Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - May 3, 2023

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 12:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting covered a range of administrative resolutions, ordinances, public comments, and discussions on key community issues including affordable housing, public safety, and tenant rights.

Ordinances on Public Hearing, Second Reading, and Final Passage

• 6PSF-a: An ordinance to acquire temporary and permanent easements for the construction of the Joseph G. Minish Passaic River Waterfront Park and Historic Area. Adopted unanimously.
• 6PSF-b: An ordinance providing for the vacation of a portion of Tichenor's Lane in the East Ward. Adopted unanimously.
• 6PSF-c: An ordinance creating a new Homeownership Revitalization Program to allow Newark residents to purchase and develop city-owned properties. Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd presented the program as a means to increase homeownership and reduce the wealth gap. The program will sell properties at $1, with the mortgage covering renovation costs. Public speakers expressed support and raised concerns about oversight and fairness. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.

Resolutions

• 7R1-a through 7R1-f: Temporary emergency appropriations for operating expenses, intersection improvements, Delancy Street design, bike plan, transportation planning, and algae control. All adopted unanimously.
• 7R1-g and 7R1-h: Transfers of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds totaling $819,454 and $1,021,887 for street resurfacing. Councilman Gonzalez requested details on fund sources, and Councilman Ramos asked for street lists by ward. The items were adopted with Councilman Gonzalez abstaining.
• 7R1-i: CDBG budget appropriation of $6,924,742 for sub-grantees. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R1-j through 7R1-k: Cooperative purchasing agreements for wastewater pricing system and artificial turf replacement at Ironbound Sports Complex. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R1-l: Extension of emergency contract for elevator maintenance. Councilman Gonzalez questioned long-term replacement costs. Business Administrator Eric Pennington reported that a new elevator design bid is expected within 10 days, with installation projected for 2024. Resolution adopted unanimously.
• 7R1-m: Bid contract for swimming pool maintenance and repair services. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R2-a: Private sale of city-owned property at 268 South 19th Street for a landscape and garden. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R2-b: Private sale for new construction of a multi-family home at 658 Hunterdon Street. Moved from deferral and adopted unanimously.
• 7R2-c: Affordable housing agreement with Rubix International for $195,000 in HOME funds for three affordable units. Moved from deferral and adopted unanimously.
• 7R2-d and 7R2-e: Private sales for rehabilitation of affordable rental units. Both adopted unanimously.
• 7R2-f: Acceptance of $1,704,700 grant for Summer Youth Employment Program. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R4-a: Loan and escrow agreements for Joint Meeting Flood Mitigation Project (up to $7,755,000). Adopted unanimously.
• 7R4-b: Authorization of tax sale on or before December 29, 2023. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R7-a: Professional service contract for interpreting services in 180 languages for Municipal Court. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R8-a: Expression of profound sorrow and regret for deceased individuals. Amended to add Gerald FitzU Senior. Adopted as amended unanimously.
• 7R8-b: Recognizing and commending individuals and organizations. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R8-C AS: Waiving special event application fees for Mother's Day Street Festival. Adopted unanimously.
• 7R9-a: Professional service contract for clinical and forensic psychological services. Adopted unanimously.

Communications

• 8-a and 8-b: Reappointments of Norma Gonzalez to the Housing Authority Commission and Honorable Eric C. Acosta as Municipal Court Judge. Adopted unanimously.
• 8-c: Ordinance granting 30-year tax abatement to 81-93 Orange Street Urban Renewal LLC for a 14-story building with 280 market-rate units and 70 affordable units. Adopted unanimously.
• 8-d: Ordinance transferring marriage license issuance from City Clerk to Department of Health. Adopted unanimously.
• 8-e: Ordinance regulating roller skates, skateboards, bicycles, electric scooters, dirt bikes, and ATVs on public property, sponsored by Council President McIver. Councilman Ramos thanked the sponsor and noted strong enforcement provisions. Adopted unanimously.
• 8-F AS: Ordinance requiring businesses with live music or DJs after 11 PM to hire special police officers. Discussion highlighted concerns about costs to small businesses, data justification, and existing ABC processes. The ordinance was moved to the Public Safety Committee for further review. Adopted on first reading.
• 8-G AS: Ordinance limiting rent increases to 5% over two years to address unconscionable rent hikes. Council members debated impacts on landlords versus tenants, with suggestions to carve out owner-occupied properties. The ordinance was moved out of communications for continued work, with a motion to advance it adopted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Parker: Criticized the council for suppressing public comment, lack of oversight, and alleged corruption in land deals and city agencies. Requested a federal investigation.
• Martha Rodriguez (Union rep Local 617): Raised safety concerns about old sanitation trucks used for recycling, including mechanical failures and workers forced to drive unsafe vehicles. Urged replacement of trucks and better enforcement of recycling rules.
• Gee Cureton (West Ward District 13 leader): Reported deaths at Georgia King Village due to elevator failures and described LM's inadequate repairs. Asked about due process in the receivership case and the city's stance on LM's tax abatement.
• Latoya Jackson: Spoke about a young student, Sanaya Turner, who is a high-achieving high school senior but lacks support to attend Clark Atlanta University. Also shared her own experience of a police raid on her home, calling for better support for youth.
• Sabrina Capel: Reported that several dogs died at Georgia King Village due to poisoning from pest control chemicals, with no warnings posted. Asked for help and compensation.
• Fakiera Bradley: Claimed LM is attempting to evict her with incorrect rent calculations despite her paying rent. Presented lease documents showing different amounts. Asked Councilman Kelly for help.
• Takiah Germany (age 8) and her mother Sheila Austin: Described a SWAT team raid at 5 AM where the family was handcuffed and traumatized. The mother said the search warrant arrived an hour later. Council President McIver directed city representatives to assist them. The Business Administrator confirmed that the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery would provide support.
• Munirah El-Bomani: Criticized the administration for illegal construction, lack of budget oversight, ineffective rent control, and union failures. Called for federal oversight and expansion of rent regulations.
• Deborah Salters: Complained that her 84-year-old mother received a letter about vacant/abandoned property registration fees, which she believes is retaliation for refusing to sell to developers. Accused the mayor of trying to take the property.
• Alif Mohammed: Thanked Councilman Council for his work on the Housing Authority board. Reported that the Housing Authority's budget has been "cooked" for four years, with underfunding for security. Urged enforcement of security ordinances.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and ordinances except those noted were adopted unanimously.
• The special police ordinance (8-F AS) and rent increase ordinance (8-G AS) were advanced on first reading with plans for further committee review.
• Councilman Council's motion to have the Public Safety Director provide a safe corridor strategy for summer was adopted.
• Councilman Kelly's motion to meet with the South Orange Avenue bus line to address scheduling issues was adopted.
• Councilman Quintana's request for a calendar of arena/NJPAC events to be publicized was adopted.
• Council President McIver announced that a letter detailing leadership changes at the Housing Authority would be sent to all council members by end of day.
• Business Administrator Pennington noted that five new DPW trucks would be ordered immediately, with 15 more to follow, and addressed concerns about elevator replacement and fleet safety.
• The council expressed support for residents of Georgia King Village and committed to ongoing oversight of the receivership court process.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:30 PM.