Includes projected deficits of $10.2 million in 2023-24 and $15.4 million in 2024-25; also approves $226.6 million 5-Year Capital Improvement Program budget

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Antioch City Council adopted a $237.5 million annual budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and $226.2 million budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 with $10.2 and $15.4 million deficits, respectively. The council also unanimously approved the $226.6 million 5-Year Capital Improvement Program budget and spending up to $2.1 million for police dispatch and records management software upgrade over five years.

Approves Two-Year Budget

The council approved the two-year budget for Fiscal Years 2023-25 using less than $3 million from Budget Stabilization funds for the General Fund, according to Finance Director Dawn Merchant. The 2023-24 Fiscal Year Operating Budget projects a total $10.2 million deficit with $227,370,716 in revenue, including$91,854,602 to the General Fund and $237,524,285 in expenditures, including $92,698,366 from the General Fund. In Fiscal Year 2024-25 the deficit is projected to be $16 million with $210,736,707 in revenue, including$97,314,672 in the General Fund and total expenditures of $226,163,010, including $100,314,672 from the General Fund. (See below)

Over half of the General Fund pays for police, including $50,741,523 in FY 2023-24 and $54,670,183 in FY 2024-25.

Approves 5-Year Capital Improvement Program Budget

The council also unanimously approved the $226.6 million 5-Year Capital Improvement Program Budget with the largest amount of $69 million to be spent on the Brackish Water Desalination Plant. The budget also includes $55.4 million for Roadway Improvements, $47.1 million on the City’s water system, $21.6 million on Community Facilities, $16.4 million on Parks and Trails, $12 million on the Wastewater and Storm Drain System and $4.4 million on Traffic Signals.

Approve $2.1 million for Police Department Software Upgrade

The council approved a five-year contract not to exceed $2,123,744 to develop and maintain a Police Computer Aided Dispatch (“CAD”) and Records Management System (“RMS”) from June 1, 2023, to July 1, 2028, authorizing the Acting City Manager to execute a purchasing agreement with Sunridge Systems.

Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker was the only council member to speak on the item.

“Increased police response times is literally a matter of life and death in this community,” she said “Three minutes versus 10 minutes when you have a loved one bleeding out in the street… response times matter. Until we can create this other world, this utopia where we don’t need these systems, we need to make them work. Our police department is way behind 21st Century Policing. I definitely support this, and I can make the motion,” which she then did.

Seconded by District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica, the motion was adopted on a 5-0 vote.

By Allen D. Payton

After the 153 graduates of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School’s Class of 2023 filed into the Deer Valley High quad amphitheater to the traditional sounds of Pomp and Circumstance, senior and fellow graduate Rosaly Crisp sang the National Anthem and ASB President Arana Amin led the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Karen Clark then introduced local dignitaries, including school board Trustees Gary Hack, Mary Rocha and Antonio Hernandez, and Superintendent Stephanie Anello.

“It’s a great day to be back at Dozier Libbey Medical High School but it’s an even better day to be graduating,” said Area 1 Trustee Hernandez, a Class of 2012 alum of the school, during his opening remarks.

He was followed by Commencement Speaker and Class of 2023 graduate Briana Galindo.

“We learned to be creative…and stay strong during times of uncertainty,” she said about their experience during distance learning of the COVID pandemic.

“Class of 2023, these past four years we’ve all grown as individuals. We’ve embraced the values we were taught from the beginning,” Galindo continued. “Dozier-Libbey prepared us. Let these four years be the foundation of what we can do and what we are capable of. I’m proud of you all. We will continue to persevere, chase our ambitions and become the change makers.”

In closing she thanked their teachers and parents.

After the presentation of the Class of 2023 by Principal Clark, she spoke of the students’ experience during distance learning.

“The challenges…you’ve faced have forever shaped all of us…managing your own time,” she said. “Together we conquered many, many obstacles.”

“It is our hope that DLMHS has instilled the qualities of compassion, empathy and understanding… navigating the complex career of healthcare or any other career you will pursue,” Clark added.

Superintendent Anello accepted the class having completed the graduation requirements of the Antioch Unified School District and State of California. “Henceforth you are to be considered graduates and alumni of Dozie-Libbey Medical High School. Congratulations,” she said.

As their names were read by Principal Clark and Vice Principal Mark Libbey, the son of one of the namesakes of the school, the graduates were presented their diplomas by Trustees Hernandez and Rocha.

Class President Saniya Maka led her classmates in the turning of their tassels and the graduates celebrated, hugged and tossed their caps in the air as their family and friends cheered and the song Don’t Stop Believing by Journey played during the recessional.

See video of the graduation ceremonies on the AUSD YouTube Channel.

Congratulations, graduates. Make Antioch proud!

Nuhad Saba Levasseur, age 69, of Marietta, GA passed away on March 31, 2023. She was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1953 to Salih and Maggie Saba. She and her family moved to Castro Valley, CA when she was six years old. She studied music and became a professional singer, performing with bands and doing studio work for many years in the Bay Area. She met Michael Levasseur in 1984 and for 39 years they were married and built a beautiful life together with their four children. She opened her own voice studio and coached people of all ages how to sing. For 30 years she selflessly poured into her students’ lives and loved mentoring them in their passion for singing and pursuing careers in music. In her spare time, she enjoyed musical theater, singing on the church worship team and choir, spending time with her family and her 13 grandkids, entertaining people in her home, shopping and taking pictures. She had a passion for life, people, family, and her faith. She loved Jesus and loved telling people about her Savior. In 2018, she and her husband and two daughters along with their families moved to Marietta, GA. She loved living in the south and in during her four-and-a-half years there she built great friendships, continued vocal coaching, and made great memories with her husband and family.

Nuhad is preceded in death by her father Salih Saba, her mother Maggie Eaton, and her stepmother Cindy Saba. She is survived by her husband Michael Levasseur, her daughters Marissa Havens and Hillary Fowlie, her stepsons Jason Levasseur and Justin Levasseur, her son-in-laws Chad Havens and CJ Fowlie, her daughter-in-laws Stephanie Levasseur and Katie Levasseur. She is survived by her 13 precious grandchildren whom she adored: Faith, Lilly, Amelia, Cash, Ethan, Dawson, Kason, Stella, Quinn, Kylan, Andrew, Matthew, and Everly.

A celebration of life service was held in Atlanta, GA at Passion City Church Cumberland Campus, on April 29, 2023. There will also be a celebration of life service held at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, CA on June 16, 2023, at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in Nuhad’s honor to Passion City Church (https://passioncitychurch.com/atlanta/), Golden Hills Community Church (https://goldenhills.org/), or The Hope Center in Woodstock, GA (https://supporthopecenter.com/).

To add your condolences on her online obituary visit Nuhad Levasseur Obituary – Marietta, GA (dignitymemorial.com).

Starring Antioch youth at Nick Rodriguez Community Theater

Presented by Aspire Youth Engagement Programs, Inc. Visual & Performing Arts Academy and City of Antioch

Come watch Annie, Jr., the exciting musical based on the popular Tony-winning musical Annie. Follow the journey of a young orphan, Annie as she determines to find her parents!

This exciting show, free to the public, features Antioch scholars, from kindergarten through 12th grade, mounting the stage in dance, song and theater performances.

With over 18 years of experience with providing impactful youth services programs throughout Northern California, Pittsburg-based Aspire Youth Engagement Programs, Inc. continue to excel as leaders in the industry, keeping our pulse to the ever-changing needs of today’s youth, while creating relevant and fresh programs that make a difference.  Aspire Programs among others include:

• City of Antioch (January 2022-present)

a. “Annie, Jr.” our upcoming production coming on Friday and Saturday, June 23rd and 24th at the Nick Rodriguez Community Theater at 213 F Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. This production, free to the public features scholars, Kinder-12th grade from the city of Antioch, mounting the stage in Dance, Song and Theater performances.

b.  Musical Production – “The Wiz Jr.” – City of Antioch (2022)

c.  Painting & Spoken Word (Middle School/High School scholars – City of Antioch – Summer 2022)

d.  Basketball Summer Camp (13- to 17-year-old boys) June 20th – July 15th (38 scholars)

• After School Programs which includes Dance, Theatre and Voice/Choir (Pittsburg Unified School District ‘PUSD’ – 2018-present)

• Bay Point – Dance Classes (1st-8th Grade), Ambrose Community Center (March-June 2023)

• Visual & Performing Arts Academy

a. Annual Holiday Musical Production “Joy – The Urban Nutcracker – (88 Scholars from Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg). Performed at Pittsburg Creative Arts Building, Big Theater, December 10, 2022;

• STEM & STEAM Programs (PUSD, April 2020; April 2021; April,2022 (virtual)

• Girl’s Leadership Program (Social Etiquette, Fashion, Future Leaders)

OUR MISSION

Aspire Youth Engagement Programs are designed to help Kinder – 12th grade scholars discover and develop their true potential focusing on key areas of growth – academically, emotionally and through leadership development – to become their best within the community.

THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

The performing arts are intrinsically valuable for the beauty and fulfillment they bring, but researchers have observed that it also brings other benefits such as Empathy, Academic Performance, and Self Esteem. Performing onstage is frightening for newcomers, which is why students feel an immense confidence boost after they practice hard, work together, and successfully stage a play for friends, the community and family. The kids in our programs practice teamwork, gain confidence, learn leadership and build a skill set not only for a theater stage, but for the real world.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On June 15, 2023, at approximately 5:02 a.m. Antioch Police Officers responded to the 2200 block of San Jose Drive on a report of a stabbing having just occurred. Officers arrived and located a 30-year-old female and a 39-year-old male both suffering from stab wounds. The female was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

This is an isolated incident and there is no current threat to the public. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925 )778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Special discount for grads!

Ebbs’ last day is July 14, will leave City without manager, assistant manager, community development director

By Allen D. Payton

Acting Antioch City Manager Forrest Ebbs announced to the city council and staff, on Thursday, June 14, 2023, that he will be leaving for a new position with the City of Modesto as a Deputy City Manager. His last day will be July 14. With the expected departure of City Manager Con Johnson who has been on paid leave since middle of March, following council’s direction to the city attorney during their closed session this past Tuesday night, that will leave Antioch without a city manager, assistant manager and community development director, which Ebbs retained as his official title during the brief time as acting city manager.

It has been “a little over eight years as Community Development Director,” Ebbs said when reached for comment.

Asked about the accomplishments during his time in the position he spoke of the three divisions in the department saying, “the Building Division has grown to be more appropriate for a city of our size. We have gone to an online submittal process for building permits. We just launched it.”

“In Planning, we’ve created many new opportunities for housing and ways to revitalize commercial corridors,” Forbes shared. He oversaw the entitlement process of all projects in the new home Sand Creek Focus Area, except for Kaiser during his tenure.

“In Code Enforcement we’ve grown from four budgeted positions to 18 to better serve the community,” he added.

Asked about how long he’d been considering a new position, Ebbs said, “Throughout my career I’ve looked for opportunities to try out new challenges. But this is something I’ve been pursuing for a couple years.”

Asked if the current acting position helped prepare him for his new one Ebbs replied, “I’ve learned a lot in the last three months and I’m appreciative of the council for having the confidence allowing me to do that.”

He will be one of two deputy city managers for the city with a population of a little over 200,000. Modesto’s official motto, which can be seen on an archway sign at the intersection of 9th and I Streets is “Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health”.

Asked when he started the process with Modesto, Ebbs said, “It’s been a typical recruitment process. I applied to them a couple months ago. It was a competitive national recruitment.”

Asked about his replacement in Antioch he shared, “The city council will make a decision on the acting city manager in the next couple weeks. I will be presenting some names to them and they will ultimately make the decision of how they want to proceed with an acting city manager.”

Asked about an acting Community Development Director he said, “I’ll be looking internally to backfill that position. The reality is the department staff have stepped up so it’s not going to be much of a transition.”

Ebbs is married with three children – the oldest is 19 and a freshman in college, another, age 16 is in high school and a 12-year-old in middle school.

“It was a family decision,” he shared.

They live in Lodi so his commute will be shorter.

“It’s the same distance but it’s a quicker drive,” Ebbs added.

Hired in June 2019, Matthew Nutt was terminated this year; APD provides body cam footage

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Community Engagement, Antioch Police Department

As has been previously reported, former Antioch Police Officer Matthew Nutt was terminated from his employment as the result of an internal investigation into his use of force against an individual during a traffic stop on July 1, 2022. During the incident, Mr. Nutt learned the driver of a vehicle stopped for not displaying license plates had an outstanding felony warrant for shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied vehicle and conspiracy. Upon placing the individual under arrest, he refused to sit in the back of a police vehicle and displayed physical resistance. Mr. Nutt used force against the arrestee, consisting of a series of punches and kicks, along with knee and elbow strikes.

Mr. Nutt’s application of force triggered an automatic review of his body-worn camera footage. The reviewing supervisor had concerns about what was depicted in the video and believed Mr. Nutt may have violated Antioch Police policies governing use of force. The supervisor communicated his concerns through official channels, and an internal review was initiated. Mr. Nutt was placed into an assignment with no direct public contact.

After a thorough investigation, Mr. Nutt was sustained on four (4) use of force policy violations, including using unreasonable force, failure to de-escalate, and failure to use alternative tactics. Chief Steven Ford reviewed the findings of the investigation and terminated Mr. Nutt from his employment with the Antioch Police Department on April 21, 2023.

Members of the Antioch Police Department Professional Standards Unit initiated a criminal investigation into the matter and presented their findings to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. On June 13, 2023, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Mr. Nutt with one misdemeanor count of assault by a public officer.

Chief Steven A. Ford released the following statement regarding this incident:

“Police officers are entrusted with the authority to use reasonable force to protect the public and themselves in the lawful performance of their duties. This requires close supervision and evaluation to maintain public legitimacy and preserve the sanctity of human life. The Antioch Police Department is committed to accountability and full transparency – my hope is our community will see the actions of our personnel to investigate and bring this matter to my attention as an expression of their commitment to accountability and the core tenets of their oath. This unfortunate incident is not reflective of the women and men who serve our community – please join me in continuing to offer our support of their hard work.”

Mr. Nutt was hired in June 2019 and employed with the Antioch Police Department for four years and had two years of prior experience with the Los Angeles Police Department. (See related article)

In the interest of transparency – and in accordance with State Law – we are releasing the following documents and evidence:

(WARNING – violence and profanity)

Internal Investigation Report – https://antioch.nextrequest.com/documents/21707013

Former Officer Nutt Body Cam Video #1

Former Officer Nutt Body Cam Video #2 (labeled #6)

Officer Dustin Dibble Body Cam Video (labeled #4) – this video shows Nutt punching and kicking the detainee. (See 1:00 minute mark)

Sergeant Josh Evans Body Cam Video (labeled #5)

Redactions have been made to these items in accordance with State Laws governing release of certain privileged and/or protected information.

The Antioch Police Department trains officers and has several policies on use of force, de-escalation, and alternative tactics, which can be reviewed on our transparency website:

SB 978Policy Manual / Training Materials

The Antioch Police Department recently joined a Trust Building Campaign https://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign with 25-key policy enhancements we have pledged to implement within a 36-month period. We have also begun a process to seek accreditation of our Police Department and Dispatch Center, which includes regular audits of our policies and practices by an internationally recognized organization.