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1992-08-31A A City of Southlake, Texas i i CITY OF SOUTHLAKE 667 N. Carroll Avenue REGULAR TEEN COURT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING August 31, 1992 6:00 P.M. MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Buddy Luce, Chairman; Janine Vice -Chairman; Sally Hall, Secretary; Brad Bradley, Michael Franks, Council Representative; Ralph Coordinator. Members: Cathy Turner, Jason Weddel, Dottie Morris. MEMBERS ABSENT: Mike Bedrick and Christen Gustafson. Bernasek, Judge; Jon Hopkins, Kay Held, The Meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m., by Buddy Luce, Chairman. Agenda Item #2, Approval of the Minutes The Minutes of the Regular Teen Court Advisory Committee meeting held on August 10, 1992, were approved as presented. A discussion was held in regard to items which appeared in the Minutes of the August 10, 1992, Teen Court meeting, including the inclusion of the Dare Officer or a Representative of Public Safety, and a Representative of Municipal Court being on the Teen Count Advisory Board. It was felt by Buddy Luce and Jon Michael Franks that these additions were not necessary. Three reasons were stated: 1) hiring of Teen Court Coordinator would provide better communications with Court Clerk; 2) that inclusion of Public Safety Officer on the Board would be a conflict of interest; and, 3) that a change of board members and make-up of the Advisory Committee would require a vote of the City Council prior to the change. It was noted at this time that the Board has already adjusted thel number of representatives on the Teen Board, to increase Teen Representation, without Council approval. If this is to be valid,, a Resolution reflecting the changes should be presented to City Council. Although this item was listed on the agenda for later discussion during the meeting, it was essentially decided during review of the minutes, not to include Public Safety or Court Clerk on the official voting board. Their attendance in a supportive role would be encouraged, and that a resolution indicating the Teen Representative increase would be prepared by the chairman for approval of the City Council. Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting August 31, 1992 page two Agenda Item U , Administrative Comments Janine Bernasek, vice-chairman explained why the Teen Court Advisory Committee went ahead with the August 10, 1992 meeting, even though the chairman requested a cancellation of the meeting. Due to school beginning, forms needed to be prepared, including: teen court applicants for board members, lawyers and jury, and, preparation needed to take place in regard to having a table at school registration, promoting Teen Court. Sally Hall, Dottie Morris and Jason Weddel attended the City Council work session on August 11, 1992, and made a presentation in support of a Teen Court Coordinator. Dottie Morris provided an hourly summary to the board on the activity which has taken place, adding, a summary will be provided to the Board at each meeting, as both the City Council and the Carroll Independent School Board have requested such an update on the progress. Mrs. Morris also reported on the success in promoting the Teen Court at the High School registration. Mrs. Ki Reinmiller, Carroll High School, went the extra mile in helping the committee prepare packets of information promoting the Teen Court. Thank also to Murray Printing in Southlake who donated 1,000 flyers for Teen Court. It was noted that the secretary needs to send a thank you letter to each of those mentioned above for their support. The newly appointed Teen Court Representative from the Carroll I.S.D., Kay Held was present tonight and introduced to the committee. Cathy Turner led the discussion in regard to the need to have a Board member present in the jury room due to verdict bias. It was decided that we would not do this due to the Code of Criminal Procedure guidelines, and the fact that court does not allow this. It was determined that the group would go back to the idea of providing written guidelines for jury and that the newly hired coordinator will oversee the jury operation and instructions on seating to prevent bias and additional Teen Lawyer training. It was noted jury screening prior to seating should alleviate any problems. Cathy Turner, Ralph Hopkins, Dottie Morris, Jon Michael Franks and Buddy Luce provided the above comments regarding the Teen Jury. A discussion was held in regard to Teen Court expenditures. It was agreed by those present that expenditures need to be followed closely, due to the fact that the coordinator is funded by both the school and city. Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting August 31, 1992 page three Agenda Item #3, Continued A discussion was held in regard to the number of nights the Teen Court will need to be in session. It was the opinion of Ralph Hopkins and Brad Bradley that six (6) cases a night would be maximum. Allowing for the Court session to be a minimum of one (1) hour to two (2) hours. If Teen Court workload increases, we may need to schedule an extra night. A discussion was held in regard to who could request the Teen Court option. It was agreed all Southlake Teens and Teens in the Carroll I.S.D. who reside in Grapevine are eligible. A discussion was held concerning the Community Service Hours, and the Teen Court Coordinators Mrs. Morris and Mr. Hopkins. It was agreed the burden needed to be switched to the Teen to complete their community service hours, as the result of their Teen Court participation. It was decided if the Teen did not complete the required hours in a reasonable length of time, they would be referred back to Regular Court. It was felt five (5) hours a week was a reasonable guideline for expecting completion of community service hours. A "rule" is needed to be established in regard to completion of community service in the required time frame, as noted above. Agenda Item #4, Teen Court Coordinator Sally Hall presented a copy of the North Richland Hills Contract for Teen Court Coordinator, for use as a guideline. It was noted that Buddy Luce, Brad Bradley and Jon Michael Franks will work together in drawing up such an contract, and reviewing as experts and representatives of the funding organizations (City and C.I.S.D.). Also, Sally Hall submitted City guidelines used on job applications when the city hires employees. The Board agreed to follow that format. Mrs. Hall will prepare guidelines for the board when the selection process has started. It was also agreed that readvertisement for Teen Court Coordinator is needed. Hall will submit the information to the City for placement of the ad. When the information is completed, Jon Michael Franks will review the document with the City Manager. Agenda Item #6, Selection of Teen Court Advisory Board This item was not acted upon, due to the fact that more applicants are needed, and also, the sophomore class has been included in the application procedure. This item is to be placed on the September 21, 1992, Agenda. Dottie Morris and Kay Held will get the information out to the High School via additional flyers for CISD High School Student Packets. Teen Court Advisory Committee Meeting August 31, 1992 page four Agenda Item V , Reviewing Applications for Teen Court Lawyers. It was decided we have enough lawyers to get the program started, however, we need more lawyers. Janine Bernasek and Jason Weddel agreed they would carry the lawyer aspect of Teen Court until they can get a new group trained. Mr. Luce feels we have enough teaching information and videos to provide in-house training of our lawyers. Ms. Held brought up a possible program, where C.I.S.D. could have a mock court/debate competition for the High School. The Board needs to follow-up on the possible program implementation through the Teen Court Coordinator this year. It was agreed, this is an excellent program and natural extension of Teen Court into the C.I.S.D. curriculum. Agenda Item #8, Adjournment Prior to Adjournment, Brad Bradley submitted information on this years Teen Court Convention. The information will be included with the next meeting packet. Judge Bradley also mentioned he will be looking into rotating the Teen Court Judge. He will get other community lawyers to volunteer as Teen Court Judge and set up a rotation program. As in real court proceedings, the same judge does not hear all cases and this will be good for our lawyer training program. It was noted that the tape recording of this meeting failed, therefore, the minutes were prepared from memory of the Board Secretary. The meeting was adjourned by Buddy Luce, chairman. Respectfully submitted, Sally Hall Secretary s/1 I -TtJC_woa IP PAc-Y-a-� WO-V4 MlPv'T-E-S L77 73, 7a� - �. ., 2c) c �F� rl ......... 44 CS . �-��� A4G QL) E Ida 11, u Ef ............ `. A 13