Minutes
A. The meeting convened at 12:30 p.m. Members present included Judge Donald Jorgensen; Judge Ronald Goodman; Judge John Irby; Judge Bill Severin; Shawn Peterson and Peggy Larson.
B. Minutes of the June 12, 2002 meeting were approved as drafted.
Chair Jorgensen drew the members' attention to the May 13, 2002 letter from Chief Justice VandeWalle to the Commission requesting that the members discuss the availability of educational programs related to judicial election activity. Judge Goodman stated that the Judicial Ethics Committee is in the process of trying to formulate guidelines for judicial candidates and would suggest that the members hold off on training until the guidelines have been approved. Judge Severin agreed. He stated that the Commission is limited to what they can do until the other committees establish what course of action should be taken.
Chair Jorgensen stated that he would respond to the Chief Justice stating that the Commission will be available to provide training once the educational needs have been identified with specificity.
B. Guidelines for Alternate Completion of Education Hours
A motion was made by Judge Goodman, seconded by Judge Severin, to approve the Guidelines in printed form. The motion unanimously passed.
C. Municipal Judges in Noncompliance with Mandatory Education
Carla Kolling explained that the judges in noncompliance have been notified of their need to complete the alternative plan per the approved guidelines and follow up reminders have been given to them. Carla said that their status as acting judges within the cities have been verified. A motion was made by Judge Goodman, seconded by Judge Severin, to forward the list of judges in noncompliance of their education hours to the Judicial Conduct Commission. The motion unanimously passed.
A Chair Jorgensen drew the members' attention to the education budget for the next biennium. Carla Kolling explained that the 2003-2005 budget is in the neighborhood of a 20% increase over last biennium. Reason being, we are taking on additional training initiatives and it is becoming harder to find faculty that will come into the state without an honorarium or a modest honorarium. A motion was made by Judge Irby, seconded by Shawn Peterson, to approve the budget as proposed. The motion unanimously carried.
B. Chair Jorgensen informed the members that he has received notice from the Chief Justice that the education plan is in the hands of the Court.
C. Chair Jorgensen informed the members that he received a request from Judge Ron Hilden to seek an extension to fulfill his mandatory education requirement for the 1999-2002 reporting period. Chair Jorgensen stated that he provided Judge Hilden preliminary approval until the members would have an opportunity to discuss it. A motion was made by Judge Severin, seconded by Judge Goodman, to grant Judge Hilden an extension to fulfill his mandatory education requirement until December 31, 2002. The motion unanimously carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Kolling
Director of Human Resources and Development