Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/21/2009 04:21 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/25/2009 09:13 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Lode Hotel, Hwy 4 Bypass, Alleyway and More Discussed at City Of Angels Camp Meeting on Tuesday Eve~by Victor Claveau
Angels Camp, CA.....The Angels Camp City Council met on Tuesday eve. Here is the Synopsis of the Meeting on January 20, 2009.....
  
Photo's of the Lode Hotel
Attendees:
Mayor Jack Lynch
Vice-Mayor Jack Boeding
Council Members Paul Raggio, Elaine Morris, Craig Turco
City Attorney Richard Matranga
City Administrator Tim Shearer
Various other City Officials and Staff
Call to Order
Mayor Jack Lynch called the meeting to order at 5 p.m.
1.Consideration of issuing order of abatement of public nuisance (continued from 1/6/09).
Dorothy Cashero represented herself and provided a progress report on her efforts to comply with the order to clean up her property. The council (5-0-0) allowed a 30-day extension to comply with the order, with an interim progress report to be provided by Code Enforcement Officer, Olen Murphy, at the February 3rd meeting.
2.Closure of Alleyway off Pacific Street as recommended by the Safety Services Committee (Continued from 12/15/08).
Issue: Alleyway borders Mark Twain Elementary School. Alleyway is used by residents to access their garages and backyards. In past, alleyway was used by some residents to store or dismantle automobiles.
Question: Would closure hinder fire department? Answer: Fire department would have a key to gate. This could delay access by fire crews in an emergency.
Discussion: Atty Kenneth Airola, representing one of the area residents, argued that the alleyway was created for residents and they required access. Six residents and concerned citizens spoke against the closure. The alleyway has been cleaned up; the problem no longer exists, closure is not necessary.
Council member Raggio suggested that a gate be installed and keys given to residents and necessary city officials who might require access. Council members Boeding and Morris, Raggio opined against having a gate installed. Turco requested further information and sought compromise. Mayor Lynch requested further information from City Attorney.
Action by Council: Delay decision until City Attorney Richard Matranga could make a determination of the legal impact of closure. Council member Raggio amended motion to ask that one of two decisions be considered: 1) abandonment or 2) Gate.
Raggio stated that the only reason he considers a gate necessary is to keep the school children out of the alleyway.
Vote to continue matter 4-1(Boeding)-0
Adjourn
6:00 p.m. Reconvene to Regular Meeting
Council Agenda
Minutes of Regular meeting – January 6, 2009 Approved
MOTION to pay bills – passed
REGULAR AGENDA
Public Comments:
a.Tim McSorly discussed President Obama’s Economic stimulus package and explained the 3 billion dollars had been earmarked for California, one billion of which would go to the state government and 2 Billion would go to local projects such as roads. Recommended that the City request a share of these funds for local projects.
b.Completion of the Hwy 4 bypass project may be delayed due to lack of funds. An exception to finish the project has been sought.
c.Retired Police Officer Donny Brooksher questioned why the city has 10 police officers when the recommendation of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) is one sworn officer for every 1,000 people. He stated that the position of Police Officer is the most expensive position in City government. He also questioned why it was deemed necessary to approve a Police Officer salary increase of 21%. In addition, Mr. Brooksher stated his opposition to the enlargement of the sewer plant. He stated that the city has 6.5 Million dollars in the bank, which has been accumulated by over-charging residents for water and sewer services. He further stated that an “anticipated population growth rate” of 3% is not realistic, when the city lost 90 residents in 2008. “In 1910 there the city’s population was 4,000; today it is 3760”. Mr Brooksher asked the Council not to approve the expansion of the water treatment plant.
d.Mayor Lynch asked that the discussion be continued after the council sub-committee meeting to be held February 11th meeting (8:30 a.m.) and the water meeting to be held Friday February 20.
3.Brand Leadership Team Quarterly Update – Dixon Collins/Anne Forrest.
Anne Forrest narrated a 15 minute Power-Point presentation on the promotion of Angels Camp as “The Mountain Sports Capital”. She explained that 20% of the tourist dollar is spent on “the lure” (sport activity) and the other 80% is spent of food, lodging, and entertainment. Council approved the continuation of the project. For further information about this project contact Dixon @ 209-559-4781 or Anne Forrest @ 736-2236.
4.Consideration of Abatement/demolition of the Lode Hotel (continued from December 16, 2008).
Code Enforcement Officer Olen Murphy stated that no action has been taken by hotel owner Mr. Ashlock to comply with the abatement of the hotel and suggested that the City move ahead with the legal process requiring the abatement. Recap: 1) The City required that the front deck and overhanging porch be removed and replaced as it is considered to be a safety hazard; 2) that all combustible items be removed from the hotel; and 3) to abate the leaning of the hotel on the adjacent building to the South.
Issue 1. Hotel owner, Mr. Tim Ashlock was represented by Civil Engineer Frank Walters who stated that Mr. Ashlock has been prepared to replace the front deck, and submitted plans to the City Building Department in November 2007. The new deck would be built to hold 100# per sq. ft. The hotel was built around 1890-1895 and that the primary structure is safe. It is only the deck that has to be removed and replaced.
Action: Council directed that a building permit be issued on January 21, 2009 allowing the deck to be removed and replaced and that Mr. Ashlock complete the project within 15 days. A review of the matter would take place at the next Council meeting. Vote: 4-1 (Turco)-0).
Issue 2. Mr. Walters stated that all combustible materials had been removed from the hotel and this statement was accepted by the council members.
Issue 3. Code Enforcer, Mr. Olen Murphy stated at a December 2 Council Meeting that the Lode Hotel in downtown Angels Camp is so unstable that it is leaning against the rain gutter of the building next to it. When questioned, City Engineer Gary Ghio, stated that he did not do a scientific examination of the structure, but made a visual determination that the building was leaning. Mr. Walters stated that he made an evaluation of the building using proper instrumentation and determined that it is not leaning to the South, but approximately 3 degrees to the North. Mr. Walters said more investigation (or a more in-depth engineering study) will need to be done to determine if the building is actually leaning or is it bulging, as well as determining the structural integrity of the building in its entirety. Council voted 5-0-0 to set aside this last issue until the February 3rd meeting.
5.Accepting Fire Severity Zone Map. David Hanham, Planning Director.
Mr. Hanham displayed a Fire Severity Zone Map and explained how the map was developed by CAL FIRE. The map outlined which areas of the city have the highest risk of fire damage. The discussion was about how such a map could be used by insurers to determine whether or not homeowners would be insurable and at what rate. The consensus of the Council was that the severity area on this latest map had been reduced and would affect the fewest number of household. Planning Director Hanham recommended approval of map. Vote for approval - 5-0-0.
6.Review and Comment on Draft County Water Element. David Hanham, Planning Director. The “Water Element” is part of the general plan concerned with Water Rights and Supply. Utica Power Authority is the water delivery system. Mr. Vern Pyle, General Manager of UPA, informed the Council that the General Plan and the Water Elements need to be solidly based upon a factual and realistic assessment of each agency’s water rights, actual water supply reliability during droughts, and water conveyance rights. The county should not be relying on 13 year old data to determine a water element. The Council
7.Various Board and Commission Appointments.
The Mayor’s appointments are as follows:
CITY of ANGELS CAMP
2009 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
CITY COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEES:
Personnel/Finance/Quality of Life Boeding, Turco
1st Monday – 8:30 am
Safety Services Morris, Turco
2nd Wednesday – 8:30 am
Infrastructure/Facilities Lynch, Raggio
3rd Friday – 8:30 am
CITY COMMITTEES:
Brand Leadership Team Boeding
1st Wednesday – 8:30 am
Alternate Lynch
Landscape/Lighting District Boeding, Morris
1st Thursday – 2:00 pm
Traffic Circulation Raggio
2nd Wednesday – 6:00 pm
Alternate Morris
INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEES:
Calaveras Public Power Agency (CPPA) – Monthly
Representative (1): Raggio
Alternate: Turco
Central Sierra Planning Council – Quarterly
Representative (1): Morris
Alternate: Raggio
Central Sierra Resources Council – Monthly
Representative (1): Turco
Alternate: Morris
Council of Governments (CCOG) – 1st Wednesday – 6:30 pm
Representative (2): Morris, Turco
Alternate: Boeding, Raggio, Lynch
League of California Cities – Quarterly
Representative (1): Boeding
Alternate: Lynch
(League of California Cities) Central Valley Executive Committee – Quarterly
Representative (1): Boeding
Alternate: Lynch
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) – 3rd Monday – 6 pm
Representative (2): Boeding, Lynch
Alternates: Morris, Raggio, Turco
Solid Waste Management – Monthly
Representative (1): Raggio
Alternate: Boeding
Utica Power Authority (UPA) – 4th Tuesday – 5:30 pm
Representatives (2) – Lynch, Raggio
Alternates: Boeding, Morris, Turco
8.Council Agenda, Changing the order of Business. Council Member Turco. Council member Turco suggested changes to the order of business for council meetings, which was approved by the council. Vote 5-0-0.
The agenda for future meetings will be:
5 p.m. Abatement hearings and other options.
6 p.m. Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Invocation
Approval of Agenda
Consent agenda
Staff Reports
Council Reports
Public Comments
Regular Agenda
Calendar
Adjournment
9.City Council Workshop, Mayor Lynch. Council agreed to set a time for a meeting to discuss City Council Handbook Issues.
9 p.m. Meeting adjourned to closed session.
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