Jul 07, 2026 Regular

[A. CALL TO ORDER ]

[00:00:58]

LEAD WE THANK YOU AND ASK THAT YOU WOULD HELP US DURING EVERY CHALLENGE, EVERY CONFLICT AND EVERY CONCERN.

WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE US COURAGE TO HELP US TO STAND IN ORDER AND IN TRUTH. SO THAT ALL MAY RECEIVE YOUR PEACE AND PROSPERITY. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN. WE SEEK YOU.

IT IS IN JESUS' NAME THAT I PRAY.

AMEN. >> THANK YOU.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGAL ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE.

>> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INNINGLES BY? >> HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER CAMERON? COMMISSIONER SMITH?

[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

>> HERE. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

>> HERE. DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? PERFECT, FULL CALL THEIR NAMES --

>> RAY TRAVIS. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED. I AM A COMMISSIONER ON THE CITY OF BOUTTE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND I WANTED TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT WE DO DURING OUR COMMISSION MEETINGS.

WE DO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND DURING THAT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WE WILL INVITE RESIDENTS OF BOUTTE, IN SOME CASES OWNERS OF PROPERTY IN BOUTTE TO SPEAK TO THE COMMISSION. THEY'RE ALLOWED TO COMMIT SIMPLE BECAUSE WE CAN BUILD UPON THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THE COMMISSION AND WITH THE RULES AND REGULATION THAT IS GOVERN THE BUILDING OR RENOVATING OF BUILDINGS IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT. WE DO NOT ALLOW THEM, HOWEVER, TO MAKE ANY PERSONAL ATTACKS ON ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS.

IT WORKS VERY WELL. I THINK THEY SOON REALIZE THAT WE ARE ALL THERE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE AND THAT IS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES IN WHATEVER ASPECT THAT WE'RE INVOLVED IN.

WE DON'T OFTEN GET SOMEONE COMING BEFORE THE COMMISSION BUT ON OCCASION WE WILL GET A PROPERTY OWNER WHO IS UPSET WITH SOME OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. WE WORK WITH THEM AND I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH THIS COMMISSION, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO SOMETIMES DISAGREE WITHIN THE COMMISSION, AS DOES HAPPEN WITH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION. BUT WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WE WORK BEST. AND SO WE DON'T ALLOW PEOPLE TO MAKE PERSONAL ATTACKS ON ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THAT COMMISSION.

JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.

AND AGAIN EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR COUNTY.

[F.1. Presentation by Freese & Nichols Inc. regarding updates to the Hays County Development Regulations. BECERRA/BERLAD]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

PLEASE OPEN UP F1. >> PRESENTATION BY FREES AND NICHOLS INC REGARDING UPDATE TO THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT

REGULATIONS. >> GOOD MORNING COURT.

I'M MICHAEL BERLAD, THE INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. WITH ME ARE A COUPLE REPRESENTATIVES FROM FREESE AND NICHOLS, WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU

[00:05:02]

ON JULY 20TH WE'RE OPENING THE RELEASE OF THE [INDISCERNIBLE] DRAFT FOLLOWED BY JULY 28TH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETING AT 6 P.M. AS WELL AS THE DEPUTY SPRINGS RANCH PARK AT 6 P.M. FOLLOWED ON JULY 29TH AT THE LIBRARY AT 6 P.M. IN THE LAST COURT WE ALSO PASSED A RESOLUTION FOR INDUSTRIAL [INDISCERNIBLE] WATER USE.

THAT RESOLUTION HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO FREESE AND NICHOLS, JUST GOING TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THE RESOLUTION, SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADD AS SEVENTHS INCR SOME VOLUNTARY PROCESS THAT WE CAN PUT WITHIN OUR REGULATIONS. ONCE THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT IS RELEASED WE DO ANTICIPATE GETTING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE TO POST ON THE NEW WEBSITE AS WELL AS SOME SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND SOME ADDITIONAL OUTREACH TO ALLOW FOR THOSE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS COMING UP.

SO WITH NO FURTHER ADIEU I WILL TURN IT OVER TO FREESE AND NICHOLS. I DO HAVE A COUPLE DOCUMENTS I WILL PASS OUT TO COURT AS WELL AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DAVID JONES, THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THIS REWRITE.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. GOOD MORNING.

, MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GO THROUGH THIS FAIRLY QUICKLY THIS MORNING.

I KNOW WE HAVE A FULL AGENDA. ALSO JOINING ME UP HERE WILL BE JOHN NET WHO IS OUR ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER, WE'LL KIND OF TAG TEAM THE PRESENTATION THIS MORNING BUT WANTED TO TAKE THE PROJECT TO BRING YOU UP TO SPEED ON WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE DRAFT, HOW WE'RE RESPONDING TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED LAST YEAR WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS AND WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE AS MICHAEL ALLUDED TO, GETTING TO A PUBLIC DRAFT OF THE FULL DOCUMENT, REVIEWING THAT AND THEN COMING BACK AND DOING SOME PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LATER IN THE MONTH.

SO I THINK I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO ADVANCE THE SLIDE -- YEAH, SO THIS WILL BE OUR OVERVIEW AND AGENDA THIS MORNING.

YOU DO HAVE HANDOUTS THAT WILL HELP YOU FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE PRESENTATION. SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE GOT THREE OF US HERE TODAY INCLUDING MYSELF, JOHN NET AND EVAN OZUSKI WHO IS ONE OF OUR LEAD PLANNERS ON DRAFTING THE CODE.

YOU'VE ALSO MET DANAL HARRISON. LAST YEAR HE'S TRANSITIONED INTO ROLE AS A SENIOR ADVISOR. ON THE NEXT SLIDE, LAST TIME WE CAME TO YOU WE WERE IN PHASE 1 OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT PHASE THAT WAS FINALIZED LATE LAST YEAR.

USE THAT AS OUR BASIS FOR DRAFTING THE CODE.

WE'RE NOW IN PHASE 2 SO THAT SPANS FALL 2025 THROUGH THE SUMMER AND THEN OUR PHASE 3 WILL BE THE REFINEMENT AND ADOPTION PHASE. WE HOPE TO GET INTO THAT NEXT FALL AND TRANSITION INTO ADOPTION.

THE NEXT SLIDES, LAST FALL WE DID A SERIES OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS. REPEAT AT THE END OF THIS MONTH WITH A FEW MODIFICATIONS, BUT FOUR DIFFERENT ENGAGEMENTS AND FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE A COUPLE SLIDES HERE THAT REALLY EMPHASIZE THE OUTREACH THAT'S BEEN DONE. SO OUR ENGAGEMENTS AT THE END OF THE MONTH WILL BE IN THE SAME LOCATIONS THAT THEY WERE BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR TO MAKE IT EASY ON FOLKS.

WE HAVE TWEAKED THE TIMES AND THE FORMAT A LITTLE BIT WHICH WH WE'LL GO OVER HERE IN A MOMENT. ON THE 23450EUD YOU CAN SEE NEXO DONE A LOT OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND A LOT OF DIRECT ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW STYLE OR CONVERSATIONAL STYLE OUTREACH AND DISCUSSION WITH VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

ON THE NEXT SLIDE YOU CAN SEE -- GO BACK -- AS WE KIND OF MAP OUT EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND DIFFERENT ENTITIES, AGAIN THEY COVER A WIDE VARIETY OF INTEREST ACROSS THE COUNTY, A WIDE VARIETY OF LOCATIONS SO THAT WE'RE NOT JUST FOCUSING ALL OUR TIME ON THE EAST SIDE OR WEST SIDE OF 35.

WE'VE GOT A BROAD BASE OF REPRESENTATION INCLUDING OUR CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY AND MANY OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO WATER CONSERVATION OR DEDICATED TO HELPING THE COUNTY GROW, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE TRY TO CAST AS BROAD A NET AS POSSIBLE TO GET AS MUCH REPRESENTATION AND FEEDBACK AS POSSIBLE.

THESE MEETINGS REALLY STARTED LAST YEAR AND THEY HAVE CONTINUED UP INTO THE PRESENT. WE INVITE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TALK TO US TO SET UP A TIME. WE CAN MEET WITH THEM VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT

[00:10:03]

FOLLOWING TODAY, IF ANY ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WANT TO MEET WITH US INDIVIDUALLY TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT, WE'RE HAPPY TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT AS WELL. THE DRAFT WILL GO LIVE ON JULY 20TH. SOME OF THE THEMES THAT EMERGE FROM SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, WE CAN PUT THEM INTO A COUPLE DIFFERENT BUCKETS. ONE IS OPERATIONAL CONCERNS RELATED TO HOW WE PROCESS DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS, THE PROCESS THAT FOLKS GO THROUGH TO GET A PLOT APPROVED FOR GET CONSTRUCTION PLANS APPROVED, WHETHER THAT GOES TO THE COURT OR GOES THROUGH STAFF. SO HAD A COUPLE OF TWEAKS AND REFINEMENTS TO THAT WITH REGARD TO THINGS LIKE A MIDDLE CALENDAR, SPECIFIED DATES WHERE PEOPLE CAN SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND THEN FOLLOW THROUGH A DEFINED PROCESS OF WHEN YOU GO TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, WHEN YOU CAN EXPECT APPROVL.

THIRD PARTY REVIEWS, THE STATE DOES AUTHORIZE THOSE FOR THE COUNTY TO UTILIZE A THIRD PARTY TO REVIEW AND INSPECT INFRASTRUCTURE. SO HAVING THOSE TOOLS SO THAT STAFF IS NOT QUITE AS OVERWHELMED BY THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS AND PROCESSING HELPS WITH OUR COORDINATION.

AND AGAIN HELPS SET THOSE EXPECTATIONS FOR REVIEW TIME LINES. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POLICY AND TECHNICAL CONCERNS, WE'LL GET INTO SOME OF THIS ON THE FOLLOWING SLIDES, WHICH MAKING SURE THAT WATER AVAILABILITY CERTIFICATION IS MEANINGFUL AND ALSO THAT IT'S DOCUMENTED.

SO THAT THE COUNTY, THAT THE COURT CAN SEE THAT THE SUBDIVISIONS AND PLOTS THAT ARE BEING APPROVED DO HAVE WATER AVAILABILITY NOT JUST NOW BUT IN THE FUTURE.

MAKING SURE THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS ARE UTILIZED IN A WAY THAT'S BENEFICIAL TO BOTH PARTIES, BOTH THE DEVELOPER AND THE COUNTY. STRENGTHENING THE INCENTIVES FOR TOOLS LIKE CONSERVATION SUBDIVISIONS CAN ONLY GO SO FAR IN TERMS WHAT HAVE WE CAN MANDATE BASED ON LIMITATIONS OF STATE LAW. BUT WE WERE TO STRENGTHEN THE INCENTIVE TO UTILIZE TOOLS THAT CREATE BETTER OUTCOMES.

SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, KIND OF BUILDING ON THAT AND THINKING BACK TO THE 2025 DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WHICH IS THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE TO YOU AS A COURT, THERE WERE SEVERAL THEMES THAT EMERGE, KIND OF THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO TACKLE WITHIN THIS UPDATE.

SO AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION WE'LL STRUCTURE IT KIND OF THROUGH THIS CONTEXT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE RESPONDED TO EACH ONE OF THESE CONCERNS. THERE'S SIX ON THIS SLIDE, THERE'S FOUR ON THE NEXT SLIDE TO TEN TOTAL.

IF YOU CAN ADVANCE TWO SLIDES. AND AGAIN WE'RE LOOKING AT IT THROUGH THE LENS OF IMPROVING OUR PROCESSES AND COORDINATION WITH THE GOAL TO ADDRESS RECURRING FRUSTRATIONS, THINGS THAT HAVE HAMPERED THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OR RESULTED IN CONFLICTS, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE MAKING EXPECTATIONS CLEAR AND THAT WE'VE GOT THE END POINT IN MIND AND GIVING THE COUNTY TOOLS TO GET THE BEST RESULTS OUT OF DEVELOPMENT.

SO THE FIRST ONE, IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE... THE FIRST ONE REALLY HAS TO DO WITH HOW THE CODE IS ORGANIZED AND HOW THOSE TECHNICAL CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED SO YOU CAN SEE THE ORGANIZATION ON THAT LEFT HAND COLUMN. IT'S NOT DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CODE TODAY.

THERE'S BENEFITS TO THAT IN TERMS OF STAFF'S FAMILIARITY, THE DEVELOPER'S FAMILIARITY BUT WITHIN THAT WE'RE AGAIN ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE POLICY AND TECHNICAL CONCERNS, MAKING A STRONGER LINK BETWEEN PLOT APPROVAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE OBLIGATIONS SO WE'LL COVER THAT HERE IN A MOMENT.

AND ESPECIALLY BETTER COORDINATION WITH OUR OTHER REVIEWED ENTITIES SUCH AS THE GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, CITIES WITHIN THE ETJ, ALSO CARVING OUT A SEPARATE PATH FOR MINOR PLOTS AND THINGS THAT ARE LIMITED IN SCOPE THAT DON'T MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE COUNTY'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, KIND OF THE BIG TOPIC THAT HAS EMERGED THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS BOTH LAST YEAR AND THEN THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY AS IT'S KIND OF GROWN INTO A STATEWIDE ISSUE IN TERMS OF WATER AVAILABILITY IS HOW DO WE AGAIN ASSESS WHETHER THERE'S ADEQUATE WATER FOR SUBDIVISIONS OR IF THERE IS A STRAIN ON THE WATER CAPACITY, HOW WE CAN DOCUMENT THAT, HOW WE CAN REPORT THAT MOVING FORWARD. THESE REGULATIONS AND THE DRAFT CONTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS THAT CLASSIFY DIFFERENT WATER SERVICE PROVIDERS BASED ON THEIR ALLOCAD CAPACITY, TIES IT BACK TO THE REGIONAL WATER PLAN.

AND REQUIRES A CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING OF THE

[00:15:05]

AND AGAIN BEFORE FINAL PLAT IS RECORDED, BEFORE LOTS WILL CREATED AND BEFORE HOMES BEGIN TO BE SOLD, WE HAVE A TRUE ON THE GROUND PICTURE OF THE WATER AVAILABILITY WITHIN THAT AREA.

IT ALSO CLARIFIES THE ROLE OF THE GCD IN TERMS OF THE PLAT PROCESS, THAT THERE'S A REQUIREMENT THAT WITHIN THE PLATTING PROCESS THAT THE GCD HAS A CHANCE TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE COMMENT ON PLATS THAT ARE GOING TO CREATE A STRAIN ON THE WATER SUPPLY. EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT TRYING TIEG INTO A CENTRALIZED WATER PROVIDER, THERE'S SOME LOOPHOLES THAT THE LANGUAGE SHOULD HELP TO CLOSE WITH REGARD TO GROUNDWATE.

THAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO GO TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. IT'S NOT REQUIRED TO GO TO THE COUNTY SO IF YOU DO A GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT AND YOU'RE DOING A WATER WELL TO SERVE A LOT THAT'S CREATED, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO DO THAT GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT BUT THE LOOPHOLE THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IS THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO GIVE THAT TO THE COUNTY.

YOU CAN SAY, WELL, I'VE GIVEN IT TO TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD SO WITHIN THE DRAFT LANGUAGE, THERE'S A REQUIREMENT TO DOCUMENT THAT YOU'VE ACTUALLY DONE THAT.

SO THAT THE COUNTY, IF NEEDED, CAN FIND THOSE RECORDS WITH TCQ.

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT BUT IT'S AN EASY MOMENT.

INSTEAD OF THAT APPROACH, WHAT IF WE ASKED THEM TO SUBMIT IT TO US? INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO LOOK FOR IT? CAN YOU MAKE THAT TWEAK?

>> WE CAN MAKE THAT TWEAK AND I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE BUT THERE IS LANGUAGE IN THERE AT LEAST ENCOURAGING THAT TO BE GIVEN TO THE COUNTY BUT WE CAN TWEAK THAT FURTHER TO SAY THAT THE COUNTY WANTS A COPY OF THAT AND DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO TCEQ.

>> BECAUSE INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO LOOK FOR IT, WE CAN SAY PLEASE PROVIDE US THE FOLLOWING AND I'VE HEARD ALL THE BELLYACHING WE CAN'T AMEND DERBY GET IT BUT STILL PROVIDE IT.

ASK FOR IT. ,.

>> AS THE STATUTE IS WRITTEN THE ONLY TIME WE CAN DEMAND OR REQUEST IT IS WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT A VARIANCE TO IS THAT INDIVIDUAL ITEM FOR GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY, BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER, WE AS A COURT PASSED A RESOLUTION LAST YEAR STATING THAT WE WOULD NEVER LOOK AT A VARIANCE FOR THOSE PROVISIONS SO THAT'S THE REASON, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE IT TO US BUT I AGREE WITH THE JUDGE, I THINK ASKING FOR IT IS NEVER A HARD THING TO DO AND WE CAN DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY DECIDE TO DO IT. IF THEY SAY NO, THEN I GUESS WE GO GET IT BUT IT ALSO SENDS A SIGNAL TO US AS FAR AS WHERE THEY WANT TO WORK OR NOT WORK WITH THE COUNTY.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT TOO. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULDN'T WANT TO PROVIDE A COPY TO THE COUNTY.

I KNOW THEY DON'T. >> I'M GOING TO ASK CHASE TO

CHIME? >> CHASE YOUNG -- DISTRICT TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY [INDISCERNIBLE] 232.01 SUBSECTION H PUTS LIMITATIONS ON WHAT SORT OF STUDIES WE CAN DIRECTLY REQUIRE FROM THEM AND SO THAT'S WHERE KIND OF THE IMPULSE TO TRY NOT TO GRAB IT AND MAKE IT A MANDATORY

REQUIREMENT FROM THEM SO -- >> I THINK I WAS CLEAR WITH NOT REQUIRING, AM I RIGHT? NOT REQUIRING.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT REQUESTING, CHRONIC BEATING DRUM, I'M WELL

AWARE, THANK YOU, DELAYS. >> WE CHASE.

>> WE CAN PUT LANGUAGE IN THERE REQUESTING A COPY AT THE TIME IT'S CREATED. SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, KIND OF ALLUDED TO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES SO I WON'T BELABOR THE POINT BUT WITHIN THE LANGUAGE THERE IS ESTABLISHED A CALENDAR, STATE LAW DOES ALLOW YOU TO DO THAT.

THAT HAS A NUMBER OF BENEFITS INCLUDING KIND OF ENHANCED EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT OF HERE IS THE COURT DATE THAT YOU'LL ULTIMATELY END UP ON, THAT REALLY HELPS STAFF AND THE DEVELOPER-APPLICANT PLAN FOR THE PROCESS.

[00:20:02]

IT HELPS THE COUNTY STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SHOCK AND HELPS PROVIDE SHOT CLOCK AND PROVIDES A PLAN FOR APPROVAL RATHER THAN HAVING TO FIGURE THAT OUT AS WE GO ALONG.

SO ON THE NEXT SLIDES, WE ALREADY MENTIONED VARIANCES, WAIVERS. DESIGNED OF LOOKING AT THAT MORE BROADLY, SETTING UP SOME CRITERIA FOR VARIANCES.

AND WHAT THE FINDINGS ARE THAT WOULD GUIDE THOSE DECISIONS, THE IDEA IS NOT TO UNNECESSARILY LIMIT VARIANCES BUT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DOCUMENTED AND JUSTIFIED ACCORDING TO OBJECTIVE CRITERIA AND IMPROVES THAT DISTINCTION BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, AN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND MORE OF A POLICY TYPE VARIANCE AND THEN STRENGTHENS THAT RECORDKEEPING.

SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE... A COUPLE RELATED TO OUR PLATTING AND SUBDIVISION STANDARDS SO THE CREATION OF NEW LOTS, NEW STREETS AND BLOCKS. I MENTIONED ADDING A MINOR PLAT FOR SUBDIVISIONS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S IDENTIFIED AND CARVED OUT WITHIN STATE LAW AND THIS HAS A NUMBER OF BENEFITS, IT NOT ONLY KIND OF REDUCES THE LOAD ON THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF PROCESSING APPLICATIONS THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT BUT IF YOU HAVE A SMALLER SUBDIVISION, WE MIGHT CALL THEM A MOM AND POP TYPE SUBDIVISION WHERE YOU'RE ONLY CREATING A FEW LOTS ON AN EXISTING ROAD, IT'S NOT RESULTING IN THE EXTENSION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT THERE'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE PATH THAT YOU CAN PURSUE FOR APPROVAL.

THIS ALSO ALLOWS US TO INCENTIVIZE CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE LOW IMPACT, LARGER LOT TYPE DEVELOPMENTS THAT DON'T PUT A BIG STRAIN ON INFRASTRUCTURE. FLAG LOTS WAS EMPHASIZED AS AN ISSUE THAT'S COME UP SEVERAL TIMES.

THERE'S LACK OF DEFINITION AROUND FLAG LOTS, WHAT THEY ARE, WHAT THE DOWN SIDES ARE TO FLAG LOTS SO WE'VE INCLUDED A LOT OF LANGUAGE IN THERE, DEFINING WHAT WE CONSIDER FLAG LOTS TO BE AND HOW THEY FUNCTION. AND THAT'S SORT OF BUILT INTO THE LARGER PROPERTY ACCESS SECTION, SO YOU'LL SEE THAT ALSO WITH SHARED ACCESS ROADS AND SHARED ACCESS EASEMENTS AND HOW THEY FUNCTION ALONG WITH PRIVATE ROADS.

CLARIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RECORDING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

THAT'S REALLY ONE OF THE STRONGEST TOOLS THAT YOU HAVE THAT IS OFTEN THE MOST UNDERUTILIZED BY COUNTIES AND CITIES, IS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL WHEN A PLAT IS RECORDED AND SET IT UP SO THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS COMPLETED, IT'S INSPECTED, IT'S ACCEPTED BEFORE THE PLAT IS RECORDED.

THERE IS STILL A LOT OF LANGUAGE IN THERE WITH FINANCIAL SECURITY AND BONDS BUT ONE OF THE STRONGEST THINGS YOU HAVE IS WHEN THAT PLAT ACTUALLY GETS RECORDED AND LOTS CAN BE SOLD SO MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S WELL CALIBRATED TO INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE. I'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE ON CONDOMINIUM PLATS. THIS IS A GROWING ISSUE.

SOME OF YOUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES ARE PERHAPS EVENING THIS EVEN MORE, BUT BUILDING ON SOME OF THOSE STRENGTHENS REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBDIVISIONS. THERE IS SOME MISINFORMATION OUT THERE BUT WHETHER A PLAT CAN BE REQUIRED BY A COUNTY FOR A CONDOMINIUM SUBDIVISION. THE PROPERTY CODE DOES ALLOW YOU TO REQUIRE A PLAT. I THINK THE EXACT LANGUAGE IS "THIS DOES NOT SUPERSEDE ANY REQUIREMENTS TO PLAT".

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD GET INTO KIND OF THE NITTY-GRITTY OF HOW THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS ARE SPLIT UP AND HOW THE ASSOCIATION DOCUMENTS ARE WRITTEN.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DO THAT. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN SHARED ELEMENTS ARE CREATED WITHIN A CONDO SUB CONVICTION, THERE'S A MECHANISM SET UP FOR OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF THOSE SHARED AREAS THAT ARE PRIVATE.

THEY'RE NOT BEING GIVEN TO THE COUNTY BUT THEY'RE NOT OWNED BY INDIVIDUAL CONDO OWNERS. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RETENTION PONDS AND DRAINAGE. THIS ENSURES THAT THE COUNTY IS AWARE THAT A CONDO REGIME IS BEING CREATED, THAT THERE'S DOCUMENTATION THAT'S BEING CREATED SO THE COUNTY IS NOT PUT IN A POSITION WHERE IT'S BEING ASKED TO MAINTAIN THOSE.

>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD TO THAT IS ENSURING THAT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS BUILT TO COUNTY STANDARDS.

[00:25:03]

BUILT TO OUR STANDARD. >> AND TYING IT TO THE PLAT PROCESS ALLOWS THAT TO BE ASSESS ASSESSED --

>> AND THEN THEY COME TO COURT TO ASK US TO MAINTAIN IT, TO TAKE THOSE IN. I WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION ON THE MINOR PLAT, SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL POSSIBLY. ARE WE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF LOTS THAT ARE CREATED FOR THAT -- MINOR PLOTS?

>> IT WOULD BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN 4 LOTS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY MINOR PLATS, ARE THEY MINING FOR PRECIOUS METALS? YOU'VE GOT PARENTS TRYING TO GIVE THEIR KIDS 5 ACRES OUT OF THEIR 20 ACRES. LEAST IT MEETS OUR STANDARDS, HAVING TO BRING THOSE TO COURT OVER TIME, IT -- WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH THESE LARGER SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE SO MUCH MORE INTRICATE, HAVING JUST MEMBERS OF OUR GENERAL PUBLIC HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT ENTIRE PROCESS IS PROBLEMATIC.

>> AND WE'VE HAD SEVERAL OF THOSE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

>> I'M GOING TO TURN IT TO -- UNLESS THERE'S ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. JOHN WILL GO THROUGH SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL INFRATRUCTURE PIECES.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

IF WE COULD ADVANCE TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

GREAT SEGUE TO THIS PART OF THE PRESENTATION.

SO IF WE HAVE A GATED COMMUNITY AND A PRIVATE STREET, IT STILL HAS TO BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO THE COUNTERPART STANDARDS. SO THE REG SET UP THE REQUIRE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGN CRITERIA AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS INSPECTED, THE CERTIFICATIONS ARE PROVIDED AND ON THE BACK END THERE'S NOT ANY SURPRISES ON THE ACCEPTANCE.

BUT OFTEN A DEVELOPER WILL COME IN AND THEY HAVE THIS EXPECTATION, OH, I MET EVERYTHING.

YOU GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION IS THERE AND WHAT'S IN THE PLANS AND SPECS IS

ACTUALLY BUILT. >> I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE WORK YOU'VE DONE SO FAR, I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE AWARDED YOU THIS CONTRACT SO THIS IS NOT A SNUB ON ANYTHING YOU'RE DOING.

BUT I HATE GOT 'YA GOVERNMENT AT ANY LEVEL AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE ROAD MAP AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I REITERATE IT FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, TO SAY HERE IS YOUR CHECKLIST, HERE IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AT THIS STAGE, AT THAT STAGE SO THEY HAVE A REALISTIC ROAD MAP OF START TO FINISH, BECAUSE GIVING THE COMMUNITY THAT THROUGH YOUR WORK IS PRICELESS.

IT DIMINISHES SO MUCH FRUSTRATION AND IT GIVES US ALL A GOOD HEADS-UP OF WHAT'S IN STORE SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> SOMETIME IT'S KIND OF A PARADIGM SHIFT.

WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE CODE AND BE CONSERVE ANT IN THE LANGUAGE AND DEVELOPMENT AND THEY'RE NOT.

I'M HUMBLE, YOU KNOW, I LEARN A LOT FROM LISTENING TO DEVELOPERS. THERE'S A LOT WE CAN ALL LEARN IN THE PROCESS TO MAKE IT BETTER.

SO THE STAKEHOLDERS, OUTREACH I FEEL.

AND I THINK WE HAVE BROAD CONSENSUS ON A LOT OF THE TOPICS. SO WE HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR -- IN THE PLATTING PROCESS, WHERE DOES THE ACCESS NEED TO BE, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE CONTINUITY TO ADJOINING SUBDIVISIONS. FOR LARGER DEVELOPMENT IT'S GOING TO GENERATE A LOT OF TRAFFIC, MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS CONDUCTED AND THE FAIRNESS OF THE PROCESS. A COUNTY CAN ONLY EXACT WHAT IS PROPORTIONAL AND FAIR. THE OVERRIDING THEME IS PROMOTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WELL.

WE TALK ABOUT THE GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY, IS IT SUSTAINABLE, IS IT A FIRM SUPPLY? THAT'S GROUNDED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WELFARE ASPECT TO WE HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE ELEMENTS IN PLATTING BUT THEN WE GET TO THE CONSTRUCTION PLANS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE PROOF COMES INTO PLAY.

>> AND I HOPE, TO YOUR SPECIFIC STATEMENT REGARDING THEIR PORTION OF AN IMPROVEMENT, IFL K IT WAS THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBLE VENUE ON [INDISCERNIBLE] ROAD,

[00:30:03]

SAY A DEVELOPMENT OF ANY TYPE, A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COMES IN AND WE FIND THAT THERE WILL BE 80% OF THE ACCESS WHERE THE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED ON AN INTERSECTION NEAR THEM WILL BE PURSUANT TO THEM.

IF WE ASSESS THEM FOR THAT AND THEY GIVE US THAT, THEN THERE'S AN EXPECTATION THAT THAT DEVELOPMENT OR THAT NEW ENHANCEMENT WILL BE DONE. SO THAT OTHER 20% IS ON US AND WE HAVE TO BE WILLING AND READY TO DO THAT.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD USE OF OUR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO BE AWARE THAT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE NEEDED EVENTUALLY. WE JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SET A TIME LINE ON THOSE IMPROVEMENTS AND SAY YES, WE'LL STEP UP WITH THE OTHER PORTION. BUT I THINK IT'S A GREAT TOOL THAT WE NEVER HAD IN OUR TOOLBOX TO TRY TO GET SOME FUNDING OUT OF THESE DEVELOPERS WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THAT ASSESSMENT ABILITY THAT MUNICIPALITIES OR THE STATE HAVE.

>> THE OTHER THING THAT SOMETIMES MAKES IT DIFFICULT, THE DEVELOPER WILL HAVE AN ESTIMATION ON BUILDOUT ON THE MARKET CHANGES. SO WE NEED TO ALSO HAVE FLEXIBILITY BUT YOU ABSOLUTELY WANT TO LOCK IN THOSE COSTS AND KNOW SO YOU CAN PLAN APPROPRIATELY.

>> SINCE YOU TOOK THAT PAUSE I WANT TO DIMINISH AS MANY INTERRUPTIONS AS POSSIBLE. BUT THE SPIRIT IN MY SEAT, THE COUNTY WIDE LENS -- BECAUSE I SEE ALL THE CITIES, I SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT ANGLES AND PEOPLE REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE WHRCH THEY'RE WHENEVER THEY'RE FRUSTRATED, AT THEIR WHIT'S END SO I'M COMBING TO YOU THROUGH THAT LENS.

IF YOU GUYS CAN -- AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT EVERYTHING IS BEING RECORDED SO WE DON'T HAVE TO FORGET.

IF YOU GUYS CAN MAKE, IN SUMMARY, THE SPIRIT OF THIS DOCUMENT BE ONE WHERE SOMEONE FROM WHEREVER YOU WANT ON THE MAP, THEY CAN LOOK AT IT, THEY CAN FOLLOW IT AND THEY HAVE CLEAR, CONCISE EXPECTATIONS, AND LEAVE OUT INTERPRETATION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FROM STAFF OR FROM AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN WE GET INTO TROUBLE AND WE ARE BEING ARBITRARY AND WE'RE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S WHEN I GET THE CALLS, THAT'S THE GOT YOU GOVERNMENT I'M REFERRING TO. SO THE MORE YOU CAN CONCRETE AND CEMENT COLORS OWN A ROADWAY KIND OF VISUAL, THIS IS THE PLAN, THIS IS THE EXPECTATION, THESE ARE THE GOALS AND THEY WON'T NEED TO BE INTERPRETED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, OUR COMMUNITY WILL

BE BETTER SERVED FOR IT. >> SURE, YEAH.

I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD HEAR BACK FROM THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY. THEY WANT PREDICTABILITY.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE ROAD MAP IS AND AS LONG AS THEY CAN FOLLOW THAT ROAD MAP AND SUCCESSFULLY GET TO THE END WITH AN APPROVED PROJECT IT'S GOING TO GO WELL.

SO I THINK THAT'S A GREAT OVERRIDING SPIRIT.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT, COUNTY WANTS TO PROMOTE WHERE YOU CAN PUT MORE INTENSE DEVELOPMENT IN, WHERE GROUNDWATER IS AVAILABLE OR A PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY IS AVAILABLE OR YOU'RE NOT OVER THE RECHARGE ZONE NECESSARILY.

YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT IN A PREFERRED DEVELOPMENT AREA.

THERE ARE OTHER AREAS WHERE CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT JUST MAKES SENSE. WELL, THERE ARE CERTAIN METRICS THAT HAVE TO BE MET. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD AS WELL IS WE WANT A MORE PREDICTABLE PATH.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DESIGN A CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT, WHAT CAN WE SEE THAT THE COUNTY WILL ENCOURAGE BY RIGHT FOR DEVELOPMENT. SO MAKING SURE WE HIT AT LEAST 50% OF THE OPEN SPACE BEING TRUE CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT WITH A PERMANENT RESERVE, THAT IT'S GOOD QUALITY, ECOLOGICALLY BENEFICIAL LAND THAT'S BEING DONATED.

NOT DOUBLE DIPPING, IF THAT'S AN AREA THAT'S ALREADY SET ASIDE.

YOU CAN GET SECOND CREDIT FOR THAT.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR ENHANCING AND ADDING TO CONSERVATION SPACE.

>> AND WHILE WE'RE HERE -- I'M SORRY TO DO THIS TO YOU -- I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND THIS IS LITERALLY THE TIME TO REITERATE IT. WHEN YOU'RE ALL DONE HAVING A COUNTY WIDE MAP THAT SHOWS THE ZONES OF THE THING YOU JUST DESCRIBED. SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW, WANTING TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY, I WANT TO BUILD X, WELL, IF YOU DO IT HERE, WE COULD SUPPORT IT, IF YOU DO IT HERE WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES, IF YOU DO IT HERE YOU'RE GOING TO GET PITCHFORKS, YOU KNOW, AND JUST GIVE THAT APPLICABILITY AND THE CAUTIONARY TALE OF AVAILABILITY OF ITEMS AND RESOURCES TO THE PEOPLE TRYING TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE A SLIDE COMING UP ON DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS AND

[00:35:01]

THAT'S A GREAT TOOL. >> THE PITCHFORKS, GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT THE WHOLE LIKE WESTERN HALF OF THE COUNTY, HUMBER

VALLEY INCLUDED. >> GIVE PEOPLE THE HEADS-UP THAT DON'T KNOW OUR COUNTY, YOU KNOW. YOU WANT TO DO WHAT, OVER THE -- AND WE'RE TALKING -- YEAH, YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF THING.

>> SURE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO ONE OF THE COMMENTS WE HEARD WAS WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN ARE THE FEES DUE AND IF WE'RE PAYING THIS FEE, WHAT ARE WE GETTING BASICALLY? SO WE'VE -- THERE'S A SECTION ON THE FEE TYPES AND PERMANENT TYPES AND IT SHOWS EXACTLY YOU KNOW, THIS IS FOR INSPECTION SERVICES, THIS IS FOR THE REVIEW SO JUST MAKING THAT CLEARER. ALSO AS DAVID MENTIONED THE ABILITY TO GO OUT THROUGH THIRD PARTY AND AS THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED HAVING THAT ABILITY, IT CAN SPEED THINGS UP OR MAYBE JUST HAVING THAT RESOURCE THAT STAFF MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME OR THEY WANT ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE IN REVIEW.

YOU CAN GO OUT FOR A THIRD PARTY REVIEW.

>> DID YOU TAKE THE FEES AND COMPARE THEM WITH COMPARABLE COUNTIES OR HOW DID YOU COME TO -- I SEE A NODDING OVER THERE SO I'M GOING TO SAY IT'S PROBABLY -- THAT WAS THE ANSWER.

>> NOT EVERY COUNTY HAS THAT INCORPORATED INTO THEIR FEE SCHEDULE. IT'S A RELATIVELY NEW CHANGE IN STATE LAW, BUT WE DID COMPARE IT TO -- I KNOW A COUPLE COUNTIES IN NORTH TEXAS HAVE DONE IT SO WE DID DO A QUICK SURVEY OF THE COUNTIES THAT HAD DONE IT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE IN THE CORRECT RANGE, BUT THE BENEFIT TO IT IS ONCE YOU PUT IT IN YOUR FEE SCHEDULE, YOU'RE ABLE TO BASICALLY GET REIMBURSED AT COST. SO IT'S NOT NECESSARY -- YOU CAN DO A FIXED FEE BUT REALLY IT'S MORE BENEFICIAL WITH THE WAY INFLATION HAS BEEN THAT YOU REIMBURSE THE ACTUAL COST OF DOING THAT REVIEW OR THAT INSPECTION THAT ARE PASSED

THROUGH FROM THE THIRD PARTY. >> IT'S VERY SIMILAR FOR LIKE SAY THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS OR CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS WHEN THEY LOOK AT THEIR ENGINEERS FEES, THERE'S AN AGREEMENT WITH THE DEVELOPER THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR WHATEVER FEES ARE INCURRED IN THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THAT PROCESS AND THEY'RE GIVEN A RANGE OF WHAT THOSE COSTS ARE SO THINK UNDERSTAND THEM MORE

CLEARLY. >> THE COMMISSIONER, SOME COUNTIES USE A TOOL THAT THE THIRD PARTY ENGINEER GENERATES A LEVEL OF EFFORT, THAT'S PROVIDED THAT THE APPLICANT, THEY'RE LIKE YES, I AGREE TO THAT, IT CAN BEING ON A TIME AND MATERIALS BASIS, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T WANT AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF VIEWS, HEY, WE WANT PREDICTABILITY, WE WANT TO GET TO APPROVAL ON ONE OR TWO REVIEWS. SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT DIDN'T CHANGE, THE PRE-APPLICATION MEETING, PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING, THE BONDING, BOTH ON PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE BONDS, THAT'S ALL STILL IN THERE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT, SO ANOTHER THING THAT REMAINED THE SAME, THE FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDER.

THAT IS REVIEWED BY THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

THEY ARE THE NFIP NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM ENABLING BODY IN THE STATE OF TEXT AND IT'S IMPORTANT TEXAS.

THERE ARE SOME HIGHER STANDARDS ALSO IN THE FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GETTING THE INTERNAL ARTICLE REFERENCES AND CORRECTING SOME TYPOS, THAT IS EXACTLY THE SAME. ONE THING THAT DID CHANGE, WE'VE TAKEN THE STANDARD DOWN ON THE HUNDRED-YEAR EVENT, THAT 1% RECURRENCE FOR 10 ACRES OR GREATER.

SO THERE'S SOME CONCERN, WE TALKED TO A WIDE RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS, SOME AS THE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED, MAYBE YOU JUST WANT TO CONVEY PROPERTY WITHIN THE FAMILY OR SELL OFF THREE LOTS. THERE ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA SETS, FOR INSTANCE THE FIMA FLOOD, A BASE FLOOD ELEVATION VIEWER, PUBLIC DOMAIN DATA THAT YOU CAN DEFINE THE HUNDRED YEAR [INDISCERNIBLE] ON THE PROPERTY. SO WE JUST WANT THAT WHEN YOU'RE CONVEYING PROPERTY TO KNOW THAT INCUMBERS OR IS INHERENT TO THE PROPERTY. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME DUE DILIGENCE AT THAT LEVEL AND WE LOOKED AT BASELINES IN OTHER COUNTIES. THIS IS A STANDARD [INDISCERNIBLE] COUNTY IS FOLLOWING SO YOU'RE IN PAR, IN LINE WITH WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE LOOKING AT.

WE ALSO HAVE DEFINED -- YOU KNOW KNOW, IMPACT AND LOOKING AT IT THROUGH THE RANGE OF STORM EVENTS FROM THE TWO OR YEAR EVENT AND IT ALSO -- THE SUB REGS DOVETAIL WITH THE DRAINAGE CRITERIA MANUAL. NEXT SLIDE.

ALL RIGHT, SO ON THE PROVISION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE, SPECIFICALLY WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, IT CAN BE CENTRALIZED OR DECENTRALIZED. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CENTRALIZED THAT'S A PUBLIC SYSTEM. ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE COUNTY WE DON'T HAVE AS WIDESPREAD PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE THE ABILITY TO WHEEL WATER THROUGH PIPES OR CONVEY WASTEWATER BACK

[00:40:01]

SO THERE WAS SOME INTEREST, WELL, HOW DOES HAYS COUNTY COMPARE TO THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES? BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER, IF YOU HAD CENTRALIZED WATER AND WASTEWATER, YOU COULD HAVE A SMALLER LOT SUBDIVISION BUT IF YOU'RE OVER THE RECHARGE ZONE AND YOU'RE RELYING ONLY OWN A PRIVATE WELL YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SIX ACRES.

BUT LOOKING AT NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, THAT IS THE RIGHT NUMBER. THAT'S THE COUNTY'S SPOT TO GET

THAT ACREAGE. >> AND I WOULD SAY THAT THE PROCESS THAT WE'VE USED FROM NOW OVER A DECADE IS IMMENSELY MORE DEFENSIBLE UNDER STATUTE THAN WHAT THE OTHER COUNTIES ARE CURRENTLY DOING. I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COUNTIES IN THE STATE THAT HAVE SET THAT MINIMUM LOT SIZE FOR EVERYTHING. AND IN DOING SO, THEY ARE -- THAT I BELIEVE WILL BE STRUCK DOWN THIS YEAR AND IT WILL BE A

TOPIC OF CONVERSATION. >> WE MET WITH CHASE AND MICHAEL AND WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME CASE LAW ALSO RELATED TO THE PRIMARY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA IN THE WESTERN PART 69 COUNTY.

OF THE COUNTY. SOME OF THE TEETH YOU MAY BE ABLE TO EXTEND TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY, SO AGAIN IT'S JUST -- WE'RE NOT PICKING AND CHOOSING, WE'RE SAYING THIS IS A CONSISTENT STANDARD ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER PLACE WHERE YOUR MAP -- SORRY COMMISSION -- YOUR MAP CAN SAY THESE COLOURED ZONES OR SPOTS REQUIRE THESE -- THESE REQUIRE THESE, JUST FOR AN EASY VISUAL FOR A FIFTH GRADER TO SEE THAT ILLUSTRATION AND UNDERSTAND THE ROAD MAP.

>> YEAH, SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE CURRENTLY [INDISCERNIBLE] SO YOU'RE SAYING TO CREATE -- OR TO MAKE THAT CONSISTENT WITHIN THE ENTIRE COUNTY BUT I MEAN, I THINK INCREASING THE PIGMA IS WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR, FROM GREATER THAN 6 ACRES.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY --

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH THE SUB.

>> REG:. >> REG: REGS

>> REG: WE CANNOT LOOK AT A HIGH DENSITY OF PRO LIVATION OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS. IS A NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM GOOD, YES IT WOULD BE FUNCTIONAL BUT OVER TIME IT WILL REQUIRE MAINTENANCE, IT WILL NOT PERFORM OPTIMALLY SO WE NEED TO LOOK LONG TERM. AND OVERRIDING THEME IN THE REGS IS WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE.

THAT HAS TO BE DEFINED VERY CLEARLY.

>> SO HE YOU'RE LOOKING AT A ONE ACRE LOT MINIMUM FOR THE EAST

SIDE. >> IF THEY HAVE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY, YEAH. THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD LOOK, IF WE COULD CHANGE THE STANDARDS ON THE EAST SIDE.

AGAIN I GUESS CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE COUNTY, IF WE'RE ABLE TO EXTEND SOME BENEFITS FOR PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE, MAYBE WE CAN LOOK AT MORE IMPACTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY ALSO. GREAT, NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

>> WE'RE JUST HAPPY TO LET YOU DO WHATEVER.

ONE, SORRY. AND ALSO IN YOUR OSF ORDER THERE'S A TABLE THAT DEFINES THE RANGE THAT WAS --

>> ND JUST SO YOU DON'T LOSE THE VIEWING PUBLIC, WHEN YOU USE LETTERS WILL YOU KEEP THE LETTERS --

>> I APOLOGIZE, YEAH. ON SITE SEWAGE FACILITY.

I'VE BEEN THROWING OUT A LOT OF ACRONYMS, I APOLOGIZE.

>> I JUST DON'T WANT THE VIEWING PUBLIC, THAT IS INTERESTED BUT DOESN'T HAVE THE JORGE AN DOWN, TO JARRING AN DOWN

AND BE LOST. >> AND SOMETIMES IN THE TRANSCRIPTION IT DOESN'T COME OUT AS THE RIGHT ACRONYM.

THE LAST TARGET AREA RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT -- WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S EARLY AND AN INTERGRATED PROCESS AND ALSO I GUESS THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PROCESS DOVETAILS WITH THIS.

IT IS NOT A PROCESS TO RELIEVE A DEVELOPER FROM STANDARDS.

IT'S OKAY, IN CONSIDERATION OF SAY CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE AND VIABILITY OF DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE TALKED TO STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS,

[00:45:04]

WE WANT TO INCENTIVIZE THAT. TO DO THAT THERE HAS TO BE -- THERE HAVE TO BE PERFORMANCE METRICS.

SO THE BEST OPTION WOULD BE SOMETHING THE TCQ WOULD PERMIT.

MAYBE IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY FIT UNDER ARE THE REGS.

WELL, YOU CAN USE THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PROCESS.

GREAT, WE WANT AN ENGINEER TO DESIGN IT, IT HAS TO BE INSPECTED, HERE IS THE FISCAL SURETY, HERE IS THE LONG PERFORMANCE AND TURN IN YOUR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE REPORTS.

YOU CAN PAPER THAT UP IN A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

SO I THINK THAT TAKES US TO [INDISCERNIBLE] --

>> THANK YOU, JOHN. APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION AND THE QUESTIONS. SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE ALREADY ALLUDED TO KIND OF LANDING THE PLANE HERE.

WE'VE GOT THE DRAFT THAT WE WANT TO PUBLISH ON JULY 20TH ON THE WEBSITE AS MICHAEL MENTIONED. WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT DONE YET.

BUT WE ARE MOVING INTO A NEW MILESTONE OF THE PROJECT, WHERE THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE FULL DRAFT TO MAKE COMMENTS AND TO ASK QUESTIONS.

WE'RE INVITE BEING THE PUBLIC OUT AGAIN TO A SERIES OF OPEN HOUSES AT THE END OF THE MONTH, BUT AGAIN THE WEBSITE IS THERE TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY, TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO VIEW THE FULL DRAFT REGS. WE WANT TO DO THAT THROUGH THE END OF THE SUMMER. WE'RE NOT REALLY LOOKING AT TALKING ADOPTION OR ANY FINAL DECISIONS UNTIL EARLY FALL.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE TIME LINE, WE'LL BE GOING THROUGH SEPTEMBER TO DO THAT PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD.

WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU WITH REVISIONS BASED ON THAT PUBLIC COMMENT, BASED ON WHAT WE HEAR BOTH FROM YOU AND FROM THE PUBLIC DURING THAT PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD.

AND THEN WE WILL PRESENT THOSE FINDINGS AND ANY POSSIBLE CHANGES BEFORE WE THEN COME AND ASK FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

WE KNOW WE'RE ALSO RUNNING HEADLONG INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WILL START BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

NO SPECIAL SESSIONS CALLED RIGHT NOW.

WE KIND OF HOPE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

BUT IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT DOES HAPPEN, THEN WE'LL BE PREPARED TO PIVOT, TO INCORPORATE ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO THERE, WE'LL BE KEEPING OUR EYE ON THAT.

BUT THE TAKEAWAY FROM TODAY IS THE DRAFT WE THINK INCORPORATES A LOT OF BENEFICIAL CHANGES AS WE'VE OUTLINED.

ONE THING WE DIDN'T COVER BUT THAT I WANTED TO TOUCH ON THAT THE JUDGE MENTIONS IS MAKING SURE THAT THIS IS A DOCUMENT THAT'S ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE WHO WILL NEED TO USE IT.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME AND FILE A PLAT CAN READ THROUGH IT, NOT HAVE TO HIRE AN INTERPRETER OR A LAWYER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING SAID. THAT STARTS WITH THE DEFINITION SECTION SO WE'VE MADE THAT MORE ROBUST.

WE'VE INCORPORATED NEW DEFINITIONS FOR TERMS THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME COMMONLY REFER TO THROUGH ACRONYMS SO THAT FOLKS CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AN ETJ, WHAT IS AN OSSF AND AS THEY'RE NAVIGATING THE DOCUMENT THEY CAN CLICK ON THE TERM AND IT WILL TAKE THEM DIRECTLY TO THAT DEFINITION, SO THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF GUESSING OR INTERPRETATION.

SO ON THE NEXT SLIDES, AND WE CAN CLOSE WITH THIS, JULY 28TH AND 29TH, ANYBODY CAN COME TO ANY OF THESE.

WE'VE SET THESE UP SO THERE'S ONE IN EACH PRECINCT, BUT ANYONE IS WELCOME TO COME TO ANY OF THESE THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

THEY ALL START AT 6 P.M. WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE AN ENDING TIME THERE. WE WOULD PROBABLY GO ABOUT TWO HOURS TO 6 TO 8 BUT REALLY HOPING TO CAPTURE A TIME THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING WHO ARE PARENTS, THAT THEY CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND TALK WITH US, DISCUSS WITH THEM FACE TO FACE, THERE WILL BE INFORMATIONAL BOARDS, MAPS, AS YOU MENTIONED. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A MAP THAT ALIGNS WITH SOME OF THOSE KIND OF PREFERRED DEVELOPMENT AREAS AS MENTIONED. AND YOU KNOW, ALIGNS WITH OUR RECHARGE OTHER THAN SO THAT WE ARE IDENTIFYING HERE THE MORE SENSITIVE AREAS WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS MORE DIFFICULT, HERE ARE THE AREAS WHERE YOU MAY HAVE FEWER CHALLENGES.

>> SORRY TO CHIME IN ON THAT EXPANSION POTENTIAL WHILE THE CAMERA GETS UPDATED, ALMOST LIKD ZONING COMMISSIONER FOR A LOT OF YEARS, SO ALMOST LIKE A ZONING OF SORTS.

WE DON'T HAVE ZONING [INDISCERNIBLE] BUT TO SAY THIS PURPLE AREA IS SECTION K AND YOU HAVE THESE IDEAS OF WHAT YOU WANT TO BUILD BUT THESE ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT REPRESENT THAT FOOTPRINT. AND THAT WAY IT WILL BE A QUICKER REFERENCE POINT FOR PEOPLE.

>> RIGHT. >> SO GREAT MOVE.

>> YES, SIR. THAT'S MY CUE TO WRAP UP.

[00:50:02]

>> PURPLE HAZE, SUNRISE -- >> I KNOW YOU HAVE COMMENTS, GO

AHEAD. >> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GOING INTO AND GETTING THESE SCHEDULED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY GRAPHIC TO POST ON SOCIALS.

I DON'T KNOW IF NOW WE HAVE -- YOU'VE RECEIVED ANYTHING YOU'LL BE POSTING FOR THE OPEN HOUSES? NO?

OKAY. >> WE'RE WORKING WITH STAFF TO HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA POST THAT WE CAN SHARE LIKE WE DID BACK IN

SEPTEMBER. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

THE SOONER THE BETTER, BECAUSE I KNOW MY COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY WILL SHOW UP IF THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT NOTICE.

>> IF THEY HAVE TWO HOURS NOTICE IN WAIVERLY.

>> I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO SHOW UP TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS BEFOREHAND. IS IT OKAY -- CAN WE GO INTO

COMMENT PERIOD? >> ALL YOURS.

YOU'RE FIRST. >> SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT I WANTED TO ADD IN THERE, TWO THAT I KNOW OF AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER SMITH HAS SOME AS WELL.

BUT THE DRIFTWOOD HISTORICAL CONSERVATION SOCIETY I THINK IS A REALLY GREAT ADDITION. THEY DON'T HAVE CITY OFFICIALS OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE TO B. THE CITY OF WOOD CREEK ALSO WAS NOT MENTIONED SO I WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE BROUGHT IN AND SAT DOWN WITH. AND THEN ALSO I JUST HAD JUST A QUICK LITTLE QUESTION: WHAT HAS BEEN LIKE THE MOST REQUESTED -- SINCE YOU'VE BEEN SITTING DOWN WITH THE WATERSHED ASSOCIATION, ALL THESE STAKEHOLDERS, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REQUESTED ADDITION INTO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WE CAN'T PUT IN THERE DUE TO LEGISLATION? OR WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE TO BE ABLE TO GET THESE INPUT INTO OUR RULES?

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW HOW SPECIFIC I CAN ANSWER THAT, BUT WATER AVAILABILITY, STUDIES OR INFORMATION RELATED TO THAT, IF WE COULD CARVE OUT AN AREA WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO PRESERVE THIS FOR RECHARGE AND TO NOT SET THE AQUIFER DRY AND JUST SAY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO GO AWAY FROM THE RECHARGE ZONE, THEN IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE A TOOL TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND YOU KNOW, WE'VE WORKED AS BEST AS WE CAN WITHIN WHAT I WOULD CALL THE GRAY AREAS WHERE IT'S NOT A THOU SHALT NOT BUT IT'S NOT A THOU SHALL EITHER FROM STATE LAW.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO COLOR OUTSIDE THOSE LINES TOO MUCH, CAN PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE WE DON'T LEGAL LIKE THINGS ARE LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN GRAY AREAS WITHIN STATE LAW WHERE IT'S MORE OF A REASONABLENESS TEST OR REASONABLENESS STANDARD. WE'VE TRIED TO MAXIMIZE THE COUNTY POSITION WITHIN THOSE AREAS TO REALLY ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS. BUT CERTAINLY I WOULD BRING IT

BACK TO WATER. >> AND IF YOU HAVE JUST IN YOUR DISCOVERY OF GOING THROUGH THESE, IF YOU COULD POTENTIALLY THINK OF A COUPLE OF POLICY OR THINGS THAT WE COULD IMPLEMENT, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THOSE THINGS BECAUSE I MEAN, RIGHT NOW WATER IS THE BIG TOPIC IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IT WILL BE FOR THIS NEXT SESSION, SO ANYTHING I CAN DO TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE CAPITAL AND ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY AND JUST GIVING ME SOME FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREAT. I APPRECIATE ALSO YOU WORKING WITH OUR -- WITH HGR ON THAT WATER SUPPLY STUDY AND GETTING THAT FEEDBACK THERE AND INCORPORATING THAT INTO OUR RULES AND REGS. I WANT TO SAY THAT THAT WAS GREAT, I APPRECIATE THAT. AND THEN ALSO JUST ALL OF THE MEETINGS, I KNOW THAT WE'RE MEETING HEAVY THURSDAY AND TUESDAY, WE'VE GOT MEETINGS BUT I DO APPRECIATE YOU GUYS BEING VERY FLEXIBLE AND MEETING WITH ME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> THANK YOU. I'VE GOT SEVERAL THINGS.

I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO SHOCK YOU AFTER THE MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HAD. I PROBABLY AM GOING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB AND SAY WE GOT DOWN IN THE WEEDS A LOT MORE THAN SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES BUT I DO HAVE SEVERAL THINGS THAT I WANT TO MENTION. THE FIRST ONE, ON OUR STAKEHOLDER LIST THAT YOU HAVE THERE, THE CITY OF BUTA BEING THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY, WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO HAVE MEETINGS WITH THEM AND NO ONE MORE SO THAN THE HAYS GROUNDWATER DISTRICT. I THINK THOSE WOULD BE FRUITFUL CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE GROUND WHO ARE SEEING THESE THINGS EVERY DAY. I DO HAVE CONCERN -- FORGIVE ME, IT'S NOT AN ACRONYM BUT 1445 AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITIES, THOSE ARE WAY PAST NEEDING TO BE RENEGOTIATED.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DONE SINCE 2011.

THAT BEING THE CASE, I SEE THIS REWRITE AS AN OPPORTUNITY IN THOSE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WITH THOSE CITIES AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, THAT'S THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL CITIES AND HAYS COUNTY AS TO WHO WILL DO WHAT REGULATIONS, HOW WE WILL ADMINISTER THOSE TO GIVE THAT CLEAR ROAD MAP TO INDIVIDUALS, HAVING AS MUCH OF THAT INCORPORATED INTO THIS

[00:55:02]

AND IN THAT PROCESS, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SAY IS THERE -- I KNOW -- AND I'LL JUST USE ONE EXAMPLE -- I KNOW THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT PREFERENCES THAN SAY THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS ON CERTAIN PLATS. WE HAVE DIFFERENT PREFERENCES THAN THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRING.

FOR EXAMPLE THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT FLAG LOTS. THEY APPROVE THEM EVERY DAY.

BUT THEY DON'T LIKE SHARED ACCESS DRIVEWAYS, WHICH WE APPROVE EVERY DAY. AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT -- I KNOW THOSE ARE DIFFERENT PREFERENCES THAT ARE BOTH ALLOWED UNDERSTATE LAW AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS BUT IF WE CAN OUTLINE WHAT THOSE ARE AND WHEN WE HAVE THOSE STAKEHOLDER CONVERSATIONS, I THINK IT WOULD BEHOOVE ALL OF US AND ESPECIALLY THE PUBLIC AS THEY MOVE FORWARD AND KNOWING WHAT TO DO, BECAUSE I GET -- JUST THIS MONTH ON THAT ONE EXAMPLE I GAVE YOU I'VE GOTTEN RESIDENTS COME IN AND SAY WELL, THE CITY WON'T APPROVE IT BUT Y'ALL ARE FINE WITH IT OR HEY, Y'ALL ARE -- OR THE CITY IS FINE WITH IT BUT Y'ALL WANT TO APPROVE IT BECAUSE -- [INDISCERNIBLE] SOME EXAMPLES LIKE THAT.

I DO APPRECIATE THE SUBMITTAL CALENDAR.

I THINK THAT MAKES THINGS A LOT EASIER NOT ONLY FOR OUR STAFF BUT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHEN AND HOW TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION AND IT GIVES THEM A REASONABLE TIMETABLE ON WHEN THEY CAN EXPECT ACTION FROM THE COUNTY AND ANYTIME WE CAN ADD THAT, IT WOULD BE AMAZING.

CONDO -- CONDO REGIMES ARE THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE.

I HAVE PROBABLY MORE OF THEM IN MY PRECINCT THAN THE OTHER THREE 3R50E PRECINCTS COMBINED AT THIS POINT. AND I THINK THROUGH SOME TYPE OF ADDITIONAL COORDINATION WITH OFFICE OF THE CLERK, IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, AND I SAY THAT -- I MEAN, I FOUND A CONDO REGIME THIS WEEK IN MY PRECINCT THAT WA FILED IN 2025.

AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WAS COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF IT, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REQUIREMENO REQUIREMENT THAT THEY SUBMIT ANYTHING TO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

I THINK THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE ARE REALLY GOOD ACTORS IN THAT AREA AND THERE ARE REALLY BAD ACTORS IN THAT AREA. AND FINDING ANY WAY ON THE FRONT END TO PREVENT THEM AND INCENTIVIZE THEM MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE A GOOD ACTOR IN THE PROCESS, I THINK THAT'S HELPFUL. AND SO IF THAT WITHIN OUR DEVELOPMENT REGS OR WITHIN JUST COUNTY WIDE POLICY STATING THAT WHENEVER A CONDO REGIME IS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, IT HAS -- THERE HAS TO BE NOTIFICATION PROVIDED TO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. WE AT LEAST GET A HEADS-UP THAT IT'S BEEN DONE. EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT MANDATING WHAT'S IN IT, WHAT THEY REQUIRE OR ANYTHING ELSE, AT LEAST WE KNOW THAT IT'S THERE AND AS THEY MOVE FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WE'RE AWARE OF IT WHICH WE AREN'T AT THIS POINT.

ONE DISAPPOINTMENT I WILL TELL YOU -- AND I'M NOT SAYING IT'S ON Y'ALL, IT'S JUST A DISAPPOINTMENT -- IS BEFORE DIRECTOR PASHEKO LEFT AND WHENEVER WE STARTED Y'ALL'S CONTRACT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS VERY ADAMANT ABOUT WANTING AND THIS GOES BACK ALL THE WAY TO FORMER COMMISSIONER SHELL, WAS A -- EVEN IF IT WAS AN INTERIM ADOPTION, AN ADOPTION OF THE CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT REGS.

LIKE WE WANTED TO DO THAT Q2 OF THIS YEAR AND THAT WAS THE PLAN THAT WE HAD BACK THEN. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY POSSIBLE, EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE FULL ADOPTION OF THE ENTIRE NEW RULES AND REG SET, HAVE THAT DONE BY THE FALL, BECAUSE AS WE LOOK AT MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS, IT IS -- YOU KNOW, IT ENGAGES IN SO MANY OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SPECIFICALLY, PROPERTY -- YOU KNOW, PROPERTY SET ASIDE, WATER CONSERVATION, ALL OF THOSE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO SAY. BUT IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHERE WE NEED T I THINK THAT THE SOONER THE BETTER ON THAT.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD GET THAT DONE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY -- AND THIS IS A LARGER CONVERSATION FOR THE COURT ITSELF -- IS AS WE LOOK AT THOSE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE A SPECIAL UTILITY DISTRICT, A MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT, SOME TYPE OF OTHER TAXING ENTITY THERE, WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS I WANT TO BRING BACK A PROVISION OR A RESOLUTION TO THE COURT TO ADOPT THE TYPE OF -- AND I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ABOUT THIS, TO BRING IN THE TYPE OF REGULATORY STRUCTURE SPECIFIC TO WHAT WILLIAMSON

[01:00:01]

THEY MAINTAIN IT TO YEAR 8. AT YEAR 8, IT REVERTS BACK TO THAT MUD AND THAT -- OR SUD OR WHATEVER THE SPECIAL DISTRICT IS AND AT THAT TIME, THAT GIVES THAT SUD OR MUD THAT DEVELOPMENT TIME TO BUILD OUT AND HAVE A MAINTENANCE BUDGET AND HAVE A DEDICATED INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET TO MAINTAIN THOSE ROADWAYS, SO HE THAT THEY NEVER HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNTY.

AND I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR TRANSPORTATION STAFF AND I SPECIFICALLY ASKED, YOU KNOW, WHAT MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED IN THAT EIGHT YEARS, LIKE HOW MUCH DO Y'ALL DO? AND THE ANSWER IS WE BUILD IT TO OUR STANDARDS AFTER THE TWO YEARS, THERE'S NO MAINTENANCE IN THAT EIGHT YEARS, BUT IT GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO GROW TO A POINT WHERE THEY CAN TAKE IT OVER AND THE COUNTY NEVER HAS TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

I'LL PROBABLY BRING THAT BACK PRIOR TO THIS BEING ADOPTED, BUT LOOKING AT THE STANDARDS THAT THEY HAVE AND THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION IN THE FINAL VERSION OF THIS AS IT SHOULD BE WRITTEN WOULD BE HELPFUL AS WELL AND I KNOW ERIN IS FAMILIAR WITH THAT, WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES.

>> AND THAT'S A GIVE AND TAKE WHICH I APPRECIATE.

I LIKE THAT. >> I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU JUST SAID COMMISSIONER, REGARDING THE ROAD AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT, BECAUSE YEAH, IT'S DIFFICULT WHEN, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO BE PRIVATE ROADS AND THEN THEY DETERIORATE TO A CONDITION WHERE IT'S SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND THEN THE PEOPLE COME HERE TO THE COURT AND WANTING US TO TAKE THOSE OVER SO -- YEAH, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THAT.

I REALLY JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK.

I THINK THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TOPICS THAT THIS COURT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT Y'ALL HAVE HIT AND 20U67D ON AND TOUCHED OE IMPROVING. I APPRECIATE ALL THE STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, THE SUBMITTAL CALENDAR I THINK ALSO IS GREAT.

AND I KNOW -- AND WE'VE SPOKEN INTERNALLY ABOUT THIS AND I THINK CONSISTENCY IS REALLY GOOD REGARDING LOT SIZE AND YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT ONE ACRE MINIMUM ON THE EAST SIDE.

AND I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL ALSO BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD, YOU KNOW, A FULL ACRE. I'M NOT SAYING -- I'M OPEN TO IT AND I'M NOT SAYING WE SHOULDN'T GO THERE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THE CITY OF [INDISCERNIBLE] IN SOME OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS. I KNOW THEY'RE A SMALLER CITY BUT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF GROWTH, AND I THINK THAT THEY HAVE COME TO THE COUNTY AND NEED ASSISTANCE AND SO I THINK JUST GETTING SOME OF THEIR INPUT WOULD BE IMPORTANT SO IF YOU

COULD REACH OUT -- >> AND ULEN.

>> IF YOU WOULD REACH OUT TO THEM I THINK IT WOULD GO A LONG WAYS. YEAH AND THE NOTIFICATION ON THE CONDO REGIMES I THINK IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SO -- YEAH, IF WE CAN GET SOMETHING INCORPORATED, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. BUT THANK Y'ALL.

>> COMMISSIONER? >> SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. ONE OTHER STAKEHOLDER THAT CAME TO MIND WAS THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO ARE GETTING INTO THE BUSINESS OF PARTNERING WITH DEVELOPERS TO CREATE VERY LARGE DEVELOPMENTS TO HOUSE THE TEACHER AND THE STAFF AND WE ARE AWARE OF ONE GOING ALONG 21 IN IN -- I'M CONCERNED OF WHAT ARE WE MISSING THERE? WHAT CONVERSATIONS ARE WE NOT BEING A PART OF THAT MAY BE HAPPENING WITHIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS? I'M ALWAYS THINKING WHAT CAN WE DO TO INFORM TEAM "PEOPLE" ABOUT THIS PEOPLE ABOUT THIS EARTH, ONLINE EFFORT. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO BETTER THAT OUTREACH. BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS SOME

[01:05:01]

I MIMIC EVERYTHNG MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID.

IT IS ABOUT THE GROWING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE WATER QUALITY AND THINGS THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, AND HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME OF THESE LOTS THAT ARE IN DIRE STRAITS LIKE HILLSIDE TERRACE, FOR EXAMPLE.

HOW DO WE FIND A PATH FORWARD FOR THAT AREA? LOTS OF THINGS, YOU KNOW, THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.

BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE FOR US SO FAR AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE END RESULT.

SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

I WOULD HIGHLIGHT AND ITALICIZE AND UNDERLINE DIMINISHED DISCRETION AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY, DIMINISHED DISCRETION, DIMINISHED DISCRETION. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY AND TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER COHEN, IS THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS AS WE SEE MORE OF THOSE DEVELOPMENTS ASSOCIATED SPECIFICALLY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE COMING AND ASKING US FOR VARIANCES OR COMING AND ASKING US FOR THINGS OR TELLING US THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING A CERTAIN WAY AND THEN WE HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

AND I HAVE A REAL CONCERN, I SEE A LOT OF HEADS NODDING ON THIS -- ON THIS DIAS. I HAVE REALLY CONCERNS THAT WHILE WE LOVE OUR COLLEAGUES OVER THERE IN OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, HE JUST TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AT ME BECAUSE HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, THERE MAY NOT BE AN ASSUMPTION THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SAME RULES THAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SAME RULES THAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. EVEN THOUGH IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND I TRULY BELIEVE IN THE CAUSE, THAT DOESN'T GIVE THEM THE ABILITY OR SHOULDN'T GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO NOT FOLLOW THE SAME RULES AS EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> AND JUST ONE MORE, JUDGE. A SPANISH VERSION, DO WE HAVE A SPANISH VERSION OF OUR SUBDIVISION RULES AND REGS ONLINE CURRENTLY? IF NOT, WE PROBABLY NEED TO

CONSIDER THAT AT SOME POINT. >> THANK YOU.

[F.2. Adopt a proclamation recognizing July 2026 as America 250 Month in Hays County. HAMMER ]

PLEASE F2. >> ADOPT THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 2026 AS AMERICA 250 MONTH IN THAT HAYS COUNTY.

>> WHEREAS ON JULY 4TH, 1776 OUR NATION'S FOUNDERS ADOPTED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ESTABLISHING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA... AND WHEREAS THE YEAR 2026 MARKS THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A HISTORIC MILESTONE KNOWN AS THE SEMI QUIN CENTENNIAL PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICANS TO REFLECT UPON OUR NATION'S REMARKABLE HISTORY CELEBRATE OUR SHARED HERITAGE AND RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO THE IDEALS THAT UNIT US; AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT THE PAST 250 YEARS GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE DEMONSTRATED COLONEL, RESILIENCE, INNOVATION AND SERVICE... AND WHEREAS HAYS COUNTY IS PROUD OF ITS OWN RICH HISTORY AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF ITS RESIDENTS, VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, CIVIC LEADERS, BUSINESSES, FARMERS RANCHERS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTINUE TO EMBODY THE VALUES OF SERVICE, HARD WORK AND COMMUNITY THAT HAVE SHAPED BOTH OUR COUNTY AND OUR NATIONS; AND WHEREAS THE AMERICA 250 CELEBRATION PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THE SACRIFICE OF THOSE WHO SECURED AND DEFENDED OUR FREEDOMS, RECOGNIZES THE DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR NATION'S STORY, EDUCATE FUTURE GENERATIONS ABOUT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL HERITAGE AND INSPIRIT CONTINUED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT; AND WHEREAS THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PATRIOTIC OBSERVANCES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH THAT COMMEMORATE OUR NATION'S FOUNDING AND CELEBRATE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THE COURT HEREBY

[01:10:04]

ADOPTED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF JULY, 2026.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INNINGLES BY? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YEAH.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT FORWARD -- FIRST OF ALL I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT 4TH OF JULY AND CELEBRATED THE 250 THIS HAVE OF OUR GREAT NATION I THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE THINGS THAT UNITE US AS A APPEAR COUNTRY.

I WAS REALLY HOPING TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THIS AFTER WORLD CUP WIN, UNFORTUNATELY THAT DIDN'T REALLY HAPPEN FOR US.

BUT I WILL SAY DURING THIS TIME WHERE THE WORLD CUP IS IN NORTH AMERICA, YOU HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TOGETHER, YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF COUNTRIES COME TOGETHER, YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF COUNTRIES CELEBRATE AMERICA AND GET TO EXPERIENCE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME. SO WE JUST LIVE IN SUCH AN AMAZING COUNTRY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE ALL AMERICANS AND I APPRECIATE THIS COURT AND WE ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD WITH TREATING EVERYONE WITH EQUITY AND RESPECT.

AND SO JUST WANTED TO GIVE THIS -- NOT ONLY RECOGNIZE IT BUT TO BE PROUD OF SUPPORTING THIS PROCLAMATION.

>> WELL DONE, WELL DONE. COMMISSIONER?

>> NOTHING TO ADD. JUST EXCITED THAT ONE OF THEIR FESTIVITIES COUNTY WIDE -- I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL AND -- THE RODEO IS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE EVENT DURING THE JULY 4TH. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WHO I KNOW PARTICIPATED EITHER AS VOLUNTEERS OR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO WERE AT EVERY EVENT. I KNOW THAT IT WAS A BUSY WEEKEND FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR

ASSISTANCE. >> COMMISSIONER, WELL SAID, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PROVIDING THIS PROCLAMATION, AND I THINK EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, THE WORLD CUP HAS BROUGHT SO MANY NATIONS TOGETHER. WE'RE ALL HUMAN, WE ALL SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND YEAH, I APPRECIATE THE PROCLAMATION,

THANKS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR YOUR PROCLAMATION AND YOU'RE RIGHT, WE CAN'T FORGET THE UNIFIED MESSAGE OF -- THAT THATTH COUNTRY IS ABOUT.

[F.3. Adopt a proclamation recognizing July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month. SMITH/FLOCKE ]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE OPEN F3.

>> F >> WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY, INCLUDING HAYS COUNTY; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, IMPROVING THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR PARKS; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROMOTES TIME SPENT IN NATURE, WHICH POSITIVELY IMPACTS MENTAL HEALTH BY INCREASING COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND WELL-BEING, AND ALLEVIATING ILLNESSES SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS, AND ALZHEIMERS; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES BY PROVIDING HIKING TRAILS, SWIMMING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND SPACES FOR PLAY TO PROMOTE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION INCREASE A COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THROUGH INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES, EXPANSION OF THE LOCAL TAX BASE, INCREASED TOURISM, THE ATTRACTION AND RETENTION OF BUSINESSES, AND CRIME REDUCTION; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND NATURAL RECREATION AREAS IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT GROUNDWATER, PREVENT FLOODING IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WE BREATHE, PROVIDE VEGETATIVE BUFFERS TO DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE; AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE ESSENTIAL AND ADAPTABLE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE; 3 AND WHEREAS OUR PARKS AND NATURAL RECREATION AREAS ENSURE THE ECOLOGICAL BEAUTY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES TO CONNECT WITH NATURE AND RECREATE OUTDOORS; AND WHEREAS THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS DESIGNATED

[01:15:02]

2026. >> BEAUTIFUL, PLEASE CALL THE

ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INNINGLES BY?

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

>> YES, AND I THINK WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE,

PLEASE. >> KARL [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE JOINING Y'ALL FOR MY VERY FIRST PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH AS THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN FOR OUR SECOND TIME EVER WITH A STAND ALONE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RESOURCES. I WOULD BE PLEASED IF CATHERINE WOULD JOIN ME, ONE OF OUR PARKS COORDINATORS TO SPEAK A LITTLE

BIT ON THE SUBJECT. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

GO AHEAD AND PULL UP SOME NOTES. THANK YOU, CARL.

THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY I COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER PROCLAMATION TO FOLLOW.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT CONNECTION AND AMERICA AND HAVING HOT DOGS IN OUR PARKS AND I'M HERE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT ALL OF THAT. I HOPE EVERYBODY HAD A WONDERFUL 4TH OF JULY. I'M HERE TO TALK TODAY TO YOU GUYS ABOUT PARKS AND REC MONTH. I'M CATHERINE, I'M ONE OF OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COORDINATORS AND I'M HERE FOR A SEVENTH YEAR IN A ROW TO PROCLAIM IT.

THIS HAS BEEN PARK AND REC MONTH IN AMERICA FOR OVER 40 YEARS NOW AND IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

THIS YEAR -- EVERY YEAR A NATIONAL REC AND PARK ASSOCIATION JOINS A THEME, SOMETHING TO HIGHLIGHT, AND THIS YEAR WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE POWER OF PARKS.

SPECIFICALLY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THE POWER OF OUR PARKS, PRESERVES AND NATURAL AREAS HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

OUR PARKS HAVE THE POWER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH THE POWER TO CONNECT PEOPLE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.

LIMESTONE LINK OPENED UP LAST YEAR HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

I GOT TO SEE A FEW MUCH OF Y'ALE GROUND OPENING.

IT FORMS A CRITICAL CONNECTION ON THE ZAHN MARCUS GREEN BELT WHICH IS TRULY ONE OF THE TREASURES HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

IT CONNECTS US ALONG A LARGE SWATH OF TRAILS THAT SPAN FROM ONE SIDE OF SAN MARCUS TO THE OTHER.

BUT BEYOND THE PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS, OUR PARKS AND PRESERVES ARE SITES WHERE OUR COMMUNITY MEETS, WHERE RELATIONSHIPS GROW, AND WHERE THOUGHTS ARE SHARED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN US ALL. OUR PARKS HAVE THE POWER TO RESTORE. AS MENTIONED IN THE PROCLAMATION, TIME SPENT IN NATURE PROMOTES HEALTHY MINDS AND HEALTHY BODIES. OUR NATURAL AREAS ARE SITES WHERE WE CAN RECHARGE, GROW, HEAL AND SEEK PEACE WHILE IMPROVING OUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

OUR PARKS HAVE THE POWER TO INSPIRE.

THEY ARE SITES THAT SPARK CREATIVITY AND JOY AND RESEARCH AND STEWARDSHIP, MEMORIES AS WELL.

PEOPLE COME TOE PLACES LIKE JACOBS NATURAL AREA TO STUDY AND FILM AND PAINT AND PLAY AND SOMETIMES PROPOSE TO EACH OTHER.

AND I'VE WITNESSED VISITOR CONQUER THEIR FEAR OF SNAIKS, FIND SNAKE, LEARN TO DISTINGUISH MOTH FROM BUTTERFLY. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

DISCOVER A PASSION FOR CONSERVATION AND WITNESS FIRST HAND THE IMPACTS OF DROUGHT AND FLOOD AS THEY LOOK UPON JACOBS WELL. THESE IMAGES AND EXPERIENCES I BELIEVE ARE POWERFUL, LIFELONG AND ITERATIVE AND THEY MAKE US WHO WE ARE. TO GIVE YOU A PERSONAL EXAMPLE, I MIGHT STRIKE YOU GUYS AS SOMEONE WHO IS PRETTY OUTDOORSY, AND YOU WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE RIGHT.

I AM WHO I AM BECAUSE OF THE PARKS, THE FORESTS AND THE VACANT LOTS WHERE I GREW UP PLAYING AS A SMALL CHILD.

BUT SINCE I'VE TAKEN THIS JOB, I HAVE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN AFRAID OF BIRDS MY ENTIRE LIFE, FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

MAYBE IT WAS THE OSTRICHES AT THE NATURAL BRIDGE SAFARI PARK AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I WAS STILL QUITE AFRAID OF BIRDS WHEN I TOOK THIS POSITION AND THAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AS I HAVE GOTTEN

[01:20:01]

I'VE GOTTEN TO LEARN ABOUT THEM AND UNDERSTAND THE WAY THAT THEY ARE, OBSERVE THEIR BEHAVIOR AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM INDEPTH.

IN MY UNDERSTANDING THERE FIRST CAME AN ACCEPTANCE, THEN APPRECIATION AND NOW A DEEP LOVE.

THESE DAYS YOU'LL FIND ME USUALLY AT THE PARK TALKING ABOUT HOW CUTE OUR VULTURE POPULATION IS.

SO BIG 180. ALONG THIS JOURNEY I'VE FOUND NEW CONNECTIONS IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS EXPERIENCE.

THERE WAS A WOMAN AT THE PARK JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO WHO HAD SHOWN UP FOR A BIRD HIKE ON A WHIM.

SHE HAD COME OUT TO WOMEN BETTERLY FOR HER BIRTHDAY AND HER PARTNER HAD SEEN THE EVENT. AS SHE LOOKED THROUGH THE BINOCULARS, A PAINTED BUNTING, ONE OF OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL MIGRATORY BIRDS LANDED IN FRONT OF HER.

AND SHE SAID, "I THINK I LIKE BIRDS NOW".

THERE'S OUR NEIGHBOR TOM WHO GETS UP EVERY MORNING AND WALKS THROUGH OUR PARK AND I HAVE GROWN TO RECOGNIZE HIS HANDWRITING IN THE BIRDING% STATION.

I SEEK IT OUT ON OUR OBSERVATION LOG TOSS SEE WHATS TO SEE WHAT N OUR PARKS MUCH AND JUST A FEW WEEKS OUR VOLUNTEER BETSY WAS IN THE PARK CHECKING THE BLUE BIRD BOX, SHE TRACKS THE GROWTHOF THE BABY BIRDS, DOCUMENTING THEIR LIFESPAN.

BUT TWO WEEKENDS AGO SHE CAME AND GRABBED ME AND BROUGHT ME OVER TO THE NEXT THAT HAD BEEN PREDATED UNFORTUNATELY.

IT LOOKED LIKE A LARGE RACOON HAD CLIMBED UP THE BOX, REACHED IN AND STARTED PULLING THE NEST OUT BIT BY BIT, AS THEY SOMETIMES DO. SHE CALLED ME OVER TO KIND OF EXAMINE THE WRECKAGE AND AS SHE SLID THAT LID OPEN MY HEART KIND OF DROPPED INTO MY STOMACH, I TURNED AWAY AND THEN I HEARD HER EXCLAIM, THEY'RE ALIVE. THERE WERE TINY BODIES IN THERE, THEY HAD SURVIVED ALL OF THEM, I DON'T KNOW HOW.

QUICKLY WE PUT THE NEST BACK TOGETHER.

WE CLOSED THE BOX BACK UP AND WE WAITED WITH BAITED BREATH AND SOON ENOUGH, WITHIN AN HOUR THE MOM HAD RETURNED.

BETSY CAME BACK LAST WEEK AND GOT PHOTOS OF THOSE BABY BIRDS, THEY'RE HUGE AND SOON WILL BE FLEDGING AND LEAVING THAT BOX FOREGOOD. THIS COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION FOR ME TOOK YEARS BUT I WATCHED SOMETHING SIMILAR PLAY OUT IN THE FACES AND EXPERIENCES OF OUR VISITORS EVERY SINGLE DAY AS THEY FIND NEW EXPERIENCES, NEW CONNECTIONS AND CREATIVITY.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 740 ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR VISITORS, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR TOURISTS HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

AND SOON THAT NUMBER IS GOING TO JUMP UP TO CLOSE TO 1300 AS WE EXPECT THE OPENING OF CAPES POND, SENT ANYONE PEAK PRESERVE AND TONS OF OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY. THERE'S PLENTY OF SPACE FOR EVERYBODY TO CONNECT AND PLAY AND FIND INSPIRATION SO GO AHEAD AND GET OUT THERE, EX-MORE OUR PARKS EX-MORE OUR PARKS AND THIS MONTH THAT'S LET'S CELEBRATE OUR PARKS AND

REC. >> WELL DONE.

THAT DESEVERANCE SOME APPLAUSE.

FOR EIGHT YEARS I'VE BEEN WATCHING PEOPLE AT THAT PODIUM AND I REMEMBER THE TOUR YOU GAVE ME WHEN I WE WANT TO YOUR SHOP.

THAT'S WHAT I CALL YOUR HEADQUARTERS.

YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST SPEAKERS IN EIGHT YEARS TELLING A STORY.

SO THAT WAS TRULY ENJOYABLE. HOLY SMOKES, GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB. >> THANK YOU.

>> CATHERINE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT.

THAT WAS WONDERFUL. AND YOU KNOW, CARL JUST A TESTAMENT ALSO TO YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOU KNOW, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING IN HERE IN HAYS COUNTY AND CHOOSING US TO FURTHER YOUR CAREER SO THANK% Y'ALL SO MUCH AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO. PLEASE PASS THAT ALONG TO YOUR STAFF. YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WORKING FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> CANTHANK YOU, CATHERINE.

I COULD FEEL LIKE THE PASSION WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING ABOUT THE PARKS AND HOW IT'S IMPACTED YOUR LIFE AND JUST ACTUALLY GUIDED YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY. I APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO THAT, TO OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT, CARL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU'VE DONE A FABULOUS JOB WITH PARKS SINCE YOU'VE TAKEN OVER MUCH AND IT'S. IT'S WONDERFUL.

WE SAW WHAT PARKS GIVE TO PEOPLE OVER THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, THE

[01:25:02]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> OH, I JUST LOVE OUR PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY, CARL AND JAY, Y'ALL'S LEADERSHIP IN THIS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN JUST TOP NOTCH AND I KNOW THAT EVERYONE UNDER YOU FLOURISHES JUST BECAUSE OF Y'ALL SO I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

FORMER COMMISSIONER SHELL ONCE TOLD ME, HE SAID YOU SUCKER FOR PASSION, THIS IS RIGHT BEFORE I TOOK OFFICE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT REALLY MEANT AND AS I CAME INTO THIS ROLE AND I SAW THE BEAUTY THAT SOUNDS MY PRECINCT AND THE -- JUST THE FIGHT THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT STAYS THAT WAY, IT IS JUST -- I'VE BECOME THAT PASSIONALITY, PASSIONATE. SO ALL OF THE PASSION Y'ALL HAVE FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY, IT IS SO NEEDED AND PASSION IS WHAT MAKES US THRIVE AS HUMANS AND DOES UNITE US AT THE END OF THE DAY. WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO WIMBERLEY FOR THE RODEO THIS WEEKEND AND MY HUSBAND AND I WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT REALLY DON'T MATTER AND THEN MY DAUGHTER GOES, MOMMY, LOOK -- SHEA JUST GOES, IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL AND I REALLY JUST -- IT MADE MY HEART REALLY HAPPY, BECAUSE IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND IT MAKES US REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT SURROUNDS US AND GOD MADE THIS BEAUTIFUL EARTH SO I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL OF THINGS THAT Y'ALL DO. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> I WAS EXCITED WHEN CARL AT THIS AND I TALKED ABOUT ME BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD BECAUSE EVERYBODY UP HERE SUPPORTS Y'ALL, NOT ONLY Y'ALL AS EMPLOYEES BUT Y'ALL AS PEOPLE AND AGAIN I'M SUPER EXCITED.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THANK YOU TO TAMMY CREMLY FOR HER DIRECTION OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT FOR AS LONG AS SHE SE HAD IT. I'M SUPER EXCITED THAT WE HAVE THAT STAND ALONE FUNCTIONAL PARKS DEPARTMENT NOW, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT HAVING A TRUE SYSTEM.

WE'VE GROWN ENOUGH WHERE WE HAVE A TRUE SYSTEM I THINK.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WHENEVER THE JUDGE AND I ACTUALLY GOT ON THE COURT THAT I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT WAS GOING THROUGH THE [INDISCERNIBLE] PROCESS AND COMMISSIONER SHELL AND I SITTING DOWN AND TRYING TO MAP OUT HOW WE COULD MAKE THAT PROCESS WORK. AND WE'RE SEEING THE FRUIT THAT THAT TREE IS BEARING FINALLY NOW, IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF THOSE PROJECTS ON THE GROUND BUT WE'VE STILL GOT A LOT MORE TO GO. I CAN'T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO JAY FOR HIS STEWARDSHIP AND THE WORK THAT HE'S DONE, AND THE ONE THING THAT IN THAT PROCESS THAT I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT AND I HAVE TO REITERATE WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAID, KNOWING THE PASSION OF THE EMPLOYEES IN THAT DEPARTMENT, I MEAN, IT IS TRULY A PASSION. IT IS A LOVE THAT Y'ALL HAVE.

AND GIVING Y'ALL -- OR Y'ALL HAVING THE ABILITY TO SHARE THAT WITH OUR PUBLIC ON A DAILY BASIS, I CAN'T WAIT FOR SENTINEL PEAK TO OPEN, I CAN'T WAIT FOR CAPES POND TO OPEN BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO GIVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR Y'ALL TO HAVE THOSE INTERACTIONS AND SHARE THAT PASSION THAT YOU HAVE WITH OUR COMMUNITY. IT REALLY IS ONE OF THE -- I THINK THE SHINING STARS OF OUR COUNTY.

AND IF Y'ALL DON'T GET TOLD THAT ON A DAILY BASIS, YOU SHOULD.

AND WHENEVER YOU'RE OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, CLEARING TRAILS OR DOING SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT AREN'T THE MOST FUN PART OF YOUR JOB, JUST REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF IT AND WE'RE

REALLY THANKFUL FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK YOU FEEL THE THANK YOUS EVERY TIME YOU'RE OUT THERE, BECAUSE IF YOU'RE IN TUNE, WHICH I BELIEVE YOU ARE, THE WHOLE WORLD IS TALKING TO YOU FROM THE PLANTS TO THE BIRDS TO THE SQUIRRELS TO THE RACOONS, THEY'RE ALL TALKING TO YOU, SAYING THANK YOU FOR THE NURTURING OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

WELL DONE. GOOD JOB.

AND I'M GOING TO SAY THAT I AM GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING TO NUDGE -- TUCKER, YOU'LL KNOW AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES THIS WAS REQUIRED -- NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW BUT YOU DO BECAUSE YOU KEPT LOOKING AT ME EVERY TIME WE WERE HAVING EXECUTIVE SESSION CONVERSATIONS. TO MAKE SENTINEL PEAK HAPPEN.

I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO DRAG THAT THING OVER THE FINISH LINE, BECAUSE THERE WERE A FEW PLACES WHERE IT WAS GOING UNDER. IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN OR IT WASN'T GOING TO DO THIS OR THAT, SO I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL TO ALSO SAY THAT'S MY FAVORITE. SO WHEN IT OPENS, I KNOW I'VE HAD THE BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF THE TOURS AND HELPING TO DEVELOP ITS FORMATION FOR THE COMMUNITY. BUT WHEN THAT OPENS, EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET TO SEE WHY WE KEEP BRINGING UP THAT

[01:30:03]

I AM JUST GENUINELY IN LOVE WITH THAT PURCHASE THAT WE MADE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND HIGHLIGHTING THAT IT WAS FROM 700 TO ABOUT TO BE 1300 ACRES.

PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT, BECAUSE AS COMMISSIONERS SAID, THE PARK OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION WE CREATED WAS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED IN PART TO HELP RECHARGE, TO HELP PRESERVE, TO HELP US ALL AS A COMMUNITY, TO HELP CREATE THE SENSE OF PLACE, THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND I SAY THIS PERIODICALLY, HAVE HAYS COUNTY BE THE CENTRAL PARK OF CENTRAL TEXAS.

AND SO IT IS TRULY BECAUSE OF THE WORK YOU DO THAT WE ARE MOST REWARDED AS A COMMUNITY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO BE THERE THE DAY IT OPENS. COMMISSIONERS, SOMEBODYS?

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY I CAN'T DERBY -- SINCE I'VE BEENE COURT THERE'S NEVER BEEN ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN AS DEDICATED TO Y'ALL'S EFFORTS AS FORMER COMMISSIONER SHELL.

AND I VIEW -- AS MUCH AS THE JUDGE HAS STATED THE IMPORTANCE OF SENTINEL PEAK, I THINK EVERYONE UP HERE UNDERSTANDS THAT IT IS TRULY THE MOST -- I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT -- POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPACTFUL PROJECT THAT CAME OUT OF POST SAC AND I WILL BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THAT SHOULD BE A LASTING LEGACY ON BEHALF OF [INDISCERNIBLE] BECAUSE HE IS TRULY I WILL CONSIDER THE FATHER OF SENTINEL PEAK AND HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY WE CAN RECOGNIZE THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. I JUST WANT TO SAY -- CARL IS GOING TO HATE ME FOR SAYING THIS BUT SPRING 2027, IT'S GOING TO OPEN.

I'M VERY EXCITED FOR SENTINEL PEAK AS WELL.

EVERYONE ON THIS COURT MADE SENTINEL PEAK POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONES THAT TOOK -- WE'RE GOING TO REPAY Y'ALL BUT FROM THE PARKS BOND, THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHORT -- BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE SENTINEL PEAK AS FAST AS WE COULD.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. AND IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR US ALL

TO TAKE A PICTURE. >> JUDGE, JUST REAL QUICKLY, I DIDN'T SEE JAY BACK THERE BECAUSE HE'S HIDDEN BEHIND THE PODIUM BUT I REALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM ALSO AND THANK HIM FOR THE AWESOME WORK THAT YOU DO, JAY.

THANK YOU.

>> 1, 2, 3. >> BEAUTIFUL.

[F.4. Adopt a Proclamation Recognizing the Contributions Made by the Council for the Indigenous & Tejano Community (CITC). COHEN ]

>> PLEASE OPEN F4. >> PLEASE READ IT.

>> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE INDIGENOUS AND TEJANO COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS WE HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LAND ON WHICH WE STAND HAS BEEN THE HOME OF THE COAHUILTECAN PEOPLE, A RESILIENT COMMUNITY THAT HAS FLOURISHED FOR MILLENNIA, PREDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TEXAS, OR HAYS COUNTY; AND WHEREAS, THE COUNCIL FOR THE INDIGENOUS & TEJANO COMMUNITY (CITC) WAS ESTABLISHED IN JANUARY 2021 WITH A MISSION TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY SILENCED AND DISMISSED; AND WHEREAS, THE SEVEN FOUNDING MEMBERS WHO LAID THE FOUNDATION OF CITC ARE GINA ALBA-ROGERS, ANITA COLLINS IRMA GAITAN, MARIA ROCHA, FRANK ARREDONDO, BOBBIE GARZA HERNANDEZ, AND RUBEN BECERRA; AND WHEREAS CITC HAS MADE

[01:35:01]

JUNE, 2026. >> BEAUTIFULLY DONE.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INNINGLES BY?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES.

AND I SEE TWO MEMBERS -- COME ON UP TO THE PODIUM.

IF YOU'LL STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> ANITA COLLINS WITH THE COUNCIL FOR THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY. I AM ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER COHEN FOR SPONSORING THIS PROCLAMATION, JUDGE BECERRA AND THE COMMISSIONERS ON OUR COURT HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR APPROVING THIS PROCLAMATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE SMALL CORRECTION TO THE PROGRESS MTION LA, INSTEAD PROCLAMATION. WE HAD ALMOST 2500 VISITORS.

WE FOUND ANOTHER BOOK OF SIGNATURES AND SO WE COUNTED THOSE IN. BUT ALSO -- BUT TO THANK ME TO THANK YOU, I RECEIVE THANKS ALL THE TIME, WHEN WE DO ANYTHING WITH THE COUNCIL. WE RECEIVE THANKS FROM PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE MUSEUM, WHO FOR THE FIRST TIME SEE THEMSELVES IN THE EXHIBIT OF A MUSEUM. WE RECEIVE THANKS FROM FAMILIES WHO STAND PROUDLY NEXT TO HISTORICAL MARKERS THAT TELL THE STORY OF THEIR ANCESTORS. WE RECEIVE THANKS FROM CHILDREN WHO TELL US THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT OR WERE NOT TAUGHT THAT HISTORY THAT THEY SEE IN THE EXHIBIT.

AND THEN THEY FIND HISTORY TO BE INTERESTING.

WE RECEIVE THANKS FROM TEXAS STATE VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP US OUT YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE RECEIVE THANKS FROM TEXAS STATE STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE ICI SUMMER CAMP AND LEARNED ABOUT THEIR INDIGENOUS ROOTS AND THEN ARE REMINDED OF THOSE ROOTS WHEN THEY ATTEND OUR MUSEUM OR WHEN THEY COME TO VISIT OUR MUSEUM. WE RECEIVE THANKS WHEN WE'RE INVITED BY THE TEXAS ALLIANCE FOR TEXAS HISTORY AND THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO SPEAK ON THEIR PANELS.

THAT IS HUMBLING TO SAY THE LEAST.

AND WE'VE ONLY BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR FIVE YEARS.

AND I THANK EVERYONE FOR THAT. WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A 2027 TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION REAL PLACES PANEL, AND IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE INVITED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

GINA, WOULD YOU HIKE TO SAY A LA FEW WORDS? I'M SURPRISED.

[01:40:02]

>> I'M JUST GLAD I WAS ABLE TO SPONSOR THIS FOR Y'ALL.

THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL THE HARD WORK AND THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU'VE DONE WITHIN THE MUSEUM. IT IS GREAT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, THAT REPRESENTATION FOR THOSE WHO DON'T MAYBE GET TO SEE THAT VERY OFTEN. SO IT IS VERY IMPACTFUL AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING.

I APPRECIATE THE FOUNDERS OF GETTING US STARTED AND START MOVING THAT NEEDLE FORWARD WITH REPRESENTATION.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

SO ANITA, GINA AND EVERYBODY THAT'S BEEN INVOLVED, I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR THE HARD WORK THAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE TO BRING REAL MEANING AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE AWESOME AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT INDIGENOUS AND TEJANO COMMUNITIES HAVE MADE TO HAYS COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT Y'ALL HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR FROM Y'ALL AND I'M GLAD THAT Y'ALL KEEP MOVING FORWARD. ALWAYS INTERESTED TO SEE AND HEAR WHAT THE NEXT UNTOLD MARKER IS Y'ALL ARE LOOKING AT AND I WOULD JUST REMIND YOU AS YOU LOOK AT THOSE, KIND OF TALK TO US. WE HAVE ALWAYS LOOK AT RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT ON THOSE OR HOW WE CAN BE HELPFUL AND BENEFICIARY. [INDISCERNIBLE] AFTER THE GROUNDBREAKING [INDISCERNIBLE] OR NOT THE GROUNDBREAKING BUT

THE PRESENTATION LAST YEAR SO -- >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> WHAT Y'ALL DO IS SO IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE MEMORY ALIVE OF EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN HERE AND BEFORE WE'VE BEEN A COUNTRY, I KNOW WE CELEBRATED OUR 250TH AND EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO WAY BEFORE THEN, SO THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING -- IT'S VOLUNTEER WORK THAT YOU JUST PUT YOUR HEART AND YOUR SOUL NO SO . SO I APPRECIATE YOU CELEBRATING THOSE OF YOUR ANCESTORS AND I WAS ABLE TO GO INTO YOUR DERBY BROUGHT -- MY MOM WAS IN TOWN FROM COLORADO SO SHE WAS ABLE TO GO DOWN THERE AND CHECK IT OUT AS WELL.

SO THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH. >> SO WHAT YOU SAID WAS RIGHT ON THE MONEY, ABOUT GIVING THANKS, AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME SEEING THEMSELVES IN THIS MUSEUM.

AND I DON'T NEED TO GO TO INTO ALL THE DETAILS AS TO HOW THIS COUNCIL WAS CREATED AND WHY, BUT THE TRUTH IS FOR -- SINCE FIVE YEARS AGO NOW, TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN, WHEN YOU ROLL THE CLOCK BACK FIVE YEARS TO INCEPTION, THAT MUSEUM DID NOT REPRESENT A WHOLE PICTURE OR AS CLOSE TO A WHOLE PICTURE.

AND I AM JUST A GRATEFUL WITNESS BECAUSE WHETHER SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT OR NOT, I WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GUYS THAT HELPED CREATE IT. AND SO I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW DERBY WON'T MENTION -- I WY NAMES BUT HOW PEOPLE WERE SO FURIOUS WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON AND PEOPLE WERE GETTING KICKED OFF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND BEING EXCLUDED, AND LET'S FIGHT THEM AND LET'S DO THIS. AND I SAID NO, LET'S NOT USE THAT ENERGY TO FIGHT, LET'S USE THE ENERGY INSTEAD TO CREATE.

AND THUS WAS THE CREATION OF SITSY.

IT WAS ENERGY WELL SPENT AND I WILL TELL YOU, AS I WIND DOWN MY ALMOST A DECADE IN OFFICE HERE AS THE COUNTY JUDGE -- IT FEELS LIKE THAT FOR SURE -- I WILL TELL YOU I WILL FEEL FOREVER GRATEFUL TO HAVE OPENED -- BECAUSE YOU GUYS DID ALL THE WALK -- BUT OPENED THE DOORWAYS FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THEMSELVES, LIKE YOU'VE MENTIONED THE CHILDREN SEEING THEMSELVES NOW WHERE THEY DIDN'T BEFORE, NEVER, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE DELETING PEOPLE FROM HISTORY AND REWRITING IT.

IT IS EVER MORE IMPORTANT. SO THE IDEA THAT I HAD A TINY SLIVER IN ITS CREATION, BECAUSE I'VE SAID IT EVERY TIME YOU GUYS PUT ME IN FRONT OF ANYONE, YOU'RE THE ONES DOING THE WORK, I NEVER WANT TO TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT.

BUT I AM SAY HERE IN THIS COURT OF RECORD, IN THIS MOMENT, HONORING THIS FIVE-YEAR MARK, IT IS JUST TRULY WONDERFUL TO SEE WHAT THIS WONDERFUL CHAPTER OF REFLECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WAS DENIED ACCESS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT WAS, IS GOING TO NOT ONLY CONTINUE TO DO BUT IN THE MANY YEARS TO COME.

SO I'M JUST TOTALLY EXCITED, TOTALLY GRATEFUL, AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WONDERFUL LITTLE GIFTS I CAN TAKE FOREVER WITH ME. SO THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, WE JUST WANT TO SAY AS WELL --

>> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE. >> GINAALVA LODGERS.

[01:45:02]

WE'RE TRULY GRATEFUL. >> YEAH, IT'S TRUE, BECAUSE -- AND I APPRECIATE THAT, BECAUSE AT THAT TIME A TIME WHEN WE DON'T EVEN LET NEWSPAPER STANDS WITH NO POLITICAL COMMENTS SIT NEXT TO YOUR DOOR AS YOU'RE OPENING UP, PROVEN NO POLITICAL COMMENTS, AND YOU'RE MADE TO REMOVE IT, I MEAN, REPRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ASK A VERY BIG IS A VERY BIG DEAL. SO LETTING KIDS SEE THEMSELVES, THAT THEY ARE A PART OF HISTORY, THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND REVERED AND I THINK SOME PEOPLE MIGHT FORGET THAT IT IS THAT THAT WILL MAKE BETTER CITIZENRY, WHEN YOU HAVE THAT PRESSURE OF BEING THE FIRST OR BEING THE LINE OF OR BEING IN A GROUP OF AND PEOPLE SEE YOU, THAT DIALS IN EXPECTATIONS INTERNALLY THAT WE ALL AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT FROM.

SO THE MORE YOU DO THIS, THE MORE YOU'RE SERVING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY, SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

IT'S CUSTOMARY TO TAKE A PICTURE.

>> YES. AND THANK YOU.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THE FUTURE DOES HOLD.

LET'S COME ON UP AND TAKE A PICTURE.

(CHATTER) . >> ALL RIGHT, SO THAT WAS VERY COOL. I'VE BEEN ASKED TO PULL K8, AND SO IN THE SPIRIT OF MOVEMENT AND PROGRESS WE'RE GOING TO GO K6 AND THEN I SEE YOU MAYOR, K1 AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT

RECESS. >> K6 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE

[K.6. Discussion and possible action to approve the installation of two National Park Service panels: one interpretive panel and one orientation panel, on the southeast corner of the courthouse grounds, which will highlight the El Camino Real de los Tejas trails that run on two sides of the historic courthouse, and to submit a letter stating such to the National Park Service. INGALSBE/COHEN/CRUMLEY]

NATIONAL PARK SERVICES. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> GINA ALBA-ROGERS WITH THE COUNCIL FOR THE INDIGENOUS AND AT THE JANUARY OWE COMMUNITY.

-- TEJANOS COMMUNITY. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US, SUPPORTING TRAIL AWARENESS AND THE STORIES OF THE EL CAMINO REAL. THESE TRAILS TRACE BOTH SIDES OF THIS COURTHOUSE AND EAST OF IH35 AND FAST DROP HIGHWAY.

OUR INTERESTS IN THESE INTERPRETIVE AND ORIENTATION PANELS IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE EXISTENCE OF INDIGENOUS HISTORIC

[01:50:01]

IN JULY 2022 WE SET OUT TO INSTALL 14 EL CAMINO REAL ORIGINAL HISTORIC SIGNS THAT HAD BEEN PLACED IN SONG FOR STORAGET MONTHS. WITHINALL SIGNS WERE INSTALLED G THIS HISTORIC ROUTE. AS EARLY AS 2023, WE CAME BEFORE THIS COURT SEEKING APPROVAL OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INTERPRETIVE AND ORIENTATION PANELS FOR THE COURTHOUSE.

AND THE PANELS HAVE BEEN SECURED AND THE ARTWORK HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY STOPS AND STARTS, INCLUDING THE COVID SEASON, THE CLOSURE OF SOME OF THE NPS GOVERNMENT OFFICE F HIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND DUE TO REDUCED STAFFING WHICH STALLED SOME OF THE WORK.

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE NEWS TO CONTINUE THIS HARD WORK WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.

WITHOUT SUPPORT LIKE YOURS, OUR WORK WOULD HAVE CEASED YEARS AGO. ON CALL OR ON AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY ARE BOTH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAROL CLARK AND THEN ALSO STEVEN GONZALEZ WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EL CAMINO REAL. ANDWE WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW THEM O TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING FOR THE CORNER OF THIS COURTHOUSE, THIS TRIANGLE THAT'S OVER HERE ON

THIS END. >> THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

AND ON THE MAIN SCREENS STEEN GONZALEZ IS GOING TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF AND GIVE US HIS WONDERFUL TITLE AND ALL BUT I MET HIM -- EAR TALKING ABOUT SIGNS BEING PUT AWAY FOR SO LONA TOLD ME -- OR MAYBE IT WAS YOU, I DON'T REMEMBER, ABOUT CAMINO REAL -- WE HAD A BUNCH OF SIGNS THAT WERE COLLECTING DUST FOR YEARS ALSO AND WERE PUT AWAY. AND AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT, I SAID LET'S FIND OUT. AND I LEANED IN, LIKE I DO, AND I REACHED OUT TO AARON, LUCKILY HE'S HERE BECAUSE I CAN THANK HIM. THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON AND THIS IS WHAT I HEAR AND I HEAR THESE ARE COLLECTING MOTHBALLS.

AND HE IMMEDIATELY JUMPED RIGHT TO IT AND SAID, YES, SIR, COME ON DOWN TO TRANSPORTATION, THEY'RE RIGHT HERE, LET ME SHOW THEM TO YOU. AND THE REST IS HISTORY SO I THANK AARON IN THIS SPACE FOR HELPING TO CREATE, AIR LOAN THER OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE COUNTY, TO TAKE STEVEN GONZALEZ' NATIONAL MISSION AND MAKING SURE HERE IN HAYS COUNTY PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW THE TRAIL WITH THE SIGNS. SO STEVEN, I GAVE YOU A SOFT INTRO. ALL YOU, BUDDY.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE THERE IN ATTENDANCE. I'M SORRY I'M NOT THERE WITH YOU IN-PERSON. APPARENTLY MY INCORRECT EMT EMAL ADDRESS WAS ON FILE OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN PERSON.

I'M STEVEN GONZALEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EL CAMINO REAL DE LOS TENSION AS ASSOCIATION. WE WERE BASED AT THE RIVER SYSTEMS INSTITUTE AT THE HEAD WATERS OF THE SAN MARCOS.

PRESENTLY WE'RE BASED IN AUSTIN AND WE WORKED ALL ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS, COMMUNITIES LIKE YOURS. SO THIS IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY OF THE EL CAMINO REAL. THE CAMINO IS THE ROAD THAT LED TO THE FOUNDING OF TEXAS. WE WOULDN'T BE CALLING TEXAS TEXAS WITHOUT IT TODAY. IT WAS ORIGINALLY A FOOT PATH THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY SPANISH EXPLORERS, FRENCH EXPLORERS, ANGLO SETTLERS, EVEN AFRICAN AMERICANS SEEKING FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH AS THEY CAME INTO SPANISH AND MEXICAN TEXAS TO ESCAPE THAT SLAVERY.

SO IT REALLY IS ELEMENTAL TO THE STATE'S HISTORY.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THINGS SUCH AS THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO AND THOSE EARLY BATTLES FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE, SO MANY OF THOSE BATTLES OR THE TROOP MOVEMENTS BEFORE THOSE BATTLES TOOK PLACE ALONG ROUTES OF THE CAMINO REAL AS THEY WERE GOING TO SAN TANIO AND SAN ANTONIO SO IT'S REALLY ELEMENTAL TO THE STATE'S HISTORY. IT DID TAKE AN ACT OF THE STATE CONGRESS TO DESIGNATE THE CALL INOWE REAL AS A CAMINO REAL AS A NATIONAL STATE TRAIL. FORMER HOUSE MEMBER SUPPORTED IT ON THE HOUSE SIDE. SO THE CAMINO HAS ALWAYS HAD

[01:55:04]

AND IT'S THING THAT WE CAN ALL BE VERY PROUD OF AS TEXANS.

I HEARD YOU A LITTLE EARLIER TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ACCEPTING THE PROCLAMATION FOR JULY TO CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY -- THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF OUR COUNTRY, THE INDEPENDENCE OF OUR COUNTRY, AND THE CAMINO WAS ACTUALLY -- HAD A CONNECTION TO THAT.

THE CAMINO REAL IS THE TEXAS CONNECTION SO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. DURING THAT TIME, SPANISH CATTLE WERE ROUNDED UP FROM THE MISSIONS IN SAN ANTONIO AND OTHER PLACES ACROSS TEXAS AND DRIVEN ALONG THE CAMINO REAL TO PLACES LIKE NEW ORLEANS AND FLORIDA TO FEED THOSE SPANISH TROOPS AS THEY BATTLED THE BRITISH IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT. SO YOU KNOW, THE CAMINO IS THAT CONNECTION THAT TEXAS HAS TO AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

AND SO YOU KNOW, I THINK THE COUNTY HAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO ALLOW THE INSTALLATION OF THESE PANELS ON ITS GROUND. THERE ARE MULTIPLE ROUTES OF THE CAMINO REAL THAT PASS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AND SAN MARCOS ITSELF WOULD NOT BE IN EXISTENCE IF IT WASN'T FOR THE CAMINO REAL. AS YOU KNOW IT WAS FOUNDED ON THE SOUTH AND WEST BANK OF THE SAN MARCOS RIVER THERE [INDISCERNIBLE] AND SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

AND THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAPITALIZE ON THE CAMINO AND IT'S NOT ONLY HISTORIC HERITAGE BUT ITS ECONOMIC POTENTIAL. YOU KNOW, HERITAGE TOURISM IS THE SECOND BIGGEST SECTION OF TOURISM IN THE TEXAS TOURIST ECONOMY ONLY TO SHOPPING. AND SO HERITAGE TOURISTS ARE GENERALLY OLDER, MORE AFFLUENT, MORE EDUCATED AND THEY WILL COME TO YOUR COMMUNITIES MORE OFTEN TO EXPERIENCE THESE HISTORIC RESOURCES AND SPEND MONEY AT THE HOTELS AND THE RESTAURANTS AND THE GAS STATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND SO THESE TRAILS CAN HELP TO DRIVE YOUR COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE RECENTLY ISSUED A PLAN THAT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY CAN USE AS AN EXAMPLE TO WORK WITH DEVELOPERS SO THAT THEY CAN DEVELOP PORTIONS OF THE CAMINO REAL IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT ALONG SAY THE OLD [INDISCERNIBLE] ROAD, POST ROAD OR OTHER PLACES LIKE THAT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF ECONOMIC POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAMINO IN THE COUNTY, AND I THINK IT CAN ALL BEGIN HERE IN -- AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE WHERE YOU KNOW, THE FIRST POTENTIAL MPS BRANDED SIGNS IN THE COUNTY -- INTERPRETIVE SIGNS IN THE COUNTY COULD BE INSTALLED AND IT COULD ALL START RIGHT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY SO WE HOPE THAT THE COMMISSION WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND APPROVE THIS MOTION TO HAVE THOSE SIGNS INSTALLED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, STEVEN. AND THEN OUR OTHER SPEAKER, IF YOU'LL INTRODUCE YOUR NAME WITH TITLE, PLEASE, WE'LL TURN THAT

ONE TO THE BIG SCREEN. >> OKAY.

HI. MY NAME IS CAROL CLARK.

I'M AN INTERPRETIVE SPECIALIST WITH THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE.

I WORK AT AN OFFICE CALLED NATIONAL TRAILS AND I'M TALKING TO YOU FROM SANTA FE NEW MEXICO WHICH IS WHERE OUR PRIMARY OFFICE IS LOCATED. WE ADMINISTER TEN NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS ACROSS 24 STATES.

AND EL CAMINO REAL TEJAS IS ONE OF THEM AND GETTING A LOT OF EMPHASIS IN OUR WORKLOAD TO THE PUBLIC IN THE NEXT YEAR THANKS TO SOME OF THE WORK THAT STEVEN HAS DONE TO ACQUIRE FUNDS TO EXPAND INTERPRETATION ALONG THE TRAIL.

OUR GOAL IS TO HELP COMMUNITIES TELL THEIR STORY.

SO WHERE THESE HISTORIC ROUTES PASS THROUGH COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE A LEGAL MANDATED BY CONGRESS OPPORTUNITY TO WORK

WITH PARTNERS WHO TELL >> AND SO OUR PRIMARY PARTNER IS ONE OF THEM, IT'S THE NATIONAL HISTORIC ASSOCIATION -- IT'S A MOUTHFUL BUT IT IS OUR OFFICIAL ARM AND SO I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DESIGN EXHIBITS FOR THE COURTHOUSE ALSO FOR THE SPRING. AND WE HOPE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE -- CREATE A REPLACEMENT PATH WHERE PEOPLE WHO COME TO TOWN CAN ALSO WALK BETWEEN THE COURTHOUSE AND THE SPRINGS, WALK THROUGH CAMPUS, ALONG THE RIVER AND GET A SENSE FOR MOVING TODAY AND WHAT THE EXHIBITS DO IS ORIENT PEOPLE TO HOW THE TRAIL CAME THROUGH TOWN, IT WILL USE HISTORIC MAPS AS

[02:00:04]

THE SECOND EXHIBIT IS AN ART PIECE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN WHICH IS REACHING ITS FINAL PLANNING STAGES AND IT WILL SHOW THE TRAIL THROUGH TIME. IF YOU CAN IMAGINE SORT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EXHIBIT WILL HIGHLIGHT INDIGENOUS PRESENCE AND THE FOOTPATH AND THEN WE WILL MOVE THROUGH TIME AS WE APPROACH THE COURTHOUSE ALL THE WAY TO THE SPRINGS TO GIVE PEOPLE A SENSE OF THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF SAN MARCOS HISTORY FROM EARLY INHABITANTS TO THE PRESENT.

AND I AM THE DESIGNER FOR THE PROJECT.

>> BEAUTIFUL. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR EITHER ON THE SCREEN STARTING WITH

COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> I JUST WANT TO SAY, AS I WRAP UP MY TERM OF SERVICE, ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING, FULFILLING THINGS THAT I WAS ABLE TO DO AS FAR AS A SPEAKING EVENT IN 2023, I WAS ASKED TO SPEAK AT THE TEXAS STATE CEMETERY ON TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY. OFTEN WE ARE ASKED TO GIVE SPEECHES OR ASKED TO ATTEND EVENTS THAT ARE PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON ONE ISSUE. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS ONE ISSUE AND ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES THEY TOLD ME TO SPEAK ABOUT WHATEVER THEY WANT. AS LONG AS IT'S RELEVANT TO TEXAS INDEPENDENCE OR THE HISTORY OF TEXAS, YOU CAN SPEAK ON WHATEVER YOU WANT. AND SO I DOVE DEEP INTO SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS THAT REFERENCED MY FAMILY AND TEXAS HISTORY.

I AM PROUD TO SAY MY THREE DAUGHTERS ARE EIGHTH GENERATION TEXAN. AND THE CAMINO REAL CAME UP CONSISTENTLY. ONE OF THE MOST -- ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST PROUD OF AND I READ IT AT THE TEXAS STATE CEMETERY, WAS A LETTER THAT WAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN A BOOK THE BOOK IS CALLED THE WHOLE CHEESE, AND IT'S MAGGIE SMITH, IN THE BACK OF IT IS A PART OF FAMILY HISTORY AND IT'S A LETTER FROM ONE OF MY ANCESTORS WHO WAS 12 OR 13 YEARS OLD DURING A RUNAWAY SCRAPE AND A RUNAWAY SCRAPE WAS WHEN SETTLERS WERE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE ARMY AND THEY USED THE CAMINO REAL TO TRY TO SEEK SAFETY ALL THE WAY TO THE LOUISIANA BORDER. AND FOR ME, IT HAS A SPECIAL MEANING FOR MY FAMILY. I'M EXCITED FOR THIS.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME RENDERINGS AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. >> WONDERFUL.

WHAT AN AMAZING PROJECT. I FULLY SUPPORT PUTTING THIS INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND LETTING PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SUCH A GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY AND VISIT US MORE OFTEN AND GOOD POINTS FROM AN ECONOMY PERSPECTIVE FROM A HERITAGE AND BEING ABLE TO COMMEMORATE THE HISTORY OF THE EL CAMINO REAL.

SO I'M VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU TO THE STAFF FOR WORKING ON THIS. THIS IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THE COURTHOUSE AND TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAYS COUNTY AS A HOLE. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IT WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE, SO CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO THANK STEPHEN GONZALEZ BECAUSE I MET HIM SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING NOT JUST THE EL CAMINO REAL BUT SO MUCH MORE AND HE TALKED ABOUT WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING NOW, DEVELOPMENT COMES TO THE EAST SIDE, WE ARE ASKING FOR TRAILS AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE SOME CONNECTIVITY TO INSTALL SOME OF THESE MARKERS AND SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ADDITION.

I REALLY THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US BECAUSE THESE MARKERS WILL REVEAL AMAZING HISTORY OF WHO UTILIZED THESE TRAILS. OUR BACKUP HAS A RENDITION AND IF THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK AT -- LOOK LIKE, IT'S

[02:05:04]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE IN TRYING TO GET THIS DONE.

IT IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A

WONDERFUL ADDITION. >> PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE BUT IT'S BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING. EVERYTHING TAKES TIME.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL CULMINATION OF EFFORTS, ESPECIALLY WITH CARROLL'S SUPPORT, AND THANK YOU TO STEPHEN.

HE CAME TO OUR MEETINGS AT THE ROTUNDA, HELPING TO EDUCATE, INFORM AND BRING THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS, JUST LIKE THE PREVIOUS AGENDA ITEM, TO THE HISTORY.

I REMEMBER AS WE WERE STARTING ALL OF THIS, I KNOW IT SOUNDS EMBARRASSING BUT I'M NOW A LITTLE MORE CONDITIONED AND WEATHERED AND SO I HAVE LESS CONCERN ABOUT EGO BUT SHE WAS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT I WAS INDIGENOUS AND I WAS LIKE WELL, AM I? I HAD TO REALLY REFLECT AND THINK ABOUT IT FEAR IT'S LIKE YES, I AM.

AND IT IS THROUGH THESE, I DON'T KNOW, EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS AND TALKS THAT I REALIZE THAT YES, THERE IS A CITY IN SPAIN AND I DO HAVE SPANISH ROOTS, BUT, YES, I ALSO HAVE MEXICAN ROOTS.

IT'S A "YES" END. AND SO WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THESE GUYS OR THOSE GUYS, I CHUCKLE INSIDE BECAUSE THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU REALIZE YOU ARE PART OF ALL OF THOSE GUYS.

SO IT IS AWESOME. I THINK WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH COMMISSIONER COHEN, JUDGE.

>> YES. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND

THANK YOU FOR BEING ALIGNED. >> REAL QUICKLY, I THINK THEY WERE NEEDING THESE DOCUMENTS SIGNED.

>> THAT WAS CASE SIX. WE ARE ON A TICKING CLOCK HERE SO WE WILL GO AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

[K.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize Civil Division of the Criminal District Attorney's office to negotiate a professional services agreement, not to exceed $50,000, with Accenture related to the creation of an entity serving the Wimberley Valley, that would be able to collaborate with water and wastewater providers, apply for grants and participate in other programs for funding to identify and evaluate water supply alternatives and provide other solutions to assist local jurisdictions addressing the challenges currently facing this area, authorize a waiver to the purchasing policy of obtaining three quotes, and amend the budget accordingly. HAMMER]

G15 AND THEN WE WILL TAKE A 15 MINUTE RECESS.

K ONE. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE CIVIL DIVISION OF THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE AND NEGOTIATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 WITH ACCENTURE RELATED TO THE CREATION OF AN ENTITY SERVING THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH WATER AND WASTEWATER PROVIDERS, APPLY FOR GRANTS AND PARTICIPATE IN OTHER PROGRAMS FOR FUNDING TO IDENTIFY THE WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVES AND PROVIDE OTHER SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST LOCAL JURISDICTION ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES CURRENTLY FACING THIS AREA AUTHORIZING A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY OF OBTAINING THREE QUOTES AND AMEND THE

BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY, COMMISSIONER. SHED LIGHT.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO READ?

>> WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT. LET'S GO FOR THAT.

>> WE HAVE ONE IN-PERSON AND ONE EMAIL.

>> WE WILL DO THE IN-PERSON FIRST.

>> DEBORAH. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS DEBORAH HINESBURG I'M HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY OF WOODCREEK. I AM IN MY FIFTH YEAR SERVING ON COUNCIL AND I AM THE CURRENT MAYOR.

I'M HERE TO ASK THE COURT TO SUPPORT ITEM K ONE AND APPROVE THE FUNDING FOR THIS EFFORT FOR ONGOING COLLABORATION FOR THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY, CITY OF WOODCREEK AND THE COUNTY.

THE PURPOSE FOR MY REQUEST IS SO THAT WE MAY SOLIDIFY AND STRENGTHEN OUR LOCAL PARTNERHIPS IN PERPETUITY.

OUR LOCAL LEADERS RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER AND ENSURE THE LONGEVITY OF OUR COMMUNITY BY SAFEGUARDING THE SOURCE OF THE LION'S SHARE OF OUR ECONOMY AS IT RELATES TO THE TOURISM CENTRED AROUND OUR WATERWAYS. EACH OF YOU LIKELY HAS A HOMETOWN. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ONE YOU FIND LATER IN LIFE AS AN ADULT, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ONE OF YOUR CHILDHOOD, THE ONE THAT FORMED THE FOUNDATION OF WHO YOU ARE. THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY IS MINE.

PLEASE SUPPORT US IN OUR COLLABORATIVE WORK TO PROTECT THIS ESSENTIAL LIFE GIVING RESOURCE, OUR WATER, GROUND AND SURFACE AND ENSURE MY HOMETOWN CAN THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. PLEASE VOTE YES TO ITEM K ONE AS SPONSORED BY COMMISSIONER HAMER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU.

AND NOW THE WRITTEN COMMENT. >> HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS MEASURE TO ALLOCATE FUNDS TOWARDS ESTABLISHING A COLLABORATIVE ENTITY TO ADDRESS OUR AREA'S GROWING WATER CHALLENGES.

AROUND MY TERMS ON WIMBERLEY CITY COUNCIL, OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE DWINDLING WATER LEVELS IN OUR CREEK AND RIVER AS WELL AS THE AQUIFERS FEEDING THE WELLS. MANY OF OUR -- SUSTAINING MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS. WE ARE KEENLY AWARE OF THE WATER

[02:10:04]

THE CITIES OF WIMBERLEY AND WOODCREEK ALONG WITH THE COUNTY, SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LIBRARIES AND NONPROFITS PLUS GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE EAGER TO HAVE MORE FORMAL STRUCTURE TO EXPAND OUR EFFORTS WHICH ALSO WOULD ENABLE US TO PROTECT OUR RECREATIONAL WATERWAYS THAT CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH MORE TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. CREATING A COHESIVE, FORMAL ENTITY GIVES US A CRITICAL TOOL AND ALL OUR ABILITY TO PRESERVE OUR CORNER OF TEXAS. WE APPRECIATE THE COUNTY ENABLING THIS INITIATIVE AND WILL BE ENTHUSIASTIC PARTNERS IN THE PROCESS. I SPEAK ONLY FOR MYSELF TODAY BECAUSE OUR COUNTY -- COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE DID NOT ALLOW FOR COUNCIL RESOLUTION FOR ALL OF US TO VOTE ON IT.

I WILL GLADLY PUT AN ITEM ON OUR AGENDA TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR

FACILITATING THIS STEP. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> LAST QUART, WE DISCUSSED THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND US BEING ABLE TO, WE HAD A COUPLE OF THINGS WE WANTED TO DECIDE AND VOTE ON TO SEE HOW WE WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD HERE AS EVERYONE KNOWS, WE ARE FIGHTING FOR WATER CONSTANTLY AND WE DON'T HAVE LOCAL AUTHORITY AND WE ALWAYS SAY WE DON'T HAVE LOCAL AUTHORITY FROM A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE AND WE ARE WAITING ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PUT INTO PLACE THAT WILL HELP US WE ARE HAVING TONS OF FUNDS FROM THE STATE LEVEL BEING ALLOCATED TOWARD WATER AND THIS WOULD GIVE US NOT ONLY TEETH BUT WOULD ALSO ALLOW US TO ACCEPT FUNDS AND TO HELP OUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BUT ALSO IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME WHERE A PIPELINE WAS RUN, IT WOULD GIVE US SOME AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO DICTATE WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT AND HOW DEVELOPMENT IS CONTROLLED FROM

THERE. >> FOR CLARIFICATION, YOU WERE SAYING THAT THE $10 MILLION WATER FUND AVAILABILITY FOR DEVELOPMENT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE

ACCESSIBLE TO THIS BODY? >> THIS BODY IS ABLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS. WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM DONORS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME WHERE SOMEONE WANTED TO SELL ANY TYPE OF PUBLIC UTILITY WITHIN THAT AREA CACTUS COULD STEP IN AND BE

OF GREAT HELP. >> WHAT WOULD BE THE MAKEUP OF

THE DECISION? >> WHAT THIS IS GOING TO DO IS THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW ACCENTURE TO COME IN AND HELP US CREATE THIS. IN THAT PROCESS, THEY ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE BYLAWS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, HOW THE BOARD WILL BE MADE UP AND GO FROM THERE.

I KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH ACCENTURE AS WELL AND GIVE

SOME PARAMETERS AROUND THAT. >> I'M GOING TO ASSUME FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC FOLLOWING ALONG THAT WE WILL HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, ONE FROM WOOD CREEK, ONE FROM WIMBERLEY ET CETERA TO HELP SHAPE THE

DIRECTION? >> CORRECT.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> I FULLY SUPPORT THIS EFFORT.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WIMBERLEY TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE WATER FUND. I'M GLAD YOU ALL FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO THAT SO THAT IS GREAT. BUT I FULLY SUPPORT THIS.

THIS IS GREAT. >> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WE WERE FORMING THE PEW AND SO WE WORKED LOTS WITH OUR WESTERN CITIES TO HELP IN THIS AREA IF THIS IS THE AVENUE WE NEED TO GO TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE WATER IN THE AREA, I'M IN FULL SUPPORT.

>> I'M GOING TO TRY TO FURTHER CLARIFY SOME OF YOUR STATEMENTS BECAUSE NUMBER 1, I SECOND THIS, I FULLY SUPPORT IT.

I THINK IT IS NEEDED. I THINK IT IS PROBABLY LONG OVERDUE. I'M GLAD WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE ALREADY THAT WILL HELP US PROMOTE THIS BUT THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE SOME LESSONS THAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE ONE OPERATING IN THE STATE. I WAS NOT ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AT THE TIME. WE ARE NOW IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT, ONCE IT'S DEVELOPED IS GOING TO BE IN HAYS COUNTY AND HAYS COUNTY, ON THAT BOARD, THERE ARE FIVE REPRESENTATIVES. TWO FROM THE CITY, ONE FROM EXTERNAL, THE EXTERNAL AREAS OF TRAVIS COUNTY AND TWO FROM HAYS

[02:15:05]

AND HAVING THE VOTES TO DO THAT I THINK WOULD PROBABLY BE A GOOD STEP HERE BUT I FULLY SUPPORT THIS.

I THINK HAVING ACCESS TO THAT FUND IS MASSIVE.

TO CLARIFY, IT'S HALF A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO IDENTIFY NEW WATER RESOURCES AND A HALF A BILLION A YEAR TO IMPROVE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. I THINK THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF BEING BOTH OF THOSE.

AND SO THIS IS AN ENTITY THAT COULD DO BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

YOU HAVE GOT THE RIGHT ENTITIES HERE TO WORK WITH.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IN THE FORMATION, I KNOW THAT IT IS PURELY WORKING WITH THESE FOLKS TO CREATE THE FRAMEWORK BUT I WANT TO PRELOAD SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND SO MY BELIEF IS IT IS SO IMPORTANT, REPRESENTATION IS SO CRITICAL, ESPECIALLY ON WATER. IN THE WIMBERLEY VALLEY, IT'S LIKE ALMOST A REDUNDANCY ALL IN ITSELF.

WHAT IS OUR CAPACITY TO MAKE THOSE POSITIONS ELECTED?

>> CHASE YOUNG. TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, YOU ARE ASKING ARE WE ALLOWED OUR REPRESENTATIVES ON THIS KIND OF BOARD FOR INSTANCE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THIS AGENDA ITEM IS IN SUPPORT OF THE FORMATION, WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN THAT FORMATION DOCUMENTATION.

MY AIM, MY HOPE WOULD BE THAT PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY, OF THE FIVE MEMBER BODY, WHATEVER MAKEUP IT IS WOULD THE -- WOULD BE ELECTED POSITIONS VERSUS APPOINTED POSITIONS.

>> SO IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A GENERAL ELECTION.

>> HAVE THOSE POSITIONS BE ELECTED INSTEAD OF APPOINTED.

>> INTERESTING. THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER. I CAN LOOK AT THAT.

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE HIGHEST AND BEST IN MY OPINION.

>> AGREED TO DISAGREE IN THAT REGARD I DO SEE THE VALUE OF HAVING ELECTIONS BUT ELECTIONS ALSO COST MONEY.

THESE ARE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DETERMINE WITHIN WORKING WITH ACCENTURE. THIS IS JUST TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT. I FULLY SEE WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE BODY THAT ELECTED ME TO REPRESENT PRECINCT THREE ELECTED ME TO REPRESENT PRECINCT THREE -- I'M FULLY AWARE THAT PRECINCT THREE UNDERSTANDS WATER AND WILL REPRESENT THAT, SAME WITH WIMBERLEY CITY COUNCIL AND THE WOOD CREEK CITY COUNCIL. I THINK THEY WILL LET THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT WILL BEST SUPPORT THEIR WATER.

I DO THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING FOR COMMISSIONER SMITH, HIS CONCERN. I AGREE TO DISAGREE ON THAT AS WELL. I DO THINK THAT AS THE THREE ENTITIES THAT FORM THIS, WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER VERY WELL.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DISAGREE ON BUT WE ARE ABLE TO COME TO TERMS AND I BELIEVE THAT WILL CONTINUE WITHIN THE PUA.

BUT AGAIN, THIS IS JUST TO ENGAGE WITH ACCENTURE AND THEN TO HAVE AN OPEN DOOR DISCUSSION ON HOW THAT IS GOING TO LOOK.

>> I WOULD SAY TO YOUR POINT, A PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY IS UNDER STATUTE AND PLEASE IF I SAY EVERYTHING YOU FIND IN -- IF I SAY ANYTHING YOU FIND INCORRECT, PLEASE CORRECT ME.

BUT IT IS NOT A PUBLIC ENTITY IN THE SENSE.

IT IS A PSEUDO PUBLIC ENTITY. IT IS A COLLABORATION OF TWO OR

[02:20:01]

IT DOESN'T EVEN REFERENCE ELECTIONS IN THERE BECAUSE FOR AN ENTITY TO PARTICIPATE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE LEADERSHIP OF THAT ENTITY, IT HAS TO BE SOMEONE INVOLVED AS THE LEADERSHIP OF THAT ENTITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THAT ENTITY.

TO THIS POINT, THAT'S THE REASON THAT NONE HAVE HAD ANY TYPE OF

PUBLIC ELECTION PROCESS. >> SO FOR EVERYTHING YOU SAID I WAS ABLE TO FOLLOW. THE WAY THAT THE STATE, WE ARE AN EXTENSION OF THE STATE. SO THE WAY THAT THE STATE GOVERNS US AS A COURT IS MAGICAL WORDS LIKE SHALL AND YOU MUST, YOU BETTER DO THIS OR ELSE. SO LET ME FINISH.

AND SO MY THINKING IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SAID SO FAR IS GREAT. I'M NOT DISPUTING IT AND I'M NOT EVEN TRYING TO CREATE A TALKING POINT CONTEST BUT I WILL SAY THAT WE COULD SEE A SEAT, REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT WITHIN THE CITY OF WOOD CREEK, WE COULD SEE THE SAME FOR A COUNTY WIDE SEAT.

WE COULD SEE THE SAME FOR ANY OF THESE SPOTS SO THAT THEY CAN RUN AND DO REPRESENT AND HAVE THAT ABILITY AND THE IDEA THAT PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY WOULD BEAR ANY COST TO THAT ELECTION, I WOULD NOT THINK THAT WOULD BE A CONCERN.

COSTS WOULDN'T BE TOO MUCH OF A BIG DEAL EITHER BUT I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WE COULD DO THAT. CITIES DO SINGLE DISTRICTS.

I THINK WE CAN CAPTURE THE REPRESENTATION OF THE AGENCIES, OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES THAT ARE PARTNERING UP HERE WE NEED TO AGREE ON THE FORMATION OF IT BUT WHAT I'M AFRAID OF BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR COUNTY WIDE IN ALL THE NOOKS AND COUNTIES AND ALL THE GOOD AND BAD THAT COMES WITH IT, THERE ARE CLIQUES IN OUR COUNTY AND THESE CLIQUES, IF YOU GIVE PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO VOTE, THAT IS UP TO THEM.

IF IT'S A CLIQUE YOU LIKE, YOU VOTE FOR IT.

IF IT'S NOT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

MY ONLY THINKING IS TO BE MOST PEACEFUL AND MOST OPEN AND MOST TRANSPARENT AS WE GO INTO THIS CONTRACT NEGOTIATION, THAT WE SIMPLY TELL THIS ORGANIZATION. EVEN IF IT'S JUST ONE ON THE COURT, ONE MEMBER OF THE COURT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT ELECTED POSITIONS THAT ARE GEOGRAPHIC GEOGRAPHICALLY FENCED.

>> CAN I READ ONE. THIS IS SECTION 572.057, BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY.

EACH DIRECTOR MUST BE APPOINTED BY PLACE BACKED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE PARTICIPATING PUBLIC ENTITY.

EACH PARTICIPATING PUBLIC ENTITY IS ENTITLED TO APPOINT AT LEAST ONE DIRECTOR AT MINIMUM. THAT IS THE STATE LAW THAT TELLS

US HOW WE HAVE TO APPOINT THEM. >> SO WE'VE GOT TO APPOINT ONE.

IT DOESN'T SAY WE CAN DO ELECTED.

BUT GETTING INTO CONTRACT WITH THESE PEOPLE, THEY MAY BE ABLE

TO FERRET OUT THE DETAILS FOR. >> ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME HERE WE CAN ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS.

I WILL NEVER SHY AWAY FROM KNOWING ALL SIGNS OF THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAVING AN OPEN MIND IS ABOUT.

I WANT TO SAY THAT PUA'S ARE CREATED FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

ONE WAS CREATED BECAUSE LCRA WAS SELLING OFF THEIR PORTIONS AND THEY NEEDED ONE ENTITY TO GRAB IT ALL BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SELL IT TO INDIVIDUALS FEAR SO THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE PUA CACTUS SIMPLY COME TOGETHER. WE HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF WOOD CREEK AND THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY AND TO COME TOGETHER AND TO BE ABLE TO DICTATE WHAT GOES ON WITH OUR WATER, AND TO BE ABLE TO PIVOT WHERE WE WANT TO GO AND BE ABLE TO ACCEPT FUNDING.

SO THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUA.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE HERE WE'VE GOT COUNCIL, COUNCILMAN, IT'S WEIRD TO SAY COUNCILMAN AND NOT MAYOR.

WE'VE GOT MAYOR DEBORAH HAYNES FROM THE CITY OF WOOD CREEK, WE'VE GOT REBECCA MINNICK FROM THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY, AND ALSO MAYOR CHILES FROM THE CITY OF WIMBERLEY.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> MOST DEFINITELY, YES. THERE IN THE PUBLIC AND THE AUDIENCE, AND THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT BECAUSE THE CAMERAS DON'T PAN IN YOUR DIRECTION.

[02:25:02]

THAT'S IN PART WHY I PUSHED IT FORWARD IN THE AGENDA, TO LET YOU KEEP GOING ABOUT YOUR DAY. PLEASE CALL ROLL.

[K.13. Discussion and possible action to execute a Professional Services Agreement (2026-PSA-80) between Hays County and Dunaway Associates LLC to provide design services for Cape's Pond Park and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/FLOCKE/HUNT]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER GAZLEY,

COMMISSIONER SMITH, JUDGE. >> THERE YOU GO.

HAVE A GREAT DAY. LET'S MOVE ON TO K13.

DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT 2026 -- LETTER P8-80 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND DUNAWAY ASSOCIATES LLC, TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR CAPE POND'S PARK AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> RJ, THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, IN MARCH, WE SELECTED DUNAWAY TO DO THE DESIGN. THIS IS A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT FOR THEM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

PROJECT. >> BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU. IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? OTHERWISE, WE WILL VOTE ON IT. NOTHING NEW? WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A WORD COUNT.

A FEW MORE SECONDS. >> I AM FROM DUNAWAY.

I WASN'T EXPECTING TO BE HERE UNTIL LAST NIGHT'S.

MY COWORKER ORIGINALLY RUNNING THIS IS OUT WITH HIS FAMILY VISITING ARKANSAS. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH,

[G.15. Approve out-of-state travel for one Judicial Services employee to attend the 2026 National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) Annual Conference August 30th - September 2nd, 2026 in Reno, Nevada. INGALSBE/FACUNDO]

JUDGE. >> G15 AND THEN A 15 MINUTE

BREAK. >> G15, APPROVE ODYSSEY TRAVEL FOR ONE JURISDICTIONAL SERVICE EMPLOYEE TO ATTEND THE 2026 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRETRIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND APSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AUGUST 30TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER SECOND 2026 IN RENO,

NEVADA. >> MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME

AND TITLE. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.

THE EMPLOYEE WAS AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP THAT HAS BEEN PAID FOR THEIR REGISTRATION, THE HOTEL STAY AND IS GOING TO REIMBURSE THE FLIGHT AS WELL AT THE COMPLETION OF THE

CONFERENCE. >> MAGNIFICENT.

CAN SAY NO TO THAT. WHAT WOULD BE THE TAKEAWAY FROM

THIS EXPERIENCE? >> THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST TIME SENDING SOMEONE TO THE NATIONAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE IF THERE'S A PRETRIAL CONFERENCE IN TEXAS WE SEND STAFF TO YEARLY.

IT'S LEARNING, NETWORKING AND LEARNING THE BEST PRACTICES THAT WE CAN BRING BACK HERE TO HAYS COUNTY.

>> PERFECT. THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS WE CAN DO AS A GOVERNMENT IS LOOK TO OUR BIGGER HIGHER POPULATION BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN GOVERNMENT TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, SEE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED, SEE WHERE THEY'VE FAILED, SEE WHERE THEY HAVE GAINED.

BRING IT HOME. GOOD JOB.

COMMISSIONER, ANYTHING ELSE? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER HAMER, COMMI

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

>> WE ARE BACK FROM A SHORT RECESS.

I BELIEVE WE'RE ON THE REMAINDER OF CONSENT AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. ARE THERE ITEMS TO DISCUSS? SEEING NOTHING, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER

COHEN. >> I RECUSE MYSELF AS I HAVE A

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to call for a public hearing on July 28, 2026, to change the yield sign to a stop sign at the intersection of Creek Road at Mt. Gainor. HAMMER/A. JONES]

FAMILY MEMBER WORKING THERE. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES.

THEN WE ARE GOING TO GO TO RHODES.

PLEASE OPEN I NUMBER 1. >> I ONE, DISCUSS POSSIBLE ACTION TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 28TH, 2026 TO CHANGE THE YIELD SIGN TO A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF

CREEK ROAD. >> SO MOVED, SECOND.

>> DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TURN A YIELD INTO A STOP SIGN?

>> ACTUALLY, YES. >> JUST MAKING SURE.

>> YOU GO. YOU HAVE HAD THAT IN YOUR

PRECINCT. >> I HAVE FOUGHT THIS, THIS INTERSECTION IS A HORRENDOUS RIVER -- INTERSECTION.

IT'S WE HAVE DONE NO PARKING THERE, WE HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS. THERE IS NOW A DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE CITY AND HAS AN ENTRANCE THAT IS IMMEDIATELY AT THAT INTERSECTION AND A STOP SIGN.

>> AS LONG AS CONSCIENTIOUSLY DISCUSSED, THAT'S ALL I'M

ASKING. >> I KNOW ONE THAT I AM GOING TO

-- >> VERY GOOD, PLEASE CALL ROLL.

[I.2. Discussion and possible action to call for a public hearing on July 28, 2026, to change the yield sign to a stop sign at the intersection of Sachtleben Road at Wayside Drive. HAMMER/A.JONES ]

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER HAMMER COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, JUDGE BECERRA.

[02:30:02]

>> YES. I TWO.

>> DISCUSS IMPOSSIBLE ACTION TO CALL PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 28TH, 2026 TO CHANGE THE YIELD SIGN TO A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF SHADOWBAN ROAD AND WAYSIDE DRIVE.

>> SO MOVED SECOND. >> SAME THING.

>> CALLED THE ROLL. COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER

[Items I.3 & I.4]

>> YES, OPEN EYE THREE AND FOUR. >> DISCUSS AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF A TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER EACX2040503 IN THE AMOUNT OF $162,339.05 AND RELEASE THE BOND NUMBER EACX4020546 IN THE AMOUNT OF $6518 AND ACCEPT THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROADS INTO COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR SUNSET OAK SUBDIVISION SECTION FOUR PHASE ONE. I FOR DISCUSS ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF THE TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER EACX4042089, IN THE AMOUNT OF $119,612.46 IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROADS INTO THE COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR SUNSET OAK SUBDIVISION SECTION FOUR, PHASE 3B.

>> SO MOVED SECOND. >> WE DO HAVE STAFF

RECOMMENDATION. >> I WAS ABOUT TO ASK, THESE ROADS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED, WERE THEY BUILD TO OUR STANDARDS? WILL WE HAVE A ROAD MAP BEING REPAIRED, WHAT'S THE SITUATION?

>> THESE ARE ACTUALLY NOT BUILT, THESE ARE FOR THE BONDS.

THESE ARE PRIOR. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[Items I.5 & I.6]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER COHEN, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES. OPEN I FIVE AND SIX.

>> I FIVE CACTUS BLOSSOM POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT SURETY FOR STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,782,646.62 FOR THE RIDGE WEST AT CAMINO REAL PHASE ONE FINAL PLAT BOND NUMBER CS0000613. I SIX DISCUSS POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT FISCAL SURETY FOR THE STREET AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,373,227.78 FOR THE RIDGE WEST CAMINO REAL PHASE TWO FINAL PLAT BOND NUMBER CS0000614.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> THIS IS THE FISCAL SURETY FOR THE STREET DRAINAGE

IMPROVEMENTS. >> VERY GOOD.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE

[I.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Contract for Right of Way Acquisition Services (2026- PSA-81) between Hays County and Lockwood, Andrews, and Newnam, Inc. (LAN) to provide Right of Way services for the High Road project in Precinct 1 and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/A.JONES]

BECERRA. >> YES.

I SEVEN. >> I SEVEN, DISCUSS A POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION SERVICES 2026-PSA-81 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND LOCKWOOD, ANDREWS AND NEWNAM INC. LAN TO PROVIDE RIGHT OF WAY SERVICES FOR THE HIGH ROAD PROJECT IN PRECINCT ONE AND

AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED AND SECONDED.

>> THEY WERE SELECTED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR AND THIS IS

THE NEGOTIATED CONTRACT. >> VERY GOOD.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH,

[I.8. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) and associated Resolution, by and between the State of Texas, acting by and through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Hays County for the Change Order to 0683-05-017 project (0.177 miles west of RM 12 to 0.185 miles east of RM 12) in Hays County, Texas and amend the budget accordingly. This AFA relates to the RM 12 at Fitzhugh Road Intersection Improvements Project (Project 891-036). SMITH/A.JONES ]

>> YES. I EIGHT.

>> I EIGHT. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN ADVANCED FUNDING AGREEMENT AND ASSOCIATED RESOLUTION BY AND BETWEEN THE STATE OF TEXAS ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND HAYS COUNTY FOR THE CHANGE ORDER TO 0683-05-017 PROJECT 0.177 MILES WEST OF RM 712 TO 0.185 MILES EAST OF RM 12 IN HAYS COUNTY TEXAS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

THIS AFE RELATES TO THE RM12 FOR AN INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT

PROJECT 891-036. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ITERATION AND ANOTHER CHANGE TO THE ADVANCED FUNDING AGREEMENT IF YOU REMEMBER ON THIS PROJECT, STATE OF TEXAS IS ACTUALLY EXPANDING AND IMPROVING RANCH ROAD 12 ALL THE WAY INTO TRAVIS COUNTY. AS PART OF THAT PROJECT, ONE OF

[02:35:03]

ARE PROVIDING THE CONSTRUCTION. >> SPEAKER-01: ANYTHING ELSE

TO ADD? >> THE PROJECT LEFT SOME HARD LINES. THEY HAVE GOT THEIR CONTRACTOR STARTING HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

THIS ONE, AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID, IT TIES IN THIS INTERSECTION WHICH GETS THAT COMPLETED QUICKER.

>> GOOD. THANK YOU FOR THE EFFICIENCY.

PLEASE CALL ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH

[I.9. Discussion and possible action to execute a Third Amendment to the Traffic Signal Maintenance Contract between E-Z Bell Construction, LLC, and Hays County with the proposed price increases. COHEN/SMITH/A.JONES/HUNT ]

JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES.

LETTER I9. >> DISCUSS AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT BETWEEN EZ BELL CONSTRUCTION LLC HAYS COUNTY WITH THE PROPOSED PRICE INCREASE.

>> SO MOVED, SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN, WHAT'S

THE PRICE INCREASE. >> 3500 FOR ANNUAL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND WE ARE ADDING FROM PRECINCT TO THE LANE AND WINDY HILL INTERSECTION AND THE GROUND ROAD.

>> CAN YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.

>> PURCHASING AGENT. THE CURRENT PRICE IS $3000 FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF EACH SIGNAL. IT IS GOING UP TO 3500 PER

SIGNAL FOR MAINTENANCE. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN COMMISSIONER HAMMER,

[Items J.1, J.2 & J.3]

BECERRA. >> YES.

J ONE. AND TWO.

AND WEIGHT, THREE. ONE, TWO AND THREE.

>> J ONE, PLN2981 -- P. C, CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 28TH, 2026 REGARDING THE ROLLING OAKS SECTION FOR LOT 77 READ PLOT.

J2PLN-2899-PC, CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 28TH, 2026 REGARDING THE BRIDLEWOOD RANCHES SECTION TWO LOT 17R.

PLN-2980-PC, CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 28TH, 2026, REGARDING THE DOUGLAS ESTATES LOT OF LOT D. -- 12.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

[J.4. PLN-2988-PC; Hold a Public Hearing regarding the Silver Spur Ranchettes, Section 2, PT of Lot 11, Replat. SMITH/BERLAD ]

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER COHEN, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES. I FOR.

>> J FOR. PLN-2988PC, HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE SILVER SPUR RANCHETTES, SECTION TWO, PT

OF LOT 11, REPLAT. >> I'M OPENING THE AGENDA ITEM FOR PUBLIC HEARING. IF THERE IS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

I SEE NO MOVEMENTS. I AM CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ALL RIGHT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE BECERRA. SENIOR PLANNER WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE TWO LOTS ACROSS ACRES, IT IS ALONG DAVY CROCKETT DRIVE AND WILL FOLLOW THE TRAIL INCREASING FOR WATER UTILITY WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS AND WASTEWATER INDIVIDUAL ON SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. ONCE ALL REVIEW IS COMPLETE, DEFICIENCIES HAVE BEEN CLEARED, WE WILL BRING THIS PROJECT BACK

[J.5. PLN-2898-PRE; Discussion and possible action regarding the Ellington Tract, Revised Preliminary Plan. INGALSBE/BERLAD ]

>> THANK YOU. PLEASE OPEN J LETTER FIVE.

>> J LETTER FIVE, PLN-2898PRE, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ELLINGTON TRACT, REVISED PRELIMINARY PLAN.

>> SO MOVED, SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER?

>> THANK YOU AGAIN. SENIOR PLANNER.

ELLINGTON TRACT PROVIDES PRELIMINARY PLAN PROPOSES 1049 TOTAL LOTS OVER 218.92 ACRES. THIS IS LOCATED IN KYLE AND

[02:40:01]

STAFF HAS COMPLETED REVIEW PURSUANT TO THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS SET FORTH.

THERE ARE NO VARIANCES REQUESTED AND ACTION REMAINING CONSISTS OF POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR THIS PROJECT.

STAFF DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR THE PRELIMINARY PLAN.

>> SO WE ARE TURNING IT INTO A MOTION TO APPROVE MOTION TO

APPROVE. >> SECOND.

PLEASE CALL THE VOTE TO. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER COHEN COMMISSIONER HAMER, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE,

JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES.

HOW MANY WAS THAT? 200 AND WHAT?

[J.6. PLN-2869-PRE; Discussion and possible action regarding the Haydon Place, Preliminary Plan. SMITH/BERLAD ]

>> 218.92. >> GOT IT.

1049. GOT IT.

J SIX. >> J SIX, PLN-2869PRE, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE HAYDEN PLACE,

PRELIMINARY PLAN. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> HAYDEN PLACE PROPOSED IS 36 LOTS OVER 52.84 ACRES. 28 OF THOSE LOTS LAY ON THE FULLY UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HAYS COUNTY WITH THE REMAINING EIGHT FALLING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED OFF OF COLLEGE STREET.

THAT IS A CITY ROAD AND IN PRECINCT FOUR.

WATER UTILITY WOULD COME FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION. WASTEWATER TREATMENT ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ONSITE SEWAGE FACILITIES FOR THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FULLY REVIEWED, MEETING ALL REQUIREMENTS WITH THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN SET FORTH THERE ARE NO VARIANCES REQUESTED.

THIS ITEM HAS STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL.

>> THERE IS ONE THING THAT I WANT TO SAY ON THIS SPECIFIC PIECE OF PROPERTY. IT'S UNIQUE BECAUSE IT LIES BOTH INSIDE THE CITY AND OUTSID THE CITY.

I DO HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS RELATIVE TO ACCESS TO THIS PROPERTY AND I THINK THE CITY IS TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE BUT THAT MANY UNITS COMING OFF OF A SMALL STREET THAT FEEDS THAT PROPERTY WITHOUT ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO RANCH ROAD 12, I JUST WANT IT NOTED THAT I BELIEVE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE ADDITIONAL ACCESS THERE, EVEN THOUGH WE CAN'T REQUIRE IT AND THEY HAVE MET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE DO HAVE.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO KEEP WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPER IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE ADDITIONAL ACCESS PEER.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN

[J.7. PLN-2917-NP; Ratify Approval for the 1826/Bear Creek Business Center Subdivision SMITH/BERLAD]

>> YES. J LETTER SEVEN -- J. SEVEN, RATIFY APPROVAL FOR THE 1826/BEAR CREEK BUSINESS CENTRE

SUBDIVISION. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> RATIFY.

ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[J.8. PLN-2666-NP; Discussion and possible action to consider granting a variance to Chapter 721 § 5.05 of the Hays County Development Regulations for the Gold Nugget, Final Plat. HAMMER/BERLAD]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER SMITH COMMISSIONER COHEN, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> J EIGHT. >> J EIGHT, PLN266 -- N. P, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER GRANTING THE VARIANCE TO CHAPTER 7215.05 OF THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR THE GOLD NUGGET FINAL PLAT.

>> SO MOVED. >> SEOND.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN, SENIOR COUNTY PLANNER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS PLAT PROPOSES ONE LOT THAT WILL CONSIST OF 5.98 ACRES, WATER UTILITY ACHIEVED THROUGH RAINWATER COLLECTION AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT ACHIEVED BY AN ON SITE SEWAGE FACILITY. SUBJECT PROPERTY LOCATED OFF OF GOLDEN NUGGET ROAD WHICH IS A PRIVATE ACCESS EASEMENT IN WIMBERLEY. OWNER AND APPLICANT ARE REQUESTING A VARIANCE TO THE PREVIOUSLY NAMED CHAPTER 721 SO CHAPTER 5.105 OF THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.

THIS REGULATION STATES THAT EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO LOTS SERVED BY SHARED ACCESS DRIVEWAYS EACH LOT SHALL HAVE THE MINIMUM DIRECT FRONTAGE ONTO A REGULATED ROADWAY SET FORTH% BELOW IN TABLE 721.02 WHICH IS THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS BASED ON ROADWAY PLOT CLASSIFICATIONS. DRIVEWAY SHOULD BE PLACED CLOSER THAN THE MINIMUM SPACE INTERVAL SET FORTH BELOW DEPENDING ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF ROAD ONTO WHICH THE LOT HAS FRONTAGE AND THE DRIVEWAY HAS ACCESS. UNDER TABLE 721.02, THE COUNTRY LANE OR LOCAL ROADWAY BY CLASSIFICATION REQUIRES A MINIMUM LOT FRONTAGE OF 30 OR 5. ONTO SUCH REGULATED ROADWAY.

[02:45:01]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> IT'S AN UNDEVELOPED PIECE OF PROPERTY AND THEY ARE DESIRING TO BUILD A HOME ON IT.

FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A HOME ON IT, IT MUST BE PLOTTED.

THEY ORIGINALLY CAME TO US AND WANTED TO DO TWO AND WE SAID NO, ONE IS, IN MY OPINION, AND REQUEST VARIANCE, TWO IN MY OPINION IS NOT A GOOD ACTOR. SO BASICALLY SUBDIVISIONS DECADE OLD THEY JUST NEED THE PLOT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

[J.9. Discussion and possible action to execute a First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement (RFQ 2024- Q03 Development Regulations and Standards Update) between Hays County and Freese & Nichols, Inc., extending the duration of the contract through December 31, 2026. BECERRA/BERLAD/HUNT ]

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES LETTER J9. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE FIRST AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL AGREE3 DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS UPDATE BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND FREESE AND NICHOLS INC. EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST 2026.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THAT? ONE OF YOU? JUST TO EXPLAIN FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU AGAIN.

>> INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR SERVICES.

THIS IS A CONTRACT EXTENSION. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL MONETARY VALUE. WE ARE JUST EXTENDING THE

CONTRACT. >> SO IT IS A CONTRACT EXTENSION

OF TIME NOT OF MONEY. >> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. DO WE HAVE A QUESTION?

>> I DO. AS I MENTIONED WHEN THEY WERE HERE DURING THE PRESENTATION, WE WERE VERY ADAMANT THAT WE WANTED TO HAVE THESE THINGS DONE IN A TIMELY FASHION AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF IT TO BE DONE PRIOR TO END OF THE YEAR FOR IMPLEMENTATION. ORIGINALLY WHEN WE SAID THIS, IT WAS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN Q4 OF THIS YEAR AND NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT JANUARY 1 OF NEXT YEAR.

>> I STILL ANTICIPATE THEM COMING BACK IN Q4 OR BE DONE IN THE EARLY PART OF Q4. I DON'T ANTICIPATE THEM GOING THROUGH THE ENTIRE TIME FRAME TO THE END OF THE YEAR BUT JUST IN CASE, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE HAVE AMPLE TIME IN CASE THEY DO HAVE

ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT NEEDS. >> I'M ALL FOR GETTING IT RIGHT BUT WE SIGNED A CONTRACT AND WE WANT IT DELIVERED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND I'M GETTING CONCERNED ADDITIONAL WORK TODAY BUT I WANT

TO ENSURE IT GETS DONE ON TIME. >> WHAT IS THE CURRENT CUT OFF

OF THE CONTRACT AT THIS MOMENT. >> AT THIS MOMENT THE CONTRACT

EXPIRED IN APRIL. >> UNDER EXTENDING REQUEST IS

FOR -- >> UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> DECEMBER 31ST. >> YES, WE ARE EXPECTING

DELIVERABLES AND PART OF Q4. >> WHAT WE WANT TO DO IF I HEAR THE COMMISSIONER CORRECTLY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS ENSURE THAT THE COMPLETED TASK OF THIS CONTRACT IS BROUGHT TO COURT BEFORE OUR LAST COURT IN DECEMBER, IS THAT CLEAR?

SO PLEASE CONVEY THAT. >> I JUST WANT TO ADD, THE UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ACTUAL DELIVERABLE, THE UPDATED REGULATIONS WILL BE PRESENTED TO COURT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH,

CORRECT? >> YES.

THAT IS OUR CURRENT ANTICIPATED DELIVERY TIME FRAME.

>> WE JUST WANTED TO BUILD AND CUSHION IF THERE WERE ANY CHANGES OR TWEAKS THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY BRING IT BACK TO BOARD FOR APPROVAL BEFORE WE GET TO

OCTOBER. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS DONE BEFORE TWO TO THREE PEOPLE ON THE COURT CHANGE.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT

HAPPENS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALL BETTER? GOOD POINTS.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH,

[K.2. Discussion related to updating the Hays County Commissioners Court Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum. HAMMER/COHEN/HIGGINS/BOUTTE ]

JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES, LET'S GO ON TO K TWO.

>> DISCUSSION RELATED TO UPDATING THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT RULES OF PROCEDURE, CONDUCT AND DECORUM.

>> SO MOVED, SECOND. >> WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?

>> IT'S REALLY JUST BRINGING US UP, WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WITHIN MY PRECINCT ASK IF THEY COULD HAVE SOME CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING. THIS WAS RELATED TO WE HAVEN'T LOOKED OVER THE RULES OF DECORUM OR ADOPTED ANYTHING SINCE THE 90S SO I REACHED OUT. ALSO THERE WAS BACK AND FORTH OF WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT'S NOT. I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO EVERYTHING THAT WAS LEGAL AND WHETHER IT'S THE FIRST AMENDMENT OR THE STEPS TO TAKE SO ALSO THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS IN BACK UP TO OR SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AND LOOK AT.

[02:50:02]

>> I LIKE THAT. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT SESSION AND YOUR SUGGESTION WAS BEAUTIFUL, PERFECTLY TIMED AND MOST SOUND. I AM SO GLAD I LISTENED TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR FEEDBACK BECAUSE YOUR SUGGESTION AT THAT MOMENT WAS ABSOLUTELY ON POINT. BECAUSE I DO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RUNNING THE COURT BUT WE DO HAVE AN ENTIRE LEGAL DIVISION CHARGED WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS AS WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE, EXACTLY AS WE POINTED OUT WITH FIRST AMENDMENT AND WITH EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE FREE SPEECH BASE. SO THIS IS TO YOUR DIRECTION TO PROVIDE COMMENTS, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.

>> YES, OF COURSE. CHASE YOUNG, CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH KS COUNTY. WE WERE ASKED TO LOOK INTO WHAT WITNESSES THERE MAY BE FROM A CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND WHETHER OR NOT ADVICE IS GIVEN, I BELIEVE THE CORRECT ADVICE WAS GIVEN. I DON'T KNOW HOW DETAILED YOU WANT ME TO GO INTO CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.

IT'S VERY PARTICULAR BUT THERE ARE THESE CONCEPTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORUMS. THERE'S THE IDEA OF AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM, A DESIGNATED PUBLIC FORUM, A LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM AND A NONPUBLIC FORUM. AND SO PUBLIC FORUM, THINK LIKE THE TRADITIONAL PLACES LIKE SIDEWALKS AND SUCH WHERE THE FIRST NUMBER OF PROTECTION IS THE STRONGEST WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND SO WHENEVER WE HAVE AN ITEM HERE LIKE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE WAY WE HAVE RULES SET UP IS THAT WE ACTUALLY OCCUPY TWO DIFFERENT SPACES DEPENDING ON WHAT TIMING OF THE AREA WE ARE. WE HAVE THE GENERAL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT -- WHICH IS A DESIGNATED PUBLIC FORUM.

AND SO THOSE AREAS, I WASN'T HERE TO WATCH THE TAPE BUT THAT WAS DURING THE GENERAL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE WHAT'S CALLED A LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM, WHICH IS WHENEVER WE HAVE THE ITEMS THAT WOULD COME UP SPECIFICALLY LIKE IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AGENDA ITEM K TWO FOR INSTANCE.

AND SO THERE ARE THINGS LIKE CONTENT NEUTRAL VERSUS CONTENT SPECIFIC REGULATIONS AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT TESTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO MEET IN ORDER TO REGULATE THE SPEECH OF ANY PERSON TALKING TO THE GOVERNMENT BODY.

IN SOMETHING LIKE AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM, THE BEST BET THE GOVERNING BODY CAN HAVE, TIME, PLACE AND MANNER.

IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HEARD IN THAT INSTANCE.

AND SO OUR RULES CURRENTLY HAVE IN THEIR, POTENTIALLY SAYING LIKE PROFAN AND INSULTING OR DEROGATORY LANGUAGE DIRECTED TOWARDS A PERSON WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

ALSO GOING ON ABOUT TALKING ABOUT INSULTING THE HONESTY OR INTEGRITY OF THE COURT. AND SO THERE ARE PARTICULAR PARTS OF THE CONSTITUTION YOU MAY WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THERE IS A RECENT CASE THAT CAME OUT TWO WEEKS AGO THAT WAS ANALYZING A CITY COUNCIL THAT HAD LANGUAGE SAYING THAT IT COULDN'T HAVE IMPERTINENT OR BOISTEROUS OR A COUPLE OF THE WORDS THAT ARE SIMILAR IN THE KIND OF INSULTING VEIN.

AND THE FIFTH CIRCUIT ACTUALLY RULED MORE AGGRESSIVELY OF CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS THAT WAY BECAUSE INSIDE THE LAW, THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN CHALLENGE THINGS.

THERE'S AS APPLIED, BEING THAT YOU VIOLATED MY RIGHTS IN THIS WAY AND YOU ARE SUING THEM THERE.

THEN THERE'S A FACIAL CHALLENGE WHICH IS THE IDEA OF SAYING THAT THIS CONCEPT, THIS LAW THAT IS PASSED IS SO OVERBROAD THAT YOU CAN'T, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE PARTICULAR DAMAGE TO MOVE FORWARD. AND SO THEY FOUND HERE THAT IN THIS COURT CASE, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WITH ANY IN THE COURT, THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A CASE TO BE MADE THAT THEIR VERSION OF THE RULES DIDN'T ALLOW THINGS ON CERTAIN LIKE IMPERTINENT LANGUAGE WAS POTENTIALLY CONSTITUTIONALLY IMPERMISSIBLE.

THERE ARE ALSO OTHER CHALLENGES BECAUSE THERE WASN'T SIGNIFICANT DEFINITION AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY MEANT BY WHAT IS IN PERMANENT, THE IDEA THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A DEFINITION THERE, IT ESSENTIALLY GAVE THE COURT OR CITY COUNCIL AN INSTANCE OF UNFETTERED DISCRETION TO DECIDE WHEN AM I INSULTED?

[02:55:04]

THE IDEA OF PARTICULAR VULGARITY, THOUGH THAT HAS A TYPE OF DEFINITION OVER SEXUALIZED COMMENTS THAT HAS NO PLACE IN PUBLIC DECENCY. THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTS CALLED SPEECH ACTS. THE IDEA THAT THE MOST COMMON DEFINITION OR EXAMPLE WOULD BE YELLING FIRE IN A MOVIE THEATER.

THE IDEA THERE IS THAT YOU SAYING FIRE IN FACT YOU SAYING THE WORD FIRE IS PROTECTED BUT IS THE ACT OF CAUSING PANIC AND SO THERE'S SOME GREAT WORK ON THAT.

SO FINDING THAT LINE THERE IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM

A CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE. >> I WILL SAY THAT I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER HAMMER THAT OUR RULES ARE DUSTY.

THEY NEED TO BE FRESHENED UP AND I WILL PUSH FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT AMERICANS ARE EXPECTING AND HOPING THAT WE PROVIDE, WHICH IS FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION.

IF I GOT A NICKEL FOR EVERY TIME I SAID FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION, I WOULD HAVE ANOTHER CAR. BUT THE POINT IS I WANT TO START WITH WHAT YOU'VE JUST SAID TO BREAK IT UP A LITTLE MORE DETAIL, A LITTLE MORE GRANULATED FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

SOME PEOPLE FIND THIS IMPORTAN FOR THE TWO PLACES WHERE YOU SAID THAT PEOPLE CAN SPEAK WHICH WILL HELP SHAPE THE CONVERSATION, STYLE AND TONE, I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN IT A LITTLE SLOWER TO BE HONEST. YOU ARE GREAT, YOU ARE SHARP, YOU ARE EVERYTHING RIGHT BUT I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN IT IN A WAY THAT I FEEL PEOPLE THAT AREN'T USED TO SPEAKING IN GOVERNMENT SPACES MIGHT UNDERSTAND IT BETTER.

I COULD BE WRONG. THERE ARE TWO PLACES TO SIGN UP AN AGENDA ITEM FOR COURT. YOU CAN SIGN UP AT THE BEGINNING UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS BUT THE POINT IS, IN THAT SIGN UP, YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING. I HATE THE TREES.

I DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU HAVE STRIPED YOUR PARKING SPOTS TO I DON'T LIKE THE COLOUR TIE YOU ARE WEARING WIDE OPEN.

FREE SPEECH WIDE OPEN AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT YELLING FIRE, ET CETERA, AS YOU DESCRIBED. THE SECOND WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS WHEN THEY SIGN UP TO SPEAK ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM. THAT PIECE IS MORE RESTRICTING BECAUSE I AS THE CHAIR OF THE COURT, I AS THE COUNTY JUDGE NOW HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOU TALKING ABOUT THE SUBJECT ITEM OF THE AGENDA AND SO THERE'S WHERE THERE IS GOVERNING WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR G19, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CAN NO LONGER SPEAK ABOUT TREATIES AND TIES AND SHOES.

NOW YOU ARE BOUND TO THAT AGENDA ITEM AND SO YOU DID IT MOST PERFECTLY BUT I JUST WANTED TO SLOW IT DOWN AND RESTATE IT SO PEOPLE COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT FIRST PART WAS.

AND BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, COMMISSIONER COHEN, WOULD YOU

HAVE COMMENTS? >> YES.

I THINK LIKE THE COMMISSIONER EXPECTED, THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMENTARY ABOUT WHY WEREN'T RULES FOLLOWED, FIRST AMENDMENT TRUMPS THE FARM RULES, THE LANGUAGE THAT WAS USED FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO OBVIOUSLY WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR THE PODIUM BASICALLY AND SO REGARDLESS OF ALL OF THAT, REALIZING THAT OUR DEPARTMENT RULES HAD NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 98.

JUST BASIC WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND COMPARE IT TO OTHER LARGE COUNTIES LIKE US. BUT ALSO I THINK WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPLAIN THE OPINION OF THAT DAY SO OTHERS COULD UNDERSTAND WHY THAT ADVICE WAS GIVEN.

AND I DON'T THINK THEY WERE ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT BECAUSE IT WAS GOING SO QUICKLY AT THAT MOMENT BUT IT WAS ALSO TO GIVE YOU DIVISION AND OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THAT AND SO WE HAVE ALL BEEN ATTACKED MANY TIMES, WE ALL HAVE AND IT'S KIND OF BEEN THE

[03:00:04]

WE NEED THE PUBLIC TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FIRST AMENDMENT OVER DECORUM RULES AND WHAT TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER WHAT AND THEN MAYBE BETTER CLARIFYING THAT LANGUAGE.

YOU CAN'T USE THREATENING VERBIAGE OR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. IT JUST NEEDS TO BE BETTER CLARIFIED. I THINK THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO LOOK AT THIS, REVISE IT, BRING IT BACK TO DATE.

IT IS 98 THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED SO OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO

TAKE A LOOK AT IT. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND FOR POINTING OUT, COMMISSIONER SMITH AND THE ONES THAT I KNOW, WE HAVE ALL BEEN ATTACKED PLENTY.

AND SO COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT TO ADD TO THIS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HARP ON THE COURT SINCE 98 BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER AND THERE ARE FOUNDATIONAL RULES AND THAT'S WHY IF SOMEONE HERE SEES IN THE FUTURE THEY DIDN'T TOUCH THIS SINCE 1998, HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO EDIT SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO I WILL TRY TO GO TO YOU NEXT SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE THE LONGEST.

>> I THINK I JUST AGREE WITH EVERYBODY, I THINK WE ALL HAVE QUESTIONS OF HOW THOSE EVENTS TURNED OUT SO THAT THERE IS CLARITY AND JUST TO REVIEW OUR RULES.

>> BASICALLY THE PURPOSE IS TO GIVE DIRECTION.

>> AS THE PERSON WHO HAS PROBABLY BEEN ATTACKED IN FRONT OF THIS COURT MORE THAN ANYBODY, WHILE I AGREE WITH OUR OFFICE GENERAL COUNSEL ON 90% OF WHAT WAS SAID, THERE IS A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE DO IN THIS COURTROOM.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE THE JUDGE, YOU MAKE AN EXCELLENT POINT OFTEN OF SAYING THIS IS A COURT OF RECORD.

IF WE LOOK AT THE TEXAS LAW, INDIVIDUALS WHO COME HERE, THEY DON'T COME TO GIVE A PUBLIC COMMENT THEY ARE -- WE AS A GOVERNING BODY OUR COURT AND THEREFORE UNDER STATUTE, ANY ONE OF THOSE WITNESSES MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ANYONE COMING HERE IS GIVING PUBLIC TESTIMONY. IT'S OUR PREROGATIVE AS A COURT.

I'VE SEEN COURTS DO IT. THEY DO IT FAIRLY OFTEN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN BE SWORN IN. AND THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SWEAR TO THE STATEMENTS THAT THEY MAKE BECAUSE THEY ARE WITNESSES IN FRONT OF A COURT HERE WE HAVE THAT ABILITY UNLIKE A CITY COUNCIL, UNLIKE A COMMISSION, ANYTHING ELSE, WE ARE A DIFFERENT ENTITY HERE I BROUGHT UPDATES ADHERING TO THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I INTEND ON BRINGING THAT BACK WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH I PLEDGE TO YOU ALL THAT AFTER GOING THROUGH IT WITH OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL AND TRYING TO GET ANY INITIAL OUTSIDE INFORMATION THAT WE COULD GET I WOULD PROVIDE A DOCUMENT THAT OUTLINES WHAT OUR CURRENT RULES ARE WHAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IS AND A PROPOSAL FOR AN UPDATED RULE OF DECORUM. NOT JUST A RED LINE BUT SIDE BY SIDE. I WILL COMMIT TO DOING THAT.

THE ONE THING I WILL SAY IS IF WE WANT TO LOOK RIGHT NOW, I DO NOT BELIEVE IT'S LEGAL AND IT'S PRETTY CLEAR FROM THE DIRECTION FOLLOWING COVID IS THE EMAILED STATEMENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY TO VERIFY THOSE. IF WE ARE WITNESS, WE HAVE NO WAY TO VERIFY THAT THOSE ARE NUMBER 1, REAL PEOPLE, NUMBER 2 THAT THOSE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE. AND IF WE WANT TO CALL THOSE INTO QUESTION AND HAVE THEM SWEAR TO THE AUTHENTICITY OF WHAT THEY ARE SAYING, WE DON'T HAVE A WAY TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT IMPORTANT. AND EVERY OTHER COMMISSION OR EVERY OTHER COUNCIL OUT THERE, THE WAY THAT THEY ENSURED THAT THOSE COMMENTS ARE HEARD, AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SPEAKING TO THE PUBLIC, IT IS THE PUBLIC SPEAKING TO US AS A BODY.

THEY ENSURE THERE IS A UNIFIED EMAIL ADDRESS OR SUBMISSION

[03:05:04]

HAVE THEM PREPARED TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AND WE CAN GET THE GOOD CONVERSATION IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC WHERE THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> GOOD POINTS. ALL OF THEM.

JUST TO RECAP A COUPLE, I DON'T REMEMBER AT THIS MOMENT WHEN YOU STARTED HERE BUT THE LETTERS WRITTEN, READ IN COURT, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE KEPT AS THE CHAIR OF THE COURT WHILE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ASKED ME TO DELETE IT.

AND I HAVE DONE THAT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT CAN'T GET HERE.

THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT FOR THEM IT IS A ONE HOUR DRIVE ONE WAY AND NOT TO MENTION THE BURDEN, PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT TIME OFF, THEY DON'T HAVE CAPACITY.

SO THE WAY I PUSHED EMOTIONALLY SUPPORTING THAT IDEA IS ACCESS TO YOUR GOVERNMENT SO WE CAN HEAR YOU.

AND SO I CONTINUE TO HEAR WE SHOULD END LETTERS WRITTEN TO COURT, I WILL PUSH BACK AND SAY THAT WE SHOULD LEAVE IT BECAUSE WE SHOULD HEAR FROM PEOPLE NO MATTER HOW THEY CAN REACH US AND SO MY QUESTION WILL BE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WILL BE FOCUSING ON, THE NEW ASK WILL BE BECAUSE THE COMPLAINT IS VALID.

LET'S LET THESE BE REPUTABLE. LET'S MAKE SURE THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE. MAYBE WE CAN MODIFY SOMETHING.

TELL US YOUR NAME. I KNOW YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS. IT'S NOT IN A VACUUM BUT IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU COULD LINK TO WHO SENT SOMETHING, PERFECT. I THINK THAT LOW LEVEL THRESHOLD ASK DOCUMENTING WHO HAS SENT YOU AN EMAIL TO BE READ IN COURT CAN ALSO BE SHARED WITH COURT MEMBERS EASILY.

I SEE THAT, SHE'S NODDING OFF SCREEN BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IS A LOW LEVEL ASK. I AM GOING TO CHASE ON THIS PART WITNESS AND THE WORD OF RECORD. I ALWAYS SAY WE ARE A COURT OF RECORD, NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE -- I. WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL THE PRESSURE OF SPEAKING IN THIS COURT BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING INTO THE FUTURE.

I LIVE IN THIS SPACE, 25 YEARS FROM NOW.

THAT'S MY AVERAGE LOOKING GLASS. I DON'T CARE WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK OR NEXT MONTH. I REALLY DON'T.

I DON'T SEE THAT LENS. WE ARE DEALING WITH THOSE THINGS. IT'S LIKE OPENING THE OVEN AND WONDERING IF THE CAKE IS READY EVERY 30 SECONDS.

IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE READY. JUST WAIT FOR IT.

AND SO 25 YEARS FROM NOW, THAT'S WHY I ALWAYS STICK TO THE IDEA THAT WHEN SOMEONE CLICKS ON AN AGENDA ITEM 25 YEARS FROM NOW, YOUNG. WHO WAS THAT GUY IN A TIE TELLING US THESE GREAT DETAILS SO ELOQUENTLY.

HE RATTLED STUFF OFF FROM THE TOP OF HIS HEAD.

HE MUST HAVE BEEN PRACTISING. HE WAS THAT GOOD.

WE WILL NEVER KNOW. 25 YEARS FROM NOW, NONE OF US WILL BE IN THIS ROOM. AND SO THAT'S WHY I DO THAT.

AND SO WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING THAT I'M LOOKING FOR COURT OF RECORD, RECORDING VOICE, RECORDING TEXT, RECORDING THESE PIECES FOR THE FUTURE, FOR CAPTURING INTENTS AND ACTIONS, I ALWAYS SAY WE ARE A COURT OF RECORD.

COMMISSIONER SMITH IS SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE AT THE PODIUM ARE WITNESSES. AND SO I WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE PUSHBACK ON THAT AND I WANT TO ASK YOU THROUGH YOUR LEGAL LENS,

[03:10:03]

WITNESSES THOUGH, I WOULDN'T CALL THEM WITNESSES UNTIL I SWEAR THEM IN, PUT THEM UNDER OATH.

WOULD I BE RIGHT? WOULD I BE WRONG?

>> THIS ISN'T SOMETHING I'VE SPECIFICALLY LOOKED AT BUT I COULD TALK ABOUT MY GENERAL UNDERSTANDING.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE COURT HAS THE ABILITY TO SWEAR THEM IN, THE ABILITY TO PUT THEM UNDER OATH WITH PERJURY CHARGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT BARRING THAT SWEARING IN, THEY ARE NOT A WITNESS TO THAT POINT.

>> THAT'S HOW I INTERPRETED IT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AS CHAIR OF THE COURT MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I WILL GIVE IT BACK TO YOU, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHAT YOU SAID.

AND WE CAN BE WRONG AND YOU CAN SHOOT US AN EMAIL.

BUT YOUR ALIGNMENT AND MINE ARE THE SAME WHICH IS YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF THE COMMUNITY SPEAKING AT THE PODIUM DEPENDING ON HOW YOU SIGN UP AS WE ARTICULATED WILL DETERMINE YOUR TYPE, FORMED NATURE OF SPEECH. AND NOT UNLESS AND UNTIL I HAVE YOU RAISE YOUR HAND AND SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD, NOT UNTIL THAT RITUAL IS ENACTED WOULD YOU BECOME A WITNESS.

AT THAT POINT, AFTER SWEARING IN, YOU BECOME A WITNESS.

BUT NOT BEFORE. >> I WOULD COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU. UNDER STATE LAW, BECAUSE WE ARE A COURT, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT TO ANYONE WHO PRESENTS TO US, WHETHER IT'S SOMEONE GIVING A PRESENTATION, WHETHER IT IS SOMEONE GIVING A PUBLIC COMMENT, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU. WHENEVER WE HAVE SOMEONE STAND AT THE PODIUM AND GIVE SLANDEROUS COMMENTS AND THEY HAVE TO BACK IT UP, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SWEAR THEM IN OR ASK THAT THEY BE SWORN IN TO CERTIFY THAT THEY ARE SPEAKING IN A TRUTHFUL MANNER. WE DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY, AS WE HAVE UNDER STATE LAW, WHEN SOMEONE EMAILS IN A COMMENT.

THEY ARE AN HOUR FROM HERE. THEY MAY NOT BE FROM HERE, THEY MAY BE FROM A DIFFERENT STATE WE HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW TO DO THAT.

AND SO THEREFORE WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY.

WHENEVER GOVERNOR ABBOTT SUSPENDED CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETING ACT FOR COVID, THAT WAS ONE OF TWO PROVISIONS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY CITED AS ATTENDANCE BASED. AND WHENEVER THOSE WERE PUT BACK INTO EFFECT, ACTUALLY THE AG OPINION THAT IT CAME OUT AFTER THAT, SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED UNDER THOSE TWO PROVISIONS THAT WERE REENACTED THAT THOSE WERE ATTENDANCE BASED PROVISIONS AND SO THAT'S THE REASON I HAVE ISSUE WITH.

I FULLY WANT, WHOEVER WANTS TO SEND IN THEIR COMMENT, WE ARE THE FORUM THEY ARE SPEAKING TO, NOT THE PUBLIC.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO REACH THEIR GOVERNMENT AND TO REACH US EACH INDIVIDUALLY AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL RECEIVED THAT COMMUNICATION. HAVING A UNIFIED POINT TO RECEIVE THOSE MESSAGES AND MAKING SURE THAT THE CLERK'S OFFICE OR WHOMEVER THAT IS GETS IT TO EACH ONE OF US, I THINK THAT'S THE WAY THAT EVERY FORUM IN HAYS COUNTY DOES IT, WHETHER IT'S A SCHOOL BOARD, WHETHER IT'S A CITY COUNCIL, ANY OF THOSE THINGS WE SHOULD OPERATE IN A SIMILAR MANNER AND THEREFORE, I FEEL AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM OUR OFFICE AND GENERAL COUNSEL BUT THE DETERMINATION OF TAC AND OTHERS IS THAT THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE HANDLED.

I WOULD LIKE US TO GET TO WHAT I BELIEVE THE LAW STATES.

>> AND I BELIEVE WE CAN EASILY ARTICULATE SOMETHING IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S RECORDS THAT WOULD SAY, I FORGOT I'VE GOT ANOTHER CLERK OVER HERE. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE'S A WAY TO EASILY DELINEATE IF THIS WAS A WRITTEN DOCUMENT VERSUS THESE PEOPLE SPOKE AT THE PODIUM. I THINK THAT'S EASILY IDENTIFIABLE. YOU CAN ARTICULATE THAT EASILY IN THE SEARCH. I WOULD EQUATE THAT TO SOMEONE GETTING A MONETARY FINANCIAL TYPE DOCUMENT PUT TOGETHER BY AN ACCOUNTANT VERSUS CERTIFIED BY A CPA.

AND SO WE CAN EASILY, IF NECESSARY, BECAUSE IT IS SO INFREQUENT, WE CAN SAY FURTHERMORE, THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE PUT UNDER OATH, IF THAT WAS NECESSARY.

BUT I DON'T SEE, AND I HOPE THE FUTURE COURT DOESN'T SEE A WAY OUT OF ALLOWING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO WRITE THEIR COMMENTS TO BE READ IN COURT I JUST HOPE THERE ISN'T A WAY WHERE WE DON'T ALLOW THAT FEAR COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CIVIL DIVISION AND THE COUNTY

[03:15:06]

DOES THAT SOUND GOOD? >> ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO CONTRIBUTE? ENOUGH SAID.

THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, THERE

IS NO ACTION? >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE MY MARCHING ORDERS. THANK YOU.

>> ARE WE PRIMARILY ENGAGING IN JUST A CONSTITUTIONALITY CHECK OR ARE WE LOOKING INTO THE LEGALITY OF THE COMMENTS?

WHAT IS OUR LIST? >> I THINK THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

LET'S SEE IF WE ENCAPSULATE THE INTEREST AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS SOMETHING, A COMMISSIONER WILL CHIME IN HERE HE HAS CONFIRMED THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY AND AUTHORITY TO ALLOW WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO BE READ IN COURT.

YOU CAN CONFIRM THAT. THAT'S NOT A BAD IDEA.

ABSOLUTELY SOUND. ALSO, CONSIDER UPDATING OUR DECORUM RULES TO 2026 STYLE FRAMING BECAUSE I'M SURE THERE WILL BE LITTLE IF ANY CHANGE. MAY JUST BE WORDSMITHING, SOME SHIFTING A VARIATION OF PHRASES. AND SO MAYBE LOOK AT TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES FOR BEST PHRASES BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF DO'S AND DON'TS. EVEN GO FURTHER AS TO PRESENT A DRAFT FOR US TO REVIEW BEFORE IT COMES THROUGH THE HOPPER SO WE CAN ALL HAVE A CHANCE TO GIVE YOU FEEDBACK INDIVIDUALLY BECAUSE ALL WE'VE GOT TO DO IS REMEMBER THIS, OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE MUST BE THE CONSTITUTION.

AND SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO MODIFY THIS TO WHERE WE ARE GOING TO GET SUED AND SUED AND I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH TAC.

SO DON'T OVERREACH WHERE YOU TRY TO PUT YOUR HAND OVER SOMEONE'S MOUTH I DON'T THINK YOU ARE BUT I'M JUST SAYING.

JUST PROVIDE A FRESHENED UP SUGGESTION AND THEN CONFIRMING OUR LEGAL ABILITY TO ALLOW WRITTEN COMMENTS.

DID I MISS ANYTHING? >> IF THERE'S ALREADY A DOCUMENT THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON, I THINK YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT TO THE COURT SO WE CAN GIVE FEEDBACK, IF YOU FEEL CONFIDENT THAT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT DOCUMENT.

WE CAN AT LEAST START THERE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE

BEEN WORKING ON FOR. >> YOU CAN READ IT OVER ONE MORE TIME AFTER THIS CONVERSATION AND THEN SEND IT TO US.

>> INCLUDE TUCKER IN THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE HE HAS SOME

GOOD POINTS TO MAKE AS WELL. >> WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU. IT'S VERY GOOD.

IT'S VERY USEFUL. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT PURE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IS RIGHT. GETTING INTO GOOD TROUBLE, YES.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHY WE ARE LAND OF THE FREE, HOME OF THE BRAVE.

[K.3. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Professional Services Agreement (2026-PSA-85) between Hays County and LJA Engineering, Inc., related to Public Engagement Facilitation Services for the Hays County Strategic Plan, with a contract not to exceed $50,000.00, and amend the budget accordingly. COHEN/BOUTTE/HUNT ]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS IF I'M NOT

MISTAKEN K THREE. >> K THREE, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2026 -- PSA -- 85 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND LJ8 ENGINEERING INC., RELATED TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FACILITATION SERVICES FOR THE HAYS COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN, WITH A CONTRACT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVED, SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN, WHAT IS

YOUR THINKING BEHIND THIS? >> WE HAVE APPROVED LJ8 TO DO THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

THIS IS THE NEGOTIATED CONTRACT. >> BUT DID WE HAVE A SCOPE WE WANTED TO BE HONING IN ON? IF YOU DON'T MIND, NAME AND TITLE AND SHEDDING LIGHT WITH THE VIEWING PUBLIC WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO SPEND $50,000 ON SPECIFICALLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

AS COMMISSIONER COHEN MENTIONED, THIS AGREEMENT WILL ALLOW US TO WORK WITH LJ8 TO HANDLE THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT FOR OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. AS YOU ARE AWARE, STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE COURT MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY THOSE FIVE STRATEGIC PILLARS THAT WILL SERVICE THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE PLAN AND THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PHASE WILL INCLUDE EIGHT COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS, A PUBLIC SURVEY AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUTREACH MATERIAL FOR OUR COUNTY WEBSITE AND OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR THE FEEDBACK THAT WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH THIS EFFORT WILL HELP US IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND THEMES

[03:20:02]

WE HAVE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL OF ENSURING THIS WAS A COST EFFECTIVE PROCESS. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE DONE THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK AS FAR AS GATHERING THE INPUT FROM OUR INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND STAFF WHO REPORT TO THE COURT AS WELL AS THOSE THAT DON'T TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A SOLID FRAMEWORK.

WE ALSO ARE INTERNALLY DOING THE DRAFTING OF THE ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN AND WE WILL ALSO MANAGE THE ACTUAL MONITORING OF THOSE GOALS AS WE ISSUE THEM.

WE THINK THIS IS THE BEST ROUTE TO GO USING A THIRD PARTY TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS ARE ABLE TO GIVE CANDID AND HONEST FEEDBACK ABOUT THE FRAMEWORK, AND THEN WE WILL PRESENT THOSE

FINDINGS TO THE BOARD. >> SO CANDID WAS YOUR LAST WORD, FEEDBACK. FOR THE HAYS COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN. CAN YOU TELL THE VIEWING PUBLIC WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE HAYS COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN.

>> THE FIVE STRATEGIC PILLARS EVOLVE AROUND GOVERNANCE, STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY, COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS AND LASTLY CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

ESSENTIALLY THE VARIOUS INITIATIVES THAT WE WILL GO MORE IN DEPTH AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO ENSURE IT REFLECTS THE ENTIRE PICTURE OR VISION OF THE COURT HAS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO COMPLETE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

WE WILL GIVE MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES TO THE PUBLIC FOR.

>> HERE'S MY CONCERN WITH THAT I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH I'VE NEVER STOPPED PRAISING THE IDEA.

EVEN WHEN PEOPLE DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, I'VE SEEN TOO MANY TIMES WHERE IT'S THE CHECKING OF THE BOX BUT NO MEANINGFUL IMPACT RECORDED. MY HANGUP IS I'VE BEEN TO COMMISSION, COMMISSIONER SMITH HAD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD CALL IT, PUBLIC FORUM, YOU HAD THE WHOLE ROOM BY THE CHURCH.

>> THAT WAS THEIR MEETING. >> OKAY THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE AT THIS MOMENT. COMMISSIONER SMITH ON HIS OWN TIME WENT AND SPOKE TO A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE IN A COMMUNITY FORUM. THE TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR WAS THERE AT THE VERY FRONT ON THE READY.

READY, WILLING, AND ABLE TO ENGAGE PEOPLE EFFORTLESSLY.

I HAVE SEEN THE DIFFERENT ENGAGEMENT PIECES WHERE I'M GOING IS WE HAVE HISTORICALLY DONE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PIECES WITH ALL OF THIS HIGHLY QUALIFIED HORSEPOWER WE HAVE ON HAND HERE I'M LOOKING AT MATTHEW HERE YOU'VE GOT TENCENT YOU'VE GOT TABLES AND YOU'VE GOT TRUCKS.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO SPEND $50,000 ON THIS RIGHT NOW.

THE REASON I BRING IT UP IS PEOPLE VERY SIMPLY NEARBY, IN SAN ANTONIO, THEY'RE HAVING TO MAKE A DECISION AND IT'S BEING PUBLICIZED, ADVERTISED. ARE WE GOING TO RAISE TAXES OR ARE WE GOING TO CUT EMPLOYEES IN THAT GOVERNMENT? AND SO EVERYWHERE I LOOK, AS FAR AS I LOOK, THAT IS THE TONE PEOPLE ARE TAKING. THROUGH THAT LENS, I SUPPORT PUBLIC OUTREACH, OF COURSE YOU KNOW I DO BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF IT CAN BE INTERNALIZED I'M GIVING A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES, VERY SUCCESSFUL, THE NEW COMMISSIONER SMITH WAS GOING TO TALK ON AN ITEM PEOPLE WILL COME AND TALK IF THEY ARE INTERESTED. WHY DO YOU NOT GIVE SOME OF THAT CAPACITY AND EXPERIENCE OF ENGAGING FOLKS THAT WAY TO OUR OWN PEOPLE INTERNALLY VERSUS A $50,000 CHECK WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS SEEING THE FINANCIAL HEADWINDS COMING? IS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY. I'M NOT SAYING DON'T SPEND ANY

BUT MAYBE NOT AS MUCH. >> SURE, AND THOSE ARE EXCELLENT

[03:25:02]

IMPORTANT STEP TO WORK WITH LJA. >> THERE IS NO DISAGREEMENT.

I AGREE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT. I'M JUST DISCUSSING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT. WHOSE AGENDA ITEM IS THIS?

>> THIS IS MINE. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN, WOULD YOU

LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? >> I'VE SAID BEFORE, THE COUNTY HAS NOT HAD A PLAN SINCE 2011. I TRULY FEEL THAT THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT OF AN INITIATIVE BECAUSE IT IS THE FOUNDATION TO THE UPCOMING BUDGET AND THE REST OF THE YEAR BECAUSE MY BELIEF IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE HOLDING ANYONE ACCOUNTABLE TO HAVE REQUESTS OF ANY INITIATIVE WITHIN THEIR OFFICES, THAT IT IS GOING BACK TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT THIS COURT ADOPTS LATER THIS YEAR. AND SO I KNOW OUR GROUP OR OUR DEPARTMENTS HAVE DONE A SUPERB JOB IN COLLECTING THE DATA AND IDENTIFYING THE PILLARS. WE DON'T HAVE THE TRUE CAPACITY TO REALLY COLLECTIVELY BRING ALL OF THIS TOGETHER I WISH WE DID, AND MAYBE EVENTUALLY WE WILL HAVE THAT CAPACITY BUT I THINK CANDICE IS RIGHT, WE NEED THIS THIRD PARTY TO HELP US BECAUSE THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT OF A PROJECT OR AN INITIATIVE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR BUDGET THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE AND SO WE NEED TO GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND WE NEED TO ASK THEM WHAT ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT? WHAT DO YOU WANT THE COUNTY TO REALLY FOCUS ON IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND IN THIS UPCOMING BUDGET? WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR? AND SO I JUST FEEL THAT WE DO HAVE A NOT TO EXCEED 5000 AND I'D SAY WE ARE GOING TO TRY AND DO OUR BEST TO KEEP IT'S LOWER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE BUT I THINK THAT THIS PROJECT IS JUST TOO IMPORTANT TO NOT MOVE FORWARD

WITH IT. >> I WAS GOING TO RECAP FOR A SECOND, THE THING YOU SAID ABOUT BEING TOO IMPORTANT I'M NOT ARGUING THE IMPORTANCE OF IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IF I HEAR THAT, I'M GOING TO REPEAT, I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT IMPORTANT I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> I'M GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE HERE AS WAS MENTIONED, WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF US MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS INITIATIVE.

THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS MANY TIMES, WE'VE MENTIONED IN THIS COURT THAT, AND CITIES HAVE BEEN MENTIONED, HOW MUCH PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT THEY HAVE WITH ALL OF THEIR PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES AND OTHER AREAS. AND SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE MORE EMULATING. I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF PUBLIC THAT FEELS THAT WE ARE NOT REACHING OUT IN CERTAIN AREAS AND WE NEED TO HONOR THEIR WISHES AND GO OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LISTENING AND HEARING WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM. I KNOW THAT LJA WILL DO GREAT WORK. I THINK AARON GRAY IS ON THEIR TEAM, AND SHE HAS DONE FABULOUS WORK WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND GETTING THOSE COMMENTS AND GETTING THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER AND ANALYZING THEM, PUTTING IT TOGETHER FOR US. I'M ALWAYS SUPPORTIVE OF CUTTING WHERE WE CAN. I'M SURE THAT YOU WILL TAKE THAT

TO HEART. >> COMMISSIONER HAMER.

>> MY FELLOW FISCAL CONSERVATIVE.

>> I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS AND COMMISSIONER COHEN'S POINT, EVENTUALLY WE HAD A STAFF MEMBER THAT ALL THEY DO IS FOCUS ON PUBLIC OUTREACH AND THEY COORDINATE ALL OF THESE THINGS.

SPENDING 50 GRAND ON SIX DIFFERENT THINGS -- INSTEAD WE

[03:30:04]

IT'S HARD TO GO BACK WHEN YOU'VE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE PUBLIC OUTREACH PIECE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN. I DO THINK THAT THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS IMPORTANT AND I DON'T SEE US BEING ABLE TO GET IT DONE WITH A STAFF MEMBER CURRENTLY BUT PUTTING THAT INTO OUR NEXT BUDGET, I THINK, IS SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT DOING.

PUBLIC OUTREACH IN TERMS OF THIS TOPIC IN PARTICULAR IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE IT'S WHERE WE PUT OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL CARE ABOUT AND HEARING THEIR FEEDBACK. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT THAT COMES WITH IT. WE JUST REVIEWED ALL OF THE TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC OUTREACH FROM PHONE COURTS AND WEBSITE DESIGN AND CONSISTENT KEEPING UP WITH THOSE THINGS, THERE'S A LOT THAT COMES WITH THAT AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN GET A STAFF MEMBER ON BOARD AND GET THEM UP TO SPEED THAT QUICKLY.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I WOULD SAY THAT I THINK WE RECOGNIZE THAT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN A GENERAL SENSE IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALL SUPPORTED FOR I THINK FOR THAT REASON, EARLIER THIS YEAR, I WASN'T PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS BUT THERE WAS A SELECTION PROCESS, A PRE-QUALIFIED PROCESS TO IDENTIFY FIRMS THAT COULD DO THAT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, WHICH WE ALL SUPPORTED. THIS IS THE FIRST CONTRACT, I BELIEVE, THAT'S BEEN AWARDED FROM THAT FULL.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT I KNOW EACH OF YOU ALL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED, AND I SAY THAT TO MY COLLEAGUES, EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN, NO MATTER HOW WELL WE THINK THAT WE DO INTERNALLY WITH OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OUR EMPLOYEES, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE INTERNAL BIASES FOR THOSE DEPARTMENTS FOR WHICH THEY WORK AND PRIORITIZATION WILL RISE TO THE TOP FOR THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND WANTS, BOTH WITHIN THE BUDGET BUT EVEN MORE SO AS PRIORITIZATIONS FOR THE COUNTY.

AND I SAY THAT, AND I'M GOING TO THROW AARON UNDER THE BUS HERE.

IF I'M TRANSPORTATION, I WANT INFRASTRUCTURE.

IF I'M MATTHEW, I WANT A HIGHER FOCUS ON PROVIDING HEALTH CARE.

IF I AM TAMI, I AM WORRIED ABOUT COUNTY FACILITIES WITHSTANDING OVERTIME. AND AS WE WORK THROUGH OUR INTERNAL PROCESS, AT TIMES, WHOMEVER HAS THE LOUDEST VOICE IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN INTERNALLY IS GOING TO HAVE THE LOUDEST VOICE BOTH IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, IN PLANNING AND MOVING FORWARD. HOW WE VIEW THINGS AS A WHOLE AND I THINK BY DOING THIS, THIS OVERALL ENGAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC IN A VERY -- I. DON'T WANT TO SAY AN UNBIASED MANNER WITH A THIRD PARTY, WE WILL GET A VIEW FROM OUR PUBLIC AS TO WHAT THOSE PRIORITIES THEY SEE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR I WORRY IF WE DO THIS INTERNALLY WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THAT THOSE INHERENT BIASES -- NO OFFENSE I LOVE ALL OF Y'ALL BUT IF I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE FOR A PRECINCT FOR, I'M GOING TO DO

THAT. >> THAT IS YOUR JOB.

>> AND SO I THINK THAT THIS IS NEEDED AND WELL PAST TIME.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN IT AND FOR THAT PUBLIC DOCUMENT TO BE OUT THERE AND TO GET COMMENTS ON IT BECAUSE I WORRY AT TIMES WE ARE IN AN ECHO CHAMBER ON SOME OF OUR, WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITIZATION OF THE COUNTY AND THIS WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO AIR THAT OUT.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THIS MONEY, I WILL SAY I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST FIRM ON IT. RECENTLY, AARON GRAY'S FIRM WAS BOUGHT OUT BY LJ A. AND SHE IS MY -- SHE IS THE BEST AT PUBLIC OUTREACH, IN MY OPINION. I DO FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE NUMBER 1 FIRM THAT WE WANT DOING THIS.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

[K.4. Discussion and possible action associated with a resolution regarding the Hays Central Appraisal District's request for authorization to purchase land and construct improvements to establish and operate the Appraisal District Office. BECERRA ]

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER BECERRA. >> YES.

>> K FOR, DISCUSS POSSIBLE ACTION WITH THE RESOLUTION REGARDING LAND AND CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS TO

[03:35:03]

>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> DON'T WORRY, THERE IS TIME FOR EVERYONE.

COMMISSIONER. >> YOU SAID THAT THE LOUDEST.

GO AHEAD. >> THERE ARE TWO RESOLUTIONS IN

THE>> CIVIL, STATE YOUR NAME AN TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> CHAISSON. ADA WITH THE CIVIL DIVISION.

THE COUNTRY RECEIVED A LETTER ESSENTIALLY WANTING TO BUY LAND TO IMPROVE THEIR FACILITIES. UNDER A VERSION OF THE TAX CODE, ANY SORT OF TAX ENTITY THAT WOULD BEAR PART OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN HAS TO APPROVE IT WITHIN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN ANSWER BY JULY 18TH, AND IF WE DON'T SEND THAT WE APPROVE IT.PRESUMPTIVE - SO THERE ARE TWO THINGS IN BACKUP. ONE THAT SAYS, YES, WE'RE GOOD WITH THIS, MOVE FORWARD. THE OTHER IS SAYING, NO, WE NEED MORE INFORMATION. NOTHING WOULD PREVENT THEM FROM DOING THIS AGAIN LATER ON. SO THAT WAY IF THE COURT DOES SEE FIT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, THEY COULD GIVE THE COURT MORE INFORMATION IF Y'ALL WANT MORE. ANY SORT OF TAX ENTITY -- SAY THERE ARE, LIKE, THREE CITIES AND THE COUNTY ALL INVOLVED.

IT REQUIRES A THREE-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TAX ENTITIES THAT ARE AFFECTED.

IT'S POSSIBLE IF THERE ARE FOUR ENTITIES INVOLVED AND WE SAY NO, THE OTHER THREE MAY VOTE YES AND MOVE FORWARD OR VICE VERSA.

>> VERY GOOD. SO YOU'RE SAYING THE SHOT CLOCK

IS UPON US? >> M-HM.

>> SCOTT WOODLAND, BUDGET OFFICER.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION BASED OFF WHAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO US. IT'S NOT EVERYTHING, BUT THEY SENT US THEIR BUDGET. AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME OF THE HARD FACTS. ONE THING TO UNDERSTAND IS HOW THE ENTITY WORKS. THEY ARE NOT A TAXING ENTITY.

THEY GET ALL OF THEIR REVENUE AND PROCEEDS FROM THE TAXING ENTITIES THAT THEY DO APPRAISALS FOR.

SO THEY PROPORTIONALLY CHARGE WHAT THEIR EXPENDITURES ARE TO THE TAXING ENTITIES, AND IT'S PROPORTIONAL BASED ON SIZE AND DOLLAR AMOUNT FROM THE TAXING. WITH THAT BEING SAID, RIGHT NOW HAYS COUNTY, OUR RATE ACCOUNTS FOR 19% OF THOSE EXPENSES.

AND THEN OUR SPECIAL ROAD TAX ACCOUNTS FOR 2.2%.

SO ESSENTIALLY THROUGH THIS BUDGET, HAYS COUNTY IS COVERING 21.2% OF THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT'S EXPENDITURES.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW BECAUSE NOW I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE FACTS ABOUT THE CHANGE IN THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT'S BUDGET.

THE BIGGEST CHANGE -- AND IT'S THE REASON THIS HAS TO GO TO THE TAXING ENTITIES. IT'S LOOKING TO MOVE TO A NEW LOCATION OVER GROWTH CONCERNS IN THEIR CURRENT CAPACITY.

WHAT THAT DOES IS IN THEIR BUDGET THEY'RE ASKING FOR THEIR CAPITAL INVESTMENT ON THEIR PROPERTY TO GO FROM $50,000 TO A MILLION AND 50 THOUSAND IN ORDER TO BUILD UP THE MONEY NEEDED IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THAT NEW FACILITY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEIR PERSONNEL EXPENSES ARE GOING UP 330,000. THAT'S PART OF A REORGANIZATION OF THEIR ENTITY. AND THEN IN SERVICES/GENERAL EXPENDITURES, THEIR BUDGET IS INCREASING BY $187,250.

MOSTLY TO DO WITH INCREASES IN GENERAL EXPENSES SUCH AS ATTORNEYS FEES, SECURITY, JANITORIAL SERVICES.

ON OUR MNO AND INS BILLING, IT WOULD INCREASE $455,706 FROM ROUGHLY 1.1 MILLION TO ROUGHLY 1.59 MILLION.

AND THEN IN THE ROAD AND BRIDGE, IT WOULD INCREASE ROUGHLY $36,770. WHEN YOU COMBINE THOSE, WE'RE LOOKING AT A TOTAL INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEARS' EXPENDITURES OF

$492,479.26. >> OKAY.

[03:40:03]

>> I HAVE SEVERAL REAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS.

AND THE FIRST OF WHICH ISN'T -- AND I MAY BE TAP-DANCING OUTSIDE OF THE AGENDA ITEM, BUT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THIS ENTITY AT A POINT WHERE I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN GET RESPONSIVENESS TO OUR CONSTITUENTS, NUMBER ONE, AND TO OUR INDIVIDUAL OFFICES, NUMBER TWO.

AND HIM COMING TO US WITH A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING WITH SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS REGARDING THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS PROJECT LOOKS LIKE. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT'S TO BE LOCATED. WE DON'T KNOW -- WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S GOING TO BE A 15 -- NO MORE THAN A $15 MILLION FACILITY.

THERE'S NOTHING STATUTORY THAT HOLDS THEM TO THAT.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE, WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, WHAT THOSE NEW SERVICES ARE.

YET WE ARE BEING BURDENED WITH 20% OF WHAT THIS OVERALL COST WILL BE. I'VE TALKED TO MUNICIPALITIES THIS PAST WEEK, AND THEY HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS THAT WE DO.

WE DON'T KNOW -- THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS ON THIS THAT I WILL TELL YOU I WON'T SUPPORT IT.

I WILL SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION. I THINK IT'S AWFUL THAT IF WE DON'T SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT, IT'S ASSUMED WE ARE PAYING FOR IT. I WILL SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THIS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED. THIS DIDN'T COME UP YESTERDAY.

AND THEM SENDING THIS INFORMATION TO US TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WE WOULD EVER DO. I HAVE A REAL ISSUE WITH THAT, AND I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT -- I KNOW THEY ARE NOT COUNTY EMPLOYEES. I KNOW THERE IS A HUGE MISUNDERSTANDING AMONGST OUR CITIZENRY THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE WORDS "HAYS COUNTY" THAT THEY ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY. THEY DO NOT ANSWER TO US WHATSOEVER. HENCE THE FACT THEY DON'T RETURN OUR PHONE CALLS. AND I WOULD SUPPORT THE

RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> VERY MUCH ECHOING COMMISSIONER SMITH. I HAVE A TON OF ISSUES WITH GETTING ANY TYPE OF RESPONSE FROM THEM.

AND ALSO THEM PUTTING BACK MY CONSTITUENTS TO ME FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY NEED TO BE SOLVING. I WAS LOOKING INTO THEIR SALARY INCREASES, AND THE CHIEF APPRAISER WOULD BE MAKING $80,000 MORE IN THIS. IF THAT'S A PAY INCREASE -- I MEAN, THAT'S INSANE TO ME. AND THAT'S NOT AN EFFICIENT USE OF COUNTY TAX DOLLARS, IN MY OPINION.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH THIS.

FIRST OF ALL, WHO DID THEY REACH OUT TO? THEY DIDN'T REACH OUT TO ME. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHO THEY

REACHED OUT TO? >> THEY EMAILED ME ON JUNE 18TH.

I IMMEDIATELY FORWARDED THE EMAIL TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE BUDGET OFFICER.

>> AND WE FORWARDED IT IMMEDIATELY TO CIVIL DIVISION.

COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> I HAVE THE SAME ISSUES.

15 MILLION? >> I THINK IT WAS 16.

>> YEAH. WE JUST -- JUST TOO MANY QUESTIONS, LIKE MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID.

I SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION RESOLUTION.

IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME AND WHAT THE IMPACTS ARE GOING TO BE

TO US AS A COUNTY. >> I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS, JUDGE. AS I READ THROUGH IT VERY THOROUGHLY THIS MORNING, I WAS LIKE, OH MY GOODNESS.

I WAS WONDERING, WHAT ARE OUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES? AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE TO PAY IN 21% OF THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET. OR THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW, AND THEN IT'S GOING TO INCREASE. DOES THE STATE BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS? I MEAN, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

IF THIS ANOTHER UNFUNDED MANDATE THAT HAPPENED MANY, MANY YEARS AGO? THERE'S JUST TOO MANY QUESTIONS,

JUDGE, FOR ME TO BE SUPPORTIVE. >> YOU BET.

SO THE RESOLUTION IN THE BACKUP ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO PULL IT UP SO WE COULD READ IT OUT LOUD?

[03:45:02]

>> WHILE THEY'RE PULLING THAT UP, I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE CLARIFYING STATEMENT. WE DID GET THE LETTER, BUT THERE WAS NO CONTEXT THAT WE HAD TO RESPOND WITHIN THE 30 DAYS.

THAT CAME AFTERWARDS AFTER SPEAKING TO LEGAL AND SOME OF THE OTHER ENTITIES. WE DIDN'T SEE THAT WE NEEDED TO GIVE A RESPONSE IN 30 DAYS TO OPPOSE.

>> AND I THINK THAT IS A TREMENDOUS POINT.

I THINK THEY DID THAT INITIAL LETTER FULLY KNOWING THAT IF WE DIDN'T ACT BY A CERTAIN DATE, IT WAS ASSUMED THAT WE WOULD JUST

ASSUME THAT DEBT. >> FULLY KNOWING, THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE AGGRESSION. LET'S READ THE RESOLUTION.

LET'S NOT MAKE THOSE KIND OF CALLS.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD OPPOSITION ENERGY.

I THINK WE'VE BEAT THAT HORSE. LET'S HEAR THE RESOLUTION.

>> A RESOLUTION OF HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT REGARDING THE HAYS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE LAND AND CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT OFFICE.

TAXING UNIT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 6.031 OF THE TAX CODE.

AND WHEREAS THE DISTRICT REQUEST STATES THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT WOULD INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF LAND AND CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 26,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY TO SERVE AS THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT OFFICE. AND WHEREAS THE ESTIMATED COST NOT TO EXCEED $15 MILLION. AND WHEREAS SECTION 6.051 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE ALLOWS THE PURCHASE OF OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCT -- FOR FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS AS NECESSARY. AND WHEREAS SECTION 6.051 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE REQUIRES THAT THE ACQUISITION OR CONVENIENCE OF REAL PROPERTY OR THE CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION OF A BUILDING OR OTHER IMPROVEMENTS BY AN APPRAISAL DISTRICT TO BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THREE-FOURTHS OF THE TAXING UNITS ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS.

AND WHERE AS SECTION 6.051 READS...

THE DATE OF THE DISTRICT DELIVERED ITS RESOLUTION REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE LAND AND CONSTRUCT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HAYS COUNTY JUDGE AS PRESENTING OFFICER OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT JULY 18, 2026.

AND WHEREAS SECTION 6.051 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE PROVIDES THAT IF THE GOVERNING BODY FAILS TO ACT ON OR BEFORE THE 30TH DAY AFTER RECEIPT OF NOTICE OR FAILS TO FILE ITS RESOLUTION WITHIN THE CHIEF APPRAISER ON OR BEFORE THE 20TH DAY AFTER THE 30TH DAY, THE PROPOSAL IS TREATED AS APPROVED. AND WHERE AS THE PROPOSED BUDGET REFLECTS AN INCREASE IN TOTAL EXPENDITURES FROM APPROXIMATEL 6786949 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF APPROXIMATELY 1.65 MILLION.

AND WHEREAS THE DISTRICT'S 2027 PROPOSED BUDGET REFLECTS AN INCREASE IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN THE PROPOSED NEW BUILDING FUND FROM $50,000 TO 1 MI$1,050,000.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 6. -- >> SHE READ THE WRONG ONE.

>> 80% IS THE SAME. SO IF YOU COULD TELL HER WHAT

PART TO READ OVER. >> SHE'S GOOD TO THERE.

>> WILL YOU POINT OUT TO HER WHERE SHE GOES FROM?

[03:50:04]

>> IT'S THE EXACT SAME POINT. >> THERE'S A LITTLE VARIATION AT

THE END. >> TO THAT POINT, THEY'RE THE

EXACT SAME. >> WHEREAS THE HAYS COUNTY

COMMISSIONER COURT FINDS... >> SO IF YOU WANT TO READ THAT LAST PIECE, WHICH IS THE REAL FORK IN THE ROAD, WE WILL BE GOOD. WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU KEEP GOING.

SO FAR EVERYTHING IS RIGHT. >> WHEREAS THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT FINDS THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ARE NEEDED REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROJECT INCLUDING PROJECT SCOPE, FINANCING ALTERNATIVES, TIMING, AND BUDGET IMPACT ON PARTICIPATION, TAXING UNITS.

AND WHEREAS THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOT NECESSARILY OPPOSED TO A LONG-TERM FACILITY SOLUTION FOR THE DISTRICT BUT FIND THAT APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION REQUEST IS NOT WARRANTED ON THE PRESENTED RECORD. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT...

>> ALL RIGHT. >> THERE'S MORE.

>> BUT THAT'S THE GIST OF IT. IS THERE MORE -- YOU WANT TO HEAR THE VERY END? LET'S READ TO THE VERY, VERY

END. >> THIS DISAPPROVAL IS BASED ON THE DETERMINATION THAT THE DISTRICT SHOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ALLOW FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE APP APPROVAL, INCLUDING INFORMATION REGARDING PROJECT SCOPE, FINANCING ALTERNATIVES, TIMING, AND THE AFFECT OF THE PROJECT ON THE DISTRICT'S 2027 PROPOSED BUDGET AND FUTURE ALLOCATIONS FOR TAXING UNITS.

3, NO DETERMINATION REGARDING FUTURE FACILITY NEEDS.

THIS RESOLUTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE DETERMINATION OF THE DISTRICT AND NO LONG-TERM FACILITY NEEDS.

RATHER, THAT PRESERVES THE COMMISSIONER COURT'S ABILITY TO REVIEW IN FUTURE. 4, FILING WITH CHIEF APPRAISER.

A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE CHIEF APPRAISER OF HAYS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT WITHIN THE TIME REQUIRED BY SECTION 6.051 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE AND IN ANY EVENT ON OR BEFORE JULY 28TH. SECTION 4 EFFECTIVE DATE.

THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UPON ITS

ADOPTION. >> SUBMIT.

>> SECOND. >> ON THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD, WHO IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE RIGHT NOW?

>> GIVE ME TWO MINUTES AND I CAN GET THAT NAME TO YOU.

>> IT'S THE TAX COLLECTOR. >> IS SHE STILL OUR FULL REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL THOSE VOTES?

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, YES. >> I REMEMBER APPOINTING O'CANE.

I'M JUST MAKING SURE. >> JUST TO GET CLARITY, I KNOW WE'RE IN OPPOSITION OF THIS. IS IT THE DESIRE OF THE COURT THAT WE HAVE THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT COME OUT AND DO A PRESENTATION TO THE COURT TO GIVE MORE INFORMATION FOR FUTURE BUDGET YEARS? DO WE JUST WANT TO PASS THE

RESOLUTION AND GO FROM THERE? >> I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE PASS THE RESOLUTION THAT WE DON'T SUPPORT THIS ACTION AS PRESENTED, AND WE WOULD LIKE ALL THE PERTINENT DETAILS THAT HAVE

BEEN SPOKEN IN COURT. >> I WOULD JUST SAY IF THIS KILLS THIS PROPOSITION FOR THE 2027 BUDGET, I THINK BECAUSE OF THE WAY -- AND CORRECT ME HERE, BUT THEY SHOULD KNOW BY THE 28TH WHETHER OR NOT THIS WORKS. WHETHER THEY'VE GOT THE THREE-QUARTERS OR NOT. THEY STILL HAVE TIME BEFORE THE ADOPTION OF THE 2027 BUDGET TO COME BACK IF THERE'S THAT 30-DAY NOTICE. IF THEY CHOOSE TO DO THAT, THERE NEEDS TO BE A PRESENTATION, EACH OF US NEEDS TO BE GIVEN INFORMATION ON WHERE THE PROPERTY IS, WHAT THE ACQUISITION COSTS ARE, WHAT THE CONSTRUCTION.

ALL OF THE INFORMATION. SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS THE FIRST I'VE HEARD BECAUSE I'VE NOT SEEN ANY OF THE FUNDING NUMBERS RELATIVE TO STAFF AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

IT'S A FIRST FROM COMMISSIONER HAMMER I'VE HEARD THAT.

WE NEED A FULL ACCOUNTING OF WHAT THESE EXPENSES ARE.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO DO THAT BEFORE FY '27, IF THEY WANT TO DO IT IN '28 THEY NEED TO DO THAT IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH.

[03:55:01]

NOT WITH 30 DAYS LEFT. >> SO PRESENTATION IN COURT.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> WONDERFUL.

SO THE MOTION IS MADE AND SECONDED TO PASS THE RESOLUTION NOT SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER

COMMENTS -- >> AND WHO'S GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING THIS WITH THE CHIEF APPRAISAL? YOU NEED TO DO IT WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME, IT SAYS.

SO WHO'S GOING TO DO THAT? >> THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE WILL WORK WITH LEGAL TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT FILED.

[K.5. Discussion and possible action to modify the 1A106 Employee Status Policy of the personnel policies effective July 8, 2026. HAMMER/BOUTTE/GRANJENO ]

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> K.5. >> DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO MODIFY THE 1 A 106 EMPLOYEE STATUS POLICY.

>> SO MOVED. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE.

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

THIS UPDATED POLICY WOULD ALLOW THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, AND BUDGET OFFICER TO CREATE NEW TEMPORARY POSITIONS FOR SPECIAL STAFFING NEEDS RELATED TO RECRUITMENT DELAY OR CERTAIN SPECIAL PROJECTS.

THERE WOULD BE NO FISCAL IMPACT. UNLIKE OUR INTERNS WHO MAY HAVE LIMITED EXPERIENCE, WE CAN TAP INTO OTHER EXPERIENCE SUCH AS WORKING PARENTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR PART-TIME TEMPORARY POSITIONS, RETIREES LOOKING FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS.

SO DIFFERENT TYPE OF TALENT POOL.

WE LOVE OUR INTERNS, BUT DIFFERENT TYPE OF SKILL SET.

>> THAT WAS VERY GOOD, FORWARD-THINKING, AND NOT

MICROMANAGING. >> I'M SUPPORTIVE.

I JUST WANT TO -- AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS SEEM AS MICROMANAGING. BUT I THINK EVERY SIX MONTHS, MAYBE EVEN A YEAR, THAT YOU BRING US BACK SOME KIND OF REPORT ON HOW THE PROGRAM IS WOR WORKING. MAYBE HOW MANY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN HIRED. WHAT THE COST IS. HOPEFULLY WE DON'T GO OVER THE BUDGETED COST, BUT IF WE NEED TO I'M SURE THAT WILL BE BROUGHT TO COURT. I THINK JUST A REPORT ON HOW THE PROGRAM IS WORKING. I DON'T KNOW IF A QUARTER IS ENOUGH TIME AFTER JUST IMPLEMENTING.

I KNOW WE HAVE ONE ALREADY, BUT THIS IS FAIRLY NEW BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE UNDER Y'ALL'S DISCRETION.

>> AND STAYING WITHIN THE BUDGET.

>> I FULLY SUPPORT THIS. I THINK IT'S STRAIGHT-FORWARD THINKING. TAPPING INTO A POOL THAT WE MAY NOT BE THINKING OF. SOMETIMES WE THINK OF YOUNG PEOPLE FILLING THESE TEMPORARY ROLES, BUT IF THERE'S RETIREES OR MAYBE JUST AN ADULT LOOKING TO CHANGE WHERE THEY WANT TO GO IN THEIR CAREER. SO FULLY SUPPORT.

>> GREAT. >> MY REASON FOR SUPPORTING THIS WAS ALSO FOR POSITIONS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE FULL-TIME.

I THINK IT WILL HELP US FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT AND NOT HAVE TO WORK THOSE POSITIONS IN. OR THEM SIT VACANT.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, I OULD SAY.

I THINK IT WILL DEFINITELY ADD TO THE POOL AND PULL FROM A

BIGGER TALENT POOL. >> RIGHT ON.

COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I REALLY LOOKED AT THIS PROPOSAL AS A WAY WHERE WE COULD MAYBE REALLY KIND OF REENGAGE AND ACCESS SOME OF THOSE FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO I KNOW STILL WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH US. HAVE THE ABILITY TO FILL SOME OF THESE POSITIONS AT LEAST ON A PART-TIME BASIS AND PROVIDE SOME BUDGETARY SAVING AT THE SAME TIME.

>> PART-TIME COMMISSIONER? JUST KIDDING.

[K.7. Discussion and possible action to execute a Reclaimed Water Use Agreement between Hays County and the City of Dripping Springs, to be used by the Hays County Transportation Department, effective April 2, 2026. SMITH/HAMMER/HUNT/A.JONES ]

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> I THINK WE ARE ONTO -- WE'VE ALREADY -- ARE WE 7?

WE'RE ON 7. >> K.7.

EXECUTE THE RECLAIMED WATER USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS TO BE USED BY THE HAYS COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 2ND, 2026.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY, COMMISSIONER, EXPLAIN THIS.

>> SURE. OUR TRANSPORTATION OUTLET USES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WATER IN OUR CONSTRUCTION AND OUR OVERALL USAGE. THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO PURCHASE RECLAIMED WATER INSTEAD OF POTABLE WATER.

I THINK IT'S A WIN/WIN. IT'S CHEAPER THAN POTABLE WATER, AND WE'RE PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS, USING RECLAIMED WATER INSTEAD OF POTABLE WATER ON OUR PROJECT.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA.

GRABBING RECLAIMED WATER FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

THAT'S WHAT THE FRAMEWORK IS, CORRECT?

[04:00:07]

WHAT ABOUT THE PRICE? >> THE PRICE IS WELL BELOW WHAT WE WOULD PAY IF WE WERE TO METER THE WATER.

SAY IF WE GO -- IF WE PUT A METER ON A SYSTEM, A WATER SYSTEM, WE'RE REQUIRED TO PUT DOWN A DEPOSIT.

THEN WE'RE PAYING THIS -- THIS RATE IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN WHAT WE WOULD PAY FOR METERED WATER.

AND THEN WE'RE ALSO NOT PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE POTABLE WATER, THE DRINKING WATER, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE REUSING THIS WATER THAT THEY'RE GENERATING THAT -- YOU KNOW, IT JUST FILLS THAT GAP WHERE WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO USE SOMEBODY'S DRINKING WATER FOR SOMETHING WE WOULD PUT INTO

CONSTRUCTION. >> PLUS PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES FIGHTING WHICH CREEK TO TRY TO POUR IT DOWN.

SO THAT HELPS ON THAT FRONT. WHO IS THE PERSON WE WOULD BE

BUYING IT FROM? >> THIS AGREEMENT IS WITH THE CITY OF DRINKING SPRINGS WITH THEIR TREATMENT PLAN.

>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL WATER SYSTEMS IN THE AREA THAT HAVE SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED THE SELL OF WATER FOR CONSTRUCTION. AND SO THERE ARE MORE ENTITIES OUT THERE THAT ARE TRYING TO FIND DEALS SUCH AS THIS.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS POTABLE WATER.

US BEING AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE WITH ONE OF OUR MUNICIPAL PARTNERS IS REALLY A POSITIVE FOR US.

>> PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THIS IS WHERE THIS REALLY BENEFITS US, WHEN WE WERE DOING THE ROADWAYS LAST SUMMER.

THE WATER DISTRICT THAT WE WERE GETTING WATER FROM ACTUALLY SHUT US OFF FOR CONSTRUCTION WATER FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE WE HAD TO GO WITH SOMEBODY ELSE, AND WE HAD TO DRIVE A LITTLE FURTHER. IT SLOWED THE PROJECT.

THIS IS WITHIN, I BELIEVE, ABOUT 3 MILES OF WHERE THE PROJECT IS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON. SO IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS WITHOUT PUTTING ANY STRAIN ON DRINKING WATER IN THE AREA. I KNOW THAT'S A SENSITIVE

DISCUSSION. >> JUDGE, CAN WE GET AN EXAMPLE OF THE COST? IS IT 50% LESS?

>> OH, IT'S QUITE A BIT. I BELIEVE PER LOAD -- I WOULD

HAVE TO GET THE EXACT NUMBER. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO CALL ON HER. REALLY.

>> IT'S SUBSTANTIALLY LESS. >> SO THE PRICE IS $5 PER THOUSAND GALLONS THAT WE WOULD BE CHARGED.

>> WHAT WERE WE PAYING FOR POTABLE WATER?

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE, AND IT DEPENDS.

WE HAVEN'T USED CITY OF DRINKING SPRINGS FOR DRINKING WATER.

I WANT TO SAY -- I'M GOING OFF OF MEMORY.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE BOUGHT WATER.

WE TYPICALLY USE OUR OWN FACILITIES.

I WANT TO SAY IT'S ABOUT 7 OR $8 PER THOUSAND.

>> PLUS THE COST OF THE METER. - >> PLUS THE COST OF THE METER THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT A METER IN.

RIGHT NOW WITH THE RESTRICTIONS, AS FAR AS THE DROUGHT RESTR RESTRICTIONS, MOST OF THE WATER COMPANIES ARE PUTTING -- THEY'RE RESTRICTING CONSTRUCTION WATER.

OR SOME OF THE -- LIKE ON THE EASTERN SIDE, THE WATER SUPPLIERS ARE ACTUALLY -- WHEN WE GO TO PUT A METER ON, THEY'RE REQUIRING THAT WE ONLY CAN UTILIZE THE WATER WITHIN THE AREA THAT THEY ACTUALLY PATROL. SO IF WE WERE IN ONE SERVICE AREA, IF THEY SEE THAT WE'RE TAKING THAT WATER TO A ROADWAY THAT'S OUT OF THEIR SERVICE AREA, THEY WOULD ACTUALLY PULL OUR METER FROM US. SO ITEMS LIKE THIS -- ONE OTHER GROUP THAT DOES THIS SAME THING IS THE CITY OF COWELL.

THEY ACTUALLY DO THIS SAME PROGRAM ALSO.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK.

ARE THERE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR US? AND THEN IS THERE ENOUGH OF THAT RECLAIMED WATER TO USE ALL OVER?

>> OH, YES. >> YES.

THEY DEFINITELY HAVE THE CAPACITY.

AND WE'VE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY.

WE WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PROJECTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THAT. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANYTHING CLOSE IN THE CITY OF ST. MARCUS, BUT IN THE PAST THEY'VE OFFERED THE

SAME TYPE OF PROGRAM. >> STEPHANIE, MY QUESTION WILL BE TO YOU. THE COMPETITIVENESS OF IT.

$5 SEEMS HIGH. >> SO BECAUSE IT IS A GOVERNMENT ENTITY, WE ARE ABLE TO JUST DO IT IN OUR LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THEM. WE DO NOT HAVE TO GO OUT AND FORMALLY PROCURE ANYTHING. I DON'T PERSONALLY KNOW THE RATES ON THE GREY WATER. ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S OTHER

[04:05:03]

WE COULD POTENTIALLY USE A DIFFERENT COMPANY THAT MAY NOT BE A GOVERNMENT ENTITY. ON THOSE WE WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW OUR PURCHASING POLICY AND STATUTE, WHICH IF WE SPEND MORE THAN 100,000 WITH THEM, IT DOES HAVE TO BE FORMALLY PROCURED.

SO IF WE WANT TO GO OUT WITH A DIFFERENT COMPANY THAT POTENTIALLY DOES IT, WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT.

>> SO OUR LIMITS TO THAT ON GOING OUT TO OTHERS ARE AREA.

SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TREATMENT PLANT.

MOST OF THE PRIVATE FACILITIES, THEY'RE USING -- I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. THEY'RE USING WATER FOR IRRIGATION, SO THERE'S NOT REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOOK ONTO THAT SYSTEM. WHERE THESE CITIES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR TRUCKS TO ENTER INTO THEIR PLANT.

THEY ALSO HAVE REQUIREMENTS TO TRACK WHERE THAT WATER GOES.

SO WHEN OUR CREWS COME IN AND GET THAT, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO ACTUALLY SIGN, TRACK WHERE THE WATER'S GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GOING TO A CONSTRUCTION USE.

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE THAT BE VERIFIED IN REFERENCE TO A

COMPARABLE SCENARIO. >> TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE COST ON THAT, TYPICALLY IF YOU LOOK AT A COST OF WHAT WE'RE UTILIZING THAT WATER AS -- SO $5 PER GALLON, THAT'S REALLY $10 PER LOAD. SO ONE FULL LOAD OF A TRUCK IS ROUGHLY $10. SO WE TYPICALLY -- DEPENDING ON THE DAY, WE'RE PROBABLY UTILIZING FOUR TO FIVE LOADS A DAY. IF THAT.

SO THAT PUTS TO THAT. BUT HAVING -- WHAT REALLY BENEFITS US IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE RATE WE WOULD PAY IF WE HAVE TO GO -- I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

THE CLOSEST PLACE TO GET WATER WOULD ACTUALLY DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF DRIVE TIME. SO WHEN YOU PUT THE RATE OF THE TRUCK, THE DRIVER THAT'S DRIVING IT, YOU'RE DOUBLING THAT TIME.

AND THAT'S AN HOURLY RATE, WHICH SLOWS THE PROGRESS ON THE JOB.

SO THERE'S SOME BALANCE. AND WE LOOK AT THINGS.

>> THERE'S TWO OTHER FACTORS -- >> I LOVE THE IDEA, IT'S AN AMAZING IDEA. I JUST WANTED TO GET THE DETAILS OF THE PRICE. THAT WAS IT.

>> THERE'S TWO OTHER FACTORS THAT DIRECTLY FEED INTO THIS.

NUMBER ONE, WHEN YOU'RE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT COMPETITIVENESS AND USING A PRIVATE ENTITY FOR THIS.

AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD NECESSARILY THINK OF ON THE FRONT END.

BUT YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IF A PRIVATE ENTITY -- THERE ARE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES THAT SELL THIS WATER, BUT THEY'RE PAYING THE EXACT SAME RATE TO GET IT FROM THE CITY.

AND THEN THEY'RE PAYING TRANSPORT CHARGES ON TOP OF THAT. THE MVAST MAJORITY, OVER 90%, O THOSE WATER HAULERS THAT OPERATE IN OUR COUNTY AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES WILL NOT HAUL THIS WATER.

THEY WON'T BECAUSE THEY'RE CERTIFIED TO HAUL POTABLE WATER.

IF THEY USE ONE OF THOSE TRUCKS TO HAUL THIS WATER, IT IMMEDIATELY CANNOT BE USED FOR POTABLE WATER IN THE FUTURE.

SO THEREFORE THEY -- BECAUSE THE VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR SELLS ARE POTABLE WATER TO SPECIFIC ENTITIES, RAIN WATER COLLECTION, HOMES, ENTITIES LIKE THAT, THEY WILL NOT HAUL THIS WATER. BUT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO.

>> WERE YOU GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE?

ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? >> I GUESS NOT.

CAN WE GET THE PRICE LOWER? WHEN YOU MENTIONED 7 TO $8 FOR A

THOUSAND -- >> DRINKING, M-HM.

>> I JUST THOUGHT $5 SEEMED A LITTLE HIGH.

>> WE TRUST YOU, WE JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT COMPETITIVENESS THERE

IS. >> AND WHEN WE MAKE THESE DECISIONS, WE'RE LOOKING AT -- WE'RE TRYING TO STRETCH OUR BUDGETS AS FAR AS WE CAN ON WHAT WE HAVE.

AND WE'RE DEFINITELY -- IF IT'S CLOSER, IT TENDS TO SPEED UP OUR PROCESS ON THE PROJECT. SO WE BALANCE BETWEEN WHAT THOSE ARE. THIS ONE WAS A WIN/WIN BECAUSE IT IS VERY TOUGH TO GET WATER ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY ESPECIALLY. WE COULD HAVE UTILIZED OUR OWN WELLS, WHICH WOULD HAVE PUT A STRAIN ON SENTINEL, SAME AS THIS ONE. BUT HAVING SOMETHING CLOSER TO MOVE THOSE CREWS QUICKER. I WANT TO REASSURE Y'ALL THAT WE DO LOOK AT THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE --

>> THANK YOU. I THINK THAT WAS A KEY FOR US.

[K.9. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Master Fire Alarm System Agreement and a Master Alarm System Monitoring Agreement between Hays County and Security One, Inc. effective May 7, 2025, and authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 262.024 (a)(7)(D). INGALSBE/CRUMLEY ]

[04:10:16]

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A MASTER FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AGREEMENT AND A MASTER ALARM SYSTEM MONITORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND SECURITY ONE INC., EFFECTIVE MAY 7, 2025, AND AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE

262.024 A7D. >> MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S

CORRECTING AN EXPIRATION DATE. >> YES.

SO WE HAD, BACK IN THE DAY, MULTIPLE DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS WITH THEM. EACH TIME THEY WERE BROUGHT TO COURT, THEY WERE FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM.

SO WE DID GET A MASTER AGREEMENT WITH THEM, AND IT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE EXPIRATION DATE WAS THE FURTHEST OUT FROM WHAT THE OTHER AGREEMENTS HAD BEEN.

BUT IT WAS REALLY JUST A YEAR TERM.

SO THIS IS TO BRING THE CONTRACT CURRENT TO WHERE IT DIDN'T LAPSE LAST YEAR, AND IT'S FOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

SO IT WILL GO THROUGH MAY OF NEXT YEAR, AND THEN WE'LL GET ON AN ANNUAL RENEWAL INSTEAD OF THESE THREE YEARS.

[K.10. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County's Clerk's Office to purchase Just Appraised's Front Desk's platform and associated licenses from Vertosoft utilizing their NCPA Omnia contract 159574, and authorize the execution of an Addendum to Order and Transaction Documents, effective July 1,2026, and amend the budget accordingly. BECERRA/CARDENAS ]

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY'S CLERK'S OFFICE TO PURCHASE JUST APPRAISED'S FRONT DESK'S PLATFORM AND ASSOCIATED LICENSES FROM VERTOSOFT UTILIZING THEIR NCPA OMNIA CONTRACT 159574, AND AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN ADDENDUM TO ORDER AND TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS.

>> THE NUMBER ONE PIECE OF THIS PROJCT THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO US IS IT EXTENDS OUR OFFICE HOURS PAST 5 O'CLOCK.

PEOPLE CAN CALL IN. THEY CAN GET AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM THAT ROUTES OUR CALLS, ANSWERS QUESTIONS.

AND THEY CAN JUMP IN AND OUT OF THAT AT ANY TIME.

AGAIN, IT'S PART OF OUR INITIATIVE TO EXPAND SERVICES TO

THE COMMUNITY AFTER HOURS. >> BEAUTIFUL.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K.11. Discussion and possible action to accept a proposal from Water & Earth Technologies (WET) related to the replacement of two pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, one at Little Arkansas and the other on FM 150 at the South side of the double-crossing, and amend the budget accordingly. HAMMER/SMITH/M.JONES]

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM WATER AND EARTH TECHNOLOGIES WET RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF TWO CAMERAS, ONE AT LITTLE ARKANSAS'S AND THE OTHER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DOUBLE CROSSING AND AMEND THE

BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ONLY THING MISSING HERE IS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT ON THE AGENDA ITEM ITSELF.

>> I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE.

>> THAT'S ALL WE EVER NEED. IF YOU GUYS WILL -- CANDICE, I'LL TAKE THIS MOMENT WHILE I HAVE IT.

IF YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING WITHIN YOUR POWER TO HAVE AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE ALL INCLUSIVE INFORMATION LIKE THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS. THE VIEWING PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE THE BACKUP, SO IF YOU PUT IT ALL THERE, IT'S ALWAYS EASIER FOR

PEOPLE. >> AND I KNOW MIKE WILL GET TIRED OF HEARING THIS, BUT BUDGET IT IN.

HOW MANY OF THESE DO WE DO A YEAR NOW? I KNOW THEY VARY, BUT WE DO KNOW WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE 6 TO 8 OF

THESE A YEAR MINIMUM. >> THEY GO UP TO 10.

>> SAY 10. AND THEN GUESS WHAT, ROLL IT.

THAT WAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO -- THIS SHOULD JUST BE AN ORDER OF DOING BUSINESS TO REPLACE THESE THINGS.

JUST LIKE IF A SIGN GETS KNOCKED DOWN, IN TRANSPORTATION THEY

REPLACE IT. >> I DO WANT TO SAY THAT MR. JONES AND I DID DISCUSS THAT DURING OUR BUDGET MEETING.

IT CAN BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO GO OVER 5,000 OR BE UNDER.

BUT I'M GOING TO PUT MONEY IN BOTH ACCOUNTS, AND WE'LL BE ABLE

TO TRANSFER IN BETWEEN THEM. >> AND THEN -- BECAUSE I SUPPORT THAT EFFORT. AND THEN IF SOMETHING HAPPENS

[04:15:01]

REPLENISH. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K.12. Discussion and possible action to execute a proposal between Hays County and Tyler Technologies for Tyler Eagle data extraction services, totaling $10,300.00, and authorize a discretionary exemption per Texas Local Government Code 262.024 (a)(4). BECERRA/CARDENAS/HUNT ]

>> K.13.

>> CLERK'S OFFICE? WE WANTED TO SEE ABOUT K.12.

I KNOW YOU DON'T TOUCH EVERY SINGLE ITEM, BUT JUST IN CASE.

>> WE ARE SWITCHING FROM TYLER TECHNOLOGIES TO NUMO.

AND THAT CONTRACT IS DONE AND APPROVED.

WHAT WE FOUND AFTER THE FACT IS TYLER IS GOING TO CHARGE US FOR THE DATA EXTRACTION THAT'S REQUIRED TO DO THE TRANSFER TO THE NEW SYSTEM. THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. WE HAVE IT IN THE BUDGET.

>> I THINK JEFF KNOWS MORE. >> WE HAVE BACKUP OVER HERE

COMES. >> DURING THIS PROJECT, THEY'RE WANTING DATA EXTRACTED IN A PARTICULAR FORMAT.

AND TYLER'S DATA BASE SCHEME IS PRETTY COMPLEX.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT WELL, IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THE CONVERSION. TYLER IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO CONVERT THAT INTO A FORMAT THAT ANOTHER VENDOR CAN USE.

SO THAT'S WHERE THERE'S THIS EXTRACT CHARGE FROM TYLER TO

ACTUALLY DO THAT. >> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> I ASSUME THAT WE OWN THE DATA?

>> WE OWN THE DATA. >> SO IN OUR FUTURE CONTRACT, IF WE OWN THE DATA, IN THE CONTRAT THAT WE HAVE IS THERE A PROVISION IN THERE THAT, SHOULD WE END THAT CONTRACT OR SHOULD THAT CONTRACT COME TO AN END THAT THEY'LL PROVIDE US THE DATA IN THE FORMAT NEEDED TO TRANSFER IT TO A NEW SYSTEM?

>> THAT WOULD BE NICE. FROM TYLER'S PERSPECTIVE, THOUGH, THEY'RE NOT REALLY ENTHUSED.

> IT'S A LITTLE SIDE HUSTLE. >> THEY'RE NOT REALLY ENTHUSED ABOUT DOING A LOT OF WORK FOR ANOTHER VENDOR.

>> ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY ON THIS PURCHASE IS THAT THIS IS COMING THROUGH THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND.

SO THERE IS NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEING SPEND.

THIS IS COMING OUT OF THE RECORDS AND MANAGEMENT ARCHIVES BECAUSE THIS DOES HAVE TO DO WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE

RECORDS. >> AND LET ME CLARIFY FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS.

THERE IS A TRANSACTION THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN YOU GO INTO THE CLERK'S OFFICE THAT HAS A FEE TIED TO IT THAT THE PUBLIC PAYS THAT'S CONSUMING THAT FEE. YOU NEED TRANSACTION, YOU NEED A CERTAIN PAPER, AND YOU PAY FOR IT.

THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT GOES INTO A SPECIAL FUND, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS GOING TO COME OUT OF. THAT SPECIAL FUND.

SO THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US OF THAT, SCOTT.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING EXTRA EAGLE EYES ON THE AUDIENCE FOR

[K.14. Discussion and possible action to award a contract for RFP 2026-P14 Elevator Maintenance & Repair Services to Metro Elevator Management, Inc., and authorize staff, Purchasing Agent, and the Criminal District Attorney, Civil Division to negotiate a contract. BECERRA/CRUMLEY/HUNT ]

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR RFP 2026-P14 ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES TO METRO ELEVATOR MANAGEMENT INC., AND AUTHORIZE STAFF, PURCHASING AGENT, AND THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CIVIL DIVISION TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOVED.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K.15. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B13 Fairview Road - Hot Mix Overlay between Hays County and Brooke Paving and Construction, LLC, in the amount of $119,845.00. INGALSBE/A.JONES/HUNT]

>> K.15. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR IFB 2026-B13 FAIRVIEW ROAD/HOT MIX OVERLAY BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BROOKE

[04:20:03]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> PERFECT AGENDA ITEM. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

GOT A MOTION IN TWO SECONDS. LET'S GO.

[K.16. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B12 Creeks Landing - Hot Mix Overlay between Hays County and Bennett Paving, Inc., in the amount of $185,283.00. INGALSBE/A.JONES/HUNT]

PLEASE READ K.16. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR IFB 2026-B12 CREEKS LANDING-HOT MIX OVERLAY BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BENNETT PAVING

INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $185,283. >> SO MOVED.

[K.17. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B10 Shadow Creek, Black Forest Road- Remove and Replace Hot Mix between Hays County and Bennett Paving, Inc., in the amount of $110,575.00. COHEN/A.JONES/HUNT]

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR IFB 2026-B10 SHADOW CREEK, BLACK FOREST ROAD.

REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BENNETT PAVING INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,575.

[K.18. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B09 Shadow Creek, Brandons Way - Remove & Replace Hot Mix between Hays County and Bennett Paving, Inc., in the amount of $145,300.09. COHEN/A.JONES/HUNT]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> OPEN K.18. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR IFB 2026-B09 SHADOW CREEK, BRANDONS WAY. REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BENNETT PAVING INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF

[K.19. Discussion and possible action related to Bennett Paving, Inc.'s protest of the award of IFB 2026-B07 Nutty Brown Road - Remove & Replace Hot Mix to Bobcat Paving, LLC pursuant to Paragraph 16 (disputes and appeals) of Section IV (General Terms and Conditions for Solicitations) in the solicitation documents. SMITH/A.JONES/HUNT]

>> K.19. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE BENNETT PAVING INC. PROTEST OF THE AWARD OF IFB 2026-B07 NUTTY BROWN ROAD.

REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX TO BOBCAT PAVING LCC PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 16. DISPUTES AND APPEALS OF SECTION IV, GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SOLICITATIONS, IN THE

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS. >> WE HAVE A PUBLIC CONSENT ON K.19. WE'LL GIVE YOU THREE MINUTES.

>> YES, SIR. MY NAME IS BILLY BENNETT WITH BENNETT PAVING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THOSE CONTRACTS.

>> THANK YOU. >> I'LL GET YOU THE WHEELBARROW

LATER. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THIS WAS A WEIRD ONE.

THE BIDDING PROCESS, IT'S BEEN GREAT.

STEPHANIE AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN AWESOME TO WORK WITH.

BUT COMING INTO THIS, ALL THE BIDS WERE LINED UP.

AND Y'ALL DO A GREAT JOB OF SETTING THE BIDS UP TO WHERE THERE'S NO -- LIKE, YOU PUT IN YOUR BID, YOU PUT IN YOUR PAPER DOCUMENTS AND EVERYTHING VERY EASY.

I WISH MORE COUNTIES WOULD DO THAT.

HOWEVER, WHEN THIS WENT IN, THIS IS THE JOB THAT EVERYONE WANTED.

AND THEN YOU KIND OF GO DOWN THE ROAD.

WHEN YOU HAD THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING THIS IN-PERSON OR ONLINE, ON THE WEBSITE, ON THE BID FORMS, ALL OF THAT STATES THAT THE BID WOULD BE OPEN AND YOU COULD NO LONGER TURN IT IN AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE MORNING. SO EVERYONE'S TURNED IN THEIR BIDS, WE SHOW UP, AND WE'RE SITTING THERE AND THEY SAID, LISTEN, BECAUSE WE PUT THE WRONG TIME, INSTEAD OF 9:00 A.M. IT WAS 9:00 P.M. ON BID NET -- WHICH YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SUBMIT IT THROUGH BIT NET. IT'S JUST 1 OF THE AVENUES.

BECAUSE OF THAT, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS OPEN IT TONIGHT, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO POST THE RESULTS THE NEXT DAY.

IS WHAT WE WERE TOLD. SO AFTER THE FIRST BID -- BECAUSE THIS WAS A WHOLE-DAY DEAL.

SAT THERE, WENT TO GRAB A BITE TO EAT, AND THEN WE GOT AN ADDENDUM THAT THEY'RE CHANGING THE BID TO, I GUESS, TWO DAYS LATER. THERE'S NO REASON TO CHANGE THE BID. WHAT THIS DOES IS OPEN UP A WINDOW. WHEN YOU'RE BIDDING JOBS, IT'S ALL PERCENTAGES. AND SO ONCE YOU OPEN THAT DOOR OF ALL MY BIDS, YOU'LL SEE HOW I DO THEM.

I GO VERY AGGRESSIVE ON THE BIG ONE.

AGGRESSIVE, AGGRESSIVE, NOT AS AGGRESSIVE, AND THEN KIND OF GO DOWN THE LIST. SO WHAT THIS DID IS -- AND YOU CAN SEE YOU HAVE COMPANIES LIKE BOBCAT, AND THEY WERE 20% HIGHER

[04:25:06]

IT'S NOT A FAIR BIDDING PROCESS. WHAT I WOULD ASK -- LIKE, I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD BE REBID.

I BELIEVE EVERYONE TURNED IN A DIGITAL BID AS WELL AS A PACKET.

AND WHAT I WOULD ASK IS THAT WHENWE GO WITH THE ORIGINAL BID. BECAUSE ON ANY BID FORM, THAT'S WHAT I'M HELD TO. IF I BID YOUR JOB AND I BID IT WITH THE WRONG MIX, I'VE MADE $100,000 MISTAKES.

IS THAT MY TIME? >> JUST KNOW THIS, WE CAN ALWAYS CALL YOU BACK. BUT TO STAY TRUE TO FORM, YOUR

TIME IS UP. >> AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO ASK CHASE TO WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT OCCURRED ON THIS BIDDING PROCESS. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE STEPHANIE AND ERIN, SHOULD THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AS WELL.

>> SURE. SO CHASE YOUNG, ASSISTANT CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH THE CIVIL DIVISION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE COURT HASN'T DEALT WITH BEFORE.

IT'S PART OF A BID PROTEST PROCESS.

BACKDROP, THERE'S TYPICALLY TWO WAYS YOU CAN TRY TO PROTEST SOMETHING. ONE'S UNDER 262 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. BUT THERE'S ONE UNDER SECTION 4, SUBSECTION 16 OF OUR GENERAL TERMS THAT WE PUT OUT IN EVERY DIFFERENT SOLICITATION. BASICALLY IT ESTABLISHES IF ONE OF THE BIDDERS BELIEVE THERE'S SOME SORT OF ERROR OR SOME SORT OF UNFAIRNESS IN THE PROCESS, THEY ARE ABLE TO FILE A PROTEST WITH PURCHASING. AND THEN THEY'LL GIVE A DETAILED EXPLANATION, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

AND IF THE BIDDER STILL DOESN'T LIKE THE EXPLANATION, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY BY THE RULES THAT THE COURT HAS SET OUT TO COME HERE AND APPEAL TO THE COURT. SO ESSENTIALLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS THERE WERE SEVEN MAJOR PROJECTS THAT WERE ALL OUT ON MAY 12TH. BENNETT, I BELIEVE, WON FIVE OF THE SEVEN. AND THEN THERE WERE TWO OTHER ONES, ONE THAT WENT TO BOBCAT AND ONE THAT WENT TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY. THAT WAS FOR THE NUTTY BROWN AND THE FAIRVIEW, OF THE ONES THAT WE JUST APPROVED.

THE NUTTY BROWN ONE IS THE ONE AT ISSUE IN THIS CASE.

IT'S THE IFB-2026-B07. ESSENTIALLY WHAT HAPPENED IS THERE WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR FOR THE DEADLINE.

THE DOCUMENTS -- THE HARD COPY DOCUMENTS SAID JUNE 8TH AT 9:00 A.M.. BUT BID NET SAID JUNE 8TH AT 9:00 P.M. ONCE STEPHANIE REALIZED THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE, THEY ISSUED AN ADDENDUM TO CLARIFY, BY EXTENDING THE TIMELINE. ON JUNE 8TH THERE WERE EIGHT BIDS SUBMITTED, AND BENNETT WAS ABOUT THE FOURTH CHEAPEST OPTION. THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A QUESTION THERE BECAUSE IN THE RECORDS THAT WE HAVE, TWO OF THE COMPANIES WITHDREW THEIR BIDS AND THEN FULLY SUBMITTED A BID PACKAGE LATER ON THE 10TH. ASSUMING THEIR PRICING WAS THE SAME, BENNETT WOULD STILL BE NUMBER FOUR IN THE PRICING DETAILS. ON JUNE 10TH, THERE WERE THEN NINE BIDS. ONE COMPANY DID EXTEND AN ADDITIONAL BID DURING THAT WINDOW.

AT THAT POINT, BENNETT WAS THE FIFTH CHEAPEST OPTION.

STEPHANIE AND CREW AND PURCHASING ENSURED TO NOTIFY EVERYONE ABOUT THE SITUATION AND ABOUT THE SECOND ADENDENDUM.

THE ORIGINAL BIDS WEREN'T OPEN. OF THE COMPANIES THAT SUBMITTED ON THE 8TH AND RESUBMITTED ON THE 10TH, NO COMPANY REALLY CHANGED THEIR PRICING. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MAYBE THOSE TWO. EXCEPT FOR BOBCAT PAVING, WHICH SLIGHTLY LOWERED THEIR PRICES. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BACKGROUND ON THERE. AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE HAVE TWO ADDITIONAL ITEMS BELOW. SO IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO CHANGE ANYTHING, WE CAN GO AHEAD AWARD THE PROJECT.

OR IF YOU DECIDE TO REJECT THE BID, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO

ISSUE THE SOLICITATION. >> LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD THIS CORRECTLY. I LOVE THE PACE AND THE CONTENT.

BUT AM I TO BELIEVE IN LAYMEN'S BROAD STROKES THAT WE CLOSE THE

[04:30:08]

WE CLOSE A BID AT 9:00 A.M. MONDAY MORNING.

AND THEN WE REOPEN THE BID BECAUSE WE HAD A WRONG CLOSING HOUR OF THE SAME DAY. DID BOBCAT INTRODUCE AT A LOWER PRICE AFTER THE NEW ONE WAS EXTENDED?

THAT'S MY FIRST QUESTION. >> ON THE ELECTRONIC BIDDING SITE, BID NET, WHERE WE TAKE IN ALL THE ELECTRONIC BIDS, WHATEVER TIME IS ON THERE, WHETHER IT'S THE RIGHT TIME OR NOT, WE CANNOT OPEN ANY BIDS THAT ARE SUBMITTED ON THERE.

THE SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW US TO LOOK AT THEM BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LEGALLY SUPPOSED TO OPEN ANY BIDS UNTIL AFTER THE BID CLOSING DATE AND TIME. EVEN THOUGH IT CLOSED AT 9:00 A.M. ON THE BIDDING WEBSITE IT SAID 9:00 P.M.

I COULD NOT PHYSICALLY OPEN THEM.

SO I WAS ON A CALL AT THE TIME AND WAS LIKE, LET ME FIGURE THIS OUT. WHN WE CAME BACK, THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THE TIME ON BID NET DIRECT WAS TO ISSUE AN ADDENDUM.

WE CANNOT MAKE CHANGES TO ANY PROCUREMENT THAT IS OUT WITHOUT ISSUING AN ADDENDUM. SO WE CHANGED THE DATE AND TIME TO TWO DAYS LATER BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF VENDORS COMPETING THAT IF YOU LEAVE IT OPEN UNTIL 9, ANYBODY CAN SUBMIT. AND HE'S NOT WRONG.

THEY STILL COULD SUBMIT ON THE ELECTRONIC SITE BECAUSE WE COULD NOT CHANGE IT. SO WE CHANGED IT TO TWO DAYS LATER BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE UPDATED REQUIREMENTS IN OUR DOCUMENTS TO WHERE ADDENDUMS HAVE TO BE SIGNED AND RETURNED.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I DID NOT WANT ANY FIRM TO NOT GET NOTIFICATION THAT, HEY, WE ISSUED AN ADDENDUM TO CORRECT THIS ERROR AND GET DEEMED NONRESPONSIVE JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SUBMIT THAT DOCUMENT. THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T IT TWO DAYS OUT. I PHYSICALLY CALLED EVERY FIRM THAT DAY AND SENT THEM AN EMAIL, FOLLOWING UP WITH PHONE CALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADDENDUM BEING POSTED.

TO MR. BENNETT'S CLAIMS, YES WE OPENED -- DOING THE ADDENDUM ALLOWED OTHER PEOPLE TO SUBMIT. WE ONLY HAD ONE OTHER BIDDER.

THEIR SECOND HIGHEST BIDDER. >> BASICALLY A MUTE POINT?

>> CORRECT. WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO LEAVE IT OPEN UNTIL 9, THEY COULD HAVE SUBMITTED ANY TIME UNTIL 9 THAT DAY AS WELL. LIKE, WE COULD HAVE CLOSED IT EARLIER THAT DAY, BUT WE STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN OPENING UP ALL THE OTHER PROCUREMENTS. ANYBODY WHO -- THE SECOND PROCUREMENT WE OPENED WHO HEARD PRICING, THEY COULD HAVE SUBMITTED -- THEY COULD HAVE GONE BACK AND CHANGED THEIR OTHER BIDS ON THE LATER ONES BECAUSE THOSE DUE DATES WEREN'T DUE IN THAT TIMEFRAME. IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

I DON'T THINK IT DOES. >> CAN I CLARIFY THAT?

>> ALL OF THEM ARE DUE AT 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3.

>> SO IF SOMEBODY SUBMITTED A BID AND IT WAS OPENED AT 9:00 A.M. THEY COULD HAVE LOOKED AT THOSE BIDS AND THEN ADJUST

THEIR PRICING? >> EVERYONE COULD HAVE DONE THAT

THROUGHOUT THE DAY. >> ONE AT A TIME.

WE'LL GET TO YOU. >> ALSO TO HIS LAST COMMENT ABOUT GO WITH THE BID SUBMITTED AT 9:00 A.M..

LIKE CHASE SAID, AS YOU -- SO IN BID NET DIRECT, YOU HAVE AN OPTION TO WITHDRAW YOUR BID COMPLETELY.

WHICH MEANS YOU GO IN AND TAKE ALL OUR DOCUMENTS OUT AND YOU CAN RESUBMIT A NEW ONE. OR YOU CAN JUST GO IN THERE AND ADD. SO WE HAD SEVERAL FIRMS WHO HAD SUBMITTED INITIALLY ON THE 8TH THAT WENT IN AND JUST ADDED.

WE HAD A FEW WHO WITHDREW THEIR PACKETS.

THERE'S DATES ON ALL THE FORMS, AND THEY'RE ALL DATED BEFORE THE

[04:35:03]

HAD WE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN UP THAT DAY, BENNETT PAVING WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE LOWEST BIDDER. THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN NUMBER FIVE OUT OF SEVEN OR EIGHT RESPONSES. THERE WERE FOUR OTHER FIRMS THAT

WERE LOWER THAN THEM. >> AND SO TWO FILED -- ARE YOU

ABLE TO TELL US? >> YEAH.

SO ASPHALT INC., WHICH IS LONE STAR PAVING, AND BRICK PAVING WERE ON THE INITIAL LIST ON THE 8TH.

BECAUSE I CAN SEE WHO'S SUBMITTED SOMETHING, I JUST CAN'T OPEN THEIR BIDS. SO THEY WERE ON THE LIST THAT THEY HAD SUBMITTED. BUT WHEN WE WENT IN ON THE 10TH AND LOOKED, THERE WAS -- THEY ONLY HAD THEIR ONE.

SO THEY HAD WITHDREW THEIR BID OUT OF BID NET DIRECT

>> SO JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK, I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT WE JUST HEARD THAT THERE'S THE IDEA THAT ALTHOUGH THERE MAY BE THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT BIDS SUBMITTED WITH DIFFERENT TIMELINES OF DUE DATES, OR DUE TIMES, THAT THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS MIGHT BE MUTE POINTS BECAUSE THERE'S DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES THAT YOU WANT TO APPLY TO EACH PROFIT MARGIN DEPENDING ON THE TOTAL TICKET PRICE. SO IS THERE A WINDOW TO SEE WHERE THIS LOOKING GLASS SAYS, YEAH, THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

WHERE BOBCAT, NEXT AGENDA ITEM, PULLS, SEES, EDITS, RESUBMITS.

>> THEY COULD HAVE DONE THAT ON EVERY SINGLE PROCUREMENT.

>> ON THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY, THE MILLION DOLLAR PLUS ONE.

>> NO. THE PRICING THAT CAME IN ON THE 8TH WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ANYBODY.

WE DID NOT OPEN ANY PACKETS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO NOBODY KNEW WHAT ANYBODY'S PRICING WAS.

>> I KNEW FROM WHAT YOU SAID THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.

I JUST WANTED TO HEAR IT OUT LOUD.

>> THERE WERE NO BIDS RELEASED. WE DIDN'T EVEN OPEN UP THE HARD COPIES IN OUR OFFICE. THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPANIES THERE FOR THAT BID OPENING. THEY CAN ALL ATTEST THAT NO

NUMBERS WERE READ ALOUD. >> WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE

ADDENDUM? >> IT JUST SAID THERE WAS A DATA ENTRY ERROR, SO WE WERE CHANGING IT TO JUNE 10TH AT 9:00 A.M. TO CLOSE TO ALLOW VENDORS TO PUT THEIR ADDENDUM IN THERE.

>> SO YOUR ADDENDUM WAS A NOTE. WHEN SOMEONE PULLS THEIR INFORMATION, RESUBMITS INFORMATION, AND THEN UPDATED THE ADDENDUM, THAT HAD A NEWER DATE.

WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE ADDED IF THE ADDENDUM WAS PURELY A NOTE?

>> THEY COULD CHANGE THEIR BID TOTAL, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT BENNETT PAVING IS -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY ALLUDING TO.

BUT IN PART OF THEIR PROTEST, THE POTENTIAL LOWER BIDDERS PULLED THEIR BIDS AFTER HEARING ALL OF THE PRICING FOR THE OTHER J JOBS.

SO THEY PULLED THEIR PRICING AND CHANGED IT SO THEY WOULD NOT -- SO BENNETT PAVING WOULD NOT BE THE LOW BIDDER.

BUT WITH BEING ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO SOME OF THOSE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS THAT WERE SUBMITTED ON THE 8TH, THAT IS NOT ACCURATE.

AND I DID PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THEM IN MY RESPONSE TO THEM ON THEIR PROTEST.

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY -- AND I MIGHT TURN IT OVER TO ERIN TO TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES IN THIS PROJECT AND THE OTHER PROJECTS AWARDED, BUT THE FACT IS THAT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE ENTITY THAT'S PROTESTING WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE AWARD OF THE BID IN EITHER SCENARIO.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SECOND. THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THIRD

>> FOURTH AND FIFTH. I HEARD IT TOO.

>> SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I THINK -- TO MS. HUNT'S POINT, IT'S MORE OR LESS A MUTE POINT. AND I WOULD SAY IN SITTING DOWN AND TALKING -- AGAIN, I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNTIL PROCU PROCUREMENT.

I THINK I TOOK THE TIME TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS THAT WE DID TODAY, AND THE VARIOUS SCOPES AND NATURES OF THEM ARE MASSIVE. AND THE ONE WE GOT THE BEST BIDS ON WAS NUTTY BROWN BECAUSE IT'S THE LARGEST PROJECT.

THERE'S AN ECONOMY OF SCALE THERE WITH THE RESPONDENTS TO

[04:40:03]

THE BID PROCESS. >> MR. BENNETT, I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE REALLY QUICK. COME ON UP AND TELL ME IF I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE THE CO CONTENT, THE SPIRIT OF, WHAT TOOK PLACE. OR WHAT'S MISSING.

>> YES, SIR. AND WHETHER WE GET AWARDED OR NOT, I DON'T CARE. THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

MY POINT WAS WE WERE TOLD WHEN WE SAT DOWN -- A GENTLEMAN CAME OUT, IT WAS THE SAME GENTLEMAN GIVING US THE NUMBERS, AND HE SAID IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE REBID.

THEY WERE GOING TO OPEN THEM THAT EVENING.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECT. >> SORRY, WHAT NUMBERS WERE YOU REFERRING TO THAT HE WAS GIVING YOU?

>> THE NUTTY BROWN ROAD BID PACKET.

THEY WERE GOING TO OPEN IT THAT NIGHT AND THEN POST IT.

>> SO NOT NUMBERS OF YOUR BID? >> NUMBERS OF YOUR BID.

THEY POST IT NEXT DAY FOR US. >> THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS?

>> YES, SIR. >> SO HE WAS CALLING THEM OUT?

>> NO, SIR. THEY CAME OUT AND TOLD US ABOUT THE MISTAKE, AND THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THAT TIME TO POST. AND THEY WERE GOING TO POST THE NEXT DAY. THAT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING.

AND THEN I CAME BACK FROM LUNCH AND GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT AN ADDENDUM. DURING A BID OPENING IS NOT THE TIME TO ARGUE THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHETHER WE WERE FIRST OR FIFTH, ARE YOU ABLE TO OPEN ALL THE BIDS, ALL THE -- THE ONES THAT WERE THERE AT 9:00 A.M. I GUESS IS WHAT I'M ASKING, VERSUS THE NEW BIDS.

CAN YOU SEE BOTH BIDS? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'M TELLING YOU. IF YOU OPEN ALL THE ORIGINAL BIDS, I THINK IT WILL CHANGE SUBSTANTIALLY.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHE'S SAYING, THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO SEE

THOSE. >> I DID COVER THAT.

SO OF ALL THE BIDS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED ON THE 8TH, ASPHALT INC. AND BROOKE PAVING WITHDREW THEIR PROPOSALS.

WHICH MEANS THEY COMPLETELY REMOVED THEM, SUBMITTED A NEW ONE. EVERYBODY ELSE I CAN SEE, NOBODY CHANGED THEIR SCORES EXCEPT FOR BOBCAT PAVING.

IN LONE STAR PAVING AND BROOKE PAVING, THE DATES ON EVERYTHING ARE AS IF THEY JUST RESUBMITTED THEIR ORIGINAL PACKET BUT JUST ADDED ADDENDUM TWO. SO THE WAY THAT THIS PANNED OUT IS EXACTLY HOW IT WOULD HAVE PANNED OUT HAD WE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN IT ON THAT MONDAY MORNING. ZAC CAME OUT AND COMMUNICATED IT WOULD HAVE TO STAY OPEN UNTIL 9. AGAIN, I WAS ON A CONFERENCE CALL WHEN HE CAME IN, AND I COULDN'T CHANGE IT.

WHEN I GOT DONE WITH OUR CALL, THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES SITTING OUT THERE, PART OF ALL THE BID OPENING COMPANIES, AND THEY HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT STAYING OPEN UNTIL 9 BECAUSE, AGAIN, THEN ANYBODY COULD HAVE POSTED IT.

I UNDERSTOOD HIS CONCERN. BUT, AGAIN, I CAN'T CHANGE IT WITHOUT ISSUING AN ADDENDUM. THAT'S WHEN WE DECIDED TO ISSUE THE ADDENDUM TO CHANGE IT AND JUST MOVE IT OUT.

AND THEN I CALLED AND TALKED TO ADAM IN YOUR OFFICE AND THEN

SENT ADAM, YOU, AND YOUR -- >> MY BROTHER.

>> YES. AN EMAIL RECAPPING THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH ADAM.

THAT WAY, EVERYBODY WHO HAD BEEN THERE HAD GOTTEN CONFIRMATION FROM ME ON HOW WE WERE MOVING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FELT THAT THIS WAS THE BEST PATH FORWARD.

I KNOW YOU GUYS SIGNED YOUR ADDENDUM ON TUESDAY AND UPLOADED YOUR PACKET. AND I DID NOT HEAR FROM YOU GUYS AS FAR AS, HEY, WE HAVE A CONCERN.

>> THAT'S NOT THE TIME TO SETTLE >> WELL, NO.

I'M JUST SAYING I EMAILED YOU, I CALLED YOU GUYS.

AND IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE OR CONCERN, YOU COULD HAVE REACHED OUT THEN. BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN THE MIDDLE

OF THE BID OPENING. >> BOBCAT -- WHAT I TOOK AWAY

THEIR BID?IS BOBCAT DID CHANGE - >> YES.

THEY DROPPED IT DOWN, LIKE, $20,000.

BUT THEY WERE STILL THE LOWEST BIDDER.

>> AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I LIKE YOUR COUNTY, YOU CAN'T JUST SIT THERE AND CHANGE THE BIDS ONE THROUGH SEVEN BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A HARDDRIVE IN THERE. I MEAN, YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE A COMPUTER SET UP IN YOUR CAR, CHANGE THE BID, LOAD THE HARDDRIVE. IT WOULD TAKE A LOT TO DO THAT.

I SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. BUT IF IT WAS JUST A BID PACKET, YOU HAVE GUYS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT, THEY CHANGE THEIR BID. IF NO ONE SHOWS UP, I'M GOING TO

[04:45:03]

IF IT'S 3 INCHES AND I BID IT FOR 2 INCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD ME TO THAT. AND I WOULD EXPECT TO HOLD THE COUNTY TO THE SAME THING. 9:00 A.M. EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BID SHEET. EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE SOLICITATION FORM. I WOULD EXPECT JUST THE SAME COURTESY. IF YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD ME TO SOMETHING I DID, I WOULD EXPECT TO HOLD YOU TO SOMETHING YOU'RE REQUESTING. I KNOW IT'S JUST A MISTAKE.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING THAT YOU WERE HERE TO ARTICULATE, TO BREATHE INTO THE SPACE.

>> YES, SIR. >> INTO THE COURT OF RECORDS.

SO I APPRECIATE IT, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CHASE, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU NOW.

>> YES. >> DO WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION, OR DO WE JUST CLOSE IT AND MOVE IT TO ONE OF THE OTHER ITEMS?

>> IT DEPENDS AT THIS POINT. IF YOU ARE SATISFIED THAT THE PROCESS MOVES FORWARD, WE TAKE NO ACTION HERE AND [INAUDIBLE].

THI [INAUDIBLE].

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. I WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO SAYING THAT WE NOT TAKE ACTION ON THIS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE AWARD.

ONE OF THE OTHER OUTSTANDING FACTORS WAS PART OF THIS BID PACKET WAS THESE PROJECTS HAVE TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 25TH OF 2026 IN ORDER TO MEET THE DEADLINE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. SO IF YOU LOOK AT EACH ONE OF THESE OTHER SOLICITATIONS AS WELL AS THIS ONE, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AS WELL. I THINK -- I FEEL VERY SECURE IN SAYING OUR PROCUREMENT OFFICE AND OUR TRANSPORTATION OFFICE DID THE BEST JOB POSSIBLE HERE T AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, ON THIS SOLICITATION IF WE LOOKED AT WHAT THOSE PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE BEEN, THE SAME COMPANY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE LOW BID.

AND BY ACTUALLY DOING THIS, IT ACTUALLY CAME UP CHEAPER FOR THE COUNTY. BUT EITHER WAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME ENTITY BEING SELECTED.

SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE MOVING FORWARD WITH IT.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

>> NO. THAT WAS JUST MY ASSUMPTION TOO.

SO BOBCAT WAS THE LOWEST BIDDER BOTH TIMES? AND THEY JUST DROPPED IT $20,000.

>> YES. >> THE COUNTY CAME OUT POSITIVE

$20,000. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. >> I WOULD JUST SAY IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION. I WISH IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. MISTAKES HAPPEN SOMETIMES.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU, SIR, COMING IN AND JUST LETTING US KNOW. AND I DON'T WANT TO HASH -- I'M STILL NOT SURE WHY. ALL THE PACKETS SAID 9:00 A.M..

BID NET SAID 9:00 P.M. WE COULDN'T JUST OPEN THEM AT 9:00 A.M. AND JUST GO ON FROM THERE.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, AND IT IS THE WAY IT IS. BUT I WILL SAY THAT I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT BOBCAT WOULD HAVE BEEN -- I MEAN WAS THE LOWEST BIDDER BEFORE THE ADDENDUM AND THEN AFTER.

IT'S JUST UNFORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED.

>> I JUST WANT TO -- SO THE REASON WHY WE COULDN'T OPEN IT IS BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE HAD SUBMITTED THEIR HARD COPY.

IF THEY SUBMIT AN ELECTRONIC VERSION THROUGH BID NET, THEY HAVE 24 HOURS TO GIVE US THEIR HARD COPY.

SO NOT EVERYBODY SUBMITS -- LIKE, IF THEY SUBMITTED ON BID NET DIRECT, SOMETIMES ON FRIDAYS WE'LL GET THEIR HARD COPY IN THE OFFICE. SO EVERYBODY WHO HAD SUBMITTED ONLINE, WE DID NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL COPY FOR ALL OF THEM.

SO I COULDN'T JUST OPEN UP THE HARD COPIES AND READ THEM BECAUSE THEN SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAD SUBMITTED ONLINE I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE.

AND THEN BECAUSE IT WAS OPEN UNTIL 9:00 P.M., OTHER PEOPLE WOULD HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REJECT THEM. SO, YES, THERE WAS A DISCREPANCY. IT ALL SAID 9 O'CLOCK OVER HERE, BUT ONLINE IT SAID 9. NOT THAT WE WANT TO CLOSE AT 9:00 P.M., BUT WHAT IF ALL THE DOCUMENTS WERE WRONG? WE NEED TO CORRECT THE ERROR AND MAKE IT RIGHT AND THEN MOVE FORWARD FROM THAT. BUT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO OPEN THE ONES WHO HAD JUST SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.

SO WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO READ ALL THE BIDS.

>> JUST TO MAKE IT RIGHT, JUST JUMPING OFF OF YOUR LAST

[04:50:03]

I KNOW IT'S THE TIME AND PLACE TO ASK, AND I REALLY DON'T NEED THE ANSWER. BUT DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

>> UNFORTUNATELY ZAC IS THE ONE -- WE HAD A CONTRACT SPECIALIST. HE WAS THE ONE WHO POST THE BIDS. OUTSIDE OF ME GOING BEHIND HIM AND CHECKING EVERY LITTLE THING THAT HE DOES, WHICH I DON'T THINK ANY OF Y'ALL WANT ME TO DO -- I MEAN, HE'S POSTED A LOT OF BIDS. WE'VE DONE ALMOST 40 OF THEM THIS YEAR, SO HE'S POSTED THE MAJORITY OF THEM.

WE'VE HAD ONE THAT THE TIME WAS WRONG.

I KNOW IN MY DEPARTMENT, DETAILS MATTER VERY MUCH.

AND SO WE STRIVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE POST IS ACCURATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO HAVE TO SOMETIMES MAKE CHANGES TO THE PROCU PROCUREMENTS.

SOMETIMES WE CHANGE THE DUE DATES BECAUSE IT TAKES US A LITTLE MORE TIME TO GET QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND BACK OUT TO THE POTENTIAL BIDDERS. SO THE ADDENDUM PROCESS IS THE NORMAL PROCESS OF HOW WE CAN CHANGE WHAT'S IN THE SOLIC SOLICITATION PACKET.

WE MAKE CHANGES TO THOSE ALMOST EVERY PROCUREMENT, TO BE HONEST.

WHETHER IT'S CHANGING DATES, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO CHANGE

SPECS. >> SCOPE.

>> SCOPE. LOTS OF THINGS.

SO WE DO THAT PRETTY REGULARLY UNDER SOLICITATIONS.

>> IT'S JUST AN AM/PM TOGGLE MISS.

>> IT WAS. AND IT DEFINITELY WAS UNFORTUNATE, BUT I FEEL LIKE THAT WAS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE IT VERY FAIR AND CONSISTENT FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, I HAD A COUPLE OF VENDORS WHO WERE NOT HAPPY THAT WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE IT OPEN UNTIL 9:00 P.M.

SO TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR UPSETNESS AND THEN ALSO TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT'S FAIR FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

THAT WAS THE BEST PROCESS TO FOLLOW.

>> SO YOUR IDEA OF BEING IN FRONT OF THIS EFFORT.

NO ACTION ON THIS AND KEEP MOVING THROUGH THE AGENDA IS

WHAT YOU FEEL IS BEST? >> I FEEL LIKE IT WAS HANDLED PROPERLY. I DON'T FEEL LIKE -- YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY UP TO Y'ALL. IF Y'ALL WANT -- I MEAN, YOU CAN ALWAYS SAY NO AND REJECT AND THEN HAVE US REDO IT.

BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING THAT BECAUSE NOW EVERYBODY'S PRICING IS OUT THERE.

[K.20. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B07 Nutty Brown Road - Remove & Replace Hot Mix between Hays County and Bobcat Paving, LLC, in the amount of $1,433,750.00. SMITH/A.JONES/HUNT]

SO IT WOULD BE VERY CONTENTIOUS. >> I THINK WE'VE HEARD WHAT WE NEEDED TO HEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. PLEASE OPEN K.20.

>> CAN I GO AHEAD AND PULL K.21, PLEASE?

>> OKAY. >> K.20.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR IFB 2026-B07 NUTTY BROWN ROAD.

REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BOBCAT PAVING LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,433,750.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[N.1. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA ]

SO I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE OPEN M.1.

>> DISCUSSION RELATE THE TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION, TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS AND COSTS.

>> SO THE SHERIFF OFFICE SENDS MY OFFICE THE JAIL OCCUPANCY, AND OUR MAXIMUM JAIL CAPACITY IS 464 INMATES.

JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOLDING APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THAT CAPACITY OPEN, WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 417.

THE JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS 501, AND PEAK WAS 510 ON, GUESS THE DATE, 4TH OF JULY. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK IS DROPPING.

$77,285. AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES IS 108. FEMALES ARE 0.

AND WE HAVE 35 PAPER-READY INMATES, WHICH ARE THOSE

[04:55:05]

SO THE REASON I READ THAT OUT IS BECAUSE THOSE DOLLARS TO HOUSE

[M. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]

ARE WE OPENING THEM ALL? >> YES.

>> LET'S JUST READ THEM ALL, THEN.

>> M.1. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT MERCURY AND PROJECT BRAVO BEAM. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. M.2.

EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 AND SECTION 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED ON CENTER STREET IN PRECINCT 1 AND ASSOCIATED WITH CAUSE NUMBER 20-2544, SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT VE ESTELLA TAYLOR.

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

MANY.3. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF THE DEPUTY CONSTABLE POSITION.

M.4. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE: CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF A TEMPORARY JUSTICE CLERK POSITION

WITHIN THE JUSTICE OF PEACE. >> LET'S START WITH NUMBER ONE.

SPEAKER I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU.

I BELIEVE. THERE WE GO.

WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH MUCH INFORMATION SHARED. WHOEVER HAS AN AGENDA ITEM AVAILABLE AND READY FIRST, PLEASE MAKE YOUR MOTION.

ANYONE? SPEAKER I CAN WING IT.

SPEAKER SOME KEY PIECES TO SAY. ACTIONSCRIPT.

>> THIS IS IN REGARDS TO M4. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PRECINCE TEMPORARY JUSTICE CLERK EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST 2026 THROUGH

AUGUST 7, 2026. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> YES. >> JUDGE COHEN.

>> YES. >> I HAVE 1 AND 3.

MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THOMAS HERNANDEZ EMPLOYMENT REINSTATEMENT AS OF MAY 262026 IN ORDER TO ALLOW HIM TO KEEP HIS TENURE AND ORIGINAL HIRE DATE OF OCTOBER 30TH 2023.

>> SECOND. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION POINT. THIS IS NOT TIED TO ANYTHING

[05:00:01]

THIS IS PURELY ADMINISTRATIVE HOUSEKEEPING.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES. >> HE IS TYPING FURIOUSLY.

>> YOU CAN READ IT. YOU CAN.

WATCH THIS. HE IS GOING TO READ YOUR MOTION OUT LOUD FOR YOU AND YOU JUST SAY SO MOVED AND THEN WE WILL SIGN IT PARAGRAPH GO AHEAD. WHAT DOES IT SAY?

>> MOTION TO AUTHORIZE -- >> PLEASE.

>> CAN YOU READ THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER WITH IT?

>> INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> CHASE YOUNG, ADA WITH HAYS COUNTY CIVIL DIVISION. THIS IS FOR ITEM M2.

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE GEORGE BECERRA TO ACCEPT THE GREENWOOD BROTHERS LIVING TRUST OFFER OF $5000 FOR THE PROPERTY AT 712 CENTER STREET. SAN MARCOS TEXAS.

78666. CURRENTLY HEY CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT NUMBER R21956 IN RELATION TO CAUSE NUMBER 20554

FOR A TAX PRESUMPTIVE. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> DO YOU SEE HOW WE DID THAT? >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.