Stockton City Council Meeting - May 21, 2024

The Stockton City Council convened on May 21, 2024, at 5:30 PM following a closed session (3:00-4:35 PM). The regular session included consent items, public comments, proclamations, new business items, a public hearing on military equipment policy, and councilmember updates. Key actions included approving funding for the Navigation Center, the MLK Underpass design contract, the Mossdale Tract flood control assessment, and the AB 481 military equipment ordinance. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Ratified appointment of Esperanza Vielma to the Planning Commission (District 1 term ending Jan 31, 2027) – approved 7-0.
• Extended internal audit services contract with Moss Adams, LLC for two years plus two one-year options.
• Reallocated $1,798,000 in ARPA funds and $1,000,000 in Council Priority Project funds for the Navigation Center; authorized change order No. 2 with G&G Builders ($2,714,647.13) and amendment No. 1 with Griffin Structures ($200,000) for construction management.
• Approved contract amendment with Pre-Sort Center of Stockton for customer notice processing ($500,000).
• Approved four contracts for water/wastewater treatment chemicals through Bay Area Chemical Consortium for FY 2024-25.
• Declared that the Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency no longer exists in the City of Stockton water service area.
• Approved a three-year standard agreement (with two one-year options) for pre-employment background investigation services for the Police Department (not to exceed $1,863,891) – pulled and discussed; approved 7-0.
• Accepted AB 109 funding ($3,537,691) for the Community Corrections Partnership Task Force; amended FY 2024-25 budget accordingly.
• Approved a three-year agreement (with two one-year options) with All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for after-hours emergency care (not to exceed $522,508) – pulled and discussed; approved 7-0.
• Awarded a five-year service contract to R&S Erection Tri-County for gate/door/access control repair (not to exceed $750,000).
• Authorized cooperative purchase agreement with Routeware Global for SB 1383 compliance tracking software ($45,506 for implementation, $37,390 for one-year extension).
• Allocated up to $5,338,493.56 in HHAP grant funds for permanent housing projects: $1,000,000 for Calaveras Quarters and $4,338,493.56 for Satellite Apartments (with Delta Community Developers Inc.).
• Appointed Geneva Moorad to the Measure W Oversight Committee (partial term ending Jan 31, 2025) – pulled and approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pat Barrett: Thanked the council and mayor for voting to raise the Pride Flag; urged expediting new bathrooms at Matty Harrell and Eden Park.
• Dan Richardson: Complained about food truck vendors on Pershing Avenue violating city code (300-foot rule from parks, 30-minute/400-foot move requirement); cited excessive trash, distracted driving, and accidents; requested police enforcement.
• Trinidad Jaime: Reported homelessness, vandalism, littering, and fires along March Lane between Fred Russo and Bianchi; stated that lights on the divider were removed due to wire theft, posing danger to schoolchildren; said police said they could do nothing.
• Esperanza Vielma (item 12.1): Thanked Councilmember Padilla for nomination to Planning Commission.
• Geneva Moorad (item 12.13): Thanked Councilmember Padilla for appointment.

Discussion Items

• San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency (SJAFCA) – Mossdale Tract Overlay Assessment District (Item 15.1): Staff presented a proposed $473 million levee improvement project to protect ~22,500 properties in Weston Ranch and surrounding areas. The local cost share is ~$132 million, of which $31 million would be raised through a property assessment (average $2.6 million/year, with 94% of property owners paying less than $150/year). The City owns 10 parcels with combined annual assessments of ~$2,700. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the cost of inaction far exceeds the assessment. Council voted 7-0 to vote the City's ballots in the affirmative.
• Miracle Mile Community Improvement District (MMCID) – 2024 Operating Budget and 2023 Annual Report (Item 15.2): The district, with 90 property owners and a $237,000 annual budget, reported accomplishments including installation of 22 of 27 security cameras, contracted monitoring from 10 PM to 5:30 AM, and events like