CITY OF NEWARK
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Council Chambers
NEWARK
37101 Newark Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560 | (510) 578-4266 | E-mail: [email protected]
MINUTES
Thursday, April 9, 2026
7:00 P.M.
A. ROLL CALL
Mayor Hannon called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Vice Mayor Jorgens, Council Members Grindall (Teleconference), Catancio, and Little were present.
Mayor Hannon announced that he would adjourn the meeting in memory of Marguerite Durand, longtime Newark resident, educator, and dedicated community volunteer.
B. PRESENTATIONS
5. District Attorney Jones Dickson's Presentation
District Attorney Jones Dickson gave the presentation. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
4. Proclaiming April 19 - 25, 2026, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week Mayor Hannon presented a Proclamation to District Attorney Jones Dickson and Senior Victim Advocate Celina Amezcua along with other members from the District Attorney's office.
1. Proclaiming April 2026 as Earthquake Preparedness Month Mayor Hannon presented a Proclamation to Emergency Services Coordinator Richard Martinez, and CERT Board members Rudy Kelly and Todd Stewart.
2. Proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month
Mayor Hannon presented a Proclamation to Executive Director Christina Soto from ECHO Housing and members of the Bay East Associations of REALTORS® Jason Sage, Margaret Lin, and Steve Medeiros.
3. Proclaiming April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month Mayor Hannon presented a Proclamation to Policy Coordinator Musa Tariq from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR) and Al-Medina Education Center attendee Shamsa Rafay.
Thursday, April 9, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Parth Vaishnav expressed safety concerns regarding speeding on Moores Avenue in Newark and requested a traffic calming assessment along with recommendations for subsequent actions.
Newark resident on Moores Avenue reported increased traffic volume, particularly during high school drop-off periods, and voiced concerns that speeding vehicles may present a public safety hazard.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Vice Mayor Jorgens moved, Council Member Catancio seconded, to approve Consent Calendar items D. 1 to D.6, that the resolutions be numbered consecutively, and that reading of the titles suffice for adoption. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
1. Approval of Audited Demands
2. Approval of the March 26, 2026, City Council Minutes for the special and regular meetings
3. Waive full reading and introduce by title only an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newark Amending Chapter 2.14, "Public Art Committee", of the Newark Municipal Code
4. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the third amendment to the Contractual Services Agreement with Art Builds Community for on-call public art consulting services and amend the 2024-2026 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Plan Resolution No. 11834
5. Adopt a resolution approving the updated Operational Area Agreement between the City of Newark and the Alameda County Office of Emergency Management (ACOEM) Resolution No. 11835
6. Adopt a resolution amending the 2024-2026 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to reallocate two positions; amending the City's salary schedule in conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5; and approving a side letter agreement with the Newark Police Association reflecting a classification change Resolution No. 11836
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
Thursday, April 9, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 F. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Adopt a resolution approving appointments to the Public Art Committee Resolution No. 11837
Mayor Hannon provided information about the number of applications received and the next steps in the process.
No one from the audience requested to speak
Vice Mayor Jorgens moved, and Council Member Little seconded, to adopt resolution approving appointments to the Public Art Committee. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
2. Receive report regarding business license tax analysis and provide direction regarding potential next steps related to evaluating potential ballot measure City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Deputy Finance Director Gloria Del Rosario introduced Eric Myers from HDL who presented the Business License Tax Study Report. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions, engaged in discussion, and directed staff to explore defining "small business" and adjusting thresholds to reduce impacts on small businesses.
Staff will return with options, conduct community outreach and polling, and present a final model to the Council. The Council will then be asked to select a model, review ordinance language, adopt a resolution and ballot measure, and approve submission to the County Registrar of Voters.
3. Adopt a resolution approving an agreement with Community Planning Collaborative to update the City's General Plan in the amount not-to-exceed contract amount of $145,939 Resolution No. 11838
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Deputy Community Development Director Art Interiano 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 project.
Vice Mayor Jorgens moved, and Council Member Grindall seconded, to adopt resolution approving an agreement with Community Planning Collaborative to update the City's General Plan in the amount not-to-exceed contract amount of $145,939. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
4. Receive a report on the status of implementation of the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Informational Update on the Affordable Housing Work Plan City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Thursday, April 9, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Housing Policies and Programs Manager Michael Coulom and Assistant Planner Yvonne Huynh 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, engaged in discussion, and directed staff to explore strategies to accelerate housing delivery, including streamlining tools, and policy options.
G. CITY MANAGER UPDATES
City Manager Benoun announced:
1. Newark residents will receive notice of upcoming slurry seal work 4-5 days in advance. The work will continue through the spring and summer. For more information, visit newarkca.gov/capitalprojects.
2. Free Emergency Preparedness Workshops for Newark businesses will be held at the Newark Library Community Meeting Room on Monday, April 20 (Fire Extinguisher Use), Monday, April 27 (CPR & Abdominal Thrust Maneuver), and Monday, May 4 (Personal Emergency Preparedness), each from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For registration, visit newarkca.gov/departments/community- development/resources.
3. Objective Design Standards will explain the City's project design expectations. Learn more at newarkca.gov/ODS. The Planning Commission will review this item on April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 37101 Newark Bivd.
4. The City of Newark's State of the City event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 11:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. at the Newark Civic Center, featuring food trucks and fun activities for all ages.
H. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Member Grindall thanked colleagues and staff for support during the meeting and for accommodating remote participation.
Council Member Little announced upcoming community events, including a softball team fundraiser, sheep shearing at Ardenwood Farm, and a coastal cleanup at Don Edwards.
Council Member Catancio reported attending the Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Family Day at the Park, noting strong community participation, school involvement, and park maintenance improvements.
Vice Mayor Jorgens expressed appreciation to staff for organizing Family Day at the Park, noting the event continues to grow each year while becoming better organized. He also thanked the District Attorney's Office for its presentation and annual report, highlighted the 100th anniversary of the Inspector's Division, shared related historical context, and expressed appreciation for the Office's ongoing efforts to protect residents.
Mayor Hannon announced April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and encouraged safe driving practices.
Thursday, April 9, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 l. CLOSED SESSION
None.
J. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hannon adjourned the meeting at 10:41 p.m. in memory of Marguerite Durand. salivas
Neetu Salwan, City Clerk
Thursday, April 9, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5