HomeMy WebLinkAbout2631 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2631
A RESOLUTION confirming the re-appointment of Mary
Ramirez as Municipal Court Judge and regulating the operation of
the Pasco Municipal Court.
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco operates a Municipal Court governed by
Ch. 3.50 RCW; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has determined to re-appoint Mary
Ramirez as Municipal Court Judge for that term of office beginning January 1,
2002, upon the confirmation by the City Council and the written acceptance by
Mary Ramirez of the terms and conditions of the appointment stated herein;
and
WHEREAS, the operation of the Pasco Municipal Court is an important
matter to the citizens of Pasco and its local government; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The re-appointment of Mary Ramirez as Pasco Municipal
Court Judge is confirmed and her present appointment ratified upon her
written acceptance of the terms and conditions of her appointment set forth
herein for a four-year term of office effective January 1, 2002.
Section 2. The salary for the Municipal Court Judge position is to be
set by Ordinance as required by law. The position is part-time with an
expectation of 30 hours per week being required to fulfill the duties of the
position. Benefits will accrue on a pro-rated basis except that the position
shall be eligible for coverage under the city's health benefits program.
Section 3. The Municipal Court shall operate in those facilities
prescribed by, and in accordance with a schedule approved by the City
Manager.
Section 4. The Municipal Court Judge shall have regular weekly office
hours at the Municipal Court for the performance of her administrative
responsibilities and other necessary business of the court at such times as
agreed upon between the Municipal Court Judge and the City Manager.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Municipal Court Judge to
maintain local court rules not inconsistent with the court rules for justice
courts in the State of Washington reasonably necessary to fulfilling the duties
and obligations of the office and to otherwise promote the efficient and
judicious operation of the Pasco Municipal Court, and to revise the same from
time to time as circumstances dictate.
Section 6. Cases involving the Municipal Prosecutor shall be given a
preferential setting and hearing over other cases. Cases involving the
Municipal Prosecutor shall be in blocks of time so as to make the most effective
use of the Municipal Prosecutor's time.
Section 7. (1) The Municipal Court Judge shall accept her duties as
Judge as her first priority and in cases of conflict or potential conflict shall give
first priority to Municipal Court matters. Whenever, because of illness or
other sufficient reason approved by the City Manager, the Municipal Court
Judge cannot be on the bench, then a judge pro-tem approved by the City
Manager shall preside in her absence.
(2) In order to avoid conflicts or the appearance of impropriety, no
past, present or future law partner or associate of the appointee, shall accept
the defense of cases filed in Pasco Municipal Court.
(3) The appointee shall not participate in any criminal defense panel
or contract for indigent defense in any court.
Section 8. Time pay agreements for the payment of penalties, fines and
costs totaling Fifty Dollars ($50) and less, shall not be granted by the Municipal
Court, unless specifically ordered by the Municipal Court Judge when
exceptional circumstances of financial hardship are found by the Judge to
exist. Time payment agreements for fines, penalties and costs shall be
consistent with standards determined jointly between the Judge and City
Manager.
Section 9. The enforcement of City regulatory ordinances in the areas
of environmental regulation, animal control, nuisance abatement and the like
are important to the City and the Municipal Court Judge shall accept her
responsibility for working for the effective enforcement of ordinances in the
areas of sentencing and case disposition. Nothing in this section should be
construed to infringe upon the Municipal Court Judge's discretion in fact
finding, the application of the law to the facts and the fair administration of
justice.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco at its regular meeting
December 17, 2001
Michael L. Oarrison, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Catherine D. Seaman, Deputy City Clerk Leland B. Kerr, eity Attorney PF