NOVEMBER 12th
It appears to be a quiet meeting coming up on Tuesday night. The main items will be the accepting of bids for the reconstruction of the lower level of City Hall for a new Senior Center. The numbers look good right now, roughly half of what we budgeted. The work would begin once the fire department is moved to their new station. We will also consider a series of increases in fees and charges for the ambulance service to match the increases we have seen in the cost we pay for the products. All in all, a quiet meeting.
NOVEMBER 26th
The Council meeting on the 26th is starting to take shape. The main item of the day will likely be the unveiling of the downtown planning report. As it looks right now, we will have a open house in the Council Chambers from 430 to 630 PM for the public to view the proposals and the report. The consultants will make a presentation at 5 PM. The council will hold its budget hearing at 630PM, which is why the open house will end at that time. During the regular session, which begins at 7 PM, the council will officially receive the downtown report. A vote on adopting the recommendations will likely take place in December. Having seen the initial final rough draft, I am excited by the proposals, which cover a wide variety of areas and issues, from the Mill Pond to Thorne Street to the area north of City Hall. The consultants have already said the sky is the limit for the downtown and surrounding areas, and now the challenge will be implementation after adoption.
A public hearing on the proposed 2008 City of Ripon budget is scheduled for Monday, November 26, 2007 at 6:30. The budget summary documents are included in the documents below. The complete budget is available for your review at the city administration office 100 Jackson St. between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM. Come to the public hearing on this very important issue that affects how your city will operate for 2008!
Click here for a link to the budget.
CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE AVAILABLE
The City of Ripon is now accepting applications for an available “Class B” liquor license. Requests will be evaluated based upon a variety of criteria, including creation of new tax base and jobs. Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30th, and the City reserves the right to reject any and all applications. For more information or to apply, please contact Steve at 748-4914 or sbarg@cityofripon.com, or stop at City Hall during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS FROM READERS
Aren’t you jumping the gun just a bit here? Are you sure the vote will be to adopt the recommendations? You’re already working on implementation! What if there are objections or ideas and suggestions from the citizens, that can’t even be brought forward until after the open house when everyone gets to see the plans? Much of the turmoil that is going on now might have been avoided by giving the citizens a chance to speak before you made up your mind.
ANSWER: That is what we are NOT voting on the plan the night is introduced. The public has had several opportunities to provide input, and they will have a chance to voice their opinions at the open house, and in the time after the open house and until the Council meets again in December. I think the public involvement has been good, and many of their thoughts and ideas have been included. Of course, not everyone will agree with every proposal, but I think the overall plan is very promising.
