City Manager's Office

MISSION: To carry out the direction of the City Council efficiently, effectively, and responsibly in compliance with applicable law and to direct and assist departments in carrying out City policy, ensuring that the public is well informed. Services include the City Clerk's office, Risk Management, Public Information, and administration of agreements with other public and private agencies.

Under Newark's City Council/City Manager form of government, the City Council appoints the City Manager as the administrative head of the City. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the City which are under his control, and for assuring that the City's services are performed in accordance with the City Council's policies and within the capability of the City's resources.

The City Manager keeps the City Council fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the City. The City Manager prepares and submits the Five-year Strategic Plan, Annual Budget, and Capital Improvement Plan to the City Council and is responsible for their administration after Council adoption.

The City Manager's Office is comprised of the following divisions:

The City Clerk's office is charged with the responsibility of preparing agendas and minutes for all City Council meetings, coordinating city elections with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and carrying out responsibilities related to the Political Reform Act.

The City Clerk's office maintains the Newark Municipal Code, which is a compilation of all city ordinances, and oversees legal notices and other publications. The City Clerk's office also receives all claims filed against the city.

Appeal of Administrative Citation Form (.pdf file)
Appeal of Decision of Hearing Officer Form (.pdf file)
Hardship Waiver Form (.pdf file)

The City Council is committed to the best possible customer service for the residents and business community. To that end, the City's Customer Service Action Plan Workgroup has identified a number of areas to improve communication with the public and which are currently being addressed. For example, suggestion boxes will be located in the lobbies of City Hall, the Community Center, the Senior Center, and the Service Center. Personal responses to suggestions will be provided if requested. Other customer service projects include:

Municipal elections are held in the City of Newark in November of odd-numbered years. Newark's Mayor and City Council members are elected to office by registered voters of the City of Newark. Any resident of the city who is 18 years old and a registered voter living in Newark is eligible to run for Mayor or for the City Council. The nomination period to an election begins in mid-July and ends in mid-August. Candidates for office must submit nomination papers that contain the signatures of at least 20 registered voters of the City of Newark. The City Clerk's Office coordinates municipal elections with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and supplies the nomination papers as well as other pertinent information to candidates at the beginning of the nomination period. The League of Women's Voters web site can be accessed by going to http://www.lwvfnuc.org/.

In order to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Newark, and 18 years of age or older as of the day of the election. You must be registered 15 days prior to the election. Registration forms are available at City Hall, at any of the fire stations, and at the Post Office.

Election results for city elections (as well as for primary and general elections held in the State of California) are available on the Alameda County Registrar of Voters website after the close of the polls on election night.

The Public Information arm of the City Manager's Office is charged with disseminating accurate and timely information to residents, businesses, and other governmental agencies and to receive the input of these groups on a number of topics. It is an important tool in educating our citizens about City programs, policies, procedures, and projects in the areas of economic development, public safety, human services, finance, or public works. Communicating effectively with the public involves our citizens in their local government, inviting them into the governmental process. It brings our chamber of commerce, schools, businesses, and citizens into a partnership with us in promoting, developing, and improving the quality of life in Newark. A variety of media are used in getting the word out to the public. These include print, radio, television, and public appearances.

Print: A quarterly Citywide newsletter, the NewarkNews, is distributed to all residents and businesses. The NewarkNews highlights current City projects, development, and public safety issues. It keeps citizens apprised of any changes in the solid waste collection and cable television franchises, street construction and maintenance schedules, recreational and cultural events, and fiscal issues, and acknowledges outstanding contributions to the livelihood of the City.

Radio: The City's 1610 am traveler's radio station broadcasts safety, health, and emergency messages. It will be a primary source of information to the public in the event of a major disaster, such as an earthquake. Newark was the first East Bay city to have such a radio station, and it was used to alert the public of safety hazards following the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989 and for other less dramatic emergencies up to the present time.

Cable Television: All City Council, Planning Commission, and School Board meetings are cablecast live over the City Government Channel. City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, beginning at 7:30 pm. Planning Commission meetings are held the Tuesday before the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, beginning at 7:00 pm. School Board meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month, beginning at 7:30 pm. Agendas are cablecast prior to the meetings.

A team comprised of Public Information Officers from the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the City Manager's Office has been developed and will work together using these media sources to get the word out to the public in the event of a major emergency.

Public Appearances: The City, in cooperation with the Newark Chamber of Commerce, showcases Newark's businesses, non-profit organizations, and City services at the annual People, Pride, and Progress event, held each September in conjunction with Newark Days. This event is visited by 50,000+ people, and provides an excellent way for the City to meet its citizens and to describe our services, answer questions and receive comments, and announce upcoming events.

The City sponsors a number of events, such as the Volunteer of the Year program, the Alameda County Mayors Conference, and the annual Business Appreciation Luncheon, and has an active relationship with its sister city, Newark-on-Trent, England, and with the non-profit Newark Sister City Association.

The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council to serve as the legal representative of the City Council, City Manager, City departments, and City commissions. The City Attorney is responsible for representing the City in all lawsuits filed by or against the City. The City Attorney is also responsible for preparing and approving the legality of all proposed contracts, ordinances, and other documents. The City Attorney does not provide legal counsel to citizens or outside businesses. If you are in need of an attorney, please contact the Lawyer Referral Service (Alameda County Bar Association).