Monica Hofstetter will join the Richland Utility Advisory Committee, inmates will pick up trash that escapes the landfill and council will discuss a city survey, Randy’s Rundown Feb. 6

After several years as a men’s group, the Richland Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) will take a step towards more diversity when the Richland City Council approves the appointment of a woman to the committee at the council’s Tuesday night meeting.

Monica Hofstetter, senior accountant at Ben Franklin Transit, will be the latest appointee.

In a telephone interview, Hofstetter described to the Observer that she wanted to become part of the community where she had recently moved, looked at the city’s online listing of committee openings and applied to the UAC where she thought she made the best fit.

Hofstetter moved to Richland in June 2023 from southwest Washington where she was Director of Finance and Administration for North Country Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

“I love Richland and I want to stay here,” Hofstetter told the Observer. After she bought a house last October she decided to look for an opportunity to serve.

Hofstetter feels her background in accounting and her work with EMS will be particularly helpful to the UAC.

The committee, according to the city code, provides additional expertise to staff for the operation and management of city-owned utilities that include the electric utility, EMS, garbage and landfill services, drinking water treatment, sewage treatment, and stormwater management.

The membership of the committee has been tilted towards electric utility expertise and two members with that background have each served over 15 years.

Hofstetter feels her background in accounting and her work with EMS will be good experience for working with the UAC.

Inmates to pick up trash that escapes the landfill

Richland will pay the Washington Department of Corrections to have inmates pick up the trash that escapes the landfill.

None of the material made available in the information packet mentions the cost to the city for this service or what, if anything, the inmates will be paid, just that funding will come out of the city’s landfill budget.

National Community Survey

Council will discuss the results of the city’s participation in the National Community Survey, included in the council packet on page 193.

The survey was sent to 2800 households and 451 of them responded.

Council meets at 6 pm at Richland City Hall

The city council will meet at Richland City Hall at 6 pm. The meeting will be televised on Cable Channel 192 and will be streamed live on Richland City View. Agenda details are available in the packet.