News Archive (6192)
Amador County – The Sacramento regional Air Alert district last week announced the end of the 17th “Spare the Air” season in the region.
The District’s weekly Air Alert said the Spare The Air season has come to a close, and “efforts to reduce emissions have contributed to our lower ozone pollution readings during the summer and helped improve air quality in the Sacramento region.”
The District recommended taking a bus one day a week, bringing a lunch to work every other day, and purchasing an electric lawn mower, reducing trips throughout the summer, or completely staying out of motor vehicles on a Spare The Air day as ways to help decrease ozone pollution.
The Air Alert program, beginning on Nov. 1, is now giving the daily air quality forecasts for particulate matter, which is the “pollutant of concern during the fall and winter months.” The district urged people to continue to pay attention to air pollution levels in communities.
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AWA policy oks single water line for new single-family homes
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency’s Board of Directors in late October approved a policy that allows property owners the option to have a single water line to newly built single family homes, rather than a separate fire sprinkler system line although the single line would be subject to shut-off for non-payment of the water bill.
AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said AWA Directors “approved a policy to provide property owners with a choice of one or two water supply lines when installing residential service connections for fire sprinkler systems, now required for new homes in California.”
He said “property owners, developers, or fire district requirements will determine whether a separate line is installed for the home sprinkler system.”
Mancebo said “those who choose to install a single water line will be informed that, if at some point water charges become delinquent and water service is shut-off, service to the fire sprinkler system would also be disconnected. The optional second water line, though an additional construction expense, would continue to provide fire protection in a case of shut off for non-payment.”
Field Services Manager Chris McKeage in a report to directors said the “down side to the dual pipe system is that it requires added material which adds cost for the installation.” He said the “previous agency policy required the dual line system where two lines run from the point of connection (the meter) to the home” with “one line for domestic services and the other for a dedicated fire line.”
McKeage said new single-family homes will be provided a standard water meter rated for up to 30 gallons per minute, and the agency “will notify the customer of the service line size, its length form the main to the meter and the static pressure available at the meter. It will be the owner’s responsibility to provide for the design of their own fire sprinkler system and the service line size from the meter to their home.”
He said “commercial projects, duplexes or any other connection requiring a fire service other than the single family homes will require” agency engineering review. Other special situations “will be handled on a case by case basis.”
Staff will “work on language for the Water Code which will be brought back for adoption,” McKeage said.
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Amador County – Federal legislation signed Monday by President Barack Obama could impact jobs across the country, including at 25 ski resorts in California operated on U.S. Forest Service ski areas.
Those locally include El Dorado National Forest and the Kirkwood Mountain Resort, in Amador County, according to information released by John Heil, public affairs officer with the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. Heil said the new legislation allows federal forest ski areas to be permitted for year-round operation. It could affect 25 ski areas on 11 national forests in California, Heil said, and is seen as potential to create 600 jobs nation wide, including annual jobs and part time job increases.
Michael Dalzell, Vice president of sales and marketing at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, said short term there may be some impact on jobs at Kirkwood, but he didn’t expect long-term creation of annual jobs until later.
He said Kirkwood is already operating activities in the summer and off season, including “Zip Tahoe,” mountain biking and alpine hiking. “We do have plans to expand our bike park.”
Dalzell said “I think new legislation is going to be another tool to ensure that the Forest Service will be on board” with off season expansion. He said it will not make a huge impact but it will give us an opportunity to expand activities.
One big business impact it could have is Kirkwood’s plan to have downhill mountain biking. It will probably not start until summer 2012, but “it’s definitely a huge business opportunity for us because of the terrain at Kirkwood.” He said Kirkwood “could have the opportunity to become one of the premiere downhill mountain biking destinations in the region.”
Bill Tanner, owner of Jackson Family Sports bicycle shop said summer and off-season programs are already held at local ski areas. He said resorts do all they can to generate revenue. Tanner did not think the change would affect him too much because his shop, at 275 Highway 88 in Jackson, is so far from Kirkwood, but “we do get some business from people buying tubes and energy food on the way up there. And overall, the more places we have to ride, the better for the industry.”
He said there aren’t many places in Amador County for mountain biking, because there is so much private property. “If you know the ranchers, there is some great riding.” All the great riding is above Buckhorn, on SPI roads, with shared use with mountain biking and off-road motor vehicles.
He said he has ridden at PiPi Valley, but it is pretty well dominated by the motorcycle dirt-bike riders.
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Amador County – The Amador Teen Driver Council is sponsoring a “Teen Driver Night” Tuesday at Argonaut High School, for both current and future teen drivers and their parents.
The Amador Teen Driver Council with help from Drivers Ed teacher Jim Whitaker is hosting the meeting with guest speakers. They have held four meetings in the last two years and every meeting usually draws 150 parents and students. Community leaders from law enforcement, public health and parents speak about teens on a variety of topics.
Presentations will be given by Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann, California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Craig Harmon, parent Tina Wurzburger, Amador County Narcotics and Jackson Police Department official Chris Rice, and insurance saleswoman Anne Lintz.
A raffle prize will be given to two people for one “behind the wheel session” at Gold Country Driving School, and students can get extra credit in many classes for their attendance of the meeting.
The non-profit Council’s “goal is to help parents and teens understand the many issues surrounding the many pressures on the teen driver” and also to “offer safety ideas and tips.” The meeting notice said “it is clear that the more parents involve themselves in the activities of their teen drivers the fewer accidents occur.”
The group encouraged as many attendees as possible and will be doing a call-around to notify parents and students. The Amador Teen Driver Council also has a Facebook page, and wants to increase its fan base so they can start posting local topics for both parents and teens.
The meeting is 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 in the Argonaut High multipurpose room. For information, call Anne Lintz at (209) 223-1631.
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ACUSD eyes multimedia museum at Old Sutter Creek School House
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District board of trustees on Wednesday will consider a proposed fundraiser program to refurbish the old Sutter Creek Grammar School to be used as a multimedia museum showcasing and preserving the history of Amador County public schools.
Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and Sutter Creek Elementary School principal Sean Snider made a report and recommendation for consideration by trustees at their Wednesday meeting.
Chapin-Pinotti in the report said “in order to preserve and use the old Sutter Creek Grammar School, the district’s “Gifted and Talented Education Program and the students of Sutter Creek Elementary School would like to raise money and restore the old schoolhouse in Sutter Creek to a usable state.”
The proposal seeks to raise money through grants and donations. After refurbishment, Chapin-Pinotti said “we would then like to use the lower level as a museum and archive to house all of the county schools pictures, historical records and documents.” She said “Gifted and Talented Education Program and Sutter Creek Elementary School will be responsible for searching for grant money. The major portion of their project will be gathering and archiving school documents, information, historical records and memorabilia and then creating a multimedia museum for our students to use and to preserve the history of Amador public schools.”
Chapin-Pinotti said estimates will be gathered on the cost of the project, and costs for the efforts “would come entirely from grants and donations.”
In other School District news, the trustees will get a report Wednesday on the award of a $23,000 grant for career and technical education for the current school budget year.
The district applied for and was awarded the grant funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. The award is made contingent on the availability of funds, according to the California Deparment Education, which awarded the grant, saying that “if the Legislature takes action to reduce or defer the funding upon which this award is based, then this award will be amended accordingly.”
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Supervisors to ponder regulations for medical marijuana growers
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider whether it wants to develop regulations for medical marijuana cultivation in the county, after receiving complaints about different locations, including one property in Fiddletown.
County Planning Director Susan Grijalva in an agenda request said “county staff has received complaints regarding cultivation of medical marijuana due to the odor emitted by the plants, poor sanitary conditions, camping, increase in traffic and safety.”
The Land Use & Community Development Committee “recommended this issue be taken to the Board of Supervisors for a decision as to whether or not to direct staff to pursue the development of regulations regarding the cultivation of medical marijuana.”
The request sought direction to staff, and included a draft resolution that said “the county has no rules or regulations governing the cultivation of medical marijuana,” and “medical marijuana ‘grows’ have recently emerged in Amador County, which are visible and easily accessible to the public, including children and youths.”
It said “during the current harvest and processing season there has been violent crime associated with these mature medical marijuana grows due to their size, location and monetary value.” The draft resolution said the board “finds regulations are necessary to address the location and manner in which medical marijuana may be cultivated.”
The board will consider the “resolution of intention to initiate proceedings to consider amending Amador County code to include regulations pertaining to medical marijuana cultivation,” in part “to protect the public health, safety and welfare.”
Grijalva in a memo said the county received complaints on grows “at several locations throughout the county.” She said options for the board included directing staff to develop an ordinance for medical pot regulation, which would make county staff responsible for enforcement, with law enforcement assistance.
They also have the option to not adopt regulations, which “would leave the enforcement of medical marijuana regulations in the law enforcement arena.”
A third option would be to “direct staff to prepare an ordinance banning the cultivation of medical marijuana.” Grijalva said: “This option could expose the county to legal challenge and related costs.”
Land Use Committee Minutes included a report by Undersheriff Jim Wegner, who said the county has a prohibition of medical pot dispensaries. Growers must have a “215 card” from Public Health. He said it is illegal to sell marijuana or to grow it for commercial purposes, and it can be grown by cooperatives and collectives, but they can only charge for the actual cost.
The minutes said the committee directed staff to work toward the county being appointed trustee of a property on American Flat Side Road, in Fiddletown, “so action can be taken to respond to complaints.”
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Consultant says control board should analyze onsite sewers for leaks
Written by Tom
Amador County – Amador County Supervisors discussed a comment letter addressing sewer system legislation, AB-885 on Tuesday, refining comments that were endorsed by the full board, to be signed by the chairman and letter draftee, Environmental Health Officer Mike Israel.
Israel said a “Tier Two” “do your own” approach is likely to be applied state-wide, in effect an unfunded mandate. He said it was too conservative and “highly constrained.”
Long-time consultant, Jim Hemminger, of the Regional Council of Rural Counties said they should tell the Water Quality Control Board: “Don’t give us local control without a few patches.” He said a program with ground water monitoring is going to be very expensive and very time consuming for local counties. He said AB-885 of 2008 was so bad it makes this draft look good, and the Water Board will be releasing another document for public comment.
Supervisor Richard Forster said environmental groups have a lawsuit waiting to be filed once the final document is released.
Supervisor Ted Novelli asked about impaired water bodies. Israel said the county has only one impaired water body, but in the new bill, the designation happens without local involvement. He said the Regional Board would be involved, but not the county, and once the designation is made it affects immediate property. Novelli said there should be local notification, so there can be mitigation.
Hemminger said the regulations are “un-artfully crafted” and “the Regional Board will see it’s a bigger issue in many other counties.” He said “the regulations should require the Regional Board to analyze whether septic systems are affecting water.” Novelli said headwaters for Misery Creek, Pioneer Creek and Sutter Creek could be a problem to homeowners.
Hemminger said at this point, the “bill has backed away from a lot of things.” It allows grandfathered systems, so “we do have the local control to fix the existing systems.” He said it is intended to give conditional discharge permits, and assess waiver fees. He said the bill “needs wording to determine how to handle existing systems.”
Plasse asked how soon Israel could offer a Tier Two plan to the state. Israel said it would take 90-120 days of staff time, relying on samples already taken, though that might not please the state, which could require more samples.
Rich Farrington asked about grandfathered systems, and who would pay for inspection, noting that the 2008 AB-885 required $400 inspections every few years. Israel said private sector inspection, as done now, will probably be used, and they could recommend in the comment letter that it be part of the bill’s policy.
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Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council on Monday heard it is getting mostly in the black in finances, including about $250,000 in the city sewer fund.
City Finance Director Joe Aguilar said the sewer fund went to a positive cash position of $80,000 in July, and he recommended the council approve a resolution to appropriate sewer funds. He said “the sewer fund improved by $400,000 during last fiscal year and it is no longer in need of cash flow loans for its operations.”
He said “even with the increased spending on sewer collection functions and reimbursement to the Wastewater Capital Replacement Fund, the sewer operating fund is still expected to build up an additional $100,000 in working capital after funding its share of the Sewer Master Plan.”
The council approved a resolution amending the city budget for 2011-2012 to appropriate $110,000 for the “preparation of the Sewer Master Plan.” He said the line item “budgets the entire amount of the contract” and the reimbursement from the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority and “outside agencies will flow back to the sewer fund upon completion of the document.”
City Manager Sean Rabe said the city needs to set aside the full amount of the contract, although “we’ll see the funds return on our revenue side.” Aguilar said costs of the Sewer Master Plan “should be split up over the next 7-10 years in the base charge,” and the city should pass on the costs to Amador Water Agency and Amador City.
In public comment, Mimi Arata said she was “totally amazed” that even without the city getting money it is owed by the AWA, it was still able to get rid of its $750,000 sewer fund deficit. Rabe said the budget still has a negative balance in the Wastewater Capital Replacement Fund.
Arata said “it bothers me that we have lots of money and we still have to spend it how we always do.” She also thought the city was charging too much for sewer.
Aguilar said the proposed cost split for the Sewer Master Plan was 50 percent to the city and 50 percent to ARSA. The city bears 83 percent of costs incurred by ARSA with outside agencies incurring the remaining 17 percent.
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Supervisors comment of latest AB885 onsite sewer legislation
Written by Tom
Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved comments on new draft sewer regulations by the Environmental Health Officer Michael Israel, to be signed by the chairman.
Supervisors discussed the latest draft of Assembly Bill 885, which would “create new requirements for property owners and local government as well as state agencies regarding statewide on-site sewage disposal systems.” Comments must be received by the California Water Resources Control Board by Nov. 14.
Supervisor Chairman John Plasse agreed with a comment by Israel that the state appeared to be steering away from conducting a new environmental document, though the draft has not been out for comment, and there is no project on which to comment.
Israel said the new AB-885 updates the 2008 version, which was widely criticized as making a one-size fits all attempt at legislation based on coastal areas. The new draft has five tiers of regulation based on impact, from Tier Zero to Tier Four, but there are “gaps in the guidelines,” such as not defining how many gallons of sewage that a bedroom in a home generates.
He said there is a difference in trench dimensions for sewer systems, though the county has consistently been allowed to have wider and shallower trenches due to soil makeup. New regulations have slope limits that make some areas unable to comply in Amador County. Supervisor Richard Forster said because of slope and seepage pit limits, the letter should note that the bill is “taking away the ability to develop property.” Israel said the letter will note that “engineered fills should be allowed” and “AB-885 appears to preclude that practice.”
Israel said the Tier Two allows a certain amount of leeway to “write our own programs,” but drain limits and leech-field reductions are arbitrary and he has “no idea what the rationale is.” He said “if they want us to write our own program” they should let us and “not tie our hands.”
He said there are 8,000 square foot lots in the county that can’t develop without seepage pits. Forster said they should tell the Control Board that if it is disallowed, you should be providing areas with grants to improve their community leech fields. He said Camanche sewer by example faces $1 million to $2 million in estimated repair.
Supervisors Louis Boitano said “here we are 12 years later,” the economy is a disaster and “they are still pushing forward with this.” Israel said “virtually every recommendation” for remedies in the new draft AB-885 exceeds $2,000, and “there is not word-one on financial assistance.”
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Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors learned from staff last week that the agency will be contracting with an Internet billing company to bring on-line billing and on-line bill payment to AWA customers.
AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo said “customers will soon be able to receive and pay AWA bills on-line.” He said the “new service will offer security and convenience” to AWA ratepayers “who prefer to pay their bills on-line.” Water Agency staff also said they anticipated “significant cost savings and increased efficiency as customers sign up for the new service.”
AWA Clerk of the Board Cris Thompson said the “Agency has the potential to save several thousand dollars per year in mailing costs with the addition of e-billing and e-pay.” Thompson worked on securing the billing contractor. She said if one-third of the agency’s customers “use electronic billing and payment services, our mailing costs would be reduced by approximately $15,000.”
Thompson said e-billing and e-pay should be up and running by the first of the year. Customers interested in signing up for the on-line services should watch for announcements with billing statements and on the Agency website.
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