CC Resolution 2016-007RESOLUTION NO. 2016 - 007
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA
QUINTA, 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 positons have not
increased sufficiently to meet the increased need, resulting in lengthy delays for the
residents of these counties in accessing justice through their court systems; 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 has a need for 51
additional judges, surpassing the needs of any other county 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 4 in San Bernardino County and 3 in Riverside County, was
passed by the State Legislature unanimously but vetoed by the Governor; and
WHEREAS, in his veto message, the Governor stated: "I am aware that the need
for judges in many courts is acute—Riverside and San Bernardino are two clear
examples. However, before funding any 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 5
vacant judgeships, including the necessary staffing and security needed to support
them, to areas where workloads are highest.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of La Quinta,
California, as follows:
Resolution No. 2016-007
Request to Reallocate Judicial Resources
Adopted: March 15, 2016
Page 2 of 2
That the Governor, Legislature, and Judicial Council are hereby urgently
requested to work together to create and implement an acceptable methodology that
allocates funded judicial positions, with funding for support staff and court security,
where they are needed most - most urgently in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
- so that all California residents can enjoy equal access to justice.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta City
Council held on this 15th day of March, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Franklin, Osborne, Pena, Radi, Mayor Evans
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
LINDA EVANS, Mayor
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
SUSAN MAYSELS, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
(CITY SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
r /CS`c :_.J (,,-(...4:----L9-______________.--- ,
WILLIAM H. IHRKE, City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California