A new transportation joint powers authority could form locally at about the same speed as cars travel in Amador County - slowly.

A broadened planning role could emerge for the Amador County Transportation Commission - if it re-forms into a JPA and expands its representation. Expanded representation would include local cities and could go further, possibly including local American Indian tribes. Some transportation authorities elsewhere wield extensive powers, including eminent domain and instituting sales tax revenue measures.

"In meeting with city managers and others, some very good ideas came out," Charles Field, executive director of the ACTC, said in a session Wednesday. "(But) the group stopped short of any of the more progressive roles that some transportation authorities have, including the building of projects, and right-of-way condemnation."

In addition, the apportioning of seats on any new JPA wouldn't be easy, commissioners agreed.

"Upcountry is pine trees and snow, (but) it has more than 12,000 residents," said Debbie Dunn, an Amador Water Agency director representing two upcountry citizen groups. "In all five cities in Amador, there are 12,000 residents."

Ione City Manager Kim Kerr noted that interests of American Indian communities can affect the forming of a transportation authority. "In Humboldt County, the Hoopa (wanted) seating on a JPA," she said.

Commissioner Greg Baldwin, a Plymouth councilman, urged his colleagues to go slow. In turn, the board as a whole favored a wait-and-see approach. "I don't see why we can't go forward, as long as we're cautious," Baldwin said. "Let staff work out the issues."

Commissioners voted 5-0 for Baldwin's proposal.

As part of staff's work on the JPA idea is a new round of talks with officials from local cities, and possibly with citizens' groups like the Pine Grove Town Council and the Upcountry Community Council.

Dunn, who sits on both, said that upcountry sessions should have been done already. Dunn cited Field's Feb. 13 report to commissioners, which called for talks with the two upcountry councils.