Sidewalk marker project underway for Red Bluff's historic Chinatown district

Sep. 19—RED BLUFF — The City Council gave the green light on Tuesday for a sidewalk marker project. According to those associated with the project, these markers will provide historical context to the area where Red Bluff's Chinatown stood.

The markers will be placed along Rio, Walnut, and Hickory Streets. Community Development Director Beth Lindauer shared that the 11 sidewalk markers will depict the various elements of Red Bluff's disparate Chinatown area.

Jessica Chew of the Helen & Joe Chew Foundation said this project aims to provide significant public benefit by educating local school students and the community about the rich history of Red Bluff through easily accessible, informative markers. She wrote to the council asking them to waive the fees associated with the use permit application for installing the markers.

"Unfortunately, the fees currently charged by the City of Red Bluff are prohibited under the terms of our grant, which restricts the use of funds for essential government services, including planning costs," she said. "The project budget does not allow for additional expenses, and without this waiver, we will be unable to proceed with this valuable educational endeavor."

The Technical Advisory Committee has reviewed the proposed project and issued conditional approval. According to city staff, if the use permit fees are waived, then $1,696 in fees would not be collected to pay for the application processing.

Red Bluff Fire Department Chief Michael Bachmeyer shared that his staff had wrapped up phase two of the hazard mitigation project in River Park. He described the project as going pretty smoothly, with a couple of little hiccups here and there. RBFD partnered with the police department, public works, Cal Fire and the Tehama County Probation Department to get this done

The next step with this project is for Division Chief Justin Kingsley to further the collaboration between the parties so that some pre-emergents and other things are sprayed throughout the year to help keep the vegetation manageable.

Bachmeyer said the next big project being considered will start on the other side of the mouth of Reeds Creek along Leisure Lake, cleaning up portions of the Bureau of Reclamation land there, and then move up Reeds Creek to Brickyard Creek.

The council approved waiving certain building permit fees for a rotating beacon display at the Red Bluff Airport.

The proposed elevated display will be located at the Red Bluff Airport picnic grounds.

Tehama County Aviation Association Representative Ken Johnson submitted a written request for the permit fee waiver.

In addition to waiving the fees, the council authorized Public Works Director Scott Miller to act on behalf of the city in coordinating and completing the work.

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