Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – November 21, 2023

This was a rescheduled regular meeting (originally scheduled for November 13, 2023, then changed from a special meeting/conference to a regular meeting via Resolution 7R8-d). The meeting began at 12:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Council President LaMonica R. McIver presided. The agenda included public comments, multiple ordinances on first and second reading, a large consent agenda of resolutions, and communications. Key themes included resident complaints about housing management, tax abatements, and a contentious longevity pay ordinance that failed to pass.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah Salters criticized unnamed activists for hypocrisy, claiming they talk about change but do not act, and defended her own recall efforts.
• Heather Armstrong (St. Mary's Villa resident) detailed issues with management: office closures, high staff turnover, privacy concerns, rude communication, outdated bulletin boards, lack of online rent payment, inadequate extermination, insufficient maintenance (only one person per side for over 100 units), and no after-hours emergency contact. She requested two maintenance workers per side and a 24/7 emergency number.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton accused the council of scheduling a day meeting to suppress public participation, criticized conditions at St. Mary's Villa, the Newark Housing Authority, and alleged corruption. She also claimed the housing authority is in jeopardy of receivership and referenced federal investigations.
• Robert Pennell (St. Mary's Villa) reported that the new manager removed disabled parking, ignored doctor's notes, and fired two armed security guards. He noted fire alarms not working, lack of interest on security deposits, and a code enforcement complaint that led to temporary fixes. He called for council intervention.
• Deborah Carter (St. Mary's Villa, 30+ years) corroborated concerns: missing armed security on Fridays/Saturdays, language barriers, twice-yearly rent increases, delayed recertification, and disrespectful management.
• George Tillman Jr. requested a halt to tax abatements until the administration complies with the Newark Employment Commission ordinance (first source linkage program), citing an inactive commission. He urged the council to file an injunction.
• Deborah Mapson (Riviera tenant) alleged retaliation, harassment, and a cease-and-desist letter from the city's attorney after speaking out. She described bed bug infestations, a recent flooding evacuation, and complained that the developer (Riviera Partners) is withholding her salary and investment. She called on the mayor to investigate.
• Zjanet Ramgeet (shelter resident) described condescending staff, disrespect, lack of privacy, a rule requiring her door to be open at night (posing safety risk), inadequate food storage, and mental health strain. She asked for better support.
• Deborah Daniels (130 Chancellor Avenue) reported no elevator since October 19, unrepaired fire escape, rat infestation, and landlord absenteeism. Councilman Council responded that the building has been fined and an elevator repair is in progress but abatement times are required.
• Alif Muhammad (former housing authority commissioner) thanked Councilman Council for facilitating the hiring of new executive director Linda Spicer, and claimed the housing authority avoided receivership. He also said security costs are $7 million/year (not $35 million). He urged Councilman Council to become chair of the housing authority board in January.
• Angela Williamson (46 Evergreen Avenue) reported bed bug infestation on the 12th floor and read a poem about Palestinian freedom. She said she has submitted a 50-page report to the council.
• Eric Adams and Muta El-Amin spoke against the longevity pay ordinance, arguing it should apply to all city employees, not just selected ones, and that many workers have not had raises in years.
• Che Colter (South Ward) spoke in favor of the traffic stop ordinance but noted that many other intersections (e.g., Broad and Clinton) need similar safety improvements.
• Muta El-Amin also spoke against the supplemental zoning board, saying it would add another layer of bureaucracy to a dysfunctional system, and called for a community meeting on housing on November 30.

Discussion Items

• Ordinances on First Reading (6F-a through 6F-f): All six ordinances were adopted unanimously. These included:
  • 6F-a: Extending tax abatement for rehabilitation of 49 affordable housing units at 76-80 Court St. and 40-44 W. Kinney St.
  • 6F-b: 25-year tax abatement for a 10-story mixed-use building (74 market, 18 affordable units) at 303-309 Washington St.
  • 6F-c: Amending the five-year tax exemption and abatement ordinance (deferred at request of Councilman Gonzalez, seconded by Quintana, then adopted).
  • 6F-d: Easement for storm drainage at 49 Rutherford St.
  • 6F-e: Amending tax abatement for 579-581 Broad St. to reduce market-rate units from 48 to 40 and allow short-term rentals.
  • 6F-f: Extending timeframe for rehabilitation of 94 affordable housing units at Irvine Turner Boulevard.
• Ordinance 6PSF-a (Longevity Pay): This ordinance would reinstate longevity pay for certain non-union employees and elected officials. After public comments (opposition from union representatives and residents), Business Administrator Eric Pennington explained that the cost is less than $200,000/year, applies only to non-bargaining unit employees, and is not retroactive. Councilman Ramos questioned equity and suggested an across-the-board raise instead. The roll call resulted in 3 yes votes and 4 abstentions, so the motion failed to adopt.
• Ordinance 6PSF-b (Traffic Stop): Designating 14th Avenue and South 9th Street as a multi-way stop intersection. Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 6PSF-c (Supplemental Zoning Board): Authorizing a temporary (one-year) supplemental zoning board of adjustment to address a backlog of applications. Corporate Counsel Kenya Stewart explained that it would run parallel to the existing board and be dissolved if backlog is cleared. Adopted unanimously (with Councilwoman Scott-Rountree changing her vote on 6PSF-a from abstain to yes after the fact, but that item had already failed).
• Resolutions: Most were adopted, including:
  • 7R1-a (deferred)
  • 7R1-b, 7R1-c (budget insertions for HIV prevention and HOME-ARP) – adopted
  • 7R1-d (cooperative purchasing for grounds equipment) – adopted
  • 7R1-e (extension of emergency contract for Riverfront Park) – adopted
  • 7R1-f (amendment of HUD action plan) – adopted
  • 7R2-a (redevelopment agreement) – adopted
  • 7R2-b (deferred)
  • 7R2-c (private sale for affordable housing) – adopted
  • 7R2-d (deferred)
  • 7R2-e (amendment to Washington Bay Group) – adopted
  • 7R2-f (private sale for affordable housing) – adopted
  • 7R2-g (private sale for market-rate homes) – adopted
  • 7R2-h (professional services contract increase for Decotiis, Fitzpatrick) – adopted
  • 7R2-i (private sale) – adopted
  • 7R3-a (dockless vehicles) – deferred
  • 7R4-a (tax appeal settlements) – adopted
  • 7R4-b (bank depositories) – adopted
  • 7R4-c (tax appeal settlements) – adopted
  • 7R5-a (resolution supporting state public health funding) – adopted
  • 7R5-b (grant for school-based clinic at Park Elementary) – adopted
  • 7R5-c (grant for HIV prevention) – adopted
  • 7R6-a (civil settlement) – deferred
  • 7R8-a (constable bond) – adopted
  • 7R8-b (recognitions and commendations) – adopted
  • 7R8-c (expressions of sorrow) – adopted
  • 7R9-a (grant for emergency management) – adopted
  • 7R11-a (gift of gym equipment) – adopted
• Communications:
  • 8-a (prohibiting right turn on red at Frelinghuysen Ave. and East Peddie St.) – advanced and adopted on first reading.
  • 8-b (settlement and amendment for 152-164 Rutherford St.) – adopted on first reading with Councilman Quintana and Crump abstaining due to conflict of interest as commissioners with PSE&G? Actually they cited a commissioner at Snake Valley? The transcript says Quintana abstained due to being a commissioner of some entity, and Crump changed his vote to abstention.
  • 8-c (first amendment for sale/redevelopment at 209-211 Irvine Turner Blvd.) – adopted on first reading.
  • 8-d (easement to Port Authority for $1.00) – advanced and adopted on first reading.

Key Outcomes

• Failed: Ordinance 6PSF-a (Longevity Pay) – 3 yes, 4 abstentions.
• Adopted: All six ordinances on first reading, 6PSF-b, 6PSF-c, and all resolutions except deferred ones (7R1-a, 7R2-b, 7R2-d, 7R3-a, 7R6-a).
• Deferred: 7R1-a, 7R2-b, 7R2-d, 7R3-a, 7R6-a.
• Council Motions: Several council members made motions regarding traffic signs, utility pole commitments, park cleanliness, and condolences. All were approved.
• Next Steps: The public hearing for ordinances adopted on first reading will be held on December 6, 2023. The council will invite dockless vehicle providers for a special meeting before considering 7R3-a.