Some of Jackson. Here. Here. Here. So So go ahead. I'm calling for a forum. Judge President. How much is it? Mr. Garcia? President. Mr. Randy? President. Commissioner Breone? So we have a forum. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Commissioner Breone. So we have a quorum. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. I think it's a good question. 1996 got the original funding from Congress to widen the channel it was referred to but certainly I've been involved as a legislator I wasn't here in 1896 but did play an active role as a legislator. John Ray Harrison brought me the legislation that had Pasadena's representation to the board, major reform. And then because some board members had been on 20 plus years, there was an effort to have term limits. Of course, you always have to worry about unintended consequences. We've lost some good people, deans, Clyde, others, but I think it's been a good process. Mr. Ellis and I have not always been supportive of term limits for obvious reasons. We do believe experience matters, but it's a great agency. It's certainly one of the economic engines of Harris County in the City of Houston and we're also glad to be here today to approve leadership. I'm very confident in the current leadership and I would have had managed them to be Working with the communities around the port whether it's's environmental matters or other infrastructure issues, we would like some support for some of the roads and bridges that feed into the port. So I think like I said, a model of collaboration should be the message that we're all in this together working together, certainly glad to be with our friends at the county. So before I get started with the nominations, I'll certainly yield to the county judge. Thank you for our collaboration this morning. Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, everyone, happy new year. Some of you guys know this story and what we went through at this table and back in 2019. So before we ever had a meeting of Commissioner's Court, I just take an office. And this was the very first meeting that I had to preside over. Of course, that year was a county judges' turn to preside. And not only that, but as the first time the law that you guys, I think at the time, helped pass, we had to interpret, you know, what it meant. So anyway, I, it was, it was, it was funny, frankly, us all trying to figure it out, but it was great teamwork. And we got it done, and we appointed some fantastic people, including our Chairman of the Port Rik Campo and I just can't say enough good things about him. I can't say enough good things about each and everyone of our appointees to the Board of Pilots, to the Board of our Port. And just the work that you guys do every day in the past, I guess this is my seventh year since we appointed. A lot of folks that are there, Chairman Campo, there's been a lot that has been achieved for one negotiating the differences between some of the industry and the cargo industry and of course continuing to go our port even through and after the pandemic. So I am just really, really grateful to everybody. I'm so happy to be here with all of my counterparts from the city as well as of course my colleagues from Commissioner's Court and I'm so happy mayor that we have this opportunity and that I pray this will be a very, very smooth meeting because we know now what the rules are. And it was just a beautiful day. So thank you. Thank you all so much. Thank you, Judge. I'll be glad to yield to any of our representatives. Mr. and Garcia. Thank you, Mayor and Judge. And good morning, everyone. Happy New Year to all. And to our colleagues at the City of Houston. Thank you for your work and for being here this morning. I do, number one, want to take the opportunity to welcome everybody to precinct, too. And I will forgive the tolls for anybody like Commissioner Ramsey, they come from other areas. But in all seriousness, I do want to also recognize the members of the Port Commission and thank them as well for their collective work, Commissioner Kloonan and others, Clyde, thank you all for what you guys do as well as the Board of Art Pilots Commission. I want to recognize you and thank you all collectively, Francis, just very proud of all the work that you guys have done. The pilot's commission is also new, and but you have effectively found a good lane to work in and have brought incredible benefits to our region through your collective work. So thank y'all all the Board, the Board Commission as well as the Piles Commission. Thank you for all your work. Thank you. Mr. Narellis. Thank you, Mayor and Judge. She's good to see all of you all. Commissioner Garcia, always a privilege to be in your district. This is by far one of the most important appointments that we make. Mayor, as you say, collaboration is important. I was thinking about when the current chair was first appointed, it was before Commissioner Garcia and the Judge had taken the oath so we could meet and We went through a very collaborative process what our colleagues at the city with the mayor He had this you know, I was always big advocates for open meetings But I could see when that issue came up how sometimes it can present a problem Of course the legislation is wisdom exempted the legislature because we could walk around and line up our votes in the House and in the Senate but I kind of thought judge we understood the rules, but we just didn't have the votes But so I hope this meeting won't last as long as that other one for anybody else who was around the county attorney was but as I recall seems like we we kind of had our sense of what the county's for that and and uh of changed a little bit seems like we stopped and went to launch a game back And then somebody had a flight somewhere we're gonna lose votes on the other side It was quite an experience, but I'm just so pleased with What is happening at the port and the leadership in particular? I know that may be in other nominations nominations, but I do remember the current chair wrote on a little note card because sometimes once people get appointed they get amnesia. It's hard to imagine that happened in politics, but I wrote a list of things and the last one I put on that for the current chair was just as a caveat, the point you had a little they actually said, don't go crazy. And at this point, under his leadership, and... for the current share was just as a caveat, the point you had a little bit actually said, don't go crazy. And at this point, under his leadership and the others who they have done an outstanding job for our region, and I'm just so on it, but thank you, it's good to be with everyone. Thank you, sir. Anyone else? Before we moved to our public speakers, I was mentioning the collaboration between the county and the city, but also when I mentioned collaboration between the business community and certainly organized labor. They play a vital role in the operations of the port. And Allen, automation we know is a hot topic, I think it's important, but certainly I have to be mindful. Mr. Chairman and members of our workforce that make the success of the port so possible. So we're all in this together and to emphasize it, we're all in it together, I would open it up to any public speakers that are present If not Yes, sir We have one joy of Dean I could say Dean if someone doesn't like what I say or do don't blame me blame Dean because he got me there and has kept me there this we've been friends a long time there good good to see you I've been working this water front for 52 years and the absolute pinnacle of my career is to serve on this board and I just want to thank everybody here that he's thinking to do with that thank you very much it It's been an absolute honor and privilege and I think we've done some really, really good work here. You know, we're here today to a point, not a new but, you know, reappoint the chairman. And I think he's done a great job and I'm here to support him. And the reason is that my union, we exist here in a right to work state, Republican dominated, everybody thinks we get beat up all the time, we're not, we're thriving here, the ILA, we're all, we have jobs. And I think the important thing to remember here is that we're Texans and we're misunderstood. And at the end of the day, we really work together. And we do some things for the greater good. We really do. We fight, we fuss, and we have all these controversies. But at the end of the day, we serve the people. And I think everybody in this room does that. I want to thank you for what you do. But my union, this, you know, we, like I said, existing in a right to work state here is hard but my union, you know, like I said, we existed in a right to work state here, it's hard. But my union, this is the top port for everything. Jobs, revenue, members, recruiting, you name it. This is the number one port. And the reason for that, it all starts right here at this table, at the port authority. And the work that's's done and the leadership that Rick Campo has provided for us. So with that I would like to again recommend that we reappoint Rick and we continue the positive trajectory that this port is on. I mean this is unheard of anywhere what we're doing here and I'm so proud and and mayor you mentioned term limits And you know I was upset about that. I think it's a good thing. I'm ready to go It's time for somebody else to come in here take a shot at this and they could cast those big paychecks too But Dean is that's a motion. I'll second it No, the motion for Rick it is a motion. Okay. I second it. I don't know the time to authority to do it, but you know, but but Rick, I always said about Rick. Rick lets commissioners be commissioners. And it's been a pleasure to serve with you Rick and Bill. So I don't want to get up here talk all day. Thank you Dean. Well, I say everything. We appreciate you and the C-fairers. Thank you, Dean. Well, I appreciate everything. We appreciate you and the CFHERS. Applause. Now nominations, councilmember. Mayor, just a moment. We have a speaker for the county, I believe. All right, so let me call on. He's one of ours too. Go ahead, sir. And just while you get ready, Commissioner Ellis, the disagreements what to do when there's more than two nominees. So is it first past the post? Anyway, I just want to make sure y'all know I'm not making it up. There was a disagreon. There was confusion. But anyway, go ahead, Mr. Miesel. Okay, thank you, Mayor and thank you, Judge. I'm seeing this, I just saw this coming in the door here. And I think this is a really important picture. The port is important. The port's there and we have downtown Houston. If that doesn't say a lot, nothing will. But there's some few things I have concerns about. And I don't think it can be done today. I think this needs to be a corroborated effort between the city of Houston, probably Austin and the county. The three ports in the Harris County area that the Port Discommission does not have. And that is, they go by the name of Hobbie Bush and Ellen's Revealed. In Portland, Oregon, the airport in that city city is run by the port authority, not the city of Portland. And you know, we need to tax bill for your property. There is a thing for an assessment for the porch. But I think if you're gonna do that for this, I think the airport is just as part of the county infrastructure as here. I think it needs to be some cooperation at least down the road where the county pictures it a little bit into the Harris County Airport system. Also too, I was watching the traffic on the 16th high bridge. And I think they are you are correct. And I'm seeing something going on in the over HGAC. You have a bunch of containers, constant container ships coming in, ships, and trucks coming into Houston. And I think we need to work with whoever, text dot, the Gulf Coast rail district, that so on and so forth, where we can get these trucks in and out of the area without ruining our roads. The thing I'm for is, and I think we blew it with the reduced downtown loop system of the freeway. This we need 8-0-V type length for 18-wheeler only. They get in that length and they stay in it. I think that's safer. You have a weight difference between an 18-wheeler and a conventional vehicle. I think you could, I'm thinking along the lines of even what they got in switch- in some of the tunnels, they actually tied the trucks going in through the automobile tunnels so that they had proper breaking distance. And I think, but I think though with Madam and Mayor, I think we can start working together to get these problems solved so it helps everybody, not just businesses, but and to avoid people like myself. Oh, yes, I did take a lift over here. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for your service. Anyone else in the public would like to speak. If not, I recognize Councilman Martinez for a nomination. I move to nominate Rick on the road for me as a chairman. I'm working for Jason. Thank you very much. If not, I recognize Councilman Martinez for nomination. Ameer, I move to nominate Rick. I'll hold the room for me as a chairman. I'll let you read some for you. I was just made and seconded. And seconded, would you like to call the roll? Would you want to? What? Would you go ahead and let's call the council roll? May I win, Mar? Yes. Can't you want? What? What you going to do? Let's call the councilor. Mayor, Mayor Wimmar. Yes. Councilor Peck. Yes. Councilor Jackson. Yes. Councilor McCamemon. Jackson. Councilor Maviccivaz. Yes. Councilor Flickinger. Yes. Councilor Thomas. Sure. Councilor Huffman. Yes. Casuno Castillo. Yes. Casuno Martinez. Yes. Casor McHastley. Yes. Councilor McHastley. Yes. Councilor Martinez. Yes. Councilor MacKastekstayden. Yes. Councilor McHastley. Yes. Councilor McHastley. Yes. Councilor McHastley. Yes. Councilor McHarter. Yes. Councilor Blummerer. Yes. We'll go ahead and take the county roll. Judge Adago. Yes. We'll go ahead and take the county roll. Judge O'Doggo. Yes. Commissioner Ellis. Yes. Commissioner Garcia. Yes. Commissioner Ramsey. Yes. Commissioner Breone's. Yes. Mayor. I would judge I think I too. Rick, so I'll now to result unanimously, we have appointed Rick Compton. Congratulations. That's a strong statement, Rick. So, go to work. Yeah. Should we go to work? Yeah. I think so too. Rick Compton. I think so too. Rick Compton. All right. So I'll now to result unanimously, we have appointed Rick Compton. Congratulations. That's a strong statement, Rick. So, go to work. Should we give him a chance to say a few words? Yeah, it'd be great. I'd do it instead of moving on to our next list of items that want to focus on the chair vote. Go ahead, Rick. Well, thank you so much. I appreciate the vote of confidence. Just on two things before I have some things I want everybody to hear at the same time. But first of all, so the challenge we had in 2019 was not this body or the body before with all the folks that were there in 19. It was a misalignment of industry and the port. We had sort of competition between container ships and oil and gas ships and industry in the port weren't aligned properly. That was the controversy and then there was the technical things that went on. I can tell you today we are absolutely aligned with industry. The port does everything that they can possibly do to connect to industry because we know without our industry there are 200 plus private terminals. We have eight at the port and there are 200 other ones and those folks are the lifeblood of our region and we are totally aligned with them. The second thing, as Commissioner Garcia mentioned when he came in was I was out of uniform. Two years ago, I wore a Port maintenance uniform. I usually do when I speak in front of people. I don't know what happened today. I just got up this morning. I thought I need to be put on the regular uniform that everyone in this room might have on. But when I wear that uniform, it is about showing pride and respect for the working people that make everything happen every single day. And so next time you see me, I'm probably in that uniform. But I just want to thank you for being here for this joint session. And I do believe the joint session between the Harris County Commission's Court and the City of Houston. Thank you, Judge Hidalgo thank you Mayor Whitmeyer and everyone else here for the vote of confidence. But you're right, this is about collaboration. We're a team, all of us are a team and our team needs to execute as well as we possibly can. I'd like to thank our poor commissioners that are here today. Thank you so much. They are a lead of the team here at the port. And we make sure that we focus on what the port staff does every day. When you think about the commission, we're a broader part of our team. Port Houston staff, 800 plus employees here. We have a great team with the Coast Guard, the ILA, pilots, seafarers, the US Army Corps of Engineers. Our team is the best in the country because everyone is at the table and everyone has a role in our growth and our progress. The port really is about economic development and improving the quality of life with people in our region. It starts with creating jobs. Pretty hard to have quality of life. You don't have a job. You can pay the rent, you know, your car payment, things like that. So it starts with jobs and we are all about people in uplifting communities. Port Houston is our nation's leading port and continues to grow, serving our growing region the same time creating jobs and opportunities for all. Two years ago I was here and I mentioned that Port Houston moved more cargo than ever before creating value for people in our region. I told you that the best was yet to come. I'm proud to tell you today that we continue to this progress and improvements and can say that in 2024 Port Houston's public terminals moved more cargo than ever before creating more value for people in our region. The Houston Ship Channel overall is the number one waterway in terms of both volumes and ships in America. In fact, tonnage along the ship channel is so big, there is a gap of 67 million tons between Port Houston and the number two port port. Now just to put that number in perspective, that is bigger than 94% of all the ports combined, right, when you think how big it is. So it's a milestone that no one's going to catch. This is significant because what it really means for our region is jobs. As cargo grows, jobs grow. sports, supports 3.4 million jobs nationally and 1.5 million right here in Texas. The number of Texas jobs was up 14% from 20-20-20-18 to 2023. And the latest job numbers we don't have yet, but I'm sure we added plenty of jobs in 2024 as well. So when I think of our job at Port Houston and all the jobs at all of the Port Commissioners focus on, it's all about keeping the Port thriving and growing and helping secure jobs for the future. One of the major things we're doing is the Houston Ship Channel expansion, which is Project 11. This expansion will add capacity for larger vessels that are crucial to the continuing cargo volume and growth. And importantly, it will improve navigational safety along the channel. This project is 90% funded and that is well, any local tax money or government obligation bonds. We have federal funding. We did get some state funding too, which is really great. The first time we got state funding in, I think, ever. And so we're really excited about that, but more excited about the fact that we're doing this with Port generated cash flow and Port bonds that are based on our revenues and not asking the county and the city to approve general obligation bonds. Port Houston's portion of the work that will be completed later in the first quarter, and that is the Bay Reach part of the channel is on schedule and on budget now. I don't know how many billion dollar projects you can say that that public entity is run, but we can say that at Port Houston. I'm really proud of our staff as a result of their diligence in making sure we get everything done. The momentum is an ongoing success of this project. I've been because of collaboration with many people. We appreciate everyone who's been involved in this. In addition to the investment in Project 11, at Port Houston we have nearly $2 billion of land-side investments planned and public terminals over the next five years. This again will be funded with internally generated cashflow and no requests for local government bonds. These strong investments help us to ensure our channel and our port remains and the economic driver and supplier of jobs in the future. Couple other key points. Our teams understand the importance of making sustainable choices whenever possible to push environmental progress. We're moving the needle on our goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. Currently 40% of our RTGs, those are rubber-tired, gantry cranes, are hybrid electric. In 2024, we received an award from TCEQ for Texas Environmental Excellence in the Category of Pollution Prevention. Also in 2024, we were awarded six grants, totally more than 57 million, much of which is dedicated to environmental improvements. We also remain committed to being active members of our and invested in our local communities. Our goal, our community grants goal program is one of of the ways we do this and there are many others. Since we launched our community grant program, we've in 2020, we've awarded $1.65 million to dozens of different nonprofit local programs. This program is only continuing to grow and we've earned here marked half a million dollars this year for grants for 2025. In the past three years, we've invested more than $2 million in green space programs. In 2024, we held our third annual county resource fair, 3,010D's came with nearly 60 partners, offering services related to healthcare, workforce, and food. We reached a huge milestone in our small minority and women owned business initiative more than a billion dollars in contracts have been awarded in small business and memory women owned businesses since the program started in 20 and 2002. We have eight maritime high school programs in seven districts, 86 graduates in 2024, with so many jobs in the maritime industry. It's really important for this work. It's crucial that we get focused on future generations into the workforce. We've improved collaboration in our communities with industry partners through our poor commission We're proud that in 2024 we reached a great place to work for the designation for the first time. With all of these accomplishments, we're committed to getting even better. Looking to the future, we have recently updated our strategic plan and outline goals for the next five years. In the areas of maritime economic development, partnership, and people, It's exciting to think about how we can continue to expand economic opportunities in maritime commerce with a collaborative approach. We are committed to continuing working with the city and the county, leadership and solid partnership with industry, the Coast Guard pilots, ILA labor, seafarers, and anybody else who wants to be our partner to ensure that Port Houston remains resilient, responsible, and ready for the future. It's a remarkable journey over 100 years. Samarie pointed out in 1869 or something or 1896, and I appreciate your support and the continued support of our teams and we look for the future. The is yet to come thank you so much for all your team yes I don't be appropriate to introduce your commissioners that are going to help you do all absolutely let's see where are they here I can't understand would you understand here we go and then I can say we have Thomas Jones over here we have Clyde Fitzgerald we have Alan Rob Robb and we have Wendy Clooney. What else we have? Dean. Oh Dean. Dean I even see you there. You're behind Dean Corgiew who you've spoken with. So are you heard from already. So thank you so much. A great deeper. Thanks a lot. Thank you Rick. Now we'll move to Adam Nine on the agenda, nominations for the Chair of the Board for the Pallage Commissioners Councilor Costigio. Thank you, Mayor, and good morning to everyone. Welcome to Precinct II and welcome to District H. I move to nominate a longtime advocate for the Eastern community and its small businesses and a district eight resident Francis Gastonia the Dias to the board of pilot commissioners for Harris County ports. Motion is made in the second is your motion to close nominations. Motion made in the second to close in the vote is in chair of the pilots with Francis Castanita and dies. I think it's easy to say all in favor. All in favor say yes. Those opposed, no. Congratulations, you're unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. At this, we would be very honored to yield to you at this time. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. It's an honor to see this room full of friends and colleagues. Thank you, on the inaugural part board in 2019. My fellow commissioners Commissioner Morrison said it best. We didn't even have a paper clip when we started, but we worked hand in hand with the Houston pilots, Port Houston and industry partners to build the strong foundation that we stand on today. Thank you Mayor Whitmeyer for nominating me to be the second-ever chair and the first woman of color to hold this position. Thank you. By dedicating your entire adult life to serving this community, you understand how vital the ship channel, Port Houston, and the Houston pylons are to the economy and growth of our city. Judge and Mayor, I promise to honor this responsibility and work tirelessly to serve our community. Thank you commissioners Garcia, Breonis, Alice and Ramsey for supporting my nomination and to all the council members, especially council member Martinez and Castillo. Thank you for your trust and belief in me. As a native Houstonian who grew up in the east end with Port Houston and the ship channel as my backyard. I feel a deep connection to this region. My comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the diverse stakeholders from the refineries and small to mid-sized businesses, owners to community leaders, nonprofits and elected officials has been instrumental in my success on the pilot board. Many people living in Houston and Harris County don't even realize that one, we have a port and two, that pilots are not only in the air, but play a critical role on the ship channel. The Houston pilots are the guardians of the waterways, and they are part the economic engine for Houston region, the state of Texas and the US. Their top priority is to maneuver vessels safely and protect Houston's waterways. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they navigate 52 miles of the channel daily. And just to put it in perspective, the Chevron Houston marathon is coming up. That is two times running, a little over two times running, because it's 26.2. It's times running the Houston Marathon is what they cover. It is a demanding and sometimes dangerous job, but since 1921, they have safely guided vessels and today they assist over 21,000 commercial ships annually, transporting more than 247 million tons of cargo, valued at about 802 billion to the US economy and I applaud them all. Thank you to every past and current Houston pilot, especially the leaders, Captain Winnegger and Captain Glass. I support your association's mission and I am passionate about supporting your outreach initiatives, especially those aimed at attracting young students, students of color, and women to careers in the maritime industry and as future Houston pilots. I am honored to have earned the respect of my fellow commissioners, including those here today, Commissioner Bechtel, Morrison, Keeney, and Hale. Thank you all so very much. And I promise to promote progress, stability, fairness, and respect as we work together. Houston is often called the city that built the port, that built the city. Everyone in this room is intertwined in this legacy. And together, we will keep our port number one in everything. Finally, I wanna thank my husband, John, whose support is a strength that guides me daily, as well as my parents, family, friends, and colleagues who have helped shape me to become the leader I am today. I pay special tribute to my late father, a blue collar machinist who worked with and made products that arrived at and were shipped out of the port. Today is a blessed day, and I do not take this for granted. Thank you very much. Mayor Pro Tem, cast six, David. Thank you, Mayor. And to Chair Dias, we are very honored to support your moving into this chair position. Many of us around the table four years have been looking for opportunities to get more women into maritime. We have worked with organizations to encourage more women to get into maritime. We all can agree that when women do well, our cities do well. And we know what great careers are available there. So I had an opportunity to read your bio and I understand the work that you've done on this foundational board for the last five years. And I saw that you have ran 10 full marathons and you may reference to the port being two times around of a marathon. And for anyone that has trained and ran a full marathon, the training is brutal for someone to have run 10 full marathons. I know that your resilience, your determination will serve this position well. Less than 1% of the country have ran a full marathon. 0.01% of the global population has run 1 full marathon. So thank you for your willingness to serve as the chair and anything we can do to support you. I know that serving where you live is an extremely valuable opportunity. We have had many conversations about the importance of people in the community serving near the port. So to know that you grew up in the East End and that you now have an opportunity to serve this region is also very valuable. You will have that foundational knowledge as well as your five years experience. So again, anything we can do to support you, please Frances, I too want to congratulate you. So immensely proud. I was just reflecting right now when you and I connected when I was on City Council. And then your husband being an incredible asset to me when I served a sheriff. I just have, I'm just overjoyed with seeing your progress, your accomplishment and your contributions to our community and so proud to see you assume the role of chair for the PODIS Commission. I'll see you and Commissioner Flunen, you guys are the future and proud of your respective leadership. Congratulations. Judge had an excellent point. We ought to recognize the rest of the pilot so if you if you stand let us recognize you Thank you. You know, I really don't see judge many people in this room that shouldn't be recognized. There's a lot of firepower in here that make our community as great as it is. In closing, let me thank my colleagues at council for your representation. Certainly judge, it's an honor to share this occasion with you and your colleagues. So for that said, I think we've completed our agenda. joint meeting of the Houston City Council and Harris County commissioners, we stand adjourned. Thank you.