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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 2/18/2020 - Memorandum From Teresa Roche Re: Update On Chief Judge Recruitment ProcessHuman Resources 215 N. Mason Street 2nd Floor PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6535 MEMORANDUM Date: February 13, 2020 To: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers From: Teresa Roche, Chief Human Resources Officer CC: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager RE: Update on Chief Judge Recruitment Process Executive Summary The purpose of this memo is to thank you for your time in meeting with the Chief Judge executive recruiter Edward Williams, to provide you with a copy of the final position description that was posted last week and is being communicated externally, to share the schedule of the stakeholder engagement meetings being held this month and to point to what next to expect. Highlights Attached is the final position description for the Chief Judge. Thank you again for your counsel on what was important to consider in this critical role for the City. Attached is the schedule of the additional stakeholder engagement sessions being held this month. If you have any interest in attending, please let me know so I can determine if any of these will become a public meeting. And for your recall, as committed to in my January 12 memo, a summary of key themes from all conversations will be created and shared with Council A more detailed recruitment plan with milestones, a timeline and highlighted Council actions will be submitted as an agenda item on Council’s Consent Agenda. As always, any questions or comments are welcome. TR The City of Fort Collins, Colorado Invites Qualified Candidates to Apply for CHIEF JUDGE The Opportunity The Chief Judge is appointed by the City Council and is accountable to lead The Fort Collins Municipal Court. This position is responsible for administering the operations of the judicial branch of City government according to the ordinances adopted by City Council. Cases adjudicated in Municipal Court typically include traffic violations, misdemeanors, and civil infractions. Generally, cases are brought to Municipal Court by Fort Collins Police Services, the Colorado State University Police Department, Animal Control, other City departments, and private residents. Liquor Licensing and/or Marijuana Licensing Authority duties are included. 2 The Community Incorporated in 1873, Fort Collins is nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains alongside the banks of the Cache La Poudre River. At 5,000 feet in elevation, residents enjoy a moderate, four season climate, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. With 167,500 residents, Fort Collins is Colorado’s fourth largest city and spans 57 square miles. At full build-out, the City of Fort Collins is expected to reach 255,000 residents. From its early days, as the military fort of Camp Collins, Fort Collins has transformed into a vibrant, healthy, university city with ample attractions and amenities. There are abundant outdoor recreation opportunities available to the many residents who enjoy healthy lifestyles. The nearby Horsetooth Reservoir is a key attraction, as is the Scenic Byway Poudre Canyon. Within the city, the Downtown district provides many venues for live music, shopping, dining, and nightlife. Fort Collins is renowned for its craft beer culture and is widely considered the Craft Beer Capital of Colorado. Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University. With a student enrollment of 32,000, the University significantly affects the composition and culture of Fort Collins. More than half of Fort Collins’ residents are college graduates and the city has a strong appreciation for arts, culture, and entertainment. Residents are educated and engaged in their local government. Various national organizations and magazines recognize Fort Collins as one of the best places to live in the nation. Milken Institute, January 2019 Top 10 Best Performing Cities Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community League of American Bicyclists 2017 3 The Organization The City of Fort Collins is a home rule city with a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of six District Councilmembers who are elected for four-year terms and a Mayor who is elected at-large for a two-year term. All elected officials are non-partisan. The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and the Chief Judge. The City Manager has overall responsibility for all other City employees. The City of Fort Collins directly provides a full slate of municipal services including operating its own electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. The City of Fort Collins, at the direction of City Council and voters, is moving forward with building and implementing high-speed next-generation broadband to the entire community with an expected completion in 2021. Fire protection is provided by the Poudre Fire Authority (PFA). The City of Fort Collins operates with a biennial budget and provides funding for municipal operations, including approximately 2,500 employees. The City of Fort Collins aspires to provide world-class services to the community while cultivating an outstanding organizational culture for its employees. In order to achieve its vision, both internal and external services are data-informed and implemented according to organizational values. The City develops resiliency and sustainability through organization-wide systems and processes that ensure consistent employee work practices and alignment across service areas. The City places a high value on public input and strives to include them as fellow problem solvers whenever possible. Residents can expect to receive exceptional service, have the opportunity to engage with decision-makers, provide input regarding the allocation of City resources, and have access to government information in a timely and transparent manner. Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Recipient 2017 4 Various national organizations and magazines recognize Fort Collins as one of the best places to live in the nation. • No. 4 Best U.S. Cities to Raise a Family: MarketWatch – Apr 2019 • No. 9 Best Performing Cities: Milken Institute – Jan 2019 • No. 3 U.S. Cities with Highest Economic Confidence: Yahoo – Nov 2018 • No. 2 Brain Concentration Index: Bloomberg – Nov 2018 • 14th Best Place to Live: Livability.com – Mar 2018 • 18th Best City for Career Opportunities: SmartAsset – Sep 2017 • 3rd Best College Town to Live in Forever: College Ranker – Jul 2017 • 25 Best Towns Ever: Where to Live Now: Outside Magazine – Jun 2017 • No. 1 Stable and Growing Housing Market: Realtor.com – Jun 2017 • 11th Happiest City in America: Yahoo! Finance – Mar 2017 • Top 100 Best Cities to Start a Family: lendedu – Feb 2017 • No. 9 Top 150 Cities for Millennials Report: Millennnial Personal Finance – Feb 2017 • No. 2 Best Cities for Small Business Owners: ValuePenguin – Feb 2017 • No. 17 Best Places to Buy a Forever Home: Good Call – Jan 2017 • Runner Friendly Community: Road Runners Club of America – Oct 2016 • No. 4 Community in Overall Well-Being, 2014–2015: Gallup Healthways – Feb 2016 5 The Opportunity The Chief Judge is appointed by the City Council and is accountable to lead The Fort Collins Municipal Court. This position is responsible for administering the operations of the judicial branch of City government according to the ordinances adopted by City Council. Cases adjudicated in Municipal Court typically include traffic violations, misdemeanors, and civil infractions. Generally, cases are brought to Municipal Court by Fort Collins Police Services, the Colorado State University Police Department, Animal Control, other City departments, and private residents. Liquor Licensing and/or Marijuana Licensing Authority duties are included. Fort Collins is experiencing population growth and is home to Colorado State University. With a student enrollment of 32,000, the University significantly affects the composition and culture of Fort Collins. The ideal candidate must have a genuine desire to serve the community of Fort Collins by providing the highest possible level of service. It is fundamental to administer equitable, fair, and impartial justice in a timely and respectful manner; protect fundamental rights; promote public safety; and facilitate community reparation. Title: Chief Judge (Unclassified Management) Compensation: The City of Fort Collins offers a competitive comprehensive benefits package, which includes market competitive salary, commensurate with education and experience. Other benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. Additionally, the City of Fort Collins offers other benefits, including 457 deferred compensation, optional Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, and relocation assistance for the successful out of area finalist. The Position: The Chief Judge is appointed by the City Council on contractual basis with the terms of employment outlined in the contract and City Charter. The Judge is responsible for the administration of the Court and provides strategic direction and leadership to the Court Administrator who leads a staff of eighteen (18) full-time and part-time employees. The Chief Judge is also responsible for directing the work of any assistant judges and referees hired by the City to ensure consistent hearing of cases. The Chief Judge will incorporate elements of a problem-solving court focused on modifying illegal behaviors to improve the community’s overall quality of life. As Fort Collins is a University City with an internationally recognized college, the Judge and their staff work with a diverse global and economic population with many young adults navigating their way as students learning and living in a community with others. The Fort Collins Municipal Court desires to maintain a strong partnership with Colorado State University to work collaboratively with their students. The Chief Judge also works collaboratively with key stakeholders in the Municipal Court system to ensure 6 • Reviews files for Municipal Court defendants who have recently been placed in custody at the Larimer County Jail or other facility. Sets bond types and amounts and/or holds video advisements in an efficient and appropriate manner. • Manages system for summoning jurors in an efficient and appropriate way. Instructs juries on applicable law and directs juries to deduce facts from evidence presented. • Imposes fines and sentences upon finding of guilt or responsibility according to City Code, and state and federal law. Designs and implements appropriate and creative penalties. Enforces penalties consistently, according to City Code and Charter as well as state law. • Protects and preserves the record to ensure that the City and defendants have a record on which to appeal, if necessary. • Establishes, oversees, and participates in procedures to respond quickly and appropriately to failures to appear, pay, and/or comply with sentencing conditions. • Periodically revises the Fine Schedule, also used for bonding purposes, to ensure appropriate typical fine levels for first offenses. • Considers and recommends to City Council for adoptions appropriate, new or revised costs and fees to charge in applicable cases, taking into consideration existing costs and fees charged by this as well as other Colorado Courts. • Serves on the Board of Elections and is responsible for any election duties specified in the City Charter alongside the City Clerk and Chief Deputy City Clerk. • Reports to and receives feedback from City Council as requested, necessary, and appropriate to keep Council informed of the Court’s activities while respecting proper separation of powers. • Recruits, selects, engages, develops and manages the performance of the Court Administrator and staff, Assistant Municipal Judge(s) and Municipal Court Referee(s). Municipal Court – Administrative Duties • Acts as Department Head for Municipal Court Department of the City, cooperating with the City Manager and reporting directly to City Council. • Ensures efficient, appropriate, and effective operation of the Court in terms of case-flow management including ongoing evaluation of pending case loads and development and implementation of systems (both automated and procedural) that support effective calendar management and prompt disposition of cases. • Develops Court budget for submittal to City Council through the City Manager’s Office, following established guidelines and reflecting City goals where appropriate. Reviews expenditures periodically with the Court Administrator, identifying any variances from budgeted amounts and setting up action plans to correct the same when possible. • Oversees plans and negotiations relating to long-term office and courtroom space needs of the Municipal Court, coordinating efforts with the City’s Operations 7 Liquor Licensing Authority Duties • Acts as the local Liquor Licensing Authority for the City. Conducts regular meetings to determine if new liquor licenses should be granted; existing licenses should be renewed, transferred, or granted a change of location; manager registrations should be approved, etc. • Reviews Motions to Suspend or Revoke licenses. Determines if a violation of a liquor license has occurred. If a violation is proven, decides what sanction(s) shall be imposed. Reviews stipulated admissions of violations and recommended sanctions. • Conducts all hearings in a fair and impartial manner consistent with the laws of the City and state. Rules on admissibility of evidence and procedures to be followed and makes rulings consistent with the evidence presented. • Works with the City Clerk’s Office to create clear and concise formats for state reporting of the Authority’s activities for use by City Council and the public. Capabilities • Excellent communications skills – written, verbal and interpersonal; able to exhibit presence in various settings, tailor communication style to diverse audiences, and present complex information in a clear, diplomatic and understandable manner. • Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds. • Able to balance confidence and humility. • Demonstrated confidence in rendering decisive, well- founded factual findings, legal opinions and sentencing without regard to popularity of decision. • Demonstrated capability to work collaboratively and effectively with employees in all City departments involved in the liquor licensing and enforcement areas, such as the City Clerk’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Police Department, and other departments as needed. • Possesses judicial temperament with respect to attentiveness, patience, impartiality, promptness and courtesy. • Confidence in making sound judgments and exhibiting patience when dealing with stressful situations. • Able to bring compassion into challenging situations. • Unquestionable personal integrity, character and conviction. • Strong attention to detail. • Proven leadership and operational management skills. • Experience building teams, implementing processes and practices in an emerging leading-edge community is strongly desired. • Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self and others. • Demonstrated capability in anticipating, adapting and innovating Municipal Court practices and solutions effectively and right-sizing them to the needs of the organization. 7 8 Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. V/TDD: 711 19-21996 Qualifications • A Juris Doctorate degree from a nationally accredited school of law. • Licensed to practice law in Colorado, and in good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court. • Five years legal experience. Experience in municipal court administration and experience with criminal law is desirable. • Knowledge of Colorado Law, the Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure, and the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure. • Knowledge of Fort Collins City Charter, City Code, and City Traffic Code. • Extensive experience as a practicing attorney and/or Municipal Judge. • Multi-lingual skills are desirable. Application and Selection Process For more information or to apply, submit your cover letter and resume online: https://bakertilly.recruitmenthome.com/postings/2534 This position is posted until filled. First review of applications begins March 6, 2020. Following the first review date, Baker Tilly will begin the classification of all applications to identify eligible applicants, based on the City’s established criteria published in the position announcement brochure. The City of Fort Collins may invite candidates named as finalists for onsite interviews after a complete review of references, background, and academic verifications with applicant’s authorization. For more information, please contact Edward Williams at edward.williams@bakertilly.com or 214-842-6478. The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a criminal history/credit/ driver’s license check prior to the interview. Under the Colorado Open Records Act, information from your application or resume may be subject to public disclosure. APPLY NOW Chief Judge Public Engagement: Stakeholder Meetings (January / February 2020) (Attended) Time Location Meet With 1/30/2020 8:30 – 9:30am with Edward Williams and Catherine MacGowan City Hall Commons Conference Room Internal Staff: City Attorney’s Office and City Clerk’s Office Carrie Daggett Bronwyn Scurlock Ingrid Decker Jill Hueser Delynn Coldiron Rita Knoll Aimee Jensen John Duval 1/31/2020 1:30 – 2:30pm with Edward Williams and Catherine MacGowan City Hall Commons Conference Room Internal & External: Police & Fire Jeff Swoboda Scott Harris Matthew Johnson John Feyen Tim Doran Tom Demint Zach Barnes 1/31/2020 2:30 – 3:30pm with Edward Williams and Catherine McGowan City Hall Commons Conference Room External Stakeholders- Defense Attorneys william@cooneylaw.net rmartlaw@gmail.com derek@samuelsonlaw.com office@bertrandlaw.com lritter@ftccolaw.com brittany@jrwblaw.com nick@cummingsandpetronelaw.com joe@cummingsandpetronelaw.com kimbmedina@yahoo.com 2/18/2020 8:30-9:30am with Catherine MacGowan 215 N. Mason Street, Conference Room 1A External Stakeholders- Community Advocacy Jackie Marks- Murphy Center Tom Konstanty- Rescue Mission Joe Domko- Catholic Charities Holly LeMasurier - Homeward 2020 Kelly Schramm- The Matthews House 2/18/2020 10:00– 11:00am with Catherine MacGowan 215 N. Mason Street, Conference Room 1A External Stakeholders- Partnering Agencies Matt Robenalt- DDA Lindy Henson, Melissa Emerson, Mike Katz- CSU Anda Lincoln Stephenson - Larimer County Bar Association Ann Tompson- Women’s League of Voters 2/21/2020 8:00– 9:00am with Catherine MacGowan 215 N. Mason Street, Municipal Court Municipal Court Staff 2/21/2020 10:30 – 11:30am with Catherine MacGowan 215 N. Mason Street, Conference Room 1A Internal Stakeholders- City Department Partners Code Compliance- Jay Hernandez & Justin Moore Neighborhood Services CSU Liaison- Jenn Rieskamp Restorative Justice- Perrie McMillan & Mary Claire Geiss Natural Area Ranger- Kristin Powell Parks Ranger- Francis Gonzales Parking Enforcement- Eric Keselburg Emergency Preparedness- Jim Byrne Larimer County Animal Control- Rigo Neira TBD Human Relations Commission Services; oversees departmental structure changes and assists in determining staffing needs; oversees development of court computer applications. • Prepares regular case flow and financial reports, as well as special studies and statistical analysis when appropriate, and uses information to make logical changes in court systems where appropriate. • Sets trial dockets and coordinates use of Courtroom by other users when necessary. • Manages the Court’s Bond (Trust) Account in accordance with City financial and accounting standards, including reconciling and preparing regular deposits and monthly balancing of the account. effective, fair and respectful municipal processes take place, as well as with key leaders on policy issues related to the Court in order to provide joint policy recommendations to City Council. Being a judge in a municipal court requires a strong community orientation as there are multiple opportunities to change behavior for the benefit of the individual and the community. The ideal candidate must have a genuine desire to serve the community of Fort Collins. Summary of Accountabilities: The following are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive: Municipal Court – Judicial Duties • Conducts arraignments, hearings and trials in an efficient and appropriate manner. Advises defendants of their rights, administers oaths and affirmations, rules on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony, examines evidence and interprets applicable law, and enforces orders, rules, and judgments in compliance with all applicable law.