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YOU READY? READY AS I'LL EVER BE.
IT IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY THE 28TH, 2024.
IT'S 10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
AND THE ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNANCE IS NOW IN SESSION.
UH, AND WITH THAT, I'M GONNA CALL, ASK FOR A ROLL CALL EVERYONE.
KYLE KUTCHER FOR COMMISSIONER C.
COMMISSIONER CLAY FLORES MARCUS PREP FOR COMMISSIONER CLAY FLORES.
COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE FOR JUDGE COO.
BATIM IS HERE FOR COUNCILWOMAN GTO.
COMMISSIONER MOODY IS EXCUSED.
REPRESENTATIVE GUILLEN VERONICA GARGA FOR REPRESENTATIVE GUILLEN.
VERY WELL THEN HE WOULD, AS WE SAY, THE PLEDGE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE 13 JUSTICE FOR ALL HONOR.
AND IN THE PHYSICAL, BE SEATED.
DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
UH, THEN ANY NEXT IS ANY DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST? GOOD.
THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
WHERE'D HE GO?
[ Consent Agenda The consent agenda consists of items considered being of a routine nature and contains items recommended for approval by the Executive Committee or by the Board Chair and the minutes from previous Board of Directors meetings. These items will be enacted in one motion, or any member of the Board may request that items be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately for purposes of discussion and voting.]
WELL, WHY DON'T WE TIP? WELL, LET'S JUST MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY DISCUSSION? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OPPOSED? CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
UM, YOU CAN'T REALLY START THE NEW BUSINESS NOW BECAUSE THAT'S OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALSO
IT WOULD'VE HELPED IF I WOULD'VE BROUGHT MY AD REPORT WITH ME.
YEAH, WE DONE, WE DID APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, BY THE WAY.
[6. Executive Director’s Monthly Report - Cliff Herberg A. Staffing Updates: B. Program Status and Operational Updates: Agency Contract Performance Report (CPR) Aging Services Public Affairs & Communications Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services Natural Resources Public Safety Regional Services Environmental Conservation Military & Veterans Affairs Weatherization Assistance Program C. Organizational and General Administration Updates: Building Update Administration Policy Review Chief Financial Officer General Counsel]
MUCH.AND WE'LL COME BACK TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS YOUR MONTHLY REPORT.
WITH MY APOLOGIES FOR KEEPING EVERYBODY WAITING.
WELL, AND I'LL, I'LL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.
'CAUSE WE WERE TELLING OLD STORIES ABOUT OUR, OUR PRIOR LIVES.
SO
THE, UH, THIS VERSION OF MY REPORT REPORT IS A LITTLE BIT SHORTER, SHORTER AND CONDENSED.
THE ONE THAT'S IN YOUR, IN YOUR PACKET.
AND SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE MORE DETAIL, PLEASE REFER TO THE PACKAGE ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I FELT THEY WERE MORE INFORMATIONAL AND NOT AS MUCH AS, UH, UH, OF CONCERN FOR THE BOARD TODAY.
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WITH REGARD TO OUR AGING SERVICES, THE BEAR SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOSTED ITS ANNUAL RETREAT, UH, ON FEBRUARY 9TH IN ALAMO HEIGHTS AT FRANKLIN PARK.MS. FERNANDA CARDENA, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GONZABA FOUNDATION, AND WHO IS OUR RECIPIENT OF THE 2023 ACOG MISSION PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS THE NEW CHAIR.
SO IF YOU SEE HER, YOU MAY EXTEND YOUR CONGRATULATIONS, UH, REGARDING ART ALAMO REGIONAL TRANSIT ART HAS BEEN AWARDED $796,000 IN FUNDING FOR SUPPORT OF THE RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE EXPANSION PROJECT.
THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON THE EXPANSION OF ROUTES AND IMPROVING OUR MICRO TRANSIT SERVICES.
AND A PARTICULAR NOTE, THE TEAM IS CURRENTLY PROCESSED IN THE PROCESS OF BEGINNING WORK WITH THE CITY OF KERRVILLE AS PART OF THE PROJECT.
LIKEWISE, ART HAS PURCHASED 10 ADDITIONAL VEHICLES, THREE MINIVANS, AND SEVEN OF OUR STANDARD CUTAWAY BUSES.
ART IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF PROCURING ONE ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH MORE TO FOLLOW.
AND WE WILL ALSO BE INSTALLING SOME HIGH CAPACITY CHARGERS HERE AND, UH, POSSIBLY AT THE KERRVILLE BUS DEPOT AS WELL.
AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES.
YOU WILL RECALL FROM THE, UH, PRESENTATION ON THE GREAT TEXAS AIR SHOW, WHICH IS SET FOR APRIL 6TH AND SEVENTH OF THIS YEAR.
ART WILL BE PROVIDING SHUTTLE SERVICE AS A PART OF OUR COMMITMENT WITH THE JBSA.
UM, PUBLIC AFFAIRS A ROAD SHOW HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR APRIL 16TH FROM 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM IN REO COUNTY.
AND YOU WILL GET MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW AS WE GET CLOSER TO THAT DATE.
OUR IDD UH, SERVICES DIVISION, THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY BUSY THIS YEAR AND, UH, UH, THIS PAST MONTH AND COMING INTO NEXT MONTH, UH, MS. COLLEEN LEE, WHO IS OUR PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER CONSULTANT WITH I-D-C-I-D-D SERVICES PRESENTED AT THE TEXAS CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION, WHICH IS HELD IN SAN ANTONIO ON FEBRUARY 16TH.
HER PRESENTATION FOCUSED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NEEDED FOR YOUTH IN THE IDD POPULATION.
IN JANUARY, UH, LIEUTENANT SHEILA VITA, WHO IS ONE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS, IS AND IS CURRENTLY CONTRACTED WITH IDD SERVICES, UH, PROVIDED AN ABBREVIATED IDD RECOGNITION AND RESPONSE TRAINING TO 29 BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT OFFICERS AND SUPPORT STAFF.
AND I THINK YOU'LL HEAR SOME MORE ABOUT THIS IN MY REPORT, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH, UH, AN, AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY WITH THE TRAINING OF DEESCALATION TACTICS.
AND I THINK YOU'VE ALL HEARD THROUGH THE YEARS OF SUICIDE BY COP, POLICE OFFICERS WOULD ENCOURAGE OR, OR ENCOUNTER PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND DON'T HAVE THE TRAIN TO RESPOND.
AND INSTEAD OF DEESCALATION, THEY ESCALATE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE TRAINED TO MEET A THREAT WITH DEADLY FORCE.
AND SO THE RESULTS OF THAT WERE OFTENTIMES VERY TRAGIC.
AND SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE TRAINING THAT WE PROVIDE THROUGH IDD SERVICES IN THAT AREA.
AND SO, ALONG THOSE LINES, UH, ON JANUARY 29TH, OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION ASSESSOR, MS. ABIGAIL SANTOS, AND OUR LEAD CRISIS INTERVENTION ASSESSOR, MS. MELISSA HENDERSON PROVIDED INITIAL TRAINING AND SAFETY CARE FOR FAMILIES TO 13 UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEMS STAFF MEMBERS.
THEY WERE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE DEESCALATION TECHNIQUES AND DIFFUSE POTENTIAL CRISIS SITUATIONS IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS.
LIKEWISE, ON FEBRUARY 4TH, MS. HENDERSON PROVIDED TRAINING TO 40 SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS AT THE SAPD 2.0 MENTAL HEALTH UNIT TRAINING SERIES AND TWO 30 SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATION STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THIS TRAINING PROVIDED A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE IDD SERVICES PROVIDED BY ACOG AND DEALING WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS AND DEESCALATION TECHNIQUES IN NATURAL RESOURCES.
LYLE HOFSTETTER, WHO IS OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, UH, PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR, DELIVERED A PACE PRESENTATION, WHICH IS THE PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM TO THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL COUNCILS ON FEBRUARY 7TH IN AUSTIN TO THEIR ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
THE PRESENTATION APPROACH PACE FROM A REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR'S PERSPECTIVE AND SHARED THE BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING SUCH A PROGRAM WITHIN THE COG STRUCTURE.
ON FEBRUARY 8TH, THE NATURAL RESOURCES TEAM AT OUR PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF THE HONDO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PACE AND ITS AVAILABILITY IN MEDINA COUNTY.
UH, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW PROJECT OR A NEW COMMITTEE TO SIT ON, ACOG'S NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO SIT ON THE HYDROGEN PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ANYBODY WANNA VOLUNTEER? PLEASE CONTACT MR. HUFFSTEDTLER.
UH, THIS COMMITTEE WILL MEET QUARTERLY TO PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY IMPORT INPUT TO INFORM
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS PLAN OF A COMMUNITY BENEFITS PLAN FOR HYDROGEN FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, IN THE ACOG REGION.SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, AS I SAID, PLEASE REACH OUT TO LYLE.
UH, ANOTHER REMINDER IS THAT THE DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES TO SUBMIT ANNUAL ENERGY USAGE TO THE STATE IS MARCH 4TH.
PLEASE REACH OUT AGAIN TO LYLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH FROM 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM NATURAL RESOURCES IS HOSTING AN INDOOR AIR QUALITY WORKSHOP HERE AT ACOG.
ATTENDEES WILL HEAR FROM LOCAL EXPERTS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY, POLLUTANTS OF CONCERN, AND THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY.
AND ONCE AGAIN, THAT'S MARCH THE 19TH FROM 10 TO 12 HERE AT ACOG IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HOMELAND SECURITY PLANNING DIVISIONS ARE SCHEDULED TO PROVIDE A DRONE ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE TACTICS COURSE ON MARCH THE SIXTH IN THE ACOG BOARDROOM.
THE COURSE IS OFFERED THROUGH NEW MEXICO TECH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS DIVISION ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REGARDING THE SOLAR ECLIPSE THAT IS COMING UP IN, UH, HERE IN APRIL.
UM, CSEC IS REALLY URGING US AND ALL OF OUR MEMBERS IN THE, IN THE REGION TO ATTEND VARIOUS MEETINGS THAT ARE SET UP REGARDING, UH, THE STATE OF EMERGENCY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DURING THAT LARGE SCALE EVENT.
THE NEXT MEETINGS ARE SET FOR MARCH THE EIGHTH AND MARCH 22ND AT 10:00 AM VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS. WE WILL BE SENDING, UH, LINKS FOR THOSE MEETINGS.
UH, WE, AS I SAID, WE'RE BEING BY CSEC TO REALLY, UH, REALLY ATTEND THESE MEETINGS BECAUSE, UH, PARTICULARLY THE COUNTIES THAT ARE WITHIN THE, THE ECLIPSE PATH, UH, REALLY NEED TO COORDINATE.
AND OF COURSE, THOSE ARE KER GILLESPIE, BANDERA, KENDALL MEDINA, AND BEAR.
UH, AND WE'RE ALSO, THEY ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING THE COUNTIES OUTSIDE THE PATH STAY UP TO DATE BECAUSE YOU MAY BE CALLED UPON FOR ASSISTANCE AS PART OF YOUR MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS.
SO, UH, YOUR, UH, ATTENDANCE OF THOSE MEETINGS OF YOUR STAFF IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
UH, YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY, I THINK WE ALL KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE THE OTHER DAY, I THINK THE, UH, UH, CHAIRMAN, UH, THE CHAMBER, UH, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND THEY SAY THAT EVERY HOTEL ROOM IS SOLD OUT FROM HERE ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH TO KERRVILLE AND BEYOND.
AND SO THIS IS GONNA BE A MAJOR LARGE SCALE EVENT.
I'M ANXIOUS TO, UH, SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.
IT'S GONNA BE A TASK FOR ALL OF THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE, UH, HAVING THIS HUGE INFLUX.
I THINK ALL THE, UH, AIRPORTS ARE ALL FULL, ALL OF THE SLOTS FOR THE PRIVATE JETS AND ALL OF THAT AS WELL.
UH, SO IT'S GONNA BE QUITE THE EVENT.
UH, A PLANNING AND ZONING WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, MARCH THE 22ND IN THE ACOG BOARDROOM.
INFORMATION REGARDING REGISTRATION WILL BE SENT OUT TO ALL BOARD AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEMBERS TOMORROW ON FEBRUARY THE 29TH IN OUR WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
UH, ONE OF OUR STAFF, UH, GIRAN LAKIN, WHO IS AN INSPECTOR IN THE, IN THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM, HAS EARNED HIS QUALITY CONTROL CERTIFICATION FROM THE BUILDING PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE.
UH, THIS BRINGS TO FOUR CERTIFIED INSPECTORS THAT WE HAVE IN THE ACOG REGION TO SUPPORT WEATHERIZATION PROJECTS.
AND SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED AND PROUD FOR HIM.
UM, ON A FINAL NOTE, UH, I ATTENDED THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATED REGIONAL COUNCIL'S CONFERENCE EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND AS WELL AS THE TARC TRAINING THAT SOME OF YOUR STAFF AND YOU MAY HAVE ATTENDED AS WELL.
AND, UM, ONE OF THE SPEAKERS AT THE NARC CONFERENCE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR SO MANY TYPES OF VARIOUS PROJECTS OUT THERE.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE STRUCK ME AS HE SAID, THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY, UH, REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING FOR PROJECTS.
AND SO I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS THAT WE SHOULD BE OUT THERE TRYING TO GET THIS FUNDING.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL COMES ALONG, YOU KNOW, EVERY 40, 50 YEARS.
AND SO THIS IS REALLY A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO GET THE FUNDING FROM ANY, FROM SO MANY VARIOUS SOURCES.
I, I WAS, I WAS AT ONE OF THE CONFERENCE, I MEAN, ONE OF THE PRESENTATIONS THAT WAS FROM THE US FOREST SERVICE, THERE'S MONEY FROM THE FOREST SERVICE FOR PARKS.
THERE'S MONEY FROM THE FOREST SERVICE FOR A FOOD FOREST MAYOR, DO YOU WANT TO TELL US WHAT A FOOD FOREST IS? 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW.
I, I, I HAD NEVER HEARD THAT TERM, TERM MYSELF.
BUT, UH, IT'S BASICALLY AN AREA THAT GROWS FARM, I MEAN, GROWS FOOD YEAH.
FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE, ARE, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT A GROCERY STORE IN THEIR AREA.
CERTAINLY WITH A LOT, MANY OF OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND, AND, UH, AND HELPS, HELPS PEOPLE BE HEALTHIER, BREATHE HEALTHIER, AND, AND MAKE THEM OVERALL, YOU KNOW, GENERAL GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.
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NEW TO ME.AND ONE OF THE THINGS SAYING, FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S MONEY FOR FOOD FOR US, WHICH ARE FRUIT AND NUT TREES, FOR INSTANCE, AND THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO BE PLANTED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS, PUBLIC PARKS, PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAYS, THAT KIND OF THING TO MAKE FOOD AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE.
SO THERE'S MONEY FOR SOMETHING AS SMALL AS THAT PROJECT, OR AS LARGE AS I FOUND OUT THAT THE NORTH TEXAS COG GOT $70 MILLION FOR THE CREATION OF EV CHARGING NETWORK IN THEIR 16 COUNTY REGION.
SO THERE'S TREMENDOUS, UH, OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
ONE OF THE THINGS TO ALSO, UM, THAT I HEARD ABOUT IS THERE ARE $10,000 GRANTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.
JUST FOR EVERYTHING FROM, UM, ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING TO PAINTING OR BUYING EQUIPMENT FROM, I BELIEVE THAT WAS FROM USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT.
THERE'S $500,000 AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITIES UNDER 50,000 PEOPLE FOR, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS.
AND THEY SAID PRIMARILY IT'S USED FOR SIDEWALK ENHANCEMENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREAS FOR EITHER NEW SIDEWALKS OR BRINGING EXISTING SIDEWALKS UP TO A DA COMPLIANCE.
SO IF YOU'RE A COMMUNITY OF UNDER $50,000, THERE'S $500,000 OUT THERE THAT'S AVAILABLE.
UM, AND SO, AS I SAID, THERE'S LARGE AND SMALL PROJECTS.
OH, UH, THE USDA RULE DEVELOPMENT SPEAKER FROM TARC MENTIONED THAT THERE'S MONEY ALSO AVAILABLE FOR, UH, GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS FOR PUBLICLY OWNED BUILDINGS.
SO FOR YOUR COURTHOUSES AND YOUR VARIOUS PUBLIC FACILITIES, THERE'S SOLAR PANELS, EV CHARGING STATIONS, ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING MONEY OUT THERE FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.
AND, UH, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE, MAKE ALL MAKE YOU AWARE OF ALL OF THESE VARIOUS THINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
UH OH, ONE MORE THAT COMES TO MIND.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.
SO IN YOUR SMALL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE, THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT FROM OUR WORK WITH TCEQ, THAT SO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF UPGRADES TO BRING THEIR WASTEWATER FACILITIES UP.
THERE'S MONEY AVAILABLE NOW, AND SO THEY'RE ANXIOUS TO GIVE IT OUT.
AND SO WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY IS JUST TO LET YOU AND PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT TO EVEN YOUR SMALLER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT A GRANT APPLICATION.
WE CAN DO A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THESE PEOPLE, I MEAN, FOR THESE PROJECTS.
AND WE CAN HELP WITH GRANT ADMINISTRATION.
SO IF ANY OF, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE THINGS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME OR, UH, CLAUDIA MORROW AND WE WILL BE GLAD TO HELP WALK THE, THE VARIOUS, UH, INTERESTED PARTIES THROUGH THE PROCESS.
AND SO WITH THAT, THAT COMPLETES MY REPORT.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
DON'T LEAVE GOING INTO NEW BUSINESS.
[12. Consider and act upon the recommendation to amend the AACOG bylaws to require the Executive Committee to appoint a member to meet quarterly with the Human Resources Department. – Cliff Herberg]
LET'S GO AHEAD AND GO TO ITEM NUMBER 12, WHICH IS CONSIDER AN ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO AMEND ACOG BYLAWS REQUIRE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO MEET, UH, QUARTERLY WITH HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, MR. HERBERT.ALRIGHT, UH, MR. CHAIR MEMBERS, THE BOARD, AS YOU RECALL FROM OUR LAST MEETING, WE DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF HAVING SOMEONE FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEET WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, UH, TO, UH, REVIEW ISSUES OF EMPLOYEE MORALE AND DISCIPLINE.
I BELIEVE, IF I RECALL FROM LAST MONTH, IT WAS MS. MILLER'S RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NOT A, UH, A BLOCK IN COMMUNICATIONS OR, OR A CONFUSION ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES.
AND SO, UH, I HAVE REVISED THE BYLAWS THAT ARE IN YOUR PACKET TO REFLECT THAT TWO MEMBERS, UH, OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO ACT AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE HR DEPARTMENT AND, UM, THE BOARD AND REPORT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
UH, WITH THAT CHANGE, UH, THAT TRIGGERS A 30 DAY, A NEW 30 DAY REVIEW TIME PERIOD.
AND SO, UH, IF, IF THAT LANGUAGE IS ACCEPTABLE, WE WILL TABLE THIS PROJECT, UH, TABLE THIS ITEM FOR FINAL APPROVAL NEXT MONTH.
UM, BUT, UM, THAT IS, I, I BELIEVE THE LANGUAGE IS IN THE PACKET IS, UH, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD'S INTEREST OR, OR THE BOARD'S WISHES FROM LAST MONTH.
AND SO, AS I SAID, IT'S TWO MEMBERS FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET QUARTERLY WITH THE HR DEPARTMENT.
AND IF THAT'S ACCEPTABLE, ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, UH, WE WOULD, UH, UH, MOVE THEN TO HAVE IT TABLED UNTIL NEXT MONTH FOR FINAL APPROVAL THAT HAVE TO BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, MOVE TO APPROVE.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION IN A SECOND MEETING DISCUSSION.
NOW, I THINK YOU SAID TWO, BUT YOU MEANT, YOU SAID THREE MEMBERS, RIGHT? THREE.
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THAT WAS THE SUGGESTION.WAS IT, WAS IT, I BELIEVE IT WAS MS. LEWIS.
THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL MEMO AND THEN THE, THE REVISION IS FOR THE TWO.
UM, UH, I, HE INDICATED THAT, UH, THAT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR WOULD APPOINT, I DON'T THINK THE BYLAWS INDICATE THAT THEY JUST SAY THAT, THAT IT'LL BE APPOINTED.
SO IT SEEMS TO ME WOULD BE CLEAR, IT SHOULD BE CLEARER TO SAY IF WE WANT TO GIVE THE CHAIR THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT, AS OPPOSED TO BEFORE THE, THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE STATES AS APPOINTED BY THE CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO MEET QUARTERLY WITH THE UNION RESOURCES DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW ISSUES CONCERNING EMPLOYEE MORALE AND DISCIPLINE.
THE VERSION I GOT, WE GOT DIDN'T HAVE THAT.
WELL, WHY DON'T WE GO TO THE, THE ACTUAL DOCUMENT ITSELF.
WHICH ONE, WHICH ONE ARE WE LOOKING AT? CLA IT IS, UH, PAGE 10 OF THE BYLAW.
I HOPE WE SENT YOU THE RIGHT, THE REVIVE VERSION.
IT WOULD BE BOTH DATED ON PAGE NINE AND 14 OF THE, OF THE BYLAWS BEHIND TAB 12 ITEM PACKET.
I'M AFRAID WE'VE SENT YOU THE ONLY VERSION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY.
SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS, UM, WITH THE, WITH YOUR PERMISSIONS, WE CAN, UH, BAIL THAT OUT TO YOU TODAY AND THEN PAYMENT THROUGH WILL BE READY FOR THE 30 DAY PERIOD.
YEAH, BUT WE'LL STILL TABLE, WE CAN TABLE THE MATTER AND GET OUT THE LANGUAGE TO YOU.
BUT I THINK, I THINK THE CONCERN IS, IS, IS THE WORDING GOING TO BE THAT, IS IT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS THE VICE CHAIR? YES.
WE'LL, AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS, BUT WE WANNA BE CLEAR AS TO WHO DOES THE APPOINTMENTS.
AND THAT IS IN THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE, I'M SORRY FOR THE STATE THERE.
AND THE LANGUAGE, THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE IS WHAT, AS APPOINTED BY THE CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, APPOINTED AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO MEET QUARTERLY WITH THE RESOURCES DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW ISSUES CONCERNING EMPLOYEE MORALE AND DECISION.
ANOTHER POINT, MR. CHAIRMAN, IS THAT, UH, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE REVIEW, THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT THEY'RE TO REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
THEIR FINDINGS THINK IT'S WRONG RIGHT HERE.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE, I PUT THAT IN CHAIR.
WOULDN'T THAT BE THE, THE PURPOSE OF HAVING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS INVOLVED? SO THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS COULD DETERMINE WHAT NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR THE BOARD.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT, UH, MR. RODRIGUEZ IS SUGGESTION WE PUT IN THERE AND REPORT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE, ISN'T IT? RIGHT.
IS THAT THE LANGUAGE IS SAYING AND EVEN IF IT'S A NEGATIVE, AND EVEN IF THERE'S NO QUESTION, AT LEAST THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WOULD, WOULD BE INFORMED AND IT IT WOULD BE INDICATED IN THE MINUTES THERE WERE NO ISSUES THAT WERE RESOLVED.
I I I DON'T SUSPECT THAT WE'LL HAVE ANY PROBLEM PUTTING BLANK IN YEAH.
JUST REPORT BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
I WANT, IS EVERYBODY IN, ARE WE ALL KIND OF ONE MIND THAT THAT'S WHAT THE WAY WE WANNA WORD IT? YEP.
BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE A, SOMETHING SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF, AS I SAID, UH, POINT AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEET POORLY WITH UNION RESEARCH DEPART REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW ISSUES CONCERNING EMPLOYEE MORALE AND DISCIPLINE AND REPORT, UH, THEIR FINDINGS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REGARDING THAT.
AND MAKE THAT REPORT AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.
DOES THAT NEED TO BE IN THERE ON THE TIMEFRAME? OTHERWISE IT JUST, AT THE NEXT REPORT AT THE, TO REPORT AT THE NEXT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE.
I'LL TAKE IT WITH THAT LANGUAGE AND THEN WE'LL GET THAT OUT.
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SO WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THE MOTION.THAT'S THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE GONNA MOTION IN A SECOND, UH, TABLE THIS FOR 30 DAYS TO ADD THESE, UH, FINISHING TOUCHES.
[13. Consider and act upon the recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to adopt and implement employee retention incentives and update personnel policies to reflect the necessary changes. - Deedra Johnson]
AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 13, WHICH IS TO CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT EMPLOYEE RETENTION INCENTIVE UPDATE PERSONNEL POLICIES TO REFLECT THE NECESSARY CHANGES.GOOD MORNING CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS.
SINCE THE PANDEMIC AC O HAS CONTINUED TO STRUGGLE WITH THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF EMPLOYEES WITH OUR IDD PROGRAM, EXPERIENCING THE BRUNT OF THIS PROBLEM.
AS A NOTE, IDD HAS NOT RECEIVED A FEDERAL FUNDING INCREASE IN OVER 13 YEARS.
NOW, WHILE ACOG HAS MADE STRIDES BY INCREASING SOME STAFF SALARIES, PROVIDING RETENTION BONUSES TO OUR IDD SERVICES COORDINATORS AND ISSUING COLA AND MERIT INCREASES MORE IS NEEDED.
ACCO STAFF HOPES THAT THIS NEW INCENTIVE PACKET IF APPROVED, WILL ENABLE US TO PROVIDE A COMPETITIVE EDGE TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AND ENTICE OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES TO STAY WITH US.
THE FOUR INCENTIVE OPTIONS THAT WE ARE PROPOSING ARE THE FIRST PTO SELL BACK OPTION.
THIS OPTION WILL ALLOW ALL EMPLOYEES TO SELL BACK UP TO 200 HOURS OF PAID TIME OFF PER CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH EMPLOYEES MAY CONVERT THAT ACCRUED PTO INTO CASH.
AN EMPLOYEE CAN ONLY REQUEST A PAYOUT OF PTO IN EXCESS OF 40 HOURS AND SHALL NOT BE UNDER ANY DISCIPLINARY REVIEW OR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLANS.
THE SECOND OPTION WE'RE PROPOSING IS THE CHRISTMAS SAVINGS PLAN.
THE CHRISTMAS SAVINGS PLANS PERMITS EMPLOYEES TO CONTRIBUTE A MINIMUM OF $10 TO A SAVINGS PLAN THAT WILL ACCUMULATE AND PAY OUT IN THE FIRST PAY PERIOD IN DECEMBER.
THIS PLAN EXISTED AT ACOG IN THE PAST AND WAS POPULAR WITH MANY EMPLOYEES AS A WAY TO SAVE FOR CHRISTMAS.
ACOG WOULD ADMINISTER THIS SAVINGS PLAN AND MAKE PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS BIMONTHLY.
EACH EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTING WILL RECEIVE ALL THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS MINUS INTEREST BEFORE THE FIRST PAY PERIOD IN DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR.
THE THIRD OPTION WE ARE PROPOSING IS THE FLEXIBLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE.
THIS OPTION WILL BE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES BASED ON PROGRAM FUNCTIONS AND PERMITS, PARTIAL WORK FROM HOME AS AN OPTION.
ACCO CURRENT POLICIES TECHNICALLY PERMIT THIS, BUT WORK FROM HOME WAS NOT DETAILED AS AN OPTION.
EACH INPRO, I'M SORRY, EACH PROGRAM OR OPERATING AREA WOULD MUST EVALUATE AND DETERMINE IF THAT FLEXIBLE HYBRID SCHEDULE WORKS FOR THEIR PROGRAMS. THE FINAL INCENTIVE OPTION THAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS THE ADOPTION OF JUNETEENTH JUNE 19TH AS A HOLIDAY.
MANY OF ACOG'S EQUIVALENT EQUIVALENT ENTITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE ADDED THIS HOLIDAY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
AN INFORMAL POLL OF THE IDD EMPLOYEES IDENTIFIED ANOTHER HOLIDAY AS ONE OF THE MOST REQUESTED BENEFIT OPTION.
SECOND TO THAT FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE.
THE PROPOSAL IS TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY AS THE EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE.
ALL HOLIDAYS ARE PAID OUT THROUGH THE RELEASE COST POOL.
SO THERE'S NO IMPACT TO PROGRAMS FY 24 BUDGETS.
ACCO STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL TO ALLOW THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT THE EMPLOYEE RETENTION INCENTIVES.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? SO THIS IS FOR EVERYBODY? YES.
NOT THIS IDD, RIGHT? YES, SIR.
SO WHAT DOES ONE HOLIDAY COST US? AND WE'RE GOING TO REFER TO JULIO ELIZONDO.
I'LL TAKE, BUT, UM, I HERE SHORTLY, KEITH, HE DIDN'T, HE DIDN'T HAVE THE COST OF IT.
HE SAID HE COULD GET IT SHORTLY.
IT COST ME THE ONLY IMPACT HAVE FOR US THIS YEAR IS BECAUSE WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
THE IMPACT IT HAVE IS YOU DON'T, PEOPLE LOOKING COMING, NOT, SORRY.
I ASSUMED YOU, YOU ALL CAN HEAR ME BACK THERE WITH ME? POSSIBLY NOT.
SO THE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL BE THE AGENCY WILL BE, WILL BE ONLY CASH FLOW PURPOSES THIS YEAR.
UM, IF YOU ARE RECALL, RECALL, WE HAVE SEVERAL POOLS, COST POOLS THAT WE HAVE ACROSS, ACROSS THE AGENCY WHERE HOLIDAYS ARE CHARGED TO.
THIS IS CHARGED TO PROGRAM BACK TO PRO PROGRAM AND OUR ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGETS AT A RELEASE
[00:30:01]
RATE, IF YOU WILL, AND IS APPROVED BY OUR COGNIZANT.UM, SO THIS RELEASE, RELEASE RATE FOR THE YEAR WAS APPROVED AT 13%.
UM, THE RELEASE RATES FOR FY 25 WHEN WE GO IN AND, UM, CALCULATE THOSE WILL BE AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY THAT WE'VE PAID OUT IF APPROVED THIS YEAR.
SO THE COST OF THE HOLIDAY IS WHAT PART I'M WORKING ON FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.
HOW MANY HOLIDAYS DO WE GET? YEAH, THAT WAS MY, WE CURRENTLY, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 11 HOLIDAYS WITH ONE DESIGNATED HOLIDAY.
WE HAVE 11 PAID HOLIDAYS AND WE ALLOW FOR YOU TO, UH, HAVE, IT'S CALLED FLOATING HOLIDAY WHERE YOU CAN DESIGN DESIGNATE THAT PARTICULAR DAY OR SO.
THIS WOULD MAKE 13TH? THIS WOULD MAKE 13TH? YES.
WHICH IS JUST ABOUT COMPARABLE TO OTHER, OTHER HUGS, UM, THAT I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON.
WE HAVE 12, WHAT'D YOU SEE? WE HAVE 13.
DID THE NUMBER OF HOLIDAYS CHANGE BASED ON THAT CHRISTMAS, WHAT DAY IT FALLS ON? YES.
WE TRY TO TRY TO, IF IT'S ON A A SATURDAY, WE MOVE IT TO THE, THE FRIDAY OR THE SUNDAY, FRIDAY, MONDAY.
COULD YOU, I HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION.
UM, ON THE BUYBACK PROGRAMS, I MEAN, TYPICALLY LIKE IN OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY RETIRES AND THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF, THEY CAN GET PAID OUT SOME OF THEIR VACATION TIME, RIGHT? NOT A BUYBACK, BUT THEY LEAVE.
IF IT'S A SMALL DEPARTMENT THAT MONEY'S PULLED FROM THAT DEPARTMENT BUDGET AND NOW THEY CAN'T REHIRE SOMEBODY RIGHT AWAY.
HOW DOES THAT IMPACT THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS? AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO BRING JULIO BACK BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT IS ACCUMULATED AND IT'S ALREADY IN THAT CALL SCHOOL.
UH, JULIO DON'T YOU LET ME SPEAK OUT OF TURN.
AND WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR JULIO, WE HAVE A CAP ON THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF HOURS THAT YOU CAN APPROVE.
AND SO THIS WOULD REQUIRE THAT THEY KEEP A, A BANK OF 40 HOURS.
AND SO THAT'S WHY THE MAXIMUM IS 200.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT OUR, AND JULIO, YOU CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT OUR AVERAGE PAY OF 20 TO $25 AN HOUR, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 4,000 TO $5,000 THAT WOULD BE PAID OUT IN THE EVENT OF A, SO JUST BUYBACK, JUST ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
UH, WHEN PRO PRO, MUCH LIKE THE RELEASE COST WILL BE, HAVE A FRINGE COST POOL, WHICH WE CHARGE TO PROGRAMS AT FOR 20 24, 32 3%.
THAT ALREADY INCLUDES, UM, THEIR, THEY'RE PAY TIME, TIME OFF.
SO WE AC APPROVE FOR IT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, IS CHARGED THE PROGRAM.
ONCE THEY, UH, THE PERSON RETIRES, LEAVES, BUYS US BACK, IT COMES UP AT THE PROGRAM.
SO THE PROGRAM WON'T SUFFER A SECOND.
SO WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE OVERALL ANNUAL PAYROLL DO YOU THINK YOU'LL HAVE TO KEEP IN AN ACCOUNT TO BE PREPARED FOR PEOPLE SELLING BACK TIME? THAT INFORMATION I CAN GIVE FOR YOU? YEAH.
I DON'T HAVE THAT AT THIS MOMENT, BUT RIGHT.
BECAUSE LIKE I WAS SAYING, IN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, YOU HAVE EACH DEPARTMENT ALLOCATED THEIR, THEIR PAYROLL FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES DEPARTMENT HEAD.
IF YOU'RE DOING IT AS A WHOLE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE EXTRA MONEY SITTING OVER HERE IN A POOL TO, TO USE FOR THAT BUYBACK, RIGHT.
IF YOU LOOK ON YOUR FINANCIALS, THERE IS A BACK PAGE THAT HAS BALANCES FOR EACH OF THE COST POOLS THAT WE HAVE.
SORRY, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M LEANING DOWN.
UH, FOR EACH OF THE COST THAT WE HAVE AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BASED ON THE, YOU KNOW, BASED ON HOW MUCH IT'S IS CHARGE, THE PROGRAM THAT THAT NUMBER DOES BY TYPICALLY EVERY THIRD QUARTER, FOURTH QUARTER OF THE YEAR, THAT NUMBER IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW.
SO THE OTHER THING I WAS GONNA POINT OUT, JULIO, UH, TELL THEM, UH, IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH OUR TEAM, UM, THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES DON'T HAVE 240 HOURS OF ACCRUED, OF ACCRUED LEAVE.
SO THAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT JUST A FEW PERSONNEL THAT EVEN HAVE THAT, THAT NUMBER.
THE ACTUAL APPLICATION OF IT IS LESS.
ALREADY TOOK IT OUT OF THE PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH THE POOL.
SO YOU'VE TAKEN IT AWAY FROM SERVICE DELIVERY ALREADY.
I'M SORRY? YOU'VE TAKEN IT AWAY FROM SERVICE DELIVERY TO CREATE THE POOL ALREADY.
SO YOU'RE NOT TAKING IT OUT TWICE.
BUT YOU'VE ALREADY TAKEN IT AWAY, IT'S ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR.
WHICH IS THE SAME FOR THE DAY OFF AS WELL.
BECAUSE IT'S EITHER PAID IN PAYROLL OR IT'S PAID IN TIME OFF ONE WAY OR THE OTHER PTO OR PAYROLL.
IT'S ALREADY, IT'S ALREADY BUDGETED FOR.
UH, MS. JOHNSON, THANK YOU FOR, UH, BRINGING THIS TO US.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT WAS LONGEVITY PAY.
DO WE OFFER THAT TO YES, WE DO.
AND DEIDRE, WHAT IS IT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR, DO YOU KNOW, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, IT SIX $60 PER YEAR
[00:35:01]
OF SERVICE? THANK YOU.IN LOOKING AT THESE, I THINK, UH, AT LEAST IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WE DO ALL OF THESE PROBABLY EXCEPT THE HOLIDAY SAVINGS, THE CHRISTMAS SAVINGS.
AND THAT'S THE PEOPLE, THE EMPLOYEES SAVING THEMSELVES.
IT, IT'S, IT'S A DISCIPLINE THAT'S IMPOSED ON THEM AND WITHDRAWN FROM THEIR PAYCHECK.
AND THEN THEY CAN GET THAT CHECK RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, PAY FOR CHRISTMAS EXPENSES.
AND IN THE PAST, I JUST HAVE TO SAY, THE FOLKS WOULD BE LINED UP BECAUSE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME, YOU, YOU WERE OFFERING PAPER CHECKS.
SO OF COURSE THIS WILL BE DIRECT DEPOSIT.
SO YOU COULD SEE THE EXCITEMENT OF THOSE FOLKS WHEN THOSE CHECKS WERE WERE GETTING READY TO BE DELIVERED, THEY WOULD BE LINED UP TO GO GET THAT CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS SAVINGS.
SO IT REALLY IS AN, UH, INCENTIVE TO HELP FOLKS THAT MAY NOT HAVE STRONG SAVINGS PLANS.
IT'S OUT OF SIGHT OUTTA MIND, AND NOW YOU'VE GOT THAT LITTLE PUSHING TO GO BUY GIFTS.
SO IT REALLY WAS WELL RECEIVED AND IT'S, IT'S MORE BENEFIT TO THE RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEE.
AND AS I MIGHT ADD, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION, YOU KNOW, IN OUR LAST MEETING AND PRETTY AT THE LAST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, UH, EMPLOYEE RETENTION ISSUES.
AND THE DIFFICULTY, WE DIFFICULTY WE HAVE BECAUSE OF OUR, OUR PAY RATES, PARTICULARLY TO IDD, UH, THAT WE HAVE, UH, EMPLOYEES THAT ARE TRAINED UP AND THEN THEY GET TAKEN AWAY BY, BY THE OTHER AGENCIES.
AND SO IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, I JUST WANT TO MENTION, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT WE COULD DO THAT WERE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS.
WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT REVIEWING THE WORKLOADS FOR THE IDD PEOPLE AND TRYING TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO, UH, MODIFY THAT TO MAKE THEIR THEIR TASKS EASIER OR, OR, UH, SPREAD OUT.
BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT ARE, UH, LIKE I SAY, ADDRESSING SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE OR MORE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
MAKE THINGS JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER, UH, IF YOU STAY HERE AND, AND WORK AT ACOG.
SO, AND WITHOUT ANY KIND OF REALLY MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE BUDGET.
AS WE'RE ALWAYS, UH, AS ALWAYS CONSTRAINED BY THE BUDGET.
SO, BUT ALL OF THESE ACCEPTED SAVING PLAN ARE BUILT INTO THE BUDGET.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SALARIES FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, WE ALWAYS LOOK AT THE MARKET IN THE AREA.
CAN WE NOT LOOK AT THE MARKET FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND ADJUST RATHER THAN DOING INCENTIVES TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD MAKE TO BEGIN WITH.
ARE WE HAMSTRUNG WITH, PARTICULARLY IN IDD, WE'RE HAMSTRUNG, AND I'D HAVE TO DEFER TO JACOB, BUT WE ARE GETTING, WE GET AN ALLOCATION PER YEAR.
JACOB, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WE GET AN ALLEGATION, AN ALLOCATION PER YEAR FROM THE STATE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THAT ALLOCATION HASN'T CHANGED FOR YEARS.
BUT DO THEY, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE, DID THEY SET THE SALARY? DID THEY SET THE SALARY? THEY SET THE, THEY SET THE RANGE AND REIMBURSEMENT RATE.
THEY, UH, THE LEGISLATURE SETS THE, THE FUNDING ALLOCATION AND THEN THE, THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR THE, THE MEDICAID SERVICES.
BUT, UH, I, I DO WANT TO, TO SPEAK TO YOUR QUESTION, JUDGE EVANS.
UM, ACOG HAS DONE, UH, A FULL SALARY ANALYSIS IN THE PAST FOR, UH, THE PAY SCALE.
UM, AND SO I DON'T REMEMBER, AND WE EXACTLY WHAT THAT LAST ONE WAS.
THE ISSUE IS WHEN, I'M SORRY I'M TALKING OVER AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
THE ISSUE BECOMES WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, THE FOLKS WERE LOSING THE STAFF.
SO THEY WERE ABLE TO KEEP RAISING THE SALARY, WHICH WE COULD NOT COMPETE WITH.
SO WE WOULD, AGAIN, AGAIN, WE WOULD TRAIN THESE FOLKS, WE WOULD GET THEM, WE WOULD STAY ALIGNED, AND THEN ANOTHER SIX MONTHS THEY WOULD ADJUST THEIRS.
WE JUST CHASING, 'CAUSE PRIVATE ENTITIES HAD THE ABILITY TO KEEP ADJUSTING, WHEREAS WE JUST COULD NOT AFFORD THAT.
AND WE HAVE TRIED, I HAVE DONE ANALYSIS AND LIKE I SAID, WE'LL START OUT, I WOULD START OUT AT ONE POINT WE DID THAT, UH, SALARY SURVEY.
WE BROUGHT ALL OF THOSE SALARIES UP AND THEN WE EVEN BROUGHT IN THOSE INCENTIVES LAST YEAR TO TRY TO STAY COMPETITIVE.
IT JUST, WE JUST CAN'T KEEP UP.
TO ADD TO THAT, WE ARE, UM, COMPETITIVE AND ON PAR, UH, AS FAR AS SERVICE COORDINATOR SALARIES GO WITH BOTH HILL COUNTRY, MHDD AND CAMINO REAL COMMUNITY SERVICES, UM, TO OUR SOUTH.
SO OUR, OUR COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS BOTH TO THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH, OUR SALARIES ARE RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHERE THEY'RE AT.
SO WHEN WAS THE LAST SALARY SURVEY DONE? THE LAST SALARY SURVEY
[00:40:01]
WAS FIVE YEARS WITH AN ADJUSTMENT TO THREE YEARS AGO.WE WENT BACK AND READJUSTED AT THREE YEARS.
BECAUSE I THINK IT'S, IT'S, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EXPONENTIAL CHANGE IN OUR WORLD IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
AND SO WE MIGHT OUGHT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT YES, SIR, SIR, BECAUSE WE HAVE, WE HAVE HAD A MASSIVE CHANGE IN OUR WORLD IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
AND, AND WE MADE, WE MADE THAT FIRST ADJUST THAT ADJUSTMENT AT SEPTEMBER OF 2021 ISSUE.
THAT WOULD BE A GOOD, UH, TOPIC OF DISCUSSION BY THE TWO COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT WOULD MEET WITH HR
I WOULD THE WHOLE ISSUE OF, UH, OF, UH, SALARIES AND, AND THE, UH,
I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE, UM, WORK FROM HOME PORTION AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
I MEAN, AS FAR AS PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE, I PERSONALLY AM NOT A FAN OF WORK FROM HOME.
I THINK IT'S HARD TO GET YOUR TEAM TOGETHER AND YOU GOT ALL THESE PEOPLE AND IT SAYS IT'D BE LOOKS LIKE PART OF THE TIME, BUT EVERY TIME I SEE THIS, YOU RUN INTO, YOU DON'T EVER HAVE THE TEAM AND IT'S HARD TO GET THINGS DONE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR WHOLE TEAM.
SO, AND WE WOULD HAVE TO, AND THEN THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE IT.
WE COULDN'T MAKE IT A BROAD STRETCH.
WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT IT BY INDEPENDENT AREAS AND WHAT THAT NEED WOULD LOOK LIKE.
WHAT WE'VE ASKED THOSE, UH, INTERNALLY TO DO WHEN THEY'RE SETTING THAT, UH, WORK FROM HOME SCHEDULE IS A WAY TO ACTUALLY ACCOUNT FOR, FOR THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE.
SO THAT IS WHY WE, WE PUT IT AS A BROAD LOOK, SAY THAT IT ALL CAN DO IT.
THEY HAVE TO INDIVIDUALLY LOOK AT WHAT THE NEED IS, HOW YOU CAN MONITOR THAT, UH, PRODUCT.
AND IF IT'S NOT WORKING, BRING THAT INDIVIDUAL BACK IN INTO THE OFFICE.
SO WE DO HAVE THOSE MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO TRY TO PREVENT, UH, ABUSE OF THAT, JUST THAT TOPIC.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE HAVE THE ELECTRONIC TOOLS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THAT REMOTE SUPERVISION.
SO OUR ENTIRE AGENCY HAS TEAMS, UH, THAT ALLOWS 'EM TO DO FACE-TO-FACE VIRTUAL MEETINGS WITH THEIR STAFF.
UM, WE ISSUE AGENCY ISSUED CELL PHONES.
UM, AND SO THERE'S NO REASON WHY SUPERVISORS CANNOT GET IN TOUCH WITH THEIR TEAMS AND HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION, UH, AND FACILITATE THOSE PIECES.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THINGS LIKE THAT, I, I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK IF I THINK YOU GOTTA SHOW UP TO WORK.
'CAUSE I'M AN OLD GUY, SO, WELL, I, WELL, I WAS GONNA SAY THAT MYSELF.
I I'M AN OLD GUY AND I DON'T, I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WORKING FROM HOME.
I WAS GONNA SAY THE SAME THING ACTUALLY, BUT IT'S A CHANGE IN CULTURE THAT IS, I WAS GONNA QUALIFY IT, SWIPING, SWEEPING THROUGH.
I'VE GOT A 33-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER THERE IN AUSTIN.
AND, UH, THIS IS A MAKE IT OR NOT ISSUE HER GENERATION.
UH, AND THAT, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH.
AND AGAIN, IF IT'S MONITORED AND YOU HAVE A WAY TO ENSURE THAT THE WORK IS STILL BEING ACCOMPLISHED, AND IF THERE IS AN ABUSE TAKING PLACE, THEN WE BRING IT BACK INTO THE OFFICE SO THAT YOU CAN MONITOR AND KEEP IT GOING.
INSTEAD OF MAKING A PUNITIVE ACROSS THE BOARD, YOU CAN ADDRESS EACH ONE AND STILL ALLOW THAT LEVEL OF FLEXIBILITY.
SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH THIS CHANGING WORLD.
AS WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT.
THOSE SALARIES THAT WORK FROM HOME IS ONE THAT IS A STICKING POINT, UH, WITH MANY AT, AND WE ARE LOSING, ACOG IS LOSING TO, TO THAT.
I HAVE HAD MANY, UH, IN INDIVIDUALS RESIGN BECAUSE WE DID NOT ALLOW THAT OPPORTUNITY.
SO WE WANT TO, AGAIN, BECOME COMPETITIVE SO THAT WE CAN ENTICE THOSE FOLKS AND KEEP OUR CURRENT FOLKS.
SO I, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER IT, NOT SAYING LET IT GET OUT OF CONTROL, BUT AT LEAST CONSIDER THE OPTION AND EVALUATED BY PROGRAM OR DEPARTMENT.
WHAT TYPE OF SECURITY DO WE HAVE? YOU WORK AT HOME, DO THEY HAVE A FIREWALL? THEY USE WIFI OR WHAT, WHAT HAPPENS? YES.
AND JACOB AND JACOB, UH, LET YOU TOLD TO OUR ABILITY TO GO INTO BN NETWORK SYSTEM.
SO, UM, OUR AGENCY ISSUED LAPTOPS FOR, FOR STAFF ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH BPN AND OUR AGENCY FIREWALLS, UH, CAPABLE FOR THE, UH, ALL OF OUR STAFF A HUNDRED PERCENT TO CONNECT TO VPN AT ANY ONE GIVEN POINT IN TIME.
SO WHEN THEY'RE CONNECTING TO THAT VPN NETWORK, UM,
[00:45:01]
THAT'S PUTTING THEIR DEVICE WITHIN OUR FIREWALL, IT'S, IT'S ESSENTIALLY BECOMES A, AN EXTENSION OF THE ACOG NETWORK WHEN THEY'RE CONNECTED TO THAT.YOU HAVE TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION FOR THIS.
THAT'S THE TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION.
UM, AND SO, AND THROUGH THEIR AGENCY ISSUED MOBILE DEVICE.
UM, SO IT'S, IT'S PRETTY SECURE HERE.
NO, I SAID LAST THING THAT I WOULD OFFER BEFORE WE MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT TO DO, BUT, UH, UH, I WAS SKEPTICAL OF MY DAUGHTER AND, UH, I WILL TELL YOU, I I'VE CHECKED IT OUT AND SHE'S ACTUALLY MORE PRODUCTIVE AT HOME THAN SHE PROBABLY IS AT THE OFFICE.
AND I FOUND THAT AND, AND I WAS IMPRESSED.
UH, AND I'M, I'M AN OLD GUY AND I'M NOT EASILY IMPRESSED, BUT I WAS IMPRESSED
SHE, SHE, SHE'S REALLY WORKING AND, AND, AND DOING WELL WITH IT.
UH, AND, AND, AND, UH, AND HER BOSSES RECOGNIZING, UH, IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST A CHANGING WORLD.
AND WE'VE ALREADY, WE'VE GOT THE POLICY.
WE JUST NOT, WE HAVEN'T IMPLEMENTED IT.
WE DIDN'T FLUSH OUT AT ONE PARTICULAR PARTICULAR WORK FROM HOME OPTION OPTION BECAUSE YES, THE POLICY EXISTS AT THIS MOMENT.
AND ULTIMATELY IT'S GONNA DEPEND ON THE GOOD FAITH OF THE EMPLOYEE.
AND THE SUPERVISOR IS GONNA HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DETERMINE ARE THEY BEING PRODUCTIVE OR NOT.
IT PUTS A GREATER BURDEN ON THE SUPERVISOR AS WELL THAT IF IT'S NOT, UH, SO MY COMPANY IS, UH, THE COMPANY THAT I WORK FOR HAS BEEN DOING THE, THE HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT.
UH, IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN BENEFICIAL.
WE FOUND THAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE A HARDER TIME BREAKING AWAY FROM WORK THAN THEY DO ENGAGING IN WORK.
UH, BUT IT BRINGS SOME ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES FOR THE SUPERVISORS AND, UH, TO JUDGE LU'S POINT OF CREATING THAT, THAT SYNERGY, MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THAT, UH, IT'S EASIER WITH A HYBRID THAN A FULLY WORK FROM HOME.
UM, BUT IT WOULD, UH, I, I WOULD RECOMMEND SOME ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR THE SUPERVISORS IN TERMS OF TEAM BUILDING AND HOW TO KEEP THAT REMOTE CONNECTION GOING.
BECAUSE I DO AGREE WITH THAT, THAT YOU HAVE TO CHANGE HOW YOU, HOW YOU ARE LOOKING AT, UH, MONITORING FROM THE SUPERVISOR LEVEL.
SO YES, WE WILL CONSIDER BREAKS BECAUSE THEY WORK FROM HOME, BEEN WORKING FROM HOME FOR YEARS, AND THEY HAVE MONITORED OF COURSE, BUT THEN THEY ALSO HAVE ZOOM MEETINGS WITH THEIR TEAM REGULAR, AT LEAST WEEKLY.
SO WOULD THAT BE PART OF THIS? OH YES, INDEED.
WE WOULD DEFINITELY, AND AGAIN, WE WANT A PARTIAL, SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO COMPLETE WORK FROM HOME.
SO WE ARE LOOKING AT A PARTIAL SCHEDULE.
SO WHEN WE ARE ASKING THESE SUPERVISORS, WHETHER THEY, THIS AFFORDS THEM, IT COULD BE THREE DAYS, AN OFFICE, TWO DAYS, UH, A WORK FROM ROBS FROM HOME SCHEDULE.
SO YES, WE WILL ENCOUNTER HOW, AND AGAIN, THEY HAVE TO FLUSH, FLUSH THAT OUT AND THEN GO THROUGH THE APPROVAL PROCESS.
SO IT'LL STILL HAVE TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF OUR APPROVALS BEFORE THEY CAN ACTUALLY PUT IT INTO PLACE.
DO WE NEED A MOTION JUDGE? IF WE'RE GONNA ADOPT IT? WE DO.
MAY I MAKE THAT MOTION TO APPROVE? SECOND, WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, TO ADOPT THE, UH, EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROPOSALS FOR THE PTO SELL BACK THE CHRISTMAS SAVINGS ACCOUNT, THE FLEXIBLE HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE, AND THE ADOPTION OF JUNE 19TH AS A HOLIDAY DISCUSSION.
I MEAN, HAVE RESERVATIONS JUST BECAUSE AT THE COUNTY WE DON'T, WE DON'T DO A LOT OF THESE THINGS.
UM, AND IT'S VERY DIFFERENT AUTHORITATIVE STRUCTURE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHERE WE HAVE A BUNCH OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT LIKE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AT CERTAIN INTERVALS.
UM, NOT EVERYBODY DOING THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME.
SO IT'S CHALLENGING TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, UH, UNDERSTAND THAT INCENTIVES ARE A BIG PART OF WORK.
BUT EVEN THOUGH NOT BEING AN OLD GUY, UM, I STILL LIKE SHOWING UP AND SEEING PEOPLE IN PERSON.
AND, I MEAN, YOU CAN'T DO A LOT OF THINGS VIRTUALLY.
BUT CLIFF, I WAS GONNA ASK YOU, I DIDN'T WANNA PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.
I MEAN, DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS WILL BE A BENEFIT TO THE WORKFORCE AT ACOG HAVING THESE TOOLS? WELL, I, LET ME JUST SAY THAT EVERYTHING YOU'RE SAYING LARGELY ECHOES MY OWN SENTIMENTS.
WE SHOWED UP TO WORK SUIT AND TIE READY TO GO TO WORK.
BUT THAT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT THAN WHAT WE'RE IN NOW.
AND I CAN ONLY, I, I'M RELYING ON WHAT DEIDRE SAYS ABOUT WHAT OUR HR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE QUIT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A FLEX SCHEDULE AND THEY CAN GET IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I TOOK A, YOU KNOW, I, WELL ACTUALLY, I, I DON'T WANNA SAY IT WAS AN INFORMAL POLL.
I WATCHED, WE HAVE, UH, AT THE, UH, NARC CONFERENCE IN, UH, IN, UH, UH, NO, WASN'T BOISE.
THEY HAD THEIR EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBERS.
ALL THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WERE STANDING UP AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE DOING WITH REGARD TO FLEX SCHEDULES.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE ADOPTED FLEX SCHEDULES.
THEY JUST HAVE, AND I, I SHARE
[00:50:01]
THE SAME CONCERNS YOU HAVE.I PROMISE YOU WE'RE GONNA WATCH IT.
UH, YOU KNOW, FOR ME IT'S WATCHING THE NUMBERS.
I WANT TO SEE WHAT OUR BUDGET'S DOING.
I WANT TO SEE WHAT OUR PERFORMANCE IS DOING.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MONITORING THESE EMPLOYEES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE MEETING THEIR DELIVERABLES.
AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT, WE'LL PULL IT BACK.
IT'S ALWAYS, EVERYTHING IT SAYS IS GONNA BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
YOU KNOW, AND WE'LL PULL IT BACK IF WE HAVE TO.
BUT I, I JUST THINK, AND, YOU KNOW, IF THEY KNOW ME, I CAME, LIKE I SAY, I CAME FROM THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE DA'S OFFICE WHEN I CAME HERE.
I CAME TO WORK FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS IN A SUIT AND TIE EVERY DAY.
'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT I WAS USED TO.
AND WE HAVE A MORE CASUAL, RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.
AND SO IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAVING TO ADJUST TO THE CHANGES.
UH, BUT, UM, I, I THINK TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I THINK IF WE'RE GONNA BE COMPETITIVE, WE'VE GOTTA HAVE THAT FLEX SCHEDULE.
AND, AND MS. LEWIS, YOU'VE GOT THE EXPERIENCE.
I I, I WOULD WELCOME YOUR INPUT FROM CP S'S VANTAGE POINT AND WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING.
SO WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM NOT ABLE TO WORK REMOTELY.
'CAUSE YOU CAN'T DO IT FROM, YOU KNOW, WORK ON A LINE REMOTELY,
UM, SO WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM CAN'T WORK AT ALL REMOTELY TO A TEAM THAT COMES IN ONCE A MONTH AND OTHERWISE WORKS REMOTELY.
IT WORKS FOR, IF THE LEADERS ARE LEADING IT WORKS.
SOME PEOPLE ARE DOING DATA ENTRY OR HEADS DOWN WORK ALL DAY BY THEMSELVES.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY DO THAT IN A CUBICLE IN OUR BUILDING, OR IF THEY DO THAT FROM A TERMINAL AT THEIR HOME, DOESN'T MATTER.
I WILL SAY IT MATTERS IN RELATION TO HIRING WOMEN.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR IDD FOLKS ARE WOMEN? 50%.
ESPECIALLY WORKING MOMS. THEY FOUND OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY HAD THE FLEXIBILITY TO DROP THEIR KID OFF AT SCHOOL, COME BACK AND WORK, GO PICK 'EM UP.
BUT AFTER SCHOOL IS OVER, BRING 'EM BACK.
AND IT'S A HUGE THING NOW FOR, FOR KEEPING WORKING MOMS ENGAGED AND EMPLOYED.
I, I WOULD DO IT IN A HEARTBEAT.
IS THIS A POLICY CHANGE OR A POLICY CLARIFICATION? IT'S REALLY A POLICY CLARIFICATION.
IT'S A HOW, SO WE ALREADY HAVE, UH, IT'S ALREADY IN PLACE.
I MEAN, AS FAR AS THE HYBRID SCHEDULE, WE'RE REALLY NOT.
AND I, AND I RESPECT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE BRINGING IT TO US TO SAY THAT YOU WANT TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING THAT WE ALREADY HAVE ON THE BOOKS.
SO IS THERE ANY REASON THAT WE NOT SAY, UH, WE'RE GONNA DO THIS ON A TRIAL BASIS, SIX MONTHS? YES.
AND HAVE YOU REPORT BACK TO US AND, UH, INCENTIVIZE THE EMPLOYEES NOT TO TAKE A ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM? MM-HMM.
IN THE THREE YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD IT, WE'VE TERMINATED TWO EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ABUSING IT, NOT WORKING.
AND WE COULD TELL THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR PHONE RECORDS AND THEIR COMPUTER RECORDS.
WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THAT MANAGEMENT, UH, WANTS TO USE THIS TOOL THAT'S IN THEIR TOOLBOX.
AND I, AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE COMING TO US TO TELL US THAT YOU WANT TO USE IT.
AND, AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN SIX MONTHS.
AND I CAN BRING BACK A, I CAN BRING BACK AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT WE HAVE REVEALED, YOU KNOW, OF AN INCENTIVE PLACE WITH THE MECHANISMS OF HOW WE, UH, DETERMINE WHO WAS ELIGIBLE AND WHAT, UM, WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THOSE, UH, RESULTS.
SO NO PROBLEM AT ALL DOING THAT.
SO WE HAVE THE PTO SALE BACK IN PLACE ALREADY.
I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT THE HYBRID WORKPLACE.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SAY TOO, JUST TO ADD, AND, AND I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT I DO WANT TO REINFORCE IT, IS ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FLEX SCHEDULE MUST BE IN GOOD STANDING.
CAN'T BE ON A, A PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
SO, YOU KNOW, I I LIKE TO THINK THAT THAT WILL ALSO INCENTIVIZE PRODUCTIVITY AND GOOD BEHAVIOR.
'CAUSE YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN GOOD STANDING AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
SO HOPEFULLY THAT MIGHT HAVE A, A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ACROSS THE BOARD.
WELL, I THINK, I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE BOARD TO HEAR THE PROGRESS ON THESE THINGS.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK, BACK TO YOU.
AND, AND IF PEOPLE ARE PUTTING PROTOCOLS IN PLACE TO DO THE REMOTE WORK, UH, LIKE, LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT A MINUTE AGO, UH, COME TO US AND TELL US WHAT THEY ARE.
PICK A DEPARTMENT OR A TEAM OR WHATEVER, UH, AND HAVE AT EACH BOARD MEETING, HAVE, HAVE A LITTLE REPORT ON HOW THEY'RE DOING IT SO THAT WE KNOW AND WE GET, WE'RE EITHER COMFORTABLE WITH IT OR NOT.
MR. CHAIR, I COULD ASK, UH, SINCE IDD IS A, IS A BIG CONCERN IN TERMS OF KEEPING PEOPLE, UH, IF YOU WERE TO HIRE SOMEONE WHO WORKS, SAY AT
[00:55:01]
VILLE AREA MM-HMM.NOW, UH, VICE VERSA AND SOUTH TEXAS ID EAST IS BEAR COUNTY, BUT I I WAS, I'M SORRY.
THEY'RE NOT, DO YOU HAVE, YOU SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY, BUT DO YOU HAVE OTHERS WHO DO THAT? AND SO WHAT I, WHAT I CAN SAY, SAY IS THAT IF WE DID HAVE AN, UH, EMPLOYEE THAT LIVED IN KIRKVILLE AND TRANS, UH, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE WORD I'M TRYING TO SAY? COMMUTE, UM, TWO SAN ANTONIO, WE, THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER.
SEE, THAT'S THE TYPE OF TYPE OF, OF FLEXIBILITY THAT WE ARE LOOKING, LOOKING TO, UH, PROVIDE TO FOLKS THAT ARE DUE TRIBAL LAND FROM, FROM, UH, WHEREVER AND TRY TO SAY, HEY, THIS MAY BE A POSSIBILITY TO ALLOW THAT TO, UH, KEEP YOU STAYING WITH A, WITH ACOG INSTEAD OF FINDING A, UH, A COMPANY THAT'S CLOSER.
SO, YES, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE HERE.
UM, AND WE'VE GOT A, THIS, THIS MOTION IN, IN THE SECOND INCLUDES ALL FOUR RECOMMENDED INCENTIVES, RIGHT? MM-HMM.
BUT WE COULD DEAL WITH THESE INDIVIDUALLY IF NEED BE.
I THINK WE LOOK AT THEM ALL TOGETHER.
THAT'S WHAT SHE WHISPERS IN HERE.
IF IT'S ANY HELPS SECRET ENERGY IMPLEMENTED ALL OF THIS STUFF EXCEPT FOR THE CHRISTMAS THING.
I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, IF IT'S HELPFUL, I'LL SEND YOU OUR GUIDELINES FOR TEAM YES.
TEAM GUIDANCE TO STAND UP REMOTE.
THERE'S A LITTLE PROCESS TO GO THROUGH AND QUESTIONS TO ANSWER.
I WILL HAVE TO IDEA WE DO THAT.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? GET RID OF IT.
THE WHAT? OKAY, WE'RE GONNA TAKE A VOTE.
WE, LET'S DO A, A HAND RAISED VOTE SO WE, WE CAN COUNT.
UH, THOSE IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR HAND.
MANNY'S ONLY GOT HALF HIS HAND UP.
SO GETTING 15, 16, I'M GETTING 16.
AM I WRONG? HAVE YOU GOT ON ONE THIS COUNT? I'M SORRY.
BECAUSE I'VE GOT ONE THAT IS A NON-VOTING HAND UP.
WELL, NON VOTER, DON'T PUT YOUR HAND UP.
SO MY ADVICE WOULD BE, IF I CAN SAY, IS TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, THE, THE SURVEY THAT YOU'RE PUTTING INTO IT TO SEE IF IT'S WORKING BECAUSE YES, SIR.
ONCE YOU IMPLEMENT THIS, IT'S GONNA BE VERY, VERY HARD TO BACK OUT OF IT.
AND, UM, I, I WOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO HOW IT'S BEING RAN.
AND AGAIN, I WILL BRING BACK TO YOU GUYS IF YOU WOULD LIKE MONTHLY WE REVIEW, I WILL PUT IT IN PLACE AND WE WILL ASSESS.
UH, AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM SHARING WITH YOU, UH, WITH YOU ALL HOW IT'S PROGRESSING.
AND, AND REMEMBER IT'S ALREADY IN PLACE SO IT WON'T BE HARD TO PULL IT BACK.
YOU, WE CAN SAY THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU PUT IT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, BECAUSE AGAIN, WE ARE NOT BLANKETS SAYING EVERYONE CAN WORK PARTIAL SCHEDULE.
IT HAS TO BE ASSESSED BY EACH PROGRAM, OPERATING
[01:00:01]
AREA.AND YOU CAN, THAT, THAT SUPERVISOR CAN, OR THAT DIRECTOR CAN SAY, THIS IS NO LONGER BENEFICIAL.
AND WE'LL PUT THAT IN A STATEMENT THAT THEY MUST SIGN.
SO WE CAN DEFINITELY BE TO RETRACT IF THIS IS NO LONGER BE TRYABLE FOR THAT OPERATING AREA.
OPERAT, WE'LL KEEP US EDUCATED.
SO AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL LAST NIGHT AT BOARD MEETING YOU DID, I JUST DON'T WANNA KNOW.
WE HAD, UH, WE, WE'VE GOT A PROCESS WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO REMOVE AT LEAST 200 VEHICLES OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE AT UNIVERSITY, BUT DON'T ACTUALLY DO THE MEDICAL WORK.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING ANOTHER BUILDING IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
WE ALSO WERE PAYING $19 MILLION A YEAR IN ORDER TO BRING IN OUTSIDE HELP TO TAKE OUTSIDE NURSES, EMERGENCY ROOM, TRAUMA NURSES.
AND AS OF LAST NIGHT, WE'RE DOWN TO NINE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
UH, AND WE WERE, UH, UH, THE NUMBERS WERE JUST SPIRALING.
SO WE'VE NOW HAD TO CHANGE A LOT OF THAT AND, AND GET IT BACK.
SO THERE'S A WHOLE LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT THE CONVENIENCE, PARTICULARLY FOR WORKING MOMS, ET CETERA, TO BE ABLE TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT THEY WANT TO DO AND WORK AND WORK FROM, FROM HOME.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOTTA BE REGULATED AND PEOPLE HAVE TO, YOU HAVE TO TRUST THAT EMPLOYEE AND GET GOOD REPORTS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS BOARD HAS TALKED ABOUT EMPLOYEE PROBLEMS AND TRYING TO RECRUIT PEOPLE 'CAUSE OF SALARIES, UM, WHETHER IT'S, UH, DISPATCHERS OR OTHER THINGS THAT, THAT WE'VE HAD.
SO THE, THE WORLD'S CHANGING AND WE'VE GOT TO ADAPT TO IT.
AND I, I REALIZE THOSE THAT ARE, ARE OPPOSED TO IT OUGHT TO GIVE IT A RUN.
AND, UH, I, I THINK THAT LOOKING AT THIS, UH, QUARTERLY OR EVERY SIX MONTHS, WHATEVER DO, UM, IS, IS A GOOD THING TO DO FOR US.
WELL, I'D LIKE FOR IT TO BE MONTHLY WITH, WITH OUR REGULAR MEETINGS, UH, AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.
AND, AND WE'RE LOOKING TO THOSE THAT VOTED AGAINST US, HELP US MONITOR IT.
MS. JOHNSON, TO THE LAST QUESTION, YOU KIND OF REFERENCED THE REMOTE.
I THINK WE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE RESPONSE FROM EMPLOYEES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALL FOUR OF THOSE INCENTIVES THAT WERE APPROVED.
YES, I CAN, WE CAN HAVE, UH, AND I'LL WORK WITH OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO PUT IT ON THE SURVEY AND THEN THEY CAN, UH, VOTE WHETHER THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S A GOOD, UM, TOOL FOR THEM, UH, GOING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, AS A EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE.
SO I CAN BASED THAT ON THE SURVEY TO SEE HOW THE FOLKS ARE RECEIVING IT.
FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE 22 VOTING BOARD MEMBERS IN THE ROOM.
I HAD SEVEN NOS, SO I ONLY HAVE 15 YESES, NOT 16.
[14. Consider and act upon the recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to update finance and procurement policies to reflect an approval authority for Deputy Executive Directors. - Jacob Ulczynski]
MOVING ON TO ITEM 14.CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO UPDATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT POLICIES TO REFLECT AN APPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS.
BOARD MEMBERS, UH, MY NAME'S JACOB LINSKY.
I'M YOUR DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS.
FOLLOWING THE ORGANIZATIONAL, UH, CHANGES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, UH, YOUR EXECUTIVE TEAM COMPLETED A REVIEW OF ALL OF THE AGENCY POLICIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WERE NO NEEDED POLICY UPDATES, UH, IN RECOGNITION OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES.
AND WE FOUND ONE AREA WHERE, UH, AN A POLICY UPDATE WAS NEEDED, AND THAT WAS WITH OUR ACCOUNTING AND PROCUREMENT POLICIES.
SINCE THAT DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEVEL DID NOT PREVIOUSLY EXIST, THERE WAS NO AUTHORIZED, UH, EXPENSE OR APPROVAL LIMIT FOR THAT POSITION.
SO THIS ACTION WOULD CREATE AN AUTHORIZED, UH, EXPENSE APPROVAL LIMIT FOR THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEVEL AT $40,000.
UH, YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT FITS IN WITH THE EXISTING APPROVAL LEVELS AND POLICY, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
CLIFF, I WANNA COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR REORGANIZATION.
AND, UH, I'M GLAD YOU, UH, TOOK TIME TO GO OVER IT WITH ME, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
WITH THAT, I'M GONNA MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS SECOND.
WHO MADE THE MOTION? OKAY, SO WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.
UM, AND THIS IS TO APPROVE THE, UH, FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT POLICIES THAT ARE BEING AMENDED.
[01:05:01]
DOES IT MEAN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE? I'M SORRY, IT SAYS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR DESIGNEE WHERE SO YOU CAN, YOU CAN, AT THE 50,000 LEVEL, THAT WAS, UM, PUT IN PLACE FOR INSTANCES WHERE, AND, UH, AS I RECALL, UH, FOR INSTANCES WHEN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS NOT AVAILABLE, UM, SAY OUT ON P TT O UH, SO THAT CLIFF CAN DESIGN, DESIGNATE AUTHORITY FOR, UH, APPROVAL AT THAT $50,000 LEVEL WHEN HE'S NOT AVAILABLE.THAT WAS, UM, PREEXISTING THAT PREEXIST AND IN PLACE IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY.
IT'S GONNA BE LESS NECESSARY NOW THAN IT WAS IN THE PAST.
AND IT'S ONLY A $10,000 DISTANCE.
DO YOU THINK I OUGHT DROP THE WORD, DESIGNATE HIS TAILS IN THE CRACK? NOT MINE.
'CAUSE BUSINESS HAS TO GO BY AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN I THINK THAT PRE-EX MY TIME HERE, UH, I, I DON'T THINK I, I BELIEVE THAT'S BEEN PLACE.
AND SO I THINK THAT WAS JUST LIKE WHEN DIANE WAS OUT OF, BUT CONFERENCES OR SOMETHING, WE COULD APPROVE THE, SHE COULD DELEGATE, DESIGNATE SOMEBODY TO APPROVE AN FMS THESE TEMPERATURES.
FMS IS OUR ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE OR OUR PROCESSING SOFTWARE, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK THAT EXISTS THAT WAY, AS LONG AS IT'S IN WRITING AND KEPT ARCHIVED.
WITH THE, THAT'S NOT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM THOUGH, RIGHT? JUST A COMMENT.
SO IF THAT'S SOMETHING Y'ALL WANNA LOOK INTO AND BRING BACK TO US, FEEL FREE TO.
BUT, UH, WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY IS JUST THIS, UH, UH, PRO EXPENDITURE LIMITATION, RIGHT? CORRECT.
AND REST ASSURED THEY REPORT TO ME ON ALL OF THESE EXPENDITURES WELL BELOW THAT LEVEL ANYWAY.
UH, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF BEING ABLE TO APPROVE IT IN, IN OUR FMS SOFTWARE, THE APPROVALS THAT ARE ESTABLISHED.
BUT ALL OF THESE NUMBERS, UH, YOU KNOW, IF IT IS MORE THAN $3,000, IT USUALLY COMES THROUGH ME ANYWAY.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THEN THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
CHAIR IN, IN REGARD TO THIS, UH, ISSUE IN GENERAL IS, UH, WE NO LONGER HAVE A GENERAL COUNSEL.
THAT'S HOW THAT ISSUE'S GONNA BE DISCUSSED.
I'LL, WE'RE CONTRACTING 'EM OUT.
ANYTHING THAT'S ABNORMAL WILL BE THROUGH OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
I SAY OUTTA OUT OF THE ROUTINE, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO REVIEW, FOR INSTANCE, AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, I REVIEW THE CONTRACTS THAT COME THROUGH FOR SIGNATURE.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I APPLY MY LEGAL KNOWLEDGE TO THAT AS WELL.
UH, BUT IF WE GET INTO EMPLOYEE, UH, LITIGATION, THAT TYPE OR, OR, OR, UH, UH, EEOC COMPLAINTS, THAT TYPE OF THING, THAT WILL BE HANDLED THEN BY OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
WELL, NORMALLY, UH, UH, IF THERE IS A, AN ATTORNEY THAT'S ON STAFF AND THERE'S A CONTRACT AND SO FORTH, THE, THERE'S A CERTIFICATION THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED, UH, FOR LEGAL, WOULD YOU DO A SEPARATE ONE AS LEGAL COUNSEL? WE'VE TAKEN THAT OFF OF THE, OF THE, OF THE, WHAT WE CALL OUR ROUTING FORM.
AND SO IT JUST GOES THROUGH ME NOW AS ED AND THEN THE OTHER APPROVAL LEVELS.
BUT THERE IS NO LONGER A LEGAL, A, A GENERAL COUNSEL CERTIFICATION ON, ON CONTRACTS.
SO WHEN YOU'RE REVIEWING, YOU'RE REVIEWING BOTH FOR PURPOSES AS YOUR ROLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND IN ADDITION, YOU ARE REVIEWING FOR LEGAL CONSISTENCY.
AND, UH, THAT'S A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING WE ALL HAVE, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
WE DISCUSSED THAT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT WE DROPPED THE RIGHT.
IF IT'S SOMETHING I CAN SAY OUT OF THE NORM, THEN THAT WOULD BE REFERRED TO OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
SO, UM, HAVING SERVED ON, ON VERY LARGE BOARDS, UM, WITH, WITH VERY SOPHISTICATED ISSUES TO TACKLE, UM, I CAN TELL YOU WHAT'S OUT OF THE NORM IS YOU NOT HAVING A GENERAL COUNSEL.
UM, AND HAVING BEEN A GENERAL COUNSEL FOR LARGE COMPANIES, UM, AND NOW BEING IN THE, AND ALSO HAVING BEEN IN THE EXECUTIVE ROLE OF OTHER LARGE ORGANIZATIONS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT I WANT YOU TO HAVE ONE.
UM, I THINK THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE DAYS WHERE YOU CAN'T WEAR BOTH HATS AND IT'S NOT JUST LIMITED TO EEO COMPLAINTS AND LITIGATION.
UM, I ALSO, UH, AND SO MAYBE WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION AND WE ALL DECIDED THAT, YOU KNOW, FOR NOW, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT, UH, THE SOONER THE BETTER, UH, MAYBE FOR THE NEXT BUDGET WE BAKE IN THERE, UM, SOMEBODY THAT, THAT YOU
[01:10:01]
CHOOSE RIGHT.UM, TO, TO, TO COME IN, UH, I THINK IT WOULD ONLY BENEFIT YOU.
UM, WELL, AND, AND WE DISCUSSED THAT AS, AS JUDGE EVANS TALKS ABOUT, AND I, I DON'T WANNA, UH, PUT ANY WORDS IN THE BOARD'S IN IN MOUTH OF WHAT WE DISCUSSED, BUT MY RECOLLECTION IS GENERALLY AN IDEA OF SEEING HOW IT GOES NOW.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE AGENCY HAS HAD GENERAL COUNSELS AND THEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE GENERAL COUNSELS AND THEY'VE HAD 'EM AGAIN, AND THEN THEY DIDN'T, UH, THROUGH THE YEARS.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THE AGENCY DIDN'T HAVE A GENERAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO MY BEING HERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
UH, BUT THEN THEY HAD, IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THEY HAD HAD GENERAL COUNSELS.
AND SO IT'S FUNCTIONED BOTH WAYS.
UM, AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF SEEING WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
I CAN JUST TELL YOU FROM RIGHT NOW, WE REALLY HAVEN'T HAD ANYTHING.
IT'S ONLY BEEN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
HAVEN'T HAD ANYTHING COME UP OTHER THAN CONTRACTUAL REVIEW.
THAT'S WHAT I'VE HAD TO LOOK AT.
AND SO THAT'S ALL I'M DOING RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WORTH REVISITING, CERTAINLY IF IT BECOMES AN ISSUE.
UM, AND LIKE YOU SAY, THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE TIMES WHEN IT CAN BECOME A CONFLICT AND THERE CAN BE AN ISSUE.
UH, BUT MY DEFAULT WOULD BE TO, TO REFER TO OUTSIDE COUNSEL.
BUT, YOU KNOW, UM, NOW DO WE HAVE, UM, UH, OUTSIDE COUNSEL ON RETAINER? OR IS THIS NO, NOBODY ON, ON RETAINERS.
WE HAVE A LIST THAT YOU PULLED FROM CAGE.
NOT SO TO SAY, NOT SO MUCH OF A LIST AS FAR AS, UH, NOT A WRITTEN LIST SOMEWHERE, BUT FROM PEOPLE I KNOW IN THE, IN THE COMMUNITY AND, AND PEOPLE THAT WE'VE USED IN THE PAST FOR THE VARIOUS ISSUES.
FOR INSTANCE, FOR REAL ESTATE ISSUES, WE'VE USED MIKE BAUM, WHO'S A VERY PROMINENT REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY AND SO ON.
SO WE TRY TO, QUITE FRANKLY, I'VE GOTTEN SUGGESTIONS FROM THIS BOARD FOR A LOT OF THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL THAT WE'VE USED IN THE PAST, BECAUSE YOU'VE ALL HAD EXPERIENCE WITH SOME OF THE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.
WE USE MY COLUMN ON HR EMPLOYEE ISSUES.
AND, AND LEMME JUST SAY THIS IS NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.
UH, SO A GENERAL COUNSEL WOULD'VE REMINDED US OF THAT
[15. Consider and act upon the recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to enter into a contract with OWT Architects for architectural design services for the AACOG Target Range Planning project in the amount not to exceed $190,000, as funded by the Texas Park and Wildlife Target Range Planning grant. This item will not require an amendment to the AACOG FY24 budget. - Marcela Medina]
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS 15.CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH OWT ARCHITECTS FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE ACOG TARGET RANGE PLANNING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $190,000 AS FUNDED BY THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE TARGET RANGE PLANNING GRANT.
THIS ITEM WILL NOT REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT TO THE ACOG FY 24 BUDGET.
GOOD MORNING, MS. MEDINA, BOARD CHAIR MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MARCEL MEDINA MEDINA.
I'M THE PUBLIC SAFETY MANAGER AND FINANCIAL ANALYST.
WITH THIS ITEM, WE ARE, WE ARE SEEKING TO, UH, GET WHAT WE WILL TO BEGIN THE PLANNING PROCESS TO INITIATE A CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES WITH WT THAT WILL ALLOW US TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF BUILDING AN OR SHOOTING RANGE.
THE GRANT FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT ARE PROVIDED BY THE TEXAS PARK PARKS AND WILDLIFE AND REQUIRED TARGET RATE WAGE TO PRIMARILY SERVE THE PUBLIC AND MAY ALLOW FOR SECONDARILY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE SERVED.
THE TARGET RANGE FACILITY WOULD PROVIDE HUNTER EDUCATION HANDGUN AND RIFLE FUNDAMENTAL CLASSES, ARCHERY FIRING LANES AT 25 AND 50 YARDS.
FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROJECT, UM, WE DID, UH, GET BOARD APPROVAL AND SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION IN 2020.
UM, WE WANNA HIGHLIGHT BASICALLY THAT THE, THE GRANT WAS REALLY, UM, WELL RECEIVED.
IT RECEIVED A HIGH SCORE, UM, AND, AND THEY STATED THAT IT RECEIVED A HIGH SCORE BECAUSE OF THE REGIONAL IMPACT IT COULD HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
UM, AND REALLY OVERALL, HOW IS REPRESENTED.
UM, THEY REALLY DID SUPPORT KAI.
IN FACT, IT WAS TIED NUMBER ONE, UH, TIED FOR NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE OF THE PROJECTS THAT THEY FUNDED.
UM, SO UPON RECEIVING THESE FUNDS IN 20 20, 21 WEEKS, EXPERIENCED SEVERAL DELAYS IN IDENTIFYING VENDORS TO RESPOND TO THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS.
BUT AFTER WE'VE REVISED THE RFQ, WE PROVIDED MORE SPORTS, SHOOTING INDUSTRY AND
IN THE RFQ, WE RECEIVED THREE RESPONSES, OWT SCORE, THE, THE HIGHEST AND PRESENTS EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH BOTH GOVERNMENTS AND MUNICIPALITIES.
OUR REQUEST IS TO PROCEED WITH THE PRELIMINARY AND EVENT DESIGN ONLY AS PRESENTED TO THE CONTRACT THAT WE, UH, ATTACH TO THIS ITEM.
THIS WILL ALLOW, ALLOW TO GATHER INFORMATION AND REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD AND TO MAKE A FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE VIABILITY OF THIS PROJECT.
CURRENTLY, STAFF IS ENGAGED AND WE ARE WORKING ON A BUSINESS PLAN AS WELL TO PRESENT THE CURRENT GRANT WINS DECEMBER 31ST OF, OF 2024.
AND THIS ITEM WILL NOT, UH, NEED A BUDGET MOD MODIFICATION TO THE 2024 BUDGET THAT WAS ALREADY INCLUDED, UM, AS WE WERE AWARDED THE FUNDS.
UM, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER AT THIS TIME.
SO WHO ARE YOU WORKING WITH AT PARKS AND WILDLIFE? WELL, WE'VE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL GRANT
[01:15:01]
MANAGERS.UH, WE WERE WORKING WITH A GENTLEMAN BY THE NAME OF, UH, ZAMBRANO IS WORKING AT BEAR COUNTY NOW, SO WE ACTUALLY, UH, STILL HAVE CONTACT WITH HIM.
UM, BUT, BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL NEW, NEW GRANT MANAGERS AT THIS POINT.
BUT, UM, SO THOSE LOCAL, OR THEY, WITH PARKS AND MYLOCK, THEY'RE WITH, THEY'RE WITH PARKS, ANDS AND WILDLIFE.
WHY DON'T YOU SEND ME A LIST OF 'EM? UH, DAVIDOWITZ, WHO IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE, AND I HAD A CONVERSATION YESTERDAY, I WAS JUST REAPPOINTED BY HIM TO DO THE ANTI COACHING INITIATIVE FOR TEXAS OPERATION GAME THIEF, AND HE JUST CALLED TO SAY THANK YOU.
I REAPPOINTED YOU, I DIDN'T ASK YOU, BUT I JUST DID IT
SO, UH, DAVID AND I HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO WEIGH IN IF I CAN ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY.
I'M NOT, I'M NOT TRYING TO INTERFERE IN YOUR JOB, BUT OH, NO, NO, THANK YOU.
YES, WE'VE, WE'VE HAD TO DO A LOT OF RESEARCH AND, UH, WE WENT TO THE NATIONAL ARTS SHOOTING FOUNDATION FOUNDATION, UM, YOU KNOW, EVENT THAT THEY HAD JUST TO GATHER INFORMATION.
UM, SO WE ARE PRETTY MUCH, UH, WORKING DILIGENTLY JUST TO BE ABLE TO GATHER THE INFORMATION FROM THE BOARD.
SO YEAH, WE CAN USE ANY HELP WE CAN GET.
JUST AS A WORD OF CAUTION, WE ARE DOING THE GRANT IS A PLANNING GRANT, WHICH IS WHAT WE RECEIVED THE MONEY FOR, BUT WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROJECT BACK IN, GOSH, I WANNA SAY 2019, UM, THE, THE FINANCIAL PICTURE WAS CONSIDERABLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HAS HAPPENED THROUGH SUPPLY CHAIN AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND THE COST FOR WHAT I THINK WOULD BE AT A NECESSARY GUN RANGE TO BE, IT HAS TO, AS MARCELO POINTED OUT, IT HAS TO BE USED AT LEAST 90% FOR THE PUBLIC.
SO THIS WOULD BE A PUBLIC RANGE.
WELL, TO GET THE PEOPLE IN, IT HAS TO BE A COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
I MEAN, IT REALLY HAS TO BE FIRST CLASS, AND THE PRICING ON THAT HAS PROBABLY DOUBLED, IF NOT.
SO, WHETHER THIS WILL ACTUALLY COME TO FRUITION, UH, REMAINS TO BE SEEN ON WHAT'S AVAILABLE FROM FUNDING FROM PARKS AND WILDLIFE, ONCE WE GET THE PLANS DRAWN UP AND FIND OUT WHAT THE COST WILL BE.
SO, YOU KNOW, DON'T, DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY BRING THIS THING TO IMPLEMENTATION.
UH, WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT A LOT WHEN WE FINALLY GET THE NUMBERS AND SEE WHAT, UH, IT SHAKES OUT AS AFTER WE DO DO THIS PLANNING PORTION.
AND WITH THAT SAID, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT PARKS AND WILDLIFE REALLY LIKES THIS PROJECT AND REALLY LIKES US.
BUT THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT MAY BE PROHIBITIVE.
THEY PAY FOR THE OPERATING COST ONCE IT'S BUILT.
NO, YOU'VE GOTTA MAKE IT A A GOING CONCERN.
WE'D BE IN THE GUN RANGE BUSINESS AND, AND THEY, AND THE INDICATION IS, BY THE WAY, THE INDICATION ON THAT, I'M FASCINATED BY THE LITTLE BIT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT GUN RANGES.
APPARENTLY THOSE THINGS ARE MONEY MAKERS, AND SO IT WOULD, IT WOULD WORK.
I THINK FEASIBLY ON AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT, IT'S JUST THE UPFRONT COST AND OF COURSE THE RISK WITH, WITH ALL OF A SUDDEN GOING INTO THE GUN RANGE BUSINESS.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS TO CONSIDER ONCE WE FINALLY FIND OUT WHAT THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE.
WOULD IT BE A BENEFIT TO US TO ESTABLISH SOME KIND OF BUSINESS PLAN? WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.
THAT'S PART OF THE, THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S WHAT PART OF THE PLAN, THAT'S PART OF THE PLAN, THAT'S PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS IS THE BUSINESS PLAN, UH, EVALUATING A SITE, THE, THE ACTUAL, UH, SCHEMATIC DESIGN OF THE FACILITY, THE, UH, INVESTIGATION AND THE PERMITS AND APPROVAL PROCESS ON A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND SO ALL OF THAT'S PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS THAT'S PART OF THIS GRANT.
THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL NEW GUN RANGES THAT HAVE, UH, OPENED UP RECENTLY WITHIN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA.
YOU GO TO MARBA AND FOUR 10 MAKE THE TURNAROUND.
UH, THERE'S A NEW ONE RIGHT THERE BEFORE YOU GET TO THE 1 51 AND, UH, SEVERAL OTHERS.
SO APPARENTLY IT'S VERY POPULAR, UH, YES INDEED.
AND PARTS OF WILDLIFE WANTS US TO MAKE A PLANS.
BUT YOU HAVE A MOTION, SO MOVE SECOND MOTION AND A SECOND.
MR. HAS LOCKER AND COUNCILMAN LIAS IS A SECOND.
[16. Consider and act upon the recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to submit the Regional Communications Enhancement Project – Phase Three project to the Office of the Governor - Homeland Security Grants Division (HSGD) in the approximate amount of $2,000,000; authorize the Executive Director to execute a contract and purchase equipment and tower structure; and adopt a resolution in support of the project. This item will not require an amendment to the 2024 AACOG budget. – Marcela Medina]
CONSIDER AND ACT UPON A RECOMMENDATION.AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT THE REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT PHASE THREE PROJECT TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS DIVISION IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $2 MILLION, AND AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AND PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND TOWER STRUCTURE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT
[01:20:01]
OF THE PROJECT.THIS ITEM WILL NOT REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2024 ACOG BUDGET.
WE'RE SEEKING APPROVAL FOR CONTINUATION FUNDING FOR PHASE THREE OF THIS TOWER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT TO IMPROVE REGIONAL INTEROPERABILITY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
THIS WILL PURCHASE COMMUNICATION TOWER, UPGRADE EQUIPMENT AND TOWER STRUCTURE FOR MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS WITH DIR PRICING OF APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION.
THE UPGRADES WILL BE DEPLOYED IN EXISTING LAND MOBILE RADIO STRUCTURES SITES, UM, AND A PROPOSED TOWER BUILD OUT IN ATASCOSA COUNTY.
THE, THE EXISTING TOWERS THAT WE WANT TO ATTACH THE EQUIPMENT TO ARE IN RIO AND MCMULLEN COUNTY.
UM, THESE LOCATIONS WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE REGIONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATION SUBCOMMITTEE, AND ASSESSED AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN COVERAGE EVEN GIVEN THE DEPLOYMENT OF PHASE TWO OF THIS PROJECT.
THE PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY AN EXISTING NO-COST, MOU, BETWEEN ACOG AND T STAT THAT WAS INITIATED FOR PHASE ONE OF THIS PROJECT AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD IN DECEMBER OF 2020.
THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH TEX TXDOT INSTALLS THE EQUIPMENT AT NO COST AND CONNECTS IT TO THE GREATER AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY REGIONAL RADIO SYSTEM, AL, ALSO KNOWN AS GATORS AND THE DPS RADIO COMMUNICATION CORRIDOR TO EXPAND COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES IN ACOG.
THIS GRANT PERFORMANCE PERIOD IS SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2024 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2026.
THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN QUOTES ARE ATTACHED TO THIS ITEM.
THIS ITEM WILL NOT REQUIRE A BUDGET MODIFICATION OF THE 2024 IF FUNDED.
IT WILL BE ADDED TO THE 2025 BUDGET AS THAT IS WHEN WE ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THE EQUIPMENT.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
UH, COMMISSIONER GILLES, BE SECONDED.
AND, UH, MR. HAS LOCKER MADE THE MOTION.
UH, SO THOSE IN FAVOR OF, UM, SUBMITTING THIS, UH, GRANT APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF, OF THE GOVERNOR AS PRESENTED, SAY, AYE.
[17. Consider and act upon the recommendation to release Request for Proposals seeking air quality monitoring services during the 2024-2025 biennium, select a vendor, and enter into an agreement with the selected vendor for an amount not to exceed $280,000. - Lyle Hufstetler]
17.CONSIDER AN ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO RELEASE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS SEEKING AIR QUALITY MONITORING MONITORING SERVICES DURING THE 24 25 BIENNIUM.
SELECT A VENDOR AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A SELECTED VENDOR FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $280,000.
MR. HUFFSTETLER, GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I LYLE HUFFSTETLER, YOUR NATURAL RESOURCES PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR.
UM, IT JUST REQUESTS YOUR APPROVAL RFP TO CONTRACTOR TO PERFORM, UM, START OPERATE MAINTENANCE DATA VALIDATION AND, AND SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES FOR, FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING SITES AND AL GUADALUPE COUNTIES.
IN ADDITION, WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SELECTED CONTRACTOR FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $280,000.
ACOG HAS EXHAUSTED ALL OF ITS PREVIOUS CONTRACT EXTENSIONS UNDER ITS CURRENT MONITORING SERVICES AGREEMENT AND MUST BID ON CONTINUING AIR QUALITY MONITORING SERVICES.
ACOG HAS BEEN MEASURING OZONE ACROSS THE REGION SINCE 2002 AND OZONE PRECURSORS NITROGEN OXIDE AND VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS SINCE 2020.
AND MEASURING THESE POLLUTANTS HELPS US BETTER UNDERSTAND THE BEHAVIOR OF OZONE, INCLUDING HOW IT'S FORMED AND WHERE IT TRAVELS, AND IT ALSO HELPS US VALIDATE OZONE MODELING, UM, RESULTS.
CURRENTLY ACOG IS MEASURING NOX AND WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION AT BULVERDE ELEMENTARY, NEW BRAUNFELS AIRPORT, CITY OF GARDEN RIDGE AND SINE OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER.
THE GARDEN RIDGE SITE IS ALSO MEASURING VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND IS ONE OF ONLY TWO SITES IN THE REGION THAT'S MEASURING OZONE AND BOTH PRECURSORS NOX AND VOCS.
AND THAT'S VERY, VERY VALUABLE FOR OUR NETWORK.
THE REMAINING THREE OZONE SITES LOCATED IN BEXAR COUNTY ONLY MEASURE OZONE AND WIND AND ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TCEQ FUNDING UNDER THE CURRENT AGREEMENT.
SO THIS RFP SEEKS SERVICES TO MAINTAIN THE METEOROLOGICAL NOX AND VOC COMPONENTS OF THESE OZONE MONITORING SITES DURING THE 2024 AND 2025.
OZONE SEASONS CPS ENERGY HAS GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO STEP UP AND FUND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE OZONE MONITORING COMPONENTS AFTER OUR FUNDING WAS GREATLY REDUCED IN 2017.
AND WE CONTINUE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR ENDURING SUPPORT.
AND I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS IF THERE ARE ANY, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE RESULTS IT GOES INTO? UM, SO WE, WE USE IT TO VERIFY LIKE OZONE, UM, MODELING RESULTS, UM, VERIFYING THAT THE WIND, LIKE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE, ARE APPROPRIATELY
[01:25:01]
MODELED.UM, GIVEN THE ON THE GROUNDS, UM, DATA THAT WE HAVE.
THESE, UM, THIS MONITORING DATA IS AVAILABLE FOR REAL TIME FOR ANYONE TO GO TO THE T WEBSITE AND SEE.
SO IT'S A GOOD EDUCATIONAL TOOL, UH, FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
UM, WE, UM, USE THIS DATA TO, UM, TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT WIND SPEEDS AND, SORRY, WHAT WIND DIRECTIONS ARE MOST, UH, CONDUCIVE TO OZONE INFORMATION.
IT'S HELPED US, YOU KNOW, GET A GOOD HANDLE ON THE FACT THAT COOL FRONTS TEND TO RESULT IN HIGH OZONE DATES.
THAT'S BECAUSE OF THIS MONITORING DATE THAT COLLECTING HAS HELPED US UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT YOU PUBLISH IT ON THE WEBSITE, THAT KIND OF THING? CORRECT.
I, I KNOW THERE'S A NUMBER OF, OF BENEFITS FOR MONITORING, BUT HAVING THOSE MONITORING DEVICES IN BOTH OF THOSE COUNTIES ALSO HELP DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER FUNDING AND PROJECTS.
SO THESE MONITORS THAT ACOG OWNS, THEY'RE NOT USED IN ANY KIND OF ATTAINMENT, THEY'RE NOT USED.
THEY CAN ONLY USE, CAN WE USE THAT INFORMATION AS A, UH, A DISCUSSION POINT IF IT GETS TO THOSE, THOSE, THOSE THINGS THAT COME UP ABOUT NON-ATTAINMENT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS AND A NUMBER OF THOSE THINGS? NOT THESE MONITORS? NO, THAT'S, IT'S ONLY GONNA BE THE REGULATORY ONES.
THE THREE, UM, THAT ARE NOT THREE.
THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE NOT THE, OKAY.
HAVE MOTION BY, UH, MAYOR EICHNER.
[18. Consider and act upon the recommendation to nominate an appointee and alternate to the Unified Scoring Committee (USC) for the TxCDBG Community Development Fund Program - Claudia Mora]
TO ITEM 18.CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO NOMINATE AN APPOINTEE AND ALTERNATE TO THE UNIFIED SCORING COMMITTEE FOR THE TAX CDBG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM.
IT IS MORNING, RIGHT? YES, IT STILL IS.
GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS.
HAVE, HAVE HEALTHY DISCUSSIONS.
UH, I'M CLAUDIA MOTOR REGIONAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR HERE AT ACOG.
UH, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ESTABLISHES THE UNIFIED SCORING COMMITTEE, ALSO KNOWN AS USC FOR THE TEXAS CPG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM.
AND THEY DID THIS BACK IN 20 20 20.
THE USC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
IN ADDITION, THE USC ESTABLISHES THE NUMERICAL VALUE OF THE POINTS ASSIGNED TO EACH SCORING FACTOR.
THE USC CONSISTS OF 24 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER, AND EACH MEMBER SERVES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER.
EACH PLANNING REGION GOVERNING BODY MAY NOMINATE ONE INDIVIDUAL TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE USCT.
TDA HAS INFORMED STAFF THAT THE REGION'S NOMINATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THEM BY MARCH THE EIGHTH.
THE NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVE MUST BE ABLE TO ATTEND TRAINING HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AT THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK ON APRIL 10TH.
A CALC STAFF WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE ACOG REPRESENTATIVE STAFF RECOMMENDS NOMINATING ONE MEMBER AND AN ALTERNATE.
THE MEMBERS OF THE USC OR NOMINEES MUST BE EITHER AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL OF A NON ENTITLEMENT COMMUNITY AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT.
A NON ENTITLEMENT COMMUNITY IS A CITY WITH A POPULATION UNDER 50,000 IN A COUNTY THAT HAS A NON-METROPOLITAN POPULATION UNDER 200,000 ACOG'S.
PAST USC REPRESENTATIVES WERE FORMER MAYOR DANNER OF HONDO, AND FORMER MAYOR RAS OF MARIAN.
THE CURRENT ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE IS JUDGE KELLY.
IN ADDITION, AT THE BO APRIL BOARD MEETING, UH, WE WILL BE BRING BACK PROPOSED REGIONAL PROJECT PRIORITIES.
THAT'S PART OF THE SCORING PROCESS.
EACH PLANNING REGION MUST SELECT THEIR PRIORITIES.
IN THE PAST WE HAVE, UH, THE BOARD HAS APPROVED OF THE PRIORITIES TO BE WATER AND WASTEWATER RELATED PROJECTS, AS WELL AS, UH, ROAD IMPROVEMENTS OR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS.
AS I STATED EARLIER, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE BOARD NOMINATE ONE MEMBER AND AN ALTERNATE FOR, UH, APPOINTMENT TO THE USC.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.
[01:30:01]
YOU CURRENTLY SERVING? YES.WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY? DON'T ASK, JUST NOMINATE
HAVING FRIENDS, ISN'T IT? DO WE NEED AN ALTERNATE ALSO? YES, PLEASE.
WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT MOTION FIRST THOUGH.
SO ON THE MOTION TO APPOINT ME TO FILL THE, UH, OPEN POSITION ON THE USC, UH, THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
I MAKE COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE.
JUDGE EVANS MADE THE MOTION AND JUDGE LU SECONDED FOR COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE TO SERVE AS THE ALTERNATE FOR THE USC.
UH, ANY DISCUSSION? THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[19. Consider and act upon the recommendation of the Resource Recovery Committee to submit a conformance review letter to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for Geosyntec Consultants on behalf of Waste Management on the proposed Expansion of the Mesquite Creek Landfill. - Claudia Mora]
ITEM NUMBER 19.CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE RESOURCE RECOVERY COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT A CONFORMANCE REVIEW LETTER TO THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR THE GEO SYNTECH CONSULTANTS ON BEHALF OF WASTE MANAGEMENT ON THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE MESQUITE CREEK LANDFILL, MS. MOORE.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE RE RESEARCH RECOVERY COMMITTEE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE RRC, ACTS AS AN ADVISORY ADVISORY BODY TO THE ACOG BOARD.
ITS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE REVIEWING REQUESTS FOR PERMITS OR AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES, INCLUDING LANDFILLS.
ON DECEMBER 13TH, UH, 2023, THE RRC REVIEWED THE REQUEST OF WASTE MANAGEMENT OF TEXAS INC.
VIA GEO SYNEX CONSULTANTS TO EXPAND THE MEKE CREEK LANDFILL IN KAMAL AND GUADALUPE COUNTIES.
THE LANDFILL IS LOCATED ON COLLENBERG ROAD BETWEEN FM 1101 AND SCHWARTZ LOWES ROAD, PRIMARILY IN GUADALUPE COUNTY, BUT WITH A PORTION ALSO IN COMAL.
COPIES OF THE COMPLETED CHECKLIST AND MAPS ARE ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA MEMO.
REPRESENTATIVES OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND GEOSYNTEC APPEARED BEFORE THE GUADALUPE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON MARCH 7TH, 2023 TO REVIEW THIS PROJECT WITH THE COUNTY.
IN ADDITION, VIA THE NEW BRAUNFELS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCILMAN IN WHOSE DISTRICT A PORTION OF THE LANDFILL IS LOCATED, WERE BRIEFED ON THE EXPANSION.
THE RRC CONCLUDED THAT THE PROPOSED EXPANSION COMPLIES WITH THE ACOG REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE ACOG BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVE THE SUBMITTAL OF A LETTER TO THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMPLIANCE, THE RRC RECOMMENDS THE ACOG BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO TCEQ ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT APPLICATION FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MESQUITE CREEK LANDFILL COMPLIES WITH THE ACOG REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF ANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE, I'LL JUST SAY THAT THE, THE COUNTY PRIOR TO THAT MEETING HAD DESIGNATED AN ACCEPTABLE AREA FOR LANDFILLS AS THE PREVIOUS ORIGINAL FOOTPRINT AND DECIDED TO APPROVE THE EXPANSION OF THAT, THINKING THAT IT WAS BETTER TO HAVE AN EXPANDED LANDFILL THAN MULTIPLE NEW LOCATION LANDFILLS.
SO NOBODY WANTS 'EM, UM, IN THEIR COUNTY, BUT WHEN THEY'RE THERE, THEY'RE BETTER SUITED IN THAT AREA.
SO THEY'VE BEEN GOOD PARTNERS TO US AND WE APPROVE THE EXPANSION OF THAT.
IS THAT A MOTION? THAT WAS NOT A MOTION
I DID, BUT JUDGE EXPLAINED IT.
I WANTED TO KNOW THOSE ARE, ARE THERE HOW THEY REALLY THOUGHT OF WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS WERE.
IS THERE ANY, UH, RUNOFF OR INTO THE EDWARDS AFER FROM THIS TIME THERE OR DO WE KNOW IT'S NOT RECHARGE ZONE IN THAT AREA? YOU, YOU HAVE EXPANSIVE BLACK CLAY EXPANSION, SO THERE'S LESS LEACHING IN THAT AREA AS COMPARED TO THE POST OAK LANDFILL THAT WAS APPROVED THAT WE DID NOT SUPPORT AS THE COUNTY THAT'S FURTHER SOUTH WHERE YOU DO HAVE MORE OF A CONCERN OF, OF DRAINAGE AND RUNOFF INTO RECHARGE DEPUTIES.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE HAVE A MOTION.
SO MOVE MR. LUS AND A SECOND, SECOND MAYOR ENER.
UH, AND THIS IS TO, UH, SUBMIT THE CONFORMANCE REVIEW LETTER TO THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON, UH, TCDQ ON THIS WASTE MANAGEMENT, UH, MESQUITE CREEK LANDFILL PROJECT.
[01:35:01]
CARRIES.[20. Consider and act upon the recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to execute a contract amendment with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to accept an additional $1,257,949 in FY 2024-2025 Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (DOE BIL) funds for a total amount of $3,511,208. This item requires a budget amendment. -- Alicia Avila-Penalver]
ITEM 20.CONSIDER AN ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL $1,257,949 IN FY 24 25 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FUNDS FOR A TOTAL OF $3,511,208.
THIS ITEM REQUIRES A BUDGET AMENDMENT.
MY NAME IS EL AND I'M THE AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR.
WE ASK THAT THE BOARD CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATION TO ALLOW THE, THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TION GRANT AND THE AMOUNT OF 1,257,009 $49 FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IT WILL BRING THE GRANT TOTAL TO 3,000,511 $208 THAT WILL NEED TO BE EXPENDED BY JUNE 30TH, 2025.
THE ADDITIONAL FUND FUNDING WILL ALLOW ACOG TO ASSIST IN ADDITIONAL 100 LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FOR A GRANT TOTAL OF 275 HOMES.
FOR THE DURATION OF THE GRANT, THIS ITEM WILL REQUIRE DEBT AMENDMENT.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
MOTION TO APPROVE JUDGE EVANS AND SECOND JUDGE LUTZ.
OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES NOW TO
[21. Consider and act upon the recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to execute a contract amendment with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to accept an additional $118,358 in FY 2024 Department of Energy (DOE) funds for a total amount of $860,061. This item requires a budget amendment. -- Alicia Avila-Penalver]
21.CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL $118,358 IN FY 2024 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FUNDS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $860,061.
THIS ITEM REQUIRES A BUDGET AMENDMENT? YES MA'AM.
AGAIN, AND WE ASK THAT THE BOARD CONSIDER RECOMME ACTION TO ALLOW THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WEATHERIZATION GRANT AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 100, UH, $18,398.
WITH THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IT WILL BRING THE GRANT TOTAL TO 860 80 $1,000.
THAT WILL HAVE TO BE EXPENDED BY JUNE 30TH OF THIS YEAR.
THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WILL ALLOW US TO ASSIST 14 ADDITIONAL HOUSEHOLDS FOR GRANT TOTAL OF 71 HOMES.
THIS ITEM WILL REQUIRE BUDGET AMENDMENT.
WE DO ASK THAT YOU REFER CLIENTS, UH, TO OUR PROGRAM BECAUSE NOW WITH THE ACCESS FUNDS THAT WE HAVE, WE ALREADY SERVE YOU.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY, ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
THE NUMBERS THAT I SEE ARE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU SAID.
THE ONE YOU NOTICED THAT, I NOTICED THAT HE NOTICED THAT
SO WE, WE NEED TO GET THE RIGHT NUMBERS.
SO IT IS ATT I HAVE A 118,300.
THAT'S WHAT'S IN THE, THE AGENDA ITEM.
AND FOR, AND THE TOTAL IS EIGHT 60 WHAT? AND $81.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO, UH, APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENTERING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH THE T-D-H-C-A TO ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL $118,358, RIGHT? YES.
UH, I GUESS THIS WOULD BE TO OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SINCE WE HAVE BEEN SO CHALLENGED IN FINDING HOMES THAT THIS PROGRAM CAN REALLY HELP.
WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT THAT? WELL, WE'RE CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOKOUT, AS YOU SAY.
AND ACTUALLY, UM, WHERE'S DEIDRE? THERE'S DERA RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT EFFORTS TO TRY TO INVOLVE SOME NON-PROFITS.
BECAUSE OF THE STRICT, STRICT, UH, REGULATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE PROGRAM, UH, PLACES ON QUALIFIES AS A, UH, TO RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES.
WE ARE TRYING TO FIND PARTNERSHIPS AND WORKING WITH WILL MCKNIGHT AND HIS GROUP TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN BRIDGE THE GAP TO MAKE, HAVE QUALIFY THAT CAN BE COVERED UNDER HER GRANT, BUT YET STILL GET ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE THOSE QUALIFICATIONS.
[01:40:01]
I, WE BELIEVE THAT THE, THE BEST ALTERNATIVE IS TO PARTNER WITH NON-PROFITS AS WELL AS IF THERE IS ANY OTHER GRANT FUNDING OF USING FROM AGING'S PROGRAM OR ANY OTHER, UH, ENTITY OUT THERE TO HELP IN THESE HOMES QUALIFIED.SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AT THIS MOMENT.
AND I THINK THAT GOES TO WHAT ALICIA WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, IF YOU KNOW OF APPLICANTS, BECAUSE FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF OUR LIHEAP GRANTS IS ALREADY IN EXTENSION.
WE HAVE THE AVAILABILITY AND THE ABILITY, UH, THE CON AVAILABLE CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM THE WORK.
WE DON'T HAVE THE HOUSES TO DO THE WORK ON, UH, BECAUSE OF THESE, UH, STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS.
SO IF YOU, IF THERE ARE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU GET OUT TO YOUR PUBLIC MEETINGS, LET THEM KNOW TO APPLY SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST GO OUT THERE AND DO AN INSPECTION AND SEE IF WE CAN AND SEE IF WE CAN HELP THEM.
UH, BUT THE IDEA OF WHAT DEIDRE IS ALSO SAYING IS JUST BETTER COORDINATION EVEN INTERNALLY WITHIN THE AGENCY ON THE SERVICES THAT AGING CAN PROVIDE TO HELP BRING SOME OF THESE HOMES TO THE MINIMUM STANDARD NECESSARY TO GET INTO THE PROGRAM.
AND WE HAVE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT, UH, MR. MCKNIGHT WOULD LIKE TO.
SO ON AVERAGE, AS IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT A 44% RATE AS, UH, WEATHERIZATION INSPECTORS INSPECT THE HOME ON THE PASS OR FAIL.
SO WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO IS THE PLAN IS TO LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL FUNDINGS TO GET A BAILING HOUSE TO A PASSING PERCENTAGE TO THEN TRANSITION OVER TO THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM.
SO TWO CRITICAL SOURCES THAT WE'RE USING.
WE HAVE AUTHORITY THROUGH HHSC AS LONG AS THE INDIVIDUAL IS 60 OR ABOVE TO UTILIZE AGING FUNDING.
AND I ALSO AM WORKING THROUGH USDA RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE GONNA PUT A PILOT IN PLACE TO, UH, USE UP TO A $10,000 GRANT, UH, THROUGH USDA RULES.
RURAL, WHAT'S IT? RURAL ADJUSTMENT.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT, I'M SORRY.
TO LEVERAGE THOSE DOLLARS AS WELL TO GET A HOME TO THAT POINT TO WHERE THEY WOULD PASS WEATHERIZATION AND THEN QUALIFY FOR THEIR PROGRAM.
SO, UH, WE'RE GONNA PUT THIS TO THE TEST NEXT MONTH FROM MY MEETINGS WITH USDA LAST WEEK.
THEY'RE PROMISING THAT THEY CAN GET AN APPLICATION PROCESSED IN A TOTAL OF 30 DAYS.
SO WE'RE GONNA TRY TO PUT THAT TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW IT GOES.
AND BASED OFF OF THAT, THEN IF, IF IT DOES, IN FACT, IF THEY CAN HOLD TO THAT, THAT APPLICATION PROCESSING, WE'RE GONNA PUSH AHEAD AND GET VERY AGGRESSIVE WITH USUALLY UTILIZING THOSE USDA GRANT FUNDS COUPLED WITH AOG AGING FUNDS TO, UH, TO BRING THIS, UH, THE HOUSING, GET THOSE REPAIRS IN PLACE, AND GET THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM UP AND MOVING A LOT MORE QUICKLY THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST.
WHAT COUNTIES ARE COVERED? PARDON? WHAT COUNTIES? IS IT ALL IN RURAL? NO, NO, THEY'RE, THEY'RE IN ALL RURAL COUNTIES EXCEPT FOR MCAL.
BUT AGAIN, TO UTILIZE THE USDA GRANT THAT IS SUPPORTING THE BAY.
BUT AGAIN, WE DO HAVE THE AGING FUNDING TO, TO GET US OVER THE TOP IN REGARDS TO HOMES THAT ARE WITHIN YOUR COUNTY.
AND THEN A REMINDER, WE DON'T JUST DO SINGLE FAMILY, WE ALSO WORK WITH MULTI-FAMILY.
SO IF YOU KNOW OF ANY APARTMENT COMPLEXES OUT THERE THAT DO, UH, HAVE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD, WE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK AT THOSE.
DO WE HAVE LIKE A, A ONE SHEETER OR SOMETHING THAT WE COULD, UM, DISSEMINATE TO UH, TO, TO THOSE THAT WE NEED THAT, THAT LIST THE REQUIREMENTS AND, AND THE QUALIFICATIONS? YES, SIR.
WELL, THE GOOD NEWS THAT I'M HEARING IS THAT, UH, OUR STAFF IS ACUTELY AWARE OF NEED AND ACTIVELY AND AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING SOLUTIONS.
IN THE CITY, I KNOW CPS AND CITY HAVE JOINED FORCES TO LINK UP WITH THEY, WITH THE REHAB PROGRAM THAT THE CITY HAS.
UH, ARE YOU WORKING AT ALL WITH THE CITY AND
UM, I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A CLOSING PERIOD, UH, OF THEIR APPLICATION PROCESS.
UH, WE DO NEED TO GET BACK WITH THEM TO SEE WHEN THEY'RE GONNA REOPEN.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? JUST ONE BRIEF POINT, UH, TO YOUR POINT, MR. RODRIGUEZ, THERE'S A LIST THAT, THAT SAYS DIFFERENT SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
IF WE'RE NOT ON THE LIST, I THINK WE NEED TO GET THAT WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM ON THAT LIST.
I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WORKS, BUT LIKE FOR A PERSON IT'S THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE FOR US TO, UH, GET SOME EXPOSURE.
'CAUSE THOSE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR HELP, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE AND THAT PROGRAM WOULD BE GREAT.
[01:45:01]
NOW BACK TO THE MOTION.UH, THIS IS TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT T-D-H-C-A, UM, AND TO ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL $118,358, UH, FOR A TOTAL.
AND THIS ARE FROM THE DOE FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $860,081.
YOU SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH THE 27TH AT 10 O'CLOCK.
WAS THERE A SECOND ON THAT? THOUGHT IT WAS, I KNOW SOMEBODY MADE A MOTION AND SAID WE NEED A DISCUSSION ON IT.
I DON'T THINK WE HAD A SECOND.
WHO MADE THE MOTION? YOU CAN WRITE JUDGE.
I DON'T THINK WE HAD A MOTION ON THE FIRST ONE.
IT WAS ON, I THOUGHT IT WAS ON CLEAN HOUSE HERE.
THOSE EVERYBODY STILL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE.
AND EVERYBODY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[22. Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at AACOG.]
MEETING IS, UH, MARCH 27TH.AND THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE WE, WE ARE ADJOURNED.