Newark council authorizes extension of Alameda County Fire contract through 2030

The Newark City Council voted 5-0 on May 8 to authorize the city manager to execute a first amendment to the agreement with the Alameda County Fire Department that extends the contract through June 30, 2030.

The amendment, presented by Strategic Initiatives Manager Roya Gonzales and supported by City Manager Benun, keeps core services including fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response and technical rescue, affirms a six-minute total response-time goal, and incorporates updated five-year cost projections that staff said are budgeted for the current cycle. City staff described the change as a five-year extension option in the 2021 agreement and said only a few, primarily administrative, edits are included in the proposed amendment.

City Manager Benun said the city has received "exemplary" service from the Alameda County Fire Department since the contract began and noted that the amendment was brought to council because four new council members have joined the dais since the 2021 agreement. "For the years, the services that we've received from that department have been exemplary," Benun said.

Strategic Initiatives Manager Roya Gonzales told the council that Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) has provided services to Newark since February 2010, operates three Newark stations (Fire Stations 27, 28 and 29), and that the 2021 agreement addressed governance and retiree health-care liabilities. The amendment presented May 8 will remove the deputy fire marshal position and replace it with a plan checker 2; Gonzales said that change "will not affect city operations" because the primary duties of the deputy fire marshal (predevelopment assistance, plan review and inspections) can be handled by a plan checker. Chief Willie McDonald confirmed the plan checker would report to the fire marshal and, through the chain, to the building official.

The agreement retains language expanding the Executive Management Oversight Committee (EMOC) to give contract cities and the national labs more input on decisions that affect them, and it includes clarified terms on the city's obligations for other post-employment benefits (OPEB). Gonzales said the updated five-year cost projections have been reflected in the city's long-term financial forecasts and are budgeted in the current cycle.

Chief Willie McDonald, Alameda County Fire Chief, thanked the council and described ACFD's workforce: "Our 500 men and women who provide the highest level of fire emergency and rescue services consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to serve this community." He added the department feels "invested in all the neighborhoods and serving the residents."

Council discussion touched on local operational effects and regional service coverage. Councilman Mandel said Union City's station closure has increased strain on nearby resources: "Union City isn't really living up to the their end of the original idea, and they've closed the station, and I think that puts a burden on us." Vice Mayor Little and other council members thanked ACFD for its service and noted community support for public-safety funding, including a recent hotel tax measure the council passed.

Council members asked about timing for negotiations on a successor agreement. City Manager Benun said the contract contains formulaic triggers and that successor negotiations are expected to commence about 18 months before the contract termination date, effectively meaning talks would begin in roughly three to three-and-a-half years.

The council approved the motion to authorize the city manager to execute the first amendment to the agreement with ACFD on a 5-0 vote. The motion was made by Vice Mayor Little and seconded by Council Member Bridal. The resolution directs the city manager to sign the amendment as presented.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (approve audit demands; approve April 20, 2025 minutes; adopt resolution initiating the 2025 weed abatement program and set June 12 public hearing; initiate proceedings for Landscaping and Lighting District Number 20 for Track 8583 and set June 26 public hearing): moved by Council Member Jorgens, seconded by Vice Mayor Little; passed unanimously.

- Resolution authorizing city manager to execute the first amendment to the agreement with the Alameda County Fire Department for fire and emergency response services (Item F-1): moved by Vice Mayor Little; seconded by Council Member Bridal; vote 5-0, approved.

The amendment takes effect once executed by the city manager. Staff said the city will continue to own and maintain fire stations and major equipment while ACFD provides staffing and most operational services. Council members raised the replacement of two aging local fire stations as an upcoming capital priority to consider in future budget and project discussions.