F. Present the following Certificate(s) of Recognition:

[2. In recognition of the Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Islanders Women’s Basketball Program for their successful 2023-2024 season and their exceptional performance at the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.]

[00:15:02]

OF THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY CORPUS CHRISTI ISLANDERS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL 2023-24 SEASON AND EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AT THE NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. WE LOVE TO HAVE OUR ISLANDER TEAM IN HERE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. A RESOLUTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. I THINK EMILY IS GOING TO READ THIS.

>> WHEREAS THE TEXAS A&M CORPUS CHRISTI WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ARE COMING OFF A HISTORIC 2023-24 SEASON. WHEREAS, WITH A 23-9 RECORD, THE ISLANDERS MADE A RUN IN THE SOUTH AND CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND DEFEATED TOP-SEEDED LAMARR TO WIN THEIR FIRST EVER TOURNAMENT TITLE AND ADVANCED TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT WHERE THEY WENT TO PLAY IN THE FIRST ROUND NUMBER ONE USC. IT WAS THE PROGRAM'S FIRST-EVER TRIP TO THE BIG DANCE AS A POSTSEASON APPEARANCE CAPPED ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASONS THE SCHOOL HAS SEEN. WHEREAS, THE 23 WHEN'S MARKED THE SECOND MOST IN A SINGLE SEASON FOR THE ISLANDERS AND WAS ENOUGH TO HELP CHADWICK REACH 750 WINS IN HIS CAREER AS HEAD COACH. CHADWICK COACHED ALL THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS THE PROGRAM HAS SEEN ALL COMING IN THE LAST FIVE SEASONS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY CORPUS CHRISTI WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON AN OUTSTANDING 2023-2024 SEASON.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING OVER WHO SHOULD THANK YOU FIRST. THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION. WE ARE THRILLED. IT'S AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY INTO THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT FOR EXCELLENCE AND CERTAINLY THESE WOMEN ARE ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT OUTSTANDING TEAM. WONDERFUL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY AND THEY ARE NOT ONLY FIERCE ON THE COURSE BUT WONDERFUL YOUNG WOMEN, LEADERS AND OUTSTANDING ACADEMICALLY . IF I COULD BRAG JUST FOR A MOMENT, COACHED CHADWICK HAS BEEN WITH US FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND HE IS JUST AN ABSOLUTE OUTSTANDING COACH. WE WERE RIGHT AT THE DOOR IN 2020 THINK AND WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO MARCH MADNESS WHEN COVID HIT AND THE TEAM DIDN'T GET TO PLAY. THIS YEAR, THESE LADIES SAID WE ARE THE TEAM THAT BRINGS US HOME. FOR THEMSELVES BECAUSE THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR FOR THEM AND THEY DELIVERED 100% SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THEM. THEY HAVE CONDUCTED THEMSELVES IN A MANNER THAT MAKES EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY PROUD. THEY FOUGHT FIERCELY AGAINST AN INCREDIBLE OPPONENT AND ONCE AGAIN BEAT THE SPREAD SO WE LIKE TO SAY NEVER EVER BET AGAINST THE ISLANDERS. IT WAS QUITE AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY. WE WANT TO THANK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR ATHLETICS IN GENERAL. LAST YEAR WE HAD A CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE ISLAND FOR VARIOUS SPORTS AND THEY WON THE SEASON TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR THEY WON BOTH THE SEASON AND TOURNAMENT SO THAT WAS EXCITING. WE ARE ALSO VERY EXCITED FOR WHAT THE SEASON WILL BRING. WE ARE NOT COUNTING RX BEFORE THEY'VE HATCHED BUT WE HAVE ONE IN CROSS-COUNTRY. THE WOMEN'S TEAM WON THE TOURNAMENT. WE HAVE WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL FOR THE SEASON AND WE WON THIS WEEK WOMEN'S TENNIS. WE ARE DOING GREAT THINGS AND ARE JUST REALLY THANKFUL FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU BRING US AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COMMUNITY WITH CORPUS CHRISTI IN THE NAME OF OUR INSTITUTION WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOOGLING THE UNIVERSITY AND THIS AREA AND ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THINGS HAPPENING. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I'D LIKE TO BRING UP THE REAL SUPERSTARS BEGINNING WITH COACHED CHADWICK.

APPLAUSE ] >> BRENT GAVE ME ADVICE THAT YOU ALWAYS LIKE TO SPEAK FIRST SO I SAID I'M GOING TO DO THAT. WE ARE HUMBLED TO BE HERE TODAY. WE ARE VERY HONORED TO WALK OUT ON THAT FLOOR IN LOS ANGELES AGAINST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH TEXAS A&M CORPUS CHRISTI ON OUR CHEST AND WE HAD CORPUS CHRISTI IN OUR HEARTS AND WE HAD ALL OUR FAMILIES REPRESENTING THEM IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT. THESE YOUNG LADIES FOUGHT AND DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD DO TO BRING HONOR TO THE NUMBER ONE BEACH UNIVERSITY IN THE COUNTRY AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO REPRESENT YOU IN A FIRST-CLASS MANNER EVERY TIME WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY.

[00:20:01]

THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR.

>> I WANTED TO ADD IT IS ALWAYS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THE ISLAND UNIVERSITY AND I'VE ENJOYED THAT. I SURE THAT WHO IS A PROUD ALUMNI AND I HAVE TO THROW THAT IN THERE SO HE DOESN'T GET MAD. I TELL THAT STORY WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT COMING ALONG AND HE SAID WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT GIVING UP A&M CORPUS CHRISTI? I KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVES IT AND HOW MUCH WE ALL SUPPORT WHAT YOU DO. WE ARE SO PROUD OF HOW YOU DO WHAT YOU DO. IT WAS FUN TO WATCH. IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU KNOW BASKETBALL IS OUR FAMILY SPORT AND WE REALLY ENJOYED GOING TO WATCH SOME OF YOUR GAMES THIS YEAR. MY YOUNGER SON RECORDED SOME OF IT AND DID SOME COOL STUFF AND ENJOYED BEING INVOLVED IN THAT AND I APPRECIATE HOW CORPUS CHRISTI ALLOWED HIM TO DO THAT. Y'ALL HAVE SET A STANDARD. I REMEMBER THAT 2020 SEASON BECAUSE WE WERE ALL PRETTY FIRED UP ABOUT IT. COVID SCREWED UP A LOT. FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND BE FIRST IN HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL TO DO THAT IS SOMETHING NOBODY CAN EVER TAKE AWAY FROM YOU. TO WATCH THE ELEVATION OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL THIS YEAR HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. I WAS GLUED TO THE FINAL FOUR AND ELITE EIGHT. I WAS WATCHMEN'S BUT THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS HAVE GOTTEN INTO WATCHING SOME OF THE GREAT WOMEN BASKETBALL PLAYERS THAT HAVE DONE WELL. Y'ALL ARE PART OF THAT. THAT IS A BIG DEAL TO SEE HOW THAT HAS GONE ON. WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT YOU SAY AND HOW YOU REPRESENT NOT ONLY ON THE COURT BUT AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S THE COOLEST THING . I WATCH HOW YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR FANS, BOYS AND GIRLS, BUT YOU ARE BIG-TIME ROLE MODELS. HE STEPPED UP AND YOU HAVE DONE THAT. WE ARE SUPER PROUD OF YOU. IT'S AN HONOR TO OFFER RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF ANYTHING YOU DO, BUT I'M A LITTLE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DO IT FOR BASKETBALL. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT AND I LOVE HAVING YOU ALL IN HERE. I'M A HUGE FAN OF COACHED CHADWICK AND I THINK IT'S A NEAT TESTAMENT BECAUSE THAT IS A MAN THAT COULD DEFINITELY GO OTHER PLACES. HE'S BEEN A SUCCESSFUL COACH IN SO MANY LEVELS. IT'S NOT ALWAYS JUST ABOUT CHASING THE DOLLARS.

THAT'S A GUY YOU LOOK TO WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR DECISIONS BECAUSE HE STAYED HERE AND WAS COMMITTED TO THIS PROGRAM AND TO YOU ALL. IT HAS PAID OFF. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE TODAY.

>> I DID WEAR BLUE TODAY. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY NOTED THAT. I'M A PROUD ALUM. I WEAR THE SPRITE EVERY DAY.

GO ISLANDERS. WHEN YOU ALL GOT PAIRED UP WITH USC I THOUGHT WHY USC? BUT WHY NOT? WHY NOT? Y'ALL ARE THE BEST . ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION. I HOPE THIS DOES TREMENDOUS THINGS FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF OUR ATHLETES AND DEFINITELY PUTS US ON THE MAP . EVERYONE GOOGLES OF THE ISLAND UNIVERSITY. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MANY HITS YOU GET EVERY TIME WE GET INTO THE PLAYOFFS. I AM JUST PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE CAMPUS AND NETWORK OF ALUMNI THAT SUPPORTS YOU ALL .

I'M SO EXCITED FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALL HAVE DONE. THE FACT YOU GO OUT THERE AND HUSTLE AND SET SUCH A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH JUST FOR THAT BUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE CHAMPS MAKES IT SWEETER. GOOD LUCK. WE WANT YOU TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESS AND HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR WE CAN GET AROUND TO AND BEYOND.

>> WHO HAD TO COVER JUJU? ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD.

>> CAN I TALK? I GAVE MY RING TO MY GRANDSON SO WHEN HE GRADUATED HE'S WEARING MY RING. I'M ALSO A PRODUCT OF TAMUCC BUT I WANT TO SAY TO THE ATHLETICS I AM SURPRISED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT TO YOU. IT IS SURPRISING WHEN IT COMES TO TALKING. I JUST WANT TO SAY TO ALL THE PLAYERS HERE YOU MIGHT BE A SUPERSTAR ON THE COURTS , BASKETBALL TRACK OR WHATEVER BUT REMEMBER IT IS A CERTIFICATE YOU GET.

[00:25:03]

EDUCATION. IT WILL GO WHEREVER YOU GO. IT WILL OPEN ALL YOUR DOORS. WHATEVER SPORT YOU PLAY MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF AN EDUCATION. YOU WILL BE SOMEBODY SOMEDAY. EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I CAN STRESS. THANK YOU.

APPLAUSE ] >> DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK RUSTY

MARK >> ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS I CONGRATULATE THESE YOUNG LADIES AND THE SCHOOL FOR GOING AS FAR AS THEY DID AND THEY MADE CORPUS CHRISTI PROUD. THEY MADE ME PROUD WATCHING THE GAME. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU

ALL DID. >> I WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF ALL HERE. WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD, EXTREMELY THANKFUL TO HAVE YOU HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AS A MOTHER OF GIRLS, YES. GO ISLANDERS WOMEN. YES. WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION. WE WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD COME UP AND TAKE A PHOTO WITH US. YOU ARE ALL QUITE TALL SO I SUGGEST YOU STAY DOWN HERE. NO OFFENSE.

[3. In recognition of San Jacinto Day - April 21, 2024.]

RECOGNITION OF SAN JACINTO DAY, APRIL 21ST, 2024. I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO PASS. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED , MOTION PASSES. MS. FRANCIS

IS GOING TO READ THAT. >> WHEREAS THE TEXAS REVOLUTION WAS AN UPRISING OF TO HANDLES AND ENGLAND AMERICAN SETTLERS THAT BEGAN IN OCTOBER 1835 AND WHEREAS ON APRIL 21ST, 1836 THE NEWLY CREATED TEXIAN ARMY LED BY GENERAL SAM HOUSTON MARCHED INTO BATTLE WITH SHOUTS OF REMEMBER THE ALAMO AND REMEMBER GOLIAD. WHEREAS THE TEXIANS ENGAGED AND DEFEATED GENERAL ANTONIO LOPEZ TO SANTA ANNA'S FORCES IN A BATTLE THAT LASTED ONLY 18 MINUTES AND IS NOW KNOWN AS THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO. WHERE IS THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO WAS THE FINAL AND DECISIVE VICTORY OF THE TEXIAN E ARMY IN THE TEXAS REVOLUTION AND RESULTED IN THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF TEXAS , WHICH NINE YEARS LATER BECAME THE 28TH STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF NUECES COUNTY DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE 21ST DAY OF APRIL 2024 AS SAN JACINTO DAY. IN NUECES COUNTY AND ENCOURAGES THE CITIZENS OF NUECES COUNTY TO JOIN THE COURT IN CELEBRATING THIS SIGNIFICANT DATE IN TEXAS

HISTORY. >> THANK YOU. MISS KATHY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY BEING PRESENT OR ANYONE

ELSE HERE WISH TO SPEAK? >> YES.

[00:30:12]

HISTORICAL CHAIRMAN FOR THE COMMISSION AND WE DO HAVE SOME MEMBERS HERE . ONE IS FROM ANOTHER CHAPTER IN ROCKPORT WHICH I BELONG TO BUT WE HAVE THREE LADIES HERE AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PICTURE. IT'S ONE THING TO HAVE GOLIAD AND THE ALAMO AND DECLARE WAR BUT YOU'VE GOT TO WIN IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU. WE DO HAVE THIS PROCLAMATION FOR YOU LADIES IF YOU ALL WANT TO COME APPEAR. OR MEMBERS . I THOUGHT IT WAS LADIES. DIDN'T MEAN TO EXCLUDE.

[4. In Recognition of April 2024 as Safe Digging Month.]

FOUR IN RECOGNITION OF APRIL 2024 AS SAFE DIGGING MONTH. I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED ? THE MOTION PASSES. PATENT IS GOING TO READ.

>> WHEREAS EACH YEAR NUECES COUNTY UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE IS JEOPARDIZED BY UNINTENTIONAL DAMAGE BY FAILURE TO CALL 811 THE NATIONAL CALL BEFORE YOU DIG PHONE NUMBER TO HAVE UNDERGROUND LINES LOCATED AND IDENTIFIED PRIOR TO DIGGING.

WHEREAS UNDESIRED CONSEQUENCES SUCH AS SERVICE INTERRUPTION, DAMAGES TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND PERSONAL INJURY ARE THE POTENTIAL RESULTS. WHEREAS THE GULF COAST DAMAGE PREVENTION COUNCIL ALONG WITH THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND NUECES COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE ARE DEDICATED TO SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF SAFE DIGGING AND PREVENTION OF DAMAGES TO UNDERGROUND UTILITIES IN NUECES COUNTY. THESE ENTITIES PROMOTE THE NATIONAL 811 NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THESE DAMAGES. WHEREAS MAKING A SIMPLE CALL TO 811 IN ADVANCE OF ANY DIGGING PROJECT WHETHER RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL , AWAITING THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF TIME, RESPECTING THE MARKED LINES I MAINTAINING VISUAL DEFINITION THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE EXCAVATION AND DIGGING WITH CARE AROUND THE MARKED LINES WILL SAVE TIME AND MONEY. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF NUECES COUNTY THAT NUECES COUNTY ON BEHALF OF THE PIPELINE DAMAGE PREVENTION SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI NUECES COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE GULF COAST DAMAGE PREVENTION COUNCIL PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF APRIL 2024 AS SAFE DIGGING MONTH IN NUECES COUNTY AND ENCOURAGES CONTRACTORS AND HOMEOWNERS THROUGHOUT NUECES COUNTY TO ALWAYS DIAL 811 BEFORE DIGGING.

SAFE EXCAVATION IS NO ACCIDENT. DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COURT OF NUECES COUNTY, TEXAS ON THIS

10TH DAY OF APRIL 2024. >> VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU EVER START TO DIG ANYWHERE I BELIEVE WE HAVE JOANNE FROM L EPC HERE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK. MAYBE THE

CHIEF ALSO? >> I'M GOING TO DEFER TO MY

BOSS. >> OKAY.

>> SHE TOOK THAT LESSON FROM EARLIER. I'M JUST BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO LEAD PART OF THE LEPC AND WONDERFUL FOLKS THAT

[00:35:04]

PUT THE SAFE DIGGING SYMPOSIUM ON. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT REDUCING THE PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT'S ABOUT SAVING LIVES AS WELL. NOT ONLY THE FOLKS THAT ARE DIGGING THAT CAUSE A LEAK IF THEY HIT SOMETHING BUT THE RESPONDERS THAT HAVE TO GO AND MITIGATE FROM FIREFIGHTERS TO THE GAS COMPANY. I'M PROUD TO BE A LEADER OF THIS GROUP BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GREAT WORK THE LEPC AND SUBCOMMITTEES AND THOSE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH 811 AND SAFE DIGGING. THANK YOU TO JOANNE.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO COME BEFORE YOU. I HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE RANDY BROCK . HE'S WITH THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI GAS DEPARTMENT AND ARE CO-CHAIR IS VINCENT HARRIS WHO REPRESENTS .

NUECES COUNTY IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS AS MOST OF OUR PIPELINES EXTEND WELL BEYOND THE CITY INTO THE RURAL AREAS SO IT IS IMPORTANT WE ALL REMEMBER ANYTIME WE DIG WHETHER IT IS A FENCE OR SOMETHING AROUND THE HOME IF WE DISRUPT THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND WE SHOULD BE CALLING 811 TO PROTECT EVERYONE. IT IS OUR GOAL AND WE ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF LINES STRIKES SO IT REDUCES PROPERTY DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE AND WE WILL KEEP ON DOING WHAT

WE HAVE BEEN DOING. >> IT FAVORS MONEY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AS WELL IF YOU HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS . IT CAN BE VERY COSTLY. IT'S AN EASY CALL TO MAKE. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE VOLUNTEERS , EVERYONE THAT REACHES OUT AND TAKES CARE OF THIS. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU AS WELL IF YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO COME UP.

AGENDA, ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS WHO WISH TO PULL ANY ITEM FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE PASSING? I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM AND BASH -- THAT IS AFTER THIS. OH. WHERE IS IT AT? IT'S NOT ON MY AGENDA. WE MISSED IT. SORRY I SKIPPED FAR AHEAD.

EXCUSE ME. ALL THE LINES ON MY NOTES BECAUSE WE ARE POSTPONING I SKIPPED RIGHT OVER IT. THOSE ARE SKIPPING. SORRY. SORRY.

[H. 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.]

MOVING ONTO PUBLIC COMMENT , LET'S GO BACKWARDS. THE FIRST PERSON WHO SIGNED UP HIS JENNIFER KRAMER .

>> YES. >> STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND YOU ARE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. LET ME BE

[00:40:02]

CLEAR TO THE AUDIENCE THERE IS NO TALKING, CLAPPING, COMMENTS WHATSOEVER AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK BACK OTHER THAN TO SAY WE WILL BRING IT UP FOR A FUTURE AGENDA. IF YOU ASK QUESTIONS AND WE DON'T ANSWER WE CANNOT ANSWER.

>> MY NAME IS JENNIFER KRAMER , I LIVE AT 5301 OCEAN DRIVE. I SHOULD LOOK FAMILIAR TO YOU BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SERVING ON THE NUECES COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD FOR SIX YEARS. I WAS HERE A YEAR AGO REPORTING ON NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH AND THERE WERE COMMENTS MADE BY COMMISSIONERS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVING INFORMATION AS MUCH AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST. I EXPRESSED A YEAR AGO THAT THE BOARD WAS STRUGGLING AND NEEDED HELP. I WAS ASKED TO REACH OUT AND CONVERSATIONS WOULD BE HAD. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR I HAVE CALLED, EMAILED, REACHED OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, GONE TO EVENTS , REACHED OUT TO YOU PERSONALLY VIA YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS, SECRETARIES , I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY GIVEN EMAILS FROM SECRETARIES PROMISING THEY WOULD CHECK YOUR SCHEDULE. I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY. I'VE SIMPLY NOT GOTTEN A REPLY. SINCE EXPRESSING CONCERNS THE BOARD PRESIDENT HAS RESIGNED. I'M THE BOARD SECRETARY, THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND I SERVE ON THE TEXAS COUNCIL OF CHILD WELFARE BOARDS. WE HAVE ALSO LOST BOTH OF OUR LIAISONS AT THE COUNTY OFFICE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY MEETINGS IN A YEAR OR ACCESS TO ANY FUNDING. I'M HERE TODAY TO REMIND YOU THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD IS A BOARD APPOINTED AND OVERSEEN BY YOU.

EVERY COUNTY IN TEXAS TO HAVE A BOARD TO BE VOICES OF THE CHILDREN IN THEIR COUNTY. I'M ASKING YOU TO FOLLOW UP ON THE WORDS YOU MADE A YEAR AGO AND TAKE THE TIME TO MEET WITH ME AND GET THE CHILD WELFARE BOARD BACK IN GOOD STANDING. I KNOW YOU ARE BUSY AND THERE'S A LOT OF ON MY DUNCE ON THE AGENDA BUT IF WE CAN MAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS WHY CAN'T WE MAKE THE TIME TO HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE? I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT ME, SOMEONE GIVING THEIR TIME AND ENERGY WITH NO COMPENSATION, TO FIGHT A FIGHT THAT IS NOT MINE ALONE TO FIGHT. I KNOW IT'S APRIL AND YOU MAY WANT TO BE INTERESTED THAT 164 CHILDREN DIED LAST YEAR DUE TO NEGLECT. WE HAVE DONE NOTHING IN A YEAR TO HELP THAT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME. YOUR SECRETARIES HAVE MY INFORMATION. IT IS BEEN A YEAR AND WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING. I KNOW A LOT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FAMILY COURT BUT IT'S FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE AND

NEEDS TO CHANGE. >> THANK YOU. EVERETT ROY.

>> I'VE DONE A SEARCH IN MY EMAILS, I'VE GOT NO EMAILS SO I NEED TO GET SOME CONTACT INFORMATION. MY SECRETARY HAS NO CONTRACT. WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THE NAME. I'M

GETTING CLARIFICATION. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT THIS ON THE NEXT AGENDA FOR AN UPDATE?

>> I'VE GOT NO CONTACT INFO I CAN FIND. HAPPY TO PUT IT ON

THE NEXT ONE. >> OUR OFFICE CAN PROVIDE

BACKUP. >> OKAY. WE HAVE GONE TOO FAR.

WE SAID WE WILL PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA. WE CAN'T TALK

ANYMORE ABOUT IT. >> YOU SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO

SAY ANYTHING -- >> IF YOU WANT TO PUT IT ON

AGENDA YOU CAN. >> WE ALSO CLARIFIED AT A PREVIOUS MEETING THAT SAID IF SOMEONE COMES UP AND MAKES A STATEMENT THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO CLARIFY THE STATEMENT BASH -- OKAY. I'M GOING BY WHAT THE

COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID. >> ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER SAY THIS. YOU CAN CLARIFY IF THERE IS A MISSTATEMENT AND YOU CAN ASK TO PUT IT ON THE FUTURE AGENDA. THAT'S ALL THE CONVERSATION WE CAN HAVE. WE ARE MOVING ON. MR. EVERETT ROY IS AT THE PODIUM TO SPEAK NEXT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS EVERETT ROY. 14626 RED RIVER DRIVE. I'M THE COUNCILMEMBER FOR THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI DISTRICT ONE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE JOB THAT YOU DO AND WORK THAT YOU DO WITHIN THE COUNTY AND OUR COMMUNITY.

I HAVE A COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT. I WANT

[00:45:01]

TO THANK THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE IN BAZEMORE PARK. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THAT PARK FREQUENTLY AND I APPRECIATE THE UPGRADES AND THINGS YOU ARE DOING. I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ADDRESS YOU TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GREEN AMMONIA PLANT THAT IS GOING IN. IT DOES BUD UP TO MY DISTRICT. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH INDUSTRY BUT I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE A LOOK JUST LIKE THE CITY IS TAKING A LOOK AT THAT LOCATION. THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS IN TERMS OF THAT LOCATION AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE. I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS BRINGING THAT FORWARD. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PROJECTS THEY HAVE OPEN AND WHAT THEY COMPLETED.

I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO DO THAT. ONE OF THE REASONS I'M HERE TODAY IS TO TALK ABOUT THE HILLTOP COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT. THAT COMMUNITY CENTER IS A FOCAL POINT FOR THE AREA. MY KIDS DID CUB SCOUTS THERE .

I'VE EVEN GOTTEN LOST IN THAT BUILDING BEFORE. IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THAT BUILDING I BELIEVE WAS AN OLD

HOSPITAL. >> WE CANNOT TALK.

>> SORRY. IT REMINDS ME OF THE FIRST HOSPITAL I WORK IN. IT WAS A WORLD WAR II HOSPITAL IN LOUISIANA AND I GOT LOST THERE TOO. I KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT RENOVATING THAT BUILDING. I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD USE THE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY. I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT AREA AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

LOOK AT THE OPTIONS. THE OPTION OF MAYBE BUILDING A NEW BUILDING AS OPPOSED TO RENOVATING. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK AT THAT AND MAYBE GET THE COMMUNITY DIRECTLY INVOLVED BECAUSE I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. IT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK SERVES A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR AREA. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> THANK YOU . YOU WANT TO HOLD OFF? MIKE PARSLEY? VALLEY DRIVE. FURTHER TO COUNCILMAN ROY'S COMMENTS AND ALSO I AM AT LARGE A MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CORPUS CHRISTI I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON A SUBJECT NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART AND THAT IS THE HILLTOP CENTER. IN MY TENURE HERE THERE PROBABLY WASN'T A WEEK I DID NOT ATTEND SOME FUNCTION , MEETING OR SOME EVENT AT THE HILLTOP CENTER. IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT FACILITY WITH RESPECT TO NORTHWEST NUECES COUNTY AND THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IT'S ONE OF THE FEW PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN HOLD MEETINGS AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO DO THAT. FURTHER TO THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE COMMUNITY INPUT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT FACILITY GOING FORWARD. I KNOW WHEN WE BUILT THE FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL IN FRONT OF THE COURTHOUSE WE CONVENED SEVERAL MEETINGS OF FIRST RESPONDERS FROM ALL OVER TO COME IN AND GIVE THEIR INPUT BASED ON AN ORIGINAL DESIGN WE HAD. I WILL ASSURE YOU THE FINAL DESIGN WAS MUCH EFFORT THEN THE ORIGINAL BASED ON THAT INPUT. THE INPUT YOU HAVE RECEIVED WITH RESPECT . YOU CONVENED FOCUS GROUPS AND COMMUNITY INPUT. I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WHEN WE ARE SPENDING NINE OR 10 MILLION DOLLARS THE COMMUNITY HAS INPUT ON THIS SUBJECT. THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI SPENDS $10 MILLION ALMOST HOURLY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A VERY BIG DEAL. FOR $10 MILLION EXPENDITURE FOR NUECES COUNTY THAT'S A BIG PART OF YOUR BUDGET. I WOULD ASK YOU TAKE A BREATHER. LET'S GET SOME COMMUNITY INPUT. SOME FOCUS GROUPS, INPUT ON WHAT THAT FACILITY MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY AND GET INPUT AS TO HOW IT SHOULD BE USED. IN THE LAST MINUTE OF MY TIME I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHEN I WAS HERE THERE WAS AN ORDER BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OUR SIDEWALKS HERE AROUND THE COURTHOUSE NEEDED TO HAVE TIRE BUMPERS SO THE CARS COULD NOT BLOCK THE SIDEWALK. THE SIDEWALK

[00:50:45]

SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY MEETING IN KINGSVILLE WHERE OUR OWN COMMISSIONER WAS PRESIDENT. THEY TALKED ABOUT A PROJECT. IT WAS A PRESENTATION FOR A PROPOSAL. INTERESTING THINGS I FOUND ON THERE WAS WATER ALSO OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL, DIRECT CARBON SYSTEMS AS WELL AS NEW GREEN HYDROGEN TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY IF WE DIDN'T KNOW SUPPLIES WATER TO RURAL AREAS IN NUECES COUNTY. ONE THING THAT WAS STATED AT THE MEETING WAS THEY COULD GO DEEP INTO NUECES COUNTY AND THIS PROPOSAL COULD FACILITATE ANY WATER THEY NEEDED TO SUPPORT ANY INDUSTRIAL PLANT THAT WANTED TO COME INTO THE AREA. WHY IS THAT UPSETTING TO ME? WE HAVE SOMEBODY STRATEGICALLY PUTTING WATER IN OUR RURAL AREAS THAT IS UNGOVERNED UP AGAINST OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THESE PLANS ARE GOING TO BE BUT I HAVE A GOOD GUESS. UP AGAINST OUR COMMUNITIES WE ARE GOING TO COME TO THE ONLY PEOPLE OVER HIS COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WE ARE GOING TO BE TOLD WE CAN'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WE FOUND A MEMO TO JUDGE CONNIE SCOTT DATED OCTOBER 23RD, FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 SERVICE AGREEMENT NEW COMPANIES SHOWING AN INTEREST IN THE AREA WITH MOST BEING HYDROGEN RELATED DEVELOPMENT WHICH ARE BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECTS WORKING CLOSELY WITH PORT OF CORPUS WATER DISTRICT NUMBER THREE UTILITIES.

FACILITATED PORT INTEREST PROPERTY FOR THE RAILROAD PROJECT THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONER WHO SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. ITEMS 10 J TALKS A RAILROAD PROJECT.

STATES CARS PROPOSAL WHERE THEY CAN STORE THEM RIGHT NEXT TO OUR FAIRGROUNDS . THAT CAN ATTRACT HYDROGEN AMONG OTHER WORK BUSINESSES. THEY SPECIFICALLY LET US KNOW WHO WAS BEING INFORMED OF THIS TO INFORM OUR COMMUNITIES WHICH WERE JUDGE CONNIE SCOTT AND COMMISSIONER JUAREZ ALONG WITH PEOPLE FROM THE ROXTON CITY COUNCIL. WE HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT ANY OF THIS AND IT IS DISTURBING TO ME AS A RESIDENT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY POWER AGAINST THESE COMPANIES.

THEY ARE COMING TO SIT NEXT TO OUR COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE UNGOVERNED AND EVERYBODY WILL TELL US THE SAME THING THEY TOLD US ABOUT THE 8 MILLION PLANT. WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING

ABOUT IT. >> THANK YOU. MARA.

MYRA. I LIVE DOWN 1889 LITERALLY THREE FOURTHS OF A MILE FROM THE AVENA PLANT. BEHIND MIKE HOUSE AND CLOSER THERE'S AN INDUSTRIAL PARK THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED THAT CAN BE RESEARCHED AND FOUND. THAT FACILITY WILL GO RIGHT TO 624 AND COUNTY ROAD 73 BUT THE ENTRANCE WILL BE DOWN 624.

SINCE WE WERE HERE LAST TIME WE HAVE REQUESTED RECORDS AND HAVE READ MINUTES FOR THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI , COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY RICARDO WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION , VIOLET WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION , NUECES COUNTY WATER DISTRICT NUMBER THREE , TCE Q, THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI COUNCIL AND HAVE READ SEVERAL TAX THAT WERE GIVEN BY THE COUNTY. WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THIS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS ROXTON AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION --

[00:55:03]

COMMISSION WHO ARE PARTIALLY FUNDED BY YOU AND OTHER ENTITIES. THEIR SOLE FOCUS IS TO BRING HEAVY INDUSTRY INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. BEING A NONPROFIT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP THE COMMUNITY, NOT DESTROY IT WHICH IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THEY FUNCTION UNDER CONFIDENTIAL AGREEMENTS SO THE REASON WE WERE SURPRISED IS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO SIGN THESE AGREEMENTS AND CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT. I ATTENDED A WATER DISTRICT MEETING AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THREE OF THE FACILITIES JUST LIKE AVENA ARE UNDER CONTRACT. GETTING LAND DEALS AND WATER RESOURCES THEY NEED. WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING IS HOW HAS ALL OUR COMMUNITIES FOUND IT ACCEPTABLE TO BRING THESE AMMONIA INDUSTRIES INTO OUR COMMUNITIES? WHO THINKS ANY TOXIC WASTE IS ACCEPTABLE TO BRING INTO COMMUNITIES? SOMEHOW OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE JUSTIFIED THAT ACCEPTING TOXIC POLLUTION, COMPROMISING OUR SAFETY, TO PLEADING OUR WATER RESOURCES AND WRECKING OUR COMMUNITIES IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR A FEW JOBS. WHAT IS MORE ASTONISHING AS THESE INDUSTRIES ARE GETTING APPROXIMATELY 70% REDUCTION IN THEIR PROPERTY TAXES. I WISH I COULD GET THAT. HEAVY INDUSTRIES CURRENTLY ARE USING 84% OF OUR WATER . WHEN WE ADD THESE NEW INDUSTRIES COMING INTO NORTHWEST NUECES COUNTY WE'RE LOOKING AT THEM USING APPROXIMATELY 90% OF OUR WATER.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? THESE COMPANIES GET THESE WATERS. THEY DON'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH DROUGHT CONDITIONS. THEY GET TAX ABATEMENTS. TO DATE, NOT A SINGLE OFFICIAL HAS SUPPORTED US OR HAS OPPOSED THIS

PROJECT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. HERBERT RUBIO.

TO START BY SPEAKING -- MY NAME IS HERBERT RUBIO, 1713 CITATION DRIVE. I'LL BE MOVING CLOSER. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE HILLTOP FACILITY. I THINK YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MONIES AND ENERGIES AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE DEDICATED TOWARD DESIGNING SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO SERVE THE CURRENT NEEDS OF THE FOLKS THAT LIVE AROUND THIS HILLTOP FACILITY. I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE INVESTING SOME MONEY INTO RENOVATING IT. IT HAS MOLD, ITS DESIGN PROBABLY 75 YEARS AGO FOR THEIR NEEDS AND YOU HAVE NEW NEEDS NOW. YOU HAVE A GREATER COMMUNITY THAT CAN UTILIZE THIS FACILITY AND I THINK YOU OUGHT TO SPEND ALL YOUR ENERGY TRYING TO DESIGN ONE THAT SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT PRESENT TIME. I WANTED TO REITERATE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAID AND I THINK YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR ENERGIES AND MONEY TO MAKE THE HILLTOP FACILITY SOMETHING WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF AND IT SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT THE

PRESENT TIME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JOE ORTIZ. DO YOU WANT TO WAIT? CRANFORD.

THOUGHT I SIGNED THE WRONG FORM TO SPEAK. OKAY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT -- I'M SORRY. IT'S QUITE APPARENT THAT THE PORT IS DETERMINING THE FUTURE OF BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY.

THIS COURT IN SUPPORT IN THE CITY HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS WITH OUR ICD AND CC RED. WHILE THEY DO BENEFIT SOME LOCAL NONPROFITS IT IS LATENTLY CLEAR THAT THEY CATER

[01:00:09]

PRIMARILY TO THE BENEFIT OF THE POOR BY BRINGING IN HAZARDOUS AND HIGH-VOLUME WATER USE INDUSTRIES TO OUR AREA. MY CONCERN IS MY TAX DOLLARS FROM THE COUNTY IS BEING DIRECTED TO THIS GROUP WHEN THE COUNTY WILL BENEFCOMPANIES SAY BRING IN FROM THE PORT. THE FAIRGROUNDS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND NO LONGER REQUIRE THE PROMOTION AS THEY ONCE DID. WOULD IT NOT BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY TO ENTER AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LESSER AMOUNT DEDICATED TO ASSISTING LOCAL CHARITIES? THE CITY COUNTY AND PORTER ALL PAID FOR THE EXACT SAME SERVICES. WHY? THIS COURT WILL REAP THE BENEFITS REGARDLESS IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT OR NOT. SUPPORT THOSE TRULY IN NEED INSTEAD OF ASSISTING THOSE JUDGMENTAL TO OUR AREAS. A QUICK UPDATE ON THE GROUP WE BELONG TO AND ARE SPEARHEADING THE AMMONIA PLANT IS CALLED CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ROXTON. WE ATTENDED THE BOARD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT WHICH WAS MOVED TO A LOCAL SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. WE PRESENTED THEM WITH OUR PETITION WITH OVER 1100 SIGNATURES REQUESTING A TAX CAP /ABATEMENT NOT BE PROVIDED.

A COPY OF THE PETITION WILL BE PRESENTED TO THIS COURT AS A COURTESY WHEN THEY ARE APPROACHED FOR AN ABATEMENT.

THANK YOU. >> FOR HILLTOP, IT DEFINITELY NEEDS CARE. THE GIRL SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS , I APPRECIATE

YOUR HELP. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SUZANNE GALLAGHER.

SPEAKING ASH SUZANNE GALLAGHER 5419 RIVERVIEW DRIVE ROBSTOWN TEXAS. I DO NOT LIKE SPEAKING IN FRONT OF PEOPLE. EVERY TIME I'VE DONE THIS SINCE THIS HAS BEGAN I DO OKAY UNTIL I LEAVE AND THEN I GET THE ADRENALINE AND ALMOST FALL APART. I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT. I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I ALSO DIDN'T PLAN ANYTHING BECAUSE I PURPOSELY WANTED TO SPEAK FROM THE HEART. WHEN THE BISHOP DID THE PRAYER AT THE BEGINNING HE SAID OPTIMISTIC AND WORKING TOWARDS SOMETHING CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I PRAY THAT IS TRUE BECAUSE I LOVE MY COMMUNITY AND WITHOUT SOUNDING MELODRAMATIC I FEAR FOR HER SAFETY IF THIS PLANT COMES TO PASS SO CLOSE TO SO MANY OF US. I CARE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE SO CLOSE THEY WILL LOSE THEIR HOME AND FARMLAND. IT BREAKS MY HEART.

THE SECOND THING I PICKED UP IS COMMISSIONER CHESNEY SAID SOMETIMES IT'S NOT ABOUT FACING THE DOLLARS EARLIER. I BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE AND IN THIS CASE FOR OUR COMMUNITY IT CAN'T ALWAYS BE WHAT BENEFITS THE PORT. I'VE COME TO THINK THE PORT DOESN'T SERVE THE CITY. PERHAPS THE CITY SERVES THE PORT. THEY ARE AN ENTITY THAT IS OUT TO MAKE A PROFIT.

I DON'T FEEL THAT WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL THE CITIZENS PERHAPS IS WHAT IS FOREMOST IN THEIR DECISION-MAKING REGARDING BRINGING ALL THESE HEAVY INDUSTRIES AS SAID PREVIOUSLY. THE NEXT THING IS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE COMMUNITY INPUT . COUNCILMAN ROY BROUGHT UP THAT HAZEL BAZEMORE IS A JEWEL OF OUR COUNTY AND INDEED IT IS A JEWEL. WORLD-RENOWNED FOR THE WILDLIFE THAT IS THERE. IT IS THREE MILES FROM THIS PLANT AND IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF LEAK, NOT EVEN CATASTROPHIC BUT A LEAK AMMONIA WOULD BE DRAWN TO WATER THAT IS THE RIVER AND NOT JUST ALL OF OUR WATER, THE WATER OF OUR WILDLIFE. THE ENVIRONMENT WE ALL SHARE. TO CLOSE I WANT TO SAY I HAVE NOT HAD A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP SINCE ALL THIS HAPPENED. IT'S THE FIRST THING I THINK OF IN THE MORNING AND LAST THING AT NIGHT. THIS FOREIGN ENTITY, THESE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO ATTACHMENT TO OUR AREA HAVE STOLEN MY PIECE AND THE PEACE OF OTHERS AND I'M HERE WITH Y'ALL BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A CITY COUNCIL. I AM JUST A COUNTY RESIDENT. THANK YOU.

[01:05:02]

>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANYONE THAT CAME IN LATE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE

OPPORTUNITY? >> CAROLYN VAUGHN. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY. I'M HERE FOR THREE THINGS. HILLTOP. COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ I HOPE YOU WILL GET A FOCUS GROUP OUT THERE. HOLD IT AT HILLTOP AND SEE HOW HORRIBLE THE ACOUSTICS ARE. THIS STARTED WHEN I WAS ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.

WE DON'T NEED TO RENOVATE. WHEN YOU HAVE AN ASSET OVER ITS VALUE IS GONE YOU DON'T KEEP PUTTING MONEY INTO IT. WE SAW THAT AT THE COUNTY ON THE ELEVATORS. YOU DON'T KEEP DOING THAT. WE DO KNOW IT HAS ASBESTOS BECAUSE WHEN WE RENOVATED OUT THERE WE KNOW IT HAS THAT. IT'S UGLY. IT LOOKS LIKE ARMY BARRACKS AND THAT GROUP DESERVES MORE THAN WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. I THINK YOU CAN BUILD ONE A LOT CHEAPER.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WILL GET INTO ANYTIME YOU HAVE A RENOVATION IT IS ALWAYS MORE. I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT. YOU MAY BE THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER BUT ALL OF YOU REPRESENT THIS WHOLE ENTIRE COUNTY SO I HOPE YOU WEIGH THAT. THE OTHER THING I'M HERE ABOUT IS I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS IN THE FARMING COMMUNITY AND I KNOW THE PORT HAS BOUGHT A LOT OF LAND OUT THERE . WE DO NOT WANT THAT OUT THERE. IT'S TOO CLOSE TO THE COMMUNITIES, THERE'S OTHER PLACES YOU CAN PUT IT. WE MOVED OUT THERE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GET AWAY FROM THE CITY AND WE BUILT IT UP. WE ARE CLOSE IN IT. WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT AND HOPEFULLY IT WON'T HAPPEN. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO , AND I UNDERSTAND THE ONLY POWER YOU HAVE IS NOT TO GRANT THE ABATEMENTS. I HOPE YOU DON'T DO THAT. I KNOW . THOSE OF THE KIND OF PROJECTS WE NEED. I HOPE WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERING THAT YOU WILL GIVE

THEM THE ABATEMENTS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? OTHERWISE THE OTHER TWO HAVE ASKED TO SPEAK WHEN THE ITEM

[1. Nueces County Library Advisory Board - Recommend reopening for letters of intent/applications April 10, 2024 to April 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.]

COMES UP. WE WILL MOVE ON TO BOARD APPOINTMENTS. BEFORE WE GET STARTED, LET ME SAY ON ITEM NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO WE FAILED TO POST OFFICIAL NOTICE. IT IS OUR SUGGESTION THAT WE REOPEN BOTH OF THESE BUT ALSO KEEP THE APPLICATIONS OF THE PEOPLE THAT WENT ONLINE AND FILED FOR APPOINTMENTS . TO OPEN IT UP AND BRING IT BACK TO THE 24TH AGENDA. I WOULD ACCEPT A MOTION TO PUT BOTH OF THOSE , THE LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD AND SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY ON APRIL 24TH AGENDA AND TO BE OPEN IT UP WITH APPLICATIONS KEEPING THE APPLICATIONS WE HAVE SO FAR RECEIVED. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. YES. SORRY I SHOULD'VE MADE THAT CLEAR FOR YOU. YES. YEAH. WE WILL HAVE TO DO TWO SEPARATE. ITEM NUMBER ONE, NUECES COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD. I MAKE THE MOTION TO BRING THAT TO OUR APRIL 24TH MEETING TO OPEN IT BACK UP FOR APPLICATIONS BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO POST . WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, NOW MOVING ONTO TEXAS

[2. South Texas Water Authority - Recommend reopening for letters of intent/applications April 10, 2024 to April 17, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.]

WATER AUTHORITY TO DO THE SAME AND REPOST AND KEEP THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE BUT OPEN IT BACK UP FOR APPLICATIONS AND BRINGING IT BACK ON THE 24TH AGENDA. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY I. ONE

ABSTAIN. >> THERE WAS SOMEONE ON ZOOM THAT WANTED PUBLIC COMMENT BUT THEY DID NOT RAISE THEIR HAND.

>> STACY, IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS .

>> BACK TO PUBLIC COMMENT? >> SHE SAID SHE WAS TRYING TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT. THOSE TWO MOTIONS ARE DONE. WE HAVE ONE

PERSON WHO WANTED TO SPEAK. >> OKAY. YOU CAN HEAR ME?

>> STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. WE HAVE GONE BACK FOR YOUR

COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS

[01:10:05]

STACY, I'M A RESIDENT OF THE ISLAND. I LIVE AT 15438 SEMA.

I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE ISLAND SINCE HARVEY WHEN WE MOVED FROM PORT ARANSAS. WE FREQUENT THE COUNTY BEACHES BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE OF BEING ABLE TO BE AWAY FROM PEOPLE. MY 15-YEAR-OLD SON AND I WERE OUT THERE THREE WEEKS AGO ON THURSDAY AND UNFORTUNATELY A YOUNG LADY NAMED COURTNEY GARZA DECIDED TO TAKE HER LIFE. SHE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND SHE WAS STILL ALIVE AND BREATHING WHEN MY SON PULLED HER OUT OF THE WATER. SHE WAS ABLE TO TALK AND WANTED . PARK RANGERS WERE ABLE TO GET THERE IN 10 MINUTES. IT TOOK AN HOUR AND A HALF FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO GET THERE WITH AN EMS AT THE END OF THE BEACH. SHE DIED ON THE WAY. COURTNEY DECIDED TO TAKE HER LIFE BUT I BELIEVE SHE DIED BECAUSE OF LACK OF EMERGENCY CARE. MY 15-YEAR-OLD SON WAS FIRST ON THE SCENE AND CALLED 911. IT WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 5:20. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE CALL WENT. IT WENT TO CORPUS CHRISTI OR CLEAVER COUNTY. THERE IS AN ISSUE AND DISCONNECT WHEN YOU ARE OUT. THERE WAS NO EMS THAT CAME FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AS MY SON AND I HELD THIS WOMEN.

SHE WAS VERY DEPRESSED, POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND A BABY THAT WAS THREE OR FOUR WEEKS. WE ARE OBLIGATED TO DO BETTER FOR PEOPLE. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE, THERE'S BEEN TIMES I NEEDED 911 DOWN THERE FROM SOMEBODY CHASING ME DOWN ON A TRUCK. I DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE UNTIL 10:00 AND THAT WAS AT 530 P.M. WE NEED HELP. I'M ALSO A REAL ESTATE AGENT AT PORT ARANSAS AND I KNOW OUR COMMUNITY HERE ON THE ISLAND IS GROWING CONTINUOUSLY AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD DOWN TO CLEAVER COUNTY AS OUR BEACHES ARE GROWING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, PLEASE FIND OUT WHAT IT IS THE BREAKDOWN OF COMMUNICATION IS WHERE NOT HAVING AN AMBULANCE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WOULD ASK TO DIRECT THIS PERSON TO CONTACT MY OFFICE . I CAN'T HAVE CONVERSATION BUT

I WOULD LIKE THEIR CONTACT. >> FOR THOSE WHO ARE ONLINE WHO WISH TO SPEAK WHEN WE ASK THAT IF YOU WILL RAISE YOUR HAND THAT GIVES US NOTIFICATION YOU WANT TO

[2. CONSENT AGENDA: The following Agenda Items are of a routine nature, and the Commissioners Court has received supporting materials for consideration. All of these Agenda Items will be passed with one vote without being discussed separately, unless a member of the Commissioners Court or the public requests that a particular Agenda Item be discussed. If so, that Agenda Item will be pulled from the Consent Agenda and discussed as part of the regular Agenda at the appropriate time. One vote will approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda.]

SPEAK. I'M SORRY WE DIDN'T SEE THAT. MOVING ON TO NUMBER TWO, CONSENT AGENDA. I'M BACK HERE SINCE I SKIPPED A FEW THINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM LETTER AND. ARE THERE

ANY ITEMS TO PULL? >> M .

>> ANYTHING ELSE? GOING ONCE. NO OTHER ITEM? ONE MORE, I'M SORRY.

>> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS A CONSENT AGENDA EXCLUDING ITEMS M AND N FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. I NEED A SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[M. Approve Amendment No. 3 for extension of the contract expiration date to September 30, 2024, with the Texas Water Development Board related to the Tri-County Drainage Study.]

ANY OPPOSED? MOVING ON TO M , COMMISSIONER GONZALES, THAT WAS

YOURS. >> I WOULD LIKE AN EXPLANATION.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? I THOUGHT WE BROUGHT THIS UP A WHILE BACK ABOUT LESS PAYMENT BECAUSE WE COULDN'T HOLD THE MONEY BECAUSE THE REPORT IS ALREADY DONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHAT IS THIS? TRI-COUNTY DRAINAGE STUDY. AN EXTENSION FOR THE

[01:15:01]

CONTRACT EXPIRATION TO SEPTEMBER?

>> IT'S JUST AN EXTENSION TO FINISH THE PAPERWORK INVOLVED.

NOTHING CHANGED. >> THE MONEY IS IN ESCROW SO WE PROVIDE REQUESTS. IT TAKES A WHILE TO BE REVIEWED AND THAT GIVES US ENOUGH TIME TO GET THE MONEY RELEASED.

>> WHO'S MONEY IS THAT? IS THAT MONEY WE ARE HOLDING BACK? FROM THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND PUT IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT. WE PROVIDE INFORMATION BY THE INVOICES AND DATA. THEY REVIEW IT AND RELEASE THE FUNDS BACK.

>> MY ISSUE WITH SUSAN ROSS, THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD'VE DONE BEFORE WE PAID HER COMPLETELY. HER JOB WAS TO CLOSE THIS OUT AND SHE DID IT. NOW WE HAVE TO DO IT. I'M SORRY. SO, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? ANYWAY, YOU ARE DOING IT. THIS IS WHERE WE COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE BEING PAID HERE AND HOLDING MONEY HERE YET WE PAID SOMEBODY FOR A JOB NOT COMPLETE. HERE WE ARE DOING IT AND WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO BE DOING IT. SHE GETS EVERYTHING AND WALKS AWAY AND HERE WE ARE DOING EXTENSIONS.

AGAIN, SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH EVERYBODY ELSE. WE PAY THEM AND HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO EVERYTHING THEY LEFT BEHIND.

>> IT TAKES A WHILE TO CLOSE IT OUT UNFORTUNATELY. WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP EXTENDING UNTIL EVERYTHING IS FINALIZED. AS RECEIVED BY THEM AND REVIEWED.

>> CAN I ASK? ISN'T THAT YOUR JOB ANYWAY? NOBODY ELSE HAS ACCESS TO OUR PORTALS OR A LOT OF INFORMATION. SUSAN ROSS MAY HAVE DONE HER PART BUT IT ALL COMES BACK TO YOU ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY ENTERING IT AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT AN

EXTENSION FOR THE PAPERWORK. >> CORRECT. WE ARE THE ONES THAT REPORT ANNUALLY ANY FUNDS WE RECEIVE. NO MATTER WHO DOES THE JOB IT WOULD STILL FALL ON NUECES COUNTY.

>> THEY DON'T REPORT THIS ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> UNTIL YOU FINISH THE JOB. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU?

>> OPENLY BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH AND WE DON'T HAVE TO ASK FOR AN EXTENSION. THAT IS FOR THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO REVIEW. IF THEY NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THEY WILL REQUEST IT AND WE WILL CONTINUE THIS PATTERN. UNTIL

THEY ARE SATISFIED. >> I STILL THINK IT'S A PROBLEM. YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND IT'S YOUR JOB. I THINK THOSE THINGS SHOULD'VE BEEN CLOSED OUT BY THE TIME THE GRANT RAN OUT. HERE WE ARE ALMOST FOUR MONTHS OR FIVE MONTHS LATER . REALLY, YOU ARE BEHIND BECAUSE YOU DON'T

HAVE THE STAFF TO DO IT? >> THERE'S A LOT. THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION. THEY HAVE THE INVOICES. THEY WANT MORE TIME TO REVIEW IT. THEY REQUESTED I REQUEST ANOTHER EXTENSION.

>> THEY REQUESTED THAT? >> THEY ASKED IF I COULD REQUEST AN EXTENSION SO THEY COULD HAVE MORE TIME TO REVIEW.

>> THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH. >> FOR US IT IS OMITTED BUT FOR

THEM TO REVIEW IT. >> I ALREADY SUBMITTED IT.

THEY ARE REVIEWING IT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO REQUEST IT FROM THE BANK TO RELEASE THEN WE -- IT IS JUST A PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU. >> I KNOW TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS FUNDING FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD PROCESS AND I JUST WORRY THESE DELAYS WILL BE NOT SEEN FAVORABLY FOR ANY FUTURE PROJECTS. THEY ARE STUCK TO US NOW BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS BUT I JUST WORRY ANY

[01:20:07]

DELAYS HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON FUTURE PROJECTS. THAT IS MY CONCERN. IT MAY NOT BE ANYTHING WE CAN CHANGE BUT I WORRY. SEPTEMBER 30TH I SUPPORT IF WE HAVE TO EXTEND IT AND LET'S DO IT BUT WE NEED TO GET EVERYTHING IN PLACE AND DONE BEFORE THEN. I CAN'T SAY I WOULDN'T SUPPORT ANOTHER EXTENSION BUT WE SHOULD BE DONE. WE NEED TO BE DONE BEFORE THEN. I KNOW YOU AGREE. YOU ARE DEEP IN IT. FOR ALL OF US, ALL THE PARTNERS WE HAVE INVOLVED IF WE CAN MAKE SURE WE GET TO THAT FINISH LINE AND GET IT COMPLETE SO WE CAN PROCEED. THAT IS MY CONCERN.

>> GOING BACK, ANYONE THAT SIGNS A CONTRACT AND IS FROM START TO FINISH. IS THAT CORRECT? IF THEY DON'T FINISH , THE COUNTY IS HELD RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SURE IT

DOES GET FINISHED. RIGHT? >> THE COUNTY IS THE ONE THAT SIGNS THE CONTRACT. IT'S THE COUNTY CONTRACT. YEAH. WE HIRED HER. IT IS OUR CONTRACT.

>> EITHER WAY I THINK WHEN WE HIRE PEOPLE TO DO A CONTRACT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE ON TIME AND MAKE SURE THEY DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

I KNOW ULTIMATELY THE COUNTY IS RESPONSIBLE , BUT THOSE PEOPLE ARE ALSO GETTING PAID FOR A SERVICE.

>> WAS THIS IN THE SCOPE OF SUSAN ROTHS WORK THAT WE DIDN'T DO? I'M ASKING A QUESTION. I LET YOU DO YEARS.

THANK YOU. IS THAT WITHIN HER SCOPE OF WORK SHE DIDN'T DO OR IS THIS SOMETHING THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT WOULD NORMALLY DO AS

FOLLOW-UP? >> HER SCOPE WAS TO DO IT AND IT WAS BASED ON A RATE . WHEN REQUESTING MORE TO COMPLETE THE JOB IT STILL HAS TO COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO EXTEND HER CONTRACT. RIGHT. THAT IS THE END OF HER

CONTRACT. >> WE DIDN'T EXTEND HER CONTRACT SO WE NEED TO CLARIFY. DID SHE PREACH HER CONTRACT OR DID WE NOT EXTEND HER CONTRACT THEREFORE SHE IS NO LONGER UNDER CONTRACT AND CAN'T DO WORK FOR US? THAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED. I AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I AGREE WITH HOW THIS HAS BEEN REPRESENTED. WHEN WE DIDN'T EXTEND HER CONTRACT SHE NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO WORK FOR NUECES COUNTY AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR US .

>> YES. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ASKED TO LOOK AT THIS POINT WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A BREACH BUT IF YOU HAVE YOU ARE GOING TO PAY HER FOR HOURLY WORK AND TELL HER NOT TO PERFORM HOURLY WORK THEN I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE A BREACH IF SHE DIDN'T DO ONE OF THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN HOURS TO DO.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL RECOLLECTION ON THIS OR KNOWLEDGE? WAS THIS SOMETHING HAD ME EXTENDED HER CONTRACT SHE WOULD'VE BEEN DONE AND YOU HAD TO PICK UP BECAUSE WE

DIDN'T EXTEND IT? >> SHE WOULD'VE CONTINUE DOING

IT. CORRECT. >> LET'S BE CLEAR AS WE CONTINUE TO BEAT ON THIS WOMAN THAT I'M NOT GOING TO BE A PART OF ANY LONGER. SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG. WE DIDN'T EXTEND HER CONTRACT WHICH I DON'T THINK THAT WAS A BAD THING BUT WHEN WE DIDN'T EXTEND IT WE THEN TOOK THE RESPONSIBILITY , IT'S NOW OUR RESPONSIBILITY. YOU JUST NEED TO FINISH IT, SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO THIS.

SHE IS NO LONGER UNDER CONTRACT AND CAN NO LONGER WORK FOR THE COUNTY SO THAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED BECAUSE WE ARE NOT REPRESENTING CORRECTLY WHAT IS GOING ON. IF UNDER CONTRACT AND STILL WORKING THEN SHE NEEDS TO FINISH IT BUT WE CANCELED HER.

WE CANCELED HER, THAT LEFT THINGS UNDONE THAT WE HAD TO DO AND THAT FALLS ON YOU NOW. THANK YOU.

>> ONE OTHER CLARIFICATION . MISS ROTH, YOU ARE SAYING SHE DID REPORT ALL OF OUR STUFF TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT.

SHE DIDN'T REPORT IT TO YOU AND YOU REPORTED IT PREVIOUSLY. I THOUGHT NOBODY EVER REPORTED ANYTHING ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY AND GAVE IT TO YOU AND YOU PUT IT IN.

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR GRANT SHE WAS THE ONE THAT WOULD SUBMIT.

[01:25:01]

THE INVOICES WOULD COME TO ALL OF US AND SHE WOULD DO THE

PAPERWORK AND SUBMIT IT. >> AND OTHER COMMISSIONER MADE IT CLEAR SHE DIDN'T WORK FOR US ANYMORE. THE MEETINGS WE HAD IN THE OFFICE, YOU WERE ALWAYS IN THERE. I ASSUMED THE MEETING WAS BEING VERIFIED. THE INFORMATION WAS VERIFIED BY HER BUT YOU ARE THE ONE ACTUALLY INPUTTING THAT DATA INTO THE PORTAL ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.

>> NOT ON THIS ONE. I WAS RECEIVING ALL THE INFORMATION BUT SHE WOULD PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AS THE REQUEST AND

SUBMIT IT TO THE BOARD. >> THAT IS A ONE-TIME DEAL BECAUSE WE DON'T ALLOW THAT ANYWHERE ELSE. LIKE EVEN WITH OUR FUTURE THINGS WE WERE AGAINST THAT. ALL THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WAS IT HAD TO COME TO YOU. YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD ACCESS, THE CODES IN ORDER TO GET IN.

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHICH GRANT IT IS. SOME GO PORTAL, SOME BY EMAIL. THIS PARTICULAR ONE DID NOT HAVE A PORTAL.

>> I THINK WE HAVE ALL DISCUSSED THIS ENOUGH. SHE IS NOT WORKING HERE. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO PASS FOR THE TIME EXTENSION? MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY

[N. Approve award and execution of Contractor Agreements for Job Order Contracting Services for General Construction and Multi-Trades (RFP No. 3256-23).]

OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. ON ITEM AND I PULLED IT. IT IS JUST THE ONE WE NEED TO EXCLUDE FROM THE LIST THAT IS IT READY

TO MOVE FORWARD. >> THE COURT HAD SELECTED 15 PROPOSERS FOR THIS PROJECT . WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH 14 OF THEM AND THEY ALL SIGNED THE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE APPROVED BY LEGAL. THAT IS WHAT IS BEFORE THE COURT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CONTRACTING LLC. THEY DID NOT RETURN OUR EMAILS. I WOULD ASK THE COURT THAT WE ALLOW AN EXTENSION FOR MAYBE TWO MORE COURTS IF THEY GET WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME I WILL COME BACK WITH THAT ONE ADDITIONAL CONTRACT. FOR NOW WE ASK WE DON'T LOSE TIME ON THE OTHER 14 AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THOSE 14 JOB ORDER CONTRACTS.

>> WE NEED TWO DIFFERENT MOTIONS THEN TO EXTEND OR JUST THE MOTION TO PASS THE 14? WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER GONZALES. A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ. ALL

[1. Discuss, consider and take action on Nueces County Game Room Regulations and all related matters.]

THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THE MOTION PASSES. MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA. AGENDA ITEM A IS DISCUSSED CONSIDER AND TAKE ACTION ON THAT NUECES COUNTY GAMING REGULATIONS AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. I REMIND THE COURTROOM AGAIN THAT THERE WON'T BE ANY TALKING OUT OF CONTEXT IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING LET US KEEP IT QUIET. WE DID HAVE TWO MEMBERS SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK FIRST? YOU'RE UP IF YOU WOULD LIKE OR DID YOU WANT TO DO IT AFTER? DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK NOW?

>> COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS JOE ORTIZ. I LIVE AT 25 TAPE .

I'M HERE TO SEE IF WE CAN LOOK INTO THE GAMING ROOM REGULATIONS THAT NUECES COUNTY IS IMPOSING. I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT AN ORDINANCE. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMISSIONERS CANNOT DO AN ORDINANCE UNLESS IT GOES THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND ALL THAT STUFF BUT THEY DO HAVE REGULATIONS. WHAT I'M LOOKING INTO IS WHEN THIS WAS PROPOSED THEY PUNCHED IN EVERYTHING WHETHER YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK, PERSONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SUBMITTED , YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY. THAT TIMMY LOOK LIKE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR A LICENSE , NOT A BUILDING PERMIT TO COMPLY WITH A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANTS.

A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANTS IS A BUILDING THAT YOU CANNOT GET BY IT. NOT WHETHER YOU HAVE A FINANCIAL STATEMENT OR BACKGROUND CHECK. WHAT I AM LOOKING INTO HIS HOPEFULLY THAT YOU ALL WOULD LOOK INTO THE REGULATIONS AND SEPARATE A LICENSING PART VERSUS A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANTS PART

[01:30:07]

BECAUSE I DON'T INC. THE COUNTY HAS ANYBODY QUALIFIED TO GIVE YOU A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANTS BECAUSE LET'S SAY YOU BUILD A BUILDING OUT IN THE COUNTY. DO THEY KNOW WHEN TO PUT A TWO HOUR FIREWALL VERSUS THE ONE HOUR FIREWALL OR HOW TO POPULATE OCCUPANT LOAD IN A BUILDING? I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THAT. WE NEED TO SEPARATE THAT AND HAVING A BUILDING CERTIFICATE YOU . THIS DOESN'T DO AWAY WITH THE SHERIFF HOOKING INTO ANY WRONGDOINGS THE GAME ROOM SHOULD BE DOING. WE ARE NOT TELLING THE SHERIFF NOT TO GET INVOLVED. THE SHERIFF SHOULDN'T BE LOOKING INTO WHETHER YOU HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANTS OR NOT. THEY SHOULD BE LOOKED AT WHETHER YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. I PRAY YOU ALL WOULD LOOK INTO SEPARATING THE LICENSING BOARD TO OPERATE A GAME ROOM VERSUS A CERTIFICATE . TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. THAT'S WHAT'S CREATING A LOT OF ANIMOSITY AROUND THE COUNTY. THERE ARE OVER DOING THEIR JOB AND IT IS VERY HARD TO GET A PERMIT WITH THE RULES THE COUNTY HAS. YOU HAVE STRIP JOINTS THAT ALLOW YOU TO HAVE A BUILDING FROM A SCHOOL OR RESIDENT. WHY 1500 FEET AWAY? YOU CAN'T DO A GAME ROOM IN THE CITY. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS . PEOPLE LIKE THE GAME ROOMS . YOU SEE THAT THEY ARE FULL AND NORMALLY THEY ARE OLDER PEOPLE ENJOYING THEMSELVES. AGAIN, I PRAY YOU LOOK INTO THIS AND LOOK TO FORMING A BOARD WHETHER YOU HAVE A BUILDING CONSULTANT AND SOMEBODY FROM THE LAW TO LOOK INTO THE LICENSES OF OPERATING A GAME ROOM AND THEN A BUILDING CONSULTANT OR GET THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO GETTING A CERTIFICATE WHERE IT BTHE CODES HAVE LIKE THE 2001 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE. GIVE IT TO THE CITY.

WHY GIVE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANTS? WHY SHOULD THE COUNTY GIVE YOU ANOTHER ONE? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.

>> THANK YOU. I THINK YOU ARE HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS ITEM SINCE -- DID YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND SPEAK NOW? OKAY. I THINK IF YOU GIVE YOUR CONCERNS THIS MAY BE AN LIGHTNING FOR THE REST SINCE THEY CAN MAYBE ADDRESS SOME NEEDS. CONCERNS,

SORRY. >> SUSIE LOONEY SOUND ON YOU.

I'M COMING TO SPEAK ABOUT THE GAME ROOMS AND ONE THING I WANT TO BRING FORWARD IS YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE LICENSES AND PERMITS YOU REQUIRE FOR THE GAME ROOMS. EVERYBODY KNOWS I LOVE GAME ROOMS. THERE'S NO HIDING THAT. WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW IS I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF GAME ROOMS WITHIN THE CITY. IT GETS TO BEWARE YOU HAVE THEM EVERY OTHER BLOCK. WE WANT TO SEE YOU PUT A LIMIT. THE LAST TIME I SPOKE TO YOU I SAID ABOUT 100 WITHIN THE CITY . MAKE SURE THE PERMITS ARE DONE. ANOTHER THING I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT IS THE DISTANCE THAT YOU HAVE. THE 1500 FEET YOU ARE REQUIRING. I BELIEVE IN BEING ABLE TO SHIELD THE COMMUNITY FROM GAME ROOMS. WHAT I'M ASKING YOU TO DO IS TAKE A LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE A PRIVATE FENCING BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL AND GAME ROOMS SO THERE IS SOME PROTECTION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD IF THERE IS A GAME ROOM. A PRIVATE FENCE. THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT.

I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT IF A GAME ROOM DOES NOT HAVE A PERMIT THE SHERIFF SHOULD CLOSE THEM DOWN. THEY SHOULD BE SOMEONE LOOKING INTO THAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PERMIT. DON'T MAKE THE

[01:35:06]

PERMIT TUMOR YOU PICK AND CHOOSE WHO YOU WANT TO HAVE THOSE GAME ROOMS. MAKE THAT PERMIT ONE THAT CAN BE UTILIZED FOR EVERYBODY IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE WAY. I AGREE THERE'S SOME ITEMS IN YOUR APPLICATION THAT SHOULD BE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT AND BE CHANGED. THE DISTANCE IS ONE, I AGREE JUST FOR AN EXAMPLE THERE IS A BAR RIGHT NEXT TO IT. IS THAT NOT MORE DANGEROUS THAN A GAME ROOM? THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT. I KNOW YOU'RE ALL CONSCIENTIOUS OF WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AND I'M TELLING YOU YOU WON'T HAVE THIS DISCUSSION BECAUSE IT WILL BE LEGALIZED. TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND MAKE SURE WE MAKE IT EQUITABLE FOR EVERYONE THAT YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE DISTANCE AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE MEETING THE AMOUNT OF GAME ROOMS WITHIN THE CITY. THANK YOU.

DOCUMENTS TO SHARE WITH THE COURT. MAY I DO SO? THEY WERE DECIDING BUILDING CODES AND PERMITS AND I HAD MEETINGS AFTERWARDS AND I'M SURE CHIEF COOK WILL EXPLAIN THIS THAT WE GO BY THE CITIES PERMITS ARE THE ONES THAT DO THAT SO WE ARE WELCOME, OPEN WITH IDEAS TO MOVE THIS FORWARD TO BETTER SERVICE OUR COMMUNITY AND ENJOYMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. THERE WERE SOME ACCUSATIONS MADE ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY OVER AND NO SAY AS WELL.

YOU WITH SOME DOCUMENTS. IF YOU WILL TURN TO WHEN YOU'LL SEE AT THE TOP IT IS A LIST THAT SAYS PERMITTED GAME ROOMS. WE HAVE SEVEN GAME ROOMS WHO HAD ISSUED A PERMIT AT THIS TIME. THREE OF THOSE HAVE BEEN RATED BY THE CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING SINCE THE PERMIT WAS ISSUED. TWO OF THEM HAVE SINCE OPENED BACK UP.

THAT IS BEYOND MY CONTROL BECAUSE I CANNOT PULL THEIR PERMIT UNTIL THEY'VE BEEN CONVICTED FOR THE VIOLATION

EVEN IF UNDER INDICTMENT. >> YOU SAID WE HAVE SEVEN

PERMITTED . >> THERE IS SEVEN THAT HAVE RECEIVED PERMITS. THE NEXT LIST BELOW THAT YOU'LL SEE GAME ROOMS SHUT DOWN BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THERE'S SEVERAL THERE STARTING FROM MARCH OF 2023 THROUGH MARCH OF 2024. I HAVE ONE WE DIDN'T LIST THE DATE THERE WAS A GAME ROOM LOCATED AT 624. TWO DIFFERENT TIMES IT OPEN WITH DIFFERENT OWNERS AND WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO CLOSED AND I DRIVE BY THERE EVERY DAY GOING HOME SO THEY HAVEN'T BEEN BACK OPEN RECENTLY. MOST OF THESE GAME ROOMS WE HAVE SHUT DOWN AS

[01:40:04]

A PART OF OUR WARRANT. WE HAVE WARRANTS ISSUED IN REGO AND SHUT THEM DOWN AND PULL MOTHERBOARDS OUT OF THE MACHINES. WE TAKE ANY MONEY AND SEND LETTERS OUT TO THE OWNERS THAT THEY CAN COME BACK AND CLAIM THEM BECAUSE WE AREN'T ATTEMPTING TO SEIZE FUNDS UNDER CHAPTER 59. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR MONEY AND RIGHT TO COME BACK AND CLAIMANT HOWEVER IF THEY ARE AN OWNER AND CLAIM THE MONEY IF WE HAVE AN ARREST WARRANT WE WILL CHARGE WITH A CLASS A OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT. YOU'LL SEE UNDERNEATH THE GAME ROOMS THAT HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN THERE HAVE BEEN 33 GAME ROOM PERMITS THAT HAVE BEEN APPLIED FOR. WE HAVE SEVEN THAT IS BEEN ISSUED. ON THE NEXT PAGE I HAVE A LIST OF THOSE GAME ROOMS HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN BY CC PD AND THAT IS UNDER THE ORDINANCE. IT HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL. PEOPLE WONDER WHY YOU LET THESE GAME ROOMS OPEN UP IF THEY WILL OPERATE ILLEGALLY . THE ORDINANCE MAKES IT EASIER FOR US TO SHUT THEM DOWN. IF THEY OPEN UP AND HAVEN'T APPLIED AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PERMIT ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS GO IN AND DETERMINE THEIR OPERATIONAL AND SHUT THEM DOWN. IF THERE IS NOT AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE REQUIRING A PERMIT TO OPERATE THEN IT BECOMES MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. WE CAN STILL DO IT BUT IT BECOMES MORE RESOURCE INTENSIVE TO MAKE THIS CASE IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SEND UNDERCOVER OFFICERS TO PLAY THE MACHINES, THEY HAVE TO GET PAID OUT , IT HAS TO BE DOCUMENTED, GET A WARRANT, TRY TO DETERMINE ALL THE BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND WHO THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS ARE AND THEN SERVE A WARRANT. YOU NOT ONLY SHUT THE LOCATION DOWN BUT YOU SEES ALL THE ASSETS UNDER CHAPTER 59. THAT'S THAT DOCUMENT. I GAVE A DOCUMENT THAT SAYS GAMING APPLICATION ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. THAT DOCUMENT I GAVE YOU IS ATTACHED TO THE GAME ROOM APPLICATION. THAT DOCUMENT CLEARLY LISTED EVERY DOCUMENT AS REQUIRED WHEN YOU SUBMIT AN APPLICATION. IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS THEY CAN CALL OUR GAME ROOM ADMINISTRATOR IF SHE CLARIFIES THAT BUT I WANTED YOU TO SEE WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AS PART OF OUR PROCESS. THEN YOU HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT SAYS INSPECTOR CHECKLIST FOR GAME ROOM. WHAT I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IS THE GAME ROOM ADMINISTRATOR, NUECES COUNTY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE , WE DON'T TRY TO DETERMINE OCCUPANCY LOAD. WE DON'T ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY. WE DON'T ISSUE FIRE INSPECTIONS OR CONDUCT FIRE INSPECTIONS. WE DON'T CONDUCT CERTIFICATE AUTHORIZING TO OPERATE BECAUSE THEY PASSED A FIRE INSPECTION.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS CONDUCTED WITHIN THE VARIOUS JURISDICTION WHETHER THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, BISHOP , ROBSTOWN. IF THEY REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE FOR THEIR BUSINESSES THAN WE REQUIRE A COPY. IF THEY REQUIRE FIRE INSPECTION THEN WE REQUIRE A COPY. WE ARE NOT GOING IN AND MAKING DECISIONS ON WHETHER YOUR BUILDING CAN BE OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE JURISDICTION WITH WHICH YOU EXIST IS WHAT MAKES THAT DETERMINATION. WE REQUIRE THOSE CERTIFICATIONS BE PROVIDED TO US FOR PROOF YOU CAN OCCUPY THAT BUILDING. THE INSPECTOR CHECKLIST IS WHAT WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHEN WE GO AND INSPECT THE GAME ROOM. WE LOOK AT THE SIGNAGE, WE LOOK AT DETERMINING IF YOU HAVE THE NAMETAGS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE ON EMPLOYEES. WE CHECKED THE DOORS. A GAME ROOM SHALL NOT USE ELECTRONIC LOCKS TO PREVENT ENTRY. THE GAME ROOM SHOULD HAVE THE NUMBER OF EXITS REQUIRE BY FIRE SAFETY INSTRUCTION WHICH WE DO NOT CONDUCT. THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT YOU HAVE WINDOWS ON TWO DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE BUILDING. HOURS OF OPERATION, PERMIT DISPLAY.

RECORD KEEPING. THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS WE LOOK AT. I'M CONFIDENT THAT OUR ORDINANCE MEETS THE BEST PRACTICES HOWEVER I WOULD SAY WE ARE GOING TO PROBABLY BE COMING TO

[01:45:05]

YOU AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE ORDINANCE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THESE GAME ROOMS ARE A PROBLEM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE A HOTBED FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE A SOLD , FIGHT, DISTURBANCES .

GAME ROOMS WE HAVE SHUT DOWN WE HAVE GOTTEN ILLEGAL GUNS, ARRESTED ONE GUY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THEIR SECURITY GUARD AND OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT AND HE WAS A BANDITO ASSOCIATE , A CONVICTED FELON. WE RECOVERED BLACK TAR HEROIN. THE THINGS WE HAVE RECOVERED AT THESE LOCATIONS , THEY ARE A HAZARD TO THE COMMUNITY. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU WITH 43 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HAVING RUN NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT DURING MY CAREER THERE IF A GAME ROOM IS OPERATING THEY ARE GOING TO BE OPERATING ILLEGALLY, ILLEGAL PAYOUTS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT STAY IN BUSINESS IF THEY DON'T MAKE THE PAYOUTS. LET'S QUIT DANCING AROUND IT. THAT'S REALIZE THEY ARE ILLEGAL AMBLING LOCATIONS. IF THEY ARE OPERATING I GUARANTEE THEY ARE MAKING PAYOUTS OR THEY COULD NOT STAY IN BUSINESS. YOU CAN'T CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE AND IF I HAVE THE RESOURCES TO HIT EVERYONE AND WORK UNDERCOVER WE WOULD. I WOULD SHUT THEM ALL DOWN. IF THE STATE LEGISLATOR CHOOSES TO OPEN UP GAMBLING AND MAKE IT LEGAL MORE POWER TO THEM BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT FROM MY PLATE AND NOW I WILL HAVE A STATE BUREAUCRACY THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AND I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY. I WON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE IS IN PLACE I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, I'M GOING TO.

I'M DISTURBED SO MANY BARDS WERE THROWN AT ART ADMINISTRATOR. THE SITUATION IS THERE IS NOT ONE DECISION THAT COMES OUT OF THAT OFFICE THAT I HAVEN'T REVIEWED AND DECIDED THAT DECISION IS APPROPRIATE. IF THE OPERATORS WANT TO BE UPSET THEY CAN BE UPSET WITH ME BECAUSE I MAKE EVERY DECISION THAT COMES OUT OF THE OFFICE. I HAVE FINAL SAY SO. I STAND BY EVERY DECISION I MAKE. I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE WAY WE ARE CONDUCTING BUSINESS. WE ARE FOLLOWING BEST PRACTICE AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID IN THIS COURT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT ARE VERY DISINGENUOUS. IF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'LL BE GLAD TO ADDRESS THEM.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. I GUESS THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WAS BROUGHT UP. IF IT IS UNINCORPORATED THEN THERE'S NO ONE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT

VERIFIES THAT. >> WE DON'T REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE IF IT IS WITHIN THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE SOMEBODY THAT PERFORMS THAT INSPECTION AND ISSUES THAT CERTIFICATE WE DON'T REQUIRE IT. THERE IS A FIRE INSPECTION AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE FIRE MARSHALS -- I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE BUT THERE IS A FIRE MARSHAL THAT HAS AGREED TO DO THE INSPECTIONS FOR THE FIRE INSPECTION ON AREAS OF THE CITY. IF THEY ARE WITHIN A MUNICIPALITY HE REQUIRES THE CITY TO TAKE CARE OF THAT BUT HE DOES ASSIST US. OKAY. HE DOES THE FIRE INSPECTIONS. WHEN WE REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE IN REGARD TO FIRE INSPECTION.

>> I APPRECIATE THE PAPERWORK AND I HOPE WE CAN GET COPIES TO THE MEDIA SO THEY CAN SEE. I KNOW IT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE BUT JUST SO THERE IS CLARIFICATION BECAUSE I'VE BEEN CONTACTED SINCE WE FIRST APPROACHED THIS ISSUE A YEAR OR TWO AGO AND EVEN MORE RECENTLY ON THIS ISSUE AND I'M GLAD WE ARE HAVING IT. LIKE YOU SAID UNTIL THE STATE DECIDES SOMETHING I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO HAVE A REVIEW SOME HOPING THAT'S WHAT PART OF TODAY IS. I WANTED TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA BUT MINE WAS MORE FOR A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF WHAT'S WORKING AND I GET YOUR STATEMENT AND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS YOU WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AT ALL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE UNTIL AUSTIN MAKES A DECISION THAT WE MAKE IT STREAMLINED FOR YOU, YOUR OFFICE AND FOR THESE OWNERS

[01:50:07]

TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH THE PAPERWORK. YOU MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS PAPERWORK. DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING ADDED? IT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT IS ON THIS CHECKLIST AND ON THIS DOCUMENTATION IS WHAT IS FOLLOWED TO THE TEE?

>> YES, THAT IS RIGHT. IF WE RECEIVED ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND CONDUCT THE INSPECTION OF THE LOCATION AND THEY PASS INSPECTION THAN THEY RECEIVE A PERMIT. SIMPLE AS THAT. THAT PERMIT DOES NOT AUTHORIZE THEM TO CONDUCT ILLEGAL GAMBLING BUT IT DOES AUTHORIZE THEM TO OPERATE WITHIN NUECES COUNTY. OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN ONCE THEY OPERATE IF THEY ARE OPEN TO BUSINESS AND BEING PROFITABLE THAN THEY ARE MAKING -- PEOPLE NOT GO IN JUST TO PUT ME IN A MACHINE AND SEE THE LIGHTS AND LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS THE MACHINES MAKE. THEY GO WITH THE INTENT OF GETTING PAID. EVERY PATRON WE TALKED TO TELLS US I'VE NEVER BEEN PAID BUT I'VE SEEN THEM PAY OUT. WE CONSISTENTLY GET COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO SAY I WAS IN A GAME ROOM AND I'M UPSET BECAUSE I HIT A JACKPOT OF $300 AND THEY ONLY GAVE ME 150. THAT'LL HAPPEN. THEY GET UPSET ABOUT THAT. THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION IS THESE GAME ROOMS WHETHER OPERATING WITH A PERMIT OR WITHOUT ARE MAKING ILLEGAL PAYOUTS . I CAN'T SHUT THEM DOWN UNLESS I WORK THE UNDERCOVER PORTION WHICH WE ARE NOT PRESENTLY DOING BUT CC PD

IS, BISHOP IS. >> I WANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE REST OF THE COURT HAS TO SAY. THERE MAY BE MORE COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO THROUGHOUT MY PUSH WAS GOING TO BE TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THIS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS UNLESS THIS IS ADDRESSED BY THE LEGISLATURE. I THINK THAT WOULD HELP WITH YELLS INPUT IN THEIR AND MAYBE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY FROM EACH PART OF THE COUNTY AND THE JUDGE CAN PINPOINT THE TWO TO DIVE INTO THIS. YOU SEE THAT WITH SO MANY OTHER COMMITTEES ARE BOARDS WE HAVE OR AT THE CITY LEVELS AS WELL. THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION BUT I WILL WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THE REST OF THE COURT HAS TO SAY IF THEY EVEN WANT TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE. I ALSO WANT TO ASK AS I CLOSE MY COMMENT IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE AS A COUNTY CAN DIFFER TO THE CITY LEVEL ? IS THIS SOMETHING WE ARE OBLIGATED OR REQUIRED TO TAKE ON AS FAR AS THE PERMITTING PART WAS TO MARK .

>> THE STATUTE GIVES THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO ESTABLISH THESE ORDINANCES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE CITY HAS THE SAME

STATUTORY BUT THEY COULD. >> THEY DON'T. THEY DO NOT.

THAT'S WHY WE BROUGHT IT FORWARD AND THAT IS WHY YOU AS A COMMISSIONERS COURT PASSED IT UNANIMOUSLY WHEN WE BROUGHT IT FORTH AND DECIDED TO PUT IT IN PLACE.

>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

GAME ROOMS SHUT DOWN BY NUECES COUNTY. THOSE GAME

ROOMS ARE IN VIOLATION? >> THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PERMIT.

EVERY GAME ROOM WE HAVE SHUT DOWN WAS SHUT DOWN FOR NOT

HAVING A PERMIT. >> 33 GAME ROOMS HAVE APPLIED.

IN ONLY SEVEN HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMITS. IS THAT BECAUSE THEY

DON'T MEET THIS ? >> WE DON'T GET THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, THEY DON'T PASS INSPECTION, THERE'S A MULTITUDE OF REASONS WHY THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED A PERMIT THAT IF THEY MEET ALL THE STANDARDS, IF THEY PROVIDE ALL THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED, IF THEY PASSED THE INSPECTION THAN THEY CERTAINLY RECEIVE A PERMIT BECAUSE I'M NOT CONCERNED WHETHER THEY WILL OPERATE ILLEGALLY. I'M ONLY CONCERNED DO THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE THE

PERMIT? >> BOTH IN CITY AND OUTSIDE?

[01:55:01]

COUNTY WHETHER IN A MUNICIPALITY OR UNINCORPORATED

AREA. >> ARE THEY REQUIRED TO HAVE

ONE OR TWO SECURITY? >> IF YOU HAVE A PERMIT , IT REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE AN ARMED SECURITY GUARD THAT CAN EITHER BE A PEACE OFFICER OR IF NOT A PEACE OFFICER IT HAS TO BE A LICENSED SECURITY OFFICER AUTHORIZED TO CARRY A WEAPON AND THE PROCESS REQUIRES AS PART OF HAVING A PERMIT THAT YOU USE A WAND TO CHECK YOUR CUSTOMERS FOR WEAPONS BEFORE

THEY ENTER. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> I WANTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF DISTANCING. TO SAY YOU CANNOT HAVE A GAME ROOM IN CITY LIMITS AND IT WILL BE PUSHED OUT TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS IF IT CAN'T BE WITHIN 1500 FEET OF A SCHOOL OR CHURCH IS NOT TRUE.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT EVERY GAME ROOM WE HAVE SHUT DOWN THAT'S BEEN CLOSE TO A NEIGHBORHOOD I'VE HAD PEOPLE, NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE IN THAT AREA APPROACH ME AND THINK US FOR SHUTTING DOWN THAT GAME ROOM BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSING ISSUES

WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. >> THAT WASN'T THE REASON THEY

WERE SHUT DOWN. >> THEY MAY NOT HAVE RECEIVED A PERMIT BECAUSE OF DISTANCING. THEY WERE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PERMIT AND THE REASON THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD A PERMIT IS THEY WERE TOO CLOSE TO A NEIGHBORHOOD OR CHURCH. IF THEY ALL GET PUSHED OUT TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL? THEY CAN STILL GET A PERMIT. I CAN ASSURE YOU EVERYBODY THAT LIKES TO GAMBLE IS GOING TO DRIVE OUT TO THE AREAS TO THESE GAME ROOMS. I DON'T SEE WHY IT IS AN ISSUE. THE COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY ON THIS ORDINANCE AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH DISTANCING BEFORE BUT NOW IT IS AN ISSUE ? WE CAN'T FIND ANY PLACE TO PUT OUR GAME ROOM WITHIN THE CITY. YOU CAN BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE WAYS OUT, I DON'T DENY THAT. THAT'S LIFE AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE IF YOU LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU WANT A GAME ROOM NEXT TO YOU IF YOU'RE IN A CHURCH, DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE TO THE CHURCH? OR SCHOOL? CITIZENS HAVE SAID THAT IMPLICITLY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO US AS WE

SHUT DOWN THESE GAME ROOMS. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> EXCUSE ME. IF GAME ROOMS GO TO THAT INCORPORATED AREAS DO THEY STILL NEED TO FOLLOW THE SAME FIRE CODES?

>> IF THE COUNTY REQUIRES A FIRE INSPECTION FOR A BUSINESS THEN THEY HAVE TO MEET WHATEVER STANDARD THE COUNTY REQUIRES. WE HAVE THE CHIEF WHO WILL CONDUCT THOSE INSPECTIONS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS FOR THESE PEOPLE APPLYING FOR VARIOUS PERMITS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE APPRECIATE THE CLARIFICATION .

>> FOR ME, AT THE LEAST IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO SPEAK OR WANTS TO SPEAK , SPEAK NOW. IT SEEMS LIKE OUR REVIEW OF THIS IS OVER. AS MENTIONED WITH THIS OR ANY OTHER ITEM WE REGULATE OR PERMIT THE COUNTY I FEEL WE SHOULD HAVE AN OVERSIGHT GROUP TO REVIEW IT. WE ARE HEARING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE ON THE COUNTY TO REVIEW THESE PERMITS TO HIS OFFICE, HIS STAFF. IS THIS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE REVIEWING ON A REGULAR BASIS TO HAVE INPUT BECAUSE IS IT GOING WELL ENOUGH? THAT WAS ALWAYS THE INTENT WE TALKED ABOUT ORIGINALLY TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK. COMMISSIONER GONZALES MENTIONED IT AND I ALLUDED TO THAT TWO WEEKS AGO AT OUR LAST MEETING TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SAY FOR NOW THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT AND CONFIRM THAT OR DO WE NOT NEED TO CONVEY A GROUP LIKE THAT? IF WE DO I WOULD LIKE TO PUSH THE ISSUE OF HAVING A COMMITTEE THAT COULD COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS

[02:00:01]

TO APPROVE THIS. IF NOT THEN SO BE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE COURTS THOUGHTS OR PUT A MOTION ON THAT. I DON'T WANT TO COMPLICATE THIS BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO UNINCORPORATED THAT IS SOMETHING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE THE JUDGE COULD FORM AND MAYBE EACH OF US COULD APPOINT SOMEONE TO REPRESENT OUR AREAS OF THE COUNTY AND THEN THEY COULD LOOK INTO THIS AND BE DONE WITH IT AND GIVE FEEDBACK TO YOU AND MAYBE A REPORT BACK TO THE COURT. THAT IS MY THINKING.

>> I THINK WE'VE GOT THE PAPERWORK AND IT IS REALLY CLEAR AND EXPLANATORY. ALL WE ARE DOING IS INVITING PEOPLE TO COME IN AND TELL US SOMETHING AND WE CAN'T CHANGE IT SO THEY WILL GET MAD. WE CAN ASK YOU TO REUSE OF A PORT AREA HERE? HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MINOR CHANGES TO THIS ORDINANCE.

I'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT SOME THINGS AND ADDRESS THOSE. WHEN WE DO THAT AND BRING IT FORTH THERE'S GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FROM THE COMMUNITY AND I WELCOME DISCUSSION. THEY ARE A SERVICE. WE PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM LISTENING TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THAT MY EXPERIENCE AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TELLS ME UNLESS THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS WILLING TO LEGALIZE THESE AND GET A HANDLE ON THEM WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AND ISSUES. IT IS UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. WHATEVER THE COURT DESIRES THROUGH THE ORDINANCE IS WHAT WE ARE GOING

TO DO. I RESPECT THAT? >> THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BARS AND RESIDENCES IS 250?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK THE GOVERNMENT CODE . OUR ORDINANCE IS 1500 FEET AND I THINK IT HAS SERVED US WELL. I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH IT. I LIKE IT AND I THINK THE CITIZENS LIKE IT. WE HAVE CERTAIN CITIZENS HERE THAT FEEL LIKE WE OUGHT TO MAKE IT CLOSER OR MAYBE BUILD A HIGH PRIVACY FENCE TO SEPARATE THEM FROM WHATEVER COMMUNITY THEY ARE CLOSE TO. THAT IS ALL SOMETHING THE COMMISSIONERS

COURT COULD CHANGE. >> WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE DISTANCE FROM WHERE IT IS NOW?

>> THAT'S MANDATED BY THE STATE . THAT IS LEGISLATED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT. THE LEGISLATURE. THAT'S NOTHING

WE CAN CHANGE. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. THE ONLY MONIES THE COUNTY MAKES IS FROM THE APPLICATION OR

PERMITS WE GET. >> THERE'S $1000 WE COLLECT WHEN THEY APPLY FOR THE PERMIT AND THEN IF WE DENY THE PERMIT AND THEY REQUEST A HEARING IN FRONT OF THE HEARING OFFICER THE COUNTY PAYS $250 AND THE PERSON WHO APPLIED PAYS 250 AND WE USE THAT MONEY TO PAY THE HEARING OFFICER FOR THEIR TIME. THAT'S THE ONLY MONEY WE COLLECT. DURING THE COURSE OF GAME ROOM ENFORCEMENT WE HAVE TAKEN CUSTODY OF MONEY BUT THAT'S NOT MONEY WE CAN KEEP IF THE OWNERS WANT THEIR MONEY BACK WE HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK. IF THEY DO NOT CLAIM IT WITHIN 30 HAS HAPPENED, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO COME FORWARD AND SAY I'M AN OWNER AND WANT MY MONEY BACK THAT THEN BECOMES ABANDONED FUNDS. THAT BECOMES -- NUECES COUNTY HASN'T SEIZED EXCEPT FOR ONE EXCEPTION ANY MONIES OR PROPERTY RELATED TO CHAPTER 59 CIVIL SEIZURE. WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT. WE HAD ONE CASE WHERE WE STOP SOMEBODY LEAVING A GAME ROOM AND GOT A WARRANT FOR THEIR PHONE AND WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE FUNDS THEY HAD IN THEIR POSSESSION WERE GAMBLING FUNDS AND WE HAVE SINCE FILED CHAPTER 59 AND THAT HAS BEEN SETTLED BUT THAT IS THE ONLY

[02:05:01]

TIME WE FILED UNDER CHAPTER 59. THE CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES IT WHEN THEY SERVE A WARRANT FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING BASES ALL PROPERTY AND ASSETS RELATED TO THE GAME ROOM AND FILE FOR CIVIL FORFEIT. I WANT TO SAY WE HAD A MEETING YESTERDAY WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND MR. GRANBERRY WAS CLEAR HE INTENDS , PART OF THE ISSUE WAS UNDER A PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION THAT A LOT OF TIMES THEY WOULD GET A SETTLEMENT ON THE CIVIL FORFEITURE AND SAY LET'S DECIDE HOW WE SPLIT UP THIS MONEY AND WE WILL DISMISS THE CRIMINAL CHARGES. WE ARE AT A POINT NOW THAT THOSE CASES ARE GONE THROUGH AND MOVING FORWARD THERE'S NOT OWING TO BE ANY SWEETHEART DEALS WHERE WE DISMISS ALL THE CRIMINAL CHARGES RELATED TO THE GAME ROOM RAID AND ONLY TAKE A DEAL FOR YOUR ASSETS. THERE'S GOING TO BE CRIMINAL CHARGES AND MANY OF THESE ARE FELONIES FOR ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT CHARGE. WE'VE GOTTEN ASSURANCE FROM THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THEY WILL BE AGGRESSIVELY FILING THOSE CASES AND I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE BEGINNING TO MAKE A TRANSITION AND IN ADDITION I CAN'T SAY HOW QUICKLY IT WILL HAPPEN WE WILL BE DOING UNDERCOVER WORK IN THE COUNTY AND MAKING THOSE ARRESTS AS WELL.

>> IF YOU TELL EVERYBODY YOUR UNDERCOVER THAT'S NOT REALLY.

WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THOSE GAME ROOMS MAKING CASES. WE HAD ONE ROOM THAT WE HIT THAT DID NOT HAVE A PERMIT AND WE SEIZED THEIR ELECTRONICS, GOT A WARRANT, DOWNLOADED THEIR PHONES. THEY HAD A PICTURE OF SOMEBODY THEY THOUGHT WAS AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER GOING INTO THEIR GAME ROOMS. THEIR CONVERSATION WAS THIS OFFICER IS UNDERCOVER, DO NOT PAY THIS OFFICER IF THEY WIN. LET THE OFFICER PLAY, DON'T CONFRONT THE OFFICER, DON'T ADDRESS THE OFFICER. IF THEY WIN THE JACKPOT, DON'T PAY THEM. IF THEY DON'T PAY OUT THEN CAN'T MAKE THE CASE. THIS WAS A GAME ROOM WE HAD MADE A CAISSON. WE SHUT THEM DOWN FOR VIOLATION OF THE PERMIT BUT THEY HAD BEEN MAKING ILLEGAL PAYOUTS BASED ON THEIR COMMUNICATIONS. THAT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. DID YOU WANT TO MOVE

FORWARD? >> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF THE COUNTY WAS BENEFITING IN ANY WAY MAKING MONEY EITHER BY

TEXTING OR PERMITS. >> THEY HAVE TAKEN STICKERS.

WE CAN CHARGE 25% OF THE COST OF A STATE COMPTROLLER TICKET STICKER AND WE CAN TAKE THAT. OTHER THAN FOR THE STICKERS AND $1000 PERMIT FEE THAT IS IT.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> WE WILL DISCUSS AGAIN LATER OR SOMETHING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE IT.

COMMISSIONER CHESNEY WILL TAKE OVER FOR ME AS I TAKE A QUICK

BREAK. >> YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE MICROPHONE IF YOU'RE WAVING AT ME IN THE BACKGROUND.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M ISAAC VALENCIA. MY --

>> I THOUGHT YOU HAD SOME KIND OF NOTICE. IS THIS ON THE GAME

ROOM? GO AHEAD. >> MY HOME ADDRESS IS 77

HARTLEY CIRCLE. >> PUBLIC COMMENT TO ADD? IT IS ON THE AGENDA ITEM. I BELIEVE IT TO YOU.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SPEAK TO Y'ALL.

HAVING SET HERE IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

YOU GO THROUGH A LOT. YOU DESERVE CREDIT FOR THAT. ON THE SUBJECT OF WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW IT IS A MUCH YOUR SUBJECT I WANT TO TOUCH BASE ON SOME OF IT BECAUSE I THINK YOU GLEAMED SOME SOLUTIONS TO WHERE WE ARE

[02:10:02]

FROM WHERE WE CAME FROM. TO START OFF, GAMBLING IN CORPUS CHRISTI HAS BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME. I'M RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT. I DID IT SOME 30 YEARS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I RAN THE POLICE UNION. I MANAGED TO GET THE SECOND ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO GET A BINGO LICENSE.

WITH THAT WE DID A LOT OF GOOD. WE DID CHARITABLE WORKS AND WE WERE EVEN ALLOWED TO PAY THE MORTGAGE OFF FOR THE BUILDING THAT THE POLICE ASSOCIATION HAS. AND USES FOR ALL KINDS OF GOOD ACTIVITY. A LOT OF GOOD COMES FROM DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT SOME PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF. GOING BACK TO THE SUBJECT OF GAMBLING YOU HAVE POKER ROOMS . ANYONE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY 24+ HOURS OF POKER ON JUST RED BULLS, NO. THAT'S NOT WHAT IS GOING ON. ANYONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE SHOULD KNOW THERE IS COCAINE IN THESE PLACES. THERE'S BEEN TIMES I CALLED IT IN MYSELF AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME STUFF AND I PASS IT ON TO THE SUPERVISORS I KNEW THAT WERE STILL THERE.

SOMETIMES SOMETHING HAPPENS. GAME ROOMS. GAME ROOMS I HAVE SAID I SUPPORT GAME ROOMS. WHAT I DO NOT SUPPORT ARE THE ILLEGAL GAME ROOMS AND THERE ARE FAR MORE OUT THERE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT HERE. THAT GIVES THE BAD RAP BECAUSE THERE'S NO CONTROL THERE. NO ONE IS WATCHING ANYTHING. THEY ARE NOT WATCHING PEOPLE WITH MONEY OR THINGS GOING ON IN THEIR. THAT'S WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR SHOOTINGS AND IT GOES ON FROM THERE. THEN YOU HAVE BINGO. BINGO HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 70 YEARS HERE IN OUR COUNTY. IT WAS IN 1981 I BELIEVE THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE AND OUR STATE SENATOR PASSED AWAY THAT SHEPHERD THE BILL AND MADE IT HAPPEN. BEFORE THAT THERE WAS NO REGULATION BUT IT WORKED.

IT WORKED BECAUSE YOU HAD GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES , VFW, THEY PUT IT ALL TO GOOD WORK. IN 81 IT WAS CODIFIED AND GOT BETTER. IT WASN'T UNTIL 93 WHEN THE LOTTERY COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED THAT BINGO MOVED INTO A DIFFERENT SUPERVISION . PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS SUPERVISED BY THE TBC. TBC REGULATED BINGO FROM 81 UNTIL THE LOTTERY -- BINGO COMMISSION TOOK OVER. THE BINGO DIVISION STARTED A YEAR LATER BECAUSE FIRST YOU ENACTED THE COMMISSION, THEY SET UP THE BINGO DIVISION AND IT STARTED TO REGULATE INGO. WE WENT FOR IT FROM THERE. WHEN PEOPLE SAY THERE'S ONLY ONE THING GOING ON IN A GAME ROOM AND THAT IS IT IS TO WIN THE BIG PAYOUT, IT'S NOT JUST A BIG PAYOUT. I'M SURE THERE'S SOME PEOPLE IN HERE TO GO TO THE GAME ROOM BECAUSE THEY LIKE THE LIGHTS. MY WIFE GOD REST HER SOUL LOVES PLAYING IN A GAME ROOM. IT IS HER PRACTICE RUN BE SHORT -- BEFORE SHE GOES TO VEGAS OR ANOTHER STATE.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. TALKING ABOUT BEING HONEST THERE'S A LOT GOING ON. IT IS ENTERTAINMENT. IT IS A SOCIAL EVENT , NOT JUST GAMBLING. PEOPLE LOVE BINGO , ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS BECAUSE THEY MADE UP WITH THEIR FRIENDS. - AROUND BINGO 40 SOMETHING YEARS BECAUSE MY FATHER WAS A GRAND NIGHT AND HE WAS VERY INVOLVED IN RAISING FUNDS FOR THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. THE THING IS, SENIORS LEFT TO GO TO BINGO TO MEET EACH OTHER AND SEE WHO IS STILL ALIVE. THAT IS

[02:15:01]

A FACT. SOME OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS ARE NO LONGER HERE BUT PLAYED BINGO AS ENTERTAINMENT. THESE SAME CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO GO TO GAME ROOMS. I GUESS THAT'S WHERE I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH CHIEF COOK AND MR. ORTIZ THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE VERSUS THE ILLEGAL GAME ROOMS VERSUS THE LEGAL ONES. THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH YOUR LICENSING PROCESS AND SOME OF THAT IS WELL MEANT. IT CAME UP ABOUT IT TOOK UP SOME OF A BAD REP OF THINGS BEING ASKED FOR. I THINK IT WAS A LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING. FOR OUR BUILDING, VALENCIA WAS ASKED TO HAVE ITS FIRE INSPECTION . WE PROVIDED IT. I PROVIDED IT TO THE VENDOR THEY WERE TOLD NO. I CALLED OUR INSPECTOR. HE SAID THAT IS NOT THE WAY IT WORKS. YOU HAVE YOUR INSPECTION DONE WHEN YOU OPEN UP YOUR BUILDING AND THEN YOUR ANNUAL INSPECTIONS AND DIFFERENT CATEGORIES ARE DONE TO BE ATTACHED TO YOUR PAPERWORK. THAT IS SOME CONFUSION WHEN WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED TO PROVIDE THIS NEW DOCUMENT I SAID THAT IS NOT THE WAY IT WORKS. HE WILL GET THE INSPECTOR TO COME EDUCATE THEM ON IT. THE SAME THING WAS SAID ABOUT THE SEO . OUR CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED IN OUR CASE WHEN YOU BUILD A NEW BUILDING. THE COUNTY USED IT FOR ELECTIONS, THE CITY USES IT. WE ARE A.D.A. COMPLIANT AND GLAD TO DO IT. THE ONLY REASON WE STOPPED WAS BECAUSE AFTER COVID THE COST OF EVERYTHING HAD GONE UP AND WE HAD TO SAY NO. THAT'S WHY IT HAPPENED. IF THE COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE SOME COST WE WOULD GLADLY TALK BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT BUILDING.

THERE'S BEEN SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHAT IS NEEDED, WHAT IS NOT NEEDED BUT I WILL TELL YOU THE VENDOR THAT WANTS TO HAVE A GAME ROOM AT OUR BUILDING BROUGHT A DEFICIENCY LIST.

THERE'S SO MANY ITEMS ON IT. WHEN WE GOT THE INFORMATION TO THEM IT WAS ALL ELIMINATED AND WE ARE DOWN TO I BELIEVE ONE ITEM WHICH IS FAIR ON THE SUBJECT OF DISTANCING. THAT IS A SEPARATE MEASURE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT AT THE RIGHT TIME. YOU CAN SEE WHERE A LOT OF CONFUSION WAS WHAT IT WAS.

MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID REMOVE THE PERSONALITIES. STICK TO BUSINESS AND YOU GET THINGS DONE. I HAD NO PROBLEM . I TOLD COOK WHO I HAD WORKED WITH WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE

POLICE DEPARTMENT -- >> I THINK THE TIME IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT. WE APPRECIATE IT. I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU GETTING WITH THE BOTH OF THEM IF YOU HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS.

>> WE TALKED. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE DISTANCING.

>> VERY QUICKLY. >> I'M REFERRING TO THE GRANDFATHER PART. THE BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 2012. IT WAS DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINMENT, EVENTS. VIDEO LOTTERY TURNTABLES IS ANOTHER SUBJECT I CAN COME TO TELL YOU ABOUT.

IT IS THE FUTURE. >> WE'RE CUTTING YOU SHORT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR LICENSES AND HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND PASSED THE PUBLIC REVIEW . WE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING. WE HAD GAME ROOMS IN THE BUILDING IN 2019, 2021.

IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT SPECIFIC. WHEN Y'ALL CAME OUT WITH THE ORDINANCE. I'M JUST SAYING I BELIEVE THIS BUILDING IS PROBABLY A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF ONE THAT SHOULD FALL UNDER A GRANDFATHER CLAUSE BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN, BECAUSE OF ITS

APPROVAL, EVERYTHING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND

[02:20:01]

I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS IF YOU NEED IT.

>> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE SHORT COMMENTS? THREE MINUTES.

TO COME BY AND TELL YOU GUYS THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA AND HAVING A GOOD DISCUSSION. A LOT OF INFORMATION HAS COME OUT FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I DON'T SEE TOO MANY GAME ROOM OPERATORS HERE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A LITTLE FISHY TO SEE NO OPERATORS . I GUESS THERE IS A MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT , GAME ROOM OPERATORS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WITH THAT BEING SAID IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY IS SCARED TO TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM WHICH IS GAMBLING. IT IS ILLEGAL TO THIS DAY. I ASKED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DON'T FIX THE 15 DISTANCING RULE FOR RESIDENTIAL, SCHOOL, CHURCH, WHATEVER IT MAY BE. JUST REPEAL THE ORDINANCE.

NOBODY'S GIVING OUT FUZZY ANIMALS INSIDE THESE ESTABLISHMENTS. THEY ARE PAYING OUT CASH. THAT IS WHAT IT IS. DON'T WANT TO COME OUT AND LIE TO YOU GUYS. THAT IS WHAT'S GOING ON. IT IS ILLEGAL. OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS ALLOWED THE GAME ROOMS , THE COUNTIES TO REGULATE THEIR OWN GAME ROOMS. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT. IT'S NOT WORKING. IT FAILED. THE BEST THING TO DO IS GO AHEAD AND REPEAL THIS WHOLE ORDINANCE, GET IT OUT OF OUR COUNTY. DON'T LET YOU GUYS GET IMPLICATED INTO ANY TYPE OF SCANDAL OR A LEGAL INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS. YOU ALLOW IT BEING DELIGHTFUL TO THE SITUATION SUCH AS GAMBLING. IT WILL IMPLICATE THE COUNTY.

LET'S HOLD OUR INTEGRITY AS A COUNTY AND GET RID OF THIS .

[21. Discuss and consider adopting tax abatement policy requested by Mike Culbertson, Chief Executive Officer of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. ]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO OUR AGENDA I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP ITEM NUMBER 21 ON THE AGENDA.

MR. CULBERTSON IS HERE AND HE RECENTLY GOT RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. I'VE SEEN HIM SITTING HERE I WOULD LIKE TO GET HIM OUT OF HERE WHERE HE CAN REST. THIS IS CONSIDERING THE TAX ABATEMENT POLICY REQUESTED AND WORKED ON BY MR. CULBERTSON AND MY FORMER CHIEF D HAWKINS WAS IN ON SOME OF THIS FOR THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA FOR THOSE LISTENING OR ANYONE ELSE MISCONSTRUING THIS IS JUST A GUIDE FOR THEM TO USE ANY ABATEMENTS IF THE COUNTY WERE TO APPROVE AN ABATEMENT IN THE FUTURE. THEY WOULD COME TO COURT FOR AN APPROVAL AND NEGOTIATION. THIS GIVES THEM A WORKING IDEA OF WHAT THEY CAN GO WHEN THEY GO TO SOLICIT INFORMATION. I WILL GIVE THE FLOOR TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR

BEING HERE. >> MIKE CULBERTSON. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. ONE OF OUR MISSIONS IS TO ADVISE POLICY FOR THE TAXING ENTITIES ON THIS. NUECES COUNTY ALWAYS HAD A TAX ABATEMENT POLICY. IT IS A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX. JUST BECAUSE YOU GRANT A TAX ABATEMENT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A POLICY. BECAUSE YOU HAVE A POLICY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO GRANT A TAX ABATEMENT. I CAN SEE SOME OF US HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE. YOU KNOW THE MOST RECENT POLICY IN 2021 WAS CHECK WITH A JUDGE. I THINK THAT PAST AND THAT WAS THE LAW. I THINK IT LENDS ITSELF TO PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS.

PRIOR TO THAT , WE ARE REGIONAL SO WE LIKE TO SEE BOTH COUNTIES ARE COMFORTABLE AND EVEN. THEY'VE CHOSEN TO MAKE THERE'S QUITE SMALL AND THAT IS A POLICY ON THEIRS BUT BEFORE THE MOST RECENT RUN IN 2021 YOU HAD A NORMAL ONE.

THEY COME IN, BASED ON INVESTMENT AND JOBS IS WHERE PEOPLE GET THEIR PERCENTAGES BUT WE DID TAKE A LOOK WITH D HAWKINS AND I APPRECIATE HER . IT'S IMPORTANT THEY LOOK AT

[02:25:01]

IT AND WE CAN MODEL THESE. YOU'RE NOT PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE IS WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL CONTENT AND LOCAL PEOPLE , IN HERE IT SAYS 25% OF NEW JOBS MUST BE NUECES COUNTY COUNTY RESIDENTS. WE ARE FINDING AS THE JOBS HAVE GOTTEN SMALLER DUE TO TECHNOLOGY THAT THE RATIO FOR NEW JOBS IS ACTUALLY JUST A LITTLE BELOW 50% WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T GO TO 50%.

YOU CAN SEE THERE IS LOCAL CONTENT THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO PUT OUT BIDS FOR LOCAL CONTENT. LOCAL CONTENT MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE TECHNOLOGICALLY ABLE TO DO THE AGREEMENT. WE FOUND THE THRESHOLD AT 200,000 WAS SO HIGH THAT WE WEREN'T REALLY LOOKING TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE OFFERING THOSE BELOW 50,000 , 20,000 TO LOCAL ONES. JUST SO YOU KNOW, IF YOU DO A TAX ABATEMENT PLEA, THE EDC, WILL GO IN, KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR AND THEN WE PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE JUDGE. WE MEET ONCE A YEAR . ANYBODY WHO DOES IT, WE DO COMPLIANCE AND TAX ABATEMENT . WE DO THEM ALL . I HAVE BEEN DOING THEM FOR A WHILE BUT NOW WE HAVE RANDY WHO CAME FROM THE CITY WHO DID IT THERE IN OUR OFFICE . TO HAVE A LOCAL OFFICE YOU MUST BE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. YOU MUST PAY AT LEAST THE COUNTY WAGE FOR THAT. I'M NORTH AMERICAN STANDARDIZATION BILL. THE COMPANY HAS TO PAY AT LEAST THAT AVERAGE. NOT JUST THE AVERAGE OF THE COUNTY. THEY MUST OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE AND PAY A PORTION. I THINK THIS IS A FAIR ABATEMENT POLICY.

YOU CAN CHOOSE NOT TO GIVE ONE TO ANY COMPANY BUT I THINK IT IS A TOOL IN YOUR TOOLBOX. I UNDERSTAND ABOUT ANSWERING ANY

QUESTIONS. >> I LIKE I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE THAT THIS IS NOT PASSING FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL. WE STILL HAVE TO COME BACK. THIS DOESN'T MEAN WE WILL GIVE IT TO THEM. THERE ARE FACTORS.

THE SHAPE OF THE COUNTY HAS BEEN A BIG DEAL WITH OUR BUDGET DEFICIT OVER THE LAST YEAR AND EVERYTHING ELSE. A LOT OF FACTORS GO INTO THE DECISION. WITH THAT BEING SAID AS JUST HAVING A TOOL I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS THIS.

>> SECOND FOR DISCUSSION. GO AHEAD.

>> IF WE KNOW THE REQUIREMENT IS UNDER 50 WHY DO WE GO AS LOW AS 25%? WHY WHEN WE GO TO 45 INSTEAD OF 25? I WOULD RATHER HAVE MORE GUARANTEED LOCAL.

>> IT WAS FLUCTUATING ANYWHERE FROM 40. WE COULD GO 30. I THINK I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH 30.

>> THE QUESTION FOR ME IS DIFFERENT WHEN IT IS CONSTRUCTION JOBS VERSUS PERMANENT JOBS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I GET THAT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BRING SUBS FROM OUT OF TOWN AND YOU MIGHT HAVE THAT ISSUE DURING CONSTRUCTION. AT THE SAME TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE MORE PERMANENT JOBS IN NUECES COUNTY. IF YOU CAN'T FILL IT BUT YOU MAKE A LEGITIMATE EFFORT TO FEEL IT MAY BE THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME LANGUAGE THERE BECAUSE I WOULD SAY 100% UNLESS YOU CAN'T FILL IT WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR LOCAL PEOPLE THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY AND HAVE POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE THAT. I'M STILL LOOKING FOR A LITTLE

[02:30:02]

TWEAK ON THAT AS TO HOW WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN IT BUT ALSO EMPHASIZE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL JOBS. IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS I AM OPEN. UNLESS YOU CAN'T FILL IT CLAUSE YOU CAN STICK IN THERE . I THINK 25 IS TOO LOW.

>> I ALSO FAILED TO NOTE THAT SANDY GOMEZ, OUR COUNTY TAX ABATEMENT LAWYER WHO REPRESENTS US HAS REVIEWED THIS AND

APPROVED IT AS WELL. SORRY. >> THAT IS FOR LEGAL

SUFFICIENCY. >> I FEEL THE SAME WAY. I DON'T LIKE PERCENTAGES. YOU CAN HIRE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE. I ALWAYS THOUGHT WE ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST 50% OF ALL EMPLOYEES.

I KNOW ONE TIME WAS PRETTY HIGH . WE HAVE SOMEBODY COME IN AND MAKE ALL THIS MONEY. I THINK WE LET THEM COME IN BECAUSE WE OPEN IT TO OUR LOCAL PEOPLE TO GET THOSE JOBS. 20% TO ME IS NOTHING. I WOULD CONSIDER ANYTHING LESS THAN

50%. >> WHAT IF WE HAD 50% AND

BEST EFFORTS? >> THEN I WOULD SAY 100%.

>> I'M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT SAYS OUR LOCAL FOLKS HAVE TO BE THE PRIORITY. IF YOU CAN'T FILL THEM THEN THAT'S DIFFERENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT LANGUAGE

EXACTLY. >> HAVING THEIR YOU HAVE TO SHOW THESE WERE OFFERED AND YOU CAN FIND QUALIFIED ACCURATE PENS. YOU HAVE DYNAMICS, 500 , AS TECHNOLOGY MOVES WE ARE FINDING FEWER AND FEWER JOBS. IT'S TACTICAL TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS VERY FEW THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE CERTIFICATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. IT IS IN SUPPORT OF 50% AND HAVE A CLAUSE -- YOU CAN MAKE THE MOTION TO AMEND IT RIGHT NOW SO WE CAN GET IT OVER WITH AND SAY YOU HAVE TO SHOW THESE WERE

OFFERED -- >> IF IT IS NEGOTIABLE THAN

THE HIGHER NUMBER IS BETTER. >> AT LEAST YOU GAVE IT A GOOD

FAITH EFFORT AREA >> 75 SOUNDS GOOD.

>> I'M OKAY WITH BRINGING PEOPLE IN FROM OUTSIDE. WE WANT NEW PEOPLE TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY. 75% AND BEST EFFORTS AND I THINK YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND TWEAK THIS. WE CAN BASH IT CONDITIONALLY ON THE LANGUAGE RAINBOW BACK TO WHAT THOSE BEST EFFORTS ARE DESIGNED AT. THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME DEFINITION BUT I'M OKAY PASSING IT AS SOON AS EVERYBODY IS DONE TALKING ABOUT IT AND BRINGING BACK CONTINGENT LANGUAGE TO WORK WITH HER COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> YOU WOULD PASS IT ON SECTION FIVE -- 5.13 THAT 25% OF NEW JOBS BE FILLED WITH LOCAL HIRES THAT WOULD GIVE 75% AND A BEST EFFORT INVOLVED LIST. NOT JUST I TRIED.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME PARAMETERS .

>> THE MOTION WOULD BE TO AMEND THE PROVISION IN THE PROPOSAL THAT SAYS THE REQUIREMENT THAT 75% OF THE JOB BE FROM NUECES COUNTY -- OKAY. I GUESS WE CAN SAY LOCAL MSA. THAT INCORPORATES THE COASTAL BEND. SAY 75% FROM THE COASTAL BEND.

MR. CULBERSON WILL GET WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO COME UP

[02:35:02]

WITH LANGUAGE THAT PROVIDES WHAT THE DEFINITION OF THE BEST EFFORTS TO FEEL THAT OUR. ONCE THOSE EFFORTS FAIL THEN THEY CAN GO. I KNOW THAT IS A LENGTHY MOTION. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO TYPE THAT UP. I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY LEGISLATIVE INTENT IS CLEAR. I CAN TRY IT AGAIN BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW. . I HAVE TO GET A SECOND FOR WHATEVER I JUST DID.

CONCERN THAT I WANT TO ASK. IS THIS JUST FOR THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HIRED FROM CORPUS CHRISTI OR

ANY CONCERNS WE MIGHT HAVE? >> THE MOTION RIGHT NOW IS TO

AMEND IT. >> I'M ASKING IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN PUT IN THERE SO WE WON'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WE HAD WITH THESE COMPANIES COME IN THAT ARE AMMONIA OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL WHERE THEY CAN GO AND PUT THE REFINERIES OR FACTORIES AND NOT SURROUNDING COUNTY PROPERTIES FOR PEOPLE OR REAL CLOSE TO THOSE

FACTORIES OR REFINERIES? >> I THINK THAT IS IN THE POLICY FOR YOU TO SAY IT IS IN THE WRONG PLACE AND NOT GRANT THE ABATEMENT. I CAN'T FORCE SOMEBODY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

IF THEY WANTED TO SELL IT. >> I UNDERSTAND. IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WERE TOLD. THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE OPPOSITION AND WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS . THAT IS JUST THE WAY I FEEL. I KNOW WE CAN'T TELL PEOPLE NOT SELLING THEIR LAND . PEOPLE ALWAYS DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> JUST THE AMENDMENT. YEAH. >> IT DEPENDS ON PEOPLE THAT

ON THE LAND. >> REGARDING THE MOTION, THAT WOULD BE WITH THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL. NOT WITH THE COUNTY.

>> SANDY GOMEZ WOULD BE THE ONE. WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS FIRST WE NEED TO ADDRESS. THERE IS AN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THAT TO 75% IN THE COASTAL BEND AREA. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. IF I COULD GET A VOTE ON ACCEPTANCE OF THE

AMENDMENT TO THIS FIRST. >> COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> WE WENT OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

>> CAN WE CLARIFY? >> THE MOTION IS TO AMEND THE 25% -- THE CLOSETS IS 25% SHOULD BE FROM NUECES COUNTY TO SAY THAT 75% BE FROM THE COASTAL BEND AND IF IT FALLS BELOW THE 75% OR HAS TO BE SPECIFIC BEST EFFORTS LANGUAGE BROUGHT BACK TO THE COURT AND AGREED TO ON WHAT THE STANDARD

IS. >> FOR CLARIFICATION , MY THOMAS TIE INTO THIS AND I WILL BE DONE. I THOUGHT I WOULD WAIT. WE ARE CREATING THE FRAMEWORK. I WANT TO CLARIFY.

WE ARE CREATING THE FRAMEWORK. EVERY PROJECT THAT COMES IN IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIT IN THAT FRAMEWORK.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> LET ME MAKE IT REAL SIMPLE.

FOR MY SAKE. WE KNOW THE FRAMEWORK. THIS DOES NOT COMMIT US FROM BUYING THIS TO ANY CURRENT OR FUTURE PROJECT.

THIS IS JUST TO SAY THIS IS HOW FAR WE WILL GO SO THEN YOU COULD MARKET THAT AS COMPANIES COME AND GO LOOKING AT OUR AREA FOR POSSIBLE SECURING PROPERTY OR CREATING A BUSINESS. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE IMPROVING. WE HAD THE GROUP YOUR EARLIER WE NOTE THAT ARE VERY PASSIONATE LIKE WE ALL ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING AT THAT. I THOUGHT THAT IS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. THAT'S WHERE I THOUGHT THEY WERE HERE TO COMMENT. THIS IS PART OF THAT.

I KNOW THE ISSUE HASN'T COME TO US AND WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL, BUT THAT'S WHERE THEY SHOULD BE PUTTING THEIR EFFORT AND CONCERN. I LOVE THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD ASK FOR MORE AND WORK IT DOWN IF IT IS NOT FEASIBLE. I'M ALL FOR THAT. I WOULD SUPPORT UP TO 100%. 75 IS A GOOD POINT TO START. IF

[02:40:04]

WE HAVE TO WORK IT DOWN THEN WE WILL DO IT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO CLARIFY. THIS IS A TOOL NOW TO GO OUT. WE ARE NOT APPROVING ANYTHING BY THIS ACTION. JUST THE POLICY. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME JUMP IN.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO AMEND THE POLICY IN FRONT OF US TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER. COMMISSIONER CHESNEY MADE THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER GONZALES SECONDED IT. ALL IN FAVOR FOR AMENDMENT OF THE POLICY. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE AMENDMENT PASSES. 5.13. YES. NOW GOING BACK TO THE POLICY IN

AND OF ITSELF. >> I HAD QUESTIONS ON THE FINANCIAL ASPECT. BASED ON THE BUDGET CONCERNS WE HAVE AS A COUNTY, HOW HAVE WE COME TO THIS POINT TO WHERE WE ARE OKAY WITH THIS? IT IS A GENERAL QUESTION BUT I AM MAKING SURE WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS ON THIS.

>> WE HAD AN OLDER POLICY IN PLACE BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT IT NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND SINCE IT IS JUST A GUIDELINE AND EACH INDIVIDUAL COMPANY , EACH SITUATION THAT COMES TO OUR ATTENTION COMES AT A DIFFERENT TIME, DIFFERENT PLACE, THERE ARE REASONS WHY WE WOULD MAYBE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD OR MAYBE WHY WE CANNOT AND WHEN IT DISCUSS IT IT IS JUST A GUIDELINE OR TOOL FOR THEM TO USE IN THE FUTURE IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. RIGHT NOW IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD FOR THE COUNTY. WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE JUST REALLY PASSING SOME THAT IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR US TO ACCEPT WITH PRETTY MUCH ANYBODY RIGHT NOW. THAT BEING SAID, IT IS A VOTE. IT IS A COMMISSION. THE SEATS CHANGE AT ALL TIMES. IF IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR NUECES COUNTY, ALL OUR COUNTERPARTS GET INVOLVED AND WE BELIEVE THE SAME THING , WE

MAY NEGOTIATE THAT. >> I'M OKAY BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A POLICY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE DON'T SUPPORT THE ABATEMENT IF WE ARE IN A FINANCIAL POSITION THEN WE JUST CAN'T. IT IS A STARTING POINT.

THEY WILL REPRESENT THIS IS NUECES COUNTY'S POLICY. I'M OKAY. NOT TO RUSH ANYBODY BUT IF WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO PASS THE POLICY WITH THE AMENDMENT AND CHANGES?

>> I THINK WE DID THAT MOTION EARLIER.

>> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION AGAIN.

>> I SECOND THE MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. SINCE YOU'RE HERE, I THINK THE NEXT ITEM IS VERY QUICK. I KNOW YOU SAID SOMEBODY

[20. Discuss and consider authorizing a letter of support for a Foreign Trade Zone for Cimbar Resources inc. and related matters. ]

ELSE WAS COMING. ITEM NUMBER 20 IS DISCUSSING CONSIDER AUTHORIZING A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A FOREIGN TRADE ZONE FOR SANDBAR RESOURCES. I KNOW THEY RECEIVED LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS AND SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED , SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU MOVING IT UP.

>> WILL GET SOME REST. WE NEED YOU TO GET BETTER.

[2. Discuss and consider adopting 1st Amendment to the Amended Cooperative Agreement for City Operated Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District and related matters.]

>> MOVING BACK IN OUR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO. DISCUSSING AND CONSIDER ADOPTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE CITY OPERATED CORPUS CHRISTI NUECES COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT. THIS IS THE AMENDMENT THAT HITS US THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH TO THE EXTENSION WITH THE GUIDELINES . I BELIEVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS APPROVED. DR. GONZALEZ HAS SEEN AND APPROVED AS WELL. I BELIEVE THIS IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD IF I CAN GET A MOTION.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR , SAY AYE. THE MOTION PASSES. LET ME SEE WHERE YOU GUYS ARE SINCE WE HAVE CHAVEZ AND OUR MILITARY

[12. Discuss and consider approving the ARPA beneficiary agreements for the Rescue House of South Texas dba Hope Unlimited ($49,500) and the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi Texas ($49,500).]

HERE AS WELL. I WILL JUMP AHEAD FOR YOU GUYS. ITEM

[02:45:03]

NUMBER 12. I DON'T LIKE TO JUMP AROUND BUT WE APPRECIATE OUR VETERANS BAND AT MILITARY SERVICE. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVING THE ARPA BENEFICIARY AGREEMENTS FOR THE RESCUE HOUSE OF SOUTH TEXAS DBA HELP UNLIMITED FOR $49,500 AND THE VETERANS BAND OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS FOR 49 THOUSAND DOLLARS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OVER I BELIEVE THESE HAVE

BEEN VETTED AND APPROVED. >> CORRECT, THESE WERE ITEMS THE COURT HAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FOR ME TO ALLOCATE PRECINCT FUNDS TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORT THOSE TWO ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL. I CERTAINLY WANTED TO GET THAT DONE . I THINK WE FINALLY GOT THROUGH THIS. I WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE TO RECOGNIZE THE VETERANS BAND THAT ARE HERE BECAUSE HONESTLY IF WE COULD'VE DONE MORE WE WENT RIGHT UP TO THE EDGE AND WERE ABLE TO DO 50 AND WE DID 49 FIVE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO OVER THE LIMIT. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BAND AND ALL THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE FOR SO MANY YEARS. THIS IS A SMALL TOKEN OF THE APPRECIATION I KNOW THIS COMMUNITY AND COURT FEELS FOR THE EFFORTS Y'ALL HAVE MADE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK YOU DO, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU DO TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY. IT'S AN HONOR FOR ALL OF US TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS

TODAY. >> PERMISSION TO SPEAK? FIRST, BEFORE I TAKE TIME TO THANK YOU I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THE REASON I HAVE SECURITY DETAIL IS BECAUSE THE SHERIFF IS AFTER ME. IT IS AND INDEED HONOR TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.

I INVITED SOME MEMBERS HERE WITH ME BECAUSE IT IS FOR THEM. EVERYTHING WE DO IS FOR THE VETERANS COMMUNITY. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONERS AND SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HERE 38 YEARS LATER. I ALWAYS TELL THE BAND WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS AND A LOT OF RIGHT THINGS. IF WE HAD NOT WE WOULDN'T HAVE LASTED 30 MINUTES. JUNE 3RD WE WILL CELEBRATE 38 YEARS STILL GOING ON. THE OTHER ONE ONLY HAS ONE STAR FOR TEXAS. SEE. THE REASON I MENTION THAT IS BECAUSE ONE THING WE HAVE IS BECAUSE WE PLAY SO MUCH. MEMORIAL DAY WE DO THREE MAJOR EVENTS. VETERANS DAY IS NOT VETERANS DAY FOR US, IT IS VETERANS WEEK. WE START BACK ON NOVEMBER 3RD AND GO UNTIL NOVEMBER 18TH. WE ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING. WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR FUNDRAISING. OUR MISSION IS TO HONOR THE MILITARY AND VETERANS. WE HAVE NINE MILITARY CHAIN OF COMMAND ISSUES. AT THE BASE , KINGSVILLE BECAUSE LEXINGTON , THE ORTIZ CENTER IN SECTOR EIGHT FOR THE COAST GUARD AT THE AIRPORT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WE WILL CONTINUE DOING IT.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS AND ALL OF YOU. IT WAS THE IDEA TO DO THIS FOR US AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA. YOU HAVE SO MUCH STRENGTH. WE HAVE RUN 38 YEARS IN THE BLACK. WE HAVE BEEN CLOSE BUT PEOPLE HAVE SUPPORTED US CONTINUOUSLY. YOU HAVE DONE IT ONCE AGAIN. EACH ONE OF YOU HAVE SUPPORTED THE IDEA THAT COMMISSIONER CHESNEY HAD SO WE APPRECIATE THAT. I WON'T KEEP YOU LONG . SHERIFF, THESE ARE ALL MILITARY TRAINED. OUR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN FRIENDS SINCE OUR GRANDKIDS, YOUR SON, 18 YEARS. SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THANK YOU AND PLEASE CELEBRATE WITH US. JUNE 3RD WILL BE OUR 38TH YEAR AND CELEBRATE AS YOU SEE IS PERFORMED THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. I THINK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. WE WILL COME AND VISIT YOU WITH OUR NEW UNIFORMS WHEN WE HAVE A DIFFERENT COLOR. ALSO, COMMISSIONER GONZALES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE

[02:50:03]

COUNTY STAFF. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DO THE HARD WORK.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW CALL UPON US AND WE WILL BE HERE.

>> WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN WE GET A PICTURE? I WOULD LIKE TO GET A PICTURE WHILE THEY ARE HERE IN THEIR FANCY CLOTHES. IF YOU DON'T MIND COMING UP.

THREE . DID WE NOT VOTE? WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND? OKAY. YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION. I THOUGHT WE DID.

>> YES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. COMMISSIONER CHESNEY,

[3. Discuss and consider granting a Potable Waterline Easement and Right of Way to the University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Center related to UTMSI’s construction of student housing on property adjoining County-owned property near the IB Magee Beach Park, and related matters.]

GONZALES, THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER THREE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER GRANTING A POTABLE WATER LINE EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DREAMTIME CENTER.

>> RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY

[4. Discuss and consider Coastal Parks seeking grant funding from the Texas General Land Office's Coastal Management Program to assist with costs to update the County's Beach Management Plan (BMP) and the Joint County/City Erosion Response Plan (ERP).]

OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER COASTAL PARKS -- FOUR. I SAID THREE. ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

OKAY. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER COASTAL PARKS SEEKING GRANT FUNDING FROM THE J-LO COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO ASSIST

WITH COSTS. >> I WANT TO GIVE BACKGROUND ON THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW IF I GO AND GET THIS GRANT I'D BE GETTING A GRANT FOR US TO UPDATE THE BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT WOULD INCORPORATE UPDATING THE EROSION RESPONSE PLAN. THE PLAN WAS LAST UPDATED IN 2010. ERP WAS DONE IN 1112. IT IS A LONG PROCESS.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE HOW THE COURT FELT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO OPEN UP PANDORA'S BOX. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PROS AND CONS THAT COME WITH THIS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT PEOPLE WANTING TO ADD STUFF TO THE BEACH MANAGEMENT LAND, TAKE STUFF BACK, YOU WILL HAVE PEOPLE WITH A PAVER ISSUE. THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT COMES UP. THERE'S THOSE OUTLIERS OUT THERE IN THE PROCESS WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR ONCE IT STARTED. I DON'T WANT TO GO AFTER FUNDING TO DO THIS UNLESS YOU'RE READY TO GO THERE.

IT'S GOING TO END UP AND IT COULD BE SUPPORTIVE. IT COULD BE CONTROVERSIAL. FOLKS COME TO COURT WHEN WE HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT THIS PROCESS BECAUSE IT IS A FULL PUBLIC

[02:55:02]

PROCESS. WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE MEETINGS OUTSIDE OF COURT AND DO A BUNCH OF THAT STUFF. THE GL OH SUPPORTS IT. I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT IT AND WORKING WITH US BUT IT IS A MATTER OF WHETHER Y'ALL REALLY WANT ME TO GO THERE NOW.

>> YOU BROUGHT THIS TO US SO DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS?

>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE IF I GET THE MONEY -- IF I GET THE MONEY WE HIRE A CONSULTANT TO DO THE HEAVY LIFTING. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CHESNEY IS GOING TO GET ON PARTED WITH CALLS. I CAN'T TELL YOU. YOU HAVE DEALT WITH THESE PERMIT ISSUES I HAVE HAD TO GET RESOLVED. I WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR. I CAN WORK MY TAIL END OFF AND GET GRANT MONEY TO COVER THE COST. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE HEADED FOR ONCE WE OPEN THIS UP FOR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.

>> WE GET SLAMMED FOR STUFF THAT'S NOT OUR INVOLVEMENT SO I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM OPENING IT UP. THOUGHT I WOULD

THROW THAT OUT THERE. >> I GET THERE IS ALWAYS GRANT MONEY OUT THERE. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU THINK IS NEEDED? JUST BECAUSE THERE'S FREE MONEY DOESN'T MEAN WE GET IT.

>> IT DOES NEED TO BE UPDATED. IT'S NOT WELL PUT TOGETHER.

THE LAST TIME THEY UPDATED IT WAS A HALFHEARTED ATTEMPT. IT

NEEDS PROFESSIONAL UPDATING. >> UPDATING FROM WHAT YOU'RE

TALKING ABOUT IS DIFFERENT. >> THERE'S DIFFERENT RULES.

THEY TALK ABOUT DRIVING ON THE BEACH AS A ONE-WAY DIRECTION.

WE NEED TO LOOK IT IS ALSO ENTAILING LOOKING AT THE BEACH PARKING STICKER WHICH HAS BEEN $12 FOR OVER 15 YEARS. THOSE ARE THE BENEFITS THAT WILL COME OUT OF THIS AS WELL AS LOOKING AT ME AS A PUBLIC ENTITY I SHOULD BE ABLE TO REQUEST VARIANCES TO THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE FOR WHEN I MAINTAIN PUBLIC FACILITIES ON THE BEACH, BEHIND THE DUNES BECAUSE I'M PROVIDING THOSE FOR THE PUBLIC. WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN FIX THAT SO I HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE INDUSTRIES OR HOMEOWNERS WHEN THEY HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS AFTER A STORM THEY GO OUT AND FIX IT. I HAVE TO GO FIND MONEY. I CAN'T ALWAYS FIT WITHIN THE TIMELINES THE STATE MAY PUT ON FROM WHICH THEY MAY NEED REPAIRS. THERE'S THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE PUBLIC IF WE UPDATE THIS. ACTUALLY, THIS WILL INVOLVE BEACH MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE THEM . I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT TO EXPECT IN THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT HALF THE TIME MYSELF. IF YOU'RE

OKAY, I WILL GO FOR IT. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR YOU TO GO FORWARD AND SEEK FUNDING? I WILL SECOND THAT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED SAME SIGN. THANK YOU. ITEM

[5. Discuss and consider executing a one-year GSA contract #47QTCA20D002T for $35,084.05 with Projectmates for construction project management software to be integrated into Workday financial software and all related matters. ]

NUMBER FIVE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER EXECUTING A ONE-YEAR GSA CONTRACT FOR $35,084.05 WITH PROJECT MATES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT. I THINK DARRELL IS HERE. WE HAD A MEETING EARLIER IN THE WEEK. APPARENTLY THIS IS THE OLD PROGRAM WE HAD THROUGH L.A. AND BUT WE WERE NOT OWNERS AND THERE IS SOME INFORMATION WE STILL NEED OFF OF THE PROGRAM. WE WOULD BE BUYING IT FOR A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT. WE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR OTHER PROJECTS AS WELL. WE MET WITH BERT AND QUAN AND THEY AGREED THE INFORMATION IN MOVING FORWARD IN THAT YEAR'S TIME WE CAN INCORPORATE WHAT IS GOOD, WHAT IS NOT GOOD AND TO WORKDAY PROJECTS BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS FOR INFORMATION WE HAVE NO ACCESS TO THAT IT IS ENDING. THAT IS WHY OUR SUGGESTION IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH PROJECTMATES. THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO PASS AND WHY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY

OTHER DISCUSSION? >> WHERE IS THE FUNDING COMING

FROM? >> CAPITAL OUTLAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND IF THERE IS NO OTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES.

[6. Discuss and consider authorizing execution of Interlocal Agreement between the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Nueces County providing for (2024) Street Improvement Program funding in an amount of $111,108.00.]

THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER SIX, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ALL THE

[03:00:05]

RIGHT EXECUTION OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE RTA AND NUECES COUNTY PROVIDING FOR OUR 2024 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING . WE DID GET OUR MONEY FOR A PROGRAM FOR LAST YEAR.

THIS IS FOR 2024. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS THE CALCULATIONS ARE DONE BY TERESA. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY

[7. Discuss and consider the selection of International Consulting Engineers for Engineering Services under Master Service Contract No. #20230259-4/26 (RFQ No. 3232-23) for the Hazel Bazemore Park Improvement Project, Precinct 1.]

OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION PASSES. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE SELECTION OF ICE ENGINEERS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES UNDER MASTER SERVICE CONTRACT FOR HAZEL BAZEMORE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. I MAKE THE MOTION TO

PASS. >> WHERE WAS THE FUND COMING

FROM ON THIS? >> THE PARKS PROJECT.

>> OKAY. >> YES. I MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS. WE HAVE A SECOND . ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY

[8. Discuss and consider authorizing and approving the selection of Levy Dykema for Oscar Ortiz Park Additions & Renovations.]

OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION PASSES. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE SELECTION OF OSCAR ORTIZ PARK ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS. THIS IS A CONDITIONAL

SELECTION I GUESS. >> SO WE CAN BEGIN DESIGN

WORK. >> THIS IS YOUR PROJECT AS

WELL? >> WE WILL COME BACK NEXT WITH

WORK AUTHORIZATIONS. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES.

[9. Discuss and consider authorizing and approving execution of an agreement with Musco Lighting, under BuyBoard Cooperative Contract No. 677-22, for the purchase of Lighting Structures at Banquete Park in the total amount of $395,460.00.]

ITEM NUMBER NINE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MUSCA LIGHTING UNDER BY BOARD COOPERATIVE FOR THE PURCHASING OF LIGHTING AT

BEN KENNEDY PARK. YES. >> THIS IS SOME TRADE-OFF

FUNDING WE HAD. >> WHEN WE TOOK YOUR MONEY? THAT'S FROM THE TRADE-OFF. I MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES.

ITEM NUMBER 10. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A COUNTY ASSISTANCE DISTRICT --

>> THERE'S SEVERAL THAT WILL GO FAST. OKAY. I JUST NOTICED

[11. Discuss and consider moving forward with the ARPA approved engineer, Freese and Nichols, Inc., for the widening of the bridge on County Road 47 and all related matters. ]

THAT. ITEM NUMBER 11 , DISCUSS AND CONSIDER MOVING FORWARD WITH THE ARPA APPROVED ENGINEER FOR THE WIDENING OF THE BRIDGE ON COUNTY ROAD 47. I BELIEVE THAT IS YOURS.

>> MOTION TO PASS. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR --

>> WOULD YOU MIND TO APPROVE SELECTION OF FOR THIS?

>> WHEN I SAY PASS I'M MAKING THE MOTION TO PASS.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY

[13. Discuss and consider approval for method of procurement IFB (Invitation for Bids) for Belk Lane Drainage Improvements; and authorize the Purchasing Agent to publish a notice; and related matters.]

OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. ITEM NUMBER 13, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR METHOD OF PROCUREMENT IFB FOR BELK LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO PUBLISH A NOTICE AND RELATED MATTERS.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. ITEM NUMBER

[14. Discuss and consider approval for method of procurement IFB (Invitation for Bids) for Petronila Estates Drainage Improvements; and authorize the Purchasing Agent to publish a notice; and related matters.]

14, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR IFB FOR ESTATES DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND PURCHASING AGENT TO PUBLISH A NOTICE AND RELATED MATTERS. ITEM NUMBER 14. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. ITEM NUMBER 15 -- DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR METHOD OF

[03:05:03]

PROCUREMENT INVITATION FOR BIDS FOR COLUMBIA'S SEPTIC SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO SUBMIT A NOTICE AND RELATED MATTERS.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION I WANT TO ASK ON THIS.

>> YOU WANT TO PULL THIS INTO EXECUTIVE?

>> 15 AND 16 PULL INTO EXECUTIVE? ITEM 15 AND 16.

[17. Commissioner Joe A. Gonzalez (JAG), Pct 2, will provide information on Nueces County Operation Health and Wellness event for 2024; discuss and consider funding needs and other related matters.]

ITEM NUMBER 17 , KEEPING IT MOVING QUICKLY, COMMISSIONER JAG WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ON NUECES COUNTY OPERATION HEALTH AND WELLNESS EVENT FOR 2024 . THAT WAS OUR IRT BUT THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE MILITARY IS NOT

COMING IF I AM CORRECT. >> THIS IS AN UPDATE. SINCE THERE WILL BE NO IRT WE CALL IT THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND IT WILL BE FOR ONE WEEK , MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THE TWO LOCATIONS . IT WOULD BE OVER THERE. WE TAKE A VOTE OF ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND PARTNERS THAT WANTED TO DO IT. EITHER WE NOT DO IT OR DID IT SO IT WAS ALMOST A UNANIMOUS VOTE.

EVERYBODY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY. IF WE DON'T DO IT NOW NEXT YEAR WE DO IT THEN THEY DIDN'T DO IT LAST YEAR. I THINK THE CORPORATION HAS REALLY IMPROVED. WE ARE MEETING WITH SOME PARTNERS. WE WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH THEM . RIGHT NOW, WE MOVE FORWARD . I DIDN'T BRING THE DATE. IT'S GOING TO BE IN JULY. IT'LL BE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. EVERYTHING WE PROVIDE THE ONLY THINK WE ARE NOT PROVIDING IS THE DENTAL. ALL THE MEDICAL WE ARE PROVIDING. WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE SOME DOCTORS AND NURSES AND VOLUNTEERS BUT ALSO THE OPTOMETRIST LIKE IT WAS BEFORE. WE ARE LOOKING AT PROBABLY GIVING PEOPLE VOUCHERS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT. THEY GO TO GET THEIR OWN GLASSES.

THAT IS THE WAY IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW. DENTAL WILL BE THE ONLY ONE TO BE OUT BECAUSE THE MILITARY WAS ONE THAT THE DENTAL EQUIPMENT. IF IT WORKS THEN HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR WE CONTINUE PROVIDING THESE KIND OF SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

BY LOCAL INSTEAD OF IRT, JUST LOCAL PARTNERS. VENDORS AND ALL THAT. I THINK IT WILL WORK. THANKS FOR YELLS SUPPORT LAST TIME. I APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT. THIS YEAR WE WILL TRY TO MAKE IT GOOD. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS. WE WILL BE MEETING AND FINALLY WE SAID LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON IT. IT WAS UNANIMOUS SO WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT. ITEM NUMBER 18, DISCUSS

[18. Discuss and Consider authorizing the submission of the TWDB SFY 2024-2025 Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) abridged application designating the County Judge as the authorized representative. ]

AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE TWD BS FY FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUND ABRIDGED APPLICATION DESIGNATING THE COUNTY JUDGE AS THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE. I BELIEVE YOU WORKED ON THIS ? IS SOMEONE ELSE PRESENTING THIS? EDWARD, GO AHEAD.

>> THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I KNOW JJ HAS EXPERIENCE AND CAN GIVE US MORE ON THAT AS WELL IF NEED BE. HE CAN JUMP IN AND GET US UPDATES ON THAT AS WELL AS ROBERT.

[03:10:01]

THIS IS BASICALLY THE FIRST STEP I BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS.

THERE'S TYPICALLY TWO STEPS SAID TO ALLOCATE STATE FUNDING . IT MAY NOT BE 100% BUT IT IS GOOD ENOUGH TO HELP. IF WE ARE AWARDED OR RECOGNIZED TO PROCEED OR SECOND ROUND OF APPLICATION IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK .

>> I MAKE THE MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[19. Discuss and consider how Workday calculates hourly wages and all related matters. ]

ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 19, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER HOW BIRTHDAY CALCULATES HOURLY WAGES AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. WE WERE ASKED TO PUT THIS OFF BUT I THINK ALSO TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WITH THE WORKDAY CALCULATIONS FROM THE WAY VISA CALCULATED ESPECIALLY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HOW WORKDAY CALCULATES IT. I'VE HAD MEETINGS IN MY OFFICE ABOUT THIS AS WELL. THEIR OFFICE HAS COME IN EVERY TIME. WE DO HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF LABOR INVESTIGATION GOING ON AND WE MET WITH THEM MONDAY. THEY ARE HERE DOING THE INVESTIGATION. WE BELIEVE WE ARE DOING IT CORRECTLY. WE SHOWED ALL THE INFORMATION AND FOLLOWING THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AND ALL THE CALCULATIONS ON THEIR WEBSITE AS WELL. WE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE 10 KNOW WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. WE UNDERSTAND THERE IS FRUSTRATION. I BELIEVE HE SAID HIS INVESTIGATION CAN TAKE UP TO 90 DAYS POSSIBLY . WHEN THEY DO AND THIS THEY HAD SOMEONE THAT CAN MAYBE TALK TO US AS WELL REPRESENT SOMETHING TO EXPLAIN. WE WANT TO DO IT CORRECTLY AND APPRECIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE A NEW SYSTEM AND UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US. ALL OF YOUR COMMISSIONERS UP HERE AS WELL . EVERYONE WANTS THIS TO BE DONE. THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT IF IT IS DONE CORRECTLY. WE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER THEY TELL US TO DO.

HOPEFULLY THEY TELL US WE DO IT CORRECTLY BUT WE WILL BE GETTING BACK TO YOU WITH THAT INFORMATION. ON GRANTS WE

[22. Discuss and consider upcoming Commissioners Court meeting date(s), workshop date(s), and related matters.]

WILL COME BACK TO THE BIG ONES LATER. 22. SORRY. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER UPCOMING COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING DATES. ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO MEETING DATES? I KNOW WE HAD ALREADY CHANGED ONE BUT I THINK I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY CANCELLATIONS OR

[1. Authorize the execution of a Grant Agreement for $10,000.00 with Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation to sponsor the Keach Library's Summer Reading Program with 'no cash match'. ]

PROBLEMS SO THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING THERE. ITEM B, GRANTS.

AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT FOR $10,000 WITH BARBARA BUSH HOUSTON LITERACY FOUNDATION TO SPONSOR THE KEECH FAMILY LIBRARY GROUP WITH A NO CASH MATCH. I SECOND THAT MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. BEFORE WE RUN OFF, I KNOW CRYSTAL HAS JUMPED UP AND IS IN THE BACK TO A POSITION TO HELP.

LET ME COMMEND YOU ON WHAT AN EXCELLENT JOB YOU ARE DOING OVER THERE. WE APPRECIATE YOU. ITEM NUMBER TWO, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THAT UP AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. I KNOW THERE'S ISSUES COMING UP AND I THINK WE SHOULD DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER TWO. I WILL SKIP AND BRING IT BACK. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BRING IT INTO EXECUTIVE BUT AFTER EXECUTIVE

BRING THAT ITEM UP. OKAY. >> DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT TO

EXECUTIVE? >> IT PERTAINS TO SOMETHING ELSE AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR A GRANT AND WE HAVE POSSIBLY A MOTION IN AN EXECUTIVE THAT MAY AFFECT THIS AND WHICH DEPARTMENT THIS GOES TO SO I THINK WE SHOULD ADDRESS IT

AFTER. >> RIGHT.

>> HOLD ONTO IT. >> YES. IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

[1. Receive update on the Hilltop Community Center Renovation Project. ]

ITEM C , NUMBER ONE. RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE HILLTOP

[03:15:06]

COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT. I BELIEVE MR. RICHTER IS HERE. BEFORE WE RECEIVE THAT UPDATE I DO HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE ABOUT THIS AS WELL BECAUSE I KNOW IN THE PREVIOUS AGENDA BEFORE IT WAS FINALIZED THERE WAS AN ACTION ITEM ON HERE AND I'M GLAD THAT PUBLIC WORKS IS IN HERE BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM MY OFFICE AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE ASKED WHAT THE PERIMETERS WHERE BUT THIS IS A COUNTYWIDE PROJECT AND WE DON'T NEED PERMISSION FROM A SINGLE COMMISSIONER TO RELEASE THAT INFORMATION. THIS IS IN THAT DISTRICT BUT A COUNTYWIDE PROJECT WITH FUNDS GOING TO IT.

MY OFFICE WAS TOLD WE HAD TO GET THE PERMISSION. IT MIGHT'VE BEEN A MISTAKE BUT LET ME BE CLEAR THIS IS COUNTYWIDE.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT. >> I UNDERSTAND IT IS COUNTYWIDE BUT THERE IS A COURTESY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO AROUND ME THE WAY THINGS ARE WORKING OUT RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE THAT HAVE OTHER INTERESTS AND THINGS WITH THIS BUILDING IS WHEN I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. I UNDERSTAND IT IS A COUNTYWIDE BUILDING OF WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE BUT IT WAS ME THAT DECIDED YOU COULD'VE COME TO ME.

>> MY OFFICE DID COME. MY OFFICE DID COME TO YOUR OFFICE AND WE WERE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT SO WE DID TRY.

SOMEBODY'S GOT IT. >> MY PROBLEM IS NOT WITH YOUR OFFICE, IT IS WITH PUBLIC WORKS NOT RELEASING SOMETHING I REQUESTED. I'M SORRY. YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF IT BUT PROJECTS ARE COUNTY PROJECTS. WHEN RE-REQUEST INFORMATION WE

SHOULD HAVE THE SAME ACCESS. >> WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT? YOU ASKED ME TO COME IN IF I COULD GET THE PROJECT UNDER THE PROPOSED BID WHICH WE DID , HE SAID YOU WOULD APPROVE IT. IT DID COME IN AND NOW EVERYBODY SHOWS SPECIAL INTEREST IN THIS BUILDING.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE SAYING TODAY.

>> THERE'S A LETTER THAT SAYS WE GOT IT.

>> TELL ME WHAT I HAVEN'T GIVEN YOU BACK. I GIVE YOU 1000 PAGES OF BOB HALL LAST MEETING. THERE WAS 1000 PAGES.

THIS BACKUP IS NOT A PRESENTATION. WHEN THIS COURT PASSED CONDITIONALLY MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS DIDN'T COME DOWN TO 9 MILLION WITH THE SAME SCOPE. YOU ELIMINATED AN ALTERNATIVE SO THE SCOPE IS NOW SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT BECAUSE ALL I'VE GOT IS ONE LITTLE LETTER THAT SAYS THIS IS WHAT I'VE GOT. I DON'T HAVE THE PRESENTATION ON POWERPOINT OR SOMETHING SO THAT IS WHY I

ASKED FOR IT. >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WANT ME TO LOWER THE PRICE. WE HAVE TO LOWER SOME THINGS THAT

WILL GET DONE. >> VALUE ENGINEERING TO ME MEANS YOU TAKE THE SAME SCOPE AND REDUCE THE COST, NOT THE SCOPE. WHEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS IT WAS GOING TO SPEND 9 MILLION ON RENOVATING ALL OF THE PROJECT. NOW WE ARE DOWN TO 12,000 FEET. NOBODY HAS GIVEN ME ANY BACKUP. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ARE OUT THERE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A 25, 40,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING AND NOW RENOVATE 12 OF IT? I'M JUST HEARING THIS THROUGH THE RUMOR MILL. OKAY.

YOU ASKED A QUESTION. THE INTEREST IS THERE'S NO BACKUP.

WE ARE GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU. I WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTS.

THOUSANDS. YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT BUT EVERYTHING IS PUBLIC. ANYTIME YOU WANT IT, YOU CAN HAVE IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN.

PERHAPS I BEGIN WITH THE COMMENT JUST NOW MADE ABOUT SQUARE FOOTAGE AND MAYBE BACK INTO A BROADER PERSPECTIVE ON

[03:20:02]

WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW. TECHNICALLY WE ARE RENOVATING 15,000 SQUARE FEET AND BUILDING NEW JUST UNDER 8000 SQUARE FEET. FUNDAMENTALLY WE HAVE 23 IN THIS REVISED ENGINEER PROGRAM OF 23,000 FEET THAT IS ESSENTIALLY NEW OR RENOVATED TO BE EQUAL TO NEW.

>> HOW MUCH OF THE SPACE IS TOTAL RENOVATION THAT IS NOT

BEING TOUCHED? >> THERE WAS ONE WING. I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME BUT IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL SQUARE FOOTAGE THERE WAS ONE WING BID AS AN ALTERNATE THAT I THINK IS PROBABLY ABOUT -- IT'S PROBABLY ROUGHLY 7000 SQUARE FEET THAT WAS A BID ALTERNATE AND NOT IN THE BASE BID BUT ALTERNATE IN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE AND THAT IS NOT BEING TAKEN. YOU COULD SAY THE ORIGINAL TOTAL SCOPE WAS ROUGHLY 30,000 SQUARE FEET NEW AND RENOVATED AND THE VALUE ENGINEERED SCOPE IS ROUGHLY 23,000 NEW AND RENOVATED.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING DRAWING?

>> I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WOULD BE THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL HERE. LET ME BACK UP. WHAT I WAS PREPARED TO REPORT WAS WE MET WITH DLF WHO IS THE LOW BIDDER FOR THE PROJECT AND PRESENTED TO THEM IN FORMAL BUT DOCUMENTED VALUE ENGINEERING CHANGES IN ORDER TO TRY TO BRING THE PROJECT INTO SCOPE. SOME ARE RELATED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE. SOME ARE RELATED TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS THAT HAD SOME VERY SOPHISTICATED OPERABLE WINDOWS FOR NATURAL VENTILATION YOU MAY RECALL. SOME GREEN FEATURES OR SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES THAT HAD A PRETTY HIGH PRICE TAG. WE GOT THE BUILDING SIMPLER. IT STILL HAS A HIGH QUALITY SYSTEM BUT IS MORE CONVENTIONAL AND SIMPLER. A FEW CHANGES IN FINISHES WHERE WE TOOK SOME LARGE FORMAT FILE AND SUBSTITUTED PLASTER FOR IT. WE MADE A SERIES OF THOSE CHANGES AND WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE PROJECT TENTATIVELY TO ABOUT $9.4 MILLION. WHAT WE WERE ASKING TO DISCUSS AND FOR AUTHORIZATION I SUPPOSE TODAY WAS FOR OUR OFFICE TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE FORMAL CHANGES TO THE PLANS.

>> THERE IS NO ACTION. >> MAYBE IT WAS A REPORT JUST

SO YOU WOULD KNOW . >> YES.

>> WE ARE MAKING ALL OF THESE CHANGES AT OUR COST. WE ARE PREPARED TO DO THEM. I WOULD ESPECIALLY PREFER NO HEARING DISCUSSIONS TODAY TO NOT GO AHEAD AND MAKE THOSE CHANGES AT OUR COST UNLESS WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE GOING IN A DIRECTION THE COUNTY WANTS TO GO. I FELT LIKE THIS WAS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE SO YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND WHAT WE ARE PREPARED TO DO. WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR IS WE HAVE COME UP WITH A SERIES OF ENGINEER CHANGES TO KEEP THE COST DOWN. IT'S TENTATIVELY DOWN TO AROUND 9.4. WE WON'T KNOW WHAT THE HARD FINAL NUMBER IS UNTIL WE REVISE ALL THE PLANS, GO BACK FORMALLY AND GET THE HARD NUMBERS BACK AND THEN COME BACK WITH AN ACTUAL REVISED BID. WE EXPECT IT CAN BE ACHIEVED AT ABOUT 9.4 WITH THE CHANGES WE ARE CURRENTLY CONTEMPLATING. WE ARE PREPARED TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THOSE CHANGES TO THE PLAN SO WE CAN COME BACK WITH A HARD NUMBER OR NOT . AS YOU WISH. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S NO ACTION SO MAYBE I WON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WISH. BUT YOU UNDERSTAND MY

DILEMMA. >> I WANT TO SAY I KNOW WE DID A POWERPOINT AND YOU SHOWED US. I THINK THERE WAS

[03:25:01]

A DIAGRAM OF HOW IT WAS GOING TO LOOK. I KNOW YOU GAVE US THAT. YOU GAVE US YOUR DESIGN . I DON'T KNOW IF NOBODY ELSE GOT IT BUT I THINK THOSE WERE GIVEN TO US IN COURT. IT WAS PROBABLY MAYBE LAST YEAR ? TOBER, SEPTEMBER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AT THAT TIME I THINK WE DID TELL YOU TO GO BACK . NO ONE REALLY ASKED YOU IF WE CAN OR DO WE HAVE TO USE PHASE ONE OUR PHASE TWO. YOU WERE GOING TO GO BACK TO SOME OF THIS TO MAKE IT FIT TO WHATEVER IT WAS. I KNOW

YOU'VE GIVEN US PAPERWORK. >> WE HAVE PRESENTED THE DESIGN ON PROBABLY THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN DIFFERENT STAGES.

SOMETHING ABOUT VALUE OF ENGINEERING AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. YOU KNOW I DON'T TRUST JACOBS AT ALL. I WOULD SAY TALKING ABOUT $26 MILLION OVER HERE AND 9 MILLION OVER HERE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM BUT I'M JUST SAYING FOR THE BENEFIT YOU DID GIVE US INFORMATION.

>> I PULLED THOSE UP FROM THE OLD AGENDAS AS WELL. WHAT WE WERE ASKING FOR WHEN IT WAS AN ACTION ITEM THAT WOULD'VE ELIMINATED A LOT OF THIS CONVERSATION WAS WHAT WAS TAKEN OUT. WE CALLED DOWN AND ASKED FOR THAT OR WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE MORE DISCUSSION BUT WHEN YOU ASK FOR SOMETHING YOU'RE TOLD YOU CAN'T HAVE IT THAT SENDS UP ALL ALARMS AND I START LOOKING DEEPER AND ASKING MORE. WE WERE TOLD THAT COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ WAS NOT RELEASING

AND WE COULD NOT GET IT. >> SAME THING.

>> THAT'S WHY WANTED ONE IN HERE. THIS IS A COUNTY PROJECT.

WE ASK FOR SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE WE ARE RELEASED NO MATTER WHOSE DISTRICT IT IS IN. PLEASE TALK TO BERT ABOUT

THAT. >> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. I TOOK THE LEAD ON THAT. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE SPECIAL CONCERN . THERE WAS NEVER A CONCERN AS MUCH AS THERE IS NOW

. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. I

APOLOGIZE. >> I HAVE NEVER GONE TO THIS.

I'VE NEVER QUESTIONS ANYBODY.

>> THAT WAS A LARGE AMOUNT FOR A PROJECT TO VALUE AND ENGINEER THE PRICE DOWN. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO KNOW THE SCOPE OF WORK. THE REASON THE QUESTIONS WERE ASKED IS THE REASON IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AND WE WERE TOLD WE

COULDN'T HAVE IT. >> THAT IS MY FAULT.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT THIS BACK ON THE AGENDA AS AN ACTION ITEM. I THINK THE BETTER PART OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THERE IS NO ACTION TODAY SO I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TELL YOU I WOULD DO ANY CHANGES BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW

WHAT WE ARE CHANGING. >> I THINK YOU ALL KNOW MY OFFICE IS TOTALLY TRANSPARENT IN ALL THINGS RELATED TO PUBLIC WORK AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE EVERYTHING SO FAR AND ALL THE

NUMBERS. >> WHAT I NEED BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE HAVE THIS ON TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH WHATEVER SCOPE IS THE EXACT HOW MANY SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT BUILDING IS AND HOW MUCH WE ARE RENOVATING BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED THIS AND MET WITH YOU IT WAS WE WILL RENOVATE THE ENTIRE PROJECT AND I SAID I WOULDN'T BE COMFORTABLE WITH A NUMBER BIGGER THAN THE NUMBER WE ARE AT. SOUNDS TO ME WE ARE NOW RENOVATING THE TOTAL PROJECT WHICH CONCERNS ME.

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU IS THE EXACT AMOUNT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT WE ARE RENOVATING , FOR THE PROJECT, WHAT NOW WE ARE SUPPOSEDLY GOING TO LOOK AT BECAUSE IT IS DIFFERENT THAN

[03:30:04]

WHAT WE VOTED ON SO NOW WE HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN AS TO WHAT THE NEW SCOPE IS, WHY, AND HOW MUCH IT MEANS IF WE GO BACK AND RENOVATE HOW MANY MORE MILLIONS IS THAT GOING TO COST DOWN THE ROAD? THIS IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BECAUSE IF YOU'RE TAKING OUT A WING THAT IS 7000 SQUARE FEET, IS THAT WHERE THE ELECTION STUFF IS? IS THAT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RENOVATION?

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF THIS WILL BE COVERED WHEN WE SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION. IN THE SPIRIT OF PEOPLE GETTING AN ACCURATE VIEW OF WHAT WE ARE DOING THE PROJECT HAS NEVER PROPOSED TO TOTALLY RENOVATE THE ENTIRE HILLTOP FACILITY.

EVEN THE EARLIEST DESIGN HAD THREE WINGS RENOVATED AND THREE LEFT FOR FUTURE RENOVATION. IT'S BEEN THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME. WHAT WE ARE AT NOW IS TO GO FROM 3 TO 2.

>> FOR $9 MILLION WE ARE RENOVATING ONE THIRD OF

HILLTOP. >> RENOVATING ONE THIRD AND BUILDING NEW THE EQUIVALENT OF ANOTHER WING.

>> TWO THIRDS ON RENOVATED WITH THIS PROJECT.

>> THE TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 SQUARE FEET. TOTAL OF EVERYTHING. ALL SIX WINGS. PLUS THE NEW WE ARE

BUILDING. >> THAT WAS A DESIGN CHANGE .

MY GOAL WAS TO RENOVATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. 45,000 SQUARE FEET AND UNDER THIS YOU ARE RENOVATING 15,000 OF THE 45,000 EXISTING AND THEN ADDING 8000 .

>> THE 45,000 INCLUDES THE NEW.

>> I'M SORRY, I DON'T HAVE THAT.

>> I WILL. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT STRICTLY IN THE TERMS OF EXISTING FACILITY IT IS ACCURATE TO SAY WE ARE RENOVATING NOW WITH THIS REVISED SCOPE ONE THIRD , TWO OF THE SIX WINGS. WE ARE ADDING SQUARE FOOTAGE SUCH THAT WE WILL HAVE NEW AND RENOVATED COMBINED 23,000 SQUARE FEET WHICH IS HALF OF THE TOTAL FACILITY, NOT ONE THIRD. THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS WE HAVE NOW. THE SCOPE THAT WAS DISCUSSED WAY BACK WHEN THERE WAS CONTEMPLATING REMOVING THE ENTIRE FACILITY AND BUILDING A NEW FACILITY WAS 30,000 SQUARE FEET. ROUGHLY AS OPPOSED TO 45. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT IN COMPARATIVE TERMS WE ARE PROPOSING RENOVATION AND NEW TOTALING 23,000 SQUARE FEET VERSUS SAY 30,000 CONTEMPLATED ENTIRELY BUT WE STILL HAVE 22,000 OF EXISTING FACILITY THAT IS FUNCTIONAL AND AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE RENOVATION. IT IS A BIGGER PROJECT IF YOU DON'T TEAR THE EXISTING BUILDING DOWN BUT YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO RENOVATE THE WHOLE THING BECAUSE RENOVATION IS EXPENSIVE JUST LIKE NEW CONSTRUCTION. IT IS A COMPLICATED EQUATION. IN TERMS OF THE VALUE PROPOSITION FOR THE COUNTY NOBODY IS MORE SENSITIVE TO VALUE THAN WE ARE. WE'RE SPENDING A LOT TO TRY TO GIVE YOU GOOD VALUE. WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH SQUARE FOOTAGE IS YOU NEED AND YOU CAN COMPARE NEW VERSUS RENOVATION AND DECIDE WHERE YOU THINK THE BEST VALUE IS BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE ARE ALL HERE TO TRY TO DO.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ WILL PROBABLY PUT THIS ON THE NEXT AGENDA AS WELL. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE

[2. Discuss and consider the selection of International Consultant Engineers (ICE) for the New Driscoll Community Center project, Precinct 1 and related matters.]

YOU COMING. ITEM NUMBER TWO, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER SELECTION OF ICE ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW DRISCOLL COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT PRECINCT 1 AND RELATED MATTERS. ANY MOTIONS FOR THIS MUST INCLUDE SOME LANGUAGE CONTINGENT ON THE M.O. YOU OR DEED FROM THE CITY OF DRISCOLL TO THE COUNTY WHERE THE LAND

THIS IS GOING TO BE ON. >> IT'LL BE BOTH. A DEED AND

M.O. YOU? >> WHAT IS THE TOTAL PROJECT?

>> 500,000. IT IS A TURNKEY PROJECT.

[03:35:06]

>> YES. >> HAVE WE DONE ANALYSIS ON TO OPERATE THE BUILDING? THE BUDGET?

>> IT IS BEEN MAINTAINED. THE BUILDING WOULD STILL BE

MAINTAINED. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR

MOTIONS? >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO PASS AND A SECOND CONTINGENT UPON THE M.O. YOU WITH THE CITY OF DRISCOLL FOR THE LAND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. WE HAVE ONE OF STAINING. ITEM NUMBER

[3. Discuss and consider execution of Work Authorization No. 1 for $67,232.00 with International Consultant Engineers (ICE) for the New Driscoll Community Center project, Precinct 1.]

THREE WILL REQUIRE THE SAME CONTINGENCY. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER EXECUTION OF WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER ONE .

THIS WOULD NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER WE RECEIVED THIS M.O.

YOU, RIGHT? WE WON'T BEGIN WORK BEFORE THE DEED OR M.O.

YOU . I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> YES I MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER ONE CONTINGENT UPON THE M.O.

YOU WITH THE CITY OF DRISCOLL BUT FOR WORK TO NOT BEGIN UNTIL WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION. AND THE PROPERTY IS DEEDED . DO I HAVE A SECOND BUSTY MARK WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. ANOTHER ABSTAIN. ITEM D, LET'S TRY

[1. Discuss and consider authorizing and approving the method of procurement, R.F.P. (request for proposals), for Morgue Transportation Services; authorize the Purchasing Agent to publish a notice; and adopt an order delegating evaluation authority to a selection committee.]

TO GET TO THESE AND WE MAY COME BACK TO THE LONGER ITEMS AFTER OUR BREAK FOR EXECUTIVE. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE METHOD OF PROCUREMENT FOR THE MORTGAGE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ANNUALLY AND YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ONE YOU HAVE , THE WEIGHT RESPONSE OR SOMETHING, I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME

[2. Discuss and consider conditional selection of Progressive Structures, Inc. for Veterans and Social Services Renovations (IFB No. 3265-24).]

SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES. ITEM NUMBER TWO, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CONDITIONAL SELECTION OF PROGRESSIVE STRUCTURES FOR VETERANS AND SOCIAL SERVICES RENOVATION HERE IN THE COURTHOUSE. THAT IS ARPA FUNDED MONEY. I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE AS WELL. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THE MOTION

[3. Discuss and consider conditional selection of Amistad Community Health Center, Inc. for Public Health Services at Calderon Building (RFP No. 3272-24) and related matters.]

PASSES. ITEM NUMBER THREE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CONDITIONAL SELECTION OF ARMISTEAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AT THE CALDER ON BUILDING. LET ME MAKE SURE IT IS CONDITIONAL SELECTION AND WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT TO SIGN BUT THE SERVICES ARE TO BEGIN

ON OCTOBER 1. >> WE ARE NOT TALKING MONEY YET. JUST PICKING AND NEGOTIATING.

>> YES. >> THAT WILL COME BACK. WE WILL

TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH. >> A CONDITIONAL SELECTION WHEN YOU PROVE THE SELECTION WE NEGOTIATE BACK WITH THE CONTRACT AND THE COURT WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE EXACT COST OF EVERYTHING AND BE ABLE TO MAKE A DECISION

BASED ON THAT. >> ON THE BID PUT ON THE RFP WHAT WERE THE SERVICES THAT WERE PLACED WITH THAT RFP?

WAS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC? >> I'M BRINGING IT UP.

>> IT'LL BE MOSTLY ON YOUR SCREENING. HIV AND THAT KIND OF DISEASE AND THE VACCINES. VACCINES FOR CHILDREN.

>> I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE. THE TIME WE HAD THE CHANCE TO AND TAKE A TOUR I WAS GOING TO SAY A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT I'M SURE IT'S BEEN LONGER THAN THAT PROBABLY ONLY SIX MONTHS OR SO.

I KNOW WE ARE JUST GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY ASSUMING THIS PASSES AND IT WILL BE ABLE TO DO A LOT BASED ON THE LIVES WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE TO BECOME MORE OF A HEALTH UNIT.

I ALWAYS WANT TO SEE ADDITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED.

[03:40:03]

THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD CONSIDER THAT IF MY FUNDING IS AVAILABLE THROUGH ARPA TO HELP SUPPORT GROWTH , LET'S DO IT NOW RATHER THAN PHASE ONE AND DO IT LATER BEFORE THE MONEY EXPIRES. IF I HAVE ANYTHING LEFT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT SOME TOWARDS THAT JUST TO EXPAND THAT. THE REASON WHY I WAS ASKING WOULD BE ALSO DENTAL IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

DENTAL SERVICES AND THAT TIES IN DIRECTLY WITH OVERALL MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE AND THE PREVENTATIVE PART TO BE ABLE TO CATCH A LOT OF HEALTH CONDITIONS SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE ADDED AT SOME POINT YOU ARE ON. JUST SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AND KNOW IT MAY COME UP.

>> WHEN WE WORKED WITH AMISTEAD IT WILL HAVE THE SERVICES COVERED AND WE WILL BE SURE THAT IS PROMINENTLY GIVEN TO YOU GUYS SO YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE WHAT THE SERVICES INCLUDE. I BELIEVE THERE WERE MEETINGS THAT WENT ON BETWEEN DR. GONZALEZ AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT OVERLAPPING WITH ANY OTHER SERVICES THAT WOULD BE CONFLICTING IN NATURE. I WILL LEAVE THAT TO THE EXPERT.

>> NO NEED TO EXPLAIN. JUST KEEP ME IN THE LOOP ON THAT AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT GRABS MY ATTENTION I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THAT. NOT TO BREAK QUORUM BUT IF THE JUDGE IS GOING TO BE THERE DEFINITELY NOT.

>> YEAH. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS. THANK YOU.

>> DO I HAVE A MOTION? I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION. ALL THOSE

[1. Approve Budget Amendment No. 04 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.]

IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE, SAME SIGN. ITEM E , APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR FOR FISCAL YEAR 23-24.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION YOUR BACKUP SAYS NUMBER FIVE.

OKAY. IT IS A REAL SMALL BUDGET AMENDMENT. THE BIGGEST ONES ARE FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. THEY HAD VACANCIES AND WERE ABLE TO HIRE VACANCIES. IT REQUIRED TRAINING. THERE IS NO LOCAL TRAINING SO THEY HAD TO HAVE MONEY MOVED FROM THE SERVICES CHARGE AND MOSTLY GO FOR TRAINING. I SUBMIT FOR YOUR ACCEPTANCE.

>> THE MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ON BUDGET AMENDMENTS I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE POINT BUT CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. I'VE BEEN ASKING I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES AND I KNOW YOU SENT ME ALL KINDS OF PAPERWORK BUT MY DEAL IS STILL WHERE ARE WE AT WITH THE INTEREST OF FUNDS? FROM DECEMBER TILL NOW WE PROBABLY HAVE .3 AND I KNOW WE MOVED , SO WHERE DO WE MOVE THAT TO?

>> DO WE APPROVE IT OR NOT? >> IT WAS BROUGHT UP THAT THE INTEREST FROM FUNDS WOULD BE APPROVED AND MOVED INTO THE GENERAL FUND FOR RESOURCES. THAT'S WHEN ARPA FIRST

STARTED. >> I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN THAT IS DONE. WE MOVE 1.6. SOMETIMES WE WON'T HAVE MONEY TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING

USED AT. >> IT'S THE REGULAR RESERVES.

CAN YOU BREAK IT DOWN IN GENERAL FUNDS?

>> EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT HAS A GENERAL FUND GETS FUNDS.

>> EVERYBODY HAS A BUDGET THEY CAN ONLY SPEND THAT IS APPROVED ANNUALLY. THAT'S NOT IN ADDITION TO THAT. ANYTHING NOT BUDGETED JUST LIKE A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO WE HAD TO TRANSFER MONEY BECAUSE INLAND PARKS HAD 60,000 THAT THEY HAD DONE FOR US FOR THE COMMISSIONERS THAT WAS OVER AND ABOVE. SHOULD HAVE COME TO US FIRST BUT THE MONEY HAD TO COME OUT. THAT IS ONE THING THAT GETS MOVED OUT THAT HAS

NOT BEEN BUDGETED. >> I THINK TOO MUCH HAS BEEN MOVED AROUND WITHOUT US KNOWING WHERE IT'S GOING.

>> THAT'S WHERE IT'S ALL. >> WE ARE TO LOOSE WITH THIS

[03:45:08]

MONEY INTEREST AND NOT KNOWING. I WILL HAVE TO PUT IN THE AGENDA EVERY TIME I GUESS. I PUT IT IN THE AGENDA EVERY MEETING. I'M SORRY. I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

>> ON THIS , THE $10,000 AMENDMENT NUMBER FIVE , NOT FOUR, WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE, SAME SIGN. YEAH. ITEM NUMBER TWO,

[2. Accept and approve Project Budget Amendment #002.]

ACCEPT AND APPROVE PROJECT BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO.

CHANGE FOR A COUPLE PROJECTS. WE ARE MOVING SOME MONEY AS I BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN FINALIZED TO RECOVER THAT AREA. WE ARE CREATING A NEW RAIN GARDEN FOR 10,000 AND THAT FUND IS COMING FROM UNALLOCATED FUNDS FOR BOTH THE GENERAL CORPORATION FUND AS WELL AS 2021. THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EACH TRANSFERS.

TO 37. >> THAT IS THE CHANGE ORDER? THAT IS CORRECT. IT IS YOUR PRECINCT.

>> YES. >> I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY I. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS TO COME BACK TO THAT I THINK WE WILL BREAK FOR EXECUTIVE NOW. YOU DON'T WANT THE OTHER UNTIL WE GET BACK. IT'S GOING TO BE A WHILE. ITEM NUMBER

[4. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PUBLIC NOTICE is given that the Commissioners Court may elect to go into an Executive Session anytime during the meeting to discuss matters listed anywhere on the Agenda, when authorized by the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. To the extent there has been a past practice of distinguishing items for public deliberation and those for executive session, the public is advised that the Court is departing from that practice, and reserves the right to discuss any listed agenda items in executive session when authorized by law to do so. In the event the Commissioners Court elects to go into Executive Session regarding an agenda item, the section or sections of the Open Meetings Act authorizing the Executive Session will be publicly announced by the presiding officer. In accordance with the authority of the Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes, Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.0745, 551.076, 551.086, 551.087, the Commissioners Court will hold an Executive Session to consult with attorney(s) including matters related to litigation; deliberate regarding real property, prospective gift(s), personnel matters, including termination, county advisory bodies, security devices, and/or economic development negotiations and other matters that may be discussed in an Executive Session. Upon completion of the Executive Session, the Commissioners Court may in an open session take such action as appropriate on items discussed in an Executive Session.]

FOUR, EXECUTIVE SESSION . PUBLIC NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY LIKE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ANYTIME DURING THE MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS LISTED ANYWHERE ON THE AGENDA. WHEN AUTHORIZED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE TO THE EXTENT THERE HAS BEEN A PAST PRACTICE OF DISTINGUISHING ITEMS FOR PUBLIC DELIBERATION AND THOSE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED THE COURT IS DEPARTING FROM THAT PRACTICE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISCUSS ANY LISTED AGENDA ITEMS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO DO SO. IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ELECTS TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING AN AGENDA ITEM, THE SECTION OR SECTIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT CODE, GOVERNANCE TEXAS CODES 501.071, 551.072, 551.076 , 551.074, 551. 076, 551.086 , 551. 087 COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL HOLD EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS INCLUDING MATTERS RELATED TO LITIGATION , DELIBERATE REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, PROSPECTIVE GIFTS, PERSONNEL MATTERS , INCLUDING TERMINATION, CAN YOU ADVISORY BODIES, SECURITY DEVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN AN ■ EXECUTIVE SESSION. UPON COMPLETION OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY IN AN OPEN SESSION TAKE SUCH ACTION AS APPROPRIATE ON ITEMS LISTED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM A WE ARE GOING TO CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL ON LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO CAUSE NUMBER 220 CV 00263 DAVID LONGORIA INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID JOHNSON.

DECEASED RAISES HAVE YEARS UPON A JUNIOR. THAT IS TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071. ITEM B, CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON CAUSE NUMBER 2023 CCV 60026 DASHED TO. ROBERT NOVOTNY VERSUS NUECES COUNTY AND COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER TWO, NUECES COUNTY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071.

ITEM C, CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS RELATED TO CREATING AND CHANGING COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, DEPARTMENT HAD JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND REPORTING STRUCTURES FOR THE UPCOMING 24/25 COUNTY BUDGET AND ALL

[03:50:01]

NUMBER SIX BARRY C VILLAGE, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.0725.

ITEM G, CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON LEGAL MATTERS REGARDING THE NUECES COUNTY AUDITOR'S REQUEST FOR CLAIM INFORMATION TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE 2023 INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND RELATED MATTERS 551.071 . WE ARE BRINGING IN ITEM THREE A 15 DISCUSS AND CONSIDER COLONIAS SEPTIC SYSTEM. THERE'S QUESTIONS ON 551.071 WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THREE A 16 DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE COLONIAS SET SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT AND SECTION 551.071 AS WELL.

>> MY APOLOGIES BUT ON HALF, IN ORDER TO DO THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION DESTRUCTION UNDER 55 ONE .0725 THERE HAS TO BE A VOTE BEFORE HAND IN OPEN 50. IF THAT IS THE VOTE DOING SO IN PUBLIC WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE POSITION OF THE COUNTY.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS EVERYBODY WAS HERE.

>> I THINK WE SAID THAT BEFORE. >> ITRY TO GET THEM. I

DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT. >> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO DO WHAT YOU SAID WE NEEDED TO DO.

>> A MOTION TO TAKE THIS INTO EXECUTIVE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE COUNTY TO DISCUSS THIS IN PUBLIC.

>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. THE MOTION IS UNANIMOUS. I'VE ALREADY READ THROUGH ALL OF THESE THINGS WE ARE TAKING INTO EXECUTIVE. IT IS 12:55. CAN I GAVEL THIS? OKAY. IT IS 12:55 AND WE ARE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[B. Consult with the County Attorney on Cause No. 2023CCV-60026-2; Robert Novotny v. Nueces County, Texas, in the County Court at Law #2, Nueces County, Texas (Tex. Gov’t Code § 551.071); discuss, consider, and take action to approve related settlement documents, authorize County Judge to execute related Release, Waiver and Settlement documents, authorize the issuance and release of an expedited check; and related matters.]

SESSION I WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE ITEM . DO YOU HAVE A MOTION

FOR THAT? SORRY. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE ON CASE NUMBER 2023 C AS IN CHARLES, CSN CHARLES, V AS IN VICTOR , 60026 DASHED TO ROBERT -- THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. THEY DIDN'T SAY WE HAD TO SAY DASHED DO WE HAVE TO LIST THE AMOUNT ? 10,000. SORRY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR . ANY OPPOSE, SAME SIGN. THE MOTION PASSES.

[D. Consult with County Attorney regarding legal matters related to the reorganization of county departments, and reduction in force generally pursuant to the Nueces County Personnel Policy Manual; and all related matters. (551.071) Discuss and consider taking action related to Social Services Department in the 2024-2025 fiscal year in regular session if appropriate. ]

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ITEM D . >> AFTER DELIBERATION I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO ELIMINATE SOCIAL SERVICES ALL BUT TWO POSITIONS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024. THE POSITIONS WILL BE SHIFTED TO VETERAN SERVICES TO HANDLE PROPER BURIALS AND

OTHER >> THE MOTION PASSES. MOVING

[F. Deliberate business and financial issues related to a contract being negotiated: Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Six (TIRZ No. 6, Barisi Village); and related matters (Tex. Gov’t Code § 551.0725); discuss, consider, and take action in regular session if needed.]

ONTO ITEM F. >> THANK YOU.

CHRISTI TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER SIX .

THIS IS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THAT AGREEMENT.

>> I SECOND THAT. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME THE MOTION

[10. Discuss and consider the creation of a County Assistance District or any other appropriate legal entity that allows the County to do this; and all related matters (551.071). Discuss and consider the possibility of Nueces County using the expiring 1/8 cents sales tax in conjunction with the creation of a County Assistance District, which would provide county wide drainage assistance, assistance and support of law enforcement, inland parks and pools, coastal parks, beaches and piers, tuition assistance for Nueces County residents, assistance for road improvements, and assistance for animals; and all related matters. ]

PASSES. MOVING TO REGULAR AGENDA . COMMISSIONER CHESNEY, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MOTION ON THAT. TO MOVE TO THE NEXT

MEETING. >> SORRY. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM TO DISCUSS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED AND HAVE NEEDS FOR CITY COUNTY AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES. IT IS A LATE AFTERNOON AND I THINK THE BETTER PART OF VALOR AT THIS POINT WOULD BE TO TABLE THIS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO SEE IF THERE IS COMMON GROUND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON AND FINDING TO WORK WITH THEM FOR BOTH OF US TO BENEFIT AND COME UP WITH DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE ALL OVER . I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT TO DO. I THINK WE NEED TO DO IT IN A MORE FORMALIZED FASHION. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION .

THE CITY HAS A TIMELINE THE CITY OUTLINED YESTERDAY AND IT IS PRETTY LENGTHY MEANING THEY DON'T CALL FOR A VOTE UNTIL AUGUST OF THIS YEAR. MY FIRST MOTION BEFORE I MOTION TO TABLE WITH THE TWO DIRECT --

>> GIVEN MY SITUATION IT SHOULD MAYBE BE YOU .

>> I FORGOT YOU WERE GOING TO BE GONE. THAT'S FINE. HOWEVER YOU WANT TO, I DON'T CARE. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO VOLUNTEER OR SOMEBODY WANTS TO KNOW I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST TWO OF US AND WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY AND WHOEVER THEY DO IT. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> YOU AND JOHN? >> THIS IS THE SALES TAX TO SEE IF WE CAN SIT DOWN AND WORK WITH IT. DID YOU VOLUNTEER? EASY FOR ME. I DIDN'T PLAN ON MAKING THE MOTION TO BE ME BUT YOU ARE GOING TO BE GONE. FOR YOUR VERY PERSONAL AND VALID REASONS. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION FOR MYSELF TO HAVE SOME PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS VERY QUICKLY WITH THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND WHOEVER THEY DESIGNATE TO SEE IF THERE'S COMMON GROUND WE CAN FIND BEFORE PUTTING THIS ON FOR AN

ACTION ITEM. >> I AGREE. GOOD POINT. DID WE

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SECOND THAT MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE,

SAME SIGN. >> I WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION OF ITEM 10 UNTIL THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING . THAT IS PRETTY QUICK. I DON'T KNOW WE CAN GET IT DONE BUT I WANT TO PUT IT ON AND IF WE HAVE TO TABLE IT

AGAIN I WOULD DO IT THAT WAY. >> I SECOND THAT MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO TABLE TO THE 24TH. ALL THOSE IN

[15. Discuss and consider approval for method of procurement IFB (Invitation for Bids) for Colonias Septic System Improvements; and authorize the Purchasing Agent to publish a notice; and related matters.]

[16. Discuss and consider allowing Commissioner Joe A. Gonzalez (JAG), Precinct 2, to make requests to outside entities for additional funding for the Colonias Septic System Improvement Project in compliance with the Nueces County Commissioners Court policy, and then to bring back any positive responses for court consideration. ]

FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. COMMISSIONER GONZALES , YOU ARE THREE A 15 AND 16.

>> I WANT TO TABLE THAT FOR THE NEXT MEETING ON THE 24TH

WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> I SECOND THAT MOTION AS WELL. WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE THREE A 15 , THREE A 16 .

[2. Discuss and consider the submission of a grant application for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Phase 41 grant made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. No Cash Match.]