Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting

Date: September 7, 2023 (17:30 UTC / 12:30 PM local time)
Presiding: Council President LaMonica R. McIver
Location: Council Chamber, City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ

Note: The agenda listed the meeting at 12:30 PM, but the user-provided timestamp indicates 17:30 UTC. This discrepancy is noted; the meeting proceeded as a regular session.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations: Approved meeting minutes from the Newark Landmarks and Historical Preservation Commission (Feb–Jul 2023), Zoning Board of Adjustment (Jun 2023), Central Planning Board (Feb–Jul 2023), and the Office of the City Clerk Marriage License Bureau financial reports (Jan–Jun 2023).
• Ordinances (6PSF): All six ordinances passed without opposition or significant debate:
  • 6PSF-b: Added Bloomfield Avenue to the residential parking permit zone (North Ward).
  • 6PSF-c: Authorized acceptance of quitclaim deeds per a settlement agreement with A.P., LLC (10 of 20 lots reverting to the city).
  • 6PSF-d: Granted a 20-year tax abatement for a 5-story, 26 market-rate and 2 affordable rental units at 14-16 Merchant Street.
  • 6PSF-e: Designated South Street and Van Buren Street as a multi-way stop (East Ward).
  • 6PSF-f: Designated Vermont Avenue and Grove Terrace as a multi-way stop (West Ward).
  • 6PSF-g: Granted a 30-year tax abatement for rehabilitation of a 100-unit senior affordable building at 501-507 Mount Prospect Avenue (North Ward).
  • 6PSF-h: Amended the mandate to hire special police officers at entertainment venues, allowing armed security guards as an alternative.
• Resolutions (7R1a–7R1q): Approved 17 temporary emergency appropriations totaling over $62 million, including grants for clean communities ($508,911), healthy homes ($2M), public health preparedness ($383,752), immunization ($603,647), homeless housing ($3M), street resurfacing ($3.1M), gunshot detection expansion ($1.019M), ALPR expansion ($595,000), and operating expenses ($51.8M). All required two-thirds votes.
• Other Resolutions (7R1r–7R1z, 7R1aa–7R1ae): Approved multiple bid contracts, contract amendments, cooperative purchasing agreements, and a donation from NJPAC for office space. Notable: 7R1s (work clothes), 7R1t (Hope Village operators), 7R1u (relocation sheltering), 7R1v (parking spaces), 7R1w (paint supplies), 7R1x (rescinding IEH Auto Parts), 7R1y (government access TV studio), 7R1z (additional garbage containers), 7R1aa (medical supplies emergency contract extension), 7R1ab (police Hope Van), 7R1ad (assignment of payment to Capital One), 7R1ae (donation of NJPAC office space).
• Economic and Housing Development Resolutions (7R2): Approved 7R2a (private sale for used car dealership at 343-351 South Street), 7R2b (Tucker View Apartments – waiver of defaults and extension), 7R2d (sale for daycare/community center), 7R2e (2023 budget for Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau, $2.058M), 7R2f (in rem foreclosure of 10 properties), 7R2g–7R2j (grant acceptances for workforce programs), 7R2k–7R2m (resolutions of support for affordable housing trust fund applications).
• Engineering Resolutions (7R3): Approved 7R3a and 7R3b (amendments for NJDOT freight impact funds), 7R3c (delete bus stop on 14th Avenue), 7R3d (rescind previous bus stop resolution), 7R3e (bid for Fairmount Heights Park renovation, $618,535).
• Finance Resolutions (7R4): Approved 7R4a (tax appeal settlement credit of $387,215.80), 7R4b (cancellation of $8.747M in commitments), 7R4c (sale of $36.698M in bonds).
• Health Resolutions (7R5): Approved 7R5a–7R5f (grant acceptances for healthy homes, emergency preparedness, immunization, COVID-19, primary care, lead exposure prevention).
• Law Resolution (7R6): Approved settlement of civil litigation with Newark Community Street Team for $100,000.
• Mayor's Office Resolutions (7R7): Approved 7R7a (donation of security booth), 7R7b–7R7d (sub-recipient contracts for housing assistance).
• Council Resolutions (7R8): Approved 7R8b–7R8f (waiver of special event fees for block parties), 7R8g (reappointment of Charles N. Hall to Board of Adjustment), 7R8h (constable appointment of Abraham Maury), 7R8i (hold harmless agreement for Golden Queens event), 7R8j (ceremonial street designation), 7R8k (September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month), 7R8l (professional service contract for auditing, $130,332), 7R8m (recognitions and commendations), 7R8n (expressions of sorrow).
• Public Safety Resolution (7R9): Approved GSA contract for emergency operations center connectivity ($67,804).
• Public Works Resolution (7R10): Accepted $508,911 grant for litter and graffiti abatement.
• Recreation Resolution (7R11): Accepted donation of 100 swimsuits and 48 goggles ($1,800 value).
• Water Sewer Resolution (7R12): Approved change order #2 for Pequannock Water Treatment Plant upgrades ($20.543M total).
• Communications (8a–8b): Confirmed appointments to the Federally Qualified Health Center Board of Commissioners (Lois V. Greene and Peter Oates).
• Deferred Items: 6PSF-a (Pequannock Aqueduct rehabilitation), 7R1ac (extra-duty assignments contract), 7R2c (private sale), 7R8a (2023 budget adoption), 8e (tax abatement for Benito Lopez).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Parker (multiple items): Opposed tax abatements, citing lack of accountability and affordability; questioned the 20- and 30-year abatements for new developments and senior housing, lack of parking, and density. Also criticized the 6PSF-c settlement agreement for not enforcing development timelines.
• Alif Muhammad: Criticized political loyalty on council, particularly regarding the special police officers ordinance; noted insufficient officers to meet requirements. Urged council to make independent decisions. Also commented on housing authority and the need for low-income housing.
• Colleen Fields: Expressed grief over disrespect from city employees and recounted experience at Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver's viewing; requested respect for seniors.
• Angela Williamson (poet on watch): Claimed theft of her cultural arts grant and work by the city; requested closure of her applications and return of her work. Also raised concerns about a community garden lot.
• Tallaucha Hunter: Raised issues of nepotism, elderly displacement, slumlord accountability, and lack of transparency in property auctions.
• Deborah Salters: Leader of recall effort against Mayor Baraka; accused City Clerk Kecia Daniels of obstructing the recall petition, printing personal information, and hiring an unqualified deputy. Demanded action.
• Fahkeria Bradley (Georgia King Village resident): Described being framed in rent dispute, facing eviction, and suffering from mold and negligence. Pleaded for help to avoid homelessness.
• Deborah Mapson: Claimed $200,000 owed by Riviera Hotel developers for her work in opening transitional housing; alleged mismanagement and safety issues after her departure. Urged council to investigate.
• Geraldine Toussaint (West Ward homeowner): Opposed proposed rezoning of a vacant lot at Irvington Avenue for a storage unit, citing traffic and community opposition.
• Darnell Lee: Criticized City Clerk for printing recall petition information with her address, endangering her life. Also raised mold issues in her apartment and alleged deletion of records.
• Munirah El-Bomani: Declared a state of emergency in Newark due to corruption, failing schools, police misconduct, and lack of accountability. Called for forensic audit, federal monitor, and term limits. Questioned residency of some council members.
• Linda McDonald Carter: Urged city to implement “Checkbook Newark” for transparency, and to develop a public emergency preparedness campaign including evacuation plans and generator grants. Provided nine pillars of emergency preparedness.
• Other speakers: Jacqueline Peoples, Lee Cureton, and others either not present or did not speak during their allotted time.

Discussion Items

• 6PSF-c (Settlement with A.P., LLC): Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd explained the settlement, which reverted 10 of 20 lots to the city due to noncompliance. Councilman Gonzalez asked about other reverters; Ladd noted over 60 default letters have been issued. Lisa Parker questioned why the developer retained 10 lots despite noncompliance.
• 6PSF-h (Armed Security at Entertainment Venues): Councilman Ramos explained the amendment was needed because there are insufficient special police officers; the ordinance originally required specials, but after council concerns, armed security was added. Public safety director committed to training a new class of specials. Alif Muhammad criticized the council for not listening to the administration's original advice.
• 7R2a (Private Sale – Car Dealership): Councilman Gonzalez opposed selling at 30% of assessed value ($146,460 for property assessed at $488,200), arguing the city could get more. Deputy Mayor Ladd cited environmental remediation costs and noted the price per square foot ($10) actually yields more than the minimum. Councilman Silva supported the sale after meeting with buyer, citing flood mitigation needs. Passed with Gonzalez abstaining.
• 7R2b (Tucker View Apartments – Waiver of Defaults): Approved with abstentions from Gonzalez and Quintana.
• 7R2e (Tourism Budget): Ricardo from the Convention & Visitors Bureau presented a report. Councilman Ramos requested multi-year occupancy data for future presentations. Council praised the bureau's work.
• 7R8q (Budget Amendment): Councilman Gonzalez noted the tax rate change is minimal (from 1.974 to 1.959), resulting in an average increase of $168.93 per property.
• 8l (Emergency Backup Generators for Buildings with 40+ Units): Sponsored by Councilman Council. He argued the ordinance is proactive for safety, citing state attempts. Councilman Ramos, Gonzalez, and Quintana raised concerns about cost pass-through to tenants and feasibility for older buildings. Councilman Council noted grants and tax credits may be available. Passed with Ramos abstaining.
• 8M (Barbershop Hours of Operation): Introduced by Councilman Quintana, updating a 1966 ordinance to allow Sundays and holidays, with hours 6 AM–10 PM (Mon–Sat) and 6 AM–8 PM (Sun). Council members (Ramos, Silva, Kelly, Council) expressed concerns about loitering, smoking, and noise at some barbershops. They requested stronger language to address nuisance behavior and code enforcement. Passed on first reading to allow further refinement.
• 8h (Bond Ordinance for Newark Housing Authority Loans): Council President McIver explained the $20M bond will allow the housing authority to acquire and maintain properties to keep them affordable, preventing them from going market-rate. Passed on first reading.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All consent calendar items passed unanimously except where noted. 7R1s: President McIver abstained. 7R1y: Councilman Ramos abstained. 7R2a: Councilman Gonzalez abstained. 7R2b: Gonzalez and Quintana abstained. 8l: Councilman Ramos abstained. 8M: introduced and passed on first reading (unanimous).
• Deferrals: 6PSF-a, 7R1ac, 7R2c, 7R8a, 8e deferred.
• Public Hearings Scheduled: Items advanced on first reading (8g, 8h, 8i, 8j, 8k, 8l, 8M) will have a public hearing on September 20, 2023.
• Directives: Councilman Gonzalez requested a letter to delinquent tax abatement holders threatening revocation. Council President McIver directed the Department of Public Safety to develop a citywide school drop-off traffic safety plan. Several council members requested reports from DPW on recycling pickup, and from the tax abatement committee on Genesis (help USA) property.
• Appointments: Confirmed Lois V. Greene and Peter Oates to the Federally Qualified Health Center Board of Commissioners.
• Sorrow and Regret Motions: Adopted for Charles Tucker (uncle of city director), Mary Alice Blaney (mother of chief of staff), Joseph Fioralizio (former BPEU president), and Gilberto Mendez (drowning victim).
• Other Motions: Councilman Crump proposed sending a letter to Princeton University President Jonathan Holloway regarding non-renewal of Nancy Cantor’s contract; seconded and passed. Councilman Ramos requested a traffic study request for North 7th Street and 2nd Avenue.

Additional Notes

• The meeting included a presentation from the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau (7R2e).
• The council recognized the City Clerk's office for processing the recall petition, but several public speakers criticized the clerk's handling of the matter.
• The meeting was webcast, but the feed experienced technical issues during the public comment period.