Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – August 7, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on August 7, 2024, at 12:30 PM in City Hall. The agenda included ordinances on first reading, public hearings on second‑reading ordinances, and numerous resolutions covering tax abatements, property sales, traffic regulations, grant acceptances, and settlements. Public comment was extensive, with residents raising concerns about development, affordable housing, homeless services, and government accountability. The council voted on multiple items, deferred several, and announced upcoming budget hearings.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the Central Planning Board (May and June 2024) and the Newark Housing Authority (June 27, 2024).
• Adopted ordinances on first reading: 6F‑a (20‑year tax abatement for self‑storage at 108‑116 Avenue L) and 6F‑b (amending the tax abatement for 40 Clinton Street to correct the minimum annual service charge).

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Tillman Jr. repeatedly called for the activation of the Newark Employment Commission, arguing that all economic incentives (tax abatements, land sales) are non‑compliant without it. He also demanded a list of developer contributions and criticized the lack of Newark resident hiring on construction sites.
• Felicia Austin Singleton opposed tax abatements, questioned infrastructure capacity (water pipes, flooding), and criticized the administration for prioritizing developers over residents. She called for a moratorium on new developments until low‑income housing is built.
• Deborah Salters criticized the city’s response to homelessness, stating she had been ignored by Director Lewis Elero and Councilman Silva. She emphasized her community work and the need for dignified shelter conditions.
• Emily Aikins questioned the lack of published tax abatement meeting schedules, the cleanliness and security of Ironbound sports fields, and the delay in passing the 2024 operating budget.
• Rodney Davis challenged the credibility of traffic studies and demanded the release of his street signage.
• Lisa Parker requested a forensic audit of the city’s budget, alleging a $680 million deficit and mismanagement. She also criticized the lack of accountability for developers receiving tax abatements while residents face high rents and water bills.
• Deborah Mapson defended her role in relocating residents from the Hotel Riviera, provided evidence of addressing issues at the shelter, and called for continued monitoring of Catholic Charities. She also warned against personal threats.
• Alif Mohammed urged Council President McIver to resign so the Central Ward can have representation, warning against leaving the ward vacant. He also praised the 100% affordable senior housing project.
• Shakir McDougall supported senior and homeless housing but asked why vacant buildings aren’t rehabilitated first. He raised concerns about parking and water pressure in the South Ward and called for a disaster recovery plan.
• Ché Colter emphasized the need for unity among residents, questioned the $62 million emergency appropriation, and urged the council to ensure labor and Newark entrepreneurs benefit from downtown development.
• Gee Cureton and Fahkeira Bradley described poor conditions at Georgia King Village and demanded management accountability.
• Several other speakers, including Maryam Bey, Jacqueline Peoples, Darnella Lee, and Lamont Vaughn, addressed homelessness, shelter conditions, and the need for more low‑income housing.

Discussion Items

• 6PSF‑a (Urban League property sale): Deputy Mayor Allison Ladd explained the sale is part of a 2014 legal settlement for a new community center. Public speakers opposed the transfer, citing the Urban League’s lack of recent community benefit and non‑compliance with the Newark Employment Commission. The council passed the ordinance.
• 6PSF‑b (Sixth Amendment to Downtown Core District Redevelopment Plan): Ladd stated the amendment allows increased building heights (up to 54 stories) for transit‑oriented development at Parcel O (bound by Columbia, Lafayette, Liberty, and Green Streets). Speakers criticized the lack of detail, infrastructure concerns (combined sewer system, parking), and the need for more community benefits. The council passed the ordinance.
• 6PSF‑e (30‑year tax abatement for 746‑765 S. 14th Street): The project includes 30 market‑rate and 8 affordable rental units. Speakers questioned affordability (80% AMI), parking fees ($75/month), and the lack of oversight. The council passed the ordinance after Deputy Mayor Ladd clarified HUD rent guidelines.
• 6PSF‑g (30‑year tax abatement for 100% affordable senior housing at 297‑309 Clinton Avenue): A 64‑unit senior building at 60% AMI. Speakers supported the concept but questioned the 30‑year term, the use of HUD AMI guidelines, and the lack of project labor agreements. The council passed the ordinance.
• 6PSF‑h (30‑year tax abatement under HMFA for Springview Development Group): 63 units including 5 reserved for homeless (up to 20% AMI) and 56 at 60% AMI. Speakers criticized the developer for not paying property taxes since 2022 and questioned the limited homeless set‑aside. The council passed the ordinance.
• 6PSF‑i and 6PSF‑j (traffic ordinances): Prohibiting right turns and right‑turns‑on‑red on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and adjacent streets. The director of Traffic and Signals stated the changes are based on pedestrian safety data. Some speakers questioned enforcement and the lack of traffic studies; others worried about hospital access. Both passed.
• Resolutions: 7R1‑b through 7R1‑h (temporary emergency appropriations for homeless housing, oral health, HIV services, operating expenses, Lincoln Park safety) passed. 7R1‑i and 7R1‑j (state contracts for oil drum removal and police body‑worn cameras) passed. 7R1‑k (co‑op for trophies) passed as amended. 7R1‑l and 7R1‑m (containers and TV studio contract) passed. 7R1‑n and 7R1‑o (assignments and MOU with South Ward Environmental Alliance) passed. 7R2‑a and 7R2‑b (private sales for affordable housing) passed; 7R2‑c, d, e deferred; 7R2‑f (Seymour Avenue) failed to adopt (3 abstentions); 7R2‑g deferred; 7R2‑h (parking lot) passed; 7R2‑i deferred; 7R2‑j (Grove Street) amended to require all units affordable and then passed; 7R2‑k deferred. 7R2‑l, m, n (HOME ARP agreements) passed. 7R2‑o (redevelopment area declaration) passed. 7R3‑a through d (engineering contracts and bus stop) passed. 7R4‑a through e (finance – notes, foreclosure, tax settlements, tax sale) passed. 7R5‑a through c (health grants) passed. 7R6‑a through d (legal settlements) passed. 7R8‑a through i (council resolutions) passed. 7R11‑a through c (parks MOU, swimsuit gift, scoreboard) passed. 7R12‑a through g (water/sewer contracts, settlements, amnesty program) passed.
• Communications (ordinances introduced on first reading): Items 8‑a through 8‑h (façade program, closing costs, tax abatements, cannabis regulation) moved to first reading. 8‑i was not acted on (duplicate of 8‑e).

Key Outcomes

• Passed ordinances (second reading): 6PSF‑a, 6PSF‑b, 6PSF‑e, 6PSF‑g, 6PSF‑h, 6PSF‑i, 6PSF‑j, 6SF‑a (parking fines). All passed with 6‑0‑2 (Crump and Silva absent) or similar votes, except where noted.
• Deferred items: 6PSF‑c and 6PSF‑d (vacant lot registration and tax abatement for 605‑607 Broad St.) deferred to August 13 special meeting. 6PSF‑f (WTJV Urban Renewal, LLC) deferred to August 13. Also deferred: 6PSF‑k and 6PSF‑l (traffic ordinances in South and West Wards) to August 13.
• Resolution 7R2‑f failed to adopt (3 abstentions: Gonzalez, Ramos, Silva absent).
• Resolution 7R2‑j amended to make all units affordable and then passed.
• Interim operating budget: $62,975,180 temporary emergency appropriation approved to fund city operations through August 2024. Budget hearings announced for August 12‑13.
• Developer contribution list: Deputy Mayor Radha Mohammed provided a list of fines collected from developers for affirmative action non‑compliance, which he said has been collected only under this administration. The council acknowledged receipt.
• Summer youth employment: Deputy Mayor Mohammed confirmed over 2,000 youths are working; one speaker who had not been paid was addressed by staff and payment was scheduled.
• Homeless housing grant: $5,000,000 accepted from NJDCA for the 2024 Newark Homeless Housing Grant (resolution 7R1‑b).