At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board found some closure in ongoing discussions over the controversial Amador Economic Stimulus Plan. A host of local contractors and realtors showed up to voice their support for contractor Paul Bramell’s proposed plan to temporarily cut impact and development fees in order to stimulate growth in the sinking housing market. The original proposal would have allowed a reduction in impact fees for local and regional traffic mitigation, recreation and capital facilities between July 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2009.

During deliberation, the general consensus among the Board members was to approve the bill- with some caveats. “I have no problem with affordable housing, but we need to keep it simple,” said Supervisor Boitano. As long as this doesn’t affect impact fees for roads, I could go along with something.” According to Supervisor Forster, “Part of our job is to help the community get back to work. I’ve seen comments that (this stimulus package) won’t amount to a hill of beans, but 10 to 15 thousand dollars will make a lot of difference when you’re building a 250 thousand dollar house.”st , 2008. There would also be a limit to how many homes a contractor could build under the new guidelines. Despite some confusion over the details, the Board approved the package with the understanding that further discussion over the details will take place at a future meeting. Supervisor Escamilla’s main concern was with reopening old wounds. “I’m concerned about our planning department. I don’t want to see they get caught up in this again.” Supervisor Oneto made a motion to wave county facility fees and a portion of park and recreation fees until November 1

The Concerned Citizens of Jackson group wants the Jackson City Council to reimburse them for over 2200 dollars spent on opposing the Jackson Hills Project. The group spent that money creating a website and flyers to disseminate information to the public about the project.  Concerned Citizens spent that money only after the Jackson City Council approved two resolutions in November that put two measures on the June ballot.  The council rescinded those resolutions at their last meeting at the request of the developer, New Faze Development, effectively removing those measures from the ballot.  Thornton Consolo of Jackson says, “You made a commitment to the people,” and then “took it away at the last minute,” inferring that the group may not have incurred those expenses if the ballot measures would be removed.

City Attorney Andrew J. Morris announced that per the Government Code, a city council cannot spend money to support or oppose a ballot measure.  In his opinion, reimbursing Concerned Citizens of Jackson would amount to opposing the ballot measures.  Public comment reverted back to the reasons why the council rescinded those resolutions in the first place. Mayor Rosalie Pryor Escamilla reminded the public that the item on the agenda was whether or not the expenses should be reimbursed.  Several citizens then asked if the council could recommend to New Faze development to reimburse Concerned Citizens of Jackson.  The Mayor then announced that she felt the group’s actions were “premature” and that the flyers produced by the group “provides misleading and incorrect information” and is “designed to inflame” instead of providing valuable public information.  Pryor Escamilla then noted that the Environmental Impact Report was not even mentioned in the flyer. After hearing public comments and discussing the matter, the council voted unanimously to not reimburse the group for expenses incurred opposing the Jackson Hills Project.

left on the Board after the departure of Heinz Hamann. Hamann retired last week in a formal ceremony. The Water Agency thanked Hamann for his 10 years of leadership and contributive efforts on projects including the Amador Dry Creek Watershed, the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant expansion, the Amador Transmission Pipeline and the Regional Wastewater and Recycling Master Plan, among others. The Board is expected to conduct interviews for those candidates who have expressed an interest in the District 1 seat.

Also at the city council meeting, a public hearing was conducted regarding eminent domain actions for the Evitt access agreement. The city of Plymouth and the Amador Water Agency have agreed to build a water pipeline to bring safe treated water from the Tanner Reservoir to the city. The pipeline will be owned and operated by the Amador Water Agency. Once the pipeline is installed, the city will be able to meet its current water demands and provide water for the projected growth in local population. However, Plymouth must acquire an eminent domain easement outlining the Evitt Property for the shortest, fastest, access route in which to build a pipeline. So far, the Evitt property is the only land deemed safe for the current project. Mayor Jon Colburn has been publicly opposed to the project. The resolution passed, though Mayor Colburn stated that his approval of the resolution did not change his stance on the project itself.

 

The City Of Jackson has taken action against the string of parked “For Sale” vehicles along Highway 49 downtown. The City Council voted to install signs prohibiting parking from midnight to 6am. According to City Manager Mike Daly, “abandoned” vehicles have become a “general nuisance” and a “blight” on the scenery of downtown Jackson. Daly also said the vehicles for sale were occupying parking space needed for residents and businesses in downtown Jackson. The decision is pending until the Council gets approval for the signs from Caltrans.

Jackson’s new Economic Development Committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday. The committee was appointed by Jackson City Council to improve the economic viability of Jackson’s downtown areas. This first meeting will review a report of the Economic Development Workshop held earlier this month, establish goals and set up subcommittees for research between committee meetings. Thursday’s meeting will be held at 6 pm in Jackson City Hall.

A nearly stationary storm off the California coast has brought snow as low as Pine Grove over the last couple of days. TSPN’s Bill Lavallie braved the slippery highways to take some photos up country. We can expect more wintry weather as far as the eye can see. Periodic showers will continue with snow levels remaining low around 2000 to 3000 feet. Additional snowfall amounts of up to 3 inches will be possible above 2500 feet. A snow advisory remains in effect until 4 PM this afternoon for the Motherlode region. More rain and snow are expected for later on tonight. Be prepared for slick roads and limited visibility, and use caution when driving.  

We’ve all been raking a lot of leaves the past few weeks – and burning has traditionally been a popular leaf-disposal method. Burning, however, requires a permit, can be restricted on certain days -- and it’s polluting. But there are options for disposing of the bounty of leaves -- Instead of burning pine needles, pine cones, and leaves, area residents may bring them to dumpsters provided by the Amador Air District. This weekend is your last chance to take advantage of this free program --On Dec. 8, 9, 10 – That’s Saturday through Monday, you can take pine needles and leaves to a dumpster at Amador Pines Unit 2, at the park and pond corp yard at 27039 Inspiration Dr.  Just needles, pine cones, and leaves, please, no branches or wood.

And Latrobe Road will be closed all day on Thursday, from 8 am until 4 pm for road work. A 2-mile stretch between Hwy 16 and Old Sacramento Road will be closed in both directions. To detour this spot, take Hwy 16 down to Old Sacramento Road, and then Old Sacramento Road back to Latrobe.

Come to a Hospice Tree of Lights ceremony and celebrate the life of someone you love. For each $10 donation, Hospice will place a light on the Tree and list the name of the person you wish to remember on a Memorial Board at the site. The Tree of Lights Ceremony will be Sunday, December 2, 5:00 pm at the Hospice Thrift Store in Jackson. For more information, call 223-5500 or go online at www.hospiceofamador.org.