Amador County – The Ione City Council tonight will consider approving $500,000 dollars worth of contract amendments for the city Wastewater Master Plan. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report last Friday recommended the council review the Wastewater Master Plan status and remaining work, and amendments to 2 related contracts. One, with RMT Environmental Consulting, would add $163,000 dollars to a total contract for $572,000 dollars. The other amendment would alter a contract with Lee & Ro, Incorporated, for a total contract amount of $438,000 dollars. Kerr said the “Ione wastewater treatment plan is out of capacity” and the “City has been investigating various methods to expand (it) to accommodate permitted and future growth.” RMT and Lee & Ro helped with preliminary environmental review, and the planning for the project. RMT has been involved since December 2006. In June 2008, the City Council approved the contract with RMT for $409,475. RMT said the project’s “off site monitoring wells for hydrology analysis” have been difficult to complete. And Kerr said “RMT is seeking a budget augment in the amount of $163,000 dollars to complete the project, for the total cost of $572,343. RMT is on schedule to get a draft EIR released June 15th. Ione has had a contract with Lee & Ro for engineering services since March 2007, extending through this month. Kerr said “we need to amend their contract for services,” totaling $437,755 dollars. That includes $79,000 dollars for on-call wastewater treatment support; $45,000 dollars for on-call collection engineering support; $59,000 dollars for regulatory and permitting assistance, and $254,000 dollars to be a member of the “owner’s representative design build team.” Kerr said “staff is recommending at minimum” the council approve the costs for on-call wastewater, on-call wastewater collection, and regulatory and permitting assistance for a total of $184,000 dollars. At maximum, Kerr said staff recommended both amendments, for a total of $499,000 dollars. Kerr said there were no alternatives to the amendments. She said “The City needs to complete these tasks to address the City’s wastewater issues now and for the future. There are no real alternatives until the City gets the necessary EIR completed as agreed to in a recent lawsuit. The best that can be done is to reduce costs where is appropriate and deliver the projects on time as outlined.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Public comment by a homeless man during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting held the attention of county officials when he addressed misconceptions about homeless persons and alleged police harassment. David Hammock, a homeless man who lives in a van, said that despite opinions expressed before the Board, “not everyone out here that’s homeless is a drug addict.” He said that many he has encountered have been pushed out of their homes after losing their jobs. He also said that Jackson police regularly go under the library and confiscate tents and sleeping bags given to the homeless by the Interfaith Food Bank. According to Hammock, the homeless are ordered to leave the area. “I’m not asking for anything except for the county not to push the homeless people on other counties,” said Hammock. He said “Amador needs to step up to the plate” and address this problem. “There are smokescreens and they’re designed to hide the truth,” he said, referring to an “inaccurate” 2007 survey on the local homeless population. The issue alludes to a bigger problem for the county – a volunteer, county wide survey in January revealed that the number of local homeless could be twice or three times more than previously estimated. According to Beetle Barbour, housing director of the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency, homeless numbers are likely twice the 57 people counted in 2007. Some residents were outraged in February after hearing a false rumor that the National Hotel would begin housing homeless from the Bay Area. Hammock expressed his frustration at a system he felt ignored the homeless. However, private organizations are making efforts to strengthen the network of community organizations that help homeless persons. First 5 Director Nina Machado and Lynda Miller, Grant Director for Operation Care, are working to model a support network based on other county’s examples. Matthew Zanze, Director of Social Services, said the frustration expressed by Hammock is an all too common problem in Amador County. “People don’t see them as part of the landscape,” said Zanze. “This is my county, too,” Hammock added near the close of his comment. Supervisor Louis Boitano thanked him for his courage in coming to speak before the board. The board did not discuss the issue further. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Ione City Council today will review a report on the reformation of the Amador County Transportation Commission into a Joint Powers Authority, or some other entity. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report for today’s meeting said possible reformation of ACTC into a JPA, a transportation authority, or something else, could not happen unless “numerous things” occurred, “including a report from ACTC to the City Council.” And any “organization structure … will require approval by the City Council to join.” She said “staff wanted to share the information regarding the discussions and get direction.” Kerr said Executive Director Charles Field reported the “reasons why ACTC believes it needs to reform the agency powers.” Field in a February 13th report to ACTC Commissioners explained the workshop and meetings with ACTC members, represented by their 5 city managers and Amador County Chief Administrative Officer Teri Daly. Field said from the meetings, the Daly and the city managers agreed that ACTC staff “present a summary report to each city council and the Board of Supervisors concerning the traditional roles and the increasing new roles that ACTC has been implementing on their behalf.” That includes ACTC’s current work as a local transportation commission and transportation planning authority, along with developing and implementing area-wide plans and action programs for transporation; and obtaining and securing public and private funds. Field said the county CAO and city managers also “agreed they will support ACTC staff’s recommendation that the ACTC become a JPA for the expressed purpose of carrying out these responsibilities on behalf of the cities and county.” Those express responsibilities included: owning property, administering traffic mitigation fee programs; and assuming the “lead role in developing transportation improvement projects,” (including environmental clearance and design.) Field said The ACTC’s study group of city managers and CAO also “agreed that the JPA should not include ACTC’s ability to implement a ½-cent sales tax program, sell bonds, or carry out other roles or authority beyond that which it exercises at the present time.” The latter includes items administering tax bond measures; issuing bonds to finance, if included in the ballot; exercising eminent domain; overseeing construction of transportation projects; administering special assessment or tax districts; and changing the makeup of the ACTC’s membership. Today will be Ione City Council’s chance to review the matter before it is submitted to the city councils and Board of Supervisors in April or May. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - At 10am on Wednesday March 4th at Hein and Company Bookstore on Main Street in Jackson, 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. 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 18th at 3pm at the Rollingwood Community Center in Jackson. The full schedule can be found on the city’s web site at www.ci.jackson.ca. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The City of Ione has released its progress report for the 2008-09 fiscal year, which expectedly highlights the city’s notable accomplishments. “The report is intended to provide the residents of Ione with an overview of key accomplishments by the City Staff, Council, Planning and Parks Commissions over the past year,” said City Manager Kim Kerr. The accomplishments are divided into key areas, including administration, finance, planning, public works, building inspection, maintenance, police and fire. Each category includes numerous achievements met or exceeded by city staff during a tumultuous year in city government. Most finance-related achievements pertained to streamlining finance processes, including credit card payment options for city services and on-line payments. In planning, the city established guidelines for all planning documents, which was called “a model document and leading in the County.” This has been requested by other cities for use as a guideline. The city improved its infrastructure with a number of street overlays and sidewalks built by funds from the Safe Route to School grant. A Draft Master Plan was completed that includes the Howard Park CEQA Analysis and new restrooms for the arena. The most publicized infrastructure project was the new Preston Area Fire Station, completed on schedule and within budget. Grand opening is planned for March/April of 2009. A waste water master plan was created and the environmental impact on improvements to 2030 is in progress and due to be completed by September 2009. In regards to fire and public safety, Ione continues to develop paid fire call staff with weekly training and enhanced skills. The city is developing a working relationship with Jackson Valley Fire District to share paid employees with Measure M funds. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County -- An open discussion about affordable housing raised some interesting statistics at the Technical Advisory Committee meeting Wednesday. The statistics were used in consideration of the Housing Element and how it relates to affordable housing and employee housing and the applicable fees, permits and waivers. According to General Plan Housing Element documents, housing costs continue to increase without a corresponding increase in the county’s median wage. 73 percent of homeowners paying more than 30 percent of their gross income, i.e. overpaying for housing, are living in the unincorporated area of the county. The majority of renters overpaying are concentrated in the incorporated cities. The largest concentration of low income households occurs in and around Jackson, Ione and Plymouth. The discussion focused on ways to allow more lenient measures for affordable housing, and in particular employee housing, like those units used for farm laborers. Employee housing makes up a large portion of the affordable housing sector. “This is a first (look) towards implementing some of these policies,” said Planning Director Susan Grijalva. One suggestion was to curtail financial incentives and reduce impact and permit fees. Other statistics highlighted Housing Stock. 1.5 percent of the county’s housing is classified as substantially deteriorated or dilapidated. The median year of construction for a structure in Amador County is 1977. Amador City has the oldest median for its structures – the median year of construction there is 1939. Grijalva said the discussion was intended to generate thoughts about ways to make the system easier for lower income individuals. The discussion will continue at future meetings. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Those familiar with the landmarks that pepper the panoramic of downtown Jackson may notice one now shines just a little bit brighter. The steeple of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Community Church, located in downtown Jackson, is in the process of receiving a new paint job. The landmark is visible from many different angles in Jackson. Painters have spent hours atop a lift applying fresh coats of golden yellow paint to the steeple, which shines like a beacon in the midday Jackson sky. Saint Patrick’s was established in Jackson in the 1800s and is one of the areas oldest churches. Reverend Thomas Seabridge, also known as “Father Tom”, serves as Pastor of the Amador Catholic Community, comprising of Saint Patrick Parish, serving Jackson, Volcano and Pioneer; Immaculate Conception Parish, serving Sutter Creek and Plymouth; and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Ione. Painting and other general repair work on the church will continue throughout the week. Story by Alex Lane.

By Alex Lane -

The President of the Sutter Creek Business and Professional Association has resigned after two years of service during a tumultuous time in the County. “It was with much deliberation and thought that I tendered my resignation as your President,” said President Lisa Klosowski in a news release Thursday. “I know that this organization is respected and admired in many surrounding communities, if not all,” she said. During her time as President, the council has dealt with some of the biggest challenges yet faced, including the Sutter Creek bypass, high gas prices, and hard economic times. “I truly believe that the fact that our doors are still open for business is something to be very proud of,” Klosowski said. “With the onset of the Christmas Holidays, during this most crucial year and time of business, I felt it necessary to step back and pay more attention to my own business and also my family,” she said. "I believe 100% in the Sutter Creek Business & Professional Association. I also want to ask that you all BUY locally. Support your fellow Sutter Creek Business Association Members and shop with them first,” she added. The Business Council will hold its final meeting of the year and Christmas party on Thursday, November 13 at Bellotti's Restaurant in Sutter Creek.

By Jim Reece -

Argonaut High School football opened its season Friday with a 41-6 home field win over Bear Creek High School of Stockton. The Mustangs take a 1-0 record in the early season Friday, playing at Golden Sierra High school in Garden Valley.

 

Amador High School football opened the season with a tough, 14-21 loss at home to the visiting Golden Sierra High School Grizzlies. The Thundering Herd next plays 1 p.m. Saturday at Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento.

 

 

By Jim Reece -

The Plymouth City Council heard Tuesday that its draft budget for 2008-2009 included 404,000 dollars in planning work, 324,000 dollars of which was reimbursable. Finance Director Jeff Gardner presented the draft budget at a city council workshop, with General Plan Update budgeting taking the biggest bite out of non-refundable spending at a cost of 40,000 expected for the current fiscal year. Gardner also budgeted 4,500 dollars for Public Assistance, 5,600 for on-site staff meetings, 2,300 for graphics, 2,000 for Economic Development and 1,500 for design guidelines. The reimbursable planning budget included the biggest cost of 74,000 dollars for 4 sub-consultants, staff review and coordination of work on the Highway 49 and Main Street intersection.

Other big ticket planning items included 43,600 dollars each for project processing and California Environmental Quality Act documentation for three projects – Shenandoah Springs, Oak Glen and the Shenandoah Valley Community Center. Four housing developments were budgeted for 21,000 dollars each for project processing, excluding CEQA documentation. They are Reeder-Sullivan’s Zinfandel and Shenandoah Ridge housing projects, Arroyo Woods and Cottage Knoll. Gardner’s budget mentioned the Ione Band of Miwok Indians’ Casino project, with a budget unknown, at city direction, with a question mark about whether or not any planning work would be reimbursable. Likewise was the case for Mitch Lubenko property litigation.