The easiest way to link up to tonight’s Ripon City Council livestream meeting is by logging on to the city website.

That’s according to City Clerk Lisa Roos, who indicated that the 6 p.m. open session can be seen via www.cityofripon.org while clicking on to the agenda / minute page. She’ll also accept any comments from the public prior to 4 o’clock today using the same website.

Because of COVID-19, elected leaders, in following the guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, opted to go the virtual route in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

They can attend the meeting from the safe haven of their home or to the Council Chamber while practicing social distancing.

The monthly session, however, will not be open to the public.

One of the agenda items includes a resolution that declares the intention of the City to abandon a public right-of-way adjacent to the properties at 1002 Frontage Road and 1022 Frontage Road.

This matter was forwarded to the Planning Commission about two months ago to determine if it conforms to the City’s General Plan goals and policies, according to Director of Planning Ken Zuidervaart.

R.A.T. Oil Inc. – owners of Jimco Truck Stop – is looking to abandon an unused right-of-way road that runs through the property.

“Jimco Truck Stop is in the process of certain site improvements that were approved as part of a minor site plan permit by the City in 2016 and further amended in 2018,” said Zuidervaart in his report to the council.

He noted that improvements for the site include but are not limited to:

· Demolition and reconstruction of the existing truck wash on-site.

· Relocating the fueling islands for trucks and construction of a new fuel island canopy.

· Connecting the site to City services, such as water, sewer and storm drainage.

· Installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk along the Frontage Road.

· Undergrounding utility overhead utility lines.

· Perimeter landscaping.

· New commercial driveway approaches off of Frontage Road.

· Restriping/resurfacing the entire site to improve truck circulation and parking.

· Revamping existing building facades.

Zuidervaart added that during the initial construction on-site, it was discovered that there was an old right-of-way that runs through and across the site.

“In order to allow utilities and on-site circulation to cross over and through the site, it is essential that the right-of-way be abandoned,” he said.

Council, if approved, would go forward with the abandonment procedure – in this case, a resolution to abandon tthe public right-of-way – and sending that request to the Planning Commission in time for the May 18 meeting.

For more information, call 209.599.2108.