CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING/BUDGET STUDY SESSION
Special Meeting March 4, 2025
7:00 P.M. Council Chambers
6:00 P.M. – SPECIAL MEETING/BUDGET STUDY SESSION
Mayor Bernal called the Special Meeting to order at 6:0 3 P.M., and Acting City Clerk Rosales called the roll.
Present: Council Members District 1 Torres -Walker, District 3 Freitas, District 4 Wilson, Mayor Pro Tem (District 2) Rocha and Mayor Bernal
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Bernal led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BUDGET STUDY SESSION
1. FISCAL YEAR 2025-27 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT
Mayor Bernal explained the budget development process and thanked the community for their participation.
City Manager Scott introduced Agenda Item #1 and thanked the community for their participation. She announced the City would officially begin streaming Council meetings on YouTube beginning April 1, 2025.
Finance Director Merchant presented the staff report dated March 4, 2025, recommending t he City Council provide feedback and direction regarding the budget development information provided for the Fiscal Year 2025-27 Budget.
Director of Public Safety and Community Resources Johnson provided an overview of the Public Safety and Community Resources Department. Alongside h er, Youth Services Network Manager Cabral ( on special assignment as Public Safety Manager ) and Environmental Resource Coordinator Haas -Wajdowicz, delivered a PowerPoint presentation to highlight key initiatives and programs within the department. Director of Public Safety and Community Resources Johnson thanked Councilmember Torres -Walker for advocating for the establishment and funding of the department. She also thanked Councilmember Wilson for her support and noted that she looked forward to Council’s continued support.
Finance Director Merchant presented the Public Safety & Community Resources Budget Worksheets (Attachment C) of the staff report.
In response to Councilmember Freitas, Finance Director Merchant explained that the upcoming increase in the Public Safety and Community Resources General Fund was primarily due to the
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inclusion of the Angelo Quinto Crisis Response Team (AQCRT) team after ARPA funds expired in October 2025.
In response to Councilmember Wilson, Finance Director Merchant clarified that a small portion of salaries was funded by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) fund, but this fund did not directly contribute to the Solid Waste Fund.
Councilmember Wilson encouraged staff to reach out to Congressman Garamendi’s staff to seek (NPEDS) funding for the department.
In response to Mayor Bernal , Finance Director Merchant explained that CDBG revenue projections would be updated once the City received the actual funding amount and the CDBG Committee's funding recommendations were approved by the Council.
Councilmember Torres -Walker reported that the CDBG Committee was informed by CDBG/Housing Consultant House that the challenge with revenue projections was attributed to changes being made at the national level.
In response to Mayor Bernal, Finance Director Merchant clarified that the Solid Waste franchise fee was shared among the street impact fund, general fund, and solid waste fund, but funds for solid waste were redirected to the general fund during the economic downturn. She noted as the solid waste fund expanded and required more revenue; its allocation was doubled for 2023/24 and w ith the hiring of a second administrative analyst, there was now an additional need to increase funding for the program.
Christina Pedroza , Maddox Pedroza -Linsey, Samantha Pedroza -Linsey, Nikko Bradshaw, Alison Norris, Snug as a Bug Bags, Scarlet McKenzie, Maleya Kelly, Maliyah Cooper, Deer Valley High Student, Cindy Alvarenga and Morelia Yanet Gil Cubillo, expressed their support for the Antioch Council of Teens (ACT) and advocated for continued funding. They highlighted its positive impact on the youth in the community and emphasized the importance of the program in fostering civic engagement and development among teens.
Brianna Robinson , President and CEO Opportunity Junction, provided an overview of the ir organization and highlighted the diverse participants served through their training programs .
She urged Council to prioritize funding for such initiatives, emphasizing that continued support would enable the organization to help even more people.
Bruce Koon and Emma Mayta Canales, representing Contra Costa Youth Journalism Program, expressed their support for the Youth Services Programs, detailing the advantages of their training program and responsible reporting. Mr. Koon advocated for increasing funding to expand the program.
Marz, Antioch Homeless Community, emphasized the importance of access to healthcare, affordable housing, and resources for the unhoused. He advocated for initiatives aimed at addressing their immediate needs.
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Ricka Davis -Sheard, SHARE Community, suggested the City streamline Budget Study Sessions. She emphasized the wide range of services her organization provided to the unhoused and requested that the City continue funding their program.
Karen Abb ey, SHARE Community, gave her testimony about participating in the program, explaining how it had helped her secure employment. She requested that the City continu e funding the program.
Aristeo Ruiz, Paulette Perez and Sandro Trujillo, Chloe Salazar, RRTH Tutoring Center, reported that the program had significantly helped students who were falling behind in their studies and positively impacted their lives. They urged the City to continue funding the program.
Several members of the audience stood in support of RRTH.
Leeann Lorono, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing Tri Delta Transit, announced that they had welcomed an intern through the City’s Internship Program and highlighted the benefits it brought. She advocated for increased financial support and expansion of the program.
Carole Dorham-Kelly and Shagoofa, Khan, Monument Impact, spoke in support of ACT and the Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program (MAP) , outlined the advantages of the programs and emphasized the financial benefits of collaborating with community-based organizations.
Ramon Baynori , Antonio Anderson , Atiana and Nyjah McClure, Monument Impact/Youth Services, spoke in support of the Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program (MAP) , outlined the advantages of the program and shared success stories.
Rachelle Leon, Dozier Libby Medical High School Student, spoke in support of funding groups such as ACT & RRTH and provided an overview of the ir services. She emphasized the importance of these programs in improving lives and strengthening the community.
Loren Kadar announced he was an intern who successfully secured a job with the Youth Services Network and discussed the positive impact the program had on the community.
Kimberly Figueroa discussed the advantages of the Build Internship Program and announced that she was an intern who successfully secured a job as a permanent employee for Youth Services. She advocated for continued financial support for Youth Services.
Yohandryn Qinanes , Lyric Performing Arts, expressed interest in bringing their program to Antioch. She encouraged the City to investigate additional revenue streams to support Youth Services.
Francisco Torres, Reimagine Antioch, supported the public comments made this evening and Public Safety and Community Resources programming. He commen ded staff for seeking out and receiving grant monies to support their programs.
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Yochanan Juarez, City of Antioch (PSCR) reported he worked for the Youth Services Network Division as an office assist ant and secured job placement through the Springboard Internship Program. He encouraged students and graduated seniors to participate in the program.
Melissa Case commended those who spoke in support of youth programs and encouraged the City to seek alterative funding solutions. She stated that her other funding priorities were Antioch Animal Services, Antioch Police Department (APD) , AQCRT, and support staff for the City Manager. She requested more accountability, data and outcomes for the City’s homeless programs. She also requested data for the CalVIP program and a job description for the Housing Coordinator.
Leslie May , Reimagine Antioch, shared success stories of participants in Public Safety and Community Resources programs and thanked the department for their dedication. She suggested reallocating General Fund money and increasing taxes for adult businesses to fund the programs.
Lunden Gallaway on behalf of Johnnie Hines, Bridge Builders for a New Generation, discussed the services they provided to decrease violence in the community.
Gavin Payton and Nadia King, representing the NAACP Youth Council, discussed the value of youth programming and advocated for continued funding.
Laneasha Lee, Deputy Director of the TRiO Upward Bound Program, thanked Councilmember Rocha for bringing the program to Antioch High School. She introduced Zavien Fortenberry who spoke about the value of the program.
Synitha Walker, UCSF TRiO, thanked Youth Services Network for their support and spoke about the value of the program.
Frank Sterling , Reimag ine Antioch discussed the importance of the Public Safety and Community Resources Department and requested Council continue fully funding the department.
Cassandra Quinto-Collins, Curtis Penn and Al Gilbert representing Felton Institute discussed the importance of the AQCRT and requested Council continue fully funding the program.
Sara B. discussed the importance of the Public Safety and Community Resources Department programming. She requested Council continue funding the AQCRT.
Andrew Becke r encouraged Council seek revenue to continue supporting Public Safety and Community Resources programs.
Pastor Neill Brengesttsey, Back on Track, discussed the success of their Violence Intervention and Prevention program and encouraged the City to continue investing in these programs.
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Councilmember Torres -Walker thanked the Public Safety and Community Resources Department for the comprehensive report and thanked Councilmember Wilson for her support during the formation of the department. She clarified that Public Safety and Community Resources focused on saving lives through initiatives in environmental sustainability, affordable housing, resources for the unhoused, violence intervention, and youth development. She recognized the efforts of Director of Public Safety and Community Resources Johnson , her team, and other City departments in the department's success and appreciated those who contributed to implementing a program that operated a budget of just 2% of the General Fund.
Councilmember Rocha stated he found the community’s success stories inspiring . He recognized the Council's need to make tough budget decisions and thanked the staff for their efforts.
Councilmember Wilson thanked Councilmember Torres-Walker for h er support and congratulated the Public Safety and Community Resources Department on their achievements.
She also recognized former Mayor Harper for bringing the ACT program to Antioch and expressed gratitude to several staff members, while acknowledging Cassandra Quinto Collins for her advocacy.
Councilmember Freitas praised the evening's testimonies and discussed the difficult decisions needed to address the budget deficit. He underscored the importance of considering sustainability and expansion for new programs, recognizing that all City initiatives had advocates and enhanced quality of life. He particularly noted the value of youth programs and affirmed the Council's dedication to the community's success while striving to maintain a balanced approach.
Mayor Bernal commented that this meeting was inspirational. He commended Councilmember Wilson for bringing forward the A QCRT. He acknowledged the difficult budget -balancing decisions ahead and the expiration of many funding streams . He requested a breakdown of departmental funding and its historical context.
Councilmember Freitas recommended staff provide Council with evaluations of program s including information on the methods used to evaluate their successes and failures.
City Manager Scott responded that staff would provide the requested information, including breakdowns by cost center. She reported that staff ha d been in discussion regarding key performance indicators and metrics that determine d the City’s return on investment. She announced Opportunity Village, and other programs would be coming to Council to present their outcomes. She thanked Felton Institute and the community -based organizations who were present and spoke this evening.
Councilmember Rocha reported that the CDBG Standing Committee would proceed with its activities, even though there was uncertainty regarding the available funding. He requested an update on the success of the City’s grant applications and those that were being pursued.
City Manager Scott responded that she would provide a memorandum to the Council with the City’s grant activities. She reported that she had applied for almost $10M in Measure X funding
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for youth and she thanked Supervisor Burgis, Antioch Police Oversight Commission (APOC) Chairperson Tailor and Director of Public Safety and Community Resources Johnson for facilitating the process. She also thanked Andrew Becker for meeting with her and Bay Area Community Services (BACS) for assisting in applying for Homekey Plus grants. She announced there were many robust partnerships and cross collaborations helping the City of Antioch aggressively seek funds. She thanked Councilmember Wilson for joining the call with Townsend Public Affairs in seeking state and federal funding opportunities.
Councilmember Torres -Walker reiterated that the Public Safety and Community Resources Department received only 2% of the G eneral Fund and encouraged the public to continue to show up and be critical. She noted that the Council had not yet addressed issues related to salary increases, contract negotiations, salary surveys, and the challenges of revenue and economic development.
Mayor Bernal declared a recess at 9:52 P.M. the meeting reconvened at 10:01 P.M. with all Councilmembers present.
Mayor Bernal recommended Council meet one hour prior to the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting to complete the Public Safety and Community Resources budget discussion and move the Antioch Police Department Budget Study Session to March 18, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilmember Freitas, seconded by Councilmember Rocha the City Council unanimously 1) Continued the Budget Study Session for Public Safety and Community Resources Johnson to one hour prior to the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting, 2) Moved the Antioch Police Department Budget Study Session to March 18, 2025, and 3) Adjourned the meeting at 10:03 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Kitty Eiden
KITTY EIDEN, Minutes Clerk