Stockton City Council Meeting - September 26, 2023

This meeting of the Stockton City Council, Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, Public Financing Authority, and Parking Authority took place on September 26, 2023, in the Council Chamber of City Hall. The meeting began with a Closed Session at 4:00 PM, followed by the Regular Session at 5:30 PM, which adjourned at 8:46 PM. Key actions included the unanimous settlement of a lawsuit, approval of a major hospital expansion for St. Joseph's Medical Center, a budget update, updates on the mobile community response program, and a discussion on a charter amendment for the Public Information Office.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved (7-0) the consent agenda, with the exception of items 12.5 and 12.6 which were considered separately. Item 12.5 authorized playground equipment replacement at Brooking Park ($139,998.57 to Miracle Construction Company), Panella Park ($246,499.00 to Yosso Group), and Weber Park ($139,954.62 to Ross Recreation). Item 12.6 authorized a Gas and Electric Extension Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric for the McKinley Park Renovation Project ($135,632.34). Both items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pat Barrett: Requested the Mayor to decree an ad hoc subcommittee for South Stockton residents and partner stakeholders to work directly with the planning commission ad hoc committee, bypassing third-party involvement, arguing it is necessary for equity and to address the Attorney General's requests.
• Rudy Hurtado: Expressed frustration with street cleaners, landscaping crews, and homeowners blowing debris back onto cleaned streets, increasing crime (tire theft, car theft), police response times limited to 911 calls, and overall understaffing across city services.
• Zoyla Moreno (District 6): Criticized the city for failing to address Western Ranch progress after the big box ordinance repeal and expressed disappointment for the agenda renewal of Measure A without accounting for collected funds, demanding transparency and community meetings.
• Cerissa Simmons: Expressed grief and urgency following the shooting of two teenagers near City Hall on September 25, urging the council to take action.
• Diana Buettner: Addressed the time limit for public speakers, claiming the three-minute limit violates the charter's five-minute allowance, alleging a "shadow board" making rules unconstitutionally, and calling charter change necessary unless voters approve a change.
• Motecuzoma Sanchez (on item 15.2): Asked for a line-item budget report on Measure A expenditures, questioning $300 million spent over 10 years with a net gain of only one police officer. Requested an audit and public disclosure.
• Motecuzoma Sanchez (on item 15.3): Opposed the proposed charter amendment, citing a fiscal impact, the process bypassing the charter review process, and lack of transparency around the city manager's office.
• Ralph White (on item 15.3): Opposed the charter amendment because the voters had already approved the charter language, stating the city manager is the best ever. He also argued the council is violating the charter by limiting speakers to three minutes instead of five.
• Julie Dunning (on item 15.3): Asked for careful cost-benefit analysis, noting the charter timeline, timing alongside the mayoral elections would confuse voters, and the issue hadn't been addressed in 23 years, questioning the urgency.
• Christina Fugazi (on item 15.3): Stated the city is in a state of emergency with failing management and prioritization of a charter change over public health, safety (including potholes, parks, and gun violence), and a suggestion to hire a public information officer out of the city manager's own budget rather than charter change.
• Lisa Vela (on item 16.1): Expressed full support for the St. Joseph's Medical Center expansion, citing significant economic and community benefits, including over $500 million increase in the annual economic impact, creation of approximately 780 new jobs, training of 142 medical residencies, and serving as the largest Medi-Cal provider.
• Zoila Moreno (on item 16.1): Asked for updates on traffic and noise mitigation, especially regarding construction phases and oversight of the confidential settlement with the Sierra Club.

Discussion Items

15.1 Community Well-Being Crisis Intervention Project Update

• Staff received an update on the Mobile Community Response Team (MCRT). Captain Kyle Pierce (Stockton Police Department) presented the program's strong performance, noting increased calls from 100 initial calls in the first six months to over 1,700 calls in the last four months. presented by program manager Lindsay Lopez and Alfonso Apu (Communicate Medical Centers). The program diverts individuals from 911/emergency response; use is 17% from police, 5% from dispatch, and 33% from community. The data showed 30% of calls for youth/young adults (18-30 years). The program is currently operational 7 days a week, 8 AM to 11 PM, with plans for a 24-hour model if data supports demand. Councilmembers noted the program's positive outcomes, potential for scaling, and asked about data collection, follow-up mechanisms, and the balance between police and MCRT response.

• 15.2 FY 2022-23 Third Quarter Budget Status Update

• Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Trammell and Budget Officer Imelda provided the financial results. General fund revenues of $188.5 million (66% of budget) were $24.1 million over projection, largely due to sales tax ($13.8M), utility user tax ($2.4M), business license tax ($1.8M), and franchise tax ($1.4M). Measure A sales tax contributed an additional $2.3 million beyond the second quarter. Expenditures of $326.6 million were projected under budget, with Police Department ($17M as of the quarter) and Fire Department ($3.5M) under budget. Staff recommended two budget amendments: an $18,000 increase for the Storm Drain Maintenance District and increased funding for Worker's Internal Compensation Service Fund. A continuation of appropriations for $9,060,939 in FY 2022-23 into FY 2023-24 for unding was authorized. The city's long-range financial plan was previewed, noting pension rates for 2024-25 are expected higher (17% higher than budget). The updated financial model will be presented after year-end close. The item passed unanimously.

• 15.3 Discussion and Direction on Charter Amendment for Articles XI and XI-A

• The discussion centered on a potential charter amendment to grant authority over the city's Public Information Office to the City Manager, and overall charter alignment. The public comments (Motecuzoma Sanchez, Ralph White, Julie Dunning, Christina Fugazi) highlighted significant concerns about the cost, timing (upcoming mayoral election), and jurisdiction over the PIO. Councilmembers debated a better chapter process: letting the voters decide (Councilmember Wright) or a community discussion process (Mayor Lincoln, Vice Mayor Wormsley). The council directed the City Clerk to establish a citizen advisory board to review the charter, prioritizing Article XI-A, and to bring back a timeline, milestones, and criteria for selecting members. The process is to be intentional, strategic, and ensure community engagement. No vote was taken on the amendment itself; the direction was unanimous.

• 16 St. Joseph's Medical Center Expansion Project

• This item required Council approval of three actions: 1) Certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) with a Statement of Overriding Considerations, 2) Approval of the Master Development Plan, and 3) Approval of a Development Agreement between the City and St. Joseph's Medical Center (Dignity Health). The EIR identified unavoidable significant aesthetic and greenhouse gas impacts, but the project includes a mitigation monitoring program and community benefits. The project involves a new 331,000-square-foot acute care hospital tower, a new 70-station emergency department, two new helipads, and a new parking structure. It creates approximately 780 new jobs (471 on campus), increases the medical residency program from 96 to 238, and adds significant economic to the region. The project passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

1. Closed Session Litigation Settlement: The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to settle the case of Laura Dinges v. City of Stockton for $650,000. No other reportable actions were taken.
2. Wastewater Supply & Water Treatment Services: The Consent Items 12.2 (Hydrant Services) , 12.3 (Waste Treatment Galvanic Chemicals) and 12.4 (DUI Enforcement Grant) were approved.
3. Playground Equipment Replacement (Item 12.5): The Council approved (7-0) $139,998.57 for Brooking Park; $246,499.00 for Panella Park; $139,954.62 for Weber Park. Contracts were awarded to Miracle Construction Company, Yosso Group, and Ross Recreation.
4. McKinley Park Renovation Gas & Electric (12.6): Approved (7-0) a $135,632.34 agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric for utilities.
5. Community Well-Being Crisis Intervention Project: Informational only. Team will return with a 24-hour plan based on data.
6. Fiscal Year Third Quarter Budget Update (Item 15.2): Adopted a $9,060,339 carryover of Capital and Special Projects and $18,000 Storm Drainage adjustment and Workers' Comp Fund balance allocation were authorized. Approved (7-0).
7. Charter Amendment Discussion (Item 15.3): The council directed to city clerk to:
   • Form a citizen review committee with one member per council district.
   • The committee will prioritize Public Information Office Alignment (Section XI-A) but will also conduct a broader charter compliance review.
   • Provide a timeline and milestones for review, including public hearings.
   • Criteria for member selection will be based on historical practices.
8. St. Joseph's Medical Center Expansion (Item 16.1): The Council formally certified the EIR with Mitigation Findings, approved the Master Development Plan, and approved the Development Agreement. Approved unanimously (7-0).
9. Future Community Meetings: City Manager announced a District 2 beautification event (Sept 30) and a Fire Department engine dedication (Oct 12).