OF SEIZED DRUG EVIDENCE.
THAT'S FINE. >> WE WANT A PROCESS THAT'S EFFICIENT.
>> YES. >> I DO KNOW IT SOUNDS BAD, BUT IN OUR CIP PROGRAM WE WE WERE DEVELOPING THE ROADMAP FOR THE LONG TERM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAD ASKED TOTO INCLUDED IN THAT LONG TERM PLAN
[03:20:02]
IS MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, RIGHT? BECAUSE IT IS INEVITABLY WHERE WE'RE HEADED AND I ALREADY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTY JUDGES AND THEY SHOWED AN INTEREST IN SUPPORTING IT WHENEVER THE TIME COMES THAT WE DO THIS.BUT IN THAT VEIN IS THIS VERY THING OF CREATING OUR OWN FACILITY TO DO THIS VERY TESTING BECAUSE DPS IS SO BEHIND THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT NOT SO NEAR, CREATING AN IN- HOUSE FACILITY OR SPECIALTY CONTRACT TO ALLOW US A TIDIER LOOP IN BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE SITTING IN JAIL WAITING FOR RESULTS.
>> RIGHT. THIS WILL CREATE ONE FULL- TIME EMPLOYEE, AND WE'RE HOPING, JUDGE, WE ALSO WILL HAVE OTHER ENTITIES THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND HELP PAY FOR IT. IT IS A FOUR- YEAR CONTRACT, AND SO I GUESS WE'RE REACHING OUT, IS THAT CORRECT, JORDAN, TO OTHER ENTITIES TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS?
>> THAT'S RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. HISTORICALLY WE SHARED THOSE COSTS AND WE HOPED THAT WOULD CONTINUE. IT IS KIND OF PART ONE.
THAT WOULD BE PART TWO THAT WOULD COME BACK TO THE COURT AT LATER DATE.
>> OKAY. >> JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, CAN YOU RECAP THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE ITEM WITHOUT THE LEGALESE, SIMPLE TALK?
>> YES. WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE. BASICALLY THIS ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO FUND A FULL- TIME FORENSIC ANALYST TO PROVIDE EXPEDITED TESTING FOR SEIZED DRUG EVIDENCE IN THOSE CASES, THOSE CRIMINAL CASES.
AND SO WITHOUT THIS WE KIND OF GO INTO THE POOL OF EVERYBODY ELSE, IF YOU WILL. THIS CONTRACT REQUIRES THE TESTING WITHIN 30 DAYS OF SUBMITTAL, WHICH IS REALLY QUICK. THE, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, NORMAL TIMELINE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO BE TESTED, IT VARIOUS
EASILY. >> IT IS USUALLY TYPICALLY ANYWHERE BETWEEN SIX TO NINE MONTHS GIVE OR TAKE.
>> YES. >> SO THIS DEFINITELY HELPS MOVE THE CASES, THE JAILED CASES, THE CASES OF THE D.A. 'S OFFICE, ET CETERA.
>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING IT FURTHER FOR VIEWING PUBLIC. THAT WAY PEOPLE CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE EFFORTS THAT WE ARE TAKING BECAUSE SOME FOLKS DON'T REALIZE, EVERY TIME I READ THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT'S JAIL REPORT, THOSE NUMBERS ARE TIED TO DECISIONS LIKE THIS ONE RIGHT HERE UPON US, TO JUST KEEP THINGS MOVING. EVERYONE NEEDS THEIR DAY IN COURT SO THAT WE CAN PROCESS THEM AND WE CAN'T JUST KICK OFF THE JAIL DOOR AND SAY, EVERYBODY YOU LATER, HOPE YOU COME BACK. WE HAVE TO PROCESS AND THIS HELPS TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND THANK YOU, JORDAN, FOR MOVING IT THROUGH THIS WAY. CALL THE CALL THE
>> JUDGE, THAT ONE PROBABLY NEEDS TO GO
AFTER. >> IS IT ONE OF THE AFTERS? I SEE. LET'S LEAVE K3 UNTIL AFTER EXEC.
[K.5. Discussion and possible action regarding the reassignment of the Communications Manager, slot 0741-001 from the Human Resources Department to the County Administrator's Office effective August 1, 2025 and amend the budget accordingly. C OH E N /GR A N JE N O]
WE HAVE DONE K4 IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.TO K5. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING REASSIGNMENT OF THE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER SLOT 0741- 001 FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1ST, 2025 AND AMENDMENT THE BUDGET
SO MOVED. >> SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS.
I THINK THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ERIC HAVING IT HOUSED IN HIS DEPARTMENT, BUT I THINK THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPACE IS WHERE IT IS HEADED.
AND LET'S GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY ON THE MIC.
WHAT SAY YOU? NAME AND TITLE, VIEWING
CANDACE BOUTIER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
I'M IN AGREEMENT, JUDGE. I THINKTHAT COMMUNICATIONS IS A CENTRALIZED FUNCTION. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NATALIE IN -- ON SEVERAL PROJECTS. SO THIS IS A GREAT MOVE IN MY MIND.
THANK YOU. >> NOW TELL US WHAT THE INTENT IS AS FAR AS HER DESK, OFFICE, WHATEVER YOU MAY ENVISION OR HOW -- IF THAT THOUGHT HAS COME THROUGH.
>> I'M WORKING WITH TAMMY ON SOME OPTIONS.
WE'LL BE COMING AROUND TO SEE EACH OF THE COURT MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THAT. BUT NATALIE WILL BE WORKING ON HELPING TO DO MORE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION. SHE WILL BE HELPING OUT WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A MORE SEAMLESS COMMUNICATION OR FLOW OF COMMUNICATION AMONGST EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
>> BEAUTIFULFALL WELL DONE. HOW EXCITING.
IF THERE'S NOTHING CALLS THE IF THERE'S NOTHING CALLS
[03:25:06]
THE[K.6. Discussion and possible action to change the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) classification for identified positions effective August 1, 2025. B E C E R R A /GR A N JE N O]
K6, PLEASE. >> K6, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CHANGE THE FAIR LABORS STANDARD ACT CLASSIFICATION FOR IDENTIFIED POSITIONS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1ST, 2025.
>> ERIC, IF YOU WILL PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND TELL YOUR NAME AND TITLE AND WHAT YOUR INTENT IS BEHIND THIS ITEM.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
SO WITH THIS ITEM WE DID REVIEW THE CLASSIFICATION FOR OUR ASSIST AND TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR.
SO UNDER THE GUIDELINES YOU CAN BE EXEMPT OR NONEXEMPT, NONEXEMPT MEANING YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME, NONEXEMPT MEANING NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
OVERTIME. >> WHEN YOU USE LETTERS SAY TO THE PUBLIC WHAT THE ALL RIGHTERS MEAN.
>> OF IT IS THE FAIR LABORS STANDARDS ACT.
>> THANK YOU. >> WITH THIS POSITION WE REVIEWED UNDER THE EXEMPTION OF EXECUTIVE EXEMPTION.
IT MEETS ALL FOUR FACTORS SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING CHANGING IT TO EXEMPT STATUS.
STATUS? >> THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, TO EXEMPT STATUS.
>> OKAY. PERFECT. QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? ALL GOOD? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ERIC, I APPRECIATE IT.
SORRY TO HAVE TO CARRY YOU THROUGH THAT BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHENEVER SOMEONE SPEAKS IN LEGALESE OR IN ACRONYMS AND SOMEONE DOESN'T KNOW MY PHONE WILL GO OFF.
I CAN AVOID IT ALL IF I HELP PEOPLE THROUGH THOSE LITTLE DETAILS. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an Interlocal Funding Agreement between Hays County and the City of San Marcos related to the preparation of an Operation and Maintenance Plan for Five Mile Dam and amend the budget accordingly. H A MME R /T .C R U MLE Y]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, RELATED TO PREPARATION OF AN OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR FIVE- MILE DAM AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
>> NOT REALLY. IT IS A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN US AND THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS FOR FIVE MILE DAM.
>> CORRECT. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
[K.8. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an Application for Eligibility to participate in the Texas Facilities Commission Federal Surplus Property Program. B E C E R R A /T .C R U MLE Y]
BECERRA.>> K8, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN APPLICATION FOR ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION, FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY
>> THIS IS A STANDARD PROGRAM. IT IS USEFUL.
WE LIKE IT. ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD, TAMMY? I THINK WE'RE GOOD, RIGHT? I THINK WE NEED TO PUT AN AGENDA ITEM TO ADD ANOTHER MICROPHONE TO THE TABLE.
ONE ON EACH END. THAT'S RIGHT.
OKAY. YOU SEE, THERE IT IS. THERE'S AN ORDER IN MOTION, TAMMY, IF WE CAN MOVE THE MIC
OVER THERE. >> NOTHING ELSE TO ADD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CALL THE ROLL.
[K.11. Discussion and possible action authorizing the execution of an Order Agreement, Lease Amendment, and Product Schedule with Ricoh USA, Inc. for $253.50 per month to replace the printer/copier for the Health Department and amend the budget accordingly. C OH E N /GON Z A LE S /H U N T]
COMMISSIONER HAMMER.>> K11. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLY ACTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ORDER AGREEMENT, LEASE AMENDMENT AND PRODUCT SCHEDULE WITH RICOH USA INC. FOR $250. 50 PER MONTH TO REPLACE THE PRINTER COPIER FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
>>> WHEN AN AGENDA ITEM IS WRITTEN COMPLETELY WITH DOLLAR AMOUNTS AND IT IS DONE, NO REASON TO TALK ABOUT IT.
[M.1. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. B E C E R R A]
THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I THINK WE ARE ON NOW TO STANDING AGENDA ITEM M1, AND THEN INTO EXEC.>> M1. DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS
AND COSTS. >> SO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SENDS MY OFFICE THE JAIL REPORT.
OUR JAIL CAPACITY IS STILL MAXIMUM, 410 INMATES.
JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOLDING APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THAT CAPACITY OPEN, WHICH LOWERS OUR ACTUAL CAPACITY TO 368.
THE JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS, HOWEVER, 569 AND PEAKED AT 580 ON JULY 23RD. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK IS $133,000. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES IS 204 AND FEMALES ARE ZERO AND THEY'RE ALL HOUSED IN HASKELL COUNTY. PAPER READY INMATES, WE HAVE 62.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE HAVE 62 INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR PROCESS, HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT, BEEN FOUND GUILTY AND ARE NOW STATIN E INMATES BUT WE'RE STILL HOLDING THEM HOPING THE STATE WILL PICK THOSE
[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS (Part 1 of 2)]
[03:30:01]
UP AND REIMBURSE US. OKAY. EXECUTIVE SESSION.PLEASE. >> OKAY. L1, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551. 071 AND 551. 072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT OR NEAR ROGER HANKS PARKWAY IN PRECINCT FOUR. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L2.
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551. 071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL REGARDING, ONE, THE STATUS OF LITIGATION IN HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS, CAUSE D- 1-GN- ON 80249, FILED IN 126TH JUDICIAL COURT IN TRAVIS COUNTY, AND, TWO, DEBT FINANCING OPTIONS IN REGARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME OR ALL OF THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2024 ROAD BOND PROGRAM, AND/OR COUNTY FACILITY PROJECTS TO INCLUDE VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS AND, THREE, THE LEGAL PROCESS FOR ISSUING CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L3.
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 552.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL, REGARDING THETHE TERMINATION, INCLUSION OR EXCLUSION OF CURRENT AND/OR ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE COUNSEL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BOND COUNSEL AND ELECTION COUNSEL. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L4, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551. 071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL REGARDING PENDING AND/OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION INVOLVING APPLICATION OF AQUA TEXAS INC. FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE RATES.
PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS, PUC, DOCKET CONTROL NUMBER 58124. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHICH WOULD YOU LIKE TO START WITH FIRST, JORDAN? LET'S DO -- WELL, THEY'RE STUCK UNTIL THE END ANYWAY. I'M TRYING TO MOVE YOU THROUGH. START AT THE TOP AND DO
>>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND WE ARE GOING TO GO IN THIS ORDER FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
K9, I- 2, K- 3 AND THEN I BELIEVE WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[K.9. Discussion and possible action regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, including a presentation of the Budget Office FY26 Recommended Budget and selection of dates for budget workshops. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]
AND THEN WE WILL ADJOURN. SO K9 FIRST IS OUR MAGNIFICENT BUDGET OFFICE PROVIDING US A SUMMARY OF A A BUDGET.AND HERE IT GETS HANDED TO US OFFICIALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND THE INTENT IS TO BE GOOD FISCAL STEWARDS WITH THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THANK YOU, VICKY, FOR THIS HONESTLY -- AND JUDGING BY THE BOX IT JUST CAME IN BACKBREAKING WORK AS WELL. THIS IS A LOT OF WORK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE -- MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA ENTAILS SO MUCH WORK. AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOUYOU ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE AND ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE SUPPORTED THIS EFFORT BECAUSE BECAUSE THIS IS THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD. OKAY, VICKY, I'VE RAN OUT OF THINGS TO SAY, GIVEN YOU TIME. YOU CAN APPROACH THE PODIUM WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
>> WAIT, WAIT, WE SHOULD OPEN IT.
>> K9, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET INCLUDING A PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET OFFICE FY26 RECOMMENDED BUDGET AND A SELECTION OF DATES FOR BUDGET WORKSHOPS.
>> IF YOU CAN PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING
PUBLIC. >> VICKY DORSETT, HAYS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. AS THE JUDGE JUST MENTIONED, I HANDED YOU THE BALANCED BUDGET BOOKS. I'M GOING TO GO OVER JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS AND THEN IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN.
THE FY2026 RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS BALANCED UTILIZING A TOTAL TAX RATE OF . 3925 CENTS.
THIS IS A . 0425 CENT INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT TAX RATE OF 35 CENTS. THE TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE INCREASED 1.36%.
HOWEVER, NEW IMPROVEMENTS DECREASED 20. 87% OVER PREVIOUS YEAR IMPROVEMENTS. ADDITIONALLY PROPERTY
[03:35:04]
TAX PROTEST INCREASED FROM 500 MILLION IN 2024 TAX YEAR TO OVER 1. 6 BILLION IN 2025. WITH THE CURRENT AVERAGE HOME VALUES SLIGHTLY DECREASING OVER LAST YEAR THIS TAX RATE INCREASE WAS APPROXIMATELY 194 PER YEAR INCREASE FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER. THE BREAKDOWN OF THE RECOMMENDED TAX RATE CONSISTS OF A . 0214 CENT INCREASE IN THE GENERAL M & O RATE TO AYES, SIR THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE COUNTY INCLUDING A HALF CENT FOR VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND TO MOVE THE MAJORITY OF COSTS RELATED TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY FUNDED OUT OF THE ARPA PROGRAM. THE ROAD AND BRIDGE RATE IS UP .11 CENTS TO ADDRESS MAINTENANCE IN COUNTY ROADS AND THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT. AND LASTLY THE DEBT RATE IS UP TWO CENTS TO INCLUDE[03:40:44]
FOR OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND DISABLED RESIDENTS. WE DID GET A THIRD REQUEST FROM PATRIOTS HALL BUT THEY DIDN'T SUBMIT ANY FUNDING.>> WHEN YOU SAID 50 FOR THE ALL COURT MEMBERS, SO --
>> IT'S AN EXTRA 50,000 IS PUT IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE BUDGET.
>> SURE. FOR ALL COURT MEMBERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO --
>> DETERMINE IF -- IF YOU WANT TO EITHER INCREASE SOMEONE'S OR AUTHORIZE ANY NEW AGENCIES.
>> BUDGET WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST THE 5TH, 12TH AND 19TH AT 11:00 WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING TO VOTE ON A PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX RATE TO BE HELD ON AUGUST THE 19TH AT 1:00.
ALL BUDGET DOCUMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE UNITER THE BUDGET OFFICE OPERATING BUDGET SECTION.
THAT IS IT. UNLESS THERE ARE ANY
QUESTIONS. >> AND THE BAT WENT CRACK.
>> GOOD JOB, VICKY, AS ALWAYS. ALWAYS.
OF COURSE I'LL GO OVER THIS SLOWLY BUT NOT AT THIS MOMENT. BUT I THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR HER AT THIS TIME?
>> NO. IT'S GOING TO TAKE ME A WHILE.
>> IT WILL TAKE TIME TO DIG INTO --
>> IT WILL TAKE TIME TO DIG INTO IT.
>> YOU HAVE A WEEK. WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR BUDGET WORKSHOP.
>> ONE WEEK. ON THE JEKS NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS THERE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE VOTED ON?
>> VICKY, THANKS A MILLION. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AS A COURT AND AS A COUNTY FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS PROJECT AND FOR THIS PRODUCT TO COME OUT. ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO NOW TO -- THAT WAS NOT ME.
WHERE IS THE LINE ITEM? THERE IT
[I.2. Discuss and take possible action on a resolution authorizing publication and posting of notice of intention to issue Hays County, Texas Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation (the "Certificates") in an amount not to exceed $240,000,000 for the construction, design, improvement, extension, expansion, upgrade and development of county roads and the acquisition of land and right-of-way therefore and authorizing certain other matters relating thereto. The road projects include certain of the road projects in the 2024 road bond program, including approximately 30 road projects related to safety, mobility and connectivity and are further described in the List of Road Projects posted herewith. The Commissioners Court anticipates considering the issuance of the Certificates at its meeting on September 30, 2025, and, if the Certificates are issued, an ad valorem tax will be levied within the boundaries of the County for the payment of such certificates. The County estimates the tax levy will cause a tax rate increase of $0.02 per $100 assessed value. H A MME R /IN GA LS B E]
IS. SO WE DID K9. SO NOW LET'S DO I-2.>> I-2. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUEISSUE COUNTY, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, QUOTE, THE CERTIFICATES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $240 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN IMPROVEMENT, EXTENSION, EXPANSION UPGRADE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTY ROADS AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND RIGHT OF WAY THEREFOR ANDAND AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
THE ROAD PROJECTS INCLUDE CERTAIN OF THE ROAD PROJECTS IN THE 2024 ROAD BOND PROGRAM INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 30 ROAD PROJECTS RELATED TO SAFETY, MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY AND ARE FURTHER DESCRIBED IN THE LIST OF ROAD PROJECTS POSTED HEREWITH.
THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ANTICIPATES CONSIDERING THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATES AT ITS MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 30T H, 2025 AND IF THE CERTIFICATES ARE ISSUED AN AD VAL REM TAX WILL BE LEVIED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY FOR THE IMT PA OF SUCH CERTIFICATES. THE COUNTY ESTIMATES THE TAX LEVY WILL CAUSE A TAX RATE INCREASE OF . . 02 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND.
AND WHAT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A CRACK AT HIGHLIGHTING WHAT THIS IS IN SUMMARY? COMMISSIONER HAMMER?
>> SURE. THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE BOND PROGRAM THAT WAS PUT ON THETHE VOTER ROLLS, OR PUT ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
THIS IS CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION IN LIEU OF THOSE BONDS BEING ISSUED BUT IT IS BACKED BY THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS IN HAYS COUNTY WHO VOTED ON THIS BOND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT TWO CENT.
THIS WILL INCLUDE ALL OF THE PROJECTS ON THE BONDS MINUS -- ALMOST.
30 PROJECTS ON THE BOND MINUS ONE IN PRECINCT 4.
THIS WILL BEGIN -- THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL SEE THE POSTING COME SOON AND THEN WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO ISSUE THOSE CERTIFICATES COME SEPTEMBER 30TH.
OR AGREE. VOTE ON ISSUING THOSE CERTIFICATES COME SEPTEMBER 30TH.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?
>> JUST REITERATING, JUDGE, I THINK WE'RE UPHOLDING THE VOTERS' DECISION BY THEIR VOTE THAT HAPPENED AS COMMISSIONER HAMMER STATED IN NOVEMBER OF 2024.
[03:45:04]
THEY HAVE ASKED US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE CRITICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROADS, AND I WANT TO HONOR THEIR DECISION.>> AND HERE'S ANOTHER PIECE TO ADD TO THE CONVERSATION.
SO WE HAD A LEGAL TECHNICALITY THAT GOT THIS TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND AS THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE STATED SUPPORTERS SUPPORTED THIS BOND. PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY WERE KEY COMPONENTS IN MY SUPPORTING IT AS A WHOLE.
AND THE PIECE I HEARD FROM THE CONSTITUENCY, NOT EVERYONE BUT ENOUGH TO BRING ATTENTION, WAS MORE ENGAGEMENT.
ALTHOUGH WE HAD -- I MADE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.
WE HAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS COUNTYWIDE.
WE HAD LOTS OF THINGS THAT WE DID. BUT STILL, IF IT'S YOUR PERCEPTION IT IS TRUE AND IT'S WHAT WE BELIEVE. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HONOR AND SUPPORT. SOME HAVE SAID THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY WERE INCLUDED, THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH INFORMATION, THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH TIME.
AND SO THIS AGENDA ITEM IS LITERALLY TO FUND, ALTHOUGH THE SAME RATES WILL APPLY BECAUSE WE ARE THE SAME AWESOME COUNTY WITH AN EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING, TO GO TO MARKET MARKET GET MONEY TO DO THIS AS WE WOULD HAVE WITH THE BOND AT THE SAME RATE.
AM I RIGHT? SO IT'S THE SAME RATE.
JUST A DIFFERENT LABEL ON HOW WE'RE GETTING IT.
AND WE'RE COMFORTABLE TAKING THIS ROUTE BECAUSE VOTERS APPROVED THIS MOVEMENT. BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THROUGH THE HEARTBURN CONVERSATIONS I'VE RECEIVED I HAVE ASKED FOR A LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT OUT OF THEIR OWN TIME TO HELP US TRIAGE, PRIORITIZE THE PROJECTS AS YOU HEARD COMMISSIONER HAMMER SAY, THE MAJORITY OF -- I JUST WON'T SAY ALL BUT THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROJECTS WE HAVE INTENDED TO BUILD, TO DO AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF READINESS AND PREPAREDNESS.
THERE ARE SOME SHOVEL- READY PROJECTS THAT SHOULD GO BECAUSE AND WE NEED TO DO THEM ALREADY AND EVERYTHING'S BEEN DONE. THERE ARE SOME SHARED CONTRIBUTION PROJECTS THAT IF WE DO THEM WE DRAW DOWN EITHER CAMPO, CAPITAL AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MONEY, STATE AND/OR FEDERAL. SO THOSE PROJECTS THEY MULTIPLY OUR TAX BASE, WHICH IS REALLY USEFUL AND OF COURSE THE PRIORITY OF PUBLIC HEALTH PUBLIC SAFETY. SO I'VE CREATED AND I HEARD YOU AND I CREATED IT AND I THANK YOU BECAUSE HERE'S A STACK OF E-MAILS FROM THOSE WANTING TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS. SO MY ASK IS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT THIS EFFORT OF MINE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. BUT JUST SUPPORT IT UNDERSTANDING THAT THE INTENT IS FOR US TO DO THE WORK BUT TO ALLOW THE COMMUNITY THAT MOMENT TO WEIGH IN AND AND AND UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH A SLOWER PROCESS FOR THEM.
AND I'M WILLING TO TAKE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO HELP THEM SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE PROJECTS SO THAT EVEN IF IT'S A 2%, A HALF A PERCENT, I DON'T CARE, BUT WHATEVER PERCENTAGE IT MAY BE SO THEY CAN FEEL HEARD, UNDERSTOOD AND INCLUDED.
JUST KNOW THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE WORKING ON AND I NEVER WANT ANYONE TO FEEL DUPED. AND IF I SAY SOMETHING THAT PUTS YOU IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT THAT'S NOT MY INTENT.
I'M TRYING TO SHED LIGHT. MY GOAL IS FOR US TO MOVE THROUGH THIS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. AND MY SUPPORT OF THIS AGENDA ITEM IS BY NO MEANS JUST A BLANK CHECK.
WE STILL WANT TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED AND FEEL SUPPORTED AND UNDERSTOOD. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? I KNOW THAT WAS A LITTLE WORDY AND LENGTHY BUT THAT WAS THE GIST OF IT. COMMISSIONER COHEN, ANYTHING?
>> NO, JUST DEPENDING ON THE VOTE TODAY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR MY PRECINCT AND THE EAST SIDE AND PRECINCT 1, AND I FEEL THIS IS A WAY TO UPHOLD THE VOICE OF OUR CONSTITUENCY THAT WANTED THESE PROJECTS FROM THE BEGINNING. SO I'M FULLY IN SUPPORT OF MOVING THIS FORWARD.
>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY WE'VE HAD COMMUNITIES LIKE THE CITY OF COLLIN AND THE CITY OF BUTA WHO STEPPED UP AND IMMEDIATELY PASSED RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT ASKING US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY. I FULLY EXPECT WE'LL GET THEM OUT OF OTHER CITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN OUR -- WITHIN OUR COUNTY.
IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS WELL. WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE VOTERS LAST YEAR -- OR PARDON ME, EARLY LAST YEARYEAR MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE PROJECTS. EACH ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED HAS HAD SUPPORTERS AND IT'S HAD DETRACTORS. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS OUR POPULATION AS A WHOLE SUPPORTED THIS BOND AT THE HIGHEST VOTER RATE -- OR THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTERS IN AN ELECTION THAT OUR COUNTY HAS EVER SEEN. AND DOING SO I'M NOT GOING TO
[03:50:01]
WALK AWAY FROM THE COMMITMENT TO DO THE PROJECTS THAT WE PROMISED OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH. AND I THINK THIS IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO MOVE FORWARD, TO KEEP THOSE PROJECTS MOVING, AND IN SOME VERY SPECIFIC CASES THAT IF WE DID NOT TAKE THIS ACTION THERE WOULD BE DIRECT AND IMPACTFUL NEGATIVE ASPECTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY THAT ARE MEASURABLE. AND SO THIS IS THE WAY TO MOVE>> ANYTHING ELSE, JORDAN, TO ADD? AND JORDAN IS LEGAL COUNSEL.
>> OKAY. WE CALL THE ROLL. AND IN VOTING WHAT WE WILL BE VOTING FOR, JORDAN, CAN YOU ARTICULATE THAT FOR THE VIEWING
IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION -- OR SORRY, EXCUSE ME, A MOTION TO APPROVE AND TAKE ACTION ON A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION, THAT LONG LANGUAGE IN YOUR AGENDA ITEM. IF THE COURT --
>> AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION, YOU WERE SAYING?
>> RIGHT. MOTION TO ADOPT AND APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 240 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, IMPROVEMENT, EXTENSION, EXPANSION UPGRADE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTY ROADS AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND RIGHT OF OF THEREWITH AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS RELATED
THERETO. >> IN SUMMARY -- THANK YOU, JORDAN. YOU READ THAT, AND THAT'S GREAT.
BUT IN SUMMARY, THE GIST OF THIS MOTION THAT IS BEFORE US RIGHT NOW IS, SO WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND, TO AUTHORIZE UP TO $240 MILLION ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING RELATED TO INCLUDING RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION, ET CETERA, TO WORK ON THESE PROJECTS THAT WERE THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROJECTS THAT WERE LISTED ON THE BOND THAT PASSED. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K.3. Discussion and possible action with the County's financial advisor and legal counsel regarding potential County facilities (to include vertical infrastructure/buildings) to be financed and the County's debt financing options, types of debt obligations, debt capacity and potential debt amounts, and potential increase in tax rate to repay such debt obligations, related to the financing of such County facilities. S MIT H]
>> K-3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION WITH THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING POTENTIAL COUNTY FACILITIES TO INCLUDE VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS TO BE FINANCED AND THE COUNTY'S DEBT FINANCING OPTIONS, TYPES OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS, DEBT CAPACITY AND POTENTIAL DEBT AMOUNTS, AND POTENTIAL INCREASE IN TAX RATE TO REPAY SUCH DEBT OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO THE FINANCING OF SUCH COUNTY FACILITIES.
>> YES. IN THE BUDGET THAT YOU WERE JUST HANDED AND VICKY MENTIONED IT, THERE IS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE, AND WE WOULD NOT KNOW THAT -- OR I WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT THE EXACT PERCENTAGE WOULD BE, OF A POSSIBLE RATE INCREASE PURSUANT TO THE ISSUANCE OF COS FOR VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
AND SO I WOULD -- I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER WOULD BE UNTIL WE GOT OUR BUDGET BOOKS SHORTLY AGO. BUT WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS SPECIFICALLY HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT HALF CENT TO LOOK AT ALL THE VERTICAL NEEDS THAT WE HAVE GIVEN THAT WE HAVE A CIP OR A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT WILL BE DELIVERED.
THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERY DATE IS OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR.
AND WE HAVE PROJECTS ALREADY IN SCOPE THAT WE NOW HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND KNOWING THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE THAT WITHIN OUR RATE THAT WE WERE CONSIDERING TODAY I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION.
>> OKAY. AND HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD THAT CONVERSATION? ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY?
>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THE ONE THING I WANTED TO ASK WAS -- AND IT'S A GENERAL CONVERSATION HERE.
DO WE NEED TO DO DIRECT PROJECT IDENTIFICATION AT THIS POINT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FINALIZED?
>> DAN WEG MILLER, FINANCIAL ADVISER TO THE COUNTY.
NOT AT THIS POINT. WHAT I'D SKUG UGGEST IS NOW THAT YOU'VE IDENTIFIED THE POTENTIAL REVENUE TO USE TOWARDS THE FIRST PHASE OF PROBABLY MULTIPLE PHASES OF THIS VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS YOU WORK ON DEVELOPING THAT LIST AND THE FUNDING SOURCES.
ONE TAX. I KNOW WE'VE TALKED AT OTHER TIMES OTHER SOURCES THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY TO OFFSET THAT.
AND WE WILL WORK ON THE MODELING TO DEVELOP THAT.
BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU HAVE A PROJECT TO IDENTIFY THAT'S FINE BUT IN MY MIND WHAT WE'D BE DOING IS COMING BACK WITH A SIMILAR NOTICE OF INTENT LIKE YOU JUST AUTHORIZED TO AUTHORIZE OTHER VERTICAL IMPROVEMENTS.
[03:55:01]
>> WOULD WE NEED ANY ACTION OF THE COURT TODAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT?
>> NO. I THINK IT'S MORE PROBABLY MYSELF, VICKY AND MARISOL WORKING ON THE MODELING OF CAPACITY TO SHARE WITH YOU SO YOU ALL DEVELOP THE PROJECTS AND THEN THOSE PROJECTS WILL BE DELIVERED OVER THE MONTHS AND COUPLE YEARS TO COME AS FUNDING REVENUE IS ATTAINED THROUGH GROWTH AND OTHER SOURCES.
>> AND PART OF THAT EQUATION IS ALSO AVAILABILITY OF GETTING THE WORK DONE.
>> WHICH IS ALSO PART OF THAT TIMING THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE WE MAY HAVE THE MONEY ON THE SHELF BUT IF WE CAN'T GET TO OR HAVE IT BUILT THIS YEAR THEN WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DRAW DOWN THAT DEBT.
>> AND THAT'S A GREAT POINT. WE TYPICALLY ISSUE THE DEBT WHEN PROJECTS ARE READY. AND SO THAT'S THAT COMBINATION EFFECT. WE DON'T WANT TO BRING MONEY IN AND NOT USE IT QUICKLY ENOUGH.
>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS WE AREN'T IN THE BUSINESS OF BORROWING MONEY THAT WE CAN'T SPEND YET. SO WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY THE INTEREST ON ANY -- WE WANT TO HAVE PROJECTS THAT ARE FULLY FLESHED OUT BEFORE WE GO TO THE MARKET IF WE HAVE TO BORROW OR ATTAIN DEBT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO PAY EXPONENTIAL AMOUNTS OF INTEREST OVER TIME ON MONEY THAT IS GOING UNUSED.
>> OH YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING.
YOU HAD THAT LOOK. I WASN'T SURE.
>> STEPHANIE HALPERT, PURCHASING AGENT.
DO WE WANT TO DISCUSS THE PRIORITY PROJECTS THAT YOU GUYS WANT TO FOCUS ON GETTING ACTUAL LIKE CONCRETE NUMBERS AND A SCHEDULE OF WHERE THEY'RE AT?
>> THAT'S A GREAT POINT. I'M SORRY, I INTERRUPTED YOU A LITTLE.
>> NO, NO, YOU'RE FINE. I KNOW WE DISCUSSEDDISCUSSED THE COW CAMPUS. THE BIGGEST NUMBER ONE --
>> THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT THE EAST CAMPUS BECAUSE COW CAMPUS CAN BE TWO THINGS.
>> THAT'S A PRIORITY OF OURS ABSOLUTELY. THE EAST CAMPUS.
>> IF THAT HAPPENS ALSO IT OPENS THE RENOVATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT CENTER.
>> EXACTLY. TO BECOME JUDICIAL
BUT THEN THAT ALSO KICKS OUT THE TAX OFFIE AND THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WHICH WE WOULD HAVE TO FIND A HOME SOMEWHERE FOR THEM IN SAN MARCOS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WHICH CAN BE VERY NEARBY.
>> CORRECT. AND THEN THE PET RESOURCE CENTER.
>> WITH KYLE. SO THOSE ARE THE TOP FOUR THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY.
>> THAT KIND OF ALL OF THOSE ARE HAPPENING NOW.
AND THEY'RE IN DIFFERENT PHASES.
I KNOW POTENTIALLY THERE MIGHT BE LIKE THE RENOVATION OF THE PRECINCT 4 BUILDING.
OTHER THAN THAT THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I THINK ARE THE TOP
AND I AGREE WITH IT. AND THAT ANSWER CAME FROM YOU BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING ONON IT. AND SO GOOD JOB.
AND I THINK IT'S AWESOME. AND I SUPPORT THAT LIST.
IS THERE A UTILITY IN YOU HEARING THAT FROM THE COURT AT THIS POINT SO YOU CAN GET A CLOSER DOLLAR AMOUNT?
YES, SIR. >> WELL, I'M SUPPORTIVE.
AND AGAIN, AS COMMISSIONER COHEN AND I WILL BE BRINGING AN AGENDA ITEM NEXT WEEK SO YOU CAN HEAR WHERE WE'RE AT.
>> AND I HAVE A MEETING TOMORROW WITH KITCHELL TOO AS FAR AS THE PERMIT PIECE.
>> YOU'LL HAVE TIGHTER NUMBERS
>> ONE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS AS WE'RE LOOKING AND DISCUSSING THESE CURRENT PROJECTS AND THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE IN THAT CIP, ONE THING WE DID LAST YEAR, OR WE DID THIS YEAR RATHER WAS REALLY LOOK AT AN EXPANDED ENGINEERING LIST ON THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE. AND AS WE LOOK AT MORE AND MORE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE, LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME ASAS PROCUREMENT OFFICE KNOWS, WAS THE FIRST TIME THATTHAT HAD AN ON-CALL LIST REALLY FOR VERTICAL. IS THAT A FAIR WAY TO PUT IT? THAT WE WENT OUT AND DID A -- AT LEAST SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COURT THE FIRST TIME --
>> FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES? OR PROJECT MANAGEMENT?
>> YES. PROJECT MANAGEMENT, YES.
>> SO AS WE -- IF WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE LARGE INVESTMENTS LIKE THIS, I THINK THAT WE ONLY HAD SEVEN RESPONDENTS TO THAT AND THREE PREQUALIFIED.
>> I THINK WE HAVE FIVE FIRMS THAT WERE PREQUALIFIED.
WE'VE USED TWO OF THEM SO FAR.
>> OKAY. I'M JUST THINKING AS WE START TO GO FORWARD AND LOOK AT THESE IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PLETHORA OF PROJECTS OUT THERE IN DIFFERENT AREAS THERE COULD BE AN ECONOMY OF SCALE OF USING ONE OR TWO TO DO ALL OF IT BUT I ALSO THINK THERE'S AN ECONOMY OF HAVING SOME OPTIONS AND LOOKING FINANCIALLY WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND I WOULD JUST SAY AS WE MOVE FORWARD HOPEFULLY IN
[04:00:03]
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, THAT'S GOING TO BE A YEAR SINCE THE LAST TIME WE DID THAT. ESPECIALLY IF IT'S KNOWN THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT VERTICAL. WE'RE GETTING A LOT MORE RESPONSES AND IT COULD BE ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL FOR THE COUNTY TO LOOK AT THOSE OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE.>> WE DID THE AWARD LAST YEAR IN APRIL. TYPICALLY WE LIKE TO OPEN THESE BACK UP EVERY YEAR BUT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF PROJECTS I DIDN'T SEE THE DIRE NEED TO OPEN IT BACK UP.
BUT IF WE WANT TO OPEN IT BACK UP WE CAN.
WE KNEW WE HAD SO MANY PROJECTS COMING AND WE DIDN'T WANT ANY -- IT WOULD BE UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS DEPENDING ON PRECINCT WHO THEY WANT TO SELECT KIND OF LIKE WE DO WITH THE ROAD PROJECTS Y'ALL SELECT WHICH ENGINEERING FIRM OR DESIGN FIRM THAT Y'ALL WANT, BRING IT TO COURT. THEY ALSO HAVE THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PIECE OF THE GOVERNMENT CENTER.
ONCE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT RENOVATION THEY HAVE THE CONTRACT FOR THAT PROJECT MANAGEMENT PIECE.
OUTSIDE OF THAT THAT'S IT AS FAR AS CONTRACTS GO.
>> THERE IS ONE LITTLE PIECE THAT -- AND EVERYONE SUPPORTS IT. IT WAS JUST LEFT OUT.
16-BED FACILITY SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY. EVERY COURT MEMBER HAS CONVEYED THEIR SUPPORT OF IT.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD INCLUDE THAT IN THE SHORT LIST.
>> IT'S ON THERE. BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE SIT RIGHT NOW WITH MEADOWS, RIGHT? OR HILL COUNTRY.
>> HILL COUNTRY. >> WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO LEAD THE CHARGE ON THAT PIECE OF IT OR IF WE'RE GOING TO. I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS GOING TO BE A FINANCIAL PIECE. WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS BECAUSE WE DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW WHO'S HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS YET WITH THEM AND WHERE THEY'RE AT IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO DO EVEN HAVE LIKE A FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THEM AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
I KNOW THERE'S TALKS OF IT GOING ON, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHO IS LEADING THE -- I KNOW YOU HAD SAID THAT YOU HAD HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS AT ONE
POINT. >> I JUST DON'T WANT IT FALLING OFF THE RADAR ON ACCIDENT.
>> IF YOU CAN SWIPE IT UP HIGHER IT'S A REAL GOOD IDEA TO MAKE SURE THAT'S ON OUR SHORT LIST.
>> WE'RE CONTINUING OUR DISCUSSIONS AND I THINK WE'VE GOT SOMEWHAT OF A PLAN. PROBABLY A MUCH QUICKER PLAN TO GET US STARTED WITH THOSE --
>> DOING SOME AGREEMENTS IN THE MEANTIME.
BUT I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF US HAVING THE OPTION TO -- HOWEVER IT LOOKS, TO ALLOCATE, LET YOUR BUDGET SHOW WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, TO SHOW SOME ROAD MAPPING TO A FACILITY THAT CAN BE RUN BY HILL COUNTRY. SOME KIND OF WAY.
>> VICKY DORSETT, HAYS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION IN THE FY26 BUDGET THE BOOK THAT I'VE JUST HANDED YOU I MENTIONED THE USE OF RESERVES. I DID BUDGET $6 MILLIONMILLION RESERVES FOR MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL PROJECTS. TWO OF THE MILLION IS FOR PARKS AS WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH WISA.
THE OTHER FOUR ARE FOR UNIDENTIFIED PROJECTS.
BUT AS YOU'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE MEETINGS, I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY OF THESE MEETINGS, SO WE'D WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PRIORITIZING WHAT THESE PROJECTS ARE AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO ENSURE WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO FUND THESE INITIAL CONTRACTS WITH THAT $6 MILLION AND POTENTIALLY THE ISSUANCE OF DEBT WITH THAT HALF CENT THAT WE HAVE BUILT IN.
THANK YOU, VICKY. VERY GOOD. ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS? OTHERWISE, THERE'S NO ACTION
WOULD YOU -- DO WE NEED TO GIVE DIRECTION ON THE SIX PROJECTS THAT WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE THOSE SIX PROJECTS THAT WERE MENTIONED?
>> I DON'T KNOW, JORDAN. DO THEY NEED TO --
>> THE REASON I SAY THAT IS YOU ASKED FOR DIRECTION FROM THE COURT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WERE THE TOP -- I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES.
SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WERE STILL THE TOP PROJECTS SO THAT WE CAN KIND OF FINALIZE TO GET TO A NUMBER PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROJECTWISE.
JORDAN? >> TO GET THE COURT'S AGREEMENT ON THOSE SIX PROJECTS BEING THE PRIORITY PROJECTS WOULD BE IEAL FOR DIRECTION TO STEPHANIE. AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT'S SUPPORTIVE OF THOSE.
LOOKING INTO THOSE SIX PROJECTS.
>> THE RENOVATION OF THE GOVERNMENT CENTER.
>> THE RELOCATION OF THE TREASURER AND THE TAX OFFICE IN SAN MARCOS.
[04:05:01]
>> THE PET RESOURCE CENTER COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF
>> AND THEN THE PRECINCT 4 OFFICE RENOVATION BUILDING --
RENOVATION. >> RELOCATION AND RENOVATION.
>> AND THE MENTAL HEALTH BED FACILITY.
>> OKAY. WE CAN GET SOME DOLLAR AMOUNTS AROUND THAT.
>> YES, PLEASE. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.
>> BEFORE WE START GIVING STEPHANIE DIRECTION ÚON THE LIST AND ENSURE WE CAN FUND THEM.
>> THE DIRECTION RIGHT NOW IS FOR HER TO COME BACK TO US WITH SOME FIRMER NUMBERS OF THE ESTIMATED PRICE TAG ON THEM.
>> PURELY. JUST TO COME BACK WITH HERE'S WHAT THIS ONE COSTS, HERE'S WHAT THIS ONE COSTS AND HERE'S WHAT THIS ONE COSTS. SHE'S MEETING TOMORROW WITH KITSCHEL AND THEY'RE MEETING NEXT WEEK WITH AN AGENDA ITEM NEXT TIME WE COME TO COURT.
IT'S PURELY TO ZERO IN ON THE DOLLAR
ASK. >> RIGHT. I WOULD SAY THE BUDGET OFFICE NEEDS THAT TO WORK WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND DAN ON THE DEBT STRUCTURE.
SO OF COURSE, STEPHANIE, IF YOU DON'T MIND COPYING THEM AS YOU MOVE THROUGH.
[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS (Part 2 of 2)]
>> THANK YOU. AND THERE'S NO OTHER ACTION REQUIRED AT THIS TIME, AM I RIGHT? TWO EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTIONS. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST?
>> I HAVE A MOTION ON ITEM L-1.
>> I MOVE TO AUTHORIZE A COMMERCIAL CONTRACT WITH 400 WEST OLD 290 AND RONK HANKS PARKWAY LLC RELATED TO DUE DILIGENCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED NEAR ROGER HANKS PARKWAY IN PRECINCT 4 FUNDING WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.
COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT WHETHER WE CAN FUND THIS, IT'S GOOD?
HAVE WE TALKED TO VICKY? >> WE HAVEN'T.
>> YES. I DID HAVE A CONVERSATIONCONVERS ATION COMMISSIONER SMITH REGARDING FUNDING AND WE DO HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE. I'M ASSUMING THIS IS GOING TO BE FY25 CONTRACT.
SO WE'LL PAY ALL THOSE FUNDS OUT OF THIS YEAR.
IN YOUR MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS.
IT'S BASICALLY I USUALLY BUDGET ROUGHLY 6 MILLION FOR ITEMS THAT COME UP THROUGHOUT THE BUDGETBUDGET FOR YOUR USE.
>> AND WITH THE HALF CENT WE JUST DISCUSSED WE COULD FUND OUR OTHER FUNDING MECHANISMS WITH THE OTHER FIVE PRIORITIES WE JUST DISCUSSED.
>> AND JUST AS A REMINDER, WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT THIS FACILITY THIS IS ALSO A FACILITY THAT THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED IN 2020 WITH $3.
5 MILLION I BELIEVE INITIALLY FOR THE DRIPPING SPRINGS TOWN CENTER IN POSAC.
THIS WOULD BE A PART AND PARCEL OF THAT.
THAT WAS A RELUCTANT YES. I KNOW YOU KNOW THAT. COMMISSIONER HAMMER, ALL YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. I MOTION AUTHORIZING THE CIVIL DIVISION OF HAYS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ENGAGE PARALES, ALLMAN AND ICE PC FOR PURPOSES OF REPRESENTATION AND LITIGATION THE APPLICATION OF AQUA TEXAS INC. FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE RATES, PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS PUC DOCKET CONTROL NUMBER 58124 AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE SUCH ENGAGEMENT DOCUMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE JOINING OF LITIGATION ASSOCIATED THEREWITH.
>> AND THIS INCLUDES THE NAME ICE BUT IT IS NOT AN ICE CONTRACT WITH IMMIGRATIONS CUSTOMS AND IT IS NOT COSTING US ANY MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT OUR CONSTITUENCY WITH FAIR RATES FROM ONE OF THE UTILITY PROVIDERS IN THE WESTERN PART OF OUR COUNTRY.
>> ICE IS THE LAST NAME OF THE LAWYER.
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.