SUBJECT:
Title
Municipal Judge Interviews
Body
DEPARTMENT: Administration
Department
PRESENTER(S): Danielle Trujillo, Court Administrator
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 90 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
Pursuant to Article 8.03 of the Erie Home Rule Charter, the Municipal Judge shall be appointed by Town Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Following presentations by candidates and questions from Councilmembers, adjourn to executive session regarding Municipal Judge contract negotiations.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
On July 9, 2024 Municipal Judge Teresa Ablao announced she would not be seeking re-appointment at the conclusion of her current term in April 2025.
The Town initiated a Request for Proposals (RFP) process and received twelve submissions. Proposals were reviewed by an internal Municipal Judge selection team, consisting of Court Administrator Danielle Trujillo, Director of Administrative Services & Operations Amy Teetzel, Deputy Town Manager Melissa Wiley, Deputy Town Manager Patrick Hammer, Deputy Town Clerk Kelsey Thede, and Police Chief Lee Mathis. Four applicants were invited to complete interviews with the Municipal Judge selection team on Jan. 22, 2025. The selection team recommends three candidates move forward with presentations before Town Council.
Candidates have been asked to prepare a 5 to 10 minute presentation for Town Council that includes details of their professional experience and qualifications for the position, their judicial philosophy, and how this appointment will align with their current schedule and workload. Following each presentation, there will be 15-minutes for questions from Councilmembers. Town Council will then adjourn to executive session.
Town Council will formally appoint the Municipal Judge by resolution during Council’s March 25, 2025 meeting.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Bradley Moloney redacted proposal
2. Amanda Bailhache redacted proposal
3. Whitney Stark redacted proposal