Antioch Keeps Cortez in Charge, Starts Interim and Permanent Searches

Antioch's top administrative job is still filled on an acting basis. On Oct. 7, 2026, after about two hours in closed session, the City Council directed that Human Resources Director Anna Cortez continue as acting city manager. It also authorized her to negotiate a contract with an interim candidate and told staff to begin a request for proposal process for a permanent hire.

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• No interim city manager named. Anna Cortez stays acting manager while the council finishes its selection.
• Cortez authorized to negotiate the interim manager's contract, which must return to open session.
• RFP process launched for a permanent city manager as residents press for an economic development focus.
• Zoom access information will appear on future special meeting agendas after a resident threatened a cure-and-correct demand.
• Council met on a potential whistleblower and FEHA claim. Nothing was reported out.

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Who Runs Antioch? For Now, the HR Director

The basics: The special meeting included two closed session items on the vacancy. Item 4.1 was a public employee appointment for interim city manager. Item 4.4 was a conference with labor negotiators for the same post, with Cortez listed as the city's negotiator. Closed sessions are permitted under state law for personnel and labor matters.

Why it matters: Antioch still has no interim city manager. Cortez remains in an acting role, and any longer-term interim arrangement will need a public vote.

Where things stand: After the council reconvened at 3:50 p.m., the City Attorney reported that Cortez will keep serving as acting city manager while the council completes its interim selection process. Cortez is also authorized, in her role as human resources director, to negotiate an employment agreement with an interim candidate.

This means the official running City Hall day to day is also the person bargaining the terms for whoever may be appointed. The council took no vote on either item.

"If and when an interim city manager is chosen and an agreement reached, the appointment and agreement will be brought to open session at a regular city council meeting for consideration," said the City Attorney.

The other side: Two public commenters spoke on the interim decision before the council went behind closed doors.

Lynette Hart, public commenter, asked the council to choose carefully. "Please make sure they have the credentials, the experience, and understand the expediency of getting the position filled," said Hart.

An unidentified public commenter went through Antioch's city managers since 2017 and criticized past hires. "He had two bankruptcies. You hired him anyway," the public commenter said. The same speaker then turned to Cortez: "You can't hire her. We can't afford it." No council member responded to these remarks in open session.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts:
- City staff continue working under an acting chief executive, with no set end date.
- Residents will not see any interim contract terms until they come back to a regular meeting.
- Prospective interim candidates will negotiate directly with the HR director.

What's next: Any interim appointment and contract will go to a future regular council meeting. No date was announced.

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Permanent Search Begins, With Residents' Wish List

Why it matters: The city manager is Antioch's chief executive. That person oversees budgets, staff and service delivery. The council's direction formally starts the search for a long-term pick.

Where things stand: On Item 4.2, the City Attorney reported that the council directed staff to move forward with a request for proposal (RFP) process for the permanent city manager recruitment. That points to the city seeking outside proposals, likely from recruitment firms. No hiring criteria, timeline or community input process was announced.

The public commenter Melissa asked for a selection process that is "as transparent as legally possible" and that weighs citizen input. Her list of desired qualities included:
- Partnership-building
- Inspiring employees
- Budgeting and accountability
- Infrastructure and public safety
- Communication and long-term planning

"I personally want a city manager who understands economic development, knows how to find and pursue grants," said Melissa. She also asked for "someone who can actually work professionally with the five of you as well."

Economic development as a litmus test: Hart urged the council to speed up hiring an economic development director. She said she had learned of business opportunities other cities passed on. "It's a great opportunity with a Fortune 500 company that can bring jobs and economic stability to this council and to this community," said Hart. She added a warning: "People are ready to leave our community because they don't have anything to do."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Residents framed the hire around jobs, grant revenue and customer service. Recruitment firms may compete for the contract. The council took no separate action on economic development staffing.

What's next: Staff will advance the RFP process. No release date was given.

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Zoom Link Missing from Agenda Prompts a Fix

The basics: The Brown Act is California's open meetings law. SB 707 updated its rules on remote public participation. A cure-and-correct letter is a formal demand that a public body remedy an alleged Brown Act violation.

Why it matters: Public comment was the only open-session input on decisions about Antioch's top staff job. Remote access affects who can take part.

Where things stand: Public commenter Andrew Becker raised the issue. "Today's special meeting agenda was posted without any link for Zoom participation or two-way conferencing participation," said Becker.

Becker argued that the agenda serves as the legal notice. Under SB 707, he said, the remote participation information must appear on the agenda itself, not only on the city website. He said he had asked the clerk's office hours earlier to amend the agenda, but it had not been corrected. "I will be submitting a cure and correct letter to the city and asking that this issue be corrected," said Becker. "How hard is it for somebody to copy and paste the same Zoom link, hyperlink, and access information on the first page of the agenda?"

Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker pressed for a response. "Can the city attorney explain the issue related to the agenda not having the Zoom link and the accusation that there might need to be a hearing process?" she asked.

"Pursuant to the Brown Act, specifically SB 707, the public does have the option of participating via Zoom or telephone," said the City Attorney. She said the remote access information was posted on the city website and that remote participation was available for this meeting. After consulting the clerk's office, she said the information will be included on future special meeting agendas. She did not directly address whether a cure was legally required.

The other side: Another public commenter turned the issue toward a council member. "Louie, you missed the last two meetings, and you're the one that was asking for the Zoom," the speaker said, addressing Councilmember Louie Rocha.

What's next: Remote access details should appear on future special meeting agendas. Becker said he would send his letter and asked for a response.

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Potential Whistleblower Claim Discussed Behind Closed Doors

The basics: Labor Code Section 1102.5 protects employees from retaliation for whistleblowing. The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is California's main workplace anti-discrimination law.

Where things stand: Item 4.3 was a conference with legal counsel on significant exposure to litigation in one potential case. "City is in receipt of information concerning facts and circumstances that might result in litigation against the city … pertaining to possible Labor Code Section 1102.5 and Fair Employment and Housing Act violations," said the City Attorney.

During public comment, an unidentified speaker said a whistleblower complaint had been filed. Citing emails obtained through public records requests, the speaker alleged a dispute between a former city manager and Mayor Ron Bernal. According to the speaker, the dispute concerned an agenda request tied to a campaign donor. No official addressed or confirmed these allegations at the meeting.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The City Attorney reported nothing out of closed session on this item. The disclosure signals possible legal and financial exposure for the city at a time of turnover in its top management.

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Minor Items

• Adjournment: The council adjourned at 3:52 p.m. (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0).
• Attendance: Mayor Pro Tem Donald Freitas was marked absent at the 1:30 p.m. roll call. A request asked that the minutes reflect his arrival at 1:31 p.m.
• Broadcast audio: Melissa credited the previous city manager with adding YouTube streaming. She also said, "I have to turn my television up to 80 to actually hear the meetings online."

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Looking Ahead

Watch upcoming regular council agendas for three things:
- An interim city manager appointment and employment contract
- Release of the permanent recruitment RFP
- Any city response to Becker's cure-and-correct letter