31 but unavailable features including dog parks, skating surfaces, pickleball courts, soccer areas, and indoor facilities. The need for river access, restrooms, and ADA features were less commonly noted needs.
Heat Map Showing Origins of Attendees for Sunday in the Park Performance June 30, 2024 Questions regarding the quality of parks were generally quite positive with many avowing to the cleanliness and tidiness of the parks. New facilities at Todd Grove Park were praised, and while the aging of facilities was noted, most participants seemed to feel they were not yet past their reasonable life span. Low Gap Park was a notable exception that was frequently called out as having dilapidated features, many of which are seen as deteriorated to the point of being unusable.
To explore issues of community and social
capital focus group members were asked “Do
you think our parks are promoting a sense of
community? How could they do that better?”
The answers tended to feature recreation
programs as opposed to parks infrastructure.
However, community gardens, murals, and
connectivity along the Great Redwood Trail
were all mentioned as important infrastructure
for building community. The LatinX group
expressed a need for a public square or a place
for people to walk and mingle as a park-like
feature that would be culturally appropriate and desired. The old Montgomery Ward storefront next to the Alex Rorabaugh Center site was specifically mentioned as having potential for this feature.
Previous discussions with the LatinX community also suggest a strong desire for family gathering areas.
32 Focus group participants were asked about their perception of Safety in the parks; “Do you think our parks feel welcoming to you? Do you feel safe in parks?” Generally, participants spoke to feeling safe during daylight hours. This was biased by gender with one participant stating, “sure, I feel safe, but I’m six foot four.” The Great Redwood Trail and Low Gap Park were spoken of as parks that feel less safe, but this too was by no means universal. Most comments regarding perceived danger focused on a general discomfort with homeless or people under the influence with little concern expressed about robbery, violence, or gangs. Some participants expressed surprise that others did not feel safe. It also should be noted that a number of parents qualified their positive statements of perceived safety with the qualifier “but I don’t want my child to be there alone.” Restrooms were called out as a potentially unsafe place and a need for single stall, individual restrooms were desired to avoid being trapped in an enclosed place with a potential assailant. One group suggested the need for a greater police presence only to be countered with “not everyone feels safer with the police.” The presence of park staff, rangers, or park “ambassadors” was seen as a good option for increasing perceived safety. Improved lighting was also mentioned as a means to improve safety.
It should be noted that the facilitators generally steered the conversation away from homelessness.
The facilitators took the position that homelessness is a separate issue that effects all public spaces and that parks “neither create nor solve homelessness.” The issue of homelessness did come up at all the focus group meetings and while no one was prohibited from speaking about it, most participants seemed to agree it is a subject that requires its own separate discussion and its own separate solution. There was no dispute, and this report acknowledges that homelessness negatively impacts the perception of safety and park cleanliness thereby decreasing user enjoyment of parks.
The final focus group question was “Lack of funding is a barrier. Many communities set up special districts or pass bond measures to pay for parks. Do you think that might be a good option for here?” Few participants categorically ruled out assessing additional taxes to support parks.
However, many felt that “now is not a good time” and a lack of trust that additional taxes would not be diverted away from parks for other uses. Many participants expressed a willingness to pay additional taxes if they could be assured the money would be exclusively earmarked for parks and recreation. The Real Estate Focus group expressed the most resistance to new taxes with concern that property owners pay an unfair share of taxes. The use of fundraisers, grants, and donations were suggested by virtually all groups. There was little or no discussion of Public / Private partnerships or “pay for play” options.
One-on-One Meetings
One-on-one meetings were set up with Poppy Burkhead from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Lake Mendocino and Shane Garside of BLM. Staff met with Lake Mendocino’s Operations Project Manager Poppy Burkhead on August 6th, 2024. Lake Mendocino offers many recreational opportunities including two camping areas, boat-in camping, approximately 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, two disc golf courses and multiple playgrounds. Some of the trails are in the 700-acre wilderness area, where native wildlife can be viewed. There are five large day-use areas with covered picnic shelters and barbeques. For on-the-water recreation, there is boating,
33 swimming and water skiing. Fishing for large and small mouth bass, stripers, crappie, blue gill and three varieties of catfish is a popular activity.
In recent years the lake level has become more variable with extended periods of low water level due to drought. During these periods of low water, fishing and boating become unavailable.
Additionally, efforts to assure adequate water flow to the Russian River has led to storing greater amounts of water creating periods of flooding. Flooding submerged the boat launch areas and the access road to the largest area of campgrounds leading to the majority of their campsites being closed. Fishing, boating, swimming, and camping have all been significantly curtailed due to the unpredictability of the lake level. The USACE has entered a partnership with the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance (GUBTA) to explore options for improving recreational opportunities at the Lake.
While Lake Mendocino provides regional park opportunities in the City of Ukiah’s Area of Interest, very few residents live within walking distance of the park’s features. The USACE is interested in installing a “destination playground” in the hopes that it will draw tourists to the park. Although a large playground for 5-12 year-olds would have appeal to local families as a regional destination, it does not meet the community need for “accessible” (within a half mile) parks.
A one-on-one meeting with Assistant Field Manager Shane Garfield of the BLM was convened on August 14th, 2024. Although there is no public access to BLM property within the area of interest, input from BLM was requested as they provide a significant recreational opportunity in the region.
Cow Mountain provides over 50,000 acres of open space. The North Cow Mountain Recreation (non-motorized) Area is located within the Mayacamas Mountains, east of the City of Ukiah and west of the City of Lakeport, in Northwestern California. The recreation management area consists of approximately 26,000 acres of public land that is managed for non-motorized use. The recreation area boasts almost 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. South Cow Mountain is contiguous and located immediately to the south. South Cow Mountain is open to motorized vehicles and boasts over 90 miles of trails and roads.
The western boundary of North Cow Mountain is within the City of Ukiah’s Area of Interest, but no trailheads are within the Area of Interest. Further, the only legal shooting range on Cow Mountain is in the middle of the non-motorized area. Unregulated, illegal shooting is rampant and a serious deterrent to users from the Ukiah Valley. The lack of a convenient trailhead and overly steep trails further reduce the recreational appeal of the trails. Mr. Garfield acknowledged these issues and stated that moving the shooting range is not an option, and staffing for enforcement is extremely limited. The benefits of establishing a trailhead on the west side of the property were discussed.
34 Surveys and Tabling
A 20-question survey was developed using the
online Survey Monkey application. The
questions were designed to align with this
project’s Levels of Service and Goals. The
survey was available in English and Spanish
and advertised via a press release, on social
media, and via tabling events. Over 300 surveys
were completed. The surveys were available at
tabling events as well, and participants were
encouraged to discuss the questions and parks
in general in one-on-one interactions.
The majority of respondents (76%) live in the
greater Ukiah Valley node and are frequent
users of the parks. Generally speaking, the
more often people used parks, the more likely
they were to fill out the survey, a bias that
should be considered. Over forty percent felt
we need more parks, but in the comments
section there were many statements like “we
could always use more parks.” Some
respondents also noted that having well
dispersed parks is as important as having more
parks. Seventy percent of respondents
expressed that the parks are clean and well
maintained with only thirteen percent disagreeing with that. The question regarding park cleanliness specifically stated “other than homelessness” do you feel the parks are clean and well maintained. Many respondents used the comment areas in the survey to bemoan the negative impact of people experiencing homelessness. For the authors of the survey, it was important to try to separate the success of the City in routine maintenance of the park as opposed to the issues related to mitigating the impact of homelessness. Survey responses did seem to indicate that the Parks maintenance team is doing a good job with routine maintenance.
The survey indicated that for the majority of users, park use is a social activity. Less than one in five respondents reported “always” or “usually” going to the park alone. This is contrasted with over sixty percent stating they “always” or “usually” go with “my family or a larger group of friends” and forty-three percent “always” or “usually” going with one or more friends. This suggests a potential need for more facilities to support group use.
The survey indicated that the parks are not overcrowded, and the available space is adequate to meet community needs. Additionally, sixty percent of respondents feel the parks provide a “sense of place and history.” Thirty percent had no opinion on this question, leaving less than ten percent who disagreed.
35 Seventy-one percent of respondents stated they feel the parks are safe enough to use. Less than fifteen percent disagreed. However, when asked about specific parks, only forty-three percent stated they feel safe in all the parks. A third of respondents do not feel the Great Redwood Trail is safe, while more than seventeen percent deem Riverside Park, Oak Manor Park, and Low Gap Park unsafe.
Understanding the recreational interests of users will help City of Ukiah staff to plan for and provide the appropriate park features and recreational programs. The survey asked participants to cite their top three recreational interests. “Trail Use” and “Picnic/Relax/Hangout” both were cited by fiftyseven percent of respondents. These were followed by “River Access” (31%) and swimming (28%) as the most popular activities. All the rest of the options were selected by five to fifteen percent of participants. Interestingly, this included pickleball with only twelve percent choosing it as one of their top three activities. These results suggest strong community interest in nature-based outdoor recreation.
Approximately two thirds reported taking recreation department classes and activities in the last “few years” while ninety percent stated they would take a class if the time and activity suited them.
Not surprisingly, there was significant interest in most of the recreation options provided. Similarly interest in team or competitive sports was spread fairly evenly across the options provided.
Fifty-one percent of respondents agreed or strongly stated support for a potential tax to pay for parks and recreation support. An additional twenty-five percent of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed with only thirteen percent disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. The self-selection of the survey no doubt biased the results with a high percentage of frequent park users more likely to support a parks tax than might the general population.
The survey was also skewed with women twice as likely to participate as men. Three quarters of respondents were well distributed by age between thirty and sixty or older. Nineteen percent were under thirty and a small percentage declined to state. Despite efforts at engagement, only thirteen percent of respondents identified as Hispanic and three quarters as White/Caucasian.
A small sampling of typical survey comments:
“I think a hard-packed sand (or something non-slippery like that) walking trail just inside the stone wall at Todd Grove Park would be a welcomed improvement. It would be a mostly shaded area for walking at any time of the day especially in the summer. Maybe other parks would like to have such a feature also.”
“I think it would be awesome if lights could be installed (where possible) to illuminate grass areas and basketball courts for after work recreation during the winter. I would support special district taxes to support these improvements”
“The south end of town could use another park. Also, easier/more access to rivers would be amazing.”
“The south side of Ukiah deserves more park access, the areas of the Ukiah valley with the highest percentage of Latino residents have the lowest access to safe parks/recreation activities.”
36 ”I would really like the city to expand the riverside park to make use of the river there for more swim activities.....even to create a large beach area. It seems a shame that we don't have access to the Russian River for families in the summer.”
37 Next Steps – Case Studies
The City of Ukiah’s existing parks largely meet community needs for those living within the city limits. However, survey and focus group input suggest residents would like both more parks and additional features like dog parks, pickleball courts, and lighting. Further, the areas immediately to the north and south of the city are underserved. Beyond the Greater Ukiah node, population densities are too low to support park development. Many of these areas may be relatively close to current or future open spaces, but otherwise, these residents will need to travel to a park in the Greater Ukiah node.
This section will discuss opportunities to expand the City’s park system to meet current and future needs. Table 4 provides a Capital Improvement Project list of potential acquisitions and park feature improvements or additions associated with this section’s recommendations.
Connectivity
Each individual park offers a different set of recreational opportunities and ideally, a system of parks will provide all the varied opportunities a community desires. A parks system with good connectivity will ensure that the sum of recreational opportunities is greater than its parts. By allowing users to combine experiences and transform travel to, from, and between parks from a task to part of the experience increases the overall impact of the park system.
Great Redwood Trail - Linear parks provide the most obvious example of enhancing parks through connectivity. The Great Redwood Trail (GRT) will one day span from the south end to the north end of the Area of Interest. In addition to serving as a recreational space it will serve as a transportation corridor. The completed path will double as an alternative transportation “arterial” or major route. The trail is currently open to the public from Commerce Drive to Brush Street and construction is under way to extend to the southern city limit with a grand opening planned for Fall of 2025. The Ukiah section of the GRT lacks landscaping, shade, and amenities. The City of Ukiah’s GRT Master plan (2020) provides guidance for the addition of park features along the trail. The City is currently working with the Great Redwood Trail Agency to create new sites to access the trail.
Orr Creek Greenway – The Ukiah Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan (2015) and the Low Gap Park Trail Plan (2016) describe the benefits of creating a multi-use path along Orr Creek from Low Gap Park to the Russian River (Figure 5). This path would cross the GRT and add an east-west arterial corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians in addition to the north-south GRT arterial. This path would connect the recreational opportunities at Low Gap Park, Ukiah High, Pomolita Middle School, and the Ukiah Sports Complex.
38 Figure 5 Orr Creek Greenway
Park Development Opportunities North Ukiah
The north end of the Greater Ukiah node is underserved by parks. A park located in the vicinity of the west end of Lover’s Lane could provide most of the underserved area in Figure 6 with access to a park. Alternatively, a park on Ford Road would provide good access to about half the homes in the underserved area. New housing developments on the north end of the node would require the addition of parks.
Figure 6– Homes on the north end of the Greater Ukiah node greater than a half mile from a park outlined in red.
39 South Ukiah – The south side of the Greater Ukiah
node has a relatively high population density with most of the residents in a severely disadvantaged community (CA State Parks Fact Finder). Assuring all residents in the area live within a half mile of a park and have a diversity of park features will likely require the creation of three new parks.
Schools on the south end of town may provide
opportunities as well as other under utilized properties.
Further, a strong argument can be made that to achieve
equity, one of the parks should be a large community park reminiscent of Todd Grove Park. The City owns property on the end of Norgard Lane which could potentially be
developed as a park. Additionally, the proposed Bella Vista development on the south end of the Greater Ukiah node
may present an opportunity for the third park in the area (Figure 7).
Wagenseller Neighborhood Park Opportunities
There are five identified but unsecured options for meeting the park needs of the Wagenseller neighborhood, all with pros and cons. In no order of importance or feasibility, the first option would be to develop a section of the Great Redwood Trail (GRT) sufficiently to meet community needs.
This option cannot happen until the GRT is “railbanked” and there is no identified timeline for this to occur. However, once railbanked this would provide an affordable and suitable option. The second option would be to create an underpass or overpass across highway 101 to allow access to the Ukiah Sports Complex. A few additional features would allow this park to transition from a special use park to a neighborhood park. However, the financial and bureaucratic hurdles to this option are very high. The third option would be to build a new park in the Brush Street triangle. Should this area be developed, the inclusion of a park could be a condition of development. The fourth option is to acquire property from the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. However, it is unknown if the church has any interest in selling. The fifth option would be to create a public-private partnership with the Rural Community Housing District to open and improve their grounds for public use to meet the neighborhood’s needs.
Open Space Opportunities
Results of this study’s survey showed a strong predilection for trails and outdoor, passive use recreation like hiking and nature viewing. Preservation of open space presents a number of associated co-benefits including watershed protection, carbon sequestration, and improvements to air quality. Recreation benefits are enjoyed by residents who recreate in the area while the economic benefits of increased tourism extend to the entire community. Open space preservation that is opened to public recreation would generally create a designation of regional park.
Figure 7 Potential South Side Park Locations
40 Western Hills Open Space
The City of Ukiah has acquired over 700 acres of open
space now named the Western Hills Watershed Protection
Area (WHWPA). A management plan was adopted by the
City Council in 2024. The management plan defines the
western hills as ranging from the valley floor to the ridge near “lookout peak” and from highway 253 north to Low
Gap Road. Although the City has only acquired 700 acres, there is recreational and environmental benefit to
preserving the entire area. Linking the WHWPA via trail to Low Gap Park would greatly extend the ease of access to the area and the hills to the west of Lovers Lane would be a natural extension to be added to the area if feasible.
Landfill Site Open Space
The City also owns approximately 170 acres of
undeveloped oak woodland immediately to the north of
the old landfill at the end of Vichy Hills Drive. This area has potential as an open space “trail” park.
Cow Mountain Open Space Access
The hills to the east of the Ukiah Valley also hold potential for open space preservation. The western edge of the
BLM’s Cow Mountain recreation area extends close to four miles and holds a host of opportunities for land
acquisitions or public access easements to extend land preservation and open space recreation from Cow Mountain to the valley floor.
River Access Opportunities
The Russian River bisects the Sphere of Influence and skirts the east side of the City of Ukiah.
Traditionally, the river was freely accessed by residents for recreation. However, over the last two to three decades, private property owners have been increasingly unwilling to allow free access across their properties for public river access. River access is available at Riverside Park and limited access at the Vichy Springs Bridge – Fishing Area.
Riverside Park allows river access but lacks infrastructure to ease entry. River levels vary greatly and the best spots for accessing the river flood most years. The post flood detritus limits use and raises a challenge for any riverside improvements. Further, the presence of illegal encampments discourages use. Few people take advantage of the access points at this time.
The County-owned “Vichy Springs Bridge – Fishing Area” is a 2.7-acre parcel located directly under the Perkins Street overpass bridging the Russian River, and allows access to the west bank of the river. The property was acquired in a settlement agreement in 1991, following negotiations over rights-of-way for a new bridge and approach routes on East Perkins Street at the Russian River WHWPA Vision Statement
Creating an Open Space Preserve,
Balancing Resource Management,
Fire Risk Abatement, and Public
Engagement
Our vision for the WHWPA is to
establish an Open Space Preserve
that harmoniously integrates
resource management, fire risk
abatement, and public access for
healthy outdoor recreation. We
aspire to protect native plants and
wildlife communities, prevent
erosion, and maintain water quality.
Simultaneously, we aim to engage
the public in citizen science,
education, and passive recreation
while ensuring the protection of
historical resources and providing
essential infrastructure for the
benefit of our community.
41 crossing. The settlement terms allowed the County to own and maintain limited access to the area but prohibited any recreational development. The Vichy Springs Bridge is intended only for day use fishing access.
Should the City develop the Norgard Lane property as a park it would be possible for people to enter the river at Riverside Park and float to a take-out spot at Norgard Lane. Improved signage, strict enforcement of no-camping regulations, and prompt post flood clean-ups would make river access more tenable.
Unmet Park Feature Needs
Community input and staff evaluations identified a variety of park features that are not currently available in the Ukiah Valley. Dog parks are arguably the single most important missing park feature.
The high percentage of dog owners combined with a paucity of dog run areas or parks leads to the unsanctioned use of City parks as de facto dog parks. The unsanctioned “off-leash” use of areas does not serve dogs or their owners well and leads to conflict with other users.
The need for pickleball and skating areas both received the support of vocal and organized proponents. However, the results of community input suggest these are not the most popular activities. This should not dismiss the need of the features, but should be considered when prioritizing limited funding.
Trail use was the most popularly desired activity identified in the survey and efforts are underway to expand the trail system. The next most desired activity was “picnicking and hanging out.” The rentable group picnic areas are frequently reserved, suggesting a need for more group areas, particularly those that provide shade.
New parks, and improvements to existing parks, should be pursued with a strong consideration of the impacts of climate change. Shade and permeable surfaces should be included whenever feasible, particularly for play areas. The lack of shade on the Ukiah section of the Great Redwood Trail substantially decreases the number of users while missing an opportunity for carbon sequestration. Additionally, the provision of lights at parks can allow for expanded hours and use during the relative cool of mornings and evenings. Indoor facilities are desired but exceedingly expensive. An emphasis should be placed on finding or acquiring small areas for additional neighborhood basketball hoops and multi-use soccer courts.
Low Gap Park is in desperate need of maintenance. The County of Mendocino conducted a Parks Needs Assessment in two phases in 2020 and 20224
. The authors calculated a need for over a
million dollars in maintenance simply to address the park’s health and safety concerns. They calculated a need for an additional fifty thousand dollars to allow for “minimum function”, and another five-hundred thousand dollars for “future improvements.” Finally, the City of Ukiah’s municipal pool has aged to a point that maintenance is verging on unfeasible and unaffordable. Modern pool design also provides a wide range of advantages unavailable with the existing facility. Even without the pressure of climate change, a high quality and affordable municipal pool is an essential component of a complete park system in the Ukiah Valley.
Planning and preparation to provide a modern pool facility should be undertaken as soon as possible.
42 Preparing for Climate Change
The forest management framework5
—focusing on resistance, resilience, and transition, as shown in the figure/image below—can be applied across all elements of a parks system and play a key role in guiding investments and resource allocation for City Parks, particularly those vulnerable to natural hazards such as flooding, fire, and landslides:
This framework for forest management—focusing on resistance, resilience, and transition— applies directly to the management of local and regional parks that include natural areas, trails, and forested open spaces. Key applications include:
1. Resistance: If maintaining current park conditions is the goal, management would focus on reducing tree density to lower fire risk, controlling invasive species, and maintaining existing recreational and ecological functions. This would help parks resist climate-driven changes, but ongoing intervention would be required to preserve these conditions.
2. Resilience: This approach recognizes that disturbances (wildfires, droughts, pest infestations) are inevitable. Parks would be managed to withstand and recover from these impacts, possibly by maintaining mature, seed-producing trees, promoting species diversity, and allowing some natural disturbances (like controlled burns) to occur to enhance ecosystem health.
3. Transition: If change is expected to alter the forest structure of parklands, proactive management would involve gradual shifts in species composition and habitat structure.
This could mean replacing water-dependent species with drought-tolerant trees, creating more open-canopy conditions, or introducing plant communities that can better handle future conditions. It could also mean reducing recreational activities or access with a focus on preservation of this area for other needs.
For local parks, applying these principles ensures that recreational access, habitat conservation, and wildfire prevention strategies align with long-term ecological sustainability. This approach also guides decision-making on forest restoration, habitat protection, and climate adaptation in publicly managed open spaces.
43 Funding
Funding for acquisition and development of current and future parks can come from donations, fundraising, sponsorships, grants, or taxes. Successfully funding all the desired projects will likely rely on all these funding sources. Donors do not typically give to municipalities. However, supporting non-profits can be a valuable partner in helping the City of Ukiah fund projects. City parks currently benefit from the support of the Ukiah Valley Trail Group, the Sanhedrin Chapter of the Native Plant Society, Ukiah Little League, the Rusty Bowl BMX, Ukiah Lion’s Football and Cheer, and the Alex Rorabaugh Recreation Center. These groups tend to have their own agendas and solicit funds or contribute in-kind labor to meet their own priorities. These groups should be supported, thanked, and encouraged as they provide tremendous benefit to the city. The UVTG, Rusty Bowl, and Ukiah Little League all provide park features that would otherwise be unmet. The city would benefit from a non-profit with a mission to provide general support for parks or a non-profit focused on one or more of the City’s priority park projects. The Public Spaces Commission could potentially foment the creation of a non-profit to support parks.
The City leans heavily on sponsorships to fund events. Utilizing sponsors to support park infrastructure, however, requires much larger contributions and therefore is more challenging.
Soliciting sponsors for individual features at a park may be a fruitful approach. The cost of installing a new playground, dog park features, or a single trail could be offered at a level in line with the cost of the feature. Should the opportunity arise to create a new park, a donor/sponsor may be willing to contribute enough to merit an offer of naming rights. Additionally, this kind of sponsorship could be used as a required match in a grant application.
A wide variety of grants are available to support the creation and development of parks, but the competition is fierce. The City has made a commitment to this revenue stream by hiring a Grant Manager who works full-time pursuing and assisting other staff in their pursuit of grants. Over a half million dollars in grants have been used in city parks in the last three years. City staff are well aware of available grant opportunities and also make a practice of searching for new grant opportunities.
The final funding opportunity comes through the assessment of taxes. Park maintenance and incremental improvements are funded by the City’s general fund. Most significant additions, feature replacements, and improvements rely on grant funding. Additional assessments could be used to finance bond measures or provide ongoing funding specifically for parks. Many communities establish special park districts to obtain needed park funding.
Special Districts are authorized and created by the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo) and are set up to cover a specific mapped area. A special park district could be set up to cover the Sphere of Influence, the Area of Interest, or some other customized area. Property taxes are the most common item taxed, but sales taxes or luxury taxes among others are options. Setting up a special park district does not require an election, but taxing the residents of the district would.
44 Conclusions
On-site staff assessments of the parks concurred with community input in determining the Greater Ukiah Node parks to be well maintained and in overall good shape. The one exception was the County managed Low Gap Park. While residents desire a greater diversity of park features, they also expressed overall satisfaction with the existing park diversity of features. Some desirable park features that are not represented in City parks include dog parks, pickleball, courts, skating venues, neighborhood basketball courts, and multiple river access points. The majority of people living in the city limits live within a half mile of a first tier, community, neighborhood, or regional park.
Staffing for the parks is adequate to maintain existing facilities. Additional funding will be needed to expand, create new, or improve existing parks.
While few parks exist outside the Greater Ukiah Node, the total population and population densities do not support the creation of new parks. Residents choosing to live in rural areas and lightly populated nodes should not expect the City of Ukiah to attempt to provide parks in their vicinity even should the area be annexed into the city limits. The City can, however, work to expand the amount and access to open space. Trails and passive recreation provide an affordable and popular park and recreation opportunity. The Russian River also provides a valuable opportunity to affordably improve Ukiah Valley recreation.
Should annexation occur to the boundary of the Greater Ukiah node, or to include the entire Sphere of Influence, it will not make a significant difference in current park needs. In either case population densities should support the maintenance of new parks on the north and south side of the current city limits. However, the capital investment required to acquire the land and build the parks will require grant funding, fund-raising, and, or the creation of a parks district.
45 Citations and References
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ASSESSMENT REPORT
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19. Unacknowledged. RECOMMENIDED MEASURES TO EAVLUATE PARK USE AND QUALITY.
National Recreation and Parks Association. 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148; nrpa.org
20. Unacknowledged, 2024 OUTDOOR PARTICIPATION TRENDS REPORT; EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. (2024) Outdoor Industry Assocation. PO Box 21497 Boulder, CO 80308 https://oia.outdoorindustry.org/research/2024-outdoor-participation-trends-reportexecutive-summary (accessed July 2024)
21. Unacknowledged. BEST PRACTICES FOR TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT IN MARINE PROTECTED AREA STEWARDSHIP. Marine Protected Area Collaborative Network
22. Unacknowledged. (2005) CALIFORNIA’S RECREATION POLICY California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Grants and Local Services, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 918 , Sacramento, CA 95814www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/rec_policy_final_2005.pdf (Accessed June 2024)
47 23. Unacknowledged. California's 2021–2025 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) A FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR INCREASING PARK ACCESS, COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING, AND HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH GRANTS; California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Grants and Local Services, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 918 , Sacramento, CA 95814 https://www.parksforcalifornia.org/scorp/2021#park_access_tool (Accessed June 2024)
24. Unacknowledged. CITY OF UKIAH 2022 MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW AND SPHERE OF INFLUENCE UPDATE. City of Ukiah. 300 Seminary Drive, Ukiah, CA 95482
25. Unacknowledged. CITY OF UKIAH 2040 GENERAL PLAN. City of Ukiah. 300 Seminary Drive, Ukiah, CA 95482
26. Unacknowledged (2023) NRPA AGENCY PERFORMANCE REVIEW. National Recreation and Parks Association. 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148; nrpa.org
27. Unacknowledged (2017) HOMELESSNESS IN PARKS; A SUMMARY OF RESULTS FROM AND nrpa MEMBERSHIP SURVEY. National Recreation and Parks Association. 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148; nrpa.org
28. Ukiah Valley Area Plan (2011)
29. Walker, Chris. BEYOND RECREATION; A BROADER VIEW OF URBAN PARKS. The Urban Institute 2100 M Street NW Washington, DC 20037 Phone: 202-833-7200 E-mail:
[email protected] Accessed July 2024
30. Wilkins, M PLA, SALA, APA (2021, October). TOOLS FOR EQUITABLE PARK PLANNING AND DESIGN: DIGITAL WORKFLOWS TO ENHANCE PARK ACCESS AND QUALITY; The Field: ASLA Professional Practice Networks Blog. American Society for Landscape Architects. https://thefield.asla.org/2021/10/07/tools-for-equitable-park-planning-and-design-digitalworkflows-to-enhance-park-access-and-quality/ ( Accessed June 2024)
48 Maps
49
50 Map 1 -City of Ukiah Area of Interest and Sphere of Influence
51 Map 2 – Population nodes with populations.
52 Map 3; First Tier, Neighborhood, Community, and Regional Park Locations and half mile radii.
Alex R. Thomas Plaza, Low Gap Park, McGarvey Park, Oak Manor Park, Observatory Park, Riverside Park, Todd Grove Park, Vinewood Park, and Lake Mendocino gateways.
53 Map 4 – Parks in Relation to Greater Ukiah Node
Green – Parks and half mile radii
Black – Greater Ukiah Node
Red – Area Underserved by Parks
54 Map 5 – Heat Map of Todd Grove Park User Origins.
Heat map of Todd Grove Park visitor originations demonstrating the usage of City parks from throughout the Area of Interest and beyond.
55 Tables
Pocket Park PP Very small park, may have a bench.
Mini Park MP Small, single-purpose improved area generally equipped for use by small
children. Usually less than one acre.
Neighborhood Park NP Combined playground and park area generally for non-organized activities. May include a restroom.
Community Park CP Designed for organized activity with users traveling from some distance.
Includes parking, sports fields and restrooms.
Special Use Park SUP Specialized use recreational areas that do not fit another category, such as dog parks and skate parks.
Linear Park LP A park along a travel corridor, generally narrow and long.
School Park SP School-owned facilities with limited availability. Only active sport and
recreational use areas contribute to school park acreage in this assessment.
Regional Park RP Larger park which may be more isolated from population nodes.
May be limited to trails and outdoor recreation, but may have additional facilities.
Open Space OS An undeveloped or minimally developed large area conserved for habitat and general conservation value. May include trails.
Table 1- Park Category Descriptions
56 Table 2 Bike, Pedestrian, and Bus Accessibility of Parks.
57 Table 3 - First Tier Parks and Features. Parks used to determine accessibility in green.
58 Future Park Needs and Capital Improvement Projects Cost Estimate Location Features Low High
Cooper Lane Connection Connecting Path $ 100,000 $ 200,000 Cow Mountain Open Space
Access Acquisition $ 1,000,000 $ 2,000,000
Trail Construction $ 200,000 $ 500,000
Dog Park Undetermined location $ 100,000 $ 500,000
Great Redwood Trail Current
Footprint Landscaping and Benches $ 25,000
$
50,000
GRT (Post Rail Bank) Amenities Landscaping and Benches $ 50,000 $ 100,000 Shade Structures and Trees $ 50,000 $ 150,000
Community Event Space $ 150,000 $ 400,000
Pollinator and Native Plant
Garden $ 25,000 $ 100,000
Public Art and Murals $ 40,000 $ 200,000
Restrooms and Trailheads $ 150,000 $ 400,000
Playgrounds, Parcourse $ 100,000 $ 250,000
Landfill Trails Trail Construction $ 300,000 $ 1,000,000 Low Gap Park*
Health and Safety $ 1,095,000 $ 142,350
Minimum Function $ 52,500 $ 68,250
Future Improvements $ 513,000 $ 666,900
Montgomery Wards Park Acquisition (~2.6 acres) $ 300,000 $ 500,000 Demolition $ 300,000 $ 500,000
Park Installation $ 500,000 $ 1,500,000
Norgard Lane Park Park Installation $ 500,000 $ 1,500,000 Northside Park Acquisition $ 500,000 $ 1,500,000
Park Installation $ 300,000 $ 1,000,000
Orr Creek Greenway
Trail Construction West
Section $ 1,500,000 $ 3,000,000
Freeway Over/Under pass $ 1,500,000 $ 5,000,000
Trail Construction East Section $ 150,000 $ 250,000
Pickleball court $ 200,000 $ 500,000
Russian River Access Boat Ramps $ 25,000 $ 150,000
Todd Grove Municipal Pool Pool Reconstruction $ 8,000,000 $ 13,000,000 Small Park Southside Acquisition $ 500,000 $ 1,500,000
Construction $ 350,000 $ 1,000,000
Wagenseller Park RCHD Partnership $ 350,000 $ 500,000
Acquisition $ 500,000 $ 1,000,000
Park Installation $ 500,000 $ 2,000,000
Water Treatment Plant Trails Trail Construction $ 30,000 $ 50,000 Westen Hills Trails Trail Construction $ 500,000 $ 2,000,000 Table 4 – Capital Improvement Estimates (bold denote priority projects). * Costs from Mendocino County Parks Needs Assessment
City Limits
Highways
Major Roads
Population Nodes
City of Ukiah
O rr Sprin g s Road
Low Gap Road
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, increment P Corp., NPS, NRCan, Ordnance Survey, © OpenStreetMap contributors, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, OS, NMA, Geodatastyrelsen, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap and the GIS user community THIS MAP AND DATA ARE PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
DO NOT USE THIS MAP TO DETERMINE LEGAL PROPERTY BOUNDARIES CIT Y OF UKIAH µ0 2,200 4,400 Feet
0 0.4 0.8 Miles
1:50,000
POPULATION NODES
Talmage/Knob Hill
Population: 1,356
·|}þ253
Eastside Calpella/Lake Mendocino
Population: 1,912
El Dorado/Deerwood
Population: 545
Vichy Springs
Population: 517
Ukiah
Population: 21,201
Calpella
Population: 312
Attachment 2
MC CLURE SUBDIVISION MILL CREEK RD
TINDALL RANCH ROAD
FORD ROAD
EAST GOBBI ST GIELOW LANE
LOVERS LANE
EMPIRE DRIVE
EAST PERKINS ST BRUSH ST WEST CLAY ST CLARA AVE
HENSLEY CREEK ROAD
DEERWOOD DR
LAWS AVE WALNUTAVE
BEACON LN
EL DORADO RD MENDOCINO DRIVE HOWELL CREEK RD
ANTONI LN
FERN CANYON DR
Lake Mendocino
Ukiah
Talmage
£¤101
£¤101
|ÿ222
|ÿ253
Calpella
|ÿ20
0.5 0.25 0 0.5Miles o
City of Ukiah
Area of Interest Source: This map was created by the Mendocino County Information Services GIS Program, November 30, 2022. Note: This map is not a survey product and should not be used to determine legal boundaries. Parcels Highways Roads Area of Interest Sphere of Influence City of Ukiah
Attachment 3
Greater Ukiah node in outlined in black
Park half mile radii in green
Underserved areas outlined in red
Attachment 4
Map 5 – Heat Map of Todd Grove Park User Origins.
Heat map of Todd Grove Park visitor originations demonstrating the usage of City parks from throughout the Area of Interest and beyond.
Attachment 5
March 19, 2025
ASR 14 A-City of Ukiah Park Gap Analysis 2025
City Council,
This report will become part of the city’s annexa�on applica�on to LAFCO. Can the city demonstrate to LAFCO that they can provide the same or beter services to the annexed areas? Does this report strengthen the city’s argument that it intends expanding its public open space beyond the current city limits? The consultant, Kitchen Table presents an easyto-follow analysis with good maps and graphics. What’s missing from the report is that which I wish to comment on.
The report creates “unintended” compe��on between north and south because it lacks a scoring mechanism for determining impar�ality and priori�zing park development for decision makers. Which neighborhood will receive a new public park first? Will the south node score higher because the city already owns the land and has a riverside atrac�on? Even though there are no development pressures happening there and the children already have two venues (Alex Rohrbaugh Center and the Grace Hudson campus) to play in that they can walk to. Yet, at the northern boundary in Ukiah’s oldest neighborhood the Wagenseller have no such venue and they are affected by the greatest concentra�on of development pressure.
In 2010, the city built a brand-new two-lane bridge that invited development into the Brush Street Triangle. In August 2024 the city re-opened the litle bridge over Orr’s Street because of tenant pressure to have another access/egress vehicle bridge. Addi�onally, our enterprise funds from city departments have benefited from the necessary sewer, water and electrical hookups for these tenants. Now we have hundreds of county tenants living in these recently built mul�-family apartments crowded together just North of Orr’s Creek despite the city failing to provide a single public playground or park. There is no school yard for the neighborhood children to play in rather they must board a bus or be transported by private vehicle to surrounding neighborhood parks, schools or playgrounds outside of the desirable half mile radius cited in the City of Ukiah Gap Analysis report.
On March 7th a legal no�ce published in the Ukiah Daily Journal announced yet another HUD project being proposed for a two-story apartment building with 31 units in the vicinity of 501 Brush Street. You might wonder why such a concentra�on of low-income housing there. Well, in the past the County was sued for failing to construct affordable housing. The Wagenseller descendants predicted that the Brush Street Triangle would become the remedy and logical site for the county’s affordable housing obliga�on and the city agreed to service these proper�es.
Staff and Council have made promises over the years for a park with minimal commitment. A capital improvement line item is in the budget but no funds have been allocated, no land purchased, and no one department or staff assigned to apply for grant funding. The QUIMBY fund has less than $20,000 in it. My concern is that limited resources within the city will be diverted to the south end of town when the Wagenseller has the greatest overall need. As to my first ques�on raised in my leter, “can the city demonstrate to LAFCO that they can provide the same or beter services to the annexed areas,” I believe the answer is NO.
Council, how does the southern node lying outside of our city limits become a more deserving area for a new park in front of the Wagenseller neighborhood that currently resides within the city boundary? Sincerest regards,
Linda Sanders
Ukiah resident
Correspondence Received for Agenda Item 14a
Agenda Item No: 14.b.
MEETING DATE/TIME: 3/19/2025
ITEM NO: 2025-271
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SUBJECT: Receive Annual Status Update and Report Regarding Community Center and Winter Homeless Shelter at 1045 South State Street and the Annual AB 362 Compliance Report; and Provide Direction to Staff as Necessary.
DEPARTMENT: Community
Development PREPARED BY: Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director PRESENTER: Craig Schlatter, Community Development
Director
ATTACHMENTS:
1. AB 362 HCD Info Bulletin 3-18-22
2. CalMatters Article- AB 362
3. 2024-25 UPD Calls Report
4. Site Visit Report- B2 9.17.24
Summary: Council will receive the annual status update and report regarding the Community Center and Winter Homeless Shelter at 1045 South State Street, the Building Bridges Facility, as well as an update regarding AB 362 compliance. Council will also provide direction to Staff as necessary.
Background: On July 26, 2017, the City of Ukiah Planning Commission adopted findings that conditionally approved a Major Use Permit and Site Development Permit to allow for the establishment and operation of a Community Center and Winter Homeless Shelter, the Building Bridges – Homeless Resource Center (“B2”) at 1045 South State Street. As part of the Conditions of Approval, Community Development Department Condition of Approval (COA) #15 required the following:
15. The Director of Community Development and Planning shall report to the Planning Commission once every six months during the first two years of the shelter operation. The Director’s report shall include a record of any complaints received from the public or shelter occupants and an assessment on the most effective ways to modify the [Program] plan to address valid complaints.
The Community Development Director presented four bi-annual reports to the Planning Commission during the first two years of the B2 shelter operation, as depicted below. Bi-annual reporting periods are set based on the original date of the shelter becoming operational- August 6, 2019. As of September 22, 2021, reporting requirements per COA #15 were satisfied.
Report #1 - February 26, 2020 (Period of August 6, 2019-February 6, 2020) Report #2 - October 14, 2020 (2/6/20-8/6/20)
Report #3 - April 14, 2021 (8/6/20-2/6/21); and
Report #4 - September 22, 2021 (2/6/21-8/6/21).
With the passage of AB 101 and the City Council’s adoption of related amendments into the City’s zoning code on September 1, 2021, low-barrier navigation centers such as RCS’s B2 facility were no longer subject to use permit requirements. However, given the collaborative history between City and RCS staff in addressing community impacts, the City requested and RCS agreed to continue reports for the foreseeable future. Five
additional reports were given to the Planning Commission during the most recent three-year period, as depicted below.
Report #5 - March 9, 2022;
Report #6 - September 28, 2022;
Report #7 - April 12, 2023;
Report #8 - September 13, 2023; and
Report #9 - April 24, 2024.
Previous reports and presentations can be found online on the City’s website at:
www.cityofukiah.com/meetings.
Due to the progress made through the relationship between the City and RCS, as well as the start of the Community Development Department's annual code enforcement report to Council in 2024, the April 24, 2024, report was the last bi-annual report given to the Planning Commission. Starting with this report (#10), reports will be given by Community Development Department Staff annually to the City Council.
AB 362 Compliance
An Information Bulletin (Attachment 1) was released by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on March 18, 2022, informing cities and counties of a 2021 legislative change that imposes new requirements for HCD and California cities and counties as of April 1, 2022. As noted in the Bulletin, "AB 362 mandates that each California city and county submit a report to HCD by April 1, 2022, and each subsequent April 1 thereafter," but also that "California cities and counties are not required to submit a report to HCD if there are no outstanding or corrected violations" [at homeless shelters in the jurisdiction] "during the prior calendar year."
The City had no outstanding or corrected violations at Building Bridges, the only facility qualifying as a homeless shelter under the State's definition, during any of the calendar years since April 1, 2022, so did not submit AB 362 compliance reports. However, after a CalMatters article (Attachment 2) erroneously implied that the City of Ukiah and all but four of 478 California cities did not meet AB 362 reporting requirements, Staff will submit AB 362 compliance reports going forward, regardless of the HCD Bulletin not requiring submittal unless there are violations.
In future years, both the annual B2 report and the AB 362 Compliance reports will be coordinated to be presented with the annual code enforcement report.
Discussion: This Annual Status Update and Report for the Community Center and Winter Homeless Shelter at 1045 South State Street covers the period February 6, 2024 – February 6, 2025, and involves a review and analysis of the following:
- Complaints received from the public by the Community Development Department (CDD) and City Manager’s Office (CMO); and
- Site visit to B2 and in-person meeting between RCS, the Ukiah Police Department (UPD), Ukiah Valley Fire Authority (UVFA), and CDD on September 17, 2024 (for 2/6/24-8/6/24 period); and - Virtual meeting between RCS, UPD, UVFA, and CDD on February 14, 2025 (for 8/6/24-2/6/25 period); and - Number and types of police calls received from 2/6/24 to 8/6/24 and 8/6/24 to 2/6/25 (Attachment 3); and - Number and types of calls for service for UVFA at the B2 location during annual period.
Complaints received from Public and City Manager’s Office Complaints were received from the public and City Manager’s Office during the first period of report #10, 2/6/24-8/6/24, but not the second (8/6/24-2/6/24). Complaints within the first period are discussed more in the site visit overview below.
Report of Police Activity
81 calls for police service at 1045 S State St were made during the period 8/6/24-2/6/25. This compares to
125 calls for 2/6/24-8/6/24. Comparing this annual (2/6/24-2/6/25) UPD police call data with past reports yields the following:
2024-25 annual police calls: 206
2023-24 annual police calls: 221
2022-23 annual police calls: 185
2021-22 annual police calls: 129
2020-21 annual police calls: 324
8/6/19-2/6/20 police calls: 131
Report of Fire/Emergency Medical Services Calls
The UVFA Chief reported 59 calls for Fire/EMS services, mostly consisting of medical calls, during the 8/6/24- 2/6/25 period. Combined with the 56 calls in the 2/6/24-8/6/24 reporting period yields a total of 117 calls for 2024-25. This compares to 94 calls for 2023-24, 74 in 2022-23, 32 in 2021-22, and 35 for the period 8/6/20- 2/6/21 (report #3), the first report in which Fire/EMS calls were collected.
In-Person Site Visit and Virtual City/RCS Meeting
Due to complaints received from the City Manager's Office and members of the public, Staff from UPD, UVFA, CDD, and the CMO conducted an in-person site visit and meeting with RCS staff on September 17, 2024. A report from this meeting is included in Attachment 4.
Staff from CDD, UPD, and UVFA met virtually with RCS’s Building Bridges Homelessness & Housing Support Manager on February 14, 2025. The meeting included discussion related to individuals blocking the sidewalk and loitering out front of B2, especially around closing hours. RCS staff mentioned they were now fully staffed and had extended their operating hours to 9 am to 4 pm and would be addressing the loitering situation. UPD reminded RCS staff to reach out if there are individuals frequently illegally trespassing so this issue could be addressed.
Staff Conclusion- 2024-25 Report
For this reporting period, the recurring coordination and meetings, especially between RCS and UPD/UVFA, have overall mitigated community impacts from homeless individuals around B2. In Staff's opinion, and although not required from a regulatory perspective, this coordination should continue to ensure issues are promptly addressed and responded to and the safety of the neighborhood is preserved.
AB 362 Annual Compliance Report
No violations have occurred during the 2024 reporting period. Staff will be reporting the following to HCD related to its AB 362 Compliance Report:
- Pending uncorrected violations for each homeless shelter: None/0. - Any corrected violations from the prior calendar year: None - A list of determinations made by the city or county that render any homeless shelter unfit for human habitation: None
- Any actions or steps taken, or that will be taken, for the benefit of the current occupants of the homeless shelter: None
- A list of any emergency orders issued regarding homeless shelters: None - A list of any owners or operators who received three or more violations within a six-month period: None - If any homeless shelter is operating under a locally declared shelter crisis: None Staff recommends Council receive this annual status update and reporting regarding Building Bridges, as well as the AB 362 Compliance Report, and provide additional direction as necessary.
Recommended Action: Receive annual status update and report regarding Community Center and Winter Homeless Shelter at 1045 South State Street and AB 362 compliance and provide direction to Staff as necessary.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: N/A
CURRENT BUDGET AMOUNT: N/A
PROPOSED BUDGET AMOUNT: N/A
FINANCING SOURCE: N/A
REVENUE: Yes / No GRANT: Yes / No N/A
PREVIOUS CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER NO.: N/A
COORDINATED WITH: Chief Cedric Crook, Ukiah Police Department; Chief Douglas Hutchison, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority
STRATEGIC PLAN (SP): N/A
CLIMATE INITIATIVES (CI): N/A
GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS (GP): GP-A8 - Housing Element (2019-2027), Program 2k: Collaborate with local service providers on addressing homelessness.
ATTACHMENT 1
Information Bulletin 2022-02
Page2
The definition of homeless shelter does not include emergency shelters that are funded by the program commonly referred to as Project Roomkey that is administered by the California Department of Social Services.
If a homeless shelter is deemed substandard, the respective city or county will record the violation(s) and inform the owner/operator of each violation. They will also note the action necessary to remedy the violation within an established timeframe, as outlined in Health and Safety Code sections 17974.1 and 17974.2 .
AB 362 mandates that each California city and county submit a report to HCD by April 1, 2022, and each subsequent April 1 thereafter. HCD requests the annual report to include all the following information:
1. The municipality name and point of contact information.
2. A list of operational homeless shelters within their municipality.
3. Pending uncorrected violations for each homeless shelter.
4. Any corrected violations from the prior calendar year.
5. A list of determinations made by the city or county that any homeless shelter is rendered unfit for human habitation.
6. Any action/steps that have been or will be taken for the benefit of the current occupants of the homeless shelter.
7. A list of any emergency orders issued regarding homeless shelters.
8. A list of any owners or operators who received three or more violations within a six-month period.
9. If any homeless shelter is operating under a locally declared shelter crisis.
AB 362 authorizes HCD to prohibit further state funding of homeless shelter operators if there is a failure to correct any violations within a specified timeframe or there are multiple violations within a six-month period. California cities and counties are not required to submit a report to HCD if there are no outstanding or corrected violations during the prior calendar year.
HCD encourages cities and counties to send reports of egregious violations as early as possible and before the April 1 deadline in any given calendar year.
Annual reports and questions can be submitted to HCD at AB362Apri1Reports@hcd. ca.gov.
The O Lot Safe Sleeping site at Balboa Park in San Diego on March 22, 2024. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters Politics Education Housing Economy Environment Inequality California Voices Events
HOMELESSNESS
California passed a law to fix unsafe homeless shelters.
Cities and counties are ignoring it
BY LAUREN HEPLER
JULY 17, 2024
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IN SUMMARY
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ATTACHMENT 2
The Supreme Court’s decision on homelessness will test a shelter system that’s full of problems – and lacking accountability.
Lea esta historia en Español
Now that the Supreme Court has granted cities more power to ban sleeping outside, homeless Californians face a crucial decision: Try to get into a shelter, or risk going to jail.
Those able to find a shelter bed will step into a world rife with reports of violence, theft, health hazards — and a lack of accountability. Public records obtained by CalMatters show that most cities and counties have seemingly ignored a recent state law that aimed to reform dangerous conditions in shelters.
In 2021, following earlier reports of maggots, flooding and sexual harassment in shelters, the state Legislature created a new system requiring local governments to inspect the facilities after complaints and file annual reports on shelter conditions, including plans to fix safety and building code violations.
CalMatters found that just 5 of California’s 58 counties — Lake, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange and Yuba — have filed shelter reports. Only 4 of the state’s 478 cities filed reports: Fairfield, Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Woodland, according to records from the agency in charge of implementing the law, the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
“It is shocking, number one, that there is so little reporting, considering that is part of the legislation,” said the law’s author, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, a Democrat who represents parts of Orange and L.A. counties. “We are asking for the basics here.”
In light of CalMatters’ findings, she said she has requested a meeting with officials at the state housing agency. Quirk-Silva said she will consider audits or other measures as needed. “Maybe we need to add more teeth,” she said. “There certainly could be a possibility that we will follow up with another piece of legislation.”
Police call logs, shelter incident reports and other records obtained by CalMatters provide a hint of what’s missing as a result of the failure to report: a child falling out of an unreinforced window in San Mateo County and being hospitalized; multiple allegations of sexual harassment in Contra Costa County; food shortages in Placer County; and deaths, mold and vermin in many places across the state.
California has spent at least $1.5 billion on shelters and related solutions since 2018, legislative reports show, on top of millions invested by cities, counties and the federal government. The facilities are designed
to be a temporary stop on the road to regaining housing but increasingly function as a bridge to nowhere; the state added new emergency shelter beds at roughly five times the rate of permanent housing with supportive services from 2018 to 2023, gaining 27,544 shelter beds, federal data shows.
What happens in those shelters is largely a black box. No state agency keeps an updated list of how many shelters are operating, or where, officials told CalMatters. There is no state licensing process for shelters. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development tracks numbers of emergency shelter beds and how long people live in them, but no information about resident deaths, health or safety.
First: A former homeless shelter in Anaheim that has been permanently shut down and boarded up. Last: An area where folks experiencing homelessness were given space to store their belongings while staying at the shelter that has since been permanently shut down in Anaheim, on May 14, 2024. Photos by Jules Hotz for CalMatters
While not every city or county in California has a homeless shelter, state housing officials estimated a total of around 1,300 shelters in 2021. Municipalities continue to invest in them as a more immediate alternative to street homelessness, even as experts stress that other options – such as direct rent subsidies or housing with on-site services – are often more effective at combating the root issue. “It’s a bad idea. At the same time, so many unhoused people are living in these congregate shelters,” said Eve Garrow, a senior policy analyst and advocate for the ACLU of Southern California. “We want to make sure those spaces are safe and clean for as long as people need them, but we also want to move away from that model.”
The 2021 state law was supposed to help enforce minimum building and safety standards for shelters by creating a new state oversight system. When people staying at shelters or their advocates file complaints, the law requires cities or counties to inspect the facilities and report any violations to the state to reconsider future funding. The catch: cities and counties only have to report to the state if they determine that a violation is severe enough.
“Each city and county has a very unique way of processing complaints,” said Mitchel Baker, assistant deputy director of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s codes and standards division. “What may be perceived as complaints or violations may not ultimately result in the issuance of a notice of violation or corrective order.”
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As California and the rest of the country barrel into a new legal era for mass homelessness, promises of safe shelter will be key to determining how many people can avoid more frequent tickets or jail. Many public officials, meanwhile, cast the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass ruling as a necessary clarification after years of conflict over when cities should be allowed to dismantle tents, insisting that they will continue to offer alternatives.
“This decision removes the legal ambiguities that have tied the hands of local officials for years,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement after the ruling. “The state will continue to work with compassion to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with the resources they need.” What those resources are is often hard to know, since many shelters are closed to visitors and so few places have filed state reports on conditions. People who have lived in shelters, however, paint a more dire picture.
Residents of one Huntington Beach shelter recently complained to health officials about mold, never-ending cases of pneumonia and neighbors walking around with infected, open sores. Homeless people and their families have filed lawsuits in several cities over shelter sexual assaults and wrongful deaths. In San Diego, Sharon Descans has been bouncing between shelters and a borrowed van after being evicted from a newer kind of publicly-funded tent city, where she said she weathered unpaid labor, multiple neighbors’ deaths and flashes of chaos.
“People are pulling swords on each other and hitting each other with two-by-fours,” Descans said. “All I wanted from the day I got there is to get out.”
Meth, death and abuse: Inside the private security forces patrolling California’s homeless
By Lauren Hepler
Sharon Descans at the Chula Vista Bayfront Park on June 23, 2024. Descans has been staying in shelters and a van after getting evicted from the O Lot Safe Sleeping site in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters Old problems, new failures
Up until the 1980s, many of the poorest people in California and other states could still afford rented rooms or cheap hotels. Then came a tidal wave of gentrification, wage stagnation, federal cuts to housing and cash aid, plus shocks like the AIDS and drug epidemics. In less than three decades, the state went from 37,000 dedicated beds for mental health patients to just 2,500 by 1983, according to historians at the National Academies of Sciences.
Vast numbers of people “drifted onto the streets,” the historians wrote, as promised investments in community resources proved inadequate. The “modern era of homelessness” had begun.
Large emergency shelters with bunk beds and communal showers emerged as a stop-gap, despite comparisons to jail cells or military barracks. The shelter triage approach spread as California housing construction slowed and homelessness exploded, up 40% in the past five years alone, to more than 181,000 people.
Shelters boomed thanks in large part to court rulings that forbid authorities from cracking down on homeless people solely for being homeless. In Martin v Boise, courts decided that the city violated the U.S.
Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment by ticketing people for sleeping outside when there wasn’t “adequate” shelter available.
“What has happened is cities and counties have quite explicitly raced to build more shelters in order to criminalize more people,” Garrow said. “Shelters become kind of an arm of this criminal legal system.” Quirk-Silva proposed the 2021 shelter law after a 2019 ACLU report by Garrow documented bedbug infestations, overflowing sewage and sexual harassment by shelter workers. The findings collided with Quirk-Silva’s experience talking with people on the street near her Fullerton neighborhood about why they weren’t in shelters. Her own brother died at age 50 after struggling with housing instability, mental health and alcohol abuse.
Shelters were growing, fast, Quirk-Silva realized, and people were staying longer. California shelter residents now stay a median of about five months, or 155 days, the most recent federal data from 2023 shows — a 30% increase since 2019.
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Garrow supported the 2021 law’s effort to create minimum standards for shelters. She has seen a few problematic shelters closed down in Orange County, she said, including an old transit station in Santa Ana not meant for human habitation, which previously flooded.
Still, Garrow wasn’t surprised to hear about the small number of cities and counties following through on the law, which she said several amendments weakened. One removed a requirement for local officials to regularly conduct unannounced shelter inspections. Another struck a rule to add signs with information about how to file complaints at shelters.
“I would attribute the low number of complaints not to the fact that shelters are now clean and sanitary and abiding by a new law,” Garrow said. “But to the fact that people aren’t aware.” Supreme Court gives cities in California and beyond more power to crack down on homeless camps
By Marisa Kendall
Under the law, cities and counties that find violations in their shelters are supposed to report any conditions that are “dangerous, hazardous, imminently detrimental to life or health, or otherwise render the homeless shelter unfit for human habitation.” But even places that are filing state shelter reports omit serious potential safety issues.
L.A. County, for example, has filed lists of its several dozen shelters and one-page inventories of violations related to rats, roaches, hot water outages and garbage. Not mentioned were issues like a 2021 conviction of a former shelter security guard on multiple sexual assault charges. Or reports of shelter deaths, physical attacks and other incidents that appear in police call logs requested by CalMatters.
Shelters after SCOTUS
On a recent Friday in San Diego’s crown jewel of a central park, Balboa Park, Sharon Descans laid down on a concrete bench under a palm tree to ease the pain in her joints after a year of constant motion. The former college swimmer said she became homeless for the first time last year, after she got sick with COVID, lost two property management jobs, fell behind on rent and got evicted.
What followed was a tour she never wanted of last-ditch housing in a city at the forefront of statewide efforts to vanquish street encampments.
Even before the Supreme Court decision, San Diego officials were moving people off the street to large publicly funded tent cities, called “safe sleeping” sites.
At a site called O Lot, Descans and many neighbors lived in Eskimo brand ice fishing huts that multiple residents said were prone to leaking during rain. Her anxiety spiked at the makeshift shelter, she said, since she didn’t have a door to lock and witnessed widespread drug use and unpredictable outbursts. One neighbor died of cancer alone in his tent, Descans said, after what seemed like days without anyone checking on him.
A San Diego Police Department patrol vehicle drives past an encampment in downtown San Diego on March 22, 2024. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters
First: O Lot Safe Sleeping site tents at Balboa Park in San Diego on March 22, 2024. Last: Inside a tent at the O Lot Safe Sleeping site at Balboa Park in San Diego on March 22, 2024. People are given a cot, blanket, sleeping bag, and hygiene kit. The site also offers 24/7 staffing, showers, laundry, and shuttles. Photos by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters None of that has been captured in state reports. San Diego is one of the many California locales that has not submitted any reports after the 2021 shelter law, according to state records, despite housing more than a
dozen shelters and some 10,600 homeless residents.
(Even if San Diego had filed the reports, state and local spokespeople said it’s not certain they would’ve captured operations at O Lot. Though many homeless people have temporarily lived at the tent site, nonprofit operator Dreams For Change stressed that it is not technically a shelter under federal definitions.) When asked whether there was any process in place for complaints about homeless shelters in San Diego county, a spokesperson said only that the county does not directly operate any shelters. Under the state law, cities and counties are still responsible for monitoring complaints and reporting violations at shelters in their area with other owners or operators.
A spokesman for the city of San Diego said that it has received five complaints since the shelter law was passed, and that “city staff are working on” evaluating why a state report had not been filed. “At all city-funded shelters, including the Safe Sleeping and Safe Parking programs, there is a comprehensive complaint process where potential issues are quickly and thoroughly resolved,” spokesman Matt Hoffman said in a statement. “Every complaint is followed up on and, if needed, action is promptly taken.”
At O Lot, Descans tried to keep her head down. She made friends with another mom whose son had also wrestled at a nearby high school. The pair heard they could earn money to work their way out of the tents by cleaning bathrooms and doing laundry for the nonprofit Dreams for Change. Descans said she was never paid around $1,000 for 55 hours of cleaning work, which she documented in photos and text message complaints to a site supervisor.
In June, Descans was “exited” from the shelter — nonprofit-speak for evicted — after forms said she had a verbal altercation with staff and allowed an unpermitted visit from her 17-year-old son, who lives with other family.
“I just feel like nobody cares,” Descans said. “It’s like cover your ass at any expense — who even cares about these homeless people?”
A Dreams for Change spokesperson said the nonprofit cannot comment on individual cases, but that it has a process for formally hiring and paying residents who wish to work. The nonprofit added that it is one of several contractors that operate safe sleeping sites near Balboa Park.
About 80 households have secured permanent housing after living at Dreams for Change’s portion of O Lot, spokesperson Kelly Spoon said in a statement. She confirmed three deaths at the site and added that, “Dealing with a diverse population, occasional altercations may arise, but physical altercations are extremely rare.” Page 413 of 427
Another current resident of the safe sleeping site, who asked not to be identified due to fear of retaliation, said he was also concerned about a lack of sufficient meals, deaths, sexual assaults reported by female neighbors, and a nagging lack of information from caseworkers about housing options. “The animals almost get better treatment than the people,” he said. “You keep shitting on people, you’re going to get shit results.”
Shawn Swearigen also lived in a tent at O Lot before moving to a subsidized apartment last month. The grandson of a cattle rancher from Imperial County worked in construction for years, until family deaths and the 2008 housing crash landed him on the street.
Shawn Swearingen, 55, at the O Lot Safe Sleeping site at Balboa Park in San Diego on March 22, 2024. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters The tent in Balboa Park “wasn’t bad,” he said, though it wasn’t immune from theft and mental health crises that he has found are two constants of homelessness. Swearigen valued having his own space, as opposed to being “dormed up” in a bunk bed like when he first became homeless and stayed at a large shelter. It was so claustrophobic and counter-productive, he said, that he spent the next decade trying to stay out of sight, often camping in the woods.
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This reporting was made by possible in part by a grant from the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
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© 2025 CalMatters
Building Bridges Dispatch Calls
08/06/2024 to 02/06/2025
Complaint Date Received Call Number Actual Incident Location 911 HANGUP 02/05/2025 4:00:08 PM 250200416 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 02/03/2025 10:13:29 AM 250200190 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 02/02/2025 11:02:53 AM 250200109 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 02/02/2025 7:37:30 AM 250200096 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 02/02/2025 4:52:32 AM 250200093 1045 S STATE ST AGENCY ASSIST 01/29/2025 4:12:35 AM 250102426 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 01/26/2025 2:48:49 AM 250102188 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 01/26/2025 2:44:14 AM 250102187 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 01/25/2025 8:05:48 AM 250102101 1045 S STATE ST WELL CHECK 01/24/2025 11:20:42 PM 250102087 1045 S STATE ST ASSAULT/BATTERY MISDEMEANOR 01/22/2025 7:58:49 AM 250101836 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 01/18/2025 7:02:04 PM 250101600 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 01/11/2025 11:09:11 AM 250100950 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 01/10/2025 10:17:31 AM 250100856 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 01/07/2025 1:30:37 PM 250100596 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 01/06/2025 3:49:17 PM 250100507 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 01/03/2025 5:30:23 PM 250100257 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 01/02/2025 11:59:50 AM 250100125 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 12/21/2024 6:06:43 PM 241201968 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 12/19/2024 3:17:42 PM 241201719 1045 S STATE ST VIOLATE COURT ORDER 12/16/2024 9:16:42 AM 241201397 1045 S STATE ST PHONE MESSAGE 12/15/2024 6:22:07 PM 241201369 1045 S STATE ST WELL CHECK 12/11/2024 4:47:57 PM 241201007 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 12/10/2024 1:54:48 PM 241200878 1045 S STATE ST CITIZEN ASSIST 12/10/2024 8:46:04 AM 241200843 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 12/08/2024 7:58:58 PM 241200734 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 12/08/2024 12:08:46 PM 241200701 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 12/06/2024 5:50:01 AM 241200464 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 12/05/2024 7:33:32 AM 241200371 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 12/03/2024 10:20:38 AM 241200189 1045 S STATE ST
TRESPASS 12/01/2024 11:41:15 PM 241200069 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 12/01/2024 7:31:45 AM 241200018 1045 S STATE ST VANDALISM 11/26/2024 9:05:20 PM 241102253 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 11/22/2024 9:03:24 PM 241101968 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 11/20/2024 4:14:45 PM 241101797 1045 S STATE ST MISSING PERSON 11/20/2024 10:07:21 AM 241101761 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 11/19/2024 2:09:00 PM 241101704 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 11/19/2024 6:09:31 AM 241101668 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 11/06/2024 6:13:31 AM 241100455 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 11/05/2024 12:03:22 AM 241100366 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 11/04/2024 11:54:46 AM 241100317 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 10/30/2024 1:02:12 PM 241002888 1045 S STATE ST VANDALISM 10/28/2024 12:34:36 PM 241002674 1045 S STATE ST CIVIL 10/23/2024 12:44:14 PM 241002213 1045 S STATE ST
CITY CODE VIOLATION 10/22/2024 5:07:46 PM 241002139 1045 S STATE ST FRAUD 10/21/2024 2:59:40 PM 241002016 1045 S STATE ST
SUSPICIOUS PERSON 10/09/2024 8:23:11 AM 241000823 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 10/05/2024 8:04:14 PM 241000459 1045 S STATE ST ATTACHMENT 3
Building Bridges Dispatch Calls
08/06/2024 to 02/06/2025
CITY CODE VIOLATION 10/04/2024 3:59:09 PM 241000353 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 10/03/2024 7:12:54 PM 241000283 1045 S STATE ST CITY CODE VIOLATION 09/29/2024 1:25:02 PM 240902981 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 09/26/2024 6:06:14 PM 240902675 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 09/25/2024 9:12:31 PM 240902573 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 09/25/2024 7:47:18 PM 240902563 1045 S STATE ST CITY CODE VIOLATION 09/23/2024 11:27:01 AM 240902287 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 09/20/2024 8:39:25 AM 240901957 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 09/20/2024 5:01:34 AM 240901951 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 09/19/2024 8:39:10 AM 240901846 1045 S STATE ST FOLLOW UP 09/17/2024 11:02:04 AM 240901663 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 09/17/2024 4:10:29 AM 240901634 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 09/10/2024 4:19:11 PM 240901009 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 09/10/2024 9:48:25 AM 240900949 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 09/08/2024 3:02:22 AM 240900760 1045 S STATE ST DOMESTIC DISPUTE 09/07/2024 9:49:30 AM 240900663 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 09/06/2024 12:45:05 PM 240900556 1045 S STATE ST ASSAULT/BATTERY MISDEMEANOR 09/02/2024 11:16:39 PM 240900137 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 08/31/2024 8:25:03 PM 240803213 1045 S STATE ST LOST PROPERTY 08/30/2024 3:31:11 PM 240803087 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 08/29/2024 6:38:51 PM 240802965 1045 S STATE ST ANIMAL 08/28/2024 3:05:22 PM 240802847 1045 S STATE ST
FRAUD 08/27/2024 11:21:18 AM 240802704 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 08/27/2024 5:54:58 AM 240802685 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 08/27/2024 12:05:59 AM 240802666 1045 S STATE ST 911 HANGUP 08/23/2024 5:36:25 PM 240802334 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 08/23/2024 11:03:27 AM 240802301 1045 S STATE ST ASSIST OTHER AGENCY 08/22/2024 11:36:48 PM 240802257 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 08/21/2024 6:16:28 PM 240802133 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 08/20/2024 5:56:00 PM 240802024 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 08/15/2024 2:53:58 AM 240801441 1045 S STATE ST ANIMAL 08/14/2024 3:43:03 PM 240801400 1045 S STATE ST
THEFT 08/07/2024 1:58:05 PM 240800636 1045 S STATE ST
Total Calls = 81
BUILDING BRIDGES
DISPATCH CALLS
02/06/24 to 08/06/2024
Complaint Date Received Call Number Actual Incid Location 911 HANGUP 08/02/2024 2:45:29 AM 240800128 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 08/01/2024 6:17:05 PM 240800076 1045 S STATE ST SUSP PERSON 07/30/2024 8:53:15 PM 240703344 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/30/2024 12:12:34 PM 240703297 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/29/2024 6:31:37 PM 240703231 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/26/2024 7:51:20 AM 240702909 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 07/25/2024 6:00:06 PM 240702858 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 07/24/2024 6:14:08 PM 240702729 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 07/23/2024 2:03:19 PM 240702598 1045 S STATE ST
MEDICAL AID 07/23/2024 2:39:44 AM 240702545 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/18/2024 11:08:32 PM 240702130 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/15/2024 10:31:03 PM 240701817 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 07/14/2024 5:32:16 PM 240701683 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/14/2024 10:32:18 AM 240701649 1045 S STATE ST BIKE STOP 07/12/2024 2:28:36 AM 240701394 1045 S STATE ST AGENCY ASSIS 07/10/2024 11:56:24 AM 240701185 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 07/07/2024 9:08:47 PM 240700885 1045 S STATE ST HEALTH & SAFETY VIOLATION 07/07/2024 2:32:51 PM 240700858 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 07/07/2024 12:19:40 AM 240700797 1045 S STATE ST WELL CHECK 07/06/2024 6:20:43 PM 240700721 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 07/06/2024 10:22:33 AM 240700682 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 07/05/2024 4:55:07 PM 240700583 1045 S STATE ST FIREWORKS 07/05/2024 2:52:45 AM 240700522 1045 S STATE ST MISSING PERSON 06/28/2024 9:54:51 PM 240602829 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 06/28/2024 2:43:36 AM 240602735 1045 S STATE ST VANDALISM 06/26/2024 4:52:49 PM 240602552 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 06/23/2024 10:30:35 PM 240602266 1045 S STATE ST WELL CHECK 06/22/2024 4:09:08 PM 240602146 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 06/21/2024 7:10:52 AM 240602020 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 06/15/2024 12:17:12 PM 240601471 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 06/10/2024 9:37:15 AM 240600908 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 06/04/2024 7:58:48 PM 240600376 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 06/04/2024 12:54:29 PM 240600330 1045 S STATE ST FIGHT 06/03/2024 11:32:03 PM 240600276 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 05/31/2024 12:51:32 PM 240503086 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 05/30/2024 9:04:57 AM 240502986 1045 S STATE ST ANIMAL 05/29/2024 6:58:04 PM 240502935 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 05/29/2024 2:05:22 PM 240502907 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 05/28/2024 7:36:05 PM 240502854 1045 S STATE ST SECURITY CHECK 05/28/2024 8:51:49 AM 240502782 1045 S STATE ST SECURITY CHECK 05/28/2024 8:35:29 AM 240502780 1045 S STATE ST MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT/BATTERY 05/26/2024 1:50:17 PM 240502598 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 05/26/2024 1:20:50 PM 240502590 1045 S STATE ST SECURITY CHECK 05/25/2024 7:40:40 PM 240502528 1045 S STATE ST MISC SERVICE 05/25/2024 6:22:59 PM 240502520 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 05/24/2024 5:39:53 AM 240502363 1045 S STATE ST SECURITY CHECK 05/23/2024 3:27:57 PM 240502303 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 05/20/2024 1:17:47 PM 240501971 1045 S STATE ST CIVIL 05/20/2024 12:43:28 PM 240501968 1045 S STATE ST
SUSPICIOUS PERSON 05/20/2024 8:44:12 AM 240501934 1045 S STATE ST BRANDISHING WEAPON 05/19/2024 9:04:39 PM 240501907 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 05/18/2024 9:17:40 AM 240501758 1045 S STATE ST CITY CODE 05/17/2024 7:06:27 PM 240501686 1045 S STATE ST MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT/BATTERY 05/17/2024 3:33:05 PM 240501662 1045 S STATE ST 911 HANGUP 05/17/2024 2:32:10 PM 240501658 1045 S STATE ST
BUILDING BRIDGES
DISPATCH CALLS
02/06/24 to 08/06/2024
DISTURBANCE 05/17/2024 10:05:10 AM 240501641 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 05/17/2024 4:58:42 AM 240501629 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 05/16/2024 5:26:09 PM 240501575 1045 S STATE ST FELONY ASSAULT/WEAPON 05/15/2024 9:58:04 PM 240501495 1045 S STATE ST MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT/BATTERY 05/15/2024 1:41:47 PM 240501465 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 05/13/2024 4:38:41 PM 240501273 1045 S STATE ST CITY CODE 05/13/2024 1:54:12 PM 240501242 1045 S STATE ST CITY CODE 05/11/2024 12:58:19 PM 240501045 1045 S STATE ST MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 05/10/2024 11:49:24 PM 240501012 1045 S STATE ST MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT/BATTERY 05/06/2024 4:15:57 PM 240500541 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 05/04/2024 5:10:49 PM 240500346 1045 S STATE ST
TRAFFIC STOP 05/02/2024 8:18:41 PM 240500170 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 04/30/2024 8:46:04 PM 240402882 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 04/27/2024 8:22:44 PM 240402621 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/24/2024 8:00:47 PM 240402348 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 04/22/2024 9:20:29 PM 240402185 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 04/21/2024 8:51:03 PM 240402088 1045 S STATE ST
VIOL COURT 04/20/2024 7:24:01 PM 240401979 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES 04/19/2024 10:03:14 AM 240401862 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/18/2024 9:24:27 PM 240401828 1045 S STATE ST SUSP VEH 04/18/2024 9:38:38 AM 240401755 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/17/2024 11:01:43 PM 240401727 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 04/17/2024 8:43:33 PM 240401717 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/17/2024 1:17:09 AM 240401640 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 04/16/2024 12:28:19 AM 240401528 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/13/2024 9:28:01 PM 240401293 1045 S STATE ST AGENCY ASSIS 04/12/2024 7:55:37 PM 240401205 1045 S STATE ST FOLLOW-UP 04/11/2024 10:28:38 AM 240401044 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 04/10/2024 9:39:50 PM 240401010 1045 S STATE ST CITY CODE 04/10/2024 11:31:38 AM 240400939 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/10/2024 5:54:28 AM 240400914 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 04/10/2024 2:06:31 AM 240400906 1045 S STATE ST DRUNK & DISORDERLY 04/09/2024 7:19:20 PM 240400875 1045 S STATE ST FOUND PROPERTY 04/07/2024 5:43:56 AM 240400640 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 04/03/2024 3:28:23 AM 240400243 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 04/03/2024 12:45:19 AM 240400235 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 04/01/2024 11:22:16 AM 240400037 1045 S STATE ST ANIMAL 03/28/2024 7:36:28 PM 240302697 1045 S STATE ST
FOLLOW-UP 03/25/2024 2:29:00 PM 240302391 1045 S STATE ST 911 HANGUP 03/24/2024 12:25:56 AM 240302256 1045 S STATE ST ANIMAL 03/22/2024 4:11:24 PM 240302093 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 03/22/2024 2:17:59 AM 240302054 1045 S STATE ST FIGHT 03/21/2024 10:10:26 AM 240301978 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 03/21/2024 7:52:57 AM 240301965 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 03/20/2024 9:23:10 PM 240301939 1045 S STATE ST WELL CHECK 03/19/2024 8:37:39 PM 240301857 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 03/18/2024 3:33:14 AM 240301666 1045 S STATE ST MEDICAL AID 03/16/2024 5:18:38 AM 240301475 1045 S STATE ST STOLEN VEHICLE 03/10/2024 3:49:25 PM 240300903 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 03/10/2024 6:16:00 AM 240300866 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 03/08/2024 12:01:44 AM 240300643 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 03/04/2024 10:24:32 PM 240300338 1045 S STATE ST THEFT 03/03/2024 10:43:56 AM 240300216 1045 S STATE ST
INFORMATION 03/02/2024 4:39:15 AM 240300121 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 03/01/2024 10:35:53 PM 240300087 1045 S STATE ST SUSPICIOUS PERSON 02/28/2024 10:59:26 PM 240202880 1045 S STATE ST
BUILDING BRIDGES
DISPATCH CALLS
02/06/24 to 08/06/2024
INFORMATION 02/27/2024 4:41:31 PM 240202738 1045 S STATE ST FOLLOW-UP 02/27/2024 3:52:07 PM 240202732 1045 S STATE ST DISTURBANCE 02/26/2024 1:19:57 PM 240202612 1045 S STATE ST FOLLOW-UP 02/26/2024 9:26:17 AM 240202583 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 02/25/2024 8:50:12 AM 240202482 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 02/25/2024 2:41:53 AM 240202472 1045 S STATE ST FOLLOW-UP 02/24/2024 1:31:15 PM 240202406 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 02/24/2024 9:37:44 AM 240202388 1045 S STATE ST DRUNK & DISORDERLY 02/20/2024 9:17:47 PM 240202009 1045 S STATE ST INFORMATION 02/18/2024 7:32:05 PM 240201798 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 02/17/2024 11:03:43 PM 240201737 1045 S STATE ST FIGHT 02/17/2024 12:52:49 PM 240201707 1045 S STATE ST
911 HANGUP 02/13/2024 3:41:46 PM 240201339 1045 S STATE ST TRESPASS 02/08/2024 4:30:31 PM 240200819 1045 S STATE ST Total Calls = 125
9/17/24 Site Visit Meeting Summary and RCS Responses
Building Bridges Low‐Barrier Navigation Center and Winter Shelter 1045 South State Street, Ukiah
Discussion of increase in the number of public safety calls over the last 3 years with City staff asking what actions, if any, RCS planned to take to address increasing call volume. RCS answered that cuts to funding have made it difficult to minimize these impacts, but that possible new programs that may be deployed could assist.
Discussion of complaints from the public, with the primary concern being the locking of the gate and homeless persons congregating/loitering prior to the day facility being opened at noon. o City staff asked about operating hours of B2.
o RCS‐ B2 is open daily from noon to 4 pm.
Discussion regarding staffing at B2.
o RCS staff identified 2 peer support staff and one access specialist onsite daily from noon to 4 pm. Additional staffing details, along with the below Org Chart, was provided by RCS. Building Bridges Org Chart:
o Victoria Kelly, CEO
o Sage Wolf, Director of Integrated Health
Joann Brewer, Homeless/Housing Program Manager
Isidro Chavez, Building Bridges Shelter Supervisor
Jen Aragon, Support Services Supervisor
Staffing:
o There are 2 peer support counselors on duty 24 hours a day, except for short periods when one is at lunch.
o Monday‐Friday there is an additional employee at the center from 7:30am‐4:30pm. o Staffing section from our Program Manual – updated in March 2022, revised September 2024 to add the Access Specialist position:
Program Manager oversees the project, ensuring the policies are implemented in compliance with regulations and best practices. They monitor for risk and mitigate issues related to safety. They apply for, secure, and work with RCS’ financial department to manage the project’s funding. They report to stakeholders and facilitate community meetings.
Program Supervisor provides general oversight and guidance to the day to day operation of the facility. They supervise the Peer Support Counselors, provide housing navigation and case management services to guests, conduct community engagement, address guest complaints, and implement the policies of the facility. Housing Navigators assist guests with acquiring and sustaining housing, while addressing their barriers to housing and connecting them with resources necessary to stabilize in housing.
Integrated Care Managers provide care coordination support to connect guests with appropriate resources that have been difficult to access (mental health services, substance use treatment, food resources, medical care, etc.) and ensure the guest stays connected.
Access Specialist ensures guests are appropriately screened for Coordinated Entry and referred to services. Supports guests with accessing resources. Could act as the facility Safety Officer.
ATTACHMENT 4
Lead Peer Support Counselors (PSC) are mentors to the team working on the floor in the facility, providing guidance and training to the other PSCs. They are skilled in guest engagement and interventions. They could act as the facility’s Safety Officer. Peer Support Counselors supervise the space to monitor safety, engage with the guests on individual levels to identify what their needs are, and provide health and safety education. They conduct screening and intake for the shelter and Coordinated Entry. They refer guests to community resources they could benefit from. Program Analyst/Assistant screens guests, conducts guest satisfaction surveys, completes data entry in the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), conducts quality assurance and improvement efforts on project data and reporting, compiles reports, and monitors compliance with data requirements. Additional service providers could include: mental health service providers, case managers, employment services provider, Street Medicine worker, substance use treatment providers, and other providers from community partner agencies. Volunteers will be utilized where and when possible to provide additional support There will be a minimum of two people on duty to supervise the guests and maintain safety during hours when guests are active.
Discussion regarding community partners, coordinated entry, HMIS, and community council. o City staff asked if the community council was still meeting. RCS mentioned that Stakeholder Council meetings had been suspended, primarily because attendance was consistently low and RCS staff was having more success connecting separately with partners.
RCS staff confirmed they are utilizing coordinated entry and HMIS. o City staff asked about community partner frequency of visits. RCS staff mentioned a few community partners visiting B2 but that RCS was working on MOUs with partners such that this was more predictable. A list of partners regularly providing services is below. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley: medical clinic every Wednesday evening MCAVHN: services every Monday
MCHC (Hillside Health Clinic): provides services weekly, days vary Mendocino County Adult Protective Services: provides services on site regularly, days vary
Mendocino County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services: provides services on site through crisis outreach, days vary
Operating hours:
o Day Center public hours: currently Monday‐Friday, noon‐4pm
Agenda Item No: 14.c.
MEETING DATE/TIME: 3/19/2025
ITEM NO: 2025-263
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SUBJECT: Receive Updates on City Council Committee and Ad Hoc Assignments, and, if Necessary, Consider Modifications to Assignments and/or the Creation/Elimination of Ad Hoc(s).
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk PREPARED BY: Kristine Lawler, City Clerk PRESENTER: Mayor Crane and Various Councilmembers
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2025 City Council Special Assignments and Ad Hocs
Summary: City Council members will provide reports and updates on their committee and ad hoc assignments. If necessary, the Council may consider modifications.
Background: City Council members are assigned to a number of committees and ad hoc activities. These assignments are included as Attachment 1.
Discussion: Previously, the City Council discussed having more time allocated to reporting on committee and ad hoc activities. Often, the Council Reports section of the regular agenda is rushed due to impending business (i.e., public hearings), and not enough time is afforded for reports beyond community activities.
In an effort to foster regular updates on committee and ad hoc assignments, this item is being placed on the agenda to provide the City Council members an expanded opportunity to report on assignments and modify assignments as necessary.
Recommended Action: Receive report(s). The Council will consider modifications to committee and ad hoc assignments along with the creation/elimination ad hoc(s).
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No
CURRENT BUDGET AMOUNT: N/A
PROPOSED BUDGET AMOUNT: N/A
FINANCING SOURCE: N/A
PREVIOUS CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER NO.: N/A
COORDINATED WITH: N/A
DIVERSITY-EQUITY INITIATIVES (DEI): N/A
CLIMATE INITIATIVES (CI): N/A
GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS (GP): N/A
2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT LIST
LOCAL / UKIAH VALLEY MTG DATE/TIME MEETING LOCATION MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT COMMITTEE FUNCTION ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT City Broadband Project TBD TBD
Civic Center300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482
to evaluate the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Internet Service Provider (ISP) for the California's Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Last Mile Broadband Orozco Jim Robbins, Grants Manager, 463-6708; [email protected] Investment Oversight Committee Varies
Civic Center 300 Seminary Ave. Ukiah, CA 95482
Civic Center300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482
Reviews City investments, policies, and strategies
CraneOrozco - Alternate Alan Carter, Treasurer
Dan Buffalo, Director of Finance; 463-6220 [email protected] Disaster Council
Shall meet a minimum of once a year at a time and place designated upon call of the chair Place designated upon call of the chair or, if she/he is unavailable or unable to call such meeting, the first vice chair and then the City Manager or her/his designee.
Office of Emergency Management
300 Seminary Ave. Ukiah, CA 95482467-5720 - Traci Boyl
Develop any necessary emergency and mutual aid plans, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations.
OrozcoCriss - Alternate
Traci Boyl, City Manager's Office Management Analyst; 467-5720; [email protected] Greater Ukiah Business & Tourism Alliance (GUPTA)
4th Monday of month, 10 a.m.
200 S School St.Ukiah, CA 95482
200 S School St.Ukiah, CA 95482
Promotes tourism and works to strengthen and promote the historic downtown and businesses within the greater Ukiah area
Marianne Davison - Community Services Department Staff Orozco - Alternate Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager; 467-5793 [email protected] Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC) 2nd Thursday of month, 6:00 p.m.
Civic Center 300 Seminary Avenueconference room 5
IWPC Staff P.O. Box 1247Ukiah, CA 95482391-7574 - Candace Horsley Develops coordination for water resources and current water rights: Potter Valley project - Eel River Diversion RodinOrozco - Alternate
Sean White, Director of Water Resources; 463-5712 [email protected] North Coast Opportunities (NCO) 4th Wednesday of month, 2 p.m. Alternating locations - Ukiah and Lakeport Governing Board Chair North Coast Opportunities413 North State StreetUkiah, CA 95482 Assist low income and disadvantaged people to become self reliant Neil Davis Neil Davis, Community Services Director; [email protected] Sun House Guild ex officio 2nd Tuesday of month, 4:30 p.m. Sun House 431 S. Main St. Ukiah, CA 431 S. Main Street Ukiah, CA 95482 467-2836 Support and expand Grace Hudson Museum Orozco, Sher Neil Davis - Alternate David Burton, Museum Director; 467-2836 [email protected] Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) 2nd Thursday of month, 1:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Chambers; 501 Low Gap Road Ukiah, CA County Executive Office501 Low Gap Rd., Rm. 1010Ukiah, CA 95482463-4441 GSA serves as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency in the Ukiah Valley basin
CraneN/A - Alternate
Sean White, Director of Water Resources; 463-5712 [email protected]
MENDOCINO COUNTY MTG DATE/TIME MEETING LOCATION MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT COMMITTEE FUNCTION ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT City Selection Committee Called as required by the Clerk of the Board BOS Conference Room 501 Low Gap Rd. Rm. 1090 Ukiah, CA C/O: BOS 501 Low Gap Rd., Rm 1090 Ukiah, CA 95482 463-4441 Makes appointments to LAFCO and Airport Land Use Commission (Mayor - Primary; Vice Mayor - Alternate) Mayor Crane Vice Mayor Sher Kristine Lawler, City Clerk; 463-6217 [email protected] Economic Development & Financing Corporation (EDFC)
2nd Thursday of month, 2:00 p.m.
Primarily 631 S. Orchard Street (location varies)
Executive Director631 South Orchard AvenueUkiah, CA 95482467-5953 Multi-agency co-op for economic development and business loan program Riley (appointed 12/19/18) Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager; 467-5793 [email protected] Library Advisory Board
3rd Wednesdays of alternate months; 1:00
p.m.
Various Mendocino County Libraries Ukiah County Library 463-4491 Review library policy and activities Sher Rodin - Alternate Kristine Lawler, City Clerk; 463-6217; [email protected] Mendocino County 1st District Liaison Monthly; TBD
Civic Center Annex conference room #5 411 West Clay St. Ukiah, CA 95482 Civic Center300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482
To coordinate activities and policy development with the City's 1st District Supervisor Crane Rodin - Alternate
Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager; 463-6221; [email protected] Mendocino County 2nd District Liaison 1st Wednesdays of month, 8:00 a.m.
Civic Center Annex conference room #5 411 West Clay St. Ukiah, CA 95482 Civic Center300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482
To coordinate activities and policy development with the County's 2nd District Supervisor
CrissRodin - Alternate
Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager;467-5793 [email protected] Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG)
1st Monday of month, 1:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Chambers 501 Low Gap Road Ukiah, CA Executive Director
367 N. State Street, Ste. 206 Ukiah, CA 95482463-1859
Plan and allocate State funding, transportation, infrastructure and project County wide Criss Sher - Alternate
Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer;
463-6280 [email protected]
Mendocino County Airport Land Use Commission As needed
BOS Conference Room 501 Low Gap Rd., Rm. 1090, Ukiah, CA Mendocino County Executive Office 501 Low Gap Rd. Rm. 1010 Ukiah, CA 95482 To formulate a land use compatibility plan, provide for the orderly growth of the airport and the surrounding area, and safeguard the general welfare of the inhabitants within the vicinity Liaisons: Owen/Schlatter
Greg Owen, Airport Manager; 467-2855; [email protected] Craig Schlatter, Director of Community Development; 463-6219; [email protected] Mendocino County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) 1st Monday of month, 9:00 a.m. Board of Supervisors Chambers Executive Director200 S. School Street, Ste. 2 Ukiah, CA 95482463-4470 Required by legislation - planning spheres of influence, annexation, service areas, and special districts RodinCrane - Alternate for both city seat
members on Commission
Craig Schlatter, Director of Community Development; 463-6219; [email protected] Updated: 2/10/2025
2025 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT LIST
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Continued MTG DATE/TIME MEETING LOCATION MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT COMMITTEE FUNCTION ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA)
3rd Thursday of every other month (varies), 10:00 a.m.
Willits Council Chambers
Solid Waste Director3200 Taylor DriveUkiah, CA 95482468-9710 County-wide Solid Waste JPA Crane Sher - Alternate Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; 463-6280 [email protected] Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) Board of Directors
Last Wednesday of month, 1:30 p.m.
Alternating locations - Ukiah Conference Center or Fort Bragg, or Point Arena Executive Director
241 Plant RoadUkiah, CA 95482462-1422
County-wide bus transportation issues and funding Sher Rodin - Alternate Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; 463-6280 [email protected] Mendocino Youth Project JPA Board of Directors
3rd Wednesday of month, 7:45 a.m. 776 S. State Street Conference Room Mendocino Co. Youth Project776 S. State Street, Ste. 107Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-4915 Targets all youth with a focus on drug and alcohol prevention, healthy alternatives and empowering youth to make healthy choices Criss Max Brazill, Admin Lieutenant - Alternate
Cedric Crook, Police Chief; 463-6771; [email protected] Russian River Flood Control District
(RRFCD) Liaison
1st Monday of month, 5:30 p.m.
151 Laws Ave.,Suite D Ukiah, CA
151 Laws Ave., Ukiah, CA 95482; [email protected]; 462-5278 Proactively manage the water resources of the upper Russian River for the benefit of the people and environment of Mendocino County White/Orozco Sean White, Director of Water Resources; 463-5712 [email protected] Ukiah Players Theater Board of Directors
3rd Tuesday of month, 6:00 p.m
1041 Low Gap Rd Ukiah, CA 95482 462-1210
1041 Low Gap RdUkiah, CA 95482462-1210
To oversee the activities, organization and purpose of the Ukiah Players Theater Greg Owen, Airport Manager(appointed 12/19/18)
Kristine Lawler, City Clerk; 463-6217 [email protected] Ukiah Unified School District (UUSD) Committee Quarterly 511 S. Orchard, Ste. D Ukiah, CA 95482 511 S. Orchard Ukiah, CA 95482 Information exchange with UUSD Board Chair, Mayor, Superintendent, and City Manager Orozco, Criss Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager Cedric Crook, Police Chief Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager; 463-6221 [email protected]
REGIONAL MTG DATE/TIME LOCATION MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT COMMITTEE FUNCTION ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) Bi-monthly, 3rd Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Various Locations - announced 419 Talmage Road, Suite M Ukiah, CA 95482 463-3280 Provides a unified and revitalized rail infrastructure meeting the freight and passenger needs of the region Rodin Sher- Alternate Neil Davis, Community Services Director 467-5764 [email protected] League of California Cities Redwood Empire Legislative Committee Prior to Division Meetings, meets 3x in person and then via conference call Various locations that are announced
Redwood Empire League President; Public Affairs Program Manager (916) 658-8243 Elected city officials and professional city staff attend division meetings throughout the year to share what they are doing and advocate for their interests in Sacramento OrozcoCriss - Alternate
Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager; 463-6221 [email protected] Russian River Watershed Association (RRWA)
4th Thursday of month, 9:00 a.m. (only 5 times a year)
Windsor Town Hall9291 Old Redwood Hwy, #400Windsor, CA 95492707-838-1000 Russian River Watershed Association 2235 Mercury Way, Suite 105Santa Rose, CA [email protected] 707-508-3670 (message only) Consider issues related to Russian river - plans projects and funding requests RodinSher - Alternate
Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer;
463-6280 [email protected]
Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) - Commission
4th Thursday of month, 9:00 a.m. (see NCPA calendar)
Roseville, CA and other locations
651 Commerce Drive Roseville, CA 95678916-781-4202
Pool of State and local power utilities developing and operating power generation, providing scheduling and related energy services and providing regulatory and legislative support.
Crane - Commissioner Sher - City Council Alternate Sauers - Alternate and Commissioner in absence of Commissioner Crane
Cindi Sauers - Electric Utility Director;463-6286 [email protected] Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) – Lodi Energy Center (LEC) Appointment 2nd Monday of month, 10:00 AM Lodi, CA and other locations 651 Commerce DriveRoseville, CA 95678916-781-4299
Committee oversees the operation, maintenance and expenditures of the LEC 300 MW generating project.
Sauers – Project Participate Appointee
Cindy Sauers, Electric Utility Director,463‐6286, [email protected] Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC)
4th Wednesday of month, 10 a.m. 35 Iron Point Circle Suite 225 Folsom, CA 35 Iron Point Cir #225Folsom, CA 95630916-852-1673; [email protected] Provide electric transmission to its Member utilities through transmission line ownership or contract arrangements.
CraneSauers - Alternate
Cindi Sauers - Electric Utility Director;463-6286 [email protected]
STANDING COMMITTEES MTG DATE/TIME LOCATION MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT COMMITTEE FUNCTION ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT Diversity and Equity TBD Virtual Meeting Room (link to be created) Civic Center 300 Seminary Ave. Ukiah, CA 95482 Improve diversity and equity in the City’s workforce and municipal services Orozco/Criss Traci Boyl, City Manager's Office Management Analyst; 467-5720; [email protected] Fire Executive Committee
2nd Tue, every other month beginning in January; 5:00 p.m.
Ukiah Valley Conference Center,200 S. School Street Ukiah, CA Civic Center300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482 [email protected] Per the recently adopted agreement between the City of Ukiah and the Ukiah Valley Fire Protection District Orozco/SherAlternates: Criss
Doug Hutchison, Fire Chief; 463-6263; [email protected] Countywide Oversight Board to the RDA Successor Agencies 4th Thursday of January, 4:00 p.m.; meets annually
Ukiah Valley Conference Center,200 S. School Street Ukiah, CA City of UkiahATTN: City Clerk300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482 Oversee and direct the Successor Agencies of the former redevelopment agencies Crane Dan Buffalo, Director of Finance; 463‐6220 [email protected] Lawler, City Clerk; 463‐6217, [email protected] Water Executive Committee(Ukiah Valley Water Authority) 1st Tue of each month
at 6:00 p.m.
Ukiah Valley Conference Center,200 S. School Street Ukiah, CA City of UkiahATTN: Sean White300 Seminary Ave.Ukiah, CA 95482 Oversight of UVWA; set annual budget for the combined water system; Manage rates and collect levies; modify existing water rights for the provision of water service; mediation and dispute resolution; Crane/Orozco Sean White, Director of Water Resources; 463-5712 [email protected] Updated: 2/10/2025
COMMITTEE ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT
Electric Grid Operational Improvements Crane/Orozco Cindy Sauers, Electric Utility Director; 463-6286 [email protected]
Trench Cut Policy Development Crane Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; 463- 6280 [email protected]
Advance Planning & Policy for Annexation
Applications Crane/Rodin
Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director
463-6219 [email protected]
UVSD/ City Relations
Ad hoc committee to address specific issues with the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District, including discussion of overall sewer system service delivery policies, operating policy revisions, potential revisions to the current Operating Agreement, and cost sharing
Crane/Orozco
Dan Buffalo, Director of Finance;
463‐6220 [email protected]
Sean White, Water Resources Director
463‐5712 [email protected]
Orr Street Bridge Corridor Rodin/Sher Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; 463- 6280 [email protected]
Complete Streets Rodin/Crane
Tim Eriksen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; 463-
6280 [email protected]
Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager
467-5793 [email protected]
Neil Davis, Community Services Director
467-5764 [email protected]
Special Districts (Water District Consolidation) Orozco/Crane Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager 467‐5793 [email protected]
Corp Yard Planning Crane/Orozco Jason Benson, Senior Civil Engineer 463‐6284 [email protected]
Mendocino County Courthouse Project and Reuse Sher/Orozco Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager 467‐5793 [email protected]
Climate Action Plan
Will coordinate with the Community Development Director to identify and assign representation to each of the identified categories, and also coordinate with the Community
Development Director and the Climate Action Plan Working Group related to other outreach efforts during the development of the draft municipal Climate Action Plan related to the 2040 General Plan
Sher/Criss Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director 463-6219 [email protected]
City's 150-Year Anniversary Planning Orozco/Rodin Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager 467‐5793 [email protected]
Zoning Reform
Function is to explore creation of a new ministerial zoning permit and identify additional zoning streamlining and reform efforts to provide better and more consistent development outcomes
Crane/Orozco
Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director
463-6219 [email protected]
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
Steering Committee
assist in the creation of the 2025 CHNA Report for the
communities served by the three Adventist Health hospitals in Mendocino County. providing insight, identifying, gathering and analyzing the health needs of our community. Additionally Rodin/Sher
Jeremy Malin, NP
Director of Community Health Analytics
Adventist Health Howard Memorial
Adventist Health Ukiah Valley
Adventist Health Mendocino Coast
978-289-3330; [email protected]
Parks & Recreation Special District Exploration Rodin/Orozco Neil Davis, Community Services Director 467-5764 [email protected]
Downtown Zoning code Crane/Rodin Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director 463-6219 [email protected]
Tourism Advisory Committee Rodin/Sher Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager 467‐5793 [email protected]
Historic Preservation Code Sher/Criss Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director 463-6219 [email protected]
Fire Severity Rodin/Orozco Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director 463-6219 [email protected]
City Council Handbook Review and Update Sher Kristine Lawler, City Clerk 463‐6217; [email protected]
2025 AD HOC COMMITTEES
*Note: Changing the composition of an existing ad‐hoc among current councilmembers after work has begun presents potential Brown Act issues. Requests for fully filled ad‐hocs are represented on the draft, but staff does not recommend changes except to fill vacated assignments. The current requests on the sheet for fully composed ad‐hocs are primarily intended to convey interest in topics covered by these ad‐hoc committees for possible future consideration of new assignments.
Updated: 3/6/2025