HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06162015 - C.69RECOMMENDATION(S):
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Administrator, or designee, to execute a contract with the Congress of
Neutrals in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for the Dispute Resolution Program for the period July 1, 2015 through
June 30, 2016.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$150,000 for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016; 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.
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
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 06/16/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
ABSENT:Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: V. Tran, 925-335-1037
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 16, 2015
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Chris Heck, Deputy
cc:
C. 69
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David Twa, County Administrator
Date:June 16, 2015
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Dispute Resolution Program contract
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 the services to be provided by the Contractor:
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
Congress of Neutrals - $150,000
General Dispute Resolution – Victim Offender Reconciliation Project (VORP) Program - will continue to provide 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. ($40,000)
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. ($110,000)
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The 2015/16 Dispute Resolution program will not implemented resulting in a service reduction in several areas to the
citizens of Contra Costa County.