Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024 – 6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
CLOSED SESSION AT 5:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION: The closed session meeting was called to order at 5:01 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON CLOSED SESSION MATTERS: No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Michael Restuccia, Gary Barton, Vice Mayor Daniel de Graaf, Mayor Leo Zuber. Absent: Dean Uecker.
OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, City Clerk Lisa Roos.
IN THE MATTER OF:
(1) Potential or Pending Litigation pursuant to Section 54956.9(e)(1) of the California Government Code – 3 cases.
(2) Conference with Labor Negotiators
Labor negotiations pursuant to Section 54957.6 of the California Government Code. (a) Police Officers Association
(b) Ripon Sergeants Association
(c) Public Works Employees
(d) Unrepresented Employees
Return to open session.
City Attorney Terpstra said Council met in closed session to receive updates on pending litigation and labor negotiations. No reportable action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with Mayor Zuber leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION:
Pastor Chris Williams gave the invocation.
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ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Leo Zuber Mayor Present
Daniel de Graaf Vice Mayor Present
Gary Barton Council Member Present
Dean Uecker Council Member Absent
Michael Restuccia Council Member Present
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Director of Public Works James Pease, Police Chief Daniel Sauer, City Clerk Lisa Roos, Deputy City Clerk Jane Kilgore, Information Systems Technician Hunter Crosby, Rod Wright.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council Meeting of February 13, 2024.
RESULT: ADOPTED [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Gary Barton, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Zuber, Barton, Restuccia
ABSTAIN: de Graaf
ABSENT: Uecker
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - FEB 13, 2024 6:00 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Council Member Restuccia requested Item 1.2C be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
On behalf of the public, City Clerk Roos read the following public comment received via email. Mr. Brad wished to comment on Item 1.3C La Rue Communications and said that is a lot of money for a repeater that is far away. Mr. Brad said the tower at the fire station or the police station would have met the needs of the department if they had stayed with analog radios. He said the new system will have low voice quality and lack the ability to exchange photos but will still cost more.
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Motion to approve the agenda as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Restuccia
ABSENT: Uecker
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Restuccia
ABSENT: Uecker
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(February 2023 $519,073.58)
FY 2023-24 YTD: $3,110,166
FY 2022-23 YTD: $3,209,789
Highway Users Tax
(January 2023 $31,142.18)
FY 2023-24 YTD: $265,451
FY 2022-23 YTD: $251,277
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(February 2023 $29,260.28)
FY 2023-24 YTD: $263,143
FY 2022-23 YTD: $233,273
$496,986.54
$34,410.25
$39,152.25
TOTAL $570,549.04
B. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Vehicle License Fee FY 2022-23 Excess Funds
FY 2021-22: $16,378.93
$19,735.13
C. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
January 2024
February 2024
$1,271.90
$1,305.31
TOTAL: $2,577.21
D. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment - January 2024 $1,850.09
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E. CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment – December 2023 $21,994.08
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA
General Matters
Police Matters
Private Development
$4,056.25
$1,430.00
$7,225.00
TOTAL $12,711.25
B. PRICE PAIGE & COMPANY
Audit Services
Final Payment – Invoice #32578 $4,550.00
C. ITEM C WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
D. US BANK
California Statewide Community Development Authority
Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds Series 2006C $82,911.27 E. US BANK
California Statewide Community Development Authority
Water Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 2012 $16,278.13
F. HARRIS & ASSOCIATES
Proposition 218 Fire Suppression Assessment Study
Progress Payment – Invoice #61677 $7,502.10
G. LDA
Fleet Maintenance Facility Construction Management Services Progress Payment – Invoice #31/622-03-20 $4,199.58
H. DIEDE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Fleet Maintenance Facility Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #12 $749,496.32
I. STONE CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING
Trash Implementation Plan
Progress Payment - Invoice #02372 $85.00
J. FEHR AND PEERS
East Main Street Traffic Signal Project
Traffic Engineering Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #172329 $1,826.80
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K. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
Lower Stanislaus River Multi-Use Trail
Project Environmental Assessment
Progress Payment – Invoice #52367 $1,282.50
South County Water Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #52379 $1,181.25
Ripon Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Station
Final Payment – Invoice #52391 $1,371.25
TOTAL $3,835.00
1.3. Miscellaneous Items
A. FLEET MAINTENANCE FACILITY PROJECT
Diede Construction, Inc.
Change Order No. 9
Approve Change Order No. 9 for
electrical additions to power flush
valves and a credit for landscaping
modifications in the not to exceed
amount of $9,940 (funding sources:
Corp Yard AB1600 Fund, Enterprise
Capital Funds, and General Capital
Fund).
B. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services
Agreement with Stantec Consulting
Services to evaluate the condition of
Well 9 and the feasibility of installing a
new well at the existing site in the not to
exceed amount of $193,145 (funding
source: Water Enterprise Capital Fund).
C. RADIO TOWER UPGRADES - RIPON PD CHANNEL 1
La Rue Communications Approve and authorize the purchase of radio tower equipment for Channel 1 to
replace the current outdated system in
the not to exceed amount of
$119,304.46 (funding source: General
Department Capital Fund).
D. PROCLAMATION
Ripon High School Present a proclamation to Ripon High
School recognizing its outstanding
athletic accomplishments.
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ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
1.2C : BANK OF STOCKTON
Semi-Annual Retirement Account Administration
Fees for non-PERS employees $56,101.42
Council Member Restuccia wished to recuse himself from the vote because he is a paid elected director for the Bank of Stockton.
Council Member Restuccia left the meeting.
Motion to approve Item 1.2C Bank of Stockton Invoice.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [3 TO 0]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Zuber, de Graaf, Barton
ABSTAIN: Restuccia
ABSENT: Uecker
Council Member Restuccia returned to the meeting.
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION
Mayor Zuber presented a proclamation to Rod Wright, Athletic Director for Ripon High School, in recognition for its outstanding athletic accomplishments.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council will take action on the following items at the conclusion of each Public Hearing.
A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME PROGRAMS
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 A public hearing to provide residents the opportunity to hear recommendations on
proposed projects and provide comments
to the City Council.
Recommended Action: Approve the
recommended 2024-2025 CDBG and
HOME Program funding allocations and
direct staff to process the necessary
documentation with San Joaquin County to
facilitate this grant program.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said this is the annual public hearing for allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds. Staff is City Council Page 7 March 12, 2024
recommending a portion of funds be allocated the Senior Center Interior Rehab Project.
Zuidervaart said staff received project applications for Bethany Home's Meals on Wheels and a few from the County. Staff is recommending funding those requests.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
Mayor Zuber asked for an update on the Senior Center Façade Project. Planning Director Zuidervaart said the Engineering Department is finalizing the specs on the façade improvements and outdoor dining area and it should go out in 2024.
Motion to approve the recommended 2024-2025 CDBG and HOME Programs funding allocations and direct staff to process the necessary documentation with San Joaquin County to facilitate this grant program.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Council Member
AYES: Zuber, de Graaf, Barton, Restuccia
ABSENT: Uecker
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. EAST MAIN STREET TRAFFIC SIGNAL OPERATIONS STUDY
Discussion/No Action Representatives from Fehr & Peers will present the traffic operations study
findings and be available to answer any
questions.
City Administrator Werner said there is traffic signal planned at the East Main Street intersection and the City received a CMAQ grant for $480,000 to help with the cost of construction. He said Fehr & Peers was hired to evaluate the intersection to confirm the need for a traffic signal and advise staff regarding lane configurations and options to help mitigate cut-through traffic.
Werner introduced Albee Wei and said she was here representing Fehr & Peers and would present the completed traffic study and answer questions from Council.
Wei said the purpose of the study was to confirm the need for a traffic signal based on existing and future traffic volume, evaluate intersection lane configuration, recommend changes and consider using traffic signal to mitigate impact from regional cut-through trips.
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Wei said Level of Service (LOS) measures a driver’s experience on the road and at intersections, based on the speed and number of cars using the road. She said the LOS of a road is designated by a letter grade of A (free flow) to F (near gridlock). She said the intersection currently experiences low to moderate delay and queuing during peak AM and PM hours with regional cut-through traffic contributing to these delays.
Wei said they do not anticipate the hotel to significantly contribute to the traffic and the intersection is still rated A to B with the addition of the hotel. She said the traffic signal is warranted based on the high volume but not delay.
Wei said with the addition of a traffic signal and hotel the intersection would operate similarly with low delay during peak hours and would incur about 5-10 seconds of additional delay outside these hours. She said all movements would still operate at LOS D or better.
Wei said with the installation of a traffic signal, lanes would need to be reconfigured and said this can be done within the existing footprint. She said the installation of a traffic signal would provide an opportunity for multi-modal safety improvements such as crosswalk, pedestrian crossing signal, push button & locator tone.
Wei said at build-out volume, the intersection is anticipated to be between LOS D and F and this would warrant a signal for both volume and delay. Wei said Fehr & Peers suggests moving forward with the signal.
Council Member Barton asked for clarification on the proposed left hand turn lanes. Wei said this would provide the opportunity for left hand lanes to go at the same time. Barton asked if there is enough space for this. Wei said there is and it would better align the road.
Barton asked how the eastbound and westbound lanes would be configured. Wei said the eastbound and westbound currently have two approach lanes that are striped as left through lanes and a right lane and they would be restriped as dedicated left turn lanes.
Barton said there are times during the day where people come in from Oak Avenue and the Frontage Road and voiced concern for people making the left turn onto Oak Avenue.
Wei said normally they would recommend the installation of a median but because this is a neighborhood, it could be striped as a keep clear area.
Barton said there is often a backup on East Main going west and it is difficult to turn out of Oak Avenue into the left hand turn lane and asked if the left hand lane could be lengthened to help traffic. Wei said they would need to see if there is room, but the median would then be necessary.
Restuccia said part of the problem is people parking in front of their houses on East Main.
Restuccia said Council is considering installing a traffic signal for what amounts to less than a couple of hours a day for $750,000.
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Restuccia said traffic would backup with a light as opposed to moving regularly, albeit at a stop and go pace. He asked how the signal light is actually going to help traffic. Wei said in the simulation they created, the traffic does backup a bit but they were able to mitigate this with traffic signal timing. She said the signal could also be timed to give cut-through a longer red light.
Restuccia said the majority of traffic is local people who live in the neighborhood.
City Administrator Werner said the signal at Jack Tone has different timing for different times of the day.
Mayor Zuber said there is currently a two-way turn lane on the eastbound lane and asked what this would look like with the installation of a light and if people turning left into Starbucks would have to go further west to make their turn. Wei said no, the striping would be updated.
Barton asked if Fehr & Peers consulted with the Police Department and if that is part of their standard practice. Wei said no, the scope did not include a safety analysis. She asked Chief Sauer if there were any issues they need to know about. Sauer said just the comments Council had made regarding the backup in the morning.
Werner said typically the next step would be proceeding with design, and as the project design progressed, police and fire would then comment any concerns regarding the design.
Werner said this was an informational presentation, and said he has received many questions, as has Council, regarding this intersection and citizens have many of the same concerns and experiences that Council just discussed. Restuccia asked if there is a notice that goes out to the people who live in that area or a public hearing so the public can be informed and voice their concerns.
Werner said staff could set up a workshop for the public to attend.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said most City projects go through one of two processes, the first one is a minor site review, which is completed at staff level, and notices are sent to surrounding jurisdictions including fire and police so they can leave comments. If the Council desires more public input, the project could go through a major site review, which requires review and approval from the Planning Commission, and notices are sent to surrounding residents.
Council thanked Wei for the presentation.
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REPORTS
Department Heads:
Planning Director Zuidervaart said there will be a short Planning Commission meeting in March to hold a public hearing that was noticed regarding the Ripon Reliability Project. He said staff is not prepared to present to the Commission yet, but because the public hearing was noticed, there will be one held.
Director of Public Works Pease said January water usage was down 9% from 2013 numbers and 5% from last year’s numbers. He said staff made 47 contacts but issued no penalties.
Pease said February water usage was down 28% from 2013 numbers and 7% from last year’s numbers. He said staff made 16 contacts but issued no penalties.
Pease said residents will be able to register for the Large Item Pick-Up program in April.
Pease said staff has been in contact with the Army Corp of Engineers and has provided the Corp with everything they need. He said the Corp had a meeting last week with parties that need to provide input. He said he is expecting to hear from the Corp next week.
Pease said he has been in contact with Contech, who would build the necessary structure, and with standard production time, the structure would be completed in September or October. He said he is waiting to hear back regarding an expedited production cost.
City Administrator Werner said he is helping in Engineering at this time. He said Well 19 and the Corp Yard are wrapping up construction. He said there is a cape seal project out to bid right now, a street maintenance project on River Road going out to bid in a couple weeks and the Senior Center Outdoor Seating area should be going out to bid in May 2024.
City Council:
Council Member Restuccia said Ripon First Responder Appreciation day is April 6.
Council Member Barton said he wanted to thank the Chamber of Commerce staff for a wonderful Almond Blossom Festival.
Vice Mayor de Graaf said he wanted to thank everyone for attending the meeting. de Graaf said Almond Blossom was fantastic and gets better every year.
Mayor Zuber said Initiative 21-0042A1 will be on the ballot in November. He said CalCities is asking cities to adopt resolutions in opposition. He said it was approved by the Business Roundtable and is supposed to be a way to let people control special taxes, but upon closer inspection, it actually takes away the City’s ability to work with the citizens regarding tax increase. He said the measure, if passed, is retroactive. He gave the Council a packet of information to read and will look to bring this forward for discussion at a future meeting.
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There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM. (Signed) Leo Zuber
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk