Amador County – City Engineer Roark Weber gave the Plymouth City Council preliminary numbers on some road work last week, then the council directed him to get more current numbers based on specific projects. That included grinding the full width of Main Street from Empire to Landrum streets, with an authorization to do a “full grind,” but only “grind as necessary.” Councilman Mike O’Meara said he “would trust Roark to use his professional judgment whether we need to use full width or partial.” Weber recommended directing him to do full-width, then adjust were possible to conserve funding. He said the grinded aggregate could be used as fill on projects elsewhere in the city and save the city money. The council also sought pricing for a “chip seal” project of Main Street east from Highway 49 to the city limit, just past Rory’s Towing. They also wanted numbers on an Emerson Street conduit pipe, which Weber would look at to see if one or 2 pipes would be necessary. He said new PVC pipes are steel-reinforced, and better products, and he would get an estimate on material for City Manager Dixon Flynn. Weber said the pipes are 3 feet in diameter, and it would be a “drop inlet,” part of the improvements done at the intersection of Empire Street and Highway 49. The council agreed revamping the city parking lot on Main was a priority. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce said to bring people to town, they need parking; and Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said “depending on how the money flows,” he would like the parking lot fixed. Mayor Jon Colburn said a use permit at the end of Pacific Street needed to be looked at. He said “we need those people to participate because they are the ones that tear the road up.” The council also directed Flynn to seek bids on replacing the flag pole at Sharkey Begovich Park, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 dollars. Flynn said there are flag pole companies all over the country, but there is also one company based in Amador County, in Pine Grove. Baldwin said they could save by doing the pole’s installation in-house. In public comment, Gary Colburn said Michelle Begovich is a “proud grandmother for the first time.” The baby boy is named Rowdy Sharkey Begovich. Colburn said he would like to see the flag pole restored, because it is an “historic part of the town.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Even though Indian gaming revenues declined in the Sacramento region in 2008, casino representatives are looking to the future with optimism. According to figures released Wednesday by the National Indian Gaming Commission, tribal gambling revenue nationwide hit $26.7 billion in 2008, but tough economic times have slowed the number of visitor’s to gaming facilities. Sacramento region operations saw revenues of $7.363 billion in 2008, down from a high of $7.8 billion in 2007. Jackson Rancheria CEO Rich Hoffman told TSPN that “the consumer confidence trend continues to become more optimistic.” Keeping abreast of the economic trends at the Rancheria is a good indicator as to how the county as a whole will fare. With approximately 1,700 employees, the Jackson Rancheria is the largest employer in Amador County. The casino is also one of the county’s largest contributors to charity, shelling out hundreds of thousands each year to programs throughout the community. One such program is a promotion of struggling downtown Jackson through print advertising in the Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel & Conference Center’s monthly magazine, Arrow. Many county events are sponsored by the Rancheria, and many private businesses continue to thrive because of its support. Despite a struggling economy and the recent passing of Rancheria founder and pioneering leader Margaret Dalton, Hoffman says he is looking forward to a bright future. “We continue to appreciate the good will our guests have shown to us,” he said, adding: “We’ve faired better because of that.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Amador County's biggest union of employees, the Service Employees International Union, voted Tuesday to avoid a layoff with a shortening of the work week. “Our main union, SEIU, voted to have furloughs instead of layoffs,” said Terri Daly, Amador County Chief Administrative Officer. She said staff and employee representatives have tentatively agreed on a 4-day, 9-hour-a-day work week. 22 positions in varying departments of local government were considered for elimination. “This was definitely a pro decision for members to support one another and save those workers from losing their jobs, or possibly ending up on the streets,” said Mike Fouch, Worksite Organizer for SEIU Local 1021. He said “it’s a shame the county did not step up and this decision was forced onto the backs of our workers.” The decision came after a series of 3 SEIU membership meetings Tuesday between SEIU members and Amador County officials. Fouch said negotiations stem back to last year. At that time, the Board of Supervisors discussed a similar option but chose not to pursue it. This latest agreement is only the first step in a two-step process. In Phase 2, the parties involved will negotiate the specifics of language changes in the contract, and then it must be taken back to SEIU members for additional votes. Fouch said the county “wants this effective July 1st, and we have a lot of work to do between now and then.” SEIU represents approximately 56,000 employees in Northern California in city, state and school positions. SEIU Local 1021 represents 230 employees in Amador County. Story by Alex Lane, Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Amador County philanthropist and pioneering tribal leader, Margaret L. (Hughes) Dalton passed away Sunday night, leaving a world-class legacy to her family, tribe and community. Dalton, 68, was Chairwoman for 30 years of the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians. She spearheaded the formalization of its government, and was elected and served as its first and only chair, starting in 1979. Her legacy includes giving millions of dollars back to the community, after fulfilling a dream she and her late husband, Earl Dalton Senior, both held of making the tribe self-sufficient. Earl predeceased Margaret in 1980, a year after Margaret formalized the tribal government, to strengthen its stance among state and federal regulations. She built self-sufficiency in the tribe through the Jackson Bingo Hall, founded in 1991, which became the Jackson Rancheria Casino, Hotel & Conference Center. The Jackson Rancheria is Amador County’s largest employer, with as many as 2,000 people in its endeavors. Margaret Dalton and the Rancheria built a 2-mile road, Dalton Way, dedicated in October 2006. Under Margaret Dalton’s leadership, the Jackson Rancheria has given voluntary semi-annual payments of nearly $1 Million Dollars to the county, Sutter Creek and Jackson, through the Amador County Local Indian Gaming Benefit Committee. Dalton, a 53-year resident of Amador, since marrying Earl Senior in 1956, has sponsored numerous causes in the county. The Rancheria was the main sponsor of the California High School Challenge of Champions Rodeo and an Amador County Fair staple. It also has a health and dental complex, and built the Pine Acres apartments on Sutter Hill for its employees. The Amador County Chamber of Commerce named its “Margaret Dalton Humanitarian Award” after her, Chamber Director Jacqui Lucido said, “because (Margaret Dalton) typifies the type of person we want to honor, an unsung hero who works unselfishly for others.” A local business owner said Margaret Dalton had “always been very supportive of the county,” a generosity she “passed on to her sons,” Earl Junior, Dennis, Robert and Adam. Margaret Dalton’s support included charities, protecting the environment, and direct grants, with an emphasis on local community groups, schools, organizations, and projects that benefit children and seniors. Margaret Dalton’s endeavors included the Jackson Rancheria Youth Fund, annual employee/vendor golf tournaments for charity, and donations to charities based on amount of play by casino guests. The Rancheria’s businesses built by Margaret Dalton annually pay more than $50 million dollars in employment-related taxes and annually purchase more than $50 million dollars worth of goods and services. Story by Jim Reece

Amador County – Ione Mayor Lee Ard called a special meeting of the Ione City Council for 3 p.m. Wednesday to consider, among other items, awarding a $150,000 dollar “Park & Ride” construction project. The council will also hear presentations from companies that answered the city’s request for proposals (RFPs) in a search for a contracted wastewater system operator. The council will consider awarding a construction contract for a “Park and Ride Facility,” to “Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Incorporated, the lowest responsible, responsive bidder in the amount of $150,916. Veerkamp is a 25-year-old company based in El Dorado County, with offices in Placerville and El Dorado Hills. The council could approve the project by adopting a resolution awarding the construction contract and by authorizing City Manager Kim Kerr to execute the contract with Veerkamp, “subject to review and approval of the final contract documents” by City Attorney Kristen Castanos. The council will also consider authorizing Kerr to execute a contract amendment with Dokken Engineering in the amount not to exceed $28,119 for construction management services and preparation of “as built” plans. The council will also hear presentations by firms seeking a contract to operate Ione’s Wastewater Operations. The council will discuss city wastewater operation costs, and whether to contract operations or hire a chief wastewater operator, and provide staff direction if needed. Kerr said last week that 4 companies answered RFPs for municipal wastewater operations. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Because of concerns about the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu, the Amador County Fair is suspending the swine pre-weigh requirement for the 2009 Fair. Swine exhibitors or their representatives are required to go to the pre-weigh at the fairground on May 31, 2009 between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to pick up the ear tag for their pig. Please do not bring your hog to the fairground on May 31. Pigs will still be shown at the Fair and the Junior Livestock Auction will take place as in previous years. Any questions, please call the Fair at 209-245-6921. Staff Report www.tspntv.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council looked at the city treasurer’s report Monday that showed what at least one council member said could be a record slump in city sales tax, compared to its Transient Occupancy Tax income. But the same report also showed a probable 5-year high in city sewer revenue. City Finance Officer Jeff Gardner went over the details of the treasurer’s report and also read through his own audit report for fiscal year 2007-2008. Councilman Pat Crosby said he thought it was “the first time that the TOT tax has been greater than the sales tax for three quarters of the year.” Sales tax collections in January, February and March totaled $37,554 dollars, not including a “semi annual sales triple flip” of $2,673 dollars. Sales tax third quarter totals were $117,262 dollars by the end of April, compared to $262,069 dollars by April of 2007-2008. In comparison, Transient Occupancy Tax revenue for the third quarter total was $123,416 dollars through April. That was down from $140,142 dollars through last April. Sutter Creek city sewer revenue was on par for a five-year high, and totaled $967,359 dollars through April, up $100,000 from the previous year. Mayor Gary Wooten asked about a $125,000 dollar line item in the 2007-2008 budget audit for “golf expenses.” Gardner said it was a “reimbursement” from developers of Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. Wooten said “we need to change it, so in 10 years, people don’t look back and see golf expenses. Gardner said the council can approve the audit with changes to be made, and he can make the appropriate changes. Gardner also pointed out the “Noble Ranch Golf Course” budget line item, saying it is actually a sewer-related expense, but not necessary to change. City Manager Rob Duke said he could “change the name to the Noble Ranch Spray Field,” and be more clear that the expenses are not just golf course-related. The council voted 5-0 to approve and accept the 2007-2008 audit with changes to be made. Gardner said he did not bring the 2006-2007 audit report as planned because he “found a significant typographical error and that’s got to be fixed.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County –Amador Country Transportation Agency correspondence this week shows Jackson will get $800,000 dollars to extend Mission Boulevard; while Caltrans recommends no safety improvement on Highway 88 in Pine Grove. Jackson qualified for a matching grant from the California Transportation Commission, and was selected as “one of the top 2 ranked applications in the statewide competitive program.” ACTC Executive Director Charles Field notified Jackson Mayor Mike Daly in a letter April 22nd, saying “the project received high scores because it is expected to be ready for construction by July 1st, and because of the project’s ‘reliability’.” Field said “it is imperative that the city have this project ready for construction bidding by July 1st, in order for” Jackson “to fulfill its obligation under the terms of this grant and to maintain reliability status.” Field asked progress updates from Jackson on completion of design and permits, and acquisition of easements. The ACTC board could discuss the issue at its meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday in supervisor chambers. Another item of possible discussion is notification from the Caltrans Traffic Safety Branch, commenting on an e-mail from ACTC Commissioner Greg Baldwin. The Plymouth Vice Mayor, Baldwin asked about roadway safety of Highway 88 in Pine Grove. Duper Tong, Chief of Caltrans Traffic Safety for District 10, wrote April 14th that the community of Pine Grove was subject of a detailed safety investigation by a team of engineers. Tong said they found that the accident rate in Pine Grove “was lower than the average for similar facilities.” At nighttime during rain, they observed “the visibility of signing and striping” and found that “there is no apparent roadway deficiency.” Tong said “a safety improvement is not recommended at this time,” but Caltrans will consider installing recessed pavement markers in future rehabilitation projects. Also on the agenda, the board will consider a request by Renee Chapman of ACTC Foothill Rideshare to collaborate with the College Rideshare Project of Heald College. Field in a memo to the board said “Chapman is requesting authority to use part of the 2009-2010 Foothill Rideshare budget” to work with the college “to carry out a cooperative rideshare registration effort.” The project would target Heald’s 3 campuses, in Rancho Cordova, Roseville and Stockton. Chapman is expected to attend Wednesday’s meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Highway officials earlier this month urged denial of the Gold Rush Ranch & Gold Resort revised traffic Environmental Impact Report, based on severity of impacts and lack of mitigation. Daniel H. Brewer, chief of Caltrans Rural Planning and Administration, sent a May 4th comment letter to the Sutter Creek Planning, which is taking comments on Gold Rush’s Revised EIR, on a new Traffic Impact Study. Brewer said based on an “inadequate and flawed DEIR” chapter on “Transportation and Circulation,” and “the lack of addressing even those significant impacts the DEIR has disclosed,” Caltrans recommended “Sutter Creek not certify this EIR or approve any additional entitlements for this project.” ACTC Executive Director Charles Field wrote a May 5th comment letter. He said the Gold Rush “project contributes to such a high number of traffic and circulation related impacts for which mitigation cannot be reasonably assured, that the RDEIR serves to provide evidence to support findings for project denial.” The letter said 18 intersections and 18 road segments would be impacted. ACTC’s Board of Directors will review the staff comment letter by Field at their meeting Wednesday night. Field said the Gold Rush revision relies too heavily on ACTC’s “Circulation Mapping Exercise” tool, which he said is nowhere near complete and may never be complete. The CMX tool would use jurisdictional data to calculate fair shares of road mitigation costs in the Martell area. Field said “CMX is stalled at the committee level because developers cannot agree on a funding mechanism and program that will provide funds needed to ensure long term mitigation.” It includes “low fair share percentages” that do not offset “the high cost” of road projects. Most projects mentioned are not consistent with CMX. One that is consistent with CMX, expansion of the Ridge Road and Highways 104 and 49 intersection, would cost about $3.5 million dollars. Field said if Gold Rush pays a fair share of 6 percent, it would be $210,000 dollars. Field said regional funding earmarked for that intersection was $300,000 dollars, leaving nearly $3 million unfunded. Fixing the highway 49 and Jackson Gate intersection would cost about $1.2 Million, with no money presently earmarked in the county/city Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee program. Gold Rush includes 945 acres, an 18-hole golf course, a combined golf and community clubhouse, 1,334 single-family residences, 300 timeshare vacation units, a 60-room hotel, up to 57,000 square feet of commercial uses and a police and fire station. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors heard a report Thursday that staff is trying to impress various federal agencies to get projects funded. Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said environmental paperwork for 2 lead projects “were in the final revision of the draft,” then both would be available to the public. General Manager Jim Abercrombie said the agency is “trying to lock in some opportunities with the Rural Utility Service” department, which is to decide by July 23rd. One project RUS likes, he said, is a Gravity Supply Line to the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant. Another is the expansion of the system at Camanche Lake. Mancebo said “we weren’t successful with the Public Department of Health Services” for funding. But Abercrombie said they are “starting to see what we will be successful with.” Abercrombie said RUS is moving away from grants and toward use of loans, but it will disperse grants until the stimulus funding is all obligated, likely by July 23rd. Mancebo said the Camanche upgrades are really 3 parts, including a new connection pipeline, and building a newer, bigger storage tank. The state has indicated it will try to fund projects with a $1 Million dollar limit, and so the Camanche project could be portioned. Included in that is replacing the existing 100,000 gallon storage tank. The aim was to “bid it as a 1 million gallon tank,” Mancebo said, then it could also be sent for bids as a 750,000 gallon tank and a 50,000 gallon tank, to reduce project costs. Board member Bill Condrashoff asked if 500,00 gallons would be adequate. Mancebo said “we have a 100,000 gallon storage tank, so anything bigger than that is an improvement.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.