Amador County – The Ione City Council on Tuesday agreed to about $21,000 in costs cuts for the Howard Business Park, and will seek more savings on the 107-acre project. The council discussed the project with Howard Properties Resource Manager Tim K. Smith and authorized reducing city manager and fire chief fees. They also directed staff to look at other reductions. City Manager Kim Kerr said the council reaffirmed that it wants to continue with the city General Plan requirement that any Environmental Impact Report done for a city project must be led by city, paid for by the applicant, and performed by a city consultant. Kerr said the process is done so the city need not worry about legal defense. The council voted 3-0 to not change policy in its General Plan. Councilman Jim Ulm did not attend, and Mayor Skip Schaufel recused himself due to having previously worked as a Realtor for Howard Properties. The reductions include not charging fees for work done by Fire Chief Ken Mackey and by Kerr as city manager. The reductions total $20,975. Kerr said “costs for their time will not be charged to the project.” The council decided that Mackey and Kerr’s work is “fixed costs that we already have,” while extra work for the city attorney, engineer, planner or other staff must be paid by the developer. The fire chief reviews plans with regard to access and fire issues, and health and safety from a firefighting standpoint. The council also agreed to have staff work with Smith to find what other ways they can reduce an estimated $440,000 cost in city staff and consultant time on the project. Kerr said Smith and Howard Properties “asked us to try and work with them but not deviate from our policies.” Kerr said the EIR probably will be a “fixed cost.” Smith thought costs were too high, and the city was not supporting development by not sharing costs. Kerr said Howard Properties wants to lead the project “at a reduced cost or no cost.” She said the city could be lead entity, but it would cost the city and the developer would lose control. Story by Jim Reece 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 on Tuesday agreed to about $21,000 in costs cuts for the Howard Business Park, and will seek more savings on the 107-acre project. The council discussed the project with Howard Properties Resource Manager Tim K. Smith and authorized reducing city manager and fire chief fees. They also directed staff to look at other reductions. City Manager Kim Kerr said the council reaffirmed that it wants to continue with the city General Plan requirement that any Environmental Impact Report done for a city project must be led by city, paid for by the applicant, and performed by a city consultant. Kerr said the process is done so the city need not worry about legal defense. The council voted 3-0 to not change policy in its General Plan. Councilman Jim Ulm did not attend, and Mayor Skip Schaufel recused himself due to having previously worked as a Realtor for Howard Properties. The reductions include not charging fees for work done by Fire Chief Ken Mackey and by Kerr as city manager. The reductions total $20,975. Kerr said “costs for their time will not be charged to the project.” The council decided that Mackey and Kerr’s work is “fixed costs that we already have,” while extra work for the city attorney, engineer, planner or other staff must be paid by the developer. The fire chief reviews plans with regard to access and fire issues, and health and safety from a firefighting standpoint. The council also agreed to have staff work with Smith to find what other ways they can reduce an estimated $440,000 cost in city staff and consultant time on the project. Kerr said Smith and Howard Properties “asked us to try and work with them but not deviate from our policies.” Kerr said the EIR probably will be a “fixed cost.” Smith thought costs were too high, and the city was not supporting development by not sharing costs. Kerr said Howard Properties wants to lead the project “at a reduced cost or no cost.” She said the city could be lead entity, but it would cost the city and the developer would lose control. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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