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Fire district asks for city fee waiver
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The Ripon Consolidated Fire District is about to start construction of a new station at the corner of River Road and North Ripon Road.

But a request by the fire district to consider a waiver on the development impact fees associated with the project can only be granted by Ripon City Council members. Elected leaders will discuss the request at Tuesday’s 7 p.m. session at the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave.

Under the fee program, the City of Ripon has the authority to impose fees to defray the cost of providing infrastructure and public facilities to developing properties, according to the report by City Administrator Kevin Werner and City Attorney Tom Terpstra.

“Under Title 17, special districts and government agencies, such as the Ripon Fire Department, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, San Joaquin County, etc., are not exempt from paying development impact fees,” the report said.

Ripon Unified, however, has claimed an exemption under the state law, and has not paid impact fee for new school construction.

Werner and Terpstra noted that “development projects are charged with impact fees, which are calculated by staff for each project collected by the City.”

Elected leaders could give staff direction as to how to proceed on the fire district’s request.

In other agenda items:

•    Two public hearings will be held, including one on the Community Development Block Grant and Home Programs for the 2014-15 fiscal year, and the other on capital fees as covered under Government Code Section 66000.

•    Helen Caetano is scheduled to ask permission on placing a temporary sign at the corner of Stockton Avenue and Second Street to advertise the Ripon Grange pancake breakfast.

For more information, call Ripon City Hall at (209) 599-2108 or log on to www.cityofripon.org