During the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants in Ripon have made the most of outdoor dining.

The City of Ripon currently has two such ordinances related to this – the “Sidewalk Dining in Public Walkway” and the “Outdoor Dining within a Public Right-of-Way.”

At Tuesday’s Ripon City Council meeting, elected leaders will look at possibly combing both ordinances into one along with any amendments.

The open session is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave., and will be open to the first 25 people looking to attend.

“Now that both outside dining permits have had some opportunity to exist/function, staff is bringing this item back to see if any adjustments are desired to either of the ordinances,” said Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart in his report to the Council.

He mentioned the reason for that is for ease and clarification for staff on the operating parameters in combining the two ordinances into one.

In other agenda items:

• Council members will consider approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ripon and Ripon Consolidated Fire District.
• They’ll hear and discuss the Pacific Gas & Electric Community Safety Program’s recently implemented 2021 wildfire season. Public affairs representative Dylan George is scheduled to provide an overview. City staff will have information on the potential impacts the Wildfire Safety Program could have on services and utilities.
• Staff will seek direction on how to proceed with the final design for the Downtown Circulation and Streetscape Master Plan.

More information is available by logging on to www.cityofripon.org.