Tom
Monday, 12 April 2010 02:00
Plymouth Looks At 10% Transient Occupancy Tax
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council on Thursday took a step toward increasing the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent, by directing staff to prepare a resolution for a later meeting. Staff was directed to prepare a resolution that would increase the Transient Occupancy Tax on hotels, motels and mobile home parks inside city limits. The change will require a city-wide measure to be placed on the ballot by the county supervisors, and it would pass only with a 50 percent plus 1 vote of registered Plymouth voters. The council also asked staff to prepare language for a non-binding advisory measure to accompany the TOT measure on the ballot. The council wanted the advisory to ask 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. City Attorney Steven Rudolph said the advisory vote “may be legally not binding, but it probably has some political restrictions.” Rudolph said staff would explore definitions of tourism spending. City Manager Dixon Flynn recommended a 12 percent TOT tax, an increase of double the existing 6 percent. The council unanimously agreed to start the paperwork for the 10 percent TOT, but did not vote on the resolution supplied by Rudolph, because it left out the number of the percentage. Rudolph said: “I don’t think it would be appropriate since there wasn’t a number in there.” The council decided to seek a “general tax” increase, requiring a simple majority to pass, rather than a “special tax.” The special tax would have specifically designated spending areas, but would require a 2/3rd majority of the vote to pass. Councilman Jon Colburn wondered if an increase would simply go into the city general fund, and pay salaries, as is done with the current 6 percent TOT tax, which raised $75,000 last year. Flynn said a general tax could be accompanied with the advisory vote, and a list of 8-10 items on which spending could be made. Mayor Patricia Fordcye said “if we could enhance the city, it would bring in tourism.” She said extra funds should go toward any fixes that will help tourism, such as paving, sidewalks and flowers. Councilman Mike O’Meara agreed, saying it would be good to spend it on signage, landscaping, streets and sidewalks, and to “promote the area more.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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News Archive
Monday, 12 April 2010 06:05
Board of Supervisors Pre-Agenda Report with Richard Forster 4-12-10
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News Interview Videos
Monday, 12 April 2010 01:43
Amador County News TSPN TV with Christian Toma 4-12-10
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News Broadcast Videos
Monday, 12 April 2010 06:05
Board of Supervisors Pre-Agenda Report with Richard Forster 4-12-10
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Amador County Board of Supervisors Reports
Sunday, 04 April 2010 18:00
Teen Zone Live - Anne Lintz: Teen Safe Driver Program
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Teen Zone Live
Monday, 12 April 2010 02:00
Plymouth Looks At 10% Transient Occupancy Tax
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council on Thursday took a step toward increasing the city’s Transient Occupancy Tax from 6 percent to 10 percent, by directing staff to prepare a resolution for a later meeting. Staff was directed to prepare a resolution that would increase the Transient Occupancy Tax on hotels, motels and mobile home parks inside city limits. The change will require a city-wide measure to be placed on the ballot by the county supervisors, and it would pass only with a 50 percent plus 1 vote of registered Plymouth voters. The council also asked staff to prepare language for a non-binding advisory measure to accompany the TOT measure on the ballot. The council wanted the advisory to ask 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. City Attorney Steven Rudolph said the advisory vote “may be legally not binding, but it probably has some political restrictions.” Rudolph said staff would explore definitions of tourism spending. City Manager Dixon Flynn recommended a 12 percent TOT tax, an increase of double the existing 6 percent. The council unanimously agreed to start the paperwork for the 10 percent TOT, but did not vote on the resolution supplied by Rudolph, because it left out the number of the percentage. Rudolph said: “I don’t think it would be appropriate since there wasn’t a number in there.” The council decided to seek a “general tax” increase, requiring a simple majority to pass, rather than a “special tax.” The special tax would have specifically designated spending areas, but would require a 2/3rd majority of the vote to pass. Councilman Jon Colburn wondered if an increase would simply go into the city general fund, and pay salaries, as is done with the current 6 percent TOT tax, which raised $75,000 last year. Flynn said a general tax could be accompanied with the advisory vote, and a list of 8-10 items on which spending could be made. Mayor Patricia Fordcye said “if we could enhance the city, it would bring in tourism.” She said extra funds should go toward any fixes that will help tourism, such as paving, sidewalks and flowers. Councilman Mike O’Meara agreed, saying it would be good to spend it on signage, landscaping, streets and sidewalks, and to “promote the area more.” 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, 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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Fire
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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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 01:51
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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Water
