Rio Dell City Council unanimously approved a resolution Jan. 20 authorizing Police Chief Phinney to apply for up to $160,000 through the California Highway Patrol’s Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program and to execute related documents, according to the meeting agenda and minutes.
The minutes say the requested money would support DUI and drug-impaired driving enforcement, training, prevention and equipment, and that the city identified no local match. The agenda described the item as a resolution authorizing the chief of police to apply to the program and sign related paperwork.
The grant action was one of several public-safety and infrastructure items the council handled that evening. In the same meeting, the council also authorized an early purchase of a police patrol vehicle and took other consent-calendar actions, according to the minutes.
Resident Rick Pehlren, speaking during public comment, raised concerns about cannabis-impaired driving enforcement and asked questions about the Great Redwood Trail connection, the minutes say. City Manager Knopp also reported progress on a solid waste franchise agreement and said parametric earthquake insurance is expected to begin July 1, 2026.
The grant application now goes forward to the CHP program. The minutes do not say whether Rio Dell has previously received similar funding or what specific equipment or training categories would be prioritized if the grant is awarded.
