HomeMy WebLinkAbout1899 ResolutionRESOLUTION NO 1899
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Mary Ramirez as
Municipal Court Judge upon her acceptance of
the conditions stated herein, 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 Mayor has elected to appoint Mary Ramirez as Municipal
Court Judge for that term of office beginning January 1, 1990, 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 local government, NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CIT f OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS
Section One The appointment of Mary Ramirez as Pasco Municipal
Court Judge is confirmed upon her written acceptance of the terms and
conditions of her appointment set forth herein for a four year term of
office beginning January 1, 1990
Section Two 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 No other benefits shall accrue except a two
week vacation leave (one standard payroll period) per calendar year
without loss of pay
Section Three The Municipal Court shall operate in open session on
Tuesdays for non-jury matters in the District Courtroom of the Franklin
County Public Safety Building Jury trial settings shall be for 8 30 a m
on Fridays with special settings for non-jury matters on Monday mornings,
provided, however, the City Manager may modify the dates times and
places when the court shall be in session
Section Four 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 Five It shall be the duty of the Municipal Court Judge to
make, without unreasonable delay, new 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
ED HENDLER, Mayor
WELLS, City Clerk
Section Six The City Attorney shall not be required to appear
in matters where the other party is not represented by an attorney
except in cases where a jury trial has been set Cases involving
the City Attorney shall be given a preferential setting and hearing
over other cases Cases involving the City Attorney shall be in blocks
of time so as to make the most effective use of the City Attorney's time
Section Seven (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 she is to advise
the City Manager in advance of court as to who is to preside in her
absence and the reason therefor
(2) In order to avoid conflicts or the appearance of impropriety,
the appointee's spouse, Joseph Ramirez, nor any other 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 Eight 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 Nine 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
P4A/SSED by the City Council and approved by the Mayor on this
day of December, 1989
AT TFST
APPROVED AS TO FORM
GREG UdSTELLO, City Attorney