COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

DATE:

April 21, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

May 2, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

3/5ths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John L. Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Central Courthouse Perimeter Security Project

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve an Appropriation Transfer Request transferring General Reserves of $222,132 from the Courthouse Construction Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for construction of a security checkpoint at the Central Courthouse in San Mateo.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 20: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The transfer of funds from the Courthouse Construction Fund to the Capital Projects Fund will provide funding to construct a security checkpoint at the Central Courthouse in San Mateo, enhancing the safety for all that utilize that facility.

BACKGROUND:

The Courthouse Construction Fund was established in 1984 for the purpose of funding construction, rehabilitation, lease and financing of courtrooms and courthouses. Funding is provided by penalty assessments that are added to all criminal, traffic and parking fines. Pursuant to G.C. Section 70404, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) must approve appropriation of Courthouse Construction Funds after January 1, 2004.

In addition to one-time capital improvement projects of court facilities, the Courthouse Construction Fund also currently funds debt service for the Municipal Court Relocation Project (Hall of Justice 4^th Floor Remodel) and will fund future debt service related to the court facilities at the new Youth Services Center. It is expected that future ongoing proceeds into the Fund will be used to pay debt service over the next 25-30 years, however, there are undesignated Reserves in the Fund of $2.5 million.

DISCUSSION:

In August 2005 the Court informed the County of its intention to implement a two-phased approach to installing a perimeter security checkpoint at the Central Courthouse in San Mateo. Phase I, which was completed in early January 2006, called for a magnetometer to be stationed at the front entrance of the facility with security personnel checking bags by hand. Phase II calls for the construction and installation of a security checkpoint, which includes an x-ray machine and monitoring capabilities of exterior doors and vulnerable areas. Over the past several months the County’s Building Security Work Group, in collaboration with the Court and Public Works, have developed a preliminary design of the checkpoint and a corresponding budget. The proposed budget was determined to be $222,132 and on February 23, 2006 a request was made to the AOC for expenditure of funds from the Courthouse Construction Fund. On March 18, 2006 the AOC approved the project for funding. The County and the Court are now prepared to move forward with the preparation of as-built drawings and specifications. Project completion is tentatively scheduled for September 2006.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The entire cost of this project will be funded by the Courthouse Construction Fund. There is no impact on the General Fund as result of this action.

cc: John Fitton, Court Executive Officer

Neil Cullen, Director-Public Works