Ripon City Council Minutes
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 – 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 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., Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, 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. 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 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 Barton leading in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INVOCATION:
Pastor Bret Dood gave the invocation.
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
City Council Page 2 May 12, 2026
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, Information Systems Technician Trevor Quevedo.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Emil Guillermo, Ripon Poet Laureate, said he had written a poem about mothers in Ripon and proceeded to read it.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Ripon City Council Meeting of April 14, 2026, the City Council Workshop of April 20, 2026 and the Special City Council Meeting of April 23, 2026.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
1. CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING - APR 14, 2026 6:00 PM
2. CITY COUNCIL - WORKSHOP - APR 20, 2026 11:00 AM
3. CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING - APR 23, 2026 1:30 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):
Mayor Barton requested Item 1.4H be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
City Administrator Werner requested Item 1.4A be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Motion to approve the agenda as amended.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
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: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
City Council Page 3 May 12, 2026
1.1. Income
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Sales Tax
(April 2025 $242,226.12)
FY 2025-26 YTD: $3,396,127
FY 2024-25 YTD: $3,540,096
Highway Users Tax
(March 2025 $35,136.84)
FY 2025-26 YTD: $332,449
FY 2024-25 YTD: $353,806
SB1 Street & Road Tax
(April 2025 $33,841.12)
FY 2025-26 YTD: $365,623
FY 2024-25 YTD: $359,974
$233,009.61
$32,334.79
$35,096.77
TOTAL $300,441.17
B. CCATT HOLDINGS
Monthly Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment
March 2026
May 2026
$1,336.34
$3,500.00
TOTAL $4,836.34
C. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Monthly Franchise Fee Payment – March 2026 $5,933.73
D. GILTON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
Quarterly Franchise Fee Payment – March 2026 $14,217.60 E. T-MOBILE
Annual Acacia Avenue Cell Tower Lease Payment $13,614.10 F. PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
2025 Annual Electric Franchise Fees
2025 Annual Gas Franchise Fees
$152,792.00
$93,451.18
TOTAL $246,243.18
1.2. Bills, Invoices, Payments
A. BASECAMP ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
Environmental Review for River Road Intersection
Progress Payment – Invoice #53026 $5,853.75
B. URBAN FUTURES, INC.
Continuing Disclosure Service Fees
Invoice #CD-2025-101
Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2006C
Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2012 $2,750.00
City Council Page 4 May 12, 2026
C. FEHR AND PEERS
N. Ripon Rd. / River Rd. Intersection Project
Traffic Engineering Services
Progress Payment – Invoice #194882 $2,930.20
D. LSC TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC.
Short Range Transit Plan
Progress Payment – Invoice #82980 $4,290.00
E. J D E ENGINEERING, INC.
Construction Management and Inspection Services
March 2026
Progress Payment – Invoice #1093 $5,625.00
F. SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT
Blossom Express Driver
March 2026 Invoice #AR111396
April 2026 Invoice #AR111434
$2,515.17
$2,520.86
TOTAL $5,036.03
G. KNIFE RIVER CONSTRUCTION
Ripona Resurface Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #5 $29,608.82
H. CALIFORNIA CAD SOLUTIONS, INC.
GIS Support and System Maintenance
Progress Payment - Invoice #701924 $2,450.00
I. SOUTH SAN JOAQUIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY
SSJGSA Administration Expenses
1st Quarter 2026 - Invoice #Ripon 2026Q1 $3,317.07
J. LAW OFFICE OF THOMAS H. TERPSTRA, JR.
General Matters
Police Department
Private Development
$14,868.00
$7,834.00
$227.50
TOTAL $22,929.50
K. ESTATE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Senior Center Rehabilitation Project
Progress Payment – Invoice #5 $14,615.96
L. WOODARD & CURRAN
Waste Water Treatment Plant Planning Report Update
Progress Payment – Invoice #262589 $27,965.00
M. PRICE PAIGE & COMPANY
Audit Services
Final Payment – Invoice #38208 $303.00
City Council Page 5 May 12, 2026
1.3. Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION NO. 26-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF
RIPON TO REMAIN A PART OF
THE URBAN COUNTY
COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR
THE PURPOSE OF
ADMINISTERING THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
This resolution authorizes the City of
Ripon to remain a part of the Urban
County Cooperation Agreement for the
purpose of administering the Community
Development Block Grant Program for
the 2027-2029 qualification periods and
directs staff to file appropriate
paperwork.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 26-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
FUNDED BY SENATE BILL 1: THE
ROAD REPAIR AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
This resolution adopts a list of projects to
be funded through the State of California
Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation
Account and authorizes staff to submit
the project list to the California
Transportation Commission for Fiscal
Year 2026-27.
1.4. Miscellaneous Items
A. ITEM A WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
B. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
California CAD Solutions Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the annual Agreement with
California CAD Solutions, Inc. for
ongoing GIS system maintenance,
support, and system enhancements and
upgrade in a not exceed amount of
$25,000 (funding sources: General
Fund, Water Operating Fund, and Sewer
Operating Fund).
City Council Page 6 May 12, 2026
C. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
Keesey Design Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the Professional Services
Agreement with Keesey Design to
provide architectural review services for
the Pereira Subdivision Project.
Compensation for services shall be on a
time-and-materials basis in accordance
with the agreement, in a not to exceed
amount of $4,070 for the initial round of
architectural review, and a total contract
amount not to exceed $15,000 (funding
source: JKB Living, Inc. reimbursement
account).
D. RECREATION MANAGEMENT REGISTRATION SERVICES
Playmetrics, LLC Approve and authorize the Mayor to
sign the Agreement with Playmetrics,
LLC to provide payment processing and
recreation management registration
services for the City of Ripon.
E. AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTERS
Price Paige & Company Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the
engagement letters with Price Paige &
Company to perform the annual audit of
the City of Ripon Financial Statements
and the Money Purchase Thrift Pension
Plan for the year ending June 30, 2026
in the amount of $59,650.00 (funding
sources: General Fund; Water, Garbage,
and Sewer Enterprise Operating Funds;
Streets & Roads Fund; Transit
Operating Fund).
F. RIPONA RESURFACE PROJECT
Knife River Construction Accept the work completed by Knife River Construction and authorize the
filing of a Notice of Completion with
the San Joaquin County Recorder’s
Office. A retention amount of
$77,900.96 shall be withheld and will be
payable no earlier than thirty-five (35)
days after the recording of the Notice of
Completion and no later than sixty (60)
days from the date of Council
acceptance.
City Council Page 7 May 12, 2026
G. QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT REVIEW
January 1, 2026 - March 31, 2026 Accept the City’s quarterly investment report for the period ending March 31,
2026.
H. ITEM H WAS MOVED TO ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
I. PROCLAMATION
Ripon Christian High School Present a proclamation to Ripon Christian High School recognizing its
outstanding athletic accomplishments.
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
1.4H : ANIMAL SHELTER DONATION
Paula M. Carroll Trust Accept the distribution from Paula M.
Carroll Trust for the Ripon Animal Shelter
and authorize staff to execute all necessary
documentation to receive the funds. Staff
will return to a future City Council
meeting with options for the use of these
funds to support and enhance Animal
Shelter services.
Mayor Barton said he pulled this item because he wanted to highlight the generous donation from Paula Carroll. He said she was a very accomplished woman.
Motion to accept the distribution from Paula M. Carroll Trust for the Ripon Animal Shelter and authorize staff to execute all necessary documentation to receive the funds.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
1.4A : SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT
Pereira Subdivision Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Subdivision Improvement Agreement
between JKB Living, Inc. and the City of
Ripon that ensures all required public
improvements associated with the Pereira
Subdivision are constructed in accordance
with City standards.
City Administrator Werner said this item is related to the subdivision improvement agreement for the Pereira Subdivision. He said staff has not received the necessary bonds.
Staff is requesting Council approve the item as recommended contingent on the City receiving the bonds.
City Council Page 8 May 12, 2026
Motion to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Subdivision Improvement Agreement between JKB Living, Inc. and the City of Ripon that ensures all required public improvements associated with the Pereira Subdivision are constructed in accordance with City standards contingent on the City receiving the necessary bonds.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
**END OF CONSENT CALENDAR**
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION
Mayor Barton presented a proclamation to David Morris, Coach for the Ripon Christian School Girls Soccer team, in recognition for its outstanding athletic accomplishments.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
Ionna Electric Vehicle Charging Station This is a public hearing to consider a request for a Development Agreement
with the City of Ripon to allow
development of an approximately 0.63-
acre site at 1504 W. Colony Road as an
unmanned electric vehicle charging station
within the C4 (Highway Service
Commercial) zoning district.
Recommended Action:
No action is required; however, if the City
Council agrees with the recommendations
of the Planning Commission and staff, the
appropriate motion would be to approve
the Development Agreement, waive the
first reading, and introduce the ordinance
listed later on this agenda.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said the Planning Commission approved a vehicle charging station project in October 2025 on a vacant parcel located near the La Quinta Hotel and Starbucks. He said as part of the project approval, the applicant was required to enter into a development agreement prior to the issuance of building permits.
Zuidervaart explained that the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed development agreement last month and recommended City Council approval. He noted that development agreements are used by the City to formalize project-specific requirements and ensure continued compliance with approved project conditions.
City Council Page 9 May 12, 2026
Zuidervaart said the proposed agreement does not create any new requirements but instead memorializes the obligations and conditions that were established during the original project approval process. He that the item was being presented as a public hearing and that a related ordinance for first reading and introduction would appear later on the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
No one from the public wished to speak at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
B. ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT
TAZ 26-38 pertaining to new State
mandated regulations for Accessory
Dwelling Units
This is a public hearing to receive public
testimony and consider the proposed
amendments to Title 16, Chapter 16.86
(“Accessory Dwelling Units”) of the
Ripon Municipal Code.
Recommended Action:
No action is required; however, if the City
Council agrees with the recommendations
of the Planning Commission and staff, the
appropriate motion would be to waive the
first reading and introduce the ordinance
listed later on this agenda.
Planning Director Zuidervaart said the City is updating its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) ordinance to comply with multiple State laws adopted over the past five years. He explained that California has significantly changed how cities must regulate ADUs, limiting local discretion and requiring approval when projects meet objective standards. He said the City’s current ordinance no longer reflects these updates and that failure to comply could expose the City to legal challenges and further loss of local control.
Zuidervaart explained that State law now recognizes two primary categories of ADUs.
The first category, referred to as “State-exempt” ADUs under California Government Code Section 66323, must be approved ministerially with very limited local discretion if they meet specific criteria related to size and configuration. He said these units are governed almost entirely by state standards, including reduced setbacks and height allowances. The second category, referred to as “non-exempt” ADUs, still requires ministerial approval, but allows cities to apply limited objective standards related to height, setbacks, and design, provided those standards do not conflict with state law or prevent construction of an ADU.
Zuidervaart said several development standards must be revised to comply with state law.
The City must allow at least one ADU up to 800 square feet on residential lots without exception, and it can no longer limit ADUs to a single story. Instead, height limitations City Council Page 10 May 12, 2026
are controlled by state law. He added that setbacks are now limited to four feet and that conversions of existing structures may require no setbacks at all if the building already exists in place.
Zuidervaart said recent state law changes also eliminate owner-occupancy requirements that were previously allowed for junior accessory dwelling units. As a result, property owners may now rent out a main home, a junior ADU, and a separate ADU on the same property. He also noted that design standards must now be fully objective, meaning the City can no longer require ADUs to match the primary residence in materials, colors, or roofing styles for state-exempt units.
Zuidervaart said parking requirements, utility charges, and development fees are now heavily regulated by state law. In some circumstances, the City may charge only limited fees, while in other cases no fees may be charged at all. He added that the City must also establish clear and streamlined application procedures with shorter approval timelines in order to remain compliant with state requirements.
Zuidervaart concluded by stating that the practical effect of these changes is that more ADUs will now be allowed by right on residential properties throughout Ripon. While the City retains some ability to apply objective standards to certain projects, he emphasized that state law now largely governs how ADUs must be processed and approved.
Council Member de Graaf asked if we can require rezoning when an ADU is added.
Zuidervaart said no.
Council Member Zuber asked if the ordinance addresses concerns raised from the public, of which a letter was on the dais. City Attorney Terpstra said the concerns raised about the City’s ADU ordinance were based on what staff believes is a misreading of the ordinance language. He explained that the ordinance is structured to separately address state-exempt ADUs, non-exempt ADUs, and general requirements that apply to all accessory dwelling units. Within the general requirements section, he said the ordinance includes language stating “except as otherwise specified in this chapter,” which creates a distinction between the various ADU categories. Terpstra explained that for non-exempt ADUs, the City maintains a limit of one ADU and one junior ADU per residential lot, which is permissible under current State law. He clarified that the ordinance contains specific carve-outs for State-exempt ADUs, which are processed differently in accordance with State requirements.
Council Member Restuccia asked if the ordinance meets the requirements of the law.
Zuidervaart explained that once the City adopts the updated ADU ordinance through the Planning Commission and City Council process, the ordinance must then be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review.
He said HCD may provide comments or requested changes after reviewing the ordinance, and staff will attempt to address those comments administratively whenever possible.
However, he noted that some revisions may require returning to the City Council for additional amendments recommended by HCD.
Barton expressed frustration with the State’s approach to housing policy, stating that California often imposes one-size-fits-all mandates on local governments and requires City Council Page 11 May 12, 2026
cities to implement them. He said Ripon’s identity is shaped by both its residents and the character of its neighborhoods, and he believes the State’s ADU laws have the potential to significantly alter that character.
Barton said he viewed the situation as a poor outcome for local communities and expressed disappointment that the City has limited ability to push back against the State requirements. He concluded by saying that although staff had explained there is little discretion left at the local level, he remained deeply frustrated by the mandates being imposed on cities.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Emil Guillermo said he is concerned about who ultimately controls or limits the number of ADUs that may be constructed within the community. He questioned whether there is any cap on permits or any review authority that could prevent large numbers of ADUs from being built in residential neighborhoods. Guillermo said he was particularly concerned about the potential cumulative impacts on infrastructure, neighborhood character and quality of life if multiple property owners in a neighborhood decided to construct ADUs at the same time.
Guillermo asked whether concerns or objections would be handled locally through the Planning Commission or whether authority now rests primarily with the State. He said residents may assume there are protections in place to regulate growth and infrastructure impacts, similar to the review process required for new subdivisions. He expressed concern that widespread ADU development could significantly impact sewer, water, and neighborhood conditions and asked how the City would respond if those impacts began to occur.
Zuidervaart explained that ADUs are now largely regulated by State law and are considered “by right” uses, meaning the City has very limited discretion to deny them if they meet objective standards. He said residents can apply directly through the building department without Planning Commission review and acknowledged that multiple neighbors could legally construct ADUs on their properties. He added that the City’s only meaningful limitation would be infrastructure capacity, such as sewer or water system constraints, though he noted Ripon’s infrastructure has generally been built to accommodate future demand.
Terpstra added that land use decisions have historically been handled at the local level, where cities traditionally had broad authority over development regulations. However, he said the State has increasingly stepped into that role with ADU legislation, requiring cities to implement standards they would not otherwise choose to adopt. He described the situation as a significant shift away from local control over residential land use decisions.
City Clerk Roos said staff received a public comment from the California Housing Defense Fund regarding amendments to the proposed changes to the ADU ordinance.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
City Council Page 12 May 12, 2026
3. ORDINANCES
First Reading and Introduction
A. ORDINANCE NO. 936
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
APPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO
BETWEEN THE CITY OF RIPON AND
IONNA, LLC. ("DEVELOPER") OF
CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY IN THE
CITY OF RIPON.
This Ordinance approves the Development
Agreement entered into between the City of
Ripon and Ionna, LLC. (“Developer”) of
certain real property in the City of Ripon to
allow the development of an unmanned
electric vehicle charging station at 1504 W.
Colony Road.
Motion to waive the first reading and introduce Ordinance 936 approving the Development Agreement entered into between the City of Ripon and Ionna, LLC. ("Developer") of certain real property in the City of Ripon.
RESULT: FIRST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2026 6:00 PM MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
First Reading and Introduction
B. ORDINANCE NO. 937
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIPON
AMENDING TITLE 16, CHAPTER 16.86
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO
BE COMPLIANT WITH RECENT
CHANGES IN STATE LAW
This Ordinance amends Title 16, Chapter
16.86 “Accessory Dwelling Units” in order
to bring it into compliance with recent
changes in State law.
Motion to waive the first reading and introduce Ordinance 937 amending Title 16, Chapter 16.86 “Accessory Dwelling Units” to be compliant with recent changes in state law.
RESULT: FIRST READING [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/9/2026 6:00 PM MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
City Council Page 13 May 12, 2026
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. AGENDA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Discussion/Action Staff to present the agenda and meeting management systems evaluated. Staff is
recommending to move forward with the
eScribe Premium Bundle agenda and
meeting management system, which
includes YouTube integration. The
proposed cost for eScribe includes an
annual subscription fee of $18,000 and a
one-time implementation fee of $1,200
(funding source: General Fund).
City Clerk Roos explained that the City currently uses the Digital Boardroom platform provided by Granicus and IQM2, which has been in place since 2017. However, she said the MinuteTraq component of the system will no longer be supported after September 2026, prompting the City Clerk’s Department to begin researching replacement options.
She said staff consulted with other city clerks and reviewed several software platforms to determine the best path forward.
Roos said staff initially reviewed approximately six different software systems, ultimately narrowing the list to two finalists that appeared to best meet the City’s needs.
She explained that some of the other options were not recommended by other agencies, were themselves nearing obsolescence, or would not adequately support the City’s operations. She said the City’s priorities included the ability to efficiently create staff reports, agendas, and minutes, while also allowing council members to review agendas, make notes, vote electronically during meetings, and reference prior council actions.
Roos explained that the two options under consideration were Escribe and Granicus Peak.
Escribe would cost approximately $18,000 annually with a one-time implementation cost of $1,200, while Granicus Peak carried a similar annual cost but required nearly $11,000 in one-time implementation expenses. Based on demonstrations and staff evaluation, she said staff recommended selecting Escribe because it appeared more functional and userfriendly for the City’s needs, not simply because it was less expensive.
Roos said the proposed system would maintain the same functionality currently available to the City Council, including agenda review, note-taking, and electronic voting during meetings. She added that the software would also enhance public access by integrating with YouTube and allowing viewers to click directly on agenda items to jump to specific portions of meeting recordings. She noted that implementation is expected to take approximately 12 weeks, with a target completion date by the end of September. Roos concluded by requesting Council authorization to proceed with Escribe, noting that the annual and one-time costs are already accounted for within the City’s existing budget.
Barton asked about the annual cost increases included in the software proposals, noting that the projected 6% to 7% yearly increases appeared high compared to inflation and asking how the vendors justified those increases. Roos said that the City’s current City Council Page 14 May 12, 2026
provider had increased costs by at least 7% annually over the past several years, with one proposed increase reaching 20% before staff negotiated it down.
Roos explained that under the proposed Escribe contract, annual increases would be capped at 6% and locked into a three-year agreement. She said the initial annual cost would be approximately $18,000, with 6% increases applied in each subsequent year of the contract term.
Motion to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement with eScribe for the Premium Bundle agenda and meeting management system, which includes YouTube integration, with an annual subscription of $18,000 and a one-time implementation fee of $1,200.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Restuccia, Council Member
SECONDER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
REPORTS
Department Heads:
Planning Director Zuidervaart said there is a Planning Commission meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026. He said the Ripon Vet Clinic would like to expand their hours and add emergency vet services.
Public Works Director Pease reported that April water usage was down 24% compared to 2013 figures, and down 5% from last year.
Pease said that the large item pickup program has begun, and residents can sign up for a one-time pickup of up to four items through September.
City Council:
Council Member de Graaf thanked those who attended the meeting.
Mayor Barton said he recently returned from a recent trip to Washington, D.C.; it was interesting experience. He said the City did not a have a specific project, but noted that the significant growth occurring in South County communities, particularly Manteca, Mountain House and Tracy, continues to impact Ripon, especially with regard to traffic. He said he hopes that federal representatives will recognize the regional transportation challenges created by that growth and direct funding toward roadway improvements to help address those impacts.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM. (Signed) Gary Barton
Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Lisa Roos
City Clerk