Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors directed staff to answer a letter from the California Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday, regarding an evaluation of the county’s the county’s “Certified Unified Program Agency.”

Chairman John Plasse said he wanted to “let them know we’re not just going to roll over” regarding an evaluation Cal-EPA made after a February visit to the Environmental Health Department. Cal-EPA evaluated “whether the Unified Program is being implemented in Amador County in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations,” and Supervisors this week discussed a draft letter by Plasse commenting on the evaluation.

Plasse said one comment by Cal-EPA appeared to be personal opinion, rather than legal requirements, and another was a “misleading and false” statement.

Plasse said Deficiency 4 stated that the county does not make unannounced inspections, but it is not a legal “requirement that inspections be unannounced.” Israel said he would “continue to hammer” the state on that issue. Plasse said he thought inspection was to achieve compliance, not to find violation, otherwise it would be an investigation.

In “Deficiency 4,” Cal-EPA wrote that to date, the Board of Supervisors has “not approved any formal enforcement cases and, according to the CUPA, reject any monetary sanctions against serious and/or recalcitrant businesses.”

Plasse wrote that it was misleading because Amador’s Unified Program “has brought no such cases before the Board.” He said it is also false because “Supervisors, both collectively and individually, do not reject the imposition of monetary sanctions against entities regulated under the Unified Program, and have never expressed that opinion.”

Plasse pointed out “Preliminary Corrective Action number 4,” required Amador County to revise its Unified Program by a certain date “to fully implement its enforcement program without interference from the Board of Supervisors.” Plasse said he found it highly inappropriate to have the agency imply that Supervisors were somehow “meddling” in their own Health Department.

Public Health Director Mike Israel said it had been many, many years since a complaint had been received, and it went to a committee, not the full board.

Supervisor Richard Forster asked Israel to check with his team that worked with Cal-EPA and see if they got that idea from them. Supervisors Ted Novelli, Brian Oneto and Louis Boitano also agreed they should find the source of the Cal-EPA’s comments.

Forster said: “Your department needs to be speaking to Cal-EPA with one voice,” and “your analysis needs to determine if Cal-EPA was making statements or if he was given this information.” Forster also demanded removing a reference to legal action.

Supervisors directed Administrative Officer Chuck Iley to revise the letter, review it with Plasse, and send it in a timely manner.

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Amador County – Amador Water Agency Board of Directors heard a cash flow balance report Thursday, which said the agency is on par to make its next big payment for the Amador Transmission Pipeline, a $1 million payment due in May.

Finance Manager Mike Lee said “at the end of March, we were at $1.6 million dollars and change.” He said April, is expected to end cash right at projections, and if a pending “receivable” of about $100,000, a check from the state, comes in, before the end of the month, “we’re above the forecast for April.”

Director Robert Manassero said the chart appeared to not be “picking up recent water sale declines.” Lee said it was a relatively good forecast, with cash $137,000 below projections, and he would begin to work on next year’s chart. Board President Don Cooper said the agency has its $1 million dollar debt service payment for the Amador Pipeline, and must pay another $500,000 next November.

In public comment, Bill Condrashoff said he was worried that “maybe you have gone over your Gravity Supply Line authorized expense of $70,000,” with all of the coffeeshop meetings held by Manassero and Cooper around the Upcountry. Manassero said: “I haven’t billed anybody.”

Condrashoff also asked why the Central Amador Water Project retail and wholesale service areas showed revenues that were “so much more than previous years.” He said wholesale had “just about tripled” over what it was the last two years. Condrashoff said: “I would be a little suspicious.” Lee said he would have to see where the “actuals” were posted in prior years, and see if it was different in this report.

The former president, deposed in November, Condrashoff also warned of high cash use in May. Director Paul Molinelli said: “I would say that every board member is aware of that.” Cooper agreed, saying they were all “very concerned.” Lee said part of that cost was removed with four engineering layoffs.

Condrashoff said the board should remember that “you had half a million dollars come out of nowhere last year.” Cooper said: “We’re well aware that we are getting to the bottom of the milkshake and the air is coming in.”

The Board also reported on recent coffeshop meetings held in the Upcountry talking about the Gravity Supply Line, and issues facing the Central Amador Water Project. General Manager Gene Mancebo said the agency has more survey responses than before, and will share those with the Board and public. Several people criticized wording of the survey, with Condrashoff saying it was a “flatout insult to the intelligence of the people out there.” Sherry Curtis said people living outside of Central Amador service area were seen by attendees at the coffeeshop meetings as brining negativity and making misleading comments.

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Amador County – The 59-year-old Rotary Club of Jackson is planning the 18th annual Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch Buffet May 8th at Thomi’s Banquet Room in Jackson.

Rotarian Pat Crosby said the Brunch began as the Chuck Conner Day brunch, and was an art show for the elementary schools, and “now it’s really expanded in being in Thomi’s.”

He said it will have “fantastic” menu, including a “carving center” with prime rib, roast pork loin and ham. Brunch Chairman Jim Wilmarth of Bank of Amador said Thomi’s Restaurant will cook and serve the food, except for a special treat. Wilmarth said he is “going to be doing a made-to-order omelet bar.” He said some people might like having the “banker doing the cooking for him.”

It’s also a champagne brunch, with mimosas, and every mom that comes will get a fresh carnation. There will also be a raffle, and “Stan lukowicz is our host and will be there in his tux all day.” Frank of Thomi’s provides the room, and his staff will cook and serve the food, and Jackson Rotary members will bus tables as they have in years past, when the Brunch was held at Amador Senior Center.

Jackson Rotary President John Swift said the club did not sponsor the Brunch last year, and Thomi’s had a Mother’s Day Brunch and donated to the club. He said Jackson Rotary is reinstating the Mother’s Day Brunch this year, as a fundraiser for the club’s many causes, including upcoming high school scholarships. Swift said “it should be a better location for us, and a better event.”

He said the club recently donated $500 to the Junior Mustang program, contributes to Amador Life Line, and gives several annual scholarships. He said Ron Floyd of the selection committee reported that the winners had been selected but not yet announced.

Wilmarth said Jackson Rotary gives $7,500 in high school scholarships every year with one given to a student from each of the high schools, including Amador, Argonaut, Independenence and Mountain Oaks Charter. Rotary also gives a music scholarship, and each of the scholarships is $1,500.

The Jackson Rotary Mother’s Day Brunch is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8 at Thomi’s Banquet Room, at 627 South Highway 49 in Jackson.

To purchase tickets, call Jim Wilmarth at Bank of Amador, at (209) 223-7237.

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Amador County – A large group of church members will be doing their annual volunteer service workday on Saturday in two locations around Amador County.

Terry Saldate of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints said this week that the Mormon Helping Hands will be at Kennedy Mine this Saturday, painting the mine house and repairing a guardrail on a bridge.

Supervisor John Plasse also announced the service day, saying the Mormon Helping Hands volunteer day will have about 120 workers of all levels and all stripes. Plasse said last year they painted five buildings at the Amador County Fair Grounds in Plymouth, and this weekend they will be working at the fairgrounds and at Kennedy Mine. He said they will be repainting the mine house building and restoring a railing on a bridge.

Plasse offered kudos to organizations like that, who organize the community service days, and other groups should heed the example.

Supervisor Brian Oneto said the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints volunteer workday includes everyone from little children to grandparents and everyone in between. He said all ages pitch in to work, and the sharing and atmosphere are less like a workday and more like a family picnic.

Also this weekend, Supervisor Ted Novelli said Senator Ted Gaines will be in town for the dedication of the Ione Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday.

Supervisor Richard Forster said Ione expects to see 500 to 1,000 people at the dedication of the Park, and a memorial to fallen Ione soldier, Private First Class Jay-D Ornsby-Adkins, who was killed on April 28, 2007. A plaque in his honor will be displayed on a monument at the park. Forster said the parade starts at 10:30 a.m., and the dedication is at 11.

Ione plans a full military ceremony, including patriot guard riders, an honor guard, a flyover, a 21-gun salute, and patriotic music, with attendance planned by dignitaries from throughout the county and region.

A Veterans walk is scheduled at 10 a.m. starting at Ione Junior High School and ending at the Veterans Park, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Preston Avenue.

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Gordon Hill Flower Shop

Mother's Day

135th Annual

Ione Homecoming

Amador County – Wildfire Awareness Week is coming May 1-7 and will be showcased this weekend with the actual defensible space clearing process in neighboring Nevada County.

The U.S. Forest Service announced plans for an “Extreme Home Makeover – Defensible-Space Style” this weekend to demonstrate the creation of fire safety and defensible space at a Grass Valley home.

The homeowner, Bureau of Land Management staff, members of the Nevada County Fire Safe Council, a certified arborist volunteer and 4H volunteers will attend the work project, set for 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 30 at 15384 Rattlesnake Road in Grass Valley.

BLM public information officer Jane Arteaga and Joanne Drummond, executive director of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County announced the event last week. The defensible space makeover was planned to allow Nevada County and any attending homeowners to get experience preparing for fire season. Drummond said Foothills residents can watch this weekend as one Grass Valley home gets an “Extreme Makeover,” just in time for fire season.

She said “representatives from the California Fire Alliance, Fire Safe Council of Nevada County and Chicago Park 4-H Club will help one homeowner create a defensible space around his home.” Members of the public are welcome to watch and learn this Saturday, April 30.

“Take Responsibility” Day will kick off Wildfire Awareness Week and show homeowners in Nevada County what they can do now to protect their homes this summer and prevent the spread of wildfires.

“This event will give homeowners the chance to see an actual defensible space clearing in process at a local home,” said Joanne Drummond, executive director of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County. “People can see the clearing in action and ask questions of the homeowner, Bureau of Land Management staff, Fire Safe Council staff, a certified arborist volunteer and 4-H volunteers.”

The Extreme Makeover – Defensible-Space Style” is 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 30 at 15384 Rattlesnake Road, Grass Valley.

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Amador County – The Jackson City Council on Monday determined to seek more recreation survey responses to find what people want in a park in central Jackson.

Amador County Recreation Agency Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep said it has been hard to gather survey responses, which would be submitted with a grant application for Proposition 84 funds to build a project to meet the city’s recreation needs. ACRA is lead agency in seeking the competitive grant through the California Department of Park & Recreation which can have a maximum of $5 million per grant.

Property called Oro De Amador, after a failed development from the 1980s, is a 160-acre property between New York Ranch Road and North Main, which the city acquired in December 2006 for free from Chubb Insurance Company.

In public comment, Judy Jebian said “it would be nice if Tracy can actually pull down a grant.” She said she is a property owner of land adjacent to the Oro De Amador, and every effort should be made to get survey responses from Rollingwood, and other adjacent property owners. Jebian said “no matter what goes in, there will still be traffic impacts.”

She said a project might impact the “view shed” coming into town on the highway, and “any kind of high-impact sports would be played on the tailing wheel piles, and that would have an impact on our view shed.”

Jebian said everyone knows about the arsenic of the tailings at the park, placed there during operation of the Kennedy Mine. She said “any kind of excavation would be highly problematic,” and arsenic is not only toxic but is carcinogenic. She did not want to get people’s hopes up for the park, and said her “highest hope is for a passive park.”

City Manager Mike Daly said at the next meeting, city and ACRA staff “will present some preliminary site development options for review by the public and the City Council.”

Mayor Connie Gonsalves asked what the next steps are in the process. Towner-Yep said they need a conceptual plan, with an estimated cost to maintain the project, and they would “need an EIR based on whatever it is we design.”

Towner-Yep said she could ask for donated concept drawings, but “when you ask for things for free, you don’t always get what you need.”

She said she understood the council wanted more survey responses from a wider demographic. The 450 or so surveys returned included more than half from people age 18 and under. Daly said “we are running out of time,” and it is “two months before the application is due.”

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Amador County – Amador County Supervisors on Tuesday approved placing a monument and “a small bit of landscaping” on a county lot in Fiddletown, honoring donors who helped restore two Chinese buildings.

Alice Kaiser, Fiddletown Historic Preservation Society president, said they “need to recognize people who donated a significant amount of money,” and the best spot to do so was next to the restored Chinese gambling hall, in a vacant dirt lot where a neighbor normally parks heavy work trucks. Money and plants donations will be “beautifying a very small part of Main Street.”

Supervisor Brian Oneto of District 5 said he spoke with the neighbor, and “it feels like locals versus the Preservation Society.” The neighbor said they might want to place the monument in the existing park west of the gambling hall.

Kaiser said she grew up in Fiddletown and considers herself local, and regardless of location, the county should address the liability of “private parking on the county land.” She said if someone backs into the building, it could cause $200,000 damage, and “you are liable.”

Supervisor Richard Forster said: “I don’t see the sides coming together today,” but “I think your Supervisor should be involved in the discussion.” He recommended Oneto discuss the issue with the Society. Kaiser and Oneto had not spoken. Kaiser said she didn’t speak directly with the dump truck owner and “it was probably a diplomatic error,” but she wanted to wait until the county approved using the lot.

GSA director John Hopkins said the county now knows someone is parking there, and must decide if they want it to continue. Supervisor Louis Boitano said no, due to liability, but wondered about prescriptive rights for parking there. County Counsel Martha Shaver said “you can’t get prescriptive rights against public property.” Oneto asked about ADA compliance, and Shaver said accessibility would be a pathway.

Leland Peterson, monument mason, said the 30x30 lot was donated to the county for a park, and “I don’t think he meant for it to be a parking lot.”

Gary Reinoehl, Amador Historical Society said heavy vehicles compacting soil “can have some adverse affect on fragile historic buildings.” Rebecca Brown called it “an eyesore,” urging a “decision today,” to “let the Preservation Society continue the hard work they are doing.”

Forster said he was “ready to move forward, and with non-concurrence from Supervisor Oneto, it needs to be hammered out one more time.” Oneto said if they are “dead set” they want the monument in that park, “I’ll go along with that.”

Shaver said since the “county wasn’t aware of this use until now,” it should check for pollution and oil drips on the lot, and “the county does have liability.”

The board voted 5-0 to have Hopkins amend the Preservation Society management agreement to allow the monument and landscaping, and add particulars for ADA “and anything else that becomes a liability.”

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Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 4-28-11 - TSPN's Tom Slivick sits down with Sutter Creek City Manager Sean Rabe to discuss the Gold Rush Implementation Committee.