Court Improvement Project Committee

MinutesLaw Enforcement Center, Jamestown May 18, 2004

Members Present Judge Lee Christofferson, Chair Paul Ronningen, Co-Chair Vince Ament Larry Bernhardt Dixie Evans Bob Freed Rita Hannesson Julie Hoffman Marilyn Kary David McGeary Pat Podoll Michon Sax Lanny Serrano Theresa Snyder Greg Wallace (by phone)	Members Absent Karen Antelope Krista Andrews Gladys Cairns Connie Cleveland Don Snyder Kate Kenna Sandra Kuntz Judge William McLees Frank Myrick Marilyn Poitra
Staff Louie Hentzen Susan Sisk

The minutes of the January 28, 2004, meeting were approved.

Louie Hentzen was introduced as the new Assistant State Court Administrator for Trial Courts. Discussion was had as to who would be supplying staff services to the committee representation from the Supreme Court Administrative Office since Carla Kolling had resigned. For the time being it will be Susan Sisk and Louie Hentzen until a final decision is made by the Supreme Court and the State Court Administrator.

An update on the Court Improvement Plan was given by Greg Wallace, participating by telephone. Greg reported the juvenile management reviews will be completed by June 1, 2004. Issues that needed to be addressed were representation of children, timeliness of hearings, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and protocols. There is a federal requirement that attorneys need to have training and that they need to be certified. Greg will work with Don Snyder, Susan Sisk, and Paul Ronningen to get the plan ready for submission by June 15, 2003.

Susan Sisk reported on the budget and provided analysis of funds as of 03/31/04. She reported that we contract through UND for $141,367 per year. In further discussion, it was suggested that the soft match money associated with Carla's salary was not actually an expense. Therefore, we had about $25,000 to $35,000 available for committee projects to play with. Discussion then centered on the ICWA proposal for additional monies.

A motion was made to authorize $3,000 for the website and $5,000 for the regional forums. The motion passed.

Bob Freed expressed a need to get the information out to those who did not attend the forums.

The discussion next centered on the Lay Guardians Ad Litem. It was reported by Susan Sisk that the GAL project overspent by $134,000. Discussion was had as to why more time was spent by GALs when the caseload had not increased significantly. Lanny Serrano and Dave McGeary explained that cases are lasting longer and may require additional hearings as well as involvement of the GALs outside of the court. Pat Podoll indicated she would like to see the GAL project become more permanent. Greg Wallace suggested that the administration costs of the GAL program be gradually included in the Supreme Court budget. This issue was placed on the agenda of the next meeting. A subcommittee was selected to monitor the direction of the GAL project. Subcommittee members include: Pat Podoll, Bob Freed, Susan Sisk, Theresa Snyder, Lanny Serrano, and Dixie Evans.

Judge Christofferson suggested that a motion should be made to present to the Council of Presiding Judges to request additional funding for the GAL project. It was moved and passed.

Discussion was had as to replacement members for the committee and suggestions for new members, such as a lay GAL, more tribal representation, and attorneys. Dixie Evans will provide potential lay GAL members. Teresa Snyder will provide current names of tribal ICWA workers and an alternate if they are unable to attend.

General discussion was had to consider other matters by the committee: study of the fee system, review indigency requirements, a separate set of juvenile court rules, a "benchbook" type of manual, emancipation of minors. Judge Christofferson will have the NEJD law clerk compile an overview of the state laws on emancipation for the committee. Larry Bernhardt asked about getting guardians for kids so they can achieve permanency quicker. There seems to be different judicial interpretations of the law among the districts.

Discussion was had as to the next meeting and if it could be conducted by interactive video. Paul Ronningen is going to try to arrange such a meeting in late August.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.