The time has come for realignment of East County cities as elected leaders end their term in office while others will be sworn in during oath of office ceremonies.
In East Contra Costa County, the City of Antioch, City of Brentwood, City of Oakley, and City of Pittsburg will all have a changing of the guard this week—see previews below.
Depending on how rotations go, East County could potentially have four first time mayors.
L to R: Don Freitas, Ron Bernal, and Louie Rocha
City of Antioch
Antioch will get the pleasure of a nearly full agenda before Ron Bernal, Donald Freitas and Louie Rocha take the Oath of Office. Apparently, Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe wants to vote on a few more items before leaving office.
This includes a closed session with anticipated litigation followed by a Consent Calendar with 15 items, which several items are likely to be pulled. Under Item, L, they will approve the 2024-25 Civic Enhancement Grant Program which included:
- $2,800 grant to the Antioch Historical Society for construction of a historical bell-
- tower;
- $2,800 grant to the Antioch Police Activities League for Youth Sports programs;
- $300 grant to the Antioch Rotary Club for the Boys in Action program;
- $1,750 grant to the Antioch Rotary Club for the Day of Empowering Girls event;
- $1,750 grant plus approximately $2,282 of in-kind City facility services to the Antioch Rotary Club for the King’s Conference for Underserved Male Youth;
- $1,800 grant to Be Exceptional for Funds to Expand Youth Programs for people with disabilities;
- $4,800 grant to Bridge Builders for a New Generation for a Founders Dinner Fundraiser;
- $1,500 grant to Charles and Smith Health and Wellness for Housing and Resources for Veterans;
- $5,500 grant to Delta Veterans Group for the Veterans Day/ Memorial Day Ceremonies and the Veterans Banner Program;
- $2,800 grant to El Campanil Theater for theater technology upgrades;
- $1,000 grant plus approximately $704 of in-kind City facility services to Facing Homelessness to provide supplies and resources to the unhoused;
- $3,800 grant plus approximately $3,000 of in-kind City services to East Bay Forward Economic Development Association for a free community music festival;
- $2,300 grant to General Federation Women’s Club of Antioch to renovate the outdoor portion of the Women’s Club facility;
- $2,800 grant to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa for a hot meal program for unhoused and low-income residents;
- $2,800 grant to Mission Possible Community Development Center of Antioch for the Operation Impact youth program;
- $1,500 grant plus approximately $6,000 of in-kind City facility services to Prison from the Inside Out for an outreach program designed to strengthen the relationship between Antioch residents and the Antioch Police Department;
- $1,800 grant plus approximately $1,000 of in-kind City facility services to RR Transitional Housing for the Fierce and Flourishing job readiness training program for youth;
- $1,800 grant to RR Transitional Housing for the Ignite Youth program;
- $2,800 grant to SHARE Community for the Mobile Shower and Hygiene Service Program;
- $1,800 grant plus approximately $350 of in-kind City facility services to New Generation Equity/STEM4Real for a community STEM event; and
- $1,800 grant to Team Jesus Outreach Ministries for solar panels to power refrigerated containers to distribute food to the community
Within consent, Antioch will also look to approve lease space with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (Item M) at the community center, while they will have an MOU with the Antioch Friends for Charitable Bingo Operations at the Antioch Senior Center (Item N). Under Item O, they will finally respond to the Grand Jury Report.
After Consent, in one of the last items this majority council will discuss, is provide direction to staff concerning proposed amendments to the Antioch Municipal Code allowing an increased variety of cannabis businesses in Cannabis Overlay Districts CB 2 and CB 3.
Finally, upon confirming the 2024 election, Mayor Bernal and councilmembers Frietas and Rocha will take the Oath of Office. They will then work to select a Mayor Pro Tempore followed by appointments to committee assignments.
If You Go
Tuesday, December 10
7:00 pm
200 H Street, Antioch CA
Full Agenda – Click Here
L to R: Jovita Mendoza, Susannah Meyer, Faye Maloney
City of Brentwood
The city council will open up with council reports followed by a 13-item consent calendar. This will be followed by a presentation/recognition of outgoing Mayor Joel Bryant for his years of service.
The council will then go into a public hearing regarding Bridle Gate where they have two options to either deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commissions action. Or, approve the appeal, reversing the Planning Commission’s action to deny the project — the council previously denied it back in August.
Other items include:
- Independent Auditors’ Reports and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2023/24; and Report on the Financial Awards received by the City
- Receive update and provide direction on implementation of the Solid Waste Organics Diversion project
- Approve a successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Brentwood and the Brentwood Police Lieutenants’ Group for the period of July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027; and Adopt Appropriations Amendments to the 2024/25 – 2025/26 Operating Budget
- A Resolution reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, declaring the results, and taking such other actions regarding the election as provided by law
The council will then provide Oath of Office to newly elected Mayor Susannah Meyer, Faye Maloney and Jovita Mendoza. They will then select a vice mayor.
Finally, the council will hear a future agenda item request regarding the consideration of funding for midnight basketball.
If You Go
December 10, 2024
7:00 PM
150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
Full Agenda – click here
City of Oakley:
The council will fist accept results of the general municipal election before issuing presentations to outgoing Mayor Anissa Williams—who will then issue closing comments.
Shortly after, they will administer Oath of Office to Councilmembers Aaron Meados (District 1), Anissa Williams (District 3) and George Fuller (District 5) – Meadows and Williams ran unopposed and did not have to run a campaign. Fuller, meanwhile, faced two challengers and was elected with 41.37% of the vote in his District. This will be the first time Oakley will have district councilmembers in all five districts.
Oakley will then select its mayor (rotation) and vice mayor followed by Oaths of Office. The newly appointed mayor will then provided comments. The question here is will Oakley promote Mr. Fuller to the mayors seat or bypass him for all the obvious reasons?
The council will then move to their regular meeting at 6:30 pm. Full agenda, click here
If You Go
Tuesday, December 10
5:30 pm
3231 Main St, Oakley CA
Agenda – click here
L to R: Jelani Killing & Juan Banales
City of Pittsburg
The Council will fist accept the results of the November 5 election… followed by remarks from outgoing Mayor Juan Antonio Banales.
The council will then hold Oath of Office for councilmembers Banales (41.89%) and Jelani Killings (36.41%) — . The council will then hold its reorganization with a selection of mayor and vice mayor followed by remarks.
If You Go
Monday, December 9
7:00 pm
65 Civic Ave, Pittsburg
Agenda – click here
