The Stockton City Council was expected to vote Tuesday night on whether to bring back former interim city manager Steve Colangelo, whose contract had expired three days prior. At the last minute, however, item 12.5 was pulled from the agenda. Deputy City Manager Will Crew remains the interim city manager until further notice.
Tensions have been building over the interim city manager’s position for months. As City News reported previously, there have been questions about Colangelo’s experience and qualifications. Those questions came to a head in June when it was revealed that Colangelo had hired Lathrop City Manager Stephen J. Salvatore as a consultant. Colangelo — who has never served as a city manager before — was accused by critics of effectively “outsourcing” the job.
Despite the controversy, Colangelo has earned support from some residents and city leaders. His allies argue that he’s made progress on key projects, including efforts to transform Stockton into a shipbuilding hub. Item 12.5 would have extended Colangelo’s contract for three additional months at a cost of $57,000.
The sudden removal of the item from the agenda sparked frustration among constituents. Tuesday’s meeting was already off to a rough start after beginning three hours late. Several attendees who spoke to ABC 10 said they felt disrespected and voiced concerns about ongoing infighting at City Hall.
As uncertainty continues to loom over the interim city manager’s position, officials say they are hoping to fill the permanent post by October. Applications for the next city manager are currently begin accepted.