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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-0137 - 2025-12-02 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 25-0137 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 2, 2025 Page 1 of 1 SUBJECT: REAPPOINTMENT OF SUBSTITUTE HEARING OFFICER The purpose of this Informal Report is to share with the Mayor and Council the recommendation for the reappointment of Municipal Court Hearing Officer Marie Ornelas at the December 9, 2025, City Council Meeting. Fort Worth Municipal Court Substitute Hearing Officers are appointed to two-year terms with the current terms expiring on January 12, 2026. A Substitute Hearing Officer, vested with the same authority as the full-time hearing officer, is authorized to conduct hearings under Chapters 7, 10, 12.5, and 22 of the City Code, including the following: 1. Appeals from the decisions of the Director of Code Compliance regarding the probationary status, suspension or revocation of the registration of multi -family complexes as provided in Chapter 7 of the City Code; 2. Cases involving parking, stopping, or standing of vehicles and boot hearings under Chapter 10 of the City Code; 3. Formal appeal hearings regarding solid waste and recycling decisions for the Director of Code Compliance or his designee under Chapter 12.5 of the City Code; and 4. Hearings involving violations of City ordinances governing vehicles as set out in Chapter 22 of the City Code. If approved this would be the third term for Marie Ornelas to serve as a Substitute Hearing Officer for the Fort Worth Parking Violations Bureau for a two-year term, effective January 13, 2026, and expiring January 12, 2028. Her resume is attached. For questions regarding this information, please contact Court Director William F. Rumuly at (817) 392-6736. Jesus "Jay" Chapa City Manager Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS Marie Ornelas Experience Municipal Court Substitute Hearing Officer City of Fort Worth Fort Worth, Texas 76102 2022 — Present I am currently a substitute hearing officer for the City of Fort Worth in the Municipal Court. As a hearing officer, I hear contested cases involving parking citations, solid waste, junked or booted vehicles and any Appeals Pursuant to Chapter 7, 10, 12.5 and 22 of the City Code. I am responsible for admitting evidence, listening to testimony and determining whether a defendant is liable or not liable for the disputed case. I am current on all training and working on a Hearing Officer Certification. Municipal Court Judge City of Weatherford Weatherford, Texas 76086 2018- Present I am currently the Associate Municipal Court Judge at Weatherford Municipal Court which is a part time position. As a Municipal Court Judge, I currently preside over pre-trial hearings, small claims proceedings and misdemeanor cases, bench and jury trials. My cases include but are not limited to traffic violations, parking citations, junked vehicle removal, City Ordinance violations, assaults, code violations and animal control violations. I have conducted officer swear -ins and weddings. I review and sign arrest, search warrants and mental health commitments for probable cause. I have been responsible for magistrations at Parker County Jail on a regular basis to arraign prisoners which includes determining probable cause, imposing bond conditions, issuing Emergency Protection Orders and setting bond. As a Municipal Court Judge, I am required to interact with other judges, law enforcement, jail personnel as well as the public. I am current on all required Judicial education through Texas Municipal Court Education Center (TMCEC). Teacher of Criminal Justice Program Weatherford High School Weatherford, Texas 76086 2015-2022 I taught high school students in the career pathway for LSPCS (Law Enforcement). I was responsible for teaching Principles of Law, Law Enforcement 1, Law Enforcement 2, Corrections and Courtroom Procedures. To teach these subjects, I had to have an excellent knowledge of the Code of Criminal Procedure, State and Federal laws including regulations, juvenile law and Constitutional law. I possess an excellent knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence and must communicate in a vocabulary that high school students can understand. I was the coordinator and advisor for the Criminal Justice Club which took students to district and state competitions. The Criminal Justice Club placed in each district and state competition for the last four years. I also volunteered with the Teen Court in Weatherford and assisted with tribunals and court trials. Retired Sergeant Fort Worth Police Department 1985-2010 I was responsible for supervising a thirteen -person team of investigators who specialized in the investigation of criminal activity against juveniles. This management position required coordination between multiple state agencies, the District Attorney's office, hospital personnel, Child Protective Services and psychologists. I was responsible for providing educational updates, monitoring investigations and maintaining confidential records. The position required the supervision of all surveillance details of known sex offenders, coordination with the registered sex offender unit, US Marshall's office, Sex Offender Unit of the FBI and the fugitive unit. I reviewed all warrants written by detectives prior to magistrates' approval. I was required to coordinate with the District Attorney's office and monitor all ongoing court cases involving the unit. The position required creating and maintaining the Standard Operating Procedure Manual for the unit which was based on departmental policies, state and federal law. Education Masters of Science/Sociology Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas Bachelors of Science/Psychology Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas Specialized Education/Training Certified Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCOLE) Instructor I am an educational Instructor with a certification through the State of Texas that allows the teaching of courses for sworn law enforcement personnel. This allows courses that are taught to personnel to be eligible for TCOLE certification points for sworn personnel which applies to required yearly training. Schools: S136: Constitutional Case Law Personal Bonds Mandatory and Discretionary Bond Conditions S136: Bail and Individuals with Menal Illness Legislative Update Emergency Protective Orders Youth Diversion Fundamentals Reid School Advanced Reid School Reid School -Child Sexual Offender Active Shooter Dynamic Entry School Crime Scene Investigation Crimes Against Children Convention SCAN Statement Analysis Supervisor School Advanced Leadership Masters Peace Officer License Certified Police Officer (current retired status) Certified Texas School Teacher