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 Plymouth City Council on Thursday hosts a special meeting and workshop to address its expected growth and planning issues, with presentations by four city staffers. City Manager Dixon Flynn will review the city’s strategic plan and city objectives, while Consultant Richard Prima and City Planner Darcy Goulart will speak about growth management. Goulart will also give an update on the city’s General Plan update and its related Environmental Impact Report. Finance Director Jeff Gardner talk about budget amendments for fiscal year 2008-2009. The council last week heard a presentation from Goulart on city design guidelines, and received a report from City Planner Paula Daneluk detailing some of the draft amendments to the city’s zoning code. Daneluk said planning staff has been working with the planning commission and city council since last year on the downtown area design guidelines. She said “over a 2-month period, each section of the draft design guidelines was workshopped with the planning commission.” At the time, the commission discussed extending the “downtown corridor” of guidelines eastward across Highway 49, and last Thursday, the council discussed that as well. Mayor Jon Colburn asked if there was “any drawback” for having the same design guidelines that apply to downtown also apply to commercial development. Flynn said he did not see a problem in doing so. Prima said if the guidelines were applied to all commercial buildings in the city, the ordinance would require some wording changes. Colburn suggested moving the boundary to align with the city boundary line. Flynn asked if they wanted to include the Fiddletown Road area. Councilman Greg Baldwin said they should include that, at least until they can add a “Scenic Corridor” to the design guidelines and zoning. Goulart asked if they council wanted the same standards all around the city and Flynn said the council wanted the same look all around the city. The council sent the guidelines back to the planning commission for the changes to the boundary and to apply the downtown look to commercial and new development. The city council special workshop meeting is 5 p.m. Thursday and precedes the Planning Commission’s meeting at 7 p.m., during which the commission will discuss the city General Plan update. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Mayor Select Committee met Friday and chose seat holders for two Amador County joint-jurisdiction boards. The meeting was the second of the year for the panel of mayors from the 5 incorporated cities in Amador. The mayors chose Plymouth Mayor Jon Colburn and Ione Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel to take seats on the board of the Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission. The Mayor Select Committee also chose seat-holders for the Amador County Airport Land Use Committee. The mayors did not name particular people, but they voted to appoint someone from the Jackson City Council and someone from Sutter Creek City Council to hold seats on the Airport Land Use Commission. Specific members are to be named by those specific city councils and their mayors. The mayors also chose Jackson Councilman Pat Crew as the Alternate member of LAFCO. At the last Mayor Select Committee meeting, January 21st, the mayors were not able to determine whether one LAFCO seat was open after Ione Councilman Jerry Sherman missed his reelection bid in November. LAFCO Executive Director Roseanne Chamberlain said state statute determines the terms of seats, and Sherman held City Seat Number 2, which was a term that ran from 2007 to 2011. After it was determined that Ione still had a seat despite Sherman’s absence, Schaufel was appointed to fill City Seat Number 2 to serve out the remainder of that term. Colburn was appointed by the committee to City Seat Number 1, which has a term of 2009 to 2013. Crew’s Alternate city seat is a term of 2007 to 2011. Chamberlain said “the mayors decide who the appointments are and the statute determines the terms.” But she said “these city representatives are representing all the cities. They act on LAFCO on behalf of all cities.” She said the appointees may keep the “interests of their own cities on their mind,” but the “law says that they are to act on behalf of all the cities.” The new LAFCO board has its first meeting 7 p.m. Thursday in the county supervisors’ chambers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - The 1857 Massa Mine has a new look thanks to Jason McCleery, a Boy Scout with Sutter Creek Troop 63. Jason coordinated the construction of the heavy timber portal for the Massa Mine located on the Kennedy Mine Foundation property in Jackson. This special dedication will open the Massa Mine for public and student tours led by Kennedy Mine Docents as a part of the Mine’s preservation of local history program. Special ceremonies at Teresa’s Place in Jackson Saturday on March 14, 2009, will begin with a special court of honor to award Jason McCleery with the Eagle Scout Award at 10:00 a.m. To earn Scouting’s highest award, Jason had to earn 21 merit badges, serve as a leader in his troop, and complete a major community service project. A separate Massa Mine dedication will begin with a no-host luncheon and key note address by Jason with details of the portal project at 12:00 noon. The Massa Mine on-site ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Please RSVP for the luncheon by Friday March 6th with a check for $12. Call 209-257-1851, ext. 100 or ext. 101, for additional information. Staff Report

Amador County - First…an announcement. A second rally in support of Prospect Motors will be held this Tuesday, February 17, in the Prospect Motors parking lot. a National television crew will be there to gather a story for a nation wide news Story. The large turnout last December resulted in a regional news coverage.. Now please help the story get to the National attention it deserves. Residents of Amador County and beyond are encouraged to show support for the dealership that has played such a pivotal role in the economy and welfare of Amador County Story By Alex Lane Contributions By Tom Slivick

Amador County - The final decision over layoffs within the Amador County Unified School District was made Wednesday evening, with dramatic results. A crowd composed mostly of California School Employees Association members packed the board chambers at the Administrative Building to express their disapproval of the pending layoffs before board members retired to closed session. As the board filed back into the chamber to render their verdict, two rows of employees – mostly maintenance workers- stood up simultaneously and in silence. Board President Mary Walser announced the Board’s decision to authorize the elimination of eleven classified employment positions, as well as two confidential employment and two classified management positions. After the decision was announced, the employees filed out silently and gathered in the hallway with union representatives to discuss their reactions and any future course of action. “I’m devastated…it was never their intention to work with us to come up with an alternative,” said Melody Honeychurch, Labor Relations Representative for CSEA. She said her understanding was that they were supposed to negotiate and consider other options before such decisions were made. Marcie Bayne, Senior Labor Relations Representative, said the next step would be to bargain the details of contracts. “If they fail to bargain with us in good faith, we will take appropriate action,” she said. The board also approved three action items, effectively discontinuing or reducing the number of hours for employees in classified, confidential and classified management positions. Those affected by these cuts will likely be incorporated back into the system in other positions. During the scheduled Superintendent’s report at the close of the meeting, Superintendent Dick Glock explained his reasoning behind the layoffs. “It’s not as though we intended this. No one is being left out, unfortunately,” said Glock. He added that the next positions they approach, if necessary, would be the teaching staff. “This is a temporary measure, and just because someone gets a layoff doesn’t mean that position is gone,” he said. Walser quoted California School Board Association Executive Director Scott Plotkin, saying, “the unthinkable has come.” In reference to two students who were awarded earlier in the meeting for outstanding community service, Glock said “some of the things we’re doing as adults is to protect their environment.” Story by Alex Lane

State - Lawmakers are getting closer to fixing California's budget crisis after details of a possible deal were leaked to reporters. According to the LA Times, the vehicle license fee, state tax and fuel tax would go up. There would also be an income tax service charge of 2.5% added to a person's tax bill. Staff members are working on a draft. Several senators say the proposal will be ready by Friday. The Governor's press secretary says it's too soon to say to say there's a deal. However, if there's no deal by Friday, the Governor says he will send out 20,000 layoff notices to state workers. Story by Alex Lane

Amador County –Amador County Recreation Agency Executive Director Tracy Towner-Yepp asked her board of directors Wednesday to consider putting a Special Tax Measure up to vote for permanent funding for the agency. The board voted unanimously to have ACRA’s attorney, Greg Gillett, investigate the legality of having the Joint Powers Authority levy taxes, and also to draft an amendment to ACRA’s agreement. Amador County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ted Novelli said Thursday that he supports ACRA, its staff and its board of directors “but I do not support a special tax.” He said as board chairman, he would do everything in his power to oppose it. Ione Mayor Lee Ard said he would not support anything that would take the control of Ione’s park land out of the hands of Ione. Ard said Ione was also a year to a year-and-a-half away from seeking its own tax measure for park funding. Gillett said in his research of the legality of a JPA levying a tax, he has “never found a JPA that has done it.” But he said the Joint Powers Act says “entities that share a common power can join together and exercise a power together, but it has to be spelled out.” Towner-Yepp said she and Gillett disagreed on JPA language. She thought ACRA’s ability to pursue “financing” allowed taxation. Gillett said he thought it had to be clarified. Consultant John Bliss recommended a direct-mailed special election. He said a full election, handled by his firm and two associate firms, would cost about $100,000 dollars. It would begin with a survey costing $20,000 to $25,000 dollars, which would determine how much money people would be willing to pay to support ACRA. Gillett said levying a tax could be stymied by an ACRA member opposing it, but ACRA could dissolve and reform with agreeing members. Sutter Creek Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Hepworth said Amador County has a gigantic population of elderly, unemployed people on a fixed Social Security income, and 21 percent unemployment. Bliss said he understood an uphill battle. Hepworth said a recent sewer rate increase brought a stack of complaint letters, and the rate hike was only $7 dollars. Hepworth said: “I’m a positive person: But I think you would be throwing away $25,000 dollars” (paying for the survey. He said: “I’m afraid that the answer you are going to get is ‘We don’t want to pay a damn dime’.” The board directed Gillett research the tax levying issue, and write a proposed JPA amendment, which Towner-Yepp would take it to members entities for review. Story by Jim Reece

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

State - California's budget woes will sweep over the state's 58 counties this week when they get promises instead of checks for $89 million in anticipated payments for welfare, food stamps and other services. The move will be a devastating blow to the counties, which must serve more and more people looking for government help as the economy craters and jobs disappear, said Paul McIntosh, executive director of the California Association of Counties. With local governments every bit as battered as the state, little cash is available to cover the deficit. “There are counties that only have a couple weeks of cash on hand and could have trouble meeting payroll,” McIntosh said. While state Controller John Chiang insists that social services money is only being delayed for a month and will be repaid in March, a spokeswoman for the controller said the normal March payments might then have to be delayed for a month if no budget agreement has been reached. But county officials are unsure when, or even if, they will see those state payments. Many counties are planning to go to court as soon as that first payment is missed. San Francisco will join a lawsuit set to be filed by San Diego and Sacramento counties, arguing that Chiang must release funds that already have been appropriated by the Legislature in the state budget. Los Angeles and Colusa counties have talked about hanging on to tax payments and other funds that normally go to the state, while Riverside County plans to ask the courts to allow it to close social service programs until California resumes its payments. Last week, the governor put 238,000 workers on unpaid leaves twice a month through June 2010 to save the state $1.4 billion.