TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tom Westbrook, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Appointment of Members to the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Review the applications received for appointments to the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee and consider the eligibility and qualifications of each applicant;
2. Receive comments from applicants and/or conduct applicant interviews, as desired;
3. Appoint five (5) applicants to the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee; and
4. Assign the initial staggered terms of office as follows:
o Two (2) members to three-year terms;
o Two (2) members to two-year terms; and
o One (1) member to a one-year term.
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SUMMARY:
On June 2, 2026, the voters of the City of Red Bluff approved Measure S, the Red Bluff Street Repair and Safety Citizen Initiative. Measure S provides for the establishment of a Citizens Oversight Committee to provide independent public oversight regarding the expenditure of Measure S revenues and implementation of the Measure S Expenditure Plan.
To implement the requirements of Measure S, the City Council considered an ordinance establishing the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee, along with bylaws governing the Committee’s organization and operation. The Committee consists of five (5) members appointed by the City Council and serves solely in an advisory capacity. The Committee does not exercise administrative, operational, or policy-making authority.
The Committee’s primary responsibilities include reviewing the annual independent fiscal audit of Measure S revenues and expenditures; reviewing expenditures for consistency with the Measure S Expenditure Plan and voter-approved uses of funds; monitoring the status and implementation of Measure S-funded projects and programs; preparing an annual report regarding compliance with Measure S; making recommendations to the City Council; and promoting transparency and accountability regarding Measure S expenditures.
Applications to be considered for the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee were due to the City by 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2026.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
At their July 21, 2026, meeting, the City Council authorized the release of the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
DISCUSSION:
The Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee consists of five (5) members appointed by the City Council. Members must be residents, business owners, or property owners located within the City of Red Bluff. The Committee’s composition must at all times include:
• At least one (1) resident within the City;
• At least one (1) business owner within the City; and
• At least one (1) property owner within the City.
A member may satisfy more than one of these qualifications listed above. The following individuals are not eligible for appointment:
• Members of the Red Bluff City Council or Tehama County Board of Supervisors;
• Employees of the City of Red Bluff or County of Tehama.
Each applicant was required to complete a City application and Measure S Eligibility Affidavit certifying compliance with the applicable eligibility requirements.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
As of August 13, 2026, the application deadline, the City received ten applications for the five available positions. Staff reviewed the applications and eligibility affidavits for completeness. The applicants are summarized below, in the order their applications were received:
|
Applicant |
Resident |
Business Owner |
Property Owner |
Eligible |
|
Anthony Eyestone |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Johnna Jones |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Richard Hardin |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Kenn Reider |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Jennifer Torres |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Susan Messler |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Bill Byron |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Lesa Harris |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Colleen Tobin |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Ronald McIver |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Copies of the applications submitted by eligible applicants are included as attachments to this report.
COUNCIL SELECTION PROCESS
The Council may consider the applicants’ written applications, qualifications, experience, statements of interest, understanding of the Committee’s responsibilities, and other information relevant to their ability to serve effectively on the Committee. The Council may also invite each applicant to make a brief statement and may ask questions about the applicants prior to making appointments.
In selecting the five members, the Council must ensure that the final Committee composition includes at least one City resident, one City business owner, and one City property owner. Because an individual may satisfy more than one qualification, a member may fulfill multiple representation requirements.
Staff recommends that the Mayor first identify the applicants eligible for appointments and then invite nominations for the five available positions. If there are more than five applicants, the Council may make appointments individually or identify a slate of five applicants for consideration. If necessary, successive rounds of nominations and voting may be conducted until five applicants receive the required Council approval.
INITIAL TERMS OF OFFICE
The initial appointments are required to be staggered as follows:
Position Initial Term
Member No. 1 Three years
Member No. 2 Three years
Member No. 3 Two years
Member No. 4 Two years
Member No. 5 One year
Following selection of the five members, the Council will also need to determine which members will receive the respective initial terms. Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee three-year terms are staggered consistently with the City’s other advisory committees. Staff recommends that the Council assign the terms by random drawing after the five members have been selected. Following the random drawing, two members will receive initial three-year terms, two members will receive initial two-year terms, and one member will receive an initial one-year term, with the first one-year term expiring in December 2027.
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
Following appointment, staff will coordinate the Committee’s initial organizational meeting. At its first regular meeting, the Committee will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair and establish its meeting schedule consistent with the adopted bylaws. The Committee is required to meet not less than quarterly.
The City Manager will designate City staff to provide administrative support to the Committee, including preparation of agendas and minutes, records management, financial reporting, and coordination of public notices.
Committee members will also be required to complete applicable ethics and Brown Act training within six months of appointment and comply with applicable financial disclosure requirements, including filing Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700).
MEASURE S CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AUTHORITY
The Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee is advisory to the City Council. While the Committee is responsible for reviewing Measure S financial information, projects, audits, and compliance with the Expenditure Plan, it does not have authority to:
• Direct City employees:
• Authorize expenditures;
• Modify the Measure S Expenditure Plan;
• Award contracts;
• Select contractors;
• Determine project priorities; or
• Exercise administrative authority vested in the City Council or City Manager.
These limitations preserve the Committee’s role as an independent oversight and advisory body while maintaining the administrative and policy-making authority of the City Council and City Manager.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no significant direct fiscal impact associated with the appointment of members to the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee. Staff will be required to provide administrative support for the Committee, prepare meeting materials, coordinate required training and financial disclosure filings, and assist the Committee in carrying out its responsibilities.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Anthony Eyestone - Application
2. Johnna Jones - Application
3. Richard Hardin - Application
4. Ken Reider - Application
5. Jennifer Torres - Application
6. Susan Messler - Application
7. Bill Byron - Application
8. Lesa Harris - Application
9. Colleen Tobin - Application
10. Ronald McIver - Application