Thursday, June 11, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4
CITY OF NEWARK
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Council Chambers
37101 Newark Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560 | (510) 578-4266 | E-mail: [email protected]
MINUTES
Thursday, June 11, 2026
7:00 P.M.
A. ROLL CALL
Mayor Hannon called the meeting to order at 7:05 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 Jack Dane, Newark resident.
B. PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation by Newark Memorial High School Student Mira Tuttle on Public Art in Newark Mayor Hannon presented a commendation to Newark Memorial High School Student Mira Tuttle.
2. Commending Newark Memorial High School Youth Voter Movement Student Leaders 2026 Mayor Hannon presented a commendation to High School Youth Voter Movement Student Leaders.
3. Introduction of Employee
Mayor Hannon introduced new employee, Environmental Services Manager Amelia Timbers.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Former Fremont Mayor Lily Mei and Fremont Planning Commissioner Ben Yee thanked the audience, emphasized community engagement, and highlighted the 5th Annual Asian Heritage Festival. 13 speakers - including Newark residents, youth players, and a cricket academy representative - urged the City to develop dedicated or shared-use cricket facilities due to strong demand and limited access to fields. They highlighted growing participation, long travel distances to other cities, and requested inclusion of cricket infrastructure in future parks planning.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 D. CONSENT CALENDAR
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Member Catancio moved, Council Member Grindall seconded, to approve Consent Calendar items D.1 to D.5, 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 May 28, 2026, City Council Minutes
3. Adopt a resolution approving the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Senate Bill 1) Fiscal Year 2027 Project List
Resolution No. 11855
4. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a reimbursement agreement in the amount not to exceed $480,000 and other related documents necessary with Union Pacific Railroad Company to effectuate the Quiet Zones Implementation Project Resolution No. 11856
5. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a side letter to the franchise agreement with Republic Services regarding credit to commercial and multi-family account holders to resolve the 2025 service disruption
Resolution No. 11857
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Hearing to consider property owners' objections to the 2026 Weed Abatement Program and instruction to the Superintendent of Streets to abate public nuisances Assistant City Manager Hovorka provided introductory remarks and project background.
Maintenance Supervisor Dan Cianciarulo gave the staff report recommending approval.
Mayor Hannon opened the public hearing.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Mayor Hannon closed the public hearing.
The City Council engaged in discussion and asked clarifying questions.
Council Member Little moved, Council Member Grindall seconded, to instruct the Superintendent of Streets to abate the public nuisances. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
2. Public Hearing pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3, requirements for reporting on City of Newark vacancy rates and recruitment and retention efforts Assistant City Manager Hovorka provided introductory remarks and project background.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Human Resources Director Brittney Frye 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.
The City Council engaged in discussion and asked clarifying questions.
E. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Adopt a resolution approving the City of Newark Senate Bill 707 meeting disruption policy Resolution No. 11858
City Attorney Kristopher Kokotaylo gave the presentation. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
The City Council engaged in discussion and asked clarifying questions.
Council Member Catancio moved, and Council Member Grindall seconded, to approve the City of Newark Senate Bill 707 meeting disruption policy. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
F. CITY MANAGER UPDATES
Assistant City Manager Hovorka announced:
1. The Alameda County Minor Home Repair Program provides income-qualifying seniors aged 62 and older with small grants of up to $3,000 to help cover eligible home repairs. For more information or to learn about eligibility requirements, call (510) 567-8280.
2. A full-scale emergency exercise for medical point of dispensing will be held on Saturday, June 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the BART Union City Station, where Newark Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members will practice emergency preparedness skills.
3. Take a survey to help shape Newark’s future housing options by sharing your thoughts on what housing should look like in the city. The deadline has been extended to Friday, June 12. For more information or to participate, visit housing.newarkca.gov.
4. A Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, June 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Newark Pavilion, located at 6430 Thornton Ave.
G. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Member Little shared community highlights including a successful Pokémon meet-and-greet event, as well as the Camp Mission Peak Cub Scout Day Camp, which served 84 youth this season.
She also mentioned efforts to bring a pop-up roller rink to Newark.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Council Member Grindall reported on attending the grand opening of the Timber Senior Apartments alongside the Mayor and Council Member Little. He described the project as a meaningful addition to Newark’s affordable housing options and echoed appreciation for the Mayor’s remarks about the City’s continued focus on expanding housing opportunities.
Mayor Hannon commended Council Member Grindall for his leadership at the opening of a new senior affordable housing complex. He also praised Communications and Public Engagement Manager Colleen Lettire for producing an excellent city newsletter. Council Members were reminded to notify Assistant City Manager Hovorka by June 15 if they were interested in serving as a voting or alternate delegate for the upcoming League of California Cities conference.
Vice Mayor Jorgens added a historical note as part of Newark’s 150th anniversary celebration, pointing out that some of the city’s earliest hotels - the Railroad Hotel (1877) and the Newark Hotel (1882) - played an important role in serving travelers. He reflected on how hospitality has remained a consistent thread in Newark’s economy for nearly 150 years.
Council Member Catancio highlighted recent community and cultural events, commended graduating students and youth participation, and expressed appreciation for recent street improvement projects.
H. CLOSED SESSION
None.
I. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hannon adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m. in memory of Jack Dane. _____________________________
Neetu Salwan, City Clerk