Stockton City Council/Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency/Public Financing Authority/Parking Authority Concurrent Meeting - December 12, 2023

The Stockton City Council met on December 12, 2023, in a combined session that began with a closed session at 4:03 PM, followed by the regular session at 5:30 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of items, including a pivotal public hearing on a new warehouse ordinance, a traffic safety update, funding for the California Street Road Diet project, contracts for the New City Hall renovation, and the annual habitat conservation fee schedule. Public comments addressed environmental justice concerns, labor negotiations, and community issues. The council adjourned at 8:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Utility Billing Lockbox Services (23-0860): Authorized an agreement with BMO Bank N.A. for lockbox services through June 2027 at $64,500/year. (Motion 2023-12-12-1201, carried 6-0)
• Adaptation Planning Grant (23-1108): Accepted a $650,000 Round 1 Adaptation Planning Grant from the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research. Pulled for discussion; public speakers (Pat Barrett, Jonathan Pruitt, Esperanz Vielma, Alicia Valenzuela) urged creation of a climate action commission with community voting power. Council approved Resolution 2023-12-12-1202 (6-0).
• Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant (23-1077): Authorized application for Round 5 (HHAP 5) funds. (Motion 2023-12-12-1203, 6-0)
• Police Firearms Purchase (23-1060): Approved a one-time purchase from ProForce for Glock firearms and optics, not to exceed $184,826. (Motion 2023-12-12-1204, 6-0)
• Swenson Park Golf Course Fence (23-1062): Awarded construction contract to Arrow Fence Company for $230,720 and reallocated $25,000 in discretionary funding. (Resolution 2023-12-12-1205, 6-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Warehouse Ordinance (Item 16.2): A lengthy public hearing saw approximately 25 speakers. Environmental justice advocates (Jonathan Pruitt, Hector Oliveris, Esperanz Vielman, Pandora Crowder, RC Thompson, Forejay Andrews, Elisa Valenzuela, Alyssa Leva, Roberto Contreras, Reverend Dwight Williams, Mary Elizabeth) expressed support for Option C with amendments (measures 11, 13, 14, 15) to strengthen setbacks, EV charging, solar installation, and labor standards. They argued that the current ordinance fails to protect South Stockton residents, who face an average life expectancy of 70-73 years compared to 81-82 years in North Stockton. Developers and business representatives (Matt Arnaze, Mike Souza, George Goudino, Scott Graffius, Liz Sutton) urged adoption of Option C as written, warning that added costs could deter development and job creation. The Sierra Club (Margot Pross, Eric Parfrey) critiqued the feasibility analysis and called for stronger mitigations. Jason Lee and others spoke in solidarity with residents.
• Non-Agenda Public Comments: Multiple city employees and union representatives (Mike DeAnda, Henry Torres, Mark Moreno, Nathan Castanon, Temo Aguilar) addressed ongoing labor negotiations, describing a three-day strike and demanding fair contracts with cost-of-living adjustments. They argued a market study was flawed and that employees are leaving for higher pay elsewhere. Ralph White raised concerns about discrimination in the nomination process for elected office. Natasha Brown and others highlighted neglect in District 6.

Discussion Items

• Warehouse Ordinance (23-1169) – Continued Hearing: The council continued the hearing opened on December 5, 2023, on an ordinance to add new logistic warehouse standards (Section 16.80.390) to the municipal code. Three options (A, B, C) were presented; the Planning Commission had recommended Option C. Staff (Matt Diaz) explained that Option C was the most feasible within the Attorney General’s agreement, but any amendments would require additional feasibility analysis. Councilmember Wright proposed adding amendments from environmental justice advocates (measures 11, 13, 14, 15) and increasing the applicability threshold from 100,000 to 400,000 square feet. Staff noted that adopting such changes without a feasibility study could violate the MOA with the AG. After debate, Councilmember Lenz made a motion to adopt Option C as written, with direction to staff to conduct a feasibility analysis on the proposed amendments and applicability changes, and to return with recommendations no later than the first council meeting in July 2024. The motion carried 6-0.
• Traffic Safety Update (23-1144): Captain Gary Benavides presented an informational update on the Stockton Police Department’s traffic section, which currently has 2 sergeants and 6 motor officers. Staffing constraints limit enforcement to only three of the top six primary collision factor locations. With full staffing (2 squads of 14 officers), the department could proactively address all six areas and each city district.
• California Street Road Diet (23-0890): Public Works Interim Director Chad Reed presented a project to reduce California Street from four lanes to two lanes with a center turn lane, adding 1.2 miles of Class IV and 3.8 miles of Class II bike lanes, signal upgrades, and a new crosswalk at California and Vine. Total project cost is $12.9 million. The council approved transferring $1,396,000 from various Measure K projects to fund the gap. (Resolution 2023-12-12-1502, 6-0)
• New City Hall Renovations (23-1106): The council approved three contract amendments/change orders totaling $1,201,725.41 (Amendment No. 7 to Indigo | Hammond + Playle for design support, $820,000; Amendment No. 2 to Griffin Structures for construction management, $288,464; Change Order No. 7 to Roebbelen Contracting, $93,261.41). No additional budget increase was required. (Motion 2023-12-12-1503, 6-0)
• Habitat Conservation Fee Schedule (23-0659): The council approved a 7.4% decrease in the 2024 development fee schedule for the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan. (Resolution 2023-12-12-1601, 6-0)

Key Outcomes

• Warehouse Ordinance Adopted (6-0): Approved Ordinance 2023-12-12-1602 adopting Option C of the logistic warehouse standards. Directed staff to perform a feasibility analysis on environmental justice advocate amendments (measures 11, 13, 14, 15) and on changing the applicability threshold from 100,000 to 400,000 square feet, with a report back by the first council meeting in July 2024.
• Climate Adaptation Grant Accepted (6-0): Resolution 2023-12-12-1202 authorized acceptance of $650,000 from OPR. Staff will issue an RFP by January 2024 and aim to complete the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan by October 2025.
• California Street Road Diet Funded (6-0): Resolution 2023-12-12-1502 transferred $1,396,000 from five Measure K projects and $549,695 from the Public Facility Fee Air Quality Fund Balance to the project.
• New City Hall Contracts Approved (6-0): Motion 2023-12-12-1503 authorized contract amendments and change order, resetting the City Manager's change order authority without increasing the overall budget.
• Habitat Fee Schedule Approved (6-0): Resolution 2023-12-12-1601 adopted the 2024 fee schedule with a 7.4% decrease.
• Closed Session Report: The city presented its last, best, and final offer to Operations & Maintenance and Trades & Maintenance units, including cost-of-living adjustments of 5% (FY23-24), 2% (FY24-25), and 3% (FY25-26), consistent with other ratified agreements.