Ripon adopts Track 2 trash implementation plan, identifies two problem areas to monitor

City staff presented and council discussed a trash implementation plan that the city intends to submit to the State Water Board as Ripon's compliance method under the statewide trash provisions.

James, a city staff member, said Ripon originally selected "Track 1" in 2018, which would have installed full trash-capture systems but estimated capital costs above $2 million and annual maintenance around $80,000. After field surveys by Stone Creek Environmental, staff concluded most of Ripon's areas have low trash generation: of 53 priority land-use segments walked and rated, 51 were rated "low" and two were rated "moderate." The two moderate areas were identified near truck stops at North Jack Tone/Santos and the Frontage Road near the Highway 99 off-ramps. Staff said the two moderate areas together generate an estimated 228 gallons of trash per year (about two and a half 90-gallon containers annually).

The plan proposes monitoring the two moderate locations three times per year and increased street sweeping and business outreach to address sources of trash. If monitoring does not show improvement, staff said localized trash-capture devices could be installed at problem inlets at an estimated initial capital cost near $80,000 and about $10,000 in annual maintenance. Staff estimated a conservative compliance cost of about $200,000 by 2030 under the Track 2 approach, compared with the larger Track 1 estimate. The plan will be submitted to the State Water Board; staff noted the state expects an update to the general stormwater permit in late 2026 that could add new provisions.