REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) PART-TIME ASSOCIATE JUDGE RFQ #18-035 The City of League City is now accepting sealed proposals for part-time municipal judge services. DEADLINE: Sealed proposal submittals must be received by 2:00 p.m., CST, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (The clock located at the receptionist desk in the lobby of City Hall will be the official time.) Applicant names of all proposals received will be read aloud on this date at the City of League City, City Hall Executive Conference Room, 300 W. Walker Street, League City, TX 77573. Proposals received after the deadline stated herein will not be opened and shall be considered void and unacceptable. MARK ENVELOPE: #18-035 PART-TIME ASSOCIATE JUDGE SEARCH DELIVERY ADDRESS: Please submit one (1) marked original and five (5) exact duplicate copies and one (1) media source (flash drive) of your complete proposal properly labeled and clearly marked with the RFQ number and description to: City of League City Purchasing Department 300 West Walker League City, TX 77573 Monday Thursday: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Bids sent via courier must be sealed in a separate envelope inside of the mailer. POINT OF CONTACT: All inquiries regarding this RFQ must be made, in writing, to Gwynetheia V. Pope, Senior Buyer, at purchasing@leaguecitytx.gov. The City shall not be responsible for any verbal communication between any employee of the City and any potential firm. Only written requirements and qualifications will be considered. The City of League City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive irregularities, and to accept the proposal deemed the most advantageous to the City. Released: Monday, July 2, 2018
1. Introduction: City of League City Request for Qualifications #18-035 Municipal Court Associate Judge The City of League City, Texas ( City ) is seeking applicants to be appointed to the part-time position of Associate Judge of the Municipal Court. The Judge of the Municipal Court is appointed by the City Council pursuant to Article V., Section 4 of the City Charter and shall hold office at the pleasure of the City Council. The City s needs are outlined in the following Request for Qualifications ( RFQ ). 2. Background Information: 2.1 General League City is a home-rule, incorporated city with a 2017 population of approximately 102,635. The city encompasses approximately 52 square miles and is in the Houston metropolitan area. The city lies in north Galveston County southeast Harris County. League City is located approximately 26 miles southeast of downtown Houston and within 50 miles of Bush Intercontinental Airport. League City is experiencing rapid growth, adding approximately 3,000 residents a year. League City residents enjoy excellent schools, great parks, excellent public safety, recreational facilities, access to entertainment, and a unique heritage. The city is governed by a Council/Manager form of government and municipal services are provided by 584 full-time equivalents. The City Council is an elected body consisting of the Mayor and seven Council Members. The City Manager, John Baumgartner, is responsible for all functions of city government. The organization is divided into functional departments and divisions reporting to the City Manager and two Assistant City Managers. 3. Scope of Work: 3.1 General Duties The duties of the Municipal Court Associate Judge shall be to conduct the judicial functions of the Municipal Court, to preside over cases coming before the Court, to conduct trials of arraignment, to conduct Department of Public Safety hearings as required, to determine punishments and fines and set bonds, to prepare and issue search warrants, subpoenas, writs of capias, search warrants, executions and other process necessary to administer the power of the Court, to consult with relatives of prisoners, plaintiffs in assault cases, lawyers and other involved parties regarding cases before the Court, to attend required seminars given by the State of Texas for Municipal Court Judges, to maintain complete and accurate records prescribed by law and consistent with effective management of the Court and to perform such other duties as may be required by law or ordinance. Page 2 of 5
3.2 Compensation and Hours of Work The Municipal Court Associate Judge will be an independent contractor governed by the terms of a professional services agreement acceptable to the City in form and content. This is an independent contractor position. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and region. The City will provide supplies to fulfill the functions of the Associate Municipal Judge and access to the necessary legal resources to perform the functions of the Court. 3.3 Essential Duties and Responsibilities Review calls for service, citations, and Municipal Court information forms received from the Police Department Magistrate prisoners arrested overnight at the City Jail and prisoners arrested during working hours at Municipal Court Magistrate juveniles and verify statements during operating hours and after hours for the Police Dept. Issues Emergency Protective Orders Prepares Court papers for County and District Court, as applicable Presides over Municipal Court for all class C misdemeanors, city ordinances, traffic violations, criminal misdemeanor, property matters, criminal jury and non-jury trials, juvenile hearings and warnings, and other cases appropriately tried in Municipal Court. Reviews and sign complaints, summons, subpoenas, affidavits for search and arrest warrants, appeal bonds, prisoner transfer documentation, affidavits, etc. Levies fine and bail commensurate with the violations of the law, preserves equity and uniformity in the application of existing laws and ordinances. Issues warrants, summons, magistrate warning and set bonds. Prepares and analyzes comprehensive legal documents Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, city officials and general public Examines evidence in criminal cases Possesses knowledge of ordinances, statutes and court decisions relating to Municipal Court jurisdictions; knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence, as well as the organization, duties, powers, limitations and authority of the Municipal Court. Presides over and administers justice in the disposition of cases Presides over jury and bench trials Arraign prisoners held in the jail. Other such duties as prescribed by the City Council or Presiding Municipal Court Judge 3.4 Minimum Qualifications 3.6.1 Valid Class C Driver s License 3.6.2 Licensed Attorney in the State of Texas and in Good Standing with the State Bar 3.6.2 5 years legal experience Page 3 of 5
3.5 Preferred Qualifications 3.7.1 Bilingual in English and Spanish 3.7.2 5 Years experience as a Judge 3.7.3 1 or more years experience in a court of record 3.6 Physical Demands and Working Conditions 3.8.1 Physical requirements include lifting up 25 pounds occasionally 3.8.2 Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, bending, squatting, kneeling and working in camped and stained positions for long periods of time to perform job scope 3.8.3 Working conditions are primarily inside with occasional exposure to the outdoors 4. Terms and Conditions: 4.1 General 4.1.1 The City is not responsible for any costs incurred by an applicant in preparing, submitting or presenting his/her qualifications. 4.1.2 The professional services agreement resulting from acceptance of qualifications by the City must be in a form approved by the City and must reflect the specifications in this Request for Qualifications. The City reserves the right to reject any proposed agreement that does not conform to the specifications contained in this Request for Qualifications, and which is not approved as to form by the City Attorney. 4.2 Instructions for Proposers Proposers are asked to provide a statement of qualifications, which must consist of the following materials in the sequence presented. Please follow these guidelines carefully. 4.2.1 Cover Letter. Provide a cover letter summarizing your qualifications, education, professional experience, and information on the nature of your current practice/position. Include your name, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address. 4.2.2 Resume. Provide a resume that includes detailed information on your education and professional experience. At a minimum, the professional experience section should include detailed information on your past positions, such as the organization name, address, and telephone number; position/title, supervisor s name (if applicable); dates of employment; specific job duties and accomplishments; and the percentage of job time that involved civil litigation, criminal litigation and non-litigation. If you have ever been a prosecutor or public defender, detailed information on those positions is desired. 4.2.3 References. The City will wish to speak with attorneys or other persons who are familiar with finalists for the position. Please provide at least three professional references (at least one judge, one prosecutor, and one defense counsel, all with experience in courts of limited jurisdiction), at least three-character references, and phone numbers for all references. Explicitly note any references that should not be contacted without the City notifying you in advance. Page 4 of 5
4.3 Selection Criteria Each statement of qualifications will be evaluated based on the requirements outlined in this RFQ. Those applicants deemed most qualified will be scheduled for interviews and further evaluation. 4.4 Publication This Request for Qualifications will be published electronically on the following websites: Texas Municipal League Career Center and Texas Bar Career Center. It will also appear on the City s internet website at http://www.leaguecitytx.gov as well as The Galveston Daily news and the Houston Chronicle. Page 5 of 5