Council mostly silent on Grand Jury report at most recent meeting

The Stockton City Council tackled a smorgasbord of issues during this week’s council meeting – discussing plans to improve sidewalk gaps near schools, build a new parking lot across from the new city hall building, install automated restrooms at parks across the city, even listening to a public hearing on adopting the city’s 2024-25 annual budget.

One topic has eluded comment from the council, however: the June 10 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Report blasting the 209 Times social media site for its undue influence on city government.

Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, most council members avoided the political hot potato for various reasons. Only District 3 Councilmember Michael Blower offered comment.

“I was glad that that report finally came out,” said Blower. “I agree with their conclusions. I think that the 209 Times has created a ton of havoc. I think they have created a threatening atmosphere for both city employees and a lot of politicians in general.”

He added, “The only way to beat a bully is to stand up to them.”

Brando Villapudua, who represents District 5, stated on Friday “I hope that our City takes the time to read this report and rise above the misinformation spread by 209 Times.”

“The grand jury report makes it clear that laws have been broken, and threats made against our City has damaged it’s functions,” Villapudua said. “I hope that my peers as well as the district attorney’s office take sincere and meaningful consideration of these matters made clear by the grand jury.”

Vice Mayor Kimberly Warmsley, who was at a conference in Washington D.C., did not return requests for comment, nor did District 4 Council Member Susan Lenz of District 4.

District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla said “no comment,” while District 2 Council Member Dan Wright declined to comment, citing concerns over accidentally sharing information discussed in closed session, as well as concern for those who may have given testimony to the grand jury.

The grand jury report investigates claims that there was or is a mole on the Council that leaked information to 209 Times founder Motecuzoma Sanchez from closed session meetings — a violation of the Brown Act, a state law concerning government transparency.

According to the jury, the Brown Act violation was investigated by an outside firm hired by the city attorney and found to be credible, but neither the findings of the firm nor the report have been released to the public. The jury also investigated allegations from city employees and officials that 209 Times associates would “vilify” and “unfairly attack” them if they if did not agree with and/or support the positions pushed by the publication. The jury called out 209 Times (which it refers to as SMP, or social media platform) for purporting to report news but not following the standards set by the Society of Professional Journalists.

The jury recommends that the Council cut off ties to Sanchez and “stop enabling” the 209 Times from “interfering with effective city government through their continued association and/or support of individuals associated with the SMP.”

The jury also wants a plan for dealing with unlawful threats to city staff and elected officials that are not covered under the First Amendment, and recommends referring them to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.

As for Brown Act violations, the jury points out that the city has spent taxpayer money investigating the violations yet citizens have not been privy to the findings.

“The purpose of the Brown Act is ensure transparency in government,” reads the report.

Read published article: https://stocktonia.org/news/local-government/2024/06/21/council-mostly-silent-on-grand-jury-report-at-most-recent-meeting/