The annual Spring Clean Up in Ripon may be more bad than good.
The Ripon City Council will look to remedy that problem at tonight’s 6 p.m. open session in the Council Chamber, 259 N. Wilma Ave.
At last month’s meeting, Director of Public Works Ted Johnston informed elected leaders of serious issues involving the curbside service that’s been around for the better part of 15 years.
His concerns consisted of residents not complying with the rules, in particular, on what can’t be placed at the curb for disposal.
Johnston pointed out that some folks have been putting regular loose garbage in their curbside trash, causing problems with collection coupled with sanitary issues.
More of a problem has been scavengers from throughout the area, coming in to sift through the piles, going from neighborhood to neighborhood.
There’s also the unsightly appearance along the city streets.
Johnston indicated that it’s been enough for citizens to notify city hall, issuing their complaints.
What’s next?
“Several options were discussed of how to mitigate these issues (at last month’s meeting) and staff was asked to bring back a modified collection program where residents could self-haul their large unwanted items to the corporation yard for disposal,” Johnston said in his letter to the Council.
If approved, staff members will look to provide an outreach program to notify residents of the changes, using flyers placed in customer’s utility bills, newspaper articles, notifications on the city website (www.cityofripon.org), and flyers attached to each customer’s refuse container.
For more information, call Ripon City Hall at 209.599.2108 or click on to the city website.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.