The facility shall be located at least 300 feet away from any residentially zoned district if any operations and/or boarding of animals is not conducted within an entirely enclosed and soundproofed building.
ANIMAL GROOMING SERVICES. Establishments focusing primarily on bathing and trimming services for small animals on a commercial basis, and includes indoor boarding of domestic animals for a maximum period of forty-eight (48) hours.
ALLEY. A public or private way, at the rear or side of property, permanently reserved as a supplementary means of vehicular or pedestrian access to abutting property.
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ALTERATION. Any construction or physical change in the internal arrangement of rooms or supporting members of a building or structure, or change in appearance of any building or structure.
ANCILLARY USE. A use incidental to and customarily associated with a specific principal use, located on the same lot or parcel, including, but not limited to, massage therapy/spa, body art and kennels or boarding of pets.
ANTENNA. A device for transmitting or receiving radio, television, or any other transmitted signal.
APARTMENT, MULTI-FAMILY. The part of a structure designed and used for occupancy by two or more individual persons or families living independently of each other, including duplex, triplex, fourplex, and other multi-unit designs.
APPLICANT. The owner(s) or lessee(s) of property, or their agent(s), or person(s) who have contracted to purchase property contingent upon their ability to acquire the necessary permits under this Development Title, or their agents.
AREA OF BENEFIT. A geographical area created to spread the cost of a service or improvements. An area of benefit is also sometimes referred to as a “Local Benefit District”.
ASSEMBLY/LIGHT MANUFACTURING. An establishment engaged in assembly and/or light manufacturing activities that use moderate amounts of partially processed materials to produce items of relatively high value per unit weight, such as consumer electronics, small household items, etc.
ATTACHED. Any structure that has an interior wall or roof in common with another structure.
AUTO/TRUCK TRAVEL PLAZA. Minor servicing and washing of trucks, retail sales of fuel and auto/truck accessories, restaurants, convenience market and overnight accommodations available for truck crews.
AUTO SALES LOT. An open area used for the display, sale, rental or consignment of new or used automobiles, vans or small trucks.
BANQUET FACILITY. A function hall, reception hall or banquet hall is a room or building for the purpose of hosting a party, banquet, wedding or other reception or other social event.
BAR/TAVERN. A drinking establishment whose primary function is the serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
BARN. A building used especially for storing hay and grain and for housing livestock or farm equipment.
BASEMENT. A story partly or completely under-ground. A basement shall be counted as a story for purposes of height measurement where any portion of a basement has more than one half its height above average finished ground level.
BED AND BREAKFAST INN. A transit lodging establishment primarily engaged in providing overnight or otherwise temporary lodging for the general public and may provide meals to the extent otherwise permitted by law.
BIKEWAY. An area, either within or outside the right-of-way of a dedicated street, where bicycle travel is the designated use. ABikeway@ includes bike paths and bike lanes.
BLOCK. A parcel of land surrounded by public streets, highways, freeways, railroad rights-of way, flood control channels, creeks, washes, rivers, or un-subdivided acreage or any combination thereof.
BOARDING HOUSE. A structure where lodging and meals for five or more boarders is provided for compensation.
BUILDING. Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls.
BUILDING AREA. The net portion of the lot remaining after deducting all required setbacks from the gross area of the lot.
BUILDING COVERAGE (Lot Coverage). The percent of lot area that may be covered by buildings or structures on a lot.
BUILDING HEIGHT. The vertical distance from the pad grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, or to the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the average height of the highest gable of a sloping roof.
BUILDING, MAIN. A building in which the principal use is conducted.
BUILDING SITE. The ground area occupied or to be occupied by a building or group of buildings with all of the open spaces required by this Title.
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CARPORT. A permanent roofed structure not completely enclosed to be used for vehicle parking.
CARETAKER RESIDENCE. Complete independent living facility used only by an individual whose presence on the property is necessary for the operation of the business and/or to prevent vandalism, pilferage, damage, or destruction of property, structures or equipment on the same parcel.
CARGO CONTAINERS. A standardized, reusable vessel a maximum of forty feet (40’) in length, eight feet (8’) in width and eight feet, six inches (8’-6”) in height that is or appears to be: 1) Originally, specifically or formerly designed for or used in the parking, shipping, movement, transportation or storage of freight, articles, goods or commodities; or 2) Designed for or capable of being mounted or moved on a rail car; or 3) Designed for or capable of being mounted on a chassis or bogie for movement by truck trailer or loaded on a ship.
CATERING SERVICE. Preparation of food and beverages for off-site consumption.
CEMETERY. Services or grounds involving the keeping of bodies below ground on cemetery grounds and the incidental provision of interring, undertaking, and crematory services on said cemetery grounds.
CHILD CARE CENTERS. Child day-care services for fifteen (15) or more children. Typical uses include child care centers, preschools, and day nurseries.
CHURCHES. Structures and grounds used for religious worship and incidental religious education, but not including private schools.
CITY. The City of Ripon.
CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of the City of Ripon.
CLUB. An association of persons, whether or not incorporated, organized for some common purpose, but not including a group organized primarily to render a service customarily carried on as a business.
CLUBS AND LODGES. Meeting, recreational, or social facilities of a private or nonprofit organization primarily for use of members or guests. This use type includes union halls, social clubs and centers for youths or seniors.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT. Provision of participant and/or spectator recreation or entertainment. The use types include theaters, sports venues and stadiums, race tracks, amusement parks, bowling alleys, billiard parlors, ice/roller skating rinks, golf courses, miniature golf courses, scale model courses, shooting galleries, tennis/ racquetball courts, health/fitness clubs, pinball arcades, or electronic games centers having eight (8) or more coin operated game machines.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. A vehicle customarily used as apart of a business for transportation of goods or people.
COMMISSION. The Planning Commission of the City of Ripon.
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES. Broadcasting, recording, and other communication through electronic or telephonic mechanisms. The use types include radio, television or recording studies, and telephone switching centers.
COMMUNITY CENTERS. Special purpose facilities which includes uses such as senior centers, boy and girls clubs and community centers.
CONDOMINIUM. A development consisting of an undivided interest in common for part of a parcel coupled with separate interest in space in a residential or commercial building on the parcel.
CONFERENCE CENTER. Specialized hotels designated and built almost exclusively to host conferences, exhibitions, large meetings, seminars, training sessions, etc. A conference center often also provides office facilities, and a range of leisure activities.
CONVALESCENT FACILITIES. Establishments providing twenty-four (24) hour care for persons requiring regular medical attention, but excluding facilities providing surgical or emergency medical services.
CONVENIENCE MARKET. A small grocery store, selling a limited variety of food and nonfood products, typically with extended hours and conveniently located to service a variety of customers. Does not include stores whose primary focus is the sale of liquor.
COOP. A covered enclosure for housing fowl, as defined in RMC, Title 6.
COPING. The top layer of a wall.
COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION. A business operated by a person who produces or packages non4.A.a Packet Pg. 373 Attachment: 16-12 - Use Classification System - redlined (921 : Recreational Vehicle Storage Amendment) Redline Version
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potentially hazardous food in a kitchen located in the person’s primary domestic residence or another appropriately equipped residential or commercial style kitchen on that property.
COUNCIL. The City Council of the City of Ripon.
COUNTY. The County of San Joaquin, hereafter referred to as ACounty.@ COURT. An open, unoccupied space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building and bounded on two or more sides by the walls of a building.
CREMATORY. An establishment involving the reduction of human body to ashes by burning.
CUSTOM MANUFACTURING. Uses in this category are typically the on-site production of goods by hand manufacturing or artistic endeavor that involves only the use of hand tools or small mechanical equipment, the incidental sale of these goods directly to consumers. Usual uses include ceramic studios, candle making shops, custom jewelry manufactures, and like uses.
DAYS. Days are based on calendar days, except where otherwise noted.
DELICATESSEN. An establishment selling foods already prepared or requiring little preparation for serving, as cooked meats, cheese, salad, and the like.
DENSITY BONUS. An increase in residential units over the maximum number of normally allowed units within a residential General Plan designation.
DETENTION FACILITIES. Publicly owned and operated facilities providing housing, care and supervision of persons confined by law.
DEVELOPER. Any person or persons, partnership, firm, corporation, or other business entity financially responsible for the work involved on a given project, either direct or through the services of any employee, agent, or independent contractor.
DEVELOPMENT. The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any structure; any mining , excavation, landfill, or land disturbance; and any use or extension of the use of the land; and any activity requiring a permit, excluding maintenance.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Any project for which a discretionary permit is required, excluding General Plan amendments, ordinance text changes, re-zonings, Specific Plans and Specific Plan amendments.
DEVIATION. A “deviation” is a limited waiver of zoning standards on property being proposed for subdivision.
DIRECTOR. The Director of Planning, hereafter referred to as Director or designee.
DISCRETIONARY PERMIT. Any permit required before the development or use of real property can proceed, that the City Council, Planning Commission or Staff may approve, deny or approve subject to conditions. Discretionary permits include, but are not limited to, major and minor subdivisions, use permits, variances, zone district reclassifications and site plan reviews.
DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE. Feature or characteristic of a use involving sales of products or provision of services to occupants in waiting vehicles, including drive-in or drive-up windows. Allowance of drivethrough services in some zones shall be as determined by the Director.
DUPLEX. A house or residential unit designed to contain two units, typically sharing a common wall on a single residential parcel.
DWELLING GROUP. A group or row of detached or semidetached dwellings occupying a parcel of land in one ownership and having a yard or court in common, including bungalow courts, but not including recreational vehicle parks or lots with accessory dwelling units.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE. A building occupied as a residence by three or more families living independently of each other, including apartment buildings or courts but not including recreational vehicle parks.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY. A detached or attached building occupied by one family.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY. A building occupied by two families exclusively, living independently.
EMERGENCY SHELTER. Housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.
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EQUESTRIAN CENTER. A full service facility providing boarding services, training and show facilities, and riding lessons for equestrians.
FAMILY. An individual, or two (2) or more persons related by blood, marriage or legal adoption, or a group of not more than five (5) persons, who are not so related, living together as a single housekeeping unit.
FAMILY DAY CARE, ADULT. Non-medical care and supervision of six (6) or fewer persons on a less than twenty-four (24) hour basis.
FAMILY DAY CARE, CHILD. Child day-care services in a residence which provide care for fourteen (14) or fewer children, including children who reside at the residence.
FENCE. A wall or barrier constructed of boards, masonry, wire, or any other material for the purpose of enclosing space or separating parcels of land. The term Afence@ does not include retaining walls but does include fence gates and gateposts.
FENCE HEIGHT. The height of any fence as determined by measurement from the natural or finished grade at the lowest side of the fence. If a fence is proposed to be built on top of an earthen berm or other landscape feature, the maximum fence height shall include the height of the berm or landscape feature.
FINISH GRADE. The final elevation of the site after excavating or filling which conforms to the approved final grading plan. The finish grade is also the grade at the top of a paved surface.
FINAL MAP. A map or recording instrument for a subdivision of land. The final map must be in substantial compliance with an approved tentative map. A final map must be filed with the County Recorder.
FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS – FAST FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS. A business which sells food prepared indoors in a standardized method and can be dispensed quickly. Operating criteria to define a fast food service establishment include some or all of the following:
provides take-out counter space and space for customer queue; items are ordered from posted menus or in line and prepared for immediate consumption on- or off-site; food is served in edible or disposable containers with disposable flatware; and may include an indoor seating area. Examples of Fast Food Service Establishments include but are not limited to: McDonald’s, Jack-In-the-Box, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, etc.
FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS – FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT. A business which sells food prepared indoors on the same premise with a full menu and provides indoor and sometimes outdoor seating areas. Such businesses may provide for the sale of alcoholic beverages as an accessory and secondary use. Operating criteria to define a full service food establishment include most or all of the following: served by waiters to seated customers and where payment is made at the end of the meal; and presence of a full commercial kitchen and commercial dishwasher.
FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS – LIMITED FOOD SERVICE. A business which sells food which is ready to eat such as sandwiches, frozen desserts or beverages served in edible, plastic, or disposable containers.
Operating criteria to define a limited food service include some or all of the following: commercial kitchen; commercial dishwasher; take-out food service; and may include an indoor seating area. Examples include cafes, take-and-bake pizza, yogurt, etc.
FREIGHT DELIVERY. The delivery of goods made by commercial freight haulers.
FRONTAGE. That side of a lot which abuts a public road, or waterway if so specified.
FRONTAGE, PRIMARY. That side of a lot abutting a street where the main building entrance is located and in the general direction in which the principal building faces.
FRONTAGE, SECONDARY. That side of a lot abutting a street which is to the side or in the opposite direction from which the principal building faces.
GARAGE. An enclosed building, or portion of an enclosed building used for the parking of vehicles. For Detached Garages see Chapter 16.140 section 16.140.030 (Accessory Buildings/Structures) for specific requirements.
GARAGE & YARD SALE. The sale of personal possessions and household articles incidentally accumulated during normal residential use of the property on which the sale is held.
GENERAL PLAN. The City of Ripon General Plan as adopted by the City Council, which may be amended from time to time.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES. Administrative, clerical or public contact offices of a government agency,
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including postal facilities, with incidental storage and maintenance of vehicles.
GRADE. The degree of rise or descent of a sloping surface.
GROUP CARE FACILITY. LARGE. A facility authorized, certified, and licensed by the State of California to provide non-medical residential care and supervision for seven (7) or more persons, on a 24 houra-day basis to either mentally disordered or otherwise disabled persons, to dependent and neglected children or to aged individuals.
GROUP CARE FACILITY. SMALL. A facility authorized, certified, and licensed by the State of California to provide non-medical residential care and supervision for six (6) or fewer persons, on a 24 hour-aday basis to either mentally disordered or otherwise disabled persons, to dependent and neglected children or to aged individuals.
GROUP RESIDENTIAL. Shared living quarters without separate kitchen or bathroom facilities for each room or unit. This classification includes boardinghouses, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and private residential clubs.
GUEST HOUSE. Living quarters, having no permanent kitchen facilities, located on a lot with a main building and occupied for the sole temporary use of members of the family or guests and not rented or leased, or used as a separate dwelling. The term “Guest House” does not include “Accessory Unit Dwellings”, as defined in Chapter 16.86.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INDUSTRIAL. The manufacture, fabrication, processing, packaging and treatment, or storage of chemicals and chemical products that are considered as hazardous materials and could potentially pose a threat to the community if handled inappropriately.
HEAVY INDUSTRIAL. Production process that should not be near residential or commercial uses due to the intensive nature of the industrial activity or its scale of operation. These uses can be located near other similar manufacturing uses although special control measures may still be required of some extremely intensive operations to ensure compatibility with similar industrial uses. Typical uses include food processing and packaging, laundry and dry cleaning plants, motor vehicle assembly, sawmills, textile dyeing, leather tanning and chemical production.
HELIPORTS. Pads and facilities enabling takeoffs and landings by helicopters.
HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL. Residential development with densities ranging from 16 to 22 units per gross acres. This designation permits a range of housing types, including single family attached and detached and multi-family developments, and is intended for specific areas where higher density is appropriate.
HIGH TECHNOLOGY. Establishments directed at research, development, and controlled production of high-tech electronic, industrial, or scientific products. Typical uses include biotechnology firms and computer component manufacturers.
HISTORIC RESOURCE. Any object, building, structure, site, area, or place which is historically or archaeologically significant, or which is significant in the aesthetic, architectural, cultural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, or military annuals of the state, county, or community.
HISTORIC DISTRICT. An integrated group of structures or an area which holds special historical interest or value.
HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT. Any site, structure, or district which holds special historical interest or value as part of the culture or heritage characteristic of the nation, state, county or community, including registered National or State Landmarks, items registered or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historical Places, and resources of local historical significance.
HOME OCCUPATION. Any occupation, conducted in compliance with Chapter 16.88, Home Occupation that is customarily or ordinarily conducted within a dwelling. The home occupation must be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling as a dwelling and cannot change the residential character or design of the dwelling.
HOSPITAL. Facilities providing medical, surgical, psychiatric, or emergency medical services to injured persons, primarily on an inpatient basis. This use type includes incidental facilities for outpatient treatment,
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and training, research, and administrative services for patients and employees.
HOTEL. Guest rooms or suites occupied on a transient basis, with most gaining access from an interior walkway.
HOUSEHOLD, LOW INCOME. A household whose income does not exceed eighty percent (80%) of area median income.
HOUSEHOLD, MODERATE INCOME. A household whose income does not exceed one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the area median income.
HOUSEHOLD, SENIOR CITIZEN. A person of a least 62 years of age, or 55 years of age if the project consists of at least thirty-five (35) dwelling units.
HOUSEHOLD, VERY-LOW INCOME. A household whose income does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the area median income.
INCUBATOR UNITS. More than one small business located in one facility, sharing office support and equipment.
INDOOR VEHICLE SALES ESTABLISHMENT. Sale and/or lease of vehicles within an enclosed structure, with the following provisions:
1. All vehicles owned by or being sold by the dealership must be stored, maintained, and sold within a permanent building. The dealership may not display, store, or service vehicles outdoors or under any temporary structure or partially enclosed building.
2. Dealerships are limited to the sale or lease of automobiles, motorcycles and watercrafts.
Dealerships may not have more than ten (10) of any such vehicles on the premises for sale, lease, storage, or service at any given time.
3. All vehicle service must be performed in a permanent structure out of view from the public areas.
The dealership may not service vehicles outdoors or in a partially enclosed building.
4. All dealerships must conform to all sign and advertising requirements as required by Chapter 16.172 of the Ripon Municipal Code.
5. Indoor vehicle establishments shall comply with all applicable building and fire codes.
INOPERATIVE VEHICLE. A vehicle that mechanically is incapable of being driven, including a vehicle which is missing any part essential for movement or where such essential parts are broken or defective; or a vehicle prohibited from being operated on a public street or highway pursuant to Sections 4000, 5202, 24002, or 40001 of the California Vehicle Code, concerning license plates, registration, equipment, safety and related matters.
JUNKYARD. The use of any lot, or portion of a lot, for the sale, storage, keeping, or abandonment of junk, including scrap metals or salvageable material, or for the dismantling, wrecking, or abandonment of automobiles or other vehicles.
KITCHEN, PERMANENT FACILITIES. Include but are not necessarily limited to any gas service, hood, electrical service, etc., intended for cooking appliances such as ranges, stoves, etc.
LABORATORY, MEDICAL, DENTAL, OR OPTICAL. Establishments intended for the research and laboratory processing and analysis of material and/or products relating to the medical industry.
LABORATORY, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS. Establishments intended for the research of an industrial or scientific nature and laboratory processing of material, but excludes medical testing and analysis, product testing, and manufacturing of materials classified under the High Technology use type. Typical uses include electronics research firms, pharmaceutical research laboratories, photographic laboratories, and like uses.
LIMITED INDUSTRIAL. Production processes that, by the nature of the activity performed or the scale of operation, can be located near residential or commercial uses with minimum impact to the adjacent uses.
This use type usually includes processing, small scale food processing, fabrication, assembly treatment, and packaging, but excludes basic industrial processing from raw materials or large scale food processing.
LINEN SUPPLY SERVICES. Establishments primarily engaged in supplying, on a rental basis, laundered items, such as uniforms, gowns and coats, table linens, bed linens, towels, clean room apparel, treated mops, shop towels, and door mats. These establishments may contain laundering facilities.
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LIQUOR STORE. An establishment whose primary focus is the sales of alcohol for off premises consumption, typically with extended hours and conveniently located to service a variety of customers.
LOCAL BENEFIT DISTRICT. A district formed over certain, specified parcels of real property to allocate the costs and benefits, as among benefitted property owners, of public infrastructure, to reimburse either the City or private developers or owners for the installation of said infrastructure.
LOT. A parcel of land established by plat, subdivision, or otherwise permitted by law, to be used, developed or built upon. The classifications of lots are:
a. Corner. A lot located at the intersection of two streets, not including alleys. b. Flag. A lot having access or an easement to a public or private street by narrow private right-of-way. c. Interior. A lot abutting one street.
d. Key. A lot with one side line that abuts the rear of any one or more adjoining lots. e. Reverse Corner. A corner lot, the rear of which abuts the side of another lot. f. Through. A lot having frontage on two generally parallel streets, with only one primary access.
LOT AREA. The total area included within lot lines, including one half, but not exceeding ten (10) feet of width of any abutting alley.
LOT DEPTH. The average distance between the front and rear lot lines or between the front line and the intersection of the two side lines, if there is no rear line.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT. A minor change in a property line between existing parcels that would create no new parcels, pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act.
LOT MERGER. A reduction of the number of lots.
LOT MERGER, VOLUNTARY. An owner-initiated merger of contiguous parcels under common ownership without reversion to acreage, pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act.
LOT WIDTH. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to the lot depth at a midway point between the front and rear lot lines.
LOT OF RECORD. A parcel held in separate ownership as shown on the County Assessor=s records and established by the provisions of this or previous Titles.
MAJOR SUBDIVISION. A subdivision of land creating five (5) or more parcels, five (5) or more condominiums, or community apartment project containing five (5) or more units, unless otherwise accepted in the definition of a Minor Subdivision.
MANSARD ROOF. A roof having two slopes on all sides with the lower slope steeper than the upper one.
MANUFACTURED HOME. A manufactured home is a complete single-family home deliverable in one or more transportable sections, designed to be placed on a permanent foundation, and constructed to the standards established by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A manufactured home is not the same as a recreational vehicle or commercial coach which may look similar from the exterior.
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT. An establishment whose primary function of business is where any person provides, receives, or permits others to provide or receive massage therapy services.
MEDIAN, ROADWAY. A paved or planted area separating a street or highway into two or more lanes of opposite direction of travel.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY. Any facility or location where medical marijuana is made available to and/or distributed by or to two (2) or more of the following: a primary caregiver, a qualified patient, or a person with an identification card, in strict accordance with California Health and Safety Code 11362.5 et seq. A “medical marijuana dispensary” shall not include the following uses, as long as the location of such uses are otherwise regulated by this Title or applicable law: a clinic licensed pursuant to Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, a health care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, a residential care facility for persons with chronic life-threatening illness licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.01 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, a residential care facility for the elderly licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, a residential hospice, or a home health agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, as long as any such use complies strictly with applicable law including, but not limited to, Health and Safety Code '11362.5 et seq.
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MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL. Residential development with densities ranging from 8 to 13 units per gross acres. This designation permits a range of housing types, including single family attached and detached and multi-family developments, and is intended for specific areas where medium and higher densities are appropriate.
MINI-STORAGE. Buildings providing space for the storage of household and commercial goods, and yards providing space for the storage of vehicles, boats, and trailers.
MINOR SUBDIVISION. A subdivision of land where:
a. The land before division contains less than five (5) acres, each parcel created by the division abuts upon a maintained public street or highway, and no dedications or improvements are required by the City Council; or
b. Each parcel created by the division has a gross area of twenty (20) acres or more and has an approved access to a City maintained road, street, or highway; or c. The land consists of a parcel or parcels of land which have approved access to a public road, street, or highway and which compose part of a tract of land zoned for industrial or commercial development and which have the approval of the City Council as to street alignments and widths; or d. The subdivision would create four (4) parcels or less, or condominiums or community apartments containing four (4) units or less; or
e. Each parcel created by the division has a gross area of not less than forty (40) acres or is not less than a quarter of a quarter-section.
MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT. Two or more uses that are integrated and developed under a coherent plan.
MOBILE HOME. The term “mobile home” shall be considered a manufactured home for the purposes of this chapter.
MOBILE HOME PARK. A residential facility arranged or equipped for the accommodation of two (2) or more manufactured homes, with spaces for such manufactured homes available for rent, lease or purchase, and providing utility services and other facilities either separately or in common to manufactured home space therein.
MOTEL. Guest rooms or suites occupied on a transient basis, with most gaining access from an exterior walkway.
NET SITE AREA. The total area within lot lines of a lot or parcel of land after public street easements or other areas to be dedicated or reserved for public use are deducted from the lot or parcel.
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE STAND. An establishment or stand whose primary focus of business is the sale of newspapers, magazines, etc.
NONCONFORMING LOT. A lot created by applicable laws but now the area, frontage or dimensions do not conform to provisions of this Development Title.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE. A structure that conformed to applicable laws when constructed but does not conform to the provisions of this Development Title.
NONCONFORMING USE. A use complying with applicable laws when established but does not conform to the provisions of this Development Title.
OFF STREET PARKING. A site or portion of a site devoted to the off street parking of motor vehicles, including parking spaces, aisles, access drives, and landscaped areas.
OFFICES, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL. Offices of firms or organizations providing professional, executive, management, or administrative services such as architectural, engineering, real estate, insurance, investment counseling, legal, and medical/dental/optometry services. This use type includes chiropractor services, advertising businesses, employment services, real estate services, title companies, travel agencies, or any other business/office use as deemed appropriate by the Director of Planning.
OFFICES, CONTRACTORS. Contractor’s offices include businesses providing contracting types of services, such as plumbing, electrical, general contracting, etc. These offices can contain some on-site storage of materials so long as the materials contained on-site are contained within an enclosed building.
PALLET MANUFACTURING. Establishments for the manufacturing/sale of new pallet products.
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Activities must be conducted entirely with a building. Building must be equipped with automatic sprinkler system. Outside storage of product and materials is limited to no more than 30% of the site not occupied by a Building. The height of stored pallets is limited to eight (8) feet and an overall storage plan must be approved by the Fire District. The site must be enclosed with an eight (8) foot high solid wall or chain linked fence with salt material.
PALLET RECOVERY SERVICES. Establishments for the collection, storage, and sale of used pallets (minor repair of pallets is allowed). Activities must be conducted entirely on the premises and outside storage will be limited to no more than 30% of the site not occupied by building. The height of stored pallets is limited to eight (8) feet and an overall storage plan must be approved by the Fire District. The site must be enclosed with an eight (8) foot high solid wall or chain linked fence with slat material.
PARCEL. A piece of land under one ownership that has been legally subdivided or combined and is shown as a single parcel on the latest equalized assessment roll.
PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES. Parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities and open spaces that are publicly owned and operated by a city, county, state, or federal agency.
PARKWAY. The area within a street right-of-way adjoining the outer edge of the paved surface in which sidewalks, landscaping, utilities, bank slopes and related facilities may be located.
PATIO AND SHADE STRUCTURE an arbor, projecting structure, beams, or framework with a covered roof supported on posts or columns, an containing no solid walls in any portion.
PAWN SHOPS. Establishments engaged in retail sales of new and used merchandise, and offering loans secured by personal property.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, business, trust, association, syndicate, or other legal entity acting as a unit.
PET STORE OR PET FOOD STORE. Retail sales pets and pet supplies, including the boarding of small animals, provided such activities take place within an entirely enclosed building. The use type includes grooming incidental to the retail use, and boarding of animals not offered for sale for a maximum period of forty-eight (48) hours.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT. A designation intended for the development of an area consisting of a variety of residential uses or a combination of residential, commercial, and/or civic uses and associated ancillary uses and structures; situated on one or more contiguous parcels or noncontiguous parcels separated solely by a road or other right-of-way easement, or other any barrier which physically separates the parcels; and planned and developed as a unified project within a single development phase or series of development phases in accordance with an overall master plan and detailed specific or site plans.
POOL HOUSE. A covered enclosure associated with a swimming pool containing such amenities as a changing room, bathroom, shower, refreshment bar, storage, etc.
PRINCIPAL USE. The primary or predominant use of any lot, building or structure.
PRINT SHOP. Establishments engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure, screen, offset or other common process, including electrostatic (xerographic) copying; and establishments serving the printing trade such as bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving and electrotyping. This use also includes establishments that publish newspapers, books and periodicals; and establishments manufacturing business forms and binding devices.
PUBLIC. Operated and/or maintained by a governmental agency or public utility.
PUBLIC FACILITIES. Any facility operated by a public entity, including but not limited to the following:
a. Public buildings, including schools and related facilities; b. Sewage collection, treatment, and disposal facilities; c. Facilities for the supply, storage, treatment, and distribution of water for municipal and industrial uses; d. Facilities for the collection and disposal of storm waters for drainage and/or flood control purposes; e. Facilities for the generation of electricity and the distribution of gas and electricity; f. Transportation and transit facilities, including but not limited to, street, roads, and other related facilities;
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g. Parks and recreation facilities;
h. Police and fire stations; or
i. Clinics, Hospitals other related medical facilities.
PUBLIC PARK. A park, playground, swimming pool, reservoir, golf course or athletic field within the City that is under the control, operation or management of the City, the County, or the State.
PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a road, trail, water line, sanitary sewer or other public uses.
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES. Structures and grounds used for public safety and emergency services, including police and fire protection.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. A vehicle towed or self propelled on its own chassis or attached to the chassis of another vehicle and designed or used for recreational or sporting purposes. The term recreational vehicle includes, but is not limited to, travel trailers, pick up campers, camping trailers, motor coach homes, converted trucks or buses, boats and boat trailers, and all terrain vehicles.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE COVER. A detached structure intended solely for the purpose of providing cover for a recreation vehicle using a framework and cover made of light weight materials (as shown below), having no enclosed walls, and having a footprint no larger than five hundred (500) square feet.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK. A parcel of land composed of a lot or contiguous lots used, designed or intended as a campground to accommodate more than four (4) recreational vehicles.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE FACILITY. A commercial development which provides fenced or indoor, secure, onsite storage of more than three (3) recreational vehicles, boats and all-terrain vehicles. The storage of recreational vehicles on a site shall not exceed the maximum lot area building coverage percent for the district, regardless of whether the storage is indoors or outdoors. For outdoor storage, the building coverage percentage shall be calculated by the parking space size.
RECYCLING SERVICES - CONSUMER. The collection and temporary storage, prior to recycling, of paper, aluminum, plastic, and glass products used by consumers in the home and not intended for reuse in their commercially marketed form. Any materials that are hazardous are excluded. Typical uses include neighborhood recycling centers.
RECYCLING SERVICES - SCRAP OPERATIONS. The storage, sale, dismantling, and recycling of inoperable vehicles, scrap metal products, and inoperable industrial equipment, and the storage and sale of scrap products brought in from neighborhood recycling centers. Typical uses include junk yard, automobile wrecking yards, and commercial recycling centers. The site must be enclosed with an eight (8) foot high solid wall or chain linked fence with slat material.
RESIDENTIAL CARE, GENERAL. Twenty-four (24) hour care of seven (7) or more persons in need of personal services, supervision, protection, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living.
This classification includes only those services and facilities licensed by the State of California.
RESIDENTIAL CARE, LIMITED. Twenty-four (24) hour care of six (6) or fewer persons in need of personal services, supervision, protection, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living.
This classification includes only those services and facilities licensed by the State of California.
RESORT. A place that is popular for recreation and vacations and provides accommodations and entertainment.
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RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE. Establishments providing for the sale of commonly used goods, merchandise, and services, excluding those use types identified in other categories.
REVIEW AUTHORITY. Any of the following entities that are empowered to interpret, implement and enforce the Development Title: City Council, Planning Commission, Director of Building and Planning, Planning Department, and Building Department.
ROOM AND BOARD. The renting of rooms and providing of table board in a dwelling unit, but not to the extent of becoming a hotel.
SCHOOLS, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE. Educational institutions having a curriculum comparable to that required in the public schools of the State of California.
SCREENING. A barrier consisting of plant materials, fencing, walls or berms for the purpose of enclosing space or separating parcels of land.
SEASONAL TEMPORARY USES. Temporary uses such as Christmas tree lots, Pumpkin patches, and outdoor Christmas holiday décor booths.
Requires a Seasonal Temporary Use Permit application.; Open to for profit and non-profit uses;
Permitted in all zones except, residential zones;
Shall operate no more than (8) consecutive weeks; and Any signage shall be restricted to the parcel that the temporary use is located upon. (Ord. 824 §4, 2015)
SECOND DWELLING UNIT. An attached or detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family dwelling is situated. A second unit also includes the following:
a. An efficiency unit as defined in Section 17958.1 of the Health and Safety Code. b. A manufactured home as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code.
SECONDHAND STORE. Retail sales of used appliances, clothing, equipment, and items used in a typical household, excluding antique shops primarily engaged in the sale of used furniture and accessories. (Ord. 606, 1999; Ord. 705 '3, 2005)
SHADE STRUCTURE. An arbor, projecting structure, beam, or framework with an open roof of cross rafters or lattice-work supported on posts or columns and containing no solid walls in any portion.
SHELTERS. Any public or private building that provides homeless shelter or transitional housing for the homeless. Shelters shall have the following categories:
a. Small. Up to two (2) families or not more than five (5) adults. b. Medium. Three (3) to five (5) families or six (6) to fifteen (15) adults. c. Large. More than five (5) families or more than fifteen (15) adults. (Ord. 606, 1999) SHOPPING CENTER. A complex of stores, motion-picture theaters, restaurants, etc, grouped together and having a common parking area.
a. Small Shopping Center. Less than five (5) acres or 50,000 square feet of cumulative buildings. b. Large Shopping Center. Five (5) to ten (15) acres or where the total square footage of buildings exceeds 50,000 square feet, but does not exceed 100,000 square feet; c. Major Retail Facility. Exceeds fifteen (15) acres or where the total square footage of buildings exceeds 100,000 square feet.
SHOPPING MALL. A completely enclosed, air conditioned shopping center.
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL. A freestanding residential unit on one lot intended for the occupancy by one person or by one family.
STORAGE. A place or space were goods, materials, and personal properties are put for more than twentyfour (24) hours.
STORAGE BUILDING, SMALL. A building designed to permit the storage of personal goods and materials no greater than one hundred twenty (120) square feet in size and no greater than eight (8) feet in height.
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STORAGE, VEHICLE. Operable vehicles shall not be stored for more than seventy-two (72) hours in any required front or side yard. Stored recreation vehicles shall not be used for human habitation for more eight (8) days.
STORY. The space within the building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the ceiling immediately above.
STREET SYSTEM. The classification of streets and highways by their diverse functions and design, and are described as follows:
a. Local Street. A two-way undivided roadway providing direct access to all abutting properties. b. Frontage Road. A two-way undivided/ divided roadway running parallel with freeways providing direct access to all abutting properties.
c. Collector. A two-lane undivided roadway which funnels traffic from local streets to arterial roadways. d. Minor Arterial. A two to four lane divided roadway with limited access to abutting properties which carries local and through traffic within the community. e. Major Arterial. A multi-lane divided roadway with restricted access to abutting properties which carries local and through traffic to expressways and freeways.
f. Expressway. A roadway providing no direct access to abutting properties which carries local and through traffic to freeways, major/minor arterial roadways and collectors. Expressways are intended to provide minimum interference with the flow of through traffic, and intersections are typically elevated with separate access roads.
g. Freeway. A multi-lane divided highway providing no access to adjoining property and are intended to accommodate high speed, high volume, long distance regional through traffic and traffic between urban areas.
STRUCTURE. Any object constructed or installed by man having location upon, in, or under the ground, including, but not limited to, buildings, fences over six (6) feet in height, towers, signs, smokestacks, and overhead transmission lines.
STUDIOS. Establishments that provide work space for individuals practicing a fine art, such as: artists, boxing, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, music, photography, voice, etc.
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to an onsite or offsite service that assists the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community. Supportive housing shall be considered a residential use of property, and shall be subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. Supportive services include, but are not limited to, a combination of subsidized, permanent housing, intensive case management, medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, employment services, and benefits advocacy.
TARGET POPULATION. Persons with low incomes who have one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or AIDS, substance abuse, or other chronic health conditions, or individuals eligible for services provided pursuant to the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) of the Welfare and Institutions Code) and may include, among other populations, adults, emancipated minors, families with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from institutional settings, veterans, and homeless people.
TEMPORARY MOBILE HOME. Refer to Chapter 16.92, Section 16.92.030.
TOWNHOUSE. A single-family dwelling connected to another single-family dwelling by a common wall.
TRAILER. "Trailer" means a vehicle without motive power, designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and used for human habitation or carrying persons.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. Buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that require the termination of assistance and recirculating of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at a predetermined future point in time that shall be no less than six months from the beginning of the assistance. Transitional housing shall be considered a residential use of property, and shall be
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subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.
TRIPLEX. A house or residential unit designed to contain three units, typically sharing some form of common walls on a single residential parcel.
TRUCK SALES AND SERVICES. Establishments for the operation of truck terminals, and the sales, rental, and repair of trucks.
USE. "Use" means the purpose for which premises or a building thereon is designed, arranged or intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
UTILITIES, MAJOR. Generating plants, electrical substations, above ground electrical transmission lines, refuse collection or disposal facilities, water reservoirs, water or wastewater treatment plans and similar facilities of public agencies or public utilities. A structure that may affect surrounding uses shall be regulated under this use type.
UTILITIES, MINOR. Utility facilities that are necessary to support legally established uses and involve only minor structures such as electrical distribution lines, storm drainage retention ponds and underground drainage lines, and underground water and sewer lines.
VARIANCE. A “variance” is a limited waiver of zoning standards for a use that is already permitted within a zone. Variances are usually considered when the physical characteristics of a piece of property, such as size, shape, topography, location, or surroundings, pose unique challenges. For example, a very small or oddly shaped lot may need a variance from a setback or floor area ration requirement in order to be developed.
VEHICLE STORAGE YARD. Yards and buildings for the storage of both operable and inoperable vehicles, including towed vehicle and impound yards, but does not include vehicle dismantling.
VETERINARIAN/ANIMAL HOSPITAL - LARGE. Establishments where any animals may receive medical and surgical treatment. This use type includes short term overnight boarding of animals (up to 30 days) and incidental care such as bathing and trimming. The facility shall be located at least 300 feet away from any residentially zoned district if any operations and/or boarding of animals is not conducted within an entirely enclosed and soundproofed building.
VETERINARIAN/ANIMAL HOSPITAL - SMALL. Establishments where small animals receive medical and surgical treatment. This use type includes short term overnight boarding of animals (up to 30 days) and incidental care such as bathing and trimming, provided that all operations are conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building which complies with specifications for sound-proof construction prescribed by the chief building official.
VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS. Establishments offering lodging on a less than weekly basis which includes eating and drinking services. This use type includes Bed and Breakfast Inns, Hotels, Motels, Conference Centers, and Resorts.
WASTE FACILITY. A facility that provides for on-site waste stabilization or neutralization. This use type excludes hazardous waste disposal facilities. (Ord. 606, 1999) WHOLESALING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY. This category includes the bulk storage, sale, and distribution of materials and equipment. Those activities which are conducted only within enclosed buildings are considered light wholesaling, while those involving open air yards are considered heavy wholesaling. (Ord. 606, 1999)
YARDS.
A. "Required Yard" except as otherwise provided in this chapter, means open spaces on the same lot with a building and open and unobstructed from the ground upward, meeting the setbacks as defined:
1. "Required Front yard" means a yard extending across the front of the lot between the side property lines and measured between the front lot line to the required front yard setback.
2. “Required Side Yard”, for interior lots, means a yard between the side lot line and building, and extending from the required front yard to the required rear yard and having a width equal to the shortest distance between the side lot line and the building; and for corner lots, means a yard between the side lot line and the building and extending from the street line to the rear lot line and having a width equal to the shortest distance between the side lot line and the building.
3. "Required Rear yard" means a required yard extending along the rear lot line (not a street line)
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throughout the entire width of the lot.
B. REAR YARD AREA. Means mid-point between front property line and rear property line, excluding any required yard area.
ZONING DISTRICT. A portion of the City that is specifically designated for certain uses of land and structures that are defined, and regulations are specified by this Development Title. (Ord. 551 ' (part) 2, 1996; Ord. 475 '1, 1991; Ord. 89 '2.46, 1954; Ord. 89 '2.47, 1954; Ord. 89 '2.48, 1954; Ord. 606, 1999; Ord. 860, 2017).
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Packet Pg. 385 Attachment: 16-12 - Use Classification System - redlined (921 : Recreational Vehicle Storage Amendment) Legend:
Permitted Use
--- Not a Permitted Use
U Conditional Use Permit Required
M-1 M-2
Adult Businesses (Subject to Chapter 5.36 of RMC)
Alarm Systems sales and/or service ---
Animal Boarding Service U ---
Appliance Repair Shop
Assembly/Light Manufacturing
Automobile/Vehicle Related Services
Auto Parts Store --- ---
Auto Repair Shop
Auto Sales lot (more than 10 acres) --- ---
Auto Sales lot (up to 10 acres) --- ---
Auto/Truck Travel Plaza --- ---
Boat Sales --- ---
Camper Shell sales --- ---
Farm Equipment Sales
Indoor Vehicle Sales Establishment U ---
Motorcycle sales and service --- ---
Recreational Vehicle Sales and Service --- ---
Recreational Vehicle Storage
Rental or Lease Agency including limousine service --- --- Service or Gas station --- ---
Truck Sales and Service
Utility Trailer sales, rental, service ---
Vehicle cleaning and detailing ---
Vehicle Storage Yard U U
Building material and lumber sales U
Cabinet Shop
Card Room --- ---
Caretaker Residence U U
Cement Bulk Plant (Not permitted within 1000 feet of any residential area) U Commercial Recreation and Entertainment U U
Communication Facilities U U
Crematory U U
Custom Manufacturing
Drive-Through Service ---
Dry Cleaning Services (Drop-off and Pick-up only) --- --- Dry Cleaning Services (cleaning plants) U
Eating and Drinking Establishments
Bar, tavern --- ---
Delicatessen U
Fast Food Service Establishment - with or without Drive Through Services U --- Full Service Restaurant ---
Ice cream, yogurt store --- ---
Limited Food Service - with or without Drive Through Services U --- Equipment rental
Food Processing U
Glass replacement and repair shop ---
Hazardous Material Industrial (Not permited within 1000 feet of any residential area --- U Heavy Industrial ---
High Technology
Janitorial services and supplies ---
Table 16.24.1
USES IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
Industrial Districts
Use, Service or Facility
Redline Version
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Packet Pg. 386 Attachment: 16-24.1 Industrial Uses table - redlined (921 : Recreational Vehicle Storage Amendment) Legend:
Permitted Use
--- Not a Permitted Use
U Conditional Use Permit Required
M-1 M-2
Junkyard --- U
Laboratory; medical, dental or optical U ---
Laboratory; research, analysis U ---
Limited Industrial
Linen Supply services
Locksmith ---
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (Subject to Chapters 9.10 and 16.111 of RMC) --- --- Mini-storage
Nursery, plants
Offices, Business and Professional U
Offices, Contractors
Pallet Manufacturing U U
Pallet Recovery Services
Picture framing shop ---
Pool Table sale and repair service ---
Power Tools - sales, repair ---
Print Shop ---
Public and Semipublic Uses
Banquet Facility U ---
Child Care Centers --- ---
Churches U ---
Residential Care, General --- ---
Residential Care, Limited --- ---
Recreational Facility - Indoor U
Recreational Facility - Outdoor U U
Recycling Services - Consumer
Recycling Services - Scrap Operations --- U
Schools --- ---
Business School --- ---
College or University --- ---
Driving School --- ---
Medical Related School --- ---
Other Private School --- ---
Private K-12 school --- ---
Public K-12 school --- ---
Trade/Vocational School U U
Seasonal Temporary Uses
Studios - Art, Boxing, Dance, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Music, Photography, Voice U Swimming Pool/Spa - sales and service ---
Utilities - Major U
Veterinarian/Animal Hospital - Large U U
Veterinarian/Animal Hospital - Small U
Visitor Accomodations
Bed and Breakfast Inn --- ---
Conference Center --- ---
Hotel U ---
Motel U ---
Resort --- ---
Wholesaling and Distribution facility
Table 16.24.1 - Continued
USES IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
Use, Service or Facility
Industrial Districts
Redline Version
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259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Ken Zuidervaart, Planning Director
Date: 07/11/2023
Subject: Ripon Christian Schools rezone ordinance - Z22-97 RECOMMENDED ACTION: This ordinance rezones properties owned by Ripon Christian Schools located at 552 N. Wilma Avenue (APN 259-660-35) and 456 Maple Avenue (APN 259- 040-02) from R1 (Single Family Residential) and R1UC (Single Family Residential Urban Core) to PS (Public-Semipublic).
BACKGROUND: This is the rezone ordinance that goes with the public hearing that was just held regarding rezoning properties for Ripon Christian Schools located at 552 N. Wilma Avenue and 456 Maple Avenue.
Attachments:
1. Exhibit A
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ORDINANCE NO. 922
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIPON REZONING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED
AT 552 N. WILMA AVENUE (APN 259-660-35) AND 456
MAPLE AVENUE (APN 259-040-02) IN THE CITY OF RIPON
WHEREAS, certain real properties located at 552 N. Wilma Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Number 259-660-35) and 456 Maple Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Number 259-040-02) has been previously annexed to the City of Ripon; and
WHEREAS, the City has previously changed the General Plan land use designation of the properties from LD (Low Density Residential) and HLD (High Low Density Residential) to S-HS (High School); and
WHEREAS, the City Council is desirous of amending the zoning classification of the properties from R1 (single family residential) and R1UC (single family residential urban core) to PS (Public-Semipublic).
WHEREAS, on July 11, 2023, the Ripon City Council conducted a public hearing, at which time the City Council approved the proposed changes to the General Plan and zoning designations of the properties; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, after conducting appropriate environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA, and after conducting duly noticed meetings and hearings, desires to amend the zoning classifications of the properties as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of The City of Ripon as follows:
SECTION 1: The City of Ripon hereby amends the Zoning Map of The City of Ripon as follows:
APN Current Zone New Zoning
Clarification Clarification
259-660-35 Single Family Residential (R1) Public-Semipublic (PS) 259-040-02 Single Family Residential
Urban Core (R1UC)
Public-Semipublic (PS)
As more particularly set forth on the map attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.
SECTION 2. REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed the ordinance codified in this Chapter, and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of this Chapter would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE AND PUBLICATION. This ordinance shall go into effect 30 days after its adoption and a summary of this ordinance shall be published five (5) days prior to and within fifteen (15) days following its adoption in the Manteca Bulletin, the official paper of the City of Ripon.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ripon this 11th day of July, 2023, by the following vote:
RESULT: FIRST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 8/8/2023 6:00 PM MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER:Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
THE CITY OF RIPON,
A Municipal Corporation
By _______________________________
MICHAEL RESTUCCIA , Mayor
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
LISA ROOS, City Clerk
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Exhibit "A" 4.B.a
Packet Pg. 391 Attachment: Exhibit A (922 : Ripon Christian Schools rezone ordinance - Z22-97) City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Ken Zuidervaart, Planning Director
Date: 07/11/2023
Subject: Commissions Ordinance Amendment
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This ordinance amends Chapter 2.15 Commissions of the Ripon Municipal Code providing necessary updates and clarification to the commission application and appointment process.
BACKGROUND:
At the June City Council meeting, staff presented a proposed amendment to the City Commissions ordinance (Chapter 2.15 of the RMC).
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
At that meeting, staff received feedback from the City Council addressing the following:
How vacancies would be filled;
Advertising for open positions; and
The application and interview process.
Most of the comments and concerns centered around creating a very clear, transparent, and understandable process for how all Commission vacancies would be filled. Staff has re-revised the proposed amendment from the June meeting, which is attached for your reference.
The proposed amendment to Chapter 2.15 “Commissions” will amend this section of the Municipal Code to provide necessary updates and clarification to the commission application and appointment process. Following is the proposed Ordinance recommended for first reading and introduction and attached are redline changes showing the proposed text changes from the proposed ordinance presented at the June 13, 2023 City Council meeting and labeled “Chapter
2.15 "Commissions" - Redline”.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
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Attachments:
1. Chapter 2.15 "Commissions" - Redline
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ORDINANCE NO. 923
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIPON AMENDING CHAPTER 2.15 "COMMISSIONS" OF
THE RIPON MUNICIPAL CODE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT TO CODE. Chapter 2.15 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Chapter 2.15
COMMISSIONS
Sections:
2.15.010 Created Number of Members
2.15.020 Application Process
2.15.030 Appointment and Re-appointment of regular terms
2.15.040 Filling Vacancies - expired term
2.15.050 Filling Vacancies - unexpired term
2.15.060 Vacancies-Absences-Removal
2.15.070 Powers and Duties
2.15.080 Officers, General Rules and Regulations
2.15.090 Meetings
2.15.100 Rules Governing Conduct of Business
2.15.110 Eligibility and Residency Requirements
2.15.120 Cooperation with City Departments, Reports to Council
2.15.130 Appropriation Budget
2.15.010 Created Number of Members
A. There is created the following Commissions in and for the City:
1. Parks/Recreation Commission
2. Planning Commission
B. A Commission shall consist of six (6) members; five (5) regular and one (1) alternate whose function is to act in the place of an absent regular member. (Ord. 482 §1, 1991; Ord. 470 §1, 1991; Ord. 538 §1, 1995; Ord. 647 §1, 2001; Ord. 674 §1, 2003, Ord. 825 §3, 2015, Ord. 889, 2019)
2.15.020 Application Process
A. Applications for Commissions are accepted at any time.
B. Applications for Commissions are kept on file for a period of 24 months.
C. 120 days prior to the Commissioner’s term expiration, the City Clerk shall verify if the current Commissioners wish to continue to serve via a re-application process.
2.15.030 Appointment and Re-appointment of regular terms
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A. Commission members shall be appointed or re-appointed by the City Council. Such appointments or re-appointments shall be made by resolution by the City Council at the regularly scheduled January City Council meeting and the appointments or re-appointments will take effect at the next regular meeting of the appropriate Commission.
B. Except as otherwise provided, all Commission members shall be appointed to terms of four (4) years.
C. Commission members are assigned a seat number when appointed. The expiration of the Commission member terms shall be staggered such that a maximum number of three seats are expiring at any one time.
D. No one person shall simultaneously serve on more than one Commission, except when, in its sole discretion in considering all the facts (e.g. number of applicants, special qualifications, etc.), the City Council determines that such simultaneous service would be in the best interest of the City. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991: Ord. 538 §1, 1995: Ord 634 §1, 2001; Ord. 674 §2, 2003)
2.15.040 Filling Vacancies - expired term
A. If current Commissioners with terms about to expire wish to continue their service on the Commission, a “Nomination Committee” consisting of the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall convene to discuss their continuance and may recommend to the entire City Council reappointment for another four (4) year term.
B. If there becomes a vacancy by term expiration, the Mayor shall direct the City Clerk to advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days and confirm interest of current applications on file, convene a “Nomination Committee” consisting of the Mayor and Vice Mayor to review all applications, conduct interviews of the top ranked applicants and forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration.
2.15.050 Filling Vacancies - unexpired term
A. If a vacancy occurs for any reason prior to the expiration of the term, including removal of a member pursuant to Section 2.15.060, the Mayor shall direct the City Clerk to advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days and confirm interest of current applications on file, convene a “Nomination Committee” consisting of the Mayor and Vice Mayor to review all applications, conduct interviews of the top ranked applicants and forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration.
B. If a vacancy occurs within 6 months of a term expiration, the vacant position shall remain open for the remainder of the term and filled utilizing the normal expired term process as described in 2.15.040.
2.15.060 Vacancies-Absences-Removal
A. If a vacancy shall occur other than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term using the procedures set forth in Section 2.15.050. A vacancy shall be deemed to have occurred when one or all of the following circumstances occur:
1. When a member no longer complies with the residency requirement as set forth in Section 2.15.110.
2. When a Commission member is absent from four consecutive meetings or twenty-five percent of the regularly scheduled meetings within any twelve-month period from date of
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appointment without due cause, as determined by the City Council, the member shall be deemed to have resigned from their position and a vacancy thus created.
3. When a member submits a letter of resignation stating clearly and unambiguously that the member can no longer continue to serve on the Commission.
4. Upon the death of a Commission member.
5. Whenever, in the discretion of the City Council, the best interest of the City shall be served thereby, any member of a Commission may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
2.15.070 Powers and Duties
The rights, powers and duties of each Commission shall be:
A. Parks/Recreation Commission.
1. To act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, the Recreation Director, and the staff in all matters pertaining to public parks and recreation, and to cooperate with other governmental agencies and groups in the advancement of sound recreation and park planning and programming.
2. To assist the Recreation Director, as he shall from time to time direct, in the enforcement of rules and regulations as may be adopted by resolution of the City Council and the Commission.
3. To carry out such other powers and duties as may be given to the Commission by the City Council and/or the Recreation Director.
B. Planning Commission
1. To exercise those powers and duties provided by state law, or any subsequent amendments, changes or revisions thereof.
2. To carry out specific powers and duties as are designated in any ordinance of the City relating to planning or zoning or any other related matter referred to it for consideration by the Council. (Ord. 580 §1, 1998, Ord. 825 §2, 2015, Ord. 889, §2, 2019)
2.15.080 Officers, General Rules and Regulations
The officers of each Commission shall be a chairperson and vice-chairperson. These officers shall be selected by the Commission members at the first meeting in February of each year, or the next regularly scheduled meeting thereafter. Officers shall hold office for the later of one year or until their successors are selected. Each Commission shall follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order to govern its proceedings, and such other rules as may be adopted by the City Council. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991, Ord 674 §5, 2003)
2.15.090 Meetings
Each Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting each month, on the day and at the time and in the location that it shall designate by minute action, as well as such special meetings as the Commission may require. Special meetings may be held only by complying with applicable provisions of the Government Code pertaining to such board and Commission meetings of a general law city. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991)
2.15.100 Rules Governing Conduct of Business
All meetings shall be generally conducted pursuant to the provisions contained in Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, and as specifically set forth in the provisions of the Government Code pertaining
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to such board and Commission meetings of a general law city. Three members of a Commission shall constitute a quorum. Unless otherwise provided in the Ripon Municipal Code or the provisions of state law, all actions of a Commission shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Commission members present for approval and such actions may either be in the form of a formal motion or a resolution, as required by law. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991)
2.15.110 Eligibility and Residency Requirements
A. At all times during the term of office, a Commissioner shall be a registered voter of the City of Ripon
B. Commission members shall reside within the boundaries as hereinafter defined:
1. Parks/Recreation Commission, the Ripon Unified School District.
2. Planning Commission, the Ripon City Limits.
2.15.120 Cooperation with City Departments, Reports to Council All officers, department heads and departments of the City shall render cooperation and all reasonable and necessary assistance to the Commissions. Neither a Commission nor any person connected with a Commission shall incur any financial liability in the name of the City without the prior consent of the City.
2.15.130 Appropriation Budget
The City Council may, in its discretion, appropriate such funds as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying on the activities of any Commission.
SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA). The City Council hereby finds that the adoption of this Ordinance does not constitute the approval of a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15060(c)(2) and (3), 15061(b)(3), 15262, and 15378 of the State of California CEQA Guidelines.
Specifically, this Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment because it does not authorize the construction of any new structures or other physical changes to the environment.
SECTION 3. NO MANDATORY DUTY OF CARE. This Ordinance is not intended to, and shall not be construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the City or any officer, agent, employee or volunteer, thereof a mandatory duty of care towards persons and property, so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed the ordinance codified in this Chapter, and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of this Chapter would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE AND PUBLICATION. This ordinance shall go into effect 30 days after its adoption and a summary of this ordinance shall be published five (5) days prior
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to and within fifteen (15) days following its adoption in the Manteca Bulletin, the official paper of the City of Ripon.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ripon this 11th day of July, 2023, by the following vote:
RESULT: FIRST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 8/8/2023 6:00 PM MOVER: Gary Barton, Council Member
SECONDER:Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
THE CITY OF RIPON,
A Municipal Corporation
By _______________________________
MICHAEL RESTUCCIA , Mayor
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
LISA ROOS, City Clerk
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Redline Version
Chapter 2.15
COMMISSIONS
Sections:
2.15.010 Created Number of Members
2.15.020 Application Process
2.15.030 Appointment and Re-appointment of regular terms
2.15.040 Filling Vacancies - expired term
2.15.050 Filling Vacancies - unexpired term
2.15.060 Vacancies-Absences-Removal
2.15.070 Powers and Duties
2.15.080 Officers, General Rules and Regulations
2.15.090 Meetings
2.15.100 Rules Governing Conduct of Business
2.15.110 Eligibility and Residency Requirements
2.15.120 Cooperation with City Departments, Reports to Council
2.15.130Appropriation Budget
2.15.010 Created Number of Members
A. There is created the following Commissions in and for the City:
1. Parks/Recreation Commission
2. Planning Commission
B. A Commission shall consist of six (6) members; five (5) regular and one (1) alternate whose function is to act in the place of an absent regular member. (Ord. 482 §1, 1991; Ord. 470 §1, 1991; Ord. 538 §1, 1995; Ord. 647 §1, 2001; Ord. 674 §1, 2003, Ord. 825 §3, 2015, Ord. 889, 2019)
2.15.020 Application Process
A. Applications for Commissions are accepted at any time.
B. Applications for Commissions are kept on file for a period of 24 months.
C. October 1st of every election year, the City Clerk shall advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days.
D.C. 12045 days prior to the Commissioner’s term expiration, the City Clerk shall verify if the current Commissioners wish to continue to serve via a re-application process.
E. At the discretion of the Mayor, the City Clerk may advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days, upon an unscheduled vacancy.
2.15.030 Appointment and Re-appointment of regular terms A. Commission members shall be appointed or re-appointed by the City Council. Such appointments or re-appointments shall be made by resolution by the City Council at the regularly scheduled January City Council meeting and the appointments or re-appointments will take effect at the next regular meeting of the appropriate Commission.
B. Except as otherwise provided, all Commission members shall be appointed to terms of four (4) years.
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C. Commission members are assigned a seat number when appointed. The expiration of the Commission member terms shall be staggered such that a maximum number of three seats are expiring at any one time.
D. No one person shall simultaneously serve on more than one Commission, except when, in its sole discretion in considering all the facts (e.g. number of applicants, special qualifications, etc.), the City Council determines that such simultaneous service would be in the best interest of the City. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991: Ord. 538 §1, 1995: Ord 634 §1, 2001; Ord. 674 §2, 2003)
2.15.040 Filling Vacancies - expired term
A. If current Commissioners with terms about to expire wish to continue their service on the Commission, Thethe “Nomination Committee” consisting of the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall convene to discuss their continuance and may recommend to the entire City Council reappointment for another four (4) year term. current Commissioners with terms about to expire who wish to continue their service on the Commission.
B. If there becomes a vacancy by term expiration, the Mayor shall direct the City Clerk to advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days and confirm interest of current applications on file, convene a “Nomination Committee” consisting of the Mayor and Vice Mayor to review all applications, conduct interviews of the top ranked applicants and forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration.
2.15.050 Filling Vacancies - unexpired term
A. If a vacancy occurs for any reason prior to the expiration of the term, including removal of a member pursuant to Section 2.15.060, the Mayor shall direct the City Clerk to advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days and confirm interest of current applications on file, convene a “Nomination Committee” consisting of the Mayor and Vice Mayor to review all applications, conduct interviews of the top ranked applicants and forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration.may at his/her discretion do the following:
Recommend a previously interviewed Commission candidate to the City Council for consideration;
1. Convene the “Nomination Committee” and interview any applicant that may have an application currently on file, and forward the recommendation to the City Council for consideration;
1. Request the City Clerk to advertise for Commission applications for a period of not less than 30 days, convene the “Nomination Committee” to conduct interviews of the top ranked applicants and forward its recommendation to the City Council for consideration; or
B. If a vacancy occurs within 6 months of term expirations, the vacant position shall remain open for the remainder of the term and filled Mayor may opt to wait to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term utilizing the normal expired term process as described in 2.15.040.
2.15.060 Vacancies-Absences-Removal
A. If a vacancy shall occur other than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term using the procedures set forth in Section
2.15.050. A vacancy shall be deemed to have occurred when one or all of the following circumstances occur:
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1. When a member no longer complies with the residency requirement as set forth in Section
2.15.110.
2. When a Commission member is absent from four consecutive meetings or twenty-five percent of the regularly scheduled meetings within any twelve-month period from date of appointment without due cause, as determined by the City Council, the member shall be deemed to have resigned from their position and a vacancy thus created.as determined by the chair with the agreement of the Commission, shall be deemed to constitute a retirement by the member and a vacancy thus created. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991: Ord. 538 §2, 1995)
3. When a member submits a letter of resignation stating clearly and unambiguously that the member can no longer continue to serve on the Commission.
4. Upon the death of a Commission member.
5. Whenever, in the discretion of the City Council, the best interest of the City shall be served thereby, any member of a Commission may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
2.15.070 Powers and Duties
The rights, powers and duties of each Commission shall be:
A. Parks/Recreation Commission.
1. To act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, the Recreation Director, and the staff in all matters pertaining to public parks and recreation, and to cooperate with other governmental agencies and groups in the advancement of sound recreation and park planning and programming.
2. To assist the Recreation Director, as he shall from time to time direct, in the enforcement of rules and regulations as may be adopted by resolution of the City Council and the Commission.
3. To carry out such other powers and duties as may be given to the Commission by the City Council and/or the Recreation Director.
B. Planning Commission
1. To exercise those powers and duties provided by state law, or any subsequent amendments, changes or revisions thereof.
2. To carry out specific powers and duties as are designated in any ordinance of the City relating to planning or zoning or any other related matter referred to it for consideration by the Council. (Ord. 580 §1, 1998, Ord. 825 §2, 2015, Ord. 889, §2, 2019)
2.15.080 Officers, General Rules and Regulations
The officers of each Commission shall be a chairperson and vice-chairperson. These officers shall be selected by the Commission members at the first meeting in February of each year, or the next regularly scheduled meeting thereafter. Officers shall hold office for the later of one year or until their successors are selected. Each Commission shall follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order to govern its proceedings, and such other rules as may be adopted by the City Council. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991, Ord 674 §5, 2003)
2.15.090 Meetings
Each Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting each month, on the day and at the time and in the location that it shall designate by minute action, as well as such special meetings as the Commission may require. Special meetings may be held only by complying with applicable
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provisions of the Government Code pertaining to such board and Commission meetings of a general law city. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991)
2.15.100 Rules Governing Conduct of Business
All meetings shall be generally conducted pursuant to the provisions contained in Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, and as specifically set forth in the provisions of the Government Code pertaining to such board and Commission meetings of a general law city. Three members of a Commission shall constitute a quorum. Unless otherwise provided in the Ripon Municipal Code or the provisions of state law, all actions of a Commission shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Commission members present for approval and such actions may either be in the form of a formal motion or a resolution, as required by law. (Ord. 470 §1, 1991)
2.15.110 Eligibility and Residency Requirements
A. At all times during the term of office, a Commissioner shall be a registered voter of the City of Ripon.
B. Commission members shall reside within the boundaries as hereinafter defined:
1. Parks/Recreation Commission, the Ripon Unified School District.
2. Planning Commission, the Ripon City Limits.
2.15.120 Cooperation with City Departments, Reports to Council All officers, department heads and departments of the City shall render cooperation and all reasonable and necessary assistance to the Commissions. Neither a Commission nor any person connected with a Commission shall incur any financial liability in the name of the City without the prior consent of the City.
2.15.130 Appropriation Budget
The City Council may, in its discretion, appropriate such funds as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying on the activities of any Commission.
SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA). The City Council hereby finds that the adoption of this Ordinance does not constitute the approval of a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15060(c)(2) and (3), 15061(b)(3), 15262, and 15378 of the State of California CEQA Guidelines. Specifically, this Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment because it does not authorize the construction of any new structures or other physical changes to the environment.
SECTION 3. NO MANDATORY DUTY OF CARE. This Ordinance is not intended to, and shall not be construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the City or any officer, agent, employee or volunteer, thereof a mandatory duty of care towards persons and property, so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed the ordinance codified in
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this Chapter, and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of this Chapter would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE AND PUBLICATION. This ordinance shall go into effect 30 days after its adoption and a summary of this ordinance shall be published five (5) days prior to and within fifteen (15) days following its adoption in the Manteca Bulletin, the official paper of the City of Ripon.
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Packet Pg. 403 Attachment: Chapter 2.15 "Commissions" - Redline (923 : Commissions Ordinance Amendment) City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Lisa Roos, City Clerk & Finance Director
Date: 07/11/2023
Subject: Amount of money raised by taxation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff is requesting that Council waive the reading and adopt this ordinance.
Per Government Code Section 36937, this ordinance will take effect immediately because it relates to “taxes for the usual and current expense of the City.” BACKGROUND:
This is an annual ordinance required to certify the 2023/2024 appropriation limits also known as the GANN limits.
In essence, it is saying that the taxes that we collect are below the ceiling that we are allowed to collect based upon the rates set by Proposition 4 passed in 1979.
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ORDINANCE NO. 924
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RIPON FIXING THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION AND
THE RATE OR RATES OF TAX THEREFORE NECESSARY
TO CARRY ON THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS AND
DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF RIPON AND REPEALING
ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH
The City Council of the City of Ripon does ordain as follows:
Section 1: It is hereby found, determined and declared that the amount of money to be raised by taxation of all property in the City of Ripon, subject to taxation for municipal purposes, necessary to carry on the various departments of the City of Ripon is as follows:
For General Fund: $-0-
For Planning Department: $-0-
A total sum of: $-0-
Section 2: For the purposes named in Section 1 hereof, taxes for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, are hereby levied on all property in the City of Ripon, subject to municipal taxation at the following rates on each ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) of the assess valuation thereof as assessed and equalized by the County of San Joaquin, State of California, as follows:
For General Fund at a rate: $-0-
A total tax rate of: $-0-
Section 3: It is further ordered that for the purposes outlined in Section 1 hereof for defraying the lawful expenses incurred by the Planning Department in carrying out a planning program in the City of Ripon, the following rate on each ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) of assessed valuation thereof as assessed and equalized by the County of San Joaquin, State of California, as follows:
For the Planning Department of the City of Ripon $-0-
A total tax rate of: $-0-
Section 4: It is further ordered that for maintenance and costs for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2023, of the combined District consisting of the former Ripon Municipal Sewer District No. 1 and the Ripon Sanitary District, now designated and merged into one District known as Ripon Municipal Sewer District No. 1 of the City of Ripon, that the following rate on each ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100.00) of assessed valuation thereof, as assessed and equalized by the County of San Joaquin,
State of California be fixed as follows:
For the Municipal Sewer District No. 1 of the City of
Ripon maintenance and costs at a tax rate of: $-0-
Section 5: The City Clerk of the City of Ripon hereby certifies that the 2023/2024 appropriation limit of the City of Ripon is hereby determined to be the sum of TWENTY-TWO
MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED NINE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($22,448,209.00) and the 2023/2024 appropriation subject to appropriation limitations is the sum of EIGHT MILLION, NINE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN
THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO DOLLARS AND NO CENTS
($8,917,482.00).
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Section 6: The City Clerk of the City of Ripon shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and cause the same to be published in the newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Ripon, and it shall take effect and be in full force immediately as a taxing ordinance of the City of Ripon.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ripon this 11th day of July, 2023, by the following vote:
RESULT: FIRST READING ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER:Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Uecker
THE CITY OF RIPON,
A Municipal Corporation
By _______________________________
MICHAEL RESTUCCIA , Mayor
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
LISA ROOS, City Clerk
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City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Kye Stevens, Recreation Director
Date: 07/11/2023
Subject: Tennis Courts MOU
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ripon and the Love-Love Ripon Tennis Foundation that defines the responsibilities between the City and the Foundation to complete a Tennis Complex at the Mistlin Sports Park.
BACKGROUND:
The Love-Love Ripon Tennis Foundation (“Foundation”) has offered financial assistance in the form of a donation to help move forward the design and construction of a Tennis Complex at the Mistlin Sports Park.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to define the responsibilities between the City of Ripon and the Foundation to implement the Tennis Complex, which includes tennis courts, lighting, fencing, utilities, parking, restrooms, and ADA required access. Staff has drafted the attached Memorandum of Understanding for City Council’s consideration, which is summarized below:
Engineering services to prepare the Tennis Complex design drawings, cost estimates, and technical specifications that will be used to bid and construct the complex to be donated by the Foundation.
Funding for 50 percent of the construction cost of the Tennis Complex tennis courts and associated elements (e.g., fencing, lighting, grading, utilities, and ADA access) to be donated by the Foundation.
Funding for the remaining 50 percent of the Tennis Complex and associated elements and 100 percent of the parking lot, restrooms, access roads, and landscaping/irrigation to be funded by the City of Ripon.
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Management of the bid process and construction will be done by City of Ripon. Any permits required and payment of fees associated with the Tennis Complex will be paid for by the City of Ripon.
Operations of the Tennis Complex will be managed by the City of Ripon, which will include designated rentals by the Foundation at no charge. Maintenance of the Tennis Complex will be done by the City of Ripon.
A tennis complex at the Mistlin Sports Park is included as one of the projects in the Parks & Recreation Public Facilities Financing Plan (PFFP). The City is currently collecting fees from new development to fund Parks & Recreation PFFP projects. The City’s share of the expenses for the Tennis Complex will be paid by the Parks & Recreation PFFP Fund; at the present time, the balance in this fund is $56,156. Once a preliminary design is complete along with the estimated cost of construction, the City and Foundation will identify the phasing of the Tennis Complex. The timing as to when the City will have the Parks & Recreation PFFP funds available will be dependent on the timing of future development projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding. Staff will bring back the phasing plan, estimated cost of construction, and a funding plan, once that information is available.
Attachments:
1. Tennis Court Donation MOU
2. EXHIBIT A
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1 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN LOVE-LOVE TENNIS
FOUNDATION AND THE CITY OF RIPON
This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is hereby made and entered into on this __ day of ____________, 2023, by and between the LOVE-LOVE TENNIS FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization duly formed and operating under the laws of the State of California (“Foundation”) and the CITY OF RIPON, a municipal corporation (“City”).
1. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
The Foundation has agreed to provide financial assistance to develop a Tennis Complex at Mistlin Sports Park, to be located on the parcel located at 1210 Clinton South Avenue, which will include tennis courts, restrooms, parking, along with the necessary utilities and ancillary facilities (“Complex”). A draft Site Plan depicting the location of the Complex and its components is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.
The purpose of this MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING is to set forth the terms and conditions under which the Foundation will provide volunteers and resources for the development of the Complex.
2. OBLIGATION OF THE AGREEING PARTIES:
The Parties desire to work together to implement the planning, design, and construction of the Complex.
3. COOPERATION:
A. Project Funding
i. The Foundation shall fund the engineering services for the planning and design of the Complex.
This will include the overall master planning/phasing plan of the Complex along with preparing design drawings, cost estimates, and technical specifications to be used for bidding purposes for each phase of construction. Foundation to submit a licensed civil engineer (“Designer”) for the approval of the City Engineer.
ii. The Foundation shall provide fifty percent (50%) of the funds for the construction of the tennis courts and associated elements of the courts, including grading, fencing, lighting, utilities, and required ADA access.
iii. The City shall fund the construction of the parking lot, restrooms, access road, landscaping, and irrigation.
iv. The City shall provide the staff time to implement the construction of the Complex, including reviewing plans/specifications/cost estimates, preparing construction contract documents, and construction management of the Complex.
v. The City shall pay all fees associated with the project, including habitat fees, school fees, fire fees, and any other fees that may be required to construct the Complex.
B. Planning and Design Phase
i. The City shall ensure the house, huller, and barn currently on the site are demolished to allow development of the Complex.
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Packet Pg. 409 Attachment: Tennis Court Donation MOU (3911 : Tennis Courts MOU) 2 ii. Complex Design:
a. The Designer shall prepare design drawings/technical specifications that will include the grading, layout, survey, utilities, flat work, details, cross-sections, and anything else necessary for a contractor to bid and construct the various phases of the Complex. b. The Designer shall prepare design drawings, technical specifications, and construction cost estimates at the 30, 60, and 100 percent milestones for the City approval. c. Design will be compliant with the United States Tennis Association guidelines for Junior Tennis Courts for future tournaments.
iii. City shall obtain all necessary permits along with CEQA environmental clearance, if applicable, for the construction of the various phases of the Complex. iv. City shall process the proposed project through the appropriate Planning Department process, including approval of the Planning Commission (if needed), and pay all associated fees. v. City shall prepare the construction contract and advertise for bids for each phase of the Complex, once all funding, design drawings/technical specifications, environmental clearance, and permits have been obtained.
C. Construction Phase
i. The City shall oversee the bid process and request information from the Designer, as needed, to respond to contractor questions.
ii. The City shall provide construction management and inspection services for the various phases of the Complex.
D. Operation of the Complex
i. The Complex is intended to be open to the public, except for the times it is being rented. ii. The City may reserve the Complex for the following events for a rental rate approved by the City Council:
a. Private instruction;
b. Training camps;
c. Tournaments;
d. Any additional tennis-related activity at the Tennis Complex. iii. The Foundation may reserve the Complex for no charge, as summarized below:
a. Six times per year for weekend tournaments that will be used as fund raisers to assist with the funding of future phases of the Complex.
b. Ladies Central Valley Tennis League InterClub matches played Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.
c. Weekend tournaments will need to be scheduled with the Recreation Director to ensure they will not conflict with other events at the Mistlin Sports Complex. d. The Foundation will need to comply with all other City rental requirements/rules, such as providing insurance.
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Packet Pg. 410 Attachment: Tennis Court Donation MOU (3911 : Tennis Courts MOU) 3 E. Maintenance of the Complex
i. The City shall maintain the Complex, including, but not limited to the following:
a. Emptying trash cans at the Complex.
b. Cleaning and maintaining the restrooms.
c. Irrigation and landscaping at the Complex.
d. Replacement of the tennis court surface.
e. Utility bills related to the operations of the Complex. f. Clean the tennis court surface twice a month with a blower and/or water when available.
F. Advertisement
i. The Foundation will have the right to provide the following advertisement opportunities at the Complex to assist with the fundraising efforts:
a. Complex naming rights/signage
1. Foundation may name the Complex, subject to City’s reasonable approval.
The name cannot be offensive nor controversial in any way.
2. The proposed name and signage is to be submitted to the City Council for approval prior to the Foundation accepting a donation for those rights. b. Individual tennis court naming rights/signage
1. Foundation may name the individual tennis courts. The names cannot be offensive nor controversial in any way.
2. The proposed names and signage is to be submitted to the City Council for approval prior to the Foundation accepting a donation for those rights. c. Donor recognition
1. Foundation may recognize donors by placing plaques on benches or installing pavers with donor recognition information.
2. Foundation may construct a “donor wall” that is aesthetically appropriate for the Complex.
3. The donor recognition opportunities and proposed signage is to be submitted to the City Council for approval.
“Foundation” “City”
LOVE-LOVE TENNIS FOUNDATION CITY OF RIPON
By:______________________________ By:___________________________ Name:____________________________ Name: Michael Restuccia, Mayor
5.A.a
Packet Pg. 411 Attachment: Tennis Court Donation MOU (3911 : Tennis Courts MOU)
EXHIBIT A
Depicts the general loca�on of Tennis Complex and associated infrastructure.
5.A.b
Packet Pg. 412 Attachment: EXHIBIT A (3911 : Tennis Courts MOU) City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Ed Ormonde, Chief of Police
Date: 07/11/2023
Subject: Grand Jury Response - Draft
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discuss response to Grand Jury Case No. 0322 for Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin regarding, “School Safety: A Shared Responsibility” and provide direction to staff.
This response must be returned to the Grand Jury before August 24, 2023.
BACKGROUND
The 2022-23 San Joaquin County Grand Jury has published Case No. 0322, “School Safety: A Shared Responsibility” (see attached). In the published case the Grand Jury has made Findings and Recommendations to each entity surveyed within the county. The City of Ripon’s suggested responses are here to be reviewed and discussed prior to formal submittal.
DISCUSSION/RESPONSE
The San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury report requires a response from the Ripon City Council on the report’s recommendations within 90 days of receipt of the report. The report was received on May 26, 2023. Staff has prepared a draft letter to the Grand Jury (see attached file “DRAFT City Council Response to Grand Jury”) responding to each recommendation that is applicable to the City of Ripon.
Staff is requesting input from the City Council on the draft response to the Grand Jury.
Following the discussion at the July City Council meeting, staff will finalize the letter and bring back for City Council approval at the August City Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
Unknown.
Attachments:
5.B
Packet Pg. 413
1. 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury
2. DRAFT City Council Response to Grand Jury
5.B
Packet Pg. 414
2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury
School Safety in San Joaquin County:
Developing a Culture of Safety
Case #0322
Summary
The 2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury examined, through the lens of a layperson, the safety measures in place at the 14 public school districts and the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). These safety measures are mandated by California Education Code 32280‐ 322895.5. Through multiple interviews, site visits, and expert witness testimony, the Grand Jury found while many protocols have been established in the County, there is no unified approach to school safety. Rather, safety planning often consists of a patchwork of policies and procedures and
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Packet Pg. 415 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 2 many of the Comprehensive School Safety Plans (CSSPs) required by law are boilerplate documents that are rarely specific to school sites.
Schools in San Joaquin County are safer because of recent efforts by school districts, but more can be done. Districts can create more opportunities for meaningful involvement by parents, students, and staff in safety planning efforts. Parents/guardians can ask school officials about safety at their child’s school site.
Law enforcement must be more involved in the process of development, implementation, and annual updates of the CSSP, including participation in safety training/drills, building relationships with students and staff, and helping to create a culture of safety.
While the issue of school safety is vast, the 2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury review focused on the following areas:
Comprehensive School Safety Plans.
Observations during school site visits.
Safety training.
The 2022‐2023 Civil Grand Jury found CSSPs were not school site‐specific and displayed a lack of parental and law enforcement agency involvement, safety training was intermittent, and drills were predictable. The Grand Jury also found a lack of meaningful staff and student discussion regarding school safety, school sites that were inconsistent in visitor check‐in procedures, and evacuation maps missing or lacking clarity.
Glossary
AED: Automated External Defibrillator.
Average Daily AƩendance: The total days of student aƩendance divided by the total days of instrucƟon.
CDE: California Department of EducaƟon.
CerƟficated Employee: CerƟficated school employees are employees of a school, district, or county office of educaƟon who are in a posiƟon that requires the employee to have a credenƟal from the California Commission on Teacher CredenƟaling (CCTC). Charter School: A charter school is a public school that may provide instrucƟon in any combinaƟon of grades (kindergarten through grade 12). Parents/guardians, teachers, or community members may iniƟate a charter peƟƟon, which is typically presented to and approved by a local school district governing board.
Classified Employee: Classified employees are employees of a school, district, or county office of educaƟon who are in a posiƟon not requiring cerƟficaƟon. COE: County Office of EducaƟon.
Common Areas: Common areas are defined as auditoriums, mulƟpurpose rooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, wellness centers, and any other area that may be used by both the public as well as
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Packet Pg. 416 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 3 students and staff. Pursuant to EducaƟon Code SecƟons 38130‐38139, public schools are required to offer the use of school faciliƟes by non‐district public groups. CSSP: Comprehensive School Safety Plan. Safety plan required by California law for each school site operaƟng kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive. Dependent Charter School: A dependent charter school is a charter school that has been authorized and is governed by the district’s school board and is an integral part of the district’s porƞolio of schools.
First Responder: The term includes a firefighter, law enforcement officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or other individual who, in the course of his or her professional duƟes, responds to fire, medical, hazardous material, or other emergencies. Flip chart: Emergency response flip charts are an effecƟve way of referencing important contacts and acƟons to be taken in an emergency. Having clearly defined procedures to deal with emergencies that may occur in your workplace and making sure your workers are familiar with these procedures may save lives.
Independent Charter School: A school that, although authorized by a school district board, is governed by a separate governing board, and is operated independently from the other schools administered by the district.
Lock Block System: A simple device that prevents locked doors from completely closing, allowing the handle to stay locked and students or adults to quickly lock doors without the need for keys in the case of danger on campus.
Raptor: Raptor Technologies is a company that has developed integrated school safety soŌware that allows schools to screen and track school visitors. School Safety Culture: Campus climate and culture are foundaƟonal in the creaƟon and maintenance of a safer and more secure school for both students and staff. Keeping students safe both physically and emoƟonally requires an atmosphere in which parents/guardians, students, and staff are all working together to protect the learning environment. SJCOE: San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon.
SRO: School Resource Officer.
Tabletop Exercise: Small group discussions about an emergency and the courses of acƟon a school will need to take before, during, and aŌer an emergency to lessen the impact on the school community. ParƟcipants analyze the problem together and discuss detailed roles, responsibiliƟes, and anƟcipated courses of acƟon.
Background
Recent media reports of tragic and all too frequent shootings on school campuses across the country have heightened community concerns about school safety and security, but school violence is not a new or recent concern. In fact, school shootings have been part of our nation’s history since Colonial days. During the 19th century, multiple shootings occurred on school campuses involving intentional and accidental gunshots and other forms of violence by students and outside intruders.
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Packet Pg. 417 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 4 Early in the 20th century the frequency of school violence diminished, but one of the earliest examples of mass school fatalities occurred in 1927 in Bath, Michigan, where 44 people, including 38 students, died when a former school board member dynamited the district school. In the middle of the 20th century school attacks, bombings, and riots by individuals and mobs were often fueled by racial and religious animosity.
The modern school violence trend toward mass casualty shootings began in San Joaquin County in 1989. The Cleveland School shooting occurred ten years before the more frequently referenced Columbine High School shooting in Colorado. Although the 1990s and early 2000s saw an overall trend toward fewer deaths from school shootings in the United States, the public’s perception of unsafe schools was shaped by numerous high‐visibility shooting incidents that led to the belief that our schools have become increasingly dangerous places.
School shootings are the focus of discussions in the media, however, school safety concerns range across a continuum, from routine discipline to bullying and fighting, weather and natural disasters, nearby transportation and industrial accidents, and shootings, as illustrated below. ©2016, National School Safety and Security Services
School safety planning requires careful thought, preparation, and training to avoid or mitigate the consequences of all threats across this continuum. These include not only high‐consequence threats that have a low probability of occurrence (school shootings) but also lower‐consequence threats that have a much higher probability of occurrence (bullying).
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Packet Pg. 418 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 5 Reason for Investigation
Creating a safe and healthy learning environment is a top priority shared by parents/guardians, educators, policymakers, and the community. The importance of safe schools is reflected in Article I, Section 28(f) of the California Constitution, which states: “All students and staff of public primary, elementary, junior high, and senior high schools, and community colleges, colleges, and universities have the inalienable right to attend campuses which are safe, secure and peaceful.” Furthermore, California Education Code Sections 32280‐32289.5 mandate an annual update of each school site’s Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) by March 1 of each year.
The Grand Jury concluded that recent events in San Joaquin County and elsewhere raised the question of whether the schools in our County were taking appropriate steps to protect students and staff.
The Federal government does not maintain a database of school shootings, but several other entities do attempt to compile that data. For example, Education Week reports 2022 had the most school shootings in the nation (51) and the highest number of casualties (40 killed and 100 injured) in the past five years; 21 of those deaths occurred in the Uvalde school shooting in May 2022. San Joaquin County did not experience any school shootings in 2022, although one Stockton high school student was fatally stabbed when a man entered the campus through an unattended security checkpoint. Local media reported several instances of students being arrested for alleged threats of violence at schools in the County. Tragically, during the Grand Jury investigation, two students were attacked at Unity Park near Chavez High School; one student was shot and killed and the other student was pistol‐whipped.
Rather than focusing the Grand Jury’s investigation on one type of school safety threat, such as school shootings, or on school safety planning at one school or district in the County, the Grand Jury concluded it would best serve San Joaquin County citizens to review emergency preparedness planning for threats across the school safety continuum. The Grand Jury evaluated school safety planning from a layperson’s perspective by measuring each district’s preparedness against best practices as identified through research and expert testimony. This report shares with the public the results of that evaluation. Due to the complexity of governance and the large number of independent charter schools (32), the Grand Jury focused its investigation on traditional and dependent charter schools.
Method of Investigation
The Grand Jury conducted an extensive literature review and interviewed several school safety experts to identify consensus among experts on best school safety practices and where there were differences of opinion. The Grand Jury also surveyed each district about school safety preparation and planning. The Grand Jury compared the responses received from each school district against the best practices recommended by school safety experts. Follow‐up interviews were conducted with representatives from each district. Grand Jury members visited one school from each district to confirm the information received and to observe safety preparation at the individual school level.
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Packet Pg. 419 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 6 Materials Reviewed
California Department of Education, “Comprehensive School Safety Plans – Violence Prevention (CA Dept of Education).” www.cde.ca.gov, www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/vp/cssp.asp.
Accessed May 2, 2023.
California Education Code Sections 32280‐32289.5.
California Education Code Sections 38130‐38139.
California State Auditor, “Report 2016‐136.” www. Auditor.ca.gov/reports/2016‐ 136/introduction.html. Accessed May 2, 2023.
Comprehensive School Safety Plans and related safety informaƟon provided to the Grand Jury by the San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon and each of the 14 school districts in San Joaquin County.
Trump, Kenneth S., Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning.
Thousand Oaks, Calif., Corwin, 2011.
Websites Searched
“Banta Unified School District Home Page.” Bantasd.org, www.bantasd.org. Accessed March 4, 2023.
Blad, Evie, et al., “School ShooƟngs in 2022: 4 Key Takeaways.” EducaƟon Week, January 27, 2023, www.edweek.org/leadership/school‐shooƟngs‐in‐2022‐4‐key‐takeaways/2022/12.
Accessed April 3, 2023.
Dorn, Sherman. “PerspecƟve | Violence over Schools Is Nothing New in America.” Washington Post, September 29, 2021,
www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/09/29/violence‐over‐schools‐is‐nothing‐new‐ america/. Accessed October 6, 2022.
“Escalon Unified School District.” www.escalonusd.org, www.escalonusd.org. Accessed March 3, 2023.
Fuentes, AnneƩe. “A Brief History of School Violence in the United States (2011).” Versobooks.com, March 23, 2018, www.versobooks.com/blogs/3705‐a‐brief‐history‐of‐ school‐violence‐in‐the‐united‐states‐2011. Accessed June 22, 2022. Glavin, Chris. “History of School ShooƟngs in the United States | K12 Academics.” K12academics.com, 26 July 2018, www.k12academics.com/school‐shooƟngs/history‐school‐ shooƟngs‐united‐states. Accessed October 6, 2022.
Green, Emilee. “ICJIA Research Hub.” Icjia.illinois.gov, November 23, 2020, icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/arƟcles/exploring‐school‐violence‐and‐safety‐concerns.
Accessed October 6, 2022.
“Jefferson School District Home Page.” www.jeffersonschooldistrict.com, www.jeffersonschooldistrict.com. Accessed March 3, 2023. “Lammersville Unified School District Home Page.” www.lammersvilleschooldistrict.net, www.lammersvilleschooldistrict.net. Accessed March 4, 2023. “Lincoln Unified School District Home Page.” www.lusd.net, www.lusd.net/Domain/4.
Accessed March 3, 2023.
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Packet Pg. 420 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 7 “Linden Unified School District Home Page.” www.lindenusd.com, www.lindenusd.com.
Accessed March 3, 2023.
“Lodi Unified School District Home Page.” www.lodiusd.net, www.lodiusd.net. Accessed March 4, 2023.
“Manteca Unified School District Home Page.” www.mantecausd.net, www.mantecausd.net.
Accessed March 3, 2023.
“New Hope Home Page.” www.nhesd.net, www.nhesd.net. Accessed March 4, 2023. “New Jerusalem Elementary School District Home Page.” Home ‐ New Jerusalem Elementary School District, www.njesd.net/en‐US. Accessed March 4, 2023. “Oak View Elementary School District Home Page.” www.myoakview.com, www.myoakview.com/oakview.aspx. Accessed March 4, 2023. “Ripon Unified School District Home Page.” www.riponusd.net, www.riponusd.net. Accessed March 3, 2023.
“School ShooƟngs This Year: How Many and Where.” EducaƟon Week, January 27, 2023, www.edweek.org/leadership/school‐shooƟngs‐this‐year‐how‐many‐and‐where/2022/01.
Accessed April 3, 2023.
“Stockton Unified School District / Home Page.” www.stocktonusd.net, www.stocktonusd.net. Accessed March 4, 2023.
“The San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon Home Page.” www.sjcoe.org, www.sjcoe.org.
Accessed March 3, 2023.
“Tracy Unified School District Home Page.” www.tracy.k12.Ca.us, www.tracy.k12.ca.us.
Accessed March 3, 2023.
Interviews Conducted
District Administrators.
RepresentaƟves from all County and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon Administrators. School Safety Consultants.
School Safety Experts.
School Site Administrators.
School Site CerƟficated Personnel.
School Site Classified Personnel.
Sites Visited
Banta Elementary School (Banta Unified School District). Hazelton Elementary School (Stockton Unified School District). Lodi High School (Lodi Unified School District).
Mountain House High School (Lammersville Unified School District). New Hope Elementary School (New Hope Elementary School District). New Jerusalem Elementary School (New Jerusalem School District). Oak View Elementary School (Oak View Elementary School District).
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Packet Pg. 421 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 8 one.Charter Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon).
Ripon High School (Ripon Unified School District).
Tom Hawkins Elementary School (Jefferson School District). Tully C. Knoles School (Lincoln Unified School District). Veritas Elementary School (Manteca Unified School District). Vista High School (Escalon Unified School District).
Waterloo Middle School (Linden Unified School District). Williams Middle School (Tracy Unified School District).
Discussions, Findings, and Recommendations
1.0 School Safety Fundamentals
When asked, school officials, families, policymakers, and the community agree school safety is a top priority, but often there is a disconnect between safety practices and that priority. There is disagreement about what steps should be taken to make our schools safer or how much time, energy, or money should be devoted to school safety efforts. The recent uptick in gun‐related incidents at schools across the country has created what some school safety experts believe is a skewed focus on target hardening. Physical security measures, security hardware equipment, cameras, access control, and other forms of safety technology can be useful in the school safety tool bag but are only as valuable as the weakest human link supporting them. As one school safety expert advised the Grand Jury, “Beware of school safety consultants with something to sell.” The emphasis on physical security measures has created a failure to focus on human factors and the fundamentals of school security and culture.
From interviews with school safety experts and a review of publicly available literature, the Grand Jury learned that the best safety plans focus on fundamentals such as:
Site‐specific emergency plans.
Creating a culture of safety.
Lockdown drills and sheltering in place.
Evacuation and reunification.
Identifying and assigning incident command roles.
Recognizing abnormalities.
Having situational awareness at all times.
Empowering staff to make decisions during emergencies.
The focus of any school safety program should be on training to prepare people with the skills necessary to take proper action when confronted by an emergency. An emergency by its very nature is a time of extreme stress that often short‐circuits rational thought and action. Available
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Packet Pg. 422 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 9 data indicate lockdown drills (close and lock the door, turn off the lights, close blinds and curtains, move into a hardened corner that is out of sight of an intruder, and keep quiet) work best to prepare staff and students to respond effectively to emergencies. Options‐based training (run, hide, and fight) is recommended by some safety experts, but such training is controversial and is discouraged by other experts. Basic, age‐appropriate drills should be the focus of any safety training involving students. Overly dramatic drills that create student anxiety should be avoided.
Safety training for school employees must be more than a once‐a‐year event; it must be integrated into staff meetings throughout the school year and must include not only teachers and administrators but also support staff. Safety drills for staff and students must be diversified in the type and timing of the drills.
In addition to safety training, school climate and relationships are keys to school safety. “Schools should address climate along with security and emergency preparedness, not one or the other. Too often climate is pitted against security, instead of focusing on both.
Schools can be warm, welcoming, and trusting environments and still have balanced security measures and comprehensive emergency preparedness guidelines.”1 A positive school culture is one in which students and staff feel respected, supported, and connected to each other and to the school community. In such a culture, there is a greater sense of shared responsibility for the well‐being and safety of everyone in the school, and students are more likely to report concerns or potential safety issues.
In contrast, a negative school culture, characterized by bullying, harassment, discrimination, or general facility disrepair, can contribute to a lack of trust and support among students and staff.
This makes it more difficult for students to feel comfortable reporting safety concerns and contributes to a sense of isolation and disengagement that increases the risk of violence or other safety issues.
Creating a positive school culture that promotes respect, inclusivity, and collaboration helps to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility leading to a safer school environment. This includes initiatives such as anti‐bullying and anti‐harassment programs, positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), and efforts to promote diversity and cultural sensitivity.
Safety culture is a topic to be revisited throughout the school year to build upon overall school safety. As an expert witness noted:
“…the key thing is really creating a culture of safety and a culture for reporting. Where safety is everyone's job from the custodian, your school secretary, [your] food service worker, your bus drivers, the first and last people to see kids during the day, to encourage not only see something and say something, that catchphrase that has been used since 9/11, but training people on how to do something. [If] someone sees something, they say something, then what are you trained to do. Because if someone reports it and you don't 1 Trump, Kenneth S., ProacƟve School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning. Thousand Oaks, Calif., Corwin, 2011, page 182.
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Packet Pg. 423 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 10 act and it's not acted in a timely appropriate manner, it's not going to really carry this all the way through.”
A school safety culture is encouraged by involving parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in a school’s safety planning process. It also is encouraged by creating an overall positive climate at the school. Is there school engagement, school ownership, school pride, and student artwork present and visible in the school? Is the school clean and well‐maintained? Do students and school employees have an open and trusting relationship?
2.0 Comprehensive School Safety Plan
“The California ConsƟtuƟon guarantees California children the right to aƩend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful. The CDE, public school districts, county offices of educaƟon (COEs), and schools and their personnel are responsible for creaƟng learning environments that are safe and secure. First responders, community partners, and families play an essenƟal role, as well. Schools must be prepared to respond to emergencies including natural and man‐made hazards and strive to prevent violence and behavior issues that undermine safety and security. CSSPs include strategies aimed at the prevenƟon of, and educaƟon about, potenƟal incidents involving crime and violence on the school campus and aspects of social, emoƟonal, and physical safety for both youth and adults.”2 According to California EducaƟon Code SecƟon 32281(a), every school district and County Office of EducaƟon (COE) in the State is responsible for developing a Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP). For each of its school sites and the site council or safety planning commiƩee for each site is required to write and develop a CSSP that is relevant to the specific needs and resources of that site. In school districts with fewer than “2,501 units of average daily aƩendance,” there may be one CSSP for all schools within the district.
Every year, each school is required to adopt an updated CSSP by March 1. Before adopƟng its CSSP, the school site council or safety planning commiƩee must hold a public meeƟng at the school site to allow members of the public the opportunity to express an opinion about the school safety plan.
State law includes a list of individuals and enƟƟes that must be noƟfied in wriƟng of these public meeƟngs. These opportuniƟes for meaningful public input on safety plans and goals help build a strong school safety culture.
Each school’s CSSP must be designed to address campus risks, prepare for emergencies, and create a safe, secure learning environment for students and school personnel. The CSSP must include adaptaƟons necessary for the safety of students with disabiliƟes. The school site council is required to consult with representaƟves from the law enforcement agency, the fire department, and other 2 California Department of EducaƟon, “Comprehensive School Safety Plans – Violence PrevenƟon (CA Dept of EducaƟon).” www.cde.ca.gov, www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/vp/cssp.asp. Accessed May 2, 2023.
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Packet Pg. 424 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 11 first responder enƟƟes in the wriƟng and development of the CSSP and to share any updates to the CSSP with those enƟƟes. An updated file of all safety‐related plans and materials also must be readily available for inspecƟon by the public.
Administrators of a school district or COE may elect to develop those porƟons of a CSSP that include tacƟcal responses to criminal incidents and to develop those porƟons of the CSSP themselves, in consultaƟon with law enforcement and a representaƟve of an exclusive bargaining unit of employees. The governing board of a school district or COE also can confer in closed session with law enforcement officials prior to the approval of a tacƟcal response plan. Any vote to approve the tacƟcal response plan would be announced following the closed session.
The CSSP must include provisions for:
(1) assessing the status of crime on school campuses and at school funcƟons and (2) idenƟfying appropriate strategies that will provide or maintain a high level of school safety and address the school’s procedures for complying with exisƟng laws related to school safety.
The SJCOE and all districts in the County have approved CSSPs for their schools. The State CSSP requirements are lengthy and plans that aƩempt to discuss in detail all required elements can become unwieldy. Some of the CSSPs reviewed by the Grand Jury were several hundred pages long and generally included the major elements required by State law, but only a few appeared to have been draŌed to address issues unique to an individual school site. Only a few indicated there had been any significant opportunity for public input during the draŌing or approval stages of the annual CSSP updates. Even fewer included an assessment of the status of crime at the school and school‐related funcƟons. The Grand Jury also found plans contained only limited menƟon of the unique needs during emergencies of students with disabiliƟes. Interviews and conversaƟons with district administrators and school personnel oŌen indicated limited knowledge of the safety informaƟon within these lengthy plans or even where the plan was physically located.
Most districts asserted that local law enforcement had been involved in the preparaƟon or update of district CSSPs, but the nature of that involvement varied widely and seldom was documented in a manner that would allow the public to conclude that the involvement was meaningful. Some school officials commented that law enforcement agencies seemed reluctant to collaborate. Fewer districts asserted the local fire district had been involved in the preparaƟon or update of district CSSPs, although some schools reported during site visits that the fire marshal had assisted in the preparaƟon of current evacuaƟon maps. The Grand Jury could not conclude from available informaƟon whether law enforcement and first responders had been given the informaƟon about the specific circumstances at individual school sites necessary for an appropriate response to a school safety emergency.
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Packet Pg. 425 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 12 Several districts and schools made lengthy CSSPs more useful by creaƟng concise flip charts idenƟfying key steps to be taken during a range of anƟcipated emergencies. Most schools using these flip charts posted them in classrooms, but only a few schools posted them in other rooms frequented by students, such as libraries, cafeterias, mulƟpurpose rooms, and other school resource rooms. Many of these rooms are used by the general public during non‐school hours, in accordance with the California EducaƟon Code.
Some districts keep the enƟre CSSP confidenƟal. Others make public most of the CSSP but keep some porƟons of the plan confidenƟal to avoid providing useful informaƟon to potenƟal criminal perpetrators. A few districts make the enƟre CSSP public. As noted above, the California EducaƟon Code requires an updated file of all safety‐related plans and materials to be readily available for inspecƟon by the public, but school administrators are authorized to keep confidenƟal the porƟons of safety plans that include tacƟcal responses to criminal incidents. The Grand Jury considers the beƩer pracƟce is to keep these sensiƟve provisions confidenƟal but to make the rest of the CSSP and other safety‐related informaƟon readily available to the public and school employees.
The CSSP must include a clear descripƟon of incident command and communicaƟon roles, together with associated duƟes. It also must idenƟfy the individuals responsible to perform those roles as well as alternate individuals if the primary individual is not available to perform the role. Some of the CSSPs reviewed by the Grand Jury idenƟfied the incident command roles, but only a few of these idenƟfied the individuals responsible for those roles and the alternates who would assume those roles if the primary individual was not available. None of the CSSPs reviewed by the Grand Jury provided evidence that the individuals responsible for incident command roles had received appropriate training to properly perform those important roles.
Some districts include meaningful informaƟon about safety measures taken by the district and its schools through the district website and other communicaƟons with parents/guardians. Other districts have liƩle or no informaƟon about safety measures on their websites and appear to have only limited communicaƟon with parents/guardians about safety measures.
The CSSP should describe the system to reunite parents/guardians with their children in the event of a campus‐wide evacuaƟon or emergency and parents/guardians must be made aware of how they can reunite with their children. Only some of the CSSPs reviewed by the Grand Jury contained a detailed descripƟon of the reunificaƟon system and how parents/guardians will be advised of the relevant details of that system.
Findings
F2.1 A review of CSSPs demonstrated many districts have failed to create a CSSP that addresses safety issues unique to the individual school sites, and rather use a template and/or boilerplate language, leaving the school site unprepared in an emergency.
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Packet Pg. 426 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 13 F2.2 Many districts have not involved teachers, support staff, students, and parents/guardians when updaƟng each school site’s CSSP, missing an opportunity to create a culture of school safety.
F2.3 Many districts have not collaborated with local law enforcement and other first responders during the annual process to update the CSSP, which could result in a prolonged and inefficient emergency response.
F2.4 Many district CSSPs show a lack of meaningful collaboraƟon between districts and local law enforcement agencies, causing confusion and chaos during an emergency.
F2.5 Many districts do not offer an opportunity for public input during the draŌing or approval stages of the annual CSSP, which renders the districts out of compliance with State law.
F2.6 Most districts do not include an assessment of the status of crime at the school and school‐ related funcƟons in their CSSPs, which renders the districts out of compliance with State law and causes potenƟal harm and liability.
F2.7 Many districts do not adequately address the unique needs of students with disabiliƟes during emergencies. The lack of planning for the most vulnerable students can cause harm during a Ɵme of confusion and crisis.
F2.8 A few districts do not make any part of the CSSPs available to the public, withholding important informaƟon about steps taken by the district to reduce the probability and impact of safety risks. Other districts post the CSSPs in their enƟrety, failing to keep confidenƟal informaƟon about tacƟcal responses, potenƟally revealing sensiƟve informaƟon to the public.
F2.9 Many districts have CSSPs that fail to idenƟfy incident command roles and the individuals who are to perform those roles in case of an emergency, exposing students and staff to the potenƟal for confusion and increased risks during an emergency.
F2.10 Many districts have CSSPs that fail to describe the system to reunite parents/guardians with their children in the event of a campus‐wide evacuaƟon, creaƟng confusion and addiƟonal anxiety in the event of a safety emergency.
F2.11 Many school site CSSPs do not account for specific dangers unique to the school site (e.g., train tracks, flooding, freeways).
RecommendaƟons
The 2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the County Office of EducaƟon, the 14 school districts, and law enforcement agencies in the County implement school safety programs that require the following acƟons:
R2.1 By March 1, 2024, the annual updates for each school site’s CSSP address safety issues unique to the site.
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Packet Pg. 427 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 14 R2.2 By December 15, 2023, while updaƟng the school’s CSSP, each school site collaborate and receive input from representaƟves of teachers, support staff, students, and parents/guardians.
R2.3 By December 15, 2023, while updaƟng the school’s CSSP, each school site collaborate and receive input from the appropriate emergency response agencies.
R2.4 By December 15, 2023, each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County meaningfully collaborate and approve the updated CSSP for school sites within that agency’s jurisdicƟon.
R2.5 By February 1, 2024, each school site council or safety planning commiƩee hold an adverƟsed public meeƟng at the school site to allow members of the community an opportunity to express an opinion about the school’s proposed CSSP as required by California EducaƟon Code SecƟons 32288(b)(1) and (2).
R2.6 By March 1, 2024, each school site’s CSSP include the State mandated assessment of the status of crime at the school and school‐related funcƟons.
R2.7 By March 1, 2024, each school site consult with the appropriate professionals to address the unique needs of students with disabiliƟes when updaƟng the CSSP.
R2.8 By March 1, 2024, each school site’s CSSP be available to the public with the excepƟon of confidenƟal informaƟon about tacƟcal responses.
R2.9 By March 1, 2024, each school site’s CSSP idenƟfy the incident command roles and the individuals who are to perform those roles and their alternate in cases of an emergency.
R2.10 By March 1, 2024, each school site’s CSSP describe the system to reunify parents/guardians with their student in the event of a campus‐wide evacuaƟon, including how parents/guardians are informed of reunificaƟon details.
R2.11 By March 1, 2024, each school site’s CSSPs account for dangers unique to the specific school site (e.g., train tracks, flooding, freeways).
3.0 Training
On November 11, 2022, the San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon offered a free half‐day School Safety Summit for the first Ɵme. The purpose of the summit was to bring stakeholders together in a forum that could address school safety Countywide. All but three of the 14 districts in San Joaquin County aƩended the event with one or more representaƟves. As one aƩendee noted on a feedback form, “Thank you for starƟng this conversaƟon. Safety should be something we talk about more oŌen. Consider making this a topic that gets revisited mulƟple Ɵmes a year.” Another aƩendee noted, “Thank you for taking the lead on this important topic.” The Grand Jury agrees.
The purpose of the summit was to try to bridge the service gap by bringing to light the differences and the similariƟes of need while at the same Ɵme illustraƟng the importance of school culture
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Packet Pg. 428 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 15 insofar as school safety is concerned. As noted by a witness interviewed by the Grand Jury, San Joaquin County is unique in the districts that service the County students. Some districts have school resource officers (SROs) or their own sworn law enforcement department, while more rural and smaller districts may have to wait an extended period of Ɵme for law enforcement response.
One of the experts interviewed by the Grand Jury observed, “The first and best line of defense is a well‐trained, highly alert staff and student body in a school.” Recent school tragedies in the news have received aƩenƟon in the media that someƟmes focuses on technology to make school sites more difficult to access rather than the failure to focus on the human factors and fundamentals of school safety. The same expert also noted a common thread across many, if not most of these tragedies, is “they involve allegaƟons of failures of human factors, not allegaƟons that some type of security hardware equipment failed. So we are moving and seeing this effort to have a skewed focus on target hardening. Physical security can play a tool, any type of technology is only as good as the weakest human link behind it.”
Repeated training for school staff and students is the best way to reduce the likelihood that people will “freeze” during an emergency. Not only is training required by State law, but it is also an important way to help make safety part of a school’s culture.
To be most effecƟve, training of teachers, administrators, and support staff should include training at the beginning of each school year but also throughout the year during regular teacher and staff meeƟngs. Tabletop exercises provide a cost‐effecƟve way to train in a variety of emergency scenarios. Appropriate training for subsƟtute teachers is an important element of school safety, but few districts have taken steps to assure they have received emergency informaƟon in a Ɵmely, effecƟve, and usable manner.
Training is best reinforced by drills. Drills are most effecƟve if the types and Ɵming of the drills are varied throughout the school year including drills at Ɵmes such as lunch, recess, or passing periods when students are not in a classroom. Students' involvement in drills, however, must be limited to age‐appropriate acƟviƟes and be designed to avoid the creaƟon of potenƟally harmful anxiety.
Special consideraƟon should be given to drills that reinforce training related to the needs of students with disabiliƟes. Tabletop exercises are an effecƟve way for staff to drill and prepare for a variety of emergency scenarios.
Safety emergencies can be confusing and traumaƟc, making effecƟve communicaƟon and incident command vitally important. Breakdowns in communicaƟons or response coordinaƟon can have catastrophic consequences. Schools and school districts will be responsible for noƟfying first responders and commanding the early stages of response to the emergency. They will be communicaƟng with employees, students, and parents/guardians during and aŌer the emergency while also being confronted with demands for informaƟon from the media and concerned community members. When first responders arrive on the scene of the emergency, they typically will take over command of the incident response, but at many schools, especially in rural areas,
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Packet Pg. 429 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 16 there may be an extended delay before appropriate professional responders can arrive at the scene. The school and the district must be prepared to command the response to the incident during this delay. The yearly schedule of drills should include drills that reinforce communicaƟon and incident command readiness.
The Incident Command System 100 (ICS‐100) training is a course provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that covers the basics of the Incident Command System (ICS), which is a standardized system used by emergency response organizaƟons to manage incidents and emergencies. The ICS‐100 course is designed to provide an introducƟon to the principles and structure of ICS, including key roles and responsibiliƟes, and the process of establishing a unified command during an emergency. The focus of ICS‐100 training is fourfold:
1. Improving communicaƟon: ICS‐100 training teaches responders how to use a common language and communicaƟon system to ensure that everyone is on the same page during an emergency.
2. Enhancing coordinaƟon: ICS‐100 training clarifies how responders work together and coordinate their efforts to respond effecƟvely to an emergency.
3. PromoƟng safety: ICS‐100 training emphasizes the importance of safety during an emergency and informs responders how to prioriƟze safety when responding to incidents.
4. Reducing confusion: ICS‐100 training provides a clear structure and framework for responding to emergencies, reducing confusion and ensuring that everyone knows their role in an emergency.
The Grand Jury discovered that within the County, while some school districts uƟlize ICS‐100 training, many do not, causing a security gap. When the Grand Jury inquired about ICS training with expert witnesses, the answer was universally in support of such training, tailored to the specifics of school sites. “I think it's useful. I think it's useful to understand how it all works in the big picture,” said an expert.
While the Grand Jury recognizes that annual training can be overwhelming to school staff, not all school site personnel require ICS‐100 training as much as those personnel idenƟfied in the CSSP incident command roles on school campuses (including classified employees).
While ICS‐100 training is focused on a school site, ICS‐402 training is directed towards execuƟve‐ level leadership (district cabinet‐level employees). ICS‐402 training is designed to provide educaƟon and training for those who may be responsible for managing large‐scale incidents or emergencies.
ICS‐402 training for senior‐level district staff members is important for several reasons:
1. Preparedness: School districts are responsible for the safety and well‐being of students and staff members. In the event of an emergency, having trained staff members who understand
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Packet Pg. 430 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 17 ICS and implement it effecƟvely is crucial in minimizing damage, prevenƟng injuries, and saving lives.
2. CoordinaƟon: Large‐scale emergencies involve mulƟple agencies and organizaƟons, making coordinaƟon and communicaƟon criƟcal. ICS‐402 training helps school district staff members understand how to work with other agencies and organizaƟons during an emergency, ensuring that everyone has the same understanding and that efforts are coordinated effecƟvely.
3. Legal compliance: In some states or jurisdicƟons, ICS training is required for emergency responders and other people who may be involved in emergency management. Providing ICS‐402 training to school district execuƟve staff members will ensure that the district is compliant with these regulaƟons.
4. Flexibility: The ICS system is flexible and scalable, which means that it can be used to manage emergencies of various sizes and types. By providing ICS‐402 training to district execuƟve staff members, districts ensure that they have a framework in place that can be adapted to different scenarios, from minor incidents to major disasters.
Overall, ICS‐402 training assists school district leadership to prepare for emergencies, coordinate response efforts effecƟvely, comply with regulaƟons, and be flexible in their response to emergencies.
Interviews with district administrators and discussions with school staff during site visits indicated a limited understanding of the material in a school’s CSSP. Many districts discuss safety at the beginning of the year during in‐service training and rarely return to the topic.
All districts presented evidence of monthly drills involving teachers and students throughout the year. Few districts, however, included uƟlizaƟon of communicaƟon and incident command structure (ICS) idenƟfied in their CSSPs during drills. Many districts informed the Grand Jury that they varied the day and Ɵme for scheduled safety drills, but only a few districts indicated they had intenƟonally scheduled drills during Ɵmes such as lunch, recess, or passing periods when students were not in their classrooms. This is when incident command structures are most criƟcal. Drills are made more effecƟve by presenƟng unexpected complicaƟons during the drill. One cost‐effecƟve variaƟon recommended by experts is for an administrator to stand in a doorway typically used during a fire evacuaƟon and inform students that the exit is blocked, forcing them to find another exit.
Many districts Ɵme evacuaƟon drills, but the Grand Jury found limited evidence that drills typically are followed by an analysis of what went well, what went wrong, and what needs to be changed in the future to improve plans and drills.
Findings
5.B.a
Packet Pg. 431 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 18 F3.1 Feedback forms completed by attendees of the San Joaquin County Office of Education School Safety Summit and reviewed by the Grand Jury demonstrate the value and necessity of a Countywide School Safety Summit.
F3.2 Some of the districts failed to send representatives to the 2022 School Safety Summit, thereby missing an opportunity to work together to make schools safer.
F3.3 The Grand Jury learned through interviews, surveys, and site tours that many districts fail to include safety topics during regular meeƟngs with teachers and support staff throughout the school year, minimizing the importance of safety.
F3.4 The Grand Jury learned through interviews, surveys, and site tours that many school sites fail to assure subsƟtute staff receive the informaƟon they will need in the case of a school safety emergency, leaving the subsƟtute staff ill‐prepared for an emergency.
F3.5 Many districts fail to include the uƟlizaƟon of communicaƟon and incident command protocols (ICS‐100) during safety drills throughout the school year, causing miscommunicaƟon in an emergency.
F3.6 Many district cabinet‐level posiƟons (e.g., Superintendent, Chief Business Officer) are not trained in ICS protocols (ICS‐402), causing a lack of unified response to districtwide emergencies.
F3.7 Many school sites do not vary the Ɵme of day when rouƟne safety drills are conducted or when students are not in classrooms, making drills predictable and leaving students unprepared for emergencies that may occur at any Ɵme.
F3.8 Many school sites fail to include support staff (classified personnel) in probable real‐life roles during safety drills, leaving them unprepared to assist students in emergencies.
F3.9 Most school sites fail to conduct a post‐incident report aŌer drills analyzing what went well, what went wrong, and what needs to be changed in the future to improve plans and drills, undermining the effecƟveness of drills.
RecommendaƟons
The 2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the County Office of EducaƟon and the 14 school districts in the County implement school safety programs that require the following acƟons:
R3.1 By December 1, 2023, the San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon and the San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon Board of Trustees develop, adopt, and host an annual School Safety Summit.
R3.2 By December 1, 2023, each school district send one or more representaƟves to the annual School Safety Summit hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon.
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Packet Pg. 432 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 19 R3.3 By September 1, 2023, safety topics be an agenda item at all school site staff meeƟngs with teachers and support staff throughout the school year.
R3.4 By September 1, 2023, districts develop, adopt, and implement wriƩen procedures for school sites to provide subsƟtute staff with the informaƟon they will need in case of a school emergency.
R3.5 By October 1, 2023, personnel idenƟfied in the school CSSP for incident command roles be trained and cerƟfied in ICS‐100 protocols.
R3.6 By October 1, 2023, ICS‐402 training be completed for all district‐level execuƟve leadership.
R3.7 By October 1, 2023, scheduled safety drills be conducted on different days throughout the school year and at various Ɵmes throughout the school day, including when students are not normally in their classrooms.
R3.8 By October 1, 2023, scheduled safety drills include support staff (classified) in probable emergency roles during the year and document their parƟcipaƟon.
R3.9 By October 1, 2023, administrators create a post‐incident report aŌer all safety drills.
4.0 School Site Visits
The Grand Jury visited 15 school sites and observed and reviewed safety protocols. One school was chosen from each of the 14 districts and one dependent charter school from the San Joaquin County Office of EducaƟon. At each site, the following safety components were evaluated and observed:
Access Control ‐ including entry procedures and perimeter fencing or barricades. Classrooms ‐ including door locks, window coverings, emergency procedures and evacuaƟon route posƟngs, and any emergency supplies.
Common Areas ‐ evacuaƟon routes posted at all entry/exit doors. Overall condiƟon of the campus.
Special ConsideraƟons ‐ including transportaƟon corridors, train tracks, or topography. RelaƟonships between students, staff, and parents.
Access Control
Three schools uƟlized the Raptor system, which takes a picture of the visitor’s idenƟficaƟon and prints the ID picture onto a customized name badge. The system also screens and tracks all visitors.
Only one of the three schools uƟlizing this system had the Grand Jury visitors return their badge at the end of the tour, which would prevent re‐entry. Six schools performed some form of idenƟficaƟon check, either with a driver’s license or the Grand Jury IdenƟficaƟon, and/or required a sign‐in. Six schools did not ask for any idenƟficaƟon and no sign‐in was required.
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Packet Pg. 433 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 20 Perimeter fencing at a school is a complicated issue. It is costly to install perimeter fencing around a school and it can make the campus seem and look like a prison. However, fencing can be an effecƟve means of controlling who comes onto campus. It can also give a false sense of security and unless all gates are monitored and remain locked, the end result can be the same as if there were no fencing. Of the 15 sites visited, three did not have any or had very liƩle perimeter fencing. One of those sites had conducted a parent survey regarding the issue and the results were closely divided between those who wanted the fencing and those who did not.
CommendaƟons
Lincoln Unified uƟlized the Raptor system at the site visit and took our badges at the end of the tour, uƟlizing best pracƟces in visitor sign‐in procedures.
Banta Unified employed the best physical barrier system. Their check‐in procedure involved being buzzed in through a half‐door to a small waiƟng area where idenƟficaƟon was checked and the sign‐in form was completed with both Ɵme and date before being buzzed into the office.
Classrooms
At least one classroom was toured at each school. EvacuaƟon routes were posted in all classrooms visited. Some maps were beƩer than others. Some maps were too small, and one school posted a campus map in every classroom but didn’t mark the classroom’s locaƟon or what route to follow for evacuaƟon.
There were inconsistencies across the school sites visited regarding door‐locking procedures. The schools visited by the Grand Jury usually kept doors locked at all Ɵmes. While one school said that it kept doors locked and closed, the Grand Jury observed a classroom door propped wide open. Many schools uƟlized a lock block system, which allowed the door to be opened while quickly returning to a locked posiƟon with a slide or flip of the switch. Some schools uƟlized a standard key system for locking doors.
Some schools used flip charts with summaries of what to do in different types of emergencies. The schools that do uƟlize this form of emergency procedures communicaƟon did not always post them in the same area of each classroom or noƟfy all staff that they had them. One school’s Assistant Principal conducƟng the Grand Jury’s tour was unaware of the flip charts, what they were, or where they were located.
About one‐half of the classrooms visited had some form of an emergency informaƟon packet (folder/binder) and a few classrooms had emergency backpacks or tubs with paperwork and supplies to be taken in the event of an emergency.
A majority of the schools visited had window coverings, consisƟng of verƟcal or horizontal blinds, but some were old and in disrepair. If the classroom had uncovered door windows, they would
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Packet Pg. 434 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 21 need to be shielded in the event of a lockdown. Two of the schools uƟlized a magneƟzed shield that was the same size as the window to slide over to cover.
CommendaƟons
New Hope Elementary School District covered its windows with magnets that had emergency procedures printed on them, serving two purposes.
Jefferson Unified uƟlized very creaƟve ways to obscure windows with the use of long roller shades installed above the double glass doors to the library. They also used emergency kits in the classrooms and found an inexpensive and effecƟve way to use a magnet to allow the door to be open while sƟll locked.
Common Areas
The Grand Jury considered the common areas (cafeterias, gymnasiums, libraries, and mulƟpurpose rooms) to be the most dangerous place to be during an emergency. The majority of the common areas lacked adequate evacuaƟon route signs. Some schools had no evacuaƟon route signs, some had one or two posted near a door, but not consistently at every door. Most had other safety equipment available, such as fire exƟnguishers and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). One school’s AED box was open and empty. These observed deficiencies are parƟcularly significant when the public is using the space during non‐school hours.
Campuses Overall
One expert emphasized the importance of campus culture, “[a]nd just looking at the overall climate of the school…school engagement, school ownership, school pride, school artwork and items that children make and contribute that are part and present in the overall school.” Most schools visited were well‐maintained and Ɵdy. Whether they were built recently or decades ago, the majority of campuses toured showed the care and pride of the staff that worked there and the students who aƩended. Some were freshly painted, had newly planted landscaping, new bark spread out, new picnic tables, and new shade structures, or were very neatly maintained. One older campus desperately needed aƩenƟon. The ramps to the portable classrooms were in disrepair, and the playground was in poor condiƟon, with uneven surfaces creaƟng puddles and tripping hazards.
However, the campus that was in this state of disrepair had the best and brightest bulleƟn boards scaƩered throughout campus, each with a different theme, showing pride in their campus.
Special ConsideraƟons
Of the school campuses toured, there were several special consideraƟons that should be addressed in the individual site’s CSSP. Several school sites were rurally located, resulƟng in emergency responders having a much longer response Ɵme. One campus was located in an area prone to flooding. Another campus was located much lower than the adjacent interstate, and a vehicle accident on the interstate could become airborne, potenƟally landing on the field of the school.
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Packet Pg. 435 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 22 One campus was located directly next to a major train track, and while the tour was being conducted, two trains went by. The Grand Jury asked the tour leader about planned emergency responses to train derailments and was informed that none existed.
RelaƟonships
The campuses visited represented a spectrum of relaƟonship‐based leadership and school culture.
A majority of the campuses visited appeared to have a posiƟve school culture. Many administrators knew one or more children’s names and conversed with them, sincerely engaging with students. At one campus of 700 students, the Principal knew the staff, students, and parents/guardians. At the other end of the relaƟonship spectrum, an Assistant Principal leading the Grand Jury tour seemed disinterested and disengaged with both the tour and student interacƟons, only stopping to ask a student why she was out of class.
Findings
F4.1 Not all school sites have check‐in procedures in place that were followed consistently, posing serious security threats.
F4.2 Perimeter fencing or an “open” campus each pose security challenges and require careful consideraƟon to miƟgate security shortcomings.
F4.3 EvacuaƟon maps that are posted inconsistently or do not adequately illustrate evacuaƟon routes cause confusion and prolonged evacuaƟon Ɵmes, making staff and students vulnerable to harm in both classrooms and common areas.
F4.4 Inconsistent door‐locking policies and failure to follow policies create opportuniƟes for perpetrators to enter classrooms and common areas.
F4.5 Most school sites uƟlized flip charts that idenƟfy steps to be taken in case of emergencies, however, none of the sites posted them in all rooms used by students, staff, parents/guardians, and the general public.
F4.6 Insufficient window coverings give perpetrators a clear line of sight, creaƟng risk for students and staff.
F4.7 Most school sites, regardless of age, were well maintained and showed school pride. One school site demonstrated mulƟple maintenance shortcomings, which can negaƟvely impact safety.
F4.8 Good relaƟonships among administrators, cerƟficated and classified staff, parents, and students are vital to promptly idenƟfy and address areas of concern, parƟcularly regarding student behavior. RelaƟonships varied greatly from campus to campus.
F4.9 The culture of safety is best developed by public transparency and involvement by all parƟes. Few of the school sites visited by the Grand Jury demonstrated meaningful public engagement in safety planning.
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Packet Pg. 436 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 23 Recommendations
The 2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury recommends that the County Office of EducaƟon and the 14 school districts in the County implement school safety programs that require the following acƟons:
R4.1 By October 1, 2023, each school site implement an access control program that consistently includes verifying visitors' idenƟty and collecƟon of any issued badge before the visitor leaves the school site.
R4.2 By March 1, 2024, districts develop, adopt, and implement a plan for effecƟve perimeter control of access at all school sites.
R4.3 By September 1, 2023, all school sites post evacuaƟon maps clearly showing routes from the “You Are Here” perspecƟve be prominently posted at each entry or exit door locaƟon in both classrooms and common areas.
R4.4 By March 1, 2024, districts develop, adopt, and implement a plan for door‐locking policies to secure classroom and common area doors.
R4.5 By March 1, 2024, all school sites post flip charts or similar summaries of emergency procedures be posted in all classrooms and common areas.
R4.6 By March 1, 2024, all school sites ensure window coverings are provided for all windows, thereby not allowing a perpetrator a clear line of sight into a classroom or common area.
R4.7 By October 1, 2023, the Board of Trustees, during a public meeƟng, review and discuss the findings and recommendaƟons of the 2022‐2023 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury report, Case #0322 – School Safety in San Joaquin County: Developing a Culture of Safety.
Conclusion
The Grand Jury appreciates the cooperation of all public school districts in San Joaquin County, along with the San Joaquin County Office of Education.
School districts in San Joaquin County have taken important steps to make schools safer, but more can and should be done to reduce safety threats. While no one can predict an emergency, proper training, drills, plans, and creating a positive school culture, including a strong safety culture, can best mitigate tragic outcomes from those emergencies.
Parents/guardians can help make schools safer by:
Asking if school emergency guidelines are tested and exercised. Determining whether your school has policies and procedures on security and emergency preparedness.
Examining access to school campuses.
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Packet Pg. 437 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 24 Making sure accurate and timely safety information is shared.
Disclaimers
Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon the specific approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Section 911, 924.1(a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defined purposes (Penal Code Sections 924.2 and 929).
Response Requirements
California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05 require that specific responses to all findings and recommendations contained in this report be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the San Joaquin County Superior Court within 90 days of receipt of the report.
Note: If the responder is an elected official, the response must be sent within 60 days of receipt.
Public School Boards and Law Enforcement
RESPONDING AGENCY RECOMMENDATIONS
Superintendent, San Joaquin
County Office of Education
F2.1‐2.11, 3.1‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9
R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.1‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Banta Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Escalon Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Jefferson School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Lammersville Unified School
District
F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9
R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Lincoln Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Linden Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Lodi Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Manteca Unified School
District
F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9
R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
5.B.a
Packet Pg. 438 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 25 RESPONDING AGENCY RECOMMENDATIONS
New Hope Elementary School
District
F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9
R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
New Jerusalem School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Oak View Elementary School
District
F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9
R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Ripon Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Stockton Unified School
District
F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9
R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Tracy Unified School District F2.1‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.9 R2.1‐2.3, 2.5‐2.11, 3.2‐3.9, & 4.1‐4.7
Escalon Police Department F2.4
R2.4
Lathrop Police Department F2.4
R2.4
Lodi Police Department F2.4
R2.4
Manteca Police Department F2.4
R2.4
Ripon Police Department F2.4
R2.4
Stockton Police Department F2.4
R2.4
Tracy Police Department F2.4
R2.4
San Joaquin County Sheriff F2.4
R2.4
5.B.a
Packet Pg. 439 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) 26 Mail or hand deliver a hard copy of the response to:
Honorable Michael D. Coughlan, Presiding Judge
San Joaquin County Superior Court
180 E Weber Ave, Suite 1306J
Stockton, California 95202
Also, please email a copy of the response to Mr. Irving Jimenez, Staff Secretary to the Grand Jury, at [email protected].
5.B.a
Packet Pg. 440 Attachment: 2022-2023 San Joaquin County Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) August XX, 2023
Honorable Michael D. Coughlan, Presiding Judge
Superior Court of California, San Joaquin County
180 E. Weber Ave, Suite 1306J
Stockton, California 95202
Dear Judge Coughlan,
The City of Ripon welcomes the opportunity to respond to the 2022-2023 San Joaquin Grand Jury Case #0322 Report regarding School Safety: A Shared Responsibility. The City of Ripon always welcomes independent review of security measures and safety plans of the school sites within our community, and thanks the Grand Jury for its efforts.
The City of Ripon has reviewed the report provided and implemented many of the recommendations. The City of Ripon would also like to take the opportunity to address the Report’s findings and recommendations. Our comments follow below.
Grand Jury Findings:
F2.4 Many district CSSPs show a lack of meaningful collaboration between districts and local law enforcement agencies, causing confusion and chaos during an emergency.
The Ripon Police Department has long enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the Ripon Unified School District, working collaboratively on a variety of issues and ongoing challenges. The partnership includes administrative and school site security evaluations, suggestions, and discussion, along with input and planning into the Ripon Unified School District and the individual school sites CSSPs, culminating in staff development training between the entities and practical training exercises.
Finding F2.4 does not specifically reference the Ripon Unified School District or the City of Ripon when discussing the perceived lack of inter-district collaboration. Thus, to the extent Finding F2.4 is intended by the Grand Jury to apply to RUSD and the City of Ripon, the City of Ripon respectfully disagrees with the finding. More generally, the Police Department re-affirms the importance of ongoing meaningful collaboration with the Ripon Unified School District in the preparation and updating of the Comprehensive School Safety Plan
5.B.b
Packet Pg. 441 Attachment: DRAFT City Council Response to Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft) Grand Jury Recommendations:
In responding to the Grand Jury’s recommendations, we note each recommendation and the City of Ripon’s response follows.
R2.4 By December 15, 2023, each law enforcement agency in San Joaquin County meaningful ly collaborate and approve the updated CSSP for school sites within that agency’s jurisdiction.
The City of Ripon Police Department and other governmental agencies within our jurisdiction began collaborating with the Ripon Unified School District in September of 2022 to update the current CSSPs. The City of Ripon Police Department will continue to work with the Ripon Unified School District and other involved agencies to update and approve the CSSP.
The City of Ripon would like to once again thank the Grand Jury for its effort in their review of the City’s security posture. The City of Ripon agrees that it is vital that all local municipalities implement sufficient safeguards to protect their information systems and continue to supply vital resources to their constituents. Please let us know if there is anything further that you require.
Michael Restuccia, Mayor
5.B.b
Packet Pg. 442 Attachment: DRAFT City Council Response to Grand Jury (3907 : Grand Jury Response - Draft)