[00:00:04]
>>> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE CORTEZ , CHAIRMAN.
HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE. TODAY'S MEETING IS BEING CONDUCTED WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF OF THE GOAS CERTAIN OPEN IMMEDIATING REQUIREMENTS TO LOW FOR TELEPHONIC MEETINGS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 MATTER. THE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTED ONLINE FOR AT LEAST 72 HOURS. THE BOARD IS MEETING BY THE USE OF ZOOM SOFTWARE AND TELEPHONE TRANSMISSION WHICH ALLOW FOR TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION. THIS MEETING IS BEING BROADCASTED LIVE ONLINE. THE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS BEING MADE AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT A LATER DATE. THE TIME NOW IS 9:46, AND I'LL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AND BEGIN WITH THE ROLL CALL TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM.
>> EDUARDO CANTU, PRECINCT 2. >> PRESENT, ELLIE TORRES, PRESENT.
>>> DO HE WITH HAVE ANYONE SIGN UP FOR OPEN FORUM. >> NOT FOR DRAINAGE, JUDGE.
>> OKAY. >> NEXT ITEM, THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> WE HAVE A CHECK REGISTER FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY MY STAFF
AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL, SIR. >> MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SECOND IT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA.
>> 5A, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO [INAUDIBLE]. WE WERE WORKING ON DEVELOPING THE PRIORITIES TO COMMUNICATE TO THE BOARD AND THEN EVENTUALLY FOR LOCAL DELEGATION ON SOME OF
THE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THEO MS. SALAZAR. >> GOOD MORNING.
FOR THE RECORD, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE PREPARED A [INAUDIBLE] 2021 [INAUDIBLE] WE HAVE BEFORE YOU, KIND OF HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF OUR BIGGER PROJECTS THAT WE WANT [INAUDIBLE] FROM OUR LOCAL DELEGATION. WE DID FORWARD OUR LEGISLATIVE [INAUDIBLE] CHIEF OF STAFF FOR REVIEW AND INPUT. WE'RE ADDING HERE THE DELTA REGIONAL [INAUDIBLE] PROJECT, ONE OF OUR PROJECTS TO HELP WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] AND ORDER FOR
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THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. I KNOW THE COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER FUENTES, HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH [INAUDIBLE] BACK IN 2018 RAIN EVENTS AND CONTINUE HAVE ASKING FOR [INAUDIBLE] TEXAS CURRENT [INAUDIBLE] APPLICATIONS IN PLACE.AND ALSO ASKING [INAUDIBLE] ANOTHER AGENCY THAT WE'RE ASKING FROM [INAUDIBLE] 2015 [INAUDIBLE] TWO PENDING GRANTS WITH THEM. ALSO SEEKING FUNDING FOR FLOOD CONTROL FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, [INAUDIBLE] GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS.
I ALSO REQUEST THAT THEY ADD LANGUAGE TO CHAPTER 56 AUTHORIZING THE DRAINAGE ISSUE TO [INAUDIBLE] BONDS AND TO ENTER INTO PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT WE LISTED AS IMPORTANCE FOR 2021 SESSION.
WITH THE BOARD'S APPROVAL WE'LL BE FORWARDING THIS TO OUR, LIKE I SAID, OUR LOCAL DELEGATION FOR ASSISTANCE. I KNOW WE MET BRIEFLY WITH THE JUDGE ON IT YESTERDAY ALSO.
MR. DAVID FUENTES, COMMISSIONER, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE INPUT ON THESE.
I KNOW YOU HAD [INAUDIBLE] IN YOUR PRECINCTS, HAD ANY INPUT ON THEM.
>> ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND AREA THAT THE DRAINAGE DISTRICTS SERVES I APPRECIATE THAT YOU GUYS GOT TOGETHER WITH THE STAFF AND PUT THIS ALTOGETHER.
ALL OF THESE ARE CRITICAL TO CREATING FLOOD MITIGATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE LOCATED IN ONE PARTICULAR PRECINCT , WHETHER IT'S MINOR WHETHER IT'S IN PRECINCT 4, IT AFFECTS ALL OF US BECAUSE THEY ARE INTERRELATED CHANNELS THAT SHARE THE SAME COMMON DRAINAGE PATHWAYS SO FOR US AN IMPROVEMENT DOWNSTREAM IS JUST AS BIG OF A DEAL AS AN IMPROVEMENT UPSTREAM EVEN IN THE UPSTREAM DETAINS WATER FOR A SECOND OR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, IT ALLOWS FOR MORE CAPACITY DOWNSTREAM FOR SOME OF OUR OTHER [INAUDIBLE] AND ABILITY TOO US TO GET WATER OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, HOMES AND STREETS SO REGARDLESS OF THE PROJECTS WE PURSUE I THINK THEY'LL HAVE A REGIONAL NATURE TO THEM AND THE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE MAIN DRAIN WOULD AFFECT EVERYBODY NORTH OF THE EXPRESSWAY MORE OR LESS AND THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DELTA RECLAMATION PROJECT ARE EXTREMELY CRITICAL.
ONE, BECAUSE THEY ARE A PROJECT THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE AND FOR US TO SELL REVENUE BONDS BASED OFF OF WATER RIGHTS THAT EXIST OF THE TCEQ PERMIT WE HAVE FOR WATER INSIDE OF OUR DRAINAGE SYMPTOMS ALLOWS US TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE HERE BEFORE SO THIS IS A WAY FOR US TO PROVIDE WATER AS A RESOURCE. AS POPULATION EXPANDS AND GROW THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE OF A NEED AND WE KNOW FROM SOME OF OUR WATER PARTNERS THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE -- THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY TO MEET THE DEMAND.
WE HAVE TO BE FORWARD THINKING AND LOOKING TO 50 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WHEN THE WATER RESOURCES RUN OUT? THIS IS A WAY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE WATER AS A RESOURCE AND LIKE I SAID, THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.
RIGHT NOW THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT OWNS THE RESERVOIR SYSTEM, WHERE THE WATER IS CAPTURED AND WE'RE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT DETENTION FACILITYBY THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO [INAUDIBLE] WITHOUT THE COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION, SO WE NEED TO SOMEHOW CONSOLIDATE THE ASSET OF RETAINING WATER AND THE CLEANING OF THAT WATER AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THAT WATER SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT. THAT'S OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE. LOOKING AT OUR STATE PARTNERS, [INAUDIBLE] EVERYBODY HAS A WAY FOR US TO GET OUR PROJECTS IN THE GROUND AND GET THEM TO BE REALIZED. WE PLEAD TO TAP INTO ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES AS BEST AS WE CAN AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR REGION IN SO MANY WAYS TO TRY TO INCREASE THE FUNDING SO THAT WE DON'T PUT THE BURDEN ON OUR TAXPAYERS AND THAT WE LOOK FOR THE STATE AS A PARTNER IN WHATEVER AGENCY IT MIGHT BE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PUT THE PROJECTS INTO THE GROUND BECAUSE
THEY'RE 80 KELL TO OUR AREA. >> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. AS YOU STATED, A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ARE A REGIONAL APPROACH FOR OUR AREA, NOT JUST ONE IN PARTICULAR.
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IT'S COUNTY-WIDE AND THE PARTNERSHIP WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH TEX DOT HELPS THE HURRICANE EVALUATION ROUTE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOKED AT AS A REGIONAL APPROACH FOR THE ENTIRE AREA NOT JUST THE SPECIFIC PRECINCT , BUT REGIONAL APPROACH AS THEY SAY AS OUR STATE PARTNERS LOVE TO LOOK AT IT, REGIONAL APPROACH, SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CONSIDERED. .>> ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? >> I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF, THE STAFF FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS FOR BEING REALLY VERY ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. AS YOU KNOW WE'RE A DELTA, EVEN THOUGH WE CALL US A VALLEY AND THE WATER CONTENT FROM NORTHERN MEXICO AND THE RIO GRANDE AND MEXICO IS IN NEED OF WATER THEMSELVES AND THEY HAVE CONTROL OVER, YOU KNOW, PUTTING DAMS AND THINGS OF THIS NATURE SO IT'S VERY TRUE AND WE HAVE TO GO FORWARD THINKING AND THIS GOES A LONG WAY TO SOLVING THIS.
COMMISSIONER FUENTES? >> I COULDN'T HAVE SAID ANY BETTER THAN WHAT DAVID DID AND I WANT TO THANK THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT AND ALL THE STAFF THAT WORKED ON THIS TO GET IT OUT AND AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR, DAVID, FOR BEING OUR DRAINAGE GURU. I STILL LEARN EVERY DAY FROM YOU.
THANKS FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. >> MAY WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT ALL LEGISLATURE TOUCH
AGENDA ITEMS. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA. [VOTE] >> AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH
[INAUDIBLE]. >> ITEM 5B, (REED]. >> APPROVAL?
>> SECOND. >> . >> ORDER OF ENGAGEMENT, IT'S THE SAME SETUP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE COUNTY AND [INAUDIBLE] THAT SAME FEE SCHEDULE.
>> YOU NEED A POSITIVE VOTE FROM EACH MEMBER. IS THAT WHAT YOU REQUESTED?
>> JUDGE, THIS IS EDUARDO CANTU. MY UNCLE WORKS FOR [INAUDIBLE] SO I'LL CONTINUE TO ABSTAIN AN
ALL THOSE ITEMS. >> LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT COMMISSIONER CANTU ABSTAINS FROM VOTING ON THIS. DOES THAT REQUIRE ANY FURTHER ACTION?
>> JUDGE, AS A NOTE, AS A SIDE NOTE TO THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'RE ABOUT TO REACH THE SECOND TRANCHE OF MONIES THAT WE NEED 92 ORDER TO CONTINUE WITH THE BOND PROJECTS SO I'M GLAD WE'RE GETTING THIS DONE AND I ASK THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT STAFF CONTINUE TO INFORM US ABOUT THE PATHWAY FOR US TO DO THIS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND ECONOMIC 'EM WAY AND TRY TO SAVE THE PACKS PAYERS THE MONEY SO WE POLITERLY ASKING THEM TO GET WITH US SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT THE NEXT PATHWAY
WITH THE DRAINAGE BONDS MONIES. THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR.
>> ITEM A. >> MOAS TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA. >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM B, [READING].
>> EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER. SO MOVE. >> SECOND.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
I'LL READ TWO, THREE AND FOUR SINCE THEY ARE ALL PAYMENTS FOR THE RECORD.
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[READING]. >> WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL ON ALL ITEMS.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECONDS TO APPROVE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [VOTE]
>> CARRIES. >> ITEM 1. [READING].
>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. [INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE]
[INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE]. >>> . >>> [READING].
>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. [READING].
>> SO MOVE. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM B WE HAVE SUSPENDED THE WORK. WE THOUGHT WE WERE READY. OUR CONTRACTOR IS READY HOWEVER THE CONTRACTOR FOR [INAUDIBLE] IS STILL NOT AT THE POINT I GUESS THAT WE CAN DO OUR WORK SO WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT SO WE'RE SUSPENDING WORK AGAIN UNTIL WE GET TO A POINT WITH THE ROAD CONTRACTOR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SEAMLESSLY DO OUR CROSSING AND NOT INTERRUPT THEIR WORK ON DECKER ROAD AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM NOW SO I'LL BRING THIS BACK TO THE BOARD ONCE THAT IS RESOLVED AND WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE OUR CONTRACTOR START AGAIN.
I ASK FOR APPROVAL. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE EXECUTIVE [INAUDIBLE]. >> PURSUANT TO [INAUDIBLE] OF TEXT GOVERNMENT CODE WE'LL BE RETIRING TO CLOSED DISCUSSION TO DISCUSS [INAUDIBLE] THE AGENDA.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO DO SO? >>RETIREMENT TO CLOSED SESSION. ].
>> BACK IN SESSION WITH THE REGULAR MEETING. I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF OUR AGENDA ITEMS. I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF OUR AGENDA ITEMS AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY [INAUDIBLE] CLOSED SESSION. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
>> MOTION MADE. >> SECONDED. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
[1. Roll Call]
[ADJOURNMENT]. >>> GOOD MORNING AGAIN, I'M JUDGE CORTEZ.
TODAY'S COMMISSION'S COURT MEETING IS BEING CONDUCTED WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN OPEN MEETING LAW REQUIREMENTS TO THE EXTENT NEED TO ALLOW FOR TELEPHONE AND VIDEO CONFERENCE MEETINGS IN RESPONSE TO COVID MATTERS.
NOTICE OF THIS MEETING IS POSTED ONLINE FOR AT LEAST 72 HOURS. THE COURT IS MEETING BY THE USE OF ZOOM SOFTWARE AND TELEPHONE TRANSMISSION WHICH ALLOWS FOR TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION. THIS MEETING IS BEING BROAD OF THE CAKED LIVE AND ONLINE. A RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS BEING MAUER AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT A LATER DATE. THE TIME NOW IS TEENING 43:00, AND I'VE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE ROLL CALL TO ESTABLISH QUORUM
WITH PRECINCT NUMBER 1 COMMISSIONER. >> GOOD MORNING, DAVID FUENTES,
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PRECINCT 1. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> EVERARDO VILLAREAL, PRECINCT
3. >> ELLIE TORRES, PRECINCT 4. >> RICHARD CORTEZ, COUNTY JUDGE TODAY WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE SPECIALIST ROY PENA WHO SERVED FROM THE U.S. MARINE CORPS, THE SERVICE OF DUTIES FROM 1972 TO 1976. WILL YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CORPORAL.
>> ARE THEY JOINING ON THE PHONE? >> WE'LL START TOGETHER.
THE HONORABLE JUDGE GONZALES THAT WILL LEAD US IN PRAYER. [PRAYER].
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WOULD ALSO ASK EVER TO HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
WE'VE LOST GILBERT SCIENCE JUNIOR. PLEASE JOIN ME.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME AND GIVING ME THE HONOR OF LEADING YOU IN PRAYERER TODAY.
I'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO MY REGULAR GAWK QUESTION SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO LOG OUT AND GO
BACK TO MY COURT. YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD ONE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE.
>> SEE YOU ALL. >> WE'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE WAITING HERE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON FOR IS ITEM 7A, A PROCLAMATION HONORING POLICE OFFICER
[7. Precinct #3 - Comm. Villarreal (Part 1 of 2)]
[INAUDIBLE]. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS, TODAY I'M PROUD AND HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE A LIEUTENANT RAMON, AN ACTIVE POLICE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF MISSION, HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTER AND HIS SON AND I'M ALSO MARIA GARCIA FROM THE SENATOR'S OFFICE IS ALSO HERE WITH US. IT'S AN HONOR, YOU KNOW, TO HAVE A LIEUTENANT HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT HIM WITH A PROCLAMATION HONORING MISSION POLICE LIEUTENANT RAMON TODAY.
WELCOME HOME. WE HAVE A A RAISE ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021 AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM A HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS BEING TREATED FOR COVID AND WHEREAS LIEUTENANT RAMON IS A 27-YEAR VETERAN OF THE MISSION POLICE DEPARTMENT. HE'S A LEADER IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE BUREAU AND CREDITED WITH HELPING TO BUILD THE DEPARTMENT CANINE UNIT AND WHEREAS LA TENANT RAMON WAS FIRST HOSPITALIZED OCTOBER 3, 2020, AND HE SPENT 173 DAYS
[00:25:06]
HOSPITALIZED BEFORE BEING RELEASED TO CONTINUE RECOVERING AT HOME.LIEUTENANT RAMON BATTLED WITH COVID-19, AND IT'S A NAP SHOP OF WHAT SO MANY HIDALGO COUNTY RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE DOWN THROUGH AND WE'RE ASKED DURING HIS SURVIVING DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, HE AND HIS FAMILY NEVER GAVE UP. THEY CONTINUED TO KEEP THEIR STRENGTH AND FAITH AND WHEREAS HIDALGO COUNTY HAS SEEN OVER 2400 OF ITS RESIDENTS PASS AWAY DUE TO COVID-19. THERE'S CURRENTLY OVER 2100 ACTIVE CASES WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS SUCH AS SUPERVISOR, WEARING MASKS IN PUBLIC AND FREQUENT HAND-WASHING AND LIMITING EXPOSURE TO OTHERS. HIDALGO COUNTY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, STAFF AND COMMUNITYO PROVIDE VACCINES, WORKING TOGETHER, AND WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME WORKING TOGETHER AND WHERE PASS AS THE HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT JOINS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.
MISSION POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF MISSION AND COUNTY RESIDENTS, WE WELCOME HOME LIEUTENANT RAMON AND WISH HIM A SPEEDY RECOVERY. NOW THEY'RE WE, THE HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, PROCLAIM THIS DAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2021, AS LIEUTENANT RAMON DAY. THE FAMILY'S AMAZING FAITH HAS REMINDED US, AND I QUOTE, NO MATTER HOW DARK WE WILL ALWAYS BE DRAWN TO EVEN THE SMALLEST OF LIGHT BECAUSE WE ALWAYS FIND HOPE. FEBRUARY 2ND, 2021, LIEUTENANT RAMON DAY, PROCLAIM ON THIS
SECOND DAY OF FEBRUARY 2021. >> MR. RAMON. >> WELCOME BACK.
>> WELCOME BACK, LIEUTENANT. GOOD TO HAVE YOU. >> ON BEHALF OF THE PRECINCT 3 AND THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS WE PRESENTS YOU WITH THIS COMMISSION.
YOU KNOW THAT THEY SAY, BEHIND A GOOD MAN THERE'S ALWAYS A GREAT WOMAN.
HE WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT A MOTHER, A WIFE AND HER STRENGTH YOU DID FOR YOUR FAMILY, BY KEEPING FAITH AND HIM AND HIS PRAYERS, AND WE HAVE [INAUDIBLE] OF OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW YOU HELPED EVERYBODY GET TOGETHER AND SUPPORTED YOUR
HUSBAND. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> WHAT CAN I FELL YOU. I'M A FATHER AND I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS MYSELF.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOUR FATHER OR YOUR MOTHER [INAUDIBLE] THE MOST PROUD OF AND LOVE YOU GUYS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND BEING THERE FOR YOUR MOM OR YOUR DAD, OUT FOR 173 DAYS, AND
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, MARIA.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> FIRST AND FOREMOST, OBVIOUSLY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, ALSO TO THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN CARE UNDER OUR FANTASTIC HEALTH CARE WORKERS WE HAVE ACROSS THE REGION AND ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. MR. [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU FOR ASKING US TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR YOUR PRECINCT AND FOR THE HIDALGO COUNTY, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO A STELLAR JOB AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE, AND ON BEHALF OF THE RAMON FAMILY, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE, YOU KNOW, IN FRONT OF YOU.
I REMEMBER 173 DAYS AGO HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR WIFE AND HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH
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OTHERS WHO OBVIOUSLY WERE DESPERATELY SEEKING TO GET YOU THE METHOD MEDICAL ATTENTION YOU NEEDED AND THE SENATOR HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT WE WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND WHEN THEY REACHED OUT, WE CALLED AND WE'RE THANKFUL THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO GET TRANSFERRED TO SAN ANTONIO AND THAT YOU'RE HERE WITH US TODAY. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU BUT HAD A DRIVE CONVERSATION WITH YOUR FAMILY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THANK YOU TO YOUR WIFE WHO HAS STOOD BY YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST MOVING FORWARD AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY GOD BLESS THE HIDALGO COUNTY. JUDGE, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND THE SENATOR, THANK YOU. WE WORK FOR YOU. IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITIES, WE'RE A PHONE CALL AWAY.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> THE LIEUTENANT MIGHT WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS, JUDGE.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY INVOLVED FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, AND ESPECIALLY DR. KENDEZSNCHTS. HE HELPED OUT GREATLY, THE SENATOR'S OFFICE, AND ALSO THE CONGRESSMAN [INAUDIBLE], EVERYBODY INVOLVED WITH THE HELP THAT I GOT AND I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING WE HAD A SHORT PRAYER AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IF IT WASN'T FOR PRAYER AND THE COMMUNITY I PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE HERE.
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE'S STILL A LOT IN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WILL TAKE NOTE OF THAT AND IF ANYTHING, AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GET THAT WORD SPREAD SO
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE
AND COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT, AND
WELCOME BACK. >> JUDGE, I'LL MAKE A POSITION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION, ALL IN FAVOR SAY
[8. Precinct #4 - Comm. Torres]
AYE. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> NEXT, ITEM 8 A, A RESOLUTION TO HONOR [INAUDIBLE]. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.
WE HAVE MS. [INAUDIBLE] WITH US HERE TODAY ON AVY, VERY SPECIAL DAY.
YOU WANT TO COME OVER HERE. TODAY IS A SPECIAL TODAY NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE'RE HONORING HER WITH A PROCLAMATION BUT TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR TO BRING THIS RESOLUTION AND WE WANTED IT WILL ON HER BIRTH DAY AND THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A PERFECT DAY, FOLLOWING ON HER BIRTHDAY. WE WERE WANTING TO DO A BIRTHDAY MONTH BUT TODAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT SHE JUST WENT THROUGH HEALTH ISSUES AND SHE WAS ADAMANT ABOUT BEING HERE TODAY SO THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL.
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE HER FAMILY WITH US HERE TODAY WHO IS VERY PROUD OF HER AND ALL THAT SHE DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION AS WE HONOR HER.
>> GOOD MORNING, ITEM 7 9. [READING] THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS THIS, HONORING
[00:36:26]
HER TO THE HIDALGO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOR DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE.>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.
>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> I BELIEVE SHE'S ALSO KNOWN AS [INAUDIBLE] SAN CARLOS. AND [INAUDIBLE] SHE HAS A SERVANT'S HEART AND WE APPRECIATE HER VERY, VERY OF. I KNOW SHE HAS A LOT OF WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY. MS. [INAUDIBLE] WHO RUNS THE COMMITTEE RESOURCE CENTER IN SAN CARLOS AN GIVE TESTIMONY OVER AND OVER AGAIN AS TO HOW MUCH OF AN ADVOCATE SHE IS AND HOW MUCH OF A RESOURCE AND ASSET SHE IS TO HER COMMUNITY AND AGAIN WE WANT TO THANK HER AND HONOR HER ON THIS DAY NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S HER BIRTHDAY BUT SHE TRULY IS A MODEL OF A PUBLIC SERVANT.
WE'RE SO GLAD ALL HER FAMILY IS HERE TO JOIN US AND WE AGAIN WANTS TO THANK HER AND THANK YOU TO HER MOM FOR ALLOWING HER TO GIVE. SHE GIVES AND GIVES AND GIVES
AND THIS IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO. >> WE HAVE [INAUDIBLE] PRECINCT 4.
>> SHE HAD TO PROTECT US ALL. [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WELL, I KNOW WE HAVE KEPT THE
[5. Open Forum (Part 1 of 2)]
PEOPLE IN OPEN FORUM WAITING SO CAN WE GO INTO OPEN FORUM. >> YES, JUDGE.
>> FIRST WE HAVE J. P. RODRIGUEZ. >> GOOD MORNING.
THERE'S A THREE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT. I'LL ADVICE WHEN THERE'S ONE RE'S ONE MINUTE AND I'LL START WHEN YOU START.
>> GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE CORTEZ AND HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS.
I HAM THE STRIKEOUT TEXAS FIELD REP FOR TNP, TEXAS MUNICIPAL POLICE ASSOCIATION.
WE HAVE ABOUT 30,000 MEMBERS STATEWIDE THAT ARE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT YEARS.
WE ALSO REPRESENT VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND ONE OF OUR BIGGEST LAW ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS IN SOUTH TEXAS IS OUR HIDALGO COUNTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION AND BEHIND ME AS YOU CAN SEE WE'VE GOT SOME OF THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP THAT WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU ALL WHICH IS THE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR APPROVING THE COVID-19 COMPENSATION FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE [INAUDIBLE] AND I WAS THERE OVER THE COURSE OF THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AND WHEN SO MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT BODIES ARE LOOKING AT TAKING AWAY FROM THEIR FIRST RESPONDERS, YOU GUYS MET US HALFWAY. YOU MET OUR LOCAL LEADERSHIP HALFWAY AND YOU APPROVED THAT COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS, SO THAT'S THE FIRST PUS OF US BEING HERE TODAY IS TO SHOW OUR PROTESTERTION. WE WANT TO THANK YOU.
I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT MANAGEMENT RIGHTS IS LIKE A BALANCED SCALE WITH EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND I'LL TELL YOU THERE WASSING IN SELF-SERVING IN THOSE MEETINGS.
[00:40:03]
IT WAS ALL FINDING COMMON GROUND IN FINDING A SOLUTION ON THED WHY OF THIS PROPOSED COMPENSATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. WE HAVE A LITTLE TOKEN OF APPRECIATE FOR YOU ALL TODAY. IT'S NOT THE MONA LISA PAINTING BUT IT'S ARTWORK AND THE CHALLENGE IS YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHO IS GOING TO HANG IT IN THEIR OFFICE.WE PRESENT THIS TO YOU, ARTWORK, FLAG, AND IT SAYS TEXAS MUNICIPAL POLICE ASSOCIATION ON IT ABOUT YOU THE REAL STARS OF THIS ARE THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND HIDALGO COUNTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS OVER 400 MEMBERS AND [INAUDIBLE] AND ALSO THE CONSTABLE OFFICES AND THEY ARE SOME OF THE FINEST INDIVIDUALS THAT I EVER HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH.
I DIDN'T MENTION THAT I PROUDLY SERVED AS YOUR PIO FOR THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I THINK IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST JOBS I EVER HAD AND I MISS IT BUT I'M ALSO -- I NOW WORK FOR GPA AND IT'S AN UPONNER TO DO THAT. WE WANT TO THANK YOU.
WE'LL TURN THIS INTO THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AND YOU ALL GET TO FIGHT OVER IT AND YOU CAN SEE WHO GETS TO HANG IT IN THEIR OFFICE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS
OUR CUN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NEXT WE HAVE VERNE
MCCLARITY. >> GOOD MORNING. THERE'S A THREE-MINUTE TIMELINE.
I'LL ADVISE YOU WHEN THERE IS ONE MINUTE AND I'LL START WHEN YOU START.
>> GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS, HERE WE ARE AGAIN ENCOURAGING YOU TO STOP SPENDING DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE IT IS DISASTROUS FOR THE PEOPLE. BASED ON THE AGENDA TODAY IT SEEMS THAT THIS COURT WILL AT LEAST CONSIDERED REDUCING OR ELIMINATING THE PENALTY AND INTERRELATED TO LATE PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT YOUR EFFORT TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN ON ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR POPULATION.
WE ALL KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE POPULATION GIVE IN POVERTY THEY CANNOT PAY MORE, HIGHER TAXES JUST CREATES MORE POVERTY. WE ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT REDUCING THE PENALTY AND INTEREST RATE IS NOT THE ANSWER. THE ANSWER IS THE CONDITION OF THE POVERTY ENGULFING OUR COMMUNITY IS THAT YOU MUST SLOW DOWN OR STOP SOME OF YOUR SPENDING. YOU CANNOT CONTINUE TO SUSPEND THE PERSONNEL POLICY THAT YOU CREATED AND HIRE MORE STAFF AND INCREASE SALARIES. THE PEOPLE CANNOT PAY THE COSTS THAT WILL YOU CONTINUALLY PLACE ON THEIR BACKS, GIVING PEOPLE MORE TIME TO PAY COSTS THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD IS NOT THE ANSWER. YOU KEEP RAISING THE PROPERTY VALUES, THE PROPERTY TAXES.
THIS IS WHAT IS HURTING THE PEOPLE. I AM GOING TO SAY THIS SLOWLY SO THAT YOU WILL UNDERSTAND. YOU CANNOT TAX PEOPLE OUT OF PROPERTY.
THE COURTHOUSE THAT NO ONE WANTED EXCEPT FOR LAWYERS AND JUDGES WILL END UP COSTING $450 MILLION. JUST LOOK AT THE BOND THAT HAVE BEEN SOLD AND LOOK AT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING. WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS ALONG THE UNIVERSITY OVER HERE, DRAIN, 107 STARTS, IT WILL WILL DEAF VA STATE THEM. ALLOWING COMPANIES TO GO FOR 30 YEARS WITHOUT PAYING TEXTS MEANS THAT THE PEOPLE MUST CARRY A GREATER PUBLIC DEBT.
YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE TIRED OF MAKING OTHER PEOPLE RICH AND PUTTING A BURDEN ON OUR POOR. TODAY ON THE AGENDA YOU DO EXPLAIN SA, AND 19B AND 19G2.
THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS DIFFERENT ON THE IT DEPARTMENT AND YESTERDAY I TRIED CALLING THE ELECTIONS AND I TRIED TO CALL MARTY AND THE PHONES WERE OUT HERE SO IT IS CERTAINLY GETTING A LOT OF MONEY LATELY BUT OBVIOUSLY THE SERVICE IS NOT WORKING TOO WELL.
19G 1, THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS FOR VACCINE EXPENDITURES. WHY DID THIS NOT COME OUT OF THE COVID MONEY THAT YOU ALL ARE SO EASILY SPENDING ON BUILDINGS AND MASKS THAT NO ONE CAN SEE OR GET. SO WHY IS IT COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND? THIS IS OUR QUESTION THAT I HOPE THAT YOU'LL ANSWER THEM BECAUSE IT WAS PRESENTED IN OPEN FORUM.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE CARMEL CHAVEZ.
>> HELLO. QUICK REMINDER TO THE CALLERS, IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING
[00:45:03]
UNMUTED, PRESS STAR 6 TO UNMUTE. >> DO YOU HEAR THAT? PLEASE PRESS STAR 6 ON YOUR PHONE, MR. CHAVEZ. DO WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER WHILE WE WORK WITH THE CURRENT CALLER
TO UNMUTE? >> YES, SIR. WE HAVE MR. GARY GROVES.
HE'S IN PERSON. >> OKAY. >> GOOD MORNING, MR. GROVES.
THERE'S A THREE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT. I'LL ADVICE WHEN THERE'S ONE
MINUTE AND I'LL START LL START U START. >> GOOD MORNING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT COVID BUT FIRST I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S IMPRESSIVE TO SEE YOU GUYS, THE SUPPORT FROM OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT YOU GUYS ARE SHOWING. ALSO I LOVED WHAT THE OFFICER RAMON SAID ABOUT THE POWER OF PRAYER. THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL TO HEAR.
YOU GUYS ALWAYS OPEN UP YOUR MEETINGS WITH PRAYERS AND THAT'S WONDERFUL.
IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY SO I WANT TO COMMEND YOU GUYS ON THAT AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ALWAYS REMIND YOU I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GOING INTO OUR SCHOOLS BECAUSE PATRIOTISM IS A GREAT QUALITY. IT'S WONDERFUL TO LOVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR COMMUNITY SO I WOULD URGE YOU TO DO THAT. MY QUESTION IN COVID IS I RECENTLY SAW A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND I LEARNED THROUGH HIM THAT YOU GUYS HAVE THE REGENERON DRUGS AND THE LILY DRUGS IN THE HOSPITAL HERE. IT'S A ONE-HOUR TRIP AND BASICALLY YOU CAN GET IT EARLIER ENOUGH, YOU ARE BETTER THE NEXT DAY FROM COVID. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY LIVES THAT'S GOING TO SAVE BUT IT MUST BE INCREDIBLY. BUT I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ON THE HIDALGO COUNTY WEBSITE ABOUT THAT AND SEEING SOMEBODY -- I HAVE DIABETES AND VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO COVID AND I TRY AND TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I CAN GET THAT DRUG IF I DID GET COVID. DO YOU GO HE TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET IT? I'VE HEARD THAT'S WHAT YOU DO. YOU GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
BUT IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN GET? CAN YOU GET THAT -- THOSE DRIPS OF THOSE TWO DRUGS, REGENERON'S DRUGS AND LILY'S DRUGS WHICH ARE ACTUALLY THE ANTIBODIES.
IT'S A GOOD THING TO GET. IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF LIVES. CAN YOU PLEASE PUT THAT ON THE WEBSITE AND TELL US HOW TO HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE DRUGS ? I AM SURE IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES BUT THAT INFORMATION NEEDS TO GET OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE [INAUDIBLE]. >> OKAY. >> [SPANISH].
>>. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THE TRANSLATION, THE [INAUDIBLE] FROM THE [INAUDIBLE] PRECINCT 3 AREA AND IS EXCITED TO WORK WITH THE COMMISSIONER FROM PRECINCT
3. >> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER PRESENTERS?
>> NO, SIR. THE ONLY OTHER PERSON IS THE PERSON THAT COULDN'T UNMUTE
HERSELF, CHAVEZ. >> I'LL ASK YOU TO PLEASE SEE IF YOU CAN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH MS. CHAVEZ, THAT MAYBE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE SOMEWHERE FURTHER DOWN THE AGENDA.
[00:50:02]
>> YES, SIR. I'LL GIVE HER A CALL. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE CORTEZ, FOR THE TIME BEING WE ARE DONE WITH OPEN FORUM.
[4. Approval of Consent Agenda]
I WILL ASK. >> WE'LL GO BACK TO THE. >> CONSENT AGENDA, YES, SIR.
>> OKAY. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, WITH YOUR PERMISSION [INAUDIBLE].
I'M SORRY. >> ANY ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> YES, SIR. WITH YOUR PERMISSION I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER ITEMS
8 D, 9 B, 1 AND 2, AND 10I. >> MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE
CONSENT AGENDA? >> MOTION MADE. >> SECOND.
>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 8 D, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON THE RECORD THAT THE
[8D. 79180 Constable Pct. 2 (1100): Requesting approval for annual 2021 JPCA Membership Dues for all Constable Employees in the amount of $725.00 ( req #427335) with authority for County Treasurer to issue payment after review and auditing procedures are completed by County Auditor.]
ACTION IS SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE AFFIDAVITS BEING ATTACHED AND SENT TO THE PROPER DEPARTMENTS.[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE
[9B. 79326]
RECORD, COMMISSIONER FUENTES WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM ANY DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION RELATEDTO CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 9B, 1 AND 2. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> . >> LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT
COMMISSIONER FUENTES ABSTAINED FROM DISCUSSING THIS MATTER. >> THE LAST AGENDA ITEM, CONSENT
[10I. 79354 County Wide: Requesting approval of Application # 1 in the amount of $ 527,384.00 through PO # 824181 for with ProSound, Inc, dba MOOD for "Automatic Door Project" / "Automatic Door Opener Installations", located in various Hidalgo County buildings. ]
AGENDA ITEM 10I, AND I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY AND CORRECT FOR THE RECORD THE.THE CAPTION SHOULD HAVE REFERENCE APPLICATION NUMBER TWO.
THE CORRECT IS APPLICATION NUMBER TWO. >> MOTION TO APPROVE WITH
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS 6A, I ASKED
[6. County Judge's Office]
THIS TO PLEA PLACED IN THE AGENDA TODAY. MYSELF AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING CALLS FROM TAXPAYERS TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY TO WAIVE OR DELAY THE PAYMENT OF THEIR TAXES SO WE ASKED OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT THE AND OUR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR TO SEE WHAT WAS AVAILABLE TO THIS COURT FOR US TO TRY TO GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE TO ANY TAXPAYERS.SO WITH THAT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR LEGAL AUTHORITY HERE, JOSEPH RAMIREZ, FOR AN OPINION.
>> JUDGE, AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY THAT UNILATERALLY ALLOWS THE COUNTY OR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AS THE GOVERNING BODY TO WAIVE PENALTIES AND INTERESTS ON DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES AND IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT IT, IN THE CODE TODAY, CAPTURE 33 AND THERE'S A PROVISION IN THAT CODE THAT ALLOWS FOR WAIVER OF DELINQUENT PENALTIES BUT ONLY IN VERY LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. SO SOME OF THOSE EXAMPLES WOULD BE WHERE THERE'S AN ERROR, WHERE THE TAXPAYER ATTEMPTED TO PAY TIMELY BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN OR FOR PROPERTIES PURCHASED MY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
THOSE ARE SOME. VERY LIMITED EXAMPLES OF WHEN THE COUNTY AND THE GOVERNING BODY CAN WAIVE DELINQUENT -- THE FEES AND PENALTIES THAT WOULD BE ASSESSED ON DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES. THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE ISSUE, GIVEN THE PANDEMIC OTHER COUNTIES HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS VERY THING. WE'RE NOT THE ONLY COUNTY.
THERE'S SOME ALTERNATIVES TO QUALIFYING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT I THINK MR. [INAUDIBLE] PREPARED TO GO OVER AND THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING INTO AN INSTALLMENT AGREEMENT AND THERE'S AUTHORITY FOR THAT UNDER THE LAW THAT THE ASSESSOR CAN ENTER INTO THAT
[00:55:04]
TYPE OF AGREEMENT BUT THAT'S IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. .I'LL LET MR. [INAUDIBLE] ADDRESS THAT. >> .
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO TRY TO INFORM OUR TAXPAYERS IN HIDALGO COUNTY. OUT OF 254 COUNTIES WE ALL ABIDE BY THE SAME RULES AND THE ONLY THING THAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS IF IT'S YOUR HOMESTEAD, YOUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE, AND YOU HAVE THE EXCEPTION, SINCE WE'RE IN FEBRUARY WE CAN GO AHEAD FOR YOUR 2020, MOST OF THE PEOPLE NORMALLY PAY THE 202000, AND SOMETIMES THEY HAVE PRIORS, BUT IF IT'S NO 2020, YOU CAN PAY IT IN FULL, IF IT'S YOUR ZERO HOMESTEAD EXCEPTION WE CAN CREATE A CONTRACT FOR YOU AND THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO ONLY INCREASE 1 PERCENT OF PENALTY PER MONTH, MARCH, APRIL, MAY AND JUNE, 1 PERCENT THAT IT INCREASES, IF YOU HAVE THE HOMESTEAD EXCEPTION.
JULY 1, NORMALLY THE [INAUDIBLE] ATTORNEYS FEES ATTACHES TO THE YEAR BUT SINCE YOU'RE UNDER CONTRACT ON YOUR HOMESTEAD IT'S ONLY GOING TO INCREASE 1 PERCENT SO THAT'S RECOMMENDED IF YOU AT THIS POINT HAVE DIFFICULT TIMES PAYING YOUR 2020, JUST COME BY OUR OFFICE AND WE CAN WORK WITH YOU TO CREATE THAT CONTRACT FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD RESIDENCE. IF IT'S NOT YOUR HOMESTEAD RESIDENCE AND MAYBE A CONDOMINIUM OR APARTMENTS THAN WE'LL TAKE YOUR PAYMENT MARCH, APRIL, MAY AND JUNE AND THOSE WE CAN GET YOUR TAX THINGS BUT THE ONES THAT WILL HELP YOU THE MOST IS THE HOMESTEAD EXCEPTION. ALSO IF YOU WANT TO THE GO AHEAD AND PAY QUARTERLY PAYMENTS, IF YOU'RE OVER 65 AND DISABLED, WE CAN WORK WITH YOU ON THAT SO YOU CAN PAY THE MARCH 31, THE MAY 31, AND THE JULY 31, YOU'LL BE PAYING THOSE THREE MONTHS WITHOUT PENALTIES AND INTEREST, AND YOU CAN COME BY OUR OFFICE AND WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT. YOU MUST BE 65 AND DISABLED AND YOU SHOULD HAVE THE EXTENSION THROUGH THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TRY TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, OUR TAXPAYERS IN HIDALGO COUNTY, AS OF DECEMBER 30TH OF 2020, WE HAD OVER 150,000 PAYMENTS ALREADY MADE TO THE COUNTY. THAT'S OVER $92 MILLION.
PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT AND MAKING PAYMENTS AND I WANT TO THE CONGRATULATE THEM, VERY RESPONSIBLE, AND SOMETIMES THEY'LL GO AHEAD, THE TAXPAYERS WILL PROBABLY NOT BUY OTHER THINGS BUT THEY DO COME OVER AND PAY THEIR TAXES SO WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST THEM IF
THEY COME OVER TO OUR OFFICES IN HIDALGO COUNTY. >> SOMEONE WAS ASKING IF THEY HAD TO PHYSICALLY GO TO ONE OF OUR OFFICES TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK OR WAS THIS SOMETHING
THAT COULD BE DONE IN THEIR HOMES? >> GREAT QUESTION.
NO, DEFINITELY, IF THEY SEND US THEIR EMAIL THEN WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE SURE THAT WE EMAIL THE PAPERWORK TO THEM OR MAIL IT IF THEY NEED TO. THEY CAN FILL IT OUT AND SEND IT BACK TO US AND WE CAN GO AHEAD AND WORK LIKE THAT SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME TO OUR OFFICE.
OF COURSE WE ENCOURAGE PAYING BY E-CHECK, BY INTERNET, AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY YOU CAN PAY THROUGH THE INTERNET.
THE WEBSITE IS WWW.HIDALGOCOUNTYTAX.ORG. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO USE THAT. WE HAVE LIMITED PEOPLE COMING INTO THE OFFICE DEPENDING ON THE LOBBY. WE CHECK THE CHAIR AND MASK AND THE DISTANCE AND SO SOME OF OUR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO BE HERE. THEY WANT TO GET THAT RECEIPT IN THEIR HANDS WHEN THEY TAKE OFF BUT IF YOU CAN DO IT THROUGH INTERNET THEN WE ENCOURAGE THAT
HIGHLY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> I GUESS I DO. YOU DID SEND US SOMETHING ON THE
AG'S OPINION ON THIS, CORRECT? >> . >> I THINK THERE WAS AN AG'S OPINION, OR THIS PAST YEAR, BECAUSE OF SOME NEW LAW THAT WAS PASSED AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY THAT ALLOWED FOR THESE TYPES OF PENALTIES TO BY PAUSED BECAUSE OF -- TO BE PAUSED BECAUSE OF DAMAGES TO A PROPERTY BECAUSE OF A DISASTER AND THAT AG RULE WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS TYPE OF DISASTER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A PROPERTY-RELATED DISASTER. THERE IS THAT BECAUSE OTHER
[01:00:04]
COUNTIES WERE LOOKING AT TRYING TO APPLY THAT PARTICULAR PROVISION TO THIS RELATEDEMERGENCY EVENT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME, JUDGE? >> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> I'M SORRY.
I'VE HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES HERE. I HAD A QUICK QUESTION FOR PAUL.
WHEN PEOPLE MAKE PAYMENT ONLINE WITH A CREDIT CARD ARE WE STILL WAIVING THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH
THAT? >> YES, I BELIEVE SO. THE COUNTY IS -- IT'S 2.5 PERCENT AND THEY GO AHEAD AND USE THE INTERNET, AND THE COUNTY IS WAIVING THAT
PERCENTAGE. >> BECAUSE THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION AS FAR AS MAKING A PAYMENT,
RIGHT? >> DEFINITELY, YES. IF THEY WANT TO GO AHEAD AND USE THEIR CREDIT CARD, DEBIT CARD, THE COUNTY IS WAIVING THE PENALTY AND INTEREST AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I KNOW THAT THIS TIME, THE TAXPAYERS ARE -- SOMETIMES THEY ALWAYS ASK, WHY AM I HAD PAYING THE 2.5. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY.
AT LEAST THIS MOMENT, WAIVING THAT PENALTY OR PERCENTAGE SO THEY CAN GO AHEAD AND FEEL FRY
TO MAKE THE PAYMENT THROUGH CREDIT CARDS. >> MR. EVERARDO VILLAREAL?
>> YES, SIR. >> IN THE FUTURE, IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS HOW WE CAN HELP THE TAXPAYERS. IN PRECINCT 3, I KNOW, ALL OVER THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, SOME OF OUR PEOPLE ARE [INAUDIBLE] AFFECTED A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT CAN'T WORK, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD AND I DO FEEL FOR A LOT OF THESE FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.
IF YOU SEE OR IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME TO THE COURT OR TO US INDIVIDUALLY TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR SOME OF OUR TAXPAYERS.
>> DEFINITELY. IF YOU EVER INVITE ME TO YOUR OFFICE AND GO OUT THERE AND MAYBE WE CAN ASSUME -- WHERE WE CAN TALK TO THE COMMUNITY. NORMALLY RIGHT NOWED WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS ARE DELINQUENT TAX ATTORNEYS [INAUDIBLE] THE FIRM, MY OFFICE, THE COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR OFFICE AND THE CHIEF APPRAISER [INAUDIBLE] WE GET TOGETHER QUARTERLY AND WE DIDN'T DO IT THIS YEAR BUT WE GET TOGETHER QUARTERLY AND WE GO TO EVERY PRECINCT AND WE INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO COME BY AND LISTEN TO US OR IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON APPRAISALS, THE CHIEF APPRAISERS OFFICE IS THERE AND IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ON DELINQUENCY, THE ATTORNEYS ARE THERE, AND IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS, AS FAR AS THE TAX OFFICE, THEN WE ANSWER THAT QUESTION. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.
WE CAN PROBABLY MAKE IT A QUARTERLY -- WE CAN ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO LOG IN THROUGH ZOOM AND WE CAN INFORM THEM OF WHAT THEY CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE THE STRESS.
>> AFTER THE MEETING WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN SET UP AN APPOINTMENT IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.
WE CAN MEET TOGETHER AT YOUR OFFICE OR MINE. >> I WAS IN [INAUDIBLE] LAST WEEK AND THERE'S A GROUP OF FAMILIES THERE THAT WE WENT AHEAD AND ESTABLISHED THE DISTANCE BUT THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT I COULD TELL THEM IN REGARDS TO THE -- THEY WERE VERY EXCITED. SOME OF THEM DID NOT KNOW [INAUDIBLE] ABOUT APPLYING FOR OVER 60 DISABILITY. THEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT APPLYING FOR QUARTERLY PAYMENTS SO IT WAS EXCITED. SOME OF THE PEOPLE FROM YOUR AREA ARE EXCITED THAT SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THEIR EXTENSIONS FOR MAYBE THE YEAR 2018, '19 AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND INFORM OUR
COMMUNITY. >> NEXT TIME, I KNOW THAT YOUR HANDS ARE FULL [INAUDIBLE] BUT GIVE US AN INVITE OR A SHOUT-OUT. I WOULD LOVE TO ALSO BE THERE SO I CAN LEARN A LOT OF THINGS THAT I DON'T KNOW SO WHEN WE GET ASKED THOSE SAME QUESTIONS WE CAN KNOW HOW TO GUIDE THEM OR WHAT TO SAY TO BETTER SERVE MY COMMUNITY.
>> DEFINITELY. IF ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE FOR THE CHIEF APPRAISER AND MYSELF AND THE DELINQUENT TAX ATTORNEYS TO MEET, LET'S GO OVER THE PROPERTY TAX CYCLE FROM JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, LET'S INFORM OURSELVES AND EDUCATE OUR SELFS SO WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
YOU CAN ANSWER THEM TOO. THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I FAILED TO SUMMARIZE IT.
BASICALLY THE LAW PROHIBITS US FROM WAIVING ANY PENALTY OR INTEREST ON THE PAYMENT OF TAXES
[01:05:02]
HERE HOWEVER THERE IS SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO, APPLY FOR AN INSTALLMENT CONTRACT WHEN YOU GO AND FILL IN ALL THE PROPER PAPER WORK AND OWN A HOMESTEAD AND YOU'RE DECLARING AN EXCEPTION, YOU ARE 65 OR OVER AND DISABLED YOU CAN ASK FOR PAYMENTS AND REDUCED PENALTY I BELIEVE TO1 PERCENT PER MONTH, NO MORE THAN 5 PERCENT, PAUL? >> ON THE EXCEPTIONS FOR [INAUDIBLE] DEFINITELY, 1 PERCENT PER MONTH AND IT REALLY HELPS THE TAXPAYER.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO PLACE ALL THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET AND TRY TO INFORM THE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS YEAR -- THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR FOR MANY PEOPLE. BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE OTHER AGENDA ITEM, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMISSIONERS THAT WISH TO SAY OR ADD ANYTHING? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND PAUL FOR THAT EXCELLENT REPORT. >> THANK YOU.
[5. Open Forum (Part 2 of 2)]
>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, WE DO HAVE MS. CHAVEZ WHO HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND IS ON THE LINE.
SHE'S OUR LAST PRESENTER UNDER OPEN FORUM. MS. CHAVEZ?
[SPANISH]. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, AS A QUICK TRANSLATION, SHE IS WITH THE ORGANIZATION [INAUDIBLE] AND SHE'S EXCITED AND GLAD TO BE WORKING AND COMMUNICATING WITH PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER EVERARDO VILLAREAL AND WAS APPRECIATIVE OF THE OUTREACH BY COMMISSIONER EVERARDO VILLAREAL TO THEM AND TO HER SPECIFICALLY. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. I THINK THE NEXT ITEM IS 7B. >> YES, SIR.
[7. Precinct #3 - Comm. Villarreal (Part 2 of 2)]
WITH YOUR PERMISSION, COMMISSIONER EVERARDO VILLAREAL, YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT COMING UP AND DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF OF. [READING].>> MY APPOINTMENT IS MARCUS [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, . >> A MOTION TO ACCEPT THAT? >> SECOND.
[9. District Courts]
>> THANK YOU. >> ITEM 9A, DISTRICT COURTS. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. >> EVERYONE CAN HEAR ME, CORRECT?
I WANT TO MAKE SURE. >> YES, JUDGE. >> GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND PRESENT TO YOU.
I HAD FEEL LIKE IT WAS JUST WHAT LAST WEEK THAT I SAW EVERYONE SO AGAIN IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PROCLAMATION FOR [INAUDIBLE] SHE'S OUR AUNT AND SHE'S DOES A FANTASTIC JOB AND IS A ROLE MODEL TO A LOT OF US WHO HAVE GONE INTO PUBLIC SERVICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT PROCLAMATION AND THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME IT'S HER BIRTHDAY. WE WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE CORTEZ, I COME TO YOU ONCE MORE. AS YOU MAY RECALL LAST YEAR I CAME REQUESTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MYSELF AND THIS TIME ALONG WITH THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND WE DO HAVE CHIEF DEHNER HERE PRESENT PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION FOR US TO APPLY FOR A GRANT OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION SPECIALTY COURTS PROGRAM AND I THINK I'VE TALKED BLUE IN THE FACE ABOUT THE SPECIAL COURTS AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED, HOWEVER IT HAS OF HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GOAL TO HAVE THEM FUNDED THROUGH GRANT FUNDING INSTEAD OF USING TAXPAYER MONEY, BECAUSE WITH COVID, THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON AND ASKING FOR MORE MONEY IS FOR THE WHAT WE INTEND TO DO BUT WE NEED THE HELP FOR THE CHILDREN. THIS SPECIALTY COURT,
[01:10:02]
SPECIFICALLY THE ONE ON AGENDA [INAUDIBLE] IS THE LIFELINE GIRLS MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE SERVICES WITH A SMALL GROUP OF GIRLS, TREATMENT, ONE-ON-ONE, MORE SPECIALIZED AND HOPEFULLY DEFER THEM FROM HEADING INTO ANY PLACEMENT WHERE THAT CAN AVERAGE ANYWHERE BETWEEN $150, TO $200 A DAY FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN NINE MONTHS TO A YEAR AND THAT'S WHAT IS BEING PAID RIGHT NOW, IF I DECIDE TO SEND EACH CHILD OUT TO PLACEMENT, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT A GROUP OF 20 GIRLS. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET 100 PERCENT.I HAVE WORKED HARD IN FAMILIARIZING MYSELF WITH WHAT A LOT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT YOUNG GIRLS DEAL WITH EVERY DAY AND I SEE IT EVERY DAY IN MY COURT.
SO AGAIN I COME TO YOU ASKING FOR THAT RESOLUTION AND GIVING ME THAT AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR THE GRANTS. JUST TO GIVE YOU RECAP I DID APPLY FOR THEM LAST YEAR, DUE TO THE COVID, THEY DID NOT DECIDED TO FUND COURTS THAT WEREN'T ESTABLISHED YET WHICH IS OKAY.
I KNOW GOD ALWAYS DOES SOMETHING FOR A PURPOSE. WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT YEAR IS THE OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATION WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS [INAUDIBLE] RECOGNIZED BOTH SPECIALTY COURTS. THE LIFELINE GIRLS SPECIALTY COURT AND THE JUVENILE DRUG COURT AND SO THAT JUST GIVES US MORE AUTHORITY, MORE US STANDING TO GET THE GRANTS FUNDED TO US AND TO OUR COUNTY. SO I'M ASKING FOR THAT ON BOTH ITEMS A179349, AND ON ITEMS A179348. A IS FOR THE JUVENILE DRUG COURT.
. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> ITEM 7A1, 2, 3, AND B1, 2 AND 3. COMMISSIONER?
>> NINE. >> NINE. >> EXCUSE ME.
OKAY. >> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. .
I'M NOT SURE IF I NEED TO READ THE RESOLUTIONS TO THE COURT, AND IS THAT NECESSARY?
>> NO, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU. >> IT'S ON RECORD.
>> THANK YOU, AGAIN, TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR FILE AND SUPPORT.
I APPRECIATE IT, AND THE CHIEF APPRECIATES IT AND WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER AND THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT DOES A GREAT JOB. THEIR PROBATION PERFECT IS OUT THERE WORKING, CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCE, SO I WANT TO GIVE THEM THEIR RECOGNITION.
ON OUR BEHALF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A GREAT DAY AND PLEASE STAY
SAFE, EVERYONE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR LOOKING AT THOSE GIRLS AND GOING AFTER
THE GRANTS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ITEM 10A.
[10. District Attorney's Office]
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, AND JUDGE, AND [INAUDIBLE] PRESENTING FOR THE DA OFFICE.
10A, DA VICTIMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 1281. ASKING FOR APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A [INAUDIBLE] GRANT NUMBER 292-4303, GRANT ADJUSTMENT TO THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> ITEM 10B, DA'S VICTIMS UNIT COURT ADVOCATE PROJECT GRANT, 1281, ASKING FOR APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A VIEW CAP GRANT NUMBER 359-6402, GRANT ADJUSTMENT TO THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 10C, DA'S OFFICE BOARD OF PROSECUTION UNIT GRANT, FUND 1281, WE'RE ASKING FOR APPROVAL OF NUMBER ONE AND TWO, APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022, BOARD OF PROSECUTION UNIT GRANT AND THE APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE COUNTY JUDGE AS A GRANTEES AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL AND TO SIGN
DOCUMENTS. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ITEM 11A.
[11. District Clerk - Laura Hinojosa]
[INAUDIBLE]. >> PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF THE [INAUDIBLE] FROM DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE, 11A1 IS A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE DISTRICT COURT.
RECORDS ARE ARCHIVED PRESERVATION PLAN [INAUDIBLE] 51.305F.
JUDGE, IF YOU COULD OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> I DECLARE THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW. IS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER?
[01:15:02]
. >> DO WE HAVE ANYBODY? >> NO, SIR.
NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE PRESERVATION PLAN IS BEEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COURT IN PRIOR YEARS AND IT'S FOR DIGITIZING OF RECORDS FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC SO THAT THEY
CAN VIEW THEM ONLINE. >> OKAY. BEING THAT THERE'S NO ONE HERE
TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> ITEM 11A.
[READING]. >> WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> FINALLY 11A 3, APPROVAL OF THE 2021 PROCEDURETION OF FUNDS FOR THE DISTRICT ARCHIVE
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> . >> WE HAVE A LOCATION TO APPROVE.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND
[12. Sheriff's Office]
COMMISSIONERS. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT ITEM, SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, DIVISION CHIEF [INAUDIBLE] ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF [INAUDIBLE]. WE HAVE ON ITEM 12A, JUDGE, SEVERAL OF THESE HAVE A ONE AND TWO TO THEM. DO YOU WANT ME TO TAKE THEM ALL AT ONCE?
>> YES. >> ITEM A, [READING]. >> .
>> MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >> MOTION.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM B. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM C, NUMBER ONE. [READING]. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM D. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> LASTLY, ITEM E. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1,
[13. Constable Pct. #1]
ITEM 13A. >> WITH YOUR PERMISSION, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, 13A, NO ACTION TAKEN THIS MORNING. JUDGE, IF I MAY, ITEM 14 FOR PRECINCT 2, IT'S THE
[14. Constable Pct. #2]
[01:20:09]
[INAUDIBLE] FUND 1284. [READING] READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
[15. Human Resources (Part 1 of 2)]
NEXT ITEM. 15A. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, [INAUDIBLE], 15A, I'M ASKING A WAIVER FOR THE FOLLOWING FOR THE PERSONAL ITEMS LISTED. NUMBER THREE, THE BUDGET AMENDMENT POLICY.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE 15A 3. >> I'LL SECOND IT. >>
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 15B, I'LL COME BACK TO LATER IN THE AGENDA. ITEM 15C, TAX OFFICE. [READING] THE ACTION REQUESTED HERE IS TO ADD AN AUTO ALLOWLENCE TO SLOT 0018, A SUPERVISOR 2 IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,500. A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND OF THIS ITEM.
THIS AUTO ALLOW HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY BUDGETED FOR THE SLOT AND WHAT HAPPENS IS DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS IF THE SCHLOSS HAPPENS TO BE VACANT THE AUTO ALLOWANCES ARE REMOVED AND WE DO HAVE TO COME BACK FOR REAUTHORIZATION WHEN THAT SLOT IS FILLED SO AGAIN THIS IS A SLOT THAT PREVIOUSLY HAD THIS AMOUNT. IT IS A SUPERVISOR FOR THE TAX OFFICE THAT MOVES IN BETWEEN OFFICES AND SINCE THEY HAVE NOW FILLED IT, THEY ARE REQUESTING REAUTHORIZATION FOR THIS AUTO AUTO ALLOWANCE.
I'M RECOMMENDING APPROVAL. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU.
[16. Urban County]
>> ITEM 16A, [INAUDIBLE]. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR 16A, I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO -- FOR IF YOU TO CALL -- HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR REVISION TO THE HIDALGO COUNTY URBAN COUNTY PROGRAM CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAM.
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING WAS PUBLISHED JANUARY 13TH, 2021. JUDGE, CAN YOU PLEASE OPEN UP
THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> HEREBY OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO HAVE CITIZEN
PARTICIPATION ON THE NOTICE. ANYONE HERE TO ADDRESS THIS? >> ON THIS ONE, JUDGE, FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, WE'RE MAKING ONLY ONE CHANGE TO THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN AND THAT IS JUST REVISION ON THE LIMITS OF THE TIME ON PUBLIC COMMENTS. WE'RE GOING FROM 30 DAYS TO 15 DAYS AND THAT'S ALL ACCORDING TO HUD'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. EVERYTHING ELSE STAYS THE SAME.
>> OKAY. HAS ANYBODY SIGNED OR OR ANYBODY CALLING IN?
HEARING NO PARTICIPATION I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> NUMBER TWO.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> FOR ITEM 16B1 AND 2.
[01:25:01]
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND..
>> APPROVED AS RANKED? >> APPROVED AS RANKED. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> B 3.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 16C.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> 16B.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
ITEM 16E. [READING]. >> MOTION.
>> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK, JUDGE AND
[17. Health & Human Services Department]
COMMISSIONERS. HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> 17A.
[READING]. >> IF I MAY FOR [INAUDIBLE] BE I BELIEVE HE'S TIED UP AT ONE OF
OUR CLINICS. 17A: [READING]. >> VOTE FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
[18. Precinct #2 - Comm. Cantu]
>> ITEM NO. 18A. >> [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
[19. Budget & Management]
>> ITEM NO. 19A. >> GOOD MORNING. [READING].
>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. 18B. [READING].
>> BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION ON THIS CAN YOU JUST PLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS CHART
[01:30:04]
AND THE ONE IN THE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS MATRIX FOR G 2? WHY THE AMOUNT IS DIFFERENT?>> IT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE ALREADY APPROPRIATED IT, THE DIFFERENCE, $600,000, WE APPROPRIATED EARLIER. IT'S GOING TO BE CHARACTERIZED AS A 2021 EXPENDITURE WHICH WE HAD ENCUMBERED BACK IN 2020 SO WE'RE DESIGNATING THESE FUNDS SO WE CAN APPROPRIATE IN 2021, AND COMPLETE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENCE.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 19C.
[READING]. >> . >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM 19D. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM 19E. [READING]. >> WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
>> LOCATION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. 19F. [READING].
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.
>> ALSO APPROVAL OF [INAUDIBLE]. >> F1 AND TWO, MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOTION CARRIES. . >> ITEM 19G 1.
[READING] THERE WAS A QUESTION AS TO WHY WE'RE USING GENERAL FUNDS INSTEAD OF THE CARES MONEY. THE CARES MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED AND WE SHOULD HAVE ALREADY EXPENDED THAT. THESE ARE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WE'RE NEEDING TO SPEND FOR THE VACCINATION DRIVE AND THEN OTHER MISCELLANEOUS COVID-19-RELATED EXPENSES.
WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FROM SOME OF THESE BY THE STATE OR BY FEMA SO WE'RE TRACKING THESE AS WELL AND WE'LL WITH SUBMIT THOSE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS AT THE TIME
THAT'S APPROPRIATE. WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> WHAT IS THIS MONEY FOR?
>> USED FOR THE CONTRACTED STAFFING FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY AUTHORIZED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO CONTRACT STAFF FOR VACCINATION CLINICS, FOR TESTING, FOR OTHER DATA ENTRY, CLERICAL POSITIONS, SO THIS MONEY WILL BE USED FOR THAT AS WELL AS EXPENSES THAT WE'RE INCURRING IN MOST OF OUR VACCINATION DRIVES IN REGARDS TO THE PRINTING OF THE BRACELETS, RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT NEEDED IN THOSE SITES SO THAT'S THE MAIN
USE OF THESE FUNDS. >> THANK YOU. >> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK
[INAUDIBLE]. >> DOES THIS INCLUDE THE PEOPLE AT THE COURTHOUSE?
>> THIS ONE, IT WILL INCLUDE THE PEOPLE AT THE COURTHOUSE AS WELL THAT ARE DOING THE TEMPERATURE CHECKS AS WELL. THE CONTRACT HAS STAFFING FOR THAT.
>> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THIS MILLION WILL CARRY US? >> I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE STAFFING THROUGH THE END OF JUNE AND IF WE NEED TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS
PAST JUNE THEN WE MIGHT NEED TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM 19G 2. [READING]. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. >> THANK YOU.
[20. Purchasing Department - Notes]
[01:35:05]
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT ITEM, 20A. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND
COMMISSIONERS. >> GOOD MORNING. >> HI.
ITEM 20A. NUMBER ONE. [READING].
>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 22A. [READING].
>> THIS IS FOR OUR CSA OUTREACH? >> YES, SIR. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM B. [READING]. >> SO MOVED. SECOND.
>> ITEM C. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
IT'S 262, NOT 282. THANK YOU. >> ITEM D.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 20B.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 2.
[READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> 20C 1, SHERIFF'S OFFICE. [READING]. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM 20D FOR THE DA. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. [VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES.
[01:40:04]
>> ITEM B. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM C. [READING]
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, AND MS. [INAUDIBLE].
>> YES. >> JUST AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION, REPRESENTATIVE FROM PURCHASING DEPARTMENT IN MY OFFICE WOULD BE THERE TO ASSIST WITH ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR
CLARIFICATIONS ON THE PROCESS. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> ITEM 20E.
[READING]. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> AS A SIDE NOTE I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY OF [INAUDIBLE] POLICE CHIEF AND FIRE CHIEF FOR ALL THEIR HELP AND COORDINATION WITH THE VACCINE EFFORTS IN PRECINCT 1, NOT JUST THE CITY. SO IN GENERAL, WE ARE GRATEFUL
FOR THEIR SUPPORT. >> ABSOLUTELY. I'VE SEEN GREAT WORK, ALL PARTS
OF THE COUNTY. >> NEXT ITEM. >> ITEM 21A 1.
[21. Executive Office]
NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. ITEM 21A 2. [READING].>> AS A MATTER FOR THE CONSTITUENCY OF THE PRECINCT 1 YEAR, THERE WAS A POWER OUTAGE THAT AFFECTED ON PERISHIOUS YEP AT THE PRECINCT 1 AREA AS WELL AS MANY OTHER BUSINESSES IN PRECINCT 1 AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN EXTENDED INTO CAMERON COUNTY AND SO I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THE POWER OUTAGE WAS ADDRESSED, BUT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN COMMISSIONER FUENTES, COMPLETE SERVICES TO YOUR FACILITIES WAS LATE, BETWEEN 9:00 P.M. AND 10:00 P.M.
LAST NIGHT, VIA INTERNET SERVICES AND THE GLITCHES THAT YOU WERE HAVING THROUGHOUT THE DAY. AGAIN, THIS WAS A POWER OUTAGE THAT AFFECTED NOT ONLY THE HIDALGO COUNTY OPERATIONS BUT MANY, MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES IN PRECINCT 1,
EXTENDING EASTWARD, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, INTO CAMERON COUNTY. >> WE WERE VERY PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE WE HAD THE GENERATOR AS A BACKUP SUPPORT AGAIN AND THAT REALLY HELPED OUT ALL OF OUR COMPOUND OVER HERE IN PRECINCT 1 BUT WE DID NOT HAVE INTERNET SERVICE AS WELL WHICH MADE HANDLING INCOMING CALLS AND OUTCOMING MESSAGES AND WORK ORDERS, IT PUT US DOWN FOR A WHILE BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET EVERYTHING BACK. SO WE'RE APPRECIATIVE OF THEIR
SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, ITEM
[22. AI-79376 (Part 1 of 2)]
NUMBER 22, I'M ASKING TO TAKE THAT UP AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE DO HAVE CLOSED SESSION.[23. Closed Session]
>> PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, 551.071, 551.072, AND 551.074, AND 551 PURE .07, WE RETIRED TO CLOSED SESSION. IN OTHER [INAUDIBLE] OPEN SESSION WHEN WE RETURN. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO RETIRE TO CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE.
[VOTE] >> >>> BACK FROM CLOSED SESSION.
[15. Human Resources (Part 2 of 2)]
[25. Open Session (Part 1 of 2)]
ITEM 15B WE'LL GO TO. >> JUDGE. ITEM 15B.
[01:45:17]
>> ITEM 15B 2. [READING]. >> MOTION TO APPROVE AS
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES.
>> THANK YOU. >> YOU WANT TO TAKE THE NEXT ONE?
[25. Open Session (Part 2 of 2)]
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF UNDER OPEN SESSION. A. [READING] NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
25B, NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. 25C, JUDGE I'LL REFER TO ITEM 22.
ITEM 25D. [READING] SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY TO MAKE AN OFFER IN THE AMOUNT
OF $3,667.14. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> 25A.
[READING] I WOULD LIKE SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY TO TAKE AN OFFER IN THE FOUND OF $494.85.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> 25F. [READING] COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, FOR THE RECORD, I'D LIKE -- THIS IS ASSIGNED TO [INAUDIBLE] OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY TO FACILITATE AS WELL AS AUTHORIZING HER TO FILE SUIT IF NECESSARY.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. [VOTE]
>> MOTION CARRIES. >> FOR THE RECORD THERE'S NO ACTION UNDER AGENDA ITEM 24A AND 24B. NO ACTION. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, IF I
[22. AI-79376 (Part 2 of 2)]
MAY I WOULD LIKE TO REFER BACK TO ITEM 22, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF POSSIBLEREACTION REGARDING A. [READING]. >> COUNCILORS.
>> I BELIEVE THAT WAS AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO SUBMIT THEIR REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
>> YES. >> MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SECOND.
[VOTE] >> MOTION CARRIES. >> ITEM 22B.
[READING] THERE'S BEEN SOME ACTION TAKEN. 22C.
[READING] AS WE HAVE BEEN PRACTICING FOR QUITE SOME TIME, HIDALGO COUNTY COUNTIES TO PRACTICE AND SOCIAL DISSENTING AND MASKS AND -- THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS WHILE DOING BUSINESS IN THE HIDALGO COUNTY AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES WITH HIDALGO COUNTY.
NO ACTION ON ITEM 26 , CLOSED SESSION, AND 27, OPEN SESSION. WE DO HAVE ADJOURNMENT.
[27. Open Session]
>>
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.