Minutes — Antioch City Council, June 11, 2024

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

INCLUDING THE ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

ACTING AS HOUSING SUCCESSOR

TO THE ANTIOCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Regular Meeting June 11, 2024
7:00 P.M. Council Chambers

6:00 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe called the Closed Session to order at 6:00 P.M., and Acting City Clerk Rosales called the roll.

Present: Council Members District 1 Torres-Walker, District 2 Barbanica, District 3 Ogorchock, Mayor Pro Tem (District 4) Wilson and Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION – pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9: William Butcher v. City of Antioch, et al. United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No.: 3:23-cv-04328).

2. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT – RECRUITMENT OF CITY MANAGER. This closed session is authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 54957(b)(1).

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None

MOTION TO ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe adjourned to Closed Session at 6:02 P.M.

7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M., and City Clerk Householder called the roll.

Present: Council/Agency Members District 1 Torres-Walker, District 2 Barbanica, District 3 Ogorchock, Mayor Pro Tem (District 4) Wilson and Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

CITY ATTORNEY TO REPORT OUT ON CLOSED SESSION

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 2 of 9

City Attorney Smith reported the City Council had been in Closed Session and gave the following report: #1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION, no reportable action; and #2 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT – RECRUITMENT OF CITY MANAGER, direction given to City Attorney and Director of Human Resources.

1. PROCLAMATION

Proclamation Commemorating Juneteenth 2024

On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Barbanica, the City Council unanimously approved the Proclamation.

Leslie May accepted the Proclamation Commemorating Juneteenth 2024.

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

Acting Assistant City Manager Helfenberger announced the following civic and community event:

 Juneteenth – A Freedom Celebration: 12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. on June 16, 2024, at Williamson Ranch Park

City Clerk Householder announced the following civic and community event:

 So You Want to Run for Office - Engaging Candidate Workshop: 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. on June 24, 2024, at Antioch Senior Center

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS

City Clerk Householder announced the following Board and Commission openings.

 Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control Board
 Economic Development Commission

For more information and to apply, visit the City’s website.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Leslie May commended the Antioch Police Department on their professional response to a wellness check. She requested Council consider funding training for Commissioners. She also requested information on the process for participating in the 4th of July parade.

Patricia Granados advocated for families facing evictions. She spoke in support of training for Antioch Police Oversight Commissioners and Bay Area Community Resources Youth Programs.

CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 3 of 9

Councilmember Torres-Walker announced the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee meeting would be held at 2:30 P.M. on June 13, 2024.

Councilmember Barbanica encouraged the community to participate in the CDBG Committee meeting. He reported he had a discussion with Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe following recent sideshow activities and announced that they had agreed to bring back a sideshow ordinance for Council consideration.

Councilmember Ogorchock reported on a meeting she attended with ACCE regarding the Amtrak Station decommission and announced she would be requesting a resolution to outline the importance of retaining a station in Antioch.

Councilmember Wilson announced Delta Diablo would be meeting on June 12, 2024, and youth bus passes were on sale.

Councilmember Ogorchock suggested Council consider buying down the youth bus passes for Antioch residents.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe thanked the public participating in this evening’s meeting. He reported on his attendance at the CCTA meeting and the Mayor’s Conference. He announced he would be bringing back sideshow ordinances for Council consideration. He reported on an event recognizing Antioch High School graduates who had enlisted in the Armed Forces.

4. PRESENTATION – This Way In – Chinese Commemoration Public Art Project by Christy Chan

Christy Chan presented the This Way In – Chinese Commemoration Public Art Project.

Gordon Yamate, Hans Ho, speaking on behalf of himself, Joanne Shen, Bay Area resident and an unidentified speaker spoke in support of the Chinese Commemoration Public Art Project.

The City Council thanked Ms. Chan for the presentation.

Council consensus supported considering funding for a Public Art Project during budget discussions later this evening.

5. CONSENT CALENDAR for City /City Council Members acting as Housing Successor to the Antioch Development Agency

A. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 28, 2024

B. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL WARRANTS

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 4 of 9

C. APPROVAL OF HOUSING SUCCESSOR WARRANTS

D. REJECTION OF CLAIM: PRETIKA POONAM SINGH

E. RESOLUTION NO. 2024/78 FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSULTING SERVICES

AGREEMENT WITH THE KPA GROUP FOR CITYWIDE SPACE PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTATION SERVICES (P.W. 700-4)

F. RESOLUTION NO. 2024/79 SUPPLY PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH UNIVAR

SOLUTIONS USA LLC FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE

FOR WATER TREATMENT

G. RESOLUTION NO. 2024/80 PLANNING COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENT TO

TRANSPLAN

On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Wilson, the City Council unanimously approved the Council Consent Calendar.

PUBLIC HEARING

6. LAUREL RANCH CARWASH AND CONVENIENCE STORE (PRE2023-0006)

Planning Manager Merideth presented the staff report dated June 11, 2024, recommending the City Council provide the applicant with feedback regarding the proposal.

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe opened the public hearing.

Julio Tinajero, Milestone Associates, presented a history of the property, project and the revised site plan. He explained that the applicant purchased the property because it was marketed and staff had confirmed it was zoned commercial property; however, after they submitted an application, they were informed by staff that there had been an error, and it was zoned residential. He requested Council consider the history of the property and provide their feedback regarding their proposal.

William Walker HOA Park Ridge, Christina Pineda, Park Ridge resident, Tahmeka Ramerez, Park Ridge resident, Don Aquillant, Park Ridge neighborhood, Shane Battle, Antwon Webster and James Souffrant spoke in opposition to the project citing oversaturation of carwash/convenience stores and the proximity of residential development, negatively impacting quality of life. They requested Council reject this proposal.

Laura Kindsvater, Antioch resident, spoke in support of modifying the landscape plan by requiring more than 70% native plant species.

Ashly Mahan spoke in support of citywide solutions to protect all neighborhoods from these types of development.

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 5 of 9

An unidentified speaker in opposition to the project spoke in support of a residential development on the property.

Gavin Payton offered suggested revisions to the project.

Public comments submitted in writing were entered into the record from the following individuals:

Carlos Hermosillo, Antioch resident, Patricia Sandvig, Antioch resident, Steve Abbs, Vice President, Land Acquisition & Development / Davidon Homes, Freddie & Therese Fullon, Antioch residents, Christine, Lisa Pakeman, Lakshmi Madhurao, Antioch resident, Jag Gorti, Antioch resident, Keith Givens, M.J. Salonga, Antioch resident, Salvador PR, Wendy Ashley- Johnson, Antioch resident, Ying, Shomaila Hafeez, Antioch resident, Vincent & Florence Odusanya, Antioch residents, Elena Borea-Norris, Antioch resident, Chuck Borea-Norris, Rajesh Babu Adikesavan, Antioch resident, Lucinda Young, Jessica Garcia, Dexter Pecson, Lori Kirkland, Antioch resident, David Buller, Divya Mavalli, Christine O’Connell, Director, Park Ridge HOA Board, William R. Walker, President, The Park Ridge HOA Board / Community and Surrounding Neighborhoods, Edgar Lopez and an unidentified individual.

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe closed the public hearing.

Councilmember Wilson requested a healthy neighborhood ordinance be brought to Council for consideration.

Following discussion, Council consensus felt the project was inconsistent with residential development and the site should remained zoned residential.

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe felt the process had been unfair since the applicant had been given incorrect information from staff.

Acting Director of Community Development Scudero provided the property’s zoning history and noted that even if the property were zoned commercial, Council had discretion over the use. He reported that staff always advised applicants to make any purchase or lease contingent upon their discretionary approval. Additionally, he noted amending the specific plan to allow commercial use would not add any more review or hearing time for the applicant so Council could provide feedback to the applicant on a neighborhood serving commercial use that they could support.

Mayor Thorpe reopened the public hearing for rebuttal.

Julio Tinajero stated the applicant was willing to work with the HOA to bring forward a commercial project that could be supported by the community. He clarified that the applicant was not a residential developer and requested Council support rezoning the property to commercial.

Mayor Thorpe closed the public hearing.

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 6 of 9

Mayor Thorpe stated that the applicant could have a conversation with the HOA regarding alternative commercial uses for the property; however, at this time, he was committed to not rezoning the property.

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe declared a recess at 9:20 P.M. The meeting reconvened with all Councilmembers present at 9:27 P.M.

COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA

7. FISCAL YEAR 2023-25 MID-YEAR BUDGET

Finance Director Merchant presented the staff report dated June 11, 2024, recommending the City Council 1) Adopt a resolution approving amendments to the 2023/24 and 2024/25 fiscal year budgets (Staff Report Attachment A). 2) Adopt a resolution approving amendments to the 2023/24 budget and 2024/25 fiscal year budgets for items considered at the meeting of June 11, 2024 (Staff Report Attachment B).

An unidentified speaker offered suggestions for the allocation of ARPA funds.

Following discussion, Council consensus supported the following budget amendments:

 City Council Community Events ($20,000 each Councilmember) total $100,000 - One Time Revenue Allocation (with direction to staff to bring back legal parameters for use of the funds)
 Mural Program $100,000 – One Time Revenue Allocation
 Outsourcing Internal Affairs Investigations $100,000 One Time Revenue Allocation  Replacement of EBRCS Radios $500,000 – Council directed staff to investigate funding this item with ARPA funds
 United States Conference of Mayors $10,099 - One Time Revenue Allocation  Concrete Replacement at City Parks $210,000 in FY24 and $350,000 in FY25 – Council directed staff to investigate funding this item with ARPA funds  Extra Tree Work $85,000 transfer out to SLLMD Districts - One Time Revenue Allocation  Chinese History Art Program $60,000 - One Time Revenue Allocation  Police Supplementary Retirement Plan Unfunded Liability $389,929 - One Time Revenue Allocation
 Capacity Building Grants for Non-Profits $277,131 – One Time Revenue Allocation (with direction to staff to bring back an application process for awarding grants)  Mental Health Crisis Response / Contract with Felton Institute $2,100,000 - ARPA funds

Council consensus also supported bringing back the Cost Allocation and Fee Structure Study during the regular budget process.

Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe requested Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer Buenting investigate replacing the landscaping along Lone Tree Way from Highway 4 to the Raley’s Shopping Center.

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 7 of 9

RESOLUTION NO. 2024/81

On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Torres-Walker, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution approving amendments to the 2023/24 and 2024/25 fiscal year budgets as outlined in Exhibits A, B and C attached to the resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 2024/82

On motion by Councilmember Ogorchock, seconded by Councilmember Torres-Walker, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution approving amendments to the 2023/24 budget and 2024/25 fiscal year budgets for items considered at the meeting of June 11, 2024.

A motion was made by Councilmember Ogorchock and seconded by Councilmember Barbanica, to adjourn the meeting at 10:46 P.M. The motion failed by the following vote:

Ayes: Barbanica, Ogorchock Noes: Torres-Walker, Wilson, Hernandez-Thorpe

8. DISCUSSION ITEM: COUNCILMEMBER COMPENSATION – SENATE BILL 329

INCREASES THE COMPENSATION LIMITS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

City Attorney Smith presented the staff report dated June 11, 2024, recommending the City Council provide direction to staff as to whether to prepare an ordinance increasing councilmember compensation to the amount permitted by Senate Bill 329 (2023).

Council consensus directed staff to prepare an ordinance increasing Councilmember compensation to the amount permitted by Senate Bill 329 (2023).

ON MOTION BY MAYOR HERNANDEZ-THORPE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER

TORRES-WALKER, THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY SUSPENDED THE RULES AND MOVED PUBLIC COMMENT AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Frank Sterling Jr. urged Council to agendize a ceasefire resolution and divestment.

ADJOURNMENT

On motion by Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe, seconded by Councilmember Wilson, the City Council unanimously adjourned the meeting at 10:52 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

Kitty Eiden
KITTY EIDEN, Minutes Clerk

ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

HOUSING SUCCESSOR
Regular Meeting
June 11, 2024 Page 8 of 9

[THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE MOVED TO THE 06/25/2024 COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HEARD]

COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA – Continued

9. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTED DISCUSSION ITEM – DISCUSSION ON FUNDING FOR

STREET CAMERAS