HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2001-023 Appointment of Susan J. Woodard as Municipal Court JudgeRESOLUTION NO. R-2001- 23
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Yakima Municipal Court Judge.
WHEREAS, due to increasing caseloads and in order to better distribute
the administrative duties of the municipal court judge, it is in the best interests of
the City of Yakima to create a second full time judge position for the Yakima
Municipal Court; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 35.18.060(2) and RCW 3.50.040, the City
Manager has appointed Susan J. Woodard as Municipal Court Judge, subject to
confirmation by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the position of Municipal Court Judge shall be an elective
position in accordance with RCW Chapter 3.50, and the statute provides for an
initial appointment of a Municipal Court Judge until the scheduled election; and
WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interest of the City
of Yakima to confirm the appointment of Susan J. Woodard as City of Yakima
Municipal Court Judge, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The appointment of Susan J. Woodard as City of Yakima Municipal Court
Judge is hereby confirmed.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 6th day of February , 2001.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
M _ Place, Mayor
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
129 NorthSecond .Street
CITY HALL, Yakima, Washington 98941
Phone (549) 575-6444
February 1, 2001
The Honorable Susan Woodard
Court Commissioner
Municipal Court
200S.3 rd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Dear Commissioner Woodard:
It is my pleasure to appoint you to fill the new second full-time Municipal
Court Judge.
I believe you are eminently qualified to fill the position. Prior to your being
hired by the City in 1989 as an Assistant City Attorney assigned to the
prosecution of criminal cases in 1989, you worked for both the Yakima and
King County Prosecutors offices. Upon the retirement of City Prosecutor
Robert I. Bounds, you were promoted to the position of City Prosecutor.
You served the City admirably in that capacity, administering the Criminal
Division of the Legal Department, until 1996 when you were chosen by
Judge Martin to be the Municipal Court Commissioner. During your tenure
as Commissioner, you have been noted for a commitment to ensuring that all
parties who appear before you receive a full and fair hearing and conducted
your duties in a highly commendable manner.
I am submitting your name to the Council for a confirmation action on
Tuesday, February 6, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. As you are aware, in order for you
to retain this appointment, State law requires you to be elected by the voters
of the City of Yakima at the next city Municipal Election in November
2001.
Susan, I am especially pleased and gratified to offer you this position with
the City of Yakima. You have established an outstanding reputation in the
practice of law in our community. We appreciate your strong commitment Yakima
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to achieving success as Yakima's newest Municipal Court Judge. I have
every confidence you will be an excellent judge and will find this position to
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Very
truly yours,
Dick Zais
City Manager
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c: City Council
ITEM TITLE:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
A Resolution creating a second Municipal
a new Municipal Court Judge and an
Item No. 1
For Meeting Of: February 6, 2001
Court Judge, a resolution appointing
ordinance amending the Yakima
Municipal Code Classification and Compensation Ordinance.
SUBMITTED BY: Dick Zais, City Manager
Judge Martin; Municipal Court
Rita Anson, Finance Director
Ray Paolella, City Attorney
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Judge Martin, #575-3050
Rita Anson, #575-6070
Ray Paolella, #575-6030
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the January 16, 2001 Council Study Session, Judge Martin of the Yakima Municipal Court
requested Council to approve the appointment of a second Judge to the Yakima Municipal Court
and to eliminate the existing position of Court Commissioner (see attached letter from Judge
Martin.). An appointment at this time would be effective through December 31, 2001. An election
would be held in November 2001 to elect a Judge to serve a four year term, commencing January
1, 2002.
As directed by City Council at their regular business meeting on January 16, 2001, staff has
prepared: (1) a resolution creating a second full time Municipal Court Judge position, (2) a
resolution appointing Commissioner Woodard to the position of Municipal Court Judge, and (3)
the ordinance to adjust the Classification portion of the Yakima Municipal Code Pay Ordinance to
eliminate the position of Court Commissioner and change the title of Judge to Municipal Court
Judge.
(Note, one full time Judge and one full time Commissioner are budgeted in the 2001 budget.
Since these two positions are in the same pay level, there are no budget impacts to this change).
Resolution 2 Ordinance 1 Other (Specify)
Contract Mail to (name and address):_
Funding Source N/A
AROVED FOR SUBMITTAL:
M
Phone:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Pass Ordinance and Adopt Resolution
BOARD/ COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: 18 A. Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2001-22
18 B. Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2001-23
18 C. Ordinance passed. ORDINANCE NO. 2001-05