Antioch City Manager Cornelius Johnson has resigned and it will be effective July 14, 2023. With the resignation, there will be no severance.
Antioch City Councilmember Mike Barbanica confirmed the news Friday that a letter of writing has been submitted.
UPDATE – Johnson has confirmed he submitted his resignation citing he wanted to move on and in the best interest of the City of Antioch who says its suffered enough.
In March, the council announced it was placing Johnson on leave after a closed session meeting. The council announced it was appointing Forrest Ebbs, Community Development Director, would be acting city manager. Ebbs has since put in his notice to take a job with the City of Modesto.
Back in October of 2022, Johnson was hired on a two-year contract at $266,400 per year in a 3-2 vote with Mayor Lamar Thorpe and councilmembers Monica Wilson and Tamisha Torres-Walker in support with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica and Councilmember Lori Ogorchock dissenting.
The vote came with no national search, application process or internal candidates considered. The council had met multiple times in closed session over the past few months on this appointment but took no action. There were also questions on Johnsons resume and his background check.
Last week, the Antioch City Council voted 4-0 to appoint Kwame Reed as acting city manager.
Reed was hired in July of 2018 as Antioch’s new Economic Development Director. Prior to that, he was the Senior Analyst for Economic Development in the city of Brentwood. He has over 20 years of professional experience in local and regional government agencies, with roles that include planning, redevelopment, affordable housing, project management and economic development.
The meeting was prompted by the abrupt resignation by acting city manager Forrest Ebbs who gave notice after accepting a job with the City of Modesto. His last official day will be July 14 and had encouraged the Antioch City Council to appoint a replacement prior to his leaving.
Under this city council, once they name a new acting city manager/or hire someone, it will be the fifth in less than 2-years.
- Ron Bernal (retired)
- Cornelius Johnson – on paid administrative leave
- Ana Cortez – acting for a few days.
- Forrest Ebbs – acting (left for city of Modesto)
- Kwame Reed – acting
City Manager Background:
- May 2017: City of Antioch Names Ron Bernal New City Manager
- Sept. 7, 2021: Antioch City Manager to Retire at End of 2021
- Nov 5, 2021: Antioch Set to Hire Former San Francisco Police Captain as Interim City Manager
- Nov. 10, 2021: Antioch City Council Agrees to Hire Cornelius Johnson as Interim City Manager in 3-2 Vote
- Dec. 16, 2021: Antioch Mayor Announces Hiring of Interim City Manager
- Sept. 10, 2022: Antioch Council Takes No Action on Hiring Con Johnson as City Manager
- Sept, 27, 2022: Antioch City Council Agrees to Appoint Con Johnson as City Manager
- Oct 26, 2022: Con Johnson Hired as Antioch City Manager After Split Council Vote
- March 15, 2023: Antioch City Manager Con Johnson Placed on Administrative Leave
- March 17, 2023: Antioch City Council Votes to Place City Manager on Administrative Leave
- April 26, 2023: Antioch Approves $39K Payment for Invalid Contract to Law Firm
3 comments
Now I guess the question is will this city council LEARN from its mistakes and do a proper hiring search for a new “permanent” city manger? That is, if any competent candidates can be found who would want the job.
He shouldn’t have been given the job in the first place. Lamar should have recused himself from the vote to hire him due to their personal connection. The city attorney who allowed that to happen should leave as well.
One down, two to go. Lamar has to be next! Antioch turned into a flaming dumpster fire when it became Lamartown.
Get Lamar out!
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