It’s the responsibility of elected leaders to conduct regular monthly sessions.

Vice Mayor Elden ‘Red’ Nutt echoed just that at last week’s Ripon City Council meetings.

Council considered canceling the Aug. 5 meeting which coincided with the annual National Night Out scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ripon Community Center.

City Administrator Kevin Werner added that one new piece of information came in that needed action by Aug. 15.

“A special meeting would need to take place (if council opted to cancel the August session),” he said.

Council members, instead, decided to go forward with the Aug. 5 meeting, but moving the time from the regular 7 p.m. start to time to 5 o’clock, voting 5-0.

By starting the meeting two hours earlier, they’ll also have time to attend National Night Out, sponsored by the City of Ripon and the Ripon Ministerial Association.

Those attending can enjoy free hot dogs and bottled water.

The Ripon Police Department usually takes on the Ripon Consolidated Fire District in a watermelon-eating contest.

Some of the various city departments will duke it out with a friendly battle of tug-of-war while youngsters can cool down on the inflatable waterslides or have fun with face painting and crafts.

Bingo is also offered inside the hall with nice prizes up for grabs.