[{"_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",6486984,"mediaKeyId","5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee","parentId",5479128,"title","Council adopts consent calendar, confirms weed‑abatement assessments and approves minutes with amendment","audioSeconds",16,"startMs",13864000,"endMs",13880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee&start=13864&end=13880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee/thumbnail_13864000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486984/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Council-adopts-consent-calendar-confirms-weedabatement-assessments-and-approves-minutes-with-amendment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486984-c526faa2d8e4c8d90415152a8399c0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030950&Signature=MjIPeErQk9NV3t8B0eE-EzoDqWZlFbz4lRyKzonZxTucbrT45QpeL~NtUyagyQd442IBcn4VtfBD1W3PEJgUZ3l8HqtLoelToKGBuIIoJw0OEI5Ykw5yanW3s0nm0PkFAj3ACKPq45DzMQ704mYmEjsSLBWl7ltcxxgi~yT8ml8yZBBS3us4JUNkY3H0KbVCs-lWuaXBNbLJP7MkzkZuSZOuOmNgORTtz6t6IlxJIyicC8V8eN6EVZCQ2xWAPX53EldZp0iK~U5-Df8hoPLVGptWDAQgHp77dFKzOvE5Cw71RX-2XPfrJ75z0mA0l8zTp7AX91gnQqMC3t97SHaimg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newark city","date","2025-07-25T06:33:23.127Z","article","The Newark City Council on July 24 approved the consent calendar and several routine actions, confirmed the Superintendent of Streets’ report on weed‑abatement special assessments and approved minutes with a requested edit.

Consent calendar: The consent calendar included approval of audited demands; adoption of memoranda of understanding with police labor groups; award of a contract to Villalobos & Associates, Inc. for curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement and the 2025 citywide accessibility ramps project; and adoption of a resolution awarding a contract to VSS International Inc. for the 2025 slurry‑seal project, among other routine items (the staff report listed project numbers CIPA10007 and CIPA10001 and referenced a budget amendment). Council approved the consent calendar as a single motion.

Weed abatement: The council held the third and final public hearing on annual weed abatement. Maintenance Supervisor Dan Santurello and Alameda County Fire Code Compliance Officer Adrian Frazier coordinated contractor work to clear 18 parcels. Assessments ranged from $387 to $2,907 (including a 20 percent administrative fee). After opening and closing the public hearing with no public objections, the council confirmed the Superintendent of Streets’ report and approved the proposed special assessments; the motion passed unanimously.

Minutes: Councilmembers approved the minutes of the June 26 meeting with an edit requested during the meeting: removal of a reference to the Newark Board of Education from those minutes; with that change the minutes were approved unanimously.

Other consent items flagged in staff remarks: City staff highlighted item D6 (the VSS International slurry seal contract) as a significantly increased public pavement‑maintenance expenditure tied to the council’s prior budget allocation for increased slurry sealing.

What this means: Contract awards and budget amendments included in the consent calendar proceed under standard contract and procurement procedures; projects such as the slurry seal contract and curb/gutter/sidewalk work are expected to move into procurement and construction phases under Public Works oversight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Newark / City Council Regular Meeting 07-24-25","oneSentenceSummary","At its July 24 meeting the Newark City Council approved the consent calendar (including street maintenance and housing program agreements), confirmed the superintendent of streets’ weed‑abatement special assessments and approved minutes with one edit. Several routine contracts and resolutions passed without public debate.","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},6486987,"Council awards broadband public‑private partnership to Smart Fiber Networks to build city‑owned fiber backbone",1491,9077000,10568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee&start=9077&end=10568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee/thumbnail_9077000.jpg","/articles/6486987/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Council-awards-broadband-publicprivate-partnership-to-Smart-Fiber-Networks-to-build-cityowned-fiber-backbone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486987-e787a03eb45c2f2afc62448ca750a81e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030950&Signature=ePBU4CFGkneepKU0-PEdZA-y0unNXbUOWS5xqCAR9Q~xg3hT91D0jcqYQgZ0WUOaQgqbOMS5xhf~M9g-FAyh~UfZN27pq708Nj6iIOF2NUvYSohnzQtYFHeUVmj1NNNQIopLzyyPy-hwxLm7aM23IluuGr4ELSg-y8SA2QMM5WJnYcznSwnbE0~7RK7l9GiGmOxlnUruOBURrrPD2GYgSUR~qMwvxlkLpNcuKpcBX~-feBggHRsm8BiGUttKmd8wErhFIpTgcC3N6YAkDwvtsxjAABxbh-xL1cfTlkChYumLZmzaiUSk3m2loAbWUTzsPuY157h7ZS9Et5XmS5P7eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newark City Council on July 24 voted unanimously to award a public‑private partnership contract to Smart Fiber Networks to build a city‑owned fiber backbone, provide free public Wi‑Fi at four parks and create an open‑access model that prospective internet service providers (ISPs) can use to offer competitive broadband services.

City staff described the project as the first phase of a 10‑year broadband strategic plan developed with Government Technology Group (GTG). The backbone will connect city facilities including City Hall, the Newark Community Center and Silliman Center and will enable Wi‑Fi in four parks identified in the plan: Newark Community Center Park, Birch Grove Park, Jerry Raber (Ash Street) Park and Mel Nunez Sports Field Park. The high‑level design follows a mix of aerial and underground routes intended to minimize street disruption.

Total capital cost for the three implementation phases is capped at $3,280,000, funded by $1,000,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations, $1,800,000 from state funds secured via AB 179 and up to $700,000 from the city’s PEG (public, educational and government) account. Smart Fiber Networks proposed a 60/40 revenue split in which the company retains 60 percent of broadband revenue and the city receives 40 percent; staff explained the city’s 40 percent share will be used to sustain ongoing maintenance and future upgrades after the first five years of maintenance included in the contract.

Information Technology Director Edwin Miranda and Smart Fiber CEO Steve Stukas told council the network is scalable and ‘open access,’ meaning multiple ISPs can use the infrastructure, which staff said will improve competition, affordability and reliability. Staff also said Smart Fiber is pre‑qualified for federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) grants; the city will pursue additional grant funding to expand service to unserved and underserved neighborhoods.

Council members asked how the network could expand and whether private development proposals could tie into the backbone; staff and the vendor said the design allows future expansion and that private partnerships or grant awards would be used to extend service. Council members also asked about affordability targets; staff said BEAD guidance aims for low‑cost consumer plans in the range of roughly $30–$35 per month for eligible households and the city will seek ISP agreements aligned with affordability goals.

Before the vote, council praised the staff for securing state funding and for planning an infrastructure approach that could lower long‑term telecom costs for city facilities. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution awarding the contract and to proceed with capital improvement project No. 1418.

What’s next: the city will execute the P3 contract with Smart Fiber Networks, begin the first implementation phase and apply for federal BEAD/other grants to expand the backbone. Staff said the project is not expected to require new general‑fund revenue; it is funded entirely from ARPA, AB 179 and PEG funds.","Newark City Council approved a public‑private partnership with Smart Fiber Networks to build a city‑owned fiber backbone, provide free Wi‑Fi at four parks and enable open access for local ISPs. The $3.28 million project is funded with ARPA, state AB 179 funds and PEG monies; the contract passed unanimously July 24.",{"_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},6486990,"Council affirms Prologis 315,000‑sq‑ft Central Avenue project, narrows review window to two years",5747,2917000,8664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee&start=2917&end=8664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5479128-d3727b280a8ba7337ec77c5bd14ba1ee/thumbnail_2917000.jpg","/articles/6486990/Newark/Alameda-County/California/Council-affirms-Prologis-315000sqft-Central-Avenue-project-narrows-review-window-to-two-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486990-8b8cc4b8bebc7060bbc3e252481254d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775030950&Signature=YYYxFVX1wDWhBV~zfsUxO3A0~PU2NQpQxILqeIf5yDn3tLuGwssiJOqPRQOCOJw0j6MODVRgDZ0tyS~~MCHPOwmK6fiIRhLe8BgjUApJcmPhvctwDlrM6wqudhRaDivqO8iGy7RvAO4W5lVMlDBlgHi0rm~IUZJj4icy0vTN2Jn2blI4di6Bo0IOGJF5c4aAipQuNPDzttizIOiisrutdSGZsaGo8xTK1SCFg9xcBTIcAp0FAzo-TaePjurS3uAaBbYmiXSRPwOXNaFEOux7tnhj5VRlYshboaf8a68Ap57qmRmtP6ooNaH0xbGXssE7d6fVktjMmVDRw7F2bWO7ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newark City Council on July 24 affirmed the Planning Commission’s resolution approving a new Prologis industrial building at 6756 Central Avenue, adopting the Planning Commission’s design review, conditional use permit and minor use permit while amending one condition to shorten the design‑review approval window from three years to two.

The project would demolish existing outdoor storage and dilapidated structures on a 17.4‑acre site, merge four parcels, and construct a predominantly single‑story, 315,390‑square‑foot industrial building with roughly 33,800 square feet of office space. Council members approved the action 4–1; Councilmember Bridal Quintancio cast the lone no vote.

Staff and the project team told the council the Prologis proposal replaces a blighted outdoor storage yard with a modern, LEED‑oriented industrial facility and includes easement dedications intended to support a future Central Avenue railroad overpass. The applicant committed to constructing the project to be “solar‑ready,” providing EV parking infrastructure, planting more than 70 trees and installing public‑facing amenities, and to grant more than 10 easements at no cost to the city to facilitate the overpass design and construction.

City staff presented environmental review materials concluding the proposal is consistent with the city’s General Plan and is eligible for the programmatic/consistency pathway under CEQA guidance; consultants presented technical studies on air quality, noise, geotechnical, hazardous materials and a vehicle‑miles‑traveled analysis. Staff also summarized required revisions the applicant must make before building permits will issue, including altering the dock‑door layout to show 32 active dock doors, two grade‑level doors and 14 knockouts and removing chain‑link fencing shown along the Central Avenue frontage.

During the public hearing, representatives of construction trade unions, the Newark Chamber of Commerce and the director of Second Chance shelter urged approval, citing local construction jobs, ongoing property cleanup and anticipated permanent jobs once the building is occupied. Representatives from Prologis and the applicant’s consultant emphasized the company’s long‑term footprint in Newark and said the development will generate impact fees and property tax revenue.

Council discussion mixed support for the redevelopment with caution about longer‑term land‑use strategy. Councilmember Grandahl said the site is a visible blight and the project will improve the corridor and generate revenue, and she moved to affirm the Planning Commission’s decision with a single change: reduce from three years to two the period within which the applicant must obtain final design‑review approval. Councilmember Windle and other members pressed staff and the applicant on traffic, VMT methodology and fiscal comparisons between manufacturing and distribution uses. Councilmember Bridal Quintancio said the city should prioritize advanced manufacturing and worried the CUP would allow a distribution/fulfillment use that generates different long‑term fiscal and employment outcomes.

The council’s adopted motion affirms the Planning Commission’s resolution with the one-condition change. The motion also included direction that, when the applicant returns for final design/permitting, staff should provide additional information about the potential for a permanent traffic signal at Sycamore and Central (near the site) and an update about timing for rooftop solar installation. The council recorded the outcome as: yes — Mayor Michael Hanna; yes — Vice Mayor Little; yes — Councilmember Jorgensen; yes — Councilmember Grandahl; no — Councilmember Bridal Quintancio.

What happens next: the applicant must submit revised permit drawings to reflect the dock‑door configuration and other plan corrections required by planning staff, execute the easements required for the Central Avenue overpass to the satisfaction of the city engineer, and complete required conditions prior to issuance of building permits. The applicant and staff noted that future changes converting knockouts to additional dock doors would require an amendment to the conditional use permit.

Votes at a glance: City Council — Adopt resolution affirming Planning Commission approval of design review, conditional use permit and minor use permit for the Prologis project at 6756 Central Avenue; motion amended to reduce the design‑review approval window from three years to two; outcome — approved 4–1.

Council and applicant comments indicated the council will closely review any future amendments that increase dock doors or otherwise change the permitted uses because such changes would require a new CUP amendment and potentially additional study. The council asked staff to return with more detailed traffic‑signal and solar‑installation information when the applicant returns for final entitlements or permit milestones.","The Newark City Council on July 24 affirmed the Planning Commission’s approval for a 315,390‑square‑foot Prologis industrial building at 6756 Central Avenue, approving related entitlements and trimming the time the developer has to secure final design review from three years to two. The vote was 4–1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts consent calendar, confirms weed‑abatement assessments and approves minutes with amendment

Council awards broadband public‑private partnership to Smart Fiber Networks to build city‑owned fiber backbone

Council affirms Prologis 315,000‑sq‑ft Central Avenue project, narrows review window to two years