HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/1996 Work Session
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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.
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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
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Eileen Stein
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MAY 13,1996
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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.
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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.
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Bill Morri ett
Mayor
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Eileen Stein
City Recorder
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MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1996
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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.
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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
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~~sett~~ -
Mayor
Attest:
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Eileen Stein
City Recorder
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