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