HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-13 PSC Agenda PacketPage 1 of 2
Public Spaces Commission
Regular Meeting
AGENDA
Civic Center Annex ♦ 411 W. Clay St., Conf. RM #5 ♦ Ukiah, CA 95482
May 13, 2025 - 5:30 PM
1.ROLL CALL
2.INTRODUCTIONS
3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.a.Approval of the Minutes for the March 11, 2025, Community Forum.
Recommended Action: Approve the Minutes for the March 11, 2025, Community Forum.
Attachments:
1.2025-03-14 Minutes
4.AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
The Public Spaces Commission (PSC) welcomes input from the audience that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the
PSC. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more the (10)
minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on audience comments.
5.STAFF PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS
Director Report
5.a.Director Report
Recommended Action: Receive report.
Attachments: None
6.COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
7.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8.NEW BUSINESS
8.a.Discuss and Provide Comment on the Planning for a New Park on Norgard Lane.
Recommended Action: Receive report and provide comment.
Attachments: None
8.b.Receive Report and Provide Comment on the Progress and Future Direction of the Newly
Created Volunteer Program.
5-8-25 REVISED AGENDA: Due to the unavailability of key staff members, agenda item 8c (Update on the City’s Annexation Application to the Local Area
Formation Commission) has been removed from the agenda. This was not an action item; it was informational only. The information that was provided in the staff
report can be accessed at www.cityofukiah.com/annexation. Additional public hearings on this subject will be scheduled at upcoming commission and Council
meetings.
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Recommended Action: Discuss and provide comment on the City's Volunteer Program.
Attachments: None
9. ADJOURNMENT
Please be advised that the City needs to be notified 72 hours in advance of a meeting if any specific accommodations or interpreter
services are needed in order for you to attend. The City complies with ADA requirements and will attempt to reasonably accommodate
individuals with disabilities upon request. Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Public Spaces Commission after
distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at the front counter at the Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary
Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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AGENDA ITEM 3a
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Public Spaces Commission
Community Forum
MINUTES
Ukiah Valley Conference Center ♦ 200 South School St. ♦ Ukiah, CA 95482
Virtual Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81764322746
March 11, 2025 - 5:30 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Public Spaces Commission met at a Community Forum on March 11, 2025, having been legally
noticed on March 7, 2025. The meeting was held virtually at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81764322746 and in person at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center at
200 South School Street, Ukiah, CA 95482. Commissioner Babbini called the meeting to order at
5:47 p.m. Commissioners Present: Elora Babbini, Steven Ratley, Chrystal Thurman, and Joe
Scriven. Commissioners Absent by Prearrangement: None. Staff Present: Neil Davis,
Community Services Director and Araceli Sandoval, Deputy City Clerk.
2. INTRODUCTIONS
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the Minutes for the January 14, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Scriven/Ratley to approve the Minutes of January 14, 2025, a Regular Meeting, as submitted. Motion
carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Babbini, Ratley, Thurman, and Scriven. NOES: None.
ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
The Public Spaces Commission (PSC) welcomes input from the audience that is within the subject
matter jurisdiction of the PSC. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments to three
(3) minutes per person and not more the (10) minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not
allow action to be taken on audience comments.
Commission consensus to hear item 8a out of order.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Receive Report and Provide Comment on the Possible Creation of a City Park on Norgard
Lane.
Presenter: Neil Davis, Community Services Director.
Public Comment: Jamie Connerton, Linda Sanders, Phil (surname inaudible), Roger Foote, and
Susan Knopf.
Commission consensus for Babbini and Thurman to join the Norgard Lane Park Planning Committee.
5. STAFF MEMBER PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS
a. Community Services Director Report.
Presenter: Neil Davis, Community Services Director.
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Public Spaces Commission Minutes for March 11, 2025, Continued:
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Public Comment: Phil (surname inaudible) and Susan Knopf
Report was received.
6. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Review of Final Draft of the 2025 City of Ukiah Parks Gap Analysis.
Presenter: Neil Davis, Community Services Director.
Public Comment: Susan Knopf, Linda Sanders, and Phil (surname inaudible).
Comments provided to Staff.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
____________________________________________
Araceli Sandoval, Public Spaces Commission Clerk
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Agenda Item No: 5.a.
MEETING DATE/TIME: 5/13/2025
ITEM NO: 2025-461
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SUBJECT: Director Report
DEPARTMENT: Community Services PREPARED BY: Neil Davis, Community Services Director
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Summary: Director Report
Background: Director's Reports are verbal reports given by the Community Services Director on the status of
Parks and/ or Recreation projects. Updates may include, but are not limited to, City Council activity updates,
grant applications, maintenance projects, recreation activities of note, and Grace Hudson Museum or Ukiah
Valley Conference Center updates.
Discussion: This report is expected to provide updates in the following areas:
o Hired new Parks Superintendent to oversee the Parks and Streets departments as a newly
combined department under Public Works.
o Community Yard Sale (Monthly through summer).
o Upcoming Events and Activities
Recommended Action: Receive report.
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Agenda Item No: 8.a.
MEETING DATE/TIME: 5/13/2025
ITEM NO: 2025-459
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SUBJECT: Discuss and Provide Comment on the Planning for a New Park on Norgard Lane.
DEPARTMENT: Community Services PREPARED BY: Neil Davis, Community Services Director
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Summary: Discuss the approach to planning a new park at the end of Norgard Lane.
Background: The City of Ukiah's 2025 Parks Gap Analysis established a goal of assuring all residents live
within a half mile of a park. Significantly, the City is also now proposing to annex areas to the north and south
of the current City limits. Should these annexations occur, new parks will be needed both to the north and the
south. The City owns property at the end of Norgard Lane that has the potential to be developed as a new
park. Staff have met with partners from the Blue Zone, North Coast Opportunities, private businesses, and the
County to discuss how to approach park planning and hope to begin the planning process this summer. A
community-driven plan for the park will better prepare the City to submit competitive grant applications to fund
new park facilities.
In addition to filling the need for a neighborhood park to serve the south end of the City, the Norgard property
has the potential to provide river access. Swimming and access to the Russian River were identified by the
public as priority needs for the community. Should Norgard Lane be developed to provide a kayak "take-out"
location, residents and tourists would be able to float two miles of the Russian River from Riverside Park to
Norgard Park.
Discussion: Community input into park planning is critical to the success of new park development and to
allow for successful fund-raising and grant acquisition. California State Parks has developed an online free
resource titled "Designing Parks Using Community-Based Planning"
(https://www.parksforcalifornia.org/planning_guide). The guide provides step-by-step instructions for using a
community-based approach to developing new parks. Staff plan to use the resource to guide the park
development but remain open to any comments or ideas the Commission may have to improve the park
planning process.
Recommended Action: Receive report and provide comment.
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Agenda Item No: 8.b.
MEETING DATE/TIME: 5/13/2025
ITEM NO: 2025-460
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SUBJECT: Receive Report and Provide Comment on the Progress and Future Direction of the Newly Created
Volunteer Program.
DEPARTMENT: Community Services PREPARED BY:
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Summary: Discuss and provide comment on the City's Volunteer Program.
Background: The City of Ukiah hired a new Volunteer Coordinator who has now led two volunteer work days.
Funding for this program comes from the City's Garbage Mitigation fund and therefore the volunteer activities
need to focus first and foremost on picking up garbage and removing graffiti. That said, research suggests that
the overall tidiness of grounds and facilities decreases the incidence of graffiti and littering, so other clean-up
and landscaping tasks may be considered a secondary task for the program.
The Program's first volunteer day was associated with Earth Day and attracted 11 volunteers to assist with
removing graffiti and picking up trash around the Historic Railroad Depot. Upcoming volunteer days will
include repainting the outside of the skate park bathroom and restaining the benches, as well as a clean-up
near the Orr Creek Commons apartment.
Discussion: While the volunteer coordinator will need to focus first and foremost on graffiti and litter, it is
inevitable that some citizens will reach out and express an interest in other volunteering opportunities. The
Police, Fire, and Museum all have their own volunteer programs and staff believe it is reasonable for the
Coordinator to refer volunteers to these programs as well as to maintain a master list of volunteers. It is hoped
that some exceptional volunteers will be able to be trained to lead volunteer efforts themselves and greatly
expand the reach and impact of the program. Staff ask the Commission to consider and provide comment on
the direction and potential of the program.
Recommended Action: Discuss and provide comment on the City's Volunteer Program.
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