Ione City Council Talks Traffic & Pond Sludge

Thursday, 19 July 2007 23:10

Ione City Council Talks Traffic & Pond Sludge

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The Ione City Council discussed the Amador County Transportation Commission’s proposed local traffic mitigation fee on residential, commercial and industrial development. The City has the authority to update these fees under Government code in order to mitigate the impact of new development on local roadways. The ACTC completed the study on behalf of each of the cities and the county. According to ACTC Executive Director Charles Field ACTC, although not required to do so, the agency is completing the study to honor a commitment. Field explained that the cities and county “adopted the regional fees in a cooperate effort for us 2 and 3 year ago, and at that time they asked ‘well what about our local roads?’ and instead of saying ‘that’s up to you’ ,we said ‘if you adopt the regional (fee) we’ll help you with your local (fee).” Field said that the Cities and County adopted the fee and that it has been working very well ever since. He said completing the Nexus study was honoring the commitment that ACTC had made to each of the cities and County, however he did say once they present the study to the entities that is where ACTC’s involvement ends and the rest is up to them.

The City Council reviewed the portion of the study pertaining to the City that proposed that the fee be increased from the current $827 per single family dwelling unit to $3,074. That is the equivalent of $370.40 per end trip. The Council after reviewing the information wanted to hold off and wait until new City Manager Kim Kerr, could compile a staff report on the matter. However since they did notice for a public hearing they did receive public input and one citizen suggested that the City update their general plan before they pursue the fee. Also to appear on the agenda was the adoption of a resolution for the award of sludge removal and dewatering, transportation and disposal services for Ione’s pond number 1.

The meetings discussion focused on this item as Ione residents have bitter memories of when the City drained pond number 7. When that pond was drained it disturbed neighboring properties causing many upset residents. Bob Goodwin of Lee and Row Inc., the city’s hired engineer for the pond #1 project explained that this situation is different because pond #1 is lined. The discussion then centered around environmental concerns and the concern that dewatering the pond could impact surrounding neighbors. Citizens wanted to know what the city will be doing to ensure there would be no negative impacts on the community surrounding. Goodwin and Chief Operator Julio Guerra spoke about the current situation and addressed the hydrology questions. After a lengthy discussion the city decided to move forward with de-sledging pond #1.