Laserfiche WebLink
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator CONSENT <br /> wl p I <br /> FROM: Christopher R. Mora, P.E., Public Works Direct <br /> ok/ <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 Si Analysis of Two Sites Near <br /> Courthouse to Provide Public Defender Off' a Relocation <br /> DATE: June 11, 2014 <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> The County Judicial Complex is located at 2000 1 Avenue near downtown Vero Beach. The 3- <br /> story Courthouse and Parking Garage, which was uilt in 1994, houses the courtrooms and offices <br /> of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court / Indian Riv r County section. A total of seven courtrooms <br /> currently operate within the existing Courthou facility. After recently meeting with the Clerk of <br /> the Court, the County Judges and judicial staf members, County staff has determined that current <br /> caseloads warrant an additional (8th) cortro m. <br /> To measure the caseload increase, st ted the number of incoming new cases, both civil and <br /> criminal, over the past six months a en compared the caseloads to the monthly totals from <br /> one year ago. The results indica average increase of 16% additional cases each month. <br /> Based on mid-year projections, ourthouse now anticipates handling 33,238 cases in <br /> FY13/14, which is 5,951 cas s (+ /o) bove its previously projected caseload of 27,287 cases for <br /> FY 13114. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Of the seven courtrooms currentlyAn 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 arld 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 the 2nd floor, immediately south of existing Courtroom #3 and the <br /> adjacent hearing room, is th 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\Courthouse Office Renovation BCC 05-29-14.doc <br />