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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Special Meeting – August 8, 2023

Municipal Council — Tuesday, August 8, 2023

BodyNewark, New Jersey

SessionMunicipal Council

DateTuesday, August 8, 2023

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:56:41

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

8th, 2023.

0:03

In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Starledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting.

0:15

In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on August 4th 2023 at the time of preparation and posted on the website of the City of Newark.

0:26

Roll call, please.

0:28

Council?

0:29

Present.

0:31

Absent.

0:32

Gonzalez.

0:33

Present.

0:34

Ellie.

0:35

Absent.

0:37

Here.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Scott Roundtree.

0:41

Present.

0:42

Silva.

0:43

Absent.

0:44

President McIver.

0:45

Present.

0:46

Council President, Council Members, we are on page four of the agenda.

0:52

Items 7R1AS and 7R1BS need to be amended on the floor.

0:59

They are both exceptions to public bidding instead of extraordinary unspecifiable services.

1:07

A is to provide health insurance brokerage services for prescription and dental.

1:14

And B is to provide health insurance brokerage services for prescription and magna care.

1:20

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

1:21

Any questions regarding the amendments from council members?

1:25

Yes.

1:25

Councilman Ramos.

1:27

Yeah, thank you, Madam President.

1:29

Just have a few questions about the process that led the administration to recommend the two entities before us.

1:37

I know in the past, well, at least the last contract for brokerage services was done under, I believe, an emergency contract, and this is a result of some kind of competitive process that your office followed.

1:53

So can you kind of walk us through what that process entailed and why are you recommending the two entities that are before us today?

2:02

Yes, Councilman Remos.

2:04

Um so the last contract that was done was also that broker was solicited through EUS as well.

2:13

The extension was done on an emergency basis.

2:19

Oh, I'm sorry, Tiffany Stewart, personnel director.

2:21

My apologies.

2:22

Good morning, counsel.

2:23

Um the process that was used this time, initially we went out for an RFQ.

2:28

Um that was in May, and uh we received several responses from the RFQ.

2:34

However, there were some deficiencies and things like that.

2:37

Because of the timeline that we were under, the the statute does allow for the city to utilize EUS to procure those services, and so we utilize the EUS to do that.

2:50

Um so we first went out via RFQ, and then we were advised that we should just utilize the EUS.

2:57

A few other questions, Madam President, if I can.

2:59

Sure, Councilman Remove.

3:00

Um so is here based on the two that are on the agenda and one that's an added starter.

3:06

You're you're recommending three different um firms to to provide services for your off for your the department.

3:13

Um what's the why why the need for three different companies?

3:17

So there are two reasons for that.

3:19

The first reason being that when we initially went out via RFQ, part of the reason we went out for our via RFQ as opposed to utilizing EUS, which we could have done, um, is because we wanted to attract uh a greater uh diversity of brokerage firms.

3:37

So we didn't just want uh the larger firms or the firms that traditionally worked with NORC, we wanted to give other smaller businesses an opportunity to compete for that uh business as well.

3:48

Um the second reason for that, um, in addition to allowing for a more diverse um brokerage team is uh the the expertise.

3:58

So some of them have more of an expertise in prescription, some have been more on on the medical side or the voluntary products, and some more on dental.

4:07

So that's how the the services were split.

4:11

And and the last question is you know, I I I've rarely vote for a broker contracts.

4:17

Um the fees, right?

4:20

The the fees that they charge is the amounts that are listed here the only fees that the brokers generate, or are there other fees that are outside what the city of North pays them that they're able to earn uh for the services that they provide?

4:37

Uh so for the majority of the contracts that these are the only fees that they're able to provide.

4:43

So there's a couple ways that the brokerage firms can get paid.

4:47

They can either be paid through the carrier directly, or they can have a direct contract with the city or a combination of both.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural██████████████14%

Economic Development██████████10%

Public Health█████████9%

Zoning And Land Use█████████9%

Community Engagement█████████9%

Affordable Housing████████8%

Public Safety████████8%

Homelessness███████7%

Corruption Prevention█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Special Meeting – August 8, 2023

The Newark Municipal Council held a special meeting on August 8, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included votes on numerous resolutions, ordinances, and public comment. Key actions included approvals of health insurance brokerage contracts, redevelopment investigations, ceremonial street designations, and the advancement of ordinances on tax abatements and armed security guards. The 2023 municipal budget was deferred pending state review, and a crucial redevelopment agreement extension failed to pass.

Public Comments & Testimony

Cassandra Doc: Alleged wage discrimination in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), claiming some youth were paid $14.13/hr while others received $20/hr. Also questioned the Tucker View Apartments project and a proposed second groundbreaking. Expressed strong opposition to the administration's actions.
Shakira McDougall: Called for transparency and fairness in the special election process, advocating for civilian review boards and flagging potential disenfranchisement. Criticized the administration's priorities and lack of citizen focus.
Colleen Fields: Accused the mayor and council of being out of touch with the people, citing disrespect and neglect. Urged healing and accountability.
Angela Williamson (Poet on Watch): Described being locked out of a community garden lot at 636-641 Martin Luther King Blvd after two years of development. Pleaded for access to harvest food and continue educational programs in a food desert.
Donna Jackson: Raised concerns about evictions at Newark Housing Authority, mismanagement of Section 8, and lack of code enforcement. Accused the administration of corruption and failing to address mold and safety issues.
G. Keraton: Criticized conditions at Georgia King Village, including rodent infestations, flooding, and lack of infrastructure repairs. Urged the council to intervene and not enable slumlords.
Fakira Bradley: Disputed a termination notice for noise, alleging retaliation after requesting correct rent calculation. Stated she would resist eviction without court order.
Deborah Salters: Opposed the $5 million for Hope Village 2 container homes, calling it wasteful and part of a "recycled poverty" business model. Questioned prior expenditures.
Mr. Jacobs: Expressed gratitude for street improvements, cameras, and public safety in his senior building (Court Towers). Invited council members to a community barbecue.

Discussion Items

Health Insurance Brokerage Contracts (7R1a, 7R1b, 7R1c): Personnel Director Tiffany Stewart explained the process of soliciting three brokers (Alamo Insurance Group, Group Health Experts, and a third added item) via Exception to Public Bidding (EUS) after an RFQ had deficiencies. Councilman Ramos questioned fees and exclusivity; Councilman Gonzalez complained about reduced benefits under Aetna compared to Horizon, leading to a commitment to review his plan. The contracts were approved with Ramos abstaining on the first two.
Bergen Street Redevelopment (7R2d): Director Allison Ladd requested amendments to waive defaults, extend time, and allow financing for the Tucker View Apartments (42 affordable units). No additional city funding was involved. The resolution failed (5 yes, 2 abstentions) and will return on the next agenda.
Hope Village 2 Extension (7R1d added starter): Director Luis Silario explained a $4.8 million emergency contract extension (from $1.8M) for 20 container units due to site changes, oil tank remediation, and retaining wall costs. Councilman Gonzalez criticized the environmental review for missing tanks. The contract was approved.
Zoning Ordinance Referral (7R2f): Deputy Mayor Ladd presented a resolution to refer comprehensive zoning changes (Title 41) to the Central Planning Board. Changes included requiring board approval for ADUs, splitting dry cleaning uses, making warehouses conditional, and removing some permitted uses. Councilman Ramos raised concerns about ADU infrastructure, parking, and impact on property assessments. Ladd noted ADUs would be conditional uses and that municipal parking discussions are ongoing. The resolution passed with Ramos abstaining.
Armed Security Guards Ordinance (8c): Corporation Counsel Kenya Store announced the administration agreed to add armed guards as an option to an ordinance requiring special police officers, per Councilman Ramos's request. Ramos noted a shortage of commissioned officers. The ordinance was advanced on first reading.
Forest Hill House Tax Abatement (8a): A 30-year tax abatement for a 100-unit senior affordable building (60% AMI) at 501-507 Mt. Prospect Ave was advanced on first reading.
UEZ Fund Allocations (7R5a, 7R5b): Two programs (corridor improvements and small business loan/grant) were approved using Urban Enterprise Zone funds, administered by Invest Newark.

Key Outcomes

Approved: Health insurance brokerage contracts (7R1a,b,c) with Ramos abstaining on a and b.
Approved: Redevelopment investigations for Park Place/Mulberry, Stuyvesant Ave, and 4th St/Franklin Ave parcels (7R2a,b,c).
Failed: Bergen Street Redevelopment amendment (7R2d) – will be re-agended.
Approved: Newark Museum Association redevelopment agreement amendment (7R2e).
Approved: Zoning ordinance referral to planning board (7R2f) with Ramos abstaining.
Approved: Reappointment of Councilman Gonzalez to Second River Joint Meeting (7R8a).
Approved: Waiver of application fees for Jacob Street Block Party (7R8b).
Approved: Three ceremonial street designations: Rev. Jose R. Fernandez Way (9/9/23), Sakia Gunn Way (TBD), Melba Moore Plaza (9/8/23) – (7R8c,d,e).
Deferred: Final adoption of the 2023 municipal budget ($823,914,910.73) pending state review (7R8f).
Approved: Cancellation of September 26 and October 24, 2023 meetings (7R8g).
Approved: $700,000 grant for gun crime reduction (7R9a).
Approved: Professional services contract for UST remediation at Little Falls (7R12a).
Advanced on first reading: 30-year tax abatement for Forest Hill House (8a).
Failed: Ordinance amending tax abatement for Bergen Street project (8b).
Approved: Emergency contract extension for Hope Village 2 (7R1d) – total $4.8 million.
Advanced on first reading: Ordinance to allow armed security guards in lieu of special police (8c).

Meeting Transcript

8th, 2023. In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Starledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on August 4th 2023 at the time of preparation and posted on the website of the City of Newark. Roll call, please. Council? Present. Absent. Gonzalez. Present. Ellie. Absent. Here. Here. Scott Roundtree. Present. Silva. Absent. President McIver. Present. Council President, Council Members, we are on page four of the agenda. Items 7R1AS and 7R1BS need to be amended on the floor. They are both exceptions to public bidding instead of extraordinary unspecifiable services. A is to provide health insurance brokerage services for prescription and dental. And B is to provide health insurance brokerage services for prescription and magna care. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Any questions regarding the amendments from council members? Yes. Councilman Ramos. Yeah, thank you, Madam President. Just have a few questions about the process that led the administration to recommend the two entities before us. I know in the past, well, at least the last contract for brokerage services was done under, I believe, an emergency contract, and this is a result of some kind of competitive process that your office followed. So can you kind of walk us through what that process entailed and why are you recommending the two entities that are before us today? Yes, Councilman Remos. Um so the last contract that was done was also that broker was solicited through EUS as well. The extension was done on an emergency basis. Oh, I'm sorry, Tiffany Stewart, personnel director. My apologies. Good morning, counsel. Um the process that was used this time, initially we went out for an RFQ. Um that was in May, and uh we received several responses from the RFQ. However, there were some deficiencies and things like that. Because of the timeline that we were under, the the statute does allow for the city to utilize EUS to procure those services, and so we utilize the EUS to do that. Um so we first went out via RFQ, and then we were advised that we should just utilize the EUS. A few other questions, Madam President, if I can. Sure, Councilman Remove. Um so is here based on the two that are on the agenda and one that's an added starter. You're you're recommending three different um firms to to provide services for your off for your the department. Um what's the why why the need for three different companies? So there are two reasons for that. The first reason being that when we initially went out via RFQ, part of the reason we went out for our via RFQ as opposed to utilizing EUS, which we could have done, um, is because we wanted to attract uh a greater uh diversity of brokerage firms.

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