Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, JULY 08, 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:
(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.
Return to open session.
City Attorney Terpstra Jr. said Council met in closed session and no 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 David Morris 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 July 8, 2025
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra Jr., Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, 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.
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 after the regular reading and writing workshop at the Library at 4:30 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council Meeting of June 10, 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 - JUN 10, 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
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar 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 July 8, 2025
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(June 2024 $286,317.12)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $4,283,226
FY 2023-24 YTD: $4,458,117
Highway Users Tax
(May 2024 $40,331.08)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $414,472
FY 2023-24 YTD: $402,733
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(June 2024 $37,328.06)
FY 2024-25 YTD: $431,269
FY 2023-24 YTD: $402,936
$300,696.00
$39,377.38
$37,368.47
TOTAL $377,441.85
B. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
June 2025 $1,336.34
C. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment - May 2025 $7,786.07
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. CALIFORNIA CAD SOLUTIONS, INC.
GIS Software Assessor Update
Progress Payment FY 2024-2025
Invoice #701836
GIS Subscription FY 2025-2026
Invoice #701829
$1,662.50
$5,940.00
TOTAL $7,602.50
B. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA JR.
General Matters
Private Development
Police Department
$4,750.50
$1,105.00
$2,743.50
TOTAL $8,599.00
C. SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
Blossom Express Driver
May 2025 Invoice #AR115406
June 2025 Invoice #AR115407
$2,570.88
$2,344.90
TOTAL $4,915.78
City Council Page 4 July 8, 2025
D. PRICE PAIGE & COMPANY
Audit Services FY 2024-2025
Final Payment – Invoice #36183 $1,215.00
Audit Services FY 2025-2026
Progress Payment – Invoice #36257 $6,085.00
TOTAL: $7,300.00
E. STONE CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING
State Mandated Trash Implementation Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #02609 $206.25
F. PADILLA & ASSOCIATES
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Reporting Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #23-111-04 $825.00
G. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
South County Water Connection Project Environmental
Progress Payment – Invoice #52841 $5,973.25
H. LSC TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC.
Short Range Transit Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #71839 $7,735.00
I. PAVLETIC CONSULTING, LLC
Five-Year Utility Rates Plan (2026 - 2030)
Progress Payment – Invoice #202502-01 $5,760.00
J. STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
Well 9 Evaluation and Condition Assessment
Progress Payment – Invoice #2414822 $4,265.20
K. ESTATE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Senior Center Rehabilitation Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #2 $40,197.59
L. CONDOR EARTH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Fleet Maintenance Facility and Fueling Station –
Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #92262 $1,300.00
M. CORONA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, LLC
2024 Consumer Confidence Report Assistance
Progress Payment – Invoice #U-9000
Progress Payment – Invoice #U-9084
$4,152.50
$4,932.50
TOTAL $9,085.00
City Council Page 5 July 8, 2025
N. GROVER LANDSCAPE SERVICES, INC.
Landscape Repair Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #3 $42,283.93
1.3. Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION NO. 25-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ACCEPTING THE CITY OF RIPON
TRANSIT SYSTEM TRIENNIAL
PERFORMANCE AUDIT FOR THE
THREE YEARS PERIOD ENDING
JUNE 30, 2024
This resolution accepts the Triennial
Performance Audit of the City of Ripon
Transit System for the three years ending
June 30, 2022, June 30, 2023 and June
30, 2024, prepared by Moore &
Associates, Inc.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 25-21
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ADOPTING THE 2025 RIPON
SEWER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
PLAN UPDATE
This resolution adopts the 2025 Ripon
Sewer System Management Plan Update.
This provides the work plan for
managing the sanitary sewer in a manner
consistent with the State Water Resource
Control Board requirements.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 25-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ADOPTING THE CITY OF RIPON
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 -
2026 FOR ALL ADMINISTRATIVE
STAFF, NON-REPRESENTED
POLICE DEPARTMENT
EMPLOYEES, AND PART-TIME
RECREATION EMPLOYEES
This resolution adopts the Employee
Compensation Plan for Fiscal Year 2025
- 2026 for all administrative staff, nonrepresented Police Department employees, and part-time recreation
employees.
1.4. Miscellaneous Items
A. FLEET MAINTENANCE FACILITY PROJECT
Diede Construction, Inc. Accept the work completed by Diede Construction, Inc. and authorize the
filing of a Notice of Completion with
retention ($596,501) to be paid 35 days
after recording of notice.
City Council Page 6 July 8, 2025
B. PHONE SYSTEM UPGRADE
8x8 Amend the agreement authorizing the
purchase of a new phone system and
infrastructure in the not to exceed
amount of $24,823.04 and approve the
and authorize the Mayor to sign the
three-year service contract in the not to
exceed amount of $26,532.24 annually
(funding source: General Fund-85%,
Water Fund-8%, Sewer Fund-6%, and
Garbage Fund-1%).
C. LANDSCAPE REPAIR PROJECT
Grover Landscape Services, Inc.
Change Order No. 2
Approve Change Order No. 2 in the not
to exceed amount of $422,705.00 for
landscaping/irrigation improvements in
6 additional locations and the painting
of decorative street lights, arches, and
trellises on Main Street, Stockton Ave,
and the Community Center (funding
sources: Miscellaneous Department
Capital Fund ($187,382) and Street and
Road Fund ($235,323)).
D. REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
Lawson Drayage Inc. Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the Lawson Drayage Inc.
Reimbursement Agreement that
provides reimbursement for staff time
and CEQA consultants to respond to an
application to operate an industrial
storage yard focused on the handling,
storage, and logistical coordination of
large-scale battery energy storage
systems, including Tesla Megapack
units, as well as other heavy industrial
equipment located at 222 and 350 East
Fourth Street.
E. ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT REPORT
July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 Accept the City’s annual military equipment report for the year ending
June 30, 2025.
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
City Council Page 7 July 8, 2025
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council will take action on the following items at the conclusion of each Public Hearing.
1. ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FOR THE CITY OF
RIPON'S TEN LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS
RESOLUTION NO. 25-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF
AND APPROVING THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FOR THE
CITY OF RIPON'S TEN LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS
LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF SAN
JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA.
This is a public hearing to set the amount
and give approval of the levy of the annual
assessments for the City of Ripon’s ten
Landscape Maintenance Districts.
Recommended Action: Authorize the
Mayor to sign and execute any and all
documents necessary and to forward these
documents to the County Assessor’s Office
in order to place the assessment on the
county tax rolls.
City Administrator Werner said the Carolina’s and Alexandra’s Districts are the only districts with a proposed increase of $12.50 and $9.34, annually.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
Motion to approve Resolution 25-23 determining the amount of and approving the levy of the annual assessment for the fiscal year 2025-2026 for the City of Ripon’s ten Landscape Maintenance Districts and authorizing the Mayor to sign and execute any and all documents necessary and to forward these documents to the County Assessor’s Office in order to place the assessment on the County tax rolls.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
City Council Page 8 July 8, 2025
2. ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FOR THE CITY OF
RIPON LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO. 25-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF
AND APPROVING THE LEVY OF THE
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FOR
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 05-1,
CITY OF RIPON, COUNTY OF SAN
JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA, COMMONLY
KNOWN AS CITY OF RIPON
LIGHTING DISTRICT
This is a public hearing to set the amount
and give approval of the levy of the annual
assessment for the City of Ripon Lighting
District.
Recommended Action: Authorize the
Mayor to sign and execute any and all
documents necessary and to forward these
documents to the County Assessor’s Office
in order to place the assessment on the
county tax rolls.
City Administrator Werner said the City assumed responsibility of the Lighting District from San Joaquin County in 2005 and the assessment has been set at $42 per single family equivalent.
Council Member Zuber said the City is going to need to look at better ways to fund the District. Werner confirmed and said the City would need to go through a Proposition 218 process in order to raise the assessment.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
Motion to approve Resolution 25-24 determining the amount of and approving the levy of the annual assessment for the fiscal year 2025-2026 for the City of Ripon’s Lighting District and authorizing the Mayor to sign and execute any and all documents necessary and to forward these documents to the County Assessor’s Office in order to place the assessment on the County tax rolls.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Dean Uecker, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
City Council Page 9 July 8, 2025
3. FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO. 25-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ADOPTING THE CITY OF RIPON
FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 OPERATING
AND CAPITAL BUDGET
This is a public hearing for the proposed
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 City Operating and
Capital Budget.
Recommended Action: This resolution
adopts the City of Ripon Fiscal Year 2025-
2026 Budget.
City Administrator Werner presented a powerpoint summary of the 2025-26 Budget saying this is the last step of the budget process and then reviewed the completed steps. Werner pointed out that there are many different funds that the City uses.
Werner said the City budget allocates funding to meet City Council priorities. There have been many important policy decisions made by this City Council and past Councils that have established prudent fiscal policies that continue to provide consistent services to the community, including a new approach to street and road maintenance, several public safety matters, and strategies to maintain services during potential short-term economic downturns.
Werner said over the past 12 years, revenues and expenses in the General Fund have risen at proportionate levels, but over the last three years, revenues have grown by an average of 4% annually while expenses have risen by about 7.3%. He said this imbalance was discussed at the strategic planning meeting, along with the major factors driving expense growth and the planned steps to address the issue in the coming year.
Werner summarized the transfers that will be made from the General Fund and the accounts to which they will be made. He explained that the City is currently experiencing a period where expenses are rising faster than revenues. Although the General Fund remains balanced, this trend has impacted the transfer to the Department Capital Fund. Based on staff’s calculations, the transfer should have been $540,000 this year, but only $363,000 could be allocated.
Werner said the budget also includes about $450,000 to support various local organizations and services, including the San Joaquin Partnership, the Library, Museum, Aquatic Center (shared with the school district), the Chamber of Commerce for the Almond Blossom Festival, and an agreement with the Fire District for hazardous material mitigation, consistent with last year’s allocations.
Werner reviewed proposed Street and Road capital projects for fiscal year 2025-26 including Area 2 and the River Road overlay.
Vice Mayor Barton asked if Area 3 will be the most expensive area. Werner confirmed and said the City has received grants to reconstruct several areas of Area 3.
City Council Page 10 July 8, 2025
Werner highlighted some of the upcoming Capital Improvements including several improvements at the Community Center, Well 3 treatment system, and the rehabilitation of Well 9. He said towards the middle of 2026 staff hopes to begin the Second Street Safe Route to School project.
Motion to approve Resolution 25-25 adopting the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Gary Barton, Vice Mayor
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
3. ORDINANCES
Second Reading and Adoption
A. ORDINANCE NO. 931
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
This ordinance sets the amount of money
raised by taxes necessary to carry on the
various functions of the City of Ripon.
(City tax rate: $0.00)
City Clerk Roos said this ordinance will be for 1st reading and introduction not 1st reading and adoption as the Agenda noted.
Roos said this is an annual ordinance required to certify the 2025-2026 appropriation limits also known as the GANN limits saying that the taxes collected by the City are below the ceiling that is allowed based upon the rates set by Proposition 4 passed in 1979.
On behalf of the public, Roos read the following public comment received via email:
Marty Harris shared that he and his wife are Ripon homeowners, joined by five of their children, their spouses, and 21 grandchildren. Citing a July 1, 2025 CalMatters article, he raised concerns about California’s rollback of environmental laws, which exempts certain high-tech and water projects from CEQA.
Harris questioned what powers the City of Ripon has to assess and manage drainage and environmental impacts under the new law, who decides if CEQA applies, and who is ultimately responsible for downstream impacts: federal, state, local, or private parties. He also asked what new taxes might follow.
City Council Page 11 July 8, 2025
Harris said with SGMA mandates, rising housing demands, unstaffed firehouses, and aging infrastructure, he believes the best path forward is shared services and increased local investment by paying higher taxes. He asked otherwise, who will pay and who will take control of Ripon’s water rights.
Motion to waive the first reading and introduce Ordinance 931 setting the amount of money raised by taxes necessary to carry on the various functions of the City of Ripon.
RESULT: FIRST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 8/12/2025 6:00 PM MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
AYES: de Graaf, Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Council Member Zuber asked Police Chief Sauer regarding illegal fireworks, whether drone use might be something to consider in the future. Zuber said that since returning from out of town after the Fourth of July, he had received mixed feedback from residents regarding fireworks, some reported it was quieter than in previous years, while others felt it was noisier in certain areas. Sauer said that the Police Department responded to 17 fireworks related incidents, resulting in one citation. He said according to the Sergeant, it was a relatively quiet night overall, especially compared to neighboring cities. He added that he had been in Modesto that evening and observed significant fireworks activity there, whereas Ripon remained relatively calm.
Sauer said he does not believe drone use is necessary at this time; however, the Department had one drone pilot on duty and was prepared to deploy a drone if a reoccurring issue had arisen at a specific location. He said that deploying a drone would mean pulling an officer off street patrol, which is not ideal. Sauer contrasted Ripon's situation with larger cities that have greater resource demands and larger geographic areas.
Council expressed skepticism about the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of using helicopters or drones strictly for firework enforcement, stating it may not be a prudent use of resources.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said there will not be a Planning Commission Meeting this July.
Public Works Director Pease reported that June water usage was down 15% compared to 2013 figures, and down 1% from last year.
Pease said that the large item pickup program is still underway, and residents can sign up for a one-time pickup of up to four items through September.
Pease said construction to repair the Stanislaus River Bike Bridge has begun.
City Council Page 12 July 8, 2025
City Council:
Council Member Restuccia said that next year will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and shared that this year’s Independence Day felt especially meaningful. He suggested that, since the City already hosts National Night Out as a community event, it would be fitting to also hold a City-wide celebration in honor of our Country’s 250th birthday. He said he is not sure what such an event would look like or how it would be organized; he would like it to be considered.
Vice Mayor Barton said he wanted to highlight two local businesses that are off to a strong start.
First, he praised Legacy Fitness Club, saying that the parking lot is often full, which is a great sign for both the business and the community. Barton said, as a former Planning Commissioner, he recalled some initial concerns about the Cask and Barrel, but the owners followed through on their commitments and delivered a high-quality establishment Ripon can be proud of.
Barton also reflected on the Country’s upcoming 250th anniversary, acknowledging the deep political divisions currently facing the nation that too often lead to violence. He said that while media and social platforms tend to exacerbate these tensions, he is grateful that Ripon remains largely united in its vision for a safe, thriving community. He emphasized that there is no place in Ripon for those who use politics to divide or incite violence.
Mayor de Graaf shared a recent experience while traveling, noting that when people learned he was from California, the response was often negative. He explained that he would clarify he was from Ripon, a small town tucked between some of the state’s more chaotic areas like the Bay Area and L.A. He said as he explained more about Council, staff, and the way the City is run, it reminded him how fortunate he is to be part of such a well-run, close-knit community. He thanked everyone who helps make Ripon the wonderful place it is, and said it makes him proud, not just to be from Ripon, but to be an American.
de Graaf thanked everyone who attended the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM. (Signed) Daniel de Graaf
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk