Traffic signal contract considered

Council will also consider four candidates for Planning Commission

At its meeting tonight, the Ukiah City Council will consider awarding a contract to build a traffic signal at the intersection of East Gobbi Street and Waugh Lane, and consider four candidates for two open seats on the Ukiah Planning Commission.

According to the staff report prepared for the April 7 meeting, “the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of East Gobbi Street and Waugh Lane will include a vehicle detection camera in order for the traffic to be queued on demand.” The city previously applied for funding through the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) and was awarded a grant in the amount of $716,000 for the project.

After project plans and specifications were approved by the City Council, bids were received last month and the low bidder was reported as Team Ghilotti, Inc. of Petaluma, with a bid of $353,141.

Staff reports that it also is “currently seeking funding in order to install an additional traffic signal at the intersection of East Gobbi and South Main streets in order to further alleviate the congestion that occurs on East Gobbi Street.”

Also during the April 7 meeting, the City Council is expected to “review and consider applications received (and possibly make appointments) to fill two vacancies on Ukiah Planning Commission.”

The vacancies were created when Linda Sanders resigned in October of 2020, and Michael Whetzel resigned in January of 2021.

The City Council then “voted to amend the procedure for filling vacancies on the Planning Commission to solicit applicants with the technical experience and qualifications needed to make the decisions required in their role as a Planning Commissioner.” Applications were sought from candidates and four were received from Sarah Marshall, Michelle Johnson, Alex de Grassi, and Douglas Johnson.

Staff is recommending that the council “review the applications, interview the applicants if there are any questions, then make nominations and adopt the resolution filling the two positions, with an expiration date of April 7, 2025.”

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. April 7.

Those who wish to participate can register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ rt/9199312935703156493

Also, the meeting can be watched (without participating) at www.cityofukiah.com/meetings.