Archive for the ‘City Council’ Category

Torres-Walker offers another diatribe from the dais during Antioch Council meeting

Tuesday, February 11th, 2025
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker speaks at the city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Video screenshot.

Posts video and written thoughts on Facebook

Says, “We are entering…some unprecedented cruel times” participates in class warfare, complains about “the ruling class” of which she’s a part, but wants everyone to “unify, lock arms, and work together” before blasting council colleague at commission meeting the following Monday.

By Allen D. Payton

During the City Council Committee Reports and Communications portion toward the beginning of the meeting on Feb. 28, 2025, Antioch District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker offered another of her diatribes from the dais, this time lecturing the public with more accusations based in class warfare on the supposed evils of “the ruling class”, of which, ironically, she’s a part. (See 2:59:20 mark of meeting video)

The councilwoman also posted the video of her speech and wrote most of her spoken comments on her official Facebook page on Wednesday, Feb. 5th saying, they “and those who aspire to join them don’t care about everyday people.” Torres-Walker complains about “the filthy rich, colonialism, and capitalistic state and people of color adjacent to this state with too much time on their hands who rise to positions of power most often to close doors and seal them behind them.”

The councilwoman does, however, offer one solution and ends with it in a confusing180-degree turn from her comments demonizing the wealthy and powerful in our society. She said, “We in Antioch have an opportunity to unify, lock arms, and work together despite our differences.”

Torres-Walker’s post on her official Facebook page on Feb. 5, 2025. Screenshot.

Following is the written statement from the councilwoman’s latest lecture:

“We are entering into some unprecedented cruel times, and if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

“Most often, the problem with the government is that it’s full of people who could do something about poverty, homelessness, community, and state-sanctioned violence, but they won’t.

“Why?

“Because the ruling class and those who aspire to join them don’t care about everyday people, you will hear these kinds of people proclaim that Government efficiency is their priority which translates to profit over people under the guise of balancing the budget while systematically dismantling critical resources that serve our most vulnerable communities.

“It is most often the filthy rich, colonialism, and capitalistic state and people of color adjacent to this state with too much time on their hands who rise to positions of power most often to close doors and seal them behind them. This is not a right-left thing. It’s a forgotten thing; poor people and working-class people have been forgotten.

“Octavia Buttler wrote an essay for Essence magazine in 2000. Which states that, ‘There is no single answer that will solve all of our future problems. There is no magic bullet. Instead, there are thousands of answers at least, and you can be one of them if you choose to be.’

“There is no, one major thing to fix everything, or leader that is going to solve all our problems, and no solution to cure everything because it doesn’t exist. She says that, “we need to look to, all the small answers that accumulate to the fix, to the healing, and to the liberation we all want to see.”

“Community is the answer to the problem and only together will we build a healthy community for us all.

“I understand the value of peace, and I’m also prepared to show up for conflict. When I ran for this council, I agreed to face conflict head-on, no matter how small. Because showing up for conflict is how we create peace and overcome fear.

“As we all watch in real time the fall of our democracy, the potential of a very real oligarchy leading this country with policy mandates that are meant to harm the working class, the poor, and our undocumented “and documented neighbors.

“We in Antioch have an opportunity to unify, lock arms, and work together despite our differences of opinion or politics.”

Yet, as previously reported, during the Police Oversight Commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that both Torres-Walker and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas attended, she berated her colleague. That was done during public comments on the emergency item about the racist comments made by then-Commissioner Leslie May at the council meeting on Jan. 28, 2025, for which Freitas had asked May to publicly apologize and then, for her resignation. But she did neither.

He then requested an item be placed on the agenda for the Feb. 11th council meeting for a vote to remove her from the commission. But May resigned on Monday, Feb. 10th.

The councilwoman was also upset about Freitas’ call for the resignation of the former city attorney, who later did. (See related articles here and here)

Without apology embattled Antioch Police Oversight commissioner resigns

Monday, February 10th, 2025
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker and then-Commissioner Leslie Mays – holding a copy of the ordinance creating the commission – speak at the APOC meeting on Feb. 3, 2025. District 3 Councilman Don Freitas speaks at the council meeting on Jan. 28, 2025. Video screenshots.

Under threat of being removed for racist comments during council meeting, Leslie May steps down
Fellow commissioners take her to task, two defend her
Torres-Walker defends her, takes swipes at Freitas who requested item placed on Tuesday’s agenda
“The City of Antioch will not tolerate racist behavior or language from any city employee or representative of our city.” – City Manager Scott’s official statement
“We really need to heal and focus on the important issues and not be distracted by this nonsense.” – Councilman Don Freitas

By Allen D. Payton

Under threat of being removed by the Antioch City Council during their meeting tomorrow night, Feb. 11, 2025, for racist comments made at a previous council meeting, Antioch Police Oversight Commission (APOC) member Leslie May resigned from her position effective immediately according to an announcement issued by City Manager Bessie M. Scott. During the APOC meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, at which her comments were discussed, May did not apologize for them, three commissioners took her to task while two defended her saying they “were taken out of context”. In addition, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker also defended May’s comments that included using “the N-word” twice, and took a swipe at District 3 Councilman Don Freitas for his successful efforts to remove the former city attorney and requesting May resign from the commission during the Jan. 28, 2025, council meeting. He later asked for tomorrow’s agenda item for the council to vote to remove her, which is now no longer necessary.

The statement, issued Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2025, reads: “Antioch Police Oversight Commission member Leslie May has submitted her resignation from her role as the commissioner of the committee, effective immediately. May’s announcement to step down follows several contentious interactions with city leaders, including during a special council meeting on January 17th. During the special council meeting, May used several racist epithets to describe the Antioch City Manager and former City Attorney.

“District 3 Councilman Donald Freitas had called for the council to consider her removal as commissioner during its next regular meeting on February 11. The City of Antioch will not tolerate racist behavior or language from any city employee or representative of our city. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, professionalism, respect, and accountability.”

As previously reported, during public comments at the Jan. 17, 2025, council meeting, May, who is Black, referred to City Manager Scott, who is also Black, as the “house ni**er” and then-City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, who is also Black, as the “field ni**er”.

Commission Chairperson, Fellow Members Take May to Task, Two Defend Her Claiming Her Comments “Were Taken Out of Context”
During the commission’s raucous meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, which both Torres-Walker and Freitas attended, Commission Chairperson Porshe Taylor asked to add an emergency item to the agenda to discuss May’s comments. (See 22:00 mark of meeting video)

“The item is regarding racial slurs that were spoken by a commissioner on Jan. 17th,” she said without mentioning May or what they were. The motion was approved unanimously, including May, by the five current commissioners. There are two vacancies for the council to fill.

Taylor then read from prepared remarks calling May’s comments, “a deeply concerning matter that not only impacts our commission but the trust of several community members that we serve. It is with great disappointment that I learned about words that were said. The behavior is not what I expected. On behalf of this full commission, I apologize to the community. Our role as commissioners is to serve with integrity and impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

“The ordinance that governs this commission is clear,” the chairperson continued. “We are here to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness in matters of policing. A responsibility that requires each of us to hold the highest ethical standards and to conduct ourselves without bias or prejudice. Any deviation from this standard not only discredits the hard work that we put in as commissioners but also threatens the progress that we are striving to achieve.”

“As chair, I recognize the importance of addressing situations like this with both urgency and accountability,” Taylor stated. “Moving forward, I will be implementing an agreement of etiquette for all members of this commission to ensure our conduct aligns with the mission and values outlined in our ordinance. The commission’s work is far too important for it to be overshadowed by simple bad decisions, and I will not allow it to deter us from the mission at hand.”

“Additionally, I do want to provide my fellow commissioner an opportunity to speak because you deserve that,” she said while looking at Mays who sits to the chairperson’s left. “We had a council member who, and we are all sitting up here at will of the council, and we had a council member who publicly recommended for you to resign. That is your choice. I cannot hold you to that. Right?” to which Mays nodded. “But I do want you to take your own stance because as chair I have to take a stance as well.”

Commissioner Alicia Lacey-Oha said, “I am in agreement with Chair lady Commissioner Porshe Taylor. I don’t really curse…but when I watched the special council meeting let me tell you, words started coming out of my mouth. What happened on that night is unacceptable…There’s a level of respect that we have to show when we come into these meetings. That was the wrong platform to use to start…using examples. Our former mayor said, we as commissioners have to remain neutral. Regardless of how we feel on the inside about our police department, about our city council, we have to stay neutral and I’m standing by that, today.”

“We as commissioners, we are held to a higher standard,” she continued. “I do know this has had an impact on residents in the city of Antioch. And I’m not talking about…what I hear but what I see. I’m tired of it. When I come to these city council meetings, I’m tired of the same old rhetoric. It’s time for us to come together. We have to come together. We have to stop this division.”

“And I believe in freedom of speech,” Lacey-Oha stated. “But there is a time and a place to use the rhetoric that was used on January 17th. That was not the platform, the appropriate platform. And I stand by that and I’m gonna always stand by that.”

Taylor spoke again saying while looking at May who sat to her left on the dais, “I will also say that I did watch the video and I do believe that what you said was misconstrued, right? Because I know. However, it was misconstrued. It shouldn’t have been said.”

Vice Chairperson Devin Taylor spoke next attempting to walk a fine line, first, defending May’s comments and apologizing to the public for not understanding what she meant by them, and then gently chastising his colleague and spoke of the need for commissioner to have “decorum” and “standards”.

He said, “Being in a position of leadership in the community has always been tough. I don’t believe that certain things…what do they say? Words have power. And again, I do understand as Commissioner May that evening, because I was in the room that evening. What she meant, I know that it was not taken into context that it was meant. And I…as Chair Taylor, I apologize on behalf of the commission that it was taken out of that context for the community that does not understand. But I will not apologize for people who need to educate themselves on history. And that is not our job to do that.”

“Our job is to sit up here and lead,” he continued. “Our job is to collaborate with our police department and our city council on shaping, reshaping policies that better enhance our community. It may seem like there are those who have agendas, who have been asked to act on those agendas. May it be the blogs or the public at large that they communicate with. But our duty here is to not partake in that. Our duty is to live in the scope of our ordinance and work in the scope of our ordinance.”

“I hate that this has to be…a huge debate,” Williams stated. “But I just wanted to take some time to remind us why we are here and that is to discuss our roles and…why we’re here and wear these titles. It’s to perform in a setting with conduct and decorum.”

“I also have to say that it being Black History Month it is a little ironic that we are arguing with each other,” he said referring to some of the members of the audience who yelled out at the commissioners, especially Lacey-Oha when she was speaking, at which Taylor pounded her gavel to restore order to the meeting. “And I understand that I get a little upset, too. But we have to remain calm, and we can’t let them see us fight. So, with that said, I trust that this commission can come up with a standard of how we present ourselves and I know that we can do that. And it’s good and healthy that we are having this conversation tonight.”

“I believe that Commissioner May has heard all that she needs to hear. I believe that her decision on what she does next is up to her and we will support you in any way we see fit,” Williams said as he concluded his thoughts. “And I will go by leadership. As Chair Taylor’s co-chair, here I want to make sure that we move forward on our work, and we work within the scope of our ordinance. I think that’s all I need to say.”

The final commissioner to speak was Treva Hadden who also defended May’s comments. She said, “I was not at the meeting, nor did I watch the meeting. But I work with each and everyone up here. And I’ve never…actually, we worked together at Santa Rita,” Hadden said while looking at May who sat to her right. “I’ve been knowing her a long time, and I’ve never, there’s never been a disciplinary action against her for anything of the sort.”

“I’m not sure what the people against her…are thinking should happen,” the commissioner continued. “However, we’re here because we have a police department that has gone rogue and done whatever they want to do. And they’ve been out there doing what they want to do as long as they want to do it. And all of them have not had any consequences for what they’re doing.”

“So, I am not sure what people are expecting to happen to Commissioner May regarding her speech, her freedom of speech,” Hadden reiterated. “But I’m on board with etiquette, training. I know that as an ethics investigator, for something of this sort, what we normally say is, ‘provide training for everyone to reinforce what we are supposed to be doing, how we’re supposed to be conducting ourselves in the public and otherwise.’”

“So, I have nothing to say in terms of any kind of disciplinary action for her speaking her words and what she felt and in the context she said what she said,” the commissioner added.

Williams then spoke again saying, “I did also want to say for my own self that I follow my own standards, and I don’t need to listen to anyone else who doesn’t look like me to make decisions. I feel that we all have a duty here to think for ourselves and come up with smart decisions…and execute smart decisions.”

“I want to say, ‘thank you’ to Commissioner Hadden for stepping up and to say that,” he continued. “We do need training. We do need to stand by decorum in the work history we’ve had with Commissioner May. We can vouch for her that she is an upstanding citizen in your history of working with her. Even though the public may not see that all the time. We do need to recognize that she does have experience and history. But also, at the same time, we have to recognize that even though our elders, our people do make mistakes, we do have to have those conversations to let you know that this probably wasn’t the best decision that you’ve made. But I understand where it came from. And I…think what needs to happen here is just a conversation about moving forward and how we conduct ourselves in public spaces. Not limiting your free speech but just be mindful of how we execute and conduct ourselves.”

“I think that’s the best way to say that,” the vice chairperson stated. “And I love when the community comes out to support one another. I just think we need to be mindful of how we conduct ourselves and executing our freedom of speech rights.”

Chairperson Taylor then spoke again while looking at Mays saying, “Before I give you the mic, do you want to speak? Do you want to?”

“Yes,” Mays responded.

“Before I give you the mic to speak, I just wanted to remind you of something that co-chair said earlier. He mentioned the word arguing. And we are not arguing, Commissioners,” Taylor stated. “This is our duty. Right? We are discussing an issue and figuring out how to fix it and listening to community’s choices about what we’re discussing. And so, we never want to use words like arguing because that’s not what we’re doing. We are professionals and we are executing our duties.”

However, members of the public in attendance were arguing with commissioners while speaking out of turn.

An unapologetic Mays spoke last defending her comments saying, “All I’m going to say is this. That evening, I was very passionate because I had community members coming to me and talking. Plus, I was reading and hearing the attacks against the city manager, Bessie Scott, before she even set her foot in this city and the attacks against our city attorney and also the attacks against the APOC commission which no one wanted to see. Well, some people. But a lot of people here did not want to see this happen. That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

“The second thing I’m going to say is they did not state in the blogs that when I started to speak, I opened up with a scripture that mysteriously disappeared,” the embattled commissioner continued. “So, finally, as a commissioner, I know the ordinance. I know I raised my hand and swore to take an oath as a commissioner. My business…of this commission is outlined in this ordinance that everybody should have,” while holding a copy of a document. That’s what I’m doing. That’s what I shall continue to do.”

“And in terms of moving forward, I think that’s all,” Mays concluded while looking at Taylor.

The chairperson then tried to conclude the discussion by saying, “OK. For me I still stand at as we move forwards towards our agenda items for a future agenda, that we will talk about etiquette training and making sure we have some kind of decorum document.”

“Everybody, we’re good with that?” she asked. Mays then asked about the other items on that night’s meeting agenda.
Taylor then asked, “Is there anything else you want to mention in the finishing of this agenda item?”

“Yes,” Lacey-Oha said. “I will ask that we get started on this as soon as possible” referring to the code of conduct proposed by Taylor. “I stated earlier, hopefully we can come up with something in the month of March. No later than April.”

The commission then went on to other items on the agenda.

Torres-Walker Defends May’s Racist Comments Calls Them “Speaking Plainly”
During public comments on the item, Torres-Walker defended May’s comments, partially reading from prepared remarks, and chastised her colleague. The councilwoman said, “The job of this commission is not to push the political rhetoric of individuals in this city who didn’t want you to be here, anyway. The job of this commission is not to find comfort in the blanket of respectability politics. Our job as a community is that it’s our right to speak and we all should be speaking plainly.”

“And when we jump to political rhetoric and we think our community is going to understand what that is it doesn’t translate,” Torres-Walker stated and then referring to Freitas. “And rather than push an agenda of a councilmember that wants to seem benevolent on behalf of staff when his first day on the city council he publicly threatened to fire the city attorney and then had a Freudian slip and said he also wanted to fire the city manager.”

“But this is the man we’re taking his call to action, today on behalf of protecting the same staff that he threatened to fire, publicly and publicly humiliated a city attorney that retired and is no longer here because it would have been an arduous working conditions,” the District 1 Councilwoman continued.

However, she was incorrect. As previously reported, during the council meeting on Dec. 10, 2024, Freitas called for the resignation of Thomas L. Smith as city attorney but inadvertently said, “city manager” twice. Then Torres-Walker who sits next to him on the dais asked if he meant the city attorney and Freitas corrected himself. Smith was later forced out during a special, Closed Session meeting on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

“Commissioner May, I know what it feels like to speak plainly,” said Torres-Walker. “And I know what it feels like to be attacked for that because we want to find comfort in the white gaze. We want to find comfort in respectability politics, and we want to demonize those who speak plain, plainly based on their experience and the history that they know, which is American history.”

“The history of the house slave and the history of the field slave is American history,” she continued. “And as we sit here in Black History Month, we should acknowledge that the history of slavery is not Black history it’s American history and we should interrogate that. We should never forget that. In the times that we in, right now when everything that exists, historically is under attack and under threat.”

Torres-Walker then shook her head as her time to speak ran out and walked away from the podium, while some of those seated in the council chambers applauded.

Screenshot of Torres-Walker’s post about the announcement by City Manager Scott Monday afternoon Feb. 10, 2025.

Torres-Walker Doubles Down
In a post of the announcement on her official Facebook page Monday evening, Feb. 10, 2025, while mentioning completely unrelated matters, Torres-Walker wrote, “This media advisory is rich coming from a City that allowed its police force to racially profile and intimidate residents of color for more than two decades.

While the Antioch city council is fighting over who can say the N-word, Opportunity Village is set to end in April, displacing unhoused residents in need of services back on the streets.

The crisis response team focused on meeting the needs of those suffering from mental illness and substance dependence will end in December with no plan to secure additional funding.

The police department is still understaffed after more than half the department was involved in racial discrimination, aggressive use of force, taking bribes, falsifying police reports and more.

I guess the immediate threat to public safety is the N-word.” She ended it with a raised shoulder emoji.

Freitas Responds
After receiving the news, when reached for comment, Freitas said, “I think Ms. May made the right decision to resign, and I look forward to implementing a code of conduct for the council and all boards and commissions, so this doesn’t happen again.”

He was sked about his colleague’s comments about him at the APOC meeting last Monday night, Feb. 3, 2025.

“I don’t think Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walkers comments deserve a response,” Freitas stated. “They’re unfortunate and divisive, and it undermines our ability to work together for the benefit of the community.”

“We really need to heal and focus on the important issues and not be distracted by this nonsense,” he added.

The commission is left with four members, the bare minimum to have a quorum and hold a meeting.

Antioch Council approves Black History Month proclamation, flying Pan-African Flag at City Hall

Friday, February 7th, 2025
The Pan-African Flag flies below the U.S., State, P.O.W./M.I.A., and City Flags on the pole at City Hall on a windy and wet Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Photo by Allen D. Payton

Flag will fly through Juneteenth

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to approve a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month in the City of Antioch and fly the Pan-African Flag in February and until Juneteenth.

Under Consent Calendar agenda Item 1.01, the council on a 5-0 vote approved the Black History Month Proclamation. (To read the proclamation see below or click here).

Then, to further recognize Black History Month, under the Consent Calendar Item 4.A., the council approved on a 5-0 vote flying the Pan African Flag at City Hall during February and until Juneteenth on June 19 to honor the nation’s newest holiday. That’s the day in 1865, two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, when Union Army troops entered Texas and General Gordon Granger announced that the slaves in that state were also free.

According to the Flag Database, “The Pan-African flag, also known as the Afro-American flag, Black Liberation flag, and various other names, consists of three equal horizontal bands of red, black, and green. The red band is positioned at the top, followed by the black in the middle, and green at the bottom. This flag is a powerful symbol of African and African Diaspora unity, pride, and freedom. The red color represents the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry, and that was shed for their liberation. The black band symbolizes black people whose existence as a nation, though not a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag. The green represents the abundant natural wealth of Africa.

“The Pan-African flag was first adopted on August 13, 1920, during the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League’s (UNIA-ACL) convention in Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was introduced by Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator, who founded the UNIA-ACL in 1914. Garvey proposed the flag in response to the 1900 coon song ‘Every Race Has a Flag but the Coon,’ which highlighted the fact that African Americans at the time did not have a flag symbolizing their own race. The creation of the Pan-African flag was a response to the derogatory song, aiming to provide Black people around the world with a symbol of their own pride and sovereignty. Since its adoption, the flag has been used in various African diaspora contexts, particularly within civil rights movements in the United States. It has also been embraced by many African countries and movements seeking to assert their independence and unity. Over the years, the flag has grown to become a global emblem of African solidarity, liberation, and pride.”

According to Wikipedia, “The flag was created as a response to racism against African Americans…with the help of Marcus Garvey,” who was “a Jamaican political activist” and “founder and first President-General” of the “Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL)” which “formally adopted it on August 13, 1920, in Article 39 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World, during its month-long convention.”

IN HONOR OF
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
FEBRUARY 2025

WHEREAS, the origins of Black History Month can be traced back to 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States;

WHEREAS, in 1976, Black History Month was formally adopted to honor and affirm the importance of Black History throughout our American experience and is full of individuals who took a stance against prejudice advanced the cause of civil rights, strengthened families, communities, and our nation;

WHEREAS, the Black History Month 2025 theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and voluntary. That work ranges from the past agricultural labor of enslaved Africans to today’s Black professionals providing leadership as corporate executives and entrepreneurs;

WHEREAS, because of their determination, hard work, and perseverance, African Americans have made valuable and lasting contributions to our community and our state, achieving exceptional success in all aspects of society including business, education, politics, science, and the arts;

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch continues to work toward becoming an inclusive community in which all residents – past, present, and future – are respected and recognized for their contributions and potential contributions to our community, the state, the country, and the world; and

WHEREAS, the City of Antioch is proud to honor the history and contributions of African Americans in our community, throughout our state, and our nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON BERNAL, Mayor of the City of Antioch, hereby proclaim February 2025 to be “Black History Month.” I encourage all citizens to celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and to continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful, and prosperous for all.

JANUARY 28, 2025

RON BERNAL, Mayor

Freitas calls for removal of Police Oversight Commissioner for racist comments during Antioch Council meeting

Friday, February 7th, 2025
Antioch Police Oversight Commission Member Leslie May speaks and holds a sign against District 3 Councilman Don Freitas during the council meeting on Jan. 17, 2025, and Freitas calling for her resignation during the council meeting on Jan. 28, 2025. Video screenshots.

Leslie May, who is Black, used “the N-word” twice to describe city manager, then-city attorney both of whom are also Black

On next Tuesday’s council meeting agenda

“What was most troubling to me…the city manager was in tears. That’s not acceptable.” District 3 Councilman Don Freitas

By Allen D. Payton

Speaking during Council Committee Reports and Communication at the Antioch City Council meeting on Jan. 28, 2025, District 3 Councilman Don Freitas was very critical of racially charged comments by Police Oversight Commission Member Leslie May during public comments at the special council meeting on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. As previously reported, the commissioner, who is Black, referred to City Manager Bessie Scott, who is also Black, as the “house ni**er” and then-City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, who is also Black, as the “field ni**er”. Freitas initially asked for May to publicly apologize and recommended she resign from the commission. He is now asking the council to consider her removal, and the matter has been placed on the agenda for a decision during their next regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

“Something I found very troubling, because words matter and when you have a particular individual stand up and using derogatory terms to the city manager and the then-city attorney, it was very troubling to me,” Freitas stated. “What was most troubling to me is when we adjourned and got into the elevator to go to the Third Floor to conduct our Closed Session, the city manager was in tears. That’s not acceptable.”

“I would recommend…when you, Mr. Mayor talked about a code of conduct, not only for ourselves, but for board members, commission members, because they are representing us, the City of Antioch,” he said while pounding his finger on the dais.

“Some of the most racist statements were made, and it concerns me that this particular individual is on the Oversight committee who is supposed to be monitoring behavior in the department, one issue is racism,” Freitas continued. “It is absolutely unacceptable in any forum to use the term, the “the N-word” not once, not twice but directed to the city manager and the then-city attorney.”

“I personally believe this individual owes an apology to the city manager, to this council and to this community,” he added.

“I would strongly recommend that she resigns from the Police Oversight committee, and we get the code of conduct so that we know what is expected of us as individuals as elected members and appointed members,” Freitas concluded. (See 3:05:05 mark of meeting video)

Under Item 7 on the Council meeting agenda for Feb. 11, the staff report reads, “It is recommended that the City Council consider removing Commissioner Leslie May from the Antioch Police Oversight Commission effective immediately. Antioch Municipal Code (AMC) § 2-5.202 states that members of boards and commissions serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed by majority vote of the City Council if properly noticed on the public portion of a City Council Agenda. AMC § 4-3.104 states that members of the Police Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Council.”

May’s comments on Jan.17th weren’t the first to raise eyebrows. She has made several other racially-charged comments during previous council meetings and on the Antioch Herald Facebook page, for which she was challenged by this reporter, including calling some residents, “colonizers”.

According to a column by Damon Young, on The Root website entitled, “Is ‘Colonizer’ the Best Word for Problematic White People Ever?” the term colonizer is “the perfect slur for white people.” He wrote that it’s “one that smashes historical reverence and contemporary snark and pith together into a tasty slur sangria.” The columnist also wrote about the term, “Slurs are meant to shame and induce claustrophobia—a sense of perpetual unwelcome. But how unwelcoming can a word be if your status exists as a boundless welcome mat? Colonizer, however, recognizes that dynamic and inverts it by laughing at it instead of lauding it. It’s a Jedi slur trick.”

Source: MTC

Transit-Oriented Communities Policy Presentation
The council then received a presentation from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on the City’s required Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy. TOCs feature housing and business development that is near to transportation, putting public transit in reach for more people and improving the quality of life in the Bay Area. (See details in related article)

Approves Contract with Interim City Attorney’s Law Firm
Under agenda Item 7, the City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution approving the agreement with Cole and Huber LLP to provide Interim City Attorney Services for an amount up to $400,000. Partner Derek Cole is serving in the role.

Rescinds Resolution Requiring City Attorney Hire All Outside Attorneys
That was followed by Item 8, City Council adopted a resolution rescinding Resolution No. 2021/26, which implemented a policy for the City Attorney’s office to select all outside attorneys providing legal services and managing related agreements and invoices for City departments.

During discussion of the matter, Freitas asked City Manager Scott if a department, “director signs off on it, does it also need the signature of the city manager?” She responded, “Yes, it will come through me.”

“So, ultimately they all cross your desk, as well?” he pressed further.

“Yes,” she said. “None of the directors, as much as I love them, will be willy nilly signing off on anything. I will hopefully work with the city attorney to, hopefully, set a litigation ceiling in this budget cycle as much as possible. So, it will actually be managed better.”

“We are rescinding this resolution which means that it’s going back to the way it’s always been done,” District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker explained. “So, this was the change in response to the massive litigation the city was facing after the incidents with the police department…with the understanding the city manager will have full oversight.”

“Yes,” Scott reiterated. “I will say I have worked with many city attorneys…and this is really unusual. So, yes, it will go back to…and I would discourage anyone coming in putting it back to this, unless there is another area with a gap in leadership. There was a turn in city managers, and it made sense.” Then referring to former City Attorney Thomas L. Smith she continued, “He had to compensate somehow and fill that vacuum. But this is not normal.”

“I think with us now having the stipulated agreement and…not necessarily in the police department everything starting to level out, I definitely support rescinding this resolution,” Torres-Walker added.

She then made the motion, seconded by District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha. The council then passed the motion on a vote of 5-0.

After dealing with two other items which have been or will be described in separate news reports, including appointing Standby Council Members, and the Development Agreement with APS West Coast, Inc. for the AMPORTS automotive logistics and processing facility for vehicles prior to their distribution to dealerships, to be located on Wilbur Avenue along the waterfront in the northeast part of the city, the council meeting adjourned at midnight.

See the entire Annotated Meeting Agenda.

Antioch Council Members appoint Standbys in case of “catastrophic emergency”

Friday, February 7th, 2025

Include former mayor, council members, former and current commissioners

Freitas’ nominees will be on next Tuesday’s agenda

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, the Antioch City Council Members nominated and voted to appoint their respective Standby City Council Members who are only activated for the continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic emergency and the sitting member is unable to perform their duties. As such, the appointments are largely ceremonial. The mayor and each of the four council members could nominate three Standbys who are not activated in the event of a “regular” vacancy in a council seat.

According to the city staff report for agenda Item 9, Pursuant to State Law (California Government Code Sections 8635-8644 entitled, “Preservation of Local Government), Article 6 of Title 2 of the Antioch Municipal Code provides for the appointment of Standby City Council Members “in the event of a declaration of emergency and a Council Member is unavailable due to being killed, missing or having an incapacitating injury.” The provision for Standby Council Members allows for the continuity of government in the event of a catastrophic emergency.

Each council member shall nominate three standby members and shall indicate the order of priority of each standby member. Consideration shall be given to places of residence and work, so that the greatest probability of survivorship or availability shall exist. While not required, priority shall be given to city residents who are at least 18 years of age and are registered voters. The City Council shall then appoint the nominees as Standby Council Members.

Standby Council Members may become activated during a state of war emergency, a state of emergency or a declared local emergency. No standby member shall become a member of the City Council unless there is a declared emergency described above. The mere vacancy of the regular Council member’s office absent a declared emergency shall not activate the standby member.

The first priority standby member shall serve during the emergency if his or her regular member is unavailable, meaning that the regular member is killed, missing, or so seriously injured as to be unable to attend meetings and otherwise perform duties. Any question as to whether a particular member is unavailable shall be settled by the remaining available members of the Council, including standby officers who are serving. If the first priority standby member is unavailable, the second priority shall serve, and so forth. Standby members shall serve at the pleasure of the governing body appointing them and may be removed and replaced at any time with or without cause.

  • Mayor Ron Bernal nominated the following Antioch residents: 1) Robin K. Agopian; 2) Former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and Councilman Manuel Louis Soliz, Jr.; and 3) Former Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair Sandra Gail White.
  • Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha nominated: 1) Former District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica; 2) Former Councilman Tony G. Tiscareno; and 3) Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee and former Mayor Mary Helen Rocha.
  • District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker nominated: 1) Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner Leslie May; 2) Raymond Rodriguez; and 3) Antoine Watt.
  • District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson nominated: 1) Former Police Oversight Commissioner Harry Thurston; 2) Police Oversight Commission Vice Chair Devin Williams; and 3) Police Oversight Commission Chair Porshe Taylor.

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas had not yet nominated his Standby Council Members as of the Jan. 28th meeting. However, his nominees are: 1) his wife, former Antioch Councilwoman Cathryn Radin Freitas; 2) Thomas A. Hartrick, IV; and 3) Antioch Sports Legends Co-Founder Thomas W.J. Menasco. The council will vote on their appointments under Item 2.O. on the Consent Calendar during next Tuesday’s meeting, Feb. 11.

Antioch Council unanimously approves Albers Ranch housing project

Wednesday, January 29th, 2025
Albers Ranch proposed 294-home project Land Use Map. Source: City of Antioch

Changes only one of eight requested conditions

By Allen D. Payton

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Antioch City Council on four 5-0 votes approved the latest new home development project in the Sand Creek area, after almost 31 years of planning. The 294-unit Albers Ranch project, which will include a future commercial area and senior care facility on Deer Valley Road received overwhelming support from the community. Many of the members of the public spoke in favor of the project due to the senior care facility and many asked the council to waive the eight conditions of approval requested by the developer, Lucia Albers. But the council only included one exemption, for the Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) road on her property, off of Deer Valley Road.

Albers Ranch Project Approved 5-0 with One
Following the Proclamations under Item 1 on the meeting agenda, District 3 Councilman Don Freitas asked the council to move up the public hearing on the Albers Ranch new home development project under agenda Item 5.

“Lucia Albers has been waiting 31 years,” he said. “We have about 20 people in the audience who have to get up early in the morning.”

The council approved moving up the item to be discussed before Item 2, Announcements of Civic and Community Events and the remainder of the agenda.

Former Antioch Mayor and BART Board Director, Joel Keller, Albers’ consultant on the project, spoke on her behalf. He read a letter by Albers outlining all the problems she’s faced through the years, as previously reported.

All But One Public Comment in Support
The first resident to speak was local businessman Jim Lanter saying, “I’ve never got involved in projects. This one kind of struck my nerve because of the assistant living portion. I think every project going forward in Antioch needs a component for assisted living because we don’t have the space. There aren’t the rooms. It will do one thing. It will provide more and provide competition which will drive down costs.”

“I’m kind of concerned about the future date. I’m hoping we can peg that. We’d love to continue to live in Antioch,” he added.

Ray Devlin, a commercial real estate agent with Collier’s said, “Lucia Albers has hired me to sell her project. It’s an absolutely beautiful project…beautiful property because of the hillsides. With the hillsides come costs. The conditions of approval will be handed off to our hopeful, homebuilder. Those costs will be handed off to the 294 folks who will be buying the homes, there. As Joel said, many of the conditions of approval add needless costs to the project.”

Eric Haynes, a business representative with Sheetmetal Workers #104, said he was, “representing hundreds of Antioch residents…speaking as an advocate for high-quality union construction. I’m here asking you to support Albers Ranch. It’s a multiple generational project…it allows seniors to stay in the neighborhood as they age.”

“Hundreds of area residents will be employed for the construction. Many will be apprentices…meaning more training for youth,” he added. “I would also ask for the conditions of approval to be waived. Please approve this.”

Former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem, Councilman, and local investment advisor, Manny Soliz, Jr. spoke next saying, “I’ve been a friend of Mrs. Albers and her late husband for many years. This project has been on the books for 30 years. Could you imagine if you wanted to put in a new driveway or patio at your house, you paid your fees and then a list of things was added that you had to check off? That’s a long time, 30 years. I think the additional conditions for the project should be waived. Anything added to the project will make it more expensive to build on that land.”

“Those units are going to be more expensive and artificially so,” he continued. “I’m looking at it more fundamentally. I think any of us who buy a house or buy a piece of property comes with the fundamental right to develop it and make a profit. So, I think any additional costs added to the project adds to her boat, her canoe and her canoe is getting lower and lower into the water.”

“Do they add anything of value to the project? If they don’t then don’t include them,” Soliz stated.

Long-time resident Richard Solack said, “It would be great if we could work on this project. I travel half my workday on the road. Most of my time is spent away from home. Being able to build and work in my home city…would be amazing. Just having that opportunity would be great. So, I recommend approving this project.”

Dale Paris spoke next saying, “I’ve been a life-long resident of Antioch. I’ve been a 50-year construction worker. My father, my brother and I could have worked on this project. But that’s no longer possible. As it stands, I will be able to work on this project with my son and my grandson. It’s been long enough.”

“I’ve had maybe five years total inside the city of Antioch,” he added. “Please, get this through.”

Trustee Mary Rocha spoke next saying, “This is history. Joel Keller, Don Freitas, Manny Soliz. We’ve seen this project for the past 30 years. It seems all these developers have gone on through the process. But for some reason Mrs. Albers is still here. I hope you go forward with this project.”

Johnny Impenko said, “I’m in support of the Albers project. It would be good to work closer to home, to do some coaching and be involved in the community.”

Julian Venetieri, a member of a local union, said, “There are about 15 members of electricians and a few apprentices. We really thank the Albers family for including these workforce development aspects in their project.”

“There’s something different when you have the opportunity to build a project in your own community,” he stated. “They taks a strong sense of pride with this.”

Former Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock spoke next saying, “It hasn’t been 30 years for me. In the last 10 years I’ve become good friends with Lucia and her husband Monte. This project has been near and dear to the council. This is a very good project. It’s intergenerational. Where else in the city of Antioch can you live.”

“We need more projects like this,” she continued. “We’re getting older. We need places we can go live with our families. There’s 49 acres of open space on this project. I don’t know of any other project that has that much open space. Three acres of parks. Tons of trails. This is just something that’s really, really good for Antioch.”

“I know council should support this. I have faith and trust in all of you to do the right things on those,” Ogorchock concluded.

Lucia Albers spoke next saying, “As you know, working with attorneys, consultants, engineers, project managers, all the money I made with the other project is gone.” She went on to reiterate what Keller read earlier and was previously reported. “I had to mortgage my ranch to have to pay for it. So, right now I’m not going to make any money when I sell it. I have over 200 conditions of approval…I am appealing the ones developers have brought to my attention. If you want to see the project like my neighbors want to and I want to, please waive the eight conditions of the 200 conditions so I am able to find a buyer for this project. Right now, I don’t have one. Just the EVA road costs $3 million.”

“They expect me to help pay for a road that was in the General Plan 30 years ago that’s supposed to go all the way to Balfour Road. But it may never go to Balfour Road,” she continued. She was referring to Hillcrest Avenue.

“My sewer, my utilities, everything is coming from Hillcrest. Why should I have to pay for improvements to Sand Creek Road?” Albers asked.

“The park fees are over $400,000. However, I am providing parks, open space and trails,” she added before running out of time limited to five minutes per public speaker.

Resident Velma Wilson spoke next saying, “I do approve this project. But I would also like to hear intentionalities…what are we going to do with our young people…in supporting our schools? Building our schools in real time. Make sure we’re doing everything we can for our students. We need to make sure we’re bringing communities like this where our young people can come to the forefront. Also, our seniors. So, please, let’s not belabor this any longer and approve this project.”

Mary Chapman and Nora VonUbin from An Elderly Wish Foundation spoke next. Champman said, “We’re obviously interested that this is going to be for seniors. This is so wonderful that you have the older people mixed with the younger people.”

“Thank you for the consideration…for the openness,” VonUbin said. “We hope to see this come to fulfillment.”

Debbie Toth, president of Choice in Aging said, “I’m here in support of the project for a myriad of reasons….the 8-80 concept because it’s good for 8-year-olds to 80-year-olds. We seem to cut grandpa and grandma out. This project is visionary. It’s beautiful. It will be an absolute Disneyland in Antioch.”

“Can we do this while Mrs. Albers is still alive? I think 30 years is time served. Wipe those conditions,” she added.

A member of the Board of Directors of Choice in aging who said she is a gerontologist spoke next saying, “This is an amazingly smart project. One of the biggest fears of my clients is aging out of their homes and their communities. It’s a shame. I’m listening here that this has been a 31-year process. As diverse a city as Antioch is, we need to move forward with this project.”

According to City Clerk Melissa Rhodes, 22 more residents who submitted comments but did not wish to speak were in support of the project.

Local affordable housing advocate Andrew Becker was the only person to speak against the project. He said, “I didn’t want to speak as an opponent on the project…but there are some issues. Developers do not set prices on homes. Builders do. Developers create communities. This isn’t putting in a driveway. It’s 300 homes. That’s thousands of individuals. What frustrates me is affordability is spoken a lot, here. What drives the price? The developer may come in and say, ‘this is what it costs to build. Now, how much can we get out of this community. Affordability is what you need in this community.’”

“To have the developer come up and say we shouldn’t be responsible for improving the road that comes up to my property,” he continued. “I do support housing but there has to be an affordability component.”

However, Albers was speaking about the costs of the Emergency Vehicle Access road and helping pay for Hillcrest Avenue beyond her and the neighboring projects.

Council Discussion
During city council discussion of the item, Freitas spoke first saying, “This is a very difficult request to make at the last minute to make eight changes. I am the last person who wants to delay this project. But the requests being made may sound doable. But there’s another side. I’ve spent two hours speaking with Joel Keller and Lucia Albers and said I could not support waiving the conditions.”

“We love Lucia and Monte Albers. But fair is fair,” he continued. “I want to support this project. But I will not vote for the eight exemptions. We have worked with staff for the last 31 years and have had these same exemptions. I think this project should be approved but these exemptions should not.”

However, that’s incorrect. The condition that Albers help pay for improvements to Sand Creek weren’t included until 2019 during the preliminary review of her project by the council.

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson spoke next saying, “Ms. Lucia, I think I’ve known you longer than I’ve been on this council. I’m in support of the workforce development piece. You know I think what Mrs. Albers is asking for appeals to me. I think her requests are reasonable.”

“Why should she have to pay for Sand Creek Road when her access is Hillcrest. I would approve this project?” she asked

“I think you’re the only female developer since I’ve been on this council who’s come before us,” Wilson added. “Thank you for hanging in there. I’d like to see this project go through and move my mother up there.”

“I think we all know Lucia Albers and her family,” District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha said. “I’m in favor of supporting the project. I have some concerns and questions about the conditions of the project. I’m not sure how we can mitigate that. I think we should move forward with an approval, tonight. But I think our staff should look at that. These are issues that have come to us in the past few days. I don’t want to hold up this project. It seems to me, some of the issues can be met. I’m not sure all of them can.”

Freitas then asked, “If the council sees fit to approve the project as is, can we come back and visit the issues. There’s a master plan for transportation. Is that legally possible?”

“If you entitle the project tonight, then you have a vested project for a developer with rights,” Acting City Attorney Derek Cole said. “So, the answer is, ‘yes’. If we grant some of these conditions, then we have to come up with the money for Aviano. That becomes an obligation of the General Fund. You as a City may end up having to pick up that price.”

“These conditions that we’re requiring are standard…of developers in this City and Contra Costa County,” he continued. “If we do this for this project what does that say for future projects?”

Bernal asked about the curb and gutter on the EVA access road, “Is there a way to eliminate that?”

“That condition of approval was what was shown on the cross-section. So, we didn’t ask them to do it,” a City staff member responded. “But because of the hillside it needs to be done.”

Kevin Van Katwyk, senior civil engineer with Interwest, said, “The applicant proposed the curb and gutter. The EVA is pretty risky, it goes up a hill that’s steep. You might want to control it and you do that with curb and gutter at least on one side.”

“Can you do a concrete V-ditch?” Bernal, a former Antioch City Engineer asked.

“That’s one way to deal with it,” he said.

Jason Vogan of engineering firm Carlson Barbee and Gibson then said, “There are multiple ways to accommodate the drainage. This is a private improvement. So, it will be the responsibility of the homeowners’ association to maintain this.”

“This is the only one, tonight that I think, can be addressed,” Bernal stated.

“Yes. We, as staff can work with the developer,” said Acting Public Works Director Scott Buenting.

“I think that would be a good compromise,” Bernal stated.

“Can we approve this tonight, with this one exemption?” Freitas asked.

“Yes,” Bernal said. Freitas then made a motion to approve, and Rocha seconded it.

“The motion was adopted,” said City Clerk Melissa Rhodes, but did not announce the vote but then announced a recess at 9:25 p.m. However, the council didn’t approve each of the four items on the agenda for the project.

At 9:40 p.m. Bernal called the meeting back to order and asked for direction from the acting city attorney.

“I’ll shake off the rust here. I think we need a vote for each of the four items,” Cole said. “I know there was some discussion on the EVA. That can be addressed in the Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map. It gives authority to staff to work with the developer on a cross section. I apologize for not catching this before we broke and doing a mass, one motion.”

“I apologize, also,” Bernal said.

The council then approved each of the four items on 5-0 votes for the Albers Ranch project including, adopting a resolution certifying the Albers Ranch Project Environmental Impact Report; adopting findings of fact and statement of overriding considerations, and adopting the mitigation monitoring and reporting program; adopting a resolution approving a General Plan Amendment to amend the City of Antioch General Plan (GP-19-04); introducing and waiving the first reading of the ordinance rezoning the property to Hillside Planned Development (HPD); and adopt a resolution approving a Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, Master Development Plan and a Resource Management Plan, and to direct staff to work with the applicant to work on the EVA.

“Congratulations, Ms. Albers,” Bernal stated.

After the meeting Albers said, “I want to thank everyone from the community for all the support they gave me, who came to the hearing and those who spoke in favor of the project. It was almost unanimous.”

“I don’t feel that I have to improve a road that has no nexus to my project,” she continued. “I would have preferred to have access to Sand Creek Road. It would have been much cheaper than connecting to Hillcrest. But the County Flood Control eminent domained my land and built the berm, blocking the road and utilities between Sand Creek Road and my property. When the City made the agreement about funding the road with Aviano (the development north of Sand Creek Road) I didn’t know about it. By that time, I no longer had access.”

“While I appreciate the council’s approval, and their consideration of working with City staff on lower cost options for the EVA, the remaining conditions are very costly, so unnecessary and make it harder to market the project, decreasing my ability to get a buyer,” Albers added. “Especially, the costs to reimburse Aviano.”

“We look forward to working with City staff to work things out on the EVA,” she concluded.

While the Tentative Map was approved, one thing that wasn’t finalized was a Development Agreement that will extend the approval of the project for up to 10 years, Keller explained later.

“We’ll continue to work with the City on the EVA and on the Development Agreement,” he added.

Antioch Council to consider 294-home development after 30 years in the planning

Tuesday, January 28th, 2025
Albers Ranch proposed 294-home project Land Use Map. Source: City of Antioch

Following years of delays, unfair treatment by City, County staff

Also, hiring firm for grant writing and legislative advocacy;
Flying Pan-African Flag at City Hall during Black History Month in February;
Rescinding policy for hiring outside legal counsel; and
Funds for Marchetti Park playground replacement.
Will receive Transit-Oriented Communities Policy presentation

By Allen D. Payton

During their next regular meeting tonight, Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Antioch City Council will consider approving the Albers Ranch Project, more than 30 years after the local, female immigrant developer purchased the land.

They will begin with a Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss three real estate matters, including leasing space at city owned properties followed by the regular open session at 7:00 p.m.

Albers Ranch Location and Project Site Maps. Source: City of Antioch

Albers Ranch New Home Development
On almost 100 acres, the 47.4 acre-project will include the development of 294 non-age restricted single family units, future development of an assisted living facility and neighborhood commercial development, upon issuance of a future Conditional Use Permit, and leave the remaining 49.1 acres of the site as open space. It’s a project that so far no one in the Antioch or environmental communities has opposed. Two local unions spoke in favor of the project during the Nov. 20, 2024 Planning Commission hearing on the project.

Due to the restrictions for the design of the project, including hillside grading, Albers says she was only able to include less than 300 units. However, other developers were able to grade their land and design their projects with fewer restrictions, maximizing the use of their property for more homes per acre.

At that meeting, local developer Lucia Albers, an immigrant from Guatemala, shared her frustrations about the delays through the years from and unequal treatment by City and County staff. (See 18:25 mark of video) That included requiring her to pay for a different biologist than was used by most of the other developers in the Sand Creek area, whose report claimed she had over 10 acres of wetlands on her property and claiming a species that doesn’t exist, making the project unaffordable to build.

The report also required Albers purchase five acres for each acre she planned to develop for mitigation. As a result, the buyers interested in her property at that time withdrew their interest. Now, the requirement is for the purchase for two acres of habitat and wetlands for each acre developed, as required of all the other developments.

“It made my land worthless and delayed the project for five more years,” she stated.

Albers then hired the same biologist as the other developers, whose study showed there are only 2,000 square feet of wetlands, a claim backed up by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

In addition, Contra Costa County Flood Control forced Albers to change the access road to the project. It was supposed to be directly connected to Sand Creek Road at Rigolato Drive where a four-way signalized intersection is located. While the conditions of approval require her to still help pay for the signals, there, the project must now connect off of Hillcrest Avenue through the neighboring Creekside Vineyards housing development. That’s due to Flood Control eminent domaining Albers’ land and building a berm, where the original access road was to be built, for a detention basin north of the property.

Flood Control low-balled the offer for her land at about 10 cents on the dollar for what Albers paid forcing her to take them to court. The settlement paid her a fairer price per acre and required Flood Control to cooperate with her on the access road. But they went ahead and built the berm blocking her access road.

Yet, Albers is required to pay for both the signalized intersection which will not benefit her project as well as a portion of the cost of the Hillcrest Avenue extension south of Sand Creek Road which will provide access to her project.

The over 200 conditions of approval also require her to pay for the sewer line from Sand Creek Road. But the Planning Commission waived that if her project doesn’t use it. The commissioners also removed the requirement for the project to include curb, gutter and sidewalk on both sides of the Emergency Vehicle Access road off of Deer Valley Road, just requiring her to provide it on one side. Yet, Albers argues that it will cost over $1 million and is not necessary because it will be maintained by the CCR’s of the homeowners’ association for the project, not the City. “And it may never be used,” she added.

The Planning Commission, with one vacancy and one member absent, voted 5-0 to approve the project with the various conditions. Some of them are still too expensive, reducing the value of her land, Albers claims. She will be asking for the council members to remove them from the conditions of the project before voting to approve.

Sand Creek Focus Area Housing Density Map 2015 and 2021. Source: City of Antioch

Albers, who purchased the property in 1994 and whose husband Monte passed away last year, previously exclaimed to this reporter, “We started this when I was a young woman! Finally, I’ll have a chance to see it approved. We’ve had multiple interested buyers in the past, but the delays and increased costs proposed by City staff caused them to pull back their offers.”

Albers was referring to the fact that she is not the home builder to which the land will be sold, once she can again find another who will purchase it.

After 30 years, City staff is willing to give Albers two five-year extensions to her development agreement, which she views as positive. Because without them the builder who buys her land would have to start construction within two years. However, City staff want to charge her $630,000. Yet, she claims none of the development agreements for the neighboring projects east of Deer Valley Road were required to pay monetary compensation to the city for their development agreements, which allow for extensions.

Even after the approvals, when she sells the land, Albers says she will only be able to recuperate all the costs that were put into it.

Antioch’s TOC Area map. Source: MTC

Transit-Oriented Communities Policy Presentation
At the beginning of the regular meeting, the city council will be given a presentation on Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). TOCs feature housing and business development that is near to transportation, putting public transit in reach for more people and improving the quality of life in the Bay Area.

It’s part of the Advance Plan Bay Area 2050 implementation which has Four Goals:
• Increase affordable housing supply in transit areas;
• Increase density for commercial office development;
• Prioritize transit and active transportation near stations; and
• Create equitable transit-oriented communities.

The TOC Policy was adopted by the MTC Board in September 2022 and applies to areas within a half-mile of Regional Rail transit stops and stations, such as BART stations, as is located in Antioch and ferries, as planned for the City’s waterfront.

Approving the policy to fulfill the goals expands eligibility for some MTC discretionary funding for the City and opens consideration for future One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funding revisions and investments, the presentation explains. So far, across the three OBAG rounds, Antioch has received $4,946,000 in funds. Applications for OBAG Round 4 were due in November and Antioch requested a total of $850,000.

In order to comply, the City of Antioch must do the following:
Density – Increasing residential and commercial densities around station areas;
Housing – Adopting housing policies from the 3Ps framework (production, preservation and protection);
Parking – Adjusting minimum and maximum parking ratios as well as transportation demand management policies; and
Transit Station Access & Circulation – Planning for station access that includes active transportation uses and mobility hub infrastructure.

According to the MTC, Mobility Hubs offer access to many different ways of getting around. MTC coordinates, funds and provides technical assistance for new Mobility Hubs to support first and last mile connections through access to multiple travel options.

Mobility hubs are places in a community that bring together public transit, bike share, car share and other ways for people to get where they want to go without a private vehicle.

Built around frequent and high-capacity transit, mobility hubs offer a safe, comfortable, convenient and accessible space to seamlessly transfer from one type of transportation to another.

Mobility hubs can be located where transit services already come together, or in communities and locations where transportation is needed the most. MTC has prioritized pilot investments for regionally significant mobility hubs.

Once awarded, City Council must adopt a Resolution of Local Support to receive the grant funds and develop a work plan to:
Update the Hillcrest Station Area Specific Plan to comply with the TOC policies
Identify and plan to adopt feasible affordable housing policies
Eliminate parking minimums and adopt parking maximums
Complete any outstanding station access and circulation requirements

Consent Calendar
Under the Consent Calendar, the council will consider amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement and Operating Budget in the amount of $325,000 from the Park-In-Lieu Fund for the playground replacement purchase at Marchetti Park.

Flying Pan-African Flag for Black History Month
The council will also consider under the Consent Calendar voting on flying the Pan-African Flag at City Hall throughout the month of February 2025 in recognition of Black History Month in the City of Antioch.

Hiring Grant Writing and Legislative Advocacy Firm
Also, under the Consent Calendar, the council will vote on hiring Townsend Public Affairs for $12,500 per month in an Amount Not to Exceed $62,500 for a term ending June 30, 2025, for Grant Writing & Management and Legislative Advocacy Services. In addition, in the event both parties agree to extend the services, the additional services would be provided through June 30, 2027, and up to $300,000, and will be included for consideration in the upcoming two-year budget cycle.

Rescinding Policy for Hiring Outside Legal Counsel
Under agenda Item 8, the council will consider rescinding the 2021 council resolution which consolidated the hiring of all outside legal counsel in the City Attorneys Office. According to the city staff report for the item, “The rescission of Resolution No. 2021/26 will result in a decentralized approach to the budgeting and payment of legal services. Under the current policy, all legal service costs are managed within the City Attorney’s Office General Fund budget. Rescinding the resolution will shift the responsibility for budgeting, processing, and evaluating legal services invoices to individual departments.” In addition, “By rescinding this resolution, the City will no longer have a formal policy governing the selection, approval and payment process for legal services beyond the general provisions of the Antioch Municipal Code.”

Meeting Details
The council meeting will be held in the Council Chambers inside City Hall at 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website at https://www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/live/ or on Comcast Cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99. See the entire meeting agenda at www.antiochca.gov/fc/government/agendas/CityCouncil/2025/agendas/012825/012825.pdf.

Antioch Council learns homeless hotel program runs out of money April 30

Monday, January 27th, 2025
A complete Antioch Council met for the first time since Dec. 10th for a Budget Workshop Monday night Jan. 27, 2025. Video screenshot

Discusses final 6 months of 2-year budget ending this June

Agrees to eliminate council slush funds of $20K each

Without new source of funding Crisis Response Team to end Oct. 31

By Allen D. Payton

Without any public comments, Antioch City Finance Director Dawn Merchant delved right into her report to the Antioch City Council during their meeting on the budget study session held Monday, January 27, 2025. She called it, “A high-level overview for closing the books for 2024-25.” The council learned Opportunity Village, referred to as the homeless hotel on E. 18th Street will run out of funds to operate as of April 30th, as will the City’s crisis response team as of Oct. 31st and chose to eliminate the $20,000 per member slush fund the previous council majority approved.

“The numbers presented this evening are subject to change,” she added. “Department heads are already developing their budgets for Fiscal Years 2025-27” two-year budget which begins July 1, 2025.

It was the first meeting of the entire five-member council since the oath of office meeting on Dec. 10th.

Following her presentation, which was written in the staff report for the agenda, the council asked a variety of questions. Mayor Ron Bernal chose to review the staff report page by page.

Reserve Funds, Make Budget Easier to Understand

“This is a preview of future attractions, so to speak,” District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said. He then asked about the City’s two reserve funds saying “Are they the same? Why aren’t they combined?”

“Because when this was established in 2018, we had an accumulation of fund balance from staff vacancies. City Council wanted to set aside the funds in a separate funds so it didn’t appear we had all these funds to spend on ongoing expenditures…and so we would have a safety net,” Merchant said.

“The public and members of the council get very confused with the transfers-in and transfers-out,” the councilman said. “I think we should combine the reserve funds. I want someone in high school to be able to look at the budget and understand it.”

“I would like to look at possibly establishing a policy on how set-aside funds can be utilized in the future,” Bernal added.

“I agree,” Freitas responded. He also wanted to see a reserve in the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) budget.

“Making this as easy as possible for folks to understand,” Bernal stated about his desires for the budget document.

Investment Funds and Policies

Freitas then asked about the investment policies and “million decreases in building activities. That’s a red flag to me.”

“The County will have to re-examine the Urban Limit Line,” he continued. “There might be an interest in the County in limiting more growth in the cities. That could have a dramatic impact.”

“If we had all those vacant positions filled, would we have any money in the budget?” Freitas then asked. Merchant laughed. “There’s a lot of income there. City Council needs to take a realistic view…not have positions approved that have not been filled for two or three years.”

“We’re looking at all of that…the length they’ve been vacant and why,” Merchant responded.

“On that note with the vacancies what’s the timeline to fill those vacancies? One year or two years?” asked District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha.

“Instead of guessing we can get those actuals,” Merchant said. “The department heads are looking at that and preparing it. So, we can’t answer that, tonight.”

Asking about the investment funds, District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson asked if the investments can be changed mid-year.

“City investments are governed by the government code. Funds are supposed to be safe guarded,” Merchant stated. “The City is on a two-to-three-year benchmark. If we have excess funds…we will transfer those funds to the custodian…then to PFM” who handles the City’s investments.”

“We can go out to another investment firm, but they would be governed by the same code,” Merchant responded.

“Over a 20-year term? I’ll be making a recommendation,” Freitas said.

“It seems like our investments went from $1.1 to $2.7 million last year,” Bernal pointed out.

“The interest rates were really high for a while,” Merchant stated.

“It would probably be good to come back with a single study and go over all of how that works,” Bernal said.

Freitas suggested top staff have a meeting on a quarterly basis, to review the City’s investments.

Source: City of Antioch

Request Corrected Budget Figures

“We have a $95 million base not a $100 million base when we take out all the ARPA money,” Bernal stated.

“When the budget comes back and we’re going into ’26 an ’27 the budget will show what we’re expecting then…and have the one-time funds broken out,” Merchant explained.

“I think what we’re talking about is transparency, showing $95 million instead of $100 million,” Rocha stated.

Transfers In

Freitas asked about the 10% for Transfers In saying, “Is that normal?”

“It was a little bit higher in 2024-25 because of the ARPA funds and the Bicycle Garden,” Merchant shared.

Source: City of Antioch

Sales Tax Versus Property Tax Amounts

“I think it would be interesting…to understand the various categories of sales tax,” Freitas said. “It’s a lump sum and it doesn’t give us the ability to make any policy decisions going forward.”

“If property taxes are the largest revenue, what are we doing as a City to improve property values?” he asked.

However, Sales Tax including the City’s 1% sales tax generates 49% of taxes to the General Fund, while Property Tax generates 36% of taxes.

Wilson spoke of the Transient Occupation Tax, the 10% tax on hotel and motel bookings. “Not all our operators pay when they’re supposed to,” she stated. “I think that’s something council should take a serious look at.”

Freitas asked about when Measure W’s one-cent sales tax ends. “20 years…in 2037,” Merchant said.

“It was going to be 80-10-10 but we had to fight to get 20 for youth,” Wilson said about the split of the use of revenue from Measure W.

“Under investment income and rentals…do you have an idea what that’s going to look like over the next several years,” Bernal asked.

“I’m going to look at that,” Merchant responded.

Legal Costs Questioned

Referring to the $1.3M increase in outside legal costs for several on-going litigations mentioned in the staff report, Freitas requested, “I’d like to know how much we’ve spent last year and this year on outside legal counsel and per firm.”

City Hall & Marina Parking Lots

Regarding City Hall, “is the parking lot sinking and are the trees being removed?” Freitas asked. “If there’s a problem with the parking lot, which brings in the issue of the marina parking lot.”

“Yes, the marina parking lot does move,” Acting Public Works Director Scott Buenting said. “It’s because of the underlying issue of the Bay mud. We try to eliminate the ponding as much as possible.”

“The eucalyptus trees are being removed. We are installing some EV charging stations,” he added. “It’s not moving like an earthquake. It’s moving slowly.”

“If there was an earthquake, I guess it’s called liquefaction. What would be the worst-case scenario?” Freitas asked.

“There’d be no liquefaction there, as the parking lot is on bay mud,” Buenting responded.

Lone Tree Golf Course Funds

Regarding questions on the funds for the Lone Tree Golf Course, Merchant said, “The golf course agreement that’s been in place for several years, now, that they pay us about $20,000 per year and they pay for the rest.”

Wilson said, “Mr. Mayor I want to remind you that you and I sit on the golf course committee.”

On the Transfer Out Bernal said, “these seem to be increasing each year.”

Source: City of Antioch

Unfunded Liabilities

About “unfunded liabilities of $166 million that seems like a lot of money” the mayor stated.

“So, the total costs that we’re paying toward this black hole is about $20 million per year?” he asked. “It’s more than 20% of our revenues. So, it’s a huge cost to the citizens of Antioch.”

“That’s just in the General Fund. There’s also an amount in the Water Fund,” Merchant stated. “They take our overall liability and subtract the value of assets”

“This is $167 million exposure…I think we need to come back and revisit this. It’s like a credit card and only paying interest,” Freitas stated.

“We are paying part of the unfunded liability,” Merchant said.

“I think we should be paying it,” Freitas responded.

“Then you’d have to decide what you don’t want to pay for in the General Fund,” Merchant responded.

Crisis Response Team May End Oct. 31

“Under ARPA…we spent $5.7 million…for the crisis response team,” Freitas pointed out. “This was ARPA money…one-time money. Has there been any discussion if this is going to continue how we’re going to come up with $6 millon?”

“No. Not at the council level,” Merchant said.

“That’s not true. It has always been stated it won’t be covered by the General Fund because it’s not sustainable,” District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker stated. “That’s why we need to start looking at state and federal funds.”

“As for the…crisis response team and Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program, there are grant funds out there…to keep funding those programs,” she added.

“So, by Oct. 31…is the crisis response team ending?” Freitas asked.

“In our discussions with the county are you looking at a strategy…and look at collaborating with the County and our neighboring cities?” Rocha asked.

“This has helped…reduce police calls for service,” Torres-Walker argued.

“I think having a crisis response team is good,” Freitas stated. “It’s the ability to finance it.”

“Thank you for acknowledging the work that does need to happen,” said Public Safety and Community Resources Department Director Tasha Johnson. “There are some possible grant funding opportunities. We do have some funds in our budget for a grant writer.”

“The community response team has done tremendous work in the community,” she continued. “They help with our unhoused residents. We are looking to sustain that with outside funding.”

Opportunity Village Homeless Hotel to Run Out of Funds April 30

“With Opportunity Village to end April 30th, this year…we are working with the County to set up that program. The state funding can only be used for encampment residents. We’ve identified the one of Devpar Court. It’s down in a ravine. You can’t really see it.”

In response to a question from Freitas about the funds and residents at Opportunity Village, the homeless hotel on E. 18th Street, Johnson responded, “For now, the encampment resolution funds will shift the focus to those residents.”

“We have a meeting with Felton to discuss the sustainability of the program,” she added in response to a question about the operator and what the City will do for the residents there.

“So, April 2025, we will no longer be operating Opportunity Village?” Freitas asked.

“Correct,” Johnson responded.

CalVIP Grant funds

Bernal asked her to speak about the CalVIP grant.

“We received approximately $1.8 million to reduce gun violence…in our community,” Johnson stated. “With that grant we were able to identify individuals who perpetrate gun violence. There are currently 13 fellows in the program. We offer all kinds of services to stabilize their lives. The operator is One Day At a Time. This program is roughly $800,000 per year. So, the $1.8 million is for two years.”

“This program is impactful. But we’re looking to grow it…for two years,” she added.

“When we first applied it was a 100% match,” from the City budget. “But this time around there is no match. So, that’s hot off the press,” Johnson.

Freitas asked for more details about the program at a future council meeting.

“A lot of this work is new. I would appreciate the opportunity to present,” she added.

“These are actually three-year cycles,” Torres-Walker shared. “The application was done jointly with the police department. Antioch could have gotten more than $1.8 million. But we need a pilot. This next cohort I’m looking to get more. The City of Richmond has been doing this for 20 years and she got $6 million.”

She also spoke of wanting to “increase the public-private partnership.”

“What I’m looking at are what are the measurable goals…when the presentation comes back,” Freitas requested.

“We’ll be asking for the council to continue the program,” City Manager Bessie Scott.

Council Budget – Agree to Eliminate $20K Slush Fund for Each Member

Under the city council budget, Freitas said, “I’m opposed to each city council member having $20,000.”

“I never spent any of the money anyways,” said Torres-Walker. “I actually raised more money in my district that exceeds this amount annually.”

Both Bernal and Rocha agreed.

“I’d rather see those funds go toward…the needs of our community,” the District 2 Councilman said.

“Each council member should have a meeting in their district. I think its appropriate on the controversial issues, especially,” Freitas said. “I think each council member can come to the council and say, ‘I want to have a meeting in my district’ and request the funds.”

“You can do a community meeting in your district without using any of these funds,” Torres-Walker stated.

“That’s where we disagree,” Freitas responded.

“On the Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program, I’d like to rename that the Antioch Apprenticeship Program or Director Johnson can come up with a catchy name,” Bernal stated.

Freitas asked about a few items in Attachment A, the General Fund Revenue Summary.

Bernal then asked about the programs based on ARPA funds. “That will give us a lot of work to do,” he stated.

Water Park Repair Funds

Wilson asked about the Water Park and the repairs needed there.

“The city council did allocate money for those repairs,” Merchant responded.

Parks & Recreation Department Director Brad Helfenberger shared, “There was an allocation of approximately $1.7 million. We are in the process of allocating that. The biggest project…will be resurfacing two pools and the deck. That will use $1 million.”

Capital Improvement Program Funds

“I know the CIP comes later in the program, but it would be good to bring it sooner, this year,” Bernal stated.

“I think we need to take a very close look at what’s in the CIP and if it’s not going to be built…it gets deleted,” Freitas requested. “I think we should deal with reality than have wish lists.”

Staff Vacancies

Bernal and Rocha then requested more details on the vacant positions and how many the city staff expects to fill and by when.

“If it’s realistic that only 20 to 25 officers and support staff can be hired, I don’t know why we would include in the budget all the vacant positions,” Freitas stated. “I think that will free up some of the money. I don’t think it’s responsible to continue allocating funds when we know realistically, we will never fill those positions in that year.”

“Agreed,” Merchant responded. “We try to do that in the budget.”

“It would be helpful to know how many police officers go out on disability,” Freitas requested.

“I’d like to know and hear about a list of infrastructure projects we can have,” Wilson requested.

Next Budget Workshop

It was agreed that the city council’s next budget session will be held on Tuesday, March 4.

Torres-Walker was concerned about when the meetings would start, “because some of us work full time” she stated.

“With everybody’s schedule, it’s hard to coordinate,” Scott responded.

“That means for the rest of the departments we’re going to have to hustle through the rest of them,” Bernal said about the schedule.

“Thank you for your work tonight and helping us move forward being productive,” he then said to city staff.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.