March 17, 2021
UTILITY CUT POLICIES
A detailed 2002 report prepared for the Federal Highway Administration provided methods that agencies can use to reduce and minimize the damage to streets due to the ever-increasing installation and maintenance activities of utility companies (Wilde et al. 2002). Specifically, the report presents three types of policies local agencies can use to improve the quality of utility cut repairs and promote coordination of facilities. These strategies are 1) incentive-based policies, 2) fee-based policies, and 3) regulation-based policies.
Incentive-based policies provide financial or other incentives for using trenchless technology where technically suitable, performing higher-quality pavement cut repairs, making smaller or less-damaging cuts, and coordinating with other utility companies to share trenches or underground resources.
Examples of fee-based policies include requiring a deposit prior to beginning work to protect against poor repairs, assessing financial penalties for non-compliance with restoration standards or for failed repairs within a specified period, implementing a timebased lane rental fee to encourage utility companies to restore traffic access as quickly as possible, and collecting flat-rate or area-based fees to compensate for increased degradation associated with cutting and excavating pavement.
Regulation-based policies do not require fees or provide incentives, but place requirements on the contractor regarding quality of work, and/or restrictions on when and where trenching can be done. Examples include establishing moratorium periods that restrict utility cuts in newly resurfaced pavements for a specified time, requiring pavement restorations to encompass an area larger than the trench area, enhancing inspections, and enforcing restoration specifications.
Utility Cut Fees in California
Fee-based policies have been growing in popularity throughout California as way for local agencies to recoup the cost of pavement damage associated with poor performing underground utility work. Table 3 summarizes several utility-cut fee schedules for various agencies throughout California. These fees are based on factors including functional classification, pavement age, PCI, and/or utility cut depth and orientation (longitudinal or transverse). The fees, in dollars per area, are multiplied by the utility cut area to obtain a dollar value that represents the damage done to the pavement. In contrast to having a utility cut fee by area, the city of Santa Barbara has utility cut fee by linear foot. This fee is multiplied by the length of linear feet cut rather than the affected area to obtain a dollar value.
March 17, 2021
Table 3. Summary of Utility Cut Fees for California Agencies Agency Year Criteria Fee ($/SF)
Anaheim* 1994 Age < 1 Year 16.48
Elk Grove 2020
Trench Depth < 4 ft
Major Streets or All Streets
within 5 years of construction
or structural overlay
PCI 100 and 70 3.90 (long.)
7.80 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 2.20 (long.)
4.40 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
All Other
PCI 100 and 70 2.41 (long.)
4.82 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 1.18 (long.)
2.36 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
Trench Depth > 4 ft
Major Streets or All Streets
within 5 years of construction
or structural overlay
PCI 100 and 70
5.91 (long.)
11.82 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 3.34 (long.)
6.68 (trans)
PCI 25 and 0 -
All Other
PCI 100 and 70 3.66 (long.)
7.32 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 1.80 (long.)
3.60 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
Los
Angeles 2018
Select Streets 19.44
Local Streets 8.24
Modesto 2020 All Streets
PCI 70-100 2.5
PCI 26-69 1.25
PCI 0-25 -
Patterson 2020 All Streets
PCI 70-100 7.3
PCI 50-69 5.25
PCI 0-49 -
*Standard is currently under revision. Fee update anticipated in 2021.
March 17, 2021
Table 3 Cont. Summary of Utility Cut Fees for California Agencies Agency Year Criteria Fee ($/SF)
Sacramento* 1997
Longitudinal Cut
Age <5 3.50
Age 5 to 10 3.00
Age 10 to 15 2.00
Age Over 15 1.00
Transverse Cut
Age <5 7.00
Age 5 to 10 6.00
Age 10 to 15 4.00
Age Over 15 2.00
Sacramento
Co 1999
Trench Depth < 4 ft
Major Streets or All Streets
within 5 years of construction
or structural overlay
PCI 100 and 70 3.90 (long.)
7.80 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 2.20 (long.)
4.4 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
All Other
PCI 100 and 70 2.41 (long.)
4.82 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 1.18 (long.)
2.36 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
Trench Depth > 4 ft
Major Streets or All Streets
within 5 years of construction
or structural overlay.
PCI 100 and 70
5.91 (long.)
11.82 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26
3.34 (long.)
6.68 (trans)
PCI 25 and 0 -
All Other
PCI 100 and 70 3.66 (long.)
7.32 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 1.80 (long.)
3.60 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
City and
County of
San
Francisco
1998 All streets
Age 0-5 3.50
Age 6-10 3.00
Age 11-15 2.00
Age 16-20 1.00
*Standard is currently under revision. Fee update anticipated in 2021.
March 17, 2021
Table 3 Cont. Summary of Utility Cut Fees for California Agencies Agency Year Criteria Fee ($/SF)
Santa Ana 1999
Arterials Streets
Age of street since last repaving
Age 0-5 Years 13.68
Age 6-10 Years 12.11
Age 11-15 Years 11.39
Age 16-20 Years 9.11
Local Streets
Age of street since last repaving
Age 0-5 Years 9.27
Age 6-10 Years 8.24
Age 11-15 Years 7.74
Age 16-20 Years 6.98
Age 21-25 Years 6.21
Santa
Barbara Co Flat fee $0.75 per LF
Santa Cruz 2003
Trench Depth < 4 ft
Major Streets or All Streets
within 5 years of Construction
or Structural overlay
PCI 100 and 70 3.9 (long.)
7.8 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 2.2 (long.)
4.4 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
All Other Streets
PCI 100 and 70 2.41 (long.)
4.82 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 1.18 (long.)
2.36 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
Trench Depth > 4 ft
Major Streets or All Streets
within 5 years of construction
or structural overlay.
PCI 100 and 70
5.91 (long.)
11.82 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 3.34 (long.)
6.68 (trans)
PCI 25 and 0 -
All Other Streets
PCI 100 and 70 3.66 (long.)
7.32 (trans.)
PCI 69 and 26 1.80 (long.)
3.60 (trans.)
PCI 25 and 0 -
Union City 1998 Flat fee 17.3
Some agencies allow fee exemptions if the utility work is performed on older pavement or if the work is performed before an upcoming rehabilitation. For example, the City and County of San Francisco waive the fee for utility work performed on pavements with PCIs less than 53 or a pavement age of at least 20 years. The City of Los Angeles does not require utility cut fees on pavements with rehabilitation scheduled within the next year.
March 17, 2021
Moratorium Standards in California
Regulation-based policies, particularly moratoria, have been passed by cities and counties to protect public infrastructure and preserve the life of streets (Wilde et al. 2002).
Moratoria impose a time period after treatment during which utility or other companies may not perform trenching activities. Table 4 summarizes several California agencies with slurry and rehabilitation moratorium standards. If for some reason utility work during a moratorium period is deemed necessary, agencies often impose higher restoration standards and limits than those required after the moratorium period has expired.
For example, Los Angeles County only requires a surface restoration of 24 inches beyond the edge of the T-Cut for non-moratorium streets but requires that the whole block be repaved for moratorium streets. Such strict moratorium restoration standards encourage utility companies to perform underground utility maintenance prior to pavement rehabilitation or reconstruction and discourages utility work in new pavement structures.
March 17, 2021
Table 4. Summary of Moratorium Standards for California Agencies Agency
Slurry
Moratorium
(years)
Rehabilitation
Moratorium
(years)
Restoration Details if Moratorium Work
Approved
Anaheim 1 3
Extensive pavement restoration according to
the utility cut standard
Limits shall be determined by the City Engineer
Commerce 2 5
Pavement restoration shall be a length of not
less than 50 ft either side of the trench edge
lines, either perpendicular or parallel to the
curb line
Encinitas 3 5
Resurface at least the length of excavation
from curb to curb or from curb line to the
raised median
Longitudinal trenches – Extend T-Cut, grind and
overlay over the entire affected lane or lanes
(from curb to curb or from curb to median
curb)
Transverse trenches - Extend T-Cut, grind and
overlay to 10 feet beyond each side of the
trench and over the entire affected lane
Los Angeles None 1 Repave the whole block
Los Angeles Co 2 2 Resurface the entire lane width
Oakland 5 5
Pavement restoration shall match or exceed
the most recent resurfacing pavement section
depth and material or as directed by the
Engineer
Sacramento Co 3 3
Slurry seal half of the roadway at locations
affected by the excavation for a minimum total
length of 1,000 feet
San Diego 3 5
Resurface the entire lane width from street
intersection to intersection and from curb to
curb
San Diego Co 3 3
Resurface the entire width of the affected road
and the method of resurfacing shall be the
same as adjacent pavement
San Francisco 5 5 Resurface all affected lanes for entire width of affected property frontages
March 17, 2021
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Interest in studying and quantifying the impact of utility cuts on road and street performance has increased over the last 30 years. Consequently, public agencies, as well as utility companies, have sponsored engineering investigations and studies to quantify the impact of utility cuts on pavement performance and estimate the corresponding financial impacts.
Research has shown that utility cuts can reduce pavement life by 15 to 55 percent, which consequently costs local agencies millions of dollars in premature street repair and remediation expenses. Studies have also shown that underground utility work affects not only the excavated area, but often weakens the adjacent pavement. The affected pavement varies based on agency and location but is typically 4 to 5 feet from the edge of the trench.
To help restore some of the lost structural capacity and performance due to cutting the pavement, many agencies have set restoration standards. Restoration standards in California typically include a T-Cut along with a restoration treatment that may be as extensive as replacing the full lane for the entire affected block.
To recover the cost of pavement damage associated with performing underground utility work, many agencies impose utility cut fees. In California, these fees are typically based on factors including functional classification, pavement age, PCI, and/or utility cut depth and orientation (longitudinal or transverse).
As evidenced by the variety of studies, standards, policies, and fees, the impact of utility cuts on roadway performance can vary significantly based on site-and agency-specific information. Therefore, to really understand and quantify the impact of utility cuts on roadway performance for a particular agency, a site-specific study and analysis must be performed. In addition, utility cut fees should be updated regularly to reflect accurate and current damage costs.
March 17, 2021
REFERENCES
AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. 2002. Evaluation of Pavement Cut Impacts. League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and Association of Public-Private Utility Service Providers.
Arudi, R., Pickering, B., and Flading, J. 2000. Planning and Implementing a Management System for Street Pavements with Utility Cuts. Cincinnati Infrastructure Institute, University of Cincinnati.
Bodocsi, A., Pant, P.D., Aktan, A.E., and Arudi, R.S. 1995. Impact of Utility Cuts on Performance of Street Pavements. The Cincinnati Infrastructure Institute, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati.
CHEC Consulting Engineers, Inc. 1997. Utility Cut Damage Assessment for the City of Sacramento. City of Sacramento Department of Public Works.
CHEC Consulting Engineers, Inc. 1998. Trench Cut Fee Evaluation Study for the City of Union City. City of Union City, Department of Public Works CHEC Consulting Engineers, Inc. 1999. Trench Cut Evaluation Study for San Mateo County. San Mateo County.
CHEC Consulting Engineers, Inc. 2000. Alameda County Trench Cut Study Final Report.
Alameda County.
Department of Public Works. 1998. The Impact of Excavation on San Francisco Streets.
Department of Public Works, City and County of San Francisco and Blue-Ribbon Panel on Pavement Damage.
ERES International, Inc. 1990. The Effect of Utility Cut Patching on Pavement Performance in Phoenix, AZ.
Guthrie, W.S, Jackson, K.D., and Montgomery, S.R., and Eggett, D.L. 2015. Quantifying the Effect of Utility Cuts on the Remaining Service Life of Flexible Pavements in Northern Utah. City of Springville and Brigham Young University.
Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS), Inc. 1994. Estimated Pavement Cut Surcharge for the City of Anaheim California, Arterial Highway and Local Streets.
Jensen, K. A., Schaefer, V. R., Suleiman, M. T., White, D. J. 2005. Characterization of Utility Cut Pavement Settlement and Repair Techniques. Proceedings of the 2005 MidContinent Transportation Research Symposium, Ames, Iowa.
Karim, M., Rizvi, R., Henderson, V., Uzarowski, L., and Chyc-Cies, J. 2014. Effect ofUtility Cuts on Serviceability of Pavement Assets – A Case Study from the City of Calgary. City of Calgary and Golder Associates.
Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chtd. 2000. Impact of Utility Cuts on Performance of Seattle Streets. City of Seattle.
March 17, 2021
Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chtd. 2003. Utility Trench Cut Study Final Report. City of Philadelphia Department of Streets.
Noel, E. and Tevlin, A. 2012. Street Preservation Ordinance and Damage Fee. City of San Diego Office of the Independent Budget Analyst.
Pavement Engineering Inc, (PEI). 1996. Utility Cut Impact Study for City of Oxnard.
Peters, T. 2002. City Combats Damage to City Streets Caused by Utility Cuts. Public Works Journal Corporation 133 (4).
Shahin, M.Y. 1999. Report Analyzing Proposed Trench Cut Fee Ordinance. Department of Public Works, Santa Ana.
Shahin and Associates. 2017. Street Damage Restoration Fee Study. City of Los Angeles, Department of General Services, Bureau of Street Services.
Stevens, L., Suleiman, M.T., Schafer, B.R., Ceylan, H., and Videkovich, K.A. 2010.
Investigation of Improved Utility Cut Repair Techniques to Reduce Settlement in Repaired Areas, Phase II. Iowa Department of Transportation and Transportation Research Board.
Tarakji, G. 1995. The Effects of Utility Cuts on the Service Life of Pavements in San Francisco. Volume I, Department of Public Works, San Francisco State University.
Tiewater, P. 1997. “How to Reduce Utility Trenching Costs.” Better Roads. April 1997, pp 18–20.
Todres, H.A. and Baker, P.E., 1996. Utilities Conduct Research in Pavement Restoration.
APWA Reporter, 63(10).
Wilde, W.J., R. O. Rasmussen, and R. Harrison. 1996. City of Austin Guide for a Comparative Cost Assessment of Utility Work Alternatives. Austin, TX.
Wilde, W.J., Grant, C.A., and Nelson, P.K. 2002. Manual for Controlling and Reducing the Frequency of Pavement Utility Cuts. FHWA Report No. FHWA-RD-02-%%%
March 17, 2021
Table R.1 References
Agency Reference Date
Accessed
Alameda Co
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57573edf37013b15f0435124/t/5b2 434326d2a734942eb80b7/1529099326535/Design+Guidelines+SD2018Jun06.pdf3/10/2021 Anaheim https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/22954/132 3/10/2021 Contra Costa
Co
https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29792/CU01- PDF?bidId= 3/10/2021
Davis https://www.cityofdavis.org/home/showpublisheddocument?id=8217 3/10/2021 Fremont https://www.fremont.gov/DocumentCenter/View/307/sd28_LongitudinalTrenchTransverseTrench?bidId= 3/10/2021 Fresno Co
(Page 293)
http://www.fresnofloodcontrol.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/StdSpecifications-April-1-2011-approved-amended-1-1-12.pdf 3/10/2021 Long Beach
http://longbeach.gov/globalassets/pw/medialibrary/documents/resources/engineering/standard-plans/100-generalroadwork/section-127---trench-requirements-in-street-right-of-way--as-of11-13-17- 3/10/2021
Los Angeles https://eng2.lacity.org/techdocs/stdplans/s-400/S-477-2_B4778_%20_.pdf 3/10/2021 Los Angeles
Co
(Page 129)
https://pw.lacounty.gov/des/design_manuals/StandardPlan.pdf 3/10/2021 Oakland http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/PWA/o/EC/s/DGP/index.htm 3/10/2021 (See City of Oakland Guidelines and Standards: Street Excavation Rules) Sacramento
(Page 42)
https://www.cityofsacramento.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/DOU/SpecsDrawings/Addendum%202_Final_042412.pdf 3/10/2021 Sacramento
Co
(Page 17)
https://saccountyspecs.saccounty.net/Documents/PDF%20Documents%20 2008/Drawings/Drawings.pdf 3/10/2021
San Francisco
(Page 27) https://sfpublicworks.org/sites/default/files/PW-Order-187005-Signed.pdf 3/10/2021 San Diego Co
(Page 38)
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/sdcfa/documents/pre vention/design-standards.pdf 3/10/2021
San Jose
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showdocument?id=37037
3/10/2021
(Cross Section data from personal correspondence with Lorina Popescu, City of San Jose)
Santa Clara
(Page 31) https://www.santaclaraca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=70118 3/10/2021
March 17, 2021
Table R.2 References
Agency Reference Date
Accessed
Oakland https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Master-Fee-ScheduleCombined-FY-19-20-MFS_Final.pdf 3/11/2021 San Diego https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/cip/pdf/2015-05- 01_memo.pdf 3/11/2021
Anaheim
Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS), Inc. 1994. Estimated Pavement Cut Surcharge for the City of Anaheim California, Arterial Highway and Local Streets.
-
Elk Grove https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/ElkGrove/html/ElkGrove12/ElkGrove 1209.html 3/11/2021
Los Angeles https://eng2.lacity.org/StdFeeList/StdFeeList.pdf 3/11/2021 Modesto https://www.modestogov.com/DocumentCenter/View/4817/Development -Fee-Schedule---Engineering_Encroachment 3/11/2021
Patterson https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaCruzCounty/html/SantaCruzCo unty09/SantaCruzCounty0980.html 3/11/2021
Sacramento
Co
http://qcode.us/codes/sacramentocounty/view.php?topic=12-12_09- 12_09_030&frames=on 3/11/2021
City and
County of San
Francisco
https://www.sfpublicworks.org/sites/default/files/Excavation_Code.pdf 3/11/2021 Santa Ana https://www.cacities.org/uploadedfiles/leagueinternet/19/192268aa-511f4046-99c7-b14dae47cc11.pdf 3/11/2021 Santa Barbara https://countyofsb.org/pwd/asset.c/224 3/11/2021 Santa Cruz
http://sccounty01.co.santacruz.ca.us/BDS/Govstream2/Bdsvdata/non_legacy_2.0/agendas/2003/200 30401-211/PDF/035.pdf
3/11/2021
Union City CHEC Consulting Engineers, Inc. 1998. Trench Cut Fee Evaluation Study for the City of Union City. City of Union City, Department of Public Works -
March 17, 2021
Table R.3 References
Agency Reference Date
Accessed
Anaheim https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/22954/132 3/11/2021 Commerce Personal correspondence with Daniel Hernandez, City of Commerce 3/11/2021 Encinitas https://www.biasandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Attachment2-Resolution-Exhibit-A_clean.pdf 3/11/2021 Los Angeles https://eng2.lacity.org/techdocs/permits/7_3.pdf 3/11/2021 Los Angeles
Co
https://pw.lacounty.gov/general/faq/index.cfm?Action=getAnswers&FaqI D=JCMtOzVTUCAgCg%3D%3D&Theme=default&ShowTemplate=#:~:text=T he%20County%20has%20a%20two,date%20of%20the%20resurfacing%20p roject.
3/11/2021
Oakland https://library.municode.com/ca/oakland/codes/code_of_ordinances?nod eId=TIT12STSIPUPL_CH12.12EX 3/11/2021
Sacramento
Co https://sacdot.saccounty.net/Pages/Trenchingandroadcutmoratorium.aspx 3/11/2021 San Diego https://www.biasandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Attachment1-San-Diego-County-and-City-Trenching-Moratorium-Information.pdf 3/11/2021 San Diego Co https://www.biasandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Attachment1-San-Diego-County-and-City-Trenching-Moratorium-Information.pdf 3/11/2021 San Francisco https://www.sfpublicworks.org/sites/default/files/Moratorium%20Streets. pdf 3/11/2021
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ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ESTABLISHING TRENCH
CUT FEES FOR CERTAIN EXCAVATIONS WITHIN PAVED CITY STREETS The City Council of the City of Ukiah hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION ONE. FINDINGS:
1. The City Public Works Department commissioned a study by NCE, an engineering consulting firm that was performed by Project Engineer Debaroti Ghosh, PhD, Senior Engineer Mei-Hui Lee, PhD, PE and Margot Yapp, PE. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of utility cuts in City streets on pavement performance over a thirty-year period in order to determine the financial impact of such trench cuts and a corresponding fee to compensate for any resulting reduction in the useful life of City streets.
2. On February 16, 2022, NCE presented the results of its study to the City Council at its regular meeting.
3. In July 2022 NCE prepared a Final Report of its study titled: Utility Trench Cut Impact Assessment and Fee Development (“the Report”).
4. In conducting its hearing on the introduction of this ordinance the City Council considered the Report which is available at the City’s Public Works Department and on the City’s website at https://cityofukiah.com/public-works/#forms.
5. The Study found that:
• Utility cuts cause structural damage to pavements and an average overlay thickness of
2.0 inches is needed to compensate for that loss in structural capacity. • Overall, pavements with cuts deteriorate more than pavement without cuts. An average reduction of 9 points was observed when utility cuts are present. • As the size of the cut increases, the Pavement Condition Index (“PCI”) decreases for streets of all ages. On average, the PCI drops by 31% if the cut area is greater than 5% of the section area.
• Cuts do more damage to new pavements (less than 10 years old) than older pavements (more than 10 years old), resulting in an average percent reduction of the streets remaining service life of approximately 36% for new pavements and 11% for old pavements.
All these findings were used to develop the fee schedule for the City of Ukiah, as shown in the table attached hereto as Exhibit A.
6. The fees in Exhibit A use current construction costs in calculating the financial cost of the reduced useful life of City streets resulting from trench cuts. To recover the actual cost the fee
Attachment 2
requires an automatic annual adjustment calculated by the City Engineer based on the Construction Cost Index History as reported by Engineering News Records (ENR).
7. As shown by the detailed investigation and analysis in the Report, the trench cut fees imposed by this ordinance recover the actual cost of allowing public and private entities and persons to cut trenches in City streets incident to installing underground facilities that only benefit such entity and/or person other than the customers or ratepayers of such entities or persons.
SECTION TWO.
Article 2, commencing with Section 9535 is hereby added to Chapter 4, Division 9 of the Ukiah City Code to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2, STREET TRENCH CUT COST RECOVERY FEE
§9535 DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Article:
(A) “Applicant” shall mean any Owner, or duly authorized agent of such Owner, who has submitted an application for a permit to excavate.
(B) “City street” shall mean any public right-of-way which has been accepted, "or is hereafter accepted, by the City Council or is otherwise treated as part of the City maintained street system. (C) “Department” shall mean the Department of Public Works. (D) “Director” shall mean the Director of the Department of Public Works or their designee. (E) “Excavation” or “Excavate” shall mean any opening in the surface or subsurface of the public right-of-way.
(F) “Facility” or “facilities” shall mean any and all cables, cabinets, ducts, conduits, converters, equipment, drains, handholds, manholes, pipes, pipelines, splice boxes, surface location markers, tunnels, utilities, vaults, and other appurtenances or tangible things owned, leased, operated, or licensed by an Owner or Person, that are located or are proposed to be located in the public right-of-way.
(G) “Owner” shall mean any person, including any agency, department, or subdivision of the City, who owns any facility or facilities that are or are proposed to be installed or maintained in or removed from the public right-of-way.
(H) “Permit” or “permit to excavate” shall mean a permit to perform an excavation as it has been approved or may be amended or renewed by the Department, including an encroachment permit.
(I) “Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, partnership, or any governmental agency, including any agency, department, or subdivision of the City, the State of California, or the United States of America.
(J) “Public right-of-way” shall mean the area across, along, beneath, in, on, over, under, upon, or otherwise within the public alleys, boulevards, courts, lanes, places, roads, sidewalks, City streets, and ways within the City, as they now exist or hereafter will exist and which are or will be under the permitting jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works. (K) “Seal coat” means a nonstructural road surface treatment designed to increase pavement life, such as a chip seal or a slurry seal.
(L) “Square foot trench repair reimbursement fee” is the fee set forth in Exhibit A as modified by the Director of Public Works in accordance with Section 9535.2. (M) “Structural improvements” means major road surface improvements such as road reconstruction or overlays.
(N) “Trench influence area” shall mean a two-foot zone surrounding the cut area around the trench where the excavation occurs.
§9535.1 PURPOSE OF TRENCH CUT COST RECOVERY FEE.
Excavations in paved streets owned and maintained by the City, degrade and shorten the life of the surface of the streets, which degradation increases the frequency and cost to the public of necessary resurfacing, maintenance and repair. These excavations cause degradation of the streets even where the excavations are refilled and repaired in conformity with applicable standards and requirements. It is appropriate that entities responsible for excavating into the City’s right-of-way bear the burden of the resulting cost of this degradation and shortened life of the surface rather than the taxpayers of the City. In addition, establishment of a trench cut cost recovery fee will create an incentive for utilities to coordinate excavations in the streets. This Article shall not be construed to relieve those excavating within the City right-of-way of the obligation to fill, repair and properly maintain the location of the excavation. §9535.2 ESTABLISHMENT OF TRENCH CUT COST RECOVERY FEE.
No person shall excavate in a public right-of-way without, in addition to satisfying all other applicable requirements of this Code, having first paid to the City a “trench cut cost recovery fee.” The amount of this trench cut cost recovery fee shall be determined by reference to the tables attached as Exhibit A to this ordinance codified in this Article. The tables shall be modified each fiscal year by the City Engineer and be available to the public at the Department and on the City’s website. The modification shall become effective on July 1 of each fiscal year after July 1, 2026.
The City Engineer shall calculate the adjustment based on the California Construction Cost Index which is based on the Engineering News Record (ENR). The base line will be 1983, at that time the ENR was 4066. If the index ceases to exist, the City Engineer shall propose a replacement index to be adopted by City Council resolution.
§9535.3 VARIANCE FROM PAYMENT OF TRENCH CUT COST RECOVERY FEE.
Any person subject to the trench cut cost recovery fee may request that the Director waive the requirement of payment of the trench cut cost recovery fee due to individual circumstances that demonstrate, on a case-by-case basis, that the amount of the fee is not reasonably related to the projected impact of the proposed excavation.
§9535.4 EXCEPTIONS.
(A) Excavations in City streets scheduled for pavement structural improvements within two years of the date of excavation shall be exempt from the trench cut cost recovery fee. (B) No trench cut cost recovery fee shall be charged for underground utility district projects initiated by the City, or utility line relocations necessitated by City street work projects or by street vacations or abandonments.
(C) No trench cut cost recovery fee shall be charged with respect to excavation in a sidewalk or a concrete street.
§9535.4 PROHIBITION ON EXCAVATION IN NEWLY RENOVATED PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY. (A) Excavation in newly renovated public rights-of-way is prohibited for two years after filing of a notice of completion or acceptance of a new street or structural overlay of the existing street except as follows:
(1) Emergency which endangers life or property;
(2) Repair or modification to prevent interruption of essential utility services; (3) Relocation work that is mandated by City direction; (4) In a public right-of-way that the City has scheduled for overlay or reconstruction within two years after the date of excavation;
(5) At the discretion of the Director, trenchless excavations greater than three feet in depth of cover over the utility facility not requiring a significant surface incision greater than industry bore pit standards;
(6) Restoration work required pursuant to §9535.6; or
(7) Other situations deemed by the Director to be in the best interest of the general public. (B) Where a permit is issued to excavate during the two-year period after filing of a notice of completion or acceptance of a new street or structural overlay of an existing street, payment of the trench cut cost recovery fee will be required unless: (1) an emergency need to excavate arises from a natural disaster such as an earthquake; or (2) the excavation is necessary to accomplish relocation work that is mandated by City, State or Federal legislation. (C) The prohibition on excavations to a newly renovated public right-of-way shall not apply if:
the only renovation undertaken to the right-of-way is a seal coat.
§9535.5 COORDINATION WITH CITY.
(A) Prior to accepting an application for an excavation permit in the public rights-of-way, the City shall review and report to the applicant the City’s anticipated repaving plans and information from utilities on file with the Director identifying planned repair, replacement or extension of facilities. The applicant shall coordinate, to the extent practicable, with the utility and street work shown on such plans to minimize damage to, and avoid undue disruption and interference with, the public rights-of-way. Whenever two or more parties, including the City, have proposed a major excavation in the same block, they shall meet and confer with the Director or his/her designee regarding whether it is feasible to conduct excavation jointly. If the parties select a single contractor to do the joint work, the Director may direct that only a single trench cut cost recovery fee shall be charged.
(B) To avoid future excavations and to reduce the number of street excavations, telecommunication companies may be requested, when practical, to install spare conduits. (C) In order to encourage coordination of excavation and pavement scheduling and planning between the City and excavators, the City shall update at least annually its anticipated repaving plans. The anticipated repaving plans shall also identify the public rights-of-way which are then subject to the excavation prohibition provisions of §9535.4, and the prohibition expiration date for each such right-of-way. A copy of any repaving plans on file with the Department shall be available for review by any interested person.
§9535.6. REPAIR OF SUNKEN PAVEMENT OVER EXCAVATION.
(A) If the subsurface materials or pavement over or within the trench influence area become depressed or broken at any time, the person responsible shall, within 14 days of mailing of written notice from the Director, immediately inspect the depressed or broken area to ascertain the cause of the failure. The person shall make repairs to the installation or backfill and have the pavement restored in the manner and within the time period specified by the Director, but not to exceed 30 days. In the event the Director determines the pavement condition creates a road hazard, the Director may require the repair to be completed within 48 hours. A trench cut cost recovery fee shall not be charged for work performed under this section. (B) If the pavement is not restored as specified by the Director, unless delayed by conditions beyond the person’s control, the Director may cause the work to be done after giving the person 24 hours’ final notice. The person shall thereafter, upon written demand by the Director, pay the City an amount calculated by multiplying the number of square feet of pavement restored by the square foot trench repair reimbursement fee set forth in the most current public works service and capital improvement fees schedule. The person shall remain responsible for any future repairs of that portion of pavement over the excavation that was repaired by the City. §9535.7 CREATION OF TRENCH CUT COST RECOVERY FEE FUND.
There is created and established the “trench cut cost recovery fee fund.” The fund is a restricted fund, and all funds deposited into the trench cut cost recovery fee fund shall be used solely for the purposes identified in §9535.1..
§9535.8 DEPOSIT OF MONEYS.
All funds received pursuant to the provisions of §9535.2 shall be placed in the trench cut cost recovery fee fund.
§9535.9 EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS.
Funds maintained in the trench cut cost recovery fee fund shall only be expended for the maintenance, rehabilitation, resurfacing, administration and protection of the public rights-of-way that have been excavated after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Article. §9535.10 BUDGETING AND ALLOCATING TRENCH COST RECOVERY FEES FOR WATER, WASTEWATER AND ELECTRICAL UTILITIES.
As part of the development and adoption of the City’s annual budget the Director or his/her designee shall develop separate budget line items for anticipated trench cut cost recovery fees for each of the City owned or operated wastewater, water and electric utilities which own or use facilities under paved streets within the City maintained street system.
SECTION THREE
1. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases hereof be declared invalid or unenforceable.
2. CEQA.
The City Council finds that this ordinance is not subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because adoption of the ordinance is not a “project” within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). This ordinance is not a project as defined by Section 15378 because Section 15378(b)(4) provides that a project does not include “the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.” The ordinance accordingly is not a project because it creates the type of funding mechanism described in Section 15378(b)(4) for the purpose of mitigating the cost of resurfacing, maintenance, and repair of City streets as a result of street excavation and does not involve any
commitment to a project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment because it does not approve the construction nor cause the construction of any specific excavation or other improvements. Further, this ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) on the grounds that it can be seen with certainty that the ordinance will have no significant impact on the environment.
3. PUBLICATION.
Within fifteen (15) days after its adoption, this Ordinance shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Ukiah. In lieu of publishing the full text of the Ordinance, the City may publish a summary of the Ordinance once 5 days prior to its adoption and again within fifteen (15) days after its adoption.
4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption.
Introduced by title only on February 18, 2026, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Criss, Orozco, and Mayor Sher.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Crane.
Adopted on , 2026, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Susan Sher, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kristine Lawler, CMC/City Clerk
Small Cut Large Cut
< 10 years $1.00 $4.25
>/= 10 years $0.50 $3.75
< 10 years $1.50 $2.50
>/= 10 years $0.50 $1.00
Large Pavement Cuts
Small Pavement Cuts
Section Area for residential streets is 700 feet x 30 feet. For arterials/collectors, Section Area is 1,050 feet x 40 feet.
Small Pavement Cut is less than 5% of Section Area.
Large Pavement Cut is more than 5% of Section Area.
EXHIBIT A
ORDINANCE NO.
Functional Class Age Group Fee Cost ($/square foot)
(Fee Cost $) X (trench width + 4 )X (trench length + 4) / 5% (Fee Cost $) X (street width )X (trench cut)
Arterial/Collector
Residential
Small Cut Large Cut
< 10 years $1.00 $4.25
>/= 10 years $0.50 $3.75
< 10 years $1.50 $2.50
>/= 10 years $0.50 $1.00
Large Pavement Cuts
Small Pavement Cuts
Section Area for residential streets is 700 feet x 30 feet. For arterials/collectors, Section Area is 1,050 feet x 40 feet.
Small Pavement Cut is less than 5% of Section Area.
Large Pavement Cut is more than 5% of Section Area.
EXHIBIT A
ORDINANCE NO.
Functional Class Age Group Fee Cost ($/square foot)
(Fee Cost $) X (trench width + 4 )X (trench length + 4) / 5% (Fee Cost $) X (street width )X (trench cut)
Arterial/Collector
Residential
Agenda Item No: 14.a.
MEETING DATE/TIME: 3/4/2026
ITEM NO: 2026-336
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 Sher and Various Councilmembers
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2026 City Council Special Assignments & 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.
The Corp Yard Ad-Hoc was established to work with the Public Works Department to explore the development of a new corporation yard. A long search for an existing building has gone on for several years and concluded with a facility purchased in the summer of 2025. Staff would like to reengage with the Ad-Hoc on a monthly basis as we start the design process in order to develop a full set of plans and specifications for the building improvements. The Ad-Hoc may subsequently establish a different meeting schedule as needed. Staff estimates that the design process will take about six to nine months.
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: N/A
CURRENT BUDGET AMOUNT: N/A
PROPOSED BUDGET AMOUNT: N/A
FINANCING SOURCE: N/A
REVENUE: No GRANT: No
PREVIOUS CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER NO.: N/A
COORDINATED WITH: N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN (SP): N/A
CLIMATE INITIATIVES (CI): N/A
GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS (GP): N/A
2026 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT LIST
LOCAL / UKIAH VALLEY MTG DATE/TIME MEETING LOCATION MAILING ADDRESS/CONTACT COMMITTEE FUNCTION ASSIGNED TO PRINCIPAL STAFF SUPPORT 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 Avenue
conference 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
Jared Walker, Director of Water Resources; 467-5712, [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 Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
Assist low income and disadvantaged people to become self reliant Neil Davis Neil Davis, City [email protected] Sun House Guild ex officio 2nd Tuesday of month, 10:30 a.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 Jake Burgess - Alternate David Burton, Museum Director; 467-2836 [email protected] Ukiah Men's Golf Club Liaison 1st Tuesday of month, 4 - 5 pm Golf Course Clubhouse 599 Park Blvd. Golf Course Clubhouse 599 Park Blvd [email protected] An association of male golfers who promote and support golf in Ukiah. Jake Burgess Jake Burgess, Community Services Director; 463- 6201, [email protected] Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) 2nd Thursday of month, 1:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Chambers; 501 Low
Gap RoadUkiah, CA
County Executive Office
501 Low Gap Rd., Rm. 1010Ukiah, CA 95482463-4441
GSA serves as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency in the Ukiah Valley basin CraneN/A - Alternate
Jared Walker, Director of Water Resources; 467-5712, [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 Sher Vice Mayor Orozco 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 #5411 West Clay St.Ukiah, CA 95482
Civic Center
300 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 #5411 West Clay St.Ukiah, CA 95482
Civic Center
300 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 RoadUkiah, CA
Executive Director
367 N. State Street, Ste. 206
Ukiah, CA 95482
463-1859
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] Schlatter, Community Development Director; 463-6219; [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 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 95482
463-4470
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: 2/5/2026
Attachment 1
2026 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 Director241 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
Tom Corning, Police Chief; 463-6254; [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 Walker/Orozco Jared Walker, Director of Water Resources; 467-5712, [email protected]
Ukiah Players Theater Board of Directors
3rd Tuesday of month, 6:00 p.m
1041 Low Gap Rd
Ukiah, CA 95482462-1210
1041 Low Gap Rd
Ukiah, 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 Tom Corning, 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 Jake Burgess, Community Services Director 463-6201, [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] (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
Cindy 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
Cindy 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] 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 Center
300 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 StreetUkiah, 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 5:00 p.m.
Ukiah Valley Conference Center,200 S. School Street
Ukiah, CA
City of Ukiah
ATTN: Water Resources
300 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 Jared Walker, Director of Water Resources; 467-5712, [email protected] Updated: 2/5/2026
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]
Jared Walker, Water Resources Director
467-5712, [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]
Jake Burgess, Community Services Director
463-6201 [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]
City's 150-Year Anniversary Planning Orozco/Rodin Shannon Riley, Deputy City Manager 467-5793 [email protected]
Airport Policy Criss/Crane Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director 463-6219 [email protected]
Parks & Recreation Special District Exploration Rodin/Orozco Jake Burgess, Community Services Director 463-6201 [email protected]
Downtown Zoning Code Crane/Rodin Jesse Davis, Chief Planning Manager 463-6207, [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]
CalPERS Crane/Orozco Dan Buffalo, Director of Finance;
463-6220 [email protected]
City Council Handbook Review and Update Sher Kristine Lawler, City Clerk 463-6217; [email protected]
Energy Resilience Sher/Orozco Cindy Sauers, Electric Utility Director; 463-6286 [email protected]
2026 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: 2/5/2026