Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025 – 6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
CLOSED SESSION AT 5:30 PM
CLOSED SESSION: The closed session meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON CLOSED SESSION MATTERS: No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Leo Zuber, Michael Restuccia, Dean Uecker, Vice Mayor Gary Barton, Mayor Daniel de Graaf.
OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra Jr., City Clerk Lisa Roos.
IN THE MATTER OF:
(a) Potential or Pending Litigation pursuant to Section 54956.9(e)(1) of the California Government Code – 2 cases.
Return to open session.
City Attorney Terpstra Jr. said Council met in closed session to discuss the pending litigation items on the agenda. Invoices were approved pertaining to the litigation items indicated on the agenda and no further reportable action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with Mayor de Graaf leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION:
Pastor Chris Williams gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Daniel de Graaf Mayor Present
Gary Barton Vice Mayor Present
Dean Uecker Council Member Present
Michael Restuccia Council Member Present
Leo Zuber Council Member Present
City Council Page 2 March 11, 2025
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra Jr., Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, City Clerk Lisa Roos, Deputy City Clerk Jane Kilgore, Information Systems Technician Alex Arias, Kelly Donohue, Darlene Ruiz, Ray Ruiz, Emil Guillermo, Kathleen Guillermo.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Emil Guillermo, Ripon Poet Laureate, stated that he had a poem to read and proceeded to do so.
He also announced that he would be reading a poem at the Ripon Arts League on March 20 and at the Poetry Brigade meeting at the Ripon Library on April 4.
Ray and Darlene Ruiz said they wanted to talk about their son Trevor who passed away four years ago. He explained that Trevor’s passion was officiating for youth sports and said he would have loved Mistlin Sports Park. He said the Trevor Seever Foundation would like to make a donation to the City of Ripon’s Mistlin Sports Park.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council Meeting of February 11, 2025.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Vice Mayor
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - FEB 11, 2025 6:00 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Council Member Restuccia requested Item 1.2C be pulled from the Consent Calendar to express that he is a paid elected director for the Bank of Stockton.
Vice Mayor Barton requested Item 1.3B be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Motion to approve the agenda as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
City Council Page 3 March 11, 2025
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(February 2024 $496,986.54)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $3,038,285
FY 2023-24 YTD: $3,110,166
Highway Users Tax
(January 2024 $34,410.25)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $286,896
FY 2023-24 YTD: $265,451
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(February 2024 $39,152.25)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $294,936
FY 2023-24 YTD: $263,143
$545,586.70
$35,003.46
$39,519.50
TOTAL $620,109.66
B. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
February 2025 $1,336.34
C. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment - January 2025 $2,279.97
D. GILTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment – December 2024 $16,111.04 E. CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment – December 2024 $21,311.79
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. US BANK
California Statewide Community Development Authority
Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds Series 2006C $76,050.00 City Council Page 4 March 11, 2025
B. US BANK
California Statewide Community Development Authority
Water Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 2012 $12,603.13
C. ITEM C WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
D. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
Arc Way Development Project Environmental
Invoice #52756 (Reimbursed by Developer) $375.00
E. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA JR.
General Matters
Police Matters
SSJID Water Connection Project
Private Development
$15,710.50
$3,404.50
$206.50
$657.25
TOTAL $19,978.75
F. PRICE PAIGE & COMPANY
Audit Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #35134 $4,254.00
G. PETRULAKIS LAW & ADVOCACY, APC
Review City Attorney Agreement
Invoice # 2963 $3,347.50
H. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
South County Water Connection Project Environmental
Progress Payment – Invoice #52753 $337.50
I. LSC TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC.
Short Range Transit Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #71328 $8,533.75
J. CONSOLIDATED ENGINEERING, INC.
Community Center Tennis Courts Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #4 $27,001.85
K. DE NOVO PLANNING GROUP
City of Ripon 6th Cycle Housing Element
Progress Payment – Invoice #4610 $10,570.00
L. WGR SOUTHWEST, INC.
City Storm Water Permit Assistance
Progress Payment – Invoice #31402 $850.00
M. CALIFORNIA CAD SOLUTIONS, INC.
Geographical Information System Site Development
Invoice #701800 $1,312.50
City Council Page 5 March 11, 2025
N. STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
Wastewater Discharge Permit Groundwater Monitoring
2024 4th Quarter Report and Annual Report
Invoice #2362475 $3,518.00
O. JOHN ANDOH
Transit Consulting Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #25-01 $2,350.00
1.3. Miscellaneous Items
A. GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT - AMENDMENT NO. 1
Aspen Survey Company, Inc. Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Amendment No. 1 to the
General Services Agreement with Aspen
Survey Company, Inc. to assist in
implementing the Survey Monument
Preservation Policy in the not to exceed
amount of $20,000 (funding source:
varies by project).
B. ITEM B WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
C. SOUTH OF MAIN STREET RESURFACING PROJECT
American Pavement Systems, Inc. Accept the work completed by American Pavement Systems, Inc. and
authorize the filing of a Notice of
Completion with retention
($102,458.35) to be paid 35 days after
recording of notice.
D. CLAIM
Jose Quintana Deny the claim filed by Jose Quintana.
E. FOAM DENSIFIER AND GRINDER DONATION
Dart CARE LLC Accept the donation of a Foam Densifier
and Grinder from Dart CARE LLC
(donation value: unknown).
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
1.3B : FLEET MAINTENANCE FACILITY FLAG POLE AND FLAG POLE PURCHASE Patriot Flagpole Approve the purchase of a flag pole and flag for the Fleet Maintenance Facility in
the not to exceed amount of $13,180.00
(funding sources: Corp Yard AB1600
Fund, Enterprise Capital Funds, and
General Capital Fund).
City Council Page 6 March 11, 2025
Vice Mayor Barton wanted to discuss the cost of the flag pole.
City Administrator Werner stated that the price is based on a 15' x 25' flag; however, staff is revising the actual size of the flag to be 12' x 18'. He noted that while the pole size will remain the same, there will be a slight decrease in the cost of the flag.
Barton asked what the life expectancy of the flag was.
Werner said the life expectancy is about a year.
Motion to approve Item 1.3B Fleet Maintenance Facility Flag Pole and Flag Pole Purchase.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Vice Mayor
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
1.2C : BANK OF STOCKTON
Semi-Annual Retirement Account Administration
Fees for non-PERS employees $65,636.75
Council Member Restuccia wished to recuse himself from the vote because he is a paid elected director for the Bank of Stockton.
Restuccia left the room.
Motion to approve Item 1.2C Bank of Stockton Invoice.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Zuber
ABSTAIN: Restuccia
Restuccia returned to the meeting.
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
City Council Page 7 March 11, 2025
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 2025-2026 This is a public hearing to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on
the recommended use of CDBG and
HOME Program funds allocated to the
City of Ripon.
Recommended Action: Approve the
recommended 2025-2026 CDBG funding
allocation of $76,103 to the Senior Center
Interior Rehabilitation Project and $13,430
to the public service programs that
requested funding. Additionally, approve
the recommended 2025-2026 HOME
Program funds of $32,121to be allocated
to the low-income down payment
assistance program that is administered by
San Joaquin County. Lastly, direct staff to
process the necessary documentation with
San Joaquin County to facilitate the
allocation of these funds.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said this is the annual public hearing for allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds. Staff is recommending a portion of funds be allocated to the Senior Center Interior Rehab Project.
Zuidervaart said staff received project applications for Bethany Home and a few from the County. Staff is recommending funding those requests at a percentage since there was more money requested than available.
Vice Mayor Barton asked if there are other City properties that would be eligible for the funds. Zuidervaart said no, the City has used funds to install handicap ramps in the past but that is no longer an eligible project.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
City Council Page 8 March 11, 2025
Motion to approve the recommended 2025-2026 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, Vice Mayor
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
B. VACATION AND ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY ADJACENT TO 923 SOUTH ACACIA AVENUE
RESOLUTION NO. 25-9
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
FOR THE VACATION AND
ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT
TO THE PROPERTY AT 923 SOUTH
ACACIA AVENUE
This is a public hearing to consider input
regarding abandonment of an unused
portion of public right-of-way adjacent to
the property at 923 South Acacia Avenue.
Recommended Action: Adopt the
resolution declaring the vacation and
abandonment of a portion of public rightof-way adjacent to the property at 923 South Acacia Avenue.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said at the July 15, 2024 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission approved a project to develop the property located at 923 South Acacia Avenue.
He said during the project’s review, it was discovered that the City of Ripon owned a small section of right-of-way in front of this parcel that ultimately is not needed for the proposed alignment/improvements of South Acacia Avenue. He said, consequently, the applicant submitted an abandonment application on December 8, 2024, for the abandonment proposal.
Zuidervaart said the City Council is required to go through a three-step process to abandon public right-of-way. He said the City Council approved the abandonment at the January 14, 2025 City Council meeting.
Zuidervaart said the Planning Commission approved the abandonment at the February 18, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.
Zuidervaart said tonight’s public hearing is the final step in the abandonment procedure. He said after considering any public comments, City Council will vote to consider approving the attached resolution, ordering the vacation and abandonment of the public right-of-way for recordation with the County.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
City Council Page 9 March 11, 2025
Motion to adopt the resolution declaring the vacation and abandonment of a portion of public right-of-way adjacent to the property at 923 South Acacia Avenue.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Planning Director Zuidervaart said there is no Planning Commission meeting this month. He said the housing element is planned to go to before the Planning Commission in April and the City Council in June.
City Council:
Council Member Restuccia said First Responder’s Appreciation Day is April 5.
Restuccia said he wanted to thank City Administrator Werner because there is progress on the open utility spots in the streets. He wants to revisit the encroachment permit process in the future.
Council Member Zuber said overall the Almond Blossom festival was very successful and wanted to thank the Chamber of Commerce for all they did.
Vice Mayor Barton said seeing what is happening at the Federal level of government, he wants to take the opportunity to thank staff for how efficient they are and their awareness of the spending of taxpayer dollars. He wanted to echo Zuber's comments regarding the Almond Blossom Festival.
Mayor de Graaf said it is apparent that we live in a wonderful community and appreciates everyone who attended and watched the meeting online.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 PM. (Signed) Daniel de Graaf
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk