Michael Mandy will serve until special election in November 2026

By Allen D. Payton

During a special meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Antioch City Council interviewed five candidates for City Clerk and appointed, on a 4-1 vote, Michael Mandy, an AT&T Premises Technician, who will serve until a special election next November. Voters will then decide who to elect for the remainder of the four-year term. The vacancy was created by the sudden departure on July 30th of Melissa Rhodes who was elected last November.

Before appointing Mandy, District 3 Councilman Don Freitas thanked all those who applied and said, “We really, truly appreciate you stepping forward and this isn’t the last time we see you. We have boards and commissions that need you.”

Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha then said, “Because this is a one-year appointment…there will be an election. This is a temporary appointment.” He then said, “Based on experience and what I wrote down. I make a motion to recommend Lori Ogorchock to the position and fill the term. Mayor Ron Bernal seconded the motion which died on a 2-0-3 vote, with Councilmembers Monica Wilson, Tamisha Torres-Walker and Freitas voting to abstain.

Then, Freitas made a motion to appoint Mandy which passed 4-1 with Rocha voting against.

Mandy Immediately Sworn In, Thanks Council, Goes to Work

Mandy was then joined by his wife Aurora as Bernal administered the oath of office. The new City Clerk then thanked the council and said, “I hope to make you proud for your selection. I appreciate it very much. Thank you very much.”

“This is very emotional. Thank you,” he added with laughter from him and the audience.

Following a brief council meeting recess, Mandy took his seat at the dais and a sign with his name was placed in front of him.

Mandy’s Background from his Application

In his application for the appointment Mandy provided information about his background. He wrote, “My name is Michael Mandy, and I am writing this letter to be considered for the position of City Clerk of the city of Antioch, California. (See application)

“n May, 1994 my wife and I moved into our house, which is near the southern end of Hillcrest Avenue. So I have been a resident of Antioch for over 30 years. We raised our two children here, and they both attended Diablo Vista, Dallas Ranch, and Deer Valley High schools.

I am very proud of the City of Antioch. I have spent many hours hiking at Black Diamond Mines and the adjacent Reservoir. My family loved the Rivertown Jamboree (RIP), 4th of July fireworks over the Delta, and recently attended the Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire this last May.

My family has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 3 generations. My father was an Independent Insurance Agent, and his office was in San Carlos. After school I would sit for hours in his office, doing office-type jobs, such as answering the phones, taking messages, organizing paperwork, typing and using the Copy machine. I learned professionalism, courtesy, and posess [sic] a high work ethic.

In 1995 we moved the family Insurance office from San Carlos to my home in Antioch. I was in business here until I sold the agency in 2013 to pursue other opportunities. Since then, I have been a Premises Technician for AT&T. My job duties have been going into peoples’ homes and installing High-speed Internet and climbing telephone poles to upgrade the telephone lines to Fiber.

I was also an active member in our Union, CWA District 9, Local 9417. Since 2013 I have been our garage’s Union Representative, and in 2019 was elected to serve on our Local’s Executive Board. My duties included attending all meetings, coordinating and assisting in our Local Elections, and approving budgets and company records.

I am Detail-oriented, as I love desk work. I excel at inputting data on computers, paperwork, and following up to make sure everything gets done and gets filed correctly. I am also very adept at dealing with the public, as my previous jobs involved face-to-face interactions.

I am very proud of my city and I would be thrilled to work with the City Administrators and help to contribute to the success of my city of Antioch. I believe that I would be very successful as a City Clerk.”

About the City Clerk’s Office

The City Clerk is the official keeper of the municipal records and is sometimes referred to as the historian of the community. City Clerk responsibilities include:

• Acting as the official custodian of records for the City and is responsible for all City Council agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and legal publications
• Coordinating Fair Political Practices Commission filings including the Statement of Economic Interests and Campaign Disclosures
• Acting as the service agent for the City regarding claims, subpoenas, and summons
• Overseeing the City’s records management, legislative history, bids, contracts, archives, election activities, and board/commission/committee programs

Communications directed to the City, its legislative bodies, and their members (i.e., City Council, Planning Commission) or City staff are public records and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act and Brown Act unless exempt from disclosure under the applicable law.

The City Clerk’s Office is located on the Third Floor of City Hall at 200 H Street, Antioch, Monday–Friday, between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. For more information email cityclerk@antiochca.gov or call (925) 779-7009.

By City of Antioch Economic Development Department

The City of Antioch received funding from the National League of Cities (NLC) to pilot a grant program aimed at advancing local jobs through collaboration between Antioch businesses and nonprofits. The City invites teams of three or more Antioch-based small businesses and/or nonprofits to propose creative projects that will help residents, especially those with low incomes, find and grow in meaningful employment.

This is a pilot grant program. A total of $20,000 will be split between 2–4 selected teams ($5,000-$10,000 per team). All grant funds must be spent by June 1, 2026.

Applications are open until 10/10/25.

Read the program guidelines and application: https://www.antiochca.gov/rfps/

Register for the info session: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/register/rBnlNIImR5KcSbf3eBskSQ

Will interview former councilwoman, former county supervisor’s chief of staff, AT&T technician, parking enforcement officer and barber

By Allen D. Payton

During a special meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night, Sept. 23, 2025, the Antioch City Council will interview five applicants and appoint one to fill the vacant City Clerk position for a little more than one year. An election will be held in November 2026 to fill the remaining two of the four-year term.

As previously reported, on July 30, 2025, City Clerk Melissa Rhodes, elected last November, submitted her written resignation effective immediately. At its meeting of August 12, 2025, the City Council directed that the vacancy be filled by appointment rather than by special election. State law requires that the appointment be made within 60 days of the vacancy, or no later than September 30, 2025. Then during it’s Aug. 26th meeting, the Council adopted the appointment process with applications due Thursday, September 11.

According to the City staff report for the agenda item #SM-1, a total of 14 Antioch voters picked up the application packet; two withdrew. As of the close of the application period, the City received five applications…submitted by (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Michael J. Mandy, an AT&T Premises Technician and 31-year Antioch resident;

• Vincent Manuel, the former Chief of Staff, Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, who worked for four months as an Administrative Analyst in the Antioch City Clerk’s Office and is a 35-year Antioch resident. He also has served on the Antioch Planning Commission, as Chair of the Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission and on the Antioch Board of Administrative Appeals.

• Eric Bao Xuan Nguyen, a Parking Enforcement Officer and six-year Antioch resident;

• Lori Ogorchock, former three-term Antioch Councilwoman, a retired, self-employed real estate agent, and 54-year Antioch resident; and

• Jerome Terrell, a barber and 12-year Antioch resident.

See complete applications.

Staff is recommending that the City Council take the following action to fill the City Clerk vacancy:

1. Receive applicant presentations (up to five minutes). Each applicant will be called up (in alphabetical order) and given the opportunity to speak.

2. Once each applicant has spoken, the applicant will be escorted to the HR interview room.

3. Applicants will be called back into the chamber in alphabetical order to take

questions from the Council.

4. Each councilmember will ask one question, as indicated below.

5. After the conclusion of Council questions, public comment will be opened.

6. Upon conclusion of public comment, the Council will deliberate and will select a candidate upon motion approved by a simple majority.

7. The City Council will adopt the resolution appointing [name of appointee] as City Clerk through November 2026.

Proposed Interview Questions

Staff is suggesting is that, during the interviews, each Councilmember and the Mayor ask one question of each candidate. The following are five questions the City Council may consider asking:

• How does the applicant view the role of City Clerk?

• What knowledge does the applicant have of computer systems and electronic platforms that might be used in the City Clerk position?

• What is the specific role of the City Clerk under the Brown Act, California Government Code, and California Elections Code?

• How would the applicant balance outside interests, including other civic, community, and political interests, with their work as City Clerk?

• What assurance can the applicant provide that they will timely carry out their duties for the remainder of the term?

Following this question-and-answer period, the City Council should then open the matter for public comment. Upon the conclusion of public comment, the matter shall be before the City Council for its consideration and a vote.

The special meeting will be preceded by a Closed Session meeting at 4:00 p.m. and followed by the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. The meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. They can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and the City’s YouTube Channel, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

By Allen D. Payton

On Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at 7:30 AM the Antioch City Council will hold a special, closed session meeting on the recruitment of a permanent City Attorney. The new hire will replace current Interim City Attorney Derek Cole who has been serving in the position since Thomas L. Smith resigned the position in January, following a two-and-a-half hour Closed Session meeting by the council.

The meeting will begin in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown and public comments will be heard before the Council adjourns to closed session. The Council will later return, and Cole will publicly state any reportable action.

The public sessions of the meeting can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website and on the City’s YouTube Channel.

See meeting agenda.

NCQA annual report card gives the HMO 4.5 out of 5 stars

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the national evaluator of health insurance plans, has once again recognized Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) as one of the highest rated health plans in the nation and among the best in California for patient experience and quality of care. 

Among health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering Medi-Cal, CCHP was one of the top three plans in California to be awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars, the highest level awarded this year, on NCQA’s annual report card. 

CCHP was also one of just 14 Medicaid plans in the United States to receive 4.5 out of 5 stars, achieving exceptionally high marks among patients for treatment and preventative care including children and women’s care and cancer screening. 

“Being recognized among the nation’s top health plans is a huge accomplishment for our staff, providers and partners,” said Supervisor Candace Andersen, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This rating shows that our community trusts and values the care that we provide and encourages us to keep pushing towards our goal to deliver high-quality care and improve the health of our community.”

For over 50 years, Contra Costa Health has provided high-quality, affordable coverage through CCHP. CCHP was the nation’s first federally qualified, state-licensed, county-sponsored HMO. 

“I’m so proud of the work this team has done to enable us to get this excellent rating and to serve the people of Contra Costa County,” Contra Costa Health CEO Dr Grant Colfax said. “We will continue to address community health priorities,and we look forward to what we can accomplish together in this next year.” 

CCHP’s high marks and recognition by NCQA are a direct result of the exemplary care and patient support provided by Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers, community clinics in CCHP’s community provider network, and CCH’s Public Health and Behavioral Health divisions. Altogether, CCHP touches about 271,000 members, including 265,000 Medi-Cal enrollees. 

Visit Contra Costa Health Plan to learn more about CCHP, including how to enroll if you need healthcare, or call 1-800-211-8040 weekdays. 

About NCQA: NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter/X @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa. 

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch is now accepting applications for the City Clerk position! The part-time position pays $1,900 per month plus benefits. The City Council will make their decision on the appointment at their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 23. The appointed City Clerk will serve through the beginning of December 2026 and if desire to continue serving must run for election that November for the remaining two years of the current term. (Please see related articles here and here)

The City Clerk is the official keeper of the municipal records and is sometimes referred to as the historian of the community. City Clerk responsibilities include:

• Acting as the official custodian of records for the City and is responsible for all City Council agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and legal publications
• Coordinating Fair Political Practices Commission filings including the Statement of Economic Interests and Campaign Disclosures
• Acting as the service agent for the City regarding claims, subpoenas, and summons
• Overseeing the City’s records management, legislative history, bids, contracts, archives, election activities, and board/commission/committee programs

Communications directed to the City, its legislative bodies, and their members (i.e., City Council, Planning Commission) or City staff are public records and are subject to disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act and Brown Act unless exempt from disclosure under the applicable law.

Stop by the Third Floor of City Hall with a valid government-issued ID to pick up your application in person at 200 H Street, Antioch, Monday–Friday, between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Appointments are strongly encouraged by emailing cityclerk@antiochca.gov or calling (925) 779-7009.

The filing deadline is Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 4:30 PM.

For more information about the City Clerk’s Office visit City Clerk – City of Antioch, California.

Efforts to reach City staff asking for details on the benefits of the position were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates.

Zach Seal brings over 25 years’ experience in city planning, economic development in East Bay

By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

ANTIOCH, CA — Following City Manager Bessie Scott reorganizing and combining the City of Antioch’s Community Development and Economic Development Departments, it was announced today, Friday, September 5, 2025, the appointment of Zach Seal as its new Director. He will officially begin his role on October 6, 2025.

Seal brings over 25 years of experience in city planning and economic development throughout the East Bay. His impressive track record includes leadership roles in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Oakland, Alameda, and with the Association of Bay Area Governments, where he has consistently delivered high-impact results for local communities.

In his most recent position as Economic Development Manager for the City of Pleasant Hill, Seal played a pivotal role in revitalizing a key area of downtown by attracting Osaka Marketplace, a unique grocery store and restaurant market hall, to a long-vacant building. He also authored much of the City’s $500,000 Merchant Support Initiative, which included launching an award-winning Technical Assistance Grant Program for small businesses.

Seal’s previous work includes negotiating the agreement that brought the Martinez Sturgeon professional baseball team to Waterfront Park and establishing the public-private partnership that launched Oakland’s free Broadway Shuttle, connecting downtown residents and workers to the Jack London waterfront.

Earlier in his career, Seal served as a City Planner for the City of Alameda and the Association of Bay Area Governments, where he helped shape regional planning strategies and oversaw a range of private development projects.

“Zach’s depth of experience, creativity, and proven success in economic revitalization make him a tremendous asset to the City of Antioch,” said City Manager Scott. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team as we continue building a vibrant, business-friendly community.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Seal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from U.C.L.A. and a Master’s Degree in City Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of work, he is a proud father of two young daughters and, by his own account, a recently minted expert in dad jokes and hair bows.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

If adopted, applications will be due Thursday, September 11

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Antioch City Council will vote on the process for appointing a new City Clerk to fill the vacancy created by the sudden resignation and departure of Melissa Rhodes on July 30th. The Council had the option of holding a special election in November or making an appointment. The appointee would serve until just after certification of the November 2026 special election, consistent with state law governing resignations in the first half of an office. The remaining half of the term would be served by whomever is elected in that election.

According to the City staff report for the item, #8, on the meeting agenda, by Interim City Attorney Derek Cole, “At its regular meeting of August 12, 2025, the City Council directed that the vacancy be filled by appointment rather than by special election. State law requires that the appointment be made within 60 days of the vacancy, or no later than September 30, 2025.”

“The City last filled a City Clerk vacancy by appointment in 2011. At that time, the City Council adopted a process to ensure transparency, fairness, and public participation. That process included the following features:

1. Applications and Required Materials. Interested applicants were required to submit:

• A Letter of Interest (not to exceed 400 words) describing interest, qualifications, background, and other relevant information;

• A Nomination Paper signed by at least 20 but not more than 30 registered Antioch voters; and

• A completed Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700), as required by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

2. Eligibility. Applicants were required to be registered voters of the City of Antioch, consistent with the statutory qualification for an elected City Clerk.

3. Filing Deadline. Applications were required to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk by a fixed date and time.

4. Public Review. All completed applications were deemed public records and made available for public review.

5. Oral Presentations to Council. Each applicant was invited to make a brief oral presentation (no more than five minutes) at the Council meeting at which the appointment was considered. The Council had the opportunity to ask questions of the applicants.

6. Appointment at Open Session. Following applicant presentations and any public comment, the City Council deliberated and made the appointment during open session of the Council meeting.

Proposed 2025 Appointment Process

Staff recommends that the Council follow the same process as was used in 2011, using the following dates:

• Applications would be due in the City Clerk’s Office no later than 4:30 p.m., Thursday, September 11, 2025.

• The City Council would hold applicant interviews and consider appointment at its regular meeting of Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

This process balances transparency, fairness, and efficiency, and ensures compliance with the Government Code deadline for appointment at the end of September 2025.”

Closed Session, Special & Regular Meetings

The Council meeting begins with a Closed Session at 4:30 p.m. for a Conference with Labor Negotiators for the Management Unit, Treatment Plant Employees’ Association, Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3, Confidential Unit, Antioch Police Officers Association and Antioch Police Sworn Management Association.

That will be followed by a Special Meeting/Study Session beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on a proposed Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. The regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

The Council Chambers are located at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meetings can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website at www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/live/, on Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.