Ripon City Council Workshop Minutes
Informal Informational Meeting
DATE: MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2026
PLACE: RIPON POLICE DEPARTMENT EOC, 259 N. WILMA AVE., RIPON, CA 95366 TIME: 11:00 AM
1. 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.
2. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKING SESSION
Discussion/No Action Council to discuss future policy goals and the implementation of those goals.
City Administrator Werner led a budget discussion including a financial overview of the General Fund Reserve/Contingency and Capital Replacement Funds, AB1600 Capital Funds, Enterprise Operating and Capital Funds and Street and Roads Funds. He described the policies adopted for the Reserve and Capital Replacement Funds and the challenges of the AB1600 Capital Funds, Enterprise Funds and Street and Roads Funds.
Werner reviewed the balances of the Contingency Funds in relation to their respective policies. He shared a slide showing the General Fund Revenue and Expense trends over the past 10 years. Werner discussed the CalPERS pension obligations, the City’s 115 Trust and the policy for its current use. He presented the current reserve balance policy and three options for the Council to consider reallocating these reserves.
Werner reviewed current and upcoming Street and Road Capital Projects, Utility Capital Projects and Parks and Transportation Capital Projects, including Mistlin Sports Park improvements.
City Council Page 2 April 20, 2026
Werner discussed the Ripon ACE Transit Station including available funding and options for Council to consider.
Police Chief Sauer led a discussion regarding e-bike and motorized scooter safety. The discussion highlighted e-bike classification and rules, motorized scooter rules and enforcement challenges faced by the Ripon Police Department. Sauer reviewed the Department’s education program and provided enforcement policy options for Council to consider.
Werner shared a ten-year summary of City Staffing levels and 5-year staffing projections.
Sauer reviewed public concerns regarding golf cart safety and rules, including differentiating between a golf cart and Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. He reviewed policy options for golf cart enforcement for Council to consider.
Werner said the City has seen an increase in the number of abandoned cats in neighborhoods and parks within the City. He reviewed a survey conducted of other cities related to abandoned cats and offered policy considerations for Council, including an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of stray animals in public spaces.
City Clerk Roos highlighted the accomplishments of the Administrative Department during FY 2025–26 and shared the Department’s FY 2026–27 goals.
Sauer highlighted the accomplishments of the Police Department during FY 2025–26 and shared the Department’s FY 2026–27 goals.
Planning Director Zuidervaart highlighted the accomplishments of the Planning Department during FY 2025–26 and shared the Department’s FY 2026–27 goals.
Werner highlighted the accomplishments of the Engineering Department during FY 2025–26 and shared the Department’s FY 2026–27 goals.
Public Works Director Pease highlighted the accomplishments of the Public Works Department during FY 2025–26 and shared the Department’s FY 2026–27 goals.
Recreation Director Stevens highlighted the accomplishments of the Parks and Recreation Department during FY 2025–26 and shared the Department’s FY 2026–27 goals.
Werner concluded the meeting and thanked everyone for attending and for their input.
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3. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:51 PM.
KEVIN WERNER
City Administrator