Thursday, January 8, 2026 Minutes Page 1 of 5
CITY OF NEWARK
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Council Chambers
37101 Newark Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560 | (510) 578-4266 | E-mail: [email protected]
MINUTES
Thursday, January 8, 2026
7:00 P.M.
A. ROLL CALL
Mayor Hannon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Vice Mayor Jorgens, Council Members Grindall, Catancio, and Little were present.
Mayor Hannon announced that he would adjourn the meeting in memory of Retired Sergeant Frank Lehr, a devoted public servant whose life was defined by service, leadership, and commitment to others.
B. PRESENTATIONS
None.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike Marzano from First Presbyterian Church announced that the church will host its 49th Annual Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., and he encouraged everyone to attend.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Member Catancio moved, Mayor Hannon seconded, to approve Consent Calendar items D.1 to D.4, that the resolutions be numbered consecutively, and that reading of the titles suffice for adoption.
The motion passed, 5 AYES.
1. Approval of December 11, 2025, City Council Minutes
2. Approval of Audited Demands
3. Waive further reading and adopt an ordinance amending the official zoning map established pursuant to Title 17 (Zoning) and Section 17.03.020 of the Newark Zoning Ordinance by rezoning a
0.84-acre parcel (Lot H) from Park to Residential High Density (RH), and rezoning a 28.26-acre parcel from Park to Residential Low Density with a Planned Overlay District for the “Mowry Village” subdivision project at 7400–7550 Mowry Avenue (APNs 537-0850-001-11, 537-0850-001-13, and Thursday, January 8, 2026 Minutes Page 2 of 5
537-0850-002-00).
Ordinance No. 557
4. Waive further reading and adopt two ordinances: 1) Adding Chapter 2.14, “Public Art Committee,” to the Newark Municipal Code and 2) Adding Chapter 12.36, “Public Art in Public Places and Private Development,” to the Newark Municipal Code.
Ordinance No. 558
Ordinance No. 559
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Hearing to waive full reading and introduce by title only an ordinance amending Section 17.18.030 and adding Chapter 17.27 to the Newark Municipal Code to update the City’s Affordable Housing Program and affordable housing requirements
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Housing Policies and Programs Manager Michael Coulom; Principal Kristy Wang from Community Planning Collaborative; and Managing Principal Leo Ma from Century/Urban gave the presentation.
The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
Mayor Hannon opened the public hearing.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Mayor Hannon closed the public hearing.
Council Members asked clarifying questions and held discussion regarding Affordable Housing Program, requirements and Inclusionary Housing Policy.
Council Member Grindall moved, Vice Mayor Jorgens seconded, to approve the staff recommendation, with the exception that the small project in-lieu fee applies to nine or fewer dwelling units. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
Mayor called for a recess at 8:58 p.m. The meeting resumed at 9:08 p.m.
F. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Waive full reading and by title only introduce an ordinance adding Chapter 5.45 and adding Chapter
5.50 to the Newark Municipal Code to establish Residential Landlord and Tenant Relations regulations and a Rent Review program, and adopt a resolution to amend the 2024-2026 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Plan to fund the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Resolution No. 11805
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Thursday, January 8, 2026 Minutes Page 3 of 5
Housing Policies and Programs Manager Michael Coulom and Principal Kristy Wang from Community Planning Collaborative gave the presentation. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Members asked clarifying questions and held discussion regarding Tenant Protection Programs.
Vice Mayor Jorgens moved, Council Member Little seconded, to approve the staff recommendation.
The motion passed, 5 AYES.
2. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contractual services agreement with Dudek for the development of an Urban Forest Management Plan Resolution No. 11806
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Environmental Services Manager James Scanlin gave the presentation. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Members asked clarifying questions and held discussion regarding development of an Urban Forest Management Plan.
Council Member Grindall moved, Council Member Catancio seconded, to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
3. Adopt a resolution approving the City of Newark Emergency Operations Plan 2025 Revision as the official emergency management framework for the City and affirming its alignment with the Alameda County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan
Resolution No. 11807
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Emergency Services Coordinator Richard Martinez gave the presentation. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Members asked clarifying questions and held discussion regarding the EOC plan.
Council Member Little moved, Council Member Catancio seconded, to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
4. Adopt a Resolution of Intention and waive full reading and introduce by title only an ordinance authorizing an amendment to the contract between the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the City Council of the City of Newark Resolution No. 11808
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Thursday, January 8, 2026 Minutes Page 4 of 5
Human Resources Director Brittney Frye gave the staff report regarding the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) contract amendment.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Member Grindall moved, Vice Mayor Jorgens seconded, to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
5. Resolution approving an amendment to the Employment Agreement with City Manager David J.
Benoun to serve as City Manager and approving an amendment to the City's salary schedule in conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5 Resolution No. 11809
City Attorney Kokotaylo gave the staff report stating that the proposed action would result in a 5% salary increase effective as of January 1, 2026.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
The Council expressed appreciation for City Manager David Benoun’s leadership on key initiatives and for providing long-term stability for Newark as the second longest-serving city manager in Alameda County.
Council Member Grindall moved, Council Member Catancio seconded, to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
G. CITY MANAGER UPDATES
City Manager Benoun announced:
1. Fire Extinguisher Training, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Clark W. Redeker Newark Senior Center, 7401 Enterprise Drive.
2. Public Art Committee vacancies. Applications are being accepted and are available online, at the City Clerk’s Office, or by requesting via email at [email protected]. The deadline for submitting an application is February 6, 2026.
H. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Member Catancio announced a Lunar New Year celebration at the Newark Library, in partnership with Senator Dr. Wahab, on February 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. She also reported attending an AVA Energy meeting, the firefighters’ holiday celebration, and the long-standing Optimist Club girls’ basketball tournament at Newark Memorial High School.
Council Member Little highlighted two upcoming events: the Tri-City Veterans Mixer on January 29 at O’Sullivan’s to connect veterans of all generations, and Mission Peak Yo-Yo Day, featuring professional performers, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for children.
Thursday, January 8, 2026 Minutes Page 5 of 5
Council Member Grindall reported attending the Alameda County Library Advisory Commission meeting in Albany and visiting the Albany Library. He also announced a Town Hall with Tamales on January 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., inviting community members to attend and share their thoughts.
Vice Mayor Jorgens announced that 2026 marks Newark’s 150th anniversary, celebrating the City’s founding, growth, and community over the past century and a half.
Mayor Hannon honored Debbie Rodriguez, retiring CEO of Viola Blythe, who served 38 years and expanded the organization from serving a few individuals annually to over 20,000. He also noted the passing of Stephen Cassidy, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, with a celebration of life scheduled at San Leandro High School.
1. Adopt a resolution approving the Mayor's appointment of two City Council Members, or the Mayor and one City Council Member, to serve as the City of Newark’s representatives on the Fremont– Newark / AC Transit Inter-Agency Liaison Committee.
Resolution No. 11810
Council Members asked clarifying questions.
Mayor Hannon moved, Vice Mayor Jorgens seconded, to appoint Council Member Grindall and Council Member Little to serve on as the City of Newark’s representatives on the Fremont–Newark / AC Transit Inter-Agency Liaison Committee and it was noted that Vice Mayor Jorgens will serve in this capacity for the upcoming year. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
I. CLOSED SESSION
None.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hannon adjourned the meeting at 11:14 p.m. in memory of Retired Sergeant Frank Lehr. ___________________________________
Neetu Salwan, City Clerk