The City of Ripon is looking to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders.

One way of doing that is waiving the Special Events permit fee for signage to those businesses essential to Ripon.

City Council could further discuss this item at tonight's 6 o'clock online session -- log on to www.cityofripon.org for the YouTube livestream.

According to Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart's report the "Ripon Rotary Club has requested a fee waiver for a Special Events Permit that would allow for the placement of 'Open' signs within the City's right of way, specifically, planter areas in front of businesses currently opened during the State Mandated Coronavirus Orders."

He indicated that this was to promote economic development purposes these unprecedented times.

As for the fiscal impact, Zuidervaart said fee waiver would cost the City $171 -- the very amount for one special events permit -- from the General Fund.

In other agenda items:

•   Council members could approve and authorize City Administrator Kevin Werner to sign the schedule with Masabi to provide a transit mobile app, which would be a one-stop shop for residents of San Joaquin County to easily plan trips and purchase necessary transit passes.
• They'll do a first reading on the amendment of the "Fencing and Screening" with better established standardized setbacks and regulations, as previously reviewed by the Planning Commission. A public hearing is scheduled beforehand.
• Elected leaders will discuss and possibly approve the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the South San Joaquin Irrigation District and the City of Escalon, establishing the South San Joaquin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.