Stockton City Council Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Stockton City Council met on March 3, 2026, for a closed session (1:00-4:48 PM) and regular session (5:30-9:44 PM). Key actions included the appointment of a new city attorney, approval of numerous consent items, a contentious budget discussion revealing unauthorized fund transfers, and emotional public testimony on public safety and homelessness.

Consent Calendar

• 20 items approved en bloc, with 12 items pulled for separate votes, all passing 7-0 (or 6-0 with one absence). Notable separated items included:
  • Appointment of Donald Tafoya to Strong Communities Advisory Committee (partial term ending Jan 2027).
  • Appointment of Patricia Lopez to Measure A Citizens’ Advisory Committee (term ending Jan 2029).
  • Joint Community Facilities Agreement with County and Catellus for Airpark 599, enabling water/sewer infrastructure without general fund impact.
  • Amendment to Project Sentinel contract ($215,000) to add tenant-landlord mediation services; council requested expanded outreach and data sharing.
  • Collective bargaining resolution (Item 12.8): Council approved appointment of a chief negotiator but tabled sections on council conduct with labor groups until further discussion with all nine employee organizations.
  • Rejection of bids for Grupe Park pickleball courts; staff will rebid, with award expected April 14, 2026.
  • Purchase of 133 post-top solar lights ($493,501) for Western Ranch greenbelt, replacing copper wire models.
  • Murray Ranch property tax allocation agreement: changed from 90/10 (county/city) to 60/40, projected to increase city general fund revenue.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donald Tafoya criticized city spending and requested access to the city charter.
• Lee Taylor advocated for public beach volleyball courts.
• Jesse Mejia proposed a 90-day plan to humanely relocate 60% of homeless individuals for under $1.25 million, urging a nonprofit registration ordinance to curb illegal dumping.
• Patrick Peterson, father of mass shooting victim Amari Peterson, expressed grief over lack of follow-up from Mayor and City Manager, demanding accountability and resources to find the shooter.
• Cynthia Gale Boyd accused Mayor Fugazi of inaction on her safety concerns and disparaged the recognition of Motecuzoma Sanchez.
• Barbara King raised issues about San Joaquin RTD bus service disruptions after CEO Alex Clifford’s termination, alleging $62 million in Measure K funds were withheld.
• Jasmine Peterson (Little Manila Rising) promoted the Climate Action Plan survey (extended deadline) and a March 21, 2026 launch party at Civic Auditorium.
• Patrick High (Police Officers Association president) alleged political motivation behind the collective bargaining resolution, calling it a move to silence opposition.
• Linda Christofferson (Grupe Park pickleball group) urged swift construction of new pickleball courts.

Discussion Items

• City Attorney Appointment (Item 16.4): Council appointed Marcy Arredondo as City Attorney (7-0) with a three-year term, $315,000 annual salary, plus benefits (30 vacation days, $7,000 professional development, $250/month tech, $500/month vehicle allowance, 9% deferred compensation). The recruitment process included a 45-day statewide search.
• FY2025-26 Annual Budget (Item 16.2): CFO Gilbert Garcia presented the $982 million citywide budget ($328 million general fund). Council accepted the status report but directed staff to amend the budget to accurately reflect the elimination of the Office of Performance Data Analytics (OPDA) and the creation of the Office of Optic. Vice Mayor Lee revealed that OPDA’s three positions and funds were moved to the city manager’s administration budget without council approval, calling it a “slush fund.” Council demanded corrected line items and a full accounting of Optic’s costs.
• Update on Council Referrals (Item 16.3): City Attorney reported that referrals for Hunter House, Sutter, BRICS, and BCHIP were sent to the Attorney General, District Attorney, and Grand Jury on January 13, 2026, with additional records sent February 26, 2026. Informational only.

Key Outcomes

• Marcy Arredondo appointed City Attorney (7-0).
• Budget report accepted; staff directed to return with an amended FY2025-26 budget correcting OPDA/Optic funding discrepancies.
• Collective bargaining resolution partially approved; council conduct provisions deferred to next meeting.
• All consent items approved as separated votes.
• Council directed staff to increase outreach for tenant-landlord mediation services and to report data on calls and outcomes.
• City Manager to follow up with Office of Violence Prevention regarding family of Amari Peterson.
• Upcoming meetings: Audit Committee (March 16, 2026); Safer Stockton Coalition (March 26, 2026); homeless ad hoc committee (March 5, 2026).