To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III, Chief Public Defender
title
RE: Approval of an Extension to Lease Agreement for the Attorney-Client Conference Space in Mount Morris
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve the extension to the lease agreement for 925 square feet of space, located at 731 E. Mt. Morris Road, Mt. Morris, MI 48458.
BACKGROUND:
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) standards require defense counsel to have sufficient confidential meeting space at all court locations. The Mt. Morris District Court building does not have sufficient confidential meeting space. This shortcoming was identified by an on-site visit from MIDC staff and an office space available for lease very close to the court was identified and a lease was negotiated.
DISCUSSION:
The current lease agreement was approved by the Board by Resolution #2023-217, for the term of June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024, with the option to extend the lease for two additional years. Genesee County will need to extend the lease in order to remain compliant with MIDC standards. Same terms and conditions to apply. The cost of the lease is $940 per month plus a $35 cleaning fee. Funding for this lease is included in the MIDC grant.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Source of funding: MIDC, 2921-283.00-855.000 County funding: No local funds are expended for this lease agreement.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Office of the Public Defender is responsible for providing constitutionally guaranteed, quality legal representation to all adults charged with crimes in Genesee County who cannot afford an attorney, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in our daily operations. This lease extension conforms to Long Term Financial Stability as it is needed to remain in compliance with MIDC Standards for continued grant funding.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Chief Public Defender to authorize amending the lease agreement between Genesee County and Michigan Management Specialist, LLC, for the rental of office space necessary to provide sufficient confidential meeting space for attorneys and their clients in compliance with Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (“MIDC”) minimum standards, said amendment being necessary to extend the lease for one year commencing June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025, at a cost of $940.00 per month, in addition to the payment of utilities and cleaning, with all expenses to be paid from the MIDC Grant fund 2921-283.00-855.000, with no additional County appropriations required, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the May 15, 2024 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the amendment on behalf of Genesee County.