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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-17-1998 - 9fORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. 9 _~ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 17,1998 SUBJECT: Justice Facility Study follow up group; charge, membership, time schedule DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND Public Hearing: Yes: No: CENTRAL SERVICES Budget Amendment Reqd? Yes No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: PAM JONES, ext.' 2650 Telephone Number- Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 967-9251 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To appoint and charge a committee to follow up on the Judicial Facilities Study conducted in 1995. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners established a committee in 1994 for the purpose of looking at the future of Judicial facilities in Orange County. A report reflecting their findings was presented to the Board in 1995. Since the issuance of the report, two important facilities have been added, the Jail Addition and the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom. It was recommended to the Board in a report presented February 3, 1998 that in order to ensure that the development of court facilities receives the thoughtful attention to which it is entitled, a committee. be appointed by the Board to • Review the impact/projected impact of the additions to the Courthouse and Jail; and • In light of the findings during this review, make recommendations to the Commissioners regarding how the 1995 study recommendations should be modified, if at all. Further, it was recommended that operational issues be reviewed since many have direct bearing on how the facilities are used. This review could include a wide spectrum of subjects. Two specific examples include visions of the Court system for future automation and how safety issues will be addressed in the facilities. Charge. The following charge is recommended for the study group: The Justice Facilities Follow up study group shall review the 1995 report and determine to what extent the needs cited should be modified, if at all. This review shall include an examination of the impact of the two recently completed additions to the Jail and Courthouse. The Justice Facilities Follow up study group is requested to review operational issues which impact the Court facilities and share with the Commissioners their ideas regarding how these challenges may best be met. Membership. It is recommended that the following persons be appointed by the Board of Commissioners to participate in the study group: Wade Barber, Resident Superior Court Judge Joe Buckner, Chief District Court Judge Joan Terry, Clerk of Court Lindy Pendergrass, Sheriff Carl Fox, District Attorney District 15B Bar Association President, or designate James Williams, Public Defender County Manager and others as he may designate. Time Schedule. It is recommended that the group report their findings to the Board of Commissioners by August 31, 1998. Note: The 1995 report calls for the formation of a steering committee to assist in organizing and implementing tasks outlined in the action plan. However, since there have been two critical elements added since the issuance of the report, it is recommended that some limited time be spend affirming/modifying the recommendations from the 1995 report. A steering committee may be appointed after the completion of the follow up work. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the charge, membership and time schedule as presented.