Minutes 06-10-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Follow-Up Items: • Jail Capacity Update Staff and consultants have confirmed a recommended facility capacity range of between 144 and 216 beds. This recommendation is fluid around the variables of capacity expansion, the acceptance and economics of housing Federal detainees, the operational consideration of the next Sheriff, and the findings of the Jail Alternatives Work Group. Additional information regarding the estimated costs of this capacity range will be provided during the June 10, 2014 work session. The current CIP information is adequate for the most intense initial build program should the Board choose this option. Staff will return in the fall with an update once the Jail Alternatives Work Group finalizes its recommendations, the new Sheriff provides input and operational direction, and the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to identify the project designer is underway. Staff estimates that the Board will be presented with an award for the designer in January, 2015. Paul Laughton referred to the jail capacity update information as provided in the green sheet at the Commissioner's places. He said the plan would be for staff to return in the fall after the workgroup has returned with recommendations and cost estimates. Commissioner Gordon asked what is currently included in the budget for this. Paul Laughton said there is a total of$30 million included right now. Commissioner Gordon said there was talk about two modules. Paul Laughton said this talks about building a core facility with initial construction for capacity of 144 beds. He said there is a range of 144 to 216 beds. Commissioner Gordon asked where this stands. She asked if something has to be done to change from the $30 million to a lower dollar amount. Jeff Thompson said the $30 million is a placeholder for the large facility. He said right now staff has corroboration with consultants on a range of general beds between 144 and 216. He said the efficacy of the jail alternatives programs, the impact of the new sheriff, and the design process are all unknown at this point. He said the elegance of this is the ability to build smaller for future expansion if needed. Commissioner Gordon asked if the $30 million is in the out years. Paul Laughton said this is in year 4. Commissioner Gordon said this will affect their debt capacity. She said right now there is sufficient debt capacity. She asked if more information will be known by fall. Jeff Thompson said yes. He said construction needs to happen by 2016, and the facility needs to be operating by 2019. • Preliminary Renovation Planning Funds for O/der Facility Needs Paul Laughton said the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) submitted a request on April 22, 2014 requesting $750,000 in preliminary renovation planning funds related to older facility needs. County staff has contacted Orange County Schools related to their possible planning fund needs, and this information will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners when a response is received. Paul Laughton said there is also a letter from Orange County School (OCS) Board of Education at their places. He said the second paragraph mentions that the Orange County Board of Education will be wrestling with the hard question of how to address capital needs while maximizing available funding over the next couple of weeks.