Amador County – In a 3-2 vote, the Sutter Creek City Council passed a resolution supporting the Amador County Board of Supervisors’ legal challenge to the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians’ compact to operate a casino near Ione. The council heard from Flying Cloud Casino opponents Jerry Cassesi and George Lambert, who urged passage of the resolution. Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten opposed continuance the legal challenge. Wooten said “I know the county spent a couple of million dollars and they lost. … I think the county will spend a lot more money and still lose … I’m sorry Jerry.” Cassesi said “You and I need to have a cup of coffee some time and I’ll give you the real facts.” Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Hepworth said he supported the county’s legal challenge and he voted with Councilwoman Sandra Anderson and Councilman Tim Murphy to approve the resolution. Wooten and Councilman Pat Crosby both voted no. The resolution was added as an emergency item to the consent calendar. It urges Supervisors to “continue the legal challenge to the casino compact,” and notes that “dismissal of the county’s lawsuit was based entirely on procedural grounds (i.e. the Secretary of the Interior’s approval of the compact did not approve any portion of the compact that is unlawful) and the logical next step for the count is to determine the most legally sound approach to seek a legal determination on the challenged components of the compact.” The resolution says a board decision “not to pursue further legal steps … would be a great disservice to the citizens … because there would be no final legal review of the compact and a possible illegal casino could be constructed in Amador County as a result.” The resolutions notes that “inaction in continuing the legal challenge to the Buena Vista compact would likely have adverse impacts on the on-going legal fight against the proposed casino project in Plymouth with the possible result that Amador County would be the home of 3 Class 3 tribal gaming facilities with the inherent traffic congestion and associated criminal activity.” Wooten, despite voting against it, will sign the resolution on behalf of the council. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – District Attorney Todd Riebe urged the Board of Supervisors to approve the transfer of the Public Conservator and Public Guardian over to Social Services, citing “conflicts of interest.” The District Attorney’s office took over the responsibility of both positions after the former Conservator was charged with embezzlement shortly before 2001. The office prepares, reviews, and signs all legal documents and other papers necessary in the guardianships and conservatorships of the person and estates of minors, incapacitated adults, and adults with mental disorders. County Administrative Officer Terri Daly said “the D.A. has really stepped up to the plate to handle that office with more structure and a system of checks and balances.” But she said problems arose when clients of the Conservator’s office became clients of the D.A.’s office. To avoid this conflict of interest, clients are referred out of the county, which often proves more costly and time consuming. Supervisor John Plasse questioned how a Conservator client “would go from that to a client of the D.A.’s office.” District Attorney Todd Riebe said that often times a client with dementia may be charged with neglect or even spousal abuse. He said one conservatee even committed assault with a deadly weapon. “Sometimes…they can’t help it,” he said. “A private conservator must be hired to represent the best interests of the conservatee- that costs money,” he added. Riebe also noted that Amador County “is not with the trend” and is only one of five counties remaining in California that have not yet integrated Conservator and Guardianships into either a Behavioral Health or Social Services department. Daly said that by absorbing these positions into Social Services, there would essentially be a “one stop shop” situation, referring to the natural role of Social Services to address human issues and care for people with disabilities. Supervisor Ted Novelli asked if there would be any fee for the transfer. Daly said it would actually save the county around $10,000 when you consider current fees for outside legal services. Health and Human Services Director Matt Zanze introduced Caroline McDonald, who will be running the new office with his supervision. The move was approved by the board 5-0. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - Low income families throughout the Mother Lode may not realize there are programs and agencies available to provide emergency assistance during tough economic times. One such agency is the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency, or ATCAA, serving families and individuals in need throughout Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. ATCAA provides energy assistance as well as assistance with rent or mortgage payments. According to Cathy Vanderford, ATCAA’s Jackson Service Center Secretary, the numbers of calls for assistance have increased dramatically in the last year. “We have very limited funding available, and we mail out applications to those people we believe need assistance the most,” she said. While emergency, rent and mortgage assistance is extremely limited and based on the goodwill of local donors, energy assistance comes through a grant through PG & E from the federal government. It covers utility bill payment assistance, energy-saving home improvements such as weather stripping, insulation and appliances, as well as education on reducing energy costs and budget counseling. In 2006, 111 homes were weatherized in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, and a total of 1,399 homes were assisted with utility payment. No specific numbers on funding amounts were provided, but sources say federal grants can be in excess of $10,000. ATCAA is currently out of funding for PG&E assistance but has a waiting list for funds when available again. ATCAAs Homeless and Transitional Shelters provide emergency shelter to homeless children and families, along with case management support for job training, housing search, as well as social, health and mental health services. Additionally, rent and utility assistance is provided through the Homeless Prevention program when available, as well as Housing and Budget Counseling in both Tuolumne and Amador counties. In 2006, 128 adults received Housing and Budget Counseling in both Amador and Tuolumne counties. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – A coin flip made the final decision for the remaining Amador County Transportation Commission seat as the City Select Committee met Wednesday and chose two new ACTC members, but deferred selections to the Local Agency Formation Commission for a clarification on term limits. After three members decided one of two open seats should belong to Sutter Creek, Ione Mayor Lee Ard flipped the coin, Jackson Mayor Connie Gonsalves called “tails” and it landed on “heads,” giving Ione one of three city council seats on ACTC. Sutter Creek Mayor Gary Wooten suggested his co-Councilman Pat Crosby as a regular ACTC member, as Jackson former Councilman Al Nunes and Ione former Councilman Jerry Sherman both did not win re-election, but both served terms that expired in February. Amador City Mayor Aaron Brusatori and Plymouth Mayor Jon Colburn both agreed that Sutter Creek needed representation on ACTC. Gonsalves said either Jackson or Ione had to step down, or they could flip a coin, leading to the flip. Ard said new Ione Councilman David Plank was the city’s selection for the ACTC regular seat, and the Select Committee made the appointment, making it a 3-year term to stagger membership and possibly avoid future multiple vacancies. Plank joins regular member, Plymouth Councilman Greg Baldwin and Crosby. Alternates selected were Ione Councilman Jim Ulm, Jackson Councilman Keith Sweet and Amador City Councilman Mike Vasquez. The committee deferred appointment to the Amador County LAFCO until its Executive Director Roseanne Chamberlain can clarify term limits. Ard had sought that a new member be assigned to Sherman’s position after he lost in November, but his term expired in February. Ard sought to place Plank into the seat. Gonsalves said Jackson City Council had already chosen Pat Crew to take a seat on LAFCO, because of his experience with GPAC. Selections on LAFCO will be made at the next meeting, on a date to be determined. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - New statistics from the foreclosure tracking organization DataQuick reveal that repossessions were the driving force behind the real estate market in December. Home sales in the region finished strong in December after more than a year of dismal statistics and record lows. However, this latest surge in home sales is still among the lowest in a decade . 3,748 December escrows closed in Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties alone. There were 29 sales at a median home price of $270,000 in Amador County, down 18.6 percent from one year ago. Neighboring Placer County saw 546 sales at a median price of $317, 000, down 15 percent and the lowest median since March of 2003. El Dorado County had 160 closings at a median price of $330,000, down 24.5 percent from December 2007. Home sales were far above statistics from one year ago in every county except El Dorado and Nevada, which have the region’s two highest median home prices. Sacramento County’s median home price peaked at just over $387,000. According to DataQuick analysts, the rise in purchases is due to the high amount of bank repos following the wave of foreclosures in 2008. Homes have once again become affordable for thousands of first-time homebuyers through the capitol region. Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council will begin 2009 with selection of its new mayor and mayor pro tempore for the calendar year, over sitting Mayor Gary Wooten and Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Hepworth. The meeting should begin with administration of the oath of office for Wooten, Councilman Tim Murphy and Councilwoman Sandra Anderson, all elected in November. The council, including Councilman Pat Crosby, will then select its new mayor and vice mayor. The council will also discuss council committee assignments, which will include filling vacancies left by former Councilman Brent Parsons, who did not seek re-election. Parsons represented Sutter Creek on the Amador County Transportation Commission and Amador Rapid Transit board as an alternate. Parsons was also a member of the city Administration & Personnel Committee and the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority, was an alternate on the Amador County Airport board and was a member of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort Ad-hoc Committee. Today’s agenda also includes the appointment of planning commissioners by the three newly elected or re-elected council members. Wooten at the start of his previous term appointed Commissioner Bob Olsen and Councilman Murphy appointed Commissioner Mike Kirkley. First-term Councilwoman Sandra Anderson can choose to reappoint the commissioner appointed by her predecessor or make a new appointee. Anderson was elected to the position vacated by Parsons, whose sitting appointed planning commissioner is Corte Strandberg. Appointees serve on the commission for the same term as their appointing council member. The rest of the agenda includes a Gold Rush-City Council indemnity agreement, brought to the council by City Attorney Dennis Crabb, a report by Finance Director Jeffry Gardner and consideration of a resolution supporting Prospect Motors. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - The Amador County Board of Supervisors brainstormed ways to best take advantage of funding that will be made available if and when the federal government passes a new Economic Stimulus Package. During Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisors and General Services Administration Director Jon Hopkins listened via conference call to County Federal Lobbyist David French list off the best methods for obtaining a portion of the estimated $700 billion to $1 trillion stimulus. “In general, there has been a great amount of enthusiasm over a new stimulus package from the Obama administration,” said French. “There hasn’t been a definition as to what kind of restrictions, but the majority will be 100 percent grants,” he said. He added that the best way to take advantage of this funding would be to focus the County wish list on infrastructure, or “green projects.” These include energy, broadband and road repair. He also stressed the importance of projects that our “shovel ready.” Main support on a state level is coming from the office of Senator Barbara Boxer, who plans to have a revised request for California’s portion on the President’s desk by President’s Day.

He said Senator Diane Feinstein is also pushing for $150,000 or more for Amador’s proposed Community College. French stressed that in order to get its fair share, Amador County must be proactive, reaffirming ties through existing avenues with those who have granted funding in the past. Hopkins presented an ambitious Infrastructure/Energy Project list covering everything from updates to the Animal Control Livestock Facility to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility. Supervisors were in agreement that staff should begin taking action now in ensuring potential funding could be obtained for the most needed projects and updates. Public Works Director Larry Peterson had a separate list put together detailing $45 million exclusively for road upgrades and repairs, although he pointed out that only a small portion of this was beyond the proposal stage. ACTC Director Charles Field said there is a “local road funding crisis” and reminded council that there will be further discussion of road infrastructure at Wednesday’s ACTC meeting. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - According to a statement released by the Amador County Administrative Agency, a U.S. Judge has dismissed the County’s Buena Vista Casino Lawsuit. On Friday, January 9th, Amador County officials received notice that Judge Richard W. Roberts dismissed Amador County’s action against the Secretary of the Department of the Interior to block the building and operation of a casino. Amador County filed suit in 2005 alleging that the approval of an amendment to the gaming compact between the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians and the State of California was arbitrary and capricious, and in violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or IGRA. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. The court granted the motion to dismiss, stating that the Secretary’s choice to take no action to allow the approval of an agreement of the gaming compact between the tribe and the State of California is not subject to court review by the express terms of the IGRA. Amador County has been actively fighting the establishment of more casinos in the county since 2003, and filed the lawsuit to oppose construction of a Nevada-style gaming facility in the Jackson Valley. The Board of Supervisors will now consider the options in response to the dismissal of this lawsuit and the construction of the casino. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

Amador County – With minimal fanfare and about 30 people in attendance, one new and two renewed Amador County Supervisors took their oath of office Monday afternoon in the supervisors’ chambers. Supervisor-elect John Plasse made it official in taking the oath for the office he won in the primary last June 3rd. Plasse joined 2-term supervisor Richard Forster of District 2 and 16-year Supervisor Louis Boitano of District 4 in taking the pledge, led by Amador County Registrar of Voters Sheldon Johnson. All three took oaths for four-year terms on the board. Plasse won his first term last June in taking 54 percent of the vote over John Gonsalves’ 18 percent and 14 percent each for Rosalie Pryor Escamilla and Ken Berry. Plasse won the four-way race to replace Supervisor Rich E. Escamilla, who was retiring after three terms and 12 years on the board of supervisors.

Boitano, who first took office on the board of supervisors in 1993, won re-election in June with 57 percent of the vote, defeating David Pincus. Forster, first elected in 2000, was unopposed in his re-election. Also serving on the board are District 3 Supervisor Ted Novelli and District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto, both who took office in 2007, who will serve out two more years of their terms. Former Supervisor Escamilla attended the swearing-in of the supervisors. Escamilla will take over as the new president of the non-profit Kennedy Mine Foundation, where he plans several projects at the mine to enhance recreation and the use of the facilities there. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - The Amador County Recreation Agency Board of Directors also heard a pitch for a donation program to help county trails and recreation in their last meeting of 2008. Amanda Bohl, a board member of Mother Lode Land Trust the program titled “A Buck For Open Space and Trails.” Bohl said Mother Lode Land Trust’s “Buck For A Cause” is a voluntary program where local businesses ask customers to donate a dollar. The money would be split 50-50 with ACRA and the Land Trust, or at a ratio agreeable to ACRA’s board. Her work with the Truckee Donner Land Trust found that it benefits businesses because people preferred to frequent places that donate money. Bohl said the Land Trust would do the work, and how the money is split would be clearly spelled out. Bohl said it was simply a can that could be placed near a cashier. ACRA Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep proposed the idea of putting the first $3,000 toward developing a trails master plan for Amador County.

Amador City’s Richard Lynch said it sounded like a great opportunity to get money for the Land Trust and ACRA, “for the whole world of recreation.” Lynch supported giving most of the money to MLLT and trails and he felt that money should go into trails or property acquisition. Supervisor Richard Escamilla said he would like to see the new board decide on the program, as three new members would replace himself and outgoing members, Chairwoman Debbie Dunn and Lynch. Dunn said Measure L for firefighters died at the polls but Measure M passed because supporters learned that they needed to tell people where the money was going. Jackson Councilman Wayne Garibaldi said he would like to see more of what the agreement would be and the legal parts of the MOU. Towner-Yep said she would outline what is going to happen, with a basic structure and the goals of the program and bring it to the next ACRA board meeting, January 14th. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).