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AND WE WILL BE LED BY MUNICIPAL COURTS DIRECTOR AND PRESIDING JUDGE ELAINE MARSHALL AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR CFO, NELLY SANTOS, MAN.HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE CITY? ABOUT 25 YEARS.
SO WE'RE IN GOOD HANDS WITH THESE FINANCES.
HOW MUCH HAVE YOU, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE TODAY? 36 START.
WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME EXPERIENCE AT IN THE HORSESHOE TODAY, SO, YES.
UH, DIRECTOR WILLOX IS A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW.
UM, THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN SAY IN DEFENSE IS THAT I NOW HAVE POWER, SO MY, MY PERSONALITY HAS JUST BOOTED BACK IN.
UM, THEY JUST SENT ME A TEXT, SO WE'RE GOOD.
BUT I WANNA, UM, JUST SAY, GOOD AFTERNOON, AND THIS PRESENTATION THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO PRESENT TO YOU IS REFLECTIVE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO PROVIDE COURT SERVICES IN AN EQUITABLE AND SAFE MANNER.
THE NEXT SEVERAL SLIDES WILL PROVIDE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE COURT'S BUDGET, INCLUDING INFORMATION BY PROGRAM AND BY FUND.
THIS SLIDE REFLECTS HOW MCDS PROGRAMS AND KEY INITIATIVES ALIGN WITH THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES.
THE MAJORITY OF OUR PROGRAMS FALL UNDER THE CATEGORIES OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT.
AS REFLECTED IN THIS EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM SUMMARY CHART, THERE IS A 4% OVERALL DECREASE ACROSS ALL MCD PROGRAMS FOR FY 25.
THIS IS A COMPARISON OF REVENUE BY PROGRAM BY FISCAL YEAR, AS REFLECTED IN THIS SLIDE, THE FY 25 PROPOSED REVENUE REMAINS RELATIVELY FLAT WITH THE FY 24 ESTIMATE ACROSS ALL MCD PROGRAMS. NEXT SLIDE.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM INCLUDES FUNDING FOR CONTRACT BUILDING, SECURITY, AND ARMORED CAR SERVICES AT ALL OF OUR COURT LOCATIONS, TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS, AND SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE.
IT ALSO INCLUDES PERSONNEL AND OPERATING COSTS FOR MCDS FINANCE TEAM AND THE CENTRAL MAIL ROOM OPERATIONS.
AS REFLECTED IN THIS PROGRAM'S PERFORMANCE MEASURES, EXPENDITURES, AND REVENUE ARE CLOSELY MONITORED FOR BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND THE MCD SPECIAL FUNDS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR SPECIFIC STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.
THE CASH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES OVERSIGHT OF CASHIERING FUNCTIONS AT ALL LOCATIONS AND THE JAIL BONDING SERVICES.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO MANAGES THE ARMORED CAR CONTRACT AND INCLUDES STAFF WHO SERVE AS PASSPORT AGENTS.
THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE QUALITY REVIEW OF TRANSACTIONS PROCESSED BY OUR TEAM.
THIS ASSURES THE PUBLIC THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON CASH HANDLING POLICIES ARE CLOSELY MONITORED AND FOLLOWED, AND THAT PAYMENTS AND CASE INFORMATION ARE ACCURATELY PROCESSED AND UPDATED.
MCDS COLLECTION AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES VARIOUS KEY FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING THE OVERSIGHT OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COLLECTIONS.
THERE ARE TWO PERFORMANCE MEASURES TIED TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COLLECTIONS THAT ARE CLOSELY TRACKED.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS THE 3 1 1 SERVICE BY ASSISTING WITH COURT RELATED CALLS AND ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL POLICIES AND AUDIT PROCESSES.
THE PROGRAMS DEFERRED PAYMENT INITIATIVE PROVIDES A PAYMENT PLAN OPTION FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO COMPLY WITH THEIR COURT ORDERS, BUT NEED THAT EXTRA TIME TO PAY.
THIS KEY INITIATIVE HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN ASSISTING MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER.
THERE ARE TWO PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT ARE RELATED TO THIS INITIATIVE, WHICH TRACK BOTH COMPLIANCE AND REVENUE.
OUR COURT OPERATIONS PROGRAM PROVIDES PRE-COURT SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDES SCANNING DATA ENTRY, AFFIANT, AND QUALITY CONTROL.
THE PERFORMANCE MEASURE TIED TO THE QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW OF CASE INFORMATION PROVIDES ASSURANCES TO THE PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT CI CITATION INFORMATION HAS BEEN ACCURATELY RECORDED AND THAT IT'S ENTERED INTO OUR CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES COURT SERVICES THAT INCLUDE ASSISTING JUDGES WITH DAILY DOCKET MANAGEMENT AT ALL COURT LOCATIONS.
POST COURT SERVICES INCLUDE OUR WARRANT VERIFICATION SERVICE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHICH OPERATES
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TWENTY FOUR SEVEN THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE DAYS A YEAR.WARRANT VERIFICATION IS A VALUABLE TOOL FOR THE OFFICERS IN THE FIELD, AND THIS PROGRAM HAS A PERFORMANCE MEASURE FOR THIS SERVICE THAT TRACKS OUR RESPONSE TIME.
THE JUDICIAL OPERATIONS PROGRAM INCLUDES OVERSIGHT OF ALL REGULAR AND SPECIAL DOCKETS, JURY MANAGEMENT, AND MANAGES THE MCD WEDDING SERVICE.
IT ALSO PROVIDES, PROVIDES LANGUAGE AND TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND MAGISTRATE SERVICES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
FINALLY, THIS PROGRAM OVERSEES THE HEARING PROCESS FOR PARKING AND OTHER ORDINANCE VIOLATION DISPUTES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A RA AND THE HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM.
THE KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE TRACKING VENDOR PERFORMANCE AND JURY MANAGEMENT CONTRACT, THE TIME SPENT IN COURT FOR THE DEFENDANTS APPEARING FOR TRIALS AND MEASURING THE COURT'S OVERALL EFFICIENCY.
OUR SPECIAL DOCKETS INCLUDE THE HOMELESS OUTREACH, VETERANS COURT, SAFE HARBOR, AND TEEN COURT.
THESE DOCKETS BOTH ASSIST BOTH OUR YOUTH AND OUR VULNERABLE POPULATION.
THEY PROVIDE A TAILORED VENUE TO RESOLVE COURT MATTERS IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE MUCH NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES.
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES PROGRAM INCLUDES KEY FUNCTIONS THAT ARE GEARED TOWARD INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF COURT SERVICES.
THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY REGULAR REVIEW AND UPDATES TO THE COURT'S WEBPAGE, DRAFTING AND ISSUING PRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS, RESPONDING TO TIP OF YOUR REQUESTS, HOSTING SCHOOL TOURS, AND PARTICIPATING IN CITYWIDE OUTREACH EVENTS.
THE THIS PROGRAM'S PERFORMANCE MEASURES INCLUDE TRACKING THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS.
FINALLY, THEY SERVE AS LIAISON TO CITY COUNCIL, MONITOR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, AND PROVIDE UPDATES ON COURT RELATED LEGISLATION.
OUR TRUANCY PREVENTION AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES VARIOUS KEY SERVICES THAT SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY'S YOUTH.
WE CURRENTLY PARTNER WITH THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, HISD, SPRING BRANCH, AND ALDEN TO PROVIDE TRUANCY INTERVENTION SERVICES AT CAMPUSES THAT ARE CONSIDERED HIGH RISK.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS THE TEEN COURT PROGRAM AND PROVIDES MEANINGFUL AND EDUCATIONAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AFTER SCHOOL AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES INCLUDE TRACKING SATISFACTION LEVELS AT THE SCHOOLS THAT WE SERVE THROUGH AN ANNUAL SURVEY, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES HELD, AND THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF YOUTH ASSISTED BY OUR SERVICES.
THE DEBT SERVICE AND INTER FUND TRANSFER PROGRAM INCLUDES MCDS ALLOCATION OF THE CITYWIDE DEBT SERVICE, WHICH IS CALCULATED BY FINANCE.
THERE ARE NO PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR THIS PROGRAM.
THE NEXT FEW SLIDES THAT YOU WILL SEE WILL FEATURE A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PERSONNEL AND NON-PERSONNEL COST.
NON-PERSONNEL COSTS ARE SHOWN ON THE PIE CHARTS AS OTHER ADDITIONAL DETAILS FOR THIS CATEGORY ARE LISTED BELOW THE PIE CHARTS.
THIS SLIDE INCLUDES THE FY 25 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE BUDGET, WHICH IS 79% PERSONNEL COST AND 21% NON-PERSONNEL COST.
NON-PERSONNEL COSTS INCLUDE RESTRICTED INTER FUND ACCOUNTS, SUPPLIES, AND NON-CAPITAL EQUIPMENT THAT SUPPORT OUR COURT OPERATIONS.
THE OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES CATEGORY CONSIST PRIMARILY OF CS.
SMART CONTRACTUAL MAINTENANCE COSTS A PORTION OF CONTRACT BUILDING SECURITY, CONTRACT LANGUAGE, AND COURT REPORTER SERVICES, AND CONTRACTUAL MAIL SERVICES FOR COURT RELATED NO NOTICES.
THE BUILDING SECURITY FUND AND EXPENDITURE F BUDGET IS 97% NON-PERSONNEL COST, WHICH INCLUDE CONTRACT BUILDING SECURITY FOR ALL COURT LOCATIONS.
THERE IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF COST THAT ARE PERSONNEL RELATED, WHICH ARE TIED TO THE RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS.
THE COURT TECHNOLOGY FUND EXPENDITURE BUDGET IS A HUNDRED PERCENT PERSONNEL COST PRIMARILY IN THE OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES CATEGORY, WHICH INCLUDES SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE LICENSING AND MAINTENANCE, CS SMART SUPPORT AND FUNDING FOR TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT.
THE LOCAL YOUTH DIVERSION FUND EXPENDITURE BUDGET IS 91% PERSONNEL, WHICH FUNDS THE SALARY AND BENEFITS OF THE JUVENILE CASE MANAGER STAFF.
THE REMAINING 9% OF THE BUDGET IS NON-PERSONNEL.
THAT IS PRIMARILY RESTRICTED INTER FUND COSTS, SUPPLIES, NON-CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.
THE OTHER SERVICES AND CHARGES CATEGORY INCLUDE VARIOUS COSTS THAT SUPPORT THE JUVENILE CASE MANAGER, STAFF
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OPERATIONS, AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.THIS FUND IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY GRANT FOR TRUANCY PREVENTION INITIATIVES THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION.
THE NEXT TWO SLIDES THAT YOU SEE INCLUDE COMPARISONS OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE BY FISCAL YEAR.
THE BLUE SECTIONS ARE TIED TO THE GENERAL FUND AND THE YELLOW SECTIONS TO OUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS.
THIS SLIDE FEATURES EXPENDITURES.
THE FY 25 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE BUDGET REFLECTS A 5% DECREASE FROM THE FY 24 BUDGET.
THREE OF OUR SPECIAL FUNDS THE BUILDING SECURITY FUND, THE TECHNOLOGY FUND, AND THE L LOCAL YOUTH DIVERSION FUND INCLUDE EXPENDITURE BUDGETS.
THE MUNICIPAL JURY FUND CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE EXPENDITURES BUDGETED DUE TO ITS LIMITED FUND BALANCE.
THIS BAR GRAPH REFLECTS REVENUE BY FISCAL YEAR, THE FY 25 REVENUE BUDGETS FOR THE GENERAL FUND, AND ALL FOUR MCD SPECIAL FUNDS REMAIN IN LINE WITH THE FY 24 ESTIMATE.
THE FY 25 PROPOSED REVENUE REMAINS IN LINE WITH THE FY 24 ESTIMATE ACROSS ALL MCD FUNDS.
MCD HAS VARIOUS INTERNAL INITIATIVES IN PLACE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE THE REVENUE.
THESE WILL BE DISCUSSED AT GREATER LENGTH AT LATER ON DURING THE PRESENTATION.
SO I'LL PROCEED WITH THE NEXT SECTION OF THE BUDGET.
THIS PART CONCLUDES THIS PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION.
THIS NEXT SECTION OF THE PRESENTATION WILL FEATURE ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT LEVEL INFORMATION.
THIS ORGANIZATIONAL CHART INCLUDES MY EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THEIR AREAS OF OVERSIGHT.
I'M EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS AMAZING TEAM OF LEADERS WHO SUPPORT ME AND ARE HERE TO DATE AND HELP FOLLOW THE MISSION.
THE GRAPH AND CHART SHOWN HERE PROVIDE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF MCDS DEMOGRAPHICS, WHICH ARE REFLECTIVE IN OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY.
NEXT SLIDE LISTED HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THIS PAST YEAR.
OUR SPECIAL DOCKETS CONTINUE TO OFFER EQUITABLE CASE RESOLUTION OPTIONS TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.
THE HOMELESS DOCKET IS HELD THREE TIMES PER MONTH, AND THROUGH MARCH, 2024, WE CLOSE CLOSE TO 101,500 CASES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR HOMELESS COURT ARE EVIDENT IN THE CITY'S OVERALL SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS IN COMBATING HOMELESSNESS.
AS FEATURED ON ONE OF OUR RECENT CBS MORNING NEWS STORIES, THE MCD WEDDING INITIATIVE GROWS IN POPULARITY EACH YEAR.
FOR FY 24, WE HAVE OUTPERFORMED FY 23 BY 14% IN THE NUMBER OF WEDDINGS WE'VE DONE, AND BY 43% IN REVENUE.
TEEN COURT CONTINUES TO GROW AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR YOUTH.
THE THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A VALUABLE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH HANDS-ON ME MENTORSHIP.
THIS YEAR, WE'VE HAD OVER 120 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS, AS WELL AS JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS, JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, AND DEFENSE BAR MEMBERS WHO GENEROUSLY GIVE OF THEIR TIME.
WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW VISITORS AND ENCOURAGE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEIR STAFF TO JOIN US ON ONE OF OUR MONTHLY SESSIONS.
FINALLY, OUR PASSPORT PROGRAM IS CELEBRATING ITS THIRD YEAR, AND IT CONTINUES TO SERVE MORE CUSTOMERS.
I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF OUR STAFF WHO ARE DEDICATED TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THIS INITIATIVE.
I'M VERY PLEASED TO SHARE THE RESULTS OF OUR MOST RECENT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY.
WE CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION FROM THE PUBLIC WE SERVE, AND THE EX AND THE RESULTS ARE REFLECTIVE OF OUR STRONG COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.
THIS CHART INCLUDES A COMPARISON OF EXPENDITURES FOR ALL MCD FUNDS BY FISCAL YEAR.
WHILE THE GENERAL FUND HAS A DECREASE OF 5%, THERE'S A 4% OVERALL DECREASE FOR FY 25 WHEN COMPARED TO THE FY 24 BUDGET.
THIS CHART INCLUDES A COMPARISON OF REVENUE FOR ALL MCD FUNDS BY FISCAL YEAR.
THE COMBINED FY 25 PROPOSED REVENUE REFLECTS A 1% INCREASE FROM THE 20 FROM THE FY 24 ESTIMATE.
THIS LIST INCLUDES MORE DETAILS REGARDING THE CITYWIDE RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS.
I'M KEEPING THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR CENTRAL COURTHOUSE ON THE RADAR BECAUSE SEVEN YEARS LATER, THE BASEMENT
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LEVEL REMAINS A NON-USABLE SPACE AS WE SPEAK.THE STAFF WAS DISPLACED AND MANY HAVE BEEN RELOCATED AND COMBINED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF THE G COURTHOUSE.
WE'VE MADE POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD THIS YEAR, AND WE REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT A PERMANENT LOCATION FOR THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE YEAR AHEAD.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND GSD WHO CONTINUE TO WORK DILIGENTLY ON THIS PROJECT.
THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF OUR FY 24 5 BUDGET, AND I WANNA TAKE THANK MY ENTIRE COURT TEAM WHO HAVE BEEN SO FLEXIBLE AND CONTINUE TO WORK AND MOVE AROUND IN PLACES THAT WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WE HAD IN THE G BUILDING.
THEY'VE BEEN VERY FLEXIBLE AND, AND VERY SUPPORTIVE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE PARTNER DEPARTMENTS FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU, JUDGE FOR THAT GREAT PRESENTATION.
I'M NOT SURE IF I MISSED IT ON THE, ON YOUR, UM, ON YOUR PROGRAMS, BUT DO WE STILL HAVE A SAFE HAVEN COURT? YES.
WE HAVE OUTREACH AND WE CALL IT, UM, SAFE HARBOR.
KATE LER WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN'S OFFICE.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, AND IT'S SO EXCITING TO HEAR Y'ALL SPOTLIGHT ALL OF YOUR AMAZING PROGRAMS LIKE TEEN COURT, SAFE HARBOR, ET CETERA.
UH, I UNDERSTAND YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET IS A REDUCTION WHEN WE COMPARE IT TO THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET.
WAS THE MUNICIPAL COURTS ASKED PROPOSED BUDGETARY CUTS OR WERE YOU INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY EXEMPTION? AND TWO, OUR MAGISTRATE JUDGES AT THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER INCLUDED IN YOUR CUTS? AND WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROCESSING WITHIN THE SYSTEM IF, UM, THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE JUDGES ARE IMPACTED? OUR, OUR BUDGET CUTS WERE 5%, SO WE WEREN'T EXCLUDED, SO WE CUT 1.3 MILLION FROM OUR BUDGET.
THE REDUCTION WAS, UH, THE MAJORITY OF IT WAS IN OUR VACANCIES.
WE HAD A LOT, WE HAD TO GIVE UP, UH, UH, QUITE A FEW VACANCIES.
THE REDUCTION IN MAGISTRATE HOURS AT THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER, WE WILL STILL BE THERE THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME.
WE SIMPLY CUT OUT THE OVERNIGHT.
UM, WE WILL STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO, TO KEEP THE, THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF AND EVERYONE THERE AT THAT POINT.
BUT WE WILL STILL BE IN THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER, AND WE DID, UH, WE REALIGNED IT COSTS AS WELL.
SO THOSE WERE THE REDUCTIONS THAT WE DID.
AND, AND HELLO JUDGE MARSHALL.
IT'S GOOD TO, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
UM, WE SPOKE RECENTLY ABOUT SITUATION OVER AT THE, UH, JOINT PROCESSING CENTER WITH REGARD TO MAGISTRATES WILL, WILL THIS BUDGET AND THE CUTS THAT YOU'RE MAKING AFFECT THE AVAILABILITY OF, UM, UH, CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL JUDGES OVER THERE.
WILL IT AFFECT THE JUDGES? I, I'M SORRY, I WILL IT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE, UH, MUNICIPAL JUDGES OVER THERE FOR WARRANTS AND, AND PC HEARINGS AND WHATNOT? NO, WE WILL STILL HAVE JUDGES THERE.
THE, THE SEVEN DAYS, IT IS JUST THE OVERNIGHT HOURS THAT, I MEAN, WHEN WE GOT DOWN TO THE CUTS, THAT, THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE, THE HARDEST ONE FOR US TO FEEL SIMPLY BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS OVER THERE ARE NOT AS GOOD OVERNIGHT.
AND WE HAVE A LOT OF FEMALE JUDGES, AND JUST RECENTLY FROM THE TORNADO, WE WERE ALL LOCKED IN AND NO ONE COULD GET OUT.
AND, AND SO WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THAT.
WE HAVE A JUDGE EIGHT TO FIVE.
WE'LL HAVE A JUDGE ALL THE WAY PROBABLY TILL TILL 11 OR 12.
AND SO THE GAP WILL PROBABLY BE JUST ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN HOURS WHERE WE WON'T BE THERE.
BUT OUR JUDGE HAS PROCESSED ABOUT 450 SEARCH AND BLOOD WARRANTS A MONTH.
UH, AS OPPOSED TO THE COUNTY JUDGES WHO ARE, ARE THERE AS WELL, THEY DO ABOUT 50 TO A HUNDRED.
SO HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE, UH, IF THERE'S A GAP, THEY CAN FILL THAT GAP.
AND, AND, UH, ALSO THE, I NOTICED THE CHRONICLE, HOUSTON CHRONICLE DID A STORY RECENTLY ON THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS WHO GET TICKETED AND, AND THE NUMBER OF TICKETS THEY GET.
AND I NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE A HOMELESS RECOVERY, UH, PROGRAM THROUGH THE COURTS.
AND I, I ASSUME THAT HOMELESS RECOVERY WOULD REQUIRE, UH, A DEFENDANT WHO IS HOMELESS TO GO AHEAD AND PLEAD TO CHARGE OR MULTIPLE CHARGES IN ORDER TO GET INTO THE PROGRAM.
IS THAT, IS THAT HOW THAT WORKS? OR, THEY ARE WORKING WITH VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS, AND THEY PROVIDE THE NAMES.
THEY, THEY GO THROUGH A PROGRAM WITH THOSE, WITH THOSE VARIOUS PROGRAMS. THEN THEY PROVIDE A NAME, UM, FOR
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THAT DEFENDANT TO BE PLACED.THEY PROVIDE THE PROSECUTORS THE NAME FOR THAT DEFENDANT TO BE PLACED ON A DOCKET, AND THEY WILL INTER PLEA SOMETIMES, MOST OF THE TIMES THEY WILL BE, UH, JUST DISCHARGED OR DISMISSED IF THEY DO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FOLLOW THE PROGRAMS THAT THE VARIOUS AGENCIES WANT THEM TO DO.
SO THAT'S HOW WE ARE CLOSING ABOUT 1,500.
AND THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, UH, THE PROCESS, UH, AT THE STAR OF HOPE.
THEY'RE GOING THROUGH VARIOUS DIFFERENT, UH, PROGRAMS TO, TO GET THEIR CASES RESOLVED.
AND DO YOU SAY THEY'RE ABOUT 1,500 DEFENDANTS WHO GO THROUGH THERE EVERY YEAR? IS THAT NO, WE, SINCE MARCH OF THIS YEAR, WE'VE CLOSED LIKE ONE 1,500.
COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER, I SEE YOU HAD A SLIDE IN HERE ABOUT HARVEY.
CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH EXACTLY WHERE YOU AT? AND I, I, TO BE HONEST, I DON'T HAVE A REAL GOOD UNDERSTANDING, AND I'D JUST LIKE YOU TO EXPLAIN THAT TO ME.
HARVEY WAS 2017 WHEN HARVEY HIT US, IT WASHED OUT THE ENTIRE BASEMENT OF THE G COURTHOUSE, OUR CENTRAL COURTHOUSE.
WE HAD, UH, SIX COURTROOMS. WE HAD STAFFING FOR OUR BONDING DIVISION.
WE HAD OUR CASHIER'S DIVISION.
WE HAD, UM, OUR PARKING, SOME OF OUR PARKING DIVISION WERE IN THAT BASEMENT, AND HARVEY TOOK IT ALL OUT.
UH, WE ARE WORKING WITH FEMA TO TRY TO GET A NEW BUILDING.
WE HAVE TO FIND A LOCATION AT THIS TIME, BUT THAT, WHEN THAT, UH, WHEN IT HIT, WE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.
WE COULDN'T, UH, RENOVATE IT FOR HARVEY, SO WE HAD TO MOVE OUT.
I HAVE STAFF IN CLOSETS WORKING OUTTA CLOSETS.
WE'VE RENOVATED THOSE AS OFFICES.
IT HAS BEEN AMAZING TO WATCH HOW WE HAVE MADE, UH, A ROOM OUT OF, OUT OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE NOTHING.
AND FROM THIS TO, SINCE HARVEY, WE HAVE STILL NO BASEMENT.
SO IS EVERYONE IN THE SAME BUILDING FROM THE, FOR THE G COURTHOUSE? YES, SIR.
HAS ANYBODY HAD TO GO TO A DIFFERENT BUILDING OR THE ONLY ONES THAT WENT WERE, I THINK OUR SIX 11.
SOME OF OUR, UH, MAYBE COMPLIANCE OFFICE MOVED THERE, BUT EVERYONE ELSE, THE BAILIFFS ARE STILL THERE.
UM, IT'S JUST THAT THE BASEMENT ISN'T ACCESSIBLE.
AND YOU'VE HAD TO MAKE DO WITH WHAT THE SPACE YES, SIR.
I LIKE THE PART IN YOUR PRESENTATION WHEN, WHERE YOU SAID YOU REMAIN HOPEFUL, REMAIN HOPEFUL.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR WORKING UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS FOR A LONG TIME.
UH, JUST REAL QUICKLY, UH, UH, JUDGE MARSH, GOOD TO HEAR YOU.
I'D JUST LIKE TO ASK YOU IF YOU WOULD GIVE ME SOME OF THE POINTS TO THE, UH, THE, UH, THE VETERANS COURT.
UH, EXPLAINED, JUST, UH, IN TERMS OF OKAY.
YOUR INITIATIVES REGARDING THE VETERANS VETERANS COURT.
AH, UH, MY, MY FATHER WAS ACTUALLY THE ONE THAT GAVE ME THIS IDEA BEFORE HE PASSED BECAUSE RIGHT.
AND IT WAS ACTUALLY WHEN HARVEY HIT THAT HE WAS SAYING THAT HE WAS, HE WAS VERY ACTIVE.
SO HE WAS VERY ACTIVE IN THE VA AND HE SAID, A LOT OF GUYS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE COPIES OF THEIR DD TWO FOURTEENS.
THEY NEED TO MAKE COPIES OF DIFFERENT THINGS, SO THEY'RE WITHOUT, AND HIS BIGGEST COMPLAINT WAS GOING TO THE VA YEAH.
SO OUR INITIATIVE WAS TO PARTNER WITH, UH, UH, THE, UM, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT, THE VA.
WE, WE PARTNERED WITH THE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER ARMS. WE'VE PARTNERED WITH EVERYONE WE COULD THINK OF TO GET THEM TO COME TO US.
SO THE LOOK ON THE VETERAN'S FACE WHEN THEY WOULD COME TO COURT, BECAUSE MOST OF THEM, WHEN THEY GET OUTTA SERVICE, AND IF THEY'RE BOMBERS OR IF THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, MAKING, UH, BUILDING TANKS, THOSE JOBS AREN'T READILY AVAILABLE WHEN YOU GET OUT.
SO THEY'RE JUST KIND OF STRUGGLING TRYING TO FIND A, FIND THEIR NICHE, AND AS SOON AS THE LIGHTS AND THE SIRENS GET ON BEHIND THEM, IT, IT JUST FRIGHTENS THEM.
WE HAVE ALL THE PLA WE HAVE ALL THE THINGS ACCESSIBLE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW MM-HMM
AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
PARTNERING WITH, UH, LAW FIRMS THAT ARE COMING IN.
UM, THE BEACON LAW FIRM COMES TO US AND THEY COME AND THE LOOK ON THEIR FACE THAT I DON'T HAVE TO GO SIT AT THE VA FOR 45 MINUTES TO GET THE ANSWER TO A QUESTION THAT ABSOLUTELY I CAN GET.
AND THAT'S BEEN THE ASCENT INCENTIVE.
WE HAVE FOUND DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP THEM, UH, TO GIVE THEM CREDIT TO, SO THAT WHEN THEY LEAVE US, THEY LEAVE KNOWING THAT THEY, THE, THE THINGS THAT WERE HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD IN TERMS OF A CITATION ARE NO LONGER THERE.
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AS A VETERAN.BECAUSE OFTENTIMES, AS I SAY HERE, WE, WE OVERLOOK THE SERVICES OF OUR VETERAN MEN AND WOMEN AND WHAT THEY DO.
AND, UH, I JUST THINK THAT OUR CITY AND ALL THE PEOPLE NEED TO START PAYING MORE ATTENTION AND REALLY DO ALL WE CAN TO, TO SERVE OUR VETERANS.
I SEE NO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE QUEUE AND NO PUBLIC SPEAKERS FOR THIS.
SO YOU GUYS WE'RE BACK ON TRACK.
GREAT PRESENTATION AND APPRECIATE ALL THE GOOD WORK YOU DO AT THE COURT.
WE'LL TAKE A BRIEF BREAK TILL FOUR O'CLOCK AND THEN WE'LL START THE PARKS.