Downtown Stockton Community Improvement District

Downtown business owner and former DSA board member strongly supported the 20-year district, crediting DSA's clean-and-safe programs for a decade of revitalization.

Opposed the district, saying small business owners are struggling, cannot afford another assessment, and asked the Council to stand with Stocktonians, not the establishment.

Said he was never notified of the hearing, criticized the weighting of government-owned properties in the vote, and asked the Council to remove areas A and B as previously planned.

A 30-year downtown worker and DSA board member urged support, crediting the Alliance for downtown's transformation and asking for another 20 years.

Asked what basic city services the district supplements, questioned graffiti response times, and suggested rate adjustments for nonprofits and residential rentals.

Opposed including the Fremont Street corridor, noting 82 percent of that area voted no and the October 14 Council had unanimously supported excluding it.

Filed a written comment arguing the reopened hearing violated Government Code notice and balloting requirements, including the 45-day notice and right to change votes before the hearing closes.

Asked why 20 years instead of a 10-year pilot with accountability, said she never sees ambassadors downtown, and demanded accountability from owners of blighted vacant buildings.

Museum director with downtown property said the DSA is valuable but agreed Area A should be removed since its owners clearly don't want in.

CEO of Main Street Youth and Family Services with over 100,000 square feet downtown, strongly supported the Alliance and asked the Council to show vision for downtown.

Criticized the DSA's history and unlicensed ambassador carts, but thanked Councilmember Jason Lee for his independent voice.

A 17-year downtown property owner warned that losing the DSA would be a death blow to downtown and said he'd sell and leave without it.

Questioned why the public pays for private services through assessments on publicly owned buildings, noting costs get passed on to residents.

Fremont Street property owner opposed Area A's inclusion, saying owners were never consulted and weren't properly notified, and the map in the agenda didn't reflect the promised exclusions.

Said downtown is dangerous and empty after 6 p.m., questioned whether property owners get full-time value, and flagged hazards at the crosstown freeway off-ramp.