Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - May 8, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on May 8, 2024, at 5:45 PM in City Hall. The meeting covered ordinances on tax abatements, street cleaning, mattress disposal, and intermodal container lot licensing, along with numerous resolutions related to grant funding, HIV/AIDS services, and public safety. Public comment highlighted concerns about affordable housing enforcement, workforce compliance, and housing authority issues.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations (Item 5): Approved minutes from Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Newark Housing Authority, and North Jersey District Water Supply Commission. [Unanimous]
• Resolutions: All resolutions under Administration, Economic and Housing Development, Finance, Health and Community Wellness, Law, Municipal Council, Public Safety, and Recreation were adopted en bloc unless noted. Key approvals include:
  • 7R1-a: Temporary emergency appropriation of $1,219,279 for SUNUP Summer Food Service Program.
  • 7R2-b: Acceptance of $1,861,200 grant for Summer Youth Work Experience Program (SYWEP).
  • 7R4-a: Authorization to apply for $22,500,000 in bonds for Water Meter Replacement Project.
  • 7R5-a through 7R5-h: Contracts for HIV/AIDS services totaling over $3.3 million.
  • 7R9-a and 7R9-b: Appointment of 81 Newark-resident and 13 non-resident Special Police Officers.
  • 7R9-c: Exception to public bidding for CPR and bleeding control training with University Hospital ($80,000).
  • 7R11-a: Acceptance of $1,219,279 grant for SUNUP meals.
  • 7R8-a through 7R8-e: Ceremonial street designations, hold harmless agreements, sister city relationships, and resolutions opposing the PVSC power plant (with Councilmembers Crump and Quintana recusing).
  • 7R8-f and 7R8-g: Recognizing and commending individuals/organizations; expressing profound sorrow and regret.
• Communications: 8-a – Appointment of Miriam Serna Farkas to Hispanic Commission (confirmed). 8-b and 8-c – Ordinances moved to first reading (corrective deed and water meter bond ordinance).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Felicia Alston-Singleton: Called for a forensic audit of city agencies, criticized affordable housing AMI levels, and alleged corruption at Newark Housing Authority.
• Deborah Salters: Questioned the need for adding Carmen Court to street cleaning list, criticized lack of enforcement of existing ordinances, and raised concerns about petition signature collection for the congressional special election.
• Ramon Cruz: Described harassment from landlord and city departments due to having a Black family; requested restoration of handicapped parking sign. Councilman Silva countered, stating Cruz has disrupted the neighborhood.
• George Tillman, Jr.: Argued that the 25-year tax abatement for 19 LV Urban Renewal was being considered at 30% construction completion, violating pre-construction requirements. Stated the resident employment commission is inactive, so compliance cannot be verified. Called for administration response before voting.
• Munirah El-Bomani: Repeated calls for enforcement of local hiring and contracting requirements for tax-abated projects; criticized council for inaction and urged independent investigation.
• Alif Muhammad: Supported the Livingston Street development but questioned when tax abatements will stop; later discussed Newark Housing Authority whistleblower reports and recommended resignations.
• Deborah Mapson: Accused homeless services director Luis Ulerio of lying about conditions at Riviera Hotel shelter; criticized Business Administrator Pennington for defending him.
• Darnella Lee: Alleged mold cover-ups at Newark Housing Authority properties, stating residents are getting sick and dying.
• Fahkeira Bradley: Described harassment and false charges by management at Georgia King Village; requested help with housing voucher.
• Ché Colter: Called for tourism component to sister cities, better vetting of foreign governments, and enforcement of intermodal container ordinance; criticized Columbus statue funding and student curfew enforcement.
• Shakir McDougald: Noted numerous lawsuits against the city; questioned Councilman Silva about protecting whistleblowers; suggested self-defense courses at Ashby Center and reducing parking fees.
• Louis Shockley: Accused council of overseeing destruction of public housing; criticized housing authority leadership and developer deals.
• Rodney Davis: Discussed permit parking on Kitchell Street, stating engineering and traffic departments refused to implement an approved ordinance; fire department confirmed fire truck access is possible.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6PSF-b (25-year tax abatement for 19 LV Urban Renewal): Public speakers opposed the abatement due to lack of enforcement of local hiring and affordable housing requirements. Deputy Mayor Ladd clarified that the project is less than 30% complete (not 80% as claimed), that AMI levels follow federal guidelines, and that affirmative action compliance was verified. Council requested a compliance report. The ordinance was adopted with a roll call vote of 7-0-1 (Ramos absent).
• Ordinance 6PSF-a (Intermodal Container Lot License): Deferred, as the substantial amendments required returning to first reading per Councilman Gonzalez. Later, the council voted to reconsider and adopt as amended after explanation of fee structure and enforcement procedures (summons, municipal court). Adopted 7-0-1 (Ramos absent, Silva abstained).
• Ordinance 6PSF-c (Street cleaning – Carmen Court): Adopted after Director Wooten explained it was part of a citywide audit of missing signage. Councilman Crump abstained, but final vote was 7-0-1.
• Ordinance 6PSF-d (Street cleaning – 14th Avenue): Public comment raised concerns about congestion near schools and lack of multilingual streaming. Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 6PSF-e (Mattresses must be covered in plastic): Sponsored by Councilman Silva to protect DPW workers and hold landlords accountable. Public comment supported the intent but questioned enforcement and lack of code enforcement officers. Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 7R8-c (Opposing PVSC Power Plant): Councilmembers Crump and Quintana recused themselves; the resolution passed with remaining members supporting.
• Resolution 7R6-c (Legal services amendment): Amended on the floor to correct contract amount ($390,879.71); adopted.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 6F-a: 30-year tax abatement for Broad St. Ventures (810-812 Broad Street, East Ward) adopted on first reading. [Unanimous]
• Ordinance 6PSF-b: 25-year tax abatement for 19 LV Urban Renewal (17-19 Livingston Street, Central Ward) adopted at public hearing and final passage. [7-0-1, Ramos absent]
• Ordinance 6PSF-a: Intermodal container lot ordinance adopted as amended. [7-0-1, Silva abstained, Ramos absent]
• Ordinance 6PSF-c, d, e: Street cleaning and mattress disposal ordinances adopted. [Unanimous with one abstention on c]
• Ordinances 8-b and 8-c: Moved to first reading (corrective deed and water meter bond ordinance).
• Resolution 7R6-a: Waiver of 20-day period for intermodal container ordinance deferred.
• Resolution 7R8-c: Opposing PVSC power plant adopted (with two recusals).
• All other resolutions and appointments adopted.
• Directives: Administration to provide affirmative action compliance report for 19 LV project to the full council. Business Administrator to meet with George Tillman regarding workforce enforcement. Engineering to look into Mr. Cruz’s handicap parking certification and Kitchell Street permit parking.