High Drama as Tracy Mayor Accuses Council Members of Racist “Coup”

The Tracy City Council voted Tuesday to remove the supermajority vote requirement for firing the city manager. If the ordinance passes a second vote, Tracy’s city manager could be terminated by a simple majority.

The 3-2 vote followed a contentious meeting and protest outside City Hall. The rally was led by the Democratic Club and Mayor Nancy Young, who accused the council of a racist “coup” attempt against the city’s Black administrator.

Background

In 2019, the San Joaquin County Grand Jury published a report titled, “Tracy City Council: Restore the Public Trust." Among other things, the grand jury advised the adoption of a supermajority requirement for termination of a city manager or city attorney. The recommendation was then implemented by the council.

Now, Tracy leaders say they feel hamstrung by that rule. The council majority believes City Manager Michael Rogers has "exhibited a substantial dereliction of his duties, repeated exhibitions of favoritism towards select councilmembers, failed to understand and abide by the Council-Manager form of government, and willfully disregarded local and state laws." They want him gone.

Censure is on the table

Mayor Young believes the council’s actions are racially motivated – something the majority has vehemently denied. Council members and some residents say Young has crossed the line by accusing her colleagues of something so heinous.

There is now talk of censuring the mayor. The idea was put forth by Councilmember Matt Bedolla just before Tuesday’s meeting adjourned at 10:51 p.m.

Read more about Tuesday’s meeting at KCRA.