HomeMy WebLinkAbout23994 RESOLUTION NO. 23994
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, URGING THE
GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE, AND JUDICIAL COUNCIL
TO WORK TOGETHER TO REALLOCATE JUDICIAL
RESOURCES TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS.
WHEREAS, the population of Riverside County and San Bernardino Counties
has grown 37 percent over the last 15 years, but funded judicial positions have not
increased sufficiently to meet the increased need, resulting in lengthy delays for the
residents of these counties in accessing justice through their courts; and
WHEREAS, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties have two of the highest
caseload ratios per judge in the State; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Justice and Judicial Council, through modification of the
Workload Allocation Funding Model, have taken significant initial steps to promote equal
access to justice by creating a model to allocate funding more equitably to the trial
courts; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2014 Judicial Needs Assessment, San Bernardino
County has a need for 57 additional judges, and Riverside County a need for 51
additional judges, more than any other counties in the State and ranked first and
second, respectively, in terms of need; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, SB 229, which would have funded 12 additional judgeships
in California, including four (4) in San Bernardino and three (3) in Riverside County, was
passed by the legislature unanimously but vetoed by the Governor; and
WHEREAS, in his veto message, the Governor stated: "I am aware the need for
judges in many courts is acute- Riverside and San Bernardino are two clear examples.
However, before funding new positions, I intend to work with the Judicial Council to
develop a more system-wide approach to balance the workload and the distribution of
judgeships around the state"; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's 2016-17 budget proposes to reallocate up to five (5)
vacant judgeships and the needed staffing and security compliments needed to support
them to areas where workloads are highest.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES:
Resolution No. 23994
Page 2
That the Governor, Legislature, and Judicial Council are hereby urgently
requested to work together to create and implement an acceptable methodology which
allocates funded judicial positions, with funding for support staff and court security,
where they are needed most-urgently in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties- so
that all California residents can enjoy equal access to justice.
ADOPTED THIS 6T" DAY OF APRIL, 2016.
DAVID H. READ ANAGER
ATTEST:
er ES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
1, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 23994 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on 6th day of April, 2016, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember Kors, Councilmember Roberts,
Mayor Pro Tem Mills, and Mayor Moon.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
ity of Palm Springs, California