Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - September 20, 2023

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on September 20, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a lengthy public comment period, discussion of multiple ordinances and resolutions, and adoption of the amended 2023 municipal budget. Key topics included tenant complaints about landlord negligence, sanitation worker pay and equipment issues, water shutoffs at apartment buildings, transportation cuts, and zoning changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Parker criticized the council and administration for mismanagement, including the return of $3 million in COVID rental assistance funds, closing City Hall early for the VMAs, and consulting contracts with unspecified scope.
• Ryan Talmadge (Forest Hill Towers Tennis Association) detailed ongoing issues at 515 and 555 Mount Prospect Avenue: broken elevators, lack of lighting in garages, inoperable intercom, inconsistent HVAC, and a water shutoff due to landlord's unpaid bill on September 14. He called the conditions "slumlord behavior."
• Quawe Elmore (sanitation worker) reported pay issues (workers not paid for a month), short manpower and trucks, uniforms not provided, and retaliation against workers who speak up.
• Martha Rodriguez (union representative for DPW) reiterated pay problems, need for more crossing guards (70 vacancies due to $15/hr wage and no benefits), and called for better wages and teamwork.
• Felicia Alston Singleton accused the administration of corruption and collusion with faith-based organizations, citing rising evictions and foreclosures, homelessness crisis, and the need for a forensic audit.
• Nadirah Brown complained about lack of evening meetings in summer, unaffordable housing (rents starting at $2500), landlord registration fees passed to tenants, and requested real town halls not consulting firms.
• Deborah Salters criticized the council for eliminating night meetings and making it harder for residents to speak, and demanded accountability.
• Fakheria Bradley (Georgia King Village) described her lease renewal issues (termination notice for noise), mold, bed bugs, and poor water quality from a rusty trailer.
• Alif Muhammad (Court Towers) urged help for a burned-out resident, cited security deficiencies in housing authority complexes (e.g., Pennington Court needs 2 guards 24/7 but contracts unfulfilled).
• Maryam Bey (homeowner and city employee) complained about "slumlords" and called for code enforcement.
• Darnella Lee (Georgia King Village) alleged that Newark Housing Authority is manipulating tenant records and evicting residents improperly.
• Donna Jackson blamed the administration for broken equipment, water contamination (62 cancer-causing chemicals), and campaign contributions from LLCs.
• Gee Cureton (Georgia King Village) listed ongoing violations: leaks, painted-over mold, vermin, inoperable elevators, and over 100 evictions.
• Colleen Fields expressed anger at Council President McIver for a previous incident involving police.
• Yusuf Shabbaz urged the council to address Coach USA bus routes (24, 31, 44) being cut on October 8, affecting 50% of residents who don't drive. Council President McIver responded that they are working with state legislators and NJ Transit.
• Janise Afolo (Pavilion Apartments) reported illegal parking lot operation, lack of rent registration for 3 years, security deposit issues, and mail room taken over by a bakery.
• Tanisha Garner called for evacuation plans for high-rises, defibrillators in buildings, and better emergency preparedness.
• Jacqueline Peoples criticized Councilman Ramos for neglect of sanitation and housing issues.
• Amin Bradbury (sanitation worker) pleaded for help: broken morale, pay not received, underpaid, and facing eviction.

Discussion Items

• Landlord Accountability (515/555 Mount Prospect): Councilmembers discussed the city's water shutoff due to unpaid bills. Business Administrator Pennington explained that the landlord ignored warnings and tore down notices. Councilman Gonzalez suggested placing a lien on the property. Councilman Quintana proposed publishing LLC owners' information.
• Sanitation Department Issues: Employees reported pay delays (overtime not processed), short-staffed trucks, and fear of retaliation. Business Administrator Pennington acknowledged payroll system problems and said new staff were added to clear backlog. Councilman Silva noted one-truck operations in East Ward are insufficient.
• Coach USA Bus Route Cuts: Multiple councilmembers (Kelly, McIver) confirmed ongoing efforts with state and federal officials to find alternatives. Councilman Kelly said he called the governor's personal cell phone.
• Georgia King Village: Councilman Crump requested a formal update from corporation counsel and code enforcement on the persistent problems.
• Tax Abatement Review: Councilman Ramos and Gonzalez urged the administration to hire a professional to audit tax abatement agreements, noting $68 million owed to the city.
• Zoning Ordinance (Title 41): Deputy Mayor Ladd presented the revised ordinance, focusing on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) restricted to R1 zones with 16 conditions. Councilmembers Silva and Ramos raised concerns about parking and density, especially in the East Ward and Ironbound. Assemblywoman Pintor Marin sent a letter opposing the ordinance due to infrastructure and parking issues. The ordinance passed first reading with two abstentions (Ramos, Silva) and one absent (Gonzalez).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (or with few dissents) numerous resolutions, including:
  • Temporary emergency appropriations for STD testing, HIV services, lead prevention, WIC program, and transportation planning.
  • Community violence prevention contracts with multiple organizations (Baddie University, University Hospital Foundation, etc.).
  • Drone imagery purchase amendment (increased to $60,000).
  • Volkswagen Mitigation Grant amendment for 8 electric garbage trucks.
• First Reading Ordinances (passed):
  • Tax abatement extension for Bergen Street Redevelopment (32+10 affordable units) - passed (Gonzalez absent, Scott-Rountree absent).
  • Lease for Tenant Legal Services office - passed.
  • Tax abatement for 442-448 Washington Street (53 market-rate, 10 affordable units) - passed.
  • PSE&G license extension - passed (Ramos abstained).
  • Emergency backup generator requirement for buildings with 40+ units - passed (Gonzalez, Kelly, Ramos, Silva abstained).
  • Barber shop ordinance (personal services, hours) - passed.
• Public Hearing & Final Passage Ordinances:
  • Pequannock Aqueduct rehabilitation ($22 million bond) - passed.
  • Multi-way stop at Mount Pleasant and Gouverneur - passed.
  • $20 million bond for Newark Housing Authority loans - passed (with requests for itemized plan and executive director appearance).
  • Façade Improvement Program increased to $40,000 - passed.
  • Closing Cost Loan Program increased to $20,000 - passed.
  • Emergency Action Plan for parks (requiring CPR certification, etc.) - passed.
• 2023 Municipal Budget Amendment: Public hearing held; budget amended from $823,914,910.73 to $848,279,589.53. Tax rate: 3.744 (city portion 1.974). Passed.
• Other Resolutions:
  • Cooperative purchasing agreement for extra-duty assignments returned to administration.
  • Constable appointment (Sergio J. Artiles) approved.
  • Several ceremonial street designations and recognitions approved.
  • Appointment of Councilman Silva to Invest Newark Board confirmed.
• Motions:
  • Sorrow and regret for Norma Fernandez, Clyde "Champ" Stanley, and others.
  • Letters to be sent regarding: Verizon/Optimum wires cleanup, congratulations to Technology High School (Blue Ribbon), flag replacements in parks, and security updates at housing authority complexes.
  • Request for flu shot scheduling information.

Key Outcomes

• The council voted to return a cooperative purchasing agreement for extra-duty assignments to the administration for further review.
• The council requested formal reports from corporation counsel and code enforcement on Georgia King Village.
• The council asked for an itemized plan from the Newark Housing Authority executive director regarding the $20 million bond.
• The council directed the Business Administrator to explore placing liens on delinquent landlord properties.
• The meeting adjourned after 11 PM with Council President McIver condemning racial slurs made by a speaker against a staff member.