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Wednesday, 28 July 2010 06:12

Laura Einstadter - Economic Impact on Library Services 7-28-10

Published in Local

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 06:08

Whooping Cough Epidemic Hits California

Amador County – California is in the midst of the largest whooping cough outbreak in 50 years. Six infants under 3 months of age have died from the disease this year and 1,500 Californians have been positively diagnosed, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). South Carolina is the only other state where reported cases exceed what is known to health experts as the “epidemic threshold.” California health officials attribute the epidemic to a lack of administered vaccinations, particularly among younger children entering a school environment. Infants typically get three doses of the vaccine but are not fully protected until after 5 months. Babies are particularly susceptible because they have no natural immunity to whooping cough. “We usually see an up tick in the number of whopping cough cases every 2 to 5 years,” said Joanne Hasson, Amador County Public Health Nurse. “It’s cyclical and not unusual.” In anticipation of the outbreak, Amador County has stocked up on TDAP, the most common vaccine for the highly contagious disease. Hasson said the youngest children get a slightly different formulation. She said a lot of people have been coming in for vaccinations recently, mostly for what is known as “cocooning.” The “cocoon” strategy aims to protect newborn infants from becoming infected by administering the TDAP vaccine to women who have just had babies and family members and friends who make frequent contact with the newborn. In order to successfully avoid infection, Hasson said children should receive vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 months, 15 to 18 months and a final shot between 4 to 6 years old. “Basically, kids should get five valid doses before the age of seven,” she said. Known medically as pertussis, the disease is considered incredibly contagious, affecting close to 90 percent of those exposed to it, says the CDC. Close to 70 percent of infants under age 1 are hospitalized. According to state reports, the number of whooping cough cases tends to peak every two to five years. Symptoms of pertussis include flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, fever and a mild cough. Amador County Public Health department is providing whooping cough vaccinations for a $10 fee. For more information, call the department at 209-223-6407 or drop in during normal business hours at 10877 Conductor Boulevard in Sutter Creek. The vaccine is available for people of any age. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Health

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 06:05

BOS Approves Additonal Offsite Mitigation Costs for Buena Vista Rancheria Contract

Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a contract amendment with Willdan Engineering to perform plan checking services for offsite mitigation improvement plans for the Buena Vista Rancheria. The amended agreement grants approval to increase the total not-to-exceed amount of the contract from $27,500 to $57,500. The tribe has agreed to pay all costs incurred. County Counsel Martha Shaver explained to TSPN that the Intergovernmental Services Agreement (ISA) signed between Amador County and the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians requires reconstruction of areas of Coal Mine Road and Buena Vista Road near where the tribe proposes to build a new $150 million casino. The County hired Willdan Engineering to perform plan checking services because it does not have the available staff. Shaver said the tribe “wasn’t particularly thrilled” when they found out the cost of such services is $30,000 more than the original estimate, but said they “were satisfied after speaking with the engineers involved and agreed to pay the additional expenses.” Supervisor comments focused on the paradox between helping to construct roadways for the proposed development while simultaneously pursuing an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals in its long-standing litigation challenging federal approval of an amendment to a gaming compact that allows the construction of a casino. “We basically need to protect ourselves if that appeal is not successful,” said Supervisor Richard Forster. Supervisor Louis Boitano said that as long as the tribe’s intentions are legal, “the (road) work needs to be done and we want to make sure it gets done right.” Chairman Brian Oneto recused himself during the agenda item because his relatives have an interest in lands adjacent to the area. In related news, Shaver said Amador County filed an appeal last Friday to a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorizing the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to discharge treated wastewater into an unnamed tributary of Jackson Creek. TSPN will bring you more on this appeal in future newscasts. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 06:04

Ione Preps Local Preference Ordinance for Wastewater Treatment Plant

Amador County – The Ione City Council directed staff last week to draft an ordinance that would emphasize local material sources for bidders on its wastewater treatment plant, and would help encourage local spending on city projects. City Manager Kim Kerr told the council she wanted to verify that a “request for proposals” included that the companies would be using local firms and labor as much as possible. The city is taking an approach to the treatment plant to seek one company that has the capabilities of designing, building, operating and financing the project, but it may have the effect of the city needing to use an out-of-town corporation. Kerr said “staff discussed looking at whether to require the submittals from the firms on the wastewater project to use local contractors, haulers and materials.” She said while discussing the issue, staff found that “the city does not have a local preference ordinance for the purchase of goods and services.” Staff researched the city’s ability to create a local preference ordinance,” along with parameters the city can use, and associated implications. Kerr said the wastewater project was a “prime example of using local contractors as subcontractors.” Using local materials and haulers for the project “would keep the money spent on the project locally” and help residents of the city and Amador County. City attorney Kristen Castanos said there are some legal restrictions to giving preferences to local businesses, including the “Commerce Clause” and the “Equal Protection Clause.” Castanos said the city “can’t discriminate against outside companies” in local-preference ordinances. She said what they can do is give local businesses a 5 percent leeway in bids, because companies owned inside city limits pay sales tax to the city, which outside companies do not. Another thing Ione could do is if a local bidder is within 10 percent of the low bidder’s price, the city can “give them a chance to lower their bid to match the low bidder.” Castanos said “it has not been tested,” but a lot of cities are using it. Kerr said city staff encourages a “good faith effort to recruit local suppliers,” such as gravel, clay and other building materials. Kerr said if they adopt new rules, those could be sent out as addendums to the request for proposals for companies to work on the water treatment plant project. The council directed Castanos to draft the local preference ordinance to be considered by the council August 3rd. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 06:01

Amador Regional Planning Committee To Ponder “Your Town” Nominees

Amador County – The Amador Regional Planning Committee member entities have been considering minor amendments to the document that forms the committee. Today the committee meets and could consider re-circulating the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for signatures. Today’s agenda also includes a discussion and possible action on future committee projects or a 2010 work plan. The committee could also discuss and select nominees for a “Your Town Design Workshop.” The agenda also includes a look at the “best methodologies for review and comparison of current General Plans.” Members of the committee and alternates include city council members Keith Sweet and Connie Gonsalves of Jackson; Tim Murphy and Sandra Anderson of Sutter Creek; Andrea Bonham and David Plank of Ione; and Pat Fordyce and Mike O’Meara of Plymouth. Also on the committee are Supervisor Ted Novelli and alternate Supervisor Chairman Brian Oneto. At-large public member is Renee Chapman, and her alternate is Brian Jobson. Sweet is the committee chairman, and Jackson is the host city. The agenda includes a list of 15 or more potential future agenda items, which aim to “benefit the entire region of Amador County,” and which were compiled from member or public suggestions. The ideas would become agenda items as designated by the planning committee. One idea includes drafting “a program document supporting the sharing of revenues from major new and relocated commercial developments, and establishing a system to share personnel and material resources between jurisdictions.” Another idea is a “finance forum,” which would invite “entities for an afternoon or a day-long, drop-in forum where each entity could staff a booth and answer questions.” The finance forum could include representatives from the Economic Development Administration, Small Business Association, Community Development Block Grant program, California Local Economic Development, Sierra Business Council and Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Other potential topics could be a community college, countywide “Design Improvement Guidelines,” and classes on doing business in Amador County, possibly taught by the Amador Chamber of Commerce. Other ideas included exploring “creation of a joint, countywide historic preservation commission,” and also inviting the state office of historic preservation to present. Other topics included community issues (such as Upcountry or Camanche); hosting a Chamber Mixer; spending “an evening exploring agri-tourism” with Mother Lode Farmer’s Market; and focusing on tourism in general with visits from Amador Council of Tourism and the state office of tourism. The meeting is 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 28th) at the Jackson Civic Center, and it is open to the public. by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:27

AWA Approves a 4 Percent Rate Increase in the Amador Water System

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors approved a rate increase in the Amador Water System last week, and set about trying to cut the agency budget by another $200,000 in salary and benefits. General Manager Gene Mancebo said “the board did approve the 4 percent rate increase for the Amador Water System.” He said “this is something that was not fully implemented a year ago.” The agency had approved a 12 percent increase, but during budget work decided to make only an 8 percent increase. Mancebo said Friday that “the board was simply implementing the balance of a rate increase that was not done at that time.” Mancebo said the board must now get together with employees and brainstorm on ways to find additional cost savings, by a minimum of $200,000. Mancebo said the 4 percent increase could generate $169,000 in the AWS, which already had significant cuts, with the only thing left to cut being salaries and benefits. Vice President Debbie Dunn and President Bill Condrashoff urged not increasing the AWS rates. Dunn suggested furloughs “closing the agency once a week.” Condrashoff sided with Jackson Councilman Keith Sweet, who in a letter said AWS was not getting specific benefits from the increase. Dunn said AWS has a “ton of money” but the board put it in other systems, and that was “not a reason to raise rates.” Condrashoff thought it was “illegal” without a nexus study. Director Terence Moore said the rate increase was a month overdue, and he was tired of hearing that they were “raising AWS rates to support other systems.” He said the 12 percent increase approved for last year was lowered too much by the board, and it was found at the end of the year that it “did not meet the debt ratio” for AWS. Without the increase, Moore said $140,000 in cuts would still be needed, or the equivalent of 4 full-time jobs. Director Don Cooper said they are definitely in a “price-cost squeeze,” and he urged getting citizens, employees and the AWA board to look at the budget as a committee. Mancebo said all employee bargaining units and managers were prepared to discuss the cuts needed, if the agency board showed its support with the 4 percent increase in the AWS. The agency workforce has been reduced by 20 employees in 2 years, including 11 field workers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:21

Ione Disagrees With the Grand Jury on Its Building Inspector

Amador County – The Ione City Council last week responded to the Amador County Grand Jury with an agreement and a disagreement. The council heard its staff is checking permit fee amounts charged since 2005. The action is a response to findings by the Grand Jury of inconsistent fee charges by the city building department. City Manager Kim Kerr said it is also a reaction to problems found by a city audit in 2007, looking at fiscal year 2005-2006 fees and charges. Kerr said analysis showed that changed city standards made a higher fee correct, and showed the auditor in error, due to not being given all of the information. The council voted unanimously to respond that it is aware of inconsistencies, and will try to find all of them. The Grand Jury also recommended the city eliminate a full-time building inspector and hire contractors for the work. The council unanimously agreed with Kerr’s recommended response, that employment decisions are “up to the city council,” and involve employee unions. Dominic Atlan in public comment applauded the council response that “it is inappropriate for the Grand Jury to tell the city what to do with its employees.” The council also unanimously appointed Karl Knobelauch to its Parks & Recreation Commission. The council selected Knobelauch from a list of candidates considered at its last appointment, when Knobelauch and Susan Priest were considered, and Priest was selected because she lived inside city limits. Knobelauch lives outside the city, said City Manager Kim Kerr, because city code allows up to 2 commission members to live outside of city limits. The council decided not to advertise the open position and make the appointment, because Kerr said the “last couple of times, we have had no people respond to advertisements.” The appointment was needed after Commission Chairman Russell Baldwin resigned, due to a work promotion. Kerr said Knobelauch “was on the list before and still wants to do it.” The former Amador County Undersheriff is also the current board president of the Amador School District. Knobelauch is now a member of the Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors, representing the school district, but Kerr said “he would rather represent us.” Councilman David Plank said at first he wanted to change municipal code to require all Parks & Recreation Commissioners to live inside city limits, “but Karl only lives down the road,” like a lot of people. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said “if you live in Willow Creek or Camanche, you live in Ione” and “Ione is still your town.” The commission meets 6 p.m. today (July 27th) at city hall, and its first meeting will include a selection of a commission chair and vice chair. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:24

Amador County Unemployment Rates Increase Slightly Above the State Average

Amador County - Although unemployment rates in California are falling, Amador County’s numbers are on a steady rise, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of June, 2010, County rates were 12.6 percent- slightly higher than the statewide rate of 12.3 percent. Amador’s rate has been climbing continuously since September of 2007, when it was 5.5 percent. The state’s overall unemployment rate fell even after 27,600 payroll jobs were eliminated. The overall slow pace of job recovery is linked by experts to a general feeling that another major downturn in the economy is soon to come. The good news is that unemployed individuals should see some relief after the Senate finally approved an extension of unemployment benefits. About 400,000 Californians whose extended unemployment benefits ended prematurely when federal funding ran out June 2nd could resume getting checks within a few weeks. The legislation cleared a major procedural hurdle and ended months of debate on July 20th after Democrats captured the 60 votes necessary to overcome GOP opposition. In a surprising rebellion against tradition, Republicans joined together to argue that the $34 billion cost of the proposal will add to much to the deficit. Two Republicans - Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins – voted for the legislation, while one Democrat, Nebraska’s Ben Nelson, opposed it. The legislation, which was supported by President Obama, will extend benefits for those who have already used their standard 26 weeks of unemployment. The bill also modifies a rule that was seen as discouraging some from working because it caused a reduction in weekly benefits for people who get part-time or temporary work. Some Senate members saw this as a disincentive. Nationwide, unemployment rates have dropped slightly to 9.5 percent and are unchanged since one year before. Nevada registers the highest rate at 14.2 percent, with Michigan second at 13.2 percent. 39 states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate decreases in June, while 5 states had increases and 6 states had no change, 24 states recorded unemployment rate increases over the year previous, 22 states and the District of Columbia saw decreases, and 4 states had no change. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:30

“Amador Catholic Center” Announces the “Pending Purchase” of the Former Prospect Motors Building

Amador County – A group of residents forming a committee of the “Amador Catholic Center” on Monday (July 26th) announced the “pending purchase” of the former Prospect Motors building and land adjacent to the Italian Picnic Grounds in Martell, to house a new chapel and banquet hall. Charles Spinetta, co-chair of the Amador Catholic Center, announced the pending purchase in an e-mail Monday, and also sent a “very tentative set of floor plans and renderings.” Spinetta said: “The largest building will serve as the new Amador Catholic Center,” with a “threefold purpose.” First, Spinetta said, “it will serve as a chapel with enough room to celebrate mass together as one large Amador Catholic family with much needed improved access and facilities for our older participants.” Secondly, “the new Amador Catholic Center will contain lots of space devoted to activities for our Catholic youths and their friends.” The Catholic Center will also feature a kitchen and an adjacent large hall where parishioners will be able to spend time together after mass and hold special events. Spinetta said: “We are currently inspecting the buildings and doing due diligence studies,” and “we hope escrow will close at the end of August.” He said prior to the close of escrow, the group plans to invite the “Bishop and all Amador Catholics for a sneak preview of our tentative plans and a tour of the new Amador Catholic Center.” Details of the event will appear in the Church bulletin. Father Thomas Seabridge in the release said he “hopes this new Catholic Church will bring home Catholics who have drifted away from the Church.” He sees it as a “new beginning” for the Amador County Catholic community. The chief financial officer of the diocese is working with a committee of Amador County parishioners, co-chaired by Spinetta and John Gonsalves, with 15 or more other members. Spinetta said: “Before the new ACC is completed, we plan to have most of the Amador parishioners involved in this project.” He said “members of the committee unanimously agree that occupying these buildings will improve business for our new neighbors.” He said the “occupied, active building will deter vandalism and theft in the area.” This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:35