Requires policy for handling technology disruptions, misconduct

Also, changes rules for officials’ remote participation in meetings and on social media, reporting of compensation for top staff

By Allen D. Payton

Just like during COVID, members of the public again have the opportunity to participate remotely in city council and other government meetings, either by phone call or online via videoconferencing. Passed in 2025 and signed into law last Oct. 3, Senate Bill 707 modernizes the Ralph M. Brown Act, California’s open meeting law, went into effect July 1, 2026, and lasts until January 1, 2030. It requires that “all open and public meetings include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform.” In Antioch, the law applies to all public meetings “of the City Council and all eligible subsidiary bodies as directed by the City Council,” such as commissions, boards, committees and council subcommittees.

The Council previously voted to end remote participation by both officials and members of the public in February 2023.

In addition, the law requires, “an eligible legislative body, on or before July 1, 2026, to approve at a noticed public meeting in open session a policy regarding disruption of telephonic or internet services occurring during meetings subject to these provisions, as specified, and would require the eligible legislative body to comply with certain requirements relating to disruption, including for certain disruptions, recessing the open session for at least one hour and making a good faith attempt to restore the service.”

The new law also requires “that the eligible legislative body take specified actions to encourage residents to participate in public meetings.” District 3 Councilman Don Freitas suggested at the meeting on Tuesday, July 28th, that the council make an effort to inform the public of the new, remote process.

During their meeting on April 14, 2026, the Council was provided a presentation on SB707 (agenda Item 13) which included various changes to the state’s open meeting law.

Orderly Conduct – Mayor Can Cut Off Disruptive Remote Participants

The new law “Clarifies statutory authority to remove disruptive remote participants to maintain the orderly conduct of the meeting” for proper decorum. “The Chair must issue a specific warning before muting or disconnecting a disruptive user” to prevent “Zoom Bombers” as occurred during COVID with comments that included profanity and racial epithets by some who called in during public comments. The Council must also “Establish clear conduct rules (e.g., time limits, profanity) and apply them neutrally to all speakers.”

Technology Disruptions

The City Council approved Antioch’s policy regarding technology disruptions during their meeting on May 12, 2026 (See agenda Item 9). According to the staff report on the policy, it “ensures transparency, public participation, and continuity of government during technology disruptions if the City Council finds the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access.”

If a technology disruption occurs, “the meeting must remain in recess for up to one hour or until remote access is restored, whichever occurs first. If service is restored within that time, the Council will reconvene and proceed with the agenda.”

According to the April 14th presentation, technology disruptions require a:

• Mandatory Pause: If remote access service fails, the legislative body must recess to attempt to restore the connection before adjourning;
• Public Notification: Staff must immediately post real-time status updates on the meeting webpage and announce the delay on all available social channels.
• Physical Access to Meeting Room: The physical meeting room must remain open and accessible to the public during the entire recess period.
• The “Public Interest” Finding:If remote service is not restored after one hour, the Council may make a formal finding that the “public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the lack of remote access.” This finding must be adopted by a recorded roll call vote before any further business occurs.

Meetings of Other City Legislative Bodies

The presentation explains that meeting of other eligible city boards, committees, commissions and council subcommittees “include bodies that serve exclusively in advisory capacities, cannot take final action and do not have primary subject matter jurisdiction. (Example: APOC – Antioch Police Oversight Committee). These can include bodies constituted with elected officials. (Example: Cannabis Subcommittee).”

However, “the City Council must formally direct these bodies follow two-way requirements. To do so, the Council must find that circumstances justify use of two-way communication, such communication would enhance public access, and would promote attraction, retention and diversity of the bodies’ memberships. Findings would have to be made by resolution of the City Council.”

Finally, “if two-way communication is required, there must be one physical meeting location, at least one board and staff member must be present there and the present board member must appear on camera. Special standards apply if any member appears via teleconferencing.”

More Reasons & Opportunities for Officials’ Remote Participation in Meetings

SB707 also adds more reasons why public officials can participate in meetings remotely and increases from two to a maximum of five uses per year. Valid reasons labeled, “Just Cause” and “Emergency Circumstances”, now include family medical emergencies, childcare or caregiving needs, military service and contagious illness.

Members must “provide notice and public disclosure at the start of the meeting in accordance with local procedure” and

“explicitly disclose if any individuals over the age of 18 are present in the room with them, and state their relationships…during roll call.”

“The City is required to publish a member-by-member utilization report annually to ensure accountability,” the presentation added.

But a majority of the members must be present in-person to have a quorum to conduct a meeting.

Officials’ Participation on Social Media

The law also changes how public officials can engage with the public on social media. According to the April 14th presentation, officials may now engage with the public’s posts on city matters (e.g., answering questions on a resident’s post, but it includes a strict prohibition that “officials cannot respond to, like, share, or repost other council members’ content on the same topic to avoid ‘serial meetings’” of a majority of members outside the setting of a publicly noticed meeting.

Reporting of Staff Compensation Before Council Vote

Also, according to the presentation, the new law requires that the Council provide, “An oral report…in open session before taking final action on compensation” for all department heads not just for executives such as the City Manager and City Attorney. “The verbal report will include the position title, a summary of compensation elements, and any contract changes.”

Antioch Virtual Speaker Rules & Procedure

According to the Speaker Rules published in each council meeting agenda, “The public has the opportunity to address the City Council on each agenda item. No one may speak more than once on an agenda item or during ‘Public Comments’.

“To provide oral public comments during the meeting, please click the following link to register in advance to access the meeting via Zoom Webinar:

https://antiochca.zoom.us/j/85331467540?pwd=FBgvevB5PJqaMItpDMQhf9pNjqFNb0.1

Meeting ID: 853 3146 7540

Passcode: 167974

Dial-In Number: +1 (669) 444-9171

“You will be asked to enter an email address and a name. Your email address will not be disclosed to the public. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to the meeting. When the Mayor announces public comments, click the “raise hand” feature in Zoom.

“When calling into the meeting using the Zoom Webinar telephone number, press *9 on your telephone keypad to ‘raise your hand’. Please ensure your Zoom client is updated so staff can enable your microphone when it is your turn to speak. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.

“When you are called to speak, please limit your comments to the time allotted. The City cannot guarantee that its network and/or the site will be uninterrupted.”

Make a difference in and serve your community

Application Deadline: Friday, Aug. 14 by 5:00 PM

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch encourages residents to become involved in their local community. One way to do so is to serve on various commissions, boards, and committees. Any interested resident is encouraged to apply.

The City of Antioch is now accepting applications for two important volunteer opportunities: Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee – Help promote transparency and accountability by reviewing sales tax revenue and expenditures, monitoring compliance with ballot measure requirements and advising the City Council on oversight matters; and the Board of Administrative Appeals (BOAA) – Serve your community by reviewing administrative determinations, conducting public hearings, evaluating evidence, and helping ensure fair and impartial decisions.

These are meaningful opportunities to contribute your experience, strengthen local government, and serve your community.

Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee Details

The Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee shall review the expenditures and report publicly how the funds from the City’s Measure W one-cent sales tax are being used to address the City Council’s stated priorities of maintaining Antioch’s fiscal stability, police patrols, 911 emergency response, youth violence prevention programs; ensuring water quality/safety; repairing streets; cleaning up parks/illegal dumping; restoring youth afterschool/summer programs; and other essential services.

Committee members are responsible for the following duties:

• Reviewing annual sales tax revenue and expenditure reports.
• Monitoring compliance with ballot measure requirements.
• Providing transparency to the public regarding fund usage.
• Advising the City Council on accountability measures.

Each year, an independent auditor shall complete a public audit report of the revenue raised and its expenditure. The Committee’s review shall be completed in conjunction with the City’s budget process. The Committee’s report on its review, whether oral or written, shall be considered by the City Council at a public meeting before April 1 of each year. Any written report shall be a matter of public record.

The Council’s intent of Measure W is to split the revenue on the following basis: 80% for the maintenance of public safety, 10% for youth services, and the remaining 10% for supporting quality of life and fiscal stability and accountability. The sales tax passed by Antioch voters in November 2018 lasts for 20 years. (See related Herald articles here, here, here and here)

The official ballot measure language reads: “Antioch’s Quality of Life Measure. To maintain Antioch’s fiscal stability, police patrols, 911 emergency response, youth violence prevention programs; ensuring water quality/safety; repairing streets; cleaning up parks/illegal dumping; restoring youth afterschool/summer programs; other essential services; shall the measure be adopted approving an ordinance to renew the sales tax at the one-cent rate, raising approximately $14,000,000 annually,  expiring in twenty years, with mandatory annual independent financial audits, and independent citizens oversight?”

Committee Seats:

• Seven (7) Members, 4-year terms.

Vacancies:

• Three (3) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2030
• Two (2) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2028

Meetings: The Committee shall meet at least twice a year.

Staff Liaison: Dawn Merchant, City of Antioch Finance Director

Requirements:

• Must be a resident of the City of Antioch.
• At least one member of the Committee shall have a financial, accounting or auditing background.
• Commissioners are required to submit the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) upon assuming office, and every year thereafter.
• Commissioners are required to complete a 2-hour online AB1234 Ethics course within one year of their appointment.
• Newly appointed and reappointed Members are required to take an Oath of Office administered by the City Clerk.

To learn more visit Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee | Antioch, CA.

See Application.

Board of Administrative Appeals Details

The BOAA hears appeals regarding administrative decisions by any official of the city and approves liens on properties.

Board members are responsible for carrying out the following duties:

• Reviewing administrative determinations.
• Conducting public hearings.
• Evaluating evidence and testimony.
• Rendering fair and unbiased decisions.

The Board consists of five members and one alternate to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by a majority of the Council. The alternate member shall serve a term of two years.

Committee Seats:

• Five (5) Board Members, 4-year terms.
• One (1) Alternate Board Member, 2-year term.

Vacancies:

• Three (3) Full-Term Vacancies, expiring March 2030
• One (1) Alternate Vacancy, 2-Year Term

Meetings: First Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m.

Staff Liaison: City Clerk’s Office

Requirements:

• Must be a resident of the City of Antioch.
• Three (3) members shall have experience in building construction trades and/or training in the CA Code of Regulations.
• Board members are required to submit the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) upon assuming office, and every year thereafter.
• Board members are required to complete a 2-hour online AB1234 Ethics course within one year of their appointment.
• Newly appointed and reappointed Members are required to take an Oath of Office administered by the City Clerk.

For more information visit Board of Administrative Appeals | Antioch, CA.

See Application.

Application Deadline: Friday, August 14, 2026, by 5:00 PM

To be considered for the vacancy position(s), please complete an application and submit it to the City Clerk’s Office by the deadline date listed above. Applications are also located on the City’s Website at www.antiochca.gov/739/Boards-Commissions and may be picked up in person at Antioch City Hall, 200 H Street, Antioch, CA.

Please email your completed application to: cityclerk@antiochca.gov. You can also drop off your application (Attn: City Clerk) in the water billing drop-off box located in the parking lot just outside of Antioch City Hall.

Part of the General Plan Update process

By City of Antioch

We were at the Antioch Library today, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, for a General Plan Visioning Workshop, as part of the General Plan Update process, connecting with residents to hear what they love about Antioch and what they’d like to see in the years ahead.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape the vision for our community’s future.

Missed us today? There’s still another opportunity!

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 30th

10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Antioch Library – 501 W. 18th Street

Your input helps guide decisions about housing, transportation, parks, economic development, public spaces, and more. We hope to see you there!

For more information about the General Plan Update or to take the online survey visit https://antioch.generalplan.org.

Mentions opportunity to negotiate new franchise agreement

Company’s attorney refutes City staff’s portrayal of continued operation during litigation

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the Antioch City Council voted 4-0 to deny the Encroachment Permit Appeal of California Resources Pipeline Company, LLC (CRPC), owner of the low-pressure, natural gas pipeline that runs under the city and has been shut off since 2021. (See related articles here, here and here)

In introducing the public hearing on the matter, under item #6 on the agenda, Antioch Public Works Director and City Engineer Scott Buenting said, “An Encroachment Permit is not the appropriate process.”

Dean Persinger,Vice President of Operations and Ester Brawley, VP of Technical Operations for California Resources Pipeline Company (CPRC) provided the company’s presentation.

He said the company applied for the Encroachment Permit “to maintain the right-of-way.”

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger spoke on behalf of the City saying, “The City requests the city council denies the appeal and uphold the decision of the City Engineer.”

“An encroach permit is not the appropriate approach for this long-term encroachment…for a project of this magnitude. It’s normally used for a short time and limited scope,” he explained. “They wanted to continue to pump gas…when before in order to do that they had to through the franchise agreement process.”

Kundinger also pointed out the company continued to operate the pipeline although the city council majority in 2021

“Even if you were to find the process is appropriate, CRPC failed to comply with the code,” Kundinger added. “This was an end route around” the council’s decision to not renew the franchise agreement, he stated.

Public Comments

During public comments, resident Harry Thurston spoke of his concerns about safety as the pipeline runs near homes and Sutter Delta Medical Center.

Bob Brown spoke next “on behalf of the Western States Petroleum Association” about the “safety and jobs” and that “The pipeline is safe and well-maintained. “Safe and reliable energy are essential” and asked the council to allow it to resume operations.

Resident Mark Jordan said, “This is a situation where both sides are right and both sides are wrong. The last council and a group of people decided we didn’t want petrochemicals running through our city. If it’s not organic, it’s not stone…it has petrochemicals in it. To believe that we don’t need pipelines is wrong.

“We’ve been told that they ran gas through that pipeline after they were denied. That’s disconcerting,” he continued.

“Where you are is, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. You’ve been in court running up bills,” Jordan stated. “You want it solved? You put them in a room with a representative from the city and mediator. I’ll do it.”

“They’re going to have to pay a penalty for using that pipeline after they no longer had a franchise agreement,” he continued. “I support giving them a franchise agreement. The way to go is ‘what’s in it for us’? They’ll pay, because they want it and because they make $3 billion a day (as an industry). We need petrochemicals and they need their pipeline. They can just load up a thousand trucks and run them down our street and there’s nothing you can do to stop them? What’s the better way to move the petrochemicals?”

“He wants to cut a deal. Let’s do it,” Jordan concluded.

Timothy Jeffries spoke on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers saying, “I’m here as a worker…maintaining this infrastructure. It supports high-quality jobs, family-supporting wages…right here in this city.”

Resident Jan Warren said, “I want to support Harry Thurston’s comments. I hear these same stories at the Air District, the legislature bill sessions. I don’t believe any job is being created here in Antioch by that 8.5-mile pipeline.”

“Thank you, City Attorney and City Manager for saying, ‘no’ when they didn’t follow the rules,” she continued. “They’re trying to work their way around. It’s time to deny…this appeal.”

Former Councilman Ralph Hernandez said, “I’m with the City, the appeal should be denied” claiming it’s “a very dangerous transportation of natural gas. Don’t let a big corporation come here and basically bribe you with what they want. I don’t know what the potential danger these pipelines create. Think of the city and its safety and whether it’s a good thing or not.”

Mark Hughes said by Zoom (which is now allowed by state law), “I’m the Executive Director of the Industrial Association…in the Bay Area…in support of the encroachment permit.” He also mentioned, “California has the strictest…regulations in the nation and the world.”

“It actually results in an overall increase in greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.

Resident Frank Sterling, also speaking via Zoom, said, “I’m going to speak out against the pipeline.” He referred to the explosion of the pipeline in San Bruno.  “I’m just against it.”

APOC Vice Chair Devin Williams said, “I’m against this pipeline, as well. I actually live in District 4 and there’s a pipeline running through my community.”

Resident Andrew Becker spoke last during comments saying, “I’ve lived next to this pipeline for the past 30 years…and what I really think about is…the only thing I’ve really seen changed is the sidewalks lift and cracked, yet there’s yellow stakes telling us there’s a pipeline undergound. I can assume it’s being maintained.”

He mentioned his appliances being gas powered and said, “Should this pipeline go away and other pipelines go away, my bill’s just going to go higher and higher.”

“Somebody in this city is not negotiating properly. Along with maintaining the pipeline, maybe they can plant some flowers,” Becker concluded.

CRPC Attorney Refutes City Staff’s Comments on Continued Use of Pipeline

The proponent had five minutes for a rebuttal comment in which their attorney used it to explain the company’s continued use of the pipeline after the council denied the renewal of the franchise agreement for its use in 2021.

Michael Mills, outside counsel to CRPC mentioned “a letter sent to staff and council, yesterday. Most importantly, it’s been now, almost five years, that the prior council decided to reject the franchise agreement. Since then, there’s been litigation.”

“The company negotiated a series of extensions to continue to operate the pipeline,” he explained. “The judge invited the City to enjoin the company from operating the pipeline during the legal challenge, but it did not do so.”

“Up until the point the company lost the legal challenge to the denial the company operated the pipeline. It wasn’t correctly stated in the staff report,” Mills pointed out.

“The company very much wants to work out something with the City,” the company’s attorney stated. “That’s the entire reason we’re here asking you for this permit.”

Council Discussion and Decision to Uphold Staff Denial

During council discussion, District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said, “The issue for the council is on the recommended action. Is an Encroachment Permit appropriate? The answer is ‘no’.”

“It’s simply about whether an Encroachment Permit is the proper process,” Kundinger said.

“I do think it’s creative,” Freitas stated. “Let’s not make it difficult. Let’s not bring in these other issues.”

“The company is not precluded from asking the city to sit down and discuss a franchise agreement,” he continued.

“The company has not been operating the pipeline for several years,” Freitas stated.

“I cannot confirm or deny if they have been using it. I have no personal knowledge,” Kundinger responded.

“How much in mitigation fees would we get?” District 4 Councilwoman Wilson asked.

“I believe the original was $75,000,” Kundinger said. That was from 2016-21. “Those were amounts fixed by agreement.”

“If a franchise agreement were in place, then an encroachment permit would be appropriate?” Mayor Ron Bernal asked.

“Permission could be given through a franchise agreement, yes,” Kundinger responded.

The motion by Freitas to uphold the city staff denial of the encroachment permit passed 4-0.

Will also vote on a 3% pay raise for police officers, Street Light & Landscape Maintenance District assessments, natural gas company’s appeal to reopen pipeline and recognize 60 years of Antioch-Chichibu Sister City relationship

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday night, July 28, 2026, the Antioch City Council will again discuss state funding for the Homekey+ California Supportive Housing (CSH) Mahogany Housing Project. It is expected they will vote to either accept or reject the $34.9 million grant which requires matching City funds to create 84 units of permanent supportive housing for veterans and homeless individuals in Antioch and from throughout the county.

In addition, the council will also vote on a 3% pay raise and other contractual matters for police officers, the annual Street Light & Landscape Maintenance District assessments, the California Resource Pipeline Company’s appeal to reopen the natural gas pipeline, recognize 60 years of Antioch-Chichibu Sister City relationship with this year’s visiting delegation and honor the late and former City Clerk Florence “Chickie” Rundall who passed away on June 11th.

Before the regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., the Council will hold a closed session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss “Initiation of Litigation”, as the agenda item is simply described.

Homekey+ CSH Mahogany Housing Project

During their meeting on June 23rd, which lasted past midnight, after receiving public comments on both sides of the issue, the Council postponed a decision on the Homekey+ funding until tomorrow night’s meeting. Then on June 29th, the Council held a study session to get their questions answered regarding the project and the funding.

According to the staff report for agenda Item 7, the Council has two options.

“Option A – Reaffirm Continued Participation and Proceed with Implementation Receive the report; acknowledge the additional due diligence conducted since the June 29, 2026, Study Session; reaffirm the City’s continued participation as a Homekey+ co applicant and the funding commitments previously approved under Resolution No. 2025/201; direct staff to continue working with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), California Supportive Housing (CSH), and project partners to negotiate and finalize the most favorable financial and operational terms reasonably available to the City, including opportunities to reduce the City’s long-term financial commitments where feasible; and proceed with execution of the Homekey+ Standard Agreement and associated project documents consistent with the authority previously granted by the City Council.”

“Option B – Rescind Prior Authorization and Withdraw from the Project Receive the report and direct staff to rescind the City’s prior authorization under Resolution No. 2025/201, notify HCD that the City will not execute the Homekey+ Standard Agreement, and withdraw the City from continued participation as a Homekey+ co-applicant.”

Background

On average, the state and city funds for the project, combined, would total $41.75 million or about $500,000 per unit over the first five years and approximately $54.4 million or $640,000 per unit over the full 15-year period.

According to the City staff report for the June 23rd meeting, “consistent with the approved Homekey+ application and prior City Council authorization, the City identified a proposed $750,000 contribution to support acquisition and rehabilitation costs associated with the project. The proposed contribution is reflected in the City’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. Funding for this contribution is included in the proposed FY 2026/27 Housing Successor budget.

Following Council direction at their meeting on May 22, 2025, the City applied for the Homekey+ funding. “The project application assumes ongoing operating assistance averaging approximately $1.2 million annually during the initial five-year period,” for a total of an additional $6 million. “If such funding levels were maintained over the full fifteen-year period, the total potential City contribution could be approximately $18.75 million, from the General Fund.”

“The City would receive the benefit of approximately $34.9 million in State Homekey+ funding,” awarded in May 2026, “for acquisition and rehabilitation of the project. The City would assume ongoing administrative, monitoring, and compliance responsibilities associated with participation in the program.”

“While the City was a co-applicant and recipient of the award, the City has not executed the Homekey+ Standard Agreement with HCD and has not formally accepted the grant funds. Because the…Agreement has not been executed, the City currently has no contractual obligation to participate in the project. The City would not assume the reporting, compliance, monitoring, or administrative responsibilities associated with the Homekey+ Program.” However, if the Council declines the grant funds, “the City could experience reduced competitiveness for certain future discretionary housing funding opportunities.”

Council Gets Questions Answered During June 29th Study Session

During a special study session on Monday, June 29, 2026, that lasted three-and-a-half hours, the Antioch City Council asked a variety of questions of staff regarding the proposed Homekey+ California Supportive Housing (CSH) Mahogany Housing Project at the Antioch Inn & Suites, formerly Comfort Inn.

In attendance to answer questions was Jamie Schecter, Homeless Services Chief with Contra Costa Health, Housing and Homeless Services, who oversees the County’s Continuum of Care, she mentioned two other Homekey projects, Delta Landing Interim Housing Program at the former Motel 6 in Pittsburg and another in San Pablo. She also spoke of a similar upcoming project in Richmond the County is working with. Also in attendance were Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl and her Community Development Director, Lina Velasco, who has worked on that city’s Homekey project, who provided a presentation about it.

Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas asked, “The City of Richmond is actually the owner of this property?”

“Yes, we will own the property,” Velasco responded. “However, during the term of the ground lease, the lessee will own the improvements. They’ll be responsible for all the maintenance and the improvements.”
“The wrap-around services, are they provided from City staff of Richmond or are they contracted out?” he asked.

“They’re contracted,” Velasco stated.

“How is occupancy determined?” Freitas asked.

“We cannot be limited to Richmond residents but there is a prioritization that’s considered,” she explained. “However, we’ll serve countywide.”

Mayor Ron Bernal asked if any of the funding pays for staff time and consultants. Velasco responded, “Some of the Homekey funding has predevelopment costs. However, it’s not reimbursing, like, the time I take to write an annual report and expenditure report. So, that’s part of what we’ve been absorbing outside of a loan for the rehab. But there were some early draws for the legal fees. The developer is paying for the architectural fees, the permit fees. Those costs were included in the grant award.”

“During the 55-year term of the project, will there be any funding for staff from the Homekey,” Bernal pressed further.

City Manager Curl responded, “I would say, ‘no’ and I think it’s important for the Antioch City Council to understand, our contribution of $10.3 million is an advance from the General Fund in excess of whatever was in our Housing In Lieu fund. So, as that is replenished that will pay back the City.”

“This is the first time we’ve done something of this magnitude,” Curl continued. “So, the city council has a third-party, neutral analysis that was separate from staff. In addition, the project looked at through the construction management lens, especially the change orders, especially with inflation. So, having that third party has been extremely helpful for staff working with the building official.”

“What is your program during that 55-year period for making sure the building is properly being maintained and when there is a problem…how are they handled?” Freitas asked.

“Our plan is to do annual inspections annually,” Velasco stated. “We do within our budget have a capital reserve for issues…including turnover.”

“How do you define success over a 55-year period?” Freitas then asked.

“For me…this housing type is very important and difficult to produce,” she responded. “I think making sure the property is well-maintained also, well-operated. Hoping the tenants that come in are not losing their housing or being expelled due to lease violations…making sure supportive services include tenancy sustaining services. I think those are the big things and just making sure it doesn’t become a nuisance property for the City.”

Freitas then asked about 24-hour security costs.

“So, we are talking about that. We do have that in our budget,” Velasco explained. “We may look at that overtime based on how the property is operating and the need.”

District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha asked if the occupancy would be “100% unhoused that you will be serving?”

“Yes. When we wrote our application it was for targeting the chronically homeless,” she stated. “There is a lega definition in our regulatory agreement with HCD (California Department of Housing and Community Development).”

“Is it a similar focus with individuals, youth and veterans?” Rocha asked.

“If they fit the definition,” Velasco said. “But unlike Homekey plus, you have more target definitions.”

“With your case managers is there a ratio that you have identified?” the councilman asked.

“Currently our budget is two case managers for the property,” she responded for 48 units.

“With Mahogany, it’s 100% just for those being served,” Rocha asked his fellow councilmembers. Torres-Walker nodded in agreement.

“Without those ERF funds (State Encampment Resolution Funds) and the Homekey, I think it would have been a heavy lift for the City,” Cass stated. “So, I think between that and the CDBG funds it was really important to get all of the partners to the table. For me, the price per unit is what makes it an acceptable public policy solution…because the cost per unit is less than if we were building a new unit. That was part of the rationale and because it takes so long to get a new unit online.”

Staff Answer Council Member Questions

Council members asked staff some of the outstanding questions not answered in the staff report for the agenda item.

Regarding the hotel’s current financial condition facing foreclosure, Freitas asked, “If the property owner sells the property with those debts, how is the City made whole?”

He mentioned “$400,000 or more in delinquent taxes.”

“And the water,” said Acting City Manager Ana Cortez.

“The City of Antioch is a co-applicant – said Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger

“So, we’re just paying bills,” Freitas stated.

“Yes,” Kundinger replied. “I think the decisions are made collaboratively.”

Freitas asked for the breakdown of the $34.9 million in state funds.

The project developer said, “The capital award is the purchase price $27,500,00. Other costs are about $7 million.

“Approximately $700,000 is for operation and the $1.2 million from the City,” Freitas stated.

The councilman then asked about the veterans’ units.

In response to a question by Mayor Ron Bernal, the developer said there will be no senior-designated units.

“Will there be security 24/7?” Freitas asked.

“Yes,” the developer responded.

(For additional details see related article)

Streetlighting & Landscape District Assessments

Under Item 5 on the agenda, the Council will vote on the annual assessments for six Streetlighting & Landscape Districts throughout the city. They annual rates range from $8 in District 9, Zone 3, the Lone Tree Way District to as high as $331 per year in District 2-A, Zone 10, the Black Diamond Ranch units of the Citywide District, depending on the individual parcel.

The Public Works Department’s Parks & Landscape Division maintains 34 City parks and a wide variety of landscaped areas that enhance the aesthetic of our community. This includes:

• City Parks and open space areas
• Medians and right-of-ways
• Trails and cul-de-sacs
• Coordinate and oversee the annual weed abatement project

Street lighting is maintained by the Street Maintenance Division.

3% Pay Raise for Antioch Police Officers

Under Item 8, the Council will vote on the Tentative Agreement between the City of Antioch and the Antioch Police Officers’ Association that will include a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Fiscal Year 2026-27 at a cost of $661,430 and other matters. According to the City staff report, “No COLA or additional increase to uniform allowance was including in the adopted FY26/27 budget, thus requiring a budget amendment.” The previous Tentative Agreement covered the period of Sept. 1, 2021 – Aug. 31, 2025. If the council approves the agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be prepared to replace the agreement and require another vote by the council.

In addition to the 3% COLA, the Tentative Agreement includes the following:

• Increase to four floating holidays in a calendar year.
• Travel meal reimbursement increase to $25.00 for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• Lateral Police Officer and Dispatcher new hire vacation credit of one week upon employment.

Plus, increases to the uniform allowance, adjustments to benefits, retirement and vacation, sick leave and bereavement leave language defined and/or updated, as well as updates to the department’s grievance procedure.

See additional details of the Tentative Agreement, here.

Meeting Details

Following the 6:00 p.m. Closed Session meeting, the regular meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. inside the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed livestream on the City’s website or the City’s YouTube channel.

See separate article on the Natural Gas Pipeline Encroachment Permit Application Appeal.

Whole You, Powered by Spring Health, extends personalized mental health care to more than 245,000 California state employees across 153 departments

By Kristina Piersanti, 5W PR for Spring Health

SACRAMENTO, Calif., — California’s firefighters, police officers, parks departments, correctional staff, and many others spend their careers keeping communities safe and helping people through their worst days. Nationally, first responders develop PTSD at up to ten times the rate of the general population, according to a 2025 meta-analysis published in Clinical Psychology Review^[1]. It’s a toll that builds quietly over the routine weight of emergency response and is compounded during high-intensity stretches like fire season.

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is now providing the state’s employees and their families access to Whole You, Powered by Spring Health, CalHR’s new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential, personalized support for care, crisis needs, work-life challenges, and everyday wellbeing. A lifelong mental health platform, Spring Health will deliver mental health care to more than 245,000 California state employees across 153 departments, and their eligible family members.

First responders receive the most extensive tier of care under the new program, delivered by trauma-informed providers with direct experience in first responder roles. Support staff within CalFire, the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also receive an elevated level of support, reflecting the higher-stress nature of their roles. The State’s 153,000 administrative or desk-based staff will also receive support under the new program.

CalHR was drawn to Spring Health’s proven outcomes, not just improved access. According to research published in OJPHI and JAMA Network Open, 92% of members reliably improve or recover from depression or anxiety, and members recover 5.9 weeks faster than the leading competitor, with appointments available in less than two days on average, compared to a 48-day average with traditional EAPs.

“First responders put themselves in harm’s way over and over again to protect the communities they serve. That takes a toll not just on them, but on their families too,” said George Michaels, Chief Revenue Officer at Spring Health. “Partnering with CalHR to support more than 245,000 state employees is exactly the kind of large-scale, public-sector commitment we built Spring Health to deliver on, and we’re honored to help deliver the mental health support they and their families deserve.”

“When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home,” said Shannon MacGregor, Statewide Employee Assistance Program Manager at the California Department of Human Resources. “Our first responders carry things most of us never have to. Whole You is our commitment that when they need support, it’s there — fast, confidential and built around what they’ve actually experienced.”

Whole You, Powered by Spring Health, is available now to California state employees and their eligible dependents through their department’s benefits resources. For more information on Spring Health’s lifelong mental health platform, visit our webpage.

About Spring Health

Spring Health is a global mental health company built on one AI-native platform so care follows individuals across every job, move, health plan, and life stage. Independently validated by JAMA Network Open and the Validation Institute, with 92% of members reliably improved or recovered from depression or anxiety and employers seeing a 52% reduction in total mental health claims costs, Spring Health provides personalized lifelong mental health support across self-guided tools, coaching, therapy, medication management, and specialty care. More than 170 million people worldwide have access to Spring Health, which is trusted by leading employers, health plans, and channel partners, including Highmark, Target, The Coca-Cola Company, BlackRock, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Wawa.

^[1] _{Arena, A.F., Gregory, M., Collins, D.A.J., Vilus, B., Bryant, R., Harvey, S.B., & Deady, M. (2025). Global PTSD prevalence among active first responders and trends over recent years: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 120, 102622.}

One of two mayors from California, among 46 from 15 countries, who together lead over 22 million people, selected for program

Joint effort with Bloomberg Philanthropies marks decade of strengthening local government while advancing research, teaching and the practice of city hall leadership

By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

ANTIOCH, CA — Mayor Ron Bernal announced, Friday, July 17, 2026, being selected as one of the 46 mayors from 15 countries for the tenth class of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. He participated this past week at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Class of 2027. Through the nine-month professional management program, Mayor Bernal—alongside key Antiochstaff who will begin in August—will gain strategies to improve how local government works and move residents’ chief priorities forward. This is the second time Bernal has been selected to participate in a class at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Kennedy School. He also attended the First 100 Days program in December 2024. Bernal and Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi were the only mayors from California selected for the tenth class.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and to bring learnings home to Antioch,” said Mayor Ron Bernal. “The program gives mayors access to expert faculty, research-backed frameworks, and practical tools we can put to work right away. For Antioch, that means building on our work to address blighted areas and make them cleaner, safer and more vibrant—because our community deserves a city hall that never stops learning and networking.”

The flagship Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is at the center of more than 10 years of work led by Bloomberg Philanthropies through its Government Innovation program to strengthen mayoral leadership and local government across the globe. Today, it is where the world’s mayors come to learn—and to lead. Mayor Bernal joined them.

Established with Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, and housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, the Initiative will have now served 447 mayors—including eight in ten of America’s big-city mayors and nine of England’s mayoral strategic authorities—alongside over 3,000 municipal chiefs.

“Mayors sit at the first and last mile of every major problem we face, and we built the Government Innovation program to ensure they have the capacity required to lead,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is at its center, and in a moment that demands more from public leadership than ever, this class will have that world of support behind them. We look forward to these mayors putting it to work, and all that their city halls will do.”

Through the Initiative, Bernal will work alongside Harvard faculty, policy experts, veteran managers and fellow mayors—periodically in classrooms, virtual sessions, and in the field—beginning with a multi-day convening in New York City this week. Participants learn to organize teams around outcomes, ground decisions in evidence, and collaborate across departments and sectors—applying lessons directly to the issues at home, from housing and affordability to economic growth, public safety, and emergency response.

Once the coursework ends, Antioch remains eligible for more: professional education for senior officials in economic development, human resources, procurement and civic engagement; a Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellow, placed for up to two years on a priority the mayor sets; and research and instructional material developed across the program’s first decade.

“Leading a city is among the hardest jobs in public service anywhere as the demands on mayors—and the complex challenges they face—continue to grow,” said Jorrit de Jong, Director of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University and Emma Bloomberg Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Management at Harvard Kennedy School.“Meeting those challenges requires city halls to continually strengthen how they work, and with Michael R. Bloomberg’s unwavering backing, we built the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative to help them do just that—and every mayor teaches us in return. With a decade of that insight and research behind this tenth class, we expect their city halls to deliver at home and push the program’s work—and the field itself—further still.”

The tenth class of mayors represents 28 U.S. and 18 international cities, home to more than 22 million residents. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Class of 2027 included:

• NORTH AMERICA

United States:

• Mayor Dorcey Applyrs – Albany, New York
• Mayor Ron Bernal – Antioch, California
• Mayor Sean Ryan – Buffalo, New York
• Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui – Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Mayor Stephen M. Morris – Concord, North Carolina
• Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss – Dayton, Ohio
• Mayor Mary Sheffield – Detroit, Michigan
• Mayor Sharon Tucker – Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Mayor John Horhn – Jackson, Mississippi
• Mayor James Solomon – Jersey City, New Jersey
• Mayor Christal Watson – Kansas City, Kansas
• Mayor Jaime Arroyo – Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Mayor Eileen Higgins – Miami, Florida
• Mayor John Ewing – Omaha, Nebraska
• Mayor Keith Wilson – Portland, Oregon
• Mayor Marsha Judkins – Provo, Utah
• Mayor Angela Birney – Redmond, Washington
• Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones – San Antonio, Texas
• Mayor Michael Garcia – Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Mayor Van Johnson – Savannah, Georgia
• Mayor Jake Wilson – Somerville, Massachusetts
• Mayor James Mueller – South Bend, Indiana
• Mayor Lisa Brown – Spokane, Washington
• Mayor Kaohly Her – St. Paul, Minnesota
• Mayor Christina Fugazi – Stockton, California
• Mayor Sharon Owens – Syracuse, New York
• Mayor Anders Ibsen – Tacoma, Washington
• Mayor Spencer Duncan – Topeka, Kansas

Canada: Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette – Gatineau, Canada

Jamaica: Mayor Andrew Swaby – Kingston, Jamaica

• SOUTH AMERICA
  • Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán – Bogotá, Colombia
  • Mayor Agustín Iglesias – Independencia, Chile
  • Mayor Felipe Alessandri – Lo Barnechea, Chile
  • Mayor Esteban Allasino – Luján de Cuyo, Argentina
  • Mayor Sebastián Sichel – Ñuñoa, Chile
  • Mayor Ramón Lanús – San Isidro, Argentina
• AFRICA
  • Mayor Sam Nujoma – Khomas Region, Namibia
  • Mayor Fatiha El Moudni – Rabat, Morocco
• EUROPE
  • Mayor Richard Shakespeare – Dublin, Ireland
  • Mayor Stephan Keller – Düsseldorf, Germany
  • Mayor Mathias De Clercq – Ghent, Belgium
  • Mayor Carlos Moedas – Lisbon, Portugal
  • Mayor Helen Godwin – West of England, United Kingdom
  • Mayor Tomislav Tomašević – Zagreb, Croatia
• OCEANIA
  • Mayor Sophie Barker – Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Mayor Mahé Drysdale – Tauranga, New Zealand

In July 13 and 14, 2026, posts on X, Michael Bloomberg wrote, “For the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to share lessons from my 12 years in New York City Hall with hundreds of mayors through @BHcityleaders. This is our 10th class, and this month, 46 mayors from 15 countries will come together to begin learning from one another and working with Bloomberg @CenterforCities at @Harvard faculty & policy experts to help them better tackle the challenges their residents care about most. Mayors are expected to solve some of the toughest problems we face. That takes bold leadership, talented teams, and a willingness to try new ideas. It was great to meet the tenth class of the @bhcityleaders…They’re bringing fresh thinking and a determination to make their communities stronger.”

The flagship Initiative has also informed parallel efforts worldwide. The most recent is the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative, whose inaugural class included 30 mayors and 60 senior officials from 17 countries.

Through these leadership programs, Antioch enters Bloomberg Philanthropies’ broader Government Innovation portfolio and global community of practice, tens of thousands of mayors and municipal officials strong, who draw on each other’s work to better the lives of the hundreds of millions of residents they collectively serve.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2025, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $4.3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook and X.

 About the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative:

The flagship Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is at the center of more than 10 years of work led by Bloomberg Philanthropies to strengthen mayoral leadership and local government across the globe. Established with Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, the Initiative will have now served 447 mayors and over 3,000 senior municipal officials, including 8 in 10 of America’s big city mayors and 9 of England’s mayoral strategic authorities. Today, it is where many of the world’s most accomplished mayors come to learn—and to lead. For more information, please visit cityleadership.harvard.edu or visit us on LinkedIn and X.

About the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University:

Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The center is designed to have widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world. For more information, please visit cities.harvard.edu or follow us on Instagram,LinkedIn, and X.

By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

Mark your calendars for July 25 and take advantage of this free opportunity to dispose of unwanted residential debris.

Join us in helping keep Antioch clean and beautiful.

• Saturday, July 25, 2026  8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Antioch Boat Launch Parking Lot – 101 L Street, Rivertown, Antioch

Please bring:

• Proof of Antioch residency (current utility bill or Republic Services invoice)
• Residential debris only

Not accepted:

• Contractor or business debris
• Hazardous waste materials
• E-waste, appliances, concrete, dirt, paint, or car parts

Let’s work together to keep Antioch clean and beautiful.