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The “Cap to Cap” April lobbying junket sponsored by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce was again a point of heated debate at the Auburn City Council on Monday night. After deciding that the Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant should be at the top of the list for any Auburn representative to lobby for in Washington, D.C., the council then debated whether they should send anyone at all. Last year when the issue came up, Councilmembers Bob Snyder, Kevin
Hanley and Keith Nesbitt voted against approving funds for the trip,
even though fellow Councilman Mike Holmes was already slated to attend,
with the Air Quality Control Board footing a portion of the bill.
Bridget Powers was Holmes’ only backer at the time.
“I have a history of not supporting ‘Cap to Cap,’” Snyder said. “I believe we do have an issue now.” Hanley disagreed. “We already have representatives in our elected officials,” he said. “We have lobbyists in Washington, D.C.” Hanley said he opposed asking for special earmarks from Congress. “President
Bush is asking Congress to hold earmarks,” he said. “And here we are
asking our representative to give us earmarks. ... We shouldn’t be
spending tax payer money to support a corrupt earmark system.” Hanley
added that with the city facing a financial crunch, with possible
layoffs of city staff, he couldn’t support spending $3,300 to send
someone from Auburn. Holmes announced he was planning to attend
the junket again this year, with the Air Quality Control Board footing
half the bill, so the city’s share would only amount to about $1,500. Powers said it was important to send an Auburn official and she believed it should be Mayor Nesbitt. After
it was agreed that an Auburn representative would only lobby for
funding for the Regional Waste Water Treatment plant, Hanley made a
motion to approve funding to send Snyder on the trip since he knows the
issues “cold.” Powers seconded the motion. After a string of yes votes, with Snyder abstaining, Holmes said he was surprised by Hanley’s change of heart. “I’m
amazed by Mr. Hanley’s comments that we shouldn’t send somebody, then
he (wants to send Mr. Snyder,)” he said. Holmes was the sole vote
against the motion. Issues removed from Snyder’s lobbying agenda
were Electric Street storm water drainage improvements, Lincoln Basin
storm water improvements and funding for an interpretive center to be
built in the School Park Preserve. In other matters, the City Council: –
Approved City Manager to sign a letter of intent to be sent to the
county regarding the city’s plans to participate in two new animal
shelters, one in Auburn and the other in South Placer County. – Approved Airport Manager Jerry Martin to move forward with lease agreements for two offices at the airport. –
Announced that a plaque dedicating the Nevada Street train station to
the late Robert Conheim will be unveiled at 6:30 p.m. on March 14.
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