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3 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: September4. 2001 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item Ng. <br /> SUBJECT: Hillsborough Judicial Facilities Expansion Planning Process <br /> DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central PUBLIC HEARING: (TAN) No <br /> Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Pam Jones(919)245-2652 <br /> TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br /> Hillsborough 1324181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-0.501 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Mebane 336-22742031 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider approving a planning process to be used in the Designlconstructlon of <br /> the Justice Facilities Expansion Project. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> Original Justice Fadl'I as Studv <br /> In 1994, the Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed a group to study the long-term <br /> needs ofjustice facilities in Orange County. All judicial functions within the County were <br /> represented in the Justice Facilities Study Group. The results of their efforts were reflected in a <br /> report published in July 1995. <br /> Efforts W Address Most Critical Neetl <br /> The scope of the long-term needs as identified by the Group were extensive. The County's <br /> ability to undertake expansion of this magnitude was limited. To that end, components <br /> exhibid'ng the greatest need were considered separately and two projects specific to those <br /> needs lobster. <br /> • The Jail Expansion project completed in early 1998 Edited 58 beds to the existing 71, <br /> thereby raising the total capacity in the jail to 128. Although capacity of the Jail is <br /> inadequate for the long-term, cooperation between the Sheriffs Department and judges has <br /> served to minimize overcrowding. The Federal Marshal continues b use the Orange County <br /> Jail as a major depot for pnsoners. <br /> The addition of the Gordon Battle Courtroom in early 1998 allowed the heavier volume <br /> District Coon to utilize the large courtroom on the main floor as its Primary mud location. A <br /> greater flexibility in scheduling various courtrooms was agreed b among the judges,thereby <br /> allowing a more efficient use pattern of all courtrooms. <br /> A second group of Judicial Officials and County staff were convened later in 1998 to evaluate <br /> the impact of these We expansions. Although these changes may have negated the need for <br />