Amador County – The Sutter Creek City Council made 2 unanimous votes last night, one to name Linda Rianda the new city council member, the other to award the city trash hauling franchise to ACES Waste Service. The council fielded presentations and asked questions of 5 applicants for the city council seat vacated by the resignation last month of Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Hepworth, then made a 4-0 vote to select Linda Rianda for the position. Rianda is a former teacher and retired peace officer with 21 years’ service, including as Associate Warden. She worked at Mule Creek State Prison from 1987 to 1993 as a Correctional Counselor. In a standing-room-only crowd, Rianda and the other 4 applicants answered questions from the council in open session, including Mayor Gary Wooten’s identical question to each. Wooten asked what was the biggest issue facing Sutter Creek and what was each applicant’s solution. All 5 said finances or budget, or, in Rianda’s answer, the economy. She said loss of revenue and business closures were part of the problem. Her solution would be to meet with the city manager to get up to speed on the current budge. She would also “review long-term possibilities of revenue increases” and “work on ways to increase tourism.” She said “resolution to our budget is certainly work for more than 1 person and 1 council member.” After the 4-0 vote, City Clerk Judy Allen administered the oath of office and Rianda took a seat with the council. The council then heard presentations from 2 companies vying for the city’s garbage hauling franchise. Guy Davis of Amador Disposal and Paul Molinelli Sr. of ACES Waste Service both spoke and answered council and public questions. Molinelli said with his company, “every customer will see a reduction in their rates.” He said 56 percent of Sutter Creek commercial customers use 2-yard bins, and the ACES contract would save each of those customers $400 dollars a year. Molinelli said “those of you who know us can attest … We are a part of Sutter Creek.” The council voted 5-0 to direct staff to prepare a waste hauling contract with ACES and bring the paperwork to the council’s next meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.