Council to Finalize Crossing Guard Services

When school starts, motorists may once again see crossing guards helping children.

The City Council will vote tonight on whether to authorize Newark Police Chief James Leal to sign a four-year agreement with All City Management Services, Inc. to provide crossing guard services.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at .

Approval would finalize the restoration of crossing guards at seven locations in Newark. In May, the council  to hire crossing guards for three hours during days schools are in session.

The budgeted amount for the contract totals $64,000. The rate of pay, under the contract, would be $15.20 per hour per location for the first year and $15.50 per hour for the second year, according to city documents.

Recruitment, training, equipment, supervision and management costs of the crossing guard services are included in the budgeted amount.

Once approved, the contract would begin on Aug. 1 and expire on June 30, 2013.

Crossing guard services were suspended by the City of Newark during the 2010-11 school year due to budget reductions. The restoration of the service is being funded by Measure U, a utility users tax approved by voters in November, 2010.

New children's after-school care center

Also on the agenda is a conditional use permit for a children’s learning center, Safari Kid, at the NewPark Plaza Shopping Center, whose major tenants include and TJ Maxx.

A public hearing will be held on the revocation of a conditional use permit for KidsPark, which used to occupy the building where the new children’s learning center, Safari Kid, hopes to operate.

If approved, the 4,775-square-foot building would provide an after-school learning program for children from kindergarten through grade 8.

A learning center is currently located on Jarvis Avenue. The application for a permit at the NewPark Plaza is for a second Safari Kid location.

For more information, click here to visit the City of Newark’s website.