Ione – The Ione City Council voted 3-1 to conduct fee and funding studies in the city, but then tied 2-2 on whether to seek proposals on the projects, and again 2-2 on whether to hire Pacific Municipal Consulting to do the work. It would include a $195,000 contract, which PMC offered to begin, in part, on a 10 percent down payment, then work with the city for payment over the next 2 fiscal years. Councilman David Plank and Mayor Lee Ard voted to initiate a contract with PMC on the studies, while Councilman Jim Ulm and Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel voted against that. Schaufel and Ulm voted to initiate a request for statements of qualifications on the project, with Ard and Plank voting against that. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham was absent. Plank said PMC’s offer to get started on 3 studies for 10 percent down was a good deal, and the city is familiar with their work. Ard agreed, and worked with PMC on the General Plan Executive Board, the beginning of the process. He said PMC’s finish product is good quality, and “everything we asked of them, they delivered.” Ard said: “We have a very good relationship with them, based on results.” Ulm said he “would like to see something of that cost go out to bid.” Schaufel said the council could write that provision, the 10 percent down deal, in its request for proposals for a project. Schaufel, Plank and Ard then voted to do seven different rate studies. City Manager Kim Kerr, who recommended signing a contract with PMC, said staff costs to prepare a request for qualifications would be about 20 hours’ work, or $2,000 to $2,500. Schaufel said the $195,000 was a “lot of spend if we are building a new wastewater treatment plant in 2 years.” Kerr said they would build rates based on that study, of sewer rates. Ard said wastewater rates would not change until a study was done, but rates would also be determined only after knowing Ione’s “partners on the plant.” He said those could include Mule Creek Prison, Preston, and CAL-FIRE. Other studies recommended by Kerr included Cost of Service and Fees; a Development Impact Fee Nexus; Affordable Housing Fees; a Business License Tax Update; and an advanced planning fee. Another would be a study of the Formation of Community Facility District for services city wide. Those were approved, but the method of contracting the work was not. Staff will bring the issue back when all council members are present. Kerr said “staff believes that the city will be hard pressed to find the services proposed in PMC’s proposal at a lower rate,” and recommended “that the city contract directly with PMC for these services.” She said the “council can prioritize the services needed over a 2-year period. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.