Stockton City Council Regular Meeting – March 19, 2024

The Stockton City Council met on March 19, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:48 PM (preceded by closed session at 4:00 PM). The council conducted routine business, approved several consent items, adopted the 2024 legislative program, authorized special tax bonds for Westlake Villages II, accepted a regional homeless action plan, approved the annual financial audit, adopted new council priority goals, and accepted the 2023 General Plan and Housing Element annual progress reports. A proposed appointment to the Planning Commission failed for lack of a second, and councilmember Blower initiated a process to consider removing Motec Sanchez from city commissions.

Consent Calendar

• 12.1 – Accepted Proposition 111 Gann Limit, Core Revenues Audit, Measure M and Measure W audits for FY ending June 30, 2023.
• 12.2 – Accepted the independent accountant’s report on Measures A and B revenues and expenditures for FY ending June 30, 2023.
• 12.4 – Approved a resolution supporting Visionary Home Builders of California’s application for the Local Government Matching Grants Program for the La Passeggiata affordable housing project and approved the project budget.
• 12.5 – Authorized a $128,838.76 façade improvement forgivable loan to 345 E Channel Street, LLC.
• 12.6 – Awarded a six-year contract to Thirkettle Corporation (dba Aqua Metric Sales Company) for water meters and automated meter reading equipment and software, not to exceed $17,220,369.72.
• 12.7 – Awarded a $872,360 engineering services contract to VVH Consulting Engineers for wastewater pipeline depth-of-cover remediation design.
• 12.8 – Awarded a $178,440 contract to ARC Document Solutions for file room scanning and digital storage, and appropriated funds from Measure K and Community Development budgets.
• 12.9 – Ratified the submittal of an $8,150,000 RAISE grant application for Advancing Community Connectivity and Equity for South Stockton.
• 12.3 – A motion to ratify the appointment of Motec Sanchez to the Planning Commission (to fill a vacated District 1 term ending January 31, 2027) was made but received no second, so it failed. Public speakers included Motec Sanchez (defended his record and said the opposition was politically motivated) and Ralph White (opposed the appointment, citing Sanchez’s conduct). The consent agenda, except item 12.3, was approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Frank Gayaldo – Demanded the release of a $44,000 investigation report concerning a council member, threatening litigation if not provided, and criticized lack of transparency.
• David Madera (CEO, Gospel Rescue Mission) – Highlighted the mission’s accomplishments: cleaning 8 square blocks daily, collecting trash equivalent to “five times higher than the Empire State Building,” saving taxpayers an estimated $4.5 million in services. He noted 64 graduates per year from its New Life program, each representing a savings of ~$69,000 per person (based on a UOP study).
• Pat Barrett – Requested the council revisit smart camera discussions (suggesting use of interns, seniors, or retired police officers to monitor); asked to revisit pride flag raising verbiage for a June flag raising; criticized the approval of a gas station with fast food on the South Side (a food desert) shortly after a nutrition proclamation.
• Ralph White – Alleged misuse of public funds to purchase 15–16 tickets for a fire department event; threatened to report to the DA if not addressed within two weeks.
• Pandora Crowder – Described dangerous conditions on Manthey Road (no sidewalk, glass, needles, darkness, food trucks with floodlights, homeless encampments) and urged council members to drive the road at night. She noted the area is a food desert and the only crossing is far away.
• Jessica Velez (public comment on item 15.3) – Urged inclusion of true transitional housing (not shelter model) that allows pets; stated she has housed over 110 people and 45 families in 18 months on a $50,000 budget; criticized lack of urgency for a transitional village.
• Jon Mendelson (Executive Director, Central Valley Housing) – Supported the HHAP 5 plan; reported that in FY 2022-23 his organization provided emergency or permanent housing to 1,220 households (2,034 individuals, including nearly 1,000 children) at an average cost of $4,500 per household, compared to $56,000 per unsheltered person per year per a United Way/UOP study. He acknowledged capacity challenges but noted progress.

Discussion Items

• 15.1 – 2024 State and Federal Legislative Program – Staff presented accomplishments from 2023 (e.g., securing $3M for Morelli Park bubbler system, $3.1M for Miracle Mile substation, $4M for aquatics, $1M for vocational opportunities). For 2024, priority projects include workforce infrastructure, restorative justice adult housing support, Van Buskirk Park reuse, Pershing Avenue complete streets, animal shelter renovation, and police operations remodel. Lobbyist Kira Ross (Emanuels Jones) gave an update on the state budget (deficit estimated $38–$73 billion), Proposition 1 mental health bond (razor-thin margin), and pending bills on housing fees and retail theft. Summit Strategies’ Mark Dedrick addressed the RAISE grant for Pershing Avenue and emphasized coordinated advocacy. Motion approved 6-0.
• 15.2 – Special Tax Bonds for Westlake Villages II (Improvement Area 3) – Ken Deeaker (municipal advisor) outlined the bond issuance: estimated $13.96 million (not-to-exceed $15.5 million) for 277 planned residential units (88 homes already constructed, 95 sold as of March 1). The bonds are non-rated, have no city obligation, and provide a 1.1x debt service coverage. Councilmember Villapudua asked for updates; Jim Jemison (A.G. Spanos) confirmed the project is selling out. Resolution approved 6-0.
• 15.3 – Regional Homeless Action Plan and HHAP Round 5 MOU – Director Carrie Wright and Manager Melanie Astarzio presented the plan. Key findings: 40% increase in emergency shelter beds, 180 new units of homeless housing, but challenges with COC governance, data management, and lack of affordable housing. The regional allocation is $14 million; Stockton will receive $7.07 million directly. The plan includes strategies for permanent housing, coordinated entry, and cultural competency. Krista Pfizer (COC chair and Prevail CEO) noted the all-volunteer COC board and need for infrastructure. Motion approved 6-0.
• 15.4 – Independent Audit of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (FY 2022-23) – Auditor Sophia Kohl (the PUN Group) presented a clean (unmodified) opinion. Total assets ~$3 billion, net position $1.9 billion, unrestricted net position $69.9 million. General fund balance increased to $212 million (unassigned $48.5 million). The rainy day fund ratio (unassigned/expenditures) is 18.4%, and including committed/assigned funds, the ratio is 77.7% (about 9 months of expenditures). No material weaknesses reported, but internal control matters related to revenue recognition and receivables were noted. Motion approved 6-0.
• 15.5 – FY 2024-25 Council Priority Goals and One-Page Strategic Plan – City Manager Harry Black presented the updated plan based on the February 21 workshop. Councilmember Blower praised the addition of metric 4F (environmental and sustainability portfolio including tree canopy). Vice Mayor Warmsley confirmed inclusion of community policing and conflict mitigation metrics (1D and 1B). A duplicate listing was corrected. Motion approved 6-0.
• 16.1 – 2023 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports – Matt Diaz (Advanced Planning Manager) reported on the fifth housing cycle (ending 2023) and the upcoming sixth cycle (12,673 units needed; land capacity for 23,168). In 2023, 610 building permits were issued (including 51 ADUs, 69 deed-restricted low-income units). The city received a “Pro-Housing Designation” from the state. A councilmember criticized state density scoring that penalizes projects without four+ stories, noting the fairgrounds project received zero points despite high density. Motion approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (except 12.3) approved 6-0 (Councilmember Lenz absent).
• Planning Commission Appointment (12.3) – Motion failed for lack of a second; Motec Sanchez’s appointment not ratified.
• Removal Request for Motec Sanchez – Councilmember Blower, during council comments, requested that the removal of Motec Sanchez from all city boards and commissions be placed on the next agenda; Councilmember Villapudua seconded.
• All New Business items (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5) and Hearing item 16.1 were approved by 6-0 votes.
• Council Comments included expressions of condolences (Councilmember Wright for his brother; for Don Shalvey), recognitions (Gwendolyn Primos’s doctorate, USS Lucid open house April 27-28, Kitchen at Stonebrier anniversary), and references to upcoming advocacy trips (One Voice trip to Washington DC in May; proposed Sacramento lobbying day).