Amador County – Sutter Creek underwent detailed scrutiny by this year’s Amador County Grand Jury, whose report was delivered Tuesday (June 29th) to the Board of Supervisors. Sutter Creek underwent several studies by the grand jury, whose foreman Michael Phalen reported the findings June 21st. Jurists looked at five areas of Sutter Creek business. They were finance, administration and policy; the sanitary sewer management plan; the wastewater treatment plant; the Sutter Creek Police Department; and animal issues within city limits. Findings included that City Manager Rob Duke “was out of compliance” with state code pertaining to emergency actions by the city council, formal bidding procedures, and public contracts. The jury also found that “city ordinances and municipal codes are out-of-date by 4 to 5 years,” and “hard copies of minutes are months out-of-date.” The finance department was found to have “inconsistencies and the changing of figures” in financial status reports. The jury also found it unclear whether a police officer who was being paid while on medical leave suffered from a work-related injury. The jury also found that in “December 2007, the city council authorized the cash purchase of a Toyota hybrid,” which was used to obtain a loan in April 2008, “without the approval of city council,” and then in “December 2008, the vehicle was sold without advertising.” The report also noted that “Grand Jurors attending city council meetings observed some members of the city council managing by intimidation and being unresponsive to citizens’ concerns.” The report made 23 recommendations to the city and one to citizens, the latter urging people to “become actively involved with the city council to ensure positive change, without being intimidated by any individual member. This commitment will help city government avoid defaulting to continued mismanagement.” The jury also recommended following proper code by the city manager, and circulating and updating city personnel policies and handbooks. Jurists recommended discontinuing the practice of “paying for or accepting meals or gifts from consultants,” and suggested city staff “submit all contract agreements to the city council for review and approval.” The report urged that the city should “not allow one person to hold multiple positions if those positions have inherent conflicts.” A finding of fact listed that Duke was city manager, chief of police, director of the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority, and manager of the city sewer plant. The report said Duke was not qualified to be the plant manager for a number of reasons. The city council must respond to the grand jury report in 90 days. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County – Sutter Creek underwent detailed scrutiny by this year’s Amador County Grand Jury, whose report was delivered Tuesday (June 29th) to the Board of Supervisors. Sutter Creek underwent several studies by the grand jury, whose foreman Michael Phalen reported the findings June 21st. Jurists looked at five areas of Sutter Creek business. They were finance, administration and policy; the sanitary sewer management plan; the wastewater treatment plant; the Sutter Creek Police Department; and animal issues within city limits. Findings included that City Manager Rob Duke “was out of compliance” with state code pertaining to emergency actions by the city council, formal bidding procedures, and public contracts. The jury also found that “city ordinances and municipal codes are out-of-date by 4 to 5 years,” and “hard copies of minutes are months out-of-date.” The finance department was found to have “inconsistencies and the changing of figures” in financial status reports. The jury also found it unclear whether a police officer who was being paid while on medical leave suffered from a work-related injury. The jury also found that in “December 2007, the city council authorized the cash purchase of a Toyota hybrid,” which was used to obtain a loan in April 2008, “without the approval of city council,” and then in “December 2008, the vehicle was sold without advertising.” The report also noted that “Grand Jurors attending city council meetings observed some members of the city council managing by intimidation and being unresponsive to citizens’ concerns.” The report made 23 recommendations to the city and one to citizens, the latter urging people to “become actively involved with the city council to ensure positive change, without being intimidated by any individual member. This commitment will help city government avoid defaulting to continued mismanagement.” The jury also recommended following proper code by the city manager, and circulating and updating city personnel policies and handbooks. Jurists recommended discontinuing the practice of “paying for or accepting meals or gifts from consultants,” and suggested city staff “submit all contract agreements to the city council for review and approval.” The report urged that the city should “not allow one person to hold multiple positions if those positions have inherent conflicts.” A finding of fact listed that Duke was city manager, chief of police, director of the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority, and manager of the city sewer plant. The report said Duke was not qualified to be the plant manager for a number of reasons. The city council must respond to the grand jury report in 90 days. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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