Stockton City Council and Concurrent Authorities Meeting - January 13, 2026

The Stockton City Council met on January 13, 2026, in a regular session that included a closed session, public comments, a consent agenda, a public hearing on street vendor fees, and several new business items including appointments, a "Compassionate City" resolution, a discussion on the Wild 'n Out investigation, and a report on a DEI investigation. The meeting lasted from 4:00 PM to 10:59 PM, with multiple recesses.

Closed Session Actions

• The Council voted 7-0 to accept the resignation of City Attorney Lori Asuncion, effective immediately, with a severance consistent with her contract, $3,500 for attorney's fees, and a mutual non-disparagement agreement.
• The Council voted 7-0 to appoint Taryn Jones, Assistant City Attorney, as Acting City Attorney, effective immediately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Over 30 members of the public spoke during the general public comment period, raising concerns about:
  • Community safety, gang violence, homelessness, and drug issues.
  • The need for a "Compassionate City" resolution to protect immigrant communities.
  • Allegations of ethics violations by Vice Mayor Jason Lee and Commissioner Natasha Brown (including revenge porn and misrepresentation).
  • The closure of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office and the reassignment of the DEI manager.
  • Requests for transparency and accountability from the Council.
• Public comments on the consent agenda focused on affordable housing consulting contracts and the ad-hoc homelessness committee.
• During the public hearing on street vendor fees, Cynthia Gail Boyd questioned enforcement disparities and the lack of community meetings on the east side.
• During the Compassionate City resolution discussion, multiple speakers urged passage, citing economic impacts and the need for solidarity with immigrants. Some speakers called for a walkthrough of the local ICE facility.
• During the Wild 'n Out investigation discussion, speakers criticized the $50,000 cost and called for moving forward. Some defended Vice Mayor Lee.
• During the DEI investigation discussion, speakers criticized former interim city manager Steve Colangelo's actions and the mayor's refusal to enforce a subpoena.

Discussion Items

Consent Agenda (Items 12.1-12.13)

• The consent agenda was approved 7-0 with the exception of Item 12.8, which was considered separately.
• Item 12.8: Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness – Approved 7-0 to re-establish the committee to explore safe camping and safe parking solutions. Councilmember Padilla noted the first meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
• Other consent items included:
  • Acceptance of committee minutes.
  • Approval of city council minutes (November 4, 2025).
  • Appointment to Community Development Committee.
  • Contract amendments for affordable housing consulting (TDA Consulting, $171,000), emergency dispatch software (NPSG, $744,946), wastewater facility upgrades (Brown and Caldwell, $120,573), and spay/neuter services (Animal Balance, $126,000).
  • Vehicle purchases (vans $428,464.88; trucks $2,669,611).
  • Fire station remodel ($330,000).

Public Hearing: Street and Sidewalk Vendor Fee Schedule (Item 15.1)

• The Council held a public hearing to adopt an amended fee schedule for street and sidewalk vendors, consistent with a December 16, 2025 ordinance.
• Approved 7-0 Resolution 2026-01-13-1501, establishing fees: first violation $250, second $500, third and subsequent $1,000 for operating without a business license; separate fees for health permit and park use ($60 annual).
• Councilmember Enríquez explained the fees are complaint-based and aligned with state law, with some reductions from initial recommendations.

New Business

Appointments (Items 16.1, 16.2, 16.3)

• Civil Service Commission: Appointed Jahari Williams to a term ending December 31, 2028 (7-0).
• San Joaquin Regional Transit District Board: Appointed Derick Graves to a term ending December 31, 2029 (7-0).
• Stockton Port Commission: Appointed Gregory Page to a term ending January 15, 2030 (7-0).

Compassionate City Resolution (Item 16.5)

• Councilmember Enríquez introduced the resolution, declaring Stockton a "Compassionate City" to affirm support for immigrant and refugee communities, aligning with SB 54 and existing police policies.
• Approved 7-0 Resolution 2026-01-13-1605. The resolution prohibits city resources from being used to enforce federal immigration law, holds individuals only on judicial warrants, and reaffirms non-discrimination in city services.
• Councilmembers expressed strong support, citing Stockton's diversity and the need to build trust.

Wild 'n Out Investigation Discussion (Item 16.6)

• The Council heard from investigator Stephen Miller of Hanson Bridgett, who presented findings: no violation of law regarding Vice Mayor Lee's participation in the event; but he should have recused himself from the vote to authorize the investigation to avoid the appearance of conflict.
• The Council voted 6-1 (Fugazi dissenting) to waive attorney-client privilege on the full 23-page report, allowing public discussion.
• Vice Mayor Lee acknowledged the report's conclusion that no law was violated and criticized the $50,230 cost as a politically motivated waste of taxpayer money. He called for moving forward.
• No action was taken; the item was informational only.

DEI Investigation Report (Item 16.4)

• Vice Mayor Lee, as chair of the Audit Committee, presented the findings of an investigation into the dissolution of the DEI office and the reassignment of the DEI manager.
• The committee found that the dissolution occurred without council notification, lacked transparency, and may have involved improper fund transfers in violation of Charter Section 1907. Former interim city manager Steve Colangelo refused a subpoena, and Mayor Fugazi did not enforce it.
• A motion by Councilmember Padilla to accept recommendations 1 and 2 (rebuild DEI governance and establish a citizen commission) and recommendation 8 (direct a 60-day corrective action plan) passed 6-1, with Mayor Fugazi dissenting.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session: City Attorney resignation accepted; Taryn Jones appointed Acting City Attorney.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0 except 12.8 (Homelessness Committee) approved separately.
• Street Vendor Fee Schedule: Approved 7-0, effective January 16, 2026.
• Appointments: Jahari Williams (Civil Service), Derick Graves (RTD), Gregory Page (Port Commission) all confirmed 7-0.
• Compassionate City Resolution: Adopted 7-0.
• Wild 'n Out Investigation: Privilege waived (6-1); report accepted as informational; no further action.
• DEI Investigation: Motion to implement recommendations 1, 2, and 8 passed 6-1; staff directed to return with a corrective action plan within 60 days.
• Next Meetings: Ad-Hoc Homelessness Committee on January 21, 2026; next regular City Council meeting in two weeks.