By Jim Reece -

Work progresses on the Amador County Museum, but once the roof is repaired sometime in November, that likely will not be the end of renovation. The Museum could remain closed due to a recent action by the Board of Supervisors, waiving a formal bid process for a contract addendum to Otto Construction Inc., in the maximum sum of 113,955 dollars. The board also OK’d the General Services director to make glass purchases of 22,600 dollars and another purchase of consulting of 5,200 dollars. In the vote, Supervisors also took action to keep the Museum closed until after the roof repair project was completed. The action also would keep the museum closed “until the second phase of structural work and (Americans with Disabilities Act) modifications are completed and funding becomes available from sources other than the General Fund.” The closure of the Museum came this year as long time Curator Georgia Fox retired. General Services Director Jon Hopkins said there was no immediate plans to hire a new curator at the Museum. He said the Board of Supervisors elected to close the museum until ADA corrections and also second-floor structural improvements were made. He said the roofing would be finished sometime in November, but the ADA and Second-floor repairs had no timeline as “no funding was going to be able to pay that unless it was from outside sources.” Hopkins said last week that no estimates had been made on the work, but “guess-timates” saw those additional repair costs to be 300,000 or 400,000 dollars.

Amador County - A team of Chefs from Jackson Rancheria recently took part in the ninth annual Great Chefs event, a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento. The event, held April 25 at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in Sacramento, featured tastings by top Northern California restaurants, wineries and breweries plus a silent auction. The team from Jackson Rancheria delighted the crowd with tastings of Lemon Raspberry Crème Brulee, Thai Crab Salad on Belgium Endive, and Tomato Tartlet with Ratatouille and Pesto. This event is another way that Jackson Rancheria continues to support local communities. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, a mentoring organization with a proven track record of improving lives one child at a time. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A pilot land stewardship program could include the Upper Mokelumne River watershed in Amador, Calaveras and Alpine counties, according to a report given to Amador Supervisors Tuesday. John Hoffman presented a written report and addressed Supervisors, telling of Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s “Land Disposition” program, which began in 2004 during the company’s bankruptcy. PG&E’s “Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council” created a $70 Million Dollar fund for “studies, transactions, maintenance and capital improvements” on its land, in an effort to dispose of surplus lands. PG&E owns 140,000 acres, half of which is considered surplus. The program aimed at preserving and enhancing land use, including for: natural fish, wildlife and plant habitat; open space; public outdoor recreation; sustainable forestry; agriculture; and historic values. The program included the “grant of a conservation easement” for each parcel, with the aim to have the lands financed by other groups, “so that the totality of dispositions will be tax neutral in each county.” Four initial pilot programs evaluated by PG&E showed that “interest in owning the land or holding the conservation easement was less than expected,” the report said. “In fact, it appears there may be no interest in some lands at all. To compensate,” PG&E will now consider lands on a “watershed basis.” Among those is the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed, “with encouragement for a single easement holder for all lands within the watershed.” The Amador, Alpine and Calaveras county watershed will be considered, and would include PG&E donating: 1 acre in Calaveras; 1,028 acres in Alpine; and 2,851 acres in Amador. The Amador lands, around Bear River, Moke River and Cole Creek include the 4 powerhouses at Salt Springs, Tiger Creek, Electra and West Point. Hoffman noted that Bear River and Cole Creek are mostly surrounded by U.S. Forest Service lands, and Cole Creek is in partial wilderness; and the Moke River is recommended for “Wild and Scenic Status.” Recommendations by PG&E for the Amador lands include a new trail around Lake Tabeaud; a conservation easement to ensure a “higher level of open space in perpetuity;” designating “old forests for habitat;” evaluating grazing potential; studying cultural and historic resources; and managing forest fuels. Also recommended is adding access to the Ritchie youth church camp and formalizing or restricting off-highway vehicle access. Sustainable forestry suggestions include complimenting adjacent wilderness management, promoting natural forest development, preserving old forests at Tiger Creek, and establishing a Tiger Creek demonstration forest. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council last week agreed to award it trash and recycling franchise contract to ACES Waste Service, keeping the contract local with better rates for customers. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe reported on the city solid waste franchise agreement, which included issues with the work of existing franchisee, Amador Disposal Service, whose contact expires June 30. Guy Davis of Amador Disposal said all of the issue had been addressed. Issues included trucks leaking oil on city streets, late franchise payments, reports inadequate for the existing franchise agreement, and “various customer service complaints.” Rabe’s said a new truck was brought to work in the city, eliminating oil leaks, and a new manager resolved the issues of on-time franchise payments, adequate reporting and customer service. Paul Molinelli Senior, owner of ACES Waste Service of Pine Grove, also attended and spoke to the council. Amador Disposal offered quarterly neighborhood clean-up dumpsters, while Molinelli said ACES could do that once a year. Amador Disposal offered “no price increase for 3 years,” Davis said, and Councilman Tim Murphy said that was a good offer, but the council voted 5-0 to work on a franchise contract with ACES. ACES under-bid Amador Disposal in all rates of service, including for residential waste cans of 35, 64 and 96 gallons; and commercial bins of 1 and 2 cubic yards. Mayor Gary Wooten asked if ACES would match Amador Disposal’s offer to share 50 percent of profits from the sale of recyclables. Molinelli said he would also offer that, with stipulations “yet to be determined.” He said he would meet with the city, and it would also depend on the recycling market value, “which went to zero and is now coming back.” Molinelli said as far as rate increases, he would discuss any increase with the city and would “employ a rate-making methodology” that would “give transparency in all rates and prevent large rate increases.” He said it would look at indexes, such as fuel and other costs, to justify increases. Murphy asked if ACES could offer a 10 percent discount for senior citizens, “at the discretion of the city council,” noting that such a discount was not legal for wastewater rates. City Attorney Dennis Crabb said the sewer was a public utility and not discountable for senior citizens, but garbage and recycling could be discounted because they were franchise agreements. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Amador County Recreation Agency staff met with local and regional enthusiasts earlier this month and agreed to pursue the building of a flying disc golf course at Mollie Joyce Park in Pioneer. The 76-acre park was deeded to ACRA by Fred Joyce on February 5th, 2008, on condition that the park be maintained for public recreation use. Agency Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep and program specialist Matt Nestor approached local disc golfers about placing a disc golf course at the park. On April 3rd, Towner-Yep and Nestor met at the park to discuss the course with Charlie Callahan, a long-time professional disc golfer, who is also the Recreation Director for El Dorado County’s District 2, where he lives. Also at the meeting were local disc golfers, Paul Dalmau of Raley’s in Jackson, and Brandon Wedge, co-owner of Play It Again Sports in Jackson. The group hiked around Mollie Joyce Park’s hilly and wooded terrain, where Pete Staple of ACRA maintenance had cut fire breaks in the scrub brush. Staple has also brought the two Little League Baseball fields at the park up to pristine condition, and a team practiced as the group hiked around the property. Callahan told Towner-Yep that the property could potentially house a 27-hole disc golf course. And he told her about an El Dorado County course that had purchase 18 baskets, used to set up a course, but the course was not going to be installed, so the baskets may be available for sale. Towner-Yep said one basket for the Mollie Joyce Park already had been sponsored, by Upcountry Pool. She said the course would cost about $10,000 dollars to install, and would require finding sponsors to raise the funds. Callahan and the local disc golfers agreed to help with the design and installation of the course, and to help get sponsorships. For information, call ACRA’s Matt Nestor at 223-6373. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Air District Board of Directors hosts a public hearing on a rule change that would affect Amador County outdoor burning. Changes would occur to the “Rule 311.” District Administrative Assistant Kris Pierce said: “The rule change would be strictly for the Amador Air District.” Rule 311, “Miscellaneous Burning,” now says “material to be burned includes untreated wood, paper, plants, cardboard, tree trimmings, leaves, or lawn clippings.” Pierce said “by state rule, the only thing that can be burned is natural vegetation originating on the property where it is burnerd, so we are updating our rule to coincide with the state.” The new Rule 311 would say that “material to be burned shall consist only of natural vegetation originating on the property where it is being burned.” A complete copy of all the rule changes are available at the Air District office. The meeting is 1:30 p.m. April 28th in the Supervisors’ Chambers. Story by Jim Reece 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 - 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 – Long-time Sutter Creek City Councilman and Mayor Protempore Bill Hepworth submitted a letter of resignation last week, citing health concerns and doctor’s orders that he take it easy. In a letter dated March 8th, to the mayor and co-councilmembers, Hepworth resigned effective immediately, saying: “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.” He thanked Mayor Gary Wooten and other council members, with whom he “enjoyed serving the community since 1998,” and he wished them success in their “continued efforts to promote, beautify and preserve the city of Sutter Creek.” The city council last night accepted the resignation letter. We’ll have on the information on what was decided in our afternoon news broadcast. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Calaveras County – Three Mountain Ranch residents were killed and two others were injured in a 2-vehicle crash on Mountain Ranch Road in Calaveras County Sunday. The San Andreas Unit of the California Highway Patrol said Kallie Montgomery, 22, was driving a 2002 Chevrolet east on Mountain Ranch Road, west of Michel Road, in a light rain when the vehicle began to hydroplane, allowing her car to spin out of control. CHP said “Montgomery’s car slid into the opposing lane of traffic, directly” into the path of a 2001 Toyota truck, driven by Shenandoah Roberts, 26, also of Mountain Ranch. The front of Roberts’ truck collided with the passenger side of the Chevy. CHP said “3 of the Chevrolet’s occupants subsequently succumbed to their injuries while at the scene.” Dead at the scene were Montgomery, and her passengers, Jeremy Peters, 34, and Skye Montgomery, 17, all of Mountain Ranch. Another of her passengers, Trenton Montgomery, 16, was taken to Mark Twain Hospital, then by helicopter ambulance to Doctor’s Hospital in Modesto, where he was in critical condition early Monday. Roberts was transported to Mark Twain Hospital and treated for injuries ranging from minor to moderate. CHP said Montgomery’s vehicle speed was undetermined at the time o a Monday afternoon report. Roberts was driving at approximately 40 miles per hour. Both vehicles sustained major damage. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.