May 25, 2022 Commissioners Court - Regular

[00:00:04]

>> OKAY. SO WE WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. AT THIS TIME IT'S NICE TO SEE EVERYBODY. WE DO HAVE A FULL HOUSE. IT IS TIME FOR INVOCATION.

I'M GOING TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO RISE. PLEASE REMOVE YOUR HATS, IF YOU HAVE THEM. AND PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE TEXAS FLAG AFTER WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION.

PLEASE WELCOME PAMELA, OUR SENIOR PASTOR FROM FIRST UNITED CHURCH.

SHE WILL BE DELIVERING INVOCATION THIS MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO OFFER THIS MORNING'S INVOCATION. BEFORE I ENTER INTO A SPOKEN PRAYER, I INVITE YOU TO A TIME OF SILENCE, THAT WE MIGHT REMEMBER THE LIVES TRAGICALLY TAKEN FAR TOO EARLY YESTERDAY.

WE MIGHT PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS AND OUR NATION.

I INVITE YOU INTO THAT SILENCE NOW. HEAVENLY FATHER, HOLY GOD, AS THE STATUE IN FRONT OF OUR CHURCH PROCLAIMS THIS IS CORPUS CHRISTI, INDEED, FOR THOSE WHO CLAIM CHRISTIANITY, WHICH WE KNOW IS NOT ALL OF US, WE REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS THE ONE WHO CALMS STORMS AND WHO WALKS WITH US THROUGH THEM. SO WE INVITE YOU O GOD TO WALK WITH ALL WHO ARE IN ACUTE NEED THIS MORNING, IN OUR NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY.

AND BE WITH THEM IN THE STORM. CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS LIFE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US, FOR THE JOYS, SORROWS, TRIALS AN FAILURES, AND CERTAINLY FOR THE TRIUMPHS, THANK GOD WE HAVE THOSE. WE PRAISE YOU FOR OUR COUNTRY, BEAUTY AND RICHES, ALL THAT IT HAS FOR US. WE THANK YOU ESPECIALLY FOR ALL OF THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE AFFORDED TO US HERE IN NUECES COUNTY, AS WE ENJOY THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BEAUTIFUL ON THE BAY. GRANT THAT WE WOULD CHERISH THESE GIFTS AND USE THEM FOR THE GOOD OF ALTOGETHER. WHEN WE DO NOT, PLEASE FORGIVE US AND SET US ARIGHT WITH YOU AND OUR NEIGHBORS. RULER OF ALL NATIONS GIVE WISDOM TO THESE YOUR SERVANTS WHO GOVERN OUR COUNTY, GUIDE THEM THAT THEY MAY LEAD WITH FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE FOR ALL CITIZENS AND WITH REGARD FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. PARTICULARLY, INSTILL IN THEM A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO ONE TO SPEAK FOR THEM.

REMIND OUR LEADERS THAT ALL ARE PRECIOUS IN YOUR SITE AND WORTHY OF CARE.

THANK YOU GOD FOR THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT. GRANT THESE AND ALL OUR COUNTY'S PUBLIC SERVANTS HUMILITY AND PERSEVERANCE, ON BEHALF OF ALL WHO LIVE, WORK AND VISIT THE COASTAL BEND. MAY WE WORK TOGETHER ACROSS THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL BOUNDARIES THAT WE HAVE CREATED SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE HONORABLY AND PEACEFULLY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR ALL WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRIES AND ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN THAT SERVICE FOR OUR FREEDOM. MAY WE LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT IS WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICE. I PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS THE CHRIST, AMEN.

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, 1 NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL NA UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLON , UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALLE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL THE COURT: AT THIS TIME I'LL NOTE FOR THE RECORD AND THE CLERK, IT'S MAY 25TH, 2022, WHILE I DID NOT LOOK AT THE EXACT TIME WE STARTED, I THINK I'LL CALL IT 8:35 A.M.

AND WE ARE HERE AT NUECES COUNTY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM. I DID SEE HIM EARLIER, HE IS NOT PRESENT AT THIS EXACT

[00:05:01]

WHEN THE OTHER TWO COMMIS COMMISSIONERS RETURN TO THE COURTROOM, I'LL MAKE THE NOTE. I'LL ASK REBECCA TO JOIN ME FOR SAFETY.

IF THERE ARE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR ANY APPEARANCE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, IT SHALL BE DECLARED AT THIS TIME. IF THERE SHOULD BE A DISCLOSURE IN LATER IN THE MEETING, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE AT THAT TIME. ARE THERE ANY COMMISSIONERS THAT NEED TO BE DELIVERED? OKAY. I WILL ASK COMMISSIONER GONZALES WHEN HE COMES BACK IN AGAIN. SEEING AND HEARING NO

[E. SAFETY BRIEFING]

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, SIR? NO. PLEASE PROCEED.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS AND ATTENDEES, OUR SAFETY BRIEFING FOR TODAY IS BEING HELD IN THE NUECES COUNTY AED IS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT WALL NEXT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE. PROCEEDING OUT THE DOORS LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE, 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 AND OUR GUEST SANITIZER TODAY WILL BE MICHAEL. AND THAT IS OUR SAFETY BRIEFING FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AT THIS TIME I'LL ASK TO HAVE -- WOULD YOU BE SO GOOD -- IT'S ALREADY HERE. WE HAVE A LARGE SIGN-UP THIS

[F. PUBLIC COMMENT: This section provides the public the opportunity to address the Commissioners Court on any issues within its jurisdiction. The Commissioners Court may not take formal action on any requests made during the Public Comment period which are not on the Agenda, but can refer such requests to County staff for review if appropriate.]

DIGITAL ONE. YOU'LL GET TO SEE IT DISPLAYED. WE ASK THAT YOU RESPECT EVERYBODY'S TIME. BUT AGAIN, I AM ALWAYS -- I THINK GOOD ABOUT ALLOWING YOU TO FINISH YOUR STATEMENTS. I ALWAYS WILL ALSO ASK THAT IF YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT RELATES TO AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND YOU WANT TO WAIT FOR THAT AGENDA, IF YOU'LL LET ME KNOW.

AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE AS THE COMMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN THE DIALOG BACK. BUT WE CERTAINLY ARE LISTENING INTENTLY AND SOMETIMES THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOUR COMMENT LATER IN THE AGENDA. SO WITH THOSE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, I'LL ASK WILL MARTIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME?

>> MA'AM, CAN I PLEASE WAIT UNTIL 3 H.22. >> YES, SIR.

I'LL MAKE THE NOTE. I'LL CALL YOUR NAMES OUT THAT SIGNED UP.

SUZANNE TAYLOR. YOU'LL WAIT. BETTY SHEETS.

MARGARET BALDWIN. EDDIE HINAMEYER. HE'LL WAIT.

KATHLEEN WHITE. OKAY. I WILL NOW TAKE IT IN ORDER OF -- IF ANYONE ELSE IS HERE REGARDING THE GAME ROOMS, WE WILL PUT YOU ON THE LIST HOOVER. I'LL MOVE ON TO JAY JAY. WELCOME.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. AS YOU MAY RECALL, THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION DID NOT RENEW OUR VETERANS ASSISTING GRANT LAST YEAR. BUT GREAT NEWS.

[00:10:05]

MORTGAGE, RENT, UTILITIES, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, BURIAL. SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

THAT GRANT CYCLE BEGINS JULY 1ST, 2022. AND WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR GRANTS DEPARTMENT AND OUR SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF IN REGARDS TO THE GRANT. WE ARE VERY PROUD AND EXCITED

TO SHARE THAT NEWS WITH YOU. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JASON GREEN. GOOD MORNING. YOU'RE NEXT.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN PLANNING THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS MORNING. BASICALLY I WANTED TO INTRODUCE OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM AT THE RICHARD REGIONAL FAIRGROUNDS. WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF AND AN AWFUL LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVENTS THAT WE DO. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE TEAM AND A COUPLE OF MEMBERS OF THE TEAM THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE.

STARTING ON MY RIGHT, CRYSTAL GONZALES, FAIRLY NEW TO US, OUR MARKETING MANAGER AND SHE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN MARKETING AND HAD WORKED DOWNTOWN IN CORPUS CHRISTI, IN MARKETING.

SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HER. NEXT IS ARCELIA, DIRECTOR OF SALES. SHE AND I ARE TEAMING IT UP TO BOOK ALL THE EVENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. AND NEXT IS RAYMOND, HE IS OUR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS.

SO HE MAKES THINGS GO, SETTING UP THE EVENTS AND TAKING THE EVENTS DOWN AND CHANGING OVER, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. THEN WE ALSO HAVE STEVEN, WHO IS OUR EVENT MANAGER.

ONE ON THE FRONT LINES, TALKING TO ALL OF THE CLIENTS AND GETTING THE EVENT DETAILS AND MAKING THINGS HAPPEN. THREE OF OTHER FULL-TIME PEOPLE WERE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE, KATRINA, WHO HAS BEEN WITH US A LONG TIME, SHE IS OUR DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE, ALSO OUR CHEF. WITH THE STORM, DOES NOT HAVE POWER OUR WATER AT HER HOME AS OF RIGHT NOW. ALSO, PHILIP HANSON IS OUR OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR THAT WORKS UNDER RAYMOND, FAIRLY NEW TO OUR STAFF BUT HE HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO US. AND THEN OUR COUNTY MANAGER, SHE IS BACK AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. SOMEBODY HAD TO STAY BACK, TIFFANY, THAT HANDLES ALL OF OUR ACCOUNTING. RECENTLY WITH OUR CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH THE COUNTY, WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A NICE THING TO COME DOWN HERE THIS MORNING AND INTRODUCE OURSELVES AND THIS IS OUR TEAM AND YOUR TEAM.

SO WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. AND ONE GREAT TEAM. WE JUST PUSH ON FORWARD AND CONTINUE. AND WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF ACTION WITH BOOKING EVENTS, A LOT. AND WHAT'S REALLY NICE ABOUT HAVING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS IS THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE EVENTS, ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVENTS FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A CONTINUED LONG PARTNERSHIP. THE COURT: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. LOPEZ WILL BE NEXT, FOLLOWED BY DEANNA KING.

>> GOOD MORNING, MR. LOPEZ. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FIRE MARSHAL POSITION. AND WE NEED THE FIRE MARSHAL POSITION.

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ONE IN NUECES COUNTY.

ALL YOU KNOW HOW BAD IT IS OUT IN THE COUNTY. ALL OF YOU.

WE DON'T HAVE FIRE HYDRANTS, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST SIDE. . THE SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE IT.

DON'T HAVE FIRE HYDRANTS. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN INSPECTED BY A FIRE MARSHAL.

BECAUSE WE'VE NEVER HAD ONE. I HAVE INVITED MANY OF YOU, ESPECIALLY SEVERAL OF YOU, THAT BELONG TO THE DISTRICTS OUT THERE. NONE OF YOU WANTED TO GO OUT THERE TO SEE THE HYDRANTS THAT. THAT POSITION, I'VE SPOKEN TO THE -- MR. OLIVERES.

HE WAS A VERY SARCASTIC PERSON WITH ME. HE DARED ME TO -- AUSTIN.

[00:15:07]

I HAD MADE TWO COMPLAINTS. HE SAID CALL YOUR FRIENDS IN AUSTIN.

YOU KNOW, I DO HAVE FRIENDS IN AUSTIN. I ASKED HIM, WHAT DO YOU DO HERE? HE SAID I SIT HERE IN MY OFFICE ALL DAY LONG.

SO GO AHEAD AND CALL AUSTIN. I SAID YOU SIT HERE ALL DAY? HE SAID YEAH.

BUT THAT IS BESIDES THE POINT. HE WAS USING OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY WHEN WE COULD HAVE USED THAT MONEY TO HELP THE PEOPLE OUT IN THE COLONES. IF YOU'RE GOING TO HIRE SOMEBODY, PLEASE PLEASE HIRE SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN A FIREFIGHTER, AND FIRE INSPECTOR OR HAS EXPERIENCE AS A FIRE MARSHAL. DON'T HIRE SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE BACKGROUND AS FIRE PERSON. BECAUSE I ASKED THAT GUY, I ASKED HIM SEVERAL BASIC QUESTIONS, AND HE DIDN'T KNOW. HE DIDN'T KNOW A SINGLE THING ABOUT FIRE. AND PLEASE WE NEED A FIRE INSPECTOR OR A FIRE MARSHAL.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FLUSH VALVE AND A FIRE HYDRANT.

THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. A FLUSH VALVE IS A 200 PSI. THAT IS A FLUSH VALVE.

A FIRE HYDRANT IS A THOUSAND PSI THAT BELONGS IN THE SCHOOL. YOU CAN'T HOOK UP A FIRE TRUCK TO A FLUSH VALVE. YOU'RE GOING TO BRING UP THE WHOLE PIPES.

PLEASE, WE NEED A FIRE MARSHAL. WE NEED ONE. THIS COUNTY HAS NEVER HAD ONE.

THOSE SCHOOLS HAVE NEVER BEEN INSPECTED. BY A FIRE MARSHAL.

IF YOU NEED A COMMITTEE, PLEASE SIGN ME ON. THE COURT: THANK YOU, MR. LOPEZ. NOW WE'LL HEAR FROM DEANNA KING.

>> GOOD MORNING TO EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS DEANNA MICHELLE KING.

AND I'M NOT ONLY A NUECES COUNTY EMPLOYEE, BUT I'M ALSO A TAXPAYER OF THIS COUNTY.

EVERY YEAR PEOPLE COME TO THE THIRD FLOOR OF THIS COURTHOUSE PAYING THEIR TAXES.

SOME HAVE DIFFICULTY PAYING THEIR TAXES, SOME LOSE THEIR PROPERTY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEIR TAXES. WE IN TURN ABUSE TAXPAYERS MONEY BY USING COUNTY DEBIT CARDS AS IF THE MONEY IS THEIR OWN. PAY COMPANIES WHO DO FAULTY WORK. TURN AROUND AND SHUN COMPANIES WHO WOULD DO BETTER WORK FOR THE COUNTY FOR LESS. ALSO, THIS COUNTY IS TOP HEAVY. WE CREATE POSITIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT QUALIFIED. PAY CONTRACTORS AND/OR PROGRAM MANAGERS ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. THE COUNTY COULD BETTER UTILIZE THE MONEY TO INCREASE SALARIES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. AND TO OFFER FUTURE COUNTY APPLICANTS A DECENT LIVING WAGE. LET ME TELL YOU, TRICKLE DOWN REAGAN-NOMICS CAN WORK IN THIS COUNTY. IF THE WORD SELFISHNESS AND I WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE EQUATION.

THE MONEY NEEDS TO TRICKLE DOWN TO CONSTITUENTS NEEDS TO THIS COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEES WHO

[00:20:06]

AS I WAS WRITING THIS LITTLE THING THAT I WAS DOING LAST NIGHT, A SCRIPTURE CAME TO MIND, WHICH IS IN SECOND TIMOTHY 3 AND 1. IT SAYS IN THE LAST DAYS, THERE WILL BE MANY TROUBLES. BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE THEMSELVES, LOVE OF MONEY, BOASTFUL, PROUD AND ABUSIVE. IT IS OKAY TO BE PROUD OF OURSELVES.

IT IS OKAY TO LOVE OURSELVES. BUT WHEN IT BECOMES A -- >> NOW, LARRY FERKIN.

>> OUR DITCHES AREN'T GETTING CLEANED OUT THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED OUT, DOWNSTREAM.

AND WE'VE ASKED ROBSTOWN MAYOR TO COME TO THE MEETING. HE DON'T COME.

HE ASKED FOR HELP FROM THE COUNTY, AND SAYS WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

I DON'T SEE HIM COMING OVER HERE AND ASKING. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS ASKING HIM THE SAME QUESTION. 43 YEARS AND HE HASN'T CLEANED OUT THE DITCH THAT HE OWNS.

I DON'T KNOW WHO DECIDED TO HAVE THE PRECINCT OF YOURS MR. MAREZ OVER THERE AT COUNTY ROAD 44, BUT IT'S TERRIBLE. BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO RELY ON THE MAYOR OF ROBSTOWN TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ONE AREA OF DITCH OVER THERE THAT IS BACKING US UP.

TO ADD TO THAT, MR. HERNANDEZ, WE'VE WITNESSED A MOWER GOING DOWN MY STREET, HALF INCH BLADE OF GRASS AND THEY'RE MOWING. THIS GUY COULD BE DITCHING MY STREET REPAIR.

DIGGING OUT AROUND COUNTY ROAD 50 THAT GOES ACROSS 69 THAT DON'T HAVE THE TREES, YOU HAVE THE EQUIPMENT THERE TO DIG THE DITCH OUT THAT GOES TO 77. AT LEAST HAVE THAT HOLE OPENED UP SO WE CAN GET RID OF SOME WATER. THERE IS NO REASON WHY YOU CAN'T BE DOING THAT. TAKE THE GUY OFF THAT TRACTOR, GET HIM BEHIND THAT TRACK HOE AND GET HIM BUSY OVER THERE. WE'RE HERE AT THE 11TH HOUR, OUR DITCHES ARE GETTING FULL AGAIN ALREADY. JUST DRIVE DOWN THERE AND YOU CAN SEE IT.

WITH JUST THE LITTLE RAIN THAT WE HAVE NOW. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR WHAT IS GOING ON. AND I'M TIRED OF BEING UP HERE EVERY TIME.

GETTING REALLY TIRED. THE COURT: THANK YOU. WE'LL HEAR FROM BOBBY CHESTNUT NOW. I'D ASK CONNIE TO PREPARE, IF THERE ARE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS

ONLINE TO LET ME KNOW. >> ONCE AGAIN, I'M HERE AGAIN ABOUT DRAINAGE.

THE MONEYS THERE REPORTEDLY WE'RE NOT SEEING ANYTHING DONE AGAIN.

TWO MAJOR DEALS THAT UPSET ME THIS LAST WEEK, I WENT TO THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT MEETING.

ONE COMMISSIONER WAS THERE. 3 MONTHS AGO, ONE COMMISSIONER WAS THERE.

JUDGE, YOU WERE THERE AND YOU WERE GOING AROUND AND DOING YOUR BEST TO SATISFY EVERYONE WAS THERE. I COMMEND YOU FOR THAT. MR. HERNANDEZ, YOU COME AND DUG DITCHES OUT IN OUR SUBDIVISIONS. WIDENED OUR DITCHES.

[00:25:01]

THE DITCH HAS NOT BEEN DUG TO THE BACK OF THE SUBDIVISION OVER TO COUNTY ROAD 52.

IT TURNS AND GOES UNDER THE BRIDGE, STILL NOT BEEN INSPECTED, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FALLING DOWN. TREES ARE STILL IN THE DITCHES. AND THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE. WHY ARE WE NOT SEEING ANY WORK? THE WORK IS WHAT IS GOING TO CURE THE PROBLEM. IT'S NOT LIP SERVICE. IT'S NOT VISITATION.

IT'S LIP SERVICE THAT IS STOPPING THIS APPARENTLY. BECAUSE ALL OF YOU GUYS SAID WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER, WE WANT TO BE A TEAM. WE WANT TO HELP EVERYBODY THAT IS INVOLVED. LET'S SEE THE TEAMS GO TO WORK. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE AFTER.

WE HAD A GOOD RAIN LAST NIGHT. I HAVE PICTURES ON MY PHONE OF WATER STANDING, EXACTLY WHERE WE KNOW THE PROBLEM PLACES ARE. GET STARTED. FIX SOMETHING THAT IS BROKE DOWNSTREAM. DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT IT. WE'VE HAD MR. REYES COME BY MANY TIMES TO TAKE THE PICTURES. HE TOOK PICTURES AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS HE SAID. AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE.

IT TAKES ONE MAN TO RUN A TRACK HOE. TWO MEN TO RUN A DUMP TRUCK APIECE TO HAUL THE MATERIAL AWAY. MAYBE A SURVEYOR TO TELL YOU THE ELEVATIONS BUT THAT IS ALL IT TAKES. IF WE COULD GET THE MONEY TO THESE PEOPLE, THAT IS FINE. IF WE ARE CAN'T, LET'S GET A CONTRACTOR OUT THERE.

I'M UP HERE REPRESENTING ABOUT TEN PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEIR HOUSES FLOODED.

THEY'RE WORKING TODAY. THEY COULDN'T COME TO THE MEETING.

SO I TOLD THEM ONCE AGAIN, I WILL SPEAK UP FOR YOU. PLEASE LET'S SEE SOME WORK GET

DONE AND NOT SOME LIP SERVICE. THANK YOU. >> OTHER THAN MYSELF, THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES I HAVE LISTED ON PUBLIC COMMENT. BUT I'LL LOOK AROUND TO MAKE CERTAIN I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ANYBODY. OKAY.

MINE IS BRIEF. BUT IT IS -- IT COMES ACTUALLY FROM THE NAACP THIS MORNING.

THEY ASKED THAT I PLEASE ANNOUNCE THAT THERE WILL BE A PRAYER VIGIL FOR BOTH THOSE KILLED IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK AND UVALDE TEXAS ON TUESDAY, MAY 31ST AT SOLID ROCK CHURCH AT 6:00 P.M. REPEAT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WERE LISTENING AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRITE THAT DOWN AGAIN. AGAIN, A PRAYER VIGIL ORGANIZED AND CALLED FOR BY THE NAACP, ON TUESDAY, MAY 31ST, SOLID ROCK CHURCH AT 6:00 P.M. I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC AWARENESS TO GIVE TO YOU. WE HAVE CONCLUDED PUBLIC COMMENT OTHER THAN THOSE FOLKS THAT WANT TO VISIT WITH US ABOUT THE GAME ROOM REGULATIONS. I HAVE YOU NOTED AND WE'LL GO IN ORDER.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET THROUGH THE RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS AND THEN WE CAN MOVE INTO THOSE AGENDA ITEMS THAT WOULD HELP THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE HERE. IT APPEARS WE ARE MOVING INTO

[1. In recognition of the London Boys Basketball Program on their outstanding accomplishments.]

>> JUDGE, WE DID THAT ONE AT LONDON. THEY COULDN'T GET HERE.

THE COURT: I SEE NOW. IF I TAKE OFF MY SHORT GLASSES, I CAN SEE.

OKAY. >> I WOULD JUST MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THE LONDON BOYS BASKETBALL RESOLUTION. THE COURT: MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. THAT WAS JUST A CLEAN-UP TO GET ALL THE ALL STATE INFORMATION

IN? >> NO. LONDON ONE WE DID SEPARATELY.

[2. In recognition of High School State Champion Powerlifter, Noah Estrada, from Agua Dulce.]

THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. IN THIS CASE, WE'VE GOT A CHAMPION POWER LIFTER IN OUR MIDST AND HIS NAME IS NOAH ESTRADA AND WE WELCOME YOU AND YOUR STAFF. COACH, LET'S HEAR FROM BELINDA WHO HAS A VERY IMPORTANT

RESOLUTION IN YOUR HONOR. >> WHEREAS, NOAH ESTRADA IS THE TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL POWER LIFTING ASSOCIATION STATE CHAMPION IN POWER LIFTING, WHERE HE HAS THE STATE RECORD IN DEAD LIFTING CATEGORY, LIFTING 390 POUNDS, STATE RECORD IN THE 114 POUND WEIGHT CLASS DIVISION, TOTAL

[00:30:02]

THE COURT: WOW NOAH. COME ON UP. THE DA DOESN'T COME DOWNSTAIRS VERY OFTEN. BUT IS HE NOT A PROUD RESIDENT. LONGHORNS.

NOAH, SEE THAT MICROPHONE RIGHT THERE. WILL YOU TELL US WHO IS WITH YOU HERE TODAY. YOU'VE GOT IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE TEAMMATES, COACHES, SOME STAFF.

I GOT MY HEAD COACH, AND MY SUPERINTENDENT, RICHARD WRIGHT AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, GARY HEARTMAN. A LOT OF SUPPORTIVE PARENTS IT LOOKS LIKE.

ALL RIGHT. HOW DID YOU DO IT, NOAH? PLUS BEING AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETE. OBVIOUSLY AN AWESOME STUDENT AND YOU'VE ALREADY EARNED YOUR

ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, WHICH IS PRETTY INCREDIBLE. >> I MEAN, IT TAKES A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY. TO WIN STATE, IT TOOK THREE YEARS.

IN THE BEGINNING, I'M NOT GOING TO LIE TO YOU, I WAS PRETTY BAD.

BUT WITH THE HELP OF MY COACHES, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SORT OF REALIZE THAT MY MISTAKES AREN'T NECESSARILY BAD THINGS. BUT LEAD MORE HARD WORK AND DEVELOPING DISCIPLINE AND JUST ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE. I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THEM. AND ACADEMICS AND POWER LIFTING ARE JUST LIKE CORRELATED.

ALLOWED ME TO REALIZE THEY'RE BOTH VERY IMPORTANT. THEY BOTH TAKE A LOT OF COMMITMENT. AND I'M GLAD I CAN REALIZE THAT AT A YOUNG AGE.

REALLY IT'S JUST SUPPORT AND MY FAMILY THAT MY FRIENDS, REALLY ALL OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS ACADEMICS AND ATHLETICS. AND I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR THAT. THE COURT: BOY, YOU ARE AN AMAZING ROLE MODEL FOR EVERYBODY THAT IS AROUND US IN NUECES COUNTY.

IT'S NOT JUST DULCES, IT'S EVERYBODY. YOU'RE KIND OF WHAT EVERY PARENT WISHES FOR. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I LOVE THAT YOU GAVE HONOR TO THE VILLAGE THAT HELPED BRING THIS MOMENT FOR YOU. I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE DO DO THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY COURT. IT MAKES MY EYES WATERY.

BECAUSE YOU'RE THE BEST PART OF WHAT WE DO. WE GET TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE LIVE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE. NO MATTER WHAT HATE IS OUT THERE, NEGATIVITY, YOU BRING IT HOME FOR ME HERE THIS MORNING. YOU'RE WHY WE WORK SO HARD. WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU.

LET ME DO A LITTLE BIT OF HOUSE KEEPING AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO -- COACH, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. MR. GONZALES, YOU DO GRACE US THIS MORNING.

I KNOW YOU'RE PROUD. I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO SAY SOMETHING IF YOU WOULD LIKE ON BEHALF, BUT FIRST, COMMISSIONERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO --

>> SO MOVED. THE COURT: TO APPROVE SUCH RECOGNITION.

MOTION AND A SECOND. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? ARE YOU RELATED?

>> I'M COACH ESTRADA, WE ARE RELATED DISTANTLY, WHICH I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF.

WE STARTED OFF HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR. AND I HAD HIM IN ART CLASS.

HE ACTUALLY, I TOLD HIM I SAID HEY, I'M LOOKING FOR A SMALL LITTLE GUY THAT I THINK I CAN GET PRETTY STRONG. AND IT ACTUALLY WORKED OUT. FIRST YEAR GOING TO REGIONALS, REALLY BIG DEAL. BARELY MISSED GOING TO STATE HIS FOLLOWING YEAR.

BUT HE WAS POUNDS AWAY FROM IT. I TOLD HIM HEY, KEEP WORKING. I PROMISE, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. EVEN AT REGIONALS, HE BARELY GETS BEATEN BY ANOTHER KID.

ALL OF A SUDDEN HE COMES BACK AND WE HAD A PLAN. I TOLD HIM LOOK, IT'S BETTER TO

[00:35:01]

HE GOES AND HE GETS THAT 390 POUND DEAD LIFT AND THAT SOLIDIFIED EVERYTHING.

THE OTHER KID, HE WAS ACTUALLY A PREVIOUS STATE CHAMP. HE ACKNOWLEDGED IT.

AND IT WAS ALL OVER FROM THERE. AS FAR AS ANOTHER COACH, OUR SUPERINTENDENT SLASH ASSISTANT COACH, RICHARD WRIGHT, HE HAS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY. ACTUALLY, I GRADUATED IN '98, HE HAD ALREADY STARTED COACHING POWER LIFTING. SO YEAH.

HE BROUGHT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE TO THE TABLE. HIS SUPPORT FROM HIS PARENTS, TREMENDOUS SUPPORT. I MEAN, CONSTANTLY MAKING SURE THAT HE WAS WORKING AND WORKING. OBVIOUSLY THE GRADES WERE NEVER AN ISSUE.

I MEAN, VERY PROUD OF HIS EFFORTS ON THAT. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY PRESIDENT. KID'S GOT A LOT OF ACCOLADES. EXTREMELY PROUD OF HIM.

THE COURT: FANTASTIC. FANTASTIC. WE DIDN'T ASK NOAH ABOUT YOUR

FUTURE PLANS, BUT I IMAGINE YOU HAVE GREAT ONES. >> COME BACK TO THE MIC.

THE COURT: IF YOU COULD. ONLY BECAUSE IT'S HARD FOR A FEW OF US.

>> I PLAN TO EITHER ATTEND CORPUS A&M AND DO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING OR KINGSVILLE AND DO ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING. THE COURT: MAN, AREN'T WE LUCKY.

>> LET ME SAY SOMETHING TO NOAH. THIS MUST BE YOUR LUCKY DAY.

>> IT'S A PRETTY GOOD DAY THE COURT: I WOULD SAY SO. BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER. I TELL YOU WHAT, WHILE YOU WERE SPEAKING THERE, I HAVE A SPONSOR THAT ASKED ME YESTERDAY FIND SOMEBODY I CAN SPONSOR FOR A SCHOLARSHIP.

SO THE EDUCATION IS FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SCHOLARSHIP FOR A

THOUSAND DOLLARS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YOU WILL BE THE FIRST AND

HOPEFULLY NOT THE LAST. >> YES, SIR. >> SO GET WITH ME LATER.

AND LET'S WORK ON IT, OKAY? >> YES, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD BLESS YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL OF YOU. THE COURT: ABSOLUTELY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY

SAYING AYE. >> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.

THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO THANK MARTIN GONZALES FOR CALLING ME AND LETTING ME KNOW ABOUT MR. NOAH. APPRECIATE THAT MARK. APPRECIATE MR. WRIGHT, SEEING HIM AGAIN. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE A COACH. NOAH, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AGAIN. YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU INSPIRED ME HEARING YOUR STORY.

AND I WENT OUT THERE -- I'M GOING TO DONATE $500 TO YOUR SCHOLARSHIP.

IS THAT OKAY, COMMISSIONER? >> I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY COMMISSIONER, YOU WERE

GOING TO BECOME A POWER LIFTER TOO. >> NO. I NEVER DID THAT.

BUT THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. THE COURT: THANK YOU ALL.

WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION OF THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS READ AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE HONOR OF PRESENTING IT TO YOU UP FRONT, TAKING PHOTOS WITH YOUR TEAMMATES, COACHES, WHEREVER YOU WOULD LIKE, TO JOIN US UP FRONT.

IF YOU WOULD GIVE US THAT HONOR. I ONLY GOT TO SEE TWO INNINGS, BUT LAST NIGHT I WAS AT THE HOOKS GAME. I KEPT THINKING ABOUT HOW HE WAS THERE ONCE AND YOU KNOW, YOU'RE JOINING THE RANKS OF WHAT YOUR COACH SAID.

YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF ANYBODY BY THEIR SIZE.

YOU HAVE -- YOU ARE A GIANT RIGHT NOW IN NUECES COUNTY AND I JUST REALLY DO THINK THAT, AS I SAID, WHO HAVE YOU INSPIRED NEXT TO BECOME THE NEXT STATE CHAMPION.

MAYBE THOSE TEAMMATES RIGHT NEXT TO YOU AND MAYBE A LITTLE BOY OR GIRL EVEN THAT YOU DON'T KNOW YET. YOU HAVE A CHAMPIONS HEART, MINDS, DISCIPLINE AND STRENGTH.

WILL YOU JOIN US UP FRONT FOR A PHOTO. THANK YOU.

[00:42:38]

>> AS WE TRANSITION, IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER FROM HERE. OUR NEXT RECOGNITION IS ALSO

[3. In recognition of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi - Department of Defense 2022 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence]

AND IT HAS BEEN AWARDED ON BEHALF OF NAS CORPUS CHRISTI TO CAPTAIN CHRIS JASON, OUR COMMANDER AND BELINDA HAS A VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION TO READ.

>> WHEREAS, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE COMMANDER IN CHIEF'S ANNUAL AWARD FOR INSTALLATION EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZES THE OUTSTANDING AND INNOVATIVE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE U.S. MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. WHEREAS, ONLY FIVE RECIPIENTS OF THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD ARE SELECTED EACH YEAR FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MISSIONS. WHEREAS, NAVAL AIR STATION CORPUS CHRISTI, UNDER COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER JASON WAS SELECTED FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.

WHEREAS, THE NOMINATION BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO REPRESENT THE U.S. NAVY IN THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF AWARD FOR INSTALLATION OF EXCELLENCE, PLACES IT AT THE TOP OF 70 WORLDWIDE INSTALLATIONS. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT OF NUECES COUNTY HEREBY CONGRATULATES CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER JASON FOR RECEIVING THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE 2022 COMMANDSER IN CHIEF'S ANNUAL AWARD FOR INSTALLATION EXCELLENCE AND ENCOURAGES THE CITIZENS OF NUECES COUNTY TO JOIN THE COURT IN RECOGNIZING THIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT. THE COURT: THANK YOU SO MUCH. WITH US THIS MORNING IS CAPTAIN CRAZE CHRIS JASON. IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS

>> SO MOVED. THE COURT: RECOGNITION. MOTION AND A SECOND.

CAPTAIN JASON, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU THIS MORNING. CAPTAIN JASON WILL OFFICIALLY GO INTO RETIREMENT AND WE WILL HAVE A CHAIN OF COMMAND ON JULY 1ST.

AND IT HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR MYSELF TO SERVE ON THE SOUTH TEXAS MILITARY

[00:45:02]

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE DO HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY, IT'S PRETTY FANTASTIC. WE ARE TRAINING THE FUTURE NAVAL AVIATOR.

UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN JASON, HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO REALLY INSPIRE US TO WORK AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THE STATE LEVEL, TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING, MORE DOLLARS, BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE. BUT THAT ONLY HAPPENS BECAUSE SOMEBODY HELPS YOU SEE IT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE NEEDS ARE. HE DOES THAT BY BEING WELCOMING OF BUSINESS LEADERS AND ELECTEDS AND REALLY HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF OUR OWN LIVES WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ON BASE. TO KNOW THAT THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VALUES OUR STATION ABOVE ALL OTHERS IN THE COUNTRY, IT'S JUST OVERWHELMING. I KNOW YOU MUST BE SO PROUD. SHARE WITH US A LITTLE BIT

ABOUT HOW YOUR TEAM TOOK THIS >> OKAY. THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND FELLOW CITIZENS. YEAH. LISTENING TO THE RESOLUTION, IT IS STILL A LITTLE BIT OF UNREAL. I HAVE TO SAY, I ENVISIONED THIS ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO. I JUST -- BECAUSE IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG ONCE ARRIVED IN JULY OF 2019 FOR CHALLENGES TO EMERGE.

IN OCTOBER, ON MY SON'S BIRTHDAY, MY IN-LAWS WERE HERE FROM SAN ANTONIO, I HAD TO TELL THEM TO STAY IN THE HOUSE AND I HAD TO DEAL WITH A GATE RUNNER WITH STOLEN WEAPONS.

OTHERS FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE SHOOTING, WHICH WE CELEBRATED A TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF. MASSIVE WINTER STORM. HURRICANE HANNAH.

DID QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE ON BASE. AND OF COURSE, THE COVID PANDEMIC. IT WAS A ROUGH PERIOD. I THINK RIGHT AFTER THE SHOOTING, AS I SAW HOW WELL THE TEAM WAS DEALING WITH CRISIS, I SAID THESE FOLKS DESERVE THIS RECOGNITION. AND I JUST SET MY HEAD ON MAKING SURE THAT WE DIDN'T HOLD ANYTHING BACK ON THE PROCESS TO APPLY FOR IT. I JUST WORKED VERY HARD PERSONALLY TO BRING IT ABOUT. BECAUSE I JUST KNEW THAT THEY DESERVED IT AND I ALSO KNEW THE COMMUNITY DESERVED IT. I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT PIECE OF IT A LITTLE BIT.

AS I THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT IS IT THAT MADE CORPUS CHRISTI STAND OUT.

FIRST, I LOOKED INWARDS TO THE DEPARTMENTS ON THE BASE. THAT IS THE STAFF THAT WORKS DIRECTLY FOR ME. INCLUDES SECURITY, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, PUBLIC WORKS AND KIND OF LOOKED -- RECREATION FOLKS, YOU NAME IT. THEY WERE ALL EXCELLING.

OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS NATIONALLY ACCREDITED. ONLY 15 PERCENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE THAT LEVEL OF ACCREDITATION. THEY WERE DOING OUTSTANDING WORK. AND THEN I LOOKED MORE TO THE TENANTS, WHAT THE CLINIC IS DOING. OF COURSE, I THOUGHT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

I CAN'T FIND ONE ELEMENT THAT IS THE DECISIVE ELEMENT. THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF IT.

BECAUSE IF WE ONLY HAD ONE THAT STOOD OUT AMONG THE REST, WE WOULDN'T BE AT THE TOP OF 70.

BUT I REALLY HAVE TO THANK THE COUNTY FOR THE CONTRIBUTION THAT YOU MADE.

IN PARTICULAR, I THINK THAT THE AGSA INITIATIVE, THE FIRST IN THE REGION FOR THE NAVY REALLY CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THREE STAR AND SECRETARY OF THE NAVY AND ALL OF THOSE FOLKS.

I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT THAT VERY THING HERE. ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOU KNOW, I BELIEVED IN IT AND YOU BELIEVED IN IT. AND WE'RE ABOUT TO AWARD THE FIRST PROJECT FOR THAT. BUT I THINK IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.

WE SAID IT WAS THE TIP OF THE ICE BERG. I REALLY THINK IT WILL BE.

SO I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY. I REALLY DO BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT THIS IS NOT JUST AN AWARD TO THE BASE. IT IS AN AWARD TO THE CORPUS CHRISTI COMMUNITY. TO THE COUNTY, CITY, STATE. WE'VE GOTTEN GREAT SUPPORT ALL AROUND. I THINK THAT MORE THAN CELEBRATING THE BASE, I REALLY DO THINK NATIONAL LEVEL LEADERSHIP CELEBRATING THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE BASE AS A MODEL. I THINK THAT IS WHAT PUSHED US OVER THE EDGE. IT IS INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO THE WEIGHT LIFTERS, HOW THE COACH SAW THAT. I SAW THAT IN THE LITTLE BASE THAT COULD.

I TOOK THAT SAME APPROACH. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE -- IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE.

I AM RETIRING FROM THE NAVY. GOING TO FIND A DIFFERENT CAREER.

CHERYL SAID MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE RETIRED. THAT MIGHT HAVE HELPED YOU BE A FLAG FEAR OR SOMETHING. IT'S THE RIGHT OFFICER. WE DON'T KNOW YET WHERE WE'RE GOING. BUT THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE BLESSING TO MY FAMILY

[00:50:01]

AND CONGRATULATE YOU ON THIS AWARD. SO THAT IS ALL I'VE GOT.

THE COURT: THANK YOU, CAPTAIN. IN TRUE FORM, YOUR HUMILITY SHINES AND I JUST REALLY -- EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE YOU SAY YOU KNOW, THE GOOD GUYS DO WIN. MAN, THEY REALLY DO.

BECAUSE YOU REALLY HAVE IN MY MIND, THE BASE OF THE FUTURE. AS WELL AS THE BASE OF OUR PAST. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WORLD WAR II, THIS PARTICULAR BASE WAS DEFINED BY WORLD WAR II. OUR WORLD WAS DEFINED BY THIS BASE.

BUT THE FUTURE IS ALSO DEFINED BY OUR BASE, WITH THE MODERNIZATION OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AS ONE OF YOUR MAJOR TENANTS, C-CAD. AVIATION THAT IS HAPPENING.

IT'S WONDERFUL. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE NEVER ATTENDED A WINNING, I KNOW THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS ALWAYS LOOKING. COMMISSIONERS, THAT MIGHT BE A NICE THING TO DO. COMMISSIONERS, ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT BEFORE I ASK THE CAPTAIN TO JOIN US UP HERE FOR A NICE PHOTO?

>> CONGRATULATIONS. AND YOU MAKE IT SOUND LIKE YOU WERE HERE WITH 20 YEARS WITH ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT YOU WENT THROUGH. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND WE KNOW THAT WE'RE FORTUNATE WHEN WE CATCH THE BASE COMMANDER AT THE END OF THEIR TENURE WITH THE NAVY THAT THEY TEND TO YOU KNOW, SET UP THEIR HOME HERE IN THE AREA. SO I HOPE SO. ESPECIALLY WITH TIES IN SAN ANTONIO, THAT YOU CAN FIND OPPORTUNITY HERE. I KNOW MR. MCLAWFUL HOPEFULLY YOU CAN. BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MILITARY, AS YOU KNOW.

AND TO HAVE SOMEONE OF YOUR CALIBER HERE IN THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE WELL MISSED.

SO BEST OF LUCK WHEREVER YOU GO. AND WE'RE A NAVY FAMILY.

WE APPRECIATE HEARING THE SOUND OF FREEDOM OVER OUR HOUSE EVERY TIME WE HEAR YOUR TRAINERS AND SEE ALL OF YOUR PERSONNEL OVER TOWN. THANK YOU.

THE COURT: THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL IN FAVOR. SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

OPPOSED SAME SIGN. CAPTAIN, WOULD YOU JOIN US FOR A PHOTO AND RECOGNITION.

>> THANKS, CAPTAIN JASON. THE MILITARY IS A FOUR BILLION IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS IMPORTANT. BUT MONEY CAN'T BUY THE PRICE OF BRAVERY THAT IT TAKES FOR THOSE AVIATORS TO DO WHAT THEY DO. WHILE WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, I'M MORE GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE THIS KIND OF SELFLESS COMMITMENT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FREEDOM. SUPER. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT WAY THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE OUR COUNTRY, THAT IS IN RECOGNITION OF DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS FOR MEMORIAL DAY 2022. WE DEFINITELY HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION ONCE AGAIN TO

BELINDA. >> WHEREAS, ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY, WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO GAVE LIFE AND LIMB IN THE WORLD WARS KOREA, VIETNAM, PERSIAN GULF AND MANY MILITARY CONFLICTS

[00:55:04]

WHEREAS, WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO DEFENDED THIS GREAT LAND OF OURS.

THOSE WHO CAME HOME SICK OR INJURED, AND THOSE WHO TOOK THEIR LAST BREATH IN BATTLE.

AND WHEREAS, OUR DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS SURELY GAVE UP THE EASE AND SECURITY OF CIVILIAN LIFE, LEAVING FARM AND FACTORY, HOME AND CLASSROOM, TO DEFEND THE UNITED STATES FREEDOMS THAT WE ENJOY EVERY DAY. WHEREAS, THIS MEMORIAL DAY WE REMEMBER AND HONOR ALL VETERANS AND WE ESPECIALLY RECOGNIZE THOSE GIVING LIMB AND INJURY AS A SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOM. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF NUECES COUNTY THAT ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 30TH, 2022, THE COURT HONORS OUR DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND URGES ALL CITIZENS OF NUECES COUNTY TO OFFER GRATITUDE FOR THE MANY SACRIFICES OF OUR VETERANS FOR THE FREEDOM PROVIDED TO EVERY CITIZEN OF NUECES COUNTY.

THE COURT: THANK YOU, BELINDA. WELCOME TO ALL. >> JUDGE, TO YOU AND THE COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORDING IN THE PROCLAMATION.

IT IS SYMBOLIC AND SIGNIFICANT OF WHAT WE DO. NOT JUST TODAY, BUT WHAT WE DID IN THE PAST AND HOW WE ALL CAME TOGETHER. YOU KNOW, JUDGE, IT IS VERY EVIDENT IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT THE RESPECT THE MILITARY HAS IS REFLECTIVE ON WHAT YOU DO FOR US. I KNOW YOU'VE NEVER LET US DOWN.

YOU'RE THERE FOR VETERANS, NOT ONLY DO YOU DO THE TALK, BUT YOU ALSO DO THE WALK.

WE APPRECIATE THAT. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT OUR COMMANDER IS NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US THIS MORNING. HE IS ILL AND ASKED OUR GROUP TO BE HERE TO REPRESENT HIM.

TO INVITE YOU ALL TO THE MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION ON MONDAY, AT THE NOW VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. I KNOW THE NAME CHANGED. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT REAL QUICK, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, YOUR HONOR. IF THE CAPTAIN HAS NOT DECIDED WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO, WE SHOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER AND TRY TO RECRUIT HIM AND FIND HIM

A JOB IN THIS CITY. THE COURT: AMEN. >> HE BELONGS HERE.

HE BELONGS IN THIS CITY WITH WHAT HE'S DONE AND WE WORK TOGETHER WITH HIM.

THE SECOND OFFER I WANT TO MAKE, I'M A RETIRED CITY COP AS WELL.

I SPENT 35 YEARS WITH CCPD. I DID 30 YEARS BETWEEN ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE AND SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WITH THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. I TOOK NOTICE OF THE YOUNG MAN THAT EVERYONE CONSIDERS NOT BEING VERY BIG. BUT IF HE CAN LIFT 390 POUNDS, CAPTAIN, WE KNOW HE CAN CARRY THE DUFFEL BAG AND THE AR-15, WHATEVER IS NEEDED.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE CAN ENCOURAGE HIM. JOE GONZALES, WITH YOUR OFFER OF THE SCHOLARSHIP, THAT THERE IS AN ROTC AT TEXAS ALGORITHM AND HE CA&M.

THIS CITY IS SO GREAT TO THE MILITARY. WE LOOK AROUND AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME IN TO THIS CITY TO COMPLIMENT US ABOUT HOW WELL CORPUS CHRISTI TAKES CARE OF OUR MILITARY. WE HAVE A PARK THAT IS NAMED AND THE BENEFITS OF THE MILITARY IN THIS CITY. WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SAN ANTONIO AND THE FOUR AIR FORCE BASES AND AN ARMY BASE THAT IS THERE. THIS IS A MILITARY TOWN, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. SO I THINK WE'RE BLESSED. FOR THAT WE THANK OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS. AND LIKE I SAY, I'LL REPEAT IT 100 TIMES.

NOT ONLY DO THEY DO THE TALK, BUT THEY DO THE WALK. LOOK AT EVERY ONE OF OUR MILITARY FUNCTIONS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS CITY, THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE THERE.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET MONEY THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NUECES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL BE AT OUR CEREMONY ON MONDAY. SO WE THANK YOU.

WE THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COMMANDER OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AUXILIARY TO ALSO SAY A FEW WORDS.

>> HE IS A LITTLE TALLER. I ALSO WANTED TO ADD MY THANKS FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE, FOR RECOGNIZING SUCH AN IMPORTANT EVENT. AND THE SACRIFICES, NOT ONLY THAT OUR VETERANS HAVE DONE, BUT ALSO VETERANS FAMILIES. THIS IS ALSO A SPECIAL TIME FOR US TO HONOR GOLD STAR MOMS. I AM A BLUE STAR MOM MYSELF. BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND PRAYERS OF MANY PEOPLE. WHEN MY SON CALLED ME AND SAID MINE, I'M IN MAINE, BACK FROM IRAQ. THAT WAS THE FIRST NIGHT THAT I SLEPT WELL IN MONTHS.

[01:00:03]

ALSO, PLEASE ENCOURAGE ANY GOLD STAR MOMS, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM THERE.

WE WOULD LOVE TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND HONOR THEM. AND YOU KNOW, AS MANY AS WE CAN. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES FAMILIES, YOU KNOW, ARE NOT ALWAYS AT THE FOREFRONT. AND BUT WE ARE THE ONES THAT KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING.

SEND THE LETTERS, PACKAGES. JAY JAY, THEY SEND A LOT OF PACKAGES.

I DID A LOT OF THEM TOO. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE.

WE APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. THE COURT: THANK YOU. >> ALSO TRAINED A GENTLEMAN WHO SERVED IN THE MARINE CORPS, WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HER AS A COMMANDER OF THE AUXILIARY

TEAM. THANK YOU AGAIN, JUDGE. >> ACTUALLY, MY SON IS A POLICE OFFICER IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT HE HAS DONE SO WELL IS BECAUSE HE HAD A WONDERFUL INSTRUCTOR. THE COURT: ALL RIGHT. JAY JAY, BEFORE YOU LEAVE US, WE HAVE A CEREMONY AT THE VETERANS STATE CEMETERY. AND WOULD YOU REMIND EVERYBODY.

YOU CAN GO TO MORE THAN ONE. YOU CAN CELEBRATE ALL DAY LONG. >> YES, MA'AM.

WE DO HAVE A CEREMONY. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND STARTS OFF WITH THE FLAG PLACEMENTS OVER AT THE COASTAL BEND VETERAN'S CEMETERY. FRIDAY, 27TH, FIVE P.M.

WE WILL PLACE A FLAG ON EVERY GRAVE SITE. >> CHERYL PARK IS IN THE

MORNING. >> IN THE MORNING. >> YOU CAN GO TO BOTH.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE RESOLUTION THAT WE HAVE HERE, MAY I HAVE IT. I NEED A MOTION. I'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. AND MAY I PRESENT THIS TO YOU.

[5. In recognition of the week of May 22nd through 28th, 2022, as Search and Rescue Awareness Week.]

G-5 IS A VERY IMPORTANT WEEK HERE FOR US. MAY 22ND THROUGH MAY 28TH, 2022, IS SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARENESS WEEK. WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. I WOULD ASK BELINDA TO BEGIN WITH READING THIS PARTICULAR

PROCLAMATION. >> WHEREAS, IN 2021, THERE WAS 46,581 MISSING PERSON REPORTS

[01:05:06]

SEARCH AND RESCUE RESOURCES BRING CLOSURE AND AID. SEARCH AND RESCUE PROFESSIONALS PERFORM FLOOD AND SWIFT WATER EVACUATIONS, LOCATE MISSING CHILDREN AND MEET MANY OF THE OTHER COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT OF NUECES COUNTY DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 22ND THROUGH MAY 28TH, 2022, AS SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARENESS WEEK IN NUECES COUNTY. THE COURT OFFERS ITS THANKS TO FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES FOR THEIR TIRELESS WORK. THE COURT: THANK YOU, BELINDA.

I'VE GOT MANY MOTIONS. RESOUNDING SECOND. WOULD YOU ALL LIKE TO MAKE SOME

COMMENTS? >> MY NAME IS SHANNON SMITH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS.

TERRY FOR DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, FOR TEXAS SEARCH AND RESCUE.

JONATHAN MCCOMB IS ONE OF OUR DEDICATED MEMBERS AND LOYAL VOLUNTEERS.

SEARCH AND RESCUE EMBODIES SO MANY DIFFERENT ENTITIES WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.

THERE IS VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE BOARD THAT PUT FORTH EFFORTS FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

WHETHER IT'S A MISSING PERSON OR DURING HURRICANE SEASON WHICH IS IMPENDING ON THE COAST, THAT IS WHERE WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE MR. REYES SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT AND OUR FRIENDS IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS HERE.

AND HONORING EVERYBODY THAT PUTS FORTH THAT EFFORT. THE COURT: ABSOLUTELY.

GOOD MORNING. >> THANK YOU. OBVIOUSLY Y'ALL KNOW MY INVOLVEMENT WITH TEXAS R, THAT STARTED BACK SEVEN YEARS AGO AS OF YESTERDAY, WAS THE MEMORIAL FLOOD THAT MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE HERE. SO WHEN I WAS LAYING IN THE HOSPITAL, AS I LOST MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, EVERYBODY RUSHED UP THERE TO DO WHAT THEY COULD TO DO SEARCH AND RESCUE. I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH AND THESE GUYS ENOUGH.

WE'RE ONLY CALLED OUT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT CALL US OUT. BUT WE'RE TRAINED IN WHAT WE DO.

TRAIN VIGOROUSLY. I GOT DONE DOING MY SWIFT WATER CERTIFICATION AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO. SO I CAN FIND SOMEBODY SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH. INCREDIBLE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.

ALL VOLUNTEER. NOBODY IS PAID. AND EVERYTHING COMES OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET. I THINK THERE IS 500 MEMBERS NOW.

WE TRAVEL EVERY SINGLE COUNTY IN TEXAS. AND OUR MOTTO IS SERVICE ABOVE SELF. TEXANS HELPING TEXANS. ANY WAY THAT WE CAN BE A FINGER TO ANY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE IN TOWN OR OUTLYING AREAS THAT MAYBE NEEDS MORE HELP, WE'RE HERE TO HELP. THANK ALL OF Y'ALL FOR WHAT Y'ALL DO HERE.

THANK Y'ALL AND FOR SURE REMEMBER EVERYBODY. IT HIT ME PRETTY HARD YESTERDAY AS I WAS NOT ONLY REMEMBERING MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BUT GETTING PHONE CALLS.

BECAUSE I WAS JUST OVER THERE THIS WEEKEND AND EAGLE PASS. I CALLED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE OKAY AND THEIR KIDS WERE FINE. IT'S TERRIBLE. THANK Y'ALL.

THE COURT: THANK YOU. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DEFINITELY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR LOUIE RAY. THIS IS THE TYPES OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS THAT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REALLY NEEDS. WE DON'T RECOGNIZE HOW LARGE OUR COUNTIES ARE IN THE RURAL AREAS. THERE ARE SOME HOMES AND RVS THAT DON'T SHOW UP ON MAPS.

THIS TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP IS ONE THAT WE INTEND TO UTILIZE. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE CRISISES, WEATHER EVENTS, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO PREDICT THAT THEY WILL HAPPEN.

SO BY BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE YOU WITH OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE THINK

[01:10:01]

WE DO HAVE AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FACEBOOK. TODAY IT WILL BE DEDICATED -- WELL, THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, AND WEEKEND, IT WILL BE DEDICATED TO SEARCH AND RESCUE AWARENESS, ON OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FACEBOOK. BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, CAN WE CREATE MORE AWARENESS. MAY I PRESENT THIS TO YOU. AND OFFER OUR GRATITUDE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. COMMISSIONER GONZALES.

>> I WANTED TO SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I KNOW SOMETIMES IT'S REALLY HITS HOME. BUT IT'S TOUGH. AND YOU GUYS YOU KNOW HOW VALUABLE YOU ARE OUT THERE. WE HOPE WE KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING