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Home My WebLink About2025-12-17 CC MinutesCITY OF UKIAH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Regular Meeting CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482 Virtual Meeting Link: https:11us06web.zoom.us/j/86227137337 December 17, 2025 5:15 P.M. 4:30 p.m. — Mayor's Reception — The City Council and Staff held a reception in the lobby to honor the outgoing Mayor Douglas F. Crane. 1. ROLL CALL Ukiah City Council met at a Regular Meeting on December 17, 2025, having been legally noticed on December 12, 2025. The meeting was held in person and virtually at the following link: https,//us06web.zoom- us%/86227137337. Mayor Crane called the meeting to order at 5:16 p.m. Roll was taken with the following Councilmembers Present: Heather Criss, Juan V. Orozco, Susan Sher, and Douglas F. Crane. Councilmembers Absent by Prearrangement: Mari Rodin. Staff Present: Sage Sanglacomo, City Manager; Darcy Vaughn, Assistant City Attorney; and Kristine Lawler, City Clerk. MAYOR CRANE PRESIDING. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Outgoing Mayor Crane. Outgoing Mayor Crane passed the gavel to incoming Mayor Sher. The Councilmembers went to their new seating arrangement for 2026. MAYOR SHER PRESIDING. 3. AB 2449 NOTIFICATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS 4. PROCLAMATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS/PRESENTATIONS a. Receive Presentation of Exceptional Employee Recognition Awards. Presenters: Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager; Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director; Cindy Sauers, Electric Utility Director; and Mayor Sher. No public comment was received. Exceptional Employee Recognition Awards were received by. - Jesse Davis, Chief Planning Manager, Community Development Department: Jesse Davis is being nominated due to his sustained, exceptional performance related to the City's annexation efforts. Since joining the City with no prior experience in this field four years ago, Jesse has become the foremost technical expert in reorganization -related long-range planning in Mendocino County, and likely in Northern California. In 2022, Jesse led the preparation of the City's Municipal Service Review, which resulted in LAFCo's adoption of the first City of Ukiah Sphere of Influence since 1984. Jesse then completed and secured LAFCo approval of the City -owned properties annexation (2023) Page 1 of 6 City Council Minutes for December 17, 2025, Continued: and Western Hills annexation (2024). In addition to being "first -ever" efforts, Jesse's work has led to preservation of open spaces for recreation, fire protection, and watershed management, as well as new revenue generation for the City. Grady Hurn, Electrical Technician II, Electric Utility Department: Grady is an outstanding employee, he brings an exceptional attitude to everything he does. In his many years with the City — serving as meter reader, apprentice, lineman, and now as an electrical technician — he has continually increased his skill set to take on new challenges with enthusiasm. Recently, he stepped up to lead our planned Public Power Day, and when participation fell short, he pivoted to organize the Utility's float for the Trucker's Light Parade. With a smile on his face, Grady contributes to every aspect of the Electric Utility, including wildfire safety, materials procurement, customer engagement, and most importantly, comic relief. He brings a fresh perspective to every situation, ensuring we're providing the best customer service possible. He exemplifies teamwork, leadership and dedication in every role he takes. 5. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS City Clerk, Kristine Lawler, stated that all communications had been distributed. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approval of the Minutes for the December 3, 2025, Regular Meeting. Motion/Second: Orozco/Criss to approve Minutes of December 3, 2025, a regular meeting, as submitted. Motion carried by the following roll call votes: AYES: Crane, Criss, Orozco, and Sher. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rodin. ABSTAIN: None. 7. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Mayor Sher read the right to appeal. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Sher noted that the recommended action for agenda item 8k was revised to reject all bids due to non -conformity. a. Preliminary Budget Development Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026-27 — Finance. b. Report of Disbursements for the Month of October 2025 — Finance. c. Adoption of Resolution (2025-61) Terminating the Local Emergency Due to Conditions Caused by Atmospheric Rivers Causing Damage to Public Infrastructure — City Manager. d. Notification of Contract Amendment (2223-190 A1) with the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority for Administrative Services — Public Works. e. Notification of Purchase (2526-148) of Parking Enforcement License Plate Reader Cameras from EyeP Solutions in the Amount of $53,386.10 — Police. f. Approval of Notice of Completion for the Fairgrounds Storm Drain Replacement Project, Specification No. 25-02, and Final Payment of the 5% Retention to Ghilotti Construction Company Inc. — Public Works. g. Authorization for the City Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment (2324-215-A2) with E Sour in the Amount of $29,325 for Continued Project Management and Consulting Services Supporting Customer Information System Transition Activities, Including the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District Onboarding, Customer Information System Upgrade, and Shutoff Policy Integration — Finance. Page 2 of 5 City Council Minutes for December 17, 2025, Continued: h. Approval of Contract Amendment (1314-231 A11) and Corresponding Budget Amendment with Carollo Engineers for Engineering Services and Construction Management in the Amount of $335,837.58 for the Recycled Water Project — Phase 4 — Public Works. i. Approval of Contract Amendment (2425-161-A1) with Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC in the Amount of $42,000 for Representation of the City of Ukiah in Vichy Springs Resort, Inc. v. City of Ukiah, Northern District of California, Case No. 1:24- cv-7106, and Approval of Corresponding Budget Amendment — City Attorney. j. Approval of Contract Amendment (2324-178-A1) with SMB Environmental, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $45,000 for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance for Development of an Additional Municipal Well, and Approval of Corresponding Budget Amendment — Water Resources. k. Consideration of Award of Bid for the Orchard Substation Transformer Oil Processing and Repair Project, Specification No. 25-05, and Approval of Corresponding Budget Amendment — Electric Utility. I. Approval of the Plans and Specifications for the Ukiah Gigabit Fiber Pale Replacement Project, Spec 25-07 and Authorization to Advertise for Bids — Electric Utility. m. Adoption of Resolution (2025-62) Amending the Procedures for Purchasing Thresholds and Exemptions from Council Reporting and Awarding Requirements — Finance. Myles Fissett, Purchasing Manager and Cindy Sauers, Electric Utility Director answered questions regarding Agenda Item 8k. Motion/Second: CrisslOrozco to approve Consent Calendar Items 8a-8m, as submitted with the exception of 8k being approved with the revised recommended action. Motion carried by the following roll call votes: AYES: Crane, Criss, Orozco, and Sher. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rodin. ABSTAIN: None. 9. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON -AGENDA ITEMS No public comments were received. 10. COUNCIL REPORTS Presenter: Mayor Sher. 11. CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK REPORTS Presenters: • Council Meeting Schedule over Holidays — Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager. • Construction Update —Andrew Stricklin, Senior Civil Engineer. • Recycled Water Project Phase 4 — Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager. 12. PUBLIC HEARINGS (5:30 PM) No public hearings were placed on the agenda. 13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS No unfinished business was placed on the agenda. Page 3 of 5 City Council Minutes for December 17, 2025, Continued: 14. NEW BUSINESS a. Award Contract to HDR, Inc. in the Amount of $664,000 for Consulting Services Related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Relicensing Application for Lake Mendocino Hydroelectric Plant, and Approval of Corresponding Budget Amendment. Presenter: Cindy Sauers, Electric Utility Director. 0 No public comment was received. Motion/Second: Crane/Criss to award contract (2526-154) to HDR, Inc. in the amount of $664,000 for Consulting Services related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Relicensing Application for Lake Mendocino Hydroelectric Plant, and approve the corresponding budget amendment. Motion carried by the following roll call votes: AYES: Crane, Criss, Orozco, and Sher. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rodin. ABSTAIN: None. b. Adoption of a Resolution Approving Successor Memoranda of Understanding Between the City of Ukiah and Operating Engineers, Local 3 — Administrative and Maintenance Unit, and Fire Unit (if Ratified), Effective September 19, 2025, Through September 18, 2028, and Corresponding Salary Schedule(s); and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement(s) and Amend the Budget Accordingly. Presenter: Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager. No public comment was received. Motion/Second: Criss/Orozco to adopt a Resolution (2025-63) approving the successor Memoranda of Understanding between the City of Ukiah and Operating Engineers Local 3 --- Administrative and Maintenance Unit (2526-155), effective September 19, 2025, through September 18, 2028, and corresponding salary schedule(s); and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement(s) and amend the budget accordingly. Motion carried by the following roll call votes: AYES. Crane, Criss, Orozco, and Sher. NOES: None. ABSENT: Rodin. ABSTAIN: None. c. Receive Updates on City Council Committee and Ad Hoc Assignments, and Initiate Review of the 2026 Council Assignments List. Presenter: Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager. Directive to Council to submit Special Assignment requests or preferences by January 23, 2026, to the City Clerk's office in preparation for finalizing the list at the February 4, 2026, Council Meeting. THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:55 P.M. 16. CLOSED SESSION a. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)) Initiation of litigation (2 cases) b. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Name of case: Vichy Springs Resort v. City of Ukiah, Et Al; Case No. SCUK-CVPT-2018-70200 c. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)} 0 Name of case: Vichy Springs Resort, Inc v. City of Ukiah, et al.; Case No. 24-cv-07106-JSC Page 4of5 City Council Minutes for December 17, 2025, Continued: L d. Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Cal. Gov't Code Section 54956.8) Property: APN Nos: 184-080-37;184-080-36; 184-090-01: 184-090-07; 184-090-06; 184-100-04 Negotiator: Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager Negotiating Parties: Henry's Original Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment e. Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Cal. Gov't Code Section 54956.8) Property: APN Nos: 170-030-05; 170-030-03; 170-010-05; 170-020-07; 170-020-11; 170-040-03; 170-020-08 Negotiator: Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager Negotiating Parties: Project Ovis LLC Under Negotiation. Price & Terms of Payment f. Conference with Labor Negotiator (54957.6) Agency Designated Representative: Sage Sangiacomo, City Manager Employee Organizations: All bargaining units Unrepresented Employee: Police Chief No action reported; direction provided to Staff. 16. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Kristine Lawler, CMCICPMC City Clerk Page 6 of 5 Ll= L