Last of three voter-approved increases takes effect Jan. 1st; failed in Contra Costa

BATA board also voted last week to increase tolls to $11.50 by 2030 for bridge maintenance and repairs

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications & Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) reminds drivers that tolls at the region’s seven state-owned toll bridges will go up by $1 next Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. This will be the third of the three $1 toll increases approved by the California Legislature in 2017 through state Senate Bill 595 and by voters through Regional Measure 3 (RM3) in June 2018 which passed by 55.07% to 44.93%. The first of these toll hikes went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, and the second on Jan. 1, 2022. It funds $4.45 billion slate of highway and transit improvements but did not include bridge maintenance and repairs.

Regular tolls for two-axle cars and trucks (as well as for motorcycles) at the Antioch, San Francisco-Oakland Bay, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges will rise to $8 from the current $7 on Jan. 1, 2025.

Tolls for vehicles with three or more axles also will rise by $1 on Jan. 1, 2025, at all seven of the state-owned toll bridges: to $18 for three axles, $23 for four-axles, $28 for five axles, $33 for six axles, and $38 for combinations with seven or more axles.

Contra Costa Voters Opposed Ballot Measure

According to Ballotpedia, RM3 raised bridge tolls in the Bay Area—excluding tolls for the Golden Gate Bridge—by $3 over six years to fund the Bay Area Traffic Relief Plan, including a $4.5 billion slate of transportation projects. It was on the ballot for voters in the city and county of San Francisco and the following counties: Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.

Voters in two of the counties most affected by the bridge tolls rejected RM3. The vote in Contra Costa County was 44.54% opposed to 55.465 in favor and Solano County voters overwhelmingly opposed it 30.03% to 69.97%. But voters in the other seven counties approved the measure. Alameda County where voters and commuters are also most affected by bridge toll increases passed RM3 by 53.89% to 46.11% The vote margin was closest in Napa County, where voters approved the measure 50.7 percent to 49.3 percent.

Regional Measure 3 continues the peak-period toll discount for motorcycles, qualifying carpools and qualifying clean-air vehicles crossing any of the state-owned toll bridges on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The discounted toll will rise to $4 on Jan. 1 from the current $3.50. To qualify for this discount, carpoolers, motorcyclists and drivers of clean-air vehicles must use FasTrak^® to pay their tolls electronically and must use a designated carpool lane at each toll plaza.

Senate Bill 595 and Regional Measure 3 also established a 50-cent toll discount for two-axle vehicles crossing more than one of the state-owned toll bridges during weekday commute hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. To be eligible for the toll discount, which is to be applied to the second toll crossing of the day, motorists must pay their tolls electronically with FasTrak^®. Carpools, motorcycles and qualifying clean-air vehicles making a second peak-period toll crossing in a single day will qualify for an additional 25-cent discount off the already-discounted carpool toll. 

New FasTrak^® customers can obtain toll tags at Costco warehouse stores and select Walgreens stores around Northern California. A complete list of participating locations — as well as an online enrollment and registration feature — is available on the FasTrak^® Web site at bayareafastrak.org. Customers also may enroll in the FasTrak^® program by phone at 1-877-229-8655; by calling 511 and asking for “FasTrak” at the first prompt; or in person at the FasTrak^® customer service center at 375 Beale Street in San Francisco. FasTrak^® can be used in all lanes at all Bay Area toll plazas. 

Major projects in the Regional Measure 3 expenditure plan include improvements to State Route 37 in the North Bay, freeway interchange improvements in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties, the purchase of more new BART cars, extension of the BART system from Berryessa to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara, extension of the Caltrain corridor to the Salesforce Transit Center in downtown San Francisco, expansion of Muni’s transit vehicle fleet, expansion of San Francisco Bay Ferry service and more frequent transbay bus service, an improved connection between northbound U.S. 101 and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in Marin County, upgrades to the Dumbarton Bridge corridor, and extension of the SMART rail system to Windsor and Healdsburg in Sonoma County.

In Addition to Recently Approved Toll Hikes Beginning Jan. 1, 2026

The Regional Measure 3 toll hike that takes effect next week is separate from the 50 cents per year toll hikes approved by BATA earlier this month, which will be phased in over five years, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, to pay for the maintenance, rehabilitation and operation of the seven state-owned toll bridges. It will increase tolls by 2030 to $11.50 for those who don’t use FasTrak and $10.50 for those who do. BATA this month also approved updates to the policies for high-occupancy vehicles on approaches to the state-owned bridges, which will similarly go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. (See related article)

BATA, which is directed by the same policy board as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), administers toll revenues from the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges. Toll revenues from the Golden Gate Bridge are administered by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, which joined with BATA to operate a single regional FasTrak^® customer service center in San Francisco. MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Vehicle towed

By Antioch Police Department

Would you look at that! Prop 36, VOTED ON BY YOU, is making immediate impacts on the community!

Yesterday, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, Target called 9-1-1 to report a sneaky thief was inside shoplifting! The man arrived in a white Escalade and was stealing multiple items inside the store! Officer Pedreira was quick on scene with a response time of 1 minute and 5 seconds! The would-be pilferer was located placing the stolen items in the vehicle! He was detained and thanks to Prop 36 and his history of theft, his misdemeanor is now a FELONY! He was transported and booked into jail!!

Last week, this habitual swindler’s five-finger-discount would have earned him a citation, today it earned him a Felony charge and a trip to jail!

We even took his car-to-car jail for its role in the crime!

Increases penalties for shoplifting and certain drug crimes

On Dec. 13, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an Information Bulletin to all law enforcement agencies in the state about Proposition 36 which passed overwhelmingly in November and went into effect on Wednesday, Dec. 18th. The bulletin highlights the statutory changes and additions made to current law under the proposition known as “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.”

“Ultimately, our success in combating organized retail crime hinges on our ability to work together, innovate, and remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our neighborhoods and businesses,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Let us harness the strength of our partnerships, the power of new legislation, and the collective resolve of our community to create a safer and more secure environment for everyone. My office is committed to fighting organized retail crime head on.”

Proposition 36 modifies existing law and adds substantive charges and enhancements to areas of the Penal Code and Health and Safety Code regarding theft, property damage, and drug-related crimes. The changes include the creation of new felony theft and drug crimes targeting recidivist offenders, removal of eligibility for the sentences of certain offenses to be served in county jail pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(h) as opposed to state prison, and alignment of the punishment for crimes involving fentanyl with that of other similar controlled substances.

Following is Bonta’s Information Bulletin:

TO: ALL CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES PROPOSITION 36: “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act”

On November 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36, known as “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.” Proposition 36 takes effect on December 18, 2024.

Proposition 36 modifies existing law and adds substantive charges and enhancements to areas of the Penal Code and Health and Safety Code regarding theft, property damage, and drug-related crimes. The changes include: (1) the creation of new felony theft and drug crimes targeting recidivist offenders; (2) removal of eligibility for the sentences of certain offenses to be served in county jail pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(h); and (3) alignment of the punishment for crimes involving fentanyl with that of other similar controlled substances.

The purpose of this bulletin is to highlight the statutory changes and additions made by Proposition 36.

CHANGES UNDER PROPOSITION 36 RELATING TO THEFT AND PROPERTY DAMAGE

Penal Code section 490.3 (Aggregation of Losses in Multiple Thefts): Proposition 36 creates a new Penal Code section 490.3 which permits aggregation of the value of property or merchandise stolen during multiple thefts to meet the $950 threshold for a felony without having to prove that the various crimes were motivated by one intention, one general impulse, and one plan. This new section applies to theft or shoplifting, including, but not limited to, violations of Penal Code sections 459.5, 484, 488, and 490.2.

Penal Code section 490.3 applies “notwithstanding any other law,” and is therefore broader than other laws such as Penal Code section 487, subdivision (e) and the new Penal Code section 12022.10,1

1 which would permit aggregation only in limited circumstances, such as if the acts were motivated by one intention, one general impulse, and one plan, or only if there was a common scheme or plan, respectively.

Penal Code section 666.1 (Felony Crime of Theft with Two Prior Thefts): Penal Code section 666.1 is a new, recidivist felony offense of committing petty theft or shoplifting while having two or more prior misdemeanor or felony convictions for specified theft-related crimes. A first conviction under Penal Code section 666.1, subdivision (a)(1) is punishable in county jail pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(h), second or subsequent convictions are punishable in county jail or state prison. Other notable aspects of Penal Code section 666.1 include:

• There is no “washout” timeframe on the prior convictions that qualify a defendant to be charged with a violation of Penal Code section 666.1(a)(1)—all prior convictions qualify, regardless of when they occurred.
• Although Penal Code section 666.1 does not mandate that the two or more specified prior convictions be alleged in the accusatory pleading, existing authority suggests that the prior convictions must be alleged and proved at preliminary hearing so a defendant can be held to answer on a Penal Code section 666.1 charge. (See People v. Casillas (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 171.)
• Section 666.1 applies “notwithstanding any other law,” meaning that it will apply even if a defendant could alternatively have been prosecuted for a misdemeanor theft-related charge pursuant to another statute.
• Upon arrest on a Penal Code section 666.1 charge, subdivision (c) requires judicial review prior to release from custody to make an individualized determination of the arrestee’s risk to public safety and likelihood to return to court.

Penal Code section 12022.6 (Excessive Takings Enhancement): Proposition 36 re-enacts and modifies several aspects of the Penal Code section 12022.6 enhancement, which was repealed at the end of 2017 because of a sunset date. Penal Code section 12022.6 applies when an offender takes, damages, or destroys property in the commission or attempted commission of a felony, or commits a felony in violation of Penal Code section 496 (possessing/receiving/selling stolen property). This enhancement must be pled and proved. The enhancements are as follows:

• One-year enhancement – loss or property value over $50,000
• Two-year enhancement – loss or property value over $200,000
• Three-year enhancement – loss or property value over $1 million
• Four-year enhancement – loss or property value over $3 million
• One-year enhancement for every additional loss or property value of $3 million (imposed in addition to the four-year, $3 million enhancement)

The enhancements may be imposed if the combined losses to the victims or the combined property values from all felonies exceed the threshold amounts and arise from a common scheme or plan. The enhancement permits the court to impose a Penal Code section 12022.6 enhancement and another enhancement on a single count, including an enhancement pursuant to new Penal Code section 12022.65 (acting in concert to take, damage, or destroy property—see below). Thus, a defendant may be punished for both acting in concert (Pen. Code § 12022.65) and for taking or damaging property valued at more than $50,000 (Pen. Code § 12022.6). The punishment specified in Penal Code sections 12022.6, subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) will continue to apply where Penal Code section 186.11 has been charged, as it previously did.2

Penal Code section 12022.65 (Theft or Property Damage In-Concert Enhancement): Penal Code section 12022.65 is a new enhancement that applies when an offender acts in concert with two or more persons to take, attempt to take, damage, or destroy property, in the commission or attempted commission of a felony. This enhancement has a range of one, two, or three years and must be pled and proved.

CHANGES UNDER PROPOSITION 36 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Health and Safety Code section 11369 (Warning to Dealers of Hard Drugs): Proposition 36 creates a new section 11369 in the Health and Safety Code section 11369 which requires the trial court to advise anyone convicted of a violation of Health and Safety Section 11351, 11351.5, 11352, 11378, 11378.5, 11379, 11379.5, or 11379.6 involving a hard drug,3 that distributing, selling, furnishing, administering, giving away, or manufacturing any drug is extremely dangerous and deadly to human life, and if the conduct continues, the defendant can be charged with homicide, up to and including murder.4 The admonishment must be given to the defendant in writing and the court record must reflect that the admonishment was given.

Health and Safety Code section 11370.1 (Possessing a Drug While Armed with a Firearm): Health and Safety Code section 11370.1 is modified by Proposition 36 to expand the felony crime of unlawfully possessing a specified substance while armed with a loaded, operable firearm to include any substance containing fentanyl. Health and Safety Code section 11370.1 continues to apply to substances containing cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, methamphetamine, or phencyclidine, and continues to provide punishment of two, three, or four years in state prison.

Health and Safety Code section 11370.4 (Controlled Substance Weight Enhancement): Health and Safety Code section 11370.4 is modified by Proposition 36 by adding a new subdivision (c), which provides a range of enhancements for a violation of Health and Safety Code sections 11351, 11352, or a conspiracy to violate either section, involving fentanyl.5 The following chart breaks down the nine new weight enhancements for fentanyl in specific quantities:

New subdivision (e) provides that notwithstanding Penal Code section 1170, subdivision (h)(9), a defendant convicted of an underlying violation specified in Health and Safety Code section 11370.4 (e.g., Health & Saf. Code §§ 11351, 11351.5, 11352, 11378, 11378.5, 11379, and 11379.5) who admits a weight enhancement or for whom a weight enhancement is found true for any of the listed controlled substances, is punishable in state prison and not county jail pursuant to Penal Code section 1170, subdivision (h).

Health and Safety Code section 11395 (“Treatment-Mandated Felony Act”): Proposition 36 creates Health and Safety Code section 11395, a new, recidivist felony offense of possessing a “hard drug” and having two or more prior felony or misdemeanor convictions for specified drug-related crimes. A violation of Health and Safety Code section 11395 is punishable in county jail pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(h) for a first conviction. Subsequent convictions are punishable in state prison. Both first and subsequent convictions are wobblers and eligible for probation unless otherwise prohibited. Other notable aspects of Health and Safety Code section 11395 include:

• Section 11395 applies “notwithstanding any other law,” meaning that it will apply even if a defendant would have been eligible for a misdemeanor drug possession charge (e.g., Health & Saf. Code § 11350 or 11377), Penal Code section 1000 drug diversion, or probation for a non-violent drug possession offense pursuant to Penal Code section 1210.1.
• The two or more prior convictions of specified crimes within Health and Safety Code section 11395, subdivision (c) may be either misdemeanor or a felony convictions.
• There is no “washout” timeframe on the prior convictions that qualify a defendant to be charged with a violation of Health and Safety Code section 11395—all prior convictions qualify, regardless of when they occurred.
• Prior convictions must be pled and proven. (Health & Saf. Code, § 11395, subd. (c).)
• Upon booking for a violation of Health and Safety Code section 11395, subdivision (f) requires judicial review prior to release from custody to make an individual determination of the arrestee’s risk to public safety and likelihood to return to court.

Health and Safety Code section 11395 also provides an option for treatment in lieu of incarceration for its offenses. Health and Safety Code section 11395, subdivision (d) provides that a defendant may choose treatment instead of county jail, state prison, or a grant of probation with county jail as a condition of probation.6 Upon successful completion of the treatment program, the positive recommendation of the  treatment program, and a motion by the defendant, the court shall dismiss the Health and Safety Code section 11395 charge. (Heath & Saf. Code, § 11395, subd. (d)(3).)

Penal Code section 12022, subdivision (c) (Drug Crimes While Personally Armed with a Firearm): Proposition 36 amends Penal Code section 12022, subdivision (c) to provide that the enhancement for individuals convicted of specified drug offenses and who are personally armed with a firearm, must serve the additional term in state prison instead of county jail. Subdivision (c) is further amended to provide that, notwithstanding Penal Code section 1170, subdivision (h)(9), a defendant convicted of a specified underlying violation who admits a Penal Code section 12022, subdivision (c) firearm enhancement or has such an enhancement found true, is punishable in state prison even if the underlying offense is a section 1170, subdivision (h) county jail offense.

Penal Code section 12022.7 (Great Bodily Injury (GBI) Enhancement For Drug-Related Injury): Proposition 36 amends Penal Code section 12022.7 to add subdivision (f)(2), which explicitly provides that “a person who sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away a controlled substance is deemed to have personally inflicted great bodily injury when the person to whom the substance was sold, furnished, administered, or given suffers a significant or substantial physical injury from using the substance.” This creates a great bodily injury enhancement that can be charged when the person to whom an offender supplies a drug suffers a serious injury from using the drug, including death.7

1 Penal Code section 12022.10 is a new enhancement created by Senate Bill 1416, effective January 1, 2025, for selling, exchanging, or returning for value, property acquired through one or more acts of shoplifting, theft, or burglary from a retail business. It also applies to attempted selling, exchanging, or returning, and has a sunset date of January 1, 2030. By contrast, Penal Code section 490.3 does not address the aggregation of sales of stolen property.

2 Assembly Bill 1960, effective on January 1, 2025, adds a Penal Code section 12022.6 excessive taking enhancement that is almost identical to that in Proposition 36. The non-substantive difference is that AB 1960 contains a sunset date of January 1, 2030, and Proposition 36 does not contain a sunset date.

3 “Hard drug” means a controlled substance listed in Health and Safety Code section 11054 or 11055, except that it does not include substances listed in Health and Safety Code section 11054, subdivisions (d) and (e), or, with the exception of methamphetamine, any other substance listed in Health and Safety Code section 11055, subdivision (d). (Health & Saf. Code, § 11369, subd. (d).)

4 Vehicle Code section 23593 similarly provides that, upon conviction of certain Vehicle Code provisions, courts are required to give an advisement about the dangers of drinking and driving, and warn that if someone is killed, the offender can be charged with murder.

5 Health and Safety Code section 11370.4, subdivision (a)(1) removes fentanyl from the list of controlled substances. The modification to Health and Safety Code section 11370.4 puts fentanyl in its own subdivision (c)(1) and lowers the quantity thresholds because fentanyl is more lethal than other substances in small doses. Health and Safety Code section 11370.4, subdivision (a)(1) still applies to heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base and does not change the quantities or punishment for those substances.

6 Section 11395 is a deferred entry of judgment program, in which the defendant must plead guilty or no contest before going into treatment; it is not a diversion program.

7 This new language abrogates the California Supreme Court’s decision in People v. Ollo (2021) 11 Cal.5th 682, which held that furnishing a drug that causes death does not necessarily qualify as personal infliction of great bodily injury.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Will discuss extending interim superintendent’s contract, hire search firm for permanent position, consider School Plans for Student Achievement, racial equity policy

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, the Antioch School Board’s new Trustees Dee Smith and Olga Cobos-Smith, who were elected in November to represent Areas 3 and 4, respectively, along with re-elected Area 1 Trustee and current Board President Antonio Hernandez, who ran unopposed, will be sworn in. In addition, the board will also elect a new president, vice president and Board Member Liaison to the Contra Costa County School Boards Association.

The oaths of office will occur at 6:00 p.m. prior to the board’s Closed Session in which they will discuss the extending Interim Superintendent Dr. Rob Martinez’s contract for six months and a Tentative Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the California Schools Employee Association #85 – both of which will be voted on later during Open Session, plus legal matters, a Public Employee: Discipline/Dismissal/Release and re-entry of a student who was expelled.

New Trustees Thank Voters

In comments on Facebook, the newly elected board members announced their victories. On Nov. 25th, Brown shared a graphic with the message, “Thank you for your votes and faith in me to lead a positive change in our Antioch schools.”

She also wrote, “I am thankful to my family, campaign manager, media person, volunteers, sponsors, voters of AUSD Area 3, and everyone who encouraged me and prayed for me.

I am also thankful to my opponent, Principal Scott Bergerhouse, for his congratulatory message when he conceded his race. He has many years of education and has been there for countless families, something that I will never deem, but instead, I congratulate him for his many years of service, and the students he impacted.

Since the beginning of this process, I have told myself that slowing down and quitting is not an option. Although I knew I was not only experienced with having a seat at the table, I also deserved to be there.

For those who know me and know what I stand for and those who said she is just ‘A Mom who must have found her voice,’ I’ve always had a voice, and my voice is even louder as the mother of a beautiful daughter who is currently in TK, who will continue to excel, and reach for however many stars as she pleases.

I’m ready to work with ALL students, dedicated teachers, classified workers, school administrators, parents, and most importantly, our current Trustee Board Members.

There is a saying that says, “It takes a village.” I am honored to be part of a village that can help meet our children’s needs.

I will share more later, but for now, THANK YOU! Now, the real work begins.

~ Trustee Elect Dee Brown”

On Nov. 8 Cobos-Smith shared a screenshot of the election result and wrote simply, “Thank you Area 4 voters!!! One more tally on the 13th, but I think it’s safe to say that I will be the new trustee for area 4 on the Antioch school board.”

She already took action during last Tuesday’s city council meeting at which she spoke during public comments on the Council Committee Assignments objecting to District 3 Councilman Don Freitas being appointed to the City-School Committee instead of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker. Cobos-Smith cited the violence in that council district which 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 by the council.

Asked why she requeste that, the newly-elected trustee said, “I had a member of the community inform me that there was a young student who was attending a school, here in Antioch, and was related to one of the young men who was killed. When that parent reached out to the principal of that school and asked if there wer any resources to help that student, nothing happened. That really concerned me. There’s been a lot of sensationalism about the violence in the Sycamore area. But there are real children who are living in these homes.”

Asked if more AUSD students living in City Council District 1 experienced more violence than other parts of the city, Cobos-Smith replied, “No. In particular, it’s the gun violence that’s been happening. All the kids have been talking about it. I have some specific goals for the school district that I want to work on.”

Interim Superintendent & Search Firm Selection

Under Action Item 11.J., the board will vote on extending the current contract for Interim Superintendent Dr. Robert Martinez through June 2025. The proposed contract for Martinez includes a base annual salary of $353,045.

Following a solicitation of proposals and receiving four, under item 12.A. the trustees will also vote to select a search firm for hiring a permanent district superintendent and/or for consultation services to assist the Board of Trustees with goal development. 

School Plans for Student Achievement

In addition, under Action Item 11.G., according to district staff, the board will vote on School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA) for sites in receipt of federal categorical funding as presented.

As per District Board Policy 0420, each district school shall establish a school site council to develop, approve, and annually review and update a School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for schools that participate in state and federal categorical programs. The Board shall, at a regularly scheduled Board meeting, review and approve each school’s SPSA.

Each of the following schools participates in a federal categorical program(s) and is designated as a school-wide program (SWP). SWP schools are not required to identify specific students as eligible to participate in programming, nor are they required to ensure that Title I services are supplementary. This flexibility allows schools to maximize the impact of federal investment in support of all students that align with school and district goals outlined in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

Title I-designated schools received a portion of unused funds from the previous fiscal year. This extra allocation of funds is included in the updated SPSA, which received original Board approval in June 2024. All plans for the following schools were approved by their elected School Site Councils. District staff reviewed the plans to ensure that funding is used appropriately to support student achievement as required by the California Education Code. SPSAs are included for all District schools.

Racial Equity Policy

Under Item 17.A. the trustee will consider adopting new Board Policy 0415.1 Racial Equity.

According to the staff report, “The Governing Board of the Antioch Unified School District believes that meeting the needs of all students requires a commitment to racial equity in both the learning environment and opportunities provided, focusing on equitable outcomes for all. The historical and persistent opportunity gaps between racial and ethnic groups in AUSD are unacceptable and have significant consequences, representing an unfulfilled promise to our students.

Acknowledging the complex historical and societal factors that contribute to these disparities, the Board affirms it is a moral imperative to overcome these inequities so that race is no longer a predictor of achievement, school experience, or success. To address and eliminate institutional racism, barriers to achievement, and implicit biases, the District will actively identify and work to remedy practices, policies, and institutional systems that negatively impact learning, perpetuate opportunity gaps, and limit equal access for all students.”

The Board meetings are held in the District Office Board Room at 510 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown with the Closed Session beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the Open Session at 7:00 p.m. The meeting can be viewed live on the AUSD YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@AntiochUnifiedSchoolDistrict.

See the complete board meeting agenda at  https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/ausd/Board.nsf/Public.

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.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Watch the complete council meeting video.

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.

See the Special Meeting and Closed Session agenda.

Final response letter to Grand Jury, $59,000 in community grants, discussing Hernandez-Thorpe’s recommendation for more cannabis businesses

“The Mayor and certain City Council members do not believe that they have overstepped their authority regarding personnel matters” – draft response letter to Civil Grand Jury

By Allen D. Payton

During the final meeting for Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe and Councilmembers Lori Ogorchock and Mike Barbanica, as well as City Clerk Ellie Householder and Treasurer Loren Posada, the current council is being asked to consider multiple items before the new mayor, council members, city treasurer and clerk are given their oaths of office. Most of the items, 15 of the 18, fall under the Consent Calendar which are usually perfunctory, and most could wait for the next council to decide.

Those 18 items include over $59,000 in Civic Enhancement Grants, a discussion of the departing mayor’s proposal to allow an increased variety of cannabis businesses in the existing overlay districts, as well as City Council Committee Reports and Communications and the Mayor’s Comments under Item 1.

But four items that must be dealt with include approving the Minutes for the Nov. 26th Council Meeting, Council Warrants, which pay the City’s bills, confirming the November 5th election results and the final letter in response to the County Grand Jury’s report from earlier this year.

As long as no member of the council or public asks to remove an item from the Consent Calendar for discussion and public comment, they can all be approved with one motion which will consume less time.

That will all be followed by a presentation to departing Council Members and then the main events for the evening: the oaths of office, council reorganization and committee appointments. A reception to honor the new city officials will then be held in the breezeway between the Council Chamber and City Hall building.

Response to Grand Jury

Under item 2.O., that letter for the most part denies the claims against the City after a defiant Hernandez-Thorpe and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker during the Nov. 26th council meeting, disagreed with the findings of the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury. The council is being asked to “adopt the resolution 1. Approving an addendum to specific Findings and Recommendations identified in the Grand Jury Noncompliance letters dated October 3, 2024, in response to the Findings and Recommendations resulting from the 2023-2024 Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury report of June 12, 2024, entitled: ‘Challenges Facing the City of Antioch’ Addendum and 2. Authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit it to the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury.” (See related article)

According to the City staff report, “In June 2024, the City of Antioch received the attached Grand Jury report entitled,

‘Challenges Facing the City of Antioch’. On September 10, 2024, the City Council discussed and approved the attached response, by Resolution 2024/124, to the Grand Jury Report 2405 that was subsequently submitted to the Grand Jury.

On October 7, 2024, the City received two letters, both dated October 3, 2024, from the Grand Jury requesting additional information be provided for noncompliant responses to Findings 6 and 13, and Recommendations 1 through 5. Staff is requesting City Council provide additional information to clarify the original responses provided at the September 10th City Council meeting.

On November 12, 2024, and November 26, 2024, the City Council provided responses to the Grand Jury’s request for additional information. Staff have prepared the response based on direction provided by Council and is seeking approval of response.”

Following are the remaining findings of the Grand Jury and a portion of the responses the council is being asked to approve:

F6. The Mayor and City Council members have on occasion overstepped their authority in seeking to make personnel decisions, including terminating the then Public Works Director in December 2022, in ways not permitted by city ordinance (Antioch City Code § 2-2.06 and § 2-2.10).

The response to this Finding is as follows:

The City disagrees with this finding. The Mayor and certain City Council members do not believe that they have overstepped their authority regarding personnel matters which are under the purview of the City Manager and Human Resources.

F13. Recruitment and retention of staff has been impacted by the absence of a permanent City Manager and the lack of permanent department heads in multiple city departments.

The response to this Finding is as follows:

The City disagrees with this finding. The City of Antioch has historically always had a vacancy rate near its current levels.

The council’s draft response letter agrees with the five recommendations mentioned in the Grand Jury’s letters.

Over $59,000 in Civic Enhancement Grants

Under item 2.K., city staff has recommended that the City Council approve $45,450 in cash awards and $14,040 of in-kind grants to 19 organizations for the 2024-25 Civic Enhancement Grant Program. They include a

$2,800 grant to the Antioch Historical Society for construction of a historical belltower;

$2,800 grant to the Antioch Police Activities League for Youth Sports programs;

$300 grant to the Antioch Rotary Club for the Boys in Action program;

$1,750 grant to the Antioch Rotary Club for the Day of Empowering Girls event;

$1,750 grant plus approximately $2,282 of in-kind City facility services to the Antioch Rotary Club for the King’s Conference for Underserved Male Youth;

$1,800 grant to Be Exceptional for Funds to Expand Youth Programs for people with disabilities;

$4,800 grant to Bridge Builders for a New Generation for a Founders Dinner Fundraiser;

$1,500 grant to Charles and Smith Health and Wellness for Housing and Resources for Veterans;

$5,500 grant to Delta Veterans Group for the Veterans Day/ Memorial Day Ceremonies and the Veterans Banner Program;

$2,800 grant to El Campanil Theater for theater technology upgrades;

$1,000 grant plus approximately $704 of in-kind City facility services to Facing Homelessness to provide supplies and resources to the unhoused;

$3,800 grant plus approximately $3,000 of in-kind City services to East Bay Forward Economic Development Association for a free community music festival;

$2,300 grant to General Federation Women’s Club of Antioch to renovate the outdoor portion of the Women’s Club facility;

$2,800 grant to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa for a hot meal program for unhoused and low-income residents;

$2,800 grant to Mission Possible Community Development Center of Antioch for the Operation Impact youth program;

$1,500 grant plus approximately $6,000 of in-kind City facility services to Prison from the Inside Out for an outreach program designed to strengthen the relationship between Antioch residents and the Antioch Police Department;

$1,800 grant plus approximately $1,000 of in-kind City facility services to RR Transitional Housing for the Fierce and Flourishing job readiness training program for youth;

$1,800 grant to RR Transitional Housing for the Ignite Youth program;

$2,800 grant to SHARE Community for the Mobile Shower and Hygiene Service Program;

$1,800 grant plus approximately $350 of in-kind City facility services to New Generation Equity/STEM4Real for a community STEM event; and an

$1,800 grant to Team Jesus Outreach Ministries for solar panels to power refrigerated containers to distribute food to the community.

Departing Mayor Wants More Cannabis Businesses

Under Item 3, the council will discuss Hernandez-Thorpe’s recommendation allowing the same types of cannabis business uses in each of the City’s three overlay districts, including CB 1, Verne Roberts Circle and the Wilbur Avenue corridor, CB 2, Downtown Antioch and CB 3, Somersville District.

Cannabis businesses in CB’s 2 and 3 are currently restricted to storefront retail only. According to the City staff report, the mayor’s proposed amendments to the ordinance would permit any type of existing cannabis business. To date, there’s been no communication with downtown Rivertown business owners asking for their input about the proposal. Currently only one cannabis retail business is allowed in the downtown area, and the location was given a special waiver to be within 600 feet of a church or school.

No decision will be made by the council as they’re only being asked to give staff direction which could change with the new mayor and two members.

Election Certification, Presentation to Outgoing Council Members, Oaths of Office, Council Reorganization, Committee Appointments

Under Item 4. the current council will vote to confirm the certified results received by the County Clerk of Contra Costa County of ballots cast in the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024.

That will be followed by a presentationto the five outgoing elected officials and then the oaths of office of the City five new officials, Mayor Ron Bernal, Councilmembers Louie Rocha and Don Freitas, City Treasure Jorge Rojas, Jr. and City Clerk Melissa Rhodes. (See related article)

Under Item 5. the council will then vote to select the City’s new Mayor Pro Tempore, which will be Louie Rocha as he garnered the highest percentage of the vote in the two council elections.

Finally, under Item 6. Mayor Bernal will advance appointments for each council member to various city and regional committees for council approval by majority vote.

Meeting Time, Location and How to View

The meeting begins with a Closed Session at 6:15 p.m. to discuss potential litigation followed by the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be seen via livestream on the City’s website at www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/live/ or viewed on either Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

See the complete council meeting agenda packet.

See official election results

“I’m just grateful for everybody that has made this a victory that we can all be proud of… thank you very much for this wonderful journey and it’s just beginning” – Mayor-elect Ron Bernal

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Mayor-elect Ron Bernal and Councilmen-elect Louie Rocha and Don Freitas are inviting the public to their oaths of office ceremony on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, inside the Council Chambers at City Hall. In addition, new City Clerk Melissa Rhodes and City Treasurer Jorge Rojas, Jr. will also be sworn in that night.

On November 20th, Bernal posted on his campaign Facebook page both an announcement of his “Swearing-in ceremony” and a brief video in which he said, “Hey, Antioch. Ron Bernal, here. I just want to thank everybody for this amazing campaign that we’ve been on for the past 10 months. The support, the people that have volunteered and helped with this campaign has been really humbling and I’m just grateful for everybody that has made this a victory that we can all be proud of and all take credit for.”

“So, I want to invite you all out on December the 10th, Tuesday night to the swearing in for myself, for the new council members and for our new treasurer and city clerk,” he continued. “Again, thank you very much for this wonderful journey and it’s just beginning.”

According to the Official Results from the Contra Costa County Elections office, Bernal defeated incumbent Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe by more than a two-to-one margin, 25,791 votes or 61.98 percent of the vote to 12,783 or 30.72 percent. The third candidate in the race, Rakesh Christian garnered 3,041 votes or 7.31 percent of the vote.

District 2 Council

On his campaign Facebook page on Nov. 18, Rocha posted a photo of the three council election victors with a brief invite. He wrote, “Swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Ron Bernal, City Council Members Don Freitas and I will be held at the Antioch City Council meeting on Tuesday December 10, 2024 @ 7 p.m. Please show your support by attending the open public meeting.”

In his race for the District 2 Council seat Rocha defeated his opponent with 5,261 votes or 57.81 percent of the vote to Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Dominique King’s 3,841 votes or 42.2 percent.

District 3 Council

I his race for the District 3 Council seat Freitas defeated his two opponents with 5,735 votes or 49.19% of the vote to newcomer Addison Peterson’s 3,391 votes or 29.09 percent, and Board of Administrative Appeals Vice Chair Antwon Webster’s 2,532 votes or 21.72 percent of the vote.

Mayor Pro Tem

Although Freitas received the most votes in the two council races, because Rocha received the highest percentage of the vote, he will be elected by his fellow council members as the Mayor Pro Tem for 2025, according to the city’s ordinance after it was changed a few years ago. Freitas will have the position in 2026.

City Treasure and Clerk

In the City Treasurer race, newcomer Rojas defeated his two long-time, local officeholder opponents with 14,602 or 37.56 percent of the vote to current District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s 12,290 votes or 31.61% and former Mayor and City Treasurer Jim Davis’ 11,986 votes or 30.83% of the vote. Rhodes was the only candidate for Antioch City Treasurer and garnered 33,089 votes.

Council Meeting Details

The Antioch City Council’s regular open session meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. The meeting can also be seen via livestream on the City’s website at https://www.antiochca.gov/government/city-council-meetings/live/ or viewed on either Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.