Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023 – 6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM with Mayor Restuccia leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION:
Pastor Brett Dood gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Michael Restuccia Mayor Present
Leo Zuber Vice Mayor Present
Daniel de Graaf Council Member Absent
Gary Barton Council Member Present
Dean Uecker Council Member Present
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Director of Public Works James Pease, Associate Civil Engineer Christiana Giedd, Police Chief Ed Ormonde, City Clerk Lisa Roos, Deputy City Clerk Jane Kilgore, Information Systems Technician Hunter Crosby, Steven Verver, Kelly Donohue.
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 March 14, 2023.
RESULT: ADOPTED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, Barton, Uecker
AWAY: de Graaf
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - MAR 14, 2023 6:00 PM City Council Page 2 April 11, 2023
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Mayor Restuccia requested Item 1.4C be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Motion to approve the agenda as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, Barton, Uecker
AWAY: de Graaf
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, Barton, Uecker
AWAY: de Graaf
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(March 2022 $249,212.20)
FY 2022-23 YTD: $3,487,377
FY 2021-22 YTD: $3,346,400
Highway Users Tax
(February 2022 $29,759.05)
FY 2022-23 YTD: $284,379
FY 2021-22 YTD: $264,990
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(March 2022 $25,274.30)
FY 2022-23 YTD: $261,635
FY 2021-22 YTD: $242,474
$277,588.30
$33,101.84
$28,362.40
TOTAL $339,052.54
B. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Vehicle License Fee FY 2021-22 Excess Funds
FY 2020-21: $18,821.20
$16,378.93
C. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
March 2023 $1,271.90
City Council Page 3 April 11, 2023
D. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment – February 2023 $9,393.59
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 2022-2023 4th Quarter Deposits
Liability Program
Workers’ Compensation Program
$90,519.00
$139,987.00
TOTAL $230,506.00
B. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA
General Matters
Police Matters
Padilla Accessory Dwelling Unit
Private Development
$10,068.75
$4,471.00
$2,950.00
$2,363.75
TOTAL $19,853.50
C. BANC OF AMERICA LEASING
Ripon Public Financing Authority
2011 Waste Water Bonds $11,550.00
D. LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
Professional Services
Invoice # 230298 $320.00
E. KEESEY DESIGN
Design/Graphic Services for the 122 N. Elm-Townhouse
Concept Project - Phase 2 $5,610.00
F. SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
Blossom Express Driver
February Invoice #AR113488 $1,500.14
G. LDA
Corporation Yard Construction Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #22/622-03-20 $12,000.00
H. SORACCO, INC.
Well 19 Pump Station Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #16 $74,641.50
I. WGR SOUTHWEST, INC.
City Storm Water Permit Assistance
Progress Payment – Invoice #28126 $810.00
J. DIEDE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Fleet Maintenance Facility Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #1 $477,400.27
City Council Page 4 April 11, 2023
K. TERRACON CONSULTANTS, INC.
Fleet Maintenance Facility
Materials Testing & Inspection Services
Progress Payment
Invoice #TJ07187
Invoice #TJ11593
$641.00
$771.00
TOTAL: $1,412.00
1.3. Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION NO. 23-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AMENDING THE CITY'S
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
POLICY
This resolution amends the City of
Ripon’s Alcohol and Drug Use Policy to
comply with current laws.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 23-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ACCEPTING THE SAN JOAQUIN
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS’
ANNUAL FINANCIAL PLAN FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
ADOPTED BY THE COG BOARD
ON MARCH 23, 2023
This resolution accepts the San Joaquin
Council of Governments’ annual
financial plan that describes the proposed
transportation planning activities for
fiscal year 2023-2024.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 23-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ACCEPTING THE ZERO-EMISSION
BUS ROLLOUT PLAN
This resolution accepts the ZeroEmission Bus Rollout Plan which will serve as a guideline for the City to
transition to a zero emission transit
agency in a manner consistent with
California Air Resources Board
requirements.
City Council Page 5 April 11, 2023
1.4. Miscellaneous Items
A. PROJECT IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT
Liberty Self Storage Facility Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Project Improvement
Agreement between the City of Ripon
and Liberty Self Storage LP required for
the development of the Liberty Self
Storage Facility proposed to be located
on Fourth Street in the undeveloped
parcel next to Guntert Steel.
B. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - CITY'S 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT City of Ripon Planning Department Authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals to contract a planning
consultant to prepare the City of Ripon’s
6 th Cycle Housing Element update.
C. ITEM C WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
D. REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
Noosa Energy Storage Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Noosa Battery Storage
Reimbursement Agreement that
provides reimbursement for staff time to
respond to an extension request for a
previously approved application for a
battery energy storage project located at
1302 Frontage Road (near the City of
Ripon Park and Ride lot).
E. GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
Conti LLC Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the agreement with Conti LLC to
furnish and install complete audio/visual
and control systems in the Council
Chambers in the not to exceed amount
of $51,110 (funding source: General
Department Capital Fund ).
City Council Page 6 April 11, 2023
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
1.4C : EQUIPMENT DONATION
Ripon Police Department Accept the donation of $3,396.75 from Rick and Valerie Van Unen for the Ripon
Police Department staff to purchase
defensive tactics training and fitness mats.
Mayor Restuccia said he wanted to thank Rick and Valerie Van Unen for their donation of training mats to the Police Department.
Restuccia asked who is paying for the $400 logo charge. Chief Ormonde said it would be absorbed through the Police Department budget. Restuccia said he would like to donate the cost of adding the logo to the mats.
Motion made to approve Item 1.4C accepting the donation from Rick and Valerie Van Unen for the training mats and the donation from Mike Restuccia of $400 to add the police officer badge logo to the mats.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, Barton, Uecker
AWAY: de Graaf
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
2. RESOLUTIONS
A. RESOLUTION NO. 23-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ORDERING MANDATORY WATER
CONSERVATION MEASURES
This resolution allows the City to move
from Stage 3 to Stage 2 of the City’s
Drought Contingency Plan in response to
Executive Order N-5-23 issued by
Governor Gavin Newsom on March 24,
2023.
Director of Public Works Pease said this is in response to Executive Order #N-5-23 eliminating certain watering restrictions throughout the State. He said that there is much in the Order, but there are only a few items that pertain to the City. In July 2022, the City issued a resolution in response to another Executive Order from the Governor mandating cities move to the next restrictive level in their water management contingency plans. Pease said this moved the City to a two day a week watering schedule. The new Executive Order allows the City to lift the 20% mandated water usage decrease allowing the City to go back to a three day a week watering schedule and allow the use of decorative fountains. He said a minor change included how long people have to fix a leak moving from 24 hours to 48 hours.
City Council Page 7 April 11, 2023
Pease said if the resolution is approved, staff will send a Nixle to residents, update the website, change the signs and send out postcards to inform residents of the watering schedule change.
Vice Mayor Zuber said he noticed summer watering is going back to three days but questioned why winter watering will stay at one day. Pease said we are at Stage 3 in our Water Contingency Plan, and the Executive Order allows us to move to our Stage 2, which includes one watering day in the winter and three watering days in the summer.
Zuber asked if the numbers in the Executive Order are based on the Governor’s numbers or are the numbers a decision we make on our own. City Administrator Werner said the City usually receives guidance to clarify the Executive Order from the State Water Board, but staff has not received guidance yet.
Council Member Barton said the City has been under Governor ordered drought policies since 2018 and the current order was an additional cut to the amount of water that cities were allowed to use.
Motion to approve Resolution 23-17 ordering mandatory water conservation measures.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Gary Barton, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, Barton, Uecker
ABSENT: de Graaf
3. ORDINANCES
First Reading and Introduction
A. ORDINANCE NO. ______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AMENDING CHAPTER 5.40
"LICENSING AND REGULATIONS OF
SPECIAL EVENTS" OF THE RIPON
MUNICIPAL CODE
This ordinance amends Chapter 5.40
“Licensing and Regulations of Special
Events” of the Ripon Municipal Code that
addresses application eligibility and
performing general cleanup/updates.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said this is the first reading and introduction of the ordinance pertaining to special events permits. He said staff did some general clean up and added additional language to mimic the original intent of the chapter.
Vice Mayor Zuber asked what generated the interest to change this particular ordinance.
Zuidervaart said some special events consume quite a bit of staff time and the City does not have the personnel to process and manage the events, which are typically on the weekends.
He said these events do require oversight to ensure they are following the rules and regulations.
City Council Page 8 April 11, 2023
Zuber asked if the City could generate a fee structure to cover the costs.
Zuidervaart said staff could look into that, but typically the for-profit events go into fully developed, paved fairground type venues with storm drainage and restrooms and we do not have that type of venue. He said over the past years, there have been some issues including excessive rain, storm water and fixing the field before Almond Blossom. He said trying to manage the events throughout the weekend when events do not follow the rules and regulations they agreed to, requires oversight that the City cannot provide without a fee structure in place.
Mayor Restuccia said that particular event was moved to the County this year. Zuidervaart clarified that it was still in City limits.
Council Member Barton said he thought this was primarily a response to that event.
Zuidervaart said there are also events that could come to the City and place the City in the same situation including flea markets, rummage sales and gun sales, and Ripon does not have the facilities to host those types of events. Hosting those events on undeveloped properties poses some issues for the City. For example, when a development project comes to town they are required to install construction entrances so they are not tracking dirt from the site. He said there is a lot more to putting these events on besides just issuing a permit.
Zuber asked if these events are able to be held on private property. Zuidervaart said no, the ordinance has been restructured to be closer to the original intent which was for local Ripon businesses and non-profits to be able to host events in town. He said the Farmer’s Market and Main Street Day are great examples of what the Special Events permit was intended for.
Zuber asked if a private professional business could come to town and use a private facility and charge entrance fees. Zuidervaart said that would not fall under the permit as it is structured
Council Member Uecker asked if the City charges a fee for that. Zuidervaart said no.
Zuber said this is basically designed to keep out of town businesses from hosting special events in the City of Ripon.
City Administrator Werner said the City would not have a role if a private professional business came to town and used a private facility.
Zuber asked if a private professional business would be able to host an event at Stouffer Park. Werner said that would not be a special event permit, it would be a park rental. He said Stouffer Park is a fully developed park intended to host events.
Zuber asked if this keeps somebody who owns 40 acres in town from constructing a space and hosting a for-profit event. Werner said they would need to go through the development process in order to do that.
Restuccia asked what this eliminates. Zuidervaart said it eliminates a for-profit business City Council Page 9 April 11, 2023
coming to town, renting vacant undeveloped land in town and hosting a special event forprofit, expending City resources for a very small amount.
Barton asked why the City could not charge a fee that truly reflects the cost to the City.
Zuidervaart said this is a policy decision by the Council of whether Council wants staff to manage and host events on undeveloped property, a task that consumes a lot of staff time. He said a good example is the last event where a for-profit business rented private property, developed a parking plan and on the day of the event people were parking across the street resulting in pedestrians crossing in unsafe conditions. He said the people having the event should be managing these issues but they do not.
Zuber asked if a Ripon business could do it if they wanted to. Zuidervaart said they would not be able to have the event on undeveloped property.
Werner said they are working towards the City and municipal land having the same rules as private landowners. Private property owners could not have an event like this without it being developed property. Werner said the City should fall under the same rules.
Council Member de Graaf joined the meeting.
Zuber said conceivably, there could be an event on developed property where people are parking where they should not park, walking where they should not and behaving in ways they should not.
Werner said the Farmer’s Market is a good example of this being done right because they do not have enough onsite parking for the event, but they have worked with the ACE shopping center to provide the parking. This Ordinance allows the City the opportunity to put conditions on the special events ensuring they comply with the rules.
Zuber asked why they could not put conditions on both of them. The only difference is one piece of property is developed and one is undeveloped. He questioned how the fact that it is undeveloped keeps the City from setting conditions. Werner said one part is a policy of the Council and whether a for-profit company can come in and develop properties that are not intended for such use. He gave the example of the ACE shopping center hosting a flea market in their parking lot and whether the City wants to allow that.
Zuidervaart said there is a section in the Ordinance that states all events have to be on developed properties. Zuber said the issue for him is whether they are going to force people in town to have all their events on developed property and it gives him concern. Especially because they are talking about one event a year. He said he would rather see this Ordinance redone to somehow get a handle on what we are going to do about the one incident instead of just shutting it down.
Zuidervaart said this is also a benefit for Ripon businesses and non-profits. He said the City does not charge a high enough fee to really cover our costs but they are not big issues. He asked if we are trying to structure a fee to recoup the costs, then do we pass along the costs to the business owners too.
City Council Page 10 April 11, 2023
City Attorney Terpstra said the concerns with undeveloped land include the absence of driveway access and if it has rained then mud is tracked all over the road.
Zuber said that Almond Blossom is an example of that happening. Terpstra said they have it marked off where to pull in and people directing parking. Zuber said he can see the argument being extended to include the Almond Blossom not being allowed to use that lot for parking.
Werner said the Almond Blossom festival is an exception written into the Ripon Municipal Code and they use the entire facility, have ADA access, bathrooms and parking directions.
Werner said if the event is hosted completely on undeveloped property, they do not have those items.
Zuber said those are requirements that the other people should be following before they are given a permit.
Council Member de Graaf said he understands the idea behind Ripon businesses and nonprofits but there is the concept of what benefits the community. There is the idea of allowing some events, including the auction, because there is a great amount of money that comes back to the Ripon 4-H and FFA programs through donations from that event.
Barton said this is an opportunity for Ripon to have something that is different for the developed property and undeveloped land and design a set of regulations and fees around the undeveloped part that would make it work for the City. He said just because it is a for-profit business does not mean they do not provide a benefit to the City. He said he is not advocating for a flea market.
Terpstra said that makes it difficult for staff, they have to ask who is going to compete with businesses in town. He provided the example of a for-profit RV dealership deciding to host an RV show in town and questioned how that is fair to the RV dealership in town who spent the time and money to properly develop the land and follow regulations. Restuccia said they could still do it on developed property. Werner said only if they were a local business.
Zuber said he would like staff to bring back a better picture of what the extra effort and cost looks like and what specific problems are seen and how we can mitigate the problems.
Second Reading and Adoption
B. ORDINANCE NO. 920
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AMENDING THE CITY OF RIPON
MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 8,
CHAPTER 8.12 ENTITLED “GARBAGE
COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL”
PROVIDING CLARIFICATION TO
ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE CITY SOLID WASTE AND
RECYCLING PROGRAMS
This amendment to Chapter 8.12 Garbage
Collection and Disposal to the Ripon
Municipal Code includes clarification of
permitted hauler business operations,
customer monthly rates, and the penalty
structure.
City Council Page 11 April 11, 2023
Director of Public Works Pease said this is the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 920 and there were no changes from the first reading to second reading.
Motion to waive the second reading and adopt Ordinance 920 amending Chapter 8.12 “Garbage Collection and Disposal” of the Ripon Municipal Code providing clarification to assist in the implementation of the City solid waste and recycling programs.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
Council Member Zuber asked when the City of Ripon will move towards the requirements for SB 1383. He said he is starting to read about surrounding cities making plans for the changes that are coming.
Director of Public Works Pease said they are looking at the end of July. He said staff is working on a revised cost analysis because they have more detailed information from the different organizations that are willing to accept these types of materials. Staff would like to come back to Council and present the different options for the City of Ripon to be compliant with CalRecycle’s requirements and CalRecycle is aware of where the City is at in the process.
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY PROGRAM CALL FOR
PROJECTS
Discussion/Action Authorize staff to complete the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program
application for the Solar EV Charging
Station Project and a CNG Garbage Truck
purchase.
Associate Civil Engineer Giedd said the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program call for projects was just released on Friday and is intended to help improve our air quality. There is a limited type of qualifying project and she provided examples including replacing gas or diesel sweepers, garbage trucks and buses. She continued saying other examples include transit service and traffic flow improvements. Giedd said this is a competitive program so the City’s application will be up against other cities in the County that qualify. She said the projects are evaluated by cost effectiveness and how effective it is at reducing pollutants in the air. She looked into past projects that have done well and based on those projects she is recommending the projects include the construction of an electric vehicle charging station and the purchase of a CNG Garbage truck. She is recommending they only ask for 30% funding for the garbage truck because she does not believe it will score very well. She said is trying to look ahead at what the City might need when applying for funds.
City Council Page 12 April 11, 2023
Mayor Restuccia asked who does the scoring. Giedd explained that the project is selfscored based on criteria from San Joaquin Council of Governments.
Council Member Uecker asked what the cost of the garbage truck is. Giedd said staff estimates $500,000 for a new CNG garbage truck.
Restuccia asked what the cost of a regular truck is and Director of Public Works Pease said we already use CNG garbage trucks so those are our normal garbage trucks. He said that is the normal cost at this time.
Council Member Zuber asked if the electric vehicle charging station is just for City vehicles and Giedd confirmed.
Restuccia asked where they would be located and Giedd said they would be at City Hall and the new Corporation Yard.
Motion made to authorize staff to complete the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program application for the Solar EV Charging Station Project and a CNG Garbage Truck purchase.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Gary Barton, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
B. POLICE ACADEMY CADET REIMBURSEMENT
Discussion/Action Approve and authorize the Police Chief to reimburse up to $5,000 per Police
Academy Cadet hire for police academy
tuition assistance or other related expenses.
Chief Ormonde said this item is a staffing request to approve and authorize the Police Chief to reimburse up to $5,000 per police academy cadet hire for police academy tuition assistance and other police academy related expenses. He said they reached out to other agencies to get an idea of what is being offered to police academy cadets and those are included in the staff report. Ormonde said staff has discussed potential options with the City Attorney and found that reimbursement agreements and other repayment options were difficult to reinforce and not typical in the industry.
Council Member Uecker said he agreed with the recommended action.
Mayor Restuccia said in his experience people have to stay for a set amount time. He said the San Joaquin Regional Transit District has a reimbursement agreement with their mechanics. He said these are taxpayer dollars and the City has to be able to earn back the money they have invested if the officer leaves right away. He said employment contracts are easy to put together and easy to enforce and can be done. He said there needs to be a City Council Page 13 April 11, 2023
time commitment.
Vice Mayor Zuber said the amounts given are varied depending on how far they are in their training as opposed to a set amount; he would prefer giving a set amount instead of spending a lot of time figuring out the amount. Restuccia said he agreed with Zuber and asked how much it costs to finish the Police Academy. Ormonde said it can vary depending on where they are in the academy when offered a conditional job offer.
Barton said he agrees with the idea that they need to pay it off and asked if this ties the Police Department's hands when it comes to letting go of a bad hire. Ormonde said there might be some fallout from an employee that does not want to stay. He said the Department is still required to train the staff member and deal with the ineffectiveness of an employee who does not want to be there. He said he does not know if it would open them up to liability contestations.
Restuccia said he was suggesting a 90-day period because this is taxpayer money.
Zuber said there are several cities offering signing bonus and asked if they are requiring payoff. Ormonde said it varies. Zuber said the Department does a great job with hiring people and if they need this, he would like to help them.
Werner proposed a scenario in which someone realizes within 60 days that they do not want to be a police officer, the City would like to have that conversation as early as possible rather than getting them through a period of time so they can pay back the money, meanwhile the City has invested time and resources into that person. He would rather be able to go hire a new employee.
Werner asked Council to clarify that they are talking about an employee that has already accepted a conditional offer of employment and while they are attending the academy, we are able to reimburse expenses for that employee up to $5,000.
Barton asked Ormonde what the commitment period should be. Ormonde said he believes it should a six-month period. Council Member de Graaf said there needs to be a time commitment in order for the City to give them money. Zuber said there is nothing that says the Council cannot revaluate this if they find this does not work.
Motion to implement a $5,000 reimbursement for applicants that are involved with the police academy at the time of employment offer and in order to retain the $5,000 they must be employed by the City of Ripon for at least six months effective April 4, 2023.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
City Council Page 14 April 11, 2023
C. LEAGUE OF CAL CITIES - RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FOR LETTERS OF
SUPPORT
Discussion/Action The Legislative Response Committee
members are recommending that the City
Council authorize the Mayor to send a
letter to the Cal Cities legislative
representative requesting the City of Ripon
not be included on future correspondence
without concurrence from the City
Administrator that the City is in support of
the Cal Cities position.
City Administrator Werner said the City receives several requests for letters of support from different entities with short turnaround times. He said staff will send the letters to Council and if one of the Council Members has any concerns, the item is put on the agenda for discussion. He said there was a scenario recently from Cal Cities where the City received a notice from Cal Cities regarding a letter that was to be sent and all cities would be included as signers unless the City responded with a letter asking that they be removed.
Mayor Restuccia said there are many times Cal Cities sends letters that the Council does not agree with and he would rather not be included in a letter he supported as opposed to be included in a letter he does not support. The Council agreed with Restuccia.
Council gave direction to staff to send a letter to the Cal Cities legislative representative requesting the City of Ripon not be included on future correspondence without concurrence from the City Administrator that the City is in support of the Cal Cities position.
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Chief Ormonde said he wanted to thank the First Responder Appreciation Board for their work on the First Responder Appreciation Day event. He also wanted to thank the community members that continue to support them.
Mayor Restuccia said there were about 250 people at the First Responder Appreciation Day and thanked everyone who attended.
Ormonde said there will be an introduction, swearing in and promotion ceremony for three of their employees on April 12, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the City Council Chambers.
Director of Public Works Pease said water usage for March was down 50% from 2013 and 45% from 2022.
City Council Page 15 April 11, 2023
Pease said the Large Item Pick-Up Program started on April 1 and runs through September. He said residents can go online to fill out the form.
Vice Mayor Zuber asked if people are allowed to put out brush to be picked up. Pease said brush is not included in the Large Item Pick-Up Program and the resident would need to call and schedule a brush pick-up for a cost.
City Council:
Council Member Barton said he wanted to thank organizers of the First Responder Appreciation Day and he really enjoyed the event.
Council Member de Graaf said he wanted to thank the member of the public and press for attending the meeting.
Restuccia said there has been some concern from people regarding the FBI and raids. He said he spoke to the local FBI office about an agent attending a Government Relations Committee (GRC) meeting. They are not available on Fridays, so the Chamber of Commerce has agreed to move the next GRC meeting to Wednesday, April 26 at 12:00 PM at the Fire Department.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 PM. (Signed) Mike Restuccia
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk