Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - SC COURTHOUSE PROJ (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: S May 26, 2009 NEW SANTA CLARITA SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE PROJECT UPDATE City Manager's Office RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council receive the report regarding the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse Project, amend the City Council resolution approved on March 24, 2009, increasing the land donation for this project from 3.5 acres to approximately 7 acres located on Golden Valley Road, and provide staff direction to continue the necessary process to secure placement of the new courthouse within City of Santa Clarita boundaries. BACKGROUND Mayor Frank Ferry presented an item regarding the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse project at the March 24, 2009, City Council meeting. The City Council adopted a resolution committing to a land donation of approximately 3.5 acres located on Golden Valley Road for this project. The donation of the parcel was in response to the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts' (AOC) letter to the City of Santa Clarita informing the City of this project and requesting assistance in identifying economic opportunities associated with this project. Furthermore, Council directed staff to work with appropriate agencies and legislators to explore the creation of a new Santa Clarita Judicial District. The Council also created an Ad -Hoc Committee and appointed Mayor Frank Ferry and Councilmember Bob Kellar to serve on the committee. The resolution that was passed by the City Council included language to pledge the donation only for the purposes of a new courthouse, and the property transfer will be complete once the AOC has communicated its commitment with the City of Santa Clarita to move forward with its plans to construct the courthouse in the immediate future. Below is an update on the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse project since the City Council's R60. support and approval of the resolution. On March 27, 2009, Supervisor Michael Antonovich submitted a letter to the AOC recommending that the AOC consider 29330 The Old Road in Castaic, which is commonly referred to as the Pitchess Detection Center, and five alternative sites for placement of the future courthouse. These locations are all in the unincorporated areas of the Santa Clarita Valley. At this point, Supervisor Antonovich has recommended these sites, but has not sought formal approval ' by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to officially donate one of these properties to the AOC for court construction. On April 13, 2009, Senator George Runner and Assemblymember Cameron Smyth convened a joint meeting to discuss the new Santa Clarita Courthouse project. In attendance from the City of Santa Clarita were Mayor Frank Ferry, Councilmember Bob Kellar, City Manager Ken Pulskamp, Assistant City Manager Ken Striplin, and Intergovernmental Relations Officer Michael Murphy. Also in attendance was the AOC Local Planner Ms. Kelly Quinn. Ms. Quinn is the local staff contact from the AOC for the duration of the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse Project. During the meeting, Ms. Quinn discussed the AOC planning process for this project. During the April 13, 2009, meeting, Ms. Quinn reiterated to City officials that approximately $50 million will be spent on the construction of a four -courtroom facility. However, the AOC recognizes that an additional six courtrooms will be needed in the foreseeable future. In addition, Ms. Quinn stated that that the 3.5 acres, which the City donated for the construction, will not be sufficient for the four -courtroom facility and future expansion, which would include six courtrooms. Ms. Quinn also relayed that the location should have an additional 1.5 acres available for potential Los Angeles County offices such as the Public Defender's office, District Attorney's office, Jury Services, and Sheriff Services. As mentioned above, per prior direction from the AOC, on March 3, 2009, the City of Santa Clarita took an action to donate 3.5 acres of land for the new courthouse. Currently, a total of just over 5 acres will be needed for the proposed courthouse and future expansion, and an additional 1.5 acres for potential County court related offices, totaling a need of just under 7 acres. There is adequate space surrounding the 3.5 acre donated parcel to meet all these additional project requirements if necessary. As the project progresses, staff will work with the AOC and come back to the City Council, as appropriate. Currently, the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse is among the next tier of projects that will be funded.To receive funding, the AOC must complete a feasibility study on this project and provide the study, as well as additional funding information, to the State Department of Finance (DOF), Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the State Public Works Board ( SPWB) for review and approval. The AOC has informed City staff that the feasibility study will be completed by the AOC by mid-July of this year. The approval of the project from the DOF, Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the SPWB will take approximately 60-90 days. After receiving approval to begin the project, the AOC will contact the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles to begin the site selection process. This process is set to begin by fall 2009. Once a site selection process for the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse begins, the AOC will appoint the Los Angeles County Presiding Judge to a Project Advisory Group (PAG) to evaluate different siting options. The Presiding Judge will appoint other local officials and stakeholders to the PAG to properly evaluate all available sites for the new courthouse based on the AOC selection criteria. Once a site is selected the AOC will be responsible for securing a consultant for the design and construction of the new courthouse. Ms. Quinn has informed City staff that to remain as one of the priority projects in the upcoming group of projects, it would be beneficial to update our June 28, 2000, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment on the donated parcel and recommend alternative property locations for the future courthouse site. A site assessment would assist the AOC in determining the appropriateness of the proposed location for the project as it pertains to the environmental impact. Due to the possibility of future expansion of the courthouse facility, it would be necessary to conduct an initial assessment on 7 acres. However, Ms. Quinn suggested that we do not begin updating our assessment until the feasibility report is completed and the state begins securing funds for the new courthouse. Due to the limited changes to the parcel since the previous site assessment, the cost is assumed to be minimal. Staff will inform the City Council of the cost once the cost is known. City staff is continuing to work with the AOC to determine future steps to identify the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse as a priority project. The AOC is recommending that the City of Santa Clarita amend the resolution that the City Council passed on March 24, 2009. Similar to the previous resolution, this resolution will include language to pledge the donation only for the purposes of a new courthouse, and the property transfer will be complete once the AOC has communicated its commitment with the City of Santa Clarita to move forward with its plans to construct the courthouse in the immediate future. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT On July 19, 2001, The City of Santa Clarita acquired Tract 2836-012-905 in conjunction with 2836-016-909, for a total of 12 acres. In 2002, both parcels were appraised for a total rate of $10 per net square foot, or $3,335,000. The recommended donation is 7 acres of the total 12 acres. The current value of the properties are unknown. If the City Council chooses to move forward with the site assessment, funds from the existing budget will be used. No additional funds are needed at this time. ATTACHMENTS Resolution - New Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse Resolution 3 RESOLUTION 09- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS INTENT TO DONATE CERTAIN LAND OWNED BY THE CITY TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SANTA CLARITA SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE WHEREAS, under the Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002 and SB 1407, Chapter 311, Statutes of 2008, recognized the critical demand and need for courthouse construction and renovation projects throughout the State. The State has approved $5 billion in bond financing to upgrade courthouses statewide, and recognizing the critical need in Santa Clarita has apportioned $50.279 million for the construction of a new 'Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita affirms its support for a new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse; and WHEREAS, the Judicial Council of California has contacted the City of Santa Clarita to identify economic opportunities in the selection of this project, such as a land donation; and WHEREAS, the Judicial Council of California has reassessed the size of the property required for a new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse to be 7 acres. The 7 acres will provide adequate space to accommodate the new four -courtroom facility with additional room for a six -courtroom expansion and potential Los Angeles County court services related offices. WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita owns property contiguous to Golden Valley Road, Tract 2836-012-905 ("Property"); and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita has identified that the Property is suitable for the new Santa Clarita Superior Courthouse Project. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby resolve as follows: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Clarita pledges its support to assist the Judicial Council of California. SECTION 2. The City Council commits to donate the 7 acres of the Property to the Judicial Council of California subject to certain conditions set forth below: 1. The City desires to assure adequate access to current property owners in the adjacent area and may require certain utility and other necessary easments. 2. The property transfer will receive final approval by the City Council following the Court's communication to the City, in writing, that the Court has complied with the California Environmental Quality Act, has all the necessary funding, has an executable strategy to proceed with its plans, and that the Court is committed to moving forward with its plans in the C/ immediate future. SECTION 3 Upon satisfaction of the foregoing conditions and receipt of the aforementioned communication from the Court, and the satisfaction of any procedural requirements pertaining to the transfer, the City Council commits to authorizing the transfer. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of , 2009. ATTEST: CITY CLERK MAYOR STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA) I, Sharon L. Dawson, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of , 2009, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) CERTIFICATION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION I, Sharon L. Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution 09- adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California on , 2009, which is now on file in my office. Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this day of 2009. Sharon L. Dawson, MMC City Clerk By Susan Caputo, CMC Deputy City Clerk 7