Agenda - 09-14-1999 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

~~ The report explored such issues as: • Methods of service delivery (e.g. centralized/decentralized, citizen. focused) • Existing service priorities vs. future service priorities • Existing activities vs. desired future activities • Location issues Space requirements • Existing space • Deficiencies in existing space • Projections of future requirements Options for Development (concept discussions only), primarily for the Hillsborough facility The report indicated that there was in 1995 a space deficit of around 28,000 S.F. in various Hillsborough and Chapel Hill court functions. Since 1995 the County has constructed an approximately 3,800 S.F. courtroom addition to the New Courthouse in Hillsborough and approximately 17,500 S.F. addition to the Jail Further, in 1997, the County executed a lease with the Hillsborough Savings Bank for approximately 3,500 square .feet of leased space to accommodate the critical need for support space in the Clerk's office. Results of the JFSG Validation Committee In March 1998, asub-group of the JFSG was requested to review the report and determine what impact the additional square footage might have had on the recommendations as presented in 1995. This group verified that the additional space had provided much needed relief in the Hillsborough facility, but that the positive effects were quickly diminishing with the increased caseload being experienced by the Court system. The group recommended that future justice facility development be aggressively pursued. Security in the Hillsborough Court Facilities The September 1998 incident, in which a woman was assaulted in the New Courthouse in Hillsborough, highlighted the need for enhanced security measures in that facility. Court and county officials convened to determine the most effective manner in which this could be accomplished. Their final analysis indicated that the following measures were advisable in this Hillsborough courthouse: • Install cameras and monitors such that activities in the courthouse and parking lot could be observed from a single location; and • Permanently assign two security persons to the building. These individuals would be under the direct control and supervision of the Sheriff.. (Note: Since the incident previously referenced, two deputies have been assigned to the New Courthouse to provide additional security during normal business hours); and • Establish a single point of entry into the New Courthouse and equip it as a security checkpoint for all individuals coming into the facility. ft was determined that no existing entrance was of sufficient size or was configured appropriately for the security checkpoint. Analysis of the best location for the single point of entry revealed that the logical choice was the east entrance at the elevator. Since the existing space is insufficient to allow the security checkpoint to be established, however, it may be necessary to construct an addition to the building.