Ripon City Council Minutes

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009 - 7:00 P.M.

WORKSHOP: (before the Regular meeting) 

The City of Ripon workshop was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Council Members Charlie Gay, Garry Krebbs, Dean Uecker, Vice Mayor Elden R. Nutt, Mayor Chuck Winn

Others Present: City Administrator Leon Compton, Director of Planning Ken Zuidervaart, City Engineer Kevin Werner, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston, Police Chief Richard Bull, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, City Clerk Lynette Van Laar, Deputy City Clerk Jeanne D. Hall, Information Systems Technician Dan Brannon.

IN THE MATTER OF: 2009 / 2010 City Budget

City Administrator Compton gave a summary of the proposed budget, stating that last month the City received $760,000 in revenue and had $813,000 in expenses. He stated that the City should receive the second part of the triple-flip payment in June, the total is usually $900,000. Compton said that the state withheld $300,000 in February, but he has been talking to the state about this withholding, and the state has agreed to release $100,000. He does not know what fund this money will come from, so he does not know yet how it can be used.

Compton asked Council if they had questions about the budget.

Mayor Winn said that if the Council lays off one employee, it might save $100,000 over all, but only a part of that comes from the General Fund.

Compton said that everything is budgeted to different departments, so nothing is straight from the General Fund.

Winn said that we can put increases in some departments and put decreased on other departments by moving people around, but it is the bottom line that counts.

Compton said that in the remaining current fiscal year, the revenue was $7.6 million, and the expenses were $8.6 million. He said he will have to look at the budget again after the May and June numbers come in. Compton said that the City will probably be $300,000 short in the upcoming budget – funds which will have to come from the reserves.

Compton also said that some discretionary expenses are still in the budget. Last year, the City gave $12,500 to the Chamber of Commerce, but this year he has only budgeted $10,000. Regarding the library, he said that no one knows how many extra hours will be needed, but he budgeted $15,000. Compton said that there are

WORKSHOP, continued:

no major capital projects, but there will be some street projects, and there are no new requests in the General Fund. Compton said the swimming pool costs the City and the school $58,000 each, per year. He said he is setting up a meeting with the school to see if that cost can be reduced to about $35,000 each.

Public Works Director Johnston said that he has one vacant full-time position that will not be filled, and that is reflected in the budget.

Mayor Winn said that the staff is stretched when there are vacant positions, but there are two possible solutions: 1) fill the positions; 2) use the money saved to hire temporary workers when necessary.

Johnston said he plans to do without, but if he finds the department cannot do the job, he will come back to the Council for permission to hire hourly employees.

Winn said he is proud and impressed with the City staff – they are always working.

Council Member Krebbs asked how long the position has been vacant.

Johnston said the person has been out on disability for seven or eight months.

Compton said that the City has 97 approved positions, but only 93 are filled.

Krebbs asked if the state backfill is in jeopardy.

Compton said that it is part of the triple-flip, and there is no talk about the state keeping it.

Krebbs said that the budget shows the Engineering fees going from $14,000 this year to $40,000 next year.

Compton said that the Engineering Department normally brings in between $500,000 and $750,000 per year, so $40,000 was an estimate. He said that the fees from Cornerstone II could alone bring in $40,000, and the developer has a waiting list to purchase those homes. He said that the developer can save about $1 million by putting in the infrastructure now, so the project is feasible.

Council Member Uecker said that looking at the Planning Department and the Engineering Department, things are not as bad as he thought. He asked if people are keeping busy, or do some people need to be cut.

Compton said that the Building Department is already down two people, and one secretary is planning to retire soon, and that position will not be filled. Compton said that the Planning Department only has three people: the Director, the secretary, and the Development Specialist in charge of affordable housing. He said that these people are highly trained, and they have ‘institutional’ knowledge. He said that he has to consider whether this situation will last a long time or short time. Compton said it is more cost effective to keep people. He said there is a cost to laying people off, and he also needs to be ready for the upturn. People should only be laid off if the down economy lasts a very long time. He said that the City has a staff that has been together a long time, and that the combined institutional knowledge is very important. He said that the work we do is not learned in any school – it is only learned on the job.

WORKSHOP, continued:

Nutt said that if it comes to layoffs, that is where we start.

Krebbs asked how much money the City has in reserves.

Compton said that by July 1, there will be $3 million in reserves.

Krebbs said that training was one of the first things to go. Any training that staff gets should be essential, but it must be equal across the board.

Compton said that training costs have dropped dramatically across the board.

Uecker said that we need to do what is right in Ripon – some training is necessary.

Winn said that we need to maximize resources. We have moved one person to the Police Department to work the front counter. He said that removing people will not necessarily help the general fund budget. He said that the county has 550 vacancies and they are only filling 100 of them. He said that one small city is laying off nine employees. Winn said that in spite of the situation, Ripon is in a good position.

Mayor Winn announced that the budget will be on the June 2 agenda for public comment.

There being no further business, the workshop was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Mayor Winn called for a short break.

REGULAR MEETING

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The meeting was called to order as indicated at 7:12 p.m. with Council Member Uecker leading in the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

INVOCATION: Pastor Duane Laman gave the invocation.

ROLL CALL: Council Members Charlie Gay, Dean Uecker, Garry Krebbs, Vice-Mayor Elden “Red” Nutt, Mayor Chuck Winn

OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Leon Compton, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, City Engineer Kevin Werner, Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, Recreation Director Kye Stevens, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston, Police Chief Richard Bull, City Clerk Lynette Van Laar, Deputy City Clerk Jeanne D. Hall, Information Systems Technician Dan Brannon, Robyn Udavi, Leo Zuber, Lisa Suender, Melinda Kopp, Kurt Kopp, Gaynl Trotter, Erika & Phil Brenner, Theresa & Bob Jefferson, Jim Chapin, Will Drost, Lynette Roos, Glen Fredrik, Terry Mulder, Sheryl Laman, Duane Laman, Loren Jessop, Jerry & Danielle Pierce, David Olivares, Kerry Hoffman, Audrey Van Lewen, Yvonne Van Lewen, Joseph Perdichizzi, Dale Wild, Jr., La Donna Terpstra, Alyson Van Gronigen, Daryll Quaresma, Al & Helen Caetano, David Fredriks, Connie Jorgensen.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Gaynl Trotter, Ripon, said that she loves old houses and appreciates that the City has an architectural review committee. She said she is saddened about the loss of old houses. Trotter said that the Talbot house on Second Street was the first phone company in Ripon, and the City should preserve this house for tourism. She said that seven years ago, Leslie Crow did a survey of the historical district, and she wants to know what the city is going to do with the report. She would like a follow up.

Connie Jorgensen, Ripon, showed pictures of the Talbot house as it was in the 1800's, and she gave the history on the house – who owned it and how many times the business changed hands.

Mayor Winn said that the item is not on the agenda, so the Council cannot take any action, but he referred Trotter and Jorgensen to Council Member Krebbs and Vice Mayor Nutt, and directed them to report back.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (UECKER, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR RIPON CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 5, 2009.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS POSTED (OR AMENDED):

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

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

CONSENT CALENDAR:

CONSENT CALENDAR:

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

Discussion on Item 3A.

Mayor Winn highlighted the costs to city employees in the recent budget cuts, and also stressed that the City cannot sustain the taking of any more of our funds or be saddled with any more state mandates. He said that the state’s actions are having a devastating impact on our community. Winn said that this resolution will be sent to our state representatives. He also said that similar versions of this resolution have been signed by most of the other California cities, and these will be sent to Sacramento.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (NUTT, KREBBS) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 09-33.

PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION

Mayor Winn presented the proclamation to Pastor Duane Laman.

Laman said that he was pleased to serve the community, and said that Ripon is the best city in America. He said that we must be sure we do not take it for granted.

Vice Mayor Nutt said he contacted the County Administrator and learned that the display area is a two-foot cubicle, but he does not know how the cubicles will be configured. He suggested that the City display several photos taken all around Ripon so as not to focus on just one area.

Mayor Winn suggested that they use a digital frame – if electricity is available.

No action was taken.

Planning Director Zuidervaart said that the Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) is the lead agency for CEQA, and their goal is to increase reliability and use renewable resources. He said that they created a preliminary map, and are now scoping comments. TANC did not know of the Mistlin Sports Park, the Cornerstone development, the school, or the highway commercial area that their lines would cross. He said that their plans are in the very early stages. The towers need a 1,000 foot wide swath. He contacted TANC and they said that they sent out postcards in February, and held a public scoping meeting in Turlock. He said the people did not have a chance to go to this meeting. Zuidervaart said he has request TANC representatives come to Ripon to talk to people, but they have not answered his request.

Zuidervaart said that the City Attorney will prepare a letter for the City, but people need to send individual letters. He said he prepared a handout for the public to use as a guide for preparing letters. The deadline to submit comments is May 31. He said that the report will be ready this summer, the draft EIR will be ready in 2010, and final EIR will be ready in 2011. He encouraged everyone in the planned path to submit a letter.

Council Member Krebbs asked if these are new lines or will they use existing infrastructures.

Zuidervaart said that these will be new lines. He said he suggested that they use the I-5 corridor because they want to go from Tracy to Modesto and to Turlock.

DISCUSSION ITEMS, continued:

Nutt asked if they used old maps.

Zuidervaart said they did, but they have requested new maps of our jurisdiction.

Council Member Uecker said that we need to remember our neighbors – the farmers, and make sure everyone is aware of this issue.

Zuidervaart said he will get the word out to as many people as possible.

Mayor Winn said he is adamantly opposed to these tower lines near Ripon.

No action was taken.

Chief Bull said the department has a hard line system, but a lot of people use e-mail, etc. He said they have been testing the system, and will be working to get all local agencies on the same system. The Nixle system is no cost, no commercialism, and no spam. Citizens register with Nixle and then they get the messages in the form that they choose. They choose what type of alerts that they want: Alert, Advising, Community, Traffic. Photos and location information can be included. Customers get only the messages that they sign up for.

Mayor Winn said that it would have helped last Sunday when the power went out for a couple of hours. Dispatch had to field a lot of calls, but with Nixle, the information would have gone out to customers’ cell phones.

Bull said that the department always tries to be proactive. He said that this system is not like Twitter. He said that we control the information in the messages.

MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (NUTT, UECKER) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE IMPLEMENTING A CITY OF RIPON/NIXLE INFORMATION/ NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR USE BY RIPON COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND TO WORK WITH OTHER RIPON AGENCIES TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO THIS SYSTEM.

REPORTS

City Administrator: No Report

City Attorney: No Report

City Engineer: Werner said that work continues on the Main Street/Stockton Avenue rehab project, and the next project is the turnaround to be installed where the car wash is. He also said that the parking lot behind the Ripon Roadhouse will be expanded.

Planning Director: No Report

Recreation Director: No Report

Director of Public Works: No Report

Chief of Police: Bull said that the motorcycle safety event between Manteca, Tracy, and Ripon police departments was well attended, and was even on the TV. He also said that the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS) will provide a safety grant to pay for overtime – this offsets the general fund overtime.

City Council: Winn said that he met with the plant manager of Neenah Paper about the closing of the company’s location in Ripon, and possible used of the property. Winn also reported that LAFCO is still considering Stockton’s request for a permanent member on the board. He said that the LAFCO board is considering three options: 1) leave the board as it exists; 2) expand the board to give Stockton a permanent seat; 3) add two members – one for Stockton and one representing Ripon/Manteca/Lathrop.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY:

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION:

The meeting was called to order at 8:20 p.m. 

ROLL CALL: Council Members Charlie Gay, Dean Uecker, Garry Krebbs, Vice-Mayor Elden “Red” Nutt, Mayor Chuck Winn

OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Leon Compton, City Engineer Kevin Werner, City Attorney Tom Terpstra, City Clerk Lynette Van Laar.

IN THE MATTER OF:

Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to §54956.6 of the California Government Code regarding Ripon Farm Service.

There being no further business, the Closed Session adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Ripon Community Redevelopment Agency Minutes

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009

AFTER COUNCIL MEETING

ROLL CALL: Directors Charlie Gay, Dean Uecker, Garry Krebbs, Vice-Chairman Elden “Red” Nutt, Chairman Chuck Winn.

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, Robyn Udavi, Leo Zuber, Lisa Suender, Melinda Kopp, Kurt Kopp, Gaynl Trotter, Erika & Phil Brenner, Theresa & Bob Jefferson, Jim Chapin, Will Drost, Lynette Roos, Glen Fredrik, Terry Mulder, Sheryl Laman, Duane Laman, Loren Jessop, Jerry & Danielle Pierce, David Olivares, Kerry Hoffman, Audrey Van Lewen, Yvonne Van Lewen, Joseph Perdichizzi, Dale Wild, Jr., La Donna Terpstra, Alyson Van Gronigen, Daryll Quaresma, Al & Helen Caetano, David Fredriks, Connie Jorgensen.

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

APPROVE THE MINUTES MOTION: MOVED, SECONDED (UECKER, NUTT) AND CARRIED BY A VOTE OF 5-0 TO APPROVE THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING OF MAY 5, 2009.

CONSENT CALENDAR

CONSENT CALENDAR, continued:

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

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.