Resolution No.
STOCKTON CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION CENSURING COUNCILMEMBER VILLAPUDUA FOR VIOLATION OF COUNCIL POLICIES 3.13 – COUNCILMEMBER AND COMMISSIONER CONDUCT POLICY AND 4.07 - DECORUM Council Policy Manual Chapter 4.08 (Council Censure) establishes the process for the censure of councilmembers; and The process begins with the submission of a complaint by two councilmembers and an initial discussion before Council to determine whether the process should move forward; and Absent a unanimous vote by the uninvolved councilmembers (those who did not submit and are not the subject of the complaint), the process continues; and On January 21, 2025, Councilmember Padilla and Vice Mayor Lee submitted a complaint to the City Clerk pursuant to Council Policy 4.08 requesting a censure hearing regarding an alleged violation of Council Policies 3.13 and 4.07 by Councilmember Villapudua; and At the February 4, 2025, Council Meeting, there was no unanimous vote to stop the process the Mayor appointed the Council Censure Ad-Hoc Committee pursuant to Council Policy 4.08; and On February 25, 2025, the Ad Hoc Censure Committee reviewed and discussed the evidence and appointed Committee member Enríquez to draft the report and recommendation to be submitted to the clerk and forwarded to the full Council; and Councilmember Enríquez submitted the Committee Report and Recommendation to the City Clerk on March 24, 2025 and Councilmember Villapudua was notified of the hearing on March 25, 2025.
In accordance with Council Policy 4.08 – Council Censure, the City Council has considered the report and recommendation of the Censure Ad Hoc Committee, reviewed the evidence presented, and heard the testimony of Councilmember Villapudua; and The City Council has determined that based on available evidence, there are sufficient facts to support the censure of Councilmember Villapudua; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON, AS FOLLOWS:
1. Based on its review of the entire record herein, the City Council makes the following findings that support the censure of Councilmember Villapudua:
Video evidence shows Councilmember Villapudua displaying a derogatory hand sign to a member of the public in the Council Chamber.
Council Policy 3.13 sets the standards of conduct for Councilmembers and Commissioners specifying conduct with the public. Councilmember Villapudua’s display of a derogatory hand sign to a member of the public is in violation of this policy.
Council Policy 4.07 establishes that Councilmembers will preserve order and decorum. Councilmember Villapudua’s display of a derogatory hand sign to a member of the public is in violation of this policy.
2. Based on its review of the entire record herein, all supporting, referenced, and incorporated documents, the findings above, and all comments received, the City Council hereby censures Councilmember Brando Villapudua, for violation of Council Policies 3.13 and 4.07 and disassociates itself from Councilmember Villapudua’s conduct as they are not reflective of the governing body’s feelings or sentiment towards any of our residents.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED April 15, 2025 .
CHRISTINA FUGAZI
Mayor of the City of Stockton
ATTEST:
KATHERINE ROLAND, CMC, CMPC
City Clerk of the City of Stockton