On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council held a special meeting where they went through 9-items in under 90-minutes to see if the council wanted to bring them back at future meetings.
Mayor Lamar Thorpe said they would be reviewing items that councilmembers have requested which he said was to ensure that everyone gets their voice heard and if the council wanted to bring back the items.
Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, during council remarks, stated she believed they should review the interim city manager as its been 4-months and wanted to ensure the smoke shop ordinance is brought back sooner rather than later.
Each of the 9-items were listen with a single sentence which provided no background or supporting documents. Here is a recap of what transpired:
CITY OF ANTIOCH HUMAN RIGHTS AND RACIAL EQUITY COMMITTEE: The council agreed to bring this item back after 5-0 vote.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC) TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES: The council voted not to bring this item back does not come back after 2-3 vote with Thorpe, Walker, Wilson voting no.
Barbanica highlighted this had already come before a vote 3-times and had been rejected. The cost is approximently $300k to update the technology. He explained if they handle a major event “wrong” they could lose future funding.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT ON 2020 AND 2021 CRIME AND ANTIOCH POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Item does not come back after 2-3 vote after Thorpe, Wilson and Walker all said no.
“This is something I have been asking for since Chief Brooks was here. For the police department to come in and give us an update not only in terms of staffing levels, recruiting levels and crime within the community. I think its important that the community hears from the police department specifically and understand what is going on within the police department and within the city,” explained Barbanica. “I think its imperative we do this and we have it done on an annual basis at least.”
Councilmember Lori Ogorchock mentioned this request is not just on Antioch Police Department crime statistics, but also an update on the police department which includes number of officers, equipment needs such as vehicles.
“I too would like to see this come back,” said Ogorchock. “Allan Cantando used to do them quarterly, Brooks did them twice a year and now all of a sudden they just stopped so I think they should come back.”
The council then voted with Barbanica and Ogorchock in support while Thorpe, Wilson and Walker against—the item will not come back.
Editors note
- 2019/2020 Crime Stats (provided through community presentation)
- 2018 Crime Stats
- 2017/18 Crime Stats
- 2015/16 Crime Stats
CREATION OF A BEACH PARK FROM RIVERVIEW LODGE TO THE MARINA: The Item does not come back after 2-3 vote after Thorpe, Wilson, Walker all said no.
YOUTH APPRECIATION DAY: Item does not come back after 2-3 vote after Thorpe, Walker & Wilson all said no.
VETERANS’ BOULEVARD COMMUNITY PROJECT/ L STREET RENAMING PRESENTATION: no action, agreed to move forward with comprehensive overview.
Wilson said she wanted it as a whole package, not single item. Ogorchock said she liked the idea that they needed a study session. Walker said she never heard of the park idea and wanted more info. Thorpe said he will bring back park as a separate agenda item. Comprehensive approach approved in 5-0 vote.
NAMING OF NEW STREETS IN DEVELOPMENTS AND NAMING A STREET THOMAS GAINES BOULEVARD: Item goes forward and moved into item 6 as they look at street names overall for city. Approved in 5-0 vote.
POLICY ON CENSURE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS (TO INCLUDE REMOVAL FROM COMMISSIONS): Item does not move forward after a 2-3 vote. Thorpe, Wilson & Walker voted against.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Item goes forward in 3-2 vote with Barbanica and Ogorchock against.
Thorpe said he was absolutely for this due to the demands and their demands have changed while they are more proactive and not a reactive council. Said they could bring this back when they talk about the budget.
Ogorchock voted “absolutely no”.
All items approved to be brought back will show up on a future Antioch City Council Agenda. No timelines were provided.
6 comments
Thorpe, Wilson and Walker need to go !! They have no interest in transparency whatsoever.
The bad three who ran on transparency platforms don’t want to show crime stats. What a joke they are
The 3 clowns need to go!!. They are a cancer to this city!!!
I would suggest that not only these three need to go but also Con Johnson.
This is ridiculous! Thorpe and the other two wanted to do all this police transparency but what happens? They vote against it. No reason. And now they vote themselves an administrative assistant? That certainly wasn’t in the budget.
We need to get them out why did we vote for them anyway. This city has gone so bad soon the good citizens need to police themselves. I would say we need state and federal help but they are no better.
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