Through fiscal discipline, city preparing for growth and opportunity

By Rolando Bonilla, Public Information Officer, City of Antioch

As cities throughout the Bay Area begin to have conversations regarding financial reductions as a result of COVID-19, the City of Antioch is preparing for growth.

Key to the City’s formula for financial stability has been the commitment to providing quality services to Antioch’s residents through efficiencies rather than the conventional approach of hiring a large workforce to meet city needs. In Antioch, a full-service city of over 115,000 residents, city officials have been able to keep the workforce at fewer than 400 employees.

“After the trauma of the 2007-08 recession, city leadership recognized that we had to operate differently to strengthen the City’s financial health for the long-term,” said Ron Bernal, City Manager, City of Antioch. “By implementing financial procedures and discipline, the City will continue to make strategic expenditures that will enhance the quality of life for our community while also protecting the City’s financial position.”

Through a combination of timely passed sales tax measures, steadily increasing sales and property tax, approval of cannabis-related businesses, and a disciplined approach to adding staff and relying on the Stabilization Fund, Antioch looks to be in a secure position as the Bay Area enters into the COVID-19 recession.

“The budget stabilization fund purpose, as established in the adopted budget is: ‘Committed for unexpected General Fund budget variances, unanticipated projects and/or expenses, unfunded liabilities and to maintain a minimum 20% unassigned fund balance within the General Fund,’” Bernal shared.

That’s different than the funds being used to pay Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB).

“OPEB falls within the category of unfunded liabilities and is what Council directed to use annually to pay towards the full actuarially determined contribution moving forward,” he shared.

However, in one of the two budget options presented to the council in April, in Option Two City Finance Director Dawn Merchant said, “the city completely runs out of money in Fiscal Year ’25.” (See related article)

“Version 2 of the budget was a full recession scenario and projected the city would exhaust the reserve in 2025,” Bernal explained. “This makes projections that we would continue spending as we are currently budgeted, which obviously would not be the case if we found ourselves in a recession.”

By recognizing an opportunity, and working with a balanced budget, city officials are preparing for growth that will propel the City of Antioch as a major player in the Bay Area economy.

From the planned construction of a $70 million Brackish Water Desalination Plant – made possible through a $10 million Proposition 1 grant and a $27 million settlement from the California Department of Water Resources – to the redevelopment of property sites near the massive $1.4 billion Highway 4 widening and BART extension, the City of Antioch is well-positioned to become a model for fiscal discipline and growth.

“I’m cautiously optimistic and excited about the future,” added Bernal. “Opportunity really does live here in Antioch.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

Did you see this video? We did, and we weren’t amused! (And we have a pretty good sense of humor!)

Last Saturday evening, this driver of this red Cadi thought the busy intersection of Lone Tree Way and Empire Avenue would be a good place to spin donuts for all to see. We launched an investigation and found the car on Monday morning. The Cadi was brought to car jail for 30 days while the owner reconsiders this behavior.

What can you do if you see reckless driving? Your safety is first – never put yourself in danger and give us a call at (925) 778-2441, or 9-1-1 if you think it’s an emergency. The dispatcher will ask you for a license plate and vehicle description, but don’t worry if you can’t get it. Video evidence helps us track these people down, but again, we don’t want you to compromise your safety doing so.

Car used in donut spinning Saturday evening found by police, impounded and towed away for 30 days on Monday May 18, 2020. Photo by APD.

Here’s the law folks:

California Vehicle Code § 23109.2

(a) (1) Whenever a peace officer determines that a person was engaged in any of the activities set forth in paragraph (2), the peace officer may immediately arrest and take into custody that person and may cause the removal and seizure of the motor vehicle used in that offense in accordance with Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650). A motor vehicle so seized may be impounded for not more than 30 days.

(2) (A) A motor vehicle speed contest, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 23109.

(B) Reckless driving on a highway, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 23103.

(C) Reckless driving in an offstreet parking facility, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 23103.

(D) Exhibition of speed on a highway, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 23109.

#AntiochPD   #AntiochStrong   #ZeroTolerance

City recognizes economic pressures faced by Antioch businesses as a result of COVID-19

By Rolando Bonilla, Public Information Officer, City of Antioch

The City of Antioch will be seeking to establish a COVID-19 Economic Support Package specifically targeting small businesses within the City.

As the City begins moving towards re-opening, it recognizes the financial hardship that COVID-19 has created for Antioch’s business community.

“The City must do everything we can to help our small businesses recover as fast as possible, said Mayor Sean Wright. “We must ensure that Antioch continues to be a place for opportunity.”

As part of the City’s financial recovery strategy, city staff is exploring the following options:

• Business license relief
• Grants
• Shared marketing
• Expediting the business application process

The incentives and funding sources that could be included for the COVID-19 Economic Support Package will be discussed at a future meeting of the city council.

A total of $20,000 available

Grant applications are now available from the Antioch Community Foundation for Program/Capacity/Event support or Collaboration/Community Impact support for the 2020-21 fiscal year and will be accepted between May 26, 2020 and June 1, 2020.

Interested organizations serving Antioch residents may contact Executive Director, Keith Archuleta to request an application at keith@emeraldhpc.com.

Applications must be submitted to the Antioch Community Foundation via email to keith@emeraldhpc.com no later than 5:00 pm Monday, June 1, 2020.

Available Grants

• Program/Capacity/Event Support Grant

The Program/Capacity/Event Support Grant will award grants in this category in the general range of $100 to $1,000 for community event sponsorships, program support, and organizational capacity building (such as, office technology, financial management or evaluation/assessment tools, and/or board or volunteer training, etc.) to nonprofit organizations serving one or more ACF grant priority areas. (A pool of $10,000 has been allocated for this category.)

• Community Impact Grant

The Community Impact Grant will award grants in this category in the general range of $500 to $2,000 or more with the focus on encouraging outcome-based, collaborative efforts for community impact to nonprofit organizations serving one or more ACF grant priority areas. (A pool of $10,000 has been allocated for this category.)

When Applications Are Due:

Applications must be submitted to the Antioch Community Foundation via e-mail no later than 5:00 pm Monday, June 1, 2020. No mailed or faxed documents will be accepted.

Application Process and Timeline

Grants for 2020-21 in the Program/Capacity/Event or Collaboration/Community Impact categories will be awarded through the following annual application process:

1. Applications may be submitted to the Antioch Community Foundation via email any time after Noon, Tuesday, May 26, 2020 and no later than 5:00 pm, Monday, June 1, 2020.
2. Funding recommendations will be reviewed by the Antioch Community Foundation Board on June 16, 2020 and notification to organizations of grant funding status will be made by June 26, 2020.
3. Grant awards will be mailed beginning August 7, 2020.
4. Organizations that are allocated a grant amount that is reduced from the amount requested on their application will be required to submit a modified budget showing how the allocated funds will be budgeted. Revised documentation will be due on or before Friday, July 10, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.
5. Grantees must submit a final grant report for 2020-21 by June 1, 2021 or within 2 months of completion of any one-time event or activity for which the award is given, in order to be considered for future funding.

Please closely review the application packet for more information about the Antioch Community Foundation, our 2020-21 Grant Funding Cycle, and our Grant Priority Focus Areas. Both grant applications are included in the application packet. 

The Clerk-Recorder is now offering marriage licenses and civil marriage ceremonies online for County residents. Clerk-Recorder staff perform the civil ceremonies using Zoom or FaceTime.

“June is traditionally a month of many weddings,” Deborah Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder said. “We are pleased to offer our constituents a creative new method to be married during this crisis.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued an Executive Order permitting the issuance of marriage licenses and the conduct of remote civil wedding ceremonies via teleconferencing technologies.

At least one of the parties to the marriage must be a Contra Costa County resident. The couple must appear together on the video and be physically present within the State of California. Invited guests may join in to view the ceremony. No additional software is required for the license or the ceremony, but the couple must complete the forms in advance of the ceremony. A computer, tablet, or cell phone with a microphone/camera and an internet connection is required.

Marriage service appointments are currently available Tuesday through Thursday, during the month of June. If couples would like more information or to schedule an appointment, email marriages@cr.cccounty.us or call (925) 335-7900.

New Antioch Police Lt. Joseph Vigil (center) with City Manager Ron Bernal and Chief Tammany Brooks following Vigil’s oath of office on Monday, May 18, 2020. Photo by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

115. It’s a magical number around here. 115 is the number of sworn police officers authorized in the City of Antioch (counting the Chief on down). Did you know our Police Department hasn’t been fully staffed with officers since 2004? Getting hired as a police officer is a long, difficult process. Since Antioch only hires the best of the best, it can be even more difficult here. So, without further ado, please welcome Lieutenant Joseph Vigil, who joins our ranks at that magical number.

Lt. Vigil, who was given his oath of office on Monday, May 18, comes to us from Richmond PD where he was a sergeant. It is truly a team effort that got us to where we are. We have to take a moment to say thank you, first and foremost, to our community for all of the support you give us, but also to our City leaders for their vision and leadership.

Thanks to the passage of Measure C in 2013, Antioch’s half-cent sales tax for more police, then the passage of Measure W in 2018, the city’s one-cent sales tax which replaced Measure C, the city has been able to afford to hire the additional officers and other city staff.

As reported previously, “We already have two more that started the academy…and three additional laterals in our hiring process,” said Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks. “I’m expecting a couple of medical retirements, shortly. But this should keep us at or near fully staffed, even when they leave.”

#teamworkmakesthedreamwork #community #115 #antiochstrong

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

“It’s encouraging. We’re wanting it to continue going down. It certainly isn’t going up.” – County Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano regarding COVID-19 statistics curve in Contra Costa.

Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Christ Farnitano speaks during a press conference on Friday, March 20, 2020 as Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna, Deputy Health Officer, Contra Costa Health Officer waits to speak. Screenshot of YouTube video.

By Allen Payton

Due to the positive results over the past few weeks with the COVID-19 statistics in Contra Costa County, Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano issued a new order, yesterday, Monday, May 18, 2020 that went into effect, today allowing certain retail and other businesses to reopen, within certain guidelines.

But, concerns from the representative of a major retail property management company in the county, asking how it’s supposed to work raised questions.

Asked if he or his staff spoke with retail store owners or shopping center property managers about the order before issuing it and how it’s supposed to work, Dr. Farnitano replied, “We’ve been getting feedback from different stores and businesses. We haven’t specifically asked them to review this particular language. This comes from state guidelines. So, our guidelines are in line with the state’s Phase 2. They allowed it on the 8th of May, 11 days ago.”

“It may be more helpful for small retail stores that don’t have an online presence, not a larger store that does,” he added. “Like craft breweries that weren’t allowed prior, or other products that folks that people were used to going to the retail store for.”

“The other big changes are the associated manufacturing and logistics, which pretty much covers any manufacturing that wasn’t already allowed, like refineries, or agricultural product manufacturing,” Farnitano continued. “The Tesla plant in Alameda County is one example.”

“We might be going in a slightly slower pace than the state,” he shared. “But there’s less variability from one county to the next for the particular rules for a business to reopen.”

When asked if the shelter-in-place order still ends on May 31st, Dr. Farnitano answered, “the new order that was issued yesterday and went into effect, today doesn’t have an end date. That’s really not practical or the intent, which was to reevaluate the situation before that date.” (See related article)

“What we’re really doing is to make a change, give it some time to see the affects of that change, and see the impact on our matrix,” he continued. “We did that the last time two weeks ago on May 4 and because of the positive results from that we’re able to open up more.”

So, the reopening will be through a gradual, step by step process “driven by the data,” Dr. Farnitano added.

“It’s been pretty flat,” he said about the curve. “We’ve been looking at seven-day averages. We’ve been running at 10 to 15 new cases a day for the past two weeks, and 15 to 20 in the hospital, each day”

“It’s encouraging. We’re wanting it to continue going down. It certainly isn’t going up,” Dr. Farnitano stated.

Asked when will the next order for more reopening be issued,” We don’t really have a time or particular day,” he said. “We give it a couple weeks which is the incubation period for someone to be exposed and then experience symptoms.” Then they reevaluate the situation at that time.

So, we can expect another update and hopefully more reopening of businesses and activities the first week of June.

Photos by APD.

By Antioch Police Department

In our latest edition of #ShenaniganSaturday

At about 1:45 pm, an alert APD officer was on patrol in the area of 18th and A Streets, when he spotted a vehicle reported stolen the previous day. When Team Blue (that’s us!) attempted to halt the vehicle, the driver hit a cop car and led officers on a pursuit to the area of L and 18th Streets. It was there, the driver struck a curb and his rampage was finally brought to a stop by Canine Officer Smith and his loyal companion Kona (pictured above in all her regalness). Said driver was brought to the County Jail, where he was booked for multiple felonies, including aggravated assault on a police officer, auto theft, and evading.

We receive ongoing training in vehicular pursuits, with YOUR safety always at the top of our concerns. Thankfully, no officers or innocent bystanders were hurt from this incident. We hope you can tell from our posts that APD is serious about protecting OUR city! We take a lot of pride in proactive patrolling because of the overwhelming support we receive from all of you. Trust me when I say it makes a huge difference to our officers, and we won’t ever stop when it comes to PROTECTING OUR CITY!

(FYI: We know you’re probably wondering, but thankfully aggravated felony assault doesn’t qualify for a zero-bail immediate release from jail).

#AntiochPD #AntiochPDK9 #CanineKona #APDDayShift #AntiochStrong