The Electronic Message Center is up and running.

The City of Ripon is accepting applications from local non-profit organizations and government agencies to promote community-wide events on the pixel matrix monument sign in front of Ripon Police Department / Ripon City Hall.

Such events are required to take place within city limits and open to the general public.

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.

The city noted that religious agencies “may promote annual community-wide events, but not corporate church worship services and weekly events.”

Applications must be submitted with the information requested to be displayed in an approved format to the City Clerk no more than 30 days prior to the requested date.

As stated in the application: “Less is more when it comes to the creation of your sign. When creating your sign keep in mind that it will display for eight seconds at a time – the majority of people viewing this will be driving by and will not actually see it for a full eight seconds.”

The Ripon City Council approved the purchase of the pixel matrix monument sign from Johnson Sign Systems last June.

Elected leaders discussed the policies and procedures involving the Electronic Message Center in December prior to final approval.

For more information, call Jane Kilgore at 209.599.2108 or email jkilgore@cityofripon.org.