HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 22701-05-2017 ORDINANCE NO. 22701-05-2017
AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING JAMES D. RODGERS, AS CHIEF
JUDGE; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That, James D. Rodgers is appointed as Chief Judge effective May 13, 2017. This
appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge Ninfa Mares who retired
effective December 31, 2016.
SECTION 2.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas (1986), as amended, except where provisions of this ordinance are in
direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and Code, in which event such conflicting
provisions of such ordinances and Code are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause,
sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared void, ineffective or
unconstitutional by the valid judgment or final decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, such
ineffectiveness or unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses,
Ordinance No.22701-05-2017
Pagel of 2
sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by
the City Council without the incorporation herein of any such void, ineffective or
unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence,paragraph or section.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall take effect upon passage.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
L titia Cole an Arown, Assis t City AttornP, Mary J. Ka ity Sucretary
ADOPTED & EFFECTIVE: May 2, 2017
Ordinance No.22701-05-2017
Page 2 of 2
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 5/2/2017 - Ordinance No. 22701-05-2017
DATE: Tuesday, May 2, 2017 REFERENCE NO.: **G-18995
LOG NAME: 38APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE - MUNICIPAL COURT
SUBJECT:
Adopt Ordinance to Appoint James D. Rodgers as Chief Judge, as Recommended by the Ad Hoc
Municipal Court Advisory Committee and Set the Salary for the Chief Judge (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached ordinance appointing James D. Rodgers as Chief Judge, as recommended by the
Ad Hoc Municipal Court Advisory Committee
2. Set the salary for the Chief Judge.
DISCUSSION:
Appointment of Chief Judge-Municipal Court
Chapter 30 of the Texas Government Code (the Uniform Municipal Courts of Record Act) sets out the
requirements for appointment of judges and the presiding judge for Municipal Courts of Record. Section
30.00006(b) of the Texas Government Code requires the governing body of a municipality to appoint its
Municipal Judges by ordinance. Section 30.00007 of the Texas Government Code requires the governing
body of the municipality to designate a presiding judge if there is more than one municipal judge in the
municipality. Section 18- 3 of the City Code requires the City Council to appoint a Chief Judge with the
duties of a presiding judge as set out in the City Code.
On March 29, 2016, James D. Rodgers was appointed as a Municipal Court Judge for Place 2 to serve a
term commencing on April 1, 2016 and ending March 31, 2018. He was also appointed Deputy Chief
Judge (Ordinance No. 22145-03-2016). Judge Ninfa Mares was also appointed for a term ending on
March 31, 2018, and was appointed as Chief Judge. Chief Judge Ninfa Mares retired on December 31,
2016. On April 11, 2017, the Ad Hoc Municipal Court Advisory Committee (Courts Committee) voted to
recommend to the City Council that Judge Rodgers be appointed as Chief Judge.
Pay Adjustments for the Municipal Court Chief Judge
Pursuant to the City's Pay Plan, the Chief Judge is considered an appointed position with a salary that is
set by Agreement. However, under state law the Chief Judge's salary must be adopted by City Council.
The Courts Committee recommended that Chief Judge James D. Rodgers receive the amount of
$62.50/hour, effective the first pay period after May 8, 2017. The first pay period after May 8, 2017 begins
on May 13, 2017.
The salary of the Chief Judge may be increased in the future if the increase is adopted by the City Council
Logname: 38APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE -MUNICIPAL COURT Page 1 of 2
as part of the Budget Ordinance.
This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that funds are available in the current operating budget, as appropriated,
of the General Fund.
FUND IDENTIFIERS (FIDs):
TO
IFundl Department Accoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # mount
ID ID Year Chartfield 2
FROM
Fund Dep IrtDment ccoun�ProDogram
Project Prctrvity t
Year (ChartField� moun
CERTIFICATIONS:
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Valerie Washington (6199)
Originating Department Head: Theresa Ewing (7461)
Additional Information Contact: Theresa Ewing (7461)
Logname: 38APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE - MUNICIPAL COURT Page 2 of 2