Will receive findings of Community Outreach, Land Use Introduction
Top Quality of Life issue: Jobs
By Allen D. Payton
The second meeting of the General Plan Advisory Committee will be held on Tuesday, September 1st at 6:00 PM. It’s part of the process to update the City’s General Plan, the long-term policy document that guides the community’s growth and development, addressing physical, economic, social and environmental changes for years to come. (See related articles here and here)
There are two items on the agenda.
Under item 5.1, Beth Thompson and Elise Laws of the De Novo Planning Group, the City’s consultants for the General Plan Update, will present the Community Outreach Findings which includes the Visioning Outreach Summary from the Community Visioning Workshops, Online Visioning Survey and Pop-up Events.
Source: City of Antioch
According to the staff report, the update process is currently in Phase One, Visioning. Across all Phase One activities, the City received 100 online survey responses, hosted two community workshops attended by approximately 80 participants, and held ten pop-up events.
In the findings, under Quality of Life Issues in response to the question, “What would you like to see more of in Antioch?” the top responses in order are Jobs, Public gathering places and community spaces and Restaurants.
Source: City of Antioch
Under item 5.2, the committee members will be provided with a Land Use Introduction by Thompson and Laws. As part of the General Plan Update process, the City will revise the General Plan Land Use Map.
The meeting will be held in the Antioch City Council Chambers at City Hall located at 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown.
The agenda and meeting materials can be found here.
Source: City of Antioch
The updated General Plan is expected to be adopted by the city council in August 2027. To stay up to date on the General Plan Update process you can visit the project website at: https://antioch.generalplan.org/
Approves expansion of contract with DOJ monitoring consultant for police department
By Allen D. Payton
During their Special Meeting on Monday, August 31, 2026, the Antioch City Council, with District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha absent, voted to reestablish the Economic Development Department and hire its director, and expand the contract with the monitoring consultant for the police department required by the settlement agreement with U.S. Department of Justice. But they took no action during Closed Session.
The economic development department and director, with the option to combine it with the assistant city manager position will return to the Council during their regular meeting on Sept. 22nd.
Before they discussed those items, following their 5:30 p.m. Closed Session, City Attorney Lori Asuncion said there was nothing to report out on either item, regarding the lawsuit by the natural gas pipeline company nor the potential whistleblower lawsuit from either a current or former City employee.
Approve Expansion of Contract for DOJ Required Consultant Monitoring Antioch Police Department
After discussing then postponing the matter during their Aug. 25th meeting, under Item 1 on the Special Meeting agenda, the Council voted 4-0 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 signed March 27, 2026, authorized an additional annual compensation amount of $150,000 for monitoring services and the associated Fiscal Year 2026/27 General Fund budget amendment.
It increases the contract to a total of $400,000 per year. (See related article for more details)
City of Antioch organization chart would again look like this from 2024 with the reestablished Economic Development Department and if the Assistant City Manager position is filled and combined with the director’s position.
Agree to Reestablish Economic Development Department, Hire Director
Under Item 2 on the Special Meeting agenda the Council discussed reestablishing the City’s Economic Development Department and hiring a Director again and all four agreed.
Public Comments
During Public Comments on the agenda item, former Councilwoman and current candidate Joy Motts spoke first urging the council to support both forming the department, again and hiring a director.
Another council candidate, Sandra White said she “fully supported” both and wanted the Council to form an independent panel consisting of residents to conduct the recruitment process.
“It should be a priority with its own leadership and its own strategy,” another resident said. She also said the department “should work hand in hand with
Ron Mohammed said he agreed “with all the other shareholders, here, moving forward with economic development. The accountability and responsibility has to separate the two.”
“There are too many churches. That’s not an anchor tenant,” he continued. “That can’t be our economic engine and marijuana is oversaturated and overpopulated.
“We need an anchor tenant and churches can’t do it. That’s nothing against the faith-based. They don’t pay taxes,” Mohammed added.
A third council candidate, Andrew Becker, also spoke on the item, via Zoom, saying, “I think that we’ve all been talking about this for a long time. I think the bigger question is are we putting the cart before the horse. We have no direction where our city manager is going to be. There’s no plan for that. Will that city manager support the department and staff?”
“Why are you not looking at the tools that every other city has…for long-term economic development?” he also asked.
“Your previous economic development director brought you a plan that just sits there. You paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it just sits there. What is the leadership plan?” Becker asked as he concluded.
Carla Baker Marymee was the final resident to speak on the matter saying, “The person you’re going to hire to lead this, you’re going to be paying that person a lot of money.” She mentioned paying them by establishing goals “and seeing some actual results.”
“It isn’t just a marketing job. It’s a sales job,” Marymee continued. “Because you have to think about Antioch’s reputation right now. You’re going to need someone with a lot of influence to…sell the City.”
Council Discussion
Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas spoke first said, “Obviously for the past 20 months, the City Council said ED is the most important priority. Part of our ED is sustaining the businesses we already have.
“Some of us have talked about establishing a priority. I think it’s something to look at, to have an assistant city manager whose primary responsibility is economic development.
“I think we need a salary that will attract the right individual. Either he or she is someone who can really move us forward.”
Freitas then spoke of also re-establishing the Economic Development Commission.
“I think that having Economic Development be part of the City Manager’s staff…playing both roles, giving them the power to interact with all City departments…and beyond that with the Antioch School District and local colleges, Los Medanos being one of them…creating internships. I do think this is critical.”
He then asked about “our executive salary range. Is it high enough to attract the right individual?”
Freitas said, “this should be the number one priority of our community. Going back to the 1960’s we’ve probably spent hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars.”
“Look at the previous Economic Development Strategy…working with the community, identify the top three priorities…to immediately focus on,” Freitas suggested.
“It’s been dead for more than six to eight years in the City of Antioch. I think this needs to be a priority,” he added.
District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then said, “Our Economic Development Department in the past has had no budget or a minimal budget. If we want to do this and for them to be successful, we need to give them a budget. I definitely agree with Mayor Pro Tem Freitas.”
“I’m in agreement with reestablishing…
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker spoke next saying, “This is something this Council has been hearing not just for 18 months but for 18 years.” She spoke of the vacancy in the position of the department director from 2008 to 2018 and the last director, Kwame Reed. “There were two people and no budget,” she reiterated.
“We have not had an Economic development director since Kwame Reed left, what for 18 months?” Torres-Walker continued. She then mentioned the combining with the Community Development Department by City Manager Bessie Scott, “which “Freitas greatly protested as you can imagine.”
“Why? Because the salary wasn’t competitive enough,” she stated.
“I agree with the separation. If we really want to get serious, there are other issues in this city besides a salary range,” Torres-Walker continued. “Small businesses have held up the City of Antioch, especially in District 1.” She then mentioned the need to “recapture our sales tax leakage. It’s not that people aren’t spending money. They’re just not spending it in Antioch.”
Mayor Ron Bernal said, “Our last City Council budget meeting was rather sobering. Our sales tax revenue is down…trending in the wrong direction.”
“Expecting one person to do both those functions is not really going to happen,” he continued. He then also mentioned, “The salary for this position needs to be increased to…something similar to the current Community and Economic Development Director of $14,800 to $18,000.”
“One person cannot be responsible for the future of the economy of Antioch,” Bernal stated. “It’s going to have to be somebody who’s a hunter…out there with people. To put us in the best position possible as a city.”
He suggested creating just two positions for the new department to stay within this year’s adopted budget and “to budget for marketing and everything needed for the department…and start the recruitment as soon as possible to have it ready by the first of the new year.”
Freitas then reiterated his proposal of a combined position with the Assistant City Manager position (which is currently vacant), “with 80% focused on economic development” and “putting this in the City Manager’s office.”
He also supported an increase in the salary then reiterated forming “the Economic Development Commission after a director is hired.”
“We need to be realistic and provide a budget for this office and give them the discretion to spend money,” Freitas stated. “Waiting here in City Hall for people to walk in is not going to cut it.”
“I’m tired of talking. It’s time for action,” the Mayor Pro Tem stated and suggested bringing it back to a regular council meeting in September.
“Could this come back with both?” Torres-Walker asked.
“I could be prepared to bring back a staff report with both options,” Acting City Manager Ana Cortez responded.
That will be brought back to the next meeting on Sept. 22nd, along with the salary, and hiring a search firm.
“Job descriptions for the two positions the mayor described will also be coming back?” Wilson asked.
“We might want to update the job description, as well, to advertise for the recruitment,” Cortez responded.
In response to the possibility of a church purchasing the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown, the theater’s board of directors and staff are holding a Community Conversation entitled “Save Our State” Tuesday night, Sept. 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
This year, the 98-year-old theater building was for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million and a local church was raising $300,000 for a 20% deposit. It’s currently not listed on either Realtor.com or LoopNet.
The theater building, which also houses two retail tenants on W. 2nd Street, was purchased by the non-profit organization, El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation, in 2003, with a grant of $500,000 from Calpine energy, which then-Mayor and now-Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas secured. It was improved with $750,000 in City redevelopment funds and an additional $1 million raised under the leadership of then-foundation chairman Rick Carraher. But after running into financial difficulties following COVID, the building was sold a few years ago to an out-of-state buyer.
A post on the theaters’ Facebook page over the weekend reads: “El Campanil Theatre belongs in the heart of this community and we know many of you have questions about what comes next.
“We invite our patrons, supporters, artists, renters, business owners, and neighbors to join us for a short community gathering at the theatre.
“Come: • Hear an update and ask questions
• Share your El Campanil memories and stories
• Learn how you can support the theatre moving forward
• Connect with others who believe in keeping the arts alive in Antioch
“This is a time to come together, get informed, and talk about what the future of this historic stage could look like.
The Antioch Police Sycamore Substation is becoming more than a physical space — it’s becoming a place for connection, support, and community resources.
This past Saturday, CareGiver OneCall launched The Sandwich Circle, a free monthly support group for family caregivers and the first of several community partnerships being hosted at the Substation.
Flor Amaya and Claudie Niell at The Sandwich Circle inside the Antioch Police Sycamore Substation. Photos: City of Antioch
The program marks an important step in the City’s vision to activate the Sycamore Substation as a community hub, connecting residents in the Sycamore corridor with trusted organizations, services, and resources close to home.
We’re excited to see this space continue to grow and serve our community!
The Substation is located in Sycamore Square at 1084 Sycamore Drive near the corner of L Street in Antioch.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County recently proclaimed August 2026 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Contra Costa County.
The Board proclamation stated, “Contra Costa County is committed to building a culture of all-hazard emergency management throughout the County, to include all County Departments, Cities, Towns, and Special Districts charged with establishing and maintaining the capabilities necessary to effectively prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters…”
“The County’s Office of Emergency Services, under the operations of the Office of the Sheriff and in collaboration with multiple County Departments, nineteen incorporated cities, special districts, First Responder Agencies, and community partners, works year-round to enhance our ability to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from disasters, ensuring the community is positioned to return to normalcy after disaster…”
Here are some links for preparing for disasters and emergencies:
Contra Costa County is recognizing the professionals who plan, coordinate, mitigate, respond and help communities recover from disasters year-round. Learn more at https://ready.gov
City officials and residents join Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal in cutting the ribbon to officially re-open Jacobsen Park on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, following renovations and improvements. Photos by Allen D. Payton
Almost $700,000 spent on renovations
By Allen D. Payton
City of Antioch officials held a Grand Re-Opening of the renovated Jacobsen Park in the northeast part of town Friday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2026. Mayor Ron Bernal, Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, City Clerk Michael Mandy, Parks and Recreation Commissioners including Chari Dorothy Ellis, , Recreation Director Shahad Wright, Public Works Director Scott Buenting and other City staff were joined by children and residents from the nearby neighborhoods to cut the ribbon.
Children enjoy the play structure and swing, and large lawn at Jacobsen Park during the Grand Re-Opening.
As Bernal welcomed those in attendance and thanked City staff for their work on it, and Wright who thanked “the Public Works team” for their “support and dedication” and gave “a shout out to Buenting,” children enjoyed climbing on the play structure. Following the ceremony, adults and youth played basketball in the nearby half-court. Wright also acknowledged former Parks & Recreation Director Brad Helfenberger, who is now the City’s Information Systems Director, for initially leading the effort for the renovations.
Antioch Public Works Director Scott Buenting, Parks & Recreation Director Shahad Wright and Congressman Josh Harder’s District Representative and former Parks & Rec Commissioner Domonique King speak during the Jacobsen Park Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting.
Former Parks and Recreation Commissioner Domonique King, spoke on behalf of Congressman Josh Harder as his District Representative. “It is an honor to be here and celebrate the ribbon cutting of Jacobsen Park. If you know the Congressman, if he could be here, he definitely would be here, especially as he has two young girls who would have loved to enjoy this park, today. Congratulations and hope this park continues to be the center of the community that surrounds it.” Harder doesn’t currently represent portions of Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives but is running for re-election in the newly drawn district.
According to the City, “A vintage neighborhood park received a much-welcomed makeover. Jacobsen Park’s many renovations and additions were revealed on Friday afternoon to an appreciative group of families from the Garrow Estates neighborhood.
“At one point in the 1960s this park, one of the oldest in Antioch, had a decommissioned front portion of a jet as its centerpiece attraction. Long-time residents still lovingly refer to this area as ‘Jet Park’.” Wright said children played on the jet.
A City staff member shoots hoops with residents at the basketball half-court in Jacobsen Park. Yes, he scored the two points.
“Jacobsen Park is now sure to offer new warm memories as was evident by the many children enjoying the newly installed play area.”
Approved by the City Council on August 27, 2024, the work by Frontline General Engineering Construction, Inc. of San Lorenzo was budgeted at a total of $695,830.55 and involved a full renovation of the existing park, including:
Clearing, grubbing and grading
Landscaping and irrigation facilities
Removal and installation of concrete flatwork
Basketball court rehabilitation
Hardscaping
Installation of underground utilities
Site furnishings and shade structures
Traffic control measures
Water pollution control
The play area has a rubberized flooring that offers a significant cushion when stepped on, and one shade structure includes a barbeque pit.
Front Row: City of Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Dorothy Ellis (center) and Commissioners (l-r) Vice Chair Alexander Broom, Ellen Greggs, Nichole Gardner and Lesley Eubanks are joined by Mayor Ron Bernal, Mayor Pro Tem & District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, (back row) Commissioner Jim Thor,Parks & Rec Director Shahad Wright, Public Works Director Scott Buenting, Information Systems Director and former Parks & Rec Director Brad Helfenberger and City Clerk Michael Mandy in front of the new play structure at Jacobsen Park. (Not pictured: Commissioner Shan Hunt)
“This has been a project that’s been under works for a little while,” Buenting shared. “It’s a good example of when our departments come together working through our operations and the Parks and Rec Department to get it designed and then get it built. On our side within the Capital Improvements department Nicky Cruz was out here, daily, with these crews making sure the work was done properly as our inspector, as well as our team of engineers, Mitchell Loving, (Assistant Engineer) Robert Pizarro and Paul Fuentes all had some involvement in this project.”
“I think it turned out great,” Buenting continued. “I’m super excited about the attendance that we had today. Thank you all for coming.”
Original flier posted on Facebook Aug. 20th. Source: Genesis Church
Day after mayor announces it, invites community to attend
“We are calling ALL clergy of all nationalities, not just Clergy of African Descent to stand up and speak out against racism and anti-blackness in our community.” – Genesis Church Pastor Damon & Shantell Owens
By Allen D. Payton
After Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal announced Thursday an open forum discussion following “recent events involving racist and hateful statements by one of our residents toward his neighbors” (see related article) to be held this Sunday evening, and inviting the community to attend, the organizer, Genesis Church, abruptly cancelled it Friday morning. Pastor Damon Owens and his wife, Shantell, who lead the church, wrote in a post on his personal Facebook page, of a flier for the event entitled, “United We Stand” with the word “Cancelled” across the front and the message that begins, “This event has been cancelled until further notice…”
The event was to be held at the church’s Genesis Family Life Center on E. 18th Street, that opened in February.
The original flier was posted on the church’s Facebook page on Thursday, Aug. 20th and described the event as “An Open Forum Discussion Addressing Human Rights, Racial Equality, Solidarity.” Toward the bottom of the flier it reads, “United in Purpose. Stronger Together.”
The post included the message, “We stand united in complete opposition to racial slurs, racism, racial discrimination, and anti-Blackness in Antioch, California…and we refuse to remain silent when our neighbors are being harmed and dehumanized.
“Racial slurs are not harmless words. Words have consequences. They can wound individuals, traumatize families, divide communities, and create environments where discrimination becomes easier to accept.
“Racism is not a difference of opinion. Anti-Blackness is not something we should tolerate, excuse, minimize, or normalize.
“When racial hatred is expressed….whether publicly, privately, online, in the workplace, in schools, in government, in law enforcement, or in our neighborhoods…we must have the courage as a community to confront it.
“There is no place in our community for language, violence, behavior, policies, or practices that demean, dehumanize, intimidate, or discriminate against Black people or any other racial or ethnic community.
“Antioch must not merely be a diverse city, but a city where every person can live, work, play, learn, raise a family, and participate in community life with dignity and without fear of racial hatred.
“Amazed By His Grace,
Pastor(s) Damon & Shantell Owens”
Original flier posted on Facebook Aug. 19, 2026. Source: Genesis Church
Antioch Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, in whose District 1 the residents live, also posted the original flier on her official Facebook page Thursday afternoon with the message, “The Community is hosting this event in Response to a call to action to protect black women and stand in solidarity against hate.
“Our responsibility as representatives of the City of Antioch is to show up, actively listen, and drive people-centered policy and initiatives that address human rights and racial equity for those harmed by past and recent events.
“I would like to thank everyone who has shown up thus far and will keep showing up.”
Cancellation Messages
Owens’ Aug. 21st cancellation message continued, “This event was meant to stand in solidarity with a young Black Mother who was being verbally abused with racial slurs and anti-black violence in the City of Antioch….not a political debate.
“Racism should NEVER be tolerated and accepted as normal.
“We are calling ALL clergy of all nationalities, not just Clergy of African Descent to stand up and speak out against racism and anti-blackness in our community.
The Lord called us according to Micah 6:8, ‘to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God’.
“We also must do our best to build BRIDGES, not walls.
“Amazed By His Grace,
Pastor(S) Damon & Shantell Owens”
Torres-Walker also posted the same “Cancelled” version of the flier Friday morning with the message from the Owens.
Efforts to reach Damon Owens asking why the meeting was canceled, if it was because the mayor announced it and who was building the walls referred to in the last sentence of Friday morning’s message, were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
Asked if it was a mutual decision to cancel the event and about the reference to building a wall, Bernal responded, “This was Genesis’ event, so they didn’t consult me before canceling. My desire was to invite the community to something that could bring a discussion and hopefully some healing. Not sure what he meant about building a wall.”
UPDATE 1: Friday afternoon, Bernal issued a follow-up statement about the cancellation. He reiterated some of his previous comments and wrote:
August 21, 2026
“Yesterday, I shared a message with our community that included an invitation to an open forum scheduled for Sunday, August 23, at Genesis Family Life Center. I had been invited to attend and participate in that independently organized event and was looking forward to joining the conversation.
“I have since learned that the organizers have decided to cancel the forum. I respect their decision and appreciate their willingness to create an opportunity for dialogue in our community.
“While this particular event will not move forward, the need for meaningful conversation remains.
“My position has not changed: racism, discrimination, intimidation, and violence have no place in Antioch. At the same time, building a stronger community requires more than condemning what divides us. It requires listening to one another, treating one another with dignity, and being willing to engage in difficult conversations constructively.
“I remain hopeful that there will be opportunities in the near future for our community to come together for thoughtful and productive dialogue and the role each of us can play in strengthening Antioch.
“We will not always agree on policies, priorities, or the direction of our city. Healthy disagreement is part of democracy. But our disagreements should never prevent us from recognizing the humanity and dignity of our neighbors.
“There is much work to do. I remain committed to being part of that work and to helping create opportunities for our community to move forward together.”
Ron Bernal
Mayor
UPDATE 2: Later, in a comment posted on the Antioch Herald Facebook page, Shantell Owens explained the reason for the cancellation. She wrote, “We were hosting [the] event to give community members a safe space to share & strategize on ways to support one another and heal. It quickly turned into a negative political platform. Racism is real, pain is real and the focus should be on healing those most harmed. We will reschedule and gather soon.”
Sources: Bernal 2024 campaign and bayarea_tv Instagram video screenshot.
“Let us reject racism, reject hatred, reject retaliation” – Ron Bernal
August 20, 2026
Recent events involving racist and hateful statements by one of our residents toward his neighbors have brought attention to conduct that is deeply troubling and inconsistent with the values we should expect from one another in Antioch. (See related article)
There is no place in our community for racism, hatred, or language intended to demean someone because of who they are. When a member of our community is subjected to racist and hateful remarks, we should be unequivocal in saying that such behavior is unacceptable.
We must also recognize that responding to wrongdoing with violence does not move us toward justice, understanding, or healing. Acts intended to intimidate, threaten, or harm others only deepen division and create new wounds.
Antioch is one of the most diverse communities in the Bay Area. We come from different cultures, faiths, backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. Those differences are not something we should merely tolerate but rather embrace. They are part of what makes our city unique and desirable.
Moments like this test who we are as a community. They ask us to decide whether anger will drive us further apart or whether we will choose the more difficult and meaningful work of standing against hate while refusing to perpetuate it ourselves.
As Mayor, I am calling on our community to choose the latter.
We can condemn racism without hesitation. We can hold one another accountable without resorting to violence. We can disagree without dehumanizing one another. And when something happens that causes pain or division in our community, we can respond in a way that reflects the Antioch we are working together to build. I invite you to Genesis Family Life Center (525 E. 18th Street) this Sunday, August 23rd at 5:30 pm for an open forum discussion addressing human rights, racial equality and solidarity.
Our city is stronger when every resident knows they belong here and can live with dignity and respect. That requires more than words from anyone elected official. It requires all of us.
Let this moment remind us that our differences do not have to divide us. Let us reject racism, reject hatred, reject retaliation, and continue the work of building an Antioch where respect, accountability, and our shared humanity are stronger than the forces that seek to pull us apart.
