Title
Authorization for Phoenix Municipal Court to Apply for, Accept, Disburse Funds and Enter into an Agreement for State Justice Institute Grant Funds (Ordinance S-46238)
Description
Request authorization for the Phoenix Municipal Court to apply for and, if awarded, accept and enter into an agreement for a State Justice Institute (SJI) Technical Assistance Grant in an amount up to $50,000. Additionally, request authorization to enter into a contract with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) for professional services in the amount of $55,000. The contract with NCSC will be funded with the $50,000 in grant funds and $5,000 from the City’s general fund budget. Finally, authorization is requested for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Phoenix Municipal Court is requesting authorization to submit an application for a Technical Assistance Grant from SJI an organization federally established in 1984 to award grants to improve the quality of justice in state courts, and foster innovative, efficient solutions to common issues faced by all courts. The Technical Assistance Grant provides funding up to $50,000 and can be used to cover the cost of expert consulting services and/or a court’s travel costs expended in examining practices, programs, or facilities in other jurisdictions that the applicant court is interested in replicating. A cash and in-kind match must be provided by the Court equal to at least 50 percent of the grant amount, of which 20 percent of the match must be in cash.
The Court intends to contract with NCSC using the grant funds from the Technical Assistance Grant and NCSC has been selected because of its court specific knowledge and experience in providing services focused on helping courts plan, make decisions, and implement improvements that save time and money, while ensuring judicial administration that supports fair and impartial decision-making. The Court will be seeking guidance from the NCSC for future strategic planning regarding the Court’s organizational structure, performance evaluation and promotion process for clerical positions, as well as a market study for identified Court specific positions.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, normal competition was waived as a result of a Determination Memo citing the unusual nature of the goods or services that NCSC can provide due to their court specific knowledge and expertise.
Contract Term
If awarded the Technical Assistance grant, the contract with NCSC would be for approximately one year following the start date of the grant.
Financial Impact
The amount of the Technical Assistance grant is up to $50,000. If awarded the full amount of this grant, the Court would provide $20,000 in administrative and staff hours and $5,000 in additional City general funds.
Department
Responsible Department
The item is recommended by Chief Presiding Judge B. Don Taylor III and Deputy City Manager Karen Peters.