HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-03-1998-10bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No. 10 b
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 3, 1998
SUBJECT: Report; Justice Facilities Study Group Follow up
DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND Public Hearing: No
CENTRAL SERVICES Budget Amendment Reqd? 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 receive information regarding the Justice Facility Study Group and to
provide comment to staff regarding the next steps desired by the Board.
BACKGROUND: In early 1995, the Commissioners appointed a study group to explore
future development of Justice Facilities in the County. The. group met for approximately
six months and a report reflecting their work and recommendations was received by the
Board in December, 1995.
In an effort to determine the impact of the additions to the Jail and Courthouse and how
they might affect the recommendations presented in the report, no further action has
been pursued. Both the Jail and Courthouse additions have now been completed,
although the final Jaii inspection was only completed by the State within the past week.
White the impact of the Jail addition is inconclusive at this point, the impact of the
additional courtroom is very favorable. Judges Battle and Buckner have collaborated to
initiate a scheduling system for courtrooms that adds flexibility to their use. The District
Court, who was regularly shut down by the Fire Marsha{ for overcrowding the courtroom,
has had no such occurrence since the new courtroom was brought on line in July, 1997.
Although the additional courtroom has provided much needed relief and the additional
58 beds in the Jail will reduce the overcrowded conditions for some period of time,
neither of these projects were meant to be long term solutions. With the constant
increase in court case load and the corresponding staff increases necessary to address
the heavier load, the positive effects of the two additions are likely to be short-lived.
2
In order to ensure that the development of court facilities receives the thoughtful
attention to which it is entitled, it is suggested that a second, smaller 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.
Operational issues are likely to impact how and when facilities are developed. In order
to ensure complete information is considered as facilities are .recommended, the
subcommittee should also review significant future operational changes. This 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.
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board:
• Receive the information as presented; and
• Appoint a committee to review and report to the Board:
* The impact of recent construction of court related additions;
* Operational changes which could potentially affect the manner in which the
facilities are used;
* Suggested modifications to the recommendations issued in 1995.
• Suggestions for this committee include:
* Resident Superior Court Judge Wade Barber;
* Chief District Court Judge Joe Buckner;
* District Attorney Carl Fox;
* Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass;
* Clerk of Court Joan Terry; and
* District 15B Bar Association President, or designee;
* The County Manager and others he may designate.
• Request that the committee report their findings to the Board of Commissioners by
August 31, 1998.