HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-062 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 14062
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO PROVIDE
ADEQUATE, EQUITABLE, AND ONGOING FUNDING FOR THE SAN
BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT TO MAINTAIN FULL
SERVICE COURTHOUSES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY
WHEREAS, an essential component of justice is the public's accessibility to courtrooms; and
WHEREAS, courts provide the necessary medium to protect and defend constitutional and
statutory rights and freedoms; and
WHEREAS, San Bernardino County Superior Court is one of the most underfunded courts in
the state, has the largest deficit of judicial positions and is substantially understaffed; and
WHEREAS, recent court reductions are exacerbated in San Bernardino County due to historic
funding inequities and higher than average population and caseload growth; and
WHEREAS, due to ongoing reductions in court funding by the State of California, San
Bernardino County Superior Court has been forced to close several courts throughout the
County and reorganize court services in order to capture efficiencies in court operations; and
WHEREAS, the closure and reorganization of courts throughout the County is limiting citizens'
access to a courtroom within a reasonable distance from their homes, leaving many to face
hardship to access a county court; and
WHEREAS, it was recently announced that the Rancho Cucamonga District court will be
reorganized to hear only criminal felony and misdemeanor cases and will no longer hear civil
and unlimited cases, family law cases, family court mediation matters, and traffic infractions;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Cucamonga is concerned about the potential negative effects
the Rancho Cucamonga District court reorganization will have on the residents of Rancho
Cucamonga and their ability to access the justice system; and
WHEREAS, on April 3, 2013, the Rancho Cucamonga City Council adopted Resolution No. 13-
037 to support efforts to engage the State Legislature and other invested stakeholders to
provide adequate, equitable and ongoing San Bernardino County Superior Court funding; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Cucamonga wishes to continue its efforts to engage the State
Legislature and advocate for additional funding for San Bernardino County Superior Court in
order to maintain full-service courthouses throughout County.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA
HEREBY RESOLVES THAT:
Section 1. The City Council is concerned about the potential negative effects the Rancho
Cucamonga District court reorganization will have on the citizens of Rancho Cucamonga and
their ability to access the justice system; and
Resolution No. 14-062 - Page 1 of 3
Section 2. The City Council strongly urges the Governor, State Legislature, and State
Judicial Council to resolve the inequities in court funding and provide additional funding for San
Bernardino County Superior Court in order to maintain full service courthouses throughout the
County and provide equal access to the judicial system for all residents; and
Section 3. A copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to Governor Jerry Brown, the State
Legislature, the California Judicial Council, and the San Bernardino County Superior Court; and
Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and it
shall thereupon take effect and be in force.
Resolution No. 14-062 - Page 2 of 3
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 2n1 day of April 2014.
AYES: Alexander, Michael, Spagnolo, Steinorth, Williams
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None
L. Dennis Michael, Mayor
ATTEST:
Qliw'C4� 4
J ice C. Reynolds, Cit Clerk
I, JANICE C. REYNOLDS, CITY CLERK of the City of Rancho Cucamonga,
California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved and
adopted by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California, at a Regular Meeting
of said City Council held on the 2"d day of April 2014.
Executed this 31 day of April 2014, at Rancho Cucamonga, California.
e C. Reynolds, Cit Clerk
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