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This is the second year that local United Methodist Churches are helping coordinate the FIT Foundation Adopt-a-Family Christmas Program, which is now in its 10th year.

The program matches individuals or groups anonymously with a family and then provides the donors with information about the family's needs and wishes to help in buying gifts.

For information about "adopting" a family, email d.meeker@murphybusiness.com or call (530) 790-7554.

Donations of unwrapped new toys and nonperishable food can be dropped off at locations in Yuba City during regular business hours: First United Methodist Church, Shaw and Associates, Bank of Feather River and Raintree Car Wash.

In addition, monetary donations — checks made out to the FIT Foundation — can be mailed to 1282 Stabler Lane, Suite 630-258, Yuba City CA 95993.

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Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet more than 46 million Americans still smoke. However, more than half of these smokers have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year. The newest U.S. Surgeon General's report states "quitting at any age and at any time is beneficial. It's never too late to quit, but the sooner the better."

Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. The Sutter County Tobacco Control Program is encouraging smokers to stop by the Health Department to pick up a free quit kit that contains a self-help guide, mint toothpicks, air freshener, and other items to help you kick the habit. It also contains a coupon for a free "cold turkey sandwich", compliments of the New Earth Market. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done, cold turkey or by cutting down, for just one day or for longer. For more information about quitting and help, call 1-800-NO-BUTTS or stop by the Sutter County Health Department, 1445 Veterans Memorial Circle, Yuba City, and pick up a quit kit today.

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If the cities of Live Oak and Yuba City approve the JPA, the Sutter Animal Services Authority (SASA) would become the new governing authority for animal control services throughout Sutter County.

The County of Sutter will continue as the lead agency providing animal control services until a new animal shelter is constructed. When the new shelter is completed, the City of Yuba City will become the lead agency as well as the employing agency for animal control services personnel.

Decisions about the level and nature of animal care services will become the responsibility of the SASA Board of Directors, which will be comprised of two Sutter County Supervisors, two members of the Yuba City Council, and two members of the Live Oak City Council.

Second District Supervisor Stanley Cleveland Jr. and Third District Supervisor Larry Munger were appointed to the SASA Board of Directors for Sutter County.

The City of Yuba City will consider the JPA and board appointees on Nov. 15. The City of Live Oak will consider the JPA and board appointees on Nov. 16.

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President Francisco Ruiz and Vice-President Franklin Tarke presented the flag during a dedication ceremony at the Hall of Records. Immediately following the presentation, the pair raised the new flag beneath the United States and California flags at the Sutter County Courthouse East annex on Second Street.

It is Sutter County's first official flag in its 161-year history.

The 4-H Club members designed the flag and raised the money to purchase several for the County. Indoor flags will be located in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the Hall of Records, and at the administration building at 1160 Civic Center Boulevard. Outdoor flags will fly at the courthouse and at 1160 Civic Center Boulevard.

During the presentation of the flag, Board Chairman James Gallagher,on behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, presented Gold Resolutions honoring their achievement to Mr. Ruiz and Mr. Tarke.

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This is free community event for children and families. Family fun will include interactive and educational games, prizes, face painting, photos and much more. We encourage children and family members to wear costumes. Hope to see you all there!

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Reclamation District 1001 Manager Diane Fales said today that all construction work is completed and the section of levee on the northern bank of the Natomas Cross Canal has been hydro-seeded and will soon sprout grass.

"We're ready for the winter," said Ms. Fales.

The Construction was performed by Civil Engineering Inc.

The California Department of Water Resources and the County of Sutter combined on a $525,000 project to repair the levee, which protects the Nicolaus basin and highways 70 and 99 from flooding. The Sutter County Board of Supervisors committed up to $100,000, and the Reclamation District 1001 contributed fill dirt to meet the local match requirement.

DWR committed approximately $425,000 to the project.

Sutter County has remained in a state of emergency since cracking was discovered in the levee in March.

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Phase II and subsequent plans will identify and measure the actual impact of the new procedures and programs. It will also allow time to thoroughly identify gaps in services, identify issues in community protection, expand programs already in existence, modify court and sentencing practices and norms, and consider the formation of new efforts to enhance public safety across the continuum of enforcement, incarceration, supervision and rehabilitation.

Questions should be sent to Chief Probation Officer/CCP Chair, Christine D. Odom.

• Community Corrections Partnership

Due to a technical difficulty, the Board meeting was not broadcast last Wednesday. Comcast has identified and resolved the technical difficulty, which prevented the showing of some other Board meetings.

Board meetings can be viewed live at the County's web-streaming portal www.suttervideo.org. Meetings are also archived on this site for viewing at anytime.

Board of Supervisors Chairman James Gallagher spoke at the ceremony, and he and Supervisor Jim Whiteaker turned dirt in the groundbreaking ceremony.

For a videotape of the event, go to www.suttervideo.org.

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U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

To help our customers who may not be able to visit our office during our normal business hours, additional services such as certified copies of Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates, Fictitious Business Name Statements, issuance of Marriage Licenses and performing Marriage Ceremonies will be available this Saturday.

Information on the cost and how to apply for a U.S. passport is available at travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Event:		Passport Day in the USA
Date:		Saturday, September 17, 2011
Time:		9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where:		Sutter County Clerk Recorder 433 Second Street Yuba City, CA 95991

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BePreparedYuba.org and BePreparedSutter.org are being announced as part of September's National Preparedness Month. The new website addresses will take visitors directly to the emergency management pages without having to navigate through each county's home page.

Information available on the websites includes links to reservoir and river levels, weather advisories, advice on how to prepare emergency "go kits" and—in the event of a local emergency—shelter and evacuation information.

Sutter County's website includes a link to an 80-minute video documentary on the 1955 flood, as well as a video developed in cooperation with the Red Cross on emergency preparation. Links to color posters that can be printed out by individuals, businesses and organizations are also available on the Sutter County site.

Both sites include links to state and national emergency organizations and to the American Red Cross.

BePreparedYuba.org is the future home of a dedicated emergency website currently being developed and scheduled to go live prior to the upcoming winter season. During development, the web address will direct users to the current Yuba County Office of Emergency Services website.

County officials are coordinating with the Yuba County Water Agency to develop the new website, which will focus on providing emergency preparedness information to help educate citizens on how they can prepare for emergencies. In the event of an emergency occur, the website will become the information go-to site for Yuba County residents.

The site will include tools to build emergency plans, a checklist for creating emergency preparedness kits, and educational materials for teachers in the classroom. Residents will also be able to sign up to receive text messages for emergency and non-emergency information and access details on how to receive assistance and mapping for affected areas.

According to the American Red Cross, more than one-third of all Americans have no plan in place in the event of an emergency, and 40 percent of all businesses do not recover after an emergency. Individuals and businesses that plan for an emergency, however, have a greater chance for survival.

Yuba and Sutter counties will also jointly host a National Weather Service training for volunteer weather spotters. Members of the public are invited to attend weather spotting training at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Yuba County Government Center, 915 Eighth Street, Marysville.

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The Oswald-Tudor Firefighters Association secured the artifact from the Port Authority of New York and has permission from the Sutter County Board of Supervisors and the Community Memorial Museum Commission to construct a memorial on the grounds of the museum.

"We believe this will be a fitting tribute to the people whose lives were lost, and to those who saved lives, that day and also will bring a bit of United States history to Sutter County," said Sutter County Fire Department Captain Glenn Aronowitz, a spokesperson for the Firefighters Association.

The public is encouraged to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, at the Community Memorial Museum, 1333 Butte House Road, Yuba City.

The 135-pound girder from the World Trade Center will be on display during the ceremony, along with the plaque that will be mounted to a pedestal when the memorial is constructed.

Following the ground-breaking, at 2 p.m., there will be a free screening of the World Trade Center documentary, "102 Minutes That Changed America," inside the Community Memorial Museum.

The documentary, produced by the History Channel in 2008, depicts in virtually real time the New York-based events of the September 11 attacks primarily using raw video footage from most amateur citizen journalists.

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Saturday, October 8, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Riverbend Elementary School
301 Stewart Road, Yuba City

The community drive-through vaccination clinic is for ALL Sutter County residents 2 years of age and up. No appointments necessary. No crowded waiting rooms. Protect yourself from influenza without leaving your car!

Sutter County Public Health asks the community to be prepared for the drive-through flu clinic by understanding the following information about the clinic:

• Injectable flu vaccine is available for adults 18 years and older;
• Intranasal Flumist spray is available for all healthy 2-49 years of age;
• Children and teens under 18 years of age MUST be accompanied by parent or legal guardian;
• Wear clothing that quickly bares the upper arm near the shoulder in case an injection is needed;
• $5.00 donation will be accepted.
• Please note: No pediatric injectable flu vaccine will be offered at this event.

Expedite the process by printing out your consent forms ahead of time.

English

• Drive-Through Flu Clinic Flier 
• Drive-Through Flu Clinic Advertisement 
• Flu Vaccine Information - Inactivated 
• Flu Vaccine Information - Live 
• Printable Consent Form 

• Flu Vaccine Information - Inactivated (Spanish) 
• Flu Vaccine Information - Live (Spanish) 
• Printable Consent Form (Spanish) 

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For a limited time, the California Smokers' Helpline is sending callers from Sutter County free nicotine patches. Eligible tobacco users who call 1-800-NO-BUTTS and enroll in the free telephone-based quitting program will receive a free two-week starter kit of patches, while supplies last.

"The Helpline has already served over half a million smokers," said Christopher Anderson, the Helpline's Program Director. "We hope this new opportunity will motivate even more people to give quitting a try."

The patches are an FDA-approved treatment proven to help smokers kick the habit. They release nicotine into the bloodstream through the skin, reducing withdrawal symptoms and slowly weaning smokers off nicotine.

Sutter County was one of 34 counties in California selected to participate in this program. All 34 counties have an adult smoking prevalence rate of 14 percent or higher, according to the 2008 California Tobacco Survey; the rate is 16% percent in Sutter County. In comparison, the 2010 statewide adult smoking rate is 11.9 percent.

"While much progress has been made in lowering the rate of smoking throughout California and the associated toll on public health, more remains to be done" stated Michele Blake, Sutter County Project Director.

This new program is part of a nationwide effort called Communities Putting Prevention to Work, which aims to improve health and lower medical costs by preventing disease, such as those caused by tobacco use.

"Helpline counseling doubles smokers' chance of success in quitting," said Anderson. "People who use both counseling and a quitting aid, such as the patch, have the best chance of quitting for good. So now is a perfect time to make that call and get started."

The free patches will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to those who call 1-800-NO-BUTTS.

About the Smokers' Helpline

Callers to the Smokers' Helpline may receive free one-on-one support from a trained cessation counselor, a self-help booklet and referral to local quit-smoking programs. It is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Helpline has specialized services for pregnant smokers, tobacco chewers and teens. All services are available in multiple languages:

1-800-NO-BUTTS (English)
1-800-45-NO-FUME (Spanish)
1-800-838-8917 (Mandarin and Cantonese)
1-800-556-5564 (Korean)
1-800-778-8440 (Vietnamese)

For more information, visit www.NoButts.org.

• Public Service Announcement: Free Nicotine Patches 
• Smokers' Helpline Flyer 

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Attending the awards ceremony Friday in Sacramento were, from left: Sutter County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Gallagher; Lori Burne of Dokken Engineering; Sutter County Public Works Project Manager Scott Riddle; Sutter County Engineer Neal Hay; Sutter County Administrative Officer Stephanie J. Larsen; Matt Griggs and Megan Carter of Dokken Engineering; and Sutter County Public Works Assistant Director Al Sawyer.

The award goes to agencies for projects which demonstrate excellence in management, administration, design, construction, and community relations, as well as the alliance among the managing agency and the consultant/engineer/contractor who worked to complete the public works project.

The Curry Creek Bridge Replacement project won in the Transportation Category, Construction Division for small government agencies and projects between $500,000 and $2 million.

In 2009, the Public Works Department won a similar award in the Environmental-Flood Control Category for the Cranmore/Garmire Road bridge replacement project across the Tisdale Weir in West Sutter County.

The Curry Creek bridges on Pleaseant Grove Road were constructed in 1922 to span the north and south forks of Curry Creek, which drains western Placer County and carries the runoff into Natomas Cross Canal, which transports the runoff into the Sacramento River at Verona.

Due to their narrow width and weathered and corroded decks, the bridges were replaced in the $817,000 project with one new bridge across the north fork, and dual 48-inch reinforced culverts to accommodate flows of the south fork.

The Federal Highway Bridge program was the source of 88 percent of the funding for the project, and Sutter County’s Road Fund provided 12 percent of the funding.

Sutter County Public Works Engineer Scott Riddle was the Project Manager on design and construction. Dokken Engineering, Inc., of Sacramento, provided the design and Syblon Reid Construction Company of Folsom, won a competitive bid contract from Sutter County to construct the project.

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FREE health and development screenings will be available for all children under the age of five.

Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (530) 822-7505.

By eliminating the mailing of property Valuation Notices to individual property owners, the Assessor's Office is saving taxpayers approximately $26,000 annually and valuation information can be accessed any time of day, said Assessor Todd Retzloff.

Property valuation information is available on the internet by searching www.suttercounty.org. Click on "Property Assessments" under featured links.

Property owners who do not have access to the internet may call the office, 822-7160, to receive a property Valuation Notice.

As a result of the decline in property value in Sutter County, the Assessor's Office has reduced the valuation of over 9,000 parcels in the 2011/2012 valuation cycle, Retzloff said.

Property value assessments are the basis for property tax bills, which are mailed out by Steve Harrah, the Sutter County Treasurer/Tax Collector by the end of October.

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• Test your bicycle skills in a variety of obstacle courses
• Learn the rules of the road
• Free bicycle safety check
• Free helmet fitting station
• Free helmets for participants (limited quantities, sizes, and colors/styles)

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Following a public hearing on July 12, the Board of Supervisors reviewed three draft maps. After listening to public testimony, the Board directed that the County Planning Division revise one of the draft maps, and create a fourth draft map. The maps will be reviewed and additional testimony taken during the July 26 public hearing, which will be conducted at 7 p.m. at the Hall of Records, 466 Second Street, Yuba City.

In Sutter County, as in most California counties, supervisors are elected by district. There are five supervisorial districts that are required, by law, to be roughly the same size in population.

Following the 2010 Census, Sutter County embarked on a process to update the districts, in advance of the 2012 elections. Where the boundaries of the various districts are established has an impact on who is eligible to run for what district, and who can vote for which supervisorial candidate.

During a June 23 Town Hall meeting at the Sutter County Veteran's Hall, County Clerk-Recorder Donna Johnston explained the concept of "community of interest," and why this concept is important to developing supervisorial districts. After receiving public testimony, County planning staff developed the three draft maps which were presented at the July 12 meeting.

Town Hall Meeting Handout:

• Redistricting Sutter County FAQ

Town Hall Meeting Maps:

• Option 1: Sutter County
• Option 1: Yuba City
• Option 2: Sutter County
• Option 2: Yuba City
• Option 3: Sutter County
• Option 3: Yuba City
• Option 3a: Sutter County
• Option 3a: Yuba City
• Option 4: Sutter County
• Option 4: Yuba City

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If you have any questions please call the office at 530-822-7505.

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The Live Oak Park and boat ramp on the Feather River was closed by Sutter County officials on Friday to avoid a conflict between outboard motors and swimmers concentrated at the foot of the boat ramp.

"The park will re-open as soon as possible," said Public Works Director Douglas Gault. "The presence of a number of swimmers in the boat launch area, who are unwilling to leave, presents an unacceptable safety risk to the public. This is an unfortunate, and unforeseen, situation that developed in the past several days and will require the adoption of a new County ordinance in order to outlaw swimming in the vicinity of the boat dock. We are working on the draft ordinance right now."

The high flows in the Feather River have covered sandbars that are popular as beaches. In search of swimming locations, a dedicated group of swimmers discovered the new floating boat docks at the Live Oak boat ramp.

Efforts to clear the area so that the boat ramp is available for safe launching and docking of boats have been hampered by clear legal authority to remove the swimmers, said Gault.

"Unfortunately, the swimmers have insisted on not vacating the area," Gault said. "Without a clear County ordinance establishing a prohibition against swimming at the boat dock, there appears to be nothing we can do to make the situation safe for all concerned but to close the park, and the boat ramp. We will re-open both when an ordinance is in place."

Gault said the timing of the closure, on the Fourth of July weekend, is sure to be upsetting to many who enjoy the park and the ability to put in a boat at that particular location of the Feather River.

"It is a nice facility," he said. "Unfortunately, we have competing uses for the boat dock area that are not compatible. We are working to resolve this conflict as quickly as possible."

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In Sutter County, as in most California counties, supervisors are elected by district. There are five supervisorial districts that are required, by law, to be roughly the same size in population.

Following the 2010 Census, Sutter County is embarking on a process to update the districts, in advance of the 2012 elections. Where the boundaries of the various districts are established has an impact on who is eligible to run for what district, and who can vote for which supervisorial candidate.

During Thursday's Town Hall meeting at the Sutter County Veteran's Hall, which begins at 7 p.m., County Clerk-Recorder Donna Johnston will explain the concept of "community of interest," and why this concept is important to developing supervisorial districts.

Town Hall Meeting Handout:

• Redistricting Sutter County FAQ

Town Hall Meeting Maps:

• Option 1: Sutter County
• Option 1: Yuba City
• Option 2: Sutter County
• Option 2: Yuba City
• Option 3: Sutter County
• Option 3: Yuba City

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"By The People" is an event, co-hosted by Sutter County and Yuba City, designed to provide a 'one-stop' opportunity for residents to have direct access to policy makers at every level of government. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate by making comments and asking questions about policies and programs of interest.

The event, scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 27, in the gym at St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Yuba City, will include Live Oak Mayor Gary Baland, Yuba City Mayor John Dukes, Sutter County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Gallagher, Second District California State Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, Fourth District California State Senator Doug LaMalfa, and Second District U.S. Congressman Wally Herger.

"Broad participation in the political process makes for a healthy democracy," said Supervisor Gallagher.

"This event will give residents an opportunity to express an opinion, provide an idea, or learn the answer to a question they have about how government functions," noted Mayor Dukes.

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Sutter County continues to adapt to the changed American economy. On Friday, County Administrative Officer Stephanie J. Larsen recommended bridging a $12.5 million General Fund gap in the coming fiscal year by eliminating or freezing 83 positions.

The Fiscal year 2011-12 Recommended Budget would result in layoff notices for 16 employees and three employees would see their pay cut from full-time to half-time. In addition, 13.5 vacant positions will be eliminated altogether and 53.5 vacant positions will remain unfilled, in the proposed budget scenario.

The Recommended Budget for FY 2011-12 totals $230.9 million. The General Fund comprises $62.0 million of this amount. These numbers were $250.4 million and $71.2 million, respectively, in FY 2010-11, and therefore represent decreases of $19.5 million, or 7.8% for the total budget and $9.2 million, or 12.9%, for the General Fund. A drawdown of $3.3 million from reserves is required in order to balance the General Fund budget.

"This is the first time since 1992-93 that this office has recommended a significant number of layoffs to achieve a balanced budget," said Ms. Larsen. "Because of the conservative fiscal policies of the Board of Supervisors, Sutter County developed a healthy reserve fund that has helped it through the first three years of the Recession. But our reserve fund is shrinking and we must make fundamental changes to address the structural deficit.

"Counties all over the state are adapting to the long-term economic downturn," Ms. Larsen continued. "Significant pay and benefit concessions made by employees in bargaining, and the difficult but necessary downsizing by departments have significantly reduced the County's structural deficit."

In February, Ms. Larsen informed the Board of Supervisors that the General Fund deficit was expected to be about $14.3 million, but projections for property tax receipts and carryover funds from the current fiscal year are now slightly higher than originally estimated.

The General Fund deficit is driven by a reduction in property tax and sales tax revenues, and increasing costs in pension contributions and health insurance.

The $9.2 million decrease in the General Fund is not as steep as the $14.3 million originally envisioned in February because the estimated fund balance forward is looking more favorable ($4.6 million vs. an estimated $1.5 million in February) and the secured property tax roll will be declining by less than originally anticipated (a 3% decline rather than 5%). This means that budget reductions in the Recommended Budget are not as drastic as originally feared.

Nevertheless, because 51% of the General Fund consists of salary and benefits costs, it is not possible to achieve a $9.2 million decrease in the budget without affecting staffing.

The layoff picture would have been worse had it not been for concessions from County employees. All employees gave up 3 percent pay increases they had previously negotiated. In addition, each bargaining unit agreed to significant changes to the pension system, picking up a share of the cost for their own pensions, and agreeing to a two-tier pension system that will see reduced benefits—and lower costs to the County--for new hires.

Depending on what steps are taken to resolve an impasse over how to balance the State of California budget, which has a $10.8 billion deficit, the budget picture for Sutter County could turn gloomier. For instance, a temporary increase in Vehicle License Fees and sales taxes will expire June 30. Unless that funding is somehow replaced by the state, there will be a $1 million shortfall in funds intended to help finance the cost of the law and justice system.

More than 35 County employees took advantage of an early retirement incentive program approved by the Board of Supervisors in May. The savings from that program have not yet been included in the Recommended Budget, but Ms. Larsen anticipates that the impacts will reduce the number of county employees forced to take layoffs. She will provide a revised budget recommendation which includes savings from the early retirement program before the start of budget hearings later this month.

The Board of Supervisors will begin budget hearings on June 21 at the Sutter County Veterans' Hall. The Board will consider the CAO's Recommended Budget and receive testimony from the public before adopting a Final Budget.

• Budget Message
• FY 2011-12 Sutter County Recommended Budget

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As of June 6, 2011 Sutter County Public Health Walk-In Immunization & TB Skin Test Hours will be:

• Mondays 1-4 p.m.
• Wednesdays 1-4 p.m.
• Fridays 8-11 a.m.

Important Information

• Peach Tree Clinic patients need to make appointments with Peach Tree Clinic for their immunizations.
• Children who have Healthy Families coverage will not be able to receive vaccine at the Sutter County Public Health Immunization Clinic. The California Department of Public Health now requires that Public Health vaccine must be strictly limited to children who do not have any coverage for their vaccinations.
• Children who have other medical insurance may be vaccinated one time if needed, but will then be referred back to their medical home provider for further vaccinations.
• Adults needing vaccine not covered by their insurance may be able to obtain certain purchased vaccines at the Public Health Clinic. Clerical staff can advise you of the cost for these vaccines, which is based on the cost of the vaccine and the administration fee.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced that "in water" work to strengthen State Highway 20's 10th Street Bridge over the Feather River will begin Wednesday, June 1.

Currently, this bridge is experiencing an emergency scour condition at two piers. During an inspection in March, Caltrans bridge engineers discovered that high water flows have caused 19 feet of erosion to the footings of one the 23 piers that support the 64-year-old structure that links Marysville and Yuba City. Because of the shifting meander of the Feather River, another pier adjacent to the river is also considered "at risk" in a high-water event. Engineers have also ordered additional scour protection at three nearby piers.

An emergency contract has been issued to repair the bridge, strengthen these footings and install additional erosion protection. A time and material contract has been issued to Stewart Engineering Inc. of Redding, CA to make these repairs. Final plans and estimates for this work have not yet been completed but costs may exceed $10 million.

Major items of work include:

• Construction of a temporary trestle to provide access to the piers
• A temporary coffer dam will be constructed to shield the work site from the river
• Additional piles will be driven and a new seal coarse will be placed to stabilize the mid-river pier.
• Rock Rip Rap will be placed for additional pile cap protection at three nearby piers

Caltrans engineers, utilizing automatic sensors, continue to monitor the bridge's piers for any horizontal or vertical movement. The devices are checked automatically every ten minutes. In the unlikely event that substantial movement is detected, engineers will be dispatched immediately to inspect the structure and the bridge could be subject to immediate closure.

For more information on the project, including an artist's depiction of what lies beneath the water and plans for a temporary trestle and coffer dam, visit www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/10thSt.Bridge/

Roadside message boards will be used to post the latest information. Unexpected weather may prolong or cause the work to be rescheduled. Caltrans urges motorists to use caution in this area and to "Slow for the Cone Zone".

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Join Sutter County and Yuba City in a discussion on how to address the edge between the City's urban development and the County's agricultural and rural land. How would you separate these uses along Pease Road, Township Road, the Canal, and Bogue Road? With vegetation and landscaping? With larger rear, side, or front yard setbacks? Through the addition of bike and walking trails? Or perhaps with linear parks and open space areas? Provide your input at the workshop!

When:

June 20, 2011

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Where:

Sutter County Public Health Auditorium

1445 Veterans Memorial Circle, Yuba City

This is the 2nd of 3 workshops to be held this summer hosted by Yuba City, in partnership with Sutter County and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). For more information on this or future workshops, please call Aaron Busch with the City of Yuba City, Community Development Department at (530) 822-4700.

During his illustrious career, Herblock caricatured 13 U.S. presidents and chronicled American history from the 1929 Stock Market crash through summer 2001. He became the most honored cartoonist of his time, winning three Pulitzer Prizes and sharing a fourth for his Watergate cartoons which contributed to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. He was the only living cartoonist whose work was exhibited in the National Gallery of Art, and the only living cartoonist to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Perhaps the most remarkable quality of his cartoons is their timeliness and relevance to the political scene today.

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The proposal is a foundation for moving forward on a formal Joint Powers Agreement for the joint operation of animal control services and a new animal shelter.

The tentative agreement will be recommended for approval by each agency's governing body.

If approved, the City of Yuba City will assume operational control of animal control services after the construction of a new animal shelter, most likely on Live Oak Boulevard near the City’s Water Treatment Plant. Sutter County will remain the lead agency for animal control services until the new animal shelter is constructed.

"Sutter County wants to break ground on a new animal shelter before the end of this year," said Sutter County Administrative Officer Stephanie Larsen. "This agreement allows for the continuation and orderly transition of animal services, and provides for the construction of the much needed new shelter as soon as possible."

The Yuba City Council and the Live Oak City Council are scheduled to review the proposal this week, and the Sutter County Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal on Tuesday, May 24.

The proposed agreement represents a reasoned compromise on key points for all parties.

"It is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks," said Yuba City Manager Steve Jepsen. "Working together has brought about a much better solution for near term and long term animal services for our regional community."

"Live Oak has a long history of shared service relationships and believes the partnerships benefit everyone," said Live Oak City Manager Jim Goodwin. "I am encouraged by the progress being made toward preserving the long-standing collaboration between Sutter County, Yuba City and Live Oak for animal control services."

Items of key agreement include:

• The level of representation of each agency in a Joint Powers Authority established to run Animal Control services. Each agency will have two voting members, but voting will be weighted proportionally based on annual contributions to the operating budget. Sutter County and Live Oak will have veto authority over budget and major policy decisions.
• Although Yuba City's population is 68.5 percent of the total population of Sutter County, according to the 2010 census, Yuba City will continue to pay the traditional 66% split as acknowledgement of a "discount" for the lesser number of miles traveled to calls for service inside the Yuba City limits. An analysis using one year's data will be used to determine a logical cost allocation for future years.
• Sutter County will endeavor to reduce overhead costs and worker's compensation charges prior to the transition to Yuba City as lead agency, and a Kennel Assistant position shall be restored using savings from the reduction of overhead charges.
• Yuba City and Live Oak will remain involved as can reasonably be accommodated in the completion of the design and construction of the new animal control shelter.
• Yuba City will pay for site plan modifications to accommodate its request that the new animal shelter be built on Live Oak Boulevard rather than on County-owned land off Garden Highway.
• Yuba City will pay for a third party to facilitate agreement on all other terms and conditions of the Joint Powers Agreement.

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We encourage everyone to bike to work, school, during breaks or while running errands. May and is a great time to refocus on your commuting costs, health and sense of community. Log your miles and check out other bike month activities in the Sacramento region at: www.MayIsBikeMonth.com.

For additional information on cycling safety and tips on planning a safe route to work or school visit the following links:

• Bike Commute Guide 
• Bicycle Laws and Tips
• Bike Commute Checklist

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Members of the public are being invited to participate in the process of creating a Sutter County flag by voting on which of three designs they prefer.

Franklin Tarke and Francisco Ruiz are Sutter County delegates to the 4-H California Citizenship Conference for high school 4-Hers at the state Capitol in June. The event immerses 4-Hers in the history and political processes of California.

For a traditional procession, attendees are asked to bring a “County flag.” Because Sutter County has no official flag, however, attendees from Sutter County in the past have either had no flag for the procession or have made their own.

Attendees are also required to perform a citizenship project in the county, so Mr. Tarke and Mr. Ruiz decided to make their project the creation of an official county flag.

To do that, they are learning to engage their local government. On April 11, they presented several design options to the Sutter County Agriculture, Public Protection and General Government Committee, and secured the Committee’s enthusiastic support for the project.

On Tuesday, April 19, the two Sutter High School students made a presentation to the five-member Board of Supervisors, and again won enthusiastic support. Supervisors directed that three of the possible flag designs presented by the youth be placed on the County’s website and that residents be allowed to vote on the design.

On Tuesday, May 3, the Board of Supervisors will vote on the final design.

To vote for your favorite, see the three "rough draft" flag options entitled A, B and C accompanying this article. Choose your favorite and vote by sending an email to survey@co.sutter.ca.us before the end of the day Sunday, May 1.

Individuals should vote just once. Multiple votes from the same email address will require the names of each individual voting to be considered.

Each of the three designs employs the official County seal and includes the year that Sutter County was created, 1850. (Sutter County was one of the original 27 counties of California).

Options A and C both utilize an outline of the Sutter Buttes borrowed from the Sutter County Historical Society. Option B utilizes an outline of the County boundaries with a star denoting the location of Yuba City, the County seat.

The youth are also accepting financial assistance to pay for a professional graphic designer to put the finishing touches on the chosen flag design, and to assist in purchasing flags.

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Sutter County Public Works crews cleaned up debris left behind by the swollen Sacramento River, including brush and uprooted trees, to re-open the boat ramp and parking lot. Several trees were quite large.

Spring runoff of an abundant snow supply could cause the Sacramento River to rise and force the closure of the Tisdale Boat ramp again.

Access to Mosquito Beach on the Feather River at Yuba City is also open, the Public Works Department announced.

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The program is open to the public, and admission is free. The Museum is located at 1333 Butte House Road in Yuba City. Regular open hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the Museum is free. For more information, call the Museum at 822-7141.

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Dr. Cherry Wy and Yvonne Jackson, FNP will continue to provide health care at the Sutter County Peach Tree Clinic. In addition, a Primary Care Physician will be providing primary care services. Your care on June 6, 2011 will be transferred to the healthcare providers of the Sutter County PeachTree Clinic. If you want to continue to be seen at the Sutter County PeachTree Clinic, there is no need to do anything.

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Sutter County Emergency Operations Manager John DeBeaux Jr. said a crack approximately 100 feet long was discovered approximately 300 feet west of a section of levee that first developed cracking on March 21. Reclamation District 1001 officials continue to monitor the situation.

Mr. DeBeaux informed the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night that it appears that at least 800 to 1,000 feet of levee will have to be replaced. Engineers will inspect the levee to get a better estimate of damage and cost, Mr. DeBeaux said.

The levee, which protects the Nicolaus basin, is not in imminent threat of failure. Water in the Natomas Canal is well below flood stage. Reclamation District 1001 officials continue to monitor the levee around-the-clock.

Last week, Sutter County reported $2.1 million in damages, including $2 million to repair the damaged levee. The estimate to fix the levee is now $4 million, bringing Sutter County's existing estimate to $4.1 million.

Heavy rains and large releases from upstream reservoirs in March raised river levels and led levee officials throughout Sutter County to begin levee patrols. On March 22, Sutter County's Board of Supervisors declared a local state of emergency after Reclamation District 1001 reported that one of its patrols spotting cracking and slipping on its levee about 1 1/2 miles east of the Sacramento River at Verona.

All points along the Sacramento River and the Sutter Bypass are running below monitor stage, Mr. DeBeaux reported. Releases from Shasta Reservoir have diminished and river levels are scheduled to drop further.

A heavy snowpack remains in the mountains that feed the reservoirs and conditions can change rapidly depending on weather.

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

Information on the cost and how to apply for a U.S. passport is available at travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Event:		Passport Day in the USA
Date:		Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time:		10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where:		Sutter County Clerk Recorder 433 Second Street Yuba City, CA 95991

Registration opens at 7 a.m., and there will be a mascot race, children's races, games, free pancake breakfast, Zumba, community booths and more!

To volunteer, please contact Kerri Miller at (530) 822-7263.

Employees, to register through the wellness program, contact Ericka Lansdon at (530) 822-5939 ext. 247.

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• www.ShotsForSchool.org

• www.cdc.gov/pertussis
• www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/Default.aspx

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Please view the flyer  for further details.

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Sutter County received an overall grade of “F”. Some points were awarded for the City of Yuba City prohibiting smoking in parks or other recreation areas, allowing the incorporated city to receive a grade “D” in the smokefree outdoor air category.

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