Stockton City Council/Successor Agency/Public Financing Authority/Parking Authority Concurrent Meeting – March 4, 2025

The Stockton City Council met on March 4, 2025, in a concurrent session that included closed session (4:00 PM) and regular session (5:42 PM). The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including a closed session litigation settlement, a proclamation for Arbor Week, public comments on homelessness, police conduct, and code enforcement, plus major agenda items such as enhanced city hall security, a smoke shop moratorium, a vacant commercial property registration ordinance, and quarterly financial updates. All votes were 7-0 except the waiver of Brown Act investigation privileges (6-1).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval (January 7, 9, 21, and February 4, 2025) – Approved 7-0.
• Approval of Enhanced Security Measures at City Hall – Established a new Security Services Manager position, added one FTE, authorized $236,479 from General Fund Reserves for equipment and services. Approved 7-0 after public comment.
• Refund to Port of Stockton for Industrial Wastewater Overcharge – Authorized $91,953.87 refund. Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance Adopting 2024 International Property Maintenance Code – Repealed and replaced chapters, amended related titles. Approved 7-0 after public comment.
• Professional Tree Services Contract for Urban Forest Inventory – Awarded $600,000 contract to West Coast Arborist. Approved 7-0 after public comment.
• Purchase of Two Fire Engines and Two Tiller Fire Trucks – Appropriated $5,882,017 using cooperative purchasing. Approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Julie Dunning – Thanked Councilmember Enriquez, promoted Arbor Week and Clean City Initiative tree events (March 8 and March 15). Supported the tree inventory contract.
• Pandora Crowder – Expressed safety concerns about Manthey Road (traffic, debris, no sidewalks).
• Ari – Criticized council for social media and in-person bullying, calling for consistency in accountability.
• Jessica Velez – Opposed homeless displacement, described conditions at Trinity Parkway encampment, urged equitable relocation and services.
• Pat Barrett – Criticized displacement of unhoused people, called for a place to relocate them before sweeps.
• Roxanne McKay – Accused police of harassing her and failing to properly investigate her daughter Lexus Tafoya's case.
• Julie Devincenzi – Suggested the city run its own towing yard to keep fees from impounding vehicles with expired plates.
• Mary Elizabeth – Questioned $2 million set aside for climate action plan, noted lack of community engagement since contract award to AECOM.
• Mark Stebbins – Quoted Matthew 7:5 regarding censures; urged naming North Stockton Library after the Autai family for racial justice.
• Cynthia Gail Boyd – Alleged code enforcement closed cases improperly, cited her own case reopened after proving truth.
• Dr. Gwendolyn Dailey – Requested $3.5 million for a three-year youth program pilot through Dome of Hope Organization.
• Armando Rodriguez – Advocated for stricter laws on human trafficking and smoke shops, including AB 379.
• Sheila Ward Shaw – Discussed need for an independent city auditor, not opposed to department but urged propriety.
• Greg Raffetto – Shared homeless experiences, encouraged better behavior among unhoused, requested housing.
• Rocio House – Asked for transparency and better behavior on the dais.
• Veterans Forever (Easter) – Described plans for a church drop-off for children and veterans housing.
• Alyssa Leiva – Defended Economic Development staff, criticized workplace mobbing and hypocrisy on dais decorum.
• Bobby Bivens – Stated NAACP does not endorse candidates, defended the organization's history of defending all people.
• Armani Eid Nelson – Pleaded for help for her son John, alleging he is being starved by a cartel.
• Alberto Gonzalez – Praised improved lighting on the Archway Bridge, called for more positivity in public comments.

Discussion Items

• Columbus Park Renovations Project – Staff presented plans with community input from 2019. Construction contract of $2,345,000 awarded to Stockbridge General Contracting, plus $106,606 agreement with San Joaquin County Office of Education for Greater Valley Conservation Corps. Fully grant-funded with no match. Approved 7-0.
• FY 2024-25 First Quarter Budget Status Update – Budget Officer Imelda Arroyo presented unaudited results. Revenues at 10% of budget, expenditures at 18%. Two budget amendments approved. Approved 7-0.
• Quarterly Investment Report (Quarter Ended December 31, 2024) – Representatives from PFM Asset Management and Chandler Asset Management presented. Portfolio balances: $460 million (PFM) and $332 million (Chandler). Interest income $3.7 million for the quarter. Approved 7-0.
• Ava Community Energy Program Update – Alex DeGiorgio explained enrollment process, lower rates (5% discount), local control, and opt-out options. Council requested district outreach and translation. No action taken, informational only.
• Temporary Moratorium on New Tobacco Retailer Businesses (Smoke Shops) – City Attorney Lori Asuncion recommended urgency ordinance effective immediately for 45 days. Council directed staff to return with stronger enforcement, higher fees, and distance requirements. Approved 7-0.
• Waiver of Privilege for Confidential Brown Act Investigations – Council voted 6-1 (Councilmember Villapudua opposed) to waive privileges for investigations conducted in the last four years. Approved.
• Vacant Commercial Property and Vacant Lot Registration Ordinance – Presented by Code Enforcement staff. Council expressed concern that proposed fees ($250 annual) were too low. Motion passed to return with refined fees: $250/month for year one, $500/month for year two, $1,000/month for year three, and allow owners to sell or donate. Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance Amending Infraction Fines and Establishing Hardship Waiver – Updated fines for building and non-building infractions to comply with state law (max $130/$500 respectively). Hardship waiver process established. Council added direction to strengthen illegal dumping penalties. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session – Litigation settlement in Rosann San Nicolas v. City of Stockton for $210,000; 6-0 vote (Councilmember Villapudua absent).
• All Consent Agenda Items approved 7-0 with separate votes for pulled items.
• Columbus Park Renovation – Approved 7-0; construction expected spring 2026.
• Budget Status Update – Accepted 7-0; budget amendments for rent and fire truck staffing approved.
• Investment Report – Accepted 7-0.
• Smoke Shop Moratorium – Urgency ordinance adopted 7-0; staff to return with comprehensive ordinance.
• Brown Act Investigation Waiver – Resolution adopted 6-1 (Villapudua dissenting).
• Vacant Commercial Property Ordinance – Motion passed 7-0 to bring back revised fee structure; staff to work with lot owners and refine language.
• Infraction Fines Ordinance – Adopted 7-0; staff to also bring stronger illegal dumping penalties.

City Manager’s Update & Council Comments

Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo reported on payroll audit and training, CFO recruitment, library website design, park openings (Louis Park, Misty Holt-Singh Memorial Softball Complex), encampment cleanup, and tax sharing agreement renegotiation. Councilmembers provided district updates, recognized Arbor Week, women in construction, and police achievements. Vice Mayor Lee called for study sessions on fees, procurement, and development agreements. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 PM.