Earlier this week Sutter Creek city council members received and filed the fiscal impact analysis for how the City’s general and road fund will be impacted by the proposed Gold Rush development project. The analysis was based on three scenarios: a base analysis, a conservative analysis, and a worst case scenario analysis. The report showed in scenario 1. The base analysis, that residential home sales prices would drop by 15% by 2024 and the general fund revenues would exceed the operating expenses by $469,000. 2. The conservative analysis showed a 20% reduction in residential home sales prices and a surplus in the general fund of $125,000; $456,000 less than that of the first study. 3. The worst case scenario predicted a 25% reduction on the price tags of residential homes and $583,000 deficit in the general fund. One public member got up and said the might be extremely inaccurate because it compared Sutter Creek to Auburn and Roseville.

The Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant Backwash Agreement with the Mace Meadows Golf and Country Club was the main topic of discussion during Thursday’s AWA meeting. Under Staff reports the agency’s Operations Manager reported that the Mace Meadow’s pond #7, located on the golf course, has been overflowing and that improvements are needed to the pond to keep that from happening, such as re-routing backwash. This is yet to be done because of set backs involving the Department of Fish and Game and their jurisdiction issues. Operations explained to the board that since the Agency and the Mace Meadows Golf and Country Club are each responsible for aspects of the pond then both entities could be subject to a notice of violation from the Regional Water Quality Control Board for the spill.

The Amador County Technical Advisory Committee recently reviewed proposed revisions to the Westover Field Airport Master Plan. The changes involve creating more space for commercial hangars, and the universal use of hangars at the airport. The Technical Advisory committee found that because the revisions do not change the functions of the airport, only how the planes are kept within the hangers, the revisions are categorically exempt from being subject to a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) checklist.

The Republican Jewish Coalition is holding a special event at the California Republican Party Convention to discuss Health care with a panel of qualified participants. The event will be held Saturday, February 10, from 4:15 PM-6:30 PM in room 205 of the Sacramento Convention Center which is adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Sacramento Hotel. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Incoming CRP Chairman Ron Nehring and other CRP Leaders will be present to discuss healthcare issues. The Republicans Jewish Coalition will also feature experts on Healthcare to discuss the Governor's Healthcare Initiatives. Local MD, Arnold Zeiderman of Sutter Creek will be the moderator of the debate. The invitation is open to all who are interested in the future of healthcare. There is no need to RSVP, but for more information on the Republican Jewish Coalition and their events visit www.RJCHQ.org.

 

It’s that time of the year again when students are preparing for their futures and the FAFSA is due March 1st for students to qualify for financial aid from governmental sources. Cal Grant applications are also due. Senator Dave Cox reminds high school students that while college and vocational schools are expensive it is within reach.

Amador County has joined Jackson and Plymouth in raising recreation fees assessed when building permits are pulled, but like the cities, the Supervisors also split over  the amount of that assessment. The Amador County Recreation Agency under the guidance of executive director Tracey Towner Yep, conducted a nexus study that looked at the needs of the communities through out the county and then worked backwards to assess an approximate fee that should be charged on all new residential structures for recreation in the county.

On Tuesday the board of supervisors reviewed an appeal of the Planning Department’s interpretation of what uses are allowed in certain zones, specifically pertaining to a property zoned Manufacturing District. The property in question is located on the north side of Hwy. 88 at the west end of Martell Road in Martell. The developer Ron Regan of Martell Investments, Inc. is constructing a 31,500 sq. feet building the permit for which was issued for 15,750 sq. feet of office space and 15,750 sq. feet of warehouse occupancy.

A Head on accident occurred yesterday at approximately 3:56 pm on Lupe Road near the intersection of Lupe and Ridge Road in Pine Grove. Apparently a driver, while entering a sweeping curve, crossed over the center line and hit the other vehicle head on. The impact left the two vehicles blocking both lanes of traffic and traffic was backed up for about a half an hour while emergency crews cleared the roadway. American Legion ambulance responders attended to the injured occupants of the vehicles.  Both drivers had reportedly major injuries, one of which included severe facial trauma. The drivers were transported by American Legion ambulance to receive medical care. The accident is under investigation by the CHP.

The Jackson Fire Department volunteers remained busy in January with a total of 83 calls leaving the average number of calls fairly high for the New Year at 2.8 calls per day. Last year in January there were at total of 73 calls. Medical calls ranked highest on the call log with 58 calls or 69% of the calls received in January. Vehicle accidents followed far behind with 13% of the calls or 10 calls. There were 9 public assistance calls last month with fire related calls ranked at 6% or a total of 5 calls. Also in the month of January there was one hazardous materials calls. 18% of the 83 calls were calls volunteers responded to outside of the Jackson City limits.