Council met last week to discuss progress on some ongoing projects, as well as assess budget issues and analyze funding sources. Executive Director Kathy Koos-Breazeal reported on several items, including the recent completion of three fuel breaks, which greatly reduce the threat of wildfire by removing vegetation along a strategic strip of land. The Marz Shaded Fuel Break, comprised of 60 acres adjacent to Clinton Road, the Jackson Fuel Break, a 50 acre strip along Tebeau and Clinton Roads, and the Antelope Fuel Break, 160 acres in Buckhorn were all completed this year. The total cost of the projects was $307,800, and all three are to be funded using the CDF Fuels Reduction Program within the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Act of 2002, more commonly known as Proposition 40. Although Koos-Breazeal commended the council for their efforts in the completion of three major projects, she also noted that some serious discussion had been taking place regarding continued utilization of Prop 40 money.

She stated that although the projects have been completed, several of the contractors had not been compensated for their work. “It seems that the invoices just sit at the state office for months,” said Koos-Breazeal. “It gives Prop 40 and the AFSC a bad name for not paying.” The council went on to discuss some of the AFSC’s other projects and funding sources. Work is underway on a Low Income Senior/Low Income Disabled Defensible Space Project funded by the US Forest Service. The AFSC received funding for 140 homes, and Rubini Tree Services has completed work at 80 homes so far. The AFSC was also awarded funds from the Bureau of Land Management for a Chipper Program, and is awaiting those monies. In addition, the AFSC has been working on receiving funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy for the implementation of a County Wild Fire Protection Plan, and will soon begin the bidding process for that work.

The Ione City Council welcomed a new councilmember at their special meeting Monday evening after the sudden resignation of Councilman Jeff Barnhart. There were three major applicants for the position. Each applicant was given an opportunity to share their background with the council and to answer questions. David Plank, Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission, cited his experience with Regional Land Use Planning and Growth Management and his involvement in important Ione projects during his tenure on the Planning Commission. Another candidate,

 Elmer Rhode, was not present at the meeting as he had personal matters to attend to, but his letter of interest was read into the record. Rhode’s letter stated that he intended to “dedicate the time needed to work with the other council members for the good of Ione.” A third candidate,  Chester ‘Skip’ Schaufel, currently serves as the Secretary of the Ione Business Community Association and also of the Rotary Club, and stated that he has a “solid history of producing results within a limited budget.” Councilman Ard commented on the fact that all of the applicants were “of the caliber of experience needed, for the city to make it.” Councilman Sherman then reminded those applicants who were not chosen to “run for election in November.” After deliberation, a motion was made for Plank that resulted in a deadlock 2-2 vote. A second motion was then made for Chester Schaufel with a 4-0 vote. Schaufel was then sworn in by City Clerk Janice Traverso. Councilmember Schaufel will now replace Jeff Barnhart, whose service extended into 2010.

A cloud of doubt and confusion seemed to hover over the General Plan Advisory Committee, or GPAC, at Thursday night’s meeting.  One member, Ruth Gottstein, described it best by saying, “There’s an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tone to what we are doing here.  Can we even do what we are talking about?” Indeed, questions arose about the entire General Plan process, and whether or not the committee was following the correct procedure.  Barbara Sinnett brought up the fact that the general plan should be drawn up in parallel with an environmental impact report, or EIR.  One of the planning consultants hired by the county tried to clarify the entire process and how it works. Jeff Henderson of EDAW, confirms that an EIR will be completed; however, the general plan must first be finished so you can analyze it in the EIR. 

In response to Gottstein’s comment, he reminded the committee that the general plan “sits at the top,” and should reflect “what we want to do in our county.”  The general plan is basically a general set of guidelines, and should represent what the county wants for everything from future land use designations and building to agricultural uses and watersheds.  The committee also debated the inclusion of Rancho Arroyo Seco, a planned development community in Ione. It seems the committee was divided on whether or not to even include the development in the general plan and many questioned why we would assign a town center there.  Some members felt that the developer should pay for any cost associated with a town center, while others questioned the apparent opposition toward the development, a project that has not even yet begun. To be sure, the General Plan update process is undeniably complex and confusing.  The next GPAC meeting will be on April 24th.

Amador County commuters who utilize the Amador Regional Transit System, or ARTS, may start paying an extra 25 cents for bus fare, but may also see an expansion in services. Thursday evening, the Amador County Transportation Commission heard an extremely detailed presentation from Gordon Shaw of LSC Transportation Consultants Incorporated, which looked at alternatives for a five-year Transit Development Plan for the county. Shaw began his presentation by looking at Amador County’s population statistics. He noted that Amador’s population has grown from 35,400 in the year 2000 to 38,400 in the year 2007.

18 percent of Amador County’s population is comprised of senior citizens,Amador’s major population increases over the next 20 years will be concentrated in the towns of Sutter Creek, Martell, and Jackson. He also noted a 16% increase in ARTS rider-ship from 2001, mainly along the Sutter Creek-Jackson Corridor. One expansion under consideration is an additional, faster line that would go between Sutter Creek and Jackson. The current line takes about 1 hour 45 minutes round trip, something that makes it less appealing to the general public.

At the end of the meeting, the commission unanimously voted to look at options for expansion along the Sutter Creek to Jackson Route.  many of whom rely on public transportation. The number of senior citizens is expected to grow from 6,400 now to 15,500 by the year 2030, a 142 percent increase. An additional 2.4 percent of Amador’s residents have a mobility condition, and 8 percent are below the poverty line. About 5 percent of households struggle to get around the county without access to an automobile. The Commission went on to discuss the future of the ARTS system, namely how to increase services for the general public without cutting services for seniors and disabled citizens. Shaw stated that ARTS is currently a 1.5 million dollar business, and that revenue and operating costs are about the same. He noted that

The city of Ione has approved a contract with Bob Murray and Associates to start recruiting a new city administrator/manager and finance director. Ione's current interim city administrator, George Lambert, reported to the Ione City Council that they had received a fiscally “good deal” on the recruiting contract price. The deal offers a 1 year satisfaction guarantee warranty. In other words, if in one year the new administrator and/or finance director does not satisfy the city, the company will refill those staff positions free of charge.

There was much debate at Tuesday’s Jackson Planning Commission Meeting over the permit for a parking structure at Buscaglia’s on Jackson Gate Road. The owners plan to turn the original restaurant that sits on the road into a parking structure and single hotel room with the same Tuscan design as the new restaurant on that property. The planning commission Site Review Committee determined that the project may need environmental review for possible historical significance. Owner Ron Sette (SETTY) says he looked but was unable to find any historical significance to the building. Commissioners overturned the ruling of the committee primarily because the history of the building was not addressed when the project was originally permitted back in 2002.

The original restaurant was remodeled years ago and there is almost nothing left except some yellow Ione bricks. Commissioner Terri Works felt the commission should support planning staff’s recommendation so as not to set a precedent. Also, she is not fond of the Tuscan look, which she feels does not fit in with the mining aesthetic of the area. References were made to the recent Jackson Economic Development Workshop where citizens generally agreed that Jackson should keep the mining theme. However, other residents were quick to point out that Jackson’s General Plan is still being updated, so enforcing a particular look, especially when the Tuscan style was already allowed for the new Buscaglia’s restaurant, did not make sense.

Jackson resident John Plasse, who also attended the Economic Development Workshop, said that citizens were requesting better restaurants to revitalize downtown Jackson. He felt if everyone in Jackson had to jump through these same hoops to remodel and upgrade buildings on Main Street, “We might as well throw in the towel.”  He felt that the owners of Buscaglia’s have done a beautiful job and the restaurant is an asset to Jackson. In the end, commissioners overturned the committee’s recommendation and allowed Sette to continue with his plans for converting the old restaurant to parking. Commissioner Dave Butow, past president of the Historical Society, considers Jackson Gate, North Main Street and Broadway as culturally sensitive areas. He suggested there should be a historical corridor in the General Plan, then owners would know up front if there were additional permitting requirements.

Thursday the newly formed Amador Teen Driver Council held a planning meeting for development of their strategy to help raise awareness among Amador County teens and parents regarding the danger and pitfalls of teen driving. The group made up of parents, school district staff, local and state law enforcement, students and insurance representatives all have one common goal; The safety of our teen drivers, as well as others on the roadway. Last year’s death and injury toll for teen drivers and their passengers was a heavy toll in such a small county- and now the local group is working toward eliminating, or at least minimizing these community tragedies. The group has prepared a multi-pronged attack on teen driving issues beginning with increasing the awareness of local parents.

This week, TSPN will be doing a short series on the Amador Railroad, which will examine the various roles that the railroad has played in the local economy.  As motorists cruise through the heart of Amador County, the bump of rail road tracks beneath their tires is inevitable. Many don’t consider that they are driving over an artifact that dates back to the turn of the century, one that largely shaped Amador County’s terrain, its history, its livelihood, and its fame. The Amador Central Railroad traces its roots to the Ione and Eastern Railroad, which was incorporated in 1904.

The original Ione and Eastern line from Ione to Martell was intended to be extended further to Sutter Creek and then on to Volcano, but only the first rail line of the original plan was ever completed. The Ione Eastern Railroad was only in operation for four years, and primarily served to haul raw gold ore from the Amador County mines to processing facilities in the Bay Area. The Ione and Eastern was sold at foreclosure in 1908, and renamed “The Amador Central Railroad” by its new owners.  The railroad- a much better option began a wagon and pack mules- began to accommodate passengers. Vital goods and services were moved via train, including mail, food, clothing, mining equipment, and feed for animals. The Amador Central Railroad is the steepest and the windiest stretch of rail in California. Trains would have to stop and let their breaks cool for 20 minutes after the decent from Martell to Ione. In all, the trip took about an hour.

County Administrave Officer Terri Daly attempted to resign following last week’s pivotal ISA decision at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting, but was blocked from doing so in a vote by the Board. “During the past week, impassioned discussions suggested possible conflicts for me in the implementation of my responsibilities. I submitted my resignation to clarify those conflicts. My resignation was not accepted by the Board,” said Daly. Supervisors Escamilla and Novelli have both spoken out saying they don’t want to lose Daly and think of her as a valuable asset. Indeed, Daly’s resignation attempt has come at a difficult time for the county. The deadline for submission of the county and tribe’s arbitration proposals is Wednesday. Daly tendered her resignation in a closed session following last week’s meeting, which supervisor’s quashed in a 4-0 vote.

In what amounted to a split 2-2 decision, the Board of Supervisors deadlocked on the Buena Vista ISA issue.

The Board was in fragmented form during the meeting today, with Supervisor Ted Novelli reporting via telephone from his vacation spot in Belize and Supervisor Brian Oneto stepping away from the vote. Oneto’s decision to abstain from any further involvement in the ISA decisionwas  put forth in a statement, which he repeated exclusively for TSPN.

 

Whether or not the tribe takes this to arbitration is yet to be seen. The Board and the County are split on this emotional and controversial issue. Stay tuned to TSPN for the latest breaking news and further developments.