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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEscheatment of $12,612.05 of Unclaimed Funds greater than $1 Council/Agency Meeting Held: zz Deferred/Continued to: *A pro le <' Signa re � C l e Ci )✓ Council Meeting Date: October 3, 2011 Department ID Number: FN 11-022 CITY OF HUNTINGTON REACH REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager PREPARED BY: Lori Ann Farrell, Director of Finance SUBJECT: Escheatment of$12,612.05 of Unclaimed Funds greater than $15.00 to the General Fund per Government Code 50050 Statement of Issue: The City is currently holding $12,612.05 of unclaimed funds. Per Government Code Section 50050, unclaimed funds greater than $15.00, which remain unclaimed for over three years, become the property of the City. In addition, funds that are not the property of the City that remain unclaimed for over three years and have not been claimed after publication of a notice become the property of the City. Financial Impact: This action will result in the deposit of$12,612.05 into the City's General Fund. Recommended Action: Motion to: Review and approve the transfer of $12,612.05 of unclaimed funds from the City's Unclaimed Funds Liability Account to the City's Miscellaneous Revenue Account #10000100.48550.10025201 in compliance with Government Code Section 50050. Alternative Action(s): Deny transfer of funds and direct staff accordingly. HB -193- Item 10. - 1 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 10/3/2011 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: FN 11-022 Analysis: The City has developed a procedure based on Government Code Section 50050 (Attachment 1) for the escheatment of funds (Attachment 2). Under the procedure, a list (Attachment 4) is prepared by the Finance Department of unclaimed funds greater than $15.00, which have remained unclaimed for over three years as of August 2, 2011. Pursuant to Government Code Section 50050, the Director of Finance published a notice on June 16, 2011, and June 22, 2011, in an adjudicated newspaper, the Huntington Beach Independent, with all unclaimed funds greater than $15.00. There were no unclaimed funds less than $15.00. The City released funds on all verified claims that were timely filed. The remaining unclaimed funds total the amount of$12,612.05. Environmental Status: Not applicable Strategic Plan Goal: Maintain financial viability and our reserves. Improve internal and external communication. Attachment(s): P 1. Copy of Government Code Sections 50050 to 50057 2. Escheatment of Funds Procedure 3. Newspaper Publication and Claim Form 4. Listing of Unclaimed Funds Greater Than $15.00 Item 10. - 2 HB -194- ATTACHMENT # 1 Hu -195- Item 10. - 3 IL,vuk;zy kgk)v,jvkj-)V--)Vv-3/) vage i oh i (1-110VERNMENT CODE SECTION 50050-50057 50050. For purposes of this article, "local a1q(--,ncy,, includes all districts. Except as otherwise provided by law, money, excluding restitution to vict.i.ms, that is not. the property of a local agency ghat remains unclaimed in its treasury or .in the official custody of its officers f-or three years is the property of the local agency aft-er notice if not claimed or if no verified comp-laint. is filed and served- At any t.iirle after the expiration of the three-year period, the treasurer of the local agency may cause a notice to be published once a week for two succe.ssive weeks in a newspaper of general. cl-rculation published in tbe local agency. Money represent.ing restitution collected on behalf' of victims shall be either, deposited into the Restitution Fund or used by the local agency for purposes of victim services after the expiration of the (.lucre:-year period. However, with respect to moneys deposited with the county treasurer pursuant. to sec.t.ion 1663 of the Probate Code, this three-year period t,o claim money held by a local agency i,�� extended for an infant or Por'son of unsound mind until. one year from the date his or her di.,-.-5abj.)J.t.y ceases. For purpo.,ief5 of 1-hi-s, section, "infant" and "pfersc-n of' unsound --nind" have the sarae meaning as given to those terms as used J-11 "."ection 1.441. of the Code of Civil Procedure. 15005 1 . The notice shall state 1-ho amount oI- irioney, the fl.11)d i.rl which it i-s he J.d, and that. it is proposed i.hat- (:Ii(- money will become the property of the. local agency on a designated datl(-:r not less than forty-five days nor inore than sixty days aEu--�r. Lho first pub-fication of the notice. ,i 0 05 2. upon or. prior (:o publication, a party of interest r ay e ("li,13111 wit;h the t.reasurer which must includo the_; claimant's name, address, amotiriL of claim, the grounds on which the claim .is founded, ar)d any Other infOrillation that may be required by the, treasurer. 'Phe c.*,,I.ailli shall be filed before tile datc> the unclaimed money becomes the property of the, Tocal agency as provided under Sec-tior) 5005I and the tr--easurer, shai,l accept or i-eject, that c1ciim. If the claim is by the treasurer, t:lie party who submitted the claim inay file a verifj.ed complaint soc,>kinq to recover all, or a desiqriat(--id part, of tkie money in a court. of competent jurisdiction within tho county in wliich the notice is published, and serves a copy of the complaint and tl-ie summons issued thereon upon the treasurer. 'I'lie copy of the complai.rit, and summons shall be served within 30 days of reCei.Vi.Tlg rl(atice that the claim was rejected- The treasurer shal.1 withhol,d the rcalease of the portion of unclaimed money for which a court action Yrss been filed as provided in this section kiritil. a decision is r(:aTldered by the court. 50052.5. (a) NoLwithsLaridJnq Seck-Jon 50052, the: treasurrr. IlLay r C .lease to the depositor of the unclai.mod money, their heir, bcynefl.cj.ary, or duly appointod representative, unclainied moli(�.!y if claimed prior to tho date the money taecornr s the property of the Jocal a(loncy upon ,.;ubnd.Lt:i.Yiq proof satA..',factory to time tre'asurer, unless IJ)e unclaj.mcd money is, deposited pursuant t(.,; Section '7663 of the Probate Code. (b) Notwith.-.-jt.ariding Section 50052r the treasuror may r(--A-ease unclailued luorley cj(.>posited with the county pursuant:. to 1-it.l-n://Illfo.<;en.ca.i7ov/ciyl-blii/disnlaveodc'?se(.-tioti.-=t ov&grotin-�-50001-51000&-file--50050-.., 6/2.3/2010 Item 10. - 4 HB -196- kgtj I-age Or ..5 Section 7663 of'. the Probate Code, to any adult blood relative of ei.ther the decedent or th(..e decedent's predeceased spouse. ((.-) Notwiths-Landing Secti.011 50052, 1:110, tFCaSUK-Cr Miy r0leaSe unclaimed money deposited with the county treasurer pursuant to '7663 Of the Pr(A)ate Code to the parent who has legal and j_-)hysi.cal custody of a minor who is a blood relative of eithex, the decedent or the decedent's predeceased spouse without the need to apl:)oint a legal. guardian for the minor as follows: (1) if Lhe value Of the unclaimed money deposited with county treasurer is five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less, the treasurer iitzly release the money according to Section 3401 of. the Probate Code. (2) Tf the value of the unclaimed money deposited with the county treasuy.er is sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) or. less, and the money is not released under paragraph (1) , the, uncl.aiwe_d money may be released by the treasurer to the parent who shall, after payment of any costs incurred in making the claim, hold the money in trust, to bC; Used only for the care, maintenance, and education of the minor, and the parent sball be liable therefor to the minor tinder the fiduciary laws Of.,. tliis 'Phe, money held in trust shall. be rc-A..oased to the minor, when I ho mirior reaches the age of majority. (d) The claim sliall be presented to the county treasui:er in a f f id�, o f:ivit form and signed under penalty . perjury_ Notwithstanding Section :1.31.01. of the Probate Code, the claimant., to be entitled to the oi)tire i.-ischeated estate, needs only to establ.!,sh with documentary proof the existence off a bl.00d relationship to either the decedent. or- of the predeceased spouse, if any, and the docuja(,nLar.-y proof, if r(-?gki:tFir. on its face" need not- be corLified- Notwithstanding Soction 1.3101 of the Probate Code, the claimant. Shell. riot. be required to d(:eclare that no otli(,?r person an equcil or., superior claim to the e.scheated estEIte.. The county y treasurer may rely in good faith on the sworn Statements Made iri the claim and shal.l. have no duty to inquive Into the truth or, credibility of evidence. slibmitted. Uri paying out the e.,,cheated estate, the county treasurer. shawl. L e 1. b li<-eId harmless to all . Payment shall act- as total. acquittance and shall completely discharge the county treasurer. from any liability. If. Lhe Coullk-Y re-Ject.s any claim mad(:e horeundcr, the, c1aimant may takt- his or her grieWInCe to the Super.i.or. Court of.' the cc)urity holding tho esc.heated estate. Any claim paid hereunder shall. be paid without interest. 500.53. When any such mor;ey becomes the property of a local aq(-:!ncy and is in a special fund, the legis.lative body may transter it to the gcz=neral. fund. !)0 0!i 4. Whenever any cil.y or county or city and county renders cc)],istruction services or constructs public works for any city, county, city and county Or any other governmental agency below the level of the state government, the price charged for such services Or cx)rlstruc.tion sllall be sufficient to rej,itiburse the governmental body pc,irformi.nq such services for the ful.l. cost thereof including labor, 1(u:lLerial, equipment, t.osts or rentals and a reasonable allowance for Overhead. In computing overhead, without: limitat.i.on on other. factors p-r o, - ) erly includable, there sh-.A.T be al located to the overhead cost its3 proportionat<e share Of 1,11)01 Mid 8dMinisLrative costs. `.)0 05 5. Any otlresr. provision of, this article notwithst-,andj rig, arty irldi.vidlial. items, of les Lhan f:ifteeli dollars ($1.5), Or any amount iA' the deposit.orls name is unknown, whi.ch iortiain unclaimed in the L.-rua.._:Llry or in the official custody of an Officer of a local agency f. the per."I.Od Of Ol'le YOi.11. OL 111.)Orl an 01-dt:I_ Of the court may bee t x.an,,A.exred to the general fund by the legislative body without. the h1jn-//1T1fh q(-.n (,.,I 6011N)1 HB -197- Item 10. - 5 �6v V. I) I-agc Ol 5 t.y of pu b I i c-a t ion of a noti.ce in a newvaper- 5 0056. 'I'lle of tht� provided uiider thi�,5 clrticle may be delogatled by the treasurer to t-jjc, jjq(ajjc:y, or. department that maintai-ns the supporting r<cords of 1-he unclaimled niciley based on the initial. reccJ.pt or deposit of Lhat: money or. both. 5005'7. For individual. items in the amount:. of one thousand dollars (,'1,000) or less, the legj.slaLive body of any county may, by resolution, authorize the- county treasurer to perform on its belialf any act required or authorized t.o be performed by it under. Sect.ions 50W)O, 50053, and 50055. The resolution shall, require that the county auditor be informed of <-iach act performed undcz: the authori.zation. http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycod0section= gov&group:=5000 1-51 000M.-Ile:=­5 0050-... 6/23/2010 Item 10. - 6 HB -198- ATTACHMENT #2 Escheat of Money Gov't Section 50050-50056 I. Operating Expenses — Under Minimum ($15.00) FinanceDepartment: A) At the end of every fiscal year, identify all outstanding checks by check number, date, name and Ibnd which are under $15.00 and which are, over one (1) year old for all bank accounts. Provide list to CityTreasurer. City"Treasurer Department: B) City Treasurer to request Council action For approval of the transfer of these funds to revenue in the general fund. 11. Operating Expenses —Equal or Greater Than Minimum ($15.00) Finance: A) After the response period has expired, identify these items as stale over one (1) year and remove them from the bank reconciliation and transfer them into another JD171 account entitled Unclaimed Warrants 11) At the end of every fiscal year, identify all remaining outstanding checks over three (3) years old including check number, date, narric and fund and move to Unclaimed Warrants account. Provide list to City Treasurer. City Treasurer Department: A) At the end of every fiscal year, identify all outstanding checks by check number, date, name and fund which are equal or greater than $15.00 and which are over I year old. Send a letter notifying payees of outstanding check that has reached "Abandoned Property Status" allowing three (3) weeks for response. B) Upon receipt of a letter, a party of interest may file a claim with the City 'Treasury which must include claimant's name, address, amount of claim, the grounds on which the claim is founded and any other information that may be required by the City Treasurer. (Copy of"Claim form" attached.) The City Treasurer will provide this to the Finance Officer for review and approval. If approved, paperwork for Issuance of a new check will be processed by accounting. office of the City Treasurer policies\escheat.doc 05/08/2008 Item 10. - 8 HB -200- C) City Treasurer will provide list to City Clerk to publish unclainied moneys in a newspaper notice. The notice is to be published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City. The notice shall state the amount of money, the fund in which it is held, and that it is proposed that the money will become the property of the City on a designated date not less than forty-live (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the first publication of the notice. D) Upon publication, a party of interest may' file a claim with the City "1 reasurer which must include claimant's name, address, amount of claim, the grounds on which the claim is founded and any other information that may be required by the City Treasurer. (Copy of"Claim Form" attached.) The City Treasurer will provide this to the Finance Officer for review and approval. If approved, paperwork for issuance of a new check will be processed by accounting. L) Alter the second publication in a newspaper, the City Treasurer will prepare an RCA and request Council take action. to approve the transfer of all amounts in the Unclaimed Warrants account over three (3) years old to the General Fund or if it is restitution collected on behalf of vict.hn , it shall be either deposited into the Restitution fund or used by the City for purposes of victim services after the expiration of the three-year perio(1. HL Bond Funds— Under Mininruira $15.00) Finance Department: A) At the end of every fiscal year, identify all outstanding; checks by check number, date, name and fund which are under $15.00 and which are over I year. Provide list to City 'Treasurer. City 'Treasurer Department: B) City Treasurer to request Council action for approval of the transfer of these fiends to revenue in the general fund. IV. Bond Funds--Equal or Greater Than Alinimum ($1.5.00� Finance Department: A) After the response period has expired, identify these items as stale over one (1) year and remove from the bank reconciliation and move into .)DE E account Unclaimed Warrants 01-fice of*the City Treasurcr policiesleschea(Am 05/08/2008 xB -201- Item 10. - 9 13) At the end of every fiscal year, identify all remaining; outstanding; checks over three (3) years old including check number, date, name and hand and move to Unclairiied Warrants account. Provide list to City Treasurer. City Treasurer Department: A). At the end of every fiscal year, identify all outstanding checks by check number, date, name and fund which are equal or greater than $15.00 and which are over 1 year old. Send a letter notifying payees of outstanding check that has reached "Abandoned Property Status" allowing three (3) weeks for response. 1.3) Upon receipt of a letter, a party on interest may file a clairn with the City "Treasurer which must include claimant's name, address, arnount of claim, the grounds on which the claim is founded and any other information that may be required by the City "Treasurer. (Copy of"Claim Forrn" attached.) The city Treasurer will provide this to the finance Officer for review and approval. it' approved, paperwork for issuance of a new check will be processed by accounting. C) City "treasurer will provide list to City Clerk to publish unclaimed moneys in a newspaper notice. The notice is to be published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City. The notice shall state the amount of money, the fund in which it is held, and that it is proposed that the money will become the property of the city on a designated date not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the first publication of the notice;. 1�) Upon publication, a party of interest may file a claiin with the City Treasury which must include claimant's name, address, amount of clairn, the grounds on which the claim is founded and any other information. that may be required by the City "Treasurer. (Copy of"Claim Form" attached.) The City Treasurer will provide this to the Finance Officer for approval. If a claim is approved, a new check will be issued and the amount removed from the Unclaimed Warrants account. G) .After the second publication in a newspaper, the City "Treasurer will prepare an RCA and request Council take action to approve the transfer of all a.n3ounts in the Unclaimed Warrants account over three (3) years old to the General Fund. 011-ice of the City'i reasurer poiicieslescheat.doc 05/08/2008 Item 10. - 10 HB -202- Notice for Paper* NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT, the "Treasurer of the City of l luntington Beach, County of Orange, State of California, declares that the following monetary sums have been held by the City Treasurer and have remained unclaimed in the funds hereafter indicated for a period of over three (3) years and will become the property of the City of Huntington Beach on the l I"' day of November,2002,a date not less than forty-five (45)days nor more than sixty(60)days after first publication on this Notice. Any party of interest may, r�ior to the date designated herein above, file a claim with the City Treasurer which includes the claimant's name, address, amount of claim, the grounds on which the claim is founded and the date, name, amount, and heading shown in this notice. The City Treasurer may accept or reject the claim. If rejected by the City 'Freasurer,the party submitting the claim may, within 30 days of receiving notice of rejection, File and serve on the City 'Treasurer a verified complaint seeking to recover all, or a designated part, of the: unclaimed funds. Office of life City Treasm-cr policiesleschcat.cloc; 05/08/2008 1413 -203- Item 10. - 11 ATTACHMENT #3 R CITY OF-HUNTINGTON BEACH . FINANCE DEPARTMENT LORI ANN FARRELL,FINANCE DIRECTOR B:.It;1SNA:y. a P.O. BOX 190 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92648-0190 TELEPHONE: (714)536-5200 FAX: (714)374-1603 www.huntiiigtoubeaclica.gov/unclaiinedfunds CLAIM FORM - UNCLAIMED FUNDS Original Payee Name: Claimant Name: Phone 4: (if different) Current Address: DL#: SS#/TIN: Phone 9: (Individuals: please attach a copy of your driver's license) Address when check was written: Reason for original check issue: Fund (leave blank if not known): 11 General ❑ Trust Original Check: Date: Amount: In order to process a replacement check and claim these funds, the City of Huntington Beach Finance Director must receive this form no later than August 2, 2011 In consideration thereof, it is agreed that the undersigned, the heirs, executors, successors or assigns of the undersigned, will indemnify and hold harmless the City of Huntington Beach, or assigns, from and against any and all clairns, liability, loss, damage, expenses,_ counsel fees and costs arising through or by reason of any endorsement, presentation, negotiation, collection or any attempt at collection or negotiation of the Original Check or the Replacement Check by the undersigned, the employees, or agents of the undersigned. In the event the Original check shall be found, the undersigned agrees to deliver to cause the sanie to be delivered to the City of Huntington Beach for cancellation and to reimburse the City of Huntington Beach for all expenses incurred by reason of the issuance of the Replacement Check. Authorized Signature: Date: Name (Print): Title: Please rail back to: City of Huntington Beach Attn: Finance Director - Claim P.O. Box 190 Huntington Beach, CA 92648-0190 aty o .11unrlG iron l3each Use Dilly r tiirinee ;i (�iv 1_ __i__essur, Co�attrmed ttent oit�at�istaaadutg,�lieek list Naute/gate93ec? rf 0/S.at hBiik lar�ut 8cj 1'r�Gessed claret T*7ame/l���e ; �Vasil ettcek at ba��k ReplaeeitteutClieel Ckz ck# �lecit 1�nte _ �l�,u#hor�ze reissue of click xB -2os- Item 10. - 13 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN 'I-HAT, the finance Director of the City of Huntington Beach, County of Orange, State of California, declares that the following monetary sums have been held by the Finance Director and have remained unclaimed in the funds hereafter indicated for a period of over three (3) years and will become the property of the City of Huntington Beach on the 2nd day of August, 2011, a date not less than forty-hive (45) days nor more than sixty (60) days after first publication of this Notice. Any party of interest may, pjigr to the date designated herein above, bile a claim with the Finance Director which includes the claimant's name, address, amount of claim, the grounds on which the claim is founded and the date, name, amount, and heading shown in this notice. The finance Director may accept or reject the claim. if rejected by the Finance Director, the party submitting the claim may, within 30 days of receiving notice of rejection, file and serve on the Finance Director a verified complaint seeking to recover all, or a designated part, of the unclaimed funds. Claim forms are available at www.huntingtonbeachea.gov/tJnclaimedFunds. Item 10. - 14 HB -206- ATTACHMENT #4 _ SUMMARY OF FUNDS OVER$15 TO BE ESCHEATED Date Amount Check# General Checking Account 10/6/2006 1,481.50 696822 10/20/2006 35.00 697346 12/8/2006 30.00 699201 12/15/2006 32.00 699379 12/15/2006 51.98 699411 12/15/2006 135.75 699572 1/5/2007 56.67 700208 1/5/2007 78.20 700265 1/5/2007 227.59 700277 1/5/2007 118.75 700347 1/26/2007 18.50 701005 1/26/2007 35.99 701071 3/2/2007 44.21 702584 3/16/2007 300.00 703116 3/30/2007 40.00 703649 3/30/2007 98.34 703675 4/6/2007 150.00 703939 5/4/2007 90.83 705199 5/4/2007 214.21 705421 5/4/2007 381.22 705450 5/4/2007 276.00 705626 5/11/2007 811.89 705950 5/18/2007 75.00 706127 5/18/2007 75.00 706250 6/8/2007 40.00 707088 6/8/2007 60.10 707306 6/15/2007 100.00 707619 6/29/2007 90.83 708019 6/29/2007 43.61 708036 7/27/2007 90.83 709200 7/27/2007 288.75 709256 8/10/2007 160.09 709815 8/10/2007 902.00 710062 8/10/2007 55.00 710108 8/31/2007 23.53 710872 8/31/2007 17.69 710882 8/31/2007 24.51 710888 8/31/2007 15.67 710995 8/31/2007 360.13 710999 8/31/2007 22.86 711033 8/31/2007 23.47 711034 8/31/2007 23.00 711113 8/31/2007 16.40 711212 9/7/2007 103.26 711328 9/14/2007 45.00 711733 9/14/2007 22.50 711772 9/14/2007 18.00 711949 9/14/2007 45.00 711953 9/21/2007 39.32 712208 9/21/2007 73.69 712217 9/21/2007 33.32 712227 9/21/2007 86.29 712228 9/21/2007 29.99 712288 9/21/2007 48.18 712292 Q/91/2007 53.39 712296 Item 10. - 16 HB -208- 9/21/2007 57.48 712311 9/21/2007 30.40 712314 9/21/2007 41.73 712323 9/21/2007 134.53 712364 9/21/2007 67.03 712367 9/21/2007 36.48 712387 9/21/2007 29.85 712451 9/21/2007 50.12 712496 9/21/2007 50.67 712547 9/28/2007 26.50 712727 10/10/2006 216.69 50424 4/24/2007 25.00 52991 9/4/2007 47.66 54798 9/4/2007 91.59 54801 10/13/2006 125.37 596923 10/27/2006 17.10 597147 10/27/2006 87.52 597279 1/19/2007 21.88 598682 2/16/2007 1,239.44 598990 2/16/2007 50.74 599038 5/11/2007 140.68 600175 5/25/2007 72.61 600358 6/22/2007 30.69 600711 6/22/2007 15.81 600722 6/22/2007 15.34 600733 7/6/2007 74.10 600966 8/1/2007 2,000.00 10160 Total: 12,612.05 xs -209- Item 10. - 17