Stockton City Council/Successor Agency/Public Financing Authority/Parking Authority Concurrent Meeting Summary – March 12, 2024

On March 12, 2024, the Stockton City Council met in closed session at 3:00 PM and reconvened for the regular concurrent session at 5:45 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. All seven council members were present for the regular session. The Council heard proclamations, public comment, informational presentations on behavioral health and violence prevention, approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending adjustments, and approved a pre-zoning and annexation request. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Closed Session

• The Council convened in closed session at 3:00 PM and recessed at 3:01 PM, returning at 5:22 PM. Closed session items included existing litigation, anticipated litigation, initiation of litigation, labor negotiations, and public employee performance evaluations.
• City Attorney Lori Asuncion reported that there was nothing to report from closed session.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved 7-0, with items 12.2, 12.8, and 12.10 pulled and voted on separately. Item 12.3 was removed by staff.
• 12.1: Authorized the City Attorney to execute agreements with seven bond and disclosure counsel firms to establish a pool for municipal debt issuance (Resolution 2024-03-12-1201).
• 12.2: Appointed Davis Harper to the AVA Community Energy Advisory Committee for a term ending December 31, 2025 (Resolution 2024-03-12-1202). Councilmembers praised Harper's environmental justice work. Approved 7-0.
• 12.4: Approved City Council minutes from December 5, 2023, December 12, 2023, December 19, 2023, and January 23, 2024.
• 12.5: Approved a two-year contract extension with SNF Polydyne, Inc. for wastewater treatment polymer at a not-to-exceed amount of $6,386,500 (Resolution 2024-03-12-1205).
• 12.6: Awarded SAK Construction LLC a $153,555 construction contract for the Brookside South Stormwater Pump Station Discharge Pipe Rehabilitation (Resolution 2024-03-12-1206).
• 12.7: Authorized a contract amendment with SwiftComply for a stormwater module software license at a total not-to-exceed amount of $384,640 (Resolution 2024-03-12-1207).
• 12.8: Awarded Convergint Technologies LLC a $512,365.94 contract for the Digital Camera Replacement Project (Resolution 2024-03-12-1208). Councilmember Padilla asked whether upgraded cameras could be used for traffic enforcement; Police Captain Kyle Pierce explained that red light cameras had previously resulted in a net financial loss for the city, and that flock cameras serve a different crime-fighting function. Approved 7-0.
• 12.9: Authorized equipment purchases for the Public Works Department, including a crane truck for $442,625.02, a chipper truck for $176,634.36, and a grapple truck for $289,615.60, using cooperative purchasing agreements (Resolution 2024-03-12-1209).
• 12.10: Awarded CSG Consultants, Inc. a $398,360 professional services contract for design of the Street Resurfacing on Federal-Aid Streets Fiscal Year 2023-24 Project, and appropriated $221,030 from Measure K fund balance (Resolution 2024-03-12-1210). Councilmember Padilla asked why a local vendor was not selected; staff responded that the selection process identified CSG as the most qualified for this project. Approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During public comment on matters not on the agenda, Pat Barrett thanked the Council for responding to her goal-setting meeting comments, but criticized the warehouse ordinance process and its impacts on South Stockton, describing air quality problems and what she called systemic oppression. Ben Amador publicly thanked the Office of Violence Prevention and the Peacekeepers, sharing that after a 10-year prison term he received help finding jobs, graduated college, and now has a six-figure career and owns his own home.
• During the Office of Violence Prevention update, Pat Barrett asked the Council to direct the City Manager to find OVP a permanent home. Toni McNeil praised OVP's growth, said the program and its partner organizations deserve more investment, and recommended that future reports include shout-outs to partner organizations.
• During the 3568 Arch Road public hearing, Pat Barrett opposed another gas station and fast-food development in South Stockton, saying the area needs real restaurants and grocery stores rather than more junk food and fossil fuels. Project owner Karam Via said the gas station would create 12-14 jobs and the two drive-thru restaurants would create about 20 jobs. Architect Mutena Ibrahim said the project includes 11 electric vehicle charging stalls.

Discussion Items

Community Medical Centers Project Updates

• This item was informational only; no action was taken. Staff presented updates on two projects managed by Community Medical Centers (CMC).
• Mobile Community Response Team / Community Well-Being Project: The mobile crisis response team launched in April 2023. From August 2023 through January 2024, the program received about 4,200 total calls, including roughly 1,200 initial calls with two to three follow-up calls each. About 34% of initial calls came from community members directly, 16% from businesses, 8% from residential callers, and about 11% combined from police and the Office of Violence Prevention. Approximately 95% of calls occurred between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. About 38% of callers were under 30 years old; the average age was 41. Among callers with race/ethnicity data, 35% identified as Hispanic, 35% as White, 20% as Black, 8% as Asian, and 1% as American Indian/Alaska Native. There were 118 calls involving people under 18. Females made up about 55% of calls with gender data. Zip code 95207 had the highest call volume. Clinicians performed 125 suicide or harm assessments and created 23 safety plans. Staff shared case examples involving housing, school support, and Social Security benefits.
• Opioid Settlement Agreement Project: The Council was reminded that the national opioid settlement is estimated at $43.3 billion, with California potentially receiving up to $3.875 billion and Stockton's weighted allocation percentage at 0.3256176%. Distribution may extend to 2040. Current settlement funds were reported at about $1.38 million, with about $61,000 from bankruptcy settlements and additional settlements still pending. CMC's Respite program on Stanislaus Street provides co-located residential and medical services, medication-assisted treatment, and aftercare. The program served 173 people in December, with 36 individuals receiving aftercare during the reporting period.

Office of Violence Prevention Annual Update

• This item was informational only; no action was taken. Director Laura Larson reported that OVP was fully staffed for the first time in over seven years.
• The program reported engaging 71 highest-risk individuals in 2023, with 58 choosing to receive services. OVP completed 156 referral follow-ups, mediated 56 active conflicts, and provided emergency relocation and permanent housing assistance. Community engagement efforts included sharing 1,829 groceries and 2,216 hot meals.
• Mental health services reached 167 clients, a 505% increase over the prior year. Eleven clients from the same group participated in group therapy for over six months. Fifteen clients graduated from a mindfulness-based substance abuse program, 20 graduated from a Choices for Freedom cognitive behavioral therapy class, and 8 graduated from an EMAC class. Staff noted that one client died on graduation night after someone spiked his drink with fentanyl.
• Staff also described the Comeback Kids high school diploma program, DMV classes, reflective travel trips, and a California Justice Leaders AmeriCorps program. Multiple councilmembers praised OVP staff, with Councilmember Villapudua describing them as true community leaders and Councilmember Wright calling them "resilience dealers."

American Rescue Plan Act Program Adjustments

• The Council adopted Resolution 2024-03-12-1503 by a 7-0 vote, approving recommended adjustments to ARPA programs and projects.
• Staff reported that the City was awarded $78 million in ARPA funds. Of that amount, approximately $37 million had been spent, $12.8 million was obligated, about $25.2 million was in near-obligation status, and about $2.9 million remained in contingency. Staff recommended reprogramming $10 million from project balances, the revenue loss fund, and council contingency to meet the federal obligation deadline of December 2025.
• The approved adjustments included:
  • $65,000 to complete the Arena Scoreboard Project;
  • $300,000 to add an additional year to the Non-Profit Capacity Building Program;
  • $300,000 for the Essential Worker Premium Payment shortfall adjustment;
  • $200,000 for a co-location Data Center as part of the City's Disaster Readiness Plan;
  • $1 million to complete the Emergency Generator Installation Project, adding six firehouse locations;
  • $4.124 million for the Stockton Animal Shelter Renovation Project's revised budget;
  • $2,011,000 to the Revenue Loss Fund;
  • $2,000,000 to the Council Contingency Fund; and
  • authorization for the City Manager to reallocate funds among approved ARPA projects as needed.
• Note: The staff presentation captured in the transcript did not mention the $300,000 Essential Worker Premium Payment allocation, but the adopted minutes include it as a separate approved adjustment.
• During discussion, Councilmembers Wright and Padilla expressed concerns about the animal shelter project's rising cost and timeline. Public Works Director Chad Beecher said construction costs and lead times have increased, the design is about 3,000 square feet larger than originally planned, the pre-qualified bidders list was posted, construction bidding was expected in May 2024, and construction was expected to start in fall 2024 with completion in 2025.

Hearings

16.1 Home Depot Sales Tax Incentive Agreement

• The scheduled public hearing to approve an Office and Industrial Sales Tax Incentive Agreement with Home Depot USA, Inc., and to amend program guidelines was pulled and not considered. The transcript shows the Mayor announced after opening the hearing that it had been pulled; no vote was taken.

16.2 3568 Arch Road Pre-Zoning and Annexation

• The Council held a public hearing for a proposed convenience store with a fueling station and two quick-serve restaurants at 3568 Arch Road. The Planning Commission had approved related entitlements on October 12, 2023.
• The Council approved Resolution 2024-03-12-1602 and Ordinance 2024-03-12-1602 by a 7-0 vote, finding the project exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15183, pre-zoning APN 181-120-01 to Commercial General, and authorizing the filing of an annexation application with the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission.
• Council discussion addressed traffic congestion, the vacant property's long history, the transition away from fossil fuels, and the desire for healthier food options. The project applicant said the gas station would operate 24 hours and the drive-thru restaurants would also be 24-hour freeway-oriented businesses.

Council Comments and Adjournment

• Councilmember Blower reported on numerous community events, including the Stockton Stars Dancing with the Dogs and Cats event, which raised nearly $200,000 for a mobile spay and neuter clinic; District 3 neighborhood traffic management kickoff meetings; and various local celebrations.
• Vice Mayor Warmsley thanked Stockton Police Officer Miles for helping her daughter after a car accident, praised Officer Yanez for recovering a stolen vehicle, noted receiving a Women's Collective award, and acknowledged a Stockton doctor who returned from providing care in Gaza. She condemned violence, especially against children and families, and referenced the 152-day humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Councilmember Padilla reported on the first Ad Hoc Homelessness Committee meeting, noting that St. Mary's and Gospel Rescue Mission presented; she estimated the city would have over 700 shelter beds once projects are completed, cited Gospel Rescue Mission's 71% program completion success rate, and urged responsible pet ownership.
• Councilmember Wright thanked Chief McFadden and City Manager Black for Stockton PD's participation in a retail theft task force meeting, called for continued Prop 47 reform, and called for a complete and total ceasefire in Gaza. He described Hamas's October 7 attack as unprovoked and said Israel's retaliation was "over the top," adding that if it "looks like genocide and walks like genocide, it is genocide."
• The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.