Members Present
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring, Chair
Judge DeNae Kautzmann
Shawn Peterson
Judge Ron Goodman
Dean Paul LeBel
Judge Sonna Anderson
Jean Lindvig
Members Absent
Judge Ron Hilden
Judge John Irby
Staff
Louie Hentzen
Lee Ann Barnhardt
Justice Maring called the meeting to order. A motion to approve the Dec. 16, 2005 meeting minutes was made by Judge Goodman and seconded by Judge Kautzmann. Motion carried.
Old Business
I. Informational Items
Lee Ann Barnhardt gave an update on the agendas for the 2006 Bench and Bar, the 2006 Clerk of
Court Conference and the 2006 Municipal Judges Conference.
II. 2007 Judicial Institute
The idea of moving the Judicial Institute out of Grand Forks and to an earlier date was discussed.
An earlier date was requested by the Bar Association of North Dakota to move it away from the June annual meeting. Lee Ann reported that unless a hotel is used, we would be limited to Spring Break times in other communities. Medora had also been suggested, but the only hotel that could accommodate the group does not open until April. Dean LeBel said the classroom at UND Law School is being remodeled and will be ready to use by the institute date. Justice Maring said she was not comfortable changing the date and location without feedback from all the district judges. Judge Anderson made a motion to hold the Judicial Institute at the UND Law School on May 21-24, 2007 and to survey the judges at that time about changing the date and location of future institutes. The motion was seconded by Judge Kautzmann. Motion carried.
III. New Judge Orientation
Lee Ann made a recommendation to review the requirements for new judge orientation to determine if changes are needed and if there should be a formal agreement with the Minnesota Administrative Office of the Courts to tie into their orientation program. Justice Maring suggested that a subcommittee be formed to look at program and bring a proposal back to the full commission. Judge Anderson agreed to lead the subcommittee. Lee Ann will serve on the
subcommittee and another district judge will be asked to participate. It was suggested the Judge Steve McCullough be contacted.
Judge Kautzmann said revisions are also needed for the Municipal Court judge orientation and benchbook. Lee Ann and Judge Kautzmann will get together to address these concerns.
New Business
I. Appointment to Subcommittee for CJE credit approval
Judge Kautzmann agreed to replace Judge Severin on the committee. Lee Ann was asked to send her a copy of Administrative Rule 36 and other Education Commission policies and materials.
II. Judges and Media Workshop
Lee Ann explained the format and content of the planned Judges and Media workshop which will be offered Oct. 12 in Bismarck at the Radisson Hotel.
III. Education Budget Lee Ann gave an update on the education budget through March. She said we are currently on track and working within the budget limits. Any changes to the 2007-2009 budget need to be submitted to Susan Sisk, Director of Finance, by August. Lee Ann will prepare a report through the first year of the biennium and recommendations for the next budget for the June meeting.
IV. Judicial Education Commission Member
Justice Maring reported that DeNae Kautzmann, the Mandan Municipal Court Judge, has accepted the appointment to the Judicial Education Commission. Justice Maring thanked Judge Severin for his work on the commission and his dedication to service.
V. Other Business
Judge Goodman informed the commission that he will retire on July 31. He plans to continue to serve as a surrogate judge. He said he is happy to stay on the commission until the end of his term, which expires on Jan. 1, 2007.
Justice Maring also said that Judge Hilden will be retiring this year and will also need to be replaced as a member of the commission. His term also expires on Jan. 1, 2007.
Meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Ann Barnhardt