C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 87 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
Pony Express Trail gets safety upgrades Eric Jaramishian Senior staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
A pedestrian sign lights up at the crosswalk near 50 Grand Restaurant in Pollock Pines, one of many improvements made on Pony Express Trail to address pedestrian and bicycle safety concerns. This crosswalk, Forebay Road, Cox Street and Sanders Road all got safety upgrades, including new signage, striping and lighted crosswalks.
Pedestrian and bicycle improvements on Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines, which include better signage and construction of a multiuse path, have been completed. The Pony Express Trail Bicycle, Pedestrian and ADA Improvements Capital Improvement Project began in spring. The stretch of Pony Express Trail from Sanders Drive and Sly Park Road now features approximately 1.7 miles of Class II bike lanes on both sides, improved painted crosswalk markings and pedestrian crosswalk signage with flashing beacons that warn drivers of people crossing. The project also improves ADA access and includes a sidewalk with a retaining wall and improved striping of the road. Beaconed crosswalks have been installed at Sanders Drive, Cox Street, Forebay Road and one in front of 50
Grand Restaurant, the site where five preschool-aged children were struck by a van while in the crosswalk on a field trip to a nearby park. The $4 million improvement project has been in the works for approximately five years, according to El Dorado County Department of Transportation staff. “One of the main reasons we tackled this project was because the community reached out, who were maintaining that dirt trail and main pedestrian pathway; there is also a deep hill, not ADA accessible,” said Matt Smeltzer, DOT deputy director of engineering. “People with disabilities are using roadway so we came up with solution with a sidewalk as ADA compliant as possible.” The 2023 accident on the community’s main thoroughfare was a tipping point for the community; many called on the county to make improvements that summer, even ■ See IMPROVEMENTS, page A9
CPCSD budget still in the red Malachi Parker Staff write
Faced with a deep budget deficit in the 2024-25 fiscal year the Cameron Park Community Services District Board of Directors has adopted a final budget that only lessens red ink. The district’s preliminary budget deficit of $650,002 was cut to $578,132. Directors had the opportunity to shave an additional $141,514 off the deficit but as of now reject any staff reductions. Staff included in its report presented on Aug. 21 a proposed cut that would have eliminated the parks and facilities supervisor position and
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replaced a maintenance worker II position with a maintenance worker I. Cuts were proposed and approved in the areas of staff development, instructors, janitorial, fuel and fire turnout gear totaling about $27,000. The board also supported eliminating a planned $30,000 transfer to the CC&R budget and decided to start charging users who pay via credit card the merchant fees charged by credit card companies, saving the district an estimated $17,000. The final budget also estimates $20,000 in additional revenue coming from pool rental fees. CPCSD General Manager Alan Gardner said he also expects revenue increases with additional programs coming to the district for seniors and kids and the CSD will host two swim teams that will bring in money. “I think the targets are a little aggressive, but I expect to hit those targets,” Gardener told the Mountain Democrat. “Yes, I think it’s ■ See CPCSD, page A9
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
This former office building in El Dorado Hills will soon provide pediatrics services and more as part of the Shingle Springs Health and Wellness Center’s plans to provide more services to community members across the county.
Shingle Springs Health & Wellness Center expanding Odin Rasco Senior staff writer
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n an effort to better serve the community, the Shingle Springs Health & Wellness Center is following through on plans which will expand services offered at the clinic in Placerville and bring new options for care to El Dorado Hills. “Part of our mission statement is to expand with the needs of the community,” explained SSHWC Executive Director Kyle Nelson. “So, you look at where the gaps are, and we hear from schools, from other hospitals
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so there is no firm expected opening date at this point, according to Nelson. The new El Dorado Hills location will be built out and opened in phases; the first floor, which is just about 9,600 square feet in size, will be devoted to pediatric care, including 16-19 exam rooms. A pediatrician, two advanced practitioners and necessary support staff are planned to staff the operation during the rollout period, with room to expand staff if the center sees ample ■ See HEALTH, page A9
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and from the county and they say, ‘It’s really hard to find X or Y service for our clients.’” During a strategic planning session held in 2023, SSHWC leadership identified a need for pediatric care in the region. The organization purchased a former office building on Hillsdale Circle in El Dorado Hills earlier this year, but had not announced what services are planned at of the location until now. The project is still in its early phases, with a request for proposals having recently gone out to project managers and construction management firms,
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