Ripon public meetings in 2020
11 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Police Commission
The Ripon Police Commission met and approved prior minutes, then received an update from the police chief covering staffing changes, the School Resource Officer program, hiring, and COVID-19 impacts. The commission then adjourned to closed session to discuss employee matters.
- Officer Michels assigned permanently as School Resource Officer effective Jan 1, 2021
- SRO duties expanded to include community outreach and code enforcement
- Sgt. Gary Durkee retiring Jan 4, 2021 after 28 years of service
- 26 applications received for new officer; 16 interviews scheduled Dec 29, 2020
- One officer tested positive for COVID-19; several quarantined
Plan Commission
The Ripon Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on a conditional use permit for a pet boarding facility at 1035 West Fond du Lac Street and 875 Arcade Road, and will consider two extraterritorial certified survey maps. The meeting also includes approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting.
- Public hearing: conditional use permit for pet boarding facility at 1035 W Fond du Lac St and 875 Arcade Rd (Marcie Culver)
- Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map – James and Whitney Keyes, Karau Ave
- Extraterritorial Certified Survey Map – Cedar Ridge Real Estate Investments LLC, Dartford Road
Common Council
The Ripon Common Council approved a resolution to issue up to $2,955,000 in general obligation refunding bonds, which is expected to save about $253,000 over 11 years. They also approved the Business Improvement District's 2021 operating plan and appointed Vince King to the Police Commission. The council moved the Police Dispatch Center discussion to the January 12, 2021 agenda and adjourned to closed session to discuss City Administrator recruitment.
- Approved Resolution No. 2020-22 for $2,955,000 in GO Refunding Bonds, Series 2021A
- Approved 2021 BID operating plan presented by TJ Rogers and Craig Tebon
- Appointed Vince King to Police Commission for 5-year term ending 4/30/2025
- Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for 231 Watson Street (white vinyl graphics)
- Scheduled Police Dispatch Center discussion for January 12, 2021
BID Board
The Downtown Ripon Business Improvement District Board is meeting to approve the agenda and minutes, discuss the BID Operating Plan, and hear the Downtown Manager Report. The meeting is largely routine administrative business with no major decisions or public hearings listed.
- Discussion of BID Operating Plan
- Downtown Manager Report
- Approval of agenda and minutes
Historic Preservation Commission
The Ripon Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to handle routine business and discuss several historic preservation topics. The main action item is a Certificate of Appropriateness application for a property at 231 Watson Street. The commission will also discuss a Facebook page, the condition of historic plaques, signage at downtown entrances, and sidewalk advertising.
- Certificate of Appropriateness application for 231 Watson Street
- Discussion of Facebook page for Hasse Brewery Stable & American House
- Review of condition of historic plaques on buildings downtown and residential
- Discussion of signage at intersections entering Historic Downtown
- Discussion of sidewalk advertising
Common Council
The Common Council approved two ordinances to update kennel definitions and allow temporary pet boarding facilities for dogs and cats. The council also voted to table a decision regarding the potential transfer of police dispatch functions to Fond du Lac County pending further information.
- Approved Ordinance No. 1492 to amend kennel definitions
- Approved Ordinance No. 1493 to create temporary boarding facilities for dogs and cats
- Tabled decision on memorandum of understanding with Fond du Lac County regarding dispatch transfer
- Reappointed Jason Mansmith and Desiree Bongers to the Cable TV Advisory Committee
- Reappointed Eric Pollesch to the Plan Commission
Ripon Community Media Committee
The Ripon Community Media Committee (Cable Advisory Committee) is meeting to review the 2020 budget, receive programming and operations reports, and discuss 2021 planning, budget, staffing, and a possible committee name change. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom or in person at City Hall.
- Review 2020 budget
- Programming update from the Ripon Channel
- 2021 planning and programming discussion
- 2021 budget discussion
- Staffing discussion and committee naming
Common Council
The Ripon Common Council held a special meeting to conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2021 budget and tax levy, then voted to adopt the budget. The approved budget includes a total city tax levy of $3,512,702. The council also approved using recycling funds to purchase a police squad car and reallocated other funds for various equipment and improvements.
- Adopted Resolution 2020-21, 2021 budget and tax levy of $3,512,702 (passed 5-2)
- Used recycling funds to purchase police squad car for $22,500
- Reallocated $77,500 to Equipment Replacement Fund for future capital purchases
- Funded $5,000 for Fire District communication devices, $4,000 for police phone hardware, $1,000 for animal control building maintenance, $1,050 for Senior Center computer, $3,438 for LED lighting in police dispatch, $7,012 for large item drop-off costs, $1,000 for Library computer
- Public comment requested Christmas decorations for light poles on west end of city
Common Council
The Ripon Common Council discussed and voted on several items, including moving a proposed ordinance amendment to allow pet boarding in B-2 Highway Business zoning to the Plan Commission for study. The council also unanimously approved an amendment to the Chronic Nuisance Premises ordinance and received updates on the dispatch center options, with a decision requested by the next meeting.
- Pet boarding ordinance amendment referred to Plan Commission
- Ordinance No. 1491 amending Chronic Nuisance Premises (11.16.070) approved unanimously
- Dispatch center update: options include retaining city services or moving to Fond du Lac County
- Senior Center meals for 60+ available for $3.00 suggested donation
- Public comments on ATV routes and pet boarding
Historic Preservation Commission
The Ripon Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to handle routine business including approval of the agenda, minutes, and financial report. They will also discuss a Facebook page for the Hasse Brewery Stable and American House, the condition of historic plaques, signage at downtown intersections, and sidewalk advertising. No specific applications or decisions are listed on the agenda.
- Certificate of Appropriateness applications (none listed)
- Facebook page for Hasse Brewery Stable and American House
- List and condition of Historic Plaques on Buildings (Downtown and Residential)
- Signage at intersections entering Historic Downtown
- Sidewalk advertising
Ripon Area Fire District
The Ripon Area Fire District board held a budget hearing and approved the 2021 budget of $472,820.00. All members present voted in favor, with no public attendees. The meeting was brief and procedural.
- Approved 2021 budget of $472,820.00
- Approved meeting agenda
- No public comments or attendees