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Ripon leaders examine ‘purple’ reopening plans
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With a return to the Purple Tier, the Ripon City Council addressed many of its re-opening plans at Thursday’s special session.

All while following San Joaquin County’s Blue Print for a Safer Economy, which is a gradual process that retains critical protections and modifications in order to keep community transmission down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re exciting about the re-openings (of businesses) rather than closing,” said City Administrator Kevin Werner.

Under the Purple Tier, Ripon businesses such as restaurants are open for outdoor dining with some modifications. Ditto that for gyms and fitness centers.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed the reopening of churches in California but only with limited attendance.

Stores and retailers are also operating with indoor modifications limited to 25 percent capacity.

Some of the changes have been favorable. Take outdoor dining, for example.

Elected leaders approved an ordinance not too long ago to allow such businesses for the al fresco setup. According to Werner, that part of the Ripon Municipal Code was suspended during the pandemic. “At some point, we might have to enforce that again,” he said.

Councilman Mike Restuccia has enjoyed the outdoor dining arrangement. “I’m hoping we can continue it,” he said.

Elected leaders suggested getting Chamber of Commerce President / CEO Kelly Donohue and others involved in seeking input from local businesses in going forward.

The recreation programs, meanwhile, will be available based on the color tier. Baseball, under Purple, is a go but flag football and basketball would have to wait until possibly the shift to Orange and Yellow tiers, respectively.

“We’re holding off on camps,” said Recreation Director Kye Stevens.

He added that the City has met with the athletic directors of Ripon High (Rod Wright) and Ripon Christian (Kevin Tameling) on the use Mavis Stouffer Park and the Mistlin Sports Complex for the upcoming year. These facilities are large enough to allow for all involved to follow social distancing and other safety protocols.

“We should work with them as the best we can and not charge them,” Vice Mayor Dean Uecker said.

The rental and lease of facilities such as the Ripon Community Center and Stouffer Hall continue to be in limbo given that social indoor events are still prohibited.

The outdoor park gazebos, however, are available with a limited capacity to those in attendance.

Public meetings will continue to be a closed setting and available for viewing via livestream on the City of Ripon official website.

The Ripon Police Department had been “sporadically busy” during calls for places in violation of the state and local public health guidelines, Lt. Danny Sauer said.

The first step has been education followed by a warning, and then the administering of a citation – for repeat violators, Sauer noted, it’s an automatic Step 3 citation.

He added that a dozen businesses in town received such warnings including five places being cited since the enforcements.