Antioch Council to discuss resuming downtown security services, 10 potential lawsuits
Vote on spending over $500K for park and trail signage, $382K for police dep’t security system, appointing new member to Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee
By Allen D. Payton
Following a Closed Session at 4:30 p.m., during their Regular Meeting tonight, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Antioch City Council will discuss resuming downtown security services and vote on spending over $500,000 for park and trail signage, about $382,000 for Police Department cameras and appointing a new member to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee. That’s in addition to deciding where to use state park grant funds, either at the former Beede Lumber Yard in Rivertown or at City Park. (See related article)
Before their Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m., during Closed Session, which begins at 4:30 p.m., the Council will discuss the City Attorney’s performance evaluation, nine potential lawsuits pertaining to possible Labor Code Section 1102.5, which protects employees from retaliation for reporting or refusing to participate in illegal or unlawful activities, and Fair Employment and Housing Act violations, as well as one possible lawsuit for a potential breach of contract and related claims.
Downtown Security Services Discussion
Under item 9 on the agenda, the Council will discuss resuming private security services to patrol City-owned parking lots in historic, downtown Rivertown. The previous contract and extensions ended on June 30th.
According to the City staff report, “In December 2022, in response to increasing concerns from Rivertown/Downtown business owners and visitors regarding criminal activity and quality of life issues occurring in and around City-owned public parking lots, the City Council directed staff to evaluate options to improve public safety and security in the area. One key strategy identified was the deployment of private security services to act as a visible deterrent, identify safety issues, monitor City-owned properties and promptly report incidents and safety concerns to the Antioch Police Department.
“Following a competitive process, the City selected Shield Protection & Public Safety, Inc., DBA Spearhead Protection, as the most qualified provider. The City entered into a professional services agreement with Spearhead Protection for services from January 9, 2024, through June 30, 2025, in the not-to-exceed amount of $100,068. On April 23, 2025, the City executed a first amended agreement, increasing the compensation by $49,932. On May 27, 2025, agreement (mislabeled as a first amendment), extending services through June 30, 2026, and increasing compensation to the not-to-exceed amount of $100,000.
“There is no direct fiscal impact of the discussion surrounding downtown security services. Should Council direct that the City resume security services and issue a request for proposal, the City Manager’s General Fund budget includes $102,500 for services, based on the pricing of the prior contract.”
“The previous contract provided security coverage seven days a week, including holidays, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and midnight. Services include regular patrols of nine designated locations in the Rivertown/Downtown area by a uniformed guard in a marked security vehicle.”
New Police Department Cameras, Hardware & Software
Under the Consent Calendar item 5.F, the Council will consider approving a five-year agreement with Verkada-Development Group Inc. in the amount of $381,676.22 to purchase police department cameras, hardware and cloud-based operating system software for use inside the police facility and animal shelter for the period from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2031
It requires authorizing a fiscal year 2026-27 budget amendment to roll over the FY 2025-26 Police Department General Fund budget to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 budget. The cost of the five-year contract is to be paid upfront with an average cost of $76,335.24 per year.
The contract will be with Redding-based Development Group, Inc., which designs and installs equipment by San Mateo-based Verkada.
According to the City staff report, “the Antioch Police Department’s existing Bay Alarm video surveillance system has reached the end of its useful life and is no longer capable of providing the level of security, reliability, and functionality required to support daily police operations. The system was originally designed as a 12-server, on-premises video management platform; however, eight of the twelve servers have failed and are no longer operational. As a result, the system has experienced a significant reduction in performance, reliability, and recording capability, creating substantial vulnerabilities in the Department’s security infrastructure.
“In addition to the server failures, much of the existing surveillance hardware has deteriorated due to age and prolonged use. Numerous cameras have exposed wiring, increasing the likelihood of equipment failure and presenting maintenance and safety concerns. The video intercom systems located at secure entrances, public access doors, and vehicle gates are also malfunctioning and no longer provide dependable communication or access control. These failures negatively impact the Department’s ability to monitor facilities, control access and maintain a secure environment for employees, visitors and members of the public.
“The Bay Alarm video management software and supporting platform are also obsolete and have exceeded their serviceable life. Replacement components are increasingly difficult to obtain, manufacturer support is limited or unavailable, and the system is no longer capable of supporting current security technologies or operational requirements.
“Due to the age and condition of both the hardware and software, continued repairs are no longer practical or cost-effective. The system is beyond repair and requires complete replacement with a modern, reliable video surveillance solution that provides enhanced security, improved operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
“Verkada…has built a unique end-to-end, cloud-managed security platform for monitoring and managing physical security. The Verkada integrated platform offers comprehensive solutions across video security (cameras), access control (door controllers and readers), environmental sensors (air quality monitoring), alarms (wired and wireless sensors, wired alarm panel, and wireless hub, as well as packaged monitoring offerings), visitor management, mailroom management, and video door intercoms.
“This platform includes a number of unique features, such as up to 365 days of continuous on-camera storage, a full range of indoor and outdoor cameras with night vision (dome, mini, bullet, split, and fisheye models), infrared LED isolation on 4K dome camera models, an offline mode that allows a user to view live streams via a viewing station even in the event of an Internet outage, and security screens for visitors. Verkada provides native integration across all those applications, including security cameras, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, visitor management, mailroom management, and video intercoms.
“Verkada is the only manufacturer of cloud-managed physical security solutions with all those features. These products are designed, manufactured, and sold exclusively by Verkada who holds various intellectual property rights in and to its products.
“Switching to Verkada provides a modern, scalable security platform that better aligns with current and future operational needs. Verkada’s cloud-managed system consolidates video surveillance, access control, and system management into a single, intuitive interface, reducing complexity and administrative overhead. This transition improves system reliability, simplifies maintenance, and ensures consistent performance across all deployed devices while allowing authorized personnel to securely access and manage the system from anywhere.”
New Park & Trail Signage
Under the Consent Calendar item 5.H., the Council will consider awarding the construction agreement for the Installation of Park Signage Project to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Los Angeles-based Monarka Development Corporation DBA Express Sign & Neon in the amount of $498,860, with a $25,000 contingency for a total contract amount of $523,860.
It requires approving a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Capital Improvement and Operating Budgets using Park-in-Lieu funds paid for by new development, in the amount of $187,000.
According to the City staff report, the project consists of the fabrication and installation of signage within parks and major trails throughout the city including Antioch City Park, Chichibu Park, Worth Shaw Community Park, Antioch Community Park and other designated trail locations.
Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee Appointment
Under item 6 on the agenda, Mayor Ron Bernal will to nominate the candidate of his choice, Christian Lapena, and the City Council will vote on adopting a resolution approving his appointment to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a full-term vacancy expiring March 2030.
According to his application, Lapena has lived in Antioch since 2021 and is the founder of the non-profit organization Herpaderp. According to their website, the exotic animal rescue organization based in Antioch, specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating animals such as turtles, lizards, snakes and other animals that are not native to the area or are not commonly kept as pets.
According to his LinkedIn profile, since Sept. 2024 he has worked as a Senior Support Engineer for Renascent Technology and since Oct. 2020 Lapena has worked as a contract Senior Support Engineer for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. In 2012 He earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in network security from City College of San Francisco.
The Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee is responsible for reviewing the receipt and expenditure of funds under the City’s Measure W one-cent sales tax as they relate to the Council’s stated priorities outlined in the adopted budgets of the City. The Committee is responsible for reporting out the result of their review by April 1st of each year at a public meeting.
Committee members are responsible for the following duties:
- Reviewing annual sales tax revenue and expenditure reports.
- Monitoring compliance with ballot measure requirements.
- Providing transparency to the public regarding fund usage.
- Advising the City Council on accountability measures.
Each year, an independent auditor shall complete a public audit report of the revenue raised and its expenditure. The Committee’s review shall be completed in conjunction with the City’s budget process. The Committee’s report on its review, whether oral or written, shall be considered by the City Council at a public meeting before April 1 of each year. Any written report shall be a matter of public record.
The Committee consists of seven members who are Antioch residents. The terms of the Committee members are staggered with four members serving a four-year term and three members serving a two-year term. At least one member of the Committee shall have a financial, accounting or auditing background.
As previously reported, there are currently five more vacancies on the committee that the Council will be filling that include:
- Three (3) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2030
- Two (2) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2028
Applications are due this Friday, Aug. 14 at 5:00 p.m. To be considered for the vacancy position(s), please complete an application and submit it to the City Clerk’s Office by the deadline date listed above. Applications are also located on the City’s Website at www.antiochca.gov/739/Boards-Commissions and may be picked up in person at Antioch City Hall, 200 H Street, Antioch, CA.
Please email your completed application to: cityclerk@antiochca.gov. You can also drop off your application (Attn: City Clerk) in the water billing drop-off box located in the parking lot just outside of Antioch City Hall.
Meeting Details
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown and can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.
See agenda packet.
the attachments to this post:
Community & Worth Shaw tall signs
Chichibu City & Community Parks signs
Verkada security system
Verkada security equipment
Spearhead Protection logo & Rivertown sign
ACC mtg 081126 header
