Stockton City Council Special Meeting – November 12, 2025

The Stockton City Council held a special meeting on November 12, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:05 PM in the Council Chamber. The agenda included a council-led discussion on potential charter violations, abuse of authority, and misuse of public funds (Item 3.1), followed by a proposal to form an investigatory ad-hoc committee regarding Vice Mayor Jason Lee (Item 3.2). Public comment was heard before the discussions. Two key votes occurred: a motion to refer allegations to external agencies passed 7-0, and a resolution establishing an ad-hoc committee passed 4-3.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Thirteen members of the public spoke, many expressing concerns about council conduct, transparency, and accountability. Speakers included:
  • Tashante McCoy-Megaski: Expressed dismay at behind-the-scenes control and called for transparency, accountability, and integrity.
  • Vernon Hill Jr. (Service First of Northern California): Denied any impropriety regarding a $8.24 million conditional state award and defended his organization's record.
  • Michelle J. Sherman: Criticized the focus on DEI while police and fire contracts remained unsettled, and questioned the use of $1.86 million for police substations in District 6 instead of restoring the Teen Impact Center.
  • Diana Butner: Raised concerns about charter violations, misuse of funds, and committee absences; urged accountability.
  • Julie Dunning: Called for council members to take personal responsibility and stop infighting, noting the city lacks a permanent city manager, CFO, published budget, and police contract.
  • Donald Tefoya: Stated this council is the least productive he has seen since 1970 and questioned Vice Mayor Lee's motives for investigations.
  • Tamica Small: Accused Mayor Fugazi and absent council members of a coordinated boycott of the previous special meeting and of using distractions to avoid accountability.
  • Yolanda Amen: Described the situation as a 'red herring' and 'distraction' aimed at Vice Mayor Lee, and criticized Mayor Fugazi's leadership.
  • Cynthia Gale Boyd: Criticized the council for wasting money on investigations and questioned the composition of the proposed ad-hoc committee.
  • Susan Fahey: Supported transparency and recommended inviting former interim city manager Steve Colangelo to testify; praised Vice Mayor Lee's leadership.
  • Pat Barrett: Asserted First Amendment rights and expressed frustration with the prolonged focus on Colangelo and repeated investigations.
  • Alberto Gonzalez: Apologized to the Hispanic community for supporting Mayor Fugazi, stating the council lacks business experience and fiscal knowledge.
  • Barbara King: Called for accountability, defended Vice Mayor Lee's questioning as part of transparency, and criticized Mayor Fugazi for perceived disrespect.
  • Gabby Gonzalez: Expressed anger at the four council members who missed the previous special meeting, accusing them of a cover-up and Brown Act violation.

Discussion Items

3.1 – Council-led discussion on potential charter violations, abuse of authority, and possible misuse of public funds; direction to staff on next steps and possible referrals

• Vice Mayor Lee moved to eliminate the five-minute speaking limit for council members to allow full discussion. The motion failed 3-4 (Yes: Blower, Enríquez, Lee; No: Villapudua, Padilla, Fugazi, Ponce).
• Vice Mayor Lee alleged that Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo committed a letter committing $824,000 (10% match) to Service First of Northern California without council approval, exceeding his $100,000 spending authority. He also cited a letter waiving $200,000 in code enforcement fees and questioned other actions.
• Councilmember Padilla obtained updated information from the state showing the final city match may be only $22,486 after other contributions. She asked the city attorney whether the letter constituted a binding commitment or criminal offense; the city attorney responded that it likely exceeded authority but criminal charges would have a high bar.
• Councilmember Villapudua defended Service First as a proven nonprofit and characterized the discussion as a personal attack on Vice Mayor Lee rather than a good-faith inquiry.
• Councilmember Blower expressed concern about the letter exceeding authority but noted the actual financial obligation appears minimal.
• After debate, Vice Mayor Lee moved to refer the matter to the California Attorney General, District Attorney's Political Corruption Unit, and San Joaquin County Grand Jury, and also to rescind the commitment letter and agendize a future council discussion. A friendly amendment by the mayor to drop the rescind portion was accepted. The motion passed 7-0.

3.2 – Council Investigatory Ad-Hoc Committee

• Mayor Fugazi proposed forming an investigatory ad-hoc committee to review allegations involving Vice Mayor Jason Lee, including conduct unbecoming, potential conflicts of interest, and hostile work environment complaints. She stated the committee would be informal, public, and temporary.
• Councilmember Enríquez questioned the lack of specific allegations compared to the censure process for other council members.
• Vice Mayor Lee objected, citing procedural concerns and arguing that existing complaints should go through established HR channels or an open forum rather than a boundaryless ad-hoc investigation. He noted the Attorney General's office is already involved.
• Councilmember Villapudua made a motion to approve the ad-hoc committee with Mayor Fugazi and Councilmember Padilla as members. The motion carried 4-3 (Yes: Villapudua, Padilla, Fugazi, Ponce; No: Blower, Enríquez, Lee).

Key Outcomes

• Motion 2025-11-12-0301-01 (eliminate five-minute speaking limit) – Failed 3-4.
• Motion 2025-11-12-0301-02 (refer potential charter violations, abuse of authority, and misuse of public funds to the Attorney General, DA's Political Corruption Unit, and Grand Jury) – Approved 7-0.
• Resolution 2025-11-12-0302 (establish an Investigatory Ad-Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Fugazi and Councilmember Padilla to review allegations involving Vice Mayor Lee) – Approved 4-3.