Newark Municipal Council Regular Meeting – January 8, 2025

The Newark Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 12:31 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting covered a lengthy agenda including multiple tax abatement ordinances, amendments to special improvement districts, resolutions for contracts and grants, and a public hearing of citizens. Key issues included affordable housing definitions, workforce compliance, and the city's procurement card policy. Several items drew extended public comment and council debate. Council Member Michael J. Silva was absent.

Consent Calendar

• Reports and Recommendations (Items 5-a, 5-b): Accepted unanimously (7-0) – North Jersey District Water Supply Commission minutes and 2025 budget; Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center board minutes (January–October 2024).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Parker (multiple ordinances): Opposed 25-year tax abatements, arguing they deprive the school system of revenue and benefit developers over residents. Questioned the city's use of procurement cards and called for a forensic audit of departments.
• Shakir McDougald: Questioned the definition of “affordable” and urged the council to adopt a local AMI. Opposed the convenience store distance ordinance as punitive to small businesses.
• Debra Salters: Expressed confusion over the special improvement district amendment and called for transparency. Reiterated that the city’s definition of affordable does not match residents’ reality.
• Alif Muhammad: Supported several projects (Rising Plains, Broadway Star, 566-570 Springfield) as compliant with zoning and good for mixed-income neighborhoods. Later spoke about the Little Bricks/Phaëton Hall redevelopment concerns.
• George Tillman, Jr.: Emphasized systemic failures in workforce development and affirmative action compliance. Called for Newark Works to be present at tax abatement committee meetings to ensure resident hiring.
• Munirah El-Bomani: Stated the city is “incapable” of monitoring itself and demanded better housing and job plans for Newark residents.
• Other speakers: Opal Wright referenced the Dodd-Frank Act; Tara Orr complained about predatory towing and ticketing; Darnella Lee raised mold and layoff issues at JC White; Latoya Jackson-Tucker requested data on returning incarcerated residents.

Discussion Items

• 6PSF-a – Procurement Card Ordinance: Amended Title II to allow procurement cards. Benjamin Guzman (Assistant Finance Director) explained they are not credit cards, will be limited, and tied directly to budget lines. Public opposed due to past theft. Adopted 6-1 (Ramos abstaining).
• 6PSF-b – 25-Year Tax Abatement (566-570 Springfield Ave): 22 market-rate + 2 affordable (60% AMI). Allison Ladd (EHD Director) noted the project predated IZO amendments. Fail to adopt (4 yes, 3 abstain).
• 6PSF-c – BLC Special Improvement District Amendment: Removes Class 2 residential properties from the district; authorizes 1% administrative fee. Adopted 7-0.
• 6PSF-d – 20-Year Tax Abatement (Rising Plains, 475-481 S 16th St): 19 affordable units (35%-70% AMI). Adopted 7-0 after discussion on workforce and AMI.
• 6PSF-e – 25-Year Tax Abatement (Broadway Star, 686-688 Broadway): 206 units (41 affordable). Adopted 7-0.
• 6PSF-f & g – Utility Easements (NJ PAC): Authorized vacation of temporary easement and acquisition of permanent easement. Adopted 7-0.
• 6PSF-h – Special Improvement District Amendment (Downtown): Clarifies reporting, designates a management corporation. Adopted 7-0.
• 6PSF-i – 25-Year Tax Abatement (74-78 Webster St): 25 units (5 affordable). Adopted 7-0.
• 6PSF-j – Convenience Store Distance & Penalties: Proposed prohibited distance from existing stores. Fail to adopt (4 yes, 3 abstain).
• Resolutions 7R1-7R12: Most adopted unanimously. Notable: 7R1-f (support for cannabis microbusiness) adopted 6-1 (Kelly abstained); 7R2-c (private sale for affordable rehab) adopted; 7R2-e (new 3-family home with affordable units) adopted after discussion on monitoring affordability.
• Communications (8-a, 8-b, 8-c): Advanced to first reading – 20-year tax abatements for 486 Market St and 209-213 Mt Pleasant Ave, plus a multi-way stop ordinance.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on Tax Abatement Ordinances: 6PSF-b (566-570 Springfield) failed (4-3-0). 6PSF-j (convenience stores) failed (4-3-0). All other ordinances were adopted (mostly 7-0).
• Council Motions:
  • Motion of sorrow/regret for Lawrence Muhammad, Deacon Douglas L. Williams, Jr., and Wali Williams – adopted.
  • Motion to request NJ Transit reinstate the #31 bus stop at West Side High School – adopted.
  • Motion to request an update from Municipal Courts and Engineering on illegal construction/conversion properties – adopted.
• Administration Responses:
  • Business Administrator Eric Pennington clarified no CDBG funds were used for Kawaida Towers; no consultants hired for governor race; revaluation meetings begin Jan 16; 440 Washington St heat/elevator issues are being addressed in court.
  • Allison Ladd confirmed affordable housing is defined as 30% of income using HUD AMI; the city can explore a local AMI but must reconcile with funding sources and zoning ordinances.
• Future Actions:
  • EHD will include recommendation memos for private sales (LOI analysis).
  • Affordable unit monitoring will be added to the Office of Affordability and Sustainable Housing.
  • DPW presentation scheduled for next meeting.
  • Council committee to meet with court and UCC on fine enforcement synergy.