Economic Development

We have a seat on the City's Economic Development Commission -
Devi Lanphere, Antioch Chamber President/CEO is the 2007 Chair

Key efforts are focused on our CLEAR VISION 2020 project 2008 will reopen EastPAC

We are currently monitoring the following issues:

Case By Case
The chamber represents it’s member businesses in their dealings with city and
county officials from simply getting information to aiding in streamlining the process
with signs changes, new businesses and more.

For information contact the Chamber or attend the Economic Development/
Government Affairs Committee meetings on the second Thursday of the month.

Past efforts have included the following positions:

Our major 2007 issue is titled “Clear Vision 2020”. Some of our past community issue are listed below:

Positions Taken By The Board - Summary

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004

October 7, 2004
Proposition 1A
(November 2004 election)
A budget compromise that the League of California Cities and the Governor Schwarzenegger negotiated to replace Proposition 65. This will protect local funds from state raiding. The protection begins in 2007.

Board Position: Support Proposition 1A
Update: September 15, 2004

Proposition 72
(November 2004 election)
This creates an unneeded bureaucracy with uncapped cost in a state that is still reeling from the Workers Compensations crisis. As a result the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Opposes PROPOSITION 72.

Board Position: Opposes Proposition 72

September 2, 2004
Measure J
(November 2004 election)
The extension of the half cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Contra Costa County

Board Position: Actively support Proposition 64and give $1000 to campaign and spend $500 locally.
Update: August 5, 2004

Proposition 67
(November 2004 election)
Places a tax on all phones to support health services.

Board Position: Oppose Proposition 64
Update: August 5, 2004

Proposition 72
(November 2004 election)
A referendum to overturn amendments to Health Care Coverage requirements enacted by Gray Davis as he left office. Requires employers from 50 employees to cover all employees and over 200 to cover employee and dependent.

Board Position: Oppose Proposition 72
Update: August 5, 2004

Proposition 64
(November 2004 election)
Places limitations on the enforcement of Unfair Business Competition Laws by requiring an attorney have a client with monetary damages before filing a lawsuit.

Board Position: Support Proposition 64
Update: June 3, 2004

Open Space Initiative
Proposal by the County Supervisors to create a Benefit Assessment District throughout Contra Costa County to purchase land for open space.

Board Position: Oppose the Open Space Benefit Assessment District
Update: Special mail-in election was held and the measure failed

June 3, 2004
Policy 1 – Local Land Use In order to respond in a timely manner, this policy was created with the idea that land use issues should be decided at the local level and not in Sacramento.

Board Position: Adopt as policy

May 6, 2004
Policy 2 – Urban Limit Line This supports the original 1990 voter approved urban limit line.

Board Position: Adopt as policy

January 8, 2004
Measure L – The Big Box Initiative This measure appears to target and restrict development of a select few retailers. The chamber supports free enterprise and opposing discriminatory regulations.

Board Position: Oppose Measure L
Update: Measure L failed at the ballot

September 4, 2003
Reynolds & Brown Project
Bluerock Business Center includes business and residential. 2 two-story, 32,000 sq. ft. office buildings, 1 single story office flex space, 14,000 sq. ft. retail, 240 upscale apartments (775 – 1,200 sq. ft.)

Board Position: Support the Reynolds & Brown Project
Vote: 11 yeas, 3 nays
Update: Special Election by referendum was held in June 2004 to overturn the unanimous approvals of planning commission and city council. The Chamber supported a No on Measure C. The measure passed and the project is being re-evaluated.

April 24, 2003
SB915 and SB916
Water Transit Authority proposal for a new ferry route between Antioch-Martinez-San Francisco

Board Position: Support SB915 and SB916 which provides a ferry terminal on the Antioch waterfront.
Vote: Unanimous
Update: Both SB915 and SB916 were chaptered in law on 10/09/03

February 6, 2003
Endorse Hiring a Permanent, Full Economic Development Director for the City of Antioch
Support the funding these positions through a portion of existing Business License fees, block grants and redevelopment set-asides.

Board Position: Develop a written position paper for the necessity of an Economic Development Director and staff; Chair Henry to present the paper to the Mayor, Council, Economic Development Commission at a City Council meeting and release it to the press.
Vote: Unanimous
Update: A candidate was hired at the end of 2003. She was let go in late spring 2004. The Chamber is working with the city to fulfill some tasks until the fiscal impact is reduced and the position can be re-filled. Current estimates are one to two years pending the outcome of Measure 1A on the November 2004 ballot.

October 3, 2002
Ferry Service
Improve transportation. Bridge toll increase would help pay for service. Antioch terminal could be completed by 2012. Approximate cost $22 million.

Board Position: Support ferry service to Antioch.
Vote: Unanimous

August 1, 2002
Future Urban Area 1 (FUA1) Business Park Potential
Presentations by Victor Carniglia, City Planning Department, Terry Ramus, Measure U author (bring business before houses), and residential developer for the Williams family, Eric Haseltine

Board Position: Support the increase in size of non-residential use in FUA1 by connecting the Nunn/Ginochio property with the Kaiser property to form a continuous business corridor along Sand Creek Road.
Vote: 7 ayes, 4 nays, 2 abstain.

July 7, 2002
Project Labor Agreements (PLA) Recommendation
A PLA is an ordinance/resolution requiring specific requirements in training that must be used in a project. Often times shuts out non-union businesses. The objective of the Chamber is to represent members, employ local businesses and residents and keep them solvent. They should have the opportunity to bid projects. Both union and non-union businesses should be on a level playing field, and the developer can choose who to use.

Board Position: Take a position in favor of open competition for all business regardless of their affiliation. Furthermore, the Chamber should discourage any attempts on the legislative level to pass resolutions that inhibit this right and which may negatively impact economic development in Antioch.
Vote: 11 ayes, 3 nays, 1 abstain

February 7, 2002
Measure A
Contra Costa College bond. $120 million county wide, with $27 million going to East County. Pays for new math and science buildings at LMC. Bond has a 6-year term.

Board Position: Support voting yes on Measure A
Vote: 14 yeas, 1 abstain
Update: Measure A passed

September 6, 2001
SB71
Workers’ Compensation bill. Imposes billions of dollars in additional costs on employers, without improving overall system efficiency.

Board Position: Oppose SB71
Vote: 14 ayes, 1 abstain
Update: Died in committee

June 7, 2001
County Redistricting
Board of Supervisor plan to split Danville/Walnut Creek and add Brentwood, Byron and Discovery Bay into Walnut Creek and Danville.

Board Position: Support City resolution to keep East County, east of Bay Point as one Unit
Vote: 14 ayes, 1 abstain
Update: The area was redistricted.

June 7, 2001
Delta 13th Region Vote Verification
Formation of a separate district for the Delta Region for California Tourism Commission.

Board Position: Agree to support the separate district.
Vote: Unanimous

May 3, 2001
eBART Resolution
Presentation from Joel Keller, BART. Provide East County with eBART, which runs on existing rail system.

Board Position: Support the eBART resolution.
Vote: Unanimous

April 5, 2001
Lighting & Landscape Proposal
Presentation from Joe Brandt and Frank Palmeri, City of Antioch. Change current division (6 districts/19 zones) to one district with 4 zones.

Board Position: To take no position on the Lighting and Landscape tax.
Vote: 7 ayes, 4 nays, 1 abstain
Update: Proposal failed

November 2, 2000
Measure K
Contra Costa Community College District $236,000,000 bond measure. Repair and renovate classrooms, upgrade science/computer labs, modernize, construct, acquire and improve property for instructional and instructional support facilities.

Board Position: Support Measure K
Vote: 8 ayes, 2 nays, 4 abstain
Update: Measure K passed

October 24, 2000
Eighteenth Street Improvements
Presentation by Steve Scudaro, City of Antioch. Install curbs, gutters, sidewalks and medians; infrastructure preparation for new business.

Board Position: Support the City plan for improvement.
Vote: Unanimous

October 12, 2000
Proposition 39
School Improvement and Accountability Act. Reforms the way schools propose/spend local bonds.

Board Position: Take no position on Proposition 39
Vote: 8 ayes, 2 nays, 4 abstain
Update: Proposition 39 passed

September 7, 2000
Apprentice & Job Training Requirements
Additional regulations on private and residential projects in the City.

Board Position: Support no additional regulations be placed on business with regards to redevelopment.
Vote: Unanimous

July 6, 2000
AB2929
Proposed buy-in for Santa Clara County to get BART extension

Board Position: Support AB2929 with modifications that Antioch is built prior or concurrent with Santa Clara, or consider light rail.
Vote: Unanimous
Update: Died in conference