2006

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan 10 2007 from 7 to 9 pm at the Folsom Community Center to review the Environmental Reports for the flood damage reduction features of the proposed project to modify and raise Folsom Dam. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions, review displays and provide written/or oral comments on the Draft EIS/EIR. For further information contact Becky Victorine at 916-557-5162. 

 Placer County Supervisors appointed Kirk Uhler to fill the seat left vacant when Ted Gaines was elected to the State Assembly.  He will serve as the representative of the 4th District of Placer County for the remaining two years of Gaines' term.  Uhler was selected unanimously on the third ballot from a field of 5 applicants.  Kirk previously represented the 4^th District on the Board of Supervisors from 1993-96.

Junior Achievement is presenting its fifth annual home tour in Granite Bay and Loomis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9. The tour includes seven homes in Clos du Lac, Los Lagos, Folsom Lake Estates and Douglas Ranch, plus the Flower Farm Inn bed-and-breakfast in Loomis. Wine tasting, refreshments and gifts will be available. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 on tour day. Visit www.jasac.org to purchase tickets online until noon Dec. 8. Tickets will be available the day of the tour at 6957 Eureka Road, Granite Bay.

County officials have announced plans to widen Interstate 80 from the County line to highway 65. The $210 million project will be done in stages. Work on the first phase from the County line to Douglas Blvd will begin in the spring.

Placer County is seeking applicants to replace Ted Gaines as the Supervisor for the 4th District. Gaines was elected to the State Assembly Nov 7 and will leave his supervisiorial position Dec 1. The Board of Supervisors plans to fill the vacated position Dec 19. Applications may be obtained by calling 530-889-4010 and will be accepted at the Boards office until 5 pm Dec 8. 

Placer County Facility Services officials have announced a Federal grant of nearly $1 million will provide Placer County with the resources needed to complete sidewalks and landscape on the north side of Douglas Blvd. from Auburn Folsom Rd. to Sierra College Blvd. When Douglas was widened to 4 lanes several years ago, money was not available for sidewalks and landscape on several areas along the north side of the road.

The South Placer Fire District Board of Directors has increased the basic rate for being transported in a SPFD ambulance from $580 to $1014. The ambulance service is supposed to be funded by user fees rather being subsidized by the property tax. With the projected annual cost of operating the ambulance service approaching $1 million, the increase was needed to help reduce the projected need for $390,000 in taxpayer subsidy. 

The Placer County Sheriff's Department has a new Web site that provides residents information on where registered sex offenders live. By clicking "Offender Watch", people can see where sex offenders live within a one-mile radius of the address entered. The site offers residents the option of signing up for an e-mail alert when registered sex offenders move into their neighborhood.    

The Board of Directors of the South Placer Fire District directed staff to review the cost of providing ambulance service in the District and recommend an appropriate fee adjustment. Initial analysis presented to the Board indicated the district's fees for ambulance service are far below fees in adjacent communities. As a result, South Placer taxpayers subsidized the ambulance service by over $220,000 in 2005. The cost of operating the ambulances is not intended to be funded by property taxes, but rather to be paid for by fees charged to the service user. 

The South Placer Fire District Board of Directors approved a 9.375 million budget at last nights Board meeting. Total revenue is projected to rise by 9% while spending is projected to increase by 9.2%. Additionally, over $2 million is budgeted for facility expenditures, including the remodel of the Eureka Road Station and construction of a new station on Olive Ranch Rd.

The South Placer Fire District Board of Directors appointed Granite Bay resident Kathryn Matthews to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Dave Giblin.  Matthews will serve the remaining 2 years of Giblin's term.

The Ralston Fire burning in the Tahoe National Forest continues to create very smokey conditions in the valley and the foothills, prompting officials to continue a health advisory through 9/13. People (especially children and elderly) are urged to avoid physical exertion during the smokey conditions. Weather experts are predicting very cool and windy conditions beginning Thursday that will clear the smoke from the valley.

The San Juan Water District Board will conduct a public hearing and consider action on a proposed rate increase for 2007 on October 11 at 7 p.m. at the district’s office, 9935 Auburn -Folsom Road. For an average residential water user the new rate would result in an increase of $6.50 per month in 2007, and another similar increase in 2008. During following years, smaller rate increases would apply. For more information, call 791-0115.

Fire Marshall, Lawrence Bettencourt presented the South Placer Fire Districts "Community Citizens Safety Award" to Jo-Jo Campisi at the Board meeting 8/16/06. The award was to recognize the effort extended by the Granite Bay teen in saving the life of her neighbor during a family outing at Lake Tahoe in July. Jo-Jo said she swam to the man and grabbed onto the sleeve of the T-shirt he was wearing while she called to the shore for help. 

Filing for election for two seats on the South Placer Fire District Board of Directors closed Friday 8/11. Incumbent Ron Feist and appointed incumbent Mike DeLaurentis were the only persons that filed for the two positions. As a result of only two candidates filing for two seats, there will not be a need for an election and the two that filed will be seated on the Board.

Placer County Sheriff's detectives have arrested a 21 year old Loomis man on suspicion of stealing parts from dozens of boats in the Loomis and Granite Bay area over the last couple years. Reportedly, the suspect may have been responsible for $15,000 in stolen property that he was selling on the internet.

Even though there was not a quorum, the MAC listened and provided comment on three development proposals Wednesday evening. There was general consensus from the three MAC members present and the public alike to support:

1. The proposal for a 12 lot, planned development sub-division with 4 acres of open space on the north side of Olive Ranch Rd. about 3/4 mile east of Cavitt Stallman across from Cobble Ct. The developer had revised his project, in response to prior MAC and public comments, to eliminate any requirement for a Community Plan amendment or variance.

2. The proposal to transfer 3 units of residential density from the south side of Douglas Blvd, about 1/4 mile west of Barton Rd., to the northwest corner of Roseville Parkway and Barton Rd. The transfer would further implement the Community Plan goal of preserving the south side of Douglas Blvd. in its natural state by creating another open space lot on the south side of Douglas.

3. The proposal for a full service car wash behind Walgreen's on Douglas Blvd. The project had been revised, in response to previous MAC comments, to eliminate the oil change facilities and add significant landscaping.

 The South Placer Fire District has a vacancy on the Board of Directors. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest before 5:00 p.m. September 1, 2006 to: Debbie Frick C/O Board of Director Applicant, South Placer Fire District, 6900 Eureka Road, Granite Bay, CA 95746.

Applicants must live within the boundaries of the South Placer Fire District. For more information regarding the position phone (916) 791-7059.

The MAC, after reviewing SACOG's Blueprint and in response to public input, has created a sub-committee to look at what our community should look like in 50 years. The Committee originally scheduled its first meeting at the Eureka School District Office 2 Aug, at 5 pm. However, that meeting has been changed to 6 Sep at 5 pm.  Residents interested in participating are welcome to attend.

Plans for developing four office buildings on two parcels at the north west corner of Douglas Blvd. and Berg St. were rebuffed by the MAC and the public alike at last nights meeting. There were concerns about the need to change the Community Plan to accommodate spot zoning for the benefit of the developer while creating significant impacts on the community. 

Additionally, a proposal for a monument sign at the corner of Auburn Folsom and Douglas to advertise a proposed new bank at the site of the present SAFE Credit Union was also rejected. Comments included the fact that granting the sign would be a special privilege to one business while others have been denied additional signs.

Placer County has started installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Auburn Folsom Rd and Fuller Dr. at a cost to the taxpayers of $245,000. The signal is expected to become operational about 17 July. This is the first phase of the improvements planned for Auburn Folsom Rd. in the next few years. Acquisition of right of way for the rest of the improvements is continuing and the County hopes to start construction of phase 2 in the summer of 2007.

The two men suspected of forcing their way into a home on Swan Lake Drive in Granite Bay on May 23 were arrested in Sacramento's Oak Park neighborhood by Placer County Sheriff's investigators Thursday night. 

South Placer Fire District’s directors and community members alike expressed concern, at their meeting last night, over a multi-county Emergency Medical Services Agency attempting to force the district into signing a contract to help fund the agency whose purpose is to overview the quality of emergency medical services in a 5 county area.  The possibility may exist, pending resolution of some legal issues, for the "Agency" to replace the present high quality emergency medical services provided by the Fire District with a private ambulance service if the District declines to sign the contract.  

Residents voiced the opinion that our Fire District has been providing the best emergency medical services available since the 1950’s without overview by an outside agency.  Why would we now want to pay anyone significant amounts of our tax dollars to police the service we have? 

The Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council has rescheduled their next meeting from July 5th to Wed., July 12, 7:00 p.m. at the Eureka School District Office. 

In a letter to the Community, Melanie Eustice, Administrative Aide to Supervisor Ted Gaines, announced that she has accepted a position in Southern California so she may be closer to her family.  With Supervisor Gaines moving on to the State Assembly, she saw a window of opportunity to make a transition in her career. Her last day will be Friday, June 23.

Our best wishes go with her, she has served this community exceptionally well. Thank you Melanie!

Police are appealing for the public's help in identifying suspects who have been linked to at least four home-invasion robberies last month in Sacramento and Placer counties. Police think the same suspects were involved in crimes in Folsom, Elk Grove, Granite Bay and Citrus Heights. If you have any information regarding these suspects please contact the Placer County Sheriff's office.

Real estate signs and large temporary signs and banners at businesses and churches along Douglas Blvd. were the center of the community's concern as the representative of the County Code Enforcement Dept. explained the process of dealing with illegal signs at last nights MAC meeting. The MAC asked the County to make a sweep of the community quarterly to rid the community of the illegal signs. You can help by reporting illegal signs to the County Code Enforcement office at 800-488-4308 ext. 3050.

The addition of a small drive thru juice & coffee bar within the Granite Bay Village Shopping Center was recommended for approval by the MAC at last nights meeting. Questions were raised over the probability of the improvement becoming another fast food restaurant but the proponent assured the community the building would not have a commercial kitchen and the size of the building (1500 sq.ft.) would not support a typical fast food restaurant.

A proposed 9% sewer fee increase for SMD#2 was not received warmly by the community or several members of the MAC. The Sewer District is proposing to increase the rates from $40 per month to $44.15 per month, with the suggestion that rates will continue to increase in future years due to increasing cost to maintain the system and process the waste. By contrast, Roseville City residents pay only $20 per month while So. Placer MUD residents pay $48 per month.

June 7, 7:00 pm Eureka School District Office, 5455 Eureka Rd

-Sewer Fee Increase for Sewer Maintenance District Number 2.

-Wiki Wiki Juice & Coffee – within the Granite Bay Shopping Center 

-Olive Ranch Subdivision – 12 single-family units on Olive Ranch Rd. 

-Overview of sign ordinance

-Overview of zoning and allowed uses at Auburn Folsom and Eureka 

The Granite Bay Certified Farmers’ Market is again operating on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Granite Bay Village Shopping Center, located at the southeast corner of Auburn-Folsom Road and Douglas Boulevard. The market features farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, organic free-range eggs, local wines, hardy locally grown nursery stock, artisan baked goods, grass fed meats, East Indian foods and kettle corn. 

Several former county supervisors and mayors in Placer County are among the group that has launched a recall effort against Sierra College trustees Jerry Simmons and Aaron Klein. The pair are accused of wasting taxpayers money, damaging the institution's reputation and demoralized its employees.

Former county Supervisor Rex Bloomfield, one of 10 people who signed the recall petition, said the trustees are "a malignant cancer that must be removed to preserve the health of Sierra College." Klein and Simmons called the effort a political trick designed to hurt Simmons' effort to unseat a fellow Republican, incumbent Placer County Supervisor Robert Weygandt.

In recent days, home owners have been receiving advertisements from Property Tax Assessor Records Corp. offering, for a fee, to provide property owners with a completed homeowner's exemption claim form to file with the Assessor. 

Assessor Bruce Dear would like to alert the public to the fact that this private company is not affiliated with the Assessor in any way, nor is there any requirement that their services be used in order to file a Homeowners' Exemption claim. The Assessor's Office does not charge for filing the Homeowner's Exemption claim form.  Any property owner may file a claim directly with the Assessor at no charge and without using the service offered by this business. 

Two men wearing masks and sunglasses used a gun to force their way into a home on Swan Lake Dr. Wednesday afternoon. Two boys in the home were tied up while the robbers ransacked the home and stole cash and computer equipment. 

One of the suspects was described as heavy-set, 180 to 200 pounds. He wore dark hair pulled back into a bushy ponytail. The second man was described as 18 to 21 years old, 140 to 155 pounds. He had light-colored hair in a short military-style cut. He may go by the name of Josh. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Dennis Walsh at (530) 889-7852.

Fire season is on the horizon and homeowners in Placer County are getting an important message about clearing the area around their homes or facing the consequences. Authorities from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection indicate there is a lot of vegetation that is beginning to dry out. 

A new law passed in 2005 requires homeowners to have at least 100 feet of defensible space around their homes with the 30 feet closest to the house consisting of a heavily watered greenbelt such as grass. In the remaining 70 feet, everything should be spaced out and all the trees should be trimmed up so that the grass on the ground can't send flame to the tops of the trees.

A new professional business networking group has formed in Granite Bay.  "LeTip" is a professional organization of men and women dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service. It's primary purpose is to give and receive qualified business tips or leads. The organization meets every Thursday from 11:31 am until 1:01 pm at Mark & Monica's and is actively recruiting new members. For more information see LeTip.com

During public comment at the MAC meeting Wednesday night, several residents and MAC members alike blasted the County for not controlling the proliferation of real estate and other illegal signs being displayed in increasing numbers throughout the community. As a result, the MAC has asked the County to have a Code Enforcement representative attend the next MAC meeting to discuss the issue.

The MAC recommended approval of two new residential projects Wednesday evening. One project, located on a 17.5 acre parcel just east of the fire station on Douglas Blvd., proposes 7 single family lots and about 8 acre of open space including preservation of the 300 ft. open space corridor on the south side of Douglas. The other project also proposes 7 lots on the north side of Old Auburn Rd, west of Sierra College Blvd. 

Another development proposal was presented that would create 20 small lots at the corner of Auburn Folsom Rd. and Eureka Rd. just east of the fire station on Eureka. The project is designed to provide homes from 1400 to 2000 sq. ft.. Comments from the MAC and the public alike were very supportive of the concept. No action was taken on the proposal.

Jeffrey Powers, of Granite Bay and fellow passenger Sidney Pinney, on United flight 735 from Chicago to Sacramento, subdued a man who had swung at a flight attendant and grabbed and yanked on the exit door handle. Powers put the man in a headlock, and Pinney grabbed his arms. The 36 year old man, from Diamond Springs in El Dorado County, was taken down by the two men and subsequently turned over to secret service agents on the flight that was diverted to Denver.

With warm weather on the horizon, its time for residents to make routine inspections of their property for standing water where mosquitoes might breed. As temperatures rise, mosquitoes can develop in seven to ten days. Residents can play a huge role in reducing their risk of West Nile virus by simply removing standing water. The Placer Mosquito Abatement District recommends the inspection of the following for standing water:

▪