Tom
Thursday, 08 July 2010 06:06
Sutter Creek OKs Preliminary Budget With $72K Deficit
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Tuesday approved a draft city budget that was shy $72,000, but also OK’d a line-item repair to balance the budget concessions to be made through employee negotiations. Acting City Manager Sean Rabe said the budget included no raises for employees and only half of what the Amador County Recreation Agency requested for the city’s annual, optional membership fees. Rabe said if the council wants to pay all of the fees to ACRA, they are “going to have to sharpen the pencil further.” The council agreed to do just that, voting 4-0 to approve the preliminary budget and to pay all ACRA fees. Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy pushed the council to pay the full amount, noting that other cities were paying half or even none of the costs. Councilman Pat Crosby agreed, saying he would “like to throw that up as a challenge to the other entities to come up with the full amount.” The council OK’d the ACRA budget of $13,405, and will come back to verify the numbers, along with the entire budget. Rabe said he was not recommending approval of a negative budget balance, but instead recommended approving the budget with a $59,000 deficit, and a line item to make up the difference with concessions to be determined. With the ACRA fees, it became a $72,400 deficit. Asked for more detail of the preliminary budget, Finance manager Joe Aguilar said “this is a process” and “we still need to talk to employee groups,” then they can publish finalized details to the budget. Rabe said: “When we started the budget process, we anticipated a $300,000 shortfall.” That dropped to $59,000, which the city will try to even out with negotiations, along with the ACRA membership fees. Resident Bart Weatherly asked if Sutter Creek would be looking at combining police coverage with Amador City, which he said is ending its law enforcement contract with the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. Rabe said “it is definitely a worthwhile thing to look at.” Sutter Creek’s preliminary budget included $1,437,000 in general fund expenditures, down $237,000 from the previous year. Revenues were estimated at $1,378,000. Rabe said “full time equivalent” workers included 4 in administration, office and parks & recreation; 5 in the police department (with 2 paid by grants); and 4.4 workers handling water and sewer. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Thursday, 08 July 2010 06:04
Vice Mayor Murphy to Lead Sutter Creek Grand Jury Response Committee
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council made brief comments on the recent Amador County Grand Jury report on Tuesday and formed a response committee to answer the findings by September. Mayor Gary Wooten asked Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy to lead the committee to draft the city’s official answers to the Grand Jury report. He said Murphy had been there the longest of any council members. Murphy said he “will be glad to” lead the committee, and he “was here when a lot of it happened.” Wooten said the committee will write a draft response, for council consideration in a public meeting, hopefully by the council’s August 2nd meeting. Wooten said it the council would openly determine its answers, whether to agree, totally disagree, or partially disagree with the report. Councilman Pat Crosby handed out copies of his own written responses to the report. Wooten urged people to speak during the public comment period, saying the council would be appointing a response committee. The committee will include Acting City Manager Sean Rabe, Finance Director Joe Aguilar and City Attorney Derek Cole. Ed Arata said he “was actively involved in the complaint that was sent to the Grand Jury,” and he said: “If there will be citizens on the committee, I would like to be considered.” Wooten said no citizens will be on the committee. Some topics getting brief comments included the Grand Jury calling it a conflict to have a joint city manager and police chief. Wooten said former before City Manager Rob Duke was hired, the council received “a compendium form the state attorney general that said it was not a conflict.” Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha said it was “great to have a lot of new faces,” but “in trying to attend every city council meeting in the last 6 years,” he found that the Grand Jury report had “nothing really new.” He said when Arata wrote a September 2009 letter to the editor, “we had been discussing these issues for a long time,” and asking for changes, which the new council has made in the last year-and-a-half. Cunha said he wanted to “commend the post-2008 council on their hard work.” Councilwoman Sandy Anderson said Councilwoman Linda Rianda (who was absent) wrote a matrix that addresses “almost every one of these issues,” and citizens will be seeing the results of a lot of hard work by the council. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Thursday, 08 July 2010 06:03
Huber Meth Bill Passes Major Hurdle
Sacramento – AB 640 by Assemblymember Alyson Huber is one step closer to becoming law after passing the Senate Public Safety Committee. AB 640 would enhance current sentences on individuals convicted of selling methamphetamine by imposing a minimum jail term of 120 days as a condition of probation, similar to penalties currently faced by cocaine and heroin dealers. “Methamphetamine use is at a crisis point in the state, and in my own district meth has a greater impact on public safety than other drugs,” said Assemblymember Alyson Huber. “One of the ways we can break the cycle of use is by cracking down on the dealers that sell the drugs. If the meth pushers are behind bars, drug addicts and drug infested communities can cleanup and break the cycle of drug abuse.” Californians make up 40 percent of all meth treatment admissions nationwide. While estimates are difficult to confirm, data suggests that more than two million Californians age 12 or older (7.3 percent) have used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. In Assemblymember Huber’s district, a narcotics task force team in Amador County reported 118 investigations in 2008, 46 (39%) of which involved meth. By contrast they had 8 heroin cases, 1 cocaine case. “I have seen first hand the devastating impact meth has on our communities. Like so many other communities in this state and in the nation, we have found methamphetamine to be the underlying cause of such criminal offenses as domestic violence and child endangerment, “said Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan who supports the bill. “I applaud Assemblymember Huber for her commitment to public safety and look forward to continuing to work with her to improve the safety of our communities.” Current law requires those convicted of the sale of cocaine, heroin, or PCP to serve at least 180 days in jail as a condition of probation, but existing law does not have a similar provision for those convicted of the sale of methamphetamine. Therefore, a person convicted of the sale of methamphetamine could be granted probation and not serve one day in jail. Supporting AB 640 are County Sheriffs from Huber’s Assembly District, Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan and San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore. In addition, the California District Attorneys Association, California Peace Officers’ Association, California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California and the San Joaquin County District Attorney James Willet are also supporting the bill. AB 640 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee. TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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State
Thursday, 08 July 2010 06:01
AC Commercial Wine Competition Judges 450 Regional Wines
Amador County - On Saturday, June 5th, the Amador County Fair offered more than 450 wines for judging in the highly regarded annual Amador County Commercial Wine Competition. Entries were restricted to wines that can be identified as originating in the Sierra Foothill AVA, or American Viticultural Area. The Sierra Foothill AVA runs for 170 miles along the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This designation can be claimed by wines derived from grapes grown from any of following California Counties: Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne, and Yuba. With only 6,163 acres in vineyard production, The Sierra Foothill AVA crushes less than 1 percent of the State’s total wine grape production. However, the topography and generally infertile shallow mountainside soils combine with a Mediterranean climate to create moderate stress on the grapevines produces low to moderate yields of very high quality grapes. That quality was on display in the 2010 Amador County Commercial Wine Competition. Seven panels of some of the State’s most experienced judges spent nearly seven hours, swirling, sipping and spitting 464 wines from 72 different wineries. Their time was spent in a concerted effort to determine the “Best of Class” in 34 separate varietal categories plus an additional nine awards that terminated in awarding the Best Red, Best White, Best Blush, Best other Wine and finally the overall Best of Show. As the wines in this competition so aptly demonstrate, the Sierra Foothills is a unique AVA with numerous wineries having a well deserved reputation for delivering well crafted high quality wines that typically are recognized at the California State Fair competition. For a complete list of results, go to www.amadorcountyfair.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Thursday, 08 July 2010 06:00
Ione Pool Open For Business
Amador County - The hot weather is here and the Ione pool is open for recreational and lap swimming as well as day and evening swim lessons. The City provides certified Red Cross swim instructors and lifeguards with up-to-date swimming lesson techniques and safe recreational swimming. Lap Swim is provided for the enjoyment and fitness of swimmers and is open from 12 noon to 1:00 PM and 5:00 to 6:00 PM.
Swim lessons are offered from 10:30 to 11:30 AM and 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Two week and one week sessions are offered. Registration forms are available at City Hall. Cost is $20 and $40. Six levels from non-swimmers to proficient are offered.
For a two hour swim party, with lifeguards, the cost is $50 plus $1 per person. Party times are offered after regular swim hours. For more information, contact City Hall at 209-274-2412, ext 100, or visit www.ione-ca.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Recreation
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:00
Measure M Allows Ione to Hire Paid Fire Staff
Amador County – An update from Ione…Using funds from Measure M, the City of Ione Fire Department is now staffing the fire stations with a paid fire fighter seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Phase one of the program allows the current paid/call fire personnel to work day shifts, allowing daily coverage, equipment maintenance, training and public safety during the times of the day when staffing may be low. This program is working extremely well for the department and is assisting in the overall mission to hire three full time personnel to staff the station 24 hours a day, and assist in continuing to provide the highest level of service and protection to our community. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the department at 209-274-4548. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:05
ACTC Offers $100K in Regional Fees for Plymouth-Hwy.49 Intersection
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week heard that the Amador County Transportation Commission is looking at putting another $100,000 into the intersection of Main Street and Highway 49 in Plymouth. The next step is determining the project. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field on June 29th gave the council an annual report of the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee program for fiscal year 2008-2009. The program’s “oversight committee” has recommended $100,000 for the Main and 49 project, matching last year’s funds. Field in the report said the city is “considering a roundabout as well as a standard signalized intersection,” and “Caltrans has given tentative support to the roundabout idea. Community acceptance, project design, environmental clearance and right-of-way acquisition are all still pending.” The “project’s cost estimates have also exceeded previous expectations.” The city is trying to get federal recovery act funding, as well as state grants for the project’s construction. Field said the “oversight committee recommended that $100,000 in new (Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee) revenues available form 2008-2009 be programmed for the Plymouth Main Street intersection project.” Field said revenue is way down this year, but the committee still recommended the second $100,000 for Main Street. He said Councilman Jon Colburn is on the fee committee. The city council last week declined to approve an amendment to the ACTC memorandum of understanding to create a lower tier of fees for fast food restaurants. The new fee category was based on an appeal by developers of a Carl’s Junior restaurant slated for Martell. It led to council discussion of the effect on its Highway 49 corridor. The council planned to write letters to ACTC and its member entities asking about eliminating the higher fast food restaurant fee, which it $49,000 per 1,000 square feet. Carl’s Junior backers argued for a lower fee of $18,000 per 1,000 square feet. Colburn said the Prospect Drive complex in Martell “has been granted substantial relief from fees,” with Jimboy’s Tacos and Jack-in-the-Box receiving exemptions. Field said the Jimboy’s fees were approved without ACTC’s knowledge of the project. Field said “we’re all waiting to see” what happens next, and “Carl’s Junior has to make the next move.” City Manager Dixon Flynn asked about fees for Walgreens on Sutter Hill, at $6,000 per 1,000 square feet. Field said it was an appropriate “high volume retail” fee because they don’t attract as many cars as fast food. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 07 July 2010 06:02
AWA Faces 4% AWS Rate Increase, or 2-4 Layoffs
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board will return to its budget at a regular meeting Thursday (July 8th). The board last week agreed to 4 layoffs, and faces either 2-4 more layoffs or a 4% increase in rates in the Amador Water System. Staff recommended increase, approved but not implemented last year, or face the layoffs of 2 to 4 additional “full time equivalent” employees. Last week, Vice President Debbie Dunn urged waiting a month while staff looks to see if there is leeway in bond payments for the Amador Transmission Pipeline. Director Terence Moore said if they wait a month, it will have an impact, especially in the hottest month of the year. President Bill Condrashoff said “rates are a tax, and when economies go bad, you don’t tax people.” Director Gary Thomas made a “motion to explore options,” which he said should “explore all options, and that included the 4% increase.” Budget discussion also touched on the Gravity Supply Line (GSL), alluded to by audience member David Evitt, who said “the expansion and creation of a water kingdom has got to stop.” Condrashoff said the $5 million USDA grant came with a loan that included $6 million in interest for the GSL. He said the GSL is not a good idea. Moore said “some of us do not agree with you.” Evitt, speaking from the audience then said: “Some of you are idiots.” Director Don Cooper said “we are in a huge price squeeze” he had been in before in the farming business. He said the finance committee has talked about the cost for basic service, maintenance & operations, labor, and risk management. Cooper said they must “come back and concentrate on basic service.” If the agency got a straight USDA grant without a loan attached, it would be different for the GSL. But if they get a grant with a requirement for a long-term loan, the AWA might have to reexamine the GSL. He said they need to look at long-term gains in projects, such as the Tanner plant analysis. Moore said the study was part of the “one project that would bring money.” He said a recent prediction was that U.S. water costs would double or quadruple, and he wondered why they were wasting time “talking about a 4% increase.” Discussion turned to furloughs, and operations manager Chris McKeage said the AWA is a public agency that cannot compare to other organizations. Operations manager Barry Birge said Jackson’s wastewater uses them but “they are calling the furloughs off.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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