After a week of turmoil, service disruptions and some harsh words, the San Joaquin Regional Transit District’s board of directors convened a special meeting Friday and dismissed Chief Executive Officer Alex Clifford.
The board’s 4-1 vote ended Clifford’s tenure at RTD. Clifford was removed “for convenience,” meaning without cause, according to a statement released by the agency.
Noel Mink, RTD’s director of human resources, will serve as acting CEO until the board considers an interim appointment at its next regular meeting on Feb. 20.
Board Chair Gary Giovanetti cast the lone dissenting vote against firing Clifford, according to details shared after the meeting by RTD’s attorney Nicole Witt.
The decision leaves RTD without a permanent CEO, chief operating officer or chief financial officer.
RTD made this decision during a tumultuous week, after a partial service disruption on Monday and the chief operating officer’s resignation on Tuesday.
The meeting room at the downtown Stockton center on Friday was filled with supporters for Clifford, a majority of whom were bus operators in reflective vests. All 24 seats were taken, and a handful of community members had to stand.
Before public comments began, director Derek Graves Jr. attempted to limit the total amount of time for public comments to 20 minutes. After being informed the move may violate the Brown Act, the meeting continued, and all public comments were heard.
Graves’ move came after director Aaron Edwards’ attempt to stop RTD employees from making public comments during the Monday meeting.
The majority of public comments were in support of Clifford and criticized the three new board members who voted to fire the CEO on Monday: Graves, Geneva Moorad and Edwards.
Supporters downing during public comments included former RTD employees and members of the workers union for RTD employees.
Crystal McGee Lee, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 256, which represents RTD’s bus operators, says a walkout on Monday was a spontaneous reaction to the earlier meeting.
“My members and I work (in an) orderly direction, and so on that day, Monday, there was no good working direction for us, and so you saw a visceral effect,” Lee said. “When we heard what we heard, you saw passion in members and staff with that visceral effect of what had happened.”
RTD Director Les Fong gave an emotional comment in support of Clifford, blaming the board for his dismissal after Clifford had fought for funding under Senate Bill 125.
Clifford’s suspension followed at least five months of conflict over roughly $62 million in funding — about $40 million from California’s SB 125 and the rest from a local sales tax — which RTD claims the Council of Governments agreed to allocate to the transit district before changing course last year.
The funding would’ve gone toward replacing four aging buses and restoring services curtailed during the COVID pandemic, CBS reported.
“This board failed Alex because we set policy, and we’re the ones who turned him loose,” Fong said. “And as a board, we turned him loose to say, ‘OK, fight for our dollars.’ And as a board, I feel personally responsible for putting him in the position that he’s in now.”
Edwards, who did not support Clifford, addressed the transit disruption from Monday.
“When we talk about how he cares for the public, what about those that weren’t able to make it to doctor’s appointments (on Monday),” Edwards said. “So you say this board failed Alex? This board is holding him accountable.”
Giovanetti condemned the action by the board. He stated the new board members removing Clifford without giving him a chance to address their concerns was “inexcusable.”
“If new board members want to see a new direction, they have not even considered how Mr. Clifford could possibly address their issues,” Giovanetti said. “I must ask how many times they have actually been to a board meeting?”
Clifford explained that because he is fired without cause he receives his severance pay. He gave a public comment before the vote, addressing the three directors who voted for his removal and thanking the RTD employees for their support during the week.
“What you did on Monday was enormous, this gang of three tried to pull together a surprise meeting on Friday after nearly late in the day, catching all of us off guard,” Clifford said. “They don’t know the power of your dedication. You are extraordinary. My parting comment to all of you is to keep going in the right direction. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”
There has been tension between RTD and the county’s city leaders for months, and it came to a head during a tumultuous week.
Multiple bus operators reportedly paused their routes to attend another special board meeting in support of Clifford, leading to delays for passengers.
The board ultimately voted 3-2 to place Clifford on paid leave, with new directors Derek Graves Jr., Geneva Moorad, and Aaron Edwards in favor, and Gary Giovanetti and Les Fong opposed.
Clifford, hired in January 2022 with over 30 years of transit experience, has said the actions against him stem from RTD’s disputes with the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) over approximately $62 million in withheld funding, including $40 million from Senate Bill 125 intended for bus replacements and service restoration.
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi, who chairs SJCOG, has contested RTD’s funding requests, citing insufficient documentation. Clifford indicated RTD was preparing to sue SJCOG over the matter.
RTD’s chief operating officer, Ciro Aguirre, resigned effective Tuesday, citing a personal commitment tied to Clifford’s tenure. Aguirre, with nearly four years at RTD and 40 years in the industry, stated his agreement was “as long as (Clifford) was at RTD, I would be at RTD.”
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