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Council approves $11,000 for landscape-architect services to advance Castle Street grant work despite local concerns
Summary
Council approved an $11,000 budget adjustment to hire landscape architect Tom Hesselton to finish grant application work for the Castle Street Greenway/daylighting project; some residents expressed concerns about cost, liability and project prioritization.
Council voted to appropriate $11,000 (resolution CCR-25-29) to extend services from landscape architect Tom Hesselton to complete design work and a grant application for the Castle Street Greenway/daylighting project. Staff said the funds are needed to finalize plans and complete a Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant application.
Members of the public raised objections, arguing the daylighting component has previously been de-prioritized and warning of long‑term maintenance and liability costs if the city pursues a daylighting design. Staff said the $11,000 is to finish work necessary for a grant submission and that any future construction would require separate funding decisions and maintenance planning.
Council approved the appropriation after clarifying a discrepancy in draft resolution text (the resolution’s heading listed $6,000 while the body listed $11,000) and after hearing public concerns; one or more councilmembers voted in the minority on the motion.
