[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6616504,"mediaKeyId","2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c","parentId",2852417,"title","Council approves consent items, reappoints planning commissioner and adopts tobacco retailer regulation; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",465000,"endMs",849000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c&start=465&end=849","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c/thumbnail_465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616504/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Council-approves-consent-items-reappoints-planning-commissioner-and-adopts-tobacco-retailer-regulation-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616504-fd4df4d8a7aee487c1d816bd8172eec8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162233&Signature=jSWepgnwVeCOZau3NGBSZ-0J9BaFw3n1jlh0KxEBzxe9X-nah3RIqL1pfd-7NRlgAL4neIf4zVfSibM1nDDeTFzQsQQaPyXspPP38inhuF0b3Yy2XKGboDc1tg7RaHSv~IsEHnozFFHfBWL6fj0egtBj6D8N2dX1K-GuFCNhuxbJKq~JqO6UqH4FRQndnQ8Dx9CyRBH87ZratKD6ImJpgVIrIw0vjfa1OICH-UnBMcUOyQ2UgtB-5q1vEnS-uvjYB1qkaz0d38rBkQFqYeUHPNg~ilSXWavuMihKFCeGZOI4zudGvwWYPi2UtTzy~TXjQgIGws02C0DSePdStE5MnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-02T20:24:47.247Z","article","At the City Council meeting on Oct. 24 the council approved the consent calendar, reappointed a planning commissioner and adopted a tobacco retail regulation ordinance. Council approved the consent calendar items by vote and later took separate action on items pulled for discussion.

Votes at a glance (formal actions on Oct. 24)

- Consent calendar (Items D1 through D5, excluding items pulled for discussion): Approved 5-0. The consent calendar included routine administrative approvals such as audited demands and budget amendments tied to existing projects; items D3 (planning commission reappointment) and D6 (tobacco ordinance) were pulled for separate consideration.

- Reappointment to Planning Commission (Item D3): The council reappointed Lori Bogosic to the Planning Commission (unanimous vote). The appointment was moved by Vice Mayor Freitas and seconded by Councilmember Apodaca per the meeting record; the vote passed unanimously.

- Ordinance adding Chapter 5.42 (Tobacco Retailer Center) to the Newark Municipal Code (Item D6): The council conducted a second reading and adopted the ordinance regulating tobacco retail establishments across the city. Councilmember Collazo and Councilmember Apodaca recused themselves from the vote because they each disclosed real property interests within 500 feet of retailers that the ordinance would regulate; the ordinance passed 3-0 with the three non-recused councilmembers voting in favor.

Brief context and recusals

City staff said the tobacco ordinance was introduced at the prior meeting and that the item was removed from the consent calendar only to allow council to note the recusals. Councilmember Collazo disclosed multiple rental and commercial properties within 500 feet of regulated retailers; Councilmember Apodaca disclosed 35122 Lido Boulevard as a property within 500 feet of a regulated retailer. Both recused and did not participate in the final vote.

Outcome and next steps

- The reappointment of Lori Bogosic takes effect immediately; staff will complete the paperwork. No public comment was received on that appointment when the item was reopened for public comment.

- The tobacco retail ordinance will be codified as Chapter 5.42 of the Newark Municipal Code; the city clerk will publish and file the ordinance as required and staff will implement the code changes consistent with the ordinance's effective date.

Ending

Council approved the consent calendar and moved forward with the tobacco retailer regulation despite two recusals; staff will follow up on ordinance implementation details and complete the reappointment paperwork for the planning commissioner.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Newark / City Council Meeting 10--24-24","oneSentenceSummary","At its Oct. 24 meeting Newark City Council approved the consent calendar, reappointed a planning commissioner and adopted an ordinance regulating tobacco retailers; two councilmembers recused themselves from the tobacco ordinance vote.","taxTitle","Newark, Alameda County, California","taxId",55039,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6616508,"Newark council approves Section 115 trust with PARS, authorizes up to $12 million initial investment",1860,9082000,10942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c&start=9082&end=10942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c/thumbnail_9082000.jpg","/articles/6616508/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Newark-council-approves-Section-115-trust-with-PARS-authorizes-up-to-12-million-initial-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616508-b34b9077cf3d75f1a24a790371485d40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162234&Signature=MDtBK7Bk9xUu10Ije1WQ96a-W1f~IoqOo6uUqmdM-qeCtwboDv~cNhT04HRsmxttJiQxN2tScyiccMYdTdzBrFwfa4PcT1seXwsXSQ6DKKHMhwy-AkgIb6gs76WpAIwrG4iOl7vO0nzLEI-G3nXXz9kXDwYloN-IsA1Qd4eIS7mq~mgBVA40lBPmj3DQ8ucIcQgyftAYX0xQi4MKNRBCfbTrVIxESOllVVcM41RMTVhoLdp7QWpU8hSFr4N2BaIn7FsL-IQpVFnIWqrZc0bjfvlKhK7bh34bSlrLKQ72Z4ioBr2jYHiE6Qrk6WXIIhgp16FVe4x-uOMoo2QujihEGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark City Council on Oct. 24 voted unanimously to establish a Section 115 pension trust administered by Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) and to fund the new trust with up to $12 million from the city's pension and OPEB reserve.

Finance Director Kristen Lee told the council the trust is intended to prefund pension liabilities and OPEB and to provide a pool that can earn higher net investment returns than CalPERS's pooled structure, potentially reducing long-term costs. Lee said the city's total pension liability to CalPERS is roughly $375 million with a funded ratio near 67 percent and an unfunded accrued liability of about $124 million; the city's pension and OPEB reserve has grown to roughly $13 million and staff proposed up to $12 million as an initial transfer into the trust.

Why it matters: Establishing a Section 115 trust is a common municipal strategy to prefund retirement-related liabilities. Staff argued the trust gives the city local control of investments, may improve creditworthiness and helps buffer budget volatility from market fluctuations.

What the council approved

- Trust structure and administrator: The council authorized the city to join PARS' combination (pension + OPEB) Section 115 trust. PARS will provide trust administration; U.S. Bank will act as trustee and PFM Asset Management is named as investment sub-advisor for indexed investment options.

- Funding authorization: The council authorized transferring up to $12,000,000 from the city's existing pension and OPEB reserve into the Section 115 trust. Lee said there are no set-up costs and that PARS's fee schedule is tiered and decreases as assets grow.

- Investment approach: Staff recommended beginning with PARS' index-based (passive) platform and selecting a conservative or balanced allocation; the council did not specify an immediate reallocation strategy beyond authorizing the trust and initial funding.

Council discussion and public comment

Council members asked about monitoring and reporting frequency, fees and how quickly an investment selection would be made. Rachel Saunders of PARS and an investment representative from PFM participated by Zoom to answer technical questions about reporting cadence and portfolio options. Lee said monthly and quarterly statements, plus an annual review, would be available; investment values change daily but staff will provide periodic reports and a fuller update six months after funding.

Public comment included support for the city taking additional steps to stabilize pension costs. No members of the public spoke in opposition at the meeting.

Outcome

The council adopted two resolutions: one to join PARS' trust program and one to authorize carrying forward and transferring up to $12,000,000 from the pension and OPEB reserve into the new Section 115 trust. The motions passed unanimously (5-0).

Ending

Staff said they will return with the trust documentation, complete account setup with U.S. Bank and meet with PFM to finalize the initial investment allocation. The council asked for at least one progress update within six months of the initial funding.","Council voted unanimously to create an IRS-approved Section 115 pension trust administered by PARS and to commit up to $12 million of existing pension/OPEB reserves for initial funding; staff says the trust aims to reduce long-term pension costs and improve budget stability.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6616513,"Newark council reviews draft Parks Master Plan update, hears calls for more fields, restrooms and phased funding",7209,891000,8100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c&start=891&end=8100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2852417-c9e64c2d40541037624b47c77c8c0c7c/thumbnail_891000.jpg","/articles/6616513/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Newark-council-reviews-draft-Parks-Master-Plan-update-hears-calls-for-more-fields-restrooms-and-phased-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616513-080eaebb12d3d40f3f30292f2ee245e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162234&Signature=V7g3YlWA230XN2n6zt3wAtUuOmvI1O6VtXqcYEepjgSpuJV6~dHWEGb8GfcxtrMNNWIQaFsxfKpgKiHdVKlsKeo4fcxsWrVd6a3ye0eh2VrauDa1ZuT4WgcfVhosmQHEbnEWTaY-1-AmHhBlhAxkrQuFdKiNii86cT5zr-r2rMW6USP9bqCn75E~anKWgdZcVqU~MCfHfjfhR6fQuWiWzLagQtMTrYeKDVbPtFiauGwAC3cvb2JmnOIKKAChpYTOE~R6OqayJwzCTxQtHYAe2oSeZQidA4AhjWPpR5OlsXwCtsciavuOonc70PGOMF~302GaMqIlmDthFIaxQsZung__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newark City Council on Oct. 24 received a detailed presentation on a draft update to the city's Parks Master Plan, outlining community priorities, a park-by-park set of conceptual designs and a recommended project list that staff estimated at about $36.7 million.

The presentation, led by Roya Gonzales, the city's strategic initiatives manager, and Barbara Lundberg of RHAA, summarized community outreach — including a months-long online survey with about 470 responses and in-person events such as Newark Days — and a gap analysis that identified playground replacement, restrooms, field maintenance and improved pathways as the highest priorities.

The plan covers all city parks and offers conceptual improvements ranging from restrooms and new playgrounds at Lakeshore Park, Birchgrove Park and Newark Community Park, to enhanced multi-sport fields at Sportsfield Park and MacGregor Playfields. Lundberg said children's play areas, restroom upgrades and field maintenance ranked high in the community's prioritization exercise. Gonzales said staff will return with a final plan and a recommended prioritized project list for council consideration in mid-2025.

Why it matters: The update is the city's first comprehensive parks master plan review since 2017 and will guide capital improvements and operating demands that affect neighborhoods, sports leagues and park users citywide. The plan ties recommended projects to the general plan's open space goals and flags both one-time capital needs and ongoing maintenance implications.

Key details and debate

- Community input and priorities: The consultant reported roughly 470 survey responses and a series of stakeholder interviews with groups including Newark Girls Softball League, Friends of the Urban Forest, cricket and soccer groups and pickleball and bocce enthusiasts. Top needs cited were cleaner parks (71.4 percent), more amenities (69.6 percent), restrooms (68.5 percent) and updated equipment (68.4 percent).

- Park-specific concepts: Examples from the draft: Lakeshore Park ' conceptual priorities include a restroom, new playground and upgraded trails; Jerry Reber/Ash Street Park focuses on replacing the playground and enhancing play fields; Cedar Boulevard Linear Park prioritizes trail/pathway improvements and a new playground in phases; Grand Park is being developed by a private developer and is expected to be built as part of the developer's schedule (developer-committed construction currently anticipated by 2026 with a completion deadline in 2028, per staff); Sportsfield Park concepts include a new restroom, a playground and multiple renovated sports fields.

- Field demand and leagues: Multiple speakers from youth sports and community leagues urged the council to accelerate field investments. Javier, identifying himself as representing Newark Soccer Club, said growth in participation has strained available space and urged consolidated fields to support tournaments and weekend play. Andrew Patrick, representing softball interests, outlined a need for more dedicated baseball/softball fields and recommended exploring acquisition or agreements for school sites.

- Maintenance and operations: Staff warned that new capital investments will increase ongoing maintenance costs. The draft ties each capital recommendation to the city's maintenance and operations responsibilities and notes park impact fees and general fund resources as the primary funding sources. The consultant and staff recommended that the council consider maintenance funding when prioritizing capital projects.

- Environmental and resource questions: Council and residents asked about splash pads and drought risk. Lundberg and staff said splash pads had community support but noted drought and operational issues and said any new water-based features would require more detailed analysis and community outreach.

- Conflicts and recusals: The presentation covered multiple parks where councilmembers had disclosed real property interests. City Manager Benun and some councilmembers recused themselves from discussion on specific parks where state conflict rules applied; staff explained that per FPPC rules members with a conflict would step aside while the remaining councilmembers commented.

Public comments and youth voices

Residents and youth commenters pressed for earlier action on restrooms and field repairs. A student who identified herself as Julie said the lack of restrooms at neighborhood parks made school field trips difficult. Yoyo Yeh asked whether the plan addressed a past fish die-off at Lakeshore Park; staff said the draft identifies wildlife and water-quality concerns as issues but does not prescribe a technical remedy in this overview presentation.

Next steps and funding

Staff said the final parks master plan will incorporate the council's feedback and return with a recommended prioritization and proposed project schedule. The consultant provided a planning-level cost estimate of about $36.7 million for the full set of recommended projects. Staff noted available park impact fee balances (about $5.8 million total in the park impact fee fund with roughly $3.8 million uncommitted on the books at the time of the presentation) and said future capital improvement plan cycles will propose how to phase projects and fund priorities.

Ending

Staff recommended further public outreach on designs for individual parks and said council would see a prioritized project list during the mid-2025 capital improvement plan review. Councilmembers and the public repeatedly urged faster delivery of sports fields and improved maintenance of restrooms and existing turf as immediate priorities.

","City staff and consultant RHAA presented a draft 2024 Parks Master Plan update that identifies priorities including new playgrounds, restrooms, field upgrades and a $36.7 million project list; council and residents pressed for prioritization, maintenance funding and phased implementation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent items, reappoints planning commissioner and adopts tobacco retailer regulation; votes at a glance

Newark council approves Section 115 trust with PARS, authorizes up to $12 million initial investment

Newark council reviews draft Parks Master Plan update, hears calls for more fields, restrooms and phased funding