TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an agreement and all documents related thereto between the County of Los Angeles and the City for shared payment of the Courthouse Feasibility Study, approved September 6, 2005. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
On September 6, 2005, the City Council authorized a contract with Beverly Prior Architects (Contract) to coordinate a joint Courthouse Site Feasibility Study (Study) with the County of Los Angeles (County). The purpose of the Study is to evaluate identified sites and establish the optimal location for a new criminal/civil County courthouse in the downtown area. The project is intended to replace the existing dilapidated courthouse. The total cost of the Contract is $157,758. The County has agreed to pay for half of that cost, $78,879, after an agreement stating such terms for shared payment between the County and City is approved and executed.
Subsequent to the City Council's authorization of the Study, an Executive Committee has been formed (comprising representatives from the City Manager's Office, the Police Department, the County and City Attorney's Offices, the Community Development Department, and the City Prosecutor) and held its first meeting on December 6, 2005, to discuss potential sites and overlapping interests in the development of a new courthouse in Downtown Long Beach. The Executive Committee recognizes the sensitivity of the project and believes that in order to build consensus with all of the stakeholders a Steering Committee should be formed (comprising City Council, the City Manager, the County Supervisor, the Senate and State Assembly Representatives and the Presiding Judge) to ensure all stakeholders have a forum and opportunity to convey their interest in the project.
In addition, a user group will also be convened, which will provide the Executive Committee with specific recommendations based on direct experience working in the existing courthouse.
Beverly Prior Architects will work with both the Steering Committee and the Executive Committee to develop a short list of sites in the Downtown area. The advantages and disadvantages of each site will be analyzed, so that an informed decision may be made on where to build a new criminal/civil courthouse. It is anticipated that the final report will be presented to City Council in the fall of 2006.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard F. Anthony on December 15, 2005, and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on December 20,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council approval of this item is requested on January 3, 2006, to expedite payment from the County of Los Angeles for the Study.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of the contract approved on September 6, 2005 with Beverly Prior Architects is $157,758, currently budgeted in the General Fund (GP) and the Community Development Department (CD), which will be partially offset by the contribution of $78,879 from the County of Los Angeles. Execution of the Agreement will permit the County of Los Angeles to process payment to the City of Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
PATRICK H. WEST |
APPROVED: |
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANGER |