Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023 – 6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
CLOSED SESSION AT 5:30 PM
CLOSED SESSION: The closed session meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON CLOSED SESSION MATTERS: No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Dean Uecker, Gary Barton, Daniel de Graaf, Vice Mayor Leo Zuber, Mayor Michael Restuccia.
OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, City Clerk Lisa Roos.
IN THE MATTER OF:
(1)Real Property Negotiations pursuant to Section 54956.7 of the California Government Code – APN: 245-180-27
Return to open session
City Attorney Terpstra said Council met in closed session to authorize the purchase of property at the northeast corner of North Ripon Road and River Road comprising of .92 acres and authorized the expenditure of funds for that purchase. During closed session Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 23-9 accepting the deed of said property. No further action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with Ripon Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelly Donohue leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION:
Pastor Mark Van Dyke gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Michael Restuccia Mayor Present
Leo Zuber Vice Mayor Present
Daniel de Graaf Council Member Present
Gary Barton Council Member Present
Dean Uecker Council Member Present
City Council Page 2 February 14, 2023
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Director of Public Works James Pease, Police Chief Ed Ormonde, City Clerk Lisa Roos, Deputy City Clerk Jane Kilgore, Information Systems Technician Hunter Crosby, Jerry and Danielle Pierce, Mark Van Dyke.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council Meeting of January 10, 2023.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - JAN 10, 2023 6:00 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Motion to approve the agenda as posted.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as posted.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
City Council Page 3 February 14, 2023
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(January 2022 $204,621.66)
FY 2022-23 YTD: $2,690,715
FY 2021-22 YTD: $2,456,910
Highway Users Tax
(December 2021 $29,879.32)
FY 2022-23 YTD: $220,135
FY 2021-22 YTD: $206,708
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(January 2022 $26,817.79)
FY 2022-23 YTD: $204,013
FY 2021-22 YTD: $191,944
$281,095.43
$37,448.86
$30,089.67
TOTAL $348,633.96
B. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment – December 2022 $2,246.92 C. BERTOLOTTI DISPOSAL, INC.
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment
October 2022
December 2022
$1,406.09
$1,400.82
TOTAL $2,806.91
D. GILTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment – December 2022 $11,679.45 E. VERTICAL BRIDGE
Annual Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment $11,760.37
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA
General Matters
Police Matters
Padilla Accessory Dwelling Unit
$14,602.50
$1,210.00
$295.00
TOTAL $16,107.50
B. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES MEMBERSHIP
2023 Membership Dues $7,538.00
C. CAVES & ASSOCIATES
Professional Services – Labor Relations
Invoice #23-033 $87.50
City Council Page 4 February 14, 2023
D. HARRIS & ASSOCIATES
Proposition 218 Fire Suppression Assessment Study
Progress Payment – Invoice #56157 $846.60
E. PRICE PAIGE & COMPANY
Audit Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #23130 $1,566.00
F. SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
Blossom Express Driver
December Invoice #AR113413 $1,591.98
G. ASPEN SURVEY COMPANY, INC.
State Mandated Survey Monument Evaluation
Progress Payment – Invoice #22-001-2 $2,400.00
H. VAUGHAN CONSTRUCTION
Sidewalk Trip Hazard Repairs
Progress Payment – Invoice #4255 $20,688.25
1.3. Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION NO. 23-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AUTHORIZING A LETTER OF
RECOMMENDATION FOR PETER
BULTHUIS TO SERVE ON THE
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
MOSQUITO AND VECTOR
CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
This resolution authorizes sending a letter
of recommendation to appoint Peter
Bulthuis to the San Joaquin County
Mosquito and Vector Control District
Board of Trustees.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 23-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2022-
23 FINANCIAL TRANSFERS
This resolution approves the financial
transfers for Fiscal Year 2022-23, as
discussed at the January 10, 2023 City
Council Workshop.
City Council Page 5 February 14, 2023
1.4. Miscellaneous Items
A. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
Fehr & Peers Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the agreement with Fehr & Peers to
provide traffic engineering design
services in the not to exceed amount of
$35,000 for the East Main Street Traffic
Signal Project (funding source:
Transportation PFFP Capital Fund).
B. QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT REVIEW
October 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022 Accept the City’s quarterly investment report for the period ending December
31, 2022.
C. ANIMAL SHELTER DOOR REPLACEMENT CONTRACT
Vaughan Construction Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Vaughan
Construction to purchase and install
replacement doors for the City Animal
Shelter in the not to exceed amount of
$32,808.80 (funding source: General
Department Capital Fund).
D. DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL DESIGNATION OF
SUBORDINATE OFFICER OR BODY
Department of Alcoholic Beverage
Control
The City Council designates the Chief
of Police to make determinations of
Public Convenience or Necessity for
persons/premises applying for an
Alcoholic Beverage Control license.
E. PROCLAMATION
Ripon Christian High School Present a proclamation to Ripon Christian High School recognizing its
outstanding athletic accomplishments.
F. PROCLAMATION
Ripon Chamber of Commerce Present a proclamation to Ripon Chamber of Commerce recognizing
their 100 years of service.
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
City Council Page 6 February 14, 2023
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Restuccia presented a proclamation to Kevin Tameling, Athletic Director for Ripon Christian High School, in recognition for their outstanding athletic accomplishments.
Mayor Restuccia presented a proclamation to Kelly Donohue, CEO of Ripon Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Debbie Daniels, President of Ripon Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of their centennial celebration.
2. ORDINANCES
Second Reading and Adoption
A. ORDINANCE NO. 919
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
REZONING CERTAIN REAL
PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 820 N.
STOCKTON AVENUE AND 225
FRANKLIN LANE (APNS 261-200-02
AND 261-200-29) IN THE CITY OF
RIPON
This ordinance rezones properties located
at 820 N. Stockton Avenue and 225
Franklin Lane (APNs 261-200-02 and 261-
200-29) from UR (Urban Reserve) to R1
(Single Family Residential).
Motion to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 919 rezoning certain real properties located at 820 N. Stockton Avenue and 225 Franklin Lane (APNs 261-200-02 and 261-200-29) in the City of Ripon.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. INSTALLATION AGREEMENT
Frontier California, Inc.
Discussion/Action
Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign
the Installation Agreement with Frontier
California, Inc. for the installation of highspeed fiber optic cables within the City of Ripon right-of-way in order to provide
telecommunications services to Ripon
residents and businesses.
City Administrator Werner introduced Associate Engineer Christiana Giedd. Giedd said Frontier wants to install 70 miles of fiber optic cables throughout the City and have begun submitting encroachment permits. Staff decided it would be best to create an installation agreement to ensure the project is completed in the best way. She said staff City Council Page 7 February 14, 2023
believes Frontier will start construction in the third or fourth quarter of 2023.
Giedd said there are three ways for Frontier to install fiber optic cables including horizontal boring, which is staff’s preference. Horizontal boring would include a 4x4 patch in the street but would enable them to go two house lengths before boring again.
Giedd showed a picture of what the patches will look like.
Mayor Restuccia said that would mean having patches along the whole street; Giedd confirmed.
Vice Mayor Zuber asked if Frontier will be responsible for the repair of the street section they are working on. Giedd confirmed and said staff wanted to keep requirements manageable because fiber optic internet is a great benefit to the residents of Ripon.
Giedd said Frontier would like to install about 40 miles of new underground conduit.
Restuccia asked if staff is aware that Frontier is already installing fiber optic. Giedd said staff is not currently approving any permits that involve trenching, but Frontier is currently installing fiber optic cable on existing utility poles and pulling cable through existing conduit.
Giedd said another trenching option is microtrenching, which is a foot-wide patch the length of the road.
Werner said the issues with this option are due to the chamfer of our curbs; the trench would be in the middle of the lane and the equipment is then in the road putting more stress on the road.
Restuccia confirmed trenching will only be done where there is no existing conduit.
Council Member Barton asked if Frontier will install a large enough conduit to allow for other fiber optic utility companies. Werner said no.
Restuccia inquired about the quality of the roads where the trenching had been done.
Giedd said she drove the streets in Manteca and said they looked fine. Giedd said she spoke to the City of Manteca and they were happy with the outcome. Giedd said she spoke to a city that did the microtrenching and said that city was unhappy with the results.
Werner said the seal around the patch is important because if it is not done right the water will leak under the patch and compromise the asphalt. Barton said the work has to be quality.
Restuccia asked who will go out and make sure this is done right. Giedd said staff will be hiring a consultant to do this and the consultant’s fees will be paid for with a portion of Frontier’s encroachment permit fees. If the consultant’s fees go beyond the portion of encroachment permit fees designated for inspection, the agreement states that Frontier will be responsible for the difference.
City Council Page 8 February 14, 2023
Barton asked how long this will take. Giedd said Frontier estimates a nine-month construction time but staff feels that it will take longer.
Werner said staff will control how many permits are issued at one time in order to keep up with inspections and control the disruption to residents.
Giedd said she wanted to clarify that all encroachment permit requirements will be met using this agreement and what is being called a “permit to construct”, which will eliminate duplicate work.
Restuccia said this can be used as a template for future projects.
Restuccia asked Giedd to send them a map of the proposed underground trenching areas.
Barton asked Giedd to send Council a map of Manteca locations with underground trenching.
Motion to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Installation Agreement with Frontier California, Inc. for the installation of high-speed fiber optic cables within the City of Ripon right-of-way in order to provide telecommunications services to Ripon residents and businesses.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
B. CITY WIDE WAYFINDING SIGN PROJECT
Discussion/No Action Staff to present the proposed wayfinding signs throughout the City along with an
electronic sign at City Hall.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said staff has been working with a local vendor and the Chamber on a wayfinding sign master plan for quite some time. He said the purpose of the wayfinding sign project is to direct out-of-town travelers to the Mistlin Sports Park and Downtown District.
Zuidervaart said the wayfinding sign project in our Downtown District will direct the traveling public to the City’s additional parking areas.
Zuidervaart said the first phase of the two-phase plan includes sixteen proposed sign locations outside the Downtown District area. He said each location would include the installation of a decorative pole, similar to the City’s decorative light poles in our Downtown District, and a wayfinding sign.
Zuidervaart said the first phase would also include the installation of an electronic City Council Page 9 February 14, 2023
message center monument sign located in front of City Hall along Wilma Avenue. He said the sign would replace the existing Police Department monument sign and be double sided so that traffic traveling on Wilma Avenue will be able to see the sign from either direction. He said the purpose of the electronic message center sign will be to share important community messages regarding upcoming events and pertinent information.
Zuidervaart said if this sign works well, they may consider putting more of the electrical signs in other places throughout town.
Zuidervaart said the second phase has 14 proposed sign locations. About half of the locations would include the installation of decorative poles in order to mount the wayfinding signs, while the other half of the signs would be mounted to already existing decorative light poles. He said the signs would focus on public parking locations, pertinent buildings and the ACE Station in the future.
Zuidervaart said the entire project would cost approximately $137,000 with United Signs.
Zuidervaart said staff wants to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown group on a sign design.
Mayor Restuccia asked if this was a result of the Downtown Parking Committee meeting.
Zuidervaart said the desire for wayfinding signs goes back farther. Zuidervaart said the City has done some striping in the Downtown District to help with parking and the wayfinding signage will be part of this.
Vice Mayor Zuber asked if the message board could resemble the Downtown District signs instead of stucco. Zuidervaart said the vendor is able to show staff and Council different models.
Council Member Barton asked if staff has discussed what information would go on the electronic sign. City Administrator Werner said if the electronic sign is approved staff will bring back a policy regarding what is allowed. He said staff is working to improve how information is relayed to the public and to develop creative educational content for the new website.
Barton said when the government spends money he is interested in not only in the cost, but also the potential benefit and believes it is difficult to pin that down on something like this. He said Council is considering this with the goal that it will direct people to businesses in town and generate economic activity.
Zuidervaart said if people know where they want to go, they plug in directions, but people out at the Mistlin Sports Park are not always sure where they want to go and this will help direct traffic from Mistlin Sports Park to Downtown District.
Kelly Donohue, Chamber of Commerce CEO, said the Chamber has been working with the City on this project for years and this is an economic drive for the Downtown District.
She said there is a need for signage regarding businesses and directing people to available Downtown District parking so people know what is available. She said the Downtown District businesses, in collaboration with the Chamber, brought this idea to the Council.
City Council Page 10 February 14, 2023
Council Member de Graaf said the other downtowns have these signs.
Donohue said the parking and walkability are very important. She said the electronic sign will be very nice.
Restuccia said the signs are very classy. Donohue agreed and said this goes very well with the existing arches and goal that the Chamber and City have been working toward.
Council gave direction to proceed with the project and bring back an electronic sign model that matches the wayfinding signs.
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Director of Public Works Pease gave a report regarding the Recycling Center revenue and expenses. He said the City has spent $6,900 to match the $60 per ton price the City had agreed to with Ripon Unified School District. He said the City contribution could increase depending on the market this year. He said staff is looking to find a facility that will accept the Styrofoam and plastic and said staff is looking to hire part time employees to increase hours at the Recycling Center. Pease said the City collected 234 tons of cardboard for the 2022 year as opposed to 272 tons in 2021, and 400 tons in 2019. This is due to the limited operating hours.
Pease said January water usage was down 4.5% from 2013 numbers and 5% from last year’s number and water usage for 2022 overall was down 16.5% from 2013 and 2% higher than 2021.
Mayor Restuccia asked how often the depths of the aquafers are checked. Pease said monthly and there is a downward trend.
City Council:
Council Member Barton said he had a chance to talk to Steve Verver and was told that the local American Legion’s financial position is strong now thanks to Chief Ormonde.
Barton said Verver is also active as a coach at Ripon High School and described the staff as committed to the town. Barton said that is what makes this City remarkable and exceptional. The leaders of this town really care about it and he is proud of the legacy.
Barton said one of the reasons Ripon is exceptional is because they have a vision for what they want the town to be like and it is based on eternal truth including the Declaration of Independence. He said we are not subject to the cultural whims of the day rather on things we know for hundreds of thousands of years that have proven to create communities where people work together.
Council Member de Graff said thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and congratulated everyone.
City Council Page 11 February 14, 2023
Council Member Uecker congratulated the Chamber on their Centennial Celebration and said Kelly Donohue does a wonderful job.
Vice Mayor Zuber said he has arranged the car for the Almond Blossom parade.
Mayor Restuccia said we have lost some close friends these past couple weeks and to be sure to pray for their families.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 PM. (Signed) Mike Restuccia
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk