[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.]

F, PUBLIC COMMENT. KATHY SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. YES MA'AM

. >> PERFECT. HAVE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LEVITY. YOU'VE GOT AN INVITATION ON SUNDAY, I KNOW IT IS TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY. AND WE ARE HAVING OUR ANNUAL TOAST TO TEXAS AT THE 3700 OCEAN DRIVE HOUSE.

EVERYBODY KNOW WHERE THAT IS ? ANYBODY NOT KNOW? GOOD, I DON'T HAVE TO BREAK THE LAW AND SAY WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE FOR US TO USE THAT REFERENCE. BUT ANYWAY, WE HAVE A GOOD PROGRAM PLANNED. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE THERE, 1:00, IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH. I'M GOING HAVE TO TELL OUR PREACHER SINCE HE IS PART OF IT, THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT IT SHORT ON SUNDAY SO WE CAN GET OVER TO IT. PLEASE, IF ANYONE IS IN THE ROOM, PLEASE TRY TO COME TO RECOGNIZE. YOU COME OVER REALLY EASILY. JUST A COUPLE OF NOTES. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE. JUDGE CONNIE WAS THERE, WE HAD THE CREAM OF THE CROP.

TODD CAME OUT, SO IT WAS REALLY NICE. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED THAT MORE OF OUR BLACK COMMUNITY WAS NOT THERE, BECAUSE I DID REACH OUT AND ASK THEM TO COME. BECAUSE SHE WAS A SPECIAL LADY OVER THERE. A ONE TIME PRINCIPAL OF SOLOMON KOHL'S . WE NEED TO LEARN OUR HISTORY. AND THAT I HAVE ALREADY TOLD MIKE THAT ON SATURDAY WEEK WE WERE OVER AT, THE CAL ALLEN MARKER WAS DESTROYED IN 2020, BY PERSONS UNKNOWN. AND YOU ALL PAID FOR A REPLACEMENT, AND FINALLY, WE HAD LOST IT FOR A WHILE AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS. IT DOES HAPPEN. TXDOT HAD IT , AND A LOVELY LADY BY THE NAME OF KIMBERLY AMY FOUND IT. IT WOULD TAKE A WOMAN TO FIND SOMETHING. ANYWAY, SHE MADE SURE THAT TXDOT PAID FOR IT, TO PUT IT IN THE GROUND. WE WERE OUT THERE SATURDAY, WITH VERY FEW PEOPLE, BECAUSE THERE WERE SNOW FLURRIES OVER THERE WHERE WE PUT IT IN. BUT IT HAS BEEN PUT IN. WE HAVE TWO MORE COMING UP, AND I WILL GIVE YOU A FOLLOW-UP LATER ON. I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO CONDUCT THIS MORNING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT THAT DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN IN AND DO SO? THERE BEING NONE,

[00:10:05]

WE WILL MOVE AHEAD WITH OUR AGENDA. I'M SORRY? OH, THAT IS

[1. Discuss and consider adopting the Commissioners Court Policy as proposed and all related matters.]

KATHY . I NEED TO PULL UP ITEM THREE A1 BEFORE WE DO THE NEXT APPOINTMENT, BECAUSE THIS IS A POLICY FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WILL AFFECT BOARD APPOINTMENTS, IF I COULD . THREE A1 IS DISCUSSING CONSIDERING ADOPTING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT POLICY AS PROPOSED IN ALL RELATED MATTERS. THE DISCUSSION TODAY IS ON THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST . WE HAVE COME UP WITH SOME WORDING FOR OUR BOARDS THAT WOULD POSSIBLY , I THINK EVEN IT HAS CHANGED SINCE WHAT WE HAVE IN THEIR SUGGESTED WORDING WOULD BE . APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON ANY NUECES COUNTY BOARD OR COMMISSION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPLICANT OR APPLICANT'S RELATION BY FIRST AFFINITY IS EMPLOYED BY THE ENTITY THE BOARD REPRESENTS. INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY OUTSIDE BOARDS.

THAT WE RECOMMEND YOUR POINT. >> WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON, JUDGE?

>> THIS IS WORDING THAT JUST GOT PUT IN THIS MORNING. THE BACKGROUND HAS LISTED THE NAMES OF SOME OF THE BOARDS. I'M AFRAID, AND I TALKED TO JENNY BEFORE I CAME IN HERE, I'M AFRAID THAT IF WE LIST THEM THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOMEBODY WE LEAVE OUT, AND WE DON'T NEED TO REDO THIS AND REINVENT THE WHEEL EVERY TIME. THIS WORDING WOULD JUST BE OPENING TO ANY OUTSIDE BOARDS WE RECOMMEND OR APPOINT.

>> YOU INCLUDE ALL OF THE BOARDS THAT YOU LISTED ON THE BACKGROUND, PLUS OTHERS? IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING? IN OTHER WORDS, THIS ONE HAS, I AM JUST ASKING, I'M SORRY, I DID NOT SEE THAT IF IT JUST CAME IN THIS MORNING. I APOLOGIZE. TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENTS , ALSO FOR RECOMMENDED ONES,

RIGHT? >> THAT IS WHY I SAID THE WORDING TO INCLUDE AND NOT LIST ITEMIZED LISTING, BECAUSE WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO LEAVE SOMEBODY OUT. IF WE ADD THIS APPLICATION TO SERVE ON ANY NUECES COUNTY BOARD OR COMMISSION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPLICANT OR THE APPLICANT MIGHT IN RELATION BY FIRST AFFINITY , PARENTS OR CHILDREN, IS EMPLOYED BY THE ENTITY THE BOARD REPRESENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY OUTSIDE BOARD THAT WE RECOMMEND OR APPOINT. THAT COVERS

EVERYBODY. >> WHAT THAT DOES NOT HAVE IN THERE IS THE LANGUAGE THAT SAYS QUALIFIED, ALSO. IN OTHER WORDS,

THAT IS JUST FOR APPLICANTS. >> WHAT DO YOU MEAN, QUALIFIED?

>> IN OTHER WORDS, IF ANYONE CURRENTLY VIOLATES IT, THEY WOULD NOT BE QUALIFIED. IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT APPLICANTS, WE HAVE LEFT OUT THE QUALIFIED PART IN YOUR NEW LANGUAGE THAT WE HAD

IN THE OLD LANGUAGE. >> THIS WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ARE SERVING AND YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED, THEN, JUST LIKE WE DID IN ANIMAL CARE A YEAR AGO OR SO , I MEAN, THIS

WOULD AFFECT -- >> WE JUST NEED TO ADD THE WORD

-- >> CURRENTLY SERVING.

>> YES, SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT THAT, AS WELL. IT IS BEING CONSISTENT WITH EXACTLY WHAT WE DID FOR NUECES COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES, WE ARE JUST NOW PUTTING IT INTO PLACE FOR ALL

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. >> WE JUST NEED TO BE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH EVERYTHING WE DO. IT IS NOT SELECTED TO ONE APPOINTMENT, IT IS NOT DIRECTED TO ANYTHING, IT IS ACROSS THE

BOARD FAIR. >> COULD WE HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO WORK ON THAT ASPECT? I MEAN, IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING.

>> YEAH, I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE WORD QUALIFIED.

>> I DON'T EITHER. AND I THINK , I DON'T KNOW WHY WE ARE DOING THIS, I THINK IT MIGHT AS WELL INCLUDE EITHER WE DO BUSINESS WITH THE AGENCY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED HERE.

YOU CAN'T APPOINT, YOU CAN'T PARTICIPATE. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING BUSINESS THAT ARE RELATED TO US ON THE PORT , IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OR WHEREVER IT IS, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING . IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, DO IT ACROSS THE BOARD. SOMETIMES A RELATIVE OF OURS IS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE PORT AND IT CAN AFFECT IT. IF YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR SOMEBODY. I THINK IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE SPOUSES AND GRANDDAUGHTERS AND FAMILY OR WHATEVER. WE ASK PEOPLE TO SERVE, NOW WE ARE TELLING THE NEW CANCER. WE ALWAYS LOOK AT

[00:15:01]

HAVING PLENTY OF PEOPLE TO SERVE. SO NOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT HARD FOR PEOPLE TO SERVE. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR THE WHOLE CHANGE HERE. BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE, I THINK IT HAS TO BE ACROSS THE BOARD, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE THAT, WORKERS, WHATEVER IT IS. AND WE INCLUDE VENDORS? PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING BUSINESS THAT WILL AFFECT US IN THE LONG RUN. SAME THING WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION WHEN

YOU APPOINT SOMEBODY. >> I THINK THAT, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, IS TRUE. BUT THAT IS TAKEN CARE OF IN OUR CONFLICT OF INTEREST. WE HAVE TO ABSTAIN IF WE HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT PART OF THE POLICY, TOO. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT WE ARE JUST TARGETING CERTAIN FAMILIES, EVEN SOME OF OUR KIDS MIGHT WORK THERE THROUGH THE SUMMER TIME.

SOME OF OUR KIDS MIGHT WORK THERE AS AN INTERN, SO NOW THEY

CAN'T? >> YOU ARE NOT APPLYING FOR THE

BOARD. >> I THOUGHT THE 1ST DEGREE INCLUDES KIDS? I THOUGHT YOU WERE JUST LIMITING IT TO SPOUSES. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT GOTTEN INTO --

>> IT INCLUDES EVERYBODY, REALLY.

>> KIDS AND PARENTS , THAT'S YOUR DIRECT RELATION.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HERE.

>> ONLY IF WE CAN TABLE THE APPOINTMENT. THAT APPOINTMENT MIGHT HAVE SOME OF THAT, TOO. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT, BEFORE WE MAKE MORE APPOINTMENTS. IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT IT SOME MORE. I MEAN, IT IS LAST-MINUTE THAT WE ARE COMING IN WITH THAT, IN REGARDS TO THE CHANGES. I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS RIGHT, IT NEEDS TO BE ACROSS THE BOARD, SO I DO AGREE WITH THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR TO GO WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ IS SAYING, BUT IF HE NEEDS MORE TIME TO TALK TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT SOMETHING, I DON'T KNOW THAT I SUPPORT WHAT HE IS SAYING EXACTLY BECAUSE I THINK THE JUDGE IS RIGHT, ALSO, THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE CONFLICTS, AND YOU HAVE TO ABSTAIN IF YOU HAVE ONE CONTRACT WITH SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR YOU GO ON THAT ONE. BUT, I MEAN --

>> ARE THEY SEPARATE ISSUES? I MEAN, WHAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM

THE COURT SO FAR. >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS OVER TIME, BUT WE ARE HAPPY TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH WHICHEVER

COMMISSIONERS WANT TO. >> BUT THIS IS SPECIFICALLY BEING WRITTEN FOR BOARD APPOINTEES OR APPLICANTS.

>> IT IS BOTH COUNTY BOARDS, WHICH ARE CREATED IN PART OF THE COUNTY, BUT IT IS ALSO THE BOARDS TO WHICH THE COUNTY

APPOINTS OTHER ENTITIES. >> BUT THE JUDGE MENTIONED, WE

ALREADY HAVE -- >> CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. AND WE

HAVE TO ABSTAIN. >> EVERYBODY HAS TO FOLLOW THAT.

>> THAT IS WHY WE HAD THE COLORATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING THAT WE MUST ANNOUNCE OR AT LEAST HAVE FILED.

SO, TO ME, I UNDERSTAND WHAT COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ IS SAYING.

I MEAN, IF THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT WANTS TO TABLE, I'M OKAY WITH THAT, BUT TO ME, THE REASON WHY I WAS ASKING IS BECAUSE IF IT IS SEPARATE ARGUMENTS, THEN LET'S DEAL WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US, DEALING WITH APPOINTMENTS, AND THEN IF WE NEED TO LOOK MORE AT CONFLICTS WITH OURSELVES, THEN OBVIOUSLY THAT TAKES PRECEDENT AS WELL, AND WE NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME TALKING ABOUT IT, MORE TIME STUDYING WHAT IS THE LAW, WHAT IS BEST PRACTICE, WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING, AS WELL. BUT FOR ME, I THINK WE HAVE THE LAW THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW. COULD WE MAKE IT MORE STRINGENT? YES. WE OPPOSED THE POLICY ON THIS COURT THAT WE CANNOT APPOINT OR VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS DONATED, I GUESS, A CERTAIN LIMIT TO ANY POLITICAL CAMPAIGN OF OURS. I WOULD SAY DO YOU EVEN NEED TO GO FURTHER THAN THAT? IF THERE'S NONPROFITS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT YOU OWN OR OPERATE, YOU COULD EASILY DONATE TO THAT IN AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT, BUT TO A CAMPAIGN, NOT NECESSARILY SO.

THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMS HERE THAT WE COULD LOOK AT, BUT I JUST WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE AT HAND TODAY, WHICH IS THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR APPLICANTS FOR THE BOARDS , AND THAT IS IT. AND COME BACK, OBVIOUSLY, IF WE NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME AND TALK MORE ABOUT REGULATIONS THAT WE NEED TO PUT

OURSELVES. >> CAN YOU WORK ON THE LANGUAGE AND WE WILL BRING IT BACK, AND SEE IF IT GOES FURTHER? IF IT DOESN'T, WE WILL TABLE IT AND BRING IT BACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> DO YOU NEED THIS?

>> WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK LATER IN THE MEETING. SHE'S GOING TO WORK ON THE LANGUAGE AND PASS IT OUT , AND WE WILL

EITHER VOTED UP OR DOWN. >> FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, I THINK

[00:20:01]

COMMISSIONER MAREZ IS RIGHT. WE CAN WORK ON THIS TODAY, AND IF COMMISSIONER GONZALES WANTS TO BRING SOMETHING BACK HE CAN GET WITH THE COUNTY AND WORK ON IT AND BRING IT BACK LATER.

>> YES. SO, WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS. ON THE CONSENT

AGENDA -- >> ALSO, I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS

HAPPENED, BUT -- >> YES.

>> YOU TURNED YOURSELF OFF. >> YOU ARE ON.

>> ALL RIGHT. I WASN'T A WHILE AGO. LET'S SEE. LET ME GET THIS RIGHT. IT IS ITEM C FOR A. THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GET REMOVED.

>> WHICH ONE? >> IF YOU GO TO THIS SECOND PAGE, IT IS ITEM C FOUR A. THAT SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF PAGE THREE OF 13 IN THE DOCUMENT THAT I HAVE.

>> WHAT IS THE ITEM? WHAT DOES IT SAY?

>> IN MATTERS OF EXCEPTIONAL INTEREST MADE BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE ALLOCATED TIME FOR A PARTICULAR MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC

. >> OH, THAT IS IN THIS. WE ARE GOING TO BRING THIS ITEM BACK, SO WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THAT

PART THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE OUT. >> WE WORKED ON REMOVING IT LAST

TIME. >> WE DID, IT GOT LEFT IN, AND WE ALREADY REMOVED IT LAST TIME. SO WE NEED TO X THAT OUT.

>> THAT IS PART OF THE POLICY. >> WEBPAGE, MIKE?

>> PAGE THREE OF 13. TOP OF THE PAGE, ITEM A .

>> OKAY, I WILL LOOK AT IT. >> IT'S ALL AHEAD.

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

>> YES, THAT IS A CORRECTION IN THE PAPERWORK THAT IS ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON. THAT JUST NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT IN THE POLICY.

SO WE WILL BRING THAT BACK AFTER YOU WORK ON THE LANGUAGE FOR US, AND GET THAT CORRECT. BUT WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT ANY COMMISSIONER WISHES TO POLL FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION? I HAVE ITEM TWO I NEEDS TO BE PULLED.

>> AND YOUR HONOR, I'D LIKE TO PULL H .

>> AND ANY OTHERS? >> JUDGE, I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ALL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS EXCEPT H AND I.

[H. Accept certificates of completion for Public Information Act and Opens Meetings Act training for Commissioner Mike Pusley.]

>> I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, AND ITEM H IS

FIRST. COMMISSIONER PUSLEY? >> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. THE ONLY REASON I AM PULLING THIS IS TO MAKE THE COURT AWARE, THESE ARE THE TRAINING CLASSES THAT NEW COMMISSIONERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS OF THEIR TAKING OFFICE, S TWO CLASSES, AND YOU CAN DO THEM ONLINE NOW. WHICH I HAVE DONE.

THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES RECOMMENDED THAT IN THE FUTURE ANY TRAINING THAT COMMISSIONERS OR A COUNTY JUDGE ATTENDS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM AND APPROVED SO THAT IN THE FUTURE IF YOU NEED TO LOOK THAT

UP -- >> YOU HAVE A RECORD OF IT, YES.

>> I KNOW IN MY PREVIOUS LIFE AS COMMISSIONER HE CAME UP ONE YEAR THAT I WAS SHORT HOURS, AND I HAD LOST MY LITTLE SLIP THAT THEY GIVE YOU AT THE TRAINING CLASSES. WE FINALLY FOUND IT IN HER NOTEBOOK SOMEWHERE, BUT THIS WAY IT GETS MADE A PERMANENT

RECORD. >> THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

>> SO THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION, I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COURT KNOW WHY THAT WAS THERE. I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM H. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE

[I. Approve board application procedure for Nueces County Library Advisory Board. Recommend opening for applications and letters of intent from February 5, 2025 to February 26, 2025.]

MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ON ITEM I, APPROVE BOARD APPLICATION PROCEDURE, THERE IS JUST EIGHT DAY CORRECTION . THEY HAD THE LAST TIME THIS WAS APPROVED ON THERE. THE RECOMMENDED OPENING FOR APPLICATIONS AND LETTERS OF INTENT IS FEBRUARY 26TH THROUGH APRIL 2ND, IF YOU COULD WRITE

THOSE DOWN. >> APRIL? MARCH?

>> THEY TOLD ME APRIL. IF ANYONE HAS A CORRECTION.

>> APRIL? ONLY OPEN FOR A MONTH AND A HALF?

[00:25:04]

>> ANYBODY WHO IS PAYING ATTENTION IN THE OFFICE BACK THERE, IF YOU WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THAT IS A PROBLEM AS WELL.

>> IT JUST SEEMS LONG. >> IT DOES, YEAH. IT IS A LIBRARY BOARD APPLICATION, I GUESS THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE ACTIVE OR SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE MARCH MEETING, THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT FOR THE FIRST OF APRIL MEETING. I HAVE NO IDEA. IT WAS IN MY NOTES TO CHANGE IT. FEBRUARY 26TH TO APRIL 2ND.

>> OKAY, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, JUDGE.

>> HEY, THEY GAVE ME THE DATES. SO I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO PASS. THEY HAVE NOT COME IN HERE SCREAMING IT'S WRONG, SO IT'S

GOOD. >> WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND

WE NEED TO. >> EXACTLY. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. SO, WE DO HAVE ON HERE, I GUESS I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY VERY QUICKLY SOME OF THE BOARD APPOINTMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OVERSIGHT, THANK YOU. MS. ADLER, FOR BEING HERE AS WELL. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE TODAY.

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MS. ADLER, AND MR. MARTINEZ IS THERE, TOO. I DID WANT TO ASK, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT GOING BACK THROUGH AND LOOKING AT WARDS

AGAIN TO SEE -- >> WE HAVE THAT ON THE MARCH

AGENDA. >> SO DO WE WANT TO WAIT BEFORE WE OPEN UP ANY ADVISORY BOARD APPLICATION BEFORE WE GO TO THAT

PROCESS? >> WELL, IT WILL BE AFTER MARCH ANYWAYS, SO IF WE ARE GOING TO WAIT, --

>> I DON'T WANT TO GO GET APPLICATIONS OF PEOPLE AND THEN

WE DECIDE WE DON'T WANT -- >> IF WE ARE WAITING SO LONG I GUESS WE COULD WAIT. IT'S NOT LIKE THEY ARE IN A BIG HURRY. ON

THE LIBRARY BOARD. >> WE ARE GOING TO BRING ALL THE BOARDS BACK TO SEE IF WE NEED WARDS.

>> WHO ARE ACTIVE, IF THEY EVEN NEED MEETING, TARA HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK ON THOSE BOARDS, SO WE MUST HAVE A

CORRECTION. >> STILL ON THE LIBRARY BOARD, YES. WE PUT IT FOR APRIL BECAUSE IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT MARCH 19TH WOULD BE A QUICK TURNAROUND, BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHORTEN IT IF YOU WOULD LIKE. IT IS YOUR DISCRETION, JUST OUR

SUGGESTION. >> I THINK WE ARE GOING TO DRAWBACK THAT VOTE. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL BACK MY MOTION TO APPROVE THAT AND WAIT UNTIL AFTER WE HAVE THE MEETING FOR THE BOARD OVERVIEW AND WHAT BOARDS ARE ACTIVE, HOW MANY MEETINGS THEY HAVE FOR THAT. YES.

>> AND I WILL REMOVE MY VOTE. >> YES. HOWEVER WE DO THAT, WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO TO CLARIFY THAT?

>> ARE WE GOING TO TABLE IT? >> WE ARE GOING TO TABLE IT UNTIL AFTER. SO I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO TABLE NOW. AND WE WILL BRING IT BACK UP WHEN WE ARE READY.

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

>> COMMISSIONER PUSLEY. >> SORRY, HE BEAT ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION, YOU ARE CORRECT,

YES. >> OKAY, THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> MOVING ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA , I'M GOING TO SKIP THREE A1, WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT.

>> YEAH, I GUESS THE QUESTION IS ON J, SINCE WE JUST PASSED IT. I DON'T KNOW IF MS. ADLER OR MR. MARTINEZ WANTED TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM. BUT I MEAN, WE JUST APPROVED IT.

>> WE HAVE NUMBER TWO, IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AS WELL. YEAH, THAT WAS ALL IN CONSENT.

THEY ARE COMING UP. >> YOU ARE RIGHT, MY BAD.

>> I HOPE JANICE IS ON HER WAY. I WILL DO NUMBER THREE FIRST, AND WAIT UNTIL SHE GETS HERE. ITEM NUMBER THREE, DISCUSS AND

[4. Discuss and consider approval of No Dune Protection Permit Required for addition of deck to existing residential home at 6871 State Highway (SH) 361 Unit 3, Port Aransas, TX 78373 – DPP-20241023.]

CONSIDER THE STATUS, OH, THAT'S GOING TO BE A LONG ONE. NUMBER FOUR, WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT ONE. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A NO DUNE PROTECTION PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THE ADDITION OF A DECK TO EXISTING RESIDENTIAL HOME . KRISTEN,

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THIS ONE IS EASY. THEY ARE JUST ADDING A SECOND DECK ON TOP OF THE DECK THAT IS ALREADY THERE, BUT THE LOCATION OF THE PROPERTY IS 0-359. BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE WORK, AND THEY WILL REQUIRE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GOING IN AND OUT OF THE LOT, THERE TEMPORARY IMPACTS. BUT THERE ARE NO DUNES PRESENT .

>> AND AGAIN, WHEN YOU COME TO THESE, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO ASK

IF VMAX SUPPORTS ALL THIS. >> YES, EVERYBODY WAS IN APPROVAL. A LOT OF THEM ARE LIKE WHY ARE WE LOOKING AT IT?

>> I GET IT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT ON THE RECORD THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH BE BACK.

[00:30:01]

>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION. TO APPROVE THE NO DUNE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THE ADDITIONAL DECK .

>> I WILL SECOND A MOTION, NOW DISCUSSION , COMMISSIONER

PUSLEY. >> YES MA'AM, I WAS READING THE NOTE, THEY SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT THE OWNERSHIP DID NOT MATCH ON THE TITLE, IF YOU READ THE ATTACHED LETTER. FROM JELL-O TO THE JUDGE . IT SAYS THE APPLICANT INFORMATION DOES NOT MATCH THE INFORMATION LISTED IN NUECES COUNTY DISTRICT RECORDS. THE COUNTY MUST ENSURE THE LEGAL PROPERTY OWNER HAS AUTHORIZED THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION.

>> YEAH, SO THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THE TRACT IS ACTUALLY, IF YOU CLICK ON IT IN CAD, IT IS ZERO. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION, BECAUSE THAT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY DIDN'T, THEY DON'T HAVE INDIVIDUAL TRACKS OWNED. SO I ADDED TO THE APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA PACKET THE APPLICANT INFORMATION, CONTACT INFORMATION, AND THE AGENTS. SO THAT WAS WRITTEN ON TOP TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHO THE APPLICANT AND AGENT WAS ON THIS. REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT IT IS ONE BIG

NEIGHBORHOOD. >> AND WE NOTIFIED THE GL OH OF

THAT? OKAY, THAT IS ALL AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE HER. SHE WASN'T AROUND LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, SHE'S PRETTY GOOD. YOU'RE GOING TO

LIKE HER. >> THANK YOU FOR STAYING IN CONSTANT MEDICATION WITH MY OFFICE, AS WELL.

[5. Discuss and consider authorizing execution of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Precinct 3 Funds / State and Local Fiscal Recovery (SLFRF) Subrecipient Agreement with Nueces County Drainage District #2 for Casa Blanca Drainage Improvements in the amount of $250,000.00 (Infrastructure), and related matters.]

>> JUST REMEMBER, I READ EVERYTHING.

>> ITEM NUMBER FIVE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PRECINCT THREE FUNDS WITH NUECES COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER TWO FOR CASABLANCA DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. COMMISSIONER MAREZ , THAT IS YOURS, IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANY WORDS OR ANYTHING ON THERE. MOTION TO APPROVE , I THINK IT IS BEEN APPROVED THROUGH GRANT WORKS AND ALL THE PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH, SO IF YOU WANT TO JUST MAKE A

MOTION TO APPROVE. >> YEAH, MOTION, AND THEN JUST A

COUPLE OF COMMENTS. >> I WILL SECOND YOUR MOTION, GO

AHEAD. >> WE HAVE CHAIRMAN ROBERT GONZALEZ, WHO IS HERE WITH NUECES COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT.

THE CHAIRMAN, WILL YOU COME TO THE MICROPHONE? WE APPRECIATE HIS PARTNERSHIP AND THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS WITH THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT, THAT THEY HAVE A FULL COMMISSION NOW, THEY WERE DOWN ONE MEMBER, BECAUSE MARTINEZ USED TO SERVE, AND WHEN HE GOT ELECTED THAT SEAT REMAIN VACANT FOR ABOUT A YEAR. WE HAVE THREE COMMISSIONERS THERE WHO ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND WILLING TO PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY , NOT JUST WITH MY OFFICE, BUT WITH ALL OF US, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING DRAINAGE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY IN AND AROUND ROB STONE AREAS. THAT IS KIND OF WHERE THE BOUNDARIES ARE AT THIS POINT. I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM GROW AND TAKE ON A BIGGER AREA IN THE COUNTY, BUT FOR NOW, THIS IS JUST TO ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD ON ADDRESSING A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. CASABLANCA, ALONG WITH SEVERAL, MOST OF ROB'S TOWN IS IN A LOW-LYING AREA. A LOT WAS FARMLAND AT ONE POINT, AND WHEN I GOT DEVELOPED IT WAS NOT UP AT A HIGH ENOUGH ELEVATION. SO EVEN WHEN WE HAVE MODERATE RAIN EVENTS, YOU CAN SEE LETTING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THERE. WHEN WE'VE HAD SIGNIFICANT ONES LIKE THE TWO THAT WE HAD IN 2017, AND THE MOST RECENT ONE IN 2021, WE HAD WATER UP TO PEOPLE'S KNEES, LITERALLY, TO WALK TO THEIR HOMES. THEY CANNOT EVEN DRIVE THEIR CARS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO WE ARE WORKING ON THE OVERALL PLAN AS A COUNTY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT OVER THE YEARS. BUT THIS IS AN OPTION FOR US TO WORK ON A KIND OF QUICK FIX FOR THE CASABLANCA AREA . THIS IS TO START COMMITMENT TO HELP SUPPORT THE OVERALL COSTS. THIS WAS ORIGINALLY ONLY A DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER TWO PROJECT, BUT AS THE YEARS WENT BY, WITH COVETED EVERYTHING, THINGS LITERALLY GOT STOPPED. SO THE PRICE WENT UP, AND THEY NEEDED HELP. THIS WAS OUR COMMITMENT AS A COUNTY OVERALL, EVEN THOUGH I SELECTED IT, WE APPROVED TO HELP SUPPORT PROJECTS ALL OVER THE COUNTY. AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM, THIS IS TO HELP MAKE UP THE SMALL DISTANCE, RELATIVELY SMALL. 250 IS NOT SMALL, BUT CONSIDERING THE PRICE OF THE PROJECT, IT IS STILL A RELATIVELY SMALLER AMOUNT. BUT NOTHING CONTROVERSIAL, I THINK THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS IT . CHAIRMAN, WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT

THIS? >> WELL, YOUR HONOR AND COMMISSIONERS, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR HELP WORKING TOGETHER AS FAR AS FOR THE PUBLIC TO DO SOMETHING FOR DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER TWO, AS WELL AS IT WILL

[00:35:04]

BE OUR FIRST GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT FOR THE YEAR. SO MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYBODY AS FAR AS THE GROUNDBREAKING, SO WE CAN LET PEOPLE KNOW WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER, IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO ENTITIES AS FAR AS DOING THINGS TOGETHER. AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION AS FAR AS YOUR HELP WITH THE 250,000. AND IT IS A LOT, SO WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU AS FAR AS DRAINAGE SYSTEM

NUMBER TWO. >> WHAT IS THE COST OF TOTAL

PROJECT? >> 2.6 MILLION. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY, NARROWING IT DOWN, HE SAID WE DID NEED THE 250,000 ACTUALLY COMPLETE THIS PROJECT. BUT IT IS OVER 2 MILLION FOR

SURE. >> AND THAT IS COMING FROM --

>> FROM GRANTS YOU ARE GETTING AND SO FORTH. I THINK THAT IS SIGNIFICANT, BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG HELP TO THE DRAINAGE IN THAT AREA, AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A PROJECT, WE ARE NOT THE PRIMARY FUNDER, I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE ARTICULATED. THAT'S A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON HERE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING PROJECTS THAT ARE COUNTY PROJECTS, BECAUSE WE HAVE A NEED. BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD EXCEPTION. IF SOMEONE COMES IN AND SAYS WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF, LIKE YOU SAY, IT'S NOT A LITTLE, BUT IT IS LESS THAN 10% , OR ABOUT 10% OF THE PROJECT COST, AND YOU ALL ARE DOING 90.

I THINK THAT IS A REASONABLE EXCEPTION TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO, AND I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD USE OF THOSE FUNDS , COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE PROJECT FOR YOUR AREA, AND IT'S GOING TO HELP A LOT. IF YOU HAVE AN EXTRA COUPLE OF MILLION LYING AROUND FOR US, WE'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE IT.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP, IT REALLY HELPS. LIKE I SAID, WE ARE A FIRST PROJECT, GROUND BAKING PROJECT. WE WILL INVITE ALL OF YOU SO WE CAN LET THE PEOPLE KNOW WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER. YOUR HONOR, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER

DISCUSSION? YES SIR? >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. I JUST WANT TO ECHO COMMISSIONER CHESNEY'S COMMENTS. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT FOR VERY LONG TIME, AND WE ACTUALLY JUST DISCUSSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO ABOUT THIS WHOLE AREA AND THE DRAINAGE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

THIS WILL HAVE A REALLY POSITIVE IMPACT ON THAT WHOLE AREA, AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN MY PRECINCT, THIS WILL MARRY INTO THAT AND HELP THOSE ISSUES, AS WELL. SO I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER MAREZ AND THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT FOR WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS. THIS IS A BIG DEAL, AND THERE'S NOTHING SEXY ABOUT DRAINAGE DITCHES UNTIL YOU ARE WAITING OUT OF YOUR HOUSE IN KNEE-DEEP WATER. THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> THANKS, COMMISSIONER. AND JUST TO POINT OUT, WE HAVE ALL HAD PROJECTS THAT ARE KIND OF FEEL-GOOD PROJECTS, THAT ARE HELPING WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY. BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE NECESSITIES. THIS HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED. WE DON'T FEEL IT RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE BEEN IN A DROUGHT. BUT GOD WILLING THE RAINS WILL COME, AND WENT THEY DO, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NOTICE. AGAIN, WHAT IMPROVEMENTS WE HAVE MADE . I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT ONCE THE GROUNDBREAKING STARTS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WHERE THAT HAPPENS, AND HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN JOIN US ALONG WITH OUR

PARTNERS. >> I WAS GOING TO SHARE WITH THE COMMISSION THIS MORNING THAT WE DO THESE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS AND WE DON'T GET ANY RAIN. I'M DOING A BIG ONE OUT IN LONDON AND I HAVE 6 MILLION GALLONS TO TAKE OUT THERE, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE 6 MILLION GALLONS WE CAN HAVE. HOPEFULLY YOU ARE NOT JINXING US WITH THE RAIN LIKE I THINK I PROBABLY DID, BUT THANK YOU FOR THIS GOOD PROJECT GOOD JOB, COMMISSIONER MAREZ.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. I WANT TO COME BACK TO ITEM TWO . AFTER THIS ITEM WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BREAK , WELL, MAYBE WE LIKE A COUPLE OF THINGS DONE. WE MIGHT HAVE TO BREAK FOR EXECUTIVE , THE LAWYERS HAVE SOMEWHERE TO BE AND THEY ARE GOING TO LET US KNOW AS SOON AS THEY GET THERE.

[2. Receive update on the progress of the Public Defender's Office.]

>> ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO BRING US MONEY, WE CAN ALWAYS BREAK

FOR THEM. >> THIS IS AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS. DENNIS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO TELL US ALL ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS YOU'RE DOING.

>> ALL ABOUT IT. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ACCOMMODATING US. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BRING THE MEMBERS OF THE OVERSIGHT BOARD AND WE CAN, SO YOU ALL CAN SEE THEM AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEM. WE HAVE OUR CHAIR, LISA GREENBERG. VICE CHAIR, JUDGE DON MARTINEZ.

CHRIS ADLER. JANICE CAGLE. ROSEANNA RUSSELL. AND DR. OWENS.

WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT HERE, BUT THIS IS SIX OF THE EIGHT. SO, THE LAST TIME I CAME IN WAS JULY, AND BASICALLY I'VE

[00:40:02]

GIVEN YOU AN UPDATE SINCE JULY, BUT ALSO ENCOMPASSING ALL OF 2024. FIRST OF ALL, THE STRUGGLE FOR ME THAT FIRST YEAR OR YEAR AND A HALF WAS ESTABLISHING THE STRUCTURE , THE OFFICE SPACE, HIRING, ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE STABILIZED EXCEPT FOR THE STAFFING. WE WERE FULLY STAFFED AS OF OCTOBER OF 23, AND THEN OVER I GUESS AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 24 WE HAD FOUR LAWYERS MOVE ON TO SO-CALLED GREENER PASTURES. AT LEAST THE GREEN OF THE MONEY. AND WE HAVE REPLACED ONE, WE HAVE A YOUNG LAWYER WHO PASSED THE BAR IN OCTOBER, AND SHE JOINED US RIGHT BEFORE TAKING THE BAR , OR RIGHT BEFORE PASSING THE BAR. SO WE STILL HAVE THOSE THREE POSITIONS OPEN. THEY ARE POSTED. WE HAVE ATTENDED CAREER FAIRS, WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN. AS I MENTIONED TO THE JUDGE IN SEVERAL OF OUR WEEKLY DEPARTMENT HAD MEETINGS, THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF NOT JUST PUBLIC DEFENDER TYPES, BUT LAWYERS GENERALLY IN TEXAS. THERE'S A LOT OF OPENINGS ACROSS THE STATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE, INCLUDING OUR OWN D.A.S OFFICE. SO IT IS A STRUGGLE, IT IS A TOUGH MARKET OUT THERE. NOT A LOT OF SUPPLY OF LAWYERS.

>> YOU MIGHT BE THE FIRST PERSON I'VE EVER HEARD SAY THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH LAWYERS. EVERYONE ELSE TELLS ME THERE'S WAY TOO

MANY. >> MAYBE THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO LISTEN. I DON'T KNOW. BUT WE ARE GOING TO KEEP TRYING, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE MISSION IS TO TOUCH AS MANY CASES AS WE CAN IN AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY, AND WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH WITH THE SIX LAWYERS WE HAVE. SO WE WOULD LOVE TO BE FULLY STAFFED AGAIN. WE ARE GOING TO KEEP WORKING ON IT. AS FAR AS THE CLIENTS GO, I HAVE INCLUDED IN YOUR SUMMARY THAT WE HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO A TOTAL OF 3000 CASES SINCE WE STARTED , MAY 2ND OR THIRD OF 2023. YESTERDAY I DOUBLE CHECKED, IT IS 3115 AS OF YESTERDAY. WITHIN THOSE, WE HAVE CLOSED , THE TOTAL IS NOW 2548, SO WE HAVE 577 THAT ARE OPEN. SO WE CONSISTENTLY, WITH OUR SIX LAWYERS, CARRY BETWEEN FIVE AND 600 THAT ARE PENDING. WE WILL GET NEW ONES, THEN WE CLOSE SOME. IT FLUCTUATES, BUT IT IS GENERALLY BETWEEN FIVE AND 600.

WHEN WE GET APPOINTED, OUR CLIENTS ARE IN THE COUNTY JAIL NEXT DOOR. THE CODE REQUIRES US TO VISIT THOSE CLIENTS WITHIN , BY THE END OF BUSINESS THE DAY AFTER WE GET APPOINTED, SO WE GET A LOT OF JAIL VISITS TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE FIRST VISITS.

BUT ALSO TO ESTABLISH THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLIENTS THAT HELPS US RESOLVE THEIR CASE IN A FAVORABLE MANNER. SO, I INCLUDED FOR YOU THOSE STATISTICS, BECAUSE I AM VERY PROUD. HAVING COME FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE, I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO SCHEDULE JAIL VISITS , WHEN YOU ARE NOT OFTEN SING IN THE BUILDING NEXT DOOR YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE JAIL, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS, THE JAIL VISITS TAKE A LONG TIME. IT'S HARD.

WHAT WE HAVE TRIED TO DO IS REALLY STREAMLINE THAT. THAT IS ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A PUBLIC DEFENDER AND HAVING THEM IN YOUR COURTHOUSE. SO THEY ARE HERE ANYWAY. WE HAVE VISITED THAT MAIN JAIL 1400 TIMES IN 2024, AND HAVE BEEN TO THE JAIL ANNEX OVER, WELL, YOU ALL KNOW WHERE THAT IS, OVER 300 TIMES IN 2024. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT ONE VISIT DOES NOT MEAN ONE CLIENT. WHEN I GO AND VISIT MY CLIENTS, I AT LEAST TRY TO KNOCK OUT TWO OR THREE VISITS AT THE SAME TIME, BECAUSE YOU GET THERE, YOU HAVE YOUR VISITATION ROOM, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SEE MY PEOPLE. 1400 VISITS COULD MEAN UNTOLD NUMBERS OF CLIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SEEN AND ENGAGED WITH IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE THEIR CASES. PART OF THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING THIS PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, AND THE FUNDING PROVIDED, IS THAT THEY INCLUDED FUNDING FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO WORK FOR OUR OFFICE, NOT JUST ON A CONTRACT BASIS, LIKE WE WERE TIED TO WHEN WE WERE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, AND WE ALSO HAVE TWO SOCIAL WORKER EMPLOYEES ON STAFF. WE HAD TO REPLACE ONE, WE HAD ONE LEAVE I THINK IN OCTOBER, AND WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH THAT THE TIMING WORKED OUT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE ERIN DIAZ, WHO IS WORKING WITH THE COUNTY IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. HE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS ASSET, IN ADDITION TO OUR LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS HERE. SO WE WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH THEM ON ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH CASES, AND AS YOU KNOW, THE MANDATE FROM T IDC WAS ABOUT HALF OF OUR CASELOAD SHOULD BE THE MENTAL HEALTH CASES. IT

[00:45:03]

CERTAINLY IS, IT IS PROBABLY MORE THAN HALF. THOSE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE INTEGRAL IN HELPING US FIGURE OUT WHAT THE UNDERLYING ISSUES ARE THAT BROUGHT FOLKS INTO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM, AND HELP US IDENTIFY RESOURCES THAT WE CAN CONNECT THEM WITH TO TRY AND KEEP THEM OUT OF THE SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE. THE OTHER THE GREAT THING ABOUT THE SORT OF EMBEDDED NATURE OF THIS DEPARTMENT IS THAT WE ARE SEEING THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. SO WE HAVE ESTABLISHED AN INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, NOT ONLY THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, BUT THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PEOPLE , WEXFORD, AND THE MEDICAL TEAM. I HAVE COORDINATED A MEETING THAT I HAVE WITH THAT GROUP EVERY MONTH, WE CALL IT CONTINUITY OF CARE , BECAUSE WE ARE ALL FOCUSED ON THE CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR THE SAME PEOPLE, AND THE SHERIFF, HIS ADMIN STAFF, DR. LOOSENS, THE PSYCHIATRIST, AND A PSYCHIATRIC DIRECTOR IN THE MEDICAL TEAM , THEY ALL COME. AND WE ARE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THESE FOLKS AND WHAT THEIR STATUS IS, WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THEM STABILIZE TO GET THEM OUT OF THE JAIL, AND INTO A MORE STABLE WAY OF LIVING . AND THAT IS BEEN JUST A REAL ASSET. WE HAVE ALL LEARNED SO MUCH MORE ABOUT WHAT WE EACH DO , AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED, THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH AND GETTING THOSE FOLKS OUT OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM, BUT WE WERE ALL IN OUR OWN LANE. AND WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER PEOPLE DID. SO PUTTING US ALL IN THE SAME ROOM TOGETHER AND BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT THAT HAS BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE. ANYWAY, WE ALSO HAVE AN INCREASE , THE PARTICIPATION IN THE JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM, AND THE OUTPATIENT COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM. THIS IS IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW IN TEXAS, BECAUSE OUR STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM IS OVERRUN WITH NEED. WE HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF THE STATE HOSPITAL BEDS THAT ARE DESIGNATED FOR WHAT THEY CALL FORENSIC TREATMENT , AND WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT IS THE COMPETENCY RESTORATION . EVERY JURISDICTION ACROSS THE STATE HAS INCOMPETENT FOLKS IN THEIR JAIL, AND THEY PUT THEM ON THE SAME LIST. RIGHT NOW, AS OF YESTERDAY AT THE MEETING AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, I LEARNED THAT FOR THE WOMEN WHO ARE WAITING FOR THE MAXIMUM-SECURITY HOSPITAL FOR COMPETENCY RESTORATION, IT IS OVER A YEAR WAIT. AND THOSE FOLKS ARE SITTING NEXT DOOR TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. SO, USING THE JAIL-BASED RESTORATION PROGRAM AND THE OUT PATIENT, THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK ON THAT RESTORATION WHILE THEY ARE WAITING. AND THAT WAY, IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL, AND THEY ARE ABLE TO RESTORE, THEN WE CAN MOVE ON WITH THEIR CASE AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO ON TO THE HOSPITAL. SO THAT REALLY LIMITS THE NUMBER OF JAIL DAYS, IT LIMITS THE LENGTH OF TIME DURING THE SYSTEM OVERALL. SO WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO KEEP INCREASING THAT. I BELIEVE THAT COVERS EVERYTHING THAT I PUT IN THE SUMMARY, IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD BE HAPPY

TO ANSWER THEM IF I CAN. >> JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO, IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. I'M SAYING THE SAME THING I SAID BEFORE, JUST KNOW THAT AS THIS GRANT COMES TO AN END AND THE COUNTY HAS TO PICK UP THE COST, I DON'T KNOW, WHAT IS THE BUDGET , 1.6? SO THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE 1.6 MILLION LYING AROUND. SO AS THE GRANT STARTS TO TAIL OFF, IT'S GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE FOR US, AS WE SAID FROM THE BEGINNING, AS WE SAID FROM THE INITIAL MEETINGS, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK FINANCIALLY, BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL VOTED FOR IT, SO WE ALL LIKE THE CONCEPT. AGAIN, AS YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO WORK ON NUMBERS TO BE ABLE TO SHOW US WHERE, BECAUSE WHAT THE JUDGES TOLD US BACK THEN IS THAT THIS SHOULD REDUCE THE ATTORNEYS FEES COST, TO OFFSET ENOUGH OF THE BUDGET TO GET PRETTY CLOSE. THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE THE ANALYSIS THAT WE NEED, AND LIKE I SAID, WE KIND OF GOT A BREAK LAST YEAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOO SOON , I DON'T THINK WE COULD'VE MADE A GOOD FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, IT WOULD NOT OF BEEN FAIR TO YOU. BUT AS WE GO FORWARD NEXT YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY MORE OF IT AND MORE OF IT AND MORE OF IT.

SO PLEASE, I KNOW YOU ARE DOING IT, BUT JUST KEEP THOSE NUMBERS AND HAVE THOSE NUMBERS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE GOOD, FRESH LOOKS AT WHERE THAT'S HAPPENING. BECAUSE WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ATTORNEYS FEES ARE GOING DOWN OTHER PLACES TO OFFSET. AT LEAST I DO, I DON'T KNOW THAT EVERY ELSE. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO US, BECAUSE WE ALL WANT THIS TO WORK. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR HOW WE CAN FINANCE AND FUN STUFF.

>> THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THESE 3100 15 CASES YOU HAVE NOT HAD TO PAY A PENNY FOR. THE STATE TAKES THE COST FOR ALL OF THAT,

[00:50:03]

IN THIS YEAR, I'M SAD TO SAY THAT NOT HAVING THE STAFF IS BAD, BUT IT ALSO MEANS WE PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO HAVE TO DIP INTO THE COUNTY FOR THIS SPECIFIC FISCAL YEAR AT ALL.

>> AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ALL HOPING FOR, BECAUSE WE ARE JUST TRYING TO BUY TIME ON THIS TO MAKE IT WORK, AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT WORK FINANCIALLY. WE KNOW IT'S WORKING IN WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. BUT ANYTIME WE DON'T HAVE TO DIG INTO THAT, THAT JUST MEANS WE CAN KICK THAT DECISION DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER YEAR, THAT IS GOOD WITH ME, AND I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND LIKE WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE DECISIONS. BUT ANYTIME WE REALLY WANT THIS TO WORK AND WE REALLY WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD. THAT IS GREAT TO HEAR. NOT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE STAFF, SORRY. BUT SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO BE LUCKY THAN GOOD. I DON'T KNOW. BUT YOU WILL HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE ELSE?

>> YES, I APPRECIATE YOUR UPDATE, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT THE CLUTTER OF BUDGET TIME. WHEN YOU COME TO IT DURING BUDGET, IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE YOUR VOICE OR GET YOUR POINT ACROSS, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OR ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE HERE . SO, BEING PROACTIVE IN COMING EARLY IS HELPFUL, AT LEAST FOR ME, TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE EVERYTHING ELSE AND REALLY FOCUS ON WHAT THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE HAS DONE. LIKE COMMISSIONER CHESNEY SAID, WE HAVE ALL SUPPORTED THIS PROGRAM , AND OF COURSE, WHEN YOU CAN GET FUNDING THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE COUNTY BUDGET, THAT'S GREAT. BUT AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT DOING THAT. AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE, BECAUSE I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO WITH A PRIVATE PRACTICE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, AND WE KIND OF GOT ON THE SUBJECT OF WHY YOU ARE DEFENDING PEOPLE WHO ARE GUILTY . AND THE CONVERSATION TURNED TO WELL, THAT IS THE JURY OR THE JUDGE TO DECIDE. BUT WE ARE ADVOCATES.

AND NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE THE ONLY PERSON IN SOMEONE'S LIFE, AND I'M GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL, THAT HAS EVER FOUGHT FOR ME OR BELIEVED IN ME. PUT ASIDE THE GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF THOSE PEOPLE, BUT MANY TIMES IT IS THE ATTORNEYS WHO ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE DOING THAT. SO THAT KIND OF OPENED MY EYES TO THE BIGGER PICTURE. YOU CAN GET SO FOCUSED ON GUILT AND INNOCENCE, AND HEY, THE GUILTY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE SAYING THAT THEY SHOULDN'T . BUT TO HAVE A GOOD ATTORNEY, A COMPETENT ATTORNEY, SOMEONE WHO IS NOT JUST GOING TO WRITE YOU OFF AS JUST A NUMBER AND GET YOU WHATEVER THE JUDGE OR THE JURY HAS MERCY ON YOU.

BUT TO GIVE A CHANCE FOR REHABILITATION WHEN THERE IS THAT OPPORTUNITY IS GREAT. SO WHAT YOU ALL DO IN YOUR OFFICE, IT'S NOT ONLY TO BE COMMENDED, BUT SHOWS WHAT OUR STANDARDS AS A COMMUNITY IS, BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THIS FOR SO LONG. AND TO HAVE THIS NOW IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF. SO I KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE, EVERY BUDGET IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR US, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR. THE WAY THINGS OF WINDUP, I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO GET AS MUCH EXTRA SUPPORT AS WE CAN. I KIND OF WANTED TO SHARE THAT STORY, BECAUSE IT JUST KIND OF CAME OUT OF NOWHERE IN GENERAL CONVERSATION, AND IT REALLY TOUCHED ME, JUST TO KIND OF SHOW HOW SOME OF US IN LIFE WERE JUST SO PRIVILEGED OR LUCKY OR BLESSED, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD A TOUGH ROW AND MADE BAD CHOICES HAVE NOT HAD SUPPORT TO GET THEM TO THAT POINT. SO THE ONLY PERSON THERE THAT HAS EVER BELIEVED IN THEM OR FOUGHT FOR THEM IS THAT ATTORNEY STANDING BY THEIR SIDE, THAT IS AN EYE-OPENER. AND I THINK WE ALL NEED TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY AND PUBLICLY FOR THIS. THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE TAKEN ON WITH THE BOARD, WHAT IT DOES TO SUPPORT YOU, WE ALL WANT TO KEEP IT GOING. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET VERY CREATIVE, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN HELP WITH REVENUE THAT'S COMING IN TO HELP SUSTAIN THIS OVER THE YEARS. BUT THIS, THAT WAS TRULY AN EYE-OPENER FOR ME, SOME OF THAT IS JUST RIGHT IS RIGHT, WRONG IS WRONG, BUT TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE IS HELPFUL. I HOPE THAT MORE PEOPLE GET THAT CHANCE AND HEAR YOUR STORY.

THAT'S WHY I THINK TODAY WAS SO IMPORTANT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE, AND ALWAYS KEEPING US INFORMED HERE. ESPECIALLY OUR DEPARTMENT HAD MEETINGS, YOU KEEP ME WELL INFORMED. THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS, FOR BEING PRESENT. I KNOW YOU TOOK TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY TO BE HERE, AS WELL. WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND WE APPRECIATE THE SERVICE YOU

GET. >> WE HAVE A 10:00 WITH LAWYERS,

SO LET'S GO. GO AHEAD, QUICK. >> I WILL BE VERY BRIEF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO COME BY AND VISIT, AND I WILL GET THERE, I PROMISE.

BUT I THINK THIS ALL BOILS DOWN TO, FOR YEARS OUR GOAL IS BEEN TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE JAIL SYSTEM. WHEN THEY ARE IN

[00:55:03]

THE JAIL SYSTEM, TAXPAYERS ARE HAVING TO PAY TO HOUSE AND FEED AND PROVIDE HEALTHCARE, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS. AND I THINK WE SHOULD , WE HAVE SOME TIME HERE BEFORE BUDGET PROCESS STARTS , YOUR HONOR, I THINK WE OUGHT TO CHALLENGE OUR GRANTS DEPARTMENT.

WE OUGHT TO CHALLENGE OUR LEGISLATORS TO HELP US FIND MONEY TO HELP CONTINUE THESE PROGRAMS. I THINK IT'S MORE THAN PROVEN ITS WORTH NOT ONLY TO THIS COUNTY, BUT TO OTHER COUNTIES, BECAUSE WE EITHER HAVE TO BUILD BIGGER JAILS AND PAID TO DO THAT, AND PAY TO HOUSE THOSE PEOPLE, OR WE CAN GET THEM OUT OF THE JAIL SYSTEM . AND THIS CONTINUOUS REVOLVING DOOR OF THE SAME PEOPLE GOING IN AND OUT OF OUR JAIL SYSTEM HAS TO STOP. THIS IS ONE WAY WE CAN DO THAT. SO I WOULD LAY DOWN THE CHALLENGE FOR OUR GRANTS DEPARTMENT, AND WHOEVER ELSE WE NEED TO CONTACT, ESPECIALLY OUR LEGISLATORS. THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A BIG BUDGET SURPLUS THIS YEAR, AND THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STEP UP AND SAY HEY, THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM TO SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THAT'S A GREAT POINT. THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM IS UP ARGUING FOR MORE MONEY TO BE PUT INTO PUBLIC DEFENDER AND MANAGED TO SIGN COUNSEL OFFICES. SO THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> I WILL BE THERE NEXT WEEK, AND I WILL VOICE THAT.

>> WE NEED TO ADD THAT TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> COMMISSIONER PUSLEY IS RIGHT,

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

THAT'S A GOOD POINT. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THAT WE NEED TO CUT TO EXECUTIVE QUICKLY, FOR THOSE OF YOU HERE, WE HAVE ONE ITEM THAT SHOULD BE VERY QUICK, WE DON'T INTEND FOR THIS TO BE A VERY LENGTHY EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO ITEM NUMBER FOUR, EXECUTIVE SECTION, PUBLIC NOTICES GIVEN AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY ELECT TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ANYTIME DURING THE MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS LISTED ANYWHERE ON THE AGENDA, WHEN AUTHORIZED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT , CHAPTER 551 OF TEXAS GOVERNORS CODE TO THE EXTENT THERE HAS BEEN A PAST PRACTICE OF DISTINGUISHING ITEMS FOR PUBLIC DELIBERATION, AND THOSE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED THAT THE PORT IS DUE DEPARTING FROM THAT PRACTICE, AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISCUSS ANY LISTED AGENDA ITEMS IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO DO SO. IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ELECTS TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING AN AGENDA ITEM, THE SECTION OR SECTIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SECTION WILL BE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551-9001 COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS, INCLUDING MATTERS RELATED TO LITIGATION , DELIBERATE REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, PERSPECTIVE GIFTS, PERSONNEL MATTERS INCLUDING TERMINATION, COUNTY ADVISORY BODIES, SECURITY DEVICES, AND/OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. UPON COMPLETION OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY, IN OPEN SESSION, TAKE SUCH APPROPRIATE ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. TODAY'S ITEM A IS CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL IN REGARDS TO CZ PALMERS TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER TAKING ACTION DURING REGULAR MEETING AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071.

IT IS 10:05 AND WE ARE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE. I WOULD ASK ALL THE MEMBERS TO

>> WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE. IT IS 10:22 . GOING BACK TO OUR

[3. Discuss and consider the status of utilization of county assets and all related matters. ]

REGULAR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE STATUS OF UTILIZATION OF COUNTY ASSETS IN ALL RELATED MATTERS.

THIS WAS AN ITEM THAT GOT BROUGHT UP FOR MY OFFICE, AS WELL. NOT HAVING A UNIFORM LIST OF ALL THE COUNTY PROPERTIES, COUNTY BUILDINGS, AND EVERYTHING . AND IN THIS DISCUSSION, WITH CALLING THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, CALLING PURCHASING, CALLING PUBLIC WORKS, CALLING INMAN PARK'S, NOBODY'S LIST IS COMBINED AND HAD A TRUE AND ACCURATE LIST OF WHAT THE PROPERTIES THAT THE COUNTY DOES OWN BEING UTILIZED, COULD POTENTIALLY BE SOLD OR SOMETHING , WE MAY NEED THAT INFORMATION FOR LATER IN THE BUDGET TIME OR SOME. SO THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. I DON'T ANTICIPATE MUCH , AND THANK YOU, MARVIN, FOR BEING HERE AS WELL. HE PROVIDED A LIST, WHILE THIS

[01:00:01]

PROPERTIES THAT LEINNEWEBER DOES FOR US WERE SUCH A MOVING PART, WE WOULD NOT ADD THOSE TO THIS DETAILED LIST. THIS IS MORE ABOUT HAVING AN ACCURATE LIST OF WHAT THE COUNTY'S ASSETS ARE, WHAT WE OWN, WHAT IS BEING UTILIZED, WHAT HOLDINGS ARE BEING UTILIZED, WHAT PROPERTY LOCATIONS. LAST COURT, COMMISSIONER PUSLEY DID THE PROPERTY FOR THE VSD, FOR THEIR FIRE STATION. IT IS MY HOPE , WITH THIS LIST, AT THE BEGINNING WE HAD THE MEETING WITH EDWARD AND JUAN IN THE PARKS, AND PUBLIC WORKS. ON THE BACK YOU WILL SEE A COLOR-CODED MAP , AND THE BEST WAY I KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS THIS IS IF EACH COMMISSIONER WOULD KIND OF LOOK AT THE PROPERTIES WITHIN THEIR PRECINCTS AND SEE IF YOU KNOW , WE ARE DOING RESEARCH AND HAVING PEOPLE LOOK, DO WE STILL OWN THE PROPERTY? ARE WE UTILIZING THE PROPERTY? IS THERE A PLACE THAT MAYBE WE COULD COMBINE RESOURCES, OR COMBINE HER PUBLIC WORKS HAS ONE BIG PROPERTY INSTEAD OF ALL THE LITTLE YARDS OR SOMETHING? THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT WE CAN DO , THAT MAKES THE COUNTY FUNCTION BETTER AND UTILIZES THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE , AND I WOULD OPEN THIS.

THIS IS A DISCUSSION PIECE, THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> AND WE HAVE COUNTY PARKS HERE? ARE THEY GOING TO BE PART

OF THIS? >> YEAH, EDWARD IS.

>> I MEAN, NOT COUNTY, COASTAL.

>> COASTAL PARKS IS ON THE LIST, AS WELL. YES, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TWO PROPERTIES THAT ARE VACANT RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN MEETING WITH OUR OFFICE, AS WELL.

>> ALSO, COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY. IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET, THE COASTAL PARKS DETACHMENT IS LISTED, THAT IS WHAT THEY SENT IN ON WHAT PROPERTIES AND ASSETS THEY OWN CURRENTLY. THERE ARE ALSO A FEW THAT ARE SPRINKLED INTO THE EXCEL SPREADSHEET. THE BLUE ONE, IF YOU GO THROUGH IT ALL, IT IS COLOR-CODED BY LAND, BUILDING, AND COASTAL PARKS HAS STUFF IN THERE, AS WELL. NO SIR.

>> I'M JUST SAYING , WE SHOULD HAVE EVERYONE HERE.

>> THE COLOR-CODED MAP THAT YOU ALL RECEIVED HAS THIS , AND THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW HOW TO SEPARATE BY PRECINCT IS TO KIND OF LET YOU ALL TAKE YOUR AREA, WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR AREA , AND WORKING WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND INLAND PARKS AND THE VARIOUS OTHER

ENTITIES TO SEE -- >> IT'S KIND OF EASY TO FIGURE

OUT WHAT PRECINCT YOU'VE GOT. >> BUT THE ADDRESS IN.

>> I'M JUST SAYING, AS WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO HAVE EVERYBODY HERE. MOST OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT

REPRESENTED HERE. >> SOMEBODY SHOULD'VE TOLD THEM TO BE HERE. NOBODY TOLD THEM TO BE HERE?

>> YOU SHOULD SEE IF THERE'S AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT IMPACTS YOU, THEN YOU SHOULD PROBABLY BE HERE. IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST TO HAVE SOMEONE REPRESENTED. IT IS NOT ON ME TO CALL THEM AND TELL THEM TO SHOW UP. NO ONE TOLD EDWARD OR JUAN TO BE HERE,

THEY'RE HERE. >> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU WANT TO DEPARTMENT HEAD TO BE HERE, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK THEM TO BE HERE. I CAN DEAL WITH THE COASTAL PARKS ISSUE, I CAN DO IT. IF YOU LOOK AT COASTAL PARKS, IT'S PRETTY SELF-SERVING, IF YOU WANT TO SELL BOB HALL PEER, IF YOU WANT THEM HERE, YOU SHOULD ASK THEM, THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO BE HERE. BUT NO ONE SAID DEPARTMENT HEADS WERE MANDATED TO BE HERE. HE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE JUDGE

CLOSELY TO GET EXACTLY -- >> SOMETHING IS THE BUDGET. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE HERE, BUT IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO BE HERE IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ASSETS THAT YOU OVERSEE. IS JUST A BEST PRACTICE. I DON'T HAVE TO TELL SOMEBODY HOW TO DO THEIR JOB, THAT'S NOT PART OF WHAT I DO. I'M JUST SAYING. IF I COME UP WITH A QUESTION OR ONE OF US COME UP WITH A QUESTION, IT'S PROBABLY HELPFUL TO HAVE SOMEONE REPRESENTING THAT INTEREST.

>> AND I CAN REPRESENT THAT INTEREST. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW? WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU HAVE, BECAUSE THE COASTAL PARKS ASSETS ARE PRETTY DELINEATED, RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU, ON THE BACKUP. HE'S BEEN WORKING WITH A COUNTY JUDGE, THAT WAS A REQUEST MADE OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. HE COMPLIED WITH THE REQUEST. IT WAS NOT REQUESTED THAT HE BE HERE.

>> WE HAVE MET WITH HIM, AND THIS LIST IS NOT COMPLETELY ACCURATE, I WOULD SAY, TOO. BECAUSE HE DID TELL US YESTERDAY TWO OTHER EMPTY LOTS THAT THEY HAVE. I THINK THAT'S WHY THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. THIS IS WHY WE ALL NEED TO MEET WITH THEM AND POSSIBLY AT OUR NEXT MEETING HAVE A MORE DETAILED, BUT WE NEED ONE COMBINED LIST FOR THE COUNTY OF OUR TRUE

[01:05:01]

PROPERTIES AND ASSETS. WHEN WE LOOK THROUGH THIS WITH PUBLIC WORKS, WE ALREADY FOUND FOUR OR FIVE THAT ARE NOT EVEN OWNED ANYMORE, THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD YEARS AGO AND ARE STILL LISTED.

WE LOOKED THIS MORNING WITH EDWARD, THERE WAS A PROPERTY LISTED IN NEW MEXICO. THIS LIST REALLY NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS DISCUSSION , AND MOVING FORWARD, I THINK THAT THIS DEFINITELY WILL BE ADDRESSED AGAIN . BUT THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW TO REACH OUT OTHER THAN ME PHYSICALLY GOING TO EVERYONE , WHICH I HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS SET UP THAT I WAS GOING TO A LOT OF PROPERTIES AND GOING TO PHYSICALLY VIEW THEM, FOR US TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER AND TRY TO GET ALL WE CAN, BECAUSE YES, COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW YOUR PRECINCT. COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW YOUR PRECINCT MUCH BETTER, AND THE MORE WE CAN DO THIS AND SCRATCH THE ITEMS OFF THE LIST THAT WE ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT, THEN WE CAN ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AREAS THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE, WHETHER WE EVEN STILL OWN THEM , WHETHER THEY ARE LEASED PROPERTIES, YOU KNOW, WE MAY BE PAYING RENT ON SOMETHING THAT WE CAN UTILIZE ONE OF OUR PROPERTIES AND TAKE AWAY SOME OF OUR BUDGETING PROBLEMS. THIS WAS MEANT TO ADDRESS A LONG-TERM PROBLEM , MUCH LESS JUST HAVE AN ACCURATE LIST THAT WE SHOULD GO BY, AND WE SHOULD ALL HAVE.

>> JUDGE, I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK IF I CAN GET SOMEONE WHEN THEY DO THE MAPS NEXT TIME TO MAKE MINE PURPLE INSTEAD OF COMMISSIONER PUSLEY'S , THAT'S ALL I HAD BEFORE WE GET STARTED.

NEXT TIME YOU'RE DOING THAT, PLEASE PUT MINE IN PURPLE. IF COMMISSIONER PUSLEY DOES NOT MIND GIVING UP THE COLOR PURPLE.

>> I'M GOOD . >> WOULD PROBABLY RATHER BE

READ. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO HIT IT, IT JUST COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY.

>> MINE DOESN'T. MINE HAS A SEPARATE BUTTON OVER HERE.

>> WE DON'T UTILIZE THOSE BUTTONS IN OUR STAY ON.

>> DON'T WORK. >> THIS ONE DOES.

>> IT'S ON. >> HE TURNED IT OFF AGAIN.

>> IT AGAIN, ONE MORE TIME. YES, WHEN THE BOTTOM LINE IS ON.

>> WELL, I EITHER HAVE TO LEAVE MY MIC ON ALL THE TIME OR TURN IT OFF LIKE THAT. HOWEVER YOU WANT ME TO DO IT.

>> THIS MICROPHONE IS SUPPOSED TO WORK PUSHING THE BUTTON. WHEN THEY WERE INSTALLED ORIGINALLY, WHEN I WAS HERE BEFORE, WE DID NOT HAVE A SEPARATE BOX OPERATE THE MICROPHONE. I HAVE ASKED I.T. TO KIND OF CLARIFY THAT AND GET IT RESOLVED, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL. OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO, ON THIS MAP, LIKE ITEM NUMBER 35, AND IT IS IN RED, SO MAYBE THAT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE.

THE RECORDS WAREHOUSE. WE DON'T OWN THAT, THOUGH.

>> SO, THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE LISTED IN RED, THOSE ARE PROPERTIES THAT WE LEASE OUT. AND THE ONES THAT ARE IN GREEN THAT ARE LISTED ON THE COLORED MAP, THOSE ARE PROPERTIES THAT WE POTENTIALLY COULD SEE AS VACANT PROPERTIES. THE ONES THAT ARE CROSSED OUT ARE ONE SO WE NO LONGER OWN.

>> RED AND GREEN? THEY ALL LOOK RED TO ME.

>> AT THE TOP, COMMISSIONER. I DON'T KNOW, DO YOU HAVE IT ON YOUR SCREEN, AS WELL? ON THE TOP WHERE THEY ARE LISTED WITH THE

ADDRESS. >> SORRY, I'M COLORBLIND. SO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RED AND GREEN. SO THEY ALL OF THE SAME

COLOR. >> OKAY, AND THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO PARKS IN MY PRECINCT THAT THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HAS A

JOINT OWNERSHIP WITH, AND -- >> THAT'S THE KIND OF INFORMATION WE HOPE TO GET OUT OF THIS, TO HAVE AN ACCURATE LIST AND ACCURATE REPORT OF WHAT WE HAVE . THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE HOPING THIS WILL GENERATE.

>> AND I MENTIONED TO THEM BEFORE I LEFT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING A FREE RIDE FOR A LONG TIME, AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO IN THE FUTURE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M GOING TO

TURN MY MICROPHONE OFF. >> COMMISSIONER MAREZ, YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD THIS?

>> NO, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD START FOR US. I KNOW THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE DONE AT THIS MEETING. IT'S A GOOD START. WE HAD INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS ON SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN PRECINCT 3 , ONE OF WHICH IS THE OLD SHOW BARN. THAT ONE WE HAD A SHORT-TERM LEASE, WHICH WE THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR WORKING WITH US, WE HAD THAT FACILITY AND WE MADE SOME

[01:10:01]

IMPROVEMENTS TO IT, AND A FEW YEARS AGO, AND WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION OF DO WE HOLD ONTO IT OR NOT? I KNOW I'VE BROUGHT UP BEFORE ALSO, JUST ON THE SAME LOT, THE BOWL WEEVIL BUILDING, THE OLD ARMORY THAT WE HAVE THERE, THEY ARE GOOD TENANTS, AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IS EVER ASKED , AND IF THEY WANT TO TAKE OVER THE PURCHASE, BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO BE DUTIFUL TENANTS, THEY PAY US, AND IT WORKS. SO MAYBE IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO ASK IF THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON, OR IF WE WANT TO GIVE UP THAT ASSET, BECAUSE THEY DO PAY A GOOD SHARE OF REVENUE ON THAT FOR THE RENT. SO JUST ON THAT ONE LOCATION ALONE, I CAN THINK OF THAT WE NEED TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON. AND I DID SPEAK WITH ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR ROB STONE ISD, GIVING THAT UPDATE THIS WEEK ON THE OLD SHOW BARN.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CHESNEY ASKED ABOUT IT AT OUR GROUNDBREAKING LAST WEEK FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER, AND HE ASKED WHY THE LOGO WAS THERE. I SAID WELL, IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE, AND WE ARE WORKING ON SOMETHING LONG-TERM. SO THOSE ARE TWO THAT IMMEDIATELY KIND SCREAM OUT TO ME THAT WE NEED TO EXPLORE FURTHER. I KNOW THERE'S SOME OTHER SMALLER BUILDINGS OR ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN AROUND ROB STONE, ONE OF WHICH IS MY OFFICE. ONCE WE MOVE ANIMAL SERVICES AND THE SHELTER ITSELF TO ITS NEW LOCATION, THAT'S GOING TO BE OPEN. I'M SURE HE COULD BE USED BY PUBLIC WORKS TO EXPAND, WITH ALL THE STAFF THEY HAVE THERE. BUT WHAT WE DO WITH IT? THOSE ARE THREE THAT I CAN THINK OF, IMMEDIATELY, WITHIN THE VICINITY. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, YOU CAN SEE THERE SEVERAL DOTS THAT ARE CLOSE BY. SOCIAL SERVICES, ANOTHER ONE. TO TOUR A FEW MONTHS AGO ON THAT. SO THERE IS DEFINITELY SOME THAT WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATION ON, AS FAR AS WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS , DO WE RENT OUT THOSE THAT ARE VACANT? IN MY OPINION WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEM, EITHER RENT THEM OUT OR SELL THEM. AND OF COURSE, THE BASEBALL FIELD. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GET OUR CONTRACT BACK ON . OUR DISCUSSION, THAT WE HAVE BASICALLY A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AND WORK WITH THAT SOFTBALL TEAM. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OTHER PROGRESS OFF-SEASON, SO WE PROBABLY NEED TO TALK ABOUT STOPPING THAT.

>> WELL, WE ARE CURRENTLY UTILIZING IT, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS, USING IT --

>> JUST UNTIL MAY. >> THAT'S ANOTHER FACILITY WE NEED TO LOOK AT. WHAT WE DO, DO WE SELL IT? DO WE TRY TO RENT IT OUT? WE TRIED MANY TIMES. THOSE ARE THE ONES I CAN THINK OF AND

PICTURE THERE. >> COMMISSIONER, THERE ARE TWO OTHER PROPERTIES THAT WE DISCUSSED THAT ARE IN THE CREEK AREA THAT ARE NOT ON THE LIST, THAT WE KNOW ABOUT, THAT OUR COUNTY PROPERTIES. AND THE ADJACENT OWNER MAY WANT TO

PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY. >> AND JUST TO ADD IN RIGHT HERE, BECAUSE I MEANT TO SAY THIS IN THE BEGINNING, FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE COUNTY WORKING AT ANY OF THESE BUILDINGS, WE ARE NOT CLOSING DEPARTMENTS, SHUTTING YOU DOWN, LOSING JOBS, CLOSING SERVICES, COMMUNITY SERVICES, MEALS THEY PROVIDE, THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT. THIS IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT PROPERTIES THE COUNTY OWNS, WHETHER WE ARE UTILIZING THEM TO THE BEST EXTENT THAT WE CAN , HOW WE CAN BETTER UTILIZE THEM IN THE FUTURE, AND CUT BACK ON COSTS. IT IS NOT SENDING ANYBODY HOME OR STOPPING ANYTHING RIGHT NOW. HAD A COUPLE OF PHONE CALLS, SO I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, SINCE WE ARE

GOING DOWN THE LINE ? >> YEAH, I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, I REALLY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, REALLY, BUT WHEN YOU SAY LIKE ROSE AKERS, LOT 18, ROSE AKERS SUBDIVISION, WE BOUGHT THAT IN 06 , THE PURCHASE OF 68,000, WHAT DO YOU MEAN, I

DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. >> NONE OF US HAVE A CLUE, AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE ASKING ABOUT THIS. WE WANT TO KNOW, DID WE PURCHASE IT? DO WE STILL HAVE IT? ARE WE USING IT FOR

SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR? >> COMMISSIONERS, IT'S IN ROSE

AKERS. >> I KNOW WHERE ROSE AKERS IS.

>> THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PART OF, WHEN WE PUT IN THE WATER LINES IN THE SEWER LINES AND STUFF OVER THERE, THEN WE HAD TO PURCHASE LAND SO THAT WE CAN MOVE PEOPLE ACROSS. I AM JUST VAGUELY REMEMBERING SOME OF THAT.

>> ROSE AKERS IS A COMPLETE SUBDIVISION. THE CITY TOOK IT

OVER . >> CORRECT, BUT THAT MAY HAVE

[01:15:08]

BEEN SOMETHING WE OWN THAT WE GAVE THE CITY.

>> VESSEL WE ARE WANTING TO VERIFY.

>> I MEAN, EVERYTHING WAS TURNED OVER TO THE CITY.

>> BUT IF WE HAVEN'T DONE THE DOCUMENTATION IN THE PAPERWORK ON IT, THAT IF IT IS STILL SHOWING UP ON OUR LIST, WE NEED

TO GET IT CORRECTED. >> THAT IS WHY IT MAY BE SHOWING

UP ON THE LIST. >> THAT WHAT IS AN E TJ , RIGHT? YOU SEE WHAT THE STATE RULES OVER THE E TJ, SO WE STILL OWN IT TO GO OVER, BECAUSE WE DID THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS , SO THE CITY TOOK OVER THE METERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. AS FAR AS THE LAND, IT STILL COUNTY LAND, RIGHT?

>> LET'S CLARIFY. THAT IS WHAT ALL THIS IS ABOUT, DISCUSSION SO THAT WE CAN FIND OUT FOR SURE, AND WE CAN HAVE AN ACCURATE LIST

OF PROPERTIES. >> AND YOU GET FM 70 WEST OF BISHOP, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THERE? WHAT IS WEST OF

BISHOP? >> DO YOU THINK MARVIN KNOW SOME OF THIS? IS THAT WHY YOU'RE HERE?

>> NO, HE HAD A DIFFERENT LIST.

>> IT SAYS 70 GOING WEST OF BISHOP. I WONDERED IF WE HAD AN

APPLICATION OF WHAT IT IS. >> I THINK THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE GOING OUT THERE WITH THE ADDRESS AND LOOKING TO SEE, AND

THEN BRING IT TO US. >> WE DON'T HAVE AN ADDRESS.

>> THIS IS WHAT WE GOT, AND WE CANNOT MAKE HEADS OR TAILS OF IT. AND THIS IS WHAT THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAS, AS WELL.

IT WAS MISSING A LOT OF PARTS. WHEN WE GOT WITH PUBLIC WORKS, WE GOT WITH INLAND PARKS, WE GOT WITH PURCHASING, WE GO WITH COASTAL PARKS, WE GOT WITH EVERYBODY. NONE OF THESE ARE ON A UNIVERSAL LIST OF THE COUNTY HAS. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAS AND WHAT THEY KEEP ON FILE IS ACCURATE. WHEN WE VOTE ON THINGS AND WE SELL OR GIVEAWAY PROPERTY TO A GROUP, WINDOWS DEEDS, THE TRANSFER TAKES PLACE, IT NEEDS TO BE COMING OFF OF OUR LIST. WE HAVE TO KEEP BETTER RECORDS THAN THIS. WE DON'T REALLY ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT WE OWN

OR DON'T. >> WELL, THIS IS A GREAT EXERCISE, JUDGE, AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS. WOULD WE GO FROM HERE? IN OTHER WORDS WE CAN'T GO THROUGH THIS ENDS AND GO SELL BY, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE SOME OF IT IS. WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. DID YOU HAVE AN IDEA ON HOW YOU WANT TO PROCEED ON THIS?

>> I KIND OF THINK IN YOUR PRECINCTS THESE SPECIFIC THINGS THAT YOU ALL KNOW OFFHAND, IF YOU CAN MAKE A LIST, YES, WE HAVE THIS. WE ARE USING THIS PROPERTY. YES, THAT IS THERE, WORK WITH PUBLIC WORKS OR INLAND PARKS OR COASTAL PARKS OR WHOEVER YOU HAVE TO. I KNOW WHEN I MET WITH SCOTT, THIS LIST IS NOT ACCURATE, BECAUSE HE TOLD US THE TWO PROPERTIES RIGHT NOW THAT THEY HAVE, THE FIVE ACRE LOTS IN PORT ARANSAS OR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE OF VALUE. SO LET'S REGROUP AFTER WE GO THROUGH YOUR OWN LIST, AND SEE WHAT GETS CROSSED OFF . THE THINGS THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE, THAT COME UP WITH WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF WE HAVE THEM, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THE PROPERTY ON THEM, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, THOSE CAN BE PUT ON A SEPARATE LIST THAT WE MAY HAVE TO GO OUT AND PHYSICALLY DO MORE INVESTIGATIONS, MAYBE WITH LEINNEWEBER AS WELL, MORE RESEARCH ON THE PROPERTY WITH WITH US.

>> BECAUSE HERE'S THE PROBLEM I HAVE. I AM ASSUMING BLOCK 17, LOT 8, LEFT PORTION CITY IS FLOUR BLUFF. BUT IT'S NOT, RIGHT? SO I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO LOOK ON HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT SOME OF THESE, WHOSE PRECINCTS THEY ARE IN.

>> WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE?

>> SO, THIS LIST, THE ONE THAT HAS THE COLORS, ALL THAT STUFF, I CONDENSED IT. BECAUSE THIS LIST CAME FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IN PURCHASING, AND IT IS THEIR MASTER LIST OF PUBLIC COUNTY ASSETS. IT HAD THINGS LIKE ENGINEERING COSTS WHEN WE ACQUIRED LAND AND ALL THAT. I WENT THROUGH AND REINSTALLED THOSE KIND OF COST STUFF YOU WOULD NEED TO LOOK AT.

>> DOESN'T HAVE A BETTER ADDRESS THAN WHAT IS LISTED?

>> NO MAN, THE ONLY ADDRESSES ARE WHAT IS LISTED ON HERE.

>> WHAT IS THE BLOOD FORTUNE, WHAT IS THIS?

>> THESE ARE ALL DESCRIPTIONS THAT WERE IN THE SYSTEM. YOU DON'T HAVE A REAL DESCRIPTION OF IT.

>> YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS? HOLD ON. MARVIN KNOWS WHERE LEFT PORTION IS. THAT'S WHAT I WAS ASKING, BECAUSE I'M GOT TO TELL YOU, IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT THESE THINGS MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE MARVIN, BECAUSE THEY FORECLOSE THESE THINGS AND DO THESE

THINGS. >> YES SIR. WHEN YOU HAVE, I LOOKED AT SOME OF THE STUFF. A LOT OF WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS ABBREVIATED LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS. LIKE LOT 7, LOT 38, BLUFF PORTION, THOSE ARE ABBREVIATED LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS. THE ACTUAL LEGAL DESCRIPTION IS THE BLUFF PORTION OF THE CENTRAL WAREHOUSE

[01:20:03]

COMPANY. AND THAT IS ALL AROUND YOU, WHERE YOU ARE SITTING.

>> IS THAT WHAT ALL THIS IS? >> BLUFF PORTION GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS 37. YOU'VE GOT A PARKING LOT OVER HERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JAIL THAT THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION IS BLUFF PORTION. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT WE SOLD SOME STUFF, THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE BUYING STUFF ON THE BLUFF, AND THEY ACTUALLY

WERE BUYING STUFF ON THE CUT. >> I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION, DO WE SAY OKAY, WE NEED TO HIRE MARVIN TO GO IN THERE AND GET HIS FOLKS TO TELL US WHERE ALL THE STUFF IS AND WHAT'S GOOD? I

MEAN, I DON'T KNOW. >> I WAS HOPING RIGHT OFF THE BAT THE EASY THINGS THAT YOU KNOW WE CAN TAKE OFF, AND THEN WE HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE TO DO. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE EASY ONES, WHEN I LOOK AT THE LIST, I'M NOT IN YOUR PRECINCTS, IT MEANS NOTHING TO ME.

>> BUT THESE LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS DON'T MEAN ANYTHING EITHER. THE BUILDINGS ARE EASY, WE CAN ALL OF THE BUILDINGS AND MAKE A DETERMINATION. I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE BLUE, BECAUSE THOSE ARE

NOT EASY. >> ABSOLUTELY, AND WE SENT A LIST TO HIM ALREADY, AS WELL. SO HE CAN START TRYING TO HELP US

WITH THAT. >> IF I COULD JUST SAY ONE THING, SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS, THE LOT NUMBERS WITH SUBDIVISION CODES, YOU CAN GET THE SUBDIVISION INDEX FROM THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, AND THEN YOU ARE SIMPLY GOING TO PUT ON ACCOUNT IN THE TAX SYSTEM OR INTO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT SYSTEM USING THE SUBDIVISION CODE INTO THE BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER. THEN YOU WILL GET FULL DESCRIPTION WITH THE

ADDRESS AND EVERYTHING. >> SO YOU COULD --

>> ASKED ME FOR A PROPERTY AND I FOUND IT.

>> SO WE CAN GET THIS TO YOU? >> WE CAN GIVE YOU THE BLUE LIST AND YOU CAN COME UP WITH WHERE IT IS AND EVERYTHING? THANK YOU SO MUCH, THAT'S VERY KIND. WE JUST DON'T WANT TO PUT WORK ON YOU WITHOUT ASKING, RIGHT? I APPRECIATE THAT. THE BUILDING

JUDGE SHOULD BE FAIR. >> SHOULD BE EASY, BUT FROM THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE ALREADY, I'M LOOKING AT THEM AND THEY ARE NOT. IF YOU ALL CAN LOOK AT YOURS THAT YOU KNOW THAT ARE EASY, AND MARK THEM OFF THE LIST, SAY WHAT THEY ARE BEING UTILIZED FOR, IF THEY ARE VACANT OR HAVE IN VACANT FOR A LONG TIME, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO PUT IN YOUR NOTES SO THAT WE CAN START COMPILING AN ACCURATE LIST.

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY, I WOULD NOT MIND HEARING A LITTLE BIT MORE, I KNOW ABOUT THOSE FIVE-ACRE DEALS, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE PARKS BOARD INTENT WAS WITH THAT. SO CAN WE LET SCOTT AND FOR JUST A MINUTE?

>> YES, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK? >> SO, THERE'S FIVE ACRES THAT SIT RIGHT NEXT TO THE DUNES CONDOMINIUM RIGHT THERE. ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE STREET, COMMISSIONER. AND ON DUNE STREET, WHICH CUTS ACROSS AND RUNS NORTH AND SOUTH, THERE'S ANOTHER FIVE ACRES OVER THERE THAT ABUTS TO THE GUY WHO OWNS HEB GROCERY STORE. WE'VE NEVER HAD ANY INTENTION OF EXPANDING INTO THAT AREA, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PUSHBACK FROM THE DUNES CONDO ASSOCIATION. WHEN WE DID THE BOUNDARY SURVEY AND UPDATED IT IN 2008 TO 2019, IT CAUSED QUITE A RIP ROAR BECAUSE HIS ASSISTANT, CLAUDIA, CALLED ME UP AND SAID WHAT ARE WE DOING BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF NEGATIVE CALLS. IT IS OUR PROPERTY, SO AT THAT TIME WHEN WE LOOKED AT IT, IT WAS VALUED AT $300,000 AN ACRE. I'M SURE THAT'S MUCH HIGHER OF A VALUE NOW, BECAUSE IT IS PRIME ROAD FRONTAGE, IT'S GOT UTILITIES, IT'S RIGHT ON THE BEACH. YOU HAVE SOME SAID RULES THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH. BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS TO DO ANYTHING OVER THERE. AND ALL OF OUR OTHER ASSETS, WHETHER IT BE THE PARKLAND SYSTEM, BUILDINGS, 100% OCCUPIED AND 100% IN USE.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING I HAVE OUT THERE THAT DOES NOT HAVE

PLANS FOR IT. >> AND TECHNICALLY THE PARKS BOARD , THEY MANAGE THE ASSETS, SO I WOULD SAY YOU NEED TO SUGGEST PUTTING THAT ON THE AGENDA SO THE COASTAL PARKS BOARD CAN WEIGH IN, SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS A COURT, WHICH IS TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR ASSETS AND DETERMINED IF WE NEED THEM, AND IF WE DON'T, THEN WE NEED TO LOOK AT SELLING THEM TO POTENTIALLY PUT MORE MONEY IN THE COUNTY COFFERS FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. SO I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO AT LEAST PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA AND KIND OF HAVE A DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION, BECAUSE I REMEMBER NOW THAT WE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS, THEN WE JUST KIND OF LET IT GO. I REMEMBER NOW THAT YOU REMINDED ME THAT JUDGE NEIL, WHO, AT THE TIME, HAD A CONDO, AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT RUDELY, HE JUST

[01:25:10]

CAUGHT A LOT OF GRIEF FROM THE RESIDENCE THERE, BECAUSE HE WAS THERE. I'M NOT SAYING THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG ABOUT IT AT ALL, BUT I REMEMBER HIM CATCHING A LOT OF GRIEF FROM THE RESIDENTS WHO CALLED HIM AND SAID WHAT'S GOING ON? I DON'T THINK HE EVER SAID NOT TO DO ANYTHING WITH IT, WE JUST NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH IT. MAYBE THE TIME IS TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT, AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE CALLS. BUT IF THE DUNES WANT IT, MAYBE THEY

CAN BUY IT. >> I AGREE. I SAID THE SAME THING TO THE JUDGE YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS GIVING UPDATED THE DEPARTMENT HEADS MEETING, THAT'S RIGHT. THERE ARE SOME DEEP POCKETS OVER THERE THAT COULD GOBBLE IT UP.

>> AND THEY CAN DEAL WITH THEM ON THEIR VIEW.

>> YEAH, ANYWAY, YEAH. IF YOU COULD, SCOTT, PLEASE ASK CHAIRMAN ADLER TO PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA , TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON BOARD RECOMMENDATION PLEASE.

>> YEAH, DEDICATED PARK LANE INSIDE THE BOUNDARIES, I WILL GET IT ON THERE, AND I AM ALSO SENDING THE JUDGE A BOUNDARY MAP THAT SHOWS WHERE THIS PROPERTY IS. THAT WE HAVE IT ON A GOOGLE

EARTH SHOP. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAREZ .

>> I APPRECIATE IT, SCOTT, JUMPING ON.

>> NO PROBLEM, COMMISSIONER, HONESTLY I JUST FORGOT TO EVEN BE THERE THIS MORNING, I WILL BE STRAIGHT UP WITH YOU.

>> IT'S OKAY, YOU CAME IN AND ANSWERED. TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT INTERACTION, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS WILL COME UP . SO THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT. AS WE ARE TALKING MORE PROJECTS, YOU MENTION THE BASEBALL FIELD A LITTLE BIT. I KNOW WE HAD THIS ADDRESSED BEFORE, SO I DON'T KNOW, EDWARD WOULD PROBABLY BE THE BEST, TO GIVE US A QUICK UNDERSTANDING.

IT'S ACTUALLY BROKEN DOWN BY THIRD BASE DUGOUT, FIRST BASE DUGOUT, THERE'S A DESCRIPTION FOR EACH AND VALUE FOR EACH. WHY IS IT NOT JUST ONE FULL ENTIRE PROPERTIES BUILDING SYSTEM, RATHER THAN, IF THAT'S THE CASE I WILL BUY A $30,000 DUGOUT BASED ON THE VALUES THAT ARE SHOWN HERE. THAT'S ALL I WANT.

>> IT WAS BASICALLY HOW WE GOT THE LAND , AT THAT TIME IT WAS OWNED BY THE OUR EDC , WHATEVER THE NAME WAS. THEY DID NOT CHOOSE TO COMBINE IT IN ONE PIECE.

>> SHOWS LITTLE SECTIONS. THE COMBINED INTO A WHOLE.

>> I THINK YOU MAYBE MENTIONED IT TO ME WHEN I FIRST GOT ON, BUT IT'S WORTH NOTING . YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THE STADIUM LISTED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER, AND THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARKS , BASEBALL PARKS, OR COUNTY PARKS THAT WE HAVE THAT SHOW THAT .

BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, KICKBALL FIELDS. THERE'S A LOT TO INCLUDE IN THAT. I'M THINKING, TOO, JUDGE, THIS MAY INVOLVE MAYBE KEVIN KISSED NICK'S ALWAYS I GUESS YOU WANTED US TO DO OUR HOMEWORK AND COME BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING, MAYBE TWO MEETINGS FOR NOW, COME TO A BREAKDOWN OF EVERYTHING WE KNOW THAT WE CAN GET FOR YOU, FOR THE COURT, AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AT, AND START MAKING SOME

RECOMMENDATIONS. >> WE PROBABLY NEED TO HAVE A WORKSHOP, THEN WE WILL BE READY TO MAYBE DISCUSS AND HAVE EVERYBODY THERE. INITIALLY WE SET UP THIS MEETING, IT WAS GOING TO BE A WORKSHOP TO ADDRESS SOME OF THIS. BUT I'M GLAD THAT WE WENT AHEAD AND MADE THIS A MEETING, BECAUSE THE MARCH MEETING WAS NOT AVAILABLE. I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY FOR THAT PORTION. IF WE CAN GET THE EASY THINGS MARKED OFF OF THIS, THE THINGS, IN YOUR PRECINCTS, THAT YOU CAN DEFINITELY SAY THESE ARE BEING USED, THESE ARE , THAT WILL HELP US ELIMINATE A LOT OF WASTE OF TIME AND MOVE FORWARD ON THE THINGS THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH , KARA SANDS, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT Y'ALL WOULD DO IT OR WE WOULD'VE SENT YOU THE WHOLE LIST. WE WILL BE SENDING RIGHT AWAY, AND WE APPRECIATE

YOUR HELP ON THAT. >> WHATEVER YOU HAVE, YES. AND EVERYTHING IS SUPPOSED TO BE FILED, LET'S MAKE THAT CLEAR, PEOPLE, SO IF WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING ON THERE, THEN WE FAIL

TO DO SOMETHING. >> BELIEVE ME, BECAUSE IF YOU GO TO A TITLE COMPANY FOR A SEARCH , WE USE THE COUNTY CLERK'S RECORD, AND ANY COUNTY THAT WE USE. THE RECORDS ARE, MOST OF

THE TIME, THE BEST. >> COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY. GO

AHEAD. >> IF I COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION, YOUR HONOR, WITH RESPECT TO WHAT CAROL WAS TALKING ABOUT, INSTEAD OF HER HAVING TO SEARCH ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME , I CERTAINLY WOULD BELIEVE THAT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT HAS SOME WAY OF SEARCHING THEIR DATABASE FOR PROPERTIES . MARVIN IS SHAKING

[01:30:07]

HIS HEAD YES. SO ESSENTIALLY, THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO FORMULATE A SEARCH ROUTINE THAT GOES OUT AND PULLS ALL THE PROPERTIES, THAT THEY SHOW BEING OWNED BY NUECES COUNTY. AND WE CAN CERTAINLY ASK FOR THAT , IF WE HAVEN'T ALREADY. AND THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO ADDRESS , MS. COUNTY ATTORNEY, MS. DORSEY, IS IF WE ARE PROPOSING TO SELL THESE PROPERTIES TO PRIVATE, VERSUS DONATING THEM TO PUBLIC ENTITIES, EDWARD AND I YEARS AGO TRIED TO, WE WERE GOING TO SELL A PIECE OF PROPERTY TO A PRIVATE ENTITY, AND IT GOT VERY COMPLICATED. THERE IS BACK TAX ISSUES, ALL KINDS. IT FINALLY WORKED OUT TO WHERE IT WAS GOING TO BE SO COMPLICATED AND SO EXPENSIVE THAT THE GENTLEMAN DECIDED NOT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. SO WE HAVE TO COME UP AND FORMULATE A PLAN OF WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE ON A GO FORWARD BASIS, WHETHER WE ARE SELLING A BLANK PIECE OF PROPERTY OR WHETHER WE ARE SELLING A BUILDING ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WE OWN. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE, VERSUS IF, LIKE LAST MEETING I DONATED A PIECE OF PROPERTY TO A PUBLIC GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY THAT IS GOING TO BE USED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE, TXDOT WILL GIVE OUR COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FREE GRAVEL IF THEY HAVE IT AND WE NEED IT . AND THERE IS NO MONEY EXCHANGING HANDS. WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR VISION OF WHAT THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE US TO DO. I WOULD CERTAINLY ADVOCATE THAT WE GO TO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND ASK FOR THEM TO BE A BULK SEARCH OF PROPERTY IS THAT WE OWN, VERSUS TRYING TO DO THE PROPERTY AT ONE TIME. THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, THEY CAN'T BOTH DO IT AT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO IT ONE BY ONE, TOO. I THINK --

>> WE WILL FIND ALL ABOUT OUT, AS I SAID. THIS IS EARLY, THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME , WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS SO THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED, AND WE WILL SEND IT TO THE CORRECT PEOPLE, AS BEST WE CAN FIND, AND WHEN WE GET FURTHER DOWN THE LIST, THE MORE DIFFICULT ONES, WE WILL REACH OUT TO EVEN MORE PEOPLE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN HELP.

THAT MAY BE WHEN YOUR OFFICE GETS INVOLVED WITH THAT.

>> I THINK YOU MAKES A GOOD POINT, WE NEED TO KIND OF COME UP WITH A VALUE SYSTEM, BECAUSE EVERY PIECE OF PROPERTY ON THIS HAS A VALUE, MAYBE FIVE DOLLARS, MAYBE $5 MILLION.

>> THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED, AS WELL. AND ON THE LARGER LIST IT

WAS A VALUE OUT. >> RIGHT, YOU HAVE SOME VALUES ON HERE, BUT TO ME, AND LESS IT IS A DONATION THAT ACTUALLY BENEFITS NUECES COUNTY SPECIFICALLY, TO ME EVERYTHING OUGHT TO BE SOLD. NOT GIVEN, I'M SURE THERE'S ALWAYS AN EXCEPTION, AND I GET THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT AGREE WITH THAT. THAT IS JUST MY OPINION, BECAUSE IT JUST SO HAPPENS, IN MY PRECINCT, THERE ARE SOME VERY VALUABLE PROPERTIES. AND I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE MIND-SET OF GIVING THAT AWAY, BY ANY MEANS. EVEN IF SOMETHING IS NOT WORTH A LOT, I STILL THINK WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS TO GET AS MUCH MONEY AS WE CAN BACK FOR THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY. QUITE HONESTLY, WE NEED EVERY DOLLAR WE CAN. THE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS IS TWOFOLD. ONE, TO GET THIS UNDER CONTROL, BUT ALSO TO SEE IF WE CAN SELL THIS STUFF THAT WE DON'T NEED, TO USE IT FOR MAINTAINING BUILDINGS THAT WE NEED, OR PUTTING IT TOWARDS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, WHATEVER

WE NEED TO DO. >> ELIMINATING SOME OF THE STRAIN ON OUR ALREADY OVEREXTENDED AND UNDERPAID STAFF IN PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS THAT ARE HAVING TO TAKE CARE OF THESE

PROPERTIES. >> AND COMMISSIONER MAREZ IS BRING UP THE BALLPARK, I APPRECIATE THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE THAT HAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEFERRED MAINTENANCE THAT WE CAN NEVER DO ANYTHING WITH. IT IS JUST SITTING THERE, ROTTING, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT TO BECOME THE NUECES COUNTY COURTHOUSE OF THE NORTHWEST. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M AFRAID THAT IS HEADING TOWARDS, IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING WITH IT, BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP IT UP. THERE IS NOT A LONG-TERM USE THAT IS SUSTAINABLE FOR IT. WE HAVE TRIED, MR. MAREZ HAS TRIED, EVERYONE HAS TRIED. BUT THERE IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE USE. THAT IS A VERY, I THINK, POTENTIALLY VALUABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY. WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THERE'S A BIG PARK ON IT. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK. BUT I WOULD THINK WE COULD COME UP WITH SOME WAY TO MAKE THAT ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE NORTHWEST PART OF OUR

COUNTY. I DON'T KNOW HOW. >> OKAY, WELL, I THINK THAT WE

[01:35:03]

HAVE A DIRECTION FOR US TO START. I THINK THIS DEFINITELY WILL BE BROUGHT BACK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, BUT I AM ASSUMING , WE ONLY HAVE ONE MEETING IN MARCH, THAT IT WOULD BE THE FIRST MEETING IN APRIL BEFORE WE WOULD EVEN BE READY TO BRING THIS BACK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. IN THE MEANTIME, I WOULD ASK YOU ALL TO WORK ON THIS AS GENTLY AS YOU CAN, MINDFUL THAT YOU HAVE OTHER JOBS AND THINGS GOING ON IN YOUR PRECINCTS. OUR EMPLOYEES, AS WELL, MINDFUL OF THEIR TIME, AS

WELL. >> ONE OTHER SUGGESTION ON THIS, MAYBE SINCE WE HAVE A NEW BUDGET OFFICER COMING ON WHO HAS NOT BEEN OVERLOADED, WE COULD ASSIGN THIS TO BE A PROJECT THAT SHE COORDINATES. BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK IF ALL OF US ARE WORKING ON IT, AND THERE IS NO CENTRAL FOCUS.

>> AFTER THE NEXT MEETING, I INTEND FOR THAT TO BE A CENTRAL FOCUS. RIGHT NOW, GOING OUT FOR YOU ALL TO CLEAR UP EASY THINGS, THEN THE NEXT MEETING WOULD BE ABOUT SOMETHING. AND I THINK OUR BUDGET OFFICER, AS MUCH AS I RESPECT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT GOING IN THE BUDGET WITH NUMBERS AND TRYING

TO MAKE ACCURATE. >> WHO IS GOING TO COORDINATE THIS? THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK, IF SOMEONE IS INSIDE.

>> IT WILL BE PATENT THROUGH OUR OFFICE, SHE'S THE ONE WHO PUT

THIS TOGETHER. >> I'M ALREADY KNEE-DEEP IN IT,

I MIGHT AS WELL GO ALL IN. >> TO ME, COORDINATING IS GETTING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS, DOING THE STUFF. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ON, THAT'S YOUR STAFF JUDGE, AND I WOULD NOT EVER ASK FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. BUT IF YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING IT, OKAY.

>> WHEN WE STARTED THIS, WE ASKED IF IT GETS TOO CONVOLUTED, I THINK RIGHT NOW THE INITIAL PROSPECT OF COMING BACK, WE CAN HANDLE IT AND WE CAN DO IT. I DO THINK OUR NEW BUDGET OFFICER IS GOING TO BE BUSY DOING OTHER THINGS, GETTING US READY FOR BUDGET, AND GETTING ACCURATE NUMBERS MOVING FORWARD. SO I WOULD HATE TO GIVE HER SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WHEN SHE FIRST COMES IN AND HAS NOT EVEN LOOKED AT OUR BOOKS.

>> RIGHT, I'M JUST SAYING, THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR BUDGET. I JUST THOUGHT THAT SHE HAS NOT BEEN OVERLY ASSIGNED STUFF YET.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT ON, THANK YOU. THAT IS VERY KIND OF YOU.

BUT SOMEONE HAS TO COORDINATE THIS, BECAUSE I CAN GIVE YOU TWO OR THREE THINGS, YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED.

>> SHALL BE THE ONES MARKING THOSE OFF WHEN YOU LET HER KNOW.

>> AND IF I MAY, I JUST WANTED TO THANK PUBLIC WORKS, POSTAL PARKS, INMAN PARK'S, AND EVERYONE HELPING OUT ON THIS. I KNOW THIS LOOKS CONFUSING TO YOU GUYS, BUT THIS TOOK A LOT OF

[6. Discuss and consider award and execution of an ARPA-funded Contractor Agreement with Leinneweber Concrete Construction for Hazel Bazemore Culvert Replacement (IFB No. 3296-24) in the amount of $228,635.40; and related matters.]

HOURS AND HARD WORK TO GET IT AT THIS POINT, AND THE GUYS AND LADIES THAT HAVE HELPED OUT HAVE REALLY BEEN AWESOME. SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT MOVING FORWARD. I KNOW IT SEEMS VERY CONFUSING, BUT SHOT OUT OF THEM. THEY ARE AWESOME. THANK YOU.

>> SO, MOVING ON TO ITEM SIX. DISCUSSING AWARD OR EXECUTION OF ARPA FUNDING CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT WITH LEINNEWEBER CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION FOR HAZEL BAZEMORE CULVERT REPLACEMENT .

IT CAME IN HIGH, THEY VALUE ENGINEERED IT DOWN, AND WE ARE

READY TO MOVE FORWARD. >> YES, YOUR HONOR. THIS IS A DRAINAGE CROSSING IN HAZEL BAZEMORE PARK, WITH COLORED PIPES AND WHATNOT, IT HAD BECOME VERY SUSPECT. WE ACTUALLY HAVE IT BLOCKED OFF NOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM TRAVERSING ON THE ROAD , WE ARE AFRAID IT'S GOING TO CAVE IN. THE VALUE ENGINEERING WAS DONE BY EDWARD AND , BEFORE I ARRIVED HERE. I LOOKED AT IT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S READY TO GO. THIS IS ARPA FUNDING, ALL LINED UP. I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE.

[7. Discuss and consider approval of a no-cost Change Order No. 1 for the Amistad Veterans Memorial Park Improvements (IFB-3298-24), and related matters.]

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSE? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A NO COST CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE FOR AMISTAD VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED MATTERS. THIS IS BEEN APPROVED BY GRANT WORKS, AS WELL. THIS LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ADDITIONAL DAYS, SO THIS IS YOURS, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, I BELIEVE. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO PASS? I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? ANY OPPOSE? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER

[8. Discuss and consider award and execution of an ARPA-funded Contractor Agreement with RXDX, LLC for construction of the Sunrise Pond Nature Park Sensory Playground (IFB No. 3300-24), in the amount of $879,028.00, and related matters.]

EIGHT, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AWARD AND EXECUTION OF AN ARPA FUNDED CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT WITH RXDX FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUNRISE POND NATURE PARK SENSORY PLAYGROUND AND RELATED MATTERS.

COMMISSIONER MAREZ , THIS IS YOUR AREA.

>> YES, JUST A REMINDER TO THE COURT AND THE PUBLIC, THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE ARE INCORPORATING TO THE OVERALL SUNRISE POND NATURE PARK IMPROVEMENTS NEW KEECH LIBRARY .

SO WE ASKED THE BOARD FOR SUPPORT AND APPROVAL.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION, AS WELL. ARPA FUNDS HAVE ALREADY

[01:40:05]

BEEN APPROVED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST, THIS IS MOVING FORWARD, SO ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE . ANY OPPOSE? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER

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

NINE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER UPCOMING COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING DATES, WORKSHOP DATES, AND RELATED MATTERS. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER SUGGESTED THINGS, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND YOU ALL OF THE SOUTH TEXAS JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE IS THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE, THE SECOND THROUGH THE FIFTH. THE HOST COURT NIGHT IS JUNE THE THIRD, THAT WE ARE HOSTING. SO MAKE SURE YOU ALL GET THAT ON YOUR CALENDARS, AS WELL.

>> ARE WE STILL SUPPOSED TO REGISTER? I GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT

[1. Discuss, consider, and receive update on the City of Corpus Christi Fire Department Inspection Report for the Courthouse Fire Protection system, and related matters.]

REGISTRATION. OKAY. >> ITEM B , PUBLIC WORKS NUMBER ONE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE TO MARCH 19TH.

MR. PIMENTEL IS STILL WAITING ON RESPONSE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF AND

[2. Discuss and approve the request to utilize funds from the Road Right of Way for a consultant to assist with the GIS workload; and all related matters.]

STUFF LIKE THAT. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BETTER INFORMATION FORWARD. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO TABLE TO THE 19TH. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. EITHER NUMBER TWO, DISCUSS AND APPROVE THE REQUEST TO UTILIZE FUNDS FROM THE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR A CONSULTANT TO ASSIST WITH THE GIS WORKLOAD AND RELATED ITEMS. MR. PIMENTEL, I UNDERSTAND I WANT CLARIFICATION. SOME OF THIS WAS ON LAST YEARS INVOICE THAT DID NOT GET PAID, THAT WE ARE PAYING?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> AND THERE WAS A TIMELINE FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS , IS THERE A REASON WHY WE DID NOT GET THIS TURNED IN LAST YEAR, WHILE WE ARE HAVING TO DIP INTO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET? DID WE JUST OVERLOOK IT?

>> IT WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT. >> I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION, THIS IS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY FUNDS, HOW MUCH IS THE BALANCE IN THERE? THIS IS THE FUNDS THAT TXDOT CAN SEND AS AN INVOICE, AND WE HAVE TO PAY NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE COULD, POTENTIALLY. WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND THIS MONEY DOWN, SO WHAT IS THE BALANCE IN THERE? DO WE

KNOW? >> IT WAS LIKE --

>> 478551. >> AND HOW MUCH IS THIS THE YOU

ARE WANTING TO USE? >> 78,000.

>> OKAY, I JUST WANTED CLARIFICATION BEFORE WE MOVE

FORWARD. >> OKAY, AND FOR CLARIFICATION, I REACHED OUT TO MR. PIMENTEL, AND WE ARE REQUESTING THAT GO TO 0120 ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND, RATHER THAN 121. 121 IS ENGINEERING, AND 100% FUNDING BY GENERAL FUND, WHEREAS ROAD AND

BRIDGE FUND DOES NOT. >> IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU? OKAY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, MINOR ANSWERED.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE WITH THE NEW DEPARTMENT CODE RECOMMENDED

BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND . ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY

[3. Discuss and consider the approval of Certificate of Substantial Completion for the IFB: 3290-24 Calderon Clinic Upgrades project completed by Progressive Structures, Inc.; and all related matters.]

OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER THREE, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATES OF SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION ON I HAVE THE 3 TO 90

, CALLED RUN CLINIC UPGRADES. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, DONE ON FEBRUARY 5TH, 2025, AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

>> AND THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANYTHING ON THE NEW STUFF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO OVER THERE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S CORRECT.

>> ANY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, IS THAT COMING BACK TO US?

>> THE OTHER WE WILL HAVE TO DO AS A SEPARATE ITEM AND GO AS A WORK ORDER. THOSE THAT ARE BEING REQUESTED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH, CITY COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT THING FOR THAT CITY , THE CALDERON UPDATES . WILL YOU BE BRINGING THAT BACK IN MARCH FOR THE ADDITIONAL? IT WOULD BE A SEPARATE ITEM IN THE REQUEST FOR

FUNDING. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW THANKFUL I AM THAT COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ HAS HELPED LEAD THIS PROJECT AND THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

OF COURSE, PUBLIC WORKS IS A PART OF THIS, AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS THAT WERE THERE WE TOOK A WALK THROUGH LAST WEEK . I MEAN, IT WAS A PACKED HOUSE. CITY, COUNTY, AMISTAD REPRESENTATIVES THAT WERE THERE, THERE WERE SEVERAL OF US. AT LEAST PROBABLY 15 OF US TOTAL, IF NOT MORE, WALKING THROUGH . I WOULD NOT SAY THE FINAL WALK-THROUGH, BUT MAYBE THE SECOND TO THE FINAL WALK-THROUGH IS PROBABLY WHAT IT WAS. AS FAR AS THE AMOUNT OF INVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST THAT WE HAVE, IT'S

[01:45:01]

REALLY KEY TO BRING THOSE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS THERE, AND SOME OF THE SMALL THINGS THAT CAN BE CORRECTED TO IMPROVE THE FLOW OF IT. BUT OVERALL, IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE SIGHT TO SEE WHAT IT USED TO LOOK LIKE, COMPARED TO WHAT IT IS NOW. THANKS TO EVERYONE.

>> ARE YOU MAKING THE MOTION TO PASS?

>> ARE WE GOING TO HAVE SOME KIND OF RIBBON-CUTTING, OPENING,

OR WHATEVER? >> THEY ARE NOT IN THERE YET. WE

WILL EVENTUALLY. >> WE HAD AN EVENT LAST YEAR,

BUT THE ACTUAL -- >> NOT IN THERE LAST YEAR.

>> I SPOKE WITH THE JUDGE ABOUT THIS, AS WELL. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A BETTER WAY OF FORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHEN WE DO THESE KINDS OF EVENTS. AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE GOT BLASTED PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE WE DID NOT INVITE CERTAIN PEOPLE TO ONE OF

OUR LAST DEALS. >> DID WE INVITE ANYONE? I SAW THAT, TOO. BECAUSE I THINK THOSE PEOPLE JUST SHOWED UP.

>> I THINK IN HINDSIGHT, WE SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED MORE.

>> BUT I THINK WE NEED TO CLEAR THAT ONE UP. I DON'T THINK ANYONE WAS LEFT OUT, I JUST THINK --

>> I INVITED ONE PERSON, AND I GOT PASTED FOR NOT INVITING THE WHOLE WORLD. IT WAS NOT EVEN MY EVENT. BUT ANYWAY.

>> YOU ARE CORRECT. WE NEED TO DO THAT BETTER.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER WAY OF NOTIFYING THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE HAVING A RIBBON-CUTTING OR GROUNDBREAKING, OR WHATEVER IT IS KIND OF EVENT WE ARE HOSTING ON A COUNTYWIDE BASIS, AND LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT EVERYBODY IS WELCOME. ANYWAY, JUST A

POINT. >> GOOD POINT.

>> SORRY, SECOND COMMISSIONERS. >> COMMISSIONERS MADE THE

[4. Approve the award and execution of an ARPA-Precinct 1 funded Contractor Agreement with Kocurek Land Improvement, Inc. for construction of the Stonegate Drainage Improvement Project (IFB No. 3292-24), in the Base Bid amount of $364,437 and Additive Bid No. 1 amount of $57,500 for a lump sum total of $421,937; and all related matters.]

MOTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER FOUR, APPROVED THE AWARD AND EXECUTION OF NUECES PRECINCT 1 FUNDED CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH LAND IMPROVEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE STONEGATE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COMMISSIONER PUSLEY, THIS IS YOURS. I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?

>> OKAY, WHEN WE WERE GETTING READY TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA, I ASKED EDWARD , DID THE DEVELOPER DONATE THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY, OR DID WE BUY IT, OR WHATEVER? AND EDWARD SAID I'M NOT SURE. SO I SAID WELL, BEFORE WE GO DIG A HOLE ON IT, WE PROBABLY GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE OWN IT. WE DID, IT HAD NEVER BEEN FILED OF RECORD. JENNY AND HER TROOPS JUMPED THROUGH HOOPS.

>> WHEN JENNY AND I TALKED, WE KNEW IT HAD GONE THROUGH. A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE?

[1. Approve Budget Amendment No. 05 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.]

MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, THANK YOU. ITEM C, AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER FIVE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425.

>> I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER FIVE FOR YOUR APPROVAL, WITH THE REVISION THAT WE MADE THE FUNDING SOURCE ON ITEM 3B 2 , THAT WE DISCUSSED THIS BUDGET CHANGE ORDER WOULD ALSO BE ADVISED FROM ZERO 121 ENGINEERING TO 01200 ROAD AND

BRIDGE FUND. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO

[2. Discuss and consider approving Amendment No. 1 to renewal No. 1 Engagement Letter Agreement between Nueces County, Texas & Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P.]

APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER TWO, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVING AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO RENEWAL NUMBER ONE ENGAGEMENT LETTER BETWEEN NUECES COUNTY , TEXAS AND PATIO, BROWN, AND HE'LL LOP . WE DO THIS ANNUALLY, I ASSUME THIS IS OUR REGULAR AUDIT THAT THEY DO.

>> NO, THIS IS FROM BACK ON FEBRUARY 5TH, APPROVED TO PREPARE THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT. THIS IS THE MODIFICATION

FOR THOSE ADDITIONAL SERVICES. >> VERY GOOD, YES. MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON BY US. A

[3. Discuss and review the Monthly Financial Report for Fiscal year 2024-2025 ending December 31, 2024, and related matters.]

MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES. ITEM NUMBER THREE, DISCUSS AND REVIEW THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 24-25, ENDING DECEMBER. FOR ALL THE CLARIFICATIONS CORRECT IN THAT?

>> I AM SUBMITTING THE MONTHLY EXPENSE , MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT. IT IS UNAUDITED AND UNADJUSTED. IF YOU REFER TO PAGE FOUR, THE GENERAL FUND REVENUES, AS OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2024, WE

[01:50:06]

COLLECTED $46,242,915 , THAT IS A YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE OF 11 MILLION $346,546 . PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE IS SKEWED, BECAUSE THE NUMBERS WERE PULLED FROM ONE SOLUTION BEFORE WE CONVERTED OVER , SO THEREFORE, ADDITIONAL ITEMS COULD HAVE POSTED AFTER WE CONVERTED. THERE WAS THE LAG , WHERE WE WENT A PERIOD IN DECEMBER, WHERE WE WERE NOT POSTING ANYTHING. THEN WE DID CATCH UP TRANSACTIONS IN JANUARY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT ON PAGE 22 , THERE IS A LARGE NEGATIVE OFFICE SUPPLIES IN COST CENTER ONE 700 PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. THAT IS DUE TO THE INVENTORY. WHENEVER WE MOVED OVER TO ONE SOLUTION, THE INVENTORY WAS ERRONEOUSLY PLACED IN THAT. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN 1270, IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN IN PURCHASING, THE INVENTORY THAT THEY MAINTAIN. HOWEVER, IT IS SHOWING THAT INVENTORY AS A NEGATIVE EXPENSE, WHEN IT IS AN ASSET , BECAUSE IT DOES NOT GET EXPENSED UNTIL HE GETS ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT. AND WE ARE WORKING ON A FIX FOR THAT, BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE WERE AWARE THAT THAT ISSUE IS THERE, AND WE ARE WORKING TO FIX IT. REGARDING THE TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE GENERAL FUND, WE ARE AT $25,693,797 . THAT, AGAIN, IS A YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE OF $3,720,707 . AND AGAIN, IT IS THAT SAME, YOU HAVE THAT SAME VARIANCE THAT COULD BE FROM ONE SOLUTION TO WORK DAY, WHENEVER WE CONVERTED, THE NUMBER COULD BE LESS OF A DIFFERENCE. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS --

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> MOTION TO APPROVE. DO WE NEED

A MOTION? >> IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE APPROVED. IT IS JUST PRESENTED A COMMISSIONERS COURT.

>> THE NEXT ITEM IS EXECUTIVE, AND I BELIEVE A COMMISSIONER HAS ASKED FOR ONE ITEM TO GO , WE HAVE ALREADY DONE EXECUTIVE, WE HAVE ANOTHER QUICK EXECUTIVE FOR ONE QUESTION, AS WELL, SO WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE AND WE WILL COME BACK AND FINISH THOSE LAST TWO VOTES, IF WE CAN. LET ME FIND IT.

>> YOU WANTED TO WAIT ON THE OTHER ONE, IS THAT WHAT YOU

DECIDE? >> WE ARE GOING TO BRING ONE MORE ITEM INTO EXECUTIVE AND THAT WE WILL COME BACK AND VOTE ON BOTH OF THEM IF WE MOVE FORWARD. THERE'S ONE OTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA. IT SHOULD BE VERY QUICK, BUT LET ME GET TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, PUBLIC NOTICE , COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY ELECT TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ANYTIME DURING THE MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS LISTED ANYWHERE ON THE AGENDA, WHEN AUTHORIZED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. TO THE EXTENT THERE IS BEEN A PAST PRACTICE OF ESTABLISHING ITEMS FOR PUBLIC DELIBERATION AND DOES FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED THAT THE COURT IS DEPARTING FROM THAT PRACTICE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISCUSS ANY LISTED AGENDA ITEMS IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO DO SO. IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ELECTS TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING AN AGENDA ITEM, THE SECTION OR SECTIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AUTHORIZED THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED BY THE RESIGNING OFFICER. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE, VERNON'S TEXAS CODE, SECTION 551.071, 5.5 1.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.0745 , 551.076, 551.086, 551.087 , THE COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEYS INCLUDING MATTERS RELATED TO LITIGATION, DELIBERATE REGARDING REAL PROPERTY, PERSPECTIVE GUESS, PERSONNEL MATTERS, INCLUDING TERMINATION, COUNTY ADVISORY BODIES, SECURITY DEVICES, AND/OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. UPON COMPLETION OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY OPEN SESSION TAKE SUCH APPROPRIATE ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE ARE BRINGING AN ITEM THREE A ONE, DISCUSS ADOPTING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT POLICY AS PROPOSED IN ALL RELATED MATTERS IN THE GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071.

[01:55:03]

AND IT IS 11:18, WE SHOULD BE BACK SHORTLY , FOR THOSE OF YOU HERE, IF YOU WOULD STICK AROUND

>> WE ARE BACK FROM AN ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE SESSION. IT IS 11:34. WE ARE BACK IN. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP ITEM THREE A1, AND I BELIEVE THE COMMISSIONER CHESNEY HAS A

MOTION FOR THAT. >> JUDGE, YES. THE MOTION TO PROVIDE THE APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON ANY NUECES COUNTY BOARD, COMMISSION, OR OUTSIDE BOARD TO WHICH THE COURT RECOMMENDS OR APPOINTS MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPLICANT OR THE APPLICANT'S SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER IS EMPLOYED BY THE BOARD OF THE ENTITY REPRESENTS. APPOINTMENTS MADE IN TIME WITH THIS POLICY SHALL BE VACATED, AND AS PROVIDED BY LAW, RULE, OR REGULATION, AND FILLED WITH QUALIFIED APPLICANTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE COURT POLICIES. THIS SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. COMMISSIONER MAREZ IS SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? FOR AYE'S, THE MOTION PASSES. MOVING ON,

[G. BOARD APPOINTMENTS:]

THEN, TO ITEM G, BOARD APPOINTMENTS. NUMBER ONE, THE CHRISTUS SPOHN BOARD OF TRUSTEES , AND WE HAVE TWO APPLICANTS .

AND I'M SORRY, LET ME GET BACK. DO WE HAVE ANY MOTIONS?

>> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT THE INCUMBENT.

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

TO REAPPOINT DR. ISLAM . >> ARE WE GOING TO POINT OUT NAMES? I THOUGHT WE WERE TRYING GET AWAY FROM THAT PROCESS.

>> YOU CAN, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT.

>> OKAY, I JUST WANTED CLARIFICATION. I THOUGHT WE HAD

CHANGED THAT. >> WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ON

THIS BOARD. >> TECHNICALLY WE ARE SUPPOSED

TO BE ON THIS. >> THAT DID NOT GO, EITHER.

>> BOTH NAMES APPLIED? >> I'M FINE WITH HOWEVER THE

GROUP WANTS TO DO IT. >> I'M JUST ASKING.

>> I'M OKAY, JOHN. >> I WILL HAPPILY WITHDRAW IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO IT A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> WELL, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO DOWN THE LINE AND DO VOTES, BUT

-- >> I GUESS NOMINATE.

>> NOMINATE PEOPLE, YES. >> YOU ARE CORRECT, I WITHDRAW MY MOTION. I'M STILL GOING TO PUT THEM UP, I'M JUST GOING TO DO IT THE WAY WE ARE SUPPOSED TO. I DON'T WANT TO MISCONSTRUE THE SYSTEM. SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT, JOHN. >> SO, COMMISSIONER CHESNEY HAS ALREADY SAID DR. ISLAM. COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, DO YOU

HAVE A NAME? >> DR. ISLAM. COMMISSIONER PUSLEY? DO YOU HAVE A NAME FOR THE BOARD? DR. ISLAM?

>> YEAH, I'M NOT GOING TO NOMINATE ANY NAMES.

>> SO IT IS A UNANIMOUS DECISION. I THINK WE ARE GOOD.

>> THANK YOU, AND I'M SORRY, YOU'RE RIGHT ON HOW WE SHOULD'VE DONE THAT. SO THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

>> YEAH, THEY WERE NOT BAD BATTLES, BUT WE HAD DEBATES ON

HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS, SO -- >> WE HAVE TO STICK TO IT.

>> BEFORE IT WAS WHOEVER COULD RUSH TO GET OUT OF MOTION, AND THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY FAIR TO THE PROCESS. IF THERE IS INTEREST, WE SHOULD ALL HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT OUT THE NAME, HOWEVER MANY NAMES THERE ARE. FIVE NAMES, RIGHT? AT LEAST THEN WE COULD GO TO THE TOP TWO, OR THE TOP VOTE.

[A. Consult with the County Attorney and outside counsel in regards to the CC Polymers Tax Abatement Agreement; discuss and consider taking action on same during regular meeting; and all related matters (Tex. Gov't Code § 551.071).]

>> AGREED. >> WE HAVE A POLICY, WE NEED TO STICK TO IT. I AGREE, WHOLEHEARTEDLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING US. THEN, ON EXECUTIVE ITEM A, COMMISSIONER

[02:00:04]

MAREZ , I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THAT MOTION OR YOU HAVE A MOTION.

>> YES, I DO. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT OF TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CORPUS CHRISTI POLYMERS EXTENDING THE CONSTRUCTION AND JOB REQUIREMENT DEADLINES, AND REQUIRING PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES IN THE AMOUNT

OF $3 MILLION. >> SECOND THAT MOTION. ANY OTHER

COMMENTS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> THAT'S A GOOD ONE. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS. I DON'T WANT TO BLOW THROUGH THIS. THIS IS $3 MILLION THAT WE , AND I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PROFUSELY FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS, IN ADDITION TO OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL. THIS IS NO SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY. THIS WAS A GREAT EFFORT BY THE NUECES COUNTY TO GO FIGHT FOR THESE DOLLARS . THIS WAS RELATED TO AN ABATEMENT, WE DON'T TAKE THOSE ABATEMENTS LIGHTLY. I KNOW COMMISSIONER MAREZ HAS TALKED ABOUT THAT A LOT, MAKING SURE WE ARE REALLY SOLID ON THESE ABATEMENTS. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS MADE BY EVERYBODY IN THIS . THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WORKED CLOSELY WITH OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL ON THIS, AND THIS IS A BIG SUCCESS. THIS WILL HELP US OUT A LOT IN NUECES COUNTY. THIS IS MONEY THAT WE RECOVERED AND WE FOUGHT HARD FOR OUR TAXPAYERS TO GET THIS MONEY. SO I DON'T WANT TO LET THAT GO BY WITHOUT SAYING THAT THIS IS A GREAT JOB BY EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

AND JUDGE, I MEAN, I HAVE A SUBSEQUENT MOTION.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. AND NOW, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO --

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT THIS MONEY BE SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED AND PUT IN THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE BALANCE, AND NOT SPENT FOR ANYTHING ELSE AT THIS POINT.

BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP US. >> YEAH, THAT'S WHAT IT

AUTOMATICALLY DOES. >> BUT WE SPEND IT OTHER PLACES, AND I'M SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. THAT'S WHAT I WANT, IT GOES IN RESERVE AND IT STAYS THERE, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO NEED IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE IT IS AN EMERGENCY, AND I DON'T WANT US TO START SPENDING IT ON OTHER THINGS.

>> IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND , THEREFORE IT IS AN INCREASE TO YOUR FUND BALANCE. AND AGAIN, YOUR FUND BALANCE IS ALWAYS INCREASED BY YOUR REVENUES AND DECREASED BY