Plymouth – Hoping for a federal grant, the Plymouth City Council last week approved $139,000 in planning for a city wastewater system improvement, but gave a slow nod to planners, saying the money may not make it to town. The council voted 5-0 to authorize City Manager Dixon Flynn to approve task orders under existing contracts with Weber Ghio & Associates, not to exceed $51,850 and with Nolte & Associates not to exceed $85,000. The work will include preparation of plans and specifications and the execution of grant documents related to wastewater improvements, and adoption of an updated grant resolution if deemed necessary by the California Water Resources Control Board. The grant documents would be executed for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, for which consultant Richard Prima said the city may qualify for about $2 million. But he said the grant funds are not a sure thing, and the city council made note of that in initiating the work. The contracts were approved on the condition that the 2 firms would not get paid until after a grant is received. If the city does not get a recovery grant, the firms will have to wait to get paid when the city can make payment. City Clerk Gloria Stoddard said Nolte and Weber can do the preliminary work with the understanding that the city is waiting for funding. The council “wanted them to know up front that until (Plymouth knows) for sure that we have the grant, that there is a possibility that we would not get the grant.” The city should learn by the end of the month whether or not it gets the grant. The work has to be done and out to bid by November 2nd. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek - Sutter Gold Mining, Inc. announced last Wednesday the appointment of David Cochrane as its new Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety, the latest in a line of preparations for turning the Sutter Gold Mine tourist facility in Sutter Creek back into a real working mine. Cochrane brings almost 30 years of combined management and professional experience to the position from a diverse background, including environmental, engineering and earth sciences consulting. According to a release by newswire, “Cochrane is responsible for the development, implementation and compliance of all environmental, health and safety operating policies and procedures. Mr. Cochrane will direct, coordinate and manage ongoing permitting and reporting requirements for the Federal, State and Local regulatory agencies for all of Sutter Gold's current and future projects.” The company has obtained all major operating permits for the project, which it refers to as the Lincoln Mine, 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. Cochrane and Sutter Gold are now working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to obtain a permit to discharge mining waste and are completing design work needed to obtain the remaining operating and construction permits. Sutter Gold President and CEO Clayr Alexander said Cochrane “is one of the best professionals in the State of California in the area of permitting regulations and his expertise will significantly boost Sutter's efforts in this area. I look forward to working with David as we move Sutter Gold's Lincoln Mine Project towards completion of required permits and subsequently into becoming a new US gold producer.” Sutter Gold Mining, Inc., headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, 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. The mine is now open exclusively for one hour underground tours “deep into the heart of the Mother Lode.” No comments have been made as to when the mine could open for production. Story by Alex Lane. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council last week discussed raising its Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to anywhere from 10 percent to 12 percent, then directed staff to discuss possible changes with business owners. City Manager Dixon Flynn recommended a 12 percent rate, but the council consensus was to make the new TOT tax rate 10 percent. The council gave Flynn direction to Flynn to meet with city commercial owners that would be affected by an increase and start preparation for the proposed change. Chuck Hayes, owner of 49er Village said in public comment that it reminded him of the old adage: “The best prediction of future performance is past behavior.” Hayes told the council the he is “thrilled to hear Plymouth is talking about tourism as a viable income source for the community.” He said Amador County does not collect a TOT tax at any of the RV parks around the county that are in unincorporated areas. He said there are 6 RV parks in the county, though some are on private land owned by the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Councilman Mike O’Meara said he thought they should “start a separate fund for TOT before they even talk about an increase.” Plymouth had a 2008 revenue of $81,800 with its 6 percent TOT tax. Jackson, Ione and Sutter Creek all have 10 percent TOT tax rates. Last year county municipality TOT revenue were $293,000 in Jackson; $172,000 in Sutter Creek; and $4,600 in Ione. Unincorporated revenues, at the county’s 6 percent rate, were $98,000 last year. City Clerk Gloria Stoddard said the city’s annual TOT revenue usually runs around $70,000. Flynn said the tax is paid by visitors to the community and the revenues are used for the benefit of the residents” in “promotion of tourism, parks, signage, landscaping, street cleaning, advertising and recreational activities.” Finance Director Jeff Gardner said Sutter Creek spent $25,000 of its TOT funds last year on city promotions, and $5,000 on beautification. A change of the TOT rate must be enacted by a 2/3rd majority vote of Plymouth residents. Registrar of Voters Sheldon Johnson in an August 17th letter to Plymouth and other cities said January 28th, 2010 was the last day to place a measure on the ballot for the June 8th, 2010 primary election. (end) am Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors next month will consider taking over operation of the Sutter Creek Duck Race. The board last Wednesday heard a pitch from current the Duck Race manager about taking over the 26-year-old fundraiser. Lisa Koslowski of the Sutter Creek Business Association told the board it might be a good opportunity for ACRA Executive Director Tracy Towner-Yep and her staff to take the reins. Koslowski said her Association took over running the Duck Race 2 years ago, and she runs it with about 6 volunteers, and the Amador High School “S” Club. It costs about $25,000 to put on and it brings in about $60,000, she said, but “the more people you have out there selling tickets, the more you make.” Board Chairman Lee Ard asked if the operation cost was paid up front. Koslowski said it comes out of the proceeds. She said another way to offset expenses is to get more sponsors. The Sutter Creek Business Association made about $2,500 last year, with the least amount of “beneficiaries” they have ever had. Beneficiaries are nonprofit organizations. They team up to sell Duck Race tickets, and split the proceeds after prize payouts, with money divided based on the number of tickets each group sells. She said the Duck Race had a “Million Dollar Duck” last year, and an insurance policy that would have paid out the grand prize if someone won it. Koslowski said the Duck Race can trim costs on bands, and they “dropped the ball” last year “by not having ticket locations in our communities.” The race is the last Saturday in April, and consists of rubber duck races down Sutter Creek, with sponsorship of ducks, and prizes for winners and placers. Board Member Michael Vasquez asked if Towner-Yep was up for taking over the Duck Race. Towner-Yep said she it needed consideration, discussion and thought, and she said it should be agendized and brought back. Koslowski said the Duck Race is “well organized and has a good time line.” Board member Richard Forster said he would “like to look at clearing somewhere around $10,000 before we take this over,” and would like to see if the board can “visualize” doing that. He said Towner-Yep should come back to the board “next month with everything on paper.” Board member Debbie Dunn said they could look at the timeline and hours to see what volunteers can do, and how many staff hours ACRA would need to run the Duck Race. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.