HomeMy WebLinkAbout2916 Resolution RESOLUTION NO.
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 Chapter 3.50
RCW; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has determined to re-appoint Mary Ramirez as Municipal Court
Judge for that term of office beginning January 1, 2006, 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,
2006.
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-rata 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 fulfill 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 5. 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 dated this 5th
day oJ December, 2005.
Mike Garrison, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sandy Kenw,8rthy, Deputy City C erk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Leland B. Kerr, City Attorney