Newark Municipal Council Special Meeting - July 11, 2023
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Newark Municipal Council Special Meeting - July 11, 2023
The Newark Municipal Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 920 Broad Street. The meeting was called to order with a statement on the Open Public Meetings Act and roll call. All eight council members were present, along with President LaMonica R. McIver and Acting City Clerk Kecia Daniels. The agenda included resolutions on grants, redevelopment, appointments, and public comment on the proposed zoning ordinance ("Nuzzler"). No minutes were available for this meeting.
Resolutions
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7R1-a (Homeless Housing Grant): Authorized the application and acceptance of a $3,000,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources, for the 2023 Newark Homeless Housing and Services program, covering shelter, a drop-in center, street outreach, and relocation of the 224/Help Center. Passed unanimously.
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7R2-a (Urban League Reverter Subordination): This item initially sparked debate over the requirement for a public hearing. Councilman Gonzalez questioned why a hearing was needed, and Corporate Counsel cited a statute requiring it. After a brief deferral, the council resumed and held a public hearing. The resolution authorizes a First Amendment to the Agreement for Sale of Land and Redevelopment and a Subordination Agreement to permit financing for the redevelopment of eight affordable two-family homes in the West Ward for the Urban League of Essex County Opportunity Corporation. Passed unanimously.
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7R3-a (NJDOT Municipal Aid for Street Resurfacing): The council amended this resolution on the floor to correct the grant amount from "Not Applicable" to $4,302,978.00, which is the total project cost with no city contribution. The amendment was moved by Councilman Ramos and seconded by Councilman Council. Passed as amended unanimously.
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7R3-b (NJDOT Bikeways State Aid): Authorized application for a $769,692.00 grant for bikeways. Passed unanimously.
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7R3-c (NJDOT Transit Village Grant): Authorized application for a $516,120.00 grant. Passed unanimously.
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7R3-d (NJDOT Safe Streets to Transit): Authorized application for a $420,120.00 grant. Passed unanimously.
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7R8-a (Re-appointment to Joint Meeting): Re-appointed Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. as Council Representative to the Joint Meeting Maintenance, term ending June 30, 2024. Passed unanimously.
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7R8-b (Summer Cook-out Hold Harmless): Authorized a hold harmless and indemnification agreement for the Newark Housing Authority summer cookouts at five locations, scheduled for Thursdays from July 20 through August 17, 2023, 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Sponsored by Councilman Ramos. Passed unanimously.
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7R8-c (Mobile MVC Unit Hold Harmless): Authorized a hold harmless agreement for a mobile MVC unit event at Mt. Carmel Church on July 25, 2023. Sponsored by Councilman Silva. Passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
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Public Hearing on 7R2-a: One speaker, Ms. Montague (from WAGE - Women Advocating for Gender Equality), expressed concerns about the lack of opportunities for minority women in housing development. She noted they had $2.5 million for housing for the homeless but were not given access to properties. She asked for clarity on the process.
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Public Comment on the Zoning Ordinance (Nuzzler):
- A speaker from the Forest Hill community (unidentified) strongly opposed the proposed zoning amendments, stating they would eliminate one-family residential areas, increase massage parlors, liquor stores, and hookah bars, and damage historic districts. They offered a four-paragraph amendment to protect historic districts.
- Paul Agostini (400 Ridge Street) cited a 2019 appellate court decision (Point Pleasant Beach) that conflicts with the city's claim about ADU occupancy rules. He argued the ordinance would benefit LLCs and reduce homeownership.
Discussion Items
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Street Resurfacing Update: Councilman Ramos requested an update on 2023 resurfacing projects and pothole repairs. Director of Engineering (unnamed) stated they would provide a list of streets and weekly resurfacing updates. Councilman Gonzalez noted a discrepancy in the grant amount for 7R3-a, leading to the amendment.
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Zoning Ordinance (Nuzzler) Status: Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd (Director of Economic and Housing Development) provided an update. She said the administration received a high volume of comments by the June 14 deadline and is reviewing them. The ordinance is expected to return to the council either the next week (July 19) or the first meeting in August. Councilman Quintana raised concerns about translation for non-English speakers; Ladd noted the ordinance was translated into Spanish and translators were available at meetings. Councilman Silva stated he would be on vacation on August 2 and hoped the item would not be voted then.
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Tax Assessment Concerns: Councilman Gonzalez reported receiving a list of properties with assessments reduced by $500,000 or more, many with question marks. He requested the actual reasons and paperwork, noting the city loses ~$20,000 per property annually at the current tax rate. Councilman Ramos added concerns about "spot assessments" that raised homeowners' taxes, asking for a list of impacted homeowners. Corporate Counsel promised the Business Administrator would provide information within a week.
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Councilman Council's Motion: Councilman Council made a motion to send a letter to Coach USA expressing disappointment over the moving of the 24 bus line on Sundays and adjustments to routes 31 and 44, which would affect residents. He also expressed condolences for the families of two firefighters lost in the line of duty. The motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions on the agenda were passed, with 7R3-a amended to correct the grant amount.
- The council deferred no items; 7R2-a was briefly deferred but then taken up and passed after the public hearing.
- The council voted to request information from the administration on tax assessment reductions and bus route changes.
- The council acknowledged the public's opposition to the zoning ordinance and noted that the Nuzzler would not be voted on today; further updates will be provided.
- Senator Teresa Ruiz's letter opposing the zoning ordinance was read into the record by the Clerk.
- The meeting adjourned to a special conference; the Newark Housing Authority director was not present, so a follow-up was scheduled for next week's pre-meeting.
The special meeting concluded at approximately 11:15 AM (based on the transcript timeline). The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2023, at 12:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Private sale redevelopment, an agreement to subordinate the city's reverter rights by entering into a First Amendment to the agreement for sale of land and redevelopment and a subordination agreement in order to permit financing necessary for the redevelopment of eight affordable two family homes in the West Ward. Council President, Council members, there's a public hearing on this item. Is there anyone in the audience present wishing to comment on this item? Before we go to the public hearing, um any questions or comments from council members? Councilman Gonzalez. Um Councilman Gonzalez has a question in regards to why does it require a public hearing? I see the Deputy Mayor here. Uh Deputy Mayor went on seven R two A, which is the Urban League of Essex County Opportunity Corporation. Uh yes, good morning, Council President, Council members, Allison Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development. Um often our legal council will provide the guidance around the laws. In this case, it is New Market tax credit investor who is investing into the project. Uh the actual corporation is the national community investment fund. So we are following the federal rules and guidelines associated with the funding source and the subordination request. Um Councilman Gonzalez, I'm sorry, I can't hear you. We don't I don't see a need for a public hearing on this item. I understand uh Council President, what Council Member Gonzalez is saying, but at this moment we're just really following the federal rules around new market tax credits. So perhaps the corporate council can add some um input corporate council you just walked in. Perhaps you can come to the podium podium and help us understand. We're on we're on seven R2A, which is the um reverter rights item. Sweet so we are trying to understand um as the council for seven R2A why this item requires a public hearing. Yeah, I mean it's the rules just require that uh once we are uh changing um and we're subordinating our rights that the public has an opportunity to talk about it, that's all and give their input. This is a we have that we have done that before, and this is the first time that we have a hearing. We have done uh subordinations many, many times, and this is the first time uh I suppose there is something different in this one, but uh no other subordination have required uh a hearing. Uh I think it has to do with the fact that uh it has to do with the tax credits. I would love to to hear the the say a legal reason that and not a guess so is is it that we don't want to have the hearing? I mean I'm I'm um I mean we're just trying to figure out w I think what the problem is is many council members have seen these items come to us. We actually had one on the agenda like last time too, and it didn't have a public hearing requirement, so it's more so is this something that we're supposed to be having this public hearing for this resolution item because we usually don't have a public hearing for these types of items. So I mean it's something that definitely needs to be looked at in terms of you know why we're having it is it if it's because of the tax credits, then we should be checking to see if we've ever had any others come before us that had tax credits attached, and then we have a public hearing for those. I was gonna say the same thing. I was gonna say I was gonna look at the last agenda to see what was the difference between this one and the last one and give you all some of the feedback. Okay. So the pleasure for this particular item for 7R2A? Okay. So are you gonna get back to us before the meeting's over? I'm gonna go upstairs now and see what it's okay. Well, let's circle back uh Madam Clerk if that's okay. I mean, it's a short agenda, it's pretty thin. So I'm gonna be through this in a couple of seconds. All right, next item page six of the agenda. 7R3AS is an application acceptance of grant funds to provide for New Jersey Department of Transportation, municipal aid program for street resurfacing. Any questions or comments regarding 7R3A? Madam President. Councilman Ramos? Yeah, before I ask my question on three, I just want to be noted as a yes on one A. I apologize, Councilman Council Silva and I were at a cannabis committee meeting. Um and then with 3A from engineering, can can we just get a uh update in terms of uh where we are with street resurfacing and you know dressing potholes uh throughout the city. It's it seems like we're a little bit behind schedule on um you know, baiting some of the pothole complaints. And I know we've approved, you know, every year we approve a number of streets to get resurfaced uh as a result of these grants. And I just want to know how many of those projects were slated to take place in 2023 and whether or not those projects have been initiated and completed. So you know at some point I'm I'm I don't want to hold up approving the the acceptance of the grant, but I would like an update through your chair and the clerk's office.
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