Future of Antioch Economic Development Commission in Limbo

On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council is set to discuss the future of its Economic Development Commission and a variety of other items.

The commission, which was formed in 2001, is a 7 Antioch resident commission aimed at making recommendations to the city council and staff regarding policies, regulations, marketing, development strategies and activities to retain and enhance the economic base of the community, and further to articulate a vision of economic development with clearly defined goals and objectives for the city of Antioch.

However, due to lack of attendance and commissioner vacancies, the commission has only met once (April 5) since December of 2021. There are only 3 commissioners appointed at this time of a 7 member commission—so they cannot meet after the mayor has not appointed new commissioners.

According to the Staff Report, the Economic Development Commission has provided recommendations to the City Council that include but are not limited to the following:

• Prevailing Wage and Project Labor Agreements related issues to a specific development – 2002
• Rivertown Parking Study and Rivertown Promotional Partnership – 2007
• Provided input in the creation of the Northern Waterfront Economic Development
  Initiative – 2015
• Recurring discussions on three areas of focus, Antioch’s Competitive Advantage and Business Climate, Infrastructure and Targeted Development, and Regional Economic Development – 2015-2017
• Evaluation of the potential benefits of the cannabis industry – 2017
• Measure W evaluation – 2018
• Somersville District Analysis with Saint Mary’s College – 2018-2020
• Modern Workspaces recommendation to City Council – 2018-2019
• Analyzed Economic Development section of the Strategic Visioning Plan 2018-2022
• Evaluated staff recommendations on COVID-19 small business support efforts 2020

The City Council is being asked to provide direction on the future of the Economic Development Commission. The following alternatives are provided for discussion:

1. Reinstate the EDC by seeking 4 new members to accompany the three remaining
   members
2. Reform the EDC to an advisory committee that meets when needed and isn’t
   subject to the rules and regulations of a City-appointed commission (i.e. subject to the Brown Act)
3. Dissolve the EDC
4. Other City Council recommendation

Also on the Agenda:

Fiscal Year 2023-25 Budget Development: Staff has already told the council to “stop spending”. This is a preliminary review of the general fund.

A budget should be balanced, meaning that the expenditures in any given fiscal year should not exceed revenues. In 2018, the City established a Budget Stabilization Fund to maintain a minimum 20% unassigned fund balance within the General Fund. When established, the purpose of this fund was to provide a means of handling unexpected General Fund budget variances, unanticipated projects and/or expenses, and unfunded liabilities.

The City has an adopted reserve policy that the General Fund unassigned (not committed for other purposes) fund balance will be a minimum of 20% of General Fund operating revenues.

The preliminary budget shows deficit spending which is being covered by the budget stabilization fund which includes:

• 2022-23: $6,669,388
• 2023-24: $6,440,845
• 2024-25: $8,914,162

Rental Inspection Program Information – this is a report and staff is seeking guidance from council on if they want to reestablish the program to apply to both interior and exterior of single-family and multi-family rental units.

Department of Public Safety and Community Resources: the council is being asked to provide direction for a design approval and funding of $4.3 million for this department. The funds are coming out of the American Rescue Plan Act. The Design and construction of this facility is currently estimated at $14 million with $9.7 million unfunded.

Tobacco Ordinance Discussion: City staff has been approached by local business owners and their representatives about the sole authority of the City Council, they may be revisited at its discretion. Staff is requesting a discussion and, if desired, direction to either maintain the current ordinance or to pursue targeted revisions

Antioch City Council Agenda

• Tuesday, March 28
• 5:00 pm – Special Meeting/Study Session on Budget
• 7:00 pm – Regular Meeting
• 200 H Street, Antioch CA
• Full Agenda: Click Here