Tuesday, City Councilmembers unanimously approved an agreement with the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) that will permit the SCCCD’s aviation program to take place at the Reedley Airport for both the school’s Aviation Maintenance Technology and Flight Science courses. The move will provide students with on-site, on-airport pilot training.
Apartment Complex
The Council also voted to approve an environmental impact report, a general plan amendment, a rezoning application, and a conditional use permit that pertained to a new eight-unit two-story apartment complex in central Reedley.
(Apartment Complex Images: City of Reedley)
The complex is not an affordable housing project but rather a traditional market-rate apartment complex that will be located at 261 E. North Avenue, just south of Lincoln Elementary School near Doughnut-To-Go. Each unit will be about 1,200 square feet in size that include three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The three-parcel property will eventually become one and is planned to include a total of seventeen parking stalls.
Downtown Streetscape rate increase
In the 1980s, business owners worked with city officials to establish the Reedley Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area Committee (Streetscape Committee) which created a fund generated by fees collected from businesses in the designated area that has led to improvements of the downtown speaker system, classic rooftop lighting, flower pots, and even the American flags and Christmas wreathes that are posted to light poles during their respective seasons. In addition, the fund pays for the pressure washing of the downtown sidewalks twice a year. In June, the city staff provided a presentation about the rate increase and scheduled a public hearing for the July 25 meeting. The notice of the proposed rate increase and the public hearing was mailed to businesses within the boundaries of the Streetscape Committee. No letters of opposition were received by the city and no public comment against the increase was given at Tuesday’s meeting. Citing inflation and increased landscaping costs, the rate hike from $16.50 per month to $20.00 was approved by City Councilmembers Suzanne Byers, Mary Fast, and Scott Friesen. Councilmember Tuttle recused himself due to his business in Downtown Reedley. The fee will go into effect on July 1, 2024, and a discount will be available to businesses that choose to pay annually.
Reedley Chamber receives an additional $25,000 in city funds
Beginning in 2012, the Reedley Chamber of Commerce has provided economic development services for the City of Reedley at an annual rate of $50,000. City Councilmembers Byers, Friesen, and Tuttle voted to amend the budgeted amount with an additional $25,000, bringing the total to $75,000 per fiscal year. Councilwoman Fast voted against the amendment. The specific services to be provided by the Chamber are available on the city’s website.
*Councilmember Anita Betancourt had no recorded vote as she was absent from the meeting.
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