Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 – 6:00 PM
REGULAR MEETING
CLOSED SESSION AT 5:15 PM
CLOSED SESSION: The closed session meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON CLOSED SESSION MATTERS: No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
ROLL CALL: Council Members Daniel de Graaf, Leo Zuber, Michael Restuccia, Vice Mayor Dean Uecker, Mayor Gary Barton.
OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra Jr., City Clerk Lisa Roos.
IN THE MATTER OF:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION pursuant to Section 54956.9(d)(1) of the California Government Code. a. Liberty Self Storage, L.P. v. City of Ripon; Ripon Consolidated Fire District Case #: STK CV-UWM-2025-0007527
b. City of Ripon v. David Hegarty Case #: STK-CV-UED-2025-7194 c. California Sportfishing Protection Alliance v. Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority Case #: CV-20-001720
2. Public Employment pursuant to Section 54957 of the California Government Code:
Police Sergeant
3. Potential or Pending Litigation pursuant to Section 54956.9(e)(1) of the California Government Code – 1 case.
Return to open session.
City Attorney Terpstra Jr. said no reportable action was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with Mayor Barton leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION:
Pastor Mark Van Dyke gave the invocation.
City Council Page 2 February 10, 2026
ROLL CALL:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Gary Barton Mayor Present
Dean Uecker Vice Mayor Present
Michael Restuccia Council Member Present
Leo Zuber Council Member Present
Daniel de Graaf 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 Elizabeth Farnam, Kelly Donohue, Mark Van Dyke.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Emil Guillermo, Ripon Poet Laureate, said he had written two short poems about Ripon and proceeded to read them.
Guillermo said there will be a poetry reading at the Ripon Library on February 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council meeting of January 13, 2026 and the Special City Council Meeting of January 29, 2026.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - JAN 13, 2026 6:00 PM
2. CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING - JAN 29, 2026 2:00 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Mayor Barton requested Item 1.4B 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: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
City Council Page 3 February 10, 2026
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(January 2025 $242,735.44)
FY 2025-26 YTD: $2,534,853
FY 2024-25 YTD: $2,492,698
Highway Users Tax
(December 2024 $41,847.25)
FY 2025-26 YTD: $230,807
FY 2024-25 YTD: $251,892
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(January 2025 $37,817.15)
FY 2025-26 YTD: $258,741
FY 2024-25 YTD: $255,416
$271,914.28
$31,735.60
$34,935.82
TOTAL $338,585.70
B. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
January 2026 $1,336.34
C. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment - December 2025 $5,101.99
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. ASSOCIATED PENSION CONSULTANTS
Annual Administration Services for
Non-Public Safety Retirement Plan $12,550.00
B. PROVOST & PRITCHARD CONSULTING GROUP
Water Loss Audit Validation (FY24/25)
Progress Payment – Invoice #125881 $1,650.00
C. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA, JR.
General Matters
Police Department
Private Development
$9,410.50
$1,091.50
$650.00
TOTAL $11,152.00
City Council Page 4 February 10, 2026
D. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES MEMBERSHIP
2026 Membership Dues $8,237.00
2026 Division Dues $157.69
TOTAL $8,394.69
E. LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
Professional Services
Invoice # 311009 $910.50
F. SOUTH SAN JOAQUIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
SSJGSA Expenses
4th Quarter 2025 - Invoice #Ripon 2025Q4 $10,456.66
G. SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
Blossom Express Driver
January 2026 Invoice #AR038305 $2,349.50
H. CORONA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING, LLC
General Water System Consulting Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #U-9352
Progress Payment – Invoice #U-9423
Progress Payment – Invoice #U-9476
$890.00
$740.00
$370.00
TOTAL $2,000.00
I. J D E ENGINEERING, INC.
Construction Management and Inspection Services
December 2025
Progress Payment – Invoice #1041 $600.00
J. LSC TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC.
Short Range Transit Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #82656 $662.50
K. WOODARD & CURRAN
Waste Water Treatment Plant Planning Report Update
Progress Payment – Invoice #258737 $72,253.75
L. ASPEN SURVEY COMPANY, INC.
State Mandated Survey Monument Evaluation
Progress Payment – Invoice #25-001-1 $3,100.00
M. VALLEY 29 ELECTRIC, LLC
EV Charging Station Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #1 $115,377.50
N. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
Environmental Review for Lawson Drayage
(Reimbursed by Developer)
Progress Payment – Invoice #52973 $3,744.30
City Council Page 5 February 10, 2026
O. RIPON CONSOLIDATED FIRE DISTRICT
Reimbursement for Fire Suppression Assessment Expenses $3,500.00 P. KNIFE RIVER CONSTRUCTION
Ripona Resurface Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #3 $255,508.95
1.3. Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION NO. 26-6
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
OF ITS INTENTION TO
UNDERTAKE PROCEEDINGS FOR
THE FORMATION OF AN
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT TO BE
KNOWN AS MEADOWOOD
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 26-1,
CITY OF RIPON, COUNTY OF SAN
JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA, TO LEVY
AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS
PURSUANT TO THE
LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING
ACT OF 1972 FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN
LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION
SYSTEMS; AND DIRECTING THE
CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AN ENGINEER'S REPORT
This resolution begins the formation of
Meadowood Assessment District No. 26-
1 to collect assessments for the
maintenance of landscaping & irrigation
systems and directs the City Engineer to
prepare an Engineer’s Report for said
assessment district.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 26-7
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
UPDATING THE GARBAGE FEES
FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
This resolution updates the fees for
customer-requested garbage services.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 26-8
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2024-
25 FINANCIAL TRANSFERS
This resolution approves the financial
transfer to the Street and Road Reserve
Fund for Fiscal Year 2024-25 in
accordance with Resolution 15-23 that
established a dedicated funding source to
reconstruct streets and roads that have
exceeded their useful life.
City Council Page 6 February 10, 2026
1.4. Miscellaneous Items
A. 457 PLAN CHANGES
Mission Square/ICMA Approve the recommended changes to
the City of Ripon’s Deferred
Compensation 457 Plan and authorize
the Mayor, City Administrator or City
Clerk to execute all necessary
documents to implement these changes.
B. ITEM B WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
C. EV CHARGING STATION PROJECT
Valley 29 Electric, LLC
Change Order No. 1
Approve Change Order No. 1 for the
addition of two bollards on the eastern
side of the Corporation Yard, in the not
to exceed amount of $3,748.44 (funding
source: Carbon Reduction Program
Grant).
D. CLAIM
Robert Umberger Settle the claim filed by Robert
Umberger.
E. PARCEL MAP
Parcel Map No. 25-77 Accept Parcel Map No. 25-77 (1749 N.
Jack Tone Road - Jeff and Judy Van
Groningen) and authorize the City
Engineer to sign for recording.
F. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
BaseCamp Environmental, Inc. Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services
Agreement with BaseCamp
Environmental, Inc. to provide on-call
environmental consulting services for
private development projects (funding
source: private development
reimbursement accounts).
G. RESOLUTION NO. 26-9
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING THE
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF RIPON
AND STANISLAUS COUNTY
This resolution approves the
Reimbursement Agreement between the
City of Ripon and Stanislaus County for a
portion of the cost to repair the Stanislaus
River Bike/Pedestrian Bridge and
authorizes the Mayor to execute the
Reimbursement Agreement.
City Council Page 7 February 10, 2026
H. POTHOLING PROJECT
Allen A. Waggoner Construction, Inc. Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Allen A.
Waggoner Construction, Inc. to perform
utility potholing in support of the design
of roadway improvements planned south
of Main Street in the amount of $34,995
(funding source: Street & Road
Operating Fund).
I. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
George Montross Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the Professional Services
Agreement with George Montross to
assist in the development and oversight
of a State mandated Cross-Connection
Control Plan in the not to exceed
amount of $10,000.00 (funding source:
Water Enterprise Operating Fund).
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
1.4B : QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT REVIEW
October 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025 Accept the City’s quarterly investment report for the period ending December 31,
2025.
Mayor Barton said he pulled the item because some of the numbers did not make sense to him and he felt it would be beneficial for City Clerk Roos to explain it for the public.
City Clerk Roos said on page two of the staff report the total on the bottom for the estimated annual rate of return is noted as 3.81% but 3.81% is actually lower than all the estimated annual rates of return that City receives from their various investments. She said that is actually just the interest that is earned for the quarter divided by what the balance is at the end of the quarter. Roos said it is not technically a rate of return and she will remove that from future reports.
Motion to approve Item 1.4B Quarterly Investment Report Review.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
City Council Page 8 February 10, 2026
2. ORDINANCES
First Reading and Introduction
A. ORDINANCE NO. 934
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AMENDING CHAPTER 10.10 "SPEED
LIMITS" OF THE RIPON MUNICIPAL
CODE
This ordinance amends Chapter 10.10,
“Speed Limits,” of the Ripon Municipal
Code to update the posted speed limits of
five roadway segments, based on the
findings of the 2025 Engineering and
Traffic Survey.
City Administrator Werner said staff went through the traffic study at the January 13, 2026 City Council meeting and through that analysis there were five roads that were identified for speed limit changes. He said at the Council meeting there was discussion regarding Hoff Drive between Colony Road and Santos Avenue. Werner said the initial recommendation from staff was to increase the speed limit from 25 to 35 miles per hour but after considering Council's comments and reviewing the data a second time, staff changed the recommendation to 30 miles per hour.
Motion to waive the first reading and introduce Ordinance 934 amending Chapter
10.10, “Speed Limits,” of the Ripon Municipal Code to update the posted speed limits of five roadway segments, based on the findings of the 2025 Engineering and Traffic Survey.
RESULT: FIRST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/10/2026 6:00 PM MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN
Discussion/No Action LSC Transportation Consultants staff will provide the City Council an overview of
the draft Short Range Transit Plan for the
planning period of 2026-2036. With input
from the City Council, the final Short
Range Transit Plan will be presented at a
future City Council meeting for action to
approve the plan.
City Administrator Werner introduced Genevieve Evans with LSC Transportation. She said her team has been working to update the short-range transit plan, which is something that is done every five years or so.
City Council Page 9 February 10, 2026
Evans described Ripon’s demographics and said the City of Ripon has a low proportion of potentially transit-dependent individuals compared to California averages by population. She said San Joaquin County’s population is expected to increase in the coming years, and its senior population is expected to grow rapidly.
Evans said Blossom Express operates on a fixed route on Tuesdays and Thursdays and offers four round trips per day. She said the fare is $2.00 for a one-way general fare ticket.
Evans said the Blossom Express loops Ripon and then travels south to Vintage Faire Mall, Kaiser and Target in Modesto before returning to Ripon’s Library with ¾ mile deviations possible.
Evans said the ADA Paratransit or Dial-A-Ride requires that users must call City Hall at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a ride. She said the fare is $15.00 and the service is available to all disabled and senior residents. Evans said door-to-door service is available within a 15-mile radius of the City and operates weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and there is no weekend service. She said the Dial-a-Ride numbers are a fraction of what they were pre-COVID with 234 riders in fiscal year 2019-20 and just 30 riders in fiscal year 2023-24.
Evans said Blossom Express ridership is still just over half of pre-COVID numbers with 685 riders for fiscal year 2023-24. She said the busiest months for the Blossom Express are February and April, Evans said she was not sure what made these months so popular.
Evans said an LSC surveyor was on-board the Blossom Express to survey riders on November 12 and November 14, 2026 and there were 4 respondents. She said respondents represented all age groups, 3 out of 4 respondents lacked alternative means of transportation and trip purposes included medical, shopping and school. She said respondents said information about Blossom Express services can be difficult to understand but overall perceptions of Blossom Express services were very positive.
Evans said LSC did an online community survey and 81% of respondents do not use the Blossom Express service and 72% of respondents do not use any other regional transit services. She said of those who do use transit 80% of participants use Blossom Express for recreation or social purposes and 60% of participants use the service for shopping.
She said most respondents agreed that public transit is an important community service in Ripon.
Evans said draft plan recommendations include expanding service on Tuesdays and Thursdays by 2 hours and expanding the deviation areas to all of the City of Ripon. She said this would have a minimal impact on resources. Evans said the draft plan also includes the recommendation to include microtransit services and said she believes this would allow for an additional 720 trips per year with an estimated cost of $60,000.
City Council Page 10 February 10, 2026
Evans explained that total operating revenue includes all funding sources, including Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds derived from state sales tax, with 25% required to be used for transit per SJCOG, a small contribution from Bethany Home, and Measure K funds. She noted that FTA funds are projected to increase by approximately 2% annually and that the transit program currently has a healthy carryover balance. Combined, these sources total approximately $1.66 million in the first year.
Evans stated that updated operating cost estimates are lower than previously projected, at approximately $146,000–$150,000 annually to operate as-is, with an additional $60,000 for the recommended short-range transit plan improvements. She advised that, after accounting for operating and capital considerations, there are sufficient funds to implement the draft recommendations and capital plan. She added that the City can apply for FTA Section 5339 grant funds, which typically cover 80% of vehicle purchases. She noted that due to low annual mileage, the two 30-passenger Gillig buses used for the Blossom Express would not require replacement until approximately 2037.
Council Member Zuber asked whether the Modesto stops are connected to the Modesto transit system and whether riders could transfer to other routes. Evans confirmed that Vintage Faire Mall is a major transfer point with access to several “S” routes and noted that wait times for transfers are sometimes as short as 15 minutes, though they can vary.
Zuber asked about reducing the $15 Dial-A-Ride fare, stating that it may be too expensive for some users. Evans responded that the fare could be reduced and suggested a range of $5–$10 as potentially reasonable, noting the importance of balancing affordability with demand.
Zuber expressed concern about pricing residents out of the service, while also acknowledging the need to avoid setting fares so low that demand exceeds capacity or results in high per-hour operating costs with minimal ridership. Evans said that for micro transit programs, a fare of approximately $4 is typical.
Evans also recommended setting aside additional funding for marketing and administrative support, including improving public awareness of Blossom Express and Dial-A-Ride. She said suggestions also included enhancing the website with clearer schedules and route maps and implementing a GTFS feed to integrate with Google Maps so riders can more easily plan trips.
Mayor Barton questioned whether expanding service hours through a proposed micro transit program justified the additional $60,000 annual cost, particularly given current ridership levels. Evans clarified that the proposed micro transit service would operate within Ripon on Friday and Saturday evenings and acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the Council. Zuber said that the Council receives transit funds that must be used for transit purposes or returned, and that some of the proposed service could be funded without impacting the general budget.
City Council Page 11 February 10, 2026
Council Member de Graaf said that while transit services do not fully recover their costs, they provide important community benefits, including access to medical appointments, shopping, dining, and support for local businesses, and that the Council must determine the appropriate level of service investment.
The Council discussed how transit service could support local community events. Zuber said that during the weekly farmers market, residents often struggle to find parking and suggested that a circulating transit route could transport attendees to and from the event, reducing parking congestion and improving access. Zuber said that this would allow more residents to participate without needing to drive.
Council discussed similar parking challenges during local football and baseball games. It was suggested that event-based transit service, particularly on Friday nights or during recurring events such as the farmers market, could provide a practical solution. Council discussed the idea of establishing a schedule aligned with community events held consistently over several months.
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Police Chief Sauer said there will be a community meeting on February 11, 2026 in the Emergency Operations Center at the Ripon Police Department at 7:00 PM.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said there will not be a Planning Commission meeting in February.
Public Works Director Pease reported that April water usage was down 9% compared to last year’s numbers.
Pease said that the Recycling Center will be closed on February 21, 2026 for Almond Blossom.
City Administrator Werner passed out an update of engineering projects and said that work has begun on pedestrian improvements at key intersections along Fulton Avenue between River Road and the Fulton overpass. He also noted that the project includes widening Fulton Avenue from two lanes to four lanes between Colony Road and near the Fulton overpass.
Werner said that one of the Council’s recent priorities is the resurfacing of West Ripon Road from Jack Tone Road to the City limits, and that engineering work on the project has begun. He said that it is a relatively small project and is anticipated to go out to bid in April. He added that resurfacing of River Road between Jack Tone Road and North Ripon is also in progress, with a similar April bid timeframe.
Werner said that the Community Center parking lot and baseball fields project is nearing completion of design and will be going out to bid soon.
City Council Page 12 February 10, 2026
City Council:
Council Member de Graaf thanked those who attended the meeting.
Council Member Restuccia said the Almond Blossom festival is less than two weeks away.
Mayor Barton thanked everyone for attending and thanked the Cadets for attending.
Barton encouraged everyone to participate in the upcoming Almond Blossom festival.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:49 PM. (Signed) Gary Barton
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk