Minutes - 20021210 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Carey said that he assumed that the Sheriff would be involved. He asked how much time would elapse between phase 1 and phase 2. This would help him determine whether 24,000 or 27,000 square feet is needed. He asked if the existing Sheriff's office had any historical significance. Pam Jones said that there is no historical significance to this building. Regarding the phases, she said that there is na timetable for when to begin phase 2. It depends on how we can maximize phase 1. It will be needs driven and not time driven. Commissioner Carey said that he agreed with Commissioner Halkiotis about the basement not being used as storage. He asked if this was addressed in the CIP. She said that warehouse space is not included in the CIP. Commissioner Gordon said that she would assume that you would not expand the Government Services Center and annex unless you address parking. She said that just because the Sheriff's building is not demolished does not necessarily mean that the Sheriff would stay there. She said that the Sheriff's office could be used far something else if the Sheriff moved. She also wondered where the other functions proposed for an expansion would be housed if we do not expand the Government Services Center and annex. Pam Jones said that the last phase that Freeman White did include an in depth study of traffic analysis and parking. Chair Brown said that the existing space at the courthouse will have to be reconfigured and she asked if this would be a part of the discussion. Pam Jones said that reallocation of space is a possibility and they will talk with the architect. The original plan is to build a connector so there will be some space between the buildings. Pam Jones answered several clarifying questions of the Board. Chair Brown asked if the Board of County Commissioners would continue having meetings at the courthouse, or if some space should be designed to have meetings and build in a televised component. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is happy in the courtroom. He does not mind looking at the option. Commissioner Jacobs is open to ideas. Commissioner Carey said that he would like to look at the options. Commissioner Carey said that it looks like we are assuming that we need 27,000 square feet, unless it can be pared down somehow. Commissioner Gordon asked about the budget and Pam Jones said that it would probably be about $100 per square foot. Chair Brown asked to include that there be some representation or consideration to have space for Mental Health. Judge Wade Barber said that he appreciated the consideration of this expansion. He is glad someone raised the issue of the utilization of space in the existing courthouse. He said that there is a big lack of public space outside the courtrooms in the existing courthouse. He said that there will be a lot of questions until we take the steps to move along and select the architect. Judge Joe Buckner said that he agreed with Judge Barber and reminded the Board that this will stay in a fluid state. He said that the elected officials have and will continue to work together to use the facilities. He said that this is an issue of what they see and believe is the lack of services that we are providing to people who use the courts. He said that we need to move forward and the County needs to meet the needs of the courts. The County has employees in the courts and they have no control aver the business that is brought to them. He said that this is not about Judges' offices. Commissioner Gordon asked about the functions that have been planned for this facility and if they are adequate. Judge Buckner said that it is the responsibility of the County to provide court facilities, but it is also the County's privilege to decide how the building is going to look. He said that the courthouse is completely inadequate for victims of crime and for people who are under high-stress cases. He thinks that it can be fixed. He is aware of counties that have worked together to provide long term solutions that served the counties well. Clerk of Court Jamie Stanford added that from his perspective it is imperative that he gets his staff back under one roof. He urged the County Commissioners to move forward quickly. Pam Jones said that the judicial group could get information together by the end of January and the Board would appoint committees in January. The selection could be made by the end of June. The funding becomes available July 1St