“It’s happening at 11 p.m., 1 a.m., 3 a.m. No one sleeps in downtown anymore.” – Joy Motts, former Councilwoman and Rivertown resident

Says Torres-Walker ignoring complaints although pledged to work with Motts on downtown issues; Torres-Walker claims she has been in contact with chief and Rivertown residents

Barbanica setting up meeting with chief, proposes hiring retired cops to supplement APD

By Allen D. Payton

Rivertown residents are fed up with the donut-spinning cars in downtown Antioch intersections and at the boat launch parking lot at the end of L Street near the police station, almost every night. They want something done about it and are considering taking things into their own hands. (See videos here and here)

Former Councilwoman Joy Motts said their complaints have fallen on deaf ears as Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker in whose District 1 the illegal activities are occurring because “she never responds”. So, Motts reached out to District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica who is working to set up a meeting with residents and APD.

“This goes on every night, sometimes for hours… 11pm, 1am, 3am. No one sleeps in downtown anymore. It’s waking people up. And it happens during the day,” Motts said on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. “When they take off, they run through every stop sign. They are going to kill somebody, maybe one of my family or my neighbors.  We are at our wits end.”

“Then yesterday, three motorcycles raced down W. 2nd Street by the (old lumber company) lot going 80,” she continued. “They’re in our neighborhoods during the day. Almost every intersection is covered with tire marks. It’s just lawlessness.”

“Because we’re a grid they just stream though the intersections running stop signs,” Motts stated. “Two of my daughter’s friends have been hit in their cars by people running stop signs. They got broadsided.”
“They come down here nightly and it’s just terrorizing the whole downtown neighborhood,” she shared. “They spin around in the boat launch parking lot, and we can hear them blocks away. We’ve called the police and they say we’ll let the others on patrol know about it.”

Motts Suggests Closing Access to Marina Area Parking Lots at Night

“I think they need to shut down the Marina and Smith’s Landing and boat launch parking lots at night. Ultimately, it’s a quality-of-life issue.

Asked if she’d contacted Torres-Walker who represents the area, Motts said, “she never responds to emails from any of us down here.”

“People are talking about hiring an attorney. People are talking about taking matters into their own hands which is a no-win situation and bad things could happen,” the former councilwoman shared. “They do this because they know they can with the reduced police force and there’s little to no enforcement.”

She believes the reduced police staffing level is a major contributor to the problem with currently 99 sworn officers on the force. That’s due to 16 vacancies of the 115 sworn approved in the budget. Plus, there are still 35 officers on paid leave due to the two investigations, including the one by the FBI and DA that began last year, and this year’s with the racist text scandal.

Motts said she contacted Barbanica who has suggested hiring retired police officers and a private security company.

“I’ve requested a meeting with the chief. Barbanica is working to get a meeting together to find solutions,” she added. “We need help.”

“My family has been here for over 100 years. and this is the first time we’re asking, ‘can we stay here?’” Motts exclaimed. “We’re afraid. When we slow down at a stop sign, we’re scared someone is going to fly through. We also hear gunfire a lot.”

“We pay taxes. We love our community. We love our downtown. We do events through Celebrate Antioch. We’re trying to improve things. But downtown, right now, is chaos,” she added.

Barbanica Proposes Hiring Retired Cops

At the end of the city council meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 (see 4:32:45 mark of video), Barbanica proposed hiring retired cops to supplement Antioch’s police force.

Regarding “hiring of police personnel. We obviously have a shortage of police personnel, right now. In my opinion there are options,” he said. “It’s going to take years to get back up to staffing levels. He asked to have “a discussion…about hiring retired police officers that left in good standing. They can come in as non-sworn personnel. It’s much cheaper. There are no benefits involved. Essentially, they’re part-time employees. They can pick up the slack in investigations…in cold calls that come in, to free up the officers that are working the street for hot details.”

The department added two officers to the force in the past six months. Filling the vacancies at that rate will take four years. Plus, depending on how many officers are terminated following conclusion of the investigations, it will be more years to get to the 115 sworn officer positions.

When reached for comment Barbanica confirmed he’s been in contact with Police Chief Steve Ford to set up a meeting with Rivertown residents to discuss and find solutions to the challenges they’re facing.

Torres-Walker Pledged to Work With Motts on Downtown Issues

After last fall’s election Torres-Walker who committed to Motts to work with her to help the Rivertown area. As previously reported, following the first-hand recount of the ballots, Torres-Walker said to Motts, “I don’t think I can do this without you. You love Antioch and I want to partner with you. I don’t know what people downtown want. You do. I want you to tell me, advise me and I want to work with you.”

The City’s mayor pro tem was asked by voicemail and email Friday evening and Saturday morning if what Motts said was true, that Torres-Walker hasn’t responded to emails from Motts and other Rivertown residents about the issues affecting them. She was also asked if she had contacted any of the residents to meet with them and the police department to address their concerns.

In response Torres-Walker wrote Saturday morning, “I have been in communication with the chief and a handful of residents who live in and near the housing development on 4th Street near the police department regarding these kind of issues and gun violence.”

Including two amendments by Thorpe, one by Ogorchock but she vote no

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting Tuesday, July 25, 2023, the Antioch City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting retaliation and harassment against residential tenants on a 3-1 vote. District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica who is a real estate broker and owns a property management company said, “upon advice of the city attorney I’m going to recuse myself from this item.” District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock was the lone vote against the ordinance.

The ordinance is in response to requests by multiple residents at previous council meetings beginning last year.

Mayor Lamar Thorpe temporarily handed the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker to run the meeting. While he limited public comments to 90 seconds on other items, he said he couldn’t do that for this item as it was a public hearing which allows for five minutes per public speaker.

According to the City staff report regarding the associated costs, “adoption of the ordinance will have direct and indirect fiscal impacts if the City engages in enforcement of the ordinance, either through the code enforcement process or through litigation. The proposed Ordinance may be enforced by an aggrieved tenant, an organization or other entity that represents the interests of aggrieved tenants, or the City.

At a minimum, an assistant city attorney or deputy city attorney position plus administrative support would be necessary for the City Attorney’s Office to provide support services to the public for this ordinance.”

According to an attorney who spoke as the proponent, the ordinance includes three things.

“It needs a reasonable standard for the violation. This ordinance includes things that are unique to Antioch including towing cars. Finally, it has a third element, remedies that can be used when the landlord violates the ordinance. They include attorney’s fees so tenants don’t have to pay out of pocket.”

“Here, there are aspects to the landlord. Any violation has to be done in bad faith,” he continued. “Bad faith conduct is the base line.”

“If it’s frivolous the landlord can collect attorney’s fees from the tenant,” the attorney added.

“You’re going to hear it’s unnecessary, it’s duplicative and doesn’t do anything,” he stated.

“There’s a talking point that tenants just need to be educated and I find that offensive,” the attorney continued. “The tenants know their rights. These tenants know the law and they know their living conditions. Thank you for putting on a great ordinance, tonight.”

The opponent was a representative of the California Apartment Association, that represents property owners in Antioch and Contra Costa County.

“It does fail to recognize some existing anti-harassment that are codified in state law,” she said. “We are redefining harassment and creating landmines.”

Speaking of one portion of the ordinance she stated, “there is a presumption of guilt. This provision blurs the burden of proof. It’s contradictory.”

One section she claimed was a backdoor to rent control as it allows for the claim any rent increase could be considered harassment.

“We ask you to reject this…and move forward with an inclusionary process,” she concluded.

Public Comments

During public comments several landlords spoke against the proposed ordinance in its current form and asked for changes before the council adopted it.

The first speaker was Joe Stokely, Sr., a rental property owner in Antioch. “I stand here before you confused and irritated. What is being proposed will produce a complete opposite affect than what the council is trying to accomplish. Why would anyone want to invest and want to continue owning rental property in the city facing a hostile environment.“You presume…all landlords are bad.”

“Please don’t make me have to go through the process at my age of selling my properties and invest elsewhere,” he concluded.

Another speaker, Ranae Callaway, branch manager of a mortgage company and representing the Delta Association of Realtors. She pointed out the “severe fines against landlords” included in the ordinance. “The ordinance does not provide a clear definition of bad faith or who will define it.”

Another speaker named James, said “My family has lived here for 100 years. For over 60 years we have provided below-market rate rentals in District 1. During those 60 years we’ve had four evictions.”

He asked for a progressive ordinance that respects both landlords and tenants. Let’s take the opportunity to collaborate…to develop an ordinance that works for everyone.”

Aeysha Corio, a Realtor, landlord and a City of Concord Planning Commissioner, spoke next saying, “I went over this ordinance. I do believe there needs to be protections for tenants. But it is incredibly unbalanced.”

“You got to find another way to deal with people who are violating people’s rights,” she continued and said, “I feel like this polarization of tenant vs. landlord needs to go. We should be working together.”

Antioch landlord and Realtor, Scott MacIntyre spoke next saying, “We already have laws in California. I myself am a very ethical housing provider. I follow the law and expect the city to follow the law, too. There are 14,000 homes in Antioch that are rentals. Don’t lump us in with a few very bad landlords.”

“It’s very ambiguous…very broad interpretation. I agree with it. Just want to see it tightened up,” he added.

Millie Phillips, a faith organizer that does tenants’ rights work in Contra Costa County, thanked the council “for an ordinance we can support.”

“They’re not saying every landlord is the same. They’ve talked about very specific landlords,” she stated. “All over the state there are laws that protect tenants that are working and are not affecting people who are not harassing. So, I don’t see the issue. Don’t do that kind of behavior and this ordinance will never apply to you. This is directed at the bad actors.”

Joe Stokley, Jr., of Stokley Properties with over 100 rentals in Antioch said if the council passes the ordinance, he would sell his properties and invest elsewhere.

Almost all of the remaining speakers were tenants in favor of the ordinance, including several members of Rising Juntos (formerly known as East County Regional Group) and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action.

“You should take this up with corporate landlords who are making you look bad,” said another speaker to the landlords in attendance.

Speakers also asked for the council to adopt a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in September.

Council Discussion and Decision

During council discussion of the item Ogorchock spoke first saying, “My heart goes out to some of you who have to live in these conditions. But with this ordinance I do have some questions.”

She spoke of the difference between corporate ownership of rental property versus single-family homes.

“Bad faith needs to be defined because it’s in here, a lot,” she stated.

Ogorchock also spoke of part of the ordinance applying to single family homes and people who rent out rooms.

“Under presumption of guilt there’s no due process,” she continued.

“I don’t see in here anything about senior home care facilities,” Ogorchock stated.

“There is a lot of good, in here. But these are some of the things I’m pointing out,” she said.

“I also wrote in here, Measure O. Did we list any of these people paying under Measure O, did we advise them of these meetings?” Ogorchock asked.

She said the burden of proof shouldn’t all be on the owners and the fines in the ordinance were excessive.

“The complaints are mainly about the corporate owners,” Ogorchock explained. “Maybe we should be looking at changing some of the language in here, so it applies to corporate owners.”

She asked “for an ordinance that we can all live with.”

Torres-Walker said, “this is a hard decision to deal with. We have been dealing with this for three years. Mayor Thorpe attempted to have a meeting with landlords, non-profits. For some reason we couldn’t come to agreement at that point.”

“Not all landlords are slumlords,” she continued. “I’m one mortgage payment away from losing my house.”

“I feel like landlords abandoning their business in Antioch over public policy is trying to censor renters,” Torres-Walker continued. “I would hope those that do would work with first-time homebuyers.”

She then made a motion to approve the ordinance waiving the second reading with District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson seconding the motion.

Before the vote Thorpe asked questions about the sections of the ordinance

“I’m going to rent my guest room to a friend for six months. Does this mean I have to rent the room to someone else?” he asked.

“It’s providing a right to a renter to sublet to another,” City Attorney Thomas L. Smith said.

“What this is saying if I rent my home to a family, they can go sublet, even if I say they can’t do that?” Thorpe asked.

“A right to one-to-one replacement of a tenant. If you are a renter in a place and you have a roommate in a place, you would have the right to replace that roommate…with another person,” Smith responded.

“My concern is if I’m renting my house and I’m renting it to a family, and I say I just want this family…they have that right to rent out a guest room without my permission?” the mayor asked.

“It’s not that simple. You have a contract,” Smith explained. “It’s your contract that governs. But I will say with this provision your concern is who has that right. It is a fair concern to have.”

“I don’t think that’s right and the first thing I’m going to say is this is going to be a friendly amendment to change that provision,” Thorpe stated.

“Some of the landlords are concerned about subletting would automatically find the landlord out of compliance,” he then said.

“The housing services part was a concern if the definition allowed for unlimited subletting. If your amendment goes through it would be a moot point,” the representative for the California Apartments Association responded.

“The issue that was trying to be prevented, here is the landlord rents out to four people and two move out and the landlord requires the remaining tenants to pay the entire rent,” said the other attorney. “Generally, it’s one lease per rental unit. In a house you’ll have several tenants on one lease. This is not making landlord rent their guest rooms. This means one leaving one coming in.”

“The one-to-one thing, I’m still going to stick with my amendment,” Thorpe said.

“Oh, refuse to accept or acknowledge tenant’s payment. There were some valid points made here, today. We’re not supposed to accept rent during the eviction process,” he stated.

“You could add some language clarifying when landlords are going through the eviction process,” Smith responded.

“That will be my second amendment,” the mayor shared.

Ogorchock then asked Thorpe to add senior home care into the exemptions, to which he agreed.

“They would qualify under…hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, so it would make sense,” he stated.

Torres-Walker asked, “why” and “they’re renters?”

“Yes,” Ogorchock responded and explained how homes have five or six tenants, plus caregivers and live-in nurses.

Smith suggested a substitute motion with the mayor’s amendments which Torres-Walker did, seconded by Wilson and it passed 3-1 with Ogorchock voting no.

Torres-Walker then thanked Barbanica for recusing himself from the process, “which was absolutely the right thing to do.”

The audience erupted in cheers as they left the Council Chambers.

Will cost $2.3 million over five years, but keeping it in-house will cost $1.9 million; will free up 2,200 hours of staff time for other work including street repairs and maintenance

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, the Antioch City Council voted 4-0-1 to contract out the cleanup of homeless encampments on City-owned property and rights-of-way. Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker, without comment, voted to abstain. While it will cost the City budget approximately $400,000 more over five years, it will save staff time allowing them to do other priority work in the city. The outside contractor will be hired at a later date.

According to the staff report on the item, “The Public Works Department currently handles all the homeless cleanup abatement throughout the City of Antioch on City owned property and rights-of-way. Cleanup work is accomplished by work crews from the Streets Maintenance division and NPDES division. All abatement cleanups on City owned property and streets are handled by a streets crew. An NPDES work crew handles all cleanups within the City’s creeks and retention basins.

In calendar year 2022, City staff spent 2,197 labor hours performing homeless encampment cleanups. The time and resources dedicated to these cleanups prevents both Streets and NPDES work crews from completing their regularly scheduled and State mandated maintenance work. For example, the Streets Crew must defer signs and striping work as well as pothole and in house road repairs. NPDES crews must sometimes defer County mandated fire break maintenance work within the City’s creeks and State regulated storm drain and creek maintenance.

Additionally high priority sewer repairs get put on hold which could increase the City’s liability if sewers overflow in addition to potential fines from the State.”

Multiple city workers spoke in favor of the contract due to them being robbed while cleaning up, having to sort through needles, being spit on and afraid for themselves and their families to shop at the Target in Antioch and go to the store in Pittsburg, instead.

“Our experience is in sewer…in storm. We shouldn’t have to calm down the person who we’re taking their home away,” one employee said.

“We have to have PD on every site we go to. PD can’t always stay. The guys are literally getting yelled at, cursed at,” said Jeff Cook. “This contract would allow the actual professionals do the job they’re trained to do. One of the officers passed out from fentanyl exposure.”

“We can agree this is not the right department to handle the solution,” resident and homeless advocate Andrew Becker said. “These men and women shouldn’t be put in this position. But I’m wondering why other departments that deal with homeless are not here for this presentation.”

According to Acting Public Works Director Scott Buenting, the estimated cost to keep the work in-house within the department over the next five years is $1,913,443. The estimated first-year cost is $455,000 with annual increases, for a total five-year cost of $2,316,360.

Council Discussion & Approval

District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock asked about the contract. “My concerns are almost 2,200 labor hours taken away from what they were hired to do,” she said. “I would like to move forward on the outside contract as soon as possible.

She then moved approval, seconded by District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica and it passed on 4-0-1 with Torres-Walker voting to abstain.

“We were in negotiations on this last year. Just for clarification this is something we agreed to,” Mayor Lamar Thorpe said.

Will cost $1.4 million for Sycamore Dr., James Donlon Blvd. and West 10th St.; no roundabouts or other infrastructure included

By Allen D. Payton

During their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, the Antioch City Council will discuss approving traffic calming devices to several major roads in the city. At an estimated cost of $1,410,000, if approved, devices will be added to Sycamore Drive, James Donlon Blvd. and West 10th Street between A and L Streets. The matter is in response to requests from the public. But they will not include roundabouts as previously proposed, as there’s not enough room in the intersections and would require the purchase of private property.

The Sycamore Drive improvements requires an increase to the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Operating Budget of $425,0000 from the Gas Tax Fund.

Also, according to the City staff report, “the proposed improvements do not include any permanent infrastructure, such as concrete median islands, to provide the opportunity for all to try the improvements, first and allow flexibility for future modifications, if needed. Additionally, the proposed improvements are lower cost with shorter turnaround times, affording the City the chance to implement the improvements quicker in the near-term future.”

In addition, the report reads, “The intersections were studied to determine whether all-way stop signs or signalization were warranted and no intersection met all the warrants.”

The Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street begins at 7:00 p.m. The meetings can be viewed livestream on the City’s website, on Comcast Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99. See the agenda item details, here and the complete meeting agenda, here.

Barbanica wants public process in open session, says public lost confidence in last hire; Ogorchock says that’s the way it’s been done; mayor won’t say why it’s in closed session

By Allen D. Payton

The Antioch City Council is scheduled to discuss the recruitment of a new city manager in closed session during their meeting on Tuesday night, July 25, 2023. The item on the agenda released on Friday, July 21, is number 3 and reads, “PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT – RECRUITMENT OF CITY MANAGER. This closed session is authorized pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b). It follows Closed Session item 2 which is the Performance Evaluation of the City Attorney.”

During the Regular Meeting, the council will discuss under item 4, a new ordinance Prohibiting Retaliation and Harassment of Residential Tenants, under item 5, changing the speed limit on

certain streets and under item 7, calming improvements for Sycamore Drive, James Donlon Blvd. and West 10th Street. (See following article) Under item 8, the council will discuss hiring an outside contractor for homeless encampment cleanup.

Questions were emailed shortly before 3:00 p.m. that day to City Attorney Thomas L. Smith and Mayor Lamar Thorpe asking why the matter is being discussed during closed session instead of in open session, assuming it’s about hiring a search firm. They were also asked if that’s the direction the council will be going, will the selection process be done publicly with a request for quote or request for proposal sent out to hire a firm to do the search.

Smith’s auto-response email showed he was out of the office that day and wouldn’t return until today, Monday, and for immediate assistance to contact his secretary, Rakia Grant-Smith. Questions were then emailed to her. No response had been received as of 4:00 p.m. Monday. So, the questions were sent again to them and the other four council members.

Ogorchock Says That’s How It’s Been Done While She’s Been on Council

In response, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock wrote, “The agenda is always a surprise to me as it is for everyone else. I am not made aware of any items prior to receiving the agenda packet on Friday. As for the city manager, we, as council, need to start the conversation about next steps. Since I’ve been on council items for the city manager and city attorney have begun in closed session.”

Barbanica Wants Public Process in Open Session

“That’s what I asked to have happen,” said District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica referring to a video he posted on his official Facebook page and an email he sent to Acting City Manager Kwame Reed and City Attorney Smith last week. “I asked for an item on the next meeting agenda to authorize the council to start a search for the city manager.”

“I don’t see, generally, why it’s in closed session, unless there’s something I’m not aware of,” he stated. “It should be something we can take care of during regular session.”

“I confirmed the mayor set the agenda. The reason why that’s on there is so the council can talk privately,” Barbanica continued. “It doesn’t have to be in closed session. But it’s allowed. I told the city attorney I disagree with doing this in closed session. I want this done in open session because the public lost confidence in the last way the selection was made. That was done on a 3-2 vote. I did not vote for that, last time.”

“This appears to be non-transparent,” he stated. “I would like to see the public know what’s going on with who is saying what, how this is going down and what the discussion is.”

Other Agenda Items Requested by Barbanica

In addition to the city manager matter, in his email sent on Monday, July 17, Barbanica shared that he asked for two other items on Tuesday’s council meeting agenda. Those included a public presentation to the council by the police department on staffing levels, including patrol and every division, even the “sub-divisions” such as traffic being part of patrol. Finally, the councilman asked for the police department to present to the public how they are communicating information to the public through their PIO and to the press. Barbanica said he would like to understand the policy and where it came from.

No other responses were received. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

The Closed Session begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street with opportunity for public comments before and the Regular Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. The meetings can be viewed livestream on the City’s website, on Comcast Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99. See the meeting agenda, here.

First development in Sand Creek Area project west of Deer Valley Road; will include trails, new fire station, small commercial area

Torres-Walker votes against, she and Wilson want low-income/“inclusionary” housing included in the area long planned for upscale homes

By Allen D. Payton

During Tuesday night’s regular meeting the Antioch City Council voted 4-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker voting against, to approve two Vesting Tentative Maps for the 440 homes in The Ranch project’s Phase I in the Sand Creek Focus Area. It’s the first development west of Deer Valley Road in the City’s long-planned and embattled upscale housing area.  In addition, the council approved an amendment to the Master Development Plan reserving more space for conservation. (See Item 3 of meeting agenda for staff report and presentation and meeting video beginning at the 3-hour, 12-minute mark)

According to the City staff report, the Small Lot Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map would divide the Phase I area into 440 residential lots, a mixed-use component, a fire station, 6.6 acres of parkland, stormwater detention areas and an internal roadway network. That includes an extension to Sand Creek Road next to the Kaiser Medical Center across Deer Valley Road that will eventually connect to Dallas Ranch Road. The Master Development Plan Amendment modifies the proposed trail systems in order to reserve more space for conservation. The trails will more closely border the development and will include different amenities such as picnic tables and signage.

The 440 homes will be built on including 230 medium density lots with a minimum size of 4,000 square feet and an average of 4,845 s.f. and 210 low density lots with a minimum size of 5,000 s.f. and an average size of 8,140 s.f. Lots that abut the northern boundary next to existing homes will be a minimum of 8,000 s.f.

For the overall project homes will be built on 253.50 acres of the 551.50-acre site and will include a 5-acre Village Center consisting of commercial, office, and retail space, 3 acres of public services facilities, including a new fire station site and a trail staging area, approximately 22.5 acres of public parks and landscaped areas, 229.5 acres of open space including trails and 38 acres of roadway improvements.

History of Sand Creek Area and The Ranch

Planning for housing in that part of the city first began in the 1980’s. Then following the first of four votes in favor of placing the Urban Limit Line on the south side of the city limits, the planning in the 1990’s included a total of over 8,900 homes plus the previously proposed 640 homes at the former Roddy Ranch project. Now, at build out, the Sand Creek Focus Area will include just 4,000 homes. The regional and city infrastructure planned and built included 12,000 homes in the southernmost part of Antioch.

An initiative that had gathered enough signatures to be placed on the ballot which included a development agreement for the 1,177 homes of The Ranch project was approved by the Antioch City Council in 2018. But it was tossed out by a judge the following year. (See related articles here and here)

Following the presentation of the project by Contract Planner Cindy Gnoss of Raney Planning & Management  and Kyle Masters, Land Entitlement Director for the developer, Richland Communities, Allan Moore, an attorney representing neighboring development The Zeka Ranch argued in favor of a connection road through The Ranch property to his client’s property.

“The General Plan shows the road to Zeka Ranch goes through,” he stated. “The Subdivision Map Act requires it.” But Moore pointed out the plan for The Ranch before the council did not include it.

Council Discussion & Approval

Following public comments that included opposition and support for the project, during the council members’ discussion of the project, District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock asked staff about the connector road to The Zeka Ranch.

Gnoss responded that the connector road can be dealt with during The Ranch’s Phase 3 approval process.

Torres-Walker said she wanted low-income housing included in the Sand Creek area and was disappointed it wasn’t. District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson, in whose district the project will be built, said she wanted inclusionary housing. “I think when you’re not thoughtful this is what you get,” she stated.

But Mayor Lamar Thorpe reminded the public and his fellow council members that “Kaiser hospital is not fully built out. It’s to be built as a regional…I’m not saying this is right or wrong but part of build out is development.” He also pointed out that “Sand Creek Road is a regional road. It’s supposed to serve Brentwood residents, Oakley residents so they can get to Kaiser hospital. We don’t build roads in Antioch. Development builds roads.”

Regarding traffic circulation in response to a complaint by a resident as a reason she opposed the project and a comment by this reporter that plans for the infrastructure in East County and within the city included 12,000 homes in the Sand Creek area, Thorpe said, “Lone Tree Way, how it was thought out, how it’s operating…is literally how it was intended. Out of the blue we didn’t add an extra lane in there. As growth has happened triggers happened. It was all intentional. Luckily, it’s not 8,000 homes that we’re talking about. It’s much, much scaled back.”

In response to Torres-Walker’s concerns that the new homes won’t be affordable, the mayor said, “When you look at the demographics in the 94531 ZIP Code there’s a lot of people there who have advanced degrees. So, it’s living up to the area it was intended to be including…African Americans in that ZIP Code. It’s the largest concentration of Black people in the Bay Area with advanced degrees.”

The council then approved the new homes on 4-1 votes with Torres-Walker voting no.

Following the meeting Masters of Richland Communities shared that construction at the site should begin in about a year. The Ranch includes two more phases which will be brought to the council for adoption in the future.

Background – City Required to Approve New Homes

As previously reported, the City of Antioch, and all cities and counties in the Bay Area, must approve more homes between 2023 and 2031 based on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation. Antioch’s share is 3,016 new housing units for various income levels. On 4-1 votes in January 2023, the city council adopted the resolutions and ordinances related to the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update with Barbanica voting against all. The update allocates 792 Very Low-Income Units, 456 Low-Income Units, 493 Moderate-Income Units and 1,275 Above Moderate-Income Units that the council must approve. But more than those amounts are proposed or in the planning process.

Income levels are based on the following: Very Low is <50% of Area Median Income; Low is 50-80% of Area Median Income; Moderate is 80-120% of Area Median Income; and Above Moderate is >120% of Area Median Income. Area Median Income according to Fannie Mae is currently $158,200 per year.

By Allen D. Payton

On Friday afternoon, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe issued a statement of support for new Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, the City’s Economic Development Director, who was appointed to the temporary position that morning. In addition, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce also issued a statement of support for Reed. He was appointed on a 4-0 vote of the city council during a special, closed session meeting. (See related article)

In the post on his official Facebook page Thorpe wrote, “Earlier today, the City Council appointed Kwame Reed as the city’s acting city manager until further notice.

Mr. Reed has been with the city of Antioch for close to 5 years in the role of Economic Development Director. He has a public sector career that spans more than 28 years. For most of his career, he has worked for cities in Eastern Contra Costa County. He has a degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo.

I want to personally thank outgoing acting city manager, Forrest Ebbs for stepping up to hold the ship steady while the city navigated some unexpected changes.

Congratulations on Mr. Ebbs’ recent appointment as Deputy City Manager for the City of Modesto.

I want to assure Antioch residents, our city employees, and partners that the City’s leadership remains focused and UNITED on our top priority of increasing our overall quality of life and ensuring public safety. Antioch’s government continues to be open for business and working for the people.

I have personally been briefed by all of our department heads and they continue to assure me that they are committed to this mission and that they will continue moving forward with clarity, and a focus on delivering key services.”

On the Chamber’s Facebook page was posted the “Antioch Chamber of Commerce Official Statement regarding appointment of Kwame Reed as city’s acting city manager:

Earlier today, the City Council appointed Kwame Reed as the city’s acting city manager.

‘On behalf of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Organization, I’d like to congratulate the City of Antioch on the outstanding appointment of Kwame Reed as the Cities Acting- City Manager. There is no doubt in my mind that Kwame’s tireless work on behalf of Antioch’s Enterprise & Commerce Community is unmatched and that he is ready to take on this important Leadership role during such a critical transition period for the City of Antioch,’ said Daniel Sohn, President/ CEO for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

Last year, the Antioch Chamber presented Mr. Reed with an award for his results-oriented work on behalf of Antioch businesses in his capacity as Antioch’s Director of Economic Development.” (See related article)

Reed began is additional duties on Friday afternoon, as Ebbs returned to his position as the City’s Community Development Director and was heading out for a two week vacation before ending his time with Antioch on July 14.

Will discuss 18 other agenda items during special meeting next Tuesday

“There are some big shoes to fill.” – Reed said of the departing Forrest Ebbs

By Allen D. Payton

During Friday morning’s special Antioch City Council closed session meeting on a 4-0 vote Economic Development Director Kwame Reed was appointed acting city manager to replace Community Development Director Forrest Ebbs. He has held the position since March but announced last week he’s taking a new position as a Deputy City Manager with Modesto.

During the open session portion of the meeting, Assistant City Attorney Rachel Hundley reported out of closed session about the vote for Reed’s appointment. He fills the position held by City Manager Con Johnson who was placed on paid administrative leave March 17. Following the council’s closed session during their June 13th meeting, City Attorney Thomas L. Smith merely reported out regarding the item entitled entitled “Public Employee Performance Evaluation and Potential Action – City Manager”, that they had given him direction. That is expected to be an offer to Johnson to resign or face termination.

At Friday morning’s meeting during open session, Mayor Lamar Thorpe then requested a motion to adjourn the 18 items to a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. next Tuesday, June 27 before the regular meeting that begins at 7:00 p.m. The motion passed 3-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock absent. Torres-Walker attended the closed session but as previously reported could not attend the open session due to previous commitments and Ogorchock is out of town at a League of Cities conference.

Reed has been in his current position with the City of Antioch since July 2, 2018 after working for both the City of Brentwood for almost 14 years as an Economic Development Senior Analyst and two years as an Associate Planner for the City of Oakley. Prior to that position, he worked for two years as a planner for the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission which operates the ACE Train. Reed has a bachelor’s degree in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

He has been married for 26 years and is the father of two boys and a daughter.

When reached for comment Reed said, “I’m very excited for the opportunity. I’ve been around for a while. I’ve seen how things work. It’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be tough. There are some issues that will be handled. I look forward to working with the entire council and getting community support, again, and the entire staff. I have good relationships with everyone and look forward to strengthening those and supporting them, as well.”

“Forrest has done a great job. I’m really going to miss him,” he shared about outgoing. “There are some big shoes to fill. We all wish him well. But when he announced he’s moving on, it was ‘wow’. We’re going to lose a good bit of knowledge when he departs.”

Immediately prior to the open session, District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica and Thorpe had a brief conversation in the back room behind the dais, with Hundley, which people in attendance at the meeting saw.

Asked about it Barbanica said, “Lamar was going to discuss an item about rent control but what I was telling him was there were only three of us there and that I had a conflict of interest, as I couldn’t vote on it, before as it could have a direct effect on my business.” The councilman is a real estate broker and property manager in Antioch.

“Any item that has come up regarding tenants, rent, etc. I’ve brought up with the city attorney about any potential conflict of interest,” he explained. “Because this meeting was going to be postponed, I didn’t have time to consult the city attorney and I couldn’t do that 30 seconds before the meeting. I told them I was going to recuse myself and Rachel agreed, and we’ll vet this out further before Tuesday night.”

The special Friday morning meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.  

In addition to an acting city manager, as reported by Thorpe at last week’s council meeting, the City currently has 87 vacancies, including the assistant city manager, 17 unfilled positions in the police department plus 35 officers on paid administrative leave pending the two investigations, an acting public works director, and soon an acting community development director on July 15 following Ebbs’ departure.