Several residents used public comment on July 22 to press Antioch leaders on local economic strategy, nonprofit outreach and recent budget choices.

Melissa Case said she supports downtown revitalization but urged the council to pursue a broader economic strategy that benefits other parts of the city. “It feels like downtown is the entire focus, while the rest of the city, especially my part of town, is treated like a forgotten middle child,” she said, and urged the council to seek long‑term investments rather than short‑term deals.

Kevin McManaman, identified himself as a board member of We Get It Foundation, which the city formally recognized on April 8 during Autism Awareness Month. He said his organization was not invited to the Antioch Nonprofit Expo scheduled for July 27 and asked the city to reconsider outreach to neurodivergent‑focused nonprofits so they are represented at community events.

Leslie May said she was upset by recent budget decisions, saying the city had defunded the annual teen exploration camp and cut funding for a scribe response team connected to the Angelo Quinto case. May questioned why the mayor was able to join a Chichibu, Japan exchange delegation and said the city paid after internal objections; she also asked whether the Antioch Police Department was involved in a recall campaign related to Diana Becton, saying, “APD doesn't. They have no business taking a side.”

A resident asked the council to coordinate a community blood drive for a local resident, Tashina Garrett, who is scheduled for surgery at Stanford on Aug. 5 and needs transfusion support. Council members acknowledged the request and noted staff and community organizations sometimes coordinate drives.

Council members did not take formal action on these public comments at the meeting; they encouraged commenters to submit written requests or follow up with staff so items can be reviewed and scheduled for future discussion if appropriate.