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Ripon council introduces change to bingo ordinance’s alcohol ban
Summary
The Ripon City Council voted to introduce an amendment to Chapter 5.08 of the Ripon Municipal Code to remove a blanket prohibition on alcohol in rooms where bingo is played; the measure passed at first reading introduction by a 3–1–1 vote and will return for final action next month.
The Ripon City Council voted to waive formal adoption and introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 5.08 (bingo) of the Ripon Municipal Code, removing a blanket prohibition on alcohol in rooms where bingo is played. The motion to introduce the ordinance passed 3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention.
Councilmember Michael Stuschia, who placed the ordinance on the agenda, said the change aligns the local ordinance with state law and framed the item as corrective rather than permissive. “I went through and read all the state law, every piece of it, and so it doesn't disallow. It has to be open to the public, not just to members,” Stuschia said, arguing the state law prohibits an intoxicated person from playing rather than banning alcohol in the room.
The proposal grew out of recent events at Spring Creek, where bingo had been played while staff concluded the operation needed a permit. City staff (recorded as Lisa) told council members the state legislature authorizes local regulation of bingo and that the Penal Code contains requirements such as prohibiting profits, excluding minors from play and restricting authorized organizations.
Opponents and cautious council members raised enforcement and scope concerns. Councilmember Leo Zuber asked whether minors may be present in a room where alcohol is allowed and whether the change would enable bars or restaurants to host bingo in a way that could be exploited. “I’m worried about where this can go, not where it is,” Zuber said, adding he did not want the city revisiting problems later. Other council members noted that licensed nonprofits must meet ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) requirements and that penalties apply if operators profit from the games.
City staff and council clarified how the change would operate if adopted: the introduced ordinance is limited to authorized organizations that obtain the proper bingo permit, and any entity serving alcohol still must hold the appropriate ABC license. Councilmember Stuschia and staff said Spring Creek has sought a license and that the proposed wording would reflect the typical practice where patrons step out to a bar area rather than consume alcohol in the actual room where bingo is taking place.
Because the council introduced the ordinance rather than adopting it tonight, final action and any formal adoption will occur at a subsequent meeting. Council members discussed timing: the ordinance’s adoption would follow the required reading process and administrative timelines described in the staff exchange (the council observed the ordinance would not take effect until the adoption schedule and statutory waiting periods concluded).
Votes at a glance: the motion to waive further readings and introduce the amendment to Chapter 5.08 passed with a tally of 3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention. The motion was moved by Councilmember Michael Stuschia; the second was recorded but the speaker name was not specified in the public transcript.
The council’s discussion emphasized that permitted bingo operators must follow state and Penal Code rules (including limits on profit and participant age) and that the city can reexamine the ordinance if practical problems arise.
The city will return the ordinance for final reading and adoption at a future meeting; if adopted, enforcement and any operational questions (minors’ presence, where alcohol may be served) will be governed by the adopted ordinance language and existing ABC and Penal Code requirements.
