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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - December 18, 2024

Municipal Council — Wednesday, December 18, 2024

BodyNewark, New Jersey

SessionMunicipal Council

DateWednesday, December 18, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 5:28:59

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:54

Good evening.

0:56

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, December eighteenth, twenty twenty-four.

1:04

Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Reverend Fred Sullivan of Bethel Baptist Church.

3:48

God of love, God of mercy, God of justice.

4:28

That you would allow for fruitful conversation.

4:31

And for just wise counselors to provide just and wise governance.

5:03

And God that you would return us home to our places of rest and respite and make us possible, make it possible for us to deal with the challenges of a brand new day.

5:16

God, in your name we pray this prayer and continue to ask your help upon which we rely.

5:23

Amen.

5:29

In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Star Ledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large, establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting.

5:41

In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on December 13th at the time of preparation and posted on the website of the city of Newark.

5:51

Roll call.

5:52

Council.

5:54

Gonzalez absent.

5:55

Kelly, absent.

5:59

Here.

6:00

Ramos.

6:01

Here.

6:02

Scott Round Tree.

6:03

Present.

6:04

Silver, absent.

6:05

President Crum.

6:06

Present.

6:08

Council President, Council members, we're in the hearing of citizens portion of this meeting, where each speaker will have five minutes to speak.

6:15

When your name is called, please step to the podium and address the council.

6:20

First speaker is Alif Mohammed.

6:23

Mr.

6:23

Mohammed's appearing.

6:35

Good evening.

6:37

Good evening.

6:38

Asalam Alaikum.

6:39

Alif Mohammed Court Towers.

6:41

Alif Mohammed, the president and founder of Alif Mohammed in the air school.

6:45

I want to go back to this backs of terrorists thing, because I really rushed it before.

6:49

What I'm giving you at first is a when I reported the remember the uh the Eric Penetton, the BA said that I didn't do my physician responsibility.

7:03

So every time I come up here, I'm going to also give you the complaint that when I gave it to the feds, what I'm giving showing you is that the complaint that I gave to the feds.

7:14

Now let's talk about it.

7:16

Leasing wasn't a problem for me.

7:18

Matter of fact, I told Victor Sarilla we should lease some of the property to help earn income money.

7:23

And this leasing wasn't really a problem with me because the uh the guy from the drive-in was gonna take six acres, and there was two acres gonna be taken by a trucking company.

7:33

And why I didn't have a problem because I thought the drive-in was a great idea when he had done it during the pandemic.

7:38

Uh, what happened in this meeting?

7:41

La Monica had a problem where she didn't want the trucking company on that property.

7:47

So Norma Gonzalez told me, she told Logan, so we want to hold up and defer that.

7:54

Uh they didn't want to defer it.

7:56

So what they did was um she went now.

7:59

This is what ties the mayor into the corruption.

8:03

She went down to MIDI in the mayor's office and told him that she didn't want the trucks in that area.

8:11

And they Middle told her sure that the trucks would be gone in one month.

8:15

Okay, so we passed it with a truck and was coming.

8:18

Then three minutes, months later, you'll see that they amended the trunk trucking company, gave it to another truck in the company.

8:25

Now, what I mean by corruption, you'll see that it says two acres for trucking, sick acres for entertainment.

8:34

After a couple months, I guess the driving didn't do well, it became a truck and depot, which was against the violation.

8:41

Now, I told you before that the BA was riding down from wherever he lived at on South Orange to West Orange, and he was noticing, so he called Victor Sorelli and complained.

8:51

So Victor says it's not only you complaining, Commissioner, it's the um it's the BA, and he's talking about suing us.

8:58

So I said, what you gonna do?

8:59

He bust out laughing.

9:01

He said, You ain't gotta go sue it, just go tell administration that you don't want the trucks there.

9:05

They the one to put them there.

9:07

Now, remember, it was only 5,000, 6,000.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Affordable Housing██████████████████18%

Public Engagement███████████████15%

Tax Abatement███████████████15%

Procedural█████████9%

Homelessness█████████9%

Community Engagement████████8%

Public Safety███████7%

Water And Wastewater Management██████6%

Budget Equity Analysis███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting - December 18, 2024

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on December 18, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a lengthy public comment period, discussion and votes on multiple tax abatement ordinances, approval of a new Public Safety Director, and various resolutions. Council members Patrick O. Council, Luis A. Quintana, Anibal Ramos Jr., Louise Scott-Rountree, Michael J. Silva (arrived at 7:07 PM), and President C. Lawrence Crump were present; Carlos M. Gonzalez and Dupré L. Kelly were absent. The meeting adjourned at 12:13 AM.

Public Comments & Testimony

Alif Muhammad discussed corruption related to a housing authority land lease and urged council to increase representation on the housing authority commission.
Lisa Mitchelson-Parker requested a forensic audit of all Newark grant funding, citing fraud and abuse, and criticized the city's budget increases and tax abatements.
Eliyah Mordano (veteran, faith-based leader) spoke about the houseless community and called for accountability.
Shakir McDougald asked specific questions about AMI percentages, rent control, and developer compliance with redevelopment agreements.
George Tillman Jr. updated on workforce development and minority contractor set-asides on large projects.
Lester Powder (property owner) complained about the Bergen-Lyons-Clinton Special Improvement District's 165% assessment increase and lack of services.
Nadirah Brown (CWA 1081 member) shared her housing struggles and urged council to enforce rent control ordinances.
Linda McDonald-Carter called for a "Checkbook Newark" transparency tool and a disaster preparedness campaign.
Barry Brown detailed mold and rent issues in his apartment, alleging improper eviction.
Opal R. Wright read from the Dodd-Frank Act regarding financial stability.
Donna Jackson criticized the administration for eviction crises, lack of rental assistance, and the police department's handling of a fatal accident.
Wendy Shelton (Fairmont Health Services) highlighted delayed payments to homeless shelters, leading to near closure.
Ché Colter urged council to stop excessive tax abatements and called for a public safety committee meeting.
Maryam Bey (investor) demanded better monitoring and qualified staff at shelters.
Robert Lyon (shelter resident) pleaded for continued housing assistance and criticized the sudden closure of 300 shelter beds.
Munirah El-Bomani accused the administration of running Newark into the ground and called for a forensic audit under a future Republican administration.
Debra Salters criticized the city for not investigating developer non-payment to workers and for granting market-rate abatements.
Cassandra Dock questioned the need for a 20-year tax abatement for the 440 Elizabeth building and urged residents to hold Mayor Baraka accountable.
Jeffrey Poku (former 440 resident) opposed the abatement, arguing the developer already secured financing.
Tanisha Gardner (Terrell Homes Tenant Association) requested a meeting before approving the community benefits agreement for Terrell Homes.

Discussion Items

Tax Abatements (6PSF-c, 6PSF-d, 6PSF-o, etc.): Council debated multiple ordinances granting 20- to 30-year tax abatements for residential and commercial projects. Critics argued these abatements do not benefit low-income residents and lead to gentrification. Councilman Ramos requested a formal presentation on the continued need for abatements. Councilman Quintana asked for transcripts of tax abatement committee meetings. The 440 Elizabeth project (South Ward) was adopted despite opposition; the developer noted it would generate $502,000 in PILOT payments versus $186,000 in current taxes. The Hyatt Avenue warehouse (East Ward) was adopted; Councilman Silva stated it will bring 161 permanent jobs and is located in an industrial area.
Police Substation Lease (6PSF-f, 6PSF-g): Ordinances authorizing a license and lease agreement for a police precinct substation at 468-498 Broad Street (Central Ward) were adopted. City officials said the lease was necessary after the current space became unavailable, and the new space will be built out by the landlord at a cost of $200,000. Public speakers opposed the expense, citing vacant city-owned buildings.
Water Treatment Plant Filters (6PSF-h): An ordinance appropriating $11.4 million for additional filters at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant was adopted. Water Director Kareem Adeem explained the filters will increase capacity and treat raw water. Public speakers questioned the need for additional spending given past water quality issues.
Terrell Homes Community Benefits Agreement (7R2-o): A CBA for the redevelopment of 91-97 Chapel Street (East Ward) was adopted. Councilman Silva stated the $25,000 in community benefits would go to local schools and senior programs. Tenant advocates requested a meeting to discuss allocation, but Silva noted the tenant association is dissolved. The developer confirmed seniors will have first priority to return.
Appointment of Public Safety Director (8-a): The council confirmed Emanuel Miranda Sr. as Director of Public Safety, replacing Fritz G. Fragé. The vote was 6-0.

Key Outcomes

Adopted Ordinances (6-0 votes, with 2 absent):
- 6F-a: 25-year tax abatement for 74-78 Webster Street (amended to Central Ward).
- 6PSF-c: 20-year tax abatement for 440 Elizabeth Ave (216-unit high-rise, South Ward).
- 6PSF-d: 30-year tax abatement for KSPG 39 Madison Urban Renewal (80 units, East Ward).
- 6PSF-f & 6PSF-g: License and lease for police substation at 468-498 Broad Street.
- 6PSF-h: $11.4 million bond for water treatment plant filters.
- 6PSF-i: Refunding bond ordinance for up to $31 million.
- 6PSF-l: Seventh amendment to Newark's River Redevelopment Plan.
- 6PSF-o: 25-year tax abatement for Hyatt Avenue warehouse (East Ward).
- 6PSF-p: Amendment to Terrell Redevelopment Partners financial agreement.
- 7R2-o: Community benefits agreement for Terrell Homes project.
- 7R2-p: Waiving 20-day period for police substation ordinance.
Deferred Ordinances: 6PSF-a, 6PSF-b, 6PSF-e, 6PSF-j, 6PSF-k, 6PSF-m, 6PSF-n, 6PSF-q.
Resolutions Adopted: Temporary emergency appropriations ($218.6M for operating, $101.9M for debt/capital), GIS software contract, fire truck parts contract, support for cannabis businesses (Allstar Development, New Jersey Cannabis Club, Lilac Dispensary), engineering contracts for water department, sewer and water main repair contracts, and various grants (hit-and-run enforcement, fire trucks, homelessness prevention).
Motions Adopted:
- Expressing sorrow for the passing of Mary Yvonne Crenshaw Kenney, Ann Webster, Jairo Rodriguez, Timothy Brantley Sr.
- Requesting purchase of additional motorcycles for police.
- Requesting traffic studies in downtown, Bloomfield Avenue, and lower Broadway.
- Requesting a meeting with PSEG to improve street lighting.
- Scheduling a public safety committee meeting with the new director.
- Directing the Law Department to draft an ordinance regulating food delivery services.
- Inviting scooter vendors to a future conference meeting.
- Approving a raffle license for Devils Care Foundation.
Appointments Confirmed: Susan Austin to Central Planning Board (Alternate #2); Solomon Middleton-Williams to Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Newark Municipal Council on Wednesday, December eighteenth, twenty twenty-four. Please stand for the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation by Reverend Fred Sullivan of Bethel Baptist Church. God of love, God of mercy, God of justice. That you would allow for fruitful conversation. And for just wise counselors to provide just and wise governance. And God that you would return us home to our places of rest and respite and make us possible, make it possible for us to deal with the challenges of a brand new day. God, in your name we pray this prayer and continue to ask your help upon which we rely. Amen. In accordance with New Jersey law, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the Star Ledger, the Jersey Journal, and the public at large, establishing the date, time, and location of this meeting. In addition, the agenda for this meeting was disseminated on December 13th at the time of preparation and posted on the website of the city of Newark. Roll call. Council. Gonzalez absent. Kelly, absent. Here. Ramos. Here. Scott Round Tree. Present. Silver, absent. President Crum. Present. Council President, Council members, we're in the hearing of citizens portion of this meeting, where each speaker will have five minutes to speak. When your name is called, please step to the podium and address the council. First speaker is Alif Mohammed. Mr. Mohammed's appearing. Good evening. Good evening. Asalam Alaikum. Alif Mohammed Court Towers. Alif Mohammed, the president and founder of Alif Mohammed in the air school. I want to go back to this backs of terrorists thing, because I really rushed it before. What I'm giving you at first is a when I reported the remember the uh the Eric Penetton, the BA said that I didn't do my physician responsibility. So every time I come up here, I'm going to also give you the complaint that when I gave it to the feds, what I'm giving showing you is that the complaint that I gave to the feds. Now let's talk about it. Leasing wasn't a problem for me. Matter of fact, I told Victor Sarilla we should lease some of the property to help earn income money. And this leasing wasn't really a problem with me because the uh the guy from the drive-in was gonna take six acres, and there was two acres gonna be taken by a trucking company. And why I didn't have a problem because I thought the drive-in was a great idea when he had done it during the pandemic. Uh, what happened in this meeting? La Monica had a problem where she didn't want the trucking company on that property. So Norma Gonzalez told me, she told Logan, so we want to hold up and defer that. Uh they didn't want to defer it. So what they did was um she went now. This is what ties the mayor into the corruption. She went down to MIDI in the mayor's office and told him that she didn't want the trucks in that area. And they Middle told her sure that the trucks would be gone in one month. Okay, so we passed it with a truck and was coming.

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