HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06252013 - C.131RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee, to enter into two contracts in a total amount
not to exceed $230,000, one with the Congress of Neutrals for $127,500 and one with the Center for Human
Development for $102,500, for the County Dispute Resolution Program for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30,
2014.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$230,000 per year; 100% Restricted Dispute Resolution funds. No Net County Costs. Program costs offset by $8.00
filing fee on civil actions filed in the Superior Court.
BACKGROUND:
The Dispute Resolution Program Act of 1986 (Business and Professional Code Sections 465, et seq.) provided for the
establishment and funding, at County option, of local dispute resolution services as an alternative to formal court
proceedings. The Act authorized participating counties to increase Superior, Municipal and Justice Courts filing fees
from one to three dollars for the purpose of funding local dispute resolution programs.
On January 1, 1987, the Board approved the County’s participation in the program and authorized a three dollar
increase in court filing fees. The Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee was created by the Board to consider
implementation strategies and funding guidelines appropriate for Contra Costa County.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 06/25/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
Contact: Timothy Ewell,
925-335-1036
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 25, 2013
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: , Deputy
cc:
C.131
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David Twa, County Administrator
Date:June 25, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:FISCAL YEAR 2013/14 COUNTY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM
From 1989 through 1998, the Advisory Committee solicited proposals for funding under the Dispute Resolution
Programs Act of 1986. The purpose of the funding is to encourage the establishment and use of local dispute
resolution services as an alternative to formal Court proceedings. The program operates under the provisions of the
Dispute Resolution Programs Act.
In 1998, the State updated the California Dispute Resolution Program Act and authorized counties to allocate up to
$8.00 from filing fees to generate new revenues for these local programs. Effective January 1, 1999, the dispute
resolution portion of the civil filing fee in Contra Costa County increased from $3.00 to $8.00. The increase was
approved by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to a request by the Superior Court.
The following is a brief description of each program:
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
Center for Human Development - $102,500
General Dispute Resolution – Community Mediation Project will provide mediation and conciliation to landlords and
tenants, consumers and merchants, neighbors, public agencies, citizen groups, families, animal disputes, family
transition, and organizations. Specialty services include group facilitation, mediator training, real estate mediation,
conflict resolution skills training for agencies, and business mediation and consultation. ($55,000)
Guardianship Mediation will continue to offer mediation services with a panel of two mediators to clients referred by
the Courts for resolution of child custody and visitation issues in Guardianship Matter. Mediations will be held in the
Martinez Family Law Building. Services include referral, telephone conciliation, and mediation. ($47,500)
Congress of Neutrals - $127,500
General Dispute Resolution – Victim Offender Reconciliation Project (VORP) Pilot Program - A new project
providing a community based restorative justice program for juvenile offenders. The Congress will provide
mediation between certain non-chronic, non-violent juvenile offenders and their victims to obtain civil restitution in
proceedings under the Welfare and Institutions Code. ($30,000)
Small Claims/Civil Harassment/Unlawful Detainer Mediation for all branches of the Superior Court; to improve court
efficiency; assist court staff and reduce court caseload. Introduce disputants to the principles of conciliation and
negotiated settlement; mediations will be done at the court, prior to the court hearing and/or on the day of the court
hearing. The Congress will recruit and train community volunteers, certified law students and attorneys as mediators.
This project will continue the Superior Court’s high quality of Alternative Dispute Resolution and conflict
management programs. ($97,500)
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The 2013/14 County Dispute Resolution program will not implemented resulting in a service reduction in several
areas to the citizens of Contra Costa County.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
No Impact.