J  O  I  N  T     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

APPROVING THE FINANCING OF A NEW FACILITY TO HOUSE THE KENT COUNTY COURTHOUSE (THE "LEIGHTON JUDICIAL COMPLEX")

WHEREAS, The office building which now houses the Leighton Judicial Complex (the "Complex") was transformed into a courthouse in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 20 years, the Complex has undergone considerable additional remodeling and rehabilitation to accommodate the changing needs of the judiciary and the public; and

WHEREAS, Notwithstanding these improvements, the Complex is grossly inadequate for the current and projected needs of the people it serves; and

WHEREAS, The Complex lacks the security measures required of modern courthouses. Specifically, the Complex has multiple entrances, only two of which are permanently staffed by security personnel. The internal configuration of the Complex forces judges, the public, staff and prisoners to be in the same hallways and elevators at the same time. The first floor of the Complex contains the only holding facility for prisoners who have to appear in the courtrooms located on the second, third and fourth floors of the building. The judges' chambers and staff offices can be accessed by the public. Due to the lack of adequate space, grand jury proceedings are held in a jury assembly room that lacks the necessary features to keep those proceedings confidential and secure. The Complex also lacks the appropriate furnishings, equipment, security devices and services; and

WHEREAS, Much of the space within the Complex is functionally inadequate. Specifically, the Complex lacks public waiting space on all floors. There is insufficient attorney conference and witness waiting space, as well as staff conference and meeting rooms. As a result, the corridors are crowded and overflowing with citizens seeking to obtain access to the judiciary. There is no sitting area for people who are waiting to be called for jury duty and the jury assembly room lacks customary access to restrooms and vending machines. There is no direct internal access to the Superior Court Clerk's Office; and

WHEREAS, The Complex contains virtually no provisions for the disabled; and

WHEREAS, The Complex sometimes poses a health hazard to those who use it. From August 1, 1994 until December 19, 1994, the Complex was closed and all employees were removed while the State completed "stop gap" repairs to meet basic environmental and safety standards; and

WHEREAS, These and related problems require that a new facility be provided to house the Kent County Courthouse in a safe, efficient and user friendly fashion; and

WHEREAS, The new courthouse would house five (5) Superior Court courtrooms, five (5) Family Court courtrooms, and five (5) District Court courtrooms; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Public Corporation Debt Management Act (R.I. Gen. Laws sections 35-18-1, et seq.) requires the General Assembly to provide its consent to the issuance of certain obligations; and

WHEREAS, The design, construction, and equipping of these improvements will be financed through Certificates of Participation, with an expected payback period of twenty (20) years. Financing the operation and maintenance of the new courthouse will be included in the annual operating budgets of the judicial branch; and

WHEREAS, The capital costs associated with this project are estimated to be $51,300,000. The total issuance would be approximately $51.81 million, with $51.3 million deposited in the construction fund and $.51 million available to pay the associated costs of issuance. Total lease payments over twenty (20) years on the $51.81 million issuance are projected to be $81.18 million, assuming an average coupon of 4.75%. The lease payments would be financed within the Department of Administration from general revenue appropriations and any other sources available to the agencies occupying the courthouse; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That a new courthouse is critical to ensure that justice is administered in a safe, fair and efficient manner; and that this General Assembly hereby approves financing in an amount not to exceed $51.81 million for the provision of a new Kent County Courthouse; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Joint Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage by this General Assembly.