Directs staff on annual budget with funds for Emergency Operations Center, $500K more for homeless program

By Allen D. Payton

During the Consent Calendar portion of their meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Antioch City Council approved on a 5-0 vote, bids for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Project for several locations throughout the city in response to requests from residents.

The council approved a $125,000 budget increase for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Project using Measure J funds, from the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation. In addition, they awarded the contract to the lowest bidder, Consolidated Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $377,950.

The project is for the installation of traffic calming devices including speed hump, speed table and raised crosswalk system.

The City’s Public Works Department list shows the following nine streets that will receive the devices in Phase II: Asilomar Drive, Clearbrook Road, Country Hills Drive, Deerfield Drive, Garrow Drive, Gentrytown Drive, Longview Road, Prewett Ranch Drive and Tulip Drive. See NTCP report for maps and locations of the speed humps.

2023-24 Budget Discussion

During discussion of the 2023-24 budget year, the council, after multiple, previous attempts by District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica, and supported by District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, to fund the police department’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the council voted 5-0 to do so. The council agreed to use one-time ARPA funds from the federal government’s COVID relief grant to the City.

Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker requested more money for the City’s Homekey program for the homeless.

“I’m good with the $2 million,” Mayor Lamar Thorpe said.

Ogorchock suggested it be increased to $2.5 million.

“What we’re telling the public, the partners is, we’re willing to commit $2.5 million,” the mayor explained.

Barbanica supported the increased amount, as did the rest of the council members.

The final budget will be brought back for a vote in June. The fiscal year begins July 1st.

the attachments to this post:

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Devices Phase II list

Raised crosswalk

Speed Table rendering by nacto.org & Speed Hump sign

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