Stockton City Council and Concurrent Authorities Meeting - August 18, 2026

The Stockton City Council held a regular session on August 18, 2026, from 1:02 PM to 9:08 PM, including a closed session. The meeting covered recognitions, a consent calendar, public comments on multiple topics, hearings, and new business items. Key actions included approval of a city manager employment amendment, street resurfacing contracts, community development grants, and a legislative advocacy program. Public comments focused on flock camera surveillance, data centers, immigration enforcement, council conduct, and community concerns.

Consent Calendar

• 6.1 Approved contract amendment with UBEO West, LLC for copy machine lease, maintenance, and service for up to three years at a total not-to-exceed amount of $489,220. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0601)
• 6.2 Authorized the City Attorney to accept deeds and grants of real property. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0602)
• 6.3 Approved the First Amended Employment Agreement for City Manager Johnny R. Ford, effective August 20, 2026, with annual salary adjusted to $390,277, increased employer benefits, auto allowance ($750/month), retirement contribution (18% of base salary), vacation accrual (12 hours/pay period), management leave (120 hours/year), and severance (12 months). (Resolution 2026-08-18-0603) – Vote: 6-0 (Councilmember Ponce absent)
• 6.4 Approved minutes from July 7, 2026. (Motion 2026-08-18-0604)
• 6.5 Approved Fiscal Year 2026-27 Library Vendor Pool. (Motion 2026-08-18-0605)
• 6.6 Approved summary vacation of right-of-way easements along Eight Mile Road and Holman Road. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0606)
• 6.7 Approved summary vacation of right-of-way along Arch Road and South 99 Frontage Road, reserving a public utility easement for PG&E. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0607)
• 6.8 Approved a five-year dispatch services agreement with San Joaquin County Joint Radio Users Group and allocated one additional Fire Battalion Chief - Admin position. (Motion 2026-08-18-0608)
• 6.9 Approved Memorandum of Understanding with Water Supervisory Unit effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0609)
• 6.10 Approved amendment to agreement with Forensic Analytical Crime Lab for grant award modification not to exceed $13,094.09. (Motion 2026-08-18-0610)
• 6.11 Authorized Local Street Resurfacing Program FY 2025-26 SB1 Pavement Repair Project, awarding $198,397 contract to Spektren Engineering, Inc. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0611) – Vote: 6-0 (Councilmember Padilla absent)
• 6.12 Authorized Local Street Resurfacing Program FY 2025-26 SB1 Cape Seal Project, awarding $816,640 contract to American Pavement Systems, Inc. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0612)
• 6.13 Authorized Local Street Resurfacing Program FY 2025-26 SB1 Mill and Overlay Project, awarding $1,098,350.78 contract to Spektren Engineering, Inc. (Resolution 2026-08-18-0613)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kenneth Huntley urged full implementation of California's AB 413 daylighting law, requesting increased enforcement, public education, and identification of high-risk intersections.
• Leslie Hearon praised National Night Out and Barrio Fiesta events, asked about overflow parking at Weber Point using state building lot, and suggested compiling event videos to advertise Stockton.
• Antonia Fields thanked Mayor Fugazi and emphasized kindness and truth.
• Pandora Crowder (South Stockton resident) criticized council member behavior and social media attacks, alleging bullying and defamation. She also commended Mayor Fugazi and city staff for National Night Out and streetlight installations.
• Zoyla Moreno discussed council member treatment and community safety meetings in Weston Ranch, supporting City Manager Ford.
• Lauren Cardinalli raised Brown Act concerns and filed a stop work notice regarding child protection in San Joaquin County, citing alleged violations.
• David Sengthay (Stockton Democrats Together president) detailed transparency problems with the Flock camera contract, including a $3.15 million drone amendment coded under “animal shelter study,” and requested suspension of the contract and a public hearing.
• Donald Tafoya called for an investigation into Vice Mayor Lee's residency, citing California election code.
• Yolanda Amen opposed data center facilities, citing water, infrastructure, and quality-of-life concerns; requested early public involvement. Also criticized the mayor's PIO for disrespectful social media conduct.
• Mireya Alvarado (Marine Corps veteran) thanked council for supporting community events and shared experiences with Alzheimer's disease.
• Julie Dunning alleged council misconduct and inappropriate financial appropriations, promising to deliver information via another mechanism. She criticized the mayor's PIO for inaccurate press releases and overstepping.
• Saeeda (representing Latino and Muslim communities) asked the city to protect immigrants from ICE enforcement, support grassroots organizations, and establish rapid response networks.
• Suzana Magana (Wings Without Borders founder) reported ICE arrests outside San Joaquin County Superior Courthouse and requested city communication with courts and Attorney General's office.
• Chelsea Barragan (UOP student, San Joaquin Pride Center) advocated for low-barrier mental health and substance use services, citing community needs assessment.
• Hilda Cabello-Garcia (youth organizer) opposed Flock cameras, citing data sharing risks with federal agencies and violations of privacy.
• Diana Tapia pointed to cities like Los Angeles and Santa Cruz canceling Flock contracts due to high false alert rates and privacy concerns, urging termination.
• Shahzad listed false claims by Flock regarding data access and sharing, citing public records requests showing unknown agencies and searches for “illegals” and “immigration.”
• Federico D. Magallanes (engineer) argued Flock cameras violate engineering ethics canons on safety, truthful public statements, and avoiding deceptive acts.
• Peter Hawley raised concerns about enforceability of data protections and Flock's venture capital ties to Palantir.
• Eliza Eberhardt noted the difficulty of enforcing SB 34 and SB 54, urging termination of the Flock contract.
• Jose Olivas Jr. (Static Studios) requested increased youth centers and maintenance of historical landmarks.
• Camera Perez highlighted a Flock employee accessing a camera pointed at a gymnastics class, questioning the contract's safety for children.
• Cynthia Gail Boyd honored Bishop Dwight Williams and criticized Councilmember Villapudua for lack of accountability on district concerns.
• Mary Elizabeth presented handouts on Shape Stockton planning, tobacco retailer density, neighborhood sustainability plans, and youth violence prevention events. She requested better city calendar posting.
• Christina Urquieta (Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce) invited council to the START program community workshop on September 3, 2026.
• Marcus echoed concerns about data centers and Flock, urged city action on ICE courthouse presence, and called for justice for Rocco Robinson, Shane Sutherland, and Antoine Bree.
• Karen Winters criticized alleged retaliatory administration and high staff turnover, citing significant severance payouts.

Discussion Items

• 9.1 Public Hearing – BOLD Program (Bond Opportunities for Land Development): The city participated in the California Municipal Finance Authority program to help fund infrastructure for new development through pooled CFD bonds. Staff noted the program requires a minimum $500,000 bond and helps smaller developers. Mary Elizabeth spoke, expressing concerns about developer incentives and urging focus on infill. Councilmember questions clarified city review of applications. Motion carried 7-0.
• 10.1 Reconsideration of Resolution Appointing Mayor's PIO (Informational): Vice Mayor Lee and Councilmember Enriquez placed this item on the agenda. Interim City Attorney Larkin explained that under Charter Section 1153, the mayor's staff appointment cannot be undone by council. Mayor Fugazi and Councilmembers Padilla, Ponce, and Blower recused themselves (personal matters). Public comments included criticism of PIO conduct and calls for investigation. After discussion, Vice Mayor Lee attempted a motion to rescind the resolution and refer the position to the Charter Review Commission, but lacked a quorum. No action taken.
• 10.2 Update from ZenCity Technologies: Director Rochelle Cantero presented Q2 2026 community survey results (810 respondents). Key findings: 33% positive quality of life (up 4 points), geographic and demographic breakdowns, low awareness of city services, and transportation barriers. Councilmember Enriquez expressed skepticism about sample size and data accuracy. Vice Mayor Lee questioned value and suggested deeper community partnership. Councilmember Padilla noted the survey helped justify a marketing position. No action taken.
• 10.3 CDBG/ESG Funding Allocations: Staff recommended $498,509 in CDBG funds to four organizations (Children's Home of Stockton, Emergency Food Bank, Second Harvest, Friends Outside) and $283,000 in ESG funds to two organizations (Central Valley Low Income Housing Corp., PREVAIL). Motion carried 7-0. Discussion included concerns about equitable scoring and capacity.
• 10.4 FY 2025-26 Third Quarter Budget Status Update: CFO Gilbert Garcia reported general fund revenues of $208.7 million (budget $329.1 million) with projection to meet revenue targets. Expenditures budgeted at $377 million, with planned use of prior-year funds. Motion to accept carried 6-0 (Councilmember Padilla absent).
• 10.5 2026-2027 State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Program: Program manager Alex Bailey presented the plan, including state and federal lobbyists. Discussion focused on performance evaluation and coordination of DC trips. Motion carried 6-1 (Vice Mayor Lee voted no).
• 10.6 San Joaquin County EMS System Performance Update (APOT): Fire Chief Carr and EMS Chief Gutierrez presented ambulance patient offload time (APOT) data, noting county standard of 25 minutes for transfer of care. Historical trends show improvement. No action taken.
• 10.7 Fire Protection Services at Port of Stockton – Next Steps: Chief Carr proposed a working group with the Port to address response times and long-term solutions, noting a recent 2,000-gallon fuel spill. Public comment from Jasmine Peterson (Little Manila Rising) urged coordination with community resilience efforts. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• City Manager Employment Amendment Approved: Resolution 2026-08-18-0603 passed 6-0, adjusting salary and benefits for Johnny R. Ford.
• Street Resurfacing Contracts Awarded: Three contracts totaling $2,113,388.78 for pavement repair, cape seal, and mill and overlay projects, with staff committed to a 45-60 day plan for expanded street repairs.
• CDBG/ESG Allocations Approved: $781,509 total allocated to six community organizations (Resolution 2026-08-18-1003).
• Legislative Advocacy Program Adopted: Motion 2026-08-18-1005 passed 6-1.
• Third Quarter Budget Accepted: Resolution 2026-08-18-1004 adopted 6-0.
• Special Public Safety Meeting: Vice Mayor Lee requested a future special meeting or study session to discuss flock cameras and public safety, supported by Mayor Fugazi.
• Council Direction: Councilmember Enriquez requested staff review performance evaluations for charter officers. Councilmember Lee requested an agenda item on service-first grants and a discussion on decorum and commissioner conduct.