In this week's episode of "Love, Hope, and Faith", Heather sits down with Janelle and Jason Richardson.

Amador County – Amador Water Agency board of directors on Thursday discussed budget adjustments and a small reserve of $46,000, heading into the new fiscal year.

Director Rich Farrington said the budget identifies excess funds going into the reserve account, based on 10 months of actual numbers that support it, while critics said the agency was improperly using internal funds.

Director Paul Molinelli Senior asked what are the balances, and if that is hard to answer. AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said the Controller can pull up numbers today and there are journal entries to be made, which would show internal loans and a balance.

Controller Marvin Davis said “there is a lot of stuff going places to give you these amounts.” Molinelli asked Davis if after reading a letter criticizing AWA practices that Davis was comfortable that the funds are there. Davis said after finishing analyses, he has a draft internal funding report and they have done a lot of work to separate the accounts. He said they are coming up with a positive balance using transfers back to operating cash.

Molinelli said there may have been a history of lack of communication at the agency, but “I don’t thing there is any subversion here,” they just need to go through 20 years or more of miscommunication.

In discussion, Farrington asked why PG&E rates differed in the budget. Central Amador Water Project pumps ranked highest. Mancebo said it varied between a 2.6 and 3.4% increase, based on usage, making it different in different systems.

Molinelli asked about $20,000 in training conferences, saying “that’s an awful lot to me.” Secretary Cris Thompson said the conference includes employee certifications. Molinelli asked about $188,000 transferred into non-operating expenses. Davis said it showed internal loans out of participation fees that cannot be used without an internal loan. He said: “From a ratepayer standpoint it is new money because you are going to use it to offset their rates.”

Molinelli asked if the participation fees were likely to occur. Mancebo said in September Ione developers have to make another payment. Budget participation fees dropped from $576,000 to $359,000 in the coming year. Consultant forecasts dropped from $602,000 to $233,000 because a lot of projects are done.

Molinelli asked why so much was budgeted on legal fees, which grew from $88,000 to $120,000. Mancebo said current litigation caused it, along with having to have the attorney attend some meetings. He said “if we do not need it we won’t use it.” Kenneth Perano and Ken Berry are currently suing the AWA over use of restricted funds, and the reporting thereof.

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Amador County – Amador Water Agency board of directors on Thursday (June 28) discussed the upcoming fiscal year budget amid criticism from a group that questioned projected revenues based on participations fees.

The budget showed a $46,000 positive difference between operating revenues forecast at $14.18 million dollars and total operating expenses expected at $14.13 million dollars.

Members of the Ratepayer Protection Alliance presented a letter to the AWA board criticizing the budget use of participation fees, and members appeared to criticize a list of capital improvement projects. Alliance member Bill Condrashoff said it was basing spending on money that AWA does not have.

AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said participation fees of $379,000 were part of a signed contract with Ione developers. He said agency staff identified contractual amounts for participation fees that were sufficient to cover the project list. Board Clerk Chris Thompson said the Sutter Creek bridge project was postponed a year, removing $78,000 from the project list. The $200,000 in projects included work at Amador City bridge, Bunker Hill bridge, Amador Waster System, and $17,000 for hydrants.

Condrashoff criticized spending budgeted on consultant work to study consolidation of Amador Water System, and creation of a Community Facilities District. He criticized use of funds he said were restricted, and said the agency should look back on 20 years of books to unwind internal loans.

Alliance member David Evitt asked if the agency budget report would note that the agency illegally used money from a restricted account. Mancebo said he believed the agency did not need to go look at what is in the current balance of funds. One man, a former CPA said the budget was not the same as trying to reconcile balance sheet accounts and “you just can’t stop your business because you think your balance sheet is incorrect.” But he doubted why the AWA would go 13 months without an outside audit.

President Gary Thomas asked if a new auditor was determined. Mancebo said AWA’s general manager typically signs that contract, and he had not singed an engagement letter with a new auditor because of the time of the year, and potential to be stuck without an auditor.

Controller Marvin Davis agreed, saying the current “auditor has been intricately involved up to now and it has taken a lot to get the auditor to where we are now.” Davis said: “I recommend against it.”

Director Rich Farrington said the board has already agreed it wants outside auditing to look at its system. He felt obligated to adopt the budget by July 1. He said it sounds like we may have spent more than $576,000, from participation fees, but staff says we have not.

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Amador County – Mother Lode Harvest plans an open house 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 1 at Randall's Corner, 4340 Hollis Lane in Fiddletown. Mother Lode Harvest, is a local foods and farm products association and plans its summer quarter Open House at the farm of one of its member growers.

Mother Lode Harvest member Michelle Grondin said members and local residents who would like to learn about local foods, the association, and local sustainable farming, are invited to tour the farm to see the garden, apple orchard, greenhouse, apiary, and backyard chicken flock. Kathy Randall will discuss organic orchard and gardening techniques, preserving garden harvests, care of chickens and bees, how to get the most out of a small greenhouse, how to start a worm bin, and other topics. Children are welcome.

Other participating growers will also be on hand to meet and talk to attendees. Refreshments made with local ingredients will be served. The open house will be preceded by a work party for association members from 7:30 to 9 am. For more information, call Kathy Randall at (209)217-7373.

Also this weekend, Volcano plans its annual good old fashioned Fourth of July Parade and celebration starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 30. Organizers said people can attend or participate. Parade entrants can check in at 9 a.m. at the Country Store. The famous Cannonball Run Car Show will follow the parade with more than 75 entries, food vendors and more.

Also, the Pine Grove Community Park is the site of a BBQ Blast starting at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30, with hot dogs, hamburgers, salad and beans and classic tunes from local band, Route 88. The BBQ Blast is sponsored by Pine Grove Civic Improvement Club, and profits will be used for insulation in the historic Pine Grove Town Hall.

Tickets are $20. Bring chairs, blankets and shade canopies for a family friendly event. Cotton candy, soda, water, beer, and wine will be for sale. Parking will be available in the Volcano Telephone lot.

Get tickets at Upcountry Hardware in Pine Grove, the Country Store in Volcano, or online at HighSierraTickets.com A limited number of tickets will be available at the Cannonball Run classic car show in Volcano on June 30, but there will be no at-door tickets. For more information call Lynda at (209)296-3795.

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Amador County – Jackson City Council on Monday tabled an agenda item that would have considered a resolution to rescind the Council’s approval of an ACES Waste Services rate Increase of 3.68%, which was approved on May 14.

The agenda also included consideration of directing staff to proceed with a Proposition 218 process, which would have notified citizens of the rate increase. The Council also held a special meeting with the city attorney to discuss existing litigation, Orescan v. the City of Jackson, filed against the city to seek to cause the city to make the Prop 218 notification.

City Manager Mike Daly said the council had no reportable action in closed session.

In a report to the City Council, Daly recommended rescinding the resolution and rate increase and recommended the Council “direct staff to provide the required notification and protest option to the public regarding the proposed increase per the requirements of Proposition 218.”

Daly said in the report that as in the past, during the May 14 discussion, the applicability of Prop 218 procedures was discussed with City Attorney Andy Morris. He said “the conclusion was that since property owners are not required to have garbage service in Jackson that this is not a property-related fee.”

He said on June 11, Jackson resident “William Orescan filed a writ of mandate with the Amador County Superior Court seeking to have the city of Jackson comply with Proposition 218’s mandates with respect to imposition of waste collection fees.”

Daly said the “City Council will be discussing the merits of this filing during a special meeting closed session item and this item is on the agenda should the City Council want to consider this action.”

ACES President Paul Molinelli Senior at the May meeting said the rate increase was due to a 25% increase in fees at Keifer Landfill in Sacramento, which will raise its rates form $20 to $25 per ton. Morris told the Council in May that Prop 218 notifications are related to fees that are mandatory, and in Jackson, “self-hauling is an option,” so prop 218 does not apply.

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-29-12

• AWA directors discussed their 2012-2013 budget amid criticism of projected revenues.

• Jackson City Council tabled a resolution that would have rescinded a city trash rate increase, after a closed session with the city attorney.

• AWA discussed its modest budget reserve as the new fiscal year nears.

• Mother Lode Harvest plans an open house Sunday, July 1 in Fiddletown.  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 6-29-12

• AWA directors discussed their 2012-2013 budget amid criticism of projected revenues.

• Jackson City Council tabled a resolution that would have rescinded a city trash rate increase, after a closed session with the city attorney.

• AWA discussed its modest budget reserve as the new fiscal year nears.

• Mother Lode Harvest plans an open house Sunday, July 1 in Fiddletown.  

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 7-12-12 - TSPN's Tom Slivick talks with Shawnna Molina, the new executive director of Arc of Amador and Calaveras Counties, who will take over for Mike Sweeney on July 1.

Amador County – The Amador Fire Protection District board of directors last week approved district policy to allow for the use of traditional-style fire fighting helmets by personnel un under certain circumstances, and only after the personnel sign a waiver.

AFPD Battalion Chief Dave Bellerive said the traditional style helmet was a symbol of tradition for fire fighters, and safety is at issue. The policy would require certification of the helmets by Occupational Safety & Health Administration or the National Fire Protection Association. He urged adoptions of policy changes to allow the traditional helmets.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster said the traditional helmet is a lot heavier. Supervisor Brian Oneto said the traditional helmet is not approved for wildland fire fighting, and fire fighters can use their issued helmet in wildland fire fighting.

Bellerive said the district is currently buying two helmets for each member of the district fire department. One helmet is for structural fires, and one is for wildland fires. Supervisor John Plasse said “it comes down to a style issue.”

Bellerive said under proposed policy, to wear the traditional helmet, personnel must sign a waiver, in case it falls off on the way to a fire. The board advised staff to change policy to allow traditional helmets, but noted that employees must purchase their own traditional helmets, subject to policy.

The board passed the policy change on a 4-1 vote with Plasse dissenting.

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Amador County – A Rancho Cordova man was arrested twice over10 days in Amador County for possession of stolen goods and drugs, and linking him to at least nine vehicle burglaries in the region.

Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner released details Wednesday on multiple arrests of Vitali Nikolayevich Kulinich, 27, of Rancho Cordova, stemming first from a June 8 burglary at Anytime Fitness. An unknown suspect reportedly smashed the rear window of a vehicle and stole a wallet and cell phone. An Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy using the digital security system at Anytime Fitness identified a possible suspect vehicle, a brown sedan with a distinctive black bumper.

On June 15, an Amador Deputy saw the vehicle on Highway 49, stopped it, and identified the driver as Kulinich, who was on searchable probation in Sacramento County for theft. The vehicle registration was expired by almost seven years.

A search revealed suspected heroin, suspected meth, prescription narcotics, a glass smoking pipe and a realistic looking BB air pistol. Also found was a hunting license from the wallet reported stolen June 8 from Anytime Fitness, an Ipod Touch reported stolen to Davis Police, keys stolen from Delta Flooring in Sacramento, and burglary tools.

Kulinich was arrested, booked into Amador County Jail and charged with transportation and possession of a controlled substance, and possession of narcotics, stolen property and burglary tools. He posted $20,000 bond for release.

A secondary search of the vehicle revealed a hidden compartment with numerous stolen items including drivers licenses, passports, social security cards, credit cards, and a diamond ring valued at $1,840. Also found was a video camera documenting Kulinich’s involvement in stealing vehicles and using controlled substances.

Detectives recovered stolen property related to an additional nine vehicle burglaries in Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County, El Dorado Hills, El Dorado County, West Sacramento and Novato. Probation searches in Sacramento and Rancho Cordova found several firearms, an assault weapon, a stolen gym bag, and a possible stolen Ipad.

About 7:40 p.m. Monday, June 25, the Sheriff’s Department responded to a report that a man had just stolen merchandise from Kmart and fled in a tan Mercedes Benz sedan. A Deputy found the vehicle in Amador Plaza and detained it with two occupants: Andrew Lee Hunter Moras, 20 of Ranch Cordova and Kulinich.

The investigation revealed that Moras had stolen a pair of shoes from Kmart. The shoes were recovered and Moras was issued a citation for theft. The Deputy also found a checkbook, driver’s license and vehicle title belonging to a couple in Antelope, who positively identified items stolen from their vehicle June 23.

Kulinich was again arrested and booked into Amador Jail charged with possession of stolen property and commission of a felony while on bail for a pending felony. Bail was set at $45,000 and a declaration was filed by Detectives requesting the court examine the source of Kulinich’s bail. Detectives were checking on other property found in Kulinich’s possession to determine if it is also stolen.

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