Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – November 1, 2023

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on November 1, 2023, beginning at 12:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting included public hearings on ordinances, consideration of numerous resolutions, and a public comment period. Major topics included school drop‑off safety, acquisition of a homeless drop‑in center, a new zoning and land use code, and redevelopment agreements.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and recommendations from the Board of Adjustment, Central Planning Board, Landmarks & Historic Preservation Commission, and Commission on the Status of Women were received and filed.
• Resolutions 7R1‑a through 7R1‑l (budget insertions for workforce development, freight impact, COVID‑19 reimbursement, food security, truancy, etc.) were approved unanimously, except Councilmember Ramos abstained on 7R1‑k (Truancy Alternative Program).
• Resolution 7R1‑m (external transfer of $920,000 in sewer utility funds) passed unanimously.
• Resolution 7R1‑n (amendment to roofing contract) passed unanimously.
• Resolutions 7R1‑o through 7R1‑r (cooperative purchasing agreements and state contracts for software, copiers, and radio equipment) passed unanimously.
• Resolution 7R1‑s (extension of emergency payroll contract) passed unanimously.
• Resolution 7R1‑t (rescinding contract award to DRS Imaging) passed unanimously.
• Resolutions 7R1‑u through 7R1‑w (bid contracts for tree removal, mowing, and senior food) passed; Councilmember Gonzalez abstained on 7R1‑u (tree removal).
• Resolutions 7R1‑x through 7R1‑aa (community violence prevention sub‑recipient contracts) passed; Council President McIver abstained on 7R1‑x and 7R1‑y, and a deferral was approved for 7R1‑z.
• Resolution 7R2‑a (private sale for two affordable two‑family homes in South Ward) passed; Gonzalez abstained.
• Resolution 7R2‑b (redevelopment agreement amendment, 301 Morris Avenue) was deferred.
• Resolution 7R2‑c (private sale for two‑family home, Central Ward) was deferred.
• Resolution 7R2‑d (private sale to Leaders for Life Academy) passed.
• Resolution 7R2‑e (private sale for affordable and market‑rate homes, South Ward) was deferred.
• Resolution 7R2‑f (designating area in need of redevelopment, University Avenue) passed.
• Resolution 7R2‑g (Bloomfield Avenue‑Lower Broadway BID budget) passed.
• Resolutions 7R2‑h and 7R2‑i (support for Aspire projects at 930 McCarter and Market Street) passed.
• Resolution 7R2‑j (housing project need determination) passed.
• Resolution 7R3‑a (dockless vehicle program – Bird and VeoRide) was deferred after council members expressed concerns about enforcement and quality‑of‑life issues.
• Resolutions 7R3‑b through 7R3‑d (NJDOT extension requests) passed.
• Resolution 7R4‑a (sale of bond anticipation notes to finance loan to Newark Housing Authority) passed.
• Resolutions 7R6‑a and 7R6‑b (professional services contracts for legal services) passed; Councilmember Crump abstained on 7R6‑a.
• Resolution 7R6‑c (workers’ compensation settlement) passed.
• Resolutions 7R8‑a and 7R8‑b (ceremonial street designations for Rev. Dr. Lloyd Preston Terrell, Sr. and Amiri & Amina Baraka) passed.
• Resolutions 7R8‑c and 7R8‑d (expressions of sorrow and recognitions) passed.
• Resolution 7R9‑a (appointment of one special police officer) passed.
• Resolution 7R11‑a (acceptance of gift of flagpole for Eddie Morales Stadium) passed; an amendment corrected the spelling of “Morales.”
• Resolutions 7R12‑a and 7R12‑b (change order for CSO netting facilities and professional services for water treatment plant) passed; Gonzalez and Quintana abstained on 7R12‑b.

Public Comments & Testimony

During the public hearing on ordinances and the regular hearing of citizens, numerous residents and stakeholders spoke. Key points included:

• School drop‑off ordinance (6PSF‑a): Several speakers, including Felicia Alston‑Singleton and Rosalind Edgetton, criticized the lack of crossing guards and police presence, calling for better enforcement and higher pay for guards. Others noted dangerous double‑parking and blocked streets. The council clarified the ordinance creates a formal application process requiring traffic plans and class three officers.
• Raymond Boulevard acquisition (6PSF‑b): Speakers (Felicia Alston‑Singleton, Shakir McDougall, Lisa Parker) alleged corruption and lack of community input, questioning oversight of capital improvement funds. Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd explained it would become a drop‑in center for unsheltered residents near Penn Station. Councilman Silva emphasized its proximity to the homeless population and winter needs.
• South Orange Avenue redevelopment (6PSF‑c): Residents expressed frustration over long delays and demanded more food access and education instead of another health center. Supporters, including a resident, noted the need for health services. Councilman Kelly stated the goal is to finally complete the project.
• Liquor license transfer (6PSF‑d): Shakir McDougall opposed the reduction from 12 to 90 days, citing alcoholism concerns. Councilman Silva and Corporation Council clarified it only affects existing licenses and prevents business failure. The measure passed.
• Zoning ordinance (6PSF‑e): Extended public testimony with strong opinions both for and against. Opponents (e.g., Damon Rich, Pamela Daniels, Evelyn Williams, Kim Gaddy, Munir Bumani, Arnold Cohen) argued the process lacked transparency, would increase density without infrastructure planning, displace residents, reduce green space, and remove public notice requirements. Supporters (e.g., Levinsky Joseph, Richard Dunn, several developers, Marcus Randolph of Invest Newark, John Schreiber of NJPAC) said the update would promote affordable housing, economic growth, and streamline processes for small and minority developers. Council members engaged in lengthy discussion.
• General public comments: Issues raised included deplorable conditions at Georgia King Village (bedbugs, flooding, management issues), problems at 515 Elizabeth Avenue (security, theft), the closure of Bradley Courts and Quitman Street public housing, lack of ADA compliance in city buildings, need for a traffic light at Bellsburg Park, and concerns about the Riviera shelter’s management.

Discussion Items

• 6PSF‑e – Newark Zoning and Land Use Regulations (NZLUR): The council debated the 400‑page replacement of Title 41. Deputy Mayor Ladd detailed the extensive community engagement since 2021 (10,000+ touch points, 11 public meetings, 6 meetings with the Equitable Growth Advisory Commission). She noted that 40% of proposed changes were rolled back in response to community feedback, including requiring ADUs only in R1 zones with board approval, making warehouse development conditional with sustainability mandates, and preserving public notice requirements for many uses. Councilman Ramos opposed the ordinance, citing concerns about conditional uses becoming permitted (excluding resident input) and that approvals alone don’t guarantee construction. Councilman Crump, Councilwoman Scott‑Rountree, Councilman Kelly, and Council President McIver supported it, arguing it is needed for progress and affordable housing. Councilmen Gonzalez, Quintana, and Ramos voted no; Silva abstained. Vote: 6 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain (Yes: McIver, Council, Crump, Kelly, Scott‑Rountree, Silva? No: Gonzalez, Quintana, Ramos. Actual: Silva abstained, McIver yes, Council yes, Crump yes, Gonzalez no, Kelly yes, Quintana no, Ramos no, Scott‑Rountree yes – that is 6 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain. Passed.)

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances adopted (final passage):
  • 6PSF‑a (School drop‑off zones): Adopted.
  • 6PSF‑b (Acquisition of 1160 Raymond Blvd): Adopted.
  • 6PSF‑c (Redevelopment assignment – St. James FQHC): Adopted.
  • 6PSF‑d (Liquor license transfer rule change): Adopted.
  • 6PSF‑e (New zoning code – NZLUR): Adopted (6‑2‑1).
• Resolutions approved except where deferred (noted above).
• Dockless vehicle program (Resolution 7R3‑a) was deferred for further discussion on fines, enforcement, and community impact.
• Several redevelopment land sales were deferred: 7R2‑b, 7R2‑c, 7R2‑e.
• Ordinances on first reading (introduced):
  • 8‑a (Longevity pay reinstatement) advanced as 6FA.
  • 8‑b (Tax abatement extension for New Center City Apartments) advanced.
  • 8‑c (25‑year tax abatement for Washington 303) deferred after discussion.
  • 8‑d (Five‑year tax exemption/abatement) deferred to tax abatement committee.
  • 8‑e (Easement for storm drainage) advanced.
  • 8‑f (Multi‑way stop at 14th Ave & South 9th St) advanced as 6FB.
  • 8‑g (Supplemental Zoning Board) advanced.
  • 8‑h (Tax abatement amendment for 579 Broad St) advanced.
  • 8‑i (Tax abatement extension for New Irvine Turner Apartments) advanced.
• Georgia King Village remains in default of its tax abatement; Deputy Mayor Ladd confirmed the city will not lift default until conditions are remedied.
• Riviera shelter is being used temporarily; new owners plan a full renovation.
• A follow‑up was promised on Smitty’s gas station (Invest Newark owned) and on the traffic light petition for Bellsburg Park.