By Alex Lane - Audience reaction was mixed at a public workshop Saturday concerning the latest changes in the General Plan development process. Planning Director Susan Grijalva, along with members of a consulting firm, presented the latest set of proposed changes in a map entitled Alternative D. Grijalva said the map is based on public input gathered through the long series of workshops that have taken place since the General Plan update began in 2003. Interspersed between map updates were multiple-choice survey questions for the audience. Each audience member who chose to do so could pick up an electronic remote which was then used to answer the questions anonymously. According to consultant firm member Jeff Henderson, the questions were designed to gather “general, gut reaction” responses. But a number of audience members were very vocal in stating they believed the questions to be too vague. Questions varied from basic information about land ownership to definitions of lot size to suggestions for future city planning and investment. 96 percent of the 53 people surveyed owned the land they live on. 60 percent favored expanded agro-tourism uses in agricultural areas. 77 percent supported voluntary conservation easements to protect wildlife habitats. Some of those in attendance were residents of the sparsely inhabited up country region east of Dew Drop Road, which has become controversial because a proposal in the new plan would require year round permits for living in that area. Grijalva reasoned that it is the counties obligation to provide schooling, some sewer disposal, and emergency services to people in hard to reach back country. “(For this reason) it is the (County’s) policy not to encourage year-round use at these locations,” said Grijalva. “There are only 78 private parcels above Dew Drop,” said one audience member. “Leave us alone.” “The county provides few services now, and we don’t want any,” said another. “The question to consider is, ‘Should the County continue to extend these services?’” said Grijalva. Discussion will be continued during three upcoming public meetings scheduled for October 14th, 15th, and 16th from 1 to 5 pm at the County Administration Building in Jackson.

By Jennifer Wilson - Amador County may soon be facing yet another water rate increase. The California State Water Resources Control Board, or SWRCB, is proposing an increase on all wastewater dischargers that could be as much as 40% on the state fee portion of customer bills. The increase stems from over-spending during the 2007-08 fiscal year. During that year, the SWRCB overspent by 9.3 million dollars, with a projected deficit this year of 17.2 million. To alleviate this projected deficit, the State Water Board is proposing an overall increase in fees equivalent to $18.4 million dollars, and has offered up three options in which to acquire those funds. At last week’s Amador Water Agency Board meeting, General Manager Jim Abercrombie presented those options to the Board of Directors, along with his recommendation that the agency oppose the fee increase. District 4 Director Paul Scott was concerned about the public’s reaction to a possible fee increase and expressed that customers should know the details of where the increase was coming from. “We need to pass on this information to the public…” said Scott. As an example of how the rate increase would affect local customers, Abercrombie, in his report, stated that in the Eagles Nest area, the average bill would increase by 8 dollars per month. “The average bill is 70 dollars, so that’s (about) 10 percent of your bill, (which is) very disproportionate to the level of service (you would be getting),” noted Abercrombie, referring to the fact that the extra 10 percent would not provide any extra level of service to customers. “It’s just state fees,” added Abercrombie. The Board unanimously agreed to send a letter of opposition to the State Water Board, and will also ask the Amador County Board of Supervisors to do the same.

By Jennifer Wilson - The Amador Water Agency believes water management and conservation are critical to Amador County’s sustainability and future growth. With a series of public workshops in October, local residents will have the opportunity to assist in that endeavor. The AWA is inviting county residents to a series of three public workshops beginning October 21st regarding the update of the Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. The plan, nicknamed “The MAC Plan,” was developed in response to guidelines established by the California Department of Water Resources in conjunction with its administration of the Proposition 50 grant program, which was started in 2002. In November 2006, California voters passed Proposition 84, which is more commonly known as the “Safe Drinking Water Bond Act.” Now that Prop 84 has passed, the DWR has been revising its guidelines and criteria, which necessitates an update to the MAC Plan. AWA is looking to form a Regional Participants Committee to “provide critical input and guidance” for the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority, which will be sponsoring the meetings. The AWA says “participation by watershed stakeholders…will be essential as the Authority takes the necessary steps to update the MAC Plan.” The first public workshop will be held Tuesday, October 21st in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 810 Court Street in Jackson. Food and beverages will be provided. For more information, you can contact Gene Mancebo of the AWA at 257-5245.

Staff Report - The El Dorado County Sheriff’s department arrested two armed Mexican Nationals and seized 4,300 marijuana plants on National Forest land last week in Georgetown. El Dorado Sheriff’s Sgt. Phil Chovanec said the seizure occurred September 17. The action included personnel from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Narcotic Detectives Unit with assistance from officers from the Sacramento Mountain and Valley Marijuana Investigation Team and the El Dorado County SWAT team. Investigation by narcotic agents resulted in locating the marijuana garden in the National Forest area of Georgetown in El Dorado County. Two Mexican Nationals were arrested at the scene. The suspects were armed with loaded firearms.

By Jim Reece - The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that it has environmental grants available for local ranchers and farmers in Amador County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers the funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, with applications being accepted from eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2009 Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The deadline for applying for the EQIP grants is October 31st. Amy Rocha of NRCS in Amador announced the upcoming grant period in a release last week. Rocha said the Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers funds on a cost-share basis to landowners for a variety of practices, including cross-fence and water development, tree and shrub establishment, and forest stand and grazing systems improvements. Rocha said “applications from eligible agriculture producers are scored and ranked based on a locally modified scoring system striving to get the best environmental benefits.” The program gives each county the chance to focus federal grant funds and prioritize conservation work to address its most pressing resource concerns. Rocha said Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne county farmers and ranchers were awarded contracts totaling more than 1.6 million in 2008. Primary areas of concern addressed with those grants were rangeland health, fuel load reduction, water quality and quantity and soil erosion. Rocha said the program’s goal is “to promote agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.” The program’s rules were revised by Congress in the 2008 Farm Bill, to increase participation in the program. It offers financial and technical assistance to implement measures that will address water quality and erosion concerns, restoration of wildlife habitat and transition to organic farming. EQIP funds are a way for landowners to solve a resource problem such as fixing a nuisance gulley. It can also be used to address regulatory concerns like feedlot rules or to receive incentives for using conservation tillage. For information, call the Amador office NCRS office at (209) 223-6528.

Staff Reports - A propane tank exploded Tuesday night in a garage on Ridge Road, hospitalizing a man with critical burns. Amador Fire Protection District said that Sean Beckley reported to the 911 dispatcher that a home at 1885 Ridge Road in Amador County was on fire and that a propane tank had exploded in the garage there. Beckley had escaped the burning structure with severe burns to his upper body and head. He was treated by American Legion Ambulance personnel and then transported by air ambulance helicopter to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Beckley, 45, is the son of the property owner and was living in the detached garage that was involved in the fire, AFPD reported. The 911 dispatcher took the call from Buckley at 5:22 p.m. and firefighters arrived at the scene 5 minutes later, finding the residential garage heavily involved in fire. AFPD Chief Jim McCart in a news release said “firefighters quickly controlled the fire and fire damage was confined to the garage and a small spot of vegetation and did not spread to the main residence.” Battalion Chief Ray Blankenheim reported that the fire was contained at 5:59 p.m. The estimated monetary loss to the 1,200-square-foot garage was 40,000 dollars. The cause of the fire was under investigation and AFPD said it appeared to have been caused by the ignition of propane vapors. Witnesses said the impact of the explosion had pushed the back of the building out and it was leaning against an additional shed at the rear of the building. The garage door at the front was ballooned out, showing the force of the blast. Firefighters were huddled in a rear corner of the building, hosing down the 100-pound gas tank to cool it down. The tank continued to burn like a roman candle inside the building for close to 30 minutes until the gas finally was depleted. Agencies involved included AFPD Battalion 10, and American Legion Ambulance.

By Alex Lane - The battle to approve a Final Environmental Impact Report for the Wicklow Way Subdivision near Jackson had some discussion at Tuesday’s Amador County Planning Commission Meeting, before being tabled until the commission’s next meeting. During public comment, Kim Hudson spoke on behalf of Lemke Construction, the company backing the project. She said that all requests for further analysis of everything from water to transportation to recreation areas had been accurately considered in the current incarnation of the FEIR. But Jackson Mayor Rosalie Pryor Escamilla and City Planner Susan Peters were vehement in their opposition to such a claim, stating for the record that water supply and jurisdiction issues were far from resolved. “Water is clearly our biggest issue,” Peters said. “It’s redundant to have a whole (additional) set of distribution lines put in place for this project.” The current distribution line runs along the south side of Highway 88 and serves Wal-Mart and K-Mart in Martell. Peters said that expansion of Jackson’s water treatment plant would have to be covered in the EIR. Amador Water Agency representative Gene Mancebo reiterated those concerns. Mancebo also reminded the council that the subdivision is in an overlapping area and Jackson does not have the exclusive right to serve that area. One Jackson city council member proposed putting off the approval until Jackson and the AWA could come to some resolution. Despite this conflict of interest, Planning Commissioner John Gonsalves believes Lemke Construction is making a good faith effort to answer every question. “They have been cooperative and have worked diligently throughout this process,” he said. The commissioners agreed that the biggest outstanding issue is the logistics of water supply. Other concerns revolved around transportation corridors, the number of low income housing units available, and the acreage allotted for parkland. Many questions were raised but unanswered. At the request of the applicant, the Planning Commissioners agreed to postpone their decision until October 28,th in order to allow the applicant time to research answers to the questions raised during the meeting.

By Jennifer Wilson - The City of Jackson’s temporary sign ordinance made it through a first reading at Monday night’s City Council meeting. Since the last meeting, city staff have been fine-tuning the sign ordinance, which will limit the size and use of temporary commercial signs within the city. The most noticeable complaint from previous meetings regarded real estate signs. Real estate agents weighed in on the sign amendment, stating that a maximum size of 16 square feet was too small for commercial listings. After some discussion, the council, with the help of city staff, decided to keep the 16 square foot maximum size, but allow exceptions. Anyone who wishes to have a larger sign will need to request it on a permit application and it will need to be approved by the Jackson Planning Commission. Local agent Sally Bligh is happy that she’ll be able to erect larger signs for commercial real estate. “I think it’s great. It’s really a safety feature… people driving by don’t want to stop to write down the name and number (from the sign),” Bligh said. Mayor Rosalie Pryor Escamilla, who is also a local real estate agent, agreed that most commercial real estate signs are usually larger, “about 4 by 8 (feet),” she said. Local agent Tony D’Arcy was in favor of the new ordinance, saying “We’ve got some serious problems (with temporary signs). This city looks terrible today.” D’Arcy provided the council with photos of some “bad signs” he had noticed. “A 4 by 4 sign is plenty (big enough),” D’Arcy said. The council was in agreement with the updated ordinance and unanimously approved the first reading of the document. The ordinance will go through a second reading at the council’s next meeting on October 14th, where it could possibly be approved, and would then become effective 30 days from that date.

Staff Report - The Sutter Amador Hospital Auxiliary held its annual officer installment ceremony last week, swearing in six officers. Meeting in the Sutter Amador Hospital Mission Café, the auxiliary officers sworn in for the 2008-2009 calendar year were: Carol Sooy, Parliamentarian; Maryanne Taylor, President; Virginia Diamond, 1st Vice President; Grace Nolan, 2nd Vice President and Membership Chair; Kay Polk, Secretary; and Barbara Long, Treasurer. During the ceremony, service awards were given to several Auxiliary members who reached a landmark number of service hours, many reaching 1,000 or more hours. Jody Boetzer, publicist for the hospital, said the Auxiliary contributes to Sutter Amador Hospital in many ways. Members volunteer their time to a variety of areas including the gift shop, concierge cart, information desk, thrift shop and various departments throughout the hospital. Funds raised by the Auxiliary are returned to the hospital in the form of needed medical equipment for patient care services. Over the years, they have also provided many scholarships for nursing students and others studying a clinical field. Through these investments in the hospital and in the caregivers, the Auxiliary helps ensure quality medical care for our community. Those interested in becoming an Auxiliary member can stop by the hospital to pick up an application or call (209) 223-7500.

By Jennifer Wilson - The Jackson City Council on Monday appointed 11 members of the community to the new Jackson Revitalization Committee. City Manager Mike Daly said committee members were selected through an application and nominating process. All in all, 26 applications were received and a special nominating committee made 11 recommendations to the city council. The two city council members will be Connie Gonsalves and Wayne Garibaldi, and the two merchant positions will be held by Jane Wilkerson and Craig Murphy. Additionally, the committee will have two property owners, Lana Vukovich and Stanley Lukowicz; one Historic Jackson Business Association member, Aaron May; and one resident, Richard Hoffman. And finally, the committee will also have three members-at-large. It was recommended that District 1 Supervisor Elect John Plasse, Gary Little and Sally Bligh fill those spots. All of those were accepted, except for Plasse. Councilman Al Nunes was concerned about a conflict of interest with Plasse serving as a supervisor and on the committee. Several other council members also had reservations about what Councilman Andy Rodriguez called “the appearance of a conflict of interest,” and Vice Mayor Connie Gonsalves agreed. Garibaldi was in support of Plasse’s appointment, adding that “he’s our elected representative in this area.” Mayor Rosalie Pryor Escamilla made it clear that no one on the council doubted Plasse’s dedication and ability to perform on the Jackson Revitalization Committee, but that in light of the possible appearance of a conflict of interest, it may be better to appoint an alternate. During the course of the discussion, Gonsalves noted that Economic Development Committee member Shelley Scott has “spent a lot of time working on the (committee) and was the first to donate 250 dollars to the cause.” Plasse served on the Economic Development committee and according to Garibaldi, has “worked as hard, or even harder” than his fellow committee members. Plasse spoke to the council to inform that according to County Counsel Martha Shaver, there was “no conflict of interest in this situation.” Additionally, Plasse assured the council and the public that “should there be a conflict of interest, I would definitely recuse myself.” Nonetheless, the council voted 4 to 1 to replace John Plasse’s appointment with Shelley Scott, with Garibaldi dissenting.