Manteca · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manteca public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Disposal of city-owned property at 1403 W. Atherton Drive
The Successor Agency is selling a piece of former redevelopment property to the City of Manteca. Before the sale can close, the state Oversight Board has to sign off — so it's not final yet.
Code enforcement dispute and collection practices
A resident speaking for a property owner disputed repeated code citations issued while an active construction permit was in place, questioned notice sent to a P.O. box, and challenged an $1,800 collection demand added to the property tax bill.
Harmony Woods growth and community contributions
The 147-home annexation extends the Indelicado neighborhood and includes a 4.1-acre park, with a development agreement requiring roughly $12,000–$16,000 per unit toward city services, facilities, and the sewer expansion.
Yosemite Avenue traffic, lane configuration, and bicycle facilities
Commissioners debated whether the aging four-lane former Highway 120 should be narrowed for traffic calming as development intensifies; engineering said lanes will stay but a required raised median and a separated Class IV bike lane will improve safety.
Five-story residential construction and fire readiness
Commissioner Mendoza flagged that the PSS project would be Manteca's first five-story residential building and asked whether the fire department is prepared. Staff said fire reviewed the project at every stage and current code requires modern fire suppression.
Red-light camera enforcement and traffic engineering
A resident asked the city to study a protected right-turn arrow at Yosemite/Commerce, noting nearly 9,824 camera citations (~$4.8M face value) in 2025 and a vendor contract tied to citation approval rates.
Water meter and endpoint replacement contract increase
Residents and the Vice Mayor flagged confusing water bills. Staff explained the smart meter switch created billing cycles of varying lengths (some 20 days, some 43) and promised a public statement once testing finishes.
Citywide Job Classification Study Implementation
Manteca is reviewing how much it pays city workers compared to other cities to make sure it doesn't lose staff. This study helps set fair pay scales and keeps city services running smoothly.
Harmony Woods Annexation
An annexation and prezoning proposal at 13815 South Airport Way was set for hearing continuation.
SoMa Apartments Project
A two-parcel apartment project on South Main Street was set for hearing continuation to October 15.
PSS 26-474 Apartments and Commercial Development
A mixed apartments-and-commercial project at 2218 W. Yosemite Ave. was up for hearing, with a continuation to October 15 on the agenda.
Giri Martial Arts Academy conditional use permit
A 40-year martial arts veteran will open a school downtown offering classes for all ages, raising questions about downtown parking during class drop-off times.
Well 22 Treatment Facility
The city is spending $2.19 million from a PFAS settlement plus a $200,000 consultant contract to design treatment for the Well 22 drinking water facility at Walnut Place Park.
Community room rental insurance requirement
Two speakers argued the $4 million liability insurance requirement for small groups keeps residents from using the McFall Community Room; the mayor asked staff to review it.
REZ 24-77 Rezone to Multifamily
The council was scheduled to give final adoption to rezoning parcels from Residential Estate to Multiple-Family Dwelling, opening the door for multifamily housing.
Lighting and privacy impacts on adjacent homes
A sixth-grader told the commission that parking lot spotlights will shine into her bedroom window; another resident questioned the absence of a required masonry wall. Staff pointed to the photometric plan, shielded downward-cast lighting rules, and a 10-foot landscaped buffer with trees.
Recycled tire mulch safety at Shasta Park
A parent reported headaches from strong odor at the Shasta Park playground, which reportedly uses about 20,000 recycled tires, and asked for air and impact testing. The city says it is already reviewing the playground and will follow up.
Park Dedication Fees Overhaul
An ordinance was scheduled to replace the city's park acquisition and improvement fees with a new park dedication and in-lieu fee structure, which affects what developers pay for parks in new neighborhoods.
Park Dedication and In-Lieu Fee Update
Park fees for new homes more than double — from $3.99 to $8.53 per square foot for single-family — funding parkland as Manteca grows. First update since 2016; the builders' association supported it.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming (Speed Lumps)
Six residential streets across Districts 1, 2, and 3 were slated for speed lumps to slow cut-through traffic in neighborhoods.
Citywide Speed Limit Updates
Speed limits on certain city streets could change based on an updated traffic and engineering survey — affecting every driver's daily commute.
Chamberlain Annexation Project
The city will square off its boundary by annexing about 17.4 acres, prezoning private parcels General Commercial; a resident asked whether a billboard conversion was planned.
Fourplex proposal at 429 Sutter Street
A family is turning their late grandparents' 1955 property into a fourplex while keeping the original house, adding 11 parking spaces and a community garden in an established neighborhood.
Levelz Lounge bar/nightclub permit at 159 W Yosemite Avenue
Manteca's first new downtown nightclub in years promises a dress-code, security-staffed 21-and-up lounge, and local business owners say it will lift the whole district. The open question is noise for the residential tenants upstairs from the neighboring building until 2 a.m.
Little Kamper Propane Project site plan modification
A Manteca-born business owner is moving ahead with a propane refill facility on Moffat Blvd, with a phased buildout starting within two years.
City Hall backup generator replacement
A $1.27 million emergency replacement of the City Hall generator was proposed, funded by Measure Q, keeping emergency operations powered during outages.
ICE Enforcement and Unmarked Vehicles in Manteca
Five speakers blasted ICE agents driving unmarked, plate-less cars in Manteca, citing a kidnapping case in Tracy and asking the city and police to adopt zero-tolerance enforcement. One Zoom commenter defended ICE. Council took no action.
Street paving projects in Districts 1 and 3
Major paving happened in 2025 — Main Street bike and ped, Diamond Oaks, Shasta, Wawona — with a 2026 pavement program planned for two more areas. Council members agreed road repair will be a decades-long effort.
School Resource Officer and Shared Recreation Agreement
A new agreement with Manteca Unified School District brings district money to fund an additional school resource officer and shared recreation facilities as the city grows.
Landscape maintenance district assessments
Annual assessments for landscape and benefit districts will be collected unchanged for FY 2026-27; the hearing drew no public comment.
Fixed Route Transit Redesign
A proposed five-route network adds direct crosstown service, syncs with high school bells, adds a Sierra High tripper, and extends coverage to Lathrop Road — reaching about 9,000 more residents. Council was supportive and asked for a food bank stop.
City Manager employment agreement amendment
Council raised City Manager Toni Lundgren's base salary to $338,113 starting July, citing a comp study showing she was below market and nearly paid less than her own deputies.
Crossroads Plaza extension at 2064 N. Union Road
Circle K took over this previously approved convenience store, fuel station and auto parts store at Union and Lathrop and got a year more to build it. Driveways are right-in/right-out with a finger median to limit left turns onto Union.
The Address Townhomes extension at 445 N. Walnut Avenue
A 13-unit townhome project stalled four years by a partner lawsuit is back on track — financing is secured, two builders are in the running, and the owners hope to break ground within 3-4 months.
November 2026 general municipal election called
The council formally called the November 3, 2026 election for Mayor and Council Districts 3 and 4. The clerk's office will host a candidate information night on May 28 for anyone thinking about running.
Lafferty Communities Oakwood Shores Unit 3 pre-annexation
The council approved a pre-annexation agreement with Lafferty Communities for about 6.25 acres known as Oakwood Shores Unit 3, moving the land toward joining the city. It's a step in the growth pipeline for new housing.
Three Strikes bowling center and Villa Banchetto banquet hall
A new 40-lane bowling, banquet and entertainment center is coming to West Atherton Drive. The council agreed to defer the developer's transportation fee for two years to help the project pencil out, in exchange for a new traffic signal and free annual use of the banquet facility.
Yosemite Avenue fueling station and convenience store
A previously approved gas station, convenience store and car wash on East Yosemite Avenue got a one-year extension. Commissioner Mendoza questioned the unusual pump layout and whether a signal might eventually be needed at the Highway 120 interchange area.
Police and Fire Department Operational Updates
The Fire Department gets its retired communications specialist back immediately under a CalPERS exception, keeping critical radio and communication systems expertise in-house.
Bicycle Impound Ordinance
Manteca is getting serious about bikes, recently impounding 18 as a new city ordinance takes effect. This move could change how people use bikes around town, especially in parks.
Woodward Community Park Outdoor Fitness Court
Woodward Community Park is getting a major upgrade with a new outdoor fitness court funded in part by a $35,000 national grant and $500,000 in park fees. This project expands recreational amenities for health-conscious residents.
CDBG and HOME Federal Grant Allocations
Federal housing and community grant funds totaling over $530,000 were distributed to local programs, including support for veteran housing.
Illegal bike ride enforcement
Council members praised a large police enforcement operation against 200+ riders who took over streets, with 10 citations and bike confiscations, warning that impoundment and fines are coming under the new ordinance.
Safe and Sane Fireworks Program
Council weighed booth counts, fees, and illegal fireworks enforcement. It kept 14 nonprofit booths this year, raised the permit fee to $250, and directed staff to find ways to shift enforcement costs off nonprofits and onto fireworks suppliers.
Potential community center and aquatic center
Multiple council members directed staff to explore funding — grants, updated fees, or Measure Q reserves — for a community center and aquatic center, including one on the south side of Highway 120 so kids don't have to cross the overpass. It's a study and funding exploration, not a commitment yet.
Mid-year budget and second quarter financial update
City finances are healthy: revenues up $4.2M, spending up $3.1M, net positive $1.1M. Police and fire overtime is driving some spending increases; more staffing requests may come.
Nile Garden Well 30 water supply project
Approved design agreements for a new water supply well at Palmer Memorial Park — part of keeping up with growth-driven water demand.
Storm Drain Master Plan
New $1.24M contract with Carollo Engineers to plan the city's storm drainage future, funded partly by closing out an old canal study.
Human trafficking awareness and prevention
The council proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Advocates reported 120 trafficked minors served in San Joaquin County last year, up from 90 the year before, and urged residents to attend the January 15 town hall at the Transit Center.
Local Issues
Manteca's mayor race is getting spicy, with candidates debating how to tackle big issues like homelessness and accessibility. Oh, and there's even some buzz about bringing cricket to town!