Amador County – Developers of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort have said they will foot the bill for a special election if one is needed in a referendum aiming at undoing Sutter Creek City Council action paving the way for the development. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe told the council Tuesday that the referendum has been certified by the County Registrar. He said a short time remains to get the referendum on the June primary ballot. Rabe said the next step that the city council needs to decide is whether the “letter of the law was followed” in circulating of the petition and its attachments. The election must be noticed within 88 days of the June 8th primary, to make it on that ballot. Rabe said: “That means the city would have to have all of its arguments for the ballot ready by March 8th.” Rabe and City Attorney Dennis Crabb will visit the county election office this week, and Rabe asked the council to adjourn the item to next week, to see if questions can be answered about the petition’s legality. Councilman Pat Crosby asked if it would be on the June ballot, and Crabb said “that will be part of the discussion.” Rabe said the council can call a special election between the primary and the November regular election, if needed. Crosby asked about the petitioners’ arguments for the ballot, and Crabb said the city only must supply its own arguments, and “the only thing the proponents have to do or not do is file an argument” for the ballot. Crosby also asked if it was possible to make the June ballot, and Crabb said: “It’s going to be a serious challenge.” Councilwoman Linda Rianda said she did not want to push staff in making legal assessments of the petition, but she “would like to see it done sooner than later.” Mayor Gary Wooten said he thought “there may be reason for a special election” but he would like to see the city get it on the June ballot. Planning Commissioner Corte Strandberg asked about the cost of the vote, and Crabb said: “The developer has agreed they will pick up the costs of the election.” One man, who said he helped in the petition drive, asked that the council not use a special election, because he thought it would affect turnout and he thought it was “very important for people to be heard.” Wooten criticized the comment. The council adjourned the referendum agenda item to 7 p.m. next Tuesday, February 23rd. The item includes discussion and possible action. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010 17:00
Sutter Creek Referendum Checked by City, Gold Rush Says It Will Pay for Election
Written by Tom-
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Amador County – Developers of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort have said they will foot the bill for a special election if one is needed in a referendum aiming at undoing Sutter Creek City Council action paving the way for the development. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe told the council Tuesday that the referendum has been certified by the County Registrar. He said a short time remains to get the referendum on the June primary ballot. Rabe said the next step that the city council needs to decide is whether the “letter of the law was followed” in circulating of the petition and its attachments. The election must be noticed within 88 days of the June 8th primary, to make it on that ballot. Rabe said: “That means the city would have to have all of its arguments for the ballot ready by March 8th.” Rabe and City Attorney Dennis Crabb will visit the county election office this week, and Rabe asked the council to adjourn the item to next week, to see if questions can be answered about the petition’s legality. Councilman Pat Crosby asked if it would be on the June ballot, and Crabb said “that will be part of the discussion.” Rabe said the council can call a special election between the primary and the November regular election, if needed. Crosby asked about the petitioners’ arguments for the ballot, and Crabb said the city only must supply its own arguments, and “the only thing the proponents have to do or not do is file an argument” for the ballot. Crosby also asked if it was possible to make the June ballot, and Crabb said: “It’s going to be a serious challenge.” Councilwoman Linda Rianda said she did not want to push staff in making legal assessments of the petition, but she “would like to see it done sooner than later.” Mayor Gary Wooten said he thought “there may be reason for a special election” but he would like to see the city get it on the June ballot. Planning Commissioner Corte Strandberg asked about the cost of the vote, and Crabb said: “The developer has agreed they will pick up the costs of the election.” One man, who said he helped in the petition drive, asked that the council not use a special election, because he thought it would affect turnout and he thought it was “very important for people to be heard.” Wooten criticized the comment. The council adjourned the referendum agenda item to 7 p.m. next Tuesday, February 23rd. The item includes discussion and possible action. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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