Ripon City Council Minutes

RIPON COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 - 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was called to order as indicated at 7:00 p.m. with Council Member Nutt leading in the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

INVOCATION: Leon Compton gave the invocation.

ROLL CALL: Council Members Elden R. Nutt, Dean Uecker, Mike Restuccia, Vice-Mayor Chuck Winn, Mayor Curt Pernice

OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Leon Compton, City Engineer Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, City Clerk Lynette Van Laar, Deputy City Clerk Jeanne D. Hall, Dispatch Supervisor Linda Johnston, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston, Police Chief Richard Bull, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Del Otten, Roz Combley, Ginger Eskes, Dennis Bitters, Brad Kashur, Nelson Chavez, Kristal Lucatero, Luz M. Tinagero, Nick Balletore, Karen Hibma, Lisa Suender, Manny Perez, Frank Freitas, Harry Dedini, Nancy Laurence, Sophie Howard, Bob Trimboli, Monica Aceves, Thomas Boyd, Jessica Boyd, Sandy Keo, Christina Richardson, Lacee Nolan, Dorothy Booth, Gaynl and Irwin Trotter, Alex Aguilar, Kayla Carlson, Shirley Williams, Norma Rodriguez, Matt Mans, Susie Winkkrou, Teresa Bartsch, Navid Fardanesh, Nick Berghorst, Tom Conway, Jason Falasco.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Harry Dedini, Ripon, thanked the Council for removing the stop signs on Milgeo Avenue at Azalea Avenue. Now he wants the stop sign removed from Main Street at the Christian School. Dedini also commented that the City gives a lot of loans for computers.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR RIPON CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):

Council Member Restuccia requested that Item 4F be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.

Council Member Uecker requested that Item 4C be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.

CONSENT CALENDAR, continued:

CONSENT CALENDAR, continued:

CONSENT CALENDAR, continued:

CONSENT CALENDAR, continued:

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

Discussion on Item 4C.

Council Member Uecker pointed out an error on Page 6 of the narrative, under “Cause,” where the text should read P2, not P1.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO DENY THE CLAIM FILED BY EVAN J. VALEK.

Discussion on Item 4F.

Council Member Restuccia asked if we will pay for the repair.

City Engineer Werner said that he is seeking a second opinion about how the damage can be repaired, but the contractor will pay for the repairs.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM SIEGFRIED ENGINEERING TO PERFORM A STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LIFTED AND CRACKED CONCRETE SLAB AND EVALUATE THE CONTRACTOR’S PROPOSED REPAIRS.

Chief Bull stated that these funds come from the state. He said that since 2001, he has always recommended that the funding be used for one full-time Police Officer and one full-time Community Service Officer. He said that this year, it will take the full grant to fund the Police Officer position. This grant funds an existing officer position – not an additional officer.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED

No one from the public wished to speak at this time.

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (NUTT, RESTUCCIA) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO ACCEPT THE CAL-COPS FRONT LINE (S.L.E.S.F.) FUNDING FOR ONE FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATOR.

Ros Combley, Community and Youth Commission, said that some of these items were used at the Get Acquainted Night. Some of the items will be reusable, like the awning and tablecloths. She said that one item not on the list is a second banner costing $180.00. She showed the custom bags and T-shirts that have already been purchased. She said some street signs were donated.

Vice Mayor Winn said he appreciated their work, and asked how the second banner would be used.

Combley said it is for the front of the table.

Council Member Uecker said that the Chamber is thrilled to be working with the Commission.

Winn recommended that the Council approve paying the bills.

Council Member Restuccia said the Council should approve paying up to $2,550.00.

Winn said that the City needs to come up with guidelines for how Commissions can use petty cash.

Mayor Pernice said there needs to be a cap, and the petty cash should be for things like refreshments. He said he would work with City Clerk Van Laar to come up with a policy and will bring the policy back to Council for approval.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO

APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH COMMISSION UP TO $2,550.00.

DISCUSSION ITEMS, continued:

Rod McArthur, representing the Ripon Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses said that they are an all voluntary group; therefore, they are a non-profit group.

Council Member Uecker asked how churches are handled.

City Clerk Van Laar said that all churches in Ripon are non-profit, and their church building is in Ripon.

Mayor Pernice said that the location of the building is outside the sphere of influence of Ripon. He said we have turned down groups from Manteca and Modesto.

Van Laar said we turned away the Boy Scouts because they are based in Modesto.

Council Member Restuccia asked if the Jehovah’s Witnesses have the documents that are required to show if they are qualified.

McArthur said all their members live in Ripon.

Vice Mayor Winn said that the City has an established policy regarding non-profits. He said he wants to look at the regulations, and have the City Attorney look at them also. He asked if the group has any legal status in Ripon.

McArthur said that nothing legally is drawn up for the local organization.

Pernice asked if they had a form 501(c). Pernice then continued the item until staff has a chance to review the requirements, and for the Jehovah’s Witnesses group to submit the proper forms.

Del Otten, Senior Center, said that the county originally funded the program, but they have since stopped. The program was not in the Senior budget this year, so they are asking for a one-time funding for the Young at Heart Program.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (UECKER, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE FUNDING THE ‘YOUNG AT HEART’ PROGRAM.

DISCUSSION ITEMS, continued:

Harry Dedini, Ripon, said the dog park has been in the planning stages for six or seven years. He said Harvest Park would be the best location because it has bathrooms, picnic areas, room for dog shows, and plenty of parking. It is also near the center or town.

Mayor Pernice said he favored the lower Stouffer Park area – beyond the volleyball courts.

Dedini said it is too far to get to the bathrooms, and it is too close to the gazebo.

Council Member Uecker said that Harvest Estate Park is near housing, but Stouffer is not.

Dedini said the Harvest Estates has streets on two sides and a wall on the third. It is surrounded on those sides by the storage business, the skate park and the DOJ lab.

Mayor Pernice requested comments from the public.

Pernice said he likes the Lower Stouffer Park area, but he understands Dedini’s concerns.

Council Member Restuccia said that the Animal Shelter site and the Corporation Yard site are out. The best location is either Stouffer or Harvest, and he likes Dedini’s ideas.

Recreation Director Stevens said he prefers the Harvest location, although Stouffer gives more room.

Council Member Nutt said that the Harvest Park site is centrally located and people can walk to it.

Diane Ratto, Ripon, asked if the residents really need a dog park.

Pernice said that some cities have several dog parks, and this was approved years ago.

Gaynl Trotter, Ripon, said that the Council has a hard decision because both are good locations. She said the City needs to be sure that people pick up after their dogs.

Vice Mayor Winn said that homes will soon be built along the one side of Harvest Estate Park. He said that no matter where it is built, someone will have to drive to it. He said he favors Stouffer Park.

Nutt said it wants the park to look nice wherever it is installed.

DISCUSSION ITEMS, continued:

Stevens said that Stouffer Park has up to 2 acres that can be used for the park. Harvest Estates only has 1/2 to 3/4 of an acre available.

Dennis Bitters, Ripon, said that there are a lot of pick-up games at Stouffer Park, because people can’t have pick-up games at Mistlin Park. There are also a lot of practice games there – the park really gets used. He said there are two entrances to the park from the residential area – only one is open. He said that people park in the subdivision because there is not enough parking in the park. He recommended that the second gate be opened to the public. People could get to the dog park without having to walk past the gazebo and volleyball courts.

Stephanie Hobbs, Ripon, said she is not against the dog park, but how much work does it add to the Public Works Department.

Public Works Director Johnston said the main work will be cleaning up after dogs. There will be fence lines to spray, but the big job will be training people to pick up after their dogs. Since Stouffer Park would be a bigger park, it would, of course, be more work.

Hobbs asked about insurance – what about dog bites.

Pernice said that the City is self insured by the RMA, so we are covered.

City Administrator Compton said that he will check to see if we need any special insurance.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (WINN, RESTUCCIA) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 4-1 (UECKER, NO) TO SELECT STOUFFER PARK AS THE BEST LOCATION FOR A DOG PARK.

City Administrator Compton recommended that the surcharge should be set at 30¢.

Council Member Restuccia said that the Fire Department provides a lot of service to the city, and that the surcharge should be waived.

Council Member Uecker said this all the citizens’ money, and the City should be a good partner to the Fire Department.

Council Member Nutt said he agreed.

Vice Mayor Winn said it is a question of mutual cooperation. He asked if staff has talked to the school

DISCUSSION ITEMS, continued:

district. He said the City is serving the same taxpayers, and this will help with their revenue stress.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (WINN, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO WAIVE THE SURCHARGE FOR THE FIRE DISTRICT USING THE DOAK BOULEVARD FUELING STATION.

Mayor Pernice said that the raise was included in the City budget.

Council Member Restuccia said that families need it most, and everyone should have to pay at least $50.00. If everything is free, people take the cheaper insurance. He said he is against raising the cap.

Council Member Nutt said he did not agree – $50 is a lot to him.

Vice Mayor Winn said he understands Restuccia’s opinion, but to require any employee to subsidize other’s benefits is wrong. The City would have to go back to the unions for collective bargaining. He said he understands a family’s need to make ends meet. He recommends raising the cap by $266. The employees who want the PPO option will still have to pay more. It is budgeted, and it will be money well spent. We are in a very competitive market for qualified employees. Besides, employees still have to pay all the co-pays.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (UECKER, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 4-1 (RESTUCCIA, NO) TO APPROVE RAISING THE MEDICAL CAP BY $266.

REPORTS

City Administrator: No Report

City Attorney: No Report

City Engineer: Werner said there has been a change to the Main Street/Stockton Avenue project. The road section between Second Street and Doak Boulevard is not covered by Redevelopment Funds, and he recommends waiting until 2008 when funds are available.

Planning Director: No Report

Chief of Police: Bull said that this Saturday is the Public Safety Car Show at the Community Center from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Recreation Director: No Report

Director of Public Works: No Report

City Council: Nutt said that he and Uecker met with the Fire District 2 by 2 committee. They would like to have a joint workshop with the Fire Board to discuss mutual problems.

Restuccia said, that as a member of the Rail Commission, he is negotiating with Union Pacific with New York and Florida to purchase tracks. The Commission needs to know the location of a multi-model station, which is yet to be determined.

Winn said he attended the League of California Cities Conference and learned more about revenue streams for cities. He and Uecker will meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission about facility fees to determine if we are charging enough. He said that some cities have to deal with tax increases, but any fees charged should be in line with what it costs.

Pernice said he also attended the conference and looked at parking issues. He met with Congressman Jerry McNerney who may be able to bring money in for police and the bike trail. He also said he attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting, and it was a good gathering.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY:

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Ripon Community Redevelopment Agency Minutes

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

AFTER COUNCIL MEETING

ROLL CALL: Directors Elden R. Nutt, Dean Uecker, Michael P. Restuccia, Vice-Chairman Chuck Winn, Chairman Curt Pernice.

OTHERS PRESENT: Executive Director Leon Compton, City Engineer Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, Secretary Ken Zuidervaart, City Clerk Lynette Van Laar, Deputy City Clerk Jeanne D. Hall, Dispatch Supervisor Linda Johnston, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston, Police Chief Richard Bull, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Del Otten, Roz Combley, Ginger Eskes, Dennis Bitters, Brad Kashur, Nelson Chavez, Kristal Lucatero, Luz M. Tinagero, Nick Balletore, Karen Hibma, Lisa Suender, Manny Perez, Frank Freitas, Harry Dedini, Nancy Laurence, Sophie Howard, Bob Trimboli, Monica Aceves, Thomas Boyd, Jessica Boyd, Sandy Keo, Christina Richardson, Lacee Nolan, Dorothy Booth, Gaynl and Irwin Trotter, Alex Aguilar, Kayla Carlson, Shirley Williams, Norma Rodriguez, Matt Mans, Susie Winkkrou, Teresa Bartsch, Navid Fardanesh, Nick Berghorst, Tom Conway, Jason Falasco.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: No one from the public wanted to speak at this time.

APPROVE THE MINUTES

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (NUTT, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007.

CONSENT CALENDAR

CONSENT CALENDAR, continued: