Stockton City Council Meeting - April 1, 2025

The Stockton City Council met on April 1, 2025, in a concurrent session with the Successor Agency, Public Financing Authority, and Parking Authority. The meeting began with a closed session at 4:00 PM (adjourned at 4:50 PM), followed by a regular session at 5:30 PM that adjourned at 8:38 PM. Key actions included approval of a consent agenda (with one item pulled), adoption of a resolution for the Homekey+ grant program to fund 120 affordable housing units, a Williamson Act contract cancellation for a 43.66-acre parcel, and an informational update on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CCAP). Numerous public comments addressed street vendor regulations, tobacco retailer licensing, water utility issues, and community concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 18 items via a single 7-0 vote, with item 12.3 considered separately. Items included:
  • Amendment to card room table limits (Ordinance 2025-04-01-1201).
  • Cooperative purchasing agreement with O'Reilly Auto Parts (up to $150,000/year).
  • Extension of a temporary moratorium on new tobacco retailers (Motion 2025-04-01-1203, approved 7-0 after public comment).
  • Acceptance of committee minutes and city council minutes.
  • Subdivision agreement and parcel map approval (Resolution 2025-04-01-1206).
  • Annual reports and budgets for Miracle Mile and Downtown Stockton improvement districts.
  • Allocation of 131 affordable housing units across three projects (Satellite, Harding Way, Calaveras Quarters Apartments).
  • Contracts for wastewater treatment polymer ($671,866 over 5 years), stormwater device maintenance ($479,985 for 3 years), bioscrubber repairs ($646,927), night vision goggles ($584,865), and nature-based solutions grant program.
  • Fiscal year 2025-26 SB1 road project list, pedestrian safety enhancements ($308,586 design contract), and two sanitary sewer rehabilitation projects (Navy Drive $7,366,500; Worth Street $5,136,310).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Julie Dunning: Supported the temporary moratorium on tobacco retailers but opposed staff recommendation to maintain existing exceptions; requested 1,000-foot separation distance from sensitive uses.
• Dan Richardson: Praised city staff work ethic and council efforts; urged citizen participation.
• Pat Barrett: Requested follow-through on Van Buskirk multi-service park; expressed concerns about card rooms, tobacco sales, and cost of Hunter House project ($36 million for 120 units).
• Mary Elizabeth: Raised animal control responsiveness; supported tobacco moratorium; requested a map of alcohol and tobacco retailers; questioned density of a Harding Way project without a map.
• Pandora Crowder: Questioned a warehouse contract with a company not supporting DEI; criticized council for asking public to bring solutions rather than doing their job.
• Anthony Silva: Thanked council for police substation plans and positive direction; urged continued focus on homelessness and blight.
• Mauricio Diaz: Opposed street vendor removal; called for more investment in District 5 including youth programs and job opportunities.
• Zed Khah: Proposed business startups, trade segments, and affordable housing for law enforcement officers.
• Alyssa Leiva, Jenesta Franco, Nadia Garibay, CJ, Alicia Reya, Angela Salizar: Opposed proposed street vendor regulations, citing negative impacts on immigrant communities, culture, and economic survival; urged education over enforcement.
• Kimberly Graves & Ezra Curri: Alleged CalWater discrimination regarding water meter requirements; requested council intervention.
• Stacy Harrison: Represented Central Valley Realtist Board; asked council to support fair housing proclamation and assist underserved homebuyers.
• Juanita French: Raised safety concerns about parking changes on California Street (parallel parking hazards).
• Fateh Singh: Invited community to 26th Annual Saki Parade on April 20, 2025 (9 AM - 4 PM).
• Dominic Gulli: Warned about safety of Smith Canal Gate; urged dredging and Coast Guard approval.
• Alfonso Torres: Requested city employee volunteers for mock interview program at Franklin High School on May 9, 2025.

Discussion Items

• Item 15.1: Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update – Informational presentation by Environmental and Sustainability Officer Grant Kirkpatrick and consultants from AECOM. The plan combines federal EPA CPRG funding ($1 million) and state adaptation planning grant ($650,000) to develop a comprehensive CCAP. Key elements: greenhouse gas inventory, climate vulnerability assessment, community engagement via Little Manila Rising, and first workshop on April 23, 2025 at Stockton Civic Auditorium. Councilmembers Villapudua and Lee stressed inclusive outreach to all districts, especially underserved areas. No action taken.

• Item 15.2: Homekey+ Grant Program for Hunter House Affordable Housing – Resolution 2025-04-01-1502 approved 7-0. Authorized application for up to $36 million in state Homekey+ funds (co-applicant: Service First of Northern California) for the Hunter House project (120 units for individuals with behavioral health challenges and homelessness). Also allocated $1,301,263 in HHAP funds to Service First. Total state funding to date: $29,454,857; city contribution will reach $3 million. Project aims to break ground by October 2025 if funded.

• Item 16.1: Williamson Act Contract Cancellation – Resolution 2025-04-01-1601 approved 7-0. Tentative cancellation for a 43.66-acre parcel at 4849 Carolyn Weston Boulevard (APN 166-030-05) to allow development of 211 single-family homes (224 parcels) consistent with low-density residential zoning. Developer (True Life Companies) noted the site is a long-held agricultural holdout; grading could begin within 60 days. Public commenter Pandora Crowder raised concerns about floodplain, gentrification, and asthma rates in South Stockton.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 18 items with one pull (item 12.3 on tobacco moratorium report). Item 12.3 approved separately 7-0; council directed staff to consider increasing the separation distance from 1,000 to 2,500 feet for the upcoming permanent ordinance.
• Homekey+ Resolution: Unanimously approved (7-0). The city will lead the application for $36 million; $1.3 million in HHAP funds allocated; if Homekey+ fails, city funding will be deobligated.
• Williamson Act Cancellation: Approved 7-0, allowing developer to pay cancellation fees and proceed with subdivision.
• Climate Action Plan: Informational only; no vote. Staff will continue community engagement and bring back the draft plan for future council action.
• City Manager’s Update: Noted completion of payroll improvements, electrical upgrades, tree inventory app, Wells Fargo building acquisition, and submission of federal earmark requests ($2.5M for safe routes to school, $2M for youth employment program).