Regular Agenda

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

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, Information Systems Technician Dan Brannon, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston, Police Chief Richard Bull, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Mike Roberson, Gerry Nies, Bernice Finley, Karen Hibma, Lorraine Goff, Jason Falasco, Thom & Diane Patten, Brian Heath, Don Schapman, Lisa Suender, Ginger Eskes, Brigitte & Stuart Long, Keith & Liz Bell, Navid Fardanesh, Nick Bershorst.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Lisa Suender, Ripon, announced the second annual Neighborhood Watch Gathering to be held on September 14 at 6:30 p.m. She has invited everyone from the Meritage Homes and Morrison Homes subdivisions.

Stuart Long, Ripon, said that the roundabout at the intersection of E. River Road and N. Ripon Road also has two stop signs. He said that roundabouts should not have stop signs. The intersection should have a roundabout or stop signs, but not both, and it is a waste of money.

City Engineer Werner said that the stop signs were added because accidents were happening on a weekly basis. He said the stop signs will be removed when the development is complete.

City Administrator Compton said the signs were recommended by Omni-Means Engineering.

Chief of Police Bull said there have been no accidents since the stop signs were put in.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (NUTT, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 (PERNICE ABSTAINING) TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR RIPON CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2007.

Mayor Pernice pulled Item 3E (Avaya Phone System Maintenance Agreement) from the City Council Consent Calendar and placed it on the Redevelopment Agency Consent Calendar as Item 2C.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 to MOVE THE AVAYA MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENDA.

City Engineer Werner requested that the Horizon Business Park, Phase 2, Parcel Map be added to the Council agenda as item 5F.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE ADDING THE HORIZON BUSINESS PARK, PHASE 2, PARCEL MAP TO THE COUNCIL AGENDA AS ITEM 5F.

Council Member Restuccia requested that Item 2J be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.

Vice Mayor Winn requested that Item 3F be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion.

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

1.	Income
	A.	STATE OF CALIFORNIA
		Retail Sales Tax	$198,100.00

	B.	SPRINT NEXTEL
		MCI Ground Lease	$419.28

2.	Bills, Invoices, Payments
	A.	J. B. ANDERSON LAND USE PLANNING
		Municipal Service Review	$6,275.00

	B.	MID-VALLEY ENGINEERING, INC.
		Main Street/Stockton Avenue Rehab Progress Payment	$65,270.00

	C.	THE SOURCE GROUP, INC.
		Well No. 12 - Evaluation of Potential Sources of Nitrate Contamination Progress Payment	$2,960.00

	D.	THE SOURCE GROUP, INC.
		Well Operations Management Progress Payment	$7,318.83

	E.	INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP, INC.
		Transportation Planning Consultant Progress Payment	$9,514.00


2F.	OMNI-MEANS
	City-Wide Transportation Planning & Design Services Progress Payment	$1,653.00

2G.	SMI-PS, INC.
	Pete Santina - Interim City Engineer 25 hours ($2,500.00) Mileage ($206.61) Professional Discount	$0.00

2H.	GOODWIN CONSULTING GROUP Nexus Studies
	•Ag Land Mitigation Fund •General Plan Maintenance Fund •Affordable Housing Fund for Non-Residential Development Progress Payment	$9,794.05

2I.	GRANITE CONSTRUCTION
	Stanislaus River Trail, Phase 2 Progress Payment	$42,094.80

	General	$15,461.85

2K.	ALLEN A. WAGGONER CONSTRUCTION
	Main Street/Stockton Avenue Rehab Progress Payment	$11,604.38


2L.	INCENTIVE NEW CREATION
	Wilma Avenue Roundabout Irrigation & Electrical Progress Payment	$1,850.00

2M.	ALPHA & OMEGA PAVERS, INC.
	Veterans Wall Project - pavers	$2,274.80

2N.	PACIFIC DATA SERVICES
	Main Street/Stockton Avenue Rehab Progress Payment	$1,182.50

2O.	ASSOCIATED RIGHT-OF-WAY SERVICES, INC.
	Main Street/Stockton Avenue Rehab Progress Payment	$2,108.75

3.	Miscellaneous Items
	A.	OMNI-MEANS
		Wilma Avenue/Fulton Avenue Roundabout Extra Work Authorization #2	Authorize the Mayor to sign the Extra Work Authorization #2 for landscape concepts and final exhibits, and authorize staff to proceed. ($8,864.00)

	B.	GEORGE REED CONSTRUCTION
		Jack Tone Road Class 1 Bikeway Change Order No. 3	Authorize the Mayor to sign Change Order No. 3 for re-design needed due to grading problems on site, and authorize staff to proceed. ($5,510.00)


3C.	ECO:LOGIC
	Proposal: Wastewater Sampling and Monitoring Program Update	Accept the proposal from Eco:Logic for a wastewater sampling and monitoring program update, and authorize staff to proceed. ($12,650.00)

3D.	ASPEN SURVEY
	Main Street/Stockton Avenue Rehab.	Approve the addendum due to new areas of work added to the project limits. ($1,143.00)

3E.	AVAYA PHONE SYSTEMThis item was pulled from the Council Agenda and placed on the Redevelopment Agency agenda.
	Maintenance Agreement	Authorize the Mayor to sign the three-year maintenance agreement for the Avaya VoIP telephone system. ($25,989.30 for 3 years)

	Police Officer Trainee	Adopt the new job description titled “Police Officer Trainee,” establish the personnel allocation authorization, and set the Police Officer Trainee salary rate at Scale 151.5. (approx: $39,300.00)

3G.	OMNI-MEANS
	Main Street/Stockton Avenue Rehab. Extra Work Authorization #3	Authorize the Mayor to sign the Extra Work Authorization #3 for the final design and necessary coordination with City staff and other consultants. ($34,711.00)

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

Council Member Restuccia asked about two items on the Attorney’s invoice referring to Council Members’ salaries.

City Attorney Terpstra said that council members’ pay rate can be determined by city population, but changes are being discussed in the Legislature. Terpstra said he is tracking the discussions and is checking to see when the new law takes affect.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE ITEM 2J.

Vice Mayor Winn said that Ripon has always had a disadvantage when it come to recruiting. He asked if it is the Department’s intention to continue to recruit from the academy.

Chief Bull said the goal is to hire out of the academy. Currently there is one full-time employee at the Department that wants to attend the academy. There is also one student that will soon graduate from college, who was an Explorer with the Department, and who wants to work for Ripon as a police officer. Bull said he is also doing interviews of others out of the academy.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (WINN, RESTUCCIA) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE ITEM 3F.

4.	PUBLIC HEARINGS		Notes:

	A.	UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS
		City of Ripon	This is a public hearing to consider whether there are unmet transit needs within the City of Ripon.

5.	DISCUSSION ITEMS		Notes:

	A.	SPECIAL EVENT
		The Grape Race for Children 2008 Jessica Coleman, Color the Skies, Inc. Discussion/Action	Jessica Coleman requests authorization to advertise for an event that she plans to hold in 2008 in conjunction with the balloon launch. (Race from Mistlin Sport Park to McManis Vineyards.)

Council Member Uecker said Ms. Coleman was not in attendance, but he received the e-mail for this request. He asked Chief Bull if this would create any problems.

Chief Bull recommended that the request be sent to the Special Events Committee to get a permit. This would allow all departments – Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works Department, Sheriff’s Department, and the Highway Patrol to review the request.

Council Member Nutt asked who would be responsible for events that go outside the city limits.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (NUTT, RESTUCCIA) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO DIRECT THIS REQUEST TO THE SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE.


B.	MEDICAL INSURANCE
	Aetna Discussion/Action	Authorize the change to Aetna for employee medical insurance, and consider raising the medical cap.

City Administrator Compton said that a workshop was held to review several different plans, and the recommendation is to switch to Aetna. He said the cost is in the budget with room for a 10% increase.

Council Member Restuccia said that the City currently pays $1,100 per employee. He doesn’t want to see families harmed by the costs going up.

Council Member Uecker said that the City was introduced to an HSA plan which is a financial savings plan. He said that people are very interested in this plan and everyone needs to be more educated about it so we and look at it seriously next year. Uecker recommended that the cap be raised by $200.

Council Member Nutt said that the HSA plan is the way to go. He agreed to raising the cap.

Council Member Restuccia said he didn’t see the need for the City to subsidize the entire amount. He said that those employees whose costs are below the family rate should pay at least $25.00 each, and that money could be used to pay the higher rate for employees with families.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, WINN) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO AUTHORIZE THE CHANGE FROM HEALTHNET TO AETNA.

Mayor Pernice said he would like to see the cap increased because some employees are in the low-income range.

Council Member Nutt said that the employees at the lower end need the help the most.

Vice Mayor Winn said that everyone should pay a little to subsidize the employees with families. He said that the cap should only be raised for employees with families.

City Administrator Compton said that the Union will have something to say about that because this requirement would be taking benefits away from some employees.


5C.	VETERAN’S WALL MINI-PARK
	Landscaping and Lights John Mangelos Discussion/Action	Consider contributing to the cost of the landscaping and the lighting at the Veteran’s Wall mini-park.

John Mangelos, Ripon, said this is the last leg of a long mission. He said that as the economy has declined, contractors are no longer able to donate as much. He said that Grover Landscaping can donate $6,000.00 toward the costs, but a total of $23,000.00 is needed to finish the landscaping. He also said he has an electrician who will donate labor, but he need at least $4,000.00 for the fixtures.

Council Member Uecker said that Mangelos has done a wonderful job for a building that was going to be torn down.

Mangelos said that Public Works Director Johnston has been the most valuable person and has been easy to work with.

Vice Mayor Winn said the Mangelos can be the most persuasive and persistent – he had a vision and never gave up.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (UECKER, NETT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE PAYING UP TO $30,000.00 FOR THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING AT THE VETERANS’ WAR MEMORIAL.

City Administrator Compton said this is not a budgeted item, but he will find the money.

Don Schapman, Ripon, representing the American Legion, said they have been very involved from the beginning. He said they leaned on a lot of people to get this done.


5D.	WORKSHOP
	Council and Department Heads Discussion/Action	Consider a team-building workshop or retreat with senior staff and council to facilitate improved communication, identify future conflict, strengthen management effectiveness, and build up morale along with setting goals and vision for our future.

Council Member Uecker said that when he was first on the Council, he attended a League of California Cities conference where this idea was presented. He said that we now need this, and it will be good for everyone.

Mayor Pernice said this could be a one-day workshop, and that we should see what options are available. He said that, by law, it would have to take place in Ripon.

Council Member Nutt said that the Council works together well as it is. He said he is hesitant to spend tax payers’ money on how to get along.

Vice Mayor Winn said he has attended those workshops and they have a benefit. There is value in setting down as a group to talk about our vision.

Council Member Restuccia said he as been to many similar meeting, and they don’t always work. We need an independent third party to do individual interviews, and the reports are anonymous. This way we find out what the issues are. People won’t say things in a group.

Nutt said that if we do this, whatever the outcome, it could be a real eyeopener.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RESEARCH THE OPTIONS AND COSTS FOR A THIRD-PARTY TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WOULD BUILD BETTER WORKING RELATIONS.


5E.	ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
	League of California Cities Voting Delegate: Curt Pernice Alternate Voting Delegate: Chuck Winn Discussion/Action	Consider Council Members recommendations pertaining to the League of California Cities resolutions.

Vice Mayor Winn asked Chief Bull about the resolution to combine the Office of Homeland Security and the Office of Emergency Services.


5F.	HORIZON BUSINESS PARK 2.
	Parcel Map #06-05	Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the parcel map for the Horizon Business Park 2, and direct staff to send the map for recording.

City Engineer Werner said that the last step in this project is to record the parcel map.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN THE PARCEL MAP FOR THE HORIZON BUSINESS PARK 2, AND DIRECT STAFF TO SEND THE MAP FOR RECORDING.

City Attorney: Terpstra said that the City of Manteca is considering an aggressive ordinance to deal with abandoned homes. He said that letters have been sent to Ripon property owners and it will be backed by code enforcement. He said he will present a report at a future meeting.

City Council: Nutt said that he and Uecker attended the Color the Skies balloon event, and it was a good event.

CLOSED SESSION: Negotiations pursuant to Section 54957 of the California Government Code.

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, Information Systems Technician Dan Brannon, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston, Police Chief Richard Bull, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Mike Roberson, Gerry Nies, Bernice Finley, Karen Hibma, Lorraine Goff, Jason Falasco, Thom & Diane Patten, Brian Heath, Don Schapman, Lisa Suender, Ginger Eskes, Brigitte & Stuart Long, Keith & Liz Bell, Navid Fardanesh, Nick Bershorst.

APPROVE THE MINUTES: MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (RESTUCCIA, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 (PERNICE ABSTAINING) TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2007.

1.	Bills, Invoices, Payments
	A.	GRANITE CONSTRUCTION
		Stanislaus River Trail, Phase 2 Progress Payment Invoice #PB4	The amount shown ($42,094.80) on the 8-21-07 agenda was incorrect.	$90,104.39

	B.	O’DELL ENGINEERING
		South Frontage Road, Phase II Progress Payment		$11,342.19


2.	Miscellaneous Items

	A.	ACME CONSTRUCTION
		City Hall/PD Expansion Change Order No. 30	Authorize the Mayor to sign the Change Order No. 30 for changes to the Armory and repair to the chamber ceiling. ($3,703.00)

	B.	ACME CONSTRUCTION
		City Hall/PD Expansion Change Orders No. 31, 32, 33	Authorize the Mayor to sign the Change Orders No. 31, 32, 33 for design changes requested by the Police Department. (#31 - $7,674.00) (#32 - $137,767.00) (#32 - $12,073.00)

	C.	AVAYA PHONE SYSTEM
		Maintenance Agreement	Authorize the Mayor to sign the three-year maintenance agreement for the Avaya VoIP telephone system. ($25,989.30 for 3 years)

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

	(Signed) Curt Pernice
	Mayor
ATTEST:
(Signed) Jeanne D. Hall
Deputy City Clerk

	(Signed) Curt Pernice
	Chairman
ATTEST:
(Signed) Jeanne D. Hall
Deputy City Clerk