Apr 08, 2022 Commissioners Court - Special Meeting

[A. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America and Texas Flags.]

[00:00:12]

ÃIT'S READY AND WE ARE ALREADY.

AT THIS MOMENT CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER AND ASK EVERYBODY TO RISE, PLEASE FOR THE PLEDGE OF THE ALLEGIANCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN TEXAS FLIGHT.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TEXAS FLAGS. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS WEDNESDAY UNDER GOD 1 AND INDIVISIBLE.

>>> >>> 8:48 A.M. IS TIME FOR THE CLERK.

[B. County Judge will call roll, note date, time, and location of meeting, and certify a quorum is present.]

COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ. >> HERE COMMISSIONER HERNANDEZ, HE'S ON ZOOM. COMMISSIONER, I WILL GET BACK

TO HIM. >> HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER CHESNEY, COMMISSIONER CANALES.

COMMISSIONER MAREZ, ANY LUCK UNMUTING.

CAN HEAR US OKAY ON AUDIO COMMISSIONER MAREZ?

>> HE KNEW IT HIMSELF AGAIN. >> CERTIFIED WARM PRESENT.

I THINK COMMISSIONER MAREZ JOIN US AT WITH CLAUDIO HERE SHORTLY. I DO NOTE FOR THE RECORD TODAY IS APRIL 8, 2022. WE ARE NUECES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 901 LEPER, COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM 34.

[C. ANNOUNCEMENT ON DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Any Conflicts of Interest or Appearance of a Conflict of Interest with items on this agenda shall be declared at this time. Members with conflicts will refrain from voting and are asked to refrain from discussion on such items. Conflicts discovered later in the meeting shall be disclosed at that time.]

[D. SAFETY BRIEFING]

I WILL MOVE TO REBECCA, AS I SAY A BRIEF, BRIEF SAFETY

MEETING. >> GOOD MORNING.

TESTING. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES MA'AM. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS ATTENDINGS. BRIEF SAFETY MEETING HELD RESTAURANTS LOCATED RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE THIRD FOR A TERM PAST THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE COURTROOM.

FIVE ADDITIONAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS LOCATED RIGHT ATRIUM AREA.

FOUR. INVENTIVE CARDIAC EMERGENCY AED ON RIGHT WALL NEXT TO HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE.

PARTICIPANT FOR TODAY RESPONSIBLE DIALING FOR 9-1-1 WILL BE COUNTY. EVENTS OF EVACUATION OR EGRESS ROUTE WAS SLOWLY BE DOWN ATRIUM STAIRS PAPER SITTING OUTDOORS LOCATED ON PENN STREET SIDE COURTHOUSE PREASSEMBLED IN PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET. IMPORTANT TO STAY TOGETHER.

SHOULD THERE BE A NEED TO SHELTER IN PLACE DEPENDING ON SEVERITY OF SHELTER-IN-PLACE, COURTROOM DOUBLE DOOR SECURED AND REMAIN SECURED UNTIL GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE NUECES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT

AGENCIES. >> INCLUDES SAFETY BRIEFING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED FROM BELINDA WHO DID DO A CHECK, THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME. OF COURSE, I WILL ASK FOR

[2. REGULAR AGENDA:]

[A. AGENDA ITEMS]

[1. Discuss and consider extension of April 1, 2022, Local Disaster Declaration related to Wildfire Activity.]

IN OTHER WORDS WHAT A LOCAL DECLARATION IS ESTABLISHED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS IT MUST BE EXTENDED.

AND SO THIS IS WHAT BRINGS US HERE TO COURT THIS MORNING.

AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT A PART OF YOUR DAY.

I KNOW THAT ANY SPECIAL MEETING REQUIRES SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. SO I DO THANK THE CLERK AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR ATTENDANCE.

WITH REGARDS TO THIS, WE DO HAVE BOTH LOUIS RAY WHO CAN BE HERE AS A RESOURCE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR.

ALSO JOSC).

WE ARE UNDER A ANOTHER RED FLAG DAY WITH NO SERIOUS PRECIPITATION IN SIGHT. I DID WANT TO BRING THAT AWARENESS. BUT WITH US THIS MORNING ÃOH,

[00:05:03]

WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS EARLIER.

WE SEE NOW ON VIDEO. YOU CAN UNMUTE WHENEVER YOU NEEDED TO. BUT WITH US THIS MORNING IS JOHN.

TEDIUM SECTION CHIEF. I THINK THAT IS CORRECT TITLE.

JOHN, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN DISTRICT COORDINATOR IN SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS.

BUT YOU ARE HERE THIS MORNING WITH US.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW GARY BARNETT, OUR DISTRICT COORDINATE.ARY COULD NOT BE WITH US HERE THIS MORNING.

BUT DISTRICT COORDINATORS REPORT TO SECTION CHIEFS.

JOHN IS WITH US HERE WITH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO HELP LIGHT BACKGROUND IN PREDICATE AS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DECLARATION AND WHAT HE DOES FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. WHAT IT DOES FOR NUECES COUNTY . I DID ISSUE DISASTER DECLARATION IN RESPONSE TO A COORDINATED EFFORT.

ALL OF THE COUNTIES AROUND US ISSUED THE DECLARATION ON THE SAME DAY. THE GOVERNOR DID INCLUDE NUECES COUNTY IN HIS DECLARATION ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

BUT JOHN PROBABLY HAS THAT COMPLETE LIST.

IT DID INCLUDE JIM WELLS, I BELIEVE IN INCLUDE DUVARL, BROOKS, CLAVER, KENNEDY, REASON THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT AS COUNTIES WE HAVE ALL BEEN RESPONDED BY MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS TO OURSELVES.

WE HAD OUR OWN FIRES. BUT ALSO TO OUR NEIGHBORS.

OVER 50,000 ACRES THAT WERE BURNED IN CLAVER COUNTY AND CCSD RESPONDED. ESD'S, ONE, TWO, NUMNUMBER 33 RESPONDED. ALSO.

>>> AND BISHOP RESPONDED. WHEN THEY RESPOND DOLLARS ARE INCURRED. IT IS IN THIS VEIN THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS BEEN ACCUMULATE ALL THESE COSTS.

MY UNDERSTANDING, HOPING JOHN WILL SHED SOME LIGHT THAT WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO MEETING OUR FEDERAL THRESHOLD ÃI MEAN, STATE MARSHALL FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.

ONCE THAT HAPPENS, IT OPENS THE DOOR TO NOT ONLY THE DOLLARS THAT COULD BE RECUPERATED, BUT ALSO AND VERY IMPORTANTLY THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANTS FOR OUR FUTURE THAT WILL HELP US IN PREPARING THIS SO THAT THE TAXPAYER'S BURDEN HERE LOCALLY THAT WE GET THESE OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE FEDERAL RESOURCES.

THIS IS HOW WE ARE STILL OPERATING UNDER HURRICANE HARVEY. CDBG GRANTS RESULTS OF RESOURCES FROM DISASTER DECLARATIONS.

SO BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF TEXAS' FIRES THIS SEASON, WE DO EXPECT THAT WE WILL MEET THE THRESHOLD AND WE DO EXPECT THAT OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES WILL, OUR WAYS TO THE COUNTIES THAT HAVE UNVEILED THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF NEED AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE SPENT MONEY. YOU SHOULD KNOW THERE IS A RUNNING TALLY OF WHAT OUR COSTS ARE THUS FAR.

COUNTYWIDE. LOUIS RAY HAS BEEN THE POINT OF CONTACT. IF CORPUS CHRISTI SPENDS MONEY THEY LET US KNOW WHAT THAT MONEY IS.

I THINK LAST WEEK, LOUIS, $179,000.

YOU PROBABLY HAVE MORE UPDATED INFORMATION THAT I DO.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. YES, JUDGE.

THE LAST NUMBER THAT I HAVE REACHING OUT TO COUNTY PARTNERS TODAY. ESPECIALLY WITH THE FIRE PRESIDENT OF.

HAVE ACCURATE NUMBERS THAT WERE NEEDED.

LAST TIME WE HAD ONE COME IN WAS FRIDAY OF LAST WEEK.

NOW TRY TO GET FOR THIS WEEK. TRYING TO DO IT ON A WEEKLY

BASIS. >> RIGHT.

THAT IS CHIEF CLACK (SP?) CORRECT? HE'S THE ONE THAT'S BEEN COORDINATING ALL OF OUR JURISDICTIONS ON THE WESTERN SIDE.

DROUGHT IS VERY SERIOUS. LEVATED WIND CONDITIONS.

RED FLAG DAYS SERIOUS. SO YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE THESE DECLARATIONS WE WERE PRETTY WORRIED ON OUR OWN NUECES COUNTY WILDFIRE TWO WEEKS AGO THAT WE MAY HAVE TO HAVE A KNACK ION OF SEVERAL BUSINESSES AND POTENTIALLY A DETENTION N CENTER. THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE USE OUR REQUEST FROM THE STATE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED ONE.

AGAIN, TINA CONSULTED WITH US. SOMETIMES I CONSULT WITH

[00:10:04]

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CONSIDER THE EXTENSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY, JUDGE CANALES. GOOD MORNING JUDGE EVERYONE, COMMISSIONERS.Y NAME IS JOHN.

COUNTIES TO SUPPORT LOCAL OFFICIALS ANY TYPE OF INCIDENTS JUST LIKE WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS AS FIRE MARSHAL MAGIC, CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER NEXT COUPLE DAYS. WHAT WE WILL PROVIDE IS TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. AND ALSO UNMET NEEDS OF FORCES COORDINATED WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES FOR RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY THE INCIDENT.

THIS CASE A FIRE INCIDENT. RIGHT NOW WE WORK CLOSELY WITH TEXAS A&M ABLE TO PROVIDE LARGE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT INCIDENCES. GARY BARNETT, DISTRICT COURT NADER WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE JUDGE AND OTHER JUDGES AND CITY MAYORS HERE. TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES READY THOSE INCIDENTS.

REFERENCE TO YOUR DECLARATION WHAT THIS DECLARATION DOES IS BASICALLY LEFT THE STATE OF TEXAS EXAS NOW THERE IS A NEED FOR SUPPORT IN YOUR COMMUNITY. RIGHT NOW YOU ARE PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION FOR THIS INCIDENT.

AND SO WE ARE CALLING THIS DECLARATION, GO BY NUMBERS.

22 Ã0009, WILDFIRE OUTBREAK. NCIDENT, BECAUSE YOU ARE PART OF THIS DECLARATION, ONE IN ASSISTANCE PROVIDE RIGHT AWAY.

OR IN CONNECTION WITH TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE.

EMERGENCY GRANTS READILY AVAILABLE TO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN YOUR COUNTY THAT HAD SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THEIR FIRE APPARATUSES OR THEIR PPE, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO THEY'RE ABLE TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE UP TO $15,000 (INDISCERNIBLE). WE HAVE THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR YOU, JUDGE, TO DISTRIBUTE TO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, TO SEE WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE THEY CAN GET.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH YOUR REGIONAL FIRE COORDINATOR WHICH IS MR. JAMES.

SERVICE. I MAKE SURE REACH OUT TO THE FIRE CHIEFS TO MAKE SURE PROGRAM IS BEING PROMOTED.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE ARE DOING, ALSO, JUDGE IS KEEPING TRACK OF COSTS OF INCIDENT. I KNOW A LOT OF CITIES AND COMMUNITIES HAVE INCURRED COSTS AS RESULT OF RESPONDING TO.

ASSURE THAT DISTRICT COORDINATOR, GARY BARNETT, REACH OUT TO CITIES TO REPORT THOSE COSTS.

MEET THOSE THRESHOLDS AND FOR US TO GET FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FROM FEMA. AS YOU KNOW OUR FEDERAL THRESHOLD INCREASED AS A RESULT OF THE POPULATION SINCE THIS COUNT HERE RECENTLY. OUR THRESHOLD FROM THE STATE IS $47.5 BILLION. ANYTHING THAT WE DO IN THE RESPONSE SIDE WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP TRACK OF COSTS.

ANY DAMAGES THAT WE SUSTAINED TO OUR FIRE APPARATUSES AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, MAKE SURE WE REPORT THAT AS WELL.

THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE IS PEACE STACK, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE STATE OF TEXAS. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

I WILL MAKE SURE THAT MY RECOVERY TEAM WITH MR. GARY BARNEY OUT TO YOUR FOLKS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO INCLUDE THOSE DAMAGES. BUT ALSO COSTS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE INCURRING. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW, JUDGE, WINCHESTER COORDINATOR, WITH YOUR CITY MAYORS, YOUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GET THAT TO SEE WAS GOING TO BE OVERALL RESULTS OF THIS DECLARATION.

NOW, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, JUDGE, ALSO OVER 70 COUNTIES THAT ARE PART OF THIS DECLARATION ARE SUBMITTED DECLARATIONS. WE KNOW THAT MAJORITY COUNTIES STILL GOING THROUGH FIRE INCIDENTS.

THEY ARE STILL RESPONDING TO THIS INCIDENT TYPE.

[00:15:02]

>> .GREAT. AND SO AGAIN, I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION TO EXTEND THE APRIL 1, 2022 LOCAL DISASTER DECLARATION. ASK FOR A SECOND.

CALL FOR A DISCUSSION. OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR ANY QUESTIONS GIVEN. WE HAVE LAID A GOOD PREDICATE HERE. IS THERE ¦

>> SECOND. >> MOTION SECOND.

HOW ABOUT QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF.

WE CAN REPORT THAT EVEN THOUGH, AGAIN, IT IS A RED FLAG DAY WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE HERE IN NUECES COUNTY THAT ALL OF OUR,

YOU KNOW, FIRES WERE ÃHAD CONTAINMENT.>> FIRE WAS THE ONE REALLY CHALLENGING. IT TOOK QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT.

THANKS TO TFS HEALERS, LOCATED IN JIM WELLS COUNTY, OUR ENTRANCE EXPIRES HAD TWO DROPS ÃIS THAT RIGHT, PLATT? WE HAD TWO DROPS. TELL PEOPLE TALK ABOUT RESOURCES. WHAT TYPE OF RESOURCES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY SITTING IN

IN JIM WELLS COUNTY. >> RIGHT, JUDGE.

SO, WE DO HAVE TEXAS A&M WILDFIRE SERVICE HAS STAGED A COUPLE HE ALLOWS FOR DROPS. THOSE TAKERS CAME IN TO HELP US OUT ON REPENTANCE FIRE (SP?). GET BACK TO BACKFIRES.

THEY ALSO HAVE THE WILDFIRE, TEXAS A&M WILDFIRE HAD THE THE ENGINE THAT THEY ALSO DID POINT THE FIRE ASSOCIATION A COMMAND POST OF THE DEPLOY OUT WHENEVER WE NEED TO SET UP WILDFIRE EVENTS. JUST SPEAKING ABOUT THE.

ALONG WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM THE BISHOP.

I MEAN, WE'RE TAKING A LOT OF RESOURCES IN ON THESE FIRES.

THIS GOES WITHOUT BEING SAD. WE ALL KNOW THAT.

THE POINT OF IT IS, WE HAVE TO PUT IN FOR THE GRANTS TO GET THOSE FINDINGS BACK. FOR INSTANCE, WE ALSO LOST A BRUSH FIRE TRUCK IN ONE OF OUR WILDFIRE DEFENSE.

THAT'S PART OF OUR COSTS COLLECTING PROCESS AS WELL.

>> IT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION, JUDGE, THAT'S OKAY I

CAN JUMP IN. >> ACTUALLY JUMP IN.

>> YOU HAVE A BREAKDOWN WHAT THE COSTS ARE SO FAR YOU CAN

PROVIDE US? >> I CAN.

>> LIKE NOW? THE HARD PART ABOUT THIS IS WE DON'T HAVE ANY BACKGROUND, AGAIN AGENDA ITEM EXACTLY NOW THE JUSTIFICATION IS. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE, I

APPRECIATE MR. >>> BEING HERE.

ASKING QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWERS LEGITIMATELY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE COSTS ARE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

LIKE I DID KNOW ABOUT THE BRUSH FIRE TRUCK, THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. I MEAN, I'M ASSUMING SOME OF THOSE YOU ARE SAYING FROM THE CITY AS WELL?

>> SO, FOR THE BRUSH FIRE TRUCK.

THE CITY RESPOND TO COUPLE OF OUR BUYERS THERE WERE LOCAL.

LSO RESPONDING TO BODEGA FIRE.

THE BRUSH FIRE TRUCK WAS LOST FROM ANNABELLE, TRUCK CALLED UP IN RESPONSE TO FIRE RESPONSE TO A FIRE AT THE SAME TIME THE.

SENT A PDA FOR US. A PDA IS BASICALLY ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES THAT THEY SENT TO US. SO I CAN PROVIDE ALL THAT.

>> I JUST SENT TO ÃI JUST SENT THE PDA TO.

>>> AND SHE CAN CIRCULATE TO EVERYBODY.

>> THAT HAS A COST ON IT? >> JUST A PRELIMINARY.

>> YES. >> WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED I LEARNED WITH FIRES, THE EQUIPMENT ÃYOU TAKE A BIG HIT TO EQUIPMENT IN FIREFIGHTING WORLD.

WHETHER IT IS BULLDOZERS MOVING EARTH OR YOUR BRUSH FIRE TRUCKS, IT TAKES A BIG HOLE. THERE IS ALSO, OF COURSE, A VERY BIG CONCERN ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WE ARE ALSO EXPANDING. BUT AGAIN THE DECLARATION TRIGGERS EVERYBODY STARTING TO COME FOR THE COST.

SO, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A PDA GIVEN TO US FROM ONE ARENA, IT'S NOT THE CUMULATIVE ÃI MEAN, IT TAKES WEEKS AND WEEKS AND WEEKS TO GET EVERYBODY TO PUT FORTH THEIR DAMAGE

[00:20:01]

WE HAD EXTENSION AFTER EXTENSION BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG TO GATHER ALL THE COST ESTIMATES.

WE ARE STILL IN RESPONSE MODE, NOT IN RECOVERY MODE.

SO, IN RESPONSE MODE EVERYBODY STILL ON POINT TO GET TO WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER FIRE INCIDENT THERE MIGHT BE.

TODAY EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE ON HIGH ALERT.

>> THANK YOU. IF YOU CAN GIVE ME THE BREAKDOWN. I GOT THIS ONE WAS SEHIS IS 123,000, THEANOTHER 179, MAY SUPPLEMENT THEM.

SOMEBODY SAID 107 IT'S SAID 179,000.

>> I COULD DO THAT. >> GOOD.R.

QUESTIONS FOR YOU, WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS PREDICATE ON THIS THAT MAKE THE GOVERNOR ISSUED AN ORDER LIKE THIS THAT IS ABOVE AND BEYOND BIRD BANDS? WE HAVE BRUSH FIRES DOWN FROM THE TIME, THE CLAYBURGH COUNTY SIGNIFICANT ABOVE AND BEYOND.

IT IS DRY DOWN HERE ALL THE TIME.

DROUGHT CONDITIONS DOWN HERE ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE A BURN BAN IN PLACE RIGHT NOW STILL.

BECAUSE OF THAT. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, AND I KNOW YOU CAN READ THE GOVERNOR'S MIND, YOU ARE GOVERNORS AGENCY OR THE STATE OF TEXAS AGENCY WORKS FOR THE GOVERNOR. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU GET TO GO FROM A BURN BAND TO DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND WHAT CONDITIONS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WANT TO EXTEND THIS, TO EXTEND THIS, ETC.?

>> GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSION. WHEN THE BIGGEST PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH IS NATIONAL ÃSERVICE.

>> NATIONAL WHAT SERVICE? >> CONNIE, PUT HIS VOLUME UP.

SORRY, JOHN WE ARE STRUGGLING. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER, GREAT QUESTION YOU ASKED.

WHEN THINGS WE WORK WITH THIS AGENCY.

WORK WITH A LOT OF PARTNERS. THIS CASE WE WORK CLOSELY WITH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TNERS. ALSO TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE.

TELLING US MORE OR LESS CURRENT CONDITIONS THAT ARE STANDING RIGHT NOW THAT COULD BE A FACTOR IN CRITICAL FIRE INCIDENTS. HERE IN THE PAST LATE LAST MONTH AND GOING INTO THE MONTH OF APRIL WE SAW THOSE FACTORS KIND OF PRIME FOR SEVERE FIRE CONDITIONS TO OCCUR.

YOU SAW THAT IN NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE AND ALSO WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WE HAD MAJOR FIRE INCIDENTS WHICH INCLUDED LOSS OF STRUCTURE. WE ALSO LOST A LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNER AS A RESULT OF EVACUATION PROCESS.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT TELLS US THAT WE HAVE TO START ACTIVATING RESOURCES, STATE RESOURCES TO START RESPONDING TO THOSE AREAS BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE THREATS THERE.

AS WE NOTICED THAT THE THREAT WAS COMING FURTHER SOUTH TO US, THE WEATHER THREAT, WE STARTED MOVING THOSE RESOURCES DOWN TO OUR REGION OF THE STATE. SO LIKE JUDGE MENTIONED IN THE FIRE MARSHAL MENTIONED, WE HAVE RESOURCES TO RESPOND THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SOUTH TEXAS REGION. AS A MATTER FACT, WHEN THE.

SOUTH TEXAS FIGHTING 300 ACRE FIRE, WAS IT CONCLUDED THAT, SHIFT THOSE RESOURCES TO THE BODEGA FIRE.

COMMISSIONER, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AS, THE MAIN THING IS ¦

>> OKAY. WE HAVE TO PAUSE FOR JUST A MOMENT. I'M SORRY, WE LOST A QUORUM PRESENT PHYSICALLY. IF YOU COULD PAUSE, PLEASE.

>> HE MAY NOT KNOW THAT.> FORGIVE US, JOHN.

OUR COURT MANAGER IS GOING TO CHECK ON ONE OF OUR MANAGERS.

HE NEEDED A QUICK BREAK. WHAT HAPPENS IS, WE LOST OUR QUORUM. HE JUST STEPPED OUTSIDE.

I APOLOGIZE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

NO WORRIES. >> OKAY.

YOU'RE GOOD TO GO, SIR. >> ANOTHER THING, COMMISSION, CURRENT NEEDS FOR MOST COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS WHAT WE LOOK AT TO DETERMINE WHETHER ON THE DECLARATION PROCESS FROM THE STATESIDE.

>> SO, AND I APPRECIATE THAT. IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I'VE BEEN HERE NOW, I MEAN, THIS IS MY EIGHTH YEAR.

[00:25:01]

THIS IS NEW TO ME. I MAY NOT BE REMEMBERED 1 OR 2.

REALLY GOOD INFORMATION. I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO, WHY SAVING ASIDE HORRIBLE TRAGIC FIRE GOING ON IN

CLAYBURGH AND. >>> COUNTIES.

WE HAVE BEEN A KNOCK ON WOOD IN NUECES COUNTY NOT ANYTHING TO THAT EXTENT. I AM NOT TRYING ÃTRADED DOWN.

WHAT WAS DIFFERENT? I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN IN YOUR POSITION, I APOLOGIZE.

I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS SO SIGNIFICANT TO DECLARE A DISASTER VERSUS ALL OF THE OTHER TIMES THAT WE HAVE DONE BURN BANDS AND WE HAVE HAD DRY WEATHER AND WE HAVE WIND IN THIS COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME.

WE ARE ONE OF THE WINDIEST Ã CHICAGO IS NOT THE WINDIEST CITY, THE CORPUS CHRISTI IS. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS THE DRILL DOWN HERE TOWARD THIS WAS NEEDED TO BE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY? AGAIN, I'M NOT CRITICIZING I'M TRULY ASKING BECAUSE I'VE NEVER BEEN THROUGH THIS THAT I CAN

REMEMBER. >> I UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE AMOUNT OF FIRES FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO. COMPARED TO THE MULTIPLE OTHER SEASONS THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS HERE RECENTLY.

IT'S THE MODIFIERS THEY RESPOND TO.

BUT IT'S JUST ALSO THE ACREAGE OF FIRES THAT ARE BURNING AND THERE RESPONDING TO. THAT IS WHERE THEY SAY THEY NEED THE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE.

THE SUPPORT COMES FROM TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES. SO THEY ARE ABLE TO COME DOWN SUPPORT AS A RESULT OF THAT. INCREASE OF FIRE ACTIVITY THAT WE SEE. OF COURSE, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, OTHER DETERMINING FACTOR.

>> LIKE EVERY COUNTY IS DIFFERENT.

I GET, CLAYBURGH, IS TRAGIC. RIGHT.

DRILLING DOWN WHY NUECES COUNTY ? OTHER WORDS, WE HAVEN'T HAD WHAT I CONSIDER ÃTHANK GOD Ã AND EXTORTING AMOUNT IN NUECES COUNTY .

I MEAN, THERE'S A BRUSH FIRE A WEEK, THAT'S EXCESSIVE.

I REPRESENT THE ISLAND AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT.

WE BRUSHFIRES OUT THERE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE OF THE WIND, DRY CONDITIONS, AND SO FORTH. WHAT IS IT IN NUECES COUNTY , THEN I GUESS, THE WEATHER SERVICE AND TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE SAYS WE NEED TO HAVE ONE.

IT'S A BIG DEAL. IF YOU'RE GOING TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY, PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, Ã I NOT SAY WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

VALID TO THE FIRST ONE. UNQUESTIONING THE GOVERNOR EMERGENCY OR JUDGE CAN ISSUE. IT HAS TO BE EXTENDED BY THE COURTS. NOW WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.

IF WE DON'T VOTE TO ASK THAT IT, DOESN'T GET ACCENT.

ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM CRITICAL. I'M TRULY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY IN NUECES COUNTY THE FOREST SERVICE AND THE WEATHER SERVICE BELIEVES THIS IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN HAS BEEN OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS WHEN WE GET SOME WIND, DRYNESS, I MEAN, 2 OR 3 BRUSHFIRES A MONTH OUT ON THE ISLAND.

A GREAT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OTHER.

LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT TAKES CARE OF THEM.

BUT I JUST TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IN NUECES COUNTY SPECIFICALLY THE WEATHER SERVICE IN THE FOREST SERVICE IS IN NUECES COUNTY YOU SHOULD DO THIS.

NOT CLAYBURGH, NOT.

COUNTIES, BUT IN A NUECES COUNTY .

ME PERSONALLY, I AM NOT SEEING IT.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT'S NOT THERE.I'M NOT SEEING WHAT I AM SEEING IN SOME OF THESE OTHER COUNTIES.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC THING THAT THEY SAID.

HEY, YOU REALLY GOT TO WATCH OUT IN NUECES COUNTY BECAUSE OF THESE CONDITIONS OR IS IT JUST A GENERAL BECAUSE WE ARE IN COASTAL BAND, THE 11 COUNTIES THAT WERE PACKED?

>> SO ÃSO, COMMISSIONER ONE OF THE THINGS IS I DON'T HAVE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF FIRE RESPONSES IN NUECES COUNTY .

PARTICULARLY TO WORD BACKFIRES AND BRUSHFIRES.

I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AS THAT ¦

>> I WILL ASK THE FIRE MARSHAL THAT ONE, THAT'S FAIR IF YOU DO

NOT HAVE THAT. >> YES.

BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AS THE INCREASED RESPONSE TO THESE TYPES OF INCIDENTS AND A LOT OF COMMUNITIES RESPONDING TO THESE TYPES OF INCIDENCES. AS COMMISSIONERS THE DECLARATION PROCESS LED THE GOVERNOR NOW THERE IS A NEEDED SUPPORT FOR NUECES COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE OF OUR

[00:30:01]

THE FIRE RESOURCES I MENTIONED BEFORE, TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE, WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE THAT WE BRING IN OTHER FIRE RESOURCES TO BE STAGED THERE AND YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS THERE IF THEY NEED SUPPORT. BUT ALSO JUST THE FACT THAT THE CROSS TRACKING THAT YOU ARE DOING.

DECLARE THE COUNTY, COST TRACKING TO SEE IF WE CAN GET OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS. ONCE WE MEET THRESHOLD YOU WOULD BE ELIGIBLE AS A COUNTY AND SUPPORT FOR YOUR FIRE

DEPARTMENTS IN CITIES. >> THAT'S A GREAT SEGUE INTO THE QUESTIONS FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL.

BECAUSE I DON'T EITHER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER OF RESPONSES ARE. WHAT SUPPORT WE REALLY NEED.

THAT'S WHEN TRYING TO GET TO. LITERALLY, TO ME, SOMETHING WE COULD BE DOING ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT RECORDED THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS WE HAVE A BASELINE OR THRESHOLD. I DON'T HAVE ANY DATA TO SHOW ME WHAT'S GONE ON THE PREDICATES THIS IN NUECES COUNTY . IN NUECES COUNTY .

SO, CAN YOU TELL ME THAT? >> I CAN, SIR, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION I THINK IS ESD ONE CORPUS FIRE WHERE A MAJOR HUB IN THIS AREA. WE ARE RESPONDING TO ALL THESE OTHER COUNTIES. IT'S COSTING US FUEL, COSTING

US THE MANPOWER. >> DO YOU HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF

ALL THAT? >> I DO NOT HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF ALL THE FIRES THAT WE HAVE BEEN TO, SIR, NO.

>> THAT IS THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS.

I'LL PROBABLY AGREE TO DO THIS SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

NO DATA FOR US. NO OFFENSE.

NOBODY GIVES US A COST BREAKDOWN.

APPRECIATE THE JUDGE WHAT SHE REPORTED.

THANK YOU. DON'T KNOW NUMBER OF RESPONSES, HOW THE INCREASE IN NUECES COUNTY .

I ÃI AM STRUGGLING. NO OFFENSE, YOU'RE THE FIRE MARSHAL. YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS STUFF.

YOU SHOULD HAVE COME IN HERE PREPARED KNOWING THAT YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THIS COURT. WE DON'T RUBBERSTAMP STUFF.

YOU KNOW I ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH ME ASKING, BUT I'M GOING TO ASK NO MATTER WHAT.

IT'S NOT FAIR TO ASK THIS COURT TO DO SOMETHING WITHOUT DATA.

>> GOT YOU. >> EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE WE DO.

JUST BECAUSE IT GOVERNOR DID, I RESPECT.I'M GLAD.

THE GOVERNOR IS DOING IT BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO USE STATE RESOURCES. INCLUDED IN OUR COUNTY WHATEVER REASON THAT HE DID, I DON'T KNOW.

I KENNISON GOVERNOR, HE IS NOT HERE.

JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR DID IT DOES NOT MEAN I'M GOING TO DO IT. IF THERE IS NOT A TRUE AND REAL EMERGENCY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO USE HIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION IF IT'S NOT A TRUE AND REAL EMERGENCY IN NUECES COUNTY . I'M NOT SAYING IT IS NOT.

BE CLEAR. I'M NOT TAKING THAT POSITION.

I'M TAKING THE POSITION OF USA FIRE MARSHAL SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED MORE INFORMATION. NO OFFENSE.

BUT AS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT YOU ALL SHOULD COME IN HERE WITH MORE INFORMATION BECAUSE THERE IS BUT A DECLARATION ISSUED BY THE JUDGE THAT WE HAD SOME BREAKDOWNS.

IT'S NOT FAIR TO ASK US TO MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT BACKGROUND.

THE ONLY THING I GOT IN MY PACKET WAS THE DECLARATION.

NOTHING TO BACK IT UP. I AM HERE NOW TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. IT'S FINE, GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE QUESTIONS ASKED WHOEVER IS WATCHING AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING. LIKE I SAID, AS A MATTER OF CAUTION MIGHT EXTEND THIS FOR A FEW DAYS SO SOMEONE CAN GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I NEED TO EXTEND LONGER? SURE, I MIGHT DO THAT. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE TO EXTEND A VERY LONG BASED ON WHAT I'VE GOT TODAY.

IT'S NOT ÃAND I THINK THE PUBLIC DESERVES THAT, TOO.

>> SO, INTERCEPT TIME IN YOUR REQUEST WE COULD PUT IT ON NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA AND PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE REQUESTING. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO DO AND I SENT IT TO.

GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION AS WELL. SHE SAYS YOU GUYS DO HAVE THAT

BOX I DID READ THAT, YES MA'AM. >> REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF A DECLARATION IS NOT THAT YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY.

IT POSES AN IMMINENT THREAT OF ONE.

THAT IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE OF DISASTER DECLARATIONS.

IS THAT WE CERTIFY IN THESE DECLARATIONS THAT ANIMATE THREAT OF WIDESPREAD OR SEVERE DAMAGE OF LOSS OF LIFE OR PROPERTY IS POSSIBLE. AND THEREBY THAT LOCAL DISASTER AVAILS OURSELVES UP THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE ASKING.

SO, THE TRUTH IS THAT ONCE YOU ISSUE THE JACK, A NUMBER GIVEN HIM A NUMBER ASSIGNED. YOU HEARD CHIEF.

WE ALSO HAVE AN INTERNAL NUMBER THAT GETS ASSIGNED.

THEREFORE TRIGGERS OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN, WHICH TRIGGERS ALL OF THE QUERIES YOU ARE ASKING.

SO, ALL OF THAT. ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE WANTING TO KNOW, WE THEN SENT OUT TO ALL THE JURISDICTIONS,

[00:35:07]

JURISDICTIONS ARE RESPONDING. >> OKAY MAYBE TELL ME MORE ABOUT JURISDICTIONS RESPONDING. GENERAL INFORMATION.

I DON'T WANT TO EXTEND THIS IT'S NOT GET MORE DATA.

THE FIRE MARSHAL, MADE A GOOD POINT.

MANY COMMENTS. I CAN LET HIM TELL US WHAT Ã WHAT ARE THESE EXTRA THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING? BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW. THE POINT OF THE DECLARATION IS THE JUDGE VALIDLY DECLARE DECLARATION.

IN A SEVEN DAY PERIOD, IF YOU WANT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT EXTENDED SOMEONE NEEDS TO GIVE US INFORMATION TO VOTE ON THIS REASONABLY NOT JUST BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, NOTHING THE JUDGE SAID WAS INCORRECT.

RIGHT AS SHE JUST SAID. ON THE OTHER PART, WE THEN HAVE RESPONSIBILITY OF DECIDING WHETHER TO EXTEND THIS OR NOT,

THAT'S A LOT. >> RIGHT.> JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR PUTS FORTH A DECLARATION, COUNTY JUDGE DOES NOT EVEN HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION.

IF SHE OR HE DOES, WE DON'T HAVE TO EXTEND ON IT.

THAT'S A LOT. SO, I APPRECIATE THAT THE GOVERNOR DID IT. I AM ALL FOR EXTRA RESOURCES, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW THE JURISDICTIONS.

>>> IS GOING OUT TO THE ISLAND TO HELP THEM?

>> EXACTLY. SO, THOSE IN LOCAL JURISDICTION AND THOSE IN LOCAL AGREEMENTS AND WHAT WE'RE USING NOW, IF WE DECLARE EXTENDED EMERGENCY THAT ALLOWS US TO USE AS PARTNERS TO COME IN AND ON THE BACKSIDE THAT, THERE'S GOT TO BE A PRICE TO BE PAID. FUEL COST MONEY, PERSONNEL COSTS MONEY, FOOD COSTS MONEY. THAT IS HOW WE GET OUT OUR REIMBURSEMENT BACK IN. WE HAD A THRESHOLD WE CAN GET THAT MONEY BACK.N TOP IF THAT IS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THOSE EMERGENCIES. RIGHT NOW BESIDES THE (INDISCERNIBLE), PEOPLE PLUG INFORMATION WHEN THEY LOSE PROPERTY FOR FIRES. BUT IN ORDER TO TRIGGER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO COME IN TO HELP WITH DEBRIS MANAGEMENT OR DEBRIS REMOVAL, WE NEED TO HIT A CERTAIN THRESHOLD.

EXTENDING OUT THAT OPERATION CAN HELP THE.

>> RIGHT. SO, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING FOR EXAMPLE IN THE .

STRUCTURES. JUST IN THAT REMOVAL, INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED.

THE PURPOSE OF THE EXTENSION IS TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT EXACTLY YOU ARE ASKING FOR. AGAIN, WE ARE STILL IN RESPONSE MODE. WE ARE STILL IN RED FLAG MODE.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DECLARATION WHAT YOU GET IS DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS. AFTER HURRICAN HANNA, 30-45 DAYS IN FACT WE GOT TWO EXTENSIONS TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE ALL THE INFORMATION. THE PURPOSE OF THE EXTENSION OF DECLARATION IS TO RECOGNIZE AS AN EMINENT THREAT.

RECOGNIZE WE HAVE THE BACKGROUND.

I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALSO HAD AND THAT FOR THE RECORD THAT I JUST SENT TO.

I THINK SHE'S GOT IT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ¦

>> I READ THAT, TOO.>> THE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION LISTING, BE SURE TO LOOK AT ALL THE COUNTIES. AGAIN, DISTRICT 20, JOHN, 11 COUNTIES IN IT?HIEF? 11 COUNTIES, DISTRICT 20? OKAY. MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DAY WE WERE COORDINATING WITH TATUM THAT ALL 11 COUNTIES DECLARED.

LET'S AGREE THAT KENNEDY COUNTY, ALL 700 OF THEM, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

AND THEY DON'T HAVE A RAGING FIRE.

BUT THEY HAVE A DECLARATION. >> THE STATE CAN SEND RESOURCES TO KENNEDY COUNTY, RIGHT? MR. WHETHER WE DECLARE. IN OTHER WORDS, I AM ALL FOR HELPING PEOPLE, BUT I TRIED TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE BEST FOR NUECES COUNTY . MY UNDERSTANDING, THE GOVERNOR ISSUES DECLARATION FOR THOSE COUNTIES SO THAT HE CAN USE STATE RESOURCES FOR KENNEDY COUNTY.

RIGHT? IS THAT HOW THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK BECAUSE YOU KENNEDY COUNTY CAN'T NECESSARILY RELY ON BEXAR COUNTY OR OTHERS. IS THAT CORRECT MR. YOU'RE HELPING KENNEDY COUNTY BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS DECLARED A DECLARATION. RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO ALL THESE OTHER COUNTIES ARE COVERED IN THE DECLARATION THAT THE GOVERNOR ISSUE.

COUNTY INDEPENDENT ONCE FOR THE WORK.

GREAT TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE WITHOUT A DOUBT, BUT I MEAN THAT IS WHAT THE STATE IS DOING TO HELP THESE COUNTIES, TOO.

I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN NUECES COUNTY ÃIS

[00:40:04]

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN NUECES COUNTY AND THE STATE

IS HELPING OTHER COUNTIES. >> ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON NOW IS INTIMATE THREATS.HE WAY THAT I WAS TRAINED IN REALLY BY

CHIEF. >>> AND HIS SUPERIORS, YOU ASK YOURSELF THIS, IF YOU ARE IN CONE OF A HURRICANE, WOULD YOU ISSUE A DISASTER DECLARATION? THE ANSWER IS YES, YOU WOULD.

WE ARE IN CONE OF WILDFIRES. SO THE SAME THEORY APPLIES.

THE IDEA IS TO AVAIL NUECES COUNTY WITH RESOURCES, DOLLARS, AND OPPORTUNITIES. WHAT ARE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES? THE GRANTS THAT WILL COME TO US IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE DECLARATION, THAT COULD BE AN INHIBITOR TO THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. THE ACTUAL DISASTER DECK ALLOWS US TO CREATE THE ASSESSMENTS, BRING THOSE UP TO THE STATE, PUSH THOSE UP TO STAY, HELP THE STATE MAKE THEIR THRESHOLD, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE RESOURCES.

>> I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT KENNEDY COUNTY EXAMPLE.

YOU KNOW, YOU MADE EXAMPLE OF KENNEDY COUNTY AND NUECES .

THE STATE IS SUPPOSED TO HELP KENNEDY COUNTY.

LIKE I SAID KENNEDY COUNTY CANNOT RELY ON OTHER COUNTIES, COUNTIES AROUND THEM MIGHT HAVE RESOURCES EITHER.

I WAS RESPONDING TO KENNEDY COUNTY EXAMPLE.

WHICH MEANS STATE IS GOING TO HELP APPEAR.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, THEY HAVE A DEATH, TOO.

JUST SO YOU KNOW NUECES NEEDS RESOURCES.

THOSE HELICOPTERS STATIONED IN JIM WELLS CAME TO HELP US, THOSE ARE EXAMPLES OF STATE RESOURCES.

>> TELL ME AGAIN, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU, TELL ME AGAIN WHERE IS THE IMMINENT THREAT IN NUECES COUNTY .

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOME WEATHER DAYS.

WHERE IS THE EMINENT THREAT THAT IS MORE SO IN NUECES COUNTY THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER TIME THAT WE HAVE BIRD BANDS, DRY CONDITIONS, HIGH WINDS WHICH IS ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME. 60 PERCENT OF THE TIME WE LIVE IN NUECES COUNTY , WHAT IS IMMINENT THREAT? WHAT IS THE IMMINENT THREAT, JUDGE KEEPS USING IMMINENT THREAT, FIRE MARSHAL. I'M TRYING TO GET ANSWER TO WHAT THE THREAT IN NUECES COUNTY IS.

>> EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID, SIR.

THE IMMINENT THREAT IS THAT. WE ARE ALWAYS BUT BECAUSE OF ACREAGE IT IS BURNED SO FAR WITHIN OUR REGIONS, WITHIN 11 COUNTIES, THEY JUST DON'T WANT THAT TO OCCUR HERE.

>> IS NOT AN IMMINENT THREAT, WE ARE WORRIED THAT SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN IS HAPPENING IN ANOTHER COUNTY.

>> CORRECT. >> IMMINENT THREAT TO ME, JUDGE IS USING HER CANE EXAMPLE. THAT IS COMPLETELY Ã FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

>> IF YOU DON'T MIND ME FINISHING.N MITHRA FOR HURRICANE YOU CAN SEE THE THING COMING.

WE KNOW WHAT TO THE IMMINENT THREAT IS BASED ON THE WEATHER PROJECTIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

THAT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THING THAN SAYING INTIMATE THREAT IN CLAYBURGH COUNTY THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN EMINENT THREAT IN NUECES COUNTY TO CONTINUE TO USE EMERGENCY TYPE SITUATIONS BECAUSE, I MEAN, LITERALLY WE COULD DO THIS SIX TIMES A YEAR. I ÃI ÃIT MAKES ME NERVOUS TO KEEP USING EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS BECAUSE THESE CONDITIONS, WE HAVE HAD BIG FIRES IN OTHER COUNTIES FOR YEARS. AGAIN, I'VE NEVER SEEN US DO

THIS. >> LET ME GIVE YOU A QUICK

EXAMPLE, SIR. >> PLEASE.

>> FOR RESOURCES WHAT THE STATE HAS IS TWO BULLDOZERS.

THE CHOPPERS. BUT THEY DON'T HAVE MANPOWER.

THEY GIVE US THE EQUIPMENT, RIGHT.

AND THOSE PEOPLE OPERATE THOSE EQUIPMENT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUAL MANPOWER LIKE CLAYBURGH COUNTY,

LET'S SAY. >>> FIRE, THEY DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND FIGHT THIS FIRE.

MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS COME IN WITH NUECES COUNTY.

>> BUT THOSE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS, WE CAN THOSE REVERSE WITH OR WITHOUT EMERGENCY.

IF THERE'S NOT EMERGENCY IN NUECES COUNTY AND HELP SOMETHING IN CLAYBURGH, WHICH WE SHOULD AND WANT TO, THAT IS WHAT AAGREEMENTS ARE FOR. WE GET REAL REIMBURSE FOR MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS. NO EMERGENCY IN NUECES COUNTY AND I DON'T WANT TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.IF THERE IS, THEN I

DO.> YOU ARE CORRECT. >> EMERGENCY IN CLAYBURGH COUNTY IS NOT EMERGENCY NECESSARILY IN NUECES COUNTY OR SAME HEAD OF THE BORDER US.

I SAY BECAUSE WE USE RESOURCES THAT WE DON'T DECLARE EMERGENCY, EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE ONE IN NUECES

DON'T GET REIMBURSED. >> ASSISTANCE TO GET REIMBURSED. WE HAVE TO MEET THAT THRESHOLD THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE RESPONDED TO ÃYOU WANTED TO KNOW TO CLAYBURGH. WE RESPONDED TO LIVE OAK, JIM

[00:45:04]

THEY DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER WITH THE GET TO THE STAGE TO

WHERE IT IS CRITICAL. >> TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.

IF WE DO THAT AND HELP THEM, WE HAVE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS.

WE CHARGE THEM FOR. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND, SIMILAR CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. EOPLE DO ALL THE TIME.NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS IN PLACE OF THE GHETTO, WE CAN DO. IF THEY HAVE EMERGENCY DECLARED IN THEIR COUNTY, THEN THEY WOULD PASS FOR MUTUAL AID PART OF THE AGREEMENT. THEY WOULD GET REIMBURSED, RIGHT. DOES ANYBODY KNOW? THESE ARE ALL QUESTIONS I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

IF THERE'S ANY TRUTH THAT NUECES COUNTY I'M NOT HEARING ANYTHING NUECES COUNTY OF SUBSTANCE YET.

I'M HEARING WE ARE HELPING OTHER PEOPLE.

WHICH WE SHOULD, I AM ALL FOR. I ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD WE GOT REIMBURSE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS HELP AGAIN.

THEN THEY GOT REIMBURSED BECAUSE THEY ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE IN A TRUE EMERGENCY.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT, TELL ME. MR.

ANSWER? >> SO, COMMISSIONER.

WHAT YOU JUST STATE OF RIGHT NOW, IT'S ALL BASED ON WHAT MUTUAL AID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM YOU ALL HAVE WITH (INDISCERNIBLE). WITH ALL THE COUNTIES AND CITIES YOU ALL HAVE.NCE YOU REACH A CERTAIN POINT OR COST ABOVE, IT SHOULD BE WHAT'S IN THE AGREEMENT.

WHEN WE DO REACH THOSE THRESHOLDS, FEMA IS GOING TO LOOK AT ALL THAT. HOW THE MUTUAL AGREEMENT WORKS.

THAT IS FOR IF WE REACH WHAT IS CALLED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DECLARATION, THAT IS WHERE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS, THE PLACE FOR YOUR COUNTY. BASED ON MUTUAL AID ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM YOU ALL HAVE. >> IF WE REACH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, WHAT WAS THAT TERM USED?

>> PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DECLARATION.

REMEMBER THERE IS A MENTION ABOUT THRESHOLDS.

BREACH PARTIAL $47.5 BILLION FOR THE STATE FOR US TO GET PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DECLARATION. ONCE WE GET THAT DECLARATION, COUNTIES PART OF THAT DECLARATION ARE ELIGIBLE FOR

THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS. >> OKAY.

SO, AND I GUESS THAT IS ANOTHER AREA I NEED TO UNDERSTAND MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS BECAUSE I MEAN THIS THING SAYS DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER. I DON'T SEE LOCAL DISASTER IN NUECES COUNTY . I SEE US NEEDING TO HELP OTHER COUNTIES. AND MAKE SURE THAT WE GET REIMBURSED. I SEE THAT RIGHT NOW.

SO, I'M STRUGGLING WITH THIS BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON THAT I CAN SEE IN NUECES COUNTY .

IN NUECES COUNTY . THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR.

I ÃI THOUGHT MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS WERE IN PLACE SO WE GOT REIMBURSED BY THESE PEOPLE WHEN WE NEEDED TO GO HELP THEM, SEND THEM A BILL. THEY WOULD SEND THEIR BILL BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DISASTER. AGAIN, IF THAT IS WRONG, AND I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE, AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE ALL THE IN FRONT ME TODAY. YOU'RE ASKING ME TO VOTE ON WHETHER WE HAVE LOCAL DISASTER IN NUECES COUNTY .

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A LOCAL DISASTER IN NUECES COUNTY .

IF THERE IS LEGAL TERMINOLOGY WE NEED TO PASSES FOR SOME REASON, OKAY, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MUTUAL AID

AGREEMENTS, TOO. >> I THINK WE CAN GET YOU SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THAT. I DO WANT TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

>> I READ IT. I APPRECIATED.

>> WHAT THEY SAY IS CRITICAL, FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS.

>> WE GET THESE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, JUDGE.

NOT THE FIRST TIME ISSUED BY THE WEATHER SERVICE.

WE CAN THEM REGULARLY ON HIGH RED FLAG FIRE DAYS.OT AN EMERGENCY NUECES COUNTY BEFORE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

BIG DEAL FOR THE COUNTY. >> AGAIN, THE TITLE IS MISNOME , PERHAPS, FOR YOU. IT SAYS LOCAL DISASTER.

BUT THE DISASTER IS IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH DEFINED AS AN IMMINENT THREAT. WE DO HAVE AN IMMINENT THREAT.

THEREFORE THE DISASTER DECLARATION IS APPROPRIATE TO BE EXTENDED. IF WE WOULD LIKE TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE STATE, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING MUTUAL AID. I DON'T SEE THAT BEING A PROBLEM. BUT I DO BELIEVE IT IS IN TAXPAYERS BEST INTEREST FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS, FOR NUECES COUNTY TO CONTINUE THIS DECLARATION SO WE MAY AVAIL OURSELVES FOR RESOURCES TODAY, NEXT 30 MINUTES, AND TOMORROW, AND WHENEVER WE NEED IT UNTIL THIS IMMINENT THREAT IS NO

[00:50:01]

>> I DON'T THAT HAVE THAT, EITHER.

>> I KNOW, JUST ABOUT TO PRESS SEND.

THIS WAS SENT TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PARTNERS.

THAT WOULD BE OUR OFFICE, LOUIE AND MYSELF.

JUST AMAZING HOW WE'RE HAVING TO PIVOT NOW.

CURRENTLY, EVERY SINGLE TEXAS COUNTY IS OPERATING UNDER DISASTER DECLARATION. TINA MOLLY HAS PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF 30 OF THE 250 COUNTIES.

PIVOT, IMPLEMENT, RESTRUCTURE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUNDS IN ORDER TO HELP JURISDICTIONS. THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS BECAUSE WE CANNOT USE THE ARGUMENTS OF YESTERDAY THAT WE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE AS A GOOD REASON TO CONTINUE.

THE PHILOSOPHY THAT THIS IS NO BIG DEAL.

IT IS A REALLY BIG DEAL TO LOSE 55,000 ACRES, PUT THIS FOR THE BILL THAT WE HAVE. I WILL TELL YOU TO HAVE IN THREE WEEKS AGO WE HAD.

SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE FACT WE MAY HAVE TO MOVE INMATES.

DON'T HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND BAILER CELLS WITH RESOURCES BECAUSE WE DO NOT BELIEVE INTIMATE FRIEND EXISTED.

IT WOULD BE MORE PRUDENT, OR REASONABLE THAT NOT TO CONTINUE THIS DISASTER GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE ARE UNDER A RED FLAG DAY. NO DIFFERENT THAT WE UNDERWENT.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT HAVE GUIDANCE WISE COUNSEL TINA THROUGH GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

A LITTLE MORE DAUNTING. ALL 20 COUNTIES, I'M SORRY WOULD ALL COUNTIES IN DISTRICT 20 HAVE DONE THE SAME PROTOCOLS, I THINK YOU SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE FACT THAT THESE PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE FOR OUR OWN ECONOMIC SAFETY AND OUR OWN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. BUT WHAT I THINK WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA IS TO CONTINUE THE INFORMATION PROCESS, BUT WHEN WE EXTEND A DISASTER, THRESHOLD THAT WE ARE MEETING FOR HURRICANES IS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

FOR WILDFIRES, NO DIFFERENCE. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

YOU CAN REALLY COUNT ON THEM TO TELL YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN IMMINENT THREAT OR PERIL. WHEN WE GET THESE TYPES OF STATEWIDE CALLS, WHICH BY THE WAY, A STATEWIDE CALL WOULD NOT BE ISSUED FOR OUR COUNTY IF IT WAS A NORMAL, EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT. TINA, CHIEF KID OTHER DISASTERS TO MANAGE. WE ARE HAVING STATEWIDE CALLS EVERY DAY PRACTICALLY DURING RED FLAG WEEK.

I THINK THESE ARE ALL OF THE INDICATORS THAT PROVIDE JUSTIFICATION FOR US TO EXTEND. STATEWIDE CALLS, ISSUING THE ALERTS, THE COORDINATION WITH ALL THE THE COORDINATION WITH ALL THE DISTRICT 20 COUNTY JUDGES.

THIS IS FOR A REASON. INCUMBENT UPON US TO UNDERSTAND INTIMATE THREAT EXISTS. DECLARATION IS NOT BECAUSE OF FIRE BURNING IN NUECES COUNTY , IT'S BECAUSE THERE COULD BE A FIRE BURNING IN NUECES COUNTY OR ANY SURROUNDING COUNTY AND OUR PEOPLE WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE TO THE FRONT LINE.

OUR EQUIPMENT WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE TO THE FRONT LINE.

OUR RESOURCES WILL BE ASKED TO MOVE TO THE FRONT LINE.

IF WE HAVE THIS DECLARATION IN PLACE, WE WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO POTENTIAL FURTHER RESOURCES, REIMBURSEMENTS, AND THIS IS WHY WE DO THIS. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN IF A STORM WAS BREWING IN THE GULF AND NWS, AGAIN, THAT CONE AIMED AT US. THAT IS WHAT THE DECLARATION IS ABOUT. THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO HELP THE STATE OF TEXAS, HELP OUR COUNTY RECOVER AND RESPOND.

>> SO, AGAIN, I ÃI GOING TO, EMERGENCY MANAGER, FIRE MARSHAL. I AM SUPER FRUSTRATED AND PRESENTATION TODAY. I'M GOING TO BE ON ITS ENTRANCE. YOU GUYS ARE NICE GUYS, I LIKE YOU, NOTHING PERSONAL. YOU'RE COMING IN AND ASKING ME, ALL V, JUDGE, FIRE MARSHAL, I GUESS TINA HIM TO SIGN SOMETHING THAT SAYS WE HAVE A LOCAL DISASTER.

THAT IS HUGE BELL TO RING FOR ME.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IF WE DECLARE A DISASTER FOR

[00:55:02]

IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT DONE IT LAST SEVEN YEARS, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LOOK AT IT NOW, NOT SAME JUDGE DID ANYTHING WRONG DISASTER.ADE THAT CLEAR. SHE IS THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.

I'M NOT SPEAKING OUT IN OPPOSITION OF HER DECLARATION.

BUT NOW I TO VOTE ON IT. WHEN I VOTE ON IT, I'M TELLING YOU ALL I'M NOT GOING TO KEEP VOTING ON STUFF LIKE THIS WITH NO INFORMATION. I MEAN, I AM SUPER BOTHERED THAT YOU ARE ASKING THIS COURT TO DO THIS AND NOT ONE SHRED OF THING GIVEN TO US BUT A DISASTER.

NO DATA, NO COSTS, NO ANYTHING WAS SENT TO US ON WHY WE'RE HAVING THIS COMMUNITY DOING THIS.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A 15 MINUTE MEETING AND GOT ALL THE INFORMATION. INSTEAD I ASKED QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT. THIS IS NOT, TO ME, AND I AM SORRY IF IT IS OFFENSIVE, BUT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.OT ACCEPTABLE WAY FOR ME TO MAKE A DECISION ON AN EMERGENCY.

ON A LOCAL DISASTER. YEAH, THOSE WORDS, I TAKE THAT SUPER SERIOUSLY. JUST LIKE YOU DO, JUDGE.

WHEN I SEE THE WORDS LOCAL DISASTER, NOTHING I COULD SEE GOING ON IN NUECES COUNTY EXCEPT THE FACT, I DON'T SAY THIS LIGHTLY, EXCEPT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE READ FIRE DAYS, RED FLAG FIRE DAYS AND WE HAVE THEM REGULARLY.

IN FACT, I WANT TO KNOW THAT DATA.

I WAY TO GO BACK, PLEASE, TELL ME HOW MANY OF THESE RED FIREFLY DATA DAYS WE'VE HEAD IN THE COMMUNITY LAST FIGURES.

CONDITIONS LIKE THIS AND WHY NOW WE'RE DOING IT? I GET IT BECAUSE OF CLAYBURGH, BUT THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT WE HAD MUTUAL AID FOR. SO THIS PRESENTATION HAS LEFT ME WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS AND PUT ME IN A UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO NOT DO IT IF IT IS REALLY NEEDED, BASED ON THE PRESENTATION TODAY, I'M NOT CONVINCED WE NEED TO DECLARE LOCAL DISASTER FOR NUECES COUNTY. ALL THE MUTUAL AID WE HAVE, ALL REIMBURSEMENT POTENTIALS, EMERGENCIES NOT TO GET GRANTS.

EMERGENCIES ARE EMERGENCIES. I'M NOT SAYING THE ONLY REASON SOMEONE IS ASKING FOR AN EMERGENCY.

I GET THAT WE WANT TO BE REIMBURSED.

I DO. I THINK THERE ARE WAYS TO GET REIMBURSED WITHOUT CLEARING A DISASTER INTERCOUNTY IF THERE IS NOT A DISASTER. I AM VERY TORN ON THIS.

WE DID NOT HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK, I WOULD VOTE NO.

LET'S GO DOWN THE ROAD. I'M GOING TO SIT AND THINK ABOUT THINGS BEFORE DECIDE WHAT TO DO.

I MIGHT SAY OKAY, GREAT, EXTEND WEDNESDAY.IVE YOU THE TIME TO GIVE ME INFORMATION I NEED. MAYBE MY MIND WILL CHANGE.

MAYBE IT DOES NEED EXTENDED. MAYBE FIRE DAYS GO AWAY. AM REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT SETTING PRESIDENT ON DISASTERS AND NOT ONE IN MY OPINION IN NUECES COUNTY .

YES, THERE IS IMMINENT THREAT OF FIRE BECAUSE OF OUR CONDITIONS. HOLY COW, IF THIS IS THE STANDARD WE ARE GOING TO USE IN NUECES COUNTY , I'M AFRAID WE WILL HAVE 10 OF THESE A YEAR. THAT MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. I'M GOING TO BE QUIET AND THINK ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. SO, WE ÃI HAD THE MOTION ON

THE FLOOR. >> JUDGE, I HAVE A QUESTION.

>> YES, GO AHEAD. >> CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY ACRES OF THE BIRDS HERE IN NUECES COUNTY ?

>> LAST TIME I CHECKED, COMMISSION, IT WAS FOR.

>>> FIRE, POSSIBLY 25 ACRES BURNED.

THEN THE PALM TREE TWO OTHER FIRES.

APPROXIMATELY 15 ACRES A PIECE. CLOSE TO ABOUT 50 ACRES.

>> SOUND TO ME I KEEP HEARING THE WORD PARTIAL, IS THIS ABOUT REACHING THE THRESHOLD SO WE CAN GET SOME MONIES? LET ME ASK, WE DID LOSE A BRUSH TRUCK, OKAY, IS ANY OF THAT

EQUIPMENT INSURED? >> I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK, COMMISSIONER. I'M PRETTY SURE THAT IT WAS.

BUT I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK. >> I JUST DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF DUPLICATING THINGS LIKE THIS OF, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S REALLY A DISASTER AND I DON'T REALLY THINK IT IS, OKAY.

AND I AM SURE OTHER COUNTIES AND CLAYBURGH THEY THEMSELVES CARRY SOME KIND OF INSURANCE AND THEY CAN BE REIMBURSED.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A DISASTER RIGHT AWAY HERE.

IN AN IMMINENT THREAT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.

[01:00:03]

THREAT CAN HAPPEN IN ANYTIME YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO PRESUMPTION THAT WE ARE IN EVIDENCE RIGHT.

>> SO, COMMISSIONER. I THINK WHAT YOU'RE ASKING ME IS BASICALLY AT THIS POINT WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EXTENDING THIS DISASTER. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IF WE TALK ABOUT PREVENTION AND BEING PREPARED FOR ANY OTHER DISASTER COMING OUT, THIS IS A GOOD MOVE.

IT KEEPS US IN LINE WITHOUT WHAT OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES DOES. IT ALSO ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY, IF WE HAVE A FIRE OR ANYTHING HAPPENS, I HOPE NOT. THAT WE CAN GO INTO ÃINTO A DISASTER DECLARATION WITH THE REST OF THE STATE TO GET THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP US REIMBURSE OUR LOCAL PARTNERS.

NOW, AS FAR AS INSURANCE, I'M PRETTY SURE THERE IS A DEDUCTIBLE WITH THAT. SO I AM PRETTY SURE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID. AGAIN, ANOTHER COST.

NOW, IF WE GET A DISASTER DECLARATION THAT'S APPROVED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, 25, 75 PERCENT COST SHARE.HAT HELPS

US A LOT. >> AND NOW WITH THE NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION, ACTUALLY THEY MOVED 75/ 25 TO 90/10.

WHAT I'M COLLIDED YOU INTERESTED TIME, IS TO TAKE THE

RECOMMENDATION. >> JUDGE, YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO SIGN OFF ON PAPERWORK AND ALL THIS DECLARING IT WAS A DISASTER, IT IS A DISASTER, RIGHT?

>> I DON'T SIGN UP FOR ANY PAPERWORK DECLARED DISASTERS.

THAT IS NOT MY JOB. >> OKAY.

FIRE MARSHAL, DO SIGN OFF ON ANYTHING? NOTHING? I'M JUST SAYING, AND I'M STILL WORRIED AND CONCERNED THAT YOU'RE NOT CERTIFIED YET, SIR.

HERE WE ARE USING YOU TO MAKE ORDINANCES, TO COME UP AND TELLS, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU THINK WHEN YOU'RE NOT EVEN CERTIFIED.

AGAIN, HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE YOU TO GET CERTIFIED, SIR?

>> I CAN HAVE HIM ANSWER, BUT I NEED THE COURT MANAGER OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SO HE HAS MET ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.

HE DOES NOT HAVE AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR LICENSE YET OR CERTIFICATION I SHOULD SAY. BUT HE IS A CERTIFIED FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. HE HAS PEACE OFFICER LICENSE AND MET ALL OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

AGAIN, A SORT OF GETS OFF THE PATH.

>> NO ÃKNOW WHAT I'M ASKING. LAST TIME HE TOLD US HE WAS

TAKING ONLINE COURSES. >> TO RECEIVE CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS, CORRECT OR NO BEARING ON THE FACT DUMBNESS.

>> YOUR UNCERTIFIED MARSHAL, SIR?

>> YES, SIR. >> YOU ARE?

>> YES, SIR. >> TO HAVE CERTIFICATES.

>> I CAN BRING YOU PEACE OFFICER LICENSE.

>> ANYONE CAN BE A PEACE OFFICER, SIR.OT JUST ANYBODY. A POLICE OFFICER IS THERE, POLICE OFFICER STAY THERE GUARDING THE DOOR.

OKAY. I AM SURE HE IS NOT A FIRE

MARSHAL. >> RIGHT, HE WAS NOT HIRED AS A

FIRE MARSHAL. >> RIGHT, FIRE MARSHAL STATUTE IS WHAT WE LOOK TO. WE LOOK TO THE LAW AND WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE FOLLOWED THE LAW FOR FIRE MARSHALS. THE ANSWER IS, WE HAVE.

ANYTHING EXTRA THAT HE GETS IS IMPORTANT TO THE COUNTY LIKE AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR'S LICENSE. YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT DUE TO COVID-19 AND THE ABILITY TO NOT HAVE IN PERSON CLASSES, HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ARSON INVESTIGATORS LICENSE. AGAIN, WE ARE DIGRESSING.

HE IS A FIRE MARSHAL IN STATE OF TEXAS.

204 COUNTIES. A LAW THAT GOVERNS FIRE MARSHALS. HE NEEDS THE LAW'S

REQUIREMENTS. >> ALL I AM ASKING IS GIVE US A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATE. I'M SURE YOU HAVE A

SIGNIFICANT, RIGHT. >> THERE'S NO CERTIFICATE.

HE WAS HIRED AS FIRE MARSHAL ME STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

>> WELL, THEN WE JUST STOP HIRING PEOPLE, JUDGE THAT DON'T QUALIFY. PAY THEM FOR 2-3 YEARS.

OKAY. NOT EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.

HAPPEN TO US IN ANOTHER CASE, I AM NOT ALLOWED TO MENTION.

WE JUST STOP DOING THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS RELEVANCE IS HERE, JENNY, I

NEED ASSISTANCE. >> ANYTHING PASTOR QUESTIONING OF DUMBNESS.> I UNDERSTAND. WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE.

I'M NOT MENTIONING ANY NAMES OR DEPARTMENTS.

>> BUT, YEAH, THOSE THINGS ARE NOT NOTICED ON THE AGENDA.

[01:05:01]

HIRING PRACTICES. >> I THINK IT IS RELEVANT, JENNY. HE'S ASKING QUESTIONS, I MEAN, HE'S MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO COURT ON EMERGENCY.

ASKING QUESTIONS WHETHER OR NOT HE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. "WITH ALL DUE RESPECT" I THINK

IT'S RELEVANT TO THE AGENDA. >> WELL, I THINK THAT IS FAIR TO WHETHER OR NOT HE HAS MET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS ON FIRE MARSHAL, AND I CAN CERTIFY TO THIS COURT AS OFFICER OF THE COURT THAT HE IS MET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS PUTS FORTH FOR BEING A FIRE MARSHAL.

AND I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY DISPUTE ABOUT THAT FROM HR OR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR MY OFFICE.

OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. I FEEL LIKE I REALLY DO WHAT

IS. >> AS A FAIR RESPONSE.

I THINK THAT'S A FAIR RESPONSE. >> THAT IS REALLY, LIKE TO GET US BACK ON TRACK. AND WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST

IS THAT. >> I'VE A QUESTION FOR JENNY

BEFORE YOU CALL A VOTE. >> GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS GOING TO AMEND. YOU WANT TO HEAR THAT FIRST?

>> GO AHEAD AND DO WHATEVER. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HEAR THE AMENDMENT IF IT ASKS, I THINK YOU WANT TO ASK ABOUT

THE RISK. >> GO AHEAD, I'M GOING TO ASK

SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. >> GO AHEAD, THEN.

>> JENNY, MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE EMERGENCIES ARE THE WAY I READ THEM AND I MAY BE WRONG. THE WAY I READ THEM IS JUDGE DECLARES, WE HAVE ABOUT SEVEN DAYS AFTER, AND IF WE VOTE NOT TO EXTEND THEN THE COURT WOULD HAVE TO ON A SECOND SIMILAR EMERGENCY THE COURT WOULD HAVE TO ISSUE THAT DECLARATION.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS LIKE IN OTHER WORDS EVIDENCE.

>> IF IT'S THE SAME EMERGENCY. T WAS THE SAME EMERGENCY, I BELIEVE THAT IS ACCURATE. I DON'T HAVE THAT PART OF THE CODE IN FRONT ME. BUT IF IT IS A DIFFERENT, I MEAN, IT WOULD BE EASY TO BE A DIFFERENT SITUATION HERE IN NUECES COUNTY THAT THE JUDGE WOULD HAVE.

>> RIGHT, THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING AT.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAMSTRING THE JUDGE.

AT THE SAME TIME I'M NOT SUPER COMFORTABLE WHERE WE ARE TODAY BASED ON LACK OF INFORMATION I PROVIDED.

I'M GOING TO SAY THAT THREE WERE TIMES, TOO.

EXERCISE MY FRUSTRATION ON THIS.

SO, MY UNDERSTANDING IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID.

SO, IN OTHER WORDS, BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN KNOW CLAYBURGH FIRE, HAS NOTHING CONTAINED? THAT IS DONE.

>> YES. >> THAT IS DONE.

SO, MY BELIEF IS AS WE SIT HERE TODAY WE DON'T HAVE EMERGENCY PLAN NUECES COUNTY TODAY. BUT MY BELIEF ALSO IS SOMETHING SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGES TOMORROW, THEN THE JUDGE BECAUSE A DIFFERENT DECLARATION COULD STILL TURN AROUND AND DECLARE AN EMERGENCY IF SOMETHING HAPPENED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THAT.

BUT I WANT TO BE SURE BECAUSE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

I, AGAIN, IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT TOMORROW AND THE JUDGE NEEDS TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.HAT'S DIFFERENT THAN EMERGENCY WE HAD. REALLY EMERGENCIES WE HAD BEFORE WERE MORE BECAUSE OF MUTUAL AID.

I WANT TO BE SURE ON THAT, THAT'S IMPORTANT TO BE.

I THINK THINGS GOT WORSE AGAIN ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY SHE COULD TURN AROUND AND ISSUE ANOTHER EMERGENCY BECAUSE IT IS NOT EXACT SAME EMERGENCY. I KNOW THERE IS LANGUAGE THAT SAYS IF WE DON'T EXTEND THIS ONE, THEN THE COURT ÃEXACT SAME EMERGENCY THAT I THINK THE COURT HAS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SECOND ONE. I MAY NEED A LITTLE BREAK TO GIVE YOU TIME TO ANSWER QUESTION FOR ME BECAUSE AS I SIT HERE TODAY I DON'T THINK THERE'S A NEED FOR LOCAL DISASTER PLAN NUECES COUNTY . BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE JUDGE HAS THE ABILITY THAT IF THAT CHANGES TOMORROW, SHE CAN STILL GO AND DECLARE A ANOTHER EMERGENCY IF SHE SO CHOOSES. IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTE I WANT TO ADD. AGAIN I WANT TO HAVE AN ANSWER

BEFORE I VOTES. >> I.

MORE INFORMATION AND I WILL CONSULT WITH CHIEF.

MAREZ AGREED TO A SECOND WITHDRAW WITH ME, HIS SECOND.

THEN WE CAN AMEND IT. ALLOW CONTINUATION UNTIL NEXT WEEK. WE JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK. THAT WOULD PROVIDE A FEW MORE DAYS OF TIME FOR US TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION.

MAYBE HEAR FROM OTHERS, OTHER PERSPECTIVES, FOR EXAMPLE, CORPUS CHRISTI FIRE DEPARTMENT ETC. AGAIN, ALL ABOUT MAKING

[01:10:10]

I THINK THE AMENDMENT IS THAT WE WOULD EXTEND UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND WE CAN BRING IT BACK ON NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA.

THERE IS TIME, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT POSTED.

SO WE COULD ADD THAT. I COULD MAKE THAT, YOU KNOW, REQUEST OF THE COURT MANAGER. AND THAT WOULD MOVE US ALONG TODAY'S PROCESSES. COMMISSIONER MAREZ, DO YOU FIND

IT ACCEPTABLE ENOUGH TO SECOND? >> SURE, SECOND.

>> OKAY. I THINK WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. THAT IS GIVEN IN COMPROMISE, WHAT TO BELIEVE AND ON THE RECORD THAT I STAND, YOU KNOW, READY TO EXTEND, BUT IN THE EFFORT OF COMPROMISE IN TIME AND THE REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE ISSUED ÃSORRY ABOUT THAT, CONNIE, I WALKED AWAY FROM THAT MIKE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. AGAIN, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND LESS ABOUT A RAGING FIRE AND MORE ABOUT RESOURCES.

BUT LET US BRING YOU THAT STORY.

IN THAT PERSPECTIVE FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. I HOPE THAT THAT MEETS WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS. ADD I WILL CALL FOR THE BOAT.

>> JUDGE, I'M GOING TO ASK AGAIN BECAUSE UNTIL I GET MY QUESTION FROM JENNY ANSWER, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT. I'M SORRY, YOU CANNOT SUPPORT THAT?> UNTIL I GET MY QUESTION ANSWERED FROM JENNY?

>> WHAT WAS THAT? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IF IF TOMORROW, SOMETHING DRAMATICALLY HAPPENED DIFFERENTLY THAT THE JUDGE CAN GET ANOTHER ORDER I DON'T SEE TODAY A LOCAL DISASTER NEEDED TODAY.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE IF TOMORROW, A FIRE BREAKS OUT, SOMETHING HAPPENS AND SHE NEEDS TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY, I THINK SHE STILL COULD IF THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO. EVIDENCE DIFFERENT THAN THIS ONE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT SET UP, IF A COURT DOES IT EXTEND THEN THE COUNTY JUDGE JUST CAN'T TOMORROW FOR NO REASON EXTEND A ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL.

BUT IF SOMETHING DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT HAPPENS, DIFFERENT THAN FIRST EMERGENCY LIKE IN MITHRA, LITERALLY SOMETHING GOING ON IN NUECES COUNTY THAT SHE COULD.

BUT THAT IS THE LEGAL QUESTION I WANT TO MAKE SURE ON.

IF TOMORROW, SOMETHING HAPPENS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE JUDGE CAN DO THAT. BECAUSE TODAY, WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO VOTE, I DON'T FEEL LIKE IN A MINUTE ENOUGH TRY TO TELL THE WHOLE COMMUNITY A LOCAL DISASTER WHEN THERE IS NO FIRES AND WE HAVE THESE CONDITIONS REGULARLY.

I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO DO THIS TODAY.

AND SO, IF I PUSHED FOR A VOTE TODAY, THAT I'M NOT LEANING.

>> I AM NOT ABLE TO TABLE THIS, BRENT, UNFORTUNATELY 7-DAY RULE IS SEVEN DAY RULE. OTHERWISE HAPPY TO TABLE IT.

>> NOT TABLE PASS TODAY, I WANT YOU TO ANSWER THE LEGAL QUESTION FOR 30 MINUTES.OULD BE FOR WHATEVER AN HOUR.

IF YOU WANT TO, JUDGE, THAT'S FINE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. JUST SO YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS AS AN EXTENSION FROM THE TIME OF THE DISASTER. FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS AN EMINENT THREAT TODAY, THAT'S FOR SURE.

AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY, I HATE TO BRING BACK, YOU KNOW, THE SAME DISCUSSION. BUT CHIEF.

THERE TRYING TO COME UP WITH A ÃTHEY ARE USING EMERGENCY PLAN LOU OF ENEMY THREATS. AND SO DISASTERS OF AN

EMERGENCY, ISN'T THAT CORRECT. >> SO, THAT'S CORRECT.

DISASTER DECLARATION FOR INTIMATE THREAT.

ONCE YOU DO COUNTY PROGRAMS. DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

PRIMARILY TRACKING AND COST, ALSO USE OF ACCESS IN DECLARATION. THAT IS PURPOSE OF COUNTY

DOCUMENT DECLARATION. >> RIGHT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE. THANK YOU POP, PERFECT YEAR FOR ME COMMISSIONER CHESNEY, USING DIFFERENT METRIC THAN THE METRIC THAT WE NEED TO BE USING FOR THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE INTIMATE THREAT IS ADDRESSED THIS EXTENSION NEEDS TO BE, YOU KNOW, NEEDS TO BE VOTED ON. THAT IS WHY GOVENOR DECLARED

[01:15:06]

NOTHING TO PLAY AROUND WITH. >> JUDGE, IT'S NOT LIKE WE ARE NOT ÃIN OTHER WORDS IF THIS IS THE THRESHOLD WE ARE GOING TO USE, THEN WE WILL HAVE 10 EMERGENCIES A YEAR.

WE NEED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO EVERYBODY.F THIS IS THE THRESHOLD, AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION.

THAT IS THE SECOND OF THE THREE I'M GOING TO MENTION THAT I NEEDED TO DO THIS TODAY. BUT WE HAVE THESE KIND OF CONDITIONS IN NUECES COUNTY 8-10 TIMES A YEAR.

I GET THESE WEATHER BLASTS. IF THIS IS A NEW THRESHOLD EMERGENCIES IN NUECES COUNTY , I'M NOT TALK ABOUT LABOR, NOT.

>>> ,NOT OTHER COUNTIES. APPRECIATE THAT HAFT OF THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR INCLUDE NUECES COUNTY IN THERE, GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE.

BUT I MEAN, IF THIS IS NEW STANDARD FOR EMERGENCIES IN NUECES COUNTY , THEN WE WILL BE UNDER EMERGENCY DISASTERS 10-12-0 BASED ON RED FLY, WINDY CONDITIONS, DRY CONDITIONS, POTENTIAL FIRES BECAUSE WE GET THIS KIND OF THING A LOT.

I DON'T KNOW. >> BRENT, YOU YOUR PREDICTION COULD BE TRUE. LET ME JUST ASSURE YOU THAT WE DO NOT CONTROL MOTHER NATURE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE SEEN OUR UNFAIR SHARE OF EXTREME WEATHER AND WHATEVER THE WEATHER, WHATEVER SHE BRINGS, WE WILL HAVE TO ADJUST AND RESPOND.

SINCE 2010, TEXAS HAS BEEN GRANTED 19 DECLARED FEDERAL DECLARED DISASTERS. SIX FEDERAL DECLARED EMERGENCY.

AND FIRE USES HIS DECLARATIONS. THIS IS HISTORIC NUMBERS.

THIS IS WHY TEXAS LEADS THE NATION, I'M SORRY TO SAY, WORST CATEGORY IS DECLARED EMERGENCIES.

ALL I CAN TELL YOU AS THAT OUR JOB IS TO BE PREPARED.

I WOULD PLEASE ASK THAT YOU STAND WITH US SO THAT WE CAN CREATE THIS PREPAREDNESS. THIS IS WHAT THIS EXTENSION IS ALL ABOUT. THIS HELPS YOUR COUNTY, AND HELPS YOUR TAXPAYER. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE ALLOW US TO EXTEND BECAUSE THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THERE WERE RESOURCES THAT WERE EXPENDED IN THE PAST THAT WE DON'T WANT TO CLOSE THE DOOR TO NOT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IF WE ARE ENTITLED TO IT.

JUST SO YOU KNOW, I ASKED CHIEF.

WE HAVE NOT EVEN CLOSE OUT HURRICANE IKE SINCE 2008.

THIS IS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, IT CAN BE FRUSTRATING.

I DON'T ASSURE YOU THAT I DON'T WISH THESE DECLARATIONS ON ANY OF US, BUT THEY ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.

PLEASE HELP ME PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY BY EXTENDING THIS UNTIL NEXT WEEK SO THAT WE CAN GET THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED FOR YOU REGARDING MUTUAL AID. I DO BELIEVE OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS READY TO ANSWER MUTUAL AID QUESTIONS TODAY.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL THE RESOURCES, THIS IS THE PROCESS WE'VE USED FOR FLOODING, OKAY, THAT HELPED YOUR COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

NORTHWESTERN. THIS IS THE SAME PROCESS WE USE FOR HURRICANES. SAME PROCESS WE USE WHEN WE BELIEVE THAT OUR FOLKS NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

>> SO, CAN I ASKED CHIEF OR MR. THING AGAIN, OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE THAT ARE FAR MORE EXTREME IN THEIR FIRE RATINGS OR FIRE LIKELIHOODS THAN US, ARE THEY UNDER EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS? I'M LOOKING AT THIS ONE THAT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS EXTREME AND IS EXTREME IN ODESSA, EL PASO, LUBBOCK, MIDLAND, ABILENE AND AMARILLO.

ARE THERE EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS OUT THERE? THOSE ARE EXTREME. WE ARE THE VERY HIGH AND THOSE

ARE EXTREME. >> SCOMMISSIONER, YES.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE OVER 70 COUNTIES UNDER DECLARATION

[01:20:01]

RIGHT NOW. >> HOW MANY?

70? >> 70 COUNTIES.

>> 7-0. >> YES, 70.

>> OUR AREA, IS IT LIKE A REGIONAL? I THOUGHT THE ONE I READ HAD ONLY 11 OR SO COUNTIES LISTED.

RIGHT. THE ONES I GOT FROM THE GOVERNOR YOU ALL SENT ME. IT LISTED 11 COUNTIES AROUND

US. >> NO, I WILL PULL IT UP AGAIN.

I BELIEVE OUR LISTED. >> I CAN TELL YOU COMMISSIONERS, THERE ARE TWO DECLARATIONS SIMULTANEOUS IS SIDE-BY-SIDE. THE FIRE INCIDENT AND YOU ALSO HAVE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT, THE TORNADOES THAT OCCURRED.

LITTLE BIT LESS COUNTIES ON THAT WHEN COMPARED TO

(INDISCERNIBLE). >> THE FIRE ONE, 70 IN FIRE ONCE? 70 COUNTIES?

>> RIGHT. CORRECT.

EVERY DAY YOU ARE ELIGIBLE OR YOU ALL COULD HAVE ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. IT'S CALLED DISASTER SUMMARY OUTLINES. I DID A COUNT THIS MORNING, OVER 70 COUNTIES SUBMITTED DECLARATIONS FOR THIS RADICAL

FIRE INCIDENT. >> OKAY.

SO, LET ME PULL THAT ONE UP THAT THE GOVERNOR ¦

>> INCLUDING ALL OUR DISTRICT 20.

>> SPECIFIC FOR DISTRICT 20? >> NO, I AM SAYING TO YOU INCLUDING ALL OF OUR DISTRICT 20.

IF WE DO NOT ÃOUR DECLARATION INCLUDES ÃI AM SORRY, OUR DECLARATION IS CONSISTENT WITH DISTRICT 20.

AND AGAIN, THERE IS ALSO A VERY ÃI WANT TO PUT THIS IN THE RECORD. YOU CAN HAVE, A VERY GOOD WEBSITE TEXAS A&M, TN.TEXAS.GOV.

VERY IMPORTANT OVERVIEW THAT SUMMARIZES OVERVIEW.

INCREASED BY WEATHER CONDITIONS ONS EXISTS FOR TEXAS.

DRY FUELS PAIRED WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY CREATES POTENTIAL FIRED CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

TAXES IN THE AREAS OF CONCERN TO MAKE EVACUATION PLAN WITH MULTIPLE ROUTES. PREPARE EMERGENCY CABLE SUPPLIES. HE GUIDES LOCAL OFFICIALS AND MONITOR LOCAL NEWS. TEXANS WHO SUSTAINED DAMAGE CAUSED BY WILDFIRES ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT DAMAGE THROUGH I-STAT. SIMILAR WHEN A HURRICANE OR AN EVENT HAPPENS INSIDE OUR COMMUNITY LIKE A TROPICAL STORM, TORNADO, WHENEVER THE EXTREME WEATHER IS.

AND THESE ARE THE BULLET POINTS, AGAIN, PLACED INTO THE RECORD THROUGH THIS ORAL PROCESS TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL. AGAIN, WE ARE GOING TO TO BEST TO CUMULATIVELY BRING ALL OF THESE WILDFIRES TOGETHER, COMMISSIONER. THAT'S WHY WE LIKE TO EXTEND.

IT TAKES US BACK TO OUR FIRST RESOURCE WE EXTENDED.

I BELIEVE YOU ARE CORRECT. KNOW YOU'RE WAITING FOR ME, BUT FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. I BELIEVE YOU TO BE CORRECT THAT WHEN YOU SAY IF CIRCUMSTANCES, IF YOU'RE NOT TO EXTEND THIS DECLARATION IN A FIRE OR 2 BREAKUP, ISSUE DECLARATION. HOWEVER, ALL THE LOST RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN EXTENDED AND THAT WOULD BE X ASHAMED.

OUR COUNTY JUDGES AROUND US SEVEN DOLLARS UP TO THE STATE.

NOT BY NOT ING ADMIT THREAT BY NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE EXTENSION OF DISASTER, WE HEARD OUR STAY IN MY OPINION.

WE HEARD THE PROCESS. QUITE FRANKLY, WE NEED TO BE IN LOCK STEP WHEN IT COMES TO DISASTERS WITH OUR STATE.

AGAIN, SAYING SOMETHING IS A TRUISM, WE ARE SEEING UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF MOTHER NATURE ACTS OF EXTREME WEATHER.

FROM WILDFIRES TO TORNADOES. YES, I THINK THAT IT IS INCREDIBLY SERIOUS AND FOR 2019, 2020, 25 WHEN WE DID NOT ISSUE WILDFIRE DECLARATIONS. IT'S NOT TRUE THAT YOU WOULD SEE THAT ALL OF THE TIME OR 10 TIMES A YEAR.

THIS IS EXTRAORDINARY, THIS IS DIFFERENT, I AM LETTING YOU KNOW TOP-LEVEL STATEWIDE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IT'S IFFERENT. I DO BELIEVE ACTING IN BEST INTEREST.OME POINT WE JUST HAVE E TO MOVE ON WITH, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO VOTE ON EXTENSION.

[01:25:05]

I WOULD, AGAIN, OFFER THAT. IF THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE HER MIND, LET ME GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL REQUEST OF EXTENSION

SO THAT WE CAN MOVE ON. >> JUDGE, WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO.'M OKAY WITH THAT. I AM READING THIS WEATHER THING AGAIN. AGAIN, I'M ADMITTING I'M DOING THIS ON THE FLY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE INFORMATION GIVEN TO ME.HAT THIS READS ON THE WEATHER FORECAST, SAYS CONDITIONS LEAD TO ELEVATED CRITICAL FIRE CONDITIONS WITH FUELS DRY, FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS LINGER INTO SUNDAY AS RECEIPT WHEN EXPECTED WITH LOW RELATIVE VALUES.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO EXTEND THROUGH SUNDAY, AND THEN IF THERE IS ANOTHER EMERGENCY YOU CAN DECLARE.

BECAUSE OF THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH ¦

>> IT DOES NOT HELP COMMISSIONER ¦

>> FIRE CONDITIONS LEADER AND SUNDAY AND MOISTURE COMING TO THE AREA, GOING TO START MAKING A TOWARD IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.

IF IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY, I WILLING TO DO THROUGH SUNDAY, THAT IS WHAT THE WEATHER FORECAST IS.

THE ONLY AND I'VE GOT TO GO ON BASED ON WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS SAYING. ANNA GIVE US A FEW MORE DAYS TO SEE. IF NOTHING ELSE CHANGES IN HAPPENS SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT AND DECLARE ANOTHER ONE ON MONDAY, I THINK YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

BUT I THINK I'M NOT REAL COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE WE ARE TODAY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO MAKE A DECISION. AND I DON'T THINK WE ARE IN

IMMINENT THREAT POSITION. >> YEAH I THINK.

>> OH

>> YOU MADE POSITION OF THE RECORD, I'M GOING TO BACK TO ORIGINAL MOTION. I HAVE TRIED.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER, WEDNESDAY IS A REASONABLE REQUEST TO BRING IT BACK TO NEXT AGENDA.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE HAVE LAID THE PREDICATE I THINK SUFFICIENTLY TO BRING INFORMATION TO YOU VERBALLY AGAIN, CHIEF.

REPRESENTED TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THE PURPOSE HERE IS NOT TO DECLARE THAT SOMETHING IS HAPPENING NOW. IS TO HELP US RECOVER WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY LOST. THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE LOST IF YOU DON'T EXTEND THIS DECLARATION.

THAT, TO ME, IS A BIG LOSS FOR THE COUNTY.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AGAINST HIM.

I WISH THAT YOU WOULD NOT. BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER DONE THAT TO ANY OTHER DISASTER. WE ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT IF YOU ALREADY PROPERTY STATED THAT WE HAD GOOD REASON TO COMPORT DISASTER ON APRIL 1 AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO BY THE EXTENSION IS ALLOWED THE STATE TO GET THE FEDERAL DECK.

ALLOW US TO RECUPERATE THOSE COSTS.

IF YOU EXTENDED TO SUNDAY, QUITE FRANKLY, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HELP US GET THERE. BECAUSE THAT DECLARATION IT NEEDS TO BE STANDING SO THAT WHEN WE RECEIVE THOSE ASSISTANCE FROM PA, THE FEMA PA WE WOULD HAVE ABILITY TO BE OPERATING UNDER OUR PLAN TO RECUPERATE THOSE COSTS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WE RESPONDED WE RECOVER.

IN SOME POINT YOU NEED TO SAY WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO BE FOR THAT RECOVERY OR NOT. THE WAY WE DO THAT IS BY EXTENDING DISASTER DECLARATION. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO HELP US MESSAGE THIS QUICKLY, WHICH IS IMMINENT THREAT BASED UPON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DATA LIKE WE DO FOR HURRICANES.

WE HAVE THE DATA. CHIEF.

>>> CONFIRMED DATA. IT'S ON TINA.GOV WEBSITE NOW.

EXTEND THROUGH THE MONTH OF MARCH.

THROUGH THE MONTH OF APRIL. SORRY I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION. SEVEN DAYS AFTER DECLARATION YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ALL THE E COSTS.

STILL IN PROCESS OF RECOVERING THEM.

I WISH THAT THE PROCESS WOULD BE BETTER UNDERSTOOD BECAUSE AN EMERGENCY IS A MISNOMER HERE. BUT THE EMERGENCY IS PREPAREDNESS FOR THE EMERGENCY. WE REALLY SHOULD BE IN LOCKSTEP ON THIS. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CONCERN IS HERE. I REALLY HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY. I THINK THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS IS GIVING ALL THE CLUES YOU NEED.

THE GOVERNOR HAS INCLUDED US IN DISASTER.

EXTENDING IT IS HELPING OUR STAY.

DO NOT EXTENDED, DOES NOT HELP OUR STATE.

SO, AGAIN, I MEAN I DON'T KNOW, I MEAN, MAYBE WE SHOULD LEAVE IT. COMMISSIONER MYERS, I WOULD LOVE GUIDANCE. I'M HAPPY TO VOTE ON IT FOR THE

[01:30:02]

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE ALL HAVE UNITY WHEN IT COMES TO PREPAREDNESS FOR OUR EMERGENCIES.

YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOUR ESD'S COULD'VE BEEN PAID OR REPAID AND YOU DID NOT GIVE THEM THAT CHANCE. THAT WOULD NOT BE A POSITIVE MESSAGE THAT WE CAN SEND HERE. THAT'S ALL THIS EXTENSION IS GOING TO DO. IT'S GOING TO HELP US OPEN THE DOOR FOR IN FACT ALL OF YOU HAVE HAD PRECINCTS THAT HAVE BENEFITED BY GRANTS THAT HAVE COME AFTER DISASTER LIKE CBD GR, WILDFIRES RUN COURSE, DEMAND FOR RESOURCES UNDER HAZARD ADMINISTRATION, EXTENDED, AVAIL OURSELVES OF THOSE GRANTS WHY WOULD WE WANT TO DO THAT? I AM REALLY, INFORMATION THAT YOU REQUEST IS HERE BEFORE YOU.

IT'S HERE IN PRESENCE CE IN TEDIUM , HERE WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM. THE REASON YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING MORE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING MORE.OT BEEN BUT A FEW DAYS? TAKES OUR JURISDICTIONS A WHILE TO SUBMIT PDAS INTO HIS.

TYPICALLY STATUSES 30 DAYS TO GET OUR ASSESSMENTS.

>> MR. OCCURRED DURING A DISASTER, EVEN AFTER THE DECLARATION IS NO LONGER IN PLACE THAT THOSE COULD STILL BE SUBMITTED TO

MEET THE THRESHOLD, CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. LIKE THE JUDGMENT YOU, STILL TRYING TO GET THAT INFORMATION FROM THE RESPONSE THAT YOU ALL DID OF DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF DISASTER.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS TO HELP US FACILITATE DOCUMENTATION OF THE INCIDENT. THAT IS STILL ONGOING.

>> WITH OR WITHOUT DECLARATION DISASTER, YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT EXPENSES THAT WERE INCURRED DURING SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND

THAT STILL MEETS THE THRESHOLD. >> DURING THAT TIMEFRAME, CORRECT.XTENSION OF THE THE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR JURISDICTIONS THAT JUST EXPERIENCE DISASTER IS FOR OTHER ANNEXES IN PLACE WHEN THAT OPERATIONS PLAN, THAT INCLUDES EMERGENCY PURCHASES, THAT INCLUDES OTHER RECOVERY PROGRAMS THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THAT IS PURPOSE OF THE EXTENSION OF THE DISASTER DECLARATION. JURISDICTION DESIRES TO.

>> PARTICULARLY, RECOVERY PROGRAMS WERE RELIVED TO.

>> AGAIN, WITH OR WITHOUT DECLARATION, STILL PUT EXPENSES TOWARD THRESHOLD IS STILL POTENTIALLY REIMBURSED IF NEED BE. DON'T NEED TO HAVE A DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY IN PLACE TO HAVE THAT IF NOT

EMINENT THREAT. >> WE CAN DO THAT, BUT TYPICALLY WITH DISASTER FORMULA PROCESS.

PROCESS COMES FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN.

AGAIN, WE HAD BEATEN UP FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LONGER. YOU GET TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

YOU CAN TOO VOTE FOR. IT'S A CHOICE.

IT'S A CHOICE TO BE. >> YEAH, IF IT DOESN'T PASS I WILL MAKE SUBSEQUENT MOTION TO EXTEND A SUNDAY.

BASED ON WHETHER, IF IT DOESN'T PASS (INDISCERNIBLE).

>> JUST SO YOU KNOW, AFFECTIVE SUNDAY.

>> COUPLE MORE DAYS. >> GIVES IT A COUPLE MORE DAYS, BUT DOES NOT ALLOW THE COURT TO ADDRESS IT AGAIN.

THERE IS NO MECHANISM, COMMISSIONER CHESNEY.

IF YOU DO NOT WEDNESDAY, THE COURT WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO COME BACK AND ADDRESS IT ON SUNDAY, AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT IN COURT AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXTEND IT.

AND THE INFORMATION THAT WE WOULD HAVE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU THAT WE COULD COLLECT IN THE MEANTIME.

>> ABILITY TO HAVE SOMETHING IF YOU DECLARED ANOTHER MARGIE THE SO DID YOU SO DEEMED A SUBSEQUENT EMERGENCY THAT YOU HAD (INDISCERNIBLE) NO HARM NO FOUL YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO

MOVE FORWARD UNLESS. >> AGAIN, I DISAGREE.

I THINK THERE IS HARM IN A COMMUNITY THAT EXPENDED RESOURCES AND FOR YOU TO ARGUE THAT WE BOTH HAVE SAME EXACT OPPORTUNITIES IS NOT CORRECT. WE WILL NOT HAVE SAME OPPORTUNITIES. THERE ARE WORKAROUNDS.

WE WOULD DO WORKAROUNDS I CONTINUE TO TAKE RESOURCES.

THE MODEL WILL NOT LOOK KINDLY UPON JURISDICTIONS THAT DO NOT

[01:35:05]

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE HAVE IN ORDER TO RECOVER THINGS

LIKE ONE ESD'S ¦ >> BUT JUDGE, NOTHING GOING ON RIGHT NOW THAT WE NEED TO BE SPENDING RESOURCES ON.

ZERO, NO FIRES, NOTHING GOING ON.

NO EMINENT THREAT IF THERE'S NOTHING HAPPENING.

IF AN IMMINENT THREAT HAPPENS, AS YOU THINK IT WILL HAPPEN, THEN YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING NEW HAS OCCURRED. RIGHT NOW WE SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING EVERY SAYS THAT ANYTHING BECAUSE NOTHING GOING

ON. >> COMMISSIONER, PART IF THAT IS IS BEING PREPARED FOR ANYTHING TO HAPPEN.

THIS DECLARATION WILL HELP US WITH THAT.

>> THEY WISH SHOULD JUST LIVE UNDER EMERGENCY DECLORATION.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE ARE IN FIRE SEASON WHEN APPEAR DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HEAD IN THE PAST. I MEAN, ALL OF TEXAS IS UNDER

THIS, BASICALLY. >> RIGHT.

>> ALL OF OUR PARTNERS TO THE WEST OF US.

ALL OF OUR PARTNERS MAY BE SOUTH OF US.

OUR COMMUNITY NEIGHBORS, ALL UNDER THE SAME THING.

EVEN NORTH TEXAS HAS THE SAME ISSUE.

IF WE GO ON THE PREMISE OF A WEATHER FORECAST, WE MAY NOT GET RAIN. OR WE MAY GET VERY LITTLE TO DECREASED FUEL ON THE GROUND. THIS WILL HELP US.

>> LOOK, I WILL SAY THIS FINAL THING.

I'M GOING TO UNPLUG MY IPAD HERE.

THIS DECLARATION, OF COURSE, WILL HELP US.

WE WILL STAND IN ISOLATION TO OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS WHO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF DISASTER DECLARATION AS IT APPLIES TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. AND PROGRAMS THAT COME AFTER AN EMERGENCY. IF IT IS THE DESIRE OF THIS COURT NOT TO BE COMPORTED WITH WHAT BEST PRACTICES ARE ALL AROUND THE REGION, THEN, AGAIN, ONLY SO MUCH THAT WE CAN DO.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU IT IS OUR JOB TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE BRING TO THE COURT UNDER THE LAW, YOU KNOW, THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND. AND IT SHOULD NOT BE AS DIFFICULT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU BECAUSE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT WE ARE UNPRECEDENTED WILDFIRE TIMES.

I DO NOT REMEMBER IN THE PAST WHERE WE HAVE SEEN SUCH TERRIFIC DEVASTATION IN OUR STATE FOR WILDFIRES.

TODAY WE MIGHT BE HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS.

TOMORROW OUR NEIGHBORS MIGHT BE HELPING US.

IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE WE CANNOT RISE TO THE OCCASION TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSES OF THE PROCESSES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE. AND SO, I WILL JUST ASK THAT Ã I WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TO EXTEND THIS DISASTER DECLARATION AND WE WILL JUST, WE WILL MOVE ON. AGAIN, I OFFERED WEDNESDAY.

I THINK WE SHOULD TRY THAT MOTION.

BECAUSE IT IS ON THE FLOOR. THAT WAY I DON'T HAVE TO REDO IT, KARA. THAT WILL BE UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

I DO HAVE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER MAREZ HAS SECOND.

GIVE US UNTIL WEDNESDAY AND GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO QUITE FRANKLY BRING IN MORE RESOURCES TO EXPLAIN.

IF YOU KNEW THAT THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT YOU WERE HURTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN PROGRAMS OR RESOURCES AND ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY, I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY YOU WOULD NOT SAY AYE . THAT'S WHAT WERE ASKING HERE TODAY. ASKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HAD UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY SO THAT, AGAIN, YOUR COUNTY WILL NOT BE DENIED THEIR OPPORTUNITY.

IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT. IF THERE IS A CHANCE THAT YOU COULD GIVE YOUR COUNTY MORE OPPORTUNITIES, WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY. THAT IS THE MOTION.

MOTION AND A SECOND. >> WHAT WILL BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND WAS IT? GATHER ALL THE INFORMATION.

ANYBODY GOING TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY?

>> TO BE HONEST WITH YOU WHAT WILL BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY WOULD BE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH TEDIUM BECAUSE CLEARLY THERE IS A BIG DISCONNECT ABOUT PURPOSES AND

PROCESS. >> WHAT I WANT TO KNOW ¦

>> I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THEM TO BEAR WITH MORE INFORMATION.

>> ALL OF THIS I GET, BUT WHAT RESOURCES ASSUMING NOTHING CHANGES WOULD BE SPENT BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY? ASSUMING NO MORE FIRES? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY THAT WE NEED TO EXTEND THE SETTLE? WHAT IS, LIKE, GETTING INFORMATION THAT WE DON'T HAVE AND HAVE NOT HAD, BECAUSE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

[01:40:07]

THERE'S NO DANGER.HAT ÃWHAT WOULD YOU ALL DO OTHER THAN

GATHER THE INFORMATION? >> SO,COMMISSIONER , BASICALLY WHAT YOU ASKING IS TO PICTURE A PERFECT WORLD RIGHT NOW.'M BEING HONEST. IF THERE IS NOTHING HAPPENING, THERE'S NOTHING HAPPENING. OF COURSE WE'RE NOT SPENDING ANY RESOURCES ON IT. BUT THERE COULD BE SOMETHING

HAPPENING. >> YOU CAN STILL SPEND THAT.

YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. MR. POTENTIALLY BE REIMBURSED. EVEN IF SOMETHING HAPPENED, IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NO PRACTICAL REASON THAT I COULD SEE TO EXTEND THIS BECAUSE YOU CAN STILL GO OUT TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN DO WITH OR WITHOUT THIS DECLARATION OF SOMETHING HAPPENS. AND THOSE EXPENSES COULD POTENTIALLY BE REVERSED IS WHAT MR. EMERGENCY MANAGER. SHE IS STILL EMERGENCY MANAGER PERSON OR SORRY, EMERGENCY MANAGER DIRECTOR.

>> ACTUALLY, THAT IS NOT WHAT MR. CAN COLLECT AND SEND UP. BUT GETTING REIMBURSED AS A

WHOLE DIFFERENT MATTER. >> MEETS PERSONAL.

I'M SORRY FOR THIS ONE TRYING TO SAY.

WE CAN GET THE THRESHOLD. AGAIN SENATOR THRESHOLD, STAND CORRECTED. YOU'RE RIGHT.

COUNT TOWARD THE THRESHOLD, BUT NOTHING THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY THEN THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DOLLARS SPENT OR ANYONE NEED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THE JUDGE CAN DECLARE AN EMERGENCY IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHILE WE ARE

EVENING ¦ >> RIGHT.

IF WE MET THE THRESHOLD, IF WE MET THE THRESHOLD THEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE FEMA PA POTENTIALLY GIVE US RESOURCES.

>> BUT THE THRESHOLD CAN STILL BE MATCHED.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IF THERE IS ONE EVENT.

SOMETIMES ONE EVENT IS NOT A DISASTER.

IN CASE OF FIRE, IT COULD BE ONE HOME JUST BEING BURNED.

IF THAT NOT HOME IS NOT A PART OF A WILDFIRE, ONLY PERSON LIVES IN THAT HOME TO DEAL WITH.

THERE IS OTHER WAYS WE COULD DO THAT.

IF THERE'S A WILDFIRE EVENT, FOR INSTANCE, THE PALM TREE GOES UP AGAIN AND CATCHES ON FIRE.

THEN WE ARE RELYING ON OTHER PEOPLE TO COME IN AND HELP.

PART OF YOUR ASSESSMENT IS CORRECT.

THERE WON'T BE ANY MONIES BEING SPENT IF THERE ISN'T NOTHING HAPPENING. AS A PART OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE PART YOU TALK ABOUT IS JUST STRICTLY RECOVERY. WE ARE STILL NOT BEING PREPARED. IF WE STOP THIS DECLARATION, WE STOP THE PROCESSES OF BEING PREPARED.

SO, HAVING A DECLARATION IN PLACE ALLOWS US US TO USE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION TO HELP PREPARE OUR COMMUNITY FOR WILDFIRE EVENT. THAT PREPAREDNESS COMES WITH A COST AS WELL. WE CAN ALSO RECOVER THAT AT THE

END.RIGHT NOW ¦ >> AND HAVING THAT DECLARATION

. >> COUPLE MORE DAYS TO GIVE TO

SUNDAY TO SEE WHAT LOOKS. >> AGAIN, I ÃI ÃI BELIEVE.

>> I DON'T MEAN TO KEEP BRINGING UP.

>> THE SHORTSIGHTEDNESS HERE

>> YOU CAN WAIT TILL WEDNESDAY AND ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT COULD COME AS A RESULT.

ALLOW ME OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH, YOU KNOW, CHIEF KID AND HIS TEAM TO HELP IDENTIFY WHY THESE DECLARATIONS WHEN THEY STAND ARE HELPFUL IN THE FUTURE.

THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD PROGRAMS THAT NUECES COUNTY IS BUILT UPON BECAUSE OF FEDERAL DISASTERS DECLARATION.

YOU KNOW, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IF THERE IS NOTHING THERE, IF IT IS JUST AS YOU SAY, WHAT WHEN ANOTHER THREE DAYS HER? NOTHING.

BUT IT COULD HARM. AND I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF OUR BRETHREN AROUND US IS DOING THE SAME THING TODAY.

WHICH IS EXTENDING THESE DECLARATIONS.

IT SHOULD WEIGH HEAVY ON YOU THAT IF EVERYONE IN DISTRICT 20 IS ACTING AS A REGION 4 THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE, AND YOU ARE LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST IT IN YOUR COUNTY, THAT MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING OFF HERE.

MAYBE WE CAN BRING IN MORE INFORMATION BETWEEN NOW AND WEDNESDAY. AND I WOULD ASK YOU TRY THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE. THAT WOULD WORK UNTIL WEDNESDAY. NOTHING BAD THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BETWEEN SUNDAY AND WAS A.

>> RIGHT. BRING ALL THAT THEY COULD BE I MIGHT GET MORE INFORMATION LIKE TODAY IF I DON'T EXTEND ALL THE WAY TO WEDNESDAY. BECAUSE THIS SHOULD'VE BEEN HERE TODAY. BOTTOM LINE IT BOILS DOWN TO IF EVERY OTHER COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT SAME KIND OF PRESENTATION THEY DID NOT ASK QUESTION, DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG

[01:45:01]

ONTO SUNDAY. >> AGAIN, IT DOESN'T.

>> NEED TO EXTENDING SOMETHING SUBSTANTIALLY IS CHANGE OVER

THE WEEKEND. >> I UNDERSTAND.

IT. >> NOT A COMPROMISE TO YOU.

BUT A COMPROMISE TO ME BECAUSE MY POSITION IS I DON'T THINK WE

NEED TO EXTEND IT AT ALL. >> I HEAR YOU.

>> I GET IS NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT BUT I'M TRYING.

>> IT'S NOT WHAT I WANT, IT'S WHAT THE STATE OF TEXAS NEEDS.

NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT OTHER JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS THEY ALSO HAVE DISTRICT COORDINATORS.

WHAT WE BROUGHT FOR THE COURT TODAY, COMMISSIONER CANALES,

CHIEF. >>> REPRESENTS THE REGION WAS TOLD YOU THAT THESE ARE THE PROCESSES THAT WE UTILIZE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. AND THESE ARE THE WAYS THAT WE CAN SEEK RECOVERY AND THE WAYS THAT WE CAN OPEN UP PROGRAMS. THE WAYS WE CAN HELP PEOPLE BY BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE THE DECLARATION. AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I SEE HIS UNIFORM AND HIS BAND, I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR THAT. AND THAT IS THE INFORMATION WE BROUGHT YOU. WE BROUGHT YOU THE VERY CHIEF THAT WE CONSULTED WITH IN DESIGNING THIS.

AND THE PURPOSE OF HAVING THE DECLARATION IS TO ALLOW FOR ITS EXTENSION.HE REASON IT IS BROUGHT YOU WITHIN SEVEN DAYS IS BECAUSE TYPICALLY YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO GATHER AS A GROUP THE MOMENTS OF THE EXTENSION. IT'S NOT MEANT, VERY REASON THAT WE NEEDED IT IS WHY YOU SHOULD EXTENDED.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED. THIS IS JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER WITHIN SEVEN DAYS. THAT IS WHY THE LAWS PUT FOR THAT WAY. YOUR CHANGING THAT, MAKE A QUERY TO WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. THE PURPOSE HERE IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE ARE YOU KNOW SOMETHING HAPPENED.

YOU ALREADY KNOW SOMETHING HAPPENS.

SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. 55,000 ACRES WERE BURNED.

WE HAD TONS OF RESOURCES. WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE NERVOUS BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE JUMPED AND DESTROYED TONS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY. AND QUITE FRANKLY, I MEAN, WE ALREADY LOST ONE FIRST RESPONDER IN THE STATE.

TO NOT EXTEND THIS, IS REALLY Ã IS REALLY TO NOT UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THIS BEAST. WHICH IS IN IMMINENT THREATS.

AND HONESTLY, I'M PERPLEXED BECAUSE I COULD NOT HAVE BROUGHT YOU A BETTER PERSON. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WE ASKED FOR GARY, BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO BOTHER CHIEF.

>>> .GARY IS DISTRICT COURT NADER, NOT AVAILABLE, ANOTHER JURISDICTION. THE CHIEF OFFERED.

HE HAS BEEN ON HERE NOW FOR TWO HOURS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE JUSTIFICATION YOU COULD NEED BESIDES THE STATE OF TEXAS, WHO IS THE EXPERT IN THIS FIELD TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I ÃI JUST CAN'T DO IT. SO, I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND TO EXTEND TO WEDNESDAY. PLEASE, CONSIDER DOING THE RIGHT THING AND ALLOWING THIS EXTENSION SO THAT I CAN BRING MORE TEDIUM PROCESSES AND PERSONNEL TO EXPLAIN WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO WHAT ALL OF THE COUNTIES AROUND US ARE DOING, WHICH IS TO EXTEND AND GET US IN THAT MODE OF RESPONSE. THEN, OF COURSE, RECOVERY WITH THE DOLLARS. NOBODY IS COMPLETE IN THEIR PROCESSES YET. AND BY WEDNESDAY, THEY WON'T EITHER. BUT WE CAN BRING MORE INFORMATION TO YOU AT THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WHICH

WE HOPE IT SHOULD. >> SO, HERE'S WHAT I WILLING TO DO. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO THIS TO

END UP ¦ >> PUBLIC QUESTION.

>> SURE, NEVERMIND. OKAY.

>> OKAY, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR IN FAVOR EXTENDING TO WEDNESDAY THE APRIL 1 DECLARATION SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> AYE. AND THOSE NO.

>> NO. I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND THIS TO SUNDAY. ANY NEED ARISES TO HAVE ANY OTHER EMERGENCY MEETINGS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, I WILL MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE. THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO

EXTEND THROUGH SUNDAY. >> AYE AS WELL.

>> I DID NOT HEAR A SECOND. >> NOBODY EXTENDED AT ALL?

[01:50:07]

>> HEARING A SECOND. >> YOU DON'T WANT TO EXTEND IT AT ALL? THAT'S FINE.> AGAIN, YOU

KNOW, ¦ >> ARE YOU TALK ABOUT THE

SUNDAY THING? >> YES.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> HE IS SECOND IT.

I MEAN, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE PURPOSES ANYMORE I CAN'T BELIEVE WE PLEDGE THE FLAG AND WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

TO THE STATE OF TEXAS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY

SAYING I. >> AYE.

>> OKAY. JOHN, DID YOU SAY AYE?

>> NOW. >> OKAY.

I APPRECIATE IT, JOHN. I LIKE SOMEONE HOLDING THE LINE. AS EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE EXTENSION AND HAVE YOUR PEOPLE GONE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN THROUGH SUNDAY.

I WILL BE THE FINAL AYE. I'M TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS COURT AND THAT THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO STAND WITH OUR PARTNERS. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY BAD PRECEDENT FOR US IN OUR COURTS.

THERE IS NO

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.