TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution expressing the City's support of the development of a new County Courthouse in downtown Long Beach. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
In February 2005, the County of Los Angeles released a South District, Long Beach Courthouse-Building Deficiencies and Public Impact Report (Report) (Attachment A). The Report summarized the inadequacies of the existing County Courthouse, which includes seismic deficiencies, inoperable custody elevators, inadequate custody lockup area, defective public elevators and escalators, and an inadequate number of courtrooms and space for support functions.
This building is among the most outdated and undersized of courthouses in the State and will remain incapable of meeting the region's demand for current and near-term need for court services. The Long Beach Courthouse's existing court space provides limited court services as a result of it constrained size. Consequently, the court has had to utilize a modular building to hold its traffic court. The poor condition of the facilities, the significant lack of security and overcrowded conditions, and the public's hindered access to court services are among the many reasons a new courthouse is needed.
As a result of the glaring need for a new courthouse and to highlight the desire to retain the courthouse in Downtown Long Beach, the City Council authorized a joint Courthouse Site Feasibility Study (Study) with the County of Los Angeles (County) in September 2005. The purpose of the Study was to evaluate identified sites and establish an optimal location for a new criminal/civil County courthouse in the downtown area. The project considered the replacement of the existing decaying courthouse. The Study identified three potential sites and evaluated the condition of each site as well as design criteria for a new courthouse. The Study was distributed to City Council in September 2006. Attached is the executive summary of the Study (Attachment B).
In late-August 2006, the Judicial Council for the State of California recommended to the Governor that funding for the construction of a new 34-courtroom courthouse to replace the existing Long Beach Courthouse be allocated in the 2007-2008 proposed State budget.
In late November 2006, staff was informed that the State Department of Finance (DOF) rejected the funding request for a new courthouse in Long Beach. The DOF has requested additional information from the State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) regarding the costs associated with renovating the existing courthouse versus financial implications of new construction. It is anticipated that once the DOF understands the expense associated with renovating the courthouse they will understand that renovation is not a viable option.
The AOC has requested the City of Long Beach to provide a Resolution supporting the need for a new courthouse in Long Beach so they may include the Resolution as supplemental information to the DOF.
This report was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael J. Mais on November 28, 2006 and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on November 27, 2006.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on December 5, 2006, so that it may be considered in the Governor's May 2007, revised budget. .
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the suggested action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH COURTHOUSE BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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APPROVED: |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |