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Sidewalks around the city of Ripon are getting a safety boost through Safe Step’s plans to grind out major bumps in the walkway.
That was among the takeaways from the Ripon Common Council meeting on Tuesday, May 9.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) administers an annual Sidewalk Improvement Program, working methodically through the city to improve the safety of the public sidewalks.
Trip hazards are the primary area of focus in efforts to improve as much sidewalk as possible each year, employing two methods: Grinding vertically displaced edges and where grinding is not an option, replacing sidewalk panels.
Staff secured the proposal from Safe Step for grinding displaced edges. Safe Step will evaluate the area and provide a report identifying sidewalk panels eligible for grinding vs. replacement.
Staff then will send communications to affected owners advising of cost share, their responsibilities, options and schedules.
The 2023 Sidewalk Improvement Budget is $44,000. Staff established a do-not-exceed value of $25,000 for Safe Step’s proposal in an attempt to ensure sufficient remaining funds for replacing identified concrete panels.
DPW Director Allyn Dannhoff told Ripon’s Common Council that the streets up for the fixes this year are the west side of Ransom from Thorne to Griswold, as well as east of Woodside from Thorne to Griswold, and the cross streets of Watertown, Howard and Griswold between Woodside and Watson streets.
He added that this incentive may help those who can’t afford to replace it themselves.
“If they want to do it on their own, they can, but we don’t have the budget to help everyone in the city,” Dannhoff said.
The group also reviewed the employee handbook and some additions and changes brought forward by City Administrator Adam Sonntag, who said the information hadn’t been extensively changed since 2012.
He said overall, the handbook was inconsistent between departments, and that conversations were had with city staff “to make sure their concerns are being addressed in meaningful ways.”
“Ninety percent of the language in the handbook remains the same,” Sonntag added.
There was discussion about the specific verbiage of the city’s added diversity statement, which reads:
“The city of Ripon strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place for employees and all members of our community. City staff are committed to promoting respectful conduct and equitable service to our diverse community. We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work and condemn discrimination by or against members of our community. We are committed to treating everyone fairly, respectfully, and without bias, regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, marital or familial status, immigration status, sexual orientation, age, economic status, differing abilities, conviction history and other individual identities.”
Ald. Terry Grunert questioned why specific terms of diversity were mentioned and if they could be removed for a broader, all-encompassing term.
“The terms that some people take offense to — it doesn’t mean they take offense to the person. You can respect a person for being a person. You don’t necessarily have to respect the views that they want to live or do,” Grunert said.
However, City Attorney Ludwig Wurtz said that was not advisable under law.
“These are all categories that have been subject to litigation,” Wurtz said. “Every one of these. And you are a public entity. To suggest that you could eliminate the list would be a very difficult undertaking to protect yourself from a lawsuit.”
The group is slated to discuss and possibly vote on the employee handbook changes at its Monday, May 22 meeting.
