Tom
Monday, 12 April 2010 18:00
Spring Frosts Concern Amador Grape Growers
Amador County - The unusual rash of wet and cold weather this spring is concerning many Amador vintners and grape growers who say frost could damage their young and fragile grape crop. In recent weeks, temperatures have dipped lower than average and snow has reached lower elevations. Across the Shenandoah Valley, buds are blooming on grape vines that will eventually become Merlot, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and any number of other wine varieties. Frost damage at this time of year generally begins to occur at 31 degrees after half an hour. Over the last couple weeks, temperatures have dipped a couple times into the 30s and lower. Scott Oneto, University of California Cooperative Extension Amador Farm Advisor, told the Sacramento bee that frost damage should remain at a minimum in Amador County vineyards. He said the past weeks have been troublesome, but “those growers with wind machines have been well-protected.” A number of growers have said they are putting out giant wind fans to help circulate the air across the plants. Oneto said growers have different ways to help prevent damage, including ground covers, chemicals and keep soil disking to a minimum. Paul Sobon of Sobon winery says this is a fragile time for the plants when buds can turn black from the frost. He said his crop is ranging from 25 to 50 percent of normal. Sobon said the risk of frost damage will continue until about the second week of May for wine fields in the Mother Lode area. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 12 April 2010 18:00
California Agriculture Water Summit Looks At State’s Water Needs
Amador County - A recent California Agriculture Water Summit raised many issues related to California agriculture’s short, intermediate and long-term water needs, but finding solutions for those needs in an ongoing process. Last November, 60 representatives from over 23 Counties throughout California met in Sacramento to voice their concerns and bring solutions to the table. “The goals of this summit were to provide a grassroots forum to discuss issues related to California agriculture’s…water needs, to explore solutions to unify California agriculture, and to strengthen efforts to protect and enhance the future of California agriculture’s water supply,” said Russell van Loben Sels, President of the Sacramento County Farm Bureau, a non-profit association supported by the dues of its 3,000 members. Loben Sels and his group presented information about the Delta, considered to be a key water source for farm lands across the state. The group identified a list of six “key elements needed to develop solutions for improved California agriculture water supply reliability,” said Loben Sels. These are storage, conveyance, alternative supplies, groundwater and watershed management, balancing the economy and science, and public education and unified messaging. “Water conveyance was the top one as far as urgency,” said Charlotte Mitchell, Executive Director of the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. “How do we get water moving south so those farmers can get water while at the same time preserving the Delta? That is an ongoing question,” she said. When determining solutions, participants were asked to consider what the shared purpose is, what input is needed to fully design the change and how decisions should be recommended. Ideas were generated and are still being discussed in ongoing forums and workshops. Although no long-term solutions were agreed upon, Loben Sels said “we all left with a better understanding of the problems, needs, and concerns of other regions and a basis for future interaction to develop positions and programs to enhance and improve the water supply for California agriculture.” Mitchell will appear on TSPN on May 4th to further discuss the issue of Delta water conveyance and the results of the Summit. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Monday, 12 April 2010 18:00
AWA Resumes Tanner Pond Cover Replacement Project
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors voted 5-0 last week to resume a project to replace a floating cover over the “clearwell” at the Tanner water plant on Ridge Road. Staff requested that the board direct them to proceed with the project as previously approved. The board in March requested staff analysis of impacts that could come from delaying the repair of the cover, in an effort to save money on the $111,000 project. The agency received a letter of rebuke from the California Department of Public Health, warning of possible increased requirements if the project did not commence as planned. Joseph Spano of the Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management in a letter April 7th said the Health Department had leaned that AWA “may postpone the replacing of the deteriorated floating cover on the Tanner clearwell until fall of this year.” Spano said the “department strongly opposes this plan and recommends that AWA” replace the cover as originally planned. The letter notified the board that if the project did not commence, AWA would be required to do daily chlorine reporting and daily inspections of the cover; and the state would do weekly analyses for coliform bacteria density. Spano also threatened that if the project was not resumed as planned, AWA would be required to “thoroughly review” its July 2000 Tanner “Clearwell Floating Cover Operation and Maintenance Plan.” The AWA board voted 5-0 to approve staff recommendations, without debate, or a staff presentation. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said the board directed staff to look at a possible delay until fall to ease cashflow issues, and see if any adverse costs would occur. Staff found cost impacts via the contract, and “simultaneously” got the letter from the DHS saying that its requirements that would also add to costs. The report by John Griffin said AWA’s board awarded a contract March 3rd to Layfield Environmental Services, which ordered the new cover and received approval from Public Health for its replacement plan, which included a May 14th completion date. March 25th, the board asked staff to “investigate potential cost implications” of delaying the project until the fall. The board faced paying $50 a day to Layfield for a contract suspension that was not the “fault of the contractor.” In 3 months it would cost $4,500, and 6 months cost $9,000. AWA could also face delay and “extended overhead claims.” After a 60-day suspension, the “contractor has the option of terminating the project,” which would cost the agency to rebid. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Water
Monday, 12 April 2010 18:00
Christine Pelosi to Speak At Next Democratic Club Meeting
Amador County – Christine Pelosi, a daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is scheduled to speak at an upcoming meeting of the Amador Democratic Central Committee. Pelosi will discuss her new book, “Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders,” based in part on her work as an attorney and activist for the Democratic Party. The book spans a period from 2006 to 2008 in which Pelosi followed different Congressional candidates in their quest to unseat incumbents. She directs the AFSCME PEOPLE/New House PAC Congressional Candidates Boot Camp and has helped 23 Democratic challengers get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her other experience includes service as Deputy City Attorney and Assistant District Attorney for the City of San Francisco; Executive Director and Platform Chair of the California Democratic Party; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Special Counsel in the Clinton/Gore Administration; and Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative John F. Tierney. She is also a superdelegate for the Democratic Party and was one of the few votes that helped Barack Obama secure the democratic nomination on June 3, 2008. The Amador event takes place at 6 p.m. on April 23 in Thomi’s Banquet Room, 627 South Highway 49 in Jackson. For more information, call the Democratic Central Committee at 257-1397. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 12 April 2010 01:58
Ione Special meeting to Look At Fire Services Staffing Plan
Amador County – The Ione City Council will hold a special meeting at 2:30 p.m. today (Monday, April 12th) to discuss city fire department staffing, salaries and benefits. The council will discuss the city’s plan, a members plan for the Amador Fire Protection Authority and Measure M funding. City Manager Kim Kerr (CURR) gave background information in a report to the board last week. She said the city has received more than $210,000 for the past year from the statewide Proposition 172 and Measure M, both ½-cent sales taxes. Measure M money was allocated by the AFPA and approved by the Amador Board of Supervisors last year, and Ione started receiving money last November. In July 2008, Ione adopted a Fire Engineer job description. Kerr said the “pay range for Fire Engineer needs to be established, but a 2008 salary survey recommended the range of $3,206 to $3,897 a month, plus benefits. Staff will present additional information at the meeting today on staff levels and costs. Kerr said: “Overall, staff is not recommending 100 percent staffing or spending 100 percent of the revenues from Measure M and Proposition 172 at this time due to the volatility in sales tax revenues.” She said “the city’s general fund does not have funds to support the fire staffing if there is not sufficient revenues to cover the employee and operational costs.” Currently, Ione Fire Department has a Duty Officer scheduled around the clock – for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. The on-duty Duty Officer “has to be within 5 miles” of Ione at all times. Ione Fire staff includes a Fire Chief, an Assistant Fire Chief, 7 Captains, and 26 fire fighters/engineers, plus support staff. Kerr said staff is “reviewing various staffing options that will build on the current” structure in place at the department. Fire Chief Ken Mackey and Kerr will present additional information to the city council at the meeting today and answer any questions. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 12 April 2010 01:51
AWA Looks At Will-Serve Policy Changes
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency last week looked at proposed amendments to its will-serve policy, and directed staff to work on potentially adding 4 suggestions to existing policy. Staff was directed to have the suggestions ready for board consideration by the first meeting in May. Board President Bill Condrashoff brought a list of 7 proposals, and had staff photocopy that list for the board and audience. Condrashoff said one proposals was already being done by the agency, in charging $1,000 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit for conditional will-serve extensions. Staff was directed work on incorporating that and 3 other suggestions into existing board policy, to be considered in May. That included leaving “no time limit” on will-serves; changing minimum payments toward participation fees to be fully paid in 3 years; and that “100 percent payment locks in participation fees at the time of payment.” AWA attorney Steve Kronick said the agency adopted its conditional will-serve policy in 1988 or 1989, and at the time took a lot of input from stakeholders regarding the length of will-serves. At the time, it was felt that 2 years was an adequate time. He said it “was somewhat tied to the length of time it took to get a final map.” Kronick said the length of time for getting final maps has changed, and is now longer. He said “this is a significant issue to address,” and to make the decision, the board really should get the input of stakeholders. He said city and county officials and developers would all want to comment, and it would be “good to get their take on it now before we make decisions.” The board did not recommend study of 3 items on the list, including participation fee forfeits, participation refunds, and adding a cost for a “standby.” Kronick said adding standby costs would be a Proposition 218 issue, and developers could vote no. He said they “can try to get the developer to approve the standby fee in advance, but I don’t know whether or not it is legal.” Condrashoff asked about changing conditional will-serve requirements that are still in place. Director Terence Moore said “changing conditions of a will-serve seems to go against state law.” Moore said he preferred allowing conditional will-serve to be in effect as long as a tentative map was in place. Moore voted against a 4-1 approval to have staff work on incorporating the 4 suggestions into staff policy, to be considered at the May 13th meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 12 April 2010 01:53
Jr. High Spelling Bee Winners Head to State Championship
Amador County - Amador County Public Schools held their “First” Annual Junior High Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at Jackson Junior High School. Twenty-four School Site Spelling Champions from Ione Junior High School, Jackson Junior High School and North Star Independent Study participated in the event. The first place winner was Krista Chew, 8th grader from Jackson Junior High School, second place winner was Matthew Spinetta, 7th grader from Ione Junior High School and the third place winner was Monique Salinger, 8th grader from Jackson Junior High School. Matthew and Monique had to have a “spell off” for second place. Krista and Matthew will attend the Junior High State Spelling Bee Championship on May 8, 2010 at Miller Creek Middle School in San Rafael, California. Congratulations to the Amador County Public Schools Junior High School Spelling Champions and all School Site Champions! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Monday, 12 April 2010 01:56
Hwy.88 Scoping Meetings Exposes Public Concerns
Amador County – Public comment at Wednesday’s scoping meeting on the Pine Grove/Highway 88 Corridor Project shed light on the many concerns residents have about the estimated $40 million project. Representatives of the Amador County Transportation Commission and Caltrans fielded questions from a packed and muggy hall full of concerned citizens. As explained by ACTC Project Manager Neil Peacock, the project includes 12 different alternatives for route modifications at a price tag “not to exceed $40 million.” Most alternatives include building an entirely new bypass that would completely or partially circumvent the town. Peacock’s PowerPoint presentation included color-coded maps visualizing each route possibility. Peacock was joined by ACTC Community Outreach Consultant Leslie Regos (RAY-GOES) and representatives of Caltrans, considered the “Lead Agency” on the project. During public comment, Pine Grove resident John Carlson said “my concern is for the involvement of the community.” He said that in his perception, efforts towards community outreach have been lacking thus far. One citizen seemed to echo the concerns of many in the crowd when she advised project-heads not to “bypass Pine Grove and have us lose any economic advantage,” referring to the many dollars spent locally by travelers heading to and from the Sierras. Colleen Daubenmeyer said “we need the road; it’s going to kill the town otherwise.” She questioned the project analysis that said a road modification is necessary because of traffic congestion. “Congestion, what do they mean, when the school lets out? We have no congestion,” said Daubenmeyer (DOB-IN-MEYER) to a round of applause. Gary Reinoehl (RINE-EL) said he wanted specifics on how participants are selected for the Stakeholders Working Group, which will consist of representatives from various interests representing Pine Grove. He said past projects have altered the amount of representatives to include fewer citizens in the participation process. The panel assured the crowd that they are taking great steps to assure transparency and public participation. A sheet was hung on the wall where attendees could write down the name of groups they felt would be the best to participate in the Stakeholders Working Group. Peacock said all documents are available on the ACTC website at www.actc-amador.org. Project construction is not estimated to take place until 2024. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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