Agenda Date: 04/15/2025
Subject:
Title
Resolution 32-2025: Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Englewood for Restorative Justice services
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Danielle Trujillo, Court Administrator |
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Presentations: |
Danielle Trujillo, Court Administrator |
PURPOSE:
This IGA addresses the city’s use of the Englewood Municipal Court Restorative Justice Program. Approval is necessary for the Littleton Municipal Court to utilize the program as an alternative pre-adjudication program for prosecutorial selected cases.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; Sustainable Community; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The Littleton Municipal Court believes restorative justice is a vital tool for municipal courts, offering an alternative approach that focuses on accountability, rehabilitation, and community healing rather than solely punitive measures. By entering into an intergovernmental agreement, the court can leverage an established, successful program with a trained volunteer base, ensuring an effective and sustainable implementation without the need to build a program from the ground up. The tri-city model of sharing services has already proven successful in other areas, demonstrating the benefits of regional collaboration. Over the past 12 months, the two cities have worked together on logistics and trained Littleton staff to actively participate in the process. This pilot initiative has provided valuable insight into the program’s potential for expansion while allowing both municipalities to share fiscal responsibility, avoiding the costly and inefficient approach of developing independent programs for a limited caseload.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past few years, the court has actively engaged multiple community partners to explore opportunities for leveraging shared resources in support of restorative justice including Littleton Public Schools. Through these discussions, Englewood Municipal Court expressed enthusiasm about partnering to expand its existing program to better serve the tri-city area. Recognizing the benefits of restorative justice in reducing recidivism and fostering a more comprehensive approach to justice, City Council supported the development of this program under the Safe Community strategic initiative. This collaborative effort aligns with the city’s commitment to innovative, community-based solutions that enhance public safety and accountability while strengthening relationships between the court, offenders, and those impacted by crime.
Prior Actions or Discussions
At council’s February 4, 2025, regular meeting, court staff provided an update of court activities and introduced intent to enter into an agreement with the City of Englewood for Restorative Justice services.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Currently, the court budget has available funds to support sending one to three cases per month to this program, with a portion of the cost offset by a fee charged to the defendant. This fee may be waived for qualified indigent participants at the judge’s discretion to ensure equitable access to the program. Over the next six months, we will closely monitor costs and program utilization to assess financial sustainability. As participation grows, additional funding may be necessary over the next couple of years to support an increased caseload and maintain the program’s effectiveness within the tri-city partnership.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends council approve Resolution 32-2025, approving an IGA with the City of Englewood.
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatives to this proposal include delaying the implementation of restorative justice services until additional funding becomes available, which would postpone the benefits of reducing recidivism and providing a community-based resolution process. The court could also continue exploring other potential partnerships to share resources, though this may take additional time and could limit immediate access to an established program. Another option would be for the court to develop its own independent restorative justice program over the next two to three years; however, this approach would require significant investment in staffing, training, and program development. Lastly, the court could choose to no longer offer restorative justice services, foregoing the opportunity to provide an alternative, rehabilitative justice model for low-level offenders within the community.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 32-2025 approving and IGA with the City of Englewood for Restorative Justice services.