Stockton City Council and Concurrent Authorities Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Stockton City Council met on April 28, 2026, beginning with a closed session at 3:00 PM and reconvening publicly at 5:30 PM. The meeting included recognitions, public comments, consent agenda approvals, several public hearings, and significant decisions on the council salary increase, a transit board appointment, the future of the Cesar Chavez library name, a citywide pool assessment, and the selection of an internal auditor. The meeting adjourned at 11:35 PM after council comments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items 12.1–12.14) with a single 7-0 vote, except item 12.11 was considered separately.
• Item 12.11: Adoption of an amendment to Chapter 4.03 of the Council Policy Manual (meeting schedule and location). After public comments opposing a move to 1:00 PM start times, the council approved the amendment 7-0. The new schedule will move regular session start time to 1:00 PM, with closed session following the open meeting. The change is intended to reduce late-night meetings and associated staff overtime costs, which were reported to average $5,344 in overtime per meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nonprofit Capacity Building Program: Multiple speakers (Tran Nguyen, Kristen Birtwhistle, Jessie Massey, Lisa Vela) urged continued funding for the program, citing its state-leading impact. The program was ranked #1 in California for intentional municipal investment in nonprofit capacity.
• Park Maintenance: Stefanie Alfaro requested agenda placement for repairs at Sergio Park, noting broken playgrounds, graffiti, and a fallen tree trunk.
• Public Safety: Barbara King criticized the council for delaying police substations in Weston Ranch despite an August 2025 approval. Yolanda Amen and others asked for expedited police contract negotiations.
• Meeting Time Change: Several speakers (Alicia Ramirez, Laura Frausto, Paula Gallon, Yolanda Amen, Cynthia Gail Boyd) opposed moving meetings to 1:00 PM, arguing it would exclude working residents.
• Cesar Chavez Library Name: Alicia Ramirez, Laura Frausto, Mark Stebbins, and Yolanda Amen spoke against removing the name, citing due process and the legacy of the farmworker movement. Yolanda Amen emphasized the decision should not be based on “incomplete narratives.”
• General Public Comment: Donald Tafoya criticized Vice Mayor Lee; David Grantham alleged rights violations by security; Leslie Hearon invited the public to a revival and National Day of Prayer.

Discussion Items

• Item 16.1 – SJRTD Board Appointment: After a new process (no interviews, ranked voting eliminated), two motions were made. A motion to appoint Balwinder Singh failed 3-4 (Blower, Enríquez, Lee in favor; Fugazi, Villapudua, Padilla, Ponce against). A subsequent motion to appoint Saiha San passed 4-3 (Fugazi, Villapudua, Padilla, Ponce in favor; Blower, Enríquez, Lee against).
• Item 16.5 – Council Salary Increase: The Salary Setting Commission recommended a 30% increase (from $30,000 to $40,000 per year, effective January 1, 2027). A motion to table until police contracts were settled failed. A motion to accept the recommendation passed 4-3 (Fugazi, Villapudua, Padilla, Ponce in favor; Blower, Enríquez, Lee against). Discussion included the council’s full-time workload, absence of benefits, and the need to recruit diverse candidates.
• Item 14.1 – Cesar Chavez Name on City Facilities: Continued from April 14. After emotional debate, Councilmember Padilla moved to cover the name on the library and form an ad-hoc committee to research options. The motion passed 6-0 (Ponce absent). The ad-hoc committee will include public input.
• Item 16.3 – Citywide Pool Assessment and Strategic Options: Staff presented options for seven pools. The council accepted staff recommendations, adding option two (splash pads) for Holiday Park. Motion passed 6-0. The plan includes opening nine pool locations summer 2026, with projected 20,000–30,000 swimmers. Total expenditure $1.6 million, revenue $125,000, subsidized by Measure M (93%) and General Fund (7%).
• Item 16.4 – Internal City Auditor: After reviewing two finalists, the council approved selection of UHY Advisors Mid-Atlantic, Inc. for a three-year contract with two one-year options. Cost estimated at $421,000 total, significantly less than an in-house department ($1.4 million annually). Motion passed 6-0.
• Informational Item 16.2 – 211, Coordinated Entry, HMIS: Family Resource Center and Central Valley Low Income Housing Corp. presented updates. In 2025, 211 served 89,000+ callers, including 34,000 housing-related. The coordinated entry system enrolled 1,500 homeless individuals, with 46 matched to permanent housing. HMIS tracks 48 agencies and 298 users.

Key Outcomes

• Salary Increase Approved: Council salary will rise to $40,000 annually (30% increase) starting January 2027. Vote: 4-3.
• SJRTD Board Appointment: Saiha San appointed to serve until June 30, 2028. Vote: 4-3.
• Cesar Chavez Library Name: A temporary cover will be placed, and an ad-hoc committee formed. Vote: 6-0.
• Police Substations: Discussion delayed; Vice Mayor Lee noted a committee meeting on May 21 to review substation funding.
• Pool Assessment: Nine pools opening summer 2026; Holiday Park splash pad option directed. Vote: 6-0.
• Internal Auditor: UHY Advisors hired. Vote: 6-0.
• Fire Department Fee Adjustments: Approved via two-year tiered approach to reach 100% cost recovery. Vote: 6-0.
• HUD Annual Action Plan: Approved for FY 2026-2027, allocating $3.2M CDBG, $1.3M HOME, $283K ESG. Vote: 6-0.
• Administrative Matters: Council directed staff to bring forward items on face covering ban, facility usage policy, Light Up Stockton update, vacant buildings, tobacco enforcement, loose dogs, and board/commission appointment process review.
• Council Comments: Several members provided district updates including pothole repairs, park cleanups, community meetings, and the upcoming State of the City address on May 20, 2026.
• City Manager’s Update: Highlights included the May 1 launch of CENCAL Fire and EMS Authority, Small Business Week (May 3-9), and summer recreation programs.

Note: Councilmember Mariela Ponce was absent for votes on items 15.1, 15.2, 14.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, and during council comments. The meeting was extended past 11:00 PM to allow all council comments.