Agenda Packet 4-15-19 Public Hearing and Meeting

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April 15, 2019, Public Hearing and Meeting – Item 2 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning Appointment of Presiding Municipal Judge and Amending Section 2.011 of the Eugene Code, 1971. Meeting Date: April 15, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Becky DeWitt www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5616 ISSUE STATEMENT This public hearing is an opportunity for the public to comment on a proposed ordinance that would amend the code and hire the presiding judge as either a City employee or an independent contractor. BACKGROUND The presiding Municipal Court judge performs and oversees all judicial functions of the Eugene Municipal Court. Historically, the presiding judge has been an independent contractor that is paid a set hourly amount to perform the work outlined in their contract as well as an additional monthly amount to cover time spent attending required meetings. Current code stipulates a detailed process for appointment of the municipal judge. At the January 9 work session council expressed an interest in exploring hiring the municipal judge as a regular employee that reports directly to council as the City Manager and Police Auditor do. At the January 28, 2019, work session City staff presented information related to options for filling the municipal judge position which included draft code amendments as well as a draft job description for the municipal judge. Based on this information, council directed the City Manager to present the proposed code amendments for public hearing, to schedule time to discuss the job description and salary for the municipal judge position, and to schedule a future date in order for council to have the opportunity to interview the current associate judge in consideration for a direct appointment into the municipal judge position. The proposed code amendment stipulates that the presiding judge shall be “hired and accountable to the city council. The city council shall hire, supervise, and specify the salary of the presiding municipal judge, who shall serve at the pleasure of the city council. All city council decisions regarding the presiding municipal judge will be made by a simple majority vote of the city council.” Staff will present options and additional detail related to the job description and salary for the municipal judge position at the work session on April 17, 2019.