Thursday, July 23, 2026, Special Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3
CITY OF NEWARK
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Council Chambers, 37101 Newark Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560 | (510) 578-4266 | E-mail: [email protected]
MINUTES
Thursday, July 23, 2026
8:15 P.M.
A. ROLL CALL
Mayor Hannon called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. Vice Mayor Jorgens, Council Members Grindall, Catancio and Little were present.
B. GENERAL BUSINESS / NON-CONSENT ITEMS
1. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Second Amendment to the Park Agreement for the FMC Willow and Grand Park Project at 8787 Enterprise Drive (APNs 537- 0852-001-08, 537-0852-002-009, & 092-0100-005).
Resolution No. 11886
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
Senior Planner Carmelisa Lopez gave the presentation. The presentation is on file with the City Clerk.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
The City Council engaged in discussion and asked clarifying questions.
Mayor Jorgens moved, Council Member Grindall seconded, to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the Park Agreement for the FMC Willow and Grand Park Project at 8787 Enterprise Drive (APNs 537-0852-001-08, 537-0852-002-009, & 092- 0100-005). The motion passed, 5 AYES.
2. Resolution to Amend the Affordable Housing Obligation Satisfaction Agreement for the Willow and Harbor Pointe Projects to Extend the Completion Deadline and Change the Affordability Unit Mix Resolution No. 11887
City Manager Benoun provided introductory remarks and project background.
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.
The City Council engaged in discussion and asked clarifying questions.
Thursday, July 23, 2026, Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Vice Mayor Jorgens moved, Council Member Grindall seconded, to adopt amend the Affordable Housing Obligation Satisfaction Agreement for the Willow and Harbor Pointe Projects to extend the completion deadline and change the Affordability Unit Mix. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
3. Adopt a Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Newark Calling An Election To Be Held On November 3, 2026, For Voter Consideration Of A Ballot Measure Seeking Voter Authorization To Repeal And Replace Chapter 5.04 Of The Newark Municipal Code To Amend The Current Business License Ordinance; Establishing Policies And Procedures In Connection With Such An Election; Requesting The Board Of Supervisors Of The County Of Alameda To Consolidate The Election With The General Election To Be Held On November 3, 2026; Requesting Certain Services Of The Registrar Of Voters Of Alameda County With Respect To The Consolidated General Municipal Election; And Providing For Submittal Of Ballot Arguments And Rebuttals And Authorizing The Filing Of An Impartial Analysis
Resolution No. 11885
City Manager Benoun gave the presentation. Presentation on file with the City Clerk.
Lily Mei, incoming President and CEO of the Newark Chamber of Commerce, expressed the Chamber's support for the proposed Business License Tax (BLT) modernization.
The City Council engaged in discussion and asked clarifying questions.
Mayor Hannon conducted an informal poll of the Council. Mayor Hannon, Vice Mayor Jorgens, and Council Members Grindall, Catancio, and Little supported the option of lowering the General/Retail tax rate.
Council Member Jorgens moved, Council Member Little seconded to adopt the resolution as is including direction for the Mayor to prepare the argument in favor of the measure and the rebuttal argument; amend the ballot question statement by changing the referenced amount from $6.8 million to $6.6 million; and insert the preferred tax rate for the General Retail and restaurants category under the proposed ordinance as 0.0003, replacing the blank placeholder. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Catancio, Little, Jorgens, Hannon; NOES: Grindall.
C. CITY MANAGER UPDATES
City Manager Updates were presented at the July 23, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting.
D. CITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Council Member Catancio shared that the American Cancer Society’s Walk for Life, also known as Relay for Life of the East Bay, will be held on Saturday, August 15, at Newark Community Center Park and encouraged residents to shop Newark.
Council Member Little shared the upcoming First Annual Recreation, Sports, and Wellness Fair on August 29 at the Newark Library which will also celebrate the fifth anniversary of the library, gave a shout out for CERT training efforts, expressed excitement about plans for a pop-up roller skating rink, and encouraged the public to donate blood.
Council Member Grindall noted that school will have started by the time the Council returns from recess and wished students an enjoyable back-to-school.
Thursday, July 23, 2026, Special Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 Council Member Jorgens shared the history of Newark’s Portuguese community and the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America Council No. 8, recognizing its contributions and the 103rd Holy Ghost Festival. He thanked the Portuguese community for its continued impact on Newark.
Mayor Hannon shared that the Newark Optimist Club, in partnership with the Newark Rotary Club, will host a garage sale this Saturday. The public is invited to attend, purchase secondhand items, and/or make donations. Mayor Hannon thanked staff for their work on affordable housing efforts in Newark, recognized the importance of addressing housing challenges throughout the Bay Area, wished his grandson Harrison a happy first birthday, and expressed appreciation for the upcoming August recess.
1. Appoint Delegate/Alternates to the 2026 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo The City has an opportunity to appoint a delegate to the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo on September 23–25, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Council Member Grindall has requested that he be the City’s delegate at the General Assembly.
No one from the audience requested to speak.
Council Member Jorgens moved, Mayor Hannon seconded, to appoint Council Member Grindall as delegate to the League of California Annual Conference and Expo. The motion passed, 5 AYES.
E. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hannon adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
_____________________________
Neetu Salwan, City Clerk