Ripon council approves CDBG allocations, abandons Acacia right-of-way and OKs flagpole purchase; public offers park donation

The Ripon City Council on March 11 approved staff recommendations for the city’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant allocations, adopted a resolution to abandon a partial right-of-way on Acacia Avenue, approved the purchase and installation of a large flagpole, and received a public offer to donate funds for a dog park at Midland Park.

City Attorney: “The council did meet at 05:30, in closed session to discuss the matters listed on the agenda as item number 1. And, all members of the council were present during the entirety of the closed session. Council approved invoices pertaining to the litigation items indicated on the agenda. Beyond that, there was no reportable action,” the city attorney said after the closed session, signaling that payment of invoices related to litigation was authorized but that no other reportable closed-session action occurred.

At a public hearing, staff recommended and the council approved the proposed allocations of CDBG funds overseen by the county. Staff said the public-service portion received more applications than available funds and that the city funded all applicants at an equal percentage; the council approved the staff-recommended allocation and directed staff to proceed with the senior-center interior rehabilitation project once additional funds and any change-order needs were identified. City staff noted the senior-center exterior façade contract came in at $348,000 while the…