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 council currently has $404,000 allocated to that façade project; any excess or change-order funds would be redirected toward interior rehab and the city would bid the interior work after collecting additional funds.

Planning staff presented a final public-hearing item to abandon a small, unused portion of right-of-way on Acacia Avenue. Staff said the abandonment is consistent with the general plan and that the developer for the adjacent parcel will construct full frontage improvements as part of the project. The council moved to adopt the resolution approving the abandonment.

Council also discussed and approved the purchase and installation of a 50-foot pole with a roughly 12-by-18-foot flag for a high-visibility location. Council members questioned the cost and flag size; staff said the pole installation would include rebar and concrete and that the flag itself would likely need replacement about once a year depending on weather.

During public comment, resident Ray Ruiz, representing the Trevor Sieber Foundation, offered to donate toward improvements at Midland Park — including the possibility of a dog park — and suggested the facility could be named “Trevor And Cookie's Playground.” Ruiz said the foundation and his family would like to support the park and left flyers with staff.

Reports to the council included an update on the city’s housing element work; planning staff said the draft is lengthy, will go to the planning commission in April and is likely to reach the city council in June. A councilmember also raised concerns about prolonged street openings by utility contractors and suggested exploring penalties for extended encroachment work that leaves streets dug up for months.

Votes at a glance - Closed session: Approved payment of invoices related to litigation items; no other reportable action (reported by city attorney). Method: reported by staff; vote details not specified in public record. - Approval of minutes (regular meeting 02/11/2025): approved. Mover/second: not specified in verbal record; tally not specified. - Approval of agenda as amended / consent calendar as amended: approved. Mover/second: not specified; tally not specified. - Item 1.3B (flagpole purchase and installation): motion to approve made and seconded; approved. Mover/second not specified in record; method: voice/roll-call issues reported; tally not specified. - Item 2A (2025 CDBG allocations and in-home programs): motion to approve staff recommendation; approved. Mover/second: staff recommendation motion and second recorded; tally not specified. - Item 2B (abandonment of partial right-of-way on Acacia Avenue): motion to adopt resolution; approved. Mover/second recorded as moved and seconded; tally not specified.

Decisions versus discussion - Decisions: council approved the CDBG funding allocations as recommended by staff; adopted the Acacia Avenue abandonment resolution; approved the flagpole purchase; approved invoices related to litigation in closed session. - Discussion/direction: council discussed program eligibility limits for CDBG funds (no low-income census tracts in town; use of CDBG requires surveys or consultant work to certify beneficiaries), the senior-center project funding plan, and potential changes to the city’s encroachment/permit penalty practices for prolonged utility excavations.

What this means - The CDBG decision commits city staff to allocate federal block-grant funds to the senior-center façade/interior work and public-service programs per the staff recommendation; the interior rehab will proceed when additional funds are collected or reallocated after change orders. - The Acacia abandonment clears an administrative step for the adjacent development, with the developer responsible for frontage improvements. - The flagpole purchase will add a 50-foot pole and large flag at a visible site; staff noted the flag will likely require annual replacement depending on weather. - A local foundation offered to donate toward creation of a dog park at Midland Park; the council directed staff to accept materials left by the foundation for consideration.

Ending: The council closed the meeting after reports and public comment; staff and council members advised residents who want to follow the housing element to contact staff or await the planning commission and future council hearings.