Amador County – The Ione City Council last week responded to the Amador County Grand Jury with an agreement and a disagreement. The council heard its staff is checking permit fee amounts charged since 2005. The action is a response to findings by the Grand Jury of inconsistent fee charges by the city building department. City Manager Kim Kerr said it is also a reaction to problems found by a city audit in 2007, looking at fiscal year 2005-2006 fees and charges. Kerr said analysis showed that changed city standards made a higher fee correct, and showed the auditor in error, due to not being given all of the information. The council voted unanimously to respond that it is aware of inconsistencies, and will try to find all of them. The Grand Jury also recommended the city eliminate a full-time building inspector and hire contractors for the work. The council unanimously agreed with Kerr’s recommended response, that employment decisions are “up to the city council,” and involve employee unions. Dominic Atlan in public comment applauded the council response that “it is inappropriate for the Grand Jury to tell the city what to do with its employees.” The council also unanimously appointed Karl Knobelauch to its Parks & Recreation Commission. The council selected Knobelauch from a list of candidates considered at its last appointment, when Knobelauch and Susan Priest were considered, and Priest was selected because she lived inside city limits. Knobelauch lives outside the city, said City Manager Kim Kerr, because city code allows up to 2 commission members to live outside of city limits. The council decided not to advertise the open position and make the appointment, because Kerr said the “last couple of times, we have had no people respond to advertisements.” The appointment was needed after Commission Chairman Russell Baldwin resigned, due to a work promotion. Kerr said Knobelauch “was on the list before and still wants to do it.” The former Amador County Undersheriff is also the current board president of the Amador School District. Knobelauch is now a member of the Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors, representing the school district, but Kerr said “he would rather represent us.” Councilman David Plank said at first he wanted to change municipal code to require all Parks & Recreation Commissioners to live inside city limits, “but Karl only lives down the road,” like a lot of people. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said “if you live in Willow Creek or Camanche, you live in Ione” and “Ione is still your town.” The commission meets 6 p.m. today (July 27th) at city hall, and its first meeting will include a selection of a commission chair and vice chair. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:21
Ione Disagrees With the Grand Jury on Its Building Inspector
Written by Tom-
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Amador County – The Ione City Council last week responded to the Amador County Grand Jury with an agreement and a disagreement. The council heard its staff is checking permit fee amounts charged since 2005. The action is a response to findings by the Grand Jury of inconsistent fee charges by the city building department. City Manager Kim Kerr said it is also a reaction to problems found by a city audit in 2007, looking at fiscal year 2005-2006 fees and charges. Kerr said analysis showed that changed city standards made a higher fee correct, and showed the auditor in error, due to not being given all of the information. The council voted unanimously to respond that it is aware of inconsistencies, and will try to find all of them. The Grand Jury also recommended the city eliminate a full-time building inspector and hire contractors for the work. The council unanimously agreed with Kerr’s recommended response, that employment decisions are “up to the city council,” and involve employee unions. Dominic Atlan in public comment applauded the council response that “it is inappropriate for the Grand Jury to tell the city what to do with its employees.” The council also unanimously appointed Karl Knobelauch to its Parks & Recreation Commission. The council selected Knobelauch from a list of candidates considered at its last appointment, when Knobelauch and Susan Priest were considered, and Priest was selected because she lived inside city limits. Knobelauch lives outside the city, said City Manager Kim Kerr, because city code allows up to 2 commission members to live outside of city limits. The council decided not to advertise the open position and make the appointment, because Kerr said the “last couple of times, we have had no people respond to advertisements.” The appointment was needed after Commission Chairman Russell Baldwin resigned, due to a work promotion. Kerr said Knobelauch “was on the list before and still wants to do it.” The former Amador County Undersheriff is also the current board president of the Amador School District. Knobelauch is now a member of the Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors, representing the school district, but Kerr said “he would rather represent us.” Councilman David Plank said at first he wanted to change municipal code to require all Parks & Recreation Commissioners to live inside city limits, “but Karl only lives down the road,” like a lot of people. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said “if you live in Willow Creek or Camanche, you live in Ione” and “Ione is still your town.” The commission meets 6 p.m. today (July 27th) at city hall, and its first meeting will include a selection of a commission chair and vice chair. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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