DATE: September 5, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: New Courthouse - Resolution in Support
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution expressing support for the State of California Judicial Council’s potential siting of a new courthouse facility in Fresno County.
REPORT
Your Board’s approval of this item will indicate support for the State of California Judicial Council’s (Judicial Council) potential siting of a new courthouse facility in Fresno County. The potential new courthouse facility is anticipated to be located in District Three; however, the impact of this item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose to not approve a resolution in support of a new courthouse build, which could significantly impact the location of the new facility. If that were to happen, the Judicial Council could choose a site that is not convenient for the County, potentially increasing staff travel time, costs, and increased costs associated with inmate transfers to Court.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action at this time, as it is merely a resolution expressing support for the Judicial Council’s potential new courthouse project.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Fresno received a request from the State to initiate conversations around a new courthouse build in Fresno County, as allocated in the Governor’s FY 2022-23 budget. The resolution in support of the potential project is a requirement of the State as part of their review of the potential project. The State has proposed the following potential sites for a new courthouse as follows:
• Courthouse park - southeast corner of Van Ness and Fresno
• Courthouse park - current site of Sheriff’s administration and South Annex Jail
As part of the courthouse project, a Project Advisory Group (PAG) was formed, and is comprised of staff from the local and state courts, the CAO’s Office, the City of Fresno, and the Sheriff’s Office. The PAG meets on a regular basis to discuss potential sites as part of the initial stages of this project.
Approval of the recommended action will provide the State with the County’s support for the Judicial Council’s potential project.
Any further exploration of siting any new courthouse at a particular location will require adherence to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) processes. Staff will return to your Board at a later date as the potential project progresses.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai