By John Crowder

At the January 13, 2015 meeting of the Antioch City Council, members of the public spoke about a proposed card room ordinance and the feral cat situation, while Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock pushed for a future agenda item to discuss the hiring of Community Service Officers (CSO’s).

Card rooms

Stemming from direction given by the city council at a meeting last November, a proposed card room ordinance was presented by city staff. The proposed ordinance called for limiting the number of card rooms in Antioch to two, and requiring applicants desiring to operate a card room in Antioch to obtain a State Card Room License prior to the council considering such a request.

Also included in the staff report was a five-point letter received by the city on December 10, 2014, in which 30 prominent Antioch residents requested the council consider, “several options for strengthening our card room ordinance.” These included the following:

1. Asking voters about new licenses and any expansion of gambling

2. Consider what games are allowed and how many tables

3. The location of gambling

4. The process by which a license to conduct gambling is obtained

5. Providing the police department with enforcement tools

Steve Scudero, representing the card room 19^th Hole, noted that the state allowed them to expand from 6 to 8 tables with the approval of the council. He requested that a vote of the people not be required for such a “minor” change. He noted that he and his two partners were in their 31^st year of ownership of the 19^th Hole, and that, over the last 30 years, they had raised over $1.5 million for local charities.

Following Scudero’s comments, council member Mary Rocha immediately moved to accept the staff recommendation for the proposed ordinance. During discussion by the council, Mayor Wade Harper asked city attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland if the council would be able to “come back with some stronger language,” as referenced in the December 10 letter, if they were to approve the motion put forward by Rocha. Harper also emphasized that, “I don’t want to have any negative impact on the 19^th Hole.” Even so, Harper said, “I want to limit the card rooms from being within a certain [number of] feet of churches, schools, day cares, that type of thing.” Nerland recommended they approve the currently proposed ordinance, and come back with additional proposals at a later date. Following further discussion, the motion to approve the ordinance, as presented by city staff, was passed on a 5-0 vote. After the vote, staff was directed to bring back language that would restrict where card rooms would be placed, while ensuring that the 19^th Hole would not be negatively impacted by such a revision.

Feral cats

Also at the meeting, the council received an animal services update, focusing on the ordinance banning the feeding of feral cats except on one’s own private property. The update began with Antioch Police Chief Alan Cantando introducing Lieutenant Tony Morefield, currently managing Animal Services, and providing background. Cantando noted that the council had directed, several months ago, that staff meet with animal rights advocates concerned about the ordinance. Cantando thanked all who participated in the meetings, and noted the passion with which participants advocated for their cause.

Morefield started his presentation by stating that an ordinance was passed by the council in April of last year prohibiting the feeding of feral cats on other than someone’s own property. He said that, at that time, the council had directed staff to meet with groups conducting Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) programs, to see how such programs could be continued “under provisions” of the ordinance. He noted that several meetings had taken place.

Morefield summarized his written report by saying, “We did discuss a number of topics surrounding the issue of feral cats, but unfortunately, we were not able to come to a consensus on how to proceed.” He went on to say, “Essentially, these groups have made it clear to staff that they are in opposition to the ordinance.” Morefield continued, “Furthermore…it has become clear to staff that the advocate groups do not agree with the ordinance, nor are they wanting to conform to it. On the contrary, over these months, permanent cat feeding structures have been erected and subsequently removed, the regular feeding of feral cats continues…the blight of feeding feral cats is evident all over the downtown area, and ultimately, the feral cat population in Antioch persists.”

Following Morefield’s remarks, council member Tony Tiscareno, who said that he had been in attendance and observed one of the meetings between the feral cat advocates and city staff, asked if there had been any advocacy groups willing to work with the city within the confines of the ordinance. Morefield said that there was no site outside public lands that the advocacy groups found acceptable as a place to feed the animals.

During public comments, most speakers expressed opposition to the ordinance banning the feeding of feral cats. They focused on two main points, removing the ban on feeding and directing police resources to other areas.

Typical of the comments were those expressed by Karen Kops, President of Homeless Animals Response Program (HARP), who said, “A feeding ban and TNR is not compatible.” “We’re asking that the feeding ban of feral cats be repealed.” “Please do not spend any more money to impede the work of volunteers.”

With respect to allocation of police resources, Leslie Ward, among several others, said that Antioch should focus on its crime problem, including the numerous shootings that have taken place in the city, and not on feral cats.

Some of the speakers, though, did support the ordinance banning the feeding of the feral cats. Fred Hoskins said, “There’s a big ballyhoo again,” and that, “we’re going in circles.” He said these, “concerned citizens” should implement a, “Trap, Neuter, and Take Home” program. “Our city needs no more blight,” he said.

Paul Shore commended the council for adopting the ordinance, and for giving the feral cat advocates six months of discussions. Shore emphasized the number of birds killed each year by feral cats. He said, “It has been proven, TNR does not work in controlling feral cat predation.” “Well-fed cats are also predators. Even though they’re fed, that does not diminish their desire to hunt and kill,” he said. “Putting feeding stations is going to promote more cats in that area, and especially along the waterfront, it’s going to impact the birds. I strongly urge you to implement the ban.”

Lisa Kirk, of the Homeless Animal Lifeline Organization (HALO), brought up another issues. She said, “You do have 20,000 feral cats,” but the ordinance prevents the city from obtaining grants to deal with them.

Following the public comments, City Manager Steve Duran said, “I think the intent in the six months, which ended up being more than that, was to try to, within the context of the ordinance which was passed by the council, after much review, and much research and much testimony…the intent was to try and work within the contents of this ordinance to find a TNR group that would be willing to work with the city in that context.” “We felt that there could be a way to work with the most reasonable we could find of these groups to establish a certain number of feeding stations so the cats could be trapped. I think the problem in the whole thing is, what caused the problem in the first place, that led to the ordinance, is unfettered feeding of cats, along our very environmentally sensitive waterfront where there are species that cats naturally would hunt, not to mention the feces and the cleanup of the cat food and things like that. The problem is also…with rogue feeders.” He also said that the feral cat advocates drew, “a line in the sand,” taking the stand that the city must repeal the ordinance. Duran said there was hope to get something done, but not if people just “dig in their heels” on the ordinance, which he characterized as illogical, as it would lead to people “feeding cats anywhere, anytime,” and said there are currently people who just dump food for the cats in the middle of the street. “It’s irrational to think that if you just have, unfettered, no rules, that somehow it’s gonna make it better.”

Following Duran’s statement, Rocha, clearly frustrated, called for a neutral person to intercede, saying, “I think you need a mediator.” “We can’t continue to do this,” she said.

Rocha also said that she wanted to see HALO’s Lisa Kirk involved in any further meetings.

Following council discussion, the council agreed, on a 5-0 vote, to direct Duran to continue the dialogue with the respective TNR organizations, to include Lisa Kirk, and report back in three months.

Community Service Officers

During council comments, Ogorchock raised the topic of hiring additional CSO’s. She said that the elimination of furlough Friday’s had been proposed to be funded by Measure O at a council meeting in September of last year. With this now being funded by additional property taxes, that freed up about $440,000 which could be put toward the hiring of CSO’s. She stated that she wanted to see this added to the agenda at the next council meeting.

Following her statement, however, Harper began to comment, but then Duran, “through the mayor” said, that the council needs to agree to put something on the agenda. Harper then said, “it takes at least three of us to agree,” before an item can be placed on an upcoming agenda. “They have to have the council’s consensus and direction,” he said.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27. Council meetings are held at the council chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street. The meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. They can also be viewed live stream online at www.ci.antioch.ca.us.

By Allen Payton

At Tuesday night’s Antioch City Council meeting, Mayor Wade Harper was served with recall papers by a group of Antioch residents, for the second time in months.

“You are being recalled,” said Antioch resident Laura Stewart, one of the recall proponents, who presented the Notice of Intention to Circulate Recall Papers during public comments.

The last time they served Harper, the proponents missed by one day a required deadline for publishing the Notice in a local newspaper. So, they had to start over.

The mayor has seven days from when the forms are officially submitted to the City Clerk, to provide his official response. The proponents will then have 180 days to gather the signatures of approximately 8,900 registered Antioch voters to place the recall on the ballot.

Following is the statement by the proponents of the recall on the Notice of Intention as to why they’re recalling Harper:

“Mayor Harper tells us that crime is decreasing. The citizens of Antioch know this is not the case. The bullet casings are piling up along with the excuses. Antioch is now the fifth most dangerous city in the Bay Area. Nationally, we are rated 6 on the crime index of violent crimes. At 17, the city of Compton is safer.

Mayor Harper promised Measure C would immediately hire 22 police officers. He also promised to be tough on crime and have zero tolerance for criminal behavior. This has proven to be untrue. Meanwhile, our crime rate has increased 22.8% during his terms in Antioch. Mayor Harper stated we needed to clean up Antioch, but was absent for the annual Sycamore cleanup. The police are understaffed. Instead of hiring 40 additional cops, Mayor Harper wasted $4.4 million on police overtime. Businesses are closing early due to unruly mobs of teenagers. Promises of more jobs and economic growth have not materialized.

Antioch has big city problems that need big city solutions. Mayor Harper has failed to deliver solutions to these problems. The citizens of Antioch are fed up and need a mayor that will deliver results to solving our serious crime problem.”

Below are copies of the recall papers served on the mayor, including the list of all 30 residents who signed them, as provided by Rich Buongiorno, the leading recall proponent.

Washington, DC – Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-11) took his oath of office as a new Congressman on Monday, January 5 and announced on Tuesday that he will serve on the Education and Workforce Committee in the 114th Congress. 

“I am delighted to be appointed to serve on the House Education and Workforce Committee. The big issues which families across Contra Costa County discuss at their kitchen tables — getting a good job that pays a decent wage, ensuring their kids receive a quality, affordable education, and planning and saving for retirement — are all squarely within this Committee’s jurisdiction. For the past 40 years, George Miller honorably served on this same Committee and was a champion for students, teachers, workers, seniors, and the middle class. I am proud to succeed George and continue the 11th Congressional District’s representation on the Education and Workforce Committee. This year the Committee is expected to revisit the No Child Left Behind Act and reauthorize the Higher Education Act. I also look forward to being a voice on the committee for working families. I am excited to get to work and to take a leading role on these and other Committee matters,” said DeSaulnier.

“I congratulate Congressman Mark DeSaulnier on his assignment to the Committee on Education and the Workforce for the 114th Congress. This is a great win for California’s 11th Congressional District. Continued success for our community and our nation begins by investing in our children and creating high-quality, good paying jobs. Congressman DeSaulnier is a dynamic leader, with a proven track record of fighting for the middle class and investing in our nation’s youth in the California Legislature. I am confident that he will bring the same passion and commitment to this assignment addressing one of our nation’s most pressing needs,” said former Congressman George Miller.

“I am thrilled that Congressman Mark DeSaulnier has been appointed to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Mark is a proven leader for the state of California. I know he will continue his strong support for education and will work on behalf of children, families and communities throughout the nation,” said Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Mark has always been a champion for children and education in Contra Costa County,” said Karen Sakata, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. “I am excited to work together with the congressman on initiatives that will continue to move us forward as a county.”

By Allen Payton

On Tuesday, a special election was called by Governor Jerry Brown to occur on May 19, 2015 for California State Senate District 7, which includes all of Antioch. The vacancy is due to former State Senator Mark DeSaulnier being sworn into Congress, this past week, leaving the position vacant midway through his term.

If more than two candidates file to run, then a Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 17.  If none of the candidates receive a majority of votes in the March election, the top two candidates will face each other during a run-off in the May.

Four candidates have announced campaigns in the race, including State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla of Concord, former State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan of Alamo and college lecturer Dr. Terry Kremin of Concord, all Democrats and attorney Mark Meuser of Walnut Creek, a Republican.

All four candidates have either public office or some campaign experience. Bonilla is a former Concord Councilwoman, County Supervisor and is serving her third term in the State Assembly, Buchanan was termed out this past year, after serving six years in the Assembly, Kremin ran unsuccessfully for the Concord City Council in both 2012 and 2014, and Meuser was the Republican nominee against DeSaulnier in 2012 for the same State Senate District.

Event part of ongoing program providing paid, on-the-job training and mentoring to Contra Costans facing barriers to employment with the goal of reducing unemployment in East Contra Costa.

What: St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP) will welcome members of the community to officially apply to join our new Workforce Development class. This program provides a 24-week paid, part-time job at St. Vincent de Paul, intensive job readiness curriculum, (including resume preparation, interview practice, financial literacy, etc.), and one-on-one mentorship for WFD trainees.

The application event will also serve as an information session for those interested in applying for the program. The event is free, open to the public and provides details of the 24-week job training program.

Why: Even as unemployment numbers appear to improve, many in our community find themselves out of work and without hope of finding employment for various reasons. The Workforce Development Program at St. Vincent de Paul provides training and work experience for those who are new to or have been out of the workforce. The goal of our program is to help participants with barriers to employment find long-term, satisfactory work at a decent wage.

Selected participants may interview for the 24-week on-the-job training component consisting of paid, part-time on-the-job training at St. Vincent de Paul. Participants are matched with mentors and take weekly classes to continue developing skills necessary for finding and keeping employment.

The SVdP Workforce Development Program is supported by the East Bay Community Foundation, Firedoll Foundation, Wal-Mart Foundation – Pittsburg, and the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Who: St. Vincent de Paul staff and volunteer mentors run the Workforce Development Program. Members of the local community who are interested in applying to the program are invited.

Where: Dining Room at St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County, 1415 Simpson Court, Pittsburg

When: 2-3:30 pm, Thursday, January 22, 2015

About St. Vincent de Paul

Inspired by values of charity, humility, and social justice, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County provides person-to-person service of time, talent and resources to help neighbors in need regardless of gender, national origin, race, or religion. It is part of an international non-profit, organized locally to bring concrete aid and comfort to those who are poor and suffering in Contra Costa County. The Society collaborates with other people and organizations of good will in mitigating need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served.

Ogorchock takes the lead on issue at her first regular council meeting

By John Crowder

During the December 16, 2014 meeting of the Antioch City Council, a proposed ordinance that would have instituted, according to Director of Public Works Ron Bernal, a “new requirement” effecting all Antioch property owners with or seeking to obtain sewer service was tabled on a 3-2 vote. The ordinance would have required property owners to ensure that their sewer laterals (the connection between the building and the public sewer system) have “proper cleanouts” and that they be, “inspected, cleaned, and replaced if necessary.”

Had it passed, staff intended to bring forward a budget amendment at a future meeting to approve a Public Works Technician position, at a cost of “approximately $120,000 plus $30,000 for startup costs for a workstation and vehicle.” The proposed ordinance was brought forward as part of a 2013 settlement agreement between the city of Antioch and Northern California River Watch, an environmental group which had alleged violations by the city of the Federal Clean Water Act and certain state regulations.

Prior to council discussion, local real estate agent Mark Jordan commented regarding the matter. “This seems to be reactive, rather than proactive,” he said. He later added, “I think it should go back to staff and it should be tightened up a little bit.”

In a discussion between council members and staff, Bernal said that, for older homes, “It could potentially be very expensive, as far as the amount of work that’s necessary to accomplish this ordinance.”

“Do we have a cost to the homeowner at this point?” questioned Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock.

Bernal estimated that cleaning a system was in the $500 to $1500 range, an inspection in the $300 to $600 range, and that the replacement of a sewer lateral could cost anywhere from a “couple thousand dollars to $10,000 or more.”

Ogorchock continued questioning Bernal, asking about the frequency of actions being taken by staff related to sewer systems. Bernal said overflows occur numerous times each month.

Ogorchock then said that, in her real estate business, she had seen costs as high as $30,000, which she characterized as a, “huge cost.” She also asked who would pay the cost on a distressed property. Bernal said it would be the seller’s responsibility.

In response to a question from Mayor Wade Harper, Bernal said an inspection would be required every ten years, and a cleaning of a sewer lateral every 20 years.

Ogorchock spoke again, saying she had a fear that the cost of this program would hinder people from buying or selling homes in the city. She put forward a motion to table the item. Following additional, brief discussion, her motion was passed, 3-2. Ogorchock, Harper, and Council Member Monica Wilson voted in favor, while Council Members Mary Rocha and Tony Tiscareno voted no.

Mayor Harper explained his vote, saying he was concerned that there were not enough homeowners present to go forward with this item. He wanted to ensure that homeowners were aware that the council would be taking up the potentially costly issue.

Before moving on to their next item, City Attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland said that, for the ordinance to be brought before the council again, an affirmative vote would be needed from them.

By John Crowder

During the December 16, 2014 meeting of the Antioch City Council, Mayor Wade Harper made a series of nominations for appointments to various council committees and other agency boards. As explained by Antioch City Attorney Lynn Tracy Nerland, the new appointments were necessary due to the change in council membership as a result of the November 4 election.

Because some of the positions allow for an additional stipend to the appointed representative, Nerland recommended that, as the council voted on appointments, the council member being appointed recuse himself or herself from that vote. As the appointments were made, this practice was followed, and each council member was approved for all the positions Harper had appointed them to on a 4-0 vote.

The appointments for each of the council members follows:

Mayor Harper: Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Delta Diablo, East Contra Costa Transit Authority (Tri-Delta Transit), Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference, Budget Committee, Lone Tree Golf Course Committee, Northeast Antioch Annexation, Quality of Life Forum

Mayor Pro Tem Ogorchock: Community Facilities District (Mello-Roos), City/Schools Relations Committee, East Bay Division League of California Cities, East County Water Management Association, Sycamore Corridor Committee, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), ABAG alternate, Contra Costa Mayors Conference alternate

Council Member Rocha: East Contra Costa Transit Authority (Tri-Delta Transit), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Community on Aging, Northeast Antioch Annexation, Delta Diablo Sanitation District alternate, Historic Preservation Committee

Council Member Wilson: Chamber of Commerce Liaison, Community Facilities District (Mello-Roos), City/School Relations Committee, CDBG, Sycamore Corridor, alternate to State Route 4 Bypass Authority alternate, TRANSPLAN alternate, East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority alternate

Council Member Tiscareno: Community Advisory Board SF Bay Water Transit Authority, Graffiti Subcommittee, State Route Bypass 4 Authority, TRANSPLAN, East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority, Budget Committee, Lone Tree Golf Course Committee

By Allen Payton

A driver speeding down East 18th Street in Antioch, at an estimated 70 to 80 miles per hour, Wednesday morning struck a telephone and power pole, at about 11:00 a.m., then overturned. The crash knocked out power to 833 surrounding homes and businesses, according to Tom Guarino, Government Relations Manager for PG&E.

According to a tow truck driver and a member of the Antioch Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) on the scene, the driver was alone in the van, and is in the hospital with a broken back. He had just dropped off his wife and their child, and was on his way to pick up flowers for his wife for their anniversary.

In an email received from Joe Metcalf, Superintendent of PG&E’s Diablo Division Electric M&C at 5:48 p.m., he stated “we have two GC crews on site now. I just spoke [to] the supervisor and he said that they would have all the power restored by 19:30.” That’s 7:30 p.m., tonight.

However, as of a 7:10 p.m. update on the PG&E website, it states “PG&E repair crew is on-site working to restore power” and “ESTIMATED RESTORATION: DEC 31, 8:00 PM.”

For further updates on the power outage, visit www.pge.com/myhome/outages/outage.