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Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:24

Supes Approve New Traffic Fee Category for Certain Fast-Food Locations

Amador County - The Amador County Board of Supervisors heard an annual report last week on the Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee (RTMF) program and approved an amendment which will create a new fee category for fast food restaurants located within a shopping center or community. Charles Field, Executive Director of the Amador County Transportation Commission, said the report contains the results of “the RTMF oversight committee’s recommendations for program funding and other program implementation work for fiscal year 2009/10.” The issue of creating a new fast food fee category was originally raised last November, when the interests behind a Carl’s Jr. restaurant proposed for construction in the Martell Shopping Center submitted a letter to the Public Works department asking them to reconsider the existing method of determining traffic mitigation fees for such an establishment. Frank Oley of Oley & Associates, speaking on behalf of the restaurant, said current fee structures are “not consistent with actual traffic mitigation” and “this will place a heavy burden on all but the largest fast food traffic generators.” Roger Stuart of the Public Works Agency said Oley & Associates originally approached his agency with the restaurant proposal in the summer of 2008 when the traffic combined regional and local mitigation fees totaled around $144,000 total. Oley said there are a “number of reasons” traffic mitigation fees should be applied differently to Carl’s Jr. He said the business “won’t serve as many because the cost of the product is a little bit higher” and the business’ location within the shopping center means it would not have “immediate and direct access to a public roadway.” Oley said that under current standards, “it would take several years of non-profit just to pay the traffic impact fees.” Field said the resolution signed last Tuesday means the present one-time fee of $48,944 per 1000 square feet will go down to $18,240 per 1000 square feet for local fast food restaurants not adjacent to state highways. Supervisor Richard Forster said the decision eases the burden on some new businesses and has the support of local cities like Ione and Jackson. As stated in the resolution approved by the Board, the RTMF was established in October 2006 “for the purpose of collecting fees from new development to off-set the impacts of said new development upon the regional traffic circulation system.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:23

AWA Sets Aside 2 Days to Finalize 2010-2011 Budget

Amador County – The Amador Water Agency will discuss budgets this week, talking about La Mel Heights District 3 Today (June 29th), and setting aside Wednesday and Thursday for the agency’s general budget. The personnel committee meets 8 a.m. Wednesday in closed session to negotiate General Manager Gene Mancebo’s contract. The full board meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the “approval to fully implement the water rate increase for the Amador Water System previously adopted by resolution.” The meeting includes review and possible approval of the 2010-2011 budget and capital improvement program. The agenda includes a resolution that would authorize “the payment of certain necessary expenses until approval” of the budget. The board has the same agenda on Thursday (July 1st), and it could continue work on all of the items. The board also holds a special meeting 7 p.m. today (June 29th) at Lockwood Fire Station Number 2 to discuss the La Mel Heights Water System. The public meeting with La Mel Heights customers was planned to “discuss operational and financial options and answer questions on information provided previously.” The AWA will discuss alternatives to get the budget balanced at the small improvement district, whose members stopped a rate increase last October with a proposition 218 protest. The increases would have been 8 percent the first year, and 15 percent each of the next 2 years after that. The agency will discuss 5 options for the La Mel system, as prepared by staff. In the report, Mancebo said: “Staff’s primary recommendation has been… consolidation of La Mel and the Amador Water System,” because as “part of a larger system, property owners would enjoy financial stability as costs are spread over a much larger customer base.” The options include a “minimal rate increase (5 percent per year for 3 years) coupled with drastic operational budget cuts.” But La Mel begins repaying an internal loan this year, with annual payments of $9,620, which Mancebo said “represents nearly 20 percent of their operating revenue.” Staff prepared analyses of that option, which included deferring loan payments to the 4th year of a financial plan already approved by the AWA board for La Mel. Mancebo said “bare bones operation might balance the budget,” but emergencies could lead to special assessments to pay for repairs. Other options for La Mel include forming its own legal entity to manage and operate the system; annexation to Volcano, Fiddletown or another community service district; or abandonment by the AWA. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Water

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:20

Law, Safety Officials Prepare for 4th of July Weekend

Amador County – Fourth of July weekend is right around the corner, and the U.S. Forest Service, public land offices and law enforcement agencies are preparing for any and all situations that may arise on one of the biggest recreational holidays of the year. The Forest Service is urging visitors to keep wildfire prevention in mind during celebrations on public land. “Possession of fireworks of any kind, including sparklers, is illegal,” said the agency last week, adding: “Campfires and charcoal barbecue grills are not permitted on Forest Service beaches or in the general forest.” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said last week “the Forest Service recently provided more than $35 million in grants to state forestry agencies for preparedness, suppression, equipment, and training for more than 42,000 personnel.” The agency also provided more than $10 million in grants to local volunteer fire departments. The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit says “an additional safety concern is the volume of runoff from snow melt causing rivers, creeks and waterfalls to run high, fast and cold.” They say “water that you may have crossed easily at one point in the day may not be crossable when you're ready to return.” Marine law enforcement officers will also be out in force at various public lakes and waterways as part of a national coordinated effort known as Operation Dry Water. They will be looking for boat operators whose Blood Alcohol Content exceeds the state limit of .08 percent. Operation Dry Water will include increased patrols, breathalyzer tests, as well as boater education. “We want people to be safe and have fun while recreational boating, but alcohol use has become the leading contributing factor in fatal recreational boating accidents,” said marine law enforcement officials in a release last week. According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, Boating Under the Influence is still the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, with 17 percent of boating fatalities a direct result of alcohol or drug use. Finally, getting to and from your weekend vacation is an important time to stay alert, as the Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous driving days of the year. A survey release Monday from the University of Minnesota's Center for Excellence in Rural Safety found an overwhelming 83 percent of Americans consider the winter months to be more dangerous , and only 8 percent believe summer is the most dangerous time on the roads. This is contrary to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which says traffic and holiday-drinking are the primary causes of accidents during the holiday. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in Local

Monday, 28 June 2010 06:05

Jackson Rancheria Sponsors ACRA Disc Golf Course at Mollie Joyce Park

Amador County – The Amador County Recreation Agency has received a sponsorship from Jackson Rancheria to build part of a 9-hole flying disc golf course at Mollie Joyce Park in Pioneer. The Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel & Conference Center has sponsored part of the project with $2,800, said Matt Nestor, recreation specialist with ACRA. The fund will be enough to purchase 8 holes, and Play-It-Again Sports of Jackson will sponsor the 9th hole for $350. ACRA has a sponsorship of concrete from the Lowe’s home center, and Kam Merzlak of Merzlak Signs will donate course signage. Nestor planned to pick up the 9 baskets today (Friday, June 25th) from the Disc Golf Association. DGA is giving ACRA a 10% discount on the “Mach 5” baskets because ACRA is a public agency. The 76-acre park was deeded to ACRA by Fred Joyce on February 5th, 2008, on condition that the park be maintained for public recreation use. Agency Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep and program specialist Matt Nestor approached local disc golfers about placing a disc golf course at the park. Volunteers helped design the course around Mollie Joyce Park’s hilly and wooded terrain, where Pete Staple of ACRA maintenance cut fire breaks in the scrub brush. Staple has also brought the two Little League Baseball fields at the park up to pristine condition, and ballgames have become a regular fixture at the park again, after years of non-use, when Sacramento School District discontinued its science camp there. Disc golf is played like golf, except a Frisbee or flying disc is used instead of a ball. The discs are thrown at wooden poles or at steel poles with baskets and steel chains hanging from them. Right now, Molly Joyce Park has 18 holes marked out with wooden posts, which must be struck by the disc to complete each hole. ACRA hopes to have the 9-hole basket course completed by July, and it is still seeking sponsors for the other 9 holes, to have a complete 18-hole course. Volunteers meet to discuss it’s the disc golf course layout 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 30th at Mollie Joyce Park. Mollie Joyce Park also hosted a “Music in the Park” series last week, featuring live music by Electra Road on Friday (June 25th) with beer, wine & refreshments. For info, call ACRA’s Matt Nestor at (209) 223-6373. Online see www.goacra.com. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 28 June 2010 06:06

Jackson Planning Tables Architectural Regulations Review

Amador County - The Jackson Planning Commission arrived last Monday ready to review draft architectural regulations, but tabled the item until committee members submit information that should have previously been incorporated into the document. The draft regulations were recommended by the nine-member Architectural Regulations Committee, established by the City Council on May 11, 2009. The committee was to consider whether design regulations should apply citywide, whether guidelines should be voluntary or mandatory, and who should be responsible for project reviews. According to City Planner Susan Peters, the proposed regulations “are essentially comprised of general standards which apply citywide, more stringent standards that apply to residential and commercial development in the historic areas of the City, and standards for new subdivisions.” An outline was recommended to the council last August and, said Peters, “the purpose of Monday’s meeting was to hold a workshop to begin review” of the regulations. But, she said, “There are, unfortunately, a few missing portions that staff has not had time to complete prior to this Planning Commission meeting.” City Clerk Gisele Cangelosi said “certain important documents were missing.” She said there is a meeting planned for July 8 in which she, Susan Peters and Commission Vice-Chair Kathryn Devlin will sit down to review and assemble a completed document. She said the guidelines will then be resubmitted to the council for review on July 19. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 28 June 2010 06:08

Plymouth Could Assign Franchise to ACES Waste Service

Amador County – The Plymouth City Council on Tuesday will consider approving the sale of its city waste services franchise to ACES Waste Service of Pine Grove. The council earlier this month heard from ACES president and owner Paul Molinelli Senior about his company’s bid to take ownership of the franchise agreement from Waste Connections, which they are trying to close on Thursday, July 1st. City Manager Dixon Flynn told the council June 10th that he had reviewed all related documents and found everything in line, and he told the council that a resolution would be prepared and placed on the next agenda. City Attorney Laura Hollender in a report last week recommended approving the resolution to transfer the franchise to ACES. The exclusive franchise was awarded in July 2005 for solid waste and recycling services. On May 5th of this year, Waste Connections sent a letter “seeking approval to assign the Franchise Contract to ACES.” City staff members and Councilman Jon Colburn met with ACES on May 18th to discuss the company’s abilities to serve the city, Hollender said. Staff asked for and received more information about the company, and determined ACES “has the financial competency, equipment inventory, and performance and service record to provide” the city with services. The attorney said there was no fiscal impact as the “terms of the franchise contract are not being amended” in the reassignment process, and the existing contract will remain in place. The council Tuesday could also finalize its 2010-2011 budget, and will consider an ordinance that would amend the Transient Occupancy Tax code to keep recreation vehicle parks at a 6% TOT. Other lodging room rentals would be subject to a proposed increase of 4%, which will go to city voters in November. The council will also hear from Charles Field about Amador County Transportation Commission’s annual report on its Regional Traffic Mitigation Fee Program. The program’s oversight committee is calling for another $100,000 to be put toward the Plymouth intersection of Highway 49 and Main Street, although the solution there is yet to be decided. The council will also consider an amendment to the Lodge Hill lease agreement with the county and Amador County Recreation Agency; and Richard Prima will present a “Safe Routes To School” grant application. The council has a special meeting day this week because last week’s meeting was postponed, due to lack of a quorum. The council meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (June 29th). Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 28 June 2010 06:01

SAH Staff Honored at EMS Awards Dinner

Amador County – The Mountain Valley Emergency Medical Agency recently honored Sutter Amador Hospital emergency room staff and a physician at their annual EMS Awards Dinner at the American Legion. “It is an honor to receive these awards,” says Karen Woods, Director of Emergency Services at Sutter Amador Hospital. “Our employees and physician are very deserving.” Recipients at this year’s EMS Awards Dinner are Dr. Kurt Pope, who was honored as Best Hospital Physician of the Year; Registered Nurse Gerrie Winstead, who was honored as Mobile Intensive Care Nurse of the Year; Registered Nurse Monika Faeustle, honored as Emergency Department Staff Member of the Year; and Clerical Coordinator Vicki Haggart, honored as Unsung Hero. All recipients are dedicated emergency department staff and have been with Sutter Amador Hospital for 14 years or more. Dr. Popke has been an emergency room physician at Sutter Amador Hospital for almost 14 years; Winstead an employee there for 15 years - both are previous recipients of their awards. Faeustle has been an emergency department employee at Sutter Amador Hospital for 25 years and Haggart has been an employee there for 22 years. From everyone at Sutter Amador Hospital, congratulations and thank you for all of your hard work! A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published in News Archive

Monday, 28 June 2010 06:03

Shriners Hospital Holds Free Amadior Childrens Clinic

Amador County - For the first time in Amador County, Shriners Hospitals for Children held a well attended screening clinic in the Amador County Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek on Saturday June 12, 2010. During this no-cost clinic, 16 children were found eligible to receive care through the specialized services available at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento with no financial obligation to the parents or families. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this clinic and the benefit to children in our local community,” said Tom Thompson, President of local Mother Lode Shriners. “Without the use of the Health and Human Services Building in Sutter Creek and support of our Board of Supervisors, the huge success of this clinic would not have been possible. Living and working in a community where the health of our children is so highly valued truly deserves praise.” Mr. Thompson further commented on the local medical community who readily volunteered their time without hesitation to the children of Amador County. “Dr. Amy Appleton from Sutter Amador Pediatric Center, Dr. Bob Hartmann, and our nurses, Barbara Long, Mary Richards, and Carole Myers should also be commended for the seamless clinic operation.” Every year, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides care for thousands of kids, up to age 18, with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, in a family-centered environment. A family's income or insurance status are not criteria for a child's acceptance as a patient. There is no charge for services provided within Shriners Hospitals for Children facilities. Transportation to Shiners Hospital is provided free of charge. “As a physician in our county, I see the substantial benefit of programs like this,” commented Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer. “The lives of each of these children will be vastly affected by the care they receive and will be evident both physically and emotionally as their conditions are treated.” Shriners Hospitals for Children have been changing the lives of children since 1922. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.