Regular Meeting of Newark Municipal Council – March 6, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 12:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 920 Broad Street. The meeting was called to order by Council President LaMonica R. McIver. The agenda included first-reading ordinances, 40 resolutions, communications (appointments to the Civilian Complaint Review Board and several ordinances), pending business, and a public hearing portion with 17 registered speakers. A total of 8 council members were present (Council Members Patrick O. Council, C. Lawrence Crump, Carlos M. Gonzalez, Dupré L. Kelly, Luis A. Quintana, Anibal Ramos Jr., Louise Scott-Rountree, Michael J. Silva, and President LaMonica R. McIver).

Consent Calendar

• Ordinances on First Reading (6F-a and 6F-b): Adopted as amended. 6F-a exempts city-occupied properties from certain construction permit fees. 6F-b (amended to Chapter 41) establishes an intermodal container lot license.
• Resolutions 7R1-b through 7R1-i (except 7R1-a deferred): All adopted. Key items: $1,228,148 grant for the Newark Canopy Initiative to plant 331 trees; $8,982,400 armed security contract with Pro Cops Security; $500,000 for communications wiring; $1,500,000 for firefighter PPE; $100,000 for recreational equipment; $60,000 and $219,735 for community-based violence intervention (LP Consultants and SCORES Reentry); acceptance of a $15,500 gift and $60,000 license for the State of the City address.
• Resolutions 7R2-a, 7R2-b, 7R2-e, 7R2-f (private sales/redevelopment): Adopted. Includes sale of city-owned lots for housing development (e.g., 589 S. 18th St. for $22,500; 209-211 Clinton Place for $48,400; 493-495 Central Ave. for $40,000; and a 20+ parcel Fairmount Commons amendment for $314,747.92).
• Resolutions 7R2-g and 7R2-h: Adopted – referral of Downtown Core District redevelopment plan amendment to Central Planning Board, and designation of an area in need of redevelopment at 201-241 Livingston St.
• Resolutions 7R3-a, 7R3-b, 7R3-c: Adopted – a 99-year street use agreement with PSE&G; a $150,000 professional services contract for small cell wireless facilities; authorization to use competitive contracting for a micro-transit pilot program.
• Resolutions 7R4-a through 7R4-d: Adopted – tax appeal settlements totaling $471,636.50; loan and escrow agreements for the Small Diameter Sewer Project ($20,547,036); a Local Finance Board application for redevelopment area bonds.
• Resolution 7R6-a: Adopted – $200,000 first amendment to bond legal services with DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole and Giblin.
• Resolutions 7R8-a, 7R8-b, 7R8-c: Adopted – constable bond for Abdias Artiles; recognizing and commending resolutions (16 items); expressions of sorrow and regret (amended to include Ivan Martinez and Juan Super Gomez).
• Resolution 7R12-a: Adopted – $1,096,200 contract for zinc orthophosphate supply for water treatment.
• Communications (Appointments to Civilian Complaint Review Board): Items 8-a through 8-j and 8-k (deferred) – confirmed 11 appointments (e.g., Joe Johnson, Alfredo Ruiz, David Daughety, Rashanna James-Frison, Alyna Devillafuerte, Michael Morrison, Albert McBride Jr., Isis Misdary, Rev. Dr. Ralph Branch Jr., Linda McDonald Carter, Farhan Ali).
• Ordinances 8-l, 8-m, 8-n, 8-o: Advanced to first reading (became 6F-c through 6F-f). 8-l: 25-year tax abatement for NMA Owners Urban Renewal (200 market-rate and 50 affordable units, plus retail and museum gallery). 8-m: Third amendment with NJ Schools Development Authority for property conveyance milestones. 8-n: Cap ordinance to exceed budget limits. 8-o: Amendments reinstating five-year tax exemptions for multiple dwellings, commercial, and industrial structures.
• Pending Business (9-a and 9-b): Adopted – Chapter 39 (smoke shops) and Chapter 40 (commercial motor vehicle parking lot license).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sandra Durrell (17 Cottage St.): Objected to paying Special Improvement District (SID) fees on her property tax bill, stating she does not live or own a business downtown. She requested an explanation and relief.
• Shakir McDougall: Addressed multiple issues: lack of affordable housing, missing children, migrant exploitation, parking shortages, and trash collection. Encouraged residents to pressure the council.
• George Tillman Jr.: Criticized cancellation of Tax Abatement Committee meetings without notice and questioned enforcement of affirmative action plans on city-funded projects. Called for the Newark Employment Commission to be active.
• Deborah Mapson: Raised concerns about resident harassment in council chambers and defended Council President McIver against personal attacks.
• Alif Muhammad (Core Towers founder): Accused developers of using tax credits instead of their own money, referencing a stalled project. Alleged corruption involving a truck parking lot at the former Baxter Terrace site and criticized a planned tax abatement for L&M Development.
• Lisa Mitchelson Parker: Condemned the council for blocking Palestinian ceasefire resolution supporters from entering City Hall, accusing officials of prioritizing campaign donors over human rights. Demanded transparency on lead pipe replacement.
• Yolanda Johnson (208 South St.): Described illegal towing of her car and inability to retrieve it due to $9,000 fees. Alleged she was targeted because her ID did not show her new address.
• Munirah El-Bomani: Called for an independent audit of nearly $1 billion in housing funds, criticized eviction crisis and homelessness, and demanded council bond documents.
• Muta El Amin: Warned of impending civil unrest due to housing crisis and lack of affordability.
• Hada Diaz (Salvadorian Restaurant): Appealed against a new no-parking zone on Broad Street (between Clay and Clark) that she says is driving away customers.
• Ivan Lebron (Broad Street Auto Center): Endorsed Ms. Diaz's concerns, noting customers are getting ticketed and towed. Requested synchronized traffic lights and reconsideration of parking restrictions.

Discussion Items

• Smoke Shop Enforcement: Business Administrator Eric Pennington reported that code enforcement and police shut down an illegal smoke shop on Broad Street (operating as a convenience store) and confiscated illegal THC products. Several council members (McIver, Gonzalez, Kelly) praised the action but pressed for systematic enforcement, particularly near schools.
• Tree Planting Locations: Councilman Gonzalez requested information on specific tree planting sites under the Canopy Initiative. The request was noted.
• Tree Removal Process: Councilman Ramos asked for a summary of the city's tree removal evaluation process, referencing community concerns.
• Micro-Transit Pilot: Councilman Council noted a separate presentation is expected on the micro-transit program authorization.
• Baxter Terrace Truck Parking: Councilman Muhammad alleged a former truck parking lot (Baxter Terrace) generated hundreds of thousands in monthly revenue for associates of the mayor. Business Administrator Pennington refuted, stating he independently forced the housing authority to shut it down over environmental and permit concerns.
• Civilian Complaint Review Board Appointments: The council approved 11 of 12 appointments. Item 8-k (Farhan Ali) was deferred.
• Women's History Month and Community Events: Several council members announced upcoming events (Easter egg hunt, Iftar dinners, mammogram bus, disparity study panel, sports championships).

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items adopted (see section above).
• Two ordinances amended and adopted on first reading (6F-a and 6F-b).
• Five ordinances advanced to first reading (6F-c through 6F-f).
• Two pending business ordinances adopted (smoke shops and commercial vehicle parking lots).
• 11 CCRB appointments confirmed.
• Motions passed: Traffic study at Montclair and Clifton Avenues (fatal accidents); request for PSE&G meeting on streetlight issues; pothole repair directive; request for information on police division outside employment; motion to explore transferring Mother Cabrini statue to St. Francis Church park; additional expressions of sorrow and regret (Ivan Martinez, Juan Super Gomez, Sylvia Brown Daily, Talib Dean Salam, Shalika Mikey Thomas's mother).
• Deferrals: Resolution 7R1-a (City Hall skylight grant cash match), 7R2-c (110 Dewey St., LLC), 7R2-d (699-701 S. 11th St., senior housing), and Communication 8-k (Farhan Ali) were deferred.
• Next Steps: Public hearings on first-reading ordinances set for March 20, 2024. Administration to provide responses to council motions on tree planting locations, smoke shop enforcement schedule, and other outstanding requests.