Stockton City Council Meeting – December 5, 2023

The Stockton City Council met on December 5, 2023, in a concurrent session with the Successor Agency, Public Financing Authority, and Parking Authority. The meeting lasted from 4:05 PM (closed session) to 10:05 PM (regular session adjournment). Key actions included continuing a public hearing on new warehouse development standards and extending the Measure A sales tax for another decade.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments and Resolutions – Councilmember Daniel Wright was appointed to the Charter Review Advisory Commission (Resolution 2023-12-05-1201).
• Grants and Contracts – Multiple actions approved unanimously:
  • Amendment to the CalVIP grant agreement with Jack Roberson/Mora Learning Institute (not-to-exceed $290,000).
  • Acceptance of a $9,174 CalVIP Mental Health Services grant from the State Board of State Community Corrections.
  • Acceptance of the 2023 Annual Progress Report confirming 200-year flood protection for Reclamation District 2042.
  • Acceptance of a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant suballocation from SJCOG.
  • Contract amendments for Telestaff scheduling solution (UKG Kronos, $28,645.05) and policy management services (Lexipol, $179,700).
  • Five-year contract with Law Enforcement Psychological Services for pre-employment evaluations.
  • Acceptance of the 2022-23 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Report on school safety and approval of the City's response.
  • Award of professional services contracts for Dowtown East-West Connection ($258,500), Equinoa Park Phase II ($198,942), and Cannery Park ($222,542).
  • Rejection of all bids for the Citywide Sidewalk Repair Project.
  • Authorization for ADA Curb Ramp Installation project ($785,000 contract to Terocons, Inc.).
  • Submittal of grant agreement under Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
• All consent items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Warehouse Ordinance (Item 16.1) – Over 30 speakers addressed the council. Community and environmental justice advocates (Gloria Alonso, Pat Barrett, Margo Prauss, Jazmarie La Tour, Jasmine Leek, R.C. Thompson, Jonathan Pruitt, Ector Olivares, Espe Vielma, Eric Parfrey, Nate Knodt, Mary Elizabeth, Alicia Valenzuela, Sofia Canella-Torres, Roberto Contreras, Reverend Dwight Williams, Maria Velma, Lorie Diaz-Liddicoat, Frank Ferrol, Cassandra Leiva, Alyssa Leiva, Bob Gutierrez, Maria Monroy, Mario Enriquez, Raul Hernandez, Liz Sutton, Jason Lindsey, Damaris Leiva, Mike Souza, Kevin DalPorto, Rob Mitchell, Trevor Smith, Tamara Buenestro-Suguitan, Jeff Sanguinetti, Miguel Pulido) urged a continuance and stronger standards to protect public health, especially in South Stockton. They highlighted high asthma rates, shorter life expectancy (South Stockton residents live about 10 years less than North Stockton), and the need for more community engagement. Industry representatives (Rob Mitchell, Mike Souza, Trevor Smith, Kevin DalPorto) supported Option C as economically feasible and urged adoption.
  • Key statistic: Stockton has the second-highest asthma rate in California.
• General Public Comments (Non-Agenda) – Speakers addressed labor negotiations (OE3 representative Darren Semore, Loren Celestine, Mark Moreno, Dean Fadeff), encampment safety (Matt Ellis, Wasim Hassain), Victory Park Rose Garden (Jeff Gamboni), homicides (Cynthia Gail Boyd), retail tobacco ordinance (Mary Elizabeth), and workers' strike (Motecuzoma Sanchez).
• Measure A Extension (Item 16.2) – 16 speakers included Sharee Wilburn, Mister Lee, James Stutz, Clifford Rayasa, Junior, Christine DeHoyos, Damian, Jorge Mendoza, Michael Huiras, Ned Leiba, Cynthia Gail Boyd, Ernesto Gonzalez, Joshua Rayasa, Rev. E.L. Williams, Christina Fugazi, Dan Offield, and Motecuzoma Sanchez. Several young men testified about the positive impact of the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP). Some speakers questioned transparency and the effectiveness of Measure A, noting that sworn officer numbers have declined despite $360 million collected.

Discussion Items

• Warehouse Standards (Item 16.1) – Staff presented three options (A, B, C) plus a proposed Option D. Option A included all 26 standards from the Attorney General agreement; Option B adjusted 11 standards based on feasibility; Option C further adjusted 7 standards based on industry input. Staff reported 1,500+ hours of work costing over $170,000. The Planning Commission had recommended Option C. Council debated the need for more time to review information received late, versus meeting the December 31 deadline under the settlement agreements. City Manager Harry Black noted that approving an option would be an offensive move to defend against future litigation from the Sierra Club and Attorney General. Council voted 7-0 to continue the public hearing to December 12, 2023.
• Clean City Initiative (Item 15.1) – Informational update by Grace Smith (Solid Waste Manager) and Chad Reed (Interim Public Works Director). The initiative includes beautification events, community cleanups, drive-thru recycling, adopt-a-city, homeless encampment cleanups, and neighborhood betterment. Since inception, 1,238 tons of trash have been removed (2,476,000 pounds). Three more cleanups scheduled for December 9, 15, and 16.
• Measure A Sunset Extension (Item 16.2) – CFO Kimberly Trammell presented the case for extending the 0.75% sales tax, which generates ~$46 million annually (17% of general fund). Revenues have been used for Marshall Plan on Crime (police and OVP) and bankruptcy payments. The proposed ordinance extends the tax for 10 more years and includes a reprogramming of 60 unfilled police officer positions toward recruitment and retention. Council discussed transparency, auditing, and the need for a separate public safety earmark. The resolution (2023-12-05-1602) and ordinance (2023-12-05-1602) were approved 6-1 (Padilla dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Warehouse Ordinance – Public hearing continued to December 12, 2023, by a 7-0 vote (Motion 2023-12-05-1601). This continuation keeps the 26 Mariposa mitigation measures in effect for all future warehouse projects until an ordinance is adopted.
• Measure A Extension – Ordinance 2023-12-05-1602 adopted findings and extended the sunset of the tax measure. Resolution 2023-12-05-1602 amended the FY 2023-24 budget to reduce authorized police officer positions by 60 (from 485 to 425) and reprogram funds for retention/recruitment. Vote: 6-1 (Padilla no).
• Consent Agenda – All 15 items approved 7-0.
• Clean City Initiative – No action taken; informational only.