Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - February 7, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council convened on February 7, 2024 at 12:30 PM in City Hall. The meeting included public hearings on two ordinances, first reading of one ordinance, and consideration of numerous resolutions covering contracts, grants, redevelopment projects, and other city business.

Public Hearings & Final Passage

• 6PSF-a (23-1391): Ordinance granting a 20-year tax abatement to 5 Merchant Management Urban Renewal, LLC for a 5-story, 21-unit residential building at 5-7 Merchant Street (East Ward). The project includes 19 market-rate units and 2 affordable units at 60% AMI, plus amenities. Adopted.
• 6PSF-b (24-0074): Ordinance amending parking tax surcharge and special event parking regulations to remove Lincoln Park, Clinton Avenue, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from designated areas. Sponsored by Council President LaMonica R. McIver. Adopted.

Ordinances on First Reading

• 6F-a (24-0058): Ordinance adopting the fourth amendment to the Waverly Yards Redevelopment Plan, authorizing parking as a principal interim use and amending maps. Public hearing scheduled for February 21, 2024.

Resolutions Adopted (Selected)

• 7R1-a through 7R1-e: Community-based violence intervention contracts with Complex Vision Newark ($57,120), All About The Seniors And Kids ($75,511), Hope Love Kindness Crisis Intervention ($166,250), Welcoming Waves Wellness ($127,500), and Prodigal Sons and Daughters Behavioral Healthcare Services ($90,000) – using ARPA funds.
• 7R1-f: Cooperative purchase of 8 electric chassis refuse trucks for $5,389,229.88 via Sourcewell contract.
• 7R1-g through 7R1-o: Temporary emergency appropriations for HUD grants (HOME $3.18M, HOPWA $5.83M, ESG $608K), SAMHSA grant ($727K), Community Resource Center ($6.73M), Morris Canal Bikeway ($470K), Community Health Workers ($66,667), Ryan White HIV/AIDS ($8.37M), and Emergency Management ($10K).
• 7R1-p: Authorization to use Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council for goods/services up to $200,000.
• 7R1-q: Amendment increasing grounds equipment contract to $200,000.
• 7R1-r: Contract with Realauction.com for online tax sales up to $500,000.
• 7R1-s: Extension of emergency elevator maintenance contract through March 31, 2024, increased to $307,421.
• 7R1-t: Acceptance of $2M Anti-Violence Out-of-School Grant from NJDCA for Newark Youth Academy targeting 75 out-of-school juveniles.
• 7R2-a: Private sale of city-owned lots to Rising Plains 570, LLC for construction of 4 affordable two-family homes (≤80% AMI) and 1 market-rate three-family home on Bergen Street and Rose Street (Central Ward) – sale price $115,206.84 ($7/sq ft).
• 7R2-b: Private sale to JSTWH, LLC for rehabilitation of 4 three-family homes (3 market-rate, 1 affordable) on Hillside Ave, Avon Ave, and White Terrace (South Ward) – sale price $154,364.60 ($13/sq ft).
• 7R2-c: Private sale to Roma Development, LLC for construction of 3 two-family market-rate homes on Telford St, Ridge St, and 13th St – sale price $62,400 ($8/sq ft).
• 7R2-d: Private sale to SVS & M Construction, LLC for reconstruction of a three-family house at 149 Sherman Avenue – sale price $30,000 ($12/sq ft).
• 7R2-e through 7R2-j: Professional services contracts for environmental consulting (Vanasse Hangen Brustlin $75K, Lewis Consulting $85K), real estate appraisals (Wade Appraisals $20K), and planning consultants (Heyer Gruel $125K, Nishuane Group $125K, Clarke Caton Hintz $35K).
• 7R2-k: Authorizing Central Planning Board to investigate 865-873 Franklin Avenue for redevelopment need (North Ward).
• 7R2-l (as 24-0160): Authorizing application to Local Finance Board for redevelopment area bonds (non-recourse) for the Center Street Owners Urban Renewal project: 335 rental apartments (67 affordable) plus 22,500 sq ft retail at 1 Center Street.
• 7R2-m (as 24-0161): Authorizing application for redevelopment area bonds for CSO Townhouse Development: 15 rental townhome units (3 affordable) at 1 Center Street.
• 7R3-a: Competitive contracting with Veoride for dockless vehicle share program (2-year permit, $125,000 fee plus $0.25 per trip to City).
• 7R3-b: Adding bus stop on South Orange Avenue at Longfellow Avenue (West Ward).
• 7R3-c: Adding bus stop on Raymond Boulevard at Commerce Court, deleting old stop (Central Ward).
• 7R4-a: Exception to bidding for H&L Systems software maintenance, $400,000 through 2025.
• 7R5-a: Acceptance of $293,142 from Seton Hall University for nurse practitioner education.
• 7R5-b: No-cost extension of Lead Grant Assistance Program to June 30, 2024.
• 7R8-a: Urging NJ Transit to relocate bus stop from 162-164 Irvine Turner Blvd to 170 Irvine Turner Blvd.
• 7R8-b: Resolutions recognizing and commending individuals and organizations (Puerto Rican Day Parade, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Marques-Aquil Lewis Civic Association, Abyssinian Baptist Church, and two birthdays).
• 7R8-c: Expressions of profound sorrow for seven deceased individuals.
• 7R9-a: Licensing agreement with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for police communication equipment (no cost).
• 7R11-a: Application for $4.26M Green Acres grant to redesign Broadway Park (total project cost $7.36M).
• 7R6-a (as 24-0088): Pre-litigation settlement with Seabra Brothers II for $1,950,800 for acquisition costs to be reimbursed by US Army Corps of Engineers.
• 8-b (as 24-0099): Ordinance granting 30-year tax abatement to CSO Townhouse Developer Urban Renewal for 15 rental townhomes (3 affordable) at 1 Center Street, authorizing up to $500,000 in redevelopment area bonds.
• 8-c (as 24-0102): Ordinance granting 30-year tax abatement to Center Street Owners Urban Renewal for 268 market-rate and 67 affordable residential units plus 2,100 sq ft retail at 1 Center Street, authorizing up to $5,000,000 in redevelopment area bonds.

Communications & Appointments

• 8-a (24-0107): Appointment of Elizabeth Adebisi to the African Commission for a term ending February 7, 2028. Confirmed.
• 9-a (23-1919): Appointment of Karla Y. Garcia as Newark Municipal Court Judge (term ending December 20, 2026) – deferred from previous meetings.
• 9-b (24-0020): Appointment of Rachel Y. Marshall as Newark Municipal Court Judge (term ending January 10, 2027), replacing Roslyn Holmes Grant – deferred from previous meetings.

Public Comments

Sixteen citizens were listed to speak during the Hearing of Citizens (item 11), including Loucious Jones, George Tillman Jr., Opal R. Wright, and others. No transcript or summary of their comments was provided.

Key Outcomes

The council adopted the two public hearing ordinances, introduced one ordinance on first reading, ratified and authorized the majority of resolutions as presented, confirmed the appointment to the African Commission, and deferred the two municipal court judge appointments from prior meetings. The meeting concluded with adjournment.