Meeting Date:
May 20, 2025

Episode Description:
In this episode of the City of Redding Podcast, hosts Steve and Katie break down key decisions from the May 20, 2025, City Council meeting. Tune in to hear the latest on:

• Redding’s planned exit as the administrative lead for the NorCal Continuum of Care, which coordinates regional homelessness services
• Emerging concepts from the Redding Riverfront Specific Plan, including civic space upgrades, habitat protection, and tribal collaboration
• Approval of Redding Electric Utility’s 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan to reduce fire risk and enhance safety
• The launch of the Round-Up for Recreation program, giving utility customers an easy way to support local parks
• The Redding Police Department’s Military Equipment Report and a new policy to increase transparency and accountability
• A legal deep-dive into the City’s tree ordinance update, including why development impact fees for tree replacement are on pause—for now

Get caught up on what’s shaping the future of Redding, all in under 15 minutes.

🔗 For agendas, documents, and upcoming meeting info, visit cityofredding.gov
🌊 Learn more about the riverfront planning process at reddingriverfront.org

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

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Today, we’re talking about something that affects every home and business in Redding: the reliability of our power grid. After a recent blackout in Spain left over a million people without power, we started wondering—how prepared is Redding if something like that happened here?

To help us understand the big picture and the local realities, we’re joined by Nick Zettel, Director of Redding Electric Utility. We’ll dig into how independent our system is, how much we can rely on local power sources like hydro and solar, and what REU is doing to keep the lights on—no matter what’s happening on the West Coast.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about transparency, resiliency, and understanding the strengths of our hometown power system. Let’s get into it.

Read the transcript >>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

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Today, we’re revisiting short-term rentals, specifically the City’s proposed updates to its regulations.

Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, a downtown business owner, or someone just trying to understand what these changes could mean for your neighborhood, we’ve got you covered.

We connect with Development Services Director Jeremy Pagan to break down what’s happening with the City’s Zoning Ordinance of Short Term Rentals—updates that could expand where short-term rentals are allowed, particularly in the heart of our city: the Downtown Mixed-Use District.

We’ll talk about:

• What’s prompting these changes?
• What do the proposed updates actually do?
• How is the City balancing economic growth with community concerns?

We will also discuss community feedback, housing affordability, and the broader context of how short-term rentals fit into Redding’s vision for the future and its tourism strategy. So stick around as Jeremy walks us through it.

Read the transcript >>
Learn more about Short Term Rentals in Redding >>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

Love the podcast? The best way to spread the word is to rate and review!

Today, we're discussing everyone’s favorite topic as we head into summer: water conservation.

In 2024, the state of California passed new regulations requiring all residents to reduce their water usage. In Redding, that means reducing water usage both indoors and outdoors. During rainy, wet winters, Redding easily meets these new restrictions. However, as we move into the hot, dry summer months, our need for outdoor watering blows our water budget.

Today, we speak with Brandon Bishop, Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Redding, about the new regulations and how we can work together to reduce water usage as a community. Brandon admits that the new state rules will be tough to meet in the summer, but is looking to provide everyone with some helpful tools to conserve, regardless of the season.

We recognize that water conservation is a complex topic. Still, if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it's that water is a vital resource, and it’s never a good idea to waste it, even when there is plenty available. Fixing leaks and utilizing drip irrigation where possible can significantly reduce overall water usage.

Learn more about Redding's Water Conservation >>
Read the transcript here>>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

Love the podcast? The best way to spread the word is to rate and review!

In this episode, we’re recapping highlights from the Redding City Council meeting held on April 15, 2025.

Mayor Jack Munns kicked things off by proclaiming April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month in the City of Redding.

On the Consent Calendar, Council recognized Community Tree Planting Day (aka Arbor Day) on April 25 and celebrated the Parks Division for earning the Tree City USA award. Council also approved:

• A 20-year lease agreement with the California State Lands Commission for the Lake Redding and Diestelhorst Bridge crossings,
• And a resolution declaring April 20–26 as Volunteer Appreciation Week, honoring over 32,000 hours of volunteer service in 2024—an estimated economic value of more than $1 million!

Council also appointed two new members to the Redding Planning Commission—Blake Nance and Erin Ryan—following a thoughtful discussion on representation and diversity of perspectives.

Redding Fire Chief Jerrod Vanlandingham gave a brief update on the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps from the State of California. These maps are now part of the City ordinance and are available for public viewing and comment at reddingfire.org.

And finally, Councilmember Tenessa Audette raised a discussion about options to retain 12 RPD positions amid budget constraints. That conversation will continue at the May 6 City Council meeting.

Meeting Agenda >>
Watch the Council meeting online >>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

Love the podcast? The best way to spread the word is to rate and review!

Today, we talk all things Recycling with Deputy Director of Public Works Paul Clemens and Solid Waste Project Coordinator Leo Coleman. We all toss bottles, cans, and paper into those blue bins, hoping to make a difference—but what really happens after the truck drives away? Is your plastic water bottle destined for a new life, or does it end up somewhere you’d never expect?

In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of Redding’s recycling program. We’ll follow the journey of your recyclables, from curbside pickup to processing, and find out how much of it actually gets a second life. Plus, we’ll get the inside scoop on some of the surprising—and sometimes head-scratching—items that end up in the bin.

We’ll also explore the big picture impact: How much waste does Redding keep out of the landfill through recycling? And what innovative technologies or creative solutions is the city exploring to boost recycling efforts? And, of course, we’ll have some fun with recycling trivia and bust a few myths.

So, whether you’re a dedicated recycler or someone just trying to figure out if you need to rinse that peanut butter jar (spoiler: we’ll settle that debate), this episode is packed with tips, insights, and hacks to help you step up your recycling game.

Use the Waste Wizard >>
Learn more about composting >>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

Love the podcast? The best way to spread the word is to rate and review!

In this episode, Katie and Steve recap the April 1, 2025, Redding City Council meeting.

Listen for a brief summary of the meeting’s key points and actual audio from the meeting without public comment on the following big-ticket items from the consent calendar and the regular agenda:

• Mayor declarations for the Week of the Young Child and Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month in Redding April
• Appointments to the Redding Planning Commission:
• Extending the interim shelter services contract with Shasta Community Health Center until August
• Crime statistics update from Police Chief Brian Barner, showing a downward trend in crime despite changes in reporting requirements

Meeting Agenda >>
Watch the Council meeting online >>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

Love the podcast? The best way to spread the word is to rate and review!

In this episode, Katie and Steve recap the March 18, 2025, Redding City Council meeting.

Listen for a brief summary of the meeting’s key points and actual audio from the meeting without public comment on the following big-ticket items from the consent calendar and the regular agenda:

• Recognition of Community Impact: The Council honored The Community Foundation of the North State on its 25th anniversary, celebrating over $100 million in contributions to enrich local communities.
• Tourism Update: Visit Redding provided a quarterly report on the city's marketing and promotion efforts.
• Public Hearings: The Council approved the issuance of up to $70 million in bonds to finance major infrastructure upgrades at the Redding Power Plant.
• Emergency Response: An update was given on the local emergency due to flooding, with the Council voting to continue the emergency declaration.
• Grant Approvals: The city accepted a $50,000 Whale Tail Grant for coastal conservation education and ratified an application for nearly $289,000 from the Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program to support public safety.
• Project Updates: The Council approved budget increases for the South Street Water Main Emergency Replacement Project and the Churn Creek Lift Station Rehabilitation.
• Housing and Finance Reports: The Council reviewed the City’s Housing Division programs and accepted the annual financial report and mid-year budget review, which includes an appropriation increase of over $3.5 million.

Meeting Agenda >>
Watch the Council meeting online >>

Contact the City of Redding Podcast Team

• Email us at podcast@cityofredding.org
• Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Visit the City of Redding website

Love the podcast? The best way to spread the word is to rate and review!