General Services
Reference: Appointing Michelle R. Kline Presiding Municipal Judge
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Jane Bais DiSessa, City Manager
Prepared By: Karen Borkowski Surine, Assistant City Manager
Date Prepared: September 8, 2021
PURPOSE
To appoint a Presiding Municipal Judge to the Brighton Municipal Court.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Safe, Active and Engaged Community
Financially Responsible
BACKGROUND
On February 11, 2021, Council requested City staff issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Presiding Municipal Judge position and to continue using the current approved list of Deputy Judges. Seven (7) individuals submitted an RFP. A committee consisting of Councilmembers Blackhurst and Watts met with Assistant City Manager Karen Borkowski Surine to review the proposals. Prosecuting Attorney Adam Gollin and Court Administrator Michelle Ramos were available for procedural questions on Court operations. The committee recommended three (3) candidates be interviewed by City Council. The committee also reviewed and finalized interview questions for City Council to utilize in the interviews. The committee also discussed proposing a new salary arrangement, increasing the time commitment required of the Municipal Judge and having part-time benefits. Interviews were scheduled for 8/31/2021. Prior to the interviews, two of the candidates withdrew to take other positions.
The Presiding Municipal Judge must be a currently licensed Colorado attorney with experience on the bench in a Colorado municipal court of record, preferably with knowledge of the Brighton Home Rule Charter and Brighton Municipal Code. The Presiding Municipal Judge is expected to communicate in a respectful and professional manner with Court staff, defendants, witnesses, attorneys and others engaged with during the normal course of business. Court is held on most Tuesdays and Fridays with other dates scheduled as needed. With this appointment, the Presiding Municipal Judge is expected to attend a minimum of 100 Court days per year as scheduled in coordination with the Court Administrator. Additionally, the Presiding Municipal Judge must use City technology appropriately and safeguard City cyber security and data by following all applicable current policies and directives, to include taking training as requested.
City Council is requesting a larger time commitment of the Presiding Municipal judge and recognizes that the compensation must be appropriate for the increased responsibilities. Staff recommends setting the annual salary at $90,000/year with benefits approved for a part-time staff member.
Michelle R. Kline was interviewed in Executive Session. The next step is for Council to make the appointment and set the conditions of the appointment in a Regular City Council meeting via resolution. Appointments are made for two years.
CRITERIA BY WHICH COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
Council must find that the candidate for Presiding Municipal Judge meets the qualifications of the position and set the compensation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The 2021 Budget and proposed 2022 Budget has the funds for this position with part-time benefits.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Adopt the proposed Resolution or give staff further direction.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution appointing Michelle R. Kline Presiding Municipal Judge and setting the conditions of the appointment.