Redding’s Director of Community Services, Kim Niemer, Will Retire This Fall

“I have had the career of a lifetime,” Kim Niemer, Redding’s Director of Community Services told Shasta Scout during a conversation about her impending retirement starting October 28. 

Niemer is retiring after 23 years in a director-level position and 27 for the city, overall. Her current role involves overseeing the development and maintenance of city parks and trails and managing recreational activities, the library, and the city communications team.

Niemer says some areas of her work stand out as those she’d most like to see continue to strengthen in her absence. Those priorities include the development of Redding as a trail destination, new park projects especially the redesign of South City Park, and the new Panorama Park project. She also hopes that the city will continue to invest in public art initiatives and strong public engagement, two areas where she has invested significant time.

A number of controversial decisions were also made under Niemer’s tenure including the 2018 fencing of South City Park and the 2022 fencing of Nur Pon Open Space, just before the area was cleared of unsheltered residents. She also supported the long-term lease of Library Park, off California Street, to a food truck hub known as The Park.

Asked about the city’s succession plan for her position Niemer said, “We have grown a good team and I feel very comfortable with this transition.”

“I am proud of the work that I have accomplished,” Niemer continued. “I have met many wonderful people who care a lot about our community. I will walk away very fulfilled and proud of those accomplishments.”

Niemer is the fifth city leader to officially announce retirement this year. Redding Police Chief Bill Schueller plans to retire on November 1st. Former City Treasurer Allyn Clark, City Clerk Pamela Mize, and Redding Personnel Director Sheri DeMaagd retired earlier this year.

“Very few of the upcoming departures of our Directors come as a surprise as all of them have been communicating with me for some time,” City Manager Barry Tippin told Shasta Scout. “I am confident that we will find quality people to replace those who are leaving and while we will certainly lose some institutional knowledge we will gain new ideas and likely some new energy.” 

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