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The Legislature’s budget committee today joined the Public Safety Committee in recommending bonding resolutions for renovation projects at the County Human Services and Public Safety Buildings.  The measures will next head to the full Legislature for action.

The Human Services Building proposal would authorize issuance of up to just under $1.7 million in bonds and notes for reconfiguration of interior space and construction of a one-story addition to the building to house Probation’s Day Reporting program.  That resolution was recommended by a unanimous vote.

The resolution to bond for up to $910,000 to modify the Public Safety Building to construct a new outdoor recreation area, then renovate current interior recreation space into dormitory space for seven jail beds was supported by a vote of 3-2, Legislators Leslyn McBean-Clairborne and Kathy Luz Herrera voting no.  Legislator Luz Herrera said she was not supporting the bonding at this point since she believes there are still questions about the project that need to be answered.

The committee increased the potential bonding amount by $10,000 to incorporate design changes suggested in the presentation by LaBella Architects prior to the vote.  Responding to concerns voiced during Public Safety Committee review last week, LaBella advanced the alternative to incorporate more light and air into the space.  The design would add two windows (made out of maximum security glass block) to bring in light, and two  mesh openings on the southeast side to allow a breeze and views in warm weather, but that could be shuttered in winter, at an estimated cost of about $10,000.  County Administrator Joe Mareane said the bonding would also include about $30,000 to replace the building’s failing security camera system.  Committee chair Jim Dennis and others expressed their appreciation for the design team’s quick response to respond to the concerns expressed at the previous meeting.

After viewing the presentations April 1, the full Legislature is scheduled to act on the Human Services Building bond resolution that night, and on the Public Safety Building April 15.

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