Amador County – The Ione City Council voted 3-1 last week to return a $500,000 state grant that would have helped build a new swimming pool, citing a lack of funding and a 2012 deadline. The city won the 2005 California Department of Recreation’s “Urban Open Space and Recreation Grant” to build a 6-lane, Olympic sized pool. City Manager Kim Kerr said the project cost was estimated at $1.7 million, and the city had no funding source for the remaining $1.2 million above the grant. She said a big issue was operation and maintenance, which would cost $30,000 annually. The city already runs the Ione Junior High pool, costing $27,000 a year, while the city recoups only $6,000, Kerr said, but the city keeps the pool open for the children. The existing pool is also Olympic-sized, and the city spent $70,000 to repair it in 2007. Kerr said the grant was not transferable. The only change they could make from the winning project description would be its location. It would have to be built by March 2012, including all environmental work. Construction alone would cost $631,000, Kerr said last week. If the project will not be built, state Parks & Recreation wants the competitive grant funds back, to award to another project. Kerr said: “They call us monthly and ask us what we are going to do with this.” The city has discussed the project with Superintendent Dick Glock. Kerr said the school district is at a “very crucial time” in its budget. Councilman Lee Ard said the city will not get any parks & rec impact fees from home sales at Castle Oaks until they sell 100 homes, which could take 2 years. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said: “People in hell want ice water, but it doesn’t mean they’re going to get it.” She said the good deed of giving back the funds might come back to the city. Councilman Jim Ulm said the council “should not rush to give this money back, because times do change,” and “it seems like there’s no problem with keeping it for a while.” Vice Mayor David Plank suggested giving the school district 1 more attempt at an agreement, but Ard said he thought they should give back the funds. Ard, Bonham and Plank then voted to return the funds, with Ulm against. Kerr said she must notify the state by letter of the decision. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.-
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Amador County – The Ione City Council voted 3-1 last week to return a $500,000 state grant that would have helped build a new swimming pool, citing a lack of funding and a 2012 deadline. The city won the 2005 California Department of Recreation’s “Urban Open Space and Recreation Grant” to build a 6-lane, Olympic sized pool. City Manager Kim Kerr said the project cost was estimated at $1.7 million, and the city had no funding source for the remaining $1.2 million above the grant. She said a big issue was operation and maintenance, which would cost $30,000 annually. The city already runs the Ione Junior High pool, costing $27,000 a year, while the city recoups only $6,000, Kerr said, but the city keeps the pool open for the children. The existing pool is also Olympic-sized, and the city spent $70,000 to repair it in 2007. Kerr said the grant was not transferable. The only change they could make from the winning project description would be its location. It would have to be built by March 2012, including all environmental work. Construction alone would cost $631,000, Kerr said last week. If the project will not be built, state Parks & Recreation wants the competitive grant funds back, to award to another project. Kerr said: “They call us monthly and ask us what we are going to do with this.” The city has discussed the project with Superintendent Dick Glock. Kerr said the school district is at a “very crucial time” in its budget. Councilman Lee Ard said the city will not get any parks & rec impact fees from home sales at Castle Oaks until they sell 100 homes, which could take 2 years. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said: “People in hell want ice water, but it doesn’t mean they’re going to get it.” She said the good deed of giving back the funds might come back to the city. Councilman Jim Ulm said the council “should not rush to give this money back, because times do change,” and “it seems like there’s no problem with keeping it for a while.” Vice Mayor David Plank suggested giving the school district 1 more attempt at an agreement, but Ard said he thought they should give back the funds. Ard, Bonham and Plank then voted to return the funds, with Ulm against. Kerr said she must notify the state by letter of the decision. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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