[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6370992,"mediaKeyId","2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90","parentId",2150569,"title","Placerville discusses funding options for proposed public safety building; preferred site on Ray Lawyer Drive","audioSeconds",501,"startMs",2247265,"endMs",2748330,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90&start=2247&end=2748","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90/thumbnail_2247265.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370992/Placerville/El-Dorado-County/California/Placerville-discusses-funding-options-for-proposed-public-safety-building-preferred-site-on-Ray-Lawyer-Drive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370992-a20af44de59b8ae924df3b9dcdd6c2dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196906&Signature=BJeY-l-gIY-otn653dNADm1075gzS6pns1A5nNXP9yoXJd4upHAW5~vUaxpKsDHwPFObQa9wsaS~0jSEn1CNu9hqayaTWb5wI0kTXlKbLlUYFHQXYRiQX8poeZvH-4JD1rVHDXPjaf2D6mmnx6RgKkl4VA8JqsOkh0QzRF7ogaT4pGn1u1B6l6wH4YI5nz9kCI35EA~USydfkCsyXKxq2W-lkcnAy~nFTTF7C1YbimIyNpCKm5cFSKanvpp~KhrPAcxURseoIvL3xzrht3MklobaBhP0u388uU6XtCL5B~7RFuxoT7WcdLGa6tkZ8tY-gkYyRjAQC~nlm6im8rpbxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Placerville, CA","date","2025-01-24T08:14:41Z","article","Placerville city staff and councilors discussed financing options for a proposed public safety building during the Jan. 23 special meeting, focusing on a preferred site on Ray Lawyer Drive and several potential revenue approaches.

City Manager Morris said the needs assessment had identified the preferred site on Ray Lawyer Drive (the meeting packet refers to the parcel as the Odeon property) and estimated the parcel contains about 40 acres; the city's planned footprint would be roughly six acres with the remainder available for sale or future development. Morris also told council that the fire district had received $1 million toward the project, primarily for site acquisition, and that the city had solicited a site analysis RFP (Mr. Morris, City Manager).

Staff presented budget ranges from the needs assessment: a joint, combined police-and-fire facility was estimated at $43 million to $66 million; a police-only facility was estimated at $27 million to $38 million; and a fire-only facility was estimated at $22 million to $29 million. Staff warned that even the low-end estimates would create debt-service obligations not covered by current general-fund allocations and that grants might reduce the city's borrowing need but were not guaranteed.

Public commenters and councilors debated near-term steps. A public speaker who identified as a member of the local fire board urged the city to \"buy the land\" as a first step while the district examines whether annexation and shared facilities reduce space needs. Chief Cordero of El Dorado County Fire clarified the district's status during public comment, saying the fire agency is \"an independent, special district\" and noting mutual aid patterns between stations.

Staff outlined possible revenue options discussed for covering debt service if the council chooses to pursue the project: a sales-tax increase, a utility-user tax, a transient-occupancy tax (described as unlikely to generate sufficient revenue), partial parcel taxes, or annexation of adjoining areas (noting that annexation can shift both revenues and service responsibilities and that some commercial revenue is already directed to other infrastructure projects). Council members also discussed whether a phased approach or scaled project would reduce near-term costs.

Next steps: staff said they can return with a refined work plan that could include negotiating site acquisition, further site analysis (environmental and utilities), and more detailed financing scenarios for council and the fire district to review; no purchase or binding commitment was made on Jan. 23.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Placerville Special City Council Meeting 01 23 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Placerville staff and council discussed options to fund a proposed public safety building at a preferred site on Ray Lawyer Drive, reviewing cost ranges and potential revenue sources without taking any binding action.","taxTitle","Placerville, El Dorado County, California","taxId",12827,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370989,"Placerville weighs citywide fiber build after $20 million grant; council leans toward voluntary participation",810,4776570,5587025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90&start=4776&end=5587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90/thumbnail_4776570.jpg","/articles/6370989/Placerville/El-Dorado-County/California/Placerville-weighs-citywide-fiber-build-after-20-million-grant-council-leans-toward-voluntary-participation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370989-84b1ba5fbe2a60b9ce6fdf9146b715e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196906&Signature=DHHa8MmLhnwaynCQFRL~3VCHFyO2VaBEwlADdx2AtJJZ8Dm65hTd~SEIayM34qTD~8UnlCYbHuKUOIVeMKd1FB0Y86GoSbNO~sRUt1-D30jNW5oecZURpJzqLt4KkzcBtBeyysDYn2xla1NXTC4-Vj7oobaWdZO6Wm0CIfPg7m86MotKu8N~4sWIV46oCUhJ0adRFp6AgPpLHfdXyDkxLF2n-z2DqMONsFaT3sw1hjCd5mosW2AeuPweDvz69L1mc4VaaUEiU8mUfrCif5XIMW60yfJhX7X~WR2eWciVqdTH8AFNPKFy3VbbsOAnlJnDwJAdIBGQ78ZGyQzPxEd81g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Placerville staff briefed the City Council on options to build a citywide underground fiber-optic network after the city secured a $20 million grant that staff says would cover roughly 54% of a staff-estimated $37 million project to wire the community.

Senior management analyst Steve McCarter summarized the economic and equity case for fiber, and presented two financing models: a citywide assessment (bond) that would require a public vote and bill all parcels for capital recovery, or a voluntary rollout in which individual properties opt in and pay installation costs. McCarter said the grant made the project feasible but that staff must choose between the certainty of a citywide approach and the administrative complexity of a voluntary rollout (Steve McCarter, Senior Management Analyst).

Staff presented model estimates used for planning: a $37 million total build, reduced by the grant to a remaining $17 million funding need; a 30-year capital assessment model that would equate to about $193 per parcel per year in capital-recovery cost; a one-gigabit service price shown in staff materials as $8.95/month under the citywide assessment model; and a network-maintenance figure presented at about $25/month. Staff also presented an average installation/drop cost (presented in the packet material as $9.50, which staff identified as an average figure to be refined during detailed design).

Councilors and members of the public raised concerns about mandating assessment-based charges on all parcels. Several council members and commenters favored a voluntary model that would limit financial exposure and let property owners choose to connect; others said a mandatory citywide approach would reduce long-term costs and guarantee universal access. A public commenter named James asked about the resiliency of fiber lines and liability or insurance and the expected outage impacts if a line were inadvertently cut.

Staff said the grant award includes an 18-month spending requirement for the grant-funded backbone work; the city already has a consultant relationship in place to begin procurement and construction-management work and expects the backbone construction to take about six months once contracts are in place. Staff said they will return with a recommended implementation path, pricing details for drop/installation costs and options for hardship or low-income assistance.

No financing measure was placed on the Jan. 23 agenda for a vote; council directed staff to continue refining cost and outreach plans.","After securing a $20 million grant, Placerville staff presented options to build a citywide fiber network and offered two financing paths: a parcel-based citywide assessment or a voluntary opt-in rollout. Councilors favored voluntary participation while staff highlighted the funding certainty of a citywide approach.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370984,"Placerville officials flag staff pay, frozen positions and service pressures amid capital project talks",320,7216160,7537054,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90&start=7216&end=7537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90/thumbnail_7216160.jpg","/articles/6370984/Placerville/El-Dorado-County/California/Placerville-officials-flag-staff-pay-frozen-positions-and-service-pressures-amid-capital-project-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370984-47aa0798a6c456c9c06ae6d8bc765d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196906&Signature=AKWXxQe2oCrgOvNlWTx73BMjS8LDCQYfPUkeXaOFOAM4BTgcp7866HG~HnusaYaDC7dI4sPHRUrG23YaXQK4f~4h0Ptu0~0YMUCKhfOckGcqegifFbs8~r~sI5VvCXw95t81PaU6p15uFrly3nJav91HywnpV8YNt2YiIxlm2KS9gn4p9Zd6kPn2YP00GChDQ2s6WP2icrphacNJnJfcr-z2zYijDFNTOEU4xVMl~HmICarwdqKEOYY4wmx3hK13tEuJiH9Y4InwbgQ2tc4a6ReCu7SzV-WppuDj21OS-VOo6BFHRSr-D3CopX-kib94TN3g9sPnUIpaGP6sgueeEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Placerville officials signaled concern about the city's operating budget and staffing levels as the council discussed major capital projects on Jan. 23.

City Manager Morris reminded council that staff previously froze five positions during the budget process and that several department heads have said those positions remain needed to carry daily operations. Morris said the city is negotiating with two bargaining units in the near term and noted recruitment challenges for some positions.

Councilors and the public connected workforce and operations funding to the larger capital choices discussed in the meeting. Commenters and a councilor asked whether the city should prioritize pay and core operations, noting that employees are a key municipal resource and that wage competitiveness affects recruitment and retention. Staff said they are negotiating labor contracts this spring and will return as those processes and budget implications become clearer.

No budget amendments or wage decisions were made at the Jan. 23 meeting; staff asked for council direction about priorities as they refine capital and operating proposals for future sessions.","Council and staff used the Jan. 23 meeting to surface long‑running budget pressures: five positions remain frozen from the previous budget, recruitment and pay are concerns, and the city manager urged the council to consider fiscal priorities alongside major capital proposals for a balanced approach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370995,"Placerville council reviews strategic plan updates, council members suggest adding \"quality of life\" to vision",311,154635,466015,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90&start=154&end=466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150569-6f4b2cd7f3cddaeed9922fc9a2fabb90/thumbnail_154635.jpg","/articles/6370995/Placerville/El-Dorado-County/California/Placerville-council-reviews-strategic-plan-updates-council-members-suggest-adding-quality-of-life-to-vision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370995-50edf29c45f4b004026abf89554a3db1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196906&Signature=Gy1F8sq-rkrtfgLuwebMzEEMi7yIK6EhsG3hcNQSEQ3KKds7PF8mspkx1Oj1S18RAs6qkmK1rKQx~f0JXCTS8t0G6ZYhzKsIpqaCPoMDlKb42cvjfEE8Z50WQJROGfbRToIYreGz3hYK~8al1xeGdK4AJNmG6udABZwlpt4948-3UD0yKtyIY1dDVfeBjmY2Te5tC4JV3GiKLPT9rC7zo9CZYjgz49zvACFAuhMJxmkpBEohLEFDGhzPvvYJN-SS8h3HR8bB1CYoAgtSsP4EQgRJAHusoOErJueXJ1A8z~REMnUvmjXoo1Z~rhp-3eAtgAbqmmQNnFhUeEmEtYnKpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Placerville City Council reviewed proposed edits to the city's strategic plan and accompanying governance materials during a Jan. 23 special meeting, and asked staff to return with refined wording for formal adoption.

City Manager Morris opened the review and read the council's current vision statement: \"We are a welcoming, active, and business friendly rural Foothill community built on California's rich Gold Rush history,\" noting the document has been updated in recent years and that staff had already implemented many recommended changes. Morris said the meeting was for discussion only and that \"any changes we bring up tonight, we will make and then bring back to you for adoption because we're not taking any action at this meeting tonight.\" (Mr. Morris, City Manager)

Council and staff focused discussion on several recurring items in the plan: infrastructure maintenance, deferred maintenance for parks and trails, and the city's public safety priorities. A council member asked for a clearer safety emphasis in the infrastructure objective; staff confirmed hydrant repair and a hydrant flushing program already appear in the plan's wildfire and public-safety strategies.

Public commenters pressed the council on fire-prevention basics. A resident urged the council to prioritize ensuring fire hydrants work and that water valves are operable, saying functional hydrants and valve control are essential to any larger planning effort. Sue Rodman, a member of the public, also urged adding language about livability and evacuation planning after noting an evacuation chart in the meeting room.

Council members generally signaled openness to adding a brief reference to \"quality of life\" to the vision statement while urging brevity to keep the vision concise. Staff said specific wording suggestions would be drafted and brought back for formal adoption.

What's next: Staff will revise language in the strategic plan and governance handbook to reflect the council's input on parks maintenance priorities, safety-focused infrastructure language, and an optional insertion acknowledging quality of life. The council did not vote on the plan at the Jan. 23 meeting.","At a Jan. 23 special meeting, Placerville council and staff reviewed incremental updates to the city's strategic plan, discussed strengthening language on parks and deferred maintenance, and heard public concerns about fire hydrants and evacuation planning. No formal action was taken; staff will return with revised language for adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Placerville discusses funding options for proposed public safety building; preferred site on Ray Lawyer Drive

Placerville weighs citywide fiber build after $20 million grant; council leans toward voluntary participation

Placerville officials flag staff pay, frozen positions and service pressures amid capital project talks

Placerville council reviews strategic plan updates, council members suggest adding "quality of life" to vision