FACILITIES, SECURITY, AND EMERGENCY PLANNING

San Fernando Valley and Santa Ana Space Released to GSA

On February 10, the Court signed a 10-year lease for the San Fernando Valley Division building, effective November 13. Through effective space planning, the Clerk’s Office released 9,725 square feet to GSA by consolidating Operations in reconfigured space on the first floor, and vacating offices on the second floor. In addition, the Court consolidated Operations on the second floor of the Santa Ana Division, releasing approximately 14,000 square feet on the seventh floor. The release of space in both divisions provided substantial long-term cost savings for the judiciary. All Operations staff at each location are now located on one floor in improved space, enhancing communication and customer service.

Five-Year Extension of Northern Division Lease Approved

On April 1, the Ninth Circuit approved a five-year extension of the Court’s lease for the Northern Division building. The 60-month extension will commence on November 13, 2012.

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

The Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the Central District establishes protocol for maintaining essential court functions when the use of a division is diminished due to a man-made, technological, or natural disaster. The plan is designed for activation in the event that conditions require the Court to relocate to an alternative facility that may be geographically removed from the affected area. The Court’s COOP has the capability to be operational within 12 hours of an emergency.

COOP Essential Functions Training

On March 16, the Court’s COOP representatives conducted essential functions training intended to assist COOP Decision Team personnel in identifying their most critical functions. Prioritization of resources and efforts is the cornerstone of any functional COOP plan.

2011 Ninth Circuit COOP Conference

On March 21-23, the Court’s COOP representatives participated in the 2011 Ninth Circuit COOP Conference in San Diego, California. The 2011 Ninth Circuit COOP Conference was the result of a multi-district, multi-agency collaboration. The exercise provided a forum for the Court to critically assess and validate its own COOP plan against established criteria, and gave real world insight from various regions around the country that have had to put their plans to the test.

Emergency Reference Guide for Court Employees Distribution/Training

The Emergency Reference Guide for Court Employees (formerly known as the Red Book) was updated in April. New copies of the guide, which provides best practices for federal employees in case of an emergency, were distributed to staff in all divisions as of August 3. The Emergency Reference Guide delineates procedures and contact information for various emergency scenarios.

Clerk’s Office Attends COOP Training in Anaheim

In February, the Clerk's Office attended the "Implementing Continuity of Operations Planning" course in Anaheim. The three day training course, sponsored by the California Emergency Management Agency, focused on a broad range of topics, including developing goals and objectives for COOP training and exercises; distinguishing delegation of authority from orders of succession; and identifying the roles equipment, vital records, and systems play in continuity planning. The knowledge gained from the training will help the Clerk’s Office to improve the Court’s COOP planning efforts.

Staff Development Office Moves to Ninth Floor of Roybal

In May, the Staff Development Department moved its office to the ninth floor of the Roybal Federal Building. Office Services reconfigured the space using existing product, creating U-shaped workstations, a meeting area, and a conferencing area. The office is adjacent to the ninth floor training rooms where Staff Development provides instruction to staff.

Reconfiguration of Los Angeles Division Intake Area

The Clerk’s Office began the first phase of the reconfiguration of the ninth floor intake area of the Roybal Federal Building in May. The reconfiguration project is part of the Court’s ongoing efforts to accommodate the increase in filings received at the windows. The two new transaction windows installed during the first phase of the project were operational in May, and the second phase of the intake area reconfiguration, which expanded the public waiting area by removing the wall that separated it from the overflow room, was completed in August. New furniture has been installed, and the reconfiguration project is complete.

Riverside Videoconference Room

The videoconference room on the first floor of the Riverside Division was completed on January 13. Judge Scott C. Clarkson, who maintains chambers in Santa Ana, has been using the room since January to hear a portion of newly filed Riverside cases.

Construction of Santa Ana Division Gym Completed

The Court completed construction of the new Santa Ana Division gym in January. The gym, which was once an unused storage space, now houses two treadmills, an elliptical machine, a universal weight machine, two Cardio Riders, and an Ab Roller. The new gym provides employees with a free and easily accessible way to exercise before and after work.

Santa Ana Division Multi-Purpose Room Completed

Construction of a multi-purpose room has been completed in the Santa Ana Division. The room, which previously housed the records and photocopy area, is now used for conferences, training, and a weekly pro se clinic operated by Public Law Center. An open house, attended by Judge Smith, Judge Kwan, Judge Clarkson, and Clerk of Court Kathleen J. Campbell, was held on May 13 to celebrate the completion of the space. Attorneys in attendance were shown the new space.

Santa Ana Adds Six Workstations

In May, the Clerk’s Office installed six new workstations for Courtroom Services on the second floor of the Santa Ana Division. Office Services removed shelving units from what had formerly been a storage area for records to make space for the new workstations.

Uninterruptible Power Supply Installed in Northern Division

A new uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system was installed in the Northern Division in late February. As part of the project, the server room was reconfigured for greater storage capacity. A new air conditioning unit was also installed to replace the inefficient older unit that recently failed due to age. New UPS systems were previously installed in the Santa Ana Division, Riverside Division, and San Fernando Valley Division.

Improved Presentation of Educational Materials

Each division in the Central District now has a 19-inch monitor in the intake area that continuously displays educational bankruptcy-related programs. The wall-mounted monitors replace the Court’s older, bulky sets, freeing up floor space.