Newark Municipal Council Pre-Meeting Summary – September 6, 2023
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Newark Municipal Council Pre-Meeting Work Session Summary – September 6, 2023
The Newark Municipal Council held a pre-meeting work session on September 6, 2023, to discuss items on the agenda for the regular meeting scheduled for September 7, 2023. The session covered a wide range of resolutions, ordinances, and communications, including grant approvals, tax abatements, public safety initiatives, housing development, and community event permits. Several items were deferred or amended following council debate.
Consent Calendar
- Temporary Emergency Appropriations (7R1A–7R1Q): Approved for funding across clean communities, environmental health, emergency preparedness, immunizations, homeless housing, street resurfacing, healthcare, COVID-19 vaccination outreach, workforce learning, hazardous waste remediation, freight impact, arson tablets, gunshot detection system expansion, automatic license plate readers, gun crime reduction, operating expenses, and Project Safe Neighborhood. Councilman Crump requested information on the number of additional gunshot detectors (7R1M) – to be provided by the Public Safety Department.
- Bid Contracts (7R1S–7R1W): Approved for work clothes, Hope Village operators, relocation sheltering, parking spaces, and paint supplies.
- Contract Rescission & Amendments (7R1X–7R1Y): Rescinded award to IEH Auto Parts LLC; renewed contract for Government Access Television Studio.
- Cooperative Purchasing Agreements (7R1AB–7R1AC): Approved purchase of Police Department Hope Van; discussion on extra‑duty assignment vendor (7R1AC) – deferred to Public Safety Committee.
- Donations & Gifts (7R1AE, 7R7A, 7R11A): Accepted donation of office space at NJPAC for Film and Television office; security booth pod for Hope Village II; 100 swimsuits and 48 goggles from NJ Recreation and Park Association (council requested thank‑you letter).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Leaven Deserbermans (West Ward resident): Raised concerns about potholes on bus routes, long‑vacant/condemned houses, and evening crime in district 45/35. Asked council to prioritize safe roads, habitable housing, and adequate policing.
- Munirah El‑Bomani: Criticized a council member living outside Newark, called for a referendum requiring council members to reside in the city. Referenced a news article about a city attorney resignation tied to federal probe. Supported the housing bond but urged it create low‑income housing.
Discussion Items
- Garbage Container Purchase (7R1Z): Council questioned the rollout timeline and plan for 30,000 additional carts. Business Administrator Pennington acknowledged past delays and promised a distribution plan. Councilman Gonzalez asked about requirements for condominiums – existing ordinance requires larger containers for buildings over four units.
- Extra‑Duty Assignment Vendor (7R1AC): Councilman Ramos and others expressed need for full presentation to Public Safety Committee before proceeding. Council President McIver directed that no action be taken until the committee is briefed. Item will be deferred.
- Tucker View Apartments Extension (7R2B): Deputy Mayor Ladd explained the request is solely for an extension of time to complete the project; no additional funding. Councilman Gonzalez questioned the number of concessions for this project. Administration defended decisions as based on project benefit, not individuals.
- Private Sale to Chad School Foundation (7R2D): Sponsored by Councilman Kelly, seconded by Councilman Crump. Purpose: daycare, community center, parking lot in West Ward. Approved.
- Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau Budget (7R2E): Councilman Ramos requested an update on activities and accomplishments. Administration directed to provide a report.
- Re‑Foreclosure List (7R2F): Deputy Mayor Ladd corrected typo – actual number of properties is 10, not 4. Amendment accepted.
- 2023 Municipal Budget (7R8A): Deferred because the city received state amendments and corrections. Council expects administration to present revised budget before the October 1 deadline.
- Waiving Special Event Fees (7R8B–F): Councilman Gonzalez questioned the process of waiving $50 fees repeatedly; suggested either eliminating the fee or amending the ordinance. No immediate action.
- Five‑Year Tax Abatement for Benito Lopez (8E): Councilman Silva noted confusion as the administration had previously discontinued five‑year abatements for large projects. Corporation Counsel requested deferral for further dialogue. Deferred.
- PSEG Lease Extension (8F): Approved for continued use of city property at 342–348 Washington Street and 283–287 Halsey Street at $4,051.69/month.
- Housing Authority Bond Ordinance (8H): Authorizes up to $20 million in bonds for acquiring and maintaining affordable housing in the Central Ward. Business Administrator Pennington clarified that no bonds will be issued without council approval and without assurances of repayment; a third‑party manager would operate the properties. Council requested list of addresses.
- Live Newark Loan Program Amendments (8I, 8J): Increased façade improvement loan amount (8I) to $20,000; increased closing cost loan amount (8J) – both sponsored by Councilman Council. Approved.
- Emergency Backup Generator Requirement (8L): Requires generators for apartment buildings with 40+ units. Councilman Ramos asked for legal opinion on whether this could trigger rent increases under rent control. Councilman Gonzalez expressed concern about costs to owners. Item held for further information.
- Barber/Beauty Salon Sunday Hours Ordinance (Added Starter 23‑1456): Proposed to allow Sunday operations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (originally prohibited under 1966 law). Councilman Quintana explained the ordinance also prohibits hookah smoking and sets a $250 fine. Council members debated hours – some favored longer or 24‑hour operations. Council President McIver asked for written ordinance to be distributed for input. Proceeded to first reading with further council discussion expected.
Key Outcomes
- Items Deferred: 7R2C (private sale – pricing review); 7R8A (budget – awaiting state amendments); 8E (five‑year tax abatement – further dialogue); 7R1AC (extra‑duty vendor – to Public Safety Committee); 8L (generator requirement – awaiting legal input).
- Sponsorships Approved: Reappointment of Charles Hall to Board of Adjustment; constable appointment of Abraham Maury; hold harmless for Golden Queens event; ceremonial street naming for Hector Gregorio Rios; prostate cancer awareness month resolution.
- Requests for Information: Gunshot detector count (7R1M); garbage container distribution plan; Greater Newark CVB activity report; addresses for housing authority bond properties; legal opinion on rent impact of generator requirement.
- Executive Session: Held for discussion of civil litigation settlement (7R6A).
- Added Starters: Filed for future action: community garden block party and barbershop hours ordinance.
Meeting Transcript
95 dollars an hour. I believe that this gave the opportunity for someone uh to have direct contact with the special with the let's say the arm uh person and uh and that arm person is going to make the total amount paid instead of somebody uh making money on somebody else's job. Thank you, Councilman Gonzalez. Councilman Ramos? Yeah and and I think Councilman's point is is an important one. Um and I would just remind uh through the chair and the clerk through the administration that they need to send notification to the specials that we have commissioned right now uh that it is illegal for any of the specials to act as if uh they're operators of a security business. You know, each special is considered uh an independent agent, uh, those establishments within the city that are required or would like to hire a special enter into a direct contract with that special police officer. There is no broker or security operator who can assign specials uh to any establishment within the city of Norwich, and and the only entity that does that on occasion is the outside employment unit whenever there are specials that are required uh through North Police or for for different you know traffic duties. But I would just like to send that reminder through your chair, the clerk, and the BA through the police division. Thank you, Councilman Ramos. Any other comments? CNN, next item, Madam Clerk. We are on page 7 of the agenda resolutions. 7R1A through 7R1Q are all temporary emergency appropriations, A is for clean communities program, B is to address a variety of high priority environmental health and safety hazards. C is to maintain and enhance by upgrading the City of North's public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities, D is the immunization grant, E is the NORC Homeless Housing Grant, F is street resurfacing, G is to provide primary health care, H is to provide continued COVID-19 integration of vaccination, educational outreach, and expand and ensure equitable distribution across the jurisdiction. I is the workforce learning link grant. J is to conduct preliminary assessment, site investigation and remedial investigation work for the remediation of sites contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with hazardous waste. K is local freight impact fund. L is to provide funding for the purchase of tablets for the arson unit. M is to provide funding for the expansion of the gunshot detection system. O is to provide funding to address gun crimes. P is to provide funds for operating expenses until the adoption of the 2023 operating budget. And Q is to provide funding for the project safe neighborhood grant. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Any questions from council members regarding these temporary emergency appropriations? Councilman Crump. Thank you, Council President. Just a quick question, and it doesn't have to be answered this minute, but with regards to 7R1M on page 15. 7R1M as in Mary? Yes, okay, Mary. I'm not sure in the legislation I don't recall seeing the number of additional detectors. The question is how many additional detectors will this uh resolution purchase? And an additional question is how many detectors do we have, shot detectors do we have around the city right now? So that's a great question. And for the life of me, I don't see anybody here from public safety this morning. So madam clerk, if we can send a note to public safety for a response to councilman counsel's councilman Crump, the C's got me you tripped up today. Um Councilman Crump's um question, that would be great. And Mr. BA, if I can just ask for you to remind uh departments again to be present for our pre-meetings so we don't have to write a letter to request our questions, and he can just answer right here on the spot. That would be great. Okay. Any other questions regarding these items? Okay, madam clerk, next one. 7R1R is the use of a state contract to provide telecommunications equipment and wireless services for use by various city departments. Questions or comments from council members? CNN, next item. 7R1S through 7R1W are bid contracts. S is to provide work clothes and accessories. T is for NORCO, I'm sorry, Nork Hope Village Operators. U is to provide relocation sheltering services.
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