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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10271987 - FC.1 TO is AIR, OF SUPERVISORS FRAM: FINANCE COMMITTEE f tra C4sta cam DATE*. October 19, 1987 ; c(,)(,,�( Ky SU93JECT: REPORT ON VARIOUS MUNICIPAL COURT MATTERS DISCUSSED AT OCTOBER 19, 1987 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Accept report from Finance Committee on various Municipal Court matters and direct. Committee to continue to work with Municipal Court judges on these items. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND: The Finance Committee invited Judge Mark Simons, President of the Municipal Court Judges . Association, and Judge Allen Norris to report to the Finance Committee on various Municipal Court matters, such as Sheriff-Marshal consolidation, consolidation of court administration, and centralization of arraignments. Supervisor Powers opened the meeting by indicating that the Board had referred to the Finance Committee the issue of funding various Municipal Court improvements, including those at Delta Court. He indicated that the apparent loss of the $2 additional penalty assessment for the courthouse and justice facilities construction funds would be a blow . but that the Board wants to continue to work with the Municipal Court to improve the court and justice system in a cost-effective way. Supervisor Powers also indicated that in his conversations with the District Attorney, Public Defender, and others, it would appear that fewer personnel would be needed overall with in-custody arraignment. Judge Norris indicated that his Committee is looking at this, as well as other issues, but that because of the four different Municipal Court Districts, in-custody arraignment presents a very difficult procedural problem to overcome. He indicated that his Committee is looking at the feasibility of video arraignment and will be sending two judges to San Diego to look at its system. Judge Simons indicated that he had a conversation with Claude Van Marter that the Governor is aware of the problem in chaptering SB 349 and that we might get emergency legislation, effective February 1, 1988. If so, this will restore the $2 penalty assessment that the County needs for municipal court and other improvements. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT; _X__ YES SIGNATURE' RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY STRATOR RECOMMENDATI COMMITTEE APPROVE OTH R SIGNATURE s : u rvisor Tom Powers s Robe Schroder ACTION OF BOARD ON _._V' OV AS REC'_W!.(GNDED /` OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT J� AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CAO-Justice System Programs ATTESTED �.ri �j 27 /!f f Judge Mark Simons, Mt. Diablo Muni Court PHIL BATCHELOR. CLERK OF THE BOARD OF Judge Allen Norris, Bay Muni Court SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Don Christen, Taxpayers Association Roy Chiesa, Walnut Creek/Danville Muni Court Richard Rainey, Sheriff BY Q (f1. �yL�-�.�� ,DEPUTY M382%$o4§er Davis, Marshal - Report on Various Municipal Court Matters Discussed at October 19, 1987 Finance Committee Meeting - Page 2 Judge Simons reported on two major issues under consideration by the judges. 1. Sheriff-Marshal Consolidation He indicated that this is a very difficult issue to resolve and we ought not to refrain from working on other matters at the same time that may be more open to quicker resolution. With respect to the consolidation, he indicated that he met with the Sheriff to discuss a procedural approach that, if acceptable to the Sheriff and judges, would be embodied in legislation. He plans to hold further meetings with the Sheriff and will also discuss the matter with the Municipal Court judges. 2. Consolidation of Court Administration He reported that Judge Norris' committee is looking into this and that Roy Chiesa has developed a proposal which, if implemented could be effective January 1, 1988. He hopes to present this plan to the judges in mid-November for a vote. Funding sources to implement the plan are still being investigated. Don Christen of the Taxpayers Association indicated that he was pleased that the judges are seriously considering these items. He mentioned that the issue of consolidation of the Marshal's Office into the Sheriff's Department had been supported by the Taxpayers Association since 1980 and he hopes that progress can be made towards this goal. It was the consensus of the Committee that the Municipal Court judges continue to work on these matters and to report back to the Finance Committee at the mid-November meeting or the first meeting in December.