Tom
Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:19
3 More File, November Election Races Set
Amador County – 3 candidates took advantage of the extended filing period that ended Wednesday, setting the races for the November 2nd election. One candidate each filed for vacancies on the Plymouth City Council, Amador Water Agency board of directors, and Sutter Creek City Council, after incumbents failed to file for re-election to those bodies last week. John Asmus filed Wednesday to run for an Amador Water Agency director’s position in District 5, setting a 3-way race with candidates Art Toy and Dale Turner, after Director Terence Moore retired after 3 terms. Plymouth City Council’s 2 vacancies will now be contested after Peter Amoruso filed Wednesday. Amoruso will face planning commissioners Sandy Kyle and Sean McGinness in the 3-way race for seats vacated by Councilman Mike O’Meara and Mayor Pat Fordyce, who chose not to run again. Sutter Creek City Council received a 4th candidate to run for 2 open seats when James Swift filed the race Wednesday. Swift will join Councilwoman Linda Rianda, Ed Arata, and Bart Weatherly in the race. Other contested seats include a 6-way race for 2 seats on the Ione City Council. Candidates are incumbents Councilman Lee Ard and Councilman James Ulm and challengers Daniel Epperson, Lloyd Oneto, Jerry Sherman and Ron Smylie. The Amador Water Agency board has 2 other races. District 1’s race includes incumbent President Bill Condrashoff and challenger Paul Molinelli Senior. AWA District 4’s race features incumbent Vice President Debbie Dunn against challenger Robert Manassero. Debbie Smith of the election office said the Amador County Unified School District will not be on the ballot, as 2 seats in Jackson have only 2 candidates (Lynnette Lipp and Pat Miller), and 2 seats in Ione have only 1 candidate (Rose Andrews-Oneto). The seats will be appointed without an election, per district rules. Jackson City Council will also not be on the ballot, as Mayor Connie Gonsalves and Councilman Pat Crew filed unopposed. Councilmen Tim Knox and Michael Vasquez were also unopposed in Amador City, which must decide whether to place the race on the ballot. Volcano Community Services District Director Meg Gottstein filed for reelection, while the VCSD still has 1 open position. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:17
Walgreens in Sutter Creek to Open Aug. 25
Amador County – The new Walgreens store in Sutter Creek is expected to open on August 25, according to city officials. This announcement, along with news that a Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market store is proposed for the same complex, was made during the Sutter Creek City Council meeting last week. Both stores will sit within the Sutter Creek Crossroads complex at the corner of Highway 49 and Ridge Road. Construction on Walgreens began last June after the Petrovich Development Company received final approval to go forward with the project. Shortly before that time, the Amador County Transportation Commission (ACTC) board of directors approved an agreement between Sutter Creek and the Petrovich Development Company that paved the way for project construction. The agreement allowed Petrovich to pay a Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee of $1,200 to ACTC. Sutter Creek Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said at the time that the total reduction of fees was $88,000 dollars. The agreement includes rights-of-way, frontage improvements and fee credits. The right-of-way is required for the highway and intersection expansions which were determined to be needed by a Traffic Impact Study. The center’s construction came in stops and starts over the course of the next year, culminating in a flurry of construction activity last month that looked to have put the finishing touches on the parking lot and the Walgreens building. Rabe said he expects the store to bring additional funding to the cash-strapped city, although how much is yet to be determined. News of the proposed Fresh and Easy store opening came two weeks after the El Segundo-based grocery chain said it plans to open 9 California stores in September. The company expects to hire more than 180 employees for these new stores. Fresh and Easy stores are known to be environmentally friendly and typically use 30 percent less energy than a typical supermarket. They feature wholesome, fresh prepared meals, meats and produce. The city last week agreed to amend an agreement with Petrovich Development that will pave the way for construction of the Fresh and Easy store during phase 1 of the company’s project, and to postpone an asphalt overlay on Bowers Drive. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:15
JRC to Consider Downtown Parking Modifications
Amador County – The Jackson Revitalization Committee tonight will consider a proposal to modify downtown parking elements, including the elimination of some meters and parking enforcement. The objective, as stated in a city memo, is to “implement parking modifications in Historic Downtown Jackson to improve customer service, provide easier in/out access of parking spaces and reduce the current speed limit for safer pedestrian movement.” The three proposed phases of the project include removing and storing meter tops of all Main Street meters, capping existing poles and leaving remaining meters in tact on areas of North Main Street, implementing diagonal parking with Amador County Transportation Commission recommended traffic patterns, creating planter boxes between parking curbs and sidewalk, periodically building steps from the street to the sidewalk, remove meter posts, reducing speed limits to 15 mph, and increasing parking violations from $11 to $30. Other options include reducing enforcement hours from 20 hours a week to 15 hours a week and augmenting those hours by implementing a “Neighborhood Watch” program. Fiscal impact studies will be conducted during different phases of the project. Other parking spaces, including those at Mel and Faye’s restaurant and next to El Dorado Savings Bank, will also be evaluated. The city currently has 154 metered parking spots within the boundaries of the study. Parking meter revenue between January 1, 2007 and December 27, 2007 was approximately $17,067 and $7,355 after distributions, compared to $46,445 between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. Parking revenues are divided up into different city funds, including jailhouse construction, courthouse construction, equipment assessment, the State of California and the City of Jackson Enterprise Fund. “By far, the Police Department receives more complaints regarding parking enforcement issues over any other police enforcement program,” says Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison. “Many visitors state they will ‘never shop in Jackson again’ after having received a parking citation. This is reflected by walk-in lobby complaints and many more complaints received via U.S. mail.” In addition, many downtown merchants are frustrated by the need to continuously move their vehicle to avoid a fine when parking in downtown metered spots. “It is expected that making these highly visible changes will improve public relations and affirm that the Economic Development Committee is serious (this time) about making significant changes,” says the memo. The Jackson Revitalization Committee meeting takes place Thursday, August 12 at 6 p.m. in Jackson City Hall. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:12
Plymouth to Revisit Fast Food Traffic Fee Issue
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council could reconsider traffic fees for fast food restaurants today (Thursday, August 12th) at its regular meeting. The agenda includes a discussion of the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee program and the council’s concern over what it considers to be excessive fees. Charles Field, executive director of the Amador County Transportation Commission, said in an August 4th letter that the fee program oversight committee (which includes Plymouth Councilman Jon Colburn) discussed and acknowledged Plymouth’s concerns at a July 22nd meeting. The committee requested by a vote that “Plymouth support the 3-tiered fee for restaurants and approve the amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding pending completion of the new countywide traffic model and a new nexus program.” Colburn abstained from the committee vote. Field said he believed the “oversight committee was empathetic to the city’s concerns that this amendment to the MOU is not a perfect solution that satisfies all concerns and that they are committed to amending the whole (Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee) nexus plan and fee structure within the next 6 months to 1-and-a-half years.” He said he thought Colburn agreed with his belief, and he offered to attend this week’s meeting to answer questions and give information “about how the (fee) program has been a success” for Plymouth, and to tell about “growing pains” ACTC member entities “will have to go through in order to keep this program a success.” The 3-tiered impact fee program includes a $48,000 fee per 1,000 square feet for a “fast food drive-through restaurant on a state highway.” The second tier is an $18,000 fee per 1,000 square feet for a “fast food drive-through restaurant within a shopping center or community” where a “fast food restaurant is not immediately adjacent to a state highway.” The 3rd tier fee is $7,000 per 1,000 square feet for a “quality sit-down restaurant drinking establishment.” The council could consider a resolution that would amend a 2006 MOU with ACTC, created “for the purpose of collecting fees from new development to off-set the impacts” of “new development upon the regional traffic system.” The council will also consider a request from ACTC to reallocate $325,000 left over from the Mission Boulevard extension project in Jackson. Field said Dokken Engineering and the fee program oversight committee recommend a “mid-year fund allocation revision” to place the $325,000 in the Prospect Drive relocation project in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:08
State Budget Delays Impact Caltrans Transpo Funding
Sacramento - Caltrans on Wednesday released a White Paper that highlights the negative economic impacts the budget delay is having on transportation projects statewide.
The effects of the delayed budget are being felt as the California Transportation Commission meets yesterday and today. Funding for transportation projects worth over $2.1 billion that are contingent on the approval of the state budget may either be deferred or delayed. These include projects funded by Proposition 1B, the transportation bond approved by state voters in 2006. In addition, the department cannot award over $900 million in new contracts to construction firms, and payments to contractors on $9.5 billion of current construction may be delayed in the coming months due to the lack of available cash. TSPN will have more details in an upcoming news broadcast. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 11 August 2010 06:14
AWA Discusses Claypit Road Water Options
Amador County – A resident requested options to getting water to his and other properties on Claypit Road last month, and the Amador Water Agency board sent the issue to its engineering committee to see if they could find a cheaper solution. Resident Ron Hess, representing 3 homeowners, asked the board for a different solution than extending a water main. It would serve about 6 of 13 homes in the area at a cost of “almost $500,000.” He asked the board to consider smaller, 4-inch diameter lines run individually to each resident, with meters for each home, and the possibility of owners laying their own lines. Hess said he is now trucking in water from Ione, and paying a monthly bill for a hydrant permit. He said “we need some water out there. This has been going on for 8 years.” The owners would agree to pay for the pump station, “if AWA takes ownership after 1 year,” Hess said. He said the area was up to fire flows with storage tanks. Hess said they might be able to get a low-interest loan, through the county water development fund, and the area is along the Sacramento County line, so they would not have to worry about expansion past their parcels. AWA engineer John Griffin said the $500,000 cost “was a very rough estimate made with very little detail.” President Bill Condrashoff said staff has “certain labor and installation requirements” for pipeline construction. Director Don Cooper said if the agency took over the pump station in a year, it must consider the cost of ownership (including electricity and maintenance) in perpetuity. Director Terence Moore said: “I think that’s the killer,” because “we wouldn’t take it over.” Cooper said the “costs to continue to study this is going to have to be borne by the applicant.” General Manager Gene Mancebo said staff has “never done that detailed analysis because we were told not to” by the board, due to an estimated study cost of $13,400. Moore said “it’s a step backward in allowing a 4-inch line,” and “they might have trouble running a private line 7,000 feet.” He said he would hate to see 13 different lines going up the road, and thought they should find another way to do it, including putting the meter half way to the parcels. Engineering Manager Erik Christeson worried about fire flows, and said they should also get the Amador Fire Protection District to sign off on having no hydrants and 4-inch lines in the area. Vice President Debbie Dunn said she would speak to AFPD about the issue. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 11 August 2010 06:17
Jackson Revitalization Committee to Discuss Facade Program, Gateway Signs
Amador County - The Jackson Revitalization Committee will meet again this Thursday (August 12) to discuss a number of agenda items, including an update on the implementation of the Jackson Main Street Façade Improvement Program and a facelift for Jackson gateway signs. As explained in the program application, the Façade Improvement Program “offers up to $1,500 in matching City funds and, in certain cases, design assistance to businesses in the historic downtown Jackson area in order to improve the appearance of individual building facades, signs and awnings, as well as the overall look of the district.” It was approved by the Jackson City Council in July. It is funded with transient occupancy tax revenue generated by Measure E, approved by Jackson voters in 2002 for economic development purposes. The City will supply 1/3 of the cost through a matching grant, with the remaining costs to be divided at the discretion of the applicant. Depending on funding availability, grants larger than $1500 may be approved by the Jackson City Council. The application says initial “properties must be commercial or residential properties turning commercial located within the historic district of downtown Jackson.” Any building owner or tenant with a minimum of 1 year remaining on their lease or an option to renew would be allowed to apply. The council will also look at a graphic design concept for a new city gateway sign that “clearly lists upcoming events while maintaining space for sponsors,” according to City Manager Mike Daly. The proposed sign’s design and concept were created by Merzlak Signs owner Kam Merzlak. Also on the agenda, the committee will consider implementing parking modifications in Historic Downtown Jackson “to improve customer service, provide easier in/out access of parking spaces and reduce the current speed limit for safer pedestrian movement.” The Jackson Revitalization Committee meeting takes place this Thursday, August 12 at 6 p.m. in Jackson City Hall. In other Jackson news, the Jackson City Council on Monday set a special meeting to discuss the appointment of Mayor Connie Gonsalvez and Councilman Pat Crew, both of whom are running uncontested in the next election. Daly said the council “can either appoint those two seats or decide whether to go through with an election that will cost between $3000 and $3500, with the only advantage being to leave open the possibility that other candidates may enter.” He said the estimated cost of such an election is based on the cost of previous elections. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 11 August 2010 06:20
SGM Moves Closer to Opening Working Gold Mine
Amador County – Sutter Gold Mining, Inc. (SGM) continues with the preliminary steps necessary to convert its Sutter Creek tourist facility back into a working gold mine known as the Lincoln Project. On Tuesday, the company announced it “is updating the resource estimate and project economics for the Lincoln-Comet deposit to support a production decision and raise financing for construction and development of the remaining facilities and improvements necessary to bring the project into production.” This current stage of development involves a preliminary economic assessment which includes a “3D geologic model” that will detail the methods in which the company plans to mine portions of the deposit. “The project benefits from the good metallurgy of the Mother Lode, including historic district gold recoveries of +95 percent,” said the company in a release. SGM said it is “utilizing engineering consultants to supplement its experienced management and staff to design the processing facilities, tailings handling and backfilling to create a state-of-the-art, environmentally sound mining project.” This area of development is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Other remaining preliminary steps include “planning a final round of materials testing of tailings products to determine material characteristics necessary for final construction engineering” and the development of various equipments used in the mining process. Project permitting is also necessary, and the company has obtained the five major and over 30 lesser or minor state and federal permits necessary for the project components constructed to date. SGM filed an updated Hazardous Materials Business Plan with Amador County in January 2010 and “completed construction-level designs for two critical mine waste disposal units,” and is currently completing biological and cultural studies “to obtain permits associated with potential impacts to less than one acre of wetlands.” The company estimates the permitting process will be completed no later than the beginning of next year. The release said the project “has a smaller and more environmentally favorable footprint than that already allowed under the project's existing Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") that includes a 1,000 ton per day mine and mill with cyanide circuit.” Among other activities, SGM opened an office in May in downtown Sutter Creek next to the Sutter Creek Palace to provide a working area for its expanding mine staff. SGM controls over three miles of Mother Lode property, 90 percent of which has yet to be explored. The current resource estimate for the Sutter Gold Project indicates that a collective 700,000 ounces of gold could possibly be extracted from this area. Most of the potential gold extraction exists along the Melones Fault in the eastern portion of SGM’s property and mineral holdings. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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