Amador County – The Ione Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting Wednesday to discuss an environmental review of Howard Park. The commission will also discuss an agreement to fund bathroom repairs at Ed Hughes Arena and hear a report on improving the infield of a Howard Park baseball diamond. The commission meets 6 p.m. Wednesday at Ione City Hall, with the meeting open to the public. The commission is Chairman Russ Baldwin, and Commissioners Rosemary Johnson, Laurie Lord and Fraser West, with one vacancy. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report recommended accepting an environmental review with a Mitigated Negative Impact Declaration, holding a public hearing, with an opportunity for the public to comment. Kerr said after the hearing, the commission should have “staff formally respond to any formal comments on the Master Plan and Initial Study” and the “Mitigated Negative Declaration.” She also recommended approving the declaration. The environmental review on the Howard Park Master Plan has been on-going for the past year. The commission will also review a draft Howard Park Master Plan with the Negative Declaration. Both are available for public review through December 14th. Kerr said on “completion of the Public Hearing, staff will review the comments and prepare a formal response to the comments for the City Council to incorporate into the reports and finalize them for adoption.” The declaration’s cost is close to $13,520. The Ione Recreation Commission will also consider an agreement with Amador County Recreation Agency on funding to construct bathroom facilities at Ed Hughes Memorial Arena. Kerr said to receive the grant funding, the “city must have an approved lease agreement.” Staff reviewed the agreement and recommended the commission in turn recommend the agreement to Ione City Council for approval. The commission will also discuss replacing infield materials at the Howard Park baseball field Number 2. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.