Vallejo Council Declines to Condemn Mayor, Votes to Release Report

Vallejo's City Council spent hours on Nov. 10, 2026, weighing a resolution condemning Mayor Andrea Sorce. Members then set it aside without a formal rebuke. In two roll-call votes, the council waived attorney-client privilege to release a redacted investigation report, 6-1, and took no action on the resolution, 5-2. The same marathon meeting also launched a study of moratoria on self-storage and car washes and backed $240,000 for an understaffed building division.

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• 5-2 vote to take no action on resolution condemning Mayor Sorce after nearly two dozen public speakers weighed in
• 6-1 vote to release a redacted investigation report that sustained all five allegations against the mayor
• About $1.74M in outside legal spending since January 2025 drew public demands for itemized costs
• Self-storage and car wash moratoria study ordered, while a broad Sonoma Boulevard ban gives way to placemaking
• $240,000 building consulting notice approved unanimously after inspector and building official departures

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Council Shelves Rebuke, Opts for Disclosure

Why it matters: A sitting mayor was publicly accused of violating the city charter and ethics code. The council chose disclosure over a formal rebuke, so the underlying dispute remains unresolved.

The basics: Special Counsel Shannon Chaffin of Alshire and Winder presented the item neutrally. "This is not a resolution to formally censure anyone," said Chaffin. He added that the mayor would keep her office with full rights and did not need to recuse. He said an independent investigation sustained 5 of 5 allegations, citing the city charter, ethics code and municipal code. He also said state privacy law limits what could be disclosed. Asked by Councilmember Tonia Lediju whether the mayor took part, he said "the mayor declined to participate."

Where things stand: "I want to be clear that this is a sham. There are no facts. There was no due process," said Mayor Sorce. She said she saw no evidence or notice until the agenda was posted. She also said the Solano County Sheriff has an open criminal investigation into matters she reported. She declined to answer questions.

The other side: "No one sitting in this government-appointed government position is above policy, is above the rules, the regulations," said Councilmember Lediju, who called for a whistleblower program. Councilmember Alexander Matias said he was not interviewed for the investigation and denied any coordinated action against the mayor. Councilmember Charles Palmares said the allegations could not be elaborated. "Therefore, I will not be supporting this resolution," said Palmares.

Most public speakers opposed the resolution, citing missing facts, due process, cost and misplaced priorities. Crystal Gallegos of the Vallejo Housing Justice Coalition called it political theater while housing element work and renter protections lag. A smaller group urged accountability. One commenter pointed to the sustained findings and argued that accountability is part of governing.

The money: Councilmember Matias reported $1,332,963 in outside legal expenses, not counting special counsel, from January 2025 to the present. "Outside special counsel legal fees, separate and apart from that, $404,775," said Matias. City Manager Harry Black said special counsel supports the whole council on several matters.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Lediju moved to release the report. Vice Mayor Diosdado "JR" Matulac cast the lone no vote, warning that "any report as a council that we approve to get out there, we're waiving attorney-client privilege." The motion passed with For: 6, Against: 1 (Matulac), Absent: 0. The mayor voted yes, saying "the more transparency we have, the better."

Councilmember Matias then moved to take no action. That motion passed with For: 5 (Sorce, Matulac, Lediju, Matias, Palmares), Against: 2 (Councilmember Peter Bregenzer, Councilmember Helen-Marie Gordon), Absent: 0.

What's next: Chaffin estimated a draft redacted report could arrive early the following week. Names and certain facts will be redacted, and employee rights cannot be waived. He also warned that release could prompt additional claims. Councilmember Bregenzer asked for updated council bylaws that set timely notice and process.

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Storage, Car Wash Limits Advance; Broad Ban Doesn't

Why it matters: Adopting a moratorium takes a supermajority. The council's split shows a real divide between steering land use and welcoming any investment.

The basics: Planning & Development Services Director Kristin Pollot described moratoria as interim ordinances. They last 45 days and can be extended up to 24 months. "It's important to note the adoption of a moratorium requires 4/5 vote, which actually equates to 6 out of 7 votes here in Vallejo," said Pollot. Under current zoning, self-storage is allowed only in industrial districts with a major use permit, and the city has approved three such projects in 12 years. Car washes are allowed in five districts.

Where things stand: Councilmembers Matias, Lediju and Palmares supported studying moratoria. "We need to be doing placemaking," said Lediju.

The other side: "Putting these moratoriums in place is just another form of commercial redlining," said Councilmember Bregenzer. Vice Mayor Matulac argued a moratorium would tie the hands of the incoming economic development director. "In Harry we trust," said Matulac, referring to City Manager Black. The mayor also opposed the broad moratorium. Dwight Monroe Jr., former chair of the Economic Development Commission, opposed a broad moratorium. He said limits specific to car washes and storage could merit council interest and urged deference to the Planning and Economic Development commissions. Another speaker asked why the item skipped commission referral. Resident Carol Heap argued a moratorium could help the city review the saturation of certain uses.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council directed staff to return with a citywide moratorium item on self-storage and car washes. That motion passed by voice vote with Bregenzer and Matulac opposed; the yes count was not stated. On a substitute motion by Lediju, members unanimously replaced a moratorium on Sonoma Boulevard, downtown and the waterfront with a placemaking discussion. Storage and car wash operators face possible new limits. Downtown and waterfront developers avoid a freeze for now.

What's next: Staff estimated 80 to 160 hours of work and a return in the first quarter of 2027. The placemaking discussion will come once a new economic development director is hired.

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$240,000 to Keep Permits Moving

Why it matters: Building inspection vacancies are slowing permits, housing and business openings.

Where things stand: "We lost the chief building official and the building inspection supervisor," said Director Pollot. She said both departures came in April. In May, the council approved $390,000 of a $631,000 request, and more staff have left since. Offers have been accepted for a new chief building official and a plans examiner. Councilmember Palmares asked for a recruitment and retention plan, calling the vacancies "a huge bottleneck." City Manager Black said "filling vacancies has become a sport in local government," adding that the city needs more hustle.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council unanimously approved a notice of intent to amend the FY 2026-27 budgets for General Fund 001 and Planning and Development Services Fund 193 by $240,000 for consulting. This is step one of two.

What's next: A second action is required to complete the budget amendment.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar: Approved unanimously by voice vote, with no items pulled.
• Proclamation: Mayor declared November 2026 Native American Heritage Month; Jesse Gonzalez, vice chair of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, thanked the council.
• Closed session: Council gave direction on existing and anticipated litigation; no reportable action.
• Community forum: Speakers criticized late meeting starts, sought help for a women's independent living home, and requested litter bins and park accountability.
• Referrals: Palmares proposed a $500,000 Measure P business attraction grant; Gordon raised South Vallejo's food desert.

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Looking ahead: Watch for the redacted investigation report, the moratoria study in the first quarter of 2027 and a seniority matrix proposal that Vice Mayor Matulac previewed for January. City Manager Black cautioned that new referrals join a backlog unless they can be done quickly.