Ripon honors retiring city attorney; council approves commission appointments and endorses revised indemnification language

At its Jan. 14 meeting the Ripon City Council recognized the city attorney’s retirement after more than three decades of service, confirmed a slate of commission appointments and approved revised indemnification language in a legal services agreement.

David Nafusi, who identified himself as the city attorney for Manteca speaking in an unofficial capacity, voiced his personal endorsement of the council’s choice for the city attorney position, praising the new appointee’s professionalism and experience. Thomas Terpstra Jr., who the council is installing as city attorney, said he was “honored to be stepping into this new role” and expressed appreciation for the council’s trust.

The council moved and seconded appointments to the recreation/planning roles: reappoint Rod Wright to seat 1 for a four-year term, move longtime alternate Louis Rivera to seat 2 for a four-year term, and appoint Joshua Sarath as a four-year alternate. Council also considered item 1.4(a), a legal services agreement; Kevin Warner described a clarification to Section 8 (indemnification language) that had been reviewed by outside counsel and the city's risk manager. After public endorsement by Nafusi, a motion to approve the agreement with the revised language was moved and seconded and the council proceeded.

Members used the recognition portion of the agenda to pay tribute to the retiring attorney’s long service and mentorship. The outgoing attorney offered remarks about his years of service and expressed confidence in his successor. Several councilmembers noted the retiring official’s institutional knowledge and thanked him for mentoring staff and elected officials.

The meeting closed with no further formal actions on policy items; staff will continue follow-up on appointments and contract implementation as part of routine administrative business.