The Newark City Council voted to authorize a fourth amendment to the city’s on‑call planning services agreement with Good City Company, increasing the contract ceiling by $265,000 to provide temporary planning and permit‑review capacity for housing‑element work and discretionary project processing.

City staff described Good City Company as an on‑call consultant that augments Community Development Department staffing during busy periods. Community Development Director Steven Turner told the council the firm helps with policy and program development (including housing‑element tasks), discretionary project review, building permit review and single‑family residential design review, and provides staffing “that we wouldn’t otherwise have with permanent staff.”

City staff recommended amending the agreement to cover work through the end of the fiscal year. City manager staff reported the proposed increase would raise the existing agreement to $265,000. The item had been placed on the consent calendar but was pulled for questions by a council member who asked for clarity on scope and numbers in the amendment.

Council member Jorgens moved to approve the amendment; Council member Bridal seconded. The council clerk recorded the motion as passing with four yes votes and one excused/absent vote. City staff said the contract provides flexibility to maintain customer service levels while the department processes housing‑related work and permits.

The council discussion focused on ensuring the consultant’s role was to augment city staff, how the firm is used for peak workloads, and that the amendment supports implementation of the city’s housing element and other planning priorities. Turner said the consultants handle tasks “during busy periods” and provide the extra capacity needed for permit processing and design review.

The amendment is administrative and does not itself change policy or entitle new development; it increases outside staffing capacity to process applications and support the city’s housing initiatives. City staff identified the contract amendment amount and the end‑of‑fiscal‑year timing as the principal details for council approval.

Next steps: staff will execute the fourth amendment, engage Good City Company as needed on housing‑element and permit‑review work, and report on workload and outcomes through normal department updates.