Department: County Engineer
Department Head: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, County Engineer
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Investment Memo
Investment Memo Type: Change Investment Memo
Project Name: New District Criminal and Probate Court Renovation - Phase 2
Project ID (if applicable): DISTRICT_CRT
Vendor Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Achievement (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Managing Entity: County Engineer
Incremental Authorization Requested: $ 5,500,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $ 15,500,000
Request Summary:
title
Request for approval of a Change Investment Memo for the New District Criminal and Probate Court Renovation - Phase 2 project for an additional $5,500,000 for a total authorization of $15,500,000 and request commercial paper funding for an additional amount of $5,500,000 for a total allocation of $15,500,000.
end
Project Description:
By passing House Bill No. 3474, the State created six new District Courts in Harris County. Phase 1 of this project constructed three of the District Courts within the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) and became operational on October 1, 2023. Those courts are operating from the CJC. According to the House Bill, the remaining three District Courts are to be created by October 1, 2024. Phase 2 of this project will construct the three new District courts on the 13th floor of the CJC, where they will start operating upon completion. Currently, the Pre-Trial Services Department (PTS) temporarily offices on the 13th floor. Later this year, PTS will be relocated to their permanent office space at 600 N. San Jacinto St., the Peden Building. Once PTS is relocated, the 13th floor will be available to renovate into courtrooms and court staff offices. The project will be completed in time to meet the court creation timeline set by the State.
Project Scope:
The original build out plans for the 13th floor included security for the jail cells that met the minimum requirements for the TDCJ. Since then, however, several additional mandates have been issued. Based on those new TDCJ requirements, the following changes to the project scope are needed:
• The cost has increased for the four holding cells that are required to be attached to the courtrooms.
• According to the House bill, the County is responsible for furniture, which increases the cost by $500k.
• Additional security equipment acquisition and installation, including access control, cost an additional $500k.
Furthermore, the original design costs were underestimated. After negotiating with a design firm, the actual design costs will increase to $100k. In order to meet the deadline, a 24/7 work schedule is implemented. During the days, the construction team is required to implement protocols that include noise reduction such that existing court operations are not interrupted. The work schedule and additional protocols are factored into the change order request.
Justification:
House Bill No. 3474 creates the new courts in Harris County. These new courts will require courtrooms for adjudicating criminal trials. Renovating the 13th floor of the CJC is the best path for Harris County to meet the deadline for the courts to begin operating upon their creation date.
Alternatives and Engagement:
Not funding this program would lead to an even greater backlog of court cases for criminal courts. Additionally, delays in this project may increase costs due to increased costs of material and labor.
Anticipated Project Expenditures and Timeline:
|
Scope of Work |
Previously Approved Cost |
New Estimated Cost |
Estimated Completion |
|
Design (Converting 13th Floor of CJC to Courtrooms and Support Space. Modelled from 8th Floor Floorplans) |
$40,000 |
$100,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Demolition of Existing 13th Floor |
$1,800,000 |
$1,800,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Buildout of 13th Floor |
$7,950,000 |
$7,950,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
IT / AV Equipment |
$210,000 |
$850,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Security Equipment Installation |
- |
$500,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Holding Cells |
- |
$3,800,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Furniture |
- |
$500,000 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Total |
$10,000,000 |
$15,500,000 |
|
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Previous Court Action:
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
8/1/2023 |
103 |
FIM for New District Court and Probate Court Renovation - Phase 1 |
|
10/31/2023 |
92 |
FIM for New District Criminal and Probate Court Renovation - Phase 2 |
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Address: : 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Precinct(s): Precinct 1
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request |
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Commercial Paper |
$ |
$5,500,000 |
$5,500,000 |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$5,500,000 |
$5,500,000 |
$ |
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Total Funding Request |
$ |
$5,500,000 |
$5,500,000 |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: August 27, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date):
Legal funding compliance confirmed by: Paige Abernathy, Assistant County Attorney, 8/15/2024
Department Approval by: Jeffery Hill, Director, Building Operations Services
OMB CIP Team Approval by: William McGuinness, Director-Capital Projects & Infrastructure, 8/15/2024
Commercial Paper Request (For OMB use only):
Receiving Department: County Engineer
Project PeopleSoft ID: DISTRICT_CRT
CP Series Description: Commercial Paper Series D-2 can be used for (1) construction of public works, (2) the purchase of automobiles, equipment and machinery, including computers, materials and supplies for the operation of the County's precincts and departments (3) Professional services, including services provided by engineers, architects, attorneys, auditors, financial advisors, and fiscal agents, in connection with the contractual obligations described in (1) and (2).
Commercial Paper is being requested for the New District Criminal and Probate Court Renovation - Phase 2 project and is expected to be repaid within the next three fiscal years either through bonds, budgetary means or pay-as-you-go sources. OMB Financial Management contact: Amy Perez, Director, Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget