Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - February 21, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting included a public hearing on three ordinances, adoption of numerous resolutions, and extensive public testimony addressing housing conditions, tax abatements, public safety, and community concerns.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Mitchelson-Parker criticized the council for abuse of power, lack of career paths for youth, and high crime, calling for voters to remove them.
• Nadirah Brown expressed frustration over lack of feedback from council after a year of attendance, citing unresolved issues with housing, sanitation, and a 10-year plan that resets. She urged council to hold genuine community meetings.
• Gee Cureton (West Ward District 13 leader, Georgia King Village resident) alleged that LM Partners ("slumlords") continues to neglect Georgia King Village, reporting 790 uncorrected violations including infestations, mold, broken elevators, and flooding. He questioned why LM received tax credits for the NJPAC project despite these conditions.
• Alif Muhammad (Court Towers resident) alleged corruption in the sale of 74 Spruce Street, claiming the mayor and others were involved in a scheme that undervalued the property and bypassed proper bidding.
• Maryam Bey (homeowner, city employee) called slumlords "drug dealers" and urged arrests. She also raised issues with bedbug-ridden shelters for returning citizens.
• Osia Higdon (St. Mary's Villa resident) described neglect of seniors at the facility—no programs, isolation, and frequent deaths from loneliness.
• George Tillman Jr. argued the administration is non-compliant with the 2002 Newark Employment Commission ordinance, which mandates monitoring of local hiring. He said the commission has never been enacted, and asked why tax abatements are granted without compliance.
• Debra Mapson reported an overdose death at the Riviera shelter allegedly covered up as natural causes, and called for independent oversight. She also supported Mayor Baraka's gubernatorial campaign.
• Donna Jackson fiercely criticized council for failing to hold landlords accountable, citing lack of heat at 1060 Broad Street, improper lead service line installation, and rising cancer rates. She demanded resignations.
• Cassandra Dock attacked Council President McIver and Mayor Baraka, accusing them of corruption and promising political retribution.
• Jacqueline Peoples complained about dirty streets, rat infestations, and alleged forgery by the Housing Authority.
• Opal R. Wright discussed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act and urged U.S. non-intervention in foreign wars.
• Ché Colter called the government "broken" and demanded transparency on budgets, tax abatements, and education funding. He highlighted underfunded schools due to tax abatements.
• Emily Aikens criticized council for allowing a smoke shop next to North Star Academy, for non-response to crime, and for fudging crime data.
• Deborah Salters ("Warrior for the people") claimed crime is underreported and community violence prevention efforts are unfunded. She challenged council on parking decal issues and lack of follow-through.
• Bibi Stewart (business owner) asked council to support a ceasefire resolution for Palestine, citing shared struggles with systemic violence.
• Tyara Thomas (CNC Apartment Management) reported progress on Georgia King Village, stating over 300 violations were addressed, new security and pest control were implemented, and a recent mailbox vandalism is being resolved. She acknowledged ongoing challenges.
• Raylor Adames (North Ward resident) requested residential permit parking on Lake Street and raised concern about only six black firefighters in a recent academy class of 86.
• Heather Armstrong (St. Mary's Villa resident) reported ongoing parking issues, inadequate security (in violation of ordinance), and retaliation from management. She requested a meeting with Councilman Kelly.

Discussion Items

Ordinances

• 6PSF-a – Fourth Amendment to the Waverly Yards Redevelopment Plan: Authorizes interim parking use for United Airlines employees after demolition of a hotel. Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd explained the parking will serve airline employees. Council adopted after public comment.
• 6PSF-b and 6PSF-c – 30-year tax abatements and redevelopment area bonds for two NJPAC-related projects at 1 Center Street: Phase 1 (15 townhome rentals, 3 affordable) and Phase 2 (268 market-rate units, 67 affordable, plus 2,100 sq ft retail). Total development cost exceeds $250 million. Deputy Mayor Ladd stated NJPAC owns 80% of the project; a subsidiary of LM Partners holds 20%, but LM will not be the service provider. Bonds will fund a street connector from Mulberry to Rector. Council adopted despite public opposition over affordability and local hiring compliance.
• 8-a – Smoke shops ordinance deferred for further review.
• 8-b – Exemption of city-occupied properties from construction permit fees, adopted.
• 8-c – Commercial motor vehicle parking lot license ordinance deferred.
• 8-d – Intermodal container lot license ordinance adopted.

Resolutions

• 7R1-a through 7R1-j – Temporary emergency appropriations and acceptance of VOCA grants totaling $825,000 (state) and $293,142 (Seton Hall) for victim support and nurse practitioner education; and six sub-awards of $137,500 each for crime victim assistance projects in each ward and the Shani Baraka Women's Resource Center. Adopted.
• 7R1-k and 7R1-l – Contracts with Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons ($180,675) and Peers Strategies to Help, LLC ($75,000) for community-based violence intervention. Adopted.
• 7R2-a – Private sale to Roma Development, LLC for three two-family homes on Telford Street, Ridge Street, and South 13th Street. Amended on the floor to remove the North Ward property (Ridge Street) and reduce sale amount to $40,000. Adopted as amended.
• 7R2-b – Private sale to Knightime Enterprises, LLC for new construction of two homes on Chadwick Avenue in the South Ward. Adopted.
• 7R2-c – Designation of an area in need of redevelopment on Central Avenue, University Avenue, and Washington Street in the Central Ward. Adopted.
• 7R2-d to 7R2-f – Professional services contracts for real estate appraisal ($20,000 to Hendricks Appraisal) and legal services for redevelopment (up to $800,000 to DeCotiis, FitzPatrick; up to $150,000 to Spiro, Harrison and Nelson). Adopted.
• 7R3-a – Change order extending contract for Central Avenue Bridge design (no additional cost). Adopted.
• 7R8-a to 7R8-e – Hold harmless agreements for Senior Day of Hearts Brunch and North Ward Job Fair; a resolution supporting world peace; recognizing and commending resolutions; and expressions of profound sorrow and regret. Adopted.
• 7R12-a to 7R12-d – Change orders for water/sewer utility contracts: Valley Road corrosion control system (extension), and close-out change orders for three sewer cleaning/rehabilitation contracts (increased amounts and time). Adopted.

Key Outcomes

• All ordinances (6PSF-a, b, c) adopted; all resolutions adopted (some with amendments).
• Ordinance 8-a (smoke shops) and 8-c (commercial vehicle parking lots) deferred for further work.
• Motions passed:
  • Council will receive weekly written lists of code violations and weekly reports on landlord court cases, including statuses and outcomes, starting March 1, 2024.
  • Request for enforcement against double parking and illegal booting of cars.
  • Request for audit of handicapped parking spots in the East Ward.
• Council members announced upcoming community events: United Airlines job fair (Feb 26), North Ward business roundtable (Feb 28), West Ward wellness tours, and a citywide casting call for plays.
• Condolences expressed for Pastor Brian Ali (Pastor in the Hood) and others; resolutions of sorrow adopted.