Tom
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:00
California Groups Launch Second Assessment of California Streets and Roads
Amador County – The League of California Cities last week announced the launch of the second phase of its joint statewide “Local Streets and Roads Assessment” program. The initial study, started 3 years ago, found that Amador County was among a handful in the state with “poor” road conditions. LCC’s Dorothy Johnson announced the project in the League’s newsletter, saying that “public works directors, city managers, and finance directors” should soon receive letters “requesting that their city participates in the second phase of the California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Project.” That participation includes reporting municipal conditions of “local pavement and essential components” of “gutters, curbs, sidewalks and lighting.” The survey will run from March through early April. Johnson said the League is partnering on the project with the California State Association of Counties, the California Engineers Association of California and “other local transportation stakeholders.” That group “launched the initial study in 2007 to determine local pavement conditions, the amount of money needed for streets to be maintained in ‘good’ condition, if there is a funding shortfall, and if so, the size of the shortfall.” The initial study’s findings were released in October 2009, showing that “California will need to invest $7 billion each year for the next 10 years to bring pavement conditions to a ‘good’ level, based on best pavement management practices,” Johnson said. Studies showed that 5 counties, including Amador County, were found to have “poor” road conditions.17 counties in California had roads that were in good to excellent conditions; and 36 counties were found to have roads in an “at risk” condition. Johnson said the “purpose of the study is to provide a reliable source of street and road data for local, state, and federal decision-makers.” Prior to the 2009 assessment, no state-wide study had been done since 1999. The 2009 report recorded city and county data that covered more than 90 percent of roads maintained by local jurisdictions, Johnson said. The “report was funded by contributions from cities and counties and was conducted by Nichols Consulting.” See the report at www.savecaliforniastreets.org. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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State
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:00
Bart Weatherly Files Primary Statement on Gold Rush Election
Amador County – The lead proponent of the group Preserve Historic Sutter Creek this week filed his “primary argument” for the June 8th vote on city council action to approve the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, setting the time line for rebuttals to be filed within 10 days. Bart Weatherly, a Sacramento fire captain and resident, filed the argument Tuesday at Sutter Creek City Hall, and was the lead proponent of Measure N, which could decide the fate of the Gold Rush Ranch project. Weatherly’s “Argument Against Measure N” was signed by 5 Sutter Creek residents, including Planning Commissioners Cort Strandberg and Mike Kirkley, past city Police Chief Robert Bugni, Jean Pinotti, and Amador High teacher Giles Turner. Weatherly in the argument said the project “is out of character for our small town and will destroy our quality of life.” The argument said the project is “too big,” and “out-of-town developers persuaded our City Council to approve a massive development with 1,300-plus houses, 300 condos, hotel, and golf course.” Weatherly said a “sprawling golf course housing development is not the Sutter Creek we love.”
The argument said the city has “room to grow for 20 years without Gold Rush,” a “massive housing development that will more than double Sutter Creek’s population.” Weatherly’s filing said the city has 314 approved housing sites and the potential for 248 more “within the current city limits.” He argued that Gold Rush will result in “an additional 16,700 vehicle trips a day on our congested roads,” and that “Caltrans advised the city to deny this development.” He said it would destroy “up to 13,000 oak trees” and clear-cut “nearly a square mile of beautiful wildlife habitat.” He said voters should say “no to a risky ‘Mello Roos Bonds’, without which there will be an annual $1.4 million budget shortfall.” Weatherly said “Preserve Historic Sutter Creek members are civic-minded volunteers, your friends and neighbors” who “want you to hear the whole story about Gold Rush.” He said: “Our overriding concern is to protect Sutter Creek’s small town quality of life. Let’s keep Sutter Creek from becoming the next Elk Grove.” The argument said the “City Council listened to the developer and financial special interest groups and approved Gold Rush. Their decision does not reflect the will of the citizens of Sutter Creek.” It said a “no” vote would “force the City Council and the developer to consider a smaller development that won’t forever change our town.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:00
Amador Transit Acquires New Bus Arrival GPS Technology
Amador County – Amador Transit has acquired new state-of-the-art GPS technology in order to predict real-time bus arrival information, according to an announcement Wednesday from the service provider. The contract with WebTech Wireless outfits the entire local fleet with NextBus GPS Location devices for three years of service, including hosting fees. The technology “gives users access to accurate, real-time bus arrival information via their cell phones, Smartphones or from any computer connected to the internet,” according to the release from WebTech. “We look forward to working with Amador Transit to demonstrate the real benefits that NextBus can bring to smaller, regional transit providers," said Owen Moore, COO of WebTech Wireless. The upgrade serves to further enhance the fleet of 15 buses and trolleys on 21 regular and seasonal routes throughout the county. “We're in business to serve the residents and visitors of Amador County, and providing a seamless system to announce the arrival of the next bus is a key element of our system. We've recently opened a new Transit Center, which is the public hub of our operations, and the NextBus system will be a major feature of that facility," said Amador Transit's Executive Director, James A. Means. WebTech Wireless is a self-described “leading provider of vehicle fleet location-based services (LBS) and telematics technology.” The company is based in Canada. More information on the upgrades will be available shortly through Amador Transit. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Transportation
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:00
Sutter Gold Mining Inc. Secures Major Permits for Operation
Amador County – The Sutter Gold Mining (SGM) Incorporation announced Tuesday that it has secured the major permits necessary to move closer to its goal of converting its Sutter Creek-based tourist facility back into a real working gold mine. The Colorado-based incorporation is a self-described “junior gold exploration and development company” currently focusing its efforts on the Sutter Creek area project, also known as the Lincoln Project, named after the original Lincoln Mine from which prospector Leland Stanford made his fortune. Stanford went on to found Stanford University and to partner in financing the Central Pacific Railroad. SGM also owns the rights to a geologically similar project located in the northern Baja region of Mexico. In a release, Chief Financial Officer Robert Hutmacher said “the company has now secured the major permits and approvals needed to construct and operate the Lincoln Project.” These include a Conditional Use Permit issued by Amador County and an environmental review of the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). He said “these permits and approvals provide the critical components for project construction and operation” and “(SGM) is on track to obtain the remaining permits and approvals over the next 14 to 20 months, as the Company completes final design, secures project financing and completes construction.” 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.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:00
Amador Council of Tourism to Be Beneficiary of Jackson Rancheria Golf Tourney
Amador County – The Amador Council of Tourism has a special meeting tonight at Castle Oaks Country Club and will discuss upcoming events, including the 49er Treasure Trail, and a benefit golf tournament. ACT Executive Director Maureen Funk said the Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel selected Amador Council of Tourism as the beneficiary of its golf tournament April 16th at Castle Oaks Golf Course in Ione. Funk said: “They have asked us to provide prizes and some volunteers on the day of the event.” She said anyone willing to help with either should let her know. Funk said Amador Council of Tourism will be having quarterly meetings in the evening this year, hoping that those who cannot attend morning meetings will “connect” with the council once a quarter. Snacks and a no-host bar will be available at today’s 5:30 p.m. meeting at Castle Oaks. Funk told about some upcoming activities planned by the ACT. The “49er Treasure Trail” is planned for March 27-28. “Clue Spots” are set and “Play Spots” may still sign-up through March 15th, Monday. Those who need more information should attend today’s 5:30 p.m. meeting at Castle Oaks. They will discuss the 49er Treasure Trail event in detail. She said “goody bag” materials need to be delivered to ACT by March 15th as well, and businesses should not assume the council has enough material. Funk said “registrations are coming in,” and “it should be a good weekend for Amador County.” The final 49er Treasure Trail meeting is March 24th at the American Exchange Hotel. Funk also invited people to drop by ACT’s new location at the Transit Center at 115 Valley View Way, in Sutter Creek. Funk said it is a “beautiful location and building,” many people have stopped by to visit, and “even without signs, the daily traffic has been startling.” Today’s agenda includes discussion of the Amador County Transient Occupancy Tax increase project, for November 2010. The council will also discuss the New Visitor Center and Transit Center on Sutter Hill and the Plymouth Visitor Center. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 05:21
Ron Mittelbrunn - Amador Economic Development Corporation 3-10-10
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News Interview Videos
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 05:21
Ron Mittelbrunn - Amador Economic Development Corporation 3-10-10
Published in
Local
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:40
AWA Could Resume Discussion of Cooper's Paper on GSL
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors resume discussion of whether to approve the $13.4 million Gravity Supply Line later this month, somewhere in the Upcountry. The meeting will be 1 or 2 p.m. March 25th, at a location to be determined. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said AWA’s board president and vice president had some items they disagreed with, and pointed out to the board, during a discussion February 25th of an informational paper prepared by District 3 Director Don Cooper. Cooper said he planned to discuss his GSL paper during “district reports,” but Dunn requested it as an agenda item, with discussion and possible action on public relations policy for board members. Cooper said he and Dunn worked on PR policy together in a committee last year and never reached an agreement. He was “a little surprised to bring this back to the board as has happened here, but that’s OK. There seems to be quite a bit of disagreement in some of these committee meetings by board members and we bring it to the board and have them review it on a complete basis.” Cooper offered a suggested PR policy he had drafted, and Dunn moved that they refer Cooper’s draft policy to committee for additional review and consideration. Condrashoff tried to paraphrase Dunn, saying “AWA directors should only give out information that is in agreement with their agency.” Cooper said: “I don’t care if it’s factual or fiction. It’s what I have to say about it. You have a right to say what you want to say. There’s no policy otherwise.” Condrashoff said Cooper’s paper did not agree with the AWA board’s approved “White Paper” on the GSL. District 5 Director Terence Moore said he had “no desire to waste this board’s time talking about Don Cooper’s opinion.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 03:48
Fire Coverage Among La Mel Customers' Questions
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board this week will look at the La Mel Heights water service area, as the agency prepares to look at potential rate increases there. The agency is scheduled to discuss answers by staff to questions asked during a rate hearing last October. A report by engineering, finance and operations departments compiled by Interim Engineering Manager Erik Christeson recommends the board approve the responses and schedule another public meeting with La Mel customers. AWA and Lockwood Fire Protection District conducted fire flow and hydraulic tests to answer some of the 34 questions. The report said AWA took over operation of La Mel water system in 1987. To regain control, residents would have to form a home owners’ association (or similar district); transfer the system and public health permits into the name of the entity; and “enter into contracts with a licensed treatment and distribution system operators.” AWA took over La Mel water with $24,000 “on the books.” The report said $20,000 was spent to construct capital improvement, including a treatment and pump station building. The district underwent a $533,000 upgrade in 2005, with a $212,000 loan and a $148,000 grant, both through USDA. AWA paid $92,000; Volcano Telephone paid $31,000; and the county Water Development Fund paid $50,000. The project installed a new storage tank, and a new water main to all but 5 homes in the area. One question was why the system “collapses” when a fire tanker fills up using La Mel’s hydrant? The report said the “system has not actually collapsed, but it does experience very low” pressure (and possibly no pressure) “under high flows such as a fire hydrant flowing.” The report said “fire tanker trucks could reduce their fill rates to minimize impact to the system pressure.” The “new distribution main and fire hydrants accommodate some fire protection which did not exist previously,” the report said. But fighting a “ground fire” could result in “zero system pressure,” and a “boil water order” until multiple tests show no presence of coliform. The report said Lockwood Fire Chief Dave Long “has a plan which includes using a tender to take water directly form a hydrant at a limited rate and use the tender as the source with boosted pressures to fight structure fires at the La Mel subdivision.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
