To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Third Amendment to Lease with Contra Costa Juvenile Advocates at 2020 N. Broadway, Suite 203A, Walnut Creek, California
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a third amendment to the lease between the County and Contra Costa Juvenile Advocates (CCJA) at the County-owned building located at 2020 N. Broadway, Suite 203A, Walnut Creek, California, to extend the lease term through June 30, 2027, with no change to the rent and with four one-year options to renew.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to exercise the option to extend the lease term in accordance with the terms of the lease.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Revenue income 100% General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
CCJA has been a County tenant in this building since September 2017. CCJA provides services for the Superior Courts at their offices in the building. CCJA coordinates experienced counsel to represent indigent parents, children, and other parties in the dependency proceedings. CCJA has increased the services provided for this Superior Court location.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
In order to assign Counsel to children and parents in the juvenile dependency proceedings, a CCJA administrative assistant is present in court to make the assignments, to check the financial eligibility of adults and to determine if any conflicts of interest may exist due to prior representation by attorneys involved in the cases. It is very efficient to have a CCJA representative in Court to assign Counsel immediately as requested by the Court.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
CCJA must be in close proximity to the Juvenile Court in order to provide services to the families and children in need of their legal expertise. If the lease is not amended, CCJA will need to find other space near the Juvenile Court to provide their services.