Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - April 5, 2023

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on April 5, 2023. The council passed several ordinances on first reading, including tax abatements for affordable housing projects, a clear zone ordinance, and a rental property registration requirement. Numerous resolutions were approved for temporary appropriations, contracts, grants, private property sales, and ceremonial street designations. A resolution opposing a proposed power plant in the East Ward was also adopted. Public comments centered on housing conditions, tax abatement policies, violence prevention programs, and concerns over government accountability.

Consent Calendar

• Temporary Emergency Appropriations (7R1a-7R1h): $77,631,267 for pensions; $121,315 for COVID-19 vaccination; $343,068 for Ryan White HIV services; $71,704 and $42,623 for body armor; $61,591,798 for operating expenses; $3,863,002 for COVID-19 local health department expenses; $3,166,299 for HOME Investment Partnership. All passed unanimously.
• Bid Contracts (7R1i-7R1o): Photographic equipment ($130,000), liners/garbage bags ($245,000), paper/plastic products ($440,000), copier paper ($445,560), hypochlorite ($260,000), recycling services ($400,000), recreation bus transportation ($450,000). All passed unanimously.
• State Contracts (7R1p-7R1s): Tires/tubes ($550,000), copy paper/office supplies ($190,000), automotive vehicles (open-ended), heating fuel oil ($200,000). All passed unanimously.
• Emergency Contract Extensions (7R1t-7R1u): Hope Village 1 shelter ($166,750 through Aug 31, 2023); Miller Street shelter ($2,500,000 through June 20, 2023). Both passed.
• Competitive Contracting (7R1v): Employment training services ($565,000). Passed.
• Cooperative Purchasing (7R1w): Copy paper ($190,000). Passed.
• Acceptance of Gift (7R1x): Basic license fee for Prudential Hall ($15,500) for State of the City address. Passed.
• Victim Assistance Grants (7R1y-7R1ac): Five ward grants totaling $137,500 each (North, Shani Baraka Center, South, Central, East). All passed.
• Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services (7R1ad-7R1ae): Federal legislative/grants consulting ($120,000); lobbying ($180,000). Both passed.
• West Ward Victim Assistance Grant (7R1af): $137,500. Passed.
• Exception to Public Bidding (7R1ag): Microsoft software support/licensing ($675,000). Passed.
• Labor Agreement (7R1ah): Superior Officers’ Association successor agreement ($27,009,258 avg/year). Passed.
• State Contract for Vehicle Lifts (7R1ai): $186,132.52. Passed.
• Private Sale/Redevelopment (7R2b): Rehabilitation of 238-240 Renner Ave into affordable housing ($50,000). Passed.
• Private Sale/Redevelopment (7R2c): Development of 23 residential units on Rose St ($154,608). Passed.
• Private Sale/Redevelopment (7R2i): New two-family home at 291 New York Ave ($25,125). Passed after motion withdrawn.
• Professional Services – Planning (7R2k-7R2l): Heyer, Gruel ($125,000); Nishuane Group ($75,000). Both passed.
• Affordable Housing Agreements (7R2m, 7R2o): Project Live ($812,625 for 9 supportive housing units); MCI Construction ($300,000 for 4 rental units). Passed. Item 7R2n deferred.
• Planning Board Referrals (7R2q-7R2r): Shipping container zoning; inclusionary zoning for affordable housing. Both passed.
• Grant Acceptance (7R2s): NJ LEAD re-entry services ($100,000). Passed.
• Professional Services – Engineering (7R3a-7R3b): Small cell maintenance ($249,999); Safe Routes to School design ($396,901). Both passed.
• Grant Agreement (7R3c): Delancey Street drainage improvements ($936,313 total). Passed.
• Bus Stop Designations (7R3d): Along Avenue P and Doremus Ave. Passed.
• Agreement with PVSC (7R3e): Curb/sidewalk installation after flood wall. Passed. Councilman Quintana abstained.
• Amending Resolution (7R3f): Safe Streets to Transit grant ($300,000). Passed.
• Refund (7R3g): Overpayment of construction permit fees ($6,572). Passed.
• Bank Depositories/Cash Management (7R4a). Passed.
• Refund for Payroll Taxes (7R4b): $23,858.06. Passed.
• Grant Acceptances – Health (7R5a-7R5c): Ryan White HIV ($343,068); COVID-19 LHD reimbursement ($3,863,002); Lead abatement ($1,600,000). All passed.
• Professional Services – Law (7R6a-7R6c): Utility management ($121,527); redevelopment counsel ($119,553); litigation defense ($100,000). All passed.
• Workers’ Compensation Settlements (7R6d-7R6h): Total $475,136 (five claims). Passed. Councilman Kelly abstained on 7R6d.
• Ceremonial Street Designations (7R8a-7R8c): Augusto Amador (June 9), Alejandro Rosa Jr. (May 6), Hector Moya (May 6). All passed.
• Resolution Opposing PVSC Power Plant (7R8d). Passed.
• Expressions of Sorrow and Recognition (7R8e-7R8f). Passed.
• Water Sewer Change Order (7R12a): Valley Road corrosion control (no cost increase, 180-day extension). Passed.
• Grant for Algal Control (7R12b): $286,400. Passed.
• Reappointments to Commission on Status of Women (8a-8e): Hanifa Z. Johnson, Elizabeth Osie, Alana Renee Dismukes, Emma Herron, Marcia E. Heard. All passed.
• Added Starter - Emergency Contract Extension (7R1AJ): Temporary container sheltering ($166,750). Passed.
• Added Starter - Professional Services (7R6IAS): Workers’ compensation legal services. Passed. Councilman Kelly abstained.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Alvarez requested restoration of block watch programs; council directed response to Police Director.
• Lisa Parker criticized the council for lack of enforcement of tax abatement requirements, poor oversight of violence prevention grants, and alleged conflicts of interest. She called for project labor agreements and changes to area median income calculations.
• Felicia Austin Singleton opposed city involvement with Newark Housing Authority, questioned the rental property registration ordinance, and highlighted deplorable conditions at Georgia King Village. She urged the council to support fair housing programs.
• Munirah El-Bomani demanded an end to 30-year tax abatements, citing high evictions and lack of benefits for residents. She called for legislative action against slumlords and for local job creation.
• Al-Tariq Best, Shadee Dukes, Karen Thompson, Santeresa Wilson, Mark Comesanas, Alexandro Santana, Lisa James, Zayid Muhammad, Hassan Kirby, Michael Ordonez, Bashir Akinyele, Denisah Williamson, Cassandra Severe, and others spoke in support of the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and the Brick City Peace Collective (BCPC). They described their organizations’ successes in reducing gun violence, providing trauma services, and engaging youth. Several noted that homicides are at a 60-year low. They requested continued funding and collaboration.
• Gary Vickers (Police Captain, SOA) thanked the council for the new contract, highlighted challenges in police work, and urged council support for police and labor.
• Deborah Salters raised ongoing issues with parking permits in the East Ward, criticized the acting City Clerk for restricting document requests, and demanded transparency on a $17 million RFP.
• Emily Aikins reported unresolved harassment by a parking authority employee and criticized council inaction on traffic and safety issues.
• Gee Cureton described severe conditions at Georgia King Village (elevators out, mold, rodents) and called for receivership and revocation of the tax abatement. Councilmembers Roundtree and Kelly expressed solidarity and noted the matter is in court.

Discussion Items

• Clear Zone Ordinance (6PSF-b): Councilman Council explained the measure prohibits individuals from standing within 10-20 feet of commercial storefronts, prevents truck parking except for deliveries, and bans sitting on crates or furniture. It aims to ensure clear access for merchants and pedestrians. Passed unanimously.
• Tax Abatement – MARNHA WSV Phase 1 (6PSF-c): A 30-year tax abatement for construction of 86 senior affordable units (60% AMI or less) plus one superintendent unit at 530-570 South 13th Street. Public comment opposed tax abatements generally; council noted the project is affordable and met all requirements. Passed.
• Rental Property Registration (6PSF-d): Requires all rental unit owners to register with the Department of Economic and Housing Development. Speakers questioned enforcement capacity and feared new fees without improved inspections. Councilman Council sponsored; passed unanimously.
• Resolution Opposing PVSC Power Plant (7R8-d): Councilman Silva sponsored a resolution declaring opposition to Governor Murphy’s plan for a methane gas-fired power plant in the East Ward. Passed.
• Deferrals: Multiple private sales (7R2-a, d, e, f, g, h, j, n, p) and one ordinance (8-p on street dedication age requirement) were deferred or tabled to allow further review.
• Motion to Invite Hudson Valley Properties: Council President McIver requested that the tax abatement committee invite the owner of Two Nevada Street (senior housing) to address ongoing management issues.
• Traffic and Safety Motions: Councilman Ramos requested engineering assessment of Ropes Place (cobblestone street); Councilman Kelly requested review of bus line 31 service and tree trimming in Ivy Hill; Council President McIver requested a written plan from Engineering on traffic markings and speed bumps.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances on First Reading: 6PSF-a (hawking/peddling amendment, re-advertised to April 19), 6PSF-b (clear zones), 6PSF-c (MARNHA tax abatement), 6PSF-d (rental registration) all passed. Communications items 8f (50 Sussex tax abatement, 173 market-rate +30 affordable units) and 8g (Essex Plaza tax abatement, 241 affordable units) also advanced to first reading. Additional traffic and parking ordinances (8h-8o) were advanced; one (8p) was tabled.
• All Resolutions Passed as listed in the consent calendar, with occasional abstentions (Councilman Quintana on PVSC agreement; Councilman Kelly on workers’ comp settlement; Councilman Crump on two parking items).
• Deferrals and Motions: Various private sales deferred; President McIver’s motion regarding Two Nevada Street property passed unanimously. Councilman Kelly’s motion on bus line 31 and tree assessment passed; Councilman Ramos’ motion on Ropes Place assessment passed.
• Public Hearing: Set for April 19, 2023 for ordinances advanced on first reading.
• Ceremonial Events: Council announced upcoming Easter egg hunts, Iftar dinners, and community meetings.