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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: Judicial Evaluation Meeting Date: May 22, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Central Services – Municipal Court Staff Contact: Marilyn Nelson www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5580 ISSUE STATEMENT A public hearing is to be held on the performance of Presiding Municipal Judge Wayne Allen. Eugene Code 2.011 (10) requires a formal citizen review of the Presiding Judge’s performance in the last year of the judge’s four-year term. A public hearing is part of that citizen review process. BACKGROUND This public hearing is the second step in a four-step process for the City Council’s review of the Presiding Judge’s performance. 1. At the May 22 work session, the Judicial Evaluation Committee presented its report to Council. 2. The public hearing on May 22 provides additional opportunity for public input into the evaluation process. 3. The council will hold a work session on June 14 to discuss the evaluation report findings and public hearing comments with Judge Allen. 4. At its regular meeting on June 26, 2006, the council will consider the reappointment of Judge Allen. Presiding Municipal Judge Wayne Allen was appointed by the council in 1994, and is in the fourth year of his current four-year term. The last formal evaluation was conducted in 2002, at which time the council reappointed Judge Allen to the current term. The 2006 Judicial Evaluation Committee was appointed by the council on January 23, 2006, and presented its report to the council in a work session earlier this evening. The Judicial Evaluation Committee reviewed court performance data, defendant survey responses, and complaints filed. The committee conducted a survey of defense attorneys, prosecutors, police traffic officers, interpreters and advocates, other judges and court staff. The compiled survey responses indicated most respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that Judge Allen met performance standards in each of six performance categories. RELATED CITY POLICIES Municipal Court has concurrent jurisdiction with Lane County Circuit Court for violations and misdemeanor crimes in Oregon statute and in Eugene City Code, including all traffic offenses. Municipal Court has sole jurisdiction over all parking offenses which violate City Code. Municipal judges have the authority to adjudicate cases, impose fines and other sanctions, issue warrants, summon L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060522\S0605223.doc