By Jim Reece - The Sutter Creek City Council saw the light, historically, Monday night in its regular session, hearing a presentation from a Midwest streetlight vendor and a Pacific Gas & Electric spokeswoman. They heard a presentation on vintage style street lights then got some lectures form citizens who worried about city coffers, before another item on the agenda, raising wastewater rates and avoiding a negative balance in the sewer department’s operating funds. Shelley Scott of PG&E said the utility would offer grant funding and also would pay for parts of the new lights, if the city added an extra street lamp to the downtown’s roughly baker’s dozen of them. Ed Swift showed a vintage style streetlight cover that he said was probably very much like the lampshades used in Sutter Creek’s downtown. Swift said when he moved to Sutter Creek in the 1950s, there were simple wooden posts with lights on them, unlike the cast iron posts introduced by Gary Goran from the company Holophane, of Newark, Ohio. Goran said the glass lights were guaranteed not to turn yellow for 100 years, except for on lamp, which showed a yellow light, but lightened as the bulb heated up. Councilman Pat Crosby asked what the cost was for the cast iron posts. Scott said they ranged in price from 2,000 to 5,000 dollars. Swift, resident John Monross and others urged the council not to dally with vintage lighting until the city’s economy recovered, or until the future of the American economy was better known. Crosby said the issue of vintage lights should be turned over to the newly formed architectural advisory committee, to discuss the lamps with the vendors. Scott said that PG&E needed an application from the city to work with city Staff on the lights. The council thanked the presenters and Mayor Gary Wooten said the city would call the companies when they were ready to consider the lights. The council later in closed session discussed the Knight Foundry, which at one time in the past had discussed building vintage cast iron streetlights for the city.

By Jim Reece - The City of Ione received a letter September 30th rejecting a request for funds for low-income home ownership program. The state Department of Housing and Community Development sent a letter to Ione City Manager Kim Kerr notifying of that Ione’s application was not chosen for funding. Sharon I. Sarno of the Division of Financial Assistance in the letter said that upon close of the application period, June 25th, the Department of Housing had received 128 applications requesting a total of 118 Million Dollars in CalHome funding. The requests sought some of the 60 million dollars available in the program and the department was “a little overwhelmed with the magnitude of the response from California cities, counties and nonprofits seeking support for their home ownership programs.” Ione’s application was one of 10 that did not reach a funding threshold to win an award of funds. Sarno said 118 applications passed the threshold, totaling 109 Million Dollars in requests. Of those, 61 applicants were awarded funding from the 60 million dollars in funding. Part of the threshold of funding was that “applicants had existing programs in the areas of mortgage assistance and/or owner-occupied rehabilitation lending and they evidenced the capacity to operate a program successfully.” The letter encouraged Ione to apply for funding under the CalHome Program in 2009.

By Alex Lane - And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 7, which would require government-owned utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2010, 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2050. Also known as the Solar and Clean Energy Act, it would require all utilities to provide more solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, and small electric energy. Supporters call Prop 7 a “balanced solution that will reduce the rising costs of energy, limit the dangers of global warming” and lessen the demand for foreign oil. Supporters say that “if utilities fail to meet energy standards, utilities are prohibited from passing on penalty costs to consumers.” Supporters say “Prop 7 is guaranteed never to add more than 3 percent to our electricity bills.” But opponent see Prop 7 as a “deeply flawed” measure backed by an Arizona billionaire. They say that “Prop 7 contains a competition elimination provision shutting smaller renewable energy companies out of California’s market.” Opponents say it undermines the power of local government and vests too much authority in the California Energy Commission to make crucial decisions. On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to help decide.

By Alex Lane - Repairs to failed slide gates at the Caples Lake main dam outlet works are nearing completion. Inspections conducted after a recent dewatering show that the 85-year-old slide gates, their appurtenances, and the trash rack were more badly deteriorated than indicated by earlier underwater investigations. However, no new major problems were discovered. The repair teams are removing the slide gates and trash rack and installing replacements. El Dorado Irrigation District anticipates the work will be done by November 1st, or possibly earlier. Once the repairs are completed, the gates will be tested and the bladder dams removed. Currently, the District is pumping water—at the rate of two to three cubic feet per second—from behind the bladder dams into Caples Creek. At their October 6 meeting, the District’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to fund the first year of the Caples Lake fish restocking plan, approved by the state Department of Fish and Game. According to the plan, over a ten-year period, brown, rainbow, and mackinaw trout will be released into the lake to reestablish the lake’s recreational fisheries. The comprehensive plan includes a timeframe that Fish and Game believes will allow a trophy mackinaw fishery to reestablish. Fish and Game will fund the restocking of the mackinaw. The cost to the District to fund the first year restocking effort is 246,282 dollars. At this time, the details are being worked out by District staff, Fish and Game, and potential partners. Caples Lake is a major recreation area for residents of Amador County.

By Jim Reece - The Ione City Council will consider approving a 3-year contract for wastewater treatment monitoring wells at its regular meeting tonight. City Manager Kim Kerr will recommend the council authorize her to finalize a contract with Condor Earth Technologies, Inc. for Groundwater Monitoring Compliance Services. In an October 14th staff report, Kerr said that the council’s Request For Proposals on the work closed on September 24th with the city receiving six responses. Costs of responses were as low as Condor’s 126,580 dollars and as high as 234,760 dollars. Kerr said Condor is the lowest responsible bidder. City staff, including the Chief Wastewater Operator, reviewed the proposals. Condor’s expected winning bid would provide the services over the next three years. Kerr recommended that the city contract with Condor Earth Technologies for the services outlined in the RFP. She also recommended the council authorize her to finalize a contract for services with Condor Earth Technologies upon approval of the contract by the City Attorney. The cost of the services will not exceed $126,580.

By Jim Reece - Amador County’s Foothill Conservancy sponsors the 2008 Mokelumne River Clean Up Day Saturday in four locations, including along Electra Road. Participants must register online at www.foothillconservancy.org. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at one of the four locations, North Fork Mokelumne at Highway 26, Electra Run, North Fork Mokelumne below Salt Springs Dam, and Middle Bar. Specific information will be sent with registration confirmation. Organizers said rain will cancel the event. Foothill Conservancy’s Randy Berg said organizers are looking for volunteers to pick up trash and litter along the banks of the river. Berg said everyone must sign a release of liability, and minors will need a signature from a parent or guardian. Minors must have a responsible adult along with them. Items to bring include gloves, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hats, insect repellent, a sack lunch and a water bottle or canteen. Organizers will have water to refill bottles. Long pants are recommended. Work will be done near moving water, so weak swimmers may want to bring a life jacket. There will be a prize for the “weirdest find.”

Staff Report - The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service fire personnel intend to continue this year’s “prescribed burning” activities in the Eldorado National Forest during the fall and winter months. Approximately 9,000 acres of national forest lands are scheduled to be prescribed burned, in both pile and understory fire application. Pile burning begins after the rains have thoroughly dampened the forest floor and will continue throughout the winter months. Additional information on burn locations may be obtained by calling the local District offices. Three understory burn projects are of particular interest. The Cat–Anderson burn in the Amador district in the Leek Springs area will continue to reintroduce fire into the forest, reducing the heavy fuels in the area. The Van Vleck Meadow Restoration project has progressed with the removal of encroaching conifers that are filling in the meadows and will follow up with prescribed fire to clean up and rejuvenate the meadow systems. The Henrys burn near the Placerville District will link numerous hazardous fuels projects already completed and in progress that have occurred in and around the community of Grizzly Flats. According to the Department of Agriculture, prescribed fire helps reduce heavy fuel loads while simultaneously opening the forest structure and maintaining the health of the forest. It improves and regenerates wildlife habitat, enhances native plant communities, and is a critical part of the ecological process of western forests. Each burn is intended to remove brush, slash and small trees that can carry wildfire into the tops of taller trees. “The timing of the actual ignition of a prescribed burn project depends on weather conditions, moisture in the fuels we intend to burn, our ability to control the fires, and permission from the local air pollution control district”, said Jennifer Boyd, Eldorado National Forest Fuels Specialist. Every prescribed burn is designed to minimize smoke drifting into residential areas. Any one with respiratory illness or who thinks the smoke might adversely affect them should contact the nearest Eldorado National Forest Ranger Station to be placed on a “sensitive persons” pre-burn notification list. For additional information call Jennifer Boyd at (530) 621-5223. Detailed maps of the burn locations will be available on the Eldorado National Forest website.

By Jim Reece - Construction companies walked the route of the proposed Plymouth Water Pipeline last Thursday from Tanner Treatment Plant to Plymouth’s water tank. During the Amador Water Agency’s Board meeting last week, Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said, “as we speak, there is a mandatory bid walk under way for prequalified bidders.” The companies included Ranger Pipelines, which built the 30-inch Amador Transmission Pipeline, plus Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Granite Construction Co., HPS Mechanical, JMB Construction, KW Emerson, McGuire and Hester, Mountain Cascade, Sundt Construction, T&S Construction Co., Teichert & Sons and Vinciguerra Construction. The Plymouth bid opening is October 23rd, and AWA could award the project as soon as the next day. The anticipated award date is November 13th and the Late Award date is December 22. Companies are allowed 12 months to complete the pipeline. AWA expected to initiate service to Plymouth by December 2009, but could do so as early as September 2009. Later Thursday, the Plymouth City Council and staff hosted a meeting on the pipeline. Plymouth City Manager Dixon Flynn said the council was not promoting a decision but letting residents and parcel owners decide on new water and sewer rates that could fund the pipeline. Flynn said that the city can raise rates, but under Proposition 218, had to notify people of the hike. The people in turn can protest and stop the rate hike. He said people must know that if the pipeline is built, the AWA would not be subject to Prop. 218, so it could raise rates without protest to customers. Flynn said “we are going to have rate increase,” noting that it was “already in the works.” Mancebo said the AWA is liable for the and if the city misses a payment, the agency must make the payments. Plymouth must pay off the loan, otherwise AWA ratepayers are “on the hook for that.” Flynn said that when the pipeline is built, the city gives 100 percent ownership to AWA. Mancebo said in the Pipeline’s Segment 6, Plymouth has the option of “First Refusal of Service” to new hookups. AWA controls the rest of the pipeline’s hookups and customers.

By Jim Reece - 21,082 Amador County residents and counting were registered for the November 4 election as of Tuesday with registration for the election set to close 5 p.m. Monday, October 20. Of those, Republicans led party affiliation with 9,592 registered voters. The Democratic party had 7,398 registered voters. Decline To State had 3,030 voters. American Independents numbered 651, Libertarians had 13, the Green party had 130, 117 filed as “Miscellaneous” and 32 were members of Peace And Freedom. Ione City Council has three candidates running for two seats. They are Andrea Bonham, David P. Plank and Jerry Sherman. Jackson City Council has three seats open for four candidates, Dave Butow, Wayne Garibaldi, Judy Jebian, Marilyn L. Lewis and Alfred A. Nunes. Plymouth City Council has three seats open with six candidates: Greg Baldwin, Gary C. Colburn, Darlene R. Estey, Maria E. Nunez and Patricia J. Shackleton. Amador County Unified School District has four candidates for three seats: Paul “PJ” Karnaze, Janelle F. Redkey, Wally Upper and Mary Walser. Amador Water Agency Board of Directors has one seat contested in each of four districts. District 1 candidates are George W. “Bill” Condrashoff and Madonna Wiebold; District 2 features John P. Swift and Gary E. Thomas; District 3 has Joseph A. Bonini and Don Cooper; and District 4’s race has Debbie Dunn, W. Brent Parsons and Paul Scott.

By Alex Lane - And now, our continuing report on the Propositions you’ll be deciding on in the November ballot. Today we’ll discuss Proposition 3, which would authorize 980 million in new bonds to build children’s hospitals and help them purchase new medical equipment. Supporters have argued persuasively for the need for better facilities and treatment in children’s hospitals, but opponents believe this is simply not possible during our current tough economic times. Supporters argue in favor of Prop 3 because it will “not raise taxes” and will “allow children’s hospitals to purchase the latest medical technologies and special equipment for sick babies.” They highlight the overwhelming percentage of childcare that takes place at Children’s Hospitals, compared to other hospital facilities. For example: Children’s Hospitals provide 97 percent of all surgery for children who need organ transplants and 71 percent of inpatient care for children with cancer. Four years ago, voters approved nearly 750 million for these hospitals but construction costs and budget shortfalls required most of the money. Opponents believe that “adding bonded indebtedness for anything but the most essential infrastructure is unwise to the point of absurdity.” Opponents criticize the emotional framing of the proponent’s argument under the guise of “Children’s hospitals”, saying that a “careful reading of the definition…reveals that 80 percent of the money may go to any acute hospital so long as it treats children, among other patients.” On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to decide on this highly contentious issue.