Stockton City Council Regular Meeting - January 27, 2026

The Stockton City Council held a regular meeting on January 27, 2026, beginning with a closed session at 4:00 PM and the regular session at 6:00 PM. The meeting included recognitions, consent agenda, public comments, and several discussion items. Key actions included approval of youth workforce development grants, countywide ambulance dispatch staffing, a pallet storage ordinance, and authorization to proceed with a stormwater rate adjustment public hearing. The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda with a single vote, except for items 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.12, and 12.13 which were considered separately. The motion carried 6-0.
• Items approved as part of the consent calendar included:
  • Resolution authorizing the Acting City Attorney to accept property deeds.
  • Various contracts, position allocations, and policy amendments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comments on Consent Items:
  • Yolanda Amen spoke on Item 12.2, arguing that the proposed charter review committee changes created an appearance of retaliation and conflict of interest.
  • Pat Barrett criticized the council's division and the mayor's control, calling for accountability.
  • Mary Elizabeth supported the Youth Jobs Corps but requested more program information and transparency.
  • Mark Stebbins opposed the pallet ordinance as overregulation.
  • Cynthia Gail Boyd questioned how the Main Street/Market Street project aligns with the downtown master plan.
• General Public Comments (Matters Not on Agenda):
  • Donald Tafoya called the council 'the worst he's seen' and criticized transparency and public comment timing.
  • Diana Butler raised ADA accommodation concerns and supported more youth programs.
  • Cynthia Gale Boyd criticized the council's contentious atmosphere and the mayor's leadership.
  • Holanda Preciado urged attention to youth programs and public safety.
  • Mary Elizabeth thanked the Fire Department and Code Enforcement, raised air quality and outreach concerns.
  • Zoyla (Zoila) spoke in Spanish about neglected infrastructure in Weston Ranch (District 6), specifically green belt lights and feeling unwelcome at events.
  • Mark Stebbins complained about the sound system and city staff interactions.
  • Zaakir Akhtar raised concerns about the Downtown Stockton Alliance's voting representation and lack of audit transparency.
  • Ashley Petrey called for an independent audit of homeless-related funds and encampment sweep practices.
  • Barbara King defended Vice Mayor Lee and criticized Councilmember Villapudua for filing a complaint about Tyler Perry's donation.
  • Paula Gallon highlighted Toys for Joy event.
  • Rupinder Mangat defended Vice Mayor Lee's integrity and criticized attacks on him.
  • Julie Dunning alleged political retaliation in recent city staff departures, resigned from committees, and referenced the DEI investigation.
  • Pat Barrett criticized the mayor's leadership and requested attention to South Stockton truck routes and youth programs.
  • Antonia Fields emphasized need for broader representation.

Discussion Items

• Item 12.2 – Re-establishment of Charter Review Advisory Commission: Council debated the proposed changes to commission membership and the at-large appointment process. Vice Mayor Lee and Councilmember Enríquez expressed concerns about removal from the committee and lack of prior meetings. A motion to table the item to the next council meeting carried 5-0.
• Item 12.3 – Youth Jobs Corps Subagreements (CaliforniansForAll): Approved resolution authorizing $988,971.70 for two subgrantees (Main Street Youth and Family Services, and San Joaquin County Office of Education DBA Greater Valley Conservation Corps) to provide youth workforce development programs. Discussion included wages ($16.90-$23/hr), number of youth served (261 total), and oversight. Motion carried 6-0.
• Item 12.4 – Countywide Ambulance Dispatch Operations: Approved resolution allocating 10 positions, an interfund loan of $1,112,000, and related measures to support CENCAL Fire and EMS Authority operations. Councilmember Enríquez highlighted the program manager role. Motion carried 6-0.
• Item 12.5 – Pallet Storage Ordinance: Approved ordinance requiring secured storage of pallets on commercial properties. An amendment changed the effective date to 60 days after adoption. Motion carried 5-0.
• Item 12.6 – Fire Department Carry-Forward Appropriation: Approved $1.0 million carry-forward from FY 2024-25 savings to support paramedic compensation, workers' comp programs, a type-3 fire apparatus, and auxiliary program. Motion carried 5-0.
• Item 12.7 – Senior Graffiti Abatement Technician Classification: Approved a new position for the Police Department to aid retention and leadership. Motion carried 5-0.
• Item 12.12 – Main Street/Market Street Complete Streets Phase 1 Design Contract: Awarded $920,000 contract to Siegfried Engineering, Inc. for design. Staff noted community meetings expected in 6-7 months. Motion carried 6-0.
• Item 12.13 – Staff Relocation Funding from 400 East Main Street: Approved resolution appropriating and ratifying $441,937 in expenses for staff relocation, including transferring $141,437 from Victory Park Pool project. Motion carried 6-0.
• Item 16.1 – Stormwater Rate Study Public Hearing Authorization: Approved resolution to authorize a public hearing on March 31, 2026, to consider stormwater rate adjustments. The current rate of $2.10 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) has not changed since 1992. Proposed rates increase to $3.85 in FY2027 and up to $8.10 by 2030. Staff noted a $5 million deficit and aging infrastructure. Motion carried 4-1 (Councilmember Villapudua dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Decisions:
  • Charter Review Commission item tabled to next meeting (5-0).
  • Youth Jobs Corps, ambulance dispatch, pallet ordinance, fire carry-forward, graffiti technician, complete streets design, and staff relocation all approved with unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
  • Stormwater rate hearing authorized (4-1).
• Directives & Next Steps:
  • Staff directed to schedule community meetings on stormwater rates and ensure multilingual outreach.
  • Councilmember Enríquez will bring back legislation on board/commission appointments.
  • Vice Mayor Lee requested updates on police substations and the optics/budget audit to come through the audit committee.
  • Goal-setting council meeting scheduled for February.

Note: The meeting was contentious, with several council members exchanging sharp criticism regarding committee assignments and leadership. The mayor left the dais at 7:00 PM for a prior commitment, and Vice Mayor Lee presided over the remainder.