Newark certifies election results, swears in mayor and three new council members; Measure LL noted

The Newark City Council voted unanimously to certify the results of the Nov. 5, 2024, municipal election and then administered oaths of office to Mayor Michael K. Hannon and three newly elected council members.

Mayor Michael K. Hannon opened the special meeting by announcing the certification process and saying, “We will be swearing in 3 new council members,” before the council adopted the resolution declaring the election results by voice vote. City Manager David Benun told the council that “Californian election codes section 15,374 requires that before installing new officers of a legislative body, the body must adopt a resolution reciting certain facts related to the outcome of the election.” The council approved the staff-recommended resolution unanimously by voice vote.

The certification action preceded oath ceremonies in which Michael K. Hannon was sworn in as mayor and Eve Marie Little, Julie Del Cantancio and Terrence Bridal were sworn in as members of the Newark City Council. Judge Ian Rivermonte (as identified in the meeting) and other officials administered oaths at the dais.

Why it matters: certifying election results is the formal step required to install newly elected city officials and to clear the way for them to take formal action on behalf of the city. Council and staff also noted one ballot measure from the same election: Measure LL, a city initiative to increase the transient occupancy (hotel) tax. In his remarks, Mayor Hannon said Measure LL “will provide our city approximately 2.3 to $2,500,000 of revenue” and staff reported that voters approved Measure LL by “over 80%.”

Details and other actions - Vote to certify election results: Council adopted the written resolution titled “Resolution, City Council of the City of Newark declaring results of the general municipal election held on 11/05/2024.” The motion was made and seconded on the floor and passed by a unanimous voice vote (5-0). The meeting record shows no opposing votes.

- Oaths administered: Michael K. Hannon took the oath of office for mayor. Eve Marie Little, Julie Del Cantancio and Terrence Bridal each took the oath of office as city council members; each officer addressed the council after being sworn in.

- Vice mayor appointment: The council moved to appoint Council Member Eve Marie Little as vice mayor for the coming year; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously (5-0).

- Consent calendar and related resolutions: The council approved the consent calendar (items D-1 through D-6) by voice vote, 5-0. The consent calendar as read on the record included: (1) approval of audited demands; (2) approval of the November 2025 local appointments list and distribution; (3) adoption of a resolution authorizing the city to accept and the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding with the California Department of Justice for a tobacco fund grant and approving a budget adjustment; (4) adoption of a resolution to accept the development impact fee annual and five‑year report for the period ending 06/30/2024 and approve findings for each development impact fee imposed by the city; (5) adoption of resolutions establishing the City Council meeting calendar for 2025; and (6) authorization for the city manager to take certain administrative actions during the August recess. Each consent-item resolution was approved as part of the package.

- Appointments to agencies and committees: The council adopted a resolution confirming mayoral appointments to various agencies, boards, commissions and committees; the item passed unanimously. The mayor noted that alternates may attend if a regular designee is unavailable.

Public remarks and recognitions The meeting included extended ceremonial remarks thanking three outgoing council members—Anna Apodaca, Maria Susie Collazo and Vice Mayor Louis Freitas—for their years of service. Guests and elected officials including Assemblymember Alex Lee and former Mayor Al Nagy presented commendations. During remarks Assemblymember Alex Lee was noted by the mayor as having secured “$5,800,000 in funding for various projects in Newark, including quiet zones, broadband master plan, and the city's first resource center.” Several state and federal representatives’ offices provided recognition certificates for outgoing members.

What the council did not decide The meeting was primarily ceremonial and organizational. No new ordinances, budget adoptions, land-use approvals or contract awards were taken beyond the routine consent items listed above. City staff explicitly noted there would be no closed session.

Looking ahead Mayor Hannon outlined priorities for his second term, including street and infrastructure work on Fort Avenue and pursuing new fire-station development funded in part by Measure LL revenue; he said construction documents are expected to be finalized next year and construction would follow. The new council will convene again at its regular January meeting; the mayor invited residents to a reception in the lobby after the meeting.

Ending The council adjourned after brief routine business and an organizational vote confirming the vice mayor and appointments.