San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association President: Richard Monroy Vice President: David Hendren Secretary: Chandra Carle Treasurer: Patrick Espinoza Nicole Cooper, Karl Eppel, James Koerber, Rupert Linley,Doug Rose, Michael Running, Jr., & Mark Skeels E-News March, April & May Edition Michele Linley Editor DDAA AWARDS RECIPIENTS PROSECUTORS OF THE YEAR: Jeff Dusek & Woody Clark CHUCK NICKEL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Dave Williams EDWIN L. MILLER AWARD: Brian Michaels SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: SDPD Crime Lab OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Chandra Carle INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR: Al Lutzi JUDICIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Judge Mudd
PRESIDENT S MESSAGE The President s Message will be sent out in a later E-News Update DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES OF 3/4/03 Officers and Directors Present: Chandra Carle, David Hendren, James Koerber, Pat Espinoza, Mark Skeels, Doug Rose, Nicole Cooper Secretary Chandra Carle called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. 1. Association Comment: none. Attendance/Donations for charitable events (Various): The Board discussed community outreach in the form of charitable donations. We regularly receive solicitations for contributions, and all solicitations should be forwarded to Director Jim Koerber. The Board voted unanimously to cap donations at $250 per organization per year. (Motion Rose; Second Hendren.) The requests will be tracked for the year, and Director Koerber will provide a report. 2. K Team Update Monroy: tabled to next meeting. 3. By-law revision update Rose: tabled to next meeting. 4. Awards Banquet update - Carle: Invitations for the Awards Banquet will be going out in early April. The entertainment is being arranged, and will be announced when available. 5. Treasurer s Report: Treasurer Espinoza informed the Board that our insurance coverage has expired, and that the carrier will not renew without an audit of our books. Our CPA indicates that a simple form should be sufficient, and Treasurer Espinoza will work on this. He will also get estimates from other carriers. Currently, our
premium is $1512 per year. The Board authorized Treasurer Espinoza to spend up to $2000 to secure insurance. (Motion Rose; Second Hendren; Espinoza abstained.) Treasurer Espinoza provided dues deduction authorizations for DDAA membership to each Board member. 6. President s Report: none. 7. Committee Reports: Secretary Carle reported that the Hail and Farewell will most likely be a Farewell to retired DDAs and other DDAs who have left the office. The date is September 25 th. 8. Old Business: none. 9. New Business: The Board discussed recognizing the SDPD Crime Lab at the upcoming Awards Banquet for its work in the Westerfield case. The Board unanimously voted to give and Award of Special Merit to the Crime Lab. (Motion Espinoza, Second Carle.) Director Koerber suggested polling the Association s members for input on Association priorities, and provided a copy of Los Angeles County s survey and results. The suggestion will be discussed further at a future meeting. Director Rose addressed the apparent change in promotions policy to discontinue automatic promotions up to DDA III. Eligibility is discussed in our MOA, but there is no requirement of automatic promotions. The Board will address this in detail at the next meeting. 10. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Chandra Carle Secretary DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY S ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES FROM 4/1/03 Officers and Directors Present: Richard Monroy, Dave Hendren, Rupe Linley, Chandra Carle, Pat Espinoza, Mark Skeels, James Koerber, Karl Eppel, Michael Running Junior, Doug Rose & Nicole Cooper
Call to Order: President Richard Monroy called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. Association Comment: Members primarily commented on flex-time issues, including suggestions to increase part-time schedules to full-time through telecommuting, investigating the Attorney General s Office s policy not to deny flexible working hours to its attorneys, and seeking the approval of Division Chiefs in conjunction with the process. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis: The Board was honored to have the District Attorney speak to office concerns and changes in an informal question and answer session. Some of the discussion is synopsized below: Q: What is the status of the budget and layoffs? A: The budget is almost finished, and covers the $14 million shortfall due to the enhanced retirement program adopted by the County last year without layoffs. It should be complete by the end of the week. Q: What is the time frame for a decision on part-time? A: There is none yet. Q: Are we in a hiring freeze, and if so, how long will it last? A: We are not formally in a County-imposed freeze, but one necessitated by the budget. It is anticipated to last roughly one year. Q: What is the purpose of sending job announcement e-mails? A: The goal is to promote professional development of all employees and to further show our commitment to being a full partner with the rest of the County offices. Q: Are DDAs being limited on what they can officially discuss about cases? A: No, with the exception of the priest cases. Q: Do you see a contradiction between Dianne Jacob asking us to target certain crimes in her district and the County cutting our budget? A: No, every office s budget throughout the County is being cut. Q: What happened to automatic promotions up to DDAIII? A: All those pending promotions from DDA I to DDA II and DDA II to DDA III will be grandfathered in and the promotions are happening now. In the future, however, promotions will be merit based. Every DDA will be responsible for meeting certain performance-related goals, and it is the supervisors responsibility to ensure that all DDAs are mentored and performing in such a way as to reach these goals. This does not mean, however, that these early career promotions will be competitive like a DDA IV or DDA V promotion.
Q: When will transfers occur? A: The target is June. Certain assignments are being considered for rotations, and DDAs can expect to be in assignments/divisions for three to five years. Q: What is the goal of the Case Disposition Unit? A: The goal is to promote consistency throughout the office and to avoid cases going through the system only so they can get a better offer elsewhere. We want to settle appropriate cases early and try the cases that need to go to trial. The plan is to start the process downtown first, then to move the process out to the branches to ensure consistency between all locations. We are making the judges aware of our goals in the hopes that they will not undercut our efforts, and we will consider challenges to judges under the appropriate circumstances. Part Time Carle/Monroy: Following employee meetings downtown and in Vista, and incorporating the draft policy previously created by a committee of DDAs over a year ago, Carle and Monroy distributed a proposed Family Flex-Time Program to the Board for its review and input. The Association s goal is to preserve, to every extent possible, flexible working conditions for all DDAs to promote a healthy balance between DDAs family and professional lives. The proposal will be forwarded to the Administration for its consideration.awards Banquet Update: Nominations for awards closed on March 28 th., and the Board will meet to consider the nominations on April 22nd. The entertainment is being arranged by David Berry, Terri Wyatt and Jim Koerber. Contract Update (Executive Session): not reported President s Report: none. Committee Reports: none. Old Business: none. New Business: Director Eppel will update the Association plaques displayed on the 11 th. Floor of the Hall of Justice to include outgoing officers and directors. Adjournment. Respectfully Submitted, Chandra Carle Secretary
DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES 5/6/03 Directors and Officers Present: Richard Monroy, David Hendren, Rupe Linley, Chandra Carle, Pat Espinoza, Mark Skeels, James Koerber, Michael Running Jr., Nicole Cooper & Doug Rose Call to Order: President Richard Monroy called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m. 1. Association Comment: Members asked what involvement the Association has had in the creation of a parking policy, and expressed concern that the Administration s proposal does not adequately address the unique position DDAs are in, specifically trial work requiring work at night and on weekends. The Board reviewed the history of parking in HOJ, and the past Administration's parking policy. The Board replied that it has sent representatives to all meetings on the parking situation to voice these concerns, including to meetings directly with the Administration. Members requested more frequent updates from the Board on issues of immediate importance, including contract negotiations and parking. Director Nicole Cooper volunteered to assist Michele Linley with the newsletter and Association President Monroy with email updates. 2. Endorsements Guests Toni Atkins, Mike Aguirre, Deborah Berger Jeff Gattas, Chief of Staff for San Diego City Council Member Toni Atkins spoke on Ms. Atkins behalf to request the Board s endorsement in her upcoming re-election campaign. Mr. Gattas outlined Ms. Atkins efforts in community safety, law enforcement, and public works. The Board considered the endorsement in Executive Session (below) and voted to endorse Ms. Atkins. (Motion Koerber; Second Carle.) Mike Aguirre and Deborah Berger, both candidates for City Attorney, addressed the Board separately regarding their vision for the City Attorney s Office and their qualifications. The Board will defer discussion on the requested endorsement as the final candidate for City Attorney, Leslie Devaney, will address the Board at the June meeting.
3. Awards Banquet Update: Secretary Chandra Carle told the Board that over 118 people have replied to attend the Banquet, with almost two weeks to go before the event. She will be meeting with the hotel to finalize arrangements. 4. By Law Revision Update/Vote: Director Doug Rose presented proposed revisions to the by laws for the Board s review, and asked that Board members send him proposed revisions before the June meeting. The Board will address and vote on these revisions at that time. 5. Treasurer s Report: The Board discussed the payment of $1000 to a private mediator relating to an issue involving member Steve Anear. The Board unanimously resolved to limit outside expenditures to $250 without Board approval. 6. President s Report: President Monroy addressed the upcoming CDAA Board of Directors elections. Last month, Director Michael Running Jr. requested the Board s endorsement of his candidacy; the Board voted to endorse him. Last week, President Monroy received an email from member Brenda Daly informing him that she was running for the CDAA Board as well, and requested the Board s endorsement. She was not present at the meeting. After discussion, the Board voted 5-4 (with Running abstaining) to take the following position: Director Running s request for the endorsement was made in a timely fashion and the Board voted to endorse him. Therefore, the Board will take no further action. (Motion Linley; Second Koerber.) 7. Committee Reports: none. 8. Old Business: none. 9. New Business: The Board voted unanimously to create a committee to address DDA security issues. (Motion Rose; Second Hendren.) 10. Executive Session Contract Update: not reported. 1. Adjournment: President Monroy adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Chandra Carle Secretary
TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer Pat Espinoza reported the following balances: In March: Checking Savings Legal Defense In April: Checking Savings Legal Defense In May: Checking Savings Legal Defense DA WEAR INFORMATION Hello to everyone. I would like to open up another DA Wear order. Please check your catalogs and e-mail any orders to me by June 2. If you have any questions, please call me at 858-694-4468. Thanks.
SPRINT INFORMATION Our 15% discount on all Sprint rates continues. There are great deals on lots of phones now. Color screen phones are very inexpensive and new lower priced camera phones are now available. Look for a new Sprint flier very soon. If you have any questions about Sprint, our representative is Melanie Joop. She can be reached at 858-526-7645. -by Robert Eichler FOR RENT BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN CABIN! Fabulous Mountain and Lake Views from secluded A-Frame cabin. Relax and enjoy the mountain air! Across from Bear Mountain Ski Resort/Golf Course. Golf, Lake, Hiking when the snow is gone. Cabin has two bedrooms, one bath; sleeps 4 comfortably. Special DDA rental rate is $250/weekend during ski season; $75/night remainder of the year. Call Pete Murray: 531-3192; or pmurra@sdcda.org. UPCOMMING EVENTS JUNE 4, 2003 - DDAA Board of Directors Meeting