Stockton City Council Regular Meeting and Closed Session - June 4, 2024

The Stockton City Council met in closed session at 3:00 PM and in regular session from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on June 4, 2024. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approvals, several public hearings on assessments and subsidies, an appeal decision, and a discussion on charter amendments. Councilmember Daniel Wright was absent; all other members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Items approved unanimously (6-0) except where noted:
  • Quarterly Investment Report for Q1 2024.
  • Appointment of Anthony Sprague to Measure W Oversight Committee.
  • Appointment of Daniel Offield to Measure A Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
  • Nominations to California Correctional Health Care Services Facility CAC.
  • Reappointment of Gary Giovanetti to San Joaquin County Regional Transit District Board.
  • Helicopter maintenance agreement with Advanced Helicopter Services ($385,650).
  • Extension of agreement with Jocelyn E. Roland, Ph.D., ABPP ($117,840).
  • Streetscape landscape maintenance extension with Al Fresco Landscaping ($7,234,026.95).
  • Fuel management system terminal upgrades ($522,809.91).
  • Change order for On-Call Parks Pump Repairs ($50,000).
  • Item 12.8 (Total Cloud Solutions & Services) – Approved 6-0 after separate discussion. Contract with SHI Government Solutions via Omnia Partners for $712,800, using AI cameras for proactive code enforcement. Staff noted educational approach first.
  • Item 12.9 (Animal Shelter Renovation Bidders List) – Approved 6-0. One of seven bidders did not qualify; Stratus retained as qualified.
  • Item 12.13 (Victory Park Pool Construction Management) – Approved 6-0. Awarded to Roebbelen Construction ($607,706) for renovations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jason Lee – Criticized the city for failing to apply for $12M in opioid funds and $147M in state behavioral health funds; urged support for Gospel Rescue Mission to prevent 70 beds from closing. Noted county committed $300,000 while city gave zero.
• Katya Evanhoe – Requested a capitol project meeting; excited for Victory Park Pool groundbreaking but asked for evening events. Reported animal services understaffing (dead animal pick-up only Wednesdays). Read letters supporting trees.
• Julie Devincenzi – Described decorative iron rings strangling downtown street trees; said city closed her Ask Stockton case without action. Urged maintenance to save trees.
• Julie Dunning – Reported a large cork oak tree cut down May 26 as part of Miracle Mile RRFB project without public notice or contract mention; demanded contractor accountability.
• Dan Richardson – Thanked police for three-day enforcement on Pershing Ave (speeding up to 80 mph in 30 mph zone). Suggested speed bumps, double fine zones, and pavement markings.
• Emmanuel Lilly – Represented Encompass Global nonprofit; requested city support (fee waivers) for June 22 event at Weber Point giving food and clothing.
• Pat Barrett – Questioned code enforcement fees ($11M collected) while city properties overgrown; called for reinvestment in South Stockton.
• Zoyla – Thanked council for committee appointments; requested Spanish translation services.
• Ernestino Barrios – Described violence, drug activity, unsafe conditions in Weston Ranch shopping center, levee area, and green belt (trash piles, lighting issues). Asked for police patrols and accountability.

Discussion Items / Hearings

• 16.1 – 2023 Economic Development Subsidy Annual Report – Staff reported $13.2 million in subsidies (CESP, PFF reductions, sales tax rebates). Public comment: Julie Dunning argued subsidies produced no net tax revenue, no affordable housing, and disproportionately benefited Westlake development (units >$500k). Council voted 5-1 to accept (Padilla dissenting).
• 16.2 – Appeal of Planning Commission Approval (10505 Trinity Parkway) – Project to subdivide 18 acres into 5 lots for retail (In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, Dutch Bros, self-storage). Staff cited traffic analysis showing substantial stacking capacity (535 ft for In-N-Out, 904 ft for Chick-fil-A). Public: Julie Dunning opposed (health, too many fast food); Angelo Acevedo supported (jobs, economic catalyst). Council denied appeal, upheld approval 6-0.
• 16.3 – Holiday Park Maintenance District FY2024-25 Budget – Approved 6-0. $46,598 assessment (unchanged since 1996) plus $132,973 city subsidy for pool operations.
• 16.4 – Consolidated Storm Drainage Maintenance District No. 2005-1 – Approved 6-0. Levy of assessments across 15 zones; 3% escalator applied where allowed.
• 16.5 – Industrial Storm Drainage Basin Maintenance Districts – Approved 6-0. Six basins; assessments vary; North Newcastle below maximum due to incomplete improvements.
• 16.6 – Consolidated Landscape Maintenance District No. 96-2 – Approved 6-0. 27 zones, $6.7 million budget. Increases ranged 4.25% to 10.38% due to replacements.
• 16.7 – Central Stockton Lighting Maintenance District – Approved 6-0. Caldwell Park neighborhood; 278 decorative lights; assessment based on frontage (approx. $15-20 per lot).
• 16.8 – Charter Amendment (Articles XI & XI-A) – Public Information Office – No action. Staff presented revised language (e.g., City of Stockton PIO appointed by city manager; mayoral PIO appointed by mayor). Final vote scheduled June 27.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session (3:00 PM – 4:17 PM) – No reportable action.
• Consent Agenda – Approved 6-0 with three items pulled and separately approved (each 6-0).
• Economic Development Subsidy Report – Accepted 5-1 (Padilla no).
• Trinity Parkway Appeal – Denied; Planning Commission approval upheld 6-0.
• Assessment Districts (16.3 – 16.7) – All approved 6-0.
• Charter Amendment – Public hearing held; final adoption scheduled for June 27, 2024.
• City Manager Update – First budget study session scheduled for June 5, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
• Adjournment – 7:30 PM.