Emails obtained through a California Public Records Act request show an error by Antioch City Manager Ana Cortez resulted in Antioch City Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker being unable to participate in Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The error proved significant because the council was considering the future of the HomeKey+ project, an initiative Torres-Walker had championed for several years and previously supported through her votes. Although she was allowed to address the council as a member of the public, she was limited to speaking during public comments and could not participate in council deliberations or cast a vote.
“This was my oversight, and I take responsibility for it. While I was aware of your location, I did not identify the Brown Act requirements for remote participation in time to ensure the agenda included the required information and that the posting requirements could be met within the 72-hour noticing period,” Cortez wrote in an email included in the records request.
Rather than postponing the item to a future meeting, or receiving the staff presentation and public comment while continuing deliberations and the vote until Torres-Walker could participate, the council proceeded with the matter. The council ultimately voted 3-1 to rescind the HomeKey+ project with councilmember Monica Wilson being the dissenting vote.
Here is the timeline:
- Thu 7/23/2026 9:36 AM – Torres-Walker informs city manager Cortez she will be out of town and needed a zoom link.
- Thu 7/23/2026 9:38 AM – Cortez responds acknowledges Torres-Walker request and will send a link when it is made available.
- Thu 7/23/2026 10:29 AM – Torres-Walker provided address she would be participating at, which was the Homewood Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport-Silicon Valley, 10 W Trimble Rd, San Jose, CA 95131, USA
- Fri 7/24/2026 5:33 PM – Email to city that agenda was available
- Mon 7/27/2026 12:54 PM – Torres-Walker cancelled “check in” for council meeting due to another obligation.
- Mon 7/27/2026 7:08 PM – Cortez confirms.
- Tues 7/28/2026 10:43 AM: Cortez informs Torres-Walker of Brown Act and she could not participate.
Good Morning Councilmember Torres-Walker,
This is in follow-up to the voicemails I left yesterday on both your work and personal phone.
Unfortunately, your request to participate in tonight’s meeting via Zoom cannot be accommodated. Under the Brown Act, there are specific requirements for a Councilmember to participate remotely. The meeting agenda must include notice of the remote participation location, and the agenda must also be posted at that location. These requirements are subject to the Brown Act’s 72-hour noticing timeline, which cannot be met for tonight’s meeting.
Additionally, with the new public comment procedures, the City would need to provide two separate Zoom links—one for members of the public providing comments and a separate link for Councilmember participation. Please note the Zoom link I shared with you has been set up for public comment participation. We would need to issue a new link for Councilmember participants.
If you would like to discuss this further, please let me know and I would be happy to talk with you.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Thank you,
Tue, 7/28, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Hello, Acting City Manager Cortez
I provided my location, and when I noticed it wasn’t included on the agenda, I knew it would be a challenge.
Who overlooked this?
Tues, 7/28/2026 at 12:30 pm
Thank you for your response Councilmember Torres-Walker.
This was my oversight, and I take responsibility for it. While I was aware of your location, I did not identify the Brown Act requirements for remote participation in time to ensure the agenda included the required information and that the posting requirements could be met within the 72-hour noticing period.
I apologize for the oversight. Going forward, I will ensure these requirements are identified and communicated in advance.
Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Thank you for your understanding.
Tue 7/28/2026 4:40 PM: Torres-Walker responds
Hello, Acting City Manager Cortez
I did my part.
- Requested to participate in the meeting via Zoom in advance of the meeting
- I provided the location
- I posted the agenda in the lobby 72 hours in advance
I understand that we are understaffed and that the Clerk’s Office is in a learning position, but this is disheartening.
Antioch Votes to Rescind $35 Million in HomeKey+ Funding
On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council voted to rescind its participation in a HomeKey+ project, turning down $35 million in state funding.
The council voted 3-1 with Monica Wilson being the dissenting vote and Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker was “absent” on a technicality.
The council voted to rescind the state funding for a variety of reasons including the fiscal outlook of the city which included a $15 million deficit next year, it did not guarantee Antioch residents would get the rooms, they wanted a regional approach and believed a plan was already in place (it should be noted, several Antioch residents have rooms at the Delta Landing facility in Pittsburg) — full recap.
