Advisory committee will make decision on unused space

Some offices in the Gillespie County Courthouse might shift locations following discussion about space concerns during the regular meeting of the Gillespie County Commissioners Court on Monday morning.

County Court at Law Judge Christopher Nevins requested a redeveloped office space for him and his administrator directly behind the historic district courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse.

“The district courtroom upstairs has been used at one point in time, for most of history, for one week per month. And then, at some point in time, it went to two weeks,” Nevins described at the meeting. “And now by agreement with Judge Patillo (216th District Judge Pat Patillo) and myself, that is the courtroom that the County Court of Law uses, and the Justice Center Courtroom is the courtroom that he uses exclusively. So this is the first time that the courtroom has, over the last four years, been used on a day in and day out whole month basis.” Nevins described to the Commissioners Court that his office is in the basement of the courthouse, requiring him to travel an out-of-the-way stairway to retrieve information or items from his office and remain away from court parties.

Nevins mentioned that a significant increase in cases has required his office coordinator to use the courtroom regularly to reschedule cases on the docket, leaving phones unattended in the county judge’s office.

The jury room behind the courtroom is unconventionally large according to Nevins, providing an opportunity for some simple renovations to provide needed office spaces.

“Historically, when the building was built, it was the jury dormitory for jurors to stay in so they didn’t have to go back to Harper and Stonewall or Willow City back in the old days,” Nevins said. “That’s why it’s so big.”

According to Nevins, with the addition of a single wall, two office spaces could be made. What is currently the courthouse breakroom would be repurposed as the jury room, which Nevins said would be ideal since the space already features a kitchenette.

The current breakroom’s proximity to the current jury space was a concern for Nevins.

“You normally do not have jury deliberations right next to employees coming in and eating and warming up and getting things out of the fridge when you have victims that are needing to be protected (and) jurors that are needing to be protected,” Nevins said.

“I have inmates behind the double doors that have been kept secured, and people are coming in to eat a snack,” Nevins continued.

He expressed concern that his current office location requires him to pass directly in front of trial personnel who he said, “Are not always happy with me,” presenting a potentially dangerous scenario.

County Judge Daniel Jones recommended the Commissioners Court assemble an advisory committee to consider the renovation request.

The commissioners court agreed to appoint an advisory committee consisting of Jones and representatives of several county departments to consider new plans for the space.

Library closures

Pioneer Memorial Library Director Erika Caputo requested dates for the library to be closed during local weekend events.

In past years, the library has closed during heavy tourism-related events, which Caputo said makes it difficult for library employees to get to work and find parking.

“And a lot of the concern from the staff seems to be if we open during these festivals, or particularly Oktoberfest, there seems to be some inappropriate behavior from the tourists utilizing the library,” Caputo said.

The library was approved to be closed June 8 for the Craft Beer Festival, Oct. 5 for Oktoberfest, Oct. 19 for Knights of Columbus Bestfest and Nov. 30 for Thanksgiving. The library will close early on Nov. 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday and Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve.

The Commissioners Court is considering closing the library April 8 for the Total Solar Eclipse, but postponed a decision while they consider a full county closure on that day.