[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6544744,"mediaKeyId","3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729","parentId",3461181,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves consent items and sets June public hearing on landscaping assessments","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",4187000,"endMs",4393000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729&start=4187&end=4393","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729/thumbnail_4187000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544744/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-consent-items-and-sets-June-public-hearing-on-landscaping-assessments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544744-f38462b7fa3dd054ad8dfe6f8a5fa437/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164515&Signature=gY2J7QHL8GFu~IVG-eg~PaoJtBbvr9s2lIQfpXdHFgdosF2~ZuoMR~u70wlL4t7BwWuaHfuxxPqLxqcHrssaNHtFiXEbCE3btQNTbZdTzZhbdFqNs89nDGmZlO1unXnHRNknV6PujNodpicl5xhfJpVPXoSS56JmMP9tT3FuvYh1jNwTxwyd1qDiR2qxjtsvdQ9c0H2gvfb2Qede7VRSw7RU7pdXA4kFg-5nrczdSk-31Zum-floPbGrNZIYMr~p4mspEFwphBjDNwWySt2SzwA-QkcyVgGTvVwA0pHMDyJKEga1tPmg6rGo3ewTSZzOU~c9XQxJiH1Degir7j8Smg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newark city","date","2025-05-23T00:51:14Z","article","The Newark City Council approved several administrative items on the consent calendar and separately advanced the annual Landscaping and Lighting District assessments with a resolution that sets a public hearing for June 26, 2025.

Consent calendar (items 1–4):
- Action: Approval of the consent calendar, which included: approval of audit demands; approval of minutes for May 3; a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with What’s Happening Tri‑City Voice for legal advertising services in fiscal year 2025–26 and delegating authority to city staff to annually contract for legal notices; and a resolution approving the first amendment to a contractual services agreement for construction management services with a corresponding amendment to the 2024–26 biannual budget and capital improvement plan.
- Motion: Moved by Councilmember Jorgens; seconded by Vice Mayor Little.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Landscaping & Lighting Districts (item D5):
- Action: The council adopted resolutions approving the annual engineer’s report, declaring the city’s intention to levy and collect assessments, and setting a public hearing for June 26, 2025, for Landscaping & Lighting District numbers 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 for fiscal year 2025–26.
- Governing authority: Action taken in accordance with the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 (referenced during the item).
- Motion: Motion to adopt the resolutions (text read into the record). Motion was made by Councilmember Bridal and seconded by Councilmember Jorgens.
- Recusals: Assistant City Manager Banoon requested the item be pulled earlier so he and Councilmember Contanzio could recuse from the item because each has property within Landscaping & Lighting District No. 11. The record shows Councilmember Contanzio recused from the vote.
- Outcome: Passed 4–0 with Councilmember Contanzio recusing herself; no votes recorded against the resolutions.

Why it matters: The annual engineer’s report and the resolution to set a public hearing are the second step in the three‑step process required for levying assessments within the city’s established landscaping and lighting districts. The hearing will determine final assessments and is scheduled for June 26, 2025, giving property owners an opportunity to comment.

Record of motions and votes in brief:
- Consent calendar (items 1–4): moved by Councilmember Jorgens; seconded by Vice Mayor Little; vote: unanimous approval.
- Landscaping & Lighting Districts (D5): moved by Councilmember Bridal; seconded by Councilmember Jorgens; vote: approved 4–0 with Councilmember Contanzio recused.

Next steps: The public hearing for the landscaping and lighting district assessments is set for June 26, 2025, at which time council will consider public comment and the engineer’s final levy. Any property owners wishing to contest assessments may participate at that hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Newark / City Council Regular Meeting 05-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar items 1–4 and later adopted resolutions to proceed with the annual Landscaping & Lighting District assessments and set a public hearing for June 26, 2025; two council members recused from the landscaping item because they live within the district.","taxTitle","Newark, Alameda County, California","taxId",55039,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544749,"Schilling Elementary students ask Newark leaders for fresher school meals and a Miyawaki forest",306,3486000,3792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729&start=3486&end=3792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729/thumbnail_3486000.jpg","/articles/6544749/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Schilling-Elementary-students-ask-Newark-leaders-for-fresher-school-meals-and-a-Miyawaki-forest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544749-9ce1006a3d56a73830709bbee031fda1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164515&Signature=IjWxRRr75jwxDFEEq7kaF8hjmK55W5mnchRC0VA-MlXOQd84jclipBDQNHIo8R-bNy76zrimFs3SGcTUAXsBzBqWMBEz61wT9hUcy~q4MsYfwzNMvMu-IJJHZK~Mb8FJ3dyq6RkFTNshXmjX2Q1qaBRkGDRG5-NkVJWVK8SWzdOaBLmel2KgIgYFpufiiO938ig1hrUU7Vy-1gogVbnmgjLzBz0PvXaiC386u1d0ClJ1VKwmHUwOjn97HLlvvcSj2LslRrJ7I8VLebP2-tHidQWg63iZNdjAPFzio3rlrUK18Rp1Z0U22Wrm89jEhd8pMx9sZQtrz0IuotC065DQYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at a Newark City Council meeting, a teacher from Schilling Elementary and the school’s student body president presented a petition calling for healthier, freshly prepared school meals and for a campus Miyawaki forest to replace a high‑water‑use lawn.

Why it matters: The petition links student health, classroom learning and a local climate‑adaptation practice. Petitioners asked city leaders to endorse the school’s plan and help secure support; council members indicated they would sign the petition and encouraged the group to present to the Newark Unified School District board as well.

Teacher S. Patel (identified in the meeting as a science teacher at Schilling Elementary) told council members she previously taught in Berkeley and helped plant the first schoolyard Miyawaki forest there using a method developed by Dr. Akira Miyawaki. Patel described the technique as planting dense, locally indigenous trees in prepared soil so they establish quickly and provide shade, habitat for pollinators and cooling benefits. “These forests not only cool the planet, but they provide birds and butterflies with much‑needed habitat,” Patel said.

Student body president Mila Elizabeth Yapen presented a petition with 116 signatures from students, parents and staff requesting changes to cafeteria offerings. “We have meals such as burritos, pizzas, and pastas,” Yapen said. “I’m not complaining, but these are mostly pre‑made foods that might have preservatives and harmful dyes such as Red 40.” Yapen said the students wanted healthier snack options (trail mix, celery with peanut butter, salads or baked potatoes) and asked whether the district could provide fresh‑made meals at school every day.

Petition and forest plan details:
- Petition signatures: 116 students, parents and staff from Schilling Elementary, according to presenters.
- Requested food changes: fewer frozen processed entrées, more freshly prepared meals daily, and healthier snack alternatives.
- Tree project: presenters said the school will plant a drought‑tolerant Miyawaki forest on the Schilling frontage next fall, replacing a water‑intensive lawn and improving local biodiversity.

Superintendent Picard (identified at the meeting as Newark Unified School District superintendent) thanked the students, noted the district is graduating about 350 students this year and encouraged the group to present to the school board. Mayor Mike Hannon and council members moved to sign the petition on camera and invited the superintendent to join a photo with students and staff.

The council did not take a formal vote or adopt a policy in response to the petition; presenters were encouraged to bring the proposal to the school district board for consideration of meal‑service changes and the planned forest planting.

Ending: Council members asked staff to work with the students on a photo and indicated support for the idea of planting more Miyawaki‑style forests around Newark as part of local climate action efforts. The petitioners were advised to follow up with the Newark Unified School District.","A Schilling Elementary teacher and student presented a 116‑signature petition urging the district to provide fresher meal options and to plant a Miyawaki (dense native) forest at the school; Mayor Mike Hannon and several council members agreed to sign the petition during public comment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544753,"Newark police report credits new technology, recruitment and grants for 2024 crime reductions",3541,4497000,8038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729&start=4497&end=8038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3461181-ac904629513f55e5e64ac229a999a729/thumbnail_4497000.jpg","/articles/6544753/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Newark-police-report-credits-new-technology-recruitment-and-grants-for-2024-crime-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544753-ede9f2b7bb77c2758d9992350317cad7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164515&Signature=md1C~AMinEP4Jn09f9xfNSZnv0q6sdDDayKfwkD8DvsgQctqN7sXANrHtqEdUfiKxGavhaPhPmin~PfwQL9AQj0Mz-xDCIoL1nQpJ2XWnLxaA213pwSLPhJu3nEi6w2k49Mt-owov6n7B8eC63JVgpuYKoPsfn~4hhNXFTYanBG1ip6zD2d2VUQ0oQ4LDAQ323s2ECOYEl1XiWmzuc1Wg1Ky8lXsRnmf1Rb7guHyA0hO0keHiiILCmxsT7nC6qSx5svYReI9C~8VaSLanbYLvER2SdPcyp64OZ7thlBHltT1P~OYEQfU3Ws8nvHUd2DXG66-ec7Ie5200jnlY4nVCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Jonathan Arguello of the Newark Police Department presented the department’s 2024 annual report to the Newark City Council, highlighting expanded use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, grant-funded anti‑theft programs and a stepped-up recruitment push that officials said helped reduce several crime categories.

Armed with a string of grant awards and new staff initiatives, the department reported sharper investigative capacity and notable reductions in some crimes: the department cited a 53% reduction in vehicle thefts for the January–April period compared with the same period in 2024, and said property and person crimes were down 34% overall in that comparison.

Why it matters: City leaders said the combination of data-driven policing, community engagement and investment in recruitment can reduce targeted crime problems without expanding authorized headcount. Department leaders told the council the results hinge on continued grant funding, cooperation with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and successful hiring and retention.

Arguello opened the presentation by reiterating the department’s mission and values and saying the 2024 priorities were built around six organizational pillars including communication, accountability, discipline, leadership development and trust. “The mission of the Newark Police Department is to provide professional public safety services in partnership with our community,” Arguello said.

Key details from the presentation:
- Grants and equipment: The department said it received multiple state appropriations and grants that funded program expansion. Officials cited a California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) award of about $986,000 for a multiyear vehicle and accessory theft prevention program; they also noted $750,000 in earlier state appropriations used for a 2023 ALPR deployment. The department said the BSCC grant funded vehicle‑etching programs, mobile camera trailers and other tools used in targeted enforcement and deterrence.
- ALPR deployment and results: The department’s Flock Safety ALPR program grew to 26 fixed cameras at city entrances and exits and five mobile cameras that are rotated on trailers. Chief Arguello reported “over 1,200 ALPR individual activations related to felony wanted vehicles, stolen vehicles” in 2024 and said the technology has been “instrumental in over 70 cases that resulted in arrests.” Captain Jolie Macias presented more detailed ALPR metrics, saying there were 364 ALPR activations that generated a police call-for-service, 536 investigative uses of the system, 37 crime reports generated from ALPR activations and a cumulative 70 persons arrested, cited or referred to the district attorney with a direct correlation to ALPR use. Captain Macias said 21 stolen vehicles were recovered with a direct ALPR correlation.
- Vehicle and accessory theft prevention program: The BSCC-funded initiative includes free catalytic converter etching and a public portal for appointments (nvatpp.com), six additional fixed ALPR cameras and multiple mobile trailers. The department said multi‑agency coordination led to arrest of a prolific vehicle‑theft suspect in November 2024.
- Recruitment and staffing: The department said it hired 15 employees in 2024 across sworn and professional ranks and created a focused recruitment effort that reallocated an existing sergeant position to serve as recruiting sergeant. At the time of the presentation the department reported nine sworn vacancies and said three trainees were in academies with anticipated September graduation. The department listed incentives including increased hourly pay for recruits, lateral hire incentives, employee referral pay and modest academy tuition reimbursements.
- Training and wellness: Arguello described expanded field‑training officer instruction, new wellness supports (quiet room, cardiometabolic screenings) and leadership development opportunities including regional command college programs. He said force was used in only 30 incidents in 2024—less than 0.1% of field incidents—and that there were no in‑custody deaths.
- Community engagement: The department reported nearly 40 engagement events led by the new community engagement manager, a stronger explorer program (from six in 2022 to over 20), merchant and neighborhood watch growth and renewed traffic safety enforcement after a relaunch of the traffic unit. Chief Arguello also credited volunteers and staff-led community programs such as a catalytic‑converter etching program and graffiti‑abatement volunteers.

Council members and members of the public asked technical and operational questions about ALPR operations, data sharing and costs. Captain Macias explained that an ALPR “activation” sends an alert to on‑duty officers and dispatch; dispatch verifies stolen‑vehicle status before officers take enforcement action. She said some patrol and neighboring agencies operate compatible systems so a vehicle can be tracked as it leaves Newark.

On cost, Macias said grant funding covered the ALPR cameras for the grant period; fleet and in‑car camera subscriptions are on multiyear agreements; speed‑trailer assets are city property.

Chief Arguello told council that the department would continue prioritizing recruitment, employee wellness, community engagement and technology deployment in 2025. “We are committed to continuing our cooperative relationships in order to further the goals and the objectives of the city council and the city manager,” Arguello said.

Looking ahead: Council members asked the department to keep sharing collision and crime trend data with city traffic engineers and noted interest in seeing next year whether prosecutorial trends change under new Alameda County District Attorney leadership. The department said it will expand community police academy offerings (including a Spanish session) and continue to rotate camera trailers in response to analyst-identified crime trends.

Ending: The council received the report without a vote; officials said several items depend on ongoing grant funding, regional cooperation and continued recruitment results.","Chief Jonathan Arguello told the City Council the Newark Police Department expanded automated license-plate readers, obtained major grants and relaunched a traffic unit in 2024; the department reported declines in vehicle thefts and an overall drop in property and person crimes compared with the same period in 2024.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approves consent items and sets June public hearing on landscaping assessments

Schilling Elementary students ask Newark leaders for fresher school meals and a Miyawaki forest

Newark police report credits new technology, recruitment and grants for 2024 crime reductions