Stockton City Council Meeting June 3, 2025: Proclamations, Code Amendments, and Budget Approvals

The Stockton City Council met on June 3, 2025, in regular session following a closed session. The meeting included proclamations for LGBTQ+ Pride Month and National Public Works Week, recognition of outgoing Fire Chief Richard Edwards, public comments on homelessness, city management, and labor disputes, and a consent agenda approved unanimously. Significant actions included adoption of amendments to Title 16 of the Municipal Code to align with state law and encourage housing, approval of multiple assessment district budgets for fiscal year 2025-26, acceptance of the Economic Development Subsidy Annual Report, and continuation of the Stockton Economic Stimulus Program update. Council members also directed staff to initiate a meeting with Moss Adams regarding a transition plan.

Consent Calendar

• 25-0531 – Resolution 2025-06-03-1201 changing the concurrent meeting agenda title to "City Council and Concurrent Authorities" and updating Council Policy 4.02. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0577 – Motion 2025-06-03-1202 accepting for filing minutes from the Salary Setting Commission. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0431 – Motion 2025-06-03-1203 authorizing amendment to master on-call building professional services agreements, increasing funding by $1,400,000 (total $3,900,000) and allowing one- or two-year extension. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0141 – Resolution 2025-06-03-1204 approving summary vacation of public utility easement at 1585 and 1549 South Union Street, with CEQA exemption. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0308 – Motion 2025-06-03-1205 authorizing amendment three with Terraphase Engineering for environmental assessment services at 130 North Hunter Street ($179,750.80). Approved 7-0.
• 25-0565 – Resolution 2025-06-03-1206 approving a $479,000 Prohousing Incentive Pilot Program grant to Delta Community Developers Corporation for the Edison House Project. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0553 – Motion 2025-06-03-1207 authorizing use of cooperative purchasing agreements for firefighting equipment, rescue tools, and PPE, with total not-to-exceed amounts: $785,000 (LN Curtis), $215,000 (Municipal Emergency Services), and $800,000 (Mallory Safety & Supply amendment). Approved 7-0.
• 25-0475 – Motion 2025-06-03-1208 extending CALNET contracts for cellular services with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile through June 30, 2027, total estimated $1,587,813. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0535 – Resolution 2025-06-03-1209 awarding construction contract to Con J. Franke Electric, Inc. for Wilson Way Undercrossing Pump Station Reconstruction ($247,700). Approved 7-0.
• 25-0483 – Motion 2025-06-03-1210 executing three-year contract with Koefran Industries Inc. for animal shelter deceased animal removal/disposal, not to exceed $140,795. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0515 – Motion 2025-06-03-1211 executing three-year contract with Naviant, LLC for Hyland OnBase system, not to exceed $149,490. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0657 – Motion 2025-06-03-1212 approving second follow-up response to 2023-24 San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury Case Number 0123, "Crisis in Government." Approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Abbott criticized the Interim City Manager's hiring and performance, alleging lack of qualifications, a costly consultant hired outside best practices, and declining staff morale. He urged council to take accountability.
• Cynthia Gail Boyd requested a moment of silence for homicide victims, commended police detectives, announced Juneteenth events on June 14 and June 19, and raised concerns about food vendors and loud parties in her district.
• Pat Barrett spoke about mental health, homelessness, and encampment policies, citing the Governor's model ordinance and ADA requirements. He argued people are not being connected to shelters effectively.
• Rueben Mendoza, who is homeless, said not all homeless are alike and that taking belongings and late-night sweeps set people back. He asked for housing options.
• David Scatena alleged malfeasance by the mayor, vice mayor, and councilmembers regarding misuse of funds, the forced departure of the prior city manager, and the hiring of an unqualified interim manager. He recommended immediate termination of the interim city manager and consultant.
• Mary Elizabeth shared her family's history as founding families of Stockton and later spoke against consent item 12.10 (animal disposal), arguing more euthanasia may be needed for suffering animals.
• Yolanda Amen offered condolences to Mayor Fugazi, praised the "Play in the Shade" program at William Long Park, and encouraged more advertisement.
• Sean Farley (ILWU Local 56) described a labor dispute with Patriot Environmental Services/Crystal Clean, stating the collective bargaining agreement expired five years ago. He asked the city to review any contract with Patriot and consider union operators.
• Joaquin Jarleium (ILWU Local 54) echoed support for Local 56, demanding fair wages and safe conditions.
• Jennifer Gass announced that the Stockton Arts Commission accepted a Helen Keller mural for permanent placement at the Maya Angelou Library, created by a visually impaired artist.
• Jesse Mejia (Stockton Street Dogs Rescue Group) criticized the city for being a dumping ground for homeless from other cities, leading to animal abuse. He demanded more action and warned he could organize larger protests.
• Bobby Bivens (NAACP president) expressed concern about city governance, the resignation of a qualified city manager, and the lack of qualifications of the interim manager. He called for training for council and better financial leadership.

Additional public comments were made during specific hearings:

• Item 16.1 (Title 16 amendments): Mary Elizabeth expressed concerns about waivers up to 30% without public notice and about late release of the planning commission report.
• Item 16.3 (Economic Development Subsidy Report): Mary Elizabeth questioned subsidies for unaffordable housing, lack of full-time/part-time job data, and inadequate fees adjusted for inflation.
• Item 16.5 (Landscape Maintenance District): Cynthia Gail Boyd complained about lack of assessment districts in District 5, dead trees, and asked for slower presentations for public understanding.
• Item 16.8 (Industrial Storm Drainage): Mary Elizabeth noted that the 2022-2023 flood exceeded 10-year recurrence intervals and asked for technical evaluations of facilities, especially regarding proposed development near French Camp.
• Item 16.9 (Workforce Vacancies): Bobby Bivens asked about women and ethnic breakdown in fire department and requested data by classification. Yolanda Amen noted lack of representation. Jenny Hernandez (SCA union) commented on chronic vacancies and overuse of program specialists, requesting a transparent analysis and a plan to fill vacancies within 100 days per AB 2561. Vice Mayor Lee requested a separation report by department and reason.

Discussion Items

• 16.4 Stockton Economic Stimulus Program (SESP) Update: Staff presented an update on the program designed to stimulate housing growth. Councilmember Fugazi moved to continue the item to either the last July or first August City Council meeting to allow staff to meet with the housing industry. The motion was seconded by Blower and carried 7-0.
• 16.1 Adoption of Ordinance Amending Title 16 (Development Code): Community Development Director Stephanie Ocasio and consultant Martha Miller presented amendments to reflect state law, encourage housing, and include technical updates. Changes include new residential open space requirements, lighting standards, administrative exception waivers (10-30% for director, up to 50% for planning commission), ADU separate conveyance provisions, and urban lot split standards. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Councilmember Blower confirmed no changes to Division 4. Councilmember Fugazi clarified that alcohol and smoke shop waivers still require findings and cannot be bypassed. Public comment expressed concerns about notice and waiver power. The ordinance was adopted 6-0 (Villapudua absent).
• 16.2 Prezoning of 6505 South McKinley Avenue: This item was pulled by staff and continued to the July 15, 2025 council meeting.
• 16.3 Public Hearing: Economic Development Subsidy 2024 Annual Report: Staff reported subsidies totaling $6.95 million in 2024, including $2.4 million in PFF waivers through SESP, $563,000 in non-residential fee reductions, $1.9 million in affordable housing fee exemptions, and $2.06 million in sales tax rebates (from a sunset program). The SESP program had a 50% local hire requirement, resulting in 825 unduplicated workers, 478 of whom resided in Stockton. The report was accepted by motion (6-0, Villapudua absent).
• 16.5 Budget FY 2025-26 – Stockton Consolidated Landscape Maintenance Assessment District No. 96-2: Deputy City Manager Chad Reed and consultant Paul Snyder presented the annual engineer's report with a total budget of about $7.235 million across 27 zones. Some zones saw large percentage increases due to deferred tree maintenance and playground replacements (e.g., Zone A7, D6, E4 from $14.58 to $109.56). The maximum assessment was increased by 3% where allowed. The resolution overruling protests and adopting the budget was approved 6-0 (Villapudua absent).
• 16.6 Budget FY 2025-26 – Central Stockton Lighting Maintenance Assessment District: This district covers decorative lighting near UOP/Miracle Mile. Assessment per linear foot, about $17 for a 50-foot lot. Maximum increased 3%, actual assessment under $20,000. No upgrades to LED planned. Approved 7-0.
• 16.7 Public Hearing – Stockton Consolidated Storm Drainage Maintenance Assessment District No. 2005-1: Director Mel Lytle and deputy Jeff Morosovich presented the annual engineer's report for 15 zones, with assessments ranging from $0.42 increase to $835.02 for a commercial zone. Approved 7-0.
• 16.8 Public Hearing – Industrial Storm Drainage Basin Maintenance Districts (6 districts): Separate districts for industrial parks (Western Pacific, Charter Way, Arch Road, Airport Gateway, Stockton Airport, North Newcastle). Some had no cost-of-living adjustment. Assessments rounded to increments of $0.02. Resolutions adopted 7-0.
• 16.9 Public Hearing – Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Report (AB 2561): HR Director Maya Reft and staff presented the annual report. As of April 17, 2025, there were 305 full-time hires in 12 months; vacancy rates per bargaining unit were below 20%. Total separations from Jan 1 to June 3, 2025: 68 (8 leadership). Turnover rates: 2022: 14.9%, 2023: 11.8%, 2024: 11.06%, 2025 trending at ~4%. Recruitment incentives include sign-on bonuses ($2k-$15k) mostly expiring June 30; extension requested. Civil service process is being reviewed to speed hiring. The report was accepted by motion 7-0. Vice Mayor Lee requested a detailed separation report by department.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
• SESP Update: Continued to July or August 2025 council meeting (7-0).
• Title 16 (Development Code) Amendment: Ordinance 2025-06-03-1601 adopted 6-0 (Villapudua absent).
• Economic Development Subsidy Annual Report: Motion 2025-06-03-1603 accepted the report 6-0 (Villapudua absent).
• Landscape Maintenance District Budget: Resolution 2025-06-03-1605 approved 6-0 (Villapudua absent).
• Lighting Maintenance District Budget: Resolution 2025-06-03-1606 approved 7-0.
• Consolidated Storm Drainage Budget: Resolution 2025-06-03-1607 approved 7-0.
• Industrial Storm Drainage Budgets: Resolutions 2025-06-03-1608-01 through -06 approved 7-0.
• Workforce Vacancies Report: Motion 2025-06-03-1609 accepted 7-0.
• Council Comments: Vice Mayor Lee moved to initiate a meeting with Moss Adams regarding a transition plan, with a second by Councilmember Padilla. Passed 7-0. Council also discussed diversity, face covering bans, gang violence, and animal euthanasia.
• City Manager Update: Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo reported on expedited onboarding, YESS program, firefighter recruitment, summer programs, pool openings, affordable housing pre-construction, and fire department appointments.