By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
There will not be a new courthouse
built in Juab County in the near future.
Instead, the word from the state
court system officials is that the better choice to make
would be to remodel the existing county building to better
assure the safety of the judges, attorneys and visitors to
district courts.
"Remodeling will benefit us as well
as the courts," said Robert Steele, commissioner.
Juab County Commissioners agreed to
contribute a fee, required by the state court system, to
help determine the best way to remodel the county building
structure to accommodate expanding the court to add needed
protections.
That fee will be approximately
$5,500. Cook said that was one half of the cost set at
$10,950.
A study was conducted, in the
recent past, said Neil Cook, commission chairman, to
discover the best place to build a new facility. However,
that study did not prove that a new building was
needed.
"They couldn't see expending the
funds to build a new court," said Cook. "We do, however,
still have the security and lability issues to
consider.
Remodeling and renovating the
building in the courtroom area might be the best
solution."
The state court will consider some
proposals for remodeling which might include adding on the
building, removing a stairway or other major
renovation.
The state will be responsible for
the final assessment and engineering the study.
Guidelines have been developed by
the Judicial System of the State of Utah to promote the
creation of facilities that support effective and efficient
Court operations.
The United States has two court
systems&emdash;federal courts and state courts. State courts
have authority to hear cases that are not explicitly
reserved for federal courts.
In Juab County, the Fourth District
Court is part of the system, as is the county court.
District Courts are the first level where a federal case is
heard.
All court facility projects whether
they involve a correction of deficiencies, programming,
planning, renovation or construction must first be presented
to the Judicial Council's Standing Committee on Court
Facilities Planning.
"We want to participate every step
of the way and get in our two bits worth," said
Steele.
The Committee will formulate its
recommendations with regard to the proposed project and
submit requests on construction projects to the Utah
Judicial Council at the Council's annual budget and planning
meeting.
Upon recognition of deficiencies in
existing facilities and a commitment to plan for future
renovation or new court facility construction, initial
contact will be made with the AOC regarding these
initiatives.
A specific AOC staff person should
be assigned as liaison between AOC and the local court. This
staff person should become a permanent member of any task
force or planning group formed to develop operational and
architectural recommendations
The staff person should be involved
in the development of any requests for proposals for project
related consulting services and the selection of planning,
programming or architectural consultants.
This will insure that selected
consultants have appropriate expertise and experience with
the specialized requirements of Judicial
facilities.
Continuous consultation between the
local court and AOC should be affected through this liaison
position with specific review and comment by AOC.
These reviews should take place at
critical stages throughout the process but at a minimum
should occur prior to the publication of the Master Plan,
Program, Schematic Design, Design Development and
Construction Documents.
The product of Phase Two
planning might be: simple or minimal renovation of an
existing structure to achieve limited objectives; complex or
extensive renovation or new construction to substantially
change or increase facilities or to collocate courts or
other government services; or comprehensive or master
planning new or renovated facilities as a component of total
jurisdiction growth with appropriated forecasting and site
analysis.
The product of Phase Three should
be a document which incorporates the goals, objectives and
assessment of short term and long term needs identified in
Phases One and Two into a specific architectural
solution.
The involvement of AOC is critical
in ensuring the consistent application of space standards
and design guidelines and in sharing the positive and
negative design experience of other jurisdictions throughout
the state.
Court facility design should comply
with all relevant portions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
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