HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4: Reappointment of Municipal Court Judge
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Action: Presiding Judge Reappointment
Meeting Date: August 9, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 4
Department: Municipal Court Staff Contact: Jeff Perry
www.ci.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5019
ISSUE STATEMENT
This is a consent calendar item to reappoint Presiding Judge Wayne Allen for an additional four-year
term.
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 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.
During the months of May through July the committee met and discussed the evaluation process,
reviewed court statistics and Municipal Court customer satisfaction ratings, and issued two judicial
surveys. The committee met with Judge Allen on July 13, 2010, and discussed improvements made by
the court, changes the court has seen over the last several years and his response to the results of the
judicial survey.
On July 28, 2010, the judicial evaluation committee’s report and recommendation were presented by
Judge Kip Leonard to the City Council. Judge Leonard explained the evaluation process, the details of
the report, the committee’s discussion with Judge Allen, and offered the evaluation committee’s
unanimous recommendation that Judge Allen be reappointed for another four-year term as Presiding
Judge. Judge Allen met with the council to discuss the evaluation results immediately following the
committee’s judicial report presentation.
TIMING
Judge Allen’s contract expires August 30, 2010.
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.
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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.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council has the following options:
1.Reappoint Judge Allen for an additional four-year term
2.Extend Judge Allen’s current term an extra 45 days for further consideration after the public
hearing
3.Direct staff to begin a recruitment process for a new Presiding Judge
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends reappointing Wayne Allen as Presiding Judge
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to reappoint Wayne Allen as Presiding Judge.
ATTACHMENTS
The 2010 Judicial Evaluation Committee report was distributed with the council packet for the July 28,
2010, work session.
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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