Committee on Budget and Appropriations

Minutes

May 14, 1997

3:00 P.M.

B&A Members: Wishnie, Swanson, Abinanti, Darcy, Delfino, LaMotte, Young, Oros.

Others: Budget Department: Joe Phelan-Budget Director, Meredith Glenn, C.E.’s Office: Neil DeLuca, Gina Anguillo, Jamie Hastings; Finance: Eric Langeloh - Commissioner, Kate Tooher; Courts, Nicholas Federici, Nancy Mangold; West. County Bar Association: Gary Bashian; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; Planning: P. Lynn Oliva - Commissioner; DPW: A. Landi - Commissioner; Task Force on Families: Dr. Maria Munoz Kantha; Probation: Rocco Pozzi - Commissioner; General Services: Susan Egginton - Commissioner; BOL: Don Sandford - Deputy Clerk/Deputy Chief of Staff, Robert Boland - Budget Analyst, Glenn Guzi Program Specialist,

Co-Chair Swanson called Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Discussion: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information)

Courthouse Presentation: (Handout on file)

Jamie Hastings opened with an introduction of today’s presentation to be made by Commissioner Rocco Pozzi, Probation Department.

Committee on Budget and Appropriations

Minutes

May 14, 1997

3:00 P.M.

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Commissioner Pozzi provided a discussion of the proposed Family Court Center (Justice Center) which is included in County Executive Andrew P. O’Rourke’s Courthouse Proposal. Commissioner Pozzi discussed the various program elements of the Family Justice Center. They include; Guiding Principles of Services. Services provided by this center as discussed by the commissioner should be immediate, comprehensive, and victim and or family focused. Commissioner Pozzi illustrated the above mentioned services and how they relate to a well functioning courthouse. Also, Pozzi detailed how services would be delivered to victims, parents and children, and court processing.

The advantages of a centralized and unified family court center were illustrated by Commissioner Pozzi. They are: Capacity for immediate and broad-based services in one location, reduces inconsistencies in service delivery based on geography, reduces gaps in the system, incorporates victim advocacy as a critical component of service delivery, increases the accessibility of services (in emergency situations, transportation will be provided from the off-site probation offices), provides a short-term emergency haven for victims of domestic violence and their children, facilitates legal procedures since appropriate cases can be "walked through" the process, i.e. domestic violence victims who choose to file criminal charges can be escorted directly to the Office of the District Attorney, reduces the negative impact of the legal process on children, improves capacity of the system for crisis intervention, strengthens the assessment/evaluation process which in turn contributes to the potential successful outcomes of service interventions, improves utilization and reduces duplication of community-based services through targeted referrals and follow-through, promotes prevention out reach to a potentially high risk population (i.e., parenting groups/education, school interventions), promotes comprehensive planning and resource utilization,

Committee on Budget and Appropriations

Minutes

May 14, 1997

3:00 P.M.

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and improves space utilization as agencies can "share" specialized space such as large multi-purpose room, interviewing rooms, and conference rooms.

Leg. LaMotte asked if a survey had been done of the interior space of the present courthouse to determine whether or not it can be renovated for more efficiency.

Commissioner Oliva stated that it was the intent of the Family Justice Center to provide for the efficient use of space including the present courthouse.

Nick Federici also stated that in order to include the Department of Probation in the present courthouse, space would be required and that there is simply not enough space no matter how the present structure is renovated to provide the necessary services. An annex would be required.

Leg. Darcy asked whether or not the 1991 plan for the courthouse that was never carried out but approved meets today’s requirements.

Nick Federici stated that the 1991 plans do not meet today’s requirements and is substandard.

Leg. Darcy asked if the present tower could be reconfigured so that the present requirements could be met.

Federici answered that the 1991 plans moves the District Attorney’s office out of the tower and a reconfigurement would not supply enough space to include all services that are essential.

Committee on Budget and Appropriations

Minutes

May 14, 1997

3:00 P.M.

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Leg. Darcy asked if Bonding for this project could include costs involved with this project that are not directly related to building and renovations such as moving costs and providing swing space during the interim period.

Joseph Phelan stated various costs could be included in bonding but there would be conditions on these costs and bonding.

Kate Tooher stated that bonding through the dormitory authority could cost about two to three million dollars more than bonding directly through the county which would require a referendum.

Mr. Wing, structural engineer was asked questions by member of the committee concerning the integrity of the structure.

Mr. Wing stated that the present tower is constructed of reinforced cement which is poured cement with reinforcements of steel. He also stated that where there is obvious damage, the walls will have to be removed. Most damage talked about is water damage and where this does exist, a core sample will tell how extensive the damage in particular areas is.

Leg. Swanson asked if Mr. Wing felt that the Courthouse is structurally sound to undergo renovations with no threat of disaster occurring during the renovations.

Mr. Wing responded by saying that there is no question in his mind, the building is structurally sound. There is some damage which does required repair, however, the overall structure is sound and no threat of disaster exists.

Committee on Budget and Appropriations

Minutes

May 14, 1997

3:00 P.M.

Page 5

Mr. Wing stated that a new skin (exterior) will be constructed over the existing skin by constructing a steel shell around the building which will be fastened to the interior structure. This will prevent any additional decay of the existing skin which will then be sealed between the structure and the new exterior.

Leg. Wishnie requested that when the core borings are done, that the Committee receive a copy of the results.

There being no further items for discussion, on the motion of Leg. Darcy, seconded by Leg. Abinanti the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.