Following complaint from one grant recipient’s leader, mayor challenges panel’s decision; opens rift with City Manager who finds matter “concerning…alarming”; City Attorney issues opinion

“…none of the proposers are entitled to any City funds and every group was given the opportunity to be heard and was equally assessed in determining the awards.”   – City Manager Bessie Scott

Celebrate Antioch Foundation has history of working with, receiving funds from City for community events; was not going to receive funds, but Torres-Walker secured a small amount

Misinterpretations of language in Request for Proposals

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, the Antioch City Council will again reconsider Citywide Economic Development Initiative grants totaling $60,000 to three community organizations awarded in September. The matter has become controversial with Mayor Ron Bernal challenging the decision during the Council’s Nov. 20th meeting. two council members were absent and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker left the dais during discussion of the agenda item to prevent a vote. (See 1:59:38 mark of video)

According to the City staff report for item #1 on Tuesday’s agenda, “The Mayor instructed the City Manager to bring for discussion the 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Citywide Economic Development and associated Grants which were awarded on September 12, 2025, outside of the 90-Day City Council Request List.”

The RFP states that the goal was “to award up to three (3) grants of $20,000 each to the best projects” to help with the City’s economic development efforts. Instead, after a panel, consisting of Torres-Walker, City Manager Bessie Scott, then-Assistant City Manager Brad Helfenberger, then-Interim Community and Economic Development Director David Storer, Public Information Officer Jaden Baird and then-Economic Development Program Manager Bret Sweet, reviewed the proposals, they chose to allocate two grants in the amount of $27,500 each and one in the amount of $5,000. The first two were awarded to Delta Business Group, to support the efforts by the newly organized Downtown Antioch Association of business owners, and Prison From-The-Inside-Out. The smaller grant was awarded to Celebrate Antioch Foundation because the Review Panel determined their proposal “did not align fully with the parameters of the RFP.”

Purpose of Grants

The RFP solicited qualified organizations, nonprofits and business support entities to implement projects that aim to achieve at least two or more of the following outcomes:

• Increased Economic Activity – Boost foot traffic, sales, or commercial occupancy rates in key corridors.

• Business Retention or Expansion – Provide support or services that result in business stabilization, retention, or physical/operational growth.

• Entrepreneurial Development – Foster new business creation, especially among underserved populations or within underutilized areas.

• Commercial Corridor Revitalization – Visibly enhance underperforming areas (e.g., vacant storefront activations, façade improvements, pop-ups).

• Job Creation or Workforce Upskilling – Generate new employment opportunities or improve job readiness among residents.

• Community Engagement – Increase stakeholder participation, visibility of small businesses, or community pride in economic corridors.

Grant Awards

The process included a Blind Review with a group discussion at the end. According to the staff report, the Review Panel chose to issue the following grants for their proposed efforts:

• Celebrate Antioch Foundation– $5,000to perform Antioch Farmers’ Market promotion and signature event promotion. Although this proposal did not align fully with the parameters of the RFP, the organization was awarded an amount due to their services being complimentary to city services such as the farmers’ market.

• Delta Business Group– $27,500to work with the Downtown Antioch Association to build city-wide business-centered digital infrastructure development, city-wide and downtown capacity building, community building, collaboration and transition planning.

• Prison From-The-Inside-Out– $27,500to perform commercial corridor revitalization, city-wide community engagement, workforce development and job creation, and workforce upskilling.

Celebrate Antioch Foundation Leader Appeals Smaller Grant

But former Antioch Councilwoman Joy Motts, who is president of Celebrate Antioch Foundation (CAF), was not satisfied with the amount of her organization’s grant and shared her concerns with Bernal. He in turn chose to bring it to the City Council for a decision that could override the allocations by the Review Panel. The matter was first placed on the Nov. 20th meeting agenda for discussion and a possible decision. That’s when things turned controversial.

CAF has a history of working with and receiving funds from the City for the multiple, annual community events they’ve organized, mostly in downtown Rivertown including annual July 4th Celebration. They worked together on this past Saturday’s Holiday Delites Celebration. CAF’s largest project with the City was the year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration with multiple events in 2022. This year, the group added the Farmer’s Market on Sundays, for which their grant application was focused.

According to a report by City Finance Director Dawn Merchant, CAF received $95,000 in City funds for the Sesquicentennial events, including a $25,000 Administration Fee, and $50,000 for the 2022 July 4th event. (For full disclosure, this reporter named and helped form CAF).

City Attorney Gets Involved

Before the meeting, the City Attorney’s Office reviewed the RFP, along with emails from Motts and all attachments included in the agenda packet. According to Scott’s staff report, in the opinion of Interim City Attorney Derek Cole, “there is no legal issue with the way the City handled this RFP” which “clearly outlines the scope of the services being sought and the amount of the award does not exceed the amount authorized” of $60,000.

Furthermore, Scott states, “none of the proposers are entitled to any City funds and everygroup was given the opportunity to be heard and was equally assessed in determining the awards.”

City Manager Finds Mayor’s Challenge “Concerning…Alarming”, Claims it Diminishes Her Authority, Independence

Scott’s staff report further addressed the mayor’s challenge of the panel’s decision writing, “The City Manager finds it concerning and alarming that members of the City Council would request to diminish her legal and longstanding authority to award routine contracts and grants regardless of value, even if it is within her signing authority amounts. At no time in the past was this authority questioned of prior City Managers, including when the Mayor himself was the City Manager.”

Bernal served as Antioch City Manager from 2017-21. (See related articles here and here)

To further support her position, Scott cited the Report of the 2023-2024 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury entitled “Challenges Facing the City of Antioch” claiming Bernal’s challenge of her and the Review Panel’s decisions on the grants were undermining her ability to operate with independence. (See related article)

Scott wrote, “Within the Findings (of the Grand Jury Report), it is stated that a new City Manager’s success will depend, in part, on the Mayor and City Council creating an environment that while maintaining the oversight required by city ordinances, enables the City Manager to operate with independence, as also mandated by city ordinances.”

The City of Antioch has a Council-Manager form of government in which the council members are policy makers and hire a professional city manager to oversee day-to-day operations. The only other staff member the Council hires is the City Attorney.

“The actions described in this Staff Report reflect a departure from the governance structure mandated by the Antioch Municipal Code, as well as the essential duties and functions as outlined in the City Manager’s job description, and they pose significant operational, legal, and ethical risks,” Scott’s staff report states. “Continued encroachment on administrative authority undermines organizational stability and exposes the City to liability.”

She also claims Bernal’s challenge of the grant decisions is delaying the City’s economic development efforts.

“Too, non-adherence to established protocols has caused a significant delay in the carrying out of the 2025 Citywide Economic Development Initiative Grant Awards, as we push for, and desperately are in need of, economic development initiatives across the city,” Scott wrote. “Ensuring a well-functioning government requires that both the City Council and the City Manager operate within their defined roles and collaborate together with a shared goal of moving the city forward.”

Misinterpretations of Language in RFP

During public comments, Motts pointed out that Scott’s staff report incorrectly quotes that, “the RFP states that the goal was to award three groups up to $20,000” because it actually reads on page 4, “This RFP aims to award up to three (3) grants of $20,000 each.”

Yet, Motts was also incorrect in stating, “the RFP is clear that the City will award $60,000 in $20,000 grants to up to three projects. It does not say up to $20,000 and it does not say the grants will be changed to fit a project application.”

“Why would you manipulate the intent of the RFP?” she asked, directing her question to Scott.

However, the word “will” is not included and by using the word “aims” the language in the RFP allowed the panel to award all of the $60,000 allocated for the program to just one group or split the total among two organizations. They didn’t have to award funds to all three and the panel didn’t plan to according to Torres-Walker.

Concerns Politics Involved but Torres-Walker’s Efforts Result in Funds for CAF

Some residents are concerned that politics may be involved in the panel’s decision, since Motts ran unsuccessfully for city council placing second against Torres-Walker in 2020 and 2022, when the difference between the two was just four votes following a recount, and is expected to run against the incumbent councilwoman again, next year. But it was actually Torres-Walker who argued in favor of the $5,000 grant to CAF.

During council discussion of the item on Nov. 20th, Torres-Walker said, “I’m the only panelist who gave Celebrate Antioch a high score because they have been in the community and doing a lot of work in downtown…when others on the panel were considering completely denying the group’s proposal.”

“The proposal was not innovative. But I really appreciated the Farmer’s Market,” the councilwoman continued. “After hours of deliberating and actually only choosing two applicants – we did not choose a third applicant –  Celebrate Antioch’s proposal was not going to be funded. I made a proposal…through the City Manager to staff that we at least consider a small grant to support the efforts of the Farmer’s Market, which was new and innovative to the City of Antioch,” Torres-Walker explained. “Staff deliberated and agreed with my proposal and moved forward as such.”

Options for Council

The council members can choose to approve the Review Panel’s grant awards by voting for the resolution included with the agenda item, choose different grant amounts for each of the three groups, or scrap the entire program.

See Staff Report for Agenda Item #1 including the three proposals and complete Council Agenda.

Meeting Details

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

Asked to form Ad Hoc Committee; at least $16 million spent since 2021 so far

By Allen D. Payton

During a special meeting at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, the Antioch City Council will consider a plan to reduce homelessness and policy guidelines for homeless services. The meeting was scheduled on Nov. 20, but the agenda was not provided to the public until Monday, Dec. 1.

The one agenda is labeled a “City Council Priority Setting Discussion” on the “Plan for the Department of Public Safety and Community Resources to Reduce Homelessness and Increase Access to Critical Resources for Unhoused Residents,” by Focus Strategies, completed in December 2023.

The plan was a result of the Council adopting the “Policy Guidelines for the City’s Approach to Unhoused Resident Services” in 2021.

According to the City staff report on the item, “The Policy Guidelines of 2021 outlined three strategies that the City would use to prioritize to achieve this goal:

1. Address the immediate and public health needs of unhoused Antioch residents;

2. Invest in interim housing and services solutions designed to facilitate the transition into permanent housing; and

3. Increase permanent housing and linkages to permanent housing.

The City Manager (Bessie Scott) has recently restructured the housing investments approach for the City, to include the creation of a dedicated Housing Services Division, and she has bolstered regional relationships with external partners to address policy interventions as well as possibilities for increasing service provisions, in addition to identifying funding opportunities in the area of housing services and housing opportunities for all.”

Scott is asking for direction from the Council on forming an Ad Hoc Committee for this purpose.

UPDATE: Asked how much has been spent to help the homeless in Antioch, including ARPA COVID-relief funds, Monserrat Cabral, Director of the Department of Public Safety and Community Resources responded, “Since 2021 with ARPA (federal) and ERF (Encampment Resolution Funds from the State of California), I’d say a little over $16 million. The $16 million is also only what I can see from my department and when the Unhoused Resident Coordinator was hired as part-time in 2021 from the City Manager’s office, there might be other expenses from Public Works or Antioch Police Departments, but I would confirm with City Manager Scott.”

Asked why the meeting is being held at Noon when most residents can’t attend Mayor Ron Bernal responded, “It was the only time we could get the City Council and facilitator together before the last City Council meeting (of the year) on 12/9.”

The meeting starts at Noon at the Antioch Water Park – Multi Use Room, 4701 Lone Tree Way. It may be televised on the City’s website and/or the City’s YouTube channel but that information is not provided on the agenda.

See the amended meeting agenda with Plan and Policy Guidelines.

Bob Franchetto, Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year and Ricky Diaz, Antioch Veteran of the Year

By Allen D. Payton

During their special meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, the Antioch City Council honored the 2025-26 Veterans of the Year, Bob Franchetto and Ricky Diaz, by approving proclamations for each recipient. The awards were announced during last week’s annual Antioch Veterans Day Ceremonies and both U.S. Army veterans were presented with plaques and jackets with their names embroidered. (See related article)

Both Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson were absent from the meeting.

Proclamations

IN HONOR OF

BOB FRANCHETTO

Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year 2025-2026

WHEREAS, Bob Franchetto was born on June 23rd, 1938, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and relocated with his family to the City of Antioch in 1947. He attended Antioch High School, where he contributed to the Panther newspaper, before graduating in the spring of 1956;

WHEREAS, In 1961, Bob Franchetto enlisted in the United States Army as a 717 – Clerk with Crypto Clearance and was stationed at Fort Baker, Sausalito where he served for three years;

WHEREAS, after completing his service, in 1964, he returned home to Antioch with his beloved wife, Mary, whom he met while serving in the Army, together, they continued the legacy of his family business, Cottage Florist, established in 1947 and purchased by Bob in 1959, carrying forward the family tradition that had been maintained by his parents during his time in the military;

WHEREAS, for decades, Bob and Mary’s commitment to family and community has been evident in all they have done. Married for 61 years, they raised three children – Bob, Tony, and Paula – each carrying forward the spirit of service and family pride. Their daughter Paula has continued the family’s legacy, owning and operating Paula’s Family Florist, formerly known as Cottage Florist, preserving the Franchetto name as a cherished part of Antioch’s history;

WHEREAS, Bob’s lifetime of giving back to Antioch exemplifies the true spirit of this award. His enduring dedication, quiet leadership, and steadfast love for his community remind us all that service does not end when the uniform comes off – it simply takes on new meaning;

WHEREAS, for his lifetime of service to his community and country, the Delta Veterans Group and the City of Antioch proudly recognize U.S. Army Veteran Bob Franchetto as the Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the year for 2025-2026;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch, do hereby salute, commend and honor Bob Franchetto for his dedication, commitment, and positive influence to our community and the Veterans in the City of Antioch.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025

RON BERNAL, Mayor

—————-

IN HONOR OF

Ricky Diaz

Antioch Veteran of the Year 2025-2026

WHEREAS, Ricky Diaz was born on September 29, 1961, in East Contra Costa County; WHEREAS, In 1979, Ricky enlisted in the United States Army, where he served with the 1^st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery at the Fort Richardson duty station in Anchorage, Alaska, until 1982. Ricky continued to live and work in Alaska for four more years before returning to his hometown of Antioch;

WHEREAS, Ricky has given countless volunteer hours to local organizations, including the Antioch VFW, the Antioch Historical Society, and the Antioch Bedford Center – quietly making a difference without ever seeking recognition. His humility, commitment, and heart for service truly reflect the values of our Veteran community;

WHEREAS, Ricky met his wife, Gerri, in 2007, and the two were married in 2013, at the Antioch Historical Society Museum – a fitting place for a man whose life and service are woven into the very history of our city;

WHEREAS, U.S. Army Veteran Ricky Diaz has been proudly honored as the Antioch Veteran of the Year 2025-2026, a man who continues to serve his community with honor, humility, and heart;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch,

do hereby salute, commend and honor Ricky Diaz for his dedication, commitment, and positive influence to our community and the Veterans in the City of Antioch.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025

RON BERNAL, Mayor

City faces net $6.5 million deficit next year

Will honor Veterans of the Year

By Allen D. Payton

During a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, instead of their regular meeting next Tuesday, the Antioch City Council will discuss reallocating a little over $9 million from budget savings for Fiscal Year 2024/25. In addition, the Council will honor Bob Franchetto, 2025-2026 Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year and Ricky Diaz, 2025-2026 Antioch Veteran of the Year who were recently recognized during the Veterans Day ceremony. (See related article)

During the Closed Session before the meeting, which begins at 3:00 p.m., the Council will discuss recruitment of a permanent City Attorney, the Trent Allen, et al. v. City of Antioch, et al., lawsuit, the City Manager’s performance evaluation and lease of the Lynn House Gallery on W. 1st Street.

Budget Savings Reallocation

According to the City staff report on the agenda item (#6), City revenues exceeded expenditures (surplus) by $9,034,582. But the true net surplus for the fiscal year end is $3,883,367 after reducing the total by $1,826,144 for Police Department CIP Re-Appropriated to FY 2025/26 and $3,325,071 for Encumbrances/Projects at 6/30/25 to be Rolled Over (Exhibits A & B).

The City received $1,054,449 higher than projected revenues and spent $10,445,898 less than projected for Fiscal Year 2025 which ended June 30th.

Expenditures were primarily reduced by:

• $2,946,282 in salary savings from all unfilled positions, including $1,720,034 in non- Police salary savings;
• $2,587,805 in project/purchase budgets not yet entirely spent. The carryforward of the budgets for these is included in the budget amendments total of the aforementioned $3,325,071;
• $1,826,144 in Capital Improvement Plan budgets that were unspent and re-budgeted/carried forward to FY26 with adoption of the 5-year capital budget;
• $737,266 in purchase orders not yet spent;
• $661,726 less in operating subsidy to the Animal Shelter; and
• $437,861 less in operating subsidy to Recreation Services.

In addition, the budget amendments include a $1,021,585 reduction in sales tax revenue based on the latest projections from the City’s sales tax consultant, $1,664,166 in salary savings that can be recognized thus far this fiscal year and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) revenues of $3,085,330 representing the balance of ARPA funds remaining on June 30th and projected interest earnings. All ARPA funds must be spent by December 31, 2026.

Even with the savings, the City is still facing a budget deficit of $11,657,947 next year even after the existing budgeted $5M transfer in from the Budget Stabilization Fund approved by City Council to be utilized in FY26. $5,151,215 of the deficit is attributable to the encumbrances and other budget items being rolled over, leaving a true remaining additional deficit (net of the $5M Budget Stabilization transfer) of $6,506,732 which will draw upon General Fund reserves to “balance” the budget.

Staff is recommending reallocating the FY24-25 savings as amendments to this fiscal year’s budgets for the General Fund as well as other City funds. (See Agenda Item 6 staff report and Exhibits A, B and C).

See complete meeting agenda.

Meeting Information

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown, with the Special Meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. It can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to approve the following proclamation recognizing Homelessness Awareness Month in November.

HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS MONTH

November 2025

WHEREAS, November is recognized as Homelessness Awareness Month across the United States to recognize the numerous reasons people become homeless, the challenges faced by adults, young adults, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, and to mobilize community-wide efforts toward lasting solutions;

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch recognizes that homelessness impacts individuals and families from all walks of life;

WHEREAS, research shows that criminalizing homelessness worsens the crisis and deepens existing racial inequities and systemic disparities;

WHEREAS, according to the January 2025 Point-in-Time count, the City of Antioch had the highest number of unsheltered individuals in Contra Costa County – 246 persons, representing approximately 11.6 percent of the countywide total – a significant decrease from 413 persons counted in 2024;

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch, through the Opportunity Village program, is providing interim housing and supportive services for 37 Devpar, specific, encampment residents and their 25 dogs;

and WHEREAS, the City of Antioch is committed to working in coordination with Contra Costa County and local organizations to provide housing, shelter, supportive services, and basic resources to all people experiencing homelessness.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch, hereby proclaim November 2025 as “Homelessness Awareness Month” and encourage all City of Antioch citizens, partners and businesses to recognize the need for, and commit to building and sustaining, a coordinated and equity-driven continuum of care that meets the complex needs of people experiencing homelessness, rooted in dignity, equity, and hope. NOVEMBER 4, 2025

RON BERNAL, Mayor

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “November is National Homelessness Awareness Month and National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. SAMHSA works in partnership with federal, state and local partners and national experts to provide training on housing, treatment and recovery models focused on adults, children, and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbance, and substance use. These partnerships contribute to housing stability, recovery, and ending homelessness. SAMHSA also supports the field through technical assistance to states and localities, treatment systems and individual providers on these issues.”

For more information click, here.

Will again consider Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 project by troubled developer Tuesday night

Learn how state law is forcing Council to approve new housing developments

By Allen D. Payton

After the Antioch City Council held a public hearing during their meeting on Sept. 23, 2025, on the proposed Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 Multifamily Residential Project by troubled DeNova Homes, postponed a decision until their meeting last Tuesday, Oct. 28, but split 2-2, with District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker was absent, the Council will once again consider the project during a special meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.

The council meeting is scheduled then instead of the regular day of the second Tuesday of each month due to the Veterans Day holiday on Nov. 11th.

It will be the third time the Council will consider the project by the embattled developer, whose father and son leaders were indicted in April on charges of bribing an Antioch city councilman last year. (See related articles here, here and here). During last Tuesday’s meeting, Antioch resident Melissa Case named former Councilman Mike Barbanica as the target of the attempted bribe but who has repeatedly told the Herald he will not speak about an open investigation. So, the target could also have been former Mayor Lamar Hernández-Thorpe.

Council Approved Developers’ Other Townhomes Project on Oct. 28

Like DeNova Homes’ Slatten Ranch Townhomes Project, approved last Tuesday night on a 3-1 vote, with District 3 Councilman Don Freitas voting against, the Council is expected to also approve the Wildflower Station project because it, too, was submitted under SB330 which basically ties the councilmembers’ hands.  The law gives certain protections to developments that follow the law’s procedures. (See below)

Both Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson complained during last week’s council meeting about the state forcing the councilmembers to approve the project. Yet, Wilson along with Freitas, voted against it. The Council then voted 4-0 to continue the item until tomorrow night’s meeting which Torres-Walker is expected to attend and potentially break the tie vote.

State Housing Law Forces Councilmembers to Approve New Developments – HAA, HCA, RHNA

According to a publication by the Southern California Council of Governments, Key Provisions of SB330, the state Housing Crisis Act (HCA) of 2019, include:

• Retroactively “freezes” residential zoning standards to what they were on January 1, 2018.
• Does not allow jurisdictions to enforce moratoriums or growth control measures on new housing development.
• Prevents jurisdictions from imposing or enforcing new design standards on housing projects that are not “objective”.

Plus, “The HCA strengthens the Housing Accountability Act – HAA – (Gov. Code §65589.5) which states that a housing development project that complies with the objective standards of the general plan and zoning ordinance must be approved by the agency, unless the agency is able to make written findings based on the preponderance of the evidence in the record that either: 1) the local government has already met its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requirement (Antioch hasn’t); 2) there is an impact to the public health and safety and this impact cannot be mitigated; 3) the property is agricultural land (it’s not); 4) the approval of the project would violate State or Federal law and this violation cannot be mitigated; or, 5) the project is inconsistent with the zoning and land use designation and not identified in the general plan housing element RHNA inventory (it isn’t).”

According to a Sept. 2020 Technical Assistance Advisory by the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Division of Housing Policy Development, the HAA “establishes limitations to a local government’s ability to deny, reduce the density of, or make infeasible housing development projects, emergency shelters, or farmworker housing that are consistent with objective local development standards and contribute to meeting housing need.”

In addition, the Advisory explains that SB330/HCA “set forth vesting rights for projects that use a new pre-application process,” which both townhome projects did. Most of the bill’s provisions were to sunset on January 1, 2025, but they were extended until January 1, 2030, with the passage of SB8.

The RHNA – now referred to as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation – requires the City of Antioch to approve 3,016 new homes in four income categories between 2023 and 2031. (See related articles here and here, and chart above)

Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 Project

The proposed Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 Multifamily Residential Project is a 159-unit townhome-style condominium development. It is planned for the four-parcel, 10.35 acre vacant property near the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Deer Valley Road and bordered by Wildflower Drive to the east and the road next to the KFC restaurant in the Hillcrest Crossroads shopping center which also serves the existing condo development.

According to the City staff report for the agenda item, #6, the proposed project consists of a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map to create 19 residential lots for 19 three-story buildings, containing 159 new townhome condominiums in two different building styles: “back-to-back” and row townhome-style. Both styles of townhomes include individual one-car or two-car garages with the living areas primarily on the second and third levels above the garage parking.

The proposed project would include a total of 2.8 acres of landscaping and open space, consisting of two open play areas and open space for bioretention. The play areas would include 25 additional parking spaces with another 57 surplus shared parking spaces with the adjacent Wildflower Station development. The 159 residential units would consist of a mix of two- and three-bedrooms units, ranging in size from 1,135 to 1,381 square feet.

The project site was part of the larger 23-acre Wildflower Station project that includes 22 single family homes (on the ridgeline above), the 98-condominium stacked flat homes immediately adjacent and planned commercial development that was entitled in 2018. The single-family homes and condos were built, but the commercial parcels along Hillcrest Avenue (the current project site) weren’t and the land sat undeveloped.

In 2023, the City Council revised the General Plan and rezoned the four parcels to High Density Residential District (R-25). The proposed project would result in a density of approximately 20 du/ac.

The project was also submitted in 2023 as a Preliminary Housing Application under SB330.

Con Fire Quarterly Report

Before the item is heard, the Council will receive the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District – Quarterly Report presentation by Fire Chief Lewis Broschard.

See the complete Council Meeting Agenda packet.

Meeting Details

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. They can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

Embattled DeNova Homes’ 129 units at Slatten Ranch passes on split vote; 159 units at Wildflower Station fails on tie vote with Torres-Walker absent, continued until next Tuesday.

“It’s…unfortunate our hands are going to be tied due to state law” – District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson

“We are very limited in what actions we can take.” – Mayor Pro Tem Louie Rocha

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the Antioch City Council voted to approve one of two new townhome projects by DeNova Homes in the Slatten Ranch area on the eastern edge of the city on a split 3-1 vote. Another townhome project on Hillcrest Avenue and Deer Valley Road in the Wildflower Station development failed on a 2-2 vote with District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker absent. The council members pointed out that their hands are tied by state law, SB330 – The Housing Crisis Act of 2019, under which plans for both developments were submitted, and were forced to approve both.

It was the second time the Council reviewed the projects by the embattled developer, whose father and son leaders were indicted in April on charges of bribing an Antioch city councilman. (See related articles here, here and here).

Approve 129 Slatten Ranch Townhomes

Following another presentation on the 129-unit Slatten Ranch Townhomes project by the developer’s representatives as well as public comments by residents including some members of local unions concerned about growth and jobs, the council members discussed the project and questioned City staff.

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas who has been critical of the project, especially that it allows housing in the City’s 200-acre East Lone Tree Focus Area that was intended for commercial and economic development foorr creation of local, well-paying jobs, was first to question staff. He said, “In the report…it states that…the project has been adequately analyzed…under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and further review is not required. Traffic…will exceed City standards at the intersection…Level of Service F, which is the worst traffic conditions we can have.”

“The mitigation…they’re going to give one-fourth of the traffic light,” he asked with incredulity. “Empire and Wicklow. Level F. How does that pass CEQA?”

Antioch Planning Manager Zoe Merideth responded, “Vehicle miles traveled is a different standard…that’s what’s in the Housing Element EIR (Environmental Impact Report). Also, in the City’s General Plan, we have the Level of Service…and guidelines under that.”

“We’re still going to have Level F at Empire…and Wicklow for all of Eastern Contra Costa County,” Freitas reiterated.

“But we’re going to have mitigation,” Planning Manager Meredith stated.

“One-fourth of traffic signal is adequate?” Freitas asked again.

“There will be a turn pocket,” Meredith responded. “There will be additional left-turn storage prior to…building permit and occupancy. They’re looking at build out (in the area)not just at the project.”

Then Freitas again raised the issue of the children’s park that would be seen at the entrance to the development.

“Even though the public testimony about children’s safety, nothing’s changed,” he stated.

“Our issues and concerns that led us to pausing this until tonight,” said Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha. “SB330, it says, is intended to streamline housing…to address the housing crisis in California. The concerns we brought up about traffic, children’s safety, just fall off the table…since they meet CEQA standards, there’s nothing else we can do.”

“As a General Law City we…are being required to follow laws…and in this case it has do with housing laws,” he continued. “We would hope that the applicant would show concerns we have for our residents and families.”

“It’s very clear…as far as local government we are very limited in what actions we can take. That’s what brings us here, tonight,” Rocha stated.

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then asked the developer’s attorney, Golub about his possible comment at the last council meeting of not having to care about the working conditions. “I hope I misheard you,” she stated.

“So, am I. I really don’t recall raising that,” he responded. “I certainly don’t have any notes in front of me. I don’t think I mentioned that at all.”

Then he recalled what he did say that Wilson might have misunderstood.

“State law is very explicit and clear…any CEQA review…the opponent has to show any peculiar    I’m not aware of any evidence why this project would address any of those concerns. We reviewed carefully the comments raised by the labor union’s attorney. The issues that seem to be raised don’t relate to any peculiar aspects of this project. It’s a standard development. We’re not taking any kind of unusual conditions that will have any unusual impacts on working conditions. There are a bunch of state laws we have to follow.

“The project is supposed to be approved,” he added.

“I think it’s unfortunate you didn’t take the opportunity to hear all the concerns the last time. I feel like you’re just reiterating in your letter. You didn’t address any of their concerns,” Wilson stated.

“It’s also unfortunate our hands are going to be tied due to state law,” she added.

Dana Tsubota, Chief Legal Officer of DeNova Homes said, “We’re happy to have conversations with all of the staff members. We’ve gone through two years of detailed review with staff. We’re happy to continue to have those discussions. When we build something, we’re in partnership with the City for a very long time.

We are limited by the City’s objective standards,” she continued. To make sure all the pieces fit and have all the units in the project as the City is requiring. If there is something we can do we’re happy to.”

“There’s a period of time between an approval and building permit…to ameliorate or soften the impact…there’s a certain amount of latitude we have to change the site plan,” said Antioch Interim Community and Economic Director David Storer.

“This council saw it for the first time a little over a month ago,” said Mayor Ron Bernal.

He then asked about Empire Avenue saying, “Historically, it’s been a joint project with the City of Brentwood. There is no condition of approval for them to build one-half of the street on their side. If this builder doesn’t build it…it falls back on the City and we don’t have any money…we don’t have an impact fee.”

“The center median is not included,” said Scott Buenting.

“Who will build it?” Bernal asked about the additional lane of traffic on the west side of Empire Avenue adjacent to the project.

“We have curb and gutter on our side,” Buenting responded.

“Why isn’t this project being conditioned to do it?” Bernal asked about the widening of Empire Avenue next to the project.

“I’m not sure,” said Buenting.

“I’d like to add it as a condition of approval. As long as Antioch fulfills our responsibility, for our half of the street,” Bernal stated.

“You’ll have to ask the applicant,” Storer responded.

“We’d be happy to look at a specific proposal,” said Golub. “But we don’t necessarily see a nexus of impact by this development. It could be very costly.”

After a 10-minute break for City staff to consult with the developer’s representatives, Interim City Attorney Derek Cole said, “To deal with this issue, there will be a general conditions that will require the improvements to the road…that will allow us to work with the applicant to reduce the concerns of the impacts of nexus. I believe we have to hear from the developer on this.”

Storrer then proposed some language for the council to consider for the additional condition of approval on the road widening.

The developer’s attorney Dan Golub. “I think we just heard there’s an objective standard. The time has come and gone. We’re willing to sit and work with you on this.”

“It’s an arterial design standard,” Bernal stated.

“I must go on the record opposing this. The outcome of that would be something we could agree to. We will work with you,” Golub stated.

Bernal, in violation of Roberts Rules of Order, then made  a motion to approve the project with the added condition that the developer is required to improve Empire Avenue to one-half arterial road standard with consultation with Design Review and City Attorney.”

In proportionate share,” Cole added. “The City Engineer will make that determination.”

“From Wicklow to the north property line of the project,” Bernal added.

Rocha seconded the motion which passed 3-1 with Freitas voting against.

Don’t Approve 159 Wildflower Station Townhomes on Tie Vote

The Council then received a brief presentation on the 159-unit Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 Multifamily Residential Project planned for the four-parcel, 10.35 acre vacant property near the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Deer Valley Road and bordered by Wildflower Drive to the east and the road next to the KFC restaurant in the Hillcrest Crossroads shopping center which also serves the existing condo development.

“According to our General Plan, developers are supposed to pay their way,” said former Councilman Ralph Hernandez during Public Comments. This project has been another one that’s being dumped on the city, not properly mitigated. You have to charge the right amount of money…for our police services.  The project right next door is already telling you how dangerous it is.” He was referring to the condo project previously built and units sold.

Alora McGuire spoke next “on behalf of Contra Costa Residents for Responsible Development”, representing union members and residents in Antioch and surrounding areas. She said the group did not want the council to oppose the project but wanted the developer to address noise impacts.

Jason Buster of Plumbers and Steamfitters union Local 159, representing 300 Antioch families that are members of other unions, including electricians and sheet metal workers. “We advocate for projects that are more sustainable and equitable for the city of Antioch. We’re proud of our work to reduce the environmental impacts of projects.”

“The project is fully exempt from CEQA due to SB330,” said DeNova’s attorney Golub. “We’re very willing to fence and gate this property. It’s not an objective standard. But it doesn’t mean we’re not willing to consider it.”

Wilson asked, “Why was the commercial piece removed from this plan?”

“This is a Housing Element site, and it was rezoned with the update,” Meredith said.

“That’s unfortunate,” Wilson stated even though she approved the rezoning during a council vote.

Rocha then made a motion to approve the project.

“Obviously, it was intended at one time to be a mixed development. But that was changed in 2023,” he stated.

Bernal seconded the motion and without further discussion the council did not approve the project on a two-two tie with both Freitas and Wilson voting to oppose.

“The motion does not carry. This does not preclude us from continuing the item until we have a fifth member present,” Cole explained.

Bernal then made a motion to continue the item until the Council’s next meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4th. (It will be held instead of the normal second Tuesday, which falls on Veterans Day, Nov. 11th. Rocha seconded the motion and it passed 4-0.

DeNova Homes proposes 129-unit Slatten Ranch Townhomes Project, next to J.C. Penney store which Freitas strongly opposes and 159-unit Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 Multifamily Residential Project on Hillcrest Avenue near Deer Valley Road

“I am furious that this is being shoved down our throats. I do not want to give up some prime property for economic development.” – District 3 Councilman Don Freitas

By Allen D. Payton

The two proposed housing projects by DeNova Homes will return for the Antioch City Council to consider during their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. An indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California of the company’s co-founder and his vice president son for alleged bribery of an Antioch Councilman last year was announced in April.

The alleged bribe was related to a previous project in Antioch, known as Aviano, a multi-phase, 533-unit single-family home residential development in the Sand Creek area on the south side of the city.

The two developments are the proposed 129-unit Slatten Ranch Townhomes Project (#5 on the agenda), located on a  6.41-acre vacant project site north of Wicklow Way next to the J.C. Penney store, east of Slatten Ranch Road and west of Empire Avenue; and the 159-unit Wildflower Station Townhomes 2 Multifamily Residential Project (#6 on the agenda) planned for the four-parcel, 10.35 acre vacant property near the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Deer Valley Road and bordered by Wildflower Drive to the east and the road next to the KFC restaurant in the Hillcrest Crossroads shopping center which also serves the existing condo development.

The Council previously considered the projects during their meeting on Sept. 23, 2025, but postponed both to Tuesday’s meeting following opposition from the public and council concerns. District 3 Councilman Don Freitas offered the strongest opposition to the Slatten Ranch project which is planned for the East Lone Tree Focus Area. The 200 acres north of Hwy 4 and east of Laurel Road were set aside by the City Council in 1998 and planned for commercial and economic development for the creation of local, well-paying jobs. But the previous council rezoned a portion of the property to allow for housing.

“I have lots of problems with this particular project. It’s both a blessing and a curse,” he stated then shared that during his years as mayor from 2000-2008, “J.C. Penney’s came forward and locate on the site they eventually built on,” due to the freeway access.

“That area was envisioned as one of the most important economic development sites in the City of Antioch,” Freitas continued. “This project doesn’t belong in this space. That’s why I oppose this project.”

“While housing is critical, so is economic development,” he added.  “I am furious that this is being shoved down our throats. I do not want to give up some prime property for economic development.” (See 3:01:51 mark of meeting video)

However, plans for the housing projects were submitted under SB 330, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (D-Skinner), which Freitas referenced, and gives development special provisions in the approval process, which, among other things, limits the total number of hearings by a local government agency.

City staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Maps for both the development of the 17 Slatten Ranch Townhome and 19 Wildflower Station Townhome buildings and Design Review for the proposed architecture and landscaping for each project.

See the agenda packet.

Meeting Information

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. They can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.