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Redding City Council, Special Meeting
Civic Center Council Chambers
777 Cypress Avenue
Redding, CA 96001
July 9, 2024, 5:15 PM
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tenessa Audette with the following Council Members present: Mark Mezzano, Jack Munns, and Julie Winter.
Also present: City Manager Barry Tippin, Assistant City Manager Steve Bade , City Attorney Christian M. Curtis, City Clerk Sharlene Tipton, and Executive Assistant Erin Barnhart.
PRESENTATIONS
2A. Presentation of a Mayor’s Proclamation to Mayor Audette in support of preservation of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Bruce Russell opined t hat the Council should have unanimously approved adoption of a Resolution at the last Council meeting instead of presenting a proclamation at this meeting.
He further opined that the City should follow the County’s lead to allow authorized Conceal Carry We apon (CCW) holders to carry a firearm in City of Redding -owned buildings.
The City Council took no formal action on this informational item.
REGULAR CALENDAR: REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS OF DEPARTMENTS,
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
3A. Candidate Interviews to appoint one to fill a Council vacancy.
Mayor Audette provided a brief overview of the Report to City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference.
A consensus of the Council agreed that the process taken will be for each Candidate to provide a three-minute opening statement, hear public comment, and then questions by the Council.
City of Redding Mayor Emeritus Erin Resner provided background information relative to her professional, community service, and personal accomplishments. Ms. Resner stated that she is declining to participate in the public interview process and expressed her support for Redding Planning Commissioner Joshua Johnson for the interim City Council appointment to December 2024. She further announced her intent to run for the partial two- year term in the November 5, 2024, general election.
In response to Mayor Audette, Ms. Resner declined to commit to running for a four -year seat in November.
Redding Planning Commissioner Joshua Johnson than ked Ms. Resner and stated that he intends to run for the four-year Council position.
Steve Kohn , Bruce Russell , Dave Backues, and Susan Murray each opined that appointment to the interim Council Member position for five months provides an unfair advantage for being elected and further opined that the vacant seat should be left vacant until the November election.
Stacie Moore expressed frustration with not having the opportunity to be interviewed for the interim Council Member position.
The following spoke in support of Mr. Johnson: Tim Marinello , Keira Johnson, Rebekah Johnson, Dennis Marinello, Jonathan Anderson, and Cole Zick.
Nick Gardner expressed frustration that others in the Community were not given the option to be interviewed for the interim Council Member position.
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In response to various Council Member questions, Mr. Johnson provided background information relative to his professional, community service, and personal accomplishments; and provided an overview of what his approach would be to deal with many City-wide hot topic issues.
A discussion amongst the Council ensued.
Council Member Mezzano stated that he foresees nothing of controversy on the horizon for the Council and disagrees with appointing someone to the vacant seat.
Mayor Audette noted that Mayor Emeritus Kristen Schreder declined to be interviewed for the vacant Council Member position, thus, why she was not included on the Council Agenda.
A MOTION WAS MADE by Council Member Winter, seconded by Council Member Munns, to appoint Joshua Johnson to fill the vacant City Council seat until December of 2024. The Vote:
AYES: Council Members – Munns, Winter, and Audette
NOES: Council Members – Mezzano
ABSTAIN: Council Members – None
ABSENT: Council Members – None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business at the hour of 6:35 p.m., Mayor Audette declared the m eeting adjourned.
APPROVED:
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Tenessa Audette, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Sharlene Tipton, City Clerk