On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council agreed to continue to work on solutions on a warming center program after a $50k voucher program fell through at the Comfort Inn.
According to City Manager Bessie M. Scott, DJ Hospitality, LLC (formally Comfort Inn) has pulled their offer due to circumstances outside the city’s control. Staff have begun discussions with another hotel to discuss emergency lodging. They are also pursuing other options such as faith based partnerships and coordination with county partners.
According to the staff report,
Funding for these expenditures is anticipated to be absorbed within the Fiscal Year 2025–26 General Fund operating budget and supported by projected salary savings. After the council provided direction to staff at the January 13 meeting, staff entered negotiations with DJ Hospitality, LLC, who is the owner of the former Comfort Inn. The city reached a tentative agreement to secure up to 250 emergency room vouchers at a total cost not to exceed $20,000, including all applicable taxes. These vouchers may be used on an as-needed basis over the next six months. Any unused vouchers will be refunded to the City at $80 per voucher. According to the report, DJ Hospitality, LLC is currently delinquent on Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) payments for calendar years 2022 through 2024, as well as on outstanding water service obligations. As part of the tentative agreement, DJ Hospitality, LLC has committed to bringing all accounts current, including payment of all outstanding balances and applicable late fees, within ninety (90) days.
With the deal off the table, staff was seeking direction.
“What we are looking for tonight is if there is a council consensus to continue moving forward and to try and find a model that works for Antioch,” said Scott.
Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas called it “gut-wrenching problem” noting they all want this resolved and thought they had a solution and this is now a difficult solution.
“It’s time to be more proactive versus reactive because summer is coming and with 100–115-degree heat can also be damaging to humans. I think we need a more proactive approach,” said Freitas.
The council has agreed to move forward.
“We are all nodding yes at the direction and do so expeditiously as you possibly can. People are suffering and are suffering greatly on the streets of Antioch and that is very unfortunate for us,” stated Freitas.
Councilmember Louie Rocha confirmed this direction was for a warming center which staff confirmed.
It is unclear when city staff will bring a solution back to the council
Other Items:
- Hiring of City Attorney: According to Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kudinger, he received a request during the meeting from Lori Asuncion that the item to authorize the hiring agreement be held until a future meeting when the entire council is present. Approved in a 3-0 vote with mayor Bernal and Councilmember Wilson absent.
- Angelo Quinto Community Response Gets Additional $408,084 in Funding… council approved this in a 3-0 vote with mayor Bernal and Councilmember Wilson absent.
Approval of Awards for the 2025-2026 Civic Enhancement Grant Program
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution awarding and codifying the City Council’s approval of the 2025-2026 Civic Enhancement Grants:
- $1,500 grant to the Antioch Historical Society for School educational programming
- $2,000 grant to the Antioch Police Activities League for Youth Sports programs;
- $2,500 grant plus approximately $2,300 of in-kind City facility services to the Antioch Rotary Club for the King’s Conference for Underserved Male Youth;
- $1,500 grant to Be Exceptional for Funds to Expand Youth Programs for people with disabilities;
- $1,000 grant to Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area supporting programs assisting Antioch families affected by cancer;
- $2,000 grant to Celebrate Antioch Foundation for organizing and supporting family safe community events;
- $4,500 grant to Delta Learning Center for enhancing educational outcomes for underserved students
- $5,000 grant to Delta Veterans Group for the Veterans Day/ Memorial Day Ceremonies and the Veterans Banner Program;
- $2,000 grant to Downtown Antioch Assoc. & Foundation for small Business Saturday to market downtown businesses
- $1,500 grant to East Bay Forward Economic Development Association for a free community music festival;
- $5,000 grant to Grassroots Poetry to Open mic events for both youth and adults for creative expression;
- $5,000 grant to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa for a hot meal program for unhoused and low-income residents;
- $1,500 grant to NAMI Contra Costa for Crisis Intervention;
- $2,500 grant plus approximately $5,350 of in-kind City facility services to New Generation Equity/STEM4Realfor a STEM community Event;
- $2,500 grant to Rotary Club of the Delta for Support Antioch’s senior community with home repairs;
- $10,000 grant to Three Thirty-Three Arts for design and lead two crosswalk murals on 2 nd street.
Agenda Documents – click here
