The City will consider two contracts for the relocation of the Municipal Court

City commissioners will consider two contracts for transforming Missouri Hall into a municipal court at their June 18 meeting.

Staff recommends approval of an appropriation of $172,897.17 to AVI Systems Inc. and $19,171.39 to Mountain Alarm Fire and Security.

Both contracts will be paid for with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, or federal COVID relief funds.

Last year, commissioners approved the plan to renovate Missouri Room on the second floor of the Civic Center into two courtrooms and office space for the municipal court, which is currently a courtroom on the basement floor. floor of the building.

City approves $2.19 million contract to move municipal court to Missouri Hall

In March, commissioners awarded a $2.19 million construction contract to Wadsworth Builders for the project.

Since awarding the construction contract, city staff have worked with the IT department to define the audio-visual and connectivity needs of the new courtrooms, including computers, cameras, microphones, speakers, hearing aids and televisions for videoconferencing, according to staff.

“IT wanted this system to be able to be integrated, monitored and maintained by the same vendor that manages our other AV systems throughout the rest of the Civic Center. Therefore, courts, IT and finance staff worked with AVI to develop a scope of work to meet the needs of the new courts,” according to the services report. “AVI provided an adequate quote that represents the integration needs of the judicial staff. Staff requested sole-vendor approval for this contract, based on the fact that AVI is very familiar with the civic center’s systems and already services all of our other AV equipment. AVI also has extensive experience integrating audiovisual technology into other courtrooms in Montana and the Northwest.

Municipal Court discusses unpaid fines, second judge and additional court space (2023)

The city’s finance department granted sole-vendor approval, according to city staff.

Since the construction contract was awarded in March, city staff have been working with the architect on security measures for the new courtrooms.

City approves design contract for Missouri Hall renovation (2023)

Mountain Alarm proposes to install security access doors throughout the new court space and provide a control and monitoring system for those doors, according to staff, who are recommending approval.