title
ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A POSITION IN THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution that:
1. Appoints one new employee to fill the final vacancy in the Office of the Mayor; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to take whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
body
Summary
Measure O, approved by voters on November 8, 2016, amends the Stockton City Charter to provide funding for no less than three positions in the Office of the Mayor: an Executive Assistant to the Mayor, a Public Information Officer, and a Senior Policy Advisor. It is at the pleasure of the Mayor, with City Council consent, that these positions are employed.
Kevin Lincoln has completed his term and vacated the Office of the Mayor-along with his administrative staff-as of December 31, 2024. Christina Fugazi began her term as Mayor of the City of Stockton on January 1, 2025. The approval of the resolution before you will allow for the Mayor to transition into her role with administrative staff in place at the beginning of the term
DISCUSSION
Background
Article XI, Section 1102, paragraph (n) of the City Charter authorizes the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, to appoint employees to the Office of the Mayor as may be necessary or desirable to assist in the work of the Mayor. Funding for Mayoral staff, however, was not previously required by Charter. Measure O, approved by voters on November 8, 2016, amended the Charter to require funding for no less than three Mayoral staff positions to be included in each annual budget. These positions include an Executive Assistant, a Senior Policy Advisor, and a Public Information Officer. To comply with Measure O, and Article XI-A, Section 1151 of the City Charter, a Public Information Officer must be one of the three positions funded and assigned to the Office of the Mayor.
In November 2024, voters approved Measure M, which further clarifies and distinguishes the roles and responsibilities of the Mayoral Public Information Officer, under Charter Article XI-A. The revised language now reads as follows:
Section 1151. City of Stockton Public Information Office
The City of Stockton Public Information Office shall be administered by a Public Information Officer appointed by the City Manager who shall serve at his or her pleasure.
Section 1153. Mayoral Public Information Officer
The Mayor shall be permitted to have a Mayoral Public Information Officer. The Mayoral Public Information Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall serves at his or her pleasure.
The Mayoral Public Information Officer will be provided information necessary to fulfill his or her roll in a reasonable and timely manner, as coordinated through the City of Stockton Public Information Office.
Present Situation
On December 10, 2024, with Resolution 2024-12-10-0609, the City Council approved two of the three appointments to the Office of the Mayor: the Executive Assistant to the Mayor and the Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor (Attachment A).
Information on this final appointment is as follows:
Mayoral Public Information Officer I/II:
Under direction of the Mayor, the Mayoral Public Information Officer I/II gathers and disseminates to the public and to the news media, in a timely manner, accurate and complete information concerning the Mayor's Office; performs other duties for the Mayor's Office as assigned. The incumbent in this position serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The City’s Class Specification has been provided as Attachment B.
Mayor-Elect has selected Leenisha Ward to serve as the Mayoral Public Information Officer II, starting at step 2 to the salary schedule, or $98,396.88 per year. A resume has been provided as Attachment C.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The annual cost for salaries and benefits for the Mayor’s staff are budgeted for, and approved, through the regular budget process. Funds are available in the General Fund - Mayor’s Regular Salaries account.
Attachment A - Approved Resolution 2024-12-10-0609
Attachment B - Class Spec, Mayoral Public Information Officer II
Attachment C - Redacted Resume - Leenisha Ward