HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 2015-10-15 - Special Meeting305
Redding City Council, Special Meeting
Walking Tour of Downtown Area
Commencing in front of Cascade Theatre
Redding, CA 96001
October 15, 2015, 2:00 PM
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Francie Sullivan with the following Council
Members present: Gary Cadd, Missy McArthur, Kristen Schreder, and Brent Weaver.
Also present were: City Manager Kurt Starman, City Attorney Barry E. DeWalt, Public
Works Director Brian Crane, Development Services Director Larry Vaupel, Police Chief
Robert Paoletti, and Assistant City Clerk Teresa Rudolph.
WALKING TOUR OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA
[A -050-060/P-150-150]
Mayor Sullivan and City Manager Kurt Starman provided an overview of the walking tour
area comprising the area generally bounded by, but not limited to, Sacramento, Pine,
California, and Division Streets, and ending at the corner of Butte and Pine Streets.
City Attorney DeWalt explained that City Council Members were permitted to walk together
and discuss matters relative to the tour until the meeting was officially adjourned.
Prior to the commencement of the walking tour, Mayor Sullivan welcomed comments from
the public.
Ron Benton noted that he would be requesting that the City Council consider the adoption of
an ordinance concerning permissible dress regulations.
Marjy Cantrell requested that, prior to making any decisions relative to the downtown area,
specifically regarding the issue of parking, the City Council speak to individuals who were
involved with the original construction of the Downtown Redding Mall/parking structures
and the associated impacts it had on existing businesses.
Mayor Sullivan stated that individuals throughout the walk were welcome to address the City
Council.
The City Council paused at the following locations:
➢ Market Street Promenade in front of the Shasta County Elections Department:
Viva Downtown Executive Director John Truitt noted the significant difference in the
streetscape view from this location looking in a northerly/southerly direction.
City Manager Starman provided an overview of the former Downtown Redding Mall.
He indicated that the City was in the process of conducting a traffic study which will
consider the reopening of Yuba and Butte Streets to vehicular traffic, as well as
possibly Market Street.
Council Member Schreder added that K2 Development was willing to dedicate the
necessary right-of-way to accommodate the reopening of the streets.
Mayor Sullivan pointed out the project in front of the Shasta County Elections
Department which was sponsored by Renaissance Redding.
City -owned bathrooms in the Market Street Promenade:
City Manager Starman related that the City -owned bathrooms are maintained by the
Midtown Mall Benefit Corporation. He noted that the facilities are not currently
accessible to the public, but are in the process of being retrofitted. These facilities, as
well as the facilities at the Intermodal facility, are the only public restrooms in the
Downtown Area.
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➢ Intersection of Yuba and Market Streets:
City Manager Starman reiterated that Yuba Street is part of the traffic study to
consider its possible reopening to vehicular traffic. He added that the pillars are
remnants of the former Downtown Redding Mall.
Former Dicker's department store:
City Manager Starman explained that the property has been acquired by K2
Development which is exploring the feasibility of a mixed-use project at the site. In
addition, he noted that the usage of the City's underground parking structure below
this building is increasing.
➢ Intersection of Butte and Market Streets:
City Manager Starman reiterated that Butte Street is part of the traffic study to
consider its possible reopening to vehicular traffic.
Shasta College:
City Manager Starman pointed out that the former Rite Aid building was remodeled
to accommodate the Shasta College facility, representing a partnership between the
City and the College.
The following buildines were pointed out as havine a historical sienificance:
— Independent Order of Odd Fellows
— Former Bank of Shasta County building
— Old City Hall
— Fire Station 1
City Manager Starman encouraged visiting the Shasta Historical Society, located in
the Market Street Promenade, to view valuable historical information.
Thunderbird Lodee:
John Truitt applauded the owners of the Thunderbird Lodge for investing in the
property to make it viable accommodations for travelers.
➢ Americana Lodge:
City Attorney DeWalt gave an overview of the City's activities to date relative to the
Americana Lodge. He noted that the property currently does not meet the needs of
long-term tenants.
Clearies:
City Manager Starman stated that Clearies represents another success story in the
downtown area.
Kwik N Kleen-Dutch Bros.:
Donald Hoff, owner of the property housing Dutch Bros. and the Kwik N Kleen,
explained that security issues are a primary concern, i.e., sleeping next to buildings,
plugging into outside electrical outlets, and syringes. Even though security lighting
has been installed, these issues are affecting business. He also stated that loitering
issues increase on days the Healthcare Outreach for People Everywhere (HOPE) Van
is at the Empire Recovery Center. When asked, he believed that a biohazard disposal
area would be beneficial as a means of assisting in alleviating discarded syringes.
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➢ California Street Shop:
Council Member Weaver stated that he previously owned the building which houses
the California Street Shop. He commended the new owner, Jamie Lynn, on the
renovation of the building. He noted that Mr. Lynn has also expressed problems with
the HOPE van and has talked to surrounding business owners which are feeling the
associated negative effects. He believed, however, through continued cooperative
efforts with the Shasta Community Health Center, that the HOPE van can co -exist in
the downtown area without impacting economic development.
➢ RABA Transit Center/Former Mattox Property/Union Pacific Railroad Building:
City Manager Starman stated that the properties, located across the street from the
former Police building, have been acquired by the Redding Area Bus Authority
(RABA) for expansion of its parking facilities for the transit center. Additionally, he
noted that the transit center's bathroom facilities are available to the public and
related that the lack of trash receptacles in the downtown area is also an issue which
frequently comes up. He pointed out the former Wells Fargo Express building which
the Union Pacific Railroad has authority to demolish.
Public Works Director Brian Crane related that RABA has recently contracted for 24-
hour security services at the Transit Center, which also houses Greyhound, Amtrak,
and other local transit services.
➢ Lorenz Hotel/Library Park:
City Manager Starman stated that the City of Redding recently partnered to remodel
the historic Lorenz Hotel. He explained that the City converted a parking lot for the
creation of Library Park which has recently been a source of concern for local
businesses. The Carnegie Stage located in Library Park was constructed by the
Shasta Builders Exchange.
Angie, a paralegal for an attorney located in the Lorenz Hotel, explained that they
deal with the following issues on a daily basis: flies due to defecation, syringes,
fights in Library Park, and personal threats. She indicated that there is no rhyme or
reason as to when these events occur, but it appears individuals are becoming more
aggressive.
➢ Downtown Parking Structures:
John Truitt pointed out that most of the business in the Downtown Promenade use the
door facing the parking structure as their main entry because of visibility.
➢ Former Site of Greyhound Terminal (White Building):
City Manager Starman and Council Member Weaver noted the most recent success
story in the downtown area which involved the demolition of the former Greyhound
terminal and the construction of a new commercial building by the Whites. The
building will house the Whites' medical billing service on the top floor which
employs approximately 70 people; and Wild Card Brewery on the first floor.
Public Comment During Tour:
Amanda Smith opined that people are scared to come to the downtown area to shop. She
also suggested that the same tour be conducted in the morning to view problems encountered
by businesses when arriving to open.
Frank Treadway noted that there is also a needle exchange program which is available for
individuals to utilize.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Sullivan declared the meeting adjourned at the hour
of 3:44 p.m.
ATTEST:
Teresa Rud h, Assistant City Clerk
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tranye Sullivan, Mayor
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