Stockton’s City Council may be looking to replace City Manager Harry Black just days into a new term and only a few months after the council renewed his contract for another four years.
Four new representatives took their seats on the dais this week, including a new mayor. The event marked a changing of the guard on the seven-member Stockton City Council following the 2024 election.
Christina Fugazi, who took over the helm from former Mayor Kevin Lincoln, said at Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony that this new council valued transparency and pledged that they would work together for the betterment of Stockton.
Less than a day later, the city announced the new council will hold a special closed session Thursday with only three items of business listed on the agenda, starting with the “discipline/dismissal release” of an unnamed public employee followed directly by the appointment of a public employee — the “City Manager.”
The third item on the agenda is described as a discussion with the city attorney surrounding “anticipated litigation.”
It’s unclear in the meeting’s agenda documents who could be appointed to the city manager position or what kind of compensation they would receive for taking on the role.
As is typical with employment and litigation issues, all three items will be discussed in closed session away from public view. However, the council is required to announce any closed-session actions in a public session to immediately follow.
Taking up the issue of the city manager’s continued employment would mark the first big ticket item the Stockton City Council has tackled since its new members took office Jan. 1.
Mayor Fugazi was joined in taking the oath of office Tuesday by councilmembers Mario Enríquez (District 4), Mariela Ponce (District 2) and newly-appointed Vice Mayor Jason Lee (District 6). Returning councilmembers included Michael Blower (District 3), Brando Villapudua (District 5) and Michele Padilla (District 1).
Attempts to contact Ponce, Fugazi and Enríquez Wednesday evening were unsuccessful, while Vice Mayor Lee declined Stocktonia’s request for comment.
City Manager Black also could not be reached Wednesday.
Councilmembers Blower, Villapudua and Padilla all complimented Black Wednesday when asked what they thought about his performance as city manager. (Councilmembers are prohibited from publicly discussing closed session meetings.)
Black has done “excellent” work during his tenure in Stockton, Villapudua told Stocktonia, including introducing transformative services and standards to the city.
“As a forward thinker, he has done an exceptional job of overseeing our community,” Villapudua said. “It would be a loss to let this vision slip away. I think Stockton deserves better.”
Blower described Black as “a very good and effective city manager” and noted his dedication to the city.
“He is extremely hard working, and committed to our community,” Blower said. “When Harry first came to Stockton, he actually bought a house and invested in our community.”
Padilla commended Black’s financial acumen. Under Black’s watch, Stockton entered a new era of potential economic growth following its 2012 bankruptcy and continued ranking as one of the most fiscally healthy cities in the country.
“He has put the city in a fantastic financial position,” Padilla said.
The city of Stockton hired Black in January 2020, just two months before California implemented a statewide lockdown during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, starting at an annual salary of $270,000, though there have been increases since.
Black’s initial contract was approved for five years and set to expire in February, according to city agenda documents. However, after an “extensive performance evaluation” last summer, his contract was extended
Black’s new contract, approved by the City Council in August following his positive work review, included an 8% raise to a yearly salary of $348,000. Black also received an increased retirement contribution from 12.5% to 17%.
The contract also includes specifications in the case City Council decides to terminate Black’s employment early.
For example, the council must give Black at least 30 days notice for termination so long as he “is able and willing to perform his duties.”
He would also be entitled to a severance payout in the form of a one-time lump sum equal to 12 months salary, deferred compensation contributions, such as retirement, and any accrued vacation leave. The city would also continue to provide life, medical, dental and vision insurance for Black and his dependents for a year.
However, Black would be denied these benefits, including any advance notice, if the council had found “cause” to terminate his employment. His contract defines cause as “willful failure to implement Council policy, abandonment of his duties, conviction of a felony or misdemeanor in the course of his official duties or continued abuse of non-prescription drugs or alcohol that materially affects the performance of his duties.”
The City Council will hold its special closed session meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday inside the Council Chamber on the second floor of Stockton City Hall.
Though council discussions will happen behind closed doors during the closed session portion of the meeting, members of the public can participate in public comment before the council adjourns to closed session. The public can also stick around afterward for any announcements of actions taken during closed session when council reconvenes to public session to close the meeting.