[1. Call to Order.] [00:00:07] >> GOOD AFTERNOON. SO GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL. TODAY IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 2026. IT IS NOW 1:00 P.M. I CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WELCOME TO OUR COURTROOM. AND THANK YOU TO THOSE JOINING US THROUGH LIVE STREAM. PLEASE BE ADVISED WE HAVE THE PRESENCE OF THE QUORUM. PLEASE STAND AS THE-- THIS COMMISSIONER WILL LEAD US IN PRAYER, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE TO THE FLAGS. >> IT AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. IF YOU WOULD, BOW YOUR HEAD AND LET'S PRAY. INTERNAL SOURCE OF WISDOM AND JUSTICE. WE GATHER HERE TODAY, AS STEWARDS OF THE TRUSTED-- OF THE TRUST PLACED IN US BY PEOPLE WE SERVE. WE ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AS WE DELIBERATE, DECIDE AND ACT ON MATTERS THAT SHAPE THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY. BRING US CLARITY OF MIND, HUMILITY OF HEART AND THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. EVEN WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT. HELP US TO LISTEN TO RESPECT, SPEAK WITH INTEGRITY, AND WORK TOGETHER WITH THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION. MAY OUR DECISIONS TO DATE BE ROOTED IN FAIRNESS, COMPASSION, AND A VISION OF THE COMMON GOOD. BUT US REMEMBER THAT THE AUTHORITY WE HOLD IS NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN, BUT FOR THE SERVICE OF ALL, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US. BLESS THIS MEETING. BLESS OUR COMMUNITY. AND BLESSED THE WORK OF OUR HANDS. MAY OUR ACTIONS TODAY LEAVE A LEGACY OF HOPE, JUSTICE, AND PEACE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. AMEN. WOULD YOU JOIN ME IN HONORING OUR NATION'S FLAG, AND THAT OF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. PLEASE BE SEATED. BEFORE WE GO TO OUR AGENDA ITEMS, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MY OPENING REMARKS. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO TODAY'S MEETING OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. TODAY WE WILL ADDRESS SEVERAL IMPORTANT ITEMS REGARDING OUR NEWLY ESTABLISHED LEGAL DEPARTMENT SUBMISSION. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS DEPARTMENT WAS CREATED, AND WHAT WE INTEND TO ACCOMPLISH. LET ME BE CLEAR, THE IS STABLE-- DECISION TO ESTABLISH THIS DEPARTMENT WAS ABOUT-- IMPROVING THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, NOT ABOUT POLITICS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE TIMELY, PROFESSIONAL AND OBJECTIVE LEGAL GUIDANCE. WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAXPAYERS TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT OPERATES EFFICIENTLY, TRANSPARENTLY, AND WITH ACCOUNTABILITY. DESPITE SOME OF THE RHETORIC SURROUNDING THIS DECISION, NO ATTORNEY LOST THEIR JOB AS A RESULT OF CREATING THE NEW DEPARTMENT. IN FACT, THE DEPARTMENT IS UP AND RUNNING. OUR NEW DEPARTMENT CIVIL DIVISION HAS A CLEAR MISSION. TO SERVE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PROFESSIONALLY. SUPPORT THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND PROVIDE INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE WITHOUT POLITICAL CONSIDERATION. THIS IS ABOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT. IT IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY. AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS [3. Approve minutes of regular meeting held on September 24, 2026. ] ABOUT SERVING THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY. WITH THAT, LETS PROCEED WITH TODAY'S AGENDA. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? [4. Public Comments regarding the Agenda and Announcements.] ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WE NOW PROCEED TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS AFTERNOON, OUR COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTOR WILL INTRODUCE A STUDENT WHO WILL ADDRESS THE COURT IN RECOGNITION OF 4H WEEK. [00:05:03] PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> HELLO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TIME. WE HAVE A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FOR YOU ALL. WE HAVE A LITTLE POT OF GOLD HERE FOR YOU. IT IS ACTUALLY JUST CHOCOLATE. TODAY WITH ME IS DR. WILLIAMS. HOUR 4H AGENT. AND MS. JOHNSON. OUR PERRY COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP END. WE HAVE CELESTE, OUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH AGENT. SO, TODAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL 4H WEEK. THE THEME FOR THIS NATIONAL 4H WEEK IS "BEYOND READY." IT REMINDS US THAT 4H IS BUILDING A READY GENERATION IN A CHANGE, AND IT EQUIPS YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE WHILE MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE TODAY. 4H IS THE LARGEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA, SUPPORTING 6 MILLION YOUTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IN TEXAS, 4H IS DELIVERED BY TEXAS A&M AGGRO LIFE EXTENSION SERVICE AND VIEW EXTENSION, WHICH PROVIDES THOSE EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEARN BY DOING. IN EVERY CITY AND COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES, YOUTH BECOME ENGAGED IN SUCCESSFUL AND INDEPENDENT 14H CONNECTS THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. PREPARING THEM FOR WORK AND LIFE THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL AND INQUIRY BASED LEARNING. WHILE UTILIZING THE EMERGING RESEARCH FOR POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. EXPANDING FROM IT'S STRONG AGRICULTURAL ROUTES, 4H HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM AND GROW INTO PRODUCTIVE ADULTS. AND THE SUPPORTS FUTURE LEADERS IN SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. IN FORT BEND COUNTY, WE ENDED THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR WITH A GROUP ENROLLMENT OF 6553. AND THAT INCLUDES EXPERIENCES FOR YOU THIN GROUP SETTINGS LIKE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. BUT THE MOST IMPACTFUL EXPERIENCES-- COMES IN THE 4H-- FORMAL 4H CLUB MODEL. AND IN FORT BEND COUNTY WE HAVE 23 FORMAL 4H CLUB'S WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF 577, AND THAT INCLUDES 101 REGISTERED ADULTS, VOLUNTEERS. 426 YOUTH THAT ARE BETWEEN THIRD GRADE AND 12TH GRADE. AND 50 WHAT WE CALL CLOVER KIDS. KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE. AMONG OUR 4H-- FORMAL 4H CLUBS, WE HAVE A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY CLUBS LIKE THE WILD WEST CLUB, LEGACY 48 AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS. WE ALSO HAVE PROJECT SPECIFIC CLUBS LIKE ENTOMOLOGY, THE DOG CLUB AND ROBOTICS. AND WE HAVE SCHOOL CLUBS THAT ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE GROUP ENROLMENTS WITH THE CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT, BUT THEY ARE ACTUAL FORMAL CLUBS WITHIN THE SCHOOL SETTING. THAT THE FUNCTION WITHIN SCHOOL. AND THE WIDE-- WHITE SCHOOL IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT. IT FOCUSES ON WONDER, INNOVATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. THE PRINCIPAL TOLD ME THAT 4H IS A NATIONAL-- NATURAL FIT FOR THEM BECAUSE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN 4H'S VALUES AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY. BOTH FOCUS ON DEVELOPING THE PERSON AND HELPING STUDENTS RECOGNIZE HOW THEIR INTEREST AND ABILITIES CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY AND GREATER GOOD. SHE SAID HAVING THEIR OWN 4H CLUB IN SCHOOL ALLOWS THEM TO INTEGRATE THE PROJECTS INTO THE LEARNING ACROSS ALL AGES. SO TEACHERS AND PARENTS CAN BRING THEIR INTEREST AND EXPERTISE IN TO THE SCHOOL BY STARTING AND LEADING PROJECTS, WHICH STRENGTHENS THEIR COMMUNITY AND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND WHAT THE SCHOOL COULD OFFER ON IT'S OWN. AND SHE BELIEVES THE PARTNERSHIP WITH 4H HAS OPENED DOORS AND BUILT MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS THAT WILL HELP GUIDE THE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. I COULD STAND HERE ALL DAY AND TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT 4H IS. BUT I THINK THAT YOU WOULD MUCH RATHER HEAR FROM ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS. SO I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO GEORGIA DAVIS. SHE GOES BY "PEACHES." SHE IS IN THE TENTH GRADE. SHE IS INVOLVED IN ROBOTICS, IS A WATER AMBASSADOR, AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE CAREER READINESS PROJECT IN 4H. AFTER PEACHES SHARES HER STORY WE WOULD LIKE TO GET A QUICK PICTURE WITH YOU ALL. PEACHES? >> HELLO. I NAME IS PEACHES DAVIS. I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE 4H PROGRAM SINCE I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN. PROBABLY AT LEAST TEN YEARS. I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO TO A SCHOOL WITH A UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP WITH 4H. AS WAS MENTIONED, OUR VALUES AND 4H'S VALUES ALIGN QUITE NICELY. SO OUR SCHOOL DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER IT'S OWN CLUB VERY ON-- VERY EARLY ON. MANY STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE CAMPUS TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE 4H ACTIVITIES. EIGHT-- OUR SCHOOL HAS PROVIDED A PRACTICE JOB INTERVIEW COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, AND THOSE OF US WHO CHOSE TO TAKE IT FURTHER COMPETED AT THE FORT BEND COUNTY FAIRS, PART OF THE CAREER READINESS PROJECT. THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT [00:10:02] OUR ACADEMICS AND 4H PROGRAMS. AND LET US SEE. OUR SCHOOL ALSO WON THE OUTSTANDING SCHOOL AWARD FOR HAVING MOST OF OUR STUDENTS ENROLLED DUE TO THIS UNIQUE INTERTWINING OF SCHOOL AND 4H. MANY STUDENTS HAVE ENTERED THEIR ART PIECES IN 4H. WE HAVE HAD STUDENTS ENTER COOKING COMPETITIONS. I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A LOT THROUGH 4H MYSELF. I HAVE ENTERED THOSE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS. I PARTICIPATED IN THE JOB INTERVIEW COMPETITION. I AM A WATER AMBASSADOR, AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO IMPACT MY COMMUNITY SO MUCH THROUGH THAT. BUT ONE OF MY MOST AND POP-- IMPACTFUL EXPERIENCES THROUGH 4H HAS BEEN MY ROBOTICS JOURNEY. I STARTED ROBOTICS THROUGH MY SCHOOL'S TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVE AND I ALWAYS ENJOYED IT. I JOINED THE ROBOTICS CLUB EARLY ON, AND DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE OLDEST MEMBERS, I REMAINED WITH IT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. MANY OF THOSE YEARS I SPENT WORKING ALONE FIGURING OUT HOW TO DO EVERYTHING I COULD DO THAT THE INSTRUCTORS DID NOT TEACH ME, THROUGH TRIAL AN ERROR. THIS YEAR, I FINALLY HAD 18. WE WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AT A COMPETITION, AND WE DID BETTER THAN I EVER EXPECTED. I REMEMBER VERY CLEARLY ONE THOUGHT I HAD EARLY ON. WE HAD BEEN SITTING AT OUR TABLE WAITING TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN ANOTHER TEAM CAME IN. THEY WERE FROM A TECHNICAL SCHOOL. AND THE ROBOT WAS IN ENORMOUS METAL CONTRAPTION, UNLIKE ANYTHING WE HAD EVER SEEN. AT THAT MOMENT I WAS CERTAIN WE WERE NOT GOING TO WIN. IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME COMPETING. WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING. I HAD THOUGHT THAT BEFORE, AND I DID MY BEST TO PREPARE MYSELF AND MY TEAM FOR THE POSSIBILITY WE WOULD NOT DO AS WELL AS WE HOPED. BUT SEEING THAT OTHER TEAMS BOUGHT DROVE THAT IDEA HOME. DESPITE THAT FEELING, WE TRIED OUR BEST DURING THE COMPETITION. AS WE WORKED THAT CERTAINTY, THAT SENSE WE WOULD FAIL, IT STARTED TO BE REPLACED BY HOPE. OUR PRACTICE ROUND-- PRACTICE ROUND HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES, BUT WE FIX THEM. EVERY MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WAS WORKING HARD AND PLAYED A ROLE. WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR THE ACTUAL ROUNDS, WE WERE READY IN THE FIRST ROUND. WE RECEIVED THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF POINTS AS THE OTHER SCHOOL. THE SECOND ROUND IS WHERE THINGS CHANGED. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE ROUND, WE REALIZE THAT THE OTHER TEAM HAD GOTTEN FEWER POINTS THAN THEY HAD IN THE FIRST ROUND. OUR PLAN HAD TO-- BEEN TO BE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WE DID IN ROUND ONE AND GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF POINTS. AT THAT MOMENT I STOPPED THINKING WE WERE GOING TO LOSE, AND I KNEW WE WOULD WIN. WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR AWARDS, WE DID. WE GOT FIRST PLACE IN THE SENIOR DIVISION. THIS FELT LIKE A CULMINATION OF ALL MY TIME AT 4H. I HAD A TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT I HAD BEEN DOING FOR YEARS. AND WE DID WELL. I KNOW NOW THAT WE ARE SO MUCH MORE CAPABLE THAN I THOUGHT. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW OPPORTUNITIES IN 4H ALLOWED ME TO GROW AS A PERSON. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN MORE CONFIDENCE AND SKILLS THAT I WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO LEARN ELSEWHERE. 4H LETS ME EXPLORE PATHS I WOULDN'T HAVE CONSIDERED AND FOUND NEW PASSIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE WATER AMBASSADOR. I WOULDN'T HAVE CONSIDERED WATER PRESERVATION IF I HAD NOT SEEN NOT LISTED IN CLUBS. 4H HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ME. IT TAUGHT ME SKILLS AND LET ME TEST MYSELF AND COMPETITIONS. IT HAS SHOWN ME I AM CAPABLE AND SHOW ME HOW TO IMPROVE. AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT IT WILL TEACH ME NEXT. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MAKES THESE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS LIKE ME, AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THAT IS FANTASTIC. [APPLAUSE] THAT IS ALL, A ME? >> QUICK PICTURE? >> ABSOLUTELY. MEMBERS OF THE COURT, WOULD YOU COME FORWARD? [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. [00:15:16] THIS TOPIC WILL CARRY ME THROUGH THIS MEETING. ALL RIGHT. THIS AFTERNOON WE WILL PRESENT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS. FORT BEND COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS, AND OF THOSE HERE TO RECEIVE IT. I'D LIKE TO ASK BOBBY TO COME FORWARD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION. >> WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL, 9/11 DISPATCHERS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAMS, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, STANDING READY 24 HOURS PER DAY, SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK, REGARDLESS OF THE DANGER OR PERSONAL SACRIFICE REQUIRED. AND WERE AS THE FIRST RESPONDERS OF FORT BEND COUNTY CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE SKILL AND DEDICATION WHEN ANSWERING THE CALL OF DUTY DURING ACCIDENTS, MEDICAL DISASTERS AND CRISES AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE SWIFT ACTION, PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE, COMPASSION AND NETCARE TO SAVE LIVES AND PREVENT HARM AND KEEP THE NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE. AND WHEREAS IN 2019, THE UNITED STATES SENATE PAST-- PASSED A RESOLUTION DEDICATING OCTOBER 28TH-- OCTOBER 8TH AS NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY TO HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS FORT BEND COUNTY HAS ESTABLISHED A FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS ADVISORY COUNCIL, WITH COUNTYWIDE REPRESENTATION FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, TO SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE WHO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO PROTECTING AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY, AND WHEREAS IT IS FITTING AND PROPER TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS, WHO WORK EACH DAY TO KEEP FORT BEND COUNTY SECURE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 8TH AS "NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY." >> WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL. PLEASE, MEMBERS OF COURT, PLEASE COME FORWARD. [APPLAUSE] >> I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MEMBERS OF OUR FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS COMMITTEE. AND I ASK FOR EACH ONE OF THEM TO INTRODUCE, SAY WHAT THEIR NAME IS AND WHAT ORGANIZATION THEY REPRESENT IS. >> TIFFANY. FORT BAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> KERLEY ROBERTS, LIEUTENANT, FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> DENISE DAVIS. CAPTAIN OF THE CONGO FIRE DEPARTMENT. >> ROBERT. NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT. >> GARY BONE WALLED. ROOSEVELT FIRE DEPARTMENT. >> CLIFF CUMMINGS. CHAPLAIN, AND ON THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. THANK YOU. >> CALAH. PROGRAM MANAGER FOR FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. >> FORT BEND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> MIKE NIXON, OPERATIONS CHIEF, FORT BEND COUNTY. EMS. >> I'M DR. ALMEIDA. THE DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. AND WE ARE HONORED TO FACILITATE THIS GROUP. AND THEY WERE ESTABLISHED IN JANUARY 2025, AND IT IS AMAZING THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING COLLABORATIVELY. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. I APPRECIATE THAT. NEXT, MEMBERS OF COURT, DO WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, OR COMMENT? >> I WANT TO FIRST START BY THANKING EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT LAST NIGHT TO THE HARLEM ROAD PROJECT PUBLIC MEETING. [00:20:03] WE HAD A GREAT SHOWING AND GOT A LOT OF REALLY GOOD FEEDBACK FOR OUR ENGINEERING TEAM TO USE. FOR EVERYONE'S AWARENESS, WE WILL TAKE ACTION TODAY ON THAT PROJECT, IN MOVING IT FORWARD. BUT WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION STARTING UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR. SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GOT LAST NIGHT WILL BE TAKEN IN TO ACCOUNT. WE ALSO THIS WEEKEND HAVE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S SIXTH ANNUAL BIKE RIDE FOR SURVIVORS. IT'S HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY AT THE RIVERPARK IN SUGARLAND. THEY WILL HAVE BIKES AND E-BIKE'S AVAILABLE FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET ON A BIKE YOURSELF, THEY WILL HAVE SOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE DONE IT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE WEATHER IS GETTING BETTER. IT SHOULD BE GOOD. IF YOU'RE UP FOR AN EARLY MORNING WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, COME OUT AND JOIN US. ALL THE PROCEEDS FROM THAT GO DIRECTLY TO VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME. SO IT'S A GOOD WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY, BUT TO ALSO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> FANTASTIC, ANY OTHER MEMBERS, HEARING NONE, AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS. WE HAVE AGENDA ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS? >> WE HAVE A TOTAL OF SIX SIGNED IN. THE FIRST ONE IS JOHNNY WITH AGENDA ITEM 28 A. >> OKAY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING MY COMMENTS. MY NAME IS JOHNNY, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ITEM 28 A, MY REMOVAL FROM FORT BEND COUNTY LOVERLY APPROVAL DISTRICT NUMBER 10. I MAY NOT BE HERE TODAY HAD I NOT LOOKED AT THE AGENDA YESTERDAY AND ONLINE. TO SEE THIS REMOVAL. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, I HAVE LIVED IN FORT BEND COUNTY FOR OVER 48 YEARS. 26 OF THOSE YEARS IN THE RIVERPARK COMMUNITY. I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY IN ONE CAPACITY OR ANOTHER FOR MOST OF MY TIME HERE. AS A FORT BEND COUNTY-- FOR NUMBER 1 I HELPED CREATE THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR THE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMUNITY TO BE ANNEXED BY THE CITY OF SUGARLAND. THIS RESULTED IN LOWER TAX RATES AND TRANSFERRED OUR COMMUNITY TO CITY SERVICES. IT BECAME THE BLUEPRINT FOR ALL OTHER CITY OF SUGARLAND ANNEXATIONS THAT FOLLOWED. AS A RIVERPARK POA DIRECTOR I HELP KEEP RIVERPARK CURRENT WITH LOWER DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES IN THE AREA. THROUGH THE RIVERPARK PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN. WE HAVE BUILT AMENITIES AND PARKS THAT HAVE HELPED MAINTAIN OUR PROPERTY VALUES AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. AS A DIRECTOR I HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN BUILDING A RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE. OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS I HAVE HELPED TO REPLACE OUR FLOO FLOODGATES, INSTALLED NEW GENERATORS, REBUILT OUR PUMP STATION, AND MOST NOTABLY, CREATED A RESERVE ACCOUNT, WITH ENOUGH FUNDS SET ASIDE TO COVER UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY NEEDS. I HAVE HELPED LOWER OUR TAX RATE YEAR AFTER YEAR. AND RAISED THE 65 AND OLDER AND DISABLED EXEMPTION TO $30,000 PER YEAR. I WAS HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY DURING A TAX DAY FLOOD. DURING A MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD. DURING HURRICANE IKE AND HURRICANE HARVEY. I HAVE A HAD A GREAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN NO REASON AS TO WHY SHOULD BE REPLACED ON THIS BOARD. I HAVE SERVED FORT BEND COUNTY, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THE RIVERPARK COMMUNITY, WITH HONOR AND DISTINCTION. I AM ONE OF THE FEW HISPANICS WHO HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY. I'D LOVE FORT BEND COUNTY. I LOVE MY COMMUNITY. MY LEGACY IS ONE OF VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING MY COMMENTS. >> NORMALLY WE DO NOT DO THIS. BUT YOU AND I HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER A LONG TIME. AND I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SERVICE AND EXPRESS BY HEARTFELT THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ONE REASON THAT I'M DOING THIS IS THAT I HOPEFULLY WILL ENCOURAGE OTHER CITIZENS LIKE YOU TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND TALENTS AND KNOWLEDGE AND THEIR EXPERIENCE TO MAKE FORT BEND COUNTY BETTER. I APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. APPRECIATED. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JUST IN 49B. -- JUSTIN. [00:25:05] >> IT AFTERNOON. I LIVE IN RICHMOND TEXAS IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND I WANTED TO VOICE MY SUPPORT POPOUT THE FUTURE TESLA ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FACILITY UNDER AGENDA 40 ITEM B. I HAVE LIVED IN FORT BEND COUNTY FOR 30 YEARS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE DEEP ROUTES HERE AND OUR NEARLY GROWN CHILDREN HAVE LIVED IN THE COUNTY THEIR ENTIRE LIVES. THIS COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN MY FAMILY A GREAT DEAL. I AM ALSO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD SOMETHING, KEEP GOOD PEOPLE AND INVEST IN PLACES THAT YOU CALL HOME. AND THAT IS WHY I AM HERE TODAY. TO RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGE THIS COURT TO SUPPORT TESLA'S PLAN TO BUILD A MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN OUR COUNTY. LET ME TELL YOU WHY THIS MATTERS. JOBS ARE ABOUT MORE THAN JUST PAYCHECKS. A GOOD MANUFACTURING JOB MEANS A FAMILY CAN BUY A HOME, PUT KIDS THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS, COACH A LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM. BE PART OF A CHURCH OR NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION FOR DECADES. THESE ARE CAREERS WITH REAL WAGES AND REAL BENEFITS AND THEY LET PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK IN THE SAME COMMUNITY, INSTEAD OF SPENDING HOURS ON THE ROAD. I HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY AT FORT BEND COUNTY. I WAS ABLE TO RAISE MY FAMILY HERE IN A COUNTY THAT IS STRONG, VIBRANT AND ALWAYS LOOKING AHEAD. I WANT THE NEXT GENERATION OF FORT BEND COUNTY'S TO HAVE THAT SAME CHANCE. AS A PARENT, I THINK ABOUT WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL AWAIT MY CHILDREN AND THEIR CLASSMATES. A FACILITY LIKE THIS MEANS A YOUNG PERSON IN FORT BEND COUNTY CAN LEARN A SKILLED TRADE OR GET A ENGINEERING DEGREE, AND HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A CAREER WAITING CLOSE TO HOME. I WOULD LOVE FOR MY OWN CHILDREN TO HAVE THAT CHOICE TO BUILD THEIR FUTURES IN FORT BEND LIKE I HAVE HAD. THE BENEFITS ALSO REACH WELL BEYOND THE FACILITY GATES. EVERY LARGE EMPLOYER DEPENDS ON LOCAL SUPPLIERS, CONTRACTORS, RESTAURANTS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I KNOW THAT WHEN A MAJOR EMPLOYER COMES TO TOWN, SMALL BUSINESSES GROW WITH IT. NEW JOBS MEANS NEW CUSTOMERS, NEW INVESTMENTS AND A STRONGER TAX BASE THAT HELPS FUND OUR ROADS AND SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SAFETY. I ALSO KNOW THAT PROJECTS LIKE THIS REQUIRE CAREFUL PLANNING. I ASK THIS COURT TO KEEP WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE, TRAFFIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SO THAT THE GROWTH IS DONE CORRECTLY. , BUT CAREFUL PLANNING SHOULD BE TO A "YES". NOT TO LET A GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PASS US BY. FORT BEND COUNTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE THAT HAS WELCOMED OPPORTUNITY. LET US KEEP THAT TRADITION GOING, AND SHOW THE NEXT GENERATION THAT FORT BEND COUNTY IS WHERE THEY CAN BUILD A FUTURE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE THIS AFTERNOON. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT? >> JEREMY. AGENDA ITEM 49B. >> HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE LONG, I AM WEARING THREE HATS. MY PROFESSIONAL HAT WITH THE FORT BEND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP. MY PERSONAL HAT, AS THE FATHER OF A 2025 FATHER OF A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND A CURRENT FOSTER HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, AND MY TAXPAYER HAT AS A HOMEOWNER IN RIVERSIDE RANCH. ON THE PROFESSIONAL SIDE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON ADDRESSING THE PROPOSED PROJECT ITSELF. IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY. WITH DIRECT CAPITAL INVESTMENT ESTIMATED AT 10 BILLION, AND A DIRECT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE COUNT OF ABOUT 10,000 BY 2033. IT IS VERY HARD TO WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND THAT. BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT WHAT I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A FELLOW PROPERTY OWNER AND TAXPAYER. IN FORT BEND COUNTY ROUGHLY 75 TO 80% OF THE CURRENT TAX VALUATION IS RESIDENTIAL. ROUGHLY 20 TO 25% COMMERCIAL. THAT MEANS RESIDENTS IN FORT BEND COUNTY CARRY THE LION'S SHARE OF THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN. LIKE SO MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION HAS LARGELY DRIVEN OUR GROWTH FOR THE BETTER PART OF THREE DECADES. VERY RARELY DO THE PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED ON TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES PAY FOR THE COST OF A MUNICIPALITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THAT RESIDENTS. WATER, SANITARY SEWERS, SAFE ROADWAYS, WITH ADEQUATE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND AFFECTIVE MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY COURT SYSTEMS ARE BOTH NECESSARY AND KIMA TIVOLI EXPENSIVE. THE AVERAGE TAXABLE VALUE OF AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DOES NOT COVER THE COST TO SERVICE THE PROPERTY. THE ONLY RESPONSIBLE WAY TO SHIFT THE TAX BURDEN AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS IS TO ATTRACT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. WHICH CARRY HIGH VALUATIONS FOR FIXED ACCEPT-- ASSETS AND GENERATE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER TAX BILLS PER SQUARE FOOT. [00:30:01] PUTTING $4 BILLION WORTH OF COMMERCIAL, TAXABLE VALUE ON THE GROUND WOULD ACCELERATE THAT PROCESS TO A DEGREE MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS OUR COUNTRY WOULD WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS. ON THE PERSONAL SIDE, MY WIFE AND I HAVE PROMISED OUR SONS THAT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEIR DREAMS, WEATHER THAT TAKES THEM ACROSS THE WORLD, OR ACROSS THE STREET. WE WOULD PREFER ACROSS THE STREET. I'M SURE THERE ARE LOTS OF PARENTS OUT THERE WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY. IF WE LAND THIS PROJECT, THE TESLA MANUFACTURING PROJECT, ALONG WITH THE HIGH-TECH HIGH-PAYING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IT BRINGS WITH IT, IT CREATES THOUSANDS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR KIDS TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE AND BUILD THEIR LIVES HERE AT HOME. I HUMBLY ASK THE COURT TO OPEN UP IT'S ARMS AND WELCOME THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME AND ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. NEXT? >> DON MCCOY. 49B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE LONG, COMMISSIONERS. PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT 49B. AND I HAVE TO SAY-- FIRST OF ALL, MY NAME IS DON MCCOY, I'M THE MAYOR OF FULCHER TEXAS. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT FAST GROWTH, COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK. AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I REPRESENT A LOT OF ENTITIES IN OUR COUNTY, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT FOR DECADES, FORT BEND COUNTY HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS BECOMING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE AND COMMUTE TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME. WE ENVISIONED A COUNTY WHERE RESIDENTS CAN BUILD EXTRAORDINARY CAREERS AND DO IT AT HOME. SO TODAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THIS PROJECT THAT CAN HELP MAKE THIS VISION A TRUE REALITY. AND WE HAVE TO LET TESLA KNOW WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING THEM HERE. AND I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS, THEY ARE VERY EXCITED. BUT LET ME CLARIFY ONE IMPORTANT MISCONCEPTION. THIS IS NOT A DATACENTRE. I'M GOING TO REPEAT, NOT A DATACENTRE. THE TESLA PROJECT KNOWN AS CRYSTAL SUN, IS NOT A DATACENTRE. BUT YOU HEARD ABOUT THE MASSIVE INVESTMENT THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. BUT ALL OF THAT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. BUT PROBABLY THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE IS BEYOND THE NUMBERS. IT IS ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO LC ISD AND THEY HAVE EMBRACED THIS. IMAGINE WHAT IT COULD DO WITH THOUSANDS OF JOBS, WHAT IT COULD MEAN TO SMALL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, THE HOUSING MARKET, THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THROW LOCAL ECONOMIES THROUGHOUT FORT BEND COUNTY. ALSO, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADS TO RESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND WE NEED TO TAKE THAT. THAT GOES HAND-IN-HAND WITH OUR RESPONSIBILITIES. AS WE EVALUATE THOSE CHALLENGES, WE SHOULD FULLY UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF THOSE PROJECTS-- THIS PROJECT. FORT BEND COUNTY HAS SPENT DECADES WORKING TO ATTRACT MAJOR EMPLOYERS AND HIGH-QUALITY JOBS. THIS PROPOSAL PRESENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE WHAT A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING COULD MEAN FOR OUR FUTURE. JUDGE LONG, COMMISSIONERS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO HAVE A THOROUGH AND TRANSPARENT FAT BASED EVALUATION THAT CONSIDERS-- FACT-BASED EVALUATION THAT CONSIDERS THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE POSSIBILITIES. BUT ULTIMATELY THE CONVERSATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT A MANUFACTURING FACILITY. IT'S ABOUT WHETHER THE NEXT GENERATION OF FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY LIVE HERE BUT BUILD THEIR FUTURES HERE. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. NEXT? >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS BERKELEY. I'M A LIFELINE RESIDENT-- LIFETIME RESIDENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY. AND I'M HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT, AND 49B ON THE AGENDA. I SPENT TEN YEARS WORKING FOR THE FORT BEND ECONOMIC TO BELLMAN COUNCIL. I HAVE BEEN IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. ALL THAT TIME HELPING TO BRING BUSINESSES TO OUR COUNTY AND BUILD OUR ECONOMY. I HAVE NO SKIN IN THE GAME AS FAR AS RAILS-- REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT. I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE IMPACT IT IS GOING TO HAVE, NOT JUST FOR US, NEAR-TERM, BUT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. FOR DECADES WE WORKED TO BECOME A PLACE WHERE RESIDENTS CAN LIVE, RAISE FAMILIES AND BUILD CAREERS. I THINK OF THREE PEOPLE WHO I HAVE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REAL ESTATE. A FORMER BOSS, WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN 1986 WHEN IT WAS CREATED. THE CHAIR OF THE FORMER ADC, BOB BROWN, AND A FORMER COUNTY JUDGE, WHO OF ALL PASSED AWAY. THEY SAW SUCCESS DURING THEIR [00:35:02] TERM SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY. BUT THEY KNEW THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOP IT WAS A LONG GAME. THEIR DECISIONS, THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THEY SUPPORTED IT AND IT CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORT BEND COUNTY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THE TESLA PROJECT IS THE KIND OF OPPORTUNITY THEY WERE POSITIONING FORT BEND COUNTY TO WIN. MR. WONG, MR. PRESTAGE, ON COURT YOU GUYS WERE INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THOSE EARLY CONVERSATIONS AND DECISIONS THAT BROUGHT FOR A COUNTY TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. AND ALL YOU GENTLEMEN HAVE DONE THAT AS WELL. PROJECT CRYSTAL SUN. THE TESLA PROJECT, AS YOU KNOW, WILL CREATE OVER 10,000 PERMITTED JOBS. OVER $10 MILLION-- $10 BILLION OF INVESTMENT. IT IS NOT JUST THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, BUT IT WILL CREATE ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OTHER LARGE PROJECTS WILL BE LOCATED HERE, AS WELL AS SMALLER DEVELOP INTO ALONG THE WAY. AS YOU'VE SEEN, OUR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT HAS SHIFTED WEST IN FORT BEND COUNTY ALONG HIG HIGHWAY 59. AND A LOT OF THOSE RESIDENTS ARE DRIVING IN TO SUGARLAND, DRIVING TO HOUSTON TO FIND JOBS. A JOB CREATOR LIKE THIS OUT OF WEST FORT BEND COUNTY WILL HELP A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS LIVE AND WORK IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND CREATE A NEW PROJECT, A NEW JOB BASE HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. THIS PROJECT BRINGS MORE JOBS, BETTER JOBS, AND AN EMPLOYMENT CENTER OF OUR OWN. AS AN UNEMPLOYED RESIDENT AND SOMEONE WHO SPENT A CAREER WORKING FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THIS PROJECT. IT COULD CREATE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW AND GIVE RESIDENCES CHANCES TO BUILD CAREERS CLOSER TO HOME. FORT BEND COUNTY HAS SPENT DECADES POSITIONING ITSELF FOR OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS. NOW IT'S HERE AND IT'S OUR TIME. >> NEXT? >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RODNEY ON AGENDA ITEM 28 A. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RODNEY. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON 28 A. I HAVE BEEN A CITIZEN OF FORT BEND COUNTY FOR 50 YEARS. I SPENT 25 PLUS YEARS IN VARIOUS VOLUNTEER CAPACITIES. SOME OF WHICH INCLUDED... I'VE HAD THE HONOR TO SERVE WITH JOHNNY CAN'T YOU. HE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH THE HIGHEST REGARD. HE IS ETHICAL. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A QUESTION OF HIS INTENT, OR HIS DEDICATION TO THE JOB AT HAND. MR. MCCOY SHORTLY AFTER HE GOT ELECTED ADMITTED TO ME THAT HE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LEVY DISTRICTS UNTIL AFTER HE WAS ELECTED. HE HAS A HISTORY OF VERY POOR CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO DIRECTORS. HE HAS APPOINTED INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE NEVER SHOWN UP FOR A MEETING AFTER THEIR APPOINTMENT. HE DID NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR A YEAR. HE HAS PUT AN INDIVIDUAL ON THE BOARD NOW, THAT NOT ONLY IS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, THAT HE EARNS A STEP AND FORGOING TO MEETINGS DURING THE MIDDLE OF A WORKDAY AS A LEVEE DIRECTOR. AND AS A TAXPAYER WHO LIVES IN LIVE TEN, I FIND IT OFFENSIVE THAT HIS STIFFENED AS A DIRECTOR FOR A LEVY DISTRICT AND FOR AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COUNTY OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FOR THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF OURS WORKED. IT'S ADDED UP TO THE AGGREGATE 50 OR $60,000 OF DOUBLE-DIPPING THE TAXPAYERS OF FORT BEND COUNTY. THERE IS NO REASON FOR AN EARLY TERMINATION OF JOHN CAN'T YOU. THIS IS POLITICAL FOLLY. HE IS OVERREACHING BECAUSE HE'S NO-- HE KNOWS HE'S NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY CONTROL AFTER HE LOSES HIS SEAT AS A COMMISSIONER. I ASK YOU, DON'T GO ALONG WITH THIS. JOHNNY HAS HAD A UNQUESTIONED REPUTATION OF SERVING THE PUBLIC. HE IS THE ONLY HISPANIC THAT I AM AWARE OF THAT IS IN THE CAPACITY OF THE LEVY DIRECTOR IN FORT BEND COUNTY. DON'T TARNISH YOUR OPINIONS BY GOING ALONG WITH HIS ZEALOUS APPROACH TO REMOVING SOMEBODY FROM THE DISTRICT. HE WAS GIVEN NO HEADS UP THAT HE WAS EVEN BEING TAKEN OFF. [00:40:03] THAT SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF MR. MCCOY. AND I HOPE THE LATINOS, THE CHICANOS, THE HISPANICS ARE PAYING ATTENTION, THAT YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT HIM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. [5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1:00 p.m.: Conduct Public Hearings and take all appropriate action on the following matters:] ANYMORE SPEAKERS? ALL RIGHT. IT IS NOW 1:40 P.M. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS AND TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS. I KNOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING SESSION FOR AGENDA ITEMS FIVE A, 5B, AND 5C, AS PUBLICLY POSTED AND DESCRIBED ON THE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY? I WILL ASK AGAIN. IS THERE ANYONE TODAY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS? HEARING ON, I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. ACTION ON AGENDA ITEM FIVE A WILL BE TAKEN LATER DURING TODAY'S MEETING. THEREFORE. IS THERE ANY MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEMS 5B, AND 5C AS PRESENTED? >> I MOVE THAT WE EXCEPT 5B, AND IT C. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? 5B AND 5C. ANY DISCUSSION? [ CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: (6-25) ] ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW WE MOVE ON TO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS SIX THROUGH 25. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF A FEW REQUESTS. A CLARIFICATION ON THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR AGENDA ITEM SIX, PRESENTED UNDER OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL. WILL YOU PLEASE CONFIRM FOR THE RECORD THE CLARIFICATION NEEDED? >> YES, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THE FUNDING SOURCE SHOULD BE S HI GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS AND TRAVEL. A SMALL PORTION OF THOSE TRAVELS FOR THIS SUMMIT WILL COME OUT OF TRAVEL FUND ALSO. >> THAT IS CHANGED. ALSO AGENDA ITEM 23B. THAT WILL BE PULLED. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM SIX THROUGH 25 WITH NO EXCEPTIONS? >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WE NOW MOVE TO SECTION THREE, DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEM. [26. COUNTY JUDGE:] AGENDA ITEM 26 A THROUGH C PRESENTED UNDER COUNTY JUDGE, BEGINNING UNDER AGENDA ITEM 26 A. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26 A. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 26 AS PRESENTED. >> ANY SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26B. >> I MOVE TO APPOINT CELL-- SAL PICCOLO AS LEAD ATTORNEY FOR THE LEGAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 28TH 2026. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. >> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ON THIS. I'M A BIT CONFUSED ON HOW WE GOT HERE. MR. RANDALL, AND YOU HELP ME WITH THIS ONE? SO, YOU AND I HAVE CORRESPONDED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING YOUR RESPONSES. I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT I STILL HAVE SOME UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. ONE, I THINK THE FIRST THAT I HEARD ABOUT THERE BEING SOME SORT OF ACTION TO POINT APPOINT SOME SORT OF APPLICATION PROCESS TO ARRIVE HERE, HAVING THE ATTORNEYS IN THIS PARTICULAR APARTMENT WAS A PROCLAMATION THAT YOU MADE IN OPEN COURT, ABOUT WHEN YOU ARE REPRESENTING COMMISSIONERS MIRELES AND MEYERS ABOUT THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT. THAT FOLKS WOULD HAVE TO APPLY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE WOULD BE TRANSFERS OF EXISTING ATTORNEYS IN TO THIS NEW DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK. HOW DO YOU ARRIVE HERE? >> FOR THE LEAD ATTORNEY WERE ALL THE ATTORNEYS. >> FOR THE LEAD ATTORNEY AND ALL ATTORNEYS IN THIS OFFICE. >> OKAY. [00:45:02] SO, THEN REPORTED CASE LAW, OTHER COUNTIES THAT CREATED CIVIL DIVISIONS JUST MOVED SECTIONS OF THEIR COUNTY ATTORNEYS WITH THE ATTORNEYS OVER. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS COURT DID NOT WANT TO MOVE PEOPLE, THEY WANTED TO CREATE POSITIONS, AND THOSE PEOPLE COULD JUST SIMPLY TRANSFER OVER IF THEY SO CHOOSE. THAT IS HOW THE POSITIONS WERE SET UP. AS TO HOW THE LEAD ATTORNEY WAS CHOSEN, THAT-- I MEAN, THAT WAS A POLITICAL DECISION NOT INVOLVING A LEGAL QUESTION. >> SO, MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORDER THAT WAS GIVEN ON AUGUST 27TH, WAS THAT LAWYERS WOULD TRANSFER WITHOUT INTERRUPTION TO THE COMPENSATION BENEFITS AND OTHERWISE. IT SOUNDS A BIT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU JUST SAID HERE. BECAUSE THAT IN EFFECT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED. AND I AM NOT AWARE, HOW DID WE ARRIVE THERE? >> THERE ARE TWO LAWYERS THAT TRANSFERRED THAT I KNOW A. THREE LAWYERS, I'M SORRY. THAT I KNOW OF. AND THEY DID NOT LOSE ANY COMPENSATION. ANY VACATION, ANY BENEFITS, ANY OF THAT. THEY SIMPLY CHANGED THEIR REPORTING STRUCTURE TO THE CIVIL DIVISION AS OPPOSED TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> BUT MY CONCERN HERE IS THAT IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAD NINE LAWYERS, BUT NOW WE ARE DOWN TO THREE LAWYERS IN THIS NEW DIVISION. BUT WHAT YOU JUST SHARED, AND WHAT THE ORDER ON AUGUST 22ND SAID THAT WAS THAT THE LAWYERS WOULD TRANSFER TO THE NEW DIVISION. HOW DO WE ARRIVE AT ONLY HAVING THREE LAWYERS NOW, AND NOT THE NINE THAT WE ORIGINALLY HAD THEIR. >> THOSE LAWYERS HAVE A CHOICE WHO THEY WANT TO WORK FOR. THEY CAN WORK FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, OR THEY CAN WORK FOR THE CIVIL DIVISION. IT'S WORKING FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. BUT, YES,, THESE POSITIONS WERE OPEN, BUT NO ONE TURNED THEM DOWN IF THEY APPLY. >> DID THE ORDER ON THE 27TH STIPULATE AN APPLICATION PROCESS, OR WAS THERE ANY SORT OF COMMUNICATION FROM THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE AN APPLICATION PROCESS? >> IT SIMPLY ESTABLISHED THE CIVIL DIVISIONS AND THE DIVISIONS THEY ARE IN. >> HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THE PROCESS OF PEOPLE HAVING TO APPLY FOR THEIR JOBS? >> SAY THAT AGAIN? >> HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THE PROCESS OF THESE ATTORNEYS HAVING TO APPLY FOR THEIR JOBS? >> IT WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE POSITIONS IN THE BUDGET, WITH-- WHICH THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED. AND THAT-- IT WAS A SIMPLE APPLICATION. JUST MOVING FROM ONE DEPARTMENT. ONE COUNTY OFFICIAL TO A DEPARTMENT. THERE WAS THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS OF MOTION THAT THE COURT MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE DIRECTIVE OF THE COURT. SO THAT IS WHAT THE COURT AND STAFF DID. >> BUT NOTHING IN THAT MOTION SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THOSE ATTORNEYS HAVING TO APPLY FOR A POSITION? >> IT SAID IT WOULD IMPLEMENTED. SO WE WERE NOT PICKING PEOPLE. WE WERE SAYING THESE POSITIONS ARE HERE. YOU CAN MOVE OVER WITHOUT A CONSEQUENCE. MOST OF THEM CHOSE NOT TO. THAT IS FINE. >> WHERE THEY DIRECTLY COMMUNICATING ABOUT THE NEED TO APPLY? >> BE POSTED WAS POSTED COUNTY. I KNOW THAT. >> FAIR POINT. HOW DID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THAT ROLE? MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THAT POSTING DID NOT GO LIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 23RD? OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? THE DAY OF YOUR PROCLAMATION IN OPEN COURT? >> I ASSUME THE TIMING IS WHAT YOU SAID. HOW WOULD THEY KNOW? I GUESS HOWEVER THE COUNTY COMMUNICATES INTERNALLY ON ALL THE POSITIONS, 3000 EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY IS HOW THEY WOULD KNOW. WAS A SPECIAL EMAIL SENT OUT? NO. WE FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES THAT WE DO WANT EVERY OTHER POSITION. >> WHAT I AM GETTING AT IS IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAD A DISRUPTION IN SERVICE BECAUSE THE AFFECTED EMPLOYEES NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF DIRECT COMMUNICATION ABOUT A PROCESS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND OTHERWISE. AND YOU JUST SHARED THAT THEY [00:50:02] DID NOT RECEIVE ANY DIRECT COMMUNICATION OTHER THAN A POSTING ONLINE. SO, AGAIN, UNLESS SOMEONE CHECKS THAT, IF I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A JOB, I'M NOT GOING TO A JOB POSTING. HOW ELSE ARE PEOPLE EXPECTED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS? WAS ANY COMMUNICATION GIVEN TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HERSELF TO PASS DOWN TO HER STAFF? >> NO. AND THERE WAS A LOT OF RUMORS, MOST OF THEM, FALSE. FROM WHOEVER. BUT IT'S THEIR CHOICE IF THEY WANTED TO MOVE TO LOOK AND DO THAT APPLICATION. WE WERE NOT FORCING ANYBODY. WE WERE NOT TRYING TO SELL IT. WE WERE NOT TRYING TO DO ANY OF-- ANY PROMOTION. WE JUST SAID THE NEW DIVISION IS HERE AND MADE IT CLEAR IN THE ORDER THAT THERE WAS NOT TO BE A CHANGE OF BENEFITS OR STATUS. THREE TOOK THEM UP IN THE OTHER SIX DID NOT. >> LET ME BACK THIS UP I THINK THAT CLEARLY THERE WAS NOT ANY DIRECT COMMUNICATION TO A LOW-- OBSTRUCT ANYBODY ON WHAT THE PROCESS WAS FOR ENSURING THAT THEY COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY OPPORTUNITY TO BE HIRED. AND THAT'S NOT TYPICALLY HOW WE HAVE DONE THIS. AS FAR AS I KNOW, WITH ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WE HAVE THE LIBRARY, FOR INSTANCE, WE TRANSFERRED I.T. POSITIONS FROM THE LIBRARY I.T. TO THE COUNTY I.T. ALL OF THE IMPACTED EMPLOYEES RECEIVED DIRECT EMAIL COMMUNICATION ABOUT WHAT THAT PROCESS WOULD LOOK LIKE AND THERE WAS NO APPLICATION PROCESS, WHERE PEOPLE INITIALLY HAD TO REAPPLY FOR THEIR JOBS. THERE EVENTUALLY WAS ONE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COURT. BUT THAT WASN'T INITIAL. LET US BACK IT UP. THIS IS A DEVIATION FROM OUR TYPICAL HIRING PROCEDURES. I'M GUESSING YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF MAKING SURE THE OFFICE WAS STAFFED UP, BASED ON HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT HERE? >> I WAS INVOLVED FROM A LEGAL POINT. AND I AM TRYING NOT TO BREACH ANY ATTORNEY CONFIDENTIALITY. >> I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE YOU DO THAT AT ALL. >> AS FAR AS THE PROCESS SET UP TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS THE TYPICAL COUNTY PROCEDURE, WE ARE UNDER LITIGATION BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. SO WE WERE NOT TRYING TO GO IN AND POACH COUNTY ASSISTANT, COUNTY ATTORNEYS. WE SAID THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO APPLY THEY CAN APPLY. THE WAY WE-- AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE DO ANY OTHER COUNTY POSTINGS, SO, NO. WE DID NOT WRITE LETTERS. OUR EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS-- OR EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS TO ANY OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL DIVISION OF THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEYS OFFICE. OR ANYBODY ELSE. THEY HAD TO ASK US. WE POSTED THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE AND IF THEY WANT IT, IS THEIR INITIATIVE TO ASK. >> OKAY. BASICALLY YOU HAD TO INTER WHAT-- IN FOR WHAT IS THE ORDER OF THIS COURT. WHO GAVE YOU THAT INTERPRETATION? >> ME. I MAKE THE INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THE ORDER WAS. >> BUT YOU DID NOT GET ANY FEEDBACK FROM ANYBODY SITTING ON THIS DAIS WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN? >> WELL,-- >> TYPICALLY WHEN WE GO THROUGH THESE PROCESSES, WITH SETTING UP A NEW COUNTY DEPARTMENT, MEMBERS OF COURT ARE TYPICALLY VERY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. AND ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THIS IS NOT OUR STANDARD PROCESS. WHO DIRECTED YOU TO OBSERVE THIS PROCESS FOR ARRIVING HERE AT A LEAD ATTORNEY AND HOW THE OTHER ATTORNEYS WOULD BE HANDLED? THE CONSTITUTION OF THE OFFICE, RATHER. >> OKAY. I HELPED DRAFT THE MOTION TO ESTABLISH IT. AND FROM THERE I HELPED INTERPRET IT WITH ANY-- TO ANYBODY ON THE DAIS THAT ASKS ME. A COUPLE OF THEM ASKED. AND WE IMPLEMENTED IT AS-- MY GOAL WAS TO FOLLOW THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE. IF ANYBODY ASKS ME, MY CLIENT IS THE COUNTY REPRESENTED BY THE FIVE GENTLEMEN SITTING HERE. ANY OF THE FOUR CAN ASK ME A QUESTION AND I WILL ANSWER THAT. PRIVATELY, TO NOT AVOID ATTORNEY PRIVATE-- CLIENT PRIVILEGE. PUBLICLY I WILL ANSWER AS MUCH AS I CAN. A COUPLE PEOPLE ON THE COURT ASKED ME. AND I SAID THIS IS MY INTERPRETATION. IT WAS BACK AND FORTH WITH STAFF ON HOW WE WOULD DO IT. AND THAT IS HOW. [00:55:05] >> BUT NO ORDER OF THIS COURT OR ANY-- I HAVE TO LOOK BACK IN THE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 22ND. NOTHING SAID THERE WOULD BE AN APPLICATION PROCESS? THAT THERE WOULD BE-- HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT FILLING THE ROLE OF LEAD ATTORNEY HERE? IN WHAT YOU SHARED WITH ME, IN WHAT YOU RESPONDED TO THIS EMAIL IS THAT YOU HAD SOME SORT OF UNDERSTANDING FROM YOUR TWO CLIENTS IN THAT PARTICULAR MANNER FOR LITIGATION. IS THAT CORRECT? >> CORRECT. >> HOW DID WE THEN ARRIVE AT-- THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT THE WISHES OF THE COURT. HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS, AND WITH THIS PARTICULAR PERSON BEING APPOINTED AS LEAD ATTORNEY? >> WELL,, WITHOUT VIOLATING ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE, MY COMMUNICATION ALSO SAID THE TWO MEMBERS-- WELL IT'S NO SECRET. COMMISSIONER MEYERS AND COMMISSIONER MORALES-- ALL FOUR OF YOU WERE DEFENDANTS IN THE LAWSUIT. AND WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE, WE MADE THESE DECISIONS IN COURT. SO, AS FAR AS WHO TO-- >> WHEN IN COURT DID YOU MAKE THOSE DECISIONS? ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE TRIAL COURT? >> THE TRIAL COURT. >> THAT IS NOT AN OPEN MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. >> CORRECT. >> SO HOW IS IT THAT YOU ARE MAKING DECISIONS WITHOUT THOSE DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING HERE IN COMMISSIONERS COURT? >> I'M NOT MAKING THOSE DECISIONS. >> BUT YOUR ACTING ON THEM. YOU SAID THE-- YOU HAD THE CONCURRENCE OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE. THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN OPEN OR WALKING QUORUM. >> NOT IN LITIGATION OR A JUDICIAL COURT. WE HAD TWO DEFENDANTS THERE. >> THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT THE ACTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. >> ARE YOU ASKING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE LEAD ATTORNEY? >> FAT, AND THE PROCESS FOR CONSTITUTING THIS DEPARTMENT. >> WELL,, AS FOR CONSTITUTING THE DEPARTMENT, THAT WAS A MOTION IN OPEN COMMISSIONERS COURT. AND I HELPED DRAW UP THE MOTION BECAUSE I WAS REQUESTED TO DO THAT. AS FAR AS WHO WOULD BE THE LEAD ATTORNEY, I HAVE NO INVOLVEMENT IN THAT. OTHER THAN A LEAD ATTORNEY THAT HAD TO BE APPOINTED. I DON'T KNOW. I MISPRONOUNCED HIS NAME THE FIRST TIME. >> I KNOW YOU WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, BUT SOMEHOW WE GOT HERE. THERE WAS AN EMAIL FROM MEMBERS OF THE JUDGES OFFICE TO ALL STAFF, ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT OF A LEAD ATTORNEY. AND I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE THAT IS NOT IMPORTING WITH OUR TYPICAL PROCESS, ESPECIALLY WITH HIRING A DEPARTMENT HEAD THAT REPORTS DIRECTLY TO COMMISSIONERS. AND I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, MAYBE IS NOT A YOU QUESTION, BUT WHO MADE THE DECISION TO APPOINT SAL PICCOLO? >> HAVE YOU DONE YOUR QUESTION? >> WHO MADE THE DECISION? >> IT'S NOT COMPLICATED. >> YOU ARE RIGHT. IT'S NOT COMPLICATED. >> TODAY IS THE DECISION TIME. NO ONE MADE THE DECISION. >> AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE PRIOR TO TODAY. THERE HAS BEEN ACTIVITY WITH THE PERSON IN QUESTION PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A PROCLAMATION THAT THIS WOULD BE THE LEAD ATTORNEY. THAT DID HAPPEN. THERE IS NO DISPUTE OVER THAT HAPPENING. AND MY QUESTION IS WHO MADE THAT TERMINATION-- DETERMINATION THAT THAT WAS THE PERSON WHO'D FILL THAT ROLE? >> FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE AN INTERNAL POSTING. AND THE THREE ATTORNEYS. AND WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE APPLYING FOR LEAD ATTORNEY. AND WE TRY TO COMMUNICATE THAT WE HAVE THE DEPARTMENT UP AND RUNNING, SO WE POSTED THAT WE HAVE THREE ATTORNEYS. NOW WE BRING THIS TO THE COURT TO UPHOLD THE LEAD ATTORNEYS ACCORDING TO THE CONDITION OF THE COURT ORDER. IN THAT ORDER IT SAID WE AS THE COMMISSION NEED TO APPOINT A LEAD ATTORNEY. THAT IS STATED IN THE MOTION AND APPROVED BY THE COURT. SO TODAY IS THE DECISION TIME. WE NEED THIS COURT TO MAKE A DECISION, YES OR NO FOR SAL PICCOLO TO BE LEAD ATTORNEY. AND THAT IS THAT. IT'S VERY SIMPLE. SO CAN WE CONTINUE OUR BUSINESS, OR DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? [01:00:04] >> THE EMAIL THAT WAS SENT OUT TO COUNTY STAFF STIPULATED THAT SAL WOULD BE THE LEAD ATTORNEY. IN THE TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN AROUND, I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT HAPPEN WITHOUT AN ACTION FROM THIS COURT. IT WAS JUST REPRESENTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME SORT OF CONCURRENCE BETWEEN TWO MEMBERS OF THIS COURT ABOUT THIS PROCESS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, IN THAT THEN THERE WAS CONCURRENCE BY ANOTHER MEMBER OF THIS COURT. >> HE IS NOT LEAD ATTORNEY UNTIL THIS COURT APPROVES HIM. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. >> SO THAT'S THE DECISION TIME NOW. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DECISION OR NOT? >> THAT CAN BE YOUR INTERPRETATION. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, IT'S FINE. BUT I AM ALLOWED TO ASK IT. THERE ARE UNDERSTANDABLE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW WE DO THIS. THERE IS A PRECEDENCE. RIGHT? WHAT YOU REPRESENTED TO ME IS THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT IT WAS MR. WONG WHO HAD MADE THE APPOINTMENT OF SAL IN THAT. >> AS I SAID IN MY EMAIL TO YOU, I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NO TWO COMMISSIONERS EVER MET WITH ME. I MIGHT HAVE MET WITH ONE INDIVIDUALLY. BUT IT WAS NOT PLANNED. TWO, AND THERE WAS NOT A MEETING. TWO, AS I SAID IN MY EMAIL TO YOU, YOU ARE SAYING IT IS UNPRECEDENTED TO START A DEPARTMENT LIKE THIS. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT YOU HAVE TO START SOMEPLACE. SO THERE WAS AN ACTING LEAD ATTORNEY SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THIS COURT. THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT AND APPROVED THEM OR NOT APPROVED THE BEAT ATTORNEY. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT THE 19 OR 20 SOMETHING DEPARTMENT HEADS. AND THAT IS YOUR POWER. AND IF YOU DO NOT, OKAY. IF YOU DO, OKAY. BUT THERE ISN'T ACT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT HAD TO START SOMEPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW DEPARTMENT. BUT UNTIL YOU ACT OR WE ALL ACT, AS A GROUP IT'S NOT A LEAD ATTORNEY. THERE IS AN ACTIVE ONE HOLDING THAT POSITION RIGHT NOW. >> I'M GETTING BACK TO HOW AN ACT IS APPOINTED TO A DEPARTMENT THAT REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT HAPPENING IN AN ACTION FROM THIS COURT DIRECTING OUR HR DIRECTOR TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS PENDING A FINAL DETERMINATION FOR IT. ARE YOU REPRESENTING TO ME NOW THAT THE COUNTY HAS AN ABILITY TO APPOINT SOMEBODY OUTSIDE OF DIRECT-- OF DIRECT... >> IN AN ACTING POSITION? HE RESIDES AT THE MEETING AND AS I SAID IN THAT EMAIL I TOOK IT FROM THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE IS THE CEO OF THE COUNTY AND ABLE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS AND ALL THAT. IT'S KIND OF A CHICKEN OR AN EGG ARGUMENT. YOU HAVE A BRAND-NEW DEPARTMENT. IT STARTS OCTOBER 1ST, IT HAS GOT-- IT'S GOT TO HAVE PEOPLE GOING, SO THE CEO MAKES AN INTERIM APPOINTMENT SUBJECT TO YOUR RATIFICATION OR VERIFICATION. OR DENIAL. >> I JUST WANT THAT FOR THE RECORD. AT THAT IS HOW IT IS, FINE. I WILL ACCEPT THAT. I WANT TO MOVE FROM THIS TO NOW WE ARE AT MR. LOOK PICCOLO. THE ORDER AS I UNDERSTOOD IT WAS TRANSFERRING FROM THOSE WHO ARE DOING SERVICES IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND INCLUDING THEIR ROLES WITHOUT COMFORT-- COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS. IS HE HERE? >> HE IS NOT HERE. HE IS WORKING. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. >> I WOULD HAVE LOVE FOR HIM TO BE HERE IF HE IS SUPPOSED TO ADVISE THIS COURT IN ANY CAPACITY. BUT, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MR. LOPICCOLO WAS NOT PERFORMING THE GENERAL COUNSEL SERVICES. ARE YOU AWARE THAT HE WAS DOING GENERAL COUNSEL WORK IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> I UNDERSTAND HE WAS IN LITIGATION. >> MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE CAN ANSWER FOR ME. HOW DO WE ARRIVE AT A POINT WAS SOMEONE WHO DID NOT PERFORM GENERAL COUNSEL SERVICES GETTING INTO A LEAD ROLE. WAS A CONVERSATION NEVER HAD ABOUT CONTINUING TO PERFORM THOSE DUTIES AS THE ORDER STIPULATED? MISS LARRY? THE CHIEF AND GENERAL COUNSEL? IS ANYONE AWARE OF THAT CONVERSATION TAKING PLACE? [01:05:04] >> THE ONLY PERSON I HAVE EVER TALK TO ON GENERAL COUNSEL WAS SITTING AT THE TABLE RIGHT THERE. >> GOT IT. AND YOU DID NOT APPLY FOR THE ROLE? UNDERSTOOD. AGAIN, HOW DID WE GET AT MR. LOPICCOLO. YOU CLEARLY APPOINTED HIM IN YOUR OWN CAPACITY PENDING APPROVAL FROM THIS COURT. JENNIFER FOX, I UNDERSTAND, IS IN THIS. ACCORDING TO YOUR EMAIL. RODNEY BROWN, BOTH HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. WHY WERE THEY NOT APPOINTED? >> YOU WORK WITH HIM MORE THAN I DO. HE IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED. THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY. SO WE CAN PUT IT DOWN IF YOU DON'T LIKE HIM. BUT I BROUGHT IT TO THE COURT TO MAKE THE DECISION. I CANNOT MAKE ANY DECISIONS. I NEED YOU GUYS TO APPROVE THIS. SO I BRING THIS UP FOR THE COURT TO APPROVE HIM. AND YOU ALL KNOW HIM MUCH MORE THAN I DO. I'VE KNOWN HIM ONLY FIVE MONTHS. SO YOU WORK WITH HIM, YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE HE'S THE RIGHT ONE, OR YOU FEEL LIKE HE'S THE GOOD ONE TO BE ATTORNEY. I'M ALL FOR THAT. BUT I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE ROLE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> YES. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARRIVED AT HIM AS OPPOSED TO RODNEY, OR JENNIFER, AS A LEAD ATTORNEY HERE, WHEN HE HAS HAD ZERO ENGAGEMENT WITH GENERAL COUNSEL SERVICES. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT HIS EXPERIENCE IS IN LITIGATION, WHICH IS ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT. >> HE IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED. I CAN SAY THAT. YOU CAN CHECK HIM OUT. >> THAT'S FINE. >> THAT'S JUST A SUBJECTIVE OPINION. >> I'M JUST SAYING THAT NOW IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE US. IN WHAT REGARD IS HE QUALIFIED FOR THIS PARTICULAR ROLE. >> HE IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED. HE IS READY TO DO IT AND HE SAID HE WOULD DO IT. >> I CALL FOR THE VOTE. >> HOLD ON, BEFORE WE DO THAT. >> WE'VE DONE THIS FOR 30 MINUTES NOW. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. >> HERE IS THE CONCERN. HERE IS THE CONCERN. AS IT EXISTS RIGHT NOW, AS I UNDERSTAND, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO TAKE ACTION ON APPOINTING SOMEBODY WHO HAS NO GENERAL COUNSEL EXPERIENCE, WHO HAS NOT DONE OR PROCESSED ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION AT REQUEST. WHO HAS NOT MANAGED OTHER ATTORNEYS IN THIS ORGANIZATION TO LEAD-- >> I'M GOING TO CALL THE VOTE. >> LET ME MAKE MY STATEMENT AND YOU CAN MOVE RIGHT ON. AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE A LOT OF BUSINESS TO GET DONE, HUNDREDS OF CONTRACTS TO BE REVIEWED, NUMEROUS PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS THAT COME IN TO THIS COUNTY EVERY DAY, WE ARE TAKING ACTION TO APPOINT SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, WHO DOESN'T HAVE GENERAL COUNSEL EXPERIENCE, TO LEAD A DEPARTMENT AND REALLY CREATING A NEW DEPARTMENT THAT HAS NOT EXISTED BEFORE. SO I INTEND TO VOTE AGAINST IT. BUT THE THING IS THAT I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS OF OUR ORGANIZATION. ONE, THERE HAS BEEN NEW PRECEDENT SET WITH HOW THIS COURT GOES ABOUT HIRING DEPARTMENT HEADS. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN NO APPLICATION PROCESS. WE HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW MR. LOPICCOLO AS THE STANDARD-- AS IS THE STANDARD OF PROCESS BEFORE WE HIRE ANYONE. HE IS NOT EVEN IN THE COURT TODAY TO BE INTERVIEWED. BUT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO AFFIRM THAT? I DON'T THINK THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE GOVERNMENT. AND THIS CHAOS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY DISRUPTIVE TO OUR ORGANIZATION. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPINION. ANY FURTHER QUESTION OR COMMENT? >> ONE THING I DO RECALL IS THAT JIM AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY TOLD EVERYBODY THAT IS 11 PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE FIRED. THEY WERE NOT FIRED. >> IN ESSENCE, GIVEN THAT THEY HAD NO COMMUNICATION ABOUT ANY PROCESS. >> YOU'RE SAYING THE DEPARTMENT-- IT WAS JUST THE NATURE OF HOW THE DEPARTMENT WAS SET UP. >> LET'S GO TO THE VOTE. >> YOU MADE COMMENTS AND I CAN RESPOND. >> KNOW YOU CAN'T. YOU BEEN GOING ON FOR 30 MINUTES. >> YOU MADE CLAIMS AND ACCUSATIONS THAT ARE PLAINLY FALSE. >> IT'S NOT A CLAIM OR ACCUSATION. IT'S ON THE RECORD. LISTEN TO THE TAPE. >> I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW. >> IT'S NOT AN ALLEGATION. IT'S A STATEMENT OF FACT. >> I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAD NO HEADS UP, OR ADVANCED NOTICE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FOR A JOB TO MAINTAIN THEIR EMPLOYMENT. AND AS OF THE DAY BEFORE, AS OF THE DAY BEFORE THIS DEPARTMENT WAS TO GO INTO EFFECT AND THEY WERE TO LOSE THEIR JOBS CUT THEY HAD NO IDEA. THEY WERE EFFECTIVELY FIRED FROM [01:10:01] THEIR JOBS. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES THREE TO TWO. LET US GO TO ITEM 26C. 26C. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE ABSTAINING? [27. COMMISSIONER, PCT. 1:] OKAY. ITEM NUMBER 27, A AND B. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM 27 A AND B AS PRESENTED. >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT 27 A AND 27B. >> I HAVE A MOTION —-DASH SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. [28. COMMISSIONER, PCT. 4:] AGENDA ITEM 28 A AND B PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT FOUR. >> I MOVED TO PRISON-- EXCEPT THE ITEMS AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR-- >> ACTUALLY, NO. I WILL. FIRST I WANT TO THANK JOHN CAN'T YOU FOR HIS SERVICE. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN PUBLIC COMMENT. I GOT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE EXISTING BOARD ABOUT JOHN CAN'T YOU, AND HIS PARTICIPATION ON THE BOARD AND OPERATIONS. AND THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL IS ALSO AN ENDORSEMENT OF THEIR ACTIONS. CLEARLY THERE WAS A LACK OF ALIGNMENT AND THE BOARD DESIRED INDIVIDUALS ON THE BOARD EXPRESSED A DESIRE FOR CHANGES. AND TODAY'S ACTION REPRESENTS THAT WITH A HOLIDAY-- HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL, WITH YEARS OF INDIVIDUAL-- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND EXPERIENCE IN OIL AND GAS AND IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I AM PROUD TO BE ABLE TO APPOINT HIM TO THIS ROLE. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. OPPOSED? [29. AUDITOR:] MOTION PASSES. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 29, PRESENTED BY THE AUDITOR. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE ITEM 29 AS PRESENTED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION. ANY SECOND? I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. MOTION PASSES. [30. BUDGET & FINANCE:] UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 30, PRESENTED BY BUDGET AND FINANCE. ITEM 30. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> ANY SECOND? >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE IN SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. SORRY? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. RIGHT. [31. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES:] CORRECT. AGENDA ITEM 31. PRESENTED BY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. >> I MOVE APPROVAL AND 31 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? >> 'S DR. ALMEIDA STILL HERE? DO YOU WANT TO SHARE A BRIEF BIT ABOUT WHAT THIS PARTNERSHIP IS? >> YES, OF COURSE. SO WE TRIED TO PROVIDE PRACTICUM OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS INVOLVED IN VARIOUS UNIVERSITIES, ENROLLED IN VARIOUS UNIVERSITIES. AND THIS IS JUST OUR CONTINUED EFFORT TO PROVIDE PRACTICUM OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE STUDENTS. SEVERAL ARE PURSUING COUNSELING DEGREES. SO IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES, AND LEVERAGE AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS. WE HAVE SEVERAL THAT BECOME EMPLOYEES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN STUDENTS WITH US. SO IT'S A WIN-WIN-- WIN-WIN WITH EVERYBODY. [32. CONSTABLE, PCT. 1] >> ANY FURTHER QUESTION? I CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 32. AT-- PRESENTED BY CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE. >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. [33. COURT ADMINISTRATION:] ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR [01:15:03] HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 33. COURT ADMINISTRATION. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 33 IS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE IN SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. [34. COUNTY ATTORNEY:] AGENDA ITEMS 348, B AND C. PRESENTED BY COUNTY ATTORNEY, I THINK THIS WILL REQUIRE A RECORDED VOTE. WE WILL BEGIN WITH AGENDA ITEM 34 A. THESE PROCEED WITH THE READING. >> THIRT A OR TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON RESOLUTION AND ORDER DECREEING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY, AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION BY RECORD POPE FOR THE BEECHNUT STREET, PROJECT NUMBER 17410, PHASE TWO, PRECINCT FOUR. FUND, MOBILITY BONDS. >> I MOVE THAT FORT BEND COUNTY BY RECORD BOAT AUTHORIZE THE USE OF POWER AND EMINENT DOMAIN TO ROOT-- ACQUIRE ALL RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR BEECHNUT STREET BACK 17410, PHASE TWO, PRECINCT FOUR. PROPOSED TO BE SITUATED ON LAND GENUINELY PERTINENT TO BEECHNUT STREET BEGINNING FROM APPROXIMATELY 1200 FEET WEST OF MASON ROAD TO A PROXIMAL HE 5 FEET WEST OF PEAKE ROAD, IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS. BY ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AND ORDER DECREEING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY, AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF COMPENSATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALIGNMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE BEECHNUT STREET PROJECT, NUMBER 17410 PHASE TWO, INCLUDING A PERTINENT DRAINAGE AND RETENTION AND RETENTION REQUIRED FOR A SET PROJECT. THIS MOTION APPLIES TO ANY AND ALL PARCELS OF LAND, AND/OR ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS THAT MUST BE CONDEMNED OR EXAMINED FOR POTENTIAL CONDEMNATION ALONG BEECHNUT STREET PROJECT 17410, PHASE TWO. >> ANY SECOND? THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. OLGA, PROCEED WITH THE RECORDED VOTE. >> AGENDA ITEM 34B. PLEASE PROCEED WITH THE READING. >> TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE RESOLUTION AND ORDER DECREEING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE OF PUBLIC NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION BY RECORD BOAT FOR THIS SETTEGAST RANCH ROAD, SEGMENT ONE, PROJECT NUM NUMBER 23107, PRECINCT ONE. FUND, MOBILITY BONDS. >> I MOVE THAT FORT BEND COUNTY BY RECORD BOAT AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE ALL NEEDED RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE SETTEGAST RANCH ROAD SEGMENT ONE, PROJECT NUMBER 23107, PRECINCT ONE. PROPOSED TO BE SITUATED ON LAND GENUINE-- GENERALLY PERTINENT TO SETTEGAST RANCH ROAD, BEGINNING FROM SUN HALL DRIVE TO FM 273 IN FORT BEND COUNTY. BY ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AND ORDER DECREEING THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY, AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF LOCATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALIGNMENT, INSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE SETTEGAST RANCH ROAD, INCLUDING A PERTINENT DRAINAGE AND OTHER REQUIRED FOR THAT PROJECT. THIS MOTION APPLIES TO ANY AND ALL PARCELS OF THE LAND AND ARE ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS THAT MUST BE CONDEMNED ARE EXAMINED FOR POTENTIAL CONDEMNATION ALONGSIDE GAS RANCH WROTE, SEGMENT ONE, PROJECT 23107. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. DISCUSSION? OLGA, PROCEED WITH THE RECORDED VOTE. >> MOTION PASSES. >> IT IS REQUESTED THAT WE WILL MOVE ITEM NUMBER 34-- >> WEIGHT. YOU ARE TALKING BOAT SEE. THIS ONE WE HAVE TO CLOSE OUT ON THE BOAT. >> B IS PASSED. IT PASSES. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE AGENDA ITEM 34C AFTER THE CLOSED SESSION. >> COMMISSIONER, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, CAN COUNCIL CONFIRM WHAT SECTION UNDER CLOSED SESSION YOU WOULD BE DISCUSSING THIS? [01:20:01] >> I AM NOT DISCUSSING IT. >> IN OPEN SESSION. LET IS JUST DELAY IT. >> APOLOGIES. I MISUNDERSTOOD. >> AGENDA ITEM 35, PRESENTED [35. DISTRICT JUDGE:] UNDER DISTRICT JUDGE. THIS AFTERNOON WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE THE JUDGE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COURT. IS THE JUDGE HERE? IS HE OUT THERE? HE LEFT? >> HE LEFT. >> OKAY. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION. THE INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO US BY THE JUDGE, WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE BOARD OF JUDGES. AND AT HIS REQUEST, WE ARE MAKING THIS MOTION. I MOVE THAT THE 240TH AND 268 DISTRICT COURTS BE PAIRED TOGETHER WITH ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND ONE COURT COORDINATOR. HANDLEY 434TH DISTRICT COURTS BE PAIRED TOGETHER WITH ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND ONE COURT COORDINATOR. THAT THE 458 AND THE 502ND DISTRICT COURTS BE PAIRED TOGETHER WITH ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND ONE COURT COORDINATOR. THAT THE 328 AND THE 387TH DISTRICT COURTS BE PAIRED TOGETHER WITH ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND ONE COURT COORDINATOR. AND THAT THE 501ST AND 550 DISTRICT COURTS BE PAIRED TOGETHER WITH ONE ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND ONE COURT COORDINATOR. AND THAT THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND COURT COORDINATORS BE PLACED AT FIVE SEPARATE COUNTY UNITS UNDER THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. >> ANY SECOND? >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. THREE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES THREE TO TWO. [36. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION:] AGENDA ITEM 36. PRESENTED BY-ELECTION ADMINISTRATION. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 36 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT EARLY VOTING STARTS ON MONDAY THE 19TH THROUGH THE 30TH. ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 3RD. [37. ENGINEERING:] IT OUT AND VOTE. >> FANTASTIC. AGENDA ITEM 37 A THROUGH L. PRESENTED BY ENGINEERING. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF-- WHAT NUMBER IS IT? >> THIRTY-SEVEN A-L. >> THIRTY-SEVEN A-L AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? [38. GRANTS ADMINISTRATION:] ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 38, A-H. PRESENTED BY THE GRANT ADMINISTRATION. I WILL ASK THE COURT TO POSTPONE ACTION ON AGENDA ITEM 38C, AFTER THE WORKSHOP PRESENTATION LATER IN THIS MEETING. WE HAVE A WORKSHOP ON THIS ITEM. SO I WOULD ASK US TO POSTPONE THIS AFTER THE WORKSHOP, ON 38C. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM 30 8A THROUGH H WITH NO EXCEPTION? >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND [39. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES:] SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 39 A AND B. PRESENTED BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. >> MOBILE FILE APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 40, PRESENTED BY THE LIBRARY WILL BE POSTPONE TO A FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING FOR FURTHER REVIEW. [41. MEDICAL EXAMINER:] AGENDA ITEM 41, PRESENTED BY THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. [42. PARKS & RECREATION:] AGENDA ITEM 42, PRESENTED BY... >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? [43. PURCHASING:] ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 43 A THROUGH S. PRESENTED BY PURCHASING. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 43 A THROUGH S AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? [44. SHERIFF'S OFFICE:] ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE HER HAND. THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 44. PRESENTED BY THE SHARPE'S OFFICE. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 44. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND [01:25:01] SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? [45. TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR:] ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 45 PRESENTED BY THE TEXAS-- THE TAX COLLECTOR. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. [46. Approve Bills.] [47. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on October 1, 2026.] [48. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on October 15, 2026, to be ratified by Commissioners Court on October 22, 2026. ] MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 46, 47, AND 48. APPROVAL OF THE BILLS AND OTHER TIME SENSITIVE DISBURSEMENTS. PLEASE PROCEED. >> ALONG WITH THE TIME SENSITIVE BILLS TOTALING 17,380,609.76 PACK SUBMIT FOR COURT APPROVAL BILLS TOTALING 7,022,269 AND-- .07. WITH ROUTINE DISBURSEMENTS OF 6,319,413.66. >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF 46, FOUR TO SEVEN AND 48. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND [49. WORKSHOP:] SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 49 A, PRESENTED UNDER WORKSHOP. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE A WORKSHOP ON THIS? >> YOUR FIRST WORKSHOP IS A CONDUCTED WORKSHOP TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM HAGGERTY REGARDING THE GRANTS MANAGEMENT POLICY, AND THEY WILL BE PRESENTING TO YOU VIRTUALLY. >> OKAY. >> CAN YOU HEAR US? THERE YOU ARE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES. PLEASE MOVE FORWARD. >> RATE. -- GREAT. LET ME PULL UP THE PRESENTATION. >> ARE YOU READY? OKAY. THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU SEE MY PRESENTATION? IT IS NOT WORKING ON MY END. >> YES, WE CAN HEAR IT. AND WE CAN SEE IT. >> SORRY. MY POWERPOINT IS NOT WORKING. DO I HAVE ABILITY TO SHARE MY SCREEN? >> YES. YOU CAN SHARE YOUR SCREEN. IS ANYONE ABLE TO CONFIRM IF I AM ABLE TO SHARE? >> MCKENZIE, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO SHARE YOUR SCREEN THE COURT CANNOT SEE IT YET. JYE DON'T THINK WE CAN WORK IT OUT LIKE THAT. YOU CAN SPEAK LOUDER AND MAKE YOUR SUMMARY? >> YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. >> COUNTY JUDGE: PLEASE GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR SUMMARY. IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK EVEN WITH THE DELAY. SO PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> OKAY. I WILL GIVE A BRIEF SUMMARY. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET ME JOIN TODAY. I'M MACKENZIE ANDERSEN. I AM FROM HAGGERTY CONSULTING AND I WORK ALONGSIDE MONICA, AND TOGETHER WITH FORT BEND AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO DEVELOP A MANAGEMENT POLICY WHICH IS BEING IMPLEMENTED HERE TODAY. SO I WANTED TO PROVIDE JUST A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW THE PROCESS CAME TO BE. >> COUNTY JUDGE: HOLD ON. LET COURT MEMBERS KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE A-- FOR THAT POLICY. PLEASE FOLLOW WHAT SHE IS DOING. WE DO HAVE. PLEASE PROCEED. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. SO THE MANAGEMENT POLICY DRIVES COUNTY WIDE IMPACT ACROSS THREE KEY AREAS WHICH IS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, REGULATORILY COME MINUS AND FUNDING GROWTH. BY STANDARDIZING THE CORE PROCESS, THE POLICY ELIMINATES [01:30:03] THE OPERATIONAL SILOS BY ALIGNING DIRECTLY WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS. IT ENSURES AUDIT READINESS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IT CREATES A DEPENDABLE STRUCTURE THAT EMPOWERS DEPARTMENTS TO WIN AND MANAGE MORE GRANT FUNDING. THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR THE POLICY HAS BEEN AN ONGOING EFFORT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE EVOLVING NEEDS AND RESTRUCTURING OF THE COUNTY'S INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS. THE GRANT MANAGEMENT POLICY TOOK SHAPE BACK IN LATE 2024 AND HAS UNDERDONE SEVERAL DIVISIONS IN COLLABORATION WITH MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, PAYROLL DEPARTMENT, AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS CIVIL DIVISION MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS COMPLIANT AND ALIGNED WITH FORT BEND COUNTY STANDARDS, AND WITH THOSE REVISIONS, A FINAL POLICY IS READY FOR ENACTMENT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THE COUNTY-WIDE COLLABORATION THAT WENT INTO-- IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO SHARE-- SO THE EFFORT WAS LED BY VON MAJOR WHO ARE IN THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE, AND THEY ENSURED THAT EVERY DEPARTMENT'S PRIORITIES AND OPERATIONAL REALITIES WERE HEARD YVONNE WORKED DIRECTLY WITH EIGHT DEPARTMENTS WITH EXTENSIVE MANAGING GRANT. THEIR FEEDBACK ALLOWING US TO TEST THE REAL WORLD POLICY AND UNDERSTAND HOW IT-- DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. THROUGH THIS PROCESS WE IDENTIFIED AREAS THAT COULD BE STANDARDIZED AND ALSO ALLOWED FOR ROOM TO BE FLEXIBLE WITH DEPARTMENTS SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. THE EFFORT ALSO REVEALED PROCEDURAL GAPS THAT-- ONGOING COLLABORATION. ULTIMATELY THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT RESULTED IN REDUCING THE 60-PAGE DRAFT TO A 13-PAGE POLICY. AND THE UPDATES MADE TO THE POLICIES STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT AND CLARIFY EXPECTATIONS WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE COUNTY'S DAILY OPERATIONS. RECOGNIZING THAT GRANTS MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES OFTEN TIMES CAN'T BE UNIFORMLY APPLIED ACROSS FUNDING SOURCES. THE POLICY IS SHIFTED FROM STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTION TO HIGH-LEVEL GOVERNANCE MAINTAINING ONLY STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT APPLICABLE ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS. MOST IMPORTANTLY IT REFLECTS HOW FORT BEND OPERATES TODAY AND IT DOES NOT ALTER EXISTING WORK FLOWS AND IS USED STRICTLY AS A TOOL TO RECORD STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE DETAILED PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN REMOVED WITH THE INTENT OF DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE STAND ALONE GUIDE IN THE FUTURE. AND LOOKING-- NEXT SLIDE. LOOKS R LOOKING INTO 2027 AND BEYOND. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO ENSURE THE POLICY FUNCTIONS AS A LIVING TOOL RATHER THAN A DOCUMENT THAT SITS ON THE SHELF. TO PROTECT THE COUNTY'S COMPLIANCE LONG TERM, COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE POLICY, AND AS STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS SHIFT OR LOCAL PRIORITIES ADJUST, THE POLICY WILL ADAPT ALONGSIDE OF IT. WHILE PROCEDURAL GUIDES DOWN THE ROAD WILL NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR UNIQUE DEPARTMENTAL WORK FLOWS, THE JOINT WORK IS ALREADY REVEALED TIMES TO STREAMLINE NEW PROCESSES. TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION, THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE WILL OFFER MANAGEMENTS TRAINING TO DEPARTMENTS IN NEED OF MORE SUPPORT AND THIS WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES NEED TO NAVIGATE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS WITH CONFIDENCE, AND ULTIMATELY WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE LEADERSHIP, THIS FRAMEWORK IS BUILT TO REMAIN CURRENT, ADAPTEDDABLE. ACTIONABLE AND CONSISTENT. THANK YOU FOR HEARING US TODAY TO SHARE THE OVERVIEW OF THE POINTS, AND THANK YOU TO THE HARD WORK OF IN DEVELOPING THIS POLICY. AND I'M HAPPY TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY ONE THING. MACKENZIE AND MONICA, THEY'RE VERY GENEROUS TO RECOGNIZE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, BUT WE ALSO COCHAIR THIS RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, THERE IS A RESOURCE IN THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, ABIGAIL, THAT WILL BE A KEY PLAYER IN THIS PROCESS MOVING FORWARD, AND IT'S OUR GOAL TO MAKE THIS A GROWING POLICY AND AS MACKENZIE MENTIONED, THE DETAILS STEPS WERE REMOVED BECAUSE THOSE DETAILED STEPS WE CAN ESTABLISH DEPARTMENT BY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE BY OFFICE, CODIFY THOSE INTO A REPOSITORY AND THEN MONITOR OUR [01:35:05] COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE STEPS AS THEY RELATE TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE ADOPTED POLICY APP APPROVEDY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, ANYONE. I DO WANT TO BRING BACK AGENDA ITEM 38 (C). PLEASE READ THE ITEM FOR ME. >> NO, OFFER CLOSED SESSION. >> COUNTY JUDGE: NO, YOUR 38 (C), YOURS WILL BE. YOU WILL BE DONE AFTER THE CLOSED SESSION. NOW BACK TO 38 (C). OKAY. WHICH IS THE POLICY. OKAY. OLGA PLEASE READ 38 (C). >> GRANTS ADMINISTRATION. >> SORRY. 38 (C) GRANTS ADMINISTRATION, TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION TO ADOPT THE FORT BEND COUNTY GRANTS MANAGEMENT POLICY EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2026. >> COUNTY JUDGE: CORRECT. THAT. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> COUNTY JUDGE: I DO MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAID YOUR HAND. ANY OPPOSED. ABSTAIN. MOTION PASSES FOUR TO 0. 1 ABSTAIN. NOW LET'S GO TO ANOTHER WORKSHOP, 49 (B). >> CONDUCT A WORKSHOP TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM KROLL REGARDING THE TESLA PROJECT. >> GOT IT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'M VERY EXCITED TO PRESENT WHAT IS I BELIEVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY AND GROWTH REGIONALLY, LOCALLY, AND STATEWIDE. PROJECT CRYSTALSON IS A PROJECT FROM THAT TESLA IS CONTEMPLATING BUILDING IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THOSE LOCATIONS ARE COMPETITIVE WITH ONE ANOTHER. WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS IN THE DUE DILIGENCE PHASE. MEASURING EACH SITE THEIR VIABILITY COMMERCIAL ABILITY AND SEVERAL OTHER FACTORS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. TESLA, IF I'VE GOT TO REMIND ANYBODY, IT IS AN EV MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY ALSO DO BATTERY STORAGE AND THIS FACILITY IS PART OF A LARGER STRATEGY TO RESHORE WHAT WAS A MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY THAT HAS MOVED OUT OF THE COUNTRY. THE RECENT TARIFFS AND ADMINISTRATION HAVE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO IMPORT THESE PARTS, AND IN THE NATION, WE DO NOT HAVE ROBUST MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES TO PRODUCE SOLAR PANELS. THIS IS NOT WORKING. THANK YOU. GREAT. SO TO DATE, NO FINAL SITE SELECTION DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. AGAIN WHAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS DUE DILIGENCE, AND MAKING SURE THAT IT'S COMMERCIALLY VIABLE AND SPEAKING WITH THE RELEVANT PARTIES. THE LOCATION COULD BE AUSTON POINT. WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS APPROXIMATELY 3,000 ACRES. THIS HAS BEEN RE-ESTABLISHED AS A REINVESTMENT ZONE BY THE COURT, AND BUT THE ACTUAL ACREAGE THAT TESLA WOULD PLAN TO TAKE DOWN IS ONLY 1,600 ACRES. WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN HERE IS MUCH LARGER THAN THEIR ACTUAL EVENTUAL FOOTPRINT WOULD BE IF THE SITE WERE SELECTED. THE IMPACT, APPROXIMATELY 10 BILLION IN INVESTMENT. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MANUFACTURING INVESTMENTS IN THE NATION THAT I CAN RECALL IN RECENT HISTORY. 9,700 PERMANENT JOBS APPROXIMATE, AND ABOUT 1,100 PEAK CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. SO REALLY EARLY-STAGE EMPLOYMENT FROM TRADES, YOU KNOW, LOCAL FIRMS, LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO HELP GET A FACILITY LIKE THIS UP AND RUNNING. SO THE IMPACT WOULD BE QUITE IMMEDIATE. THE IMPACT DOESN'T JUST STAY WITH THE PROJECT. THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT WOULD OCCUR IF A TROACT OF THIS MAGNITUDE WERE TO MOVE TO THE COUNTY, CONSTRUCTION SITE SERVICES, OTHER SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE BROADER ECONOMY, HOUSEHOLD SPENDING, PEOPLE WILL [01:40:04] BE COMPENSATED, AND THAT COMPENSATION FLOWS THROUGH TO OTHER RETAIL SERVICE PROVIDERS. IT'S A GENERAL ECONOMIC LIFT. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SUPPLIERS THAT WOULD HAVE TO SUPPLY TO A FACILITY OF THIS MAGNITUDE, AND I GUESS LAST BUT VERY MUCH IMPORTANTLY, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DRIVE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW FOR EMPLOYMENT, AND THAT COULD SERIOUSLY CHANGE THAT. JUST TO TAKE A STEP OUT OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR FORT BEND, BUT TO LOOK AT THE BROADER PICTURE, THIS COULD OVER THE NEXT 20 OR 30 YEARS ADD OVER $100 BILLION OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT CAPABILITY TO TEXAS. 70 BILLION IN COMPENSATION, SALARIES AND BENEFITS TO PEOPLE WHO WORK OR THAT WORK AS A RESULT OF A LOCATION LIKE THIS. 34,400 JOBS IS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY THAT IF MANUFACTURER TESLA OR NOT WERE TO LOCATE, 9,700 NET NEW JOBS TO THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPLIERS AND THE BROADER ECONOMY WOULD HAVE TO SUPPORT THAT WITH ADDITIONAL JOB CREATION. IT'S CALLED A JOB MULTIPLIER. THAT IS WHY MANUFACTURER SOMETHING SO HIGHLY PRIZED IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THAT IS SOME OF THE HIGHEST JOB MULTIPLIERS YOU CAN GET. THINK ABOUT IT WITH, YOU KNOW, THE BANKING SYSTEM, YOU LOCATE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS. THEY AREN'T OUT THERE SOURCING NUTS, BOLTS. THEY AREN'T ASKING SOMEBODY TO FIX THEIR CONVEYOR BELTS. THEY ASKING A THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS PARTY TO HELP THEM GET THEIR RAW MATERIAL OR SHIP OUT FIN FINISHED PRODUCTS. HUGE. JUST A QUICK SUMMARY OF WHO THEY PLAN TO HIRE, I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS AND OFFICES. THIS WILL BE, YOU KNOW, BACK OFFICE, LEGAL, H.R., THE FACILITY WILL BE KIND OF A SELF-CONTAINED BUBBLE OF PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE BUSINESS WORK. MOST TECHNICAL POSITIONS AND ENGINEERING AND HIGH VALUE STEM CAREERS, THERE WILL BE OTHER CAREERS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES THAT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE CITIZENS IF THEY WERE TO LOCATE HERE. THEIR TRACK RECORD OF ATTRACTING TALENT, WORKING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WORKING WITH LOCAL TECHNICAL COLLEGES IS EASILY FOUND AND WHERE THEIR HEADQUARTERS IS WHICH IS AUSTIN, TEXAS, FOR THE FACTORY. THEY DON'T-- THEY RECRUIT, AND THEY HELP FUND SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT ATTRACT REAL TALENT AND THAT WOULD BE A REAL POSITIVE TO THE COMMUNITY. QUICK NOTE ABOUT ENGINEERING. AGAIN WE ARE-- THE PROJECT IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND DUE DILIGENCE PHASE. RIGHT NOW THERE ARE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERINGS, BUT THEY HAVE TO MAKE THIS SITE-SELECTION DECISION FIRST BEFORE THEY CAN START TO ENGINEER A SITE, RIGHT. THAT IS WHERE MONEY IS BEST SPENT IS AFTER THEY'VE MADE A SELECTION. BUT THE APPROACH RIGHT NOW IS WHEREVER THEY LOCATE. WATER IS A MAJOR CONCERN IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE NATION CONCERNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THEY ARE GOING TO USE PROCESS WATER AND REUSE WATER WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR MANUFACTURERS OF THIS SIZE. THEY'RE GOING TO RESPONSIBLY SOURCE WATER AND WORK WITH THE RELEVANT WATER AUTHORITIES IN THE LOCATION OF THEIR CHOOSING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR IMPACT IS NOT HARMFUL TO THE CITIZENS AROUND-- COOLING SAFETY, LIGHTING, THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT THEY ARE TAKING THAT THEY WOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE WITHIN REGULATIONS. WITH LIGHTING, THEY DIRECTIONAL LOW ILLU LUMINESCENCE. THESE ARE THE THINGS COMMERCIALLY MORE ECONOMICAL IN THE LONG RUN. SO JUST TO CLOSE ON THIS, TESLA WILL BUILD, DESIGN, OPERATE, THE PROJECT IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL AND SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS. THIS INCLUDES E.P.A. RULES, PERMITS, BUILDING, FIRE CODES, LOCAL ORDINANCES, COVERING AIR, WASTE, WATER, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, WORKER SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSES. THEY DON'T GET ANY SPECIAL PASSES. THEY HAVE TO GET THEIR PERMITS. THEY HAVE TO CONFORM TO THE SAME REGULATIONS THAT THE GAS [01:45:02] STATION, THE WALMART, YOUR LOCAL, YOU KNOW, MANUFACTURER DOWN THE STREET THAT THEY HAVE TO CONFORM, WITH THEY WILL HAVE TO DO THAT HERE. NO EXCEPTION. JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THEIR TRACK RECORD. THEY'VE BEEN OPERATING IN AUSTIN FOR A WHILE. THEY ALSO HAVE A FACTORY IN BERLIN, GERMANY. WE ALL KNOW THAT EUROPE HAS A VERY HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD. THEY'VE WON AWARDS AT THAT FACILITY FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. THREE YEARS IN A ROW, AUSTIN WATER HAS GIVEN THEM AN EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR THEIR PRETREATMENT OF WASTEWATER, AND THEY TEND TO PERFORM AND YOU KNOW OBTAIN REWARDS WHEREVER THEY GO. THIS IS AN EV MANUFACTURING FIRM, AND IT'S A SOLAR PANEL MANUFACTURING FIRM. SO ENVIRONMENTAL IS KIND OF BAKED INTO THE TYPES OF GOODS THAT THEY MAKE. CAN I ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS? >> COUNTY JUDGE: ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? ANYONE. >> YEAH. I WILL SAY THIS IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY. IT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST TOPIC OF CONVERSATION IN THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING AND GIVING THIS PRESENTATION TO KIND OF GIVE THE PUBLIC AN OVERVIEW ON WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED. WHEN WE JUST FINISHED A ROUND OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS, AND THIS CAME UP, AND WHEN I WAS IN THE FORT BEND FAIR PARADE, SOMEONE STOPPED ME AND SAID NO DATA CENTERS. THAT IS A BIG CONCERN ABOUT THIS. IS THIS A DATA CENTER, OR IS THERE ANY POTENTIAL FOR THIS BECOMING A DATA CENTER? >> THE PROJECT CRYSTAL SUN IS NOT A DATA CENTRE. IT IS A MANUFACTURING FACILITY. IT WILL BE-- WOULD BE A MANUFACTURING FACILITY. >> WILL BE. >> I WANT TO BE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR ABOUT THAT ON THE RECORD SO WE'RE CLEAR IS WHAT IS BEING CONSIDERED. IT'S A BIG, BIG MISCONCEPTION FOR SURE. SO THANKS FOR THAT, AND THEN ALSO IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU GOT GREAT SUPPORT FOR THIS FROM LAMAR CSID. WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMPLOYEE, THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT SOMEONE BROUGHT UP ABOUT ENSURING THAT FOLKS ARE ABLE TO-- WHO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE JOBS. WILL BE THERE ANY SORT OF PARTNER SHIPS. WE CUT THE RIBBONS-- HOW WILL Y'ALL WORK TO ENSURE THERE IS A PIPELINE FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN SOME OF THESE JOBS. >> YEAH. I WILL JUST GO BACK TO THEIR RECORD. PARTNER WITH TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND THE LOCAL K THROUGH 12. THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYWHERE THAT THEY LOCATE. 9,700 JOBS IS A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND I THINK THE SPEED THEY WANT TO DO IT AT ANY LOCATION THEY'RE GOING TO NEED K THROUGH 12 HELP AND COORDINATION. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE DO THEY WANT TO OR NOT TO. THEY WILL HAVE TO. DOES THAT. >> COMMISSIONER: THAT IS GOOD. I WAS LISTENING TO HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA THIS MORNING ON MY DRIVE, AND THEY WERE HAVING THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION ABOUT THERE WAS A BIG PUSH BY THE TECH INDUSTRY TO GET PEOPLE TO LEARN HOW TO DO CODING, AND THEN A.I. CAME ALONG, AND NOW THOSE SAME PEOPLE WHO GOT DEGREES IN CODING CAN'T GET JOBS. THE THING THAT EXCITES ME ABOUT THIS IS THAT THESE ARE REAL TECHNICAL SKILLS AND TRADES THAT ARE WILL BE TRANSFERABLE TO ANY INDUSTRY. BUT ALSO THAT FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY CAN TANGIBLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SO I REALLY WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR THAT AND FOR US BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROJECT. THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> COMMISSIONER: I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK TESLA FOR CONSIDERING-- >> COUNTY JUDGE: ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER QUESTION OR COMMENTS. THAT IS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR COMING. LET'S GO TO AGENDA NUMBER 50. GA. >> MEET IN CLOSED SESSION TO DELIBERATE THE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS AUTHORS BY THE TEXT GOVERNMENT CODE. 551.071. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY. >> COUNTY JUDGE: ARE YOU READY FOR OPEN SESSION. IS IT READY? IS IT READY OR YOU NEED TO GO IN CLOSED SESSION. [01:50:03] >> THAT ONE WE CAN HANDLE HERE. >> COUNTY JUDGE: WONDERFUL PLEASE. >> I WAS THINKING OUR KIND PRESENTEDDERS FROM TESLA, YES, BUT CHEYENNE, SHE IS AVAILABLE ON THE FIRST ONE WHICH WE DON'T ANTICIPATE MUCH CONVERSATION. IF Y'ALL ARE COMFORTABLE, I THINK SHE IS READY TO GO. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS CHEYENNE TROUT, I'M HERE ON 51 (A)(1) WHICH IS A SETTLEMENT THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY RISK AS WELL AS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND I HAVE THE MOTION AND ORDER. >> ALL RIGHT. I MOVE THAT IN AGENDA ITEM 51 (A)(1) AUTHORIZE TO APPROVE AND ACCEPT THE FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT RECOMMENDED BY AND TO APPROVE SUCH TERMS AND PROVISIONINGS FOR THE FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT IN CAUSE NUMBER 25-DCV 46329207 MIRIANM BLASQUEZ VERSUS FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT IN THE FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS IN THE LMENT OF 30,000. >> SECOND. >> COUNTY JUDGE: MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOUR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW I WANT TO BRING BACK 34 (C). >> I MOVE THAT FORT BEND BY RECORD VOTE AUTHORIZE THE USE OF POWER TO REQUIRE ALL NEEDED RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE RICHMOND STREET PROJECT NUMBER 200118 PRECINCT 3 PROPOSED TO BE PERTINENT TO RICHMOND STREET BEGINNING ALT FROM FM 360 TO FAIRCHILD CREEK IN FORT BEND TEXAS BY ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION IN ORDER TO CREATE THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC NECESSITY. PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE PURPOSE LOCATION IMPROVEMENT ALIGNMENT CONSTRUCTION. OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE RICHMOND STREET PROJECT NUMBER 20118 INCLUDING THE PERTINENT DRAINAGE AND RETENTION REQUIREMENT FOR SAID PROJECT. THIS MOTION APPLIES TO ANY AND ALL PARCELS OF LAND AND ARE ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS THAT MUST BE CONDEMNED ARE EXAMINED FOR POTENTIAL CONDEMNATION ALONG THE RICHMOND STREET PROJECT NUMBER 20118. >> SECOND. >> COUNTY JUDGE: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? >> RECORD VOTE. >> COUNTY JUDGE: PLEASE PROCEED. >> YES. >> CLERK: COMMISSIONER MCCOY HOW DO YOU VOTE. >> YES. >> CLERK: MOTION PASSES. >> COUNTY JUDGE: FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AT THIS TIME THE FORT BEND GENERAL MEETING IS IN RECESS FOR CLOSED SESSION. NEXT WE'LL TURN ON OUR ATTENTION TO THE FORT BEND DRAINAGE DISTRICT. FOR THE DIRECTOR'S MEETING. >> THE CLERK: JUDGE. DID YOU RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION. >> COUNTY JUDGE: YES. >> CLERK: WE DID NOT GO THROUGH 50 (A)(2), (B)(1) ET CETERA. >> CLERK: SO THE NEXT ITEM UNDER CLOSED SESSION THAT WE'RE RETURNING TO IS 58.2 WHICH IS ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES SECTION 551.074. PERSONNEL MATTERS ONE DIRECTOR RESOURCES. (C), SECTION 551.087 DELIBERATION RECORDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. ONE PROJECT NUMBER 2026-02 AND THEN 2 PROJECT NUMBER 2026-05. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THANK YOU. ALL GOOD. AT THIS TIME THE FORT BEND COUNTY GENERAL MEETING IS IN RECESS FOR CLOSED SESSION. WE'LL NOW TURN OUR ATTENTION TO FORT BEND COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT FOR THE DIRECTOR'S MEETING. NOW IT IS 2:54 P.M., AND I CALL TO ORDER THIS MEETING OF THE FORT BEND DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. TODAY IS THURSDAY OCTOBER 8, 2026. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES. UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> APPROVE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> COUNTY JUDGE: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAID YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> MOTION. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THE FORT BEND BOARD-OF-DIRECT ROSH MEETING ADJOURNED. TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE FORT BEND COUNTY ASSISTANT DRISS [01:55:02] DIRECTS 20. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. NOW IT IS 2:55 P.M. AND I CALL TO ORDER THIS JOINT MEETING OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT NUMBER 167910 AND 11 TODAY IS THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 2026. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> THE CLERK: JUDGE. IT'S ONLY 20. YOU ARE ONLY TAKING-- YOU ARE OPENING CAT 20 YES, SIR. >> COUNTY JUDGE: JUST THE 20. I'M SORRY. FORT BEND DISTRICT NUMBER 20 ONLY. >> THE CLERK: YES, SIR. >> COUNTY JUDGE: FORGET ABOUT WHAT I SAID ABOUT ONE THROUGH 11. JUST ASSISTANT DISTRICT NUMBER 20 TODAY IS THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 2026. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2, MINUTES. >> APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> YEAH. >> SECOND. >> COUNTY JUDGE: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. >> AUGUST. >> JUDGE, I'M BEING TOLD THAT YOU SAID AUGUST BY ME. I DON'T KNOW. >> COUNTY JUDGE: YES. I GOT THE WRONG PAGE, I'M SO SORRY. TODAY IS OCTOBER 8TH. TODAY IS THURSDAY OCTOBER 8TH. 2026. THANK YOU FOR THE CORRECTION. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. ALL RIGHT. SO I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION FOR THE MINUTES? ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> I WILL SECOND IT. IT'S HIS DEAL. >> COUNTY JUDGE: YEAH. JUST LET HIM. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE, COULD WE GO BACK TO THE MINUTES. WHO MADE THE MOTION. >> I DID. >> WHO SECONDED. >> MORALES DID. >> THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGE: SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> THAT IS OKAY. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> ADJOURN. >> COUNTY JUDGE: AT THIS TIME THE FORT BEND ABOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. COMMISSION CALL GENERAL SESSION [50. Meet in Closed Session to deliberate the following matters as authorized by the Texas Government Code:] REMAIN IN RECESS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT WE HAVE PLAQUES TO SIGN. SO LET'S SIGN THE PLAQUE AND THEN WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. I APPRECIATE IT. >> COUNTY JUDGE: WE'RE GOING [51. Reconvene Open Session and consider taking action on the following matters:] TO RECONVENE AT 5:03 P.M. OLGA, READ THE ITEM. >> CLERK: YES, SIR. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AND CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS. (A), SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY 1 CAUSE NUMBER 25-DCV-329207. >> COUNTY JUDGE: HAS BEEN ACTED ON ALREADY. IT'S DONE IN OPEN SESSION. >> THE CLERK: YES. >> COUNTY JUDGE: NEXT. >> THE CLERK: TWO, IS A PULLED ITEM. IT WAS JUST LEFT THERE FOR YOU INADVERTENTLY, SO NO ACTION OR NOTHING NEEDED ON NUMBER 2. >> COUNTY JUDGE: ACCESS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, RIOT. >> CLERK: I'M TALKING ABOUT THE POSTED AGENDA. NUMBER 2 WAS THE OTHER CASE NUMBER WE WERE ASKED TO PULL. I WANTED THAT ON THE RECORD SINCE WE DID POST THAT. >> COUNTY JUDGE: YES. >> CLERK: NUMBER 2 ON YOUR SCREENS WHICH IS THE ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES IS YOUR NEXT ITEM. >> COUNTY JUDGE: NO ACTION ON THAT. >> CLERK: (B), SECTION 551.074. PERSONNEL MATTERS. ONE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES. >> YES. MOVE TO APPOINT JESSICA MOSBY AS UPON SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION EMPLOYMENT TERMS EFFECTIVE FIRST AVAILABILITY. >> SECOND. >> COUNTY JUDGE: I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ANY OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES 3-1. >> CLERK: SECTION 551.087 DELIBERATION RECORDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ONE PROJECT NUMBER 2026-02. >> COUNTY JUDGE: NO ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS. >> CLERK: TWO. ON TWO, PROJECT NUMBER 2026-05. >> COUNTY JUDGE: NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. >> CLERK: THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND I NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> COUNTY JUDGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.