Today at 12:30 the Regional Waste Water Committee will once again meet. The meeting, which was originally scheduled for March 5th, will discuss regional solutions to a countywide problem; how to dispose of our growing county’s waste water issues in accordance with State and federal regulations. Some of the previous solutions discussed were the purchasing of a packaged sewer plant, or a used plant, to be added to the existing ARSA system which serves Martell, Sutter Creek and Amador City. This could add anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 gpd. of sewer processing capacity to serve the booming Martell area, as well as the 49 corridor, including Jackson.

Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said he's confident that Deputy Jeff Mitchell's murder will be solved. Friday the Sheriff spoke of the investigation into the identity of the Deputy’s murder and stated "I'm very hopeful, but at the same time frustrated and agonizing over the fact that it's taken this long." McGinness stated that investigators are following up tips that the killer of Deputy Mitchell may be a Mexican national. "We have gotten tips that the person responsible is somebody from Mexico and that they've gone back to Mexico," said McGinness. Although this theory would explain many unanswered questions in the murder of the Deputy, McGinness cautioned that the lead is just one of many that are being investigated.

Last night around 5:30 pm a car fire was reported on Hwy 88 at Previtali Rd. That proved to be false alarm as the car was only overheating. As fire crews were cancelled on that call a second report of a fire, this time a structure fire, was reported. This was the real deal and The Jackson fire department assisted by CDF(Calfire), Amador Fire Protection District Battalion 10, and Sutter Creek Fire quickly brought the house fire on Bright Avenue to a quick. The structure seemed intact, but there seemed to be heavy damage inside. There were no reported injuries.

A major announcement this morning by the Amador Water Agency. The Amador Water Agency (AWA) and Protect the Historic Amador Waterways Inc. (PHAW) announced today their successful resolution of a year-long collaborative process to resolve legal and policy differences over the Agency’s decision to build the Amador Transmission Project and to install a small diameter pipeline in the Amador Canal.  AWA and PHAW have finalized an agreement to fund, prepare and implement a watershed management and conservation program for the South Fork of Jackson Creek and New York Ranch Gulch, as well as other areas within the Jackson Creek Watershed. In exchange for certain funding commitments, PHAW has agreed to dismiss its litigation against AWA.

The long awaited Hwy. 49 Bypass opened just weeks ago, but many are wondering why lanes, such as the South bound far left lane at the signal is still blocked off, thus limiting the left turn lane to one lane, and causing back ups at the signal. The question circulated recently and Sutter Creek Manager Rob Duke and ACTC Executive Director Charles Field responded. Duke said that the situation should be resolved soon. Apparently Cal Trans is waiting for the double arrow directional sign and have blocked the lane so as to prevent an accident. “However unlikely it may seem to be,” said Duke.  The lane according to the Cal Trans construction manager is to be for left turns and u-turns only and they don’t want it to open until the signage is corrected, said Field.  He said that Cal Trans indicated to him that the light should be up and running within the next “few days” to free up that extra lane to traffic.

An appeal of the Planning Department’s interpretation of zoning regulations appeared before the Board on Tuesday. Ron Regan a representative of the Martell Investments, Inc. is appealing the Planning Department’s decision of what uses are allowed in a M or Manufacturing District. Regan is currently constructing a 31,500 sq. foot building. 15,750 feet will be used for office space while the other 15,750 feet will be occupied warehouse space. Just what types of businesses can occupy this property has created a dilemma for Regan because of confusion over the meaning of some zoning codes. The Board continued the matter previously and referred it to the Land Use and Community Development Committee for a clarification surrounding what is allowed in an M District, the current zoning of the property. The Committee recommended to the BOS that the uses in Regan’s commercial complex remain consistent with the existing Manufacturing District.

Wednesday morning the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors gathered together with key members of staff at the Jackson Rancheria Conference Center Fire Room to evaluate their organization. The Strategic Planning meeting is a yearly gathering that focuses the agency and its board on the mission of the water agency, evaluates the current status and looks forward into the future. Given the complex nature of water supply and delivery, as well as the agencies other hat as a waste water processor, the future looks busy for the expanding agency. Of key importance to the Board of Directors is the strategic plan process which in past years has lead toward the Transmission Pipeline Project that will provide 10,000 new water connections, which the agency estimates should take the county’s growth into the next 20 years. This process, according to General Manager Jim Abercrombie will prevent any unwanted surprises like unexpected growth or lack of infrastructure to support community needs.

A Conditional Hiring Review, or hiring freeze, was reviewed by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. CAO Patrick Blacklock explained that as noted in the Midyear Budget Update the General Fund revenue growth rate has decreased significantly, and additionally the Department of Finance reported recently that the actual State revenues are less than what was projected. The “warning signs” said Blacklock, “compel staff to recommend that a conditional hiring review be implemented at this time.” The goal of the program is to determine which positions need to be filled immediately and what positions can remain vacant for a period of times to increase salary savings leaving more flexibility in the budget.

The city council of Ione recently resolved an issue that the city had with the Amador County Girls Softball Association (ACGSA) regarding the equal availability of playing fields for both the Amador County little league west, a predominately boy’s baseball league and girls softball teams. Tuesday, the city signed a 3 year memorandum of understanding in which the city will participate with ACGSA to renovate the baseball diamond at Ione Junior High School. The ACGSA is being required to do some of the rehabilitation work with the city pitching in staff time and equipment to conduct maintenance operations. The total renovation is expected to cost $11,600 including ongoing maintenance. City staff thanked Amador County Recreation Agency Executive Director, Tracy Towner Yep for her, “Commendable effort to get the ball rolling on this issue.” The next stop for the MOU is at the Amador County Girls Softball Association, where it is expected to yield its final seal of approval. The school district already approved the agreement.

On Monday March 5, 2007 at approximately 1708 hours the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a report of possible illegal dumping occurring on Coal Mine Road south of the Co-Gen plant.  Upon arrival, deputies observed a black truck parked in a turnout, occupied by one subject.  As deputies drove past the vehicle, the subject exited the vehicle and fled into the woods.  Amador County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the assistance of an Ione Police Officer and a California Highway Patrol Officer, set a perimeter.