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Council roundup: urban forest plan, emergency operations plan, CalPERS amendment and city manager pay increase
Summary
The council approved a contract to develop an urban forest management plan, adopted an updated Emergency Operations Plan aligned with county guidance, authorized a CalPERS contract amendment tied to public‑safety MOUs, and approved a 5% merit increase for the city manager.
In addition to the housing and tenant items, the City Council took a series of administrative and operational votes during the meeting.
Urban forest plan: The council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Dudek to prepare Newark—s first Urban Forest Management Plan (scope: tree inventory, canopy targets, species recommendations, best management practices, community engagement and an implementation plan). Staff said the highest ranked proposals clustered around a $170,000 price and the contract includes contingency up to $200,000. Council approved the award unanimously.
Emergency Operations Plan: Emergency Services Coordinator Richard Martinez presented an updated Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) aligned to FEMA—s guidance (CPG‑101) and Alameda County—s operational area plan. The revised EOP updates job aids, continuity of operations plans and training, and incorporates access and functional needs considerations. Council adopted the resolution approving the EOP and alignment with the county plan by unanimous vote.
CalPERS contract amendment: Human Resources staff explained the need to amend the city—s CalPERS contract to reflect negotiated memoranda of understanding for local public safety units. The amendment removes an additional 1.5% employee cost share for new local police members (in addition to the continuing 13.75% share). Council adopted a resolution of intention to amend the CalPERS contract; staff will return with the ordinance required by CalPERS timelines.
City manager compensation: Following a closed review and negotiation, council approved a 5% merit increase to the city manager—s base salary, bringing it to $383,177.60, a level staff said would remain slightly below market per a November 2025 salary survey. Council voted unanimously.
All of these items passed on unanimous votes; staff will proceed with contracting, implementation and the administrative steps necessary to make the changes effective.
