Stockton City Council Meeting - October 1, 2024

The Stockton City Council met in regular session on October 1, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:29 PM (closed session from 4:30 PM to 4:48 PM). The council approved consent items, heard public comments on various community concerns, and took action on new business including a mental health care coordination contract, updates from Community Medical Centers, and the Fiscal Year 2023-24 third quarter budget. All votes were 7-0 unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved amendments to the Periscope Holdings contract for procurement support services, increasing the total to $525,000.
• Approved the First Amended Employment Agreement for City Attorney Lori M. Asuncion, with an annual salary of $318,146 and $7,000 per year for professional development.
• Appointed a member to the Stockton Civil Service/Equal Employment Commission.
• Approved city council minutes from September 10 and 17, 2024.
• Approved the second follow-up response to the 2023-24 San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury report on cold cases.
• Approved the sale of surplus property at Diamond Street and East Worth Street to Stockton Tri Industries LLC for $10,000; the buyer plans a waste-to-energy operation on the adjacent property.
• Reallocated $800,640 in ARPA funds from St. Mary's Dining Room operations to the Navigation Center FF&E, with HHAP Round 4 funds replacing the deobligated ARPA funds.
• Approved resolutions of intention to renew and modify the Stockton Tourism Business Improvement District.
• Approved loan/grant awards totaling $3,391,000 to Parents by Choice, Inc. and Delta Community Developers Corp. for affordable housing projects (Transitional Housing for Youth and Harding Way Apartments), allocating 36 affordable housing units.
• Awarded a contract to Golden State Communications for radio communications support services for five years at up to $3,505,277.40.
• Awarded a construction contract to Howk Systems, Inc. for electrical upgrades at South Stockton groundwater wells for $754,717.
• Authorized a three-year license agreement with Magnet Forensics for police digital forensics tools at $99,315.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Verduzca and William Maxwell expressed concerns about an oil spill in Smith Canal over the previous weekend, urging the city to install gates or cameras to prevent future illegal dumping. Maxwell also criticized the city's inaction on abandoned buildings (YMCA, Henry Apartments, etc.) and suggested using those for housing.
• Fayte Singh protested the upcoming performance of Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan at the Bob Hope Theatre, alleging he has hurt Sikh community sentiments by associating with government figures responsible for past violence in Punjab. He asked the council to stop the concert.
• Julie Dunning criticized the council for approving a transfer of $2 million from the Victory Park Pool project to the animal shelter shortly after awarding the pool contract, stating the community team that advocated for the pool was not informed of the available surplus funds.
• Gina Castilliano raised concerns about garbage around businesses and vacant buildings, and cited dangerous speeding and drag racing on Airport Way, asking for more code enforcement and street cleaning.

Discussion Items

• 15.1 Approve Agreement with Care Solace, Inc. : The council approved a three-year, $855,000 professional services agreement with Care Solace to provide a central hub for mental health and social care coordination, funded through National Opioid Settlement Agreements. The service includes a care companion hotline, a self-match website, and warm handoffs via QR codes, available to all residents. Councilmembers praised the program's cultural relevance and integration with other city services.
• 15.2 Community Medical Centers (CMC) Project Updates (Informational): Staff from CMC presented updates on the Mobile Community Response Team (MCRT) and the Respite Center. From June to August 2024, MCRT handled 604 initial calls and 1,476 follow-ups, with 76% welfare checks. Police referrals increased from 6% to 28% since the last update. The Respite Center provided 358 bed-days for substance use recovery, with 30 of 46 individuals engaging in aftercare. Case studies highlighted successful interventions, including a hoarding situation and a child gunshot victim. No council action was taken.
• 15.3 Fiscal Year 2023-24 Third Quarter Budget Update: The council accepted the budget status report and approved a resolution authorizing a $1,496,767 budget amendment from the Development Services Fund and continuation of up to $6,815,016 in appropriations to FY 2024-25. General fund revenues were projected at $316.9 million (3.8% over budget) and expenditures at $311.6 million (8.6% under budget), driven by salary savings due to vacancies. Public safety accounted for 78% of actual expenditures.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Care Solace Agreement (Motion 2024-10-01-1501): Approved 7-0.
• Vote on Third Quarter Budget (Resolution 2024-10-01-1503): Approved 7-0.
• All consent items and separate votes on 12.2, 12.6, 12.7 were approved 7-0.
• Council directed staff to follow up with the Sikh community regarding their concerns about the Gurdas Maan concert.
• Councilmembers discussed addressing illegal dumping via cameras, increased penalties, and coordination with the San Joaquin Flood Control Agency for Smith Canal protection.
• Vice Mayor Warmsley announced a park cleanup at Laughlin Park with record volunteer turnout.