Newark Municipal Council Special Meeting - December 10, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held a special meeting on December 10, 2024, at 10:01 A.M. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting began with an executive session from 10:02 A.M. to 10:56 A.M., followed by the consideration of four resolutions related to private sale/redevelopment agreements and a first reading of an ordinance amending special improvement district regulations. The council heard public comments and adjourned at 11:29 A.M. Seven council members were present; Councilmember Dupré L. Kelly was absent.

Executive Session

• The council entered executive session at 10:02 A.M. to discuss confidential matters. The session ended at 10:56 A.M.

Resolutions - Economic and Housing Development

7R2-a(s) 24-1061 – Lincoln Park/Coast Cultural District (LPCCD Development, LLC)

• Purpose: First Amendment to the Agreement for the Sale and Redevelopment of Land to change the entity name, amend the project scope, correct the assessed amount ($417,000.00), and correct the sale amount ($148,579.68). Properties are located in the South and East Wards (11-15 Emmet Street, 68 Sherman Avenue, 26 Thomas Street, 54 Pennsylvania Avenue, 34-36 Parkhurst Street, 26 Parkhurst Street, 28 Parkhurst Street, and 1109 Broad Street). Cost basis: $6.00 per square foot.
• Vote: Adopted 7-0 (Yes: Council, Gonzalez, Quintana, Ramos, Scott-Rountree, Silva, Crump; Absent: Kelly).

7R2-b(s) 24-1488 – Rising Plains 570 LLC

• Purpose: First Amendment to the Agreement for the Sale and Redevelopment of Land to amend the scope of the project. Properties are in the Central Ward (497-499 Bergen Street, 509-513 Bergen Street, 507 Bergen Street, and 215 Rose Street). Sale amount: $115,206.84; cost basis: $7.00 per square foot.
• Vote: Failed 3-0-4 (Yes: Council, Scott-Rountree, Crump; Abstain: Gonzalez, Quintana, Ramos, Silva; Absent: Kelly). The resolution did not pass.
• Comment from the public: A representative from Rising Plains, named Ines, explained that the amendment was needed because the initial survey allowed for four two-family homes, but they are now changing to three two-family homes, all affordable.

7R2-c(s) 24-1521 – Inner City Development Group, LLC

• Purpose: First Amendment to the Agreement for the Sale and Redevelopment of Land. Properties are in the South Ward (146-148 Fabyan Place and 150-152 Fabyan Place). Contract amount: $55,080.00.
• Comment: Allison Ladd, Director of Economic and Housing Development, noted that developers were invited per council direction. The principal, Amal Asif, identified himself as a Newark resident.
• Vote: Adopted 7-0 (same as 7R2-a).

7R2-d(s) 24-1614 – NMA Owners Urban Renewal LLC (Newark Museum of Art Owners Urban Renewal LLC)

• Purpose: Authorizing a subordination agreement with Merchants Bank of Indiana to subordinate the city’s rights of reverter, enabling financing for an affordable rental or for-sale housing project in the Central Ward (47-55 Washington Street and 65 Central Street). Sale amount: $0.00; cost basis: N/A.
• Vote: Adopted 7-0.

Added Starters - Communications

8-a(s/as) 24-1669 – Ordinance Amending Special Improvement Districts

• Purpose: An ordinance amending Title 10, Chapter 32 (Special Improvement Districts) of the Newark Revised General Ordinances. Changes include clarifying reporting requirements, designating a district management corporation, striking sections on hiring practices and triennial review, and adding sections on establishing a Board of Trustees and an effective date.
• Public Hearing: Scheduled for January 8, 2025.
• Vote: Advanced and adopted on first reading as 6F-a(s/as) by 7-0.

Public Comments

During the 30-minute public comment period, six speakers addressed the council:

• Munirah El-Bomani: Criticized the lack of explanation for the special improvement district ordinance and raised concerns about hiring and workforce development, claiming training programs lead to “training to nowhere” and urging accountability from the tax abatement committee.
• Jule Baskerville: Supported the Lincoln Park nonprofit developer and questioned the NMA Owners Urban Renewal project’s lack of appraisal and sale amount details, urging more affordable housing at lower AMI levels (30-60%) and prioritizing nonprofit developers.
• George Tillman, Jr.: Asserted that the administration is not in compliance with local hiring ordinances (affirmative action review council not meeting, jobs not posted on Newark Works website) and requested a plan of action from the Deputy Mayor and Newark Works.
• Deshawn Ross: Objected to a proposed 25-year tax abatement for a project on Elizabeth Avenue, alleging wage theft (unpaid overtime) and unfair labor practices at the job site.
• Delois Black: Shared her experience as an ex-offender seeking employment, requested updates on women’s meetings, and asked for clearer channels to address housing issues.
• Debra Salters: Criticized council president for uneven enforcement of speaking time limits and for allowing verbal assaults on activists. She also noted that the Newark Summit for real estate development had ticket prices of $375–$500, which are inaccessible to residents with incomes of $16,000–$36,000.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 7R2-a(s) (Lincoln Park/Coast Cultural District) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 7R2-b(s) (Rising Plains 570 LLC) failed due to four abstentions.
• Resolution 7R2-c(s) (Inner City Development Group) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 7R2-d(s) (NMA Owners Urban Renewal subordination) adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 24-1669 advanced to first reading; public hearing set for January 8, 2025.
• Next Steps: The council directed administration to follow up on workforce development and hiring compliance concerns raised during public comment. The council adjourned at 11:29 A.M.