HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2D: Approval of Presiding Judge Term Extension
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UGENE ITY OUNCIL
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GENDA TEM UMMARY
Approval of Presiding Judge Term Extension
Meeting Date: June 14, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 2D
Department: Municipal Court Staff Contact: Jeff Perry
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5019
ISSUE STATEMENT
This is a consent calendar item to extend Presiding Judge Wayne Allen’s term for 60 days.
BACKGROUND
On April 26, 2010, the City Council appointed the 2010 Judicial Evaluation Committee. As defined by
Eugene Code, Section 2.011, the judicial evaluation committee must include one member of the City’s
Human Rights Commission, two attorneys familiar with the Eugene Municipal Court, and at least two
other persons generally familiar with the judicial system. The evaluation committee appointed for 2010
includes the following members: Raydeen Cuffe - Human Rights Commission, Greg Hazarabedian and
Dan Neal - attorney representatives, and Judge Kip Leonard and Kathy Cunningham - persons familiar
with the judicial system.
The first evaluation committee meeting was held on May 24. During the meeting, the committee
discussed the evaluation process, reviewed court statistics and agreed to issue a judicial survey,
requesting feedback from the Eugene Police, attorneys that have appeared in Municipal Court,
interpreters and advocates who provide services to the court, Municipal Court staff and Municipal Court
judges. The judicial survey is underway and will be completed by mid-June.
The committee also agreed to perform an additional survey that focuses on equity and human rights at
the Municipal Court. The survey is being developed and will solicit input from the Human Rights
Commission and other stakeholders. It is anticipated that the human rights-related judicial survey will
be released by mid-June with responses due by the end of the month.
As a result, the judicial evaluation committee’s report and recommendation to the council has been
delayed. Judge Wayne Allen’s four-year term expires on June 30, 2010. It is requested that the City
Council extend the Presiding Judge’s term by 60 days to provide the committee additional time to
complete the evaluation.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Eugene Code, Section 2.011 allows for a formal evaluation of the City’s Presiding Judge once every
four years by a citizen evaluation committee. The last formal evaluation was conducted in 2006.
Citizen evaluation of a judge’s performance is an opportunity for citizen involvement in local
government, and is a practice which is unique to the City of Eugene.
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COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council has the following options:
1. Approve the City Manager’s recommendation and, by consent, extend Presiding Judge Wayne
Allen’s term 60 days.
2. Decline to extend Judge Allen’s term.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends extending Presiding Judge Wayne Allen’s term an additional 60 days.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to extend Judge Allen’s term an additional 60 days.
ATTACHMENTS
None
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Jeff Perry
Telephone: (541) 682-5019
Staff E-Mail: jeff.j.perry@ci.eugene.or.us
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