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Redding City Council, Regular Meeting
Civic Center Council Chambers
777 Cypress Avenue
Redding, CA 96001
January 6, 2026, 6:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 6:55 p.m. by Mayor Mike Littau with the following Council Members present: Tenessa Audette, Dr. Paul Dhanuka, Jack Munns, and Erin Resner.
Also present: City Attorney Christian M. Curtis, Interim City Manager Kari Kibler , Interim Assistant City Manager Michael Webb, Management Analyst II Kristen McGee, and Executive Assistant II Erin Barnhart.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tempore Resner.
The Invocation was provided by Lori Moretti, Redding Police and Fire Departments' Chaplain.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cathy Grindstaff, Shasta Chemical People, requested to provide Council with a formal presentation to ask that a portion of the funds received by the City of Redding from statewide opioid settlements be allocated to its programs.
The following spoke in opposition to personnel a ctions against Redding Chief of Police Brian Barner: Joe Dokes, Robert Sid, David Ledfrord, Gary B., Richard, Phaedra, Patricia Sucini, Joshua Johnson, Steve Kohn, and Jonathan Anderson.
Marg Cantrell expressed concerns with fiscal impacts that California Public Employees ’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and other miscellaneous expenses have on the City of Redding’s budget.
Delores Lucero urged Council to investigate the allegations and personnel matter regarding Redding Police Chief Barner.
Leslie Sawyer inquired into the lease negotiations for the race track located near the Redding Airport.
Nick Gardner expressed opposition to the hiring process of the City Manager.
There was a brief discussion amongst Vice Mayor Dr. Dhanuka, Council Member Audette, and City Attorney Curtis relative to Redding Municipal Code section 2.08.080 (Immune from council influence concerning personnel ) that prevents the City Council from influencing City Manager decisions relative to personnel actions. Mr. Curtis noted that Council would need to go through the ordinance process if a change to this RMC section is requested.
Council Member Munns left Chambers at 7:17 p.m. and returned at 7:18 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following matters were considered inclusively under the Consent Calendar and each Report to City Council (staff report) is incorporated herein by reference:
4(a). Approve City Council Minutes: Regular Meeting of November 18, 2025; Special Meeting - Closed Session of December 2, 2025; Regular Meeting of December 2, 2025; Special Meeting - Closed Session of December 3, 2025,(City Manager Recruitment); Continued Special Meeting – Closed Session from December 3, 2025, held on December 4, 2025, 4:30 p.m.; Special Meeting of December 4, 2025, (The Peaks Subdivision Appeal); Special Meeting – Closed Session of December 11, 2025; Special Meeting - Closed Session of December 16, 2025; Regular Meeting of December 16, 2025; and Speci al Meeting – of December 26, 2025.
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4.1(a). Accept update regarding the proclamation declaring a local emergency due to flooding and, pursuant to Public Contract Code 20168 and 22050(c)(1), make a determination by a four- fifths vote that there is a need to continue the emergency.
4.15(a).Authorize and approve a side letter agreement with the Redding Police Officers Association – Miscellaneous Unit (RPOA – Misc) which: (1) revises the Community Service Officer (CSO) classification specification to allow for the performance of Red - Light Camera Ticket (RedFlex) duties; and (2) amends Section 8.12 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide a five percent (5%) specialty assignment pay to CSOs when assigned to perform those duties, effective during the term of the MOU.
The Vote:
AYES: Council Members – Dr. Dhanuka, Munns, Resner, and Littau NOES: Council Members – Audette
ABSTAIN: Council Members – None
ABSENT: Council Members – None
A MOTION WAS MADE by Council Member Dr. Dhaunka, seconded by Council Member Munns, that the foregoing items on the Consent Calendar be accepted, acknowledged, adopted, approved, and/or authorized as recommended with the exception of those item(s) voted upon separately above.
The Vote:
AYES: Council Mem bers – Audette, Dr. Dhanuka, Munns, Resner, and Littau NOES: Council Members – None
ABSTAIN: Council Members – None
ABSENT: Council Members – None
REGULAR CALENDAR: REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS OF DEPARTMENTS,
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
9A. Appoint William Tarbox as the City Manager and consider a pproval of Employment Agreement.
Interim City Manager Kari Kibler summarized the Report to the City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference.
Steve Kohn and Delores Lucero spoke in opposition to the incoming City Manager salary schedule.
In response to Vice Mayor Dr. Dhanuka, City Attorney Curtis advised that, in accordance with legal requirements to maintain confidentiality, closed session discussions regarding the City Manager position cannot be discussed in open session unless the City Council votes unanimously to do so.
Vice Mayor Dr. Dhanuka stated that Council consensus was that the City Manager salary was necessary to get someone who is willing and able to do the job and was not an easy decision.
A discussion amongst the Council ensued.
A MOTION WAS MADE by Council Member Resner , seconded by Council Member Munns, to appoint William Tarbox as the City of Redding City Manager; and authorize the Mayor to execute the Employment Agreement at an annual salary of $295,000.
The Vote: Unanimous Ayes.
9B. City Council updated list of Departmental, Commission, Committee, and Agency liaison assignments for Calendar Year 2026.
Mayor Littau provided an overview of the Report to the City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference.
Mayor Littau noted that there were very few changes from last year’s assignments, and after querying the Council, stated that all were satisfied with the appointments.
A brief discussion amongst the Council ensued.
The City Council took no formal action on this informational item. 164
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9.1(b). Accept oral report from Ad Hoc Committee (Mayor Pro Tempore Resner and Council Member Audette) regarding funding for the Civic Auditorium.
Mayor Pro Temp ore Resner highlighted the Report to the City Council (staff report), incorporated herein by reference.
Ms. Resner and Council Member Audette highlighted that they met with Advanced Redding, and other community stakeholders regarding investing in the Civic Auditorium and advised the next steps would be to meet with Community Services Director Travis Menne for the lease and long-term plans for the Civic Auditorium.
Leslie Sawyer opposed providing additional funding support to Advanced Redding.
In response to Council Member Audette, Community Services Director Travis Menne noted that he would return to Council with short-term and long- term options for consideration at a future Council Meeting.
A discussion amongst the Council ensued.
A consensus of Council : (1) accepted the oral report from ad hoc committee members Mayor Pro Tempore Erin Resner and Council Member Tenessa Audette regarding funding challenges for the Civic Auditorium; (2) direct ed the Ad Hoc Committee to meet with Community Services Director Travis Menne; and (3) the Ad Hoc Committee will provide regular updates at future agendized City Council meetings.
SUGGESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS RELATIVE TO POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR
FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
At Vice Mayor Dhanuka’s suggestion, a consensus of Council directed staff to return to Council at a future Cit y Council Meeting with a draft resolution regarding formation of the Finance Committee.
At Council Member Audette’s suggestion, a consensus of the City Council directed staff to schedule a Special City Council Meeting to discuss r evenue assumptions prior to the end of January 2026.
At Council Member Audette’s suggestion, a consensus of the City Council directed staff to return to Council at the January 20, 2026, City Council meeting with an update from the City of Redding Airport Manager regarding the Airport Racetrack Lease.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business at the hour of 8:46 p.m., Mayor Littau declared the m eeting adjourned.
APPROVED:
______________________________
Mike Littau, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Sharlene Tipton, City Clerk