BART System Map for January 13, 2025, schedule change. Source: BART
On January 13, 2025, BART will make schedule changes to accommodate the launch of construction to replace BART’s aged train control system with a modern Communications Based Train Control System.
The schedule change is happening in coordination with the region’s other transit systems as part of a collective effort to synch schedules, reduce impacts, and improve transfers for transit riders in the Bay Area.
Minor Adjustments
Overall, some departure times will shift by a few minutes, and we encourage riders to check the schedule before January 13, 2025, to see if their trip is impacted. In the coming days, BART will post the new PDF timetables and will update the Trip Planner with the new schedule.
Late Night Construction between Colma and Millbrae for New Train Control System
Crews will be working on the track between Colma and Millbrae nightly after 9pm to upgrade our train control system. To reduce delays from this work, the Yellow Line will terminate at SFO instead of Millbrae to provide the resiliency our system needs to keep trains running on time and as optimally as possible in this section of track during the construction.
Late Night Changes for Millbrae Riders
After 9pm, Millbrae station will be served by a train that will run every 15 minutes between Millbrae and SFO only and riders will have an easy cross platform transfer at SFO to board a Yellow Line train to finish their trip.
At Millbrae, two of the four trains each hour will be timed with Caltrain’s 30-minute service schedule to provide a good transfer between Caltrain and BART.
As previously noted, after Red Line service ends each night, Yellow Line trains will terminate at SFO instead of Millbrae. Once at SFO, riders heading to Millbrae will cross the platform to board the Millbrae train, it will be labeled as a Yellow Line train to Millbrae.
However, after midnight, the final four Yellow Line trains to SFO station will proceed to Millbrae (riders will not need to transfer for Millbrae service), similar to the current schedule. The final train of the evening will bypass SFO, as it always does, and go straight to Millbrae. This is consistent with the current schedule.
These late evening changes will be displayed in the PDF timetable and in the Trip Planner to guide riders. And the official BART system map online, and posted at stations, will indicate a change in trains is necessary between 9pm-midnight.
This nightly service plan for Millbrae riders is expected to last several years as BART has prioritized this section of track to be the first area to bring on Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) in the BART system. The state-of-the-art CBTC system will transform BART service by enabling trains to run closer together and by updating aged equipment. A modernized train control system will enable BART to increase projected Transbay capacity to 30-trains per hour per direction in the core system area, from the current limitation of 24-trains per hour per direction.
Transit Coordination – The Big Synch
Bay Area transit agencies are now syncing schedules in a whole new way with a focus on improving transfers between systems and making schedule changes at the same time.
Most Bay Area transit agencies are rolling out new schedules in mid-January in coordination with each other and have now aligned the timing of schedule changes twice each year, once in summer (mid-August) and once in winter (mid-January). Since 2022, the number of transit agencies with full schedule change alignment (changing schedules at the same time August and January) has increased from 4 to 19, for a 375% increase.
Advancing schedule change alignment is a key priority for Bay Area transit general managers who meet on a weekly basis to make transit more rider-focused and efficient.
Releases 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report detailing successful efforts taken to deliver nation’s election mail securely, effectively
On average, ballots were delivered from voters to election officials within one day
CALIFORNIA — Today, the United States Postal Service released its 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report, outlining the agency’s steps to process more than 99.22 million ballots in the 2024 general election. The full report can be read here: 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report.
“In 2024, the Postal Service once again admirably performed our role of efficiently and effectively delivering the nation’s ballots,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “As we continue to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, we stand ready to work with policymakers at all levels to make the nation’s effective vote by mail process even stronger.”
The Postal Service’s success in 2024 was the result of a deepened focus on operational precision and integrated communications, the engagement of the USPS Election and Government Mail Services team and execution of longstanding, proven operational processes and procedures, including extraordinary measures.
As in previous general elections, the Postal Service deployed extraordinary measures in the final weeks of the election season to swiftly move Ballot Mail entered close to or on Election Day and/or the state’s return deadline. Extraordinary measures began on Monday, Oct. 21, continued nationwide through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and extended through the last day in each state that boards of elections accepted completed mail-in ballots as timely.
In 2024, the Postal Service’s extraordinary measures included but were not limited to: extra deliveries and collections; special pick-ups; specialized sort plans at processing facilities to expedite delivery to boards of elections; and local handling and transportation of ballots.
Key 2024 Election Mail Performance Statistics
As part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, USPS is responsible for processing, transporting, and delivering the nation’s Election Mail safely, securely, and on time. During the General Election, USPS processed more than 99 million ballots. On average, Ballot Mail sent from voters to election officials were delivered within one day.
99.22 Million Ballots Processed in the 2024 General Election: During the general election period of September 1 – November 15, the Postal Service delivered at least 99.22 million ballots to or from voters.*
99.88 Percent of Ballots Delivered to Election Officials Within a Week: The agency successfully processed, transported and delivered 99.88 percent of ballots from voters to election officials within seven days, and 99.64 percent within five days.**
97.73 Percent of Ballots Delivered from Voters to Election Officials Within Three Days: The Postal Service successfully returned 97.73 percent of ballots from voters to local election officials in fewer than three days.
1 Day Average Delivery Time for Ballots from Voters to Election Officials: On average, the Postal Service delivered ballots from voters to election officials within one day.
3.37 Billion Pieces of Political and Election Mail Delivered in 2024: The total mail volume surpassed 3 billion mailpieces for both Political and Election Mail tracked.
As an essential part of the nation’s disaster response network, readiness and preparation for natural disasters are standard procedure for the Postal Service. In September and October 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated portions of Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina just weeks before the election. However, through the deployment of extraordinary measures in the weeks before Election Day, voters in the impacted areas who chose to use the mail to vote received performance comparable with the rest of the nation.
Recommendations To Improve the Nation’s Vote by Mail System in Future Election Cycles
The Postal Service is both a national service and a world-class logistics organization. As such, consistent policies are needed nationwide to ensure that operations run smoothly, that the 640,000 USPS employees understand what is expected of them, and the millions of customers can have trust in the Postal Service’s ability to deliver for them. At the same time, when it comes to the delivery of Election Mail, there are 50 states and nearly 8,000 election jurisdictions that are far from uniform in their election laws and practices, and that often do not consider how the mail system works.
This can result in a mismatch of timeframes, deadlines, ballot return suggestions and the practical reality of using the mail. Many of these laws and practices were not established with the Postal Service’s operations in mind.
As USPS continues to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, the organization stands ready to work with policymakers at all levels to continue educating them on how the mail works. While the Postal Service provides effective, efficient, and reliable service for all mail, including Election Mail, there are long-standing recommendations that policymakers should consider to help expedite the transport of mail-in ballots to and from voters including:
Following and implementing USPS recommendations on mail piece preparation
Applying visibility tools to Election and Ballot Mail
Better understanding of Postal Operations
Continuing voter education initiatives on state laws and reasonable mailing deadlines
*Total volume reflects volume that was identifiable as Ballot Mail by the Postal Service.
**Performance data for outbound Ballot Mail (sent from local boards of elections to voters) includes only those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules.
Performance data for inbound Ballot Mail (sent from voters to local boards of elections) includes both those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules as well as the volume identified by a survey for which data is available from 10/21/2024 to 11/13/2024.
Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.
The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
On December 20, 2024, the Antioch Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6pm to 11pm at an undisclosed location.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Rob Green said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”
The Antioch Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, CCC Sheriff’s Office
In 2025 the Office of the Sheriff will celebrate its 175th anniversary as a Sheriff’s Office. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff has come a long way since Nathaniel Jones became Sheriff in 1850. The agency now has nearly 1,200 sworn and professional employees who proudly provide a wide range public safety services to over 1.1 million residents in the county and multiple law enforcement agencies.
Contra Costa County has had 22 Sheriffs. Although the faces have changed, the mission of the Sheriff’s Office has not: making Contra Costa County a safe place for residents, families, communities, and businesses and to provide the highest level of service possible.
“In recognition of our proud history as a law enforcement agency, I am authorizing uniformed staff to wear a special commemorative shoulder patch to recognize our 175 years of service,” said Sheriff David Livingston. “Not only do we continue deeply held traditions of the Office, but we also honor our long line of service and pay tribute to the many members of the Office who came before us.”
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office offers a full range of law enforcement services to over 1,100,000 residents in the 715 square mile county. Besides patrolling the unincorporated areas, Deputy Sheriffs provide comprehensive police services to a number of contract cities and special districts. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office operates county detention facilities, provides security for the courts and runs the Office of Emergency Services. Log on www.cocosheriff.org for more information.
The Contra Costa Coroner’s Office has identified the two men who exchanged gunfire in the parking lot of Delta Bowl in Antioch on Saturday night, Dec. 7, 2024. Deputy Coroner Livingston said they were Antonio Drake, age 34, male out of Antioch and Deantray Reed, age 35, male out of Oakley.
As previously reported by Antioch Police, Investigators determined Reed approached the victim, Drake, while he was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle preparing to leave. Gunfire was exchanged between the two males, and both were fatally wounded. Drake succumbed to his gunshot injury in the parking lot and Reed was transported by paramedics to a nearby hospital where he also succumbed to his gunshot injury.
At this time, the motive for the shooting is unknown, and no other suspects or involved individuals appear to be outstanding.
According to localcrimenews.com, Reed was arrested in June 2010 by Solano County Sheriff’s Deputies for assault with a firearm on a person, shooting at an inhabited dwelling/vehicle/etc. and failure to appear on a felony charge.
In addition, according to court records, he was convicted of second-degree robbery, assault with force likely to cause bodily injury, participation in a criminal street gang, and evading an officer for an incident in San Francisco in 2011.
According to localcrimenews.com, Drake was arrested in November 2013 for burglary, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. That arrest was made by Concord Police and his middle name was listed as Lorenzo. He was also arrested in February 2015 by Antioch Police for possession of marijuana/hashish for sale, revocation of probation, addict in possession of firearm and possession of ammunition and again, by Antioch Police in January 2017 for possession of a controlled substance for sale and revocation of probation.
Red circle indicates suspect’s vehicle in the intersection of Lone Tree Way and Canada Valley Road on Oct. 12, 2024. Photo: Antioch PD
By Antioch Police Department
The Antioch Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding the driver behind a deadly hit-and-run accident. The crash happened at the Lone Tree way and Canada Valley Road intersection on October 12, 2024, at 8:24 p.m. The driver of the wanted vehicle struck and killed a 53-year-old female pedestrian who was in a crosswalk. (See related article)
Over the last two months, investigators have diligently followed up on all leads and are now asking for the community’s assistance. Investigators are currently looking for the vehicle in the above photograph.
If you have any information please contact Officer J. Egan at jegan@antiochca.gov or (925 204-1587.
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
At the Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center, geriatric patients have an integrated team of health care providers who care for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.
Kaiser Permanente Antioch is the 12th hospital in the United States to receive this verification. Kaiser Permanente Northern California has four other hospitals that have achieved this designation: Richmond, Walnut Creek, Oakland and Fresno. The Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center was one of the nation’s first hospitals to achieve verification in 2021.
“The American College of Surgeons has a long history of encouraging the use of evidence-based best practices to improve care of patients who need surgery,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Physician in Chief Sharon Mowat, MD. “Our team has invested a tremendous amount of time and effort into improving our patients’ care before and after surgeries.”
Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are living longer than any generation before them. By the year 2050, senior citizens will represent 22% of the U.S. population. Anita Chiu, MD, serves dual roles as Kaiser Permanente Antioch’s geriatric surgery director and one of three Northern California geriatric surgery physician leads.
“Frail, older individuals are more likely to have complications, and they may have a different outlook on what matters most to them after a surgery,” she said. “The Geriatric Surgery Verification Program was designed to make the communication between surgeons and patients more focused on the goals of the individual.”
Geriatric-friendly patient rooms support elderly patients with their recovery. For example, special windows help them to tell the difference between day and night. Large clocks, non-slip floors, contrasting wall and floor colors, and handrails also help patients while they recover. Proper nutrition and hydration are extremely important, so the geriatric care team makes sure that patients are properly nourished before and after their surgeries.
A dedicated health care team
Chiu runs the hospital’s program with Geriatric Surgery Coordinator Ali Gratny, RN, and Regional Physician Lead Hemant Keny, MD.
“Older adults are a special population with unique and often complex needs – physiologically and socially,” Keny said. “Sometimes, the best advances in geriatric health care involve the warmth of human connection and interdisciplinary teamwork.”
Chiu was recognized as a national expert at implementing geriatric surgery quality programs, and she was asked by the ACS to join the GSV Education and Informatics Task Force. Keny was asked to join the GSV Leadership Committee.
For every surgery involving an elderly patient, a multi-disciplinary team discuss how the surgery will affect the patient’s overall quality of life. Patients undergoing elective surgeries are evaluated by geriatricians. High-risk patients are reviewed by a multi-specialty team of physicians who discuss vulnerabilities and make recommendations. Final decisions are made by patients and their families.
“The Senior Surgical Care Program at Kaiser Permanente is special because it breaks down some of the traditional silos of health care in order to provide our patients with the very best patient-centered care,” said Gratny, the hospital’s geriatric surgery coordinator. “We work together to identify the strengths of the patient and their support system, as well as their vulnerabilities. This holistic approach to health care is uniquely valuable.”
The new Antioch mayor and councilmembers were seated with the two continuing council members, as well as the new city clerk following their oaths of office ceremony before a standing room only crowd inside the Council Chambers at City Hall Tuesday night, Dec. 10, 2024. Photos by Allen D. Payton unless indicated.
Rocha elected Mayor Pro Tem; Freitas calls for termination of city attorney
Special Wednesday night Closed Session meeting to discuss 34 previous and current lawsuits against City
A happy, new Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal at his seat in the center of the dais Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Photo by Debbie Jeremy.
By Allen D. Payton
In the paraphrased words of President Gerald Ford following President Richard Nixon’s resignation over the Watergate scandal, our long municipal nightmare is over. During the final meeting for the outgoing mayor, council members, city clerk and treasurer that culminated with the oaths of office of the five new city officials, Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe ended his four years in the top position and eight years on the council by leading a disorganized meeting, forgetting to allow public comments on agenda items as well as presentations to the departing officials.
Prior to those oversights, the council moved up the items for their consideration on the agenda and the departing mayor attempted to prevent District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s effor to remove from the Consent Calendar for a separate vote, the City’s final response to the county Grand Jury’s report. But after City Attorney Thomas L. Smith intervened, both she and departing District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica voted against the motion to approve the response which disagreed with the finding that, “The Mayor and City Council members have on occasion overstepped their authority in seeking to make personnel decisions.”
The council also considered, and without opposition or a vote, but via consensus, moved forward Hernandez-Thorpe’s proposed expansion of cannabis uses in two of the three overlay districts in the city, including in the downtown Rivertown District. That is expected to return on a future meeting agenda for a decision by the new council. This reporter was the only resident to speak during public comments on the matter saying the city needs to survey the business owners in Rivertown to get their input first, which was met with applause.
Earlier in the evening the council met in closed session to discuss the City’s “significant exposure to litigation.” Attorney Smith later said there was “no reportable action on two cases.”
Oaths of Office
The disappointment among several in the audience who attended the meeting and some who spoke during public comments later in the meeting about the former officials, after all but Ogorchock had left, was quickly replaced by the jubilance over the oaths of office of new Mayor Ron Bernal, District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas who were each overwhelmingly elected in their respective races and make up a new council majority. Also sworn in were new City Treasurer Jorge Rojas, Jr. and Clerk Melissa Rhodes.
The Antioch Police Color Guard presented the U.S. and California flags, and Pastor Steve Miner of Cornerstone Christian Center offered the invocation.
Prior to the ceremony, an Antioch Police Color Guard posted the American and state flags, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Pastor Steve Miner of Cornerstone Christian Center, at the request of Bernal, offered the invocation. That was followed by a performance by the Music Masters of Antioch High School at the request of Freitas.
The Antioch High School Music Masters performed before the oaths of office ceremony.
Bernal was administered his oath by his wife Irma, with their daughter and grandsons by his side. Rocha’s mother, former mayor, councilwoman and current Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha administered his oath of office, with his wife Tammy by his side. Freitas was administered his oath of office by his wife, former Antioch Councilwoman Cathryn Freitas. Outgoing City Clerk Ellie Householder administered the oaths of office for both Rojas and Rhodes.
Ron Bernal takes his oath of office at the new Mayor of Antioch, administered by his wife, Irma with their daughter and grandsons by his side. He then offered brief remarks to the audience.
New Officials Offer Thanks, Thoughts
Each of the five new officials offered brief remarks from the floor, before being seated.
In his comments Bernal said, “I just want to thank everybody for coming out here tonight for this special occasion and for everybody that has supported this campaign and for just the prayers and love. It’s been a lot and I just want people to know that I’m here for all of the city of Antioch and I’m here to the extent that we’re able to come together as a city to create a safer community, to create a place that has alternatives for our homeless that they don’t currently have, right now, to find places for our businesses to have other opportunities. And I just want you all to know that this is an honor that I take it very seriously and I will do my very best to serve you all and to be a mayor you can be proud of.”
Later, Bernal offered more lengthy, prepared remarks from the dais.
New Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha was given his oath of office by his mother, former Antioch Mayor and current School Board Trustee Mary Rocha, as his wife Tammy and outgoing councilmembers look on.
Following his oath of office Rocha said, “I’ve come here, like many family members who have come to Antioch looking for an opportunity for their families. My family came here for the same reason. I’ve been here since I was eight years. We moved here from Oakland, and this has been a wonderful place for me, and for my children and my family to raise here. I was fortunate to work in Antioch and serve as a teacher, high school counselor, football coach, vice principal and principal and I retired two years ago. And I’m just proud to be from this community and to serve the people that have supported me so much. I see many of you in the audience that are family, friends, neighbors, community members. One of the things as principal, I was there for close to 20 years as principal and a counselor, is I believe it takes a village to make good things happen and I hope that we can begin to work together to try to come to some resolutions that can help us move forward for everyone to have this be a better place that we can call home.”
“I’ve always been proud to be from Antioch. I’m proud to be from Antioch as a citizen, I’m proud to be from Antioch, now as an Antioch City Councilman. So, I ask that you join us, because it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take time to get there. But I think as I used to say as a football coach with TEAM, together everyone accomplishes more. So, I that hope we can do that together,” he concluded.
New District 3 Antioch Councilman Don Freitas takes his oath of office administered by his wife, Cathryn.
Freitas was the next to speak after being sworn in saying jokingly, “I thought I was going to be up on the dais when I gave my speech. I worked hours on it. You’re lucky I don’t have to give it now.”
“I was born here in the city of Antioch. I was born at the old Antioch Community Hospital which was located on Sixth Street, and I’ve lived here my entire life,” the new councilman and former mayor continued. “After graduating from University of California at Davis, I made the conscious decision to come back to my home, to come back to the people that I love, that I grew up with and that I wanted to be with. And public service has always, always been a calling for me and my wife. Cathryn, actually when she graduated with a Masters from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. her first professional job was here. She worked for the City of Antioch for about five years and then she went on and became the H.R. Director at the Contra Costa Sanitary District. But she was appointed for two years to the Planning Commission, and she served eight years on the City Council from 1986 to 1994.”
“So, public service is extraordinarily important to me. It should involve everyone, everyone,” Freitas shared. “Yet, the tent should be wide enough and large enough to invite everyone to participate even though we may have differences of opinion, even though we may not even like certain individuals. The point is when you are involved in public service, you’re doing it for the right purpose and that is for the benefit of all citizens in our community. So, when I left in 2008 as mayor as eight years, I truly did not think I would be coming back. But the call was there, I felt compelled with the knowledge, experience and the dedication that I’ve had for this community to come back home. So, I am honored, particularly by the voters of District 3 but really all the citizens in the city of Antioch.”
“We have a lot of work ahead of us. It’ll be difficult. But I hope that people enter this next phase in the positive not a destructive situation. We have had enough of division and chaos and anger and hate. I hope and pray that we can move forward even when there are differences. I pray to God that He will always look over us, protect us and move us forward in a good direction,” he concluded.
New City Treasurer Jorge Rojas, Jr. and Clerk Melissa Rhodes took their oaths of office administered by outgoing City Clerk Ellie Householder.
Rojas shared his thought after being sworn in saying, “Pretty much I’d like to say thank to everyone that’s, without really knowing me as a newcomer. has voted for me. But I can truly say I bring experience in financial services, and I also look forward to working with the new mayor and the new…council. I’m ready to do the job. So, let’s get it going.”
After taking her oath of office Rhodes said, “I am so honored to be serving as Antioch City Clerk. I bring eight years of experience working throughout the Bay Area in different city clerk offices. I want to thank everybody who supported me in this endeavor, and I look forward to working at the City of Antioch.
Then, without the presentations to the departing officials as listed on the agenda, a confused Hernandez-Thorpe stood up to leave the dais as the new city clerk called for a 30-minute recess. (See 42:00-minute mark of council meeting video) All five council members then left the dais, and during the break the new officials were congratulated and took photos with family, friends and supporters, while those in attendance enjoyed refreshments catered by Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill.
The new council’s first vote was to unanimously elect Louie Rocha as the City’s Mayor Pro Tem for 2025.
Council Reorganizes, Rocha Elected Mayor Pro Tem, Bernal Announces Appointments
After the new mayor and council members were seated, Rocha was elected unanimously to be the City’s Mayor Pro Tempore for the next year as he received the highest percentage of the vote in the council elections. He is now seated to Bernal’s right, and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson is seated to his right. District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker is seated to the mayor’s left, and Freitas is seated to her left.
Bernal then announced the appointments to various city and regional committees of the council members for the next two years. But before the council voted, new Antioch School Board Area 4 Trustee Olga Cobos Smith spoke during public comments on the item objecting to Freitas being appointed to the City-School Committee instead of Torres-Walker, citing the violence in her council district that is affecting students in the school district. Freitas then asked to be removed from consideration and to appoint his council colleague. That was agreed to as part of the motion to approve all the appointments which was approved on a 5-0 vote.
Source: City of Antioch
Future Agenda Items – Freitas Calls for City Attorney’s Termination
During the Council Communications and Future Agenda Items portion of the meeting, Bernal offered more extensive, prepared remarks. (See video of remarks on the Antioch Herald Facebook page). In addition, Freitas asked for several items to be discussed by the council, including immediately providing City Manager Bessie Scott with goals and objectives for her to be evaluated on, six months following her start date on Oct. 7, to be in compliance with her contract. It was supposed to be done by the council within 30 days, he shared. However, Torres-Walker said the city manager had spoken individually with some council members about the matter, but that other council members refused to meet with her.
The other items Freitas requested were a detailed review of the budget in January and stunned the audience when he called for the termination of the city attorney. He inadvertently said “city manager” but corrected himself after being questioned about it by Torres-Walker. (See video of Freitas’ comments from the dais)
Special Wednesday Closed Session Meeting to Discuss 34 Previous or Current Lawsuits Against City
Bernal’s first request which was made earlier in the evening was for a special Closed Session meeting to be held tonight, Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. to discuss 34 lawsuits the City is either facing or have recently settled. According to City Manager Scott, one of the matters had to be dealt with by tomorrow, Dec. 12th, but City Attorney Smith said he couldn’t say which one. He also said the new council cannot undo any of the settlements approved by votes of the previous council.
