Amador County – The Ione City Council on Tuesday approved specification gathering for roughly $100,000 dollars worth of street repair and another $40,000 to gather specs for a sewer main repairs. The latter will be specs toward repair of sewer mains at various locations around the city, and did not include the cost of engineering. The council passed both requests, including the sewer mains, also with “approval of a contract if the bid submitted is less than the engineer’s cost estimation.” The council authorized City Manager Kim Kerr to work with City Engineer Roark Weber to prepare specifications for repairs. Kerr will also release a Request for Proposals and bids for the repairs to the sewer main. The street repairs were for East Market Street and storm drain repair on Jackson Street. East Market Street had a collapse and Jackson Street has a drainage issue and needs storm drain line repairs. The council approved Kerr to work with Weber on the specs. The engineer estimated the storm drain repair on Jackson Street would cost $3,170 dollars, while the East Market Street sinkhole fix would require about $7,100 dollars worth of material and would take a crew of 4 or 5 workers about 3 days to do. Kerr said city staff could do the jobs, but recommended taking bids on the work. She said the East Jackson Street problem needed a “long-term” solution, which Weber estimated would cost $47,600 dollars, including labor cost. Arroyo Seco Street long-term work, including storm drain repair and fixing sinking sewer lines, would cost an estimated $60,000 dollars. Another project, not on the agenda, was repair of settling manholes on Fairway Drive, which Weber estimated would cost $410,280 dollars. She said that would include grinding of existing amenities, fixing dips in the road, and repairing 30 or 40 feet of failed road. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Ione City Council on Tuesday asked staff to set a public workshop to discuss several aspects of an Ione Community Preservation Project. City Manager Kim Kerr said the workshop will get input on the project’s “Main Street Program,” Redevelopment Plan, Economic Study and “Main Street Façade Program.” Kerr said the workshop could also educate the public about the programs. She said the redevelopment plan, which would lead to the city forming a “Redevelopment Agency,” had elements from its inception in the 1980s that likely would not withstand legal challenges: Specifically, the term “blight.” City Planner Christopher said there is a difference between the general concept of “blight,” and the “legal definition under redevelopment law.” He said certain criteria is used to score and assess blight. Jordan said forming a redevelopment plan and agency will collect property taxes in designated areas and use the funds to improve those areas. Kerr said funding from 2 closed Community Development Block Grants that were for low-income housing can now be used in other areas. She recommended the funds be used in the Community Preservation Project, including $50,000 dollars for the Main Street Program; $25,000 dollars for the Façade Program; $120,000 for Redevelopment Plan study; and $60,000 for the Economic Study. Kerr said the public meeting will start with the pros and cons of setting up a non-profit for the project, versus having the project run by the city, under the council’s direction. She said the “Main Street Program” is volunteer-driven and likely would be subject of a later town hall meeting. But the workshop could be used to help recruit volunteers. She said she has received information on the program, which she will put into a presentation. Mayor Lee Ard said it was probably the biggest project the city has seen in the last 10 or 15 years, and he hoped they get good public turnout. He wanted to “make sure we thoroughly go through all of it.” Kerr said the goal of the meeting is to draft a request for proposals, with people’s input. Councilman David Plank asked about PMC Consultants’ bid for $120,000 dollars for the work. Kerr said it was a very detailed bid, a “total package” and “it will take you from scratch to a final Environmental Impact Report.” The Ione Community Preservation Project public workshop is 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2nd at Evalynn Bishop Hall. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, approval of funding for this year’s state fair exhibit took the backburner to a dispute over reimbursement for last year’s exhibit. As stated by Supervisor Richard Forster, he did not want to authorize county funds until they found a resolution to a dispute between the Amador County Chamber of Commerce and Kam Merzlak, last year’s exhibit designer and the owner of Merzlak Signs in Jackson. Merzlak claims that Jackie Lucido, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, verbally promised him any prize money that would come as a result of the exhibit. He has received none. Merzlak’s exhibit, titled, “Picture Yourself in Amador County,” took both the Silver and Superintendent’s award at the 2008 State Fair. Merzlak says this was ironic considering Lucido nominated him to receive the Superintendent’s award. Merzlak was also upset that the Chamber allegedly reversed this decision during a closed session meeting which he was not invited to attend. “This is an issue that has been blown way out of proportion,” said Lucido when it was her turn to take the podium. She added: “I feel very disappointed that the Supervisors would look to undermine the decisions of the chamber.” She said the issue before the Supervisors was funding for this year’s exhibit and any dispute with Merzlak was not their business. Supervisor Brian Oneto said, “we’re just trying to do due diligence.” Supervisor Ted Novelli offered to play mediator between the Chamber and Merzlak in helping to settle the dispute. Forster said he wanted to “make sure the books are clean before we go into next year.” Merzlak said he would only work on this year’s exhibit if changes to the contract were made that would specify how the funding would be disbursed. The Supervisors agreed to make language changes in the contract and to authorize approximately $3,300 from the County coffers for exhibit construction. The estimated costs for an exhibit this year are between $10,000 and $20,000. In addition, Supervisors will look into contributing additional money from their own funds. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Newly-elected Assemblywoman and 10th District Representative Alyson Huber will be hosting a town hall meeting at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on April 1st. According to a press release from her office, Huber hopes residents will come to hear about what’s happening in the Capitol, her ideas for the district and what resources she can offer to residents, as well as share their thoughts on issues important to them. Topics on the agenda include the local economy, job loss and septic tank issues. Huber has come out strongly against proposed septic regulations by the State Water Quality Control Board. “As currently written, the proposed regulations apply uniformly throughout the state, with no consideration for California’s diverse geographical, hydrogeological, and demographic characteristics,” she said. The town hall meeting will include time for a question and answer session and Huber staff will be on hand to help residents with any questions or requests involving state and local agencies. The town hall take place on April 1st from 6:30 to 7:30pm at 810 Court Street in Jackson. For more information, contact Huber’s Capitol office at (916) 319-2010 or her District office at (209) 333-5330. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Another successful Dandelion Days event brought visitors from far and wide to downtown Jackson last weekend. The 37th annual event has been a longstanding local tradition and a way for local vendors and artists to show off their handiwork. This year’s event included an outdoor bazaar, a ferris wheel, and flea market featuring antiques, relics and collectibles, arts and crafts, and much more. In addition there was plenty of fun, food, street entertainers and even a 5K run. “I’m proud to say I come every year to support our community and I’ll keep coming every year,” said one resident of Sutter Creek. Her 6-year-old daughter was also eager to show off some jewelry she had been given by a local merchant. Dandelion days is also the Jackson Lions Club's largest fundraising effort and benefits student scholarships and community events. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – An overflowing crowd attended the only Amador County workshop scheduled for the East Bay Municipal Utilities District’s Water Supply Management Plan 2040 meeting Monday in Sutter Creek. Following a 15-minute presentation by East Bay MUD, dozens spoke of saving the Mokelumne River, which the plan proposes to harness by building a bigger dam and expanding Pardee Reservoir. Councilman Keith Sweet led public comment by reading a Jackson City Council resolution passed unanimously last week in opposition to Pardee’s expansion. Amador County Board of Supervisors Ted Novelli, Brian Oneto and John Plasse all attended. Chairman Novelli called the meeting a joke, as the crowd easily filled the conference room of the Amador Water Agency office on Ridge Road, and people stood three abreast in the aisle and atrium and another 25 people stood around the windows on the sidewalk outside the building, craning to hear the public comment. Novelli said this was the only Amador meeting scheduled and he called for more meetings in Amador. He also noted that the Mokelumne River originates in 3 counties, Amador, Alpine and Calaveras, and all 3 deserve public meetings. Oneto, while listening through the window, said: “It’s going to be a war.” Calaveras County Supervisor Steve Wilensky said he would “like to know how a community committee was put together without a single person from Amador or Calaveras counties?” He said 2 percent of the people in California live Upcountry, in the Sierra Foothills, while “65 percent of the resources” are located there. Wilensky said “You need us to look out for your water supply.” Novelli said he could not understand why a public meeting was held in Oakland, or in Stockton, which drew 5 people. The founder of Outdoor River Adventure Specialists, an international river rafting company, attended and spoke out against the expansion of Pardee or Bear River Reservoir and potential affects on the Mokelumne River. A contingent came in a truckload from Alpine County to speak against the plan, after reading about the meeting in the Friday edition of the Calaveras Enterprise. Pete Bell of the Foothill Conservancy also spoke against the plan, along with dozens of others from all three counties and elsewhere. The comment period for the East Bay MUD 2040 plan ends April 8th. To comment, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The Board of Supervisors discussed a vital step in the development of a new county jail during Tuesday’s meeting: securing a viable piece of property held by Sierra Pacific Industries. The property is located near the Health and Human Services building off Conductor Boulevard and has long been discussed as the most sensible location for a much-needed and expanded county jail. Amador County General Services Director Jon Hopkins presented the board with details of a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions, and a Grant of Option and Right of First Offer with Sierra Pacific Industries. The discussion quickly focused on water rights and availability outlined in the contract. Supervisor John Plasse stated his long-term concern of “owning this property and down the road Sutter Creek can’t accommodate,” he said in reference to water capacity. Hopkins said capacity is related to infrastructure, not relative to whether water is available. Chairman Ted Novelli said he felt that if they began paying fees right now they would be locked into the current water rate and not subject to any potential future changes. Sheriff Martin Ryan urged the Board to consider reapplying for eligibility through the Assembly Bill 900 process. The Board had previously rejected some AB 900 money because of the large local matching grants required. Ryan said it was a good idea to reapply considering that many “other counties dropped out because they were intimidated by the matching process.” He said new guidelines could make it easier and more accessible for Amador to take advantage of that funding in the future, but details are still vague. The Board unanimously approved the continuation of the process with SPI. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - At Tuesday’s meeting, the Sutter Creek City Council discussed the best approach to filling the vacancy left by Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Hepworth after his resignation last week. In a letter, Hepworth said, “My doctor has advised me that my health will no longer permit me to keep my commitment to the city council.” He wrote that “It’s no secret that I haven’t been well, and although I had hoped things would get better, I find I can no longer keep up the standard of work that I prefer to do.” Hepworth has been an active member of the community and a city council member since 1998. “We regret to see this resignation after 10 years of service,” said Mayor Gary Wooten. Councilmember Pat Crosby asked to make the resignation effective immediately so the council had more time to appoint a new councilmember. In fact, a public notice had already been drafted seeking letters of application for Hepworth’s term, which expires in November 2010. The notice explains that applicants must be a resident of Sutter Creek, a citizen no less than 18 years of age, and have an interest in the Sutter Creek community. Wooten said jokingly that he was familiar with the appointment process because “I was appointed after the former Mayor was arrested.” The council unanimously approved a motion to appoint someone to fill Hepworth’s remaining term. Letters of application should be submitted to City Hall, 18 Main Street, Sutter Creek, no later than Firday, April 3. Call Sutter Creek City Hall at 209-267-5647 for more details. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A group of supporters voiced their backing of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort last week, commending the Sutter Creek Planning Commission on its work and urging a quick end to the process. Ron Floyd said he was a 12-year resident and saw improvement in the commission’s work, and urged them “to get this project passed through.” John Motto-Ros said was “hearing cries” about Gold Rush potentially doubling the size of Sutter Creek. But he said you would need to fly over Sutter Creek in a helicopter to get a visual impact from the project. He said the biggest impact would likely be seeing more people grocery shopping and “half of the audience is retired,” so they can shop at different times. Motto-Ros said “most of us won’t live there,” so the “new development doesn’t have to look like Sutter Creek. You have to have the developer build them and sell them that day.” Another, a resident since 1969, said he liked the idea of Gold Rush being built on the other side of Highway 49. He said his son wanted to live in Sutter Creek, but could not afford it, “so he moved to Oroville and bought 3 houses, for the same price.” He said it’s a good development and the developer has been working on it for 8 years with the commission and the city. He said “take your time, but it also has to reach a point where it moves forward.” The Sutter Creek Planning Commission takes u the Gold Rush Specific Plan at its next meeting, 7 p.m. Monday, March 23rd. 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 looked at fire readiness in the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort’s Specific Plan last week, urging the need for specifics in fire suppression verbiage. Gold Rush Project Manager Jim Harnish said it was the “13th or 14th dedicated meeting” on Gold Rush, and he urged that the “change of a word should not scrap a whole section.” Commission Chairman Robin Peters said he agreed, and he knew the intent of the specific plan’s wastewater section, but didn’t like the wording. Commissioner Mike Kirkley wondered if the payment amount mentioned for fire included the $550 per unit that goes to the California Department of Forestry. Consultant Anders Hauge said that is all included. The commission asked for clarification of fire suppression in the specific plan, which said “projects shall either provide or fund acquisition of an adequate fire station site to meet service standards.” Hauge said they could include things like response time and number of firefighters needed to respond. Peters said he would prefer that “they look into service standards” and include that specific information so “future planning commissions” know the meaning and intent in the verbiage. Peters also asked when property for a 15-acre community park would be dedicated. Hauge said it would normally be done with approval of the subdivision map. Harnish said it will be done with the “first small-lot dedication,” after the large-lot dedication. He said it was part of the conditions of approval. They also agreed to remove language about city-furnished affordable housing, after Commissioner Frank Cunha wondered whether the city really wanted to “be in the affordable housing business.” And he argued against an “affordable housing fee” paid to the city, saying he thought “the developer should build” those units, because “it would take forever for the city to build,” and such housing would end up “lost in the shuffle.” The Commission takes up the Gold Rush specific plan work again Monday, starting at 7 p.m. in the Sutter Creek community building on Church Street. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.