Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council on Monday approved a reimbursement contract with a company that helped the council and planning commission process of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort.

City Manager Sean Rabe said the Gold Rush item was brought up by Councilwoman Linda Rianda because the development agreement with Gold Rush “contains specific trigger points for things to be done by both the city and the developer.”

The triggered tasks “were put on hold until the referendum was completed and are still on hold pending the outcome of the lawsuits filed against the project.”

Rabe said the council “wanted to make sure that the city has a mechanism to track what the trigger points are, and that a reimbursement agreement is entered into with the developer, so that when the lawsuits have made their way through court the city knows what is needed and by when.”

The city council directed staff September 7th to “prepare a reimbursement agreement with the developer for the hiring of a project manager to track the project for the city.”

Rabe recommended contracting the firm of Hauge Brueck Associates, which helped the city “process the Gold Rush Ranch project.” The contract would be “for reimbursable planning services.”

Rabe said “it’s not specific to Gold Rush” but is for “any project that’s brought to the council by developers.” He said it is a professional service, for which he “did shop around, but we don’t have to do a formal (Request For Proposals) process.”

The council voted 5-0 to approve the contract with Hauge Brueck Associates, basing it largely on HBA’s familiarity with Gold Rush.

Under the contract, “HBA would perform work for the city only when a reimbursement agreement has been entered into by a project proponent and the city, with the appropriate deposit on file.”

Planning Commissioner Robin Peters said they all watched HBA’s Anders Hauge “handle this project.” He said “this isn’t going to cost the city anything,” but he was curious about the “underplay” between Hauge and City Planner Bruce Baracco.

Rabe said Baracco has valuable “institutional knowledge” from his long service with the city, and as a contracted planner would help Rabe in his triple-duty position as city manager and directors of community development and planning.

Mayor Gary Wooten said a “major consideration in selecting” Hauge was not having to bring in a new person and spend the money to get them up to speed on Gold Rush.

Rabe said “it is critical that we have continuity with his firm, and I think it would be a conflict to have me do it.”

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Amador County – Sutter Gold Mining Company moved closer to production with the issuance of two state permits for waste disposal, though the company may still be a couple of years away from full production, if an economic assessment finds it feasible.

Sutter Gold Mining on its website announced it “recently received approval from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board of construction-level design documents for two permitted mine waste disposal units.”

The permits are for a “waste rock pile,” and a “surface fill unit” at the Sutter Gold Mine, known to the company as the “Lincoln Mine Project,” in Amador County.

David Cochrane, vice President for environment, health and safety for Sutter Gold Mining, said permitting work lies ahead, including through the Amador County Air District, the state and the federal government.

Cochran said “our goal is to complete our economic assessment in the fourth quarter of this year,” then its board of directors would decide whether to go into production. After that, they must get funding through a method not yet finalized, possibly through investment, equity, or debt.

After funding is secured, he expects a 12- to 18-month process to get to the point of beginning production.

Cochrane said they must build a mill and surface unit, and some things they need are “long lead items” not sitting around, which when ordered a company “might have to fabricate it especially for us.”

He said it “gives us plenty of time to order things, build things,” and check the facility to see that everything is working correctly. 

He said they hope to have most of the permitting wrapped up by next summer, and “we already have most of our major permits in place.”

Some still needed are minor permits that must be based on a final design. The company must submit plans to the county for a building permit. Right now they have only conceptual designs.

The company must get county permits for grading, air, storm water prevention, and the authority to construct from the Amador Air District.

Cochrane said he is “basically responsible for environmental permitting and also health and safety programs.” He identifies and obtains all necessary approvals and permits.

Air emissions will be looked at for the two recent approvals for waste disposal. The company must look at dust emissions, and what to do to control impacts.

There are permits for processing ore specific to stationary equipment that “does not go places under its own power,” while the state regulates mobile equipment, such as bulldozers.

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Amador County – Sutter Gold Mining Company moved closer to production with the issuance of two state permits for waste disposal, though the company may still be a couple of years away from full production, if an economic assessment finds it feasible.

Sutter Gold Mining on its website announced it “recently received approval from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board of construction-level design documents for two permitted mine waste disposal units.”

The permits are for a “waste rock pile,” and a “surface fill unit” at the Sutter Gold Mine, known to the company as the “Lincoln Mine Project,” in Amador County.

David Cochrane, vice President for environment, health and safety for Sutter Gold Mining, said permitting work lies ahead, including through the Amador County Air District, the state and the federal government.

Cochran said “our goal is to complete our economic assessment in the fourth quarter of this year,” then its board of directors would decide whether to go into production. After that, they must get funding through a method not yet finalized, possibly through investment, equity, or debt.

After funding is secured, he expects a 12- to 18-month process to get to the point of beginning production.

Cochrane said they must build a mill and surface unit, and some things they need are “long lead items” not sitting around, which when ordered a company “might have to fabricate it especially for us.”

He said it “gives us plenty of time to order things, build things,” and check the facility to see that everything is working correctly. 

He said they hope to have most of the permitting wrapped up by next summer, and “we already have most of our major permits in place.”

Some still needed are minor permits that must be based on a final design. The company must submit plans to the county for a building permit. Right now they have only conceptual designs.

The company must get county permits for grading, air, storm water prevention, and the authority to construct from the Amador Air District.

Cochrane said he is “basically responsible for environmental permitting and also health and safety programs.” He identifies and obtains all necessary approvals and permits.

Air emissions will be looked at for the two recent approvals for waste disposal. The company must look at dust emissions, and what to do to control impacts.

There are permits for processing ore specific to stationary equipment that “does not go places under its own power,” while the state regulates mobile equipment, such as bulldozers.

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Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council on Monday approved a reimbursement contract with a company that helped the council and planning commission process of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort.

City Manager Sean Rabe said the Gold Rush item was brought up by Councilwoman Linda Rianda because the development agreement with Gold Rush “contains specific trigger points for things to be done by both the city and the developer.”

The triggered tasks “were put on hold until the referendum was completed and are still on hold pending the outcome of the lawsuits filed against the project.”

Rabe said the council “wanted to make sure that the city has a mechanism to track what the trigger points are, and that a reimbursement agreement is entered into with the developer, so that when the lawsuits have made their way through court the city knows what is needed and by when.”

The city council directed staff September 7th to “prepare a reimbursement agreement with the developer for the hiring of a project manager to track the project for the city.”

Rabe recommended contracting the firm of Hauge Brueck Associates, which helped the city “process the Gold Rush Ranch project.” The contract would be “for reimbursable planning services.”

Rabe said “it’s not specific to Gold Rush” but is for “any project that’s brought to the council by developers.” He said it is a professional service, for which he “did shop around, but we don’t have to do a formal (Request For Proposals) process.”

The council voted 5-0 to approve the contract with Hauge Brueck Associates, basing it largely on HBA’s familiarity with Gold Rush.

Under the contract, “HBA would perform work for the city only when a reimbursement agreement has been entered into by a project proponent and the city, with the appropriate deposit on file.”

Planning Commissioner Robin Peters said they all watched HBA’s Anders Hauge “handle this project.” He said “this isn’t going to cost the city anything,” but he was curious about the “underplay” between Hauge and City Planner Bruce Baracco.

Rabe said Baracco has valuable “institutional knowledge” from his long service with the city, and as a contracted planner would help Rabe in his triple-duty position as city manager and directors of community development and planning.

Mayor Gary Wooten said a “major consideration in selecting” Hauge was not having to bring in a new person and spend the money to get them up to speed on Gold Rush.

Rabe said “it is critical that we have continuity with his firm, and I think it would be a conflict to have me do it.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council approved a reimbursement agreement Monday to keep tabs on the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort and mitigations it must make as its project develops.

The agreement is on pause as Gold Rush faces a lawsuit by Ken Berry of Martell on environmental issues, after the settlement of which, the time line starts for improvements by both the city and developers.

Councilwoman Sandy Anderson said Gold Rush would be “very happy to work with” Hauge Brueck Associates, with whom the city approved a contract Monday. Anderson said “they are very much ready to move forward on a reimbursement contract,” and “will keep us abreast” on a timeline of their legal challenges.

Berry filed a lawsuit in Amador County Superior Court February 2nd seeking to force Sutter Creek to rewrite its Environmental Impact Report for Gold Rush. The suit asks the court to set aside certification of the EIR and order Sutter Creek to “comply with the requirements” of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Berry in the suit said his standing in the case is that he is a municipal water customer of Jackson, which is served by the Amador Water Agency. AWA also serves Gold Rush, so the “project has an impact on long term water supplies and therefore directly affects” him.

In the suit, Berry alleges the project’s subdivision, rezone and specific plan are not consistent with the Sutter Creek General Plan.

Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said Monday that Hauge Brueck Associates partner Anders Hauge “spent a year going through the city General Plan,” and constantly reminded the commission that the policies would be city-wide and not just affect Gold Rush.

Cunha said he would like to see Hauge’s firm “on board with this.” He also reminded the council that the city, as part of the development agreement, has a year time limit to come up with a solution to our wastewater issue.

Councilman Pat Crosby said that year timeline starts at the conclusion of legal challenges. Crosby also recommended making the city council part of the agreement process.

City Manager Sean Rabe said any services for Hauge Brueck will be “spelled out” and “they will get a copy of the task order,” so the company “won’t be an open check book.”

City Finance Director Joe Aquilar said staff handling of the reimbursements keeps the city council shielded from accusations of wrongdoing.

Mayor Gary Wooten said wording in the contract does allow Rabe to share the documentation with any council member.

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Amador County – The Woman’s Club of Jackson invites people to “join them in celebrating 100 years of philanthropic service to the community of Jackson” this Saturday.

Publicist for the club, Judy McCurdy, said the Jackson Woman’s Club requested a resolution from Jackson City Council to commemorate the accomplishments of the club that was incorporated in 1910, with the goal to “advance the city of Jackson … along the lines of civic, social and educational improvement.”

McCurdy compiled a list of “whereas” clauses of facts about the Jackson Woman’s Club, to be included on the resolution, which the city will present as a proclamation on Saturday. She “gleaned (those facts) from reading the history of the club’s philanthropic efforts for the city of Jackson and Amador County.

McCurdy said: “It is amazing that the women of this community were responsible for the founding of the first high school, library and park even before they were granted the right to vote. Hopefully we can continue the fine example their history has provided us.”

The group’s new century starts, in part, by collecting books to support Friends of Amador County Library in its “Shelving Campaign” to raise money for new bookshelves for the teen and adult non-fiction sections of the library.

The “Jackson Woman’s Club Centennial Celebration 1910 – 2010” is set for 2-5 p.m. Saturday, October 9th at the Jackson Civic Center.

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Amador County – Three Jackson Elementary School kindergarten classes took walking field trips to the Jackson Fire Department Tuesday to learn about the letter “F”, and to hear about fire safety from some local experts.

Teacher Nan Muzinich (Mew-Zin-Itch) and her a.m. class of kindergarten students was one of three classes to take the tour of the firehouse. Firefighter Sean Parkyn and Engineer Robert Greathouse spoke to the children about fire safety, dialing 9-1-1, and what to do in case of a fire.

The lessons included “stop, drop and roll,” staying low to find the “good air” in a smoke-filled home, feeling a door before opening it, and talking with the family about determining a meeting place if the family evacuates the house in the event of a fire.

They talked about what constitutes an emergency, and when to dial 9-1-1. The firefighters also demonstrated the fireman’s protective equipment, with turnouts, boots, mask, breathing tank and helmet.

After discussing fire safety, the children were given the chance to try on the firemen’s boots, heavy jacket, and helmet. The children then were allowed to climb through the front seating area of one of the fire trucks.

Jackson Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary members Genny Tremaine and Stephanie Middlekauff helped with the tour, as did several parents.

The firefighters said two morning classes and one afternoon class were planning field trips to the Jackson Fire Station on Tuesday.

Muzinich said she and her class also plan a field trip by bus to a pumpkin patch later this month.

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