News Archive (6192)
AWA’s president says agency finances are headed in the right direction
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors in late September looked at a new report of its most recent fiscal year, with the president saying it has the agency going in the right direction, and the former president accusing agency staff of lying.
Agency Controller Marvin Davis said the budget overall was reduced by $700,000, and is still on track, even though the agency made two unplanned payments to Sutter Creek.
Board President Don Cooper said “we came out pretty darn good” and have the “ship turned around and heading in a pretty good direction financially.”
Former AWA president Bill Condrashoff accused staff of “false claims,” and thought the documents showed a discrepancy between the budget and actual spending. Davis said they cannot count numbers twice, and booking grants in the previous fiscal year accounted for $527,000 of a $533,000 budget shortfall. Davis said it may help in the future to only partially “book” some grant revenues.
Condrashoff said “critical documents have been withheld” but did not elaborate, and said “I believe the disjoint is intentional” to cover up “faulty cash-flow projections.”
AWA Director Paul Molinelli Senior asked for Condrashoff and Davis to submit their exchange in writing for board evaluation.
General Manager Gene Mancebo said the report showed “an $80,000 improved cash balance” that was 5 percent shy of Davis’ projections. Mancebo said last fiscal year’s budget included $200,000 in severance packages from layoffs, but “this fiscal year you don’t have those payouts,” and the budget will reflect the benefit from salary reductions.
Davis said transfers-in equal transfers-out, and the agency would “not have to play the internal shell game” of transferring funds, if it consolidated. He said he is working on a massive spread sheet to show costs across all of the agency’s different systems.
Davis suggested Directors spend some time with the “cash position schedule” and also the “transaction cash report,” which “tells how the cash position got to where it is.” The board directed staff to plan a workshop on the new fiscal year report.
Sutter Creek City Manager Sean Rabe said AWA has made two payments to the city since May totaling $175,000 and they are “working on a repayment plan for the Agency for the outstanding balance owed” the city of about $585,000 – about half for capacity, half for quarterly back-payments. He said the city and AWA “still need to resolve how much the Agency will be responsible for paying for the Sutter Creek wastewater treatment plant upgrade.”
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Five gang members were arraigned for murder Friday and held without bail
Written by Tom
Amador County – Five gang-affiliated men have been arraigned in the shooting death of a man last Tuesday night in a reported shootout at a commercial marijuana growing operation on Carbondale Road in Amador County.
Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner released details of the charges in the homicide investigation, saying all five men have been ordered to be held without bail, and have been charged, after investigators and prosecutors determined they have sufficient evidence.
Wegner said the “five subjects are identified as Andrew Minh Manisap, 18, of Sacramento; Son Thai Nguyen, 19, of Elk Grove; Michael Saechao, 20, of Sacramento; David Van Tai, 22, of Sacramento; and Vu Xuan Tran, 23, of Sacramento.
All five were reported by investigators to be members of a Sacramento-area gang.
Wegner said the “five subjects were arraigned in Amador Superior Court” at 3 p.m. Friday Sept. 30, after which “Amador Superior Court Judge David Richmond ordered all five to be held in the Amador County Jail with no bail.”
Wegner in the release said that last Thursday (Sept. 29), “detectives from the Amador County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutors from the Amador County District Attorney’s Office met to discuss the physical, circumstantial and direct evidence that has thus far been identified in relationship to the death of 45-year-old He Ting Fu.”
Fu was found dead Tuesday, Sept. 27 at a “medicinal marijuana cultivation site reportedly operated by Fu and three other individuals,” Wegner said. “A forensic pathologist’s examination of Fu conducted by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office determined that Fu was killed by a single gunshot wound to the thoracic cavity.”
He said “detectives discussed the investigation that has been conducted thus far and the on-going investigation that will continue with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department and the Elk Grove Police Department. Prosecutors evaluated that information and identified supplemental investigations to be completed.”
Wegner said “based upon the totality of the information available at that time, Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe determined sufficient evidence was present to charge the five individuals arrested by Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies with murder with the special circumstance that the murder was carried out to further the activities of a criminal street gang. It was also alleged that a firearm was used during the commission of the murder.”
According to Sheriff’s Department reports, the decedent, Fu, was found holding an empty shotgun, with two spent shells lying beside his body. He was found inside a trailer where evidence pointed to an exchange of gunfire having taken place. A caller had reported hearing 15-20 gunshots at the scene of the farm.
A search of the property found 779 marijuana plants, 8 pounds of processed marijuana, an assault rifle, shotguns and semi-automatic pistols.
A pre-preliminary hearing date was set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 in the case.
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Amador County – Sutter Amador Hospital Auxiliary held its annual officer installment ceremony Sept. 19 in Sutter Amador Hospital’s Mission Café.
Officials said SAH “Auxiliary contributes to the Hospital in many ways. Members volunteer their time to a variety of areas including the gift shop, concierge cart, information desk, thrift shop and various departments throughout the hospital.”
Officers were sworn in for the 2011-2012 calendar year. President is Cathy Smith; Laurie Davis is First Vice President; Grace Nolan is Second Vice President and Membership Chair; Kathy Glunt is Secretary; Reverie Totten is Treasurer; and Susan LeMasters is Parliamentarian. During the ceremony, service awards were also presented to several Auxiliary members who reached a landmark number of service hours – many reaching 1,000 or more hours.
Hospital staff said “funds raised by the Auxiliary are returned to the hospital in the form of needed medical equipment for patient care services.” Over the years, the Auxiliary has “provided many scholarships for nursing students and others studying a clinical field. Through these investments in the hospital and in the caregivers, our Auxiliary helps ensure quality medical care for our community.”
People interested in becoming an Auxiliary member are asked to stop by the hospital to pick up an application or call (209)223-7500.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amador Treasurer and Tax Collector say county property tax bills are in the mail
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Treasurer and Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan announced last week that the annual secured property tax bills for the 2011-2012 fiscal year have been mailed, and are seeking a total of more than $46.1 million.
Ryan said “there are over 23,200 secured tax bills for ad valorem taxes and voter-approved special assessments, with tax charges totaling in excess of $46.1 million.” The county website said the first installment is due Nov. 1, and the second installment is due Feb. 1.
Ryan said “if you own property in Amador County and do not receive your tax bill by Oct. 7,” contact the Amador County Tax Collector’s Office “to request a copy of your bill.” He noted that “state law provides that the failure to receive a property tax bill does not relieve the taxpayer of the responsibility to make timely payments to the Tax Collector’s Office.”
The property tax payment schedule says the first installment payment of secured property taxes is delinquent and subject to penalties after Dec. 10. The second installment payment becomes delinquent after April 10.
Ryan said Amador County property tax information is available on-line at the county’s website, by going first to “Online Services,” then “Property Tax Information” and making a “Tax Information Search.” For info, contact the Tax Collector’s Office.
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Amador County – The Jackson City Council on Monday approved a request by ACES Waste Services to increase trash rates in Jackson by 2.55 percent, with the increase to take effect at the turn of the calendar year.
Jackson City Manager Mike Daly said a franchise agreement with the city requires ACES to get City Council approval for rate increases, but it does not require a “Proposition 218” notification, which would allow Jackson residents to protest the rate increase.
Daly said Martell resident Ken Berry brought up the question of whether the increase was subject to a Proposition 218 notification and protest. City Attorney Andrew Morris said that since it is an optional service for trash hauling in the city, and residents can “self-haul” their garbage if they want, then it does not require a Proposition 218 notice of a rate increase, and it is not subject to a Prop 218 protest.
Daly said people were able to come to the Council meeting last Monday (Sept. 26) to protest the increase. He said the Council did receive one letter of protest, from Shirley Dajnowski, of Rollingwood Estates, who requested that the increase approval be rejected or that the amount of increase be lowered.
Daly said the increase request by ACES was found to be consistent with the rate methodology that the city uses, which is similar to the methodology used by Amador County. He said it is based on five or six different indexes related to the services ACES provides, such as fuel, labor, and tipping fee charges at landfills. He said the indexes are added and averaged, and the increase is actually less than what would have been allowed if ACES was using the city’s former methodology index, which was based on the Consumer Price Index. He said the CPI is 2.9 percent, while the ACES increase will be 2.55 percent.
In a report to the council, Daly said ACES has had its franchise agreement with the city since 1998, when it began collecting trash and recycling. The current agreement runs through June 30, 2014. The city’s methodology was approved in November 2009.
The last increase in city waste services was a 9.15 percent increase that took effect Jan.1, 2010, based on a “21 percent increase in landfill dumping costs,” Daly said in a report for the council. No increase was sought in 2010.
ACES president Paul Molinelli Senior in an Aug. 16 letter to Daly said next year’s rate method to request rate changes in 2013 would be different from this year’s request. Next year’s method “requires an analysis of our revenues and expenses and utilizes the operating ratio method.”
The Council voted 5-0 to pass a resolution approving the rate increase of 2.55 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2012.
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Operation Care purple people stand for domestic violence awareness
Written by Tom
Amador County – Remembering Domestic Violence Awareness Month began last week when Operation Care started its education and awareness “Purple People Campaign” and placed 125 purple silhouettes at Sutter Creek Gateway Park.
The 125 cutouts, which show children running in play and adults in different stances, plus another 25 at businesses equals 50 percent of the 300 victims of violence in Amador County who were helped by Operation Care in 2009-2010.
The group placed the life-sized purple people at the corner of Old Highway 49 and the 49 Bypass on Sutter Hill. Sutter Creek City Manager Sean Rabe and Police Chief Brian Klier had planned to assess whether the 125 purple people would affect traffic.
Tammie Crabtree, interim executive director of Operation Care, said she and city officials would stay at the intersection after the installation to observe any adverse affects on vehicle traffic on the two roads. The silhouettes remained at the intersection Saturday.
Crabtree said if they needed to be moved, she would again place the purple people in parks around the county, as had been done in the previous three years of the Purple People Campaign.
The life-sized cutouts are made of plastic corrugated boards, designed and cut out by Kam Merzlak of Merzlak Signs. The Purple People will stand in the park and at businesses until Oct. 31.
Operation Care’s office will also have a 3-D exhibit, Oct. 3-14. The walk-through exhibit called the “Cycle of Violence” will show visitors the three phases of domestic violence, Crabtree said. They will give out 200 T-shirts with the slogan: “Peace begins at home,” at the two high schools, and 100 shirts for donations.
Operation Care was founded in 1980 and offers support services, crisis intervention, and education to people in Amador County who have been victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
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Servpro starts up its second annual “Coated with Love” coat drive
Written by Tom
Amador County – Dozens of local businesses and schools in Amador and Calaveras counties will be accepting donations of gently used and fully operational coats for the Second Annual “Coated with Love” coat drive, sponsored by Servpro of Jackson.
The drive began last week when Wilma S. Fortich of Servpro Fire & Water Cleanup & Restoration service announced the second annual drive in an appearance on TSPN’s AM Live last Friday, Sept. 30.
The coats will be accepted at dozens of businesses in Amador County, and all elementary schools in Amador and Calaveras counties, as well as Argonaut and Amador High Schools, and Ione Junior High. The coats will be accepted in all sizes, and preferably in new condition to gently used conditions. Fortich asked that the coats have operating buttons, snaps and zippers, with no holes or stains. The coats will be distributed once again by the non-profit Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency.
Organizers hope that people with old coats cluttering up their closets, which are still in working condition, but no longer worn by the owners, will throw their coats into their cars and drop them at one of the “Coated with Love” donation boxes at dozens of participating businesses or schools.
Donors will get a coupon for a free hot beverage from Jamba Juice (one per household). Thomi’s Café also will give each donor household a $5 gift card. New York Fitness will give each donor a $10 day pass or class pass. Those businesses will have drop-off boxes.
Other box locations are Servpro, State Farm in Jackson or Sutter Creek, Farmers Insurance, Matich/Vukovich Insurance, AAA insurance, Kritsi Roots Insurance, Manassero Insurance, TSPN and ACES Waste Service in Pine Grove and Ione.
Other locations in Jackson are Kaizen, Play It Again Sports, Amador County Chamber of Commerce, and A Cut Above. Martell locations are Gold Country Lanes, Ledger-Dispatch and The Glass Doctor. Upcountry locations are IGA Payless Market, Volcano Telecommunications, and Community Christian School. Ione locations include Aces Hardware and Ione Plaza Market.
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RVers plan a fundraising party and raffle for Interfaith Food Bank
Written by Tom
Amador County – Region 12 members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International will be holding a raffle and party to raise funds for the Interfaith Food Bank and have already raised $3,000.
The recreation vehicle owners group’s fall rally for Oct. 13-17 at the Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel is being hosted by the Region 12’s San Jose Unit.
Amador County Chamber of Commerce office manager Dianne Sherbourne said the Airstream owners will have a group of more than 90 rigs staying at Jackson Rancheria’s RV park, which has 100 full-service sites, a large heated pool and two spas. Sherbourne said “while in town this group wanted to do something for our county. The organization is holding a big raffle to raise funds for our Interfaith Foodbank” and will present a check to Food Bank director Kathleen Harmon at a celebration at the Jackson Rancheria Ballroom Oct. 16. Sherbourne said “that’s what I call a real pay it forward.”
She said the Chamber would like to help raise some additional funds and asked county residents to “join in on this kindness” with a tax deductible donation, by check or people can come by the Chamber office with a credit card.
Sherbourne said Monday the Chamber and WBCCI have raised almost $3,000 for Interfaith Food Bank. She said people can get their business name on the card with a check, or bring a raffle prize to the Chamber Office on or before October 14.
The rally theme is “Flamingos in the Foothills,” and the caravans “will be decorated with pink flamingos and other tropical trinkets,” Sherbourne said, adding that “they plan to spend a lot of money in our stores, restaurants and gas stations while they are here.” They are having a golf tournament at Mace Meadow Golf Course, touring fall foliage in Hope Valley and wineries in Shenandoah Valley, seeing a play in Volcano and having a shotgun shoot in Buena Vista.
They have hired local talent – Todd Paul, The Speakeazy Jazz Orchestra and Over the Edge – to perform for them in the Grand Oak Ballroom at the hotel.
Sherbourne said: “This group never comes for a visit without leaving a little of themselves behind. One of their members made a special quilt to raffle and many Chamber members have come forward with additional raffle prizes.”
They will be selling raffle tickets with all the proceeds being donated to the Interfaith Food Bank along with donations collected by the Amador County Chamber of Commerce.
Sherbourne asked people to donate because “no one should have to face the day hungry.”
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Plymouth looks to get $370,000 from Reeder Sutherland for water system impacts
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week discussed a potential $370,000 in payments from developers Reeder Sutherland Incorporated to offset impacts on the city’s water system, which would pay toward the city’s new water pipeline.
The Plymouth City Council last week held a final workshop to prepare for a future Public Hearing on a development agreement, conditions of approval and full environmental documents for the Shenandoah Ridge and Zinfandel residential developments of Reeder Sutherland, its president Bob Reeder, and its partners.
“We should be finished after tonight,” Garnder said before the meeting last Thursday, with the finalizing of the documents to take them to a public hearing. He said Bob Reeder has agreed in the draft development agreement to pay $74,000 a year for five years, and $370,000 total, to make the water fund whole, and to “offset the city’s debt service payments so we don’t have to raise our water fees.” Gardner said the agreement, if approved by the council, after public hearings, would “offset impacts and keep us from having to raise the rates.”
Gardner said in the draft agreement, Reeder would make two payments per year, to be “paid a month before we have to pay our debt service payment,” for the pipeline that connects the city to the Amador Water Agency. He said the payments are $176,000 a year, but in six or seven years, that will go down by about $16,000. That occurs when a 10 percent “debt service reserve” portion of the payment accumulates enough money to make a year of payments on the plan, part of USDA funding qualifications for the project.
The Council approved the development agreement and also heard from Bob Reed on an analysis he did on the city’s water fund. Gardner said the funding was “way short and if we don’t get some money from Bob (Reeder) we will be looking at some serious water rate increases.”
Gardner said the payments were something Reeder and the city have been discussing for a long time. He said if the payments do not go through in the development agreement “we will immediately look at the water study and immediately look at moving forward with another rate increase.”
The Plymouth City Council last Thursday ended the workshop and set a public hearing on the Shenandoah Ridge and Zinfandel development agreements for Oct. 13.
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AWA analyzed its new Controller’s annual financial report method
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week received a new fiscal year annual report for 2010-2011, in a new format, and discussed ways to make it more understandable.
AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said the financial update showed the agency’s overall financial position continued to improve, albeit at a “slow and steady pace.” He said $1.3 million in agency cash on Aug. 31 was almost $800,000 more than that date in 2010, and within 5 percent of the forecast by Agency Controller Marvin Davis.
Mancebo said an apparent $533,000 budget shortfall was corrected by noting that grants for a Camanche Groundwater Study and Gayla Manor Wastewater System improvements had been “booked” before they were received, so they are “not included in revenue, but they are included in the cash.”
Davis said cash receipts of $419,000 from the grants were reflected as earned revenues in prior fiscal years and could not be reflected on the current revenue and expense statements. Another $107,000 in internal reserve transfers was listed by the former finance director as new revenue. Mancebo said the two combine to reduce the overall shortfall.
Board President Don Cooper said the Budget & Finance Committee, made up of himself and Director Robert Manassero, spent 2-and-a-half hours with Davis on the report. Davis said his report compiled “probably close to a million transactions” over 12 months. He said the “figures are tying out” and “it shows that the accounting is done properly.”
Thomas said he would review the full report on his own, and wanted to hear from the Committee. Cooper said he thought it was “a good tool to move forward” with and it was “tough to get the whole accrual system in place.” It takes about three weeks to get a monthly report, putting review about a month behind.
Director Art Toy asked if there was a “different way to present the information so the salient points jump out” and “so it’s not a great blizzard of numbers?”
Manassero said it has good detail, and other directors are invited to attend the committee meetings. He said Davis’ system changes were extensive.
Davis said “this is a whole year of transactions. Your monthly reports won’t be this big,” but they will get bigger through a year, as months are added.
Cooper suggested that they do a workshop on the new reporting system, and also that Davis sit with Mancebo and see if they can create a cover letter to make this easier to understand, or point out key issues. The document is on the agency’s website.
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