[00:00:01] >> HEY. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. [A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER] THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WELCOME. WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THIS MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER THE 8TH, 2024 AT 9:00 AM. DAVID, WOULD YOU COME LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION, PLEASE? THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. LET'S PRAY. FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN THIS PLACE TO GATHER AS CONCERNED CITIZENS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS TO DO THE BUSINESS OF THIS COUNTY. GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THESE THAT ARE HERE TO GIVE THEIR TIME TO DO THOSE TWO THINGS, CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO HAVE PUT THEMSELVES INTO THESE POSITIONS AND THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS TRUSTED THEM TO TAKE THESE POSITIONS AND TO GIVE LEADERSHIP TO US. NOW, FATHER, I PRAY THAT YOUR SPIRIT OF PEACE AND A SPIRIT OF WISDOM WOULD REST IN THIS PLACE. GOD THAT WE WOULD DEAL WITH EACH OTHER IN A WAY THAT BRINGS YOU GLORY AND BRINGS YOU PLEASURE. GOD, I WANT TO BRING YOU BLESSING TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE YOU MOVE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT IN THIS COUNTY AND IN THIS AREA. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN. >> AMEN. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? >> NO ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM ME, JUDGE. >> NONE AT THIS TIME, JUDGE. >> COMMISSIONER THERIOT, ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? >> NO. >> COMMISSIONER THOMAS? >> NONE. >> GREAT. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS. [E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS] I KNOW WE'VE GOT SOME COMMENTS TODAY AND I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO PROBABLY JUST READ THIS. WE DO HAVE SOME RULES OF CONDUCT THAT APPLY TO YOUR COMMENTS. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU KEEP THEM FOUR MINUTES. WHEN YOU COME UP, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, WHERE YOU'RE FROM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE US YOUR ADDRESS, JUST TOWN AND COUNTY IS FINE. BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THESE. THEY'RE VERY SHORT, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALIZE THAT I THINK THE TOPIC THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE ON TODAY IS EMOTIONAL FOR SOME AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP EVERYTHING IN ORDER IN THE COURTROOM. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THIS. IT IS PUBLIC CONDUCT DECORUM. IT'S NOT THE INTENTION OF CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC FORUM FOR THE DEMEANING OF ANY INDIVIDUAL GROUP, COUNTY EMPLOYER OR MEMBER OF THE COURT. NEITHER IS IT THE INTENTION OF THE COURT TO ALLOW CITIZEN SPEAKERS TO INSULT THE HONESTY AND/OR INTEGRITY OF ANY COUNTY EMPLOYEE, OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE, NOR ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY. ACCORDINGLY, PROFANE, INSULTING, DEMEANING OR THREATENING LANGUAGE DIRECTED TOWARD THE COURT AND ANY PERSON IN THE COURT'S PRESENCE AND/OR RACIAL, ETHNIC, OR GENDER SLURS OR EPITAPHS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL COURT WITH BOTH JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE POWERS CREATED UNDER ARTICLE 5 SECTION 1, SECTION 18 OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. AS A CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ALSO POSSESSES THE POWER TO ISSUE A CONTEMPT OF COURT CITATION UNDER 81.023 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY PERSON IN ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETING OF THE COURT WHO ATTEMPTS TO DISRUPT THE MEETING OR IS DISRUPTING THE MEETING MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE MEETING AND/OR CITED WITH CONTEMPT. EXTENSIVE CLAPPING, SHOUTING OR OTHER DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN COURT. VIOLATION OF THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE SPEAKER'S REMAINING TIME, REMOVAL FROM THE COURT ROOM, A CONTEMPT CITATION AND/OR SUCH OTHER CIVIL OR CRIMINAL SANCTIONS AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED. I JUST READ THAT JUST SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. I BELIEVE THEY'RE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS TO HAVE, BUT WE NEED TO DO THEM IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY. WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO OPEN IT UP. >> JORDAN BUCKLEY. BOB LIBAL. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE BEING HERE THIS MORNING. MY NAME IS BOB LIBAL. I'M A TEXAS-BASED CONSULTANT TO HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, [00:05:03] A NONPROFIT INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT INVESTIGATES ALLEGATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN MORE THAN 90 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. FOR THE PAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS, I HAVE WORKED WITH HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH TO EXTENSIVELY DOCUMENT THE IMPACT OF OPERATION LONE STAR, THE BORDER PROGRAM CREATED IN 2021 BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S DISASTER DECLARATION. I TESTIFIED HERE TWO WEEKS AGO ABOUT WHAT I HAVE SEEN RELATED TO OPERATION LONE STAR. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS THAT THE RESOLUTION IN THE BACKUP THAT I READ OVER THE WEEKEND HAS TONED DOWN SOME OF THE CLEARLY FACTUALLY INACCURATE AND DANGEROUS STATEMENTS, THAT SOME OF THOSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED. BUT I'M ALSO A LITTLE CONFUSED BY THE NEW RESOLUTION. AS SOMEONE WHO PRODUCES RESEARCH FOR AN NGO, I HAVE TO BACK MY CLAIMS WITH EVIDENCE, INCLUDING USUALLY DATA AND TESTIMONY. IN THIS RESOLUTION, AND I SIMPLY SEE NO WARRANTS FOR MANY OF THE CLAIMS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. THE DATA SUGGESTS THAT, NOT THE DATA IN THE RESOLUTION, BUT THE BROADER DATA CERTAINLY SUGGESTS THAT CALDWELL COUNTY IS A QUICKLY GROWING COMMUNITY. BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN THE RESOLUTION THAT SAYS THAT RECENTLY ARRIVED MIGRANTS ARE SETTLING IN CALDWELL COUNTY IN PARTICULARLY LARGE NUMBERS. ANECDOTALLY, I HAVE CERTAINLY HEARD THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM TRAVIS COUNTY TO ESCAPE AUSTIN'S HIGH COST OF LIVING. THERE'S ALSO NOTHING IN THE RESOLUTION THAT SAYS THAT MIGRANTS ARE UNIQUELY CAUSING HARMFUL IMPACTS TO EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY OR HEALTH SYSTEMS IN CALDWELL COUNTY. THERE'S JUST NOTHING PRESENTED IN THE RESOLUTION. PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, THIS RESOLUTION DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO DRAW DOWN RESOURCES TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE STRESSES ON THOSE SYSTEMS THAT ARE CAUSED BY A QUICKLY GROWING POPULATION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IN THE TWO YEARS THAT A SIMILAR RESOLUTION HAS BEEN IN EFFECT, THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO STATE OR FEDERAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE COME TO CALDWELL COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE DECLARED DISASTER. I DO WANT TO REITERATE A FEW OF THE FACTS THAT I BROUGHT BEFORE YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO. THE STATE OF TEXAS, INSTEAD OF SPENDING MONEY ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, OR PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIES, HAS SPENT MORE THAN $11 BILLION ON OPERATION LONE STAR. THAT'S A BILLION WITH A B. GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS ASKED FOR NEARLY THREE BILLION DOLLARS MORE FOR THE NEXT BIENNIUM. OPERATION LONE STAR HAS NOT SUCCEEDED ANY MORE THAN OTHER STATES IN REDUCING MIGRATION OR DRUG SMUGGLING, ACCORDING TO SEPARATE ANALYSES BY THE WALL STREET JOURNAL IN 2023 AND OPERATION LONE STAR AND THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE JUST IN AUGUST. AT LEAST 17 TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE PERSONNEL AND ONE DPS TROOPER HAVE DIED WHILE DEPLOYED UNDER THIS PROGRAM TO THE BORDER. NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS HAVE FIRED RUBBER BULLETS AND PEPPER BALLS, HAVE BEAT AND PUSHED ASYLUM SEEKERS, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN INTO CONCERTINA WIRE. OPERATION LONE STAR HAS CONTRIBUTED TO SCORES OF DEADLY HIGH SPEED VEHICLE PURSUITS, KILLING MORE THAN 74 PEOPLE AND INJURING MORE THAN 189 MORE, INCLUDING BY-STANDARDS. THESE PURSUITS DON'T FOLLOW POLICING BEST PRACTICES. THERE IS ONGOING LITIGATION AGAINST THE STATE AND SEVERAL COUNTIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN OPERATION LONE STAR, AND THE PROGRAM HAS RAISED SUFFICIENT CONCERNS THAT IT HAS COME UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THESE ARE ALL FACTS THAT COULD BE INCLUDED IN A RESOLUTION THAT TELLS A FULLER PICTURE ABOUT BOTH THE IMPACT OF MIGRATION AND THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT POLICIES. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXPLORE THESE FACTS AND OTHERS BEFORE YOU VOTE ON AN EXTENDED DISASTER RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> SABINA HINZ-FOLEY. >> I'M SO SORRY. >> YOU'RE OKAY. >> THE PROBLEMS OF BEING SHORT. HI. MY NAME IS SABINA. I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP. >> WOULD YOU MIND STATING YOUR NAME, WHERE YOU'RE FROM? >> HI, SABINA HINZ-FOLEY, I'M FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP, REPRESENTING MY COLLEAGUE WHO UNFORTUNATELY COULDN'T BE HERE THIS MORNING WITH US, WHO IS A CALDWELL COUNTY RESIDENT. SULMA FRANCO SENT ME A FEW WORDS AND I'M HOPING EVERYTHING WILL LOAD. BUT SHE SAYS AS SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE CALDWELL COUNTY MY HOME, FEAR IN SIGHTED ACTIONS LIKE THE DISASTER DECLARATION DOES NOT MAKE ME OR MY COMMUNITY SAFER. [00:10:04] WITH IMMIGRATION, A TOPIC ON EVERYONE'S MIND, WE NEED A COUNTY TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT CALDWELL RESIDENTS. INSTEAD OF CRIMINALIZING OUR COMMUNITY, WE MUST FOCUS ON WHAT TRULY MATTERS. I TRULY URGE THIS COURT TO REVOKE THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU. >> JULIETA SUAREZ CALDERON. [NOISE] >> JUST A QUICK REMINDER, SILENCE YOUR PHONES, PLEASE. I'M SORRY, MA'AM. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JULIETA. I'M COMING FROM TRAVIS COUNTY, AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP. WE ASKED DOZENS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY FOR THEIR INPUT, SO I'M HERE TO RELAY THEIR COMMENTS, ASKING THAT YOU REVOKE THE DISASTER DECLARATION. I'LL BE READING VARIOUS COMMENTS. THE FIRST ONE, "I ASK THAT YOU REVOKE THE STATE OF DISASTER DECLARATION BECAUSE THERE IS CLEARLY NO ACTUAL STATE OF DISASTER. I'M DISMAYED THAT THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS PARTICIPATING IN THIS VILIFICATION OF IMMIGRANT PEOPLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND MISLEADING AND CHARGED RHETORIC AND IT DOES NOT BELONG IN CALDWELL COUNTY." THE NEXT. "ONE, HOW DID CALDWELL COUNTY COME TO THE DECISION THAT THERE IS A DISASTER GOING ON HERE? WHAT DATA? WHAT RESOURCES HAVE WE GOTTEN? DID IT HAVE TO HAVE SUCH DEROGATORY LANGUAGE TOWARDS NONCITIZENS? WHAT METRICS ARE BEING LOOKED AT TO DECIDE IF WE'RE STILL IN A SO-CALLED DISASTER? BORDER CROSSINGS ARE AT FOUR YEAR LOWS. WHY STATE REP STAN GERDES IS SO INTERESTED IN KEEPING THIS DECLARATION?" NEXT. "I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF CALDWELL COUNTY FOR OVER 27 YEARS. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE REVOCATION OF CALDWELL COUNTY'S STATE OF DISASTER RESOLUTION. SPREADING HARMFUL FALSEHOODS ABOUT IMMIGRANTS, WRONGLY LINKING THEM TO CRIME AND DISEASE, AND CREATING A RISK OF VIOLENCE. THIS RESOLUTION SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN WRITTEN INTO EXISTENCE AS THERE IS NO SUCH THREAT NOW OR THEN." NEXT ONE. "THERE IS NO STATE OF DISASTER. THIS IS A FEAR RHETORIC THAT HAS NO BASIS IN REALITY. CREATING A PANIC BASED ON THESE LIES IS IMMORAL. PLEASE DON'T INCITE HATE. BE STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND UP TO THIS AND SAY THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE'RE ALL BETTER THAN THIS." THE LAST ONE SAYS, "OUR COUNTY DOES NOT NEED THIS HATE-FILLED, MANIPULATIVE, DISHONEST RESOLUTION THAT HOLDS MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARLY FALSE ALLEGATIONS. THE RESOLUTION SERVES ONLY TO DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITY RATHER THAN TO SOLVE A PROBLEM. I ASK THAT OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REVOKE THE STATE OF DISASTER RESOLUTION 3-2023. I BELIEVE THAT OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE MORE INTEGRITY THAN TO SUPPORT SUCH A FLAWED RESOLUTION THAT DOES NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF CALDWELL COUNTY." THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> ALICIA TORRES. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ALICIA TORRES. >> MA'AM, WOULD YOU MIND JUST STATING WHERE YOU'RE FROM REAL QUICKLY? >> YES. MY NAME IS ALICIA TORRES. I'M A RESIDENT OF TRAVIS COUNTY WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY, LIVING IN PRECINCT 2, 1 AND 3, AND A CONSTANT VISITOR TO YOUR FIRST FRIDAYS IN THE BROWN PET SHOP. LOVE ALL THE LOCAL BUSINESSES. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO THAT PIECE. AS SOMEONE WHO CONSIDERS CALDWELL AS A SECOND HOME BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY I BRING IN WHEN I COME AND VISIT MY SIBLINGS, AND SEEN HOW AT HOME THEY FEEL HERE, HOW SAFE THEY FEEL HERE. WHEN I FIRST LEARNED AND I SPOKE TO THIS LAST WEEK I WAS HERE ABOUT THE CONCERN THAT I HAD OF HOW AGAIN, I HAD TO DELIVER THE NEWS OF THERE IS RHETORIC. THE RHETORIC THAT WE'RE SEEING ON THE SCREENS IS JUMPING ONTO THE STREETS OF CALDWELL. THIS RHETORIC OF BEING A MIGRANT IS ATTACHED TO INCREASED CRIME AND DISEASE. WE CAME, WE SPOKE, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MIGHT BE FURTHER DISCUSSION WHERE LANGUAGE AROUND THIS RESOLUTION IS SANITIZED. BUT I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE FACT THAT INTENT IS INTENT AND EVEN WHEN WE TAKE AWAY THE REPULSIVE LANGUAGE, IF THE INTENT IS TO PARALYZE COMMUNITY INTO FEAR, IT WILL STILL HAVE THAT INTENT. IF THE INTENT IS TO SAY, THIS IS A PLACE THAT ONLY WELCOMES SOME AND NOT ALL, IT WILL STILL HAVE THAT INTENT. WE WILL PROVIDE WITH YOU GUYS ALL AN EMAIL ON [00:15:03] THE COMMENTS THAT WERE PUT ON A PETITION THAT WAS PUT OUT. BUT I THINK AS I READ THROUGH THOSE COMMENTS, WHAT REALLY STUCK OUT IS THAT, THAT FIRM BELIEF THAT HERE LOCALLY, OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE A DUTY AND THAT IS TO NOT FALL INTO THE DIVISION THAT WE CURRENTLY ARE FACING AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, INTO THE POLARIZATION THAT IS HAPPENING AT A STATE LEVEL. WHEN WE SAY, THIS IS OUR NEIGHBOR, THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WE SEE AT ROSITAS. THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE AT CHURCH SERVICE. YOU GUYS ARE THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE IN KEEPING CALDWELL COUNTY A WELCOMING AND SAFE PLACE FOR ALL. I EMPLOY YOU, I ASK, PLEASE BE BOLD AND BE THAT LEADER THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING OUT TO BE AND LEAD NOT BY FOLLOWING RHETORIC, BY PRAYING TO WHAT WE SEE AS STAND OUT HEADLINES, BUT REACH OUT TO YOUR NEIGHBORS. LOOK AT STATISTICS, REACH OUT TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH, THAT HAVE DONE THE REPORTS, AND INFORM YOURSELVES. IT'S ACTUALLY PRACTICE WALKING BOTH AISLES, BECAUSE THE WAY THAT BOTH THE OLD AND THE SANITIZED POSSIBLE LANGUAGE OF THE RESOLUTION READ, IT IS STILL A DIVISIVE DECLARATION. >> IT IS STILL A DECLARATION THAT IS NOT WELCOMING TO PEOPLE THAT LOOK AND SOUND LIKE ME. WHEN WE SAY THAT MIGRANTS ARE BECOMING A HEAVINESS TO OUR LOCAL EDUCATION SYSTEM, TO OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, THOSE ARE STATE TALKING POINTS, THAT IS NOT WHAT I SEE WHEN I GO TO CLEAR FORK ELEMENTARY. I VISITED MY NEPHEW THERE, AND I TOOK MY DAD FOR GRANDPARENTS' DAY. >> MA'AM, YOU ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> PLEASE, WRAP IT UP. >> FOR GRANDPARENTS DAY. WHAT I SEE IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS LEANING IN INTO THE CHANGE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING, I SEE A COMMUNITY THAT IS SEEKING UNITY AND NOT FEAR. I ASK THAT YOU REVOKE THE DECLARATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> THERE ARE NO MORE CITIZEN COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO CONSENT. [F. CONSENT AGENDA] IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON CONSENT, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING. [G.1 Smithville Workforce Training Center Career Tracks - Ramon Rivera, Director of Strategic Development/County Coordinator and Janice Bruno, Executive Director] THE FIRST IS SMITHVILLE WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER, TRACKS, RAMON RIVERA. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE. WE'RE HERE REPRESENTING SWTC CAREER TRACKS. WE'RE A 503 ORGANIZATION. OUR MAIN PURPOSE IS TRAIN, ENGAGE, EMPOWER, AND EMPLOY. TODAY, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JANICE BRUNO, WILL BE DOING THE PRESENTATION. AFTERWARDS, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS FOR YOU THIS MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET YOU ALL KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY. I THINK YOU MAYBE A REMEMBER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THERE WAS A BIG CHECK PRESENTATION, IT CAME DOWN FROM WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS REAL CAPITAL. WE ACTUALLY WERE PROVIDING SERVICES, ENGAGE, EMPOWER, EMPLOY STUDENTS IN BASTROP, LEE, AND FAYETTE COUNTY, AND THEN WE GOT APPROVAL TO MOVE INTO CALDWELL COUNTY. RAMON RIVERA IS OUR CALDWELL COUNTY COORDINATOR, AND HE IS HOUSED OUT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS RURAL CAP RIGHT HERE IN LOCKHART. WHAT DO WE DO? OUR VISION, ENGAGE. WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, 18 YEARS OLD ALL THE WAY UP TO AGE 60, 65. WE ARE TRYING TO THEN EMPOWER THOSE FOLKS. WE FOCUS ON LOW-INCOME RIGHT NOW, 50% OF OUR CANDIDATES HAVE TO BE LOW-INCOME. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ROOM HERE. [00:20:03] WE'VE GOT FIVE OTHER CATEGORIES THAT WE RECRUIT, PEOPLE OF COLOR, IMMIGRANTS THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK, THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF PRISON THAT MAYBE AREN'T ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING. WE GO AHEAD AND RECRUIT THOSE FOLKS TO BE ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES. IS IT WORKING NOW? THAT'S OKAY. WE FOCUS IN. >> MA'AM. >> THAT'S FINE. OH, HERE WE GO. I ALREADY TOLD YOU WE SERVED BASTROP, CALDWELL, FAYETTE, AND LEE COUNTY. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS RURAL WORKFORCE TRAINING, WORKFORCE TRAINING EQUALS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE CONSULT WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESSES. RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT, IN THE FOUR COUNTIES, OVER 120 BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH THAT WILL AGREE THEN TO HIRE BECAUSE THE LAST PART OF THIS IS ENGAGE, EMPOWER, EMPLOY. WHEN A STUDENT GOES THROUGH OUR PROGRAM AND THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES, THEY HAVE TO GO TAKE A JOB, WHICH IS A GOOD THING, AND THEY HAVE TO BE PAID AT THE PREVAILING WAGE OF $18 AN HOUR OR MORE. CURRENTLY, WE'RE FUNDED, LIKE I SAID, THROUGH THE GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE, AND THAT'S WHY WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE INTO CALDWELL COUNTY. I THINK IT WAS YOU JUDGE WHO SAID, "HEY, COME ON DOWN, WE WANT TO BE IN CALDWELL COUNTY." IN FACT, WE JUST RAN A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE, A CLASS HERE, GRADUATED THREE STUDENTS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO MORE COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE TRAINING IN CALDWELL COUNTY. WE'RE WORKING WITH WILLIAMS SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE, WHICH IS LOCAL, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE TEACHING HVAC, HEATING VENTILATION AIR CONDITIONING, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH TEXAS STATE. THESE ARE SOME OF OUR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES. HERE ARE THE PROGRAMS. WE OFFER THE MEDICAL ALLIED HEALTH RIGHT NOW IN ALL FOUR COUNTIES. WE KNOW THAT HEALTHCARE IS NUMBER 1. WE'VE GOT OUR SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, THEY NEED CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS, THEY NEED LVNS, THEY NEED NURSES, WE KNOW WE NEED EMTS, WE NEED PARAMEDICS, SO WE'RE FOCUSED ON RECRUITING FOR THOSE DISCIPLINES. ALSO, IN THAT DISCIPLINE, INCLUDES DENTAL ASSISTANCE. IN THE SKILLED TRADES, PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE, AND INTERNET TECHNOLOGY. THESE ARE ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN PAY FOR THE TRAINING, AND THEN WE CAN HELP THESE FOLKS GET A JOB IN ONE OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WE COORDINATE WITH. ONCE AGAIN, HERE ARE THE MEDICAL. WE'LL PAY UP TO $8,000 FOR LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSING AND UP TO $10,000 TOWARDS A DEGREE FOR REGISTERED NURSES. THAT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST NEEDS RIGHT NOW IN ALL FOUR COUNTIES, ARE THOSE TWO DISCIPLINES. ALLIED HEALTH, ONCE AGAIN, I KNOW RIGHT NOW IN BASTROP COUNTY, WE'RE LOOKING AT HAVING TO HAVE TO PUT 75 NEW EMTS, AND I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY SHORT OF EMTS TOO OUT HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY. WE'RE ACTUALLY TRAINING EMT, ADVANCED EMT, AND PARAMEDICS, PHLEBOTOMIST, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANT. IN THE SKILLED TRADES, LIKE I JUST SAID, WE JUST COMPLETED A CDL CLASS, HVAC, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, WELDING. WE'VE LOOKED AT YOUR ENTIRE COUNTY TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT BUSINESSES ARE OUT HERE THAT OFFER THESE TYPES OF TRADES. RAMON GOES OUT, HE MEETS WITH THOSE BUSINESSES, AND SAID, "HEY, WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS? AND HOW CAN WE HELP TRAIN YOUR FOLKS EITHER IN A UPSKILL OR EARN-TO-LEARN TYPE PROGRAM?" NEXT SLIDE. IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY SECTOR, THIS IS IN BASTROP COUNTY, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS AND SECURITY GUARDS. WE'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS OUT HERE TO CALDWELL COUNTY TO DO THE SAME. BOOKKEEPING IS ANOTHER AREA. RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT 14 FOLKS THAT WE'VE GOT ENROLLED THROUGH AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THROUGH THEIR BOOKKEEPING PROGRAM SO THEY CAN GET CERTIFIED. IF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN BOOKKEEPING, WE CAN ACTUALLY PAY FOR THAT TRAINING. SAME THING WITH BANKING, LOAN OFFICERS, FINANCE SPECIALISTS. IF THERE'S BANKS AND WE'VE MET WITH A FEW OF YOUR BANKS, WE CAN MEET WITH THOSE FOLKS TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO GET UPSKILLED IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS. THEN IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS HUGE, WE'VE GOT AN ONLINE PROGRAM THROUGH METRICS, AND IT'S ACTUALLY FREE, AND WE'VE GOT FOLKS THAT WILL PAY TO UPSKILL FOLKS IN COMPTIA, NETWORK ADMINISTRATION, CYBERSECURITY, WEB DEVELOPMENT, AND NETWORK SUPPORT. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT WE'VE GOT NOW, IT'S CALLED A QUAD COUNTY SKILLED TRADES COALITION. WE ACTUALLY HAVE USED THE LOCKHART LIBRARY NOW ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR THOSE MEETINGS. WE HAD A MEETING ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WE HAD ABOUT 50 FOLKS THAT CAME. [00:25:02] WE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT OF LOCKHART AND LULING, THOSE BUSINESSES. WE'RE TRYING TO INVOLVE ALL FOUR COUNTIES IN THIS COALITION. THE OTHER COALITION THAT WE HAVE IS CALLED THE RURAL WHOLE HEALTH COALITION, AND WE'VE GOT A MOBILE DENTAL, MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH BUS, AND WE WILL BE ROLLING INTO LULING THIS FRIDAY AT THE CIVIC CENTER, AND WE'LL BE SEEING FOLKS THERE FOR DENTAL, MEDICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH. WE'VE ALSO GOT THE RURAL WHOLE HEALTH COALITION IN ALL FOUR COUNTIES. HOW CAN YOU ALL HELP US? I GUESS, SPREAD THE WORD. I'M GLAD WE'VE GOT SOME YOUNG FOLKS HERE IN THE ROOM SO THAT THEY CAN SEE WHAT THEY CAN TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO DO. YOU CAN WORK THROUGH RAMON HERE. IF YOU'VE GOT BUSINESSES THAT ARE INTERESTED THAT WANT TO PARTNER WITH US, HEY, THE MORE THE MERRIER. RIGHT NOW, THAT'S HOW YOU CAN BECOME A STRATEGIC PARTNER, WHAT WE CALL A SECTORAL PARTNER. YOU COULD ALSO HAVE LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHICH I WANT TO SAY, A COUPLE OF THEM HAVE ALREADY SPONSORED OUR GRADUATIONS. A LOT GOING ON. WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THIS. WE'VE GOT ABOUT 18 MORE MONTHS ON WHAT WE CALL THE GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE. I JUST MET WITH TWC. I MET WITH PAUL FLETCHER YESTERDAY AND DIANE TACKETT AND WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER WAYS THAT WE CAN BRING SOME MORE FUNDING IN TO CALDWELL COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND SPREAD THE WORD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR US THIS MORNING BEFORE? >> NO QUESTIONS. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT RAMON. I CAN TELL YOU FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT HE'S VERY TENACIOUS IN HIS JOB. [LAUGHTER] ONCE HE GETS SOMETHING ON HIS MIND, THERE'S NO STOPPING THIS GUY. [LAUGHTER] THAT TRUCK DRIVER SCHOOL WOULDN'T BE HERE IF IT WASN'T FOR RAMON REMINDING ME ABOUT 14 TIMES THAT I HAD SOMETHING TO DO FOR HIM. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT HERE, AND IT'S NOT [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE WITH YOU AND LET ME KNOW HOW CAN I HELP AND PARTNER WITH YOU GUYS. IF YOU GUYS NEED TRAINING TO UPSKILL YOUR FOLKS, LET ME KNOW. I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO FIND WAYS AND CREATE AVENUES TO CREATE THAT SUCCESS WITHIN CALDWELL COUNTY AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE AREA. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU. WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING IN ABOUT THREE MINUTES, SO I'M JUST GOING TO JUMP DOWN AND CATCH A COUPLE OF DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS FOR A COUPLE OF THESE SUBDIVISION ITEMS, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO THE PRESENTATIONS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SHORT ANYONE ON TIME. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO TO ITEM I-1. [I.1 To consider the public streets and drainage in Hartland Subdivision Phase 3 as complete and ready to begin the two-year performance period as evidenced by a maintenance bond in the amount of $113,468.75 for maintenance security.] DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER THE PUBLIC STREETS AND DRAINAGE IN HARTLAND RANCH SUBDIVISION PHASE 3 AND COMPLETE AND READY TO BEGIN THE TWO-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD AS EVIDENCED BY MAINTENANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,468.17 FOR MAINTENANCE SECURITY. DONALD. >> ALL PUNCH LIST ITEMS HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE AND THE BONDS HAVE BEEN POSTED. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE HARTLAND PHASE 3 BOND? >> SO MOVED. >> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR OF SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. I'M GOING TO SKIP I-2 BECAUSE IT'S TIED TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING AND GO TO I-3, [I.3 To approve the Final Plat for Union Hill Road Subdivision consisting of seven residential lots on approximately 16.77 acres located on Union Hill Road. ] DISCUSSION ACTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL PLAT FOR UNION HILL ROAD SUBDIVISION CONSISTING OF SEVEN RESIDENTIAL LOTS ON APPROXIMATELY 16.77 ACRES LOCATED ON UNION HILL ROAD. CASEY. >> GOOD MORNING. THIS PLOT IS READY TO BE FINALIZED. ALL COMMENTS HAVE BEEN CLEARED, FEES HAVE BEEN COLLECTED, AND I'M JUST LOOKING FOR APPROVAL TO CLOSE IT OUT. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION. >> I'LL SO MOVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE, COMMISSIONER? MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> WE GOT ONE MORE MINUTE, SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ONE MORE HERE. ITEM I-4, DISCUSSION ACTION TO CONSIDER PUBLIC STREETS AND [I.4 To consider the public streets and drainage in Bollinger Phase 1 as complete and ready to begin the two-year performance period as evidenced by a maintenance bond in the amount of $212,004.33 for maintenance security. ] DRAINAGE OF BOLLINGER PHASE 1 AS COMPLETE AND READY TO BEGIN TWO-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD AS EVIDENCED BY MAINTENANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $212,004.33 FOR MAINTENANCE SECURITY. >> EVERYTHING'S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND THE BOND'S BEEN POSTED. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON ITEM I-4? >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. [00:30:02] >> A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING. [H.1 Regarding the Replat for Sunset Oaks, Section V, Block N, Lots #1 & #20 (Commercial Lots #2 & #3) on approximately 6.58 acres located at Highway 21 & FM 1966.] PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN AT 9:30 AM REGARDING RE-PLAT FOR SUNSET OAKS, SECTION 5, BLOCK N, LOT 1 AND LOT 20. COMMERCIAL LOT 2 AND 3 ON APPROXIMATELY 6.58 ACRES LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 21 AND FM 1966. COMMISSIONER THERIOT OR CASEY? OOPS, SORRY. WE'RE AT PUBLIC HEARING. I'M JUST ABOUT TO ASK FOR A MOTION. WE'LL LEAVE IT OPEN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN CASE ANYBODY WANTS TO COME UP AND COMMENT. >> WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:32 AND MOVE TO ITEM I2. [I.2 To approve the Replat for Sunset Oaks, Section V, Block N, Lots #1 & #20 (Commercial Lots #2 & #3) on approximately 6.58 acres located east of Highway 21 & FM 1966.] WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HANDLE THIS ITEM, AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO OUR PRESENTATIONS. DISCUSSION ACTION TO APPROVE THE REPLAT FOR SUNSET OAK SECTION 5 LOCK IN LOTS 1 AND 20 IN COMMERCIAL LOT 2 AND 3 ON APPROXIMATELY 6.58 ACRES LOCATED EAST OF HIGHWAY 21 AND FM 1966. >> SINCE THERE WAS NO COMMENTS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND ALL COMMENTS HAVE BEEN CLEARED WITH D SET, I'M JUST LOOKING FOR LOOKING FOR AN APPROVAL. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> MOVE APPROVAL. >> MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO PRESENTATIONS. [G.2 Austin Community College Annexation - Dr. Chris Cervini, Vice Chancellor of Community and Public Affairs and Cassie Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs, Elections and Voter Registration] WE HAVE A PRESENTATION BY AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNEXATION AND DR. CHRIS SERVINI, VICE CHANCELLOR COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND CASEY FITZGERALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US, JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY AND IN THE LOCKHART ISD TERRITORY. MY NAME IS DR. CHRIS SERVINI. I AM VICE CHANCELLOR OF COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION AND IS ONE NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, THE VOTERS OF THE LOCKHART ISD TERRITORY. LET ME MOVE THE PLAN HERE. >> EZZY, CAN YOU HELP? HE'S NOT ABLE TO ADVANCE. >> SPACE BAR. >> I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S DOING THAT. >> WE'LL GET THERE. >> THERE IT GOES. >> THERE WE GO. THANK YOU. IT'S A LITTLE SMALL FOR THE AUDIENCE TO SEE, BUT THE VOTERS OF THE LOCKHART ISD TERRITORY, WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, MAKES UP ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF CALDWELL COUNTY, WILL HAVE AN ANNEXATION ELECTION ON THE BALLOT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. THIS IS A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO JOIN THE ACC TAXING DISTRICT. WHEN A COMMUNITY COMES TO THE COLLEGE SEEKING AN ANNEXATION ELECTION, IT IS OUR JOB TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN AN EVEN FASHION AND LEAVE IT UP TO THE VOTERS OF [00:35:01] THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO MAKE THIS DECISION FOR THEMSELVES. I APPRECIATE THESE TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IN THE CURRENT WORLD, IT'S HARD TO TO HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION. WITH THAT, I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ACC, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT ANNEXATION MEANS FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND THEN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU CHOOSE TO ASK THEM. I WANTED TO FIRST SAY THAT ACC IS NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES HAVE SHIFTED QUITE A BIT OVER THE LAST 30-40 YEARS. ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT AN ANNEXATION IS IT ALLOWS US AT THE COLLEGE TO SHARPEN OUR TOOLS. WHEN I CAME TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY, I HEARD A LOT OF THE 18 YEAR OLDS, THE 19 YEAR OLDS, THE HIGH SCHOOLERS, AND THAT'S AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR SERVICE. BUT WHAT GETS FORGOTTEN SOMETIMES IS THAT WE EXIST TO MEET FOLKS WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THE EDUCATIONAL SPECTRUM AND WHEREVER THEY ARE IN TERMS OF THEIR AGE. WE HAVE BROAD ADULT PROGRAMS, CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE 36-YEAR-OLD SINGLE MOTHER WHO NEEDS TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON, FOR THE 43-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO WAS A MACHINIST AND GOT LAID OFF AND NEEDS TO UPSKILL AND IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS. OUR GOAL AS AN INSTITUTION IS TO MEET THE COMMUNITY WHEREVER THEY ARE, MEET THE FOLKS WHO COME TO US SEEKING SKILLS AND TO GET THEM TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THOSE SKILLS. THAT INCLUDES ADULT EDUCATION, GED PROGRAMS. THEN OF COURSE, THE TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS THAT YOU WOULD BE USED TO, WHICH WOULD BE THE ACADEMIC TRANSFER TO A UNIVERSITY. WE BUILD OUR SYSTEM ACROSS 10 MAJOR AREAS OF STUDY. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE HERE. ONE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS HEALTH SCIENCES. AS SAID EARLIER BY OUR FRIENDS AT SMITHVILLE. HEALTH SCIENCES IS BOOMING. WE RECENTLY AT THE COLLEGE PASSED A BOND TO BUILD A NURSING BUILDING AT OUR HAYES CAMPUS, WHICH IS GEOGRAPHICALLY THE CLOSEST CAMPUS TO LOCKHART. THAT WILL ALLOW US TO DOUBLE OUR NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES OFFERINGS. BUT OUR GOAL IS IS TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE EMPLOYERS NEED HERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO SEEK TO MEET THOSE NEEDS, ESPECIALLY ON THE HEALTH SCIENCES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HEARD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IS THERE'S A LACK OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS. WE ARE IN THIS HAZE BUILDOUT AND ALSO AT OUR EAST VIEW CAMPUS IN AUSTIN, WE'RE EXPANDING DENTAL HYGIENE BECAUSE THERE'S A GRAVE LACK OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE REGION. ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND I HOPE IT COMES BACK THEMATICALLY IS OUR GOAL IS TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY, HEAR WHAT THE WORKFORCE NEEDS ARE, AND BE FLEXIBLE AND NIMBLE TO TRY TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. IN THESE OTHER AREAS OF STUDY HERE, THERE'S TWO I WANT TO POINT OUT AND I THINK THAT THEY'VE BEEN MENTIONED BY OUR FRIENDS IN SMITHVILLE AS WELL, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN MANUFACTURING CONSTRUCTION AND APPLIED TECH. THESE ARE MASSIVE PROGRAMS THAT THERE'S HUGE WORKFORCE DEMAND. YOU ARE ALL I WOULD SAY AN ENVIABLE OR AN UNENVIABLE POSITION BEING BETWEEN AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO, BECAUSE THE WORLD IS GROWING TOWARDS YOU, AND A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE COMING YOUR WAY. A LOT OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOUND IN THE MANUFACTURING SPACE. TEN YEARS AGO, MANUFACTURING WASN'T REALLY ON OUR RADAR, BUT WITH THE MASSIVE INFLUX AND MANUFACTURING AND THE PASSAGE OF THE CHIPS ACT, THERE IS MANUFACTURING HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. THE INDUSTRY HAS GROWN. OUR GOAL IS TO GROW WITH IT. I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THOSE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE FOSTERED. THIS IS PRETTY KEY, AND I HOPE THAT THE THREAD CARRIES THROUGH. TESLA CAME FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO. IT WAS A PIECE OF DIRT OUT THERE BY THE AIRPORT AND NOW IF YOU EVER DRIVE BY, IT IS A MASSIVE FACILITY. THAT MASSIVE FACILITY IS GOING TO BEGET OTHER PROBABLY SUPPORT FACILITIES AND OTHER COMPANIES AND SUPPLIERS. WE VERY EARLY ON, MET WITH TESLA, AND WE WORKED WITH TESLA ON DEVELOPING A MANUFACTURING CURRICULUM HAND IN HAND. THIS MANUFACTURING CURRICULUM, THEY HAVE TAKEN AND THEY'RE TAKING IT GLOBALLY TO THEIR OTHER SITES. IT'S AN ACC AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE BRANDED CURRICULUM THAT THEY'RE TAKING WORLDWIDE. [00:40:05] THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE IT WORKS. WE HAVE A PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL AGE AND ABOVE IN START MANUFACTURING CAN COME UP. WE HAVE 100 RIGHT NOW AND 300 THAT ARE GOING 101 PROGRAM, WHICH IS OUR START PROGRAM AND OUR OTHER MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, WE HAVE 300 STUDENTS. WE HAVE ABOUT 400 STUDENTS THAT ARE ACTIVE IN IT RIGHT NOW, AND WE ARE CONTINUALLY PUSHING STUDENTS INTO THAT FACILITY, OUR GRADUATES. THE OTHER ONE IS SEMICONDUCTORS. AS I MENTIONED, THE CHIPS ACT PASSED, THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY AROUND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVELOPMENT. WHAT WE LEARNED WITH SEMICONDUCTORS IS 20 YEARS AGO, WHEN SAMSUNG DEVELOPED ITS FACILITY IN NORTH AUSTIN, THAT WE NEEDED TO BE A DEMAND BASED EDUCATIONAL PROVIDER. MEANING, A LOT OF INSTITUTIONS WILL JUST GO AND BUILD A FACILITY WITHOUT HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE DOING THE WORK. WE STARTED BY PUTTING OUR INSTRUCTORS EMBEDDED IN THE SAMSUNG FACILITY TO LEARN EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED, WHEN THEY NEED IT, HOW THEY NEED IT, SO THAT WE COULD CRAFT OUR TRAINING PROGRAM TO BE SEAMLESS WITH THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS HAS CREATED AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP, AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SEMICONDUCTOR AND MANUFACTURING TRAINING PROGRAM IS PROBABLY YEARS AHEAD OF A LOT OF OTHER PROGRAMS, AND SO WE'RE REALLY WELL POSITIONED FOR THIS TYPE OF GROWTH. ALL OF THIS IS PREDICATED ON A RECENT LAW THAT WAS PASSED CALLED HOUSE BILL 8, AND IT HAS CHANGED HOW COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE FUNDED, AND THIS IS INFORMING A LOT OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING. BACK IN THE DAY, PARDON MY FRENCH, BUT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING MODEL WAS A BUTTS IN SEATS MODEL, MEANING WE GOT FUNDED BASED ON PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP AND TOOK CLASSES, NOT NECESSARILY ON HOW THEY FINISHED. AROUND 2013, WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AS A SECTOR, NOT JUST ACC. COMMUNITY COLLEGES SAID, HEY, LET'S START FUNDING US ON SOME STUDENT SUCCESS. IN 2023, THE LEGISLATURE PUT THAT ON STEROIDS WITH OUR FULL SUPPORT AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 8, WHICH IS A FULL OUTCOMES BASED FUNDING MODEL. MEANING COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE NOW FUNDED BASED ON THE STUDENTS THAT THEY PRODUCE AND THEIR WORKFORCE OUTCOMES ON THE BACK END. WE ARE KEENLY FOCUSED ON HOW TO GET OUR STUDENTS INTO THE SYSTEM, START STRONG, HOW TO GET THEM ORIENTED AND LEARN HOW TO BECOME COLLEGE STUDENTS, HOW TO GET THEM TO ENROLL FULL TIME, ONLY ABOUT 24% OF ACC STUDENTS RIGHT NOW ENROLL FULL TIME, BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS, FRANKLY, THEY HAVE CHALLENGES WITH THEY WORK MULTIPLE JOBS. THEY OFTEN ARE TAKING CARE OF EITHER FAMILY MEMBERS OR CHILDREN. THESE ARE NOT TRADITIONAL STUDENTS, AS YOU WOULD THINK. BUT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GET STUDENTS TO INCREASE THEIR CREDIT INTENSITY. HELP MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS. AFFORDABILITY IS A REAL CHALLENGE HERE IN CENTRAL TEXAS. HOW DO WE CREATE A WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND GIVE THEM A CULTURE OF BELONGING AND CONNECTION? THAT WILL HELP US GET TO THESE OUTCOMES GOALS. OUR NORTH STAR GOAL IS TO HAVE 70% COMPLETIONS BY THE YEAR 2030. I'M GOING TO SHIFT IT INTO TALKING ABOUT THE LOCKHART RIGHT NOW AND THE LOCKHART ISD. WHEN WE PUBLISHED THE SERVICE PLAN FOR LOCKHART, WE HAD A THREE PHASE DEVELOPMENT OF A PHYSICAL PRESENCE AND LOCALLY DELIVERED INSTRUCTION. PHASE 1 IS TO COLLABORATE WITH LOCKHART ISD EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL. OFFER EVENING AND WEEKEND COURSES WHILE WE BUILD OUT A PHASE 2, WHICH WOULD BE A SMALL, 15,000-20,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY THAT WE COULD GROW INTO, AND AS THE COMMUNITY GROWS AND AS WORKFORCE NEEDS GREW, WE COULD BASE THERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS UNTIL, OF COURSE, WE THINK ABOUT THE LONGER TERM PERMANENT ACC FACILITY. IN THE INTERVENING TIME, WE'VE HAD, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE JOYS OF BEING ABLE TO COME INTO A COMMUNITY AND SPEND SIX, EIGHT MONTHS OF TALKING WITH PEOPLE, WE LEARNED OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A FACILITY THAT HAS GREAT INTEREST IN THE COLLEGE. JUST LAST WEEK, OUR CHANCELLOR AND OUR FACILITIES PEOPLE TOURED THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON SAN ANTONIO HERE IN LOCKHART AND WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED BY THAT FACILITY. WE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THAT FACILITY WITH OUR BOARD AT OUR OCTOBER 14 MEETING. [00:45:07] IT'S NOT AN AGENDA ITEM. WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING IT AS PART OF A REAL ESTATE UPDATE, JUST TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH OUR BOARD TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE OUR BOARD IS ON THAT IDEA. BUT WE WERE VERY INTRIGUED BY THAT FACILITY, FRANKLY, BECAUSE IT'S CENTRALLY LOCATED. IT'S ABOUT 20,000 SQUARE FEET. IT ALLOWS US TO DO HANDS ON WORKFORCE EDUCATION IN THE BACK END. IT ALLOWS US TO CONFIGURE CLASSROOMS FOR MORE ACADEMIC TYPE. THERE'S A LOT OF USE FOR THAT POTENTIAL FACILITY. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE STARTING THE EXPLORATION ON AT THE COLLEGE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID TO HELP REDUCE COSTS FOR STUDENTS IS A FREE TUITION PILOT PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, STARTING WITH THE CLASS OF 2024. THIS TAKES AWAY THE TUITION AND FEES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE IN DISTRICT. BUT IF YOU'RE OUT OF DISTRICT, YOU UNFORTUNATELY STILL HAVE TO PAY THE $201 OUT OF DISTRICT FEE PER CREDIT HOUR. IF YOU'RE AN IN DISTRICT STUDENT, YOU COULD FINISH YOUR ASSOCIATES DEGREE WITH NO COST. IF YOU'RE OUT OF DISTRICT, YOU'LL STILL HAVE TO PAY THAT OUT OF DISTRICT FEE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS WAS BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN TRENDS IN CENTRAL TEXAS WHERE ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, 60% OF STUDENTS IN CENTRAL TEXAS WENT SOMEWHERE FOR POST SECONDARY. NOW IT'S ABOUT 42%. PART OF THAT'S THE PANDEMIC, BUT PART OF THAT IS FRANKLY, THE UNAFFORDABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION. IN ORDER TO REVERSE THAT TREND AND TO GET A MORE SKILLED WORKFORCE, WE DECIDED TO ENACT A FREE TUITION PILOT FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. IT PAYS UP TO THREE YEARS TO GET AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, 60 HOURS OF CREDIT. BUT IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO ONE OF ACC'S BACCALAUREATE DEGREES, WE OFFER FOUR BACCALAUREATE DEGREES RIGHT NOW, I'LL PAY UP TO FIVE YEARS, AND THOSE BACCALAUREATE DEGREES ARE IN NURSING, CYBERSECURITY, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, AND MANUFACTURING. OUR BACHELOR'S DEGREES HAVE TO BE WORKFORCE FOCUSED. WE CAN'T OFFER FRENCH LITERATURE, FOR EXAMPLE. WE HAVE TO OFFER A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN A FIELD THAT IS A WORKFORCE HANDS ON FIELD. IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THE TUITION PLAYS OUT, OUT OF DISTRICT FOR TWO YEARS, YOU CAN GET AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE CURRENTLY HERE IN LOCKHART FOR ABOUT $17,160. >> IF THE VOTERS OF LOCKHART COME IN DISTRICT, THAT COST FOR AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE WOULD BE REDUCED TO $5,100. FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, THAT WOULD BE ZERO. YOU CAN SEE HOW THE COSTS PLAY OUT AMONG OTHER INSTITUTIONS. WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE. WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE TAX RATE IN A LITTLE BIT, WE ACTUALLY ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST TAX RATES IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE STATE AS WELL. THE INDUSTRY BENEFITS AND COSTS, INDUSTRY TUITION, CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS, INCREASED SERVICES AND INVESTMENT, FACILITIES, AND THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE TERRITORY TO RUN FOR AND GET ELECTED TO THE ACC BOARD OF TRUSTEES. WE HAVE A NINE-MEMBER BOARD OF TRUSTEES THAT IS AT LARGE, SO IT'S AN AT-LARGE ELECTION. THE FISCAL IMPLICATION TO TAXPAYER IS AN AD VALOREM TAX, AND OUR CURRENT TAX RATE IS SET AT 0.1013, SO 10.13 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUATION. I'M SORRY, THAT IS SO SMALL. THAT PLAYS OUT TO, FOR A REGULAR HOMESTEAD, ABOUT $20 A MONTH, $232.54 ANNUALLY, THAT'S CALCULATED AT A VALUE OF ABOUT $234,551. WE HAVE A SENIOR AND DISABLED EXEMPTION AMOUNTS TO ABOUT AN $80,000 EXEMPTION, BUT MOST IMPORTANT, OUR BOARD IN 2021 MADE IT SO THAT TAXES WERE FROZEN FOR ANYBODY WHO'S 65 PLUS, YOUR TAXES ARE FROZEN, AND IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY, YOUR TAXES ARE FROZEN AT THE TIME YOU HIT THAT AGE OR DISABILITY STATUS, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THIS EXPLAINS THE EXEMPTIONS. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS OUR TAX RATE HISTORY IS PRETTY STABLE. WE'VE HOVERED BETWEEN 9.5 AND 10.5 CENT AREA FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. WE DON'T SEE THAT CHANGING AT ALL. THAT 10-YEAR SHIFT ALSO INCLUDES THE PASSAGE OF A $386 MILLION BOND. YOU CAN SEE EVEN WITH THE PASSAGE OF THAT BOND, OUR TAX RATE HAS STAYED VERY STABLE. WE PASSED A BOND IN 2022. WE ARE STARTING SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW, [00:50:04] BUT WE DON'T ANTICIPATE OUR TAX RATE. WHEN WE WENT OUT FOR THE BOND, WE SAID WE WOULD NOT RAISE YOUR [INAUDIBLE] PAST WHAT IT WAS, AND SO WE WILL KEEP TO THAT PROMISE. THE FINAL THING I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT WE KNOW THERE'S A PARTNER INSTITUTION JUST DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAVE A VERY STRONG TRANSFER PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, IT'S CALLED THE BATS TO CATS PROGRAM, IT'S A CLEAR PATH. THEY ACCEPT THE ACC CREDITS WITH A PERSONALIZED TRANSFER CURRICULUM. IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING IT SO THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE AN EASE OF PASSAGE INTO WHATEVER THEIR NEXT STEP MAY BE, NOT JUST THE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION, BUT THE WORKFORCE, ANY SKILLED TRADE, HVAC, WELDING, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE HEARING IN THESE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND THAT ARE BEING DRIVEN BY DEMAND. WITH THAT, I WOULD HAPPILY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS? NOT AT ALL. THANK YOU. GREAT PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU. >> WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE NEXT PRESENTATION, [G.3 Lockhart EMS Timeline Update - Cean Charles, Director] WHICH IS G3, LOCKHART, EMS, TIMELINE, AND UPDATE BY CEAN CHARLES. >> THERE YOU GO. NOW IT'S WORKING. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CEAN CHARLES. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF LOCKHART EMS. I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE SHORT TIMELINE UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ESD NUMBER 5 AND ITS PROGRESSION. THE CURRENT NEEDS TO GO FORWARD WITH ESD 5 IS LICENSING, ASSET TRANSFERS, THEIR LOCAL AGREEMENTS. ACTUALLY, SINCE THIS WAS MADE, HAVE ALREADY COME TO FRUITION AND THE STAFFING PLAN. RIGHT NOW, OUR DSHS LICENSE IS IN PROGRESS. THERE WAS A COUPLE OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT WERE PENDING. THEY WERE ACTUALLY ALSO DONE SINCE THIS WAS MADE AND TURNED IN. ALL THE DSHS, WHICH IS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES LICENSING SHOULD BE ON SOMEONE'S DESK BY FRIDAY, NO LATER THAN MONDAY, MY GUESSING. ONCE THAT GETS APPROVED, I'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE THAT I'VE WORKED WITH MY WHOLE CAREER AT DSHS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US OUT. ONCE THAT GETS APPROVED AND WE HAVE A LICENSE NUMBER, THE DEA OR DRUG ENFORCEMENT LICENSE IS ONLINE PROCESS. EVERYTHING IS ONLINE. SHOULD ONLY TAKE A WEEK OR TWO TO GET THAT DONE. THE CURRENT CHARTING AND BILLING, BECAUSE THEY'RE TIED TOGETHER, ONCE THAT LICENSE NUMBER IS IN PLACE, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ONBOARDED. RICHARD AND MYSELF, BOTH HAVE ALREADY HAD A ONBOARDING KICKOFF WITH THE CHARTING COMPANY. IT IS IN PROGRESS, AND IT IS PROJECTED TO BE ROCKING AND ROLLING BY JANUARY 1. NEXT UP IS THE ASSET TRANSFERS. SINCE THIS WAS TURNED IN, LULING IS READY TO ROCK AND ROLL. ALL THEIR STUFF HAS BEEN APPRAISED AND ALL THAT INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENTS IS BEING LOOKED AT ALREADY. LOCKHART HAS NOT HAD AN APPRAISAL YET. THAT HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. EST ITSELF HAS PURCHASED ONE AMBULANCE TO LEASE BACK TO THE CITY OF LOCKHART IF THEY HAVE TO. THAT ONE AMBULANCE IS ALSO WHAT WE'RE USING FOR DSHS LICENSING. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE STICKERS AND ALL THAT STUFF ON THE OUTSIDE FOR IT TO HAVE THAT LICENSE NUMBER ON IT. THE STATION INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH BOTH CITIES ARE NOW APPROVED AND COMPLETED. THE NEW TEMPORARY STATION, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER DIFFERENT PLACES NORTH OF TOWN, SOUTH OF TOWN, NORTH OF [INAUDIBLE] AND LULING, STILL WORKING ON THAT KIND OF STUFF. THE STAFFING IS ALWAYS THE QUESTION WE GET. ALL THE CURRENT EMPLOYEES, ALL GOT SAME EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. YOU SHOW UP WITH YOUR PAPERWORK AND NOTHING REALLY CHANGES OTHER THAN YOUR UNIFORM AND THE STICKERS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE AMBULANCE. NOTHING FOR ANY OF US IS GOING TO CHANGE AS FAR AS IF I WAS TO GET HIRED TOMORROW BY RICHARD, I GOT TO DO THE SAME EXACT THINGS. YOU GOT TO HAVE EMPLOYMENT PAPERWORK, THAT KIND OF STUFF LIKE THAT. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE COMING ACROSS. THE PROJECTABLE WILL ALSO BE HIRING. I'LL KNOW MORE AFTER THE 16TH, SHOULD START HIRING NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 1. ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE POSTED AROUND THE 16TH OR 17TH ON THE CALDWELL COUNTY ESD 5 WEBSITE FOR THE APPLICATION, JOB DESCRIPTIONS, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF SHOULD BE DONE AND POSTED BY THE 16TH. THEN THAT PROJECT WILL ROLL INTO [00:55:02] BASICALLY A PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF THE 30 DAYS IN RIDING 10 SHIFTS ON AN AMBULANCE OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. ON JANUARY 1, THERE'LL BE BASICALLY 30 PARAMEDICS ON THE ROAD WITH FIVE TRUCKS, IS THE GOAL. THAT'S ALL I GOT FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU. LOCKHART HAS NOT TURNED ANY APPRAISALS OR ANYTHING ON THE EQUIPMENT THAT YOU GUYS WOULD [INAUDIBLE]. >> NO, SIR. MATTER OF FACT, THERE WAS A MEETING YESTERDAY, THE ESD 5 LAWYER MET WITH THE CITY OF LULING AND THE CITY OF LOCKHART. EVERYBODY WENT OVER THE STATIONARY LOCALS. THAT'S BEEN DONE. LULING HAS AN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY. WE ACTUALLY USE THE SAME EQUIPMENT AS THEY DO, SO WHATEVER. THE CITY OF LOCKHART DOES NOT. THEY WERE GOING TO USE AN AUDITOR. WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE ESD 5 ATTORNEY WAS THAT THEY WERE WAITING ON A LIST OF ASSETS AND SERIAL NUMBERS TO HAVE THE AUDITOR APPRAISED, BUT THAT HAS NOT COME TO FRUITION. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? >> I WAS GOING TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION. I WAS JUST CURIOUS ON TIMELINE FOR APPRAISAL ON THEIR EQUIPMENT. >> OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THIS PRESENTATION, THERE IS A BACKUP, THERE IS A PLAN B AND A PLAN C IN CASE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A TIMELY FASHION. WE'RE STILL SHOOTING FOR JANUARY 1. ALL THE STUFF THAT REALLY, REALLY NEEDED TO GET DONE IS DONE THIS WEEK, SO THE ASSETS TRANSFERS. IF THEY WERE NOT TO GET THEIR APPRAISALS DONE IN TIME AND DON'T GET THIS ILA DONE IN TIME. WHAT'S THE LEAD TIME ON THE AMBULANCE IF YOU GUYS HAVE TO ORDER THEM? >> I ALREADY ORDERED TWO NEW ONES AS ESD 5, AND THEY SHOULD BE HERE PROBABLY JANUARY OF 26. I ORDERED THEM TWO MONTHS AGO, SO A YEAR FROM NOW OR MORE THAN A YEAR FROM NOW. LITTLE OVER A YEAR. WE BOUGHT ONE USED ONE AND THEN TRYING TO TEMPORIZE UNTIL THEN. >> WELL, HOPEFULLY, YOU WON'T HAVE TO. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? THANK YOU. GOOD PRESENTATION. APPRECIATE IT. WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM I5, [I.5 To release the fiscal security in the amount of $129,170.90 (interest incurred) back to Ranch Road Bollinger, LLC. ] DISCUSSION ACTION TO RELEASE FISCAL SECURITY, THE AMOUNT OF $129,170.90 BACK TO RANCH ROAD BOLLINGER, LLC. >> I CAN SPEAK ON THIS ONE, IF YOU'D LIKE. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS JUST FISCAL SECURITY THAT WE HAD APPROVED A COUPLE OF QUARTS AGO TO HOLD IN ONE OF OUR BANK ACCOUNTS. WE HAD TO CREATE A RANCH ROAD BOLLINGER ACCOUNT. PHASE 1 IS COMPLETE NOW, SO WE'RE JUST RETURNING THAT SURETY BACK TO BOLLINGER. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR ITEM I5? >> SO MOVED. >> MOTION TO APPROVE? >> YES. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> [OVERLAPPING] AYE. >> OPPOSED HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I6, DISCUSSION ACTION APPROVE LCRA CHANGE ORDER FOR CALDWELL COUNTY RADIO PROJECT. [I.6 To approve LCRA Change Order for Caldwell County Radio Project. ] THE AMOUNT OF $16,500. THAT'S SOME EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE REPLACED. THERE'S SOME OLD ANTENNAS ON SOME OF THE TOWERS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE UPGRADED AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE HAD TO EXECUTE A CHANGE ORDER FOR IT AND JUST LOOKING FOR APPROVAL TO GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF. >> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. A DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> [OVERLAPPING] AYE. >> EXCUSE ME. OPPOSED HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I7, DISCUSSION ACTION APPROVE OF PROCLAMATION, [I.7 To approve a Proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Mediation Awareness Month. ] RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2024 IS MEDIATION AWARENESS MONTH. PROCLAMATION MEDIATION AWARENESS MONTH 2024, WHEREAS CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES, AND NATIONS TO FOSTER COMMUNICATION AND DEVISE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE TAILORED TO THEIR NEEDS AND INTERESTS AND WHEREAS CENTRAL TEXAS DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER SERVES GUADALUPE, HAYES, COMAL, AND CALDWELL COUNTIES IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNITY, CIVIL, FAMILY, DIVORCE, AND CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTES AND OFFER SERVICES TO OVER HALF A MILLION PEOPLE IN ITS SERVICE AND ANCILLARY AREAS, AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 200 CASES ARE MEDIATED ANNUALLY IN EACH COURT CASE THAT IS SETTLED BY THE CENTRAL TEXAS DISPUTE RESOLUTION SAVES [01:00:02] THE COUNTY APPROXIMATELY $5,000 A DAY IN COURT TIME, AND WHEREAS CENTRAL TEXAS DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTERS OFFERS TRAINING FOR NEW MEDIATORS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR ATTORNEYS AND MEDIATORS ALIKE IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT IT DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 2024 AS MEDIATION AWARENESS MONTH. >> THANK YOU ALL. I'M MARTHA JOYCE, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER, AND I HAVE WITH ME TODAY THREE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS. THE FIRST ONE, IS LYDIA SERNA. Y'ALL ALL KNOW LYDIA. SHE HAS REALLY BEEN AN ASSET TO OUR BOARD AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. THEN MARGIE VILLALPANDO. MARGIE IS ACTUALLY ON THE SAN MARCOS SCHOOL BOARD, AND PART OF HER DISTRICT RUNS INTO CALDWELL COUNTY TOO INTO THE MARTINDALE AREA, AS I RECALL. >> I REPRESENT MARTINDALE. >> SHE REPRESENTS MARTINDALE. THEN ANNA MARTINEZ [INAUDIBLE]. I PUT HER LAST BECAUSE SHE IS PROBABLY THE ONE PERSON THAT HAS STOOD BY THE DRC FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT DRC MEANS, THAT'S DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER. ANNA WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED THE GRADUATE STUDENTS THAT STARTED OUR DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER TO GET IT THROUGH COMMISSIONERS COURT AND TO GET IT STARTED. SHE LEFT US FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT SHE WAS IN THE BACKGROUND, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE AS SUPPORTER AND THEN CAME BACK ON THE BOARD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND SO SHE HAS REALLY BEEN AN ASSET TO US. WE CONTINUE TO GROW. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE GROWTH IN THE CALDWELL COUNTY, AND WE HAVE SOME PLANS FOR THE COMING YEAR AND SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING. LYDIA IS GOING TO BE THE CONTACT PERSON TO HELP US TO TRY TO INCREASE OUR PRESENCE OVER HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT MEDIATION IS AT ALL, AND THAT MAKES IT HARD FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN MEDIATION. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW MEDIATORS BECAUSE SOMETIMES OUR CURRENT POOL GETS A LITTLE TIRED OF MEDIATING ALL THE TIME, AND SO THEY START SLACKING OFF, AND SO WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO TRAIN NEW MEDIATORS AND WE'LL BE HAVING NEW TRAININGS COMING UP NEXT YEAR. THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE TO SAY TODAY. I WAS WONDERING IF WE CAN GET A PICTURE. >> YES, MA'AM. LET ME GO AHEAD AND GET YOUR PROCLAMATION APPROVED AND WE'LL DO THAT. >> ANNA JUST REMINDED ME THAT ALL OF OUR MEDIATORS THAT MEDIATE FOR THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER ARE VOLUNTEERS. THAT'S THE REASON WHY I SAID, THEY GET A LITTLE BIT TIRED. WHEN YOU LEAN ON THEM TOO MUCH, THEY TRY TO STEP AWAY. SOMETIMES I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE'S OPPORTUNITY OUT THERE, AND WE'LL BE GLAD TO HELP YOU AND TRAIN YOU. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2024 AS MEDIATION AWARENESS MONTH? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> MOVE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. >> I GOT IT. [BACKGROUND] [01:06:00] >> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND JUMP TO ITEM 28. [I.28 To approve the Kinder Morgan Development Agreement for the Bluebonnet Pipeline. ] WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS HERE FROM KINDER MORGAN, ONE OF WHOM HAS TO CATCH A FLIGHT VERY SHORTLY. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE THEIR ITEM UP. DISCUSSION I 28. DISCUSSION ACTION TO APPROVE THE KINDER MORGAN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR BLUEBONNET PIPELINE. COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE A COPY OF THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IN YOUR BACKUP, AND RICHARD HAS BEEN THROUGH IT WITH KINDER MORGAN. IT'S BEEN PASSED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN OUR ATTORNEYS. WE HAVE ARRIVED AT AN AMICABLE AGREEMENT SO WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. ALLEN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AND SAY? >> THEY'RE GOING TO BE BOTH ITEMS? >> I MISSED 27. LET'S DO 28 FIRST. WE'LL DO THEM ONE AT A TIME. LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO THEM REAL QUICK. ALLEN, SORRY ABOUT THAT. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THE KINDER MORGAN DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >> SO MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS, SECOND BY? >> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ITEM 27, DISCUSSION, [I.27 To approve the Kinder Morgan Investment Agreement in reference to the Bluebonnet Pipeline Project. ] ACTION TO APPROVE KINDER MORGAN INVESTMENT AGREEMENT IN REFERENCE TO THE BLUEBONNET PIPELINE. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE AMOUNT WE SAID, I THINK IT WAS 300,000, IS THAT CORRECT? >> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT. >> THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE CONTRIBUTION OF 350 DISTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WE USUALLY DO. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE KINDER MORGAN INVESTMENT AGREEMENT? >> SO MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU ALLEN. >> THANK YOU. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. THIS IS A RELATIVELY SMALL PROJECT COMPARED TO OTHER PROJECTS WE'VE HAD IN THE COUNTY, 7.9 MILES OF PIPE, APPROXIMATELY 50 TRACKS, AND A FAIRLY SHORT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE. WE SHOULD START CONSTRUCTION ONCE WE'RE FINALIZED HERE AND RECEIVE OUR FINAL PERMITS PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS AND BE DONE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR. THIS IS PRIMARILY ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION CAPACITY FOR UTILITIES, AND WE HAVE ALL THE PROPERTY ACQUIRED AT THIS POINT FOR EASEMENTS. COMPARED TO OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE COUNTY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, MUCH SMALLER. IT'S A 24 INCH PIPE. I BELIEVE THIS IS, AND TYPICALLY OUR PIPES ARE MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT SO A DEDICATED USE ON THIS ONE AND A RELATIVELY SHORT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE. AS WE HAVE ON ALL OF OUR PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY, AS JUDGE HADEN MENTIONED, WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. WE STILL HAVE, AND I THINK NEXT WEEK, I'M GOING TO BE DOING SOME DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHOOLS, I BELIEVE, FROM OUR PREVIOUS PROJECT. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THAT, ANOTHER 354 SCHOOLS, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND ROAD MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT. WE APPRECIATE THE VERY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD WITH CALDWELL COUNTY OVER THE YEARS. I'M CERTAIN THIS WILL BE ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PROJECT CONTINUING TO GROW ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION. I APPRECIATE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE IT TOO. [01:10:04] WITH THAT, I THINK COMMISSIONERS, WE VOTED, SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. ALLEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, ALLEN. >> WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO TO I8. [I.8 To approve a Proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.] DISCUSSION, ACTION TO APPROVE A PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2024 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ IT. PROCLAMATION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 2024. WHEREAS THE CRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VIOLATES THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS OF SAFETY AND DIGNITY, AND 216 TEXANS WERE KILLED IN AN INTIMATE PARTNER HOMICIDE, INCLUDING 179 WOMEN AND 37 MEN. WHEREAS THE PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT CONFINED TO ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE, BUT ACROSS ALL ECONOMIC RACIAL, GENDER, AND SOCIETAL BARRIERS, AND WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN BE PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, OR TECHNOLOGICAL, AND CAN INCLUDE ACTIONS OR THREATS OF ACTIONS OR OTHER PATTERNS OF COERCIVE BEHAVIOR THAT INFLUENCE ANOTHER PERSON WITHIN AN INTIMATE PARTNER RELATIONSHIP. WHEREAS THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TEEN DATING VIOLENCE DIRECTLY AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, WHEN SOCIETY IGNORES OR TOLERATES VIOLENCE IN RELATIONSHIPS. WHEREAS LAST YEAR HCWC PROVIDED FACE TO FACE SERVICES TO OVER 1,044 LOCAL VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PROVIDED 07,438 DAYS OF SHELTER AND WHEREAS LAST YEAR HCWC PROVIDED THESE DIRECT SERVICES TO 179 VICTIMS FROM CALDWELL COUNTY. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT IT DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 2024 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, AND CALL UPON THE PEOPLE OF CALDWELL COUNTY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH HCWC AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO BRING AN END TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TEEN DATING VIOLENCE, PROCLAIM THIS EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2024. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION? >> SO MOVE. >> I'LL SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ASHLEY RIOS. I'M A PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT THE HAYS CALDWELL WOMEN CENTER. >> MY NAME IS SARAH GUCKIAN, AND I'M THE TRAINING AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR AT HCWC. >> JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HCWC. WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO ADULTS, WOMEN, MEN, CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, WHO'VE BEEN IMPACTED BY ABUSE. WE HAVE A SATELLITE OFFICE HERE IN LOCKHART TO SERVE OUR CALDWELL COUNTY CLIENTS, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS WALK HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY ON OCTOBER 19TH AT 10:00 AM AND IT WILL BE ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, DO YOU GUYS WANT TO DO A PICTURE OR NO? >> YES. >> ITEM I9. DISCUSSION, [I.9 To approve the National 4-H Week Proclamation for Oct. 6-12, 2024. ] ACTION TO APPROVE THE NATIONAL 4-H WEEK PROCLAMATION FOR OCTOBER 6TH THROUGH 12, 2024. NATIONAL 4-H WEEK PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS PROUD TO HONOR THE TEXAS 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE FOR 116 YEARS OF PROVIDING EXPERIENCE BASED EDUCATION TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE LONE STAR STATE. [01:15:03] WHEREAS THIS ADMIRABLE PROGRAM WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL YOUTH THROUGH THEIR HEAD, HEART, HANDS, AND HEALTH, HELPS YOUNG TEXANS TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS, AND FORM ATTITUDES TO ENABLE THEM TO BECOME SELF DIRECTED, PRODUCTIVE, AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. WHEREAS THE PROGRAMS MORE THAN 550,000 URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS RANGING IN AGE FROM 8-18 COME FROM DIVERSE ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS AND TRULY REPRESENT A CROSS SECTION OF THE STATE. WHEREAS THE PROGRAM UNDOUBTEDLY CANNOT HAVE ACHIEVED THE SUCCESS THAT IT HAS TODAY, WERE IT NOT FOR THE SERVICE OF ITS MORE THAN 30,000 VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE GIVEN GENEROUSLY OF THEIR TIME, TALENTS, ENERGIES, AND RESOURCES TO THE YOUTH OF TEXAS, AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY, THE 4-H PROGRAM HAS DEVELOPED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR COUNTLESS TEXANS THROUGH ITS INNOVATIVE AND INSPIRING PROGRAMS AND CONTINUES TO BUILD CHARACTER AND INSTALL THE VALUES THAT HAVE MADE OUR STATE STRONG. NOW BE IT RESOLVED THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY DESIGNATES OCTOBER 6 THROUGH 12, 2024 AS NATIONAL 4-H WEEK IN TEXAS, AND COMMENDED THE 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE AND THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE THE PROGRAM A SUCCESS. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 4-H WEEK PROCLAMATION? >> I'LL SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS WE DO EVERY YEAR, SO I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU ALL. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PAGE BILLMAVICH. I AM THE 4-H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT HERE IN CALDWELL COUNTY. I FIRST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AND THE COMMUNITY FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF 4-H. WE DEFINITELY COULDN'T RUN THESE PROGRAMS WITHOUT YOU ALL. LIKE YOU SAID, THIS IS NATIONAL 4-H WEEK SO WE BROUGHT SOME YOUTH IN FROM THE COMMUNITY TO TELL ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES IN LEADERSHIP. THEN WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REQUEST A PICTURE WITH YOU ALL AFTER. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS LAUREN MEYER. I'M 16, AND I'M A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. I'VE BEEN IN 4-H FOR NINE YEARS, AND I'M CURRENTLY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PLUM CREEK 4-H CLUB. MY MAIN FOCUSES FOR 4-H ARE SHOWING MY TURKEYS AND LAMBS AND PARTICIPATING IN HORSE QUIZ BOWL. THIS YEAR, MY HORSE QUIZ BOWL TEAM MADE IT TO STATE, AND I WAS ALSO VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH MY ANIMALS AT THE COUNTY SHIP. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MCKENNA FREY. I AM 11-YEARS-OLD, AND I'M A PROUD THIRD GENERATION CALDWELL COUNTY 4-H. I'M CURRENTLY COUNTY COUNCIL DELEGATE FOR THE PLUM CREEK 4-H CLUB. I SHOW RABBITS AND BREEDING HEIFERS, AND I REALLY ENJOY MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH MY ANIMALS. LAST YEAR, I WAS THE TEAM CAPTAIN FOR A LIVESTOCK QUIZ BOWL TEAM THAT WON FIRST PLACE AT DISTRICT. I HAVE ALREADY LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AGRICULTURE FROM BEING IN 4-H AND I'M BEYOND READY TO EXPAND ON MY 4-H EXPERIENCES. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] DAMAR. I AM FROM CALDWELL COUNTY. I AM 14-YEARS-OLD. MY PLACE IS DISTRICT DELEGATE, AND THIS YEAR, MY GOAL IS TO BECOME THE BEST DISTRICT DELEGATE I CAN BE. THANK YOU. >> HI. MY NAME IS ALIA ROSE. I AM 13-YEARS-OLD. I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR COUNTY COUNCIL, AND I HAVE BEEN IN 4-H FOR FOUR YEARS. I SHOW CHICKENS, AND I HAVE DONE PHOTOGRAPHY AND BAKING. THANK YOU. >> HI. MY NAME IS LILIA ROSE, AND I'M THE COUNTY COUNCIL, AND I AM THE SECRETARY, AND I'M ALSO IN BARBECUE CAPITOL SHOOTING SPORTS, AND I'M THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER. THIS YEAR, I'M DOING HEIFERS AND CHICKENS, AND LAST YEAR I GOT THIRD PLACE IN SINGLE BROILER PEN. >> GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. MY NAME IS JOSHUA FAIRCHILD, AND THIS IS MY BROTHER. SAY IT IN THE MIC. >> [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] >> THIS YEAR, I AM THE PARLIAMENTARIAN FOR 4-H COUNTY COUNCIL AND CHISHOLM TRAIL 4-H CLUB. MY BROTHER IS THE REPORTER FOR THE SAME. WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN DOZENS OF 4-H EVENTS AND HAVE HELPED RAISE OVER $10,000 OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH, MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS, AND HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE AND ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. [01:20:01] I HAVE REALIZED IT TAKES PLANNING, HARD WORK, AND DEDICATION FROM OUR LEADERS, PARENTS, AND US, 4-H MEMBERS TO, RUNNING OUT OF BREATH, TO MAINTAIN OUR FOOTPRINT IN THIS COUNTY AND TO EDUCATE THE IMPORTANCE AND NECESSITY OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR WORLD. MY BROTHER AND I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES, AND WE WILL CONTINUE ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN THE 4-H PROGRAM. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, STAFF, AND GUESTS, FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT OF CALDWELL COUNTY 4-H. PLEASE, COME WATCH OUR SHOW IN MARCH 2025. >> HI. I'M NOAH ROSE, AND I'M SEVEN, AND I HAVE JOINED 4-H. I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW CHICKENS. >> HELLO. I'M [INAUDIBLE] ROSE, I'M 15, AND I'M IN THE TENTH GRADE. SHOWN LAMBS, CHICKENS, AND RABBITS, AND THIS YEAR, I PLAN ON SHOWING A HEIFER AND PARTICIPATING IN SHOOTING SPORTS. THANK YOU. >> I'M ASHA ROSE. I'M 11 YEARS OLD, AND I'M IN THE B-B-QUE CAPITAL SHOOTING SPORTS AND LOCKER FORAGE CLUB. I SHOWED CHICKENS, AND I DID SHOOTING SPORTS AND GOT RESERVE CHAMPION AND THIRD JUNIOR RIFLE. THANK YOU. >> HI. MY NAME IS MAYA ROSE, AND I'M IN THE B-B-QUE CAPITAL SHOOTING SPORTS, AND I'M 11 YEARS OLD. I'M IN SIXTH GRADE AND I GOT GREEN CHICKENS, AND THIS YEAR, I WANT TO SHOW CHICKENS AGAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CLARK EAGLE. I'M A 17-YEAR-OLD HOME SCHOOL SENIOR. I'M YOUR COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, AS WELL AS YOUR PLUM CREEK PRESIDENT. I'VE BEEN IN 4-H SINCE I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD. I'VE SHOWN ANYTHING FROM PIGS, TURKEYS, AND RABBITS. I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES. I HAVE NOT EVEN MADE IT TO SALE. I HAVE BEEN GRAND CHAMPION. I'VE HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW THROUGHOUT 4-H WITH LEADERSHIP SKILLS. I'VE BEEN IN COMPETITIONS. I'VE BEEN TO STATE LEVEL FOR HORSE QUIZ BOWL. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL'S TIME TODAY. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR LETTING US COME OUT AND TALK. THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> I JUST WANT TO SAY IT TAKES A TEAM AND WAYNE MORSE IS OUR OTHER AGENT, AND HE'S AT THE STATE FAIR SUPPORTING YOUTH RIGHT NOW. WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE PAIGE AS A 4-H EDITION, AND THEN I HELP WITH ALL THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH THINGS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND WE WERE WONDERING IF WE COULD GET A PICTURE. >> CERTAINLY. [BACKGROUND] >> I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD WE ARE OF YOU ALL. I HAD TO GO BEHIND TONY MARTINEZ LAST NIGHT AT EVENT THAT I WAS AT TO SPEAK, AND SHE DEFINITELY SHOWED ME UP. YOU ALL PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS ARE AMAZING. THANK YOU. [01:25:04] ITEM I-10. DISCUSSION ACTION, [I.10 To approve the Texas Extension Education Association (TEEA) Proclamation for Oct. 6-12, 2024. ] APPROVE THE TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, TEEA, PROCLAMATION FOR OCTOBER 6TH-12TH 2024. COME ON. TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, TEEA, PROCLAMATION. TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION WEEK, WHEREAS THE TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF CALDWELL COUNTY BELIEVES STRONG FAMILIES ARE BASIC TO WELL BEING OF TEXAS, AND WHEREAS THEY HAVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS IMPACTING TEXAS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, AND WHEREAS THEY SEE EDUCATION AS A LIFELONG LEARNING PROCESS, AND WHEREAS THEY BELIEVE VOLUNTEERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS DEVELOPMENT ARE IMPORTANT, AND WHEREAS THEY DEVELOP LEADERSHIP THAT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND WHEREAS CULTURAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND PROGRAMS AND MEMBERSHIP IS PRESENT, AND WHEREAS GLOBAL AWARENESS IS RECOGNIZED, AND WHEREAS THE TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION COOPERATES WITH TEXAS AGROLIFE SERVICE TO ATTAIN GOALS, AND WHEREAS OCTOBER 6TH-12TH, 2024 IS TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WEEK IN TEXAS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS, TO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 6TH-12TH, 2024, TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION WEEK IN CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS, ADOPTED, ORDERED, AND ENTERED OF RECORD IN THE MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS ON THIS 8TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2024. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION. >> SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE, AND A SECOND. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. SORRY, I HAD TO FILL IN THIS FORM. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED, HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE, EXCUSE ME, AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ESTHER BARNEY, AND I AM THE CALDWELL COUNTY CHAIRPERSON. WE HAVE THREE CLUBS, LULING, LOCKHART, AND GLENVOR, WHICH ARE ALL VERY ACTIVE. WE JUST RETURNED BACK FROM THE STATE CONFERENCE IN LONGVIEW, WHERE WE ATTENDED MANY CLASSES AND WERE VERY INFORMATIVE TO BRING BACK TO THE CLUBS. WE WERE HONORED TO HAVE OUR PLAQUES FOR 110 YEARS FOR TWO OF OUR CLUBS, WHICH WE HAVE TODAY TO SHOW YOU. I CAN GET IT UP HERE. WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE GOTTEN THESE PLAQUES. THE CLUBS ALL STARTED BACK AS TOMATO CLUB WITH THE AGENT COMING IN A HORSE AND BUGGY, WHICH LAST YEAR, I GAVE YOU FULL DESCRIPTION ON ALL THE CHANGES OF THE NAMES, BUT WE ARE NOW KNOWN AS TEEA, WHICH IS THE TEXAS EXTENSION EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT TEEA. IT'S EASIER. THIS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH WE DO VOLUNTEER WORK WITH MANY PROGRAMS SUCH AS 4-H CLUBS, WE DO A LOT OF JUDGING THEIR PROJECTS AND HELP OUT IN ANY WAY WE CAN. WE WORK WITH THE NURSING HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND MANY OTHERS. WE ALSO HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH WE EARN MONEY TO SUPPORT THESE. OUR VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY WAS NOT AS GOOD AS PLANNED, WE'LL DO BETTER NEXT YEAR. BUT FOR OUR HOURS, MILEAGE, AND DEMONSTRATIONS, DONATIONS FOR THE YEAR OF '23, '24 WAS $88,867.18 FOR CALDWELL COUNTY. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TIME OF SHOWING US THE INFORM ABOUT ALL THE CLUBS ARE DOING IN THIS COMMUNITY. NOW, I HAVE A DISTRICT DIRECTOR, WHICH IS GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JUDY WHEELER, AND I'M DISTRICT 10 DIRECTOR, AND I COORDINATE BETWEEN BASTROP COUNTY, CALDWELL COUNTY, AND GILLESPIE COUNTY. HOWEVER, WE ALSO INCLUDE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO UVALDE, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE TEEA CLUBS THERE, BUT THEY DO HAVE 4-HERS THAT WE DO OFTEN GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ALSO. [01:30:03] IN OUR PROGRAMS, WE VOLUNTEER. I'D LIKE TO SHARE A FEW OF THE NUMBERS WITH YOU. WITH OUR TEEA HOURS WITH THESE THREE COUNTIES, THERE WAS 3,797 HOURS; 4-H, 708 HOURS; AND COMMUNITY, 7,712 HOURS. NOTICE THAT OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE IS REALLY DOUBLE, ALMOST, OUR TEEA HOURS. WITH A TOTAL NUMBER OF 12,273 HOURS, WE GAVE OUT $5,250 OF 4-H SCHOLARSHIPS, WITH A TOTAL DONATED VALUE OF $424,244.69. AS YOU WERE TOLD, WE JUST WENT TO ALL ABOARD THE TEEA TRAIN, AND 96 TEEA STATE CONFERENCE WHICH WAS HELD IN LONGVIEW ON SEPTEMBER THE 10TH AND THE 11TH. THERE, WE CONDUCTED BUSINESS AND ATTENDED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS. WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 240 LADIES AND A FEW GENTLEMEN JOINED US, BUT MOSTLY LADIES. WHILE WE WERE BUSY IN OUR CLASSES, WE HAD SOMETIME WHAT WE WOULD CALL A WORKING LUNCH. DO YOU HAVE A WORKING LUNCH? [LAUGHTER] WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE HAD AS A WORKING LUNCH. I'D LIKE TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS ONE WORKING LUNCH BECAUSE IT WAS THE QUILTERS, AND I AM A QUILTER. OUT AT LYTTON SPRINGS, WE HAVE A QUILTING CLUB OUT THERE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. THE QUILTING CODE OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NETWORK WAS SET UP FOR SLAVES TO BE FREED. THE STORIES WERE GIVEN THAT THE QUILTS WERE HUNG TO GIVE THEM HELP AND AID AS TO WHERE TO TRAVEL. FOR INSTANCE, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WAS ASSIGNED ITS TIME TO GET GOING. THE WAGON WHEEL WAS THE WAGON WILL BE COMING SOON. [INAUDIBLE] FOLLOW THE SIGNS TO WHERE YOU CAN FIND FOOD AROUND THE MOUNTAIN. THEN THE ONE UP HERE, THE BASKET BLOCK WHERE PROVISIONS WERE FOUND ALONG THE TRAIL AND FILL YOUR BASKET, AND THE EMBLEM WAS THE BASKET. ONE OF MY FAVORITE IS THE LOG CABINS, A SAFE PLACE TO STAY IN YOUR LOG CABIN. IT WAS SO NEAT FOR ME TO SEE WHERE QUILTS THAT WE'VE LIVED WITH ALL OUR LIVES, THEY CAME IN WITH A DIFFERENT USE AND THEY WERE VERY EFFECTIVE IN A VERY DIFFERENT TIME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I NEED TO SHOW YOU MY PLAQUE TOO BECAUSE [INAUDIBLE] CLUB IS OUT AT LYTTON SPRINGS, AND WE'RE 110, TOO. >> WE WOULD LIKE A PICTURE. >> YES, MA'AM. >> ALSO, I WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE CULTURAL ARTS AT STATE, AND WE HAD SEVERAL LADIES PLACED WITH THEIR ART WORK AND THEIR QUILTING AND SEWING. [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU, LADIES. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM 11, [I.11 Regarding consideration of action on Resolution 3-2023. ] DISCUSSION ACTION REGARDING CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON RESOLUTION 3 2023. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION. AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION 3 2023 REGARDING LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER. [01:35:03] WHEREAS, AFTER EXTENSIVE AND THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION, THE JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CALDWELL COUNTY HAVE DETERMINED IT IS APPROPRIATE TO AMEND RESOLUTION 3 2023. WHEREAS CALDWELL COUNTY IS MADE UP OF A DIVERSE POPULATION COMPOSED OF MANY RACES AND ETHNICITIES, WHOSE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, THE JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROUDLY STRIVE TO ASSURE AND PROTECT. THE WORLD EVENTS IN THE LAST FEW DECADES HAVE CAUSED A MASSIVE HARDSHIP ON INDIVIDUALS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND REGIONS THROUGH POOR ECONOMIC POLICIES, DICTATORIAL REGIMES, TERRORISTS, GANG, AND CARTEL FORCES, POOR HEALTH AND SAFETY CONDITIONS, AND ABSENCE OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. WHEREAS AS A RESULT OF THE FOREGOING WORLD SITUATION, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO IMMIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES HAS EXPONENTIALLY INCREASED BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF FEDERAL STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DEAL WITH SUCH AN INFLUX, THE BORDER CRISIS. DESPITE REPEATED REQUESTS BY THE PUBLIC, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS AND PROVIDE A PROPER COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE BORDER CRISIS, AND WHEREAS COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY FULLY SUPPORTS COMPLIANCE WITH IMMIGRATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS. NEVERTHELESS, IT CANNOT IGNORE THE SITUATION IT CURRENTLY FACES AND SEEKS TO DEAL WITH AS A RESULT OF THE BORDER CRISIS. WHEREAS, AS A RESULT OF THE BORDER CRISIS, THE RESOURCES OF THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN STRETCHED AND DEPLETED IN AN EFFORT TO ACCOMMODATE THIS LARGE INFLUX OF HUMANITY IN A SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE MANNER WHERE BOTH CITIZENS AND NON-CITIZENS RESULTING IN A DISASTROUS CONDITION. WHEREAS AS WITH ANY INCREASE IN POPULATION, A CERTAIN INCREASE IN CRIME WILL RESULT, AND THE INCREASE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE BORDER CRISIS IS CURRENTLY STRETCHING LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES OF CALDWELL COUNTY, THREATENING ITS ABILITY TO PROPERLY PROTECT ALL CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY, AND WHEREAS ALL CHILDREN, RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES ARE ENTITLED TO A PUBLIC EDUCATION. THE BORDER CRISIS HAS RESULTED IN A LARGER INCREASE IN THE STUDENT POPULATION WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF CALDWELL COUNTY, STRAINING THEIR RESOURCES AND EFFORT TO FULFILL THAT OBLIGATION. WHEREAS THE BORDER CRISIS IS STRAINING THE HEALTH CARE RESOURCES OF CALDWELL COUNTY BEYOND CAPACITY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE HEALTH CONCERNS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS, AND WHEREAS DUE TO THE BORDER CRISIS AND THE INCREASED DEMANDS OF THE GROWING POPULATION RESULTING THEREFROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF CALDWELL COUNTY IS IN GREATER NEED OF REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE BUDGET, MANPOWER, AND EQUIPMENT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, AND WHEREAS AS A RESULT OF THE FOREGOING, COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS HAS DETERMINED THAT EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF ALL INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN THE COUNTY. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER DECLARED FOR CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS PURSUANT TO SECTION 418 108A OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE BY RESOLUTION 3, 23 SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT AND CONTINUE IN EFFECT UNTIL DETERMINED BY ORDER OF THIS COURT, AND THE RESOLUTION 3, 23, AS AMENDED HEREBY SHALL BE GIVEN GENERAL PUBLICITY AND THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE FILED PROMPTLY WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS. THREE, THE CALDWELL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN ACTIVATED BY RESOLUTION 3, 23 SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF LAWFULLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY GRANTED UNDER BOTH LAWS AND CONSTITUTION OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION, THE UNITED STATES, PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 3, 23 AS AMENDED HEREBY SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT. ADDITIONALLY, ADDITIONAL DIRECTIVES MAY BE ISSUED BY FURTHER ORDER OF THE RESOLUTION OF THIS COURT AT ANY TIME, BE NECESSARY RESOLVED THIS EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2024. COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE WE HAVE DISCUSSION, I NEED A MOTION ON THIS ITEM. >> ALSO, MOVE APPROVAL. >> MOVE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONERS. >> YES, SIR. >> GO AHEAD. >> YES. IT STARTED TWO YEARS AGO. WE'RE AMENDING IT, AM I CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. YES, SIR. >> WE'RE AMENDING IT. BUT IS THERE ANY WAY BECAUSE IT'S [01:40:01] NOT ENOUGH NUMBERS OR STATISTICS TO BACK UP THIS SITUATION? LIKE THE YOUNG GENTLEMAN STATED EARLIER, I'M A NUMBERS GUY, SO I DON'T SEE ENOUGH STATISTICS HERE FOR ME TO JUSTIFY THIS DECLARATION. I'M JUST POINTING THAT OUT. >> WE HAVE NOT DONE A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, BUT I COULD DEFINITELY TAKE SOME FOLKS ON A TOUR OF OUR COUNTY AND SHOW YOU SOME AREAS THAT THIS HAS HAD A SEVERE IMPACT ON, MANY OF WHICH ARE IN YOUR PRECINCT. THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING IT AND I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME ASSISTANCE COMING FORWARD FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST US WITH THIS. IF THERE'S NOT, THEN WE EVENTUALLY WOULD RESCIND THE DECLARATION, BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RHETORIC FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ABOUT PROVIDING SOME ASSISTANCE. WE'RE HOPEFUL TO SEE THAT NO MATTER HOW THIS NEXT ELECTION TURNS OUT. IF WE DON'T SEE THAT, WE CAN REVISIT THIS. BUT RIGHT NOW, I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE DO HAVE A STRAIN ON THIS. THIS HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE 2022. I'M NOT SURE WHY IT HAS SUDDENLY BECOME AN ISSUE SINCE IT'S BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR TWO YEARS NOW. WE'VE HAD THIS GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS AND THE SITUATION IN YOUR PRECINCT AND OTHERS HAS GROWN. IT HASN'T LESSENED. ONE PERSON WHO DIDN'T APPEAR TODAY BUT EMAILED ME AND INFERRED THAT PEOPLE FROM SOUTH AUSTIN MIGRATING TO CALDWELL COUNTY ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM AS WELL. WELL, THEY'RE MIGRATING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THEY'RE HERE LEGALLY. THIS IS 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE, MANY OF WHICH THAT HAVE SETTLED IN TEXAS. MANY OF THEM ARE HERE. THERE'S BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO HARASS THEM. THERE'S BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO GET THEM OUT OF THEIR HOMES. THERE'S BEEN NO ATTEMPT TO DEPORT THEM BY THE COUNTY. WE HAVEN'T TREATED THEM ANY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER CITIZEN IN THIS COUNTY WOULD BE TREATED AS FAR AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANYTHING ELSE GOES. I'M ON BOARD WITH THIS RIGHT NOW. I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL GET SOME RELIEF AND THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING. WE'VE CREATED SOME UNITS WITHIN THE COUNTY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING OUT IN THE COUNTY. THOSE HAVE NOT BEEN INEXPENSIVE. WE'RE DOING IT IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH, AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THOSE PROGRAMS, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO. WE'VE DONE SOME EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGH THE COSTS OFFICE REGARDING SOME OF THE ISSUES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. WE SENT SPANISH SPEAKERS OUT TO GO DOOR TO DOOR THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS SOME OF THIS, AND ALL OF THAT IS COMING A COST TO THE COUNTY. BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE HOPEFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE OF THAT. BUT, FRANKLY, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY TO DO THAT. WE BARELY BALANCE THE BUDGET THIS YEAR, PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS. THAT'S WHY I'M IN FAVOR OF DOING THIS. IF WE GET SOME ASSISTANCE OR AS IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT, THE END MIGRATION IS AT AN ALL TIME ALL YEAR LOW. WE CAN ALL STAND HERE AND ARGUE ABOUT WHY THAT IS UNTIL WE'RE BLUE. I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO RESOLVE THAT ARGUMENT HERE AND NOW. THIS IS JUST THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. >> BUT IN MY PRECINCT, I'M WELL AWARE OF ALL THE SITUATIONS. >> I UNDERSTAND. YES, SIR. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE MORE NUMBERS OR MORE SITUATIONS PUT IN THIS ORDINANCE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. WE'LL HAVE TO VOTE ON IT. BUT WE CAN, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEARHEAD THAT AND BRING US BACK SOME NUMBERS, WE CAN CERTAINLY ENTERTAIN THAT. >> BASICALLY, YES, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS AND THE SITUATION AND STATISTICS. I THINK IT GIVES MORE VALID REASONS TO THIS PROCLAMATION OF WHAT YOU'RE ASKING THE COURT TO APPROVE RIGHT NOW. I GUESS IF WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON IT LIKE A ROLL CALL VOTE. >> SURE. NOT A PROBLEM. WELL, I'VE LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHTS. I WAS GOING TO BRING SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU TOUCHED ON, BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO ADDRESS, SO I'M NOT GOING TO, BUT YEAH, I DON'T MIND DOING A ROLL CALL VOTE. [01:45:02] NOT AT ALL. COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND? >> I'D LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, JUDGE. >> GO AHEAD. >> I THINK PERSONALLY, I READ IT WAS A SHOCKER TWO WEEKS AGO. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT RESOLUTION AND SO I READ IT, AND THEN OF COURSE, WE HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA AND I READ IT AGAIN. THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL REASON. MY PERSONAL DEAL IS I THINK WE'RE LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT IT REALLY MEANS. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO DO IT RIGHT, THERE'S NO PROBLEM FOR. I CALLED A COUPLE OF JPS AND HOW THEY MAGISTRATE AND THEY MAGISTRATE EVERY FIVE WEEKS. STARTING IN DURING SIX MONTHS BACK, THERE WAS 60 AND ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, TERRORISTIC THREATS, DRUGS, DWIS, MEXICO, VENEZUELA, CANADA. WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS IS, I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THE ONES WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT ARE THE ONES THAT ARE ON THIS PAPER THAT'S DOING IT WRONG. THIS FUNDING IS TO GIVE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BETTER KNOWLEDGE JAILERS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO NEED STAFF. I'M FOR MYSELF. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, COMMISSIONERS? >> I HAVE ONE, JUDGE. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER THERIOT. >> I'M GLAD WE'RE REVISITING THIS TODAY. I'M GLAD WE'RE REVISING THE VARIOUS CLAUSES AND FOCUSING ON THOSE A LOT MORE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ORDER. I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE RESOLUTION THAT IT'S THAT IT'S FOCUSING ON THE ACTUAL IMPACTS TO THE COUNTY THAT WE'VE ALL HAD LOTS OF ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE ON. BUT I ALSO FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR SISTER COUNTIES THAT ARE EVEN HAVING MORE IMPACTS THAN THAN US. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT 58 OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS HAVE PASSED DISASTER ORDINATE ORDERS, INCLUDING CAMERON, ZAPATA, WELLS, EL PASO, ALL THE COUNTIES ALONG THE BORDER AND MANY OTHERS IN OUR REGION. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT THOSE COUNTIES THAT ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING IMPACTS AND EVEN GREATER THAN US IN A LOT OF CASES. THAT'S JUST THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT IT. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. COMMISSIONER THOMAS HAS ASKED THAT WE DO A ROLL CALL VOTE. COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND? >> AYE. >> COMMISSIONER HORNE? >> AYE. >> COMMISSIONER THERIOT? >> AYE. >> COMMISSIONER THOMAS? >> NAY. >> I'M AN AYE. MOTION PASSES 4-1. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER THOMAS. WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THE DATA. ITEM I12. [I.12 To approve the Caldwell County Employee Holiday Schedule for calendar year 2025. ] DISCUSSION ACTION TO APPROVE CALDWELL COUNTY EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR 2025. COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE IT BEFORE YOU, BUT CHRISSY ANN IS GOING TO COME UP HERE AND SHARE IT WITH US. >> HI. >> HI. >> YES. IN YOUR BACKUP, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE COUNTY EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY CALENDAR. WITH YOUR FLOATING HOLIDAY, WE HAVE 14.5 DAYS FOR 2025. I'M JUST LOOKING FOR AN APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY HOLIDAY CALENDAR. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR ITEM I12. >> SOME MOVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I13, DISCUSSION ACTION REGARDING THE BURN BAN. HECTOR. [I.13 Regarding the burn ban. ] >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER STAFF, AND GALLERY. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE FIRES RANGING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. SOME WERE SMALL AND SOME WERE LARGE. THE BIGGEST ONE WE HAD WAS YESTERDAY, WHICH STARTED OUT AS A GRASS FIRE AND IT CONSUMED TWO BUILDINGS ON ONE PROPERTY AND WHILE WE WERE FIGHTING THAT FIRE, [01:50:03] ANOTHER FIRE SPRUNG DOWN THE ROAD 2.5 MILES. I WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO ALL THE LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND [INAUDIBLE] THE FIRES. BIGGER THANKS GOES TO THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE WHO PROVIDED MANPOWER, THE BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER FOR WATER DROPS, AND STAR FLIGHT FOR COMING OUT AND DOING WATER DROPS ALSO. ONE RESIDENT WAS DISPLACED AND WE PROVIDED HIM WITH RED CROSS ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY, WHICH HE GOT LAST NIGHT AND WAS TAKEN CARE OF. CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO RAIN PREDICTED FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS AND OUR FIRE DANGER IS UP THERE. OUR CURRENT NUMBERS FOR KBDR MINIMUM IS 600, MAX IS 711 AVERAGE 69 WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS FOUR. I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WE KEEP THE BURN BAN ON. >> THANK YOU, HECTOR. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO KEEP THE BURN BAN ON? >> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ITEM I14. [I.14 To approve Budget Amendment #28 moving $30,000.00 from 001-6510-4864 Medical Contingency to 001-6510-4123 Autopsy. ] DISCUSSION, ACTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 28, MOVING $30,000 FROM 001-6510-4864 MEDICAL CONTINGENCY 001-6510-4123 AUTOPSY. DANIE. >> YES, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS ACTUALLY FOR LAST FISCAL YEAR, '23-'24, WHERE WE HAVE SOME INVOICES THAT CAME IN AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS JUST A BUDGET SHORTFALL IN THE AUTOPSY LINE. OF COURSE, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PROJECT THIS NUMBER JUST DUE TO THE SERVICE THAT'S BEING PROVIDED FOR THIS SO WE'LL DO A BETTER JOB NEXT YEAR, CRITIQUING A FEW THINGS WITH AUTOPSY. I KNOW THAT EVEN JP 1 HAS REACHED OUT, FOUND A NEW VENDOR FOR THEIR AUTOPSY SERVICES, WHICH IS GOING TO BE CHEAPER SO I THINK THAT'LL HELP IN THE LONG RUN. THIS IS JUST MOVING 30,000 FROM MEDICAL CONTINGENCY OVER TO AN AUTOPSY LINE ITEM TO COVER THOSE LAST INVOICES FOR LAST FISCAL YEAR. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 28? >> SO MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR OF SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I15. DISCUSSION, ACTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 29, [I.15 To approve Budget Amendment #29 moving $2,800.00 from Sanitation Training 001-7610-4810 to Sanitation Office Supplies 001-7610-3110. ] MOVING $2,800 FROM SANITATION TRAINING 001-7610-4810 TO SANITATION OFFICE SUPPLIES 001-7610-3110. >> YES. FOR THIS ONE, THERE WAS SOME NEW STAFFING AND SANITATION, AND WE DID FIND SOME MONEY FOR LAST PHYSICAL YEAR TO MOVE AROUND THAT WAY CASEY CAN BUY SOME OFFICE FURNITURE AND LAST BUDGET YEARS MONEY. THAT ONE WE'RE JUST MOVING THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL FROM HER TRAINING LINE ITEM OVER TO HER OFFICE SUPPLIES. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDMENT 29. >> SO MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. SECOND? >> SECOND. >>BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I16, DISCUSSION, ASKING THE RATIFY BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR SB22, [I.16 To ratify Budget Amendment for SB22 - Sheriff's Office & Jail Specialty Stipend. ] SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND JAIL SPECIALTY STIPEND. >> THIS ONE'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. I ALWAYS COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ASK FOR APPROVAL FOR A BUDGET AMENDMENT. THIS ONE, I HAD TO GO AND EXECUTE PRIOR TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BECAUSE OF PAYROLL REASONS. OUR PAY DAY IS THIS FRIDAY AND WHEN WE BUDGETED FOR SENATE BILL 22, ALL THE MONEY IS THERE IN THE BUDGET. WE JUST NEEDED TO CREATE SOME NEW GENERAL LEDGER ITEMS TO PAY OUT THIS NEW SPECIALTY STIPEND PAY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SINCE WE HAD ALREADY APPROVED THE BUDGET WITH THE MONEY BEING IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, THEN THE COURT APPROVED FOR A NEW WAY TO SPEND THE SENATE BILL 22 MONEY. I HAD TO CREATE SOME PAYROLL CODES FOR THIS. TO GET THAT ON THIS FIRST PAYROLL FOR OCTOBER 1, I HAD TO GO AHEAD AND EXECUTE THAT BUDGET AMENDMENT PRIOR TO APPROVAL THROUGH COURT. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO RATIFY BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR SB 22. >> MOVE TO RATIFY. >> MOTION TO RATIFY BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. >> THANK YOU. >> ITEM I17, DISCUSSION, [I.17 To approve Resolution 30-2024 regarding the GLO CDBG-MIT Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Program (LMHPP) Grant Application. ] ACTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 30-2024 REGARDING THE GLO CDBG-MIT LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN PROGRAM, LMHPP GRANT APPLICATION. [01:55:02] >> THIS WAS BROUGHT TO YOU ALL FOR PERMISSION TO APPLY ALMOST A YEAR AGO. WE'RE STILL IN THE WORKS OF IT ALL, BUT IT DOES NEED A RESOLUTION TO ACCOMPANY THE APPLICATION SO THAT IS WHAT THIS IS FOR. THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 THROUGH 2030 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 30-2024? >> SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I18, DISCUSSION, [I.18 To accept award for the FY 2025 Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS) Grant. ] ACTION TO ACCEPT AWARD FOR FY 2025 STATEWIDE AUTOMATED VICTIM NOTIFICATION SERVICES SAVNS GRANT. >> WE APPLIED FOR THIS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE GRANTS THAT WE APPLY FOR EVERY YEAR. WE WERE AWARDED $18,571. THIS IS FOR THE AUTOMATED VICTIM NOTIFICATION SERVICE THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE USES. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AWARD OF THE SAVNS GRANT? >> MOTION TO ACCEPT. >> MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE, SECONDED BY? >> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I19, DISCUSSION, [I.19 To approve the Fifth Contract Renewal Participating Entity Services Agreement with Appriss Insights, LLC. for the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS). ] ACTION TO APPROVE THE FIFTH CONTRACT RENEWAL, PARTICIPATING ENTITY SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOW DO YOU SAY THAT? APPRISS? >> APPRISS. >> APPRISS. [LAUGHTER] I'VE FIGURED IT OUT. INSIGHTS, LLC FOR STATEWIDE AUTOMATED VICTIM NOTIFICATION SERVICES, SAVNS. >> THIS GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THAT AWARD ON ITEM 18. THIS IS JUST THE SERVICE AGREEMENT. THEY ARE THE VENDOR THAT PROVIDES THE NOTIFICATION SERVICE. THIS IS JUST THE AGREEMENT WITH THEM. BASICALLY, WE WILL PAY THEM QUARTERLY, WHAT THEY INVOICE US, AND THEN THE GRANT REIMBURSES US THAT SAME EXACT AMOUNT, SO IT'S A WASH. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM I19. >> SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I20, DISCUSSION, [I.20 To approve Addendum No. 1 to Statement of Financial Goals and Policies for federal grant use. ] ACTION TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1, STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL GOALS AND POLICIES FOR FEDERAL GRANT USE. >> FOR THIS ONE, THERE'S BEEN SOME NEW CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTED BY GLO. THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT WE INCLUDE THIS WITH ANY FINANCIAL OR PURCHASING POLICY WITH THE COUNTY. INSTEAD OF RECREATING OR TRYING TO EDIT THE CURRENT FINANCIAL POLICY THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CREATE THE AMENDMENT. NUMBER 1, I CAN READ IT. IT'S PRETTY SHORT AND SWEET, IT'S FROM THE GLO. IT'S MINIMIZE THE TIME BETWEEN DRAWING DISBURSEMENT AS STATED IN THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE. REVISED IMPLEMENTATION MANUAL UPDATED NOVEMBER 2021, THE COUNTY WILL HAVE THREE BUSINESS DAYS FOR DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDING FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT, DEPOSIT OF FUNDS WITHOUT SPECIFIC DOCUMENTED REASONS FOR SUCH A DELAY IN INFREQUENT CIRCUMSTANCES. SUB RECIPIENTS MUST MAINTAIN WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR MINIMIZING THIS TIME PERIOD. WE'RE JUST GOING TO ADD THIS ON TOP OR BEHIND OUR FINANCIAL POLICY. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM I20. >> SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I21, DISCUSSION, [I.21 To approve Addendum No. 2 to Purchasing Policies and Procedures for federal grant use. ] ACTION TO APPROVE ADDENDUM NUMBER 2, PURCHASING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR FEDERAL GRANT USE. >> SAME THING WITH THIS. IT'S THE SAME EXACT FEDERAL REGULATION THAT'S BEEN ADOPTED BY GENERAL LAND OFFICE. WE'RE JUST ADDING IT TO OUR PURCHASING POLICY. I FORGOT TO INCLUDE IN THE LAST AGENDA. THIS JUST HELPS US GET ANY FEDERAL GRANTS. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE ADDENDUM NUMBER 2 PURCHASING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. >> SO MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I22, DISCUSSION, [I.22 To approve FY 2024-2025 Blanket Purchase Orders for the Unit Road Department. ] ACTION TO APPROVE FY 2024-2025, BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THE UNIT ROAD DEPARTMENT. >> HI, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. YOU SHOULD HAVE A LIST OF ALL THE BLANKET POS THAT THE UNIT ROAD DEPARTMENT IS MEETING. WE'RE JUST SEEKING APPROVAL TO GET THOSE APPROVED [02:00:03] AND DISPERSED TO THE UNIT ROAD DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF FY 2024-2025, BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS FOR UNIT ROAD. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. THAT'S IN YOUR BACKUP COMMISSIONERS. I'M SURE YOU'VE LOOKED AT IT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I23. [I.23 To approve TAC Liability Coverage REQ #03308 in the amount of $252,163.00 for FY 2024-2025 budget.] DISCUSSION, ACTION TO APPROVE TAX LIABILITY COVERAGE RFQ NUMBER 03308 IN THE AMOUNT OF $252,163 FOR FY 2024-2025 BUDGET. >> FOR THIS, WE'RE SEEKING THAT APPROVAL FOR THAT REQUISITION NUMBER IN ORDER TO ISSUE THAT PO AND GET THAT PAYMENT MADE TO TAC. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF REQUISITION NUMBER 3308. >> SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I24, DISCUSSION, [I.24 To approve TAC Liability Coverage Invoice #00001730 in the amount of $252,163.00 for services FY 2024-2025. ] ACTION TO APPROVE TAX LIABILITY COVERAGE INVOICE NUMBER 00001730 IN THE AMOUNT OF $252,163.00 FOR SERVICES FOR FY 2024-2025. >> THIS GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE PREVIOUS ITEM, WHICH IS LOOKING FOR THAT APPROVAL TO GET THAT INVOICE PAID. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE INVOICE NUMBER 00001730? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I25, DISCUSSION, [I.25 To approve TAC Worker's Comp Coverage REQ #03307 in the amount of $250,000.00 for FY 2024-2025 budget. ] ACTION TO APPROVE TAC WORKER'S COMP COVERAGE REQUISITION 03307 IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 FOR FY 2024-2025 BUDGET. >> THEN THIS IS JUST ANOTHER YEARLY PAYMENT THAT WE MAKE TO TAC. THIS WILL BE FOR FISCAL YEAR '24-'25, WE'RE SEEKING THAT APPROVAL TO GET THAT PO ISSUED AND MAKE PAYMENT TO THEM. >> COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE REQUISITION 03307? >> SO MOVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS, AND SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM I26, DISCUSSION, [I.26 To approve TAC Worker's Comp Coverage Invoice #00001949 in the amount of $250,000.00 for services FY 2024-2025. ] ACTION TO APPROVE TAC WORKER'S COMPENSATION COVERAGE INVOICE NUMBER 00001949 IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 FOR SERVICES FY 2024- 2025. >> THIS GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE PREVIOUS ITEM. WE'RE JUST SEEKING THAT APPROVAL TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT PAYMENT ON THE NEW INVOICE. >> COMMISSIONERS, WE HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE INVOICE 00001949. >> SO MOVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. COMMISSIONERS, I DID THINK OF ONE THING AND I DON'T NORMALLY LIKE TO DO THIS, BUT I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT ITEM. GOING BACK TO THE DISCUSSION ON 2020. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WAS THAT THE CENSUS GIVES US FEDERAL MONEY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CENSUS OCCURRED IN 2020, AND IN MARCH OF 2020, THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WAS SHUT DOWN. WE HAD PLANS TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH SPANISH SPEAKERS THAT THE COMMUNITY TRUSTED. WE HAD RECRUITED PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT RESIDE IN CALDWELL COUNTY WERE COUNTED. HOWEVER, THOSE REQUIRED PUBLIC GATHERINGS, AND WE COULD NOT DO THAT BECAUSE OF COVID. WE WERE FORBIDDEN TO HAVE GROUPS GATHERING AND I THINK IT WAS MORE THAN 11 PEOPLE AT THE TIME. THAT REALLY HINDERED OUR EFFORTS TO GET EVERYONE COUNTED. WE HAVE A LARGE POPULATION HERE WHO FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, DIDN'T WANT TO JUST COME FORWARD AND BE COUNTED BECAUSE THEY WERE FEARFUL OF DEPORTATION. THE IDEA THAT EVERYONE GOT COUNTED DURING THE 2020 CENSUS IS JUST SIMPLY NOT TRUE. I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT ON THE RECORD. THAT'S THE THING I WAS GOING TO BRING UP, COMMISSIONER, THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO. THAT'S IT. WE ARE NOW GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 11:04, [J. EXECUTIVE SESSION] PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 55187, [02:05:02] DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ITEM J2, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 55187 DELIBERATING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT WINGSPAN. THE FIRST ONE IS PROJECT THOR. WE ARE IN SESSION. GOOD. WE ARE GOING TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 11:29 PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.87 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT THOR AND J2 PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.87 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT WINGSPAN. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON EITHER OF THESE, AND WE'LL GO INTO REGULAR SESSION AGAIN AND GO TO ITEM K. ADJOURNMENT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? >> SO MOVED. >> MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 11:30. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.