Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council hired a part-time community development director last week, as it prepares for the approaching end to a long-time building moratorium in the city, with its end as close as 10 months away. The council voted 3-1 to hire Barry Siebe as a 3-day-a-week community development director, for an annual salary of $85,000. Flynn prepared the job description for Siebe, who “will be responsible for planning; code enforcement and building inspections within the city.” He said Siebe has experience in both, working at Hughson, and for Pacific Municipal Consultants. Flynn said a “major planning effort was completed with adoption of the city’s general plan in August,” and a number of changes “remain to ensure the city may accommodate future development,” including the housing element, and zoning. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce voted against the hiring on the grounds that she thought City Manager Dixon Flynn should be responsible for hiring city employees. Flynn said the city has completed building its water pipeline that will link it to the Amador Water Agency system, to deliver treated water. The city only awaits permits from the California Department of Health to begin water delivery. Flynn said “we do have concern about the permits,” and staff estimated it may take 30-60 days. The city’s has a $2.25 million grant to improve its wastewater system and plant, which will lift a 2005 cease & desist order on the city barring new development. Flynn said the sewer projects should be completed by August 2010. Mayor Jon Colburn said he wanted the city to revive a Capital Improvement Projects list, for water and sewer rates. Flynn said the list needs to be updated. The city council last Thursday emerged from closed session with no announcement about discussions on the Arroyo Ditch. Flynn earlier in the meeting said the negotiation committee has had extensive discussion on the ditch, and city attorney Steven Rudolph would brief the council. Flynn said “We are close to the agreement.” Colburn said Councilwoman “Pat Shackleton has been involved in the Arroyo Ditch discussion and has been very helpful.” Shackleton said: “It sounds encouraging anyway, finally.” Flynn said the city is working with the Shenandoah Management Company to “market the city’s water on a short term basis.” He said the objective of the agreement is to reduce water and sewer bills for current Plymouth residents. Other goals are to improve water and sewer infrastructure and make other fixes, based on funding. Story by Jim Reece This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it