[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6135443,"mediaKeyId","5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93","parentId",5674421,"title","Ukiah staff outline FEMA map adoption timeline, warn homeowners could face new flood‑insurance obligations","audioSeconds",578,"startMs",1332000,"endMs",1910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93&start=1332&end=1910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93/thumbnail_1332000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135443/Ukiah-City/Mendocino-County/California/Ukiah-staff-outline-FEMA-map-adoption-timeline-warn-homeowners-could-face-new-floodinsurance-obligations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135443-9e2b2c1c9c649a9991f8c65ab9ae8309/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160198&Signature=NToyzz17VuMLspusHvLGCDwdj6-3-6WBHijtHigbE4x22dbxt4LUEz8Ia4dhMr9Po6Gr6OLUfKMGiA55gEMoyPBOe0FUzvNQrHcEtJ1sYSGc5dhFeHU05s19LhJEK8vVnk6y9XMevlwNWlXhbO0HcKv0hRv97dkLty9-WMqCCVzjDRKo0b5a5gowulGmzp-mBhDsiMapEompWO5A9Kb7PsDuZCTUG3NEWK-E4hFi3vZBr98eVhLXQmVXKAaTD~L0WQ9P01CxQ6fiuME-ORBbSyWDEDsvDDqG72C3-V1gHGCcw5v8tgm-8kteJtPVKcJIkqBkTtZEdqZVF6Z1p2Itiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ukiah City, CA","date","2025-08-20T00:00:00Z","article","City public‑works staff reported to the Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 that the city must adopt FEMA’s updated flood insurance rate maps on a tight schedule to preserve property‑owner eligibility for federally backed mortgages and flood insurance and to avoid potential loss of access to those programs.

Director Erickson told the council the city submitted extensive comments to FEMA and engaged GHD to review hydraulic models. FEMA’s second set of maps incorporated some of the city’s input but not all; staff flagged the agency’s assumed rainfall figures as a remaining technical disagreement. Erickson said the city will deploy local rain gauges this winter to gather data that could support a Letter of Map Revision (LOMAR) to FEMA and noted the existing option to pursue a LOMAR once more site‑specific evidence is available.

Because the CPUC/federal grant timeline was discussed elsewhere in the meeting, Erickson emphasized a separate and imminent local process: staff recommended adopting the FEMA maps on an urgency timeline so the city meets the September 19 adoption requirement while preserving homeowners’ ability to obtain federally backed loans and flood insurance. “If we don’t adopt the maps, then they’re not going to be eligible…we don’t want to put…homeowners or property owners at risk,” Erickson said.

Council members and public attendees raised concerns about the potential for new flood‑insurance requirements and the economic consequences for homeowners; Erickson and other staff said the city would continue technical analyses and pursue a LOMAR where warranted. Staff said some concessions were secured in FEMA’s revisions but noted local surveyors still find the maps conservative in some locations. Staff said they will bring an urgency adoption item to the council in mid‑September and will continue to gather hydrologic and rain‑gauge data through the winter to support future map revisions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting - August 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public works staff told the Ukiah City Council they will proceed with adoption of FEMA’s updated flood maps on an urgency schedule to preserve residents’ eligibility for federally backed loans and flood insurance, while collecting local rain‑gauge data this winter to pursue a Letter of Map Revision if warranted.","taxTitle","Ukiah City, Mendocino County, California","taxId",71852,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135452,"Council introduces revised ADU rules to align with state requirements and allow new unit types",671,3185000,3856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93&start=3185&end=3856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93/thumbnail_3185000.jpg","/articles/6135452/Ukiah-City/Mendocino-County/California/Council-introduces-revised-ADU-rules-to-align-with-state-requirements-and-allow-new-unit-types","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135452-fd38b1e664937fa6834c76fcf03e69f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160198&Signature=idWleevmB0HXiWotaI9cGKAInC7vZOqXdU1yfaLw1076Iys6PewLrLcQwPPfK7OLxPrHTE4763k4e5Dan8rOPaoghRM8pu0F1fxPQLsxeFpRIed9h2o-GNOijVGmMXahgNT3JRICAP~JOSt3VKyFipCr-S-8actEXdM1MYsjJo-Jsqm4cNO4eC5oeyuion2-adCJ7ZWPBnQyBdcWKIzJdoLHWZbgZ2uU7pGVuhoKpcO23WamR58eWX7q3JFyjH1lrAtrk-v3Rkh3Xw2UNlaWC29R9-6rt~G44NrIJEIJWOAWZnvyJt0FGTzJ7gbvA4LuzNM3V33Bpcg02PXqymy4wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 introduced by title an ordinance amending the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior ADU regulations to ensure compliance with recent state law changes and with guidance from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

Jesse Davis, chief planning manager, explained the update stems from state changes enacted after Ukiah’s September 2024 ordinance. State staff reviewed the 2024 amendments and identified elements that were not fully consistent with recently enacted state law, including provisions implementing what staff referred to as “66,323 units” and other clarifications requested by HCD. Davis told the council HCD has reviewed the revised draft and earlier in the week informed staff that the ordinance, as redrafted, meets the state’s expectations.

Davis reviewed several details in the staff presentation: junior ADUs (JADUs) remain limited to interior conversions and attached garage spaces, and are constrained by state rules (the council asked for confirmation that JADUs must be under 500 square feet). Davis confirmed JADUs remain capped at under 500 square feet and must be within the existing single‑family dwelling or its attached garage. He also summarized changes to local parking exemptions and removal of a director’s determination that staff previously included to reconcile conflicts between local and state rules. The update incorporates AB 2533 provisions allowing certain pre‑2020 ADUs to be legalized through a standardized checklist, and clarifies parking and deed‑restriction language.

Davis emphasized that state law now allows a broader mix of unit types on single‑family parcels in some circumstances (the presentation referenced “66,323 units” in describing a state category that can permit multiple units on some parcels), and noted restrictions remain—particularly limits on short‑term rental use and size limits such as newly detached ADUs typically limited to 800 square feet under the state rules described in the presentation.

After the presentation the council held a public hearing; staff reported no public presence online or in the room for this item. A council member moved to introduce the ordinance by title only; the motion passed on roll call. Staff will return with final adoption and will transmit the ordinance to HCD after adoption, per the state review process.

","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 introduced by title an update to the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior ADU regulations to bring local rules into alignment with changes in state law and HCD guidance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135457,"Ukiah council introduces ordinance to establish administrative use permits for small‑scale agriculture, events and animals",1127,2014000,3141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93&start=2014&end=3141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93/thumbnail_2014000.jpg","/articles/6135457/Ukiah-City/Mendocino-County/California/Ukiah-council-introduces-ordinance-to-establish-administrative-use-permits-for-smallscale-agriculture-events-and-animals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135457-cdb39225e0bacaecbb12962eda455aba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160198&Signature=fZZ2S6~Bx5nY83Mx9MkBrBpvkl2BkSMbgLlyIQ8Nv2yh9uj7mqS91rPFqfzlZv1-wg9Rf1WTnRxSxcJjpzz6EDeT7a84XKF65j648S-YdxZS1kBNT7Vl8~xOGcII036EPHvyS8D3uGVk27e-GbAWzMvTpSZyfx9UgWUsQK14R9yIsZ5P3dZI5SEdrgI3YxP69~WF3xfROh6kAXZptoDIpzwXq-Xemn13jRhDp06qWXpI~U9lMHkwQJKaF7edLaAHl3tBdJJT42Xin3nyhNENuvugaIcjz139t~64gkXCYO5xruUe0WcYEjlBUFxItiMM0-GgHd4-8xeFnuU3DuDOtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 introduced by title an ordinance to establish an administrative use permit (AUP) process that consolidates and reorganizes performance standards for smaller, neighborhood‑scale uses including backyard animals, community gardens, outdoor sales and certain live entertainment and dining exceptions.

Catherine Schaeffer, the city’s planning manager, told the council the change responds to frequent public inquiries about small‑scale agriculture and animal‑keeping uses. “If somebody currently in the city would like to have backyard chickens, immediately it gets kicked to something called a minor use permit, and that requires a public hearing,” Schaeffer said. The proposed ordinance would allow uses that meet performance standards to be permitted administratively without a public hearing and would create a faster administrative pathway for limited deviations from those standards.

Schaeffer said the ordinance centralizes scattered rules into a single Article 23 so community members can find performance standards for community gardens, animals within the city (hens, rabbits and beekeeping), sidewalk vendors, outdoor dining, outdoor sales and similar small uses in one place. She gave an example: the code currently allows six hens with a minor use permit, but someone seeking a seventh hen must proceed through a more extensive minor use permit process; the AUP would allow staff discretion to approve modest deviations without a public hearing.

The planning commission recommended that beekeeping receive performance standards and an administrative pathway; Schaeffer said the commission found the proposed standards adequate. Council members asked whether sidewalk vendors and pop‑up sales were permitted; staff said many pop‑ups require separate review and that the city is drafting a sidewalk‑vending ordinance to clarify state law and local requirements.

After public hearing and discussion, a council member moved to introduce the ordinance by title only; the motion passed on roll call. The ordinance title read into the record added a new section 9,269 and Article 23 to Division 9, Chapter 2 of the Ukiah City Code to establish procedures and performance standards for AUPs. Staff stressed that more intensive uses would still require existing minor use permit hearings.

The introduction signals the council’s intent to make small agricultural and neighborhood commercial activities less onerous while preserving findings and staff oversight for deviations. Staff will return with subsequent ordinances and technical edits as needed to finalize the consolidated Article 23 and associated performance standards.

","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 introduced by title an ordinance creating an administrative use permit process to streamline permitting for backyard animals, beekeeping, community gardens, outdoor dining and temporary outdoor sales.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135462,"Ukiah approves public–private partnership with Vero Fiber to build grant-funded city fiber network",1638,6125000,7763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93&start=6125&end=7763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93/thumbnail_6125000.jpg","/articles/6135462/Ukiah-City/Mendocino-County/California/Ukiah-approves-publicprivate-partnership-with-Vero-Fiber-to-build-grant-funded-city-fiber-network","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135462-b7475a0e8d34b9b72210d00127f41173/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160198&Signature=dhsYo2DgqMmfC8vcE2V1suS9By0Y-VFlBnAnLLFliMP-osMTC2zyPojmPUJjp27rri9f3qmPYSyctefGio2yx~x15EhrXnMNdvAV0xinmULEb147CVbr2MaiHaGThtN2yJJi6Gb6Yo-9WuZz19E-sGLtn5PA1IDAwx3t5jJr2ap7Gs1BYdv6eZ0KJFK0wRrRfbD5oKFXhSvp6vGA6JUou83zyoWlcPXRte08nkoZh6vPaSDkxXL7JXxdC3ABn90SsawBUIVW40cu9ip~ZL80F9gUt15RM2rZzSb3Maqn38~ou01sQSXI~R0xNodGxPqUR~Q2IPd6zrxAtqrGxrLprQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 approved a public–private partnership with Vero Fiber Networks to design, build and operate the city’s grant-funded “Ukiah Gigabyte” fiber project and authorized a related sole-source engineering contract. The council voted to authorize the city manager to finalize and execute a design‑build and 35‑year lease, operate and maintain agreement and to award construction engineering and inspection services to Utility Design Services LLC.

The partnership implements a California Public Utilities Commission last‑mile grant the city won in 2023. Andrea Trincato, the city’s project and grants administrator, told the council that the CPUC award totals $5,600,000, of which $3,300,000 is allocated to build the new fiber network and $1,700,000 is intended to replace utility poles that do not meet compliance. “Vero has committed to $1,300,000 in match funding to construct this project,” Trincato said. She described the first phase as 23 miles of fiber—17 miles aerial on city poles and 6 miles underground—and said the design will pass about 375 locations identified as unserved by the grant application.

Under the approved contract, Vero will design and construct the network under the grant and will operate and maintain it for a 35‑year term. Trincato said the city will receive no‑cost internet service at city facilities and “dark fiber connections to a total of 14 city facilities,” and staff estimated about $55,000 in annual savings to start. Vero’s proposal includes fixed customer pricing for the first five years, with low‑income qualifying plans beginning at $39.99 per month and a baseline retail plan at $49.99 per month for 100/100 Mbps symmetrical service; the top tier in the presentation reached multi‑gig speeds.

Evan Biaghi, Vero’s chief revenue officer, joined staff at the dais and told the council Vero plans to staff local installation and customer service functions as the project expands. “We’ll have local staff here…installation techs,” Biaghi said, adding the company already operates similar projects and can provide references.

Council members asked several technical and project‑management questions. Staff warned council the CPUC grant included strict completion deadlines tied to federal funding, and that if deadlines were missed the CPUC could withhold or seek recovery of grant funds. Trincato said the PPP includes a design‑phase opt‑out to allow either party to withdraw if design costs exceed available funding; she also noted Vero has committed to absorb cost overruns for network construction after the opt‑out/design phase.

Council approved two related actions: (1) the PPP agreement with Vero for a design‑build and grant‑funded Ukiah Gigabyte fiber project with a not‑to‑exceed city exposure of $3,277,654 and authorization for the city manager to negotiate and execute the agreement; and (2) a sole‑source contract with Utility Design Services LLC for construction engineering and inspection for the project, corrected on the record to a not‑to‑exceed amount of $337,275. The staff report notes the Utility Design Services work is specialized because roughly 75% of the new aerial fiber will attach to the city’s existing utility poles; the firm’s principal engineer, Al Smatsky, has an extended history designing and inspecting Ukiah electrical infrastructure.

Staff emphasized the project’s phased structure: the PPP covers the grant‑funded build that must meet the CPUC’s grant schedule; pole replacement work paid from the $1.7 million portion of the grant will be procured as a separate city project and brought back to council for competitive bidding. Trincato also described a planned privately funded phase 2 that Vero expected would expand service citywide with an estimated additional $10 million investment.

Council members who spoke in favor described the project as a major step toward improving affordable high‑speed Internet, closing digital‑access gaps and supporting economic development. After council approval, Trincato and Vero staff said they would proceed into detailed design and begin the procurement and permitting steps required to meet the grant timeline.

","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 approved a public‑private partnership with Vero Fiber Networks to design, build and operate a grant‑funded fiber network that will pass about 375 unserved locations and provide free city connectivity and discounted residential plans.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135447,"Council authorizes annual EDFC contribution after director presents loan, technical assistance and new revolving fund activity",1066,4816000,5882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93&start=4816&end=5882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5674421-fa364156e1d3334a57ba044ac8683d93/thumbnail_4816000.jpg","/articles/6135447/Ukiah-City/Mendocino-County/California/Council-authorizes-annual-EDFC-contribution-after-director-presents-loan-technical-assistance-and-new-revolving-fund-activity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135447-0c285878fba82989acabe2411ddf0615/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160198&Signature=KKfDTeMNdgcQoU6Sn0bPEYMjaPLHvJdyLeTds3VguWf0ofKOveEFU3cORSdDXA28DXzfZhHtQa~xR0tW3NDWcvvdFHp1e7g1kicqJuLo5WR-NtVPhGBEjuSmhfQbGpnzgBi1BGngWtFkUxFY4DijUrr9vQeXYDJPcLSbPBb6gcznTePNalHgr7k4OMvoJfRAXnVRBh5yg4BHVFW~yYUrODhk~3vKoe5iOEjCNOoN6jCVgvjVBYQ5JdRs1Itdk-1~QJiAcjjvWeTQTS7ux3JfHAnp~ztUBBXuGhnC5A8dlERDls2UzMidojmUrrPcl8a1n9hjYs1CIcIYXsPXCxKjMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ukiah City Council on Aug. 20 received the Economic Development and Financing Corporation’s annual report and authorized a performance agreement in the amount of $12,455.25 for fiscal year 2025–26.

Deputy City Manager Shannon Riley introduced the item and said the city’s contribution is based on an assessment formula tied to population; with Ukiah’s population just over 16,000 that yields the stated annual fee. Robert Gerner, EDFC director, reviewed the nonprofit lending program’s recent activity: since his tenure began six years ago EDFC has closed about $7.5 million in loans and assisted 55 local businesses, with 87 percent of lending going into investment‑area census tracts or distressed communities.

Gerner told the council the organization has created a privately funded community revolving loan fund, seeded from recent grant proceeds, and made its first loan in the current fiscal year from that fund. He also said EDFC obtained recent U.S. Department of Agriculture rural business development grant funds that have supported technical assistance—about 300 hours and 40 businesses served in nine months—and staff noted EDFC successfully secured Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) recertification after an 18‑month process.

Council members asked about client counts and geographic distribution. Gerner reported the portfolio includes 49 total business clients, 33 of which are in Mendocino County and 10 businesses located directly in Ukiah. He said EDFC’s lending closed seven loans for $844,000 in fiscal year 2023–24 and that two more loans closed at the start of the current fiscal year for roughly $500,000.

Council voted to receive the report and authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute the annual performance agreement for the stated amount. Council members and the board liaison praised EDFC’s local technical assistance, small‑business workshops and outreach efforts.

","The council authorized the city manager to execute a performance agreement with the Economic Development and Financing Corporation (EDFC) for $12,455.25 for fiscal year 2025–26. EDFC director Robert Gerner described lending and technical assistance activity, a new privately funded revolving loan fund and CDFI recertification success.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ukiah staff outline FEMA map adoption timeline, warn homeowners could face new flood‑insurance obligations

Council introduces revised ADU rules to align with state requirements and allow new unit types

Ukiah council introduces ordinance to establish administrative use permits for small‑scale agriculture, events and animals

Ukiah approves public–private partnership with Vero Fiber to build grant-funded city fiber network

Council authorizes annual EDFC contribution after director presents loan, technical assistance and new revolving fund activity