The temporary sidewalk extension known as a parklet at the downtown restaurant A Matter of Taste is scheduled for removal on Jan. 8.

Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart made a mention of that at the Dec. 14 Ripon City Council meeting after Vice Mayor Mike Restuccia requested an update regarding the parking spaces currently being used for outdoor dining by the bistro and wine bar.

“The items were supposed to be removed by Dec. 10,” said Zuidervaart, who indicated that efforts by the contractor hired by the restaurant to remove it had been delayed.

“We did get an email from the owner Judith (Valenzuela) that his crew came down with COVID and had to be quarantined for a while. With the holidays coming up, we’ve given her a new date to remove the parklet,” he added.

Last month, elected leaders approved an amendment to the “Emergency Services” chapter of the city ordinance.

By doing so, they repealed the “Outside Dining Within a Public Right-of-Way” ordinance – in turn, doing away with the parklet used for outdoor dining – while amending the one on “Sidewalk Dining and Public Walkways.”

The emergency ordinance had provided temporary waivers of certain requirements of the Ripon Municipal Code, allowing those businesses impacted by the pandemic – under health orders from the state and San Joaquin County – to continue to operate.

In the event that the downtown parklet is not removed by the January deadline, Zuidervaart said code enforcement would then be involved.