Amador County – The Jackson City Council this week approved a mutual aid agreement with the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department, a first for the city with the sovereign Miwok tribe.

City Manager Mike Daly said there were no concerns and the Mutual Aid Agreement for Fire Services with the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians served to formalize mutual aid with Rancheria. He said the city and the tribe were happy to do that. There was an addendum to the agreement that made liabilities agreeable and noted the sovereignty of the tribe. The agreement takes affect immediately as soon as the two entities sign the agreement.

Jackson Fire Chief Marc Crain in a report said “mutual aid agreements foster relationships that lead to joint training, information sharing and joint operational exercises that are invaluable in the successful outcome of a joint response to emergencies.” Crain said the agreement will enhance “the ability of both the city and the Rancheria to provide a higher level of response to emergencies that occur within the Rancheria and within the response areas of the Jackson City Fire Department.” The document was modeled after a mutual aid agreement between the Rancheria and the Amador Fire Protection District.

On Tuesday, Daly and Planner Susan Peters held the third sign ordinance workshop with invited business community owners and managers. A handful of businesses were represented, including Poor Man’s Bronze and Taco Bell.

Daly said the city has received a couple of comments in writing and invites them, so that the Jackson City Council can consider decisions on proposed new sign code and also existing code. He said the goal is to work something up for the Jan. 23 or Feb. 13 agenda, summarize the comments and inputs and look at the proposals, existing regulations and issues of compliance with existing law.

On Monday, the Jackson City Council approved a request for an extension of approved housing equivalent units for 2012 for previous subdivision applicants.

Daly said the housing equivalent units were extended for 1 year for all applicants, but the council made it clear that this is the last extension. It means they have to submit subdivision applications, including maps, or restart next year. Submitting applications begins the Environmental Impact Report process and timeline.

Daly said the projects began when there was more demand than supply for units, with one of the developments originating in 2005. Whether they move forward, he said, probably depends on the economy, or the “economic fortitude of applicants.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.