Travis County Commissioners Court
February 14, 2006
Item 13
A closely related item [to item 12], the next one, 13, is to consider and take appropriate action on the following regarding the proposed Travis County visitation center at the Travis County community justice center. In a, the state did send over a draft agreement and jim connally saw this for the first time yesterday when I looked through the backup I did not see a county -- an assistant county attorney who had been included. And jim would like another week, right, to just look at the contract. And I don't have any problem with that. It makes sense to me, right?
>> sure.
>> so a we'll have back on next week after jim has had a chance to look at it. And b is to authorize facilities management to finalize the architectural design for the travis state jail's visitation center. Can I just say one word on the status report on the visitation center, which is pretty important, I think. The last time we had this on the agenda, kimberly and I said we would chat with the board and in fact we were on -- we were scheduled to be on the March agenda.
>> yes, sir.
>> the board had a difficult time finding appropriate hotel accommodations and other things in huntsville --
>> that's correct.
>> so they decided I guess after looking at the agenda to forego the March meeting, and the next meeting is may.
>> yes, sir.
>> they meet every other month. They did tell us that they would have a special meeting for us if we wanted one. We were not bold enough to request a special meeting on our one item. We thought that we would be more favorably received if we worked with them on that. So we're now scheduled to be on the agenda in may, and if we can get something to them, I would say, what, 20, 30 days before then, so it would be on the agenda, would be fine.
>> yes, sir.
>> now, kimberly?
>> I think b has to do with facilities management. Roger, if you want to discuss exactly what you need from the court in order to get architectural design.
>> I need an authorization from the court and I will move forward for the finalization of the visitation center. I can get it done in about three months, done, final.
>> okay.
>> that's one of the things that the board is going to need to see in may is at least a little bit more -- not so much in rough draft format.
>> kimberly and I did have breakfast with the chairman of the board and she paid the tab, so she moved up --
>> yes, sir.
>> moved up big notch in my view. [ laughter ] but she made it clear to us that the board had gotten briefings from various staff members at the state and that in her view they're supportive of this, so it's just a matter of us dotting the I’s, crossing the t's and get it done.
>> was that denny's or four seasons?
>> I think it was omni, wasn't it?
>> let me see how impressed I’m going to be. [ laughter ]
>> omni hotel.
>> roger, if it takes about three months, that will be in time for the may meeting with the folks at the state?
>> should be.
>> very good. Thank you.
>> the other thing is that in addition to legal counsel we have been in touch with various other staff members who need to be plugged in on this, so it's -- in spite of the fact that the board has not formally blessed it, we are moving along quite well and everybody has been cooperative so far.
>> I’ve been in contact with their general counsel a number of times and we're moving in the right direction on the site visits and making sure exactly where it is that we want to build the facility. So we should have all of our things ready to go in may.
>> and our anonymous contributor is still on board, so everything is still intact. So roger on b, needs authorization to proceed.
>> that's correct.
>> which I move.
>> second.
>> discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Anything further on 13? We will have this back on the court's agenda as appropriate.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 11:17 AM