Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - October 23, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting was called to order with 6 members present (Councilors Council, Gonzalez, Kelly, Quintana, Scott-Rountree, and President Crump); Councilor Silva arrived at 6:46 PM, and Councilor Ramos was absent for the entire meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 PM. The agenda included hearings of citizens, consent reports, ordinances, resolutions, communications, and added starters.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations: Approved minutes of the Central Planning Board (July & August 2024), North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (August 28, 2024), financial statements of Morris Doremus Avenue Associates Urban Renewal, LLC (Dec. 31, 2023), and Newark Housing Authority minutes (September 2024) – all approved unanimously (7-0).
• Ordinance on First Reading (6F-a): An ordinance amending Department of Public Safety personnel definitions to add a basic training course for entry-level law enforcement officers hired without an examination. Adopted on first reading (7-0) and set for public hearing on November 7, 2024.
• Resolutions: Nearly all resolutions under Administration (7R1), Economic & Housing Development (7R2-b only), Engineering (7R3), Health & Community Wellness (7R5), Law (7R6), Mayor's Office (7R7), Municipal Council & City Clerk (7R8), Public Safety (7R9), and Recreation (7R11) were adopted unanimously (7-0) or with one abstention as noted. Key approvals included budget insertions for WIOA data ($12,971) and UASI preparedness ($1,657,194), state contracts for traffic signal controllers ($342,500), tires ($700,000), ballistic microscopes ($92,991), professional services for Delancy Street drainage ($2,337,818), street resurfacing grant extensions for 2022 ($2,886,447) and 2023 ($3,102,131), HIV services sub-recipient contracts ($640,484 and $81,000), WIC grant ($2,267,360), public health infrastructure grants, visiting judges contract ($175,000), ceremonial street designations, and a computer training MOU with Rutgers for seniors.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alif Muhammad: Expressed concerns about community involvement in a 350-unit development on Orange Street, criticized lack of proper notification, and urged council to ensure developer compliance with affordable housing requirements.
• Lisa Mitchelson-Parker: Demanded a forensic audit of legal fees paid to law firms, accused the council of lacking transparency, and criticized the city's handling of lead pipe replacement contracts and oversight.
• Felicia Alston-Singleton: Complained about disrespect from council members, demanded payment for a retired police officer, and alleged mismanagement with CDM Smith contracting and lead pipe work.
• Donna Jackson: Accused the council and mayor of lying, mismanaging federal funds for lead pipe replacement, and failing residents; called for a vote of no confidence in the mayor and police director.
• Cassandra Dock: Criticized Mayor Baraka for selling school buildings for $1, neglecting the West Ward, and alleged personal connections between the mayor and a jazz group receiving city funds.
• George Tillman Jr.: Raised non-compliance with the Newark Employment Commission ordinance; stated that thousands of construction jobs are not being posted on the city website as required, leading to Newark residents not being hired.
• Emily Aikens: Questioned whether council works for the people or the administration, expressed disappointment in votes against residents' interests, and raised safety concerns for students walking to school.
• Deborah Salters: Opposed the Orange Street project, alleging lack of community benefit; criticized council for allowing rent increases and creating homelessness; disputed the need for a parking study for her area, claiming discrimination.
• Nadirah Brown: Highlighted issues with missing fire hydrants, unpaid city workers, unaffordable rents despite rent stabilization, and urged council to communicate better with residents.
• Munirah El-Bomani: Attacked the administration and council for political corruption, poverty, and homelessness; demanded affordable housing construction and criticized the city's failure to follow its own ordinances.
• Yusuf A. Shabazz: Sought council assistance with a medical malpractice case against University Hospital and the court system.
• Fahkeira Bradley: Requested emergency inspection and help retrieving her security deposit and mail from Georgia King Village management; alleged tampering with her mail.
• Opal R. Wright: Referenced Dodd-Frank Act provisions regarding recovery of erroneously awarded compensation, but did not make a specific request.
• Charisse Myles: Complained about conditions at a senior building (265 New Community), alleging poor management, security issues, and threats against her.

Discussion Items

• Permit Parking Ordinance (6PSF-a): Council debated the addition of Adams Street to permit parking. Debra Salters argued that a parking study was unnecessary for her area and that the process discriminated against certain streets. Councilor Silva responded that a comprehensive study of the Ironbound section had been conducted and that permit parking was being implemented area-wide. The ordinance was adopted 6-0-1 (Crump abstained).
• Personnel Ordinance (6F-a): Passed on first reading without debate.
• Affirmative Action Committee: Councilors Silva and Scott-Rountree reported that the committee had met three times in 2024, advocated for additional staffing for the affirmative action officer, and planned another meeting on October 28. They acknowledged that more work is needed on job posting requirements.
• Council Comments and Motions: Council members recognized recent events, including a fire on Eckert Avenue, commended the Newark Fire Department, congratulated a Science Park High School student (Ashley Lourenco) for a debate award, expressed sorrow for the passing of Annie B. Green and Emily “Cissy” Houston, and urged residents to vote in the upcoming election. Councilman Quintana requested a meeting with the police director to enforce barbershop operating hours and submitted a petition from Ridge Street School parents for traffic control improvements.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 7R2-a (Private Sale/Redevelopment) FAILED – A proposal to sell two city-owned properties (780 Bergen Street & 763 South 20th Street) to Community Collaborations, LLC for $47,250 for the new construction of a two-family home and rehabilitation of a three-family home (to be sold at market rate to city employees) was rejected. The vote was 4-0-3 (Yes: Council, Kelly, Scott-Rountree, Crump; Abstain: Gonzalez, Quintana, Silva; Absent: Ramos).
• All other resolutions and ordinances were adopted as listed in the consent calendar, with occasional abstentions (noted in minutes).
• Appointments and Reappointments: The council confirmed re-appointments to the LGBTQ Advisory Commission (Jennifer Moore, Susu Stewart, Taquan A. Williams, Della Walker) and appointments of new members (Audris B. Torres, Tiana Marie Santos, Joy Black, Jason Bunkley, Ibrahim Hamza to the African Commission). Re-appointments to the Newark Parking Authority (Tarsha E. Prindle, Andre Hollis) were confirmed, with President Crump abstaining. Two appointments (Alexander Padilla Jr., Bernard McAllister) were deferred.
• Added Starters: A first amendment to the legal services contract with Michael A. Armstrong and Associates, LLC (increase of $125,000, total $250,000) was adopted 6-0-1 (Quintana abstained). A professional services contract with Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins, LLP for lead pipe replacement litigation ($500,000) was adopted 6-0-1 (Quintana abstained).
• Motions Passed: Commendation of Newark Fire Department, congratulations to Ashley Lourenco, expression of sorrow for Annie B. Green and Cissy Houston, congratulations to St. Lucy's Church, request for increased traffic controls at Ridge Street School, and request for review of barbershop ordinance enforcement – all passed.