Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – January 10, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on January 10, 2024, at 12:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting addressed a range of items including tax abatements, housing assistance, voting age for school board elections, stop sign designations, code enforcement penalties, property sales, and various appointments and contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the ordinance to increase the city employee housing assistance grant from $10,000 to $20,000 (6PSF-b), speakers criticized the program as inadequate for low-income residents and questioned the need for employee assistance when housing costs are rising. The council clarified it is one of several programs, including the Live Newark program for residents.
• On the ordinance to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections (6PSF-c), extensive public testimony was heard. Multiple youth speakers (Nathaniel Esu Bonteng, Brianna Campbell, and others) expressed strong support, arguing that students are directly affected by school board decisions and that only 3% of eligible voters turned out in the last school board election. Adult supporters included representatives from the NAACP Newark, the GEM Project, the NJ Institute for Social Justice, ACLU, and March for Our Lives. Opponents, including Lisa Parker and Deborah Cole, argued that the decision was premature, that civic education must be mandated alongside, and that the move was politically motivated. Some speakers also raised concerns about parent notification and the need for civics curriculum.
• On the stop work order penalty ordinances (6PSF-f and g), speakers criticized the city's lack of code enforcement against slumlords and questioned the need for new laws when existing ones are not enforced.
• During the hearing of citizens, several registered speakers were not present; those who spoke (Felicia Alston-Singleton, Lisa Mitchellson Parker) criticized the administration for alleged corruption, lack of police, and using youth to boost voter turnout.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6PSF-b (Housing Assistance Program): The council voted to increase the grant for city employees from $10,000 to $20,000 for down payment assistance. Passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 6PSF-c (School Board Voting Age): After extensive debate, the council voted 7–0 (one member absent) to lower the voting age to 16 for Newark Board of Education elections, enfranchising approximately 7,000 16- and 17-year-olds. Council members cited the need to engage youth, the low turnout (3% in the last election), and historical youth leadership. Some members expressed support for accompanying civics education, and Council President McIver committed to a separate resolution urging civics instruction.
• Ordinances 6PSF-d and e: Designated multi-way stop sign intersections at Abington Avenue W & North 11th Street (North Ward) and Avon Avenue & South 20th Street (South Ward). Passed.
• Ordinances 6PSF-f and g: Increased fines for stop work order violations and allowed lis pendens on properties with initial violations. Passed.
• Resolution 7R1-h: Requested a hearing to remove Richard Partyka from the Newark Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission. Passed with one abstention (Ramos).
• Resolution 7R2-j: Authorized an Affordable Housing Agreement with Southside View LLC for a 40-unit affordable development using $1,050,000 in HOME funds. Passed with two abstentions.
• Resolution 7R8-k: Declared January as Muslim Heritage Month. Unanimous.
• Other resolutions: Approved appointments to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, constable appointment, professional services contracts (financial advisory, elevator maintenance, street sweeper repair, fuel supply, dockless vehicles deferred), grant acceptances (community health workers, emergency preparedness, firefighter turnout gear), and settlements.
• Dockless vehicle program (7R3-a): Deferred; the council postponed action on authorizing contracts with Bird Rides and Veoride.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted: Ordinance 6PSF-b (increased employee housing grant to $20,000); Ordinance 6PSF-c (lower voting age to 16 for school board elections); Ordinances 6PSF-d, e, f, g; numerous resolutions including cannabis business support, property sales, contract awards, and appointments.
• Deferred: Ordinance 6F-a (tax exemption amendment), Ordinance 6PSF-a (25-year tax abatement for Washington 303), Resolution 7R2-b (multi-family development), 7R2-d (affordable housing), 7R2-f (two-family home), 7R2-g (vocational training facility – deferred due to discrepancy in student capacity numbers), 7R3-a (dockless vehicles), and several appointments (municipal court judges) and settlements returned to administration.
• Other actions: The council approved a motion to request a report from Engineering on the status of traffic safety improvements and to audit handicapped parking spots in the East Ward.
• Next steps: The public hearing for ordinances on first reading will be held on January 24, 2024.