Ione – The Ione City Council got a report on crime statistics from fiscal year ending in 2009, with trends reportedly reflective of the recession. A report from Ione Police Chief Michael Johnson included the department’s service call statistics last week for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, along with a memo describing what can be seen in the stats. Johnson said “recent trends in crime have been reflective of the difficult financial times.” The Ione Police Department, he said, is “currently experiencing an increase in domestic violence incidents and theft related offenses.” To date for this fiscal year, IPD, as of August 6th, had “taken approximately 120 more case numbers than last year” on that date. He said: “With our 2 new very proactive officers and a change in enforcement philosophies that are targeted at meeting this community’s needs, our investigations, court appearances and commitments are resulting in more criminal cases,” court appearances and follow-up. Data showed that “officer initiated activity is more than double the calls for service.” Johnson said “unfortunately, this all translates into expenditures.” He said he would meet with City Manager Kim Kerr in coming weeks to “make the necessary adjustments,” that is, “cuts and modifications to help” Ione Police Department “cope with budget deficits.” Besides cuts, he will “be implementing a change in deployments, schedules, and resources to better combat peak criminal activity times.” The data showed increased activity in some areas, as compared to the 2007-2008 fiscal year, though some areas had decreased, including traffic stops and traffic citations. Johnson said “as with most statistics there are many variables and considerations within any given category.” Five areas had increased numbers over the previous year. That included 5,583 total incidents, 1,694 calls for service, 3,889 “officer initiated incidents,” 193 felony reports and 52 felony arrests. The IPD made 968 traffic stops last fiscal year. It also made 327 misdemeanor reports, with 130 misdemeanor arrests, and 44 misdemeanor citations. The department issued 360 moving vehicle violations and 118 parked vehicle violations. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Transportation Commission on Tuesday discussed a “reprioritization” of Caltrans resources and the potential impact this will have on projects throughout the county. According to ACTC Director Charles Field, “Caltrans District 10 Environmental staff will need to limit its work on local grant projects while they work to environmentally clear higher priority (federal stimulus) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects.” In addition, Field advised that the new State budget may eliminate funds that allow Caltrans to work on locally sponsored State Highway projects. Field said local grant projects that could be harmed by the proposed reprioritization are the Amador City bridge replacement, Court Street and Highway 88 intersection improvements, the Prospect Drive realignment, turnouts on various county roads and the Highway 49/Main Street intersection in Plymouth. Commenting on the latter, Plymouth Mayor Jon Colburn told TSPN that Caltrans was supporting a proposed roundabout for the intersection that could potentially improve traffic safety. An ACTC traffic specialist has been showing scale models of the roundabout at the last two farmer’s markets in Plymouth. ACTC local project manager Matt Griggs of Dokken Engineering said the Plymouth intersection and Prospect Drive realignment should not be seriously impacted by the reprioritization. Field said Caltrans was also instructed they would have to reimburse the State for Caltrans work on all future Project Initiation Documents. “Many agencies throughout the State expressed immediate concern because this policy would be considered a step backward in the State’s efforts to partner with local agencies to fund highway projects,” said Field. This could have potentially serious impacts on the Prospect Drive project as well as other fair share funded projects. ACTC staff was advised in late July that the State did not include this funding cut in the adopted State budget and funding was included to allow Caltrans to “continue preparing Project Initiation Documents without requiring local governments to reimburse the cost for these services.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission drew closer to an end of its work on the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort Wednesday, going through suggested changes with staff, with an expected handoff of the decision to the City Council that could occur at its next meeting. Environmental Impact Report consultant Bob Delk told the commission that its “mitigation measures are implemented through the conditions of approval.” And consultant Anders Hauge said that would allow them to read simply the paragraph saying the mitigations are addressed in the conditions. Hauge said “these documents reflect the direction you have given us.” He said he assumed the city attorney and assistant city manager will review the documents. The commission will likely consider a resolution with recommendations for the City Council on Gold Rush’s Specific Plan, Development Agreement, and Conditions of Approval. Commissioner Frank Cunha asked if it was the final draft of the document, including edits. Hauge said it was the final draft, but there may still be some typographical errors. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe (Ruh-Bay) said during a break that the commission was expected to make a vote on a recommendation at its meeting Monday. The commission had some important issues that still might need to be resolved in the Conditions of Approval. One of those was wildland fire fighting obligations in open spaces of Gold Rush. Commissioner Mike Kirkley said with open space requirements, there can be urban development, but it will still have open space that “looks like wildland and burns like wildland.” Peters said when a fiscal analysis is finalized, he would like to see wildland fire obligations included as a line item. Another issue was traffic. Cunha said the current draft’s traffic mitigation says that “whatever fee is in place at the time they get their permit, that’s what they pay.” Hauge said “the city can make those fees flexible.” Peters said in those issues that were still unresolved, “it seems the conditions” of approval “will prevail.” The commission next meets 7 p.m. Monday, August 24th in the city auditorium on Main Street. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council had its eyes on the scenic views surrounding the city on August 13th, when it approved its long-sought General Plan Update. The element that mentioned the “view sheds” in the document was subject of discussion, and ultimately left to be further interpreted on the “project level.” Mayor Jon Colburn asked about the views from Main Street, and surrounding areas, that were mentioned as part of the “view shed” protections. He worried that the document was not specific enough, and left out details that could make it more meaningful. View points from surrounding areas onto the city of Plymouth were among the areas he questioned, including high points looking down. Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said about one of those viewpoints mentioned in the General Plan: “From the top of Shenandoah Road, you can see the Bay Area on a clear day.” Baldwin thought they should change the wording in that section to include only views on Highway 49 up until the city limits. Councilman Mike O’Meara disagreed, saying they should leave Shenandoah Road in the descriptions. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce said she was glad they were surrounded by agricultural land, and that several surrounding ranchers that night said they intend to keep their ranches open. Fordyce asked City Planner Paula Daneluk to explain the difference in “view shed” terminology between the words “ridgeline” and “hilltop.” Daneluk said it was an issue of semantics and they are one and the same. She said in a definition in an ordinance, the city could say “you want to have natural terrain as the last thing you see before you see sky.” The object of the language was to limit the positioning of houses to make the views of hills and treetops, rather than the lines of roofs. O’Meara said the General Plan “is not a blueprint to plaster houses all over Plymouth,” but rather a plan to control where houses are put. And the loose language of the “view shed” protection would give more control at the planning commission or city ordinance level, on a case-by-case basis. Daneluk said it was project-level work to look at things like sight-lines and more particular information. She said Planning Commission and City Council control at project level was the ultimate goal. Colburn, in voting no, said he was “not allowed to put input into things he was concerned about,” and “the people of Plymouth never endorsed this attempt to increase the population of the city by 10,000 people.” The General Plan and accompanying EIR passed, 4-1. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority was born from necessity, and led to unprecedented cooperation among regional entities on the river’s resources. Amador Water Agency Chairman Terence Moore said in the early days of the JPA, “sometimes we were brutally honest with each other,” then he would tell himself, that was the last meeting he would attend. Then, Executive Director Rob Alcott would call and invite the AWA to the next meeting. There was more straight talk last week when Moore said a JPA subcommittee was looking at cutting hours and duties for Alcott. Alcott, who heard Moore’s report at the AWA on the subject last week, said it was OK that they talked about qualms raised about UMRWA in the open session, including his living out of town, something that bothered some Amador County Supervisors. Alcott told the board of the history of the Upper Moke RWA. In the early days, “it was kind of novel, these groups getting together and agreeing on something. It was not something that happened very often.” But the Amador, Alpine and Calaveras water agencies, and the East Bay Municipal Utility District hammered out a JPA. It was created in 2000 to protect the area from a private company coming in and purchasing Moke River land, as PG&E struggled with bankruptcy. AWA General Manager Jim Abercrombie said they were very intense discussions, forming the JPA. Alcott said they were able to “bury the hatchet for the time being” on some issues. A court-approved bankruptcy reorganization plan ended UMRWA’s acquisition efforts, but the JPA remained, and became a way to get regional funding, and gave the Moke River a regional public entity. Membership dues are optional, Alcott said, “which does make for some extended budgeting processes.” But amendments have strengthened the organization, including a 2005 expansion of mission statement of UMRWA, to have as its goal “the enhancement of the Mokelumne River Water Supply and protection of water quality and environment.” It also added counties as members, though Alpine County chose to take only 1 vote. The JPA has applied for a Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant to fund an Upper Moke septic tank clean-up program, to “reduce some of the threats” to the river, from leaching septic tanks. Alcott said they still need a study to prove septic leakage is an issue there. The SNC grant application is asking $260,000 for the program, with a decision on the award expected by September. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – John Vail (VALE), Director of Amador County Animal Control, rallied the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday not to support a resolution being considered by the California Legislature that urges local animal service agencies to embrace the philosophy of the “No Kill Movement.” No Kill, as defined in Assembly Resolution Number 74, is a movement “aimed at ending the mass killing of sheltered animals.” Reading line by line, Vail commented on all aspects of the resolution proposed by Assembly Member Anthony Portantino, a Pasadena Democrat. Vail said the document contains “no definition for the mass killing of animals” and “it mandates local government take up care of stray animals for financial reasons.” Vail said local organizations, like A-PAL, along with assistance from government entities like the Board of Supervisors, already follow many of the standards recommended in the resolution, including temperament testing, animal socialization programs and rescue group access to sheltered animals. Contrary to statements in the resolutions, he said it is counter-productive to try and rehabilitate feral cats. He quoted an Audubon Society article on the subject that said 200 million songbirds are killed by feral cats each year. The resolutions states “citizens have a right to have their government spend their tax dollars not on programs and services that kill animals but on those that save and enhance the lives of animals and protect animals from cruelty.” Vail said Amador County has not been spending taxpayer money on local programs after the mandatory holding period. “This (resolution) is insulting and it assumes we have untrained, ignorant employees.” Supervisor Brian Oneto said “there are too many programs and too many laws. This is not a decision the state should be poking their nose into.” Supervisor Richard Forster proposed drafting a letter stating the county’s position and current “proposals that have been working.” The Supervisors unanimously agreed. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ione – The Ione City Council voted 3-1 to conduct fee and funding studies in the city, but then tied 2-2 on whether to seek proposals on the projects, and again 2-2 on whether to hire Pacific Municipal Consulting to do the work. It would include a $195,000 contract, which PMC offered to begin, in part, on a 10 percent down payment, then work with the city for payment over the next 2 fiscal years. Councilman David Plank and Mayor Lee Ard voted to initiate a contract with PMC on the studies, while Councilman Jim Ulm and Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel voted against that. Schaufel and Ulm voted to initiate a request for statements of qualifications on the project, with Ard and Plank voting against that. Councilwoman Andrea Bonham was absent. Plank said PMC’s offer to get started on 3 studies for 10 percent down was a good deal, and the city is familiar with their work. Ard agreed, and worked with PMC on the General Plan Executive Board, the beginning of the process. He said PMC’s finish product is good quality, and “everything we asked of them, they delivered.” Ard said: “We have a very good relationship with them, based on results.” Ulm said he “would like to see something of that cost go out to bid.” Schaufel said the council could write that provision, the 10 percent down deal, in its request for proposals for a project. Schaufel, Plank and Ard then voted to do seven different rate studies. City Manager Kim Kerr, who recommended signing a contract with PMC, said staff costs to prepare a request for qualifications would be about 20 hours’ work, or $2,000 to $2,500. Schaufel said the $195,000 was a “lot of spend if we are building a new wastewater treatment plant in 2 years.” Kerr said they would build rates based on that study, of sewer rates. Ard said wastewater rates would not change until a study was done, but rates would also be determined only after knowing Ione’s “partners on the plant.” He said those could include Mule Creek Prison, Preston, and CAL-FIRE. Other studies recommended by Kerr included Cost of Service and Fees; a Development Impact Fee Nexus; Affordable Housing Fees; a Business License Tax Update; and an advanced planning fee. Another would be a study of the Formation of Community Facility District for services city wide. Those were approved, but the method of contracting the work was not. Staff will bring the issue back when all council members are present. Kerr said “staff believes that the city will be hard pressed to find the services proposed in PMC’s proposal at a lower rate,” and recommended “that the city contract directly with PMC for these services.” She said the “council can prioritize the services needed over a 2-year period. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Amador County Treasurer and Tax Collector Michael Ryan is reminding taxpayers that unsecured taxes for the 2009-10 fiscal year are due and payable, and will become delinquent if not paid by 5 pm on Monday, August 31, 2009. Unsecured taxes are typically owed on boats, airplanes, business property, possessory interests, and mining claims. After August 31, delinquent unsecured taxes will be subject to a 10 percent penalty. Additional penalties and fees will accrue if these taxes remain unpaid after November 2, 2009. Payments may be made by mail sent to the Amador County Tax Collector, 810 Court Street, Jackson, CA 95642, and must be postmarked by the delinquent date of August 31, 2009 to avoid late penalties. Payments may also be made in person at the address shown above during normal business hours. Please note that Amador County offices are closed on Fridays. Additionally, payments may be made with a credit card over the telephone by calling 1-800-609-4599. Credit card and e-check payments may also be made over the Internet by visiting the websites shown on the County tax bill. Any questions regarding unsecured property taxes should be addressed to the Amador County Tax Collector at (209)223-6364. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – The California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, announced last week that $48.5 million in new funding has been made available for 106 Safe Routes to School projects throughout the state. “Safety is Caltrans’ number one priority,” said Director Randy Iwasaki. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our children as they travel to and from school.” In March of last year, the City of Jackson became the first local city to qualify under the program and received a chunk of the $780,000 allocated for countywide improvements under the stimulus package. A local match of 10 percent is required. The first project on the list was curb, gutter and sidewalk installation from Hoffman to Mariposa Street near Argonaut High School. “It’s a great project in general and a great addition to the area near the high school,” said Jackson City Manager Mike Daly, adding: “The pavement there is in real bad shape.” He said the next project will be a reconfiguration of the intersection at Court Street and Highway 88. Many Jackson officials have stated their support for funding received through the grant and the cause it supports. Safe Routes to School is a program that encourages children to walk and bicycle to school by conducting projects and activities that work to improve safety and reduce traffic and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. California was the first state to legislate such a program with dedicated funding from the State Highway Account in 1999. According to CALTRANS, the program came partly as the result of a worrisome rise in obesity amongst children and teenagers. Thirty years ago, 60 percent of children living within a 2-mile radius of a school walked or bicycled to school. Today, that number has dropped to less than 15 percent. To date, the state program has awarded $243.5 million for safety projects, and the federal Safe Routes to Schools Program has awarded $91.5 million. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.