This Week In Public Meetings: October 23-27, 2023

Members of the public watch a video presentation from Supervisor Patrick Jones on his proposed gun range in Millville. Photo by Annelise Pierce.

Here are the highlights from the meetings we have attended so far this week. We will add to this meeting recap list as we attend more. Clicking on the meeting title links will take you to the agenda for each meeting.

Redding Riverfront Specific Plan Community Coalition Meeting #2

The second of four community coalition meetings was held on Monday evening. The agenda for the meeting included the existing conditions of the area and a continued conversation about what the common vision elements are that the design firm MIG has identified in their community outreach efforts so far. There was much discussion around the environmental and cultural resources in the area and some acknowledgment of the relevance of the area to Indigenous communities, although Chairman Jack Potter from the Redding Rancheria and Chairman Gary Rickard of the Wintu Tribe of Northern California, the only representatives of Indigenous communities on the committee, were both absent from the meeting. Committee members discussed what economic viability might look like and how it might be incorporated into the plan.

Shasta County Citizen Election Advisory Committee

The Citizens Election Advisory Committee or CEAC met for the second time this week to hear a presentation on the Brown Act, review draft bylaws, and discuss forming an ad hoc focused on the signatures approved to certify Supervisor Kevin Crye’s recall. After much discussion, the CEAC eventually voted to form an ad hoc that will study not only the process of certifying recall signatures but also any other election matters, a work assignment that seems to mirror the larger Committee’s current role. The ad hoc will be in place until June 30, 2023. The committee also voted to postpone further discussion and approval of bylaws until after the October 31st Board of Supervisors’ meeting where a new ordinance is expected on the agenda that if approved could change the scope and authority of the committee. Committee members took no other action.

Shasta County Board of Supervisors

During an almost five-hour evening meeting, Board members tackled only one agenda item: whether to approve Supervisor Patrick Jones’s request for a zoning change and development approval that would allow him to build a gun range on his property in Millville. After three hours of public comment, Board members approved the new development and zoning change in a three-to-one vote with Supervisor Mary Rickert opposing. Supervisor Tim Garman stated that while he doesn’t like Jones very much he felt that approving the development, which was recommended both by county staff and the Shasta County Planning Commission, was the right thing to do. Those who opposed Jones’ project did so on a variety of grounds including concerns about noise, safety, and environmental harm. Many speakers, including several with an environmental or planning work history, said the environmental review for the project was inadequate and could lead to legal action.

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