TO: Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Beth Lindauer, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
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Adopt Resolution 07-2026 of the Red Bluff City Council Waiving Certain Building Permit, Plan Check Fees, and Inspection Fees for the Installation of donated playground equipment and a sponsor sign at Trainor Park.
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
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1. Conduct a public hearing regarding the acceptance of an additional donated playground structure and donated installation services, and consider waiving applicable building permit fees associated with the project; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 07-2026 approving the installation of the playground and waiving associated building fees.
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SUMMARY:
As part of the previously approved playground improvement project at Trainor Park, the project administrators are requesting consideration of a fee waiver for the installation of a proposed 36-inch-by-36-inch freestanding aluminum monument sign and an additional play structure known as a moon crater climber.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
At the regular meeting on 08/05/2025, Scott Miller, Public Works Director, presented the Trainor Park improvement project and requested that Council conduct a public hearing to accept a donation of a playground structure, a donation of the installation fee, and a waiver of building and development fees. By unanimous vote, Council adopted Resolution No. 26-2025 approving the installation of the playground and waiving associated building fees.
DISCUSSION:
The organizations involved in the project include the Red Bluff Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Active 20/30 Club, Sunrise Rotary, Latino Outreach, and Soroptimists, all of which are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. Collectively, these organizations contributed financial resources, volunteer efforts, and community support toward the completion of a playground improvement project in 2025, valued at more than $25,000, including playground equipment and installation costs.
Following completion of the primary improvements, the Rotary Club informed staff that additional funding was available to cover installation labor for a dome play structure that had already been purchased as part of the overall playground improvement project. The donated structure and associated installation services have an estimated combined value of approximately $5,000 and are being provided entirely at no cost to the City.
As a final component of the project, the applicant proposes installing a 36-inch-by-36-inch freestanding aluminum monument sign to commemorate and recognize the organizations whose contributions made the playground improvements possible. The estimated project cost for the sign is $7,359, consisting of approximately $5,959 in materials and $1,400 in labor.
Pursuant to City Code Section 17.9(A), “[a] developer of any project subject to the fees described herein may apply to the City Council for a reduction, adjustment, or waiver of any one or more of the fees.” Section 17.9(B) further provides that the City Council shall consider such requests at a public hearing upon submission of the request and supporting factual basis.
Historically, the City Council has exercised its discretion to waive certain project-related fees for projects sponsored or supported by community-based nonprofit and civic organizations where a demonstrated public benefit exists. Additionally, the City Council has adopted a Fee Waiver Request Policy establishing criteria and factors for evaluating fee waiver requests.
1. Would the project in question be of general benefit to the residents of the City of Red Bluff?
2. Whether the project will be able to otherwise fund the cost of the permits.
3. Whether the project will be completed within 18 months without further City assistance.
4. Whether the organization has previously requested a fee waiver for that project.
5. Whether there is adequate funding to complete the project within 18 months.
6. Whether the organization will comply with all permit application processes.
7. Whether the organization requesting the fee waiver is a legal non-profit entity recognized under the Internal Revenue Code.
8. Other factors deemed relevant by the City Manager, the Finance Director, or the City Council.
This project would be subject to the following fees:
Building Permit Administration & Inspections $ 528.00
SMIP - Nonresidential $ 3.46
SB 1473 $ 1.00
Sign Permit $ 174.40
TOTAL $706.86
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
Should the City Council approve the requested fee waiver, the General Fund would assume responsibility for payment of the applicable State-mandated fees, including the SB 1473 fee of $1.00 and the Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (SMIP) fee of $3.46. This waiver would result in an estimated total revenue reduction of $702.40 to the Community Development Department enterprise fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Invoice Sign and Equipment Installation
2. Plans from UPLAY
3. Photo of Equipment
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 07-2026
A RESOLUTION OF THE RED BLUFF CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the Trainor Park property, located at 1000 Trainor Street, is owned by the City of Red Bluff; and,
WHEREAS, Red Bluff project administrators have requested the City to waive Building Permit, Plan Check, and Inspection Fees associated with the tenant improvement project; and,
WHEREAS, the requested fee waiver would result in a shortfall of revenue to the City totaling $702.40 from unpaid Building Permit, Plan Check, and inspection fees; and,
WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund will pay $3.46 in SMIP fees and $1.00 in SB 1473 fees to the State of California; and,
WHEREAS, the City wishes to support the Red Bluff Rotary and all associated partner organizations of this project and their efforts to achieve growth and opportunities for the community within the City;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED ON MAY 19, 2026, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RED BLUFF:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council finds that the requested fee waiver will benefit the City’s economic and community development in the City.
3. The City Council hereby grants the building permit, administrative fees, and inspection fee waiver request submitted by Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce, waiving the fees set forth in Attachment A attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
ATTEST: ___________________________
Mayor’s Signature
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Deputy City Clerk