The proposed city ordinance for Illegal dumping at Ripon Recycling Center was recently placed on hold.

The reason for that was for clarification purposes.

“I don’t have a problem with the fine levels. But with the experience that I have, I can very easily see somebody doing something illegal (at the Ripon Recycling Center) and the volume of whatever’s left translating that into a $1,000 fine,” Councilman Leo Zuber said at the Dec. 14 Ripon City Council meeting.

The $1,000 fine would be first-time offenders, jumping to $1,500 for a second offense, and $3,000 for anyone with a third offense under the civil penalties on the resolution – Illegal Dumping, Nuisance Vehicles.

Based on the proposed ordinance as currently presented, Zuber believes that the person assessed the fine could take issue with it by going before elected leaders.

He would prefer clarity on how fines are handled. Couple what with more language and some flexibility on the resolution.

The volume of illegal dumping at the city facility used to be a lot worse, according to Zuber. But the limited hours of operation and the placement of security cameras are credited for having lessen those problems – the City, in recent years, has struggled with after-hours illegal dumping activities along with the depositing of non-recycling materials at the Ripon Recycle Center.

The center has been closed since Christmas and will resume normal operations on Monday, Jan. 3.

Staff will come back with a revised version of this ordinance.