On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council will continue to talk traffic calming improvements as well as reduced speed limits among other things.
Not on the agenda is a discussion about a possible ordinance change that would allow for the city council to have control to appoint, supervise and remove the Antioch Police Chief. Although a Public Notice was issued, it was not included on Tuesdays agenda.
Antioch Could Spend $1.51 Million on Traffic Calming Improvements
The Antioch City Council is being asked to approve $1.51 million in spending for traffic calming improvements on three city streets.
Nearly 8 months after the Antioch City Council directed staff to look at traffic calming measures, staff has put together a proposal for the following roads:
- Sycamore Drive ($425k)
- James Donlon Blvd from Somersville Road to Contra Loma Blvd ($220k)
- James Donlon Blvd from Contra Loma Blvd to Lone Tree Way ($545k)
- W 10th Street ($220k)
- + 10% contingency on all projects.
According to the staff report, $425k of funding would come from the gas tax for the Sycamore Drive portion. Staff also said they have met with the Antioch Police and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District where the proposed plans were supported and approved — see previous story
Antioch Could Reduce Speed Limits on Multiple Roadways
On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council is set to discuss “Special Speed Zones” which could reduce the speed limit on several city streets. Others will stay below the 85th percentile which typically increases speed limits.
Under a new law (AB 43), it allows speed limits can be rounded down when justified, instead of always increasing. It also allows CALTRANS to establish criteria for reducing speed by 5-mph based on collision history or high concentration of bike and pedestrian traffic (effective June 2024). It also allows a city, by ordinance, to retain the existing or previous speed limit if no additional lanes have been added to the road since the speed limit was established.
The Antioch City Council will look at speed limits in 4 of 34 segments to be certified through the ordinance to decrease speed that was increased last year.
- E 18th St (two segments) – this would stay below the 85th percentile
- Cavallo Road – below the 85th percentile
- James Donlon Blvd. – below the 85th percentile
- Laurel Road – would see drop from 45 mph to 40 mph
- Wild Horse – would see drop from 45 mph to 40 mph.
Resolution to Support Exoneration of The Port Chicago 50
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to support local, state, and federal efforts to exonerate the Port Chicago 50.
On the night of July 17, 1944, two transport vessels loading ammunition at the Port Chicago naval base in Concord, California, were suddenly engulfed in a gigantic explosion, the incredible blast of which wrecked the naval base and heavily damaged the town of Port Chicago.
Everyone on the pier and aboard the two ships were killed instantly—some 320 American naval personnel, 200 of whom were African American enlisted men; and another 390 military and civilian personnel were injured, including 226 African American enlisted men. This single, stunning disaster accounted for nearly one-fifth of all African American naval casualties during the whole of World War II and was the worst home front disaster of the war.
The blame for the explosion went to the African American munitions handlers who had been killed in the disaster yet had not been properly trained in the handling of those explosives. Weeks later, seamen were ordered back to work loading munitions at the same location. Two-hundred fifty-eight African American sailors were ordered to load these munitions, but due to what they felt were unsafe work conditions and themselves not being adequately trained in the proper handling of munitions, they refused orders.
After being threatened with the death penalty, 208 of these men reluctantly returned to work. However, the remaining 50 were court-martialed and sentenced to 17 years in prison.
After the war had ended in 1945, the Navy announced that 47 of the 50 men would be released to active duty. Two remained in a hospital recuperating from injuries, while a third remained in prison due to bad conduct. Eventually, those of the 50 who had not committed later offenses were given a general discharge from the Navy under honorable conditions. Yet their convictions were never rescinded, and the “Port Chicago 50” carried with them charges of mutiny until they died.
Discussion on Hiring of Retired Police Officers
This item is for discussion and was placed on the agenda in response to a request by Councilmember Barbanica. The Acting City Manager, the Antioch Police Department, and the Human Resources Department are engaged in discussions to address current vacancies at the Police Department as soon as possible. Councilmember Barbanica suggested that the City consider hiring retired police officers to provide temporary coverage for certain non-sworn duties within the Police Department. The Acting City Manager will consider all options and make necessary efforts to address the current staffing concerns in the Police Department.
Antioch City Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Time: 5:30 P.M. – Closed Session
7:00 P.M. – Regular Meeting
Place: Council Chambers
200 ‘H’ Street
Antioch, CA 9450
Full Agenda – click here
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