A few months ago, the Ripon City Council discovered the process of appointing and reappointing members to the various commissions needed some updating.

Vice Mayor Leo Zuber question the process selection, as written in the Ripon Municipal Code, as being vague at the March meeting. Alternate Jeff Veilleux was elevated to Seat No. 5 on the Planning Commission, and then-newcomer Steve Verver was picked as the alternate.

Zuber said that he was OK with the results, pointing out that the necessary updates and clarification on the commission application and appointment process was needed.

At tonight’s 6 o’clock meeting in the Council Chamber, 259 N. Wilma Ave., elected leaders will look to do just that.

Changes to the ordinance “needed updating to reflect the City’s process for a fair and open Commission appointment process,” he said in his council report.

Among those changes, pending council approval, are:

·         Parameters for the application process, including advertising for the commission applications.

·         Modification to the appointment and reappointment of regular commission terms.

·         A process for filling vacancies for expired terms.

·         A process for filling vacancies for unexpired terms.

The City of Ripon has two appointed commissions – Parks / Recreation Commission and Planning Commission – with both consisting of six members, five regulars and one alternate.

Applications for both commissions can be accepted at any time, and will be kept on file for a period of 24 months.

All commission members, for the most part, will be appointed to terms of four years.

For more information, log on to www.cityoripon.org.