Amador County – The Ione City Council last week approved first readings of two ordinances: one to help lower insurance in city floodplains, the other to streamline the internal process on bidding for city construction projects. City Manager Kim Kerr said The Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Procedures would allow staff to go out to bids for up to $30,000 dollars worth of projects, but the city still “cannot do anything unless” the city council has “seen it and allocated for it in the budget.” It allows for interested bidders to prequalify or place their names into the city system. Kerr said it does not change the city internal process. It allows for a contractor list of approved vendors to be used in projects from $30,000 to $100,000 dollars to be placed in formal bid process. She said it would help expedite bids and lower them by extracting accounting from projects. City Attorney Kristen Castanos said the ordinance speeds up the selection of contractors and getting projects moving. Kerr said it was modeled on state law and the ordinance would help with the proposed remodel of the Ione Police Department. She said city staff has “already developed a tracking system for keeping track of staff time” on work projects. The council passed the first reading of the ordinance, along with Ordinance 422 for Floodplain Management. The ordinance will raise the flood level designation in the city to the level designated in state “free board” requirements for official “floodplains.” Castanos said “this ordinance has no impact on flood insurance” requirements for city residents, but it “can allow owners to obtain lower flood insurance rates.” If homeowners remodel or build up over the flood level, they had get a lower insurance rate. Kerr said homeowners can also get a “certificate of elevation to eliminate your need for insurance,” with the buildup. Both ordinances passed, 5-0, and were set for second readings March 17th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - A Historic Preservation Workshop detailing the advantages of Historic Preservation and a Certified Local Government, or CLG Program, is scheduled for April. Presented by the Office of Historic Preservation, the workshop will focus on preservation, certified governments, heritage and cultural tourism, and how these work well together. The CLG program is a preservation partnership among local governments, the State of California, and the National Park Service. Focused on promoting historic preservation at the grass roots level, the program is jointly administered in each state, with each local community working through a certification process to become recognized as a CLG. CLGs then become an active partner in the Federal Historic Preservation Program and are also eligible to apply for grant funding. The workshop is designed to promote the advantages of CLG membership. The key reason is that access certification provides to the expert technical advice of the State Offices as well as partnerships with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Preserve America, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Access to Federal funding is another promoted benefit. Certified communities are able to access the portion of Federal funds that are set aside annually by each State Historic Preservation Office, which distributes at least 10% of its annual federal Fund allocation to CLGs through a competitive grant program.The Historic Preservation Office awarded $143,000 to eight CLGs. The workshop is 6pm, April 7th in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in Jackson. Staff Report, Alex Lane Contributed This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - A new information center built by Merzlak Signs and sponsored through the Amador County Recreation Agency is now up and running in downtown Jackson. It is located on the main Highway 49 corridor near the State Farm Insurance Building and Mel and Faye’s Diner. It’s hard to miss the 8 foot by 16 foot informational sign adorned with a revolving snowboarder mannequin on top. ACRA hit a roadblock in approving the unusual display late last month, when approval was turned down until board members could gain exception to Jackson’s sign ordinance, which prohibits a revolving display. After approval, ACRA Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep then contacted Merzlak Signs Owner Kam Merzlak to brainstorm ideas after Anne Lintz of State Farm Insurance offered the space. Merzlak and his company’s personal fabricator, Doug Wescott, designed the rotating assembly that would spin the snowboarder atop the sign. Merzlak and Wescott last teamed up to create their award winning exhibit for Amador County at the California State Fair. The ACRA logo was designed by Merzlak's father Ralph and has received accolades at the state level. ACRA plans to have information updates on country recreation available at the center in the near future. Businesses interested in sponsoring the lower portion of the sign should contact Tracey Towner Yep with ACRA 223-6349. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County – The Ione City Council heard Tuesday from staff that all available reports had been sent to the state regarding well sampling at the city wastewater spray system. City Manager Kim Kerr said the city filed all but one of the reports with the Regional Water Quality Control Board by last Monday, with a letter explaining delays. Kerr said she had heard from the regional board that they think the reports filed were OK. Kerr said Ione staff, Castle Oaks Golf Course and the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority all report on the operation of tertiary treated water disposal at Castle Oaks, and she is scheduled to meet with ARSA next week regarding reporting done upstream from Castle Oaks. She said she had not met with the golf course. This week, city staff have been dealing with an overflow of Lake “I” at Castle Oaks, on fairway Number 18. She said due to heavy rains, Lake “I”, which stores treated effluent, overflowed into the pond at the end of fairway 18. Kerr said the city must report the spillage, but she thought there should be no problems with the quality of the lake’s water as the effluent had been stored in the lake for 4 months. She did not think the city would be fined. She said ARSA, Castle Oaks and the city all must file reports with the regional board. Mayor Lee Ard said he remembered the city’s agreement with ARSA that required all parties to share reports with one another. Kerr said since she had been at the city, she had not read one report from Sutter Creek, though it “doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.” Rob Aragon of JTS Communities said “it is very heartening the work” Kerr and staff are putting in on handling the reports issue. Dominic Atlan of Castle Oaks Golf Course said the golf course’s samples are “really simple.” They take a reading from a pump station and a rain gauge. And as far as problems, each party handles its own problems. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Amador County and 10th District Assemblywoman Alyson Huber is objecting to proposed septic regulations by the State Water Resources Control Board, or SWRCB. “I am encouraged to see that the SWRCB may finally be taking into consideration the effect the (regulations) will have on rural California,” said Huber in a letter to the Volcano Press. “As currently written, the proposed regulations apply uniformly throughout the state, with no consideration for California’s diverse geographical, hydrogeological, and demographic characteristics,” she wrote. The SWRCB has extended the written comment period and added additional workshops throughout the state because of strong dissent the board has received thus far from homeowners and businesses. According to Huber, the board’s “inflexible approach will cost Californians an estimated $1.4 billion, with much of the burden placed upon homeowners and businesses in rural counties.” Prompted by Bill 885, 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 across California to gather public comment on the issue, including a workshop last month in Amador County. The proposal under consideration includes a number of costly requirements to be paid by owners should their tanks not meet updated standards. Last week, Huber and Assemblyman Ted Gaines drafted a bipartisan letter strongly encouraging the board to listen to their concerns and develop more effective standards. “The SWRCB has the opportunity to do just that, and I am hopeful it will make the right decision,” said Huber. She said she is already in contact with rural legislators and is exploring a variety of possible legislative solutions to ensure “rural Californians are not disproportionately impacted by these regulations.” Story by Alex Lane

Amador County – The Pine Grove Council heard an update on the Pine Grove Corridor Study at its monthly meeting Wednesday. Neil Peacock, project manager for the Amador County Transportation Commission’s study, said funding was still available for the Pine Grove Corridor Study, only not as much as before. But Peacock said ACTC could eventually get the entire $400,000 from the federal government. Peacock said the Fed did a 10 percent rescission of the funds, taking back $72,000, which means ACTC will get $356,000 for the study. The remainder may be sent later on for the study. Peacock said in the planning stages, California Department of Transportation’s District 10 now has a cooperative agreement with Amador County, and he has been working with District 4 Supervisor Louis Boitano on preparations. Peacock said the project will have civil engineering done and he also wants to bring in an environmental consultant to advance the environmental impact element of the study. He said ACTC also will be bringing in the foremost expert of a new “contact sensitive solutions approach,” basically the new Caltrans approach, invented by the woman whom Peacock will bring in to implement it in Amador County. He said the expert was in the process of training Caltrans employees in using the method. Peacock said many public meetings will ensue over the course of the project. That will begin with a preliminary draft phase, to get input and “make sure we don’t miss anything.” One man in attendance suggested Peacock bring old maps to be able to tell people where ACTC left off earlier and where it is now. In January, Pine Grove Council member John Carlson was appointed to the ACTC Technical Advisory Committee for the Pine Grove Corridor Study, part of the preparation of the study. Peacock expected public meetings to start possibly at the tail end of March. Story by Jim Reece

Amador County - On Tuesday February 4, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a missing person report from the mother of Stephen Joseph Melvin, 62, of Pioneer. Melvin’s mother reported she had not had contact with her son since November and she was concerned about his welfare, as he suffered from various medical issues. An Amador County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to Melvin’s residence to conduct a welfare check. The deputy received no answer at the residence, but found a door that was ajar. A check of the residence was made, however Melvin was not located and nothing appeared suspicious or unusual. Upon checking with neighbors, it was determined that Melvin was last seen on Saturday January 24. That same neighbor was identified as being responsible for notifying Melvin’s mother of his unusual absence. Melvin was immediately placed into the nationwide Missing Persons System, as an “At Risk” missing adult, based upon his medical conditions. Melvin’s vehicle was subsequently located on Shake Ridge Road near Rams Horn Grade after an investigative records search showed that a deputy had checked on Melvin’s locked, unoccupied vehicle at that same location on Sunday January 25. On Wednesday February 5, in an effort to locate Melvin, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office activated its Search and Rescue Team, which conducted a hasty search of the immediate area. In addition to the search, a general area canine search and an aerial search by CHP helicopter was also conducted. The search effort was terminated for the evening due to darkness but resumed and expanded Thursday morning. Anyone with any information into the whereabouts of Melvin is asked to contact the Amador County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 223-6500. Staff Report

Amador County - Amador County residents up in arms about proposed septic system regulations are being encouraged to attend a set of workshops in Santa Rosa. The State Water Resources Control Board is hosting the forum, and there will be opportunities for the public to comment on proposed regulations and waivers for onsite wastewater treatment systems and the associated Draft Environmental Impact Report. Prompted by Bill 885 signed by Governor Gray Davis 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 across California to gather public comment on the issue, including a workshop last month in Amador County. The proposal under consideration includes a number of costly requirements to be paid by owners should their tanks not meet updated standards. 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. New septic systems must have filters that retain a certain amount of solids, malfunction alarms and maintenance manuals, plus regular site inspections by certified professionals. Estimates by county officials indicate that a large portion –approximately half- of Amador County uses septic systems. Other Gold country counties are voicing there dissatisfaction with the regulations. Placer County Supervisors will be sending written comments to the State Water Board and coordinating with legislators and lobbyists to fight the proposals. Amador Water Agency Board Member Debbie Dunn is stressing to dissenters that “the voice you can unleash on the State is solely regarding implantation procedures, not ‘should they do it.’” She added that the upcoming meeting “is the public’s and the County’s last opportunity to provide input.” The public meetings are scheduled to be held February 9 from 1 to 5 pm and 7 to 11 pm at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa. A Sacramento hearing originally scheduled for February 9 was postponed until further notice. For further details about the proposed regulations, visit www.waterboards.ca.gov. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County – The Ione Planning Commission will host a workshop 6 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall to review its draft Zoning Code update. Staff will request direction on changes to the draft, to be revised and brought back for a public hearing March 10th. City Planner Christopher Jordan in a report said “Zoning Code is a regulatory document that development must comply with, including specific, enforceable standards such as minimum lot size, maximum building height, minimum building setback, and a list of allowable uses.” Ione’s Zoning Code dates back to 1958 and has been amended in 1984, 1994, 2000 and 2003 “but appears to have never been comprehensively updated since its initial composition.” The zoning code update was initiated last June by the City Council and changes will be phased in, “the most critical items being addressed now, while other items will wait until a later date as funding becomes available,” Jordan said. Items to immediately address in Zoning include Code Structure & Finding, a Sign Ordinance and Historical Regulations for Main Street. Jordan said Code Structure & Finding will “enhance the structure and format of the Zoning Code to improve ease of use. The enhanced code would be used as the ‘backbone’ for any future edits.” It “will also include the development of a Specific Plan process for future new developments, consistency with specific state laws, and an updating of the findings for the various permit types to ensure that all permits have findings.” Jordan said Sign Ordinance regulations “will focus on standards for commercial property, particularly in the Downtown area, but will also address signage for home occupations and off-premise signs.” Historical Regulations for Main Street will “prepare amendments for historical issues for Main Street and some surrounding areas by addressing architectural consistency, façade enhancements, and compatibility with the existing environment.” Jordan and city staff conducted a series of study sessions with the City Council and Planning Commission to discuss topics for the update. Story by Jim Reece

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week got a list of items that may fit the category of “shovel ready” in the federal eye. Among those was the AWA compound itself on Ridge Road, where Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said a couple of holding tanks could replace the shallow pond behind the agency office. Board members asked about the various projects, which included the Gravity Supply Line to the Buckhorn Water Treatment Plant, decades old, with a more recent offshoot that could tie it in to a water treatment plant at Jackson Pines. Mancebo said the $8 million being sought from the federal government for the $11.6 million project was fractioned for matching to help chances of getting funding. AWA board Chairman Terence Moore said projects were only “shovel ready” within reason, because, due to costs, agencies do not get projects ready to go then put them on a shelf. Moore said: “Shovel Ready is a real catchy phrase, but in reality I don’t think too many projects exist like that.” He said Environmental Impact Reports go stale and design is too costly. Mancebo said the gravity supply line has already been authorized to advance with environmental documenting, while surveying is completed. Another bonus, the bulk of the pipeline would be placed in roadways, either logging roads or county roads. Moore said the federal Rural Utilities Service likes AWA because it completes its projects on time, and it has actually been calling the agency and asking when the gravity supply line project will be ready. Mancebo said AWA Finance Manager Michael Lee was attending a workshop last Thursday on the State Economic Stimulus package and would bring the board news. Moore said the AWA’s luck on its list of projects may be helped by which agencies are given the task of allocating funding. Story by Jim Reece