Amador County – Jackson City Planner Susan Peters on Monday gave an update of a planning workshop held last week, telling the Jackson City Council that the city should determine Jackson’s design “identity.” Peters told the council of a sparsely attended workshop held last Monday that drew three public comments and also a letter from local developer and Jackson resident Ron Regan. Peters said the Sutter Creek Planning Commission Chairman Robin Peters attended the meeting and spoke about Sutter Creek’s work on the subject. Susan Peters said Sutter Creek’s “ultimate goal is to have standards instead of guidelines,” so that new construction and buildings are compatible with surrounding buildings in any particular area. Sutter Creek started with a large committee of various interested and it now has an Architectural Review Committee, with professional members appointed by the Sutter Creek City Council. They include two architects, a contractor, and two members of the public, and their overview currently is the review of commercial structures only. Peters said “this will change when the standards are completed for all portions of the city.” Regan in his letter to Susan Peters and the Jackson Planning Commission, said “Architectural standards that are restricted to downtown to maintain its appeal are fine” and he believed “that the downtown area has a historical appeal that warrants protection.” But he said “making such standards city wide runs the risk of being misused by certain pressure groups and are not warranted.” He said “unfortunately some architectural standards are subjective, where a particular design is in vogue today, but not tomorrow.” Regan said “certain groups will use their own subjective opinion to demonize a proposed development.” And he warned that “restrictive and subjective standards that are narrowly focused on contemporary thought or concepts that relate to restricting growth will result in the loss of future tax revenues to the city.” Peters said Jackson could look at the city’s identity by neighborhood, and find a “connectivity design-wise,” and make areas separate. She said Jackson has identified 12 different neighborhoods in the city. Mayor Connie Gonsalves and the council directed staff to form a professional committee, and City Manager Mike Daly said staff would return to the city council with a description of the committee composition and would request council direction. Councilwoman Marilyn Louis said she thought historian Larry Cenotto should be on the committee. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - In a sign of the times, neighboring Calaveras County also laid off nine employees and implemented a hiring freeze. In November, eight Building Department employees were let go after declining construction activity reduced fees that make up the majority of that department’s budget. Assistant Calaveras County Administrative Officer Shirley Ryan said Calaveras County will likely make it through the end of this fiscal year in June without further layoffs. Governor Schwarzenenegger ordered state-mandated furloughs last Friday, which will save the state a combined $678,000 in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. The state budget deficit is projected to grow to $42 billion by June of 2010. Current mandates apply to 238,000 state workers, resulting in two unpaid days per month. Statistics released by Tuolumne County estimate a monthly savings of $616,000 as a result of furloughs. The recent cutbacks have raised questions about whether Calaveras County Supervisors are using funds effectively. An annual discretionary fund of $5000 has been used by supervisors in recent years to support local civic groups. Supervisors are discussing whether or not freezing these funds will have a significant effect on county coffers. Although Ryan predicts the end of layoffs for this fiscal year, decisions over the state budget could change that situation. Both Ryan and Amador County Administrative Officer Terri Daly have cited the state as the major variable in these decisions. Daly said “we hope that we will not have to impose additional layoffs. However, we are still waiting for the state Legislature to act on the state budget. The state may defer payments to counties for mandated programs, which would put us in another credit crunch.” In a memo Friday to all employees, Daly said state budget “deferrals of payments to the counties are possible, if not probable.” Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to lay off 7 county employees and also reduce the hours of the county airport manager. County Chief Administrative Officer Terri Daly recommended the layoffs in light of an expected $3.6 Million budget deficit this year. She also recommended a cut of the airport manager position from 40 hours a week to 24 hours a week, which supervisors also approved in the vote. Daly said the county has been working 2 years on easing out of a diminishing budget, and the 7 layoffs and a cutting of another 7 part-time workers amounted to a 17.5 percent decrease in Full Time Equivalent positions. That percentage included jobs vacated in a hiring freeze, early retirement and voluntary layoffs. The layoffs did not affect any sheriff, district attorney or probation department positions because those offices had already been affected the most by other job reductions. Daly said those 3 departments make up 27 percent of the county workforce but accounted for 33 percent of job reductions. She said the next step could be mandatory furloughs, more layoffs or reductions in salaries. Daly said “Although we are keeping our fingers crossed, we’re not done yet and I will be back.” Board Chairman Ted Novelli asked Daly to get with him to write a letter to the county’s 7 union bargaining units to ask them for help in lasting out the recession. Supervisor Richard Forster said the furloughs would have to be approved by bargaining units. He said he did not expect a great state budget and he expected deferrals of tax payments, including gasoline tax, to stretch to the longer part of its expected 3 to 9 month time period. Forster said they should ask the bargaining units to look at furloughs to preserve as many county employees as they can. Supervisor Brian Oneto said the private sector has had layoffs and businesses closing for a long time. With the economy struggling and tax revenue dropping, Oneto said “I think we need furloughs across the board.” Supervisor Louis Boitano said it was an “unprecedented time and unfortunately we have to take drastic measures,” and moved to take staff’s recommendation. Forster said there are some counties talking about withholding tax payments to the state, but he said deferral of reimbursements is legal. Novelli said they should start a list to bring people back, if and when they can. Forster said: “Part of this is getting us storm-ready and we’re just starting the storm now.” Boitano said “there will be some small counties that cease to exist.” Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - A resolution in protest of an unpopular bill proposing stiff statewide regulations on septic usage was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors during Tuesday’s meeting. “In Amador County, in many respects, these regulations are overkill,” said Mike Israel, Deputy Director of the Public Health Department. Prompted by Bill 885 passed in 2000, the proposed updates would further regulate discharge of wastes that threaten surface and groundwater quality. The California Water Resources Control Board has been holding workshops with record-setting attendance across California to gather input. The proposal under consideration includes a number of costly requirements to be paid by owners should their tanks not meet updated standards. Israel said the regulations made sense when applied to the southern coastal communities where they originated, but have now been proposed as a blanket solution across the state. He said the “regulations exceed the statutory authority of Bill 885.” Under the new guidelines, owners must have their tanks inspected for solid accumulations every five years at a cost of $325. Owners of tanks within 600 feet of a surface water body that does not meet water quality standards could be required to retrofit their systems at a cost of $45,000. Estimates by county officials indicate that a large portion –approximately half- of Amador County uses septic systems. Supervisor Forster said it was unlikely that any outcry against the bill would kill it. Israel said there have been discussions with the Water Resources Board for the tentative removal of some regulations. Forster called Arnold Schwarzenegger a “Green Governor” and said, “I think the Governor is trying to get his picture on the front of Newsweek.” The Supervisors formally and unanimously approved their position against the regulations. County Counsel will now draft a comment letter on the draft regulations promulgated pursuant to Assembly Bill 885. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - A formal request for exception from the General Plan was made on behalf of New Life Christian Church during the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. Pastor Jay Donnelly asked Supervisors to grant exception to General Plan guidelines and allow the church to develop a 7-acre parcel of land off Ridge Road donated by the Estate of Mary Lou Oneto. Supervisor Brian Oneto excused himself because he has property adjacent to the acreage in question. County policy prohibits the acceptance of applications for general plan amendments and zone changes until such time as the comprehensive general plan update is completed. “The intent of the moratorium is to prevent ‘piecemeal’ General Plan amendments…as these threaten the viability and long range success…as well as orderly growth and development within the county,” said Heather Anderson of the Planning Department. Donnelly said that his church had for the last seven years been looking at parcels to “accomplish the mission of building our facility.” He referred to Ridge Road as “church lane” because of the high number of church’s there. Donnelly said this “development will not threaten the viability of the long range success of the General Plan.” He said the Church would install a left hand turn lane off of Ridge Road for safety. Supervisor Forster asked if there were cases where other properties were allowed to make exceptions. Anderson said, “in this county, no.” Planning Director Susan Grijalva clarified that some exceptions were made during a brief period in the 1980s when “the State relaxed for 180 days for cancellations of the Williamson Act.” Supervisor Louis Boitano noted that if “they put a turn lane in, that’s a public improvement.” Supervisor John Plasse said he “wouldn’t want to see the church project (denied) and then become somebody else’s mansion on the ridge.” The Supervisors unanimously approved the exception with Supervisor Oneto withdrawn, but noted that this was only approval to allow an application for a General Plan Amendment. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Jackson City Council received a mid-fiscal-year budget update Monday and heard that its finances were not bucking any trends. City Manager Mike Daly said tax revenues were in a steady decline for the city, including 5 months last fiscal year of payments totaling zero dollars. Another “payment” figured in January, a “triple flip sales tax,” corrected an overpayment, in effect deducting $76,912 for last month. Daly said 2007-2008 had zero sales tax receipts in August, September, November, December and March. Jackson sales tax revenue in 2003-2004 totaled $1.23 Million, and dropped in the fiscal year beginning in 2004 to $973,000. It jumped the next two years, to $1.24 Million in 2005-2006 and $1.34 Million in 200-6-07. Last year, sales tax revenue dropped to $866,000 and through the first 6 months this year totaled $308,000. Daly said: “Obviously sales taxes have not fared well in the last couple of years.” The city has lost several businesses to Martell, including Safeway, Kragen, Mother Lode Music and Prospect Motors. Daly said the city had $87,000 in revenue sharing last year, down from $250,000 to $300,000 in previous years. The city has made $64,000 in building permits this year and should come close to $100,000 again this year.

Transient Occupancy Tax revenue is on “another area downturn,” Daly said, and this year’s TOT taxes total about $285,000, under the budgeted $310,000. Those taxes fuel the city’s General Fund, which he said started at $1.5 Million this year and is expected to end the year at around $1.1 Million. The city girded for the expected losses by not filling an administrative clerk position that came open, saving about $50,000 or $60,000. The city building department reduced staff from 3 to 2 personnel and Jackson Police dropped one officer with a vacancy that came up. Councilman Keith Sweet asked what they can do in the next 4-and-a-half months to reduce spending. Daly said “you don’t want to spend your way out of being a city.” Councilman Wayne Garibaldi asked when are members of the City Council is going to sit down with Daly and “talk about the future.” Daly said any time, noting that another good route is the revitalization committee. Mayor Connie Gonsalves said that committee’s work included recruiting and retaining businesses. Gonsalves appointed Councilmen Sweet and Pat Crew to the committee to work with Daly. Gonsalves said: “Just keep us posted.” In another sign of the times, Daly said the ACTC told that the county would share about $730,000 from the Federal Economic Stimulus bill for road projects. Meanwhile, ACTC gathered a list of prospective projects around Amador County, with an estimated total price tag of $88 Million. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - The Amador County Sheriff’s Office has just released some unfortunate news in the missing person search for Stephen Joseph Melvin, 62, of Pioneer. On Saturday February 7 Melvin was found, deceased, approximately 1200 meters North of Shake Ridge Road east of Charleston Road in Volcano. The search for Melvin began Wednesday February 4, 2009 in the area of Shake Ridge Road, after his vehicle was found parked in the area. Melvin reportedly frequented this area to fly his radio controlled aircraft. Searchers first found clothing identified as Melvin’s, then the radio controlled aircraft which had apparently crashed, and subsequently, Melvin was located. There was no evidence of foul play or any suspicious circumstances. A forensic examination of Melvin is being scheduled by the Amador County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office to assist in determining the cause and manner of death. The Amador County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank and acknowledge all that assisted the Amador County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue including the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, the Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, the California Highway Patrol, the Ione City Fire Department Rehab Unit, the Amador County Red Cross, the California Rescue Dog Association, Amador County Public Works and the Auxiliary Communication Services. Staff Report (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County - A property tax assessment scam that alleges payments are required for assessments is sweeping Amador County. Private companies using clever names like “Tax Adjusters,” “Tax Review,” or “Tax Reassessment,” are sending mailers in official-looking envelopes charging fees for the filing of decline-in-value reassessment applications. “In these unsettling economic times as the values of homes and properties decline, it is my responsibility, as County Assessor, to ensure that no property owner pays more than their fair share of taxes. People worry about foreclosures and paying property taxes even with the protection of Proposition 13. Now, they have to worry about being taken advantage of by companies offering the lure of lower taxes,” said County Tax Assessor Jim Rooney. These mailers are written in language with deadline warnings which can easily be mistaken for an official government form. “This office will be reviewing the values of many homes this year without the filing of forms and we’ll be doing it for free. I want to stress that there is no charge associated with the assessment review,” said Rooney. The guidelines for determining property taxes are set through Proposition 13. Another lesser known regulation, Proposition 8, “allows a temporary reduction in assessed value when the current market value of a property is less than the value shown on the property tax bill.” In 2008, the Assessor’s office initiated a review of all properties in the county purchased or built between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007. In 2009, they are expanding the number to be reviewed for homes that were purchased between July 2003 and June 2008. Property owners who are considered eligible for the review will receive a letter by the end of June notifying them of the results. Owners who disagree with the results of the review or those who were not included in the review, may file a Request for Assessment Review with the Assessor’s Office through December 31. In addition, owners who still disagree with the value may file a Formal Application for Changed Assessment with the independent County Assessment Appeals Board between July 2 and November 30. If you have questions or concerns, contact the Assessors Office at 223-6351 or Jim Rooney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Amador Regional Planning Committee discussed potential projects for the upcoming year last week, hearing about water, wastewater, finances and regional solutions as possibilities. The committee met in Sutter Creek and Chairman Tim Murphy read an e-mailed suggestion from Krista Clem, whose husband, John O’Sullivan is developing two housing projects in Amador County. Clem suggested the committee look at and study being a part of the regional wastewater treatment plant. Ione Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said she thought that was a good idea, and she suggested that at a future meeting, each member give local updates on water and wastewater developments in the cities and the county. Bonham said “I’m not sure all of us understand what all of us already have.” Jackson City Manager Mike Daly, in attendance, said he thought the committee should have the Amador Water Agency attend to tell about the substantial work it has done for supplying water. Sutter Creek Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe (RuhBay) said the committee might want to divide the programs to have separate presentations on water and wastewater, given the likely extensive presentations that could ensue. Murphy said the wastewater meeting would have members “probably end up talking about a recycled water plant.” Bonham suggested that the members give presentations on or talk about information on economic stimulus funding or grant resources, in an effort to help generate information for the committee members and help with finances across the county. Jackson Mayor Connie Gonsalves agreed and suggested that because of trying economic times, the committee members give financial updates in March to tell what cities and the county are doing to cope with the recession, and what areas they are doing work. Murphy agreed and said that would be a good presentation topic for the Regional Planning Committee’s next meeting, March 4 in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Amador County – The Amador Regional Planning Committee discussed its Memorandum of Understanding in an annual rehashing of the details, then agreed to keep rotating meeting locations, though possibly doing so not monthly but annually. Committee president and Sutter Creek Councilman Tim Murphy said they should keep the wording that has the meetings alternating between jurisdictions, but they should leave the time between rotations ambiguous, so they can change the location if they want, but also keep the same meeting place for the year, if wanted. The Regional Planning Committee was making its “annual” amendments to the MOU of the committee, though it was only entering its second year of existence. Murphy read through a list of amendment suggestions from Plymouth Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin. Among them, Baldwin “suggested deleting the At Large member” of the committee, the post recently taken by Rene Chapman. A majority of the board, including Murphy, rejected that suggestion. Baldwin also suggested omitting the section under duties, responsibilities and limitations, which said the committee “shall be charged with” the duty to “pursue grant funding opportunities for planning and infrastructure projects of regional interest.” Ione City Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said that was “one of the strongest parts of the MOU,” and most beneficial to the members, in helping each other find funding. Murphy said he did not support that omission and a consensus agreed. Baldwin also suggested the committee make Amador County responsible for logistical and staff support of meetings. Murphy said he would rather have that support rotate, along with the meeting place, though he thought monthly rotation was bothersome and it would be better to have a regular location, such as Sutter Creek, during his term as committee chairman. Jackson Mayor Connie Gonsalves said the rotating meeting place “gives us all opportunities to visit other parts of the county.” Bonham agreed, saying she likes to visit other city halls, such as Plymouth. Story by Jim Reece (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).