Stockton City Council and Concurrent Authorities Meeting – August 12, 2025
Stockton City Council and Concurrent Authorities Meeting – August 12, 2025
The Stockton City Council held a closed session at 3:00 PM and a regular session from 8:15 PM to 11:52 PM on August 12, 2025. The meeting covered a consent calendar, numerous public comments, and several major discussion items including the appointment of an interim city manager (later pulled), police substations, and the Stockton Economic Stimulus Program. Key actions included approval of the police substations resolution (6-1) and continuation of the SESP update to August 26.
Consent Calendar
- Quarterly Investment Reports: Accepted for quarters ending March 31, 2025 (Motion 2025-08-12-1201) and June 30, 2025 (Motion 2025-08-12-1202), both passed 7-0. Items 12.2 and 12.15 were considered separately.
- Cooperative Purchasing Agreement: Approved with The Home Depot for MRO supplies (Motion 2025-08-12-1203), 7-0.
- Revised Gann Limit: Resolution 2025-08-12-1204 approved for FY 2023-24 ($463,417,917).
- Appointment of Interim City Manager (Item 12.5): Pulled from the agenda; no vote taken.
- City Council Minutes: Approved for July 15, 2025 (Motion 2025-08-12-1206).
- Planning Commission Appointment: Ratified for District 1 (Resolution 2025-08-12-1207).
- Accela Software Support: Three professional services agreements awarded (Motion 2025-08-12-1208), total not-to-exceed $350,000.
- Final Maps for Cannery Park: Units 14 and 15 approved (Resolutions 2025-08-12-1209 and 1210).
- Regional Homeless Action Plan: Updated plan and MOU approved (Motion 2025-08-12-1211).
- New Police Department Classifications: Code and Housing Enforcement Official, Public Safety Telecommunications Manager, Property and Records Manager (Resolution 2025-08-12-1212).
- Computer Training Services: Contract with Applied Office approved (Motion 2025-08-12-1213), $166,320 for three years.
- Wastewater Rate Correction: Administrative correction to fee schedule approved (Resolution 2025-08-12-1214).
- Groundwater Recharge Project (Item 12.15): Adopted EIR addendum, awarded construction management contract to Inferrera ($728,760), and approved change order with Gateway Pacific ($5,714,565) – total project $17.2 million. Motion 2025-08-12-1215 passed 7-0.
- Water Rate Study: Contract with HDR Engineering awarded (Resolution 2025-08-12-1216), $209,957.
- Meeting Calendar: Fifth amendment to 2025 calendar approved (Motion 2025-08-12-1217), 7-0.
- Augmented Reality Training System: Purchase from InVeris for $265,000 (Motion 2025-08-12-1218).
- Surveillance Van: Purchase from Crime Point for $260,000 (Motion 2025-08-12-1219).
- Edible Food Recovery Program: MOU with San Joaquin County approved (Motion 2025-08-12-1220), 7-0.
- 30 Police Interceptors: Purchase and vehicle up-fitting change order approved (Motion 2025-08-12-1221), $1.72M for vehicles and $993,811 for up-fitting, total $6.37M, passed 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Interim City Manager (Steve Colangelo): Dozens of speakers addressed Colangelo's reappointment. Supporters cited his 38 years of business experience and local ties; opponents highlighted his lack of qualifications, the $11,000/month consultant payment, and the use of $22,000 in DEI funds. Many urged keeping acting City Manager Will Crew in place. Notable speakers: Tamica Small (opposed), Pat Barrett (opposed, noted previous 7-0 vote against), Anthony Silva (supported), Yolanda Amen (opposed, accused deceptive actions), Bob Bentz (supported), Andy Abbott (opposed, called it a “deeply stupid vote”), Mary Elizabeth (opposed, questioned process), D'Adria Davie (opposed, NAACP), Ralph White (supported).
- Labor Negotiations: Firefighters Local 456 members (Matt Knierim, Colt Lee, Kavon Marshell, Seth Martinez, Devin Robson) spoke against the city's proposal for longevity pay that included a sunset clause. They argued the lack of long-term commitment fuels retention problems, noting over 35 members have lateral transferred in 4.5 years.
- Police Substations: Residents from District 6 (Western Ranch, Sierra Vista) urged approval, citing ongoing violence, lack of police presence, and the need for community safety. Speakers: Yolanda Amen, Pat Barrett, Brandy Boyd, Alberto Gonzalez, LanPhoung Nguyen, Mary Elizabeth.
- Other Public Comments: Topics included meeting timeliness and decorum (Diana Buettner, David Sengthay, Cynthia Gail Boyd), speeding and traffic safety (Rudy Hurtado, Armando Valerio), foster youth housing (Kimberly Graves), and campaign promises (Alberto Gonzalez).
Discussion Items
- Quarterly Investment Report (Item 12.2): Staff explained the $1.6B portfolio includes restricted funds for benefits, utilities, etc. The investment income for the quarter was $7.4 million. Councilmember Blower inquired about the funds' composition.
- Groundwater Recharge Project (Item 12.15): Dr. Lytle (MUD) explained the three recharge basins at the Delta Water Treatment Plant will improve drought resilience and include a public education park. The change order increased capacity and efficiency; 100% of funds are from utility reserves and grants (no general fund impact).
- Police Interceptors (Item 12.21): Council approved the purchase of 30 Ford Interceptors from Folsom Lake Ford via state contract ($1.72M) and vehicle up-fitting from Stommel ($993,811). Councilmember Blower asked about local vendor preference; staff noted Big Valley Ford is a regular partner but the state contract awards lowest price statewide.
- Stockton Economic Stimulus Program (Item 15.1): Community Development Director Stephanie Ocasio presented an update. Since 2015, $94 million in public facilities fees have been waived ($77M residential, $17M non-residential). Four options were presented: maintain, grandfather/phase out, gradual phase out, or eliminate. Staff noted the fee waivers have not met job projections, and street improvements and parks are unfunded. Councilmembers disclosed meetings with stakeholders. Councilmember Villapudua supported option 2 but also wanted higher local hire requirements. Vice Mayor Lee made a motion to continue to August 26, which passed 6-1 (Villapudua dissenting).
- Westlake Villages II Bonds (Item 16.1): Authorized issuance of special tax bonds up to $30M (estimated $26.285M) for Improvement Area 4. The bonds will finance infrastructure (parks, roads, utilities) with no city general fund impact. Resolution 2025-08-12-1601 passed 7-0.
- Cannery Park East CFD (Item 16.2): Approved two resolutions to form Community Facilities District No. 2025-1 and intend to incur bonded indebtedness up to $15M. The district will levy a special tax to fund infrastructure; a public hearing is set for September 23. Resolutions passed 7-0.
- Police Substations (Item 16.3): Chief Stanley McFadden presented the plan for substations in Weston Ranch and Sierra Vista. One-time startup costs: $281,738 (Weston Ranch) and $168,338 (Sierra Vista) from Teen Impact Center funds; ongoing costs estimated at $798,000 and $610,000 respectively, though staff noted these include personnel already budgeted. The Housing Authority contributed $300,000 one-time for Sierra Vista and offered a $0 lease. Council debate focused on staffing, cost, and equity. Vice Mayor Lee championed the project; Councilmembers Ponce and Padilla raised concerns about officer reassignment and sustainability. Public comment strongly supported the substations. Motion to approve passed 6-1 (Councilmember Ponce dissenting). The resolution directs staff to implement the substations and report back on actions.
Key Outcomes
- Interim City Manager: Item 12.5 pulled; no reappointment of Steve Colangelo. Acting City Manager Will Crew remains in place; the permanent City Manager recruitment continues with applications due September 5 and interviews in October.
- Stockton Economic Stimulus Program: Continued to August 26, 2025, City Council meeting for further discussion (motion carried 6-1).
- Police Substations: Resolution 2025-08-12-1603 approved 6-1, establishing substations in Weston Ranch and Sierra Vista, appropriating $281,738 and $168,338 for one-time costs plus ongoing operating costs for FY2025-26, and authorizing leases and acceptance of $300,000 from Housing Authority.
- Westlake Bonds and Cannery Park CFD: Both approved unanimously (7-0).
- Consent Items: All remaining consent items approved as part of the consent calendar or individually, with votes 7-0 except for items pulled for separate consideration.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the closed session for Stockton City Council on the 12th of August. And let's go ahead and do a roll call. Councilmember Blauer. Present. Councilmember Enriquez. Present. Councilmember Ponce. Present. Councilmember Padilla is absent. Councilmember Via Padua. Present. Vice Mayor Lee. Present. And Mayor Fugazi. Present. We have a quorum. Wonderful. So uh council will be um recessing to speak regarding labor negotiations pursuant to section 54957.6A of the government code, as well as legal counsel for anticipated litigation. Offered authorized pursuant to paragraph two of subdivision D of Section 54956.9. Another anticipated litigation pursuant to paragraph two of subdivision D is Section 54956.9 public employee uh performance evaluation pursuant to government code section 54957B, discipline dismissal release pursuant to government code section 54957, and then public employee appointment authorized pursuant to government code 54957, and it's on there twice. Okay, pursuant to government code section 54957. So at this time we will have public comment and we have uh two minutes for public comment. May I have to make a small to the podium, please? Good afternoon, mayor, vice mayor, and council. I'm here to respectfully urge you to vote no on the reappointment of Mr. Coalangelo. When I reflect back to the evening of February 4th, when you voted him in as interim city manager, it was clear he was not qualified for this very important position. He lacked both the education and the experience. His background is in event production, not in running a city, yet he was entrusted with this role. During his brief time as interim city manager, Mr. Coangelo used $22,000 of DEI funds to pay for an advisor, and now there are concerns of budgetary fraud and questionable hiring practices. Why would we consider reappointing someone whose actions have already raised red flags? Mr. Coangelo's six-month contract has ended, and you have already voted for deputy city manager Will Crew to serve as acting city manager until a permanent hire is made. Mr. Crew is already running the daily operations, so I have to ask. Why go backward? How do we even get here? On the evening, Mr. Coangelo was appointed, Councilwoman Padilla said, we can trust that you will always have the people first, that everything you do is for the people and in the best interest of this city. Reappointing Mr. Coangelo would not put the people first or move Stockton forward. In fact, it would take us backwards. Keep acting city manager Will Crew in place and allow us to move forward. Enough is enough. Thank you. Pat Barrett. Two minutes doesn't give me much. So good afternoon to all of you. Um comment on the city manager.
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