Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - July 10, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 12:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included reports, first-reading ordinances, public hearings, resolutions, and a citizen hearing that lasted over five hours. Key actions included the introduction of multiple development tax abatements, approval of budgets for special improvement districts, and a resolution opposing the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling. One high-profile tax abatement for a senior affordable housing project (6F-d) failed to adopt.

Reports and Recommendations

• Approved minutes and financial statements from the Newark Housing Authority, High Park Gardens Cooperative, Broad Hill Partners Urban Renewal, and North Jersey Water Supply Commission.

Ordinances – First Reading

• 6F-a (746-765 S. 14th Street Urban Renewal, LLC): 30-year tax abatement for 38 rental units (30 market-rate, 8 affordable) and 26 parking spaces in the South Ward. Adopted.
• 6F-b (ADL 605-607 Broad Urban Renewal, LLC): 25-year tax abatement for 84 residential units (71 market-rate, 13 affordable at 40-80% AMI) and 20,000 sq ft commercial space in the Central Ward. Adopted.
• 6F-c (Multi-way stop intersection): Ordinance designating 14th Avenue and South 6th Street as a multi-way stop in the West Ward. Adopted.
• 6F-d (WTJV Urban Renewal, LLC – Mount Prospect Avenue): 30-year tax abatement to rehabilitate a 17-story, 279-unit affordable senior housing building. Failed to adopt (4 yes, 4 abstentions, 1 absent). Council members cited need for more clarity on the abatement and concerns about past administration actions.
• 6F-e (297 Clinton Urban Renewal, LLC): 30-year tax abatement for a new 64-unit affordable senior building in the South Ward. Adopted.
• 6F-f (Sale and transfer of city property, Block 1830, Lot 1.01): Authorized the mayor to execute the sale. Adopted.
• 6F-g (Sixth Amendment to Newark Downtown Core Redevelopment Plan): Adopted.

Ordinances – Public Hearing, Second Reading & Final Passage

• 6PSF-a (Water Meter Replacement Project): Bond ordinance appropriating $22,500,000 for water meter replacement. The administration noted eligibility for up to 50% principal forgiveness under the federal infrastructure bill. Adopted.
• 6PSF-b (Right of Reverter – 204 Peshine Avenue): Ordinance authorizing reverter of a property sold via the Valentine's Day Land Sale after the purchaser transferred it without city approval. Adopted. Several public speakers criticized the city's handling of property sales and selective enforcement.
• 6PSF-c (Parking fines increase): Ordinance raising fines for certain parking, stopping, and standing violations from $55 to $95. Adopted with abstentions. Councilman Ramos requested a breakdown of how parking fine revenue is split between the city and parking authority.
• 6PSF-d (Newark Downtown Special Improvement District amendment): Removed residential owner-occupied properties from the district and clarified the 1% administrative fee. Adopted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Water bond: Multiple speakers demanded accountability for prior water department spending, noting billions already spent with continued dirty water. A federal audit was requested.
• Right of reverter: Felicia Alston-Singleton and others accused the administration of selective enforcement and favoritism in property sales, calling for similar actions against other developers who have not complied with redevelopment agreements.
• Parking fines increase: Many speakers opposed the fine hike, arguing it unfairly burdens residents while friends and family of officials are not ticketed. Some questioned the lack of transparency on where ticket revenue goes.
• Downtown SID budget: Speakers criticized the $8.335 million budget, asking for itemized spending and questioning why downtown remains dirty despite the funding. Some praised improvements (flowers, events).
• General citizen hearing: Over two dozen residents spoke on issues including: dirty water, housing authority conditions (mold, lack of maintenance), domestic violence resources, scooter safety, need for evening meetings, school safety, and the need for more accountability.

Discussion Items

• 6F-d (WTJV tax abatement): Council members expressed concerns about the developer's past non-compliance and lack of capital improvements. The councilwoman noted the administration dropped the ball on this project. The ordinance failed on first reading.
• 7R2-q (Bergen Lyons Clinton SID budget – $790,000): Public speakers noted the budget was being adopted in July for a period starting in January, criticizing lateness and lack of detailed breakdown. The Business Administrator acknowledged the delay and pledged to improve timeliness. Adopted.
• 7R2-r (Newark Downtown District budget – $8,335,000): Similar concerns about late adoption and lack of transparency. Council President McIver clarified the two separate organizations and directed that resident concerns be shared with the boards. Adopted.
• 7R8-j(as) (Opposition to Supreme Court immunity ruling): Resolution declaring opposition to the July 1, 2024, Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Adopted.

Key Outcomes

• Failed: Ordinance 6F-d (30-year tax abatement for WTJV Urban Renewal, LLC) did not receive enough votes to adopt on first reading.
• Deferred: Resolution 7R6-c (settlement of civil litigation) deferred.
• Deferred: Several private sale/redevelopment resolutions (7R2-i, 7R2-o) were deferred by motion.
• Approved: All other ordinances and resolutions on the agenda were adopted or passed, including tax abatements, appropriations, budgets, and appointments.
• Requested: Councilman Ramos requested a report on parking fine revenue distribution. Councilman Crump requested a public safety committee discussion on scooter enforcement.
• Next meeting: The regular meeting for August 7, 2024, will be held at 12:30 PM (daytime).