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Stockton council votes 4-3 to remove climate advisory member Patricia Barrett, appoints Christine Williams
Summary
After hours of public comment and council debate about representation and process, the Stockton City Council voted 4-3 to remove Patricia Barrett from the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee and appoint Christine Williams to a four-year term effective immediately.
Mayor Christina Fugazi and council members debated item 12.1 for more than an hour before voting to remove Patricia Barrett from the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee and appoint Christine Williams for a four-year term ending Jan. 31, 2029. The motion to remove Barrett and appoint Williams carried 4-3.
The discussion drew sustained public testimony. Barrett, who said she was nominated July 15 and described her lived experience and advocacy in South Stockton and the AB 617 region, urged the council to retain her in order to preserve district representation. Community members, several committee members and local advocates pressed the council to either keep Barrett or expand the committee to add Williams without removing Barrett. Julie Dunning, who identified herself as newly elected chair of the committee, recommended adding Williams while leaving Barrett in place or postponing the removal and expanding membership to restore geographic balance.
Mayor Fugazi said appointments were made under policy and defended the discretion to nominate committee members. Vice Mayor Lee and multiple council members said they were concerned about optics of removal without a clear record of violations and urged caution. Council members who spoke against removal cited retaliation and loss of district 6 representation; those supporting the mayor said the appointee brings qualifications and the authority to shape advisory committees rests with the appointing official.
The council considered two competing motions during the item: one to add Christine Williams but not remove Barrett, and the mayor’s motion to remove Barrett and appoint Williams. The mayor’s motion prevailed when members voted. Council did not read a detailed finding on the record explaining the specific basis for removal beyond referencing the committee’s appointment authority and supporting materials provided in the agenda packet.
The council directed staff to complete the appointments paperwork and update committee rosters. Community speakers repeatedly requested clearer, more transparent processes for commission appointments and for better notification when volunteers are considered for removal. The council’s 4-3 vote was the final procedural action recorded on the item.
