Stockton City Council/Successor Agency/Public Financing Authority/Parking Authority Concurrent Meeting – April 29, 2025

The City Council held a concurrent meeting on April 29, 2025, starting with a closed session at 4:00 PM and a regular session at 5:45 PM, adjourning at 11:36 PM. Key actions included approval of the consent calendar (with three items pulled for separate votes), adoption of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, removal of a historical plaque, and a contentious debate over a homelessness pilot program that resulted in a directive to return with a framework in 30 days. Several items were continued to the May 13, 2025 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda with a single 7-0 vote, except for items 12.4, 12.9, and 12.10 which were considered separately.
• 12.4 (Stockton Tourism Business Improvement District 2024 Annual Report & 2025 Budget): Approved 7-0 after questions from Vice Mayor Lee. Visit Stockton CEO Robin Camino confirmed strong partnerships and committed to a future presentation.
• 12.9 (Civic Auditorium Assessment Project): Approved 7-0. The contract (not-to-exceed $312,167) with Page and Turnbull, Inc. will include a structural/functional assessment and 3D laser scanning.
• 12.10 (Oak Park Little League Parking Lot Resurfacing): Approved 7-0. Construction by Consolidated Engineering, Inc. ($133,250) will begin after the baseball season and take about 30 days.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comments (before consent): Over 30 speakers addressed various topics. Key positions:
  • Street vendor regulations: Dan Richardson and Julie Dunning urged adoption of the proposed ordinance to comply with state law, clarifying the city is not trying to eliminate vendors.
  • Affordable housing: Maria Alvarado and Rosa Mesa (Visionary Home Builders) defended the company’s transparency and commitment to affordable housing.
  • Homelessness: Nancy Lamb criticized the CARES pilot program name (conflict with existing CARES program) and raised concerns about Inner City Action’s board disclosure and low placement numbers (53 employed/98 housed over 5 years).
  • Neighborhood concerns: Zoyla Moreno (District 6) asked for a gym, gazebo, and enforcement of homeless encampments; Cynthia Gail Boyd complained about amplified noise from a church.
  • Youth and arts: Melissa Destarae (Tuleburg Press) highlighted literary programs; Ramona Mance (Bread of Life) described food distribution services.
• Consent Item 12.5 (La Passeggiata Apartments funding): Mitchell Vinciguera (NorthCal Carpenters Union) opposed funding Visionary Home Builders due to alleged failure to pay area-standard wages. Visionary representatives defended their practices.
• Item 16.2 (Consolidated Plan): Multiple speakers supported or expressed concerns about the CDBG/ESG allocation process. RC Thompson noted that his organization (Reinvent South Stockton) lost points due to jargon mismatch. Others, like Paula Sheil (Tuleburg Press) and Ashley Guest (Bread of Life), thanked the city for recommended funding.
• Item 15.2 (Homeless Pilot Program): Over 25 speakers, including unhoused individuals, advocates, and organizations. Opinions divided:
  • Support: Matt Ulrich (Stockton Firefighters Local 456) backed the interim city manager’s leadership; Alberto Gonzalez supported action.
  • Opposition: Jessica Velez (Red Rabbit), James Hill (Stand), and several unhoused residents argued the plan lacked coordination, would displace people, and ignored community-led solutions. Mike Lopez (a former Trinity Parkway resident) said only 32 people live there and they do not want to move to a tent.

Discussion Items

• 15.1 Removal of California Historical Landmark 178 Plaque: Approved 5-0. City Clerk Katherine Roland explained the plaque’s inaccurate and offensive language, recommending removal. No public comment.
• 15.2 CARE Homelessness Pilot Program: The interim city manager presented a plan to address the Trinity Parkway encampment, including a temporary shelter tent by Inner City Action Inc. (ICA). Council debate focused on vetting, lack of county coordination, and whether to approve a sole provider. After a substitute motion by Vice Mayor Lee (passed 4-3: Fugazi, Blower, Enriquez, Lee in favor), the council directed staff to return within 30 days with a framework that includes no sole provider listed as operator, full vetting, and discussion of an RFP process. The location (District 1) remained as proposed.
• 16.2 Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 & Annual Action Plan: Approved 6-0 (Councilmember Ponce recused). Several councilmembers (Padilla, Lee, Enriquez) criticized the NOFA process as unclear and exclusionary. Staff committed to improving transparency and holding a study session by July 31, 2025, to modify the process.
• Items continued to May 13, 2025: 15.3 (Pershing Avenue Update), 16.1 (Street Vendor Regulations), 16.3 (Holiday Park Maintenance District), and 16.4 (AB 481 Military Equipment). All were continued by a 7-0 vote.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved as modified (items 12.4, 12.9, 12.10 approved individually).
• Historical Plaque: Removal approved.
• Homeless Pilot Program: Substitute motion passed 4-3 – staff to return in 30 days with a framework, no sole operator listed, and include discussion of competitive bidding.
• Consolidated Plan: Resolution 2025-04-29-1602 adopted 6-0, approving the plans and authorizing proportional adjustments based on HUD allocations.
• Planning Commissioner Removal: Motion passed 6-1 to add an agenda item to the first May meeting to remove Gurneel Boparai and appoint a new commissioner.
• Council Directives:
  • Vice Mayor Lee requested a full update on St. Mary’s Navigation Center/Pathways by the first meeting in June; also directed a study session on the NOFA process by July 31, 2025, and a presentation on summer youth programs within 30 days.
  • Mayor Fugazi emphasized adherence to decorum rules.
• Upcoming Dates:
  • May 13, 2025: Continued items (vendor regulations, Pershing Ave, Holiday Park, AB 481).
  • May 20, 2025: Prop 36 presentation at Weston Ranch High School.
  • May 31, 2025: Vice Mayor Lee’s town hall (11 AM–2 PM).
  • June 2025: St. Mary’s update; NOFA study session by July 31.