HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-07 10:30AM WORKSHOP SESSIONBRAZOS COUNTY
BRYAN, ,TEXAS
NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA
WORKSHOP SESSION
BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT
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BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET IN A WORKSHOP SESSION AS FOLLOWS:
MEETING DATE: June 7, 2022
MEETING TIME: 10:30 AM
MEETING PLACE: Brazos County Administration Building, 200 South Texas
Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX
1. Call to Order
2. Presentation of Elections Process
• a. Presentation by Trudy Hancock, Brazos County Elections Administrator, and Krystal
Ocon, Elections Coordinator, on the Elections process in Brazos County.
• b. Discussion
• c. Public Comments
3. Adjourn
The Brazos County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX is wheelchair accessible. Handicap
parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting.
To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102.
Vol. 06( Pg. I �
MINUTES
J U N E 7, 2022
BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT
WORKSHOP SESSION
Call to Order
The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas met in Workshop Session in the
Brazos County Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building, 200 South
Texas Avenue, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday,
June 7, 2022 with the following members of the Court present:
Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding;
Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1;
Russ Ford, Commissioner of Precinct 2;
Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3;
Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4;
Karen McQueen, County Clerk.
The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in
attendance.
J udge Peters called the meeting to order at 11:18 a.m. after the conclusion of the
Regular Meeting.
2. Presentation of Elections Process
• a. Presentation by Trudy Hancock, Brazos County Elections Administrator, and
Krystal Ocon, Elections Coordinator, on the Elections process in Brazos County.
• b. Discussion
• c. Public Comments
Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock opened the workshop session with a
presentation of the elections process. She explained the timeline of elections and
different types to give an overview of all the work that goes into preparing for and holding
an election. A copy of her presentation is attached.
At this time the Court entered into discussion on the matter. Commissioner Ford
questioned whether budget factors in to determining which polling locations will be open
during the election. Ms. Hancock stated that when choosing locations she looks at what
has been done historically, along with turnout, visibility and cost. Commissioner Ford
stated that he feels what has worked in the past is no longer working, making it
challenging for citizens to vote. Ms. Hancock added that if the resources were available,
she would open all 25 locations.
Commissioner Cauley raised concerns over the hours for early voting. She feels that
having the polls open only during business hours, is disenfranchising the working class.
Further debate and discussion ensued between Commissioner Cauley and
Commissioner Aldrich as to whether it was more appropriate to expand voting hours or
to change the hours entirely. Elections Administration Worker Krystal Ocon gave her
input on potentially changing or expanding the hours. Ms. Ocon explained that elections
workers are understaffed and overworked, noting up to 120 hours of overtime accrued.
She does not feel that it would be possible to make the change with the resources on
hand. Commissioner Cauley also questioned the process for provisional ballots, mail -in
ballots and voting locations.
Ms. Hancock, stated that her staff has gone above and beyond to ensure every vote
counts in Brazos County. Commissioner Cauley asked what outreach is being done to
counteract the extreme shortage of election workers and suggested reaching out to local
churches, the NAACP and African American Museum. Ms. Ocon said that they do
outreach but ultimately it is the responsiblity of the parties to submit a list of workers for
each election.
It was then discussed about the Galilee Baptist Church location being closed and
utilitzing the Bryan Ballroom instead. Numerous people cited construction prevented
them access from the Bryan Ballroom however, Ms. Ocon stated that while there were
traffic cones, it was accessible from 3 points of entry. Commissioner Cauley rebutted by
stating that if people are unfamiliar with the location, it would be difficult for them to know
where they could enter. Ms. Hancock added that Galilee Baptist Church has never been
used in a runoff election on election day. Commissioner Cauley said that moving
forward, it needs to be open and she would volunteer to help run the location and round
up more workers.
Commissioner Aldrich thanked Ms. Hancock and Ms. Ocon for their presentation and
sought further clarification on several items that were discussed.
At this time, Judge Peters moved on to the Public Input portion of the workshop.
Ann Boney addressed concerns surrounding mail -in ballots and also, intimidation
surrounding voting equipment. Ms. Boney would like to see demonstrations held
occasionally to allow citizens to practice voting prior to election day. Ms. Hancock said
she would be happy to set up a demo if someone reaches out.
Pastor Sylvester Smith raised an issue with Galilee Baptist. Church being closed on
election day. Pastor Smith stated that he drove several people to that location, only to
find it was not open. He would like the County to make elections more accommodating
but also understands that the Elections workers have a tough job.
Republican Party Chair Elianor Vessali questioned when information would be available
regarding the. polling locations for the November election. Ms. Ocon stated `that the
inforamtion would be available 90 days from the date of the election.
Bob Davis stated he has worked elections since 2010 and would like to give the Court a
Vol. 36 i pie lq:'t
little history of the polling places. Mr. Davis said there are 25 poling places in Brazos
County, with 13 in Bryan and 12 in College Station. He said College Station has a larger
voter turn out than Bryan, and suggested more voting places should be added to the
southern part of the county:
Judy LeUnes expressed her frustration over Galilee Baptist Church being closed on
election day. She stated that she did check out the Bryan Ballroom and while you could
get in, it was not easily accessible. Ms. LeUnes added that she watched at least 40
people leave Galilee Baptist Church and doesn't believe they went anywhere else to
vote. Ms. LeUnes is concerned about creating distrust of elections with the citizens.
Mike Southerland stated that he feels people are looking at the issue the wrong way. The
Commissioners Court approved the voting location and it is an important duty of the
Court to make sure everyone is able to vote. Mr. Southerland recommends opening all
25 voting locations to make sure voting is accessible.
Wanda Watson reiterated her comments from the May 31, 2022 Commissioners Court
meeting. She clarified that the new party chairs did not understand the importance of
Galilee Baptist Church as a polling location. Her objective is to make sure voters are not
disenfranchised.
Silas Garrett suggested also opening Zion Church as a polling location in Precinct 2. He
thanked the Court and elections workers for all that they do but does believe its critical to
get the word out that more volunteers are needed to work elections.
Commissioner Ford concurred with the citizens and is in favor of opening all polling
locations. Commissioner Aid rich then gave the website, brazosvotes.org, where all
citizens can find information on upcoming elections. The meeting was adjourned.
3. Adjourn
Vol. Pg
LI
The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Workshop Session held June 7, 2022, have
been examined and are approved in open Court this the 5th day of July 2022, in Bryan, Brazos
County, Texas.
Duane Peters
County Judge
Russ Ford
Commissioner, Precinct 2
Irma Cauley
Commissioner, Precinct 4
Attest:
Karen McQueen
County Clerk
Steve Aldrich
Commissioner, Precinct 1
Nancy Be
Commissioner, Precinct 3
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