Sales of “Ava Goes to the Dentist” to benefit Carmen Dragon Elementary School

Antioch residents and authors Alicia Coleman-Clark and her daughter Ava J. Clark will sign their new book, “Ava Goes to the Dentist” at Barnes and Noble, locatd at 5709 LoneTree Way on Thursday, April 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Goodie bags will be given to the first 50 people.

Ava is an eight-year-old, little girl who has autism. This is her first book on her personal experience. Autism impacts her daily life in ways that at times are unimaginable. Alicia and Ava hope that this book and enclosed resources will support other families in their journey. This is an awesome way to wrap up Autism Awareness Month.

Alicia and Ava are proud to share this book with everyone at Barnes and Noble for the first time. The “Ava Goes to the Dentist” book signing will also be a fundraiser for Ava’s school, Carmen Dragon Elementary in Antioch. Also, a portion of Alicia’s royalties are going toward the UC Davis MIND Institute and Stanford University for their continued research in autism.

When you use the ticket #11601267 at checkout, a portion of the proceeds go to Carmen Dragon Elementary School. This number can also be used at the check out on the Barnes and Noble website for online purchases from Thursday, April 30^th through Tuesday, May 5^th.

“Ava Goes to the Dentist” is a social story from a child’s point of view. Ava was diagnosed with autism at the age of two-and-a-half. The book is the first of a series of books Alicia and Ava have planned, on various outings through the eyes of a child with autism.

Alicia’s philosophy for a life well lived is, to be present in every relationship, live with compassion and practice humility.

Los Medanos College will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. The event will honor the war’s lost and forgotten heroes with a candlelight vigil including a POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony. The LMC Veterans Club is hosting the vigil that will take place on the college’s Student Services outdoor patio. Refreshments will be served following the vigil. The public is encouraged to attend.

Los Medanos College is located at 2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg, CA 94565. Guests are invited to park in the college’s Parking Lot B and parking permits will not be required for this event.

For more information about this event, contact Diane Ferguson at dferguson@losmedanos.edu, 925-473-7496. For questions about the LMC Veterans Club, contact Reginald Turner at rturner@losmedanos.edu, 925-473-7515.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Dylan Cody Rath

October 23, 1988 – April 12, 2015

Dylan C. Rath died tragically on April 12, 2015 while enjoying his passion of riding his Harley Davidson with family and friends. He was born in Pittsburg, Ca and was a lifelong resident of Antioch.

He graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2007, where he played baseball and was All-League pitcher and also pitched at Diablo Valley College for two years. He was employed for the last four years at Markstein Sales Co.

Dylan will be remembered for his trusting loyalty, his caring nature and his willingness to help others. Beloved son to Melanie and Dave Rath, brother to Jordan Rath, fiancee to Ashley Saylor, father to 3-month old Aria Rose Rath, and grandson to Alfred Jordan. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial in celebration of Dylan’s life on May 1, 2015 at noon at the Pittsburg Elks Lodge at 200 Marina Blvd.

By Sergeant William Dee, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 6:45 p.m. Antioch emergency dispatchers received a call of a drive by shooting near the area of Manzanita Way and Sycamore Drive. Upon arrival they discovered a 17-year-old Hispanic male suffering from a gunshot wound.

The shooting was determined to have occurred while the victim and other subjects sat in a car. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital where he is in serious, but stable condition.

The case is still under investigation at this time. Anyone with any information is urged to call the Antioch Police Department at 925-778-2441.

By Allen Payton

Antioch resident and college junior, Jason Agopian, plays on the men’s volleyball team as a middle blocker at U.C. Irvine. He was recently chosen First Team All MPSF (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).

The federation is made up of 10 sports, 93 teams at 38 institutions in nine states.

Besides UC Irvine, men’s volleyball includes teams from Brigham Young, Cal Baptist, Cal State Northridge, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Pepperdine, Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and USC.

Agopian’s older brother, Corey posted a comment on his Facebook page about the accomplishment.

“No big deal or anything. Just like the best middle in the nation and stuff,” he wrote.

The youngest child of the late Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian, and Robin Agopian, Jason is a 2011 graduate of Deer Valley High School where he also played volleyball, and football, as well. He is studying psychology and social behavior.

For more about Jason and his performance at U.C. Irvine, click here.

By John Crowder

The Antioch City Council adopted a resolution approving a 60-day extension to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Antioch and Public Employees’ Union Local 1 (Local 1) and also appointed two new Planning Commissioners at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. On budget matters, they approved agreements that will lead to improvements at Prewett Park’s Antioch Water Park, voted to provide some funding for the Fourth of July event, and agreed to become a participating member of the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority (EBRCSA).

Local 1 MOU

According to a staff report, the MOU between the City and Local 1 expired on March 31, 2015, and the City remains in negotiations with the union. At the suggestion of the Local 1 Business Agent, staff was recommending a 60-day extension to the current MOU, which would have no financial impact. As part of the consent calendar, the resolution was adopted on a 5-0 vote, with no discussion.

Two Commissioners Appointed

The City Council voted to appoint a new Planning Commissioner and a new Economic Development Commissioner. Each commissioner was appointed on a 5-0 vote.

Al Mason, a 10-year resident of Antioch, and currently retired, was appointed to the Planning Commission. Mason’s last position, according to his resume, was as Director, Business Development for WORKFLOWONE. In that position, he worked to establish long-term business contracts with Fortune 1000 companies. Prior to that position, Mason was Vice President, Sales, with REGULUS.

Joshua Young, an insurance agent with Diablo Valley Insurance, and who has lived in Antioch for 25 years, was appointed to a short-term vacancy (the term expiring in June, 2015) on the Economic Development Commission.

Water Park Improvements

The City Council, on two 5-0 votes, authorized the City Manager, Steve Duran, to execute agreements with RHAA Landscape Architecture to provide design services for improvements planned for Antioch Water Park, and with QPCS to provide a security camera system for the facility.

According to Lonnie Karste, President of Karste Consulting, and the consultant working with city staff on the water park project, improvements will include a splash pool, all-abilities playground, lighted sports court, and a group picnic area, in addition to the security camera installation. “We’re trying to get the major community service elements developed first,” said Karste.

During Council comments on the matter, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock asked what progress was being made in seeking grants for the all-access playground. Karste responded that, while it has been investigated, grant funding availability is very limited, for a number of reasons.

Ogorchock also asked about the funding for the projects. Karste said that the funding is coming from the remaining $2 million available in Mello Roos funds, and that no additional funding beyond that is being considered.

Funding for July 4 Event

Wayne Harrison, Joy Motts, and Martha Parsons, with the Celebrate Antioch Foundation, asked that the City partner with them by providing funding, at a sponsor level, for the July 4th event.

According to a staff report, “The Antioch Police Department (APD) estimates its costs associated with this event will be approximately $20,475 based on previous experience. The Public Works Department estimates its costs for this event will be approximately $8,100.”

While the parade will continue to be held downtown, the remainder of the event has been moved to the county fairgrounds. Motts, in response to a question by Council Member Tony Tiscareno, listed several factors that make the fairgrounds a preferable venue for the event, including that the area is fenced, has restrooms available, and allows for private security to be effectively used.

“We’re just trying to make sure that everybody stays safe, and that we have a great event for the community,”she said.

During Council discussion, Tiscareno questioned the difference between the cost for police services if the event were to be held downtown rather than at the fairgrounds. Antioch Police Chief Alan Cantando said that, on July 4th, officers will be brought in on overtime.

Based on estimates of the size of the event, Cantando said that, “When I hear that we’re the only show in town other than Oakley, that tells me that other people from other communities are going to be coming in to the City of Antioch for the fireworks and that’s definitely going to indicate that everyone that we have scheduled for overtime is going to have to be here.”

Duran also addressed the overtime cost, pointing out that the overtime for this, and other events typically supported by the city, is included in the budget when it is developed. “These are baked into the budget,” he said, “we don’t have to add anything.”

Mayor Wade Harper, after pointing out that the City is a partner in the 4^th of July events, as costs for city services are absorbed by it, said that he would like Antioch to provide “at least $15,000” through the Arts and Cultural Foundation to help with other costs.

Council member Mary Rocha then made a motion to provide $15,000 from the General Fund in support of the 4^th of July event. The money would be provided to the Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, as fiscal agent, if the group is willing to serve as such. Otherwise, the money would go directly to Celebrate Antioch. The motion passed on a 5-0 vote.

EBRCSA

Cantando and Antioch Police Captain Tammany Brooks gave a presentation to the Council about the EBRCSA system. Cantando explained that, EBRCS, “is basically a digital radio system, that every agency in Alameda and Contra Costa County are on, with the exception of the City of Antioch and the City of Oakland.” “If we go to this system we will be able to communicate with all agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, to include the fire department,” he continued. “It’s an officer safety issue, as well as a public safety issue,” he said. Cantando then provided the Council with examples of difficulties his department had experienced by not being on the system.

The cost for going to the EBRCS system, according to a staff report, is “approximately $1.83 million for the purchase and installation of system equipment, as well as a monthly recurring cost of approximately $8200 in user subscription fees to utilize these radios.”

During council comments, Tiscareno said, “We need to make sure that we provide a safe service for our police department and our residents, and if this is one method of doing so, I’m going to promote this.”

Ogorchock made the motion to adopt the resolution authorizing Antioch’s participation in EBRCSA, and it was seconded by Rocha. Following another statement in support of the resolution by Harper, the Council voted 5-0 in favor.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. at which they will discuss the city’s response to the emergency drought restrictions. Meetings take place in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 200 H Street or can be viewed on Comcast Channel 24 or via live stream video on the city’s website at www.ci.antioch.ca.us.

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Includes former City Attorney Galstan

By Allen Payton

Lynn Tracy Nerland, Antioch’s City Attorney since January, 2006, is resigning her position, effective May 15, 2015 to take the same position with the City of San Pablo.

At the City Council’s next meeting on Tuesday, they will be asked to consider hiring Derek Cole as interim City Attorney and former Antioch City Attorney William Galstan, as the Assistant City Attorney, by contracting with Cota Cole LLP, their law firm, which specializes in municipal law, for up to $150,000.

Cole would be attending Council meetings and Galstan would be attending Antioch Planning Commission meetings, and working in city hall three days during the week.

According to the staff report for the agenda item, that amount is based on a $20,000 per month retainer for 105 hours per month, for an estimated six months, for a total of $120,000. Plus, another $30,000 would be budgeted for litigation or for an unanticipated large or complicated issue, charged at $185 per hour. The staff report further states “There will be salary cost savings during this period.”

Galstan served as Antioch City Attorney from 1979 to 2006. He and Cole currently serve as City Attorneys for Oakley. The City Attorney is one of only two employees the City Council hires, in addition to the City Manager.

The council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., following a Special Study session on parts of the budget at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street in downtown Antioch or can be viewed on Comcast Channel 24 or online via live streaming video at www.ci.antioch.ca.us.