MINUTES
I. Opening Business:
A. The conference call convened at 11:00 a.m. Members present included Judge Donald Jorgensen, Chair; Judge Zane Anderson; Judge John Irby; Judge Ronald Goodman; Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner; Shawn Peterson; Professor Candace Zierdt; and Carla Kolling, Staff. (Members absent: Peggy Larson and Judge Bill Severin).
B. Minutes of the June 20 and July 9, 2003, meetings were approved as drafted.
II. Ongoing Business:
A. Chair Jorgensen informed the members that the Supreme Court had reviewed the Strategic Plan for Judicial Education, and it was ready for implementation. Since so much time has passed since the document was developed, he suggested having the plan sent to the subcommittee members for review. Chair Jorgensen requested Carla Kolling schedule a meeting in the spring for the members to review the comments and, if necessary, make any modifications to the plan.
B. Chair Jorgensen drew the members’ attention to the November 6, 2003, letter from Paul Jacobson concerning the six municipal judges whose names were submitted to the Judicial Conduct Commission for their non-compliance with the mandatory education rule. The letter stated three judges resigned in lieu of accepting the deferred disciplinary agreement and three accepted the agreement. Carla stated she will contact Paul Jacobson to determine the content and status of the deferred disciplinary agreements.
III. New Business:
A. Carla Kolling reported that the fall Municipal Judges Seminar was held on October 20, 2003. She said all but 11 judges attended and those who did not attend were notified of their need to complete the alternative program by April 1, 2004.
B. Chair Jorgensen informed the members that Municipal Judge Dennis Johnson inquired whether attendance at the Judicial Institute would satisfy the municipal judges mandatory education requirement.
Carla Kolling explained that the Commission discussed that issue several times over the years. Each discussion resulted in consensus that there is value in having law and non-law trained judges participate. Carla said it provides an heightened learning environment when law trained judges are present and used as a resource for the non-law trained.
Chair Jorgensen informed that he will draft a letter to Municipal Judge Dennis Johnson informing him that the Judicial Institute cannot be used as an alternative program for filling the mandatory education requirement.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carla Kolling
Director of Human Resources and Development