The mostly-new Redding City Council is facing a budget shortfall of $5 million next fiscal year. Maintaining operations of the Redding Sports Park will require another $5 million for repairs within the next two years.
Dr. Paul Dhanuka floated the idea of both a medical school and a substance use treatment facility. One of his fellow Council members took issue with Dhanuka's proximity to the proposal while another had concerns about who else he chose to involve.
Paul Dhanuka, Erin Resner, and Mike Littau were sworn in. Council member Jack Munns was unanimously approved as the City's new Mayor.
Before a lease can be signed, the Redding Rodeo Association still has to prove it can find a way to pay for more than $10 million in improvements at the site over the next 15 years.
The City has submitted paperwork to a state agency that will determine whether a long-term lease of a section of riverfront public land will require it to be declared “surplus”, opening it up to the possibility of development. Council member Joshua Johnson said a long-term lease with the Rodeo can still happen, either way.
Newly appointed Council member Joshua Johnson, who suggested the idea of a Committee, faced anger from some Rodeo supporters, who said there’s no need for delay.
Redding Mayor Tenessa Audette has already worked to replace two of the seven Planning Commissioners in the last month. Aaron Hatch could be next.
The city says all future planning for the area must be consistent with the framework. But many specifics, such as what development might actually occur at the riverfront, remain unanswered, for now.
Those state laws include CARE Courts and newly passed SB 43, as well as two bills that will be on the ballot for California voters to decide on in March 2024. We explain more.
Twenty Riverfront Community Coalition members introduced themselves and shared their priorities for the riverfront including public safety, recreation, and commerce.
