Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council heard from property owners of the Brusatori family Monday, who said the draft fees for a proposed annexation of their Sutter Hill properties would be too costly. The council discussed the Sutter Hill East Annexation’s “Proposed Area Of Benefit Calculation,” prepared by City Planner Bruce Baracco, then directed staff to work with the property owners to come to an agreement that would please the Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission, which would have final approval of the annexation. Aaron Brusatori said he thought they could come to an agreement that all property owners would agree to, then they would not need to come back to the council. The calculations came from the council’s “initial discussion with regard to a method to pay for infrastructure improvements within the annexation area.” Baracco used “an acreage fee which varies depending on the zoning district, with different fees for each type of service. For “streets and intersections,” Baracco’s draft “Area of Benefit Calculations” included Commercial 2 zoning paying $19,000 dollars per acre; Rural 3 paying just under $4,000 per acre; and Industrial 2 paying $954 per acre. Per-acre sanitary sewer would be $10,600 for R-3; $9,700 for C-2; and $6300 for I-2. Baracco’s model had a flat fee applying to all zones of $4,856 dollars per acre for Water line improvements within the annexation area, to be “established by the Amador Water Agency based on a hydraulic model” of the area’s system. A flat fee also was proposed for Storm Drainage, of $3,095 dollars per acre. The model included estimates $380,000 dollars each for street improvements and sewer improvements; $262,000 dollars for water line improvements; and $167,000 dollars for storm drainage. Ray Brusatori said “it seems unreasonable” that he, his father and his uncle between them would have to pay $48,000 dollars in water system fees. He said they all had an existing 6-inch water line running through their property. He said the “storm drain” fee was also unnecessary because of drainage improvements they made on their property. City Manager Rob Duke said Sutter Creek has no say over water fees, which were determined by the AWA. Baracco said the “existing 6-inch line on Old Ridge Road may not meet the needs of the water agency,” so they wanted people to know the possible cost to replace it with a new 6-inch line. Duke said they likely could get credit toward drainage fees for past property improvements, but he wasn’t sure if LAFCO would accept that. 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 on Tuesday heard a presentation regarding the Local Governments for Sustainability Program, or ICLEI, and the latest findings on energy use and emissions output in Amador County. The board had previously approved participation in the program with an annual membership fee of $600, beginning in 2006. Jerry Scott, Director of Amador Citizens for Energy Conservation, made the presentation along with input from General Services Director Jon Hopkins. Hopkins said we are here to show you “what your $600 pays for every year.” Scott narrated a PowerPoint presentation detailing the results of an energy efficiency study conducted in cooperation with Mother Lode Energy Watch, a partnership between PG & E and the majority of counties in the Sierra Foothill Region. Scott said his group “volunteered nearly 150 people hours over the last year” for the study and “has probably given you a twenty-fold increase in your investment.” Scott said the goals of the study are to reduce Amador County energy use and costs in order to comply with state regulations. These are Assembly Bill 32, which requires a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gasses by 2020, and Senate Bill 375, which provides emissions-reducing goals and incentives for local governments and developers. Chairman Ted Novelli pointed out that Senate Bill 375 did not apply to Amador County. Using statistic and polling software, Scott and his group concluded that solid waste and employee commuting accounted for over 80 percent of county generated greenhouse emissions. The county vehicle fleet and employee commute were 51 percent and 31 percent of the county’s energy use, respectively. Also beginning in December 2008, ICLEI put together a list of 97 energy savings projects, which was eventually narrowed down to 11 considered most feasible to receive federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Scott said “a lot of big jobs where engineering was involved got put on the back burner” in order to make way for jobs more likely to receive funding. Hopkins said projects as simple as changing light bulbs have reduced energy use in some areas by half. Scott said “we have an opportunity to reduce costs that we’ve identified as necessary.” Supervisor Brian Oneto expressed skepticism about the project and arbitrarily recalled a recent but unsuccessful attempt by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to negotiate emissions cuts with India. Scott said “India and China have been dragging their feet, but I don’t think they are going to last as long with their air quality.” The Supervisors approved the data presented by Scott 4-1 with Oneto opposing for undisclosed reasons. The Supervisors will raise the topic again on a future agenda. Supervisor Richard Forster said “our goal should be to try and become as energy efficient as possible. We should aim for those goals for the whole county.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Planning Department is inviting “stakeholders” to its 2009 Housing Element Program Implementation Workshop Thursday. The meeting will cover existing programs and achievements, and offer points for discussion. The results of the workshop will be sent to the Amador County Board of Supervisors, for its Housing Element update, due in 2010. Planner Susan Grijalva said in a release last week that to prepare for the meeting, people should see chapters 10 and 11 in the Amador County General Plan, at www.co.amador.ca.us. Grijalva and the department evaluated achievements since 2005, and with that will encourage topics issues for discussion. On providing adequate sites for housing, Grijalva said the “county plans to incorporate a higher-density General Plan designation,” but the “key barrier which limits appropriate sites for affordable housing in Amador County is the lack of water and sewer infrastructure, not lack of appropriately-designated land.” She said to “remove governmental constraints to housing,” the county waived fees in 2008, but it “did not result in the production of affordable units.” She said of creating “new affordable units,” that no income-restricted units have been created in Amador County since 2005. 23 second family dwelling permits were issued, along with 4 medical hardship trailers and a 5-year permit for farm labor quarters. Planners found that to “encourage special needs housing,” the “county enforces the Fair Housing Act and provides information.” Many of the programs “call for amendments to the zoning code to remove constraints to special needs housing.” She said the county plans a substantial update to the zoning code following adoption of the updated General Plan. Some of the special needs groups that the programs are intended to help include parents with children, single adults, seniors, farmworkers, and low-income residents. On providing housing assistance, Grijalva said “the county served a total of 13 families with two grants between 2005 and 2008,” and received a third grant, which is now available to homebuyers. Grijalva said the county remains in contact with the Central Sierra Planning Council regarding housing vouchers; however, new vouchers have not been made available in recent years. The County’s first-time homebuyer program has been successful and effective. For conservation of existing housing, Grijalva said, several programs call for enforcement of state regulations and code enforcement. She said the county meets these objectives. But other programs have not been implemented, or have qualitative objectives. The county is not currently active in encouraging conservation of existing housing. The Housing Element Implementation Worshop, open to the public, is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday in supervisors’ chambers. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – All roads lead to the Amador County Fair in today’s Road Report. The Amador County Fair is offering a stimulus package all its own this year by simplifying and discounting fair admission passes. Tickets, which are regularly $8 for adult admission, will be sold in advance for just five passes for $25, a savings of $15. “We decided to keep it simple and give a substantial discount this year to encourage families and groups to be able to attend the Fair,” says Fair CEO Troy Bowers. Area residents can also take advantage of unlimited savings by purchasing carnival ride wristbands or ticket booklets now through July 29. Carnival of Fun is offering wristbands, which allow the rider unlimited rides on any one day, for $20 in advance, until 5:00 pm July 29. During the Fair, wristbands will cost $25. Each ride takes 3-5 coupons. Tickets for arena events and the Wine Tasting are also available in advance, and securing reserved seating is a good idea to avoid the lines which can start as early as two hours in advance of the gates opening. “The Fair Board understands that many folks in this County have been hard hit. With admission kept to just $5, and many free activities and opportunities, we think the Amador County Fair is the best entertainment bargain around.” You can purchase on-line with your credit card at www.amadorcountyfair.com or call the Fair office at 209 245-6921. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A driver who hit a telephone pole has been confirmed as the cause of a 1 acre fire along Gopher Flat Road in Sutter Creek last Friday, according to police reports. Amador Fire Protection District Chief Jim McCart said the fire was reported at 6:30 pm Friday evening. As of air time, police officials were not yet available to confirm rumors that the driver fled the scene of the accident. An electrical blaze originated at the downed pole subsequently ignited roughly 1 acre of dry grassland on a hillside. Fire crews from Sutter Creek, Jackson and CALFIRE responded to the incident. Fortunately, the road served as a natural firewall and prevented the blaze from spreading to houses across the street. Reports indicate that the fire was not completely extinguished until roughly midnight, said McCart. PG & E was called out inspect the poles and reinstate service. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A 21-year-old Galt man apparently drowned while wading off the North Shore of Camanche Lake Saturday afternoon. Sheriff’s divers searched for nearly 2 hours before locating the body. Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner said Amador Sheriff’s Office and other personnel responded to a report of an apparent drowning, first reported at 5:53 p.m. Frank Prado Junior, 21, of Galt, was wading in the water when he went under and disappeared. Wegner said Amador Sheriff’s personnel had a boat in the water and 4 divers searched in 2-person teams for Prado in the area where he was last seen, in North Shore Camanche Lake’s Day Use Area. Wegner said Prado’s body was located by a dive team just before 8 p.m. He said forensic testing will determine the cause of death, but the apparent cause was drowning. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Plymouth City Council this week will consider its upcoming budget, while also considering joining a legal fight to stop the state government from raiding city street maintenance coffers. The council on Thursday will consider a resolution authorizing the city attorney to cooperate with the League of California Cities, and other cities and counties in “litigation challenging the constitutionality of any seizure by state government of the city’s street maintenance funds. Staff will recommend approval of the resolution. The council will also consider a resolution establishing an appropriations limit for the coming fiscal year, under Article 8-B of the California Constitution. The council will host a public hearing for “the purpose of soliciting citizens’ views to set priorities for the potential submission of a Community Development Block Grant application.” The council will hear a presentation by grant consultant Terry Cox, on the potential application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Staff said: “The maximum award limits for each grant category vary from year to year and are listed in the State Notice of Funding Availability.” The major activity categories are General and Economic Development Planning and Technical Assistance; Housing-Acquisition; Housing-New Construction; Housing-Rehabilitation; Community Facilities and/or Public Services; Public Works; and Economic Development. Projects funded with CDBG funds must meet at least one “national objective”: to either benefit “targeted income group” people; eliminate “slums and blight;” or meet an “emergency and urgent need.” The council will hear citizen’s views on the annual reports for two current grants, totaling $1.5 million dollars, which are being used in the Plymouth Pipeline Project. An annual report has also been prepared for the city’s CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Fund, Cox said. The council could also approve the fiscal year budget for 2009-2010, by Finance Director Jeff Gardner. City Manager Dixon Flynn will recommend the council authorize him to advertise and seek proposals for Planning & Community Development Services for the city. The council will also discuss offering a reward for information and a conviction regarding vandalism of the city water tank. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at city hall. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Sutter Creek Gold Mine, which currently serves as a tourism facility, is coming much closer to the possibility of functioning as a working gold mine. Sutter Gold Mining Incorporation, or SGM, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, refers to it as the Lincoln Project, named after the original Lincoln Mine from which prospector Leland Stanford made his fortune. Stanford went on to found Stanford University and to partner in financing the Central Pacific Railroad. According to SGM, technical updates and initiatives in process “are directed towards determining the Lincoln Project development costs, schedule and future production decision.” A number of technical studies have already been completed though the hiring out of companies and consultants. A Metallurgical Process and Mill Design Report, Phase I of the Preliminary Mill Installation Estimate and a conceptual Study for a Paste Backfill System have all been completed. Clayr Alexander, President and CEO said, "With the completion of initial test work and conceptual engineering we have now developed a base plan from which we can begin to optimize our process and development costs.” Upcoming studies and tests include developing a Water Quality Standards Report, 3D modeling of the project, various underground testing, and determining a rock storage area. SGM controls over three miles of Mother Lode property, 90 percent of which has yet to be explored. The current resource estimate for the Sutter Gold Project indicates that a collective 700,000 ounces of gold could possibly be extracted from this area. The mine is now open exclusively for one hour underground tours “deep into the heart of the Mother Lode. No comments have been made as to when the mine could open for production. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors will host a water conservation workshop in a special meeting set for 1 p.m. Thursday in the agency office. AWA Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo in a memo Friday said the purpose is for the “board to discuss the water conservation program for the AWA with the consultant, and staff prior to gaining public input and participation.” Consultant Leslie Dumas of RMC Water and Environment will give a presentation “regarding minimum standards for conservation programs.” She will also “identify current industry compliance with standards,” discuss potential policy statements or goals for the AWA. The meeting will include a discussion of the draft 20 By 2020 state Water Conservation Plan, introduced in February 2008 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The “7-part comprehensive plan for improving the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta” was accompanied by governor directing “state agencies to develop a plan to reduce statewide per capita urban water use by 20 percent by the year 2020. The plan said with reductions and enhancements, “California can reduce its per capita use 20 percent, from the current 192 gallons per capita daily to 154 gallons per capita daily … an annual savings of about 1.74 million acre-feet.” Recommendations in the governor’s plan include establishing a foundation for a conservation strategy, including placing targets and goals in law. He also recommends creating a “state agency leadership and coordination network.” Other recommendations include reducing landscape irrigation demand, reducing water waste, reinforcing efficiency codes and related best management practices; giving financial incentives; and doing public outreach, as with the workshop itself. The governor’s draft plan also recommended considering enforcement mechanisms to facilitate water conservation; and investigating “potential flexible implementation measures.” The latter suggested looking at “requiring conservation offsets for water demand generated by new development.” The plan also recommended increasing “the use of recycled water and non-traditional sources of water.” An introduction to the workshop said the “recommendations were developed through a collaborative effort involving several agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the California agencies: Department of Water Resources, Water Resources Control Board, Energy Commission, Public Health, Public Utilities Commission, Bay Delta Authority and Urban Water Conservation Council. The AWA board in its regular meeting 9 a.m. Thursday will discuss the 2010 fiscal year work plan and budget for the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority. The board will then tour the Tanner Water Treatment Plant, including the Amador Transmission Pipeline outlet, property, buildings and the Amador Canal at Tanner Reservoir. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - Prospective students should register early for Cosumnes River College classes starting August 22 at the Amador Learning Center, according to Dr. Helen Bonner, member of the Amador Community County Founders board. “Because of California's budget problems and the slow economy, universities and community colleges throughout the state are having to turn away growing numbers of first-time students. We are fortunate in our county to have a new and growing connection with Cosumnes River College. Students who register early for classes at the Amador Learning Center will have a foot-in-the door for priority registration in the future,” said Bonner. Classes with credits transferable to Universities are: Computer Information Science - CISC 310 (Intro to Computer Information Science) Early Childhood Education 320, English - Writing 300, and Photography 412 (Emerging Digital Technologies). Continuing students have first priority for registration but new and returning students are advised to register as soon as possible to assure classes won't be full. For information, call (916) 691-7411 or visit www.crc.losrios.edu. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.