Red Bluff council approves licenses, lease amendment and capital plan; mural and policy updates also pass

The Red Bluff City Council approved a series of routine and policy items at its Sept. 16 meeting, including a liquor-license upgrade for a local Circle K, a contract amendment for a cell-tower site, a donated mural for the Midland City Pool, and the city's updated five-year capital improvement plan.

Circle K (315 South Jackson Street) — type 21 ABC license: City staff and the police department presented an application from the owner (Mr. Singh) to convert an existing type 20 off-sale (beer and wine) license to a type 21 license to also include distilled spirits. Staff reported six active licenses in the census tract; the addition of a type 21 would temporarily increase that count. The police department reviewed calls for service at the site (88 in 2024; 72 to date in 2025) and did not recommend protest. After public comment and discussion the council moved to follow the recommendation of the city manager and police chief and authorize staff to submit a letter of public convenience and necessity to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Motion: follow staff recommendation to acknowledge the application and authorize the letter. Motion by Council Member Hirtland; second by Mayor Pro Tem Gonzales. Roll call (present council): Hirtland — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Gonzales — yes; Mayor Deiders — yes. Outcome: approved.

Cell-tower ground-lease amendment (27 Village Drive): Staff presented a fourth amendment to an existing ground-lease for a municipal cell tower that would expand the leased ground area and reduce the annual escalation clause from 3% to 2% to attract additional tenants (applicants named include AT&T, DISH and US Cellular). Staff said additional tenants and expanded area would likely increase revenue despite the lower escalation. The council authorized the city manager to sign the proposed fourth amendment. Motion: authorize city manager to execute the fourth amendment to the ground lease. Motion by Mayor Paton Gonzales; second by Council Member Patrick Berton. Outcome: motion passed.

Parks mural: The Parks & Recreation Commission recommended an otter mural, donated by local artist Toni Gaylord, for the entrance to McGlen City Pool. The city would cover up to $700 for paint from the Parks budget; commissioners offered to seek donations and a commissioner volunteered a UV-resistant topcoat. The council approved the mural and instructed staff to accept donated materials where feasible.

Five-year Capital Improvement Plan: Staff asked the council to adopt an updated five-year capital improvement plan that integrates projects from recently adopted sanitary sewer and water master plans. Council unanimously approved the CIP, which staff said will be used to pursue grants and funding opportunities for listed projects.

Council Policy Manual: Council adopted Resolution 32-2025 to update the City Council Policy Manual with new sections on meeting cancellations and agenda placement and minor formatting edits.

Consent agenda and other votes: The consent agenda (minutes, purchases and warrantless approvals) was approved by voice/roll-call. A closed-session item (anticipated litigation) was removed from the published agenda because necessary information was not available; a later readout stated that direction was given to staff and no reportable action was taken.

Next steps: Staff indicated follow-up with applicants and the clerk for questions raised during public comment; no appeals or protest filings were recorded in the meeting minutes.