Recipients of the Key to the City by outgoing Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Note: Scott Buenting’s last name is misspelled. Source: Hernandez-Thorpe’s official Facebook page
By Allen D. Payton
As one resident said, “it’s like Antioch’s version of Oprah during her TV show giving out items to her audience members saying, ‘you get a gift, you get a gift, you get a gift’,’ during a ceremony Monday morning, Dec. 9, 2024, departing Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe awarded a Key to the City to “several deserveing [sic] individuals” according to the announcement on his official Facebook page.
The keys mounted on plaques were bestowed upon one former resident, the late Barbara Sobalvarro, the founder of Antioch Friends of Animal Services, who passed away last month, and 10 City department heads.
The recipients also included Director of Finance Dawn Merchant, Director of Information Technology Alan Barton, Economic Development Director and former Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, Director of Parks & Recreation and former Acting Assistant City Manager Brad Helfenberger, Acting Director of Public Works and City Engineer Scott Buenting, Acting Director of Community Development Kevin Scudero, Director of Human Resources Ana Cortes, Director of Public Safety & Community Resources Tasha Johnson, Interim Police Chief Brian Addington, Principal Executive Assistant Susan Vasquez and City Attorney Thomas Smith.
The ceremony held at City Hall also included what Hernandez-Thorpe labeled his “Final Address” as tomorrow night, Tuesday, Dec. 10th, the new mayor, Ron Bernal will be given his oath of office.
Graphic source: Bernal campaign. Photo of Louie Rocha, Ron Bernal and Don Freitas at the 2024 Antioch Sports Legends dinner. Source: Rocha campaign.
See official election results
“I’m just grateful for everybody that has made this a victory that we can all be proud of… thank you very much for this wonderful journey and it’s just beginning” – Mayor-elect Ron Bernal
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Mayor-elect Ron Bernal and Councilmen-elect Louie Rocha and Don Freitas are inviting the public to their oaths of office ceremony on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, inside the Council Chambers at City Hall. In addition, new City Clerk Melissa Rhodes and City Treasurer Jorge Rojas, Jr. will also be sworn in that night.
On November 20th, Bernal posted on his campaign Facebook page both an announcement of his “Swearing-in ceremony” and a brief video in which he said, “Hey, Antioch. Ron Bernal, here. I just want to thank everybody for this amazing campaign that we’ve been on for the past 10 months. The support, the people that have volunteered and helped with this campaign has been really humbling and I’m just grateful for everybody that has made this a victory that we can all be proud of and all take credit for.”
“So, I want to invite you all out on December the 10th, Tuesday night to the swearing in for myself, for the new council members and for our new treasurer and city clerk,” he continued. “Again, thank you very much for this wonderful journey and it’s just beginning.”
Source: CCC Elections
According to the Official Results from the Contra Costa County Elections office, Bernal defeated incumbent Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe by more than a two-to-one margin, 25,791 votes or 61.98 percent of the vote to 12,783 or 30.72 percent. The third candidate in the race, Rakesh Christian garnered 3,041 votes or 7.31 percent of the vote.
District 2 Council
On his campaign Facebook page on Nov. 18, Rocha posted a photo of the three council election victors with a brief invite. He wrote, “Swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Ron Bernal, City Council Members Don Freitas and I will be held at the Antioch City Council meeting on Tuesday December 10, 2024 @ 7 p.m. Please show your support by attending the open public meeting.”
In his race for the District 2 Council seat Rocha defeated his opponent with 5,261 votes or 57.81 percent of the vote to Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Dominique King’s 3,841 votes or 42.2 percent.
Source: CCC Elections
District 3 Council
I his race for the District 3 Council seat Freitas defeated his two opponents with 5,735 votes or 49.19% of the vote to newcomer Addison Peterson’s 3,391 votes or 29.09 percent, and Board of Administrative Appeals Vice Chair Antwon Webster’s 2,532 votes or 21.72 percent of the vote.
Mayor Pro Tem
Although Freitas received the most votes in the two council races, because Rocha received the highest percentage of the vote, he will be elected by his fellow council members as the Mayor Pro Tem for 2025, according to the city’s ordinance after it was changed a few years ago. Freitas will have the position in 2026.
Source: CCC Elections
City Treasure and Clerk
In the City Treasurer race, newcomer Rojas defeated his two long-time, local officeholder opponents with 14,602 or 37.56 percent of the vote to current District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s 12,290 votes or 31.61% and former Mayor and City Treasurer Jim Davis’ 11,986 votes or 30.83% of the vote. Rhodes was the only candidate for Antioch City Treasurer and garnered 33,089 votes.
Council Meeting Details
The Antioch City Council’s regular open session meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be seen via livestream on the City’s website at https://www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/live/ or viewed on either Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.
Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe speaks as announced, new interim police chief Dr. Steve Ford looks on during a press conference on police staffing and incentive programs for hiring more officers on Monday, April 4, 2022. Herald file photo.
Made by estranged wife during divorce proceedings
Leak exposes City to lawsuit
“This is unfortunate. This is a private, personal matter and has nothing to do with Chief Ford’s past performance” – former City Manager Con Johnson who hired Ford.
An email from Ford’s estranged wife, Julia, who is pursuing a divorce, was sent to District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker about the allegations, who in turn informed City Manager Bessie Scott who then began an investigative process. It was confirmed today, Thursday, December 5, that the email referred to in the Times article was sent by Scott only to Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe after he asked her to put in writing details about the matter.
Rumors have circulated recently that Ford was hoping to be hired again as Antioch’s police chief following the election of the new mayor and council members. He endorsed Ron Bernal for mayor and attended an election night party in Antioch where all three candidates and their supporters celebrated.
“Scott’s email is dated Nov. 27, roughly two weeks after Ford’s estranged wife on Nov. 12 emailed city officials accusing Ford of ‘dating someone who worked in Antioch’ last year,” the Times article reads. It also claims that in her email Scott wrote she reported the allegations to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), as required by state law (see below).
In Ford’s retirement announcement on July 19, 2023, just two days after another Times article revealed additional racist text messages among the department’s officers including one referring to him, Ford wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that I forward this email to inform that I will be retiring as of August 11th. My time here has been both a tremendous opportunity and quite challenging. What is most meaningful to me are the relationships I have forged. I’m grateful for the way you embraced me and the changes we made. I firmly believe with your help and determination this organization is poised to move forward in a very meaningful way and evolve where anyone would want to work.”
The Times article is based on the reporter’s claim of an internal email by City Manager Bessie Scott dated Wednesday, Nov. 27, that he obtained, which mentions the administrative investigation for which “an outside investigator” has been hired. It also reports that Ford is currently in the midst of a divorce and that the “proceedings began around the time of his resignation.”
As previously reported, Ford’s wife was a 26-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department at the time of his oath of office ceremony in April 2022 and she joined her husband at the podium to pin him with his new chief’s badge.
Former City Manager Con Johnson Shares Concerns About Investigation
Former Antioch City Manager Cornelius “Con” Johnson, who worked with Ford during their time in the San Francisco Police Department, hired him for the top cop position in Antioch.
When reached for comment Johnson said, “This is unfortunate. This is a private, personal matter and has nothing to do with Chief Ford’s past performance. I understand Tamisha received an email from his estranged wife with accusations against the chief.”
“There’s not even a victim,” the former city manager continued. “I’ve never heard of an investigation into a personal matter. We’re still talking about a ghost. We don’t know who the accuser is or if that’s been verified or confirmed. Normally the person would be named. We’ve seen this in other departments. This, here, is a hit piece, a scare campaign to undermine the chief’s performance with the City of Antioch.”
“The facts that have been printed are this complaint came from his estranged wife about possible accusations,” Johnson stated. “I’d just like to caution people to not jump to conclusions until all the facts are in and give the chief the presumption of innocence. It all stems from a divorce process. This is between him and his wife.”
“The City does not have the authority to investigate a former city employee. I’m perplexed. I’ve never heard of an investigation of a former employee,” he added.
Asked about the possibility that the leaked email exposes the City to a lawsuit by Ford, Johnson said emphatically, “Absolutely. Because what ends up happening is, personnel matters are private and this should never have been leaked to the press in the first place and they don’t have the authority.”
“The city manager answers to all city council members. This is an unorthodox way to release information,” he continued. “If all of the council members have not been briefed about this matter, it’s inappropriate in and of itself. The city manager has the legal requirement and responsibility
“It’s very disturbing that two of the council members didn’t know about this and found out about it through the press. That’s completely inappropriate,” Johnson added.
Efforts to reach the former police chief for comment were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Questions for City Staff, Mayor, Two Council Members Go Unanswered
Questions were sent Tuesday morning to City Manager Bess Scott, City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, Human Resources Director Ana Chavez and the five current council members. They were asked to whom the internal email dated Nov. 27 referenced in the article was sent, and if it was Cortez and Smith. They were also asked who is conducting the administrative investigation into the allegations against Ford.
They were asked if the council members were sent the email or informed of it before the article was published and if so, which council members.
They were also asked if they know who leaked the email to the Times’ reporter, if any of them had done so and if an investigation has been commenced to determine who leaked it.
A copy of the email was also requested to be sent to the Herald.
No responses from the city staff members were received prior to publication time.
Two Council Members Say They Didn’t Receive Email
Asked if they received the email both District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock and District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said they did not nor know about it before the article was published.
“Nor have I seen the email,” Barbanica added.
However, both of them said it was a personnel matter, and they shouldn’t have been apprised of a former employee.
“Since it’s a former employee and an HR issue I shouldn’t have notification. Unless there was legal action,” Ogorchock responded.
Ford is “an ex-employee who doesn’t and never did answer to the council,” Barbanica stated. “We’re not apprised of every internal investigation that occurs.”
Hernandez-Thorpe and Councilwomen Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson were also contacted separately with the same questions. Additionally, Torres-Walker was asked about the email she received from Julia Ford. But the mayor and two other council members did not respond prior to publication time.
Hernandez-Thorpe Questioned Without Response
Hernandez-Thorpe was asked separately why he found it necessary to send the city manager’s email about the matter to the media and if it was to derail Ford’s chance to return as police chief. The mayor was also asked if it was a revenge move of payback against Ford and what had happened between the two of them since the mayor had heaped praise on him during his grandiose oath of office ceremony when Ford was first appointed as Antioch’s interim police chief.
During that ceremony, Hernandez-Thorpe said about Ford, “Today, marks a new day for the Antioch Police Department and for our city, Chief Ford is Mr. Police Reform, and I look forward to his leadership getting us past our small divisions and towards a collective and shared vision for our future as a city. So, congratulations, Chief Ford for joining us in the City of Antioch.” (See related article)
Finally, the current mayor, who was recently soundly defeated for re-election and whose last day in the position is next Tuesday, was asked, “Doesn’t your action now expose you and the City to a lawsuit by Steve potentially costing the City taxpayer dollars to pay for outside legal counsel?” and “Is this how you want to leave your position?”
He did not respond to the additional questions prior to publication time.
Public Records Act Requests
A Public Records Act request was made by the Herald for any and all emails from Nov. 27 through Tuesday, December 3, 2024, by and between Scott, Smith, Cortez and Interim Police Chief Brian Addington, any other City of Antioch staff member and any council member, and any email communication by any city council and/or staff member with anyone at the East Bay Times or San Jose Mercury News regarding the allegations against Ford.
They were also asked on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to include any and all emails from council and City staff members to their own personal email accounts and to anyone else about the matter with Ford.
Finally, the four were asked if the release of the email by someone on the council or city staff to the media or anyone else about a former city employee, especially a sworn police officer exposes the city and that individual to litigation by Ford.
Investigations of Police Misconduct Required by State Law
The “new law establishes a requirement that peace officers in California be ‘certified’ by POST, to serve in that capacity, and provides a new mechanism by which POST may review an officer’s alleged commission of ‘serious misconduct.’ Of major significance is the ability of POST to now make a determination on whether to suspend or revoke the officer’s certification,” he wrote.
“Beginning January 1, 2023, pursuant to section 13510.8(c)(1), law enforcement agencies are responsible for the completion of investigations of “serious misconduct” even if the officer has resigned employment,” Rains’ article continues.
The article further shares, “Penal Code section 13510.9(a)(2) requires an officer’s employing agency to report to the Commission any complaintorallegation made against an officer that could result in suspension or revocation of an officer’s certification…any findingorrecommendation by a civilian oversight entity, including a civilian review board, civilian police commission, police chief or civilian inspector general, that an officer engaged in conduct subject to suspension or revocation” and “the final disposition of an investigation that determines an officer engaged in conduct that could result in suspension or revocation of certification, regardless of the discipline imposed.”
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Ron Bernal is the only mayor-elect from Contra Costa County attending this year’s program.
Mayors will gain tools and training from the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, Bloomberg Philanthropies, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School to set strategic priorities and build an effective city hall organization through the first 100 days in office.
The new class hails from 12 states and represents more than 5 million residents nationwide.
By Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts – (December 4, 2024) – This week, Mayor-elect Ron Bernal of Antioch, CA, is participating in the First 100 Days program at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Kennedy School. This program assists mayors in gaining the tools and training to help them set strategic priorities and build an effective city hall organization through the first 100 days in office. This year’s program is taking place from December 4–December 6, 2024.
In this year’s class, 24 new mayors from 11 states across the country will come together to receive world-class training from Harvard faculty, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors on how to deliver for residents. Thanks to a generous gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies, participation for mayors is fully funded, including tuition, accommodation, most meals, and airfare.
“The Bloomberg Center for Cities Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days equips newly elected U.S. mayors with the tools and techniques they need to lead as they begin their transition from campaigning to governing,” said James Anderson, who serves as the head of Government Innovation Programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “You only get to be the new kid on the block once — and this program helps ensure these mayors have ready access to insights from seasoned mayors, evidence about what works in leadership and public management, and connections to a peer group that is going through the same things. Alongside the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, our team at Bloomberg Philanthropies together with the Institute of Politics and the U.S. Conference of Mayors support these new mayors in building effective, talented teams, forging citywide coalitions, and injecting their city hall organization with a culture of innovation so that in their critical, early days in office, they can set ambitious priorities and deliver.”
Day two of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Mayors program takes place in New York, Monday, July 15, 2024. Source: Bloomberg Philanthropies
Cities increasingly confront complex global challenges at the community level. The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Program for New Mayors is designed to maximize mayors’ potential for innovation and problem-solving, equipping newly-elected leaders with the skills to make the most of their roles and improve residents’ quality of life. Through the program, mayors will receive training from Harvard faculty, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors on how to set strategic citywide priorities, build effective city hall organizations, foster collaboration across departments and sectors, and deliver for residents—establishing a strong foundation for their administrations during their critical early days in office.
Newly-elected Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal participates in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative’s New Mayors Program takes place at Harvard University, Thursday, December 5, 2024. Courtesy of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University
To kick off participation, the newly-elected U.S. mayors—collectively representing 11 states and over 5 million residents—will convene for a two-day immersive classroom experience at Harvard University. In addition to the core coursework and connection with peers, the Program for New Mayors provides opportunities for new mayors to share strategies with other mayors through the Bloomberg Center for Cities’ vast mayoral leadership network and learn about interventions that are already working effectively to better resident lives in other cities.
Program alumni have deployed the program’s learnings to lead their communities through unexpected crises, establish working coalitions with diverse stakeholders, and set ambitious goals to meet complex challenges — from tackling homelessness to improving housing access, critical water infrastructure, or government performance — in order to better serve residents’ needs.
Bernal asks a question of a course leader on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University
The Program for New Mayors is housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, which serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Center is part of Michael R. Bloomberg’s commitment to the University to help bolster the capabilities of mayors and their teams. The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The Center is designed to have a widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world.
The Program for New Mayors builds on the longstanding tradition of a seminar for new mayors that originated at Harvard’s Institute of Politics in 1975.
Members of the Third Class of the Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days
Including hiring search firm for police chief recruitment, giving authority to Planning Commission to approve tentative maps, commission appointments
Also, Climate Action and Resilience Plan, lawsuit by Antioch Police Officers Association
By Allen D. Payton
Just two weeks before a new council majority is seated, with Antioch’s new mayor and two members to be sworn in, defeated Mayor Lamar Hernández-Thorpe has placed a variety of major issues on the agenda for the current council to decide during their “lame duck” meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. A lame duck government meeting occurs whenever an elected board meets after its successors are elected.
Prior to the regular session at 7:00 p.m., the council will hold a Closed Session beginning at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a significant exposure to anticipated litigation and two lawsuits, one by the mother of a man who died following interactions with police and one by the Antioch Police Officers Association.
The one issue that is the responsibility of the current council is their response to the scathing report from the Civil Grand Jury, from earlier this year. But the other major issues the current mayor has placed on the agenda include hiring a search firm for recruiting a permanent police chief, giving authority to the Planning Commission to approve tentative maps, appointments of two members to the Planning Commission, one to the Parks and Recreation Commission and two to the Police Oversight Commission, all of which could be left to the new mayor and council majority to decide.
The council will also consider giving a city-owned parcel on E. 18th Street to Con Fire for a new station, directing city staff to discuss with the county the use of a 4.7-acre city-owned lot on Delta Fair Blvd. for homeless shelter, and adopting a Climate Action and Resilience Plan.
The council will also consider under item #15 potential upgrades to the Antioch Amtrak Station to help keep it from being closed or decommissioned in the next two to three years as is the current approved plan of the San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority which oversees the Amtrak service in and through Antioch. Finally, under item #15, the council will consider allocating $60,000 for a Chinese Commemoration Public Art Project in the area of Rivertown which was the City’s Chinatown in the 1800’s.
Organizational chart of how the general law City of Antioch is supposed to operate as pointed out in the Grand Jury report.
Response to Grand Jury Report
Under agenda item #1, carried over twice from previous meetings, the council will consider, “Approving an addendum to specific Findings and Recommendations identified in the Grand Jury Noncompliance letters dated October 3, 2024 in response to the Findings and Recommendations resulting from the 2023-2024 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report of June 12, 2024 entitled: “Challenges Facing the City of Antioch” Addendum; and 2) Authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit it to the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury.”
Hiring Search Firm for Police Chief Recruitment
Under the Consent Calendar item #6L, the council will consider hiring executive search firm Bob Hall & Associates to recruit a permanent police chief. According to the city staff report, in September, the City issued a Request for Qualifications to attract qualified recruitment firms capable of conducting a nationwide search. The Human Resources Department contacted 29 firms and of those contacted, seven firms submitted applications.
On Oct. 31st, City staff and a representative from the Antioch Police Oversight Commission evaluated and ranked the applications based on the firms’ experience, proposed recruitment strategies, cost effectiveness, commitment to diversity and ability to meet the City’s timeline and goals. Two firms were identified as the closest matches to the criteria and were interviewed, during which they outlined “their strategies and processes for engaging the community and fostering trust between the Police Department and community members.” Bob Hall & Associates was ranked the highest and selected.
The Huntington Beach-based firm’s most recent police chief recruitment effort was in the City of Vallejo. According to the company’s LinkedIn profile, it’s founder and namesake, Bob Hall, passed away “on July 12, 2024, after a 5-month battle with cancer.”
UPDATE: Interim Chief Brian Addington said he was part of the decision-making process in selecting the firm and that it was Commission Chairperson Porsche Taylor as the member who participated, as well. He said he feels very confident in the search firm and that both finalists had the needed experience.
In addition, Rachel Hall, the firm’s Recruitment Manager, shared, “Bob Hall & Associates was founded in 2019 and we will be dedicating a specialized team to the Antioch Police Chief recruitment.”
Allowing Planning Commission Approval of Tentative Maps
According to the city staff report for agenda item #7, “In order to streamline Antioch’s development review process and make it more consistent with neighboring jurisdictions and the goals of the Housing Element, this proposed ordinance (“Ordinance”) amends AMC (Antioch Municipal Code) Title 9, Chapter 4, Articles 1 and 3 to assign the Planning Commission the sole authority to approve Tentative Maps as the Advisory Agency in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act, while designating the City Council to act as the Appeals Board for Tentative Map decisions and to continue approving Final Maps.”
Meeting Information
The regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be seen via livestream on the City’s website or viewed on either Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99. See the complete agenda packet.
See separate article about the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan. An effort to reach Mike Rains, the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association for more details about their lawsuit was also unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
“the APOA is excited to work with the incoming council members”
The Antioch Police Officers Association would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the members of the City Council who are departing their positions. As we transition to a new chapter in our local government, we acknowledge their hard work and efforts.
Looking ahead, the APOA is excited to work with the incoming council members. We are optimistic about the new leadership and their commitment to prioritizing public safety in our city.
Given the findings of the recent Grand Jury report and the serious allegations of sexual harassment, it is clear that Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe’s tenure has been marked by controversial behavior that has negatively impacted our community. The APOA looks forward to a future under Mayor Ron Bernal, who we believe will bring a renewed focus on transparency, accountability and effective governance.
The APOA is dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance public safety, improve community relations, and ensure that our officers have the resources they need to effectively serve the public. We look forward to collaborating with the new council to implement strategies that will contribute to the overall safety and quality of life in Antioch.
We encourage the community to engage with their new representatives and participate in discussions that shape the future of our city. Together, we can build a stronger, safer Antioch for everyone.
The Antioch City Council approved a variety of items during one of two lame-duck sessions on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica was absent due to a family medical emergency. Video screenshot.
Approve double-time for Antioch Police officers as part of Violence Reduction Initiative
New city manager withdraws request for second assistant city manager position
Agree to move forward proposed Sycamore Square police substation
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Antioch City Council agreed to spend $1.3 million on improvements to the police department and Animal Services. It was the second to last regular meeting for both Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, as well as District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica, who was absent due to a family medical emergency. The council also approved double-time pay for Antioch Police Officers who choose to work extra hours to supplement the currently depleted force, voted to accept the $6.8 million state grant to clear out homeless encampments, agreed to pursue leasing the lot on Sycamore Drive to develop something there in the long-term and a community garden in the meantime, as well as directed staff to pursue leasing space at the Sycamore Square shopping center for a possible police substation.
Before public comments and council discussion on the budget-related item, it was announced City Manager Bessie Scott, who was also absent, withdrew her request for a second assistant city manager position, and would be brought back at a later, more appropriate time, according to Economic Development Director Kwame Reed who was sitting in for her during the meeting.
Budget Savings and ARPA Funds Allocation
The $1.3 million were from item #10 on the agenda entitled, “Appropriating Expenditures for Encumbrances and Project Budgets Outstanding to the 2024/25 Fiscal Year Budget and Approving Other Amendments to the 2024/25 Fiscal Year Budget.”
For the use of the remaining one-time federal ARPA funds for COVID relief which have to be allocated or contracted for by Dec. 31st, the council, instead of using it to help local need meeting organizations in the amount of $25,000 each as suggested by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe they instead moved them to the General Fund to pay for government services.
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker wanted instead to “Go through a grant making process then those organizations could apply,” she said. But Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock supported transferring the funds to the General Fund for future use by the next council.
The council than approved that on two motions which passed 4-0.
Approve Double-Time Pay for Antioch Police Personnel in Violence Reduction Initiative
After approving the Violence Reduction Initiative last month, allocating up to $500,000 for overtime pay and costs for the assistance of police and equipment from outside agencies, under item #11 the city council approved “a resolution authorizing the Chief of Police to pay double the standard hourly wage (“double-time”) to Antioch Police Department Sergeants, Corporals, Officers, Community Service Officers, and Dispatch personnel for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence.”
“I do think we need to approve that. But we can’t rely solely on outside officers,” said Interim Police Chief Brian Addington. “Nobody knows this area…better than our Antioch Police Officers.”
“These officers would be over and above the regular patrol officers,” he stated. “We don’t want our officers overworked and working fatigued. I’m not asking for any more money. You already allocated $500,000. I believe that will be sufficient. I believe it would benefit us all as a community we spend these funds up front…rather than after the fact. It is a short-term solution. We need a wholistic approach. We need to work with our faith-based organizations, our community-based organizations.”
Torres-Walker flipped her position from the previous vote on the initiative saying, “I do support this…knowing officers will be well-rested. Because I’ve been told by other chiefs that it would be difficult to provide their officers. I’m going to go ahead and support this.”
Following the motion by Ogorchock and seconded by Torres-Walker, it passed 4-0.
Accept $6.8 Million State Homeless Encampment Cleanout Grant
The council also adopted “a resolution accepting the Department of Housing and Community Development Division of Housing Policy Development (HCD) Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF)” Round 3 award in the amount of $6,812,686. The proposed project will clear out a homeless encampment located near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Devpar Court. As one of the City’s two large encampments, it has been prioritized for resolution due to the vulnerability of its 30-40 residents and the hazardous conditions present at the site.
“I understood the site was not selected,” Ogorchock stated and asked about the Economy Inn.
“When we first wrote the grant we were looking at a couple options and no one said they were interested except Economy Inn,” said Tasha Johnson, Director of the Public Safety and Community Resources Department.
The council approved the motion to accept the grant on a 4-0 vote.
Approve Rescinding City Attorney Oversight of City Clerk’s Office
Under agenda item #13, the council approved outgoing City Clerk Ellie Householder recommendation to rescind a previous resolution, “Approving the City Clerk’s Request for the City Attorney to Provide Managerial Oversight of the City Clerk’s Department in Cooperation with the City Clerk.”
“This resolution will transfer back the responsibility to the city manager,” said City Attorney Thomas L. Smith.
The motion to approve passed on a 4-0 vote.
Lease of Lot on Sycamore Drive
The council also considered, at Torres-Walker’s request, leasing the vacant property across from the Sycamore Square shopping center on the corner of Sycamore Road and L Street, or space in the center.
According to resident and former councilman Ralph Hernandez, the empty lot was formerly the location of a gas station. He questioned whether it was cleaned up and for the council to consider any environmental hazards.
Resident and affordable housing advocate Andrew Becker said, “That lot has an R-20 zoning designation. So that city has plans for housing on that property.”
“That lot definitely does need some funding put into it. Not City of Antioch General Fund. That property is in an Opportunity Zone. It’s in one of the lowest income areas of the city. You submit it to the state…you go to the front of the line,” he stated. “You land-lease this property. You create a viable development plan and you target those funds and I’m happy to help along the way.”
“Before we buy the property, we made sure it was clear,” said the lot owner named Mike. “There was a gas station there in 1974.”
Torres-Walker then said, “I connected Andrew to Mike. In order to do things like that you have to show interest as the City to move forward. Even Mike said, ‘we could lease this lot for a dollar.’ After 30 years this city would finally be willing to invest in their community.”
“There’s nothing to vote on tonight. We either have to put up or shut up and stop complaining,” she added.
“It’s not been closed since 1974,” Ogorchock pointed out.
“I didn’t say it’s been 30 years since it was a gas station. I’m saying it’s been 30 years of neglect,” Torres-Walker responded.
“I think this is something that could be a land-lease,” Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson stated. “I definitely want to hear more about this.”
Hernandez-Thorpe mentioned a “community garden there. The long-term plans are the long-term plans. In the meantime, a community garden is what she’s asking for.”
Lease of Space at Sycamore Square for Police Substation
Regarding a police substation inside a space at the Sycamore Square shopping center Torres-Walker explained, “A police substation is not a mini police station.”
“In fairness to Mike, he already reserved the space two years ago,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “This is not a new idea. The unfortunate circumstances of what happened made it difficult.”
Commissioner Leslie May said, “I think that would be a good idea as long as the Community Engagement Committee of the Police Oversight Committee could be in there working.”
Ralph Hernandez said, “I just don’t see it. The community already has security in the Contra Loma Estates, the cameras there and you still have the violence. It’s an illusion…that’s going to create some kind of security for the community. “How many police buildings are patrolling and keeping our city safe?” he asked. “You’re not going to get more safety by having a substation.”
“I like her idea, of having a community room with non-police,” he continued referring to Ms. May’s idea. “I know what’s going on there. You just don’t know the game, there.”
Another resident, who the mayor referred to as Ms. Smith said, “I was born and raised in Antioch on the old Sycamore, William Reed Drive. I’ve noticed since we have patrol officers sitting over there in Sycamore Square, I feel safe. It’s not an illusion.”
“The bullets started flying. A shell casing was found in a neighbor’s yard. Real estate agents were showing a house then the 50 shots,” she stated. “I’m all for the substation. When the police are there, it’s quiet. Sycamore has always been bad. It’s never been this bad.”
Increased policing is not the intent, here. It’s not going to solve the community’s problems. Increased presence,” Andrew Becker said. “It’s to provide a space to show that community they’re not forgotten. That the City is invested in them 24/7. Be more ambitious. Be more bold.”
He then suggested pursuing federal grant funds for electric vehicle charging stations at the shopping center to attract people to it.
“This is a step in a process of steps that have already been taken,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated.
“This is not giving up on community-based violence solutions,” Torres-Walker said. “Antioch’s never done that before. The approach has been police response, police response, police response. What I would like is for the city manager and the police chief to meet with the owner of Sycamore Square…what can we do in three months, what can we do in six months.” “We’re all agreeing with the direction? Is the direction clear?” Hernandez-Thorpe asked.
Property owner Mike said, “When the police show up it was better. I do everything that I’ve been asked. I’ve been trying to help the community. This is something beyond, out of my hands. If we can work together.”
“The security guards don’t feel safe. These are armed security guards,” Torres-Walker stated. “The HOA feels so safe…they move to…Brentwood. We need to do something.”
Council Communications
During the Council Communications portion of the meeting, Torres-Walker said she wanted to bring back to a future meeting a discussion of, “What is the mayor’s office and how do we get rid of it?” She also asked, “To change the name of the Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program to something more suitable for sustainability.”
“You do realize all that sounded like a dig towards me,” Hernandez-Thorpe said.
“It’s not a dig. I just want to have a discussion about it,” Torres-Walker responded with a laugh.
“The $20,000 for each council members’ districts. We need to have guidelines on them,” Ogorchock then requested.
The council then voted to adjourn the meeting at 11:23 p.m.
Also, postpones Amtrak Station improvements, Grand Jury report noncompliance letter response
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Antioch City Council could not get three votes to approve water rates for the coming year. With District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica absent due to a family medical emergency, the remaining four members split 2-1-1 on the motion to increase rates and continue the current tiered rate structure. The structure means those residential customers who use more water pay a higher per gallon rate, effectively subsidizing the rates for those who use less water each month. Following the vote, during one of his final meetings on the council, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe acted like Pontius Pilate and washed his hands of it saying, “If the new council wants to take this up, they can take it up.”
In addition, the council postponed both the discussion on the Amtrak Station improvements as well as responding to the Grand Jury report noncompliance letter.
During public comments on the item #8 on the agenda, in which the council considered accepting the Water Utility Cash Flow Evaluation and Rates Study from Pavletic Consulting LLC dated August 2024, approving the Water Rate Schedule effective January 1, 2025, and amending the Master Fee Schedule to include the updated water rates, the few residents who spoke opposed the proposed rate increases, as well as the current tiered rate structure. If adopted, every rate across the board would increase each year through 2029.
Proposed Antioch water rates. Source: City of Antioch
“I hope you’ll hear me. I hope you’ll do something. Please, help,” said a woman who is a retiree living in a condo on a pension.
“We have a free water supply. We get to draw off the San Joaquin River. No one charges us for that. But then it goes through your meters,” a man said. “In the past few months I’ve seen an excessive amount. To have anything more…where it keeps going up 35, 50 cents a year. I’m a retired individual…for about 12 or 15 years. So, I don’t see my wages going up. It ain’t cutting it for us. Why should we have to sit there and put ourselves out to the point that we’re going to have to be giving up our vehicles…and other parts of our life because you’re putting us out.”
District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock asked for an explanation of tiers and the pre-1914 water rights. Based on the questions people asked earlier. People think we’re pulling water out of the river. Can you just explain why it happens that way?”
Acting Public Works Director Scott Buenting said, “Antioch has pre-1914 rights to the river…among the best in the state. But there are other things like permits and agencies that restrict how much water you can get at one time. However, there is electricity to pump it out of the river, there are facilities…chemicals and staff. There is plenty of costs to get it treated and to the tap.
“Rates are based on costs for service. We don’t make money off of it. The formula that goes into this proposal is for the cost of service,” Hernandez-Thorpe explained.
“I believe it was in 2015…that the council wanted a tiered rate,” said the consultant. “There’s virtually no city enterprise or special district, you cannot find an entity without tiered rates anymore. Except for Fresno. They’re the largest city with a uniform rate.”
“You’re the lowest by far. The only people in the state, there might be a handful in the Central Valley pumping the groundwater. That’s being taken away from them,” he continued. “The budget dictates the rate study.”
“What would happen if we just went to one tier?” Ogorchock asked.
“Revenue neutral. What happens is the rate goes up for lower-end users, from say, zero to 11 units. Everyone above that, their bills would go down,” the consultant explained. “That’s the general shift you would see. The folks at the low end, especially senior citizens…a uniform rate their bill would go up. The uniform rate is higher than the Tier 1 rate.”
“I didn’t know we had senior rates,” Ogorchock stated.
“I’m not aware there are senior rates. The City isn’t subsidizing rates,” Buenting stated.
Asked by Ogorchock about fluoride in the water and “if it’s dangerous,” Buenting responded, “I can look into that.”
“I don’t like tiered rates but I don’t want the uniform rate, either,” the councilwoman stated. She then made a motion to approve the pr
“If we did a flat rate, unfortunately, it’s going to negatively impact you,” Wilson said. I’m going to definitely second this.”
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker said, “We could keep explaining…but it won’t keep people’s pockets from hurting.”
“The challenge with Antioch is…why they stay so low is because there are a lot of poor working people and seniors.
“I was not for this the last time so, I will not be for this tonight,” the mayor said.
The motion failed on a 2-1-1 vote.
“It does not pass,” City Clerk Ellie Householder stated. “With two yes and one abstention by Councilwoman Torres-Walker, one no by the mayor and Councilman Barbanica absent.”
“If the new council wants to take this up, they can take it up,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “As I said, I was against this from the start.”
