STOCKTON CITY COUNCIL’S closed session stretched late into Tuesday evening, concluding just after 8 p.m., delaying the start of its public meeting by hours and prompting frustration among attendees.
The extended closed-door meeting — where councilmembers discuss sensitive matters such as employment issues or litigation shielded from public view — kept residents and city staff waiting nearly three hours past the scheduled 5:30 p.m. start of the public session.
The agenda included labor negotiations, two potential cases of anticipated litigation, an employee evaluation and possible discipline, and appointments, including that of the city attorney. When the council returned around 8:05 p.m., the city attorney announced there was nothing to report from the session.
Mayor Christina Fugazi acknowledged the long wait.
“Thank you for being so patient with us,” she said, then promptly called for roll call to begin the public portion of the meeting.
Public frustration and missed recognitions
The delay left some residents frustrated and others walking out. During public comment, Cynthia Gail Boyd criticized the council for keeping constituents waiting late into the evening.
“Why should the public present be held hostage and forced to endure the late night meeting in this dangerous downtown when we are at murder number 23 now?” Boyd asked.
Tiffany Jackson, a teacher, shared that she waited for hours with her young son. “Please be on time,” she said. “I just have a six-year-old, and we waited four hours. I brought him to teach him about standing up for yourself.”
Resident Diana Buettner cited medical concerns and said during public comment she would be forced to leave the meeting early due to the lengthy delay.
Multiple public commentators also noted that they were kept waiting for hours without food while the council was provided dinner. Some also voiced frustration at councilmembers snacking on the dais while the public was talking.
Vice Mayor Jason Lee later addressed the public in a Facebook post, thanking residents for their patience and explaining the council’s extended schedule.
“Yesterday, we started at 7 AM and didn’t leave until almost midnight — but we know your day was long too, and we appreciate you being with us,” Lee wrote.
The Delta Sunrise Little League team, expected to be recognized for a 29–0 perfect season, left City Hall before the meeting resumed. An update from California state Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom’s office, who represent’s Stockton as part of the state’s 13th District, prepared for the council, was also canceled. According to the city clerk, both will coordinate with the mayor’s office to reschedule their appearances.
‘We will make this right’
Councilmember Michele Padilla acknowledged the missed recognition in a Facebook post.
“I know it was disappointing for the players, coaches, and families who waited so patiently since 5:30 PM, and I am truly sorry they didn’t get their moment last night,” Padilla wrote. “We WILL make this right. The team will be recognized at a future Council meeting or special event — because their hard work, talent, and dedication deserve to be celebrated by the entire city!”
The council approved the majority of the consent agenda in a single motion. The consent agenda consists of multiple items that are passed with a single vote and no discussion, typically being the first items the council considers during public session. However, councilmembers can pull out items for separate consideration.
Five consent items were pulled by councilmembers Tuesday night. These items involved matters ranging from investment reports and environmental contracts to updates to the council calendar and procurement of public works and public safety equipment.
The most controversial item of the night was removed from the council’s agenda: a new contract for the now-former Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo. Thus, Deputy City Manager Will Crew will continue on as acting city manager.
Crew took over the helm from Colangelo last week when the former interim’s six-month contract was set to expire until a new contract for him could be agendized. It’s unclear why the council opted to forgo discussion and a vote on Colangelo’s potential reappointment, as no explanation was provided.
The meeting concluded at 11:52 p.m., nearly nine hours after the council first convened. No council comments were made before adjournment.
This story originally appeared in Stocktonia.
