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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2371 ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 2371 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 350 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, 1998, 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, IX) 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, 1998 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 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 Mondays, provided, however, the City Manager may modify the dates, times and places when the court shall be in session 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 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 if. 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-tern approved by the City Manager shall preside in her absence (2) In order to avoid conflicts or the appearance of impropriety, neither 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 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 May 4, 1998 ATTEST: Catherine D Seaman„ Deputy City Clerk Leland R Kerr, City Attorney I Resolution No 2371 confirming the appointment of Municipal Court Judge Page 2