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ITEM #: 1.
DATE: 12/09/2024
AI #:2269

CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT

SUBJECT:

PRESIDING JUDGE RECOMMENDATION ON SPECIALTY COURTS

STAFF PRESENTER(S):

Manuel Delgado, Presiding Judge; Crystal Whelan, Court Administrator

Summary

Council to receive report update on the requested evaluation regarding the creation of specialized courts and provide direction to staff. (Manuel Delgado, Presiding Judge; Crystal Whelan, Court Administrator).

FISCAL IMPACT

Should the Goodyear City Council elect to suspend the establishment of specialized courts, there is no additional financial impact. A decision to implement the problem-solving court project will require an amendment to the FY25 and future budgets. At minimum, the project will require on-going funding to provide adequate resources associated with the addition of a case navigator (approximately $62,000), additional public defender (approximately $32,000), and an additional city prosecutor (approximately $120,000). The Court acquired a Court Hearing Officer position in FY25. This individual has extensive experience in specialty courts. There would be no additional cost associated with a judicial officer.

BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS

In August of 2021, the Goodyear Municipal Court sought to establish a community court to intentionally take a holistic approach to addressing the needs of specific defendants who were veterans, homeless/unhoused, or had mental health issues. The Council approved the use of a court consultant regarding the implementation of the community court, which targeted the identified individuals. The start-up of the project occurred in September 2022 and was named the “Problem Solving Court”. Discussions were held which involved a steering committee. The steering committee included members from the Goodyear City Prosecutor’s Office, Goodyear Police Department, Goodyear Fire Department, City Manager’s Office, Neighborhood Services, Arizona Court Consulting LLC, and the Court. The first Steering Committee meeting was held September 23, 2022, however formal adoption of the Steering Committee did not proceed due to the suspension of the project in February 2023. Prior to the suspension of the “Problem Solving Court” project, Arizona Court Consulting LLC issued eleven engagement letters to potential service providers, seeking their involvement with the project. The engagement letters yielded no responses. A representative from the Veterans Administration also declined to participate, due to the low number of potential cases.

The current Presiding Judge has since revisited the “Problem Solving Court” project. In March 2024, the Court met with Arizona Court Consulting LLC, and a decision was made to assess the need and justification for the project. In June 2024, the vendor completed the review and assessment of the “Problem Solving Court” project which has led to this report and recommendation.

Attachments

Arizona Court Consulting Report

Staff Presentation