Council MIN 06-30-2009 Special
~ Federal Way
MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
Council Chambers - City Hall
5:30 p.m.
June 30, 2009
www.cityoffederalway.com
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Dovey called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jack Dovey, Councilmember's Linda Kochmar, Mike
Park, Jeanne Burbidge and Dini Duclos.
Mayor Dovey excused Councilmember Jim Ferrell, who has recused himself from
discussions regarding Municipal Court services.
Deputy Mayor Faison arrived at 5:32 p.m.
Staff present: Interim City Manager Brian Wilson, City Attorney Pat Richardson and City
Clerk Carol McNeilly.
2. MUNICIPAL COURT OPTIONS DISCUSSION
Interim City Manager Brian Wilson stated the Council discussed the option of contracting
with King County District Court for court services on June 16, 2009. Tonight's discussion
will focus on the operation of the City's Municipal Court.
Assistant City Manager Brian Enge provided a summary of the City's current Municipal
Court staffing levels and caseload projections through 2009. The number projected is
33,500 (22,000 filings and 11,500 red light cases). Mr. Enge reported the total risk
management costs incurred by the Court between 2000 and 2008 are $152,587.
Of those costs, $90,321 is associated with the 2008 litigation between the City and Judge
Michael Morgan. Judge Larson noted that $4,000 spent in 2006 was for outside counsel to
provide an opinion on a separate issue; it was not related to the litigation.
Judge Larson stated there are many issues to consider when considering contracting for
court services. Jail and average daily population costs are unpredictable with rotating
Judges. The use of alternate probation services could result is lost revenue for the City.
Operating the Municipal Court allows the City to set the cost structure, contracting for
services with King County would eliminate that ability.
City Council Meeting Minutes - June 30, 2009 Special Meeting
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La Tricia Kinlow and Mindy Breiner, representatives from the City of Tukwila provided
information on their Jail Alternative Programs, which include community work alternatives,
day reporting & pre-trial electronic reporting. These programs have saved the City of
Tukwila approximately $300,000 in jail costs.
Issaquah Court Administrator Lynn Jacobs stated the City of Issaquah contracted with
King County for court services for approximately 30-years. In response to the County's
increasing costs, Issaquah formed their own court in 2004 and now provide court services
to other cities.
Judge Larson noted the Municipal Court currently provides programs such as the domestic
violence victims panel, dispute resolution center, juvenile diversion program and youth
courts (in process), He reviewed the Court Improvement Plan and encouraged the Council
to continue operating the Municipal Court.
Judge Morgan spoke to the many improvements that have been implemented and
accomplishments the Court has achieved.
Judge Lindy from King County District Court noted that some of the information presented
tonight did not accurately represent the County's services. She provided the Council with
clarifying information.
Councilmember Duclos left at 6:58 p.m.
3. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Dovey adjourned the meeting at 6:59
p.m.
Attest:
Approved by Council: July 21,2009
City Council Meeting Minutes - June 30, 2009 Special Meeting
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