Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 – 6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
CLOSED SESSION AT 5:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION: The closed session meeting was called to order at 5:00 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:
(1) Conference With Legal Counsel—Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 – 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
City Administrator Werner left at 5:44 PM.
Return to open session.
City Attorney Terpstra Jr. said Council met in closed session where City Council voted unanimously to authorize legal counsel to defend the City in litigation initiated by Liberty Self Storage LP, which pertains to a dispute about development fees. There was no other reportable action 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 David Morris gave the invocation.
City Council Page 2 June 10, 2025
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
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra Jr., 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 Alex Arias, Kelly Donohue, Christan Santos.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Emil Guillermo, Ripon Poet Laureate, stated that he had a poem to read and proceeded to do so.
Guillermo said he will be reading at the Ripon Farmers Market on July 10th and August 7th. He said there will be a poetry workshop on June 26th at 4:00 PM at the Ripon Library and everyone is invited.
Christan Santos, Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley, said he is the new Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley and wanted to take a brief moment to say that he is looking forward to engaging with the City Council and the team at the City of Ripon on matters of mutual interest.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council Meeting of May 13, 2025.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - MAY 13, 2025 6:00 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Motion to approve the agenda as posted.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
City Council Page 3 June 10, 2025
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as posted.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Gary Barton, Vice Mayor
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(May 2024 $505,939.30
FY 2024-25 YTD: $3,982,530
FY 2023-24 YTD: $4,171,800
Highway Users Tax
(April 2024 $32,031.84)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $375,095
FY 2023-24 YTD: $362,402
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(May 2024 $35,918.46)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $393,900
FY 2023-24 YTD: $365,607
$442,432.97
$21,288.91
$33,926.13
TOTAL $497,648.01
B. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
May 2025 $1,336.34
C. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment - April 2025 $4,953.58
D. CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment – March 2025 $20,515.24
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
Blossom Express Driver
April 2025 Invoice #AR115337 $2,636.38
B. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA JR.
General Matters
Police Department
$4,728.75
$3,063.50
TOTAL $7,792.25
City Council Page 4 June 10, 2025
C. GROVER LANDSCAPE SERVICES, INC.
Landscape Repair Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #2 $55,728.71
D. LSC TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC.
Short Range Transit Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #71703 $3,585.00
E. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
South County Water Connection Project Environmental
Progress Payment – Invoice #52826 $356.25
F. DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE BROKERS
Employment Practices Liability Insurance Renewal
Effective 07/01/2025 – 07/01/2026 $17,969.48
G. ESTATE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Senior Center Rehabilitation Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #1 $62,807.35
H. STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
Wastewater Discharge Permit Groundwater Monitoring Reports Invoice #2402204 – 4
th Quarter 2024
Invoice #2402209 – 1
st Quarter 2025
$1,600.00
$2,945.50
TOTAL: $4,545.50
I. MCR ENGINEERING
Inspection Services for the Meadowood Subdivision Project Progress Payment – Invoice #21007 $4,500.00
J. STONE CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING
State Mandated Trash Implementation Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #02600 $788.75
K. CONSOLIDATED ENGINEERING, INC.
Community Center Tennis Courts Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #5 $59,571.65
City Council Page 5 June 10, 2025
1.3. Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION NO. 25-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING THE ANNUAL
TRANSPORTATION
DEVELOPMENT ACT CLAIM AND
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION TO
THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
FOR THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR
OF THE CITY OF RIPON
This resolution approves the City of
Ripon Annual Transportation
Development Act Claim and authorizes
submission to the San Joaquin County
Council of Governments for the 2024-
2025 Fiscal Year.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 25-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING THE CITY
ENGINEER'S PRELIMINARY
REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
2025-2026 PERTAINING TO THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 05-1,
CITY OF RIPON, COUNTY OF SAN
JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA,
COMMONLY KNOWN AS CITY OF
RIPON LIGHTING DISTRICT
DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO
LEVY AND COLLECT THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL AS A PART OF THE
FORMATION OF SAID
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND
SETTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR
A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON.
This resolution approves the City
Engineer's preliminary annual report for
the City of Ripon Lighting District and
sets the time and place of the public
hearing for July 8, 2025 in the City of
Ripon City Council Chambers.
City Council Page 6 June 10, 2025
C. RESOLUTION NO. 25-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING THE CITY
ENGINEER'S PRELIMINARY
REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
2025-2026 PERTAINING TO THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE
CITY OF RIPON'S TEN
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
DISTRICTS LOCATED IN THE
COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN,
CALIFORNIA DECLARING ITS
INTENTION TO LEVY AND
COLLECT THE ANNUAL
ASSESSMENTS FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED BY THE CITY
COUNCIL AS A PART OF THE
FORMATION OF SAID
ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS AND
SETTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR
A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON.
This resolution approves the City
Engineer's preliminary annual report for
the City of Ripon’s ten Landscape
Maintenance Assessment Districts and
sets the time and place of the public
hearing for July 8, 2025 in the City of
Ripon City Council Chambers.
D. RESOLUTION NO. 25-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AUTHORIZING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR, CITY
ENGINEER, OR THEIR DESIGNEE
TO EXECUTE, ON BEHALF OF
THE CITY, ALL MASTER
AGREEMENTS, PROGRAM
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS,
FUND EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS,
FUND TRANSFER AGREEMENTS,
RIGHT-OF-WAY
CERTIFICATIONS, ASSURANCES
AND/OR ANY AMENDMENT
THERETO WITH THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO SECURE
FEDERAL AND/OR STATE
FUNDING FOR CERTAIN
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.
This resolution authorizes the City
Administrator, City Engineer, or their
designee to execute all necessary
documents with the California
Department of Transportation on behalf
of the City to secure federal and/or state
funding for certain transportation
projects.
City Council Page 7 June 10, 2025
1.4. Miscellaneous Items
A. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT (2012-022-S_AMD 8)
San Joaquin Regional Transit District Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Eighth Amendment to the
Interagency Agreement with San
Joaquin Regional Transit District,
extending the term of the agreement
through June 30, 2028, at the rates
specified in the Amendment, for
providing a driver to operate Ripon's
Blossom Express bus.
B. STORAGE BUILDING DEMOLITION - MISTLIN SPORTS PARK
Modesto Sand and Gravel Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Modesto Sand and
Gravel to demolish and remove a
storage building at the Mistlin Sports
Park, in the not to exceed amount of
$13,000 (funding source: Parks &
Recreation PFFP Fund).
C. SENIOR CENTER REHABILITATION PROJECT
Estate Design & Construction, Inc.
Change Order No. 1
Approve Change Order No. 1 in the not
to exceed amount of $2,000 for the
removal of a tree conflicting with
location for proposed improvements at
the Senior Center (funding source:
Community Development Block Grant).
D. PHONE SYSTEM UPGRADE
8x8 Approve and authorize the purchase of a
new phone system and infrastructure in
the not to exceed amount of $23,550.89
and approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the three-year service contract not
to exceed $20,688 annually (funding
source: General Fund-85%, Water
Fund-8%, Sewer Fund-6%, and Garbage
Fund-1%).
E. SERVICE AGREEMENT
Jocelyn E. Roland, Ph.D Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the annual agreement with Jocelyn
E. Roland, Ph.D. that makes available
counseling services to the Police
Department employees in the amount of
$6,000 (funding source: General Fund).
City Council Page 8 June 10, 2025
F. POET LAUREATE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING REQUEST
Ripon Arts League Approve and authorize staff to distribute the second installment ($5,000) of the
Poet Laureate grant money to the Ripon
Arts League in accordance with the
Memorandum of Understanding
(funding source: Library & Literacy
Foundation for San Joaquin County Poet
Laureate program grant).
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council will take action on the following items at the conclusion of each Public Hearing.
A. RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT AS PART OF THE CITY OF RIPON GENERAL PLAN 2040
RESOLUTION NO. 25-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ADOPTING THE AMENDMENT TO
THE GENERAL PLAN TO UPDATE
THE HOUSING ELEMENT
This is a public hearing to receive
comments related to the 6th Cycle Housing
Element, which is the primary policy
document that guides the development,
rehabilitation, and preservation of housing
for all economic segments.
Recommended Action:
The Planning Commission recommends
that the City Council adopt the attached
resolution adopting the 2023-2031 City of
Ripon Housing Element (6th Cycle Housing
Element or Housing Element) as part of the
City of Ripon General Plan 2040.
Adoption will ensure compliance with
California State Housing Element Law
(Government Code Sections 65580-
65589.11) and assist in receiving
certification from the California
Department of Housing and Community
Development.
Planning Director Zuidervaart introduced Beth Thompson from De Novo Planning Group.
Beth Thompson said each local government is required to update its Housing Element periodically. Ripon must update it every eight years.
Thompson said the Housing Element is the City’s housing policy document that identifies goals and programs that guide housing-related actions.
City Council Page 9 June 10, 2025
Thompson said the City is required to participate in several forms of community engagement including two Introductory Workshops, Housing Needs and Priorities Surveys, Stakeholder Outreach, a Public Draft Housing Element 30-day review period, two Draft Housing Element Workshops and two Adoption Hearings.
Thompson said there are several parts to the Housing Element including a Housing Plan, Background Report and other appendices. The Background Report is the most extensive and consists of Housing Needs Assessment, Housing Constraints, Housing Inventory, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and Evaluation of the 2015-2023 5th Cycle Housing Element.
Thompson said Ripon’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for 2023-2031 planning period is 1,424 units.
Thompson said in order to accommodate very low and low-income units, vacant and underutilized sites must be zoned to allow at least 20 units per acre or the City must demonstrate that development projects have provided very low and low-income units at the identified density. She said the City has enough inventory to fulfill their RHNA allocation.
Thompson said the Goals and Policies of the Housing Element specify the City’s plans for meeting the existing and projected comprehensive housing needs of Ripon.
Thompson said the programs within the Housing Element specify the actions the City will take to ensure housing needs are met.
Thompson said the Housing Element must ensure there is adequate land to meet the housing needs, facilitate affordable and special needs housing development, provide for housing rehabilitation and preservation, mitigate government constraints on housing development and promote equal access to housing.
Thompson said the Housing Element was submitted to the California Department of Housing Development (HCD) and their findings are incorporated into the Adoption Draft Housing Element. She said following adoption, the Housing Element will be submitted to HCD for a 60-day review period. During that time, minor changes may be requested to address the findings provided by HCD in its November 27, 2024 letter and clarify the revisions made to address the findings.
Thompson said the recommendation before the Council is to adopt the resolution amending the General Plan to adopt the 2023-2031 City of Ripon Housing Element (6th Cycle Housing Element or Housing Element) as part of the City of Ripon General Plan 2040.
Council Member Restuccia said he saw that this was due in 2023 and asked if there are any penalties associated with not having this in by 2023. Thompson said it was due in 2023 but the timelines changed right at the start of the current cycle. She said in previous cycles, they did not have a 90-day HCD review period.
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Vice Mayor Barton asked what happens if HCD comes back with major changes. She said it would go out for public review and then would be brought back to Council.
Council Member Zuber asked if the blue underlined sections were the revisions made after HCD review and feedback, Thompson confirmed.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Jennifer Stone, said she is a Housing Specialist for Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC), which is a State contracted non-profit entitlement agency that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She shared that she has reviewed the Housing Element and regularly attends various city council and planning commission meetings to advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She emphasized that while the Housing Element often references residential care facilities or familysupported living, many individuals in this community are capable of and prefer living independently, with the ability to choose their own support staff and some are even interested in homeownership. Despite their disabilities, these individuals are active members of society.
Stone said many of these individuals rely on Social Security income, averaging around $20,000 a year, placing them in the extremely low-income category and making access to affordable housing a major challenge. She said she works closely with cities and planning bodies to secure GAP funding from the Department of Developmental Services. VMRC recently completed their first multi-family housing project in partnership with the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority, serving the five counties in their region. She closed by encouraging greater awareness and consideration for this often-overlooked segment of the community.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
Motion to adopt Resolution 25-19 adopting the 2023-2031 City of Ripon Housing Element (6th Cycle Housing Element or Housing Element) as part of the City of Ripon General Plan 2040.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Vice Mayor
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. 2025-2026 BUDGET
Discussion/No Action Staff to present the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget.
City Administrator Werner said the budget process starts with the Strategic Planning Meeting to allocate resources to align with Council's priorities. The process then City Council Page 11 June 10, 2025
continues with a workshop, and will conclude with a public hearing and resolution accepting the budget at the July 2025 meeting.
Werner said the City’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is $28.7 million. He summarized the City’s budget allocation saying that salaries and burden (insurance and retirement) comprise about 55% of the City's budget. He said the rest of the budget is allocated between operational costs, overhead and redevelopment obligations.
Werner discussed staffing levels from 2008 to present. He said staffing levels are lower than 2008 levels. He said staff tries to invest in capital expenses to allow staff to be more efficient. He said the City has added eight positions in Dispatch for the agreement with Lathrop and Escalon. Werner said staff is proposing to reclassify the CSO Lead position to CSO Supervisor and the Communications/Records Supervisor to Administration Supervisor and add a Dispatch Supervisor position.
Werner described the two retirement accounts the City has and who participates in each one of those, plus the estimated costs for FY 2025-26. He said the City’s CalPERS liabilities have risen to $500,000 and are projected to increase to more than $1.3 million.
The City invested funds in a 115 Trust, which has a higher rate of return. This 115 trust is a tool in the future to mitigate the PERS liabilities. He said the goal is to have the balance in the 115 trust match the UAL. Funds in this account are only allowed to pay CalPERS liabilities. Council Member Restuccia said PERS liability has been a problem across the country for years.
Werner reviewed the health and welfare expenses and investment returns. Staff is anticipating a 7% increase in health and welfare expense.
Werner discussed the General Fund including trends regarding revenue, sales tax, fuel tax and Mistlin Sports Park. He said sales tax revenue is down in 2024, with fuel sales being down 11%.
Werner said staff is anticipating collecting approximately 83% of the Mistlin Sports Park expenses through rental revenue.
Werner moved onto the Streets and Road Fund and said there are two upcoming Street and Road Capital projects in the FY 2025-26 budget including resurfacing 8 miles of roads, reconstructing 400 feet of roads and an overlay on River Road.
Werner discussed the Enterprise Funds and said staff will be preparing a new 5-year rate study. He said the current rate study recommends a 5% annual increase across the board, but with the increase in regulatory expenses, this may be higher in the new rate study.
Werner said two of the Landscape Districts were approved for an assessment increase, but several of the remaining districts do not include the ability to index the assessments annually, causing the districts to run in a continual deficit.
Werner said the Lighting District operated in a deficit for several years until the 2020-21 fiscal year but expenses have continued to rise and staff expects the Lighting District to City Council Page 12 June 10, 2025
be in a deficit within the next few years.
Werner said there will be a public hearing for the budget and it will come before the Council for approval in July.
B. E-BIKE AND SCOOTER LAWS
Discussion/No Action Staff to review California laws governing e-bikes and scooters that establish clear
safety standards and outline community
outreach and education initiatives designed
to encourage responsible riding.
Police Chief Sauer gave a presentation to Council describing e-bikes and scooters and the rules and regulations that are involved.
Sauer described e-bikes as bicycles equipped with a small electric motor and rechargeable battery to assist with pedaling. He said e-bikes are typically classified into three categories based on speed and motor assistance and must have a label stating their class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage.
Sauer said all three classes are recognized as bicycles under California law, which grants them access to public streets and roadways however e-bike riders must follow all standard bicycle traffic laws, including speed limits, stopping at stop signs and red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and safe passing. He said if an e-bike rider is traveling too slowly on the road and impeding traffic, they are required to ride as far to the right side of the roadway as practicable and use the bike lane if one is available. He said no driver’s license, registration, or insurance is required to operate an e-bike.
Council Member Zuber asked if e-bikes can be ridden on the sidewalk. Sauer said they cannot ride on the sidewalk downtown, but my do so elsewhere in town.
Sauer said a motorized or electric scooter is defined as a two-wheeled device with a floorboard, handlebars, and an electric motor, designed to be stood upon while riding. He said a rider must be 16 years old, and have a valid driver’s license or instruction permit to operate a motorized scooter in public spaces. Sauer said motorized scooters do not need to be registered with the DMV and do not require license plates and all traffic laws applicable to motor vehicles also apply to scooter riders.
Sauer said there are limitations on where motorized scooters may be ridden and may only be operated on roads with a speed limit of 25 mph or less. He said scooters must be operated as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge when moving slower than traffic and must use a bike lane where one is available. He said unlike e-bikes, riding scooters on sidewalks is prohibited.
Sauer said there the maximum speed limit for motorized scooters is 15 mph and no passengers are allowed, only one rider per scooter. He said motorized scooters must have City Council Page 13 June 10, 2025
proper lighting during low-light conditions: a white front light, a red rear reflector, and side reflectors. Sauer said riders under 18 years old are required to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
Vice Mayor Barton asked for clarification regarding scooter speeds. Sauer said that scooters are only allowed to travel up to 15 miles per hour and may only be operated on roads with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less.
Sauer said in order to help educate the community about e-bikes and motorized scooters, staff has developed informative pamphlets, shared important updates on social media platforms, included helpful tips in the City newsletter, and hosted two bicycle safety rodeos this year.
Sauer said staff is also conducting targeted enforcement efforts to provide educational opportunities and, when necessary, issue citations to repeat offenders.
Sauer said the Police Department has re-launched the Law & Order Rewards Program, which recognizes local youth who demonstrate positive behavior by following road safety rules, these young role models receive gift certificates to local businesses as a token of our appreciation.
Mayor de Graaf asked about the different kinds of motorized items. Sauer said they are allowed, but other motorized bikes such as dirt bikes (nonregistered) and pocket bikes are not allowed.
de Graaf said sometimes cyclists do not stop at all at the stop signs and it is dangerous.
Council Member Restuccia asked where the gift certificates come from. Sauer said the gift cards are donated by local businesses.
Vice Mayor Barton asked if Sauer has statistics on accidents in the last few years. Sauer said he does not have the numbers on him but he does know the numbers are not trending up. He said they encourage officers to have contact with the parents so they know the laws.
Zuber said he has seen officers on several occasions talking to kids on the e-bikes and he said he believes it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Recreation Director Stevens said the tennis courts at the Community Center have been completed.
Stevens said the City is hosting Movie in the Park on June 27th at Mistlin Park and will be showing Inside Out 2.
City Council Page 14 June 10, 2025
Public Works Director Pease reported that May water usage was down 20% compared to 2013 figures, but up 8% from last year.
Pease said that the large item pickup program is still ongoing, and residents can sign up for a one-time pickup of up to four items through September.
Pease said the Stanislaus Bike Bridge is scheduled to be under construction in July pending an environmental survey that will take place 14 days prior. He said it would take about a month of construction before the bridge is open to the public.
City Council:
Council Member Restuccia shared his excitement about the community events at Mistlin Sports Park, noting how successful and heartwarming the games have been. He said families come together, cheer for all the kids, and the children learn teamwork and respect, making it a true hometown experience. Restuccia said he has been approached by other attendees regarding concerns about parking, especially for elderly attendees like grandparents, who often leave if they cannot find a close spot. He said the busiest time is between games, making access even harder. He mentioned a suggestion to create a drop-off area near the fire lane gate to help with this issue. Restuccia said he believes it is worth looking into, especially since the only feedback he has heard beyond this has been overwhelmingly positive.
Council Member Zuber said he raised concerns about weed overgrowth a few months ago, which were quickly addressed by staff. He said although the weeds began to return, he was pleased to see that in the past two weeks, the fields had been treated again. He expressed appreciation for the ongoing effort, especially given the fire risks posed by overgrown lots.
Werner said Chief Sauer along with CSO Ries and CSO Brassaw, have been diligent in staying on top of the issue. He said that recent policy changes and increased fines, supported by the Council, have encouraged property owners to maintain their lots, making the program a success on multiple fronts.
Vice Mayor Barton said it was gratifying to see how the budget is managed by senior staff. He said we are in a bit of a squeeze with the declining revenue and increasing expenses. He said he encourages staff to keep an eye out for opportunities to save money.
Barton said he wanted to wish everyone a happy Independence Day.
Mayor de Graaf said he wanted to share some thoughts about his recent One Voice trip, saying he found it worthwhile, especially given the timing with many infrastructure and transportation projects aligning with upcoming federal funding efforts. He highlighted productive discussions with Congressman Harder’s staff and agency representatives, emphasizing the importance of building relationships even when the City does not have an active project. He believes these efforts position Ripon for future support and encouraged continued participation in the program.
He also noted a clear contrast between the previous federal administration and the current one, praising the current staff’s competence, focus and ability to engage in meaningful discussions without relying on empty buzzwords.
City Council Page 15 June 10, 2025
de Graaf spoke about a recent family trip through Arizona and Nevada, noting the stark contrast in forest management, public safety, and general cleanliness compared to California. He expressed frustration with state leadership, citing issues such as poor road conditions, delayed rail projects, and burdensome mandates like those tied to the Housing Element. Despite these challenges, he praised the City’s staff and leadership for staying on the right path and encouraged local governments to push back against unreasonable state mandates in pursuit of better outcomes for residents.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 PM. (Signed) Daniel de Graaf
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk