CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting October 10, 2023
7:00 P.M. Council Chambers
7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Pro Tem Torres -Walker called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., and City Clerk Householder called the roll.
Present: Council Members District 2 Barbanica, District 3 Ogorchock and Mayor Pro Tem (District 1) Torres-Walker
Absent: Council Member District 4 Wilson and Mayor Thorpe
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Barbanica led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. PROCLAMATIONS
Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October 2023
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2023
On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock , seconded by Councilmember Barbanica , the City Council members present unanimously approved the proclamations.
Shannon Starzyk, Family Justice Center accepted the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation and thanked the City Council for the recognition.
Kristen Vistalli accepted the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month proclamation and thanked the City Council for the recognition.
Councilmember Barbanica stated that Ms. Vistalli was an inspiration.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Director of Public Safety and Community Resources Johnson announced the following civic and community events:
➢ Antioch Council of Teens (ACT) – Special Events
▪ ACT meetings - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
▪ Food and Coat Drive – September thru November 6, 2023 ▪ Trunk or Treat – October 28, 2023
➢ 35th Annual Kids Fishing Derby – October 14, 2023
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3. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS
City Clerk Householder announced the following Board and Commission openings.
➢ Board of Administrative Appeals
➢ Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee
For more information and to apply, visit the City’s website.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lucy Meinhardt, Antioch Historical Society Museum, announced the A rchitectural Bus Tour of Antioch on October 14, 2023, and the dedication of the Santa Fe Caboose on November 18, 2023. She also invited Council to view the new museum entry sign.
Devin Williams, Reimagine Antioch, requested the City explore shelter options at the Babe Ruth Fields.
Andrew Becker requested the City explore shelter options at the Babe Ruth Fields and expressed concern Tri Delta Transit planned to acquire land that could have been utilized to fulfil Antioch’s affordable housing needs.
Julia Emego Kwue requested the City decrease speed limit s throughout Antioch, maintain landscaping along major thoroughfares and install cameras at intersections. She also requested Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) fund home-schooled students and report out on expelled students terminated teachers. She stated that she believed racist texts were a crime and should be treated as such.
Patricia Granados acknowledged Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker for representing the City on a global scale. She expressed concern regarding public safety and the use of explosives by a community member.
Edgar M . spoke to the importance of upgrading emergency services . He reported on his attendance at the Mayor’s Conference and encouraged the community to attend the Mayor’s Conference on November 2, 2023. He requested Council hold Brentwood and Oakley accountable for the unhoused population.
Gavin Payton, NAACP Youth Council, encourage d youth turning 18 register to vote. He announced the Champions for the Youth Banquet Dinner would be held November 4, 2023, at the Marina Event Center.
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Barbanica extended his thoughts to the people of Israel.
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Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker stated there would be a Cannabis Standing Committee meeting in the near future and reported on a meeting she attended with Acting Chief Vigil to discuss public safety.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS – None
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
B. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
C. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL WARRANTS
D. RESOLUTION NO. 2023/153 PURCHASE OF NEW FURNITURE FOR PUBLIC WORKS OFFICES PHASE 2 UPGRADE
On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Barbanica , the City Council members present approved the Council Consent Calendar.
COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA
5. HUMAN RIGHTS AND RACIAL EQUITY AD HOC COMMITTEE STATUS REPORT
AND NEXT STEPS
Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker gave a history of the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee and reported on their meetings. On behalf of the Committee Members, she requested extending the committee for six months to allow them to continue their work and bring a recommendation back to Council.
Julia Emego Kwue spoke in support of Antioch establishing their own judicial system and placing detailed crime data on the city’s’ website.
Andrew Becker spoke in support of creating a Human Rights and Racial Equity Standing Committee.
Patricia Granados suggested Committee Members educate themselves on human rights and racial equity.
Teki Flow, Reimagine Antioch, supported the extension of the Ad Hoc Committee.
Mayor Pro Tem Torres -Walker and Ogorchock discussed the importance of engaging the community to build a strong foundation for this process.
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On motion by Councilmember Barbanica , seconded by Councilmember Ogorchock , the City Council members present extended the Ad Hoc Committee for up to an additional six months until March 12, 2024.
6. RESTRUCTURING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AD HOC COMMITTEE – DISSOLUTION OR EXTENSION UNTIL A SPECIFIC DATE
Julia Emego Kwue discussed the importance of Economic Development and opposed utilizing tax dollars to benefit corporations.
On motion by Councilmember Barbanica , seconded by Councilmember Ogorchock , the City Council members present extended the ad hoc committee for up to an additional six months until April 9, 2024
7. CITY COUNCIL 90 -DAY REQUEST LIST – DISCUSSION ON THE DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS OF THE EAST LONE TREE SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
Councilmember Barbanica reported the developer had pulled out from this plan and requested the item be tabled indefinitely.
Andrew Becker opposed master plan development s without addressing the General Plan , Housing Element and affordable housing programs. He noted this area had economic and residential opportunities that should be looked at regionally along with enhanced infrastructure.
Julia Emego Kwue requested vehicle accident data be placed on the city’s website. She suggested traffic safety enhancements, government run low-income housing and public access be retained.
Edgar M. questioned what the result would be should this item be tabled and asked why the developer had pulled his project.
Francisco Torres, Reimagine Antioch, spoke in support of the City completing its affordable housing program prior to consideration of any future residential projects.
Patricia Granados requested all development benefit the community.
Outside Legal Counsel Diaz explained that tabling the item meant it would be set aside and could be brought back. He noted Councilmember Barbanica could also withdraw his request for the agenda item.
Councilmember Barbanica withdrew his request for this item, no further action was taken.
8. CITY COUNCIL 90 -DAY REQUEST LIST – DISCUSSION ON UNHOUSED
ENCAMPMENT BUFFER ZONES
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Councilmember Barbanica gave a history of this agenda item and proposed bringing back a buffer zone ordinance around churches and schools for Council consideration.
Teki Flow and Francisco Torres, Reimagine Antioch, suggested the City work proactively to address unhoused issues. If any ordinance was to come forward, they requested the Council actively engage the unhoused population and stakeholders to provide their input.
Andrew Becker discussed his advocacy for Project Homekey. He expressed concern that a buffer zone ordinance would restrict the unhoused from public space around private property.
He supported a buffer zone on school properties and at churches that have accredited programs for children.
Julia Emego Kwue encouraged the City to conduct outreach to the homeless and low-income communities. She suggested the City build multistory buildings to house marginalized individuals.
Patricia Granados requested more empathy and community spaces for the unhoused.
Edgar M. requested the City collaborate on providing unhoused resident services.
Devin Williams apologize d to the victim of the incident at Heritage Baptist for his previous comments. He suggested the City expand unhoused resident services. He expressed concern that there was a negative inference related to buffer zones.
Gavin Payton , NAACP Youth, encouraged the City to allow the NAACP Youth Council and community to be involved in the conversation.
Mary Lutz opposed creating a buffer for the unhoused and suggested the City expand unhoused resident services.
Councilmember Barbanica gave a history of the family involved in the incident involving the unhoused on the Heritage Baptist School property. He stated he supported an area of safety around schools and churches to protect those who felt unsafe. He announced St Ignatius Church opened their parking lot daily for unhoused residents.
Councilmember Ogorchock discussed services provided by churches and the City to support the unhoused community. She suggested forming an Antioch CORE team. She stated she supported bringing a school buffer zone/safety zone ordinance back for Council consideration.
Mayor Pro Tem Torres -Walker reported the safe zone issue had been brought up at the City/School Standing Committee; however, they had not had the opportunity to discuss the matter. She suggested the conversation go back to that committee since it involved public schools. She felt it was the property owner’s responsibility to provide private security and expressed concern that this ordinance would set precedent for other private property owners.
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Councilmember Barbanica clarified this request was for the safety of the community and it involved children at both public and church schools. He stated he would research the status of a County P rogram that allowed residents to open their homes to unhoused residents and determine if it was still viable.
Following discussion, Council consensus directed Acting City Manager Reed to meet with AUSD to discuss appointing two Trustees to serve on the Standing Committee so they could have this discussion and report back to Council in one month.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Francisco Torres, Reimagine Antioch, discussed their concerns related to the Antioch Police Officers Association ( APOA), their attorney and the Antioch Police Department (APD) . He requested the City invest in non-police traffic enforcement and reinvesting APD salary savings to expand non-police responses.
Mary Lutz announced the Mayor’s Conference would take place on November 2, 2023, in Brentwood.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS – None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker thanked everyone who participated in the meeting this evening.
She reported on her attendance at the United Nations 54th Human Rights Council session. She stated she looked forward to establishing the Civilian Police Oversight Committee.
Councilmember Ogorchock thanked Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker for representing Antioch at the United Nations.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Barbanica, the City Council unanimously adjourned the meeting at 8:56 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kitty Eiden
KITTY EIDEN, Minutes Clerk