Stockton City Council and Concurrent Authorities Meeting - July 15, 2025

The Stockton City Council held a closed session at 4:00 PM and a regular open session at 6:55 PM on July 15, 2025. The agenda included a 19-item consent calendar, two public hearings, informational updates on community well-being programs, ratification of the M/V Aurora salvage costs, and a contentious discussion on the dissolution of the City Manager Selection Ad Hoc Committee. The meeting adjourned at 12:48 AM the following morning.

Closed Session

• Roll call was taken at 4:00 PM; all seven council members were present.
• Closed session items included conference with labor negotiators, four workers' compensation litigation cases, three public employee performance evaluations, one discipline/dismissal matter, and appointment of the City Manager.
• Public comment during closed session included Tony Noceti and Wayne Pierce supporting Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo, Devin Robson (Local 456 president) urging a fair firefighter contract, and Pat Barrett criticizing Colangelo and demanding an outside city manager hire.
• The council recessed at 4:13 PM and returned at 6:45 PM. City Attorney Lori Asuncion reported no reportable actions from closed session.

Consent Calendar

The council approved most consent calendar items 7-0 on a motion by Michael Blower, seconded by Mariela Ponce. Four items were pulled for separate consideration:

• 12.3 - Public Records Requests Policy: Adopted Resolution 2025-07-15-1203, adding Council Policy Manual Chapter 2.09. Vice Mayor Jason Lee asked about the 10-day response requirement and coordination with the new "Optic" public information office; a future presentation on Optic was agreed to. Vote 7-0.
• 12.8 - HHAP Homeless Funding: Approved Resolution 2025-07-15-1208 allocating a total of $3,886,680 to four projects: Children's Home of Stockton Catalyst ($409,010), Lutheran Social Services Project Hope ($409,010), PREVAIL Propel ($409,010), and Delta Community Developers Harding Way Apartments ($1,415,440). Councilmember Michele Padilla asked to defer the St. Mary's pathway/navigation center allocation (approximately $1.2 million) to the July 29 meeting pending a presentation and audit; the deferral was included in the 7-0 vote.
• 12.17 - Mattie Harrell Playground Replacement: Approved Resolution 2025-07-15-1217 awarding a $387,868.75 construction contract to Ross Recreation Equipment Company, Inc. for a new playground with sensory features, with work expected to be completed by winter 2025. Vice Mayor Lee requested a tree assessment at the park. Vote 7-0.
• 12.19 - South Tuxedo Avenue Sewer Trunk Rehabilitation: Approved Resolution 2025-07-15-1219 awarding a $991,570 contract to Insituform Technologies, LLC to rehabilitate approximately 1,900 linear feet of 16-inch vitrified clay pipe. Councilmember Mario Enríquez asked about outreach and timeline; staff said construction would begin in the coming months with neighbor notification. Vote 6-0 (Vice Mayor Lee absent).

The remaining consent items (12.1-12.7, 12.9-12.16, and 12.18) were approved 7-0. These included approval of city council minutes; appointments to the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee, Measure A Citizens' Advisory Committee, and Stockton Arts Commission; a $150,000 transfer to Gospel Center Rescue Mission; grant acceptance for the Louis Park boat launch; agreements with Benchmark Solutions, Robert Half Inc., Verdantas Inc. (two contracts), Carollo Engineers, Peregrine, Krueg Therapy Services, and West Yost Associates; and emergency ratification of Weber Point fountain repairs ($260,181.40).

Public Comments & Testimony (Matters Not on the Agenda)

• Council unity and leadership: Many speakers (Santi Frazier-Mayfield, Yolonda Amen, Gabby Gonzales, Julie Dunning, Nancy Cochran, Andy Abbott, Rupinder Mangat, Pandora Crowder) expressed disappointment in council infighting, called for unity, and criticized what they characterized as Mayor Fugazi's treatment of Vice Mayor Lee and Councilmember Enríquez. Several recalled campaign promises of "truth, trust, and transparency."
• Support for Councilmember Enríquez: Speakers including Yolonda Amen, Julie Dunning, and Gabby Gonzales voiced support for Enríquez, urged an investigation into allegations against him, and asked the mayor to restore trust.
• Interim City Manager: Nancy Cochran praised Colangelo's team-building approach; Pat Barrett was critical and demanded a city manager from outside Stockton.
• Public safety contracts: Devin Robson (Local 456 president) noted firefighters were 15 days without a contract; Nancy Lamb and Mark Stebbins urged a contract for the police chief and cautioned that 70 new officers were not yet trained. Mark Stebbins also cited a $2.8 million figure for substations and argued training should come first.
• Unhoused and encampment issues: Matt Ellis, a civil engineer, supported clearing encampments due to lack of sanitation, while Pat Barrett, Cynthia Gail Boyd, and Jessica Velez criticized displacement, lack of bathroom facilities, and road base dumping at Trinity Parkway. Councilmember Padilla later recounted a productive meeting with a camp resident.
• Other topics: Dionne Smith requested police reports about her son's killing; Mary Elizabeth raised alcohol/tobacco permit enforcement and water utility tax; Dr. Danielle Hibbitts and Pattie Lewis raised garbage charges and an illegal pig; Tamica Small praised the summer youth program (100 selected from over 1,400 applicants); Denise Friday invited council to a backpack giveaway on August 2. Multiple speakers offered condolences to Mayor Fugazi on the death of her father.

Hearings

16.1 - 6505 South McKinley Avenue Prezoning

• Staff recommended approval of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, a prezone to Industrial Limited (IL), and annexation to the City for a proposed 184,166-square-foot warehouse on a 9.84-acre site. The Planning Commission had already approved the site plan and design review and recommended approval.
• Public comment: Union representatives (Jorge Polo Tomas, Liz Sutton, Juan Perez) spoke in favor, citing apprenticeships and high-road construction jobs; Pat Barrett opposed, arguing District 6 is overburdened by warehouses and air pollution; Alyssa Leiva asked for balance between jobs and public health.
• Council discussion: Vice Mayor Lee acknowledged the site's existing General Plan industrial designation and emphasized future environmental considerations; Councilmember Enríquez called for a citywide conversation about warehouse siting.
• Approved 7-0: Resolution 2025-07-15-1601-01 (Mitigated Negative Declaration), Ordinance 2025-07-15-1601 (prezone), and Resolution 2025-07-15-1601-02 (annexation application to LAFCO).

16.2 - Murray Ranch (2560 Hall Avenue)

• Staff presented a request for annexation and prezone to Residential Low (RL) for a proposed 217-lot single-family subdivision on a 37.4-acre site. The project was found exempt from additional CEQA review under Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.
• Public comment: Residents of Hall Avenue (Tim Mora, Loneta Colbert, Cinloa Barajas, Nuri Muhammad, Andrea Blanson) expressed concerns about traffic, narrow county roads, lack of sidewalks, construction access, and emergency response. Dan Richardson urged better road design.
• Developer Mike O'Hara (Tim Lewis Communities) said the project includes up to three speed humps on Hall Avenue, a commitment to no construction traffic on Hall, and parks built with the subdivision. He also noted alternatives via Madrid, Brigham, and Juliet streets.
• Councilmembers raised concerns about infrastructure-first planning and community engagement. The council voted 7-0 to continue the item to the July 29, 2025 meeting to allow staff and the applicant to work with the community on access solutions.

New Business

15.1 - Community Well-Being Project Updates

• Informational presentation from staff and partner agencies; no action taken.
• Mobile Community Response Team (MCRT): Alfonso Apu (CMC) reported over 15,000 calls since May 2023, including about 3,300 in the last six months; the pilot has spent $4 million of its $5.76 million ARPA budget (70%).
• Opioid settlement funds: Alex Bailey reported Stockton's allocation is 0.325% of a national $43.3 billion settlement, with a potential long-term value of $10.7 million; the city has received about $3.17 million and spent just over $1 million to date.
• Respite/SUD services: Lane McMiller reported 1,070 bed days used between December and May, with 13 beds at the facility.
• Care Solace: Anita Ward reported 5,602 people connected to mental health care in six months, with average matching time of one day and booking time of ten days. African American residents had the highest suicidal ideation rates among those served, prompting calls for deeper outreach.
• Public comment: Pat Barrett urged the city to develop pet boarding options so unhoused residents can accept services without surrendering animals.

15.2 - Ratification of M/V Aurora Salvage and Disposal Costs

• Dr. Mel Lytle (Municipal Utilities) explained that the derelict vessel Aurora sank in May 2024 upstream of the city's water intake, threatening the water supply. The vessel was refloated, towed to Vallejo, and demolished; total final expenses were $8,290,874.96, with about $1 million in State Lands Commission funding received and other reimbursement requests denied.
• Councilmembers expressed frustration about taxpayer cost and supported pursuing legal recourse against the vessel owners. Resolution 2025-07-15-1502 ratifying the expenses was approved 7-0.

15.3 - Ad Hoc Committee for City Manager Selection: Creation and Dissolution

• This item was agendized by Councilmember Enríquez. Public comment included Yolanda Amen, Julie Dunning, Gabby Gonzalez, Pat Barrett, and David Sengthay, most urging transparency and investigation into the dissolution.
• Councilmember Enríquez presented a timeline: the ad hoc committee was created Feb. 4, 2025; the search firm Peck McKinney was announced June 3; the mayor dissolved the committee via email June 6. He read the mayor's email alleging Brown Act concerns and a scheduled closed session without her involvement.
• Vice Mayor Lee denied wrongdoing, called the process "a matter of policy, not politics," and said he and Enríquez had tried to meet with the mayor. He requested that the allegations be sent to the Grand Jury and District Attorney.
• Councilmember Brando Villapudua made detailed accusations, claiming Councilmember Enríquez had offered campaign support in exchange for his vote to remove the interim city manager and threatened to "destroy" the Villapudua name. He urged referral to the District Attorney.
• Mayor Fugazi stated the dissolution was within her charter authority as the sole nominating authority and supported referring the matter to the Grand Jury and District Attorney. She also said the council had met with the recruiter and all members had access to the timeline.
• The council directed staff to send the item to the Grand Jury and District Attorney for investigation of a potential Brown Act violation. Vice Mayor Lee also requested a Section 406 charter investigation into DEI funding and related matters, which he said had support from four council members.

City Manager's Update

• Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo reported achievements: a balanced budget, homicides down 37%, 70 new officers hired, high-level federal meetings, a shipbuilding opportunity, a planned July 22 multi-agency homeless encampment cleanup, forensic audits, a new grants department, and transparency measures. He urged council unity to maintain federal investment confidence.

Council Comments

• Councilmembers reported on district events, community cleanups, infrastructure repairs, and upcoming meetings. Several addressed the night's controversy: Councilmember Padilla said the dysfunction was "not about one person" and pleaded for collaboration; Vice Mayor Lee outlined commitments on DEI, police chief contract, trash issues, police substations (presentation scheduled Aug. 12), fire service reimbursement at the port, and a "I Am Ready Community Council"; Councilmember Enríquez shared committee plans, pothole fixes, and community events; Councilmember Villapudua announced Columbus Park renovation and a backpack giveaway; Councilmember Blower described a neighborhood fire rescue and praised the fire department; Mayor Fugazi emphasized positivity, announced the Mayfair property is in escrow, and said she would travel to San Diego and Washington, D.C. for police and federal meetings.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar, including pulled items: Public Records Requests policy (7-0); HHAP funding with St. Mary's deferral (7-0); Mattie Harrell Playground contract (7-0); South Tuxedo Sewer contract (6-0).
• Approved the McKinley Avenue prezone/annexation (7-0).
• Continued the Murray Ranch project to July 29, 2025 (7-0) with direction to work with the community on access.
• Ratified $8,290,874.96 in Aurora salvage/disposal expenses (7-0).
• Referred the Ad Hoc Committee dissolution and Brown Act allegations to the Grand Jury and District Attorney; Vice Mayor Lee's request for a Section 406 DEI investigation received support.
• Councilmember Enríquez will agendize a Legislative Committee discussion on ad hoc committee policy.
• Staff directed to pursue fire service reimbursement at the port (with consensus).
• Future presentations scheduled: police substations on Aug. 12, St. Mary's pathway presentation on July 29, Optic public information department, and a city manager recruitment timeline.