Proposed new rules could mean future City of Ripon city administrators would have to reside within the Ripon Unified School District - unless an exception is granted by the City Council.

Ripon’s elected leaders will decide Tuesday when the council meets at 7 p.m., at City Hall, 259 North Wilma Ave., whether to amend the municipal code pertaining to the city administrator’s employment in such a fashion and to have it brought back for a first reading at a future meeting.

Leon Compton, who recently  retired from the post, resided in Stanislaus County.

The City of Manteca has a similar requirement but opted to make an exception when they picked longtime Assistant City Manager Karen McLaughlin to replace Steve Pinkerton two years ago when he accepted a similar post in Davis.

McLaughlin had been in the city manager’s office for 23 years prior to getting picked for the top job. She lives in Modesto but pointed out that most of her waking hours had been spent in Manteca for almost two decades. She also does the bulk of her shopping in Manteca.

The Ripon council may also change its ordinance to allow the city administrator to be terminated “for cause” on a simple majority vote or without cause on a four-member vote of the City Council.

The council Tuesday will also consider spending $81,454 in federal pass through funds via the Community Development Block Grant to install curbs and repair landscaping where properties are at a different level from the sidewalk.

It will involve additional concrete, asphalt, tree removal, fence repairs, and the installation of three additional curb ramps plus 100 feet of sidewalk.

The CDBG funds can only be used in low-income neighborhoods.

Prior to the meeting, the council will conduct a public workshop at 6 p.m. on the proposed 2013-14 municipal budget.