Tom
Friday, 20 August 2010 06:24
AWA Looks at Tenant, Rental Billing Policy
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week looked at streamlining its relationship with home renting customers. Staff told the board August 12th that disproportionate office time is spent on a small group of customers, namely tenants of rental property. Board Clerk Cris Thompson said in effect, agency staff is acting as the middleman in the housing rental business. General Manager Gene Mancebo said the Rules & Rates Committee (made up of District 5 Director Terence Moore and Vice President Debbie Dunn of District 4) will look into the issue, and could direct staff on further study. The aim is to help agency staff limit its time spent on customers who rent homes, or to possibly change the fees involved. Finance Manager Mike Lee said the agency deals with tenants, but the owner is liable for bills. They also “notify owners (when a tenant bill is delinquent) so they can stay ahead of our shutoff procedure.” The agency has a lot of turnover in rentals, with costs coming from meter readings for old tenants, another for new tenants, and service orders. Lee said “right now we’re right in the middle of the rental business,” and new policy “takes us out of the rental business.” Thompson said “11 percent of the customer base creates 35 percent of the customer service workload.” Mancebo said the agency will look at its ability to bill for extra work. Attorney Steve Kronick said penalties and interest are set by statute, and cannot be surpassed. Penalties for late payments, door tags and shutoff charges can be raised, but must be reasonably related to actual costs. Late payment is a 1.5 percent penalty, a door tag is 10 percent, and a shutoff is 25 percent (and more than that after hours,) Mancebo said. Thompson said it takes 3-4 months to collect from an owner when a renter ditches on a bill, and “even then it goes to a lien.” Thompson said with owners, you can shut off service and create a lien, but with tenants, “a lot of times we can’t collect.” Lee said a “$10 door tag has to be reviewed,” and changing it would take some study. Staff was asked to look for areas to lower costs, Thompson told the board, and she said has brought this to the attention of the AWA board before, with no change. The board discussed the possibility of involving the property owners at a future meeting. Mancebo said the board indicated that through the committee, they would give direction to staff on how to proceed, and where to study the issue. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Friday, 20 August 2010 06:22
Amador County Schools Go Back in Session
Amador County - Students across Amador County are savoring their last days of summer freedom. The majority of Amador County schools will be going back in session over the next two weeks. In preparation for the new school season, school and law enforcement officials are reminding citizens to look out for children while driving, especially during the hours shortly before and after school is in session. Ione Elementary’s new year began on August 16 and Jackson Jr. High’s session started August 17. Many local kindergarteners are also already back in class. Upcoming start dates for elementary schools are Tuesday, August 24 for Jackson Elementary, Pioneer Elementary, Sutter Creek Elementary, and 2nd through 5th grade at Ione Elementary. Sutter Creek Primary also starts August 24, and Pine Grove Elementary starts August 31. Argonaut and Amador High are both set to start school again on September 1, although Amador High’s start date is subject to change. Ione Jr. High School starts Wednesday, September 1. The latest start dates are for Independence High School and North Star Independent on Thursday, September 9. TSPN will bring you another report in the coming weeks on attendance numbers. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 20 August 2010 06:19
Mountain Lion Spotted on Carson Drive, Allen Ranch in Sutter Creek
Amador County – Sutter Creek has been the latest area to get several reports of mountain lions being spotted. New Sutter Creek Police Chief Brian Klier (Clear) reported to the city council Monday (August 16th) that approximately 10 mountain lion sightings have been reported, with the sightings occurring on Carson Drive and Allen Ranch. Klier said no police personnel have seen the lion, but the people making the reports “are pretty sure about what they saw.” He said the California Fish & Game ranger for the county has been notified. He asked that people be careful in those areas, especially in the early morning and late in the day. Klier noted that Ione Police Department last week announced it had verified mountain lion sightings near the Ione Junior High School, which included a suspected mother lion and her young. Klier said if people encounter a mountain lion, they should make themselves “bigger,” raising arms. They should also make the lion aware that people are present, by making noise. He said do not throw anything at a mountain lion. They can only be shot “in cases of eminent danger for human life,” Klier said. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 20 August 2010 06:16
Mountain Lions Protected, But So is California Public Safety
Amador County – Mountain lion sightings in Ione and Sutter Creek recently have led local authorities to warn people to be on the lookout. California Department of Fish & Game says 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions could live in California, where more than half of the state is considered “prime mountain lion habitat.” Fish & Game’s website said mountain lions are not threatened nor endangered, but “are legally classified as specially protected species,” after passage of Proposition 117 in 1990, which made it illegal to hunt mountain lions in California. “This status and other statutes prohibit the Department of Fish and Game from recommending a hunting season for lions, and it is illegal to take, injure, possess, transport, import, or sell any mountain lion or part of a mountain lion.” Mountain lions may be killed only “if a depredation permit is issued to take a specific lion killing livestock or pets;” “to preserve public safety;” or to “protect listed bighorn sheep.” Fish & Game’s Public Safety Wildlife Guidelines say “an animal is deemed to be a public safety threat” if there is a “likelihood of human injury based on the totality of the circumstances.” Factors considered in the determination “include the lion’s behavior and its proximity to schools, playgrounds and other public gathering places.” The determination that “an animal is a public safety threat” is made by Fish & Game, or “local law enforcement.” If that determination is made, Fish & Game or police “will secure the area, then locate and kill the offending animal as soon as possible.” Fish & Game “does not relocate mountain lions that are a threat to public safety.” Mountain lions “can be found wherever deer are present, since deer are a mountain lion’s main food source. Foothills and mountains are the most suitable mountain lion habitat.” Fish & Game said “mountain lion attacks on humans are rare,” with only “16 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1890.” 6 of the attacks were fatal. The last documented attack in January, 2007, in Humboldt County. Fish & Game “receives hundreds of reported mountain lion sightings annually statewide, but fewer than 3 percent turn out to be verified public safety threats.” For example, in 2004, “there were 14 public safety mountain lions killed” in California. Fish & Game recommends reducing encounter risk by deer-proofing the landscape, to “avoid attracting a lion’s main food source.” Also, remove dense vegetation from around the home and install outdoor lighting to make it difficult for mountain lions to approach unseen. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 20 August 2010 06:13
Camp Out For Cancer in Plymouth This Year
Amador County – The annual local cancer-fighting “Camp Out For Cancer” has a new home this year, and will be held at the Amador County Fair grounds in Plymouth. The location is the third in the history of the Camp Out For Cancer, which began at the Amador High School football stadium, and also was held at the Argonaut High School football stadium. The cancer support group, “Amador Support, Transportation and Resource Services” (or STARS) is the annual sponsor of the walk-a-thon that raises money that primarily stays local, and typically raises close to $100,000. This year’s Camp Out For Cancer is September 11th and 12th at the Amador County Fair grounds in Plymouth. The theme will be Roping and Riding for the Cancer Cure, so participants are encouraged to start planning their western decorations. Team captain and team member registration materials are now available for download at AmadorStars.org. Organizers said the Amador County Camp Out for Cancer “is an amazing community event,” with cancer survivors and people of all ages participating in the 24-hour event to raise money and awareness of local cancer needs. “Each team has at least one person walking throughout the event,” and “volunteers fill luminary bags with sand and candles, prepare meals for the crowd, play games, and have their heads shaved in support of cancer victims – all leading up to Saturday night’s moving Illumination Ceremony.” With thousands of lighted luminaries honoring cancer victims and survivors ringing the staging area, “the names of the honored are read aloud while the campers walk in silence.” Organizers said “STARS is proud to help meet local cancer needs and assist in the search for a cure.” Organizers said the “Amador STARS sponsors 2 support groups for those on the cancer journey.” The “General Cancer Support Group,” meets 10 a.m. on the 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Amador STARS office. Both men and women are welcome to attend the group’s meetings. Organizers said the “group welcomes everyone touched by cancer to attend,” including “cancer patients, caregivers or anyone needing support. Another group is Women Shine With STARS, which meets 10:30 a.m. on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Amador STARS office. The group is designed for women only, for “those who are going through cancer treatment, those supporting a cancer patient, or caregivers of cancer patients. The women support each other, while doing an array of projects or field trips.” The Amador STARS office is in the Safeway shopping center, 2 doors down from Safeway. Call Amador STARS at 223-1246. STARS support includes transportation of cancer patients, a lending library and other resources. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:17
Convicted Killer Smithey Found Ineligible for Death Penalty
Calaveras County – The Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday in a release that convicted killer George Hatton Smithey is determined to be mentally retarded, making him ineligible for the death penalty under the U.S. Constitution. Smithey, 70, was convicted of the April 5, 1988 murder, attempted rape and robbery of Cheryl Ann Nesler, 25, in her trailer near Glencoe. Calaveras County Deputy District Attorney Seth Matthews and Deputy State Public Defender Mary K. McComb obtained a court order on Monday that authorized a neuropsychologist, Dr. Daniel Martell, to conduct the test. Martell was also retained to analyze the findings of the defense psychologist used in the case, Dr. Dale G. Watson. The release said the move came as the result of an order issued by the California Supreme Court in September 2008 “requiring the Calaveras County District Attorney to show cause as to why the death penalty should not be vacated due to the Defendant’s claim of mental retardation, and a life sentence imposed instead of death.” The California Supreme Court order was issued in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Smithey’s defense in 1998. The same court denied all other claims in that petition. In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited the use of the death penalty for punishment of mentally retarded offenders under the Eighth Amendment. The Calaveras County District Attorney said that as a result of these new findings, “we expect the court will commute the Defendant’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.” The next court hearing is set for August 23, 2010 at 3 p.m. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:20
Sutter Creek Reallocates $325K to align Prospect-Bowers Drives
Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council joined most of the Amador County Transportation Commission members Monday in approving the reallocation of $325,000 toward the realignment of Prospect Drive in Sutter Creek. The funds were left over from the Mission Drive extension project, now complete in Jackson. The realignment of Prospect Drive will join it with Bowers Drive at a T-intersection on Ridge Road. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field said the project would help traffic in-flow into the new Walgreens store at Ridge and 49, with road access from Bowers Drive. Field said the reallocation of funds would allow ACTC the matching funds to qualify for a grant of $1.7 million for construction of the Sutter Creek project, up from $1.2 million. Councilman Pat Crosby asked if the project would allow left turn lanes into Bowers and Prospect. Field confirmed that it would. He said the intersection would not be “signalized” with electric lights, but the conduits for them will go in place, in this, the 2nd phase of the project. He said signals must meet Caltrans “warrants,” and a list from a “guide book” that “justifies signals on a state highway.” Lights would go in with Phase 3, but “would be unhooked from signals until Caltrans gives us the green light,” Field said, asking pardon for his pun. Mayor Pro Tempore said “it sounds like a great project for us, and it is one example where cities and the county share revenue for everybody’s benefit.” The funds come through the Regional Traffic Mitigation Program. Field said Wednesday that the Fee program came together quickly and has stood up well for ACTC members. A recent amendment created a new 3-tiered schedule of rates for different types of restaurants. He said a new nexus study was not needed because engineering existed for the change. Plymouth City Council criticized the 3-tiered plan because it gave a preference for lower rates to Carl’s Junior. Field said the tiers have obvious differences in the car trips they create, and Plymouth later approved it. Field said the Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave another show of support for the regional fee program when they unanimously voted to decline a request to reduce traffic mitigation fees for Big 5 Sporting Goods in Martell. Big 5 is being built in 5 store fronts in Martell, including the former locations of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, BeginAgains, AAA Insurance, and Verizon Wireless. Field said ultimately, a new traffic impact nexus study will be needed, for a new, streamlined fee schedule. ACTC members want it simpler, such as commercial and residential categories, to help curb requests for rate adjustments and exemptions. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:22
Supes Deny Request for Big 5 Traffic Mitigation Fee Reduction
Amador County - The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to deny an appeal requesting a recalculation of traffic mitigation fees for the Big 5 Sporting Goods store to be located in the Amador Plaza Shopping Center. The appeal was filed by J&S Management Owner Sheila Ortloff after a denial by the Public Health Department. Ortloff, while present at the meeting, was represented during comment by her daughter, Kari Ortloff-Evernden. As explained in a letter to the board, Ortloff thought the fee for her establishment was an error because “the portion of the building which will be used exclusively for storage is being charged a retail traffic impact rate.” A pre-application review estimate for the store fees was based on the replacement of existing small shops within a proposed expansion creating an additional 1,000 square feet of retail space and 2,500 square feet of storage. Ortloff’s company, J&S Management, said the estimate should be based on the Medium Volume Retail fee of $7,202 per 1000 square feet. Mike Israel, director of the Amador County Environmental Health Department, wrote in a response that the set fee for her establishment is based on a rate structure that differentiates between high volume, medium volume and low volume retail. He explained that “past practice for collecting (traffic fees) did not separate out storage area unless the business was primarily for storage purposes.” The final formula proposed by Israel took into consideration both the retail and storage space at a total estimated fee of $18,005. Ortloff also asked the board to “take into account the proposed Carl’s Jr. Restaurant which is requesting that your board waive all traffic impact fees.” The board and Israel explained that she was mistaken, and that the board never waived fees for fast food restaurants. In June, Supervisors approved a new fee category for fast food restaurants located within a shopping center or community based on a request by the interests behind a Carl’s Jr. restaurant proposed for construction in the Martell Shopping Center. That resulted in a reduction of the one-time fee of $48,944 per 1000 square feet to $18,240 per 1000 square feet for local fast food restaurants not adjacent to state highways. A motion by Supervisor Richard Forster to deny J&S Management’s appeal was unanimously approved. No further appeals can be made on the matter. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 06:25
SEIR Says Buena Vista Biomass Power Will Have Significant Environmental Impacts
Amador County – Amador County Planning released a Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Buena Vista Biomass Power Plant this week that lists significant impacts in Jackson Valley from the proposed project, including emissions, light and noise. A 45-day comment period opened Tuesday and the Amador County Planning Commission set a public meeting to consider certifying the Draft SEIR. Buena Vista Biomass Power LLC has been working to revamp and reopen the former Cogen plant as an electricity plant, and has received a federal Wildland Fire Management grant for $2.4 million for restoration of the existing facility. The commission will get an overview of the project and take oral comments September 28th. A final decision cannot be made until the commission certifies the SEIR’s compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The SEIR, prepared by Douglas Brown of Ascent Environmental of Sacramento, said the “purpose of an EIR is not to recommend either approval or denial of a project.” Instead, “CEQA requires decision-makers to balance the benefits of a project against its unavoidable environmental effects.” The executive summary lists impacts expected to be “significant and unavoidable,” even with implementation of mitigating measures. Those included “long-term emissions of nitrogen oxides” into the air that “would exceed the recommended thresholds.” It said “operational emissions of (nitrogen oxide) could violate or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation” and could also “expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations.” The report said nitrogen oxide emissions would “exceed both the recommended thresholds of 10 tons a year and 65 pounds a day.” The project would also generate noise levels that “could exceed applicable noise standards.” The summary said the “project’s lighting would result in a significant and unavoidable impact on nighttime lighting,” because “the facility is currently minimally lit and there are few significant light sources in the area.” The project also could have cumulative traffic and operational noise impacts on Coal Mine and Buena Vista roads, where “proposed mitigation measures may be infeasible.” The project also could cumulatively affect Jackson Valley aesthetics, substantially altering “visual character” by “increasing the intensity of the site’s industrial activities.” Per CEQA, areas of impact found to be “not significant” were left out of the SEIR, including agriculture, cultural resources, energy, land use, mineral resources, populations & housing, and recreation. The planning department will compile and respond to comments in a Final Subsequent EIR. The public comment period closes 5 p.m. September 30th. The Planning Commission public meeting on the Draft SEIR is September 28th. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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