Stockton City Council Meeting – November 12, 2024

The Stockton City Council held a concurrent regular meeting on November 12, 2024, beginning with a closed session at 4:00 PM and the regular session at 5:30 PM. Six council members were present (Blower, Villapudua, Padilla, Lenz, Warmsley, Wright); Mayor Lincoln was absent. The meeting included a public censure hearing, approval of wastewater rate adjustments, formation of a new community facilities district, and numerous consent agenda items. Key actions are summarized below.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as a block (5-0; Councilmember Lenz absent, Mayor Lincoln absent) after pulling items 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.10, and 12.13 for separate discussion. Item 12.4 (2025 Public Art Mural Program) was removed from the agenda via around-the-bench memo.
• Items approved included: increase to Loomis Armored US agreement ($25,000), appointment of Katherine Roland as City Clerk (with employment terms), approval of October 30 minutes, and numerous infrastructure contracts and resolutions (e.g., electric transformer, water tank repairs, risk assessment, COPS grant, Wilson Way lighting, Northeast Library funding, streetlight repairs, guardrail rehabilitation, equipment purchases, generator replacements, etc.).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carlos Barnes: Urged cleanup of unregistered cars and street parking enforcement.
• Kathleen Keeley: Introduced a visiting teacher from Japan via the Sister City Teacher Exchange.
• Pandora Crowder: Thanked Grocery Outlet on Wilson Way for discounting 400 turkeys/hams for Conway homes and other distributions.
• Julie Devincenzi & Dan Richardson: Repeatedly called for a road diet on Pershing Avenue, citing average speeds of 45–63 mph in a 30 mph zone and safety risks to pedestrians; Dan Richardson submitted over 100 screenshots of speeding vehicles.
• Julie Dunning: Described homeless-related crime and displacement, urged the city to declare a state of emergency and develop a strike team rather than simply moving encampments.
• Cynthia Gail Boyd: Questioned council integrity, called for enforcement of food vendor policies and code enforcement at night.
• Patricia Barrett: Supported abandoned car removal and questioned the fairness of the Ask Stockton system.
• Additional comments on consent item 12.17 (Neighborhood Traffic Management Program) were given by Dan Richardson (supported speed bumps) and Julie Dunning (requested speed bumps on her street).

Discussion Items (Pulled from Consent)

• 12.5 – 60 kV Transformer Purchase: Councilmember Padilla asked about a 1.5-year delay; Director Lytle explained lengthy negotiations over a deposit requirement. Approved 6-0.
• 12.6 – Water Storage Tank Repair: Padilla inquired about a three-year gap from recommendation; staff said it was part of a scheduled capital program. Approved 6-0.
• 12.7 – Risk Resilience Assessment: Staff clarified the six-year gap was due to a required five-year update cycle. Approved 6-0.
• 12.10 – COPS Technology Grant ($963,000): Captain Pierce explained that over 100 Flock cameras will be placed based on crime data and human intelligence; data sharing with other cities via MOU was discussed. Approved 6-0.
• 12.13 – Wilson Way Safety Lighting: No further questions; approved 6-0.

Public Censure Hearing (Item 16.1)

• The council held a public hearing to consider the Censure Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation that Councilmember Padilla violated Council Policy 5.10 by using discretionary funds ($10,000) for an event where political activity occurred (candidate speeches, campaign shirt).
• Public testimony: Julie Dunning argued the policy is vague and the process lacked witness testimony; Alex Padilla (relative) said the event was not intended to be political; Rev. Ernest Williams and Pat Barrett defended Padilla, stating she had no control over speakers; Ralph White urged referral to the Attorney General; Dan Richardson called it a misstep but not intentional.
• Council discussion: Members emphasized that the violation was of policy, not character; intent was not an element. City Attorney clarified that the erroneous reference to Government Code §36813 in the policy does not invalidate the censure authority.
• Vote: Resolution 2024-11-12-1601 adopted 5-0 (Councilmember Padilla abstained; Mayor Lincoln absent), finding that censure is warranted.

Other Hearings

• 16.2 – Consolidated Plan Fourth Amendment: Approved 6-0. Establishes a HOME preference policy for specific populations and a slum/blight area map for CDBG funds (5.6 sq. miles centered on downtown and South Stockton).
• 16.3 – Community Facilities District No. 2024-1 (South Stockton): Approved 6-0 after all landowners voted in favor. Establishes a special tax (max $650/acre for facilities, $1,637/acre for services) for fire and infrastructure in the Mariposa Industrial Park area.
• 16.4 – SJMSCP 2025 Fee Schedule: Approved 6-0. Fees decreased by 7.5% due to lower land acquisition costs.
• 16.5 – Wastewater Rate Adjustment (Prop 218): After a public hearing and tabulation of 50 written protests (well below the majority threshold of 40,925), the council approved a 4% annual increase over five years (from $55.36/month to ~$67/month for a single-family home). Vote 5-1 (Councilmember Villapudua dissented).

Key Outcomes

• Censure: Councilmember Padilla officially censured for violating policy 5.10. No further penalties.
• Wastewater Rates: New rates effective after 30 days; 4% annual increases for five years.
• Community Facilities District: Formed with initial boundary of Mariposa Industrial Park; future annexations required.
• Consent Agenda: All remaining items approved.
• City Clerk Appointment: Katherine Roland appointed with compensation of $181,612 annually plus benefits.
• Council Comments: Multiple members highlighted the abandoned car issue, Pershing Avenue road diet, and thanked community organizations for turkey donations.
• Next Meeting: Ad Hoc Homeless Committee meeting scheduled for December 5, 2024.