Amador County – The Ione City Council leaned toward an exclusive contract with ACES Waste Service Tuesday, and directed staff to look into the pros and cons of using a franchise agreements, instead of permits, for trash contracts. City Attorney Kristen Castanos said they cannot enact an exclusive franchise without taking necessary steps, including amending “municipal code.” Staff will bring back information on both methods, and give the council information on how to take those necessary steps. Earlier this year, ACES won the franchise contract to serve Sutter Creek, beating out the incumbent haulers Waste Connections, operators of Amador Disposal Service. After that, Waste Connections announced it would be ending its services in Ione effective August 1st. Ione City Council members expressed support of ACES, which took over the city trash routes. City Manager Kim Kerr in a report Tuesday said Waste Connections recently said it wants to return to Ione. Kerr said it was up to the council to direct staff on the matter. Mayor Lee Ard said he was a Waste Connections customer and received the notice letter like everyone else in town. He called ACES but did not say he was the mayor, and ACES told him “they were trying to digest Sutter Creek and it would take 2-3 weeks to get a barrel in front” of his house. They kept their word, Ard said, and he heard no complaints. He said ACES “had to shell out almost $500,000 overnight to take care of this,” and now Waste Connections wants to come back. Ard said he does not appreciate the fact they left, or that they want to come back. Councilman David Plank said he was “in favor of ACES under an exclusive franchise agreement.” He said Castle Oaks PGA golf pro Dominic Atlan was “adamant about the fine service they provide. Vice Mayor Skip Schaufel said “it’s almost a David & Goliath situation.” They got ACES “to commit a huge amount of money, then they come back and try to force them out of business.” Schaufel said “it is not a common practice” and “it is despicable.” Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said she did not favor an exclusive franchise, though she might support it if data shows it’s the best avenue. And she said there should be “some kind of penalty” for a trash permit holder who leaves and then comes back. Councilman Jim Ulm said he was not in favor of the exclusive franchise, but he also supported giving ACES an opportunity to get a return for its investment. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.