Council authorizes SAFER grant application and approves emergency contract for Western Hills water tank repair

The Ukiah City Council on July 2 authorized staff to complete a SAFER grant general application and attachments for a Ukiah Valley multi‑agency consolidation project and approved an emergency contract to repair a city water tank damaged by a Western Hills mudslide.

The actions matter because the SAFER application is a prerequisite to seeking grant funds to support multi‑agency water consolidation, and the water tank repair contract addresses an immediate public‑water infrastructure risk following a mudslide.

Sean White, the city’s water resources director, told council the SAFER resolution before the body is primarily a procedural authorization that allows staff to submit the city’s general application and attached documentation when the grant application window opens. The council adopted the resolution by roll call vote.

On the Western Hills mudslide, the council approved an emergency contract with Diamond Deconstruction LLC to complete repairs on the city water tank. The motion and second were recorded and a roll call vote approved the contract; the council’s roll call showed unanimous approval. Staff described the action as an emergency repair to protect water system reliability.

Council members discussed regional water consolidation as a longer‑term objective during the SAFER item; staff said the city is pursuing partnerships outside city limits to improve water availability for the valley. Both items were advanced by council action at the meeting.