By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Ripon has put up 7 of 11 license plate readers
ripon plate

Four license plate readers in Ripon are still a ways from being operational.

The Ripon City Council received an update Tuesday on the already-approved 11 license plate readers to be placed at various entrances into city limits, including the Caltrans off-ramps.

“To date, seven license plate readers have been installed and the remaining readers cannot be installed until we obtain an encroachment permit from Caltrans,” said Information Systems Technician Dan Brannon in his report.

He added that staff had proposed that these readers be placed on the existing Caltrans poles that are within the Caltrans right of way.

The City, based on Caltrans’ request, would need an encroachment permit application including structural analysis to prove that these cameras will not pose a threat to the safety of motorists.

“This is the last item Caltrans has requested to complete our encroachment permit application,” Bannon said.

He anticipates that the engineer – Mike Smith Engineering, Inc. – will complete the drawings within 30 days, allowing staff to submit the encroachment permit application by mid-May.

Another part of the project is the cost of an electrical consultant for separate power sources needed for the readers.

Council voted 5-0 for the cost of consulting services to provide the electrical engineering design services – paid via the general fund – and the service agreement with Mike Smith Engineering, Inc. in the amount not exceeding $11,500.