Tom
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 01:08
AWA Rate Hike Stalled by 439 Camanche Signatures
Amador County – About 20 people attended an Amador Water Agency rate hearing Monday, with the board thwarted for the second time in a year by a Proposition 218 petition against raising rates in Camanche Water Improvement District Number 7. AWA Finance Manager Mike Lee said the proposal included an internal loan of $800,000 from the Amador Water System next fiscal year to help correct a $618,000 deficit in Camanche District 7, a district with 730 meters and 350 vacant lots. Camanche Homeowners Association President Mark Krisman and others presented 439 signatures on a Proposition 218 petition opposing the rate hike. The proposal was to raise rates 9 percent a year for the next 4 years, and 64 percent total over 8 fiscal years. Director Terence Moore said: “When I heard that you had 439 votes, I was angry. Not at you but at the process.” Moore said AWA should ask the state Legislature to change the system, because “there’s got to be some kind of rate increase.” One Camanche resident urged AWA to think outside the box for a solution of increased water. Moore said they did that, looking into teaming on a treatment plant and new pipeline with East Bay Municipal Utility District, but it was “extremely expensive,” and without a funding source. They will also try to pursue a partnership with the Buena Vista casino, should it be built. Director Don Cooper said it was a difficult situation and the board needs to look to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., because of regulation “costs bourn by customers.” He said “we need to push back on the state a little more, particularly” with the USDA grant for a storage tank which is “not 100 percent,” and comes with a 40-year loan, a “type of restriction that is untenable in this kind of economy.” Cooper said “when we talk about infusing $800,000 into the system,” he expected support from Camanche residents who understand “overhead.” Director Gary Thomas said he believes in the 218 process, but they cannot buy new tanks without a funding source, and nearly 4 years without a rate hike at Camanche “has really put us in the hole.” AWA Vice President Debbie Dunn lauded the group for “telling the people that are representing you what you want.” Board President Bill Condrashoff said: “You told us you are not going to give us any more money by submitting your petition.” He said “this agency will do something. We’ll figure something out, and I think there will be more communication now.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 01:06
Amador Economic Development Corp. Seeks $35,000
Amador County – The Amador Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) succeeded in convincing the Board of Supervisors Tuesday to provide some support in order to keep the struggling organization afloat. AEDC Executive Director Ron Mittlebrunn asked the county to invest $35,000 in economic development and to be included as a regular line item in future budget cycles. He said AEDC engages in a number of non-revenue generating activities “essential to Amador County…such as business attraction, business consulting and managing loan workout modifications.” Its primary duty is to arrange and package business loans through the US Small Business Administration (SBA). He said a number of factors led to his request before the board, including a decline in service fees due to “an unusual amount of SBA loans seeking lower interest rates through re-financing, an unprecedented number of project cancellations after or during the loan approval process requiring the refund of deposits, and a complete lack of new loan requests since early 2009 – a major source of revenue.” “Conceivably, AEDC could have survived any single of these events, but all within a relatively short period of time has proven to be financially overwhelming,” said Mittlebrunn. As a result, the agency’s loan revenue stream has declined and its loan portfolio is down from $8 million in 2006 to just under $5 million today. Mittlebrunn said beginning last year he voluntarily took a 50 percent pay cut. Since its beginning 30 years ago in the attic of the old El Dorado Bank building in Jackson, AEDC has provided business loans to many well-known companies now considered cornerstones of the community. These include the Best Western Amador Inn, Pokerville Market, Jeff Holman’s Auto Sales, TASTE Restaurant and the Feed Barn, to name a few. Mittlebrunn said incentives his organization has offered, like short-term property tax reductions, have attracted major businesses like ISP Minerals located in Ione, which now generates an annual property tax of $149,000 for the county. He also cited US Tile and Lowe’s as successful examples of big business attraction that resulted in significant sales and property tax generation. Gillian Murphy, Director at San Joaquin Delta College, said AEDC is essential because it is also a small business development outreach center affiliated with the San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center. Pine Grove resident Doug Ketron said “economic development is needed to sustain our population and keep our young people.” He said Supervisors should look at this as “an investment and not a cost.” Supervisor Louis Boitano said the “path out of this recession is small business.” The Supervisors agreed to consult with staff to find a business space in county facilities in order to cut operation costs and to provide at least some of the money requested. County staff will flesh out the details and bring the item back for discussion at a later date. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 24 February 2010 01:04
Ione Discusses Receiving Rescue 2 From AFPD
Amador County – The Ione City Council last week discussed the future of the city’s “Rescue 2” ambulance, which in some incarnation has served the city over the last 3 decades. City Manager Kim Kerr said the Amador Fire Protection District board of directors asked if Ione wanted to receive Rescue 2, but the board did not elaborate. Kerr said “this vehicle is our initial response on all medical calls.” It was mentioned in the 1983 documentation of the AFPD-Ione agreements, which AFPD “paid $2,200 a year for us to operate,” Kerr said, but it no longer is listed in that documentation. The vehicle carries a used “Jaws of Life” extrication tool, which was donated from surplus by Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department. Kerr said recent grant funding for Amador Fire Protection Authority to supply member fire departments with “Hurst” extrication tool kits did not include Ione Volunteer Fire Department, so the vehicle does not have any other tools. Kerr said she did “not know if they will be willing to donate (Rescue 2) outright,” but it has become “not appropriate for AFPD to pay for the vehicle.” Ione Fire Chief Ken Mackey said Rescue 2 is a brand new vehicle, and its back-up vehicle is “Rescue 6.” Rescue 6 “was Rescue 2 for 15 years,” Mackey said, and it “put in its battle time.” Rescue 6 is “put into service when Rescue 2 is being serviced for 1 hour to 2 days type of things,” he said. Kerr said they would like to keep the agreement with AFPD “as is,” or to “take over costs, operations and maintenance.” Kerr said the original value of the vehicle was $90,000, and it has an annual operational cost of $2,500. Mackey said it is a 2006 model and “we just hit 6,000 mile on it.” And “it doesn’t go on all the calls now.” The Rescue 2 unit’s coverage area was reduced and now responds only to calls in Ione. Kerr was hoping they could get the vehicle as a gift, the city could pay, or they could “work out a deal” with Amador Fire Protection District. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 01:02
AWA to Work with Camanche on Cost Reductions
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency will talk with homeowners to determine how to cut costs in Camanche Water District Number 7, after residents Monday presented a Proposition 218 petition to protest a rate hike. AWA Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the AWA board of directors “accepted the petition without verification and just assumed that it was correct.” He said they felt it had adequate information and the 439 signatures were valid. Mancebo said the AWA “will consolidate all of the issues raised by the public” on Monday, then meet with homeowner representatives and see if there are some reductions in costs they can make to “right the budget” without raising rates. He said Lake Camanche Homeowners Association President “Michael Krisman indicated he will be a primary point of connection,” representing the homeowners’ board. Mancebo assumed the board would work with a committee, likely including Director Gary Thomas, who represent’s District 2. Krisman told the AWA board Monday that he would like to look at workers’ pay in Camanche District 7, and “see what deal we can make toward a real solution.” AWA 2009-2010 operating expenses for Camanche District 7 total $452,000, including $278,00 in salary and benefits, for 4-and-a-half “full time equivalent” employees, plus $108,000 for system operations and maintenance costs, and $66,000 in administrative expenses. Krisman said “we need to know how you are spending our money.” He said they did not know the AWA board’s “structure,” “who you are accountable to, and for what.” Finance Manager Mike Lee said AWA’s overall budget was reduced by $900,000 this year, and Camanche District 7’s budget was reduced by $123,000. Mancebo said AWA took over Camanche District 7 in 2003, and started operating for Amador County for 1 or 2 years, before the county handed it over to AWA. Lee said the AWA received $481,000 from the county, including $472,000 for capital replacement. Repairs and upgrades included new Well # 14, costing $404,000. Mancebo expected they would meet in the next 30 days with Camanche representatives. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 01:00
Recycler Ricky Award 4Nominees Sought
Amador County - The Amador County Local Task Force (LTF) on Integrated Waste Management is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Recycler Ricky Award. Every year the LTF honors a county individual or entity that represents Ricky’s positive message – Be a Hero and Recycle! The LTF is soliciting nominations for school age recyclers that exemplify the qualities of Recycler Ricky. Nominations will be accepted until March 31, 2010 and can be sent to the LTF care of the Amador County Waste Management Department via email, fax, or US Mail. Nominations should be a brief written description, one page typewritten or handwritten, explaining the specific recycling-related actions the individual has taken to be considered for the award. Please include the name and age of the student and a contact telephone number for a parent or guardian. The young recyclers selected for the 2010 Recycler Ricky Award will be recognized with a special gift and personalized framed certificate. For questions or more information, please contact Jim McHargue at (209) 223-6429. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Wednesday, 24 February 2010 00:53
Amador County News TSPN TV with Alan Sprenkel 2-24-10
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Video
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 04:54
Connie Gonsalves - Amador Fire Protection Authority 2-23-10
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Local
Monday, 22 February 2010 17:00
Ione Remains Non-Exclusive in its Draft Trash Franchise Ordinance
Amador County – The Ione City Council last week voted to remain non-exclusive in its trash service franchising, and also approved 3 suggestions by ACES Waste Service. City Manager Kim Kerr said staff shared a draft franchising ordinance with ACES owners Paul Molinelli Senior and Paul Molinelli Junior, with comments including that they would like to see an “experience requirement,” so that someone with a truck cannot try to vie for the professional services. She said staff agreed that comments by ACES should go in the ordinance language. Councilman Lee Ard said the city council “took a major hit from going non-exclusive,” and said he supported exclusive franchising. Ard said the council took “a lot of hits all over the county about what we are doing.” He said there is “no competition in the county now, because Amador Disposal (the former city trash contractor) has left” the city. He said the council’s “integrity” was questioned all around the county. He urged a 5-year contract review, and a stipulation that “rate increases, if there are any, not exceed” the Consumer Price Index. Staff recommended options with or without mandatory service requirements in city limits, but the council declined that. Ulm said he supported non-exclusive franchising to allow “more competition,” which could keep costs down. Vice Mayor David Plank said he “brought up mandatory” language because of trucks sitting around town with full loads of trash bags. He said: “we’re in the 21st century,” and piles of trash can attract rodents, and larger animals of prey. He agreed the CPI is fair, as did Councilwoman Andrea Bonham, but she opposed mandatory service. She said: “I don’t think it’s a public nuisance, and it’s not my job to spend their money.” The council voted 3-2 against mandating service. It also voted 5-0 to approve ACES recommendations, including that applicants must demonstrate an “experience threshold,” and that “collection vehicle standards must be met.” The same vote limited fee increases not to exceed the CPI, with that language to be made part of specific agreements. They also limited rate increases to once a year. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 22 February 2010 17:00
Ione considers Taking Back Operations of the City Pool
Amador County – The Ione Parks & Recreation Commission today will consider staff recommendation to take back operations of the city pool, which has been managed the last 2 years by the Amador County Recreation Agency. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report to the commission for today’s 6 p.m. meeting recommends that the commission in turn recommend to the Ione City Council that it operate the Ione Pool this year instead of contracting with the ACRA. Paid through the city’s general fund, Kerr said the city has paid ACRA for managing the pool the last 2 years, with a total cost of $34,500. Kerr said: “staff believes we can provide these services for the same or a lower amount for this year.” Kerr said the city annually operates the municipal pool at Ione Junior High, and has maintained it the past 3 years. A review of records the last 2 years “and it appears that city staff spends a lot of time being involved in scheduling various activities addressing complaints and there have been issues raised by the employees providing the pool management services and shared with the city.” Staff created job descriptions for 2 positions at the pool, to be considered by the commission. One post is a pool manager, the other an aquatics specialist. Staff also started preparing the pool schedule. Kerr said staff believed “the best option would be for the city to provide the pool management to try to address some of these issues.” The commission’s agenda also includes grant funds for the improvement of Howard Park. Kerr in a report said staff is “continuing to review grant opportunities to determine if the city is eligible for grant funds including the Proposition 84 grant discussed” at the Parks & Rec Commission’s last meeting. The commission will also discuss its role in city government. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Recreation
Monday, 22 February 2010 17:00
California Rodeo Queen Promotes the 2010 Challenge of Champions Rodeo
Amador County – Reigning California High School Rodeo Association Queen K’Lynn Nicole Jackson was in TSPN TV studios Monday to promote the 2010 Challenge of Champions Rodeo, to be held next month in at the Amador County Fair Grounds in Plymouth. Jackson appeared early Monday on AMLive, and then she and her mother, Linda, distributed fair posters at businesses around downtown Jackson, and the county. They stopped at the Feed Barn, Bank of Amador and Jackson Cleaners, and also visited Raley’s, Safeway, and other locations. The Challenge of Champions is the annual invitational rodeo tournament of the California High School Rodeo Association. Entry to the Challenge of Champions closed last Friday, setting the stage for this year’s to be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 19th, 20th and 21st in Plymouth. Jackson appeared with local coordinator Craig Williams. Nine districts make up the CHSRA competition. Jackson said each district competes in 8 rodeos in the season to determine its State Finals qualifiers. The top 5 from each of 13 events go on to compete in Bishop at the California High School Finals Rodeo. From there, the top 4 move on to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming in 2010-2011. State queens also compete for Miss National High School Rodeo. Jackson, the District 7 Queen, competed in Breakaway Roping, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending; and she won the queen competition at the State Finals in Bishop last June. As state queen, she took 5th at nationals in New Mexico, and the title of “Miss Photogenic 2009”. For information, see www.chsra.com. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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