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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator <br /> • <br /> FROM: Christopher R. Mora, P.E., Public Works Direct <br /> SUBJECT: Judicial Complex Expansion to Accommodate Additional Courtroom Facilities <br /> Approval of Proposal and Scope of Services from Architectural Firm: Pierce, <br /> Goodwin, Alexander& Linville (PGAL) for Site Analysis of Two Sites Near <br /> Courthouse to Provide Public Defender Office Relocation <br /> DATE: June 11, 2014 <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> The County Judicial Complex is located at 2000 16th Avenue near downtown Vero Beach. The 3- <br /> story Courthouse and Parking Garage, which was built in 1994, houses the courtrooms and offices <br /> of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court / Indian River County section. A total of seven courtrooms <br /> currently operate within the existing Courthouse facility. After recently meeting with the Clerk of <br /> the Court, the County Judges and judicial staff members, County staff has determined that current <br /> caseloads warrant an additional (8th) courtroom. <br /> To measure the caseload increase, staff noted the number of incoming new cases, both civil and <br /> criminal, over the past six months and then compared the caseloads to the monthly totals from <br /> one year ago. The results indicated an average increase of 16% additional cases each month. <br /> Based on mid-year projections, the Courthouse now anticipates handling 33,238 cases in <br /> FY13/14, which is 5,951 cases (+22%) above its previously projected caseload of 27,287 cases for <br /> FY13/14. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Of the seven courtrooms currently in use, Courtrooms #1, #2 and#3 are aligned north-to-south on <br /> the 2nd floor, and Courtrooms #4, #5, #6 and #7 are aligned north-to-south on the 3rd floor. Staff <br /> reviewed the building plans and consulted with the original Courthouse architect, PGAL, to <br /> investigate the possibility of using existing space on the 2nd floor to construct another courtroom. <br /> Within the south mid-section of the 2nd floor, immediately south of existing Courtroom #3 and the <br /> adjacent hearing room, is the space where an additional Courtroom could be constructed. Once <br /> constructed, the new courtroom would displace the Probate/Juvenile offices, which would <br /> subsequently require relocation. <br /> The first order of business is to secure a site near the Courthouse in order to relocate the Public <br /> Defender Office. Staff has researched available sites in the area and requires further site analysis <br /> and building analysis for two possible sites. <br /> Due to their experience and knowledge of the Courthouse project and their close involvement with <br /> the original Courthouse planning and construction, staff requested that the architect-of-record, <br /> PGAL, prepare and submit a proposal to the County for services to study existing properties near <br /> the Courthouse for Public Defender Office relocation. PGAL's proposal and scope-of-services are <br /> attached. <br /> PGAL's compensation request for these services is a lump sum fee of$13,000.00. <br /> 73 <br /> FAPublic Works\Luanne M\Agenda Items\Courtrtouse Office Renovation BCC 05-29-14.doc <br />