[1. Call meeting to order]
[00:00:04]
I WONDER. IT SEEMS LIKE. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. IF YOU'LL JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE, PLEASE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS. ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. OKAY, WELL, THANK YOU AND WELCOME THIS MORNING TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE GOING TO DEVIATE
[a. Consideration and action on declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.]
HERE JUST A LITTLE BIT ON THE CHILD WELFARE WELFARE BOARD PROCLAMATION, BECAUSE THERE'S SOME PEOPLE HERE THAT I THINK THAT ARE ON A BREAK THAT PROBABLY NEED TO GET BACK TO THEIR DAILY ROUTINE. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT UP. UNDERNEATH THE PLEDGES HERE, UNLESS THERE'S AN OBJECTION TO ANYONE THAT NEEDED ONE, THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY OBJECTION. OKAY. SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE THAT UP SO THEY CAN GET BACK TO THEIR DAILY BUSINESS. IT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON THE CLEARING APRIL OF 2025 IS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH. AND WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS 99 CHILDREN DIED FROM CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN TEXAS IN 2024, WHEREAS 547 INVESTIGATIONS WERE CONDUCTED, 170 CONFIRMED CASES OF ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND TWO DEATHS FROM SAN PATRICIO COUNTY, TEXAS IN 2024. WHEREAS 144,189 INVESTIGATIONS, 34,394 CHILDREN WERE CONFIRMED VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN TEXAS IN 2024. WHEREAS ALMOST EVERY 15 MINUTES A CHILD BECOMES A VICTIM OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, WHEREAS 94 CHILDREN ENTERED FOSTER CARE SYSTEM EACH DAY, WHEREAS CHILDREN ABUSE CHILD ABUSE. EXCUSE ME. PREVENTION IS A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND FINDING SOLUTIONS DEPENDS ON INVOLVEMENT AMONG ALL PEOPLE. AND WHEREAS EFFECTIVE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS SUCCEED BECAUSE OF THE PARTICIPATION AMONG AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS, EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND SHOULD BECOME MORE AWARE OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION. WHEREAS THE CHESHIRE COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD WAS FORMED IN 1975 WITH A MISSION OF IMPROVING THE LIVES OF LOCAL CHILDREN WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT. WHEREAS LOCAL VOLUNTEERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE SAN PATRICIO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WORK TOGETHER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES IN AN EFFORT TO MEET THE TANGIBLE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. WHEREAS 2025 MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAN PATRICIO COUNTY WELFARE BOARD. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JUDGE DAVID KREBS, ALONG WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025 TO BE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY, TEXAS, AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP REDUCE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE YEARS TO COME. DATED THIS 31ST DAY OF MARCH 2025. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO JUDGE? ALL MOVE TO APPROVE DECLARING APRIL 2025 AS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION. SECOND, A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER YARDLEY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ZAGORSKY. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON ABUSE PROCLAMATION. JUST CONGRATULATIONS. I CAN TELL Y'ALL CONGRATULATIONS FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE HERE IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. THAT MEANS A LOT TO THE CHILDREN AND A LOT TO THE PEOPLE HERE IN SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY THAT YOU ALL ARE WORKING SO DILIGENTLY TO PROVIDE TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE HERE IN THE COUNTY. SO CONGRATULATIONS. SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. OKAY. MOTION CARRIED. MISS GONZALEZ IS GOING TO PASS IT AROUND SO WE CAN SIGN. AND THEN IF Y'ALL WANT TO GET TOGETHER HERE IN THE FRONT, WE WILL GET A PICTURE WITH YOU ALL. AND WHO WANTS TO BE THE SPEAKER? WHERE'S. YEAH, I WANT TO LET HER KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. I THINK Y'ALL HAVE SOME ACTIVITIES TODAY THAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT. YES. I DREW THE SHORT STRAW. SORRY. I'M HEATHER MARKS, AND I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN PATRICIO CHILD WELFARE BOARD. AND IT IS AN HONOR TO[00:05:04]
SERVE ON THIS BOARD. IT IS AN HONOR TO DO WHAT WE DO. IT IS SO VERY INCREDIBLE TO THINK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF 50 YEARS. AND SO WE NONE OF US HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 50 YEARS, BUT WE SOMETIMES I THINK WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN WHEN WE THINK OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT WE DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR KIDS IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY, AND SO WE CAN'T DO ANY OF THAT WITHOUT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SUPPORT OF THAT. WE EXIST BECAUSE THEY APPOINT US AND ALLOW US TO DO WHAT WE DO. THEY WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH FUNDS THAT ARE GIVEN FROM THE COMMUNITY. AND THEN BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPORT, THERE IS AN OPTION FOR JURORS TO DONATE TO US IN LIEU OF RECEIVING THEIR JUROR PAY. AND SO I THANK ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF SAN PATRICIO COUNTY. IF YOU'VE SERVED ON JURY DUTY AND ASKED FOR THAT. I'VE BEEN ASKED FOR A DONATION. AND GIVEN THAT THIS IS WHERE IT GOES. AND SO WE'RE ALSO COLLECTING THAT AND OUR AUDIO DEPARTMENT AS WELL.AND THAT IS AN OPTION TOO. AND SO BECAUSE OF THAT AND BECAUSE OF THE CITIZENS THAT HAVE SAID YES TO THAT AND TO SUPPORTING SAN PATRICIO COUNTY CHILDREN. WE'RE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF GOOD.
AND SO WE HAVE A LITTLE SHORT VIDEO AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT, WANT TO IF WE CAN SHOW THAT NOW OR IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE AND THEN SHOW IT. UP, GO AHEAD. OH HE'S READY.
VERY GOOD. OKAY. SO THAT THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE ROUNDUP OF JUST SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AND ARE ABLE TO DO WITH YOUR SUPPORT. AND SO WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I WANT TO INTRODUCE OUR BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE TODAY. I'M GOING TO JUST GO IN ORDER GOT GRACIE ELLEN GONZALEZ.
WE'VE GOT PAM BREWER, WE HAVE MONICA ADAMS, WE HAVE ETHAN ADAMS, WE HAVE ASHLEY COX AND NOELIA ORTIZ. AND THERE THERE ARE A FEW THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT TODAY. BUT WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. IF YOU SEE US OUT ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN IN A LITTLE BIT, WE'RE GOING TO BE PLACING PINWHEELS OUT ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. EACH PINWHEEL PLACED REPRESENTS A CHILD IN OUR COUNTY THAT WAS A VICTIM OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT. AND SO IT'S A VERY IT'S SOMETHING VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS. IT IT IT'S THEY'RE CUTE AND THEY'RE THEY CATCH YOUR ATTENTION. BUT EACH ONE OF THEM MEANS SOMETHING. AND SO FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS IS A GREAT HONOR. AND WE JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. WE'RE WE WILL KIND OF CONTINUE OUR PRESENTATION TO YOU AT A LUNCHEON LATER ON TODA, AND SHARING MORE ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH
[00:10:03]
OVER THIS YEAR, BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHTING WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS. AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.YOU'RE HOLDING THAT SIGN. RIGHT? THERE. ONE. TWO. THREE. GO. YEAH. THANK YOU. WOULD YOU.
LIKE IN 19. OH, THEY RAN UP. THANK YOU. I NEED IT FOR MY. OKAY. WE WILL GO BACK UP TO ITEM
[3. Citizens to be heard]
1.3. I DO HAVE ONE CARD FOR 1.3. ALFRED RUIZ. ALFREDO RUIZ. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ALFREDO RUIZ. I LIVE IN PORTLAND AS A CITIZEN OF SAN PATRICIO. I VIEWED A VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE JUDGE KREBS AND COMMISSIONER HOWARD GILLEPSIE FROM PRECINCT FOUR, IN WHICH BOTH ADDRESSED THE CITY OF INGLESIDE. MARCH 25TH, 2025. AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, BOTH KREBS AND GILLESPIE ACCUSED COMMISSIONER TOMMY ROE OF NOT COLLABORATING WITH ALL COMMUNITIES WITH TAKING ACTION ON HIS OWN. THIS IS FALSE. ON MARCH 19TH, I TRAVELED TO AUSTIN FOR SAN PATRICIO DAY. AS A RESIDENT. I NOTICED THAT JUDGE KREBS WAS IN ATTENDANCE WITH PRECINCT COMMISSIONER WILLIAMSON. CASKEY AND RUBEN GONZALEZ, ALL THREE DRESSED FORMALLY. I ALSO NOTICED EMPLOYEES SUSAN BOUTWELL AND SCOTT MIRIAM. NON-ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE IN ATTENDANCE WITH OTHER COUNTY RESIDENTS IN A SMALL GROUP OF EIGHT. NOT PRESENT WAS HOWARD GILLESPIE, A SELECT GROUP, A SELECT GROUP OF JUDGES. KREBS, WHICH HE INVITED, EXCLUDING COMMISSIONER TOMMY ARTHUR. I ASKED COMMISSIONER TOMMY EARLY IF HE TRAVELED TO AUSTIN WITH A GROUP. HIS RESPONSE WAS NO. COMMISSIONER LAWLEY THEN INFORMED ME JUDGE KREBS DID NOT LET HIM KNOW THAT THEY WOULD BE RECOGNIZED ON THE SENATE FLOOR. PRETTY SHAMEFUL.THIS DEMONSTRATES A LACK OF LEADERSHIP TO UNITE ALL PRECINCT FOUR COMMISSIONERS WORK FOR SAN PATRICIO TO WORK TOGETHER. MY QUESTION TO COMMISSIONER HOWARD GILLESPIE, WERE YOU PRESENT ON THE 3RD OF MARCH AND ON THE FOURTH ON THE 19TH OF MARCH IN AUSTIN? NO, SIR, I DIDN'T SEE.
COMMISSIONER YEARLY IS A HIGHLY IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED COMMISSIONER FOR PRECINCT TWO WHERE I LIVE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT HE IS STILL DRIVING THE SAME TRUCK, WHICH THE PREVIOUS COMMISSIONER, GARY MOORE, HAD. PRETTY GOOD BECAUSE GARY MOORE WAS IN OFFICE FOR A WHILE. HE TAKES CARE OF COUNTY TAXPAYER MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT COMMISSIONER YEARLY IS A NAVAL OFFICER HAS BEEN AT THE PENTAGON AND HAS HAD SECURITY CLEARANCE. PRETTY AMAZING. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE AND ASK AND I GOT MY ANSWER EARLIER, WHAT? JUDGE KREBS IS DRIVING A PRETTY EXPENSIVE TAHOE. RUBEN GONZALEZ RECEIVED A NEW TRUCK. WHY COULDN'T HE USE LILY'S TRUCK? THAT WAS THAT. SHE WAS IN THE OFFICE FOR YEARS. PRETTY NEW TRUCK. MY QUESTION TO YOU, JUDGE KREBS. YOU ADVISE OF A MEETING CALLED BY SENATOR EDMUND HAUSER? MY QUESTION TO YOU, JUDGE CRAIG.
WERE YOU ADVISED OF THE MEETING CALLED BY SENATOR ADAM MENDOZA? DATE OF NOTICE FEBRUARY 25TH, 2025, TITLED COASTAL BEND WATER PROVIDERS, MANAGERS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MARCH THE 3RD AT 3 P.M. THAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE TAXPAYERS. THE COURT HELD, IS OVER BUDGET. ANIMAL SHELTER TOOK TOO LONG AS. WE KNOW. THANK YOU. OKAY. THE OTHER CARD I HAVE
[00:15:10]
IS FROM WANTS TO TALK ON ITEM 2.4 G. SO WE'LL WAIT FOR THAT UNLESS HE WANTS TO SPEAK NOW.OKAY. ANY OTHER CITIZENS TO BE HEARD? OKAY. HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND
[4. PUBLIC NOTICE: Demory Lane will be closed on Monday, March 31st to April 4th, 2025. The County will be working on replacing drainage pipes that run underneath the road. Barricades and detour signs will be placed to direct the flow of traffic.]
GO DOWN TO 1.4, WHICH IS A PUBLIC NOTICE. DEMERY LANE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, MARCH 31ST THROUGH APRIL 4TH, 2025. THE COUNTY WILL BE WORKING ON REPLACING DRAINAGE PIPES THAT RUN UNDERNEATH THE ROAD. BARRICADES AND DETOUR SIGNS WILL BE PLACED TO DIRECT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. MISTER, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT? NO, SIR. UNLESS THE RAINS DO. WE JUST HAD MAKE IT TOO WET TO DO SO. BUT WE'RE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY OF ARANSAS PASS TO DO THIS. THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE BARRICADES, THE FLAGGING, THE SIGNAGE, AND WE'RE GOING TO CUT THE ROAD AND PUT THE NEW CULVERTS IN UNDERNEATH IT. OKAY. SO RIGHT NOW THIS THIS MORNING WE'RE PLANNING ON DOING IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE GROUND'S LIKE WHEN WE START DIGGING.[5. Report from Judge, Commissioner or Department concerning an item/report of community interest.]
OKAY. OKAY. 1.5 IS A REPORT FROM JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER ZAGORSKY. LAST WEEK WE WERE DEALING WITH RAIN, BUT WE WERE ALSO DEALING WITH POTHOLES. AND SOME OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY CRATERS OUT THERE. AND WE WERE RESPONDING AS MANY PLACES AS WE POSSIBLY COULD.WE'LL BE CONTINUING ON THIS WEEK. WE'VE YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTY OUT THERE WHICH ARE COVERED BY MOU, BUT I'M GOING OUT THERE WHEN THE REQUESTS COME IN, WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT THERE AND LOOKING AT THE THINGS AND TAKING CARE OF THE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS FIRST, AND THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE A CRATER AND YOU GOT A POTHOLE. IT'S ONE THING WHEN YOU GOT A CRATER, IT'S ANOTHER. SO WE'LL CONTINUE ON. AND WE ALSO JUST MOVED OUR EQUIPMENT FROM FROM AN OLDER MOSQUITO TRUCK TO ONE OF OUR OTHER TRUCKS. SO WE'RE READY TO GET OUT THERE AND HANDLE THOSE PESKY LITTLE CRITTERS THAT COME ALONG WITH RAIN. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. COMMISSIONER CHARLIE.
JUDGE. THANK YOU. I HAVE NOTHING REALLY TO REPORT, BUT I DO SEE BEVERLY MOORE IN OUR AUDIENCE.
SO I THINK I'LL SAY WHAT MY PREDECESSOR USED TO SAY. AND THAT IS EVERYTHING IS GOOD IN PRECINCT TWO. THANK YOU. MR. GONZALEZ. YES. WE JUST LAID THE LIME ON THE ROAD ON 2349.
NOTHING. NOTHING. OKAY. NOTHING OTHER THAN I'VE ALREADY REPORTED ABOUT DEBRIS. DEPARTMENT HEADS, ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD? I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MORNING. OKAY. I SEE GABRIEL'S NOT HERE. WE DID HAVE A TIRE DRIVE OVER THE WEEKEND AT OUR COUNTY BARN. THAT GABRIEL AND HIS STAFF SET UP. I WILL, I'D LIKE TO THANK GABRIEL AND HIS STAFF. THEY MANNED IT WELL. I THINK WE COLLECTED MAYBE 200 TIRES OUT THERE, WHICH IS MORE THAN I WAS ANTICIPATING. SO I DO APPRECIATE GABRIEL AND HIS STAFF COMING OUT THERE ON A SATURDAY TO PICK UP TIRES. HIM AND HIS STAFF DO A FANTASTIC JOB ON THESE TIRE CLEANUPS AND TRASH PICKUP AROUND THE COUNTY. OKAY. 2.2. 2.1 IS OUR APPROVAL OF THE
[1. Approval of minutes]
MINUTES OF OUR LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING. EMAIL TO YOU IF THERE'S NOT ANY CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS. I MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND. OKAY, I GOT IT. COMMISSIONER YARDLEY MADE THE MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GORSKI. NO COMMENTS. SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. UNDER FINANCIAL AGENDA[a. Examination, consideration, and action on approval of all claims against San Patricio County Pursuant to section 113.064, Texas Local Government Code.]
2.2 A IS EXAMINATION. CONSIDERATION OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST SAN PATRICIO COUNTY.MOVED TO PAY THE BILLS. SECOND. MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY SIKORSKY TO PAY THE BILLS. ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY BILL PRESENTED THIS MORNING? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. 2.2 B BUDGET LINE ITEM TRANSFERS. WE
[c. Consideration and action on accepting bank reconciliation, investment reports, and related matters by County Treasurer. ]
DO NOT HAVE ANY THIS MORNING THAT I KNOW OF. AND THEN 2.2 C IS CONSIDERATION ACTION BANK RECONCILIATION TREASURER'S REPORT. MISS GARCIA. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. THIS WEEK'S HEALTH TRANSFER IS $88,200. OUR SECTION 125 TOTALS $5,371.17. WE HAVE FIVE ASSERTED CLAIMS FOR A TOTAL OF $37,337. EXCUSE ME. AND $0.27. AND OUR ESCROW TOTAL IS $1,454.19. I MOVE TO ACCEPT TREASURER'S REPORT. THANK YOU. A MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECOND BY ZAGORSKY TO APPROVE TREASURE REPORT. ANY QUESTIONS, MISS GARCIA? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. OKAY. GOING[3. Consent Agenda: All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the Commissioners Court. Members of the Commissioners Court have been furnished documentation on each item, and all such items may be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately unless requested by County Judge or a Commissioner:]
DOWN INTO 2.3 IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. WE DO HAVE TWO THIS MORNING. AND IS ANY ONE OF[00:20:01]
THE COMMISSIONERS NEED EITHER ONE OF THOSE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION? OKAY. HEARING NONE 2.3 A IS TO PROCURE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS. MARCELLA AND CONTINUOUS EDUCATION HOURS OF TEN ON PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT AND 2.3 B IS CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF AIRPORT HANGAR LEASE AND INGLESIDE REGIONAL AIRPORT BETWEEN CHAMPIONSHIP COUNTY AND THE FOLLOWING C 11 MICHAEL LEAVITT, EFFECTIVE APRIL 1ST, 2025. MOVE TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 2.3 A AND B SECOND. I GOT A MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY YEARLY FOR APPROVAL.ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIED. GOING DOWN IN INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS 2.4 A, WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF. SO WE'LL GO TO 2.4 B
[b. Presentation by U.S. Small Business Administration in the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience on the assistance available to those that were impacted and/or suffered losses by the Welder Complex Wildfire of March 4-9, 2025. This will include who is eligible, what type of services are available and how the program works.]
PRESENTATION BY THE US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN THE OFFICE OF THE DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE, ON THE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE IMPACTED OR SUFFERED LOSS BY THE WELDER COMPLEX WILDFIRE ON MARCH THE 4TH THROUGH THE NINTH, 2025. THIS WILL INCLUDE AN ELIGIBLE, WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND WHAT TYPE OF SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AND HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. I AM, AS THE JUDGE INDICATED, WITH THE UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, AND I'VE BEEN AROUND WITH THE SBA FOR QUITE SOME TIME SINCE 1998. I EVEN RESPONDED TO HURRICANE IKE BACK IN 2008. SO IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HERE IN TEXAS. JUST RECENTLY I CAME FROM THE LA FIRES, AND WHEN I SENT A PICTURE TO MY SUPERVISOR OF ONE OF THE HOMES THAT WAS BURNT TO THE GROUND HERE IN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY, HE THOUGHT IT WAS FROM LA. NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, DISASTERS ALL LOOK THE SAME WHEN YOUR HOUSE BURNS DOWN. AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OUR PROGRAM. AND AGAIN, I'M HERE TO MAYBE ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS AND ENCOURAGE ALL TO APPLY FOR OUR LOANS. AND THE NEXT SLIDE WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH. AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US. AGAIN, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THESE DISASTERS. AND MOST PEOPLE KNOW FEMA, THEY DON'T KNOW THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, FEMA, OR, EXCUSE ME, EVERY COUNTY, EVERY CITY, THEY ALL GO BY THE SAME KIND OF ROLL CALL. BASICALLY, WHEN THERE IS A DISASTER AND THE CITY GETS OVERWHELMED, THEY USUALLY CONTACT THEIR COUNTY. AND WHEN THE COUNTY GETS OVERWHELMED, THEY USUALLY CONTACT THE STATE. AND THEN FROM THE STATE. WHEN THEY GET OVERWHELMED, THEY CALL IN THE FEDS, WHICH IS FEMA. AND GENERALLY THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF HOMES, A LOT OF DAMAGE. AND HERE IN SAN PATRICIO, THERE WAS ONLY MINOR DAMAGE AS FAR AS THEY'RE CONCERNED, OVER 2005 HOMES. SO YOUR GOVERNOR HAS REQUESTED THE SBA COME IN AND OFFER THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THAT DISASTER TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE. AND WITH OUR PROGRAM, WE TRY TO TAKE THE DISASTER VICTIM TO PRE-DISASTER CONDITION. FEMA GENERALLY PROVIDES ONLY LIMITED SOURCES OF EMERGENCY. THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS SAFE AND LIVABLE. THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION NOT ONLY DO WE HELP BUSINESSES, BUT WE HELP INDIVIDUAL HOMES. SO IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, HOW WE DO THAT, WE ACTUALLY WILL AGAIN HELP NOT ONLY BUSINESSES, HOMEOWNERS, BUT ALSO TENANTS, RENTERS THAT ARE IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S HOME, THOSE HOMES THAT WERE BEING RENTED OUT, THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. AND WE ALSO HELP NON-PROFITS SUCH AS CHURCHES, HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS. SO WE ENCOMPASS EVERYONE. WHEREAS FEMA'S PROGRAM ONLY COVERS HOMEOWNERS. SO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HELPS ALL YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. AND HERE IN SAN PATRICIO, WHAT THE SMALL BUSINESS ALSO DOES IS WE REACH OUT TO THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT DOES AFFECT THOSE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR ROADS HAVE BEEN CLOSED.SOMETIMES THE ASHES WILL FLY OVER AND AFFECT OTHER HOMES IN THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES. SO HERE EVERYONE WITH THIS DISASTER DECLARATION THAT'S IN ARANSAS, BEE COUNTY, JIM WELLS COUNTY,
[00:25:02]
LIVE OAK, NUECES AND REFUGIO. AND MY APOLOGIES IF I'M PRONOUNCING ANY OF THOSE INCORRECTLY. I'M ORIGINALLY A NEW YORKER, SO MY FORGIVENESS, PLEASE. BUT IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT THESE DISASTER SURVIVORS APPLY ONLINE OR IN PERSON BY MAY 19TH. AND OUR BUSINESSES, THEY HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 19TH TO APPLY. ONCE THOSE DATES COME AND THEY PULL IT FROM THE COMPUTER, THESE SURVIVORS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY ANY FURTHER. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET YOUR APPLICATION IN. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. NOW MANY PEOPLE AGAIN DO NOT KNOW ABOUT US. WHAT DO WE DO? WE OFFER LOANS SO THAT YOU CAN GO TO PRECONDITION PRE-DISASTER CONDITION. ONE THING WITH THE INSURANCE I HEAR MANY TIMES PEOPLE SAY, OH, I'M GOING TO WAIT FOR MY INSURANCE TO SEE WHAT THEY COVER. LET ME TELL YOU, I JUST DID. I WAS HERE IN BRAZORIA COUNTY TWO MONTHS AGO. THEY HAD SOME TORNADOES THAT WENT THROUGH. I SPOKE TO MANY SURVIVORS THAT SAID THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE BECAUSE THEY WERE FIGHTING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM. YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE INSURANCE TO BE SETTLED. WE AT THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION CAN OFFER LOANS FOR HOMEOWNERS UP TO $500,000 JUST FOR THE REPAIRS OF THEIR HOME, FOR THEIR LANDSCAPING, FOR THEIR FENCES. I'LL GO THROUGH THAT IN ANOTHER SLIDE IN A MINUTE. BUT FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY PEOPLE WHO, AGAIN, WERE RENTING AND THEY'VE LOST ALL THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY, PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE INSURANCE AND LIVE IN A HOME, THEY LOST THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING THEIR CARS. WE CAN GIVE LOANS UP TO $100,000 BASED ON THEIR DAMAGES. BUSINESSES. WE CAN GO UP TO $2 MILLION. AND THEN ONCE SOMEBODY IS APPROVED FOR A LOAN, WE CAN DO ONE STEP BETTER. WE CAN EVEN OFFER MITIGATION LOANS. SO LET'S JUST SAY SOMEBODY WHOSE HOUSE HAS BEEN BURNED, THEY'RE IN AN AREA THAT, WELL, IT MAY JUST HAPPEN AGAIN, OR EVEN IN A HURRICANE ZONE, WHICH I THINK TEXAS PRETTY MUCH IS. WE CAN OFFER MITIGATION LOANS. SO MAYBE SOMEBODY WANTS TO PUT ON A STEEL ROOF SO THAT CAN HELP NOT BURN, THAT CAN HELP THAT HOME PROTECT THEMSELVES. SO AGAIN, OUR LOANS, WE HAVE THESE GREAT PROGRAMS THAT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT. BUT AGAIN, THEY KNOW THAT OTHER F WORD. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. NOW AGAIN THESE USE OF PROCEEDS WHAT PEOPLE CAN USE THE LOANS FOR. AGAIN WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TAKING THEIR LOANS AND GOING TO DISNEY OR YOU KNOW ANY OTHER SORT OF TRIPS. BUT OUR LOANS ARE SPECIFIED WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT USE IT FOR. AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU MOST OF THE INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER ALL OF THIS. I HEARD, LIKE I SAID, IN BRAZORIA COUNTY, ONE GENTLEMAN, HE WAS WAITING FOR THAT INSURANCE. HE LOST HIS ENTIRE FENCE. HE LOST AN OUTBUILDING AND IT WAS NOT COVERED FROM INSURANCE. AND HE APPROACHED ME AT I DID A ROTARY CLUB IN TEXAS AND HE'S LIKE, I WISH I'D KNOWN ABOUT THIS. SO HERE I'M TELLING EVERYBODY, PLEASE APPLY FOR THOSE LOANS. BECAUSE AGAIN, INSURANCE IS NOT GOING TO COVER EVERYTHING. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS INSURANCE DOES IS THEY DEPRECIATE EVERYTHING. WE DON'T. WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT CHECK. SO YOU CAN GO TO THE STORE AND BUY ALL THE POTS AND PANS, THE PLATES, THE GLASSES, YOUR CLOTHING, YOUR TV, YOUR PLAYSTATIONS, EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE LOST IN THAT DISASTER. IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE, WE CONFRONT YOU, THAT MONEY, WE CAN ADVANCE IT TO YOU. AND THEN WHEN THE INSURANCE PAYS, YOU CAN JUST PUT IT DOWN ON THE LOAN AND REDUCE THAT BALANCE. AGAIN, FOR TENANTS, THEY AND HOMEOWNERS TOO, THEY MAY HAVE LOST THEIR AUTOMOBILES. MOST PEOPLE HAVE DEDUCTIBLES ON THEIR INSURANCE. AND I KNOW IN THE STATE THAT WE ALL IN MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INCREASING THEIR DEDUCTIBLE. SO THE FIRST THING THAT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF THEIR PAYMENT COULD BE 2000. SOME HOMES HAVE A 5000 DEDUCTIBLE. THE SBA CAN INCLUDE THOSE LOSSES AND THAT PAYMENT.SO AGAIN IT'S GOING TO GIVE YOU MORE MONEY TO RECOVER FROM THOSE DAMAGES. NEXT SLIDE. OKAY. OUR
[00:30:04]
INTEREST RATES NOW MOST AGAIN DISASTER SURVIVORS. THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO THE STORE.THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO HOME DEPOT. AND THEY'RE GOING TO START CHARGING THINGS WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS. THOSE SURVIVORS THEY HAVE THEIR RECEIPTS. THEY CAN ACTUALLY REPAY IT WITH OUR FUNDS BECAUSE, AGAIN, THESE ARE ITEMS THAT THEY'VE PURCHASED AT A HIGH RATE OF INTEREST. OUR LOANS, ONCE APPROVED, ARE AT 2.75%. AND I KNOW CREDIT CARDS AND I KNOW CONTRACTORS CHARGE A LOT MORE INTEREST THAN THAT. OUR BUSINESSES ARE AT 4% AND THOSE NONPROFITS ARE AT 3.625%. SO AGAIN, WE HAVE VERY, VERY LOW INTEREST RATES. AND THIS IS NOT I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BE ASHAMED OF ASKING FOR THIS ASSISTANCE. THIS IS A TAXPAYER BENEFIT THAT, AGAIN, MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT. AND WE DO THINK ABOUT THE SURVIVORS THINKING THEY'RE GOING TO NEED SOME TIME TO RECOVER. SO WE DON'T EVEN WANT A PAYMENT FOR ONE YEAR. WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCRUE ANY INTEREST DURING THAT FIRST 12 MONTHS. THERE'S NO COST TO APPLY AND THERE'S NO PREPAYMENT PENALTIES. SO MAYBE SOMEBODY DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE A LOAN FOR 15 YEARS. YOU CAN PAY IT OFF EARLY. WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHARGE YOU. AND THEN IF YOU DECIDE NO, THE INSURANCE WAS SUFFICIENT, THERE'S NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THAT LOAN.
BUT AGAIN, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR APPLICATION IN BY THAT MAY 19TH DATE, WE CAN HELP YOU. AND THEN YOU'VE GOT TO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE GO TO OUTSIDE HIGHER RATES FOR FUNDING. NEXT SLIDE. SO AGAIN WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE OUT AN SBA LOAN. OUR LOW INTEREST RATES. AGAIN NOBODY CAN COMPARE TO OURS. THERE'S NO COST TO APPLY OUR TERMS. WE CAN GO FROM 15 TO 30 YEARS. I WAS A FORMER LOAN OFFICER MYSELF. THAT'S WHEN I CAME ON BOARD. AND I'LL NEVER FORGET, I MADE A 30 YEAR LOAN TO A 90 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND SHE'S LIKE, HONEY, I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE THAT LONG. AND I SAYS, WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE DON'T JUDGE THESE LOANS BASED ON YOUR AGE. AND THIS IS ONE LOAN YOU CAN TAKE WITH YOU BECAUSE LOANS THAT ARE UNSECURED, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT A LIEN ON ANY OF YOUR HOMES. SO MANY PEOPLE AGAIN, DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROGRAM. IT'S THE FABULOUS PROGRAM. AGAIN NO REPAYMENT AND FUNDS. AGAIN, WE CONFRONT YOU THOSE INSURANCE FUNDS SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT INSURANCE TO COME THROUGH AND SAY, AND I AND I CAN TELL YOU, I'VE PROCESSED THOUSANDS OF LOANS. I'VE HEARD THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE INSURANCE, OH MY GOSH, THEY'RE NOT GIVING ME HALF AS MUCH AS WHAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET. NEXT SLIDE. SO AGAIN, 12 MONTH DEFERMENT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU STARTED TO REBUILD.
YOU'VE GOT COMFORTABLE YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE AT. WE ALSO OFFER RELOCATION. SO IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T WANT TO BE IN THIS AREA THEY WANT TO GO INTO A BETTER LOCATION THAT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE ALL THESE, YOU KNOW, YEARLY BURNS, WE CAN OFFER THAT. IF A HOME HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, WE CAN EVEN OFFER REFINANCING. SO AGAIN, THESE ARE LOANS THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT. WE CAN ALWAYS INCREASE IT. YOU'VE GOT TWO YEARS ONCE THAT LOAN IS APPROVED, IF YOU NEED MORE MONEY FOR WHATEVER REASON. AGAIN THE MITIGATION IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW. AND AGAIN, NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THAT LOAN. SO WHERE DO YOU APPLY? WE ARE OVER AT THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. WE HAVE A STAFF OVER THERE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS IN PERSON. THEY WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THEY'RE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAYS, 8 TO 5 P.M. PLEASE TELL PEOPLE TO GO OVER THERE. THERE'S GOING TO BE LIKE A TEMPORARY CLOSURE. I THINK THEY HAVE SOME EVENT GOING ON FROM APRIL 7TH THROUGH THE NINTH, BUT WE'LL BE BACK OPEN ON THE 10TH. AND THEN IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE BILINGUALS. SO IF SOMEBODY IS CONCERNED OR WORRIED, HEY, I SPEAK ONLY SPANISH. YOU CAN SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AT AN APPOINTMENT SBA.GOV. AND IT'S SO EASY TO APPLY NOW. WE HAVE MADE IT SO QUICK. SO ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO ONLINE, SET UP AN ACCOUNT, THEY'RE GOING TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS LIKE HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU MAKE? WHAT'S YOUR INCOME, WHAT'S YOUR DEBT. YOU'LL ENTER ALL THAT IN ONLINE. IT IS SAFE AND SECURE. AND ONCE YOU HAVE THAT ACCOUNT ONLINE, THEY WILL RESPOND TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS VIA YOUR PORTAL, YOUR LENDING PORTAL. ONCE YOU APPLY
[00:35:08]
AND IT'S ACCEPTED, WE MAY SEND OUT A VERIFIER TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE DAMAGES. OUR DAMAGES, OUR VERIFIERS. THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A LOT A LONG TIME TOO. THEY CAN LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND PRETTY MUCH FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH YOUR DAMAGES ARE GOING TO BE. YOU CAN ALSO USE THAT WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU'RE SAYING THIS AMOUNT SBA IS SAYING THAT AMOUNT. SO IT MAY BEHOOVE YOU TO BE SURE TO GET INTO THE SYSTEM TO GET ALMOST LIKE A SECOND OPINION ON YOUR DAMAGES. ONCE THAT'S TAKEN CARE OF, THE LOAN OFFICER MAY OR MAY NOT ASK YOU FOR SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LIKE YOUR FEDERAL TAX RETURNS. IT'S BEEN BURNED. I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT. WELL, WE HAVE WAYS OF GETTING ALL THIS INFORMATION. SO AGAIN, IT'S AN EASY PROCESS.AND GENERALLY THEY WILL GET THIS DONE WITHIN 1 TO 2 WEEKS A DECISION FOR YOU. NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT IT. THEY'RE GOING TO SEND YOU LOAN DOCUMENTS THAT YOU CAN REVIEW AND DECIDE, WELL, WAIT A MINUTE, DO I WANT A SECURED LOAN SO THAT I HAVE TO PUT A LIEN ON MY PROPERTY, OR DO I WANT TO TAKE AN UNSECURED AMOUNT? $14,000 IS OUR UNSECURED AMOUNT WITH AGENCY DECLARATIONS, SO THAT $14,000 MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU A LITTLE BIT BETTER? MAKE YOUR BACKYARD BACK TO WHAT IT WAS PRE-DISASTER CONDITION. SO ONCE YOU GET THOSE LOAN DOCUMENTS AGAIN, THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU TIME TO DECIDE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE MONEY RIGHT AWAY. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE THAT AND, YOU KNOW, WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE INSURANCE DECIDES ON IT. BUT AGAIN, IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE SYSTEM BY MAY 19TH, YOU WON'T HAVE THAT CHOICE. THAT OPTION OF FUNDING.
AND WE DO IT NOW, ALL DIRECT DEPOSITS SO IT CAN GO RIGHT INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. NO CHECKS ARE MAILED SO THAT AGAIN, EVERYTHING IS SAFE AND SECURE. AND THEN FROM THERE AGAIN THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS. THE RELOCATION, THE REFINANCING, YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR LOAN, YOU CAN LOWER YOUR LOAN. SO IT'S NOT LIKE YOU ARE SET IN STONE. WE'RE PRETTY FLEXIBLE. I USED TO ALSO WHEN I PROCESSED LOANS, DID THOSE MODIFICATIONS. IT'S A NICE, EASY PROCESS. YOU JUST DO IT IN WRITING. CLICKETY CLICK RIGHT ONLINE. NEXT SLIDE. SO AGAIN WHAT DO WE LOOK AT FOR THESE LOANS. WE DO LOOK AT YOUR ELIGIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YES THAT HOME IS OWNED BY YOU.
YOU THE LEGAL OWNER. YOU HAVE REPAYMENT ABILITY. YOU HAVE RELATIVELY GOOD CREDIT. IF ANYBODY'S WORRIED ABOUT THEIR CREDIT. I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE, GO OUT AND GET SOME CREDIT REFERENCES. GET A COPY OF YOUR CREDIT REPORT TO SEE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. IF YOU'RE DECLINED, YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE SIX MONTHS TO REQUEST A RECONSIDERATION. SO YOU MAY CAN MAY BE ABLE TO ADD ON A COSIGNER. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CLEAR UP SOME OF THOSE CREDIT INSTANCES THAT COULD BE INCORRECT. OR YOU HAVE DEVELOPED NEW AND GOOD CREDIT TO PROVIDE REFERENCES. SO AND THEN ONCE THE LOAN IS APPROVED, WE DO REQUIRE SOME HAZARD INSURANCE ON SECURED LOANS. IF YOU'RE IN A FLOOD ZONE WE WILL REQUIRE FLOOD INSURANCE BECAUSE AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO LOSE THE DAMAGED PROPERTY OR THE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ANY OTHER TYPE OF FLOOD. SO THAT'S JUST A PROTECTION AGAIN, FOR THE FEDERAL TAXPAYERS THAT ARE PAYING FOR THIS PROGRAM FOR YOU. THE MITIGATION AGAIN, IF SOMEBODY AGAIN WANTS TO IMPROVE THEIR HOME, MAKE IT SAFER, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT WITH OUR LOANS. IF THEY'RE APPROVED, IT HELPS. AND THE NEXT SLIDE. ADDITIONALLY, IF SOMEBODY'S NERVOUS ABOUT ANYTHING THAT I'VE SAID AND YOU WANT TO HEAR IT AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE ONLINE. SO YOU CAN ALWAYS PULL IT UP. WE HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. WE ALSO HAVE BILINGUALS THERE AT ONE (800) 659-2955. I ALSO USED TO WORK AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER. SO I'VE KIND OF DONE EVERYTHING. AND THAT'S WHY I'M UP HERE PLEADING WITH EVERYBODY.
AGAIN, IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY, HAVE THEM CALL US, GO ONLINE AT SBA.GOV. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ANSWERS THERE FOR EVERYBODY, AND PRETTY MUCH THAT'S IT. I THINK THEIR NEXT ONE, WE WANT TO GET YOU BACK HOME AND THE NEXT ONE MOST PEOPLE DON'T. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS. BUT AFTER A DISASTER,
[00:40:06]
25% OF BUSINESSES WILL NOT REOPEN. AND THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA. SO WE NEED OUR BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN. SOME OF THOSE HOMES MAY HAVE BEEN OPERATING A BUSINESS OUT OF THEIR HOME. IF SO, THEY ARE TOO ENTITLED TO AN SBA BUSINESS LOAN IN ADDITION TO THEIR HOME LOAN DAMAGES. SO AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW, GET IN HERE AND APPLY FOR THESE LOANS. JUST PUT YOUR NAME IN. THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT LOAN. BUT IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BY ALL MEANS I'M HERE. I'VE GOT MY CARD. I CAN GIVE IT TO EVERYBODY. AND DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS HERE NOW, ANY QUESTIONS OF ANYBODY? I HAVE A STATEMENT FOR YOU. I DID HAVE A METAL ROOF IN MY HOUSE AND IT BURNED TO THE GROUND ANYWAYS. IT WASN'T. IT WAS A RENT HOUSE THAT I HAD. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DO NEED TO KNOW IS INSURANCE. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, OKAY? IF YOU HAVE GOOD INSURANCE, IT'S GREAT. BUT THE SECOND THING YOU KNOW, I WISH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD DO IS IT'S GOING TO HIT ME ABOUT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR IN APRIL. AS WE KNOW, TAX SEASON COMES AROUND AND THE MONIES I MAKE THE 30 TO 40,000 I HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE CAPITAL GAINS REALLY DOES NOT HELP A HOMEOWNER REBUILD. AND THAT COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. YOU COULD PASS UP THE LINE, BUT TAKE THAT OFF THE INSURANCE YOU ALL, YOU HAVE YOUR DEDUCTIBLE AND YOU'RE HIT WITH THE CAPITAL GAINS. ACCORDING TO MY CPA. SO DON'T YOU ARE YOU SAYING DON'T USE YOUR OWN MONEY? USE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S MONEY? NO, MA'AM. I'M SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REPAIRS AND INSURANCE PAYS OFF, WHICH IT DID VERY WELL, BUT IT'S GOING TO HIT YOU A YEAR LATER ON. YOUR INSURANCE IS PAYMENTS IS GOING TO BE SUBJECT TO CAPITAL GAINS, WHICH IS 15%. THE INSURANCE IS GOING TO BE INCREASED. NO, THE INSURANCE IS GOING TO BE HIT WITH CAPITAL GAINS BECAUSE YOU RECEIVED A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR YOUR PROPERTY IN YOUR LOSS IS NOW SUBJECT TO CAPITAL GAINS. OH, REALLY? THAT I DID NOT KNOW.I'M SO SORRY. I WILL LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THAT. I KNOW THAT UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATIONS, SOMEONE CAN COME CLAIM IT AS A CASUALTY LOSS ON THEIR TAX RETURNS. AND THAT CAN HELP TO IS WHAT I'M SAYING IS A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT OFF THE TOP OF THEIR HEAD. AND WHEN YOU RECEIVE A LARGE CHECK AMOUNT, UNCLE SAM WANTS HIS MONEY BACK, HIS SHARE. OKAY. I WILL LET THEM KNOW THAT'S ON TOP OF YOUR DEDUCTIBLE AND WE CAN COVER DEDUCTIBLES TOO. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO GET ALONG WITH THEM. IT'S BEEN DONE. WE'RE NOT GOING TO REBUILD. BUT THAT'S WHY A LOT OF BUSINESSES DO NOT REBUILD IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO JUST A LOSS, BUT THE CAPITAL GAINS HIT YOU HARD. OKAY. I WILL LET THEM KNOW. THANK YOU. ANY ANY OTHER QUESTIONS COMMENTS? I WILL SAY IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY GOOD PROGRAM. HOW ARE WE GETTING THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FIRE SO THEY KNOW TO COME? SEE YOU FOLKS. I'VE DONE AN INTERVIEW ON CHANNEL THREE. I HAVE CONTACTED ALL THE MEDIA. I DID A FUNDRAISER ON SUNDAY. I, YOU KNOW, WAS THERE ON ON THE GROUND. I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN IN THE PAPERS, I KNOW LANDON, I THINK IT WAS STATE NEWS. HE POSTED IN HIS, HIS NEWSPAPER. I'VE BEEN DEALING DIRECTLY WITH MAYOR MARY SPEIDEL. SO WE'VE BEEN ON THE GROUND TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT. AND AGAIN, IF ANYBODY HAS ANY EVENTS I CAN, YOU KNOW, BE THERE TO EXPLAIN OUR PROGRAM. BUT YEAH, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO A LOT OF OUTREACH IN THIS AREA. I'VE BEEN DOING MANY EVENTS WITH SBDC, WITH SCORE, WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS. LIKE I SAID, WELL, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO OUR COURT TO EXPLAIN YOUR PROGRAM. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HAVE YOU BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS? I KNOW THE MAYOR HAS. I HAVE PUT IN A CALL TO ANGELINA GARCIA. I HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM HER. I KNOW SHE'S KIND OF BUSY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SHE'S DEALING DIRECTLY WITH ALL THE SURVIVORS, BUT I KNOW MARY HAS BEEN THE MAYOR OF. I HAVE A LIST OF EVERY ONE OF THE. YOU HAVE THE LIST OF THE SURVIVORS? YES. OKAY. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE THEM WITH ME, I CAN ACTUALLY CALL THEM MYSELF. IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO. WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON THAT TO GET INFORMATION FROM EACH ONE OF THEM THAT WERE OUT THERE ABOUT THEIR HOUSE. YEAH, I ACTUALLY WENT TO THE DISASTER SITE. I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE SURVIVORS, AND THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE METAL ROOF, BECAUSE HIS HOUSE ONLY HAD ONE SIDE OF HIS HOME DAMAGED THE VERY NEXT DOOR UNTOUCHED, AND THEN THE
[00:45:05]
THIRD HOUSE WAS BURNT TO THE GROUND. AND I LOOKED UP AND I SAW, OH MY GOSH, THAT HAS A METAL ROOF, HE SAYS. I THINK THAT'S WHY HE DIDN'T BURN. SO THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE METAL ROOFING FOR, YOU KNOW, MITIGATION ON, YOU KNOW, FUTURE DISASTERS. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR COMING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I JUST WANTED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WE DO HAVE THE FLIERS OUT HERE, BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, IN THE LOBBY ON THE PUBLIC BULLETIN BOARD, AS WELL AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA MINUTES SO THAT ANYBODY CAN ACCESS THE FORMS FOR CONTACT INFORMATION WHERE THEY'RE AT AND ALL THAT TYPE OF THING FOR PEOPLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM THE AGENDA. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. MOVING ON TO ITEM 2.4. C HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY THE[c. Discussion, consideration and action on request from Precinct #1 Commissioner William E. Zagorski, Sr. to purchase a 2025 Hino XL8-4000 Gallon Water Tanker from Rush Truck Center of Corpus Christi (BuyBoard #723-23) for $170,762.12 with funds covered in current budget. ]
COMMISSIONER TO TABLE THIS MOTION. TO TABLE THIS I'LL MOVE TO TABLE. THANK YOU. OKAY I GOT A MOTION BY YARDLEY. DO I HAVE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER. YOU SECOND COMMISSIONER? OF COURSE SECOND.ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES 2.4 D
[d. Consideration and action on request from Steven Gonzalez, IT Director, on a quote from B & R Telephone to install and provide a security system to access the Adult Probation Building. The total will be $4,112.50 to be paid out of the IT budget. ]
IS ANOTHER MOTION TO TABLE REQUESTED FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD. MOVE TO TABLE SECOND. GOT A MOTION BY GILLESPIE. SECOND BY YARDLEY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE[e. Consideration and action by the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office, to accept a grant award in the amount of $50,000.00 from the Ed Rachal Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase equipment for the Sheriff's Office. ]
OPPOSED SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. 2.4 IS CONSIDERATION OF ACTION BY SAN PATRICIO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ACCEPT A GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FROM THE EDWARD SHALE FOUNDATION. THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE, I MEAN GONZALEZ. SECONDED BY GILLESPIE.LET'S GET BACK TO THE TERRACE. IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK ON IT, JUST TO LET THE COURT KNOW THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF A GRANT THAT WE'VE RECEIVED THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE APPRECIATE ROCHELLE FOR GIVING US THIS MONEY. WHAT'S SOME OF THE STUFF Y'ALL BEEN USING FOR THE GENERAL EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE OFFICE? WE'VE USED IT TO BUY BALLISTIC VESTS.
WE USED TO USE. TACTICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE GUYS WHO SPECIALIZE GENERAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOST PART. BUT THIS WILL BE USED IN THE SAME MANNER. OKAY. GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? SAME
[f. Discussion, consideration and action on request from Melanie Cooper, Grants Management for (2) new full time regular Office Coordinator positions, grade 105 for the Grants Management Department. Funding to be paid from the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). ]
SIGN. MOTION CARRIES 2.4 F. DISCUSSION. CONSIDERATION. ACTION ON REQUEST FOR MELANIE COOPER. GRANTS MANAGEMENT FOR TWO NEW FULL TIME REGULAR OFFICE COORDINATOR POSITIONS. GRADE 105 FOR THE GRANTS MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. FUNDING TO BE PAID FROM THE FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT AND HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM. MISS COOPER. HELLO. GOOD MORNING.THESE POSITIONS WILL BE GRANT FUNDED WITH THE GRANT FUNDS WE ALREADY HAVE. AND FROM THE FMCG FUNDS THAT THE RECENT DISASTER THAT WILL FUND THESE POSITIONS FULLY. OKAY. AND YOU NEED THESE PEOPLE TO ASSIST YOU GUYS WITH GETTING ALL YOUR WORK. YES, YES. NORMALLY WE'D GO IN AND GET A CONSULTANT TO HELP WITH THIS, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO GET PEOPLE HERE ON THE GROUND BECAUSE IT'LL BE MUCH MORE I BELIEVE IT'LL BE MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THE LONG RUN. ALL RIGHT. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND, A MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY GONZALEZ FOR APPROVAL. ANY QUESTIONS OF MISS COOPER? SO WHEN THE GRANT MONEY RUNS OUT, WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE POSITIONS? THESE POSITIONS WOULD NOT BE FUNDED ANY LONGER. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH BUDGET AND WILL BE ASSESSING THAT. BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF MANAGEMENT FUNDS THAT ARE GETTING UTILIZED THAT WE DO NEED TO UTILIZE WITHIN OUR HEMP PROGRAM, AND WE'LL SEE AS MORE APPLICATIONS COME IN. WE HAVE ABOUT 83,000 JUST IN MATCH ON FUNDS OVER THERE. SO WE SEE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT FUNDING IN THE GRANT DEPARTMENT THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO UTILIZE. AND THIS IS NOT EVEN UTILIZING ALL THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE WITH THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY
[g. Discussion on the meeting held by Senator Adam Hinojosa on March 3rd regarding his proposed resolution to form a unified Coastal Bend Water Alliance group and add two more Port Commissioners, as well as a discussion on advocating for the interests of San Patricio County..]
AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES 2.4 G DISCUSSION I'M GOING TO MOVE TO TABLE THIS ITEM SECOND. GOT A MOTION BY GILLESPIE SECONDED BY ZAGORSKY TO TABLE 2.4 G. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. SAME SIGN A OKAY. FOUR YEAS AND ONE. ONE[3. PERSONNEL-Employment and current employee status changes in accordance with the current personnel policies, County Budget, and State law with notification of such changes to the payroll division of the Treasurer's office.]
NAY. OKAY. PERSONNEL 3.1 A GUSTAVO MARTINEZ RESIGNATION MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT, TWO FAIRGROUNDS PART TIME REGULAR NON EXEMPT GRADE 106, $23.27 PER HOUR EFFECTIVE MARCH THE 4TH,[00:50:03]
2025 3.1 B WYATT PATTERSON, RESIGNATION JUVENILE SUPERVISION OFFICER, JUVENILE DETENTION, PART TIME, TEMPORARY GRADE 106, STEP ONE AT $19.36 PER HOUR, EFFECTIVE MARCH THE 20TH, 2025.MOVE TO APPROVE 3.1 A AND B. THANK YOU. A MOTION BY LISTED SECOND AMONG ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. 3.2 IS ACCEPTING RECORD. EMPLOYEE STATED CHANGES HAVE NONE THIS MORNING ITEM FOUR EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE DO NOT HAVE THIS MORNING SO WE'RE DOWN TO ITEM. MOVE TO ADJOURN. THANK YOU. GOT A MOTION BY GILLESPIE SECONDED BY THE COURTS TO ADJOURN. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.