Agenda - 06-13-2006-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Memorandum To: Orange County Conmlissioners From: Courthouse staff The courthouse staff is eagerly awaiting the new facility.. This building will increase our ability to provide excellent service for any members of the public who have business at the courthouse.. As the project nears, we have received some distressing information regarding the parking situation, It appears that the county is contemplating the use of shuttles to transport courthouse staff to and from their parked vehicles. We are all aware of the puking problems at the current facility, We are all also aware of the increasing traffic problems on Churton Street in Hillsborough. Orange County's rapid growth creates the demand for the new facility to serve Orange County. The same growth creates problems for the viability of the efficient fimetion of the facility at tlas location. Simply put, the courthouse staff carmot efficiently make use of a shuttle system to and From their workplace. The courthouse is the hub of all legal proceedings in the cowrty. Already the staff is working at or above capacity. Adding an additional I S minute it7p to the begirming and a 1 S minute trip to the ending of each day is not fair or equitable to the staff. Additionally, adding a 15 minute shuttle ride to the begimring and ending of every single trip for medical, personal orwork-related necessary travel is a substantial burden to the staff that handles the county's legal records and,judicial operation. We have all experienced the increased traffic on Churton Street and reasonably expect that traffic to increase. Tlus situation will cause increased travel time on a shuttle, Delays and increased wait times are inevitable as the shuttle navigates tluough town at the busiest puts of the day. Basic security and accommodation would also make a shuttle a poor option for courthouse staff. Inside the courthouse, extensive security is planned, Given prior incidents of assaults and escapes witlun this courthouse, these measures are essential. Outside the workday, courthouse staff would be confined to a shuttle with the same people they are to he protected from within the courthouse, This situation is problematic and potentially dangerous. Defendants and victims would be on the shuttles together, Prosecutors, lawyers, clerks and court reporters would also have close contact with citizens involved in volatile situations.. Witnesses and,jurors would similarly be placed in untenable situations as they attempted to come to court. Clerks would he face to face with citizens who may resent the role clerks play in collecting child support, late fees or issuing domestic violence protective orders. The efficient functioning of the courts is currently a challenge, Ironically, the new facility may exacerbate the very problem it is intended to solve. Attempting to shuttle groups of 24 will be a daily exercise in futility. Court proceedings will be impaired and at the mercy of the shuttle of necessary people to conduct court business,