RIPON – Dean Uecker and Kevin Werner will be attending this year’s League of California Cities annual conference in San Diego.

At Tuesday’s Ripon City Council meeting, Uecker was the only elected leader not seeking re-election and available for the Sept. 5 through 7 sessions.

He agreed to go as the voting delegate representing Ripon. Chuck Winn, who was the other council member in a non-election year, wasn’t available on those days due to prior commitments.

Werner is the city engineer. “This (conference) will be a good experience for Kevin,” said Councilman Charlie Gay, who initially expressed an interest in attending.

Council, however, was interested in only those guaranteed to return to the post for another year. Mayor Elden ‘Red’ Nutt, Garry Krebbs, and Gay are seeking re-election.

“I thought we should pass on this,” said Nutt, who was against sending anyone to the League of California Cities conference due to financial matters.

“We could be looking at a potential shortfall,” he added.

Winn, for one, believed that the city will benefit from the conference. He and Uecker attended that last one held in San Diego.

“It improves your role on the council,” Winn said. “You’re informed and better prepared.”

In particular, he thought someone from Ripon should be on hand for the city talk session, “Police Surveillance Camera Program: What to know before you begin.”

Michelle Dawson, who is the assistant city manager at Moreno Valley, will serve as the guest speaker. Surveillance cameras, according to the agenda description, serve as “deterrents to crime and as investigative tools.

“As the call for expensive camera systems increases, learn pros / cons from the experiences of communities that have already undertaken the implementation of these system.”

Add Ripon to those cities relying on surveillance tools.

As a delegate, Uecker will have a vote during the conference’s business meetings.

“I think it’s important that we have one voting member at the conference,” Gay said.

Winn agreed. “It gives us the opportunity to influence the outcome,” he added.