Tom
Tuesday, 17 August 2010 06:17
AWA Approves Conditional Will-Serve Fee Schedule
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors last week voted 5-0 to start a new policy for existing conditional will-serve fees. The policy will require 5 percent of the fee to be paid at the initial signing of the conditional will-serve. It also sets a time frame for payments to be made in full after 3 years of the initial issuance. Critics from the public said the agency should charge more than 5 percent, including David Evitt, who asked “how the 5 percent would affect the overall operations of the AWA,” and whether the amount of funding generated would be good or “fall short of what’s really needed.” General Manger Gene Mancebo said fees paid before water is needed would help the planning effort. Mancebo said it has not been studied to determine the impact, “but it may have the effect of causing developers to change the way they seek conditional will-serves.” Evitt asked about the history of the fees. AWA attorney Steve Kronick said when AWA acquired the Amador Water System (AWS) in about 1986, the agency required that 100 percent of participation fees were paid at the time of issuance of the final map. Then it changed to the process of paying the fees when either water service or a meter was requested. Kronick said that policy has been in effect for 20 years. There were no fees charged in connection with the issuance of a will-serve commitment. President Bill Condrashoff, who spearheaded the policy change, said “within 3 years of issuance of a conditional will-serve, you will have paid it in full.” Director Terence Moore said like any other policy, they should try it and see if they like the results they get. Director Don Cooper was worried about committing will-serves without having a guarantee, and said in the current policy, the “agency is not really protected.” He said the agency or county should not approve subdivisions that don’t have water service. He gave the example of other counties issuing a final map without water service, and realtors saying the property had water. He said when a buyer of a lot wanted water service, the buyer went to the purveyor, who had a waiting list for water service. Cooper said the buyer then sued over lack of water service. Mancebo said the agency has “standby fees,” which allow the owner to “have water when they want it.” Kronick said that is something the agency should look at. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Tuesday, 17 August 2010 06:15
2 Central Valley Women Charged In House-Flipping Scheme
Amador County – Two central valley women are charged with swindling 34 victims out of $4.5 million through a house-flipping scheme promising huge financial rewards. This is the latest in a series of real estate schemes to hit the region. Leesa Marie Ward, 45, of Lodi and Alison Ann Jensen, 45, of Pleasanton appeared in a Stockton courtroom Monday for arraignment on a 46-count felony indictment charging them with grand theft, securities fraud and tax evasion. Ward was reportedly arrested Friday at her residence, while Jensen turned herself in at the County Jail around the same time. Their bail is set at $3 million each. The arrests were the culmination of a 3-year investigation by law enforcement into the Ward Real Estate Brokerage & Foreclosure Services Inc. in Tracy, where Ward, the firm’s namesake, served as chief executive. Authorities say that Ward and Jensen took investments on refurbished foreclosed homes and sold them for profit. They promised to pay back investors (many of who were elderly or infirmed) each month with interest. Payments ranged from $45 to $395,000. Many of their clients were elderly or infirmed. Investors alerted authorities to the alleged scheme after payments started drying up in 2006. In November of 2007, The California Department of Corrections issued a cease and desist order saying Ward was not authorized to conduct such a business and purposefully misled investors. San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney James Lewis convened a grand jury in July that heard from 46 witnesses on the matter. The jury issued indictments and arrest warrants were issued. The company’s bookkeeper, Sharon Lee Graham of Oakdale, is expected to turn herself in to authorities this week. She faces 10 related charges. Prosecutors believe she took more than $840,000 from investors. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Law Enforcement
Tuesday, 17 August 2010 06:12
LAFCO to Look at LAFCO Sphere of Influence Additions
Amador County – The Amador County Local Agency Formation Commission this week will consider making changes to the city of Jackson’s “sphere of influence,” and could also consider appointing Supervisor Ted Novelli to a newly revived Central California regional LAFCO board. The county LAFCO board will consider a resolution adopting an amendment to the “sphere of influence” of the city of Jackson. The city “proposes to expand its current sphere of influence into 4 areas.” Those include the Wicklow, Martell, New York Ranch Road, “and a small area along South Highway 49.” The city is the lead agency for the sphere of influence. LAFCO lists the agenda item as “categorically exempt” under the California Environmental Quality Act, because there is a “change in organization of local agencies without change to the geographical area in which previously existing powers are exercised.” The LAFCO board will also consider the nomination of Supervisor Ted Novelli to the CALAFCO (Cal LAFCO) board of directors in the newly reorganized “Central CALAFCO Region.” The board is also scheduled to have a discussion led by Novelli and possible action on legislation and matters related to the board meeting and CALAFCO business. At an annual conference in October, 2009, the CALAFCO board proposed to create geographic regions in the state to help in the sharing of resources, the enhancement of communication between different county Local Agency Formation Commissions, and to encourage regional-level input regarding legislative issues. The regional proposal sought to form 4 CALAFCOs regional offices in northern, southern, coastal and central areas of the state. Each region would be represented by one city, one county, one special district and one public member. The regional elections are scheduled to be held during the annual conference in October at Palm Springs. Amador County’s LAFCO board this week will also consider giving an extension to the Fiddletown Community Service District for completing its reorganization. The project began last September. Amador LAFCO will also hold a closed session for an annual performance evaluation, for Executive Director Roseanne Chamberlain. The current LAFCO board includes Supervisors Louis Boitano and Novelli, Plymouth Councilman Jon Colburn, Ione Mayor Skip Schaufel, and public member Jim Vinciquerra. Alternates are Supervisor Richard Forster, Jackson Councilman Pat Crew, and public alternate Byron Daminani. Boitano is LACFO chairman and Vinciguerra is vice chair. LAFCO meets 7 p.m. Thursday (August 19th) at the supervisors’ chambers, at 810 Court Street in Jackson. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Local
Monday, 16 August 2010 06:20
AFPD's Breazeal Awarded CESA Gold Award
Amador County - Cathy Koos Breazeal, Executive Director of the Amador Fire Safe Council, was honored last week with a Gold Award from the California Emergency Services Association (CESA) for her outstanding efforts in emergency management in Amador County. Lynne Olson, the County Emergency Services Coordinator and CESA member, nominated Cathy for this award. Cathy was selected for her award by the CESA State Board for her exemplary work in Amador County in the area of emergency preparedness including her work on the Amador Fire Safe Council (specifically the River Pines project completed June 2010), organizing and managing the Amador Animal Disaster and Evacuation Group, and her dedication to volunteerism with various groups impacting Amador County emergency management. The Gold Award is presented for exceptional efforts in the field of emergency management. It can be issued for preparedness efforts or for response to a specific event. Nominations come from the chapters and awards may be for both public and private sector nominees. Each year, CESA recognizes selected individuals and groups who have distinguished themselves while improving their community’s emergency preparedness. Cathy will attend the CESA banquet held in Monterey, California on September 16 to receive her award, which will be presented by Lynne Olson. A separate recognition will be held locally at the Amador Fire Safe Council meeting on August 18, 3 p.m., at the GSA building. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Friday, 13 August 2010 06:05
Bureau of Land Management Plans Wild Horse Burro Adoption
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News Archive
Monday, 16 August 2010 06:20
AFPD's Breazeal Awarded CESA Gold Award
Amador County - Cathy Koos Breazeal, Executive Director of the Amador Fire Safe Council, was honored last week with a Gold Award from the California Emergency Services Association (CESA) for her outstanding efforts in emergency management in Amador County. Lynne Olson, the County Emergency Services Coordinator and CESA member, nominated Cathy for this award. Cathy was selected for her award by the CESA State Board for her exemplary work in Amador County in the area of emergency preparedness including her work on the Amador Fire Safe Council (specifically the River Pines project completed June 2010), organizing and managing the Amador Animal Disaster and Evacuation Group, and her dedication to volunteerism with various groups impacting Amador County emergency management. The Gold Award is presented for exceptional efforts in the field of emergency management. It can be issued for preparedness efforts or for response to a specific event. Nominations come from the chapters and awards may be for both public and private sector nominees. Each year, CESA recognizes selected individuals and groups who have distinguished themselves while improving their community’s emergency preparedness. Cathy will attend the CESA banquet held in Monterey, California on September 16 to receive her award, which will be presented by Lynne Olson. A separate recognition will be held locally at the Amador Fire Safe Council meeting on August 18, 3 p.m., at the GSA building. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Friday, 13 August 2010 06:20
Caltrans Funding Delays
California – Caltrans announced Wednesday that delays in approval of a state budget for the next fiscal year will have huge impacts on funding for new and existing transportation projects throughout the state. As of now, it looks at though Amador County road projects will remain unaffected, but the delays could stop at least $262 million dollars for projects in our district (District 10) that are either awaiting allocated funds, under construction, or contingent upon the 2010 Budget Act. This includes $112 for roadway rehabilitation on Interstate 5 and Highway 99 in Sacramento County, $108 million for rehabilitation of Interstate’s 5 and 80 in Sacramento County, $20 million for partially completed bridge replacement on Highway 99 in Merced, $17 million for partially completed reconstruction of Highway 99 in Ceres, and $5 million for a roadway rehabilitation project on Route 4 within District 10. Although there is no financial impact in Amador County, Charles Field, Executive Director of the Amador County Transportation Commission, said there will be an indirect effect on local projects in the works. “Funding cutbacks would impact Caltrans ability to have all the resources and staff people it needs to help deliver projects on schedule,” said Field. “Caltrans is on 4 hour furlough weeks, and the new District 10 director who we would appeal to is going to work for Contra Costa County now,” he added. Field said all of this create a “ripple effect,” and small, rural county projects receive less attention. “Should the Budget Impasse continue through the end of August 2010, transportation fund cash balances may be depleted, resulting in potential suspension of ongoing construction projects,” said Cindy McKim, Director of Caltrans. Her concerns were outlined in a letter to Dale Bonner, Secretary of California’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. McKim wrote that during the 2008/09 fiscal year budget impasse, “payments for over 96,000 invoices were delayed resulting in more than $215,000 in penalties.” She said, “State tax revenue is impacted by delaying income to construction contractors and their employees” and project suspensions result in penalty payments to contractors and increased project costs. Caltrans currently has funding for transportation projects worth over $2.1 billion that are contingent on the approval of the state budget, and another $900 million in new contracts to construction firms and $9.5 billion of current construction that may be delayed. “Without a budget and the uncertainty of available cash for contracts after September, the department will not be awarding new contracts,” said McKim. “This impasse will cause a delay in new construction starts and delay the creation or saving of jobs.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Friday, 13 August 2010 06:15
Mel & Faye's Expands Music Venue
Amador County – Mel & Faye’s Diner in Jackson is expanding once again to accommodate the growing popularity of its frequent guest musical acts. Bart Gillman, who co-owns the establishment with his wife Maura, said the expansion was necessary in order to make space for the healthy crowds who attend these music events. “When we have band night, we end up taking tables and chairs out of the way and everyone is on their feet just to make it work,” says Gillman. “We’re just trying to make our music venue a better, more comfortable place.” The expansion adds another 232 square feet to the back corner of the fancy B.G’s bar area, which was built in place of the patio that existed before. Another 18 feet of mostly dance floor will be added upstairs, while a storage unit of equal size will be added downstairs. Gillman said the room will be soundproof with special acoustics, “beefed-up air conditioning,” better lighting and a sound system “upgraded for band quality sound.” It will also include a “portable stage.” The design is by architect Errol Esbit, who also took over the design of the restaurant’s current location roughly 6 years ago. Building construction is by Ron Oneto Construction. “The engineering is incredible; it’s not your typical building by any means,” says Gillman. He expects the addition to be completed by mid-September and opened soon thereafter. Gillman notes the flurry of construction activity is not necessarily because his business is doing well. He said he wants to give back to the community. “We just feel like people need something to do in these tough times, and even though a lot of times it may be a financial stretch, people enjoy entertainment and having fun and that’s what were trying to provide,” he said. Mel & Faye’s Diner was opened by Bart’s parents in 1956 and has since become a cornerstone business in the Jackson community. Bart and Maura took over the business around 7 years ago, shortly before it was moved just 100 yards south of the diner’s original location on Highway49/88. The business is most famous for the “Moo Burger,” served with cheese, two ground beef patties, plenty of toppings and a special sauce. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Friday, 13 August 2010 06:25
Sutter Creek Vice Mayor, Knight Foundry Owner to Meet
Amador County – About a week after the Sutter Creek City Council ended negotiations with the Lyman family on the long-sought purchase of the Knight Foundry, the council may be headed back to talks. Acting City Manager Sean Rabe said there was no guarantee that negotiations would resume, but the Lymans had requested a meeting with the city’s negotiating team. That meeting is set for next Thursday (August 19th). On Monday, August 16th, the city council will be briefed in a closed session, so staff can “update the full council on what’s going on.” Rabe said the city council could decide to cancel the negotiating team’s meeting with the foundry owner. Rabe said the meeting “may or may not reopen the purchase negotiations,” which stalled after the city had made a $1.5 million offer for the Knight Foundry. The city had specific issues with purchase requirements, including a “phasing of the purchase,” and indemnification. Rabe said there was “too much risk associated with some of the terms,” and those would be “key issues we’ll be talking about Thursday.” The negotiating team is made up of Rabe and Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy, but Rabe will miss the meeting, due to a negotiating meeting he has with city employee unions. The city has been negotiating for 8 years to acquire the property, and in May 2008 received a California Cultural and Historical Endowment grant of $870,000 for a partial purchase of the foundry. The U.S. EPA also granted the city $600,000 toward the environmental cleanup of the site. Rabe said the EPA funds could only be used if the city owned the foundry, and the state grant would have to be repaid if the city did not purchase the foundry. Rabe said the “city successfully negotiated a quit-claim deed to take ownership of the property last year and has been in ongoing negotiations over the terms of the purchase since that time.” Rabe in a release last week announced the end of negotiations, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Murphy said “several untenable demands made by the property owner and a difficult economy have created a situation where the city council cannot continue with the purchase.” Murphy said “it saddens me,” but the “structure of the purchase simply put the city at too great a risk.” The Knight Foundry is likely the last water-powered cast iron foundry in the United States. It was founded in 1872 by Samuel Knight, and operated for 124 years, until it last poured iron in 1996. The 138-year-old foundry is still in operation condition. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 16 August 2010 06:17
NYF Holds 1st Annual Mini-Triathlon
Amador County - Fifteen competitors ranging in age from 21-67 put their endurance to the test during New York Fitness’ (NYF) first annual mini-triathlon held August 7th and 8th on the grounds of the business. The competition began with an 8.3 mile virtual tour on the Expresso stationary bikes, followed by a looped 3.2 mile run, then commenced with a .42 mile swim equivalent to 30 lengths of the 25 yard lap pool. Many athletes were challenged with one segment or another of the mini triathlon, however men’s overall winner, Jim Brown, of Pioneer and women’s overall leader, Ellen Devlin, of Beaverton, Oregon showed true athleticism and strength in all 3 events. Brown completed the tri in a stellar 1:02:06 clinching the men’s 36-55 age division. Just 3 minutes off that pace was NYF’s own, Mike Nesler, recording a personal best time of 1:04:55. Devlin took the women’s 36-55 age category with a remarkable 1:15:38 . On her heels was 21-35 age division leader, Kerry Maxedon of Pine Grove with a 1:17:30. Based on positive feedback and enthusiasm, NYF plans to host a second annual mini triathlon in summer 2011! Readers can visit New York Fitness on Facebook to view photos of the event. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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