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Board for Judicial Administration Members participating: Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, chair; Judge William Baker; Judge Sara Derr; Judge Stephen Dwyer; Judge Deborah Fleck; Judge Stephen Holman; Judge Ronald Kessler; Justice Barbara Madsen; Ms. Mary McQueen; Judge Kathleen O’Connor; Judge James Riehl, member-chair; Judge John Schultheis; and Judge Evan Sperline Staff participating: Mr. Gil Austin; Ms. Jude Cryderman; Mr. Doug Haake; Mr. Jeff Hall; Ms. Janet McLane; and Ms. Yvonne Pettus Call to Order Chief Justice Alexander called the Board to order. Minutes It was moved by Judge Schultheis and seconded by Judge Baker to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2003 as published. Motion carried. Presiding Judges’ Conference Judge Riehl reported that the Presiding Judges’ Conference held the first part of March in Yakima was a success. He indicated that remarkable progress has been made in relation to the BJA and the PJ rule. He said he felt the judges and administrators had a clear understanding of the rule. Judge Riehl advised that Mr. Gordon Zimmerman, conference facilitator, uses Washington as a model, pointing out what can be accomplished when the judiciary speaks with one voice. Model Job Description Ms. McQueen reminded the Board that the model job description was provided to the judicial associations for comment. Also that Marianne Walters presented the model during the presiding judges’ conference. Ms. Walters did not receive any comments. Ms. McQueen reported the Court Management Council changed “may” to “should” in the preamble. Judge O’Connor said a brief discussion took place during the SCJA Board meeting during which time they agreed the model should be aspirational rather than mandatory. Judge Dwyer reported that the DMCJA Board did not recommend any changes to the model. Judge O’Connor said their Board took no specific position relating to the model, but wanted language in the model to make it clear that the position reported to and at the direction of the presiding judge and executive committee. The Board discussed the appropriate language relative to the position reporting to and taking direction from the presiding judge. The Board agreed to table this item until the April meeting. Chief Justice Alexander requested that any suggested changes to the model job description be in writing and sent to Ms. McQueen. The Board also requested that the preamble language be moved to become commentary. Mr. Hall report, as requested by the Board, a salary survey is being created electronically. CIRT Chief Justice Alexander reminded the Board at the last meeting they approved a change in CIRT’s bylaws to include a representative from the county clerks’ association and the Washington City/County Management Association. He also reminded them that he agreed to speak with Judge Frazier regarding adding additional judicial officers to the membership. The Chief reported that Judge Frazier did not feel it necessary, at this time, to add additional judicial members. He said Judge Frazier would contact BJA if expanding the membership is necessary at some point. Court Funding Task Force Ms. McLane reported the work groups have met and their work is underway. She provided the following update for the work groups. The Problem Definition Work Group has developed a comprehensive draft outline. In the next few weeks they will have information regarding how courts are currently funded in Washington. Funding Alternatives Work Group is in the process of developing principles and objectives. Additionally, the issue of why courts need adequate, stable funding will be documented. Public Education Work Group is developing a contact list that will identify the various organizations that the membership may belong to. Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Work Group has met twice. They will be collecting information to provide an in-depth perspective of the different systems used in the CLJs. Implementation Strategies Work Group used their first meeting as a planning session to round out the membership. Mr. Hall reported that the Task Force will hold a task force meeting in May and a joint meeting with the BJA, SCJA Board and DMCJA Board in June. Legislative Update Mr. Hall reported that almost all BJA bills have made it through the House and are currently in the Senate. Most of the bills are scheduled to be heard next before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Mr. Hall reviewed the bills of interest to the Board. The Board briefly discussed legislation. Salary Commission Ms. McLane reported the next hearing is set for March 27 in Yakima. The judicial representatives who will attend the Yakima hearing are Judge Kurtz, Court of Appeals; Judge Hutton, Superior Courts and Judge Fitch, Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. The focus of this hearing will be the executive branch. Best Practices Judge Sperline reported the committee met on February 28 and will meet again prior to the April BJA meeting. Judge Sperline said Dr. Glenn and Ms. Pettus are studying information from the superior court and limited jurisdiction courts relating to collection of financial obligations and length of time before the court receives first payment; what percentage of LFO payments do courts receive and whether the amount received depends on size of LFO. They will also study whether the current collection programs are cost effective. Court Reports Court of Appeals Judge Schultheis advised the Appellate Judges’ Spring Conference will be held in Leavenworth, April 6-9. Superior Courts Judge Fleck reported:
District/Municipal Courts Judge Dwyer advised that Judge Marler has resigned as President of the DMCJA. Judge Dwyer reported, as an organization, they are reviewing all of the different duties performed by the CLJ in an effort to determine whether they should continue to perform all of those duties. Other Business The next meeting is scheduled for April 18 at the Temple of Justice in Olympia. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted,
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