Amador County is one step closer to constructing a new bus transit center in Sutter Hill. Last week, the Amador County Transportation Commission voted to approve design modifications and authorize execution of related documents for the construction of a new transit center off of Valley View Drive, at the dead end extension of Bowers Drive. Thursday night, the commission heard an hour long presentation on the project from Matt Boyer of Dokken Engineering. The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of the new transit center and a parking lot. The second phase includes the extension of the parking lot to accommodate a park-n-ride service, as well as the possible addition of a new office for ACTC. In addition to being a transit center, the new facility will also serve as a welcome center for tourists.

Boyer noted that his engineering firm had partnered with Maureen Funk of the Amador Tourism Council, and that in addition to local transportation services, the center would accommodate tourist busses. The Tourism Council would also establish a 24-hour presence on the site, which Boyer said would help to alleviate safety concerns. Boyer also detailed some of the design elements of the project. He noted that the architecture of the transit center would include some design elements from the old Martell Railroad Depot, and may even include an exhibition on the history of the Amador Railroad. Supervisor Richard Forester inquired about the “green aspect” of the center, asking about the incorporation of solar panels and recycling facilities. Boyer responded that his firm was looking at incorporating solar panels on the Phase 2 parking facility, and that he would make sure that there was a system for recycling on site. In sum, the new transit center is budgeted at 3.2 million dollars, and if all goes well with funding, will go out to bid July 1st.

Today marks what could be a resolution to the ongoing cliffhanger decision facing the Board of Supervisors. The Board’s pending decision to approve or reject the Intergovernmental Services Agreement with the proposed Buena Vista Casino has been debated for months. After a lengthy Board Meeting last Tuesday that included hours of emotional public input, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to postpone their decision until today while they deliberate further details in the agreement. Last Thursday, Governor Schwarzenegger “respectively declined” the County’s recent plea request for his assistance, stating in a letter that he, “stands by the amended compact entered into with the tribe.” Today’s Board meeting begins at 9 am at the County Administration Center in Jackson.

The Amador County Board of Supervisors has announced that they, and the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians, have agreed to a 30 day extension for continued discussions, and negotiations, regarding the proposed gaming facility that the tribe wants to build on 67 acres in the Jackson Valley area, specifically on Coal Mine Rd.. Back in May the tribe released their newly completed Final Tribal Environmental Impact Report and that started a 55 day clock for the county, and the tribe, to reach a negotiated agreement regarding how the tribe will mitigate and compensate the county, and its citizens, for the impacts that the proposed Flying Cloud casino will generate. The 1314 page document, according to the report’s explanatory page, incorporates changes from the draft version of the report, including the comments that were received from the community and other municipalities in the county, region and state. The report also includes responses to those concerns by the tribe’s technical specialists. The draft report was circulated from mid January through Mid march with the tribe holding public workshops on February 16 and 17th 2007.

Yesterday the AWA held a special dedication ceremony for the completed Amador Transmission Pipeline. Many Local dignitaries attended including, Supervisors Richard Forster, Ted Novelli, Louis Boitano and Brian Oneto. Al Nunes from the City of Jackson attended, as well as Peter Tatishi from Congressman Lungren’s office, and Dana Jorgensen from Senator Cox’s office. General Manager Jim Abercrombie kicked the ceremony off at the Tanner Reservoir and began with some history regarding the project, which took 13 years in the making. The 8 mile pipeline was constructed to replace the 23 mile Amador Canal that ran throughout Amador County and that served as an important component of our water supply since 1874.