Plymouth city manager Gene
Albaugh said the higher fee
was, “A wise choice to ensure that new developments pay their fair share of
their recreational impacts.” Plymouth citizen Stephanie McNair stated, “Jackson is expecting
substantial growth in the near future. Plymouth, however does not have
developers chomping at the bit to build here. I would just hate to see
excessive fees stunt the growth of this city.” The nexus study
designates 2 recreational priorities in the city: First, a New Park, estimated
to cost $2,444,750, and Restoring and Upgrading Lodge Hill, estimated at
$381,000. Tracy Towner Yep, ACRA executive director told the council that, “These prices seem expensive,
but as much as I hate it, it’s just the way it is. Parks can be built buy the
community, and have been in the past. There is only one problem: maintenance.
The Pine Grove community built their own park in the 70’s but have not been
satisfied with the way it has been maintained, because it is always the same 10
people working on it and these volunteers get tired,” Yep stated, “Adopting the Nexus Study is
the first step, the second step is taking care of maintenance operations, which
can be done in many ways. Maintenance could not be included in the study
because it is illegal to include maintenance in impact fees.” She also
told the council that adopting the regional plan would require new developments
outside of the city limits, but in the Plymouth region, to pay these impact
fees as well. ACRA Madam Chairperson Debbie Dunn addressed the council stating,
“This is a great
opportunity for you. Amador County has been without a Recreation Agency for,
literally, forever but it is a great opportunity because we are a government
agency that has actually been set up right and even a step passed that,
we are a Joint Powers Authority.
Dunn stated that all 5 municipalities plus the county and the school district are represented on the ACRA board and have the opportunity to come together, and they do. This is giving you freedom to do what you want as a city. Dunn further explained that the nexus study forms an umbrella for your recreation projects. You, as a city, can change those as you grow with new needs and ACRA will say ‘hey, great!’ and assist you with that. Building this agency with no county constraints will make this be a shining star agency.” The City Council adopted the 4,300 dollar per dwelling recreation impact fee. Tracy Towner Yep will be at board of supervisors’ chambers on January 30th looking for the county to adopt the recreational regional masterPlan, the Nexus Study and impact fees.