Stockton City Council Meeting Summary - February 3, 2026

On February 3, 2026, the Stockton City Council met in closed session at 3:00 PM and in regular session at 5:30 PM, adjourning at 9:24 PM. All seven members were present. The council heard a public hearing on the Downtown Stockton Community Improvement District (DSCID), accepted the FY 2024-25 fourth-quarter budget status report, approved a consent calendar, took non-agenda public comment, and received council comments. The acting city attorney reported no reportable action from closed session.

Public Hearing – Downtown Stockton Community Improvement District (DSCID)

The council conducted a public hearing on forming the DSCID, formerly the Downtown Stockton Alliance (DSA), for a 20-year term beginning January 1, 2027. Staff and the DSA executive director said an earlier October 14, 2025 hearing reported 76 percent support among returned ballots, with 61 percent of ballots returned, but the council did not approve formation; a November 18, 2025 action allowed reconsideration. The proposal would create one benefit zone with assessments based on property footprint and building stories, with residential and nonprofit rates lower than commercial, government, and multifamily rates.

Public testimony was divided. Supporters including Matthew Amen, Mahala Burns, Tony Yadon, Jacob Benguerel, Phillip Merlo, and others credited DSA with downtown cleanliness, safety, business recruitment, graffiti response, and economic development, and urged the council to preserve the organization. Opponents and cautious speakers including Abdul Yosini, Mark Dennehy, Doug Rishwain, Natali Ron, Pat Barrett, Michael Sousa, and Mary Elizabeth objected to expanding the district into Sections A and B, questioned the legality or adequacy of notice, raised the burden of assessments on property owners and tenants, and challenged the 20-year term and one-zone assessment structure. Several Section A property owners said they were not properly included or notified.

During council discussion, Councilmember Blower moved to approve formation of the district with Sections A and B removed and a 20-year term, seconded by Vice Mayor Lee. The city attorney advised that the reconsideration process was not expressly contemplated by code and carried some legal risk, but no prohibition was identified. The motion carried 4-3: Yes – Blower, Villapudua, Enríquez, and Lee; No – Fugazi, Padilla, and Ponce. The written minutes record approval of Resolution 2026-02-03-1501 but do not explicitly state the A/B removal; the transcript shows the adopted motion removed Sections A and B.

Fiscal Year 2024-25 Fourth Quarter Budget Status Update

CFO Gilbert Garcia presented the unaudited fourth-quarter results. Total General Fund revenues were $334.4 million against a budget of $319.8 million, helped by property taxes, interest earnings, and a redevelopment increment true-up. Expenditures were $389.9 million against a budget of $390.5 million. The year began with a $51.3 million fund balance and ended at $57.7 million after a $6.4 million net gain. After the $54.7 million working capital reserve requirement, about $3 million was available for future appropriation. The long-range financial plan still showed reserve pressure, and labor negotiations were noted as an upcoming budget factor.

Public comment included Mary Elizabeth asking that the new presentation be posted for the public and raising the city’s reliance on the utility tax. Council discussion covered the missing 2025 budget book, which the CFO said would be brought to the next council meeting; police vacancy savings; and the county tax-sharing agreement, which the city manager said was expected to come forward around March. The council approved Resolution 2026-02-03-1601, including vacancy savings allocations of $321,200 to City Clerk, City Attorney, and Economic Development, a $900 Downtown Marina Fund amendment, and a $29,600 General Liability Insurance Internal Service Fund amendment, by a 7-0 vote.

Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was approved 7-0 as a single vote, with items 12.5 and 12.7 pulled for separate consideration. Approved consent items included:

• 12.1 Public Facilities Fee Annual Report for FY 2024-25.
• 12.2 Appointment of Jesusita Gonzalez to the Measure A Citizens Advisory Committee through January 31, 2029.
• 12.3 Ordinance adding Stockton Municipal Code Section 2.28.030 recognizing City Hall as a polling location.
• 12.4 Contract amendment with Vermont Systems, Inc. for RecTrac recreation management services totaling $285,211.02.
• 12.6 Reimbursement agreement with KB Home North Bay, LLC for the Pock Lane sewer trunk main in the estimated amount of $691,770.

Item 12.5 allocated Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funds. The resolution text lists $1,000,000 total, but the two stated awards are $482,730 for Amelia Ann Adams Whole Life Center’s Housing Justice Program and $571,270 for Family Resource Center’s Housing Assistance Program, plus $700,000 for a Childcare Voucher Program to Family Resource Center. Staff described required HMIS data tracking and state performance metrics. Representatives of both organizations described outreach and collaboration through 211 San Joaquin. The council approved Resolution 2026-02-03-1205 by a 7-0 vote.

Item 12.7 accepted a Tobacco Grant Program award from the California Department of Justice in the amount of $976,853 for enforcement, including decoy, shoulder-tap, and undercover operations. Public commenter Mary Elizabeth raised concerns about excluded task-force activities, decoy practices, and retailer education; police stated the grant would fund overtime and that officers would prioritize retailers near schools. The council approved Resolution 2026-02-03-1207 by a 7-0 vote.

Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda

During non-agenda public comment, Aisha Abercrombie thanked the council and asked Vice Mayor Lee to work with the Arts Commission. Dianna Buettner discussed ADA accommodation and the placement of public comment in the agenda. DeeDee Jaurequi, also known as Big Mama, and Autumn Brown spoke in support of reopening the Teen Center and asked the city to consider Jaurequi to run it. Mary Elizabeth urged public access to meeting presentations and announced a February 7 Climate Action Plan meeting. Pat Barrett discussed board and commission vacancies, oversight committees, and the Office of Violence Prevention. Cynthia Gail Boyd marked Black History Month and criticized decorum enforcement. Joseph Lopez opposed additional surveillance cameras in neighborhoods. Ralph White referenced recall rumors, criticized councilmembers who allegedly contacted others’ employers, and called for greater Black representation in city employment.

Administrative Matters and Council Comments

Vice Mayor Lee requested an update on business license and permit process improvement within 60 to 90 days. Councilmember Padilla asked for a separate presentation on the permit center. Councilmember Enríquez requested an update on the Light Up Stockton initiative around its one-year anniversary.

Councilmember Villapudua announced a February 11 neighborhood watch at Stribley Community Park and thanked police and fire leadership. Vice Mayor Lee discussed Black History Month, his decision to elevate DEI transparency issues to the state, teen center efforts, district communications, community beautification, and his upcoming podcast. Councilmember Blower congratulated Mission Pizza and Pub and John Vera as Stocktonian of the Year. Councilmember Padilla announced the February 7 ribbon cutting at Inspiration Park, the February 5 Ad-Hoc Homelessness Committee meeting, and a Phoenix trip to study safe-site programs. Councilmember Enríquez gave infrastructure updates, discussed his press conference regarding the ICE facility, and announced a February 7 Walk the Block event. Mayor Fugazi explained her DSCID no vote as related to the 20-year assessment increase and residential burden; she also reported on U.S. Conference of Mayors meetings, CENCAL, homelessness funding, boards and commissions attendance, and several upcoming community events. The meeting closed with a moment of silence and adjournment.

Key Outcomes

• DSCID formation approved 4-3 with Sections A and B removed and a 20-year term.
• FY 2024-25 fourth-quarter budget update and amendments approved 7-0.
• Remaining consent items approved 7-0; HHAP funding and Tobacco Grant each approved 7-0.
• Staff directed to provide business license/permits, permit center, and Light Up Stockton updates within roughly 60 to 90 days.