CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Special Meeting April 19, 2022
7:00 P.M. Council Chambers
7:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Pro Tem Barbanica called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., and City Clerk Householder called the roll.
Present: Council Members District 1 Torres-Walker, District 3 Ogorchock, District 4 Wilson, Mayor Pro Tem (District 2) Barbanica and Mayor Thorpe
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Thorpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPENING REMARKS BY MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Th orpe announced that this S pecial meeting was scheduled to review agenda items previously requested by Council.
Councilmember Ogorchock requested staff agendize a performance evaluation for Interim City Manager Johnson and reconsideration of the smoke shop ordinance.
COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOLLOW-UP ITEMS NO. 1-9
1. CITY OF ANTIOCH HUMAN RIGHTS AND RACIAL EQUITY COMMITTEE
Councilmember Torres-Walker requested Council establish an Ad Hoc Committee to work on the formation of a Human Rights and Racial Equity Committee.
Leslie May and Edgar Martinez spoke in support of the formation of a Human Rights and Racial Equity Committee.
Following discussion, Council consensus directed staff to bring bac k a resolution to create an Ad Hoc Committee to work on the potential formation of a Human Rights and Racial Equity Committee.
2. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC) TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
Councilmember Barbanica requested Council agendize the Emergency Operations Center technology upgrades. He stated this item was important for Antioch because they could lose funding if they managed an emergency incorrectly.
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Following discussion, this item lacked consensus to bring it back for discussion.
3. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON 2020 AND 2021 CRIME AND ANTIOCH POLICE
DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Councilmember Barbanica stated he requested a report of staffing levels and crime statistics for the community on an annual basis.
Ralph Hernandez informed Council that reporting of crime statistics would be different this year because there were crimes that were now categorized differently.
Edgar Martinez, Antioch resident, spoke in support of the transparency provided by reporting.
Following discussion, this item lacked consensus to bring it back for discussion.
Mayor Thorpe announced that Councilmember Wilson had the capacity to bring this item to her committee at any time.
4. CREATION OF A BEACH PARK FROM RIVERVIEW LODGE TO THE MARINA
Councilmember Ogorchock stated a beach park downtown had potential and it would bring more people to the area in the summer.
Following discussion, this item lacked consensus to bring it back for discussion.
5. YOUTH APPRECIATION DAY
Councilmember Ogorchock stated there were several youths that should be recognized and honored in the community.
Following discussion, this item lacked consensus to bring it back for discussion.
Mayor Thorpe announced that Youth Services Network Manager Johnson was working on this item and would be bringing it forward in the future.
6. VETERANS’ BOULEVARD COMMUNITY PROJECT/ L STREET RENAMING
PRESENTATION
Councilmember Barbanica stated this item was brought to his attention by Veterans who ha d a project presentation prepared.
Barbara J. Brooks, Edgar Martinez, JR Wilson, Pat Jeremy representing VFW, Antwon Webster representing Antioch Veteran’s Lyons Club , Donald Fr eitas representing Veteran’s Boulevard Community Projects, and Audrey James representing American Legion, spoke in support of placing the Veterans’ Blvd. community project and “L” Street renaming items on future agendas.
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Council thanked the Veterans for their service.
Councilmember Torres-Walker suggested renaming “L” Street and Contra Loma Blvd., Veteran’s Blvd.
Following discussion, Council consensus supported bringing the Veteran’s Park proposal back as an agenda item. They also support ed the renaming of “L” Street come back as a separate agenda item with a comprehensive discussion f or street improvements throughout the community.
7. NAMING OF NEW STREETS IN DEVELOPMENTS AND NAMING A STREET THOMAS
GAINES BOULEVARD
Councilmember Barbanica requested the renaming of “A” Street be brought back with a comprehensive approach to street naming throughout the community.
Edgar Martinez spoke in support of holding a future discussion for the renaming of “A” Street as Thomas Gaines Blvd. He requested the history of Thomas Gaines be provided for the public when this item is agendized. He encouraged the City to include improvements for the “A” street corridor with the renaming project.
Following discussion, Council consensus supported the renaming of “A” Street be included in a comprehensive discussion for street improvements throughout the community.
8. POLICY ON CENSURE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS (TO INCLUDE REMOVAL
FROM COMMISSIONS)
Councilmember Barbanica stated he requested this item because the City lacked any policy on the censure of City Council members.
Andrew Becker spoke in support of developing a policy to hold Council accountable.
Following discussion, this item lacked consensus to bring it back for discussion.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Councilmember Torres-Walker stated she requested this item because she felt Council needed the support. She noted it could be a shared or independent assistant.
Ralph Hernandez stated if this item moved forward, it should be filled by a volunteer.
Andrew Becker spoke in support of moving this item forward for Council consideration.
Following discussion, Council consensus supported bringing this item back for discussion during the budget process.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Leslie May discussed the need to address mental health issues associated with the unhoused in Antioch. She reported the County was willing to work with the City to identify fund ing to address this issue.
Ralph Hernandez announced he would be releasing the details of two cases to the public on April 21, 2022, in Martinez. He spoke in support of the Antioch Police Department and increasing the number of sworn officers.
Ken Turnage discussed his removal from a previous Council meeting and urged Mayor Thorpe to apply the same criteria for all public speakers.
Edgar Martinez reported on his attendance at Mental Health Services Act meetings, and he invited the public to participate in future meetings. He spoke in support of the nonprofits that wished to remain in the Antioch Community Resource Center. He encouraged the City to hold quarterly special meetings.
Erica Raulston commended the Antioch Police Department for their professionalism during an incident involving a combative person who was involved in illegal activity.
Andrew Becker stated he believed it was a conflict of interest that a candidate for elected office was involved in the Celebrate Antioch Foundation hosting the Sesquicentennial events. He expressed concern that the official City of Antioch’s page was attached to a post endorsing the candidate. He encouraged the City to submit a Project Homekey application by the May 2, 2022, deadline.
Frank Sterling spoke in support of an investigation of the Antioch Police Department (A PD) regarding crimes of moral turpitude and discussed incidents he was involved in with them. He invited Council and staff to attend an event for people speaking out against the APD on April 30, 2022.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS – None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Barbanica the City Council unanimously adjourned the meeting at 8:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kitty Eiden
KITTY EIDEN, Minutes Clerk