LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: D.C. Reeves, Mayor
SUBJECT:
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APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MAGISTRATES
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council appoint Matthew J. Hargraves, Ralph Peterson, Tracey Robinson-Coffee, and John B. Trawick as Special Magistrates for the City of Pensacola.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
The City of Pensacola utilizes Special Magistrates to conduct Code Enforcement case hearings, hear municipal parking citation appears (i.e. conduct “parking court”), and conduct other quasi-judicial proceedings on behalf of the City. Currently, the City has one Special Magistrate (Lou Ray) and no qualified alternate Special Magistrates.
Staff believes multiple Special Magistrates are needed to provide sufficient redundancy to ensure proper coverage if a Magistrate is unavailable or otherwise unable to serve. Additionally, several possible changes to the City’s municipal parking operations, traffic enforcement operations, and Code of Ordinances are currently being evaluated. Implementation of any of the contemplated changes could result in the need for additional Special Magistrates going forward to effectively manage the workload.
For these reasons, staff conducted a solicitation for qualified individuals to apply to become Special Magistrates. After an evaluation of qualifications and in-person interviews, four applicants are being recommended for appointment. Their resumes are attached as information.
It should be noted that Mr. Ray’s current legal services agreement expires September 30, 2023. Mr. Ray meets all the requirements to continue serving as a Special Magistrate. Therefore, when his agreement does expire, he will be offered the opportunity to execute a new legal services agreement containing the same terms and conditions as the agreements for these new appointees.
PRIOR ACTION:
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FUNDING:
Budget: $ 38,000
Actual: $ 38,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for Special Magistrate services is budgeted within the Parking Department and Code Enforcement budgets. Once engaged via individual legal services agreements, Special Magistrates will be paid an hourly rate for their time preparing for and conducting the hearings and other quasi-judicial proceedings to which they are assigned.
LEGAL REVIEW ONLY BY CITY ATTORNEY: Yes
8/24/2023
STAFF CONTACT:
Kerrith Fiddler, City Administrator
Amy Miller, Deputy City Administrator
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Matthew J. Hargraves resume
2) Ralph Peterson resume
3) Tracey Robinson-Coffee resume
4) John B. Trawick resume
PRESENTATION: No end