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RESOLUTION DIRECTING COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO CONFER WITH CHIEF JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND PREPARE AND SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE BOARD REGARDING COURT CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDING SUCH REQUESTS; AND DIRECTING REPORT BE PLACED ON THE SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 COMMISSION AGENDA

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WHEREAS, the availability of judicial review for both public and private matters is one of the bedrock principles of American democracy; and
WHEREAS, adequate court facilities are necessary to properly hear and resolve cases in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, the County�s courthouses are aging and no longer able to meet the demand of Miami-Dade County residents, businesses and litigants; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 W. Flagler Street was initially constructed over four years from 1925-1928 and this aging facility is no longer able to meet the needs of Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Bertila Soto, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, has requested County funding for the construction of critically needed court facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires additional information from the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee regarding the costs and methods of financing the requested capital construction; and
WHEREAS, the Board intends to consider placement of a referendum, upon the recommendation of the County Mayor, before the voters of Miami-Dade County to authorize General Obligation Bonds for the construction of court facilities on the November 6, 2014 General Election; and
WHEREAS, to meet the schedule for placement of the bond referendum on the November 6, 2014 General Election Ballot the ballot question must be approved by this Board at its September 3, 2014 Board meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated in this resolution and are approved.
Section 2. This Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to confer with Chief Judge Bertila Soto regarding the capital construction needs of the Miami-Dade County Circuit and County Courts and to prepare a report to the Board detailing these needs, the projected costs of the requested design and construction for meeting those needs, and recommendations for financing those costs including the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for such purpose. At a minimum, the report shall include analyzing and recommending alternatives for:
(i) funding emergency repairs to existing court facilities;
(ii) land acquisition for a new main civil courthouse (or an agreement to buy the land or air rights as the case may be);
(iii) design and construction of a new main civil courthouse and four satellite courthouses elsewhere in the County;
(iv) construction of a parking facility for court personnel to serve the downtown court facilities including the juvenile court and the new main civil courthouse; and
(v) restructuring existing debt.
Section 3. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee shall provide a copy of the report to the Board and County Attorney by August 20, 2014 and the report shall be placed on the September 3, 2014 agenda.�