Newark City Council adopts HUD action-plan application, approves park equipment and grant applications; several measures held to Nov. 3

The Newark City Council on an evening session adopted several resolutions by roll call vote and held others for its next meeting on Nov. 3.

Council members voted to authorize the mayor to prepare and submit a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) one-year use-of-funds action plan and an application for fiscal year 2026 Community Development Block Grant funds under 24 CFR part 91.22 (Resolution 25-60). The council also approved Resolution 25-61 to apply for an Ohio 2025 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and Resolution 25-62 to seek a Bureau of Workers' Compensation firefighter exposure grant.

Council approved Resolution 25-63 directing the director of public service to advertise for bids and enter contracts, subject to appropriation, for purchase and installation of playground equipment at Wells Park. Resolution 25-64, appropriating money for current municipal expenses, was adopted; the recording notes passage as 9-0. The council declared Resolution 25-67 an emergency and adopted it to authorize the director of public service to enter into a contract to sell approximately 13,764 feet of timber from several city-owned parcels in Madison Township; the vote was recorded as passing 9-0.

Several proposals were read and then held to Nov. 3 for further consideration, including Resolution 25-65 and 25-66 (appropriations), Resolution 25-68 (Ohio Public Works Commission application) and Resolution 25-69 (establishing stormwater utility service rates).

The motions and roll calls were conducted consistent with the agenda readings. Sponsors for the adopted measures were read into the record during first or second readings; motions to adopt were made (for example, Resolution 25-60: motion by Mister Marmey, second by Mister Barker) and roll-call votes recorded individual council members— responses as "Yes." The transcript records each adopted resolution as passing without recorded dissent.

Why it matters: The HUD action-plan application determines priorities for federal community development funds that can pay for housing and community development activities. The Land and Water Conservation Fund and OPWC applications cover parks and capital projects; the firefighter grant targets occupational health exposures. The Wells Park procurement provides funding authority to update playground facilities pending appropriation.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 25-60 (HUD one-year use-of-funds action plan; 24 CFR part 91.22) — Adopted; motion by Mister Marmey; second by Mister Barker; roll call recorded "Yes" votes by council members in attendance. - Resolution 25-61 (Ohio 2025 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant) — Adopted; roll-call approval recorded. - Resolution 25-62 (BWC firefighter exposure grant) — Adopted; roll-call approval recorded. - Resolution 25-63 (Wells Park playground equipment procurement) — Adopted; roll-call approval recorded. - Resolution 25-64 (Appropriation for current municipal expenses) — Adopted; recorded as passing 9-0. - Resolution 25-67 (Timber sale, emergency) — Adopted; recorded as passing 9-0. - Resolutions 25-65, 25-66, 25-68, 25-69 — Read and held to Nov. 3 for further consideration.

Council members indicated the appropriations and grant-seeking activities are part of ongoing budget and capital planning. The council announced its next meeting date as Nov. 3.