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VOLUME 171 • ISSUE 98 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
MONDAY, AUGUST 22 2022
Homeless shelter vote back to supes ■ Tiny homes to help Caldor Fire victims also on agenda Noel Stack Managing Editor The long-delayed contract to construct a homeless shelter/ navigation center on Perks Court in Placerville is back on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors’ agenda this week as is an effort promoted by District 2 Supervisor George Turnboo to purchase tiny homes for Caldor Fire victims.
Third time’s a charm? In April 2022 supervisors declared a homeless shelter crisis, which exempts an emergency shelter from certain provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act and exempts the shelter from competitive bidding requirements. The Aug. 23 agenda item asks that a nearly $3.66 million contract go to G&G Builders Inc., which was awarded a no-bid, $140,000 contract in May 2022 to compile information about the Perks Court site, establish cost estimates and establish a construction schedule for the project. The board set the goal to have the center operational by fall — now a month away.
Last month the supervisors planned to vote on the construction contract at the July 26 meeting; however, the matter was delayed two days after Health and Human Services staff and Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton acknowledged a budget error — appropriations were not included in the county's approved 2022-23 budget. “Over the weekend I was made aware of an oversight related to the budgeted appropriations that precludes the board from being able to approve the contract without a budget transfer,” Ashton wrote in a letter to supervisors. The second delay came at the special meeting called July 28,
when District 3 Supervisor Wendy Thomas had to recuse herself due to a complaint filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission. The Board of Supervisors must approve the contract by a four-fifths vote and Turnboo has consistently opposed his fellow supervisors' plans for this homeless shelter/navigation center. Tuesday the supervisors have the opportunity to include the project in the budget and approve the construction contract, should four of five support the agenda items. The matter is scheduled to be heard at 9:30 a.m. ■
See SHELTER, page 7
Roundabout nabs funding Sel Richard Staff writer The proposed roundabout at the Bridlewood Drive and Bass Lake Road intersection continues to gain traction with the recent approval of $744,400 in funding by the El Dorado County Transportation Commission. “That is just barely enough for the environmental studies and the design,” noted Director of Transportation Rafael Martinez, who pegged construction costs at an additional $1.5 to $2 million. The project is not yet approved, although Martinez said the funds will allow the commission to consider the roundabout for inclusion into El Dorado County’s regional transportation plan as well as its capital improvement program as a forthcoming project. The recently approved capital is an allocation from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality state funds. “This would improve quality of air because you can keep the traffic moving as opposed to everybody coming to a stop,” District 1 Supervisor John Hidahl explained as to CMAQ applicability. Martinez assured CMAQ is only the first of several state and federal grants PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
“In a perfect world, I’d love to see two roundabouts … because one of the main concerns is speed.” — Jon Vegna, planning commisionner the department plans to pursue. “All of those are heavy into alternative modes of traffic implementation such as roundabouts, bike lanes, pedestrian paths, sidewalks,” he said. “This would be a perfect candidate for a greenhouse gas reduction grant.” In a July 20 meeting with Bridlewood Drive residents, the roundabout was presented by the DOT as a solution for traffic calming in a location where other typical implementations are unwarranted. According to state guidelines, traffic and accident volume do not currently justify measures such as stop signs, signalization or even left-turn pockets at that intersection, Martinez explained. “That was hard for them to hear,” he conceded, adding he was, however, encouraged by a smattering of attendees willing to entertain a roundabout. Bridlewood resident Ron Cassity complemented Martinez on his presentation to the community. “He had a lot of material to present in a short time,” Cassity said of the meeting attended by approximately 100 neighbors, both online and in-person. “He did get a little resistance from the group that was there.” DOT officials plan to hold additional town halls as the project moves forward. As the roundabout ■
See ROUDABOUT, page 3
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Planning for a nine-hole golf course on Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians land south of Highway 50 is expected to be complete this fall.
‘A new age’ of golf
planned for Shingle Springs Use of the parcel for a shooting range drew much controversy in 2015.
Mountain Democrat staff A nine-hole golf course is planned for land owned by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians just south of Highway 50 that was previously used as a 5K obstacle course and shooting range. A miniature golf course is also part of the package. The tribe, through its Acorn Development Corporation, has selected golf course architect Richardson Danner to create the par-3 course and golf entertainment center to serve the Shingle Springs tribal community and area visitors. The development is planned on 34 acres of trust land located south of the tribe’s Red Hawk Casino. “It’s an exciting site with great potential,” states Senior Golf Course Architect Jeff Danner in a news release. He will lead the project along
Mountain Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum
with noted clubhouse architects Swaback Architects+Planners. “Together with Jeff Denzak at Swaback, we will create family fun and entertainment for the Shingle Springs Tribal Community. With a focus on golf and outdoor spaces, it will not only serve those visiting and traveling along Highway 50 between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento but residents throughout El Dorado County.” Planning is scheduled to be complete by fall
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2022 with the project potentially breaking ground in 2023. Contacted by the Mountain Democrat for comment on the project, chair of the Acorn Development Corporation Tim Adams said, “We are very excited to bring this family-fun amenity to El Dorado County. “The course and golf entertainment center will be attractive to locals and visitors alike. Golf is very popular and we look forward to sharing more details as
plans are finalized.” Plans call for a golf driving range with launch monitor and gaming technology, a nine-hole “short course” and miniature golf course, according to the news release from Richardson Danner. The project will adhere to best environmental practices, including water-saving technology and sustainable approaches to building and operations. “Today we are looking ■
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