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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/1996 Work Session . MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, MAY 13, 1996 The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, May 13, 1996, at 6:34 p.m., with Council President Stu Burge presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Mayor Morrisette was absent (excused.) Also present were City Recorder Eileen Stein, Human Resources Director Frank Hotchkiss, and Police Chief Bill DeForrest. I. Municipal Judges Evaluation - Judge Curtis. Councilor Shaver commented on the many cases of driving with suspended licenses and other such cases, and wondered what could be done regarding impounding vehicles. He was not aware of any city having success doing it. He understood it was a big resource and logistical issue. Chief DeForrest stated he has looked at it in some depth. He felt that another law would not solve the problem or force people to adhere to regulations. He felt there needed to be something more in place to change behavior and felt the judge was more effective at doing this. He felt it would cause additional problems than there are the resources to manage. . Judge Curtis stated there was still an issue of safety in the court and for court personnel. He was more concerned about it this year than last, and more concerned last year than the year before. Councilor Burge stated that he thought some remodeling was completed. Judge Curtis replied that the remodeling was done but there are some other things that may not be involved in the expenditure of funds. He stated that it might be an issue he will re-address with Council. He stated there are days when court is easy, and other days when the number and complexity of the issues and people makes for dangerous conditions. Councilor Ballew questioned if there were any differences between the number of residents versus transient people going through court. Judge Curtis replied that there was a fair share of both, many people are not employed. Judge Curtis also stated that over the period of years, the nature of the offenses is changing such that many of the people have records for much more serious felony crimes. Councilor Shaver questioned how the schedule coordination was working between he and Judge Strickland. Judge Curtis replied that it was working better. He discussed his own plans for future retirement. ADJOURNMENT Council recessed at 6:48 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Eileen Stein . A~ Eileen Stein MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, MAY 13,1996 . The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, May 13, 1996, at 7:04 p.m., with Council President Stu Burge presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Mayor Morrisette was absent (excused). Also present were City Recorder Eileen Stein, Human Resources Director Frank Hotchkiss and Police Chief Bill DeForrest. 1. Municipal Judges Evaluation - Judge Strickland. Councilor Shaver questioned how the change in workload was going. He said it was working fine but did not want to give away any more time. Councilor Shaver stated that Judge Curtis mentioned some concerns about safety issues in the court. Judge Strickland responded that it may just be differences in personality and that he had not been concerned himself. He stated he had to use the emergency button once and had three police officers present. He stated he did not handle the number of people that Judge Curtis did and he also handled in-custody arraignments, where Judge Curtis does not. In some cases, he hears arraignments with the defendant in the jail, rather than bring the defendant into the courtroom. He did try more jury cases. . Councilor Ballew questioned if he was satisfied with the administrative staff in the court. He replied that yes he was and that they all care about the people they handle. Councilor Burge questioned if he needed anything from Council. He replied that perhaps in time, he would like to convert the court to computer systems rather than paper systems. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7: 11 p.m. g;~~. Bill Morri ett Mayor A~ Eileen Stein City Recorder . MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, MAY 13, 1996 . The City of Springfield Council met in Work Session in the Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, May 13, 1996, at 7:30 p.m., with Council President Stu Burge presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Councilors Ballew, Beyer, Burge, Dahlquist, Maine and Shaver. Mayor Morrisette was absent (excused.) Also present were City Recorder Eileen Stein, Human Resources Director Frank Hotchkiss and Police Chief Bill DeForrest. I. Municipal Judges Evaluation - Judge Joseph. Councilor Shaver asked what his feeling of safety was in the court. He stated that he did not feel threatened. He stated that Bob Baker is a good bailiff and keeps everything under control. Councilor Burge asked if there was anything he need to do his job which he did not have. He replied no and stated that the court staff is very efficient and Kathy Cunningham does a very good job. It'is a pleasure to come over to Springfield Municipal Court. Councilor Shaver asked ifhe handled arraignments. He replied, yes he did when Judge Curtis was on vacation. . Judge Joseph stated that the driving while suspended cases are the most frustrating of infractions because it is not ajailable offense. He stated that it went from a crime to an infraction, because when a crime, defendants were entitled to have a court-appointed attorney. He contrasted this with Eugene, where people can be tried for contempt. Council discussed this issue. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Eileen Stein .~ / ~~sett~~ - Mayor Attest: ~~ Eileen Stein City Recorder .