August 3, 2004 > City of Newark Meeting

by Susana Nunez

The meeting began with a commendation to Lupe M. Torres Sr, for 35 years of being a dedicated Newark employee. He held the Senior Equipment Mechanic position, from which he recently retired. Senior Accountant Ron Luis was also commended after retiring from the City after 25 years of service. Assistant to the City Manager, Barbara Lathrop retired from the City after 20 years of service and received a commendation as well.

Father Jeff Finley received a commendation for having been the Chaplain for the City's Police and Fire Department since 1996. Council member Johnson personally thanked Father Finley and wished him well in his new position as Washington Hospital's Chaplain. Absent Councilmember Freitas left a letter, which Council member Johnson read aloud, thanking Father Finley for his services as well. Fremont Bank also earned a commendation for donating $38, 500 for the purchase of a Fire Safety Trailer to be used for fire and life safety demonstrations at elementary schools. Finally, the Women of the Moose presented a stuffed toy moose for children in need.

Under the Written Communications, an Architectural and Site Plan Review for signage (I Sushi House) at 5790 Jarvis Avenue (formerly Yuka Sushi and Newark Fish and Chips) in the Rosemont Square Shopping Center was passed. A hearing to consider extending an Interim Urgency Zoning Ordinance of the City of Newark continuing a moratorium on public assembly uses in the M (industrial) zoning districts passed as well.

On the Consent Calendar, all items were approved simultaneously, with the exception of one item removed by Vice Mayor Torrico, which was later approved. Specifications, acceptance of bid and award of contract to Blocka Construction, Inc. for the City Administration Building Council Chambers HVAC Replacement was approved. Initiation of proceedings, confirmation of Engineer's Report, ordering improvements, and levying first annual assessment for annexation of properties located on Eureka Drive to landscaping and Lighting District No. 4 were approved. As a condition of development, 13 properties within the Stevenson Point Techpark are required to participate in a Landscaping and Lighting District for maintenance of the medians on Stevenson Boulevard west of Cherry Street.

An acceptance of contract with Pacific Underground Services for the Service Center Wash Rack passed. Also approved was an acceptance of contract with Valley Crest Landscape Development for Ash Street Park Master Plan Implementation. Approval of plans and specifications, rejection of bid from Ace Golf Netting and acceptance of bid and award of contract to Judge Netting, Inc., and amendment to the 2004-2006 Biennial Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 for Silliman Softball Field Screen Net was approved.

Continuing with the Consent items, authorization for the Mayor to sign an agreement with Hilton Farnkopf and Hobson for technical assistance for commercial/industrial recycling efforts was approved. Also approved was the consideration of property owners' objections and confirmation of the Community Preservation Officer's Annual Report concerning nuisance condition abatement and Administrative Citation fine assessments.

Authorization for the City Attorney to sign a Certification and Mutual Indemnification Agreement for the County of Alameda passed. Establishment of amount of revenue from property taxes necessary to support City departments also passed. Authorization for the Assistant City Manager(s), Accounting Supervisor, Finance Technician II, and their successors by title, to order the deposit or withdrawal of monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund was approved. An amendment to Employee Classification Plan to revise Administrative Analyst classification, and amendment to the 2004-2006 Biennial Budget to add an Administrative Analyst classification and to delete a Personnel Analyst classification was also approved. Finally, authorization for the Assistant City Manager to place delinquent garbage payment on the County tax rolls was approved.

During the short Redevelopment Agency meeting within the Council meeting, the minutes of the Thursday December 12, 2002 and Thursday September 11, 2003 meetings were approved. Authorization for the Assistant Executive Director, Treasurer, Accounting Supervisor, Finance Technician II, and their successors by title, to order the deposit or withdrawal of monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund was approved.

Under Council Matters, designation of a voting delegate and an alternate for the Annual Business Session of the League of California Cities' Annual Conference was made. Council member Johnson was chosen as the delegate and Vice Mayor Torrico as the alternate.

A $6, 758 claim made on May 19, 2004 from GEICO Direct as subrogee for Martin Kobylecky for alleged damage from sand/ cement mix splattered on his vehicle from construction a the Silliman Center was denied. On April 15, 2004, the City received a claim from American Airlines, Inc., of $114, 515.28, which represents a refund of "applicable state and local sales/ use taxes and/or hotel occupancy taxes." The claim was denied as well.

The meeting closed with a few words from Vice Mayor Torrico, who commended the City staff for the Silliman Aquatic Center. Council member Johnson wished everyone a safe summer. The Council will be recessed for the month of August.