[00:00:08] >> GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. WE ARE TESTING MICROPHONES HERE THIS MORNING. [1. CALL TO ORDER] I'M GOING TO GAVEL IN. I'M SIGNING A FEW RESOLUTIONS. SO GOOD MORNING. THAT IS THE OFFICIAL GAVEL FOR THIS MEETING AS I CALL IT TO ORDER. [A. County Judge calls for the Invocation.] AT THIS TIME I WOULD ASK YOU TO RISE. COMMISSIONER MODEST HAS GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO PROVIDE US WITH INVOCATION. WOULD YOU PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO OUR TEXAS FLAG. >> PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS. DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS DAY. WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A COMMUNITY. WE PRAY YOU GUIDE US TODAY, LORD. GIVE US THE KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND ALSO LET US KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO LISTEN AND TO LEARN. DEAR GOD, WE PRAY THAT TODAY THAT WE DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND THAT WE TIRELESSLY CONTINUE TO WORK ON THEIR BEHALF. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST. WE PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR NATION AND OUR WORLD. AS WE CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH COVID. WE PRAY LORD TODAY THAT THROUGH THIS MEETING THAT YOU WILL GUIDE US TO DO YOUR WILL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLESSINGS. IN YOUR HOLY NAME, AMEN. [B. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America and Texas Flags.] >> FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, 1 NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLNAT UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLNAT UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLONA UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLNAT UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE TEXAS, ONE STATE, UNDER GOD. >> OKAY. SO OUR DATE IS NOVEMBER 17TH, [C. County Judge will call roll, note date, time, and location of meeting, and certify a quorum is present.] 2021. WE ARE IN COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM, THE THIRD FLOOR OF NUECES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, LOCATED AT 9 901 LEAPORD. IT WAS ABOUT 8:35ISH, I DO CERTIFY THAT ALL COMMISSIONERS, MADAM CLERK ARE PRESENT. THEREFORE, I DO CERTIFY THAT A [D. SAFETY BRIEFING] QUORUM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. I'LL TURN NOW TO REBECCA FOR OUR SAFETY BRIEFING AND ASK THAT YOU GIVE HER YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. >> TESTING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND ATTENDEES. OUR SAFETY BRIEFING FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 17TH IS BEING HELD IN THE NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM. THE RESTROOMS ARE LOCATED ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE PAST THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE. THERE IS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE COURTROOM. ALSO FIVE ADDITIONAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE ATRIUM AREA. IN THE EVENT OF A CARDIAC EMERGENCY, AED IS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT WALL NEXT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE. PARTICIPANT WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DIALING 911 WILL BE CONNIE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EVACUATION, OUR REGRESS ROUTE WILL BE SLOWLY DOWN THE ATRIUM STAIRS. AND ASSEMBLE IN THE PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY TOGETHER. SHOULD THERE BE A NEED TO SHELTER IN PLACE, DEPENDING UPON THE SEVERITY OF THE SHELTER IN PLACE, THE COURTROOM DOUBLE DOORS WILL BE SECURED AND REMAIN SECURE UNTIL GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE NUECES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. OUR SAFETY TOPIC FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER IS A THANKSGIVING SONG THAT I WILL NOT SING, BUT I WILL READ. >> COME ON. >> I'LL SING YOU ONE FOR CHRISTMAS, SIR. GRATEFUL FOR EACH HAND WE HOLD GATHERED AROUND THIS TABLE. FROM FAR AND NEAR, WE TRAVEL HOME. BLESSED THAT WE ARE ABLE. GRATEFUL FOR THIS SHELTERED PLACE WITH LIGHT IN EVERY WINDOW, SAYING WELCOME, WELCOME. SHARE THIS FEAST COME IN AWAY FROM SORROW. ALL TOGETHER EVERYONE IN THE GIFT OF LOVING KINDNESS. GRATEFUL FOR WHAT IS UNDERSTOOD AND ALL THAT IS FORGIVEN. WE TRY SO HARD TO BE GOOD, TO LEAD A LIFE WORTH LIVING. FATHER, MOTHER, FATHER, SON, NEIGHBORHOOD, FRIEND AND FRIENDLESS, ALL TOGETHER LET EVERYONE LET EVERY DAY BE ENDLESS. GRATEFUL FOR EACH HAND WE HOLD GATHERED AROUND THIS TABLE. THIS CONCLUDES OUR RISK MANAGEMENT FOR TODAY. [E. 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.] [00:05:03] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY. AT THIS TIME, I'LL MOVE STRAIGHT INTO PUBLIC COMMENT. AND THEN AFTER THAT, WE'LL MOVE INTO OUR RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS. AND SO AT THIS TIME, I BET WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS. I SAW THEM OUTSIDE WAITING. DEPUTY, IF YOU WOULD ASK THEM TO COME IN. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF NAMES AND THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE THEM READY. THE FIRST IS MAUREEN HURLOW. I GUESS IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PHIL GASICK. >> WE'RE GOING TO INVITE YOU TO STAY WITH US, AS IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MUCH OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT RELATES TO A PARTICULAR ITEM THAT WE'LL FOLLOW LATER IN THE AGENDA. AND WE INVITE YOU TO STAY AND VIEW WITH THE MONITORS HOW WE RESPOND TO THAT AGENDA ITEM. AND I'LL SHARE THAT WITH YOUR FELLOW GUESTS THAT ARE HERE WITH US ON THE SAME SUBJECT. THANK YOU. >> YOU MAY PROCEED AT ANY TIME. >> I'M SPEAKING AS A LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER -- OKAY. >> THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> MY NAME IS MAUREEN, I'M SPEAKING AS A LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER WITH THE TURTLE PROGRAM AT PADRE ISLAND NATURE SEASHORE. IF CHANGES ARE IMPLEMIMPLEMENTE PROGRAM WILL WOULD BE WEAKENED AND NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WOULD NOT BE HOLDING UP ITS END OF THE HEADSTART BARGAIN. THE REVIEW DESCRIBES HAVING PATROLS PER DAY LESS, TWO OUT OF SEVEN DAYS THERE WOULD BE NO PATROLS AT ALL. HERE IS A FIRSTHAND STORY FROM LAST SUMMER. A CALL CAME IN FROM A TURTLE PATROLLER OVER THE RADIO, SHE REPORTED TURTLE TRACKS AND COYOTE TRACKS. THIS WAS THE SECOND PATROL IN THE MORNING IN THAT AREA. NO TRACKS WHEN THE FIRST PATROLLER CAME BY. THE NESTING CAMPS HAD COME UP BETWEEN THE TWO PATROLLERS. THEY ONLY NEED 45 MINUTES, OUT OF THE WATER, LAY, DIG, LAY, COVER, BACK IN THE WATER. THE COYOTE WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE BY, PERHAPS WATCHING THAT MOTHER TURTLE FROM THE DUNES. THE COYOTE DUG UP THE NEST, SCARED AWAY BY THE SECOND PATROLLER. SOME EGGS WERE SALVAGED, BUT MANY WERE NOT. THE OVERALL SUCCESS RATE WAS POOR. BUT HAD THAT SECOND PATROLLER NOT BEEN SCHEDULED, NO EGGS WOULD HAVE BEEN SALVAGED. IF IT HAD BEEN A DAY WITHOUT PATROLLERS, NO HATCHLINGS WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED. THESE TURTLES AND EGGS NEED ALL OF THE PROTECTION WE CAN MUSTER. IF NPA CAN PROTECT FOR A WHILE LONGER AND SAFEGUARD BOTH THE NESTING FEMALES AND THEIR EGGS, THEREBY ALLOWING THEIR NUMBERS TO BECOME SUSTAINABLE, THEN THEY WOULD BE THE SAFETY NET THAT NPS PROMISED. IN CONCLUSION, I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK BEING DONE WITH THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM 16 YEARS AGO, I'M STILL IMPRESSED. INSTEAD OF LESS THAN 50 NESTS ON THE TEXAS COAST MY FIRST YEAR, THE NUMBERS HAVE RISEN INTO THE HUNDREDS. THAT SPEAKS TO THE SUCCESS OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. LET IT CONTINUE AS IS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. WE'LL HEAR FROM PHIL >> IT'S A TOUGH ONE. >> FORGIVE ME, DEPUTY LINDA [00:10:01] REID AND HELEN, IF YOU WOULD CALL THEM IN. >> OKAY. WELL, THEN IF YOU'LL JUST STAY. >> OKAY. MY NAME IS PHIL MAGACICH. LONG-TIME VOLUNTEER, I ACTUALLY WORKED AS A BIOTECH FOR A COUPLE OF SEASONS. I KNOW A LOT OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT. AFTER READING THE REVIEW THAT NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE REVIEW, YOU CAN JUST SEE SO MANY OF THE INACCURACIES AND IT'S VERY BIASED REPORT. AND WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SEE IS SUPERINTENDENT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC IN A TOWN HALL STYLE MEETING. I KNOW YOU GUYS TRIED TO GET HIM HERE AND HE WOULDN'T COME. ALL THEY SAY IS WE'RE GOING TO STRENGTHEN THE PROGRAM. WE KNOW THAT IS NOT TRUE. HOW DOES CUTTING THE BUDGET IN PATROL STRENGTHEN THE PROGRAM. ELIMINATING RESEARCH IS NOT STRENGTHENING THE PROGRAM. REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC HATCHLING RELEASES IS NOT STRENGTHENING THE PROGRAM. AS IS ELIMINATING WORK WITH LOGGERHEAD TURTLES IS NOT STRENGTHENING THE PROGRAM. BY THE WAY, SUPERINTENDENT BROOMAN HAS NEVER ATTENDED A HATCHLING RELEASE. HE DOESN'T REALLY WANT TO SEE IT. AND IN THE REVIEW THEY STATE THAT THE SECONDARY NESTING POPULATION OF KEMPS IS ALREADY ESTABLISHED. AND WE'RE REALLY NOT THERE YET. WE'VE GOT THE MOST THE ONE SEASON HAS BEEN ABOUT, NOT EVEN 400. SO THE NUMBER THAT IS IN SOME OF THE REPORTS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT 700. SO WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THESE NESTS ARE PROTECTED. >> SHE WORKED ON STAFF UNDER FOUR DIFFERENT SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE UNIFORM FROM NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FROM 2001 THROUGH 2012. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU PREVENT YOUR LEADING SCIENTIST FROM PRESENTING HER RESEARCH AT A SYMPOSIUM FOR AN ENDANGERED SPECIES PROUDLY WEARING THE UNIFORM OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE. DR. DONNA DAVID HAS CREATED A PROGRAM, TO HELP THE SMALLEST, MOST ENDANGERED. SHE PROTECTS AND WORKS TOWARD THE CONTINUATION OF ALL SPECIES OF SEA TURTLES. WHAT IS THE REWARD FOR D DISDISMANTLING THE SERVICE. HE WANTS TO CUT DOWN THE ACTIVE PATROLLING FROM SEVEN TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK. NESTING SEASON IS THREE AND A HALF MONTHS. THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS SUGGESTED CLOSING THE BEACH TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC DURING THAT SEASON. THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT OUR TEXAS BEACHES REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR USE BY ALL CITIZENS, NOT JUST PARK PERSONNEL. THE PUBLIC PROVIDES A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DIVISION OF SEA TURTLE SCIENCE, WHICH HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR DECADES. THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAMS HAS WELCOMED HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS. THEY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH A FREE OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS BABY SEA TURTLES BEGINNING THEIR FIRST STEPS INTO THE WORLD, UNTIL MR. BRUNAMAN CAME TO OUR PARK. HE HAS REDUCED THE NUMBER TO JUST A COUPLE. HE ADDED A FEE FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS THAT MAGICAL EVENT. TO HOBBLE THIS PROGRAM AND HARASS DIVISION LEADER INTO RETIREMENT IS DISGRACEFUL. PLEASE TAKE YOUR TOXIC BEHAVIOR ELSEWHERE. YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I'M GOING TO CALL ON HELEN [00:15:03] LANCE. AND DEPUTY, STEVE GREGORY WILL BE NEXT. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS HELEN LANCE. AND I ONLY HAVE ONE QUESTION. BUT FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU JUDGE CANALES AND COMMISSIONERS FOR BRINGING LIGHT TO THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TOPIC. DR. SCHAEFFER, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. YOUR WORK HAS BROUGHT THE KEMP SEA TURTLE BACK FROM THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION, AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW AND A LEADER WHO MOTIVATES PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THE PARK SERVICE IS ALLOWED TO DISMANTLE AND DISRUPT SUCH A SIGNIFICANT HIGHLY IMPACTFUL WORLD RECOGNIZED COMMUNITY SUPPORTED PROGRAM, SUCH AS THIS. THEN HOW ARE WE IN ESSENCE -- AREN'T WE IN ESSENCE GIVING THEM PERMISSION TO TEAR APART ANY AND EVERY PROGRAM OF THEIR CHOOSING? IF THE NEGLIGENT DECISIONS MOVE FORWARD, AS THEY DO CURRENTLY STAND, THEY ARE BASED ON INACCURATE HIGHLY BIASED, THAN ENDANGERED SPECIES THROUGHOUT OUR PARK SYSTEM ARE IN GREATER JEOPARDY THAN EVER BEFORE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'LL CALL ON STEVE GREGORY. FOLLOWED BY HARVEY LAHINSKY WILL BE NEXT. MR. GREGORY PLEASE PROCEED. >> ROCKPORT TEXAS, I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING, KNOWN DR. SCHAEFFER FOR 25 YEARS I GUESS. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE FUNDING ISSUES THAT I THINK AND OTHER NON-FUNDING ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE AT THE SOURCE OF THIS PROGRAM, TRYING TO BE DEEP SIXED. THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ORGANIZATION IS A NON-GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL THAT DISPENSES MONEY FROM DEEP WATER HORIZON. THEY HAVE SPENT, BROKERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SOUTH PADRE ISLAND WITH NO CONDITIONS. THEY TOLD DR. SCHAEFFER, OR DR. SCHAEFFER WAS TOLD THAT SHE WOULD NOT GET ANY FUNDS FROM DEEP WATER HORIZON UNTIL SHE CURTAILED DRIVING ON ALL TEXAS BEACHES. TAKE THAT TO HEART. THIS IS BEING DRIVEN BY SOMEBODY WITH NOAH, UNDER THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT IN FLORIDA. THEY MEAN TO CUT OFF DRIVING AND THEY'RE GOING TO USE THIS AS THEIR KINGPEN. YOU KNOW, THEY GAVE $4.5 MILLION TO THE ARCHIE NATIONALWILDLIFE REFUGE. THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS DRIVING THE EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN DR. SCHAEFFER, BECAUSE SHE DID NOT PLAY BALL WITH THEM. AND I THINK MR. BRUNAMEN WAS SENT DOWN TO CUT HER OFF AT THE KNEES. THAT IS WRONG, IT'S A TRAVESTY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE. THANK YOU, SIR. >> HARVEY LAHINSKY. >> YES, MY NAME IS HARVEY, I LIVE ON THE ISLAND. I'VE BEEN OUT THERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I'VE KNOWN DR. DONNA SCHAEFFERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I VOLUNTEERED ON THIS PROJECT FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. SHE IS THE MOST WONDERFUL DEDICATED HONEST, HARD WORKING FOLLOWING THE RULES PERSON I HAVE EVER MET. SHE IS BRILLIANT WHEN IT COMES TO SEA TURTLES AND SO MANY OTHER SUBJECTS. THERE IS A MAN MAKING DECISIONS WHO IS NOT A BIOLOGIST, HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON. BUT HE IS DEFINITELY TAKING ORDERS FROM SOMEBODY UP ABOVE. I THINK THIS IS A TRAVESTY. THEY PUT A GAG ORDER ON THIS WOMAN SO SHE COULDN'T SPEAK, TO DEFEND HERSELF OR ANYTHING ELSE. IT'S JUST AN AWFUL THING THAT [00:20:02] IS GOING ON. AND I'M TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SIR. DEPUTY, I SHOW NEXT MR. RON SMITH, FOLLOWED BY PAUL FERMAN. RON SMITH. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RON SMITH, I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CORPUS FOR ABOUT 44 YEARS. VOLUNTEERING AT THE NATIONAL SEA SHORE FOR OVER TEN YEARS. A COUPLE OF THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS THE UNIQUENESS AND THE I GUESS POPULARITY OF WHAT THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM DOES, FOR THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, AT THE SEA SHORE, WHEN WE HAVE A RELEASE, THERE IS EASILY 1500, 2000 PEOPLE WATCHING THE TURTLES. THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF CHILDREN. I THINK IT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS THAT ALTHOUGH THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM IS THE RESTORATION OF THE -- EXCUSE ME. OF THE KEMP RIDLY WE ALSO DO GREAT WORK IN THE WINTERTIME, WHEN THE SPELLS COME IN, I THINK WE RESCUED LIKE 14,000 TURTLES, MOST OF WHICH WERE NOT KEMP, MOSTLY GREEN THAT GET IN THE SHALLOW WATERS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. MR. PAUL FERMAN. MELISSA MANGIA, DEPUTY, WILL FOLLOW. AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE -- I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT I DON'T QUITE SEE THE WRITING EXACTLY AS I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE PRONOUNCED. BUT IT'S NICK. IF YOU'LL ASK NICK TO FOLLOW. MR. FERMAN, WELCOME >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE TIME. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CORPUS FOR 11 YEARS NOW. HALF THE REASON THAT SOLD ME TO MOVE DOWN HERE FROM NEBRASKA, WAS THE ABILITY TO DRIVE ON THE BEACH. I GOT INTO THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM, WHICH WAS SURPRISINGLY, JUST AMAZING. THEY HAVE DONE SUCH GREAT WORK DOWN THERE. AND I JUST WANT ANSWERS, LEGIT ANSWERS FROM ERIC AND ABOVE ON WHY THEY WANT TO END THIS PROGRAM. IT'S WORLD KNOWN. I DON'T KNOW ANY PLACE ELSE IN THE WORLD YOU CAN GO AND SEE HATCHLINGS GO FROM THE BEACH INTO THE WATER. NO PLACE EVER IN THE WORLD. AND I JUST APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SIR. MELISSA, ONLY BECAUSE THE NEXT -- YOU ARE NEXT. BUT JUST TO KEEP THE SEA TURTLE THEME MOVING, WE HAVE ONE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT, IF NICK WILL COME IN AND THEN WE'LL CALL ON YOU. HI, WELCOME. WOULD YOU ANNOUNCE YOURSELF FOR THE COURT. >> YES, I WILL. MY NAME IS NICK MIAH, I'M A FISHERMAN AND PRESIDENT OF BREAK AWAY FISH AND TACKLE, I'M ON THE BEACH EVERY DAY. I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE '94. THE THREAT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SHUT DOWN THE CURRENT TURTLE PROGRAM IS GOING TO HAVE A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THE SURVIVAL OF THE KEMPS. IF THE PROGRAM IS CLOSED DOWN, IT WILL AFFECT LOCAL BUSINESSES ECONOMICALLY. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ESTIMATE EACH TURTLE RELEASE IS WORTH A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE CITY. IF THE PARK SERVICE GETS AWAY WITH CLOSING THE PROGRAM AND RESTRICTING ACCESS TO THE BEACH DRIVING DURING NESTING SEASON, I BELIEVE IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS ONE MILLION DOLLARS PER WEEKEND TO LOCAL COMMERCE. I HAVE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD AS TO WHY THIS ATTACK ON THE WORLD RENOWNED PROGRAM. I KNOW THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS ASKED TO ATTEND, AND HE DECLINED. I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY OR HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK HIM WHAT HE PERCEIVES AS A BENEFIT TO CLOSING THE CURRENT [00:25:06] PROGRAM DOWN. WILL THE TURTLES BENEFIT? WILL USERS OF THE PARK BENEFIT? WILL THE FISHERMEN BENEFIT? WILL LOCAL COMMERCE BENEFIT? WILL THE CITY BENEFIT. HOWEVER HARD I LOOK, I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DO NOT SEE A POSITIVE OR AN UPSIDE TO WHAT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS DOING. IT IS CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE ORIGINAL DEED THAT THE PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEA SHORE WAS TO BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. THE CITY NEEDS TO REMIND THEM OF THAT PLEDGE. THAT IS ALL I'VE GOT. >> THANK YOU, MR. MYER. WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM -- BY THE WAY, ALL OF THOSE ONLINE, WELCOME. WOULD YOU KINDLY LET US KNOW IF YOU -- IF ANYONE ONLINE WANTS TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. IF YOU DO, IF YOU'LL USE YOUR ICONIC HAND, YOUR VIRTUAL HAND TO INDICATE AND THEN WE WILL CALL UPON YOU IN ORDER. YES, SIR. >> WE HAVE TWO MORE. >> OKAY. WELL, I ASKED MELISSA TO COME IN. AS SOON AS SHE FINISHES, WILL YOU ASK THE OTHER TWO DEPUTY. THANK YOU. I'LL GIVE THIS BACK, SIR. MELINDA, WOULD YOU BE SO KIND. THAT WAY THEY CAN SIGN UP. WE'LL HEAR FROM MELISSA MAGHEE. EXTRA WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. IT'S GREAT TO BE IN HERE. I WANTED TO COME THIS MORNING TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE COMMUNITY AND MY NEW ROLE. I HAVE TAKEN THE POSITION AS THE NEW EMERGENCY DIRECTOR FOR CCMC. ERIC EVANS THE CEO. >> I COULDN'T HEAR YOU. WHO FOR? >> CORPUS CHRISTI MEDICAL CENTER. ERIC EVANS RECOGNIZED WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE PANDEMIC, THAT THE HOSPITALS COULDN'T CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT A FACILITY LEVEL ON-SITE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. HE HAS ASKED HCA TO SUPPORT THIS. AND THEY DID. THIS AN IS A PILOT PROGRAM. BECAUSE OF THE FACILITIES HERE IN NUECES COUNTY REALLY CREATE A VULNERABLE SITUATION WITH OUR HAZARDS AND SOME OF THE EXISTING CONDITIONS HERE. SO IT'S A PERFECT LOCATION TO RUN A PILOT PROGRAM. BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM, HOPEFULLY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED NATIONWIDE IN ALL OF THE HCA FACILITIES. I THINK IT'S A REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT TIME IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THERE IS A LOT OF FOCUS ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RIGHT NOW AND HOW IMPORTANT THE ROLE IS. FOR ANYBODY TO BE EXPERIENCING SUCCESS IN THE PANDEMIC IN OUR COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE EXCITED FOR AND APPLAUDING. SO WE'VE BROUGHT IN A DIRECTOR POSITION HERE TO CCMC. THEY'VE ALSO JUST RECENTLY RUN THEIR JOINT COMMISSION TRAUMA SURVEY THAT WAS ON NOVEMBER 10TH AND 11TH. THAT WAS DONE SUCCESSFULLY. ALL OF THE ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN WITH THE TRAUMA TEAM AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES THERE REALLY PAID OFF. SO THE SURVEY WENT OFF WELL. THE INITIAL FINDINGS ARE ZERO DEFICIENCIES. SO IT LOOKS LIKE HERE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS WE'LL GET THAT FOR SURE, THAT CCMC SPECIFICALLY BAY AREA WILL BE A LEVEL TWO TRAUMA CENTER. THAT IS A REALLY REALLY BIG DEAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY. NEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL COME TO THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THAT. BRINGING IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS GOING TO HELP ME YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COMMUNITY. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING EXERCISES, WE'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO PARTICIPATE IN AS MANY DRILLS AND EXERCISES. AND WE'RE GOING TO START TO LEARN WHAT HCA HAS TO OFFER. SO THERE IS A LOT AT THE ENTERPRISE LEVEL WITH THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. WE'RE GOING TO LEARN ABOUT ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES AND HOW WE CAN FUNNEL THAT DOWN HERE TO NUECES COUNTY IN OUR TIMES OF NEED. I'M REALLY REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO JUST EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING THERE AT CORPUS CHRISTI MEDICAL CENTER AND THE OVERALL IMPACT THAT WILL HAVE ON THE COMMUNITY. I WANTED TO TAKE A SECOND JUST TO THANK EVERYBODY HERE AT NUECES COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY THE TEAMS THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OVER THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OF THE OTHER DISASTERS WE EXPERIENCED. I THINK EVERYBODY HERE IN NUECES COUNTY, THE EMPLOYEES ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE AND WERE REALLY REALLY PHENOMENAL TEAM MEMBERS TO WORK WITH. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU ALL AND CONTRIBUTE TO NUECES COUNTY. THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> THANK YOU, MELISSA. OKAY. WE HAVE TWO NEW FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP. WE'LL HEAR FROM -- IS IT MARILYN NAPLET. LAUREN, IS IT BRADY? MARILYN, YOU WILL PROCEED FIRST AND THEN LAUREN WILL FOLLOW. WELCOME. [00:30:06] >> MY NAME IS MARILYN NAPLET, RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEE AND I LIVE ON THE ISLAND. I STARTED A PETITION AGAINST WHAT IS HAPPENING AT PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEA SHORE. IT HAS 35,000 SIGNATURES, WHICH VERY FEW PETITIONS REACH. THANK YOU JUDGE CANALES AND COMMISSIONER CHESNY AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOUR STAFF FOR PROVIDING THIS FORUM. YOU ARE THE ONLY PUBLIC SERVANTS TO TAKE THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY. I AM UPSET. OUR ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE PROGRAM IS BEING DEFUNDED AND DISMANTLED AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS LYING ABOUT THIS TO THE MEDIA. I AM ANGRY. OUR UNQUESTIONED RIGHT TO DRIVE ON THE BEACH IS ONCE AGAIN BEING THREATENED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. I AM FURIOUS. DR. DON SCHAEFFER, A 40-YEAR SCIENTIST, IS BEING BULLIED HARASSED AND TOLD TO RETIRE BECAUSE SHE IS PROTECTING THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM. THIS MISTREATMENT IS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SUPERINTENDENT ERIC AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR MIKE REYNOLDS, THEY ARE SO-CALLED PUBLIC SERVANTS, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS. I NEED TO STOP. I DON'T THINK MY JOB IS DONE HERE. I THINK I'M JUST GETTING STARTED. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COMMISSIONED A REPORT ON HARASSMENT IN THE PARK SERVICE WHICH WAS KEPT UNDER WRAPS. IT WAS LEAKED THIS WEEK. IT'S LIKE A BLUEPRINT TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING DOWN THERE. THANK YOU. >> TH THE COURT: LAUREN BRADY. AND JULIE, I DO RECOGNIZE YOU HAVE A HAND UP. I WILL CALL ON YOU AFTER MS. BRADY FINISHES. I WILL ASK YOU TO IDENTIFY THE ITEM OR ISSUE, SO THAT I CAN FILL OUT YOUR FORM HERE IN THE COURTROOM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. MS. BRADY, YOU MAY PROCEED. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. I AM A LONG-TIME ISLAND RESIDENT. I HAVE A FIVE-YEAR-OLD SON AND A SEVEN--YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. WE ARE REGULAR ATTENDEES AT THE SEA TURTLE RELEASES. THERE IS NOTHING MORE WONDERFUL THAN BEING ON THE BEACH AND WATCHING THE SUNRISE OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO, WITH THOSE LITTLE BABY TURTLE HATCHLINGS SPRINGING INTO THE OCEAN. THERE WERE SO MANY YEARS, IT'S SO EARLY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'LL SLEEP IN. WE'LL CATCH IT NEXT YEAR. AND REALIZING THAT THAT OPPORTUNITY IS ONE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN AND OTHER CHILDREN AROUND THE STATE IN THE NATION IS HEART BREAKING. THERE WERE ONLY TWO RELEASES THIS YEAR. TWO WEEKEND RELEASES. THERE WERE THREE RELEASES A DAY. WE ATTENDED EACH OF THE SEPARATE WEEKENDS. I MET SO MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE OF TEXAS, ALL OVER THE NATION WHO ARE HERE TO SHARE IN SUCH A POWERFUL MOMENT. THERE WAS A TROOP OF FFA KIDS FROM I BELIEVE DEEP WEST TEXAS, THAT WERE THERE AT SUNRISE. THERE WAS A FAMILY FROM VIRGINIA. THE GRANDPARENTS HAD SEEN IT AND THEY BROUGHT THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN BACK TO SEE IT. IT IS PERHAPS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT. I JUST ASK FOR ALL OF THE HELP THAT Y'ALL CAN GIVE IN PROTECTING THIS PROGRAM. I AM GOING TO SHARE SOMETHING FROM CHRISTINE, AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST. SHE SHARED MORE INFORMATION THAT I BELIEVE WOULD BENEFIT THIS COMMISSION AND NUECES COUNTY. BECAUSE ASIDE FROM THE IMPORTANT EMOTIONAL TIE WE FEEL FOR SEA TURTLES. SEA TURTLES ARE FEDERALLY PROTECTED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IN 1973. PROTECTED IN TEXAS BY CHAPTER 67 AND 68 AND SECTION 65.171 OF TITLE 131 OF THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. REDUCED SEA TURTLE PROGRAM FEDERAL FUNDING IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. REDUCES OR REMOVES THE STAFF'S ABILITY TO PATROL, COLLECT, INCUBATE AND RELEASE HATCHLINGS. REDUCING OR REMOVING THESE ACTIONS DIRECTLY CAUSES THOUSANDS OF TAKES OF SEA [00:35:06] TURTLES THROUGHOUT LOSS OF EGGS IN THE NEST. THE EGGS WOULD BE PREDATED BY CRABS, COYOTES, RUN OVER BY HUMANS. THESE TAKES ARE BEING CAUSED BY A FEDERAL ACTION. DEFUNDING. THERE IS NOT A BIOLOGICAL OPINION FOR THIS CASE, OR AN NEPA REVIEW DONE. TEXAS OR THE TEXAS COAST. WITHOUT INTERVENTION, ONLY ONE IN ONE THOUSAND HATCHLINGS SURVIVE LEAVING THE NEST. THE MAJORITY OF SEA TURTLES NESTING AT PINS, OTHER PARTS OF PADRE ISLAND ARE KEMPS RELEASE. THEY ARE FEDERALLY PROTECTED BY THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. LISTED AS ENDANGERED THROUGHOUT ITS ENVIRONMENTAL RANGE ON DECEMBER 2ND OF 1970. POPULATIONS OF THIS SPECIES HAVE DECLINED SINCE 1947, WHEN AN ESTIMATED 42,000 FEMALES NESTED IN ONE DAY. TO A TOTAL NESTING POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,000 IN THE MID 80S. THE DECLINE OF THIS SPECIES WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO HUMAN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE COLLECTION OF EGGS, FISHING FOR JUVENILES AND ADULTS, DIRECT TAKE FOR INDIGENOUS USE. HEAD STARTING A PROGRAM TO INCREASE JUVENILE SURVIVAL AND ESTABLISH NEW NESTING COLONIES HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN RECOVERING SPECIES. THE NUMBER OF NESTS HAS INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS WITH 159 NESTS RECORDED IN 2015. 250 RECORDED IN 2018. 190 RECORDED IN 2019. MAJORITY OF THESE RIDLY'S NEST OCCUR ON THE PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEA SHORE. IN 2021, 195 KEMP RIDLY NESTS WERE FOUND. DATA SHOWS THAT THE EGG COLLECTION AND HEAD STARTING IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RECOVERY OF THIS SPECIES. ANY DECREASE IN HEAD STARTING WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE RECOVERY OF THE SPECIES. REDUCING FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT PLAN FOR SUSTAINING PROTECTION PRACTICES FOR THIS SPECIES, VIOLATES THIS ENDANGERED PROTECTION ACT. THANK YOU FOR Y'ALL'S TIME TODAY. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO CALL UPON JULIE ROGERS. I ALSO, I JUST -- I'M GOING TO SIGN MYSELF UP. I WANT THE COURT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WITH US HERE TODAY IS TIM RICHARDSON. TIM, IF YOU WOULD JUST WAVE YOUR HAND THERE. JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY. AND TIM IS HERE, AS OUR RESOURCE AS OUR EXPERT ON THIS ISSUE AND SO MANY OTHER FEDERAL ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE TEXAS GULF COAST. MS. ROGERS. >> GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM, PLEASE. >> YES, MA'AM. PLEASE PROCEED. >> YES, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK YOU ALL TODAY FOR SUPPORTING, OR DOING THE RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT AND IT'S SUCH A PART OF OUR MINDSET AND LIVES HERE IN NUECES COUNTY. I CAN SEE HOW IT GENERATES A MILLION DOLLARS. WE'RE TALKING JUST ABOUT VISITORS. BUT SOMEONE ELSE, THE FELLOW FROM NEBRASKA, MENTIONED THAT HE RETIRED DOWN HERE SO HE COULD ENJOY THE BEACH, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY WE RETIRED DOWN HERE. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE DOWN HERE. WE HAVE A JEEP. SO WE CAN TAKE IT TO THE BEACH. AND WE GO TO EVERY SEA TURTLE RELEASE THAT WE CAN. I'LL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST ONE I WENT TO AND CRIED BECAUSE IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN AND HOPE THAT YOU KEEP SUPPORTING THE PROGRAM. AND WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR BEACHES OPEN. AND WE NEED THIS PROGRAM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL, DEPUTY, I LOST MY DEPUTY HERE. BUT I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE ANY MORE INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, EITHER ONLINE -- DEPUTY, ARE WE ALL CLEAR NOW OUTSIDE? OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO ALSO IN MY REMARKS HERE IS COUNTY ATTORNEY, I LITERALLY JUST SENT IT TO YOU. WE RECEIVED YESTERDAY LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, WRITTEN STATEMENT AND RESPONSES TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEA SHORE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC BRENAMEN. I'M GOING TO HAVE HER SEND IT [00:40:01] BACK TO YOU. UNLESS YOU GOT THE SAME COPY. YOU HAVE ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM. >> CAN WE WAIT AND TALK ABOUT THAT WHEN WE GET THERE. >> TOTALLY FINE. I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE FOR THOSE HERE, WE WILL HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM AND DO HAVE RESPONSES THAT WE'LL READ INTO THE RECORD. >> I GUESS SIGN ME UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> NOT AT ALL. >> I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. BECAUSE ALL THOSE THINGS DID WAS RAISE MORE -- IT WAS REALLY KIND OF A ONE-SIDED YOU KNOW, SPIN, HE WAS INVITED TO COME, HE DIDN'T COME. I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE RECORD THAT MAKES IT -- IT'S VERY ONE-SIDED. IT'S VERY ONE-SIDED. IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S FAIR TO DO THAT. BECAUSE WE INVITED HIM TO COME. WE INVITED SOMEONE TO COME AND SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF. WE HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HERE ON THE OTHER SIDE SPEAKING AND WILLING TO HAVE PUBLIC DIALOG. YET, THIS MAN CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO HAVE PUBLIC DIALOG. I'M UNCOMFORTABLE IN PUTTING IN HIS VERSION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO QUESTION HIS VERSION. ALL HIS VERSION DID WAS GIVE ME MORE QUESTIONS THAT I CAN'T ASK. IT WAS A FLOWERY DEAL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH IS. HE WON'T COME AND ANSWER THE TRUTH. I'M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH QUOTE, PUTTING IT IN THE RECORD. I'M HAPPY TO LET ANYBODY SEE IT THAT WANTS TO SEE IT. I DON'T KNOW. IT'S VERY -- THE WHOLE THING IS VERY DISCOMFORTING. THE COURT: WHEN WE GET TO THE AGENDA ITEM, WE'LL HAVE MORE DISCUSSION. I HAVE SIGNED YOU UP, I PUT SEA TURTLES FOR BOTH YOU AND JULIE. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL MOVE ON TO THE RESOLUTIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDERS. CHAIRMAN, AS SOON AS WE DO THESE TWO WONDERFUL PEOPLE'S RESOLUTIONS, I WILL CALL ON YOU TO FOLLOW. IT'S OUT OF ORDER, BUT I DID LET YOU KNOW THAT WE WOULD [1. In recognition of Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium, for his 25 years of service and leadership.] HANDLE YOU FIRST. AND SO IN RECOGNITION OF TOM SCHMIDT, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM, I WOULD ASK YOUR ATTENTION BE DIRECTED TO BELINDA, WHO WILL READ THIS RESOLUTION. >> WHEREAS, PRESIDENT AND CEO TOM SCHMIDT HAD SERVED MORE THAN 25 YEARS AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM, GROWING IT TO THE WORLD CLASS INSTITUTION IT IS TODAY. DOUBLED THE SIZE IN ATTENDANCE OF THE AQUARIUM OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF NUECES COUNTY IN WHICH TOM SCHMIDT HAS BECOME AN HONORED HOUSEHOLD NAME IN NUECES COUNTY, PROFESSIONALISM AND STRONG CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP. LED HIS TEAM TO GROW THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM TO ONE OF THE LARGEST AQUARIUMS IN NORTH AMERICA. WHERE TOM SCHMIDT RAISED NEARLY 100 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE AQUARIUM, INSPIRE APPRECIATION FOR OUR SEAS AND SUPPORT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. WHEREAS TOM SCHMIDT HAS RECRUITED TO WORK AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM MORE THAN 25 YEARS AGO, THE AQUARIUM WAS ONLY A 44,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING AND ATTRACTED 390,000 VISITORS A YEAR BACK IN 1996. HE WAS APPOINTED AS CEO ROUGHLY THREE YEARS LATER. NOW THE AQUARIUM HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN SIZE, 226,000 SQUARE FEET, ATTRACTS MORE THAN 600,000 VISITORS A YEAR. TWICE THE TRAFFIC OF 25 YEARS AGO. THE AQUARIUM HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY EXPAND ITS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION WORK, ESPECIALLY ITS FOCUS ON EDUCATION, AND WILDLIFE REHABILITATION. IN THE 1990S, THE REHABILITATION PROGRAM WAS OPERATING OUT OF A SMALL BACK OFFICE. OFFICIALS HAVE BROKEN GROUND ON THE NEW 25,000 SQUARE FOOT WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER. AT THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM, LED HIS TEAM TO GROW THE INSTITUTION TO ONE OF THE LARGEST AQUARIUMS IN NORTH AMERICA. RAISING NEARLY 100 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE AQUARIUM'S MISSION. TOM HAS OVER 34 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MODERN ZOOLOGICAL ATTRACTIONS. WORKING IN EVERY ASPECT OF OPERATIONS, BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. INSTITUTIONS ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS. FROM 2012 TO 2013, HE SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS. IN ADDITION, HE IS ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT THE COASTAL AMERICAN LEARNING CENTER NETWORK. TOM GREW UP IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND RECEIVED HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY FROM THE STETSON UNIVERSITY. AND MASTER OF SCIENCE FROM THE [00:45:06] UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER AT SEA WORLD IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. BEFORE ARRIVING AT TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM, TOM SERVED AS DIRECTOR AND OPERATIONS OF NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER LOCATED IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. HE WAS HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, BECAME PRESIDENT AND CEO IN 1999. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES TOM SCHMIDT, PRESIDENT AND CEO FOR HIS 25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP. >> SO MOVED, JUDGE. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL FOR DISCUSSION AND INVITE TOM TO TAKE THE PODIUM IF HE WOULD LIKE. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY RECENTLY TO BE WITH TOM AND MOVE DIRT, AS THEY SAY, ON THE NEW SEA LIFE CENTER. GOING TO BE A WORLD CLASS FACILITY FOR RESEARCH. IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT LONG AGO THAT WE WERE ALSO MOVING DIRT FOR THE CARIBBEAN JOURNEY AND YOU KNOW, CUTTING RIBBONS. I WAS JUST THERE FOR FRIDAY EVENING, OVERLOOKS THE BAY AND THE PORT AND THE BRIDGE. TOM, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT IF -- I KNOW YOU'RE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO FINISHING YOUR CAREER. BUT IF YOU WANTED TO JUST HAVE THAT MOMENT AND SAY YOU KNOW, I FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT I'VE DONE, YOU HAVE HAD -- YOU ARE THE TOM BRADY OF AQUARIUMS. YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING YOU COULD DO TO SET US APART IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN OUR STATE, YOU KNOW, I WAS LISTENING TO THAT WONDERFUL WOMAN, I THINK HER NAME WAS LAUREN, TALK ABOUT HER CHILD. I GET TOO EMOTIONAL. YOU ANSWER THE PHONE FROM MY CHILD WHEN SHE FINDS AN INJURED SEA TURTLE. YOU DO THAT FOR EVERY OTHER YOU KNOW, PERSON WHO LOVES NATURE AND ANIMALS. IT'S NOT JUST THAT YOU DO A GOOD JOB MANAGING THE PLACE. IT'S NOT JUST THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT ALL OF THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT'S THAT YOU HAVE THIS PERSONAL CONNECTION AND TOUCH WITH THOSE OF US THAT WE HAD TO RELY ON ONE ANOTHER TO GET FROM POINT A, WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN GEORGE BUSH WAS OUR HONORARY CHAIR ALONG WITH DR. HECTOR. THERE WAS A THIRD ONE. MAYBE YOU'LL HELP ME. BUT YOU KNOW, WE'VE COME SO FAR. AND TO SEE YOU TRANSITION, I CAN'T HELP BUT GET A LITTLE SAD. BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO VISIT YOU AT YOUR NEW LOCATION. AND DREAM OF THINGS THAT YOU'RE BRINGING THERE THAT WE WANT TO BRING BACK HOME. THANK YOU FOR SETTING US UP FOR SUCCESS. AND FOR LOVING NATURE THE WAY YOU DO. THIS IS A TRIBUTE FROM OUR COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO YOU AND WE'RE WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST. TOM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS? >> THAT IS A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND REALLY, I MEAN, I ACCEPT THIS HUMBLY AS A RECOGNITION, NOT FOR WHAT I'VE DONE, BUT WHAT OUR TEAM HAS DONE. I'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO LEAD A VERY TALENTED GROUP OF PEOPLE. AND I'VE GOT CHARLIE, OUR CHAIRMAN, TWO OF OUR TOP EXECUTIVES, JESSIE AND JENNA. EVERY DAY THEY MAKE ME LOOK GOOD. MY SUCCESS IS REALLY INEXTRICABLY TIED TO THE WORK THAT PEOPLE DO EVERY DAY. I KNOW WE'VE WORKED WITH YOU ALL ON PARK GRANTS. BUT I THINK OUR RELATIONSHIP REALLY BECAME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO ME AS WE WERE BATTLING COVID TOGETHER. I KNOW YOU AND I HAD CONVERSATIONS EARLY ON ABOUT WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO KEEP OUR STAFF SAFE, KEEP OUR GUESTS SAFE AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. AND IT'S BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY COUPLE OF YEARS. CERTAINLY IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING 25 YEARS ACTUALLY. BUT WE WENT FROM OUR WORST YEAR EVER IN 2020 TO OUR BEST YEAR EVER THIS YEAR. WE'LL HAVE THE HIGHEST ATTENDANCE, HIGHEST REVENUE. WE JUST BROKE GROUND ON OUR NEW CENTER FOR WILDLIFE RESCUE. THANKFULLY WE'VE GOT FULL FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT NOW. I LEAVE THE AQUARIUM KNOWING THAT IT'S IN THE STRONGEST FINANCIAL POSITION THAT IT'S EVER BEEN IN. WE'VE GOT A GREAT TALENTED GROUP OF FOLKS HERE. PASSIONATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. A COUPLE OF COMMENTS THAT I'LL SHARE WITH YOU ALL IN THE GROUP AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS A REASON WHY WE HAVE THE 7TH LARGEST AQUARIUM IN NORTH AMERICA. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. BECAUSE THIS COMMUNITY WANTED IT. THIS COMMUNITY, LONG BEFORE I GOT HERE DECIDED THAT THEY WANT TO CREATE A WORLD CLASS AQUARIUM. AND THE FOLKS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER AND OUR FOUNDERS, THEY HAD A VERY BOLD VISION. I WASN'T HERE IN THE MID '80S, [00:50:05] IT WAS A CHALLENGING TIME IN CORPUS CHRISTI. AND FOR THAT GROUP TO HAVE THAT VISION OF A MULTIPLE PHASED AQUARIUM HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM, NOT IN HOUSTON, NOT IN DALLAS, BUT RIGHT HERE IN CORPUS CHRISTI. I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE WITH MY TEAM TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE ON THAT MASTER PLAN. I HAVE TO GIVE THE FOUNDERS AND LEADERS THAT CAME BEFORE ME ALL OF THE CREDIT. THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM EXIST TODAY BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DID. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HONOR. I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO MISS YOU ALL. CORPUS CHRISTI WILL ALWAYS BE OUR HOME. MY WIFE AND I HAVE SPENT MORE TIME IN THIS CITY THAN ANY OTHER AREA. I WON'T SAY GOOD-BYE. I'LL SAY SEE YOU NEXT TIME I COME HERE. >> WILL YOU SHARE WHERE YOU'RE GOING? >> COLUMBUS, COLUMBUS, OHIO >> TOM, I WANTED TO TELL YOU WHAT A GREAT JOB AND LEADER YOU'VE BEEN FOR THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM. SOMEONE REACHED OUT TO ME, AND SAID HEY, WE NEED TO DO A RESOLUTION HONORING TOM. I SAID THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW IS WE HAD TO MAKE THE FONT SO SMALL BECAUSE YOU HAD SO MUCH IN THE RESOLUTION. THAT IS DEFINITELY THE SMALLEST FONT RESOLUTION THAT I'VE PUT TOGETHER. BUT SERIOUSLY, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB. YOU HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE THERE. WE APPRECIATE IT. IF YOU HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, I'M GLAD YOU'RE GOING TO GO UP TO COLUMBUS, OHIO. I HOPE YOU GET SEASON TICKETS AND MAYBE I CAN BUY A GAME FROM YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. TRULY, THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE THAT YOU PROVIDED THIS COMPANY. WE WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAT. BUT IF THEY FIND SOMEONE HALF AS GOOD AS YOU ARE, THAT IS STILL PRETTY GOOD. CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU PROVIDED. >> CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE ADDITIONAL THREE MILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS JUST PROCURED FOR OUR TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM OUT OF THIS LAST SPECIAL SESSION FOR THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE. CAN WE DO A PHOTO. >> MY BAD. GO AHEAD. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION. AYE. AND NOW, TOM, WOULD YOU DO US THE HONOR, WOULD YOU -- YEAH. I THINK YOU COULD COME UP HERE AND THAT WOULD BE NICE. YOUR STAFF, JEN, YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME UP. SO IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE GOOD MORNINGS WHERE WE [2. In recognition of Dan Pena's outstanding career in South Texas radio.] GET TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD OUTSTANDING CAREERS. OUR NEXT ONE IS ALSO AN OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL FROM NUECES COUNTY. HIS NAME IS DAN BENYA. HE'S HAD AN INCREDIBLE CAREER IN SOUTH TEXAS RADIO. I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO GIVE BELINDA YOUR ATTENTION. >> YES, JUDGE. WE MIGHT DOUBLE CHECK THAT THERE IS NOBODY ON ZOOM. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE ON YOUTUBE WATCHING. BUT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY ARE LISTENING. THE COURT: OKAY. THANK YOU. >> WHEREAS, DAN BENYA STARTED HIS CAREER IN 1980, AT KOPY, FOLLOWING THE FOOD STEPS OF HIS FATHER, WORKING ALONGSIDE HIS [00:55:10] BROTHERS, AND THEN WORKING AT KDSI FM, WHEREAS 40 YEARS LATER, RETIRED FROM RADIO ON NOVEMBER 1ST, 2021, FROM HIS POSITION AS A 25-YEAR HOST OF THE MORNING SHOW ON KSAB, 99.9 IN CORPUS CHRISTI, WHERE HE WAS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR KSAB 1400. AND WHEREAS, DAN BENYA HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING TO BREAK SEVERAL MUSIC ARTISTS, WAS KNOWN FAR AND WIDE FOR HIS INFLUENCE WITH AN EAR FOR PICKING THE HITS AND PROMOTES THE CONCERTS ACROSS SOUTH TEXAS AND COASTAL BEND. DAN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED NUMEROUS TIMES AS THE BEST OF THE BEST DJ AND HAS BEEN HONORED WITH THE INDUCTION INTO THE ROOTS HALL OF FAME, WHEREAS, DAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY, WILLING TO HELP ANY ORGANIZATION WITH CHARITY FUNDRAISER, PROGRAMMINGS AND HAS BEEN THERE TO PROVIDE COMFORT FOR LISTENERS, IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HARVEY. HEREBY CONGRATULATE DAN PENA. AND FURTHER, URGES THE CITIZENS OF NUECES COUNTY TO JOIN THE COURT IN WISHING DAN PENA A PEACEFUL RETIREMENT. >> I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. IF THE PENA FAMILY -- YOU SAID THEY'RE ON YOUTUBE. LET US JUST ADDRESS YOU AND SAY HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO US THAT THAT YOU'RE HERE WITH US. VIRTUALLY THROUGH YOUTUBE AND IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS MEDIUM OF RADIO HAS HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON NUECES COUNTY AND IN PARTICULAR, SOMEBODY WHO HAS DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO BE A PUBLIC MESSENGER, I DON'T KNOW IF WE UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF PUBLIC MESSAGING UNTIL WE BECAME EMBROILED IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. BUT YOU'VE GOTTEN THE MESSAGE TO, DAN WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO BRING THE MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE. FOR THAT, WE GIVE HIM OUR THANKS AND GRATITUDE, COMPLETE WITH THIS RESOLUTION. COMMISSIONERS, WOULD YOU ALL LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS TO DAN. >> DEFINITELY. CONGRATULATIONS TO DAN. YOU KNOW, HIS FAMILY ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER NAMES THAT WE THINK OF, VICTOR AND OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN PIONEERS AND TRAIL BLAZERS HERE IN THE COMMUNITY, HAVE GIVEN SUCH A BIG PART OF THEIR LIVES. COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK. AND SO WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO CELEBRATE HIS CAREER AND SO JUST WANT TO WISH HIM CONGRATULATIONS AND I'M WAITING TO SEE WHO WILL BE THERE TO FILL IN AND BE THE NEXT DAN PENA ONE DAY HERE ON RADIO. CONGRATULATIONS. >> GOING TO NEED PRETTY BIG SHOES. THE COURT: AS WE WAIT WITH JOYFUL ANTICIPATION OF OUR NEW ARTS AND MEDIA BUILDING, TEXAS A&M CORPUS CHRISTI, I BET WE DO FIND ANOTHER DAN PENA HERE. THAT SPECIAL SESSION THAT GAVE THE $3 MILLION TO THE AQUARIUM, WE ALSO WERE ABLE TO GET $45 MILLION PROCURED TO TEXAS A&M FOR OUR NEW ARTS AND MEDIA. IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION. EVERYTHING WE DO IN LIFE IS ABOUT SHARING THAT MESSAGE. I HOPE THAT WE FIND THE NEW GENERATION OF FOLKS, WHETHER RADIO LOOKS LIKE IT DID BACK IN THE DAY OR WHETHER IT IS DIFFERENT. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT PODCASTS WOULD BE SO YOU KNOW, COMMONPLACE NOW. SO DAN, YOU SET -- YOU SET A TREND. AND THAT IS REALLY WHY WE WANTED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE HONORED THIS PROLIFIC CAREER BECAUSE OF THE INDELIBLE IMPACT YOU'VE MADE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION, HONORING MR. PENA, HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER. PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAY AYE. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE RESOLUTION AVAILABLE TO THE FAMILY, IS THAT CORRECT? THANK YOU. WE'VE GOT ONE MORE AND THEN WE'LL, AS I SAID, SKIP OUT OF [3. In recognition of the month of November as National Family Caregivers month.] ORDER TO THE REGULAR AGENDA, THE PORT PRESENTATION. BUT LET'S FINISH WITH BELINDA GIVING US THE RECOGNITION THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MONTH. NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS [01:00:02] MONTH AND WE HAVE PREPARED SOMETHING FOR THIS AWARENESS. >> WHEREAS, EVERY DAY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL CARE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO THEIR LOVED ONES. THESE ACTS OF LOVE, COMMITMENT AND COMPASSION ENABLE THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO LIVE A LIFE WITH DIGNITY. THIS HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY THROUGH THROUGHOUT THE COVID PANDEMIC. DURING WHICH AMERICANS OF ALL AGES HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL SACRIFICES TO KEEP FAMILY MEMBERS SAFE AND HEALTHY. WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF NUECES COUNTY FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND THANK THEM FOR THE INSTRUMENTAL CARE THAT THEY PROVIDE. WHEREAS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE CARE TO A LOVED ONE CAN BE A BLESSING AND A SOURCE OF CONNECTION, IT REQUIRES SACRIFICE. MILLIONS OF AMERICANS HAVE SACRIFICED JOBS AND ALTERED CAREERS IN ORDER TO PERFORM CARE GIVING DUTIES. TO MANY AMERICANS WHO NEED CARE GIVING SUPPORT STRUGGLE WITH A HIGH COST OF CARING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER IN NEED. WHEREAS, WE COMMEND OUR CAREGIVERS WHO WAKE UP EVERY SINGLE DAY TO DO THIS PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY DEMANDING, YET VITALLY IMPORTANT WORK. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF NUECES COUNTY DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE NOVEMBER 2021 AS NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH. THANK THEM. THE COURT: THANK YOU FOR THAT. IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION AND A SECOND. >> WE DO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE. THE COURT: YES. I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. WOULD YOU ALL LIKE TO COME TO THE PODIUM. THERE WAS A RECENT CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTION, ONE OF THE MAIN AMENDMENTS HAD TO DO WITH AN AWARENESS THAT CAME BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE IN AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, OR ANY PERMANENT FACILITY, CAREGIVERS WERE THOSE FOLKS THAT WERE NOT OFTEN ALLOWED TO ENTER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE A FAMILIAL YOU KNOW, BLOOD LINE. WE HAD LEGISLATION INTRODUCED AND WE AS CITIZENS IN TEXAS PASSED THIS, THAT YOU CAN NOW DESIGNATE A CAREGIVER. BECAUSE YOUR CAREGIVER IS YOUR FAMILY. THEY ARE YOUR LIFE LINE FOR YOU. I THINK THAT IS A UNIQUE TIME IN NOVEMBER, TO UNDERSTAND NOVEMBER WAS NOT ONLY YOUR MONTH, IT WAS YOUR FREEDOM, IF YOU WILL. IT WAS YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BE PASSED RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ROLE THAT YOU PLAY FOR ALL TEXANS. THANKS TO THE TEXAS VOTERS FOR RECOGNIZING IT. AS THE CHAIR, I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE DR. XAVIER GONZALEZ >> HELLO. I WANT TO START OFF THANKING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR BRINGING UP THIS RESOLUTION AND PASSING IT. THANK YOU, JUDGE, TOO, FOR THE WORDS YOU MENTIONED WHEN IT COMES TO CAREGIVERS. THIS ITSELF IS SOMETHING IMPACTFUL FOR ME, PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT STARTED MY DELVING INTO MENTAL HEALTH. YOU KNOW, I AM ORIGINALLY FROM NUECES COUNTY, FROM CORPUS CHRISTI. HAD TAKEN OFF. I WAS ALREADY WORKING AT ST. JUDES CHILDREN HOSPITAL PRIOR TO COMING BACK, WHEN I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM MY MOTHER SAYING YOUR STEPDAD HAD A STROKE AND I NEED HELP BEING A CAREGIVER WITH HIM. THAT BROUGHT ME BACK HOME. AND THIS WAS EIGHT YEARS AGO. AND IT BROUGHT MANY BLESSINGS ALSO WITH IT. GOT A CHANCE TO BE BACK HOME, ENJOY BEING BACK HOME AND CONTINUE TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON MY COMMUNITY. I AM ONE OF MANY MANY STORIES THAT GO ON HERE. YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING TOO THAT I ALWAYS REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE OTHER CAREGIVERS, YOU TRY TO MAKE QUICK CONTACTS WITH THEM. I TOLD HER I WOULD BRING HER UP, THERESA MACLENMORE, ALSO A CAREGIVER WHO I HAVE NEVER SEEN WITHOUT A SMILE ON HER FACE. ANOTHER VERY SPECIAL CAREGIVER. BUT WE HAVE TEAMS OF INDIVIDUALS WORKING REALLY HARD IN THIS COUNTY TO HELP CAREGIVERS. AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THESE TEAMS, JUST TO MENTION A FEW OF THEM OUT THERE, THAT ARE LOCAL, THAT ARE WORKING VERY HARD. WE HAVE A TEXAS FACE TO FACE, WITH DR. PADERIO AND HIS GROUP. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DOING IMPORTANT RESEARCH. AND WE ALSO HAVE, WITH THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING, THE COUNCIL OF [01:05:07] GOVERNMENTS, WE HAVE WILMONT AND HER GROUP OVER THERE. WE HAVE A LARGER CROWD. BUT TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY WHERE THEY'RE OFFERING TRAINING AND CLASSES FOR CAREGIVERS. SO I'M GOING TO LET THESE TWO TALK AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THAT. BUT THANK YOU AGAIN. WELCOME, LADIES. >> GOOD MORNING. YOUR HONOR, AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU GIVE US THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT FAMILY CAREGIVERS. MY NAME IS FALIPA WILLMONT. IT HAS BEEN MY MISSION, NOT MY JOB, MY MISSION, TO HELP FAMILY CAREGIVERS. WE HAVE LIVED THROUGH IT, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW HAD ALZHEIMER'S. AND WE REALIZED HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS. AND I WAS ALREADY A CAREGIVER PROGRAM SPECIALIST. BUT I WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE TOOLS. BUT I THINK OF SO MANY FAMILY CAREGIVERS OUT THERE THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM FOR SERVICES. OUR AGENCY WITH THE NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM, IF YOU ALLOW ME I CAN PUT BROCHURES ON YOUR TABLE THAT YOU HAVE OUT THERE, SO THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE CARE GIVING, THEY CAN BE AWARE OF THE TYPE OF SUPPORT SERVICES THAT OUR AGENCY PROVIDES. WE DO COVER 11 COUNTIES. AND VERY INTERESTING, I HAVE NURSES, PROFESSIONALS THAT CALL AND THEY SAY I WORK WITH FAMILIES, I HAVE CLIENTS. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ME, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. SO LIKE I EXPLAINED TO THEM, YOU'RE SO OVERWHELMED AT TIMES, YOU DON'T HAVE MENTAL CLARITY. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO TO CALL. BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME AS WELL. FOR FAMILIES TO KNOW, PROFESSIONALS TO KNOW, BECAUSE YOU ALL CAN REALLY BE THAT LIFE SAVER FOR FAMILIES GOING THROUGH CARING FOR THEIR LOVED ONES. IT BRINGS MANY HARDSHIPS, MANY CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO JOY. BUT FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SUPPORT SERVICES AND TOOLS FOR THEM CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES. SO WE DO PROVIDE TRAINING, SUPPORT GROUPS AND ALL KINDS OF SERVICES, TOOLS UNDER THE NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM, WHICH IS NATIONALLY FUNDED. SO YOU'LL FIND IT AROUND THE COUNTRY, THIS KIND OF SUPPORT. AND SINCE THE '90S WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS THE PRESIDENT, EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN WE HAVE A PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. MY NAME IS MELVA GARCIA. I APPRECIATE THE TIME HERE. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH FILIPA FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS OR SO, HELPING ALSO WITH THE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CORPUS CHRISTI INITIATIVE, GETTING THE WORD OUT SO THAT WE CAN BRING AWARENESS TO THIS IMPORTANT AREA. THINGS LIKE THIS THAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS TAKING A STEP IN THAT DIRECTION AS WELL. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT DEMENTIA. >> THANK YOU. WE'RE SO PROUD OF THE WORD THAT BASIC COGNIZANT IS DOING. DR. GONZALES IS HELPING US MERGE ALL OF OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER. WE ARE CONDUCTING THE NEW ARE YOU OKAY PROGRAM THROUGH OUR CONSTABLES. TODAY IS YOUR DAY. WE DO HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE VOTE. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT YOU MAKE ME REALLY COGNIZANT OF HOW MUCH STRESS AND JOY THERE IS IN MY OWN LIFE, FROM BEING A CAREGIVER. AND I COULD NOT DO IT WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS FOR MY DAUGHTER. AND SO NOT AS A JUDGE, I'LL TAKE THE HAT OFF. JUST AS A MOTHER. I I DON'T THINK I KNEW THAT NOVEMBER HAD THIS DISTINCTION. I KNOW NOW AND JUST BELIEVE THAT AFTER WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH CAREGIVERS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED FIRST RESPONDERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND PLEASE GIVE US THE HONOR. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. [01:10:06] I HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL RESOLUTION READ. BUT I HAVE YOURS HERE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAND RIGHT HERE. WE'LL STAND WITH YOU. AND THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, ACT ACTUALLY, I DON'T HAVE IT IN THIS FOLDER. DO YOU ALL HAVE IT? >> IT WAS ON TOP OF IT. >> IT WAS? HERE IT IS. IT'S RIGHT HERE. I'VE GOT IT. IT'S JUST THAT COMMISSIONERS, WOULD YOU SIGN THOSE TWO, PLEASE. AND COME ON UP FRONT WHILE WE SIGN IT, WE'LL PRESENT IT TO YOU. JUST TWO SIGNATURES WE NEED. AND THEN KARA WILL SIGN IT. AND THEN WOULD YOU GRAB THIS, JUST PUT IT RIGHT IN THERE. YEAH. THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO DO AN ALL CALL. WE HAVE A LOT OF OPENING ON BOARD APPOINTMENTS SOMETIMES. AND THE ONE ON AGING HAS TOO MANY OPENINGS. IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN THIS REALM, PLEASE CONTACT DR. GONZALES, HE CAN HELP MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT. WE NEED TO FILL THOSE SPOTS. CITIZENS CAN HAVE A REAL IMPACT IN THE PROGRAMS THAT WE SUPPORT. PERFECT. SHE IS ATTESTING NOW. OKAY. SO I'M GOING TO ASK GARRETT TO [1. Receive update from the Port of Corpus Christi Commission.] HOLD FOR ME WHILE I ASK CHAIRMAN ZAHN TO TAKE THE PODIUM. WE HAVE PORT COMMISSIONER DR. BRIAN GULLY WITH US AND CHIEF OF STAFF, ROSIE COLEEN WITH US. THIS IS ITEM 3A1, I'M TAKING IT OUT OF ORDER. FOR THOSE OF US THAT DID NOT GET TO ATTEND, BEFORE YOU DO YOUR PORT PRESENTATION, SHARE WITH EVERYBODY THE GREAT NEWS THAT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI HAS. >> WE WERE SO FORTUNATE LAST WEEK. I THINK AS WE'VE COME BEFORE YOU AND TALKED ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND OUR LONG RANGE PLANS AT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI, WE MADE YOU AWARE THAT WE WERE TRYING TO BUILD OURSELVES A NEW HOME. WE COMPLETED THAT NEW HOME, OUR STAFF MOVED INTO IT ON NOVEMBER 1ST. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT LAST WEEK WE WERE ABLE TO DEDICATE THAT STRUCTURE THAT IS JUST AN AMAZING FACILITY IN CORPUS CHRISTI ON THE BAY FRONT. GOING TO BE A GUIDING LIGHT FOR WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC INDICATOR FOR THE NUECES COUNTY AND WE WERE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, WE'RE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE COMMISSIONER CHESNEY AND THE JUDGE AND OTHERS JOIN US IN THAT CELEBRATION AND HAVE A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE WITH US, AS WE DEDICATED THAT NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING. WE'RE EXCITED. WE INVITE YOU TO COME SEE THE FACILITY. IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS. WE'VE ACCOMMODATED FOR GROWTH. WE'VE TAKEN COVID INTO CONSIDERATION, WE TOOK THAT BUILDING FROM -- THE JUDGE REMEMBERS THIS WELL. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ARGUMENTS WE HAD, THREE STORIES OR FOUR STORIES. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT JUDGE. BECAUSE OF COVID, WE DECIDED TO BUILD THE FOURTH FLOOR, WE FOUND OUT WE'RE ALREADY USING IT. IT WAS AN EXCITING DAY, JUDGE. ON BEHALF OF THE PORT COMMISSION, I'M SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO COME BEFORE YOU TODAY AND TALK ABOUT A TOPIC THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. I THINK YOU'RE AWARE THAT IN [01:15:01] THIS VERY ROOM TEN YEARS AGO, YOU APPOINTED ME TO THE PORT COMMISSION FOR THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. I'VE HAD THE HONOR TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN FOR THAT COMMISSION FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS. WE WELCOME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND OUR SUCCESS. I WOULD SAY THAT I'VE GOT ONE ANOTHER COMMISSIONER THAT YOU APPOINTED, COMMISSIONER HILLIARD, SECRETARY OF OUR COMMISSION. BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT SHE IS EXTREMELY PLEASED NOT TO BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 18 MONTHS, SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE PICKING A JURY IN THIS COURTHOUSE. SO SHE IS SORRY SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. I TOLD YOU BEFORE WHAT A GREAT APPOINTMENT YOU MADE ME YOU GAVE ME CATHERINE HILLIARD TO SERVE WITH. THE OTHER ONE YOU DID WAS DR. GULLY. >> HE IS JUST OKAY, RIGHT? >> I KNEW BRIAN WHEN HE WAS IN DENTAL SCHOOL. TELL YOU HOW OLD I AM. WHAT A GREAT ADDITION HE HAS BEEN. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, WITH YOUR PERMISSION TODAY, JUDGE, ASK DR. GULLY COME AND TALK TO YOU FIRST ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND ABOUT WHAT WE'RE PLANNING IN THE FUTURE AS FAR AS CARBON CAPTURE, GREEN ENERGY AND WHATEVER. AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO CONCLUDE BY TELLING YOU ABOUT THE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, TALK TO YOU ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND LAST AND CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, TALK ABOUT OUR CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. >> SOUNDS GREAT. I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE AUDIENCE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS REALLY WONDERFUL TO RECEIVE THESE PRESENTATIONS. BUT IT'S ALSO PART OF THE PACT OR AGREEMENT THAT WE MAKE WITH ALL OF OUR APPOINTEES, THAT COME IN AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR AND BRING US INFORMATION. OF COURSE, YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME. AT LEAST WE HAVE THIS CONTACT TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE KNOW WHAT, WE'RE FULLY INFORMED. IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, I KNOW COMMISSIONERS, THAT CHAIRMAN ZAHN WILL BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN THEM AT ANY TIME. CONSIDER THIS A FORMAL DUTY THAT THEY ARE CHARGED WITH. DR. GULLY, WELCOME. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR TAKING SO LONG TO GET HERE. BECAUSE THIS COVID HAS THROWN ALL OF US OFF. I KNOW BARBARA AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES. WE KEEP THINKING IT'S GOING TO BE OVER. >> WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU, CONNIE WANTS YOU TO USE YOUR MIC. IT'S HARD FOR THE PEOPLE ONLINE TO HEAR. >> A LITTLE BETTER? I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO REPEAT SOMETHING I THINK IS REAL IMPORTANT, FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, THIS COMMISSION COURT HAS HAD THEIR APPOINTEES, CHARLIE ZAHN AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CORPUS CHRISTI. THAT IS A BIG THING. BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE THAT PUTS THE PEOPLE ON THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES. AND THE WAY THE PORT OPERATES IS WE DO MOST OF OUR WORK IN THE COMMITTEES WITH LESS THAN A QUORUM, WHERE WE CAN GET DOWN AND ARGUE AND VET THINGS AND TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND WHATNOT. EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF THE COMMITTEES HAS TO GO BEFORE THE WHOLE FULL COMMISSION. AND IT HAS TO BE VOTED ON IN PUBLIC. THAT IS ALL A MATTER OF RECORD. IT'S HARD, AS YOU KNOW, TO GET A WHOLE LOT OF DETAIL WORK DONE IF YOU DO EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. THERE ARE CERTAIN COMPANIES IN OUR BUSINESS THAT HAVE BUSINESS MODELS THAT CAN'T BE DISCLOSED TO THEIR COMPETITORS. SO IT WAS MY BENEFIT, I THINK FROM CHARLIE, TO HAVE SERVED THE FIRST YEAR ON THERE, ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. WE HAVE FOUR COMMITTEES. THREE MAIN COMMITTEES. WE NOW HAVE A FACILITIES COMMITTEE, WHICH BUILT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI BUILDING AND TAKES CARE OF THE ORTIZ CENTER. AND CHARLIE MAKES ALL OF THESE APPOINTMENTS. AND ACTUALLY CATHERINE AND I SERVED ON THAT LAST YEAR. AND THEN HE MOVED CATHERINE, WHO WAS ALSO SERVING ON THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE AND IT'S PROBABLY MORE BECAUSE OF HER THAN ANYBODY THAT THAT BUILDING LOOKS LIKE IT DOES RIGHT NOW. I GOT THE CHANCE TO SERVE LAST YEAR WITH HER, I CALLED HER MOMMA BEAR. THAT BUILDING IS GOING TO GET IT. SHE IS GOING TO MAKE SURE. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. AND THEN SHE GOT MOVED TO, USUALLY A LOT OF TIMES YOU ONLY SERVE ON ONE OF THESE COMMITTEES. SHE GOT MOVED BY CHARLIE, TO SECURITY COMMITTEE AND MADE THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT. SO SHE IS CHAIRMAN OF TWO DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, FACILITIES AND ALSO THE SECURITY COMMITTEE. AND THEN HE MOVED ME TO SECURITY COMMITTEE AS WELL. AND THAT FIT ME WELL BECAUSE I'VE OPERATED A BOAT BUSINESS FOR 40 YEARS. AND SO A LOT OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE NEW FIRE BOAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A STATE OF [01:20:02] THE ART, VERY EXPENSIVE, VERY GOOD FIRE BOAT THAT WE HAVE BEEN NEEDING FOR PROBABLY SEVERAL YEARS. AND IT WAS A LONG TIME COMING. BUT IT ALWAYS FELT BAD THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A REAL GOOD FIRE BOAT AND HOUSTON HAS TWO OF THEM. SOME OF THESE PLACES HAVE TWO OR THREE OF THEM. AND HERE WE ARE, A BIG PETROLEUM OIL AND GAS PORT, BIGGER THAN ANY OF THEM. AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF BOAT. WE HAD A REJECT BOAT FROM HOUSTON. SO WE'VE SOLVED THAT PROBLEM AND WE EXPECT IN MAY TO BRING THAT BOAT DOWN FROM CANADA. I WILL PROBABLY GO UP THERE WITH THEM AND HELP BRING IT DOWN. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. AND SETTING UP THE TRAINING THROUGH THE SECURITY COMMITTEE. THE OTHER COMMITTEE, WHICH I ALSO GOT MOVED TO THAT THIS YEAR. I THINK THANK CHARLIE FOR THAT. LONG RANGE COMMITTEE. THAT IS WHERE ALL OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING, KIND OF THE BIG DEALS HAPPEN. AND IT'S MY FAVORITE COMMITTEE TO BE ON. AND I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE BECAUSE OF CHARLIE, THAT I'M ON THAT COMMITTEE AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN TO SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE. SO WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE. YOUR APPOINTEES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE HAVE A BIG SAY ON HOW THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI IS DONE. CHARLIE WILL PROBABLY, IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN AGAIN THIS YEAR. SO THAT IS THE WAY THE PORTS WORK. NOW, WHAT I NOTICED THE OTHER DAY, I READ THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 24 PERCENT OF OUR MONEY, OUR EXPENDITURES, BUDGET GOES TOWARDS SOMETHING RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH WORK WE DO IN ENVIRONMENTAL, WE HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS A GREEN MARINE PORT SINCE 2017. WE'VE BEEN REGISTERED ISO 4001, CERTIFIED PORT SINCE 2007. WE'RE INCREASING THOSE CERTIFICATIONS AND WE'RE WORKING TO A HIGHER LEVEL EACH YEAR. WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE WATER THAT COMES FROM THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM, PUMPED OUT OF THE CHANNEL OF THE INNER HARBOR. I WORKED AS A COMMERCIAL DIVER THERE 45 YEARS AGO, IT WOULD DISSOLVE YOUR WET SUIT IF YOU GOT NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE CHANNEL. SO IT'S MADE INCREDIBLE STRIDES IN MY LIFETIME. NOW IT'S A VERY VERY CLEAN PORT. AS WELL AS THERE ARE A FEW OTHER THINGS I WANT TO MENTION THAT MAYBE WE DIDN'T COVER IN THAT LAST THING. WE'VE BECOME A POWER PARTNERSHIP THIS YEAR WITH THE EPA, GREEN POWER PARTNER OF THE EPA. WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM AND ALL OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH CLEANIN. WE HAVE INCREASED OUR EMISSIONS TO AN INCREDIBLE RATE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I MEAN, INCREASED OUR PRODUCTION AND OUR TONNAGE AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME OUR EMISSIONS HAVE GONE DOWN. IF YOU COMPARE US TO LONG BEACH, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY PORT, WE HAVE GONE WAY UP IN TONNAGE AND WE HAVE MUCH LOWER EMISSIONS AND POLLUTIONS I THINK THAN SOME OF THEM HAVE. SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF I THINK. THE BAY'S FOUNDATION, ESTUARY, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THAT. FIRST NEW PRESIDENT THEY HAD IN 25 YEARS. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT JUDGE CANALES WAS ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT OF THAT. THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT COMMITTEE BECAUSE WE DO ABOUT 60 OR 70 PROJECTS RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE TO DO WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT, WETLANDS, WETLANDS MITIGATION. BUT UNLIKE A PURELY ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM, IT WORKS, IT'S DESIGNED TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY SO THAT WE ALL WORK TOGETHER AND WE HAVE A CLEAN PROJECT GOING FORWARD. IT VETS PIPELINES, MITIGATION. IT'S NOT ANTI-INDUSTRY, LIKE A LOT OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, IF IT WAS, I DON'T THINK WE WOULD BE ON THAT. SO WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ENVIRONMENT AND WE CO-EXIST WITH THE INDUSTRY. ONE OF THE THINGS I'M REAL EXCITED ABOUT IS THIS IS FAIRLY NEW, HOT OFF THE PRESS FOR US, IS CARBON CAPTURE AND SEE QUESTRATION. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT QUESTRATION. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT SEQUE. YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS. IT'S KIND OF NEW TO MOST PORTS. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP AND SEVERAL OF THE PORTS WOULD ASK QUESTIONS LIKE WHAT IS THIS CARBON CAPTURE THAT I'M HEARING ABOUT. WE'RE THAT MUCH FURTHER AHEAD OF MOST OF THE OTHER PORTS ON THIS. BECAUSE WE HAVE THE REFINERS INDUSTRY, WE THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE ON THAT. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE PLAN ON DOING FOR FREE. BUT INDUSTRY IS WORKING TOGETHER AND THIS IS PART OF WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT ENERGY TRANSITION. WHERE WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE MAKE THIS TRANSITION TO CLEANER ENERGY. [01:25:01] WE'RE NOT GOING TO EVER GET RID OF FOSSIL FUELS. WE CAN'T BECAUSE IT MAKES ALL OF THE PRODUCTS THAT WE USE IN LIFE. BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO IT CLEANER. AND TO EXPLAIN IT, THE HARD PART IS FIGURING OUT HOW TO CAPTURE IT. I TELL YOU, THAT ESCAPES ME A LITTLE BIT. BUT TO ACTUALLY CAPTURE THIS CARBON THAT IS IN OUR ATMOSPHERE, WHATEVER YOUR POSITION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, IT'S PRETTY MUCH UNDENIABLE THAT CO2 IS A GREEN HOUSE GAS. IF THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING OUR PROBLEM, YOU TAKE IT MUCH LIKE YOU WOULD PROPANE OR NATURAL GAS AND COMPRESS IT INTO A LIQUID. INJECT IT DOWN INTO THE EARTH WHERE THE OIL CAME FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE. WE'VE BEEN SUCKING OIL OUT OF THESE LOCATIONS. AND NOW THERE IS A LOT OF VOIDS DOWN THERE. A LOT OF ROOM TO PUT CARBON BACK DOWN THERE. THE ISSUE IS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH ACREAGE, BECAUSE YOU DON'T COMPLETELY CONTROL WHERE IT GOES. AND UNLIKE MINERAL LEASE OR MINERAL RIGHTS, THE LANDOWNER OWNS ALL OF THAT LAND. THE MINERAL RIGHTS ONLY OWN THE OIL, THE MINERAL DOWN THERE. SO ONCE THEY TAKE IT OUT, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SAY WHAT TO DO WITH THE HOLE. SO YOU HAVE TO GET THE OWNERS OF THE LAND TO AGREE THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPREAD SOME OF THIS UNDER YOUR LAND. AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LARGE AREA TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS. WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN ONE OF THE BETTER AREAS IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OUR OFFSHORE OIL SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO GATHER A LOT OF ACREAGE. SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE TO USE ALL OF THAT OFFSHORE AREA, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE BAYS ANDS AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI WITH THE LAND THAT WE ALSO OWN AND CONTROL. WHEN YOU PUT ALL OF THOSE AREAS TOGETHER, IT'S A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF LAND. IT SITUATES US PERFECTLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT IS COMING OUT DOWN THE LINE IN THE FUTURE, WHICH IS CARBON CAPTURE. HAND TO HAND, WE WORK WITH SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING TO THE PORT, COMING TO US, WE'RE IN NEGOTIATIONS ON DEVELOPING MORE OF A HYDROGEN PRODUCTION. IF YOU TAKE -- TO MAKE HYDROGEN, YOU NEED WATER. ONE OF THE REASONS DESAL IS SO IMPORTANT, IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SOMETHING REALLY CLEAN, YOU CAN MAKE IT COMPLETELY CLEAN IF YOU USE RENEWABLE ENERGY. YOU CAN TAKE THE WATER AND BREAK IT DOWN TO HYDROGEN, AND BURN THE HYDROGEN, WHICH PRODUCES NO CO2, THEN WE'VE GOT THE CLEANEST THING THAT THERE COULD BE. IT TAKES QUITE A BIT OF WATER AND POWER. THERE IS WHAT THEY CALL BLUE HYDROGEN AND GREEN HYDROGEN. BLUE HYDROGEN USE NATURAL GAS POWER, OR GREEN, WHICH WE CAN USE OFFSHORE WIND, ON SHORE WIND. WE HAVE LARGE AREAS, TRACTS OF LAND THAT COULD BE USED FOR SOLAR PANELS AND PRODUCE THE ENERGY IT TAKES TO DO THAT. IT'S AN EXCITING SYSTEM. YOU'RE GOING TO BE HEARING MORE ABOUT IT IN THE FUTURE. I WILL TELL YOU THE BOARD OF CORPUS CHRISTI IS RIGHT ON THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS TECHNOLOGY. WE SIGNED AN MOU RECENTLY WITH HOWARD ENERGY, WHICH OWNS THE PLANT, WHERE A LOT OF THE PIPE LINES WHERE THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES COME TOGETHER. THEY'RE PERFECTLY SITUATED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS. WE'RE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THAT. SO I'M GOING TO LET CHARLIE TAKE THE REST OF IT. I WILL THANK YOU ONE MORE TIME FOR GIVING US CATHERINE BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH. >> THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN. >> I JUST WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES JUDGE AND GIVE YOU NUMBERS THAT I THINK ARE PRETTY EXCITING. I THINK YOU'RE AWARE THAT THE REGION HAS 98,000 JOBS THAT ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER WHEN YOU FIGURE THAT IS 38 PERCENT OF THE WORKFORCE HERE IN OUR REGION. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR, WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE PANDEMIC AND I THINK YOU'RE AWARE THAT WE'RE OIL AND REFINE PRODUCTS PORT AND THAT THE SAUDIS AND RUSSIANS WERE DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO TRY AND STOP FRACKING. LAST YEAR WE SET A NEW RECORD AND WE HAVE 630 MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE THAT WE MOVED THROUGH OUR PORT, AS OF SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR, WE'VE DONE 501 MILLION BARRELS, SO WE'RE ON COURSE AGAIN IN 2021 TO SET ANOTHER NEW RECORD. IN 2020, WE HAD OUR FOURTH QUARTER, WE MOVED 42.2 MILLION TONS OF CARGO. THAT WAS A NEW RECORD FOR THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. I WILL TELL YOU IN QUARTER 2 IN 2021, WE MOVED 43 MILLION TONS. [01:30:02] ANOTHER NEW RECORD. AS A RESULT OF NUMBERS LIKE THAT, I AM REALLY PROUD TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND TELL YOU THAT TODAY WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE PORT IN THE UNITED STATES WITH TOTAL REVENUE TONNAGE AND ALSO WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE PORT IN THE UNITED STATES AS FAR AS EXPORTS ARE CONCERNED. IN 2020, WE HAD 43 WHAT WE CALL VLCC, VERY LARGE CRUDE CARRIERS THAT CAME INTO OUR PORT. BIGGEST VESSELS THAT CAN GET IN. WE'VE HAD 67 VLCCS. I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE'RE ALL AWARE THAT THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINS AND SENDING LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS OVER TO ASIA TO HELP WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. IN 2020, WE HAD 75 L&G CARRIERS THAT CAME THROUGH THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI. IN 2021, TO DATE, WE'VE HAD 153 L&L CARRIERS. A PROJECT, YOU HEARD ME PROBABLY TALK ABOUT THE ENTIRE TEN YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN ON THE PORT COMMISSION IS OUR CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. WHEN THEY OPENED THE NEW PANAMA CANAL AND MADE IT SUCH THAT YOU HAD LARGER VESSELS GO THROUGH, IN ORDER FOR US TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, WE HAD TO DEEPEN AND WIDEN OUR CHANNEL. WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT IS TAKING THAT CHANNEL FROM 400 FEET TO 530 FEET, 47 FOOT LOW WATER TO 54 FEET. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, BECAUSE OF SAFETY, WE'RE PUTTING 200 FOOT BARGE SHELLS ON EITHER SIDE OF THAT CHANNEL. WE WERE FORTUNATE, BACK IN MARCH OF 2020, WE HAD, THIS IS A FOUR PHASE PROJECT. WE FINISHED THE FIRST PHASE, GULF OF MEXICO INTO HARBOR ISLAND. IN APRIL OF 2020, THEY AWARDED THE SECOND PHASE, THEY BEING THE UNITED STATES CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TO CALLAN MARINE, A TEXAS COMPANY. I FIND IT INTERESTING, THE FIRST CONTRACT WAS GREAT LAKES DREDGE AND DOCKS, THEY MOVED TO HOUSTON. WE STARTED THAT PROJECT WHICH GOES FROM HARBOR ISLAND, ENGELSIDE. WE'RE EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AWARDED THE THIRD PHASE, WHICH IS FROM LA QUINTA TO THE INNER HARBOR HERE, GREAT LAKES DREDGE AND DOCKS. THAT PROJECT CAME IN SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW BUDGET. WHAT GREAT LAKES DID, AS I LIKE TO SAY, THEY SHARPENED THEIR PENCIL. THAT IS EXCITING BECAUSE THAT PUTS US IN A POSITION, WHEREBY THE END OF 2023, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS PROJECT TOTALLY COMPLETE AND HAVE THE DEEPEST AND WIDEST PORT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD OF IS AT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI, OUR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT. YOU PROBABLY HEARD FROM TOM SCHMIDT, Y'ALL DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB RECOGNIZING A TRUE LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI HAS BEEN PARTNERS WITH THE TEXAS STATE AQUARIUM FOR OVER 30 YEARS. WHEN THEY DECIDED TO DO AN ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER, WE DECIDED THAT THAT IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHAT THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI BELIEVES IN. AND WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRE-CEPS THAT WE HAVE. WE DONATED TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS THAT PROJECT. WE WERE FORTUNATE TWO WEEKS AGO AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO GET THE LAST THREE MILLION TO PUT US OVER THE TOP TO FINISH THAT PROJECT. AND I FIND IT INTERESTING, WE BROKE GROUND ON THAT PROJECT, AS THE JUDGE SAID, THEY SAY IT'S GOING TO BE BUILT IN A YEAR. I WANT TO SEE SOMETHING BUILT IN A YEAR. I HOPE THAT IS TRUE. WE DONATE FOUR MILLION DOLLARS TO REGIONAL NON-PROFITS AND ORGANIZATIONS, WE'RE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE TEXAS WATER CODE TO DONATE UP TO FIVE PERCENT OF OUR REVENUES TOWARDS NON-PROFITS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE. WE AS A COMMISSION, HAVE VOTED TO DO THREE PERCENT. BUT WE DO FOUR MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO THESE NON-PROFITS, AREA NON-PROFITS AND ORGANIZATIONS. MY FRIEND THE JUDGE CALLED ME AND SAID WE NEEDED A LITTLE HELP WITH NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ON A PIER CALLED BOB HALL PIER, WE DONATED $250,000 TOWARDS THAT PROJECT. I MEAN HORACE CALDWELL. IT'S HARD WHEN THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER CALL ME TO ASK ME NUMBER TO TURN THEM DOWN. [01:35:06] THEY KNOW MY PHONE NUMBER, NIGHT NUMBER. WE HAVE AN EXCITING PROGRAM CALLED ADOPT A SCHOOL. WE GO OUT AND PURCHASE BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. WE PROVIDE STAFF TO GO AND READ TO THESE STUDENTS. AND I'M GOING TO CLOSE WITH THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT THE GREATEST STAFF OF ANY ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND I THINK THAT DOESN'T SHOW ANY MORE THAN THE LAST NUMBER THAT I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU. OUR STAFF, YEAR-TO-DATE HAS VOLUNTEERED 450 HOURS TOWARDS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU AND I EACH SERVE. ONCE AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF MY FINAL COMMISSIONERS DR. GULLY AND CATHERINE HILLIARD, I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU THAT WE ALL LIVE AND WORK IN. I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT AN ORGANIZATION THAT MEANS A WHOLE LOT TO ME. THANKS AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE WE'VE HAD A FULL REPORT. MAYBE WE COULD DO A LITTLE WORKSHOP THERE, SO THAT NOT ONLY CAN YOU SEE THE FACILITY, BUT YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR EVERY DAY. ON THAT FLOOR, IT'S THE BEST VIEW IN TOWN FOR THE SHIP CHANNEL PROJECT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON. THEY BRING US ONE IN EVERY THREE JOBS IN THIS COMMUNITY. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRE-SEPS ARE ALSO VISIBLE AND PALPABLE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT. AND BECAUSE OF THAT STRATEGIC OFFICER AND HIS WHOLE STAFF AND TEAM, WE'RE A BETTER COUNTY, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. >> I CAN TELL YOU THIS, JUDGE, WE WILL OFFER TO HOST YOU AND YOUR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AT ANY MEETING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE. WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOW IT OFF. >> I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT. >> CHAIRMAN, WHILE WE HAVE YOU HERE, WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK ALL THREE OF YOU ARE DOING, THE ENTIRE PORT COMMISSION DOES. WE KNOW IT'S NOT EASY. THERE IS A BALANCE TO TRY TO WORK WITH INDUSTRY AND OBVIOUSLY BALANCE EVERYONE CARES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. >> IT'S A CHALLENGE I WILL PUT TO YOU ALL. I KNOW LAND IS RUNNING OUT IN OUR AREA. I KNOW IT'S ALL COMMITTED TO THE REFINING PROCESS, OR TO THE ACTUAL PORT LOADING. THERE WAS NARRATIVE THAT WE COULD HAVE THEM WORK [01:40:16] >> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT EXPLORED >> I KNOW IT'S MORE THAN WHAT THIS AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE HAVE WILL ALLOW. BUT I'LL JUST SHARE WITH YOU MY THOUGHTS AND HOPEFULLY Y'ALL CAN CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THAT. AND IF THAT IS A POSSIBILITY, THAT EVEN ON A SMALL SCALE, EVEN JUST SOMETHING THAT IS A PILOT PROJECT, SOMETHING CAN BE DONE, HIDDEN AWAY IN SOME PART OF CORPUS CHRISTI BAY, THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT AND BRING THAT A REALITY. >> I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT BEFORE I GOT HERE, ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE HAVE DONE WITH OUR LONG RANGE PLANNING IS LOOKING AT DIVERSIFICATION OF PRODUCT, CARGO. WE HAVE WIND TURBINE, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE THREE CLASS 1 RAILROADS AND ACCESS TO THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OUR SHIP CHANNEL. THE NEXT TIME I COME BEFORE YOU, I WILL BRING YOU A REPORT ON WHAT WE'VE DONE TO DIVERSIFY OUR CARGO. WE ARE AWARE OF IT AND TAKING STEPS TO DO THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> IT'S GREAT COMMENTS. OF COURSE, RAIL. WE HAVE SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR EXPANSION OF RAIL. >> WE DO. >> AND SO MAYBE THAT IS HOW WE CAN BENEFIT >> WE JUST SPENT $12 MILLION YESTERDAY ON RAIL, JUDGE. >> GREAT. SO NOW YOU KNOW. AS I SAY, ISN'T IT GREAT, YOU'VE GOT A REASON TO COME BACK AND SEE US VERY SOON. I THINK THAT IS A WONDERFUL COMMENT AND ALSO JUST WHEN WE SAY BULK AND LET'S EDUCATE EVERYBODY AS TO HOW WE CAN IMPROVE >> WE'LL BRING YOU A POW POWERPOINT. >> WITH THAT, GENTLEMEN, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT COMPREHENSIVE REPORT. TWO ASKS THAT I HAVE, YOU ALL HAD AT THE EVENT WONDERFUL, YOU HAD A GREAT POWERPOINT AND YOU HAD ITEMS ON THE TABLE. WOULD YOU MAKE SURE THAT MY ENTIRE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS EVERYTHING THAT WAS ON THE TABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN. I DON'T THINK ALL COMMISSIONERS WERE ABLE TO BE THERE. SO LET'S MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. SO PART OF THE JOB THAT I FIND NOT JUST INTERESTING, BUT YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO ALMOST BE AN ARTIST UP HERE, SKILLFULLY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU RECOGNIZE WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE AND WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. AND SO I RECOGNIZE THAT OUR SHERIFF IS HERE. AND I ALSO KNOW THAT I'VE GOT MR. MARK AMARA ONLINE AND SO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, SHERIFF, WITH A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE, I'M GOING TO HAVE GARRETT DO HIS GENERAL INFORMATION REPORT. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE CONCISE. AND THAT IS ONLY SO THAT I CAN TAKE MR. AMARA FROM CALLING ARE YOU FROM WASHINGTON D.C. TODAY, MARK? >> I'M ACTUALLY IN NEW YORK CITY. >> YOU KNOW WHAT WE SAY DOWN HERE, RIGHT, GET A ROPE. BUT ANYWAY, THE POINT IS THAT WE LOVE YOU ANYWAY, FROM NEW YORK. BUT LET'S LET GARRETT GO AHEAD. BECAUSE IT HELPS US SEGUE INTO YOUR ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM TWO, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS HERE WITH FEMA TODAY. IT'S ITEM ON YOUR REPORT, [1. Discuss disaster preparedness and response, including matters related to COVID-19, Emergency Orders, severe weather, flooding, drainage, economic recovery, state and federal assistance, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and infrastructure status, and other related matters.] EVERYBODY, IT'S ITEM G1. AND PLEASE WELCOME GARRETT NELSON. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE CANALES. COMMISSIONERS, GOOD TO SEE YOU THIS MORNING. JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT WEATHER COMING IN BEHIND A FRONT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE RAINFALL. BUT THE CHANCES OF IT BEING FLASH FLOOD LEVEL IS LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT. WANTED TO JUST REPORT TO YOU THAT LAST WEEK A VERY IMPORTANT THING HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 9TH, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY ASSISTANCE, BY EXTENDING THE 100 PERCENT FEDERAL FUNDING COST SHARE. IT WAS TO GO THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, IT'S NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 1ST. THAT IS A GOOD THING FOR US. [01:45:04] GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOVER THOSE FUNDS. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED IS SERGEANT VANCE WITH THE TEXAS MILITARY GROUP THAT HAS BEEN HERE HELPING US FOR MONTHS VACCINATIONS. THEY SEND OUT TEAMS IN THE HOMES WHERE PEOPLE ARE, THEY NEED THEIR HELP. AND THEY JUST FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THEIR STAY THROUGH APRIL 1ST AS WELL. WHICH IS GOOD NEWS. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, MY PRESENTATION OVER TO LOUIS WILMONT. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO GO -- LOUIS, IF YOU WOULD HOLD, I'M GOING TO GO TO MARK AMARA, THAT FEMA IS THROUGH APRIL 2022, IT'S AT 100 PERCENT WHICH IS SO UNIQUE. TYPICALLY WHEN WE GET FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, 75/25. IT'S A COST SHARE. THIS 100 PERCENT ENABLES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO CONTINUE DOING THE GOOD WORK THAT WE'RE DOING. WE'RE BOTH IN RESPONSE MODE AND IN RECOVERY MODE. CONCURRENTLY. THIS IS WHY THIS DISASTER IS SUPER UNIQUE. WE'RE STILL RESPONDING. WE'RE TRYING TO RECOVER. AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FEMAPA 100 PERCENT EXTENDED, WE'VE BEEN HOLDING OUR BREATH, I FEEL LIKE IT'S THE BEST NEWS. WITH THAT, I WANTED TO INTRODUCE MARK AMARA TO YOU ALL. HE IS SENIOR MANAGEMENT WITH HAGERTY. MARK HAS SPOKEN TO YOU ALL BEFORE, MANY TIMES. SOMETIMES HE DOES STAY IN THE BACKGROUND, HE HAS A PROGRAM MANAGER CAROLYN TAYLOR HERE WITH US. SOMETIMES MARK IS ALWAYS THERE, BUT YOU DON'T ALWAYS HEAR FROM HIM. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE THIS MORNING, MARK. I TRIED TO BE AS CLOSE TO THE TIME AS I COULD. I DO APOLOGIZE FOR OUR [2. Receive information from Hagerty Consulting regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) process, role of disaster finance policies, and related matters. ] TARDINESS. YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE US A SUPER BRIEF CONCEPT OF THIS FEMAPA IN THE ROLE OF DISASTER FINANCE POLICIES AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO BRING TO OUR ATTENTION. >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. I DO WANT TO TOUCH ON SOMETHING THAT THE SHERIFF JUST MENTIONED, IT IS ACCURATE, FEMA DID JUST EXTEND THE 100 PERCENT FEDERAL COST SHARE THROUGH APRIL OF 2022. AND THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD TO THAT IS THAT YOU KNOW, FEMA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EXTEND THAT EVEN LONGER. IN FACT, WE STARTED IN THIS, THEY CALL IT AN INCIDENT PERIOD, IN MARCH OF 2020. THEY'VE EXTENDED IT MULTIPLE TIMES. NOW THERE IS 100 PERCENT COST SHARE INTO APRIL. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT GETS EXTENDED FURTHER. AS IT RELATES TO THE COUNTY'S FINANCE POLICY, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW FEMA AND THE FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING LOOKS AT THE DIFFERENT POLICIES RELATIVE TO HOW AND IF AND WHEN IT WILL REIMBURSE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THEIR EXPENDITURES. AND ONE OF THE POLICIES THAT LOOKS AT AMONGST OTHERS, INCLUDING INSURANCE POLICIES, ET CETERA, ARE LABOR POLICIES. AND ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL THINGS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT ELIGIBILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDING SPECIFICALLY FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AS IT RELATES TO LABOR POLICY, IS THAT IT IS REALLY DEPENDENT ON THE POLICY THAT IS IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. PRIOR WHAT THEY CALL PRE-INCIDENT POLICY OR PRE-DISASTER POLICY. WHATEVER THAT PRE-DISASTER POLICY IS WHAT WILL BE THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTATION AND DETERMINATION OF FEMA ELIGIBILITY, FOR THAT ENTIRE DURATION OF THAT DISASTER. INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVER TIME OR COMPENSATORY TIME, OVER 40 HOURS. IN THE POLICY AND THAT IS WHAT THE PRE-DISASTER SPECIFIC. IF THERE IS SOME SORT OF INC INCIDENT, IN THIS CASE COVID, FEMA HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO PAY FOR THAT TIME THAT IS INCURRED BY THE COUNTY AND PAID FOR BY THE COUNTY. [01:50:03] THEY HAVE SOME VERY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND THAT IS THAT THERE IS NOT A CONTINGENCY CLAUSE, THAT PAYMENT IS SUBJECT TO FEDERAL FUNDING. AND THAT IT IS APPLIED UNIFORMALLY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION. THEN THE THIRD ITEM IS THAT THERE IS NON-DISCRETIONARY CRITERIA FOR WHEN THE APPLICANT ACTIVATES THE VARIOUS PAY TYPES, AGAIN, THE COUNTY'S POLICY DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF IDENTIFYING. FEMA STILL HAS THE RIGHT TO REVIEW ALL COSTS INCURRED AND ALL HOURS CLAIMED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE REASONABLE AND NECESSARY. WHETHER THE WORK WAS PERFORMED, WHETHER IT WAS NECESSARY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE REALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT WORK WERE EXTRAORDINARY, BASED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INCIDENT. SO YOU KNOW, ALL OF THIS TO SAY THAT THE COUNTY HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF KIND OF FORESEEING WHAT THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THEIR LABOR POLICIES MAY OR MAY NOT BE, AS IT RELATES TO EMERGENCY SUPPORT AS WELL AS POTENTIAL FEDERAL FUNDING. AND THAT IF THERE IS ANY CONSIDERATION FROM THE COURT AS TO CHANGES THAT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE MADE, IT IS JUST CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE POLICIES WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPLICATED IN ANY FUTURE FEDERAL FUNDING CONSIDERATION BY FEMA AND/OR OTHER FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCES. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE ON THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MARK AT THIS TIME? I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT FEMA AND POLICIES. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MINUTE WE SAW THAT COME THROUGH ON NOVEMBER 9TH, THAT BECAME A HIGHLIGHT FOR THIS COURT. I JUST WANT TO QUICKLY SAY BEFORE WE TRANSITION ON THAT DO YOU BELIEVE THAT OUR POLICY AS IT EXISTS TODAY, IT SOUNDS LIKE OUR THREE, YOU KNOW, ELEMENTS YOU FEEL ARE STRONG. WOULD YOU MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REGARDS TO UNIFORMITY AND NO CONTINGENCY AND DISCRETIONARY PERIOD. DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE CREATED A GOOD POLICY FOR FUTURE EVENTS? >> YES. I THINK YOUR POLICY OUTLINES THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE PAY FOR INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT EMERGENCY USC-JJSC1029 >> YOU ARE A KNOWLEDGEABLE. >> WE SUPPORTED EVERY DISASTER IN THE LAST 20 YEARS MAN-MADE OR NATURAL. TO INCLUDE FEMA, A LOT OF THE COVID-19 FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT, REGARDLESS OF THAT VALUE NO MEANS OF THE OBLIGATIONS. SO I THINK OUR RECORD STANDS FOR ITSELF, WE SUPPORT COMMUNITIES, GOVERNMENTS, ETC. THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS THROUGHOUT FEMA THROUGHOUT THE NATION. >> OKAY. GREAT ONE LAST QUERY HERE, REALLY MORE OF A COMMENT BUT I WANT YOU TO VALIDATE IT, IF WE CHANGE A POLICY YOU DON'T GET TO GO BACK IN TIME AND SAY, I WANT TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE DISASTER HIT US THAT AFTERNOON NO POLICY, NO OPPORTUNITY TO REIMBURSE I WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR THE AUDIENCE, NO POLICY THAT ALLOWS FOR THOSE ELEMENTS NO OPPORTUNITY TO REIMBURSE. A COUNTY WHICH IS YOU KNOW GOING TO EXPAND NO MATTER WHAT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY IS THAT CORRECT? >> EXACTLY RIGHT FEMA PREDISASTER POLICY, IF IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT POLICY LIKELY NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT. >> THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL I HAVE COMMISSIONERS ONE LAST CHANCE, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR BEING A RESOURCE TODAY, FORGIVE ME FOR BEING LATE TELLING YOU AT 10:00 ANOTHER THING I LIKE THIS OPPORTUNITY. I SEE ISSUES COME UP, NO BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO BRING AN EXPERT LIKE YOURSELF REPRESENTS THE [01:55:05] COUNTY, GET THE RIGHT ANSWERS. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU I SERVE AT YOUR PLEASURE AND THE PLEASURE OF THE COURT. >> THANKS. A BRIEF PRESENTATION ON COVID-19 THEN I NEED TO PIVIT TO THE 10:30 OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US TO DISCUSS THE PROGRAM IT WAS NOTICED. NO PRESSURE BUT ALSO DOING THIS AGAIN AT 5:00 SO IF ANYBODY HAS MORE QUESTIONS YOU CAN STICK AROUND AND LET US TACKLE THE 10:30 WE CALL A SPECIAL ITEM. COULD YOU BRING THAT BACK UP FOR HIM THE POWERPOINT AT LEAST GIVE THE COURT THE OVERVIEW. GIVE US THAT FIVE MINUTE OVERVIEW. >> QUICK UPDATE REALLY NOT THAT IN DEPTH, THE NEXT SLIDE A BREAKDOWN OF YOUR MONTHLY CASE COUNT COMPARING OUR LAST PREVIOUS SUMMER PEAK OF COVID-19 CASES TO OUR WINTER PEAK, IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT OF DEATHS WITH THOSE, YOU WILL FIND WE DID OUR EFFORTS THAT REALLY HELPED US OUT. WE DID PEAK IN AUGUST, WONDERFUL SITE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE IS THE DEATHS AS I MENTIONED IN AUGUST OUR PEAK DEATHS 180, THE PREVIOUS SUMMER WE HAD THE SAME AMOUNT OF DEATHS THIS SUMMER BUT KEEP IN MIND 2000 MORE CASES SO OUR EFFORTS I BELIEVE PAID OFF, ABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FROM WORSENING THEIR CONDITION. REALLY DID HELP OUT DESPITE THE NUMBER BEING AT 180. AGAIN A WONDERFUL SITE, NEXT SLIDE THE DAILY COUNT TYPICALLY ONE OR TWO THESE NUMBERS SEVEN AND EIGHT DEATHS IN A DAY, MULTIPLE DAYS THAT WE CAUGHT UP ON THOSE DEATHS. THAT WERE IMPORTANT NEXT SLIDE, DOWNWARD TREND OF THE CASES WE WENT FROM 3500 IN A WEEK IN AUGUST DOWN TO THE 300S. LIGHT UPTICK THIS PAST WEEK BUT FOR THE MOST PART WE ARE TRENDING DOWNWARDS. NEXT THIS IS THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND ICUS, ALSO TRACKING THE SAME TRAJECTORY. HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE DOWN 34, ICUS 13 A PEAK OF 144 HOSPITALIZATIONS IN AUGUST. WONDERFUL SITE WE WANT THIS TO CONTINUE GOING DOWNWARDS. BREAKTHROUGHS SOME VACCINE BREAKTHROUGHS IN OUR AREA OVER 1500 CASES. 64 DID SUCCUMB TO THEIR COVID-19 BUT OVERALL THE VACCINE IS WORKING COMPARED TO THE FOLKS NOT VACCINATED. NEXT, THE AMOUNT OF VACCINATIONS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY, 170,000 INJECTIONS. THE MAJORITY WERE MODERNA, 127,000 FOLLOWED BY PFIZER AND JOHNSON. WE DO HAVE THE PFIZER PEDIATRIC DOSES AVAILABLE NOW, SOMEDAY SOMEDAY $0.87 THAT OPENED UP THIS PAST FRIDAY. GOOD MOVE THERE WE ARE SEEING KIDS TRICKLE INTO OUR SITES. NEXT THE BOOSTERS WE HAVE GIVEN OUT SO FAR OVER 5000. NEXT, VACCINATION RATES FOR THE COUNTY PREVIOUSLY POPULATION, 12 YEARS AND OLDER, 61.8 PERCENT OF FULLY VACCINATED PERSONNEL THAT NUMBER HAS NOW BECAUSE INCLUDED THE 5-11 PERCENTAGE HAS GONE DOWN SO AS OF RIGHT NOW OUR POPULATION FIVE YEARS AND OLDER 55 PERCENT SO PUT US DOWNWARDS. IT IS OKAY I THINK THE NUMBER IS GOING TO START GOING UP. SO IF WE CAN GET THAT NUMBER TO THE HIGHER 70S THAT WOULD BE [02:00:10] GREAT. OUR 65 AND OLDER POPULATION DOING A GREAT JOB, LEADING THE WAY WITH 78 PERCENT. THE AMOUNT OF SHOTS THE PAST FEW MONTHS, SEPTEMBER OVER 7800 OCTOBER 56 NOW NOVEMBER 5600 SO DOING GREAT. AT THIS RATE REACHING 12,000 FOR THE MONTH. NEXT SLIDE, THEY HAVE NOT CHANGED. THE SENIOR CENTER, OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 12:00 P.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M. SUNDAYS 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 6:00 P.M. OUR FOLKS AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AS WELL AND CITY HALL, THE NEXT SLIDE SOME OFF-SITE VACCINATION CLINICS. WORKING WITH THE ISD, 17 PLANNED VACCINATIONS IN OUR LOCAL ELEMENTARY, THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF DECEMBER, SECOND DOSES THE FIRST THREE WEEKS IN JANUARY SO TRYING TO GET AS MANY SCHOOLS AS POSSIBLE TO TARGET THAT POPULATION OF AGE 5 AND ABOVE SO WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THESE NUMBERS. LASTLY, SEAS TO OPERATE AFTER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, SIGNIFICANT DROP IN CASES SO THAT IS A GOOD THING I AM GLAD WE DON'T NEED THEIR SERVICES. A MOBILE CLINIC THAT CAN BE REACHED AT THAT PHONE NUMBER THERE. YOU STILL HAVE TO QUALIFY TO GET THIS TREATMENT AND THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE THERE. YOU HAVE TO BE REFERRED BY A PHYSICIAN. >> STILL ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT THE WELLNESS. >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> THAT CONCLUDES MY BRIEF. >> YOU DID A GREAT JOB THAT IS CONCISE, TONS OF INFORMATION. YOU CAN GET THIS INFORMATION FROM CONNIE 5:00 BRIEFING THAT TRIES TO HIGHLIGHT THE SAME DETAILS AND SOMETIMES MORE. VERY GOOD TO KNOW THAT NUMBER, THAT WAS VERY TELLING. JUST GETTING STARTED. ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE ON? OKAY GREAT. DOES THAT CONCLUDE YOUR PRESENTATION AS WELL? YOU ARE FREE TO HANG OUT. >> YES, MA'AM. >> IF SHE COULD JUST HOLD FOR A BIT A COUPLE OF MORE ITEMS, MAYBE COME IN ON THAT. >> THANK YOU. [4. SPECIALLY SET ITEM AT 10:30 A.M. Presentation to the Nueces County Commissioners Court regarding an update on the Sea Turtle Program.] >> IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT EYE WILL GET RIGHT BACK TO YOU I WILL OPEN IT BACK UP. >> OKAY. AT THIS TIME I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THERE WAS AN ITEM AT 10:30 A.M. THERE PRESENTATION REGARDING AN UPDATE ON THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM THE TIME IS 10:40 RECEIVED PROBABLY AT LEAST 10, ACTUALLY 14, 13 PUBLIC COMMENTS THIS MORNING ON THIS PROGRAM. AS I NOTED FOR THE RECORD I HAVE PROVIDED TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY PROVIDED TO ALL OF YOU THE STATEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT. SOME QUESTIONS THAT WERE POSED TO HIM, PROVIDED ANSWERS. I AM GOING TO ASK MY OFFICE TO PRINT THIS TO LAY COPIES, AT LEAST A DOZEN OUTSIDE MY OFFICE GIVE A COPY TO THE MEDIA. ALSO MAKE SURE THAT ANY COMMISSIONERS WANT TO VISIT BUT I THINK IN FAIRNESS WHEN YOU ASK SOMEBODY TO RESPOND TO A QUESTION, WE OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC. THEY PROVIDE THE ANSWERS HERE IS THE ONE I THINK THE COMMISSIONER IS IMPORTANT THIS IS THE OFFICIAL, THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF THE PARK SERVICE WHEN WE CAUGHT THIS, OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT HE SAYS WE ARE NOT PURSUING CHANGES TO EACH OR FEES AT THE PARK. REQUIRE CAREFUL STUDY AND ANALYSIS. [02:05:06] PUBLIC FEEDBACK. MANY BUT THAT ONE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THIS IS THE OTHER ONE I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT IT IS A SEVEN PAGE DOCUMENT. >> SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY ALL I GOT WAS SOMETHING THAT SAID THIS IS THE STATEMENT TO YOUR QUESTIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT. THIS WASN'T THE POSITION OF THE PARK SERVICE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. >> IT CAME FROM THE PARK SERVICE. >> PLEASE FIND THE STATEMENT AND RESPONSES TO YOUR QUESTION. THESE ARE HIS RESPONSES. >> IF YOU READ IT, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY. DEFINITELY A PARK SERVICE RESPONSE IF YOU LOOK AT IT, THAT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. WE CAN COUNT ON THESE AS BEING THE PARK SERVICE RESPONSE THAT IS HOW IT IS BEING, THAT IS HOW HE IS WRITING IT. HE IS SPEAKING FOR THE PARK SERVICE, >> NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. A STATEMENT BY HIM NO INDICATION THIS WAS SIGNED OFF BY THE NATIONAL PARK DIRECTOR, HIS BOSSES. >> YOU WANT TO GET SOME MORE ¦ >> I WANT A CLEAR DISTINCTION. >> IT IS FROM THE PARK SERVICE I CANNOT IMAGINE ANYBODY REPRESENTING, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STATED ON EACH. >> NO QUESTION IT IS FROM HIM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR. HIS STATEMENTS ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY QUESTIONED AND HE WILL NOT COME TO A MEETING TO ADDRESS THESE QUESTIONS IT WAS MORE ON THE PACKAGE BUT HE WILL NOT COME AND HAVE DIALOGUE, HE INVITED ME TO HAVE A PRIVATE MEETING ABOUT THIS AND I REFUSE, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD ALL BE DONE IN PUBLIC. SO THE FACT HE IS MAKING THE STATEMENTS NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THOSE, THE FOCAL POINT OF THEY DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING HE SAYS THEY BELIEVE HE HAS A DIFFERENT AGENDA. ARTICULATE SO YOU ARE RIGHT IN A SENSE IT IS GREAT TO HAVE IT ON THE RECORD, LIKE I HAVE OTHER FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS. SO I THINK THAT ALSO NEEDS TO BE CLEARLY PUT ON HERE TOO I SENT THIS LETTER A MONTH IN ADVANCE. SO NO ONE CAN SAY THEY DID NOT HAVE NOTICE. WE WILL FIGHT LATER I AM SURE. TRYING TO CLARIFY SOME THINGS ON IT TOO. IMPORTANT TO NOTE HE WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS UNLESS HE IS HERE, IF YOU WANT TO POST QUESTIONS, THAT IS THE PROBLEM THE STATEMENTS MADE BY HIM ARE NOT ONES THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE ACCURATE. TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO CLEARLY EXPLAIN THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF IT TO DO THAT, AND REFUSED TO COME. REALLY A VERY SAD STATEMENT. A VERY SAD STATEMENT THAT THE MAN WILL NOT HAVE DIALOGUE WITH PEOPLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT FUELS THE FIRE THAT SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT. WHEN SOMEONE GETS THAT INFORMATION, YOU SAID THIS ONE ABOUT THIS. IT IS KIND OF YOU KNOW A ONE SIDED APPROACH, HAVE PEOPLE HERE TO CONTRADICT SOME OF THOSE THINGS. >> WOULD IT BE OKAY TO INVITE THOSE FOLKS IN? WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT WILL YOU ASK THEM, THEY CAN STAND. >> THEY DID. >> WE WILL SEE IF THEY COME IN. YOU CAN REPEAT IT IF YOU NEED TO. >>, IN EVERYBODY. >> THESE FOLKS HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET THE ATTENTION OF THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF [02:10:07] SUCCESS DOING IT. SOME COVERAGE WHICH IS GOOD. DRAW ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. THIS AFFECTS THIS COUNTY SO MUCH NOT A LOT WE CAN DO ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE WE ARE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. REALLY NEED OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO GET INTO THIS. I REACHED OUT, I ASKED HIM TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. FIND OUT WHAT THE SITUATION IS. ONLY GOING TO GET SO MUCH RESPONSE. THE ONLY WAY WE ARE GOING TO GET RESPONSE, FOR THE CONGRESSMAN, GOING TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS. TO ME I REALLY THINK IT NEEDS TO BE THE ONE THAT JUMPS IN HERE. INTO WHAT IS GOING ON THESE PEOPLE CANNOT GET THE ANSWERS THAT THEY WANT. YOU KNOW WE GOT SOME RESPONSES THAT WE DON'T HAVE A CHANCE, I WILL LET THESE FOLKS START. IT IS NICE TO HAVE THAT ON THE RECORD. THE COURTESY OF HAVING THEM HERE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. THAT IS NOT APPARENTLY GOING TO HAPPEN. >> THANKS FOR COMING IN THE COURTROOM. DID YOU GET TO HEAR THE COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE? MADE SOME COMMENTS. DO YOU THINK YOU COULD SUMMARIZE BRIEFLY. IF YOU WOULD REPEAT THEM. >> RESPONSE PROVIDED BY IN WRITING CAME FROM THE PARK SERVICE, THESE WERE HIS STATEMENTS. THESE ARE HIS STATEMENTS, EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO READ THEM. THE DISTRESSED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY, OFTEN MADE WITH VERY LITTLE SUPPORT AND BACKUP. TO NOT BE HERE IS THE REAL YOU KNOW IN MY OPINION INSULT TO THE PROCESS. NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEFEND HIS POSITION. I THINK REALLY A SAD STATEMENT, IT IS NICE, I HAD TO ASK AGAIN. I SENT THESE QUESTIONS A WHILE BACK. I FINALLY GOT THEM LATE LAST NIGHT. I THINK YOU KNOW I BARELY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THEM, I WAS BUSY TRYING TO GET READY FOR THIS MEETING TODAY. JUST I DON'T THINK IT IS AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO DEAL WITH IT. IT IS SAD, SAD DEAL. THE SEA TURTLES HAVE HELPED YOU KNOW THOUSANDS OF SEA TURTLES, HELP EDUCATE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. LISTENING TO THAT LADY, HOW ARE KIDS HAD TO WATCH THAT TO THINK THAT MIGHT NOT CONTINUE IS DISTURBING TO ME. ALL I CAN DO IS PROVIDE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE MEDIA HERE, TO LET THEM KNOW WE CARE, BUT AGAIN IT BOILS DOWN TO WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES INVOLVED IN THIS. HE IS NOT HERE, FOR HIM TO RESPOND, I BET HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE. THE COURT ASKING FOR ME ASKING, DO NOT HAVE A BIG EFFECT. >> COUPLE OF THINGS THEN I WILL LET YOU BEGIN WELCOME EVERYBODY OUTSIDE NOW WE CAN SPEAK TO YOU. ITEM NUMBER FOUR THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO ALL OF YOU, I HAVE MADE THIS RESPONSE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU OUTSIDE MY OFFICE. IF YOU NEED MORE COPIES, I TRIED TO ESTIMATE. THERE IS MEDIA HERE TODAY, IMPORTANT TOPIC. AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, NOT IN THE COUNTY. NOT IN YOUR PRECINCT BUT WE ALL HAVE INTEREST IN IT SO SUGGEST BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A GOOD SUGGESTION TO DO EVERYTHING YOU DID BUT WE ARE NEIGHBORS, WE ARE VESTED IN THIS BECAUSE IT IS OUR COASTLINE. SO WANTED TO MAKE THAT [02:15:10] SUGGESTION, WE ARE POWERFUL TOGETHER. TO HAVE YOU RECOGNIZE WHO THIS GENTLEMAN IS BACK HERE, AN ALLY OF YOURS A GREAT RESOURCE HIS NAME IS TIM RICHARDSON. AN EXPERT IN RESTORE ACT, HORIZONS FUNDING SOURCE. AN EXPERT IN A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNDING. YOU WILL SEE WHY I MADE THAT STATEMENT. THE ONLY THING THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMISSIONER, I LOVE RESPONSES. AS A FORMER LITIGATOR, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT WE CREATE IS THE RESPONSE, IT IS BETTER THAN BEING HERE BECAUSE THE RESPONSE IS RIGHT HERE IN BLACK AND WHITE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW, TOO MANY PAGES TO READ TWO ITEMS, ONE I READ EARLIER BUT I AM GOING TO REPEAT IT. UNEQUIVOCALLY, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF CUTTING FUNDING TO THE PROGRAM, HOWEVER THE REVIEW DOES ADDRESS THE SUNSET OF FUNDING RELATED TO THE DEEPWATER HORIZON. THESE FUNDS HAVE COME TO PORTION, APPROXIMATELY 30 PERCENT. WE WILL NEED TO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT. THAT IS ONE EXERT. NOT COMPLETE BUT I SAY THAT BECAUSE THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD ONE FOR US, REALLY GOOD FOR US THAT LOVE THE PROGRAM. NO INTENTION OF CUTTING IT, SECOND WE HAVE TO GO FIND A SECOND FUNDING SOURCE. I BELIEVE THAT SOURCE COULD COME FROM THE LAND OFFICE. I AM NOT DOING IT, SCOTT. SO WE NOW ON NOTICE THAT THE SUNSET, A METAPHOR FOR WHEN THE FUNDING ENDS FROM DEEPWATER HORIZON, IN 26, THAT WE KNOW WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A DELTA IF YOU WANT TO SEE THESE PROGRAMS GOING. COMPLAINING IS AWESOME IT HAS GOTTEN US A RESPONSE. BY THE WAY I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH THE SENATOR, MOST RECENTLY. THEY HAVE ALSO VALIDATED THIS EXACT STATEMENT. THEN SECOND, TIM AND I ACTUALLY WERE AT THE TEXAS, I WAS ONE OF THE GUEST SPEAKERS FRIDAY NIGHT, HE WAS THERE. I DID GET TO SPEAK TO HIM. I WENT OUT OF MY WAY TO BE VERY CORDIAL AND THANK HIM FOR AGREEING TO COME. I TOLD HIM HE COULD EXPECT RESPECT IN OUR COURTROOM. I WILL LET TIM ADDRESS AT IN A MINUTE. I MYSELF DID SPEAK WITH HIM ON FRIDAY I DID RECEIVE RESPONSES LATE YESTERDAY. SO AGAIN, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THEM BUT I DO BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THE WAY THEY WERE PROVIDED IN THE MANNER OF WHICH THEY WERE PROVIDED, INDICATORS THIS ISN'T AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE. I DO NOT SEE IT ANY DIFFERENT I WOULD NOT TREAT IT ANY DIFFERENT. NOW WE CAN TAKE THIS TO ME IT IS BETTER THAN HIM BEING HERE HONESTLY AS A LAWYER. THE WRITTEN RESPONSE IS STRONGER. MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE COLORFUL, MORE DRAMATIC BUT WHAT DO WE CARE ABOUT? THE WRITTEN WORD WE CAN HOLD SOMEBODY ACCOUNTABLE FOR. SO I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THIS IS EXCELLENT WORK YOU ALL. OF ADVOCACY WHO WAS IT, WAS A DUDE THAT STARTED THE CODE? I WANT TO KNOW HOW IT CAME TO COURT. DRINKING MY FAVORITE COFFEE. YOU WENT THERE, MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE THERE, SHE IS A SEA TURTLE LOVER. SHE SAYS TO ME MOMMY, LOOK AT [02:20:01] THIS I TAKE A PICTURE OF THE CODE, THE NEXT DAY BY COINCIDENCE, I RUN INTO JIM AND TERESA AT AN EVENT. I ASKED THEM TO COME TO COURT FROM THEIR COMMISSIONER CHESNEY RESPONSE PROACTIVELY. BEGINS TO ENGAGE WITH YOU. ALL BECAUSE OF A CODE. I WILL SAY THAT AT FIRST BLUSH, THERE WAS SOMEWHAT OF A TREPIDATION THAT IT WASN'T OUR COUNTY, WE MADE A DECISION TOGETHER THAT IT WAS TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS COURTHOUSE, IN PROTECTING OUR INTERESTS AS A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH IT WAS YOU, IN THAT COFFEE SHOP THAT STARTED IT. SO ADVOCACY WORKS. JIM. >> I DON'T THINK I CAN FOLLOW THAT ONE. GOOD MORNING. I HOPE YOUR DAY HAS BEEN GOING GOOD.E APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO OPEN THIS SPECIAL SESSION FOR ALL OF US TO BE HEARD. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. HE WAS POINTING AT MY POWERPOINT. DO YOU HAVE A POWERPOINT. >> WOULD YOU PLEASE LOAD THAT, MA'AM. >> WE ARE HERE TO SAVE THE PROGRAM. I WILL NEED IT ON THE FULL-SCREEN I WILL BE READING SOME OF THE POINTS. IF YOU WILL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. >> FIRST OF ALL INTRODUCE MYSELF, ONE OTHER TIME. A NATIVE TEXAN. SOUTHWEST OF US.ORN AND RAISED, WENT TO THE BEACH. THAT IS WHEN I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT AFTER THAT AS A TEENAGER, STUDENT, LATER ON JUST A BEACHCOMBER ADVOCATE, STARTED VOLUNTEERING. 2006 AND 07, KIND OF AN OUTLET FOR ME. IT WAS CLEARING MY HEAD TO GO OUT THERE, IT WAS FANTASTIC. SHE KIND OF SAVED ME ON THAT ONE SO THANK YOU. I CAME BACK IN 2019, I WENT BACK ÃRETIRED IN 2016. I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL, GOT A DEGREE IN CORPUS. I GRADUATED, I AM GOING BACK AFTER MY MASTERS. ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHETHER MY AGE OR ANY AGE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. IT IS A WONDERFUL UNIVERSITY. THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE ISSUES THAT I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT. I WANT TO GO INTO THAT DEEPLY. THEN I WANT TO GO OVER DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST TIME WE WERE IN THE COURT. RED FLAGS I SEE, AS POTENTIAL HAZARDS DOWN THE ROAD, ALSO TO BEACH DRIVING. FIRST I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO A SEA TURTLE RELEASE. FUN TO SIT BACK, RELAX AND WATCH ONE OF THESE RELEASES. PLEASE ENJOY. JUST CLICK ON THAT LINK. >> TO TAKE PART IN A ONE-OF-A-KIND TEXAS OPPORTUNITY. A BABY SEA TURTLE RELEASE. HESE HAPPEN EVERY SUMMER ON A SPECIAL MORNINGS. IT IS A YEAR-ROUND PASSION. THE REASON WE COME HERE SO EARLY TO TAKE PART. [02:25:03] IT GETS COMPLICATED WHEN YOU HAVE ZOOM GOING. >> THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR THERAPY FOR THE DAY. ALL WE NEED IS THE LIGHTS TO BE DIMMED. >> FULL-SCREEN. >> THE REASON WE COME HERE SO EARLY TO TAKE PART IN TEXAS OPPORTUNITY. A BABY SEA TURTLE RELEASE ON PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE. IT IS A YEAR-ROUND PASSION. DOING IT FOR 37 YEARS. >> SOMETHING PRETTY SPECIAL. THE NUMBERS ARE COMING BACK, ONE OF OUR STATE ANIMALS. >> ART OF OUR HERITAGE, SEEING BOTH THE NUMBERS AND THE GREEN NUMBERS COMING UP REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. MORE TEXANS CAN SEE THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS IN THE FUTURE. >> OUR TOTALS, THE MOST ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE SPECIES ON EARTH SO TO HELP HIS NUMBERS, CONTROL THE BEACH FOR NESTS, MOVE ANY EGGS TO A FACILITY WHERE THEY CAN CARE FOR THEM UNTIL IT IS TIME FOR THE RELEASE. >> IT WAS VERY CRITICAL, THE POPULATION GOT DOWN TO 702 NESTS IN 85 THIS YEAR HAS BEEN OFF THE CHARTS, WE SMASHED RECORDS. >> 352. FOR THE PARK, 218 NESTS, OUR PREVIOUS RECORD 117. WE BEAT THAT RECORD BY MORE THAN 100 NESTS. >> THAT IS INCREDIBLE. HUMANS WHO ALMOST MADE THIS TURTLE EXTINCT. KEEPING ALL THESE BIRDS BACK. THEY DON'T CALL BABY TURTLES THE OREO COOKIE. >> NO PROTECTION MEASURES. REALLY TOUGH ODDS, WE KNOW WE RAISE THE ODDS SOME BECAUSE WE FIND THE NETS, WE PROTECT ALL THE HATCHING SPEED THE THREATS OUT THERE, THEY WILL TAKE THEIR TOLL. WE CANNOT SAY HOW MUCH WE ARE RAISING THE ODDS BY BUT WE KNOW WE ARE. >> ABSOLUTELY. RELEASED THE BABY TURTLES, MAKING A DASH FOR THE OCEAN. SOME FASTER THAN OTHER ONES. THERE IS THE FIRST ONE IN THE OCEAN, THEY MADE IT YOU CAN IMAGINE. GOING DOWN THE SANDY BEACH, THIS WAVE CRASHES INTO THEM SWEEPS THEM UP THEM SWEEPS THEM INTO THE OCEAN. THIS IS WHAT THESE FLIPPERS WERE MADE FOR. >> HELPING AND SPECIES RECOVERY FROM NEAR EXTINCTION I MEAN IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. LAST ONE, BIG WAVE, IN GO LITTLE BODY. THERE WE GO. REALLY SPECIAL TO BE A PART IF THAT IS AMAZING. OVER 100 MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEG OF THEIR JOURNEY HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE BACK. TO SEE THE FULL EPISODE, INFO ABOUT HOW TO VISIT, OTHER VIDEOS YOU MAY LIKE. >> THANK YOU THAT WAS GREAT. I AM GOING TO GET THAT, I TOOK A PICTURE OF THAT YOUTUBE I WANT TO SEND THAT AROUND THAT IS A GREAT ONE. >> SHOWS DONNA IN HER ELEMENT WHAT JOY IT BRINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. >> GO AHEAD. >> THE REVENUE IT BRINGS INTO A FREE PUBLIC RELEASE. SOMETIMES CALLS AND SAY WHEN IS THE NEXT RELEASE? YOU GIVE THEM A WEEK OR DONNA [02:30:02] DOES, ASSIST IN THAT THE INCUBATION SPECIALIST HAS BEEN FOR 16 YEARS PINPOINT WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM GOING TO COME IN THIS WEEK THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY ON RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS. A FREE EVENT BRINGS THAT INTO THE CITY ALL BECAUSE OF DONNA AND HER PROGRAM. WE APPRECIATE IT. >> OKAY. NOW WE GET TO THE FUN PART. LOTS C. MANY FACTS, THE REVIEW I THINK, I THINK THAT IS TOO STRONG. WE LIKE THE WORD DISMANTLING THE PROGRAM SHIFTING THE FUNDING FROM DONNA'S PROGRAM OVER TO OTHER DIVISIONS. EVENTUALLY THEY WILL JOIN THOSE DIVISIONS. WASHINGTON KNOWS THAT THERE IS A FOUR MORE YEARS OF FUNDING, DEEPWATER HORIZON FUNDING AS QUOTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BASE FUNDING. WHETHER LEGALLY CAN DO IT WE HAVE NOT GOT AN ANSWER. FROM ANY REPRESENTATIVE, DONNA HAS ALL OF THE FIGURES FROM WHEN SHE STARTED. SO THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN IN MY OPINION. THE PROGRAM AS I MENTIONED, OVER $1 MILLION. THE REVIEW IN MY OPINION, IS FLAWED, VERY BIASED. ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MONEY. TO RUN THINGS HOW THEY DO ON THE FLORIDA COAST, SPECIES ARE NIGHT AND DAY. THEY NESTS AT THE NIGHTTIME WHEN THE WINDS ARE LOW. THEY LEAVE BIG BODY PETS, EASY TO FIND. MANY PEOPLE KNOW, NOT MUCH DRIVING. EASY FOR SOMEBODY, THEY WILL PUT A FLAKE IN THE GROUND WHERE THEY SEE THESE DEEP PITS THEN PUT A PERIMETER AROUND IT AND KEEP AN EYE ON IT YOU CANNOT DO THAT ON TEXAS BEACHES. THE SMALLEST OF ALL OF THE SEA TURTLES, THEY MIGHT GET UP TO 100 POUNDS OR THE SIZE OF A DINNER PLATE, THEY LEAVE NOBODY PIT FEW TRACKS BECAUSE OF THE WINDY OFFSHORE BREEZES FROM THE SOUTHEAST. THAT IS AND WILL COVER THEM IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE PATROLS UP TO FIND THESE NESTS. THE PREDATORS, NOT JUST VEHICLES, IT IS COYOTES, RACCOONS. GHOST CRABS, FIRE ANTS. ALSO GLOBAL WARMING, SEA LEVEL RISE. IMPORTANT TO SAY THIS SPECIE. 700 QUOTED IN THE REVIEW, I THINK THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE FOLLOWED. THE OTHER FAX, I WILL TALK ABOUT IT. IN JULY 2020, A STUDY WAS APPROVED BY THE PARK SERVICE, IT WAS TWO, THAT TELLS YOU SOMETHING. THAT SOMETHING IS GOING ON. WHAT IT IS, NOBODY KNOWS IT BECAUSE NOBODY IS TALKING. A CONTRACT, A GROUP OUT OF FLORIDA HAS BEEN GIVEN THE CONTRACT TO WORK, I CAN PROVIDE THAT NAME SEPARATELY IN AN EMAIL. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS REGARDS. OF COURSE IT TAKES OUR YEAR TO GET IT GOING, ANOTHER YEAR TO GET RESULTS. TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION, INTEND ON TAKING THE VEHICLES OFF THE BEACH, WHILE NOT AT THIS MOMENT. HASN'T GONE INTO EFFECT. DOESN'T SAY IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. HERE WE ARE NOW STILL DEBATING THE ISSUE. SO A TIMELINE. SO LIKE TO START WITH 2019. [02:35:11] SERVED AS THE INVESTIGATOR FOR THE 2010 DEEPWATER HORIZON. RESEARCH DATA HELPS SECURE THE SETTLEMENT FOR THAT RECOVERY EFFORT. IN 2019, TEXAS RECEIVED EARLY MONEY SUPPOSED TO GET ANOTHER FIVE YEARS OF DEEPWATER FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM. SHE WASN'T GETTING ANY ANSWERS ON THAT, SHE PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE LIKE MOST PEOPLE DO, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUDGET SHE LOOKS FIVE YEARS OUT, SHE WENT TO WASHINGTON AT THE INSTRUCTION. DID NOT GET RESULTS, WHEN SHE CAME BACK SHE HAD NAMED NAMES. TOLD DONNA, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE NAMED NAMES NOW THEY'RE GOING TO GET YOU I SUGGEST YOU RETIRE. THE OTHER PART, I CAN GO INTO THAT SEPARATELY IF YOU WOULD LIKE. SO DEEP THE ROOTS RUN SO DEEP. ONLY GOING TO THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG THAT IS WHERE WE START. MARK RETIRED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, ERIC WAS ASSIGNED AS ACTING SUPERINTENDENT. IN OCTOBER 2019, I AM GOING TO REFER AS ERIC FROM NOW ON, NO DISRESPECT WHATSOEVER. ERIC, MARK ORDERED THE REVIEW. I FOUND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE WHY WOULD SOMEBODY GOING OUT THE DOOR WANT TO ORDER A REVIEW OF THE PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 40 YEARS. IT IS POSSIBLE. RESPONSE TO DONNA NAMING NAMES. IT DEFINITELY GOES UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. EARLY IN DECEMBER 2019, I REVIEWED TEAM ARRIVES ALL OUT OF STATE MOST FROM THE EAST COAST. NO EXPERIENCE IN ANY SEA TURTLES AT ALL. ONE OR TWO THAT MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED. AFTER TALKING TO FOLKS, DOCTOR MARSHALL, ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES AT THE LAB, SHE CAN MAKE COMMENTS ON THE REVIEW WHICH WAS FAIR. THE END OF MARCH 2020 IS WHEN ERIC WAS ASSIGNED TO BECOME THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE SPRING OF 2020 DONNA ADVISED SHE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE REVIEW. JUNE 8, 2020, SIGNS THE REVIEW, RELEASES IT BEFORE GIVING IT TO DONNA. I WAS IN THE LAB JUNE 12 ON A FRIDAY. CLOSES THE DOOR, WALKS OUT. THAT IS IT DONNA CAME OUT, I SAID IS EVERYTHING OKAY. I JUST GOT THE REVIEW. ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED. I SAID OKAY, SO JUNE 22, INFORMS DONNA THE GRANT THIS WAS A COMPETITION GRANT WITHIN THE PARK SERVICE, ONE FIRST PLACE. RETURN THE MONEY, SHE WAS ADVISED NOT TO APPLY FOR ANY MORE GRANTS. JULY 2020, INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE MEDIA WHEN SHE PUT ON AN ORDER, DONNA HAS BEEN UNDER A CAKE ORDER EVER SINCE. HAVE TO SIGN A PIECE OF PAPER, NOT TALK TO THE MEDIA. MEDIA NOT ALLOWED ON THE COMPOUND. ON JULY 16, DONNA FILED A COMPLAINT THROUGH JEFF, WHICH IS THE PUBLIC EMPLOYERS FOR RESPONSIBILITY, HE FILED 28 PAGE COMPLAINT ON REVIEW, NOT WHEN COMPLAINT CAME BACK THEY [02:40:01] SAID, IT STANDS BUT I WILL GET TO THAT LATER IT WAS 28 PAGES. JULY 2020, BRIAN OF FORMER PARK SERVICE EMPLOYEE AT BADLANDS PARK, UNDER ERIC'S COMMAND CALLED DONNA TO WARN HER ABOUT ERIC. ERIC DISMANTLED HIS PROGRAM AS WELL. YOU WILL HEAR BRIAN AT THE END OF THIS, SPEAK TO THAT. ON OCTOBER 15, 2020 DONNA KEEPS ASKING ERIC WHY DID YOU MAKE ME RETURN THE 300,000. ERIC POINTS TO PAGE 15, THE REVIEW SAYS THE COLLECTION INCUBATION SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED. I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO REMEMBER THIS PARTICULAR DATE, UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THE REVIEW WAS SUGGESTIONS NOT COMMANDS. HOWEVER, ERIC SAID THE REVIEW WILL GO FORWARD. IT IS HIS DECISION. DECEMBER 2 OF 2020, MIKE RESPONSE, STATES THE REVIEW STANDS AS IS NO CORRECTIONS. NOT COMPLYING TO ANY OF THE COMPLAINTS. DECEMBER 31, APPEALS. MAY 13 OF 21, DIRECTOR FOR THE PARK SERVICE, A LETTER, IT STATES THIS IS THE FINAL END IT WENT THROUGH CHAIN OF COMMAND. NO ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE PARK SERVICE AND NO ACTION IN THE MANAGEMENT HAS YET BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE REVIEW IS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. OCTOBER 15 OF 2020, USES THE REVIEW AS HIS GUIDANCE. THAT IS WHY HE RETURNED THE 300,000. JOHN AND MIKE SAID IT IS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. SO EITHER THEY ARE MISINFORMED, OR ERIC DOES NOT UNDERSTAND IT IS FOR GUIDANCE ONLY. THAT COULD BE DISCUSSED AT A LATER TIME JUNE 21, ERIC KEEPS THE PROGRAM ON HOLD AS HE DECIDES WHAT TO PERMIT. COVID-19 IN 2020, MOST PLACES WERE CLOSED DOWN, THE PARK COMPLIED DONNA WAS ALLOWED TO DO VIRTUAL RELEASES ON FACEBOOK. HAD SEVERAL GUESTS, THE MAYOR, ELIZABETH WAS THERE, NICK MYERS. IN 21 WHEN THE VACCINE IS OUT, THE PAVILION IS OPEN, STILL WILL NOT ALLOW THE TOTAL RELEASE. HE IS THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT. WE FOUND THAT HARD TO DIGEST IF YOU WILL. THE COMMUNITY LOST A LOT OF REVENUE ON THAT DUE TO THE ACTIONS. AUGUST 11, OF 21, A MEMO SENT TO THE SEASHORE, PERSONNEL ADVISING THEM OF CHANGES AND OTHER PARK MONEY WILL BE ALLOCATED TO EACH DIVISION. I WILL READ THAT, WE WILL GO THROUGH THE TIMELINE. RESPONSE TO A LETTER BY A VOLUNTEER, THE 16 YEAR VOLUNTEER AND SAYS THE REVIEW DID NOT MAKE OR IMPLEMENT ANY DECISIONS, ALL FIVE SPECIES OF TURTLES FOUND RELY ON THE PARK. SO ACKNOWLEDGING THE PARK IS SUPPOSED TO BE TENDING TO ALL FIVE SPECIES. THROUGHOUT $300,000 IN GRANT MONEY. OPPOSITE OF THE TWO PEOPLE SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER. OCTOBER 14, INVITES SUPERINTENDENT ERIC AND DONNA TO GIVE A PRESENTATION TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. INVITES SUPERINTENDENT ERIC AND DONNA TO GIVE A PRESENTATION. AS MOST PEOPLE HAVE, DECLINED. HE ALSO IN ANOTHER EMAIL, FORBID DONNA TO APPEAR AS A PARK SERVICE EMPLOYEE. HE SAID SHE COULD APPEAR AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. [02:45:02] THEREFORE, DECIDED NOT TO SHOW UP THAT IS WHY AS VOLUNTEERS ARE HERE. NEXT, PLEASE. COULD YOU BACKUP ONE SECOND? LASTLY, RIGHT AFTER THE INVITATION FOR WHATEVER REASON SIX DAYS LATER, ERIC SUSPENDS DONNA FOR FIVE DAYS STILL APPEALING THAT. EXTENDED FOR SEVEN DAYS, RESPONDED IN 6.5, ERIC'S BOSS LISA AGREED TO EXTENDED ANOTHER TWO WEEKS. THIS PAST MONDAY, WITH DONNA AND WE HEARD HER LAWYER SPOKE ON DONNA'S BEHALF TO LISA, AFTER THE ISSUE WAS EXPLAINED, VERY OBVIOUS IT WAS ANOTHER BOGUS RIGHT UP. THEY SETTLED EVERYTHING OUT OF THE COURT. THEY EXCHANGED EMAILS, WANTED TO BE EACH OTHER'S FRIENDS. THIS HAPPENED FIVE MONTHS AGO. HE NOW TAKES SIX DAYS AFTER, SHE IS BACK AT WORK TODAY. SHE HAS BEEN BACK AT WORK BUT BECAUSE ON MONDAY, THEY SAID LISA SAID I AM GOING TO THINK ON THIS A COUPLE OF DAYS SO TECHNICALLY SHE CAN STILL BE SUSPENDED WHETHER FIVE DAYS OR PERMANENTLY. I WILL LET BRIAN TALK ABOUT THAT. THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS I THOUGHT I WOULD THROW IN, JULY 2021, IMPORTANT PEOPLE WHO ARE BEACHGOERS. AUGUST 30, CLIFF HELPING US ON THE SIDE WITH THE FOUNDATION. HE REACHED OUT TO THE TEXAS GLO, USUALLY FOUND ON A GOOGLE SEARCH NOTHING INTERNAL. HE REACHED OUT TO NATALIE AND GAVE HER ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION. NATALIE DID TELL CLIFF THAT THE TEXAS OPEN BEACH ACT APPLIES TO FEDERAL LAND. THAT WAS FROM A NATALIE PETE THAT WAS FROM A NATALIE PETE OCTOBER 21, ARTICLES ABOUT THE PROGRAM, SOME OF OUR RESPONSES, TIMELINES. OCTOBER 14, INVITED US HERE. DONNA SUSPENDED SIX DAYS AFTER THAT. THIS LAST PART IS NEW, NOVEMBER 4, A PUBLIC OFFICER, FROM THE DENVER OFFICE REACHED OUT TO A LOCAL JOURNALIST REQUESTED AN INTERVIEW. I REQUESTED TO BE THERE. HE DECLINED SAID HE WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH ME THERE SO I DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS PERSON MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INTERVIEW. SO THEY MATCH THERE, THEY MET AGAIN NOVEMBER 9. ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, TRYING TO SAY IT IS POINTING TOWARD OVERTIME WHICH IS AN EASY FIX. YOU FIX IT AND GO ABOUT YOUR WAY. THAT IS WHAT 90 PERCENT OF THE CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT OVERTIME. TOOK CARE OF THAT THIS LAST YEAR THERE WAS NO OVERTIME. THEY STILL CONTINUE TO DISMANTLE THE PROGRAM. MY RED FLAGS, THE REVIEW ARE NOT SCIENTISTS, ALL FROM THE EAST COAST THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT TEXAS COAST THEY'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SPECIES. DONNA IS A 40 YEAR PUBLIC SERVANT A WORLD EXPERT ON SEA TURTLES, WAS NOT ALLOWED TO COMMENT ON THE REVIEW. JUNE 22, 2020, ERIC RETURNS GRANT MONEY. I HAVE TO THROW THIS IN, 241,000 WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT WENT. ARIZONA, OREGON, PART OF THE SOUTHWEST BORDER. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE 241,000 WENT. JULY 16, JEFF SIGNED THE QUALITY ACT DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. [02:50:14] THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE IT WAS A 53 PAGE REVIEW AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG OUT OF A 28-PAGE COMPLAINT. AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER. SEPTEMBER, 2021, ONE 84 LATER, MICHAEL REYNOLDS, WHO SIGNED THE REVIEW HAD SAID THE REVIEW DID NOT MAKE OR IMPLEMENT ANY DECISION AND ALL OF THE FIVE SPECIES FOUND IN THE GULF OF MEXICO RELY ON THE PARK, THAT'S DIRECTLY OPPOSITE OF WHAT MR. BROWNMAN IS DOING MAY 13TH, MR. BEEN GEE, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME RECORD, GUIDANCE ONLY AND NOTHING TAKEN TO HEART TODAY. THAT IS TOTALLY OPPOSITE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT THERE. ERIC IS USING THE REVIEW AS OFFICIAL PLAY BOOK, IT'S PREWRITTEN, IT'S GOING RIGHT OFF IT. NEXT, PLEASE. AUGUST OF 2021, THIS IS A GOOD ONE, THE NEW PADRE ALAN PROCESS FOR ALLOCATING FUNDS TO THE DIVISIONS READS CHANGE IS A TRAIN, IT'S COMING DOWN THE TRACK. IT'S GOING TO HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR AND YOU CAN'T STOP IT. YOU HAD TWO CHOICES. YOU CAN STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF TRACKS BECAUSE EITHER A, YOUR TERRIFIED OF THE CHANGE AND LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS OR B, YOU DON'T LIKE THE CHANGE AND YOU THINK IT'S UNFAIR SO REFUSE TO ACCEPT A TRAIN IS COMING DOWN THE TRACKS OR TWO, YOU CAN GET ON BOARD AND ACCEPT IT. AND THAT WAS FROM, DISTRIBUTED THROUGH TO ALL EMPLOYEES AT THE PARK SERVICE. AND IT WAS ANONYMOUSLY E-MAILED TO ME. IT'S -- IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IT DID COME FROM THE PARK. SO THEY'RE DEFINITELY SAYING CHANGE IS COMING. BUT THEY'RE NOT TELLING WHY. NOVEMBER 4, 2021, OFFICER FROM DENVER, I THINK I TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT IN NOVEMBER 9 MEETING AT THE END OF THE -- NOVEMBER 9TH MEETING, I WAS TALKING TO THE JOURNALIST, AND THE PIO OFFICER SHE SAID WELL, CAN I PRINT THIS? WELL, YES, YOU CAN USE IT FOR AN ARTICLE BUT SAY MY NAME. I'M LIKE WAIT A MINUTE, THIS IS A PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AND YOU CAN'T USE THIS PERSON'S NAME IN AN ARTICLE? SO AT THE END OF IT HE STATES, THERE IS AN -- THE OVER TIME IS THE MAIN ISSUE. HE MENTIONS THE PARK HAS A TOURISM TOOL CAN IT, SO I LOOKED THAT UP. AND THAT'S THE WEBSITE YOU CAN FIND IT AT. IT'S BASICALLY WHAT ERIC DID AT PIN KELS WHAT ERIC DID AT BAD LANDS WITH EACH ENDANGERED SPECIES THEY OUT SOURCE IT TO A NONPROFIT IT'S BEEN SUSPICIOUS THAT THIS GROUP IS FROM DALLAS SOMEWHERE, BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO CLOSE THE BEACH. I CAN'T CONFIRM THAT BUT THAT'S JUST -- SO DEFINITELY A TOOL KIT HE DEFINITELY SAID IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS WE HOPE TO RELEASE THAT INFORMATION, HE SAID ALSO HE WAS GOING TO TRY TO BE ON THIS CALL. IF HE IS, MAYBE HE CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOU. I HOPE HE IS. AND LASTLY, COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, NOVEMBER 15TH, BACK TO PEER THEY SENT A LETTER TO THE NEW PARK DIRECTOR CHARLES CHUCK SAMMS REGARDING HARASSMENT SURVEY AND IT STATES IN IT, YOU CAN FIND IT ONLINE. 35% OF THE 28,000 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE EMPLOYEES HAVE FILED A HARASSMENT LAWSUIT. THAT'S A BIG AMOUNT. THAT MUST TELL YOU THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM HERE, I WOULD SAY YES, THERE IS A PROBLEM, THERE IS HARASSMENT GOING ON HERE. I WAS ADVISED BY A FORMER COLLEAGUE OF DONNA FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, I WAS TOLD I COULD USE HIS NAME, JIM HAMOT, IT'S FOR ADVICE ONLY TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, AND HE SAID YOU HOLD THE POWER IN YOUR HAND AND IT CAN DEFINITELY CHANGE THINGS AND THE PERSON YOU HAVE TO GO TO MIKE REYNOLDS. IT IS IN HIS LAP NOW, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD. AND YOU ALL CAN MAKE THE CHANGES FOR US AND THAT WAS HIS ADVICE. I THINK THAT'S GREAT PLACE TO START, CORRESPONDING GET THE DIALOGUE GOING, GET BACK TO THE TABLE. EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SETTLE DOWN REVOKE THIS REVIEW, DO A LEGITIMATE ONE WITH SCIENTIFIC DATA AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA OF SEA TURTLES. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR. OVER TIME YOU CAN FIX. OTHER ISSUES YOU CAN FIX, YOU [02:55:03] KNOW, IF VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO GET MORE VOLUNTEERS TO CUT BACK ON THE BUDGET, I GUARANTEE WE WILL. NOW, BACK TO THE IS IT YOUR TESTIMONY RELEASES, ERIC CONSTANTLY SAYS IT COST TOO MUCH FOR THE PARK TO HAVE THESE RELEASES. I'M SORRY, I'LL HAVE TO CALL HIM ON THAT ONE, AS A VOLUNTEER AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS CAN ATTEST TO, WE HAVE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM THAT USE THEIR OWN PERSONAL TRUCK AND TRAILER TO TAKE ALL THE EQUIPMENT DOWN TO THE BEACH TO SET IT UP, ALL VOLUNTEERS SET IT UP. THERE MIGHT BE A RANGE, THERE'S DONNA, CYNTHIA, RUBIO, HER RIGHT ARM AND MAYBE HILARY, ONE OF THE OTHER EMPLOYEES THERE, MIGHT BE THEIR REGULAR WORKDAY, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GUESSTIMATE AND MAYBE ONE OF THE OTHER VOLUNTEERS CAN CORROBORATE IT THAT 95% OF THE HATCHING RELEASES ARE DONE BY VOLUNTEERS, IT COST THE PARK NOTHING. BUT NOW, ERIC WANTS TO CHARGE AN ENTRANCE FEE AND I HAVE CONFIRMED THROUGH THE PIO OFFICER HAD THIS JOURNALIST ASK THIS QUESTION, THE PARK ENTRANCE FEE MIGHT BE DECEPTIVE TO SOME PEOPLE, THEY THINK THEY'RE HELPING THE PROGRAM. WOULD YOU THINK THAT? JUDGE? YOU DON'T KNOW. AS A PERSON I SEE THOSE POSTS ON FACEBOOK, I CAN'T WAIT FOR A RELEASE, I WANT TO GO HELP THE TURTLES. . I KIND OF THOUGHT DOES AN ENTRANCE FEE GO TO THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM? NO, IT DOESN'T, IT GOES TO MAINTENANCE. >> DO THEY DO, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PROGRAM AT MUSEUMS AND SPECIALLY IF MARKS THEY WILL HAVE LIKE A BOX, PEOPLE WANT TO GIVE. IS THERE ANYTHING OLYMPIC THAT FOR OUR SEA TURTLE PROGRAM OUT THERE. >> AT THE >> VOLUNTARY DONATION >> GIFT STORE THERE'S ADOPT A SEA TURTLE. ERIC RECENTLY TOOK THOSE AND REROUTED THOSE INTO THE RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. TRAINING IS ONLINE SO IT DOESN'T COST ON THAT, IT'S A WEBINAR. NEXT. IF YOU'LL GO TO THE LAST SLIDE, PLEASE. IN CONCLUSION, THE PUBLIC IS UNAWARE OF THE CHANGES AND AS SUCH, SHOULD BE INFORMED HENCE THE MEETING, HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL ENGAGE, SHOW THEIR SUPPORT SHOW THEIR VIEWS, WHETHER IT BE NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE, I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE UP TO OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS AND NOT THE PARK SERVICE. EVEN THOUGH IT IS PART OF THE CLAY BURN COUNTY, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THAT, MORE VOICES HEARD, MORE RESPONSE YOU'LL GET. WE IS RESPECTFULLY REQUEST CITY LEADERS STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND U.S. REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION. SO ANYBODY THAT CAN READ IT REACH OUT TO THE STATE, LOCAL OR FEDERAL EMPLOYEE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION. NOW, IF DISMANTLED OR OUT SOURCED THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE -- IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO RECOVER IT. YOU'LL HAVE A BUNCH OF FOLKS THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON. DONNA IS THE WORLD FAMOUS EXPERT ON THIS. AND YOU CAN'T JUST OUT SOURCE IT TO A BUNCH OF FOLKS THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND USE IT AS A TOURISM ATTRACTION. THE PUBLIC CATCH LINK RELEASED WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE OR TWO AS IT WAS THIS YEAR. AS POSED TO 25 IN THE PAST YEARS, A LOSS OF 1 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. THE NEXT IF THE BEACH IS CLOSED OR LIMITED TO TRAFFIC DURING NESTING SEASON, THIS WILL LEAD TO FURTHER ECONOMIC LOSSES TO OUR COMMUNITY. PROPOSED CHANGES WOULD DESTROY THE SCIENTIFIC MONITORING OF THE RECOVERY EFFORTS, WHICH IS ALMOST DONE EXCLUSIVELY AT PADRE ALLEN NATIONAL SEASHORE AND POSSIBLE FUTURE ENDANGER THE KEMP SURVIVAL RATE. LASTLY OUR COMMUNITY WILL HAVE LOST A WORLD FAMOUS SCIENTIST BUT DONNA SCHAEFFER'S LEGACY WILL BE ENDURED FOR MANY GENERATIONS. IN CLOSING, AS YOU CAN SEE OUR COMMUNITY, TEXAS AND THE WORLD STAND TO LOSE A WORLD FAMOUS ECHO TOURISM EVENT THAT GENERATES OVER 1 MILLION DOLLARS TO OUR ECONOMY. IN ADDITION, CORPUS CHRISTY IS THE GATEWAY COMMUNITY TO PADRE ALAN NATIONAL SEASHORE AND AS SUCH, IF THE PARK SERVICE LIMITS TRAFFIC CLOSES THE BEACH OR CHARGES A HEFTY ENTRANCE FEE, WE STAND TO LOSE MUCH MORE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE STAND TO LOSE A WORLD FAMOUS SEA TURTLE SCIENTIST CONSERVATION LEADER, EDUCATION LEADER AND A BLOOD MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT SELF LESLEY GIVES HER TIME TO [03:00:03] PROVIDE A FREE PUBLIC RELEASE, PUTTING CORPUS ON MANY TOURIST BUCKET LIST, I APPRECIATE YOUR TEAM. I HAVE SEVERAL FOLKS THAT ARE VIRTUAL AND THEY WILL BE TALKING NEXT ON OUR BEHALF. THANK YOU FOR THE COURT'S TIME. >> THANK YOU AND THE INFORMATION WILL LET CONNIE GET SET UP THERE MIGHT BE MORE COMMENT, CONNIE WILL HAVE THEM USE THEIR HAND ICON, IF YOU'LL GO BACK TO THE ZOOM PARTICIPANTS IT WILL HELP ME TO SEE. >> LIKE I SAID, IT'S COMPLICATED WITH ZOOM. >> AGAIN, WHILE WE'RE SETTING UP, YOU KNOW, WHILE WE'RE NOT JURISDICTION ALI ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE PARK, FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, CITY, THERE'S SO MUCH WE CAN DO, I'VE SEEN AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN FROM THIS COURTROOM DUE TO ADVOCACY. I REALLY HAVE. AND THAT IS WHY I'M ALL PREACHING THAT YOU CANNOT DO WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT THAT HAVE AN EXPERTISE THAT LIVE IN WASHINGTON OR AUSTIN, DEPENDING IF IT'S A FED OR STATE ISSUE. HE HAPPENS TO BE HERE, LISTENING INTENSELY TO THE QUITE FRANKLY THE UNBELIEVABLE TIMELINE THAT YOU PROVIDED TO US, AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN TAKE ACTION AS ADVOCATES TO NOT JUST WRITE THE LETTERS AND HAVE THE MEETINGS, BUT TO DO SO WITH RESPECT AND WITH YOU KNOW, THE FIERCENESS THAT WE ADVOCATE. I THINK THAT I BELIEVE YOU WHEN YOU SAY THAT WE HAVE POWER TO MAKE CHANGE, AND YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO, I THINK, YOU CAN SEE THAT YOU HAVE CONSENSUS HERE TO DO SO. >> JUDGE I THINK ALSO, WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVE WHO WORKS FOR US IN WASHINGTON, WHO'S TAKING ALL THIS IN TODAY AS YOU POINTED OUT EARLIER, AND I DON'T KNOW THE MIKE REYNOLDS INFORMATION, GET WITH THEM AND GET THAT INFORMATION SO WE CAN PASS THAT BACK TO I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS, BUT LIKE YOU SAID I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO SPEAK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A LOT LONGER THAN OUR NORMAL PRESENTATIONS, AND IT'S ALSO, I THINK BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION AND THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST PUBLIC FORUM THESE NICE PEOPLE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND GET THE WORD OUT. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID AND DONE TODAY. AGAIN, IN THE COURT'S INDULGENCE ON LETTING US GO LONGER THAN WE NORMALLY DO, BECAUSE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND AS JUDGE SAID AND CORRECTED AND I STAND CORRECTED NOT IN OUR -- NOT IN MY PRECINCT BUT BELIEVE ME, WE ALL FEEL LIKE IT'S PART OF CORPUS CHRISTY AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO GREW UP HERE, I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE LINES WERE, I JUST WENT TO THE BEACH. SO I THINK IT'S GOOD POINT WE PROBABLY DO NEED TO REACH OUT TO JUDGE MADRID OR CLAY BERG COUNTY AND MAYBE GET ON HIS AGENDA TO HAVE THE SAME PRESENTATION BECAUSE THE MORE ADVOCACY AS THE JUDGE SAYS, THE BETTER. I'LL LET THOSE SPEAK. >> IF YOU'LL GRAB THE MIC, OTHERWISE, TO ONE CAN HEAR YOU. YOU WANT TO ANNOUNCE WHO IT IS? >> YES, PLEASE. HE'S ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE. IT WILL BE DR. CHRISTOPHER MARSHAL AT THE TEXAS A AND M GALVESTON MARINE BIOLOGY CENTER. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >> YOU MAY PROCEED, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SOME BRIEF COMMENTS FOR US. >> I DO. THANK THE COURT FOR GIVING US THE PLATFORM TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES. LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF, MY NAME IS DR. CHRISTOPHER MARSHAL AND I'M A PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUT A RECENT BIOLOGY AT TEXAS A & M IN GALVESTON, SO WE'RE PART OF TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STATION FOR THE BRUNCH CAMPUS, THE DIRECTOR FOR THE GOLF CENTER FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH AND I'M SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AS THE DIRECTOR AND THE TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE WITH THE CONSENT OF TEXAS A & M. THE SEA TURTLE IS NEW RESEARCH CENTER AT TEXAS A & M CREATED IN 2019, AND I AM THE LEAD FOR THE UPPER TEXAS COAST TELL ME PRETTILY NESTING PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE LEAD FOR THE SEA TURTLE RESCUE NETWORK, WE'RE LARGEST SEA TURTLE PATROL IN TEXAS AS WELL AS ALL THE COAST LINE MONITORED. TODAY I WANT TO SPEAK AS PART OF DR. SCHAEFFER'S RESEARCH PROGRAM SPEAKING AS LIFELONG SCIENTIST MYSELF AND RESEARCHER, AND LIKE ALL SCIENTISTS, DR. SCHAEFFER MAIN ROLE HAS BEEN TO CREATE KNOWLEDGE, THAT'S OUR JOB. IN OUR SITUATION, WE'RE CREATING KNOWLEDGE REGARDING LIFE HISTORY, BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF SEE TURTLES SO I'D LIKE TO READ THIS STATEMENT AND HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH SEA TURTLES SINCE 1992, AND I FIRST JOB AS BIOLOGIST WAS A SEA TURTLE TECHNICIAN IN FLORIDA. MANY YEARS LATER WHEN I ARRIVED [03:05:05] HERE TO TEXAS A & M AT GALVESTON AS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, WHICH WAS IN 2002, I WAS THERE WAS ANOTHER SEA TURTLE BIOLOGY IN FACULTY SO MY WORK CONTINUED OVERSEAS, CONDUCTED SEA TURTLE RESEARCH IF JAPAN, MEXICO IN A MIDDLE EAST COUNTRY. THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK TO TEXAS, I REALIZED THAT OUR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH CAPACITY WAS LIMITED COMPARED TO OTHER PLACES THAT I'VE WORKED. SO THIS IS MY MAIN IMPETUS FOR CREATING THE GULF CENTER FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH, ADDITIONAL SEA TURTLE BIOLOGIST IN THE STATE THAT ARE ORGANIZED WHO BRING ATTENTION AND FUNDING TO THE GROWING POPULATION OF SEA TURTLES IN TEXAS. SO WHILE TEXAS A & M CONDUCTED SOME SEA TURTLE WORK IN THE PAST, REALLY, THE RESEARCH POWERHOUSE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IS DR. DONNA SCHAEFFER. AND THIS IS A MUCH DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN OTHER STATES PARTICULARLY FLORIDA FOR THEIR MANY SEA TURTLE SCIENTISTS PUBLISHING EXCELLENT WORK ON THE NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF SEA TURTLES. SO MY TIME HERE I LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. SCHAEFFER, MORE AMAZED I BECAME AFTER HER SCIENCE, THE NUMBER PUBLICATIONS SHE PRODUCES AND IMPACT OF HER SCIENCE. MANY CASES, SCIENTISTS AND GOVERNMENT POSITIONS DON'T REALLY HAVE THE INCENTIVE TO PUBLISH AS MUCH AS SCIENTISTS IN ACADEMIA DO. HOWEVER, WHAT I FOUND IS DR. SCHAEFFER WAS AND IS REALLY PERFORM TO GO THE LEVEL OF A FULL PROFESSOR AT A CARNEGIE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE HEIGHT OF HER CAREER. FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILY WITH THAT SYSTEM, R1 INSTITUTE IS A TOP TIER RESEARCH ENTITY SUCH AS THE UNIVERSITY HERE IN TEXAS, TEXAS A & M AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS. AS I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THE TEXAS LITERARY THE MAJORITY ON TEXAS SEA TURTLES COME OUT OF DONNA SCHAEFFER'S DIVISION OF SEA TURTLE RECOVERY AND AS SOON AS PROGRAM, OR SHE WAS AT LEAST A COLLABORATOR ON MANY PUBLICATIONS, IT WAS BECAUSE OF THOSE FACTS THAT I NOMINATED HER FOR THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THROUGH OUR LARGEST SEA TURTLE SCIENTIFIC SITE. SOCIETY THE INTERNATIONAL SEA TURTLE SOCIETY. SHE WAS AWARDED THIS HONOR SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SO IF YOU LOOK AT HER RESUME, YOU'LL SEE THAT SHE HAS MANY MANY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION, AS JAN MENTIONED SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH SEA TURTLES 40 YEARS, WORKED HER WAY TO THE LEADER OF THIS DIVISION FIRST THROUGH U.S. GS WHICH IS A RESEARCH ORIENTED FEDERAL AGENCY AND THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM. OVER THESE YEARS, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY PLAYERS IN TEXAS AND THROUGHOUT THE GULF OF MEXICO, HER LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO THE SCIENTIFIC PROCESS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN RECOVERING THIS AT IT TURTLE IN THE WORLD, SHE HELPED RECOVER IT FROM EXTINCTION, WE ALMOST LOST THE SPECIES TO EXTINCTION IN THE 1980S. WHEN YOU LOOK AT HER RESUME OR WHAT WE CALL THE CURRICULUM VITAE, EXTENSIVE, OVER 10020 PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION ON SEA TURTLE SCIENCE, AS A BUNCH MARK FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH HOW SCIENTISTS WORK, PUBLISHING 100 PAPERS IS A LIFE LONG SOUGHT AFTER GOAL THAT MANY SCIENTIST IN REFERENCE ACHIEVE. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY AS I MENTIONED IS HER IMPACT OF HER WORK AS WELL AS HER LEADERSHIP, HER LIFETIME WORK HAS HAD REGIONAL NATIONAL AND GLOBAL IMPACT. UNDER HER LEADERSHIP, THE DIVISION OF SEA TURTLE SCIENCE AND RECOVERY HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A CONSERVATION AND SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY OF ALL FIVE SEA TURTLE SPECIES THAT RESIDE AND SOME OF WHICH NEST HERE IN THE USA. BUT LIFE CYCLE EXTEND INTERNATIONALLY. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS SEA TURTLES KNOW NO BORDERS, AS PART OF IMPACT, SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE SEA TURTLE RECOVERY TEAM, A LEADER IN THE RECOVERY OF THIS SPECIES, SHE IS THE TEXAS STATE COORDINATOR FOR THE STRANDING NETWORK AND NESTING. SHE COORDINATES THE NESTING UP AND DOWN THE COAST. THIS IS A TEXAS LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR US. INITIALLY SHE'S ALSO A MEMBER INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMITTEES. THEY HAVE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MARINE TURTLES, SHE'S PART OF THAT SPECIALIST GROUP. DUE TO HER ROLE AS THE TEXAS STATE COORDINATOR FOR THE SEA TURTLE NESTING I'M IN TOUCH WITH HER ALMOST WEEKLY PARTICULARLY DURING NESTING SEASON. SHE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN RAISING FUNDS FOR ENTITIES UP AND DOWN THE TEXAS COAST THAT WORK TO CONSERVATIVE SEA TURTLES WE ALL WORK TOGETHER FOR THE CONSERVATION OF OUR SEA TURTLES ALL SEA ACTUALLIES SPECIES, WE ARE A TEAM. [03:10:03] SO WHEN SOMETHING AFFECT DONNA, IT'S ACTUALLY AFFECTING THE ENTIRE COAST OF TEXAS. SO AS A RELATIVELY NEW SEA TURTLE BIOLOGIST IN TEXAS, I WAS ACTUALLY ASKED TO BE A READER AND REVIEWER FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE'S REVIEW OF HER DIVISION OF SEA TURTLE SCIENCE AND RECOVERY PROGRAM. I FOUND A REVIEW TO BE REAL ESTATE AN INACCURATE ASSESSMENT REGARDING THE NATURE OF SEA TURTLE SCIENCE IN TEXAS. IT APPEARS THAT THE AUTHORS OF THE REPORT DID NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE REGARDING THE CONSERVATION ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY UNIQUE TO TEXAS. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I WAS REPORTING MY COMMENTS REGARDING THIS REVIEW TO THE COMMITTEE, THAT WAS A BIT DISTURBING I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE COMMITTEE OF FIVE TO SIX PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. ONLY TWO MEMBER WHOSE WERE ON THE CONFERENCE CALL AND QUICKLY BECAME CLEAR THAT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN MY WORK ON THE REVIEW OR MY OPINIONS. THERE WERE VERY FEW QUESTIONS, LITTLE TO NO IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OR DEBATE. IN FACT, THE PHONE CALL CONCLUDED WITHIN 15 MINUTES. I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER ASKING FOR MORE DIALOGUE BUT THE PHONE CALL WAS CONCLUDED IN MY OPINION, RATHER QUICKLY. IT WAS CURIOUS ENOUGH THAT I INSPECTED A CONFERENCE PHONE CALL INVITATION THAT I HAD TO RECEIVE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE MEETING WAS LABEL AS OPTIONAL FOR THREE MEMBERS THAT ACTUALLY DID NOT SHOW. THIS WAS SURPRISING TO ME, GIVEN THE GRAVITY OF THE SUGGESTIONS AND THE REVIEW THAT WE ARE NOW FINDING ARE PRETTY MUCH THE GAME PLAN. SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT A DECISION REGARDING THE REVIEW WAS MADE WHAT WE CALL, THE BEFORE THE ARE YOU NOTES OR WORK WITH THE REVIEWERS OR AT LEAST MY REVIEW WAS RECORDED AND NOTED. >> ONE ISSUE CROP UP IN THIS REPORT IS THE ISSUE OF LEAVING SEA TURTLE NESTS ON THE BEACH. SORT OF EXCAVATING WE DO HERE AND WE DO IN MEXICO, I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE MISSION TO RECOVER SEA TURTLES IS A BY NATIONAL EFFORT THAT BEGAN IN 1978. DR. SCHAEFFER'S CONSERVATION PRACTICE IN TEXAS, THAT IS REMOVING A NEST AND PLACED IN PROTECTED AREAS AND INCUBATION FACILITIES, THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE SCIENCE AND METHODOLOGY OF OUR PARTNERS IN MEXICO. IT'S PART OF RECOVERY PLAN. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER TOO, THAT SEA TURTLES ARE LONG LIVED, THEY CAN LIVE LONG AS HUMANS, STUDYING SEA TURTLES IS WHAT I CALL A PROCESS, IT TAKES DECADES TO UNDERSTAND AND SEE RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SECOND NESTING SITE IN THE USA AT PADRE ISLAND AND THE METHODS OF PROTECTING THOUGH NESTS AND MOVING THEM IS A PROVEN SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY THAT HAS BEEN TESTED THE LAST 40 YEARS. ANY CRITICISM OF THIS CONSERVATION EFFORT FROM 30 TO 40 YEARS AGO SHOULD NOW BE CONSIDERED OUTDATED IN AGE OF ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE, MANY SEA TURTLE GROUPS ARE CONSULTING WITH DR. SCHAEFFER TO ADOPT HER METHODOLOGY, WHICH WE NOW KNOW PROVEN TO INCREASE SEA TURTLE RECRUITMENT TO THE POPULATION, THIS IS WHAT THE DATA TELLS US. CHANGES IN CONSERVATION MUST BE DRIVEN BY THE SCIENCE AND DATA RATHER THAN POLITICS, OBJECTIVE LIKE THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE, AS I'VE OUTLINED, DR. SCHAEFFER'S SCIENCE IS EXCELLENT AND SHE IS A WORLD EXPERT ON SEA TURTLES. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THIS SPECIES IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SPECIES, WE CAN COUNT ON HER EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA TO GUIDE THE AREA OF THE RECOVERY PLAN FOR THOSE SPECIES. TODAY, THE CENTER FOR FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH IS SUCCESSFUL IN LARGE PART DUE TO DR. SCHAEFFER'S INFLUENCE, AS HER ROLE CHIEF OF DIVISION OF SEA TURTLE SCIENCE AND RECOVERY FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, SHE'S CREATED A CULTURE OF SCIENTIFIC AS WELL AS EDUCATION OF OUTREACH AND MENTORED STUDENTS AND OTHER SCIENTISTS AROUND THE TOPIC OF SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION. SHE INSPIRES ME, INSPIRES MY GRAD STUDENTS AND UNDERGRADE STUDENTS, WHAT IS HIGH SCIENTIFIC STANDARD AND THE QUALITY OF HER PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS WORK ETHIC OUTSTANDING AS WELL AS HER LEADERSHIP. IN MY VIEW, DR. SCHAEFFER HAS BEEN INSPIRATION TO MANY SEA TURTLE BIOLOGISTS NOT JUST HERE IN TEXAS, BUT NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY SHE'S PARTICULARLY INSPIRATION TO WOMEN ASPIRING TO MAKE A CAREER IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH. OTHERS HERE THAT CARE ABOUT SEA TURTLES IN TEXAS AND BEYOND, I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED REGARDING EVENTS CURBING A THE NORTH PADRE ILL NATIONAL SEASHORE, DR. SCHAEFFER'S PROGRAM IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT OPERATION THAT BOTH SCIENTISTS AND POLICY MAKERS HOW TO RECOVER SEA [03:15:07] TURTLES IN TEXAS. SO I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS >> BECAUSE YOUR COMMENTS WERE PREPARED AND EXCELLENT AND HE WE COULD USE THE DATA AND INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED FOR OUR OWN WHAT I WOULD CALL JUSTIFICATION WHEN WE START HAVING OUR OWN MEETINGS COULD YOU PROVIDE A COPY TO THE COURT VIA WE'LL PROVIDE IT TO YOU, WE'LL PUT IT IN THE CHAT ROOM, WOULD PLEASE PROVIDE BEE LINDA'S INFORMATION ON E-MAIL IN THE CHAT ROOM? AND BY THAT, WE CAN INCORPORATE IT CORRECTLY I KNOW IT WOULD HELP THE CLERK AS WELL FOR SUMMARY BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY -- IF IT'S NOT IF YOU NEED FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH OUR COURT ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT WHICH COMMENTS ARE PERSONAL AND OPINION AND WHICH ONES WOULD YOU BE ALLOWED US TO UTILIZE FOR FURTHER ADVOCACY THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I FEEL LIKE I'M CONDUCTING A REAL HEARING IT'S GREAT. I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS GETTING MY CHANCE NOW. OF THIS IS THE ONLY WAY CHANGE HAPPENS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU'VE TAKEN FROM ACADEMICS TO JOIN US OBVIOUSLY IT WAS OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE TO YOU PERSONALLY TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM OF WHICH YOU OVERSEA AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO THE WORLD OF SCIENCE, SO THANKS. WE PROBABLY NEED TO YOU CAN COME UP. I KNOW YOU SAID YOU HAD SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD YOU LET US -- IS THAT THE PERSON THE LAST PERSON, I NEED TO TRANSITION FOR TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING FOR US, THE SHERIFF BEING ONE BUT MAKE CERTAIN WE GET THE INFORMATION LOGGED IN. >> BRIAN KENNER IS READY TO TALK. >> GO AHEAD, BRIAN. YOU CAN UNMUTE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS A BRIAN KENNER, MY ADDRESS IS 406 PINE STREET IN PHILLIP SOUTH DAKOTA, I'M RETIRED FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. BEFORE I MAKE MY COMMENTS I'D LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE DISCUSSION FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS SESSION, WHERE WE DISCUSS WHETHER THE COMMENTS THAT CAME FROM MR. RUN MAN REPRESENTED THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AS A WHOLE I CAN SAY SAY I BELIEVE THE JUDGE RIGHT. THOSE COMMENTS WERE MOST VETTED UP THE CHAIN. IF NOT WRITTEN BY SOMEONE IN THE REGIONAL OFFICE. ALTHOUGH, YOU KNOW, SIGNED BY MR. BROWNMAN, I AM CERTAIN THOSE WERE CLEAR THROUGH THE PARK SERVICE. SO THEY DO REPRESENT THE PARK SERVICE I THINK YOU ALSO HAVE TO BE AWARE THERE'S WAYS TO BE VAGUE ON SOME ASPECTS OF HIS ANSWERS AND WHEN THEY SAY THERE'S NO PLAN TO CUT THE PROGRAM THEY SAY THERE'S ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT GOING ON, NEED REVIEW. IN MY EXPERIENCE, VERY FEW OF THESE NIPA REVIEWS GO IN WITH AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION. THERE'S GENERALLY AN AGENDA AND A DESIRE. THEY PICK WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND THE REVIEW IS -- THE NIPA ACTION IS DONE TO JUSTIFY THAT, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT SO THAT TWO CENTS IN. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE MY PERSPECTIVE ON THIS VERY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION AT PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE. I'LL SAY BEGINNING I DON'T KNOW DR. DONNA SCHAEFFER, I NEVER MET HER. I DO KNOW HER BOY REPUTATION AS A RECOGNIZED EXPERT ON SEA TURTLE ECOLOGY, AND LONG-TERM WORK IN SEA TURTLE RECOVERY, SHE HAS AN IMPRESSIVE CAREER OF PUBLISHED PAPERS, BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND LEADING DIRECT RECOVERY ACTIONS. WHICH IS WELL-KNOWN AROUND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. AND OBVIOUSLY, SEEING TODAY, SHE'S ALSO HIGHLY REGARDED IN TEXAS. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO KNOW THE PADRE ISLAND SUPERINTENDENT ERIC BROWNMAN ALL TOO WELL. I WORKED FOR HIM AT BAD LANDS NATIONAL PARK IN 2010 BEFORE HE PLACE ME ON INDEFINITE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND TRIED [03:20:01] TO FIRE ME IN I NEED TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, I HAD BEEN CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL RESOURCES PROGRAM AT THE BAD LANDS SINCE 1999. IN MY 20 YEAR CAREER I WORKED AT GLACIER, LAKE MEADE, EVERGLADES AND PICTURE ROCKS NATIONAL LAKE SHORE, ON A RECEIVE SEVERAL SPEAR PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, NUMEROUS PERFORMANCE AWARDS, FROM SEVEN DIFFERENT SUPERVISORS IN 20 '00 I WAS NOMINATED, AND SELECTED ADVISORY GROUP TO THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR NATURAL RESOURCES STEWARDSHIP AND AS SOON AS SCIENCE, MY SUPERVISORS CONSIDERED ME A VALUED CAPABLE EMPLOYEE. WHEN MR. BROWN THERE WAS A DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT WHO HAD BEEN ACTING SUPERINTENDENT PRIOR TO HIS ARRIVAL. GRADUALLY BECAME CLEAR TO THE PARK STAFF THAT THE DEPUTY CONTINUED TO MAKE DECISIONS AND RUN THE PARK, BUT SOON GOT IN TROUBLE WITH THE REGIONAL OFFICE BECAUSE HE MADE CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS REGARDING PLACEMENT OF CABINS AT THE PARK. REGIONAL OFFICE REMOVED HIM FROM THE PARK AND PLACED HIM IN ANOTHER PARK. EVEN THOUGH MR. RUNMAN COULD HAVE STEPPED IN, STEPPED ASIDE AND LET HIS DEPUTY MAKE DECISIONS HE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN. >> MR. KENNER, THE COMMISSIONER IS CONCERNED AND HE WANTS TO -- JUST SO YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER, GIVEN THAT THIS IS A PUBLIC COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM, I'M OK WITH HIM SPEAKING ABOUT IT. HE'S CHECKING WITH ME, SO THAT I CAN >> I WANT A BE CAREFUL, I DIDN'T WANT TO DO THIS JUST TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME BEATING ON MR. RUN I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THE TURTLE ISSUE SO, SO I DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GOING TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD WITH THIS, I JUST WANT TO -- I JUST I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THIS FOCUSED ON THE TURTLE ISSUE AND THE DONNA SCHAEFFER PART OF THIS AND TRY NOT TO, IF WE CAN, BECAUSE THE FOCUS TO ME HOW DO WE SAVE THE TURTLES AND SAVE SCHAEFFER AND THAT'S WHERE, WHAT WE WANT TO DO. I DON'T WANT TO CUT HIM OFF TOO MUCH BUT I ALSO WANT TO TRY TO KEEP FOCUS ON THAT. >> MR. KENNER IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND TRY AND GIVE US -- OBVIOUSLY, ALL THE INFORMATION IS NOT ONLY RELEVANT SOME SORT OF A CAUTION TO NOT TELL US THE FACTS HOW YOU THINK IT'S RELATIVE OR RELEVANT OR OUR PROGRAM HERE. >> THAT'S. >> IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST TAKE THE ACTIONS OF WHAT YOU'RE GIVING US INFORMATION AND HELP US SEE THE RELEVANCY, WITHOUT, I THINK COMMISSIONER IS A LITTLE CONCERNED IF WE GET INTO THE LINE OF JUST DISPARAGING A PARTICULAR PERSON, WE MAY BE GETTING OFF TRACK. WILL YOU HELP US FIND THE COMMON GROUND? >> JUST TO POINT OUT WHAT WAS NOTICED WAS THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM. >> THAT'S OUR ISSUE, WE HAVE THESE -- WE HAVE VERY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO STAY INSIDE THE LANE, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, BUT YOU CAN FINISH, WE DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF. WE WERE GETTING FLAG DAY WE MAY NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REALLY RECEIVE INFORMATION OUTSIDE THE CHARTEL PROGRAM. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, IF YOU JUST GIVE US YOUR CONCERN AS YOU HAVE THE EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PROGRAM AND HOW YOU THINK IT MIGHT RELATE TO THE TURTLE PROGRAM I'M TRYING TO THROW THE GUIDANCE THERE DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, MR. KENNER. >> WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO WAS PROVIDE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT MY CASE THAT I WENT THROUGH WITH MR. BRENNERMAN THAT WAS PERTINENT AND WOULD PROVIDE A BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION OF PADRE ISLANDS BUT I'LL TRY TO KIND OF AVOID THAT, BUT I WILL SAY THAT WHEN I WAS IN BAD LANDS SUDDENLY, I FOUND I WAS BEING TARGETED MANY SAME TACTICS USE AGAINST DR. SCHAEFFER WERE USED AGAINST ME. MY FIRM BELIEF IS THAT I WAS TARGETED BECAUSE I WAS SPEAK OUT ABOUT BY SON MANAGEMENT AND BLACK FOOTED FERRETTI PROGRAM AND IN PARTICULAR THE BLACK FOOTED FAR RIT PROGRAM, WHAT HE HAPPENED THERE RELEVANT TO WHAT'S GOING ON AT PADRE ISLANDS BUT I'LL SKIP THAT. I WILL PROVIDE YOU MY WRITTEN NOTES IF YOU >> ABSOLUTELY. >> IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE, THAT WILL BE GREAT >> WE'LL PROVIDE THAT IN THE CHAT WHERE YOU CAN DIRECT THOSE, BUT IN SUMMARY, WHAT YOU'RE REALLY -- YOU'RE COMMENTS YOU'RE PROVIDING ON THE RECORD TODAY [03:25:01] ARE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE COURT'S UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU BELIEVE THERE TO BE A PATTERN THAT IS BEING REPEATED HERE AT THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM TO BRING IT BACK HOME TO THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM AND YOU WANT US TO BE AWARE OF THAT. THAT IS WHY YOU'RE PROVIDING COMMENTS WITHOUT TRYING TO INFLUENCE YOUR WORDS, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COURT UNDERSTANDS THE RELEVANCE. >> YES. I CAN, YES. AND SO I DON'T NEED TO DO THAT. I'LL LET YOU READ IT IF YOU WANT. AND I'LL JUST CONTINUE FROM THERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT I SEE IN THE SEA TURTLE SITUATION >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT, IF YOU COULD PUT THE SEA TURTLES NEXT AND >> I FIRST READ ABOUT THE SEA TURTLE ISSUE, I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I SAW THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON, SEEMED CLEAR TO ME SOMEONE HIGHER IN THE AGENCY DECIDED PADRE ISLAND SEA TURTLE PROGRAM WAS TOO COSTLY AND THEN THEY DIRECTED A PROGRAM REVIEW THAT HAD A PREDETERMINE OUTCOME TO REDUCE THE PROGRAM. I'D ECHO WHAT DR. MARSHAL SAID ABOUT THERE BEING A FLAWED REVIEW AND I THINK THAT COMES FROM NOT GETTING INVOLVEMENT AT THE BEGINNING FROM DR. SCHAEFFER AND OTHER PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH SEA TURTLE RECOVERY IN TEXAS. I THINK WHEN DR. SCHAEFFER THOUGHT TO PRESERVE A PROGRAM AND FUNDING SHE OBTAIN MANY YEARS THEY TARGETED HER, SEEKING OUT EMPLOYEES WHO MADE CLAIMS AGAINST HER AND LIMITING HER ACTIVITIES IN RETALIATION. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, OFFENSES ARE IGNORED WHEN OTHERS, WHEN I READ IN THE CALLER TIMES DR. SCHAEFFER HAD BEEN SUSPENDED FOR RAISING HER VOICE, I RECOGNIZED THE PETTINESS OF THE CHARGE BECAUSE IT WAS SIMILAR TO CHARGES THAT I WAS ACCUSED OF. AND SO YOU KNOW, I FIND BECAUSE SHE RAISED HER VOICE IT WARRANTED A FIVE-DAY SUSPENSION, I THINK IF YOU SUSPENDED EVERY EMPLOYEE THAT WORKED FOR ME FOR RAISING THEIR VOICE IN A 10S SITUATION I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SUSPEND EVERY COWORKER, AND MANY EMPLOYEES MANY ORGANIZATIONS WOULD PASS SUCH A STANDARD. I THINK THAT'S SMOKE SCREEN. 1TENSE I THINK THE BOTTOM OF THS IS THE PRESSURE IS MEANT TO INTIMIDATE HER FORCE HER TO RETIRE SO THEY CAN CUT THE SEA PROGRAM QUIETLY WITHOUT CONTROVERSY. I GUESS I'D SAY EFFECTIVE LEADERS BUILD PROGRAMS THEY DON'T CUT SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ESSENTIAL. SUPPORTIVE DEDICATED EMPLOYEES ACCOMPLISH GOOD THING, DEFEND THEM UP THE CHAIN, DON'T KISS UP OR CLENCH DOWN OR TARGET EMPLOYEES TO ADVANCE THEIR CAREER. FOR MER DIRECTOR JOHN JARVIS WAS QUOTED ASSAYING IN REFERENCE TO PADRE ISLAND SUCCESSFUL NECESSARY PROGRAM SHOULDN'T BE CUT TO COVER SHORT FALLS IN OTHER PROGRAMS. BUT IF THERE ARE SHORT FALLS IN OTHER PROGRAMS, IT'S UP TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO WORK WITH THE STAFF AND WORK WITH THE OFFICES REGIONAL OFFICES AND WASHINGTON OFFICE TO COME UP WITH FUNDING TO ALLEVIATE THOSE AND NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF A SUCCESSFUL AND IMPORTANT PROGRAM. AND I THINK TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION YOU HAVE TO LOOK UP THE CHAIN FROM MR. BRENNER MAN, TO HIS SUPERIOR, REGIONAL DIRECTOR MIKE REYNOLDS, I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE SITUATION HAS COME OUT OF, I THINK IT'S IF YOU R YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS FOR WHY THIS BEING DONE AND WHAT THEY HAVE INTENDED FOR THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM, I THINK IT'S MR. REYNOLDS WHO SHOULD BE ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS. AND I THINK THAT IF YOU CAN'T GET THEM THERE, IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO QUESTION THE NEW DIRECTOR WHO ISN'T CONFIRM YET BUT NOMINATED, CHARLES SAMMS AND THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR BILL HOLLAND, BECAUSE NEITHER THESE PEOPLE ARE IN OFFICE FROM THE PROGRAM REVIEW HAS DONE OR THE RESULTING DECISIONS WERE MADE AND THEY LOOK AT IT WITH FRESH EYES AND WITHOUT THE AGENDA. AND I WOULD SAY WITH MY EXPERIENCE IN BLACK FOOTED FERRETS WHICH WERE THE MOST END DANGER LAND MAMMAL IN THE COUNTRY. BUDGETING AND RESEARCH, AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, BASED ON CONSENSUS THAT WERE ALL THESE PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER AND MEET ANNUALLY, HASH THINGS OUT AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF IN FIGHTING AND DISAGREEMENT BUT IN THE END, THEY COME OUT TO SOUND [03:30:03] DECISIONS ACROSS THE FERRET RECOVERY EFFORT IN THE COUNTRY AND WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM TODAY, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT AND SEEMS TO ME THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED. AND IF THE NPS WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE PROGRAM, WOULD HAVE A GATHERING OF ALL WILLING EXPERTS FROM OTHER AGENCIES, INVOLVED ORGANIZATIONS TO DISCUSS AND DEBATE TACTICS AND STRATEGIES AND DEVELOP CONSENSUS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM BASED ON SOUND SCIENCE AND THE REALITY OF OUR CHANGING CLIMATE. AND THIS WASN'T DONE. AND ALSO, IF THERE ARE SOUND REASONS FOR CUTTING THE SEA SEA TURTLE PROGRAM, MR. BRENNER MAN SHOULD BE WILLING AND READY TO PRESENT THEM TO THE PRESS, THE COMMISSIONERS AND ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED. AND NOT BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS SUBMITTED VIA E-MAIL. OF COURSE, HE CAN'T TALK ABOUT PENAL ISSUES OF DR. SCHAEFFER BY HIDING AND REFUSING TO OPENLY DEFEND HIS ACTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE PROGRAM IS UNCO-IBLE FOR A PUBLIC OFFICIAL. HE WORKS FOR THE TAXPAYER AND IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM. THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT THEIR GOVERNMENT AGENCY EMPLOYEES TO STAND BEFORE THEM EVEN IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY'RE DOING THINGS AND BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. AND AS I THINK IT WAS MARLIN NAP NOTED. THERE'S BEEN, AFTER HIGH PROFILE CASES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT THE GRAND CANYON AND YOSEMITE THERE'S A REPORT ON HARM DISCRIMINATION THAT THE PARK SERVICE DID AND IN PROMISE TO BE TRANSPARENT AND PROMISED TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT IT THEN JUST CAME OUT IN THE PRESS NOW THAT IT HAD BEEN BURIED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FACE UP TO WHAT THAT INDEPENDENT REVIEW CAME. SO AS I SAID AT THE BEGINNING MIGHT HAVE COMMENTS, I DON'T KNOW DR. SCHAEFFER. AND SHE MAY BE A DIFFICULT EMPLOYEE. BUT MANAGERS OFTEN FIND HIGHLY EDUCATED DEDICATED EMPLOYEES DIFFICULT. I DO KNOW SHE'S KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL, EARLIER IN HER CAREER, SHE AND I ARE BOTH PARTICIPANTS IN MAJOR TRAINING PROGRAM INITIATED IN THE 80'S IN RESPONSE TO SEVERAL REPORTS OF THE YEARS WITH THE PROBLEM IT'S NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NEEDED TO INCREASE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE SPECIALISTS, IN ORDER TO SCIENCE AND ACCOMPLISHING THE CORE MISSION OF THE AGENCY, WHICH IS TO PRESERVE THE RESOURCES THAT WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT. WE WERE TAUGHT TO BE ADVOCATES FOR THE RESOURCES AND USE SCIENCE TO PROTECT THAT. IN MY OPINION, DR. SCHAEFFER FULFILLED THAT GOAL HER ENTIRE CAREER. BUT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE INFORM PS SEEMED TO LOOK AWAY FROM THAT CORE MISSION AND THERE'S EVIDENCE OF THAT AT PADRE ISLANDS, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NEEDS DEDICATED PEOPLE LIKE DR. SCHAEFFER WHO STRIVE TO PROTECT RESOURCES AND NEED EFFECTIVE LEADERS WHO CAN WORK WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND DRAW FROM THEIR STRENGTHS THE PAIN AND WEAKNESSES TO PROTECT THE RESOURCES UNDER THEIR CARE. IT SEEMED THE DECISION TO CUT THE PROGRAM WAS WELL, WE'RE NOT CUTTING IT, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, PUTTING IT TO OTHER USES, TO SUPPORT THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM, WHATEVER, I THINK THE INTENT IS TO REMOVE MONEY FROM THE ACTIVE SEA TURTLE OPERATION AND FUND OTHER PROGRAMS WITH IT. AND I THINK THIS HAS BEEN DONE WITHOUT A SCIENTIFIC BASIS AND UNCONSCIONABLE WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF DR. SCHAEFFER, HE WAS OWED A SEAT AT THE TABLE, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE HER OPINIONS AND CONCERNS AND HER SCIENTIFIC DATA. AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. AND I THINK TEXAS WELL -- TEXAS WELL-KNOWN IMPACTS OUR CHANGE IN CLIMATE. THE BIG FROZE LAST YEAR, THAT KILLED HUNDREDS OF TURTLES AND FORCED RESCUE OF HUNDREDS MORE WAS TO ME A CLEAR INDICATION THAT MORE WORK NOT LESS IS NEEDED TO KEEP TURTLE POPULATION VIABLE. INSTEAD OF WAIVING THE PROGRAM I THINK THE NPS SHOULD SEEK TO LEAD IN COORDINATED EFFORTS, A VARY ROLE FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IN SUCH EFFORTS AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BE WORKING VERY HARD TO CONTINUE WHAT DR. SCHAEFFER HAS DONE FOR 40 YEARS. I JUST THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY PERSPECTIVE. AND I'M NOT INTENDING A PLUG HERE FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN MR. BRENNER MAN'S ACTIONS AT BAD LANDS AND THE SPECIFICS OF MY CASE THAT I THINK HAVE BEARING ON WHAT'S GOING I HARD LESSON IN A HARD LAND AVAILABLE. I WILL PROVIDE YOU THE TEXT OF THIS PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. KENNER. SO JUST FOR EVERYBODY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE, THIS HAS BEEN AN EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY, I HOPE [03:35:04] YOU FEEL THAT HERE IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT. THERE AREN'T MANY FORMS THAT YOU CAN WALK IN AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AND TAKE THE MICROPHONE AND REALLY GET A CHANCE, YOU KNOW, TO REALLY BRING FORTH PUBLIC COMMENT. THIS IS THE BEST OF WHAT WE DO I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THIS, I WAS HOPING TO GET A PERFECT ANSWER BUT I WILL, I NEED SORT OF A POINT OF CONTACT FOR YOUR GROUP, AND JAN I'LL ASSUME IT'S YOU, BUT I WILL USE YOU AS THE POINT OF CONTACT TO DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION. BUT I'VE ALREADY BEEN SPEAKING WITH CONGRESS HASN'T BAY LA RIGHT NOW, CONGRESSMAN BAY LA IS THE SITTING CONGRESSMAN FOR THAT AREA, HE IS ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL IN MY OPINION CONGRESSMAN IN THIS ADMINISTRATION FOR THESE TYPES OF ISSUES, NOT MAYBE FOR ALL ISSUES. HE AND I HAVE HAVE LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS HOW THEY DON'T LISTEN CERTAIN THINGS BUT ON THIS, I DO BE HIM TO BE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AND INFLUENTIAL. HE'S ALREADY GIVEN ME A POINT OF CONTACT IN HIS OFFICE, AND YOU KNOW, HE SAYS TO ME I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET YOU A MEETING WITH SECRETARY HOLLAND, AS IN MAMAN YA BUT HE SAID I'M QUOTING EXCELLENT CONTACTS AND WELL GET YOU RIGHT PERSON, HERE'S WHAT I'LL COMMIT TO ALL OF YOU, LAST HOUR AND A HALF HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY INSIGHTFUL AND INSTRUCTIVE, THESE COME AS PUBLIC COMMENTS, IN OTHER WORDS, WE'RE NOT HERE TO SIT IN PROSECUTION OF ANYBODY, IN CASE THERE'S SOMEONE THERE FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, THAT'S NOT MY INTENTION, MY INTENTION IS TO RECEIVE THE PUBLIC COMMENT OF THE PEOPLE. AND THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE WE HAVE DONE, I TRY TO GUIDE SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT RELEVANT MATERIAL WILL BE TAKEN BY THE COURT AND ADVOCACY, BUT MY PLEDGE TO YOU IS TIM HAS ME SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER EVENT IN WASHINGTON, DC WHERE I REPRESENT THE COUNTY ON THE GULF COAST, COUNTIES AND PARISH AS CO CHAIR FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. I WILL CREATE A HIGH LEVEL MEETING I WILL ASK COMMISSIONER CHESNEE FEELS LIKE TRAVELING WITH HIS FAVORITE COUNTY JUDGE, HE IS INVITED BUT HE DOES NOT HAVE TO GO. I WILL GO AND I WILL MEET WITH THEM AND I WILL TRY TO TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE UP WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION AND I CAN ONLY TELL YOU I WILL DO MY VERY BEST TO BRING THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU'RE SEEKING ON BEHALF OF THIS PROGRAM AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS, AND I WILL DO THAT NO LATER THAN, IT'S TOUGH IN THE HOLIDAYS BUT I WILL TRY, TIM, BY MID JANUARY TO DO THIS BUT IF HE CAN GET ME UP THERE IN DECEMBER AND GET ME THE RIGHT MEETINGS I'D LOVE TO DO IT IN DECEMBER, THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GO FROM HERE TO THERE, OTHERWISE THIS IS AN EXERCISE THAT FUTILITY. BECAUSE I'M NOT -- I CANNOT MAKE THOSE CHANGES THAT YOU SEE NOR CAN THIS COURT. AND IT'S MY BELIEF THAT ALL THESE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS CAN BE RESOLVED WHEN GOOD PEOPLE SIT ACROSS FROM ONE ANOTHER. AND THAT'S OUR GOAL. WE WANT TO BE A PARTNER WITH PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, I KNOW THAT WE'RE PARTNERS IN SO MANY GOOD PROGRAMS, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT TO BE OVERLOOK EITHER. AND SO HAVING SAID THAT, TIM HAS STAYED HERE WITH US, HE'LL MOVE ON TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT MEETING I THINK ON GENERAL LAND OFFICE MATTERS, BUT TIM I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT THAT'S WHY WE HIRE YOU. WOULD YOU PLEASE YOU KNOW, WORK WITH CONGRESSMAN BAY LIVE'S OFFICE, SANDRA IS MY POINT OF CONTACT IN THE OFFICE AND WE WILL GET THAT MEETING IF WE CAN DO IT IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS, THAT'S MY REQUEST, BUT PLEASE KNOW THAT MR. SANDS IS NOT CONFIRMED. AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO ME IS THAT HE IS -- WE HAVE AN INTERIM AND I DON'T WANT TO WASTE TIME ON INTERIM, BECAUSE HE'S NOT GOING TO BE A DECISION MAKER, BUT IF YOU COULD GET THE MEETING WITH ANOTHER SECRETARY PARK SERVICE, MR. REYNOLDS I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT MR. REYNOLDS TITLE IS. THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS, TO LATER THAN JANUARY. AND THAT'S OUT OF RESPECT FOR OBVIOUSLY THAT MR. SANDS HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED YET. >> YOU BET, JUDGE. >> JUST SO YOU KNOW, LOUISE POINT HAS BEEN ON THE CALL AND MONITORING EVERYTHING, WHEN I LOOK DOWN AND MONITORING I'VE GOT MULTIPLE MONITORS HE'S CONGRESSMAN CLOUD'S DISTRICT DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THE WAY THIS WORKS BY THE WAY WHEN I HAVE AN ISSUE ON THE BORDER, I INVOLVE BOTH CONGRESSMEN, THERE'S A SPECIAL [03:40:05] AGENCY THAT CONGRESSMAN USE TO GET AGENCY MEETINGS. THEY WILL USE THAT LAY SON TOGETHER AND WE WILL GO DO THIS TOGETHER, THANK YOU TO LOUISE FOR LISTENING THE ENTIRE TIME, HE'S BEEN ON THE ENTIRE TIME. THERE'S NO BETTER RESULT I BELIEVE TODAY THAN HAVING SPENT THIS QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF TIME AND I HOPE WITH YOUR PERMISSION AND INDULGENCE YOU'LL ALLOW #METOO, ME TO MOVE ON BUT KNOW YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE WITH THIS JUDGE. THANK YOU. . >> PLEASE GET MR. TIM RICHARDSON'S CONTACT WHEN YOU LIFE >>> STEVE GREGORY AGAIN, ONE QUICK POINT. AT THE INTERNATIONAL SEA TURTLE SYMPOSIUM HERE FEBRUARY 3 THROUGH 6 LAST YEAR, TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHEN HE WAS STILL INTERIM DIRECTOR, NOT PERMANENT, ERIC BRENNER MAN TOLD ME HE TOLD DONNA SCHAEFFER SHE NEEDED TO TAKE HER PROGRAM AND MOVE IT TO THE STATE AND GET IT OUT OF THE PARK SERVICE. THAT WAS TWO DIFFERENT TIMES IN NOT SO MANY WORDS, THAT'S WHAT HE SAID TO ME. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT COLORS YOUR DELIBERATIONS OR WAS DECIDE. BUT THAT IS A MINDSET THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU. MUCH APPRECIATED. >> JUDGE, IN JUST FOR THE RECORD, DR. CHARLES CALLOWAY HAS BEEN ON LINE AND HE DID -- HE DID PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT I'LL PROVIDE TO THE COURT AND TO THE CLERK SO IT CAN BE MADE OF RECORD. AND HE IS IN SUPPORT OF THE SEA TURTLE PROGRAM. >> THANK YOU. TO DR. CHARLES CALLAWAY AND FOR ALL OF YOU LISTENING IN, I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VALUABLE LAST HOUR AND A HALF. THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, COMMISSIONERS, WE'LL LET YOU GUYS EXIT QUIETLY AND TIM IS GOING TO BE MEETING YOU IN THE LOBBY THERE TO LET YOU KNOW WHO HE IS, WHAT HE DOES, AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION. SO COMMISSIONERS, WOULD YOU PLEASE ALLOW ME TO DO TWO PIECES [1. October 27, 2021 November 3, 2021 November 9, 2021 November 10, 2021 November 12, 2021] OF HOUSEKEEPING, I'M GOING TO CALL AT THIS TIME H 1, THAT'S THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES, AND THEN I BELIEVE CARA, WE RECEIVED -- DIDN'T WE JUST RECEIVE ONE I THINK WE'RE COMPLETE. WHICH ONE? GO AHEAD. >> IF I COULD INDULGE THE COURT. TAKE OUT OF ORDER, THE TEXAS LIFE EXTENSION. >> I SAW DONNIE I'M DOING IT. I THOUGHT WE COULD DO MINUTES FAST AND I WANTED TO SAY TO EVERYBODY, LISTEN, DID YOU ALL NOTICE THAT YOU GUYS SENT OVER SO YOU SHOULD HAVE EVERYTHING. IF NOBODY HAS QUESTIONS FOR CARA, HOW ABOUT A MOTION FOR OCTOBER 27TH, THREE, NINE, TEN AND 12, MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES >> SO MOVED >> IN A SECOND. >> AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> THANK YOU, CARA. AND ALSO WE'LL MOVE OUT OF ORDER AGAIN, AND ASK THAT YOU LOOK AT [5. Receive introduction of the candidate for the Texas Agrilife Extension Service 4-H and Youth Development position; and consider approval of appointment to the position.] ITEM 3A 5 AT THIS TIME AND THAT'S THE WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE PRESENTATION INTRODUCTION OF THE CANADA TEXAS GURRIEL 4 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POSITION AND WE WILL WELCOME DONNIE MONTH MIOR. >> APPRECIATE YOU ALL. ALLOWING US TO COME AND VISIT WITH YOU QUICKLY. AGAIN, VERY SHORT, THIS IS LOGAN POWER , LOGAN BOWER HAD ALREADY COME TO YOU TO WE APPOINTED HIM ON STATE POSITION TO BE ASSISTANT 4 H AGENT WITH GREER OF OUR 4 AGENT A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE FEEL LOGAN HAS OPPORTUNITIES TO FILL IN THAT POSITION QUICKLY WE WOULD START HIM DECEMBER 1ST. AND HE'S DOING VERY WELL WE'RE WORKING WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN GURRIEL LITERACY AND ALL THE OFFICES IN THE COUNTY. DECEMBER 1ST, HE WOULD INCUR ALL THE BUDGETED ASSOCIATED BUDGET WITH THE NUECES COUNTY BUDGET NOW, NOTHING WOULD CHANGE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND USE THE BUDGETED FUNDS TO SUPPORT HIS APPOINTMENT. >>> I NEED APPROVAL IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD. >> I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. >> SO MOVED, SECOND. >> I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND LOGAN YOU'VE DONE A GREAT [03:45:04] JOB. I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU, A LOT OF THESE WONDERFUL 4 HEVENTS AND KIDS ARE RESPONDING TO YOU SO WELL I THINK IT'S BECAUSE YOU'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM YOURSELF, HAVE A REAL CONNECTION AND THEY WERE SUCH BIG SHOES TO FILL AND YOU'RE JUST SLIDING IN JUST SLIDING AND GLIDING IN THOSE BOOTS. IT'S NICE TO SEE, I WANT TO WELCOME YOU, THIS IS HOW WE KNOW HOW TO WELCOME YOU ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> CONGRATULATIONS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A FANTASTIC SHOW COMING UP. >> AND DONNIE WE'LL INVITE YOU BACK, YOU AND I HAVE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION RECENTLY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COURT'S UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AS YOU SUPPORT US HERE IN NUECES COUNTY. AND HOW THIS A DISCONNECT WHAT MORE WE CAN DO IF YOU LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES OF OTHER COUNTIES, OBVIOUSLY NOT TODAY, BUT I'LL ASK BEE LINDA TO REACH OUT TO YOU FIRST OF THE YEAR AND SAY LET'S BRING THAT BACK SO WE CAN HAVE PLENTY OF TIME, WAY BEFORE BUDGET, TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS THAT COULD BE REALLY VITAL, YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT, ALSO AN UPDATE, TRYING TO HIRE THE AGRICULTURAL AGENT AS WELL. IT'S NOT GOING AS WELL AS I WOULD LIKE TO IDENTIFY THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WITH THE SKILL SET TO BRING TO NUECES COUNTY. THIS IS A VERY HIGH PROFILE COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE NEED SOMEBODY WITH A CERTAIN SKILL SET. IT IS NOT GOING WELL RIGHT NOW. >> THAT'S TO PLACE JASON WHO'S BEEN MOVED OVER. >> TRYING TO RECRUIT AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT WE NEED TO, I NEED TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT >> FINDING THAT RIGHT PERSON, THAT'S TOUGH. >> OK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS, LOGAN BEST WISHES FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GOOD LUCK. [1. Nueces County Animal Services Advisory Board] >> THANK YOU. >> WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM I1, THAT'S THE NUECES COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD. AND I WOULD ASK BEE LILINDA TO G US UP TO SPEED AS I MOVE MY NOTEBOOK TO GET THE RIGHT PAGES. >> SO THIS ONE IS POSTED UNTIL FILLED. WE STILL DO HAVE SOME VACANCIES AND I THINK AS RECENTLY AS LAST NIGHT WE MIGHT HAVE HAD A RESIGNATION BUT AT THIS POINT WE ASKING YOU APPOINT SARA SPENCE TO THE BOARD, WE'LL IS TO GO BACK, WE'LL IS TWO OTHER VACANCIES AND A VET WE STILL NEED TO FILL. >> MOTION >> >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND AND ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, MS. SARAH SPENCE I WAS GOING TO TURN TO HER BACKGROUND HERE. BUT IF YOU -- COMMISSIONER, YOU'VE LOOKED THROUGH IT? >> AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> OK. THESE NOTEBOOKS ARE SO THICK IT'S HARD TO TURN THE PAGES. AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO MOVE [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.] ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ASK THAT COMMISSIONERS LOOK AT ATHROUGH S. A THROUGH S AND LET ME KNOW, I'D LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA OR REMOVE ITEMS THAT NEED FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THIS TIME. >> I HAVE A. >> A. >> A MOTION TO APPROVE B THROUGH S. >> Q, R AND S. >> YOU GOT IT. ANYTHING ELSE? HEARING NONE, HOW ABOUT A MOTION FOR B THROUGH P. >> SO MOVED. >> I'LL SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. OK. [A. Authorize payment of bills - regular bill summaries dated October 29, 2021, November 05, 2021, November 12, 2021 and November 19, 2021.] I'LL TAKE IN ALPHA ORDER, LETTER A WHILE I MOVE TO THAT NOTEBOOK. >> GENERAL QUESTION CHECK REGISTER OCTOBER 29, 2021 PAGE SIX, IT'S REALLY MORE OF A -- IT'S A, AN EWRAP PAYMENT, I'LL R I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DO THAT, THAT WAS LARGE AMOUNT FOR THAT PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL I DON'T WANT TO PUT THE NAME OUT THERE. I DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY DO THAT. BUT IT'S -- I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAS THAT A SIX MONTHS HOW ARE WE DOING THIS? CURIOUS. >> I CAN GET THE REPORT FROM MY OFFICE SO THIS COMES FROM OUR SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THEY GO THROUGH IT THIS WAS A RENT AND MORTGAGE PAYMENT, IT'S PROBABLY FOR A SIX-MONTH PERIOD OF TIME BUT WE'LL MAKE SURE WE GET YOU THAT INFORMATION. >> LET ME JUST REMIND YOU THAT EWRAP CAN GO 15 MONTHS, SO I [03:50:07] DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION IN THIS CHECK REGISTER, BUT WE HAVE MULTIPLE LEVELS, I MEAN, BECAUSE IT'S RUN AS A FEDERAL PROGRAM, WE HAVE OUR COMPLIANCE FOLKS BOTH FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY WE'RE USING THE ONE AGENCY, WHICH IS HAGERTY, IF YOU WILL GIVE ME THAT BY NEXT MEETING, WE CAN GET YOU ALL THE BACKUP DOCUMENTATION ON IT. >> KIND OF CURIOUS HOW WE'RE DOING IT. HOW IT'S BEING FILTERED. WHO GETS WHAT. >> SAY TAYLOR IS ON RIGHT NOW I NEED TO GO BACK TO KAYLA SHE CAN GET YOU THAT INFORMATION. IF YOU -- SHE NEEDS TO KNOW WHICH ONE, SO MAYBE >> I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY THE NAME. >> I HAVE QUESTION FOR DALE. >> GIVE ME A SECOND, CAN YOU GET IT TO BELINDA AND SHE'LL GET IT. >> I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT OUT LOUD. >> I UNDERSTAND BUT JUST YOU KNOW, IT'S OBVIOUSLY IT'S A >> >> I KNOW? WE'RE USING IT VERY EXCELLENT SOFTWARE PROGRAM, SO THEY CAN PROBABLY GET THAT TO YOU, BUT THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF QUALIFICATIONS AND VETTING, AND ALL OF IT IS BEING DONE JOINTLY WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. AND NOW COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ. >> IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN GET THE ADD ON AS WE GET THIS AGENDA? ADDED ON TO THE AGENDA? >> ARE YOU REFERRING TO -- EXTENDING TO US WHAT THIS IS CONCERNING. HOW WE PAY THESE BILLS. WHAT IS IT FOR? . >> IF YOU WOULD GET A LIST FROM YOU BEFORE THIS I COULD HAVE ALL INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. WE DO PROVIDE YOU THE LIST OF THE CHECK REGISTERS WE CAN PROVIDE YOU COPY OF ALL THE INVOICES ASSOCIATED IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CHOOSE IT'S A LONG LIST THAT WE CAN PROVIDE BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WHATEVER YOU'D LIKE. >> A BRIEF STATEMENT SAYING, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S IT FOR? YOU KNOW, >> SHOULD SAY, MOST OF THE ONES THAT ARE NOT FOR LARGE QUANTITY FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WOULD, THAT DOES SAY RENT AND EXPENSE AND DOES SAY WHO IT'S FOR, BELOW IT SAY CITY WATER AND GAS >> SO MANY ARE IDENTIFIED ON HOW AND WHAT WE PAY THEM FOR FOR DOCUMENTS OR ONE ABOVE IT FOR DIME DIAMONDBACK WHO WE PURCHASE FOR, SO THAT WE ACQUIRED FOR. WE PUT SOME DESCRIPTION ON THESE ITEMS BUT WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT AS MUCH DESCRIPTION AS YOU'D LIKE. >>> AND YOU'RE ALSO WELCOME TO CALL DALE IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR PACKET. I KNOW THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS FOR YOU IF YOU FEEL LIKE WENDT ISN'T SELF-EXPLANATORY. YOU CAN CALL HIM AND HE CAN DIRECT YOU TO THE PARTICULAR OFFICE EXECUTIVE THAT IS HANDLING THAT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY YOU DON'T HAVE THAT BACKUP INFORMATION. >> I WANT TO KNOW WHAT DEPARTMENT. >> THE RENT REIMBURSEMENT COMES FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. >> SOCIAL SERVICE. >> FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AS WELL SO THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THAT COMES FROM. THIS IS COMES FROM THE GRANT WE RECEIVED FOR THAT ISSUE. >>> MARIA WHO WAS HERE EARLIER. WHEN SHE COMES BACK YOU CAN ASK HER. SHE IS HERE, BUT JUST THIS MORNING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THERE WAS A CITY PRESS RELEASE YESTERDAY ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL 7.8 MILLION DOLLAR FOR EWRAP. SO THAT IS WHAT WE CALLED EWRAP 2. OURS WAS A MILLION FIRST ROUND AND $800,000 SECOND ROUND SO WE, TOO, AT THE COUNTY HAVE A SECOND ROUND OF EWRAP AND THE CITY HAS 7.8, BUT THIS ALL COMES FROM A FEDERAL PROGRAM. NOT THAT THE CITY GOT FROM ITS FUNDS. THIS IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM WE APPLIED FOR AS FID DURINGARIES AND ADMINISTER IT AND THERE ARE CERTAIN CRITERIAS, AS YOU REMEMBER WE WERE HAVING OUR CASE MANAGERS AT THE LIBRARY. I ALSO HAVE CURRENT POSTERS DOWNSTAIRS. ALL OF THIS IS PART OF OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RECOVERY AND EWRAP IS A PRETTY NOVEL AND EXCITING PROGRAM. YOU MIGHT ALSO REMEMBER THAT I THINK I SENT TO YOU, AND I KNOW I POSTED I ON THE WEBSITE, IF EVICTION -- WE GOT THAT UP, RIGHT, CONNIE THAT WAS A SUPREME COURT ORDER. THE LATEST SUPREME COURT ORDER THAT CAME DOWN THIS PAST WEEK ABOUT THE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM IS ENDING AND THEREFORE WE BELIEVE THAT OUR JPS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. SO I SENT IT TO JUDGE BEN INDIVIDUALEZ. CONNIE CAN SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHERE IT IS AND WE ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY. BY THE WAY IT IS RENT AND [03:55:03] UTILITIES. IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE 15-MONTHS TOTAL THAT YOU CAN APPLY FOR. WE WORKED WITH THE LANDLORDS AS WELL. BUT ALL OF THIS WE HAVE -- I MEAN JUST RUNNING EWRAP IS A HUGE COMPLIANCE, YOU KNOW, BEAST. SO WE DO HAVE HAGGERTY HELPING THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ON THIS. YOU JUST CALL ONE NUMBER AND NOBODY EVER SAYS, OH, IT IS GOING LEFT OR RIGHT THEY JUST KNOW BY YOUR FADS WE USE OUR COUNTY BUCKET OF FUNDS OR OUR CITY. AND WE ALSO HAVE LOTS OF FUNDS LEFT OVER. AND I THINK THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF RENTALS, AS MANY AS YOU WOULD THINK IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OR IN OUR SMALLER JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CRISTI. A LOT OF THE RENTALS COME INSIDE THE CITY. SO WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY WHICH IS REFLECTED IN THE APPROPRIATION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. >> MARIA ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD THERE THAT I KIND OF GIVE YOU THE EWRAP. >>> YOU COVERED IT PRETTY WELL, JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO TURN THE COMMISSIONER'S ATTENTION TO THE E-MAIL I SENT. I KNOW TIME WAS TIGHT THIS MORNING BUT SENT AN E-MAIL IF YOU CAN GET THE WORD OUT ON THE EWRAP PROGRAM, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I'M GLAD COMMISSIONER CHESNEY HAD BROUGHT UP, YOU KNOW, JUST KIND OF THE REGULAR PAYMENTS. I KNOW LATER ON IN THE AGENDA YOU'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A VENDOR EXCEPTION LIST. AND RESPECTFULLY I REQUEST THAT THE VENDORS THAT I DEAL WITH AND SOME OF THEM ARE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE LANDLORDS, TO THE UTILITY PROVIDER, BUT SOME OF THEM ARE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE TENANT. AGAIN, THERE IS SEVERAL LEVELS OF REVIEW ON THE HAGGERTY SIDE AS WELL AS A COUNTY REVIEW PROCESS. AND I CAN SHOW, YOU KNOW, I COULD SHOW YOU AN EXAMPLE OF ALL OF THE NOTES AND THE REVIEWS THAT TAKE PLACE, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER TO MAKE THESE PAYMENTS. BUT AGAIN, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST, YOU KNOW, FOR THAT TO BE A CONSIDERATION, YOU KNOW, THESE PEOPLE, IT IS AN EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, I GOT A CALL ON FRIDAY FROM THE TREASURY THAT CHECKS WERE READY FOR ME TO DISTRIBUTE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THEY'RE WAITING ON DIRECTION FROM THE PORT TO RELEASE THOSE CHECKS. HERE I AM THREE DAYS LATER WAITING TO SENDS OUT RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PAYMENT. I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT WHEN YOU'RE DISCUSSING THE VENDOR EXCEPTION LIST LATER NONTHE AGENDA. >> OKAY, THANK YOU AND AGAIN IF COMMISSIONERS THERE IS A POSTER DOWNSTAIRS WITH THE PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITE, BUT WE HAVE HELPED PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE WHO JUST SAY, I DON'T LIKE THE WEBSITE. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE OR I CALLED THEM BUT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND ME. WE ACTUALLY, MAGGIE HAS WALKED PEOPLE LITERALLY HELD THEIR HAND AND WALKED THEM ACROSS THE STREET, GOTTEN THEM WITH A CASE MANAGER LIVE AND IN PERSON. WE CAN ALSO TAKE CARE OF ANY OF YOUR RESIDENTS OR CONSTITUENTS THAT NEED EXTRA HELP. ENGLISH OR IN SPANISH. ANY LANGUAGE WE CAN ASSIST WITH. WE REALLY DO, BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSE PROGRAM CEASING, I REALLY DO THINK THIS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF OUR RECOVERY, IS HELPING PEOPLE WITH THEIR RENT COMMISSIONER MARAS I SPOKE WITH THE MAYOR OF DRIS SOUL ABOUT THIS, MAYBE NEEDED SOME MORE WORK AND ANNOUNCEMENT. WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST TO CAITLIN AND MARIA -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD ANY MONEY LEFT. WE DID PUT WHAT WAS ALLOWED FOR MESSAGING OUT THERE. WE CAN DO WHAT I CALL FREE MESSAGING. WE CAN USE OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS LET US KNOW, MAYBE WE TOUCH BASE WITH HIM. MAYBE HE GOT THE PERSON HE WAS THINKING OF THE INFO. SO, AGAIN, PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT WATCHING COMMISSIONER'S COURT. OKAY, THANK YOU, MARIA, WE APPRECIATE THAT. COMMISSIONER CHESNEY IS THAT SATISFACTORY TO YOU. >>> IT IS I HAD ONE MORE QUESTION ON OCTOBER 29TH, 2021, PAGE 10 THERE WAS A BUDGET EXPECTED TO GLOBAL SPECTRUM. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, I THOUGHT WE MADE A REGULAR PAYMENT TO THEM. IS THIS PART OF THE REGULAR PAYMENT? OR WHEN IT SAYS BUDGET EXPENSES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS FOR. >> DALE? EXCUSE ME, DALE? THE WYNCHE I'M ON IS GLOBAL SPECTRUM FOR 100 THOUGH 936. >> I'M SORRY, I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO THAT. I'M GOING TRY TO SENDS YOU ALL ADVANCE LIKE THE NIGHT BEFORE SO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK. SOMETIMES I DON'T GET TO THE CHECK REGISTER UNTIL LATE, BUT I'LL TRY TO DO THAT IN ADVANCE [04:00:03] AND CATCH YOU OFF GUARD. >> LET ME LOOK FOR THAT. COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE PROBABLY CORRECT, BUT I'LL GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU AND WE'LL GET BACK ON THAT ISSUE. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS. SO I GUESS COULD WE JUST HOLD THAT ONE AND PASS THE REST OF THAT. >> AS LONG AS -- REMEMBER, I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE AUDITOR GETS TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS. NOT US, I MEAN, HE ANSWERS TO SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT IS THAT -- IF IT IS AVAILABLE, I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THAT. >> IT IS, IT IS ONE OF THE. >> IS THAT FINE? >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE'RE APPROVEING. >> I THINK HE SAID IT IS OKAY. >>> MY BAD. >> MAKE THE MOTION TO 38,000 TO GLOBAL SPECTRUM IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS ALL OTHER? >> MOTION TO PASS THE CHECK REGISTER. >>> LISTED ON A. EXCEPT TO PULL GLOBAL SPECTRUM. >> ALL RIGHT. >> YOU NEED A MICROPHONE, I CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> SHE SAID HE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IT RIGHT NOW, IF HE NEEDS TIME TO TABLE THAT. IS THAT OKAY? >> THE MOTION I'M MAKING IS TO PASS THE ENTIRE CHECK REGISTER FOR THAT CHECK AND PUT THAT ON THE NEXT. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND. >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER, THOSE ARE THE OPERATING COSTS THAT WE PAY GLOBAL EVERY MONTH WE PAID THEM FOR THEM TO OPERATE. IT IS BUDGETED AND THEY BILL US AND THEN WE PAY THEM. >> THEY COULDN'T ANSWER AT THE TIME. >> IF YOU'RE 100% SURE THAT IS WHAT WE PAY THEM EVERY MONTH. >> THAT IS THEIR OPERATING COST THAT THEY BILL US FOR THE MONTH. >> IT CHANGE. >> I NEED TO SEE THE BACKUP FOR THE BILLING COSTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO JUST SEE THAT REGULARLY, HOW ABOUT THAT. >> NOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR WISH, CAN WE NOW PASS IT IN ITS ENTIRETY. >> YES, WE CAN I WOULD LIKE THE REGULAR LAR COURSE OF ACTION WHAT THE INVOICE IS FOR GLOBAL SPECTRUM MONTHLY. >> GOT IT. THAT WE CAN DO. >> ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE THAT YOU'RE REQUESTING AND ANY OTHER IN THE FUTURE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THOSE AS WELL. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. I'LL TAKE THAT AS A MOTION AND A SECOND. I'LL DO THE SECOND, IT IS FINE. ALL KNOWS FAVOR SIGNIFY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. OKAY. SO THAT IS A AND THEN LET'S MOVE TO Q, THAT WAS THE COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ. [Q. Approve Order memorializing prior Court action renaming Animal Control Department to Nueces County Animal Services – Care, Control, and Adoptions, and re-affirming it as a County department.] THIS HAS TO DO WITH ANIMAL. >> I JUST NEED A CLARIFICATION ON THAT. I THINK, DO WE ACTUALLY -- I DON'T REMEMBER CHANGING THE NAME. WHAT DO WE DO? WE MOVED UP MR. RAMIREZ TO A DIRECTOR OR. >> COMMISSIONER MARAS IS GOING TO TAKE THIS FOR YOU. >> I JUST NEED CLARIFICATION ON THAT. >> COMMISSIONER? >> SO YOU'RE NOT ASKING ABOUT THE RENAMING, RIGHT 1234. >> NO, THE RENAMING WE TALKED ABOUT IT, RIGHT AND WE SAID IT WAS OKAY. BUT IT SAYS HERE ALSO IT IS A COUNTY DEPARTMENT. SO ARE WE SAYING THAT HE'S A DIRECTOR NOW? OR DO WE UPGRADE HIM? >> SO THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. THE REASON WE DID THIS IS BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED ON OUR WEBSITE. TO THIS WAS JUST A GOOD OPPORTUNITY REAFFIRM IT TO GET IT CHANGED ON THE WEBSITE. THIS ACTUALLY CAME TO US FROM JUAN. AND JUST WANT CLARITY SO THAT WE CAN GET A WEBSITE THAT IS ACCURATE AND THE. >> SEVERAL YEARS BACK THIS DEPARTMENT WAS UNDER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE RABIES SIDEF IT AND THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH THE CITY HEALTH ORGANIZATION TO DO THAT. ANY DECISION A YEAR OR TWO AGO TO MOVE THAT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HEALTH DEMOCRAT AS A REGULAR DEPARTMENT OF THE COUNTY, WHICH WE HAVE DONE AND I BELIEVE WE RENAMED THE DEPARTMENT AS SHOWN HERE. >> AND WE CAN NOT REALIZING AT THE TIME THAT MOVE KIND OF HELP SERVE AS A PRECURSOR OF ALL WE'RE HAVING TO GO THROUGH NOW, I THINK. I IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE SEPARATED, BUT THIS IS JUST, I KNOW IT SHOWS MEMORIALIZING WHAT WE ALREADY DID AND THE STEPS WE TOOK WITH JUAN. IT WAS ALSO COVERED IN THE BUDGET, ALL THE CHANGES WERE LISTED. [04:05:03] I REMEMBER -- REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT THE NAMES AND ALL THAT? I REMEMBER SAYING IT WAS OKAY TO RECLASSIFY HIM TO A DIRECTOR. >> WE DID, WE DID DO THAT. AND OUR BUDGET REFLECTS IT. >> THE TITLE BUT STILL POSITION. >>> THIS IS JUST A FORM AITY. AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I HAVE A BOARD AND THEY WANTED TO HAVE A REALLY CLEAR, I GUESS, DIRECTIVE AS TO HOW WHAT DID THE COURT REALLY SAY AND THIS WAS GOING TO HELP HIM. >> FOR THE RECORD IT WAS DECEMBER 4TH OF 2019. >>> THANK YOU. >> THAT Y'ALL CONSIDERED RENAMING AND THE ORGANIZATION OF IT. >> AND I WILL THANK ALEXANDRA; IS THAT CORRECT? ALEX FIELD WHO HAS BEEN WORKING WITH JUAN RAMIREZ AND THE BOARD WITH THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THEY'RE WORKING ON A MISSION STAPLE. THEY'RE -- STATEMENT, THEY'RE WORKING ON A VISION STATEMENT. THEY'RE WORKING ON NEW IS IT BYLAWS MAYBE FOR THE BOARD. THIS IS ALL IN EFFORT TO MODERNIZE AND GET US UP-TO-SPEED. BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS YOU KIND OF HAVE TO DECLARE YOURSELF WITH ALL OF THESE POLICIES. AND ALEXANDRA I THINK WILL BE VERY READY TO BRING ALL OF THIS FORWARDCH I DON'T KNOW IF DECEMBER 3 SRD TOO SOON. THAT IS WHAT ALL OF THIS IS ABOUT, IS SETTING THE TABLE FOR MODERNIZATION OF THIS NEW DEPARTMENT. IT IS NOT NEW. IT IS JUST THAT WE WANT TO DO GOOD THINGS THAT ARE MORE MODERN LIKE ADOPTIONS AND FOSTERING AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT IF EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU IS LIVING IN A DIFFERENT ERA. AND THAT IS WHAT TODAY IS ALL ABOUT, JUST A FORMALITY. >> THE ORDER SHOWS THE HISTORY. >> DOES IT. >> 1983, IT TALKS ABOUT THE COUNTY CREATING THE ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT THAT IN '95 WE MOVE THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CORPUS CRISTI MOISES COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT. AND '19 IN 2020, US TAKING STEPS TO BRING IT BACK AND CHANGE THE NAME AND PUT IT UNDER OUR CONTROL AS A SEPARATE COUNTY DEPARTMENT AGAIN. IT HAS KIND OF COME FULL CIRCLE FROM WHEN IT WAS FIRST CREATED IN' YEAH --' 83, WHEN IT WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED BY COURT ORDER. >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. OKAY THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER MARAS. [R. Ratify hiring of the Law Office of Steve Aragon, PC, to represent Nueces County to provide advice, counsel, and assistance regarding the transition of the Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District (“the District”) and approve engagement letter.] ALL KNOWS FAVOR SIGNIFY AING AYE. OKAY. AND NUMBER NOT NUMBER, LETTERRE, COMMISSIONER. >> ON THAT ONE RATIFYING, IF I'M CORRECT, THAT IS THE ONE WE AUTHORIZED JENNY ALREADY AT ONE TIME TO SEEK LEGAL ASSISTANCE OR GET AN ATTORNEY TO HELP. IS THAT THE SAME ONE. >> YES, COMMISSIONER, I ACTED ON THAT AND WE BROUGHT STEVE AIR GONE ON -- ARAGON AND HE IS PREPARED TO BRING INFORMATION TO THE COURT TODAY. >> SO MOVE ON THAT ONE. >>> I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND ALL KNOWS FAVOR SIGNIFY SAYING AYE. [S. Ratify hiring of Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon, P.C., and attorney Tonya Webber to conduct County internal employment investigations; approve engagement letter; and related matters.] OKAY. LETTER S. >> ON THAT ONE, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT RATIFYING OR RATIFY HIRE PORTER, ROGERS, I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER THAT AT ALL. WHY ARE WE RATIFYING THAT AND WHY DID WE COME TO COURT WITH THAT. I SAW A LETTER ON THAT EARLIER. AND I REALLY WASN'T HAPPYING WITH THE WORDING OF THE ORDER. THAT'S ABOUT IT, I SHARED THAT WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND IT WAS THERE BEFORE AND KIND OF A PERSONAL LETTER AND I THINK SHOULD HAVE BEEN LETTER TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND I'VE TALKED TO COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT THAT. >> YES, AND I'VE DISTRIBUTED WHAT I RECEIVED. I BELIEVE, YESTERDAY LATE. MS. WEBER HAS MADE SOME OF THE CHANGES IN ANTICIPATION BASED ON YOUR DESIRES. IT WAS ADDRESSED TO THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. AND I BELIEVE THERE IS A SIGNATURE BLOCK FOR ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS. NOW IN THE PAST, AND I HAVE MELISSA FROM MY OFFICE WHO MAY BE AVAILABLE SOON TO TALK MORE ON THE HISTORY. THIS IS NOT THE SAME, YOU KNOW AND WE DISCUSSED THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS OTHER TYPES OF RATIFICATION THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS ASKED TO DO THIS IS A RATIFY OF THE HIRING OF COUNCIL WHICH HAS BEEN DONE WITH, YOU KNOW, LOTS OF FREQUENCY, WITH CAVEAT, WE'LL DO IT HOW THE COMMISSIONERS WANT. BUT IT WASN'T DONE IN A VACUUM. AND IT HAS HISTORY OF BEING DONE THIS WAY, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES [04:10:05] WHEN WE DO ENGAGED COUNCIL WE DO NEED TO DO IT MORE QUICKLY THAN WE CAN GET BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS. >> AND THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT MATTER, THOUGH, WE DISCUSSED THAT SUBJECT MATTER. I'M JUST NOT RECOLLECTING. >> NO, THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE COURT HAS PREVIOUSLY TALKED ABOUT. THIS IS SOMETHING I BELIEVE THE ENTIRE COURT IS AWARE ABOUT, BUT THE DISTRICT JUDGE, ASSIGNED A TASK TO JULIE GUERRA. I DON'T SEE HER HERE. AND SHE NEEDS OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE. AND OUR OFFICE SINCE WE HAVE A HISTORY OF HIRING OUTSIDE COUNCIL AND GOING THROUGH THAT -- COUNSEL AND GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE HAVE HELPED JULIE TO OBTAIN THAT HELP. >> OKAY. >> THIS IS AT THE REQUEST OF THE DISTRICT JUDGES IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. >> THAT WAS THE TASK THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO JULIE BY THE DISTRICT JUDGES. SO, YES, NOW AS FAR AS THE FUNDING -- THE FUNDING SOURCE, I DO NOT KNOW THAT. >>> THAT IS THE NEXT QUESTION. >>> WE HAVE CONTINGENCY FOR ATTORNEY FEES FOR THE COUNTY FOR A VARIETY OF LEGAL MATTERS. AND SO I'M NOT SURE THE DEPARTMENT -- WHAT IS THE NUMBER? >> SO IT IS GENERAL FUNDS THIS IS FOR A SPECIFIC THING FOR THE JUDGE -- IT MADE IT SOUNDS LIKE A GENERAL HIREING. >> I BELIEVE SHE'S PARTICIPATED BEFORE IN OTHER EMPLOYMENT MATTERS AND THAT IS WHY I THINK IT IS STYLED THAT WAY. >> THIS IS SOMETHING THE DISTRICT JUDGES HAVE ASKED JULIE TO DO. >>> THIS IS A VERY SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT, YES. >> DIDN'T SOMEWHERE IN HERE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT TALKED ABOUT THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR OR THE SECOND YEAR, WHATEVER? >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD POINT ME. >> WHILE HE'S LOOKING I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO RATIFY THIS AS SPECIFIC REQUEST BY THE DISTRICT JUDGE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. >> I DON'T 19 CONSULT DISCUSSION OFF. >> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? I DON'T SEE IT IT IN THERE. >> DO YOU ANTICIPATE THERE -- WHAT WOULD YOU ESTIMATE A TIME FRAME FOR THESE SERVICE? IS IT EVERYONE DEFINITE? >> NO. IT SHOULD NOT BE INDEFINITE. IT SHOULD BE FAIRLY SHORT ORDER. IT IS GOING TO INVOLVE SOME INTERVIEWING OF VARIOUS PEOPLE TO SEE IF CLAIMS ARE VALID. >> SURE, OKAY. >> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION. YOU'RE GOING BE ON BOARD NOW BUT ARE YOU GOING TO BE ON BOARD NEXT YEAR TO HELP US OUT IN YEAR, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIRE HIM TO KEEP ON HELPING US. >> NO, NO. >> OKAY, I HAVE NO PROBLEM. >> OKAY, I'VE GOT A MOTION AND SECOND, ALL KNOWS FAVOR SIGNIFY SAYS 85. >> OPENS, SAME SIGN. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME THAT CONCLUDES FOR THE CLERK, OUR CONSENT AGENDA, OKAY AND WE HAVE ALREADY DONE [3. Discuss and consider approval of any accrued overtime hours pursuant to County policy for essential exempt employees during declared disasters as it relates to COVID-19, and/or storm preparedness and response; severe weather preparedness and response.] ITEM 3A1, 3A2, I'M GOING TO MOVE TO 3A3 AND THEN WE'VE ALREADY DONE 4 AND 5. AND SO 3A3 -- AND I DON'T KNOW -- I HAVE KIND OF MEASE HERE, BUT WERE THERE ANY ACCRUALS OF OVERTIME HOURS PURSUANT TO TO OUR COUNTY POLICY THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER, DALE AT THIS TIME? THIS WOULD BE FOR ANYBODY AND DECLARED DISASTERS AS IT RELATES TO COVID-19, SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS OR RESPONSE. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ON MY DESK HERE. >> THERE ARE NO REPORTS. >> OKAY. SEEING THAT THERE IS NONE, WE'LL JUST MOVE ON. THERE IS NO ACTION THAT IS NEEDED OR TAKEN AT THIS TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE ITEMS. >> 6? >> NO, NOT ITEM 6 YET, BUT I KNOW THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHERIFF HOOPER'S OUT OF ORDER. HE HAS BEEN WAITING ALL DAY LONG. [7. Receive report from County Sheriff and County Judge related to November 4, 2021 Texas Commission on Jail Standards meeting; Discuss and consider jail population reduction alternatives, including creation of an alternate court; Discuss and consider creation of a Jail Population Reduction working group.] AND THEN, SHERIFF HOOPER YOUR ITEM IS NUMBER 7. AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COURT IF IT WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION, PLEASE, FOR A RECESS FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES FOR THOSE OF US THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET UP, SO THAT STAFF CAN GO TO THE BATHROOM, STAFF CAN GET SOME NOURISH EXPWHRNT SO MOVED. >> SHERIFF, IF YOU WOULD BE OUR LAST PRESENTER. BY THE WAY ALL THOSE IN SIGNIFY SAYING AYE. THAT IS ON THE RECESS, [04:15:04] PARTICULARLY OUR WEBSITE COORDINATEDDOR HERE, WEB COORDINATOR. SHERIFF HOOPER? >> IF YOU WANT TO GIVE HIM LONGER WE CAN DO RECESS AND GO RIGHT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION -- I MEAN, I'M STILL SAYING TAKE THE 20, BUT GO INTO EXECUTIVE -- OR DO WE HAVE A BUNCH MORE? >> I HAVE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE CLOCK FOR US. WE DON'T WANT THEM TO KEEP COSTING MONEY. BUT I APPRECIATE THAT. SHERIFF HOOPER, YOUR ITEM IS ITEM NUMBER 7 AND THANK, SHERIFF FOR BEING HERE WITH US. TELL EVERYBODY. >> ABSOLUTELY, JUDGE. AND YOU BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION AFTER WE CAME BACK FROM AUSTIN NOVEMBER 4TH. AND I LIKE YOU, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO STOP MEETING LIKE THAT. >>> I AGREE. >>> THOSE TRIPS TO AUSTIN IN FRONT OF A STATE COMMISSION. >> NO FUN. >> IT HAS BEEN QUITE AN EDUCATION FOR ME. AND THIS WAS A VERY CHALLENGING ONE BECAUSE WE GOT CALLED UP BECAUSE THE JAIL IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE, AND WE WERE THERE WITH EIGHT OR NINE OTHER SHERIFFS THAT WE GOT TO SEE THE PROCESS FIRSTHAND OF HOW THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS DEALS WITH COUNTY JAILS THAT ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE. AND I KNOW YOU AND I HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATION ABOUT -- AND AGAIN, ALSO WHAT WE PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSION ABOUT OUR PLAN TO REGAIN COMPLIANCE. AND JUST SO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT KNOWS, WE'RE GOING BE BACK UP THERE IN FEBRUARY TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE MOISES COUNTY JAIL, SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREAS WHERE WE WERE OUT OF COMPLIANCE. SO JUDGE, I NOTICED ON THISSING A ITEM, ITS FOCUSES ON THE POSSIBILITY, ONE OF THE REMEDIES OF CREATING A VISITING COURT. >> YES, SIR. >> COURT ENVIRONMENT. >> AND I'LL LET YOU SPEAK TO THAT. BUT, I CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON TODAY'S JAIL POPULATION BEING AT 92%. AND WE'RE CURRENTLY HOUSING 23 INMATES ELSEWHERE. WE'RE HOUSING 16 IN VICTORIA, AND WE'RE HOUSING ANOTHER 7 IN ARANSAS WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFFS AND THEIR JAILS. AND WE HAVE THE COUNTY HAS SPENT OVER $172,000 SO FAR WITH THESE TRANSFERS TO THE OTHER JAILS. GETTING BACK TO THE ISSUE OR THE ELEMENT ON THE AGENDA WITH CREATING SUB SUPPLEMENTAL COURT OR VISITING COURT, OUT OF THE POPULATION TODAY IN OUR JAIL SYSTEM HERE IN NUECES COUNTY, OVER 700 INMATES ARE CLASSIFIED AS PRETRIAL FELONS AND THROWS THE ONES THAT ARE CREATING ARE THE BIGGEST ELEMENT IN OUR NONCOMPLIANCE. THEY NEED TO GO TO COURT AND HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT. AND THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST HURDLE TO OVERCOME MOVING FORWARD. THESE COURT PROCESSES TAKE SO MUCH TIME THIS WEEK WE HAD THREE JURY TRIALS SCHEDULED. ON MONDAY, 300 JURORS WERE SUMMONED. FOR TUESDAY, 600 WERE SUMMONED. AND ON WEDNESDAY, 600 WERE SUMMONED. THE ONLY ONE OF THOSE JURY TRIALS THAT WENT WAS THE ONE SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY. AND THE OTHER TWO -- AND THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BY-PRODUCT OF WHEN THE COURTS GET MOVING AGAIN, THE OTHER TWO JURY PANELS WERE DISMISSEDLE THEY WERE NEVER CALLED BECAUSE THERE WERE PLEAS ENTERED. AND THAT IS A BY-PRODUCT WHEN THE COURTS START MOVING AGAIN, WE GET MORE PLEAS. AND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THOSE PRE-TRIAL FELONS ARE SITTING IN NUECES COUNTY JAIL DOESN'T DO THEIR TIME IN A COUNTY JAIL RATHER THAN TO BE PROCESSED UP TO STATE PENITENTIARY. SO THEY WILL SEE AND THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY ALSO SEE THAT ONCE WE START MOVING AGAIN, ON THESE JURY TRIALS THAT WE WILL SEE MORE PLEAS. AND SO, THAT IS WHERE WE'RE AT ON IT, COMMISSIONERS COMMISSIOND READY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF, SO JUST ONE QUICK COMMEND ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'RE SPENDING WE HAVE SENT THAT TO OUR TEAM AT HAGGERTY, WE HAD A BIG -- AND OUR WEEKLY MONDAY MEETING WE HAD A REALLY GOOD SUMMARY OF HOW WE THINK THAT WE CAN SUBMIT THIS FOR A POTENTIAL RECOVERY UNDER THE AMERICAN RELIEF PLAN ACT. EVERY TIME WE USE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FROM OTHER GREAT PROJECTS SO YES, I THINK WE CAN RECOVER IT, BASED ON WHAT HAGGERTY'S FINDINGS ARE. [04:20:03] AND I'VE SENT THOSE TO DALE. & BUT THAT IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE IT IS DRAINING FROM OTHER AWESOME OPPORTUNITIES THAT CONGRESS WANTED US TO HAVE. AND SO IN AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THAT, WHAT I PLACED ON THING A FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION IS A JAIL REDUCTION WORKING GROUP. AND LET ME FURTHER ELABORATE. AND SHERIFF SAID AND HE'S RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK THERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT IN FEBRUARY AND WE WERE MAYBE FOURTH OR FIFTH TO GO UP. BUT WHAT WE HEARD WAS, THEY ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PROBLEM IS. AND THEY ALL EMPATHIZE. THEY HAVE RULES. AND THE RULES DON'T BEND. AND WE HEARD THAT FOR EVERY SHERIFF THAT WAS THERE. IN OTHER WORDS, I DON'T WANT TO BE CALLUS AND SAY THEY DON'T CARE, BUT THEY DON'T CARE WHAT OUR EXCUSE IS. WE HAVE TO REMEDY IT, PERIOD. THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT GOES. NOW THEY GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEM A PLAN. AND WE'RE APPRECIATIVE. THEY GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEM AS TECHNICAL RESOURCES. I MOON EVERYTHING THEY DID FOR US DEMONSTRATED THEIR FAITH IN US. BUT IN ORDER TO GET A PLAN WHAT I BELIEVE WE NEED IS A WORKING GROUP. AND THE WORKING GROUP WOULD BASICALLY COME UP WITH A PLAN TO CREATE ANOTHER COURTROOM THIS WOULD BE LIKE A VISITING JUDGE'S COURTROOM AND IT WOULD REQUIRE A LOT OF COOPERATION. SO IN ADVANCE, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT I INTEND TO DISCUSS IT WITH OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY. I'VE TALKED TO THE BOARD OF JUDGES REPRESENTATIVE, OUR LOCAL PRESIDING JUDGE. I'VE SPOKEN TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND SO HERE IS THE PROPOSITION. IF YOU PLAN TO SEE THESE NUMBERS JUST KEEP ON GOING UP AND UP AND UP, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS GOING HAPPEN. AND THEY COULD GET WORSE IN THE SUMMERTIME, SHERIFF. >> THEN WE'RE FACING THAT NEXT WEEKEND OR NEXT WEEK, JUDGE, THERE ARE NO JURY TRIALS SCHEDULED BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY WEEK. AND SO THOSE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALWAYS FACED WHETHER IT IS THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON OR THE SUMMER VACATION SEASON, THEY'RE STILL GOING TO EXIST. >> RIGHT. >> SO EVEN IF THERE WERE NO COVID BACKLOG, WE'LL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A COVID BACKLOG PROBLEM OVER HISTORICAL PROBLEM, IT IS JUST TOO MUCH. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO GIVE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE THE SUGGESTION THAT WE NEED TO OPEN UP ANOTHER COURTROOM AND COME UP WITH A REAL PLAN. AND SO HERE IS WHAT WOULD LIKE TO DO ASK CREATE THIS JAIL POPULATION REDUCTION GROUP AND MAKE IT CONSIST OF A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WHOEVER DISTRICT ATTORNEY GONZALEZ DESIGNATES. WHOEVER THE SHERIFF WANTS TO DESIGNATE AND I'LL EXPLAIN WHY. WE DON'T HAVE A HOLDING CELL WHERE WE NEED IT. AND I'VE GOT TO HAVE THEIR -- THEY'VE GOT TO ADVISE US HOW WE CAN DO THIS SAFELY. COURT ADMINISTRATION, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TWO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF JUDGES, ONE, YOU KNOW FROM THEIR DESIGNATION THEY WOULD MAKE THAT. MEMBER OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT SERVING YOU KNOW, CORRECT AS FAR AS WHAT YOU KNOW, JENNY, I WORRY THAT WE CAN'T CALL IT AN EXTRA COURTROOM, BECAUSE IT IS AN AUXILLARY COURTROOM. WE DON'T HAVE STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR, THAT RIGHT? BUT THERE HAS GOT BE SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP US MAKE THE OUT. IT IS A VISITING COURTROOM. I'D LIKE TO SEE TERESA AND A MEMBER OF THE AUDITORS THERE, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING NEED A BUDGET TO COME TO COURT WITH. RIGHT. WE'RE GOING NEED A BAILIFF, WE'RE GOING TO NEED -- I MEAN IT IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE. BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE AS EXPENSIVE AS GETTING BACK IN NONCOMPLIANCE, OKAY. AND THEN A MEMBER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND POTENTIALLY A MEMBER OF CLK. CLK IS OUR ADA ARCHITECT FOR THE COURTHOUSE. AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THEM, THEN I COULD GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE PLAN A COURTROOM THAT IS NOT ADA ACCESSIBLE. SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE -- I WOULD LIKE TO MITIGATION DICT MAKE A MOTION TO CREATE THIS JAIL POPULATION REDUCTION GROUP WORKING AT LIGHTNING SPEED WE WOULD HAVE A PLAN TO TAKE TO JAIL STANDARDS COMMISSION. AND I NEED TO PREPARE YOU ALL AND I WOULD LIKE A SECOND. SO LET ME STOP THERE JO IS THE MOTION. >>> TO CREATE THE WORKING GROUP. WE'LL START WORKING ON THIS PLAN. >> INCLUDING THE NAME -- THE DESIGNEES IN THE OKAY WORKING GROUP? GY DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE. I WILL JUST SAY. >> WORKING GROUP. >>> JUST SAY THE OFFICE. AND THEY CAN PROVIDE IT TO BELINDA AND I'LL GET BACK TO YOU WHO SHERIFF WANTS. I'M GOING TO SEND IT TO THE ELECTED RIGHT. AND THEY'LL HAVE TO TELL ME IF THEY WANT TO SERVE. AND BY THE WAY, MAYBE ONE MEETING THEY'RE THERE THERE AND ONE MEETING THEY HAVE A DESIGNEE. >>> I MAKE THE MOTION. [04:25:01] >>> OKAY, GREAT, AND I'LL SECOND. >> AND JUDGE FOR DISCUSSION. >> THE DISCUSSION THE I PROMISE WITHIN 30 DAYS THAT WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU AS A RANGE OF A BUDGET SO THAT WE CAN START THINKING HOW WE WOULD FUND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE, WHICH IS AT THIS VISITING COURTROOM. AND IF WE DO THAT, I ALSO WANT TO BRING TO YOU THE POTENTIAL OF THAT FUNDED WITH AMERICAN RELIEF PLAN ACT. I DO BELIEVE IT WILL QUALIFY. AND THEN FURTHERMORE, IF YOU ALL HAD ANY CONCERNS, I'M THINKING THIS IS A WORKSHOP, RIGHT, THIS IS A BIG DEAL BUT THE ONLY WAY TO GET US TO A REAL PLAN -- OH, I KNOW, XAVIER GONZALEZ, I WOULD ADD HIM ON THERE AS OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATOR. >>> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE, I HAVE A QUESTION. >> HOSPITAL DISTRICT? >> HE IS WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I COULD PUT ANYMORE & A DESIGNEE. >>> SCIENCE THEY PAY FOR IT. >> I CAN. >> LY PUT THAT, TOO. >> AND WENT THROUGH THAT REAL QUICK THAT COURTROOM THING, I REMEMBER, TOO, WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MOVING THIS COURTROOM INTO THE TOWER AS PART OF THE SECURITY MEASURES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, SO THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE NOT THE TOWER, BUT JUST REMEMBER. >> WE'LL WORK ON ALL THAT. >> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS A HOLDING CELL AND GETTING THESE INMATES TO AND FROM FROM CONSIDER TO AND FRO. THAT IS WHY I NEED MY ARCHITECT WHO DOES THE ADA. IT IS PERFECT TIMING BECAUSE YOU'RE ABOUT TO HEAR FROM MICHAEL IN A SECOND WHY IT IS PERFECT TIMING. BUT THERE IS A ROOM -- THIS IS JUST AN IDEA, BUT THERE IS A ROOM ON THE FOURTH FLOOR THAT WE THINK COULD BE UTILIZED. BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY VETTED. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, THERE IS A PLACE THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT. >> FOR THE SHERIFFS FOR THIS NE. >> UH-HUH. >> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE. >> YES, SIR. >> WILL THE TDA HAVE ENOUGH ATTORNEYS TO COVER THIS EXTRA COURTROOM. >> THEY DON, THAT IS WHY THE BUDGET WOULD HAVE TO BE TO CREATE -- I'VE SPOKEN TO MS. HERNANDEZ. AND NO, THEY WOULDN'T. THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A FULL STAFF IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE. BUT BUT WE COULD REALLY, YOU KNOW, ACCOMMODATE -- WE COULD ACTUALLY START MOVING THE DOCKET. AND I THINK, AGAIN, THE JUDGES -- I SPOKE WITH JUDGE STIFF AND HE BELIEFS IT IS A WORTH THINK CAUSE. BEFORE WE GO TALK ABOUT IT A AS PIPE DREAM I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT HERE AND HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK WITH THE BOARD OF JUDGE. >> I'M JUST TRYING -- THIS COURT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HANDLING THE MISDEMEANOR CASES, CLASS A AND CLASS B MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY CASE? OR WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS COURT? I MEAN,, IS THIS COURT GOING TO REALLY MOVE THAT MANY MORE CASES THAT THE OTHER COURT. >> YEAH. >>> WHAT IS THIS GOING TO DO AND ALL THOSE OTHER COURTS AND THEY'RE BEHIND. I'M TRYING. >> THIS COURT WOULD TAKE PLEAS. THIS COURT WOULD TAKE PLEAS. AND THE ANSWER IS THAT. >> I THOUGHT IS WHAT THE COUNTY DA WAS DOING TAKING PLEAS ALSO. WASN'T THE DA TAKING PLEAS AT ONE TIME. >>> AND THEY STILL ARE. BUT THE COURTS NEED TO MOVE. AND ONE MORE COURT WOULD BE ONE MORE COURT THAT COULD MOVE. I AGREE WITH THE CONCEPT. WE NEED TO MAXIMIZE. IT IS GOING BE A CHALLENGE, BECAUSE EVERY COUNT ANY THE WHOLE STATE IS STRUGGLING WITH. SO THERE IS GOING BE QUITE A DEMAND FOR VISITING JUDGES, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING. I PUT THAT UP AT THE COMMISSION HEARING WE HEARD WHAT OTHER COUNTIES WERE DOING AND MAJORITY ARE DOING EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING AND THAT IS MOVING THEIR COUNTY PRISONERS TO OTHER COUNTY JAILS. BUT THAT HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED NOW. AND THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE. >> AND THIS IS SUPPORTED, BUT I'M HAPPY TO WHEN WE TAKE OUR BREAK, I'LL MAKE THE PHONE CALL. I'M HAPPY FOR YOU TO HEAR FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. BUT THIS IS HIGHLY SUPPORTED. THIS IS NOT COMING BECAUSE WE DON'T THINK IT WILL WORK, WE THINK IT WILL. BUT AGAIN, THERE IS A LOT OF BELLS AND WHISTLES AND WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME. BY THE WAY THERE IS OTHER GOOD THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING. IT IS NOT LIKE THIS IS THE ONLY THING. SHERIFF HOOPER IS CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT WHAT IS AVAILABLE. RIGHT? SO HE'S MOVING PEOPLE AROUND TO REDUCE JAIL POPULATION. RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN VICTORIA AND ARANAS, BUT HE'S CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT WHAT IS OPEN. THE OTHER THING WE'RE DOING IS WE'VE GOT OUR OPIOID TASK FORCE WORKING SUPER HARD. AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR LATER FROM -- I MEAN THE NEXT ITEM IS JOHNNY HIB SO YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT JAIL DIVERSION AND, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING. BUT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL REALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE IS A COURTROOM THAT IS DEDICATED TO MOVING THE NEEDLE. THAT IS ALL IT WILL DO. BY THE WAY THE CONCEPT IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IS THAT THESE [04:30:01] CASES WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE JUDGE THAT IS VISITING BY THE OTHER JUDGES. SO THERE WOULD BE COORDINATION. THAT WOULD BE HANDLED BY THE BOARD OF JUDGES THEMSELVES. >> ONE MORE QUESTION. SO COME IN AND ASK, DO YOU WANT TO PLEA? IF YOU WANT TO PLEA. >> THAT IS BEING DONE AS WE SPEAK. >> YEAH, THAT IS. >> BUT, HEY, COMMISSIONER, LIKE I SAID EARLIER THERE HAVE IS NOT A LOT OF PLEAING GOING ON RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE MANY OF THE INMATES THAT KNOW THEY'RE HEADED TO THE STATE PENITENTIARY, THEY'RE PERFECTLY CONTENT TO DO THEIR COUNTY -- STATE TIME HERE IN THE COUNTY FACILITY, CLOSE TO VISITATION AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS MORE PLEASANT PLACE AS ROUGH AS IT IS THAN TDC IS. I THINK THE PLEAS WOULD INCREASE IF WE HAD ANOTHER COURT. >> IT WOULD. >> WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING -- I'M WITH, I'M JUST ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP, YOU KNOW. AND THE OTHER THING IS. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> AND SHERIFF, I'LL TELL YOU AGAIN, I THINK WE NEED A NEW JAIL. >>> THAT IS FIVE YEARS AND $200 MILLION AWAY. WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS IN FRONT OF US. >> WE'RE STANDING STILL ALL THE TIME WE'LL NEVER MOVE AT ALL IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. >> LIKE I SAID THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO RIGHT THIS SECOND. AND THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE THAT DECISION, I SUPPOSE ONE DAY VERY SOON. BUT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD COST OR, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE FEASIBILITY IS, THEN I WOULD SUGGEST, YOU KNOW, PUT AN AGENDA ITEM ON AND LET'S START TALKING ABOUT THAT. BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NEEDED. AND WE HAVE A VERY SHORT TIME FRAME. OKAY. I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. THERE IS SOME GOOD DISCUSSION. I'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE PLAN THAT YOU GET A COPY OF EVERYTHING WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, WHO IS ON IT, WHO THE POINT OF CONTACT IS ONCE THEY DESIGNATE. SO KARA, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, MAKE SURE THAT YOU REFERENCE THAT, THAT THEY HAVE GOT TO TELL US. OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY CANDIDATE SAYS 85. OKAY, THANK YOU, SHERIFF FOR YOUR PATIENCE. THE COURT DID. >> JUDGE, ONE THING IF I MAY. >> OF COURSE. >> ITEM NUMBER 9 I NEED BE HERE FOR, THAT CAN YOU PREDICT AT ALL WHEN THAT MIGHT. >> I DON'T MIND DOING THAT RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE HERE. WHAT IS ANOTHER FEW MINUTES. JOB ANY IS ON THE LINE, DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE TO COME BACK [9. Discuss and consider approval of Interlocal Agreement between Nueces County, Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, and the Nueces County Hospital District Agreement relating to the provision of Jail Diversion, Crisis Intervention, Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach, and Jail-Based Competency Restoration Services for the period October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022.] JOHNNY, WOULD YOU JUST UNMUTE. LET ME JUST SET THE STAGE TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT NUECES COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT RELATES TO THE JAIL DIVERSION CRISIS INTERVENTION MOBILE CRISIS OUTREACH AND JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION SERVICES FISSIAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2021-TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2022. SHERIFF? >> DO I START IT OR DOES. >> JOHNNY, EITHER WAY. JOHNNY, DO YOU WANT TO LEAD SPY IT AND THE SHERIFF CAN TALK ABOUTITY GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. LET ME GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THIS. AND I HOPE DR. GONZALEZ IS GOING TO BE JOINING, I THINK HE WILL. THIS AGREEMENT IS THE ANNUAL AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE HAD IN PLACE NOW GOING ON THE FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR FOR THE JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAM AND IT WOULD BE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THE JUDGE JUST STATED BECAUSE WE KEEP THESE AGREEMENTS ON A ONE-YEAR BASIS EACH TIME AND RENEW THEM AS WE GO FORWARD. SO THIS IS THE ONE TO CARRY THE AGREEMENT INTO FY2022 THE DISTRICT FUNDS. THE ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE AGREEMENT, WE BUDGETED ALMOST NOT QUITE $2 MILLION FOR THIS. AND THE AMOUNT OF THE FUNDING THAT MHID REQUESTED FOR CARRYING OUT THESE SERVICES IS GENERALLY DECREASED OVER THE YEARS AS IT DID THIS YEAR. AND EVEN THOUGH WE BUDGET MONIES FOR THEM MHID HAS NOT IN PRACTICE YET, FUELLY UTILIZED ALL THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR THEM. SO, THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR IS THAT, FIRST, DR. GONZALEZ HAS SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME ENCORE RALLING, IF YOU WILL, THE SERVICES AND STUFF, ALTOGETHER THAT NEED TO BE PROVIDED UNDER THE JAIL DIVERSION AGREEMENT. AND IN PARTICULAR IN THIS AGREEMENT, MHID WILL BE TAKING THE LEAD ROLE ON IMPLEMENTING CLOUD 9. AND DR. GONZALEZ WILL BE ALONG, ON THE RIDE WITH THEM TO OVERSEE ALL THAT IMPLEMENTATION, BUT IN ADDITION TO GATHER ROUGH DATA AND THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED. SO MHID UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON STRIKING THE AGREEMENTS WITH CLOUD 9 TO [04:35:02] PUT IN THE ACTIVITIES THAT THEY DO SO THAT THE OFFICERS AND FIELD CAN HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AND STUFF AS THEY ENCOUNTER PEOPLE THAT MAY NEED THAT KIND OF INTERVENTION. SO THAT IS KIND OF THE MAIN THING WITH THIS AGREEMENT. IT IS A CONTINUATION OF THE ANNUAL ONES. WE'VE DONE, YOU KNOW, CARRY THROUGH NEXT YEAR. IT IS EXPECTED DURING THIS YEAR THAT MHID WILL START THE TRIAL IMPRELIMINARIATION OF CLOUD 9. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A TRAINING AND STUFF OCCURRING IN THE COMMUNITY WITH MORE COMMONER UNDER OTHER PROGRAMS. JUDGE, THAT IS A VERY HIGH LEVEL BUT THAT IS MY INTRODUCTION. >> YES, THANK YOU THANK YOU, JOHNNY AND THIS WAS ALSO BROUGHT UP AT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AND ALSO GIVEN PROPER CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. IS THAT CNN? >> YES, JUDGE, THEY DID APPROVE IT YESTERDAY. >> OKAY, GREAT. AND SHERIFF, WOULD YOU LIKE TO WEIGH IN? >> I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ANNUAL MOU. AND ASIDE FROM THE BUDGETED ISSUE THAT MR. HEPP JUST EXPLAINED AND IF BEAUTIFUL THING THAT IS CLOUD 9 AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOUD 9 THAT WILL BE A BIG DEAL. >>> GO C GONZALEZ IS HERE, JOHNNY. >> XAVIER, JUDGE, IF YOU COULD REFER TO HIM, HE COULD PROBABLY WEIGH IN. >> I'LL LET YOU FINISH, SHERIFF. >> YOU MAY WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM. >>> I'M GOING TO LET SHERIFF FINISH AND THEN HE'S GOING TO PITCH TO DR. GONZALEZ. >>> AS FAR AS CRITICAL ELEMENTS IN THIS AGREEMENT THE PREVIOUS AGREEMENT THAT GOT OUR CIT PROGRAM GOING WITH OUR TWO DESIGNATED CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALLY TRAINED OFFICERS WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE CO-RESPONDERS. THE PREVIOUS AGREEMENT SCWAWS SPECIFIED TWO FULL-TIME SHERIFF DEPUTIES DURING THIS TERM. THE DOESN'T AGREEMENT ON THE TABLE GOES FURTHER IN 2.6 COUNTY WILL PRY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 A.M. AND 11 P.M AND I'M A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO STAFFING, DEPUTIES OF THE NUECES COUNTY SHERIFFEST OFFICE THAT IS SOMETHING THE SHERIFF OUGHT TO BE INVOLVED IN AND THIS IS THE FIRST I'VE SEEN IT. WE NEED TO A THAT HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. MY SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED ON THIS DOCUMENT AND I UNDERSTAND THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION WITH A CONSTABLE ENFORCE THE NUMBER OF CIT DOCUMENTS. >> SO JOHNNY, COULD YOU HONOR THAT REQUEST JUST GIVEN THE SHERIFF HAS TO SIGN ONTO IT SHERIFF, DO YOU WANT MORE TIME WITH THIS DOCUMENT AND BRING IT BACK AND? AND JOHNNY, WOULD THAT BE OKAY ON THE TIMING OF IT? >> YES, JUDGE. WE ARE CERTAINLY ABLE TO WORK THROUGH A FURTHER DETAILS AND STUFF TO SMOOTH THIS OUT. THE PROGRAM IS FINALLY MOVING FORWARD IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND AS WE'RE GOING ALONG WE'RE GOING TO ENCOUNTER SOME THINGS THAT WARRANT SOME ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION. SO THE ONLY THING I WOULD ASK IS WE COULD GET IT IN FRONT OF THE COURT AT YEAREND I WAS THINKING DECEMBER 3RD. I WAS THINKING THE NEXT MEETING. WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE OF, SHERIFF SAYS, HEY, LOOK IN THIS DOCUMENT, I GET, YOU GO FROM 2 TO. >> AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, IT IS STILL 2, COMMITTED FROM MY AGENCY BUT NOW THERE ARE HOURS OF OPERATION THAT ARE DESIGNATED IN THE LANGUAGE THAT I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. >> IT IS ARE YOU OKAY PROGRAM. >> YOU CAN TELL US, BUT I WANT THE PLEDGE IF YOU'LL WORK WITH THE SHERIFF SO THAT, REMEMBER, HE HAS TO SIGN IT SO WHATEVER IF HE NEEDS MORE PEOPLE, IT NEEDS TO COME -- LET'S GO LAID AND HEAR HIS REQUEST. AND IF THERE ARE EXTRA PEOPLE FOR THE CONSTABLES, THAT IS GREAT. FOR THE ARE YOU OKAY PROGRAM, THAT 24/7. I LOVE THAT. BUT IF HE NEEDS MORE -- BECAUSE HE'S GOT TO SIGN ONTO, RIGHT? >> SO THE VERBAGE THAT IS THERE, IT IS THROWING THE ONOUS ON THE NHIV. THEY'RE REQUESTING TO COVER THESE TIMES AND THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE IDENTIFYING CIT OFFICERS. WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH THE SHERIFF. >> I GOT YOU. >>> THE ONOUS IS STILL ON THEM. >> I GOT YOU, BUT THEY STILL NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SHERIFF. [04:40:02] >> WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS I FEEL WE CAN DO THAT IN AN AFTERNOON, JUST HELP COORDINATE THAT. THAT IS WHAT HE HAS TO SIGN ONTO IT. HE HAS TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AND ALSO, SHERIFF IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED AN EXTRA I MEAN, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING, I WANT TO HEAR WE WANT TO HEAR TALK REQUEST THROUGH DR. GONZALEZ AND THAT WAY MAYBE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS AMEN I CAN'T BELIEVE TO THAT. WE DON'T KNOW. WHAT JOHNNY SAYS IS HE NEEDS IT BACK BY TENDS OF THE YEAR. FAIR ENOUGH, EVERYBODY? >> JUST TO CLARIFY THE NEXT COURT IS GOING TO BE NOVEMBER 30TH. >> I KEEP SAYING DECEMBER 3RD, WASN'T THERE GOING BE ONE? >> IT WAS ORIGINALLY DECEMBER 1ST. >> I'M SORRY. >> BUT WE WOULD BE ASKING EVERYONE TO TURN IN THEIR ATTACHMENTS OR ANY OF THEIR BACKUP BY THE END OF THE WEEK. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THEM. IF NOT THE NEXT COURT IS DECEMBER 15TH. >> I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT I FEEL LIKE SHERIFF IS PROBABLY PRETTY GOOD ABOUT -- I FEEL LIKE Y'ALL CAN TALK ABOUT THIS. >> WE CAN DO THIS. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S GREAT. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT WE HOPE FOR, RIGHT? AND BY THE WAY THIS PIECE OF IT, DR. GONZALEZ AND SHERIFF CAN ATTEST IT TO. WE'RE ALSO TAKING TO JAIL STANDARDS IT IS NOT LIKE WE'RE JUST, YOU KNOW. IT IS NOT JUST ONE SLIVER OF REMEDY. IT IS BY THE WAY, WE'RE STILL VERY INVOLVED WITH DIVERSION IF WE CAN GET DIVERSION, YOU KNOW, CENTER OR NO CENTER, WE'RE STILL DIVERTING PEOPLE. AND SO WE WANT TO TAKE THAT AS WELL BY FEBRUARY. >> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR -- IS MR. HIPP STILL THERE? >> HE'S STILL THERE. >> JOHNNY, 2019 WHEN MHID CAME BEFORE YOU GUYS AND CLOSE TO $3 MILLION GRANT WHERE IT WAS AWARDED TO HIM FOR THE JAIL DIVERSION. THE FIRST YEAR, THEY DIDN'T USE ALL THE MONEY, SO YOU KNOW, THEY RETURNED IT BACK. THEN YOU BROKE IT DOWN INTO SO MANY YEARS, 1.9 THAT I REMEMBER, FOR 20, 20 AND NEW 2021, 2022. FAUX HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO GO ON? HAVE THEY MADE ANY EFFORTS OF GETTING ANY KIND OF GRANTS? ANY KIND OF -- HAVE THEY GOT ANY GRANTS, PERIOD. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT AND GET GRANTS TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND ON THE PROGRAM. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG WE'RE GOING TO FUND THEM. BUT IF THEY'RE RETURNING BACK LAST YEAR SOME MONEY, CAN THAT MONEY BE USED FOR LIKE THE SHERIFF SAID, FOR JAIL DIVERSION AND TRANSFER OF INMATES TO THE JAIL THROUGH ANOTHER COUNTY? IF THERE IS MONEY LEFT OVER IN THAT POT. CAN THAT MONEY BE USED FOR THE SHERIFF TO BE ABLE TO USE FOR TRANSPORTATION OF INMATE? OR THE EXTRA HOURS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE? I'M JUST SAYING, IS THAT THE POSSIBILITY WE CAN DO THAT? >> COMMISSIONERS, I THINK YOU ASKED A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND LET ME ANSWER THE FIRST ONE. YOU MAY RECALL THAT WHEN WE FIRST GOT STARTED WITH JAIL DIVERSION, THERE WAS A REQUEST BY THEN-JUDGE NEIL THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE SOME THINGS UNDER WAY IN THIS AREA TO SATISFY SOME REQUIREMENTS THAT HAD BEEN PASSED BAY RECENT LEGISLATURE. SO WE WENT MHIV, PRESIDENT -- MHID, AND ASKED THEM TO START UP THESE PROGRAMS SO THEY REALLY DIDN'T COME TO US. WE WENT TO THEM. AND WE MADE IT A POINT TO PUT UP ENOUGH MONEY TO HELP THESE PROGRAMS AND STUFF GET STARTED AND WE'VE ALWAYS USED UP EACH YEAR AND GIVE US ESTIMATES WHAT THINK THEY THINK TO RUN THE PROGRAM AND WE USE THOSE NUMBERS IN OUR BUDGET. WE LEAVE IT TO THEM TO HELP GUIDE WHAT THE COSTS AND STUFF ARE GOING BE. SO IN TERMS OF THE ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS THAT THE DISTRICT DOES, IT IS A BUDGETED NUMBERS ARE ONLY FOR A YEAR AT A TIME. AND WE DON'T ENCUMBER AMOUNTS THAT ARE UNUSED SO IF THERE IS PON UNUSED AT THE END OF A FISCAL YEAR AFTER WE DO ALL THE SETTLEUP AND HANDLE ALL THE RUN-OFF INVOICES AND STUFF. THAT MONEY GOES BACK IN AND WE ALLOCATE A NEW NUMBER FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. AND SO, WHEN WE DO THAT, AGAIN, I WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT MHID GIVES US A GUIDE IN HOW MUCH MONEY YOU'RE GOING NEED TO RUN THE PROGRAM. AND SO I THINK COMMISSIONERS, WE START USING HOSPITAL DISTRICT FUNDS TO TRANSPORT PRISONERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, WE'RE GOING BE [04:45:06] OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS OF WHAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT CAN DO. THIS PROGRAM IS COUNTRIED UNDER A PARTICULAR SECTION OF 2209 THAT ALLOWS US TO FUND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND JAIL HEALTH SERVICES, YOU KNOW, PROVIDED TO INMATES. AND TO THE DEGREE THAT MAYBE CAN WE USE THE MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS, IF IT IS IN LINE WITH WHAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT CAN DO, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT. BUT THE MONEYS ARE ANNUALLY BUDGETED. IF THEY'RE NOT USED THEY GO BACK IN THE FUND AND WE DON'T ENCOUPLEBER UNUSED AMOUNTS FROM YEAR TO YEAR. >>> HOW LONG ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? IS THERE A CAP ON THE AMOUNT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO YEARLY OR NOT? >> COMMISSIONER, WE ON YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE GRANTS THERE IS A PROVISION AND THE AGREEMENT THAT REQUIRES MHID TO SEEK GRANTS. AND THEY WILL HAVE TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THEIR WORK IN THAT AREA TO HELP FUND THIS THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS ALWAYS STEPPED UP AND CONTINUES TO DO SO IN THIS AREA AND MENTAL HEALTH BRINGING ALL THESE PROGRAMS TOGETHER IN A WAY THEY WERE ACTUALLY INTENDED TO WORK. AND I COULD SUGGEST THAT WE GIVE HIS WORK SOME TIME, A YEAR OR TWO TO SEE HOW ALL THAT WORKS OUT. NOW I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO THIS INDEFINITELY. MHID GAVE THEIR REPORT TO THE BOARD YESTERDAY, THEY HAD AND JUDGE YOU MAY BE INTERESTED, THEY HAD A SHEET THAT INDICATED HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY HAD SEEN, HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY HAD DIVERTED. IT WILL BE GOOD WASHINGTON TATIVE DATA TO DO THAT. BUT THEY HAVE SOME SUCCESS. AND SO THE QUESTION COMMISSIONER, I THINK THAT HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD IS COMING TO IS THIS HOW YOU WEIGH THE COST-BENEFIT OF ALL OF THAT. AND SO MHID WILL COME BACK TO THE BOARD IN JANUARY AND TALK ABOUT HOW THEY GO ABOUT VALUING THE THOSE RESTORATIONS AND THE PEOPLE THEY DIVERT FROM JAIL AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS SO I WISH I HAD A LONG-TERM ANSWER FOR YOU. BUT I THINK THAT THE DISTRICT WOULD BE COMMITTED TO FUNDING THIS IN A LONG ENOUGH PERIOD TO FIND OUT IF EVERYTHING IS GOING TO WORK THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK. >>> I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE DR. GONZALEZ, THAT YOU'LL GET ON TOP OF IT. BEGIN, MY QUESTION WAS, JUST HOW CAN WE HELP THE SHERIFF IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE, MAYBE IF THERE IS, YOU KNOW, I SURE WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT ONE CAN DO. >> AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE, I THINK HELPED THE SHERIFF EVERY TIME, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS DURING BUDGET. HE'S GOING TO SIGN ONTO THIS. HE'LL GET A CHANCE TO REVIEW THIS PARTICULAR DOCUMENT. BUT EXPECT THAT JAIL DIVERSION THE HERE TO STAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME BECAUSE THAT IS THE MODERN VERSION OF BEING ABLE TO DECOMPRESSION DECOMPRESS SURE JAIL. IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT, IT IS ALL ACTUALLY ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T BE IN JAIL GET TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED. AND JUST THINK ABOUT THIS, IF YOU TAKE 50 PEOPLE AT THE AVERAGE OF $83 A DAY, TIMES ONE YEAR, IT IS $1.5 MILLION APPROXIMATELY. IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO SEE A HUGE IMPACT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT APPROPRIATING ALMOST $2 MILLION. YOU GET THAT BACK IMMEDIATELY IN OUR DIVERSION NUMBERS. AND SO I THINK THAT IS A COST-SAVINGS TO THE TAXPAYERS. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR FAMILIES. AND, OF COURSE, IT DECOMPRESSES THE JAIL. SO I THINK IT IS GREAT. I JUST THINK AS A SHERIFF POINTS OUT, I'M SIGNING IT. GIVE ME A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON IT. AND THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WE'LL BRING I BACK TO YOU VERY SHORT ORDER. IF -- DO YOU NEED MORE TIME, SHERIFF, JUST REACH OUT TO BELINDA, BUT LET'S HOPE THAT IT IS A QUICK CONVERSATION AND THE TWO PARTIES ARE RIGHT HERE. JUST CALL MARK OR MIKE AND SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE THAT WORK. AND SO THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE, GUYS? >> OKAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO TABLE THIS FOR THE CLERK, RIGHT? >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF. >> MOTION TO TABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER -- I KEEP WANTING TO DO IT. NOVEMBER 30TH. AND THAT NEEDS A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY SAYING AYE. OKAY, APPRECIATE IT. AND WHAT WE'LL DO NOW IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COURT'S WILL AND EARLIER VOTE, IT IS 1:27 P.M., LET'S GAVEL OUT FOR A [04:50:01] BATHROOM BREAK, NOURISHMENT FOR THE STAFF AND BE BACK HERE IN AT >> OKAY, WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE -- LISTEN TO ME, NOT EXECUTIVE SESSION, YET. WE ARE BACK FROM A RECESS. WE DID A GOOD JOB. CLERK IT IS 2:04 P.M AND GETTING US BACK INTO WHERE WE ARE HERE. WANT TO GO INTO THE JUDGE? >> WE WERE AT ITEM NUMBER 9, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL -- GIVE ME JUST ONE SECOND. I'M GOING TO LET JOHNNY YOU'LL SCOOP UP 10, AND WE'VE DONE 7, 8 AND 9. >>> BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD CAN I ATTEMPT TO TABLE ON SOMETHING. >> I'LL TAKE A TABLE. IT ALWAYS A GOOD THING IF IT HELP WITH WS WITH THE EFFICIENCY. >> I KNOW WITH HAVE ON THE AGENDA TODAY FOR THE INTERVIEWS WHICH I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE THEM SOME NOTICE. MY THOUGHT WAS COULD WE TABLE THIS TO A TIME-SPECIFIC TO START THE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 30TH RIGHT AFTER THE INVOCATION AND SET THE INTERVIEWS FOR THAT? AGAIN, BEFORE I MAKE THAT I KIND OF WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY THOUGHT ON THAT, BECAUSE, I'M TRYING TO LIKE RAM ROD THAT, I'M TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT. >> I'LL MAKE THE SECOND ON THE TABLE AS FAR AS THE TIME. WE ALWAYS HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AT 9. COULD WE DO IT LIKE AT LUNCH OR SOMETHING. >> FROM 10. >> JUST SO THAT WE GET IT WHERE THE INTERVIEWEES KNOW WE CAN START AT 10. TABLE FOR A TIME MAYBE TO BE DETERMINED FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. JUST TABLE IT TO THE DATE THAT REALLY THAT IS ALL THIS IS REQUIRED AT THE MOMENT. >> UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH AT A TIME-SPECIFIC TO BE DETERMINED LATER. >> WITHIN SHORT ORDER. OKAY, MOTION? MOTION AND A SECOND ON 19 IT IS TABLE IS ON THE FLOOR AND ALL KNOWS FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. >>> THANK YOU. [6. Receive presentation from County Attorney and the Law office of Steve Aragon regarding statutory obligations of the Count in the area of public health, options available to the County, and normal practices throughout the State in provision of public health; effect of City of Corpus Christi’s withdrawal on grants, employees, assets, federal 1115 waiver, State laboratory, and related matters.] >> THANK YOU AND I'M GOING TO GO BACK INTO ITEM NUMBER 6. AND ON THE PHONE WITH US IS STEVE ARAGON. AND LET ME SET US UP. WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION. I NOTICED WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM RECESS WE YOU SHOULD HAVE A PACKET TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. SHE IS HERE WITH US ALREADY AND STEVE ARAGON REGARDING OUR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS IN COUNT ANY IN PUBLIC HEALTH, OPTIONS AND EFFECT OF WITHDRAWAL OR ON GRANTS AND EMPLOYEES, ASSETS, 1115 WAIVER, STATE LABORATORY MATTERS. LET ME JUST. GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BUT ASK YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY LEGAL QUESTIONS, THAT WE HOLD ON THOSE UNTIL WE GET INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ONE PAGE IS THE MULTIPLE PAGE DOCUMENT IS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THIS IS REMEMBER THAT THING I HELD UP, DO NOT OPEN IT. SORRY ABOUT THAT, STEVE. I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THERE WAS A SMALL DOCUMENT BELOW. SO, STEVE, WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON LOCAL PROVIDER PARTICIPATION FUNDS ON MAFF BEHALF OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, BUT WOULD YOU SHARE WITH THE COURT AND THE AUDIENCE BEFORE YOU GET INTO WHAT YOU'RE HERE FOR JUST A BRIEF -- DON'T BE HUMBLE, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUS BACKGROUND TO HELP THE COUNTY. WOULD YOU SHARE WITH US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND FOR OUR COURT AND FOR THOSE LISTENING. OKAY, AND STEVE, JUST UNMUTE. >> THERE WE GO. >>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> PERFECT. >> LIKE A COMMERCIAL. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS STEVE ARAGON, I'M AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. I WORK MAINLY IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH LAW. PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF MY PRACTICE IN 2014, I WAS THE CHIEF COUNSEL, GENERAL COUNSEL ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES [04:55:06] COMMISSION HERE IN AUSTIN FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS. AND SO I'VE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE WITH A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I THINK YOU ALL ARE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL MAY BE EXPERIENCING. AND THAT IS THE CONSOLIDATION OR DECOMMISSIONING OF STATE AGENCIES AND UNWINDING OF BUSINESS COMPLEX THAT FORMS CONTRACTS THAT HAS OCCURRED HERE OVER THE YEARS. AND SO I WAS INVIOLATED TO PARTICIPATE AND PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE AND I'M PLEASED TO PROVIDE SOME OPPORTUNITY AND HOPEFULLY I CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION TO HELP FORM DECISIONS THE COURT NEEDS TO MAKE CITY OF CORPSUS CITY ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. AS WELL AS EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF THE CITY'S ACTION OR DECISION ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS RELATED TO COUNTY'S OPERATIONS INCLUDING LEAST OF WHICH IS PUBLIC HEALTH OF RESIDENTS OF COUNTY OUTSIDE OF NUECES COUNTY OF CORPUS CRISTI AS WELL AS THE DISPOSITION OF ASSETS RELATED TO THE DRANSITION IF THAT OCCURS -- TRANSITIONS IF THAT OCCURS. MOST NOTICEABLY THE GRANTS ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OR THE HEALTH DISTRICT THAT MAY REQUIRE SOME TRANSITIONING COORDINATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF STAYED HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION AND POSSIBLE AGENCIES THAT MAY BE COGNIZANT AGENCY FOR SOME OF THESE GRANTS. AND SO I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO HELP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF THAT. OTHER ISSUES OBVIOUSLY THAT ARE GOING BE IMPORTANT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND REALLY THE IMPACT OF ANY TRAGEDYSITION ON EMPLOYEES OF THE HEALTH DISTRICT AND OF WHAT THEIR STATUS WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT. AND I KNOW THE CITY HAS ALREADY TAKEN SOME ACTIONS THAT THEY HAVE RESULTED IN SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE, AND I THINK OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY WOULD MAKE SOME DECISIONS. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, THIS OF AGAIN, PROGRAMS AND ASSETS THAT ARE CURRENTLY DELEGATED TO THE STATE LABORATORY. PART OF WHAT I'VE DONE IN THE LAST TEN DAY OR SO IS REALLY EXAMINE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS I CAN ABOUT THE LOCAL OPERATION IDENTIFIED SOME POTENTIAL OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE TO THE COURT UNDER STATE LAW AND THEN TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO COUNTY ATTORNEY DORSI AS SHE ADDRESS -- DORSEY AS ALONG WITH THAT DENT DEPENDING ON WHAT DIRECTION THE COURT ELECTS TO PROCEED, I'M HAPPY AND HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSITION PLANS THAT MAY NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE COUNTY IN RELATION TO THESE CHANGES. AS WELL AS HELP IDENTIFY AND BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION SOME OF THE MORE COMMON PRACTICES FOR THE DELIVERY OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AROUND THE STATE. AND SO AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE GOAL WILL BE TO PROVIDE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS MUCH INFORMATION AS WE FEASIBLE DELETE SABLY AND REASONABLY CAN TO MAKE SURE YOUR DECISION GOING FORWARD ARE ADEQUATELY INFORMED AND WE HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR THE RESIDENTS. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS JUST LET PAUSE, BECAUSE IT IS A GOOD TIME TO PAUSE AND JUST ASK IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRETTY CONCISE -- YOU DID A GOOD JOB OF HIGHIVITYING -- HIGHLIGHTING ALL THE BULLET POINTS HERE. HERE IS WHERE WE SAY WE FORMALLY BEGIN. UP UNTIL NOW WE'VE BEEN DANCING A LITTLE BIT. BUT NOW WE FORMALLY BEGIN THESE ROBUST DISCUSSIONS AND WHAT IT ALL MEANS AND EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES. BUT I LIKE WHAT YOU SAID, STEVE AT THE VERY BEGINNING AND I WANT TO REPEAT IT. NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH I'M GOING TO PARAPHRASE WHAT YOU SAID, BUT NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE PUBLIC HEALTH TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO I THINK THAT IS REALLY WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE AND WHAT IS AT ISSUE. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE AMPLE TIME FOR QUESTIONS. HOWEVER, JENNY SAYS THE BIGGER PACKET WILL BE HANDLED WITH YOU, AND I GUESS IN A LITTLE WHILE. AND THOSE ARE REALLY WHERE WE'LL NEED TO DIVE IN WITH YOU A [05:00:05] LITTLE MORE. FOR NOW DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INTEREST IN ASKING QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO SCOPE? THAT IS KIND OF WHAT YOU OUTLINED HERE? WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF OUR WORK, ANYBODY? >> OKAY, I GUESS WE'LL JUST -- STEVE, IS THAT ALREADY THAT WE STOP RIGHT HERE AND GO INTO IT FURTHER? J IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I'M GETTING THE NOD HERE YES IN THE COURTROOM. FOR THAT POINT, FORGIVE ME BUT WE'LL PUT YOU BACK ON A HOLDING PATTERN AND ADVISE YOU WHEN WE'RE AT THAT . IN THE MEETING. >> LET'S CALL HIM WHEN HE GETS TO HIM SO HE DOESN'T BILL US FOR SITTING HERE LISTENING TO US FOR THE WHOLE TIME, PLEASE. IT MAY BE A WHILE BEFORE WE GET TO HIM. >> HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT BILLING US. WE'LL CALL YOU AND GIVE YOU A HEADS UP. >> LUCKILY I'M NOT TRAVELING EITHER SO WE'RE GOOD. >> LUCKILY ZOOM HAS SAVED A LOT OF MONEY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MR. ARAGON. [8. Approve Quarterly Investment Report ending September 30, 2021.] >>> WE'VE HANDLED ITEM 7 -- NO, ITEM 8 IS APPROVE THE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT. WE HAD A GREAT INVESTMENT MEETING JUST RECENTLY, THANKS FOR EVERYBODY'S PARTICIPATION. DALE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE US THE HIGHLIGHTS. WE ARE ASKED COMMISSIONERS TO APPROVE THIS REPORT ENDING SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2021. >> WE SUBMITTED THIS TO THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER REVIEW AND QUALIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL BEFORE SUBMITTING TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE'VE GONE THROUGH EACH OF THEM IN THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE DID IT PER THIS REPORT. WE'LL GO TO PAGE 3 WHERE WE SHOW OUR CASH AND CASH EQIFL LENS FOR THE YEAR. FAR RIGHT IS $183,187,188. AND $28 MILLION 439899. CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDS WHERE THE 2021 WERE DEPOSITED IS $83 MILLION 183,288 AND DEBT SERVICE IS 2.7. AND OTHER FUNDS WHICH INCLUDES SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AND YOUR INSURANCE FUNDS ARE PAGE FOUR YOU SHOW YOUR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR REPORT FOR THE GENERAL FUND AS WELL AS THE OTHER FUNDS AND YOU'LL SEE THE OPERATING FUNDS AT THE TOP. AND YOUR OTHER FUNDS AS I MENTIONED BELOW IS SUBINSURANCE FUNDS AND SPECIAL RUNNING FUNDS THERE ARE A FEW SLIGHTLY DECREASED IN FUNDS. BACK IN 2020 THE INTEREST RATES ARE HIGHER THAN THEY ARE NOW AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THAT IN A FEW MINUTES HOW WE LOST SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR INTEREST INCOME. THESE ARE WHERE OUR POSITIONS ARE FOR INVESTMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 30TH, 20 TWBT. ON PAGE 6 WE HAVE RECEIVE AT SCHEDULES HERE, ONE IS YOUR PORTFOLIO DIVERSITY AND LIQUIDITY AND CHANGES IN INVESTMENTS. YOUR PORTFOLIO DIVERSITY SHOWING YOU WE HAVE AN INVESTMENT PLAN MAXIMUM OF 90% FOR YOU CASH AND CASH EEQUIVALENCE FUNDS WE HAVE A MAXIMUM POLICY OF 75%, MUNICIPAL BONDS 75%. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE INTEREST RATES ARE SO LOW, WE ARE EXCEEDING OUR MAXIMUM POLICIES FOR YOUR CASH AND CASH EEQUIVALENCE CLOSER TO 98.29%. AND WHEN WE GET TO THE INTEREST RATES WE'LL SHOW YOU WHY. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LOCK OUR FUNDS INTO A 2, 3, 4, MAYBE FIVE-YEAR INVESTMENTS. HOPEFULLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE THESE RATES WILL BE GOING UP. ON OUR LIQUIDITY ON THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 6, YOU SEE OUR CURRENT LIQUIDITY SOME SIX DAYS AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDS ARE IN YOUR CASH AND CASH EEQUIVALENCE. ON PAGES 7, VERY TOP OF YOUR REPORT SHOWS YOUR STATEMENT AND CHANGES. WE DO HAVE FOUR OF OUR CDS EXPIRE BUT WE WENT IN AND REINVESTED IN FOUR OTHER CDS HIGHER THAN WHAT OUR CURRENT RATE IS WE ONLY WENT OUT FOR 1 1/2 TO TWO YEARS ON THOSE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS JUSTIFIABLE TO DO THOSE INVESTMENTS. THE ONLY CHANGES WERE MARKED ADJUSTMENTS. ONLY A SMALL DECREASE ON THE FUNDS. THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE WHERE THE INTEREST RATES ARE SHOWING YOU WHAT OUR INTEREST RATES COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR AS WELL AS QUARTERLY REPORTS. THE FIRST COLUMN YOU SEE OUR QUARTERLY ROARS GOING FROM JULY TO AUGUST OF SEPTEMBER, OF LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR. YOU SEE LAST YEAR WE EARN 96,493. THIS YEAR WE EARNED $17,736. THAT IS A DEFICIT OF $76,000 FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR. AGAIN, THAT IS WHY OUR VALUES ARE A MESS. ONE NEXT TO IT IS LAST YEAR'S COMPARISON TO THE FULL YEAR. LAST YEAR FOR THE 2019 FISCAL YEAR WE RECEIVED $1.6 MILLION IN INTEREST. THIS YEAR WE'VE ONLY RECEIVED $94,000. THAT IS ONE MILLION 525,000 LESS IN INTEREST. THAT IS WHERE WE'RE GOING BALANCES ARE. THE NEXT ITEMS WILL BE SHOW YOU IN THE LATTER OF OUR INVESTMENTS [05:05:04] ARE IN THE NEXT FEW PAGES, PAGE 14 SHOWS YOU OUR PORT FOLIO HOLDING BY FUNDS. OPERATE WHERE WE SHOW YOU OPERATING FUNDS, OUR DEBT SERVICE FUNDS, CAPITAL PROJECTS AND OTHER SERVICES FUNDS. AND WE SHOW YOU OUR PERCENTAGE BREAKDOWN. WITH OPERATING FUNDS, 29.1% OF THE BALANCE OF THAT TO GENERAL FUND IS ABOUT 95% OF THAT, 20% OR 23.67% OF THE TOTAL. ON PAGE 15 SHOWS YOU OUR BREAKDOWN BETWEEN OUR INVESTMENTS BY BROKER/DEALER. CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW LARGEST ONE IS FOR THE FIRST TENNESSEE AND THAT IS BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE OUR MUNICIPAL BOND IS CURRENTLY STILL INVESTED IN AND THAT WILL BE EXPIRING IN 2023. GO TO PAGE 16 AND PAGE 17 THIS SHOWS YOU WHERE THE HISTORY OF OUR INTEREST RATES ARE GOING COMPARED TO ONE-YEAR AND 2-YEAR TREASURY, ON PAGE 16 COMPARING ONE-YEAR TREASURY NOTES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THERE ONE-YEAR TREASURY IS 1.07%. WE'RE PROJECTING AT.038, A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN THE TREASURY NOTE OF ONE YEAR. NOW WHEN YOU GO TO THE 2-YEAR TREASURY NOTE ON PAGE 17, AGAIN, THE TWO-YEAR TREASURY NOTE IS 0.SEW 70. PROJECTING A RATE OF 55. SO BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING OUR INVESTMENT WE'RE ABOVE THE 2-YEAR TREASURY NOTES. ON PAGE 18 THIS IS WHERE WE SHOW YOU OUR TREND OF HISTORY OF OUR TRA TR RATES FOR ALL OF OUR FUNDS AS WELL AS DEPOSITORY BANK AGREEMENTS. YOU SEE TOWARDS TOP OF THE REPORT YOU SEE THE 2019 GOING FROM SEPTEMBER TO AROUND FEBRUARY THEY'RE RIGHT AT 2% OR 1.6%. RIGHT NOW SEPTEMBER 2021 AS YOU LOOK AT THE VERY BOTTOM ON THE FAR RIGHT. YOU'LL SEE DEPOSITORY WHICH IS AT.01%. THAT'S WHY WE'RE SHOWING A DECREASE IN FUND BALANCE. WE'RE STILL EXPECTED TO SEE INCREASES IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR INTEREST RATES GOING UP. AND ONCE THOSE DO, WE'LL MAKE SURE WE PROPERLY INVEST THOSE FUNDS. MY STAFF IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH CARE AND STAFFING ON TREASURY NOTES TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THE RIGHT FUND BALANCES. THAT IS QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2021. I'D BE GLAD TO ANSWER I DIDN'T IFS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> OKAY, COMMISSIONER MARAS HAS A QUESTION. >> LAST PAGE YOU REMEMBER ON, 18 YOU WERE ON. >> YES, 18. >> I MEAN THAT IS JUST A TREND THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING. >> IT HAS BEEN GOING DOWN AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF RETURN FROM A FEDERAL TREASURY ABOUT CHANGING RATES. UNTIL THESE THIS ECONOMY STARTS RUNNING AGAIN, THESE ARE PROBABLY THE RATES WE SEE IN THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS. WE HAD AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND INVESTMENT PEOPLE HERE THAT WERE DOING A PRESENTATION FOR US. THEY SAID IN NEXT 8 TO 10 MONTHS BEFORE YOU SEE TURNAROUND IN GOING UP. >> AND IS THERE ANY OTHER OPTION OTHER THAN TEX POOL. >> WE INVEST IN TEXAN CLASS, WE TRIED TO DO ONE RETURN AT THE HIGHEST RATE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR FUNDS ARE THERE THAT GENERATE THE BEST RATE FOR US. NOW IT IS A SPECIAL CLASS, SO IT EITHER HAS TO BE TEXAS AVERAGE OR THE TEXAS CLASS WHICH IS YOUR FAR LEFT AND YOUR MIDDLE RIGHT. SO WE ARE AT THE TEXAS CLASS WHICH IS AT.4%. THAT IS THE INTEREST WE'RE EARNING RIGHT NOW IS AROUND THERE. AND WITH HAVE A MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDS INVESTED THERE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> AS THEY SAY, THEY GIVEETH AND THEY TAKEET AWAY, YOU KNOW, I MEAN WE HAVE NO GOOD INTEREST RATES, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, BECAUSE THEY'RE SO LOW, OUR ABILITY TO HANDLE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE CAMPAIGNS AT VERY HISTORIC MAGICALLY LOW INTEREST RATES HAVE BEEN A GOOD THING. SO IT IS ATERBLE THING YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL, BUT THANK YOU FOR THAT GOOD INVESTMENT REPORT. >> MOVE PASSAGE. >> ALL RIGHT, AND HOW ABOUT A SECOND. >> SECT. ALL KNOWS FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING 85 DELETE S AYE. >>> AYE. >> DALE, YOU'RE ALREADY ON A ROLL HERE, WHY DON YOU TAKE US THROUGH. I NEED TO MAKE SURE -- YEAH, WE DO. OKAY, SO WHY DON'T WE -- WELL, I'LL JUST HOLD, YOU HAVE A FEW OF THEM, I THOUGHT WE COULD DO ONE OR TWO. LET'S JUST HOLD ON THAT AND TRY TO CONTINUE HERE. [10. Discuss and consider approval of Mutual Aid/Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the Nueces County Hospital District related to the COVID-19 pandemic and related matters.] [05:10:03] BECAUSE I SAW DAVID RICHTER WAS HERE. ITEM NUMBER 10 IS BACK TO JONNY HIPP. HE'S ON THE LINE AND HE THIS IS TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER IF APPROVAL OF AID OF MUTUAL AGREEMENT, RELATED TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RELATED MATTERS. AND JONNY, THIS PAST YESTERDAY ON YOUR BOARD AND NOW HERE FOR APPROVAL ON OURS. AND IF WE WERE LOOKING FOR THE 32ND SUMMARY, IT IS BASICALLY WE WANT TO PAY YOU BACK. WE BELIEVE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY YOU BACK, BUT WE CAN'T UNTIL WE ACTUALLY PAY THE INVOICE. SO HOSPITAL DISTRICT DOES NOT HAVE A PROJECT WORK SHEET FOR COVID-19. EXPENSES AND WE DO. AND SO BY ALLOWING THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO PROCEED, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT AND KAYLIN IS ON THE LINE AS WELL AND HAS BEEN WORKING POINT ON THIS IS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PAY BACK THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DID TO HELP US KNOW WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE FOR VACCINES. AND SO HAVING SAID THAT, IT IS JUST THE WAY OF THE WORLD WITH FEMA. YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM IN ORDER TO GET REIMBURSEMENT. KAYLIN CAN OUTLINE YOU HOW WE PROTECTED AND WHAT WE'VE DONE TO GET US THROUGH THIS PROCESS. IT IS CALLED A SCOPE MODIFICATION. BUT AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SUBMIT UNTIL WE HAVE AN INVOICE TO SUBMIT THAT WE PAID. AND SO THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. AND JOHNNY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO NOW CONTINUE? >> JUDGE, I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO ADD TO WHAT YOU SAID ONLY THAT THE INVOICE WOULD COME AFTER THE DISAGREEMENT IS DONE AND WE HAVE THAT INVOICE READY TO GO AND WE CAN PROVIDE IT TO THE COUNTY QUICKLY. >> OKAY, AND I'LL ASK KAYLIN TO UNMUTE, ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T GIVE HER MUCH HEADS UP. HERE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO LET THE COURT KNOW HOW BEER GOING TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENT AND HOW THIS WORKS? WE ARE ALLOWED MONEY FOR VACCINES BUT WE WERE ONE IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OTHER VACCINATION CLINICS ARE INCLUDED? OTHER TESTING, RAPID INFUSION, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY AND THIS PARTICULAR EXPENSE. SO AGAIN, THESE GUYS ARE READY TO MOVE, BUT IT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS. THE CART HAS TO COME BEFORE THE HORSE HERE. SO WE DID SUBMIT THAT ORIGINAL SCOPE OF WORK MODIFICATION UNDER THE COUNTY'S EXISTING PROJECT WORK SHEET FOR VACCINATION COSTS. AND AS THE JUDGMENT RELATED TO EXPANDING THE TIME PERIOD OF ELIGIBLE COSTS AS WELL AS ADDING IN VACCINE SIGHS THAT OPENED UP SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PROJECT TO GET THOSE COSTS COVERED. AND THEN WE HAD ALSO MET WITH TITEM. AND THEY AGREED TO TAKE A LOOK. THE SCOPE OF THOSE COSTS AND THEY THINK THEY'RE A GOOD CANDIDATE TO PASS ALONG TO FEMA FOR EVALUATION. THEY DID ADVISE US THAT AS TO NOT UPHOLD THE CURRENT SCOPE OF WORK MODIFICATION, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE REMOVE THOSE COSTS FROM THAT SCOPE AND SUBMIT AN ADDITIONAL REQUEST. AND THAT WILL LINE UP WELL WITH GETTING THIS AGREEMENT OF COURSE, CONFIRMED. WE'RE GOING TO PUSH FORWARD ON THE PREVIOUS MENTIONED SCOPE OF WORK MODIFICATION TO NOT HOLD THAT UP. AND THEN, FOLLOWING AGREEMENT, AS THE JUDGE SAID, THOSE COSTS HAVE TO BE PAID BY THE COUNTY. WE ARE GOING TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT WITH FEMA. AGAIN, FEMA HAS THE FINAL SAY ON ELIGIBLE. BUT WE DID HAVE TITEM TAKE A LOOK AND THEY THINK THEY'RE A GOOD CANDIDATE. >> JUDGE, I HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE. >>> GO AHEAD. >>> I'M VERY CONFUSED BY THIS. THIS WAS DONE, I GUESS, A YEAR AGO OR SO, RIGHT? BECAUSE THIS ISN'T A NEW THING THAT WE'RE DOING THIS IS PAYING FOR THEM FOR WORK THAT IS ALREADY BEEN DONE AND PAID FOR BY THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. >> CORRECT. >> SO MY QUESTION IS, THIS CONTRACT CLEARLY TO ME SAYS THAT IF WE DON'T GET REIMBURSED THAT WE'RE ON THE HOOK FOR THE $500 SOMETHING THOUSANDS DOLLARS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR. THAT IS MY NUMBER ONE POINT THAT I HAVE NO DESIRE TO HAVE A CONTRACT THAT INDICATES THAT IF WE DON'T GET REIMBURSED THAT WE ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THIS, BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY I READ THIS. AND MAYBE JENNY IF YOU WANT TO TELL ME I'M WRONG OR RIGHT OR WHICHEVER WAY, THAT WAS LIKE -- THAT IS THE ONE I WROTE ALL OVER ON THIS ONE. I DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE HOOK FOR THIS IF THEY DON REIMBURSE US. AND THEN I'M GOING TO ASK, THE NICE YOUNG LADY FROM HAGTY ON THE REIMBURSEMENT POTENTIAL, TOO. BECAUSE I'VE GOT TO WONDER HOW [05:15:04] SOLID THE REIMBURSEMENT OPPORTUNITY THERE IS CAN YOU TELL ME, AM I READING THIS WRONG? OR DOES THIS OBLIGATE THE COUNTY TO PAY FOR THIS IF WE DON'T GET IT REIMBURSED? >> IT APPEARS AND AS KAYLIN SAID, THEY'RE OPTIMISTIC, THEY'RE THERE IS NOT A QUARTER, BUT -- NOT A GUARANTEE, BUT THAT IS THE ANALYSIS. >>> THIS CONTRACT SAYS IF WE DON'T GET REIMBURSED, WE HAVE TO PAY THIS TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. >> WE IS A HAVE TO PAY IT FIRST EITHER WAY WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, ON THE BASIS OF THE APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT. >> SO KAYLIN, TELL ME HOW YOU FIGURED THIS IS A GOOD -- TELL ME YOUR ANALYSIS. WHERE DID SHE GO? >> SHE'S HERE. >> CAN YOULE THE ME. >> AS JENNY WAS STATING THE COST HAS TO BE INCURRED BY THE COUNTY BEFORE WE CAN SUBMIT TO FEMA. AGAIN, THIS IS KIND OF A NON-STANDARD COST IN TERMS OF DIRECT VACCINE-RELATED EXPENSES. BUT WE CAN TIE, YOU KNOW, THE ASSESSMENT THAT TOOK PLACE WITH THI AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND HOW THAT WAS INCORPORATED INTO SELECTION SITES BY DCFS FOR VACCINE OPERATIONS. SO WE'RE PITCHING IT TO YOU WEBS SITES ARE OPEN, WHERE THEY ARE TARGETING POPULATIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED IN THIS WASN'T, AND THIS IS WORK THAT IS BEING DONE, AND I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE REQUEST. BECAUSE THIS WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT PAID FOR IT. I WAS OF THE UNDERSTANDING, THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS NOT SOMEONE WHO CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THINGS LIKE THIS. SO WE ARE KIND OF CIRCUMVENTING AND TYING TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE, THAT THE COUNTY NEVER COMMITTED TO THAT I AM AWARE OF DOING. SO THIS DOESN'T. THIS FEELS VERY SHAKY ON SHAKY GROUNDS. WHAT I THINK YOU JUST WAS A NONTRADITIONAL ASK THAT MAKES ME A LOT MORE LEERY OF THIS, BECAUSE AGAIN, THE COUNTY NEVER COMMITTED TO PAYING FOR THIS MONEY TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SEE HOW DID THIS GET COMMITTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. JOHNNY, CAN YOU ANSWER THAT, HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT? I. >> I WANT TO SAY KAYLYNN A BIG QUESTION, BEFORE I PITCH TO JOHNNY, BECAUSE YOU CREATED A QUESTION THAT I THINK THAT KAYLYNN CAN HELP ANSWER. KAYLYNN, GO AHEAD AND ANSWER. >> YEAH, SO THE HEALTHTRICT IS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT TO MY UNDERSTANDING AND IT COULD BE BE AN ELIGIBLE APPLICANT UNDER THE FEMA PROGRAM, AND THE STAND ALONE COST ISPAIRED ABOUT BETTER WITH THE COUNTS AND THE COMMUNITY'S VACCINE OPERATION AS A WHOLE. LIKE I SAID, THOSE TWO WILL MAKE MORE SENSE THAN A STAND ALONE, SINCE TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT THE -- >> I GUESS WHAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT FOR THE COMMISSIONERS. NUMBER ONE ARES WE DID, WE DID TRY TO HELP THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BY HAVING THEM OPEN UP THEIR OWN WORKSHEET. THEY ARE ELIGIBLE WHERE THEY COULD HAVE DONE THAT. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT CONFUSED FOR EVERYTHING. >> I THINK THAT SHE SAID HEALTH DISTRICT AND MEANT HOSPITAL. >> SO. >> WE DECIDED TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE COUNTY TO DO ON INTERLOCAL WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WHICH IS WHAT'S BEFORE YOU, SO THAT IF WE HAD THE ABILITY. >> WHO'S "THEO ARES YOU SAID?" >> HAGERTY, VISITING WITH TETUM. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TRY TO GET FOR OUR COUNTY AS MUCH REIMBURSEMENT AS POSSIBLE, THE REASON THAT AN INTERLOCAL IS BEFORE THE COURT TODAY, FORKING YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK DOLLARS TO YOUR COUNTY, THAT'S A GREAT THING. >> AND THAT'S A RISK FOR THIS COUNTY TO PAY -- >> LET ME JUST SAY THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY IF WE DON'T GET IT, YOU WAVE IT. >> FEMA DOESN'T ALLOW US TO PUT THAT IN THE. SO JOHNNY, LET ME GO BACK TO -- >> I JUST WANT TO FINISH THAT AND GET MY COMPOSURE OVER HERE, AND I AM GETTING SOME VIBES FROM [05:20:01] HERE. DID YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT? YOU ARE WELCOME TO. I AM SERIOUS, I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING, YOU CAN. >> JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH WHAT I WAS ASKING. >> WE CAN HAVE COMMENT, IT'S OKAY. >> >> I APPRECIATE THAT. AND SO I WILL TAKE YOU UP ON THAT, I PROMISE. >> THAT'S GREAT. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS HERE IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HOSPITAL- IF YOU DON'T WANT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO GET REIMBURSED THAT MIGHT BE A DECISION THAT THE COURT MAKES. BUT IF YOU WANT THEM TO GET REIMBURSED WE HAVE A PATHWAY FORWARD. >> MAYBE, NOT FOR SURE. IT'S NOT A GUARANTEE. >> THERE'S NOTHING CERTAIN, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT IF I WERE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND I AM GOING TO ASK JOHNNY THIS, BUT IT CAN'T BE DONE IN A WAY WHERE YOU TIE THE TWO TO BE, COMMISSIONER. BUT THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY LATER FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO CONSIDER THAT IF IN THE FUTURE IT WERE DENIED. OKAY. BUT YOU CAN'T TIE IT TO BE BECAUSE WE HAD ASKED THAT QUESTION, AND IT'S NOT PERMISSIBLE. >> THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME. AND JOHNNY LET ME GO BACK TO WHERE I WAS WHEN QUESTIONING. HOW DID WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE IF IT YOU MADE THIS REQUEST DID SOMEONE ASK YOU TO MAKE THE REQUEST, AND IF YOUR POURED MADE THE REQUEST, THEN THE BOARD SHOULD APPLY FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT, AND THEN WE MAKE A REQUEST, AND WE FOR SURE HAVE TO PAY YOU BACK, AND DID THE COUNTY MAKE THAT REQUEST OF YOU, OR DID THE BOARD? HOW DID THAT GO, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT? >> IN THE BEGINNING WHEN THE PROJECT WAS FIRST BROUGHT BEFORE THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION. >> IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE COUNTY WAS GOING TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS WORK. THERE WAS A CLEAR OCCASION TO GET THE DISTRICT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS WORK >> CLEAR OCCASION FROM WHERE? >> THE WORK WAS DONE. >> IT WAS COMPLETED. THE INVOICES WERE PAID, AND SO ABOUT MAYBE A COUPLE OF MONTHSING AGO I BELIEVE TANYA LITTLE OR SOMEONE FROM THE COUNTY CAME FROM THE DISTRICT AND WANTED TO GET THE PROCESS ROLLING FOR GETTING THE DISTRICT REFUNDED, IF YOU WILL, OR REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY THAT IT SPENT ON THESE TWO PROJECTS. AND SO IT WAS FROM THAT LEAD THAT THE ATTORNEYS WORK ON THE AGREEMENT. AGREEMENT WAS I BELIEVE HAGERTY, HAD INPUT ON THAT AGREEMENT, AND IT ULTIMATELY MADE IT THROUGH THE LEGAL CHA CHAN, AND TO OUR BOARD AGENDA YESTERDAY, WHERE THE BOARD APPROVED THIS AGREEMENT, AND SO THE AGREEMENT TODAY IS THAT -- I GUESS IT'S THE NEXT STEP, IF YOU WILL, IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THAT REIMBURSEMENT MECHANISM ACTIVATED AND WORKING. >> SO JOHNNY, WHEN YOU SAID THE COUNTY MADE IT CLEAR, I DO NOT REMEMBER HAVING ANYTHING COME FROM THIS COURT THAT ASKED YOU TO DO THIS AND THAT WE REIMBURSE YOU. SO YOU ARE SAYING THAT THIS COUNTY MADE THAT OR SOMEONE? >> THE COMMISSIONER, LET ME CLEAR THAT UP. >> THE JUDGE CANALES, AT THAT TIME IN HER EMERGENCY MANAGER CAPACITY MADE THAT REQUEST. >> BUT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE JUDGE DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO BIND THE COUNSTO PAY YOU $500,000 BACK? YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT. AND IF SHE WENT OVER AND MADE A REQUEST, AND Y'ALL HONORED IT, YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO COME BACK AND MAKE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT PAY YOU FOR SOMETHING THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WE KNEW ABOUT. >> NOBODY IS ASKING THAT PRESENT. NOBODY HAD HAD ANY -- IT WAS MADE VERY CLEAR THAT THE BOARD, WHEN THEY EMBARKED ON THIS PROCESS, THAT THEY WERE DOING SO WITHOUT ANY GUARANTEES OF GETTING REIMBURSED. ALL WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE A FEMA PROJECT WORKSHEET WORTH $5 MILLION. WE HAVEN'T SPENT A MILLION OF IT. SO WE'VE GOT $4 MILLION TO SPEND. AND WE OUGHT TO TRY TO GET THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT REIMBURSED BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT'S BUILT TO DO IT, AND WE HAVE ALREADY DONE ALL OF THE NECESSARY STEPS WITH TETUM, WHO IS THE FIDUCIARY FOR FEMA, AND FEMA TRUSTS TEST TEST TEST. AND FEMA SAYS THAT THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE. >> THAT IS NOT WHAT KAYLYNN JUST SAID. >> THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES. >> NONTRADITIONAL -- >> I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HANGING ON THOSE WORD. >> LET ME JUST TELL YOU THAT [05:25:06] COVID-19, THIS ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT HAVE HEALTH EQUITY WAS AN IMPORTANT PRECEPT AND FOR EXAMPLE, THIS PARTICULAR REPORT IS USED WHEN THEY THIS ADMINISTRATION CAME IN AS COMPLETELY DEPARTED FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMISSIONSTRATION. WE AS THE COUNTY, AS A HEALTH DISTRICT HAD TO REPORT TO FEMA EVERY MONTH ON HEALTH EQUITY. WE ARE STILL DOING THOSE REPORTS. >> THIS IS THE PARTICULAR REPORT THAT LED US TO BE ABLE TO FILE THOSE REPORTS FOR HEALTH EQUITY. THIS ISN'T COMING FROM LEFT FIELD. THIS IS NONTRADITIONAL BECAUSE COVID-19 IS NONTRADITIONAL. FEMA HAS NEVER HAD SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH PROJECTS BEFORE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD A GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN A HUNDRED YEARS E THAT'S WHAT SHE MEANS BY NONTRADITIONAL. HAVING SAID THAT, FROM FEMA TO TETUM, IF YOU DON'T WANT THE TAXPAYER TO BE FINISHED. >> I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED I AM TRYING TO QUESTION JOHNNY, AND KAYLYNN, AND GET ANSWERS FROM THEM. IF AND IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND LATER, THAT'S CERTAINLY YOUR RIGHT, AND YOU HAVE THAT'S BUILT, AND I HAVE TRIED TO BE NICE. >> YOU ARE BEING VERY HOSTILE COMMISSIONER. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO -- >> HOSTILE TO BE NONINTERRUPTED. >> NOBODY IS INTERRUPTING OYOU. JOHNNY CAN YOU -- >> I CAN'T FINISH A TRAIN OF THOUGHT. >> I AM THE PRESIDING OFFICER. LET ME CALL ON JOHNNY. >> YOU DON'T GET TO BE THE PRESIDING OFFICER, AND THEN CUT ME OFF, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE QUESTION TO JOHNNY, THAT YOU WOULDN'T LET HIM ANSWER. >> NO COMMISSIONER THAT IS NOT AN ACCURATE RENDITION, THAT'S JUST YOUR TECHNIQUES. >> JOHNNY, ARE YOU NOT UNDER THE IMPRESSION, BECAUSE I CAN REMEMBER MY QUESTION, DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT WHEN THE COUNTY JUDGE COMES OVER AND ASKS SOMETHING THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO BIND THE COURT TO DO SOMETHING, UNLESS THE COURT VOTES ON THAT; ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT? >> COMMISSIONER I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT WAS AN ISSUE THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE TIME THAT THIS AGREEMENT WAS ENTERED. >> OKAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER. SO MY -- NOW I'VE ASKED THE QUESTIONS, AND KAYLYNN IF YOU WANT TO CORRECT ANYTHING THAT I HAVE SAID SO I AM NOT HANGING MY HAT ON SAYING WHAT THE JUDGE SAYS THAT I AM DOING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CORRECT YOURSELF ON THIS, MY ISSUE IS THAT I GET THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A NONTRADITIONAL ASK, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE, THERE THIS ISN'T ONE THAT THERE'S A GUARANTEE ON- AND A LOT OF THESE ARE PRETTY GUARANTEED. WE HAVE PLENTY OF THESE THAT COME THROUGH HERE. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND KAYLYNN WHY YOU BELIEVE THAT IF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT CAN MAKE A REQUEST THAT THEY INCURRED THE WORK, THEY PAID THE MONEY WHY WOULDN'T THEY GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE REQUEST FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT. THAT'S MY REAL QUESTION, BECAUSE THIS CONTRACT BIND THIS COUNTY THAT IF WE DON'T GET REIMBURSED WE ARE OUT $500,000 I AM NOT WILL TO TAKE THAT RISK. I WANT YOU TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY YOU THINK THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THEIR REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THEY DID THIS WORK AND THEY PAID FOR IT? >> YEAH, JUST TO KIND OF VERIFY WHEN I SAID IT WAS NONTRADITIONAL, WE PASSED ALONG SOME DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THE NATURE OF THESE COSTS TO TETUM TO TRY TO GET SOME COSTS FROM THEM. AGAIN, I WISH THAT I COULD PROVIDE A CRYSTAL BALL, AND SPEAK WITH CERTAINTY, BUT THAT'S UNFORTUNATELY NOT THE NATURE OF THIS PROGRAM OR COST RECOVERY. TETUM, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THEY ARE ADVOCATING FOR US, AND I WOULDN'T LIKE THEM TO THINK THAT WE WOULD REVISE AND ADD A SCOPE MODIFICATION, IF THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WAS A VIABLE OPTION UNDER THE CURRENT POLICY. >> AND LIKE I SAID WITH AS FAR AS SUBMITTING IT INDEPENDENTLY FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OR ALONG WITH THE COUNTY HE'S COST IT COULD GO EITHER WAY. IF WE ARE INCLUDING IT IN THE COUNTY'S COST BECAUSE OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THIS INFORMATION DATA WAS REALLY VITAL TO KIND OF PLANNING REGARDING VACCINATIONS AND WHERE THOSE MOBILE HOT SPOTS AND EVERYTHING WOULD BESET UP SO THAT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING AND AGAIN AS FAR AS COMMENTING ON COUNTY DECISIONS LIKE I SAID OR YOU SAID YOU ARE CORRECT YOU CAN'T MAKE WE CAN'T MAKE PAYMENT CONTINGENT ON WHETHER OR NOT IT IS REIMBURSED THE COSTS HAVE TO BE INCURRED THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF RISK THERE LIKE I SAID TETUM IS SUPPOSED TO BE ADVOCATING FOR US. THEY CAN'T SPEAK WITH CERTAINTY EITHER. BUT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A STRUGGLE DOWN THIS PATH IF THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT THERE WAS A [05:30:02] GOOD SHOT OF GETTING IT, SO >> SO DID YOU ASK TETUM IF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT APPLIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT, IF THEY HAD A GOOD CHANCE OF GETTING REIMBURSED ON THIS AS WELL. WAS THAT QUESTION RAISED? >> THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ASK. WE ARE CONSULTANTS FOR THE COUNTY ALTHOUGH WE DO ENJOY WORKING FOR JOHNNY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT WAS NOT A QUESTION THAT WE ASKED. THE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS ITEM AND ON ON YOUR BEHALF MAKE THAT ASK. TO ME, THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE ARE RISKING WITHOUT ASKING ALL YOU HAVE THE REQUEST HE IS, AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR YOU TO HAVE ASKED THAT, YOU DON'T WORK FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, THAT'S A FAIR AND HONEST ANSWER. AND IF WE ASKED YOU TO MAKE THAT ASK, THAT THEN THAT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE. ASK. TO ME, THIS IS RISKY, I WANT TO HELP THEM GET THEIR MONEY BACK AND THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE DIDN'T MAKE THIS ASK OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BUS SO BE IT WAS ASKED SO I AM- I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS UNLESS THAT QUESTION IS ASKED AND BROUGHT BACK TO US AND I THINK ON NOVEMBER 30TH WE CAN DO THAT AND MOVE THAT ALONG AT THIS POINT. >> THAT'S NINE. ONI WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS. THEY WOULD NEED TO HIRE PROBABLY AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS PURPOSE. OF YOU WOULD HAVE TO PUT FORTH A PROJECT WORKSHEET. THEY DON'T HAVE THE BAND WIDTH IN HOUSE, JUST LIKE WE DON'T HAVE THE BAND WIDTH IN HOUSE, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE HAGERTY. AND THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT IS NOT ONLY A MODEL FOR THE STATE OF TEXAN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE BUT IT'S A MODEL FOR THE COUNTRY. SO I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERN AT ALL EXCEPT FOR THAT WE HAPPEN TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATION FOR VACCINES ALREADY. SO JUST SO YOU KNOW COMMISSIONER WE HAVE $2.2 MILLION SITTING IN OUR TREASURY THAT WAS GIVEN TO US, AND WE HAVE BOOKED AGAINST THAT SOMEWHERE AROUND $700,000. SO WE ARE SITTING ON THE GOVERNMENT'S MONEY FOR VACCINES AND I WANT IT TO BE CLEAR THAT AT NO TIME YOU CAN GO ROLL TAPE, YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT MADE THEIR OWN DECISION AND WE ARE TRYING TO HELP THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THIS WAS NONAD VALOREM USAGE OF MONEY, AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO HELP THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AS THEY HELP US ON SO MANY OTHER MATTERS. OPPORTUNITY ARISES FOR TO US USE THE MONEY GIVEN TO US BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT HELPED SAVE LIVES, AND CONTINUES TO HELP SAVE LIVES AS WE ARE GETTING INTO WHAT'S CALLED MICROCLINICS, AND AGAIN, THIS ISN'T JUST LIKE A PRECEPT THAT WE DREAMT UP. THIS IS WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION, AND FEMA REQUIRES NOW WITH HEALTH EQUITY. I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH CONSULTING CONSULTING -- JUST SO YOU KNOW WE HAVE HAD END LESS FOUR WITH TETUM ON THE PHONE, WITH KAYLYNN ON THE PHONE, WITH ALL OF OUR HIGHER-UPS, WE HAVE A SORT OF CHAIN OF COMMAND. THEY UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF WHAT WAS DONE, AND THEY WERE HOPING TO USE THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE TO HELP THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THAT'S ALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S RISKY. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COUNTY HAS A BURN RATE OF PROBABLY $7 MILLION AND WE HAVE ALREADY RECUPERATED 5 MILLION. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE SAME ANSWER FOR THIS IS THE SAME ANSWER FOR ALL OF IT. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES. EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE BROUGHT BACK, NOBODY WAS GOING TO GUARANTEE YOU THAT YOU WERE GOING TO GET IT PERIOD. SO I WANT TO SAY IS THAT OUR TRACK RECORD IS EXCELLENT, AND WE HAVE SPENT LOTS OF TIME WITH TETUM. SO JUST TO REMIND THE COURT WHEN WE DO A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT. LET'S SAY HYPOTHREAT I CANCALLY THAT THE COURT WOULD MAKE THE DECISION TO HELP THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT GET REIMBURSEMENT. THEORETICALLY, OR HYPOTHREATICLY, IF WE ENTERED INTO THE INTERLOCAL, WE WOULD PAY IT LIKE WE DO ALL OF THE LOCAL EXPENSES, AND THEN A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WOULD COME TO ME, AND IT WOULD HAVE A TON OF NARRATIVES, AND WE SUBMIT THAT TO TETUM. THEY'VE ALREADY SEEN IT, WE'VE DONE THAT PREVET BEING THEM. THERE WOULD BE A REALISTIC REPRESENTATION, THAT FEMA SAYS YES, WE THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD COST TO SUBMIT. THEY'VE ALREADY SAID GO THROUGH YOUR PROCESS, WE ARE READY. AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THEY GO THROUGH WHAT, 13 STEPS, MARIA? AND THEN IT GOES TO FEMA, AND AGAIN, HAVING ON TETUM HAVING LEFT IT ONCE IT GOES THROUGH THEIR STEPS, THAT GIVES YOU A LOT OF ABILITY TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT FEMA ENDORSING IT. [05:35:06] AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS? THE MONEY IS ALREADY HERE. IT IS NOT LIKE WE ARE WAITING ON THE MONEY. THE MONEY IS IN THE TREASURY MAKING THAT MINUTE MALINTEREST, 'PUT IT'S STILL EARNING INTEREST. IT'S WITH US, IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S GONE. I DO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD VET IT PROPERLY I AM HAPPY TO SECOND YOUR MOTION TO TABLE. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING REIMBURSE IFFED THEY WERE TO ENGAGE HAGERTY, FOR INSTANCE, OR BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE MOST NONE OF THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT MATTER IN ORDER TO REPRESENT THEM ON TO GO THROUGH THESE PROCESSES. AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT IS VERY CLEAR WE HAVE USED THIS REPORT FOR EVERY FEMA HEALTH EQUITY DATING BACK TO WOULD IT BE JANUARY 1ST, KAYLYNN, WHEN WE HAD TO DO OUR FIRST HEALTH EQUITIES? >> I BELIEVE IT WAS JANUARY IT WAS WHEN WE OPENED THE PROJECT. >> I'VE GOTTEN OLD, JUST WATCHING THESE REPORTS. EVERY REPORT THAT WE HAVE DONE WHICH IS PART OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROCESS HAS USED THIS REPORT. BY THE WAY, THIS REPORT JUST FOR FULL DISCLOSURE, IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED AND THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HAS AN ENGAGEMENT WITH THEM FOR ABOUT $400,000 OR SO AS THEY CONTINUE TO UPDATE. THE WAY THAT THESE REPORTS WORK, COMMISSIONERS, IS THAT YOU CAN'T GO STALE. IN ORDER TO KNOW WHERE YOUR NEXT MICROCLINIC IS. THOSE DATA ALGORITHMS HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY UPDATED. SO WHILE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TOOK PHASE ONE, THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI TOOK PHASE TWO. SO RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE OFF ALL OF THAT INFORMATION BEING UPDATED AND WE ARE STILL PARTICIPATING WITH GETTING ALL OF THAT INFORMATION. SO AGAIN, BEFORE AN INTERLOCAL CAME TO YOU, I WOULD SAY ABOUT SIX MONTHS WORKED OF WORK HAS BEEN PUT FORTH, AND I THINK THAT IT'S NINE TO PUT MORE WORK INTO IT, AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS IS A HIGH LEVEL OF REASONABLENESS BEHIND THIS REQUEST IN ORDER TO GET THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT REIMBURSED AND IF THERE'S OTHER OPTIONS AND AND OTHER OPTIONS FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND YOU THINK THAT'S BETTER FOR THEM, THEN THAT WOULD BE THE WILL OF THE COURT. I THINK THAT YOUR BOARD, JOHNNY, VOTED YESTERDAY TO APPROVE IT, AND BRING IT TO US, AND IT WAS NOT THERE. I DID MONITOR IT ONLINE, AND I DID NOT PARTICIPATE, AND IT IS THEIR WILL TO HAVE IT BETTER US. >> SURE, THEY WANT THERE MONEY BACK. >> COMMISSIONER, IF I COULD MAKE A COMMENT BEFORE YOU VOTE. >> AS YOU'VE ALL POINTED OUT IN DIFFERENT PIECES, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS STEPPED UP AT THE REQUEST, HAD THE DATA COMPILED, WORK IS DONE, AND THE DATA IS BEING DONE IN RECURRING REPORTS AND CONTINUES TO BE USED AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS FULFILLED ITS ROLE, BELIEVE IN STEPPING UP WITH THIS PROJECT. AND SO IF THE ASK NOW IS THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT CARRIES ITS OWN BURDEN, FOR GETTING ITSELF REIMBURSED, I THINK THAT A NATURAL ASK IS THAT THE COUNTY DIRECT HAGERTY TO WORK WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO SEEK THAT REIMBURSEMENT. I DON'T SEE THAT HOSPITAL DISTRICT OCCURRING THE ADDITIONAL COST IN HAGERTY'S CONSULTING WHEN WE STEPPED UP IN GOOD FAITH TO DELIVER THE DATA IN A TIMELY WAY. WE PAID FOR IT. THE DATA IS IN USE, AND IT IS CONTINUALLY RECURRING, AND TO ASK THE DISTRICT NOW TO GO OUT THERE AND GET THIS FUNDING ON ITS OWN, AND ENGAGE HAGERTY ON ITS OWN TO GET THIS FUNDING, I DON'T THINK IS FAIR. >> AND I THINK THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD DIRECT HAGERTY TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT TO FACILITATE THE DISTRICT GETTING THIS REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR CONSULTANT, AND IT WAS THE COUNTY'S PROJECT. >> THAT WAS PART OF MY MOTION, JOHNNY. I APPRECIATE YOU REITERATING IT MY MOTION WAS TO TABLE IT AND ALLOW MS. TAYLOR TO GO BACK AND START FIND WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FROM TETUM IF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WAS TO GET THIS REIMBURSED ON THEIR OWN, BECAUSE I 100 PERCENT AGREE, AND MADE IT PART OF MY MOTION, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. I WILL SAY JOHNNY, ON OTHER THINGS THAT YOU MAY HAVE OR MAY NOT HAVE STEPPED UP ON AND DID THINGS THAT I THINK Y'ALL WOULD HAVE SOMEONE TO GO ASK FOR REIMBU REIMBURSEMENT. IN GENERAL TERMINOLOGY. >> YOU HAD TO HAVE SPENT ON OTHER THINGS. WHETHER YOU HIRE OR DON'T HIRE HAGERTY ON THIS ONE, BUT I WILL [05:40:01] HELP YOU ON THIS ONE BECAUSE I AGREE BUT THERE HAS TO BE A LOT MORE MONEY OUT THAT YOU HAVE SPENT. >> THE WILL WE HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT FOR JOHNNY. FYI. KAYLYNN, WOULD YOU REMIND JOHNNY ABOUT THE PERSONNEL DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE SUBMITTED AS WELL AS ALL OF THE -- ALL OF THE ITEMS AS WELL >> I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO TALK. >> I AM HAPPY TO CALL ON YOU. >> YOU KEEP ON TALKING >> WELL I HAVE THAT RIGHT TO SPEAK. I KNOW THAT YOU DON'T THINK THAT WOMEN SHOULD SPEAK, BUT I DO. >> I DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE TO YOU. >> I WILL CALL ON YOU SIR, >> YOU'VE BEEN TALKING FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. >> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A TIME TABLE ON THE COUNTY JUDGE. >> COMMISSIONER -- YOU CAN'T TALK OVER ME. IT'S RUDE. DON'T TALK OVER ME. >> YOU'RE BEING RUDE. >> I WILL MANY THE PRESIDING OFFICER, I WILL CALL ON YOU NEXT. >> IF YOU DON'T CALL ME IN THE NEXT THREE MINUTES, I WILL CUT IN. >> I GUESS THAT WAS -- IF I HAVE TO NOT -- DO WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO IN THREE MINUTES OR OTHERWISE, YOU WILL CUT IN AND RUDELY INTERRUPT ME? THAT'S ODD. I WAS VISIT BEING KAYLYNN WHEN YOU INTERRUPTED ME AND WAS TALKING OVER ME. LET ME FINISH WITH KAYLYNN. WE HAVE ADDRESSED SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT COMMISSIONER CHESNEY BROUGHT UP. ONE WAS PERSONNEL. AND I BELIEVE THE OTHER ONE WAS, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WERE THEIR SOME ITEMS PERHAPS? >> I WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK. I KNOW THAT THERE WERE MARIA IF YOU HAVE DETAILS AS WELL THERE WERE SOME HOSPITAL DISTRICT COSTS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RECOVER UNDER THE CORONA VIRUS RELIEF FUND SO THOSE ARE COSTS 2020. >> AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT'S LONG THE WAY COMMISSIONERS. WE'VE BEEN HELPING JOHNNY AND WE CAN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN FURTHER DETAIL. WHEN WE SAY THAT YOU ARE STEPPING UP. LET ME REMIND YOU, THAT YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION FOR INDIGENT HEALTH CARE. NOTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE IS EXTRAORDINARY OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OR PARAMETERS OF YOUR STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO THIS COUNTY. PERIOD, AND THAT WAS ALWAYS THE ARGUMENT. THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS A MANDATE FOR INDIGENT HEALTH CARE, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE. AND DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE HAD ADULTS PROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED IN AND POURED IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT IS NOT STEPPING UP. IT'S DOING WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. >> I TAKE THIS ISSUE WITH YOU THIS CONCEPT OF YOU DOING SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY. THIS IS WHAT HOSPITAL DISTRICT DO IN PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. WE APPRECIATE IT IN PUBLIC HEALTH. I APPRECIATE IT AS THE EMERGENCY MANAGER. BUT LET'S BE VERY CLEAR, THIS IS WHAT HOSPITAL DISTRICTS DO. THIS IS INSIDE YOUR MANDATE. IF IT WASN'T INSIDE YOUR MANDATE, QUITE FRANKLY, YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT INSIDE YOUR PARAMETERS. AND YOU WERE ABLE TO DO WITHOUT USING AD VALOREM PIECES OF IT. SO I APPRECIATE THAT SOMETIMES THE STEP UP. HERE YOU GO AGAIN TALKING OVER -- YOU ARE TALKING OVER ME AGAIN. >> YOU WILL ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING -- >> BE YOU ARE TALKING OVER ME. JOHNNY. THOSE WERE MY COMMENTS, AND AGAIN, I WILL GET MARIA TO GET YOU THE TALLIES OF THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE ALREADY RECOVERED THROUGH OUR WORK, AND IF THE COURT 'S WILL IS NOT TO JUST DIRECT HAGERTY, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO COME UP WITH A WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR ME TO SIGN, WHICH I AM HAPPY TO DO. >> COMMISSIONER CHESNEY ARES MOTION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, AND A SECOND, AND SO JOHNNY WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU ON THOSE ITEMS AFTER WE TALK TO KAYLYNN. >> JUDGE, MAY I ASK A QUESTION REAL QUICK. >> HOW MANY LOANS HAVE YOU DONE LIKE THIS, AND HOW MANY TIMES HAVE THEY ACTUALLY WORKED OUT THE WAY YOU ANTICIPATED? >> COMMISSIONER WE HAD THE INITIAL PERSONNEL COSTS THAT CAITLYN MENTION THAT HAD WE GOT REIMBURSED FOR. IN TERMS OF THE COVID-19. THIS WAS AN EARLY PROJECT FOR US. AND THE AMOUNT WAS EARLY IN THE COVID PERIOD, AND THIS PROJECT COVERED BASICALLY THE WORK THAT WAS DONE BY EXCENSUHRE, HEALTH INSTITUTE. THEY DID A COUPLE OF PHASES OF WORK UNDER THIS, AND COMMISSIONER, I AM NOT RECALLING LATELY ANYTHING ELSE THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS WORKED AT OR PAID FOR THIS THIS REGARD. >> AND IT'S NOT A LOAN, JOHNNY. WOULD YOU MIND CLARIFYING THAT, [05:45:03] THAT WAY -- HE SAID HOW MANY LOANS HAVE YOU DONE. THIS IS NOT A LOAN. >> I APOLOGIZE, JUDGE. >> AM I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT JOHNNY CORRECTS THE RECORD. >> WHAT'S THE CORRECT WORD? >> I AM SORRY IF I AM MADE COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE THAT IT WAS A LOAN. >> IT IS NOT A LOAN. ANYTIME THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO PARTICIPATE WE WENT AHEAD AND PARTICIPATED, GOT THE REPORTS, THE RESULTS, THE WORK DONE AND PAID FOR IT, THERE WEREN'T ANY HAD LOANS, NO. >> AND THE LAST THING IS THAT IN FACT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DID IT NOT, EIGHT ON ITS OWN $3 MILLION FOR COVID-19 ALTERNATE CARE, AND NONE OF THAT WAS UTILIZED; IS THAT CORRECT? >> JUDGE, CALL FOR THE QUESTION. >> YOU CAN'T CALL FOR THE QUESTION. THE I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE QUESTION. I MANY TALKING AGAIN. YOU ARE DOING THIS AGAIN, TALKING OVER ME AGAIN, LIKE THE TENTH TIME. >> CAN JENNY, CAN ANYBODY CALL FOR THE QUESTION. >> I AM THE PRESIDING OFFICER. >> IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WHO YOU ARE. >> AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, AND BE WE WILL SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH YOU LATER ON. BUT JENNY IS HERE TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE, AND I AM HAPPY TO HAVE HER DO THAT BUT RIGHT NOW ARES I AM TALKING TO JOHNNY, THIS IS GETTING TO BE A LITTLE BIT ABSURD. JOHNNY, DO YOU RECALL THAT. TECHNICALLY, JUDGE, THERE IS A MOTION TO TABLE >> I AM SPEAKING, YOU CAN'T REALLY LIMIT ME TALKING I AM ASKING QUESTIONS. WE LISTENED FOR TWO HOURS TO THE SEA TURTLES PROGRAM. I WAS INCREDIBLY PATIENT IN MAKING CERTAIN THAT WE COULD HEAR EVERYBODY. I HAVE A QUESTION, AND I AM ASKING IT >> AM I JUST SAYING THAT WE SHOULD WITHDRAW THE MOTION TO TABLE, THAT'S ALL I WAS GOING TO SAY WE ARE NOT BEING INAPPROPRIATE. I WILL WITHDRAW MY MOTION FOR THE MOMENT SO THAT Y'ALL CAN TALK. >> I THANK YOU FOR THAT. VERY APPRECIATIVE. JOHNNY GOING BACK TO THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT HERE, THAT ALTERNATE NAT CARE SITE, AND JUST REALLY COVID-19 EMERGENCY PROVISIONS AND MEASURES. YOU GUYS VOTED AS A POURED TO SET ASIDE $3 MILLION BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION THAT WE WERE IN, AND YOU GUYS DID NOT APROPEE EIGHT ANY OF THOSE DOLLARS AS THEY SAY, AFTER ALL; IS THAT CORRECT? >> JUDGE, THE AMOUNT OF 3 MILLION WAS BUDGETED, THE DISTRICT SPENT SOME SMALL PORTION OF T3 MILLION TO DO ASSESSMENTS, ENGINEERING, HEATING HAIR CONDITIONING >> YOU ARE RIGHT. >> YOU ARE RIGHT. >> AT THE SHORELINE. BUT ULTIMATELY THERE WERE NOT ANY MONIES EXPECNDED FOR RENOVATING PATIENT CARE UNITS AT SHORELINE. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WERE LOTS OF GOOD ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IN ORDER TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH AND OUR MANDATE INSIDE TO CARE FOR INDIGENT POPULATION HERE. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET AT. THIS ISN'T THE ONLY MEASURE THAT YOU TOOK. YOU DO THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU DO IN A CRISIS WHEN YOU ARE MANDATED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. SO. >> JOHN I HAVE DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER FOR YOU. AND I AND I HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE, AND I ASSUME IT'S GOING TO BE NOVEMBER 30TH, IT MAY BE DECEMBER >> DID JOHNNY LEAVE? NO HE'S THERE. >> JOHNNY, JUST A QUESTION BEFORE I RENEW MY MOTION TO TABLE SO I DON'T VIOLATE MY OWN THING. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION, AND I THOUGHT KAYLYNN SAID DIFFERENTLY CAN HOSPITAL DISTRICT BE REAM I BURSTED DIRECTLY OR NOT. CAN SOMEONE ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THAT IS A KIND OF A KEY QUESTION; JOHNNY, DO YOU KNOW? >> COMMISSIONER, I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I THINK THAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS, AND KAYLYNN IS PROBABLY THE AUTHORITY, AND MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WAS NOT ONE OF THE ENTITIES THAT RECEIVED THE COVID OR CARES FUNDING, I AM NOT SURE. IT WAS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE JUDGE MENTIONED EARLIER, AND I BELIEVE THE COUNTY RECEIVED THOSE FUND, SO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO RECEIVE FUND DIRECTLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. SO WE HAVE THIS PATH THAT WE ARE ON TODAY TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR WORK THAT WAS REQUESTED OF THE DISTRICT AND WE DID, AND TO SEEK THAT FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY BECAUSE THEY WERE ONE OF THEEN ENTITIES THAT HAD MONER WERE GOING TO RECEIVE THE MONEY. [05:50:02] WE DID FILE THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK, AND KAYLYNN CAN PROBABLY GO THROUGH THE TECHNICAL ASPECT OF IT. TO RECEIVE FUNDING, BUT IT SEEM ED TO ME THAT THAT PATHWAYS SOMEWHAT TROUBLESOME, BECAUSE WE WERE NOT ONE OF THE ENTITIES WITHIN THE GOOD CHAIN OF, IF YOU WILL, OF FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT. I WILL DEFER TO KAYLYNN, THAT'S THEIR LINE OF WORK. >> SO FOR THE CORONA VIRUS RELIEF FUND WHICH AS YOU MENTIONED DID COVER SOME NOT DISTRICT COSTS AND JOHNNY IS CORRECT THOSE WERE FUNDS THAT WERE PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO THE CITY IF I RECALL CORRECTLY AND THROUGH TETUM TO THE COUNTY UNDER THE C.A.R.E.S. ACT SO IT WAS THROUGH THE TREASURY MONEY. SO FOR FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, YES, AS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT IF I AM WRONG THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS THAT IS AN ELIGIBLE APPLICANT FOR FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DOLLARS. THERE'S OBVIOUSLY MORE THAT IS JUMP THROUGH BEFORE YOU CAN GET THE MONEY THROUGH THE PROCESS OF APPLYING YES, IT'S LIKE A PRIVATE ENTITY THAT CANNOT BE AVAILABLE TO EVEN VENTURE TO TRY TO SOME PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DOLLARS. >> THANK YOU, AND NOW I WILL RENEW MY MOTION TO TABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH. >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. [13. Discuss and consider any and all amendments to the Nueces County Commissioners Court Policies and Procedures.] >> AYE. >> AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE DAVID RICHTER WITH US. >> ONE MORE HOUSEKEEPING I AM GOING TO TOO TRY TO DO A TABLE AGAIN. >> ON MOTION 13 AGAIN I THINK THAT IS NOT ONE URGENT ENOUGH TO CONTINUE TO KEEP US HERE TODAY, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ITEM 13 THAT WOULD BE THREE A 13 WOULD BE MOVED UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH, AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT ONE BEFORE WE DO THE INTERVIEWS PLEASE. >> MOTION TO TABLE; IS THERE A SECOND? >> DISCUSSION REAL QUICK JUDGE IS 15 TIED TO THAT? BECAUSE 15 SEEMS LEAK IT'S A POL >> 15 IS NOT MINE. >> I AM HAPPY TO TAKE 15. >> MICHAEL IS PREPARED FOR IT, AND I THINK THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR IT, BECAUSE WE HAVE UPCOMING RFQ'S, IT IS BUT IT DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO AT LEAST NEW YORK ONE OFF THANK YOU FOR THAT. MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM NUMBER 13 TABLING IT TO NOVEMBER 30TH. >> PRIOR TO THE INTERVIEWS. >> THE TIME TO BE DETERMINED. THE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME THE INTERVIEWS ARE. TIME TO BE DETERMINED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY [11. Discuss and consider acceptance of the Hilltop Community Center Facility schematic design presented with LEED Platinum features; direct Richter Architects to complete the schematic design phase accordingly; alternatively direct Richter Architects to propose design alternatives.] SAYING AYE >> EXCUSE ME FOR INTERRUPTING, THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> ITEM NUMBER 11, WE HAVE DAVID RICKTER HERE WITH US. THIS ITEM HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT TOO FEATURES, SO IT IS TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER DISCUSSION OF THE HILLTOP SCHEMATIC DESIGN PRESENTED WITH LEAD PLATINUM FEATURES. THAT'S KIND A STEP ONE. DIRECT RICKTER ARCHITECT TO COMPLETE THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE ACCORDINGLY, AND THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO ALTERNATIVELY PROPOSE DESIGN ALTERNTIVES. THE WHERE I THINK THAT WE WANT TO START IS REMINDING COURT ABOUT THE GREAT PRESENTATION THAT YOU ELIZABETH DELIVERED THE LAST TIME. THAT IS WHAT WE CALL SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE. >> YES, JUDGE, THAT'S THE FIRST PHASE OF DESIGN, AND IN THIS CASE IT IDENTIFIED SORT OF THE DESIGN OBJECTIVES, AND SORT OF STRATEGIC GOALS, AND SOME VISIONS AND THE BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS, WE DID THAT, AND IT ALSO IDENTIFIED SOME SPECIAL POTENTIALS FOR THE SITE THAT ARE KIND OF UNIQUE TO THAT SITE, AND ACCORDINGLY, THE PRICE TAG WAS I THINK THAT WE ESTIMATE IT HAD A LITTLE UNDER (1) 500-0000 FOR CONSTRUCTION, AND SO WHERE WE LEFT IT WAS IS WE NEED ULTIMATELY APPROVAL OF THAT DESIGN OR DIRECTION TO HEAD INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. WITH THAT DESIGN, WE PRESENTED, AND YOU CAN BE DO CONSIDERABLY LESS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO MANY OF THE SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES. YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO RENVATE ALL OF HILL TOP IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES [05:55:01] OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT WE DO BELIEVE IT'S SENSIBLE TO HAVE A LONG RANGE VISION, REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY IS DONE INITIALLY TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL OF THE SITE. AND SO THAN IT'S THE REASON WE ESSENTIALLY AIMED HIGH ON THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN. SO NOW WE ARE WAITING FOR DIRECTION. WE EITHER PROCEED WITH THE COMPLETE VISION DESIGN. WE PROCEED WITH A PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION, OR KEEP THE OPTIONS OPEN, OR HEAD IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION. >> DAVID, WOULD WE HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR WHAT I AM GOING TO CALL THE COMPLETE. SO IF WE WERE TO GO WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE SAW, WOULD WE HAVE, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE IF THE COURT TODAY SAID YES, WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A COMPLETED DESIGN PHASE FOR WHAT WE SAW, COULD WE GET A PROPOSAL FROM YOU WITH REGARDS TO WHAT THAT WOULD COST SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW HOW TO APROPEE EIGHT FUNDING? >> ACTUALLY WE HAVE AN ACTIVE CONTRACT FOR THE COMPLETE PROJECT WITH THE COURT. >> WE DON'T NEED THAT. >> WE DON'T REALLY NEED THAT. WHAT WE NEED IS FOR YOU ALL TO AUTHORIZE US ESSENTIALLY TO -- >> TO FINISH? >>. >> TO ANYONE YOUR HONOR, AND A SCOPE TO DESIGN TO. WHETHER TO DESIGN TO THE LONGER-TERM SCOPE OR A LESSER SCOPE AND THE PARTICULAR DESIGN FORTUNATELY CAN BE ADVANCED EITHER WAY. >> WE WOULD SUGGEST THAT AT LEAST FOR THIS NEXT PHASE, WHICH IS THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE, YOU GO AHEAD AND FUND THE LARGER SCOPE SO THAT WE CAN FULLY COMPLETE REALLY THE DESIGN CONCEPTS AND GET BETTER ESTIMATES AND THEN YOU CAN STILL DECIDE WHETHER YOU WANT TO INCREMENTALLY DESIGN TO ALL OR PART OF THE PROJECT. >> THAT'S WHAT IS BEFORE US RIGHT NOW COMMISSIONERS, AND SO. ARE THERE QUESTIONS FOR DAVID ON IN? >> MR. RICHTER. >> SIR. >> WHY DON'T YOU EVER INVOLVE ME IN THE PROJECT? >> WE HAVE NOT MADE A SINGLE DECISION WITHOUT YOUR -- WE HAVEN'T -- >>. >> BEG TO DIFFER. >> WE HAVE NOT -- JUST TO RESPOND, IF I MAY. >> GO AHEAD. >> THE LAST TIME I EVEN SPOKE TO ANYONE ABOUT THIS PROJECT WAS RIGHT HERE IN THIS COURT WHEN WE MADE THE PRESENTATION, AND THAT PRESENTATION WAS MADE JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER YOU WERE BRIEFED ON THE FINAL THE FINAL DESIGN. AFTER THE LAST PRESENTATION, IT WAS AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING, AND THE COURT TOOK THE INFORMATION AND IS NOW ADVANCING IT FURTHER. WE HAVE NOT MOVED- WE HAVEN'T DONE ANY WORK ON THE PROJECT WITHOUT -- >> I AM SAYING THAT THIS IS ON AGENDA WITHOUT ME KNOWING IT WAS GOING TO BE ON THE AGENDA. >> I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL YESTERDAY >> SO SOMEBODY ELSE IS TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS PROJECT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE GIVEN THE COMMON COURTESY TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, AND I WOULD LIKE FOR HIM TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, HE'S THE COUNTY ENGINEER, HE'S THE ONE THAT I RELY ONTO TELL ME -- I APOLOGIZE IF IT WE DROPPED THE BALL ON ANYTHING. I ACTUALLY CALLED YOUR OFFICE YESTERDAY TO TRY -- I DID, AND I LEFT A MESSAGE ON THE RECORDER BECAUSE I WANTED TO TOUCH BASE. BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN -- THERE HAVE BEEN NO DECISIONS OR ADVANCING ANY KIND OF FOUR AND WE CERTAINLY, YOU HAD A GREAT INPUT IN THIS, AND WE DON'T PLAN TO CHANGE THAT PATH. >> IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL THAT I AM BEING LEFT OUT OF THIS WHOLE PROJECT SINCE I WAS THE ONE THAT CALLED YOU, AND ASKING YOU THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE THE PROJECT, BECAUSE THE BUILDING IS STILL A GOOD BUILDING AND IT COULD STILL GIVE US PLENTY OF YEARS OF SERVICE. >> TOTALLY, CORRECT, SIR. >> SO I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY -- I GUESS THE JUDGE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON BEFORE I DO >> I AM TRYING TO, AS YOU RECALL LAST MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT ABOUT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRICK BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE COMMUNITIES. WE SAID THIS THIS PROJECT, THE PROJECT THAT YOU HAVE ADVANCED WOULD BE VERY GOOD TO SUBMIT. ALL I AM TRYING TO DO IS GET DESIGN SO WE CAN SUBMIT TO GET MONEY FOR YOUR PROJECT. THAT'S ALL THERE IS. >> AM I UNDERSTAND, JUDGE. >> THE COURT HAS TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO -- IF YOU DON'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD YOU CAN TABLE THIS ITEM RIGHT NOW. OR IF YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD LET THE COURT MAKE THE DECISION. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO GO FORWARD ON YET. >> I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. [06:00:01] I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS. BUT JUDGE, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT IS GOING ON BEFORE I FIND OUT WHAT IS -- ON THE AGENDA. >> THIS IS HOW WE DO IT, SIR. >> I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO MR. RICKTER ABOUT THIS, LIKE YOU SAID SINCE THE LAST FORUM, WE TALKED ABOUT IT TWO WEEKS AGO ON THE GRANT FUNDING TO TRY TO GET GRANT FUNDING WE NEED TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS. THAT THE'S ALL THIS IS, IS TRYING TO MOVE IT FORWARD. >> IT'S TO HELP YOU MAKE A DECISION. >> I APPRECIATE THAT AGAIN. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE IN THE LOOP. >> WE DON'T DO QUORUM TALKING. SO THIS IS HOW WE DO IT. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS PROJECT, IT'S JUST VERY SIMPLE YOU CAN TABLE IT. >> YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND DO IT ANYWAY THAT YOU WANT TO DO IT. >> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. RICKTER. >> YOU TALKED ABOUT GOING LONG TERM OR SHORT TERM. HOW MUCH DO WE NEED TO FINISH THE LONG-TERM DESIGN? HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY NEEDED TO RIGHT NOW SAY THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FOR LONG TERM, BUT YOU CAN START PHASE 1, 2, AND PHASE THREE, RIGHT? IF YOU DO THE LONG-TERM DESIGN, YOU CAN ALWAYS SAY THAT I WANT TO DO PHASE ONE, PHASE TWO, AND PHASE THREE. >> I APOLOGIZE, I HAVE TO DO A LITTLE MATH IN MY HEAD TO ANSWER THAT. THE -- WE HAVE WITH THE COUNTY A COMPREHENSIVE FEE FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT AT 14 PERCENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION COST. AND THE NEXT PHASE, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE HAS, I THINK THAT IT'S A 30 PERCENT OF WHICH A PORTION IS ALREADY ACCRUED. SO I THINK THAT I THINK THAT IT'S MAYBE AN ADDITIONAL 20 PERCENT OF THE 14 PERCENT OF THE --. IF YOU DON'T MIND, I WOULD PREFER TO FORMALLY RESPOND TO THAT. THE I APOLOGIZE I DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. >> MY CONCERN WAS JUST TO SEE WHERE WE ARE AT. ONCE YOU DO THE DESIGN, YOUR DESIGN IS DONE, SO IT STOPS THERE FOR YOU, RIGHT? >> YES, WELL, ACTUALLY, WE REQUIRE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE COURT FOR EVERY PHASE OF WORK. SO AT ANY PHASE, JUST LIKE RIGHT NOW WE ARE ASKING AUTHORIZATION TO GO TO THE NEXT PHASE. THE NEXT PHASE IS DESIGN DEVELOPMENT. THE NEXT PHASE ISN'T FINAL DESIGN. IT DOESN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THE DETAILED CONSTRUCTION, AND ENGINEERING COSTS. >> IT DOES HAVE THE SCALE, AND SCOPE AND GIVES CLARITY TO THE DESIGN. AT THE END OF THAT PHASE WE COME BACK AND ASK FOR PERMISSION. BUT THAT WHICH YOU HAVE NOW, IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE TO COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ AND SAY THAT THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE? THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AT? >> YES, AND THE COMMISSIONER HAS THAT. IT'S THE SAME THING WHEN WE MET, SIR, JUST BEFORE THE LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING OUT AT HILLTOP, THAT'S IT. WE HAVEN'T DONE ANY WORK SINCE THEN. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I ALSO ASKED YOU, GETTING IN TOUCH WITH MR. HIM, BECAUSE HE'S BETTER QUALIFIED TO KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF WORK NEED TO BE DONE, AND I ASK YOU GO THROUGH HIM, AND HE CAN EXPLAIN TO ME, WE CAN ALL MEETING, AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TOO DO, 'PUT I'D RATHER GO THROUGH HIM, BECAUSE HE'S BEEN AT THIS LONGER THAN ME OR THAN I HAVE ANYWAY. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> SO I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. >> ABSOLUTELY. I WOULDN'T DREAM OF DOING OTHERWISE, SIR >> DID YOU SAY 14 PERCENT TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE PRICE FOR DESIGN, ENGINEERING, EVERYTHING? >> AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION, CA. THE TOTAL DESIGN FEES FOR ARE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER,GINNING TO END. >> JUDGE, GOING BACK TO THE AGENDA ITEM, BUT GETTING TO -- SO I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL HIM WHERE TO GO UNTIL ON THE BRICK STUFF UNTIL WE KNOW IF WE HAVE THOSE FUND -- >> WELL, QUESTION IS WHETHER WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT. AND I WOULD LOVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT. BUT WAIT TO DO THAT IS WE HAVE TO -- WE ARE AT A STOPPING POINT SO IT'S NOT A MATTER OF ONE PERSON. IT'S A MATTER OF THE WHOLE COURT BEING ABLE TO SAY HEY, WE AUTHORIZE YOU TO GO TO FINISH YOUR PHASE DESIGN. >> IT'S CALLED A SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE. >> AND WHAT I WAS SAYING IS THAT HE ALREADY HAS A CONTRACT, ALL HE HAS TO DO IS GET THE BLESSING. ARE YOU AT 50 PERCENT? >> NO OF T NO, OF THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN, WE ARE PROBABLY AT 95 PERCENT. >> THAT'S VIRTUALLY COMPLETE. THERE MAY BE A FEW TRIVIAL [06:05:04] THINGS. THE NEXT PHASE IS DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, WHERE WE BASICALLY COMPLETE THE DESIGN PHASE, NOT THE TECHNICAL DRAWING, BUT THE DESIGN PHASE. THERE ARE ACTUALLY THREE PHASES BEFORE THE DRAWINGS ARE READY TO GO OUT FORBIDS. SCHEMATIC DESIGN, THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. >> SO MAYBE DON'T USE THE WORD "SCHEMATIC" ANY MORE, AND I WILL CROSS THAT OUT AND USE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, AND SO MY MOTION IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, GIVEN WHAT YOU JUST SAID. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE COURT WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT YOU DESIGN FOR THE WHOLE OR FOR THE HALF, OR THE THIRD, PUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE. >> YOU REAL I DON'T, AND HONESTLY, EVEN AFTER WE FINISH DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, DEPENDING ON HOW WE STRATEGICALLY ADVANCE THE PROJECT TO CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NOT EVEN HAVE TO CHOOSE THEN. >> OF YOU PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR DESIGN TO COMPLETE THE WHOLE DESIGN. THEN YOU HAVE A COMPLETE SET THAT YOU CAN THEN IMPLEMENT ANYTIME LATER. SO AT ANY MOMENT YOU CAN PARE BACK THE SCOPE AND THE DESIGN THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED IS SUCH THAT IT REALLY DOESN'T- IT OBVIOUSLY ALTERS WHAT YOU COMPLETE BECAUSE IF YOU DO 60 PERCENT OF THE PROJECT, AND YOU'VE GOT 60 PERCENT TO WORK WITH. BUT IT'S STILL A FULLY FUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER. >> SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF CHOICES IN FRONT OF YOU. IT'S JUST HOW MUCH OF THE -- PRIMARILY OF THE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES ARE -- MAKE SENSE TO YOU. >> THAT'S WHERE I WAS TRYING TO GET TO. BECAUSE WE CAN'T SEND THEM TO THE NEXT PHASE UNLESS I AM NOT HEARING THIS RIGHT, WITHOUT GIVING THEM SOME RANGE OF A BUDGET. HE'S COME IN HERE WITH DIFFERENT THINGS. THE NUMBERS THAT- THE LAST TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THEM IT WAS WAY MORE THAN HE AND I TALKED ABOUT WHEN WE WERE OUT AT HILLTOP. SO THAT'S THE COMFORT LEVEL THAT THIS COURT HAS TO GET TO. ONE, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE INITIAL 2 MILLION THAT WE SET ASIDE FOR THIS BUILDING. WE HAVE NOTHING ELSE. WE HAVE 0 AFTER THAT MONEY. SO IF THIS COURT IS GOING TO GO THAT ROUTE, IT'S NINE TO SAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, AND THEN WE STILL HAVE TO FIND THE AMOUNT OR THE NUMBER THAT THIS COURT IS COMFORTABLE WITH. ME PERSONALLY I AM NOT COME OR THE W COMFORTABLE WITH THE 15 NUMBER THAT DAVID CAME UP WITH. AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN DO THAT DEVELOPMENT PHASE ARES UNTIL WE GET A RANGE OF WHERE WE MIGHT BE LOOKING ON A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT TO TALK ABOUT THE SUSTAIN FEATURES. >> THE ESTIMATE THAT WE PRESENTED TO THE COURT LAST TIME WAS RIGHT AT $15 MILLION CONSTRUCTION COST. THAT'S THE TOTAL PACKAGE. >> INCLUDING ALL OF THE 14 PERCENT? >> EVERYTHING >> THAT'S NOT A NUMBER THAT I AM PERSONALLY COMFORTABLE WITH BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT MIGHT NOT BE. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, WE CERTAINLY ARE NOT GOING TO -- FOR OUR DESIGN SERVICES, WE ARE GOING TO BE WAY WITHIN YOUR AVAILABLE FUND. REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU AUTHORIZE, WHETHER YOU AUTHORIZE THE WHOLE THING, PARLOR WHATEVER. SO THE QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH DO -- DETAIL DO YOU WANT TO KNOW. AND HOW MUCH INFORMATION IS IT WORTH TO HAVE IN TERMS OF YOUR DECISION MAKING IN THIS NEXT PHASE. FOR EXAMPLE, WE COULD OPT TO LEAVE TWO WINGS OFF OF THE PROJECT, AND STILL DO ALL OF THE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES. WE COULD -- BECAUSE THERE'S -- TWO THINGS WE ARE DOING, ONE IS WE ARE MAKING A SMARTER HIGHER PERFORMANCE BUILDING THAN WHAT YOU MINIMALLY HAVE TO DO. WE ARE ALSO MAKING A BIGGER ONE BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT MANY SQUARE FEET THAN WE ALREADY HAVE, AND YOU CAN SAY WELL WE WANT TO DO ALL UNIVERSITY SQUARE FEET, AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES. >> OR CAN SEE WE WANT TO DO THE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES OR WE WILL HOLD BACK ON TWO WINGS UNTIL LATER. NONE OF THOSE REALLY AFFECT OUR NEXT PHASE. UNLESS YOU WANT TO SAY DEFINITIVELY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THE WHOLE THING, DON'T BOTHER WITH THE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES. DON'T BOTHER WITH THE EXTRA SQUARE FEET. SCALE IT BACK TO A MINIMAL SCOPE, GOON FORWARD, AND THEN WE WILL GO FORWARD ON THAT BASIS. BUT WE THINK THAT YOU WILL BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE A BETTER DECISION, IF YOU SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME AND FOR THE THROUGH US IN THE NEXT FACE TO STUDY THE BIGGER PICTURE BEFORE YOU DECIDE. >> JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMISSIONER CHESNEY'S POINT GETS RIGHT HOME, YOU ARE SAYING THAT WE COULD VOTE TO GO TO THE NEXT PHASE, AND STILL MAKE THOSE CHOICES TO COME COMPLETELY SCALE BACK LATER, THAT IT'S WORTH THE JUICE, AS THEY SAY. >> AND YOU WOULD BE MAKING THEM WITH MUCH BETTER INFORMATION THAN I CAN GIVE YOU RIGHT NOW. >> AND IT IS ALREADY IN YOUR CONTRACT ALREADY AND I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU TO DO THAT, BUT STILL GIVES [06:10:04] COMMISSIONER CHESNEY THE OPPORTUNITY TO ARTICULATE, HEY, I'VE SEEN IT ALL, AND THE COURT GETS TO MAKE A DECISION AS A WHOLE. OTHERWISE, WE ARE JUST AT A STAND STILL. >> YES, MA'AM, WITHOUT REALLY GOOD INFORMATION. >> THE AND I THINK THAT IT'S A GOOD IDEA IT CAN GO UP OR DOWN, AND YOU HAVE THAT PLAN TO WORK WITH, EITHER WAY YOU WANT TO GO. >> I DON'T THINK THAT THE COURT HAS A CONSENSUS ON A NUMBER FOR WHAT WE WANT TO SPEND YET. SO IF YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN GO FORWARD WITH THAT, KNOWING THAT, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, IT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES THAT YOU DO OR DON'T DO, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DOCK THAT EXACT LURK BUT YOU THINK THAT YOU, I WANT THE PROJECT TO SUSSEED. >> COMMISSIONER, WEEK ABSOLUTELY DO THAT AND BELIEVE ME WE KNOW THAT EVERY DIE IDA YEAH, AND COMPONENT HAS TO STAND ON ITS OWN MERITS. IF IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FINANCIALLY TO YOU, IT COULD BE GONE TOMORROW. AND SO. IF WORM BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP, YOU COULD TAKE PARTS AND CONSIDER THEM SACRIFICIAL. >> IF WE WERE RENOVATING THIS, MUCH OR THIS MUCH, AND STILL HAVE A FUNCTIONAL BUILDING WE CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU DESCRIBED. >> MR. RICKTER, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT, SIR, MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT I WISH THAT YOU AND JUAN WOULD WORKING TOGETHER. >> SO WHENEVER I FEEL LIKE, I CAN CALL JUAN AND ASK HIM WHAT IS THE STATUS, AND -- >> MAKE IT PART OF A MOTION. >> CONSIDER THAT A MANDATE THAT WE WILL WILL ABSBELUTELY DO THAT. TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE EXACTLY BEEN DOING, AND WE WILL BE SURE MOVING FORWARD THAT THERE'S NO AMBIGUITY ON THAT. >> JUDGE, DO I HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT? >> NO, BECAUSE THAT IS PART WHATEVER WE DO EVERY DAY HERE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT, WHICH IS ALREADY INTERNAL. >> I JUST WANT TO GET IT STRAIGHT >> WE HAVE A PROGRAM MANAGER FOR HILLTOP, AND THEY ALL WORKING TOGETHER, AS A TEAM ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY. SO I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN OF IS THAT ALL WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY IS HELPING THIS PROJECT GET TO A PLACE WHERE JUAN HAS SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT. BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE WE ARE AT A STAND STILL. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MR. RICKTER AND JUAN ARE -- >> I KNOW THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU, THIS RELATIONSHIP. BUT I HEAR YOU, AND I HEAR DAVID RICHTER, HE HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING, EXCEPT FOR DO EXACTLY THAT WHICH -- HE HAS TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS. >> YES, MA'AM. >> BUT HE'S THE ARCHITECT AND HE IS THE ONE DINING IT, AND HE AT ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE USING THE BEST PRACTICES AT THE AIA, PRESCRIBES. >> IF JUAN SAYS DON'T DESIGN THIS TTHIS WAY, AND HE KNOWS BETTER, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE CLEAR THAT THE EXPERT IS HE. >> I DON'T WANT -- THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND ABOUT HIM. >> AND JUAN IS AN EXPERT IN HIS FIELD. >> YES, BUILDING ROADS, HE'S A CIVIL ENGINEER. >> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT >> COMMISSIONER, PLEASE PLEASE BE AWARE, WE HAVE AN EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP. I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR JUAN. WE'VE WORKED TO BE ON A NUMBER OF PROP, AND THIS PROJECT. WE ARE TOTALLY IN STEP WITH WHAT YOU ARE REQUESTING, 100 PERCENT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, APPRECIATE IT. >> AND IF I COULD JUST CLARIFY IT. AS MR. RICHTER HAS INDICATED HE'S COMPLETED THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN AND THAT WAS A LUMP SUM UNDER THE AGREEMENT, AND NOW THAT HE MOVES INTO THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE, I THINK THAT HE'S EXPLAINED THAT NOW HE WILL BE PAID ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS. BASED ON WHAT HE'S DINING, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR. >> GOT IT. ALL RIGHT. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD, I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND THE RIGHT WAY IS NOT TO SAY SCHEMATIC, BECAUSE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. SO IS THE CORRECT VERBAGE, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STAGE. >> TO PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STAGE. >> MY MOTION IS TO PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE, AND THE DESIGN THAT WE ARE GOING TO PROCEED WITH IS THAT WHICH WE HAVE SEEN IN ITS ENTIRETY. BECAUSE IT GIVES US THE MOST OPTION TOSS COME BACK, AND IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT? >> SECOND. >> OKAY. MOTION AND A SECOND, AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. [12. Discuss and consider fiscal year 2021-22 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) premium pay for elected Nueces County law enforcement officials and related matters; receive update on premium pay for eligible County employees.] >> AYE. >> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT COMING UP. IT'S ITEM NUMBER 12 AND THIS CASE LYNN IS STILL ON THE LINE, MARIA IS ALSO HERE, AT THAT POINT DALE IS HERE AS WELL. THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT AND PREMIUM PAY [06:15:05] FOR ELECTED NUECES COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, AND ALSO A KIND OF BIFURCATED AND RELATED ITEM IS RECEIVING AN UPDATE FOR PREMIUM PAY FOR ELIGIBLE COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AND SO I GUESS WHAT I WANT TO DO IS ASK KAYLYNN TO HELP JUST TELL US WHERE WE ARE, AND KAYLYNN, IT DAWNS ON ME WHEN I SAW THIS ITEM THAT I WILL REOPEN PUBLIC COMMENT IN JUST A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I NEVER GAVE YOU A CHANCE TO TELL THE COURT WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO TELL THEM IN OUR GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SUMMARY UNLESS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD GIVE ME A LITTLE LATITUDE -- BASICALLY SHE WAS GOING TO UPDATE EVERYBODY EVERYBODY ON WHERE WE ARE, AND OUR AARP, FEEDBACK, WHICH DOES INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT IT'S OKAY, I CAN DO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> IT'S EASIER, BUT I WILL TO IT RIGHT AFTERWARD KAYLYNN. >> THE YOU AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE AUDITOR, EVERYBODY'S BEEN WORKING TOWARD GETTING US WHERE WE NEED TO BE ON PREMIUM PAY FOR ELECTED NUECES COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, AND THEN WE WILL GET TO TALKING ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE. DO YOU WANT TO GIVE THE COURT AN UPDATE? >> YES, JUDGE, SURE. SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY AS -- WITH DALE, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DID REACH OUT WITH KIND OF A CONCERN, KIND OF A LEGAL QUESTION THAT THE COURT HAD POSED TO THEM ON THE PERSPECTIVE HOW THAT -- AND WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH THEM, WE MET WITH THEM LAST FRIDAY AND THEN AGAIN EARLIER THIS WEEK ARES SO OUR TEAM HAS BEEN WORKED ON SOME PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO THAT. WE ARE WORKING ON FINALIZING, A MEMO TO -- EXCUSE ME TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.