An electronic message board is in the process of being installed in front of Ripon Police Department/Ripon City Hall.

The purchase of the pixel matrix monument sign from Johnson Sign Systems was approved by the Ripon City Hall back in June, and would provide community announcements and city events once the work is completed.

At the Dec. 12 meeting, elected leaders discussed the Electronic Message Center (EMC) Usage Policies and Procedures resolution – Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart said that staff received direction to put together a policy regarding the use of electronic message sign, in particular, by other agencies.

A few changes will need to be made.

According to Mayor Leo Zuber, the policy was missing the overarching description of what the EMC should be used for.

“The policy states that the EMC will not be used to directly or indirectly to endorse or promote a political campaign, candidate, or a ballot measure, but in the next section the policy states that it may be used by state and federal legislative representatives – this needs to be clarified,” he said.

Zuber added that police states that city-sponsored events should have priority. “It needs to be clarified on how that is established,” he said.

Zuidervaart noted that the Ripon Municipal Code has a section regarding electronic message displays and message time, with Zuber saying that the policy should reference this section of the code.

Staff will do a revise on the policy, incorporating Council’s suggestions while bringing it back to an upcoming meeting, said Zuidervaart.

Cost for the Johnson Sign Systems EMC was about $44,172, paid via the General Department Capital Fund.

The EMC is a double-sided electronic message sign, measuring 3- by 6- feet tall, perpendicular to Wilma Avenue, in full view of traffic in both directions.