Welcome to Stockton City News, Caravan News’ bi-weekly look at the City decisions, projects, programs and announcements that may affect life in Stockton.
The first half of October brought a mix of major infrastructure investments, public safety proposals, regional emergency-service changes and opportunities for residents to weigh in on the future of a prominent waterfront property. The October 1-15 reporting period draws from the October 13 City Council agenda, a Stockton Fire Department announcement and an Economic Development update on the South Pointe cleanup plan.
The Big Picture
Several of the largest items this cycle involve the systems residents rarely see but depend on every day.
Municipal Utilities brought forward approximately $3.4 million in wastewater maintenance agreements, while a separate $2.34 million change order would expand Stockton’s groundwater recharge project at the Delta Water Treatment Plant. The Police Department, meanwhile, received a $1 million federal grant for a proposed Real Time Crime Center, and the City considered more than $3 million in police vehicle replacement and up-fitting costs.
One public-safety change is already in effect. As of October 1, Stockton’s Regional Fire and Emergency Medical Dispatch Center became the sole secondary answering point for all fire and EMS 911 calls across San Joaquin County. For residents, the process remains the same: call 911 as usual.
Stockton Takes on Countywide Fire and EMS Dispatch
A regional shift in emergency communications officially took effect at 9 a.m. on October 1.
The Stockton Fire Department’s dispatch center now handles secondary answering responsibilities for all fire and emergency medical 911 calls in San Joaquin County. Partner agencies were directed to update their call-transfer procedures as part of the transition.
The change builds on earlier City discussions about consolidating fire and ambulance dispatch services through Stockton’s Regional Emergency Communications operation.
For the public, however, there is no new number or procedure to remember. Residents should continue dialing 911 when emergency assistance is needed.
$1 Million Grant Could Establish a Real Time Crime Center
The Stockton Police Department was awarded a $1 million federal COPS Technology and Equipment Program grant to establish a Real Time Crime Center.
The grant requires no local match and is intended to fund a centralized operation for real-time intelligence and coordination. SPD’s Investigations Division would oversee grant operations, with the federal performance period running through January 31, 2028.
The October 13 agenda asked Council to accept the grant.
A Real Time Crime Center is designed to bring information together in one place so law enforcement personnel can coordinate operations more quickly. The summary report does not provide further detail about specific technologies or how the center would operate day to day, so those elements remain to be seen.
Police Fleet Replacement Represents Another Major Investment
Police vehicles were another sizable item on the October 13 agenda.
Council was asked to approve approximately $1.84 million for 32 police interceptors through Folsom Lake Ford and about $182,896 for four BMW motorcycles through Long Beach BMW. Together, the 36 vehicles were identified for replacement because they had exceeded age, mileage or operability criteria.
A separate $1.26 million change order with Stommel/Lehr Auto Electric would cover vehicle up-fitting and increase that contract’s cumulative value to approximately $7.63 million. Funding for the vehicle work is identified within the FY 2026-27 Fleet Internal Service Fund.
Across the vehicle purchases and new up-fitting work, the current procurement actions total about $3.28 million.
Stockton by the Numbers
Four numbers that stood out during the first half of October.
Wastewater
$3.4M
Proposed contracts for sewer inspection and specialized maintenance.
Water Supply
20,000 acre-ft
Projected annual groundwater recharge capacity.
Public Safety
$1M
Federal grant awarded for a Real Time Crime Center.
Police Fleet
36 vehicles
Police vehicles recommended for replacement.
Water Infrastructure Gets a Major Boost
Municipal Utilities had several large items before Council during this cycle.
A proposed five-year, $2 million sewer inspection contract with Pipe and Plant Solutions would support inspection of Stockton’s roughly 900 miles of gravity sewer mains.
The department also sought two specialized sole-source agreements at the Regional Wastewater Control Facility: up to $500,000 with GEA Mechanical Equipment for centrifuge parts and $900,000 with Veolia Water Technologies for disc filter parts. The facility treats approximately 55 million gallons per day.
Another proposal would add $2.34 million to the groundwater recharge project at the Delta Water Treatment Plant, bringing the Gateway Pacific contract to approximately $19.53 million.
The additional work would add water from the Woodbridge Irrigation District, a park water system, a variable-frequency drive for treated-water pumps and all-season service roads. The project has received approximately $2.59 million through three grants and is projected to recharge about 20,000 acre-feet annually.
For Stockton, groundwater recharge is a long-term water-resilience investment, helping move available water into underground storage for future use.
South Pointe Cleanup Plan Opens for Public Comment
Residents also have an opportunity to weigh in on the future cleanup of the 9.1-acre South Pointe waterfront site at 701-855 West Weber Avenue.
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control opened a public-comment period running October 12 through November 12 on the draft Remedial Action Plan.
Environmental testing found lead, heavy metals and pesticides in portions of the soil. The draft plan proposes excavation, off-site disposal, clean backfill and recorded land-use restrictions.
A virtual public meeting is scheduled for October 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Residents may submit comments through November 12.
The public-comment process is an important step before the cleanup plan is finalized, particularly because the property sits along Stockton’s waterfront.
In Your Neighborhood
District 6: One district-specific item this reporting period involved the Vice Mayor position.
The October 13 agenda included a discussion about whether Council should reconsider the January 2025 appointment of District 6 Councilmember Jason Lee as Vice Mayor. The original appointment was approved 7-0 and extends through December 31, 2026. The agenda item asked Council to discuss whether to revisit that action; the source report does not state a final outcome from that discussion.
Around City Hall
Several other proposed policy and administrative changes appeared on the October 13 agenda.
One ordinance amendment would require a vehicle parked under Stockton’s 72-hour rule to move at least 300 feet before the parking period resets. Another would shift the City’s public alcohol ordinance from prohibiting public drinking to prohibiting possession of an open container.
Council was also asked to approve a dredged-sediment agreement with the Port of Stockton for the Buckley Cove project. The agreement sets a rate of $7 per cubic yard, with costs potentially reaching approximately $280,000, and the dredging work is expected to be completed by November 30.
Another land-use matter involved Pride Truck Sales at 2546 Turnpike Road. The business appealed the Planning Commission’s 6-0 determination that its truck-sales use had been voluntarily discontinued after its business license expired and was not renewed. City staff recommended denial of the appeal.
The City also submitted its 2025-2026 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, or CAPER, to HUD by the September 28 deadline. The report covers the first year of Stockton’s 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and includes goals involving affordable housing, homelessness prevention and infrastructure.
Good to Know: Fall Events Are in Full Swing
October is bringing a busy schedule of City-sponsored activities.
A free Theater Camp with Missoula Children’s Theatre runs October 12-17 at Stribley Community Center for ages 6 to 18, culminating in performances of The Tortoise and the Hare on October 17 at noon and 2:30 p.m.
Fall Harvest Festivals are scheduled October 19-23 at five community centers from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring games, candy, movies, snacks and other fall activities. The events are funded through Measure M.
Then on October 24, Monster Mash at Pixie Woods offers a family Halloween event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $6 and includes a carousel ride, while children wearing costumes enter free.
Community Services also received a $25,000 Learn to Swim equity grant from the Brian M. Stocker Fund to provide free swim lessons for Stockton households.
Two Weeks, One City
The first half of October shows how much City work happens both in public view and behind the scenes.
Emergency calls are now being coordinated through Stockton for fire and EMS agencies countywide. Major investments are proposed for police vehicles, crime-response technology, wastewater systems and groundwater recharge. Residents also have a chance to participate directly in the South Pointe cleanup process, while community centers and Pixie Woods prepare for a full calendar of fall activities.
Together, these decisions and programs offer another snapshot of the services, infrastructure and community life shaping Stockton.
That’s Stockton City News. We’ll be back in two weeks with another look at the decisions, projects, programs and events shaping Stockton.