Jan 12, 2021 Commissioner&#39;s Court

I H HAVE 2. PURSUANT TO BOARD'S APPROVAL, REQUESTING AUTHORITY TO

[00:15:04]

ADVERTISE AND APPROVAL OF RFQ PACKET (I.E., LEGAL NOTICE, REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION CRITERIA, ETC.,) AS ATTACHED HERETO FOR HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1 "PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR REGIONAL FLOOD PLANNING FOR REGION 15 LOWER RIO GRANDE", RFQ NO. HCDD1-21-003-02-03, INCLUDING THE RE-ADVERTISEMENT OF RFQ IN THE EVENT RFQ'S ARE REJECTED OR NO RESPONSES ARE RECEIVED AND SERVICES ARE STILL REQUIRED

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE

YOU CAN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> THANK YOU. ITEM G1, G.79019 1. REQUESTING EXEMPTION FROM COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE

262.024(A)(4) FOR PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU, G2 PRESENTATION OF SCORING GRID OF FIRMS GRADED THROUGH THE DISTRICT'S "POOL" OF PRE-QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RANKING BY HCDD1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN CONNECTION WITH PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES ON-CALL (ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS) REQUIRED FOR HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT PROJECTS. QUINTANILLA HEALY SCORE OF 96.33 HALFF ASSOCIATES 96 TEDSI

INFRASTRUCTURE 93. >> MOTION TO APPROVE THIS. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 3. PURSUANT TO THE BOARDS APPROVAL, REQUESTING AUTHORITY FOR THE HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO.1 TO NEGOTIATE A PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE NUMBER ONE (1) RANKED FIRM FIRM OF QUINTANILLA ASSOCIATES FOR THE PROVISIONS OF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES ON-CALL (ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS) FOR HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT PROJECTS.

>> H1, REQUESTING EXEMPTION FROM COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 262.024(A)(4) FOR PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES.

>> MOTION MOVED. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> NUMBER 2 PRESENTATION OF SCORING GRID FIRMS GRADED THROUGH DISTRICT POOL OF PREQUALIFIED.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND TOO APPROVE AS RANKED ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> CARRIES. >> THANK YOU.

ITEM NU3, PURSUANT TO BOARDS APPROVAL, REQUESTING AUTHORITY FOR HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE

DISTRICT NUMBER 1. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> THANK YOU. 6A, ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1 FOR SERVICES UNDER WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 4 THROUGH CONTRACT C-HCDD1-19-033-05-07 WITH B2Z ENGINEERING LLC RESULTING IN AN ESTIMATED COST INCREASE 8,725.78 FOR LABORATORY

SERVICES. >> MOTION TO APPROVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION CARRIES WE DO HAVE ITEMS TO CARRY OVER IN CLOSED SESSION.

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE WE'LL BE RETIRING TO OPEN SESSION, TO DISCUSS ITEMS IN CODE SECTION 5510 -- AND 55.1074. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO RETIRE TO

CLOSED SESSION. >> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. IT IS 4 MINUTES AFTER 10:00.

ANY ACTION ITEMS TO BE TAKEN WILL BE TAKEN IN OPEN SESSION WHEN WE RETURN.

>>> OKAY, WE ARE BACK FROM CLOSED SESSION AND IT IS 10:30 AND WE HAVE AN ACTION ITEM TO

TAKE. >> UNDER AGENDA ITEM 9BA, WITH REGARD TO T NSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING RAQUEL DE ALBA ET AL VS. HIDALGO COUNTY, HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1 ET AL., WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD'S APPROVAL OF THE JOINT AGREEMENT

AS DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED SESSION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> I HAVE MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. I BELIEVE THAT TAKES CARE OF ALL OF OUR ITEMS. AGAIN, I WILL CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP THAT WAS A HECK OF A THAT WE SAW LAST

[00:20:07]

NIGHT. I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO ADJOURN, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> YOU TOO. >> I CAN JUST GO ON AHEAD WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING;

[1. Roll Call]

IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, SIR. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE AGAIN.

THIS TIME, JUDGE RICHARD CORTEZ. TODAY'S COMMISSIONER COURTS MEETING IS BEING CONDUCTED WITHIN THE PARAMETER OF GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT'S AUS INTENTION OF CERTAIN OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS TO EXTEND NECESSARY FOR ALLOW TELEPHONIC AND TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 MANNER. NOTICE OF THE MEETING POSTED ONLINE AT LEAST 72 HOURS.

RECORDING THIS MEETING BY THE USE OF ZOOM SOFTWARE AND TELEPHONE TRANSMISSION.

IT ALLOWS FOR TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION. THE MEETING IS BEING BROADCAST LIVE AND ONLINE.

THE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS BEING MADE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT A LATER DATE.

THE TIME NOW IS 10:32. AND I CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER. AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH A ROLL

CALL TO ESTABLISH FORUM. >> GOOD MORNING, DAVID FUENTES, PRECINCT 1.

>> GOOD MORNING, EDDIE CANTU PRECINCT 2. >> GOOD MORNING, EVER

VILLARREAL, PRECINCT 3. >> GOOD MORNING, ELLIE TORRES, PRECINCT 4.

>> THIS CONSTITUTES A QUORUM. TODAY WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE SUAREZ TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. WITH A RANK OF SERGEANT, MARRIED TO VALERIE CORTEZ AND ASSISTANTS VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER AND HAS RECEIVED MANY MANY AWARDS AND FOR HIS SERVICE AND ALWAYS WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. SERGEANT, WILL YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN OUR PLEDGE.

>> I AM HONORED TO BE HERE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE

FOR ALL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SERGEANT.

ALSO HONORED TO HAVE THE RARE HONORABLE DISTRICT JUDGE LISA LOPEZ LEADING US IN TODAY 'S

PRAYER. JUDGE. >> SHE'S NOT IN THE MEETING, JUDGE. SHE WAS. I THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN

OUT. >> JUDGE, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, MS. LATIREZ DOES SHE PLAN TO LOG

BACK ON OR IS SHE LOGGED OFF. >> I BELIEVE SHE LOGGED OFF. >> SHE HAD A DOCTOR'S -- SO

JUDGE, WITH YOUR PERMISSION I'LL PROCEED WITH THE PRAYER. >> PLEASE.

>> BOW OUR HEADS, DEAR LORD AS WE COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY IN THE HEALING OF OUR COUNTY WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE REMAIN WITH US AS OUR NEIGHBORS, BUSINESSES, EDUCATORS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS STRUGGLE THROUGH THESE VERY DIFFICULT TIMES OF COVID-19.

WE ASK THAT DURING THIS CRISIS, THAT YOU PROTECT OUR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND TO BE WITH THOSE WHO ARE MOURNING THEIR LOVED ONES TO THIS DEADLY VIRUS. PLEASE GIVE US THE WISDOM AND THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE PRAY THAT THIS VACCINE WILL HELP PUT AN END TO THE PANDEMIC AND PRESENT HEALING TO THE RESIDENTS.

WE ASK DURING THE TIME OF UNCERTAINTY THAT YOU GUIDE US IN MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS FOR ALL OF HIDALGO COUNTY AND GIVE US YOUR BLESSINGS AS WE LEAD OUR COMMUNITY TO PROS PARTY.

IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. >> AMEN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SIR, NEXT ITEM IS ON AGENDA. >> WITH YOUR COMMISSION, I WOULD

[4. Approval of Consent Agenda]

LIKE TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER, 11A1 AND DID AND CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6A.

MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REST OF THE CONSENT. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION TO SECOND. APPROVE THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 6A, WHICH IS THE 2021CRC, THERE'S A CORRECTION FOR THE PRESIJTD 1 SANITATION AND THAT SHOULD READ PROGRAM NUMBER 001.

[00:25:03]

>> VOTE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> WITH RESPECT TO 11A1 AND 2 FOR THE RECORD,ED COMMISSIONER FUENTES IS ABSTAINING FROM ANY ACTION RELATED TO CONSENT AGENDA

1 11A, 1 AND 2. >> MOTION TO APPROVE 11A, 1 AND

2. >> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE

ITEM 11A1 AND 2, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT COMMISSIONER FUENTES ABSTAINED FROM VOTING IN THAT MANNER. MR. LA TIRREZ DO WE HAVE ANY PARTICIPANTS FOR OPEN FORUM.

[5. Open Forum (Part 1 of 2)]

>> YES, TWO. ONE IN PERSON AND ONE OVER THE PHONE.

THE ONE ON THE PHONE HASN'T JOINED YET. >> CAN WE PROCEED WITH ONE IN

PERSON. >> YES, FERN MCCLARITY TEE. >> GOOD MORNING, MIST CLANG

CLARITIY, THERE'S A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT. >> COMMISSIONER IT SEEMS THE MAJORITY OF THE ACTION ON THIS AGENDA INVOLVE SALARY INCREASES AND NEW HIRES.

NEW HIRES TO FIGHT A VIRUS THAT WE ARE NOW INOCULATING OUR POPULATION TO PREVENT.

AND YET OUR PEOPLE ARE STILL UNDER SOME ASPECT OF THIS LOCKDOWN THAT IS KEEPING BUSINESSES CLOSED. BY INCREASING SPENDING THIS COMMISSION IS INCREASING THE ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON LOW INCOME FAMILIES THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THE INCOME OF THE AVERAGE HIDALGO COUNTY FAMILY DOES NOT GROW AS FAST AS YOUR ABILITY TO SPEND. IT SEEMS THAT THE CONCERN THAT WE ARE EXPRESSING ARE SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND. WHEN 40% OF THE POPULATION IS LIVING IN POVERTY AND SUBJECT TO A LOCKDOWN, IT DOES NOT SEEM LOGICAL TO SPEND $450 MILLION FOR A COURTHOUSE AND KEEP INCREASING STAFF SALARIES. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DO NOT KNOW, LUBES IN EDINBURG IS CLOSED. I'M CERTAIN THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR THIS, BUT A LOCKDOWN DID NOT HELP. AND THERE WILL BE MANY MORE BUSINESSES LIKEWISE THAT WILL BE CLOSING. OUR CONCERN IS TO PRODUCE THE PUBLIC SPENDING AND INCREASE GRANTS TO THOSE BUSINESSS THAT EMPLOY MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY. THE COVID-19 MONEY IS TO HELP BUSINESSES.

YOU HAVEN'T DONE THAT ONE TIME AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL. AND TODAY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. YOU HAVE 12E, THE COUNTY JUDGE IS HIRING TWO PEOPLE, GIVING THEM 5$5,705 EACH. 12G, GIVING RAISES TO THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT OF 2, 782.

12H, YOU'RE PREDATING A MU MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST GIVING THEM 43,796.

12I, CREATING TWO IN PRECINCT 2, WHICH WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 50,694.

12J, GIVING A RAISE A CAR ALLOWANCE FOR THE NEW COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 PERSON.

IN HIS DEPARTMENT, 5,$5,000. >> ONE MINUTE. >> YOU ARE ALSO GIVING THE SAME PERSON A RAISE OF $6,453. THAT'S A TOTAL, $11,453. I GUESS 90,000 WAS KINDS OF TOO LOW FOR THIS PERSON. SO NOW WE'RE GIVING THEM 97,067. 17A, 2,2$2,299 FOR LANDSCAPING IRRIGATION TO A HOME BUILDING COMPANY, 8A BUILDERS. DO WE THE COUNTY GO OUT FOR BIDS? IS THIS THE BEST AMOUNT OF MONEY, THE CHEAPEST PRICE FOR GETTING THIS JOB DONE? THE SAME PART THAT THAT MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON, AND NOW WANTS -- I CALL IT A CHANGE ORDER OF $29,890. SO NOW IT WILL BE A TOTAL OF 867,921.86 FOR THE PARK IN PRECINCT 2. I KNOW Y'ALL THINK THIS MONEY GROWS ON TREES BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WOULD KILL FOR THAT $90,000 JOB.

>> MS. MCCLARITY, TIME. THANK YOU. >>> MR. -- DO WE HAVE THE

INDIVIDUAL ON PHONE CALL? >> NO, SIR. THEY HAVEN'T JOINED YET.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE CONTINUE AND AT SUCH TIME WE CAN GO BACK TO

OPEN FORUM. >> NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA 6A, MY APPOINTMENT TO THE HIDALGO

[6. County Judge's Office]

COUNTY REGIONAL BOARD I WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT THE NOMINEE FOR THE SECOND TERM.

>> SO MOVE. >> SECOND. >> SECOND TO APPROVE.

>> NEXT ITEM 7A, COMMIS COMMISSIONER -- >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER REYES PRECINCT 4 PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER TORRES.

[7. Precinct #4 - Comm. Torres]

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IA, 7899 8 REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR A RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF MARTHA P. SANCHEZ FOR HER

DEDICATED SERVICE FOR LUPE. >> MAY I VHAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVE.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> MOTION PASSES.

CON -- CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. MAY I READ THE RESOLUTION?

>> PLEASE. >> THIS I KNOW THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS ARE ALSO IN THE JUDGES OFFICE WERE IN FAVOR AND WE JUST INITIATED IT THROUGH OUR PRECINCT.

SO THE RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF MARTHA P. SANCHEZ HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS HONORS MARTHA PACHLT SANCHEZ FOR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF SOCIAL INJUSTICE TO ENSURE ALL FAMILIES HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND WHEREAS HAPPILY MARRIED TO MR. MANUEL SANCHEZ OVER THE YEARS, THEY WERE BLESSED WITH THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN MARK, MARTY AND MICHAEL. MS. SANCHEZ IS ALSO A PROUD GRANDPARENT OF FOUR GRANDCHILDREN. WHEREAS MS. SANCHEZ OVERCAME MANY BARRIERS PURSUING HER EDUCATION. AS A CHILD, MARTHA COULD NOT AFFORD A FORMAL EDUCATION PAST SIXTH GRADE. WITH HELP OF LEARNING ENGLISH BY READING BOOKS TO HER CHILDREN SHE WAS ABLE TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION AND OBTAIN G.E.D. AS AN ADULT.

AND AS MS. SANCHEZ BEGAN HER JOURNEY AS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE IN 1981 AND JOINED THE HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MCALLEN, TEXAS. THIS CONGREGATION LED MS. SANCHEZ TO BE INVOLVED WITH VALLEY INTERFAITH AT ITS CONCEPTION IN THE EARLY 80S.

IN 1988 HOLLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH CREATED THE PEACE AND JUSTICE COMMISSION IN WHICH SHE BECAME THE COORDINATOR OF FAMILY MINISTRY AND DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND HELPED CONGREGATES TO CONNECT WITH AND LEARN FROM FARM WORKERS. WHEREAS IN 2,000 FIVE FAIR REQUIRES INCLUDING HOLE SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH TURNED TO UNITED FARM WORKERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE. IN 2002, MS. SANCHEZ OFFICIALLY JOINED THE UNITED FARM WORKERS AND SERVED AS UNION STEWARD. IN 2003, THE FARM WORKERS TRANSITIONED TO -- LUPE IN SOUTH TEXAS. WHEREAS IN 2006, MS. SANCHEZ COMMITTED HER CONTINUATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AS AN ORGANIZER AND THROUGH THE YEARS WORKING HER WAY UP TO COORDINATOR OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING. AND WHEREAS, IN 2018, WITH PUEBLO LOOP, SHE REACHED A MILESTONE BY HAVING THE COUNTY OF HIDALGO COUNTY ADOPT NEW RULES THAT MANDATED STREET LIGHTING AND STRONG FLOODING PROTECTIONS FOR ALL NEIGHBORHOODS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS. AND WHEREAS IN 2020, MS. SANCHEZ MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO RETIRE AFTER 14 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH AN ADDITIONAL 25 YEARS OF SERVICE PRIOR TO WORKING WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH. WITH A COMBINATION OF THESE YEARS OF SERVICE.

MS. SANCHEZ DEDICATED FOR DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE BEING THE VOICE OF COUNTLESS FAMILIES.

MS. SANCHEZ IS A FIRM BELIEVER IN FIGHTING NOT FOR WHAT YOU WANT, OR QUOTE, WHAT YOU DESERVE. MS. SANCHEZ WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED AT -- HOWEVER, SHE'S WISHED WELL ON HER NEW VENTURES. THEREFORE IT RESOLVED AT THE HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HERE BY HONORS MS. MARTHA P. SANCHEZ FORHER DEDICATED COMMUNITY SERVICE IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND WISHES HER A SAFE AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS. THAT IS AN OUTSTANDING CAREER, YOUNG LADY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I JUST WANTED TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I FEEL VERY LIKE AWKWARD TO DO THIS BECAUSE I'M USED TO RECEIVE, AND I THINK THAT MOSTLY MY CAREER HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO PUT A HIGHLIGHT -- TO LIGHT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TYPICALLY DO NOT HAVE A VOICE OR THEY DON'-- DON'T KNOW TO USE THEIR VOICE YET. THIS IS REALLY AWKWARD FOR ME. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE MS. TORRES, COMMISSIONER TORRES'S EFFORT AND MS. WHO TOOK THIS INITIATIVE BUT ALSO TO OTHER COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH US THIS MANY YEARS.

I WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED, AS YOU KNOW. AND THAT NEVER GOES AWAY.

I WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED IN OTHER BUT FOR NOW I WON'T BE REPRESENTATIVE, MAYBE AS AN A

[00:35:04]

MEMBER. AN ACTIVE MEMBER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I FEEL WALK WARD TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THIS MANNER BUT I WILL ENJOY MY FAMILY AND MY RETIREMENT. AND PLEASE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

AND I'M WILL BE GOING IN LINE TO GET MY VACCINE TODAY. WHICH I REALLY APPRECIATE BECAUSE I'M GOING RIGHT NOW TO GET IT BECAUSE I ALREADY GOT A NUMBER.

SO I'M GOING -- I'M PLANNING TO GET MY VACCINE AND ENCOURAGE ANYBODY TO GET THE VACCINE SO WE

ALL CAN BE SAFER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I'D LIKE TO SAY A LITTLE SOMETHING. I'D LIKE TO SAY THIS WOMAN IS A SMALL FRAMED WOMAN, A PETITE YOUNG WOMAN, HER VOICE AND PASSION ARE GIGANTIC AND THEY WILL BE MISSED.

>> THANK YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY. >>.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[8. District Attorney's Office]

>> NEXT ON AGENDA. 8A, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MS. PALASSIOS OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION AND I'LL BE ASSISTING DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

PROCLAMATION. JANUARY 2021 NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION

MONTH. MAY I BEGIN? >> YES.

>> WHEREAS NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING MONTH FIRST CLAIMED IN 2016 TO CALL ATTENTION TO INJUSTICE OF MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING THAT STILL OCCURS IN TOO MANY PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. INCLUDES THE UNITED STATES. WHEREAS, AS WE CONTINUE OUR FIGHT TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE OF FREEDOM WE COMMEMORATE THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST 1963 AND 13TH AMENDMENT SENT TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION ON FEBRUARY 1ST, 1865. THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2021, WE HIGHLIGHT THE MANY FRONTS AND THE ONGOING BATTLE FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE EFFORTS OF THE HIDALGO COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY ANTIHUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE, WHICH IS COMPROMISED A FEDERAL, STATE, REGIONAL AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, VICTIM SERVICE AGENCIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN HIDALGO COUNTY, WHO ARE WORKING TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

AND WHEREAS THE VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARE WOMEN AND -- MEN AND WOMEN, EXCUSE ME, ADULTS AND CHILDREN. ALL ARE DENIED BASIC HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM.

VICTIMS CAN BE ABUSED IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES AND FIND THEMSELVES FAR FROM HOME AND VULNERABLE. WHETHER THEY ARE TRAPPED AND FORCED SEXUAL AND LABOR EXPLOITATION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS CANNOT WALK AWAY, BUT ARE HELD IN SERVICE THROUGH FORCE, THREATS, AND FEAR. ALL TOO AVEN SUFFERING FROM HORRIBLE SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THERE MIGHT BE SUCH A PLACE FOR . MUST JOIN TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY IN HIDALGO COUNTY TO PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN BY PROTECTING VICTIMS AND PROSECUTING TRAFFICKERS, WITH IMPROVED VICTIM IDENTIFICATION, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES, TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, AND INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS, THE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE SCORCH CAN OVERCOME THE BONDS OF MODERN SLAVERY, RECEIVE PROTECTION INJUSTICE. AND SUCCESSFULLY RECLAIM THEIR RI RIGHTFUL INDEPENDENCE. AND WHEREAS FIGHTING OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, THIS MONTH, WE URGE ALL HIDALGO COUNTY RESIDENTS TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT ALL FORMS OF MODERN SLAVERY.

AND THE SIGNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. TOGETHER, WE CAN AND MUST END THIS MOST SERIOUS ONGOING CRIMINAL CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION. NOW FOR ABOUT IT BE RESOLVED THAT HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ASK HERE BY PROCLAIM, JANUARY 2021 AS NATIONAL SAVORY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING MONTH, CULMINATING WITH NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY ON FEBRUARY 1ST AND CALLS ON THE PEOPLE OF HIDALGO COUNTY TO OBSERVE THIS MONTH WITH

[00:40:02]

APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AND TO RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE WE CAN PLAY IN ENDING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. A PROOF THIS 12TH DAY OF JANUARY 2021.

>> THANK YOU. JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU.

AND ALSO TO ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF HIDALGO COUNTY. MY NEW YEAR STARTED WITH NOW HAVING READING GLASSES. SO I APOLOGIZE TO BE ABLE TO READ.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO INTRODUCE AMY CANTU, THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR OFFICE, SPECIFICALLY OUR VICTIMS UNIT AND ALSO OUR ADVOCATES AND EVERYONE FROM OUR OFFICE WHO DOES SUCH GOOD WORK EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE JUSTICE TO OUR CITIZENS.

BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, FOR ALWAYS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND IN ACCEPTING WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND JOINING US IN TRYING TO NOT ONLY COMBAT CERTAIN ISSUES GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN HERE IN HIDALGO COUNTY, BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, IT IS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. AND TODAY, WE'RE JOINING MANY MANY IN EDUCATING AND TALKING ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. AND WHAT IS IT THAT WE CAN DO TO BE ABLE TO STOP IT AND HELP THOSE VICTIMS THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING? JUST TODAY, AS WE'RE SPEAKING HERE, WE'RE HOST ING, ALONG WIT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WITH ALAN SHAWN BURN, A WORKSHOP IN CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. AND WE TALK ABOUT FILLING IN THE GAPS.

WE TALK ABOUT HOW IS IT FOR TODAY'S TOPIC, HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY. AND NOT ONLY IS IT IMPORTANT, AS YOU, JUDGE, AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE WHO IS PART OF THIS, BUT AFTER THE COMMUNITY -- OUT TO THE COMMUNITY ALSO. I ALWAYS STRESSED THAT THE COMMUNITY PLAYS A BIG ROLE ON HELPING US MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER. SO, AGAIN, WE THANK YOU.

WE DO HAVE MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ATTENDING TODAY. I WANT TO IDENTITY -- TELL YOU THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, SUE SANCHEZ FROM THE SJC WHO HAS DONE EXCELLENT WORK IN CHARGE OF HIDALGO COUNTY AND STARR COUNTY SJC AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE THAT HAVE DONE THINGS WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING. SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GIVE SUE SANCHEZ AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE COUNTY JUDGE AND ALSO THE COMMISSIONERS. AND EVERYONE WHO IS HERE

LISTENING TODAY. MR. SANCHEZ. >> THANK YOU MR. RODRIGUEZ.

JUDGE CORTEZ, OUR COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

ALSO FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU TODAY AS DIEGO RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN WORKING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO REALLY COORDINATE THESE MEETINGS TO IDENTIFY THE COMMITTEE AND COMMUNITY STRENGTHS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT. AS DE-I DON'T GO -- DIEGO MENTIONED WE HAD A MEETING TODAY. WE MET BEFORE. WE RECOGNIZED THERE WAS A RECOGNITION FOR RECOVERY AND JUSTICE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH TRAINING FOR ALL OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ALSO IDENTIFY RESOURCES THAT WE CAN MAKE AVAILABLE TO THEM. WE ACTUALLY, TODAY, AS -- MR. RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED, WE HAVE OVER 60 PEOPLE, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR MEETING.

AND THEY'RE BEGINNING TO WORK TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO IDENTIFY -- TO ADDRESS THOSE PRIORITY AREAS. AND SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATE FOR THIS TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, OUR GOAL IS THAT ON -- ON OUR PART TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN THAT ARE EITHER, A, EXPLOITED, OR ARE BEING TRAFFICKED.

WE -- THE LAST SIX MONTHS, OUR CHILDREN ADVOCACY CENTER WAS TRAINED ON A SCREENING TOOL.

AND WE CONDUCTED 85 SCREENINGS. OUT OF THOSE 85 SCREENINGS, THERE WAS SEVEN CHILDREN THAT HAD A CLEAR CONCERN OR A PULSE SIVE CONCERN OF BEING TRAFFICKED OR EXPLOITED.

THE SAD THING IS THREE OF THE CHILDREN WERE UNDER THE AGE OF TEN.

AND ONE OF THEM WAS BEING THE YOUNGEST 8 YEARS OLD. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER. WE MENTIONED DURING OUR MEETINGS, I FEEL LIKE THE RESOURCES ARE THERE. BUT WE NEED TO DO GOING FORWARD IS NOW WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE BRING ALL OF THE PUZZLE PIECES TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS VICTIMS GET THE NECESSARY RESOURCES. IN THE END, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IDENTIFY THE VICTIMS, WE

[00:45:03]

PROVIDE THE SERVICES AND THEN WE BECOME CHAMPIONS FOR THIS CHILDREN AND FOR ANY TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. BUT, AGAIN, JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER BUT THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO BEING LEADERS FOR HELPING US BE ADVOCATES AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES NECESSARY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. SANCHEZ. >> THANK YOU MR. SANCHEZ.

WE ALSO HAVE MR. JUAN CANTU WHO IS COCHAIR OF THE VALLEY ANTIHUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE

TO THANK THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AS WELL. >> GOOD MORNING.

ON BEHALF OF THE READING ROGAN VALLEY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE WE EXTEND THANK YOU TO HIDALGO COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION IN OUR EFFORTS. AS THE CHAIRMAN ALONG WITH THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS WE'VE BEEN DOING GREAT WORK IN EDUCATION AND PREVENTION TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING. DESPITE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALL OF OUR AGENCIES ARE ACTIVE IN ASSISTING THE TASK FORCE WITH VIRTUAL TRAININGS AND PREVENTION EVENTS.

WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF THE AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE TASK FORCE.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE OUR MISSION BY A WHOLE STEAM TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCE, WEB ANYONE NARES, DRIVE -- WEBINARS AND DRIVE BY EVENTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

IN 2021 WE'LL CONTINUO PARTNER WITH NATIONAL, STATE, AND INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON OUR YOUTH. THE TASK FORCE PLANS TO ASSIST ITS MEMBERS WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE AND PROVIDE CAPACITY BUILDING FOR EFFECTIVE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS. PLEASE FOLLOW US ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UP COMING EVENTS AND TRAININGS. DUE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES, HAVING A VIRTUAL PRESENCE AND BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC ONLINE IS IMPERATIVE DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME. THE TASK FORCE COMMITTED TO SAFETY AND THE HEALTH FOR OUR MEMBERS AND WILL CONTINUE VIRTUALLY FOR 2021. WE INVITE THOSE OF YOU WHO -- WE HAVE LEARNED INVITE OTHERS IN OUR FIELD FOR TRAININGS AND W WEBINARS TO SPREAD AWARENESS ALL YEAR LONG. IF YOUR AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH VICTIMS OR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD AT RGV.8HGTV AT G SMALL.COM.

SO WE CAN UPDATE YOU ON THE MONTHLY MEETINGS. IT IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, MEDICAL PROVIDERS, VICTIM ADVOCATES IN HIDALGO CAMERON, WILLACY, STARR AND BROOKS COUNTIES.

EACH OF US HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PROVIDE CONTINUED CARE TO HELP IDENTIFY VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING AND TO PROSECUTE THOSE WHO COMMIT THIS HEINOUS CRIME. WE CANNOT DO THIS WORK WITHOUT EACH OTHER. COLLABORATION IS THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL TO HELP IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING. THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR EFFORTS.

>> THANK YOU MR. CANO. JUDGE WE ALSO HAVE AMY CANTU WHO HAS A MESSAGE SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THOSE LAY CITIZENS THAT ARE LISTENING TODAY.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

THIS MORTGAGE, I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY.

AS MR. RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED, JANUARY IS NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH. HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A CRIME IN WHICH FORCE, FRAUD, OR COERCION IS USED TO COMPEL A PERSON TO PERFORM LABOR, SERVICES OR COMMERCIAL SEX.

THERE IS ONE SIZE FITS ALL FOR WHAT A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING LOOKS LIKE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAFFIC ARE ADULTS, CHILDREN, AND TEENAGERS OF ALL AGES.

THEY COME FROM CITIES SUBURBS AND RURAL AREA. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE ARE PRAYED UPON BASED ON THEIR VULNER VULNERABILITIES AND THOSE HA ARE MOST DISADVANTAGED IN OUR SOCIETY ARE OFTEN THE MOST COMMON TARGETS.

TRAFFICKERS USE THESE VULNERABILITIES OF THEIR VICTIMS TO DECEIVE THEM BY MAKING PROMISES SUCH AS FALSE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES OR PROVIDING FALSE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.

THERE ARE A FEW INDICATORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION TO THE COMMUNITY. AND WE ASK THE COMMUNITY TO PLEASE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT.

IF YOU SEE THESE INDICATORS TO PLEASE REPORT IT. SOME OF THESE INDICATORS ARE DOES THE PERSON APPEAR DISCONNECTED FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY, ORGANIZATIONS OR HOUSES OF WORSHIP. HAS A CHILD STOPPED ATTENDING SCHOOL? HAS THE PERSON HAD A SUDDEN OR DRAMATIC CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR? IS A JUVENILE ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL SEX ACTS? IS THE PERSON DISORIENTED OR

[00:50:06]

CONFUSED OR SHOWING SIGNS OF MENTAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE? DOES A PERSON HAVE BRUISES IN VARIOUS STAGES OF HEALING. IS THE PERSON FEARFUL, TIMID, OR MISS SUBM SUBMISSIVE? DOES THE PERSON SHOW SIGNS OF HAVING BEEN DENIED FOOD, WATER, SLEEP, OR MEDICAL CARE? IS THE PERSON OFTEN IN THE COMPANY OF SOMEONE TO WHOM HE OR SHE DEFERS? OR SOMEONE WHO SEEMS TO BE IN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION? FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE THEY GO OR WHO THEY TALK TO.

DOES THE PERSON APPEAR TO BE COACHED? ON WHAT THEY SAY.

IS THE PERSON LIVING IN UNSU UNSUITABLE CONDITIONS? DOES THE PERSON LACK PERSONAL POSSESSIONS AND APPEAR NOT TO HAVE STABLE LIVING SITUATION? AND DOES A PERSON HAVE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT? CAN THE PERSON FREELY LEAVE WHERE THEY LIVE? ARE THEY REASONABLY -- ARE THERE UNREASONABLE SECURITY MEASURES? AND OF COURSE THESE ARE NOT ALL OF THE INDICATORS, HOWEVER THERE ARE A FEW.

WE ASK THE COMMUNITY TO PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT. IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE INDICATORS TO PLEASE REPORT IT. YOU CAN REPORT SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR TO 1866-866-347-2423.

AND, AGAIN, WE COME HERE TODAY TO ASK THAT YOU HELP STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WE ALL AS A COMMUNITY MUST DO OUR PART TO RAISE AWARENESS AND TO END THIS CRIME.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, AND I'LL END IT BY -- I KNOW WE'VE TAKEN SOME TIME. BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I IDENTIFY OUR PARTNERS THAT WE CLABWITH EVERY DAY. AND WITH US TODAY WE HAVE HIDALGO COUNTY FAMILY VIOLENCE TASK FORCE. WE HAVE THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY ANTIHUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE. THE DONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE STAFF FROM COURTROOM NUMBER 9 AND MR. FROM THE PUBLIC OF SAFETY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF DOMESTIC RELATIONS OF COUNTY, MR. FELIX RODRIGUEZ FROM THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE. WE HAVE JUDGE LAWRENCE AND STAFF FROM THE MCALLEN MUNICIPAL COURT. SHE WAS JUST SWORN IN YESTERDAY. CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN.

VICTIM SERVICES AND STAFF. CITY OF HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER TORRES JUMPED IN EARLY ON.

AND ALSO TOLD US SHE WAS GOING TO ATTEND. EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW SHE'S PRESENT. RIO GRANDE VALLEY ANTIHUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE AS WELL.

CITY OF SAN JUAN, LA JOLLA POLICE DEPARTMENT. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE REGIONAL JUSTICE CENTER. JUDGE HAD 49 IN DISTRICT COURT.

HELEN, VICTIMS SPECIALIST. I.C.E. HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATION, NORMA LACEY, IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT. OUR OFFICE AS WELL. OFFICER MARIO RODRIGUEZ IN THE EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT. ROSE FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

TONY FERIA FROM PRECINCT 4 AND FIELD OPERATIONS. THESE ARE SOME OF THE AGENCIES AND THERE ARE MANY MORE OUT THERE WE WORK WITH EVERY DAY AND PARTNER UP.

WORKING TOGETHER TO COMBAT YOU KNOW DIFFERENT CRIMES GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITIES.

BUT TODAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. AND AGAIN I THANK EVERYONE, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL. AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS IMPORTANT TO LOOK FOR WHEN TALKING ABOUT COMBATTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

COMMIS COMMISSIONER REAL CONGRATULATIONS.

WE WELCOME YOU AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WELL. JUDGE, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE TO THINK THE R.I.T. NOT ONLY HERE AT OUR OFFICE BUT THE COUNTY'S I.V. AND THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR PUTTING UP WITH US AND ALWAYS MAKING THIS HAPPEN. AGAIN I WANT TO THANK THEM AS WELL. AND AGAIN OUR COMMUNITY. WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND WE ASK THEM TO JOIN IN AND HELPING US COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. SO THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS YOU

ALL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

MAY I HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE AND ACCEPT THIS PROBLEM ACCOMODATION.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE SPEAKING TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

[5. Open Forum (Part 2 of 2)]

JUDGE CORTEZ, IF I MAY ASK THE COURT. COULD WE GO BACK TO OPEN FORUM.

WE DO HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL ON THE LINE. >> SURE.

MR. LATIRREZ. LET ME BRING THEM IN. IT IS MARIA ROMERO.

>> THANK YOU. >> BEN NOSE DIAZ. >>

[9. Sheriff's Office:]

[00:57:16]

>> OKAY, NEXT ITEM 9A, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS THIS IS SERGEANT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE HAVE OUR 1284 COUNT, AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL TO ACCEPT A BUDGET AMENDMENT FRAGO NUMBER 2 IN REFERENCE TO OPERATION STONE

GARDEN 2019 FISCAL GRANT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE SECOND TO APPROVE.

>> THANK YOU, YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> THANK YOU, ITEM 10A,

[10. Constable Pct. #1]

CONSTABLE THE PRECINCT 1. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, SERGEANT J.B.

>> YES, SIR, PLEASE PROCEED. >> THANK YOU. AGENDA 78955 APPROVAL TO APPROPRIATE THE BUDGET FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 OFFICE PORTION OF THE CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING PROGRAM CESF, FY2020. IN THE AMOUNT OF 9$99$9973.

>> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS WITH

[11. Constable Pct. #4]

YOUR PERMISSION ON BEHALF OF CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4, CONSTABLE --

>> MOTION TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> HUMAN RESOURCES. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

[12. Human Resources (Part 1 of 2)]

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. ITEM 12A, REQUESTING A WAIVER OF THE FOLLOWING FOR THE PERSONNEL ITEMS LISTED. ACTION ON 1 AND 3, THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RULES, SECTION 3.22 AND BUDGET AMENDMENT POLICY PERSONNEL

>> SECOND. >> SECOND. >> MOTORCYCLES -- MOTION TO

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 12B FOR THE CARES ACT RELIEF FUND.

REQUESTING CREATE TO FOLLOWING TIME LIMITED POSITIONS EFFECTIVE THE COMMISSIONERS COURTS APPROVAL THROUGH 12 LEISURE 31/21. SLOT 0001 DEPUTY EMERGENCY

[01:00:05]

MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR 2, GRADE 13. ASSISTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITH COVID-19 OPERATIONS. WE ARE ASKING -- WE ARE GOING TO BRING BACK AN ITEM NEXT WEEK REGARDING THE FUNDING OF THIS ITEM FROM THE CARES ACT AS

REQUESTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTION TO SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ONE MORE. >> AYE.

>> OKAY. MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 12B2 TO RATE CREATE THE FOLLOWING TIME LIMITED POSITIONS EFFECTIVE UPON COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL THROUGH MARCH 31ST, 2021, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS REQUESTING TO REQUEST 10 COVID-19 CLERK 1 SPOTS AT GRADE 1 ASSISTING WITH VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITH COVID-19 OPERATIONS THE ONGOING COVID-19 OPERATIONS AND NEW OPERATIONS AS WE EMBARK ON THE VACCINATION EFFORTS AS WELL.

I AM REQUESTING APPROVAL. MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. ITEM 12B3 IS APPROVAL OF THE

INTRA DE INTRADEPARTMENTAL TRANSFERS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR SECOND FOR APPROVAL.

>> AS STATED I WILL BE BRINGING BACK A FUNDING ITEM THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT.

ITEM 12B FOR THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS, EFFECTIVE UPON COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL.

REQUESTING TO DELETE SLOTS 0182 AND 0187 ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY 3 AT A GRADE 17 FOR THE RECORD THERE IS NO AUTO ALLOWANCE ON THESE TWO POSITIONS AND I AM REQUESTING TO CREATE TWO DISTRICT ATTORNEY 2 AT A GRADE 19 AT $900 ALLOWANCE EACH. NUMBER 9 AND NUMBER 10.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> THANK YOU, ITEM 12D FOR THE 464TH DISTRICT COURT, APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS EFFECTIVE THE NEXT FULL PAY PERIOD, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS WE ARE REQUESTING TO ADD AN INTERPRETER ALLOWANCE TO SLOT 0006, A BAILIFF 2 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 12E FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, EFFECTIVE JANUARY THE 1ST, 2021. ON THIS ITEM, I'M REQUESTING A RECLASSIFICATION OF SLOT 0044 AND INTIVE ASSISTANT 3 GRADE 8 TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 4 GRADE 10, FOR ADDITIONAL DUTIES I'M REQUESTING NOTHING FOR SLOTS 0009.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE.

>> CARRIED. >> THANK YOU. ITEM 12E2 APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS EFFECTIVE UPON COMMISSIONERS CO COURTS APPROVAL. REQUESTING TO DELETE 00009 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 3 AT

GRADE 8 AND CREATE SLOT 0011 ADMINISTRATIVE 4 AT GRADE 10. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> THANK YOU. ITEM 12F FOR COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER 10, APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS EFFECTIVE THE NEXT FULL PAY PERIOD, JANUARY 18TH, 2021.

JUDGE COMMISSIONERS WE DO NOT NEED ACTION ON THIS ITEM. I'M DELETING THE INTERPRETER ALLOWANCE. BUT I DO NEED ACTION ON ADDING THE INTERPRETER ALLOWANCE, SLOT

0004 ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> THANK YOU. ITEM 12G FOR THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT DIVISION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS EFFECTIVE UPON COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL DELETE SLOT 0007 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT III GRADE 8 AND GRATE SLOT 00009 NUISANCE ABATEMENT

SPECIALIST I AT A GRADE 9. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

ITEM 12H FOR THE HEALTH BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION. APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSON PELL ACTIONS EFFECTIVE THE NEXT FULL PAY PARTY JANUARY 18TH, 2021.

[01:05:05]

I'M REQUESTING TO CREATE SLOT 0020, A MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST I AT A GRADE 11.

THIS IS THE A POSITION THAT WILL BE ASSISTING THE COUNTY'S WELL NESS PROGRAM.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THAT, JUDGE. I WANTED TO ASK, WAS THIS PART OF OUR BUDGET FINDING PROCESS? WAS THIS BROUGHT TO US? BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND IT

ANYWHERE. >> NO, COMMISSION ER -- THIS WA NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE REQUESTING DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID EMERGENCY. WE FEEL THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR US TO REACH OUT MORE IN A MULTI MEDIA FASHION. YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN IDEA THAT CAME ABOUT WHEN WE DID THE W WELLNESS WEEK BACK IN DECEMBER. WE FEEL WE CAN HAVE GREAT SUCCESS UTILIZING THIS MEDIA.

AS SUCH WE'RE REQUESTING THIS FROM THE COURT AT THIS TIME. >> HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THIS DEPARTMENT THE HEALTH AND BEN

BENEFITS? >> I BELIEVE THE HEALTH BENEFITS WE HAVE FOR HEALTH BENEFITS I BELIEVE WE HAVE ROUGHLY 7 INDIVIDUALS IN THAT DEPARTMENT. AGAIN, THE MAJORITY OF THEM DO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACTUAL HEALTH PLAN. AND THEN ALSO THE VOLUNTARY PRODUCTS. WE ONLY HAVE ONE PERSON RIGHT NOW THAT IS IN OUR WELLNESS PROGRAM. WHICH IS THE -- SHE IS SORT OF TAKING ON THE ROLE OF DOING ALL OF THIS. THAT'S WHY WE FEEL IF WE CAN GET SOMEBODY WHO CAN TACKLE THE MU MULTIMEDIA PORTION OF IT THIS WILL GO A LONG WAYS IN HELPING HER TOO MORE OUTREACH, AND THEN ALSO BE ABLE TO DO IT MORE IN THE MULTI MEDIA FASHION.

THERE'S NO ONE RIGHT NOW WITHIN OUR HEALTH BENEFITS OR EVEN WITHIN OUR DIVISION THAT HAS THESE CAPABILITIES THE MULTIMEDIA CAPABILITIES, WE THINK THAT IS A UNIQUE SKILL SET WE NEED TO HAVE WITHIN THAT DIVISION. AGAIN, IF WI-FI HAS -- PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE, AGAIN, DO WE HAVE, THE -- IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF TIME FOR HER TO DO THAT.

WE FEEL IT WOULD BE A BETTER RESOURCE FOR HER TO DO, CONTINUE WITH THE OUTREACH AND HAVE SOMEBODY DEDICATED JUST FOR THE MULTIMEDIA. SHE'S GOING TO INCLUDE NOW ALSO VIDEOGRAPHY, DOING MORE VIDEOS WITH PROVIDERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AS WELL.

>> AND THIS IS ALL JUST FOR OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

THIS IS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE ACKNOWLEDGE AND BE EDUCATED IN ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. AND ADDITIONAL TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHRONIC DISEASES THAT ARE PREVALENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE DISEASES AND, AGAIN, ALL OF WITH THE INTENT OF HAVING A HEALTHIER WORK FORCE AND WE DO SEE ALSO OUR MEDICAL EXPENSES.

>> RICHARD CRUZ, WHY WASN'T THIS BROUGHT TO US DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS?

>> AGAIN, WE DIDN'T REALLY -- DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS WE WEREN'T REALLY LOOKING AT THIS VENUE. WE WEREN'T REALLY DOING OUR OWN MULTIMEDIA TYPE OF OUTREACH.

AND THEN WHEN WE SORT DID THE WELLNESS WEEK WE SAW WE HAD GREAT RESULTS WITH THAT.

WE KNOW WE CAN DO A LOT MORE WITH THAT. SO THAT'S WHY WE BROUGHT IT IN

AT THIS TIME. >> DID WE CONSIDER A TEMPORARY POSITION TO SEE THE AFFECTS OF THIS AND SEE IF THE BENEFITS OF IT, AND THE NEED. DID WE CONSIDER DOING THAT

TEMPORARY? >> WE DID NOT CONSIDER DOING IT TEMPORARY, WE THINK WE WILL SEE THE AFFECTS OF IT. WE JUST ONE THIS WEEK THAT WE DID.

WE SAW A GREAT OUTREACH, WE SAW OVER 900 PARTICIPANTS FROM THE COUNTY WHICH IS OVER A THIRD OF OUR WORK FORCE. SO WE FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SORT OF THE TREND THAT WE NEED TO GO OUT AND DO THIS AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION IN THE NEW FORMAT AS OPPOSED TO IN PERSON FOR THE FUTURE. AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CONTINUE, THAT IS WHY WE REQUESTED A PERMANENT POSITION FOR THIS.

>> YOU'RE ON MUTE, COMMISSIONER. >> OKAY. SORRY.

OKAY. WELL WELL, MY ANSWERS -- I MEAN MY

QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. >> SO IF I COULD JUST JUMP IN. IT IS NEW TO ME TOO.

BUT WE HAVE THIS HEALTH CARE EXPENSE, IT IS OUR BIGGEST EXPENSE.

IT IS $20 MILLION. AND I'VE BEEN HERE SIX YEARS. BUT I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE I BELIEVE A YEAR AND A HALF WITH YAMA, DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB DOING -- GETTING MANY THINGS

[01:10:02]

RIGHT BUT FOR THE MOST PART JUST EXPLAINING TO OUR EMPLOYEES, WE HAVE 4,000 EMPLOYEES ALL OF THE BENEFITS THROUGH OUR AETNA PROGRAM, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT FOR FOUR YEARS WHEN I WAS HERE.

NOW WE HAVE IT. BUT WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL TASKED WITH SAVING THE LIVES OF ALL 4,000 EMPLOYEES. ANY HEM T-- HELP THAT WE COULD GET HER ESPECIALLY NOW DURING THE VIRTUAL TIMES. I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE -- WHETHER WE'RE VIRTUAL OR NOT I THINK IT IS A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SITES THAT WE HAVE COUNTY WIDE.

I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUS. THE GOOD THING ABOUT WHAT DIANO IS DOING OR THE WELLNESS DEPARTMENTS IS DOING, YOU CAN SEE THE BENEFITS THE COST BENEFITS, THE HEALTH BENEFITS, SO ANY HELP THAT WE CAN GET HER, I SUPPORT.

I THINK THIS PERSON IS GOING TO BE OVERWHELMED IN THEIR ROLE. BECAUSE IT IS ONLY GOING TO BE TWO PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. I KNOW WHEN DIANA FIRST JUMPED ON BOARD, I WOULD ASK HER ABOUT DOING SOMETHING AND IT WAS ALWAYS IN TWO OR THREE MONTHS BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET TO ALL OF THE TASKS SHE'S ASSIGNED TO.

SO I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE BENEFIT, COMMISSION, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND PHYSICALLY THROUGH THE HEALTH OF OUR EMPL

EMPLOYEES. >> MY ONLY CONCERN WITH THIS IS THAT THE TIMING OF THIS, IT IS COMING IN AFTER THE FACT. AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY DEPARTMENTS HAVE THAT ASKED FOR POSITIONS THAT I'M SURE THAT THEY'VE HAD THEIR JUSTIFICATIONS AND IT IS JUST -- I'LL BE HONEST THIS BOTHERS ME THAT IT IS COMING IN AFTER THE FACT. WE'VE BEEN VIRTUAL FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND TO HAVE NOT THOUGHT OF THAT BEFORE, DURING OUR BUDGET PROCESS IS KIND

OF -- >> YANA HAS BEEN WITH US A YEAR AND A HALF WITH US, COMMISSIONER. WE'RE LEARNING A LOT ABOUT WHAT THAT PROGRAM IS DOING.

ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN HERE A HUNDRED YEARS. SO I THINK YOU CAN SEE -- AND I'LL NOT SAYING THAT ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENT NEEDS AREN'T NECESSARY.

THIS IS -- WE STARTED WITH ONE PERSON, WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE FOR MY FIRST FOUR YEARS.

IT IS TOO MUCH FOR THAT ONE PERSON. BUT IT IS A PROBLEM.

I CAN PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY PRECINCT. >> COMMISSIONERS AND I APOLOGIZE IF I DIDN'T BRING THIS DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS. AGAIN, I REALLY -- NOT BEING MORE OF A NUMBERS PERSON STILL BEING IN CHARGE OF THE HEALTH BENEFIT DIVISION AND THE WELLNESS PROGRAM. I REALLY DIDN'T SEE THIS UNTIL WE DID THE VIRTUAL PRESENTATION OURSELVES, SAW THE AFFECT IT COULD HAVE AND SAW THE POTENTIAL THAT WE HAVE FOR DOING THIS MORE VIRTUALLY. AGAIN, I'M REALLY NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO I REALLY DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THIS UNTIL DIANA CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF DOING THIS BACK IN NOVEMBER WHEN SHE STARTED ORGANIZING THE VIRTUAL WELLNESS WEEK.

AND THEN I SAW THIS SUCCESS. SO I SEE THE POTENTIAL THAT WE CAN DO WITH THIS.

AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK OTHERS HAVE SEEN. I KNOW THERE'S MULTIMEDIA SPECIALISTS WITHIN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE COUNTY. AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN -- WE CAN UTILIZE AND SEE THE SAVINGS WITHIN OUR HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS FOR FUTURE

YEARS AS WELL. >> I THINK WE HAVE $300,000 IN SAVINGS JUST THIS YEAR.

THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE BENEFITS OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE, MAYBE NOT DIABETES AND MEDICINES THAT PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME. I THINK THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO NEED MORE AND MORE ASSET AS WE LEARN MORE AND MORE ABOUT WELLNESS AND THE BENEFITS IT BRIDGES TO OUR STAFF. WE HAVE 4,000 PEOPLE THAT NEED US.

SO I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT. >> COMMISSIONERS JUST TO -- IT IS CLOSE TO 7,000 PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PROGRAM. BUT WHICH INCLUDES BOTH EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDENTS. AND THAT IS ANOTHER OUTREACH MEDIUM THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW WE'RE ONLY ABLE TO REACH OUT TO EMPLOYEES.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HOPED THAT THE START OF BOTH YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND OTHER TYPES OF MULTIMEDIAS AND NOW THE DEPENDENTS AS WELL. ESPECIALLY THE SPOUSES ARE ABLE

TO VIEW THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. >> THAT'S TRUE.

I FORGOT. AND ALL OF THE -- I THINK THOSE 300,000 PROBABLY 95 TO 100% OF

IT IS OUR OWN STAFF. >> CORRECT. SO I THINK WE FEEL THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN REACH OUT THROUGH THE DEPENDENTS, THE OTHER HALF OF OUR MEMBERS, WE

SHOULD BE ABLE TO INCREASE THAT -- THOSE SAVINGS AS WELL. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO

APPROVE? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION PLEASE SAY BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE.

[01:15:03]

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 12I FOR PRECINCT 2 ROAD MAINTENANCE, TO CREATE FULL TIME TEMPORARY POSITIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2021, THROUGH APRIL 30TH, 2021 AS FOLLOWS. REQUESTING TO CREATE TWO TEMPORARY MAINTENANCE 1 POSITIONS AT A GRADE 3, T108 AND T109 FIRST APPROVED IN 2020 AND WITH THIS THEM WOULD BE EXTENDED

THROUGH APRIL 30TH. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE.

ITEM 12J DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS EFFECTIVE UPON COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL. REQUEST TO DELETE SLOT 0001 CREATE SLOT 0021 PROGRAM MANAGER 3 GRADE 17. CREATE DIVISION MANAGER 1, SLOT 14, AND ADD AUTO ALLOWANCE SLOT 0001 CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE

ITEM 12K IS APPROVAL TO AWARD DISCRETIONARY STEPS FOR THE EMPLOYEES LISTED BELOW AFTER APPROVAL OF HR CRITERIA CERTIFICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8.03 OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN EFFECTIVE UPON COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS THIS IS DISCRETIONARY STEPS FOR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WE'RE REQUESTING A DISCRETIONARY STEP 4 FOR PRECINCT 3 OFFICE FOR SLOT 0001 CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE 464 DISCRETIONARY STEP 2 FOR THE FOLLOWING SLOT 0004 ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR.

SLOT 006 BAILIFF 2, SLOT 0003 COURT COORDINATOR, AND DISCRETIONARY STEP 2 FOR COUNTY SLOT 0004 ASSISTANT COURT COORDINATOR. THE HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE OBTAINED THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THE FINES FOR THE

POLICY. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, ITEM 12L WE WILL BE TAKING LATER ON THE AGENDA. IF I MAY GO BACK TO ITEM 12D I NEED ACTION ON DELETING THE INTERPRETER ALLOWANCE. I'LL READ THE ITEM.

APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL ACTIONS THE NEXT FULL FAITH PERIOD 2021, DELETE INTERPRETER ALLOW RANCE SLOT 0003 COURT COORDINATOR AMOUNT OF $3,000 AND ADD INTERPRETER SLOT

006 BAILIFF 2 IN AMOUNT OF $3,000. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR NOW,

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> OUR BAN COUNTY.

[13. Urban County]

MR. -- >> THANK YOU, FOR ITEM 13A, URBAN COUNTY PROGRAM REQUESTS APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT CORONAVIRUS PROGRAM SUB RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NONPROFIT AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,000 FOR THE PROGRAM 2020 RETROTIVELY EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST, 2020 TO OCTOBER 31ST 2021.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECONDS. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AND FOR ITEM 13B1, REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE REVISED FISCAL YEAR 2020, 2021, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR THE CDGB AND HOME PROGRAM ALLOCATION AND FOR 13B2, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE RICHARD F. CORTEZ TO SIGN ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021. HIDALGO COUNTY URBAN COUNTY HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE ALL

IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE.

>> CARRIES. >> AND FOR ITEM 13C, IT IS CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER FOR THE CITY OF PEÑITAS STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 WHICH WILL INCREASE THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION COST WITH 2GS LLC, DBA EARTH WORKS ENTERPRISE IN THE AMOUNT OF 12$121,955.25. AND AUTHORIZE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGE ORDER. THIS ONE WE GOT BID FORCE A

[01:20:05]

COUPLE OF THE STREETS ABOUT 10 STREETIS FOR CITY OF PINTAS AND ADDING ADDITIONAL STREETS WITHIN

THEIR WORK LAND AND WITHIN THE AREA THAT QUALIFIES. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION, SECOND TO APPROVE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU MR. ROBIN KNOW. >> JESS. >> MR. SAUR RESIDENT.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. WELCOME TO COMMISSION ER VILLARREAL ON THE FIRST COMMISSIONERS COURT. GOOD TO HAVE YOU AS PART OF THE

[14. Health & Human Services Department:]

TEAM, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> ITEM 14A WITH YOUR PERMISSION, REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT TB STATE FISCAL 22 GRANT RENEWAL APPLICATION AND BUDGET TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES THE AWARD AND $905346 WHICH REQUIRES $18 $181069. RUNNING FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST 2021,

THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2022. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN VARY SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE. REQUEST NUMBER B, REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION TO TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES FOR IMMUNIZATION COVID-19 PROJECT.

THE AWARD ELEMENT IS 2$248,403. AND THE PROJECT END IS JUNE 30TH, 2022.

THIS IS A CDC GRANT. WE'RE 80% SURE WE DON'T GET IT. BUT WE STILL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT. SO I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW WE'RE GOING TO SUBMIT OUR APPLICATION

AND HOPEFULLY IT WORKS OUT WELL. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

FR>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE >> AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM C IS REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT THE CREDENTIALING APPLICATION TO APERTURE HEALTH FOR DRISCOLL HEALTH PLAN WITH THE PURPOSE OF BILLING HEALTH CARE SERVICES COVERED BY THE TEXAS MEDICAID HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION AND REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FOR EDUARDO OLIVAREZ CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO SIGN THE APPLICATION. THIS IS PART OF OUR MEDICAID APPLICATION THROUGH OUR HUMAN

SERVICES AND 1115 PROGRAM, SIR. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM D IS REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT RENEWAL GRANT APPLICATION AND BUDGET FOR IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022. THE AWARD AMOUNT IS $649,320. THE PROGRAM PERIOD WILL BE IN

AFFECT SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2021, THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2022. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

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

TO APPROVE, ALL TOSS IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE,

COMMISSIONERS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MORE GOMEZ AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU

DO FOR THE CITIZENS OF HIDALGO COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

[15. WIC]

WIC PROGRAM. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

FOR THE WIC PROGRAM. HERE ON 15A, WIC ADMIN PROGRAM 001 REQUESTING RETROACTIVE APPROVAL TO SUBMIT FY21 EXTRA FUNDING UTILIZATION SURVEY TO TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

FOR COVID AND NON-COVID RELATED WIC OPERATION NEEDS. >> MOTION TO APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MR. CRUZ.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. CRUZ BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT. ITEM 16A, DISCUSSION

[16. Budget & Management]

CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO APPLY TO THE U.S. TREASURY FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> AND THE DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 16B, THE APPROVAL OF 2020 INTERFUND TRANSFER FROM TEX DOT PRECINCT 1 MOUNTAINS PROJECT TO PRECINCT 1NOLANDA PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,181,215.

FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF ENGINEERING AND PLANS SPECIFICS AND ESTIMATES.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM C, APPROVAL OF BACK BAY FOR EMPLOYEE 23159 IN THE AMOUNT OF $664.98. EFFECTIVE MARCH 22020.

[01:25:05]

>> APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION TO APPROVE, SECOND,

>> ITEM 16D1, APPROVAL OF 2020 CERTIFICATION OF REVENUES AS CERTIFIED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR IN THE AMOUNT. $6,207.31 FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1, $4,656.70 FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 IN RELATION TO THE MOU BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY FOR SECURITY

SERVICES. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

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

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 16D1 APPROVAL OF TENT DEOBLIGATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,864.01 AND APPROPRIATION INTO THE COUNTY

WIDE ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNT. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> FINALLY ITEM 16D2, APPROVAL TO UNDESIGNATE AND APPROPRIATE THE AMOUNT OF $75,500 IN THE YEAR 2021 FROM THE 1115 WAIVER ASSIGNED FUND BALANCE FOR EXPENDITURES RELATED TO COUNTY'S ENHANCED I BELIEVE DIG-GENT HEALTH PROGRAM.

>> SO MOVED. >> SO MOVED. SORRY.

I WAS ON MUTE. >> SECOND MOTION TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. CRUZ.

I HAVE A DRUM ROLL FOR M MS. MARTY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE.

[17. Purchasing Department - Notes]

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. ITEM 17A1, PRECINCT 2, I'M GOING TO READ AN ITEM INTO THE AGENDA.

A A1 -- 1A, DISCUSSION CONSIDERATION AND ACTION TO APPROVE AN A NECESSARILY CARES ACT RELIEF FUND EXPENDITURE TO SPEND FOR COSTS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE BUDGET. FOR THE PURPOSE OF TWO ROLL OFF CONTAINERS IN ORDER TO AZIPS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH SENSES REGARDING THE ONGOING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THE COURT HAVING REVIEWED THE AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING WHICH WAS UPLOADED ON TO AGENDA ATTACHED HERE IN FINDS SUCH EXPENDITURE IS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY FOR THE INTENDED USE.

COULD I HAVE ACTION, PLEASE. >> SO MOVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I'LL SECOND IT. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANYONE OPPOSED. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM A1, WHICH WILL NOW BECOME INSTEAD OF AB, I'M MAKING THAT CORRECTION, CLERICAL AND PURSUANT TO PREVIOUS ACTION BY COMMISSIONERS COURT ON MAY 5TH, 2020, REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN EXEMPTION FROM COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT WANT TO TEXAS LGC262.024 AS POSTED ON AGENDA.

MAY I HAVE AN ACTION. >> APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM A1B WHICH IS NOW BY CLE CLERICAL ERROR C. REQUESTING TO APPROVE PURCHASE FOLLOWING MACHINERY TWO 20 CUBIC YARD EXTRA HEAVY DUTY CONTAINERS DESCRIBED HERE IN WITH WASTE QUIP AWARDED THROUGH COUNTY'S MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION WITH PROGRAM AWARDED CONTRACT IN THE 11 $11,448. SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH WHATEVER -- I DON'T BELIEVE

THERE'S ANYTHINGNESSING. I RECOMMEND IT FOR APPROVAL. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, SECOND TO APPROVE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. 17A2, ACCEPTANCE OF SUBMITTED PROPOSAL AND APPROVAL TO AWARD 8A BUILDERS LLC THROUGH THE TIPS TAPS CONTRACT AS NOTED WITH AUTHORITY TO PROCESS THE PURCHASE ORDER THROUGH THE FOLLOWING REQUISITION AFTER VERIFICATION PRICING IS COMPLETED THAT IS REQUISITION AS POSTED ON AGENDA, THE AWARD 299

$299,112.91. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 3 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1 FOR SERVICES UNDER WORK AUTHORIZATION 1, CONTRACT NUMBER 164, FOR B2Z ENGINEERING TO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION OF LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION SERVICES, INCLUDING AND RESULTING IN AN ESTIMATED COST INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF

[01:30:01]

$29,890.30 FOR THE PRECINCT 2 REGIONAL LINEAR PARK PROJECT. PHASE 2.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, A SECOND TO

APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> ITEM B1 FOR PRECINCT 4 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 1 UNDER CONTRACT 20-439 BETWEEN HIDALGO COUNTY PRECINCT 4 AND RO ENGINEERING P LLC IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOLLOWING TITLED PROJECT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUS SHELTER IN SAN CARLOS.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE

>> ITEM C1 FOR THE TASK FORCE REQUESTING COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL PURSUANT TO OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO PURCHASE PROMOTIONAL ITEMS TO INCLUDE ALL THOSE SPECIFICALLY NAMED ON

AGENDA ITEM. COULD I RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM DID D1 FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. ONE IS REQUESTING EXEMPTION FROM COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS UNDER TEXAS LEGAL GENERAL CODE A PROFESSION SERVICE -- COULD I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE.

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

TO APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES.

>> ITEM D1B IS REQUESTING APPROVAL OF FINAL NEGOTIATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH B2Z ENGINEERING OR G GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES FOR HIDALGO COUNTY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR TESTING/BIO SAFETY ATLANTIC FACILITY WITH CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING COMPONENT TO BE ADDRESSED AND PRESENTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AFTER THE DESIGN SERVICES ARE ACCEPTED AND APPROVED BY THE COURT. IF I COULD HAVE -- I REPRESENT

APPROVAL. -- RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> SO MOVED.

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

TO APPROVE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THE COURTS WANT TO ENTERTAIN AN AUTHORIZATION BY AUDITORS OFFICE ON FUNDING SOURCE. BACK IN JUNE OF 2020, WHEN THE PROJECT WAS TERM PERMITTED TO MOVE FORWARD, THE CON CENSUS OF THE COURT WAS TO LOOK INTO FUNDING IT THROUGH THE CARES ACT RELIEF FUND. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS GOING TO

BE CHANGED OR THROUGH GENERAL FUNDING -- >> COMMISSIONERS, IN LOOKING AT THE PROJECT AND LOOKING AT THE DELAY, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT WE FUND IT VIA OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND AND NOT USE A DIRECT EXPENSE OUT OF THE CARS FUND.

SO WITH THE OFFICERS PERMISSION AND YOUR PERMISSION WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

I'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED IT WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 2 THEY AR IN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT ACCOUNTING WISE. WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE DO

THAT AND FUND IT VIA OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, FUND 1301. >> THANK YOU MR. CRUZ, WE'LL

ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. >>> ITEM 2, THIS IS A, APPROVAL OF SECOND AMENDMENT TO NET SMART TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED MASTER AGREEMENT. 20-227, UNDER IT WAS APPROVED IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR. TO INCLUDE THE ONLINE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE THAT WILL ENABLE THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO SELF-REGISTER FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINES AT NEARBY LOCATIONS.

WHICH WILL FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VACCINES AS WELL AS ENSURING SUBMISSION OF DATA TO THE STATE OF TEXAS IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY. I RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION TO SECOND, ALL IN

FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> AND DUE TO THE URGENCY OF THIS ONLINE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE, I AM RECOMMENDING THAT WE PROCEED WITH ITEM B, THIS IS DUE TO THE ONGOING PANDEMIC IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY, WE'RE REQUESTING RATIFICATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF PURCHASE ORDER 825846 SO AS TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO

APPROVE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 3 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF WORK AUTHORIZATION OF 2, UNDER CONTRACT 20-204, WITH B2Z ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR THE HHSD TESTING AND BIO SAFETY LAB IN THE AMOUNT OF 13$135164. AND I BELIEVE THE SAME FUNDING WILL APPLY WITH MR. SAID REPORTING THAT PLEASE AS THERE WAS AN OBSERVATION.

[01:35:02]

>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE