CLOSED SESSION - CITY OF RIPON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

Conference room, City Hall - Monday, August 3, 2009 - 7:00 a.m.

I. Call to order/roll call
II. Adjourn to closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) “Deliberating or
negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session”
RE: Request for TIF funds (various districts): high-speed wireless Internet
III. Adjourn

REVISED 2010 BUDGET SCHEDULE

Mon, July 27th: Mayor/Council gives input on budget goals/parameters
Fri, Aug 28th: Department heads give budgets to City Administrator
Fri, Sept 25th: Preliminary budget is delivered to the Mayor/Council
Thurs, Oct 1st: 1st budget meeting (6:30 p.m.)
Tues, Oct 13th: 2nd budget meeting (6:00 p.m.)
Mon, Oct 19th: 3rd budget meeting, if necessary (7:00 p.m.)
Thurs, Nov 5th: Budget public hearing notice published in the newspaper
Mon, Nov 23rd: Hold public hearing; adopt budget resolution (6:30 p.m.)
Fri, Dec 11th: Tax statements mailed out to property owners

COUNCIL AGENDA - JULY 27

CITY OF RIPON - COMMON COUNCIL MEETING - Council chambers, City Hall - 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order/roll call
II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation
III. Public communications and comment
IV. Public listening session – possible restrictions regarding burning within the City - Staff note: Staff has proposed adopting an ordinance similar to the attached one from the City of Fond du Lac, with addition of attached language from the NFPA Uniform Fire Code section 10.11, requested by the Fire Chief. Tonight’s purpose is simply to listen to residents, and decide whether to put this on a future agenda.)
V. Consent calendar (Unless the Mayor, Council or staff asks that one or more of the items listed below be pulled, this list may be approved with a single vote.)
1. Reports from standing committees and staff
2. Resolution – establishing an identity theft prevention program - Staff note: The Federal Trade Commission is asking local governments to adopt its rules, designed to detect, prevent, and mitigate identity theft. The attached resolution, written for this purpose, is recommended for approval.
3. Request to use City streets for Tractor Cruise on Saturday, August 29th - Staff note: The attached information, including a map, is provided in support of the 2009 Ripon/Green Lake Benefit Tractor Cruise, planned for Saturday, August 29th. As part of this event, they are seeking the City’s permission for what may be up to 100 tractors to use Watson & West Fond du Lac Streets as they leave the City, and Griswold Street as they return. Staff does not object, subject to a “hold harmless” agreement and a proper certificate of insurance.
VI. Other business
1. Possible traffic change in alley between State Street and Ripon College - Staff note: Residents have concerns about volume and speed of traffic in the State Street alley. Their responses show areas of agreement and disagreement. Staff recommends posting a 10-mph speed limit, and designating the alley for one-way traffic, from Ransom to Elm Streets. In any event, staff believes the alley should be “one-way”, since traffic volume has risen, and 2 cars cannot meet and safely get by each other.
2. Resolution – establishing a general preference for local vendors - Staff note: The City now offers a 2% preference to companies located in Ripon when the police department buys squad cars. Mayor Kramer is requesting that the policy be extended to acquisition of all goods and services, with the preference increased to 4%.
3. Policy – guidelines for persons speaking under “Public Comment” - Staff note: Historically, the Council has accepted citizen input under “Public communications and comment” without restrictions, other than a 5-minute limit. After reviewing a policy enacted by the Ripon School District, the Mayor is asking Council to adopt the attached resolution.
4. 2010 budget schedule; input from Mayor/Council on goals/parameters - Staff note: The 2010 budget schedule is attached for your approval. As in past years, staff wants the Mayor and Council’s input on goals, priorities, parameters, etc. This will be a challenging year, due in part to reductions in state aid. Please give us your thoughts and concerns.
VII. Mayor’s communications and appointments
VIII. Agenda items for future Council meetings
CLOSED SESSION
RE: Proposed developer’s agreement for new mixed-use project
RE: Proposed developer’s agreement for new commercial project
RE: Counteroffer for option to buy land for business/industrial uses
RE: Performance concerns with certain 2008 public improvement projects

PROPOSED LOCAL VENDOR PREFERENCE POLICY
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A GENERAL PREFERENCE FOR PURCHASING GOODS AND SERVICES FROM LOCAL VENDORS
WHEREAS, the City of Ripon regularly purchases a wide variety of goods and services through receiving and comparing quotes and estimates; and,
WHEREAS, the City desires to support local vendors to the greatest degree possible, in order to help promote and encourage economic development in our community; and,
WHEREAS, local vendors would be defined as businesses in which the primary office is located within the corporate boundaries of the City of Ripon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby authorizes and directs City staff to grant a 4% preference to local vendors when comparing estimates and quotes for the purchase of all goods and services, whenever practical. However, under no circumstances shall local vendor preference exceed $20,000 on one project or purchase.

PROPOSED PUBLIC INPUT POLICY
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING PUBLIC INPUT AT THE START OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
WHEREAS, Ripon City Council meetings are held in full accordance with all applicable requirements of Wisconsin Statutes; and,
WHEREAS, time is allowed at the start of each regular Council meeting for comments and concerns from citizens regarding items not on the meeting agenda; and,
WHEREAS, although the Council will not take action in response to comments made by members of the public during this time, it may choose to direct City staff to research the issue, and consider placing it on the agenda for a future meeting; and,
WHEREAS, reasonable guidelines are needed to ensure that this portion of the meeting is a positive and productive time for all involved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ripon City Council hereby adopts the following guidelines for the “Public Comment” portion of its regular meetings:
1. Speakers must register on a sign-up form prior to the start of the meeting.
2. The Mayor will recognize registered speakers in the order on the sign-up form.
3. Speakers should begin their remarks by clearly stating their name and address.
4. Comments should be addressed to the Mayor/Council, not to staff or the audience.
5. Comments should be limited to no more than 5 minutes in length.
6. Comments should be limited to items not on the meeting agenda. The chairperson of the meeting reserves the right to allow public comment on agenda items.
7. Comments exceeding the 5-minute limit, or that are personal, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant, may be terminated by the Mayor.

Are You a Fan of Ripon, Wisconsin?

SOURCE: Ripon Main Street

Over 700 people have joined our Facebook Fan Page. Those that have joined our page have had great things to say about Ripon. Many of those commenting have moved away over the years, and most have stated they miss their hometown.

Currently, 712 people are Fans of Ripon of which 39% are male and 60% female (I have no idea what the remaining 1% are). The age breakdown is 16% under 17, 20% are 18-24, 60% are 25-54, and 3% are 55 & above. We have Fans living is 20 different countries but the most (670) live in the US. The majority of Ripon’s Fans reside in the following areas: 95 from De Forest (north of Madison), 80 from Fond du Lac, 42 from Stevens Point, 35 from Eau Claire, 32 from Oshkosh, 28 from Milwaukee, 27 from Madison, 24 from Appleton, 19 from Chicago, and 11 from Minneapolis.

If you haven’t done so yet, consider joining the group. In order to experience the full effect of the Ripon Facebook Fan Page, or to post comments and interact with the site, individuals will need to create a FREE Facebook account. This is a great way to stay in touch. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/RiponWisconsin or contact the Ripon Main Street office.

SPECIAL PLAN COMMISSION MEETING - JULY 27

CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL - 6:00 p.m.

Call to order/roll call
Action items
 Conditional use permit/site plan: Ripon Assisted Living (public hearing held 7/15)
 Public hearing (6:30) – conditional use permit – Bert Briese (motor vehicle sales)
Adjourn

Ripon Adds Historic Film to YouTube

SOURCE: Ripon Main Street

We have added two new videos to our YouTube page that review Ripon's historic film collection from 1937 & 1939. Video Age Productions created this two-part program as part of Ripon, Etc., a local magazine show which highlights events and activities throughout the area. The program features historic film footage from 1938 and 1939.

The footage from 1938 was shot by John Hritsko and shows the area around the Grandview Hotel which was located on the north end of the square where City Hall is currently located.

The film footage from 1939 was shot by an unknown videographer. This footage features numerous businesses in the community including Vieth Co., First National Bank, Ripon Lumber, and DuVall's Grocery as well as Ripon College and local service clubs.

We would like to thank the Ripon Historic Society and Gladys Hritsko for allowing Ripon Main Street, Inc. to convert the film to digital format. In addition, Video Age Productions and Andy Gallun graciously donated their time and talent in transferring the film to a digital format.

We are always looking for photographs and film (old or relatively recent) to add to our archive. Out of the five reels of film from 1939, 2 thru 5 have been converted to digital format and are preserved in the Ripon Historic Society archive. Unfortunately, reel #1 is missing. We hope this reel is sitting in someone’s attic, basement or top shelf of a closet. Please contact us if you can help solve the mystery of the missing reel. Donations are always welcome or we can scan images/copy film and then return the originals to you.

We hope you enjoy the program.

Ripon Wisconsin Historical Film Footage (Part 1) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyP-aZ1ZSVQ&feature=channel_page

Ripon Wisconsin Historical Film Footage (Part 2) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTc3opmi0Ms&feature=channel

PLAN COMMISSION RECAP

Action Items
* Public hearing - conditional use permit/site plan - Ripon Assisted Living (Hwy 44) - The commission decided to table any action until either July 27th or August 19th. No landscaping plan was available and the commission was not prepared to vote on the project until that is completed. If the plan is done in the next week, the commission would likely vote on July 27th.
* Certified Survey Map (extraterritorial) – Clint & Cori Baier (W13165 Olden Road) - Approved
* Certified Survey Map – Deano & Vicki Pape (148 Stoney Ridge Road) - Approved
* Establish public hearings to consider 2 new TIF districts – Wed, Aug 19th - Approved. The TIFS include #8 (the new downtown district) and #10 (this covers the 151 acres east of Douglas Street and south of Highway 23 where Agnesian Health Care is building a new facility)
Discussion items
* Nuisance ordinances and code enforcement practices (with the proper City staff) - Dave Nitz, Building Inspector, and Code Enforcement Officer Gary Failor updated the commission on the city's efforts to improve code enforcement. A general consensus was to leave the code enforcement position at 10 hours per week, but to look at making the city ordinances stronger and more clear on areas of property maintenance and improvement.
* Zoning revisions for B-2 (highway business) districts to allow for greater flexibility - The commission agreed to look at a special zoning overlay district for the West End Business District.
* Streetscape proposal for West Fond du Lac Street area – Vierbicher Associates - The commission sent the proposal to the Community Appearance Team and asked staff to solicit other bids.
* Proposed covenants for City’s new business park at Highway 44/ Douglas Street
Project updates & staff reports - A basic outline of a new covenant, which covers building materials, landscaping and other requirements, was reviewed and sent back to staff to "flesh" it out.

I WONDER WHO IS ON THE "ARMAGEDDON" LIST??????

SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Madison — If a disaster struck state government, killing scores of legislators or rendering them unable to serve, remaining lawmakers would know where to turn: Secret lists of up to seven qualified successors from each district.

That is one element of a wide-ranging disaster preparedness plan a state Assembly committee is expected to approve Thursday.

If, for some reason - terrorist attack, health pandemic, natural disaster - one-fourth of the Legislature could not serve, the secret successors would be tapped.

Other bills and a proposed constitutional change, which could not become law until 2011 at the earliest, also would allow the Legislature to hold "virtual" meetings over the Internet or in another location, if state government was moved because of a terrorist act or if travel to Madison was forbidden because of a pandemic or other emergency.

"It is very painful to think about it, but it's very necessary for us to further an idea to make sure this institution functions," said Sen. Robert Jauch (D-Poplar).

OK, let's start guessing who is on the list to replace Senator Olsen or Representative Ballweg from our district. Of course, we are not going to know who is on the list. According to the bill, the names would be kept secret. I wonder if the lawmakers will tell the people they put on their lists that they are on there. If I were to be placed on any such list, I would personally like to know that.

Overall, I think this legislation is a good idea, and it is overdue. It is something we should had in place after 9-11. While the odds of a terrorist attack are slim in Wisconsin, the odds are greater that an epidemic or natural disaster could occur. Even though you may have a problem with the way our state government is being run, continuity in the event something horrific happens is vital.

FROM THE CHAMBER : DETOUR ON EAST SIDE OF RIPON

There is a detour on Hwy. 23 East that directs traffic onto KK at the east end of the detour and down Hwy 49/44 at the west end of the detour. You can actually get to Douglas Street and Brandon Road going east on 23, so we are not sure where the closure is. The detour will be in effect for a couple of weeks.

THE WHAT THE HECK MOMENT OF THE DAY : CELL PHONES FOR THE POOR?

Ok, let me get this straight. Our economy has slowed down considerably, and states are bleeding red ink. People do NOT want to pay more of their income to the government....so let's come up with up a new program and wrap up it up real nice with a bow so people feel good when they pay the tax to fund it. That is what they are doing in Colorado...

According to the Denver Post:

Thousands of low-income Coloradans reliant on public assistance could get a free cellphone under a plan before the state Public Utilities Commission.

If approved, the plan by TracFone Wireless in Miami would make Colorado the 17th state it has settled into with free cell service for the indigent, a form of wireless welfare that proponents say taps into one of the last untapped markets for the telecom technology.

"Our hope is to have it up and running by September," said Jose Fuentes, TracFone's director of government relations. "Historically, it's a very underutilized service, and we'd like that to change."

The program is a twist on Lifeline, a long-standing federal subsidy that provides low-income families with a break on their land-line telephone bill in order to ensure emergency 911 service.

In Colorado, it's called LITAP — the Low Income Telephone Assistance Program — and is available to anyone receiving aid from any of six welfare funds: Colorado Works Assistance (TANF), Supplemental Security Income, LEAP, Aid to Needy Disabled, the Old Age Pension Fund and Aid to the Blind.

How does Colorado pay for it? The money comes from the Universal Service Fund, a tax on all telephone lines. Of that amount, Coloradans received nearly $3.2 million in low-income subsidies. Nationwide, more than $800 million in subsidies were paid last year for low-income phone service across the country

TracFone's subsidized program gives users at least 68 minutes of free cell service each month — in Colorado, it would be 83 minutes (What a DEAL) — and unlimited access to 911 service even if the minutes are used up. This is the only part of the story that even makes sense.

Users also get a free Motorola phone worth $50, according to the company's PUC filing. As long as subscribers are on the welfare rolls, they get the phone subsidy.

Wow, it baffles the mind, doesn't it? Why should I bother to pay my monthly $81 bill to U.S. Cellular? The government, at least in 17 states, has made it pretty apparent that that consider a cell phone a right, a necessity, and a indispensable part of daily life....even if you cannot afford it. But then I found this picture on the Internet and it lead me to wonder even more:



This was First Lady Michelle Obama visiting Miriam's Kitchen in early March, dishing out food, touting healthy eating, and volunteering at a city soup kitchen near the White House. She took time out to have her picture taken by one of the food recipients.
1 - If the man is indigent, needs free food and is homeless, how can he afford a cell phone WITH a camera?
2 - If he is homeless, where do they send the bill for the service?

Just remember, if you oppose the cell phones for the poor program, you will probably be considered a heartless, insensitive conservative. In the end, we will all feel better, won't we?

HEALTH CARE - A RIGHT? A RESPONSIBILITY?

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democratic leaders, pledging to meet the president's goal of health care legislation before their August break, are offering a $1.5 trillion plan that for the first time would make health care a right and a responsibility for all Americans. Left to pick up most of the tab were medical providers, employers and the wealthy.

"We cannot allow this issue to be delayed. We cannot put it off again," Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee, said Tuesday. "We, quite frankly, cannot go home for a recess unless the House and the Senate both pass bills to reform and restructure our health care system."

In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wanted floor debate to begin a week from Monday. With the Senate Finance Committee still struggling to reach consensus, that timetable could slip. Even so, it underscored a renewed sense of urgency.

Obama himself was driving the action, going off-script to push the issue during a speech in Michigan and scheduling a Rose Garden news conference for Wednesday to make more comments on the topic.

"There's going to be a major debate over the next three weeks," Obama said in Warren, Mich., deviating from his prepared text on new spending for community colleges. "And don't be fooled by folks trying to scare you saying we can't change the health care system. We have no choice but to change the health care system because right now it's broken for too many Americans."

All involved were mindful of the dwindling days before Congress leaves town. Obama wants legislation through the House and Senate before then to slow rising costs and extend coverage to some 50 million uninsured Americans.

Under the House Democrats' plan, the federal government would be responsible for ensuring that every person, regardless of income or the state of their health, has access to an affordable insurance plan. Individuals and employers would have new obligations to get coverage, or face hefty penalties.

The legislation calls for a 5.4 percent tax increase on individuals making more than $1 million a year, with a gradual tax beginning at $280,000 for individuals. Employers who don't provide coverage would be hit with a penalty equal to 8 percent of workers' wages, with an exemption for small businesses. Individuals who decline an offer of affordable coverage would pay 2.5 percent of their incomes as a penalty, up to the average cost of a health insurance plan.

The liberal-leaning plan lacked figures on total costs, but a House Democratic aide said the total bill would add up to about $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private calculations.

CITY RELEASES 2009 BUDGET SCHEDULE

The schedule for the 2009 Ripon City budget schedule has been released. AS it shapes up right now, this will be one of the most difficult budgets in recent memory in light of the recent decisions in Madison regarding state aid, garbage tipping fees and other programs. Are we in a dire situation? Nope. We are in a situation where we need to make rationale, long-term decisions and not look for short-term relief.

One key will be public input. If a program is going to be cut or expanded, or if there is a program you think we should consider adding, you need to be heard. Everyone will have their opportunity to be heard, whether in person or if you choose to write your views to me and the council. I appreciate the time and work people put into their comments during the budget process. With the challenging decisions we face, I hope none of you choose to be a Monday morning quarterback (after the budget is passed). Get involved. If you have questions on the budget, contact me or your council member or city staff.

Mon, July 27th: Mayor/Council gives input on budget goals/parameters
Fri, Aug 21st: Department heads give budgets to City Administrator
Mon, Sept 21st: Preliminary budget is delivered to the Mayor/Council
Thurs, Oct 1st: 1st budget meeting (6:30 p.m.)
Tues, Oct 13th: 2nd budget meeting (6:00 p.m.)
Mon, Oct 19th: 3rd budget meeting, if necessary (7:00 p.m.)
Thurs, Nov 5th: Budget public hearing notice published in the newspaper
Mon, Nov 23rd: Hold public hearing; adopt budget resolution (6:30 p.m.)
Fri, Dec 11th: Tax statements mailed out to property owners

For those of you who do not know my email it is: arkramer@charter.net. If you have budgetary concerns or questions, please contact me.

Business leaders decry tax increases in state budget

SOURCE: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

While providing a welcome boost to high-tech entrepreneurship, Wisconsin's new budget on the whole solidifies the perception of the state as a tax-happy, business-unfriendly place, company owners and leaders of business groups say.

They credit the Legislature and Gov. Doyle for increasing incentives that already are luring promising young firms to Wisconsin. But those positives, they say, are far outweighed by such things as a bump in the personal tax rate on the highest earners and what amounts to a hefty increase in capital gains taxes.

"They've sure given a lot of people the impetus to get the hell out of here," business owner Michael L. Hansen said.

The latest moves likely will land Wisconsin back in the top 10 states in terms of tax burden, said Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.

The state now holds 11th place, based on 2006 data. But between the two-year budget enacted last month and the deficit-closing budget repair bill that passed in February, Wisconsin has added significantly to its taxes and fees, Berry said.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/50684167.html

Waupun recall effort falls by wayside

WAUPUN — An effort to recall Waupun Mayor Jodi Steger has fallen by the wayside.

Waupun City Clerk-Treasurer Kyle Clark said local businessman Daniel Ganz failed to turn in the necessary 750 signatures by the July 6 deadline, bringing the recall effort to a close.

Ganz filed the registration statement in early May, contending that Steger failed to perform her mayoral duties in the removal of Gary Rogers as city administrator.

To read more, click here.

PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION

PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION - RIPON CITY COUNCIL - DATE

The Ripon City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Ripon City Hall, located at 100 Jackson Street, to take public input on possible restrictions regarding the burning of materials within the City. (Note: This was changed from July 14th.) Anyone interested is invited to attend the meeting and address this issue. If you wish to comment but cannot attend, please provide a written statement to the City Administrator’s office on or before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27th.

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING - JULY 15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2009 - CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL - 7:00 p.m.

Call to order/roll call
Approve meeting minutes – June 17th
Action items
* Public hearing - conditional use permit/site plan - Ripon Assisted Living (Hwy 44)
* Certified Survey Map (extraterritorial) – Clint & Cori Baier (W13165 Olden Road)
* Certified Survey Map – Deano & Vicki Pape (148 Stoney Ridge Road)
* Establish public hearings to consider 2 new TIF districts – Wed, Aug 19th
Discussion items
* Nuisance ordinances and code enforcement practices (with the proper City staff)
* Zoning revisions for B-2 (highway business) districts to allow for greater flexibility
* Streetscape proposal for West Fond du Lac Street area – Vierbicher Associates
* Proposed covenants for City’s new business park at Highway 44/ Douglas Street
Project updates & staff reports
Agenda items for next meeting
Adjourn

Ripon offers workshop to help businesses set up a Facebook page

SOURCE: Ripon Main Street

Creating A Facebook Fan Page for Your Business

Ripon Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce will offer a free workshop to
businesses that are interested in establishing a Facebook Fan Page. The
workshop takes place on Tuesday, July 21st at 5:30 pm in Room 318 of Todd
Wehr Hall at Ripon College.

Facebook has not only become a place for people to connect and network, but
it has also become another avenue for businesses to connect, network and
promote their establishments. The main way to network on Facebook is by
creating a profile or even a group, which can be a little more professional
then just a profile. However, if you really want to network and promote your
business or organization, then creating a Facebook Fan Page is the best way
to do this. Those with an existing Facebook account can view the Ripon
Wisconsin Fan Page which is linked below.

Facebook - Ripon, Wisconsin

The good news is it doesn't cost anything to create this page.

The evening will be presented in a hands-on fashion that allows businesses
to get started on Facebook by creating their own Fan Page. The workshop
takes place in the computer lab at Todd Wehr Hall and participants will have
access to the computers or can bring their own laptop. This workshop is best
suited for beginners.

Presenter Deano Pape has conducted a number of technology related
presentations at college and university campuses across the country. He is
an active member of Ripon's city council and has been a
Professor/Administrator at Ripon College for 12 years. Downtown Manager
Craig Tebon and Chamber Marketing Coordinator Angela Wiese will also be on
hand to provide assistance and guidance.

Space is limited so register early to ensure your spot. Registrants will be
accepted on a first come first serve basis. Please return the attached form
to the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 305, Ripon, WI 54971; fax to
920-748-6784 or drop off at 127 Jefferson Street.

* Todd Wehr Hall is located on the West side of Ransom Street, facing West
between East Hall & Farr Hall of Science. Parking is available on the
street's West side, or in the City parking lot on the East side.

Ripon College recognized as great place to work

SOURCE: Fond du Lac Reporter

RIPON — Ripon College has been recognized in The Chronicle of Higher Education's 2009 Great Colleges to Work For program.

It is the only private college in Wisconsin to be so honored, according to a press release from the college.

The results of the annual survey were announced in a special supplement of The Chronicle, which can be seen at http://chronicle.com/indepth/academicworkplace.

Ripon was listed in four categories:

* Healthy faculty-administration relations.
* Collaborative governance.
* Work/life balance.
* Connection to institution and pride.

"We spend a lot of time focusing on the student experience here, and rightly so, but it starts with the employee experience," said David C. Joyce, president of Ripon College, in the press release. "The culture here is based on collaboration and mutual respect, as evidenced by the results of this survey. Our people are what sets us apart — not just how we treat our students, but how we treat each other."

The Chronicle's Great Colleges to Work For program recognizes small groups of colleges (based on enrollment size) for specific best practices and policies, such as compensation and benefits, faculty/administration relations, and confidence in senior leadership. There are 26 recognition categories for four-year institutions, and 15 categories for community colleges. Among four-year colleges, 122 institutions were recognized in at least one category.

More than 300 four- and two-year colleges signed up for this year's program, and 247 went through the survey process this spring. That's nearly triple last year's number of participants. The results are based on responses from nearly 41,000 administrators, faculty members and staff members at those institutions.

RIPON SCHOOL DISTRICT: District Recalls 3 Teachers; 1.5 Teacher Positions Remain on Layoff

Source: Ripon Area School District

The Ripon Area School District is recalling 3 teachers from layoff due to the latest state aid calculations released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The state’s 2009-11 budget signed by Governor Doyle cuts state aid to schools by 3.1% with varying amounts in each school district based on a complex aid formula used by the DPI. While nearly one-fourth of school districts in the state are coping with cuts in the 15% range, Ripon’s share of the statewide cut to school aid was 1.8% for the 2009-10 school year. The previous estimate of 3.1% was nearly $400,000. The new calculation from DPI is a cut of approximately $220,000.

Based on the smaller than expected cut in state aid, the District’s Budget Planning Team recommended that three positions be recalled from layoff. The positions being recalled are: RMS Language Arts/Reading teacher (1.0 FTE); RHS Science teacher (0.42 FTE); K-5 Title I Reading/Math teacher (1.0 FTE).

“While none of us are pleased with a 1.8% cut in state aid, Ripon is in a much better situation than many school districts facing much larger cuts,” stated Ripon superintendent Richard Zimman. “These recalls mean that our students will benefit from smaller class sizes and more learning opportunities. Our goal is to be in a financial position to recall all our teachers and to restore the positions and work hours that have been cut for next year.”

The District still has three half-time positions on layoff in art, science, and foreign language. The District cut three full-time teacher positions which include a media specialist, a family/consumer education teacher, and a gifted/talented teacher. Work hours for elementary instructional aides were also significantly cut for 2009-10 as part of the staff reduction to meet state budget requirements for schools.

I CAN'T MAKE THIS UP - A MUSLIM SCHOOL HOLIDAY IN NEW YORK?

Late last month, The New York City Council passed a resolution asking Mayor Michael Bloomberg to add Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the New York Public School calendar. The non-binding council vote, which was opposed by only one councilmember G. Oliver Koppel, also recommends that the schools be closed to celebrate the two Islamic feast days. According to media sources, the vote comes as the culmination of a three-years lobbying effort by New York Islamist groups and what supporters such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations describe as “over 80 Labor and Community Organizations.”

The New York Times, in its July 1st story on the resolution, pointed out that:

"Supporters also say that since the Ids (pronounced eeds) are floating holidays whose timing is set by the lunar calendar, they often fall on other religious holidays, on weekends or during the summer. During the next decade, for instance, at least one of the two Ids each year is expected to coincide with summer recess or an existing school holiday, according to a report by the Immigrant Rights Clinic at New York University.

BUT, what the Times did not point out was that Eid al-Adha falls on Sunday, September 11, 2016 and Eid al-Fitr will begin at sunset on September 9 and continue to sunset on Friday September 10 next year.

The questions that come to my mind:
1 - Did anyone think that celebrating a Muslim holiday on the same day that the city suffered a massive terrorist attack at the hands of individuals professing their faith as their planes smashed into the Twin Towers might be a bad idea?
2 - What happens to someone who proposes a Christian-based day off for students in a Muslim fundamentalist country?
3 - What about a day off for Buddhism, Hinduism, atheism, etc?

TOMORROW....

It will be 12:34:56 07/08/09

Ripon Officers to be vigilant in enforcing new Primary Safety Belt Law

Law enforcement officers in Wisconsin may now stop and ticket drivers and passengers who are not wearing safety belts even if the officers do not observe another traffic or vehicle equipment violation. The state budget, signed recently by Governor Jim Doyle, strengthens Wisconsin's mandatory safety belt law by adopting what is known as primary enforcement.

The state's safety belt law, which has been in effect since 1987, will now be enforced just like any other traffic safety law. Previously, officers had to stop motorists for another violation before they could issue a safety belt citation. With the change to primary enforcement, officers only need to observe an unbuckled driver or passenger in order to stop the vehicle and ticket the offender, says Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. Although primary enforcement will be a valuable tool for officers, we're not striving to write more tickets. Our goal is to save lives and prevent injuries by increasing voluntary compliance with the safety belt law. Unfortunately, too many people believe that a violent crash will never happen to them, so they don't fasten their safety belt. However, with primary enforcement, more people may voluntarily make buckling up a habit simply to avoid the risk of being stopped and ticketed.

Currently, Wisconsin's safety belt use rate is approximately 74 percent, which is one of the lowest in the nation (44th out of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) and well below the national average of 83 percent.

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that when states upgrade to primary enforcement, their safety belt use rate typically increases about 10 percent. In Wisconsin, a 10 percent increase in safety belt use would save about 44 lives and prevent 650 injuries each year.

A 10 percent increase in safety belt use would also save state residents about $147 million annually in traffic crash costs, according to NHTSA. Motorists who are hurt or killed in traffic crashes because they were not buckled create significant economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost worker productivity. The rest of society indirectly or directly pays for nearly 75% of these economic losses through higher medical and vehicle insurance premiums, workers compensation, taxes, and other public funding, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The change to primary enforcement does not increase the cost of a safety belt citation, which is still $10 with no demerit points assessed on a driver's license.

By enacting primary enforcement, Wisconsin is eligible to receive at least $15.2 million in federal funding for an array of traffic safety improvements including traffic control devices, pavement and shoulder widening, traffic calming, and highway signage.

Although the federal funding will be welcome, the real benefit to Wisconsin will be measured in lives saved and injuries prevented, Collins insists.

"The City of Ripon Police Department will actively enforce Seat Belt laws in the City of Ripon and believe all will be safer on our streets and highways with compliance to this new legislation" said Ripon Police Department Chief of Police Dave Lukoski.