Manteca Property Services’ $157,000 contract to clear illegal homeless encampments and augment general citywide cleanup services has been suspended in the wake of community outrage over the co-owner being a registered sex offender.
City Manager Toni Lundgren announced at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that the city had suspended their contract with the company pending an investigation.
The person in question is Robert Wolfe, one of 137 registered sex offenders residing in Manteca as of Oct. 13
Wolfe was convicted of sex crimes with a youth under 14 years of age and served time in prison.
He is the co-owner of Manteca Property Services along with his wife.
Manteca Property Services has been contracted to perform cleanup services augmenting municipal crews since December 2023.
During the awarding of the most recent contract, the Manteca Property Services firm submitted references attesting to the quality of work they do. The references included two Manteca Police officers, a city employer and a downtown businessman.
The references were about the company’s performance per se.
Wolfe is listed in some places as the lead operator.
Based on remarks made by city staff, apparently the actual submission of the proposal and subsequent actions were handled by Wolfe’s wife.
Speakers at Tuesday’s meeting made several points they wanted addressed.
*They said they made Mayor Gary Singh aware of Wolfe being a registered sex offender and why nothing wasn’t done sooner
*Why did the city appear to promote Manteca Property Services on municipal social media.
*They questioned why contract workers — especially those that may interact with those under 18 — don’t go through the same vetting process as city employees and volunteers for criminal background checks.
City staff indicated Manteca Property Services’ contracted duties per se did not involve interacting with youth although they were involved in cleaning up after city events.
At least two speakers refuted the city’s apparent position that the firm never interacted with youth in an official capacity on behalf of the city by pointing out Manteca Property Services helped sponsor a skate park event with the city where there were youth involved.
One speaker referenced a photo posted on social media from that event where Wolfe had his arm on a youth’s shoulder.
Lundgren also said Tuesday the city would review existing policies involving screening firms the city contracts with.
It was not clear how much that would encompass. The city routinely awards construction contracts, maintenance contracts and relies on vendors to deliver items to the city and to performing specialized tasks such specific legal disciplines.
One speaker held a sign at the podium that read “CHOMOS should not get city paid contracts.”
Chomo is prison slang for or a child molester or sex offender.
There has been no reported incidents involving Wolfe with children after his release from prison years ago or in operating in his capacity as part of a contracted firm on the streets of Manteca.
To contract Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
