CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Special Meeting January 13, 2023
4:30 P.M. Council Chambers
4:30 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Thorpe called the meeting to order at 4:30 P.M., and City Clerk Householder called the roll.
Present: Council Members District 3 Ogorchock, District 4 Wilson, Mayor Pro Tem (District 1) Torres-Walker and Mayor Thorpe
Absent: Council Member District 2 Barbanica
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Thorpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Harry Thurston announced the following civic and community event.
➢ Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16, 2023, East County NAACP Celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School
Director of Parks and Recreation Helfenberger on behalf of Grace Arms announced the following civic and community event.
➢ Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Day – January 16, 2023 , Grace Arms of Antioch 2 nd Annual Celebration – March and Insightful Program
Mayor Thorpe announced the City’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was cancelled due to weather.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS
City Clerk Householder announced the following Board and Commission openings.
➢ Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee
➢ Contra Costa County Library Commission
➢ Antioch Police Oversight Commission
For more information and to apply, visit the City’s website.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL WARRANTS
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B. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/01 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH RANEY PLANNING & MANAGEMENT, INC. FOR $111,084 FOR AMENDMENT TO THE EAST
LONE TREE SPECIFIC PLAN
C. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/02 UNHOUSED RESIDENT SERVICES - AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FOCUS STRATEGIES
D. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/0 3 SHORT TERM LEASE AGREEMENT WITH MEALS ON
WHEELS DIABLO REGION FOR TEMPORARY OFFICE SPACE AT THE NICK
RODRIGUEZ COMMUNITY CENTER
E. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/0 4 AMENDMENT OF THE CITY OF ANTIOCH'S SURPLUS PROPERTY LIST TO INCLUDE 275 W. TREGALLAS ROAD, ANTIOCH CA
F. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/05 SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE BAY ALARM COMPANY
AGREEMENT TO EXPAND THE AGREEMENT FOR ACCESS CONTROL,
INTRUSION AND VIDEO MONITORING AT VARIOUS CITY OF ANTIOCH FACILITIES
G. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/0 6 REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE TO THE PURCHASE
ORDER WITH CORE & MAIN FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF WATER DISTRIBUTION
AND COLLECTION SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE PARTS AND SUPPLIES
H. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/07 AB 361: RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS NECESSARY
TO CONDUCT BROWN ACT MEETINGS BY TELECONFERENCE FOR THE CITY
COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
I. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/0 8 RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION OF THE DIRECTOR
OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PROCLAIMING A LOCAL EMERGENCY
CONCERNING THE SEVERE WINTER STORMS
On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Wilson, the City Council members present unanimously approved the Council Consent Calendar with the exception of Items H and I which were removed for further discussion.
Item H – In response to Councilmember Ogorchock, Mayor Thorpe explained that this item was on the agenda because it should have been brought back to Council in December.
On motion by Councilmember Wilson , seconded by Councilmember Torres -Walker the City Council approved Item H. The motion carried the following vote:
Ayes: Torres-Walker, Wilson, Thorpe Noes: Ogorchock Absent: Barbanica
Item I – Councilmember Ogorchock requested the Council consider updating the Emergency Operations Center.
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On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Wilson the City Council members present unanimously approved Item I.
COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA
4. DISCUSSION ITEM: REORGANIZATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Director of Human Resources Cortez presented the staff report dated January 1 3, 2023 recommending the City Council provide direction to staff concerning: 1) Whether staff should prepare an ordinance amending the Municipal Code: a. reorganizing the Public Works Department and changing the position and responsibilities of "Director of Public Works/City Engineer" to become a new position entitled, "Public Wor ks Director"; b. creating a new Engineering Department and position description for the City Engineer; c. reorganizing the Community Development Department; and d. implementing other actions necessary to carry out the reorganization described above; and, 2) Whether staff should create new job classifications for the following positions: a. Public Works Director and b. City Engineer.
Dr. Jeffrey Klinger stated he had not received staff report s for this agenda and expressed concern that a regular posted City Council meeting had been cancelled prior to it occurring.
Mayor Thorpe reminded Dr. Klinger to keep his comments to the subject matter.
Dr. Klinger responded that he was providing context. He encouraged Council to defer any action until more information was provided to the public on the motivation behind the proposed reorganization.
Leslie May thanked former Director of Public Works/City Engineer Samuelson for the work he performed for the City.
Mayor Thorpe reminded Ms. May to keep her comments to the subject matter.
Ms. May spoke in support of reorganizing the Public Works and Community Development Departments.
Melissa Case stated she was concerned that the former Director of Public Works/City Engineer had been working on James Donlon Blvd traffic calming measures.
Mayor Thorpe clarified the item before Council was related to the positions.
Ms. Case requested the City continue prioritizing traffic calming efforts.
Mayor Thorpe explained that the staff report for this item was available for the public January 5, 2023, and after the meeting they could discuss why members of the public had not received it.
He confirmed that I nterim City Engineer/Public Works Director Buenting w ould continue to prioritize Council’s projects.
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Following discussion, Council directed staff to return with the details on the reorganization of the Public Works and Community Development departments at a future Council meeting.
5. DISCUSSION ITEM: CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS’ SALARIES
City Attorney Smith presented the staff report dated January 1 3, 2023, recommending the City Council provide direction to staff regarding salaries for City Council Members.
Johnny Walker stated given Council’s past performance, he did not support a salary increase.
He discussed an incident involving Mayor Thorpe.
Mayor Thorpe explained that Council was discussing salary increases and directed City Clerk Householder to turn off the audio for the previous sp eaker unless he would be addressing Council salaries.
Mr. Walker stated he was discussing salary increases and limiting his public comments w as a violation of the Brown Act.
Following discussion, there was no consensus to support salary increases at this time.
6. RESOLUTION APPROVING ALLOCATION FOR PART -TIME SECRETARY
POSITIONS TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
Director of Human Resources Cortez presented the staff report dated January 1 3, 2023, recommending the City Council consider taking the following actions: 1) Adopt a resolution approving the allocation of a part -time Secretary position to provide administrative support to District 2 and District 3 Counc il Members and authorizing the necessary Fiscal Year 2023 General Fund budget adjustment. 2) Adopt a resolution approving the allocation of a part -time Secretary position to provide administrative support to District 1 and District 4 Council Members and authorizing the necessary Fiscal Year 2023 General Fund budget adjustment. 3) Adopt a resolution approving the allocation of a part -time Secretary position to provide administrative support to the Mayor and authorizing the necessary Fiscal Year 2023 Genera l Fund budget adjustment.
Leslie May spoke in support of approving the allocation for part-time secretary positions for any Councilmembers needing additional support.
Melissa Case questioned why the City Council would consider adding additional staff when there were City positions that were currently unfilled. Additionally, she asked if her district Councilmember would answer her emails if she received an assistant.
Edgar requested the City create internships for the part-time secretary positions.
Johnny Walker discussed previous allegations against Mayor Thorpe.
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Mayor Thorpe directed City Clerk Householder to turn off the audio during Mr. Walker’s comments.
Councilmember Torres-Walker spoke in support of providing office space for Council and public policy interns to support them.
Mayor Thorpe commented part-time secretary salaries were similar to internship stipends; however, interns were challenging because after they were trained, they left the positions. He requested Council support his request for a part-time secretary.
City Attorney Smith explained that there was a legal difference for i nterns and part -time secretaries.
Councilmember Torres -Walker suggested bringing back a discussion on the differences in interns and part-time secretaries.
Mayor Thorpe reiterated his request was for a part-time secretary.
Councilmember Wilson stated she supported hiring interns with a stipend.
Mayor Thorpe stated this agenda item would be brought back with the addition of an internship model.
7. STANDBY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Assistant City Manager Bayon Moore presented the staff report dated January 1 3, 2023, recommending the City Council appoint the following nominees as standby City Council Members:
➢ Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker: 1) Leslie May 2) Kimberly Carlson 3) Antoine Watt ➢ Council Member Ogorchock: 1) Roland Bernal 2) Donald Freitas 3) Sandy Hartrick ➢ Council Member Wilson: 1) Harry Thurston 2) Devin Williams 3) Susana Williams ➢ Mayor Thorpe: 1) Marie Arce 2) Christina Hills 3) Antonio Hernandez
Assistant City Manager Bayon Moore announced that she would bring back appointments for Councilmember Barbanica at the next meeting. She noted arrangements would be made for swearing-in of these individuals and the processing of paperwork for their designations.
8. CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Mayor Thorpe stated he was concerned about making Committee Assignment appointments in the absence of Councilmember Barbanica.
Edgar encouraged all Councilmembers to report out on their committee assignments.
Mayor Thorpe explained that some committees met infrequently.
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On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Torres-Walker the City Council members present unanimously postponed the City Council appointments to Council Committee Assignments.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Torres-Walker the City Council members present unanimously adjourned the meeting at 5:31 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kitty Eiden
KITTY EIDEN, Minutes Clerk