Meetings Steering Committee(Folders 1-2)

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Courts and Court Security Recommendation: The Courts should continue to occupy the Courthouse with the understanding that the space available is adequate to meet the Courts current and future needs. Non-court functions should be relocated to other facilities. Phase I of the remodeling should give priority to court security and security related space needs. Phase II would add new courtrooms and related support space as needed. The committee also recommends that a consultant be hired to evaluate the Courthouse and develop a remodelin~ master plan. Priority: The Committee assigned this project an "A" priority for security related issues and a"B" priority for new or remodeled Court facilities. Cost Factors: The cost of the this project is estimated at 3.1 million dollars. The consultant's master plan may identify new costs not considered in previous estimates. Options Considered: The Committee considered a proposal to construct a new Justice Center on the Senator Block. This proposal was slightly more costly (2.3 million). The committee did not feel it was appropriate to abandon the Courthouse and convert to County office space. The Courts were also asked to consider the use of video technology and "double shifting" of court operations. Risks and Liabilities: Some members of the committee feel that the public will be more supportive of a bond measure if new building construction is tied ~ to criminal justice programs rather than the growth of general government. The consultant's study may reveal that the Courthouse does not have adequate space to accominodate future Court needs. It is also possible that the new facilities needed to accommodate the relocation of County offices will not be funded in order to permit the timely expansion of the Courts.