Over next 3 years; begin May 1st; still lowest in the area

Will help pay off loan for desal plant; Torres-Walker opposes even though she voted to approve $91 million contract for its construction; but then-City Manager Ron Bernal ensured the council that it would not result in any rate hikes or cause any unforeseen costs in the future.

By Allen D. Payton

After only hearing from four members of the public who spoke, including one who supported the increases, and receiving 11 written protest letter responses including 10 people against, the Antioch City Council, during their meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, approved increases in water rates over the next three years on a 4-1 vote. The rate hikes will range from 45 to 93 percent. District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker was the lone vote against. The vote also keeps in place the current tiered rate structure.

It will be the first water rate increase in the city since 2019. The initial rate increases will begin May 1, 2025. As previously reported, the last time the Council considered raising water rates was Nov. 12, 2024. With then-District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica absent due to a family medical emergency, the remaining four members split 2-1-1 on the motion to increase rates and continue the current tiered rate structure. District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker voted to abstain and then-Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe voting against. The structure means those residential customers who use more water pay a higher per gallon rate, effectively subsidizing the rates for those who use less water each month. Following the vote, Hernandez-Thorpe said, “If the new council wants to take this up, they can take it up.”

That’s what they did and even with the increases, a comparison survey shows Antioch will still have the lowest water rates in the area.

Under Item 5 on their regular meeting agenda, the Council held a public hearing to consider annual water rate increases through July 1, 2028, keeping the current tiered structure. According to the City staff report, the “adjustments will ensure adequate Water Enterprise funds for the City’s projected operations, capital expenditures and debt service coverage. Water rates have not been increased for almost five years, yet operating costs have continued to incrementally, and at times, substantially, increased each year for personnel, utilities, water purchase costs from Contra Costa Water District (when the City cannot pump from the river) and other maintenance costs of the City’s Water Treatment Plant.”

The City has pre-1914 rights to water from the river. But due to upstream freshwater diversion, the saltwater intrusion into the Delta affects Antioch’s intake pumps which are at the lowest elevation on the river. During summer months the salinity of the river water is at its highest. Thus, the need for the new brackish water desalination plant.

Part of Increase to Cover Loan Payments for Desalination Plant

In addition, the rate increase will cover “personnel and maintenance costs to operate” the new Brackish Water Facility which will be online this year. “The City is required to maintain a 1.20 debt service coverage ratio, meaning that net revenues…of the Water Fund each fiscal year must be 1.2 times the annual debt service for that given year. As part of the loan terms…failure to comply with the debt service coverage is considered an ‘Event of Default’…and the SWRCB (State water Resources Control Board) may require: return of (the $50 million state revolving loan) funds…immediately, acceleration of payments due; payment of a higher interest rate; payment of additional payments and further enforce its rights by any judicial proceeding.”

The Non-Single-Family Zone 1 rates will be raised from $4.44 to $6.42 per hundred cubic feet (HCU), a 44.6% increase and Zone IV would increase 82.5% from $4.86 to $8.87.

All eight tiers and zones for Single-Family residential rates will also be affected with Tier 2 Zone I given the lowest increase of 45.6%, from $6.22 to $9.06 per HCU. If approved, Tier 1 Zone IV would experience the greatest rate increase of 93%, from $4.20 to $8.11 per HCU over the three years.

Monthly Meter Service for single-family residential customers will also rise from $24.40 to $35.40, a 45% increase.

Council Questions, Discussion and Vote

During council discussion on the item, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker was first to speak saying, “Just for clarification…we need to actually raise this rate to pay off the debt from the loan for the desal plant. So, you projected potential rate increases over time in order to get a loan to do the desal project?”

Public Works Director Scott Buenting responded, “That’s part of it. The water rates and the revenue from the Water Fund will be used to pay back that loan as well as other expenditures within the Water Fund and water department.”

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas asked what it means for the City of Antioch to be a pre-1914 water right holder.

“As pre-1914, our adjudicated water rights do allow us to take water from the river,” Buenting explained. “The only thing that prevents the amount of water that we can take is our permit ability. So, we can take water from the river a lot more than 16 million gallons that we do currently. However, that’s what we’re permitted with with the fish screens we have in place that allow us to draw river water into our system. So, right now, that’s the limiting factor is the fish screens.”

“So, it’s not unlimited. It is restricted,” Freitas responded.

“It is restricted by permitting, yes,” the Public Works Director responded.

“But because we can do that, it has a very significant impact which lowers overall water rates,” Freitas stated. “Because when we take water from the river, we don’t have to buy water from Contra Costa Water District, correct?”

“Yes. That’s true,” Buenting responded. “You still have to pump the water. You still have the electricity and the infrastructure necessary to get the water from the river to our water treatment plant. But the cost of the water we’re not purchasing from Contra Costa Water District. That’s part of our 1914 rights.”

The councilman then asked for the cost of purchase one acre-foot of water from CCWD. “It’s substantial,” he stated. Buenting said, “It is substantial.” But he didn’t know and said he would get that information.

“One of the reasons why Antioch is the second lowest, basically in the Bay Area is because we are a pre-1914 water right and we use that as much as we possibly can to lower water rates,” Freitas added.

“Sure, and that’s currently the condition where we are right now,” Buenting stated. “The river water is fresh enough it can be treated through conventional means. Therefore, we’re not currently purchasing any water from Contra Costa Water District but utilizing our water rights.”

Freitas, a former CCWD Board Member, then spoke about the water from the Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

“One of the purposes was water quality. But also, reliability,” he shared. “California being a semi-arid state we are going to have droughts…and so…CCWD…will actually aid the City of Antioch, not only for human consumption, but for manufacturing, and…agriculture and things of that sort. Correct?”

“We still have a relationship with Contra Costa Water District,” Buenting responded. “We will still continue to purchase water at some rate. We do have capacity at the Randall Bold Water Treatment Plant (in Oakley), also.”

“But I mean, at Los Vaqueros, the salinity is going to be extraordinarily lower than what we can get in a drought period from the river,” Freitas stated. “Which probably means we can’t even pump water out of the river because of the salinity.”

“Yes, depending on how dry it is, how far the salinity moves upstream,” Buenting explained. “Contra Costa Water District’s (pumps) are much further upstream.”

“No one likes rate increases. Absolutely no one,” Freitas stated. “But I have to argue in favor of these…I think the City was remiss in five years of not looking at water rates…and now we’re paying the price for that. Because there is an escalation. As far as I’m concerned, if you do it every year at or below the rate of inflation you’re not losing. You’re actually gaining by keeping up. The City Council made a conscious decision back then not to raise water rates during the pandemic because of the cost implications and I thought it was a good decision back then. But we are paying the price.”

“I don’t think there’s any alternative for us. I’m satisfied with us moving forward because it guarantees it will be a water supply. It will be treated,” he continued. “And with our relationship with CCW both for raw water supply, as well as during the periods of time when there are droughts, and we can take water from Los Vaqueros we will not be so severely impacted.”

“Yes, I know that these water rates will have some negative impacts,” Freitas stated. “But I also know CCWD and the City of Antioch have various conservation programs to help reduce the demand of water inside our homes. Something like 60% or more of treated water is used outside the house for irrigation. If you do like your lawns…then you have to pay to irrigate them and keep them alive.”

“But you have a choice. You have an option. You can change that landscaping,” he concluded. “But as difficult as it is, and it’s unfortunate, I’m ready, Mr. Mayor to move forward and approve the water rates.”

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then said, “I just want to reiterate it’s hard. It’s not a very favorable decision when you have to raise water rates. And back in 2020 when we had the pandemic this council had to make a very difficult decision. That time we made the conscious decision we can’t raise water rates when people are struggling to just make ends meet. That’s why we went the five years without it.”

“However, here we are, having our own water department, having the brackish water plant…and just to run that water plant, the electricity alone is a huge cost,” she continued. “But we need to raise the water rates because if we don’t…something unfavorable with our debt. That looks unfavorable we’re not keeping up with the costs just to run our own water department.”

“So, it’s a difficult decision, but I am in favor of raising our rates,” Wilson concluded.

Mayor Ron Bernal then asked Buenting, “We do have a minimum take from Contra Costa Water District, correct? Minimum purchase every year. Do you know about what percentage overall of our water that would be?’

“Five hundred acre-feet, I believe. But I don’t know exactly what the percentage is,” the Public Works Director responded.

“Then there’s also limitations on the amount of water, as you mentioned, that we can pump from the river at 16 MGD, correct, 16 million gallons per day?” Bernal asked.

“Yes sir,” Buenting responded.

“And our warm weather uses up to 25 maybe?” the mayor asked.

“Yes sir,” was the response.

“So, in the summer, we cannot take all of our water from the river, correct? It has to be supplemented? Bernal further asked.

“That’s true,” Buenting stated.

“I just want to clarify the fact that…our river is not an unlimited source of water, but it is definitely a large source of our supply and that’s the reason for the brackish water desal project to take full advantage of that in generations to come,” the mayor concluded.

Bernal then reiterated what Freitas said about droughts and mentioned, “Conservation mandates. Antioch would maybe be able to be relieved of that somewhat by virtue of the fact that we do have an alternative source that doesn’t depend upon the runoff from the mountains and things like that. Correct?”

“It is something we’re working with the State on,” Buenting offered.

Torres-Walker Explains Her Opposition to Rate Increase

Torres-Walker had the last word on the matter saying, “Clean drinking water is important to the community, I’m assuming, everybody. I don’t really care how it gets to the faucet as long as it gets to the faucet when I turn the faucet on and it’s drinkable.”

“I also understand that these rates need to increase because the City was super ambitious and went for a loan projected on increasing rates on residents to be able to have a water desal plant that then will produce…good drinking water for the long term, I’m assuming,” she continued. “I also don’t know what it will save the City to have the desal plant any. Because it also sounds like…we’ll need to raise more of the rate to pay for the operations of the desal plant and maintenance moving forward.”

“I heard Councilwoman Wilson say we didn’t raise rates because of the pandemic because people couldn’t afford it, as if people can afford it, now, right?” Torres-Walker stated. “So, it’s not just the pandemic that made this difficult to do. Because…people are still struggling, and the struggle is only going to get realer. So, we’re acting as if people who couldn’t afford it then could afford it now and that’s just not true.”

“So, with all of this information with understanding the City needs to raise water rates to pay off this debt so that our creditors won’t look at us in a negative light, I understand all of that,” she continued. “And I understand there are people who can’t afford it. I’m going to remain a ‘no’ even though I know the votes are here to pass this, tonight.”

However, in addition to her vote to abstain on increasing the water rates last November, during a special meeting on December 18, 2020, in her first month on the council, Torres-Walker helped incur most of the City’s debt for the desal plant when she voted in favor of the $91 million construction contract. That’s out of a total estimated cost of $110 million.

But during that same meeting, as previously reported, in response to then-Councilmember Lori Ogorchock expressing her own concerns and those of residents that the plant will result in tangible rate hikes, then-City Manager Ron Bernal ensured the council that it would not result in any rate hikes. He also stated that the plant would not cause any unforeseen costs in the future.

The Council then approved the water rate increases on a 4-1 vote.

(See the 3:49:15 mark of the council meeting video at www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/03-11-25/)

“…as a response to a lot of the breakdowns that were happening in the community as a response to the racist text message scandal.” – Dr. Kerby Lynch, Lead Project Manager.

County claims racism is cause for “disproportionate rates of preventable chronic illnesses such as heart disease, obesity, cancer as well as most recently, COVID-19” among African American residents.

Will seek other cities as partners in JPA

By Allen D. Payton

A new African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub has the unanimous support of the city council as of their meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, and an Antioch location is being considered for its future home. The resolution supports the initiative “affirming Antioch’s willingness to explore opportunities for collaboration and reinforcing the City’s commitment to racial wellness equity.”

While there are no currently known costs to the City for the Hub, according to the staff report, “early-stage participation by the City of Antioch could include in-kind support such as:

• Temporary space-sharing during mobile service deployment

• Coordination with the Angelo Quinto Community Response Team (AQCRT)

• Youth internship placements via RISE and other City programs

• Cross-referrals with City-funded providers”

Also, according to the staff report, “Contra Costa County, in partnership with Ceres Policy Research and the (County’s) Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ), has completed a feasibility study for the development f the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub (AAHWRH). The Hub is a community-rooted initiative designed to address long-standing racial disparities in health, housing, reentry support, and economic opportunity for Black residents across the county. The study was informed by over 4,000 survey responses, 16 listening sessions, and district-based town halls, including input from Antioch residents.

“The AAHWRH will provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and wraparound services in a phased approach—beginning with mobile and satellite services and transitioning to a permanent site. The County has identified 1650 Cavallo Road in Antioch, a county-owned facility in District 1, as a leading candidate for the Hub’s future home. A final decision is expected by the Board of Supervisors on April 15, 2025.”

The County Board of Supervisors appointed a 13-member ad hoc Steering Committee in 2023 “to guide the Feasibility Study planning effort through a representative, inclusive, and extensive community engagement process” and provide “input and collaboration to County staff and the contracted Feasibility Study developer, ensuring the community voice is represented through the process and the outcomes.” 

According to the County’s Request for Proposal seeking agencies or organizations to pursue and operate the Hub, “Currently, in Contra Costa County, African Americans represent approximately 8.7% of the population. Racism, inequity, injustice, and harm exist…in Contra Costa County, have created and maintained conditions for African Americans such that they continue to experience disproportionate rates of preventable chronic illnesses such as heart disease, obesity, cancer as well as most recently, COVID-19. Racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, the criminal justice system, educational achievement, and social service metrics in Contra Costa County have been well documented in reports issued by the Contra Costa Racial Justice Task Force/Oversight Body, First Five Contra Costa, Kaiser Permanente, Contra Costa Health Services, Contra Costa Continuum of Care, Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department, and others.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black residents make up an estimated 19.7% of Antioch’s population as of July 1, 2024.

“For the last several years, members of the community have been advocating and leading the effort in the County for the creation of an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub and the urgent need for expanded support services that address the pain, trauma, and other related challenges that exist in under-resourced, under-served African American communities,” according to the County.

On December 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors allocated $1 million in Measure X funds “to support and expand current programs and services as an immediate, intermediary step until the Hub is established, and is the source of funding.” Then “on April 23, 2024, the Board of Supervisors allocated an additional $7.5 million of Measure X funds towards the actual establishment and operation of” the “Hub and implementation of services and activities.”

Funds will be spent “for services/programming targeting African American communities of any region of Contra Costa County” and those “serving East County’s most vulnerable and impacted communities will be prioritized.”

“Priority service/program categories to be funded are: ▪ Behavioral health supports ▪ Food and/or housing insecurity services ▪ Maternal and infant health services ▪ Youth development support services ▪ Community healing supports, particularly from trauma due to police violence.”

Oakland-based Ceres Policy Research was selected by the Supervisors in July 2024 as the contractor to facilitate the establishment of the Hub. Dr. Kerby Lynch, its Director of Research and Facilitation and Lead Project Manager for the Hub initiative, provided the presentation to the City Council. According to the organization’s website, she “conducts social science research on community reinvestment, racial equity analysis, and reparations policy implementation.” She is described as “a critical Black studies scholar of human geography, political economy, and intellectual history. She holds a BA in African American Studies with a concentration in Gender and Sexuality and most recently completed her Ph.D. in Geography, both from the University of California at Berkeley.”

According to her LinkedIn profile, Dr. Lynch’s “Research Specialization” is in “African Diaspora studies, queer diasporas, Black queer studies, theatre/performance studies, ethnography, Black feminist thought, post-colonial studies, settler colonial studies, transnationalism, archival theory, psychoanalysis, urban issues, visual culture.”

Presentation

In beginning her explanation about the hub, Dr. Lynch said, “Really the purpose of this presentation is to inform you about the process. It was a response to community demand for transparency and accountability, which was really started by a lot of the community, here in East County, particularly Antioch, as a response to a lot of the breakdowns that were happening in the community as a response to the racist text message scandal.”

“There’s a lot of great alignment in the county, right now for this type of project,” she continued.

Her presentation offered the results of the survey which showed Community Violence Impact in which 70% experience police/community violence and the Most affected: TAY (transitional age youth defined as 18-25), men, women of child-bearing age and unhoused. The Top Support Needs for Healing include community healing/restorative justice, mental health services, legal advocacy support, trauma-informed counseling and public safety discussion forums. The Top 3 Wellness Challenges include lack of accessibility to healthcare services, housing stability and lack of mental health resources. Finally, the Biggest Barriers to Services include time constraints, limited availability, high cost, lack of transportation and the need to travel long distances.

Thus, the Mission & Vision is to be “A holistic, community-led, culturally competent Hub addressing systemic disparities. Not duplicating services, but coordinating & expanding existing efforts (e.g., grassroots, local, state and federal). Key Service Areas will be, Health & Wellness, which will include preventive and primary healthcare, Black maternal health services (doulas, prenatal care, postnatal support) and culturally competent mental health services; Housing & Economic Stability including housing navigation services, eviction prevention, workforce development and a Black entrepreneurship incubator;  Community & Cultural Healing Spaces, including intergenerational mentorship, arts and cultural programming, and legal advocacy and re-entry support for justice impacted individuals.

“It doesn’t mean we’re creating something new, here,” Lynch explained. “It’s about coordinating existing efforts across all levels of partners. How do we actually start to increase service utilization of our Black community and increase the satisfaction levels when they experience these services and really coordinate that across the county.”

(See presentation at 3:51:30 mark of meeting video)

Public Comments on Presentation

Antioch resident Andrew Becker was the only member of the public to speak following the presentation and wasn’t happy with the proposed location. He said, “As the County explores these opportunities and invests in communities, I wonder, how do we get to the point where they propose this beautiful new building in Brentwood and this beautiful new youth center in Brentwood, ground-up construction, buy land that they didn’t even own. And then when we get to an incredible need like this, how can we use an older building that we have here and maybe share some space.”

He suggested instead locating the Hub near the Antioch BART station to be more centrally located in the city.

“…to make these services a little bit more trauma-informed and really rooted in transparency, accountability and even a call for abolition. Abolition, you know, people want to feel freedom, they want to feel liberated from just years and legacies of oppression. That’s what’s really important about this Hub…”

– Dr. Kerby Lynch

Q&A on Proposed Hub

Before discussing the Resolution of support under the agenda Item #10, City Manager Bessie Scott said she had sent Lynch “a list of questions” including, “who will receive the services, who are left out of the services, what does the human-centered, culturally responsive design look like and what is your framework?”

“I think the council will benefit from knowing,” she continued. “I know you met with Councilmember Torres-Walker and each one of the council members has asked separately about this information. I know Councilman Freitas asked for the feasibility study. It was a lot.”

Scott further asked Dr. Lynch, “what we’re on the hook for so the council can decide if they want to adopt a resolution supporting this effort.”

Then turning to the council she said, “I will tell you, operationally, we would need to figure out where this fits. A place for it would be under Public Safety Community Resources or in the city manager’s office, as well as all the operational scaling would have to be at the executive level.”

Lynch responded, “I’m just a consultant for the feasibility study. After the Board of Supervisors decide what they want to do. It will probably then be coordinated with the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and other departments and agencies at first, to figure out where they want to collaborate…to do the mobile deployment. Because all this is about urgent services to the community.”

“Our biggest recommendation was a JPA (joint powers authority) because of the scale,” she continued. “We know that Antioch, Richmond, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley, San Pablo, El Cerrito. There’s so many different jurisdictions, Pinole, Hercules, have all been a part of this process and they all are working on various health equity efforts.”

“You’re designing with and not for residents. It really is a for us, by us model,” said Lynch. “We do believe in Black-led governance structures. What does it mean to have Black-led organizations or providers really giving their wisdom from the field?”

“In our report you will get some recommendations from frontline workers on how to make these services a little bit more trauma-informed and really rooted in transparency, accountability and even a call for abolition,” she stated. “Abolition, you know, people want to feel freedom, they want to feel liberated from just years and legacies of oppression. That’s what’s really important about this Hub, is that we’re trying to be really overt about the reason for the season and how we got here, which is because all of the community demand for addressing the trauma.”

“What do we need from the City of Antioch?” Lynch asked. “That’s a preliminary conversation. In the short term while we’re starting this up, it’s that in-kind contribution. Is it possible to use an existing City-building for initial operations? Can we maybe have our street team maybe have a few hours at a facility? We’re going to have these, potentially, vans. Staffing time. What staff can be dedicated to this initiative is going to be important.”

“Then, just overall, alignment with work that you all have going on,” she explained. “Things that everyone wants to contribute not duplicate or take away from you. It’s just increase your resources to serve more people.”

“In the long-term if the County feels that a JPA is the suitable structure…we wouldn’t want you to be the sole city to be a part of it,” Lynch stated. “Again, doing more county-wide initiatives for the Black community.”

Public Comments on Resolution

During public comments about the Resolution, all eight speakers offered support for the Hub, including former Antioch City Manager Cornelius “Con” Johnson and Antioch School Board Trustees, Dr. Clyde Lewis and Deborah Vinson.

“I think, as a city, we need the opportunity to come together and have conversations where we can constructively resolve some of the long-standing issues that have been present,” Lewis stated. “I think this hub provides a space for us to do that in addition to…all those other services that have been mentioned.”

“…making sure that we are prioritizing residents, then the voices of people impacted by racism, white supremacy and state sanctioned violence. Because that is by which the context the advocacy started just behind the wellness hub.”

– Councilwoman Torres-Walker

Council Comments and Vote

Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha was first to comment saying to Lynch, “I was really impressed with your presentation and the comments that were made following your presentation. I think about the community there’s been a lot of communication of how we can come together…to move forward. The research that you’ve done…is to be commended. So, thank you for what you’ve done to bring us to this point. I think it will benefit all. I think it’s really important we take care of everybody in our community.”

District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker spoke next saying, “The reason why I continued to ask for a resolution to support this effort early on, as a city, is because…we have many residents who’ve come here all the time and said, we’re property owners, we’re taxpayers, like these are our tax dollars…we have a right to this. Well, Measure X dollars is absolutely our tax dollars. But with 90% of our tax dollars going to the County and only 10% retained here, in the city, we were still passed up for a youth center that residents also advocated for to be built, here…and it still ended up one in Brentwood and one in Bay Point.”

She then spoke about the need for resources for those returning from prison saying, “I think we have one re-entry service provider in the city.”

“I think the biggest disadvantage is around the issue of economic development and finding those opportunities for re-enfranchisement,” the councilwoman continued. “Because when people can’t access resources, how do we make them, how can they become productive members of society?”

“How is the hub going to fill in the gaps for individuals in East County or West County, whether Black, brown or indifferent around economic stability and growth?” Torres-Walker asked.

She then thanked the organizations and Antioch residents who have provided input and support for the establishment of the hub saying, “Everybody who came together to really drive home this conversation around African American wellness in the county. But making sure that we are prioritizing residents, then the voices of people impacted by racism, white supremacy and state sanctioned violence. Because that is by which the context the advocacy started just behind the wellness hub.”

Torres-Walker then spoke of reports released by the County showing “great racial disparity in this county” and one in which “the County of Contra Costa declared racism a public health issue in our county.”

“So, you can’t declare a public health issue but then not provide the dollars behind it to address the public health issue that you just declared,” she stated. “We have a significant opportunity, here. How do we hold the County accountable to our 90%?”

About Measure X Torres-Walker said, “This has been a six-year process. We get to be here, again as Antioch and say, we will not be looked over again.”

“When you serve your most vulnerable folks, you serve everybody,” she continued. “Particularly, when you serve Black people, you serve everybody. It makes people feel uncomfortable when you say that you only want to serve Black people. So, you got to say it’s going to serve everybody. I think that’s always been the intent of Black people is that if we can get served then everybody can get served. But what has historically happened, even on the hills of fights for social justice and civil rights across this country, everything that Black people have fought for to access, we have yet to access it and that includes the American dream.”

“I hope we can support, at the least with a resolution, right now, to show the County that…we support it,” Torres-Walker concluded. “As far as resources and accesses and space…I think that’s a further down the road conversation.”

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then said, “I’m going to keep it short because Councilwoman Torres-Walker was saying everything that I was thinking. I definitely support this. I heard about this wellness center probably sometime last year. I thought it was an excellent idea. Because I do believe if you help your most vulnerable then your whole community is strong.”

“One area I hope you guys will address, the amount of human trafficking that goes on throughout Contra Costa County and especially in East Contra Costa County,” she continued. “Hopefully, that can also be addressed. Because…nine times out of 10 we meet somebody on the street…and we can’t get them someplace because there’s no place for them to go in the County because we have no housing. Because we have no housing for survivors of human trafficking…for our unhoused…for somebody who is going through a crisis…or a shelter for them to go to. So, if we can also address that issue, as well, I think it would be very important.”

“But I definitely, wholeheartedly support this. I wish this had more teeth and we can do more here,” Wilson concluded.

However, there is a location in East County that provides shelter for women and children who are victims of abuse, as well as experiencing homelessness and addiction.

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas speaking to Lynch, said, “As someone who read the entire 126 pages…it’s clear it’s needed. Eastern Contra Costa County has been the stepchild of Contra Costa County government. Historically, the County advocates JPA’s and cities resist and the marriage between the two are very, very difficult to overcome. I absolutely agree with you it cannot be a JPA with just the County and Antioch.”

“My advice is, OK, fight for the JPA but don’t let it deter you,” he continued. “But have plan B in the back pocket. So, good luck. Because the dynamics of the politics, it’s unfortunate that they’re there. Hopefully, our two county supervisors who represent our community will focus not only on this but other issues bringing County services to us, locally. It is long, long overdue.”

Mayor Ron Bernal spoke last saying, “I really appreciate your grasp and understanding to communicate the need here. I just want to make sure we’re continuing our relationship with the County. It’s struggled in the past. I see this as another place we can work with the County hopefully.”

“I guess the one thing that I’m most hopeful of is that this is a unique model,” he continued. “Building a model that is something that’s special and unique and can be a model for other places. So, I’m supportive of the resolution.”

Torres-Walker offered the last word on the matter saying, “Thank you, again for identifying Cavallo. People said, like, ‘you know it’s dangerous’ in the community. If you keep saying a community isn’t safe but we do nothing to make it safe we’re just spinning our wheels.”

The council members then voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution which included the following three clauses:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Antioch that the City hereby expresses its formal support for the concept and continued development of the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub as an equity centered and community-rooted initiative led by Contra Costa County;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Antioch recognizes the County’s dedication to addressing long-standing racial disparities in health, wellness, and access to culturally responsive services through this initiative; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Antioch affirms its willingness to explore potential opportunities for collaboration and coordination—including non-binding agreements, in-kind support, and service alignment—to advance healing-based resources for communities impacted by trauma.

Economic Development Department partners with key stakeholders to offer direct services to the small business community.

By Collette Hanna, Executive Director, Alliance for Community Development & Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch Economic Development Department has launched the Antioch Business Collaborative, a collective effort to support the city’s small business community. The Antioch Business Collaborative brings together technical assistance providers and funders to provide one-on-one as well as group advisory services, and access to capital for small businesses located in the city of Antioch. It provides a range of resources to help ensure small business success in the Antioch community.

The Antioch Business Collaborative is an economic development initiative of the City of Antioch, with the goal of providing support to the over 3,000 small businesses in the city. The initiative is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, with targeted support provided to businesses through 2027. Through the Antioch Business Collaborative, small businesses can contact one of the designated partners for help with any of the following services:

• Technical assistance on starting a business, writing a business plan, budgeting, financial management, marketing, and other topics
• Workshops and accelerator programs
• Assistance with access to capital including low-interest loans and grants

Antioch Business Collaborative partners include:
• Alliance for Community Development
• Arroyo West
• East Bay Small Business Development Center
• ESO Ventures
• Pacific Community Ventures
• Renaissance Center
• Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative
• Working Solutions CDFI

In addition, according to Gaby Seltzer, the City’s Economic Recovery Corps Fellow, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce “has been actively involved as a supporting partner in this effort. The Chamber and the Antioch Business Collaborative are two separate but mutually supportive business resources. The Antioch Business Collaborative is a group of organizations funded by city contracts to provide free technical assistance to all Antioch businesses. The Chamber is a membership organization that provides input and promotes these services to its members.”

“We are very proud to support the small business community in Antioch, understanding that they play a critical role in building the entire Antioch economy. Our businesses deserve support to help them grow and thrive, and our residents and community need their existence for our everyday needs of goods and services. We’re happy to have this partnership in place to build and grow the Antioch economy,” said Brad Helfenberger.

Businesses can visit www.growfromwithinantioch.com to learn more about the Antioch Business Collaborative and to find a partner with which to work on growing their business.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

$6.7 million more than last June’s projections, total could be $51 to $58 million; will reduce the City’s reserves to less than 3%

Freitas questions use of ARPA funds, Crisis Response Team stats, deficits

By Allen D. Payton

According to the staff report for the Antioch Council’s study sessions on the budget for Fiscal Years 2025-27, provided over the past three weeks, the City’s near-future finances appear bleak. The report reads, “The total deficit over the next two years is $32,883,691, and if the deficit reduction measures City staff has proposed are added back to the draft budget, the cumulative deficit would increase to $51,158,875.” It will reduce the City’s reserves from 36.52% to just 2.94%.

The projected budget deficit for the current fiscal year, 2024-25, which ends on June 30th will be $5,358,842; $15,666,448 for 2025-26 and $17,583,418 for FY 2026-27. Those are increases from last June’s budget update to the city council. At that time, according to the General Fund Projections for 2023-2028 presented to the city council on June 11, 2024, the General Fund was projected to run the following deficits: $12,995,259 in FY 2025-26 and $13,561,074 in FY 2026-27. That’s an increase in the two-year deficit of $6,693,533. Last year’s budget projections also showed a $14,855,649 deficit in FY 2027-28. (See related article)

However, Finance Director Dawn Merchant explained that the projected deficit for this fiscal year is only $405,014, as the majority of the $5.358 million was rolled over from the previous fiscal year. (See below)

Freitas Wants Details on Success of Homeless Hotel, Crisis Response Team

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas questioned staff about the report on homeless services including the Opportunity Village motel on E. 18th Street, as well as the Crisis Response Team statistics and what feedback staff is looking for from the council.

During the Oct. 11th budget study session he asked, “What specifically are you looking for feedback from the council on these items?”

“Because, frankly, I’m still waiting for the data, you know, to come forward,” he continued. “So, I’m not quite sure what it is that you’re asking council.”

“I’m not asking the council anything,” City Manager Bessie Scott responded. “I think you all wanted these budget study sessions as we get ready to prepare our next biennial budget. I want to first start off by saying thank you to our (Finance) Director (Dawn Merchant) and her team. They’re able to do a lot for our community with very little.”

“I want to make sure that the data elements that you would like us to bring forward outside of these presentations are here,” she continued. “So, any specific data or presentations that you have, please feel free to ask us. I think that as we go forward the questions are actually for you to set budget and policy.”

Freitas then directed his questions to Public Safety and Community Resources Department Director Tasha Johnson.

“Earlier you said data shows that you’ve been successful. This as regards to ARPA funding. How is it measured as successful? What were the criteria? Particularly, the Opportunity Village. They’re not the only one. Cal VIPS, the Rubicon Program.”

“When I looked at the Angelo Quinto (Crisis Response Team) and I saw the 8,363 dispatches were made, it seems like an extraordinary number,” the councilman continued. “So, for me the question is out of that, how do you count a dispatch? Are there repeats? Are they all new? I have no idea what that number really, truly means. As well as the 3,149 welfare checks. Again, are these repeats? Are they singular? We need to be able to break down and try to measure,”

“I’m assuming with any program that the City has funded in the past, it was articulated what the goals, objectives and what success was,” Freitas stated. “I’d like to see when the program was discussed and approved by the past city council, what were those and did we meet them? If we were deficient then why were we deficient and are we addressing them moving forward?”

General Fund Budget Deficits Could Total $55-$58 million

Freitas then asked about the General Fund and projected budget deficits saying, “The other issue that I would have. All of these programs are deserving. But we have a terrible challenge in front of us and before I say what I think the number is, Ms. Merchant, I want to be clear in my mind. Now, this is in regards to…some of the funding and I noticed that in the report for General Fund expenditure reductions, this is for…Fiscal Year ‘26 and ‘27 that you have already talked to a lot of these departments and you’ve already cut the number in Fiscal Year ‘26 to $8.6 million and FY ‘27 to $9.4 million. I rounded up.”

“Mmm, hmm,” Merchant responded.

“But you also indicate that we have a deficit at the end of this year of $5.4 million,” the councilman continued. “And it’s anticipated next year to be $15.7 million, and we have a deficit in Fiscal Year ‘27 of $17.6 million. So, if I add the 8.6, the 9.4, the 5.4, the 15.7, the 17.6 we come up with a deficit, basically of $58 million. Is that right, wrong?”

Merchant responded, “I just would like to clarify as I did mention before for Fiscal Year 2024-25, that $5.358, that really isn’t a true deficit spending because encumbrances and purchase orders were rolled over, were not spent in Fiscal Year ’24. So, it was re-budgeted although the money was received in the prior fiscal year. It was re-budgeted into Fiscal Year ’25, essentially inflating the expenditure number. That’s why you’ll see the Budget Stabilization transfer is only $405,014 which you account for the money being rolled over from the prior year. The deficit remaining is only the $405,000 versus the $5.3.”

“But otherwise, yes,” she continued. “If you cumulatively add up the 15.6, the 17.8 and you account for what we’ve already backed out of the 8.6 and the 9.3, yeah.”

“So, roughly, still that leaves about 55 or 58 million?” Freitas asked.

“Yeah,” Merchant responded.

“As we move into years ’26 and ’27, those are true deficits,” the councilman stated. “So, they have no encumbrances, correct?”

“That is correct,” the Finance Director said.

Mayor Ron Bernal thanked the staff for “Building into the presentations, answers to my questions. So, 99% of my questions were answered.”

He then asked about the Crisis Response Team, that it “had been scaled up from what it had originally started as to where it is, today. I would like to know what it was before it was scaled up and what that cost is, and what the coverage of that program was, so we can see the two of them.”

The Council then closed the study session.

See meeting agenda packet, here – – https://www.antiochca.gov/fc/government/agendas/CityCouncil/2025/agendas/031825/031825.pdf

Watch video of March 11, 2024, council meeting.

Former Acting City Manager, Economic Development Director Kwame Reed was appointed to current position in January

By Allen D. Payton

After less than two months in his position as Assistant City Manager, Kwame Reed is leaving the City of Antioch for a position with Contra Costa County. But no one will say what the job will be for the City’s former Economic Development Director, Acting City Manager and current Acting Economic Development Director. At the end of Tuesday night’s city council meeting during Staff Communications, City Manager Bessie M. Scott announced Reed’s departure. (See 5:59 mark of meeting video)

“I want to acknowledge the assistant city manager who will not be here at the next council meeting as his last day is on the 21st,” she said. “And I want to congratulate him for his new position at the county and to acknowledge his contribution to my success in the short time that I’ve been here. He walked side by side with me having no manual, no onboarding plan, no even announcement that I was joining the City. But I just wanted to acknowledge his support and to congratulate him on these next steps.”

She did not identify Reed’s new position.

Scott previously announced on Jan. 23rd that she had appointed him to the position of Assistant City Manager. She said at that time, “Reed brings more than 29 years of leadership and operational experience across local and regional government agencies.” He had served as Antioch’s Acting City Manager from June 2023 until Scott was hired last October. Reed began his time with the City in 2018. Prior to that, he worked for the City of Brentwood as a Senior Policy Analyst from 2004 to 2018.

Reed also served on the County’s Workforce Development Board to support the workforce and help bring greater recognition to East Contra Costa County. According to his bio on that organization’s website, “When he isn’t working or serving on the board, Reed, a husband and father of three, enjoys time with family and playing the role of “Dad Chauffeur,” with the family’s Giant Schnauzer, Abena, in tow.”

In response to questions about Reed’s new position Scott said she would check. Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media Director Kristi Jourdan responded to an inquiry about it writing, “I haven’t heard anything” but will “try to track down some information.”

When asked, District 3 County Supervisor Diane Burgis said, “That’s for Kwame to announce.”

Efforts to reach Mayor Ron Bernal to learn what Reed’s new position will be were also unsuccessful and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha said, “I’m not sure”. But District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said he remembers reading that it will be the Deputy Clerk-Recorder and congratulated County Clerk-Recorder Kristin Connelly during an event both were attending recently.

Reed later responded, “Out of the respect I have for my colleagues and friends I am currently working with, I am going to request the County provide a statement closer to my last day. I do not think Antioch should make a statement about my departure.”

However, it was announced to the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office staff that Reed will become the highest-level staff member in the department, answering directly to elected Connelly. His first day will be April 15.

Asked to confirm that, Reed responded, “Yes that is my new role.”

He will replace Tommy Gong who retired in February.

The Clerk-Recorder’s Office oversees the Elections Division, handles real estate recordings, Fictitious Business Name filings and professional registrations, as well as issues birth, marriage and death certificates and marriage licenses.

The vacancy in the City position will leave Antioch without an Assistant City Manager or Economic Development Director, and an Acting Police Chief, Acting City Attorney, Acting Community Development Director and Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer. A nationwide search is currently being conducted to hire a permanent police chief.

Home of the Contra Costa County Fair

ANTIOCH – The Board of Director of the Contra Costa Event Park, Home of the Contra Costa County Fair announce their search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Current CEO Joe Brengle announced that he would be retiring at the end of June 2025.

Under the Board’s guidance, the CEO plans, executes and manages the annual Contra Costa County Fair. In addition to the Annual Fair, the CEO leads the planning, organization, recruitment, and management of the Contra Costa Event Parks facility rental program (Interim Events), along with negotiating and facilitating long term rental agreements.

The Monthly Salary Range for the position is $8,630 – $10,567. The salary will be based on the successful candidate’s qualifications with CalHR approval. An example of additional benefits include: State of California, Public Employment Retirement System (PERS), Vacation & Sick Leave, Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan and State Holidays.

A full description of the position and application process is available on the Fairs website CEO-Flyer.pdf, or can be picked up at the Fair Administration Office, 1201 W. 10th Street, Antioch.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Contra Costa County Fair May 15 – 18, with the theme “Let’s Go Country”.

Leslie May claims she and her family “have endured numerous attacks on [her] individual property” and from local media baselessly saying they were “constantly pushing false narratives…inciting violent rhetoric”

Blames Councilman Freitas for “cultural misunderstanding” of her racist comments without explaining what she meant

Claims her “work on the commission has been transformational”

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch finally released the resignation letter from former Antioch Police Oversight Commission member Leslie May, following her use of “the N-word” twice during the Jan. 17, 2025, special council meeting to describe City Manager Bessie Scott and then-City Attorney Thomas L. Smith. May submitted it on Monday, Feb. 10, after District 3 Councilman Don Freitas, who initially called for her to publicly apologize and resign from the commission.

After she refused to do either, he later requested to have a vote for her removal placed on this past Tuesday’s city council meeting agenda. Scott announced May’s resignation on Monday but did not provide the letter emailed to her, Mayor Ron Bernal, the City Clerk’s office and copying District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker that day. (See related articles here, here and here)

As previously reported, each council member could choose one member from their district to be nominated for appointment to the commission during the council meeting on Feb. 13, 2024. Torres-Walker nominated May for a two-year appointment that was to last through November this year, but she served a little less than a year.

In her resignation letter, below, May claims Freitas called for her “resignation due to a cultural misunderstanding” but did not explain what she meant by that.

Following is her emailed letter of resignation:

From: Leslie May
To: Bessie M. Scott; Ron Bernal; City Clerk
Cc: Tamisha Torres-Walker
Subject: Resignation
Date: Monday, February 10, 2025 8:35:22 AM
Date: 02/10/2025
Time: 8:30 am

To whom it may concern,

After talking with family and reflecting on my personal experience, it is in the best interest of my safety and health, I, Leslie D. May, am resigning effective immediately from my role as a commissioner for the Antioch Police Oversight Commission. My family and I have endured numerous attacks on my individual property, attacks from local opinion papers constantly pushing false narratives about my advocacy, inciting violent rhetoric now and prior to my appointment with the Antioch Police Oversight Commission. The dangerous attacks against me have increased since my appointment and most recently fueled by Councilmember Don Freitas calling for my resignation due to a cultural misunderstanding.

As a 73 year of age Black woman, I am a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a surrogate mother to many in our community. I am a physically disabled person from birth and over the past three years I have experienced derogatory statements about my facial features, my physical disabilities and false statements to my employer threatening the economic stability of family.

Related to these attacks the Federal DOJ has received reports, the California DOJ has received reports, the Antioch Police Department has received reports, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has received reports, and the Contra Costa County District Attorney Office has received reports. These agencies are actively investigating threats and actions made by community members in Antioch, surrounding cities, as well as local elected Officials.

Despite these attacks, my work on the commission has been transformational and has clearly defined Constitutional non bias policing in the City of Antioch starting with the following actions I have taken. I have been present, prepared, and attentive to the needs of those impacted negatively by policing in Antioch since my appointment. I have spent time reviewing the budget, policies, practices, and procedures of the police department and due to my due diligence, I have made credible recommendations like increasing mental health services for officers, increasing staff to meet these needs with a sense of urgency, and increased community engagement in our highest needs communities to foster trust and transparency.

I have been an advocate and activist, fighting for the civil rights of everyone. I have marched in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Georgia, the Carolinas, with Ceasar Chavez and the farmworkers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and many more activists since I was 8 years old. I can assure the City of Antioch and all my supporters that I will continue my advocacy and activism as a private citizen uninhibited by bureaucracy and the status quo.

Former Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner Leslie D. May

See May APOC resignation letter.

—————–

_{Publisher’s Note: Neither the Antioch Herald, nor I as the publisher and reporter on this matter, ever attacked Ms. May, published false narratives about her or her advocacy or incited violent rhetoric either in articles on the website or on the Antioch Herald Facebook page, prior to or since her appointment to the commission nor since her racist comments that were made during the special council meeting on Jan. 17, 2025.}

_{I stand by and will defend the reporting of the facts about what she said, and what she and others have said about the matter. Furthermore, I rarely offer my opinion on the Antioch Herald news website but do so frequently on the Facebook page as I engage with our readers, as I, too am a resident of Antioch.}

_{Yet, I have always shown Ms. May respect when challenging some comments she has written on that social media outlet and gave her the opportunity to edit them as I afford all of those who choose to comment there but include certain words that get them automatically hidden by the settings on the page – based on the community standards I have determined for it – or were administratively hidden. As I’ve said to politicians in the past, if you don’t like or want what you say, write or do reported, then don’t say, write or do those things. The same goes for any government official or candidate for public office.}

Under threat of being removed for racist comments during council meeting, Leslie May steps down
Fellow commissioners take her to task, two defend her
Torres-Walker defends her, takes swipes at Freitas who requested item placed on Tuesday’s agenda
“The City of Antioch will not tolerate racist behavior or language from any city employee or representative of our city.” – City Manager Scott’s official statement
“We really need to heal and focus on the important issues and not be distracted by this nonsense.” – Councilman Don Freitas

By Allen D. Payton

Under threat of being removed by the Antioch City Council during their meeting tomorrow night, Feb. 11, 2025, for racist comments made at a previous council meeting, Antioch Police Oversight Commission (APOC) member Leslie May resigned from her position effective immediately according to an announcement issued by City Manager Bessie M. Scott. During the APOC meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, at which her comments were discussed, May did not apologize for them, three commissioners took her to task while two defended her saying they “were taken out of context”. In addition, District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker also defended May’s comments that included using “the N-word” twice, and took a swipe at District 3 Councilman Don Freitas for his successful efforts to remove the former city attorney and requesting May resign from the commission during the Jan. 28, 2025, council meeting. He later asked for tomorrow’s agenda item for the council to vote to remove her, which is now no longer necessary.

The statement, issued Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2025, reads: “Antioch Police Oversight Commission member Leslie May has submitted her resignation from her role as the commissioner of the committee, effective immediately. May’s announcement to step down follows several contentious interactions with city leaders, including during a special council meeting on January 17th. During the special council meeting, May used several racist epithets to describe the Antioch City Manager and former City Attorney.

“District 3 Councilman Donald Freitas had called for the council to consider her removal as commissioner during its next regular meeting on February 11. The City of Antioch will not tolerate racist behavior or language from any city employee or representative of our city. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusivity, professionalism, respect, and accountability.”

As previously reported, during public comments at the Jan. 17, 2025, council meeting, May, who is Black, referred to City Manager Scott, who is also Black, as the “house ni**er” and then-City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, who is also Black, as the “field ni**er”.

Commission Chairperson, Fellow Members Take May to Task, Two Defend Her Claiming Her Comments “Were Taken Out of Context”
During the commission’s raucous meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, which both Torres-Walker and Freitas attended, Commission Chairperson Porshe Taylor asked to add an emergency item to the agenda to discuss May’s comments. (See 22:00 mark of meeting video)

“The item is regarding racial slurs that were spoken by a commissioner on Jan. 17th,” she said without mentioning May or what they were. The motion was approved unanimously, including May, by the five current commissioners. There are two vacancies for the council to fill.

Taylor then read from prepared remarks calling May’s comments, “a deeply concerning matter that not only impacts our commission but the trust of several community members that we serve. It is with great disappointment that I learned about words that were said. The behavior is not what I expected. On behalf of this full commission, I apologize to the community. Our role as commissioners is to serve with integrity and impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

“The ordinance that governs this commission is clear,” the chairperson continued. “We are here to ensure accountability, transparency and fairness in matters of policing. A responsibility that requires each of us to hold the highest ethical standards and to conduct ourselves without bias or prejudice. Any deviation from this standard not only discredits the hard work that we put in as commissioners but also threatens the progress that we are striving to achieve.”

“As chair, I recognize the importance of addressing situations like this with both urgency and accountability,” Taylor stated. “Moving forward, I will be implementing an agreement of etiquette for all members of this commission to ensure our conduct aligns with the mission and values outlined in our ordinance. The commission’s work is far too important for it to be overshadowed by simple bad decisions, and I will not allow it to deter us from the mission at hand.”

“Additionally, I do want to provide my fellow commissioner an opportunity to speak because you deserve that,” she said while looking at Mays who sits to the chairperson’s left. “We had a council member who, and we are all sitting up here at will of the council, and we had a council member who publicly recommended for you to resign. That is your choice. I cannot hold you to that. Right?” to which Mays nodded. “But I do want you to take your own stance because as chair I have to take a stance as well.”

Commissioner Alicia Lacey-Oha said, “I am in agreement with Chair lady Commissioner Porshe Taylor. I don’t really curse…but when I watched the special council meeting let me tell you, words started coming out of my mouth. What happened on that night is unacceptable…There’s a level of respect that we have to show when we come into these meetings. That was the wrong platform to use to start…using examples. Our former mayor said, we as commissioners have to remain neutral. Regardless of how we feel on the inside about our police department, about our city council, we have to stay neutral and I’m standing by that, today.”

“We as commissioners, we are held to a higher standard,” she continued. “I do know this has had an impact on residents in the city of Antioch. And I’m not talking about…what I hear but what I see. I’m tired of it. When I come to these city council meetings, I’m tired of the same old rhetoric. It’s time for us to come together. We have to come together. We have to stop this division.”

“And I believe in freedom of speech,” Lacey-Oha stated. “But there is a time and a place to use the rhetoric that was used on January 17th. That was not the platform, the appropriate platform. And I stand by that and I’m gonna always stand by that.”

Taylor spoke again saying while looking at May who sat to her left on the dais, “I will also say that I did watch the video and I do believe that what you said was misconstrued, right? Because I know. However, it was misconstrued. It shouldn’t have been said.”

Vice Chairperson Devin Taylor spoke next attempting to walk a fine line, first, defending May’s comments and apologizing to the public for not understanding what she meant by them, and then gently chastising his colleague and spoke of the need for commissioner to have “decorum” and “standards”.

He said, “Being in a position of leadership in the community has always been tough. I don’t believe that certain things…what do they say? Words have power. And again, I do understand as Commissioner May that evening, because I was in the room that evening. What she meant, I know that it was not taken into context that it was meant. And I…as Chair Taylor, I apologize on behalf of the commission that it was taken out of that context for the community that does not understand. But I will not apologize for people who need to educate themselves on history. And that is not our job to do that.”

“Our job is to sit up here and lead,” he continued. “Our job is to collaborate with our police department and our city council on shaping, reshaping policies that better enhance our community. It may seem like there are those who have agendas, who have been asked to act on those agendas. May it be the blogs or the public at large that they communicate with. But our duty here is to not partake in that. Our duty is to live in the scope of our ordinance and work in the scope of our ordinance.”

“I hate that this has to be…a huge debate,” Williams stated. “But I just wanted to take some time to remind us why we are here and that is to discuss our roles and…why we’re here and wear these titles. It’s to perform in a setting with conduct and decorum.”

“I also have to say that it being Black History Month it is a little ironic that we are arguing with each other,” he said referring to some of the members of the audience who yelled out at the commissioners, especially Lacey-Oha when she was speaking, at which Taylor pounded her gavel to restore order to the meeting. “And I understand that I get a little upset, too. But we have to remain calm, and we can’t let them see us fight. So, with that said, I trust that this commission can come up with a standard of how we present ourselves and I know that we can do that. And it’s good and healthy that we are having this conversation tonight.”

“I believe that Commissioner May has heard all that she needs to hear. I believe that her decision on what she does next is up to her and we will support you in any way we see fit,” Williams said as he concluded his thoughts. “And I will go by leadership. As Chair Taylor’s co-chair, here I want to make sure that we move forward on our work, and we work within the scope of our ordinance. I think that’s all I need to say.”

The final commissioner to speak was Treva Hadden who also defended May’s comments. She said, “I was not at the meeting, nor did I watch the meeting. But I work with each and everyone up here. And I’ve never…actually, we worked together at Santa Rita,” Hadden said while looking at May who sat to her right. “I’ve been knowing her a long time, and I’ve never, there’s never been a disciplinary action against her for anything of the sort.”

“I’m not sure what the people against her…are thinking should happen,” the commissioner continued. “However, we’re here because we have a police department that has gone rogue and done whatever they want to do. And they’ve been out there doing what they want to do as long as they want to do it. And all of them have not had any consequences for what they’re doing.”

“So, I am not sure what people are expecting to happen to Commissioner May regarding her speech, her freedom of speech,” Hadden reiterated. “But I’m on board with etiquette, training. I know that as an ethics investigator, for something of this sort, what we normally say is, ‘provide training for everyone to reinforce what we are supposed to be doing, how we’re supposed to be conducting ourselves in the public and otherwise.’”

“So, I have nothing to say in terms of any kind of disciplinary action for her speaking her words and what she felt and in the context she said what she said,” the commissioner added.

Williams then spoke again saying, “I did also want to say for my own self that I follow my own standards, and I don’t need to listen to anyone else who doesn’t look like me to make decisions. I feel that we all have a duty here to think for ourselves and come up with smart decisions…and execute smart decisions.”

“I want to say, ‘thank you’ to Commissioner Hadden for stepping up and to say that,” he continued. “We do need training. We do need to stand by decorum in the work history we’ve had with Commissioner May. We can vouch for her that she is an upstanding citizen in your history of working with her. Even though the public may not see that all the time. We do need to recognize that she does have experience and history. But also, at the same time, we have to recognize that even though our elders, our people do make mistakes, we do have to have those conversations to let you know that this probably wasn’t the best decision that you’ve made. But I understand where it came from. And I…think what needs to happen here is just a conversation about moving forward and how we conduct ourselves in public spaces. Not limiting your free speech but just be mindful of how we execute and conduct ourselves.”

“I think that’s the best way to say that,” the vice chairperson stated. “And I love when the community comes out to support one another. I just think we need to be mindful of how we conduct ourselves and executing our freedom of speech rights.”

Chairperson Taylor then spoke again while looking at Mays saying, “Before I give you the mic, do you want to speak? Do you want to?”

“Yes,” Mays responded.

“Before I give you the mic to speak, I just wanted to remind you of something that co-chair said earlier. He mentioned the word arguing. And we are not arguing, Commissioners,” Taylor stated. “This is our duty. Right? We are discussing an issue and figuring out how to fix it and listening to community’s choices about what we’re discussing. And so, we never want to use words like arguing because that’s not what we’re doing. We are professionals and we are executing our duties.”

However, members of the public in attendance were arguing with commissioners while speaking out of turn.

An unapologetic Mays spoke last defending her comments saying, “All I’m going to say is this. That evening, I was very passionate because I had community members coming to me and talking. Plus, I was reading and hearing the attacks against the city manager, Bessie Scott, before she even set her foot in this city and the attacks against our city attorney and also the attacks against the APOC commission which no one wanted to see. Well, some people. But a lot of people here did not want to see this happen. That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

“The second thing I’m going to say is they did not state in the blogs that when I started to speak, I opened up with a scripture that mysteriously disappeared,” the embattled commissioner continued. “So, finally, as a commissioner, I know the ordinance. I know I raised my hand and swore to take an oath as a commissioner. My business…of this commission is outlined in this ordinance that everybody should have,” while holding a copy of a document. That’s what I’m doing. That’s what I shall continue to do.”

“And in terms of moving forward, I think that’s all,” Mays concluded while looking at Taylor.

The chairperson then tried to conclude the discussion by saying, “OK. For me I still stand at as we move forwards towards our agenda items for a future agenda, that we will talk about etiquette training and making sure we have some kind of decorum document.”

“Everybody, we’re good with that?” she asked. Mays then asked about the other items on that night’s meeting agenda.
Taylor then asked, “Is there anything else you want to mention in the finishing of this agenda item?”

“Yes,” Lacey-Oha said. “I will ask that we get started on this as soon as possible” referring to the code of conduct proposed by Taylor. “I stated earlier, hopefully we can come up with something in the month of March. No later than April.”

The commission then went on to other items on the agenda.

Torres-Walker Defends May’s Racist Comments Calls Them “Speaking Plainly”
During public comments on the item, Torres-Walker defended May’s comments, partially reading from prepared remarks, and chastised her colleague. The councilwoman said, “The job of this commission is not to push the political rhetoric of individuals in this city who didn’t want you to be here, anyway. The job of this commission is not to find comfort in the blanket of respectability politics. Our job as a community is that it’s our right to speak and we all should be speaking plainly.”

“And when we jump to political rhetoric and we think our community is going to understand what that is it doesn’t translate,” Torres-Walker stated and then referring to Freitas. “And rather than push an agenda of a councilmember that wants to seem benevolent on behalf of staff when his first day on the city council he publicly threatened to fire the city attorney and then had a Freudian slip and said he also wanted to fire the city manager.”

“But this is the man we’re taking his call to action, today on behalf of protecting the same staff that he threatened to fire, publicly and publicly humiliated a city attorney that retired and is no longer here because it would have been an arduous working conditions,” the District 1 Councilwoman continued.

However, she was incorrect. As previously reported, during the council meeting on Dec. 10, 2024, Freitas called for the resignation of Thomas L. Smith as city attorney but inadvertently said, “city manager” twice. Then Torres-Walker who sits next to him on the dais asked if he meant the city attorney and Freitas corrected himself. Smith was later forced out during a special, Closed Session meeting on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

“Commissioner May, I know what it feels like to speak plainly,” said Torres-Walker. “And I know what it feels like to be attacked for that because we want to find comfort in the white gaze. We want to find comfort in respectability politics, and we want to demonize those who speak plain, plainly based on their experience and the history that they know, which is American history.”

“The history of the house slave and the history of the field slave is American history,” she continued. “And as we sit here in Black History Month, we should acknowledge that the history of slavery is not Black history it’s American history and we should interrogate that. We should never forget that. In the times that we in, right now when everything that exists, historically is under attack and under threat.”

Torres-Walker then shook her head as her time to speak ran out and walked away from the podium, while some of those seated in the council chambers applauded.

Torres-Walker Doubles Down
In a post of the announcement on her official Facebook page Monday evening, Feb. 10, 2025, while mentioning completely unrelated matters, Torres-Walker wrote, “This media advisory is rich coming from a City that allowed its police force to racially profile and intimidate residents of color for more than two decades.

While the Antioch city council is fighting over who can say the N-word, Opportunity Village is set to end in April, displacing unhoused residents in need of services back on the streets.

The crisis response team focused on meeting the needs of those suffering from mental illness and substance dependence will end in December with no plan to secure additional funding.

The police department is still understaffed after more than half the department was involved in racial discrimination, aggressive use of force, taking bribes, falsifying police reports and more.

I guess the immediate threat to public safety is the N-word.” She ended it with a raised shoulder emoji.

Freitas Responds
After receiving the news, when reached for comment, Freitas said, “I think Ms. May made the right decision to resign, and I look forward to implementing a code of conduct for the council and all boards and commissions, so this doesn’t happen again.”

He was sked about his colleague’s comments about him at the APOC meeting last Monday night, Feb. 3, 2025.

“I don’t think Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walkers comments deserve a response,” Freitas stated. “They’re unfortunate and divisive, and it undermines our ability to work together for the benefit of the community.”

“We really need to heal and focus on the important issues and not be distracted by this nonsense,” he added.

The commission is left with four members, the bare minimum to have a quorum and hold a meeting.