Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to try to seek class size reduction funding last week, though the funds may not be there, and also discussed reducing its own membership.

The school board last week also heard a presentation on its annual “class size reduction application.” A staff report said that “as a condition for applying and receiving Class Size Reduction Program funds,” the School District trustees must certify statements on the application are true. The application was for funding for kindergarten through third grad class size reduction.

ACUSD Trustee Pat Miller said Friday that the funding for the program is not available for 20 to 1 student to teacher class size ratios, but the annual application was approved, in the event that the funds return to the program.

The application listed 1,176 students in K-3 clases, with one class having 20 students. Another 48 classes had between 21 and 24 students per class.

A public hearing was held Wednesday as part of the school board’s application for a “general waiver to reduce the board membership, from seven members to five members, to be selected by supervisory district.” The hearing was held “to comply with the Voters Rights Act of 2001.”

Miller said the hearing was one of several that must be held in the reduction process. He said the public hearing was opened, no one spoke to address the issue, and the hearing was closed.

The board agreed unanimously in August 2010 to reduce from its current seven members to a five-member board, with each board member elected from and representing one of the five supervisor districts in the county. The board has two vacancies now, as past Trustees Terry Porray, David Dutra and Karl Knobelauch did not seek re-election, and Janelle Redkey moved out of the county.

Trustee Rose Andrew-Oneto was elected in the November 2010 general election to take one of the vacant seats, and Trustee Lynnette Lipp was appointed to take another of the vacancies.

Miller said if the process carries through, including the other public hearings, then the board will become elected by supervisor district. It would take effect in 2014, when his current term expires. He said a division by supervisor district right now would affect the board now, as both he and Lipp are Jackson areas residents in supervisor District 1.

The board now representatives from all districts except District 3. Andrews-Oneto of Ione lives in District 2; Mary Walser of Sutter Creek is in District 4; and President Wally Upper of Plymouth is from District 5.

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Amador County – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy last week announced a series of workshops to help develop its new “Strategic Plan” and take input on how it will give out grants in the future.

Joan Keegan, Assistant Executive Officer, in a Jan. 19 letter asked “stakeholders” for input, saying the Conservancy is “in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan to guide our work over the next three years.”

“With input from many stakeholders,” she said, the SNC has refined its “future direction into four main areas of focus that cut across existing programs.” The areas of focus for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s new Strategic Plan are healthy forests; watershed protection and restoration; agricultural lands; and tourism and recreation.

Keegan said the Conservancy needs stakeholder help to develop the goals and “determine the specific actions we’ll undertake for each area of focus.”

She said it is “extremely important to us that we get as much stakeholder input as possible.” A series of workshops around the region will gather thoughts and ideas, and the Conservancy also will “be sharing ideas we are considering for how to structure our future grant program.”

The meetings will be held Feb. 7 in Auburn, Susanville and Sonora, and Feb. 10 in Oroville, Bishop and Visalia. If people cannot attend the meetings, the Conservancy will be broadcasting the 30-minute workshop introduction over the Internet, during both workshops. She said interested parties will be able to submit suggestions and ideas electronically.

Participants must register for the webcast on the corresponding day. More information will be available closer to the date of the meetings.

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Amador County – The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors received a two-year audit report Thursday that showed total net assets and operating revenues increased, and operating expenses decreased.

The biggest change appeared to be a decrease by $1.2 million in non-operating revenues over non-operating expenses, according to an audit report by the firm Leaf & Cole, whose associate Michael Zizzi fielded questions.

President Don Cooper pointed out what Zizzi called a typo in the report, which compared fiscal years ending in 2010 and 2009. Cooper asked about 2010 “current liabilities” listed as $2.4 million, compared to $4.6 million in 2009 as a “change” of $7,600. Zizzi said the actual change in liabilities was $2.2 million.

The report said the agency’s total net assets increased by $1.03 million, operating revenues increased by $62,600 and operating expenses decreased by $560,000. Zizzi said “we had a net operating loss of $2.7 million,” and the “net change was $745,000.”

Cooper asked the definition of a “source of supply,” which went from $400,000 to $717,000 in the audit. The AWA controller said the category included only salaries and benefits in the construction department, which this year under Manager Barry Birge took over a lot of the operating expenses. As a result, operations and maintenance costs should go down.

Zizzi said the state controller determined what the audit listed in that category, which for AWA was to show the cost of transmission and distribution of water, but not include utilities or acquisition.

Cooper asked about notes payable, and Zizzi said the agency borrowed another $1 million toward a USDA loan for Plymouth’s pipeline, but “made another principal payment.” Plymouth’s pipeline accounted for $2.4 million in agency capital asset additions.

Director Art Toy asked about the capital contributions of $4.5 million, and Zizzi said it was the USDA grant for the Plymouth pipeline, and unlike a “capital exchange,” the federal loan grantor did not gain anything form the grant. He said it fell into the income side of the audit, but did not show as cash.

Toy said it was a “beautiful balance sheet,” and asked what was its subject for credit risk computation. Zizzi said it was on cash investments. He said the agency’s decrease in cash should be a concern.

He said “the $66 million in net assets, or equity if you will,” included “$61 million tied up in your infrastructure,” which would also be subject to depreciation. But he said the agency is actually better off in its “unrestricted net assets,” which were at $5.4 million, up from $4.2 million in 2009.

After the board approved the report, Zizzi said it was an atypical interaction in that the board asked informed questions and seemed to really understand what is going on.

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Amador County – Local state Assemblywoman Alyson Huber announced a Cal Grants program that gives high school students the opportunity to apply for grants, and also another shot at more funds by attending a workshop in February.

Huber in a release last week said that a free “Cash for College Workshop” has been set to assist students with financial aid for school, and she urged students to apply for Cal Grants by its March 2 deadline.

Huber, a past Cal Grant recipient, said in a release that she wants to remind students and parents of the March 2 deadline to apply for Cal Grants, which are a “need-based financial aid program.”

She said Cal Grants “has been a big part of making college affordable for many California families.” To assist students with applying for Cal Grants and other financial aid, Assemblywoman Huber also announced Cash for College workshops, including one being held in February in the Sacramento region.

“Paying for school is tough,” Huber said. “I know because I was the first in my family to graduate from college and financial aid helped make it possible for me to succeed.”

She said: “Today, every low- or moderate-income student who meets the academic standards is guaranteed a Cal Grant award and we must do everything we can to ensure that every eligible student takes advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.”

In the 10th Assembly District, a Cash for College Workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Florin High School. Huber said “high school seniors who attend a Cash for College workshop and apply for a Cal Grant by March 2 could receive an extra $1,000 scholarship.”

Eligible students receive grants for tuition and fees at the California State University or the University of California. Awards are also given to community college students and students entering private California colleges, including technical education programs.

Students must apply for a Cal Grant by submitting a Federal Student Aid Form and a Cal Grant Grade Point Average Verification Form. Changes in the law guarantee that every eligible student will get a Cal Grant award of up to $11,124 a year, depending on the cost of their college or university, their financial need and the type of grant. One of the most important things to note, Cal Grants do not have to be repaid.

For information, contact school counselors, the California Student Aid Commission at 1-888-224-7268. For a list of additional workshops locations and dates, see calgrants.org.

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Amador County – A U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development forum in Plymouth will take public input on federal policy for jobs, economic development and, communities in rural California counties in February.

The Central Sierra Resource Conservation and Development Council announced Thursday that it will be co-hosting a federal forum in Plymouth February 15, with the USDA Rural Development division, to take input on needs regarding jobs, economic development and sustainable communities in California rural counties.

The open forum will aim at “strategizing policy needs and program delivery for rural California,” and it will “focus on activities and initiatives that have resulted” from USDA Rural Development’s February 2010 report entitled “Jobs, Economic Development and Sustainable Communities,” based on rural California counties.

The report was compiled with input provided by community leaders, residents, business owners and organizations throughout the state. The USDA conducted 43 input forums across the state, and talked to nearly 900 people, to compile data for the report. USDA Rural Development, Central Sierra Council planned the meeting in Plymouth will “discuss the findings and opportunities identified in the report as well as any new suggestions.”

Central Sierra RCD’s Susan Snoke said the Plymouth forum, set for Feb. 15, will be important for the Foothills counties and for Plymouth. She said they will have in attendance the people who have the ears of Washington, that is, the USDA. Snoke said Central Sierra jumped at the chance to host the forum in Amador County, which will be held in Plymouth City Hall.

The forum has three agenda items, including a “report on accomplishments toward recommendations in the report.” It will also ask if there are issues and/or recommendations that need to be added, changed or prioritized. The forum will also “solicit individuals and/or groups to champion action items in the report.”

The USDA in the report said several common themes emerged as information came in, “despite the diversity of the state’s many regions.” Available online at USDA Rural Development’s website, the report details the topics heard most often in forums and includes specific ideas and recommendations as shared in forums.

The report said “no attempt has been made by California Rural Development to assess the feasibility and/or desirability of any specific recommendation, nor can we endorse specific ideas without further research and discussions.” But the report said USDA looks “forward to working with the relevant interest groups to pursue solutions to these challenges.”

The forum is 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Plymouth City Hall, at 9426 Main Street in Plymouth. To see a copy of the report online, see USDA’s website.

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Amador County – A U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development forum in Plymouth will take public input on federal policy for jobs, economic development and, communities in rural California counties in February.

The Central Sierra Resource Conservation and Development Council announced Thursday that it will be co-hosting a federal forum in Plymouth February 15, with the USDA Rural Development division, to take input on needs regarding jobs, economic development and sustainable communities in California rural counties.

The open forum will aim at “strategizing policy needs and program delivery for rural California,” and it will “focus on activities and initiatives that have resulted” from USDA Rural Development’s February 2010 report entitled “Jobs, Economic Development and Sustainable Communities,” based on rural California counties.

The report was compiled with input provided by community leaders, residents, business owners and organizations throughout the state. The USDA conducted 43 input forums across the state, and talked to nearly 900 people, to compile data for the report. USDA Rural Development, Central Sierra Council planned the meeting in Plymouth will “discuss the findings and opportunities identified in the report as well as any new suggestions.”

Central Sierra RCD’s Susan Snoke said the Plymouth forum, set for Feb. 15, will be important for the Foothills counties and for Plymouth. She said they will have in attendance the people who have the ears of Washington, that is, the USDA. Snoke said Central Sierra jumped at the chance to host the forum in Amador County, which will be held in Plymouth City Hall.

The forum has three agenda items, including a “report on accomplishments toward recommendations in the report.” It will also ask if there are issues and/or recommendations that need to be added, changed or prioritized. The forum will also “solicit individuals and/or groups to champion action items in the report.”

The USDA in the report said several common themes emerged as information came in, “despite the diversity of the state’s many regions.” Available online at USDA Rural Development’s website, the report details the topics heard most often in forums and includes specific ideas and recommendations as shared in forums.

The report said “no attempt has been made by California Rural Development to assess the feasibility and/or desirability of any specific recommendation, nor can we endorse specific ideas without further research and discussions.” But the report said USDA looks “forward to working with the relevant interest groups to pursue solutions to these challenges.”

The forum is 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Plymouth City Hall, at 9426 Main Street in Plymouth. To see a copy of the report online, see USDA’s website.

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Amador County – The Amador Water Agency Board of Directors received a two-year audit report Thursday that showed total net assets and operating revenues increased, and operating expenses decreased.

The biggest change appeared to be a decrease by $1.2 million in non-operating revenues over non-operating expenses, according to an audit report by the firm Leaf & Cole, whose associate Michael Zizzi fielded questions.

President Don Cooper pointed out what Zizzi called a typo in the report, which compared fiscal years ending in 2010 and 2009. Cooper asked about 2010 “current liabilities” listed as $2.4 million, compared to $4.6 million in 2009 as a “change” of $7,600. Zizzi said the actual change in liabilities was $2.2 million.

The report said the agency’s total net assets increased by $1.03 million, operating revenues increased by $62,600 and operating expenses decreased by $560,000. Zizzi said “we had a net operating loss of $2.7 million,” and the “net change was $745,000.”

Cooper asked the definition of a “source of supply,” which went from $400,000 to $717,000 in the audit. The AWA controller said the category included only salaries and benefits in the construction department, which this year under Manager Barry Birge took over a lot of the operating expenses. As a result, operations and maintenance costs should go down.

Zizzi said the state controller determined what the audit listed in that category, which for AWA was to show the cost of transmission and distribution of water, but not include utilities or acquisition.

Cooper asked about notes payable, and Zizzi said the agency borrowed another $1 million toward a USDA loan for Plymouth’s pipeline, but “made another principal payment.” Plymouth’s pipeline accounted for $2.4 million in agency capital asset additions.

Director Art Toy asked about the capital contributions of $4.5 million, and Zizzi said it was the USDA grant for the Plymouth pipeline, and unlike a “capital exchange,” the federal loan grantor did not gain anything form the grant. He said it fell into the income side of the audit, but did not show as cash.

Toy said it was a “beautiful balance sheet,” and asked what was its subject for credit risk computation. Zizzi said it was on cash investments. He said the agency’s decrease in cash should be a concern.

He said “the $66 million in net assets, or equity if you will,” included “$61 million tied up in your infrastructure,” which would also be subject to depreciation. But he said the agency is actually better off in its “unrestricted net assets,” which were at $5.4 million, up from $4.2 million in 2009.

After the board approved the report, Zizzi said it was an atypical interaction in that the board asked informed questions and seemed to really understand what is going on.

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Amador County – Local state Assemblywoman Alyson Huber announced a Cal Grants program that gives high school students the opportunity to apply for grants, and also another shot at more funds by attending a workshop in February.

Huber in a release last week said that a free “Cash for College Workshop” has been set to assist students with financial aid for school, and she urged students to apply for Cal Grants by its March 2 deadline.

Huber, a past Cal Grant recipient, said in a release that she wants to remind students and parents of the March 2 deadline to apply for Cal Grants, which are a “need-based financial aid program.”

She said Cal Grants “has been a big part of making college affordable for many California families.” To assist students with applying for Cal Grants and other financial aid, Assemblywoman Huber also announced Cash for College workshops, including one being held in February in the Sacramento region.

“Paying for school is tough,” Huber said. “I know because I was the first in my family to graduate from college and financial aid helped make it possible for me to succeed.”

She said: “Today, every low- or moderate-income student who meets the academic standards is guaranteed a Cal Grant award and we must do everything we can to ensure that every eligible student takes advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.”

In the 10th Assembly District, a Cash for College Workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Florin High School. Huber said “high school seniors who attend a Cash for College workshop and apply for a Cal Grant by March 2 could receive an extra $1,000 scholarship.”

Eligible students receive grants for tuition and fees at the California State University or the University of California. Awards are also given to community college students and students entering private California colleges, including technical education programs.

Students must apply for a Cal Grant by submitting a Federal Student Aid Form and a Cal Grant Grade Point Average Verification Form. Changes in the law guarantee that every eligible student will get a Cal Grant award of up to $11,124 a year, depending on the cost of their college or university, their financial need and the type of grant. One of the most important things to note, Cal Grants do not have to be repaid.

For information, contact school counselors, the California Student Aid Commission at 1-888-224-7268. For a list of additional workshops locations and dates, see calgrants.org.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy last week announced a series of workshops to help develop its new “Strategic Plan” and take input on how it will give out grants in the future.

Joan Keegan, Assistant Executive Officer, in a Jan. 19 letter asked “stakeholders” for input, saying the Conservancy is “in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan to guide our work over the next three years.”

“With input from many stakeholders,” she said, the SNC has refined its “future direction into four main areas of focus that cut across existing programs.” The areas of focus for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s new Strategic Plan are healthy forests; watershed protection and restoration; agricultural lands; and tourism and recreation.

Keegan said the Conservancy needs stakeholder help to develop the goals and “determine the specific actions we’ll undertake for each area of focus.”

She said it is “extremely important to us that we get as much stakeholder input as possible.” A series of workshops around the region will gather thoughts and ideas, and the Conservancy also will “be sharing ideas we are considering for how to structure our future grant program.”

The meetings will be held Feb. 7 in Auburn, Susanville and Sonora, and Feb. 10 in Oroville, Bishop and Visalia. If people cannot attend the meetings, the Conservancy will be broadcasting the 30-minute workshop introduction over the Internet, during both workshops. She said interested parties will be able to submit suggestions and ideas electronically.

Participants must register for the webcast on the corresponding day. More information will be available closer to the date of the meetings.

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Amador County – A proactive Ione Police Department made an arrest of two people in a high-crime area of Ione Tuesday, which included a weapons charge, and narcotics charges for possession and possession for the purpose of sale.

Ione Police Chief Michael L. Johnson said in a release Wednesday that a “dangerous street encounter” by IPD narcotics officers resulted in two arrests on multiple charges.

Johnson said at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, “the Ione Police Department contacted three adult males loitering in the area of the 200 block of South Buena Vista Street in Ione. The consensual contact with the males quickly resulted in narcotics arrests of two of the subjects.”

“During the contact, the Ione Police Officer noted suspicious and evasive behavior,” Johnson said. “A failure to comply with the officers instructions resulted in the three individuals being held at gun point” and being ordered to lay prone on the street.

“The officer recovered a gun from the waistband of one of the subjects,” Johnsons said, and “several bindles of heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana were also eventually seized from their persons.”

The two who were arrested were Kaleb Fillmore, 21, and Blaine Yarbrough, 20, both from the Pioneer area. Fillmore and Yarbrough were both booked into Amador County jail on possession narcotics and possession of narcotics for sale.

Johnson said this area of Ione “has become readily identifiable by both law enforcement and the general public” as a place “where identified gang members and associated criminals loiter.” He said in that area, the “Ione Police Department has increased patrols and stepped up their proactive enforcement efforts.”

He said: “This dangerous confrontation is an example of the criminal element that is attempting to move operations in, and about the Ione area.”

Ione Police Department has summoned the assistance of the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team and coordinated with the Amador County Gang Task force to further investigate this and other related matters in the city, Johnson said. He said IPD “currently has two officers dedicated to the Gang Task Force efforts and is extremely active in gang intervention enforcement details.”

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