Item 4KCITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
May 24, 2011
To: City Council
From: Sharen Jackson, Director of Finance
Subject: Ordinance No. 1006, 1 St Reading, Appoint a Municipal Judge
and authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with the
Municipal Judge and provide an effective date.
Action
Requested: City Council appointment of a Municipal Judge and authorize the
Mayor to execute an agreement with the Municipal Judge and
provide an effective date.
Background
Information: The current Municipal Judge's contract will expire in mid -July,
creating a need for Council to consider appointment options. Per
Section 5.20 of the Southlake City Charter, the City Council shall
by ordinance appoint one or more judges of the Municipal Court.
It goes on to describe the qualifications and conditions of the
position, which include:
• Licensed attorney in good standing
• Two or more years of experience in Texas
• Two -year term
The ordinance included in your packet authorizes the
appointment of the judge.
Note that the professional services agreement is attached to the
ordinance as Exhibit "A ", and the expectations for Municipal
Judge are attached as Attachment "A" named Duties of the
Municipal Judge.
Financial
Considerations: The compensation for the Municipal Judge is $3,500 per month
and is included in the Finance Department budget.
Strategic Link: Performance Management and Service Delivery.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: N/A
Legal Review: The ordinance and agreement were reviewed by the city
attorney's office. No changes to the existing agreement.
Alternatives: The current judge is seeking reappointment. Council may
reappoint or seek other applicants as desired. Council may
approve or modify the attached ordinance and agreement.
Supporting
Documents: Ordinance No. 1006.
Staff
Recommendations: Council appoint a Municipal Judge and authorize the Mayor to
execute an employment agreement with that individual.
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 1006
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE,
TEXAS, APPOINTING A MUNICIPAL JUDGE AND AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MUNICIPAL JUDGE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Section 1. That
City of Southlake, Texas, for a term of two years,
with the terms of the Agreement attached hereto
herein.
_ is hereby appointed municipal judge of the
which will expire July 7, 2013 in accordance
as Exhibit "A" and incorporated by reference
Section 2. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the Agreement attached as Exhibit
" A „
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE OF JUNE 2011, ON FIRST READING.
John Terrell
Mayor
ATTEST:
Alicia Richardson, TRMC
City Secretary
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE DAY OF JUNE 2011, ON SECOND READING.
John Terrell
Mayor
ATTEST:
Alicia Richardson, TRMC
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
City Attorney
DATE SIGNED:
DATE APPROVED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
EXHIBIT "A"
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Professional Services Agreement
Municipal Judge
This Agreement, made and entered into this day of June 2011, by and between the City of
Southlake, Texas, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Texas, hereinafter referred to as
"City ", and , hereinafter referred to as "Municipal Judge ".
WITNESSETH:
1. City does hereby agree to enter into an Agreement with for Municipal
Judge services for a period of two (2) years, beginning on July 7, 2011 and continuing
through midnight on July 7, 2013 at a salary of $3,500 per month.
2. City does hereby agree to provide a Smartphone or equivalent mobile phone that offers
more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary phone for the
Municipal Judge for unlimited use in the performance of his /her duties as Municipal
Judge. In addition, the City will provide judge's robe and gavel.
3. 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 his /her continued professional participation, growth and
advancement, and for the good of the City. Such memberships to include the following:
Lexis /Nexus — Online Case Tracking
Texas State Bar Association
Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association
4. City does hereby agree to budget and to pay for the travel and subsistence expenses of
Municipal Judge for training, short courses, institutes and seminar that are necessary for
professional development and for the good of the City.
5. The Municipal Judge shall perform all functions and duties required under the City
Charter, City ordinances, and as delineated and described in Attachment "A ", and shall
perform such other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as said position
shall require.
6. The City Manager shall administer this contract on behalf of the City Council. The
Municipal Judge shall keep the City Manager informed of issues related to the Court,
and shall execute his /her performance in cooperation with the City Manager and the City
Manager's staff, to the extent, such cooperation does not impair the necessity of judicial
independence and avoids the appearance of impropriety.
7. During this Agreement, the 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.
8. The Municipal Judge shall not take on representation of a client adverse to the City. The
Municipal Judge shall not represent a client in a case where an employee of the City, in
his /her capacity as an employee of the City, is a witness or may be summoned to appear
as a witness.
9. The Municipal Judge warrants he /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.
10. The City may remove the Municipal Judge from office during his /her term pursuant tc
and in accordance with the requirements of Section 30 of the Texas Government Code,
or its successor, as same may hereafter be amended.
11. A request by the 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 Municipal Judge in the performance
of this Agreement.
12. City shall pay retirement benefits for Municipal Judge as follows: The Municipal Judge
will deposit seven percent (7 %) of his /her monthly salary into Texas Municipal
Retirement System and the City shall match those deposits on a two -to -one basis.
In Witness Whereof, City has caused this Agreement to be signed in its name by John Terrell,
Mayor, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by its City Secretary, and the
Municipal Judge has hereunto set his /her hand and seal the date first above written.
Municipal Judge
City of Southlake, Mayor
John Terrell
ATTEST:
Alicia Richardson, TRMC
City Secretary
ATTACHMENT "A"
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
Duties of the Municipal Judge
Essential Functions:
Perform various judicial work in the Municipal Court in accordance with the provisions of
the City Charter, City ordinances and applicable State and Federal statutes in a
professional and impartial manner.
2. The Municipal Judge shall effectively interact with staff and other judges to execute
assigned duties in a manner consistent with the expectations established by the City
Council, adhering to the highest ethical standards required of judges. The Judge shall
also comply with the City's Code of Ethics and the Business Code of Conduct.
3. Preside over all municipal court proceedings. The Municipal Judge shall preside in a
professional and impartial manner and treat parties, attorneys, witnesses, and the public
with appropriate judicial decorum. Rulings shall be issued in a timely manner consistent
with the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedures.
4. Arbitrate disputes and advise counsel, jury, litigants, or Court personnel on Court
procedures; administer the judicial system; settle disputes between opposing attorneys.
The Municipal Judge shall maintain decorum and order in the courtroom and shall
ensure that all court hearings and business shall be conducted efficiently and promptly
as the court schedule dictates.
5. Establish rules of the procedures for questioning witness and defendants for which
standard procedures have not been established.
6. Listen to presentation of cases and rule on the admissibility of evidence and methods of
conducting testimony.
7. Promptly process and issue search and arrest warrants; set and forfeit bail for Class C
misdemeanors falling under Municipal Court jurisdiction; set bail for felonies and
misdemeanors as part of magisterial duties or process all duties as a Tarrant County
Magistrate in a timely manner.
8. In performing magistrate duties, the Judge shall coordinate with police personnel to
conduct arraignments in such a manner to maximize efficient operation of the police.
9. Instruct jury on applicable laws and procedures; direct jury to deduce facts only from
evidence presented and sentence or fine offenders if convicted or see page 30 of
TMCEC Municipal Judges Book under Duties and Responsibilities.
10. Review and keep current on all new laws, major court decisions and other pertinent
information relevant to the revision of Court procedures and operations.
11. Demonstrate efforts to improve operations, be specific, streamline work processes, and
work cooperatively and jointly to enable the court personnel to provide quality customer
service.
12. Represent the Southlake Municipal Court through attendance at community court - related
functions. To avoid the appearance of impropriety the Southlake Municipal Court Judge
may not participate in local or State elections.
STATE OF TEXAS
Oath of Office
,j, , 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."
Municipal Court Presiding Judge
City of Southlake
Sworn to and subscribed before me by affiant on this day of
r� 2011.
T
Cleric of the Court
City of Southlake
zl-,�(-R A� Ci�
STATE OF TEXAS
Statement of Appointed Officer
,j, , 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."
Municipal Court Presiding Judge
City of Southlake
Sworn to and subscribed before me by affiant on this day of
r— 2011.
9
Court Cleric
City of Southlake
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