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Four Ripon groups seek PAL funds
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Four non-profit groups supporting Ripon youngsters recently applied for Police Activity League grants.

The Ripon High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Heartland Community Church, Stone Soup and the Ripon Community and Youth Commissions are in the running for funds from the defunct program.

All four have met the criteria established by PAL Grant Committee – included are Mayor Leo Zuber, Recreation Director Kye Stevens and Police Chief Ed Ormonde – and could receive $500 each pending approval from the Ripon City Council on Tuesday.

Elected leaders will meet to discuss this and other items during the 6 p.m. open session in the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave.

This will be the Council’s first of the once-a-month regular sessions. This format will continue through January 2016 on a trial basis.

“One application was submitted after the deadline and it was disqualified,” Zuber said in the staff report.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is looking to use the funds to support the supervised post-game activities following home football games.

Heartland is earmarking the money for the Christmas drama production involving community youth.

Stone Soup plans to use it to support a reading night activity involving students and parents.

The Community and Youth Commission will look to offer an anti-bullying program thanks to the funding.

PAL was a casualty of budget cuts in 2009.

Not too long ago, Zuber, who was treasurer of PAL back in its heyday, recommended using the remaining funds to help youngsters with hardships to pay the registration fees necessary to participate in the local recreational programs or the groups offering activities and events specifically for Ripon kids.

In other agenda items:

Council members will confirm Mayor Zuber’s appointment of colleague Dean Uecker and public member Jennifer Brennan to serve on the Golf Course Capital Improvement Committee.

 They’ll discuss the Grand Jury Case for the Superior Court of California involving the “Charity Begins At Home” unattended for-profit donation bids in town including the one in front of Ripon Elementary.

Elected leaders could give Zuber the nod to sign the lease agreement with Friends of the Ripon Senior Center for the property at 433 S. Wilma Ave.

Council will discuss affordable housing in Ripon, including the policy and requirements.

For more information, call Ripon City Hall at 209.599-2108 or log on to www.cityofripon.org.