Newark council adopts 2024 Tri‑City hazard mitigation plan update to preserve FEMA grant eligibility

Emergency preparedness coordinator Richard Martinez and consultant Foster Morrison presented the 2024 Tri‑City Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) update, developed through a Tri‑City partnership (Newark, Fremont and Union City) plus utility and sanitary districts. Staff said the update followed a FEMA grant‑funded process with community engagement meetings and a review of 14 prioritized hazards, plus 17 action items carried forward or added for implementation and monitoring.

Speakers explained the plan does not obligate the city to complete every listed action immediately but provides a framework for eligibility for pre‑disaster FEMA funds and for rolling action items forward. Consultants described inundation mapping and noted that certain dams in Alameda County could inundate large parts of the city in a low‑probability/high‑impact event; staff described notification protocols and existing emergency action plans.

Council members asked about school‑district participation, the Central Avenue overpass timeline (utility relocation in 2025; overpass work in 2026; completion forecast 2028), and coordination for hospital access during major disasters. After public comment (none on the item) the council voted unanimously to adopt the 2024 Tri‑City LHMP update and authorized submittal for final Cal OES and FEMA approval.

Adoption allows Newark to maintain eligibility for certain federal mitigation grants tied to local hazard mitigation planning.