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Mayor Piercy asked Judge Leonard if he had any suggestions for ways to improve the judicial evaluation <br />process. Judge Leonard responded that the evaluation process appeared to be complete but recognized the <br />importance of respecting the judicial branch of local government as an independent authority. He stated <br />that a Municipal Court judge was not a City Councilor nor were they considered to be part of the <br />executive branch of local government in any way. <br />Judge Leonard noted from his experience as a prosecutor and from his experiences with other Circuit <br />Court judges that Judge Allen had performed exceptionally. <br />Mr. Zelenka thanked Judge Leonard for his presentation and his comments. <br />WORK SESSION – Discussion with Judge Allen <br />B. <br />Judge Wayne Allen responded to comments. He said that while the Downtown Public Safety Zone had <br />appeared to have been useful it was not his position to definitively make such a determination. He said <br />that such a determination was ultimately the purview of the business owners and the community members <br />who lived and worked in the downtown area. <br />Judge Allen said that the EPD had enforced the Downtown Public Safety Zone in a safe and responsible <br />manner and had exercised careful discretion in the use of its authority. <br />Judge Allen briefly discussed the process by which the DPSZ had been implemented and then overviewed <br />some Municipal Court cases involving the enforcement of the zone. <br />Judge Allen commented on the recent accomplishments previously referenced by Judge Leonard and <br />noted that the amnesty program for overdue fines had been intended as a revenue-generating strategy and <br />not an attempt to treat individuals with overdue fines disproportionately. <br />Judge Allen commended the efforts of the City Manager's office to address recent budget shortfalls and <br />recognized that such a financial situation would continue to impact certain elements of the Municipal <br />Court. <br />Judge Allen commented on recent staff losses in the Municipal Court and stated that it would be <br />challenging to maintain the Court's effectiveness with fewer and less experienced employees. <br />Judge Allen commented on the need for improved Municipal Court facilities and stated that the size and <br />condition of the current facilities were horrible and highly inadequate for the present and future needs of <br />the Court. <br />Judge Allen responded to suggestions that Municipal Court fines be increased and advocated against such <br />measures. <br />Judge Allen referred to Mr. Poling's earlier request for information regarding his selection of associate <br />judges for the Municipal Court and stated that he chose the associate judges based on their experience, the <br />court's availability, and advice from local prosecutors and defense attorneys. He briefly discussed the <br />associate judges' contributions to the Municipal Court processes. <br />Judge Allen recognized a perception that one of the associate judges was prone to rule for the defense in <br />Municipal Court cases and noted he could not speak to the veracity of such perceptions. He did note that <br />the associate judge in question was diligent in providing all relevant parties their fair day in court. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 28, 2010 Page 4 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />