The Stockton City Council is set to vote on the appointment of Steve Colangelo as interim city manager at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, February 4. If approved, Colangelo will step into the role following the resignation of former City Manager Harry Black, who left in January after a political shakeup on the council. Acting City Manager Will Crew has been serving in the position temporarily.
Colangelo, a longtime event producer and business owner, has an extensive career in event management but lacks direct experience as a city manager or deputy city manager. His most notable government role was serving as CEO of the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, a position that ended amid controversy. A state audit found financial mismanagement at the fairgrounds during his tenure, with issues including missing financial records, improper payments, and lax contract oversight.
Concerns Over Hiring Process
The process of appointing Colangelo has raised concerns among some council members and city officials. Unlike previous interim city managers, who were selected from Stockton's deputy city manager ranks, Colangelo was chosen through closed-door deliberations with no formal hiring process or public recruitment effort.
Councilmember Brando Villapudua has publicly questioned why an outside hire was necessary.
"Why do we have to go outside? Does this person even have the requirements of a city manager?" Villapudua asked, emphasizing the importance of selecting someone with experience managing a city with millions of dollars in public funds.
Despite concerns, Mayor Christina Fugazi has assured residents that the appointment is temporary, with a permanent city manager expected to be in place by August. Fugazi addressed concerns via social media, stating, "This isn’t our forever city manager. This is merely an interim city manager."
Colangelo’s Background And Political History
Colangelo, a lifelong Central Valley resident, has spent nearly 40 years in event production and business management. He previously served as the CEO of the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds but left the role following the 2019 state audit that found financial mismanagement.
Additionally, he has made several unsuccessful bids for public office, including a 2014 run for Congress, a 2016 run for Stockton City Council, and a 2022 campaign for San Joaquin County Supervisor. His political background, coupled with his lack of city management experience, has led some to question his qualifications for overseeing a major city like Stockton.
Lack Of Transparency In Selection Process
The Tuesday council meeting agenda does not include a resume or background details for Colangelo. Furthermore, it is unclear whether any other candidates were considered. The last five interim city managers in Stockton were promoted internally from deputy city manager positions. Colangelo’s appointment would break this long-standing precedent.
City council documents show that the decision to appoint Colangelo was made in a closed session on January 21, where council members deliberated his hiring and directed the City Attorney to negotiate an employment contract.
Despite multiple requests, Colangelo has not responded to inquiries from Stocktonia or other media outlets regarding his qualifications for the role.
What’s Next?
If approved, Colangelo will receive a monthly salary exceeding $20,000, with a scheduled pay increase in July. His responsibilities will include overseeing city operations, managing public funds, and guiding Stockton through major municipal decisions until a permanent city manager is appointed later this year.
The council is expected to discuss the hiring process for a permanent city manager following Tuesday’s vote.
This article is a summary of reporting by Stocktonia.