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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-13-2006-10aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 13, 2006 Action Agenda Item No. 1 ba SUBJECT: Justice Facilities Expansion Project Review and Park and Ride/Shuttle Service Options DEPARTMENT: Purchasing and Central PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Services and Planning ATTACHMENT(S): Letter from Employee Relations Consortium Regarding Park and Ride Initiative Letter from Courthouse Employees Draft Parking Plan (under separate cover) INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam .!ones, (919) 245-2652 Craig Benedict, (919) 245-2585 PURPOSE: To receive information regarding the status and endorse the committee generated plans for the status of the .Jtastice Facilities Expansion Project; and consider options for the park-and-ride/shuttle service to the downtown Hillsborough County campus, BACKGROUND: Three planning groups have been involved in the design of the Justice Facilities Expansion project, Carley Redfoot Zack has worked consistently with the Interior Planning Committee, comprised of Judicial Officials who will occupy the space, The architect is in the process of finalizing Haar plans with the Sheriff and with the Clerk of Court, Most recently, the Exterior Planning Committee has completed its work on recommendations for the exterior of the building. The recommended design will require a text amendment by the Town of Hillsborough to allow far the height of the building, The Planning Board met on June 5, 2006 to discuss the text amendment. The project would then move forward far Historic District Commission review. An update on the Planning Board discussions will be provided during the June 13 meeting, The Historic District Commission has scheduled a special session to specifically review the Courthouse project on June 21, 2006, The Architect will share the project developed thus far with the County Commissioners during the June 13, 2006 meeting. The Board will also be asked to consider park and ride options that are, in part, prompted by the Courthouse expansion. The Planning Department has worked with County staff and others to develop options for Park-and-Ride/Shuttle Service to the Downtown County Campus. There is insufficient an-site and on-street parking to accommodate the current parking demand. The expansion of the Courthouse will exacerbate the problem significantly, both during construction and thereafter, Further, the County will be required to demonstrate that alternative parking will be provided in order to meet the parking demands prompted by construction of the additional z 38,000 square feet in the new facility. Craig Benedict, County Planning Director, will present the options, while Donna Coffey, County Budget Director will provide information regarding cost of the initiative. Letters from the County's Employee Relations Consortium and the Courthouse employees that addresses their concerns regarding the park and ride initiative are attached far your information, FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County's debt issuance plan presented to the Board at the January 20, 2006 retreat included $10,2 million for construction of the new .Justice Facility and renovations to the existing New Courthouse, The Budget Director will present fiscal implications of the park and ride initiative during the presentation. While costs will be more in the first year of operation due to one time startup costs associated with purchasing vehicles, it is also important to note that operational costs for the park and ride initiative will vary depending on the number of buses operated, As a point of reference, the fiscal year 2006-07 Manager's Recommended Budget includes a reserve fund of $150,000 for the park and ride initiative, RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: • Receive the report and endorse the design of the Justice Facilities Project (including Farmer's Market and River Park); and • Approve the Park-and-Ride/Shuttle initiative in concept and provide direction to staff as may be appropriate, so that six-months of funding may be included in the 2006-2007 Budget. 3 p„, Orange County ,l u~PiO~~ ~lations C~onsO)~iu~j post Offie~Box 8181 Chair: R7artha 1loytman fi811sborough, MC 27278 ~ - Vied-Chair: Tonya Williams T¢l: 919 732-8181 _ - May 25, 2006 Dear Board of County Commissioners, We, the members of the Employee Relations Consortium, are nominated by our departments to represent all employees of Orange County Goverrunent. It is our mission to foster effective employee relations by serving as liaisons between employees and management and encouraging community involvement. As the designated representatives of Orange County employees, it is the responsibility of the Consortium to respectfully communicate issues and concerns raised by County employees to the members of management. Recently, we have had the opportunity to participate in discussions concerning the parking near and around the Goverment Services Center and Government Services Annex buildings, We have learned about the near-term and longer-term issues and have participated in brainstorming sessions identifying potential solutions, Employee parking close to the county buildings is one of the benefits of wonting far Orange County. We recognize that we are very fortunate. Our counterparts at other university, county, municipal and state offices do not have free panting available near-by azid are required to utilize distant park-and-ride lots, pay for parking, or both. We also recognize that the anticipated growth in government facilities in downtown Hillsborough will limit parking for citizens visiting county buildings. However, as we learn more about the scope and direction of the changes under consideration, we have serious concerns for the safety of county employees using the proposed shuttle service. It is our understanding that the shuttle service maybe available to the public, specifically for those citizens conducting business at the Govemment Services Center or the Justice Facility. County employees deal with taxpayers who are unhappy with county services or family members unhappy with the outcome of a social services intervention. Sharing a ride on a public shuttle with a family member that the employee may then face in the tax office, in the courtroom, or at a mediation session is at best uncomfortable and at worst, dangerous. In addition, convenient panting near to the workplace enables employees to balance their work obligations and their personal responsibilities.. Day-care drop-offs and pick-ups, I appointments for fancily members, local errands, emergencies, and other day-to-day needs can be met while still fulfilling work responsibilities. We believe that any plan for county parking in the Government Services area should balance the employees' needs for a safe work environment and desires for flexibility with the community needs for providing parking for citizens transacting business at government offices_ The Consortium supports offering a number of different altematives to address employee pazking requirements. Employees would then be free to select that altemative which best meets their needs while still enabling them to meet their professional work obligations. The alternatives that we would like to see seriously considered include: "Park and Walk" where parking is available in the general downtown area, within walking distance of the Government Services buildings thus freeing the closer-in parking far citizens and visitors Designated parking near the buildings which can be "reserved" by employees who need near-by parking on a specific day (e,g., for a doctor's appointment) Encouragement ofvan-pooling or car-pooling by employees by designating parking near the buildings and by providing other incentives, perhaps financial compensation, These alternatives do not preclude the possibility of a shuttle service, Instead, they provide a spectrum of altematives, recognizing the employees' needs as well as the organizational needs, We also suggest revisiting the alternative of building a parking garage in downtown Hillsborough, It is our understanding that the decision to not build a parking garage was made several yeazs ago. As the pazking needs in the downtown Hillsborough area grow, a pazking garage may be a viable solution. We aze hopeful that the group developing reconunendations for your consideration will consider the potential impact of the recommendations on employee safety, We sincerely appreciate your support and commitment to Orange County employees through the years, We hope that your support is fiuther demonstrated while considering the alternatives to pazking in the downtown Hillsborough area. Thank you for' your time and consideration. Sincerely, Orange County Employee Relations Consortium Cc: Jolm Link, Craig Benedict 2 5 Orange County l;mployee Relations Consortium 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, 7 Please take this opportunity to develop a viable solution. Orange County is committing to building afirst-rate facility,. The limitations of the Churton Street location present tremendous challenges to the day-to-day operation of this facility. The courthouse stafflras performed minor miracles to continue efficient operation of an overworked judicial system in Orange County,. Time spent shuttling to and from work will be substantial and reduce the staff's ability to effectively serve the citizens of Orange County. Thank you for helping with these issues.. Dear .Judge Fox and .Judge Buckner: [) I have read the attached letter to the Orange County Conunissioners and agree that parlting for courthouse staffneeds to be provided, Please help us express our position to the commissioners. Thank you for your help. Printed name Si afore ~yYU ~ d ! cy,~ ~~~ ~e.~- Gv-rts , ~ ~ eCS ~ ~ ~ .~ ~ L:SF u~ ~, a..ar Lv L~ GY.~~C i ~A" ~.l~r/\ Cam.. ~'-•""' f Gr-~t c,y ( ~~22'~s e s --?-eP ctvo row A a~-l~- a ;~ L _ 'avn 5 c,o 1 • Deaz Judge Fox and .Tudge Buckner: I have read the attached letter to the Orange County Commissioners and agree that parking for courthouse staff needs to be provided. Please help us express our position to the commissioners. Thank you for your help. Printed name Si e -- ~ r I~ ~ - !-C ,ICS E c2c2 SCI, illt _, V>1~`<. lG l ~/ ~ ~ ;r~G~ir-7J __ _ ~ AT .,l T ALL ~ - ~ , :~ .r„ r~ ~~( 1 '~ l~.z' U ~- o'er v ~._.:> ^. ~._-_• ' c/7~ / cx'. G~ r't. ~ `" m a - Gz~ ~ ~y`-