Antioch Council appoints new City Clerk for 14 months
Michael Mandy will serve until special election in November 2026
By Allen D. Payton
During a special meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Antioch City Council interviewed five candidates for City Clerk and appointed, on a 4-1 vote, Michael Mandy, an AT&T Premises Technician, who will serve until a special election next November. Voters will then decide who to elect for the remainder of the four-year term. The vacancy was created by the sudden departure on July 30th of Melissa Rhodes who was elected last November.
Before appointing Mandy, District 3 Councilman Don Freitas thanked all those who applied and said, “We really, truly appreciate you stepping forward and this isn’t the last time we see you. We have boards and commissions that need you.”
Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha then said, “Because this is a one-year appointment…there will be an election. This is a temporary appointment.” He then said, “Based on experience and what I wrote down. I make a motion to recommend Lori Ogorchock to the position and fill the term. Mayor Ron Bernal seconded the motion which died on a 2-0-3 vote, with Councilmembers Monica Wilson, Tamisha Torres-Walker and Freitas voting to abstain.
Then, Freitas made a motion to appoint Mandy which passed 4-1 with Rocha voting against.
Mandy Immediately Sworn In, Thanks Council, Goes to Work
Mandy was then joined by his wife Aurora as Bernal administered the oath of office. The new City Clerk then thanked the council and said, “I hope to make you proud for your selection. I appreciate it very much. Thank you very much.”
“This is very emotional. Thank you,” he added with laughter from him and the audience.
Following a brief council meeting recess, Mandy took his seat at the dais and a sign with his name was placed in front of him.
Mandy’s Background from his Application
In his application for the appointment Mandy provided information about his background. He wrote, “My name is Michael Mandy, and I am writing this letter to be considered for the position of City Clerk of the city of Antioch, California. (See application)
“n May, 1994 my wife and I moved into our house, which is near the southern end of Hillcrest Avenue. So I have been a resident of Antioch for over 30 years. We raised our two children here, and they both attended Diablo Vista, Dallas Ranch, and Deer Valley High schools.
I am very proud of the City of Antioch. I have spent many hours hiking at Black Diamond Mines and the adjacent Reservoir. My family loved the Rivertown Jamboree (RIP), 4th of July fireworks over the Delta, and recently attended the Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire this last May.
My family has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 3 generations. My father was an Independent Insurance Agent, and his office was in San Carlos. After school I would sit for hours in his office, doing office-type jobs, such as answering the phones, taking messages, organizing paperwork, typing and using the Copy machine. I learned professionalism, courtesy, and posess [sic] a high work ethic.
In 1995 we moved the family Insurance office from San Carlos to my home in Antioch. I was in business here until I sold the agency in 2013 to pursue other opportunities. Since then, I have been a Premises Technician for AT&T. My job duties have been going into peoples’ homes and installing High-speed Internet and climbing telephone poles to upgrade the telephone lines to Fiber.
I was also an active member in our Union, CWA District 9, Local 9417. Since 2013 I have been our garage’s Union Representative, and in 2019 was elected to serve on our Local’s Executive Board. My duties included attending all meetings, coordinating and assisting in our Local Elections, and approving budgets and company records.
I am Detail-oriented, as I love desk work. I excel at inputting data on computers, paperwork, and following up to make sure everything gets done and gets filed correctly. I am also very adept at dealing with the public, as my previous jobs involved face-to-face interactions.
I am very proud of my city and I would be thrilled to work with the City Administrators and help to contribute to the success of my city of Antioch. I believe that I would be very successful as a City Clerk.”
About the City Clerk’s Office
The City Clerk is the official keeper of the municipal records and is sometimes referred to as the historian of the community. City Clerk responsibilities include:
- Acting as the official custodian of records for the City and is responsible for all City Council agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and legal publications
- Coordinating Fair Political Practices Commission filings including the Statement of Economic Interests and Campaign Disclosures
- Acting as the service agent for the City regarding claims, subpoenas, and summons
- Overseeing the City’s records management, legislative history, bids, contracts, archives, election activities, and board/commission/committee programs
Communications directed to the City, its legislative bodies, and their members (i.e., City Council, Planning Commission) or City staff are public records and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act and Brown Act unless exempt from disclosure under the applicable law.
The City Clerk’s Office is located on the Third Floor of City Hall at 200 H Street, Antioch, Monday–Friday, between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. For more information email cityclerk@antiochca.gov or call (925) 779-7009.
the attachments to this post:
New City Clerk Michael Mandy at dais 09-23-25
Michael Mandy speaks to council during City Clerk interview 09-23-25
Mandy oath of office congrats from Bernal 09-23-25
