Item 6C - MemoITEM 6C
ICITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
April 29, 2025
TO: Alison Ortowski, City Manager
FROM: Stacey Black, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 1291, 2nd Reading, appointing Lindsay Kinzie as the
Associate Judge of the Municipal Court of Record and authorizing
the Mayor to execute an employment agreement with the Associate
Municipal Judge
Action
Requested: City Council approval of Ordinance No. 1291, 2nd Reading,
Appointing Lindsay Kinzie as Associate Judge of the Municipal Court
of Record and authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with
the Associate Municipal Judge.
Background
Information: The Southlake City Charter states that the City Council shall appoint
one or more judges of the Municipal Court for a two-year term. The
current term of the Associate Judge expires on April 30, 2025.
The Associate Judge serves as Judge when Judge Montgomery is
unavailable due to illness, continuing legal or judicial education
programs, or any other reason.
In 2023, the City Council conducted a competitive selection process
for the position of Associate Judge, resulting in the appointments of
Lindsey Kinzie and Kara Carreras. On April 1, 2025, during Executive
Session, the Council discussed the Associate Judge appointments
and directed staff to initiate the reappointment process for Judge
Carreras for future Council consideration.
Judge Kinzie was licensed to practice law in 2008 and currently
serves as Associate Judge for the City of Southlake. Previously, she
served as an Assistant District Attorney for Tarrant County, as a
criminal defense attorney, and as General Counsel for The
Gatehouse. She was appointed as an Associate Judge in 2021.
Judge Kinzie satisfies all the qualifications and conditions of the
Southlake City Charter, which include:
Alison Ortowski, City Manager ITEM 6C
April 9, 2025
Page 2
• the individual must be a licensed attorney in good standing;
• the individual must be licensed to practice in the State of
Texas; and
• the individual must have two or more years of experience in
practicing law in Texas.
Ordinance No. 1291, included in your packet, authorizes the
appointment of Lindsay Kinzie as Associate Municipal Court Judge
for the City of Southlake for a two-year term through April 30, 2027.
It also authorizes the Mayor to execute an employment agreement
with Judge Kinzie to establish the compensation and benefits of the
Associate Judge.
City Council approved the first reading of the ordinance with a vote
of 6-0, and no changes have been made since the first reading.
Financial
Considerations: There is no negative financial impact due to this appointment.
Strategic Link: Performance Management and Service Delivery: Collaborate with
select business partners to implement service solutions.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: N/A
Legal Review: The Ordinance and employment agreement was reviewed by the
City Attorney's Office.
Alternatives: City Council may reappoint Judge Kinzie or seek other applicants as
desired. City Council may approve or modify the attached Ordinance
and employment agreement.
Supporting
Documents: Ordinance No. 1291
Staff
Recommendation: The City Council appoint Lindsay Kinzie as the Associate Judge of
the Municipal Court of Record and authorize the Mayor to execute
an employment agreement with the Associate Municipal Judge.
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE
ORDINANCE NO. 1291
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS APPOINTING
LINDSAY KINZIE AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT
OF RECORD IN THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE
ASSOCIATE MUNICIPAL JUDGE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Southlake is a home rule city acting under its charter
adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution and
Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted regulations governing its municipal court
of record in Article II of Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Southlake,
Texas, as amended; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 30 of the Texas Government Code relating to municipal
courts of record provides that the associate judge of the municipal court of record shall
be appointed by the City Council by ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
In accordance with the Code of Ordinances of the City of Southlake, Texas, as
amended, Lindsay Kinzie is hereby appointed as Associate Municipal Judge of the
municipal court of record in the City of Southlake, Texas, for a term of two (2) years, which
will expire on April 30, 2027.
SECTION 2.
The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute an employment agreement with the
Associate Municipal Judge to establish compensation and benefits.
Page 1
SECTION 3.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Southlake, Texas, as amended, except where the provisions
of this ordinance are in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such
Code, in which event the conflicting provisions of such ordinances and such Code are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 4.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the phrases,
clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and sections of this ordinance are severable, and if any
phrase, clause sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared
unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction,
such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences,
paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by
the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 5.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law, and it is so ordained.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING THIS DAY OF
)2025.
SHAWN MCCASKILL
MAYOR
Page 2
ATTEST:
AMY SHELLEY
CITY SECRETARY
PASSED AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING THIS DAY OF
2025.
SHAWN MCCASKILL
MAYOR
ATTEST:
AMY SHELLEY
CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
CITY ATTORNEY
Page 3
SOUTHLAKE
0
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Employment Agreement
Associate Municipal Judge
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 6th day of May, 2025, by and between the City
of Southlake, Texas, a Municipal Corporation, chartered under the constitution of the State of
Texas as a home rule city, hereinafter referred to as "City", and Lindsay Kinzie, hereinafter
referred to as "Associate Municipal Judge," both of which parties hereto understand and agree as
follows:
WITNESSETH:
City does hereby agree to enter into an Employment Agreement with Lindsay Kinzie for
Associate Municipal Judge services for a period of two (2) years, beginning on May 1,
2025, and continuing through midnight on April 30, 2027, at an hourly rate of $55.00 per
hour.
2. Associate Municipal Judge shall be paid an annual cell phone allowance of $1,200.00 to
be paid in $50.00 increments, twice per month. The Associate Municipal Judge shall
acquire and maintain a cell phone during the term of this agreement, which shall be
available for the Associate Municipal Judge's exclusive and unrestricted use in the
performance of her duties hereunder. Associate Municipal Judge shall be responsible for
all expenses required for the purchase, operation, maintenance, repair, and regular
replacement of said cell phone. In addition, Southlake will provide judge's robe and gavel.
3. All provisions of the rules and regulations of the City applicable to fringe benefits, leave
and working conditions as they now exist or hereafter may be amended, shall also apply
to the Associate Municipal Judge as they apply to all other part-time employees of the
City, in addition to the benefits enumerated specifically for the benefit of the Associate
Municipal Judge herein. Such benefits include Workers' Compensation Insurance, access
to the City's Employee Assistance Program, and eligibility for participation in the City's
Part -Time Alternative Retirement System (PARS).
4. City does hereby agree to budget and to pay for professional memberships, subscriptions,
and dues to state and local legal associations and organizations necessary and desirable
for her continued professional participation, growth and advancement, and for the good of
the City as approved by the Chief Financial Officer, or her designee. Such memberships
to include the following:
Lexis/Nexus — Online Case Tracking
Texas State Bar Association
Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association
5. City does hereby agree to budget and to pay for the travel and subsistence expenses of
the Associate Municipal Judge for training, short courses, institutes, and seminar that are
necessary for professional development and for the good of the City, as approved by the
Chief Financial Officer, or her designee.
6. The Associate Municipal Judge agrees to serve as Judge in the temporary absence of the
Municipal Judge due to illness, family death, continuing legal or judicial education
programs, or any other reason. The Associate Judge, while serving as a Municipal Judge,
has all the powers and shall discharge all the duties of a Municipal Judge. Further, the
Associate Judge, while serving as a Municipal Judge, shall supervise and control the
operation and clerical functions of the administrative department of the municipal court,
including the court's personnel, during the proceedings or dockets of the court. At all other
times, the operation and clerical functions of the administrative department of the
municipal court shall be under the supervision and direction of the Court Clerk.
7. The Associate Municipal Judge shall perform all functions and duties required under the
City Charter, City ordinances, other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as
said position shall require.
8. The Chief Financial Officer, or designee, shall administer this contract on behalf of the City
Council. The Associate Municipal Judge shall keep the Chief Financial Officer informed of
issues related to the Court, and shall execute her performance in cooperation with the
Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Financial Officer's staff, to the extent, such
cooperation does not impair the necessity of judicial independence and avoids the
appearance of impropriety.
9. During this Agreement, the Associate Municipal Judge agrees to comply with all provisions
of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Chapter V of the City of Southlake Charter, Article II of
Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Southlake, Section 30 of the Texas
Government Code, and all other applicable laws pertaining to the operation of the
Southlake Municipal Court of Record. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and said Code, Charter, Statutes and laws, the terms of said Code, Charter,
Statutes, and laws shall govern.
10. The Parties recognize and agree that the Associate Municipal Judge will maintain a private
law practice. However, the Associate Municipal Judge shall not (i) take on representation
of a client adverse to the City; (ii) represent a client in a case where an employee of the
City, in her capacity as an employee of the City, is a witness or may be summoned to
appear as a witness; or (iii) accept any case which would require the Associate Municipal
Judge to argue a position that is adverse to the interests of the City.
11. The Associate Municipal Judge warrants she meets the minimum qualifications listed in
Chapter V of the City of Southlake Charter and Article II of Chapter 8 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Southlake.
12. The City may remove the Associate Municipal Judge from office during her term pursuant
to and in accordance with the requirements of Section 30 of the Texas Government Code,
or its successor, as same may hereafter be amended.
13. A request by the Associate Municipal Judge for release from this Agreement prior to the
end of its term must be submitted in writing to the Mayor for City Council approval not less
than thirty (30) days prior to the requested date of termination. Unapproved abandonment
of the Agreement shall be considered a default by the Associate Municipal Judge in the
performance of this Agreement.
In Witness Whereof, City has caused this Agreement to be signed in its name by the Mayor, and
its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by its City Secretary, and the Municipal
Judge has hereunto set her hand and seal the date first above written.
Associate Municipal Judge City of Southlake, Mayor
Lindsay Kinzie
ATTEST:
Amy Shelley
City Secretary
Shawn McCaskill, Mayor
STATE OF TEXAS
Oath of Office
"I, LindsayK, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the duties
of the office of Municipal Court Presiding Judge of the State of Texas, and will to the best
of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United
States and of this State, so help me God."
Lindsay Kinzie
Associate Municipal Court Judge
City of Southlake
Sworn to and subscribed before me by affiant on this day of , 2025.
zl'--CIRAOU�
P
him
Clerk of the Court
City of Southlake
STATE OF TEXAS
Statement of Appointed Officer
"I, Lindsay Kinzie, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not directly or indirectly
paid, offered, promised to pay, contributed, or promised to contribute any money or thing
of value, or promised any public office or employment as a reward to secure my
appointment or confirmation thereof, so help me God."
Sworn to and subscribed before me by affiant on this
X-C-]\-V PAL 0U�
Lindsay Kinzie
Associate Municipal Court Judge
City of Southlake
day of , 2025.
Court Clerk
City of Southlake