Redding council approves EDA grant application, airport loan from risk fund, affordable housing deal and several policy updates

Redding’s City Council approved a package of funding applications, loans and policy changes at the meeting, authorizing staff to pursue federal and state funding and approving several local financing and program actions.

Votes at a glance: the council recorded formal roll-call approvals on several items and gave staff direction or consensus on others. Highlights include:

- EDA grant application for Stillwater infrastructure: Council authorized staff to apply for the U.S. Economic Development Administration Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program for up to $5,000,000 to help construct infrastructure for the Stillwater Business Park Phase 2. Staff said the project would need local match (from future Stillwater property sales and capital projects funds) and that the grant request may be scaled to match available local funds. The motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (Council member Audette — yes; Council member Danuka — yes; Council member Resner — yes; Vice Mayor Lata — yes; Mayor Muns — yes).

- Airport main parking lot loan from the risk management reserve: Council approved moving forward with a loan from the city’s risk fund to finance reconstruction of the Redding Regional Airport main parking lot. Airport staff said the airport does not have sufficient reserves to fund the work and intends to repay the loan over 10 years from parking revenues; staff also plans to add license-plate-recognition…