News Archive (6192)
Amador County – Nearly $1 million in salaries are up for grabs in the coming election year, with 9 incumbents in Amador County among those seeking office in the June 8th primary. Deborah Smith of the Amador County Elections Office said Monday that all incumbent officials last week had filed signatures in lieu of filing fees and will be or had already filed for reelection. No opponents had filed for the positions. Seeking reelection are Superior Court Judge Susan Harlan, District Attorney Todd Riebe, Sheriff Martin Ryan, Auditor Joe Lowe, Assessor Jim Rooney, Treasurer/tax collector Michael Ryan and Clerk/Recorder Sheldon Johnson. 2 Amador County Board of Supervisors seats are up for reelection, both being sought by incumbents. They are Chairman Brian Oneto of District 5, and Supervisor Ted Novelli of District 3. Superintendent of Schools Dick Glock is also seeking reelection, and political party central committees will elect officers. Last Thursday was the final day for filing signatures in lieu of fees, except for judicial candidates. The last day for declaration of candidacy for the positions is March 12th. All county elected official seats are on the primary ballot, as are 2 county supervisor seats. Annual salaries for those 9 offices in Amador County total $941,201. Individual salaries are topped by the Superior Court judge position at $178,789. The district attorney earns $126,024; the county sheriff salary is $120,720; the auditor’s salary is $101,952; the assessor’s is $99,096; the treasurer/tax collector is $96,888; and the clerk/recorder’s salary is $92,580. County supervisors each earn $62,576 a year. City council, school district, water district and other seats are all up for re-election in November. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Amador County – A meeting looking at the environmental impacts of a proposed Gravity Supply Line turned toward fire suppression capabilities last week at the Amador Water Agency office. The AWA board of directors acknowledged that there is a need to address water flows to help firefighting, but staff noted that it was not a main part of the Gravity Supply Line. Debra Howard told the board that the Amador County Association of Realtors board of directors voted unanimously to support the GSL. She said the “decision was not based on finances” but was also based on water quality and safety matters. Buckhorn resident Linda Stroh representing Sierra Highland Homeowners Association said 3 recent house fires and 2 wildfires in her neighborhood show that “we need water Upcountry, for irrigation, domestication and fire protection.” Sherry Curtis said Amador County and AWA share responsibility and possibly liability when the area has “no ability to stop a fire at a house.” David Evitt said the “need a definitive answer” on whether the Gravity Supply Line “will or will not increase fire flow and capacity.” AWA Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said Friday that “the bottom line is, for the most part, it doesn’t.” The AWA board took input Thursday and “at this point they are acknowledging” the need for fire system improvements. That includes the Pioneer area system maintained by the AWA, and infrastructure self-operated by Mace Meadow, Rabb Park and Pine Grove areas. He said Director Don Cooper has been appointed to a committee by the Upcountry Community Council to look at fire protection in the Upcountry. Mancebo said the “real improvement has to occur after the treatment” or the supply line is installed. Aging infrastructure and hydrant systems need improvement, and if they “don’t have a reliable way to get water to the plant, then it becomes an issue for fire protection too.” Distribution system improvements must be looked at, in projects separate from the GSL, and see “what can be done to improve the system.” Mancebo said fire protection would most likely mean using treated water for fire suppression; otherwise they would have to put in separate systems. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:54
AWA Sets March 25 Date to Consider Gravity Supply Line Project
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors took public comment on the environmental impacts expected from a Gravity Supply Line project, then tabled the issue for more work last Thursday. The board also set a March 25th meeting date to consider whether to approve the project. The board considered staff answers to 7 comments letters received about the project, which would build a gravity-powered water line that would carry water on a 6.6-mile pipeline from PG&E’s upper storage bay on Tiger Creek to the Buckhorn water treatment plant. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said the board took no action but decided to digest the information from comments received last Thursday (February 25th) and take some time to formulate comments. The board plans to bring back the comments, on the agency’s environmental review and a proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration on the project, but no date is yet determined to do so. The board did choose March 25th to hold a meeting to consider approval of the project. Comment letters came from Caltrans, state Fish & Game, the Foothill Conservancy, Cal Fire, and Amador County Transportation and Public Works. AWA Board President Bill Condrashoff submitted comments in writing, so that “there will be a written record of my questions and concerns.” The agency also received 4 letters commenting on the Gravity Supply Line project. The AWA also spent several hours last Friday in a special meeting discussing financial plans of the Central Amador Water Project, whose customers would be served by the Gravity Supply Line. The financial plan did not include either a Gravity Supply Line or a replacement of the existing pump system. The plan indicates a need for rate increases even without the projects. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Amador County – The Amador County School District Board of Trustees discussed Wednesday the inevitable implementation of drastic layoffs and other cost-saving measures because of reductions in funding from the state. Speaking before a large audience, Superintendent Dick Glock said “even the conversation is devastating and very discouraging to have to hold.” The board unanimously approved four resolutions that allow notices of possible dismissal to be sent to 56 district and 10 special education employees. A final decision must be made before a state-imposed deadline of March 15th. “There are no good outcomes to this unless we are able to rescind these layoffs at a later date,” said Glock. The State Department of Education predicts another $5.6 million is expected to be added to the difference between projected versus actual funding for Amador County education in 2010-2011, increasing the total reduction in funds to $13.9 million. “The state has given us a certain parameter of cuts and that is what we’re planning for. We can only go by what they tell us,” said Glock in an interview Friday on TSPN. He said if they laid off everyone on the list they “still would be a million dollars short” of breaking even. He said at that point the district would likely look into reducing the length of the school year or discussing wage and benefit reductions with special bargaining units. The district must also raise class sizes closer to 30 students. “We’ve tried to stave off direct cuts to the (classroom)…and now there is no other place to go other than raising class size,” said Glock. The state requires certain courses, including English, Math, Social Studies and Science, be retained as essential in order for students to be eligible to graduate. The survival of elective courses, on the other hand, depends on enrollment. “The electives that get to about 30 (students) will be retained and those that have less we’ll have to look at shutting down,” said Glock. Amador County Teacher's Association President Mike Delaney said his group understands that the budget cuts are out of local control and the responsibility lies with state lawmakers. He said what is needed is an “uprising to make your legislators fear for their safety (of remaining) in office.” Board President Karl Knobelauch said he never thought he would be “presiding over such a wholesale dismantling of our education system.” He called it a “very sad place the State of California has brought us to.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:46
TAC to Consider Buena Vista Biomass Power Permit Revision
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador County Technical Advisory Committee will return Wednesday to considering amendments to a use permit at the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant on Coal Mine Road. The TAC members will continue to evaluate the potential environmental impacts. The committee “may propose conditions and mitigation measures;” and it could “possibly make a recommendation” to the Amador County Planning Commission. Buena Vista Biomass Power is looking to amend a use permit that was issued to the Jackson Valley Energy Partners at the Cogeneration plant at 4655 Coal Mine Road near Ione, and in Amador County’s unincorporated area of Supervisorial District 2. The company seeks to remove “fuels currently allowed,” including “a requirement in the Amador Air District permit to burn a minimum of 20 percent lignite.” The permit change would replace lignite fuels with “100 percent renewable woody biomass fuel sources, including (but not limited to) forestry waste, agricultural waste; and clean urban waste.” The request notes that Buena Vista Biomass would not use painted, pressure treated or other “altered” fuel sources. And the company “is also proposing to upgrade the existing facility to incorporate best available control technologies such as installation of a new ‘bag-house’ and selective non-catalytic reduction for particulate capture.” That also includes a “continuous emission monitoring system.” The applicant “is also proposing to grade or fill “the fuel pad area, including an onsite balance and cut fill of approximately 10,500 cubic yards of native fill material to expand the existing fuel supply pad.” Proposed site work would include redesigning a truck ingress and egress, installation of 2 truck dumps, and “additional facility restorative work.” In late January, the company hosted a meeting at Bishop Hall in Ione, with about 90 people attending. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Monday, 01 March 2010 00:56
Sutter Creek to Consider Council Statement for Gold Rush Ballot
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council tonight will consider the wording of a council statement to be printed on a citywide referendum ballot that could decide whether the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort continues as planned or goes back to the drawing board. The city council last week placed the referendum on the June 8th primary ballot, and appointed staff to add more detail about the project on the ballot question, which was approved February 15th. Resolution 09-10-17 asks: Should the city council’s resolution “approving the Gold Rush Ranch specific plan, general plan amendments, and phased vesting large lot tentative subdivision map, be adopted to authorize development of a public golf course, a hotel, timeshares, residential units and various commercial uses and requiring provision at developer expense of community park, open space, trails, sewer plant and donation of land and funds for community us?” The council will also consider a City Council statement that will accompany and be printed on the ballots and sample ballots for the election. Councilwoman Sandy Anderson and Planning Commissioner Frank Cunha were appointed by the council last week to write the statement, which would tell – in part – why the city council members voted 4-1 to approve the Gold Rush project. The statement has a 300-word limit. Proponents of the referendum also may write a statement for the ballot, with a 300-word limit. The resolution stated that “primary arguments must be filed within 14 days of calling the election, rebuttal arguments to be filed within 10 days after the close of primary arguments.” The city in the resolution also directed City Attorney Dennis Crabb to conduct and write an “objective analysis” of the measure, which will be limited to 500 words. Crabb will prepare “an impartial analysis as to the effect of the measure on existing law and the operation of the measure.” The meeting is 7 p.m. today at city hall. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Friday, 26 February 2010 00:58
Environmental Impact Questions Answered at the AWA Gravity Supply Line Discussion
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors discussed the Gravity Supply Line and potentially approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration Thursday, with staff indicating that environmental mitigation plans were the latest practices in the field. AWA Vice President Debbie Dunn said it was a little “disconcerting” to her that the plan included bulldozing work to be done only 14 days after a walk through the project’s land “to look for a bird that could stop us.” She was also worried about American Indian historic sites, and did not like the document’s approach that the agency will “wait until we find it.” Dunn said “14 days prior to bulldozers does not seem to be a good path.” Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said “at that time, you mitigate it. The intent is to protect the species,” and they would not want to walk through the project area, then wait 2 months to start building. Director Terence Moore said the mitigation is to move the pipeline’s footprint. Dave Beauchamp of environmental consultants PBS&J, which wrote the Negative Declaration and helped answer comment letters, said the mitigation plans are standard. He noted that the California Department of Fish & Game “asked us to use their language” and it didn’t change the document’s language at all because it was already in place. Beauchamp said 14 days is a standard time frame for scoping out a Nesting Raptor. The plan also has “special mitigations” that come into play if a Yellow Legged Frog is found in the project area. He said as far as culturally sensitive American Indian historic sites, the standard “mitigation is to have an archeologist at the site when the trenching is done.” Beauchamp said “we’ll have monitors at all of the construction areas.” Dunn said she feels “handcuffed” because there is no environmental review in building a 5 “cubic feet per second” capacity pipeline, while the agency’s diversion rights are limited to a flow of 3 “cubic feet per second.” AWA attorney Steve Kronick said “there will be an environmental document prepared before the state acts on that application.” He said “they realize that the supply line is being designed for a larger amount than the agency has a right to divert.” David Evitt in public comment said the state studies that are required are “kind of a rubber stamp.” Kronick said “our environmental document has to address growth-inducing affects.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Friday, 26 February 2010 01:00
AWA Discusses the Size of the Gravity Supply Line Project
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency discussed the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Gravity Supply Line project Thursday, with the outcome not available by deadline late Thursday. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said “information has been provided to the board,” including about 7 comment letters, the environmental study document, and proposals and plans for mitigation measures. He said staff, including attorney Steve Kronick were involved in writing the Mitigated Negative Declaration, which in effect would say that environmental impact was not necessary to merit a full Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act. Mancebo said they have “also met with the Foothill Conservancy regarding their concerns.” Foothill Conservancy’s Katherine Evatt, Pete Bell and attorney Thomas Infusino met with AWA staff and reportedly emerged satisfied with the approach to the GSL’s size. Mancebo recommended the board approve a resolution making the Negative Declaration, while the board also would consider making a policy decision whether to approve the Gravity Supply Line project. Kronick said approval of both would trigger a timeline for protests of the Negative Declaration. The board could make the negative declaration without approving the project. One concern was that the GSL was designed for a maximum flow of 5 cubic feet per second, while AWA only has diversion rights from the Mokelumne River for 3 cubic feet per second. Board Vice President Debbie Dunn said “we’re 2 CEQAs short,” noting that they did not have expanded diversion rights, and faced a prospect of needing to expand the Buckhorn water treatment plant to handle the extra flow. Mancebo said “this is a project-specific document” and the agency is “looking at the GSL,” not increased rights or capacity. He said environmental work on other projects would be handled separately. Director Terence Moore said: “all we’re talking about here is building the pipeline. Who knows how long the capacity increase will take.” Mancebo said the aim is that the GSL’s size outlives the capacity of the agency. Kronick said the agency has already applied to the state for a diversion capacity increase of 2 cubic feet per second. He said the state will not consider that application until an environmental review is done. That would include a review of “growth inducing effects.” Kronick said AWA “spent a considerable amount of time over this issue” with the Foothill Conservancy, whose members he said were satisfied that the agency would analyze growth inducement in that environmental analysis associated with a diversion increase application. AWA President Bill Condrashoff said that process would be open to public comment, like the negative declaration. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Housing Element – A Joint Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday discussed Amador County’s future housing plan. The meeting was called by the Planning Department in order to “review and comment on the proposed update to the County General Plan Housing Element.” Jeff Goldman of AECOM, a management support company working with the county on the General Plan Update, said that unlike other areas of the General Plan, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requires the 168-page Housing Element be updated every five years. The last update was in 2005. He said the updates respond mostly to state law, but also incorporate ideas expressed during two workshops held last year in which the public and stakeholders had an opportunity to comment. The updates focus mainly on the county’s role in providing land and access to affordable housing. Amador County Planning Director Susan Grijalva told TSPN they “are required to provide affordable housing for all income levels, whether it be for extremely low, very low, low, moderate or above moderate (incomes).” The county planning website notes the county has been “unable to take action on many programs,” and “no new income restricted housing has been constructed in Amador County since 2005.” The summary said the “county has an effective and successful first-time homebuyer program, but other challenges, including infrastructure challenges, impede housing production.” The presentation outlined updates and revisions to five “broad goals” in the update, which are to provide adequate sites to encourage provision of affordable housing, provide support for affordable and special needs housing, consult with residents and agencies about housing issues, support the conservation and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock, and to improve access to housing for all residents. Cara Agustin of the Planning Department said the commission is “not yet in a position to adopt the document because they are still awaiting comments from the HCD.” The element was dropped off at HCD on February 3rd. The HCD have 60 days to respond. At that point, Agustin said they will take the HCD’s comments on the Housing Element back to commission to see if any further changes are needed. The Planning Commission will then make recommendation to the board of supervisors. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Friday, 26 February 2010 01:02
Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann Comments on a Recent Study
Written by Tom
Amador County – Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Public Health Officer, elaborated Tuesday before the Board of Supervisors on a recent national study ranking Amador County as 20th healthiest in California. The study, undertaken by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, examined all counties in the United States, measuring each county using national benchmarks. 56 out of 58 counties in California were included. Hartmann said the ranking is “pretty darn good for a small county.” The ranking is based on the average between two categories: Health Outcomes, which include mortality and morbidity, and Health Factors, which include behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and the physical environment. Hartmann said Amador’s best rankings is in morbidity, a broad measure which represents quality of life, where the county ranked 4th; and clinical care, where the county ranked 12th. He said “counties that have a lot of money like Marin and El Dorado” generally ranked higher overall. Calaveras County ranked slightly lower than Amador in most categories. He said the greatest area for improvement is Health Behaviors, in which Amador ranked 39. He said this category measures obesity, smoking, alcohol use and unsafe sex. “We need to develop more effective prevention strategies to improve these factors,” said Hartmann. Supervisor Ted Novelli echoed the sentiments of the board and thanked Hartmann for his report and “diligence in serving Amador County.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
