By Nick Goodrich

The Antioch City Council received a report from the Contra Costa County Health, Housing, and Homeless Services Division, and approved over $17,000 in funding for a new home ownership program for the city.

Presentation: Transforming the Homeless System of Care

The Homeless System of Care presentation, given by Jaime Jennet, outlined Contra Costa County’s effort to reform its homeless care system, with the biggest change coming in the form of a new focus on the “most vulnerable” among the homeless.

The County’s new system will shift its focus to vulnerability from its previous “first come first serve” system, in which many homeless residents that suffered more than others were not able to find help because of full shelters and a lack of resources.

A new warming center will also be introduced, which will provide shelter for a greater number of Antioch’s homeless during emergency settings, such as high wind and extreme cold.

The County announced that standard policies and protocols will also be introduced to tie the various homeless service providers in the East Bay to a uniform, streamlined system that can reach more homeless residents and use resources more efficiently.

With Antioch’s homeless population stable over the past several years, the changes to the county’s system are expected provide the city with an opportunity to reduce that number and get more Antioch residents off the streets.

Housing Successor Funding Program

The council also approved $17,250 in funding from the city’s Housing Successor Agency funds, as Antioch implements its plan to create a new Home Ownership program, since the state eliminated the all redevelopment agencies in California.

The new program aims to subsidize down payments for low-income potential homeowners, in the amounts of $25,000 to 50,000.

The program’s goal is to minimize risk to the city while still allowing low-income homeowners to live here in Antioch.

“We want residents to buy homes here in Antioch, set down roots here in Antioch, participate in government and schools, and to offer a productive life for every resident,” reported city staff.

The program’s cost will approach $50,000 over each of the next three years, and would include financial responsibility classes for participants, help them become credit-worthy, and generally preparing them for home ownership.

The program comes with little risk to the city and will not draw from the city’s General Fund, and as such, the city’s and potential low-income homeowners in Antioch will benefit from the new system.

Another computer stolen from a Starbucks patron during snatch and run, one suspect caught

Following are the Antioch Police Department calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated March 3, 2017 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service and Arrest Data:

Time Period: 02/23/17 00:00:00 – 03/01/17 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,628

Number of Case Reports: 281

Number of Arrests: 62

Felony:  34

Misdemeanor:  28

Arrests with DUI charge:   6

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• 3/1/17 at 12:30 pm, Antioch PD received information of a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on Sycamore Dr. An officer was in the area and located the vehicle on W. Madill St. near G St. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted and 23 year old John Earlywine was taken into custody without incident. He was also found to have a warrant for his arrest. He was later transported to County Jail, and the stolen vehicle was returned to its owner.
• 2/28/17 at 4:18 pm, an officer was on routine patrol when he made a traffic enforcement stop for vehicle code violations. The driver, 52 year old Thomasa Roberts, was contacted and found to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest related to theft charges. Roberts was arrested without incident and later transported to County Jail.
• 2/28/17 at 7:50 am, officers responded to the 3100 block of S. Francisco Way on a report of a family disturbance. Upon the officers’ arrival, it was discovered 45 year old Luis Flores had an outstanding felony warrant for failing to register as a sex offender. In addition, Flores had a served protection order which prevented Flores from being at the residence.  The officers contacted Flores hiding inside the residence.  He was arrested without incident and later sent to County Jail.
• 2/28/17 at 5:32 am, officers were dispatched to Quail Lodge on Deer Valley Rd. for a report of a male breaking into vehicles. Prior to officers’ arrival, the male fled in a vehicle and the reporting party provided a description of the vehicle. Officers located the vehicle fleeing the area and performed an enforcement stop.  Officers contacted the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, 40 year old Richard McKenzie.  McKenzie had stolen property in his vehicle from the victim vehicles at Quail Lodge.  McKenzie was arrested without incident for auto burglary and sent to County Jail.
• 2/27/17 at 10:02 pm, an officer contacted 54 year old Rosalind Stovall during a pedestrian contact. Dispatch advised that Stovall had a warrant for her arrest. Stovall was issued a Promise to Appear with a new court date.
• 2/27/17 at 5:40 pm, an officer contacted 46 year old Anthony Davis loitering in front of a convenience store on W. 10th St. Dispatch advised Davis had an outstanding warrant. He was placed under arrest without incident and sent to County Jail.
• 2/27/17 at 5:29 pm, an officer observed 24 year old Tyler Belleci driving on A St. He recognized Belleci from prior contacts and knew he had an outstanding warrant. A traffic enforcement stop was conducted and Belleci was contacted.  He was placed under arrest without incident and sent to County Jail.
• 2/27/17 at 2:32 pm, an officer on routine patrol in the area of L St. and Highway 4 observed a vehicle traveling southbound on L St. with 21 year old Robert Wickham in the passenger seat. The officer was familiar with Wickham and knew he had an outstanding felony warrant related to narcotics and weapons violations. The officer stopped the vehicle and arrested Wickham without incident.  He was booked at Antioch PD and later sent to County Jail.
• 2/26/17 at 7:30 pm, an officer was at 7-11 on E. 18th St. when he saw 50 year old Mark Fosselman walk into the store. He recognized Fosselman from prior police contacts and knew he had an outstanding warrant. He placed Fosselman under arrest, and he was sent to County Jail.
• 2/26/17 at 5:41 pm, an officer was driving by Quikstop on Sycamore Dr. and saw 34 year old Lawrence Wiley. The officer recognized Wiley from prior contacts and knew he had an outstanding warrant. Wiley was arrested without incident and sent to County Jail.
• 2/26/17 at 9:00 am, an officer followed up with the victim from an assault that occurred at the Somersville Town Center on Somersville Rd. on 2/21/17. It was discovered the victim had been admitted into an area hospital for a serious head injury from the assault; however, the victim had since been discharged from the hospital. The officer then contacted the 14 year old female suspect in the 4100 block of Delta Fair Blvd. and arrested her without incident.  The juvenile suspect admitted to her involvement in the fight and was later booked into Juvenile Hall for felony assault.
• 2/26/17 at 1:43 am, an officer located a vehicle that had a Felony Want associated with a weapons case out of San Francisco. The officer followed the vehicle, waiting for assist units. The driver, later identified as 46 year old Damon Page, accelerated and entered westbound Highway 4. A pursuit was initiated and stayed on Highway 4. Page later surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident when his vehicle’s engine stalled. There were no collisions or injuries during this incident. Page was booked into County Jail and San Francisco PD was notified.
• 2/26/17 at 12:20 am, 32 year old Cochise Potts was contacted in front of Romi’s on E. 18th St. He was found to have three warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident and later booked into County Jail.
• 2/25/17 at 8:37 pm, an officer attempted a vehicle stop on a Honda that was being driven by 36 year old Daniel Torres for vehicle code violations. Torres yielded, but as the officer was starting to exit his vehicle, Torres sped off. Torres drove less than a block before colliding with truck and trailer that was exiting westbound Highway 4. Torres’ vehicle became disabled, and he attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody without further incident. Torres was found to be on Federal Probation with a probation warrant for his arrest. A search of his vehicle was done and he was found to be in possession of almost 5 ounces of methamphetamine. Torres was later booked into County Jail for narcotics charges, attempting to evade police, and his warrant.
• 2/25/17 at 5:13 pm, 18 year old Ryan Arnold and an unidentified male adult entered Starbucks on Lone Tree Way and stole a MacBook Pro from the table and ran outside. Two off-duty officers were in the area and detained Arnold at gunpoint until Antioch PD officers arrived on scene. The second suspect was able to escape in an awaiting vehicle.  Arnold was arrested for burglary and grand theft and sent to County Jail.
• 2/25/17 at 4:17 pm, officers were dispatched to California Check Cashing on Delta Fair Blvd. on a report of subjects loitering in front of the business. Officers arrive and contacted 18 year old Damarcus Murry, and two 17 year old males and advised them not to loiter in the area or risk being cited. Approximately one hour later, officers were sent back to the area because the group returned.  Murry and one of the 17 year olds became combative and were taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers.  Murry was found to be in possession of marijuana for sales and was sent to County Jail for the drug possession charges as well as resisting arrest.  The 17 year old was sent to Juvenile Hall for loitering and resisting arrest.
• 2/25/17 at 3:17 am, officers responded to a silent video alarm at Gino’s Auto Body on W. 10th St. The alarm company advised that a subject was seen tampering with vehicles in the back lot. Officers arrived on scene and quickly established a perimeter. 35 year old Ronald Phelps was contacted kneeling down near the open driver’s door of a Honda in the back lot. He had gained access to the car with a set of shaved keys and was in the process of trying to get it started. Phelps was taken into custody without incident. He was later booked into County Jail for attempted vehicle theft and possession of burglary tools.
• 2/25/17 at 2:04 am, 58 year old Arthur Martinez was contacted in the Lucky’s parking lot on E. 18th St. He was taken into custody on a warrant for his arrest. He was later booked into County Jail.
• 2/24/17 at 10:32 pm, an officer was in the parking lot of the Holiday Lodge on W. 10th St. when he saw an Audi A4 driving eastbound on W. 10th St. The officer recognized the Audi as being stolen on 2/22/17 during an armed robbery. The officer followed the Audi until cover units could arrive and a traffic enforcement stop was conducted on California Ave. in Pittsburg. 30 year old Brandon Lopez was contacted as the driver and 38 year old Susan Martin was contacted as the passenger in the Audi.  Lopez was searched and found to be in possession of about 1 gram of suspected methamphetamine.  The vehicle was searched and a loaded pistol was found in a backpack inside of the vehicle. Lopez was found to have a felony warrant.  Both were booked into the County Jail for vehicle theft, narcotics and weapons charges.
• 2/24/17 at 3:44 pm, 44 year old Ramon Gonzalez and the 35 year old victim were involved in a minor traffic collision in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Lone Tree Way. Gonzalez fled the scene and was stopped by an officer when he was pulling into the driveway of his house. Gonzalez was determined to be driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.  The victim identified Gonzalez as the suspect.  Gonzalez was arrested for misdemeanor hit and run and DUI and booked into County Jail.
• 2/24/17 at 12:08 am, an officer in the area of Sycamore Dr. and Peppertree Way observed 23 year old John Earlywine commit a vehicle code violation. A traffic stop was conducted on William Reed Dr. near L St. and dispatch advised the vehicle was stolen. Earlywine and a female passenger, identified as 30 year old Rachel Robinson, were taken into custody without incident. Robinson was also found to have a warrant for her arrest. Both were later transported to County Jail for vehicle theft and the warrant.
• 2/23/17 at 9:15 pm, officers were dispatched to San Jose Dr. near Buchanan Rd. for the report of a possible traffic collision. Upon their arrival, they located 49 year old Anthony Johnson in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. He appeared to be trying to start the vehicle which had moderate front end damage. Johnson was asked to step out of the vehicle and officers observed signs of Johnson being under the influence of alcohol. They asked Johnson to perform some field sobriety tests. Based on the results of the tests, Johnson was taken into custody.  While officers were on scene with Johnson, a victim of a hit and run accident called dispatch to report Johnson’s vehicle colliding into her vehicle at L St. and E. 18th St.  Johnson was later transported to County Jail for DUI and Hit and Run.
• 2/23/17 at 9:41 am, officers contacted 34 year old Edward Crandell in the field at the end of Viera Ave. and found him to have warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to County Jail.
• 2/23/17 at 7:31 am, officers were dispatched to the parking lot at Waldie Plaza for a disturbance. The caller indicated a male subject was inside a maroon Cadillac honking his horn excessively while yelling. Upon arrival, 56 year old David Peacock was located behind the wheel of his running but parked Cadillac. Peacock showed objective signs of being under the influence of alcohol. A series of field sobriety tests were given which Peacock failed. Peacock was subsequently arrested and transported to County Jail for DUI.

BART’s Warm Springs Extension will open for service on Saturday, March 25, 2017. The 5.4-mile extension connects the existing Fremont Station to the new Warm Springs/South Fremont Station.

The new station includes 2,082 parking spots, including 42 electronic car charging stations as well as intermodal connections to A/C Transit and VTA buses.

“This will be history in the making,” said BART Director Tom Blalock, who serves Fremont and has been a leader in making the extension a reality. “This will bring BART service to the residents of fast growing south Fremont. They’ll have a reliable, environmentally-responsible alternative to driving on the sometime nightmarish Nimitz Freeway.”

The Warm Springs Extension also paves the way for BART to Silicon Valley, a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority project that’s underway and is expected to open for service later this year.

One day before beginning service, BART will host an Opening Celebration. At 10 until noon on Friday March 24, 2017, BART will welcome neighbors, elected leaders and anyone interested in the new station. on the day of the celebration, free shuttles will run from Fremont Station to the  new station every 15-20 minutes from 8:45 am to 1 pm. 

The station is located at 45193 Warm Springs Blvd.

Click here for a video of BART’s newest extension. In addition, view the video of the tour of the tunnel beneath Lake Elizabeth as part of the extension.

Lease of Humphrey’s, sale of city owned properties also on closed session agenda

By Allen Payton

During an afternoon closed session before their regular meeting, next Tuesday, March 14, the Antioch City Council will hold an employee performance evaluation of City Manager Steve Duran and then a vote for the dismissal of a public employee. That follows a discussion on the recruitment of a new city manager. The public employee dismissal is presumed to be related to the city manager.

Regarding the agenda items, Duran said, “The Mayor put these items on the Agenda…Sean has hired outside counsel. Things could get interesting.”

When reached for comment, Wright merely said “I have no comment, at this time, as it’s a personnel matter.”

The three items on the closed session agenda pertaining to the city manager are as follows:

5) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: City Manager.  This closed session is authorized pursuant to Government Code section 54957.

6) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Recruitment of City Manager.  This closed session is authorized pursuant to Government Code section 54957.

7) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISMISSAL.  This closed session is authorized pursuant to Government Code section 54957.

View the complete council meeting agenda, here.

In a press release he sent out at 9:17 p.m. on Election Night in November, just minutes after the initial results were made public, Duran announced a tentative date for his retirement for this August 15. Those election results showed Monica Wilson and Lamar Thorpe winning election for the two council seats and Sean Wright closely trailing then-Mayor Wade Harper. (See related article, here.)

However, Duran said his announcement was unrelated to the election and that it was “not an official 45 day notice of contract termination as required under my contract.” He had planned to “set a firm retirement date and provide official notice as required” under the contract, sometime in the months following his announcement.

This follows the announcement on Wednesday by Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando of his retirement from his position, effective the first week of April.

Should the council vote to terminate Duran’s contract, then a new city manager would hire the new police chief, instead of Duran. The council hires the city manager and city attorney, and the city manager hires each of the department heads, including the police chief.

Humphrey’s, Sale of City Owned Land

Also on the closed session agenda is the lease of the former Humphrey’s Restaurant building to Everett & Jones for another one of their barbeque restaurants.

The council will also discuss the sale or purchase, with Moses Libitzky and a partner with the last name of Orton, of the empty lot at the corner of West Second and L Streets, and an industrial property across from the Antioch Police Facility at the end of West Second Street. Those two are listed as APN’s 066110009 and 066101001.

Finally, the council will have discussions with City Ventures on 12 city-owned properties, including the old Antioch Lumber Company lot, known as the Yard. Those are listed as Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APN) 066010020; 066055001; 066041004; 066051012; 066092001; 066107010; 066107011; 066107001; 066061010; 066051001; 066051002; and 066101001. The last one is the same parcel which the council will be discussing purchasing from Libitzky and Orton, during the same closed session under Agenda Item 1.

See the location for each of the parcels on the County Assessor’s website, below and here. 03/10/17 3:45 PM UPDATE: The parcel number listed as 066610010 on the agenda is incorrect. A portion of the number was transposed. The correct APN is 066061010 and has been updated, above and the map included, below. Questions were emailed to Duran on Saturday, March 11th asking if the remainder of the gravel lot next to that parcel is also owned by the city and one of the parcels being offered for sale. 03/12/17 7:18 AM  UPDATE: Duran responded “Yes. The administrative error on the APN will be announced on Tuesday at CC mtg (the City Council meeting).” The parcel number for that property is 066061009 and the map has been included, below.

Antioch 18-year-old, Deirdre Ferrari has earned the highest recognition the American Heritage Girls (AHG) offers, the Stars & Stripes Award.  In addition to living out the AHG Creed and Oath, award recipients have completed a number of requirements to achieve this honor, including:

.  Earning a total of 16 Merit Badges

.  Earning the Religious Recognition associated with their denomination

.  Having held a leadership position in their troop for a minimum of six months

.  Planning, developing, and providing leadership to others in a 100+ hour service project

.  Writing a Life Ambition/Spiritual Walk Essay and mini-resume

.  Receiving at least 3 Letters of Reference

.  Passing a Board of Review   

Ferrari chose to serve the Salvation Army Antioch Corps by building a community garden to help promote healthy eating and to teach others in the community about gardening. 

She has served as the troop Skipper and has also received the Dolly Madison and God & Life Awards.

A member of American Heritage Girls Troop CA1334, Ferrari is just the 286th girl, nationally to earn the prestigious Stars & Stripes Award in AHG’s 21 year history. She will be recognized in a Court of Honor Ceremony on Saturday March 18th, 2017, 1:30 pm at the Salvation Army Antioch Corps on E. Tregallas Road.

Ferrari is a member of Golden Hills Community Church and is active at her church serving in Awana, Vacation Bible School, and playing guitar on the High School Worship Team.  She attends Visions in Education Charter School, where she is a senior.

She is the daughter of France Harrison of Antioch and John Ferrari of Tracy.  She is also the granddaughter of Frank and Jeanne Brickey of Antioch, CA.

American Heritage Girls, Inc., is the premier national character development organization for young women, ages 5-18, that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement.  For more information on American Heritage Girls, visit www.ahgonline.org.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners for the 2016 community awards:

•Citizen of the Year – Most Impact – Sal Sbranti

•Citizen of the Year – Lifetime Achievement – Leo Fontana

•Small Business of the Year – Rich McDaniel, McDaniel Financial Services

•Large Business of the Year – PG&E

•Non-Profit of the Year – Delta  Veterans Group

•Youth of the Year – Jocelyn Villalobos and Jacqueline Villalobos

The awards will be presented at the Chamber’s annual Gala on Friday, March 10, 2017.

Special recognition will be given to Antioch Unified School District for their continued efforts and successes. Posthumous recognition will be given to Karl Dietzel, and Ed Antrim in recognition of their commitment and betterment of the Antioch community.

Please see photos and details about the winners in the April issue of the Herald and on our website.