The Stockton City Council met on February 17, 2026, for a regular session beginning at 5:30 PM following a closed session from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation on the circular bioeconomy, a contentious discussion about Regional Transit District (RTD) service disruptions, adoption of an urgency ordinance updating tobacco retail licensing, a presentation on a Phoenix housing model for the unsheltered, and discussion of a potential employment agreement for the Chief of Police. The meeting adjourned at 10:58 PM.
The consent agenda was approved 6-0 (Councilmember Enríquez absent) following public comment from Mary Elizabeth, who raised concerns about safety data sheets and mosquito abatement alternatives.
General Public Comments (Items not on agenda):
Item 16.1 (Tobacco Ordinance): Ten speakers, including Dawn Correll-Cruz (American Cancer Society), Twlia Laster (SOL Project), Anissa Adams, Kimberly Bankston-Lee, Mary Elizabeth, Pat Barrett, Kesa Bruce (American Lung Association), Yolanda Amen, Cynthia Gail Boyd, and Liz Hendrix (American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network), expressed concerns about smoking lounges, flavored tobacco, enforcement complexity, and called for stronger protections. Some praised the reduction in licenses from ~270 to 154 under the moratorium.
Item 16.2 (Phoenix Housing): Pat Barrett and Cynthia Gail Boyd asked about length of stay, waiting lists, and medical services. Pat Barrett advocated for a quick operator.
Item 16.3 (Chief of Police Contract): Ten speakers (Gene Tibon, Yvonne Tibon, Manbir Singh, Billy Nathaniel, Michele J. Sherman, Anthony Sprague, Cynthia Gail Boyd, Bobby Bivens, Yolanda Amen, Leslie Heron) overwhelmingly supported a contract for Chief Stanley McFadden, citing his leadership, community engagement, and crime reduction. Yolanda Amen reminded the council of past diversity concerns and questioned whether the fire chief would be included.
1.1 (RTD Update): Mayor Fugazi presented slides on RTD service, noting a disruption on February 10 that stranded passengers for four hours. She criticized the CEO's leadership and emphasized the need for reliable service. Vice Mayor Lee accused the Mayor of a conflict of interest as chair of SJ COG and alleged that funding denial led to the turmoil. Councilmembers Padilla and Villapudua supported the Mayor's actions. No formal action was taken.
10.1 (BEAM Circular Presentation): Karen Warner, CEO of Beam Circular, presented on the bioeconomy, highlighting $45 million in investments, partnerships with Delta College and Tracy High, and a youth ambassador program. Councilmember Padilla praised the STEM focus.
16.1 (Tobacco Retail License Ordinance): Staff presented proposed updates to Title 5, including four license types (exempt, ancillary, smoke shop, smoking lounge), 1,000-foot buffers, security plans, and enhanced enforcement. Debate centered on smoking lounges, flavored tobacco, and transferability. A motion to table failed. Councilmember Blauer proposed removing smoking lounges entirely. Councilmember Padilla offered a substitute motion to adopt the ordinance with minor amendments and refer the smoking lounge issue back to the Ledge Committee. That motion passed 6-0. The urgency ordinance took effect immediately.
16.2 (Phoenix Housing Project): Councilmember Padilla presented findings from a site visit to Phoenix safe outdoor spaces, showing models with tents and cargo containers, a 50% transition rate to permanent housing, and strong security. She proposed a Stockton pilot for unsheltered families. Vice Mayor Lee raised concerns about funding, location, and avoiding past inefficiencies. The item was informational only; direction will go through the ad hoc committee.
16.3 (Chief of Police Employment Agreement): Mayor Fugazi initiated discussion on a potential contract for Chief Stanley McFadden, citing improved crime statistics: homicides down (2 vs. 5 this time last year), proactivity up 54.6%, and a 66.7% homicide clearance rate. Councilmembers broadly supported the idea, with some including Fire Chief Brian Carr. The city manager received direction to explore options. No vote was taken.
15.2 (Arch-Airport Sperry Road Precise Road Plan Amendment): Approved 4-2 (Fugazi and Villapudua dissenting) to allow a right-out driveway for a Maverick fueling station on county-approved land. Concerns about traffic safety were addressed by staff.
Everyone and welcome to our second meeting in February on the seventeenth day at five thirty PM. Can we go ahead and do roll call? Councilmember Blower. Present. Councilmember Enriquez is absent. Councilmember Ponce. Present. Councilmember Padilla. Present. Councilmember Via Padua. Present. Vice Mayor Lee. Present. And Mayor Fagazi. Present. We have a quorum. Wonderful. Uh, at this time we will be doing the invocation. And I have a Reverend and I want to say this right. I want to say Ellia. Uh, Luna Garza that comes from uh Central Methodist. Press the button. And so on this evening where we are aware that uh it's the first day of Ramadan. It's the lunar new year, and things are starting up. And it's also the eve before Lent for many. I'm just aware of the diversity in this area and all the ways that God is present in all the ways that you are present. And so I invite you to take a pause for just a moment, all who are willing, able, and desiring. As we come before you, we are grateful. We are grateful for Stockton. We are grateful for our neighbors. We are grateful for the industry and the produce. We are grateful for the ways that you work in through for and even in spite of us. And so we come this day. We pray this in the name of all that is holy. Amen. Thank you. Next, we are going to have our Pledge of Allegiance, and we have Alexandra Roland here. She is a fifth grader at Cole Elementary. So would you like us all to stand? Yes. Everybody, please stand. Ready, salute. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. She's our city clerk's daughter. And we're matching in blue. Give it the picture. Come in the picture. Thank you so much. You did an excellent job. Okay, now uh do we have uh any reports of action taken in closed session?