Stockton City Council Meeting Summary — June 18, 2024

The Stockton City Council met in concurrent session with the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, Public Financing Authority, and Parking Authority on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The regular session began at 5:32 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall (425 N. El Dorado St.) and adjourned at 8:03 PM. Councilmembers Michael Blower, Brando Villapudua, Michele Padilla, Kevin J. Lincoln II (Mayor), Kimberly Warmsley (Vice Mayor), and Daniel Wright were present; Councilmember Susan Lenz was absent. Vice Mayor Warmsley participated by teleconference from Washington, DC. The scheduled closed session was cancelled, so no closed-session report was given. There were no administrative matters, unfinished business, or new business items. Every item voted on passed 6-0.

Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was approved 6-0 in a single vote, except for items 12.1, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.14, 12.15, 12.16, and 12.18, which were considered and voted on separately (each passing 6-0). Approved items included:

• Resolution 2024-06-18-1206: sale of exempt surplus real property at 435 Don Carlos Avenue (APN 079-053-16) to Maurilio, Flora, and Luis Arroyo for $5,000.
• Resolution 2024-06-18-1207: Anchor QEA, LLC consulting agreement, not to exceed $489,801, for maintenance dredging of Buckley Cove Inlet, with a $189,801 budget amendment from the Boat Launching Facilities fund balance.
• Motion 2024-06-18-1208: amendments to pre-employment background and personnel investigation service agreements — The Gumshoe Group increased by $479,600 (total not to exceed $689,600) and DR Associates International reduced by $75,000, with expanded use by the Human Resources Department and authority to reallocate funds between the two agreements.
• Resolution 2024-06-18-1209: new classification specifications and salary ranges for Events Technician I/II, Events Coordinator, and Events Manager in the Economic Development Department.
• Resolution 2024-06-18-1210: Contract Change Order No. 5 with Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, extending the contract to August 31, 2024, ratifying $30,063.74 in outstanding invoices, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $2,622,254.
• Resolution 2024-06-18-1211: ratification of final expenses of $491,178.50 to Lind Marine and associated contractors for salvage and disposal of the sunken tugboat Mazapeta, with competitive bidding findings.
• Resolution 2024-06-18-1212: $853,250 professional engineering services contract with Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers for design of the Lincoln Street Pump Station and Force Main Project.
• Motion 2024-06-18-1213: three-year extension with Bay Alarm Company for $1,365,041.16 (new total not to exceed $2,635,003.76), plus a $350,000 contingency for upgrades and expansions of fire, camera, and security alarm systems.
• Resolution 2024-06-18-1217: Transportation Management Center Equipment Upgrade — fund transfers of $300,000 and $371,550.78, CEQA Notice of Exemption No. NOE49-23, and a $3,845,696.33 construction contract with Econolite Systems, Inc.
• Resolutions 2024-06-18-1219-01, -02, and -03: legal services agreements with Redwood Public Law, LLP; Telecom Law Firm, PC; and Hanson Bridgett LLP.
• Motion 2024-06-18-1202: approval of the City Council minutes of May 14 and May 21, 2024 (Reverend E. Williams spoke to this item).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Easter requested deferral (not waiver) of a $15,000 fee so his veterans program can begin serving homeless veterans; he said the goal is to help veterans with benefits, PTSD, and housing.
• Zoyla M. expressed support for funding the Gospel Center Rescue Mission and criticized the lack of Spanish translation services, saying the city must serve the Latino community.
• Ernestina B. (translated by a community volunteer, Brandon) described ongoing violence in District 6 and worsening homelessness on Caroline Street; she said she has lived in Stockton for 12 years without seeing change and requested city-provided translation services.
• Scott Sinclair spoke in favor of a budget amendment to add permanent pickleball courts to Grupe Park, citing demand and noting other valley cities with public courts (Lodi 6, Modesto 12, Elk Grove 6, Tracy 2).
• Dan Richardson and Julie Devencinzi complained about loud amplified noise at Victory Park, stating code enforcement drove by without acting; Richardson invoked municipal code 8.20 and asked the city to enforce noise and volume restrictions.
• Ron Vas De Pol, Sandra Maple Deaver, Lindsey Medina, Cody Walker, Dan Van Groningen, Carrie Williams, Tyson Fight, Kendra Keiserman, David Medura, Gary Daniel, Bill Conley, and Bill Stormer spoke in support of continued city funding for the Gospel Center Rescue Mission. Statistics cited included: 15.8 million meals served since 1940; over 65,000 breakfasts and dinners served to homeless and needy individuals in the past year; 627 individuals served and over 507,000 bed days in the only COVID isolation unit in the county since June 2020; 464 unduplicated women's emergency lodging guests and 177 unduplicated new life program students last year; an approximately 71% success rate for the men's new life program; 18 graduates currently living on campus, 13 working full-time or on SSI; and 10 men helped into housing this year alone. David Medura said homelessness costs about $69,100 per person per a cited study and that roughly 64 graduates per year save Stockton taxpayers almost $4.3 million annually. Bill Conley (former board president) said the mission's long-term recovery success rate is over 70% versus an industry standard of less than 20%, and that over 80% of program funding is used directly on students. Bill Stormer, a hardware store owner, said 100% of the over 100 formerly incarcerated men and women he has hired over 28 years came from broken families.
• Gil Parker and Marian Lindo supported adding public pickleball courts at Grupe Park, describing a community of about 100 players and noting San Jose has 71 courts and Elk Grove has 37.
• Julie Dunning raised transparency concerns about the removal of the 75-year-old tree at West Adams and the Miracle Mile, questioning why the city's documentation took 30 days and five requests to release and whether staff should have obtained council approval for changes to an approved project.
• Satnam Singh, on behalf of the Sikh community, requested that the council affirm its commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and human rights on the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh genocide, and spoke about ongoing transnational repression.
• Pandora Crowder requested donations for her July 20 backpack giveaway; she said 400 backpacks were distributed last year and at least 200 more are needed this year.
• Cynthia Gail Boyd made critical remarks about the mayoral race, equal rights, Grand Jury findings, and the Stockton Police Department; she was asked to take her seat after an outburst.
• Public comment on consent items: Reverend E. Williams (item 12.2) raised Brown Act concerns, saying a councilmember reportedly violated the Brown Act and should be censured; Christina Fugazi (item 12.14) noted the Safe Routes to School project is $4.1 million while the account holds $2.673 million, recommended a HAWK signal at Montezuma, and said the design will be completed in November 2024; Dan Richardson (item 12.15) complimented the six restrooms but raised sewer-gas and odor concerns at Victory Park; Christina Fugazi (item 12.18) requested EV charging stations for the new City Hall parking lot.

Discussion Items (Pulled from Consent)

• Item 12.1 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1201): Reestablished the Ad-Hoc Homelessness Committee in an advisory capacity. Councilmember Blower noted the committee met about twice last year and once this year and asked how to make it more effective; the City Clerk suggested a less formal roundtable format that does not trigger Brown Act requirements. Councilmember Padilla (chair) said the committee kept being bumped from the calendar; Vice Mayor Warmsley urged coordination with other municipalities and the continuum of care. Mayor Lincoln listed past committee presentations (governor's office, St. Mary's Community Services, Gospel Center Rescue Mission, Housing Authority of San Joaquin County, Family Promise of San Joaquin). Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.3 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1203): Accepted a $1,000,000 U.S. Department of Labor grant through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for a youth workforce pilot. Laura Larson, director with the Office of Violence Prevention (as rendered in the transcript; the minutes do not name her office), said the 20 participants would be existing office clients referred for the pilot. Vice Mayor Warmsley highlighted the role of the One Voice advocacy effort. Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.4 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1204): Amended City Council Policy Manual Chapter 2.06 to add a policy defining the use of City Council letterhead. Blower said this was apparently the first such guidance in the city's roughly 175-year history; Warmsley said it was needed for transparency, fairness, and accountability. Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.5 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1205): Accepted and appropriated $1,000,000 from the California Department of Developmental Services for vocational opportunities for people/adults with intellectual disabilities. Councilmember Villapudua thanked Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua for advocating the grant; the city plans to issue a NOFA (notice of funding availability) in the fall. Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.14 (Motion 2024-06-18-1214): Awarded R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. a $389,959 professional services contract for design of the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure Project. Councilmember Wright reiterated concerns about the West Lane/Alpine Avenue sidewalk gap, which involves city, county, and Union Pacific Railroad jurisdictions, and said students currently walk in the street or wet ditches; Vice Mayor Warmsley suggested a broader conversation with school districts about Safe Routes to School. Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.15 (Motion 2024-06-18-1215): Authorized the purchase of six Exeloo contactless park restrooms — five for $1,277,200.96 (Project No. WP22016) and one for Sousa Park for $243,514.72 (Project No. WP24032). Public Works Director Chad Reed said fabrication lead time is about 9 months, with installation in roughly 15-16 months. Councilmember Wright noted one restroom is planned for Grupe Park. Reed said staff will investigate the Victory Park sewer-gas complaint and confirmed an additional restroom is coming to Victory Park. Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.16 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1216): Appropriated $161,500 from Measure K and $646,000 from the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, and awarded Fehr and Peers a $539,186.42 contract to develop the Vision Zero Action Plan. Councilmember Wright cited Smart Growth America's "Dangerous by Design" report showing Stockton had the worst pedestrian death rate in the United States in 2022 and improved to 19th in 2023. Approved 6-0.
• Item 12.18 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1218): Appropriated/transferred $400,000 ($200,000 from the Public Facility Fee — Air Quality Program and $200,000 from the ADA Compliance Program), approved Griffin Structures Amendment No. 4 for $358,940 in construction management services, and awarded Knife River Construction a $4,401,044.10 contract for the Stockton City Hall Parking Lot. Staff stated the parking lot is plumbed and ready for solar panels and EV charging stations, although they are not included in this project, and that a larger citywide EV charging/solar plan will come back to council. Approved 6-0.

Public Hearings

• Item 16.1 (Ordinance 2024-06-18-1601): Approved a zoning map amendment rezoning approximately 0.80 acres at 709 North Center Street (APN 137-180-30) from Commercial, Neighborhood (CN) to Residential, High Density (RH). Mike McDowell, assistant director of Community Development, presented the Park Center Apartments project — a 51-unit affordable housing development by the Housing Authority of San Joaquin, with construction that began February 4, 2024, and completion expected in about 18 months; a merger of the three project lots is required. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. No public comments; approved 6-0.
• Item 16.2 (Resolution 2024-06-18-1602): TEFRA public hearing re-certifying the public benefit of the Grand View Village Apartments (240 E. Miner Ave. and 240 N. Hunter St.), a 75-unit rental housing facility for low-income households developed by Visionary Home Builders (VCOR Limited Partnership). Economic Development Director Carrie Wright reported the project is fully leased up as of February 21, 2024. The resolution renews approval of up to $23,000,000 in California Municipal Finance Authority multifamily housing revenue bonds for refinancing; the bonds are not a debt of the City. The required public notice was published on June 7, and the original TEFRA approval was granted January 12, 2021. No public comments; approved 6-0.
• Item 16.3 (Resolutions 2024-06-18-1603, PA 2024-06-18-1603, and SRD 2024-06-18-1603): Adopted the FY 2024-25 Annual Budget, the 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan, the FY 2024-25 Fee Schedule, the FY 2024-25 California Constitutional (Gann) Appropriations Limit, and the FY 2024-25 budgets for the Parking Authority and the Successor Agency to the former Stockton Redevelopment Agency. Budget Officer MLD Arroyo presented the budget: the citywide proposed budget is $956 million, up $43.5 million (4.8%) from the FY 2023-24 adopted budget; citywide revenues total $873 million excluding interfund transfers. Inflation drove a 12.4% increase in fuel, chemicals, and other materials and a 10.8% increase in utility costs. The general fund expenditure budget is $328.3 million, with revenues of $320.5 million; approximately 74% of the general fund is spent on public safety (fire is about 20% of the total at $66 million). Budgeted reserve targets increase: working capital from $48.3 million to $54.7 million, known contingency from $74 million to $93.3 million, and priority 2 risk-based reserves from $80.8 million to $89 million. The budget adds 31 new full-time positions (costing $4.8 million, with $4.1 million from the general fund) plus 12 mid-year positions, but reprograms 60 police positions toward recruitment and retention, resulting in a net decrease of 17 full-time positions for a total of 1,773. The five-year CIP totals $1.4 billion (transportation $779.1 million, general government $398.7 million, utilities $281.4 million); about $315.9 million of years 2-5 projects have proposed funding sources, while about $1.1 billion have no identified funding source. The 20-year long-range financial plan (through FY 2041-42) assumes recessions every 7 years with 5% revenue reductions and shows the general fund falling below the recommended reserve level around FY 2034-35 after pension trust funds are used. Councilmember Wright noted unfunded needs remain large, citing roughly $1.8 billion in unfunded projects (staff's presentation cited about $1.1 billion without identified funding in years 2-5; the figures reflect different scopes), and urged continued state and federal advocacy. No public comments; approved 6-0.

Council Comments & Updates

• Vice Mayor Warmsley: reported a June 7 Weston Ranch operation resulting in 11 traffic stops, 5 arrests, 6 citations, and 2 tows; called for follow-up outreach on AI code enforcement and weed abatement ahead of fire season; promoted the June 20 youth job fair at WorkNet, a San Joaquin Community Foundation informational session on housing-development grants of up to $350,000, and the June 20 deadline to vote on Proposition 218 for 200-year flood protection; noted community centers are open as cooling centers during heat waves; celebrated the $1 million workforce appropriation for the special-needs community.
• Councilmember Wright: wished a happy Juneteenth; noted the MC3 apprenticeship program graduation; reported that Stockton joined AVA Community Energy in 2022 and will come online in April 2025 at a 5% reduction from PG&E energy procurement rates, and that Howard Chang was appointed AVA's new CEO; recommended Smart Growth America's "Dangerous by Design" report as his source for pedestrian safety rankings; closed in memory of Willie Mays, who died that evening.
• Councilmember Padilla: thanked Janet Benninger for picking up trash in the community; promoted summer activities, the Fourth of July parade/festival/fireworks at Weber Point, and fireworks laws; supported the letterhead policy; called for enforcement at Victory Park; noted translation services are being expanded; wished a happy Juneteenth.
• Councilmember Blower: recapped recent community events (Stockton Arts Commission Art Night, King Card Club ribbon cutting, NAACP Prayer Breakfast, Teachers College of San Joaquin graduation — congratulating his wife, Young Legislators Program, Steve Dial's retirement from the San Joaquin Council of Governments, City of Stockton Employee Appreciation Picnic, Stocktonian of the Year Sharon Benninger, Woodbridge Irrigation District's 100th anniversary, Juneteenth Festival); promoted the MC3 graduation and an upcoming National Organization of Regional Councils trip; wished Councilmember Dan Wright a happy birthday.
• Councilmember Villapudua: thanked City Manager Harry Black and Assistant to the City Manager Florence Low; promoted Encounter Jesus in the City (June 22) and the Let's Go Backpacks event (July 20).
• Mayor Lincoln: highlighted the Juneteenth Festival, American Legion Car Show, and Employee Appreciation Lunch; commended RTD for providing free transportation for veterans attending the VA ribbon cutting.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar and all individually considered consent items passed 6-0, with Councilmember Lenz absent.
• The Ad-Hoc Homelessness Committee was reestablished (Resolution 2024-06-18-1201).
• The FY 2024-25 budget package was adopted, including the $956 million citywide budget, the 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan, the fee schedule, the Gann limit, and the Parking Authority and Successor Agency budgets (all 6-0).
• The 709 North Center Street property was rezoned from Commercial, Neighborhood to Residential, High Density for the 51-unit Park Center Apartments (6-0).
• The TEFRA public benefit was re-certified for up to $23,000,000 in bond financing for Grand View Village Apartments (6-0).
• Staff was directed to investigate the Victory Park sewer-gas/odor complaint raised in public comment and to return with a larger citywide EV charging/solar plan.
• Contract awards were approved for the Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Closure design ($389,959 to R.E.Y. Engineers), six Exeloo contactless park restrooms (total $1,520,715.68), the Vision Zero Action Plan ($539,186.42 to Fehr and Peers), and the City Hall Parking Lot construction ($4,401,044.10 to Knife River Construction).