A message from Interim City Manager Toni Lundgren

It has been a pleasure to serve the City of Manteca as Interim City Manager for the past 11 months and provide the City with stability while keeping the City moving forward. The City of Manteca is in a pivotal position as we continue to grow. 

This year has been a growing year for me in many ways. I learned additional ways to serve the Manteca community, as well as implemented new policies and procedures to move the City forward. I’d like to thank each City Councilmember I had the pleasure to work with this past year–I am grateful for your trust and support. I’d also like to welcome our new incoming City Council.

Thank you, Mayor Benjamin Cantu, for the dedication you have provided to the City of Manteca the last couple of years.

Welcome, Mayor Gary Singh. A longtime Manteca resident, Singh is the youngest and first immigrant to serve as Mayor for the City. Singh has served the City for over eight years as he was first appointed to the City Planning Commission in 2014. City staff is looking forward to working closely with you for the future of Manteca. 

We are looking forward to having Councilmember David Breitenbucher on City Council for the next four years.

Welcome, Councilmember Mike Morowit. We look forward to working with you!

For the past couple years, the City has been in transition, with many projects underway, including the process of updating almost every citywide fee structure. We have been busy!

Moving the City Forward

The next couple years are important as the incoming City Council will work with Manteca City staff to educate our community so we can better maintain our infrastructure, facilities and City staff. In January, we will be kicking off the public process and review of an updated fee structure for our solid waste services. Following the solid waste fee updates, we will begin the process of updating water and sewer rates, which have not been updates for several years. Updating these rates will ensure the City is operating effectively for all residents, businesses and visitors. 

The next couple years are going to be a big push for Team Manteca and the City Council; however, I know we can do it! Over my time as Interim City Manager, I have learned to not give up. We are working hard daily to meet the needs of the City.

2023 City Manager Goals

I am looking forward to working with the Council over the next year. A few goals from the City Council for the upcoming year are:

Continue to gain financial stability and evaluate our revenues and expenditures.

Develop a Downtown plan, which will include identifying funding to improve roads and improve overall customer service and public perception. 

Increase communication and transparency regarding City work. City staff works hard each day to make sure our residents have drinking water, toilets are flushing, garbage is being picked up and neighborhoods are safe. We know we can do a better job telling our story! 

2022 Accomplishments

As we close out 2022, I would like to highlight some accomplishments from the City Manager’s Office and City Council. Some of the accomplishments may not be appreciated by all, but they came from City staff that all share the goal of wanting to make the City a better place. These decisions were made to serve every single resident in our community. I hope you enjoy the highlights from the year!

SB 1383 Education

SB 1383 is a statewide effort to reduce emissions of climate-changing pollutants by reducing organic food waste.

For Residents: please use the green waste bin for green and organic food waste ONLY. Please do NOT put glass, metals, plastics or hazardous materials in your green waste bin.

For Businesses: you will be required to recycle organics and food waste if you produce 2 cubic yards of trash or more per week. Food service businesses will have to donate edible food to food recovery organizations, starting in 2024. This will help feed the almost-1-in-4 Californians without enough to eat.

Examples of “organic food waste” includes: fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, bones, poultry, seafood, bread, rice, pasta, and oils; coffee grounds, coffee filters and tea bags; cut flowers and herbs; and any decay-able matter produced from human or animal food production, preparation and consumption activities.

2022 Council Goal Planning Session

Homelessness Clean-ups, Funding, Services and a Summit

Inner City Action aided in a #CityofManteca clean-up of multiple locations around our town. Check out some of the before and after photos of the Downtown and Bus Stop areas! #DontTrashManteca

If you would like to also help our community by volunteering, please contact Inner City Action directly at 800-466-7205 or email [email protected] for more information.

Raising of Pride Flag and Updated Flag Policy

For the first time in the history of Manteca, the Pride Flag was hoisted above City Hall in support of the LGBTQ+ members of our community.

Members of the community and the City of Manteca gathered together before the City Council meeting on June 7th to honor Pride Month and raise the flag.

Thank you to City staff and the community for helping to create an inclusive, safe and loving environment for all.

Adoption of the 2022 Balanced Budget, Community Town Hall and Informational Video

Watch the informational video

Community Partnership/Outreach-Del-Webb Game

Members of the City of Manteca staff grabbed their baseball caps and gloves to battle against the Del Webb Softball team. Del Webb put up a good fight but the City of Manteca Team came out victorious with a score of 9-5! It was a great game and we can't wait until next time, Del Webb!

Honored Chuck Palmer

On Saturday, June 18, members of the #CityofManteca gathered to honor the late Charles Palmer, co-founder of the Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Troop Support Program.

In honor of his memory and work, Palmer Park is now home to a commemorative bench, plaque and tree. 

Charles and Teri Palmer spearheaded a volunteer effort to connect the community with our soldiers in honor of Cpl. Charles O. Palmer who was KIA Iraq May, 5th 2007. Thousands of Personal Care Packages have been sent to soldiers on the front lines since the inception of the program. 

For more information on the Palmer family legacy, please visit https://bit.ly/3tOtrdj

Developed a Retail Cannabis Program that will Kick-Off in 2023

The application process and zoning maps will be released after the New Year. The City will update the public as information becomes available. 

Brought Back Youth in Government Day

On November 3, the #CityofManteca hosted Youth in Government Day. Youth in Government Day allows high school students to learn about local government, tour City facilities and participate in a mock Council Meeting.

A special thank you to the Manteca Rotary for providing lunch and to the City Council and City staff for making this a rewarding day for all. Another big thank you to Calla High School, East Union High School, Sierra High School and Manteca High School for participating and learning about the services City staff is executing daily.

Airport, Main Street and Library Parking Lot Improvements

The City installed a roadway striping from approximately 1750 feet north of Yosemite Avenue to Tactical Way. Installation of the new Drainage System for the Library Parking Area is now complete.

The City’s contractor is also performing miscellaneous construction work along Airport Way from Woodward Avenue to Tactical Way.

Completion of Senior Center Facility Updates

The Senior Center received a new roof and several improvements to the kitchen.

Hired an Economic Development Manager and Homeless and Housing Manager

Homelessness and Navigation Center Updates

Acceptance of $16 million for a Low Barrier Navigation Center from Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman.

City Staff and Councilmember Singh traveled to UOP to take a look at beds and dressers to be donated to our Navigation Center!

Team Manteca Staff Accomplishments

The Common-Threads Team hosted a spirit week and ended with a wonderful BBQ at the Streets division.

Public Works hosted a grand opening for their newly renovated building.

Interim City Manager Toni Lundgren's Final Remarks

Before I close out the year, I want to thank all the city of Manteca staff for their hard work and dedication. None of the above accomplishments were possible without them.