Redding City Council Approves Updated Master Fee Schedule, Hears Pump Station Progress, and Receives Positive Feedback on Inaugural Ironman 70.3 Event
REDDING, Calif. — The Redding City Council held its regular meeting Tuesday evening, Aug. 18, 2026, at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 777 Cypress Avenue, focusing on public comments, a wide-ranging update to the city’s master fee schedule, progress on a major water infrastructure project, and received glowing reviews from the Ironman organization.
Mayor Mike Littau presided, with Councilmembers Jack Munns, Erin Resner, Dr. Paul Dhanuka (Vice Mayor), and Tenessa Audette present, along with Assistant City Manager/Interim City Manager Michael Webb. Two items were pulled from the agenda: a Caltrans presentation on a downtown CAPM project and a Public Works update on the organics diversion-to-energy operations project cost, both to be returned at a later date.
Public Comments
Residents raised concerns about homelessness enforcement, vegetation management, public safety funding, and fiscal oversight. One speaker, Jaclyn Tredway, highlighted potential harms from anti-camping ordinances, particularly for neurodivergent unhoused individuals, citing a local survey by Developing Diamonds Community. She referenced California Senate Bill 634 and invited council members and the public to a presentation by the Shasta Housing Collaborative, which advocates specialized, affordable, transformational housing developed with community stakeholders.
Another resident, Nick Gardner, praised the fire department’s response to a recent house fire near his home—the second in three to four weeks—and flagged fire and flooding risks from overgrown vegetation along Henderson Ditch, noting that Councilmember Resner and staff had visited the area and agreed action is needed.
Additional comments by Leslie Sawyer included a call for the council to send letters to Gov. Gavin Newsom by Sept. 30 supporting AB 2700 (authored by Assemblymembers James Gallagher and Joe Patterson), requests for greater scrutiny of Transient Occupancy Tax allocation and Parks and Recreation spending, recognition for local ballpark operators and Shasta Supermoto events.
Very positive feedback dominated comments on the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Northern California triathlon held Aug. 16. Anderson City Councilmember Bonnie Simmons submitted a letter of appreciation praising city leadership, the Redding Sports Commission, Redding Tourism Marketing Group, volunteers, and operations. Todd Jones of the Redding Chamber of Commerce/Visit Redding reported full volunteer staffing, strong community support, great feedback from the Ironman organization, and plans for expanded marketing next year, while suggesting future events avoid peak August heat. A recap video is expected by month’s end.
A side note: Shasta Unfiltered sends our congratulations to Mayor Littau for completing his leg of the race! Redding Mayor Mike Littau competed in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Northern California on August 16, 2026, as part of a three-person relay team.
Nina Natina handled the 1.2-mile swim.
Trevor Nelson did the 56-mile bike leg.
Littau ran the final 13.1-mile (half-marathon) leg.
Consent Calendar and Fee Schedule
The consent calendar was approved without public comment. Staff confirmed that an item related to Caldwell Park involves deferred maintenance, including improvements to the parking lot and entrance.
The bulk of the meeting centered on a public hearing to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule. Staff outlined a cost-recovery approach applying a 2.82% Consumer Price Index adjustment (March) and 2.4% Construction Cost Index (May), with standard rounding. Departments presented proposed changes:
Community Services: Nonprofit rate for Whistlestop Park set at half the $500 rental fee to encourage downtown activity; Teen Center standardized at $50 per hour; reservation/class cancellation fee raised from $7 to $10.
Fire Department: Hazardous materials and DUI response fees recalibrated to better reflect actual apparatus, personnel, and time costs, with DUI fees supporting court restitution.
Development Services: New or adjusted fees included a proposed $74-per-hour consultation fee (beyond initial one hour of free advisory time), construction waste management deposits ($500 residential/$1,000 commercial) to enforce 65% recycling, a Low Barrier Navigation Center fee of $1,071 under SB 1395, code enforcement cost recovery, and a shift of mechanical/electrical/plumbing fees from item-based to per-square-foot calculations for consistency and online permitting. A shell building fee of $216 per system was proposed. Development review fees moved from valuation-based to hourly labor models, significantly lowering initial plan review costs for large projects. Fire sprinkler and life-safety plan check fees were consolidated and tiered.
Solid Waste: Rate increases align with a previously approved four-year packet, including an 8% rise for green waste at the transfer station, as well as adjustments for household waste, tires, and non-curbside collection.
Airport: Fees updated following an eight-month market study of comparable airports (Santa Rosa, Arcata, Medford, Chico) to advance FAA grant-required self-sustainability. Changes included restructured landing fees, new remain-overnight fees, hangar office rent increases (single from $40 to $95; double from $69 to $190), and other rental adjustments. A proposed $104 non-payment parking violation via DMV, tied to license-plate recognition, drew significant discussion over the fine amount, 14-day grace period, and contest process.
Council directed several carve-outs and revisions. The Development Services consultation fee was set aside pending a detailed policy on rollout, communication, training, and usage data. The Tobacco Retail License CPI escalator was deferred until the program is reactivated. Airport parking enforcement fees and related timelines were pulled for revision and return. An erroneous $15 late fee was ordered removed, and airport filming/photography fee language was clarified to apply only to secured areas. The overall fee schedule was adopted via split motions, with remaining airport-related items (including vehicle parking fee invoicing and enforcement) deferred to a later meeting. Staff was directed to provide additional market benchmarking. Vice Mayor Dr. Dhanuka advocated for larger fee increases at the Redding Municipal Airport than staff recommended, arguing the rates should be brought fully in line with those at comparable airports. Staff and the rest of the council favored a more gradual approach to avoid discouraging visitors and airport users.
Pump Station and Legal Services
Public Works provided an informational update on the Pump Station 1 (Pump House One) Replacement Project. The 1939 facility has reached the end of its useful life. A new upstream location was selected after alternatives analysis, offering a deeper intake independent of the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District, improved access, trail connections, and Jenny Creek restoration (including culvert and rail-grade removal). The existing station will remain operational until the new one is complete.
The total project budget is approximately $74 million, with about $8 million already spent in cash, a $50 million State Revolving Fund loan, and additional grants (potentially $8–9 million) under consideration, along with possible municipal bonds. Environmental permits are nearing completion pending a National Marine Fisheries Service biological opinion; right-of-way is in escrow. Construction bidding is anticipated in early 2027, with a roughly four-year build and limited windows for river work. The report was accepted unanimously.
Council also unanimously approved a resolution for a 51st budget amendment appropriating $425,010 to extend the contract with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP for legal services through June 30, 2027. The total not-to-exceed amount rises to just over $1.2 million. Funding draws from the general fund (about $153,000), City Attorney’s Office savings, department charges, personnel (bargaining), and risk funds. Services cover contract review, personnel matters, labor negotiations, and general counsel. Councilmembers expressed satisfaction with the firm’s work.
Looking Ahead
Councilmember comments included a request for a future public update on leases involving hotels that house former convicts. Staff and council noted several follow-up items, including rescheduling the pulled agenda items, addressing Anderson Ditch vegetation and safety concerns, completing the Ironman recap video, and returning refined proposals on airport parking enforcement, the consultation fee policy for Development Services, and Tobacco Retail License activation.
The meeting reflected ongoing efforts to balance cost recovery, infrastructure needs, public safety, and community input while advancing major capital projects. Full agendas, packets, and video are available on the City of Redding’s meeting portal.
