[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
>>JUDGE CANALES: I WILL BE GAVELLING US INTO ORDER THIS MORNING AND WE WELCOME YOU AND ASK ALL OF YOU -- SOME OF YOU ARE ALREADY STANDING, THOSE WHO ARE NOT, WILL YOU PLEASE RISE FOR INVOCATION. PASTOR DANA MOORE WITH US TODAY.
AND WE ASK THAT YOU REMAIN STANDING AFTER INVOCATION FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO
OUR TEXAS FLAG. >> LET'S PRAY.
FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS -- JUST TIME IN THIS ROOM TOGETHER. WE ASK THAT WE EACH SEE EACH OTHER AS IMAGES OF YOU, THAT EACH PERSON IS CREATED EQUAL AND GIVE THEM THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE.
MAKE SURE OUR WORDS, OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR DEEDS ARE YOUR WILL AND NOT OUR OWN. FATHER, GUARD THIS ROOM, GUARD OUR TONGUES AND HELP US DO THE BEST THING WE CAN FOR THIS COUNTY AND THIS CITY. IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
>>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVI
INDIVISIBLE. >>JUDGE CANALES: AT THIS TIME, I WILL ANNOUNCE IT IS SEPTEMBER 7, 2022.
WE ARE HERE IN NUECES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, THIRD FLOOR, NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURTROOM LOCATED 901 LEOPARD.
AND FOR THE CLERK, THE TIME IS 8:42.
PROBABLY GOT STARTED ABOUT TWO MINUTES AGO.
AND WE HAVE WITH US THIS MORNING COMMISSIONERS THAT I WILL ANNOUNCE. IF YOU ANNOUNCE YOUR PRESENCE.
ROBERT HERNANDEZ. >>COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ:
PRESENT. >>COMMISSIONER MAREZ: PRESENT.
>>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: HERE. >>JUDGE CANALES: OF COURSE MYSELF AND AS PRESIDING OFFICER A QUORUM WITH FOUR OF US PRESENT. AT THIS TIME, I WILL ASK IF THERE ARE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS ON DISCLOSURES OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR APPEARANCE OF CONFLICTS WITH ITEMS ON THE AGENDA SHOULD BE DECLARED AT THIS TIME. AND MEMBERS, OF COURSE, THAT HAVE THESE CONFLICTS SHOULD REFRAIN FOR VOTING AND ASKED TO REFRAIN FOR ANY DISCUSSION ON SUCH ITEMS. IF CONFLICTS ARE TIS COVERED LATER IN THE MEETING, WE WILL
[E. SAFETY BRIEFING]
ASK THAT THOSE BE DISCLOSED AT THAT TIME.I ASK THAT YOU GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO MISS REBECCA WHO WILL GIVE YOU A SAFETY BRIEFING. WITH SO MANY IN THE ROOM, THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. REBECCA.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND ATTENDEES.
YES, AND WE ARE VERY CROWDED IN THIS ROOM.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE DOORS NEED TO BE -- PEOPLE NEED TO BE GETTING OUT JUST IN THE EVENT -- COULD SOMEBODY FIX THIS FOR ME.
YES. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU,
THANK YOU. >> OUR SAFETY BRIEFING FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 7, HELD IN THE NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ROOM. REST ROOMS LOCATE ON THE RIGHTS-HAND SIDE OF THE THIRD FLOOR ATRIUM PAST THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE COURT ROOM AND FIVE ADDITIONAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE ATRIUM AREA.
BLOOD CONTROL STATIONS ON EVERY FLOOR AND IN THE EVENT OF A CARDIAC EMERGENCY, ANAED WILL BE LOCATED ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES. THE PERSON TODAY TO DIAL 911 WILL BE CONNIE. OUR EGRESS ROUTE WILL BE SLOWLY DOWN THE ATRIUM STAIRS, PROCEEDING OUT THE DOORS LOCATED ON THE LAPAN STREET SIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE AND ASSEMBLE IN THE PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY TOGETHER. SHOULD THERE BE A NEED TO SHELTER IN PLACE, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE SHELTER IN PLACE, THE COURTROOM DOUBLE DOORS WILL BE SECURED AND REMAIN SECURED UNTIL GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION FROM THE NUECES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
AND OUR GUEST SANITIZER FOR THE DAY WILL BE RAY.
AND PLEASE BE AWARE OF YOUR SAFETY AND YOUR NEIGHBOR'S SAFETY. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: YES, THANK YOU. SO WITH OUR SAFETY BRIEFING HAVING CONCLUDED, WILL THE CLERK REFLECT THAT COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ HAS JOINED US AND ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE PRESENT.
AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WERE FOLLOWING ALONG EITHER ONLINE OR ON OUR AGENDA, YOU WOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT THE NEXT ITEM IS OUR PUBLIC HEARING FOR OUR NUECES COUNTY AND OUR NUECES COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT BUDGETS.
BUT I AM GOING TO ASK FOR A LITTLE INDULGENCE THIS MORNING
[00:05:03]
GIVEN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR -- FORGIVE ME, PUBLIC COMMENT WOULD HAVE COME FIRST AND THEN OUR PUBLIC HEARING.BUT IF YOU WILL NOTICE ITEM H, THERE IS AN IMPORTANT RECOGNITION, AND WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS WITH US.
AND WE THINK IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST THAT WE HAVE THEM COME
[3. In recognition of the month of September 2022 as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month".]
UP FIRST. AND SO WE WILL CALL H-3 NOW AND ASK BELINDA TO ASSIST IN RECOGNITION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2022 AS BEING CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. AND MISS BELINDA.YOU MADE PROCEED. >> IT IS GIVING US PROBLEMS THIS
MORNING. >>JUDGE CANALES: SEEMS TO BE.
>> WHEREAS CHILDHOOD CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN DISEASE IN CHILDREN. ONE IN 285 CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE DIAGNOSED BY THEIR 20TH BIRTHDAY.
WHEREAS, 47 CHILDREN PER DAY OR 16,790 CHILDREN PER YEAR ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND WHEREAS, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 40,000 CHILDREN ON ACTIVE TREATMENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
AND WHEREAS, THE AVERAGE AGE OF DIAGNOSIS IS SIX YEARS OLD, COMPARED TO 66 YEARS FOR ADULTS' CANCER DIAGNOSIS.
AND WHEREAS, 80% OF CHILDHOOD CANCER PATIENTS ARE DIAGNOSED LATE WITH METASTATIC DISEASE. AND WHEREAS ON AVERAGE, A 0.6% INCREASE IN INCIDENTS PER YEAR SINCE THE MID-1970S, RESULTING IN AN OVERAALL INSTANCE INCREAS OF 24% OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS.
WHEREAS, TWO-THIRDS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER PATIENTS HAVE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AS A RESULT OF THEIR TREATMENT TOXICITY WITH ONE QUARTER BEING CLASSIFIED AS SEVERE TO LIFE-THREATENING.
WHEREAS, PRESIDENT ONE-HALF OF CHILDHOOD CANCER FAMILIES RATE THE ASSOCIATED FINANCIAL TOXICITY THROUGH TO OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES AS CONSIDERABLE AND SEVERE.
WHEREAS, IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, ONLY FOUR NEW DRUGS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA TO SPECIFICALLY TREAT CHILDHOOD CANCER. WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES THE UNIQUE RESEARCH NEEDS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER AND THE ASSOCIATED NEED FOR INCREASED FUNDING TO CARRY THIS OUT. WHEREAS, HUNDRED OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL ARE HELPING CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL, EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
WHEREAS RESEARCHERS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WORK DILIGENTLY DEDICATING THEIR EXPERTISE TO TREAT AND CURE CANCER. WHEREAS TOO MANY CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DEADLY DISEASE AND MOST -- AND MORE MUST BE DONE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FIND A CURE.
THEREFORE, IT BE PROCLAIMED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF NUECES COUNTY THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2022 BE RECOGNIZED AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN NUECES COUNTY AND ENCOURAGES ALL CITIZENS OF NUECES COUNTY TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE THAT SO DEEPLY IMPACTS FAMILIES IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF SUCH RESOLUTION. IS THERE A SECOND.
>> SECOND. >>JUDGE CANALES: MULTIPLE SECONDS. THANK YOU.
WITH US THIS MORNING ARE MEMBERS OF TRIUMPH OVER KIDS CANCER ORGANIZATION. ALSO WITH US ARE ADVOCATES ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. AND WE HAVE SPECIAL GUESTS HERE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THEM AS WE CALL FOR DISCUSSION ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER. WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD FOR -- TO IT BE RECOGNIZED. AND JUAN IF YOU WOULD -- CONNIE, FULL HELP THEM. I SEE SOMEBODY VERY SPECIAL WHO
>> PLEASE GET HER IN FRONT OF THAT PODIUM SO WE CAN SEE HER
TOO IF THAT'S. >>JUDGE CANALES: OKAY, THERE YOU GO. THERE WE GO.
>> HE IS JUST A LITTLE SHY THIS MORNING.
>>JUDGE CANALES: AND BIG SISTER WITH --
THIS IS JULIAN GALL LOWWAY. I AM MONICA GALLOWAY, I AM HIS MOTHER. HIS LITTLE SISTER, GEMMA, AND BIG BROTHER JOAQUIN. WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TODAY AND IT IS SUCH A SPECIAL MONTH.
JULIAN WAS DIAGNOSED RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN 2019 WITH MEDULO BLAST TOME MA. HE IS HIGH RISK, GROUP 3.
IT'S A VERY RARE TYPE OF BRAIN CANCER.
[00:10:04]
THIS IS HIS SECOND GO-AROUND WITH TREATMENT.HE RELAPSED RECENTLY. HE IS DOING VERY WELL.
HE ACTUALLY WILL BE HAVING HIS SECOND EYE SURGERY TOMORROW.
SPOKE ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CANCER.
AND IT IS JUST VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE MORE RESEARCH FOR OUR CHILDREN, FOR OUR FAMILIES, JUST TO GIVE THEM A BETTER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. AND JACKIE, I CAN SORT OF SEE YOU IN THE BACKGROUND THERE. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A FEW WORDS. IF YOU WOULD LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I KNOW WE ARE BOTH BIG FANS OF
ME AND MY MOTHER, BAR BARBARA CANALES, ARE THE FOUNDER OF THE READY OR NOT FOUNDATION AFTER A TREE I HIT -- FIRST GRADE, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A -- I DON'T KNOW -- CAN I TAKE THIS
>> WITH A BRAIN CANCER. I THINK AS WELL AS JULIAN.
AND VERY RARE BRAIN CANCER. AND APLASTIC SARCOMA.
I WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZE RECOGNIZING THE KIDS THE PEDIATRIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE DO NEED MUCH AWARENESS FOR THE KIDS THIS MONTH.
PEDIATRIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
AS I TOLD YOU ALL BEFORE THAT I AM A SURVIVOR.
I DO HAVE MANY LATE-TERM EFFECTS.
THE WORST RIGHT NOW IS I HAVE SLEEP.
AND IT IS VERY BAD. AND THAT IS -- AND OTHER LATE-TERM EFFECTS. AND I HAVE LOST TOO MANY YOUNG FRIENDS. AND SO I KNOW HOW MUCH BETTER TREATMENTS THAT WE NEED, AND ESPECIALLY A CURE.
AND TODAY, EVERY DAY, NINE KIDS WILL DIE FROM PEDIATRIC CANCER.
SO WE NEED TO RAISE MORE AWARENESS AND MORE MONEY FOR RESEARCH SO PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN WHO ARE FIGHTING.
THANK YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR ALL OF YOU FOR BEING SO PATIENT AND STILL, BUT IF I ASKED ALL OF YOU WHAT COLOR DO WE GO IN OCTOBER. PINK, RIGHT.
EVERYBODY KNOWS PINK IN OCTOBER. EVERYBODY.
BUT IN SEPTEMBER, WE GO GOLD. AND SO THE MISSION -- OILBELT, YOU DID NOT KNOW THAT BUT YOU WERE WEARING T-O-C-K LETTERS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ARE WEARING THE COLORS THAT SYMBOLIZE HIS AMAZING FOUNDATION THAT STARTED RITE HERE ALONG WITH THE READY OR NOTES. JUST A YEAR APART.
AND ALTHOUGH WE LOST JAMES, HIS SPIRIT OF BEING A WARRIOR HAS NEVER, EVER LEFT US. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE WARRIOR THAT ARE HERE IN THE ROOM WITH MRS. GALLOWAY.
AND WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING GOLD ALL MONTH LONG.
IF YOU GET A CHANCE, GO BY LA PALMERA MALL AND HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE TRIBUTE AND LEARN MORE FACTS ABOUT PEDIATRIC CANCER. THANK YOU GUYS SO VERY MUCH.
AND HOW ABOUT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR -- OR ANYBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO SAY ANYTHING? BEFORE I CLOSE? IT IS HARD TO BE -- IT IS HARD TO BEAT JULIAN'S MOM.
JULIAN'S FAMILY. I THINK THEY SAY IT ALL.
>> OUR PRAYERS GO WITH YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
OPPOSED SAME SIGN. NOW THERE IS ONLY ONE AMAZING WAY I KNOW OF TODAY -- IN TODAY'S WORLD TO CREATE AWARENESS AND THIS IS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.
IF ALL OF YOU WILL TAKE THIS PICTURE WHEN WE TAKE IT TOGETHER WITH JULIAN'S FAMILY AND POST IT AND SAY GO GOLD FOR THE KIDS.
YOU WILL HELP RAISE AWARENESS ALL MONTH LONG AND HOPEFULLY WILL CARRY ALL YEAR LONG. DOES JULIAN FEEL LIKE TAKING A PHOTO AND LET HIM GET HOME WHERE HE WANTS TO BE.
>>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: YOU WANT ALL THOSE PEOPLE, ALL THOSE IN
[00:15:03]
GOLD. >>JUDGE CANALES: ALL T-O-K-C WARRIORS. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU OUT FRONT. JACKIE, JOIN US.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOD BLESS YOU.
>> OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: SOONLD WE WILL
[1. Recognizing Oilbelt Junior Little League as the 2022 United States Champions]
PROCEED TO OILBELT. OILBELT LITTLE LEAGUE IS HERE WITH US AND WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING THEIR UNBELIEVABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT AS OUR UNITED STATES CHAMPIONS AND I WILL ASK BELINDA TO COME UP AND OILBELT, YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY IN THE COURT ROOM AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS.YOU COULDN'T HAVE PICKED A BETTER DAY.
WE WILL RECOGNIZE YOU AND YOU ARE INVITED TO STAY, IF YOU WISH, FOR AS LONG AS YOU LIKE. BELINDA.
>> WHEREAS THE OILBELT JUNIOR BASEBALL TEAM LEAD BY DEVELOPS DANIEL, BUDDY AND NATHAN MITCHELL WON THE 2022 UNITED STATES JUNIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST KEYSTONE, PENNSYLVANIA, 12-4 AT HERITAGE PARK IN TAYLOR, MICHIGAN, TO ADVANCE TO THE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE TEAM'S HISTORY. WHEREAS, THE OILBELT BASEBALL TEAM CONSISTS OF -- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED FROM THE NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE COURT HEARBY RECOGNIZES THE OILBELT JUNIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM AS THE 2022 UNITED STATES
JUNIOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >>COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ: SO
MOVED. >>JUDGE CANALES: AND SECOND.
ALL OF US WANT TO SECOND IT. GENTLEMEN, WE WELCOME YOU HERE TODAY AND WOULD LOVE TO INVITE A REPRESENTATIVE, WHETHER YOUR COACH, PLAYERS, TO COME AND SHARE A FEW WORDS.
WE GOT TO KNOW, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A U.S. CHAMP? I MEAN, IF WE HAVE -- IF WE HAD WHEATIES -- YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WHEATIES A. WE WOULD PUT YOU ON THE BOX OF OUR WHEATIES. CLEARLY BLONDES DO HAVE MORE FUN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. BUT I GOT TO HEAR ABOUT THIS.
COACH, PLEASE, WE WELCOME YOU. >> YES, GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY, I AM DANIEL SEINZ, THE HEAD COACH OF THIS AWESOME BASEBALL TEAM HERE. WE EMBARKED IN A JOURNEY EARLY JUNE. STARTED WITH PRACTICE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND YOU KNOW, JUAN HERE I IN CORPUS DISTRICT CHAMPS WENT TO LAREDO AND THREE OTHER DISTRICT TEAMS. WON THAT ONE AND WENT TO ABILENE AFTER THAT, WON THAT ONE. AND ON TO NEW MEXICO.
IT WAS JUST -- A CRAZY TWO AND A HALF MONTHS.
AND THESE GUYS -- YOU KNOW, THEY REALLY -- THEY REALLY ANSWERED THE CALL. EVERY TIME, YOU KNOW, WE GET TO
[00:20:02]
A GAME, THEY WOULD BE READY TO GO, YOU KNOW.AND JUST -- THE BROTHERHOOD, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY DISPLAY ON A DAILY BASIS, IT'S -- IT IS AMAZING.
YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY SAYS, YOU KNOW, A TEAM IS A FAMILY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, IT REALLY WAS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
EVERY KID ON HERE CONTRIBUTED. EVERYBODY HAD THEIR ROLE.
AND EVERYBODY ACCEPTED THAT ROLE.
AND DID THEIR BEST EVERY DAY. SO, YOU KNOW, I AM REALLY PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT AND TO GO TO TAYLOR, MICHIGAN AND PLAY IN A JUNIOR LEAGUE WORLD SERIES FACING TEAMS LIKE HAWAII, NEW YORK, WEST VIRGINIA. IT WAS A -- AND THE OTHER INTERNATIONAL TEAMS, YOU KNOW, FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT WAS -- IT WAS JUST PHENOMENAL, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN AND THESE GUYS REPRESENTED THE CITY, THE COUNTY, THE STATE, YOU KNOW, THE UNITED STATES, TO THE WEST OF THEIR ABILITIES.
AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THEM. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, COACH.
>> I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT A CAP TO OUR COMMISSIONER.
>>JUDGE CANALES: SOUNDS GREAT. COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE GOING TO
BE AN OFFICIAL MEMBER. >>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: ARE ALL THESE GUYS GOING TO CAL- ALLEN BASEBALL SO EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD QUIT. EVERYBODY ELSE SHOULD CALL IT A DAY. OKAY.
NO, NOT EVERYBODY? >>JUDGE CANALES: NOTHING IS DECIDED YET. [LAUGHTER] WELL, COMMISSIONERS, WOULD YOU ALL LIKE TO WISH SOME CONGRATULATIONS UPON THESE AMAZING ATHLETES.
>>COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ: COACH -- JUDGE, I HAVE A FEW WORDS TO SAY. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE SO I WILL BE BRIEF. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HISTORY DOES REPEAT ITSELF. IN 2014, OILBELT DID, IF I AM RIGHT. AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, GUYS, YOU TRULY REPRESENTED CORPUS CHRISTI AND THE COUNTRY AS WELL.
>>JUDGE CANALES: NOTHING LIKE SOUTH TEXAS BASEBALL.
LET'S FACE IT. WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN IT.
BUT YOU PUT US ON THE MAP AND NOW EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT OILBELT. EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT NUECES COUNTY. EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT YOU.
AND SO I THINK IT IS EXCITING BECAUSE AS YOUNG AS YOU ARE, YOU KNOW HOW MANY LITTLE GUYS PLAY IN TEE-BALL IS LOOKING UP TO YOU AND WHEN YOU LOOK BY, THEY ARE LIKE, THAT GUY IS A U.S. SXHAFRP I DON'T KNOW. DIDN'T COME BY IT.SELF, KNOW, RIGHT? IT COMES BECAUSE YOU HAVE GREAT SUPPORT. I BET YOU HAVE AMAZE OF AMAZING PARENTS. PARENTS, WOULD YOU MINDS -- I THINK I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU ARE AN OILBELT PARENT. BECAUSE I WANT TO DO THIS TO YOU TOO.
>>COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ: IT ALL STARTS AT HOME, JUDGE.
>>JUDGE CANALES: WE ARE ONLY DRINKING COFFEE.
FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST FROM OUR HOMETOWN AND MAY IT ALWAYS BE YOUR HOME. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A GREAT GROUP SHOT, BUT FIRST A LITTLE BIT OF HOUSEKEEPING.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
I HAVE GOT A BEAUTIFUL CERTIFICATE HERE, COACH, TO PRESENT TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM. AND THIS IS A BIG TEAM.
SO I AM THINKING WE MAY HAVE TO DO BOTH.
A FEW UP HERE AND A FEW DOWN HERE.
LET'S SEE HOW IT WORKS. COACH, I WILL LET YOU DIRECT TRAFFIC LIKE YOU HAVE DONE ALL SEASON LONG.
>>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: SOMEBODY DR\.
A BIRTH CERTIFICATE ON THIS GUY RIGHT HERE.
I AM KIND OF CURIOUS. >>JUDGE CANALES: THAT IS SOUTH TEXAS'S AARON JUDGE RIGHT THERE.
[00:25:49]
>>JUDGE CANALES: GUYS, HOW ABOUT A REPEAT NEXT YEAR.
THANK YOU, GUYS. OH, YEAH, TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD.
I AM GLAD WE GOT A MINUTE AHEAD THEN.
OILBELT IS GOING TO HEAD BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, BUT WE SURE DO APPRECIATE THEM BEING HERE. AND WE WELCOME YOU BACK.
THEY WERE EXCITED. RIGHT, GUYS.
YOU WERE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE.
[APPLAUSE] OKAY, STAYING FOR THE LAST ONE.
I WAS GOING TO SAY YOU CAN CATCH THEM NEXT ON ESPN.
[2. In recognition of John Gaddis for his Outstanding Accomplishments.]
THE LAST ONE IS ALSO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.AND THAT IS THE RECOGNITION OF JOHN GADDIS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
BELINDA. >> WHEREAS JOHN GADDIS GRADUATED FROM CAL ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL IN 2018 AND GONE ON IN CORPUS CHRISTI WHERE HE GRADUATED FROM A BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREES.
AFTER GRADUATING, GADDIS ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI WHERE HE PLAYED COLLEGE BASEBALL.
AND ATTENDING MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IN RIO GRANDE VALLEY. AT CAL ALLEN, JOHN GADDIS WAS A FOUR-YEAR LETTERED. 2018, HE WAS THE CHAMPION.
TAMED TEXAS A&M AT CORPUS CHRISTI STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TEAM RECIPIENT AND MADE THE SOUTHLAND'S ALL ACADEMIC. IN GAME TWO OF THE MEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES JOHN GADDIS CAME IN TO PITCH IN THE 7TH INNING WITH OLE MISS BEING DOWN 2-1 WITH THE BASES LOADED AND STRUCK OUT THE OKLAHOMA'S BATTER. IN THE 8TH INNING, FACED OFF AGAINST FOUR BATTERS AND CAME UP ONE WALK AND TWO STROKE OUT THREE OLE MISS WOULD GO ON TO SCORE THREE RUNS TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE 8TH INNING. THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI WENT ON TO WIN THE GAME TO BE BECOME THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
WHILE PITCHING FOR OLE MISS, JOHN GADDIS THREW 49.1 INNINGS ONLY GIVING UP 24 RUNS AND STRIKING OUT 49 BATTERS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED FROM THE NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE COURT HEARBY RECOGNIZES JOHN GOOD HIS FOR OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
>>JUDGE CANALES: AMAZING. AMAZING MORNING SO FAR.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION. >> YES, I WILL SECOND THE
MOTION. >>JUDGE CANALES: WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU HERE. FROM THIS LONGHORN, NOTHING SWEETER THAN HAVING A NUECES COUNTY HOMETOWN HERO IN OUR COURTROOM THAN KNOW IT YOU DID IT BY BEATING OKLAHOMA.
SO I JUST GOT TO SAY THANK YOU TWICE.
AND WE ARE SO HONORED. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW
WORDS. >>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: HECK, YEAH. I WANT TO HEAR OF THAT LAST
INING. >> NOBODY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO DO A SPEECH. WELL, THANK YOU, Y'ALL FOR THIS.
IT WAS REALLY COOL. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS.
JONATHAN JUST KIND OF TEXTED ME ABOUT IT.
THIS IS AN HONOR FOR ALL OF YOU ALL FROM JUDGE CANALES.
THANK YOU FOR THIS. >>JUDGE CANALES: LISTEN, YOU MAKE US SO PROUD. I BET YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY WHEN YOU SEE YOUR HOMETOWN, YOU KNOW OILBELT LITTLE LEAGUE EXCELLING AT THAT LEVEL. YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXCEL.
DREAMS CAN COME TRUE, BUT THEY TAKE A LOT OF HARD WORK.
AND WHAT YOU EXEMPT FLY IS THAT AMAZING STUDENT ATHLETE AND THAT IS REALLY WHY YOU SHINE SO BRIGHTLY, NOT ONLY ON THE
[00:30:04]
BASEBALL DIAMOND BUT HERE IN NUECES COUNTY TOO.AND, OF COURSE, WE COULDN'T WAIT TO PASS THIS RECOGNITION ON TO YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOU ALONG THE WAY.
YOU ARE -- YOU ARE LOVED BUT YOU ARE ALSO JUST AN INCREDIBLE STORY, I THINK, FOR US. BUT THAT LAST INNING.
WE ARE A HUGE BASEBALL FAMILY IN THE CANALES CLAN.
YOU HAVE A WHOLE TEAM AROUND YOU.
BUT IT IS JUST YOU AND THAT CATCHER.
AND WHAT YOU DID WAS EXTRAORDINARY.
AND I HOPE THAT IT STAYS WITH YOU IN THAT BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE MEMORY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
BECAUSE THE REST OF US WILL KEEP IT CLOSE TOO.
>>COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ: JOHN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT. THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK HOME TO CORPUS CHRISTI. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE DOING MEDICAL IN THE VALLEY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
YOU ARE A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR THE REST OF THESE YOUNG MEN.
PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: JUDGE, I WANT TO ADD AN AMAZING DAY TO HAVE ALL THESE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
>>JUDGE CANALES: I KNOW. >>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: WE GET STATE CHAMPIONS AND REGIONAL QUALIFIERS, BUT TO HAVE ALL THESE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. KIND OF I MAZING.
DO THEY CALL COME FROM-ALLEN. >>JUDGE CANALES: THEY COME FROM
NUECES COUNTY. >>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: AMAZING TO WATCH AND THE HUMILITY YOU EXPRESSED WITH SOME OF YOUR AFTER-GAME INTERVIEWS. THAT WAS VERY MUMBLING TO WATCH.
IN THIS DAY AND TIME, WE DON'T OFTEN HAVE ATHLETES THAT ARE HUMBLE AND APPRECIATIVE. AND I AM SURE YOUR FAMILY WAS EXTREMELY PROUD OF NOT ONLY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE BASEBALL FIELD LIKE THESE YOUNG MEN, BUT HOW YOU HANDLED IT AFTERWARDS.
THAT WAS -- THAT WAS PRETTY COOL.
AND I HOPE THESE YOUNG MEN WHO ALSO WERE IMPRESSIVE TO WATCH AND HOW THEY HANDLED IT WILL TRULY USE YOU AS A ROLE MODEL NOT ONLY IN BASEBALL BUT HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR SUCCESS.
CONGRATULATIONS AND SUPER PROUD OF YOU AND THESE YOUNG MEN FROM CAL-ALLEN. A GREAT WAY TO START OUR DAY
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>>COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ: HEY, JOHN -- IT IS GOOD TO HAVE GOOD FRIENDS LIKE JONATHAN. HE IS THE ONE THAT CALLED ME UP AND TOLD ME OF YOUR AMAZING STORY.
FOR THAT, THANK YOU, JONATHAN. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
AS THEY SAY, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
AND IT WILL BE OUR HONOR TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOU.
AND MAKE YOU EVEN MORE FAMOUS THAN YOU ALREADY ARE.
TYLER CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. I WAS GOING TO SAY WE CAN JUST
HAVE YOU COME UP HERE. >>JUDGE CANALES: YOU HAVE A GREAT MEDICAL CAREER AHEAD OF YOU NOW.
>>COMMISSIONER CHESNEY: CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE] >>JUDGE CANALES: I PROMISE WE WILL GET TO PUBLIC COMMENT. WE WILL START THAT NEXT.
BUT A NICE WAY TO START OUR COURT.
AND THE COMMONALITY IS THAT ALL THREE ARE TRULY WARRIORS.
ALL THREE GROUPS THAT WE HONORED.
AND THERE IS CERTAINLY A LESSON IN THAT TALE OF PERSEVERANCE.
[F. PUBLIC COMMENT: This section provides the public the opportunity to address the Commissioners Court on any issues within its jurisdiction. The Commissioners Court may not take formal action on any requests made during the Public Comment period which are not on the Agenda, but can refer such requests to County staff for review if appropriate.]
WE WILL MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT. IT IS ITEM F.WHAT I HAVE DONE IS TAKEN A SURVEY HERE.
I HAVE QUITE A FEW ITEMS. I WILL MAKE THE INTRODUCTION BY SAYING IF YOU WERE ONLINE, WE WILL GET TO YOU.
JUST RAISE YOUR ICON OF THE HAND.
[00:35:02]
CONNIE ACTUALLY WILL JUST CALL NEW THE ORDER THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE. BUT FIRST, I HAVE GOT SEVERAL FOLKS THAT ARE ON ONE PARTICULAR ITEM.BUT YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION TO GO -- I MEAN TO MAKE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT NOW AS OPPOSED TO LATER IN THE PROGRAM.
SO THANK YOU. I DO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU NEIL AND GREG NATOWSKI. I GOT YOU HERE AND RYAN TURNER.
WE ARE KEEPING NOTES. OUR PASTOR WHO DELIVERED INVOCATION DOES HAVE TO LEAVE. SO IF -- CHRIS, IF YOU WOULDN'T MINDS YIELDING TO THE PASTOR, I WILL CALL YOU SECOND.
YOU WERE FIRST. DID PASTOR LEAVE ALREADY? OH, NO, HERE YOU ARE. PLEASE.
PASTOR, YES, SIR. SORRY, A DIFFERENT PASTOR, BUT
GO AHEAD. >> I AM CONFUSED BECAUSE TWO
DAVID MOORS. >> I WAS LITTLE CONFUSED.
>> BUT I WANT TO SPEAK FOR BROKEN CHAINS AND ROBERT REED AND THE WORK THEY DO SEEKING TO GET OFF OF LIFESTYLE ADDICTION ISSUES. BROKEN CHAINS GIVES A PLACE OF HOPE FOR THOSE WHO WANT A LIFE CHANGE.
A PLACE OF STABILITY AND SECURITY FOR THEM AS THEY ARE STARTING TO TAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS BACK INTO A PRODUCTIVE LIFESTYLE. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I THINK SHERIFF HOOPER WILL BE IN FAVOR OF THIS BECAUSE WILL KEEP THE JAILS EMPTY. A LOT OF THESE GUYS -- I HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE -- SOME TOUGH CHARACTERS THERE.
NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT SOME REALLY TOUGH CHARACTERS AND WE WOULD WANT ROBERT TO HAVE HIS FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER THESE INDIVIDUALS SO THEY CAN LEAD PRODUCTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I SHOULD HAVE ANNOUNCED A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US IN PUBLIC COMMENT.
NORMALLY WE HAVE A DIGITAL CLOCK.
AND ASK FOR IT TO BE PLACED UP. IT IS A THREE-MINUTE CLOCK.
AT THIS TIME DURING PUBLIC COMMENT WE DON'T ENGAGE BY ANSWERING YOU, BUT SOMETIMES AS I SAID IF PURR HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM, YOU WILL GET THE DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM WHEN IT IS CALLED. WITH THAT IN MIND, I WILL CALL
CHRISTOPHER GALE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
FIRST OF ALL, ANYTHING DEALING WITH BROKEN CHAINS.
I SUPPORT ANY EFFORTS. A GREAT PROGRAM.
I DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD BE DISCUSSED TODAY.
SECONDLY, WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR ME TO BE HERE.
NORMALLY IT IS REGARDING SOMETIMES THE MUNDANE AND SOMETIMES WE END UP FIGHTING OVER THINGS BUT TO HEAR THESE ACCOLADES OF -- ALL THESE BASEBALL PLAYERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IT IS JUST TREMENDOUS. AND YOU KNOW ALSO THE EFFORTS FOR THE CHILDREN THAT ARE PASSING.
SO THIS IS A GOOD DAY TO BE HERE.
I AM GOING TO ADD A LITTLE BIT TO THAT, AND IT IS GOING TO BE GOOD. AS YOU WELL KNOW, I HAVE OPINION IN FOR OF JUAN PIMENTAL FOR A WHILE.
THERE WAS CONCERN AT SOME POINT OF HIS HOME -- HIS PARENTS' HOME AND SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. I WANT TO KNOW THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION DONE. AND WE ARE HAPPY FOR THAT.
AND THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION LED THERE IS NO IMPRO IMPROPRIETY.
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, WE ARE PUT TO REST.
I AM NEVER GOING TO USE MY THREE MINUTES, BUT ON SUPPORT OF HIM, YOU KNOW, HE LOVES HIS JOB. HE LOVES WORKING FOR THIS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEARS THAT HE HAS.
HE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING HERE THE REST -- I WON'T SAY HIS LIFE, BUT UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT. AND HE JUST REALLY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN A CONCERN COMES UP AS TO NOT TAKING A KNEE-JERK REACTION AND WAIT FOR IT TO BE HANDLED.
EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE A-OKAY. AGAIN, TO JUMP BACK TO, WHAT A GREAT DAY TO BE HERE FULL OF EMOTION AND HEARTFELT HOPE.
I APPRECIATE BEING HERE. I WON'T TAKE UP ANY MORE OF Y'ALL'S TIME. I KNOW YOU HAVE MANY THINGS TO DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT PERSON IS JUAN PIMENTAL. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS
AND JUDGE. >>JUDGE CANALES: GOOD MORNING.
>> A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS FALSELY ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING BY A MEMBER OF THIS COURT THAT INVOLVED COUNTY ROADWORK.
THE WORK THAT WAS AUTHORIZED BY A PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER AND FOLLOWED UP BY THE AUTHORIZATION BY THE CURRENT COMMISSIONER FOR THE PRECINCT. BEFORE ANY WORK WAS DONE TO THAT ROAD, I MADE SURE TO NOTIFY THE PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER THAT MY FATHER OWNED THE PROPERTY IN THAT AREA.
THE ROADWORK RESULTED IN THE COUNTY CREWMEMBERS ACCIDENTALLY
[00:40:05]
DAMAGING A MAILBOX THAT BELONGED TO MY FATHER.AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, FALSE ACCUSATIONS WERE PLACED AGAINST ME, WHICH NOT ONLY EFFECTED ME BUT MY FAMILY TOO.
AND EVEN MY EMPLOYEES. I WAS FALSELY ACCUSED OF MISUSING COUNTY EQUIPMENT, MONIES, PERSONNEL AND HAD PRIOR AUTHORIZATION WHEN I HAD PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TO HAVE IS THE COUNTY'S CREWS DO THE WORK ON THIS ROAD.
IN COMMISSIONERS COURT, SEVERAL HOURS WERE WASTED DETAILING FALSE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ME. ALSO, THE TEXAS RANGERS WERE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE ME. THE INVESTIGATION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE NUECES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
IT TOOK NINE MONTHS LATER FOR THE CASE TO BE PRESENTED TO THE GRAND JURY. AND THERE WERE NO FINDS OF ANY WRONGDOINGS. I HAVE BEEN CLEARED BY THE TEXAS RANGERS, THE NUECES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND A GRAND JURY. MY DAD IS 84 YEARS OLD AND IS A RETIREE FROM THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI AFTER WORKING 35 YEARS.
HE ALSO WORKED FOR ABM, THE COMPANY THAT BOUGHT OUT THE GRAIN ELEVATE FROM THE PORT AND RETIRED FROM ADM.
WORKING FOR THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI GRAIN, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT CAUSED MY FATHER MUCH SUFFERING WHERE HE SPENT ONE YEAR IN THE BURN UNIT. AFTER REHABILITATION, HE WENT BACK TO WORK FOR THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS. AFTER THESE FALSE ACCUSATIONS WERE BROUGHT AGAINST ME, MY DAD HAD TO -- HAD OPEN-HEART SURGERY. IT HAS SICKENED ME TO HAVE BROUGHT MY DAD INTO THIS WHOLE SCHEME BY FALSELY ACCUSING HIM OF COLLABORATING WITH ME TO STEAL FROM THE COUNTY.
AFTER ALL THE HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT HE HAS ALREADY GONE THROUGH IN HIS LIFE.
THANK GOD THAT HE IS DOING FINE. BUT TO THIS DAY, MY DAD WORRIES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED -- WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO ME IN THIS COURT.
ME AND MY WHOLE FAMILY NAMES HAVE BEEN TARNISHED BY SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE SIMPLY BEEN INVOLVED IN A PROPER WAY.
I WANT TO THANK THE PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER VAUGHN FOR COMING TO EXPLAIN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT SHE HAD TOLD ME TO PERFORM THIS WORK AND FOR ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT MY FAMILY BEING PART OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS LIVING IN THE AREA BEFORE BECAUSE THEY ALSO PAY TAXES. I WANT TO CLOSE MY STATEMENT BY SAYING THAT BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP -- AND THIS IS TRUE -- I PRAY AND ASK GOD THAT WHEN I PASS ON, THAT HE USES MY SOUL TO PROTECT AGAINST EVIL. WELL, WHEN I'M HERE ON EARTH, I ASK GOD TO GUIDE ME AND PROTECT ME FROM EVIL AS WELL.
GOD CONTINUES TO ANSWER MY PRAYERS BECAUSE FOR THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS, I HAVE BEEN BATTLING AGAINST EVIL.
AND I HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IN 2 CHRONICLES 20:15, IT SAYS IN THE BIBLE FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT MINE THAT IS GOD'S.
AND I AM RELYING ON GOD TO HELP ME FIGHT MY BATTLES.
GOD ALWAYS WINS AND GOD ALWAYS PREVAILS.
>>JUDGE CANALES: NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM YVETTE PIMENTAL.
FOLLOWED BY JERRY GARCIA. AND WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IS GO SOME ONLINE, SOME HERE. SOME ONLINE.
IN THAT MANNER. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. MY NAME IS YVETTE PIMENTAL AND MY HUSBAND IS JUAN PIMENTAL. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MY HUSBAND WHO WAS FALSELY ACCUSED OF A WRONGDOING THAT NOT ONLY AFFECTED HIM, BUT AFFECTED THE WHOLE ENTIRE FAMILY.
HE ALSO HAS HERE PRESENT IN THE COURTROOM SOME FAMILY MEMBERS AND SOME CO-WORKERS THAT ARE HERE TO SUPPORT HIM AS WELL.
HE ALSO HAS FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT ARE TUNING IN VIA INTERNET THAT ARE ALSO SUPPORTING HIM. A MEMBER OF THIS COURT JUMPED TO A FALSE CONCLUSION. AND WE ARE THE ONES WHO SUFFERED ANXIETY AND INJURY DUE TO MY HUSBAND'S REPUTATION.
THIS MEMBER OF THE COURT FALSELY ACCUSED MY HUSBAND OF USING HIS AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE IN DISHONEST BEHAVIOR.
IF THE PROOR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED BY
[00:45:02]
SIMPLY GOING TO THE HR DEPARTMENT, THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED WITHOUT MY HUSBAND HAVING TO DEFEND HIMSELF IN FRONT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. AND WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF PROPER POLICY AND PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED, WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY WHICH RESULTED IN A FINANCIAL BURDEN. BECAUSE POLICY AND PROCEDURES WERE NOT FOLLOWED, THE TEXAS RANGERS WASTED THEIR TIME BY INVESTIGATING FALSE ALLEGATIONS. I HAVE THE NO BILL DOCUMENT FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT THE GRAND JURY FOUND NO VIOLATION OF ANY LAW OCCURRED. NO VIOLATION OF ANY LAW EVER OCCURRED BY MY HUSBAND. HE HAS BEEN CLEARED OF ALL -- ANY AND ALL FALSE ALLEGATIONS. THE WHOLE SCHEME OF TRYING TO GET RID OF MY HUSBAND WAS JUST A WASTE OF TIME FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS, THE GRAND JURY, COMMISSIONERS COURT AND ULTIMATELY A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.I HAVE KNOWN MY HUSBAND SINCE THE 7TH GRADE.
WE CELEBRATED OUR 26TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. HE IS AN HONORABLE MAN.
KNOWS MY HUSBAND'S HEART. MORE IMPORTANTLY, GOD KNOWS THE TRUTH AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MY HUSBAND'S BACK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. I WILL CLOSE MY STATEMENT BY SAYING MY HUSBAND IS HERE FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
HIS -- SCIENCE IS CLEAN AND CLEAR AND HE CAN SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT BECAUSE HE KNOWS EVERY DAY THAT HE TRIES TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND HIS FAMILY AND WE NEVER DO ANYTHING TO RISK HIS CAREER THAT HE WORKED SO HARD FOR AND WILL NEVER PUT HIS FAMILY IN ANY TYPE OF SITUATION THAT IS WRONG FOR ANYTHING OR ANYONE. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM JERRY GARCIA.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT -- THERE WAS AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON COUNTY ROAD 52. IT IS ILLEGAL DRIVEWAY.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE COUNTY FOR 41 YEARS.
AND THIS HAS NEVER COME TO COURT.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HAS ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF THIS.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE TX DOT LAWS AND FOLLOW THEM AS WE FOLLOW TXDOT LAWS.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >>JUDGE CANALES: OKAY.
THANK YOU. AND NOW I AM GOING TO JUST FOR THE SAKE OF EQUITY MOVE TO SOME ONLINE.
AND THEN I WILL MOVE BACK. THE WAY I SEE IT IS -- I AM GOING TO CALL IT IN ORDER. NEIL MCQUEEN.
>>COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ: JUDGE, CAN YOU ADD ME TO THE PUBLIC
COMMENT, PLEASE. >>JUDGE CANALES: YES.
NEIL, IF YOU WILL JUST UNMUTE. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
NEIL MCQUEEN, 3214 STATE DRIVE. AND CO-CHAIR OF THE RIDERS.
I HAVE BEEN SURFING AT BOB HALL PIER.
I HAVE RIDDEN GREAT WAVES. WE ARE CONCERNED OF THE PIER WITH SINGLE PIER. WE ASK THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR ALL COST COMPARISON STUDY BEFORE WAITING ON THE PILING DESIGN. WE HEARD THAT A SURFING-ONLY PIER IF THE SINGLE PILING DESIGN IS CHOSEN.
LIKE OTHER PROJECTS THAT ATTEMPTED TO BUILD SURF SPOTS, THE LUBY SURF PIER HAD MEDIOCRE SAND BARS AND WAVES.
IN ORDER TO DO IT RIGHT IT TAKES A LOT OF MONEY.
WE WOULD RATHER NOT TAKE A GAMBLE THAT A SEPARATE PIER HAVE GOOD WAVES AND THIS BOB HALL PIER BE REBUILT LIKE BEFORE BECAUSE WE KNOW IT MADE GREAT WAVES.
SURFING IS PART OF OUR LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE.
CHECK OUT VISIT CORPUS CHRISTI'S WEB SITE AND THE CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT LOGO. ALSO MENTIONED ON THE NUECES COUNTY COASTAL PARKS WEB PAGE FOR PADRE BALLI PARK THAT SAYS THE PIER HAS FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR SURFING YEAR ROUND. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT MANY OF THE RESPONDERS OF THE SURVEY TO GET PEOPLE'S VIEWS OF THE NEXT PIER SAID THEY LIKE TO WATCH SURFERS FROM THE PIER.
LASTLY COME FROM THE STATE OF WAVES AT BOB HALL PIER, SURFERS
[00:50:03]
HAVE PATRONIZED MICHAEL MAYS AND OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES LAND DO SO WITH A TWO-PILING DESIGN. PLEASE ASSURE THAT BOB HALL PIER IS A MULTIUSE ATTRACTION THAT ACCOMMODATES FISHING, DINING AND SURFING. THANK YOU.>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, MR. MCQUEEN.
NOW I WILL TAKE -- I SAW HIM BUT I DON'T SEE HIM ANYMORE.
MR. RYAN TURNER. >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE CANALES. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.
MY NAME IS RYAN TURNER. I AM THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE SURVIVOR FOUNDATION CHAPTER IN THE COASTAL BEND 618 PENNINGTON DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT BOB HALL PIER AS WELL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ONE COLUMN VERSUS THE TWO-COLUMN PIER.
I BELIEVE THAT THE ONE-COLUMN PIER WILL NOT PRODUCE AS GOOD WAVES AS YOU HEARD FROM NEIL MCQUEEN WITH OVER A 60-YEAR HISTORY OF PRODUCING GOOD WAVES. ADDITIONALLY, I AM VERY CONCERNED OF THE ONE-COLUMN PIER BECAUSE I CANNOT FIND ONE ON THE WEST COAST OR EAST COAST IN AN OPEN OCEAN SETTING THAT IS A ONE-COLUMN PIER. I BELIEVE THIS DESIGN IS UNTESTED AND UNPROVEN AND UNPROVEN IN OPEN WATER OCEAN SETTING. I DON'T THINK THAT NUECES COUNTY SHOULD TAKE A CHANCE OF $28 MILLION GAMBLE ON BUILDING A PIER THAT HAS BEEN UNTESTED AND UNPROVEN IN AN OPEN WATER SETTING. I DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO PRODUCE AS GOOD OF WAVES HAVING A 66-FOOT SPAN IN BETWEEN 44-FOOT PYLONS OR COLUMNS.
I AM HEARING CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT FISHING THAT WON'T PRODUCE AS MUCH OF A MARINE ECOSYSTEM AS BEFORE WITH THOSE CLOSELY -- THOSE TIGHTER COLUMN SPACING AND MORE COLUMNS.
SO I URGE THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE TO CONSIDER THE TWO-COLUMN PIER AS THE WAY TO GO.
REBUILDING BOB HALL PIER IN A MORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ASPECT AND WITH THE TWO-COLUMN PIER DESIGN I BELIEVE WILL BE GOOD FOR THE COUNTY AND ITS CITIZENS. SO I URGE THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE TO CONSIDER THE TWO COLUMN OVER THE ONE COLUMN, AGAIN, FOR ITS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.
I HAVEN'T SEEN AN EXAMPLE ON WEST COAST OR THE EAST COAST.
YOU MOVE TO THE WEST COAST OR THE EAST COAST PIERS, YOU WILL SEE NOT ONLY TWO COLUMNS BUT FOUR COLUMNS IN A ROW IN SERIES OF IT. IT SEEMS LIKE THESE PIERS HAVE BEEN HIGHLY CONSIDERED IN AN OPEN WATER SETTING AND OPEN, FOR HURRICANES NOT TO DESTROY THEM. AS WE KNOW HURRICANE HANNA WHICH WAS A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE, I BELIEVE, TOOK OUT BOB HALL PIER.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY CONCERNS AND COMMENTS AND PLEASE CONSIDER THE TWO-COLUMN PIER DESIGN OVER THE ONE COLUMN. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. AND, AGAIN, I AM GOING TO CALL FOUR HERE, FOUR HERE. THAT'S HOW I AM GOING TO DO IT.
I WILL MOVE ON AGAIN JUST HOW I SEE IT.
I SEE CLIFF SCLOBOK FOLLOWED BY ROBERT CLURE.
THANK YOU. >> YES, GOOD MORNING.
>>JUDGE CANALES: GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
I AM CLIFF SCLOBOK, THE CO-CLEAR OF THE COASTAL BEND FOUNDATION.
I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK TO EVERYONE TODAY ABOUT THE BOB HALL PIER PILING DESIGN. RYAN TOUCHED ON SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE ARE -- WHEN WE RESEARCHED THE SINGLE PILING DESIGN, WE FOUND NOTHING ANYWHERE THAT SHOWED US, YOU KNOW, AN EXAMPLE OF THIS PIER EXISTING IN AN OCEAN SETTING. ALSO WHENEVER WE ASKED THE ENGINEER ON THIS PROJECT, YOU KNOW, TO SHOW US AN EXAMPLE OF A SINGLE PILING, WE GOT NOTHING. WE ABSOLUTELY GOT NOTHING.
WE HAVE ASKED -- SINCE THEN, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING.
SO ONE OF MY CONCERNS HERE IS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO SPEND $28 MILLION -- DO WE WANT TO GAMBLE THAT MUCH MONEY ON A DESIGN THAT WE FEEL LIKE IS UNPROVEN? I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT.
WE ALREADY HAVE ONE GIANT FIASCO IN THIS COUNTY WITH THE HARBOR BRIDGE. I SURE HOPE WE DON'T END UP WITH ANOTHER ONE WITH BOB HALL PIER. AND I THINK THAT IS A VERY DISTINCT POSSIBILITY WITH THE SINGLE PILING DESIGN.
HOPEFULLY WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD BACK BOB HALL PIER
[00:55:04]
WITH THE TWIN PILING DESIGN. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT, WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SAVE A VALUABLE SURFING RESOURCE AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE 57 YEARS OF SURFING HERITAGE AROUND BOB HALL PIER. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ABOUT THE COST FIGURES I HAVE SEEN THROWN OUT, WHERE THEY CAME FROM, I AM NOT REAL CERTAIN, BUT AN EXTRA $4 MILLION IS BEING THROWN OUT TO CON STRU STRUCK THE TWIN PILING SYSTEMS. I FEEL THOSE FIGURES ARE COMPLETELY OVERINFLATED AND HOPE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSIDER CHECKING THOSE FIGURES OUT VERY CLOSELY AND HOPEFULLY COME UP WITH SOMETHING MORE REALISTIC. THAT IS ALL I HAVE.AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. AND GOT ONE MORE.
AND I WILL TAKE IT AGAIN JUST HOW I SEE IT HERE.
I LOST HIM ABOUT WAS IT ROBERT CLORE.
>> YES, HI, ROBERT CLORE, LIGHTHOUSE DRIVE WHICH IS ON IN NORTH PADRE ISLAND A COUPLE OF MILES WHAT IS LEFT OF THE PIER.
I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO SAY, BUT JUST CHIME IN TO SAY I APPRECIATE HAVING MULTIPLE SURF SPOTS.
RIGHT NOW WE REALLY ESSENTIALLY HAVE TWO SURF SPOTS AROUND PADRE CHANNEL AND THE PEER AND WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE ONE.
I SURF. AND IT WOULD -- I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW WHAT WORKS.
THE TWO PILING STRUCTURES WORKS AND CREATES GOOD WAVES.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PROPOSED STRUCTURE.
SINGLE PILING STRUCTURE WILL CREATE.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOMETHING OUT THERE QUICKLY. THAT IS REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. OKAY.
I AM GOING TO GO BACK INTO THE PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE ROOM.
AND I WILL ASK FOR LEO RIOS FOLLOWED BY ROBERT REID.
>> YES, GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SAY A FEW WORDS. I WAS GOING TO START WITH SOME THINGS ON PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE IN THIS MEETING, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO BE THE RIGHT TIME.
AND I WANT TO STAY POSITIVE AS POSSIBLE.
OKAY. BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FUNDING DOLLARS.
FIRST BEING APPROVED BY THE COURT.
AND SECOND OF ANY CONTRACT SERVICES, WHETHER IT BE ENGINEERING OR CONSTRUCTION WAS INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT ITSELF WHEN IT WAS APPROVED. THESE DOLLARS WERE BORROWED UNDER LOW INTEREST RATES AND ARE NOT PAID FROM THE GENERAL FUND WHERE THE SALARIES ARE PAID. THIS IS GOOD PLANNING.
I SUPPORT BOTH SALARY RAISES AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
SALARIES HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS FOR MANY PAY GROUPS. AND MORE IS NEEDED IF WE ARE TO STAY COMPETITIVE. IN CLOSING I WILL SAY VOTE NO ON ITEM NUMBER 14. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: MR. ROBERT REID.
AND FOLLOWING ROBERT, IS IT -- IS IT MISS SPRAGENS.
YOU WILL BE NEXT. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ROBERT REID, THE DIRECTOR BROKEN CHAINS RECOVERY CENTER.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING JUDGE CANALES A FEW WEEKS BACK AND EXPLAINED TO HER WHAT OUR DILEMMA IS.
AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, WE HAVE FIVE HOUSES.
FOUR FOR MEN AND ONE FOR THE LADIES.
WE HAD SELECTED SOME PROPERTY THAT WE WANTED TO GET.
AND WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
BUT RATHER THAN SHARE THAT PART OF IT RIGHT NOW, WHAT I WOULD RATHER DO IS TELL YOU WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN THE PAST. SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND -- JUDGE, EXCUSE ME. IS IT OKAY IF WE SHOW THAT VIDEO N NOW?
>>JUDGE CANALES: IN PUBLIC -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GO THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT AND WHEN WE CALL THE AGENDA ITEM.
[01:00:04]
IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SO WE WOULD PRESERVE YOUR TIME.TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WHAT WE ARE DOING SO FAR.
LET ME MENTION TO YOU A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BROKEN CHAINS RECOVERY CENTER. LAST YEAR, I AM SURE NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE THAT KNOW THERE WERE 13,354 CAME THROUGH THE DOORS OF BROKEN CHAINS. LAST YEAR, AA HAD A STATISTIC OF 12.6. A STATISTIC OF 16.1.
N.A. BROKEN CHAINS MASS A SUCCESS RATE OF 35%. THERE IS NO OTHER ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS -- I HAVEN'T CHECKED OUTSIDE THE STATE OF TEXAS -- THAT HAVE THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WHAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT THE VISION THAT I HAVE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM 80% OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO US WITH DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROBLEMS HAVE HIT BOTTOM. THEY ARE HOMELESS.
THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO GO. SO THEY ARE USED TO DEALING WITH THE HOMELESS, BUT OUR PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT IN THAT WE DON'T WANT TO JUST BED THE HOMELESS. WE WANT TO EDUCATE THE HOMELESS.
AND WE PLAN ON DOING THAT IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND I WILL READ REAL QUICK HERE. AND FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO ASSIST THEM IN BEING ABLE TO GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS TO BE EMPLOYABLE.
ALSO, READING, WRITING AND PHONICS.
MANY HOMELESS PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION TO GET A JOB. BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT CAPA CAPACITY.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FAITH IN FINANCE.
STITCH MINISTRIES, WORKING ALONG WITH US, WILL PRESENT FAITH AND FINANCE. HELPING THEM TO BE ABLE TO BUDGET THEIR MONEY AND LEARN THE PROPER WAY TO CONTROL THEIR MONEY. FAITH AND WORKS, TEACHING THEM ABOUT JOB NETWORKING. AND I AM OUT OF TIME, BUT I WILL SAY THIS, THE COMBINATION OF ALL THESE THINGS TOGETHER WILL HELP THIS COMMUNITY IMMENSELY BECAUSE IT -- THE COMMUNITY WANTS THIS.
THE HOMELESS WANT THIS. EVERYBODY WANTS THIS PROGRAM.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT OUR PROGRAM IS THE LOVE, THE EMPATHY AND COMPASSION WE HAVE FOR THE HOMELESS PEOPLE.
I, MYSELF, WAS ADDICTED. I NEVER SLEPT UNDER A BRIDGE, BUT I SLEPT MANY NIGHTS IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR.
AND NOW I HAVE 25 YEARS CLEAN AND ASSOCIATE.
I KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE. AND I HAVE THE ABILITY TO REACH THESE PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE
OPPORTUNITY. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
AND WHEN THE ITEM DOES COME, WE WILL PLAY THAT VIDEO AND ANY OTHER PRESENTATION THAT WE HAVE. I WILL CALL ON KEONDRA SPRAGINS.
FOLLOWED BY LORRAINE SANCHEZ AND THEN WE WILL MOVE BACK TO
ONLINE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF BROKEN CHAINS AS WELL. ROBERT AND I GO TO CHURCH TOGETHER AND HE ASKED FOR A PEOPLE TO SPONSOR OR MENTOR.
AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN A DRUG ADDICT OR AN ALCOHOLIC, BUT I FELT LIKE THAT I COULD AT LEAST MENTOR.
I HAD A PERSONAL FRIEND THAT I HAVE KNOWN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, PROBABLY 18 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM CLEAN OR SOBER. AND I CAME ACROSS HIS BROTHER ONE DAY. AND I SAID HOW IS RANDY DOING.
HE SAID NOT GOOD. HE SAYS HE IS HOLDING A SIGN ON THE STREET CORNERS AND DANCING AROUND AND, YOU KNOW, BEGGING FOR MONEY. AND HE SAID YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM IF YOU SAW HIM.
AND I SAID, YOU KNOW -- I AM READY TO JUST WASH MY HANDS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO WITH HIM.
I SAY, PRAY. I SAID BUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT A PLACE I HAVE BEEN MENTORING AT.
IT IS CALLED BROKEN CHAINS. IF YOU SEE YOUR BROTHER, TELL HIM TO GET OVER THERE. WE CAN HELP.
AND ONE NIGHT I WAS AT A MEETING, AND WE WERE SITTING THERE AND I LOOKED NEXT TO ME, AND I THOUGHT, GOSH, THIS GUY LOOKS FAMILIAR KIND OF. KEPT SIT THERE.
HE TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT ME AND SAY, SHANDRA.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER IN SEVERAL YEARS.
I SAID, RANDY. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, HE LOOKED
[01:05:02]
LIKE A LITTLE OLD MAN. HE WAS EMACIATED.HAD I SEEN HIM ON THE STREET, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IT WAS HIM.
I WILL SAY THIS. I BEGGED HIM TO STAY.
I TOLD HIM I WAS GLAD HE WAS THERE.
AND IF HE WOULD JUST WORK THIS PROGRAM, IT WOULD CHANGE HIS LIFE. ON THE 16TH OF MONTH, HE WILL HAVE THREE YEARS CLEAN. I HAVE GONE TO THE MEETINGS THERE LIKE I SAID AS A MENTOR. I -- I HAVE SEEN THE PEOPLE COME IN THERE, THE SHAPE THEY ARE IN. AND IT HAS CHANGED LIVES.
I HAVE SEEN THE DIFFERENCE IN T THEM. HE HAVEN'T HELD A JOB IN I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW LONG AND HE NOW WORKS.
MOST OF THEM IN THERE -- HAVE THEIR LICENSES AND HELP TO WHERE THEY GO. THEY ARE HOLDING JOBS.
AND I JUST SEE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW PEOPLE PASS BY ON THE STREETS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE HOMELESS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. BUT THEY ARE HERE.
IF WE CAN HELP ANYBODY COME THROUGH THESE DOORS AND GET THE FACILITY THAT WE NEED TO HOUSE MORE, IT WOULD JUST BE AMAZING FOR EVERYONE. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
THANK YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU HAVE SHONDRA. MISS LORRAINE SANCHEZ.
>> THANK YOU. I AM THE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF BROKEN CHAINS OF ROBERT REID.
I ALMOST HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR BROKEN CHAINS ALMOST A YEAR IN OCTOBER. I DID NOT START OFF WITH WORK WITH BROKEN CHAINS. I STARTED AS A RESIDENT.
I AM AN ALCOHOLIC AND BROKEN CHAINS HELPED ME IN MY RECOVERY TO GET BACK ON MY FEET. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH I AM VERY PROUD OF.
AND NOW THAT I AM WORKING FOR BROKEN CHAINS, AND I CAN GIVE BACK TO WHAT WAS GIVEN TO ME. WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE COME AND GO THROUGHOUT BROKEN CHAINS.
AND WHEN WE HAVE FULL BEDS, IT IS VERY SAD TO HAVE TO TELL THE MANY PEOPLE THAT CALL US FOR AVAILABLE BEDS, TO TURN THEM AWAY. IT BREAKS MY HEART WHEN WE HAVE TO SAY, I AM SORRY, WE DON'T HAVE A BED AVAILABLE, BUT KEEP CALLING ME BACK. KEEP CALLING ME BACK.
AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW.
AND HAVE MORE ROOM FOR MORE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY.
MORE HOMELESS. AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET APPROVED FOR THE FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND HELP BROKEN CHAINS. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. I WILL MOVE BACK TO TIM DOWLING.
OKAY. WHY DON'T I GO TO -- IS IT TOMMY SCH SCHULTZ?
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >>JUDGE CANALES: YES, SIR.
MY NAME IS TOMMY SCHULTZ. 430 KNICKERBOCKER, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERINGS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY.
I MOVED HERE ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO TO SERVE.
I BROUGHT MY BUSINESS HERE. I AM ALSO A VIDEOGRAPHER.
I SURFED BOB HALL PIER. I AM WITH A PROGRAM THAT TESTS THE RECREATIONAL WATERS IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND A JUDGE FOR THE TEXAS SURFING ASSOCIATION. BOB HALL PIER HAS BEEN A CENTERPOINT OF THE COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.
THE WAVE IS ONE OF THE ONLY -- THE ONLY WAVE IN TEXAS IN A BOOK IN WORLD-CLASS WAVES AND THE BARREL PRODUCE AS WAVE AS THAT IS AMAZING. WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY DURING HURRICANES.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE YOU WOULD WANT TO PROTECT A $28 MILLION
[01:10:02]
INVES INVESTMENT.THE SURF COMMUNITY IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF WATER RESCUES WHEN THE WATERS AREN'T ON THE BEACH, AND PIERS ARE KNOWN TO CREATE CURRENT NO MATTER HOW MANY PILINGS THEY HAVE.
SO WE DO A LOT OF RESCUES AROUND BOB HALL.
AND WE JUST WANT TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COURT TO CONSIDER THE SURF COMMUNITY WHO FEEL LIKE WE WERE KIND OF BYPASSED WHEN THE PIER WAS BEING DESIGNED.
AND I GUESS WE ARE TRYING TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW LARGE WE ARE AND HOW UNIFIED WE ARE. WE REALLY RESPECTFULLY -- REQUEST A TWO-PILING PIER. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS EASY TO GO WITH THE CHEAPEST FIRST BID, BUT WE REALLY FEEL LIKE THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO WHEN YOU WANT TO INVEST IN YOUR COM COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. AND SOMEONE HELP ME.
DO I HAVE ONE MORE? I THINK I HAVE ONE MORE LEFT.
I HAD CALLED FOR TIM DOWLING. I THINK HE MIGHT BE BACK ONLINE.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. SORRY I MISSED YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: NO WORRIES. IF I CAN ASK YOU TO SPEAK UP A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR THE AUDIENCE.
THANK YOU, SIR. >> SURE, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS MY 41ST YEAR BEING IN NUECES COUNTY. I AM TIM DOWLING AND A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BUT NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE LEAGUE TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS ITEM NUMBER 10 ABOUT EARLY VOTING.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR VOTING CLERK MISS KARA SANDS WHEN I CALLED ABOUT A VOTING BY MAIL.
MY DEALINGS WITH HER SHE IS ALWAYS MOST PROFESSIONAL.
AFTER I LEFT YOUR MEETING ON AUGUST 29, EARLY IN THE DAY THE COURT HAD MOVED EARLY VOTE FROM 7 TO 7 AT ALL 24 EARLY VOTING LOCATION. THE COURT LATER THAT DAY CHANGED THEIR MINDS AND ONLY HAVE EARLY VOTING FROM 8 TO 5 DURING THE FIRST WEEK. MISS SANDS -- I -- SHE SAID ONE OR TWO LOCATIONS WOULD NOT EXPAND TO A 7 TO 7:00.
I UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT HERRER CONCERNS.
THE RESULT SHOULD BE THAT WE HAVE AS MUCH EARLY VOTING AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE. IN TIMES BEFORE OR AFTER WORK.
ESPECIALLY AFTER WORK BECAUSE MANY IN THE MORNING WILL BE RUSHING TO GET TO WORK AND PRESSED FOR TIME.
TIME PRESSURE IS STOPPED WHEN. I URGE TO YOU BE DO YOU AGREED TO DO TO HAVE ALL THE LOCATIONS ONLY 7 TO 7.
IF A LOCATION SAYS THEY ONLY AGREE BEFORE OPENING BEFORE 8 OR AFTER 5 FIRST WEEK, LIKELY STILL TIME TO FIND ACCEPTABLE LOCATIONS THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE A 7 TO 7:00.
PLEASE LOOK HARD FOR THOSE LOCATIONS.
IF THAT IS UNSUCCESSFUL ASK FOR THEM TO BE OPEN UNTIL 7 P.M.
EVEN IF THEY WILL NOT OPEN FOR 8 A.M.
FOR THOSE WHO WILL NOT AGREE TO A 7 TO 7 SCHEDULE.
PLEASE USE THE 24 LOCATIONS THAT YOU HAVE WHERE YOU DISTRIBUTE THE FINAL LIST OF THESE LOCATIONS, PUT AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THE FEW LOCATION THAT ARE ONLY OPEN 8 TO 5:00 THE FIRST WEEK OR BETTER 8 TO 7:00 AND LET THE OTHER LOCATIONS BE OPEN 7 TO 7:00. VALUE OF HAVING CONSISTENCY OF ALL LOCATIONS OPEN AT THE SAME TIME, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IS TO HAVE AS MUCH OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE OR THERE WILL BE MANY LOCATIONS THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE AN EXPANDED 7 TO 7:00. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY
REMARKS. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, MR. DOWLING. I WILL TAKE ONE MORE.
NATHAN FLOYD. I KNOW OFF THIS BEEN WAITING.
CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? >>JUDGE CANALES: YES, I CAN.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
HI, I AM NATHAN FLOYD AT 14 # 1 PLAYA DELRAY IN PEDRO ISLAND.
I HAVE BORN AND RAISED AND SURFING BOB HALL PIER.
I AM INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL SURF RIDER AND MY FAMILY RUN AS LOCAL SURF SHOP AND WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE VISIT CORPUS CHRISTI WITH THE INTENTION OF SEARCHING BOB HALL.
IT TRANSCENDS TEXAS AND HAVE BEEN FOE USED ON INTERNATIONAL SURFING MACHINES. IN MOVIES, AND VISITED BY HIGH-LEVEL SURFERS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
I AM IN STERN OPPOSITION OF THE MONO PILE DESIGN FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, INCLUDING SAND BAR FORMATION FOR SURFING, LATERAL
[01:15:03]
HEARING IS, LESS HABITABLE STRUCTURE FOR MARINE LIFE AND FISHING AND THE PROPOSED COST ESTIMATES.I WANT TO BRING ATTENTION TO A PIER BEING BUILT IN MY FRIEND'S HOMETOWN OF FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA.
FOLLY ISLAND IS A BARRIER ISLAND LIKE PADRE.
THEY HAVE SIMILAR WEATHER PATTERNS AND NEAR IDENTICAL SUMMER AND SIDE CURRENT BEHAVIOR.
BUILDING A PIER 1039 FEET. COMPARED TO OUR PIER, 1250 FEET AND 20 FEET WIDE. THEIR DESIGN UTILIZES 208 PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE PILES, SUPPORT BEAMS, BUNCH OF STUFF PRICED AT $14 MILLION. OUR SINGLE PILING DESIGN IS FOUR AND A HALF TIMES AS FEW CONCRETE PILINGS AND ENCOMPASSES 1,000 SQUARE FEET LESS THAN FOLLY BEACH PIER.
IF WE HAVE AN APPROVED BUDGET OF $28 MILLION, I FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC DESERVES ANOTHER COST ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF OUR PROPOSED DESIGN. IF WE MAYBE KEPT THE ORIGINAL WIDTH OF THE PIER AND THE T-HEAD THE SAME ORIGINAL DESIGN AND NOT MOVING TO A DIAMOND HEAD STRUCTURE WE MAY HAVE THAT $4 MILLION ALREADY FOR THE TWO PILING DESIGN.
THE ADDITIONAL WIDTH OF THE NEARLY PROPOSED DESIGN ADDS NOTHING TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE PIER.
THE FOLLY BEACH PIER USES PILINGINGS.
I SPENT WEEK LOOKING FOR EXAMPLES OF MONO PIERS IN OCEAN HURRICANE-PRONE ZONES. I HAVE YET TO FIND ANY.
I SEARCHED UP THE EAST COAST AND USE TWO PILINGS.
FOLLY BEACH USES FOUR. MOST EVENINGS AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, MANY CAN FIND THE NUMBER OF SURFERS, MYSELF INCLUDED, CONGREGATING IN MICHAEL MAY'S, SPENDING MONEY AND ENJOYING EACH OTHER'S COMPANIES.
SURFERS ARE HERE I DON'T YEAR ROUND AND BRING MONEY TO THE RESTAURANTS AND TOWN. WE BRING MORE THAN JUST BUSINESS. BUT A SECOND LAYER OF SAFETY TO THE WATER AND FIRST RESPONDERS MORE OFTEN OR NOT IF SOMEONE IS IN DISTRESS. IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A PIER THAT IS SAFE FOR OCEANGOERS. YOU WANT A PIER THAT ATTRACT SURFERS. SAND MOVEMENT IS DYNAMIC BUT THE OLD PIER HAS PROVEN OVER THE YEARS TO PRODUCE THE BEST SURF IN THE STATE. POM SEEM AS TOMMY SAID MOVE HERE SPECIFICALLY AND BRING BUSINESSES TO CORPUS BECAUSE OF THE WAVE AS THAT WE GET. SOMETHING THAT IS PROUD OF AND WORTH SAVING. PLEASE LISTEN WITH AN OPEN MIND FOR PASSIONATE PEOPLE SPEAKING. MAYBE ENOUGH FOR TWO STORIES AND TWO PILINGS. MY HOPE THAT THERE IS A COMPROMISE AND MULTIPLE PARTIES FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HEARD.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE WILL COME BACK WITH THE PUBLIC SIGN-IN SHEET FOR THOSE IN THE ROOM. AS I SAID GO BACK ONLINE AFTER FOUR. STANLEY COLE, PLEASE.
FOLLOWED BY MISS BETTY COLE. >> MY FIRST ASSOCIATION WITH ROBERT WAS WHEN HE A FEW OF HIS BOYS AND GIRLS CAME TO OUR CHURCH, SUNDAY SCHOOL. AND THEY KEPT THAT UP DOWN THROUGH THESE YEARS. ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, PRIOR TO COVID, I ATTENDED THE WEDNESDAY -- TO THE TUESDAY PROGRAM OF THE BROKEN CHAINS MINISTRY, WHICH I UNDERSTOOD WOULD BE SORT OF A -- AN EVANGELISTIC. AND TO MIGRATE PLEASURE THAT WAS CERTAINLY THE CASE. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE WHOLE BASIS OF THE BROKEN CHAINS MINISTRY IS BASED ON THE IDEA OF FAITH IN GOD AND CHRIST. AND THAT VERY WELL MIGHT BE SOME OF THE REASON FOR THE THAT ROBERT MENTIONED EARLIER.
SO I CERTAINLY URGE THAT THE FUNDING BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS TREMENDOUS ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. MISS BETTY COLE.
>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF BROKEN CHAINS.
AS MY HUSBAND HAD SAID EARLIER, WE FIRST MET ROBERT IN OUR BIBLE STUDY CLASS. HE BROUGHT -- THE FIRST TIME HE
[01:20:01]
BROUGHT FIVE OR SIX OF HIS MEN AND WOMEN INTO US CLASS, IT WAS JUST LIKE A -- OH, WOW -- VERY QUIETLY UNDER MY BREATH.AND I JUST KEPT SAYING OH, WOW, WHAT A TREMENDOUS MINISTRY THIS IS. AS TIME PROGRESSED, WE WENT OVER TO AND GOT OUR HEART GOING. WE WENT OVER TO BROKEN CHAINS AND MET AND HAD THE MEETING WITH SOME OF THE MEN AND WOMEN.
AND JUST BECAME SO ATTACH TO THIS MINISTRY.
ABOUT A YEAR LATER, HE OPENED THE LADIES HOUSE, AND I ATTENDED MEETINGS AT THE LADIES HOUSE. AND FOUND SUCH JOY WITH THESE LADIES. COME FROM SUCH BROKENNESS.
TO LISTEN TO THEIR HEARTSTRINGS, THEIR TESTIMONIES, AND WHERE THEY WERE COMING FROM. AND THE PATH THAT THEY WANTED TO TAKE AND WE SAW MANY LADIES BE ABLE TO GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE, GET OUT AND GET JOBS, AND MANY OF THEM ARE NOW ON THEIR OWN MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO IT THE -- TO THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND BEYOND. AT EVERY INSTANCE THAT I ATTENDED, ROBERT'S NAME CAME UP. SOMEBODY AT THE MEETING ALWAYS HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT HOW ROBERT REID HAD BEEN SUCH A HELP IN THEIR LIFE SUCH AN INSTRUMENT IN THEIR RECOVERY.
I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS MAN IS A MAN OF GOD.
HE IS A GODLY MAN. HE LEADS A GODLY PROGRAM.
WHEN HE CAN'T BE THERE, HE GETS ONE OF HIS TRAINED PERSONNEL L LIKE LORRAINE TO STEP IN FOR HIM. I AM JUST SO IMPRESSED WITH OUR CITY AND WITH THESE MEN AND WOMEN.
HE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO OUR CHURCH.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN A BLESSING TO OUR CHURCH AND WE
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
I WAS HERE LAST WEEK. I LIVED HERE IN NUECES COUNTY FOR 53 YEARS. I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO ADDRESS ITEM 3-A-14. AND ASK OUR GOOD COMMISSIONERS MAREZ, HERNANDEZ AND GONZALEZ TO CONSIDER THE SERIOUSNESS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL VOTES TODAY ON THAT UNTIMELY, SELF-SERVING POLITICALLY CHARGED ITEM INSPIRED BY CHESNEY, COMMISSIONER CHESNEY. THAT ITEM IS THE SAME SONG, DIFFERENT VERSE FROM LAST WEEK. TODAY I TAKE SIMILAR OBJECTION AS I DID LAST WEEK TO YOU HAVING TO VOTE ON AN AGENDA ITEM THAT IS NOT EVEN NECESSARY. ONLY 63 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION. IT DOES NOT FIT THE LEGITIMACY OF THE COURT, THE PRODUCTIVENESS OR THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE COURT. NOR DOES IT LOOK GOOD ON ANY OF YOU. AND IT WILL BE ON YOU IF YOU DO NOT STABBED UP FOR WHAT YOU NKNW RIGHT FOR OUR COUNTY.
TO PARAPHASE SOMEONE MUCH WISER, BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN SOMEBODY DOES NOTHING. LAST WEEK WE SEE HOW COMMISSIONER CHESNEY IS ACTING OUT A PERSONAL AGENDA TO DISCREDIT JUDGE CANALES WITH THAT ITEM.
JUDGE CANALES IS SERVING OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY WITH TRANSPARENCY, WITH PROGRESS AND PRODUCTIVE INVESTIGATION AND STILL STRIVING AND MAINTAINING TO KEEP OUR COUNTY TAX RATE LOW.
HOW GOOD IS THAT. COMMISSIONERS MAREZ, HERNANDEZ AND GONZALEZ, PLEASE, THINK ABOUT YOUR VOTES.
YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR POWER TO MAKE THIS UNTIMELY AND POLITICALLY BIASED PROPOSAL GO AWAY.
PLEASE DON'T BE INTIMIDATED NOW. CHANCES ARE YOU MIGHT SUFFER MORE NEXT TERM. USE YOUR TERM GIVEN TO YOU BY NUECES COUNTY CITIZENS TO EXPRESS MATURE JUDGMENT AND VISION. PEOPLE WILL SEE THAT WHEN YOUR TURN COMES TO BE ON THE BALLOT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
>>JUDGE CANALES: MISS BARBIE BAKER.
AND THEN WE WILL GO BACK ONLINE. >> GOOD MORNING.
[01:25:14]
JUDGE CANALES. I HAVE A QUESTION.I'M HERE FOR THREE SEPARATE ITEMS. MAY I DO AN OVERVIEW AND STILL RESERVE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK DURING THE DISCUSSION OF THOSE ITEMS?
>>JUDGE CANALES: YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
I AM BARBIE BAKER, CORPUS CHRISTI.
I -- I JUST COMPLETELY GOT SIDE TRACKED WITH WHERE HE WAS GOING TO START. BUT I WILL GO AHEAD AND START WITH THIS. COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE, AS THE LAST WEEKER, I IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE TAKE HEED OF WHAT ITEM 14 IS ABOUT. IT IS ABOUT, AGAIN, PROTECTING THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY. MAKING BOARD APPOINTMENTS RIGHT BEFORE AN ELECTION CERTAINLY LEAVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSUME OR EVEN MAYBE GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BOARD APPOINTMENTS IN SUPPORT -- IN SEEKING SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGNS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS OF CONCERN.
AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO E-MAILS EXCHANGED LAST TWEAK BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR, THE DEMOCRAT PARTY CHAIR AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE REGARDING VOTING LOCATIONS AND THE FACT THAT TWO OF OUR COMMISSIONERS ONLY WERE INCLUDED IN E-MAILS DISCUSSING VOTER LOCATIONS. AND MY WISH IS THAT IF WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND FULLY TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY, THEN WE WOULD HAVE INCLUDED ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS IN THIS DISCUSSION.
THE -- THE APPARENT, ASSUMED -- TRYING TO THINK OF THAT WORD OTHER THAN SNEAKY TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AND SI HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU WILL SUPPORT THIS, BECAUSE IT PROTECTS EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE. IF WE ARE NOT MAKING BOARD APPOINTMENTS SO CLOSE TO AN ELECTION, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY NO CHANCE THAT ANYONE WOULD ASSUME THAT BOARD APPOINTMENT IS BEING MADE IN EXCHANGE FOR A CAMPAIGN FAVOR.
THANK YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
I HAVE GOT MISS FLORENCE TESEAU FOLLOWED BY MR. GREG ETNOTOWSKI.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS FLORENCE TESEAU, LORENZO STREET IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I LIVED IN CORPUS CHRISTI FOR OVER 20 YEARS. AND I HAVE SERVED -- SURF THE MAJORITY OF THOSE YEARS AND I STILL SURF TODAY.
ONE OF THE PRIME SPOTS FOR SURFING IN CORPUS CHRISTI IS BOB HALL PIER. I'M HERE ALSO TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW DESIGN OF THE PIER. I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO ADD TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID. AGAIN, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH DATA OF WHAT A SINGLE PILING PIER WILL DO FOR THE SURF AND IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE AND INTEGRITY, BUT WE KNOW THAT A TWO PILING DESIGN WORKS, ESPECIALLY FOR SURF.
SURF HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY GOOD AT BOB HALL PIER AND PADRE BALLI PARK FOR LOTS AND HOTS OF YEARS. SO I URGE THE COURT TO CONSIDER STAY WITH A DESIGN THAT IS PROVEN AND WE KNOW WORKS.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
ED TENOWSKI FOLLOWED BY TREY CAMP.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME. >>JUDGE CANALES: YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR LETTING ME TO SAY A FEW WORCESTER. I AM GREG AND FROM.
WORK DAY. I AM A LITTLE NORTH OF YOU ALL IN AUSTIN. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ON THE ERP MODERNIZATION PROJECT.
AND I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW IMPORTANT TOPICS WITH THE COURT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. FIRST, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE AND THANK THE COUNTY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT AND STRATEGIC PROCESS.
AND ERP SOLUTION FOR YOUR HR, PAYROLL AN FINANCED OPERATION IS LONG-TERM INVESTMENT FOR THE COUNTY AND TYPICALLY ONLY SOMETHING THAT IS EVALUATED EVERY 10 TO 15 YEARS.
AND A PROJECT THAT IMPACTS EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, EMPLOYEES AND CONSTITUENTS ALIKE.
[01:30:01]
SO CHOOSING THE RIGHT PARTNER IS CRITICAL FOR SUCCESS.AND WE WANT TO BE THAT PARTNER FOR THE COUNTY.
FROM OUR EXPERIENCE WORK WITH CITIES, COUNTIES AND STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS MODERNIZE THEIR ERP.
WE SEE FOUR AREAS THAT ORGANIZATIONS FOCUS ON BEFORE MAKING A DECISION AND I WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU TODAY.
FOUR AREAS, ONE, FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS.
TWO, ITS VALUE AND RETURN ON HAVY INVESTMENT.
THREE IS REFERENCES. AND LASTLY IS COST.
SO FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY SOUND LIKE. DOES ITS ERP SOLUTION MEET MY FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL NEEDS ACROSS FINANCE, BUDGING, PROCUREMENT, HR, PAYROLL, BENEFITS, LEARNING.
DOES THE SOLUTION MEET MY SECURITY REQUIREMENTS? DOES THE SOLUTION HAVE THE POWER TO ADAPT AND WILL IT MEET THE COUNTY'S REQUIREMENTS IN THE FUTURE? OR WILL THE COUNTY NEED TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AGAIN IN FIVE TO TEN YEARS. YOU KNOW THE NEXT IMPORTANT PIECE IS VALUE OR THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT.
IT'S A BIG AREA THAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE FOCUSED ON WHEN MAKE THIS TYPE OF DECISION. YOU KNOW, WHAT VALUE DOES THE COUNTY AECH ON RECEIVING FROM THIS PROJECT AND WHAT PROJECT, IF ANY, HAS CUSTOMERS AGREED AFTER GO LIVE FROM THE PREFERRED OR CHOSEN SOLUTION. NEXT IS THE REALLY IMPORTANT ONE WHICH IS REFERENCES. THEIR EXPERIENCE WILL BE YOUR EXPERIENCE. WE HAVE SEEN REFERENCES PROVE TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT CHECKING THEM IS A CRITICAL STEP BEFORE MAKING ANY BUYING DECISION.
WHAT EXPERIENCE HAVE CUSTOMERS HAVE DURING THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
WHAT ABOUT POST EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT? THESE ARE ALL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK.
AND FINALLY, COST. COST IS ALWAYS GOING TO PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN MAKING A BUYING DECISION.
AND IT SHOULD. BUT IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP AND WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THAT COST.
FOR EXAMPLE, WITH WORK DAY, UPGRADES, SECURITY, DISASTER RECOVERY, DATA CENTER, STORAGE AND MORE, ALL INCLUDED IN THE COST. SO FROM OUR EXPERIENCE, THESE ARE THE FOUR MOST IMPORTANT AREAS.
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE NUECES COUNTY FOCUS ON.
AND I URGE THE COURT TO CONSIDER THEM AS WELL.
NUMBER ONE IS FUNCTIONALITY. TWO IS VALUE OR THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT. THREE IS REFERENCES.
AND LAST IS COST. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
AND WE WISH THE COUNTY THE BEST OF LUCK ON THIS STRATEGIC
PROJECT. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU SO MUCH. MR. TREY CAMP.
>> GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>>JUDGE CANALES: YES, SIR. >> PERFECT.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE CANALES.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK PUBLICLY ON AN ISSUE WE HOLD DEAR. I AM TREY CAMP AND GREW UP IN CORPUS CHRISTI SINCE I WAS NINE. WHAT JUDGE CANALES SAID WITH THE RESPECT OF THE BASEBALL TEAM. MAY IT ALWAYS BE YOUR HOME.
THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF WHICH I'M HERE COMMENTING HERE TODAY.
BOB HALL PIER, AS A HISTORICAL TWO PILING DESIGN HAS BEEN MY SURFING HOME FOR 20 YEARS. I ALREADY HAVE A LIFETIME OF FOND MEMORIES SURFING THERE AND BUILDING MEANINGFUL FRIENDSHIPS.
I HAVE FUN MEMORIES OF SUNSET GRILL THAT HOLDS THE CLAIM OF THE BEST BURGER I EVER EATEN BUT I DIGRESS.
I IMPLORE YOU GUYS TO PROVIDE THE SAME OR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT CALL CORPUS CHRISTI HOME.
BIGGYBACKING OFF OF OTHER COMMENTS BY SURFRIDER FOUNDATION AND NATHAN FLOYD, AN ARTICLE BY MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM IN CALIFORNIA THAT SAYS MAN-MADE COASTAL STRUCTURES LIKE WHARFS, PIERS AND JETTIES HAVE MARINE LIFE.
BETTER WAVES AND PROVIDE A SANCTUARY FOR MARINE LIFE.
THIS IN TURN CREATES BETTER FISHING AND SURFING FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY NOT JUST ME THAT PROVIDES TOURISM AND PATRIOTISM. WILL DRIVE TOURISM REVENUE WHETHER I HELP MULTIPLE ISLAND BUSINESSES.
I IMPROPER THE COURT FOR A YOU TWO PILING DESIGN FOR BOB HALL PIER. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, MR. CAMP.
MOVE ON TO CANDACE CLOUD. FOLLOWING CANDACE, CLEO CAMPOS.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE CANALES AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
HELLO, I AM CANDACE CLOUD AND I WORK FOR THE COUNCIL OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE OF THE COASTAL BEND.
I AM THE LEAD RECOVERY COACH FOR THE PROGRAM.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF ROBERT REID AND THE BROKEN CHAINS
[01:35:02]
ORGANIZATION HE REPRESENTS. I CAN TELL YOU AFTER WORKING MANY YEARS HE PROVIDES IMPERATIVE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. HIS ORGANIZATION IS INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING A SAFE, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE SUFFERS FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. HE GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A FOUNDATION OF RECOVERY.THEREFORE, I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF ROBERT REID FOR ITEM NUMBER 3-A-9. THANK YOU FOR MY TIME.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, CLEO CAMPOS.
FOLLOWED BY MR. MIKE VERON SPARKS HI, I AM CLEO CAMPOS AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF BROKEN CHAINS WITH MR. REID.
I WORK FOR A RE-ENTRY FACILITY DOWNTOWN.
AND MR. REID HAS WORKED WITH US FIRST HAND.
HE PROVIDED ANU AA ANDNA SERVICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS FOR
MANY YEARS. >> PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICR MICROPHONE.
>>JUDGE CANALES: JUST FOR THE RECORDING, THANK YOU.
>> WE MET MR. REID IN 2008 AND HE PROVIDED TREMENDOUS SERVICE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. HE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO TRANSPORT THEM TO THE NIGHTLY MEETINGS.
HE HOLDS THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND WILL GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP THEM IN ANY WAY THAT HE CAN. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MR. MIKE CARONA. >> GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MIKE CORON A.
I AM A DIRECTOR AT THE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM ACROSS THE STREET.
WE HOUSE FEDERAL INMATES COMING OUT OF PRISON.
AND LIKE MISS CAMPOS SAID, WE HAVE BEEN WORK WITH MR. REID SINCE 2008. WE FOUND HIS -- HIS BULLETIN IN ONE OF THE LOCAL CHURCHES. AND CLEO BROUGHT IT TO ME AND SAID WE REALLY NEED TO GET A HOLD OF THIS GUY BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE HERE FOR DRUG OFFENSES.
SO WE GOT A HOLD OF MR. REID. AND ONE OF THE THING THAT THE BUREAU OF PRISONS REQUIRES OF US -- BECAUSE WE CONTRACT WITH THE BUREAU OF PRISONS IS ACCOUNTABILITY.
SOMETIMES WHEN MEN AND WOMEN AT THE CENTER SIGN UP TO GO UP TO NA MEETINGS OR AA MEETINGS, THEY SORT OF STRAY A LITTLE BIT.
MR. REID SAID I HAVE A VAN. I CAN PICK THEM UP AND TAKE THEM TO OUR PROGRAMS. THAT WAS FANTASTIC BECAUSE WE HAD ACCOUNTABILITY. AND THEY WERE GETTING THE MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE. SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS -- THEY HAVE BEEN GOING TO MR. REID FOR YEARS NOW.
WE HAD TO STOP BECAUSE OF COVID. AND MR. REID SAID THAT THERE ARE STILL A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE STILL GOING FOR THE RECOVERY PROCESS. AND FOR THAT, WE REALLY THANK MR. REID AND HE IS PROVIDING A GREAT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
MR. JOE DRIVER. >> YOUR HONOR, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE. I AM JOE DRIVER AND REGIONAL -- AND OF THE HALFWAY HOUSE AND RE-ENTRY CENTER IN CORPUS CHRISTI. HIM HERE IN SUPPORT OF ROBERT REID AND BROKEN CHAINS. IN MY 40 YEARS OF DEALING WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE INDIVIDUALS, IT IS THE MOST PROLIFIC PROGRAMS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. NOT JUST A MINISTRY BUT HIS LEVEL OF DISCIPLESHIP, CONTINUITY, PATIENCE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ROAD TO RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A LONG JOURNEY. WE HAVE WHAT I HAVE SEEN HIM DO HERE IN NUECES COUNTY AND THE CORPUS CHRISTI AREA AS ANOTHER PARTY DEALING WITH THAT HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.
THE INDIVIDUALS HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO REACH, NOT ONLY IN HELPING THEM AND PROVIDING A HAND UP, BUT ALSO GIVING THEM AN ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO STAND UP AND HAVE SUSTAINABLE IN THE FUTURE.
AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT HIS PROGRAM.
GNAW. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, SIR.
I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE ONLINE, BUT COULD I ASK FOR ANYONE ELSE ONLINE WHO WISHES TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME TO RAISE YOUR VIRTUAL HAND. OKAY.
THANK YOU. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK, BUT I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO. ORDER HERE AS WE HAVE ON OUR CHART. JUST SO YOU GUYS WONDERING, THERE IS AT LEAST TEN MORE. SO MR. RICK SEEINGLE.
FOLLOWED BY MISS RITA GRAHAM. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE,
[01:40:09]
COMMISSIONERS. FIRST THING I WANT TO DO BEFORE I ADDRESS THE ITEM THAT I AM LOOKING AT HERE IS TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HONORABLE PEOPLE, DOING A GREAT JOB FOR OUR COUNTY. WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT.AND I, AS A TAXPAYER AND CITIZEN OF NUECES COUNTY TRUST YOU TO DO YOUR JOB. MY NAME IS RICK DEAGLE AND I LIVE 2362 SANTA MARIA LANE IN CORPUS CHRISTI.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS FOR ABOUT 65 YEARS, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, EVERY ASPECTS OF IT. AND THERE IS AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT CONCERNS ME A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN OUR PROCESS. I BELIEVE WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY PAUSE OF OUR LAWS AND OUR RULES ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE AS CITIZENS. WELL, A LOT OF COUNTRIES HAVE THE SAME AVAILABILITY TO THEIR CITIZENS.
BUT WE ARE UNIQUE. BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO ALLOWED TO BE AS CITIZENS INVOLVED IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.
NO OTHER COUNTRY ALLOWS THIS. NOT IN THE SAME MANNER THAT WE ARE IN THE UNITED STATES. AND THE WORST THING WE CAN DO IN MY OPINION, MY HUMBLED OPINION IS TO RESTRICT CITIZENS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS. AND AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT BOTHERS ME. AND I DON'T SEE IT WRITTEN EXACTLY LIKE I FOUND IT ONLINE AND MAYBE MY AGE I OUGHT TO STAY OFF THE COMPUTER. AND IF I AM WRONG, I APOLOGIZE.
BUT THE WAY I READ IT IS THAT YOU WANT TO RESTRICT BY THIS PROPOSAL -- RESTRICT WE, AS CITIZENS, AS PARTICIPANTS, AS CONTRIBUTORS, AS TAXPAYERS FROM BEING INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN OF THE LAST MONTHS OF THE LAST WEEKS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
WELL, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
FIRST OF ALL, I TRUST YOU. AND I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD TRUST ME AND EVERYBODY IN HERE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.
I THINK WE HAVE PLENTY OF OVERSIGHT.
AND TRANSPARENCY. BUT WHAT YOU DO IS THAT YOU BY YOUR STOPPING US FROM PARTICIPATING AT THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF THE CAMPAIGN, YOU ARE RESTRICTING US FROM BEING INVOLVED. AND I JUST BELIEVE THAT -- I WOULD WISH YOU WOULD RETHINK THAT.
AND I THINK IF YOU IT REALLY DIG DEEP, YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT TO THE CITIZENS. I TRUST TO YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. THANK YOU.
>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU. MISERY AT THAT GRAHAM.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS RITA GRAHAM, 437 BERMUDA PLACE, CORPUS CHRISTI.
BACK IN 2012, I STARTED AS A CLERK FOR THE ELECTIONS, IN 2016, I BECAME AN ELECTION JUNG. I HAVE BEEN -- THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN WORKING EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY AS WELL.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE TIMES THAT YOU WANT TO PUT FOR EARLY VOTING. TO BEGIN WITH, FINDING ELECTION WORKER IS NOT ALWAYS EASY. PEOPLE DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO IT. AND MOST OF US ARE RETIRED.
MOST OF US ARE OVER 60 YEARS OLD.
IN A FEW SHORT YEARS, I WILL BE 70.
AND I WILL SAY THERE ARE A LOT OF TIMES I WILL GO INTO A WORKPLACE, INTO A POLLING PLACE, I AM THE YOUNGSTER.
SO PUTTING HOURS OF 7 TO 7:00 FOR 11 DAYS PUTS A STRAIN ON US.
MOST -- WHEN WE ARE DOING 7 TO 7:00, THE FIRST DAY WE START AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND IF WE ARE LUCKY AND NO ONE IS IN LINE AT THE END OF THE DAY WE LEAVE MAYBE BY 7:15, BUT IF SOMEBODY IS STILL IN LINE OR IN LINE BEFORE 7:00, WE ARE LEAVING THERE LATER. THAT IS A VERY LONG DAY.
WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ME, ADVANCED AGE IN THERE WORKING ALL DAY, IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT.
[01:45:04]
THE DAYS AFTER THAT FIRST DAY WE GET THERE AT 6:30 IN THE MORNING AND SAME THING IN THE AFTERNOON. 7:15 OR MUCH LATER.THOSE LONG HOURS OVER 11 DAYS AND ELECTION DAY IS REALLY HARD.
IT'S TOO MUCH. TOO MUCH TO PUT ON YOUR WORKERS.
IF YOU HAD YOUNGER WORKERS, MAYBE IT WOULDN'T BE THAT BAD.
IT TAKES A LOT TO DO THIS. IF YOU HAVE A REALLY BUSY DAY AND YOU ARE AT A POLLING PLACE AND IT IS 12 HOURS AND YOU HAVE SEVERAL OF THOSE RIGHT IN A ROW, THAT MAKES IT REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT. AND TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, IF THIS WAS -- WELL, IT PUTS STRAIN ON US, PLUS IT PUTS PEOPLE WHO WORK THE ELECTIONS HERE. AND THOSE PEOPLE WORK REALLY, REALLY HARD. I GUARANTEE YOU THEY ARE WARRIORS. I WANT THE FIRST -- LIKE WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT, FIVE DAYS OF 8 TO 5:00 AND THE REST OF THEM 7 TO 7:00. EVEN AT THAT, THAT IS PRETTY H HARD.
IF SOMEONE REALLY WANTS TO VOTE, THEY WILL FIND THE TIME TO VOTE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU, MA'AM. MISS BECKY MOLAR.
FOLLOWED BY FLORIDA FRANK FLOYD. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST 3-A-14. I AM OF THE OPINION THAT COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ARE PART OF NUECES COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND THEY SERVE A PURPOSE, OTHERWISE WHY WOULD WE EVEN HAVE A BOARD OR A COMMISSION IF THEY DIDN'T SERVE A PURPOSE.
CITIZENS AGREE TO SERVE FOR MANY REASONS.
THEY FEEL THEY HAVE INPUT TO SHARE OR THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW GOVERNMENT REALLY WORKS OR THEY COULD BE DISENCHANTED, FEEL DISENFRANCHISED AND WANT TO SHARE OPINIONS AND INFORMATION.
BUT THEY VOLUNTEER FOR THESE BOARDS FOR A REASON.
IN OUR RULES, TERMS AND TIME LIMITS ARE NORMALLY ESTABLISHED FOR ORDERLY TRANSITION AND APPOINTEES TO KNOW HOW LONG THEY ARE GOING TO BE ASKED TO SERVE AND WHAT ARE THEY COMMITTED TO.
THOSE TIMELINES AND TERM LIMITS SHOULD NOT BE MONKEYED WITH.
I AM AT A LOSS WHY THIS AGENDA ITEM IS TOO IG TO DISLODGE THIS ORDERLY PROCESS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE NORMAL ETHIC PROCEDURES IN PLACE FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS AND NUECES COUNTY ARE THE RULES WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO FOR GUIDANCE AND ABIDE BY.
KNEE-JERK REACTION TO STOP APPOINTMENTS SEEMS SHORT-SIGHTED AND SINGLES OUT PARTICIPANTS WHO WANT TO ENGAGE IN GOOD GOVERNMENT. I HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL CAMPAIGNS, BUT NOT TO THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER.
WHEN I READ -- AND I HAD TO READ THIS TWO OR THREE TIMES.
WHEN I FINALLY GOT WHAT THE AGENDA ITEM -- IT IS ABBREVIATED OF COURSE ON THE AGENDA THAT WE PICKED UP OUTSIDE.
IN NUMBER TWO, IT REFERS TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE COURT.
WELL, I DON'T KNOW BUT GUYS, BUT I NEVER MADE A PERSONAL CHECK OR A PAC CHECK TO AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE COURT.
I THINK THOSE CHECKS ARE APPROPRIATELY TO THE BLAH-BLAH-BLAH CAM PANE. NOT TO THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER.
SO PAC MONEY DOES NOT GO TO AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER.
THE COURT, AT LEAST THE PACS BY VON INVOLVED IN AS A CONTRIBUTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR DON'T GO TO AN INDIVIDUAL.
THEY GO TO THE CAMPAIGN. THEN THE CAMPAIGN USES THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR LEGIT MALL CAMPAIGN EXPENSES.
IN MY OPINION THAT IS THE WAY IT HAS BEEN, BUT NOT AN YESTERDAY.
SO I QUESTION THE LANGUAGE. AND IF THIS IS -- IF WHAT I RECEIVED THAT IS PRINTED IS WHAT THE POLICY IS GOING TO READ, I THINK THERE IS AN INHERENT FLAW IN IT.
IT SHOULD BE WORDSMITHED IN MY OPINION, AND IT IS QUITE AN ERROR. IN MY WORKING LIFE, I HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL PACS. THOSE PACS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL CAMPAIGNS.
APP A DONOR, THE PIECE OF MY PAC CONTRIBUTION IS VERY SMALL.
AS I -- LIKE THE LADY BEFORE ME MISS GRAHAM SAID WE ARE ALL GETTING OLDER. NOW MY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EVEN SMALLER. I LIVE ON A FIXED LIMITED NORTH CAROLINA. I STILL GIVE TO MY PAC.
[01:50:01]
I GO FIVE TO TWO PACS, SMALLER CONTRIBUTION BUT THE AMOUNT -- MY PIECE IS SMALLER AND SMALLER THE OLDER I GET.BUT I GIVE TO CAMPAIGNS THAT I CARE ABOUT, DIRECTLY TO THAT CAMPAIGN. NOT TO THE INDIVIDUAL OR THROUGH MY P A SHGZC. I ALSO HAVE BEEN -- I HAVE ASKED TO BE ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND I HAVE BEEN ASKED BY OTHERS TO SERVE ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
BELIEVE ME, I DON'T WANT TO BUY THAT JOB.
WHEN I SERVED ON THE JTPA BOARD AND THE PIC BOARD A NUMBER OF YEARS, YOU WOULDN'T PAY ANYONE TO PUT YOU ON THAT BOARD BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT IS HARD WORK.
YOU CAN ASK JOE MCCOMB. HE WAS ONE OF MY FRIENDS ON THE BOARD AND IT IS HARD WORK TO SERVE ON SOME OF THESE BOARDS.
YOU DON'T BUY YOUR WAY INTO IT BECAUSE THERE AIN'T NO FUN TO BE HAD THERE IN A LOT OF THEM. BY URGE TO YOU VOTE AGAINST AGENDA ITEM 3-A-14. DON'T FIX WHAT IS NOT BROKEN.
AND THE LANGUAGE AT QUESTIONABLE AT BEST.
THANK YOU, I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.
THANK YOU. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
MR. FRANK FLOYD. FOLLOWING MR. FLOYD WILL BE
CHUCK PERNETT. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS FRANK FLOYD. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF PADRE ISLAND SINCE 1979. GROWN UP -- HAS GROWN UP IN THIS AREA MY COAL LIVING. PORTLAND AND THEN P.ADRE ISLAND.
AS YOU KNOW I LIKE SURFING. I HAVE BEEN SURFING AT BOB HALL PIER FOR A HECK OF A LOT TIME. I HAVE SEVERE QUESTIONS OF THE MONO PILING DESIGN THAT Y'ALL ARE CONSIDERING.
ONE THING IF I STAND ON ONE LEG AND YOU TAP ME FROM THE SIDE, I AM FALLING OVER. I PUT TWO FEET DOWN, I HAVE A CHANCE TO STAY. THERE IS NOT MANY MONO POD CREATURES IN EXISTENCE IN THE WORLD.
THEY ALL HAVE TWO LEGS OR MORE TO STAND ON I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A SINGLE PILING IS IT GOING TO HOLD A BIGGER, WIDER PIER 66 FEET APART IN THE CONDITIONS WE HAVE OUT HERE.
THE GULF IS A PRETTY UNIQUE BODY OF WATER.
WE DON'T HAVE -- WHEN WE GET BIG STORM SWELLS NOT 20 FEET PERIODS. BUT 10-FOOT PERIODS.
WE GET MORE THAN THE BIGGER OCEANS THAT GET BIGGER SWELLS.
I REALLY THINK THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT HARD.
THE OTHER THING SI UNDER STOOD -- AND I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT -- BUT DESIGN THE MONO PILING, THEY SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO BUILD IT OFF OF A BARGE. IF THAT IS TRUE WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS ON BARGES AT THE PIER WITH SMALL DAY WITH LIGHT TO MOD A RAT LITTLE SQUALLS MOVING THROUGH.
I HEARD SOMETHING OF A TIME SAVINGS HAVING THE MONO PILING DESIGN. I HAVE PRETTY GOOD QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE WHEN IT IS BUILT IN A BARGE.
THAT BARGE WILL BE HAPPY RUNNING BACK TO PORT ARANAS QUITE OFTEN.
ONE OF THE FLATTEST SUMMERS IN A LONG TIME.
NO HURRICANE SWELL ACTIVITY. VERY SMALL SURF.
THE DAYS AT THE BARGES WERE NOT CONSIDERED BIG SURF DAYS WHATSOEVER. SO I -- I SERIOUSLY THINK THERE ARE DESIGN PROBLEMS WITH THAT. I HEARD A LITTLE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE, I GUESS, MITIGATION INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE TWIN PILINGS UP TO MAKE THE PIER BETTER FOR SURFING WHICH WILL BE BETTER FOR FISHING BECAUSE MUCH, MUCH MORE HABITAT FOR BARNACLES, OYSTERS, FISH, THAT ATTRACT BIGGER FISH.
TALK ABOUT LIKE SOME NEW IDEA TO HAVE A SURF PIER OR A ROW OF PILINGS DOWN ON THE BEACH. WE USED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE.
THAT GOTTEN TAKEN OUT AFTER IT WAS DONE.
EIGHTHS TO TEN -- I AM PRETTY SURE EIGHT TO TEN YEARS THAT IDEA WAS BROUGHT BACK UP WITH THE COUNTY PARKS BOARD AND SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE MASTER PLAN FOR ALMOST A DECADE ALREADY. NOT A NEW IDEA.
IT WAS JUST WAITING ON FUNDING. NOT DESIGNED OR THOUGHT OF TO PUT IN TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE EXISTING LOCATION THAT WE ALREADY HAVE BUT TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITIES AND TO HELP ALLEVIATE OVERCROWDING. SO THAT IS A GREAT IDEA.
BUT NOT INSTEAD OF. IN ADDITION TO AND MAKES ANOTHER GREAT FISHING PLACE EVEN IF THERE ARE NO PILINGS ON TOP.
[01:55:05]
ME AND SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW WHEN THE FLAT DAYS WOULD COME AT THE OLD LUBY PIER, GET ON OUR BOARD AND CAST INTO THE PILINGS AND CATCH RED FISH AND TROUT. FEW OTHER ITEMS TOO.SO IT IS MORE THAN JUST A SURFING CONCEPT.
IT IS FOR THE WHOLE IDEA. SO I JUST HOPE YOU ALL WILL CONSIDER THE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND REALLY TAKE A FOOD LOOK AT THAT. AND THINK OF THE WHOLE OVERALL RESULTS OF WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING ON DOING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU.
WILL CHUCK BURNETT. FOLLOWED BY HECHT LE CONA.
>> GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, PRAY YOU ARE DOING WELL. EARLIER WE HEARD -- KIND OF SURPRISED TO HEAR A POLITICALLY CHARGED ATTACK ON CHESNEY THAT WAS -- THAT BASICALLY ACCUSED HIM OF MAKING A POLITICALLY CHARGED ACCOUNT. I HOPE WE REALIZED THAT WAS A POLITICALLY CHARGED ATTACK THAT WE ACTUALLY HEARD.