Memorandum
Date: October 22, 2024
To: The Honorable Bruno Sabatier, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lars Ewing, Public Services Director
Stephen Carter, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of Upcoming Courthouse Facility Projects
Executive Summary:
As your Board is aware, the Public Services Department and Administrative Office have been planning several improvements to the courthouse building. These projects will enhance the operational efficiency of the building and provide a more comfortable and accommodating environment for both staff and visitors. Given the nature and interrelationship of the projects, and need to weigh financial considerations, staff is providing this update to your Board. We look forward to any relevant direction, and ensuring the path forward is clear.
Superior Court Fourth Floor
The new Lakeport Courthouse is under construction, and the Superior Court is preparing to vacate the existing Courthouse’s fourth floor. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) estimates the new Courthouse will be complete mid-2026; the Court expects to move soon thereafter.
This provides a unique opportunity to consider potential reallocation of that space for County use, and subsequent renovation based on the new use. Staff intends to work with the Space Committee to address the following questions:
- What County Departments or services would benefit from relocation or expansion to the fourth floor?
- What potential uses or tenants should be prioritized for this newly available space?
- Should the County explore any public-private partnership opportunities for the space? If so, which ones?
As your Board is aware, the AOC maintains equity rights in the current Courthouse, and use of the fourth floor would require the County’s acquisition of those rights. The 2008 Joint Occupancy Agreement outlines anticipated terms. County and AOC staff plan to order an independent appraisal of the AOC’s equity rights in the summer of 2025 to establish the fair market value as a starting point for negotiations.
Board Chambers Renovation
The Board of Supervisors’ Chambers remain essentially unchanged since 1968 Courthouse construction. Minor renovations have included: removal of a folding dividing door in the seating area; replacement of permanent theater seating for portable banquet chairs during the COVID-19 pandemic; refinishing of the dais furniture and lectern area; and progressive additions of Audio/Visual technology, to accommodate broader participation.
At the direction of your Board, staff has been developing plans for a Chambers modernization to enhance functionality, technology integration, and public access. Preliminary architectural concept plans are complete and the estimated construction cost is approximately $650,000-750,000. However, staff anticipates the potential for cost savings by refining the scope of work, particularly through the selection of alternative building materials. Since your Board is the anchoring user of the Chambers, we invite your discussion regarding the scope of the renovation, construction budget and timelines. Artistic renderings will be presented during this discussion item, for your consideration.
HVAC Modernization
The existing Courthouse Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system has come to require regular repair, and faces controllability issues. A recent mechanical engineering system evaluation recommended replacement of the aged heating equipment with a modern system. While the cooling systems serving the first, second, and third floors still have usable life, they are connected to a larger system that ultimately requires a level of remediation and equipment selection that leads to a building-wide modernization being the recommended solution.
HVAC modernization will increase energy efficiency, improve climate control, and ensure reliable service for all occupants. Designs are in progress and the estimated construction cost is approximately $2 million. Additionally, the Superior Court owns and maintains an antiquated cooling system on the fourth floor. The fact the County may soon occupy the fourth floor lends greater support to the necessity of a building-wide renovation, as opposed to a phased approach. Staff recommends sequencing this project with the vacancy of the fourth floor to minimize disruptions and simplify construction.
Restroom Renovations
Renovations to the first, second, and third floor restrooms have long been considered, and supported, in concept. This type of work generally would not merit discussion at the Board of Supervisors level; however, your Board’s awareness of the full project scope is important, and there may be opportunity to sequence restroom renovation with some of the aforementioned projects to minimize disruptions to the public and staff.
Conclusion
Public Services and Administrative Office leadership and staff rely on your Board’s guidance surrounding future use and improvement of the Courthouse building. We share your goal of promoting maintenance and repurposing of facilities to well serve the community, with appropriate consideration of future County of Lake operational needs. Ensuring your Board’s Chambers and the Courthouse facility provide a welcoming environment for generations of Lake County residents to come requires investment, and we appreciate your Board’s attention to the scope and prioritization of these projects.
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Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
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Recommended Action: Discussion and consideration of direction to staff.