Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission was set to resume regular business in its first meeting this month, but the meeting was canceled. Two Sutter Creek City Council agenda items Monday were tabled, including clarification of Finance Director Jeffry Gardner’s duties, and City Manager Rob Duke’s financial recommendations and an action plan for 2009. Duke said that both were not ready for presentation. The City Council and members of the public on Monday discussed one item that would have been on the canceled planning commission agenda. Commissioner Bob Olsen pointed out two weeks ago that an A-frame placard sign that normally sits on the Main Street sidewalk near Gopher Flat was an illegal sign. The sign advertises Chaos Glassworks art glass-blowing studio and gallery. Olsen said it should be a subject of the Planning Commission’s regular meeting next Monday. But the city of Sutter Creek announced this week that the February 9th meeting was canceled. Sharyn Brown of Sutter Creek spoke about sidewalk signs and recommended that a historic-themed sign could be approved for use downtown to point out such businesses. Brown said Chaos could have an “old timey” sign that fit into the historic downtown decorum. Mayor Gary Wooten said in Kennebunkport, Maine, there is a 4-by-4-foot sign with “1,000 arrows” pointing out different destinations in the town, and he suggested something might benefit Sutter Creek’s businesses. Wooten said he thought they should have a committee look at the issue and come back to the city council with a report or suggestions. Brown is a member of the Sutter Creek Architectural Review Committee, seated last October by the city council. Sutter Creek resident Ed Swift recommended that the Planning Commission be approached and study sidewalk signs that can hang from the awnings on storefronts, above foot-traffic. He said the signs could be used in the same way to point out locations in Sutter Creek’s downtown. The Planning Commission returns to work reviewing elements of the Specific Plan for the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort at its next meeting, Monday, February 23rd. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - The Regional Council of Rural Counties, or RCRC, announced Monday that it has selected Senator Dave Cox, who represents the Northeastern part of the state, as one of two recipients for the annual "Patti Mattingly Award" for 2008. The Patti Mattingly Award is given to a policymaker who has demonstrated leadership on rural issues and an understanding of the unique challenges that rural communities face. “It is with much appreciation that RCRC selects Cox for his important work on behalf of rural counties in the State Senate,” said Supervisor Dave Finigan of Del Norte County and Chair of the Regional Council of Rural Counties. He added that Senator Cox’s efforts helped the state’s rural counties meet the challenges of a very difficult 2008 Legislative Session. “As Senator for 12 Northeastern California counties, I was just doing my job,” said Cox. “It is the collaborative effort of rural county supervisors and the professional staff of RCRC Regional Council of Rural Counties that has enabled us to accomplish many things for rural communities.” RCRC’s Patti Mattingly Award was established in memory of former Supervisor Patti Mattingly of Siskiyou County who was remembered for tremendous courage, commitment, and an ability to promote constructive solutions surrounding rural issues. The recipient is selected by the RCRC Board of Directors. Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes commented, “Senator Cox is a tireless public servant who sets an excellent example for all elected officials. The member counties of RCRC applaud his efforts in Sacramento.” Amador County Supervisor Richard Forster said that, “One of his important efforts was securing the passage of a Senate Bill which provided an exemption to counties under 40,000 in population from experiencing deferrals in state payments to counties to assist with the state’s cash flow crisis. Forster added that without passage of this bill, many rural counties could have faced dire fiscal straits.” Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Amador Joint Water Committee discussed upcoming law that deals with septic tanks on an individual level and plan to have the item on an upcoming agenda. State Assembly Bill 885, signed by Governor Gray Davis in 2000, begat the law, which the state Regional Water Quality Control Board will implement by July 2010. Amador Water Agency General Manager Jim Abercrombie said it will govern “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems,” or individual septic systems. State regulations would be accompanied by fees. A Draft Environmental Impact Report, released in November 2008, lists project objectives “Based on the requirements of AB 885 and the intent of the state legislature in drafting the legislation.” Those include adopting Onsite Wastewater Treatment System “regulations and a statewide conditional waiver” and helping “to ensure that public health and beneficial uses of the state’s waters are protected from (septic) effluent discharges.” The objective notes that regulations and the waiver “consider economic costs, practical considerations for implementation, and technological capabilities.”

The DEIR was subject of statewide public workshops, which concluded yesterday with a meeting in Eureka. Amador Joint Water Committee member John Plasse said the legislation originated in Santa Barbara County. The DEIR notes that the California Environmental Quality Act requires that the EIR identify areas of controversy known to the lead agency, including issues raised by agencies and the public. The DEIR said: “In general, areas of potential controversy known to the State Water Board include” the “the need for consistent statewide regulations.” Other issues included monitoring and “questions about the need for and applicability of domestic well monitoring,” and the “increased cost to develop property, and the increased cost for local agencies of enforcing the regulations.” Joint Committee member Terence Moore and the committee agreed that AB 885 should be on an upcoming joint water committee agenda. A public hearing on the DEIR is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 9th at the Byron Sher Auditorium, in the California EPA Building, 1001 “I” Street in Sacramento. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Amador County Transportation Commission board of directors kept its chairman and selected a new vice chairman last week in its first meeting of 2009. District 4 Supervisor Louis Boitano was selected to remain as chairman of the ACTC board for the year. Plymouth City Councilman Greg Baldwin was picked as vice chairman for the year. Both Baldwin and Boitano were reelected to their respective positions last year. Among discussions at the meeting was the status of removing a historic grinding rock from a Caltrans right-of-ways near Ione. Supervisor Richard Forster said the project was stalled because of the state of the rock, used by Indians for grinding. He said an attempt to move the rock was made, and when it was lifted, it began to crumble. Kathleen McClaflin, Rural Planning and Administrator for Caltrans District 10 suggested that local Indian tribes be contacted about the bedrock mortars. Forster said that had been done and the moving of the rock had become a political issue as much as it had become a historical issue. Forster said he is “not in favor of that rock going to Plymouth,” where the Ione Band of Miwok Indians has had hopes to take the rock. Ione City Councilman and ACTC board member David Plank said Amador County “tried to pawn this off on the city,” adding that “it’s not a complicated issue,” it’s just a matter of “who breaks the rock?” McClaflin said ACTC might want to contact “all of the tribes in the area,” who all might want to come together to talk about the rock, possibly in a teleconference. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – Mayor Lee Ard appointed Ione City Council liaison positions for council members while presiding over his first meeting council meeting last week. Ard made the appointments in draft form and the council discussed the selections. City Manager Kim Kerr said that the city audit and health benefits panels were added to the finance committee and some subcommittees were eliminated. Kerr said the Amador County Mayor Select Committee has yet to meet, during which the 5 city mayors in the county appoint liaisons, including to the Amador Local Agency Formation Commission. Past Mayor Andrea Bonham said the LAFCO terms were decided to be kept intact even if there is turnover in a city council, as Ione Councilman Jerry Sherman did not get reelected and was a sitting LAFCO member. Ard, who took over as mayor for last Tuesday’s first meeting of 2009, took nine liaison positions, including as representative on the Amador County Air District Board. Ard will be president of the Amador County Recreation Agency board of directors. He will also be a member of the City Finance Committee and the City General Plan Executive Committee, with Councilwoman Andrea Bonham. Ard and Councilman Jim Ulm will be on the Connerly & Associates Loan Committee and the Golf Course Committee. Ard and Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel will also be members of the Wastewater Committee and Ard will represent the council on the Park & Recreation Commission and the Fire Protection District. Schaufel will also be the Ione representative on the LAFCO board, and sit on the Ione Creek Committee and be a delegate for the League of California Cities. New Councilman David Plank will represent Ione on the Amador County Transportation Commission Oversight Committee and the ACTC board, along with the Ione Bypass Committee and the Amador Economic Development Commission. Ulm will sit on the Amador County Waste Management and the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority boards. Ione City Council and the planning commission hold a joint special meeting at 6 p.m. today to review Architectural Provisions in Historic Downtown and to review a draft Street Naming Ordinance. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

Amador County – A controversial smoking ban under consideration by the Jackson City Council is being discussed at the same time as many local health officials continue a public campaign warning of the dangers of secondhand smoke. Supporters of the ban feel that smokers may offend visitors and increase health problems on a street already suffering image and economic troubles. Although the ban has only gone as far as open discussion, some smokers are already up in arms. “No matter what restrictions they put in place, they will never be able to keep smokers from doing their business, or just doing it somewhere else,” said one Jackson resident who works downtown. But some health officials believe the risks justify regulation. “The good news is that, unlike some public health hazards, secondhand smoke exposure is easily prevented,” said Diana Evensen of Tobacco Reduction of Amador County. She added, “Smoke-free environments are proven, simple approaches that prevent exposure and harm.”

According to the U.S Surgeon General’s comprehensive scientific report on the effects of secondhand smoke released in 2006 and referenced by the Amador Health Department, nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke inhale many of the same toxins as smokers. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and increases the risk for heart disease and lung cancer, the report says. “The report is a crucial warning to nonsmokers and smokers alike,” said Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Health officer. But citizens who feel smoking restrictions are a violation of their personal rights are standing up against the possible ordinance. One downtown smoker put it bluntly: “If you don’t want to smell my smoke, just get out of my way, and I will tolerate things I don’t approve of you doing.” Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – On Wednesday, several members of the Jackson City Council will be available to answer questions related to city services or budget, discuss neighborhood issues, provide information regarding Neighborhood Watch programs, or listen to any special interests or concerns of Jackson residents. It will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 18th at the Argonaut Heights Fire Station. Councilman Keith Sweet announced the neighborhood meeting in an e-mail Monday, saying “This is the first of a twice monthly series of meetings that will be held throughout the year on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.” The next scheduled meeting is March 4th at 10 a.m. at Hein & Co. Bookstore, 206 North Main Street in Jackson. The full schedule can be found on the city’s web site at www.ci.jackson.ca.us. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - In an effort to reduce overhead costs, the Amador Fire Safe Council has closed its office in Pine Grove and relocated to a private residence. According to an AFSC press release, AFSC “will still continue its mission to protect the people of Amador County from the catastrophic effects of wildfire through cooperative education, innovation, and action.” Upcoming projects include a new roadside chipper project; a low-income and senior/disabled defensible space project; a low income firewood bank; wildfire protection plans for Pioneer, Pine Grove, and Volcano; and shaded fuel breaks in the vicinity of Buckhorn, River Pines and Pine Grove. On Saturday, March 28, AFSC will host the annual disaster and fire summit in Sutter Hill. The event will include workshops on fire safety, weather, defensible space landscaping and information booths by various public safety agencies. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council on Monday approved a request for proposals for its expiring city sanitation service franchise, with an aim to increase its services to the recycling of containers and yard waste. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the request for proposals is limiting its acceptance of bids to only companies “that are currently doing business in Amador County, so that they know the winding streets that they will have to go down.” The current trash hauling service contract expires in June. The request for proposals details the service desired by the city, including that the company must supply containers and pick up of household containers for recycling and also household yard waste for recycling. Sutter Creek resident and City Clerk Judy Allen asked if the alternating service meant that recycling would be picked up every 2 weeks. Rabe said that was the case, and household containers would be picked up every other week, alternating weekly with the yard waste service. Allen said today she has 2 bags of recycling and half a bag of garbage. Rabe said customers would get a choice of the size of container they are going to use for trash and recycling. One man asked if it would be the same rate for people like himself who composted their own yard waste. Rabe said the rate would be all-inclusive, but “yard waste weighs a lot” and the more they are able to divert from the landfill, the more diversion credit the city gets. City Manager Rob Duke said positive aspect would be that “everybody has the chance to recycle.” He said commodity prices at present “are nothing – you literally have to pay people to come and pick up things.” The council passed the request for proposals, 5-0. The proposal lists an award date of April 20th, but the date could be changed by the city. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission took a fiscal impact report from consultants Monday night and then continued other aspects of its study of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort until next month. About 50 people attended the meeting, which began with the annual election of commission president and vice president, with Commissioner Frank Cunha saying that “due to the work the commission has invested in Gold Rush over the last year,” he moved to either keep the president and vice president the same for another year or to postpone the election until the Gold Rush process is complete. Commissioner Mike Kirkley agreed and Cunha motioned to keep Robin Peters and president and Cort Strandberg as vice president, for another year, with the motion passing unanimously. City Attorney Dennis Crabb, slated to give an update on the developer agreement, asked to continue the item for a minimum of 30 days, saying the development agreement was not yet ready for commissioners. Mark Northcross of Goodwin & Associates gave a presentation on a fiscal study of Gold Rush, saying that the city relies on sales and property taxes for income. He said city residents do most of their shopping outside of town. Northcross said “20 percent stays here” and “80 percent of your sales tax dollars don’t stay in this town.” He said Sutter Creek has been a “low rate property tax city” since the tax rate was set state-wide in 1978. As such, “90 percent of the property tax goes somewhere besides Sutter Creek.” He said the good news was that the law allows the city an option to make up for lost property taxes. “We recommend that you make it up through the Mello-Roos Law.” He said the city council can enact the Mello-Roos, an improvement district, to fund capital improvement developments, by putting a “special tax” as a surcharge on property taxes to make up for the negative impacts of the development. The Planning Commission resumes its examination of Gold Rush on February 23rd. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).