RIPON – A portion of Main Street could soon be in line for beautification improvements.

Thanks to the Transportation Enhancement grant of four years ago, the City of Ripon made tentative plans for the right-of-way improvements between Acacia Avenue and Nourse Street.

But elected leaders must first give the green light for staff to conduct a public workshop.

At tonight’s Ripon City Council meeting, they’ll likely do just that. The purpose of the upcoming session would be to allow stakeholders to review the proposed project and accept any comments or suggestions prior to preparing the final design.

The open meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave.

The type of improvements being considered include:

•Replacing the existing wood trellises with brick and metal similar to that of previous stage of Main Street.

•Replacing plants at various planters where needed.

•Retrofitting existing planters and pots that may have since shifted.

•Making landscape improvements at the planters located at the entrance of the Main Street parking lot adjacent to the Ripon Roadhouse Restaurant.

Since plans call for no road work on the project, nearby businesses can continue to operate with few interruptions.

Ripon was awarded $400,000 of the Transportation Enhancement grant from the state Department of Transportation. This grant doesn’t require any match from the city, according to staff.

In other agenda items:

•Council members could consider a reduction of their compensation and benefits, as requested by Chuck Winn.

• They’ll likely approve the rental packet consisting of fees and policy for use of the Stouffer Hall meeting room, once known as the old Clarence Smit Museum.