Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors on Thursday approved a land purchase agreement with the Gayla Manor Homeowners Association, for 3 acres to be used to expand the Gayla Manor leachfields for wastewater disposal. Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo said there is no stimulus funding for land acquisition, but the land is needed to expand the system to meet 100-year flow capacity required by the state. “We did not want to buy the land and pass that cost on to customers,” Mancebo said. “They recognized that as well.” He said after his report was written, he learned that “there was a geotechnical investigation of the property, looking for hazardous waste, and none was found.” He said environmental documentation was done on the project about a year ago, with a negative mitigated impact declaration, when the agency tried to get a “Small Community Grant.” Director Bill Condrashoff asked about the $310,000 in the project that pays for rock, to pave an easement and access road that crosses the field. He asked if a grant pays for the rock. Mancebo said yes, but the agency looks at it as part of the project, to pave the trails and access roads, as well as another part of the agreement, to plant some trees on the property there. Condrashoff said he was “concerned about these, what you call minor costs of this extra work.” He said, “as something paid for by the AWA, as we all know, the AWA has no money, so it would go to the ratepayers.” General Manager Jim Abercrombie said staff would bring a list of the projects, the grant funding and where the funding would go, and you would approve it. He said “we need this agreement” to show the state that the purchase has been made to expand the leachfield and meeting requirements. He said the agency staff’s hope is that then the grants funding will come. AWA Attorney Steve Kronick explained the contract out clause, that says if the 3 acres is not used as a leachfield for 5 consecutive years, the Homeowners Association “can have the property quit-claimed back to them.” The contract changes ownership of the land to the AWA, for no money, but the $310,000 dollars in work to improve the property. The agreement passed, 5-0. 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 took preliminary steps Tuesday towards defining and regulating wineries in the Amador County Ordinance Code. The discussion is likely the first in a long process of reviewing and restructuring the entire ordinance. The issue was brought before the Supervisors by confused and sometimes frustrated vintners who say Ordinance Number 1320 and other district regulations don’t go for enough to draw guidelines for Amador County wineries. Jane O’Riordan of Terra Rouge Winery said “I’ve been in the business 25 years. All these resolutions, even for people who have been in the business, can be confusing.” Included in the agenda packet were 39 pages of current ordinance and regulations. She said there is currently no distinction between a Master License and a Duplicate License. Under a Master License you can process grapes and have wine tastings, while a Duplicate License only allows the latter. “Other counties have requirements and feel they have the legal capabilities to enforce (requirements) through commerce laws,” said O’Riordan. Also under contention is whether any new regulations would apply to existing wineries that have in some cases functioned for centuries under vague guidelines. Supervisor John Plasse said “we’ve got to have ordinances that are conducive to new business start ups.” Supervisors also asked what vintners can call themselves “Amador County Wines” and whether winemakers should be concerned about outside competitors . Plasse said that if “it’s going to say ‘Amador Wine’, it has to use a certain percentage of grapes from Amador county.” Plasse quoted vintner Charles Spinetta as saying, “None of us care about competition, but we do care about unfair competition.” The Supervisors agreed to form an ad hoc committee to address the ordinance review. The committee will be comprised of 3 vintners, 3 wine grape growers and 2 members of the public associated with the wine business. Also included will be two supervisors. District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto, whose district claims the Shenandoah Valley and the majority of Amador County’s wine business, volunteered to be a part of the committee along with District 3 Supervisor Ted Novelli. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Nearly 100 clients, volunteers and professionals interested in mental well-being filled the conference room of the Amador County Behavioral Health Services Department Tuesday for a planning “kickoff” meeting, to start a planning process to prepare the county for state income tax funding due over the next few years from Proposition 63. Senior program associate Kayce Rane said “the turnout is indicative of the interest in behavioral health services” in the community, and the interest in the “opportunity to transform the system of care available to be more integrated, wellness-centered, and responsive to behavioral health issues.” She said about half of those attending had previously worked on planning for Mental Health Services Act funding. But about 1/4th of attendees said it was their first involvement in the process. Rane and Jennifer Susskind led the workshop, in which smaller groups work on visions and told of strengths and weaknesses they saw in Amador. Susskind said: “You are the experts. We are here to listen as you provide us with good ideas.” Susskind said she appreciated one lofty goal of having unlimited funding in 10 years, noted that others were also realistic. She said the next step is to “provide a nexus for need” and “create strategies that respond to needs.” She said “it’s not good enough to have good ideas. (They) have to show that these good ideas really work.” One attendee said “peer-based counseling” works, and hoped consultants could “change from needing evidence-based practices to practice-based evidence.” The RDA timeline includes an August needs assessment, a document review, focus groups, interviews and surveys. In September, they’ll work on strategy development, with round-tables and work-groups, and do “best practice research.” In November, they plan strategy prioritization with community meetings, and in December they will draft the plan for: workforce development activities, new information technology systems, behavioral health facilities, supportive housing and unique and innovative behavioral health practices. They will also fast-track a plan for “Prevention and Early Intervention program” funding, Susskind said, because the funding from 2006-2007 reverts back to the state on June 30th of 2010. Amador County needs a plan in place to receive the funds. She said the county is due about $5.7 million dollars in Proposition 63 funding over the next 3 years, for the different areas mental health services. She said Amador has not yet lost any funds. The PEI fast-tracking will have separate meetings and should begin shortly, as the plan must be submitted by December. For information, call 223-6814. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Hundreds of VIPs attended a noon luncheon hosted by the California Shock Trauma Air Rescue Unit 10 helicopter ambulance service, topped off with a ribbon cutting on the tarmac at Amador County Airport. The luncheon was hosted at the American Legion Hall, and speakers from CALSTAR told about the new branch, which serves Amador County, and told of the celebration that marks the air ambulance service’s 25th year in operation. Attendees included county supervisors, Chairman Ted Novelli, John Plasse and Louis Boitano. Boitano took a flight on MD902 helicopter, which was one of 3 aircraft at the Amador Airport, though it is based in McClelland. CALSTAR executives attended, including Regional Director David L. Osuna, along with staff of the Amador branch, which opened April 1st. Flight nurse Katherine Hansen said the Amador base, a 24-hour service, is the newest of 10 rotor bases that CALSTAR has around the state, including in Concord, Ukiah and Lake Tahoe. The company also has fixed-wing bases, including at its headquarters at McClelland Air Force Base. Also at the Amador Air Port was a Cessna 421B twin engine fixed wing airplane, piloted by Chris Reeder, son of Plymouth developer, Bob Reeder of Reeder Sutherland, who was among the luncheon attendees. CALSTAR’s 3-person crew includes a pilot and two flight nurses who can get in the air in 5 minutes and fly up to 180 miles to assist with medical trauma suffered in Amador, El Dorado and Calaveras counties. CALSTAR Unit 10 is based in a house on Airport Road in Martell. CALSTAR 10 pilot Rod Jamieson said the helicopter is a BO-105, with Rolls Royce C30 engines, which can carry the crew of 3, plus 2 patients and equipment. CALSTAR is built for the speed to act in the “Golden Hour,” the crucial time frame in which severe trauma is in need of medical attention. The craft carries ventilators, cardio (VIDEO) monitors and defribulators and cruises at 130 knots. CALSTAR sells membership cards because of the “financial ramifications of an air ambulance transport, which can cost $25,000 or more.” To see the organization’s Membership Program, see www.calstar.org. Supervisor Novelli called CALSTARS presence “a great benefit to our community.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The city of Ione Wednesday afternoon released its Draft Environmental Impact Report for its city General Plan Update, and announced a public hearing August 5th by the Ione Planning Commission. City Planner Christopher Jordan told the commission Tuesday that the Draft EIR would be available Wednesday afternoon, and he would e-mail it to commissioners. He asked that they take the time between the document’s release and the August 5th public hearing to read the EIR and prepare for the meeting. The city staff announced the availability of the document in an e-mail, saying the “DEIR is required by state law and analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the General Plan.” The release of the document Tuesday started a 45-day comment period during which comments can be made on the Draft EIR, before a public hearing. The public hearing will be the last opportunity for commissioners to look at the draft General Plan and EIR. Jordan “we want the commission to study up until then. We will be asking you to make a recommendation.” The public hearing will take comments. Jordan said after that, the City Council would take up the city General Plan EIR, at a meeting tentatively set for August 26th. The announcement Tuesday said “once the document is certified, it will become the primary environmental document to evaluate planning and permitting actions associated with projects in the city.” Jordan, and his firm, Pacific Municipal Consultants, is on a schedule to complete the General Plan and EIR in a year. He said the meeting August 5th would be the last time the commission sees the EIR, as part of keeping on schedule to complete the document. The project began last September with several public meetings to gather information on the wishes of city residents for the future of Ione. 230 different responses were received by PMC during the meetings. Copies of the Draft EIR were to be available for the public to review at City Hall. The Draft EIR and the current draft of the Ione General Plan are available online at the city’s website, www.ionegeneralplan.com. There are several options for the public to comment, including by e-mail (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); by postal mail (to P.O. Box 398, Ione, CA 95640); or in person at the Planning Commission regular meeting 6 p.m. Monday, July 14 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The public comment period closed 5 p.m. Monday, July 27th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors announced Thursday the approval of a new Prescription Discount Card Program available to Amador County residents. Details of the program will formally be presented during a conference to take place at the Board chambers on May 26 at 10 am. Supervisors approved the distribution of a free prescription discount card through the county’s private partner, Coast2Coast Rx. Getting this program approved has been a priority for District 1 Supervisor John Plasse. “This is an effort to save families money in these current economic times and to take the bite out of purchasing medications as well as helping others have the ability to purchase medications they may not be able to afford otherwise,” Plasse said. Many county pharmacies, including Wal-Mart, Raley’s, Safeway and Long’s have already agreed to provide discounts through the program. The card is accepted at nearly 58,000 pharmacies nationwide. The programs could save Amador County families up to 38 percent off prescriptions and is available to all Amador County residents regardless of incomes, age or sex. A free discount card may be picked up at the Human Resources Department, Board of Supervisors Office, the Senior Center located at 229 New York Ranch Road, or the Wellness Center located on Conductor Blvd. People can also download and print their own card from the link on the County website www.co.amador.ca.us and look for other card distribution locations. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – ACES Waste Service of Pine Grove official took over the recycling and garbage routes of Sutter Creek this week, with weekly collection of trash and biweekly recycling pickups. ACES operates from rented property on Sutter Hill Road and hauling in residential areas may start as early as 6 a.m., while commercial pickups must occur prior to noon, according to the franchise agreement signed by the City Council with ACES owner Paul Molinelli Senior, and approved May 18th. The service will include an “annual cleanup week at no additional cost,” and will notify the city and service subscribers with literature when that special haul date comes. All waste collected will be hauled to the ACES transfer station in Pine Grove, and will be deposited at Sacramento County’s Keifer Landfill. Rates are controlled by a “rate adjustment methodology.” The contract says that the “rate adjustment process will be on a 3-year cycle with a cost-based adjustment in Rate Year 1, followed by Indexed Rate Adjustments in Rate Year 2 and Rate Year 3,” followed by a detailed adjustment in Year 4. Rate adjustments must be applied for at the city by March 15th each year, completed by May 1st and effective July 1st. The agreement requires ACES to exclude from its rate structures any franchise fees owed to the city. The contract requires quarterly financial statements showing profit or loss, and separate line items for profits from the sale of recycle materials. It also requires an annual reports within 120 days after the close of ACES fiscal year, December 31st. The rates, approved by the city council June 15th, include a 10 percent Senior Discount. Monthly residential rates include $11 dollars for 32 gallon cart, $15 dollars for 64-gallon cart and $20 dollars for a 96-gallon cart. In its proposal to Sutter Creek, ACES listed its Amador County customer base at 7,375, including both waste and recycling services. Those include 1,495 residents and 251 businesses in Jackson, 413 residents and 33 businesses in Ione, and 4,767 residents and 316 businesses in unincorporated areas. Molinelli in his proposal to Sutter Creek said ACES has served Amador wince 1973 and “meets the minimum qualifications by having provided residential and commercial solid waste collection service for at least 1,300 accounts for the past 33 years.” ACES likely could have about 1,200 customers in Sutter Creek. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County –Construction crews began work Wednesday on the long-awaited Walgreens shopping center to be erected at the corner of Highway 49 and Ridge Road in Sutter Creek. The Amador County Transportation Commission board of directors approved an agreement in (VIDEO) March between Sutter Creek and the Petrovich Development Company that paved the way for today’s activity. The agreement allows Petrovich to pay a Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee of $1,200 to ACTC. Sutter Creek Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the total reduction of fees is $88,000 dollars. The agreement includes rights-of-way, frontage improvements and fee credits, as discussed by the ad hoc Transportation Policy Advisory Task force. The right-of-way is required for the highway and intersection expansions which were determined to be needed by a Traffic Impact Study of the Crossroads Shopping Center. The ACTC’s board unanimously voted to have Field sign the document when the legal team finishes drafting it. Supervisor and ACTC Board Chairman Louis Boitano said the project is “putting our people back to work” in a time “when jobs are scarce.” Sutter Creek City Manager Sean Rabe said the city is supportive of the project and excited to get the Walgreens built. Sutter Creek approved the project, formally known as the Crossroads Shopping Center, in 2004. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Amador County officials are preparing for state raids on local government coffers after five of the state’s six budget-related propositions failed to pass in Tuesday’s Special Election. The projected state budget deficit now stands at $24 billion, while Amador County projects a $2.6 million budget deficit for the local county budget. In light of these results, Amador County continues to work on a 2009-2010 balanced budget. “With the results in, only one thing is clear: the state will have to find other ways to balance its budget,” said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. County administrators continue to slash operating costs, including working with employees to find a 10 percent cut to overall personnel costs to close the gap. According to Charles Anderson, Regional Public Affairs Manager with the League of California Cities, the governor’s “May Budget Revise” would take funding from the cities’ property taxes to the tune of $2 billion dollars. Anderson said the state has taken about $600 million dollars a year – about $8 billion dollars total – from city property tax revenue, beginning in the 1990s. Anderson said the city of Jackson could lose $107,000 dollars if the governor’s proposal goes through. Amador County officials anticipate that the state may borrow as much as $1.5 million of the county’s property tax receipts. “For Amador County, there is no question that borrowing from our County will significantly affect our ability to provide the services our residents rely upon,” explained County Administrative Officer Terri Daly, adding: “Cuts and disruptions of local services will only become more severe.” Daly said that “in addition to the States borrowing of County property tax money, County officials also anticipate deferral of payments to the county from the state and drastic reduction in programs, including social services, public health and behavioral health.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.