Antioch Council to hold special afternoon Closed Session meeting Wednesday on appointing interim, recruiting permanent city manager
On last day of current City Manager Bessie Scott’s contract
By Allen D. Payton
The Antioch City Council will hold a special Closed Session meeting Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7 at 1:30 PM to deal with four items, three of which are regarding the position of City Manager, as current City Manager Bessie Scott’s two-year contract ends tomorrow. She was hired in August 2024 on a 3-2 vote, with a Step B salary of $263,880 annually and began in the position in October 2024.
Scott has been on paid leave since May 5th following a 4-0 Closed Session council vote with District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker voting to abstain.
The other item on the agenda is to again discuss a potential lawsuit against the City.
Before the council adjourns into the closed-door meeting Wednesday, the public will have the opportunity to offer their comments on the agenda items.
Under Item 4.2, the Council will discuss the public employee recruitment of a new, permanent city manager and under Item 4.4, current Acting City Manager Ana Cortez, who is also the City’s current Director of Human Resources and is expected to be appointed as Interim City Manager, will be negotiating with the City Council regarding the position.
The four items on the agenda are as follows:
4.1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Interim City Manager. This Closed Session is authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.
4.2 Public Employee/Public Employee Recruitment: City Manager. This Closed Session is authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 54957(b).
4.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(2): Number of potential cases: (1). The City is in receipt of information concerning facts and circumstances that might result in litigation against the City which are known to a potential plaintiff or plaintiffs pertaining to possible Labor Code Section 1102.5, and Fair Employment and Housing Act violations.
4.4 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. City Negotiator: Director of Human Resources Ana Cortez Employee: Interim City Manager.
Following the Closed Session, City Attorney Lori Asuncion will report out any action taken.
Meeting Details
The Council meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, or can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on the City’s YouTube channel.
See agenda.
the attachments to this post:
CoA logo ACortez & BScott
