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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal Minutes 06-30-2008BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA INFORMAL MEETING Date: June 30, 2008 Convened: 2:OOp.m. Adjourned: 4:00 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chairman, Joseph Smith, Paula A.Lewis, Doug Coward, Chris Craft. Charles Grande Others Present: Doug Anderson, County Administrator, Faye Outlaw, Asst. County Administrator, LeeAnn Lowery, Asst. County Administrator, Marie Gouin, Management and Budget Director, Roger Shinn, Central Services Director, Don McLam, Asst. Central Services Director, Ed Fry, Clerk of Courts, Dan McIntyre, County Attorney, Neil Appel, Purchasing Director, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk The Assistant Central Services Director gave a history on the project. In 2005 the contractor presented the cost at $11.8 million. The following projects were added to the contractors price bringing the modified project cost to $18.2 million. a) Chiller Plant b) Old Clerk Building Phase 1 c) Sally Port Extension The Board of County Commissioner's Investment current and collective costs are $24,656,230.00. In addition $2.6 million has been set aside for the annex renovations. This now brings the commitment to $27 million. They will be doing the 3`d floor offices only and 4`h floor courtrooms. The Clerk' soffice space conversion of 8,000 sq. ft from hallways will be office space. Staff requested direction regarding the restaurant space and monumental staircase entrance. Com. Coward questioned the Clerk's long term needs versus the various projects. The Asst. Central Services Director stated they need to already be looking at additional space for the Clerk. Com. Craft expressed his concern with a restaurant competing with the private sector restaurants and businesses in the downtown area. He believes if they maintain the ownership the space needs to be government space as opposed to private sector space. Com. Coward stated he concurred with Com. Craft but would lease out the space not sell it. Com. Lewis stated there is a shift on how the county can now raise revenues and as long as it is ep on a business footing she does not have a problem. Com. Craft stated businesses do not wwant to be in competition with the private sector. Com. Coward questioned the cost for the renovations. The Asst. Central Services Director stated the cost for the 3`d floor would be around $600,000 and the restaurant $600,000 for the 8,000 sq. ft. and this is if it were to be done in house. Presently they do not have funding for either of the projects. ~~ .~.. ~r The Clerk of Court stated when the plans were reviewed by the Board, it was understood the Clerk would need space in the old building for future needs. 25% or 2,000 sq. ft. of the 3`d floor space had been commited to Court Administration. The Clerk of Court stated there had been a reduction in staff on the Clerk to the Board side, however at the courthouse they needed additional staff due to the state imposing additional duties. The Asst. Central Services Director stated they can do the 8,000 sq. ft or the 6,000 sq. ft for the Clerk faster than the restaurant due to design and architectural requirements needed for the restaurant. The Clerk advised the Board there are 14 staff at the Rhode Island facility plus files. Com. Smith recommended before any expansion they have Central Services move the files in order to have more space. Com. Coward questioned the funding source. The Asst. County Administrator stated they have not identified any as yet. The County Administrator stated it possibly can be obtained with any carry forwards. The Clerk of Court requested if the space for the restaurant is not being utilized can 3,000 sq. ft. be earmarked for clerk space. Com. Coward stated the lease with the Fire District is short term and they need to start looking out for that space at this time. Com. Smith stated in his tour of the courthouse he saw many empty cubbies and asked if they could be used for other departments. The clerk of Court stated they could need to scatter employees over the 5~' floor and he felt this would not make the departments efficient. The Clerk stated whatever the County wishes to do with the 3`d floor he would support. Com. Coward stated he would recommend having a study done on the space. He does not see the urgency in space allocation at this time. Com. Craft stated the County will not know the affect of the budgetary reduction from the state in 18 months. Com. Coward stated there may be space due to the county staff reduction. The County Administrator stated they will be moving all outside space to the Administration Building due to the consolidation of departments. He also stated the Suntrust Building owner has also provided a very attractive leave rate should the county be interested. Com. Coward reiterated the need for a space needs assessment. The balance of the Board concurred. SBE (Small Business Enterprise) Staff did not recommend moving forward with any of the programs due to budgetary constraints. These programs would require intensive staff and time. Com.Coward questioned if there was really a problem. 2 RC1T>~'~ttachment EDWIN M. r RY, JR., CPA Clem of Circuit Court ST. LUCIE COUNTY TO: FROM: DATE: P. O. DRAWER 700 • FORT PIERCE. FLORIDA 34954 The Honorable Board of County Commissione ~ `` Edwin M. Fry, Jr., Clerk of the Circuit Court ~ )( ~ / May 27. 2008 ~ ~ }~~~G lr SUBJECT: Clerk of Courts Building ~ 1 ~~ ;~~ a~ -~ ~.'~ 'ma'y= _,~ ' o 1~"~~ ~~ ~~~, In the new Clerk of Courts building plan prepared and approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2003. the southeast corner of the first floor, approximately 3.000 square feet. was designated as retail space. County staff decided that the best use of that retail space would be to have a restaurant. During the construction of the building, county staff issued an RFP to determine which firms would be interested in operating a restaurant. As of today. I am unaware of anv firm that has an agreement with the Board to operate a restaurant in the Clerk of Courts building. I am requesting that the 3.000 square feet be completed as office space for my staff. As you are well aware. the overall plat pat proved by the Board in 2003 envisioned that the clerk would need an additional 9.000 square feet in the old clerk`s building as of 2008. unfortunately, the old clerk`s building is under restoration, but there is no plan to provide additional space in the building for the clerk over the next two years. Additionally, the future plan for the complete restoration of the building will provide only ?~% of the third floor. approximately 4.00 square feet. as space for the clerk. Since the restoration of the old building will not meet the space needs of the clerk as identified in the 2003 plan approved by the Board. and the Board has not contracted with anyone to provide a restaurant in the new Clerk s Building. I am requesting the 3.000 square feet in the new Clerk's Building be designated as office space for the clerk. Thank you for your consideration of my request. Respectfully, l ~ ~, `~C~,~ ~,~ / `- ~. ~. Edwtn M. Fry, Jr - ~f Clerk of Courts 1 St. Lucie County C: Doug Anderson. County Administrator i h ~ '' ~'yi ' ~ _l: ~I i i ~. ADMIr~l. Grt=iCF Clerk Building 201 South Indian River Drive Fort Pierce, Florida 34950 (772) 462-6900 ~> Family Relation. 2400 Rhode island Avenue Fort Fierce. Florida 3498' r7^21 462-691' County Courthouse 218 South 2nd Street Fort Pierce. Florida 34950 (772) 462-6900 O Finance Department 2300 Virginia Avenue Anne:: Fort Fierce. Florida 34952 (7"21 462-1470 St. Lucie West Annex 250 N.W. Country Club Drive Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986 (772)871-5375 <% Juvenile Uenartment. 435 North 7th Street Fort Pierce. Flonda 3495u ", 72 t 462-660 ~ The Asst. County Administrator stated desparity studies are very costly however this is what would be needed to answer such a question. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Com. Coward requested information on what the county's desired staff would be for 2009/2010. Com. Coward commented on a possible 4 day work week. The County Administrator stated Road and Bridge does have a 4 day work week however their office personnel does not. This idea will be considered at a later date. The meeting was adjourned.