Stockton City Council / Successor Agency / PFA / Parking Authority Concurrent Meeting – January 9, 2024

The Stockton City Council held a concurrent meeting on January 9, 2024, beginning with a closed session at 4:00 PM and reconvening in regular session at 5:30 PM. The council unanimously authorized litigation to challenge the Delta Conveyance Project and approved a $125,000 settlement in a lawsuit. Major actions included approving a $1.3 million CDBG grant for a senior affordable housing project, awarding a contract for an all-accessible playground at Sandman Park, appointing a new Port Commissioner, and ratifying emergency purchases for public safety radios and vehicles. Public comment focused on equity for South Stockton, homelessness, park conditions, and transparency.

Closed Session (4:00 PM – 5:10 PM)

• Report of Actions Taken: City Attorney Lori Asuncion reported that the council unanimously (7-0) authorized initiating litigation to challenge the Delta Conveyance Project. The council also voted 7-0 to settle Melvin Justin Curry v. City of Stockton (Case No. 2:23-CV-01535) for $125,000.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda with a single 7-0 vote, except for items 12.4, 12.6, 12.10, and 12.13, which were pulled for separate discussion.
• 12.4 (pulled): Accepted a $400,000 state grant (AB 102) for Uplift All Foundation’s Loads of Hope Program to provide mobile laundromat services for homeless individuals. The motion carried 7-0.
• 12.6 (pulled): Approved granting a permanent underground utility easement to PG&E at 3638 East Hammer Lane for electric upgrades at Water Well No. 26. The council confirmed the city retains responsibility for site mitigation. Motion carried 7-0.
• 12.10 (pulled): Awarded a five-year service contract (not to exceed $900,000, plus optional extensions up to $1,300,000) to American Chiller Service for HVAC maintenance. Concerns were raised about the lack of Stockton-based bidders and union status; the motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember Wright voting no.
• 12.13 (pulled): Awarded a $956,640 construction contract to Pavement Coatings Co. for the FY 2022-23 Slurry Seal project, with $500,000 appropriated from Gas Tax funds. Motion carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Stebbins (South Stockton Merchants Association) presented four resolutions: 1) consider justice and equity for South Stockton in all decisions; 2) establish a board to oversee development of Van Buskirk golf course; 3) name the new Northeast Stockton Library after the Atai family; 4) begin planning an agriculturally themed amusement park at the fairgrounds.
• Pat Barrett criticized the delay in adopting warehouse ordinance amendments, urging the council to act without further delay and to consider the impact on South Stockton.
• Jason Lee alleged that his California Public Records Act request to the Stockton Police Department was intercepted by the city manager’s office, and he expressed intent to pursue legal action if not fulfilled, stating “nobody is above the law.”
• Denise (Loyalty and Family CTF Inc.) complained that the city refused to fund their nonprofit’s community events (backpack, toy, turkey giveaways) while funding “fake organizations”; she called for accountability.
• Aaron Paradiso criticized council decorum policy as censorship, expressed frustration with homelessness, fentanyl overdoses, and school issues, and used profanity to emphasize his view that the city’s leadership has failed.
• During the Sandman Park playground item, Pat Barrett, Denise, Dione Smith, Jason Lee, and Aaron Paradiso all spoke, decrying neglect of South Stockton parks and demanding equity in park funding and youth programs.

Discussion Items

15.1 – Danny Drive Senior Living Project

• Staff presented a $1.3 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to Delta Community Developers Corp. to acquire two parcels (6303 and 6304 Danny Drive) for a 110-unit, 100% affordable senior housing project (ages 62+). The project will be built in two phases, include on-site property management and supportive services, and leverage tax credits and other funding. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the need for senior housing and the developer’s track record. The resolution approving the grant and allocating 110 affordable housing units under Article XXXIV of the California Constitution passed 7-0.

15.2 – Sandman Park Playground Replacement

• The council approved a $395,405 contract with Yosso Group dba Specified Play Equipment Co. to install an all-accessible playground at Sandman Park (16 acres, built 1978). The playground will feature rubberized surfacing, wheelchair access, sensory rails, and a stability sanctuary. Additional parking and pathway improvements are planned with anticipated savings. The project is the second all-inclusive playground in Stockton. Public comment highlighted inequity in park investment for South Stockton. The resolution passed 7-0.

15.3 – Appointment to Stockton Port Commission

• Following ranking of candidates, the council appointed Margaret Stephens to the Stockton Port Commission for a term January 16, 2024 to January 15, 2028. The resolution passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Litigation Authorized: Unanimous vote to challenge the Delta Conveyance Project.
• Settlement Approved: $125,000 settlement in Curry v. City of Stockton.
• Loads of Hope Grant: $400,000 accepted for mobile laundromat services for homeless.
• PG&E Easement: Granted for Hammer Lane well site; city retains mitigation responsibility.
• HVAC Contract: Awarded to American Chiller Service (6-1), with Councilmember Wright dissenting.
• Street Resurfacing Contracts: Approved for Slurry Seal ($956,640) and Mill and Overlay ($704,298) projects.
• Senior Housing Grant: $1.3 million CDBG for Danny Drive Senior Living (110 units).
• Sandman Park Playground: Contract awarded for all-accessible playground ($395,405).
• Port Commissioner: Margaret Stephens appointed.
• Emergency Purchases Ratified: Contracts for public safety radio maintenance (Motorola, $416,043) and police/fire vehicles (four Chevrolet Tahoes and four Ford Expeditions, total $428,602.72) were ratified.
• Upcoming Workshops: Council priority setting session on February 21, 2024; ARPA workshop on February 28, 2024 (both open to public).