Ogorchock takes the lead on issue at her first regular council meeting

By John Crowder

During the December 16, 2014 meeting of the Antioch City Council, a proposed ordinance that would have instituted, according to Director of Public Works Ron Bernal, a “new requirement” effecting all Antioch property owners with or seeking to obtain sewer service was tabled on a 3-2 vote. The ordinance would have required property owners to ensure that their sewer laterals (the connection between the building and the public sewer system) have “proper cleanouts” and that they be, “inspected, cleaned, and replaced if necessary.”

Had it passed, staff intended to bring forward a budget amendment at a future meeting to approve a Public Works Technician position, at a cost of “approximately $120,000 plus $30,000 for startup costs for a workstation and vehicle.” The proposed ordinance was brought forward as part of a 2013 settlement agreement between the city of Antioch and Northern California River Watch, an environmental group which had alleged violations by the city of the Federal Clean Water Act and certain state regulations.

Prior to council discussion, local real estate agent Mark Jordan commented regarding the matter. “This seems to be reactive, rather than proactive,” he said. He later added, “I think it should go back to staff and it should be tightened up a little bit.”

In a discussion between council members and staff, Bernal said that, for older homes, “It could potentially be very expensive, as far as the amount of work that’s necessary to accomplish this ordinance.”

“Do we have a cost to the homeowner at this point?” questioned Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock.

Bernal estimated that cleaning a system was in the $500 to $1500 range, an inspection in the $300 to $600 range, and that the replacement of a sewer lateral could cost anywhere from a “couple thousand dollars to $10,000 or more.”

Ogorchock continued questioning Bernal, asking about the frequency of actions being taken by staff related to sewer systems. Bernal said overflows occur numerous times each month.

Ogorchock then said that, in her real estate business, she had seen costs as high as $30,000, which she characterized as a, “huge cost.” She also asked who would pay the cost on a distressed property. Bernal said it would be the seller’s responsibility.

In response to a question from Mayor Wade Harper, Bernal said an inspection would be required every ten years, and a cleaning of a sewer lateral every 20 years.

Ogorchock spoke again, saying she had a fear that the cost of this program would hinder people from buying or selling homes in the city. She put forward a motion to table the item. Following additional, brief discussion, her motion was passed, 3-2. Ogorchock, Harper, and Council Member Monica Wilson voted in favor, while Council Members Mary Rocha and Tony Tiscareno voted no.

Mayor Harper explained his vote, saying he was concerned that there were not enough homeowners present to go forward with this item. He wanted to ensure that homeowners were aware that the council would be taking up the potentially costly issue.

Before moving on to their next item, City Attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland said that, for the ordinance to be brought before the council again, an affirmative vote would be needed from them.

By John Crowder

During the December 16, 2014 meeting of the Antioch City Council, Mayor Wade Harper made a series of nominations for appointments to various council committees and other agency boards. As explained by Antioch City Attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland, the new appointments were necessary due to the change in council membership as a result of the November 4 election.

Because some of the positions allow for an additional stipend to the appointed representative, Nerland recommended that, as the council voted on appointments, the council member being appointed recuse himself or herself from that vote. As the appointments were made, this practice was followed, and each council member was approved for all the positions Harper had appointed them to on a 4-0 vote.

The appointments for each of the council members follows:

Mayor Harper: Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Delta Diablo, East Contra Costa Transit Authority (Tri-Delta Transit), Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference, Budget Committee, Lone Tree Golf Course Committee, Northeast Antioch Annexation, Quality of Life Forum

Mayor Pro Tem Ogorchock: Community Facilities District (Mello-Roos), City/Schools Relations Committee, East Bay Division League of California Cities, East County Water Management Association, Sycamore Corridor Committee, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), ABAG alternate, Contra Costa Mayors Conference alternate

Council Member Rocha: East Contra Costa Transit Authority (Tri-Delta Transit), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Community on Aging, Northeast Antioch Annexation, Delta Diablo Sanitation District alternate, Historic Preservation Committee

Council Member Wilson: Chamber of Commerce Liaison, Community Facilities District (Mello-Roos), City/School Relations Committee, CDBG, Sycamore Corridor, alternate to State Route 4 Bypass Authority alternate, TRANSPLAN alternate, East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority alternate

Council Member Tiscareno: Community Advisory Board SF Bay Water Transit Authority, Graffiti Subcommittee, State Route Bypass 4 Authority, TRANSPLAN, East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority, Budget Committee, Lone Tree Golf Course Committee

New owner Rita Low (seated) with Elizabeth Rimbault.

When Elizabeth Rimbault decided to retire this last year after 45 years of her own businesses, her only concern was who will continue to serve her clients. Liz was the only document assistant in East county that was versed in filing probate papers for clients and specialized in real estate documents, simple trusts, wills and such. Much to her delight, an old friend that had worked with her years ago, has returned. Rita Low is a California Certified Legal Secretary with a Paralegal Certificate from West Valley in Saratoga.

Whereas Liz specialized in Wills, trusts and probates, Rita has additional experience in family law, which Liz did not handle. Rita has taught the Legal Secretary Training program at Los Medanos Community College since 2008 to present. She has worked hand in hand with various attorneys over the years in Litigation, legal software programs, employment, bankruptcy, trademark, IP, real estate, corporate and civil litigation.

Having worked with her in the past, Liz is confident that Rita is the perfect professional to take over the business and serve east county residents with the utmost confidential and professional conduct for those wishing to represent themselves with simple legal matters. What makes this the perfect transition is Rita is now located at the same address and has the same phone number that has served Liz’s clients for so many years.

So if you need professional assistance with legal documents call Rita Low Legal Document Service at 2810 Lone Tree Way, #8, Antioch or call 925-757-5353 as always for the most professional assistance.

Michael Vickers

On Sunday, December 21, 2014 at approximately 2:38 PM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way. The officers arrived to find an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he ultimately died from his injuries.

The victim in this case has been identified as Pittsburg resident, 23-year-old Ricardo Walls. Walls was in the garage visiting friends at the location when they were approached by subjects who produced a gun and shot Walls. The investigation led to identifying the shooter as Oakland resident, 27-year-old Michael Vickers. Vickers was apprehended in Oakland on Monday, December 22, 2014 at about 5:30 PM and has been booked into Martinez County Jail on this murder.

No other information will be released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective James Stenger with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6894. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 58th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 58th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, January 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the newly incorporated Viera Avenue neighborhood. Volunteers should report to Wymore Way near East 18^th Street for parking.

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family,

your neighbors and your community!

Car accident on E. 18th Street knocks out power to surrounding homes and businesses, on New Year’s Eve day.

By Allen Payton

A driver speeding down East 18th Street in Antioch, at an estimated 70 to 80 miles per hour, Wednesday morning struck a telephone and power pole, at about 11:00 a.m., then overturned. The crash knocked out power to 833 surrounding homes and businesses, according to Tom Guarino, Government Relations Manager for PG&E.

The affected power pole.

According to a tow truck driver and a member of the Antioch Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) on the scene, the driver was alone in the van, and is in the hospital with a broken back. He had just dropped off his wife and their child, and was on his way to pick up flowers for his wife for their anniversary.

In an email received from Joe Metcalf, Superintendent of PG&E’s Diablo Division Electric M&C at 5:48 p.m., he stated “we have two GC crews on site now. I just spoke [to] the supervisor and he said that they would have all the power restored by 19:30.” That’s 7:30 p.m., tonight.

However, as of a 7:10 p.m. update on the PG&E website, it states “PG&E repair crew is on-site working to restore power” and “ESTIMATED RESTORATION: DEC 31, 8:00 PM.”

For further updates on the power outage, visit www.pge.com/myhome/outages/outage.

The car struck the utility pole between Amber Drive and Alhambra Drive.

Gerald Delgado (DOB: 01/24/83)

By Lieutenant Tony Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, December 29, 2014 at approximately 10:02 AM, an Antioch Police Officer on routine patrol encountered a subject (later identified as 31-year-old Gerald Delgado) acting suspiciously in the 2100 block of Dogwood Way in Antioch. When the officer tried to talk to Delgado, who was apparently trying to hide from and avoid contact with the officer, Delgado drew a can of pepper spray and threatened the officer. A brief physical altercation ensued and Delgado (after discarding the pepper spray) then drew a large fixed blade knife on the officer. The officer managed to gain some distance on this aggressive, armed suspect and challenged him at gunpoint.

Another officer quickly arrived on scene, and Delgado ultimately dropped the large knife after continued orders to comply by the officers. Delgado was only taken into custody after he further, violently resisted arrest and physically fought with the officers. These two officers showed amazing restraint in safely apprehending Delgado who had armed himself twice during the confrontation and violently resisted arrest.

One officer received minor injuries during the arrest of Delgado. Delgado had some more moderate injuries from the altercation and was treated and released from an area hospital before being transported to the County Jail in Martinez.

Delgado’s knife.

This case was taken to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review. Charges of PC 245(C) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer, (2 counts) PC 69 – Violently Resisting Arrest, and PC 21310 – Possession of a Dangerous Weapon were filed by the DA’s office in this case.

No further information will be released at this time.

Any further information will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6939. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.