Tom
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:24
CAL FIRE Anticipates Difficult Fire Season
Amador County - The Amador-El Dorado-Sacramento-Alpine Unit of CAL FIRE is reminding everyone that we are moving into a period of increased risk of wildfires. Although there has been an unusually wet and extended spring, temperatures will be increasing and humidities will be decreasing, drying out the lighter vegetation such as grass and increasing the risk of wildfires. Summer will be here soon and CAL FIRE anticipates that wildfires will be unusually difficult and hazardous to firefighters due to the amount of broken off or crushed to the ground trees from the December snow storm and an unusually thick and tall grass crop. Unit Fire Chief Bill Holmes reminds everyone to clean up around their property now making a 100 foot defensible space around all structures. Lastly, although dooryard burning is allowed with a burning permit now, there will be a burn ban around July 1. Visit CAL FIRE's website at www.fire.ca.gov or www.readyforwildfire.org for more information or call (530) 644-2345 for a free brochure. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:26
AWA Nixes 'Up Front' Developer Service Fees
Amador County – After 2 days of discussion last week, including a public workshop and resuming the topic the next day, the Amador Water Agency board of directors decided Thursday to shy away from the idea of charging “up front” developer service fees. The AWA board revised a proposed amendment to its “will serve” and participation fee policy, which will be reintroduced at the June 10th board meeting, “and voted on at a subsequent meeting,” said AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo. If adopted, the new ordinance would go into effect 30 days after adoption. Board President Bill Condrashoff proposed a new fee schedule, including a requirement for the initial 10 percent to be paid up front with the conditional will-serve commitment. Mancebo said in a release Monday that a “new provision in the ordinance would give property owners 2 years after receiving a conditional will serve commitment to pay 10 percent of participation fees due.” It would also “allow one 3-year extension before a final map and additional payment would be required.” Conditions of the commitment agreement “would be reviewed and could be revised if an extension is requested. When a final map is recorded, 25 percent of participation fees would be due,” and there would be “credit for previous payment.” 25 percent annual payments then would be made over the ensuing 3 years. The “installment plan” would be “subject to any increase in participation fees taking place until payment is made in full.” Another change would allow fee refunds “only until the final map stage, and any refund would be applied to fees for another property in the same system, a future project, or when other participation fees are collected.” AWA policy now requires fee payment when an application is made for a building permit, when a lot sells, or when service is requested. The fees buy into existing systems, and pay toward “capacity impacts.” Mancebo said “changes under consideration are designed to cover agency costs” such as “reserving” water supply and for the “infrastructure for property owners who hold will-serve commitments indefinitely,” as “there is no time limit to a will-serve commitment.” The board must still decide “whether to require any pending applications for water service to be subject to the new ordinance,” an issue that “will be taken up at a future board meeting.” From Staff reports This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:27
$400,000 in Mental Health Funding Awarded to County
Amador County - The California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission on Thursday approved a total of $7,196,161 for mental health services in Amador, Madera, San Francisco, and Sonoma Counties. $417,195 in Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds were approved for Amador County. PEI funds are approved for programs that apply strategies focused on preventing mental illness from becoming severe and disabling. MHSOAC Chair Andrew Poat said, “Our prevention programs will decrease expensive emergency room visits as we provide prevention services to consumers of mental health services. Prevention and Early Intervention funds will keep kids in school, keep families together, and will avoid long term unemployment.” Amador County will use their PEI funds for five projects. Project 4, Promotores de Salud, addresses access issues to mental health services in the Spanish-speaking community. Access will be increased by providing transportation and dealing with language barriers and stigma issues. “We will stop requiring consumers to “fail first” before receiving services and we will move to a “help first” system. Prevention and Early Intervention programs are a new approach to mental health in California. This program is a win for both mental health consumers and taxpayers,” said Poat. $854,297 was approved for Madera County, $4,200,900 was approved for San Francisco County, and $1,723,769 was approved for Sonoma County for Innovation (INN) programs. The funds approved by the MHSOAC for Innovation (INN) purposes will help fund county mental health programs that are “novel, creative, and ingenious” in their mental health approaches. These programs are also being developed within communities in ways that are inclusive and representative. Poat said, “Innovation funds will help to jump start our thinking about how to improve our mental health programs.” The MHSOAC met on Thursday, May 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento. The California MHSOAC is a 16-member commission charged with the oversight of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The MHSA was approved by California voters in 2004 as Proposition 63 to provide for expanded mental health services in California. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:29
Supes Reconsider Kennel Permit Laws
Amador County – Animal Control Director John Vail and representatives of the County Planning Department urged the Board of Supervisors last week to revisit and possibly amend existing County laws pertaining to kennel permits, with the issue eventually being tabled for further review by County staff. A “proposed resolution of intention to amend Title 19 (Zoning) and Title 8 (animals) was submitted to the board by the Planning Department, as is proper procedure. Planning Director Susan Grijalva wrote in the agenda that, “Existing and proposed situations have arisen demonstrating a review of the kennel ordinance and definitions may be warranted to more adequately meet the needs and desires of the County.” Specifically, she said “not all residential zone districts can apply for a non-commercial kennel permit to allow more than four dogs as personal pets” and “the responsibility for kennel regulations needs to be clarified.” Vail said there is no existing provision to make an exemption for people in some residential zones who may own more than four dogs due to circumstances. He recalled the story of a person who owned dogs and promised a dying relative that they would care for their four dogs as well. He said the current four dog limit was “set arbitrarily” some time ago and should be revisited. “When people have emotional ties or responsibilities to these animals, it’s not that simple for them to let go,” said Vail. He said that although he is sympathetic to their situation, his department “still has regulations they must enforce” which may result in taking away someone’s pets. Supervisors Richard Forster and Louis Boitano, both of whom were on the board when the four dog limit was set, opted not to revisit the basic number but said they were open to other solutions. Vail said some Supervisors have been contacted by citizens frustrated with current law, especially when it changes across different zones and regions. The Supervisors chose not to make any decisions regarding zone changes, and instead “unanimously moved to adopt a resolution of intention to initiate proceedings to consider changes.” Vail said that means the board approves of the idea but wants the Planning Department to create a plan with specific proposed changes. The Planning Department will bring suggestions for changes back to the board within the next month. 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
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:30
Plymouth Tables Transient Occupancy Tax Until June 10
Amador County – Plymouth City Council last week tabled several items, including a ballot measure to increase the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax. It was tabled to June 10th, so the full council could have input. Councilwoman Pat Shackleton and Mayor Pat Fordyce were absent last week. City Manager Dixon Flynn also asked council members to discuss the TOT ballot measure with 49er Village owner Chuck Hayes. Flynn said Hayes “did not feel he was notified about the (TOT) meeting in April.” Flynn said he didn’t “think anyone in town did not know about it,” and City Clerk Gloria Stoddard said she mailed Hayes an agenda, so “it may have been an oversight by him.” The council on April 8th directed staff to prepare a ballot measure that if passed on a city-wide vote would raise the Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent on hotels, motels and mobile home park rentals inside city limits. The change would require a simple majority vote of 50 percent plus 1 to pass. A non-binding advisory measure will accompany the TOT measure, asking voters if 2 percent of the 4 percent increase should be spent on enhancing tourism, and 2 percent should be spent on streets, roads and landscaping. Plymouth’s current 6 percent TOT tax raised $75,000 last year and Finance Manager Jeff Gardner said the 4 percent increase could add another $50,000 to that total. Gardner last week gave a year to date budget report, saying that revenues were down, especially in TOT. He said the “third quarter this year was quite wet, windy and rainy,” hurting tourism. But he said “stay-cations” were expected to increase more local vacationers who forego flying to take road trips. Flynn said promotions may help, including large group special rates at 49er Village. He said the TOT and the city might also benefit from a hotel planned by the owners of Taste Restaurant. Colburn said new owners of the Shenandoah Inn are refurbishing the place, and were at Lowe’s recently buying Jacuzzi tubs. City Treasurer Suzon Hatley said the owners have refurbished 70 percent of the rooms at Shenandoah Inn and they plan a community open house to show what they’ve done. They were also doing landscaping, but were slowed by weather. Community Development Director Barry Siebe said the rooms are very nice, “word is getting out,” and “people have seen the transformation.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
News Archive
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:30
Plymouth Tables Transient Occupancy Tax Until June 10
Amador County – Plymouth City Council last week tabled several items, including a ballot measure to increase the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax. It was tabled to June 10th, so the full council could have input. Councilwoman Pat Shackleton and Mayor Pat Fordyce were absent last week. City Manager Dixon Flynn also asked council members to discuss the TOT ballot measure with 49er Village owner Chuck Hayes. Flynn said Hayes “did not feel he was notified about the (TOT) meeting in April.” Flynn said he didn’t “think anyone in town did not know about it,” and City Clerk Gloria Stoddard said she mailed Hayes an agenda, so “it may have been an oversight by him.” The council on April 8th directed staff to prepare a ballot measure that if passed on a city-wide vote would raise the Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent on hotels, motels and mobile home park rentals inside city limits. The change would require a simple majority vote of 50 percent plus 1 to pass. A non-binding advisory measure will accompany the TOT measure, asking voters if 2 percent of the 4 percent increase should be spent on enhancing tourism, and 2 percent should be spent on streets, roads and landscaping. Plymouth’s current 6 percent TOT tax raised $75,000 last year and Finance Manager Jeff Gardner said the 4 percent increase could add another $50,000 to that total. Gardner last week gave a year to date budget report, saying that revenues were down, especially in TOT. He said the “third quarter this year was quite wet, windy and rainy,” hurting tourism. But he said “stay-cations” were expected to increase more local vacationers who forego flying to take road trips. Flynn said promotions may help, including large group special rates at 49er Village. He said the TOT and the city might also benefit from a hotel planned by the owners of Taste Restaurant. Colburn said new owners of the Shenandoah Inn are refurbishing the place, and were at Lowe’s recently buying Jacuzzi tubs. City Treasurer Suzon Hatley said the owners have refurbished 70 percent of the rooms at Shenandoah Inn and they plan a community open house to show what they’ve done. They were also doing landscaping, but were slowed by weather. Community Development Director Barry Siebe said the rooms are very nice, “word is getting out,” and “people have seen the transformation.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:29
Supes Reconsider Kennel Permit Laws
Amador County – Animal Control Director John Vail and representatives of the County Planning Department urged the Board of Supervisors last week to revisit and possibly amend existing County laws pertaining to kennel permits, with the issue eventually being tabled for further review by County staff. A “proposed resolution of intention to amend Title 19 (Zoning) and Title 8 (animals) was submitted to the board by the Planning Department, as is proper procedure. Planning Director Susan Grijalva wrote in the agenda that, “Existing and proposed situations have arisen demonstrating a review of the kennel ordinance and definitions may be warranted to more adequately meet the needs and desires of the County.” Specifically, she said “not all residential zone districts can apply for a non-commercial kennel permit to allow more than four dogs as personal pets” and “the responsibility for kennel regulations needs to be clarified.” Vail said there is no existing provision to make an exemption for people in some residential zones who may own more than four dogs due to circumstances. He recalled the story of a person who owned dogs and promised a dying relative that they would care for their four dogs as well. He said the current four dog limit was “set arbitrarily” some time ago and should be revisited. “When people have emotional ties or responsibilities to these animals, it’s not that simple for them to let go,” said Vail. He said that although he is sympathetic to their situation, his department “still has regulations they must enforce” which may result in taking away someone’s pets. Supervisors Richard Forster and Louis Boitano, both of whom were on the board when the four dog limit was set, opted not to revisit the basic number but said they were open to other solutions. Vail said some Supervisors have been contacted by citizens frustrated with current law, especially when it changes across different zones and regions. The Supervisors chose not to make any decisions regarding zone changes, and instead “unanimously moved to adopt a resolution of intention to initiate proceedings to consider changes.” Vail said that means the board approves of the idea but wants the Planning Department to create a plan with specific proposed changes. The Planning Department will bring suggestions for changes back to the board within the next month. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:27
$400,000 in Mental Health Funding Awarded to County
Amador County - The California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission on Thursday approved a total of $7,196,161 for mental health services in Amador, Madera, San Francisco, and Sonoma Counties. $417,195 in Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) funds were approved for Amador County. PEI funds are approved for programs that apply strategies focused on preventing mental illness from becoming severe and disabling. MHSOAC Chair Andrew Poat said, “Our prevention programs will decrease expensive emergency room visits as we provide prevention services to consumers of mental health services. Prevention and Early Intervention funds will keep kids in school, keep families together, and will avoid long term unemployment.” Amador County will use their PEI funds for five projects. Project 4, Promotores de Salud, addresses access issues to mental health services in the Spanish-speaking community. Access will be increased by providing transportation and dealing with language barriers and stigma issues. “We will stop requiring consumers to “fail first” before receiving services and we will move to a “help first” system. Prevention and Early Intervention programs are a new approach to mental health in California. This program is a win for both mental health consumers and taxpayers,” said Poat. $854,297 was approved for Madera County, $4,200,900 was approved for San Francisco County, and $1,723,769 was approved for Sonoma County for Innovation (INN) programs. The funds approved by the MHSOAC for Innovation (INN) purposes will help fund county mental health programs that are “novel, creative, and ingenious” in their mental health approaches. These programs are also being developed within communities in ways that are inclusive and representative. Poat said, “Innovation funds will help to jump start our thinking about how to improve our mental health programs.” The MHSOAC met on Thursday, May 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento. The California MHSOAC is a 16-member commission charged with the oversight of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). The MHSA was approved by California voters in 2004 as Proposition 63 to provide for expanded mental health services in California. Staff Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Local
Wednesday, 02 June 2010 03:26
AWA Nixes 'Up Front' Developer Service Fees
Amador County – After 2 days of discussion last week, including a public workshop and resuming the topic the next day, the Amador Water Agency board of directors decided Thursday to shy away from the idea of charging “up front” developer service fees. The AWA board revised a proposed amendment to its “will serve” and participation fee policy, which will be reintroduced at the June 10th board meeting, “and voted on at a subsequent meeting,” said AWA General Manager Gene Mancebo. If adopted, the new ordinance would go into effect 30 days after adoption. Board President Bill Condrashoff proposed a new fee schedule, including a requirement for the initial 10 percent to be paid up front with the conditional will-serve commitment. Mancebo said in a release Monday that a “new provision in the ordinance would give property owners 2 years after receiving a conditional will serve commitment to pay 10 percent of participation fees due.” It would also “allow one 3-year extension before a final map and additional payment would be required.” Conditions of the commitment agreement “would be reviewed and could be revised if an extension is requested. When a final map is recorded, 25 percent of participation fees would be due,” and there would be “credit for previous payment.” 25 percent annual payments then would be made over the ensuing 3 years. The “installment plan” would be “subject to any increase in participation fees taking place until payment is made in full.” Another change would allow fee refunds “only until the final map stage, and any refund would be applied to fees for another property in the same system, a future project, or when other participation fees are collected.” AWA policy now requires fee payment when an application is made for a building permit, when a lot sells, or when service is requested. The fees buy into existing systems, and pay toward “capacity impacts.” Mancebo said “changes under consideration are designed to cover agency costs” such as “reserving” water supply and for the “infrastructure for property owners who hold will-serve commitments indefinitely,” as “there is no time limit to a will-serve commitment.” The board must still decide “whether to require any pending applications for water service to be subject to the new ordinance,” an issue that “will be taken up at a future board meeting.” From Staff reports This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published in
Water
