But wasn’t placed on council meeting agenda for discussion and vote

Council voted unanimously both times to just receive and file annual reports of available funds from developer fees

“We did talk to the current owner that he would entertain a sale to the City…we got blind-sided…” – Councilwoman Torres-Walker on this year’s efforts for the City to buy the building

By Allen D. Payton

In response to questions sent to Antioch City staff multiple times beginning Friday, August 28 and to staff and council members on Friday, Sept. 4, it was learned by the Herald on Tuesday, Sept. 8, that the City had more than enough funds to purchase the El Campanil Theatre in both 2023 before the first sale to a private owner, and prior to this year’s sale, as well.

In fact, according to a staff report to the council on Dec. 9, 2025, the City had over $7 million by June 30, 2025, sitting in a fund, as District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker recently claimed, that can be used to “acquire existing buildings with the intent to convert them into Community Centers.” That is more than enough to have covered the $1.5 million asking price by the current owner and seller. In addition, by June 30, 2023, the month after the first sale of the theater to a private party closed, the City had almost $5.5 million in that same fund. Plus, the Fiscal Year 2021-22 report shows as of June 30, 2022, the fund had a balance of over $4.2 million. So, the City also had enough funds to purchase the theater in 2023 for the $800,000 asking price. (See fourth subsection of related article)

Questions to Staff and Council if Development Fees Could Be Used to Purchase Theater, More

The questions were sent to City Attorney Lori Asuncion (pronounced uh-SUN-shun), Acting Community & Economic Development Director Kevin Scudero and Acting City Manager Ana Cortez, but since they had not yet responded by Friday night, Sept. 4, those same questions plus, a few more, were then emailed to them, the mayor and all four council members, and City PIO Jaden Baird. Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas informed the Herald last Wednesday that he would be out of town and unreachable for the following two weeks, and an auto-response email shared that Baird is no longer with the City of Antioch.

They were informed of what Torres-Walker said, that she and Freitas were looking into having the City use development impact fees to purchase the El Campanil Theater and she said there are millions of dollars just sitting there. They were also informed that after researching it on the state’s website, this reporter could not find any legal limitations under the definition of “other civic and community facilities.” They were then provided with a link to the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s webpage regarding the impact fees, Residential Impact Fees in California | California Department of Housing and Community Development and asked the following questions:

“Can they be used by the City to purchase the El Campanil Theatre building? How much in impact fees collected does the City currently have? Why are they sitting there? What were they collected for? What nexus was determined in the study?” and “can the City change the use of the funds after the fact?” They were also asked, “what else can the funds be used for?”

Development Impact Fees Available to Acquire Community Centers

Scudero responded Tuesday evening with, “The development impact fee program adopted by the city in 2014 accounts for Community Center Expansion as part of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Development Impact Fee. This fee could be used to construct new Community Centers or acquire existing buildings with the intent to convert them into Community Centers.”

He continued writing, “Here is the link to the annual AB 1600 reports that the city files detailing the amount of development impact fees collected and expended in each fiscal year: https://www.antiochca.gov/299/AB1600-Reports.

“That page also has the 2014 study that details the fee program and cost allocation for the fees collected. We are currently in the process of updating the development impact fee study which will involve looking at the current needs of the city and identifying new projects that will need to be constructed to accommodate new development.”

According to the League of California Cities, “A development impact fee is a monetary exaction other than a tax or special assessment that is charged by a local governmental agency to an applicant in connection with approval of a development project for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the cost of public facilities related to the…project.”

According to City staff, Assembly Bill (AB) 1600, passed in 1987, is part of California statutes that “are collectively known as the ‘Mitigation Fee Act’ and imposes specific requirements on cities that chose to collect development fees” including issuing an annual report within six months of the end of the fiscal year.

The fees can only be “Collected for Capital Facility, Equipment, and Infrastructure Improvements, Cannot Fund Existing Needs…of the City’s existing population, and Must Be Based on a Rational Nexus” i.e. “a reasonable…connection, between new growth and development and the need for a new facility or improvement” and “must be structured such that the revenue generated does not exceed the cost of providing the facility or improvement for which the fee is imposed.”

There are four impact fees imposed on new development in the City: one for General Administration, another for Public Works, a third for Police Facilities and Equipment, and a fourth for Parks and Recreation Facilities, each with a separate, designated fund.

UPDATE: 2014 Nexus Study Allows Impact Fees to Pay for 82 Percent of Purchase

However, after further research, only 82 percent of the purchase price could come from the development impact fees. According to the 2014 Development Impact Fee Study, under Community Center Facilities, (see page 26) the City is allowed to use development impact fees in the Park and Recreation Fund to pay for up to 82 percent of the purchase or construction of a community facility. At the $1,500,000 asking price for the theater building, that would have been $1,230,000 which meant the Council would have had to find the balance of $270,000 somewhere else in the City budget or negotiated down the price with the seller.

On that page it also reads, “New Community Center space will be predominantly required to maintain service standards as the City population grows. While the General Plan specifies a Community Center standard of 750 square feet per 1,000 residents, the current standard provided is below this level. As a result, 18 percent portion of the cost of developing new facilities…must be attributed to offsetting existing deficiency for existing population, while the remaining 82 percent of costs are attributable to new development’s impact on Community Center needs. The need for future space is estimated at about 20,170 square feet based on the City’s preferred service standard…”

In addition, the Fee Study, under Parks and Recreation Facilities, Nexus Findings, Use of Fee (see page 25), also reads, “Fee revenue will contribute towards parks and recreational facilities in a number of community parks as well as an additional 20,172 square feet of community facility space and new library.”

While the Antioch Community Center had already opened in 2010 before the Study was completed in 2014, the library planned for Prewett Community Park next to the Community Center has yet to be built, but it may not be. So, the 10,936 square-foot theater building fit into the amount of community facility space available as calculated in the nexus.

The new library planned to be 48,000 square feet was estimated to cost $31.9 million at that time but only “20 percent of the library development costs, or $6.5 million, could be funded through impact fees” in the Park and Recreation Fund.

Council Aware of Fund Balances Last December and in December 2022 But Did Not Discuss Using Money

The latest report for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year presented to the Council during their Regular Meeting on Dec. 9, 2025 (see Item 6.Q.), shows an Ending Balance in the Parks and Rec (Fund 324) of $7,404,937.33. So, the City did have the money to purchase the El Campanil Theatre this year for the $1.5 million asking price.

Yet, during the Dec. 9th council meeting, that agenda item on the Consent Calendar was not pulled by any council member for the Council to discuss use of the funds before they voted 5-0 to receive and file the report as part of approving all but four other items. (See 5:27:15 mark of meeting video)

The report also shows that at the end of the 2022-23 Fiscal Year, which was on June 30, 2023, the fund had a balance of $5,491,281.75. In addition, the 2021-22 Fiscal Year report, which shows an Ending Balance of $4,218,197, was presented to the Council during their regular meeting on Dec. 13, 2022. (See Item 4.H.)

Thus, the City also had plenty of money to purchase the theater in 2023 and could have for just $800,000. Yet, during that meeting, the Council did not remove that item from the Consent Calendar either, to discuss use of the money available in the fund before voting 5-0 to receive the report and approve all the other items. (See 1:23:30 mark of meeting video)

One Councilmember Made Requests to Agendize Protection, But Not Purchase of El Campanil Theatre

A montage of council meeting videos by the ContraCosta.news posted on the Facebook page, shows council members speaking about the theater and one repeatedly requesting to be placed on a future meeting agenda an item for protecting, but not purchasing it. During their meeting on May 13, 2025, under Council Communications and Future Agenda Items, District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson asked, “Can we have an agenda item on potential historical sites in the city and how we protect them?”

“Alright,” Mayor Ron Bernal said while taking notes.

“I put that on because I reached out to Councilman Freitas about this because I’m concerned about the El Campanil that it’s not a registered historical site…that someone could come in, purchase it and demolish it,” the councilwoman added.

Freitas responded, “So, I would just suggest we put, dash, because it really is El Campanil.”

“Specific to El Campanil,” Bernal interjected.

“Right?” Freitas asked Wilson. “Right,” she replied.

“So, the Carnegie is completely separate,” Bernal stated.  He was referring to the building at 519 F Street, which, according to the Carnegie Libraries website, “has housed the Senior Citizens Center, City Recreation Department, and Antioch Historical Centers” and more recently was leased to a church.

Then during the council meeting on Nov. 4, 2025, Wilson reiterated, “I just wanted to remind or get an update on making sure our El Campanil Theatre is a historical landmark, and I think the Carnegie Library so nobody can come in and demolish it. I wanted to get an update on that.” She repeated the request during the council meeting on Feb. 20, 2026, saying while reading from notes, “Agendize historical sites in Antioch. I think this is getting confused with my other item in regards to identifying sites in Antioch and getting them on the California historical registry so we can protect them.”

Then, most recently, during their meeting last month, on August 25, Torres-Walker repeated what she said in her video posted on Facebook (referred to above) about Freitas and her discussing the theater since last year. But she did not request to place on a council meeting agenda the possible purchase of the theater as it was already in escrow.

Torres-Walker Explains What Transpired This Year

When reached for comment, Torres-Walker said the City did try to buy the theater building this year and shared details of what she, Freitas and City staff did in their efforts to purchase it, possibly using development impact fees in the Parks and Rec Fund.

“It was $8 million when I brought it up,” she stated referring to the balance in that fund.

About the sale she said, “How I found out this year was seeing a video on Instagram of the pastor in the theater,” (the same as this reporter).

“In July, it was me, Don, Ana Cortez, Shahad and Sharon and the conversation didn’t include ‘this needs to be a rushed process to stop a sale,’” Torres-Walker said referring to Freitas, the acting city manager, the City’s Recreation Department Director Shahad Wright, and current El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation board president Sharon Sobel Idul.

Based on the timeline shared by the pastor last week, the church’s offer was accepted after that meeting was held.

“I told Don, last year, we had to do something,” she continued. “I was told the theater was being sold to a church. But we found out that was the AMC (Deer Valley Theaters).” As previously reported, that building, located on Lone Tree Way, was sold to The Bay Area Pentacostals church, whose building in Pittsburg burned in 2022.

“We did talk to the current owner that he would entertain a sale to the City,” Torres-Walker stated referring to Tung Bui. (See related article) “It was brought up at the council that this needed to be a discussion. We have this 90-day list thing. So, it should be on the list that I’ve been asking for over the last 60 days.”

At the end of each council meeting agenda under Council Communications and Future Agenda Items, it reads, “any Council Member may place an item for discussion and direction on a future agenda. Timing determined by Mayor and City Manager – no longer than 90 days.”

However, that item is not included on Special Council Meeting agendas, and no request regarding discussing the theater was made at the end of the regular council meetings on May 12, May 26, June 9, June 23, July 28 or Aug. 11. Not until the Aug. 25th meeting was the theater brought up by Torres-Walker, as mentioned above, after the conditional sale to the church. (See related article) It was during the meeting on April 28th that the Council last discussed one item from their previous 90-Day List, which was to hold a joint meeting between the Council and the Police Oversight Commission.

“Ana Cortez did speak to the owner,” Torez-Walker added. “Me and Don were trying to see if he would entertain a sale to the City and I had questions for the owner because we knew it was on the market.”

“We were all blindsided, because the last conversation we had with Sharon was that the owner was excited about the City buying it and keeping it as an arts and cultural center for the city,” Torres-Walker stated.

“David Storrer told me about the development impact fees. I said, ‘is this a real option?’ He said he was going to look into it,” referring to the City’s then-Acting Community and Economic Development Director, “and he would talk to the Parks and Rec Director,” she continued. “I went to Don and told him about the development impact fees, that this would be an opportunity to bring the Carnegie Library back on and potentially purchase the El Campanil Theatre.”

“Don met with David Storrer, and they were going through legal to make sure it passed what David called, ‘the smell test,’” said Torres-Walker. “Conversations with David Storrer started back in March. David’s contract was terminated in June or July. But things were already in motion.”

“We met with Sharon in July at Monica’s,” the councilwoman stated. “Then conversations started with the City with either the seller or his broker. Ana said he was excited about being in conversations with the City about purchasing the theater and to move forward with an option from the City.”

“Then this video goes out by Pastor Eli of Legendary,” she shared. “I get it if you’re a private property owner, you’re going to go where the money is.”

“I was blind-sided because I didn’t know there was another offer on the table,” Torres-Walker exclaimed. “I thought we were in, right? I thought we were working things out.”

“This is not about being against any church. We can’t discriminate,” she stated. “It was never about a church; it was about preserving arts and culture in downtown. That was the goal before we even knew a sale was taking place.”

About using the development impact fees and what they can be used for Torres-Walker shared, “We have to think about how we’re spending taxpayer dollars. There was no specifics. It didn’t name any projects. It was broad enough terms to interpret what is allowed.”

Asked if she had received the statement from Scudero sent to the Herald she said, “No, I haven’t heard back from staff and I was unaware of Kevin making a statement.” However, the councilwoman was reminded of the annual reports received by the council, including the last one in December with the details of the balance in each fund.

“Once David Storrer left and Bessie was placed on leave and the conversation transferred to Ana, and Kevin was brought in and asked if he could find out about this. So, we’re all playing catch up,” Torres-Walker explained, referring to City Manager Bessie Scott who has been on paid leave since May 5th.

“Staff never tells us what monies can be used for. We have to ask,” the councilwoman stated. “David Storrer said, ‘I don’t know why council isn’t being informed you need to be spending this money.’ Because it is for improvements.”

“Once we found out about it, Councilman Freitas looked into using them,” said Torres-Walker. “The only reason we didn’t want to do a rush job is me and Mayor Pro Tem Freitas didn’t want it to be half-baked and brought to the council. Then we got caught in the trap that we didn’t know we had enough time and we got blind-sided by the sale.”

“We have to be careful speaking on the sale of private property,” she acknowledged. “Because if it puts the sale in jeopardy, we could face potential lawsuits if the sale to Legendary doesn’t go forward.”

“The option to work with the church if they get the keys on the 28th, you can only work together through collaboration,” Torres-Walker stated. “This issue has brought together unlikely partners because people care about this building.”

“I think the challenge I’m faced with is that I’ve been hearing some people say it’s the structure, I’ve heard others say it’s arts and culture. Either way it’s brought people together,” she added.

The councilwoman then switched her focus to the future of the city’s historic downtown, known as Rivertown.

“I think what we should focus on are what are the other opportunities,” she stated. “We’re still in conversations about security downtown, about the Economic Development Commission, Department and Director. We need to look at the mission and purpose of the commission. Oh, and the Rivertown Standing Committee – we have not met since I was elected. Even when me and Don started talking about meeting, the former council member before I was in, that was their thing, so, everyone else pulled out of the space. What we need is to talk about the standing committee and if it’s a pet project of a council member, it dies when they leave. It needs to be championed by the community.”

“Form an Ad Hoc committee and form a commission for Rivertown, downtown or whatever or a task force,” Torres-Walker continued. “Because an ad hoc committee gives council members free reign, rather than a standing committee which has to comply with the Brown Act, with notices and minutes, and two members who make a quorum, which limits the dialogue and people talking at us and us looking at information and people don’t want that right now.”

Again, Freitas informed the Herald last week that he will be unavailable while on vacation for two weeks. Once he has returned and if the City’s mayor pro tem offers any comments, they will be added to this article.

Bernal Was Not Asked to Agendize Purchase of Theater, Did Not Help Church

Mayor Bernal was asked if any of the council members had requested the matter of purchasing the El Campanil Theatre be placed on a meeting agenda for discussion in the past year to either take over the theater or purchase it. He responded simply, “No.”

Bernal was also asked if he was aware the theater was for sale this year before it went public last month. The mayor responded, “Yes. As Tamisha may have told you she, Don and Bessie were working together to find out more about it. I was not involved due to obvious Brown Act implications,” referring to the state’s Open Meeting Law.

Finally, he was asked if he helped the church purchase the theater as has been one of the rumors being spread to which he responded, “No.”

Questions for Current Owner

Questions were sent to current owner Tung Bui Tuesday evening asking if he spoke with Sobel Idul and Cortez or if his broker, Michael Temby did, and if he had anything else to share about what Torres-Walker said regarding entertaining an offer from the City. He was also asked, if it’s true, why he did not give the City enough time to make an offer. But he didn’t respond prior to publication time.

Questions for Theatre Board President

Similar questions were sent to foundation board president Sobel Idul Wednesday evening. But she did not respond prior to publication time.

Questions for Acting City Manager, Mayor

Cortez was appointed Acting City Manager effective May 6, 2026. Following receipt of the information from Scudero she was then asked via email Tuesday night and voicemail on Wednesday, since she was appointed acting city manager did any of the council members ask her to speak with the mayor about placing on a meeting agenda a discussion of using the funds from the Parks and Recreation Facilities Development Impact Fee to purchase the El Campanil Theatre, or were there any discussions about the matter outside of a council meeting with the mayor or council members.

Additional questions regarding what Torres-Walker shared were emailed to Cortez Wednesday evening.

UPDATE 1: Cortez responded Friday afternoon, Sept. 11th, simply writing, “As Mayor Bernal stated on September 8, the City is not in a position to comment on the pending El Campanil sale at this time. Thank you for your understanding!”

More Questions for Acting City Manager, City Attorney

In an immediate response, questions were sent to Cortez and City Attorney Asuncion asking why Cortez can’t tell the public if she spoke with the owner and what was discussed, and that while it was a real estate matter, there were no city council closed session meetings held to discuss it, based on what both the mayor and councilwoman shared, as it didn’t get that far. They were also asked, are such conversations outside of a closed session meeting still protected by the Brown Act (state open meeting law), even if they’re conducted without the city attorney present.

An auto response from Asuncion read, “I will be out of the office Friday September 11, 2026.”

Please check back later for any additional updates to this report.

From El Campanil Theatre to City Hall

Theatre board still raising funds despite Sept. 29th close of escrow

By Allen D. Payton

As previously reported, in a comment on the Antioch Herald Facebook page Tuesday night, following the community meeting at the El Campanil Theatre, Rivertown business owner Mike Gabrielson announced a “friendly protest” and “March to City Hall” before the Council meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 8, 2026, over the sale of the theater building to a church. (See related articles here, here, and here)

That same night, Antioch resident Mary Lutz also issued an invite to the protest march on her Facebook page. She wrote, “Rant that it’s coming to this. Rave that we have a great Antioch that wants to keep the arts alive.

“There will be a friendly protest Save Our Stage Tuesday Sept 8th 6pm in front of El Campanil Theatre and then a March to City Hall to Ask the City to step in and Save our El Campanil Theatre. Show Up if you would like to support the El Campanil Theatre Tuesday 8th 6pm!”

The march will be about two blocks long as the theater is located at 602 W. 2nd Street and City Hall is located at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

The Council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. with a light agenda of only four items of significance to discuss. But there is nothing on the agenda to discuss the sale of the El Campanil Theatre to the dismay of some residents. (See related article)

Theater Still Operating, Raising Funds

The theater is now displaying new colorful posters out front that read, “Save the Arts in Antioch! and “Keep Arts Alive! in Antioch”. The theater is also promoting an Oct. 17th concert on their Facebook page which is more than two weeks after the Sept. 29th close of escrow.

Even though Board President Sharon Sobel Idul stated and reiterated, “if the sale closes, the Foundation would cease operating El Campanil Theatre,” a message on the marquee reads, “Break a Leg Not Hearts Keep the Arts Alive Donate Now!” Plus, the website is still accepting donations with the message, “Save Our Stage” at the top of the Home page and the Donate page offers options of “One-Time, monthly on the 2nd, every 3 months on the 1st, and yearly on October 1st.”

Plus, approve ADU plan designs for program that ends this month, software purchase for SeeClickFix app

Nothing about sale of El Campanil Theatre

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, the Antioch City Council has a light agenda with just a few items of significance. They will discuss finalizing the name change of the Public Safety & Community Resources Department to the Community Services Department, as well as the titles for the staff positions, consider approving using two state grant funded temporary positions in that department and consider adopting pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit plans developed through the ADU Accelerator program which ends on Sept. 30. Finally, the Council will vote on purchasing software for the City’s SeeClickFix app.

But there is nothing on the agenda regarding the pending sale of the El Campanil Theatre to the dismay of residents who want and hope the City can take action to stop the sale. Some residents have organized a protest march from the theater to City Hall before the council meeting begins. (See related articles here, here and here)

Name, Title Changes for Newest City Department, Positions

Under item 5 on the agenda, the Council will conduct a public hearing and introduce an ordinance to rename the Public Safety and Community Resources Department as the Community Services Department. In addition, the council will vote on approving the classification title changes from Public Safety and Community Resources Director to Community Services Director and Public Safety Manager to Community Engagement Manager, subject to completion of applicable labor-relations requirements.

As previously reported, at the urging of Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, during their meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, (under agenda item 10) the Antioch City Council agreed to correct and clear up confusion of including the words “Public Safety” in the name of the newest department which is not part of police or fire services. Instead of its current name which was the brainchild of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker who has an expanded definition of the term, it will be renamed simply, the Community Services Department. The councilmembers also voted to change the titles of the department’s staff. (See 6:39:50 mark of meeting video)

The council approved the new department in February 2022 on a 4-1 vote. At that time, Torres-Walker tried to redefine and expand the meaning of public safety. But the department’s name has caused confusion because the majority of people don’t define the term the same as she does.

According to the staff report for next Tuesday’s meeting, “As the department’s responsibilities continued to expand, the City Council also began discussing whether the department’s name accurately reflected its mission and public facing role. During several public and administrative discussions, Council considered various naming alternatives intended to better describe the department’s functions and distinguish its community-based services from the law enforcement responsibilities of the Antioch Police Department.”

Name Already Changed on City Website

The department’s page on the City’s website already has the new name in the header, but not in the text below, still including the word resources. That reads, “The City of Antioch’s Department of Community Services Resources is committed to building a safer, healthier, and more resilient community. We work to address the root causes of violence, strengthen opportunities for youth and families, and ensure housing stability for all residents. The Community Services Resources (CSRD) Department works to strengthen community well-being through prevention, intervention, and support services. CSRD houses the City’s Youth Services Network, Housing and Unhoused Services, and Violence Intervention & Prevention Division, providing programs and resources that promote safety, stability, and opportunity for all residents.”

Two Temporary State Grant-Funded Positions for the Renamed Department

Then under item 6, the Council will consider approving the establishment of two limited-term, grant-funded hourly positions to support the City’s direct implementation of community violence intervention, violence prevention, community outreach, case coordination, resource navigation, and community engagement activities. The proposed positions’ titles also retains the word resources: Community Resources Specialist.

The proposed hourly salary range for each of the positions is $39.54 – $48.07.

According to the staff report, the City has been awarded $2,034,800 through the Board of State and Community Corrections’ California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Grant Program with an authorized grant period through Sept. 30, 2029. The approved grant provides funding for two positions to support implementation of the City’s community violence intervention and prevention activities.

ADU Plans for Accelerator Program That Ends Sept. 30

Under item 4.I. on the Consent Calendar agenda, the Council will consider adopting pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans developed through the ADU Accelerator program. According to the ADU Accelerator Rebate Program information on the City’s website, ADUs are attached or detached residential dwelling units that provide complete independent living facilities for one or more persons on a lot with an existing (or proposed) primary residence.

The State Senate District 7 ADU Accelerator Program, piloted by former State Senator Steve Glazer, is composed of 15 cities in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Antioch.

The program provides individual rebates of up to $7,500 to property owners for new ADU units and up to $30,000 for new ADU units that are deed restricted to low-income households (minimum of 20 years.) As the purpose of the program is to encourage the construction of smaller ADU units, there will be no rebates for units over 1,000 square feet.

The City is matching the low-income rebate amounts with Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funding to double the rebates for low-income ADUs to encourage low-income ADU production in Antioch. Antioch homeowners will be able to access up to $30,000 for the construction of a low-income ADU less than 500 square feet.

However, according to the staff report for the agenda item, the rebate program provides individual rebates up to only $15,000 for ADUs that are deed restricted to low-income households (minimum of 20 years.)  An email was sent to City staff over the holiday weekend asking which is the correct amount.

UPDATE 1 part 1: Acting Community and Economic Development Director Kevin Scudero responded Tuesday morning, “The ADU Accelerator Program offered up to $15,000 in rebates for the construction of ADU’s. The City of Antioch also had Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) funds allocated towards ADU’s and chose to provide matching funds for deed restricted affordable ADU’s to further incentivize their production. This is why you see the larger rebate number on our website.”

The City of Antioch was granted $216,228.77 for rebates, which was based upon a per capita calculation, and $50,000 to create free permit-ready or pre-approved plans for public use.

The second component of the ADU Accelerator program is the development and adoption of free pre-approved ADU plans which will be free for residents to use.

While the rebate program has been available to homeowners in Antioch since October 1, 2024, it will close September 30, 2026. Staff were also asked if the termination date is correct and if so, why is the council just now being asked to adopt the pre-approved plans.

UPDATE 1 part 2: Scudero also responded Tuesday morning, “Yes, the termination date is correct. In addition to the ADU rebates, the program also provided $50,000 in funding to develop pre-approved ADU Plans. The development of the pre-approved plans was on a dual track with the rebate program. The pre-approved plans are not specific to the ADU’s receiving rebates and will be available to anyone in the future who would like to construct an ADU in Antioch.”

SeeClickFix Application Programming Interface Software Purchase

Under item 4.H. on the Consent Calendar, the council will vote on approving an increase to the current Agreement with Tyler Technologies Enterprise Permitting & Licensing (EP&L) for recurring Software as a Service (SaaS) fees and additional support services for a total agreement amount not-to exceed $235,000 per year. The council is also being asked to memorializing the recurring SaaS services which automatically renew each year throughout the term of the contract, which is consistent with the Agreement but inaccurately described in the original resolution.

The software serves the City’s SeeClickFix Application Programming Interface (API).

According to the staff report, the Initial approval by City Council in January of 2021 authorized an amount not to exceed $800,000, for a term ending June 30, 2025. The addition of the SeeClickFix Application Programming Interface (API) allows increased functionality for Code Enforcement complaints that are submitted via the SeeClickFix system, improving Code Case creation and response times, and streamlined updates to the public on complaint status via SeeClickFix. We are in the testing phases currently, and plan to fully implement the API by or before the end of this calendar year.

Meeting Details

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

See the complete agenda packet with staff reports here.

Please check back later for any responses to questions or any other updates to this report.

Finalize agreement to expand DOJ-required monitoring consultant’s contract

Consider potential whistleblower lawsuit

By Allen D. Payton

During a special meeting Monday, August 31, 2026, the Antioch City Council will consider hiring an Economic Development Director and forming a separate Economic Development Department, again. They will also finalize the discussion and vote on expanding the contract with the monitoring consultant required by the settlement agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice, City of Antioch and police department. That will follow a Closed Session to discuss the lawsuit by the natural gas pipeline company and a potential lawsuit by a City employee whistleblower.

Economic Development Director & Department Redo

Under Item 2. on the Special Meeting agenda, the Council will consider once again forming an Economic Development Department and hiring a director for it, following its merger with the Community Development Department by City Manager Bessie Scott, last year.

It also follows the current vacancy in the position of Director of the Community and Economic Development Department since March 3, 2026, when the director was no longer in the position after being hired less than six months earlier. (See related article)

According to the City staff report, the Council “has identified economic development as an important policy priority, including business attraction and retention, investment recruitment, development incentives, redevelopment, workforce partnerships and strategies to strengthen the City’s economic base. At the August 25th budget study session, City Council expressed the desire to explore separating Economic Development from Community Development and re-establishing a separate department with its own Director to have a focused strategy…at a time when economic development and revenue generation are most vital to the City.”

The staff report continues, “the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Economic Development division in the Community and Economic Development Department includes $436,759 in personnel budget for three positions: Senior Economic Development Program Manager, Economic Development Program Manager and Economic Development Specialist. Projected vacancy savings were built into the 2026/27 budget figure assuming it would take several months to fill the positions. There could be a budget impact should City Council decide to add back the Director position.”

The recommended organizational structure of the department would include an Economic Development Director, Senior Economic Development Coordinator and Specialist, eliminating the position and cost for the Economic Development Program Manager.

The staff report also shared, the current salary range for the Antioch Economic Development Director is $13,021-$15,828 per month, which is on the low end of a salary comparison with surrounding cities that’s included. “If a new salary range were established beyond that, it should fall within Antioch’s existing range of executive leadership salaries. If City Council would desire to increase the existing established salary range for the department’s Director, it is recommended to be at a range of $14,185-$17,242, slightly above Brentwood and within the City’s existing structure. The 2026/27 estimated annual salary and benefit cost of the position at this range at Step E would be $393,027.”

Monitoring Consultant Contract

After discussing then postponing the matter during their Aug. 25th meeting, under Item 1 on the Special Meeting agenda, the Council will again consider approving the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with MS Investigative Services and Consulting, LLC, to expand the scope of services to include Independent Monitoring services required under the Allen Settlement Agreement (ASA); and authorizing an additional annual compensation amount of $150,000 for ASA monitoring services and associated Fiscal Year 2026/27 General Fund budget amendment.

According the company’s website, the Principal, Manjit Sappal “served in three California police departments, culminating in his tenure as Chief of Police for the City of Martinez…he also served twice as Interim City Manager…oversaw all municipal departments and guided the City through strategic budget initiatives, ballot measures, and community safety priorities.”

He earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration, a CA Private Investigator License, he’s a Certified Protection Professional, a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 241 and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute and has received DEA Federal Law Enforcement Analysis Training and CA Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Executive, Management, Supervisory, Advance, Intermediate and Basic.

According to the City staff report, “The existing Professional Services Agreement…provides compensation of up to $250,000 annually for consulting and monitoring services required under the USDOJ Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The proposed First Amendment increases compensation by $150,000 annually to compensate the Consultant for the expanded monitoring responsibilities required under the Allen Settlement Agreement. The additional compensation will be paid hourly at the rate of $210 not to exceed $150,000.”

If the First Amendment is approved, total annual compensation for monitoring services under both agreements will not exceed $400,000 annually. Amending the contract requires a Fiscal Year 2026/27 General Fund budget amendment of $150,000 which will increase the projected deficit of $4,567,879 by $150,000. Funding for future years will be included in draft budgets brought forth for consideration.

Background

According to the City staff report, in April 2023, the USDOJ initiated an investigation into the Antioch Police Department following the public disclosure of text messages exchanged by Antioch police officers containing racist, sexist and discriminatory language. As a result, in Jan. 2025, the City of Antioch, Antioch Police Department and the USDOJ entered into the MOA, requiring implementation of reforms related to constitutional policing, accountability systems, data collection, complaint investigations, community engagement, hiring practices, supervision and oversight.

A key component of the MOA required the City and the USDOJ to jointly select an Independent Consultant to provide technical assistance, compliance monitoring and implementation oversight. Following a competitive and joint evaluation process with USDOJ representatives, MS Investigative Services and Consulting, LLC was selected as the Independent Consultant.

Then, on March 27, 2026, the City entered into the Settlement Agreement in Allen et al. v. City of Antioch, et al, a class action civil rights lawsuit. The Settlement Agreement incorporates many of the same constitutional policing reforms and accountability measures already required under the DOJ MOA and expressly requires that the existing DOJ Monitor also serve as the Monitor under the ASA.

See Final Allen Settlement Agreement.

As previously reported, Allen is one of four individuals convicted of the 2021 murder of Arnold Marcel Hawkins and the attempted murder of Aaron Patterson and it was that case which resulted in the release of the police officers’ texts. Allen and a variety of other plaintiffs claimed civil rights violations by the officers. A settlement between the City and their attorneys was announced Dec. 19, 2025.

The monitoring consultant submitted the Antioch Police Department’s First Compliance Report in April this year, pursuant to the MOA signed January 2, 2025. The report assesses the Department’s compliance with the MOA for the reporting from that date through March 31, 2026.

That followed the police department’s Self-Assessment Report 1 issued by Chief Joe Vigil on October 15, 2025.

Closed Session

During their Closed Session meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m., under Item 1. the Council will hold a Conference with Legal Counsel on existing litigation by the California Resources Pipeline Corporation (CPRC) v. City of Antioch, Contra Costa Superior Court Case No. MSN21-2354. The lawsuit continues following the Antioch City Council’s 4-0 vote during their meeting on July 28, 2026, to deny the company’s Encroachment Permit Appeal. CPRC is the owner of the low-pressure, natural gas pipeline that runs under the city and has been shut off since 2021. (See related articles here, here and here)

Under Item 2., the Council will hear about and discuss “Significant exposure to one case of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(2). The staff report reads, “The City is in receipt of information concerning facts and circumstances that might result in litigation against the City which are known to a potential plaintiff or plaintiffs pertaining to possible Labor Code Section 1102.5, and Fair Employment and Housing Act violations.” According to Employment Law Aid, “California Labor Code § 1102.5 protects whistleblowers who report violations.”

Meeting Details

Before entering Closed Session and during their Regular Meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m., the Council will meet in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, and both can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website, on the City’s YouTube channel or on Comcast cable TV channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

See complete agenda packet.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

More than enough for both the Homekey+ program and Rivertown Square project

“We need to be fiscally prudent by closely monitoring expenses…and minimize General Fund subsidies to high-cost operations, such as the golf course and water park.” – then-City Manager Ron Bernal in 2017-19 Budget message

By Allen D. Payton

In spite of the Antioch City Council’s reasons for voting against pursuing a state grant for the Homekey+ program for veterans and the homeless at the Antioch Inn & Suites and paying for maintenance for a new Rivertown Square park in downtown, the City’s General Fund continues to subsidize recreation at both the Antioch Water Park and Lone Tree Golf & Event Center at a cost of almost $2 million per year.

This past fiscal year, the water park received over $1.6 million to subsidize its operations, and the budget allows for $1.55 million in this fiscal year. In addition, the golf course receives almost $500,000 in debt service and water costs.

According to the City’s Adopted Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, “Parks and Recreation provides the City’s residents recreational, preschool, social and meeting space within the community. Recreation Programs are accounted for in the Recreation Special Revenue Fund. The Recreation Support division within the General Fund provides a subsidy to this fund to support operations.”

The General Fund budget shows Recreation Services Support (Recreation Department) receiving $4,812,031, a 12% decrease from the $5,479,935 in the Revised 2025-26 Budget. Of that amount, Recreation Services was approved to receive $1,937,164 from the City’s Measure W one-cent sales tax or 9.7% of the total revenue of over $20 million from that source. The amount makes up 40% of the total budget for the Recreation Department.

Antioch Water Park Subsidy

According to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 City Budget, the Antioch Water Park will receive $1,552,918 from the General Fund and Child Care Fund, of which $87,500 is from the latter, a 5% reduction from the subsidy of $1,627,359 in the Revised 2025-26 Fiscal Year Budget. That totals 60 percent of the water park’s revenue with the difference generated by Current Service Charges, which includes gate fees to enter the park and $111,000 in concession sales from Gator Grill and Allie’s Oasis.

According to Parks & Recreation Director Shahad Wright, “From the last supervisor report, we had over 30,000 guests but there is no breakdown for kids or adult that I can currently pull.”

Lone Tree Golf & Event Center Subsidy

Although this and last year’s City Budgets do not mention the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center (LTGEC), City Finance Director Dawn Merchant shared, “One of the transfers out to the 2015A debt service fund ($345,518 in FY26/27) is for that debt.  The General Fund also pays for water at the golf course when they utilize City water (the Golf Course pays Delta Diablo directly for any irrigation water through them).  We budget $150K per year, but the amount really fluctuates.”

Of the $345,518 amount, $343,500 will be used this year to pay the debt for improvements to the golf course and expansion of the event center in 2002. It’s shown in the budget as Antioch Public Financing Authority Debt Service Fund 410 (see page 45) and after this fiscal year’s payment, “the ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) portion of the debt will be $1,250,000 at 6/30/27 principal and $343,500 interest outstanding. The debt schedule is on page 316 of the budget,” she added.

Over 53,000 Rounds of Golf in FY25-26

According to Wright’s Lone Tree Golf Course Annual Operations Update for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to the Antioch City Council’s Committee for the Lone Tree Golf Course consisting of Mayor Ron Bernal and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson, there were 53,079 rounds of golf played between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. (COG means Cost of Goods)

The report also shows total revenue for the year of $6,600,248 with $3,091,121 from golf, of which $570,678 was generated by the driving range, and $3,509,127 from food and beverages at the Event Center, which includes Champions Bar & Grill and the banquet facility.

Expenses include Cost of Golf at $1,137,587 and Operational at $5,189,024 for Net Income of $331,796. However, as the report points out there is, “No Capital Expense Deducted” from the total included. That would be the $345,518 for debt service mentioned above. So, the LTG&EC actually experienced a net loss of $13,722. But the $331,796 remains within the facility’s budget and is not used to reimburse the City’s General Fund.

Basically, the General Fund is providing a subsidy of over $9.00 per round of golf to those who enjoy playing the sport in Antioch.

Golf & Event Center Previously Mentioned in City Budgets

The LTG&EC was mentioned in the 2014-15 and 2015-17 Budgets, twice on page 243. That reads:

“ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS (ABAG) 2001 LEASE REVENUE BONDS (411)

“In July 2001, ABAG issued $6,300,000 of Lease Revenue Bonds to refund the outstanding ABAG XXV Irrigation Project Lease and to finance the construction of a new clubhouse at the Lone Tree Golf Course. The Lone Tree Golf Course reimburses the City for all debt service and other expenditures of the fund. All construction funds have been drawn down, and the final debt service payment will be made in July 2031.”

The same message on that same page was included in the FY2015-17 Budget.

Golf Course & Event Center No Longer Reimburses General Fund, Debt No Longer Mentioned in Budgets

But the debt for the LTGC/LTG&EC was no longer mentioned and the golf course only referred to twice in the FY2017-19 Adopted Budget. On Page iii of then-City Manager Ron Bernal’s budget message it reads, “We need to be fiscally prudent by closely monitoring expenses…and minimize General Fund subsidies to high-cost operations, such as the golf course and water park.”

Then on the Supplemental Information page 295 a note at the bottom reads, “ABAG 2001 Portion – Debt payments reimbursed by Antioch Public Golf Corporation.” The same note was provided on the same page of the FY2019-21 Budget. But it was no longer included as of the FY2021-23 Budget.

Merchant was asked if that is because the debt payments have no longer been reimbursed by the Golf Corporation as of FY2022.

She responded, “You are correct that the reference was removed once the Golf Course stopped reimbursing the City. The debt service payments show in the 2015A Lease Revenue Refunding bonds debt service fund.  The transfer out in the General Fund is to move money to that debt service fund for payment of the debt service.”

“As you can see from the report Shahad prepared that you provided, the City’s agreement with the Golf Course only requires that they pay us a small annual fee that is escalated by CPI,” she continued. “Many years ago, due to financial stress at the Golf Course, City council agreed to take on the burden of the debt service within the General Fund and not seek reimbursement from the Golf Course for debt service, and thus the current agreement in place.”

Merchant also shared, “The expenses related to the Golf Course were discussed at the (Council’s) budget meetings held on April 21st and May 5th.”

More Questions for Merchant

Merchant was also asked since there are expenses for the Golf & Event Center from the General Fund, why isn’t it mentioned anywhere in the budget? Shouldn’t it be for full transparency to the public?

What I see is on page 306 of the Adopted Budget, entitled, “APFA 2015A LEASE REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS (410) (Portion related to refunding 2001 ABAG bonds)” it reads, “In February 2015, Antioch Public Financing Authority (APFA) Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds were issued to refinance the APFA 2002 A&B Lease Revenue Bonds and the ABAG 2001A Lease Revenue Bonds. The APFA leases the police facility and animal shelter to the City under a site and facility lease and the base rental payments made by the City represent the debt service on the new bonds. This fund accounts for the portion related to the ABAG bonds and debt service is paid by the General Fund. Final debt service is May 2031.”

Then on page 307, entitled, “APFA 2015A LEASE REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS (417) (Portion related to refunding APFA 2002 A&B Lease Revenue Bonds)” it reads something very similar: “In February 2015, Antioch Public Financing Authority (APFA) Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds were issued to refinance the APFA 2002 A&B Lease Revenue Bonds and the ABAG 2001A Lease Revenue Bonds. The APFA leases the police facility and animal shelter to the City under a site and facility lease and the base rental payments made by the City represent the debt service on the new bonds. This fund accounts for the portion related to the 2002 A&B bonds and debt service is reimbursed by Successor Agency to the Antioch Development Agency. Final debt service is May 2032.”

So, if all the money shown on page 306, $345,518, is spent for the Golf & Event Center debt, shouldn’t the information in the chart on that page be about the Golf & Event Center not about the police facility and animal shelter?

Also, on page 45, entitled, “Transfers By Fund”, I think it would be best that under Antioch Public Financing Authority Debt Service Fund 417 it shows “Police Facility and Animal Shelter” and under Fund 410 it shows, “Lone Tree Golf & Event Center” for full transparency to the public (and media).

Merchant Explains Debt for Golf Course, Police Facility & Animal Shelter Combined When Refinanced

In response, Merchant wrote, “The reason on page 306 (and 307) it references the police and animal shelter is because when the ABAG bonds were refinanced with the 2015A lease revenue bonds, to secure the bonds, the Antioch Public Finance Authority entered into a lease agreement with the City for the Police and Animal Shelter essentially being the security for the bonds thus providing a ‘lease payment’ as debt service for the bonds.  The Golf Course provides no security for payment of the bonds.”

“I note your comment about the transfers schedule,” she added. “The titles on page 45 represent the actual fund names in the City’s general ledger accounting system, as do all the transfers listed on the schedule.”

Conclusion – It All Comes Down to Priorities

During a recent council meeting on the Homekey+ program, a resident suggested the Golf Course should raise rounds by just $5.00. If they did, that would generate another $265,000 per year, which, along with the current net revenue, would be enough to cover the costs of water and the debt payment.

In addition, while I was a council member when the water park first opened, I suggested contracting out the operations to a private company. I called one in Sacramento. They said they were interested but were in the process of opening Water World (now Six Flags Hurricane Harbor) in Concord at the time. Perhaps, another private company might be interested, now. All it takes is a phone call to start the process. If it were contracted out, that would eliminate the $1.5 million annual General Fund subsidy.

Combine that amount with requiring the Golf Course Board to reimburse the City for the cost of both the water and bond debt payment for a total of almost $500,000, and Antioch’s General Fund would enjoy almost an extra $2 million per year. That’s more than enough to cover the $1.2 million annually for the Homekey+ program and to cover the estimated $250,000 annual maintenance costs of the Rivertown Square project on the former Beede Lumber Company lot in downtown.

It all comes down to priorities. The Council can continue to subsidize the recreation of some – who don’t all live, here which was an argument about not funding the Homekey+ program – or house some of our homeless residents, reducing their impact on our businesses, police department, Code Enforcement and City budget, and add a new, long-planned park and event center in the City’s historic downtown.

I believe it’s time Mayor Bernal and the rest of the council members heed his message from when he was city manager and, of less importance, ensure the debt for the golf and event center be clearly listed in each year’s budgets for full transparency to the public.

In crowded District 4 race

By Allen D. Payton

In a recent post on her Instagram account, political newcomer Matty Alappat announced her campaign for Antioch City Council in District 4 to unseat incumbent Councilwoman Monica Wilson. According to the City Clerk’s report, she filed her required documents and qualified as a candidate on August 5th. Alappat’s campaign slogan is, “United as Americans. Committed to Antioch” and lists her priorities as, “Public Safety, Clean Communities and Economic Growth.”

Plus, her campaign website includes the slogan, “A Safer, Cleaner Antioch — For All of Us” and she offers “Practical, neighborhood-focused leadership. Replacing political noise with actionable solutions.” She also provides a list of her priorities of “Public Safety, Thoughtful Housing and Homelessness Solutions, Cleaner City and Downtown Revitalization and Local Jobs” and is temporarily using an AI-generated photo of herself on the “About Matty” page which she plans to replace once new photos are taken.

As previously reported, she is listed on the ballot as Metty Mathews Alappat, and according to her LinkedIn page, her most recent job was as a Senior Technical Account Manager for Amazon Web Services until July 2025.

In her Instagram post repeating what is written in her Candidate Statement, Alappat provided more details about herself and why she’s running. She wrote, “I am Matty Alappat and I am running for Antioch City Council, District 4, to help build a safer, cleaner and more prosperous community for all of us.

“For the last 15 years I have worked in the software industry, solving tough problems and leading successful initiatives. I am ready to bring that same practical approach to City Council.

“I was fortunate to be raised by a mom who was a science teacher and a dad who worked in banking. They taught me that success is built on hard work, integrity, respect for others, and giving back to your community — values I still live by today.

“If elected, my top priority will be public safety. I will make sure the police have the resources required to fight crime and protect our neighborhoods.

“We also have to take better care of our city. That means investing in city’s infrastructure, revitalizing downtown, maintaining clean pet-friendly public spaces and bringing in new businesses and good-paying jobs.

“Housing policies must be carefully planned to fit existing neighborhoods and should only move forward where our infrastructure can truly support them. We will partner with nonprofits to help unhoused individuals achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency, while also focusing on short-term transitional housing options.

“Antioch deserves leadership that brings people together, spends taxpayer dollars wisely, and gets results. I am committed to making Antioch a place we can all be proud of.

“I look forward to earning your support.”

Alappat’s LinkedIn profile shows she has earned six licenses and certificates all in the tech industry. Asked about her education when reached for comment Alappat said she earned a Master’s Degree in History, in 2002 and a B.A. in History, Economics and Political Science, both from theUniversity of Kerala in India.

Alappat moved to Antioch four years ago from Hayward.

“I adopted a dog who is very high energy and my place in Hayward was very tiny,” she shared. “I thought it was time to move to a house with a backyard and looked in this area because it’s more affordable for me.”

Currently, Alappat is in between jobs saying, “I decided to take a break and that’s when I started to think about doing something different.”

She is married but does not have any children.

For more information follow her campaign Facebook page or contact her at alappatmatty@gmail.com.

Alappat is also running against third-time candidate Sandra White and another first-time candidate, Andrew Becker, who regularly attends and speaks during council meetings. Wilson is seeking her fifth term on the council.

The election is Tuesday, November 3.

Plus, 30 more police emergency radios; postpones contract expansion with U.S. DOJ police department monitor

Mayor Bernal participates remotely without prior notification but allowed due to “contagious illness”

 “I want to get Flock out of Antioch,” Councilwoman Torres-Walker said then voted for the new AI-assisted license plate reader system.

By Allen D. Payton

During their Tuesday night meeting, Aug. 25, 2026, the Antioch City Council approved the purchase of AI-assisted technology systems for the police department, a one-year 3% COLA pay raise for police officers, traffic calming devices for Sycamore Drive and 30 more police emergency radios. The council postponed approving the contract expansion with U.S. DOJ police department monitor. They also received some good news about the City’s investments, received and approved the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report from the police department and approved the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan.

Bernal Participates Remotely Due to Illness

Only three council members attended in-person with Mayor Ron Bernal participating remotely, but his location was not included in the agenda as was required of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker during the last two meetings. She participated remotely in the last council meeting from a resort and spa in Santa Cruz after proper notification. That followed her being denied the opportunity to participate in the prior meeting due to an error by Acting City Manager Ana Cortez, even though the councilwoman did provide her location prior to the meeting as required. However, different rules applied this time because Bernal was sick. (See related articles here, here and here)

Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas presided over the meeting, with only Torres-Walker and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha in attendance and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson absent.

At the beginning of Tuesday’s meetings, which started with a Closed Session at 3:30 p.m., Bernal was asked to confirm his attendance by Freitas. The mayor, via Zoom said, “I affirm my attendance. I, Ron Bernal, Mayor of the City of Antioch, am unable to attend tonight’s meeting due to a contagious illness and am appearing remotely under just cause pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953.8.3. My wife, Irma, will be the only person, the only adult in the room with me and I will participate via both audio and visual technology throughout the entirety of the meeting. Mr. City Clerk, I ask that you please record my remote appearance under just cause, in the official meeting minutes for the record. Thank you.”

“So noted,” City Clerk Michael Mandy responded.

“And your attendance, roll call,” Freitas asked.

“My attendance is remote tonight so Mayor Pro Tem Freitas will be presiding over tonight’s meeting,” Bernal added.

“It is affirmative,” Freitas responded.

“The mayor has confirmed his attendance,” Mandy stated.

“I am present,” Bernal responded.

The council then entered Closed Session to discuss employee group contracts and nine potential lawsuits. That was followed by a Special Meeting Study Session on the Fiscal Year 2027-28 General Fund Budget at 5:30 p.m. which was followed by the Regular Meeting.

Regular Meeting

Bernal repeated his confirmation to participate remotely at the beginning of the Regular Meeting which was again noted by Mandy.

City Attorney Lori Asuncion said there was nothing to report out from Closed Session.

Sales Tax Citizens Oversight Committee Appointment

The council then moved up Item 8 the appointment of Loretta Ezeife to the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee after Item 2 on the agenda. She was appointed on a 4-0 vote of the council. Ezeife then offered remarks and thanked the mayor for nominating her and was given the oath of office by City Clerk Mandy while she was surrounded by her family members.

The council, under Item 5, received the Investment Performance Review presented by Justin Ressuelo, Institutional Sales and Relationship Manager of PFM Asset Management, the City’s advisors. The report shows the City has experienced Accrual Basis Earnings from its investments of almost $51 million over the past 10 years and earned $1.2 million in interest over the past three months, $4.9 million over the past year and $13.7 million over the past three years.

Traffic Calming Devices on Sycamore Drive

Rocha wanted to know why the traffic calming devices proposed for Sycamore Drive, under Item 6.H. on the Consent Calendar, were moved up ahead of those proposed for James Donlon Blvd.

“It will go out (for bid) this fall. Give us a year and we’ll have things laid out a bit better,” Public Works Director Scott Buenting stated.

Bernal asked about other traffic calming throughout town in response to complaints about sideshows in intersections throughout the city.

“They’re not built into the traffic calming,” Buenting responded, “We’re working through some geometry about that. It’s not a one-size-fits-all. Most likely it’s going to be bringing out something in the middle of the intersection like a speed bump. These would be done with bolt-down apparatus. I want to get something rolled out here fairly soon…in a couple different areas…that need some sideshow deterrent.”

The Council then voted 4-0 to award the construction agreement to Martinez-based Cowan & Thompson Construction, Inc. in the amount of $488,511.94, with a $25,000 contingency for a total contract amount of $513,511.94 for the Sycamore Drive Traffic Calming Improvements Project. The devices will be placed in eight segments along the street and will include signs and raised traffic separator curb guidance systems with quick release delineator bases.

Council Postpones Decision on DOJ Settlement Agreement Monitoring Consultant

Under Item 6.K. on the Consent Calendar agenda, regarding paying for the monitoring consultant required by the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) turned out to be a surprisingly controversial matter as Freitas expressed his adamant opposition.

According to the City staff report for the item, following the U.S. DOJ investigation into the Antioch Police Department beginning in April 2023, regarding text messages containing racist, sexist and discriminatory language. As a result in January 2025, the City, police department and U.S. DOJ entered into a Memorandum of Agreement requiring implementation of reforms related to constitutional policing, accountability systems, data collection, complaint investigations, community engagement, hiring practices, supervision and oversight.

A key requirement requires the City and U.S. DOJ to jointly select an Independent Consultant to provide technical assistance, compliance monitoring and implementation oversight.

On March 27, 2026, the City entered into a Settlement Agreement in the Allen, et al. civil rights class action lawsuit that incorporates many of the constitutional policing reforms and accountability measures already required under the DOJ Agreement and requires the existing DOJ Monitor also serve as the Monitor under the Allen Settlement Agreement. (See related articles here and here)

The council was asked to approve the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with MS Investigative Services and Consulting, LLC, to expand the scope of services to include Independent Monitoring services required under the Allen Settlement Agreement and authorizing additional compensation of $150,000 annually for monitoring services and the associated Fiscal Year 2026/27 General Fund budget amendment. If approved, the total compensation for the consultant would be $400,000 per year.

Bernal questioned paying the consultant monthly versus hourly.

Antioch Police Captain Shane Bower provided the staff report and answers to the council members’ questions.

“I have a very difficult time with a 71% increase, and I am absolutely opposed to $12,500 quarterly. He could be on vacation for a month and still get the $12,500,” Freitas stated. He also opposed paying the consultant hourly while driving from his home in Martinez to Antioch and instead wanted him to be paid the standard mileage rate.

“This is one of the most expensive consultant’s contract we have,” the Mayor Pro Tem added.

Bernal asked if the invoices can be brought back “to see how the billing has been going, so far.”

“Yes, I can bring that back,” Cortez stated.

“We have a five-year block of time. There’s a lot of additional work,” Bower responded.

“It’s in the report,” Freitas interjected.

“Mr. Sepulveda has already written the draft…that far exceeds the scope,” Bower said.

“It’s not my goal…to delay the satisfaction of the settlement,” Bernal responded.

“I support working with the existing consultant,” District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha stated. “Compensation seems to be the issue. It needs to be resolved.”

“Is that the standard in the City of Antioch? If it is it needs to come back for council discussion,” Freitas said about consultants being paid while driving to Antioch.

“There’s no doubt in my opinion that we need

“A majority of this agreement does not overlap with the DOJ agreement at all,” Police Chief Joe Vigil stated.

“As far as I’m concerned, there are concerns on the other side that we are dragging our feet. I’d hate to see us back in court,” said Torres-Walker.

“If a council member makes a request and it’s ignored, that causes a delay,” Freitas responded. “We also have a fiduciary responsibility, an oversight responsibility. I think those things need to be addressed.”

“I’m suggesting we are at risk of being in violation of the settlement agreement,” Torres-Walker stated and asked for a special meeting to discuss the matter.

Following agreement between Freitas and Cortez, the matter will return to a future council meeting for additional information and action.

Approves Police Department Technology Systems Purchase

Under Item 9. on the agenda, the Council received the staff report from Antioch Police Lt. Michael Mellone on the purchase of AI-assisted automated license plate recognition, in-car camera and integrated public safety technology systems. According to the staff report, the contract includes “55 fixed automated license plate recognition (ALPR) locations using Axon Outpost, six additional Axon Fleet 3 in-car video and mobile ALPR systems, and 120 Axon AI Assistant licenses for the Police Department, for a 49-month term beginning October 1, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $661,687.54.”

“I called for dash cameras so I’m glad there’ll be more of them throughout the city,” Torres-Walker stated. She then asked about Flock license plate recognition cameras and compliance.

“We are at the forefront of being compliant, not only with the Flock license plate readers,” Mellone responded. “We don’t share with ICE or any federal agencies. That data we collect in Antioch is staying here and not being shared with anyone else.”

“I’m excited to see there will be AI translation,” the councilwoman stated.

“It’s really cool. All the officer has to do is push a button on his body-worn camera and choose whatever language…and it will translate one-to-one,” Mellone explained.

During public comments, resident Kimberly Kit Bailey asked if the cameras “are only going to be in…the troubled areas or will they be all over the city?”

“They are in all locations of the city,” Mellone responded. “We try to cover all the major entry and exit points of town. All the major thoroughfares, all the major intersections. We’re not just concentrating on certain, specific neighborhoods.”

The next public speaker was Mike Katz-Lacabe, who said he is the Director of Oakland Privacy, described as “a citizens’ coalition that works statewide to defend the right to privacy, enhance public transparency and promote oversight regarding the use of surveillance techniques and equipment.” He said, “I urge a no vote…because the staff report does not provide enough information…to justify the $660,000. There was no competitive or comparison bidding process.” He also questioned “expansion of the surveillance program” and said APD’s claim that “Motorola is decommissioning their ALPR platform…is highly suspect” because “law enforcement agencies like L.A.P.D. are continuing to purchase and deploy…technology from Motorola.”

Katz-Lacabe further complained the “staff report lacks any analysis of the effectiveness of the currently deployed license plate readers.” He also said the technology could be and is being abused and used to stalk people.

Resident Frank Sterling, speaking via Zoom said, “I am concerned about mass surveillance. I’m learning more about Axon. But one thing I have been following…is the abuses are happening where people are taking advantage of the system. I think the possibility of abuse is still there.”

Mellone responded, “I think there are some very legitimate questions and concerns. I don’t think anyone in this room wants to have their movements tracked with specificity. I don’t think we want to live in that type of society. I know I certainly don’t. It does not track people. It tracks vehicle detections. It doesn’t track driver identity. It does not maintain a live location feed on a person.”

“Only an authorized investigator can review when and where a specific license plate was captured within the (30-day) retention period, and that search must have a legitimate purpose and it’s logged, audited and tracked,” he continued. “The system records a plate image, vehicle content image and visible vehicle characteristics and the time and location of a detection.”

Mellone then mentioned the system’s use in tracking the movements and identification of the driver in last Friday’s major injury hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian.

He also said the information from the system is available to the public.

“I understand the community’s concerns around hyper-surveillance,” Torres-Walker stated. “My position is I want to get Flock out of Antioch and if moving forward with this Axon system is going to do that with potential…reviews along the way and some guardrails to make sure we are not violating civil liberties…then I can support that. My main position right now is I really want to see Flock eliminated,” she reiterated then asked about reporting to the council.

“We’re doing that now,” Mellone stated. “We have a website with the Fock data, in spite of how controversial that is. Anyone can go to our website…we have a transparency portal.” That can be found here: Flock Safety – Antioch CA PD Transparency Portal.

“With the Axon system, it’s a closed system,” he added.

The councilwoman then asked for reasons for the sole source purchase.

Mellone explained, “There are a few reasons. We’re already using Axon’s body-worn cameras. We’re already using their digital evidence platforms. We trusted Axon with our most sensitive digital evidence. We’ve never had a data breach. All of our personnel are trained in that system. I don’t have to run audits on multiple systems.”

Councilman Rocha spoke next saying, “I support the sole-source justification and the way it’s written. It is what’s most attractive to me.”

He then made the motion to approve the purchase, and as Torres-Walker took a moment to consider seconding after Freitas asked if she wanted to, Bernal said, “I’ll second it.”

Before the vote, Freitas asked, “When will they be implemented? The first phase, I guess?”

Mellone responded, “I don’t have the exact information, the timeline. I can report back to council on that. I don’t think it’s going to be a lengthy implementation.”

Referring to Torres-Walker’s comments Freitas then suggested an annual report to the council, “giving us the detailed information, positive or negative” and asked “the maker and seconder of the motion to add that…from the date the system is implemented.”

Both Rocha and Bernal agreed to the amendment to their motion.

Bernal then asked, “What is the timeline for moving away from Flock with this new system?”

“I think a lot of it depends on how soon we can get the new system up and running,” Mellone shared. He said he didn’t want to compromise existing investigations and asked if either he or the chief could return to the council with an implementation schedule. He also mentioned the additional cost for the Flock cameras as another motivation to replace them.

“So, would the Flock cameras go first, then? Would that be the strategy?” Bernal asked.

“I will make sure that the people involved…will replace the Flock cameras as a priority,” Mellone responded.

“The existing Flock contract we have another 12 months,” Chief Vigil stated.

“But we could end that,” Torres-Walker asked.

“I’d have to get with the City Attorney on ending that,” Vigil responded.

Freitas then asked that the police department leaders return in the next few weeks with answers to the council members questions.

The amended motion then passed on a 4-0 vote.

Other Council Action

In other action, the Council voted 4-0 to approve the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The City’s water supply consists primarily of surface water diverted from the San Joaquin River and water purchased from Contra Costa Water District (CCWD). Untreated surface water from the San Joaquin River is pumped to the City’s Municipal Reservoir, where it is stored prior to treatment at the City’s Water Treatment Plant. This untreated surface water may also be routed to the Brackish Water Desalination Plant (BWDP).

Plus, except for Items 6.H. and 6.K., the Council also unanimously approved the Consent Calendar which included the following:

Item 6.I. – the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Antioch and the Antioch Police Officers’ Association including a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Fiscal Year 2026-27 at a cost of $661,430 and other matters;

Item 6.G. – the purchase of 30 additional Motorola APX N70 handheld two-way emergency radios for the police department’s communications, including accessories and five years of subscriber and device management services, from Motorola Solutions in an amount not to exceed $300,717.21;

Item 6.J. – received and approved the 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report from the police department. The equipment includes:

1. Armored Rescue Vehicle
2. Mobile Command Center box truck
3. Specialized Firearms and Ammunition:

A. Geissele Border Patrol Rifle. Quantity 26

B. Colt ArmaLite Rifle (AR)-15 rifle. Quantity 41

C. M4 AR-15 rifle. Quantity 6

D. Colt Commando Short Barrel (SB) rifle. Quantity 10

E. Heckler & Koch (H&K) UMP. Quantity 5

F. Remington 700 bolt action rifle. Quantity 5

G. Federal brand .223 caliber rifle ammunition. Quantity 326 cases

H. Speer Gold Dot .223 caliber rifle ammunition. Quantity 50 cases

I. Ruag brand .308 caliber rifle ammunition. Quantity 8 cases / 4000 rounds

J. Cobalt Kinetics Scrambler Quick Detach Suppressor. Quantity 35

4. Kinetc Energy Projectile Launch Platforms and Projectiles

a. Penn Arms Model L140-4. Quantity 20.

b. Remington 870 Less lethal Shotgun. Quantity 2

i. Both have orange stocks and foregrips and are identified as non-lethal munition launchers.

c. Projectiles

i. Combined Tactical Systems (CTS) direct impact sponge round. Quantity 200

ii. CTS Frangible CS round. Quantity 60

iii. CTS Ferrett round. Quantity 100

iv. CTS LC5 Launching Cups. Quantity 4

v. CTS 2600 12-gauge launch cartridge. Quantity 60

According to the report, “The Antioch Police Department used specific military equipment in five incidents (in 2025). An audit…found no complaints regarding deploying or using the listed equipment. Internal audits of the listed equipment regarding deployment and use did not yield any policy violations or deployment concerns.”

The council meeting was adjourned at 10:44 p.m.

See council meeting video.

In English and Spanish; for third term, faces Joy Motts for third time

By Allen D. Payton

Although she completed filing last month, in a post on her official Facebook page on Monday, August 24, 2026, incumbent District 1 Antioch City Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker announced her re-election campaign to a third term. Actually, if elected it will be her second-and-a-half term as she was elected in 2020 for a two-year term following council districting and for a full, four-year term in 2022. Once again, Torres-Walker faces former Councilwoman Joy Motts, for a third time, having first unseating Motts by 212 votes, then defeating her again in 2022 by just four votes following a recount. (Note: This reporter helped raise funds to pay for the recount).

However, in those races, there were three candidates running and splitting the vote. This time it’s a one-on-one contest.

Torres-Walker’s campaign slogans this year are, “Putting Working Families First” and “Leading with Clarity, Steadiness, and Care.”

In her candidate statement, Torres-Walker’s ballot designation is listed as Councilwoman/Nonprofit Executive, working as Executive Director for the Richmond-based Safe Return Project, according to her LinkedIn profile. The councilwoman is a Co-Founder of the organization according to their website, and describes it as “a campaign to secure the freedom and liberation of formerly incarcerated individuals.”

She first posted in English then in Spanish writing, “I’m running for re-election as Antioch City Council member representing District 1 this November.

“My leadership has been focusing on the people and the solution, not just the fight. We need local leaders who will run toward the difficulties facing our communities rather than turn a blind eye. Antioch needs a leader who won’t let inequity go unaddressed while others conduct business as usual.

“I am that leader!

“Check out my Website: https://www.tamishaforantiochd1.com/. Email the Campaign to volunteer: tamishaforantiochd1@gmail.com. Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamishaforAntioch.”

In Spanish she wrote, “Me postulo para la reelección como miembro del Concejo Municipal de Antioch, en representación del Distrito 1, este mes de noviembre.

“Mi liderazgo se ha enfocado en las personas y en encontrar soluciones, no simplemente en la confrontación. Necesitamos líderes locales que den la cara a las dificultades que afectan a nuestras comunidades, en lugar de hacerse de la vista gorda. Antioch necesita un líder que no permita que las desigualdades queden sin atender mientras otros intentan seguir haciendo negocios como de costumbre.

“¡Soy esa líder!”

On her campaign website Torres-Walker offers additional messages of, “Proven leadership. Community-rooted change. A stronger Antioch for everyone” and “Leadership Focused on People and Solutions,” and a list of her accomplishments in office.

Under the title of “Building Antioch’s Next Chapter” she writes, “My vision is an Antioch where every neighborhood is safe, every family can afford a stable home, every young person has opportunities to succeed, and every resident can see themselves represented in their local government.”

Torres-Walker offers seven commitments if elected for another term. She writes, “I will continue working to:

• Expand community-based violence prevention and youth programs
• Protect renters and increase pathways to affordable home ownership.
• Address homelessness through housing, services and long-term solutions.
• Strengthen police accountability and improve community trust.
• Support seniors, veterans, working families and people with disabilities.
• Bring responsible development, good jobs and new economic opportunities to Antioch.
• Make City Hall more transparent, accessible and accountable to the people it serves.

She summarizes her platform as, “Affordable Housing; Safe Neighborhoods; Good Jobs and a Strong Local Economy; Youth Opportunity; Transparent, Accountable Government; and One Antioch.”

Torres-Walker finishes her message with, “We have shown what is possible when residents organize, speak up and demand something better. Now, I am ready to build on that progress and continue moving Antioch forward—with courage, experience and a commitment to leaving no one behind.

“Let’s continue building an Antioch where every family has the opportunity to thrive.”

Her candidate statement shares more of her accomplishments and ends with, “There’s more work ahead, and I’m not backing down. I’m asking for your vote, so I can keep fighting for an Antioch that works for all of us.”

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.