To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Lease with the Contra Costa County Public Law Library for office space at 1026 Escobar Street, Martinez.
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a Lease between the County, as Owner, and Contra Costa County Public Law Library (the Law Library), as Lessee, under which the Law Library is leasing Suite 2C which consists of approximately 6,834 square feet of office space in the building located at 1026 Escobar Street, Martinez. The lease will continue until terminated and there is no rent.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no monthly rent associated with this action; however, the County will cover the costs associated with maintaining the building for the Law Library as detailed in the lease. (100% General Fund)
BACKGROUND:
In 1891, California's Legislature passed a statute establishing public law libraries in each of the state's counties. By law, each library exists for the "free" examination of books and other publications on the law, not only by governmental officials and members of the bar, but by "all residents of the county." That framework recognizes that, in a society based on the rule of law, access to legal materials is vital not only for members of the legal profession but for all who need to know and protect their rights.
The Contra Costa County Public Law Library (the Law Library) has existed in Contra Costa County for more than 140 years. For the past three decades, the Law Library was located in the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. Several years ago, due to the space needs of the Court, the Law Library was given notice that it would need to relocate from this location. Contra Costa County offered to house the Law Library in its soon-to-be-built County Annex Building. The Law Library has been accommodated in the newly constructed ...
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